And we were relaxing again. Akio and I chilled for a while as we sat in his office sometimes while he worked. He would start nudging me, poking me and I would shove him, telling him to stop as he would grab my hand, make me laugh and do it all over again. We had to be careful though. Sometimes Aoki would be around and he wouldn't say anything but it was like he knew. Toki caught us playing around a few times and he would smirk, look at Akio with this "I knew you would do it" look and walk away. Later I would hear him congratulating him, like I was some conquest. It pissed me off, but I knew somewhere in the back of my mind it was true. Tai didn't say much to me about the situation anymore, he would however, warn me when Aoki was around. It was almost like he didn't want me to be caught either. Over some time, Jia fixed the final details with everything that happened. Over Seta's death, the empires he just made enemies out of and any final things he needed to go over. Meanwhile, most of us were given well deserved time off. The only people still working where Tai, Gabriel and Jia. I felt bad they still had to work while we went out to have a good time, but I knew they had to. On one of my days off, Akio suggested we go play pool. Toki had invited him to go and somehow convinced Mikkie to come with him. Mikkie would only go if Akio and I did, so we went. When we got there, I saw Mikkie sitting on a bar stool, leaning against the wall as he had his arms crossed, his hair tied up in his usual bun, his black leather coat was open to reveal his white fitted button down and black pants underneath along with regular boots. I had never seen Mikkie out of his work clothes of a suit, tie and dress shoes, he looked so strange. He looked the same though and bored. Toki was in his usual clothes, baggy black jeans, oversized gray V-neck sweater with a white shirt underneath, the designer's name, Sean John, near the middle of the sweater, a black knitted hat on while his white blonde bangs fell near his face. He held a pool cue in his hand as he had his cigarette from the side of his mouth. He was taking random shots, getting some in, missing some as Mikkie watched. Akio and I walked over to the table as Akio and Toki hugged, Akio taking off his coat as he showed his cream colored knitted sweater, black pants and tan boots as he hung his knee length cashmere black coat near by Toki's black hooded fur parka and said,

"How long you been here?"

"Bout half an hour. Mikkie won't play."

Mikkie looked at him as he said,

"I don't know how."

Akio pulled up the sleeves of his sweater as I took off my coat, hanging it and then sitting beside Mikkie as I adjusted my jeans and pulled up the sleeves of my red sweatshirt as Akio said,

"I'll show you."

He went into his pants pockets, getting out his cigarette case as he took out a cigarette and had Toki light it. He then picked up a cue from the rack and Toki began to rack the balls up in the triangle before setting them on the table and Akio went around to the other end. He set the white ball down as he leaned down, cigarette in his mouth as he aimed and took a shot, breaking the balls with a loud crack as they spread all over the table. Toki took his cigarette out of his mouth as he said,

"I fuckin hate playing against you."

Akio leaned up as he smirked and said,

"Hey, I'm THE Akio...what else but the best can you expect from me?"

Toki laughed as he smoked. I laughed slightly too. For about twenty minutes, Toki and Akio played. Toki lost only because Akio was the better player. Toki sighed as he said,

"I have no aim."

"How can you not have aim?"

Toki shrugged as he put his cue against the wall and went into his pockets for another cigarette. He then got one out as he said,

"Come on Ghosto, I'll teach you how to play."

"I don't want to."

"Then why even bother comin here at all?"

"Because if I didn't you would have kept annoying me about it."

Toki paused for a moment before he walked over and grabbed Mikkie's wrist and pulled him up from the bar stool, making him stand as he said,

"Play."

"You can't get me to do this by force."

"Please? I'll buy you a beer."

"I don't want a beer."

"What do you want?"

"Some water."

Toki went into his pockets as he took out a twenty and said,

"Aka-chan do me a favor, buy me a beer an a water."

I looked at him as I said,

"I'm not your servant."

"I said can you do me a favor, not go do it."

I sighed, standing up as I took the money and went to buy the drinks.

