Mikkie and I went upstairs to meet with the third of Kenimin's children. I wasn't nervous, I had prepared my gun before hand, Mikkie had as well so all we did, was go upstairs and meet the third. Xiao Di, the third son, allowed us into his office as he looked surprised to see us. He then said,

"Can I help you gentlemen?"

Xiao Di looked about mid thirties about the same age as the first and second son. He was like any normal man his age and he even ran a legit business. I smoothed my hair back, tucking it behind my ears as Mikkie said,

"We'd like to find out some information."

"Of course, about what?"

"You."

Xiao Di looked surprised as he said,

"I'm afraid I don't understand."

"You are Kenimin's third son."

"How do you know that?"

"We have our ways. If you plan to leave New York and return to Hong Kong, then we have some serious problems."

"You can't tell me what to do! If I wish to return to my father's business, then I can."

"You can. No one is stopping you, it'll just cost you your life. You have a wife? Children?"

"Are you threatening me?"

"Yes."

Xiao Di looked shocked that Mikkie had responded so cut and dry. He then said,

"You don't know what you're dealing with."

"On the contrary, you don't know what you're dealing with."

Xiao Di looked at me as I said that. He narrowed his eyes at me as he said,

"You children think you can come into my establishment and threaten me. Get out! And don't let me see your faces again."

Mikkie didn't say anything, but he stood up and I followed. We both then left. On our way out I said,

"Mikkie, what now?"

"He knows we're around. He'll make a move."

I said nothing and just went ahead.

I got home that night and went to sleep for a while since I didn't have to do anything yet. Ichiro came over later and after a few rounds, we fell asleep. He stayed on his side, his head on my bare shoulder as I slept on my stomach. I felt his hand hold onto mine as I slept, his sweet, soft breath luring me to a deeper sleep. Somewhere in the middle of the night, near three in the morning, I heard my cell phone ringing. I sat up as I answered.

"Yes?"

"Joryu, get up and get dressed."

"Why what's going on?"

"Xiao Di is making his move. He's leaving New York."

"Fuck..."

"I'm on my way to get you now."

"What? Right now?"

"It's why I'm telling you to get up. I'll be there in like five minutes."

He hung up as I did and I cursed.

"Shit, shit, shit!"

Ichiro woke up as he said,

"What?"

"Mikkie's on his way over here."

I said as I pulled up my boxers then my pants. Ichiro sat up slowly, yawning as he drew his knees up and held them close to him as he said,

"Okay."

I then figured that Ichiro wouldn't be seen by Mikkie so it wasn't my major concern. I just didn't want to leave him alone here. I finished getting my shirt on as I buttoned it quickly. I then said,

"You can leave if you want."

"You kicking me out?"

"No. You can stay if you want, but I figured you would want to not stay here without me."

"I can wait."

He smiled as I then got my tie and put it on as Ichiro motioned me to sit beside him. He fixed it for me, then did the noose as he fixed my collar as he said,

"There, perfect."

He smiled, then kissed me before I heard Mikkie at my door. I grabbed my wallet, my cell phone and my keys as I got my coat on as I then said,

"I gotta go."

"I'll be here when you get back."

I smiled then left to answer the door. Mikkie only waited for me to close the door before he started to walk away. We went downstairs and outside where a cab was waiting. Once we both got inside I said,

"How did you know that Xiao Di was moving?"

"Karasu let me know. Some of the Itto Ketsuen was watching him. Just as some of the Yami is watching Stephen."

"Oh. So where is Xiao Di going?"

"He's moving his family out. I think he's ready to board the next thing smoking to Hong Kong."

"So soon?"

"He's scared."

"I figured as much."

I opened my coat pocket as I checked my gun then my spare clip in my pocket as Mikkie sat still, looking ahead, pale expressionless face. We arrived at an apartment complex a little bit later. Mikkie paid the fare as we then got out. He walked ahead as he said,

"Xiao Di moved his family here. A wife, three children. Two males and a girl. Their girl was just born."

"Oh...so-"

I stopped talking when I saw Mikkie take out his gun as he walked towards the stairwell. My insides began to turn at the thought of killing women and small children. And all I could think about was how Tai once came home to that. I didn't have a choice though and withdrew my own gun. I didn't say anything since I knew what I had to do and objecting to it would only make matters worse. We went up the stairs in silence, the footsteps we took went without a sound, the rustling of our coats was even shushed by our failing, slow breath. We got to the tenth floor and Mikkie walked out, pushing the door open quickly, yet quietly. We went down the hall, me following, looking over my shoulder as I wanted to say something, but couldn't find any words to say anything. At the end of the hall, Mikkie stopped and pressed his ear to the door as he then knelt down and looked at the lock. He only examined it for a moment before he stepped back and raised his gun to the door. He blasted the lock as he said,

"Quickly."

