Jia was none too happy about his name being used without his knowledge or permission. It pissed him off since his name was all he really had for himself that he didn't have to worry about anyone trying to over take or trying to kill him for it. He knew it was his ex wife, that much he could establish and he was about ready to snap her neck for it. Knowing where she was made everything a lot easier and the next morning, Jia, Tai, Toki, Aoki and myself all rolled in there. Jia led the way, not even stopping when armed guards tried to stop him. That's what we were all there. We went inside a building in the downtown, busy district of Victoria and went upstairs. Jia had his cigarette lit in the elevator as Toki then lit one for himself. Aoki checked his watch as Tai said,

"Jia, what are you planning to do?"

"Go in there and snap her neck."

Tai's eyes widened slightly as Jia smirked and said,

"I'm kidding. I want to find out why she's doing this. If she was holding a grudge I wish she would have told me sooner."

"I don't think it was possible for her to realize it sooner Jia." I said.

"Well...whatever, she should know not to fuck with me at all if her father taught her anything."

Once the elevator stopped on the tenth floor, we all filed out and walked straight ahead. Tai then pointed to a door on the left as Jia opened it and walked in. There at the desk was Lotus. Lotus as I knew her, the same sweet girl that once cried in front of all of us when her father died, who was willing to sacrifice everything and anything for the sake of Jia's happiness. A kind of woman any man would like. Quiet, obedient and pretty. Now she looked up at us as she stood up, her long black hair still falling over her shoulder as he said,

"Jia..."

"Expecting me?"

"Not so soon actually."

"Yeah well, word travels fast."

We walked inside behind him as Jia took a seat in front of her desk as Lotus sat back down. She clasped her hands on top of the desk as she said,

"I'm surprised to see you."

"I wouldn't imagine why."

"Let me finish my sentence."

Jia gave her a wave of the hand as she said,

"I was saying, I'm surprised to see you alive."

"I wouldn't dare imagine why."

Sarcasm. Lotus then looked down as she said,

"I'm relieved actually."

"Relieved? You send two hired killers to take down my best people to slowly get to me and you're relieved?"

"I didn't send them."

"Well then you got a whole hell of a lot of explaining to do because if you don't start talking I'm likely to snap!"

Lotus nodded as she said,

"I know, I will. I'm sorry. Please calm down."

Jia nodded, leaning back in his chair as he said,

"Why are you using my name?"

"It was not my idea."

"Who's idea was it?"

"Jia, let me explain something to you. After my father died and the 36 Moons took over and you divorced me, I came back home. Here, I found out that not everyone was not pleased with the given situation. No one wanted a foreigner to take over this city. The triads were angry but there was nothing that could be done about it. My father's partner here, he was angry as well. My brothers were dead and it left me and my father's partner thought I should take over. He asked me to do this for him and to use your last name to get through since I am your ex."

"And you did this? You tried to screw me out of everything!"

"You think I have no reason to? You murdered my family, all of them including my nieces of nephews. Young children that had nothing to do with any of this. You stole what rightfully belonged to my father and this name."

"Your father tried to fuck me out of everything I have in Japan, none of that which belonged to him!"

Jia stood up at that point, angry. But Lotus stood as well as she said,

"This is my father's land, my rightful land since you do not belong here."

"You're straight fucked Lotus because I do belong here. I stole everything from here, payment after what your father tried to do to me. And now you try to kill me?"

"I already told you, I did not send them. It was not my choice."

"No, it was mine."

We all turned as we saw the middle aged man Toshihiro described to me. He walked in, his hand sliding from the doorknob as he held the front of his black suit coat as he said,

"Jia Li I assume."

Jia turned as he pushed the chair back from the way as he said,

"You are?"

"Wu Xiao Na. I believe you may have come across my son."

"Who's your son?"

"Xiao Tien."

The China Doll. Jia recognized it as well as he said,

"The China Doll? Doesn't he work for the Teo Chiu?"

"He does. We are not exactly on best of terms. But The Teo Chiu and I have some informal communications."

Xiao Na walked around us and went towards Jia as he looked him in the eye and said,

"Shouldn't you be dead?"

Jia smirked, raising an eyebrow at him as he said,

"I was about to say the same about you old man."

Toki laughed as Aoki did his best to hold back a laugh. Xiao Na frowned as he said,

"I'm disappointed in the Yuuki twins. They were to be the best that money could buy."

"Don't be too disappointed. One of them was nearly killed the other lost a finger. They were a handful. Plus, they did come through and kill one of my allies so all in all, you got your money's worth."

"But you're still standing."

"I'm a hard person to kill. But now that we're on the subject, maybe you could tell me why you're trying to kill me anyway."

