Aya smoothed his hair back before he said,

"Jia, are you sure about Kenimin going to the hospital?"

"For the most part. I'll have someone check if it's legit. If it is, we can celebrate, if not then we'll just keep on our plan. They already tried to kill Aka-chan trying to get Lotus, I'm not waiting to see if it's true or not so that's why I'm sending people to find out now."

I sighed, sitting down as I said,

"So what should we do?"

Jia looked over at me as he said,

"I'm not exactly sure. We can't have too many people over they'll catch onto us for sure. So...I guess for now just watch your backs. Who's standing guard for Lotus?"

Aya raised his hand slightly as he said,

"I got it tonight."

Aoki looked at him, as if surprised as Jia said,

"You sure you have nothing else to do?"

"I'm sure. With all the meetings closed up for now, Jun and Aka-chan took it the past few nights, it's only fair that one of them should catch a break right?"

Jia sorta shrugged as he said,

"Okay. It's up to you three who's getting the night off. I'm going home. Aoki?"

Aoki nodded as he looked at Aya once more. Pretty Aya looked up at him with a soft seduction in his eyes as he blinked slowly, letting his long lashes touch down over his cheek as Aoki turned away and went to take Jia home. As for myself, I looked at Jun and Aya as I said,

"Jun, You can take the night off."

"You sure?"

"I'm sure. I got nothing better to do anyway."

"Okay...thanks."

He gave a nod of his head, half his face covered as he waved to Aya and left the office. I then looked at Aya as he said,

"I'll call you at three okay."

"Sure. I'll be waiting."

He gave a nod before we both left and I went home for a little while.

With Jia not even sure if Kenimin going to the hospital was a stunt to lure him out of hiding, he let us all go home. The top heads anyway. Usually I would have looked forward to having the time off. I would have seen Miya. But now, I can't he doesn't want to see me...ever again. And that same conversation repeats in my head. Words I thought I'd never hear come out of his mouth, did. And it left me to wonder about how stupid I can be sometimes. Plus, I was really foolish to even think that for a moment, Miya would come back to me with this damn job of mine that has consumed my entire existence, that has eaten me alive, that curses me, binds me and at the same time keeps me alive. On my way home, I pass a few stores, thinking some music would cheer me up since it usually seems to and I made notices of a few upcoming releases before I went to get something to eat and drink. I sat alone for a while, drinking more then eating, pulling my hair back as I took a long drink from the bottle. I was staring to see how being a yakuza effected your health as well. It was the first time I was passing up a meal to drown myself in booze instead. Maybe that's why Jia doesn't eat. Maybe he's always sad...but then how would Toki be explained? I continued drinking, wish I had someone to talk to because drinking alone sucks but I just kept staring at my watch, wishing I could go to work already. By now, Aya had taken Lotus to her hotel and he was standing guard. I was bored. I decided to eat the rest of my meal before going back home.

Of course, when I finished I didn't go home. I thought that would be a bad idea since I was feel low right now and sitting and thinking about it wasn't going to make it any better. I might hang myself. So I decided to stay out. I walked around, sitting down near a park as the night gradually came over, watching as some of the biker gangs came in and out, sitting much further up ahead from where I was. I saw one of the bikes fly by me, picking up dust and wind as it roared down the sidewalk. I watched it for a while, thinking I should get one considering how often I would actually ride it. It would give me something to do. I took it into consideration as I lit a cigarette and then stood up as I went to walk again. I bought another pack of cigarettes as I walked, window shopping, taking mental notes of what to buy when I had the time as I went to a different bookstore and bought another issue of Gravitation. I then sat at some cafe and read that, laughing to myself, smiling every now and then as I had my MP3 player in my ear listening to Vampire's Talk by Luna Sea, having a cup of coffee as I waited. By the time I finished, I felt my phone vibrate against my pocket as I answered.

"Hai."

"Hey Aka-chan."

"Hey Aya, I'm on my way."

"Okay, I'll see you soon."

We hung up as I got up and went to the Imperial.

