My neck started to bother me. I didn't have any bandages or any kind of covering over them but the marks began to sting anytime I touched them. Jun said the marks weren't deep, but I should still be careful. I faintly wondered if it would scar. Anyway, after going back upstairs, Jia dismissed us and allowed us to go home for some sleep or whatever we felt like doing. Jia himself was spending a long night of work with Tai, the Yuuki twins, Kumo and Neesa, going over plans and ideas on how they were going to avoid anything Xiao Tsing might throw at them. Jun said he was going to see how Gabriel was and invited me to come with him. As we left I saw Kurid had come back upstairs and spoke to Inamie, saying Floran was fine, just whinny. Jun let Kurid know that we had been dismissed but Neesa was upstairs. He thanked Jun as he went on his way as Haku and Inamie walked out. Aoki and Aya went on their way as Akio had his arm around Jo, whispering something to him as Baby listened but then shrugged him off, laughing as Akio laughed too. Toki was the last one in the lobby, sitting there looking very lonely. I couldn't go over to him since Jun was already giving me those looks again since he saw my fading kiss marks. As my partner and I walked out, I looked at Toki who looked back at me and I gestured to him to call me later. He nodded as he waved and I left with Jun.

We went to see Gabriel though it was beyond hospital visiting hours. Jun however had made up some glorious lie saying he was Gabriel's personal doctor and the fact that he flashed enough money to keep their mouths shut made us visitors. Jun came in Gabriel's private room as Gabriel watched TV. He was still awake though I was sure he would be asleep. He turned to us as he said,

"Hi."

Jun waved as he said,

"How you feel?"

"Weak. My face feels tight."

Jun picked up his medical chart as he went through it and said,

"They're giving you a kind of stimulate to make sure your nerves don't fuck up."

"Oh. When can I leave?"

"Gabriel, you almost had your throat slit. I think you need to rest."

Jun set the chart back in it's place as he said,

"How they treating you?"

"Pretty well. But my meds keep me up. I can't sleep well. And my neck hurts from the stitches."

Jun made Gabriel tilt his head back as he pulled back the gauze from his neck and said,

"They'll be out soon enough. It'll scar."

Gabriel nodded slightly as Jun then moved back as he said,

"Your hair got longer."

"Oh I know. I've been meaning to get it cut. Maybe when I leave."

He toyed with the growing ends of soft blonde hair that fell slightly to the tops of his shoulder. He then looked back at Jun as Jun said,

"It's up to you. It's your hair."

Gabriel nodded as he then said,

"Where's Tai?"

"Out with the trio. Having wild nights, you know the usual."

Gabriel laughed slightly as Jun smiled and said,

"Where else would he be? He's working with Jia and Kumo."

He began to make Gabriel comfortable as he said,

"You need to sleep."

"I can't."

Jun sighed as he said,

"Try."

"He can't force himself Jun." I said.

My partner looked at me and then back at Gabriel as he said,

"I know you can't force yourself but you do need rest. I'll try to come back tomorrow okay. I'll see if I can't get Tai to accompany me. Though I can't promise anything since shit is about to hit the fan."

Gabriel nodded as he said,

"Take care of everyone."

We both nodded as we then left.

We stopped to eat at an all night noodle place as Jun said,

"Going to get some sleep?"

I set my chopsticks into the bowl as I said,

"Yes. I'm actually exhausted. Besides with everything happening soon, I doubt I'll be able to sleep at all for the next few days."

Jun then asked a waiter for more water, to my surprise, in perfect Cantonese.

"Where'd you learn that?"

"Oh, been here long enough, I might as well learn how to ask for food and water."

I shook my head. Only Jun would learn a whole new language just to feed himself. After we ate, I said good night to my partner and went on my way home. As I did, my cell phone rang and I answered. It was Toki. Within the hour, I was home, Toki waiting for me in the lobby. I was glad to see him. We spent some time together in my apartment, lying in bed together as he kissed my ear, his fingers curling the ends of my hair. He was started to fall asleep after he had a cigarette, his legs were holding mine as I rested against him, holding his bare arm. I felt comfortable, spent, but comfortable. I yawned slightly as he whispered softly,

"You tired?"

