Danny poured coffee into a cup and made his way onto the balcony. The sun had risen with the promise of another gorgeous day in Hawaii, but he couldn't enjoy it, not when his partner was still in Wo Fat's hands. Chin and Kono were on their way and he knew Akemi's daughter and children were already at her home.

Williams hoped what he'd asked of Akemi and her daughter would not get them killed, but he needed to know what she'd overheard. If there was any chance they could capture Wo Fat, they needed to know it. They had to find out if he really was coming back to Hawaii, and if Steve would be with him. If he was, then maybe they'd be able to find him and get him away from the bastard.

Danny held his arm against his side and walked back inside when he heard a knock. He opened the door to find Chin and Kono standing there, and knew they hadn't found out anything since the last time they'd spoken.

"How are you feeling, Danny?" Kono asked.

"I'm doing okay, Kono...nothing a week of sleep wouldn't cure," Williams answered honestly.

"You should be resting," Kono said.

"I will...after we find Steve. I told Akemi we'd come over to her place so that the kids are not alone," the Jersey native told them and locked his door once they exited the apartment. They moved to Akemi's door and Danny knocked softly, smiling when he heard children's laughter fro inside.

"Who there?"

"It's Danny, Akemi," Williams answered and the door was opened enough to allow the three of them to enter.

"Danny...this daughter. Her name Emi...she good daughter," Akemi introduced the others and led them to the table. "Tell them, Emi, tell them what you hear."

"How do you know we can trust them, Mother?" Emi asked.

Danny listened as the two women spoke in Japanese and couldn't help, but think that Akemi had been right about her daughter being beautiful. Her long, jet black hair was pulled tight into a French braid that hung down to her hips. Her eyes were dark and filled with emotion as she watched them and he wanted to put her mind at ease.

"Danny good man, Emi, he know what to do," Akemi said.

"Mother trusts you, Detective, and she is usually very good at judging people. Can you keep us safe?"

"We can arrange police protection, Emi, and if we need to we can put all of you into witness protection," Williams said and watched as the two women again changed to their native language before turning back to him.

"I hear things...not good things. Mr. Hato talks like I'm not there."

"Sometimes people forget those who clean for them," Kono said.

"Like we invisible," Akemi said.

"Yes," Kono offered. She liked these two women and hoped they could keep them safe, especially if they had information on Wo Fat. "What did you hear, Emi?"

"Mr. Hato was angry. He yell at whoever he was talking too," Emi said.

"What was he angry about?" Chin asked.

"He was talking about them," Emi said, her voice suddenly filled with fear as she rubbed her hands in her lap. She kept her eyes averted and her breathing grew haggard before she lifted her head and looked at Williams. "The Yakuza...he say Wo Fat will not be good for them and they lose much more than money. Mr. Hato thought he should have been running the organization."

"Did you hear who he was talking too?" Kono asked.

"He say Lee. I thin he was talking to Lee Chen...I have seen him at Mr. Hato's office many times."

"Lee Chen has a house in Pearl City," Kono offered.

"Maybe we should talk to him," Williams said.

"You won't be talking to anyone, Danny, you're on sick leave remember?" Chin warned and turned back to the woman. "What else did you hear?"

"Mr. Hato say Wo Fat is not going to take him down with The Yakuza. He tell Mr. Chen that he will see that the others know how dangerous Wo Fat is to all of them. He said he was going to call a meeting when Wo Fat is in Hawaii."

"Did he say when Wo Fat would be here?"

"No, but it sounded like it would be very soon," Emi told them. "I wish I knew more, but I could not stay any longer without him seeing me."

"You helped us, Emi," Kono said and smiled at the woman.

"Mr. Hato say something else. I did not understand what it was, but he mentioned a cage," Emi said.

"A cage?" Kono said with a frown.

"Yes, I have heard him talk about it before, but I do not understand what it was. Sometimes he would talk about putting money on it, but it make no sense to me," Emi told them.

"A bet maybe," Williams said.

"A cage...could be a fight of some kind," Chin offered.

"I wish I could help more, but that's all I heard," Emi said.

"You helped a lot, Emi," Kono told her. "When are you supposed to go to work again?"

"Tonight, but I am afraid. Mr Hato dangerous man when he is crossed," Emi said.

"Why don't you call in sick?" Williams suggested. "We'll arrange for a safe house if we have too."

"I'll talk to the governor and see what he has to say," Chin told them. What Emi had given them wasn't much, but with Wo Fat's involvement it meant her life and those of her family was in danger. The problem was, not everyone would agree with them and would argue about the expense, but he would remind the governor how dangerous The Yakuza was.

"Kono, will you take Emi home so she can pack a bag for her and the kids?" Williams asked.

"Of course," Kono said.

"Akemi, I will stay with you and the children until we hear from Chin and Kono," the Jersey native said. He knew it could take some time to arrange for a safe house and hoped bureaucratic red tape would not get in the way of keeping this family away from people like Chen and Wo Fat. The children were playing in the other room and Danny smiled when he heard them laughing.

