We packed and within two days time, we were on a plane to California. Los Angeles to be exact. I was so frustrated and tired and I just really wanted to go back to Miya. My mind was hardly on the situation at hand. Once we got to California, the infamous heat LA is known for, hit us full blow. It was almost September when we got there but still, the heat lingered on since it was the tail end of August. Everyone who had long hair pulled it up or tied it back right away. Mikkie pulled it up in a high tail as he was getting accustomed to do nowadays. Gabriel pulled most of it back since he had a bob with a black headband, Aoki tucked it behind his ears, Aya had his hair flat so it fell around his face, adding to his beauty as he pulled it back in a head band like Gabriel. Toki wore a black head wrap, all his bangs tucked underneath as everyone else left their hair alone, everyone wearing sunglasses. Once we got outside, Toki started complaining.

"Shit...it's fuckin hot Li."

We were all in three piece suites except for Toki and he was complaining it was hot. Jia sighed as he said,

"Shut up I know. You talking doesn't make things better."

He went to light a cigarette once we were outside, waiting for a cab as an airport guard came over to him and said,

"Excuse me sir, no smoking."

"I'm outside."

"There is no smoking in or around the airport."

Toki defiantly lit the cigarette anyway and inhaled as he said,

"Fuck off. I'm outside."

"Sir, please put that out, it bothers other passengers."

Two cabs came as we started getting in out luggage being taken care of Toki flipped him off and said,

"You don't know what fuck off means so I'll showing you."

He started getting in the cab after Jia and I followed him along with Mikkie. Once in the cab, the driver said,

"Sir no smoking in the cab."

"Imma tell you what I told him. Fuck off. I'll roll down a window."

Jia went into his pocket as he got out a fifty as he gave it to the driver and said,

"Here. Plus your fee if you let him smoke."

The driver took it as he started up the car and we went to our hotel. It seemed that every place we went, Toki was asked not to smoke. So was Aoki. California had these strict no smoking laws everywhere, so even if you were outside in a public restaurant, you were asked not to smoke. Toki hated that. Aoki wasn't too pleased it with it either and neither was Jia. We all got to our hotel a little while later and we split up to our rooms. We were done in pairs as usual. Toki and Jia had one room, Gabriel and Tai had another, Aya and Aoki the other, Jun and Mikkie, and Akio and myself. Tsubasa had his own as Ai'iro and Jiki shared one but they had to stand guard one shift at a time for Tsubasa. Tsubasa rarely brought anyone else along with him besides his two usual guards. Yuki brought along Estuya and three more guards. When we settled in, Akio pulled off his tie for a moment as he opened the first few buttons of his shirt as he complained how hot he was. Now that we were in an air conditioned room, he felt much better and so did I. I hated heated...but we had to remain as disciplined as possible and not complain though we were sweltering through the heat.

We spent the afternoon in the hotel, sleeping from the jet lag as I woke up later on to Akio. He was getting dressed again and he was talking on the phone. When I turned over I saw him combing his hair out which was still wet as he talked on his cell phone. He eventually hung up as he said,

"Hey kid. Glad you're up. Go get ready. We have to get to work soon."

I nodded as I rolled out of bed and went to take a shower. A few minutes later, all of the 36 Moons stood outside the hallway of Jia's room as we waited for him. Tai called him from outside and a few minutes later, Toki opened the door. He was still sleeping!

"What the fuck ya'll want man?"

Tai sighed as he said,

"Jia said to be ready by this time."

"I don't give a shit about what he said, I'm sleeping."

Jun then said,

"Toki shut the fuck up and get Jia. No one gives a shit if you're in a coma."

Toki flipped him off as he went back inside, closing the door behind him. We all sighed in impatience as Jia finally appeared. He yawned as he said,

"Sorry for the wait. Let's go."