I nodded as he pulled up the sheets around us, my bed a complete disarray as he kissed my forehead and let me sleep. I woke up the next morning when I didn't feel anything. I opened my eyes as I saw Toki was sitting up, his boxers already on as he stood up for a moment and pulled his jeans up. He paused to turn towards the night stand and tap his cigarette against the ash tray before bringing it back to his mouth. He leaned down picking up his shirt and shaking it out before turning it outside in and then pulled it on, smoothing out the front as he then started to get his socks on. I yawned slightly as he turned and put out his cigarette and then leaned back, resting his head on my side as he said,

"Hey."

"Hi. Where you just going to leave?"

"When you eva know me to do that?"

"Never."

He turned, getting up and crawling over me as he straddled me and we kissed for a long time. I put my arms around him, hugging him, feeling his arms around me as well. I felt happy. When he pulled back he kissed my lips a few more times, looking at me as he laughed. I smiled as well as he said,

"I love when you smile."

"I don't do it often enough."

"Don't. It's somethin you do with me."

I smiled slightly as his hand touched my neck, the wounds inflicted from the previous night still fresh. I hissed as he said,

"It hurts?"

"It stings."

He leaned to my neck, kissing me slightly, his tongue lapping at the wounds as I fidgeted a little, moving my head back as I said,

"It tickles."

He lifted his head up as he yawned and said,

"It's so fuckin early."

"How early?"

He lifted his wrist up, checking the heavy watch on his wrist as he said,

"Almost nine thirty."

I nodded as he said,

"Love to stay here all day but I gotta get back. Get some sleep an all that shit."

I nodded again as he reluctantly got off me. I got my bathrobe on, tying it up as I picked up my elastic band from the night stand and began gathering my hair as I walked him to the door. Once most of my hair was snapped in place, he turned kissed me and left.

That afternoon, after I showered, dressed and made sure I had no visible marks, I went to work, wondering if anything was going on. I went inside to see that Tai was there, working still as I said,

"You haven't been here all night have you?"

He looked up from his desk as he said,

"No, I got here almost two hours ago."

I nodded as I sat down and said,

"You guys come up with anything?"

Tai shook his head as he said,

"Jia and Kumo agreed that we should wait for Xiao Tsing to make his move before they do anything."

"So what should the rest of us do in the mean time?"

Tai sighed, leaning back in his chair as he said,

"Be careful."

It was simple, but all around very useful advice. I stuck around a while longer, working with Tai as I wondered what I was suppost to do for the entire day until Xiao Tsing decided to do something. After Jun came in, Tai said,

"I'm going to see Gabriel."

"We should go. I have to see him anyway. He says he has trouble sleeping because of the meds they're giving him."

"Is it anything serious?"

"I don't think so. They could just be stimulants to make sure his nerves keep reacting. But other then that, I doubt it's anything serious."

Tai nodded, getting his coat on as he said,

"Mikkie are you going to stay here?"

"Yes. I have nothing else to do."

He nodded as Tai and Jun then went on their way. A little while later, around four in the afternoon, Jo arrived. He was in his usual suit and tie, his hair tied up, bangs falling around his face, the usual twists and knots still doing nothing to keep his hair off his back and away from his shoulders. He sat beside me on the sofa as I sat there, looking over the paper as he said,

"When did you learn to read Chinese?"

"I haven't. I'm just looking at it to entertain myself."

"Oh I was about to say."

He took out his cigarettes as he put one in his mouth and then lit it with a flick of his lighter. As he inhaled, then exhaled he said,

"You gonna do anything?"

"Not right now."

"Where's Jun?"

"With Tai in the hospital visiting Gabriel."

He nodded, quiet again until Kumo arrived. The spider of the North Star came in as Jo and I stood and bowed our heads in an act of respect. Neesa was with him as they both greeted us in return.

"Is Jia around?" Kumo asked.

"He should be here soon." I said, offering them to sit in the lobby.

Kumo and Neesa took the invite as they sat on the sofa across from us as Jo asked,

"Is Floran okay?"

"He's fine. He'll be up and about in a day or so." Said Neesa.

Jo nodded as Kumo said,

"Anything happen so far?"

