Two days later, I was assigned to go to the airport with Jia, Jun and Tai. We had to wait for Kotei and Ren to show up. When their flight landed, we stood in front of the terminal waiting for them. Jia stood in front of us, his hands clasped behind him as he wore his knee length winter coat. His hands were in gloves, his fingers shaking slightly since he wanted a cigarette. Jun yawned slightly as he stood there quietly as Tai checked his watch and then the arriving times. Finally Jia saw them both as he said,

"Finally."

He just wanted to get out of there and have a cigarette. Ren and Kotei came over to us and Jia shook Ren's hand and immediately started to leave. We only stopped for a moment to get their luggage and once we got outside, Jia lit his cigarette and exhaled a cloud of smoke as he said,

"How was your flight?"

"Long." Said Kotei.

Ren nodded as he said,

"But comfortable."

Kotei yawned as Jia got in the car, Kotei in the back seat, Ren in the passenger as Jun and Tai caught a cab and we left. Kotei yawned again as he said,

"I've never been to Tokyo."

Jia rolled down the window as he exhaled the smoke from his mouth as he said,

"You know how to speak Japanese?"

"No. My father never taught me."

Jia looked at him as he said,

"Fuck...Ren you know how to speak Japanese don't you?"

"Yes."

"Teach the kid. He'll need to learn it."

Ren nodded as I drove back into Tokyo.

I dropped the two off at the Imperial Hotel before I drove Jia back to his building. He was looking out the window, smoking as he said,

"Jo, are you busy tonight?"

"Not really."

"Wanna go have a drink?"

"Uh...I'm not sure."

"I know you're still angry about before."

"I'm not Jia. I've gotten over it."

"I want you to know something anyway. The thing with me is that, I'm actually very, very spineless when it comes to Toki. You can keep that to yourself."

"Yes."

"I can't stand the thought of anyone bringing him harm...which was why I was looking for a scapegoat. I'm just sorry I didn't think more clearly."

"You don't have to explain anything to me Jia."

"I feel I should. We haven't spoken much since then."

I didn't say anything. I just kept driving as he said,

"So, have that drink with me."

"Okay."

We went to a bar that Jia owned near the Kabuki-chu. We sat at the bar as the bartender served us. Jia had another cigarette, I lit it for him again as he exhaled and set his case down on the flat surface as he exhaled. I lit one as well as he took his drink and ran his fingertips over the brim of the glass as he said,

"I have no excuse for my actions other then softness. You just witnessed first hand at why I am told I feel too much."

I nodded as I took a drink from my glass as he said,

"I do apologize to you though Jo...I never meant to make you feel like you couldn't trust any of us. We are known for that, among the syndicates in Japan, in New York, the 36 Moons are known for their loyalty, for trusting each other."

"It feels that way only if you're intimate with one of the top heads."

Jia looked at me for a moment as he then took a drink from his glass and said,

"It's not like that. Listen, if you feel that I can't be trusted, that's fine you don't work with me. Just for me. But everyone else, they did have say in what happened. Tai refused to let that go about. Once you left that day, he returned to my office. He sat down and asked me not to do that. Actually, it was him who pointed out that it wouldn't even work since Kotei might talk."

"So...he did say something..."

"Hai...Tai would never let me power trip like that."

I suddenly felt a little bad for ignoring Tai. Tai who had always been there to listen to me when I was bitching and moaning about everything before. Me and my stubborn ways. Anyway Jia then sighed as he said,

"Tai's the one that keeps me from fucking up. Anyway, I know you say you're not mad but...I had to let you know anyway."

He finished his drink as he took another drag from his cigarette. I then said,

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah...go ahead."

"Had it been someone else...anyone else that did what Toki did, would you have done the same thing?"

"No. I would have punished them."

"Is it just because Toki's your...whatever he is to you?"

"Yeah. It's stupid I know. I could shoot myself for being so damn stupid sometimes. But I can't help it. It's been that way since I was in charge of the 36 Moons. I made my first mistake when I let him off his first mistake. One mistake turned into two, then three, then ten, twenty, fifty until finally he could just do whatever he felt like it."

"Why did you let him get off so easy?"

"I'm stupid like that."

I inhaled my cigarette as I pushed my glass back and Jia was served another. I then said,

"You're a great man Jia. And though I don't like what you do sometimes...you're one of the few people I know that I can look at in awe. You're...fearless. People respect you. You're even modest to some extent. And though you're the oyabun of the biggest, most powerful syndicate, you show you're human."

