After Shikou merged with Jia, I almost expected a celebration to come from it. But it didn't. Jia wasn't looking forward to celebrating anything. Shikou's people were being arrested at alarming rates because of fights, shootings and deaths. I could roll my eyes at the sloppiness these street thugs have. It was any wonder why they even stayed in business as long as they did. So while Shikou's associates worked and bled and died, Shikou himself sat like a pampered pet on Jia's lap. Jia, who once hid his fling with Tsubasa from us, no longer cared and allowed us in his office while Shikou was straddled on his lap or while the elegant creature sat on Jia's desk in front of him with his pants being undone. Jia didn't care. Hell he was an oyabun, he shouldn't have to care. I found it pathetic for Shikou to have such an established and well known business, despite what it was, gone and himself now reduced to a toy. An instrument of pleasure, one of Jia's fuck toys. What did I care anyway. The only thing I did care about was the fact that it left a very free and once again determined Toki behind me. I thought I had gotten rid of him, made myself clear that I didn't want anything to do with him ever again...but he failed to listen. He failed to leave me alone. Once he had me I thought that would be it but instead I found I was back in the same position. I felt as if some things would never change.

The rest of us waited as Tai organized the last of the accounts. Finally after a few weeks, it was done. Jia had his newest enemy pressed down and under him...in more ways then one...and everything had been stopped before it even started. I assumed sooner or later, Jia would grow bored and return to Tokyo as was his habit. We would soon follow and the pattern would be continued. I was looking forward to going back to Tokyo, being able to get lost there easier then in New York. In New York, I didn't like too many places and I was easily found. Not in Tokyo. Anyway Jia stayed in New York a little longer then one would think since he had his newest toy and adoration and he had yet to grow bored of him. Toki spent most of his time in old haunts, getting drunk and not showing up the next day. Where he would spend his nights I wasn't sure because I knew neither Aoki and Akio would take him in for more then a night a piece and with the way him and Jia were fighting I doubt he was going home. It then occurred to me that with the right price, Takeo was probably taking care of him. I digress...

By the end of the month, Jia prepared to go back to Tokyo. We had spent a good couple of months in New York and one could stay here for so long before getting homesick. Jia let us know he was preparing to leave and asked Aoki that if he saw Toki anytime soon to let him know he was leaving. Aoki nodded, saying he would. Afterwards, Jia said we had some down time, free to do as we pleased for at least three months. We should return Tokyo by then. We were then dismissed. I started to leave, Jun not too far behind me as he said,

"Going home?"

"Yes."

"I mean to Tokyo."

"Yes."

"Good to know. So will I."

"Okay."

"You seem more distant then usual."

"I'm not in a good mood."

"Anything in particular?"

"No....just an over all bad mood feeling."

He nodded as I pressed the button to the elevator to go down. I sighed, letting my head down slightly as I thought about leaving before Jia. Not that anyone would know or care. I couldn't even begin to imagine another sleepless night in New York. Once the elevator came up, I decided to do just that. I left Jia's building and caught a cab to my apartment. I changed and booked a ticket for later that evening to leave. I then waited. I couldn't leave just yet. It was only seven in the evening and my plane wouldn't leave until one that morning. I wasn't even tired so I watched TV. I hated watching TV on the couch so I stood through most of it, walking back and forth from my room to the living room to the kitchen. The kitchen was empty except for a few plates, glasses and silverware. I didn't like keep much food since I was rarely home long enough to eat it and get rid of it. I was really bored and had too many hours to kill. I decided to go for a walk.

