A few minutes after nine that evening, we arrived at the Dragon Leaf. I called Miya to let him know I would be coming home late and to not wait up for me. Once we got to the restaurant, I parked the car and got out after shutting off the engine and opened the door for Jia. He stepped out, gracefully, a man full of class and style as he smoothed his hair back from his face and walked ahead slightly. Toki got out next, his boot hitting the pavement as his jeans fell over it and he stood up and exhaled a cloud of smoke. He tugged at the end of his shirt as he tossed his head back slightly, letting the blonde bangs fall around his face. He walked behind Jia as Aya then got out. He went around the car, the cool air from that evening sweeping his caramel hair back from his face as I closed the car door and followed Toki and Jia in. I saw everyone else had taken their place among the restaurant and we were escorted to the back into the usual private room. Jia told the host he was expecting guests and when they arrived to be taken to the room where we were. Everyone walked in, taking off our shoes as we sat down. Jia lit a cigarette as Toki still hung onto his. He mumbled softly about something as Aya poured himself a cup of tea. I lit a cigarette myself as the waitress came. She bowed her head as she took an order for sake and then left. A few moments later, Jia's guests arrived. The host allowed them inside, them being an old man, two guards and a pretty young woman. The old man who I assumed was the boss wore an all black suit, red tie, he seemed to be heavy set, his hair a silvery gray. His guards were like any others, probably in their forties or thirties. The girl was what made me curious. She wore a knee length black shirt, a white sleeveless shirt with a slight cut in the front. Her long black hair was out, parted to the side, her face reminding me of a dolls since she had one of youth and innocence. I doubt she was though. Anyway she took off her shoes like everyone else and the older man sat at the other end of the table. Toki sat across from me, Aya next to him. One guard sat beside me and Mikkie as the other next to Aya and the girl sat on the other side of the guard close to me. The old man began to speak, but in Mandarin. Jia shook his head as he said,

"Nah, you cant speak to me in Chinese. I don't understand."

The old man shook his head as he said,

"They told me you couldn't."

"Should have believed it."

"You are of Chinese descent."

"I didn't grow up there. I grew up here."

The old man nodded as he said,

"I'm Kenimin Shi, dielow of the Black Hand."

"Jia Li, oyabun of the 36 Moons. What do you want?"

"I have come from Hong Kong because of the things I hear, your conquests, the enemies you've come against....even the Teo Chiu."

"Yeah. I know. So what do you want. You come into my city...the Black Hand has no business in Tokyo...you mean to cause me problems?"

Kenimin laughed slightly as he said,

"No. I came to allie with you."

"Allie?"

"Yes. You could use a doorway to Hong Kong yes? You will eventually come towards us. What better way then to rule there with an establishment already set up."

"I had no plans as of yet to travel into Hong Kong."

"Like you said....as of yet."

Jia was about to speak when the waitress came in with the sake. She set it down as she then bowed her head and asked if anyone would like dinner. Jia said we needed a few moments to think as everyone poured themselves a cup of sake. Jia then said,

"You want to allie with the 36 Moons. Why me? Why not the Teo Chiu who have a longer, steady set up?"

"The 36 Moons has spread beyond Japan. The Teo Chiu remains in control of Thailand. It is the old way of doing things. I am an old man Jia. I offer you peace, not war."

Jia nodded as he said,

"I rather peace then war. But...if we allie, I don't know if I can trust you."

"I will prove you can."

"How?"

Kenimin gestured to the girl beside him.

"This is my daughter Lotus. As my ties to allie to you, I will give her to you by means of marriage."

My eyes widened.

Toki dropped his cup as everyone else seemed shocked. Even Mikkie. Jia cleared his throat after a few moments as he said,

"You mean to give me your daughter?"

"Yes. As a means of bond. You have my blood. I believe that's more then enough proof."

"You know that triad who want anything will go about it by any means."

"I know this. But she is my daughter, my only female child out of six boys. She is my only one, the one I have the most pride in out of my children. She is educated, which I know is rare. She grew up in America, speaks English, Mandarin and is learning Japanese. She's very sweet and obviously striking in a physical sense. But she is obedient and can keep her tongue."

"Kenimin, I am not a man that can keep a wife."

"She is aware of the danger she would be in."

Toki shook his head as he waved his hand and said,

"Nah, you don't understand, he's not a one woman man."

"She understands."

Toki and Jia looked at each other and for once, Toki had nothing to say. Jia tucked some of his hair behind his ear as he said,

"You would marry her off to a yakuza."

"Yes. She would more likely be safer with you then with anyone else."

"Not true. She could be killed because of me."

"She is aware."

"Just how aware of everything is she?"

"She understand that you're not a man ready to settle down, who travels often and does not keep a home. She knows her life is in more danger when you have enemies going after you."

Toki still said nothing. Jia then looked at Kenimin for a few moments before he said,

"Let's eat. I can't answer you right now."

"Good. I would not be able to trust you if you agreed to it right away."

