I stood in Tai's office about an hour later. My hands and suit drenched in blood as I began to explain to Tai about what happened and what Eirinsu said. Tai sighed, leaning back slightly as he said,

"Why...why is he so intent on not backing down? He may be holding some kind of ace up his sleeve."

"He will fight with us now though."

"The 36 Moons is not easy to fight with. It's like moving against a mountain...it's just not going to happen."

"Well maybe he just doesn't care. Tai you said so yourself, guys like Eirinsu don't care about anything or anyone. And that probably means himself."

Tai then said,

"You're right. But I'll worry about that in a minute. How's Akio?"

"Not sure. I just stuck around long enough to call the ambulance then left."

"I see. We should find out how he is then."

"I'll get started on that."

"Go home and change first. Seeing you like that is not appealing."

I nodded as I then left and went home to change.

I wasn't over all too concerned about Akio. Usually I would have been so scared and worried and I would have rushed out to find where Akio was but now...I had other things to do. I was sure Akio was fine anyway. After changing I called Tai to let him know I was on my way back to work and I would get the lower heads to find out where Akio was. Tai let me know that he had called Jia so our oyabun and the rest of the 36 Moons would be on their way here by the next morning since it as late in the evening now. Since nothing else could be done since Jia was on his way here, Tai let me stay home and rest.

The next morning around seven or so, I got a call from Tai telling me to go pick up Jia and everyone else. Not that everyone would fit in the car, but mostly to pick up Jia and Toki. I got dressed and pulled up my hair as I went on my way. I had to wait for another half hour. Jia's plane was delayed so I got a cup of coffee and walked around to keep myself awake. Finally, Jia and the rest of the 36 Moons arrived. I bowed my head to Jia as I greeted him. He yawned, waving his hand slightly as he pushed up his sunglasses and said,

"What time is it?"

"Eight forty-five."

"Fuck it's early...."

Toki yawned as he stood beside Jia, his sunglasses almost falling off his face once he was done yawning. The rest of the 36 Moons looked tired as well, but they all hid it well. I spoke with Jia, the only one I would speak to nowadays since I really didn't have a choice since he was my boss, about the situation and I told him how Akio was wounded.

"How?"

"How what?"

"How did he get hurt? He wasn't even required to go after Eirinsu."

"We confronted him later on."

"And you didn't notice the gun in his hand?"

"No. Neither did Akio or I doubt he would have gotten shot. Eirinsu said if you want him it's gonna take all three syndicates to bring him down."

"Arrogant bastard...."

"Not so much arrogant as unfeeling. I told Tai about him. His eyes are dead, lifeless, you couldn't move emotion out of him if you were cutting his limbs off with a rusty saw."

Jia sighed as he said,

"It's too early for this."

We walked outside where he got in the car, Toki behind him as everyone else took a cab back into the city. Jia took off his sunglasses once in the car as he said,

"So any word on where he is now?"

"Not a clue. After he shot Akio he went off and that was that."

Jia had his cigarette lit by Toki before Toki fell asleep. Jia then rolled down the window slightly as he said,

"Okay, once I'm more coherent, I'll do something about this. Like I said before, it's too early for this."

I took Jia home right away. Once we were there, I got out of the car and opened the back door for him. He yawned again as he got out and I said,

"Should I call you around sometime or come pick you up later?"

"Uh...call me later. I should be up in a few hours."

I nodded as Jia got out, Toki following as they went inside the lobby and soon headed to the elevator where they disappeared from my line of vision. I then got in the car and headed back into the city before the traffic got too badly...not like it wasn't already.

I was awake now so I just went to get some breakfast before I stopped over to check on Nagashima. I worried his well being since it was him that Eirinsu was after. Once I arrived at his apartment, I put out my cigarette as I heard movement on the other side. I waited for a while longer but then heard nothing else. I faintly wondered why Nagashima wasn't answering the door if he was home. Then I realized it was probably Kotei cutting school.

"Open the door you little brat I know you're home."

He came to the door as he opened it and said,

"How'd you know it was me?"

"Who else would be home at this hour if not your father? Why didn't you go to school?"

"I wanted to go see Ren."

"Again?"

"His old lady is out around this time and his kids are at school."

