Aoki, Toki and Akio seemed all for the festivities which was not at all shocking. Though I vaguely wondered how those three got any kind of work done. Before we left, Jia told us to be careful and to not make a scene. As he spoke, he looked over at the trio, which caused Toki, Aoki and Akio to look off to the side and look dumb. Kumo didn't have to say much to his people, behavior wise. Everyone seemed to be in check by someone else and that in itself made Jun look back at me from the sides of his eyes. It was almost as he was looking down at them. That's Jun for you. Once Jia finished with his orders, he allowed us to go ahead. We paired up as usual, the trio traveling close to each other, Jo and Aya keeping each other company as Aya began removing his tie and undoing some buttons from his shirt. We got outside as Inamie, who was walking with the North Star put one hand on his dainty hip and waited for us to start moving. Haku seemed just as anxious to get going but Floran was looking off to the side, not really wanting to go. Toki then said,

"So how we gonna do this?"

Akio the ran his hand through the mass of dark chocolate hair as he said,

"We'll go in first. Then Kurid and Haku and so on and so on. We'll text each other inside to keep track."

We all agreed as Jo took out the keys to the parked car and said,

"Who's riding?"

Aya gave a gesture as Jun and I followed. Inamie looked at Haku for a moment before he turned back and stayed where he was. Kurid opted to come in with us while the other decided to head there by their own means. After Aya got in, we allowed Kurid in before us, then Jun got in and I sat last. I closed the door of the car and looked up slightly to see Toki stand by the car. He pressed his hand to the glass for a moment, giving me a slightly smile before he turned and went back to this friends. As the car pulled away, I pressed my hand to the spot Toki's fingers had been a moment sooner before I turned and gathered myself. Ugh, I disgusted myself sometimes. I reached up to my hair, pulling out the elastic band holding half of it up as I ran my hand through, unsnarling the knots as I then gathered it back in my hands, twisted it into a tight knot before turning it and making it a circle at the base of my head. I snapped the band around the small, tight knot, letting free strands fall free as Jun said,

"You let it grow out again."

I nodded as I said,

"I like it this length."

He didn't say anything else. Since we had a fair way to go to get to Kowloon, I sat back, watching as Aya groomed himself using the vanity mirror to help. He dug into his coat pocket, searching for something before he found a tube of chap stick and smeared the wax carefully over his full lips. He used the tip of his finger to gather any excess off his lips as he then toyed with his hair. It was almost like watching a woman prepare herself, although Aya added nothing to his color or to his face. He folded his tie into a small, flat square and tucked it away in his coat pocket as he opened the collar of his shirt another button to show the base of his collar bones. Even I had to admit, Aya was very pretty. And he was pretty in that sense that he didn't even try. He didn't have to dress up and wear make up and that made him all the more attractive because he was natural. Anyway, Jun sat beside me, loosening his own tie as I said,

"What are you doing?"

"Do you wanna look like a yakuza as we walk into a club?"

I turned away as he then fixed his hair a little. Unlike Aya, he was done grooming in a matter of moments. By the time we even got into Kowloon, Aya was still primping. When we finally reached Southern Kowloon, Aya was all the prettier, eyes shining, soft black eye make up somehow applied over the lids of his eyes, his lips soft looking, his suit now looking like casual wear and to anyone that didn't know him, they would think he's another pretty boy out looking for a good time. Kurid shook his head out, hair falling neatly back in place in rows of red as Jo snapped up his hair in his usual array of knots and twists, bangs falling around his face as we approached the growing line of young men and women. Jo went up the bouncer, unabashed and whispered something, gesturing slightly as he then shook the bouncer's hand. The bouncer looked down for a moment, seeing the amount of money Jo slipped him as he nodded and allowed us inside without further wait.

Once inside the club, Jun and I parted from the smaller group and looked around. There was crowds of females walking around, dancing, grinding against each other for the amusement of the men watching them. Couples who were together danced closely and in the far back I caught a glance of Xiao Tsing again. Unlike before, the quiet, young man that had called himself virtually useless to his sister, who sat silent as stone, pale and lifeless was now someone else. I almost didn't recognize him at first glance since his hair had been cut much shorter but left long in the front to hide one side of his face, still black but laced with light blondes and oranges. He wore a designer black suit, on his lapel was a small pin, too far from me to see exactly what it was and on his cheek, like Kaoru and Mei Ling before him was the tattoo for blood tears, ketsurui in black ink, tattooed under his right eye. He turned and then disappeared into the crowd of his guests. Through the hours, my cell phone would shake against my hand or in my coat and I frequently checked for messages. I saw my other associates and the rest of the North Star eventually flood themselves among the mingled guests and club goers. The music was loud, the whole room somewhat dim, colored lights streaming everywhere. Jun was hit on a couple of times by a few girls and he talked to them to not raise suspicion. I also made small talk though I was uncomfortable by it and I never made eye contact. Women got bored of me real quick, no matter how cute I looked at first. We moved about the club to not draw attention, running into our associates. I stood by Inamie for about ten minutes before I even realized it was him. He turned slightly as I nodded, recognizing him by the choker with the star pendant on it. He nodded in return as he took a drink from his glass. Men by the dozens hit on him but that was about the same with Aya, who had lined up around the block. Although his was a mixture of men and women. Jun seemed entertained though I was bored. Eventually I was texted by Akio who asked me if I saw Xiao Tsing yet. I responded back, saying I had and gave a brief description. I waited for a few moments before I got an answer back. Jun got a message as well. So did Inamie and we began to move.