Jia looked at me as he let his hair fall around his face as he said,

"I don't believe I'm all that."

"Because you only see one point of view. Yours."

He laughed slightly as he put his cigarette in the near by ashtray as he said,

"Does that mean you'll forgive me on my foolish actions of before?"

I then nodded as I said,

"Yes Jia."

"Mean it. Don't humor me."

"I do. I mean it. I accept your apology."

He nodded as he said,

"Good. I have one less thing to feel sorry about."

I then sighed as I put out my cigarette and said,

"Why didn't Toki come today?"

"He was tired. He slept in tonight."

"I see. Can I ask something else?"

"Sure."

"Weren't you mad that he raped Kotei. He's something of yours isn't he?"

Jia knocked back his second drink as he asked for another as he said,

"It does make me mad. But not jealous if that's what you're getting at. Toki and I....we have a...different quote, unquote relationship. Between us, women and whatever other fancy strikes him at the time don't count. Work doesn't count. His drunken stupors don't count. This was his drunken stupor. So it doesn't count, which is why I'm not jealous."

"You two sound complicated."

"I guess so. I think I'm just to use to his abuse."

"You're a masochist though Jia."

"That I am."

He said it with a laugh as we continued our drinks.

We waited another day or so before Kotei and Ren were more coherent to have a meeting with. Once they were both adjusted, Ren set up the meeting with Jia, The Yami who had arrived the day before with the Itto Ketsuen and they began. The top heads of each syndicate met in Jia's building in the Roppongi District. Each oyabun met in Jia's office along with Tai, Ai'iro and Karasu. Nishiki was also there, meeting the little emperor for the first time. The rest of us, sat in the lobby, awaiting for anything that may happen. Toki came in late, yawning as he pushed inside through the glass doors. He was in his usual unfit clothes of oversized blue jeans and a black turtleneck sweater, his black parka with the fur trimmed hood was on his slender frame and he wore his usual unlaced boots. What was off about him today was the fact that his black hair was down and flat and he wore silver trimmed glasses. He had a cigarette hanging from his mouth he inhaled from as he walked inside, shrugging off his parka as Aoki looked up at him and said,

"Hey."

"Hey Aoki."

He sat down beside him as he said,

"How late am I?"

"You're not the only one. Aya's not here yet either."

"The seiai not by your side? Shock, shock."

Aoki nudged him as he said,

"Don't call him that. Only I can."

Toki laughed, taking the cigarette from his mouth as Aoki said,

"What's with the glasses. Don't tell me you can't see."

"Nah man, they fake."

He took them off as he tapped the lens and said,

"They're clear."

"Why are you wearing them?"

"Cuz, they make me look smart."

"Too bad it's only an image." Said Jun.

Toki flipped him off as Aoki laughed slightly. Shortly afterwards, Aya showed up. But Pretty Aya was all the more pretty now. His once bouncy, full wavy caramel hair was now a little shorter, longer strands still framing his face and a lighter shade of brown, hinting at blonde. He looked all the more beautiful. He shook his head out slightly as he reached up to his coat and unbuttoned it as he smiled at us. He took off his gloves as said,

"Sorry...I was busy."

We all looked at him in amazement as he said,

"What?"

Toki was the first to speak.

"Aya...you look fuckin sexy."

Aya smiled as he said,

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Come here."

Aoki elbowed him as Jun laughed. Aya then said,

"What's going on?"

"Jia and everyone else is having a meeting with Kotei and Ren." Said Gabriel.

"Should I be there?"

"No, why?"

"Oh, I was about to say. Then if the business heads are there I should be there. Why are you here Gabriel?"

"I wasn't asked to go."

Aya took off his coat having his suit on underneath as he walked over, passing me as he walked since I sat beside Gabriel and Jiki. He looked at me as he winked and I smiled slightly as he went over to Aoki and sat beside him. Toki then stuck his tongue out at Aoki and said,

"Tell me how you got him again?"

"I'm just better then you."

"Oh, ha ha Aoki. You wish."

"I know."

"Pheesh."

"Who's got Aya?"

"That don't mean a damn thing!"

Aya laughed slightly before he swept his slender hand over his face and said,

"Why are we all down here?"

"Jia wants us here in case anything should happen." Said Jun.

"Mou, like if anything would happen in his office." Said Aya.

"All the same, he'd like us here."