"Quiet all day." I said.

I turned the page over and folded close the paper as I rested it on my lap and looked over the characters, seeing the pictures, catching a few English words here and there as Kumo said,

"You understand any of that?"

"I'm bored."

He laughed slightly as I kept scanning over the picture as I saw a picture of the building Toshimasa and Xiao Tien keep. I got up as I walked over to Kumo and handed him the paper as I said,

"What does that say?"

He took it as he tucked his hair back and said,

"Oh shit...they raided this building and found out it was an illegal casino. They're looking for the owners."

"How would anyone know it was a casino?" Said Jo.

"Someone tipped them off." Said Neesa.

"Toshimasa and Xiao Tien aren't even connected to the casino, much less the 36 Moons." I said.

Kumo nodded as he said,

"What of everything inside though?"

"I'm not sure."

Just then the Yuuki twins came in, both wearing black suits, Yasuhiro wearing a wine red shirt underneath his, Toshihiro wearing a soft blue one. They both bowed their heads to us as they both said,

"Is Jia-sama around?"

I shook my head as Jo said,

"He should be here soon though."

"We have information on the casino raid." Said Toshihiro.

I nodded as I excused myself to call Tai. I hated to interrupt the few moments he could have with Gabriel but this was important. His line rang for a moment until he answered. After I explained what happened, he said he was on his way as we hung up. Just then Jia finally came in as he stopped for a moment to adjust the hem of his pants and he looked up as he took off his sunglasses and said,

"Hey. What's going on?"

Kumo and Neesa got up as the Yuuki twins looked at him, greeted him as Yasuhiro said,

"The casino the owners of the game own has been raided."

"What do you mean?"

Kumo walked over to him, handing him the paper as he said,

"Someone tipped off cops about the illegal business and went in and tore the place up. They're also looking for the owners."

Jia scoffed as he waved it off and said,

"Not worried about it. Totchi and the China Doll never keep real books so they're not connected to it. Plus, that building isn't even the real casino. It was a temporary one until the land that Kaoru blew back some time ago was fixed again."

Kumo sighed slightly as the Toshihiro said,

"Good to know."

"I hope that wasn't Xiao Tsing's move. Otherwise, I'll be very disappointed."

Jia then went on his way upstairs as he said,

"Toshihiro, Yasuhiro, Kumo come with me. Is Tai upstairs Mikkie?"

"No, he's on his way. He was visiting Gabriel."

"Good man, nice to know he still has heart somewhere."

He then went to the elevator, everyone following him as Neesa stayed with us. As it got darker, everyone began arriving to Jia's building in pairs. Tai and Jun arrived together and later on, Akio and Toki did. Aya and Aoki came in last while the North Star still to did not regroup. Neesa was by himself, but he seemed fine. Luckily, he didn't have conflict with anyone so he was able to sit and not start with anyone. Everyone sat and waited for a while until the rest of the North Star came in, minus Kumo, Floran and Neesa. Inamie, Haku and Kurid came in together as they stood and talked among themselves. It was a little noisy in the lobby, something I was unaccustomed to but I sat among the noise and waited.

Around six that evening, everyone now gathered in the lobby, waiting, still talking, Kumo, Jia, the Yuuki twins and Tai all came back downstairs. They saw us all as Jia said,

"Okay, I decided to send all you out there. If that was Xiao Tsing's move then, let's find out. I really hope not though because that was incredibly weak."

Kumo laughed slightly as Jia then said,

"Okay just, walk around. Don't stayed cluttered. The Yuuki twins will be around. You know how to stay in touch with each other."

He then dismissed us and we got our usual partners and went on our ways.