"You can't go anywhere by yourself you know that. And with Eirinsu running around you really wanna pull this shit now? God you're dense."

"Hey shut up! You act like I don't know how to take care of myself!"

"You don't!"

"Shut up!"

I sighed as I said,

"Damn you're lucky I came by."

"Why did you come by anyway?"

"Came to see if your father was home."

"No, he went to work with the other guard. Whatever his name is."

"Nice. I was about to go check on Ren anyway."

"Can I come?"

"Yeah I guess."

He ran back inside as he went to change. Only after about five minute, he came back out. I was of course lighting my cigarette by this point so I wasn't too concerned with how long he was taking. He pulled up his coat as he urged me to go again. We took the subway to Ren's place since I didn't want to drive anymore. Once we arrived, Kotei knocked and we waited a moment before Ren answered. He was still in his night clothes, a robe over his broad frame, his long black hair spilling over his shoulders. He seemed a little surprised to see us both there.

"Botchan? Akui?"

"Good morning." I said with a slight bow of my head.

Kotei smiled as he said,

"How are you Ren?"

He then hugged him as Ren looked at me and then down at Kotei as he put his good arm around him as he said,

"I'm fine botchan. Yourself?"

"I missed you."

Ren then slowly pulled him back as he allowed us inside as he said,

"I'm sorry about my appearance. I wasn't aware that anyone would be arriving here so soon."

"Don't worry about it. I just decided to do a usual check of you and Nagashima." I said.

"Botchan why are you not in school?"

"I cut."

Ren sighed, reaching up to his hair as he pulled it back and said,

"You should have gone to school bon."

Kotei waved it off as he said,

"How's your arm?"

Ren's wound had extended from the side of his shoulder upwards, making his left arm useless for a while as it healed.

"It's fine. Gradually getting better."

Kotei nodded as he said,

"Ren, sit down, I'll make you some tea. Did you just get up?"

"A little while ago."

"Then, I'll make some tea. Maybe breakfast."

"Botchan, you don't know how to cook."

"I never said I was going to cook. I'll make tea. I'll order breakfast. Jo you want anything?"

"I'm good thanks."

He went inside the kitchen as Ren sat on the couch and sighed as he said,

"That boy will be the end of me."

"Why do you say that?"

He gave a slight laugh as he said,

"He appreciates me more then anyone else. My own wife wouldn't even make the attempt at tea."

I sighed a little, more or less understand that Ren cared about Kotei too but would never act on it since he had more responsibilities on him then anyone else. Even more then Tai. I sat down next to Ren, telling him about the past few days events and how Jia had to return from Japan so everything will be coming full circle soon. He nodded as he rubbed his shoulder and said,

"I just hope to heal well and soon so I could be of service. I don't like the idea of botchan being unguarded so much of the time."

"Nagashima usually has a guard around him most of the time."

"I know. But I would feel better if it was me."

Kotei soon came out with a cup of tea he held with both hands, walking slowly as he then knelt down in front of Ren and handed it to him. Ren asked him not to sit on the floor since he felt so wrong to his oyabun's son sitting on the floor in front of him like a pet. Ren drank the tea as he said,

"I still think you should have gone to school."

"It's one day. I'm sure I can be fine."

Kotei smiled, watching Ren, adoring his very presence. I checked my watch seeing it was close to noon as I said,

"Kotei, did you order breakfast or lunch?"

"Brunch."

He smiled as I sighed. I stuck around a while longer, usually stepping out to have a cigarette or just using that as excuse to leave them alone for a while. I knew I couldn't leave Kotei here though it would be easier for me. Eventually he had to go back home. Around two or so, after I left for what to be the millionth time, I went back upstairs to Ren's place as I said,

"Hey, I gotta get going."

Kotei looked sadly up at me as Ren said,

"I understand. My children should be home soon anyway."

Kotei then said,

"Can I come see you on Friday?"

"You have school botchan."

"It's not nearly as important Ren."

I sighed as I said,

"I'll drop you off at your father's building Ren. I gotta get to work myself."

Kotei stood up as he then smiled at Ren and left with me. The little brat and I took the subway back to his father's building, my cell phone rang. I answered, only for it to be Tai. He asked me what time Jia had to be up and I said,

"I'm not sure. He just said to call him to wake him."