Jia said nothing as the waitress came back in and everyone ordered dinner. Toki and Jia ate nothing as usual while everyone else did. I looked at Aya as he looked back at me. He had this confused, but concerned look on his face that made me think he was just as lost as I was. During the course of dinner, Lotus didn't say a word, but ate slowly, calmly, her dark hair falling over her shoulder as she leaned forward to eat. She had dainty little fingers, her skin a soft white with some undertones. She was lovely. She also poured her father some tea when he needed some and often looked down rather then up or anywhere else. Kenimin and Jia exchanged conversation every now and then about Lotus, but she said not a word. When dinner was over, Kenimin said,

"I don't want you to rush in your thoughts Jia, so I am willing to let you speak to her yourself. I'll leave one of my guards with you and then have her brought back later."

"You would leave your daughter with me."

"She's guarded. Besides, you don't seem like the type that would do her harm."

Jia nodded as Kenimin stood, one of his guards did as well as Kenimin then said,

"Thank you for dinner. I'll pick up the check."

Jia bowed his head slightly as the two left. Lotus was quiet still as Aya said,

"Jia...should Aka-chan, Mikkie and I leave?"

"No, Toki you go with Aya and Mikkie."

Toki looked at him and I expected a fight from him as usual, but instead, he got up, helping Aya up to his feet as Mikkie walked out and they left. Jia then looked at me as he said,

"Come on."

He stood, as well as the guard and Lotus as we all left. Outside, Jia lit another cigarette as everyone else was still in the restaurant. Aya was explaining the situation to Aoki as Jun listened in and Toki kept glaring at Jia, an angry expression on his face. Jia looked at him as he walked out, then turned and walked outside. I opened the door for him as he and Lotus got inside. The guard sat in the passenger seat as I drove.

"Where to Jia?"

"Tokyo Towers."

I drove ahead. It was probably closed by now since it was almost ten-thirty, eleven. But Jia got in anyway, since he knew people that worked there that respected him. Once inside Lotus admired the view from the top, looking around as she said,

"This is my first time in Tokyo."

Kenimin's guard and I stood near the doorway as Jia stood near Lotus.

"I've always wanted to come here. So I was belated when my father said we were going to Tokyo."

"Did you know why you were coming?"

"I knew."

"Lotus...why do you accept this so easily?"

"I don't see a reason for me to fight. You do not feel to be an evil man."

"Evil hides deep within everyone."

"Yes...but you are no more evil then you have to be."

"You would marry me on your father's so-say?"

"Yes."

"Knowing what I am, what I do? I'm head of a yakuza syndicate. I've killed for so many reasons, all of them, somehow tying to power and money. I'm not a man that could keep a wife."

"I understand that."

"I could never make you happy. I have no idea how to make a woman happy. I've never tried."

"I wouldn't expect you to."

"I could never love you."

"I wouldn't expect you to."

"Why are you so understanding? Knowing about something and feeling it are two different things."

"I know. But I can also understand you. You're not a man that can make me happy. You're not a husband, you're not a loving doting partner. I know this. But this is not for me to be happy, it's for you."

"I have my happiness."

"Jia, I can keep a home for you. I'll be there when you need me and only then. I can give you your space so you can live like you always have. Love whoever you want. And if you wish, I can provide a child for you."

"I'm no one's father."

"I know that too. But it's whatever you want."

"You're so giving and you don't even know me."

"I have no reason to be selfish."

Jia sighed as he looked and out the window. I leaned against the wall as Lotus then tucked her hair behind her ear and said,

"Who are you in love with?"

"Someone close to me."

"Does she know?"

Jia sighed, smoothing his hair back as he said,

"It's not a she."

"Either way, they are lucky."

Jia looked away as he went into his pockets to withdraw his cigarette case as he took one out and lit it as he inhaled and leaned his head back and said,

"I'm not sure how to go about this."

"You should have some time to think about it. My father won't push you to make this choice so quickly. It is a rather delicate subject."

"True. Maybe I can continue this conversation tomorrow."

"Yes. I would like that."

Jia then walked Lotus over back to the Kenimin's guard as he left her with him and I escorted him home.

Jia didn't speak much on a way back to his apartment. He smoked quietly and looked out the window. I had to wonder what he was thinking since he was just proposed marriage. I dropped him off at home and then I went back to my own apartment. I called Akio, talking to him about what just happened. He was surprised himself.

"The guy gave him his daughter? What's that all about?"

"He wanted to allie with him. And he wanted to give Jia his daughter by means of marriage."

"So Jia would be getting married?"

"If he accepts."

"How...weird. I never imaged Jia getting married."

"Jia seems hesitant about it."

"If he does...then...what would that mean?"

"I doubt it would change anything. Jia would never give up Toki and Toki would be damned if he gave up Jia for anything. Especially to a woman."

I looked down at my hands as I picked at the lint in my blanket as I said,

"So...now I'm confused."

"Don't be Baby-chu."

