Jun arrived at Tai's place a little while later. I had stopped the blood flow from Gabriel's wound during that time and I was checking his stats every few minutes to make sure he didn't leave. When Jun came he checked the wound seeing that he had been hit with something heavy and hard. In fact if he had been hit any harder, it would have killed him. Jun and I picked Gabriel up and put him on the couch as we called in Aoki. It was still earlier in the day so few people were up and about. I called Jia...or at least attempted to since it was so early. Of course he didn't answer and I knew not to even bother with Toki. I called Jia's apartment next, doing that only when I absolutely had too...and it was one of those moments. When he answered, I let him know Tai was gone and Gabriel had been hurt. He cursed and said he would be there soon. Meanwhile, Jun took care of Gabriel as Aoki came in. Aya was there as well and the three of us looked around Tai's apartment. Aoki and I went to the bedroom where I showed him the blood smeared on the door. As we looked around the room, Aoki said,

"Tai was caught on aware."

I looked at him as I said,

"How do you know?"

"Well for one thing, Tai is huge. If he was going to fight, I really doubt that his room would be so intact."

I looked around seeing that aside from the unmade bed, everything was intact.

"What of the blood?"

"Maybe his...or the people that got him out of here."

We looked around again before we then went back to the living room. Aya stood up from the door as he said,

"The lock was picked. It's probably how they got Gabriel."

We looked over as Jun said,

"Well...he'll be okay but we have to wake him up."

"Why?"

"I want to be sure it's nothing serious. If he can wake up, then it's not and I won't have to take him to a hospital."

Jun and Aoki got Gabriel to his feet as they shook him awake and started walking around the room for a moment. Aya and I watched as Aya said,

"Did you call Jia?"

"Hai...he should be here soon."

"I wonder how they got Tai...he's hardly the type to be taken down."

"I know what you mean."

As Gabriel slowly started coming back, Jia arrived with Toki. Toki was still half asleep as Jia said,

"What happened?"

"They got Tai and got Gabriel."

Jia walked over to Gabriel as the gaijin had a hard time focusing and keeping his head up let alone speak to Jia. Jia saw him as he said,

"What happened to him?"

Jun picked Gabriel's head up as he said,

"Well he got hit in the head pretty hard...which is why you're standing in a puddle of blood."

Jia looked down as he cursed and said,

"So...why is he looking like he's stoned?"

"I'm trying to keep him conscious to be sure it's not serious."

"Ah...well...Tai's gone. Without him...I'm fucked."

"What should we do for now Jia?" Asked Aoki.

Jia sighed as he said,

"First things first...let's take care of Gabriel. Maybe when he wakes up properly he can tell us something."

We got Gabriel's shoes on and then his coat as Aoki picked him up to his feet and made him walk as we left his apartment. We had to keep him conscious the whole time so we kept speaking to him, asking him inane questions and making him answer. When we got to Jia's building, we went downstairs to Jun's makeshift doctor's office as we laid Gabriel down and had him checked. Once Jun determined it wasn't serious we let him sleep. Jia then rushed upstairs to call someone who knew how to get a hold of Toshimasa and Xiao Tien. Jo ended up going though Akio, Aoki and a now very awake Toki fought over the right in the lobby for at least ten minutes as Jo stood there, listening, his eyes looking upwards as he tilted his head to the side. He then sighed and said,

"I only know where Toshimasa is."

They continued arguing as Jo stepped away from them and looked at me as he said,

"You wanna come?"

"Sure."

We then left them arguing.

Jo lit a cigarette as we walked to the subway. He then said,

"I don't know why those three argue. It's not like the China Doll wants anyone but Jia at this point and I'm not sure if Toshimasa is even bi curious."

"Aren't you interested in them?"

"Sure....they are eye candy. I just try to maintain myself when it comes to them. I think Aoki is spending far too much time with Toki."

I raised an eyebrow as I said,

"Yeah...I have to agree."

He then exhaled as he said,

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Aren't you interested in them?"

I thought about it for a moment and thought about how stupid I would look trying to be beside either one. I then shook my head as I said,

"I wouldn't look right with either one."

"I didn't ask that."

"I think they're attractive...but I'm not trying to bed either one."

He nodded as he said,

"I would if I could."

"Seems like you're more then capable."

"If I did, one of those three would kill me though I don't think Aoki should even care since he has Aya and Toki is with Jia so he shouldn't care either."

"I know."

"And Akio's wonderful pride might be damaged it I did it again."

