My heart froze in my chest as I saw Sugihara slowly stand up. A black leather coat was on his body, black fitted dress pants on his curvy legs and a deep red button down colored shirt that was open, a silver choker still around his neck. There, on the slightly tannish skin around his slender neck laid the scar I put there. I had cut him deeply across, right under his Adam's apple. Aya saw my shock, my anger all mixing in with my sudden surprise. Sugihara put his cigarette out as Daisuke said,

"You two know each other?"

Sugihara nodded as he said,

"Hai...he's the one that did this to me."

He gestures to his neck as Toshimasa said,

"We didn't know the Teo Chiu and the 36 Moons were enemies."

I looked at them both as I said,

"We were. The Teo Chiu should have no reason to quarrel with us now if Sugihara is alive."

Daisuke nodded as he then said,

"The 36 Moons owns this land. So they are making us pay a rent for lack of better terms."

"I see. It's only logical that the owner of the empire of Japan would demand you pay him for using his land. But why isn't he here himself?"

I noticed Sugihara's eyes were heavy, as if he was tired but he sounded well enough. Aya then said,

"Jia has other matters to attend to. He can't do everything and be everywhere. Like you said, he has the empire of Japan to run."

Sugihara looked at him as he smirked slightly and said,

"The pretty boy can run his mouth when he need to huh?"

Aya was so unfazed by him. Even when Sugihara walked over to him, leaned down slightly since he was taller then Aya and got his face as he said,

"Well maybe I can make you work that mouth elsewhere."

Aya glared at him as he said,

"I wouldn't let you fuck me with someone else's dick."

I laughed slightly as did Daisuke. Sugihara simply smiled, standing up straight as he let his now soft blonde hair fall back in place as he said,

"We'll see."

Aya stood unafraid. Daisuke then said,

"Since the Teo Chiu and the 36 Moons have no quarrel then this should be no problem."

"No....none whatsoever."

We continued to speak for almost an hour. Aya was conducting the business, I just sat there and listened for the most part. Sugihara didn't say much either. The conversation was between Daisuke, Toshimasa and Aya. They made all the arrangements and when they were done, Aya stood up gracefully as he shook hands with Toshimasa and then Daisuke. I had missed the whole conversation since mostly, I was wondering how Sugihara managed to live. When Aya and I were ready to leave, Sugihara stood up and walked out with us after saying by to Toshimasa and Daisuke. We walked through the casino as he walked beside me and said,

"You got balls kid. Coming after me, slitting my throat, nearly killing me. And now facin me here with no fear."

"I didn't have a reason to fear you the first time I saw your sorry ass."

He laughed slightly as he said,

"You will now."

"How'd you live?"

"I'm a survivor. Besides you severed some nerves, nothing that could kill me. Because you didn't get the jugular."

"They said you were dead."

"All well paid people I'm sure."

"Where you been if not dead?"

"Plotting my return for you."

I looked at him from the corner of my eye as I said,

"You got something? Ain't nothing but space an opportunity Sugihara. Space and opportunity."

He smirked again as he went into his pocket and got out his cigarettes and a lit one as he said,

"I know I have nothing but space and opportunity. I plan on using both. Soon."

He walked ahead as I looked over at Aya and he looked back at me.

We went back to our hotel as I went to Aya's room. He called Jia and let him know about the conversation and then said,

"The Teo Chiu is involved."

Jia, who was on speaker phone was quiet for a moment before he said,

"How? I don't have any ties with the Teo Chiu for them to even be involved in this."

"Sugihara is alive Jia." I said.

"What is he doing alive?"

"Apparently helping Daisuke and Toshimasa set up in Yokohama." Said Aya.

Jia then sighed and stayed silent for a few minutes. After a while he finally said,

"So if Sugihara is alive...that would explain why nothing has been happening with the Teo Chiu lately. I have to contact Soryo. Aya, has everything been arranged?"

"Hai. Just the final details are being looked over."