We all started leaving and went downstairs to the lobby. Tsubasa, Ai'iro, Jiki, Yuki, Estuya and his guards were already waiting. Jia went over to Tsubasa and kissed his cheek as he explained he was in an argument with Toki and wasn't able to be ready on time. After a few minutes, Toki joined us in the lobby and we all got to work. Gabriel and Akio who use to live in California knew LA pretty well though they lived in different parts of it in their childhood. Gabriel lived in Diamond Bar, Akio in Monterey Park but California was their turf. And though they were complaining about the heat at first by that night they were fine. The rest of us however were still dying of heat though it had cooled down a lot since we got their. Worst off, it got no cooler in California like it did in New York. We went out into LA, not really afraid like most people were since LA is known for it's gang wars and such. Hell we were armed and we were more cut throat then most gang bangers. Ha...listen to me...saying "we" like I was part of that. Anyway, we walked through to the most Korean populated area of LA as we found some of the gang bangers still hanging outside in their hyped up cars, their dolled up girlfriends or whatever they were hanging out with them. They watched us walking through their turf but come on...these were kids my age and I was rolling with yakuza who had been doing this for years and were much more cut throat then them. Even Aya. As we passed an apartment building, one of them stood up, looking very much like Toki in his oversized jeans, a wife beater and a bandanna stood up and walked over to us as he said,

"Ya'll aint welcome here."

Jia sighed as he looked at Toki and Toki stepped up to the kid as he said,

"Listen here baby boy, either the move the fuck out the way or Imma bust your ass in more ways then one. Get me?"

The gang banger got his boys up as Toki sighed and said,

"You don't impress me kid."

And he put his hand on the kid's forehead, shoving his head back. The guy then took a swing at him as Toki caught his hand and twisted his arm, making him turn around and brought him to his knees as he took out his gun and took off the safety in a swift motion as he put it to the back of the guys head and said,

"Now what was that? Keep talking kid and I'll make you my whore get me?"

His boys looked over at us as Aoki took out his piece as well as the rest of us. Some drew back but Jia said,

"We're not looking to hurt no kids. So just do us a favor..."

He leaned down to the one Toki had as he said,

"You heard of a guy named Sung Hyun?"

The guy didn't say much until Toki twisted up his arm and he shouted in pain as he said,

"Yeah! I heard of him!"

"What do you know?"

"Nothin'...jus rumors. Korean mob an all that...heard his woman was in town."

"That's all?"

Toki looked over at Jia as he said,

"This punk don't know nothing. Let's jus go."

Toki let him go as the kid fell forward, gasping as his arm was finally let go of. We all walked onwards stopping at a local restaurant and getting something to eat. It was there that Jia finally sent us in separate directions rather then traveling in one big pack. After everyone was sent in their own directions, Jia called Tsubasa to ask him how his own search was going since they went in separate directions then us. After that he checked on Yuki. At the restaurant, we all went our ways, me with Akio.

Akio and I kept walking through for a while as we finally sat down in a park. Akio sighed as he said,

"I wish I had a cigarette."

"You could go buy some."

Akio sighed as he checked his watch and said,

"I'm not about to go buy a pack of cigarettes in the middle of work."

I sighed, smoothing back my hair as I said,

"You should get a pack. There's a store across the street."

Akio nodded as he said,

"We're not having any luck right now. Might as well."

We went across the street and into a corner store where Akio bought a pack of cigarettes and picked up some matches. The store owners kept looking at us, the Korean owners eyeing us as if we would do something. Once Akio bought his cigarettes we went outside as he slammed them against his hand and then peeled off the plastic wrapping. He then took one out as he brought it to his mouth and lit it. He then offered me one. I looked at it then at him as I said,

"I don't smoke."

"So start."

"I shouldn't..."

"You're in a syndicate, you drink you might as well smoke."

So I took one and Akio lit it for me. I inhaled and held it for a minute as I then exhaled it, coughing only a little as I said,

"Uh...that's awful."

"You'll get use to it."

We were about to start walking again when Akio's phone rang. He answered it, speaking for a moment before he then hung up and said,

"Come on, we gotta get back. Tai found a connection in."

So we took a cab to the downtown club strip.

We got a club a few minutes later, Toki, Jia, Jun, Tsubasa, Jiki Mikkie, Yuki and Estuya all inside, having drinks and having cigarettes. Toki was having a drink, a cigarette in the same hand holding the glass as he leaned back, putting his arm around Mikkie as Jia sat on his other side. Jia himself was having a cigarette, sharing the ashtray with Tsubasa, Yuki, Jiki and Estuya. They made room for us as Akio lit another cigarette and offered another one to me. As Toki watched me take it, he moved away from Mikkie as he said,

"Ne, Aka-chan is smoking!"

He went into his pocket as he took out his lighter and lit the cigarette for me. I thanked him as I inhaled and Jia looked at me.

"When did you start?"

"This is only my second one....all night."