"Again?"

"Ah...etto...what I mean..."

"You are sleeping with Sozaburo."

"Demo..."

I saw him get all flustered as I said,

"Don't worry about it. I won't bust you for it. I'm just stating the fact."

He cleared his throat as he said,

"Yeah...I am."

"Why don't you want anyone to know?"

"Well for one thing, Aoki and Toki will bust me on it. Then Akio will just have his pride shattered since he hit on Sozaburo first."

"Ah..."

We got to the subway and took the train to Toshimasa's whereabouts. Around Ueno, we got off and began walking down the sidewalk where a lot of the ads for concerts were posted on sides of walls. When we reached a certain door, Jo stopped and knocked on a door. An eye slot opened and looked around before it closed and the door opened. Jo and I walked in as Jo said,

"Toshimasa around?"

The man who opened the door pointed ahead to one of the doors in the far end of the casino, one of which was being guarded. Jo gestured me to follow him as he walked through the casino and got to the door. The guard there allowed him inside as we walked upstairs and turned left and continued down the hall. At the door at the end of the hallway, Jo knocked as we then waited. A couple of moments later, Toshimasa opened the door, his black hair falling around his face. He stood up straight as he said,

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

"Jia wants to see you."

"But..."

"It's important. Do you know where Xiao Tien is?"

"Yes. But he's in Kyoto."

"Oh shit...that's right, he moved to Kyoto..."

Jo shook his head as he said,

"Okay, come with us."

"I'm not..."

We looked at how Toshimasa was dressed which was just a pair of pants and a robe. He held his cane to hold himself up properly as his hips tilted towards one side more. He didn't mean to do it...it happened because of his knee. Jo then nodded, after he finished oogling and said,

"Sure...get dressed. We'll wait."

Toshimasa bowed his head in gratitude as he stepped back inside and got dressed. After about twenty minutes, the door opened again and Toshimasa exited his room. He closed the door behind him as he asked,

"Is there something seriously wrong?"

"You could say that." I said.

"It's also why we needed to find Xiao Tien and quickly."

Toshimasa walked down the stairs as he said,

"I understood. I could get a hold of him sometime today..."

"You should. But it can wait until you see Jia." I said.

After we got back to Jia's building, Toki, Akio and Aoki were still in the lobby, smoking and talking. Once they say Toshimasa however, they all perked up, Toki bringing his leg off the sofa arm as he exhaled the last of his cigarette and rubbed it out quickly as he said,

"Toshimasa. How does this evenin find you?"

I could roll my eyes at his half assed charm as Toshimasa bowed his head slightly as he said,

"I'm well, though worried."

Toki nodded as he said,

"Uh huh, let me escort you to Jia's office. I'm on my way there anyway."

Akio and Aoki glared at him as Toki offered his hand. Toshimasa bowed his head in gratitude as he said,

"Thank you but...I can walk."

"It's not to help you."

Toki smirked as Toshimasa looked a little surprised and a soft color pink rose to his cheeks. Jo smirked slightly as Toshimasa continued to decline Toki's offer though he was escorted to Jia's office. Afterwards, Jo and I went to sit down as Jo said,

"I'm surprised you two didn't get up with a jump once Toshimasa walked through the door."

"We made a bet." They said at the same time.

Jo raised an eyebrow as he said,

"Oh? What kind of bet?"

"We're trying to see who can bed either one first. No rape involved." Said Akio.

"Oh...can I get on this?"

I looked at Jo as I said,

"You really wanna stoop to Toki's level?"

He nodded as Aoki laughed and said,

"Who wouldn't? We get full bragging rights afterwards."

I shook my head as we continued to wait. After about half an hour, Aoki was called upstairs and he got up to leave. Akio yawned and laid down on the couch once Aoki left and said,

"I'm so tired."

"Today has been hell." I said.

"What I'm still wondering is how anyone could get Tai." Said Jo.

"He's a yakuza Jo not a tank." I said.

Jo nodded as he said,

"True...but he's got the appearance."

Akio scoffed as he said,

"When I first met him as a cop, I thought damn, I don't think a bullet could stop this guy."

Jo shook his head as he said,

"I thought that too."

We were silent for a while until Akio said,

"I wonder how he is."

"He's fine." I said.

They looked at me as I said,

"Knowing Tai...whoever got him is probably terrified to do anything else to him."

They nodded in agreement.

After about an hour, we were all called up to Jia's office. We found out that Aoki and Aya were on their way to Kyoto to pick up Xiao Tien and bring him back.