I just wanted to go home. I could look forward to nothing else but that. Damn my need for being there. I wandered around for a while, stopping to look at stores, buying something to eat as I walked, ignoring things and people as I kept going. I couldn't see much of anything but high sky scrapers, but as the sun set, it casted shadows across every towering building, brief shining moments of light fading, fighting for one more glow. I watched it from Rockefeller Center, the last of the sun shining across the city. I looked around the famous area, watching as tourists pointed and stared at building and took pictures of the famous site. I crossed my arms, bringing my hand up to my mouth as I chewed the end of my nail again. It was a disgusting habit. I don't know why I didn't bite the nail off to begin with instead of growing it out as long as it was getting. Around nine, I decided to go back home and maybe get something else to eat while I waited. I put my hands in my pockets to avoid biting my thumbnail as I sat on the train. As the train stopped at the platform, I got up, smoothing back my hair and standing in front of the doors. As the opened, I stepped out and left through the turnstiles. I walked up the steps, going up quickly as I then reached the surface. I started my walk to my street, my nail rubbing against my skin...and it was tempting to bite it again, instead I kept walking. As I got on my street, I looked ahead to see someone standing in front of my building. I was about to dismiss it as someone who was lost or waiting for someone but as I got closer I knew who it could be.

"Toki...what are you doing here?"

"I thought you were home."

He turned to me, a cigarette in his mouth as usual. I shook my head as I said,

"I was out for a little while."

"Your lights are on. Is why I thought you was home."

I looked up at the window he pointed to as I said,

"Toki...that's not my apartment. I above that."

He dropped his hand as he said,

"Oh shit...been staring at the wrong fuckin window all this time."

I would have laughed. Instead I sighed and said,

"Why are you staring at my neighbors window anyway?"

"I thought it was yours."

"I mean, why are you here?"

"I dunno. I was walkin around here...I remembered you live around here so...I...came to stare at your window."

"Stupid."

"I know. So where were you all night?"

"Went for a walk."

"You never go out when I ask ya too."

"You go to places that hurt my eyes and head after a while. Besides, I don't drink."

"Yes you do you liar."

I cleared my throat as I said,

"Oh...I'm not sure if you spoke to Aoki but Jia's going back to Japan by the end of this week."

Toki shrugged as he said,

"Figures. Is okay...I'll go back soon enough."

"Surprised you're not going with him."

"Nah...he's been carryin me like his lap dog lately...gettin all fuckin high on himself an shit cuz of Shikou. Mr. I'm King of the Fuckin Universe is gettin laid by Tsubasa's sequel so...I figure if he wants himself a uke then he can fuck with one for a while."

"Don't you care?"

"Fuck ya I care...but he's gonna do it anyway."

"Well good for Jia."

"What the fuck you mean good for Jia?!"

"You do it to him all the time. Turn about is fair play."

He scoffed as I got my keys from my pocket and went inside. He then said,

"Hey...ain't cha gonna invite me up?"

"You drunk?"

"A little."

"Then no."

He frowned and said,

"I'm sober enough this time Ghosto."

"I'm still saying no. Even if you were sober Toki."

"Thas fucked up. Came all this way and stared at your neighbor's window for hours an you can't even invite me up for some coffee or shit."

"One, you don't drink anything but booze. Two...I don't have any coffee."

"Well...whateva. Come on jus for a little while. I'll be on my best behavior I promise."

"You have good behavior?"

"If exercised correctly it can be considered proper."

I shook my head as I said,

"A few minutes. Then you leave."

I allowed him inside.

Once at my apartment I heard him shut the door behind him as he walked inside, looking around again. It was all familiar territory to him, yet he looked around as if it was all new.

"You ain't change much."

"I wasn't here a lot. I try not to be."

"So...when you going back to Tokyo?"

"Tonight."

"Tonight? Damn thas quicker then Li."

"I don't really have a reason to stay. Work is done for now...so...I might as well go back."

He nodded slightly as he shrugged off his coat on one side as he said,

"You got an ashtray or somethin? I feel weird dropping ash all over here...is not my house after all."

"You drop ash in your apartment?"

"Yeah...Li gets on me about that shit...since I got cats now."

"You have more then one?"

"Yeah. Got a little one. Is a girl this time."

I nodded as I gave him a napkin for the moment since I didn't have an ashtray handy. He then sat down, holding the napkin in his hand as he said,

"When's your flight leavin?"

"One."

"You got time to kill."

"I know."

