The whole scene was one big bloodbath. But yet, a silent one. It was almost as if someone turned off the volume of the whole thing. The music drowned out screams and gunshots and bullets being sprayed in every direction when someone came at us. Once we were done, Akio and I went back to the regular club scene. Toki was still making time with the China Doll, seduced and being seduced...it seems the China Doll forgot that now that he sat firmly perched on Toki's lap. Akio and I looked at each other as he said,

"We gotta get out of here. I don't think China Doll is gonna let Toki do anything."

"I don't think it's a question of him wanting to do anything. It's all about Toki."

"True that. Let's go before he sees you."

On our way out, Akio texted Toki to let him know and then we vanished from the scene.

Once we got to the car, I leaned against it for a moment before getting inside. Akio then looked at me as he said,

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Why are you asking me that all the time?"

"Because you have this pained expression on your face."

I waved him off as he then grabbed my shoulder and turned me slightly as he felt my forehead. He sighed as he said,

"You say you don't wanna be treated like a kid but you don't tell anyone when you're burning up."

"I'm just hot."

"You're sick. Get out, I'm driving."

"I'm fine Akio! Don't baby me!"

"I'm not babying, I just rather drive before you pass out behind the wheel now get out or I'll knock your ass out and then I'll drive anyway."

I sighed getting out as we changed places. We drove back to Jia's building as Akio called Jun on the way. Once we arrived, Jun took one look at me before he moved my hair back as he put his hand on my forehead and said,

"Well, you definitely have a fever."

"I'm fine."

"I'm the doctor can I please make the diagnose?"

Jun was being sarcastic. I frowned as he then pointed to the basement where I went. Jun had to examine me and make sure I was okay. As he checked my eyes he said,

"How long you been feeling sick?"

"Like...a few days. I got a random headache back some time ago but I thought it was nothing."

"Well it's something. You're over worked surprisingly enough."

"How?"

"Well...do you sleep? How about your eating? All that gets put into effect when you work late nights, you don't sleep and you don't eat and you pile more work on top of that."

Jun snapped on a pair of gloves as he made me take off my tie and coat. He unbuttoned a few top buttons of my shirt as he said,

"Your throat feels swollen. How's it feel?"

"A little scratchy. But I thought that was the smoking."

"Probably is. Well, here's my conclusion. You are definitely sick but it's not something I can cure with drugs. You need to rest for at least two days. That's what that headache is from. You threw off your sleeping and eating habits suddenly so your body is still trying to adjust."

"I can't really afford to rest right now Jun. Not with the Teo Chiu around."

"That's what the rest of us are for."

"But I can't even go home."

"Rest at your hotel room. You can sleep there. It's what hotels are for."

I sighed heavily as he said,

"Don't complain. You could have gotten worse. Why didn't you say anything?"

"I don't wanna complain over a headache."

"Such a child. You know if one of us is sick you throw off balance completely. If Jia doesn't know you're sick, he'll keep putting you to work. What the fuck good are you half assed when you're working?"

I shrugged as he said,

"Exactly. You'd be worth a bullet that's what. Now go rest up. Don't worry about shit with the Teo Chiu. I'll let Jia know."

I sighed as I got up and I left.

It's the main reason I didn't want anyone knowing I was sick because they would make me go home and sleep it off. Now I have to miss this. But I went back to my hotel and I went to bed almost right away. I woke up in the middle of the night and walked around my room for a moment. I pulled up my hair and kept it there as I then lit a cigarette and sat down on the edge of my bed as I tried relaxing. My head didn't hurt as much but I was really bored. I wish my appetite wouldn't have diminished so much. Now I couldn't even look at food without thinking about how much was on a plate. After my cigarette, I went back to bed and slept until the next morning. I called Akio once I got up, asking how things where.

"Damn you're not working. You should be asleep."

"I slept yesterday. Plus I'm bored but I have to be out for two days at the most."

"You got one day down Jo."

"Damnit Akio just tell me how shit is going."

"Sung is pissed. Seriously. He's going to retaliate."

"How do you know?"

"Remember the China Doll?"

"Yeah?"

"Toki got to him."