"I guess he means when we're about to work. Where are you now?"

"About to head over to Nagashima's building to drop off the little emperor."

"Why where was he?"

"Ren's place."

"Oh. Well it's about two now. Yuki and Takeo are here waiting for him."

"I guess I should call him now then?"

"Yes. It's time for him to work."

I then said bye before I hung up. I took Kotei to Nagashima's building and then went to call Jia. He answered in his groggy voice,

"Yeah..."

"Good afternoon Jia."

"Hmm..what time is it?"

"Almost two thirty in the afternoon."

"Too early. Call back later."

"Actually I called because Tai let me know Takeo and Yuki are waiting for you."

"Fuck me....okay...fine."

He sighed as he moved around, probably sitting up as he said,

"Be here in about half an hour."

"Sure Jia."

"Oh and buy me pack of cigarettes. I'm out."

"What kind?"

"Menthol lights. Marlboro."

"Okay. I'll be there soon."

I hung up as I went to run that small errand and then sat and waited in front of Jia's apartment. I didn't have anything else to do and by the time half an hour passed, I was just arriving anyway. I called Jia up as he said he would be down soon so I sat and waited, having a cigarette. After a few minutes, Jia appeared. He came out of the lobby a cigarette in his mouth as he patted his pockets down, probably looking for his lighter. I got out of the car as I said,

"Good afternoon."

"I never have a lighter."

" I know."

I lit the cigarette for him as he got in the car and I got in as well. I then I said,

"I bought your cigarettes."

He nodded, taking them from my hand as he inhaled and exhaled as he scrunched up his eyes and said,

"God this is strong...how can Toki smoke these?"

"Use to them I guess."

He only took another drag before he flicked it out the window and cleared his throat as he said,

"Too strong. I can't do it. It's killing my throat."

I gave a slight laugh as I drove Jia back to his building.

Once Jia was back in his office, his own cigarettes in his case, he sat down at his desk and called Takeo and Yuki in. Takeo was actually angry as he said,

"Jia, we got a small problem with this Eirinsu bastard."

"I'm already aware."

"He killed two if my pets."

Jia looked at him surprised as he said,

"Why? They were just your concubines."

"He's going through any route he can. He killed three of my own the other night after he got Akio." Said Yuki.

I wondered about Estuya. Jia then said,

"Okay, he's obviously looking for any lead to get in here. I'll call the Yami, the Itto Ketsuen and warn them. Yuki, you have a family so I suggest you keep them well aware of the situation. Takeo, don't lend your toys out for a while."

"Already done."

Jia then sighed, rubbing out his cigarette as he said,

"All right....we'll get to work for tonight then."

Jia began to organize himself. He spent the rest of the afternoon on the phone with the Yami and the Itto Ketsuen until everyone finally showed up at his office. Tai had gone to work on finding out as much information as he could. The top heads were in the office as well, learning what they could as Jia rubbed the side of his nose. It was already getting to him. Especially when Tai said,

"There's nothing about him."

Jia looked up at him as he said,

"What do mean?"

"Eirinsu is a blank chart. There's nothing about his family, his past, his associates. Only that he's been running the Akai Fubuki in California. He's known for his ruthlessness, more then any other yakuza three times his age. He's not known for his business skills as much as he's known for the brute force he brings. It's why so many are afraid of him. He won't listen to reason, just the click of a gun."

"Cold blooded...." Said Jia.

"Like his name states he is."

Tai then set the folder down on Jia's desk as he said,

"Eirinsu doesn't care for anything. No one is close to him. He doesn't even have associates that work for him on a steady basis."

"That makes shit all the more hard. How'd he manage to keep his empire for so long?"

"He doesn't go to fight and conquer. He keeps his land and with his blood thirsty reputation, it has kept others away from him."

Jia nodded as he said,

"Okay...all my associates are now aware of said facts."