When I came back, Toki was teaching Mikkie how to play, but in only a way Toki can. By standing behind him and holding his hands and telling him to lean down. Mikkie would get annoyed and shove him back but Toki is forever persistent. Akio was sitting where Mikkie was before as he smoked. I sat beside him watching Mikkie and Toki as Toki would whisper something to Mikkie, holding his hands as he leaned over with him as Mikkie took a shot. They were kind of cute to watch, almost like a couple. If I didn't know Toki better, you would swear they were. Akio gave me a few pointers since I knew how to play sort of then I played against Mikkie. Turns out, he was better then he led on to be. He was almost as good as Akio was. Toki sat up as he said,

"Fuck, my neko-chan knew how to play! He lied."

Akio and I looked over at him as Akio said,

"Neko-chan?"

"Yeah, I found a cat the other day. Little kitten actually."

"Yeah? What you name him?"

Toki smirked as he said,

"Baby Mikkie. It's got yellow hair jus like the real thing."

I saw Mikkie be embarrassed as he walked over to the cue rack as he put the cue back in place and said,

"I know you didn't name some animal after me."

"I did. My little neko is named after you."

Mikkie cleared his throat as he looked away and said,

"I hate you."

Toki smirked as he said,

"No, you don't."

Mikkie looked away again as Akio sort of laughed as I looked at the table seeing I had solid color balls all over the table...four actually. Mikkie had beaten me quickly.

After the game of pool, Akio and Toki talked about getting something to eat. Mikkie said he had to go, but Toki wouldn't let him so the four of us went to eat. Toki really didn't want to eat, he just lit a cigarette and sat beside Mikkie as I ate. Akio ate a little, but mostly talked to Toki.

"God, having days off sucks." Said Akio.

Toki nodded as he said,

"I jus got over being cut open. I've been off longer then you."

"Did Jun say you were okay to go out?" I asked.

"Fuck what Jun says. If I have to stay in bed any longer I'm gonna fuckin have a fit."

"I thought you liked being on your back." Said Mikkie as he took a drink from his glass.

Toki looked at him as he smirked as he said,

"On when you're on top of me letting me fuck you."

Akio laughed as I cleared my throat. Mikkie however almost choked on his drink as he set the cup down and brought his hand to his mouth. He then took a moment before punching Toki in the arm.

"Don't say that shit to me!"

Toki laughed as he rubbed his arm and Mikkie brushed his hair back from his face. He seemed embarrassed though he didn't blush, but he refused to look from the table for a while. After dinner, Mikkie finally got away from Toki's clutches as he said he had to go home, so it was just us three. Akio nudged him as he said,

"Why you still after him?"

"Because I get to fuck him on the regular now."

Toki smirked as Akio said,

"Is that all you enjoy from him?"

"Nah, I love him too."

"And Jia?" I asked.

He looked over at me as he lit his cigarette and said,

"I love him."

He then exhaled as he said,

"Why you up in my business anyway? I should be in yours since your fucking the Playboy here and your daddy don't know about it. How long this been going on?"

I cleared my throat as Akio put his arm around me and said,

"A little while. We haven't had much time to fuck."

Toki laughed as he checked his watch and said,

"Hm...I'm obviously not getting Ghosto tonight. Might as well go home...finish up shit with Li."

"I thought you said you weren't fucking Jia anymore." Said Akio.

"Eh, not with Li. I can never do anything I said I wasn't with him."

He gave a smirk as he started to go as well. I noticed it was almost two thirty that morning. Akio hugged me for a while since we were trying to figure out what to do. Finally Akio said

"Wanna go back to my place?"

"Sure."

So we went.

It was nice being with Akio sometimes. It was almost like dating because not everything was about sex. We spoke a lot and he did hit on other people. I wasn't getting emotionally attached like I thought I would be I guess because I knew it was pointless for me to do so. I sat on his bed one night as I had a cigarette since he just got out of the shower as I said,

"Akio?"

"Hm?"

"You remember a while ago, when Sozaburo was leaving Jia's building and you were talking to him?"

"Yeah? What about it?"