"Ouch..."

"Not like that surprisingly enough. The China Doll couldn't face being raped. He made a deal that he would tell Toki anything if he didn't rape him."

"And Toki got information....good deal."

"One of the better ones. So we found out that Sung is planning a retaliation on Jia sometime tonight. The China Doll is being held somewhere. Lower head is watching him."

"Ah...sou ka."

"So, we're getting ready for a fight right now. It's Sung and his last one I believe."

"I can't believe I'm gonna miss all this."

"You act like it's a party Jo. It's fucking work."

"I know but I rather work then sit here and do nothing all day and night."

"You should be sleeping."

"I know."

"Go eat something too. You're getting too skinny."

I moved my phone from my ear as I looked at it as if it just insulted me. I then said,

"Fuck you!"

"Well you are! You're gettin all stick like. It's not becoming Jo."

"Shut up."

"Go eat. I'll call you later."

"Okay..later."

I hung up and sighed, laying back down and got up as I went to get back in bed. I wasn't hungry so I decided to sleep.

I woke up suddenly in the middle of the night. I sat up, rubbing my eyes as I moved back my hair from my face. I felt much better, though a little tired. I felt fine and I got up and went to take a shower. I then came back out and changed, getting my suit and tie on as I pulled up my hair, tied up with a snap of the elastic band and then got my shoes and all my other things and left. I bought a can of coffee on my way over to Jia's building as I lit a cigarette and called Akio. When he answered, he was surprised to hear from me.

"Damnit Jo, stay asleep."

"But I'm better I swear."

"So what are you doing?"

"On my to Jia's office. Anyone around?"

"Hai, a couple of people are."

"Okay, I'm going. Is Jia there?"

"Should be."

"Okay. I'll call you later."

I continued on my way to Jia's office. Once there, I was glad to know that Jia was there. He was in his office, having a cigarette when I arrived. He let me in as he said,

"How you feel?"

"Much better."

"Good I'm putting you back to work."

"That's fine. What do I have to do?"

"The Teo Chiu retaliated tonight."

"So I heard."

"Their hit was something of a large blow to me. See they struck a casino."

"Oh.."

"Toshimasa was there."

"Is he okay?"

"Hai...at least I think so."

"What do you mean?"

"Well he disappeared. For all I know, the Teo Chiu have him and he could be dead. But for all I know he could be fine."

"Oh...what about us?"

"Well..some of the lower heads were caught in there...had some trouble, the wounded were treated. None of my top heads were there thank God. They were elsewhere. The problem is now that we don't have Toshimasa and they do, they could either kill him and use him as a shield to get into Japan and find me."

"They could use him to get to you."

"Exactly. And I know Toshimasa wouldn't do it out of betrayal but rather fear. He was always scared of the Teo Chiu. So...I don't want to have to kill him."

"If he does suddenly come back by means of the Teo Chiu, we could take him somewhere else. Have you guarded well."

"That's what I was thinking. So...if he is alive, then we have that choice."

I nodded as I then said,

"What else happened?"

"Nothing else I know of. I'm just exhausted right now."

"Going home then?"

"Hai. I need my guards though."

"Who's standing guard tonight?"

"I don't know. I'll ask Toki."

He called Toki on his cell phone and within a few minutes Toki showed up. Jia asked who was on guard and he said,

"Jo is."

"I am?"

"Yeah your last two days as you slept, one of them were yours. So you got guard duty."

"Oh...okay."

So I had to take them home and stay there anyway. I wasn't too thrilled with the idea considering I hate standing guard since it's one of the more boring things to do in the world. But I didn't have much of a choice. I took them home then I stood outside of their apartment. I wish I had something to do though, standing out here with nothing but some cigarettes was boring. I sat on the floor of the hallway, smoking every now and then as I looked around. I noticed the floor was pretty much empty. Jia's penthouse was his and his alone...a man does need privacy. Anyway, it was dimly light, the elevator down the hall and a stairwell on the other end. It was the solitude that killed me. I couldn't live in a place like this...mostly because I have a hard time filling up my own medium sized apartment...this place was huge. Anyway, the hours ticked by and I stood guard for the rest of the night. By early morning, around six or so, I yawned and leaned my head back on the wall. I checked my watch and stood up as I cracked my back and waited a while more. Around eight, the door to Jia's apartment opened as he said,

"Morning."