"I don't want the Teo Chiu knowing either one of them is still alive."

Toshimasa held his cane in his hands as he sat up straight in his chair as he said,

"The Teo Chiu is still coming after me."

"You owe them money, you backed out on their deal, you're also partnered with the one who betrayed them...of course they'll still come after you."

Toshimasa nodded as Jia said,

"You work for me...no one will get to you. But one of my own is now gone and in possible danger. So that means, I have to now take matters into my own hands."

"What are you plannin Li?"

Toki smoked as he sat beside Jia on his desk. Jia sat up as he said,

"I have to find out how the Teo Chiu are sneaking people in here. While that is happening, I'm going to Bangkok."

We all gathered a little closer, opposing the idea of Jia going into Bangkok.

"Jia you'll be killed!" Said Akio.

"The Teo Chiu is waiting for you to do that!" Exclaimed Jun.

"I know and I plan on giving them what they want."

Toki sighed as he said,

"Are you out of your fuckin mind? They'll smell your blood the minute you set foot in Bangkok."

"I don't care. Tai has done everything and anything for me. The least I could do is risk my life for him."

We knew that Jia did basically owe a lot to Tai...so it was no wonder that Jia was willing to risk life and limb now. Jia got up from his chair as he said,

"I'll have the lower heads search through Japan and I'll advice everyone else too. I will not have the Teo Chiu picking off more of my people while they think I'm still here. When Aoki and Aya return from Kyoto with Xiao Tien, the China Doll and Toshimasa will be left guarded. I do not want either one to be in danger while I'm away."

"When do you plan on leaving Jia?" Asked Aya.

"Tonight."

"So soon?" Said Toki as he got up and walked around to face Jia.

"If I wait any longer...they'll kill Tai. I can't have that risk."

"They won't kill him so soon Li."

"I don't want to risk it Toki! I'll go tonight. I'll call the 24K before I go. While I'm gone, Jo, I want you to guard Toshimasa and Xiao Tien. Aoki and Aya will bring the China Doll back so until they do, you just worry about Toshimasa. Jun, I want you to keep a watch on Gabriel, make sure our gaijin is okay and that he's well taken care of. Aoki, Aya when you two get Xiao Tien back, I want both of you to stay here. Watch over things while I'm away though I'm not sure how long that would be."

Jia then got his cigarette case out as he said,

"Akio, Mikkie, Toki I want you three to come with me. Other then that...that's all I want done."

He then dismissed us as Akio and Toki as well as myself waited in the lobby. Toki looked a little worried for once...and it was almost refreshing. Aoki and Aya went on their way as a little while later, Hisoka and a flock of lower heads left the building and went to work themselves. Jo and Toshimasa were soon following as Jun went downstairs to check on Gabriel. After a few minutes, Jun came back upstairs as he said,

"I need help."

I looked at him as I said,

"What's wrong?"

"I need to get Gabriel home."

"Is something wrong?"

"No, I just rather have him more comfortable. Downstairs isn't really a place to be resting after a head injury."

I nodded as I checked my watch as I said,

"I should have enough time to get him home before Jia is ready to go."

Akio looked over at us as he said,

"The gaijin okay?"

Jun nodded as he said,

"Hai, just a little uncomfortable."

I then said I would be back as I went downstairs with Jun to see Gabriel. He was still laying on the same table, still asleep or unconscious...whatever he happened to be. Jun checked his head once more as he said,

"Thanks."

"No problem."

After getting Gabriel's coat on we gathered him up and Jun carried him as we then left. We hailed a cab and got inside, Jun holding Gabriel's head up as he said,

"I'll be surprised if he wakes up with any kind of recollection."

"You think that it did that much damage?"

"Sure...look how long it's been and he hasn't even stirred."

"You did wake him up before."

"Yeah but he wasn't even coherent."

"It's not permeant right?"

"No. He'll be fine after some time."

We got to Gabriel's apartment after half an hour because of traffic and once I helped Jun as much as I could, I went back downstairs and to the awaiting cab and went back to Jia's building. By the time I got back, I saw Jia was in the lobby and highly upset. I walked in as I said,

"What's going on?"

"Soryo is dead!" Said Jia.

He pulled back his hair as I said,

"When?"

"A few days ago. The Teo Chiu caught a hold of him. They found out he was in communications with me and they killed him."

Toki looked at him as he said,

"So...what now Li?"

"I'm leaving tonight. We all are."