A/N: Hi, guys! So, for those of you who have been with me for a while, you may notice a little something, something familiar in this chapter. So, I'm going to shut up and see if you can find it. ;)

Yeah, a belly full of ramen is cool, but a kickass party in the greatest city in the world? There's nothing like it. Especially when it was all for me. I got my family. I got my man at my side. What more could I ever want? I had all of New York eating out of the palm of my hand and I couldn't be happier. Well…I don't have total control yet, but all of the major families (the ones who don't hate us) were here. And just for little old me.

"Hey, Ritsu," I laid my head in his shoulder as the two of us swayed in sync in the middle of the floor.

"Yeah, baby," Ritsu pushed my hair out of my face, "What is it?"

"I'm so glad you came with me," I hid a smile in his chest.

"I wouldn't miss it," he swore, kissing the top of my head, "It sure as fuck beats sitting at home by myself."

"We got to experience my home together."

"I got to meet your family," he pointed out, "I got to experience international travel. I learned to dance."

"You learned one basic waltz," I settled him, "I wouldn't let it go to your head."

"It starts with a basic waltz," Ritsu jabbed, "Who knows? Maybe I learn more. Maybe we compete."

"Against each other?" I gave him a look, questioning his sanity.

"With each other," he clarified, "You and me. We'd make a hell of a team."

"Once you get a lot better," I stipulated, "And with a prayer…A lot of prayer."

"Fuck off!" Ritsu squeaked, letting a little giggle escape his throat. He knew I was fucking with him. And he's grown to love it. I know he has, "I got better for tonight, didn't I?"

"Competition's a whole different ballgame, baby," I pointed out, "We'd have to pull everything out of our asses in order to place."

"And I think we could do it," he snuck in another kiss, "I really do."

"I'm not competing," I put my foot down, "Not for a while yet. I still need to shake the rust off."

"From what I've seen," Ritsu held me a little closer, "That rust thing? It's bullshit."

"I used to be a lot better," I assured, "But this was alright."

"Reila!" I heard Daddy call for me, "Come here!"

By the sounds of it, he wasn't quite tanked yet, but he was getting there. Still, who was I to say no to Daddy? That in itself was a crime punishable by death. Or a severe beating in the narrows. Since that was my job, I didn't see how I could beat myself and make the punishment stick. Regardless, Ritsu and I ran off to find Daddy off to the side with an older lady in front of him almost dressed flashier than me. That wasn't Abuelita. Although, I might have seen her dancing with a different gentleman near the speakers.

"You bellow?" I asked.

"I'm glad you're here," Daddy pulled me out of Ritsu's embrace.

"My god…" the woman gasped, "I remember when you were just a baby, Rei. Your daddy's little bundle of sunshine. But you probably don't remember me, do you?"

I looked the woman over a little closer. Vague memories from when I was really little began popping into my head. A four year old shouldn't be at a mini Playboy Mansion. But that's when it all clicked. The flashy clothes, the larger than life personality, why she'd be so close to Daddy tonight. Many, many years ago, one of the less…reputable families were trying their hand at human trafficking. Of course, after Mama had me, Daddy's views on women only got stronger. And his empathy shot through the roof. Understandable. Not only did he become a father, but he also had a little girl to watch out for. It only made him think of how many men were worried about their little girls in a situation like that. Fortunately, Daddy's connections knew no bounds. And the woman in front of him gave them a home…and hope.

"Madame Janine…" my heart swelled to the size of the Chrysler Building, "Madame Janine!"

"There you are, sweetie," she threw her arms around me, pulling me into her massive tatas. If I were just a couple inches shorter, I'd suffocate. Thank God for killer heels, "You do remember me."

"Of course I do!" I remember shortly after Mama died. Madame Janine was one of the first people on our front door, asking if we needed anything. But she was much more than that, "I remember you watching me when Mama was working and Daddy had to handle business."

"Hey," Madame Janine backed off, "I wasn't the only one watching you, Reila. Sometimes, the girls would, too."

"So, wait a second," Ritsu wondered, "You're…A legit madame?"

"That's right," she gave him a nod, looking him over a bit. I probably should've warned Ritsu that she's kind of a cougar, "Why? Are you looking for someone, honey?"