"Good. Do that in the morning, then get back here tomorrow."

Aya and I both agreed as we hung up. I then excused myself from Aya's room and went back to my own.

I sat on the floor of my room for a while, having a cigarette as I looked out the balcony window. I kept feeling a small knot now settle in my stomach, the feeling of urgency and pain lingering inside me. I didn't fear Sugihara, God knows it wasn't that. I just feared what he could do. He had a grudge against me now. It wasn't Jia that he was after anymore. Jia didn't track him down in a dark hallway, kill his men and slit his throat to try and kill him. Jia didn't severe nerves that now made Sugihara's eyes droop. And Jia didn't leave that scar on his neck. I did. I did it all and now he was coming back to haunt me. I swore I killed him...I swore I dug the blade so deep into his throat that I could have cut his head off. But was my rage blinding me so much that night that I failed to see I didn't? I thought that was my logical answer. Maybe I thought I killed him. But the news confirmed it...maybe they all thought he was dead too. I didn't know. And I was worried for everything now. I smoked through most of my cigarettes that night because I couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about how part of my past was coming back to haunt me. What made it worse was that I had now made two mistakes with Sugihara. I knew I would get in trouble come tomorrow afternoon. I did eventually get to sleep but only after I finished my cigarettes and stayed up to watch the sun rise. After about three, close to four hours, I was woken up and I got up, got dressed and went to met up with Aya. Aya and myself went to meet up with Daisuke and Toshimasa in their casino which was closed in the mornings. Aya went over the final details of their trading and how Jia had the heads of the 36 Moons here in Yokohama and the money collected would go there. Someone else would have the same job I do and that would be that. Aya then said,

"Daisuke, Jia is not pleased that there's this alliance with the Teo Chiu."

"We don't allie with them. It's money. They allowed us to it."

"Why? The Teo Chiu aren't a charity."

"We cut them a profit from this land."

"So you make money to keep them at bay."

"Yes."

Aya then sighed and said,

"We'll be in touch."

We then turned and left, not seeing Sugihara while we were in the casino or when we left. After a short trip back to Tokyo, we went to Jia's building. There Tai, Gabriel and Akio all went to work on the finical part of the deal as I went to Jia's office since he summoned me. I walked in with my hands behind my back, my head down slightly as I went to Jia's desk. He looked up at me as he said,

"Why are you looking at the floor?"

"I don't know."

I picked my head up slightly as he said,

"You couldn't have known that Sugihara was not dead. No one could have known. I contacted Soryo. Even he was not aware that Sugihara was alive."

"I should have done my job."

"It's understandable that you didn't know though. So I'm not mad. Of course this brings something new to the table. I thought I would just be dealing with Daisuke and Toshimasa in collecting rent for them using my land. But now it seems that I have the Teo Chiu to deal with once more."

"But the Teo Chiu have not involved themselves in anything lately. Not with us anyway."

"I'm aware but if Sugihara is back..."

"He's probably after me. I am the one that tried to kill him and slit his throat. I fear for-"

"Not your own safety I hope."

"I could give a fuck about myself. I fear for Miya."

"Why Miya?"

"We haven't returned as a couple...but we're getting there. I still love him. And he already tried to go after Miya once...he will again I know it. Sick minds like that don't change even after they had a blade across their throat."

Jia nodded as he said,

"If it comes down to that, you might wanna move Miya."

"He won't go. We're not together anymore. He won't listen."

Jia sighed, going into his pockets as he withdrew his case and got a cigarette out. I lit it for him as he said,

"You people gotta stop doing that. I haven't lit my own cigarettes in months."

I gave a small laugh as he said,

"Well, if Miya won't listen, make him listen if you wanna save him. Do what you gotta. Though I told you about that."

"I know."

"Then why you still going after him?"

"I think my heart takes over when it comes to him."

"Your heart is gonna make someone get killed. Don't feel too much. That's my job."

I bowed my head slightly as he then dismissed me.