It was quiet again. I wasn't sure what to say anymore and I was feeling uncomfortable. He didn't look at me too much and I kept a fair distance from him since I was standing. I started to bite my nail as he finished, rubbing the cigarette out by pinching the end of it and making the burning end drop into the napkin. He then crumbled it up as he held it out for me. I took a step closer to him as I reached to take the napkin. Once I had it, I felt his hand around my wrist as he looked up at me. I knew that look...I knew all too well so I shook my wrist loose and went to throw the crumbled up napkin away. When I came back I saw him standing, getting his coat back on as he said,

"Better go."

I nodded, not saying anything else as he put his hands in his pockets. I walked him to the door as he then stopped and said,

"You're nineteen years old."

I looked at him confused as I said,

"Excuse me?"

"You nineteen again. You acted the same way when I first met ya."

"You haven't changed at all either Toki. And judging by your track score, that's not a compliment."

He smirked as he said,

"I don't see why I should change."

"You said you wanted to once."

I didn't mean to say that. I bit the inside of my cheek as the smirk on his face faded and he said,

"Yeah...I had a reason once...at least I thought I did."

Something in my chest felt like I had been stabbed. I felt everything inside me stop as I swallowed hard and then opened the door for him and said,

"I'll...I'll see you later."

He nodded as he then left and I closed the door behind him. I exhaled deeply and leaned against the door, remembering too much at once. I shook my head as I pulled back my hair and decided to forget it. It's done and over with...might as well move on.

At one that morning, I was on the plane going back to Tokyo. Fourteen hours later, I was home. I fell asleep once I got back to my apartment though it was early in the afternoon when I got to Tokyo. I woke up later that evening, the Tokyo skyline already illuminated, the sky clear and twinkling with lights from heaven. I stayed in bed, admiring the view from my window as I hugged my pillow close. I was still tired, yet not enough to sleep still. As I laid there, I heard my phone ringing. A puzzled look came over me as I thought there was no way anyone could know I was home. I did tell Jun...but I imagined he wouldn't be here until after Jia left which wasn't until the end of the week. I took my phone from the night stand and off the charger as I answered.

"Hai?"

"Mikkie, where are you?"

"Jun?"

"Yeah who else?"

"Just making sure."

"When did you go to Japan?"

"How'd you even know I was here?"

"I called your New York cell phone and you didn't answer. I figured you might have left."

"I did."

"Okay. Just checking. I'll be there soon."

"Leaving when Jia does?"

"Yeah. I'll call you when I'm in Tokyo."

"Okay...later."

I hung up as I went back to watching the view.

By the end of the week Jia returned to Tokyo by himself. When I did stop in his building to see him, I saw only Tai and Gabriel, along with a couple of the lower heads were there.

"Tai...where's Jia?"

"Home I'm assuming."

"Why is he home? I figured he still had something to do with the merger in New York."

Tai nodded as he said,

"He does, but he's holding it off until he feels better...or in other words, when Toki gets home."

Gabriel then interjected,

'You know how it goes with those two. Jia and Toki fight, Toki disappears, Jia falls apart, Toki comes back, Jia is back together."

I nodded, knowing the repeat cycle of their often vicious relationship. I sighed and said,

"Are you the only two working?"

"Hai. Until Three months, Jia's recovery or Toki's return. Whatever comes first." Said Tai.

I nodded and made me way out. I wasn't sure of Jia and his downfall. It could be considered Jia's greatest weakness, his Achilles if you will. One cruel word, one harsh act, a couple of brutal swings and Jia was down and out and nothing could get him back up until Toki himself decided to come back. Jia often tried to go on as if nothing bothered him, but he often broke under pressure, causing Tai to take over anyway. None of us could urge Toki to go back to Jia since Toki was often not around and he was in places most of us had too much dignity and respect to go into. The only two that were with him, didn't care enough to put anything back together. One too self involved with other relationships and the other too self absorbed. It didn't matter now anyway. Nothing was happening.