"Good morning."

I stood up from the floor again as I bowed my head slightly.

"Do me a favor Jo."

"Hai."

"Go down and get me some coffee and something to eat."

"You're hungry?"

"Nah, it's too early for me. I'm just feeding Toki."

"He's hungry?"

"No, but he doesn't have a choice."

He smirked as he said that. I saw he wore black satin draw string pants, a matching robe over it and he was barefoot. His hair was messy and he already had a cigarette in his mouth. He then gave me some money as he said,

"That should be enough right?"

"I guess. I should have enough money on me if anything."

"Okay."

"I'll be back soon."

I then left, putting the money in my pocket as I pulled my hair loose and gathered it back up to get all the free strands as I then went to get some breakfast. I came back quickly though and then knocked on the door. Jia opened it again as he took the things from me and said,

"Come in."

"Are you sure?"

"Hai. Just come in. You've been out there all night."

I walked inside, taking off my shoes as he then said,

"I hate this so much. It's not exactly a good deal for anyone to stand outside my door all night."

"It's necessary though."

"I know. It's why I hate it. If it was up to me, I wouldn't allow it. But Tai is so insistent that nothing happens to me."

"You are the oyabun Jia."

"Eh.."

Jia dismissed it as if I was saying it to compliment him when it was a fact. He set the coffee down on the dining room table as he said,

"You didn't get anything?"

I shook my head. He sighed as he said,

"Why?"

"I don't know."

He shook his head as I saw Toki's cat walking around already. He stretched and walked over to Jia, rubbing it's head against his leg. Jia didn't pay it any attention.

"I think he likes you."

"Cat's don't pay you affection. They do that because they're marking territory. Fucking cat thinks I belong to it when I don't."

Jia moved away as the cat meowed. I then leaned down, stroking the familiar yellow fur as he purred against my hand. It then jumped up on my lap as I continued to stroke it. Jia then said,

"That cat likes you."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because it only makes that sound when it likes you."

"Anyone else pet it?"

"Akio did. The cat didn't like him."

I laughed slightly. Jia then finished setting everything aside for Toki as he said,

"You sure you don't want anything?"

"I'm sure. Thank you anyway."

He nodded again as he picked up the plate he made as he went back to his room. I continued playing with the cat, or Baby Mikkie as his collar now said. He definitely belong to Toki now...it was strange though. I figured this cat would be either long dead, or long gone but it was still around and much bigger too. Anyway after the early morning spent there, Jia got ready and then picked up his coat at the door. He was getting his shoes on as he said,

"Okay, come on."

"Is Toki coming?"

"At this hour? Have you ever seen Toki around the office unless something was happening at this hour?"

"No..."

"Okay then. Come on."

He stood up straight, getting his coat on as I got up as well and got my shoes on as I left Baby Mikkie on the floor and went to take Jia to work.

Once at his building, I saw Mikkie was around, talking to Tai as Gabriel drank some coffee, holding some folders close to him. He looked tired. Jia came in as Tai looked at him and said,

"Ohayo."

"Ohayo."

"You're here early."

"I know, I have to be with this Teo Chiu bullshit going about. How's the China Doll?"

"Being uneasy. He tried to get out from the lower head."

"Lower head okay?"

"Yeah he's fine. He damaged the doll though."

"I don't care. Whatever keeps him in his place until I find out what happened to Toshimasa."

"Jia, if Toshimasa is dead, what then?" Said Mikkie.

"We kill the China Doll. Send him back to Bangkok in pieces. That's it."

He went through the folders Gabriel had as he then said,

"Okay, I'll wait until everyone is here so for now everyone relax. Tai when people do start getting here please assign them, Gabriel you should get some rest you look exhausted and Jo, light my cigarette."

I nodded, taking out my lighter as I lit it for him as he inhaled and then started walking as he said,

"I'll be in my office."