"Why did he sound mad?"

"You were eavesdropping you tell me."

"I wasn't actually. I was with Jia."

He left the towel he was drying his hair with on his head as he sat down beside me as he said,

"Why you wanna know?"

"I'm curious. No one really yells at the Playboy, at THE Akio."

I smirked slightly, feeling a little arrogant since Sozaburo had turned him down. Akio however didn't seem to happy about me rubbing it in his face. He sighed as he took the towel off his head and said,

"I hit on him, to see what he would say and if he was up for it. He got pissed once he understood he'd be my uke. And he said he wasn't anyone's uke at all and rejected me."

"I see...so he's not interested in you."

I was trying my best not to smile and be happy about it but failing miserably. Akio shoved me slightly as he said,

"Wipe that smile off your face."

"Sorry."

I put my cigarette out as Akio tossed the towel aside and got in bed as he put his arms around me. I laid beside him as I let myself being held. Akio kissed the back of my shoulder as he said,

"You're so amused he rejected me aren't you?"

I laughed softly as I said,

"No, of course not."

He started tickling me so I started to laugh and we started rolling around on his bed.

Jia called us in every now and then to let us know of the situation he was dealing with. The Russian, Italian and Irish had left behind empires that were not happy. The New York chapter of the Italian families began starting some minor problems so Jia had to bring us in for a few meetings. Though the Yami had long made a pact with the Italians, killing them was not something proper and part of the deal. We had a meeting with them in Little Italy as we had dinner at one of the restaurants. One of the biggest Italian families sat at one end of the table, Jia on the other. Jia's people stood on the left, the Italians on the right. Jia slouched back in his seat as if he was tired as he smoked a cigarette, the Italian then said,

"Jia, your associate had made a deal with us."

Jia nodded, sitting up as he said,

"I'm aware of that Markano. But see, that was with the Yami, not the 36 Moons."

"You're not valuing you associates word?"

"I am, but that doesn't mean I'm aware of everything that went on with a deal you two made."

"You should know. You claim so much and yet you know nothing of your land."

"I know my land, I don't know the rules people set on things I already bought."

Jia inhaled part of his cigarette as Markano shifted slightly in his seat as he said,

"You know Jia, you're lucky I'm even letting you take over."

"Oh, I'm the lucky one. I see."

Jia seemed to be annoyed as he put his cigarette out and said,

"Look Markano, let's just get this straight, I'm one of peace, I rather not start a war over trivial bullshit about someone I killed okay. I didn't know, I apologize since it did violate a deal you and my associate made. So, if there's anything I can do, please let me know."

Markano noticed the almost, harsh yet sincere way Jia spoke. He lit a cigarette himself as he said,

"You got a lot of balls kid."

"I'm no kid."

"You look it."

"I know."

"But, you apologized, we'll settle this with the rest of the family not to cause any trouble."

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

"But the Russians and Irish are all yours."

"Why? They had sided with your people not mine."

"You'll have their anger to deal with. We resolved ours."

Jia sighed, leaning back in his seat again as he said,

"I shouldn't have to deal with your people's mess you know."

"You killed them, not us. So it's your mess."

"It was your allie! If it had been my allie I would have cleaned up that mess. And besides, I was not the only one who violated the agreement here."

"What?"

"You said I violated the agreement that you and the Yami had made. Had your people had any kind of honor, they wouldn't have sided with the Russians and the Irish to try and kill me in the first place."

Markano looked shocked, being told he was wrong was not something a boss likes to hear.

"Don't get smart with me Jia."

"I am pointing out what you pointed out to me. I will not sit here and be persecuted by you and your agreement with the Yami. I apologized and I will honor it from now on since I know it more clearly now, but I am not alone to blame on this."

Markano frowned as he said,

"All right....we'll talk to the Russians and the Irish."

Jia nodded as he stood up, everyone getting ready to follow him as Jia said,

"I appreciate it. And again, my apologizes for the deal."