"You don't belong here. This isn't yours. None of this city, or this country should belong to you."

"Kenimin made a deal with me, his daughter for an allie with me. He tried to fuck me over on the deal so he got what he deserved."

"And his daughter?"

"What about her? If she's bitter enough to try and kill me-"

"I am not bitter and I'm not trying to kill you Jia." Said Lotus.

Jia looked at her as he looked back at Xiao Na and said,

"So you're trying to kill me for what? Revenge?"

"Yes. You killed my partner. Took what doesn't belong to you and wounded someone who is like a daughter to me. I think you deserve what you get."

Jia nodded as he then said,

"You gonna try and come after me?"

"Try? I believe I started to already."

Jia nodded then turned his head slightly as he coughed and said,

"Okay. We'll see about that."

Jia then turned as he left the rest of us following.

We went to dinner that same night, Jia drinking his cup of tea, cigarette in hand as Toki sat beside him, his chin being held up by his hand as he said,

"So what we do now Li?"

Jia took a drink of his tea as he said,

"We be careful. I can't go into Tokyo or New York to risk war going on there. If we're here at least we can kill each other on the streets without worrying about much."

Tai was eating slowly as he said,

"Jia, this man wants revenge on you and Lotus isn't stopping it."

"I know. She's angry with me."

"And bitter that she didn't get none." Said Toki.

Aoki laughed slightly as he said,

"You think that's the only reason she could be bitter?"

"Sure. I'd be bitter if I couldn't fuck Li."

Jia looked at him from the corner of his eyes as he then ignored him and went back to drinking his tea as Tai said,

"She's hurt."

Jia shrugged as he said,

"I give a flying one. I told her from jump not to get involved with the likes of me. I'm nobodies husband."

Toki nodded as he said,

"So whatever, let's just kill the bitch, have one less Kenimin to worry about."

"It's not really her pulling the strings Toki. It's Xiao Na." I said,

Jia nodded as he set his finished cup down as he said,

"Jo's right. It's him, not her and whatever he wants, we should deal with him. If Lotus continues on her path then we'll kill her later. Not much else we can do."

Jia finished the last of his cigarette as he said,

"So, let's think on that. For now, I'm going home."

He stood up as he said,

"The rest of you can finish dinner. I'll pay the bill."

Toki got up as he said bye to Aoki and then left with Jia. I continued smoking as Tai said,

"Jo, you okay?"

"I'm fine. Just a little tired."

"You'll get over it." Said Aoki.

He checked his watch as he then got up and said,

"Tai, I'm out. I'll see you later."

Tai waved to him as he then finished up his dinner as he said,

"You haven't eaten anything."

"I haven't been hungry in years."

He sighed softly, as if to himself as he said,

"Rare are the few of us that don't smoke and eat."

I nodded slightly as I tapped my cigarette against the ash tray and said,

"Tai..can I ask you something? You don't have to answer."

"Sure."

"You and Gabriel aren't together anymore are you?"

Tai paused as he then took a sip of his drink and said,

"How did you know?"

"Little things. I'm observant."

"We're...taking a break."

"Any reason why?"

He shook his head as he said

"It's long and complicated."

I nodded as I then finished my cigarette and said,

"I was just curious. You didn't have to answer me."

"I know. But it's nothing too seriously personal and it's not like you're prying."

I nodded as he then finished the last of his dinner and then sighed and said,

"You ready to go? It's getting late."

I nodded as I finished my cigarette and then got up as Tai and I left.

And we stayed in Hong Kong. Jia was not afraid of what Xiao Na had because he suspected he had nothing. Everyone in Hong Kong hated the 36 Moons, but they feared us nonetheless so they wouldn't go against us. Jia called the 24K while we were in Victoria, finding out what he could on the Teo Chiu. Soryo said that the Teo Chiu had remained silent about everything for a while. With Xiao Tien being gone and missing, the partner of the Black Hand had lost his connection with the Teo Chiu. Jia was glad to know it and he kept his connection with the 24K open as he waited for retaliation. One night, as I was on my way to dinner, I saw Lotus sitting in a car all by herself. I went over to her as I tapped on the window and she rolled it down.

"Joryu."

"Hey Lotus. You busy?"

"I'm...waiting for bofu."

"Who?"

"Xiao Na. He's like my uncle. It's a proper title."

"Oh. Come for a walk with me."

"I shouldn't. He might worry."

"Just around the block."

She sighed, getting out of the car as she stepped down carefully, her black sandal tapping down on the concrete as she stood up, her knee length skirt falling naturally as she stood up straight, adjusting his waist length coat and tossing her black hair over her shoulder. We began to walk as she said,

"How have you been?"