"No, no, no," he shook his head…violently, "My girlfriend would have my ass handed to me for something like that."

"Why take the fun out of it for her?" I pouted, "She'd be the one doing the ass handing. No outsourcing."

"You know," Madame Janine had a wicked smirk on her face…And a hand on my man. Well…His shoulder anyway, "You'd make a good bouncer. Frankie? Is he one of yours?"

I took in a sharp breath, my heart melting. I knew Ritsu's feelings on his background and how he wanted out of it so bad, but the thought of him hooking up with the family? I'd be lying if I said I wasn't holding back happy tears. Daddy had that same glint in his eyes. He'd snap Ritsu up in a heartbeat, "Maybe one day, but unfortunately, no."

"This is Ritsu," I introduced him, "He's my boyfriend."

"Ah," Madame Janine figured it out, "So, that's why you said your girlfriend could hand your ass to you. Rei always has been a scrappy little shit. Ever since I've known her. This girl's fight or flight doesn't exist. It's all fight."

"Hell yeah," I beamed, taking great pride in that. Will it get me in trouble one day? Probably. But for now, it works for me.

"But I couldn't accept that," Ritsu admitted, "Taking a bouncer job isn't for me. Right now, I'm a bodyguard for one. But thanks, Frankie. I'm flattered. I mean, you'd have my old man all over your ass, but still. The thought that counts."

"Well, yeah…" Daddy gave him a pop to the shoulder, "You're family, kid. We got you."

And in that moment, Ritsu lost any ounce of color that may have been in his face, "What?"

My heart…If Daddy's not careful, it might explode tonight. I gave Ritsu a little nudge, just to make sure he was still in there. His soul may or may not have been hovering above his body, "Ritsu…?"

Oh yeah. Ritsu has stopped working. I'm just waiting for him to start drooling on himself. Because I had not a doubt in my mind this boy just short circuited. Even though they just met, he had Madame Janine worried, "Is he going to be ok, Reila?"

"I think Daddy might have broken him," I snapped my fingers in front of his face. He didn't even budge, "I'm going to take him home. See if I can do a system reboot."

"Ok, baby," Daddy kissed my cheek, "Love you."

"Love you, too," I took Ritsu by the hand, thankful he still had basic motor functions. Although, the cab ride was dead silent. Normally, I'd write this off as him having a moment, but I've never seen Ritsu go so pale before. And I've seen this boy have torrential nosebleeds from looking at me in a bikini. Daddy didn't know that, of course, but he didn't need to know that either. When I brought him inside, the two of us fell to the couch in the living room. Ritsu was still catatonic.

"Ritsu…?" I took his hand, "One tap for yes, two taps for no, k?"

I got one tap. Good. We'll call this progress.

"Are you ok?"

Tap, tap.

Oh, shit. My stomach sunk, "Can you tell me why?"

Ritsu snapped back into his head, "I didn't expect that to hit me so hard. It's weird. I've gotten more affection and admiration from your dad in the last week than what I have from my own in the past year."

"Consider it a high honor," I pointed out, hiding the little ache in my chest, "Daddy doesn't do that for just anyone. I don't know how to tell you this, Ritsu, but he likes you. For whatever ungodly reason, Daddy likes you. Honestly, I thought he would've had the first guy I brought home tied up in one of the warehouses in the narrows. But he likes you."

"I've seen what happens to guys in the narrows," he pulled me into his shoulder, "This chick kicks their asses to the fucking moon."

"Yeah, she does," I couldn't help but take a little pride in my work, "But I wouldn't do that to you. Unless you had it coming. But that's here nor there."

"You know what, Rei?" Ritsu smiled a little, "I didn't expect to get along with your dad, to be honest. After the first time we met. He thought I was the fucking bellhop for your building."

"I know," I giggled, "I was there, too. But you earned his respect when you stuck around for dinner. You didn't back down. That's what won him over. That's probably why he likes you so much."

"I like him, too," he cuddled me, "And I love you. That might have scored me some points with him, too."

"I love you, too," I reached up and kissed his cheek. "So, are you ok? Or are you going to go catatonic and scare the shit out of me again?"