He looked over at Tsubasa, the pretty doll sitting up straight in his chair, white blonde hair falling over his black covered shoulders, his pale, cold hands on his lap as he had one leg crossed over the other, Sozaburo sitting beside him, wearing gray suit, black silk shirt underneath, his usual choker on his slender neck as Karasu sat beside him, all in black, his light brown hair falling around his face as he looked his usual angst face. The rest of the 36 Moons stood around near the back of Jia's office as we listened in. Ai'iro stood beside me as Jiki stood on the other side of him and said,

"Ne, this Eirinsu guy could be a major problem."

"I already know he is." I said,

"He's not even hiding from us...it shows how fearless he is."

"Or stupid."

Ai'iro laughed as he said,

"Maybe he's a little of both."

I nodded as Jia then stood up, putting out his cigarette as he said,

"Okay, here's what's going to happen. I want Toki and Aoki to find this guy, but don't let yourselves be known. Also, Tai, Gabriel, do some digging on this guy, Tsu, Sozaburo, get your people doing the same. The more people looking into this guy, the more we have a chance of finding him out. Jo, Jun you two come with me, we have to find out how Akio is. The rest of you, stay around here. In case anything should happen, I want everyone to be within a fifteen minute distance. Also, Takeo is going to keep tabs for us in Queens should he dare to venture out that far again. Okay, you all know what to do. Also send the lower heads out through the city. Just in case anyone should get killed, it should be my dime a dozen for hire not any one of you."

We all filed out of his office, Jun and I staying with Jia as we then took him to see Akio. At the hospital, we found out Akio's condition was much more serious then we thought. Akio was in intensive care, stable but not up. Jia bribed his way in as we managed to see Akio. As Jia looked over him, me close to the door, Jun pulled off his charts from the door as he said,

"Jia, Akio's in serious condition. Considering he was shot so close to his stomach, it did some internal damage."

"How bad?"

"Bad enough to make him be out for a long time. The damage could have fucked up his stomach, liver and anything else that was in the area. He's had a lot of internal bleeding. When they got him here, he was out cold they thought they lost him."

Jia looked at Akio as he said,

"Second time I seen him like this."

Jia looked upset as I said,

"He'll be fine though right Jun?"

"According to his charts, with a lot of rest he should be."

"I hope it's that easy."

Jia then pat Akio's hand and then turned and motioned us out. As we left the hospital, Jia stopped to light a cigarette outside as he looked at me for a lighter. I then lit it for him as I lit one myself and then Jun said,

"What to do now Jia?"

"I need to go home. Jun you go find your partner, go around the city and keep an eye out for him. I'm going home."

Jun nodded as he then started to leave, calling Mikkie as I said,

"I'll accompany you home Jia."

"I'm not going."

I looked at him confused as I said,

"But you-"

"I know what I said, I said that in front of Jun so he wouldn't get on my case about going with just one guard."

"Going where?"

"I'm going to find Eirinsu myself."

"But Jia..."

"Jo, spare me whatever you have to say. I've been doing this much longer then you have."

"But, Tai even said Eirinsu won't listen to reason."

"I've deal with his kind before. Listen Jo, the reason Tai couldn't take down someone like Eirinsu is because Tai is not ever meant to be an oyabun. He's a lot smarter then I am, he's more organized and he's much more serious. But he's lacking that one thing that makes me the don and not him."

"Oh..."

"And that, is what I'm going to do now. I don't have time to fuck around in my city. Besides, I wanna sleep for a while longer and I can't while Eirinsu is around."

Jia then continued to walk and I followed, not wanting anything to happen to my boss.

We walked for a while, stopping at a bar after a while to get a drink as Jia had a cigarette. I did too as we enjoyed the scene, listening to the noise around us as Jia yawned and said,

"I hate this petty bullshit that has to bring me back."

"I do too."

He rubbed his eyes as he said,

"I'm still tired."

"And you're working."

"I know what I'm doing."

"I never said you didn't."

"If we find him, you realize that words will be exchanged."

"I don't doubt that."

He then nodded as his cell phone rang. He took it out from his pocket as he answered. He talked for a few minutes before he finally said,

"Okay, don't loose track of him."

He hung up as I said,

"They found him?"

"Yeah. Let's go."

He paid for the drinks as he got up from the bar and I followed him.

--------------------------------------------

Definitions

Akai- Japanese for the color red

Fubuki- Japanese for snowstorm