Once I arrived, I went to Lotus's floor and saw Aya standing outside. He smoothed his hair back from his face, the gentle, smooth way he has of commanding his hand to do something. It always looks like the most beautiful, graceful act though he could just be moving the hair from his face. Anyway, I went over to him as he turned his head, his pretty hazel eyes blinking softly as I said,

"Hey. Sorry I'm a little late."

My tone was soft, as if not to disrupt the atmosphere of the slightly dim hallway that and Aya just seem to fit perfectly there. I would smile to myself, seeing him in this deity like light. He then softly spoke in return.

"It's okay. It's not like I was waiting long."

I nodded as he then buttoned the front of his coat, his hair falling back around the shape of his pretty oval face as it always does, the caramel of his bob framing the heavy waves of his hair as he picked his head up, tossing it back slightly as his hair obeyed and it went back. He then said,

"I'll see you later. Call if you need anything."

I nodded, watching him go as I took my place in front of Lotus's door, watching waiting, hoping a replay of the other night wouldn't happen. Around four thirty, I heard a soft creak of the door and I looked up, getting up from my crouching position as I saw Lotus peeking out. She had a bathrobe on, her hair down around her pretty face as I said,

"Something wrong?"

"Oh, you're here now. What happened to the other one?"

"Shift changes."

"Oh. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Shouldn't you sleep?"

"No, I'm not tired. Would you like a drink?"

"No thanks."

She smiled and nodded, going back inside her room as I leaned against the wall, sliding down as I sat back down. I eventually had a cigarette, letting my hair fall down. I noticed it was growing to my shoulders. I probably had roots grown in. I had not noticed because I haven't paid attention to myself in a while that didn't require it having to do with putting clothes on or taking them off. I made another mental note to re-dye my hair as I sat there for a few hours. I would only be here until eight and then I could go home and sleep. I had four more hours to go. I put my earphone in my ear and had another cigarette listening to Virtual Age by Pierrot.

Around seven that morning and half my cigarette pack later, my cell phone rang. I was somewhat groggy, kinda tired from staying up the entire night. I felt my cell phone vibrate on the side of my leg. I took it out as I clicked on and said,

"Hai?"

"Aka-chan?"

"Hai Jia."

"You sound exhausted."

"Could be the half pack of smokes I just finished."

He laughed as he then said,

"Probably. Do me a favor."

"Of course."

"Turns out that Kenimin is in the hospital. Legit reason and everything."

"He alive?"

"Barely. I'm so fucking close to ending him and his whole reign of misery over my life I can taste it."

"Hopefully it can end soon."

"Yeah that's what I'm hoping for."

"What would happen to Lotus when Kenimin dies?"

"I give her a divorce and a plane ticket to where ever she wants."

"Okay. So what would you have me do now?"

"Just bring Lotus to the building. Tai or Mikkie should be there by now so just pass her off to one of them. After that you can go home."

"Okay, no problem."

We hung up as I stood up, hearing my knee crack in pain as I flinched for a second and then stood up straight, knocking on the door as I stopped my MP3 player, putting the earphone back in my pocket along with my cigarettes as she answered. She was still in her robe and looked as she always did. I smiled as I said,

"Good morning."

"Good morning."

She had such a pretty smile.

"I have to take you to Jia's building."

She nodded before she said,

"Would you like to come in?"

"Oh, no I'm okay."

"Please? Have some coffee with me."

She gave her pretty smile again as I nodded and walked inside, closing the door behind me. She went to the bathroom, closing the door behind her as I heard the shower run. I sat down in the small couch by the door rubbing my eyes, doing my best not to fall asleep as I then heard someone knock on the door. I picked my head up as I said,

"Who is it?"

"Room service."

I went to the door carefully, peeking slowly as I saw it was just a bellhop. I allowed him to role the car in, my hand in my pocket grasping my gun just in case. He then bowed his head slightly before leaving and I closed the door. I saw the small breakfast Lotus had ordered and I got hungry. But it wasn't my food so I didn't touch it. Lotus came back a few moments later as she was dressed, a long pale blue slip dress on her slender frame, her milky white arms looking as smooth as ever as she adjusted a strap on her shoulder. Her was still dry and falling around his shoulder as she said,

"You could have something if you'd like."

"No, I'm okay."

"Would you still like some coffee?"

"Please."

