When I got to Jia's office, everyone had a field day with the fact that I was in the same suit as yesterday. It didn't help that I had kiss marks on my neck and collar bones to prove my activities further. Toki teased me about it to no end until he finally embarrassed me enough that my face turned bright red and Jia had to come to my rescue.

"Okay, leave Jo alone. We all know he got laid last night."

I looked off to the side as Akio, Toki and Jun laughed, Aoki and Aya holding back a smirk as Gabriel and Tai along with Mikkie were the only ones that didn't find it amusing. I cleared my throat, trying to make my face relax and drain of it's color as Jia then said,

"How's Kotei, Jo?"

"He's behaved. Talks a lot."

"Most children do." Said Jun as he swept his hair aside.

I hated the way he said that. It was like he was reminding me of how I was. And no one seemed to disagree. Anyway Jia nodded as he said,

"The kid is smart. He knows exactly what he's doing. When his father's time is done, he'll make a great oyabun."

"He's obviously educated in this field." Said Tai.

"His father trained him well."

Jia then leaned back in his chair as he said,

"Nagashima is calm. He's really relaxed. I let him know I would have contacts look over the area in California because I would not there. But it's okay because he's not planning to return to California to live there anyway. He'll be flying out this weekend to show the contacts what's there and what will be mine."

"What about Kotei?" Said Gabriel.

"The kid is staying here. Jo will be watching him while Ren works."

I then said,

"Jia no disrespect but why must I always be the baby-sitter?"

"Because you fucked up twice, hence you get to be the baby-sitter whenever something comes up."

I frowned as I didn't argue with that logic.

That weekend, Nagashima flew out to Cali to show the 36 Moons/Itto Ketsuen connections what will be Jia's. Ren was a contact between him and Jia so I was stuck still baby-sitting Kotei. The kid liked to party way too much and since I had to watch him to make sure nothing happened to him, I had to party too. I would be in clubs every other night, watching Kotei dance, drink and smoke while he flirted, seduced and got himself in trouble. I had to bail him out of trouble on more then one occasion when some of the guys flirting with him wouldn't take no for an answer. I had to go over and tell them to back off as he clung to me like I was his hero. Mind you, I didn't really look that much older then him so when these guys that were much bigger and taller then me saw me taking away Kotei, they were obviously not threatened and up for a fight. I look small and fragile...I'm not though. One said situation got me involved in an argument with three big, dumb, football player types in mass as they towered over me. Damn Americans and their damn height. Anyway, they towered over me as they looked down at me, asking me what I could possibly do to them. I would hate being looked down at so I went into my pocket and checked of my blade was still inside as I then dropped my arms down to the side as I said,

"Nothing."

They laughed and shoved me once. And that was all I needed. I thrusted my hand upwards to the one who shoved me as he caught a nose full of my palm before I punched the second one and then kneed the third in the stomach. As he fell to his knees I started walking back as I then grabbed Kotei by his wrist and dragged him out. I told him about a hundred times not to get in situations like that because every time it happens, I have to be the one to save him because if I just let his dumb ass get caught by those guys I would be the one to pay for it later. And two screw ups for life is plenty, thanks. I took him to the car as he fixed his coat up and said,

"Thanks."

"I told you about that shit! God damnit you're gonna get me arrested one day!"

He smiled slightly as he said,

"I wouldn't let that happen."

"Get in the car."

He got in the back seat as I got in the front and leaned back as I lit a cigarette. I pushed my bangs back from my face as I inhaled and listened to Kotei as he said,

"Where to now?"

"Your place."

"You spending the night?"

"I don't really have a choice."

"Ooo...fun."

"I'm not sleeping."

"Then what's the point of you spending the night?"

"I have to stand guard for you since Ren is working."

"Oh...so you're being Ren's stand in."

"More or less."

"Wow, then maybe you should neglect and reject me too."

I frowned as I looked over my shoulder as I said,

"I'm not his clone. Just his replacement while he works."

He nodded as he looked out the window. He swept his hair back for a second before he said,

"On second thought, I am kind of tired. Maybe I should go straight to sleep."

"What are you planning?"

"Nothing. I just think I should. I'm kind of tired. Besides don't I have to meet with Jia to talk to him, Ren and my father about California?"

"Yeah...true."

"Okay. I'll go home then. Get some rest."

I started up the car as I then drove back to his place.

We got to his place as went to his room and closed the door slightly as he changed. I waited in the living room, still standing as I rubbed my eyes. I could be at Ichiro's place now....but noooo....not me. I had to be the royal fuck up and get stuck baby-sitting forever and ever. Fucking job...I hate this job. I could do about a million other things but- I should really stop whining to myself. Not like it would make a difference. I then checked my watch seeing it was close to three in the morning. I wondered if Kotei had gone to sleep already so I went to his room and knocked on the door slightly as I said,

"Did you fall asleep?"

