For the quiet duration of our time, I managed to heal properly, my back now adorned with a black widow, the numbers, stating what I forever was and meant to be now on my skin. I spent a great amount of time dealing with my associates now, learning what I could from everyone not just Akio. Jia taught me his intelligence, how well he operated and what would take everyone a few minutes to think up of, was Jia's first initial thought. He also told me that personal grudges against anyone in the syndicate were set aside when working. Even Toki and Jun set aside their differences when it came to work. Tai taught me basic stature of how everything worked and how the syndicate worked. What everyone's jobs were and how money was made. Extortion was the main source of profit as well as having everyone who was good at killing out for hire. Jia's associates like Nishiki and the Yami helped him out from time to time and Jia owned valuable land with clubs, stores and business districts on it. Which is what made him so rich. Legal loopholes and cover ups by Gabriel, Aya and Akio made it virtually impossible for anything illegal to be pinned on anyone. Everyone had different names, Jia himself hundreds and even though everyone had been arrested at one point, they only had that legal record. The only one that was known through and through by his birth name was Aoki. Gabriel told me that in case of any emergency, to call for him as my lawyer and no matter what the situation, he could get me out. Jun was the doctor, that I already knew. He would take care of anything not major. He was responsible for making sure everyone stayed in one piece. Aya was not just a pretty face as already known. He taught me the roots of Japanese government and how and why it was so easy for them to slide through the system and how he was even in the Diet. It wasn't hard to sneak around and fix shit there for yourself, so he did. Akio who was just a former cop and already a close friend of mine taught me a useful trick. Since he once worked with handcuffs, he knew how to get out of them with a simple gesture. I had a feeling that would be useful later. Aoki, Mikkie and Toki were Jia's killers...they could teach me nothing but how to feel no remorse.

I learned a little more and everytime I hung out with a handful of them. Mikkie still didn't speak to me as much as he use to...he was still shying away from me, looking away or around or anywhere but at me. He was keeping this secret, which I could understand why it was a secret that I knew about. I wish I didn't know...I still wish I was oblivious to the whole thing...but now everything made more sense. I could see how Mikkie and Toki exchanged soft, subtle glances, how Toki would be standing behind Mikkie somewhere and his fingers would be entwined in the end of Mikkie's now blonde hair. I could see how close they were...and you couldn't even tell unless you were really looking. They would sit beside each other and Toki would be whispering something in Mikkie's ear while his hand was still in the blonde hair. Mikkie would give no reaction but he would not push Toki away or act as if he hated him unless others were around. When Jia was around, Toki would stand by Jia's side and only glances would be exchange before Toki went off flirting with Jia. I felt awkward being the only one knowing this...no one else seemed to know, or maybe they did and just didn't say anything because it was none of their business. Whatever the case was, it was something unspoken so I too stayed silent. After all it really wasn't none of my business.

Almost a month later, I sat in the lobby of the 36 Moons building. I was about to leave with Akio, about to head out for some dinner since it was pretty late, the sky already darkening as Akio stood up, pulling on his suit jacket and said,

"So come on Baby-chu, let's get some dinner."

"Yeah, I have to be home earlier today anyway. Miya said I've been staying out later then I should be when I'm not working."

Akio laughed as he said,

"He's got you on a short leash."

I blushed slightly as I cleared my throat and said,

"It's not that...he just misses me and he's lonely."

"Uh huh."

"It is!"

Akio laughed as he said,

"I was just teasing. Let's go eat."

As we turned and left the lobby, I saw as someone walked in. It was a boy, I could tell by the hair but he was so pretty. Tall and leggy, low riding leather pants with a short white shirt that barely went over his pierced belly button as a black tattoo of a rising flame grazed the right side of his torso. He wore a full length black coat over himself, with high platform shoes. He was dressed like he belonged in a band somewhere in Tokyo. His hair was a dark brown and short, frayed slightly to form around the shape of his pretty oval face, his lips full and his eyes soft and feminine. I was about to say something when he turned to us and smiled a seductive smile and said,

"Hey Phoenix."

The boy spoke perfect English. One of Akio's old flames? I wouldn't be surprised. Akio sighed as he said,

"Hey Ryuhei. Long way from home aren't you?"

"Yeah you could say that. Jia around?"

"Hai...hold on."

As Akio went to call Jia down from his office, Ryuhei as he was called, turned to me as he said,

"Hey..you're new. What's your name?"

"Joryu."

"Cute. You look young baby. How old are you?"

"Nineteen."

"Damn...Jia's startin 'em young."

I wondered what he was doing here and what he was to Jia...an associate maybe? An allie? Jia's old flame? I didn't know. A few moments later, Jia, Toki and Mikkie came down from the elevator and walked out to the lobby. I saw Ryuhei's attention turn from me and go right to one of the three. He walked, or switched...whatever that thing he did, past Jia and Mikkie as he went straight to Toki. His arms went around his neck as he said,

"Hey Shinkan. Been a long time."