The music started getting louder and louder. Finally Akio asked,

"Jia, what's going on? Why are we here?"

Jia leaned in to the table as he said,

"One of Sung Hyun's people owned this club. Rumor has it he's taking care of Alexandra and her kid."

Tsubasa exhaled a cloud of smoke, tucking back his bangs since his hair was up and pulled back, making him look so feminine. He then said,

"So if we find this guy, we'll find Alexandra."

Jia nodded, having another cigarette as the waitress came by. She smiled at me and Akio as she said,

"Can I get you fellas a drink?"

Toki then said,

"Yeah babydoll get me another one."

She smiled at him as he smirked back and Akio ordered a drink. I declined, sticking to my cigarette. When she left, Akio said,

"Where's everyone else?"

Mikkie sat up as he said,

"Aya can't come in here because of his wound so Aoki's with him in the car along with Tai and Gabriel. Ai'iro standing outside with Jun."

I exhaled, becoming use to smoking as Toki turned to Jia and said,

"What's this guy look like? The place is crawling with flat girls and pretty boys."

Jia sighed as he said,

"Ask around Toki...you'll be bound to find them."

Toki put his cigarette out as he stood up and went through the crowd. Akio then did the same as Estuya followed. The rest of them stayed behind including me as I shouted over the music,

"Jia, where are they going?"

He took a sip of his drink as he said,

"They're gonna go hit on anything that could give them information."

Tsubasa smiled at me, a beautiful curve on his face as he said,

"Maybe you should go with them."

I felt so enthralled watching Tsubasa smile at me, his blonde white hair falling over the sides of his face as he smiled. He tapped the cigarette against the ashtray as Jiki lit another one. Jiki was silent...he said nothing to no one. Anyway, we sat at the table for almost an hour having a drink and smoking, Tsubasa and Jia talking every now and then before Akio came back. He had another drink in his hand as he said,

"Found them."

Jia looked up as he said,

"What did you find out?"

"Sung Hyun's cousin is the one that owns this club. He was not too pleased about Sung Hyun's death back in New York but he doesn't know who did it by face, just name."

"That gives us an advantage."

Jia finished his drink as he said,

"Where is he?"

Akio pointed towards the back of the club where only a selected few were going back. Toki was already standing there, talking to some girl in a dress that could have been painted on. Jia smirked as he said,

"Looks like Toki's getting us in already."

He and Tsubasa got up, Jiki following as Estuya and Yuki followed. Jia notioned me to come with him as the rest of the 36 Moons stayed behind. I followed the don as Toki then stood up straight and said,

"And this is the guy I was telling you about. So can I get in or what?"

The girl gave a stupid giggle, bringing her hand up to her mouth as she tossed her hair over her shoulder and said,

"Sure."

She let Toki pass as he raised his hand, swept it under her chin as he said,

"Thanks babydoll."

We all went inside to what seemed to be a completely different part of the club....kinda like a whole new club only it was much more quiet. Jia and Toki led the way as Jia looked at his cell phone that was still in his hand as he pressed a few buttons. It beeped back a moment later, a text message returning to him. He turned to Toki and said,

"Akio is letting everyone else know where we are."

His phone beeped again as he looked at it and said,

"We have to ask for someone named Lee Choong Jae."

Everyone looked around as I felt someone press up against me. I thought it might have been Toki but it was someone shorter then me. I looked over to see a girl, shoulder length red hair, caked on make up and fitted black pants with a halter. She smiled as she said,

"Hey."

"What's up?"

"What you doin' here? I never saw you here before."

"New in town."

"Oo...can I show you around?"

"I'm lookin for someone actually. You think you can help me?"

"Maybe. Who you looking for?"

"Some guy called Choong Jae. We have something to talk about."

She sighed as she said,

"Ne, he's over there."

She pointed to a table where another man in a designer outfit, and chin length black hair sat. She held onto my arm as she said,

"After you're done with business, look for me okay?"

She grabbed my face with both hands as she kissed me, her tongue rudely going in my mouth as she then pulled away. She winked at me as she walked away. I wiped my mouth, seeing her lipstick staining my hand. I felt a nudge as Jia said,

"What did she say?"

"Choong Jae's over there."

I showed him Choong Jae as Jia walked away everyone following him again. Yuki stopped as he turned to me and said,

"You got lipstick right here."