I then yawned and went to sit down on the couch as Mikkie picked up his coat and began to leave. Tai was talking to Gabriel about something, but Gabriel seemed to not want to do as asked. Gabriel shook his head as he said,

"I'm fine Tai.. Really.."

He paused to yawn as Tai then said,

"Go home Gabriel. I'll see you soon."

He sighed as Tai went on to work. I stood up again as I said,

"I can take you home."

Gabriel shook his head as he said,

"I'll catch a cab. Thanks though. I'll be back in a few hours."

I nodded, sitting back down as Gabriel and Mikkie then left. Later that afternoon, everyone began coming in and leaving, doing work or doing nothing. Around three Toki came in, yawning as he pulled up his shirt that fell off his shoulder as he wore a wife beater underneath. His jeans hanging low as it was becoming his habit to do that now, his boots undone as always. He had a black wave cap covering his head but ends of black hair still stuck out underneath showing he needed to cut that soon and his bangs since they were starting to scrape near the top of his shoulder. He exhaled the smoke from his mouth as he waved to me and then started going to the elevator. I dozed off on the couch a little while later with nothing to do and staying up all night. My sleeping pattern was all fucked up again. I woke up again to a bright flashing light and I panicked for a second as I flinched and started sitting up. I then heard,

"Lay back down."

"Jun?"

He moved the light to my other eye as he said,

"Yeah just checking your stats while your here, busy working and all. Sorry if I interrupted."

"Oh, I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"Don't tell me that. I'm not your boss."

I nodded as he clicked the light off and said,

"You're fine. Your temperature went back to normal and you're reacting well enough."

"Oh...good."

"How's your head?"

"It's fine. Doesn't hurt anymore."

"Good."

He stood up as he then said,

"I'm about to head to work. Jia sent me to find you."

"Okay."

I got up and went to Jia's office. I checked my watch on my way up, noticing it was around nine that night. I took a cigarette out from my pockets and lit it as I got to Jia's door and knocked. He allowed me in and once he saw me, he said,

"Good, Jo's here. Akio, go with Jo to see if you can find out anything about the Teo Chiu. They should still be around...although I'm not sure about that since the China Doll is here."

Akio nodded as I then left with him.

The both of us were quiet as I drove. Things haven't really been the same with us since before. And even though that was all put behind us and we acted as if nothing happened, we still couldn't even act like partners and that was dangerous for the both of us. On the other hand, it's work, so there's no need for personal affairs to be involved. I drove us around the city, stopping every now and then as Akio went to find out if anything could be known on the Teo Chiu. Jun called in every now and then to let us know he and Mikkie could find nothing either. After one stop, Akio got back in the car as he said,

"I think the Teo Chiu left. Lower heads said they haven't seen Sung or So Ming in a few days."

"Well...we got the China Doll. So what now?"

"We'll call Jia."

Akio did. And we found out that Jia discovered the Teo Chiu had already left Tokyo and worst off they took Toshimasa with them. They would either try to use him as a means to get their way in Tokyo, or they would kill him. We couldn't be certain of what their plan with him was. Jia called me back to his building to pick him up but once I got there I noticed it was him, Toki and Mikkie waiting. Everyone got in the car as Jia said,

"Go to the Love Hotel district in Shibuya."

"Hai."

I drove Jia over there and by Toki's directions and parked in front of one of the hotels once we arrived. We got out as Jia and Toki led the way. Going up two floors, Toki dismissed the lower head standing in front of one of the doors as he then opened it just like that. We went inside as we saw the China Doll, his radiant eyes looked up at the four of us as I saw his cheek was stained in bruises on his fine powder white skin, his lip was swollen, although not broken and he stood up right away. Jia exhaled the smoke from his mouth as he said,

"Okay China Doll. You got two choices right now. One, you tell me how I could get into Bangkok without being caught and you get me as close to the Teo Chiu as I can."

The China Doll scoffed as he then said,

"And if I don't? What's my other choice?"

"You other choice is you get split open by my partner here. Over and over again until you can't handle it. And once he's had enough, he'll put a bullet in your head, cut you up in pieces and we'll send you back to Bangkok like that. It's your choice."