Unlike most nights when it's quiet and boring, it was mayhem through Kowloon. Every few minutes, police sirens were racing along the way, bars and clubs broke out into fights and distant gun shots where heard. It was hell. Jun and I kept walking, trying to see if we could actually attract attention to ourselves. Trying to get Xiao Tsing to come out of hiding. For the most part of the night, Jun and I spent ducking fights and barely getting out of them. I wasn't about to fight anyone over anything trivial, mostly because it was not the attention we needed. Eventually we headed back to the restaurant Xiao Tsing was known to own and boldly entered. There, the waiters and hosts looked at us before attending. We sat down as Jun ordered tea for the both us as we waited. I looked around for a while before I saw Xiao Tsing himself, standing at the back stair case. His dark hair laced with light colors falling over one eye, the tattoo on his cheek clearly visible as he then turned and went upstairs. Jun and I wasted no time going up after him, though we were stopped by his guards. As we argued, I saw Xiao Tsing return, a gun in his hand as he aimed and fired. It missed me by a fragment if inches, but I had stayed still. Xiao Tsing was surprised at my lack of actions, his eyes widening slightly as I turned my cold glare at him. He raised his arm again to shoot but this time Jun grabbed my arm and yanked me towards him, pulling out his D.E at the same time and shooting the guard point black. Xiao Tsing went back upstairs as Jun followed him. I called Akio and Jo on my way upstairs with Jun, telling them where we were as I then hung up and continued following Jun. We were lead upstairs to the next room as we fended off the rest of Xiao Tsing's guards who were downstairs, trying to stop us from going all the way up. We made a run for it, going up the rest of the way as Xiao Tsing had disappeared down a hallway of doors. Jun and I began opening and checking rooms, seeing them either empty or filled with women. I opened one of the doors on the right as I was pulled inside, then slammed back against the door, slamming it shut behind me. I looked ahead to see Xiao Tsing, aiming a gun at my face and I ducked before he fired. I lunged at him, knocking the gun out of his hand and we fought. I was small, Xiao Tsing had height and weight over me, but I was far from helpless. After a good couple of swings, blood being drawn, Xiao Tsing began to back off. I shoved him off me as he rolled around on the floor as Jun came in and saw me getting to my feet. Xiao Tsing was crouched down, his head down as he had his hand over his mouth. Jun went over to him slowly, seeing he had no weapon. I followed, not too close however to back Jun up. Suddenly Xiao Tsing rose and flung his hand out as if he was throwing something and I saw he had. The blood that had fallen from his mouth had had gathered in his hand and flung it at Jun. He grabbed me with little effort picked me and shoved me back. I slammed against a window, most of it breaking behind me as I started to fall through but grabbed the sides of the window and pulled myself back. The broken glass jabbed through my hand, making me bleed right away. Xiao Tsing had taken his opportunity to escape while we were both distracted. Jun, who had turned his face, but still had blood splattered on his cheek and near his eye, went after him. I tended to my hand for a moment, picking out the larger shards of glass before tearing off part of the curtain and wrapping my hand in it. I picked up my gun, using my left hand since I couldn't hold it properly in my right and followed my partner. Akio, Jo, Aoki and Aya had all arrived at the restaurant, now clearing out, Xiao Tsing gone and the cops starting to pull in. We all retreated and went back to duck through Kowloon's back alleys. My hand was starting to hurt as Jun took a quick look at it and tried his best to clean the glass from it. He wrapped the fabric tighter around my hand before we left, splitting back up from our associates.

We had lost him again, but Toki later called saying he was on his way chasing Xiao Tsing. That was almost two hours later. We were too far but the Yuuki twins were helping him so I was not too worried. Jun and I paused for a while so he could check my hand again. He was tempted to take me back to Jia's building to clean it out better but I said it could wait. I checked my watch, seeing the evening's darkest hours were now on us. We went back into our pattern and eventually got tired again. I wasn't sure if we would find Xiao Tsing again, or if maybe someone else had. Four in the morning rolled around. I yawned as I sat on a bench with Jun, the both of us had been on our feet all night. We were filthy from the earlier fight and I was in pain. I had bled through my temporary bandage but I wouldn't tell Jun. As we were about to get up and get back to work, my cell phone rang. I took it out, answering.

"Yeah."

"Mikkie, you and Jun can quit for tonight."

"What about-"

"Xiao Tsing's dead."

"Who got him?"

"Toki did. The Yuuki twins just brought him back."

"Is he okay?"

"Well, that's why I need you two here before anyone else. I think he's hurt."

"Oh, we're on our way."

I told Jun what Jia had said as we both quickly found a cab and went on our way back to Hong Kong Island, our problem once again solved.