Markano waved it off as Jia then left, all of us following. Toki lit a cigarette once we were outside, pulling up the shoulder of his parka as he said,

"So? What we do Li?"

"I don't know. They're pissed off at me."

Tai pulled on his gloves as he said,

"They didn't seem to glad when you pointed out that you were not at fault for this alone."

"I know. They don't like being told they're wrong."

Jia took out his cigarette case as he put a cigarette in his mouth and Toki lit it for him. Jia then tucked his hair back as he said,

"I don't think it's anything serious. Anyway, I'll be going back to Tokyo soon. What you all do is up to all of you. We're down for now."

I still had the keys to the car so I said,

"Jia, can I give you a ride home?"

"Yeah....kinda tired."

Toki followed Akio, Jia and myself to the car as everyone else went their separate ways. We got in the car as I started it up, Jia and Toki in the backseat as Jia leaned his head on Toki's shoulder once Toki had put his arm around him. I pulled out into the street as Akio leaned back in his warm looking leather coat as I drove. My hands were now stuck inside my cashmere gloves anytime I stepped outside. I got cold really easily. Anyway, I drove Jia and Toki back to their apartment, the ride silent except for a few noises every now and then. I would look in the rearview mirror to see Toki and Jia kissing, holding each other like a couple. I swear Toki needs to calm down...at least I know everyone is right about him being a walking hardon. Anyway, once we finally got to their apartment, they broke apart as Jia and Toki got out and went home. I then drove Akio and myself back to my place.

I slept right away rather then doing anything with Akio. I was feeling so tired lately and during the whole meeting with the Italians I was half asleep. More was more then likely spoken but....I wouldn't remember. Anyway I fell asleep right away only waking up when I felt my arms or legs hurting in the middle of the night. Akio had spent the night, he was sound asleep beside me. I felt sick most of the night and when I did wake up in the morning, I felt like shit. Akio sat up on his elbows as he said,

"You're fucking sick."

I nodded feeling achy and tired as I turned over, my nose feeling stuffy as I had a headache. I felt Akio get out of bed as he started getting dressed and said,

"Um..yeah I don't wanna get sick. I'll call Jun for you."

"Thanks."

Once he was dressed, pulling on his coat and getting his shoes, he went to say bye to me but remembered I was sick and quickly pulled back. Jerk, I had a cold not the plague. Anyway after a few hours, Jun came over to check on me. I had taken a shower and dressed in my sweats again and was eating the take out I ordered when he stopped by. I had taken some cold medicine that didn't seem to help at all when my doorbell rang. I put down my food as I went to answer and it was Jun.

"Hey Aka-chan. You look like shit."

I nodded as I let Jun in. He took off his shoes as he closed the door behind him and said,

"Bedroom."

I got up, taking my food with me as I went to my room and sat down. Jun set a briefcase down on the bed as he opened it and had all his medical things in it. He put on some latex gloves as he told me to stop eating so I had to put down my take out. He then touched my throat, rubbing the sides of it slightly as he then took out a tongue depressor as he said,

"Open your mouth."

I did as told as he checked the inside of my mouth as he then lifted up the back of my sweatshirt and placed his hand on my bare back. He told me to cough so I did. He did that a few times before he moved his hand and pulled the bottom of my eyelid down and checked my eyes. He then said,

"How do you feel?"

"My nose is stuffy. And I'm kinda achy if I stay still too long...and my throat hurts when I cough too hard."

"You got the flu."

"The flu?"

"Yup. You didn't get a flu shot which you should have but you didn't. Drink plenty of fluids, get a lot of rest. Try not to smoke will you? It only irritates your throat more which is why it hurts when you cough."

I nodded as I laid down again and he said,

"Remember plenty of fluids."

"Okay."

"You don't have anyone to take care of you?"

"Akio is treating me like I have the plague and I doubt anyone else would take care of me so no."

He gave a sad frown as he then said,

"I'll check up on you tomorrow."

I nodded as Jun took off his gloves and threw them away as he then packed up his things and left.

And I was to tend to myself during my sickness.