Toki yawned, rubbing his eyes as he said,

"Well I got up for this shit. And it's cold as hell outside."

"Fuck yeah it's cold." Aoki said,

He lit a cigarette as Toki slouched back in his seat as we all continued to wait. After about an hour, the meeting was over and Kotei, Ren and everyone who was in Jia's office finally came down to the lobby. There was more exchange of words between everyone as Jiki got up to join the Yami and everyone else got up as well. They spoke a while longer, Kotei looking a little confused as Ren spoke for him instead. Everyone then shook hands as they began to leave. Once Kotei and Ren left, Tsubasa, Ai'iro and Jiki followed. Ichiro and Karasu left soon afterwards and then Nishiki stood by Jia as he said,

"How old is he again?"

"The kid?"

"Hai."

"He's eighteen."

"Can't speak a word of Japanese but he plans on being on an oyabun one day."

Jia nodded as Nishiki raised an eyebrow and said,

"That's a frightening thought."

Jia laughed as Nishiki then gathered his coat and said good bye to Jia as he left. Jia then sad,

"Sorry to have you all wait."

He walked over and sat on the arm of the sofa by Toki, bringing his leg up to bend and had his foot on the sofa. Toki rested his hand on Jia's knee as Jia then said,

"Kotei seems to know what's going on. Ren spoke for him most of the time. Nishiki thinks he's not capable of handling himself. I told him to give the kid a few years until he's old enough. But, Nishiki doesn't seem to think so. It's like he sees through whatever facade the kid is holding up. Sometimes I see it too, but he hides it well."

I knew what he meant. Kotei had an act he pulled in front of his superiors. He was a spoiled brat, acted like it most of the time. He was smart and carried himself well with his head up high, his eyes narrowed and a pout to his mouth in a serious frown at other times. But he was shattered on the inside. Broken in too many pieces to be repaired. Sometimes you could see it in his face but he tried so hard to hide the fact that he didn't really like himself and that was why he whored himself. Anyway, Jia continued to say what else was going on and finally said,

"We'll have dinner tomorrow. It's not required for all of you to come, so if you want to you can, don't want to, that's fine too."

We nodded as Jia then dismissed us and I went home.

I got to my apartment and took off my coat, throwing it on the couch as I took off my shoes, leaving them at the door as I walked inside, unbuttoning my suit coat and taking it off as I walked to my room. I then sat down and pulled my tie loose as I reached up and pulled my hair down from its confinements as I then checked my watch. It was only about ten at night. I was about to get up and change so I could get something to eat when my cell phone rang. I answered it only to hear Ichiro on the other end.

"Tell me you're not busy."

"I'm not busy."

"Okay, now tell me the truth."

"I'm not busy. I just got home."

"Oh...good. Is it okay if I stop by?"

"Sure."

"Good. I'll be there soon."

We hung up as I changed out of my suit and tie, smoothing back my hair, brushing it out as I noticed it was getting long again. I would have to cut it soon. Anyway after about twenty minutes as I walked around in my drawstrings, holding my cigarette in one hand, an ashtray in the other, my hair falling over my shoulders and around my face, the doorbell rang. I set the ashtray down as I walked over to the door, answering it as Ichiro stood there. He smiled, his black winter coat making him seem so much paler then he really was. I welcomed him inside as he unbuttoned his coat and turned to me as he said,

"I would have asked you to come to my hotel room, but the Yami and Karasu are also staying in the same hotel."

"I understand. Besides, I was at your place so much last time. It's only fair you come here at least once."

"True."

He turned back around, taking off his coat, sliding it past his slender shoulders covered by a white button down. He then held his coat before I took it and put it on the couch. He took off his shoes as he said,

"It's a nice place."

"Yeah."

"Doesn't feel like you though. Someone else decorated right?"

"My ex. I haven't gotten around to changing much yet."

"Oh...I see."

He turned around, facing me as I said,

"Aren't you cold?"

"Yes. Come make me warm."

I went over to him, feeling him put his arms around me as he kissed me. His hands were cold, frozen and making me shutter each time he touched my bare skin. When we took a break for air his fingers raveled in the ends of my hair as he said,

"Your hair got longer again."

"I was just thinking that earlier."

"Leave it."

"I'll look like Aoki."

"You look nothing like him."

"Everyone tells me otherwise."

"Well take my word for it. I look him and nothing happens. I look at you and I do all I can from not wanting to fuck you right there and then."