I sighed as I checked my watch and said,

"It's pretty late. I should try to get some sleep."

"Yeah. I'll pick you up tomorrow."

"Okay. Later."

We hung up as I turned over and fell asleep.

The next morning, Akio and I got up as we went to the office. I heard Jun and Mikkie already there talking to Tai and Gabriel. They were talking about what had happened last night. Jun was kind of surprised and Mikkie as always, seemed the same. Akio and I joined in as Tai said,

"If Jia turns down this marriage, it could mean an enemy against the Black Hand."

"Exactly. So this is almost like a win loose situation." Said Jun.

Akio then said,

"So if he marries her, things won't change."

"Things will change. Jia wouldn't be able to keep everything the same." Said Gabriel.

I held my hands behind my back as I said,

"The girl seemed so willing to marry him despite everything. She knows what Jia does and even how he feels about...you know."

Everyone else nodded, not needing me to finish my sentence. Tai then sighed as he said,

"So....that would probably explain the fighting now."

No one dared to venture upstairs for the rest of the morning. Toki and Jia fighting probably since yesterday...and now this morning. We decided to stay downstairs and work from there only going to Jia's floor if absolutely necessary. Later on that evening, Lotus and her guard appeared at the lobby. Lotus in a white skirt and white shirt in her dainty hands as her tan sandals were strapped around her small feet. She looked around for a while until Akio noticed her. He called Jia down and we asked her to sit, explaining he was busy at the moment and it would take him a few minutes to come down. She sat down, her hands on her lap as she swept back loose bangs from her face since her hair was pulled up in a bun. She then smiled softly at me, recognizing me as I gave her a nod. Jun and Akio looked at each other before Jun left, looking for Mikkie as I kept her company. Finally, Jia came out from the elevator with Toki, still fighting with each other. Toki was angry, he was pissed, being unreasonable as Jia argued with him, trying to get him to see his point but not succeeding. When Toki saw Lotus, he glared at her with such hatred as he then looked back at Jia and said,

"The bitch aint even worth it Li. She really isn't."

"Toki, we'll talk about this later."

"Yeah, if you're lucky."

Toki stormed off, Jia sighed as he said,

"Toki, don't-"

"Fuck you!"

He slammed open the doors of the building and left. Jia shook his head as Lotus looked at him. She stood back up as she said,

"A bad time perhaps?"

"No, just a fight. Let's go."

He gestured her to walk with him as Akio said,

"Jia, you need someone?"

"Hai, Akio come with me. Everyone can go home if they please."

Akio went with them, as I was allowed to go home. I didn't know what to do with myself since Akio was my partner and he was now busy. I decided to get my coat, stick my earphone in my ear and started go home, pick up some take out on my way home and pick up some more CDs to burn. On my way out the door, I felt someone tap me and I turned, pulling out the earphone out as I saw Mikkie. I was a little surprised as I said,

"Yes?"

"I wanted to speak to you."

"Okay..."

We both left, walking outside as I tucked my hair behind my ears, Mikkie letting his blonde hair falling over the sides of his face as I said,

"What's up?"

"I never...I'm not sure how to go about saying this. It's not something I should be thankful for...but thank you for not saying anything about...Toki and myself."

He seemed almost embarrassed about the whole thing. I nodded as I said,

"Oh, yeah it's no problem. I kinda figured that you didn't want anyone to know. But I kinda thought everyone did know."

"No...this...whatever this is between Toki and myself, is not something anyone knows. We kept it such a secret. So I was embarrassed that you stumbled across it. I know you didn't mean to."

"No. I wish I didn't know."

"But I had to thank you for it."

His face looked the same as it always did, stone and cold. I didn't say anything else, but we kept walking.

It was strange to have Mikkie speaking to me again. I was glad about it, but at the same time, I wish he wouldn't have stopped in the first place. After I parted ways with Mikkie, I went to pick up my CDs and then got some take out before I went home. Sometime that night, I was watching TV, my CDs burning as I yawned, checking my watch seeing it was three in the morning. I laid on my side as I started making a mental list of what I had to do to fill my apartment since it was still kinda empty when my cell phone rang. I picked it up off the floor as I answered.

"Yeah?"

"Hey Aka-chan."

"Hey Akio. What's up."

"Just wondering what you were doing?"

"It's three in the morning with nothing to do, I'm watching TV since Miya's sleeping."

"Same here. I'm bored like anything. I talked to Jia earlier."

"What did he say?"

"He's still talking to Lotus. He's very unsure about everything. Toki being mad at him isn't helping anything."

"I figured. Toki's stubborn."

"Extremely."

I sighed as I said,

"So now what?"

"We'll stay still. We can't do anything until Jia has his say so."

The next afternoon I was called in. I rolled out of bed and hardly got dressed, not bothering with a tie as I did up my pants and shirt, pulling my suit coat over everything and then went to the office. Once I got there, I heard Jia was speaking to Nishiki. He had made his decision.