The next morning I woke up exhausted. I couldn't figure out why I was so tired though I fell asleep around eleven or so and woke up at nine. Akio saw me as he said,

"You're not sick are you?"

"I really hope not."

"I think you should see Jun. Last night I came in and made a fucking racket and you didn't even turn over."

I shrugged as I said,

"I'm just tired. Aren't you tired?"

"Yeah but not like you. You look like you partied last night."

I sighed and went to get ready. Later that morning, the only other one that looked half as tired as I was, was Toki. He had a bandanna pulled over his eyes, his blonde hair framing his face as he had a cigarette hanging from his mouth, his hands in his jean pockets while his over shirt slid off his shoulder revealing his wife beater underneath and the tattooed wings from his back. You couldn't see his eyes so when he stood still for long periods of time he seemed to just be standing. As we all stood in the lobby of the hotel, Jia speaking to us about his plans for today and who had to go where and when, I noticed Toki started wobbling slightly. Jia paused to look at him but then Toki stood still and moved his head slightly as he licked his lips, his tongue bumping into the unlit cigarette in his mouth. Jia then went back to what he was saying as he said,

"We have to have a walk through of Nagashima's property today. I'll have to claim it and such and then afterwards, my usual heads can go through it, clean it out learn it and such while the business heads and myself set up my small headquarters. Keisuike is already an allie of mine so I don't have to worry about California being left unguarded when I'm not here. So, for now let's just get going. Keisuike is awaiting my arrival."

We nodded, getting ready to go when Toki suddenly tipped over and he would have fallen to the floor if not for Aoki standing beside him. Jia was worried for a moment as he said,

"Are you okay?"

Toki yawned as Aoki started picking him back up to his feet as he said,

"Fuck I'm tired."

Jia sighed as he leaned down and picked up the dropped cigarette and said,

"No one told you to get drunk and come back home at six this morning."

It made me wonder what time everyone else came back. Toki yawned again as he said,

"I'm fine, really."

Jia sighed, handing him back the unlit cigarette as we all left.

Taking separate cars, we arrived at Keisuike's building a while later. As I got out of the car, I realized I had forgotten to tie my hair back up and I didn't have anything to tie it back with on my wrist. I cursed to myself as I got out and followed everyone's lead. Keisuike was there in the lobby to greet us as he spoke to us about what we were going to do. He brought us to his office as we all stood around his desk and he took out a map of California. He traced a red circle area as he said,

"This is Nagashima's city, Monterey Park. It's got a large Asian population which is why he took it and raised his son there. Ren, I'm sure you know this area inside out."

Ren nodded as Keisuike then went on.

"Eirinsu own land in Los Angles, as most of the Japanese do, here is the line that old don's drew up to call it even between the Koreans and Japanese. But anyway, Eirinsu's city here, San Francisco. A fairly large city and a tourist attraction but it's underside is dark and cold. As you know Eirinsu's syndicate is known for it's brutality. Every single crime that happens in that city is done by Eirinsu's word. And usually he gives a powerful word that descends as his syndicate name states."

Jia nodded as he took out his cigarette case as he said,

"It's okay if I smoke here right?"

"Yeah, it's okay."

Then everyone who smoked took out a cigarette and started to smoke. Except Toki who was sound asleep in the chair and the only one not standing. Jia let him of course as the rest of us went on with the explanation. Once Keisuike was done, he said,

"I guess that's all I can tell you. Staying out Eirinsu's territory is main cause and that's about it."

Jia nodded as he said,

"It's fine. Half of my associates will get work on it, the other half will remain here to set this up."

Keisuike nodded as he said,

"And the sleeping one?"

We all looked over at Toki who remained unmoved for the past twenty or so minutes. Jia sighed, shaking his head slightly as he said,

"I'll worry about him."

The map was folded, we divided up and we soon left.

With my usual partner, along with Jun, Mikkie and Ren we headed over to Monterey Park. The city was fairly small, not extremely huge like L.A or anything. But it was easy to get lost through. Ren showed us around, showing us the business area is, the quiet areas...it was like a small suburb in a way. Ren then said,

"It's quite now. It has been since my oyabun left."

Jun nodded as he said,

"What about the crime here?"

"There's hardly any. My oyabun kept it sealed tight. He had my bon to look after and he didn't want anything happening in his city. He usually waged war outside of here."

Jun nodded as Akio said,

"Makes sense."