"Danny, I don't think Hato will think anything is wrong when Emi calls in, but be careful," Chin warned.

"We will," Williams assured him and watched as they left the apartment. He heard Akemi telling the children they would be taking a little trip. God, he hoped they could keep this family out of danger.

5050505050

Steve had no idea how long he'd been out, but there was a tray of food near the doorway and his hands were no longer cuffed behind him. He crawled the few feet and pulled the tray toward him, surprised to find the food still warm. He reached for the spoon and took a tentative taste of the stew and knew whoever cooked for Wo Fat could easily work in one of the finest restaurants in the world.

McGarrett ate most of the food and sipped at the water, before closing his eyes. Danny's death was all he could think about and he knew he would need to find a way to get to Wo Fat. He wished there was some way he could have been there for Grace, but according to the article Wo Fat had read, Danny was probably already buried.

Steve looked up as the door opened and two men entered, with guns pointed directly at him. Wo Fat stepped in behind them with a half smile as he stood with his hands behind his back. He waited until one of his men moved to lock McGarrett's hands behind his back and remove the tray of food.

"I trust the food is better than the accommodations, Brother?" Wo Fat observed and wasn't surprised when there was no answer from the prisoner leaning against the wall. "I have come with a proposal for you."

"Not interested," McGarrett spat.

"You haven't even hear it."

"I don't have too."

"Perhaps not, but I will tell you anyway. I am sure you would like the opportunity to kill me..."

"I will kill you," McGarrett vowed.

"As I said I am sure you would like the opportunity, so I believe I will give you what you wish for," Wo Fat said.

"Take these off!" McGarrett spat and turned so they could get to the cuffs.

"It's not that easy, brother, I believe in setting up a fair fight. We leave for Honolulu tomorrow and while we are there you will be given the chance to fulfil your wish, but it will be in a venue of my creation."

"What venue?"

"There is a cage fight set up and I believe you and I will be the main attraction."

"Go to hell!"

"Then you are not interested in vengeance, Brother?" Wo Fat asked. "I am offering you the chance to get revenge for the death of Danny Williams."

"It was murder," McGarrett snarled softly.

"In your mind perhaps, but again I offer you the chance to get revenge. Isn't that what you want, Brother, or are you a coward?"

"I'm not a coward."

"Then prove it by getting into the cage with me. I will even sweeten the deal and give you my word that if you beat me you will be set free. I will give you until we leave to think about it, Brother. If you do not give me an answer by then it will prove that you are indeed a coward."

Steve watched as the man left him alone once more and thought about what Wo Fat offered. He wasn't a fool, and knew a fight between them would be a long, drawn out battle. Wo Fat was trained in martial arts, and held various degrees of black belt in different styes. Steve had studied several styles until he settled on one he thought suited him, but he'd taken things he'd learned from other styles and used them to the best of his abilities.

McGarrett wasn't stupid, and knew there was no way in hell Wo Fat would free him after the fight, but at least it gave him a chance. He'd make the bastard sorry they'd ever crossed paths, and see that Danny's death had not been for nothing.

5050505050

Lee Chen smiled as his wife walked toward him. Meilin was as beautiful today as she'd been on their wedding day nearly 23 years ago. She had given him two beautiful daughters. Xia, the youngest with a heart of gold and the beauty of a morning flower and Qiang who'd been born on a morning when the sunset was as red as a vibrant rose. He loved them equally and would never choose between them, but today was for his eldest, Qiang. She had been born 21 years ago and today was a celebration of her birth.

"Jing has arrived," Meilin said, smiling at the thought of the bright future that lay ahead for Jing Teoh and Qiang. They would make a handsome couple and give her many grandchildren she could spoil.

"You look beautiful, Meilin," Lee told her and took her into his arms.

"You do not wear your glasses, Lee," Meilin said, but sighed contentedly when his lips brushed hers. "Jing showed me his gift. Qiang will make a beautiful bride."

"Yes, she will," Lee said as more and more people arrived for his daughter's birthday celebration. He smiled at the young man walking toward him and wanted to keep him out of the dealings he had with The Yakuza. If he could, he would back away from it, but he was buried beneath a debt that covered a lifetime of bending to their will.

"Welcome to our home, Jing," Meilin said and knew her daughter was well love.

"Thank you," Jing said and looked at Lee. "I am honored to be invited to such an auspicious celebration."

"It would not be a celebration without you. Meilin told me your gift for our daughter is beautiful," Lee said.

"Not as beautiful as Qiang," the young man said.

"When do you plan to ask her?" Meilin asked.

"Before you cut the cake, if that is acceptable," Jing answered.

"It is," Lee said and shook his future son-in-law's hand. "Why don't we join the party so my daughters can make their entrance?"