She bowed her head as she moved a cup aside and began pouring some for me. I smiled as she handed me the cup and then poured one for herself. Once she was done, she adjusted the hem of her dress as she sat down beside me. She then took a sip before she said,

"How old are you?"

I looked at her as I said,

"How old do I look?"

"Maybe...twenty? Twenty-one?"

"No. I'm nineteen. Actually twenty. My birthday passed."

"Oh, you're young."

"Yeah I know."

I took a drink from my cup as she said,

"I'm nineteen. I just turned it a few months back. Before I married Jia."

"Oh..you're young yourself."

She nodded as she then said,

"What time do we have to be there?"

"Soon."

She nodded and began to eat though she just had some toast and her coffee. We got up and left once she was done and I took her to Jia's building. I saw Tai there himself, running some checks with the lower heads. I noticed the lower heads had this scared, frightened look on their faces as Tai towered above them. He didn't even speak loudly but they were shrinking down each time Tai gestured as if he would strike them. Once they were dismissed, I went up to him and said,

"Jia asked me to-"

He cut me off as he said,

"I know. Go home. I know you're exhausted."

I bowed my head slightly as I went home to do just that.

I didn't wake up until the early afternoon. Which was a surprise to me because I thought I would be sound asleep until much later. I sat up and went to take a shower and then got dressed. I decided not call in and do everything I made mental notes of. I know that was bad, but I was exhausted and they all expected me at night anyway. I had my roots done in the same color as before and decided not to cut if after all and just left it out. I bought some clothes I had saw the other night, more cigarettes and finally the one thing I had taken to consideration. My very own motorcycle. I decided that as long as I have the money, I might as well get the best, yet fastest I could get. I don't know why, I'd mostly ride it around for fun rather then sport. But still, I went and bought a Ducati Monster, a bike made for nothing other then speed. I looked at it for a long time and since I did have this passion for speed due to cars and shit, I thought why not? I looked at it for a long time, examining it like I would a car until a salesmen came up to me.

"Young man, please stop rocking the models."

I peered up at him noticing he probably thought I was looking and not looking to buy. I smirked slightly as I stood up and said,

"How much is this?"

"More then you think sir. This is a Ducati Monster."

I rolled my eyes as I said,

"I know it's why I'm askin."

"It is about three million yen."

I shrugged as I looked at the sleek black metal and said,

"Okay, fair enough. Such a high quality bike as it is."

The man looked at me like I was insane.

"I said three million young man."

"I heard you. I'll take it."

He almost laughed at me. I could tell he was holding back a laugh as he smiled and then cleared his throat. He then said,

"Sir-"

"What my money's no good here?"

I went into my pocket as I pulled out my wallet. He then said,

"Right this way."

I guess he thought he was humoring me by filling out paperwork and saying everything about leases and how long it would take me to pay it off so I just nodded and waited until he was done before I went into my wallet and dropped the exact amount for the bike on the table between us. He stopped talking, his humor and wit suddenly gone as he stared at the money. I looked at him as I said,

"Where my keys?"

He looked back up at me, his jaw slightly open before I gestured him off to get my keys. He got up as quickly as he could before he gave me my keys. I got a helmet and within a while, I drove out. He didn't even bother asking if I had a motorcycle license, which I didn't but I figured I'd get later. I pulled my hair up and tucked it under the helmet as I straddled the heavy machinery as I turned the key, listening to it purr as I smiled to myself before I stood up correctly, kicking the kick stand out before I revved it up and away I went. I went way to fucking fast at first, almost loosing control already but I managed to pull myself together and control it. Turns were tricky because I had to lean my body to the side just enough so I could make the turn without killing myself but by the time I got to my apartment, I had the hang of it. I sat amazed and awed at what was now my new greatest love. I parked it in the garage of the building before I went back up, changed and called Jia on my way downstairs.

"I'm coming in now in you need me."

"Good, I do."

"Okay, I'll be there soon."

And soon it was. I mounted my new lover and sped off.

I got the building in a few minutes, breathing hard as I parked that bad boy next to Jia's car. My new lover purred softly as I settled it down. Just then I heard,

"Can I help you?"

I turned and unstrapped the helmet as I pulled it off, letting my hair fall as I saw Akio.