I was about to peek in when he opened the door fully and stood there in his low rise pants and nothing else. He looked at me as he said,

"No, I didn't fall asleep. I'm changing."

I sighed, walking away as he went back to finish getting ready. I sat down on the couch, waiting, having a cigarette as Kotei then came back out in normal satin pants the fit his hips low as all his pants did and a shirt that looked about ten sizes too big for him that was buttoned only around the top. He sat down beside me as he said,

"Okay...so now what?"

"I thought you were tired."

"I am. But what about you?"

"Don't worry about me. I got my job to do."

He pouted for a moment as he said,

"You should come to bed."

"I ain't goin to no bed."

He laughed as he said,

"Well aren't you suppost to guard me."

"Unfortunately."

"Then wouldn't I be safer if you were in bed with me?"

"By that logic I should have slept with everyone I guarded including my boss."

He laughed as he said,

"Fine...I'll see you in the morning."

He got up and went to bed as I was left alone on the couch.

I didn't sleep all night. I kept watching TV or getting up and going to the balcony or checking on Kotei through the night. Around six that morning, Ren came in. He apologized for me having to take over his responsibilities as I said for him not to worry about it. He offered me a cup of coffee before I left which I accepted since I probably wouldn't be able to go home and sleep anyway. We went to the kitchen as he started to make the coffee as he said,

"I'm sorry about all this. But I think Jia and my oyabun would make a great pair. Plus, the land would be in better hands with Jia taking over."

"I know. Jia's smart."

Ren nodded as he then sat down and began to wait for the coffee to be made. He then rubbed his eye as I said,

"Long night?"

"Mostly working, going over papers and such. The people you work with are hard."

"I know. They don't like to wait or hold out on anything. If it's gotta be done that night it will be done that night."

"I can't remember the last time I worked so late at night before."

"Always baby sitting the emperor huh?"

"Something like that. How is bon anyway?"

"Sleeping."

"Was he any trouble?"

"No...not for the most part."

I yawned as I then went into my pockets to get a cigarette as Ren said,

"Oh, you can't smoke in here."

"Why?"

"Nagashima doesn't smoke and he doesn't like anyone around him smoking and since this is his place, he doesn't allow smoke in here."

I frowned as Ren then got up to get the coffee and I sulked. As he prepared the two cups, Kotei came in. Wearing nothing but his drawstrings. I noticed a black marking on the side of his stomach and once he sat down beside me, I realized it was a tattoo. Black fire raced along the side of his back, curving upwards near his shoulder while it ended near the side of his stomach in the front. Once he settled beside me as he yawned and rubbed his visible eye. Ren turned and saw him as he said,

"Good morning botchan."

"Morning...what time is it?"

"Almost six thirty."

"Did you just come in?"

"Yes."

"Working late huh?"

"Yes."

Ren gave Kotei his cup of coffee as he made another for himself as I drank mine black. I was so tired and I wasn't even done working. Kotei then reached over and took my cigarettes from the counter as he took one out and began to light it. I snatched it from his mouth as I took my pack back and said,

"Don't just take my shit without asking. I'm not here to spoil your ass just to guard it."

He narrowed his eyes as he said,

"It's just a cigarette."

"That's not the point. It's fucking rude to take peoples things."

Ren then sighed as he said,

"I'm sorry. It's just his way."

"Don't apologize for him. He should know the difference between taking and asking. And you're going to be a future anything you should know that shit right now."

He rolled his eyes as he said,

"Damn, all that over a cigarette."

He began to drink his coffee as I checked my watch and finished my own coffee as I said thanks to Ren for the coffee and then I left. I had a cigarette on my way out and then called Jia. I figured he would be up since usually he is, but instead I found I woke him up. He told me to go home and get some sleep since he was coming in late himself so I thanked him and went home to do just that.

That damn brat had a lot to learn. I shouldn't talk as if I'm all high and mighty. There's ten spots at being the top heads of the 36 Moons syndicate but even then there's a one and ten, a first and a last. Right now, I was so low on that list I might as well have been a lower head, running out in the street doing my usual job or hell, even back to just driving a car. But I didn't or couldn't say much. I just went home to sleep. When I woke up, it was because of a call. My cell phone ringing annoyingly on my night stand got me up and I answered. It was Jia, telling me that I had to come in because there was a deal going on. I said I would be there soon and I got up, showered and changed and started heading out. I was pulling up my now wet hair as I snapped the elastic band around it and then got my coat on and went out the door.

The meeting was just a quick speech about how Nagashima had made the deals with the contacts over in California and the contacts had sent over all the needed information. The only ones working now would be the business heads so the rest of us had time off. Kotei was there too only he wasn't really paying attention. He was looking at his hands and admiring his fingers. Jia then dismissed us after letting us know what was going. And for the time, we had some down time. Now that Ren would be less busy then before, he would be able to return to taking care of Kotei himself. And I was free to go do as I wished again, meaning I was well on my way to see Ichiro.