I saw Toki be pleasantly surprised as he smiled, his hands never leaving the insides of his own pockets as he said,

"Hey Ryuhei. What you doin' here?"

"I'll explain that in a minute. I'm just so glad to see you."

That made more sense then Ryuhei being anyone else's former flame. I saw this rather annoyed/disgusted look on Jia's face and Mikkie stayed expressionless, but his sight never left the two over there. Ryuhei leaned up as his tongue lapped at Toki's lips and said,

"Mmm...I missed you. It's been far too long."

"Yeah it has."

"If you're not busy later...like if you're not working...you should stop by my hotel a little later."

Toki smirked as he said,

"You still offerin to me?"

"Always baby."

Jia finally cleared his throat as he said,

"Ryuhei, what are you doing here? Didn't I leave you in New York?"

"That you did Jia. But I'm here on a little vacation. My last got into some trouble with the Yami a few weeks ago and rather then have a repeat of last times incident, I broke it off before the situation got any worse. However, that didn't seem to improve his mood so I had to skip town for a little while. So what better place to go then the mother land? And here I am. I just made this little side trip, hoping that you guys were here and...well. I guess I got lucky."

"You don't know the half of it." Said Toki.

Ryuhei exuded sex. From every pore and orifice he oozed sex. He was a sexual person, from jump I got that expression. It seemed like he was an open invite to anyone that wanted him...and he was more open to Toki then anyone else. I've never seen anyone drape and cling themselves to Toki like Ryuhei. Sure woman have flocked to him since he was charming and handsome but cling to him...I was kinda surprised. Jia then sighed as he said,

"Whatever problems you're in Ryuhei I'm not helping you out again."

"I'm not in any trouble Jia. You're always quick to assume the worse in me. I told you, this is just a little side trip."

He glanced back up at Toki as his arms fell from around his neck to Toki's shirt as he said,

"So...you busy later?"

"Maybe not..."

"You should come see me then."

I saw Toki's hand go inside Ryuhei's coat as he looked down and said,

"Got something new I see."

Ryuhei laughed slightly as he said,

"Baby you don't know the half of it. Come by later and I'll show you the whole thing."

Toki smirked, that look in his eyes again as Ryuhei lapped at his mouth again, like a cat trying to get a drink as Toki parted his lips slightly. Ryuhei then whispered something to him before he turned and said bye to Jia and to Akio as he left. Jia looked at Toki as he said,

"Will you wipe that smirk off your face?"

"What? I just got offered free ass and you want me to stop smiling?"

"You're busy tonight."

"With what?"

"With something...give me a minute I'll think about it."

"Are you saying you don't want me to go?"

"You really want to Toki?"

I saw this angry look in Jia's eyes as Toki looked down at the floor with his eyes and then back up as he said,

"Well...it'll just be for a few hours..."

Jia sighed as he walked away, passing all of us as Toki said,

"What!? What I do now!?"

He followed him outside as Mikkie checked his watch and causally left the building. I looked at Akio as I said,

"Who's Ryuhei?"

"In one statement, he's Toki's whore. Back sometime ago, in New York when Jia was still trying to take over, we went up against this guy named Akihasa. He owned Staten Island and he was dating Ryuhei at the time."

"Oh."

"Akihasa was somewhere around fifty."

"Normal age."

"Ryuhei was seventeen."

"Ew! He was old enough to be his father!"

"I know. So, Akihasa was giving Jia trouble so they stormed Akihasa's place and found them fucking and Jia ordered Toki to rape Ryuhei so Akihasa would break to Jia's demands. Toki did but Akihasa didn't break, Jia took Staten Island anyway and it turns out you can't rape the willing. Ryuhei was so hung up on Toki since, they fucked again after Jia took over and now...apparently he's still not over him. He's on Toki's dick so badly, we all call him Toki's whore."

"Oh...well that explains the enthusiasm."

"Hai...and Jia's not to pleased with Ryuhei because...you know him and Toki are fucking. Jia's too emotional when it comes to him."

"Yeah I heard about that."

I looked outside as I saw Jia and Toki already arguing on the street. Jia said something to him before he pointed at something and then shouted at him again. Toki rolled his eyes as he went into his pockets and got a cigarette. I rubbed my eyes as I said,

"I'm gonna go keep Jia company. I'll see you later Akio."

I kissed his cheek as I went outside after Toki turned and left. I saw Jia standing near the curb as he was lighting a cigarette. He then swept his hair back as I said,

"Jia?"

He turned to me as he said,

"What's up Aka-chan?"

"Just wondering if you could use some company."

He was about to dismiss me when he said,

"Don't you have to go somewhere?"

"I will if you want me to."

He checked his watch as he said,

"Let's go have dinner. Is Akio still around? He can come too."

I nodded as I went back in to see Akio still there, sitting down as he lit a cigarette.