I went home to change and went to see Miya at work. When he saw me, he was talking to two people at the front. Both of them girls. Once I walked in the store, they looked over at me and I saw my tsuki blush. It was a soft pink color as he then cleared his throat and said,

"How are you?"

"Good."

The girls smiled at me, unaware that I was here for Miya. I spoke to him for a few moments before I said,

"What time do you get off?"

"Around seven."

"I'll pick you up then."

He nodded as I stroked his cheek and left for the moment. I went to get something to eat, sitting down at the sushi bar as I had a beer and something to eat. I picked up my rice bowl, eating, thinking to myself as my cell phone rang. I answered as I said,

"Hai?"

"Hey Jo. You busy?"

"No, Hisoka. What's up?"

"I'm free for a while. What are you up to?"

"I'm just sitting down eating. You wanna join me?"

"Sure."

We hung up after I told him where I was and within a few minutes, he joined me at the sushi bar. We both sat down as he said,

"How you been?"

"I feel sick a lot more. My back hurts. And I'm starting to develop a callous on my palm again."

He laughed slightly as he took a sip of the drink he ordered as he said,

"You sound stressed."

"I feel it. Some new problems rose...I have to deal with them because they're all on me."

"Sounds hard."

"It is."

I continued eating, my hair falling around my face as Hisoka then said,

"How are things with Miya?"

"Better this time. We keep coming so close. Last time I fucked up because I came to him with all my recent kiss marks. This time, I just came to him with my open wounded self. He's slowly accepting me. He knows how sorry I am."

"So if you get him back?"

"I have to do something different. I can't keep screwing around. I might loose him for good."

He didn't say anything as he said,

"I don't think you should chase anyone. If you got half as many problems as you say, then you should call a temporary separation."

"We're already separated."

He laughed slightly as he said,

"You know what I mean."

"I know."

And I did know. I just didn't want to. Not when I was so close. But knowing that my tsuki would be in danger because of me and the fact that everyone knew what they were doing about a hundred times better then me, I decided to do just that. After dinner with Hisoka, I went to see Miya. I picked him up and drove him back to his apartment. Once we were outside, the scene from the previous night began repeating itself. Only I had to stop it this time, holding his hands as I moved back. He looked surprised since I never really broke off a kiss with him before. His eyes looked into mine as I said,

"I'm doing something..."

"What are you doing?"

"Some work...and...I'm scared for you. So rather then pull you into my mess again...I rather take some time to separate...at least until it's over."

He moved back from me as he said,

"You're in trouble?"

"Kinda."

He nodded, looking at our hands as he said,

"I understand."

He held them for a while longer as he said,

"Why do we have to separate?"

"Some shit from before is coming up."

"How long will this take?"

"I don't know."

He leaned back down to me as he kissed me again and said,

"Come upstairs."

"Miya..."

"Jo...I don't want to do anything I'll regret later."

"I don't want you to either."

"It's why I'm asking you to come up. If you leave, now...and something happens to you, I'll regret not making love to you one more time."

My heart skipped several beats. All I could do, was thinking about that for just a single moment before I shut of my bike and got off as I went with him to his apartment.

I went upstairs, following him, holding his hand as we went inside his apartment. He closed and locked the door once more before I set down my helmet, taking off my coat and shoes before he took my hand again and we went to his room. Sex was different from making love though others say differently. It's the emotion involved, the way you hold someone and kiss someone is different from when you're fucking them and you have no emotional attachment. Being with Miya was different then anyone else. I've have several after him and they all rank in different levels, but Miya was always different because he was the one I love. When I kissed him, he made my whole body shiver, his skin was warm, not hot from lust, but warm, smooth and never a single mark on him. His fingers were laced with mine and as we were together, our lips were never more then a breath apart. The first time we were done, he slept in my arms, his head on my shoulder, his arms around me. I stroked his hair back from his pretty face and I watched him sleep. My heart sang from being able to be that close to him again and I treasured every single second that ticked by. We slept for a few hours before we made love again and then stayed asleep until the early morning. I loved waking up beside him. I turned to him, kissing the back of his shoulder since I had spooned him, my arms around his waist. He stirred as I pulled him closer and he turned to me as he leaned up and kissed my mouth. It was so hard to be able to pull away from him now....now when I was so close to having him back in my life. I knew I had to, for his own sake. I laid in bed with him for a few more minutes, determined to make this moment last for as long as it could. We kissed, breathing only when we had to, our hands laced together as we tasted each other. The moment finally ended when I heard my cell phone ring. We broke apart as without a word, I slowly let go of him and got out of bed as I pulled my pants up from the floor and dug my phone out.

