The week passed without any hint or flaw of any upcoming problem over the horizon. I anticipated calling Sozaburo to let him know everything was fine so when my day was out, I went home and did just that. When I called however, he did not have good news.

"Someone from California showed up."

"Shit...are you serious?"

"Unfortunately. The thing is, I don't think they pose a threat."

"Why not?"

"Well they just seem to be seeking out meetings."

"They? Who's they?"

"Not entirely sure yet. But like I said, they don't seem to be a threat."

"Damn...now you can't come here."

He laughed slightly as he said,

"No, but Jia might have to come here and that means you might have to come see me again."

"But if it's not that big a deal. Jia might not bring all of us."

"So, just have Jia pick you."

Having Jia pick me for anything nowadays was next to impossible. He was still having a hard time getting over my whole Sugihara mess. That big fuck up is gonna follow me for the rest of my life I swear it is. When Jia found out about the people in California that were now in New York, he decided to head over there and check things out himself as he always does. Tai would stay behind taking over things in Tokyo as he always did meaning Gabriel would stay behind too. Toki would go with Jia that was just a given. Now, for the rest of us. Jia looked over at us as he said Akio, Mikkie, you two accompany me."

They nodded as Jia then dismissed us. I was not about to miss my chance to see Ichiro because of my past mistakes so I lingered behind and waited for everyone to leave. Except Toki who always sat on Jia's desk. Jia saw me still standing there as he had his cigarette lit and said,

"What Jo?"

"I was wondering if I could accompany you to New York."

"Why?"

"No reason. Just wanted to. I don't really have anything else to do here...so I just wanted to come along."

"No."

"Jia it's not even that big a deal."

"How would you know?"

Toki smirked as he said,

"Cuz he's fuckin Sozaburo and the pretty little young thing that's rivalin' the doll for his throne is fuckin Jo and told him what was going on."

I cleared my throat since I couldn't deny it. Jia then looked at me as he said,

"That's why you wanna come to New York? To see Sozaburo?"

"No."

"Don't lie to me."

I didn't want to say yes because that just seemed worse then lying. Toki then laughed as he said,

"Li he just wants to see his fuck toy."

I couldn't stop looking at the floor or clearing my throat though there was nothing in my throat and it was starting to get raw from doing that so often. I just didn't want to blush. Jia finally said,

"Look Jo, you want me to start trusting you again. You want to prove yourself to me, I know. But a good start to doing that would be to not lie to me."

I looked at him as I clasped my hands behind my back and said,

"I want to go to New York to see Sozaburo. I wanted to go earlier but things were busy so I couldn't. I decided to wait until I had some free time but then this thing in New York happened. I thought since it wasn't so much of a problem, that I could go and see him. However if the problem turned out to be bigger then originally thought, I would put aside my selfish thoughts and needs and do my job like I'm required to."

Jia tapped his cigarette free of the ash as he looked at me. He then inhaled as he said,

"That's all you had to say."

"So I can go?"

He leaned back in his chair, raising his hand as he set it on Toki's knee as he said,

"Hai, you can go."

I sighed in relief as I was then dismissed.

I swear Jia likes to torture me. He's been hanging around Toki for far too long. Anyway within a few days, we left for New York. Once we arrived, Tsubasa, Karasu and Sozaburo were there to greet us at the airport. Jia went to Tsubasa, kissing his porcelain white cheek as he smiled, glad to see him. He then shook Karasu's hand and then Sozaburo's as I looked at him. Ichiro in his suit, all black, satin shirt underneath with the open collar as he wore his usual choker. His bangs still swept off to the side so the ever present beauty mark could be shown. He smiled at me slightly as I bowed my head in respect since he was like my boss. Then I did the same to Karasu and then to Tsubasa. The three of them all had cars waiting outside so we just left. I sat in Sozaburo's car with him, Karasu and his guard as he smiled at me, his soft pale lips looking so inviting as he leaned over and whispered,

"I'm sorry we have to work first. But I'm so glad to see you."

He then licked my ear lobe as he sat back to where he was as I smiled. I was too jet lagged to actually do anything else but feel stupid inside. I was dropped off home as were Jia, Toki, Akio and Mikkie.

The next afternoon, we had a meeting at Tsubasa's building as we listened to what was going on. Tsubasa spoke as he let his still white blonde hair fall over his shoulders.

"The one that came from California is Nagashima Koroi. I'm not too clear of his plans but I've met with him a few times. He doesn't seem to want anything to do with New York, but he requested an audience with the head of the syndicate. And since that would be you Jia..."

Jia nodded, smoking as he leaned back in his chair and said,

"As long as he isn't after to start war with me I'll meet his whole fucking family for all I care."

Sozaburo then said,

"You will."

"What?"

"He has a son that he's schooling in this profession."

Toki smirked as he leaned on Jia's chair slightly and said,

"Ooo...a son. How old is he?"

"Eighteen."

"Not too old..."

Jia reached up and smacked Toki's arm as he said,

"No touching the minor until we're sure of what Nagashima means to us."