Or at least nothing was happening. Toshimasa arrived from his trip through Japan and Hong Kong a few days later. He had wanted to speak to Jia about coming business. I saw the owner of the game had now taken strong hold over walking with a limp, his grace still in tact, an ebony cane with a silver handle in his possession at all times. His hair had gone black this time, still falling around his perfect face as always. Dark brown eyes peered up at Tai as he asked for an audience with Jia. The red rose still clung to Toshimasa's lapel for an unknown reason as Tai sighed and apologized a hundred times for Jia's absence, claming he wasn't feeling well and hasn't been since he returned from New York a couple of days ago. Xiao Tien, who everyone had dubbed the China Doll because his eyes rivaled hand blown glass and amber stood up, dark hair falling around his face as he said,

"Who has been tending to him?"

"Our private doctor has been."

Xiao Tien crossed his arms, disappointed that Jia was ill. Toshimasa then said,

"I would not wish to disturb Jia if he's ill. We'll be in Tokyo for at least another week. If by then Jia's not well, then I'm afraid I'll have to catch him the next time we come through Tokyo."

Tai nodded walking with him and Xiao Tien towards the doors as he said,

"Of course. If there's anything needed though, you can speak to me of it."

Toshimasa nodded as he said,

"Arigato. I'll be sure to stop by in a day or so to discuss some of these growing account. Last I checked there was a huge swell in some of the accounts."

Tai nodded as he said,

"Hai, that would be from the newest merger in New York."

"Ah...a discussion for another time then. I'll return soon."

Tai bowed his head slightly as did Toshimasa and Xiao Tien. They both then left. I was glad that it was just Tai and Gabriel here with myself. Whatever hormones each may have, both control them perfectly when it comes to the likes of Xiao Tien and Toshimasa....unlike a certain trio and one of the trio's son that can't help but oogle the two owners of the game as if they were candy. Anyway, as the days progressed, Tai asked me to please check on Jia.

"I'd do it myself, but..."

I nodded, not allowing him to go on since I understood he still had meeting with Toshimasa and Xiao Tien to tend to before they left again to go on break and then back through Japan. I sighed and gathered myself together and went to Jia's apartment. Jia lived in Roppongi, the Park Ave of Tokyo. Only the very rich and very lucky live there. Though the rest of us live somewhere in the near by area, Jia lives in the dead center. Toki lives with him. Which makes sense because Jia is very rich and Toki is very lucky. I went inside, the door man giving me no problem since he knew Jia was my employer and I went to his floor. I knocked on the door, since I felt it was rude to just walk inside though I had a key, giving me full access and permission. But I waited for a few minutes anyway. After a while, I unlocked the door and went inside. I took off my shoes at the door and closed the door behind me, walking in as I put the keys back in my pocket. It was not my first time coming into Jia's apartment since I often had to do this any time he fell apart but it had been a while since the job was moved over to Joryu. But Jo was in New York for the moment so it had once again reverted back to my job. I knocked on his bedroom door slightly before pushing it open and seeing Jia on his bed. He slept on one side of the bed, on his back, his head turned towards the window slightly. He was dressed thankfully and an ashtray full of cigarettes, an empty pack, an empty glass and a more then half empty bottle of sake showed what he had been doing. I picked up the things on the night stand and brought it to the kitchen where I threw away everything but the glass and the ashtray and set those in the sink. I checked the refrigerator for food seeing none. Gee, what a shock. I thought of going to pick something up but instead I placed an order with a near by sushi shop and then went back to Jia's room. Usually his place is spotless...and his room is no exception. Other then his comforter that was thrown on the floor and a few pillows knocked about. I picked everything back up as I adjusted the sheets around Jia and pulled his comforter over him. He turned just then as he opened his eyes and said,

"What are you doin here?"

"Tai asked me to check up on you."

I spoke with a soft voice knowing Jia had a hang over. I made sure the curtains stayed closed as I then said,

"I ordered something for you to eat. I'll bring you some aspirin."

"You don't have to."

"I know. I'll do it anyway."