I traveled through the crowds, keeping my eyes on Jun ahead, diverting them every now and then to look around. I didn't see Xiao Tsing until I reached the far end of the club as Jun and I broke through a crowd of girls. Haku was there, standing with Jo, Aoki, Toki and Akio. Toki saw me and grabbed my arm as he yanked me closer to him, knowing Jun couldn't say or do anything if he didn't want to draw attention. I struggled to get out of Toki's grip without making it obvious as he leaned down and whispered,

"Xiao Tsing is right over your left shoulder."

I stayed still and waited as Haku stayed calm but his face turned serious as Aoki smoked quietly. The girls that were all giggling and trying to get their attention soon started realizing that none of them were looking at them any longer. I brought my hand up and reached into my coat as Toki said,

"What are you doing?"

"Getting ready."

He brought his hand up to my hair as he said,

"Ew, you tied it back."

"I told you about that."

I checked the clip seeing I had a few bullets left but I had a spare clip in my pocket so I wasn't too worried. Toki then turned to Haku, nodded and then looked at Aoki as he said,

"Hey...Wrath of God...you ready?"

"Yeah Silence. I'm ready. Playboy...you ready?"

Akio nodded as he took out his glock and said,

"Yup."

Their audience began to gasp and scream as Jo had his gun out and Aoki raised his gun in the air and fired off a shot. The crowd heard it, or saw it but either way they began to duck or hide or just run. Screams echoed through the club as Jo got up on one of the tables as he said,

"Ladies and gentlemen, so sorry to interrupt your fun...we were just looking for someone."

Xiao Tsing stood, unfazed or worried as he looked at us. Jo smirked once he saw him, then he jumped off the table, not wanting to make himself a target as Xiao Tsing's men began pulling him back. Toki's lighter went off as he let go of me, his cigarette already lit as he said,

"Let's do this then."

The North Star and the 36 Moons went off in different directions, guns blasting, screams echoing as patrons tried getting out of the way. I grabbed the bottom of a table and turned it over as I ducked behind it as Jun sat beside me. We both took our shots until my first clip ran out. I just popped it, dropped it and put the new one in as I went back to firing.

Fights went on around us as those who got to close were involved in fist fights. Toki had no trouble using cheap shots there as he broke bottles or slammed them into tables or walls, sometimes using them as human shields to get closer and to get to Xiao Tsing. Aoki did the same, ducking behind tables every now and then. Jo, who over time had become as vicious as anyone, used his butterfly blade, slitting throats to move them out of his way as he followed up behind the trio. The North Star also fought well, Inamie showing he was more then a pretty face in drag as he took a couple of fist fights. Haku had a similar fighting style to Toki's using cheap shots and moves, but doing whatever got the job done. Kurid had aim so deadly, it was like watching Jun shoot. But I couldn't see anyone else. I concentrated on the task at hand. For a brief break in the gun fire, I heard the faint sounds of the police coming. The innocent bystanders that had gotten in the way where on the floor, casualties of war. They drew the line between us and Xiao Tsing's men...those that had not been shot anyway. Some of them began retreating, giving us a chance to back away as well. As we started to pull back, I saw Neesa was holding Floran, who was shot. Kurid cursed as he went over to him and started to look at him. Jun went over as well as he said,

"How bad is it?"

"Not sure. Floran move your arm."

Floran did as told as Neesa watched over them. As he did, Haku, jumped over one of the tables and began going after those that retreated. Aoki and Toki backed him up though Aya tried holding Aoki's arm, telling him not to go. I went with them, trying to let Aya know I would back him up. The fight continued into the alley of the club as I saw a car parked just down the narrow tunnel. Xiao Tsing's people tried getting to it, but they were slowly being stopped. As they got closer to the car, I felt a flash of light go before my eyes as I felt a chill run through me. I gasped to myself as I shook it off and saw that car still parked there, waiting for their associates. I knew Aoki, Toki or Haku shouldn't go towards it and as I tried to warn them, I felt a tight sting suddenly. My breath was cut off as I felt a piece of wire begin to strangle me, the metal cutting into my skin as I dropped my gun and my fingers grasped desperately at the wire. Whoever was trying to strangle me was taller then me and leaned back as he lifted me off the ground. I struggled, kicking outwards as I felt blood race down my hands, my fingers being cut from the wire...or my neck, I wasn't sure anymore. I felt my attacker slam back against the wall as I finally decided to go limp, he would think I died and drop me. So as he leaned against the wall, I gave a choke and started to go limp as I exhaled and dropped my hands to the side. I thought I couldn't hold out for a second longer, but he finally let go and I fell limp to the ground. I laid still, not moving at all as the attacker stepped over me and began walking away. I picked my head up once I was sure his back would be facing me as I started to get back up. I pulled the wire, now stained in blood away from my neck as I saw him going towards the car. I got to my feet as I followed him. He turned suddenly as I punched him, feeling his nose break under my fist. He fell back as I looked over and saw my gun and I picked it up as I pulled back the hammer and shot him. Toki and Aoki turned as they saw me and came back as they said,