Toki pouted as Jia then said,

"So where is this guy?"

Karasu then tucked part of his hair back as he said,

"He lives in New York. He's taken up residency somewhere on Park Ave. and is sending his son to private school here in the mean time."

Jia nodded as he said,

"Wonder if he's in the same school Yuki's kid is in."

"Maybe. Yuki does live on Park Ave." Said Tsubasa.

Jia shrugged as he said,

"I'll ask him later. Okay, someone set a meeting up with this guy. I'll meet him and see what he wants."

Tsubasa and Karasu nodded Sozaburo then said,

"Jia, as I've mentioned before, he doesn't seem like much a threat. I think he means well."

"You're probably right. So I'm not really worried about it. And if he is out to do me wrong, again I'm not worried about it."

We then left.

I didn't get to see Ichiro until later that night and again it wasn't even for pleasure because we had to meet Nagashima for a late dinner. I was still a little worn from the trip but I had to go nonetheless. It was like a huge gathering at the Pearl Tea House because Tsubasa had brought Jiki and Ai'iro with him, Karasu and Ichiro had also brought their guards and Jia came in with us. Mikkie, along with Jiki and one of Ichiro and Karasu's guards took a seat in a table around the private room while Tsubasa, Ai'iro, Jia and Toki, Karasu and Ichiro went in to meet Nagashima. I had to stand outside the room with Akio and Ichiro and Karasu's other guard but nonetheless I got to see Nagashima. He was an old man, not very old but at least fifty something, close to sixty. His hair was a dull iron gray and he wore a gray suit. His son sat beside him, blonde hair covering his face so only one eye was seen. He was wearing semi casual clothes, khakis and a short sleeve button down. Then there was Nagashima's guard. The man reminded me of Tai for some reason, very tall and had a brooding look on his face as if angry, yet not. He wore a black suit and had surprisingly long black hair he kept tied back. Jia sat down with him and introduced himself as the head of the 36 Moons. Nagashima bowed his head slightly as did his son and his guard. He then said,

"I'm glad you would meet with me Jia."

"I'm only to happy to meet with anyone that wants to see me. Now, what do you want?"

Nagashima seemed surprised at Jia's straightforwardness. Jia noticed it.

"I'm not here to make small talk or anything like that. I just came from a thirteen hour flight from Tokyo to here and my body is still tired. I'd like to know if I'm meeting an allie or an enemy so I can end this quickly. So tell me what you want."

Nagashima recovered as he said,

"I run a syndicate in California. The small areas that you've covered are not mine. But before you take the risk on California, I would like to offer it to you and be an allie."

Jia thought about it for a moment as he then said,

"Why so quick to offer an aliment? What's in it for you?"

"I would be a fool not to allie now before a war raged in California. I have a lot more to loose then gain if something were to happen."

Jia nodded as he said,

"What's with the kid. He really your kid or you just passing him off as your kid because he's really your lover? I ask that because it's happened before."

He poured himself a cup of tea as Nagashima then said,

"No, this is my son, my blood. His name is Kotei and I'm training him to take over for me in case anything would happen. As you can tell, I am not a young man."

"I see. So in case anything were to happen to you he takes over."

"Yes."

"He knows what he's doing?"

"He knows."

Jia nodded again taking a sip of his tea as he said,

"Your name is Kotei?"

Kotei nodded his blonde head as he said,

"Yes."

"Emperor...nice name to have. You sure you earned it?"

"I haven't done much to earn my name."

Jia laughed slightly as he went into his pockets and took out his cigarette case. He took one out, putting it in his lips as Toki lit it for him. Kotei then tilted his head slightly as he said,

"Seems like you're the one that should called an emperor."

"Fuck being an emperor. I'm God."

Jia smirked as Kotei laughed slightly. Nagashima then said,

"I understand this would take time if agreed to."

"Good, because you know I don't trust easily and I depend on my instincts more then anything else. But you seem well enough. I'll warn you though, you cross me, just once and you'll never live to see the light of day."

Nagashima nodded as the waitress came in and took orders. Once she was done, she bowed her head and then left.

The dinner was otherwise calm, peaceful and little small talk was exchanged. Kotei didn't eat much other then a few bites of rice as he then set aside the plate and reached into his pockets and pulled a pack of regular Newports out. He took one out as he then picked up his lighter from behind the pack and lit it as he inhaled and then exhaled. His father looked at him as he said,

"I told you not to do that disgusting habit of yours around me."

Kotei said nothing but looked at him and continued smoking. Nagashima sighed, looking away and went back to eating as I saw Kotei narrow his eye slightly and he smirked since he knew his father would not reprimand him. Toki, who didn't sit too far from him picked up his pack as he said,

"Shit, you smoke em regular."

Kotei nodded as Toki laughed and took out his own pack, being the same kind as he lit his own and said,

"You got good taste."

Kotei bowed his head slightly as Jia then finished his tea and said,

"I hear you're eighteen Kotei."

"I am."

"You still going to school at eighteen?"

"Final year."

"I see. You plan on just taking over when your father's time is up."