We rushed inside as the mother, Xiao Di's wife, yelled at her children. Mikkie followed the voice as he went to the door and yet I stayed behind, near the door. I heard her screaming in a fear, something I never heard before, fear for her life, for her children's....it cut through me like a sword, turning my stomach. I had to follow. I went to the room as I saw the woman, shaking in fear in the corner of the room, her arms around her two boys as the baby cried in the crib. Mikkie raised his gun, as did I and we both fired. One of the kids crumbled under his own weight, blood shooting out from his chest, the mother took a clear shot to the head, the second child remained unharmed...for now. Mikkie looked at him as the kid had tears rolling down his eyes, fear burned into his face. Before Mikkie even raised his gun, I fired, the child falling to his back. Mikkie looked at me as I said,

"The baby?"

"It's a baby...not like it could talk."

I nodded, putting the safety back on my gun as Mikkie did the same and we both rushed out and quickly left the building.

I stayed silent the whole time, my mouth feeling dry. It was the first time I felt anything when I killed someone. I thought of all the times I did it upclose like Sugihara, how I was able to just slit his throat without a second thought, without a thread of emotion. I thought about anyone else I ever raised my piece to and fired without blinking. Now, I just killed an innocent woman and two children and I was suffering inside. I didn't say a word though. I didn't want to...I figured I shouldn't. Mikkie looked the same as always and it just stopped surprising me. Once I got back to my apartment, I was a little relieved to see Ichiro still there. He was sleeping when I arrived, still in bed. It was close to four in the morning when I got back. I changed in the dark and laid down, feeling a little better since someone was in my bed. I missed Miya though...I suddenly thought of him once I realized that I missed having someone waiting for me when I got home. Ichiro was no Miya, but all the same, I was glad to have him there. I laid on my back and pulled his arm over me as I laid there. A few moments later, he moved closer to me and rested his face on my shoulder. I felt his lips against my skin as he sighed and then got comfortable again. I couldn't sleep though. Everytime I closed my eyes all I could see was those people...I kept seeing those kids faces, the sound of the woman screaming kept echoing in my head, so I stayed awake, looking at Ichiro as he slept.

Later that morning, I woke up as Ichiro slid out of bed. I yawned as I picked my head and saw him getting dressed. His hair fell flat around his face, he also looked sleepy. He yawned for a moment as he turned and leaned down as he got his pants on. I got a clear look at his back, watching his tattoo move each time he did. He finally got his shirt on as he started buttoning it. He then turned, moving his hair from his eye as he saw me looking at him. He smiled as he crawled on the bed and said,

"Hey."

"Hi."

"I have to go."

"Okay."

"I'll see you later."

He kissed me softly. I smiled once he pulled back, licking my lips with his tongue as he smirked then he got off my bed and picked up his coat as he left. I laid in bed for a little while, letting the sleep catch up to me as I yawned and started to sleep a while longer. Unfortunately I didn't get to sleep for long because my cell phone rang. I answered it only for it to be Jia. He had taken an overnight flight to New York and he needed to be picked up. I nodded, saying I would be there soon and hung up as I got out of bed and got dressed. I yawned but lit a cigarette as I closed the door behind me and went to go pick up Jia. I got to the airport a little over forty-five minutes later. I called Jia's cell phone once I got there. Once I found out what gate he was at, I went to pick him up. I saw Toki there in the seat, slouched down as far as he would go as he was sunk inside his coat, a hat pulled over his eyes, his bangs hanging around his face as his legs were open and he was dead asleep. Jia was standing, in his usual suit and tie, a knee length coat on. He looked a little tired but he was still walking. He held his phone in one hand as he had his arms crossed. Aya sat on the other side of Toki, he looked tired as well, but he was much more graceful about it then Toki was. Pretty Aya sat up straight, his legs crossed as he held up his chin with his hand, his gray silk shirt open around his collar as his tie was pulled loose. A hint of gray eye make up was over his eyes as he dozed out every now and then, his long eyelashes touching his cheek each time he closed his eyes. I was still dazzled by him. But that quickly ended once I walked up to Jia. I bowed my head slightly as I said,

"Good morning."

He yawned as he said,

"Morning. What time is it here?"

I checked my watch as I said,

"Nine thirty."

"Fuck it's early."

He adjusted his cell phone as he looked up and I turned around to see Aoki. He walked to Jia and handed him a cup of coffee as Jia thanked him. He turned the white lid towards him as he opened it and took a sip. He then said,

"We should get going. You look tired yourself Aka-chan."

"Rough night."

"I'll say."

He touched the side of my neck as I cleared my throat and said,

"I didn't mean that."

"Uh huh."