I laughed slightly before I took him to my room and proceeded to do just that. I laid beside him after the first time, looking at him as he slept for a few minutes. Knowing him like I know him, I knew he would be up and about in a few. I watched him as he slept on his side, the sheet from my bed on his hip sliding off every few minutes, like a tease. His skin was warm now, his face a soft red color, his lips swollen and dark from frantic kisses. I admired him for a moment before he opened his eyes and saw me.

"Did I sleep long?"

"No. You never do."

He smiled as he sat up and then turned, pulling the sheets away from us as he got back on top of me as I sat up. We met for a kiss before he said,

"You going to the dinner tomorrow?"

"I guess. I'm not required too."

"You should."

His arms gathered around my neck as I slowly started to fuck him again. He moaned slightly, his breath in heavy pants as his face flushed a soft red again and he looked at me as he said,

"I want you to be there."

I nodded, kissing his throat, biting the soft inviting flesh as I said,

"Okay...I'll go."

I didn't have to go. I wasn't required to. But hey, Ichiro asked me to be there. He woke up the next morning and only woke me when he was about to leave. He thanked me for last night before he went and I turned and went back to sleep. I woke up later in the morning when my cell phone rang. I picked it up with hardly turning or loosing my comfort as I answered.

"Hai."

"Ohayo Jo."

"Ohayo Jia. What can I do for you?"

"Did I wake you?"

"Hai. But it doesn't matter."

"Are you coming tonight?"

"Hai."

"I figured you might since Sozaburo is here."

"Hai. Should I not come?"

"No, no, that's not why I'm calling."

"Oh...then?"

I heard him moving about as he said,

"I got word earlier today that Xiao Tien is in Tokyo again."

"Why?"

"God doesn't even know. But I want to know. So before it gets out of hand, go check that out."

"Is anyone else going to?"

"Tai is looking into it. Aoki is out looking for him with Aya but I think you should go help. Make it quicker."

"Hai, I'm on it."

I hung up as I got up and showered, dressed and called Aya on my way out the door.

I went up to the Shibuya District where we began to look over things. I called Aya to check each other's statues and to see who found Xiao Tien first. I walked for a while, having a cigarette as I thought to myself that this was harder to do in the daytime. There's so many people out and about this time of day. It was colder and colder each day. Today was no exception. I continued to walk until we decided to break for lunch. Actually, I had a drink as I sat in silence. I looked out the window every now and then, thinking, listening to the idle chatter going on behind me as I watched the people walking past the window. Just then, I recognized that China Doll face, ebony black hair, so dark it highlighted blue, that pale skin, those soft colored lips, those radiant eyes. I stood up as the China Doll walked past the window. I got up and ran outside as I followed the walking doll covered in a full length black coat, the collar up as he had his hands in his pockets. I walked up beside him before I tapped his shoulder as he turned and faced me with those soft hazel eyes. He stunned me for a moment before I said,

"China Doll..."

"I have a name."

"It doesn't fit you."

He scoffed as he said,

"I was waiting for one of you 36 Moons to find me."

"Why you here?"

"I'm still hiding from the Teo Chiu."

"Jia still won't protect you."

"I'm not asking for protection now."

"What now then?"

"I need a place. But I know I need permission from Jia to stay here."

"Now is not a good time."

"Why?"

"Jia has business he's conducting. You should be the last of his worries."

"I just need an audience with him sometime soon."

I then sighed as I then said,

"I'll ask Jia. But I can't promise anything."

I called Jia on my phone and waited. Once he answered, he said,

"You find him?"

"He's standing in front of me."

"What's the little doll want?"

"He wants to speak to you."

"When? Now is not a good time."

"That's what I told him."

Jia seemed to think for a moment as he said,

"Tell him to make an appointment with me...around...one. Tonight."

"Where?"

"At my bar, the Golden Gai."

"Hai. I'll let him know."

We hung up as I said,

"One in the morning, the Golden Gai."

China Doll nodded as I let him go on his way and I left. Now that we knew what the China Doll wanted, I was able to go back home and have some time to sleep before going to the dinner tonight. I was still tired so before I crashed, I set my cell phone to wake me at six and turned and went to sleep.

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

References

-The Kabuki-Chu is basically the Red Light District in Tokyo

-The Golden Gai is a real bar in Tokyo, located about one hundred meters from the Shinjuku district. The Golden Gai was set up in the 1950s where it used by black marketeers. It does not welcome foreigners.