Once Jia's food arrived, I took it to him as he laid in bed. He had long taken his aspirin with some water, but he laid in bed still, smoking. I came in as I said,

"If everything is okay, I'll leave."

He sat up as I handed him his food. He put out his cigarette as he pulled his hair back and looked down at the plate. He offered me a seat which happened to be on his bed as I carefully accepted. He began to eat as he paused in between bites and said,

"What day is it?"

"Tuesday."

"Shit...been out of it for almost a week."

"A little longer then a week Jia."

He nodded, continuing to eat as he then paused again and said,

"Is Toki here?"

"Still in New York."

"Ah...sou ka."

He went back to eating. The silence stretched out between us for a while until he finished. Once he was done, he set the plate aside and picked up his cigarettes. He offered me one and then flinched back the pack as he said,

"Sorry...I forgot you don't smoke."

I nodded as he then picked up a book of matches and took out one and struck it against the back. He lit the cigarette as he sighed and said,

"Anything been going on?"

"Toshimasa and Xiao Tien are back for a little while. They're speaking with Tai since you're not in and then they'll rest and then go back to work."

"I should see Xiao Tien."

I knew what he meant by that. I cleared my throat as I said,

"But...Toshimasa has been speaking with Tai to clear everything up. Tai's explaining the New York merger."

"Hai...I figured he would."

I then got up as I took the plates from Jia's side as I said,

"I could come back tomorrow if you need me to."

He shook his head as he said,

"No...I'll be good for at least two more days. I'll try to come in soon."

An empty promise. Jia wouldn't get up for at least two more weeks. I nodded nonetheless and said,

"Hai. I'll be back in two days then."

I bowed my head as I then excused myself.

The month was about to close out. And just when Tai really needed some of Jia's advice, Gabriel was too over worked with having to do his own plus Tai's work since Tai couldn't finish everything and Aya still not being enough to keep them all going, Toki appeared. Gabriel was on the verge of tears as he sat with me in the lobby. The gaijin was face down on the sofa, his arm and one leg dangling off the sofa as he whined and complained about how long it's been since he slept a full night. As I listened, though reading the paper at the same time, I heard,

"Damn gaijin, jus out right an say how long it's been since you got your proper fuck."

I looked up as did Gabriel as we saw Toki there.

"How long have you been back?" Asked Gabriel.

"Got here yesterday. I slept most of today to get back in order."

Gabriel sighed as he said,

"Thank God..."

He swept his dark blonde short hair back as he said,

"I'm going home to get some sleep."

He got up, buttoning the front of his coat as he went to the elevator to either tell Tai or take Tai with him. Toki then hopped over the sofa as he sat down and said,

"Hey Ghosto."

"Kon ba wa."

"What are you doin?"

"Playing nurse maid to Jia until he's well."

"Is all good. I'm back. I'll take care of him."

"I'm sure you will."

I heard him lighting a cigarette as he then said,

"Imma go...I'm sure Li's got some work to do. I'll have him up and ready tomorrow."

"Uh huh..."

I continued to read, sort of ignoring him in the process. Just as I thought he left, the paper crumbled in my hands and I looked up to see Toki standing in front of me. His hand had crushed the entire paper and I was about to yell at him when he said,

"Damn you were really readin."

"What the hell did you think I was doing?"

"I thought you were just not respondin to me when I was sayin bye."

"Well I wasn't because I was reading."

"Can I get a kiss good night?"

"No."

I moved his hand off the ruined paper as I attempted to smooth it back out. I felt his hand near my hair as he tucked it behind my ear and kissed the lobe. I felt his lips press to the two silver hoops I wore in each ear as his breathing had stopped for a moment. I froze, allowing him to do that for a moment until I felt his teeth bite softly at my ear, the silver clacking against his mouth as his tongue brushed over the soft flesh of my ear. I moved back quickly, bringing my hand to my ear as I said,

"Don't ever do that again."

"You liked it."

"No, I didn't. Go home. Jia is waiting."

He frowned for a moment before he then did turn and left.