Ren continued to show us around for the whole day while we got phone calls through the day from everyone else who had split up into different parts of the state. From there, we went around knowing city, by city. It was tough having to remember everything in order, but that's why most of us worked in pairs.

Late that evening we were finally called back to Keisuike's headquarters which by that point was a good three hour drive away. I slept on the way back, my legs and feet tired from walking all day and almost all night. I slept on Akio's shoulder the whole way there, lolling back and forth until I felt his soft hand touch my face. I sat up almost right away as he said,

"We're here."

I nodded, getting out of the car as we went back to meet with Jia. The business heads had not had it easy themselves. They were working hard on everything that was required so all of us had it hard that day. Except Toki who was somewhat conscious when we came back. He had been sleeping all day and was only now waking up. It was eleven thirty at night. Jia spoke to us a little about today, what he managed to have accomplished and then sent us back to our hotel for the rest of the night off. All I could think about was going back to sleep and Akio noticed that. Once we were at the hotel again, Akio pulled Jun over to side and said,

"Jun, check Jo will you? He's been tired all day."

Jun nodded as he grabbed my wrist, turning me around with a quick twirl as he said,

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing why?"

"Akio says you've been tired all day."

"I have been. I don't know why. Maybe I'm still jet lagged."

"You usually bounce back from that flying to New York from Japan."

I nodded as he said,

"Okay let's go to your room. I'll have to check you out."

I nodded and Akio, Jun and myself went back to my room. Jun had me sit down after he came back from his room with a briefcase. Akio watched him set it down as he said,

"What you got a mini hospital in there?"

Jun looked at him as he pulled on a pair of latex gloves and said,

"Okay, am I the only that pays attention to how often and frequently Toki gets injured around here?"

Akio shrugged as Jun shook his head as if dismissing the whole thing as he then picked up a small flashlight from the case and checked my eyes, my pulse, my breathing. He then asked me some question about how I felt, how long I've been feeling tired and if I'm in any pain of discomfort. I shook my head, answering everything as Jun then said,

"Well, unless I could run a blood test I'm going to assume it's jet lag. It should go away tomorrow hopefully. Just try to get a normal sleeping pattern. Well....as normal a one as working for Jia gets."

I nodded as Jun then packed up his things, threw what he had to throw away and left. I laid down, turning over on my side as I heard Akio say,

"That sucks. You're all fucked up. Can't even take you nowhere."

"I don't want to go anywhere anyway. I'm too tired."

"How'd you manage to stay up all day?"

"I have no idea."

I started to doze off almost as soon as he stopped talking. After a few moments, my sleep started settling in. I then felt my bed move, almost waking me back up again and I felt something warm over me suddenly. I then felt Akio behind me and I turned, looking over my shoulder slightly as I saw him. He kissed my cheek as he said,

"Go to sleep."

"Aren't you going out?"

"Nah..."

I sighed, yawning slightly as I then got comfortable again, Akio spooning me from behind as I slept for the rest of the night.

The next morning, I was feeling better, more refreshed. I turned over on my side slightly, seeing Akio still asleep. I smiled slightly before I looked at my watch that I had left on my wrist seeing it was eight in the morning. I rubbed my eyes slowly as I started getting up, moving Akio's arm back as I went to the bathroom. After taking care of the important problems, I went back to the room, Akio still asleep as I left the room and decided to see if anyone was awake yet. I traveled down the hall and took the stairs down to the next floor so I could look over the side of the railing to see the lobby, a large waterfall like fountain in the middle as it seemed to be raining. Escalators on both sides as few people were walking about in the lobby. I wasn't sure if anyone was awake...though I should have checked. I decided to go back to my room and get something to eat so I grabbed my wallet, cigarettes and my phone and went to the restaurant downstairs. Only looking for a moment, I decided junk food would be better now and a cigarette so I bought a can of soda and some candy from a vending machine and went outside to have a cigarette. I unwrapped the lollipop I bought as my breakfast as I snapped open the soda and began to drink. I had a cigarette as I stood outside in the warming California day, my phone in my back pocket, my cigarette in my hand as I took the lollipop out every now and then to smoke. Once my cigarette was done, I went back inside, my lollipop still in my mouth as I carried my soda. I went back up to my room as I saw Akio waking up. I set my soda down as he turned over and looked at me. He yawned as he said,

"Hey. You been up long?"

"Just twenty minutes."