"Hai."

"Hey Baby-chu, you need to come in."

"I figured as much. What time?"

"Now would be good."

"Okay, on my way."

I hung up as I got my boxers on and my jeans. I picked up my shirt as Miya sat in bed, his knees drawn up as he watched me. Once I was done, I went over to him and sat down beside him, cupping his face in my hands as I kissed him good bye. The kiss lingered for as long as a few minutes before I broke apart, touching his forehead to mine as I said,

"I love you."

"I love you too."

I stood up and finally left.

I went just as I was to Jia's building, not caring since I knew I had to see my boss now. Changing was the least of my worries. I walked inside after I parked my bike and went to his office since I figured everyone would be there. Once I got to Jia's office, I knocked as Jun let me in. I stepped inside as Jia said,

"Okay, here's the problem. Toshimasa and Daisuke are making money off my land and also with help from the Teo Chiu, they make money with them. The Teo Chiu is alive, hence giving me more problems since they are not too pleased with me at all since one of my own had tried to have Sugihara killed. I talked to Soryo, who let me know how Sugihara's survival went underway. What happened was that the news that reported finding him dead, thought he was since he had lost so much blood. When they took him to the hospital, the Teo Chiu found out he was alive. They transported him out of the country and back to Bangkok where he was treated for his injuries. He was close to dying. Any longer laying on that floor and he would have died from blood loss. However, he lived. The Teo Chiu spent a lot of time and money reviving Sugihara, paying his medical bills and anything else he needed. The result of him living was the fact that he can't open his eyes that wide anymore since the blade severed nerves in his neck. The jugular was missed which is why he didn't die right away. Now, with him being alive, he's basically back to settle with our little Aka-chan. The problem is, that f we kill Sugihara, we will make an enemy with Bangkok for sure. The 24K can only be on our side but they are not what owns Bangkok. Toshimasa and Daisuke will also be caught in the middle of this since they have casinos established on my land, fronted by the Teo Chiu. Sugihara is also here to watch those as they work."

It was quiet for a moment before Toki said,

"We should just kill Sugihara and be done with it."

"Not as easy anymore Toki." Said Tai.

Jia nodded, agreeing as Gabriel said,

"There's money also involved on the Teo Chiu's behave. They loose Sugihara, they could loose track of how much money is being made since Toshimasa and Daisuke could move and shut the Teo Chiu out. Sugihara is the Teo Chiu's guard dog."

Toki sighed as he said,

"He's got problems with Aka-chan right? So in a fight, if he dies, we shouldn't be held responsible for it. Sugihara went after him and we all know Aka-chan aint no push over."

Jia nodded as he said,

"That's true. If anything, I'll have to send word to the Teo Chiu by way of the 24K. I can't have that madman trying to come after Aka-chan."

Jun then stepped up from near the door as he said,

"We should make sure of where Sugihara is staying, have lower heads looking for him to make sure anytime he sets foot in Tokyo, we all know within five minutes or less."

"I agree. At least we have warning before hand should Joryu somehow not be able to get in contact with us." Said Mikkie.

Jia agreed as he looked at me and said,

"This is your problem Aka-chan, but we're with you on it because if Sugihara dies, I have my hands full with the Teo Chiu."

I nodded as Jia then dismissed us.