He took another sip of his coffee as he went over and woke up Toki. Once Toki got up, he woke Aya and the four of them all got up and ready. Then they followed me outside to the awaiting cab. Toki got in first then Jia. I followed while Aoki got in beside me and Aya got on his lap. The door closed as I told the driver to go back to Manhattan. Toki fell asleep on the way there again, his head back on the seat as Jia sat on his lap, leaning against him, dozing in and out of sleep. Aoki beside me was silent and I couldn't tell if he was asleep, but Aya was, his head on Aoki's shoulder. I noticed Jia's hands loosely holding the coffee and each time the car hit a bump, it would loosen from his hand a little more. Finally, out of fear that he would spill it on me, I took it out of his hands and held it for him since he did eventually fell asleep. I gave the driver the address to Jia and Toki's apartment and then settled back to watch them both sleep. I yawned myself and was getting sleepy. A few minutes later, we arrived and I tapped Jia awake. He sat up as he rubbed his eyes and then said,

"My coffee?"

"I got it."

I gave it back to him as he said,

"Where are we?"

"Your place."

"Oh...okay."

He yawned before getting out and then woke Toki up as they both got out. The cab then drove off as I tapped Aoki. He turned to me as I said,

"I'm not sure where you live..."

"You can go home first, I'm awake."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

I nodded and left it at that and I just moved over to give him more space. I just watched him and Aya for a little bit, noticing how caring Aoki was, how he was making Aya comfortable, his arm subtly around the slender frame while his other hand rested on Aya's thigh. Once I got to my apartment I went to bed and slept for a while.

Later that evening, I went to the Pearl Tea House on Jia's request. Once there, I saw the guards of the Yami and the Itto Ketsuen outside of the private room and of the restaurant. I went inside, taking off my coat as I went inside the room. I saw Aoki, Aya, Toki and Mikkie near Jia as he sat at the head of the table. Tsubasa and Ai'iro sat beside each other, across the table sat Ichiro and Karasu while Takeo and Yuki sat near the end. They made room for me near the top of the table since I worked for Jia as I sat down and received a cup of tea. I took a drink as Jia yawned, rubbing his eye a little as he lit a cigarette. He inhaled, then exhaled as he said,

"The third gave you guys shit."

I nodded as I said,

"Yes."

"The cruel son of a bitch ditched his family, took off to Hong Kong."

"Does he know they're dead?" Asked Aya.

Jia nodded as he said,

"It's the reason I came over here to collect the loss and warn everyone else here. Kenimin is not too happy with me as of now. The only thing keeping us from tearing each other apart is the fact that Kenimin is dying and I'm married to his daughter. So, since we just killed his third son's family, here's what we're gonna do. My New York heads, the Yami, Itto Ketsuen, Yuki, Takeo all of you, I want you all to be careful."

Takeo nodded as he smoked and said,

"Jia I'm not even a yakuza."

"Yes, but you work for us. And that mixes you in this as well. Stephen already left for Vegas. Clearly not a problem. But now, Kenimin is going to have him tailed, have his first two kids under lock and key and do anything he can from getting me away from Lotus. All his plans are erupting in his face."

Aya nodded as he said,

"Taking the first two out won't be easy."

"I'll send my very best. Toki, Mikkie, Aoki and Aka-chan, you four will go to Hong Kong. You will wipe out any heirs to Kenimin's name. Children included and kill Kenimin's first two sons."

We nodded as he then continued,

"Meanwhile, the rest of us will be in New York. I will not bring problems to my home city."

Tsubasa then said,

"So everything will be quiet here for some time?"

"Yes. Kenimin doesn't have much reach outside of Hong Kong. He's an old school kind of guy. Triad here wouldn't dare touch me. And if they do, they know they'll have their headed handed back to them."

Yuki tucked his hair behind his ears as he said,

"Is it really that serious that even I have to get involved in this?"

"Yeah Yuki, you can get caught up in this mess. And you have more important matters then money and your own life to value. Remember that."

Yuki nodded. He's been out of action for a while, lurking behind the scenes and not being as involved in Jia's business actions more recently, but now, this is a problem so big, it involved even Jia's minor associates.

After dinner, Jia talked to his own heads outside as we all lit cigarettes. Jia looked at us as he said,

"You four are my better killers. I have other business for everyone else to attend to and because this is such an important matter, I want you out of this city within two days."

Toki didn't even complain. I guess he knew it was serious.

"Go to Hong Kong, do your job and come back in one piece. It's all I ask."

We nodded as Toki said,

"Gotta send word to everyone in Tokyo right?"

"Yeah, I'll call Tai and tell him to get over here before you guys head out."

After that, we said bye to everyone at the dinner, shaking hands and hugging as Jia kissed Tsubasa on the cheek as his usual custom. Ichiro gave me a glance as he then turned and said bye to Tsubasa himself. Afterwards, we all went back home, taking cabs or walking to a subway. As I rode the subway back to my apartment, my MP3 player in my ear, Byou Shin by Dir en Grey playing in my ear, I felt my phone vibrate against my side. I took it out, hitting pause on my player as I answered.

"Yeah?"

"Mind if I stop by before you go?"

I smiled, hearing Ichiro's sultry voice.

"I never mind."

"I'll see you soon then."