"That's the plan."

Jia scoffed slightly as he looked at Toki and said,

"I like this kid. He's already gotten more education then most of us."

Toki laughed slightly, smoke tumbling from his mouth as They continued to have dinner.

Once it was done and everyone stood up, Jia, the ever gracious host picked up the bill as we went outside. Jia then put his hands in his pocket as he looked at Nagashima and said,

"I'll continue meeting with you. You have to let me know just what part of California you own and so on. Tomorrow evening, come to my headquarters. We'll discuss this further then."

Mikkie wrote down the directions to Jia's building as we then all parted ways. Within a few days, Jia met with Nagashima a few times. They talked for hours about plans, California and Jia's grasp on just about everything that was worth something. I was downstairs in the lobby having a cigarette as I slouched back in the seat. I wish I could have seen Sozaburo but I had to stick around for whatever reason. Mikkie wasn't around and Akio was upstairs with Jia and Toki talking to Nagashima, his guard and Kotei. The elevator bell rung and I looked up to see Kotei walking out. So..hm..correction, Nagashima and his guard. I looked at Kotei as he looked at me and then went over and sat down across the sofa from me. He lit a cigarette as he rested his elbows on his knees and then exhaled as he sighed. He then leaned back on the couch, spreading his arms out on the couch as he said,

"What's your name?"

"Why?"

"Because it seems like everyone I met around here has some tattoo inside their wrist. I'm curious to know what yours is."

"Akui."

"Nice. How'd you get it?"

"Because not enough doesn't kill you."

He laughed slightly as he said,

"You look younger then everyone else. How old are you? Wait...let me guess...like...twenty...something."

"Twenty. About to be twenty-one."

"When did you start?"

"Why all the questions?"

"Because I'm bored and my father is talking to Jia about stuff I already know about so I came out here for a while."

I nodded as a moment later, Nagashima's guard appeared. He saw Kotei as he bowed his head slightly as he said,

"Botchan, your father sent me to get you."

"Are we leaving?"

"Not yet."

"What's he need me for?"

"He just wanted to know where you are."

"Tell him I'm downstairs and to not worry, I won't leave."

He nodded as he then went back upstairs. I looked at Kotei as I said,

"Your body guard?"

"Glorified baby-sitter. He's been chasing after me because of my father since I was about eight."

"Oh... I see."

"Ren's got a good head on his shoulders. It's why my father trusts him."

I nodded as I noticed that Kotei said Ren's name in an almost fond manner. I smirked to myself as Kotei leaned back and reached around his neck as he found a chain and pulled it up and then let it drop naturally. I noticed it was a semi-oval pendant, almost like a locket on the chain. He then finished his cigarette as he put it out on the ashtray on the table as he said,

"You're quiet. Is everyone around he quiet? I'm dying for some conversation."

"What school do yo go to?"

"Man, not school talk."

"I think you might go to the same one that Yuki's son goes to."

"Yuki? You mean the other guy allied here in New York?"

"Yeah."

"I didn't know he had a son."

"He does."

"Oh well, I'm not sure I hate it. I'd drop out but my father wants me to do something with all my excess spare time other then just party and sleep all the time."

Partying and sleeping...he was leading the life I led when I was eighteen. I felt so old all the sudden. Anyway Kotei then fixed his hair and said,

"What do you do all day?"

"Why are you asking me everything?"

"Because you're the only one around here worth talking to. Man the people Jia has working for him are all...weird."

"Why weird?"

"Well the one of them is a total horny bastard and I swear he's raping anything that walks by with his eyes..."

"That's Toki."

"The other could make ice seem warm..."

"Mikkie."

"And the only other one that seems to be somewhat human is busy."

"Akio and he's not."

"Why?"

"He's like Toki only a lot more slick about it."

"Oh...but see you're the only one worth talking to."

"Thanks. I feel special."

He smiled in this very cute, little boy kind of matter as I said,

"You're a spoiled brat aren't you?"

Kotei smirked, leaning back as he said,

"Whatever gave you that idea?"

"Just how you act. And how you look."

"I'm not spoiled. I'm loved. World of difference."

I shook my head as he smiled again, resting his elbows on his knees again as he said,

"So, you do anything around here for fun?"

"I do but that doesn't involve you."

He frowned as he said,

"At least tell me what you do."

"Guess."

"You fuck someone."

"Good guess."

He leaned forward with a huge smile as he said,

"I'm good. What they like?"

"None of your business."

He laughed slightly as I then scoffed, turning away as I put out my cigarette and said,

"You're too immature to ever take over anything."

"Says you."

"You want to do this?"

"Better then doing anything else."

"You couldn't handle this. Not someone like you."

"Don't think because I'm all smiles now that I haven't had my share of angst. You do wrong in underestimating me. A few days and I already picked up that from your boss."

He stood up, a cocky look on his face as he started to go back upstairs.

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

Definitions

Kotei- Literally translates into emperor in Japanese

Botchan- Boy; young man; unworldly man; young master; other person's son. Can also be called "bon"