"What happened?"

"He tried to strangle me."

Toki then saw what I felt. Blood seeping down my neck as he said,

"Oh shit! He cut you!"

"It was the wire."

He held up his wrist as he pulled the noose from his bandanna and then wrapped it as he brought it to my neck and pressed it against me. I let him, as Aoki said,

"We should go. Floran's hurt too."

Toki nodded as he said,

"Yeah...'sides that punk bitch Xiao Tsing gave us the slip while we were fightin inside."

As we stood there, Neesa came out with Floran in his arms, Kurid beside him as Jun came out with Akio, Jo, Aya and Haku. Akio said,

"We gotta go! NOW! Cops are inside and unless we wanna be arrested without a lawyer I suggest we get on the good foot with this shit."

Aoki split us quickly sending Neesa and Floran with Jo who had the car as he sent me with Toki since I was also injured. The rest of them were to go in a different direction and we would group at Jia's building. With that, we split up and left. Jo got the car as we waited in the cover of darkness, hiding from the cops until the car came about. We all got in quickly, slamming the doors and Jo peeled off.

After what felt like an eternity, we reached Jia's building. I wasn't as badly hurt as Floran was so Kurid was allowed to use Jun's area to fix him quickly since Jun had not arrived. Jia saw me as well as he said,

"Damn what happened?"

He touched my neck with such tenderness that I was not use to from anyone else besides Toki and Kazuki that I flinched. He saw that as he said,

"Sorry, I was just curious."

"I was almost strangled."

He nodded as Kumo then said,

"You okay though right?"

I nodded, the bleeding now much weaker then it was before. Tai and the Yuuki twins came down from the elevator as Tai asked me if I was okay when he saw me bleeding. Once I explained I was almost strangled, the Yuuki twins looked surprised as Toshihiro then said,

"Did you see who tried?"

"Some tall guy. Thin. Scar near his eye, black short fuzzy, buzz cut."

The twins looked at each other again as Yasuhiro said,

"Was it wire?"

I nodded as they both said,

"It was Kai."

Jia looked at them as he moved his hand from Toki's face as he said,

"Who?"

"Kai." They repeated.

Kumo then said,

"Okay pretend we don't know what you're talking about."

"Kai was Xiao Tsing's second in command. He followed him up. But before hand he was just an assassin that worked for Mei Ling and was close to Xiao Tsing." Said Yasuhiro.

"Oh shit so...Mikkie just shot in the face..."

"Xiao Tsing's second in command." The twins said.

Jia sighed slightly as Kumo then said,

"Hey, one way to get his attention."

Jia nodded as he said,

"True, but now I can expect war. You know how people in charge act when they loose a second in command. I've seen it...hell I've done it."

Kumo then said,

"I know. I understand."

He sighed as he tucked his hair behind his ear and then smoothed out the leather over his leg as he said,

"I'm going to check on Floran. Excuse me."

Jia nodded as Tai said,

"So what now Jia?"

Jia sighed as Toki rested his chin on his shoulder. Jia then said,

"I do nothing. I'm just going to wait for him now. I unknowingly made my move."

Tai nodded as soon all our associates started coming back in. Jia told them all what he just learned as Akio said,

"So we wait?"

"We wait. I'll lure him out like I did Kaoru."

Eventually I went to get tended to once Jun had arrived.

My partner and I spoke about the coming events as he said,

"He could have killed you."

He was more concerned with the deep cuts on my neck as I said,

"I know. It's why I regained myself and went limp."

"Good thing you thought of that."

I tilted my head back as he checked the entire basis of my neck as I sat on the counter, the table being used by Kurid as he worked on Floran's shoulder. Jun dapped some antiseptic on my cuts as I winced. I felt him blow on my skin as he said,

"You got kiss marks."

"No, I don't."

"They're not recent but they're pretty old."

I tilted my head back down as I said,

"It's nothing."

He gave me a stern look before he said,

"Lift your head up."

He continued to work on my wounds until he was satisfied. I then got down as I went back upstairs.