"Akio, Jia wants us to have dinner with him."

"That works for me."

He stood up and went with me outside as the three of us went to have dinner.

Jia didn't eat as usual. He had a drink as Akio and I ate. He looked angry but upset all at once and I wondered why. If Toki really hurts him that badly, I have to wonder why even put up with it. Akio then said,

"Jia, you okay?"

"Fine. Just thinking."

"Aren't you gonna eat?"

Jia shook his head as he took another drink from his cup. I sighed softly to myself as I said,

"Jia, can I ask you something personal?"

He nodded as he sipped from his cup again.

"Why do you put up with Toki if he hurts you?"

"I'm a masochist. I enjoy being hurt by him."

I couldn't tell if he was serious or just being sarcastic. I went back to eating as Akio said,

"He's kidding."

"Oh..."

"Actually, I'm only kind of kidding. I put up with him because despite everything he is my best friend. The one I've known since childhood so...I tolerate whatever because I do care for him. But I do tolerate what he does to me on personal level because I'm just foolish like that. Which is why I'm a masochist."

"Oh...sounds....complex."

"It is. It's also more then what I would like to talk about."

I nodded in understanding as we then finished our dinner. Afterwards, Jia sighed as he said,

"I don't want to go home."

Akio lit a cigarette as he said,

"We could go somewhere else Jia."

"I would but I'm really not in the mood. I just don't want to sit there alone. I wish we were in New York."

He would probably call Tsubasa if we were in New York. Jia didn't seem like the type to be dependant on anyone but he got lonely too...he was after all human. He then shook his head as he said,

"Forget it. I'll see you two tomorrow."

He hailed for a cab as he got in and Akio and I were left alone. He and I looked at each other as he said,

"You should go. It's getting late."

I looked at my watch as I said,

"Kinda yeah..."

I found myself wanting to stay with Akio a little longer. But I knew in the long run that would be a bad idea. So I kissed his cheek as I turned and went to the subway to catch a train back home.

I got to be with Miya that night. I looked at him laying beside me, in our sheets, in nothing but his shorts. He looked so beautiful his hair falling over his eye as it always did as he bent one of his long legs and said,

"What's wrong Jo?"

"Thinking."

"About?"

"How beautiful you are."

I kissed him as he smiled and said,

"You're so amorous tonight. Not that I'm complaining."

"Good. I feel close to you."

He smiled as he reached up to me, his slender fingers brushing over my cheek as I noticed how soft he was. The bruises and all markings of what happened to him before now gone, left nothing behind but his soft flesh. I looked at his thin body, so shapely, almost like a woman, but the flat chest gives that away. He reminded of Ryuhei for some reason though I knew he couldn't rival against my tsuki. I stroked the side of Miya's thigh as he smiled and said,

"Jo...I love you."

"Love you too."

I then stroked his hip bone that the shorts were riding low on as I said,

"Tsuki...you should get a tattoo."

"Why? Something big and ugly like that thing on your back?"

I frowned as he poked my lip and smiled. I said,

"No, something sexy...would you?"

"Maybe."

I smiled as I thought of the possibilities.

The next afternoon when I went to the building, I saw Toki's whore was still hanging around. He was still beside Toki, not clinging to him but just admiring Toki like he was some great god which got...kinda sickening after a while. Toki didn't seem to mind though. He loved the attention, having someone fawn over him and want him badly. Ryuhei was still in some exploiting outfit, dark red leather pants that showed how leggy and curvy he is, riding low past his hips bones again as he wore a black sleeveless shirt this time and a black knee length coat that was sitting beside him as he looked at Toki. I sat in the couch across from them as Toki read the paper, a cigarette hanging from his lip as Ryuhei crossed his legs and said,

"Toki, what are you doing all day?"

"Not sure yet."

Ryuhei smiled as he said,

"Wanna spend the day with me?"

Toki looked at him as he said,

"You jus wanna get fucked don't you?"

"Only by you Shinkan."

Toki smirked as Ryuhei narrowed his eyes in this seductive way, bringing his fingers up to his mouth as he nibbled on them slowly. Toki loved that. He then sighed as he said,

"I should get the day off today."

I light a cigarette myself, having bought a pack this morning as I leaned back on the couch and dug my mp3 player out of my coat pocket and put the earphones in. Ryuhei then said,

"Hey baby boy."

I looked at him and said,

"Sup."

"What's your name again?"

"Joryu."

"Joryu what?"

I sighed, having to tell him my last name since I only recently started taking Aoki's last name.

"Tachimine."

"Isn't that what's his face's name?"

"Aoki. Yes. That's my father."

"Oh shit. When did he have time to get a kid?"

I shrugged as Ryuhei then turned to Toki and said,

"You don't have any kids do you?"

"God I fuckin hope not and if I do, hope they not stupid enough to try an claim something from me."

Ryuhei laughed as he leaned back and I stood up and I went to work for the day.