He sat up and went to the bathroom as I drank some of my soda. Akio spent a good twenty-five minutes in there and once he was done, I had finished my lollipop and my soda. He then said,

"You feeling better?"

"More awake yeah."

He nodded as he said,

"We should check what's going on with Jia."

I nodded as he went to get showered and dressed and then I went. Both of us, now ready, went upstairs to the next floor and to the master suite of the hotel. We saw Mikkie and Jun already there so Akio said,

"Did you guys knock?"

Jun nodded as he said,

"Yeah just a second ago."

A moment later, the door opened as Jia stood there, just woken up in his bathrobe and drawstrings. He leaned against the door with his arm raised up, his head against his forearm and said,

"What time is it?"

"Almost nine Jia." Said Mikkie.

Jia nodded, yawning as he waved his hand and said,

"We can hold this meeting later. I'm exhausted right now."

As he spoke of what time and where we would meet, I noticed he wore nothing under the robe. And Jia, for the most part looked thin and graceful, the cut of his designer suits gave him that look but I saw he was also well defined, a small scar fading on the side of his torso and so far one visible drop line from where his pants slung low on that side of his hip. He then stood up straight as he moved his hair back and then dismissed us until later time.

I was no longer tired, but what a time to not be tired. I wasn't really up for going anywhere so I went back to the room and watched TV. Akio went back to sleep so I was by myself for a while, watching TV for a few hours and going out to have a cigarette when needed. I saw Aoki and Aya sitting out there during one of my trips, Aya standing his back facing the door as he held his arms over his front. I saw him in casual clothes, low rise fitting pants that hugged every curve on his body and a loose white shirt. He looked appealing even from this side. I saw Aoki was more or less squatting down on the floor wearing black pants and a button down. He smoked calmly, every now and then reaching over to grab Aya's leg, usually around his knee or lower thigh. I finally went outside to have my own cigarette and stop oogling Aya's ass. I was becoming no better then Toki. I sighed, shaking my head as I pushed open one of the doors leading outside as I left the hotel. Aya turned his head as he saw me and smile.

"Hey Jo."

"Hey."

I lit my cigarette as I said,

"You been here long?"

"Just a few minutes. Jia's still tired so there's not much I can do for now."

Aoki stood up to his full height, towering over Aya and a little over me. He looked at me slightly and then went back to his cigarette as Aya continued smiling at me. He then said,

"You like to shop don't you?"

"Haven't done it in a bit."

"Would you come with me? Aoki doesn't want to go."

"I didn't say I wouldn't." Aoki interjected.

"Yeah but I know that face when you really hate doing something."

I shrugged as I said,

"I guess. I'm not doing anything later."

I felt his smooth, slender hand grasp mine as he said,

"Thank you."

I gave a nod of the head as I started to smoke my cigarette. I watched as passer-byers looked and oogled at Aya, who from a certain angle could look female. He was after all, curvy and wearing pants to accent that. Plus his face had delicate features...I could never guess his age. I wouldn't want to know anyway. To me he was eternally young and beautiful. Anyway he let go of my hand as he turned to Aoki and said,

"Are you done?"

Aoki nodded, flicking away his cigarette as Aya nodded and tugged on the lapel of Aoki's shirt and began going back in. I saw Aoki was looking at me and I could tell he was pissed off. He gestured me close to him as I threw my cigarette out and took a step closer. It was close enough however and he grabbed me by the front of my shirt as he pulled me close and said,

"You touch him and I'll break your fucking arm. You hear me?"

I nodded as he let go of me and he went back inside. I shook my head, adjusting my shirt and then went back in.

I went with Aya as he shopped later in the afternoon. He was very picky about he wore and loved a lot of the designers that were being pushed in boutiques. A lot of the things he bought seemed to be made just for him. Anyway once he was done, we went back to the hotel, changed and went for an early dinner/late lunch with Jia. In the restaurant, after Jia took a sip of his drink, he said,

"We're going after the Korean territory tomorrow."

Keisuike looked at him as he said,

"Jia, you would be breaking a pact that is about fifty something years old."

"Like I give a fuck. I don't things half assed Keisuike. Sozaburo should have told you that. The only thing I will leave alone is Eirinsu's city. Only because I had previously given him my word that I would not touch his city at all."

Keisuike then said,

"There are more dons in Korean blood lines Jia."

"I've fucked with all of them before. I know what's waiting."

Keisuike then left it at that and the rest of us had dinner without further interruption.