"Hey Akio."

"Baby-chu? Why are you riding that thing?"

"It's not a thing, it's my baby."

I got off, unstraddling it as I hung the helmet on the handle bars as I took the key as put it in my pocket as I said,

"What's going on?"

He kept staring at my bike as I said,

"What?"

He shook his head as he then said,

"Lotus is in the lobby and Kenimin's case is very much real. If he dies soon, we'll be good."

"So I heard. What about his heads?"

"Lower heads flushed out. Nishiki sent some people into Hong Kong with some of our lower heads and they found a lot of them had broke ways and joined other triads. The Black Hand can't hold it's power with the head dying and no one to revive it."

"I see. So are we pulling any stunts?"

He gave me a weird look as I said,

"You know? Are we going in the hospital? Doing anything?"

"Oh, yeah, Jia's taking care of that with Jun and Gabriel."

"Okay. So what about me?"

"You're playing baby-sitter."

"What again?"

"Hey don't take it up, take it up with boss man."

I sighed as I went inside, stroking my still dark red hair back as I went to see Jia at his office. I knocked before I dared to open the door mostly because I never any idea of what's going on inside his office until I'm there myself. I heard him give me permission as I came in. I said,

"I'm here Jia."

"Good. Take care of Lotus downstairs. Go do something."

"Jia I have to be a baby-sitter?"

"Yes."

"Can I do something else?"

"Aka-chan, Jun and Gabriel are taking care of Kenimin for me. Legal and business ties are being done by Tai, Akio and Aya. You, Toki, Aoki and Mikkie are my killers and there for, at this moment, not of any other use to me."

I nodded as I realized how true that was. Mikkie wasn't around. Neither was Aoki. Toki only was because he always sits at that same corner of Jia's desk and smokes and I had to baby-sit. I bowed my head slightly as I went downstairs and asked Lotus to come with me. She looked up, her black hair falling over her shoulder as she said,

"What's going on?"

"We have to go do something so you won't be bored."

"Oh, but I was fine."

"My boss wants me to take you out for some air."

"Oh. I see. Is he busy?"

"Yeah."

She sadly nodded as I said,

"I got a new bike."

She looked as she smiled and said,

"You did? Is it here?"

"Yeah it's my new lover."

I heard her laugh softly as I said,

"Wanna see?"

She nodded as I took her to the garage and showed her. I figured if I was going to play baby-sitter I might as well have fun doing it. I basically had nothing to do all day but entertain her so I offered her my helmet as I said,

"Let's go for a ride."

"Oh, no. I've never.."

"Come on. I don't have anything else to do today. It'll be fun."

She reluctantly took the helmet as I helped her put it on and then I got on myself. I didn't tell her that I never rode with a passenger before...I didn't want to scare her. She was wearing that same dress from this morning so she wasn't exactly sure how to get on. Eventually she got on her side as her arms came around me and she leaned her head on my back. I started up my bike as I pulled out and sped into Tokyo. If riding with a helmet is amazing, then riding without one was even more breath taking. I loved the feeling, though I was scared a few times when I made turns. I loved it. Lotus clung to me the whole time, scared but when we stopped at Yebisu Garden, she let go. She took off the helmet as she said,

"My heart is beating so fast."

"Sorry...I guess I was pushing it."

"It was fun."

She smiled again as I smiled too. I realized how I like spending time with her and I was being insanely stupid because even if he didn't want her at all, she was still Jia's wife. Yeah I'm not looking to commit suicide here so I quickly put those thoughts in check. We talked for a while about school since she use to be in college and I told her a little about Miya. She felt bad for me and then said,

"If you two really love each other, then you'll find a way back to each other's arms."

I smiled as I said,

"I really hope so."

As I let that thought sink in, my phone rang. I excused myself from Lotus as I answered.

"Hai?"

"Aka-chan, get Lotus back here."

"Something up Jia?"

"Kenimin died tonight."

--------------------------

Definitions

Ducati Monster: A rare, expensive motorcycle used mostly for racing. You need a no limits license to operate it meaning a license to operate motorcycles over 401cc

3 Million Yen: Roughly transfers into 30,000 American dollars

Yebisu Garden: A real park in Tokyo