He pointed to his own mouth showing me where it was on my face as I wiped it off. He then nodded as he turned back and we walked to Choong Jae's table.

Jia stood in front as he said,

"Lee Choong Jae?"

He looked up at Jia from the corner of his eye, his black angled hair covering the sides of his face as he said,

"Ne...who's askin?"

"I heard some rather upsetting news of your family. Your cousin Lee Sung Hyun."

It was then that Choong Jae sat up in attention.

"What do you know about Sung Hyun?"

"I worked in the city. In New York."

Choong Jae snapped his fingers as one of his men pulled out a chair for Jia. He sat down, lighting a cigarette as he said,

"So, Sung Hyun had a woman didn't he?"

"Ne but what do you know about his death? I only names."

"I could find out for you....for a price."

"Name it. It's yours."

Jia smiled as he looked over at Tsubasa and then at Yuki. He turned back to Choong Jae as he said,

"Where's Alexandra?"

"Why?"

"You said a price. It's all I'm asking for."

Choong Jae played with a napkin sitting on the table as the girls beside him holding onto his coat as he thought. He then went into his pocket and took out a pen as he clicked on it and wrote down on the napkin an address. He folded it and slid it across the table to Jia. Jia opened it, reading it then handing it to Tsubasa and he gave it to Yuki. After a moment Choong Jae said,

"So...? What do you know?"

Jia smiled as he nodded and went into his pocket and said,

"Thank you."

He stood up, pulling out his gun as he said,

"I killed him."

He took a shot as everyone in the room started ducking, hiding behind tables as Toki and Mikkie started clearing the way. I stood by Jia, taking out my own gun as I saw Choong Jae was still alive, he had ducked behind the table as Jiki covered Tsubasa. I took out my own gun as Yuki fired a few shots over Estuya's shoulder. We started firing as bullets blazed over my head. Toki got to the door where he kicked it down and ran outside, Akio running in as Toki yelled,

"Jia let's go!"

He reached in the room as he grabbed Jia's coat and yanked him out of the room, everyone else following, including me. We ran through the club as Toki stopped and saw Choong Jae's people following us. Toki pulled back his clip as he raised his gun in the air and shot out a light. The music screeched to a halt as Toki took another shot, people falling to the floor as they screamed and covered their heads. We got out of the club as we got in an awaiting car that Aoki was sitting in the driver's seat. Everyone split up into three different cars as I got in, for once not driving as Gabriel drove the car I got into. As screams and echoes followed us out, the cars peeled off into the night.

I sat against the seat, excited yet scared beyond all belief. Toki looked at me as he said,

"Aka-chan...you okay?"

I nodded a few times as I put the safety back on my piece. I looked over at Toki as he had his arm around Jia. He laughed as he said,

"Jia you missed!"

"I meant to. You know I got good aim when I feel like it."

"Yeah..I know. Why didn't you kill him?"

"Too many witness. Shooting off weapons in a club is one thing, I don't need to be hunted down in California too."

Toki laughed as Mikkie who sat squeezed up beside him, sighed and said,

"Gabriel how much longer until we reach the hotel?"

"A few more blocks Mikkie."

He sighed as I did too. Being squeezed into the back seat of a car was not fun. We arrived at the hotel a little while later as Jia then said,

"And we have found what we were looking for."

Yuki went into his pocket as he retrieved the napkin Choong Jae had written an address on. He then gave it to Jia as he said,

"So...someone move out tonight. He'll try to move her as soon as possible now that he knows who we are."

Aoki pushed up his designer sunglasses as he said,

"I'll go."

Jiki made a notion with a raise of his fingers as Akio said,

"I'll back them up."

Jia nodded as he gave Aoki the address and said,

"Get to it. We'll be ready to go the minute you get back here."

The three headed out as I went over to Jia and said,

"We're leaving?"

"LA. We'll have to get out of here. The minute Alexandra and her kid are taken care of, Choong Jae's people will bring all hell down on us. So it's best to start moving. You're Akio's roomie, pack up his shit if he unpacked anything and let's get moving."

I nodded as I started going to the elevator with everyone else. Aya was walking without the crutch now but he still limped slightly so Toki was walking close by him, Jun on the other side. Mikkie walked beside Jia not giving either one of them a side glance as Gabriel and Tai walked in front of me. Tsubasa along with Ai'iro were already going up as Yuki and Estuya went to the bar for a drink. We already had to leave...almost two days after we first got here.