5050505050

The wind and the lighting were only two of the variables that could affect his job. The years of being a sniper for the US military before moving on to greener pastures gave him an edge few hitman had. Patience was another thing he had going for him and he knew this party would end in tragedy for the Chen family while sending a clear message to those who opposed Wo Fat.

Paul Bertram rested his sniper's rifle against the top of the parapet and looked through the eyepiece before wiping off the lens with his thumb. He settled in, watching for the perfect opportunity to take out his target, with little or no collateral damage. His benefactor wanted a message sent, and sometimes the best way to do that was straight to the point.

The music was loud enough to reach his ears as the party goers moved onto the brightly lit dance floor and he smiled as a young couple took the lead until the music stopped and they moved toward the table that held a triple layer cake. The sights on his rifle were so good, he could actually pick out the lines in the pink, yellow, and red roses that lined the edge of each cake.

5050505050

Lee and Meilin Chen watched as their daughter and her new fiance walked toward the table and the candles sparked to life. Family and guests began to sing Happy Birthday as the band played along with them. The couple had never been so happy and they waited for the guests to stop singing before gathering around their daughter.

"They make a handsome couple," Meilin observed and smiled as Lee's parents moved in beside them. They spoke very little English, and still lived in China, but they'd come to Hawaii to help celebrate their granddaughter's birthday. The elderly couple still believed in the old ways and were quite pleased that Jing Tōan had asked for Qiang's hand in marriage. It would be another year before the couple's wedding plan's would be completed and they could begin their lives as husband and wife.

"Yes, they do," Lee said and smiled at his mother and father when Qiang hugged them before accepting the knife from her mother.

Qiang moved to the cake, unaware of the danger lurking on top of the building a short distance away. She pressed the knife into the cake and smiled as several cameras clicked and Jing moved to her side. A sharp pain in her chest registered before panic swept through the crowd and her hands automatically moved to clutch the area. A blossoming red stain covered the pristine white of her dress as blood seeped through her fingers.

Qiang heard voices, but they seemed to come from a distance and she frowned when hands gently lowered her to the ground. There was so much blood and it overwhelmed her that she felt no pain even when Jing pulled her into his arms and covered her hands with his.

"No! No! No!"

More than anything, Qiang wanted to ease the pain she heard in his words as he rocked her gently. In the distance she thought she heard a siren, but she couldn't be sure over the thunderous roar in her head. She lifted her hand and placed it on his cheek, leaving a a bloody print as tears slipped from his eyes and wanted to wash away the pain she saw in them. She turned her head to see her mother, father, and sister crying and tried to instill a sense of calm in them all even as she felt the world around her slipping away.

"Don't leave me, Qiang," Jing cried as her hand dropped to the floor. He pulled her closer and rocked back and forth as grief darkened his heart toward the bastards who'd taken his love from him.

5050505050

Danny leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, but he knew the throbbing pain in his side would not subside until he took the prescribed meds. He reached for the bottle and swallowed two with the glass of juice he'd brought with him after he'd finished the soup Akemi brought him. By now Akemi and her daughter and grandchildren were in a safe house. It had taken most of the day to get the governor on their side, but he'd finally listened to what they had to say and the danger Emi Himura and her children were in. Wo Fat and The Yakuza would not think twice about getting rid of the family if they got wind of the information Emi had overheard.

Williams turned on the television and surfed through the channels until he found a station that covered the local and regional news. He closed his eyes and listened without really hearing what the woman was saying until a familiar name was said.

"Qiang is the daughter of Lee and Meilin Chen and was pronounced dead on arrival at Queens earlier this evening. Little is known about the details, but the local police issued a statement that this was a targeted shooting..."

Danny reached for his phone as it began to ring, not surprised to see Kono's name on the screen. "Are you seeing this?"

"That's why I'm calling. Chin and I are on our way to Queens now."

"I should..."

"Stay where you are, Danny, and let us handle it."

"This is no coincidence, Kono. If they were targeted it had to be because The Yakuza isn't happy with the way Wo Fat is running things."

"You think Wo Fat is sending a message?" Kono asked.

"You don't?" Williams asked.

"We do, Danny."

"Call me as soon as you talk to the girl's parents," Williams told her and turned off the phone once she told him she would. Danny looked at the picture of the young woman displayed in the top right hand corner while the local reporters vied for attention from the investigators on the scene at the Chen home in Pearl City. It was such a waste of life, yet the danger was inherent when it came to crime families and the organizations they worked for. The Yakuza was one of the most dangerous, yet little was known about the people involved. How could they fight something like that without facing consequences that could be devastating such as the loss of family and friends?

Danny felt sorry for the family, losing someone so early in their lives, yet he couldn't help, but think Lee Chen had brought it on his family by being involved with The Yakuza. He wondered just how bloody the man's hands were and was his wife involved in the organization or an innocent bystander. He couldn't quite bring himself to believe she knew nothing of her husband's activities and silently cursed that Qiang Chen had been the target of a hired killer.

TBC!