"I should ask you that."

"I didn't want bofu to send someone after Jia. I really didn't. But I couldn't say no either. He's like my father. My own father trusted bofu very dearly and I know he only means to look after me."

"So by killing Jia he's looking out after you."

"I don't want him to kill Jia, but he is right, Hong Kong doesn't belong to him. Jia stole it."

"Your father was also trying to screw Jia out Japan and that didn't belong to him. How do you justify your father's actions against Jia's?"

"I can't. I'm more biased to my father since he died for all this. My brothers are all dead, so are their children and wives. I know Jia did it all. And I should be furious with him...but this is all I can do."

"You care for him?"

"To an extent. I don't feel as if I can or could love him. I don't know him well enough. But what I did know and saw, I saw he was something good."

"I guess. But not when it comes to business."

"I know."

We walked around the first turn of the block as she said,

"I'll tell you the truth."

"Hm?"

"Bofu is bluffing. He has nothing to use against Jia or the 36 Moons. Everyone here is scared to death of the 36 Moons, the Teo Chiu won't involve themselves in anymore problems with the 36 Moons unless you all travel into Bangkok and the Black Hand is gone. And the two bofu did hire outside of here, failed because they too couldn't go against the 36 Moons."

"I see. So...what is he planning to do?"

"I'm not exactly sure. I shouldn't have even told you that."

"Jia could have probably figured it out on his own."

"Even so, I shouldn't have spoken."

"I know you mean to do him no harm. But you have to understand, unless you want him to die, call him off."

We turned the corner as she sighed, clasping her hands together as she said,

"I don't think I can. It's too late. Bofu has already made the threat to Jia."

"If he tries to urge anything forward, we'll kill him. I'm warning you now."

She then paused in her step, looking up at me as she said,

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why are you warning me?"

"I've seen you suffer enough. I don't think it's fair you should anymore."

She continued walking as she then sighed and said,

"Jia shouldn't have come."

"Xiao Na shouldn't have started."

She then said,

"Will Jia really kill him?"

"In a heartbeat."

"And me?"

"If you cross him."

She nodded as she tossed her hair over her shoulder as she then said,

"I didn't want things to go like this. I just don't want Jia here. This is my home. And all he ever did while here was complain."

"It's not a matter of liking it or not, it's his. He earned it. He fought and bled for it. It's his land."

"It shouldn't belong to him."

"Tell that to Jia. I can do nothing about it."

As we turned the final length of the block she said,

"Would Jia meet with me?"

"Depends."

"On?"

"If you had anything worth his time listening to."

"I do. Could you ask him to meet with me? Tomorrow?"

"Sure."

We walked back to the car as she opened the door and slowly got in. I was about to close it when she said,

"Joryu..."

"Hm?"

"Thank you."

I nodded as I closed the door and then left, on my way to have dinner with the top heads.

I got there a few minutes late but no one minded and I sat down at the table as Jia took a drink from his glass. Toki sat beside him, Tai on the other side as the rest of us filled in the circle table except Akio and Jun who were still in New York. We all had dinner, some holding conversation amongst each other. Toki and Jia and mostly talked between each other in low whispers and Toki and Aoki spoke naturally as they always did. Tai kept himself busy talking with Jia every now and then and with also speaking to Mikkie. Aya and myself were quiet for the most part but he would look at me every now and then and wink at me and I would laugh to myself and shake my head as I went back to having my drink. As dinner winded down and we all spoke to each other more, we started having tea and cigarettes, Toki lit a cigarette for Jia as he looked up and took off the fake glasses he was wearing for the past couple of weeks. He looked up for a moment as he then looked over what had to be my shoulder. I didn't look back, assuming Toki would only be looking at a piece of ass, unless it was work and then he would nudge Aoki. He only looked for a moment then went back to his drink. We all sat for a while, enjoying the last of our drinks, tea and cigarettes when I saw that same look from Toki again, this time he did nudge Aoki. When he did, the both of them stood up and Toki shouted,

"Duck!"

We all fell to the floor as we heard bullets blaze over us, glass shattering as I went grabbed my gun and turned slowly as I got to my knees and began firing back. I saw Aya was doing the same as Aoki got up, same with Toki and began going towards the door. I saw figures standing outside the window, firing at us and it all seemed to go so slowly for just a moment before I heard any actual noise. Aoki and Toki had left, Aya was brushing glass from his hair as the rest of us were slowly getting back up. I didn't want to stick around and wait so I left as well. I ran outside, pushing past the door that had shattered glass all over it as I saw Aoki not too far. I went over to him as I said,

"Anything?"

He turned and looked at me as he said,

"No, I think Toki may have gone after them."

I nodded, not saying much of anything else as I discreetly hid my gun but had it in my hand the whole time. We continued walking down the street looking for anything that was off when I suddenly felt Aoki's grip on my forearm and he tossed me to the ground. I was about to start bitching at him, asking why he did that when I saw him getting down for cover too. I heard gunshots a moment later as Aoki slid beside a car and waited. I did as well as he took off his sunglasses and looked up as he smoothed his hair back and said,

"They're coming from across that building."

I nodded as I rubbed my arm slightly as I said,

"We can't go in yet. They'll see us."

"Go ahead down that alley. Make the loop around."

"What about you?"

"Will you just go? I don't have time for you to question me."

I sighed, slowly making my way towards the alley so I could make the trip around. I wondered what he was planning to do as I ran around the block and went towards the back of the building. I broke through the back door, getting in quietly after that as I ducked behind the cover of night. I remained quiet, going on only when I felt sure. I could hear someone definitely on the floor above me and for a while I stayed still wondering about Aoki and what he did with himself. Just then I saw someone running towards me. It was too late for me to react because the next thing I knew he was on top of me. I looked up for just a moment as I saw the night light had caught a glint of a knife. I turned my head as I heard the sound of the metal getting stuck through the cheap wood underneath. I couldn't pick my head again after that because apparently a large chunk of my hair was caught in the motion as well. I cursed as I caught the guy with the end of my palm and heard his jaw crack against itself as he cursed at me and he tried to punch me. It was an unfair fight considering I was caught off guard and now nailed to the floor because of my stupid hair. I made a mental note then and there to cut it all off as soon as I could. I shoved the guy off me with a kick as I got my gun from two feet away from me as I then pulled the knife from my hair as I sat up and fired at the guy. He stopped moving as I sighed and rubbed the top of my head as I saw I lost a fair amount but nothing that couldn't be hidden for the time. I got up, taking the knife with me as I folded it back into his case as I went towards the stairs. Just then I saw Aoki coming down as he said,

"You okay?"

"I'm fine."

He nodded as I continued rubbing the top of my head as he said,

"You sure?"

"Yeah I just got my hair pulled."

"Cut it off."

"I'm about to."

Aoki then called Jia to let him know what happened as we headed back. We wet outside as Jia then said,

"Toki's not back."

"He's not answering his phone?" Asked Aoki.

"No, if he was then I wouldn't be worried."

Aoki nodded as he lit a cigarette and then said,

"I'll look for him."

He kissed Aya on the cheek before he went on his way. Tai then said,

"Aoki wait. I'll go with you."

Aoki gave a nod of the head as they both then went to find Toki. Jia was worried. I could tell he was by the way he chewed on his bottom lip and let the cigarette he had burn to the end as he didn't smoke it but held it near his lip as he was about to smoke it, but instead continued chewing. After standing outside for a while, the cops still nowhere in sight though the shooting happened a little over twenty minutes ago, I finally said,

"Jia, would you like me to escort you home?"

Jia had finally dropped the unfinished cigarette as he said,

"No. But everyone else can go. Just be careful."

After double checking, Gabriel went on his way with Aya as Mikkie lingered around with me. Jia was pacing after half an hour. He didn't want to leave but he was growing impatient. Forty-five minutes passed before Jia finally gave in and called Toki's cell phone again. Finally Toki picked up as Jia gave him a frantic scolding, saying to never ever do that again that he had scared him. I could hear Toki laughing slightly as Jia pulled back his hair and then sighed as he then hung up. He then looked at Mikkie and said he could go home now. He was fine. Mikkie nodded and then left after a brief bye to me. I then said,

"Everything okay?"

"He's fine. He just caught up in a fight and they got away from him. It's what took so long for him to call back."

I nodded as he said,

"I need to get home."

I hailed us a cab and when one stopped, Jia got in and I followed. Jia smoothed back his hair, holding his coat over him as I said,

"Jia."

"What?"

"I saw Lotus today."

"And?"

"She said she would like to meet with you tomorrow."

"I don't want to see her. What the hell can she possibly say to me?"

"She said she had something worth saying."

"Fuck. I guess I should go. See what she wants. Though I don't want to."

"She told me that Xiao Na doesn't really have anything to use against you."

"That much I figured out. What could he use against me? This, right now was done by a bunch of drug dealers. Paid by the stack and trained to run away."

"I figured as much."

Jia then swept his hair back as he rubbed the side of his nose gently and said,

"My head hurts."

"Stress?"

"No, the gunshots were loud."

I laughed slightly as then smiled softly. When we got to his apartment, he got out but before he closed the door he said,

"Tomorrow, come pick me up."

I nodded as I said good night and he said it in return and he went home.