"I'm good," Ritsu promised, running his fingers down the back of my arm, "I'm sorry, baby. I didn't mean to make you worry. Just got a little lost in my head. That's all."

"Hey," I had an idea, "You feel like going out? I'm in a mood."

"What kind of mood?" I could see it in his eyes. Whatever I was down for, he was down for, too.

"A little bit of pain," I jumped up from the couch, pulling Ritsu along with me.

"Why would you willingly want pain?" Ritsu gave me a look, "I didn't think you were into the kinky shit, Rei. But it would make a lot of other shit make sense."

"Jesus, Ritsu," I laughed hysterically, "What kind of fucking masochist do you take me for?"

"Honestly," he bit his lip, hesitating a little, "I wasn't saying you were the one taking it. I've seen you wield your bat. That's not someone who's taking it."

"I don't even know if it is a kinky thing," I put his face between my hands, "Think about it. I've had one boyfriend in my life. Have I ever done anything kinky with him? Or anything remotely sexual?"

"It's gotten pretty heated on your couch a couple times."

"Other than that?"

"No, ma'am."

"Alright then," I gave him a quick kiss, "So, no. It's not a kinky thing. It's fun, though. I'll give you that."

Maybe I could get on board with the whole dominatrix thing. But something tells me I'd have a less than willing participant, "If that's not what you're thinking, then what are you thinking we do?"

"You'll see."

I've been getting the itch for another one since the incident with Victoria. Mostly out of spite, but occasional doodles have been pointing me in the direction for a while, too. I'm starting to think it's just an itch I get around Ritsu. Besides, I knew a good place to go in the heart of Williamsburg with a damn good reputation. And I think the owner pays us protection, too. That smells right. With that being said, Ritsu and I left the penthouse and headed down to a cozy little shop a few blocks down.

Tintero. It was a Spanish word meaning inkwell. I'd say it's appropriate. When I was younger, I'd come in here and watch the owner draw all the time. He adored me. Kind of hard not to. I had a round little face, big eyes, and appreciation for his craft. Plus, the owner moved here from Mexico and was fluent in Spanish, so whenever Abuelita came to town and my Spanish was rusty (when I was supposed to be keeping up with it), he helped.

"Hola, Carlos!" I called out into the shop. It was late, but the front door was still unlocked, so they hadn't closed yet, "Donde estas?"

"Do you just know everyone in this town?" Ritsu wondered, still not sure what I had said.

"Hell no," I scoffed, "Do you know how long that would take me? Getting to know everyone in New York? Fuck that. Too much effort. Most of Williamsburg? Yeah. Kind of."

"Hola, Reila!" Carlos came walking out from his office and threw his arms around me, "Como estas, niña?"

"Bien, bien," I beamed, "You busy tonight?"

"I don't have any appointments left for the day," he checked the book, "Just walk-ins. Why? What's up?"

"Ink me," I demanded.

"I can't do that, Rei," Carlos shot me down, "Not legally anyway. You're not eighteen. And I'm pretty sure your dad would kill me."

"No, he wouldn't," I assured, showing him my hand, "I already got one. And he hasn't said a word. Besides, I know what I want and where I want it. Unless Daddy's seeing me naked, he'll never know it's there."

"Where are you wanting it?" he wondered.

"On my back."

"Are you sure about that, Rei?" Ritsu stepped in, "I told you how much that healing process fucking sucks…"

"Listen to the man, Rei," Carlos pointed, "He knows what he's talking about."

"I think I can handle a little itchy back," I rolled my eyes, hoping Ritsu would've been on my side for this, "I'll live."

"Alright then," Carlos caved, "It's your funeral."

"Thank you," I gave him a sarcastic bow, shooting a glare at my boyfriend. Immediately, Ritsu backed off. I don't want to say I have him trained, but…He knows my looks.

"Hey, Rhi!" Carlos called back.

A woman came out from around the corner, her hot pink hair swinging around her shoulder, "Yeah, boss?"

"You got time for one more before you leave?" he offered. Honestly, I thought Carlos would've been the one to do it, but at this point, I'll take what I can get.

"How big of a tattoo would I be doing?" she asked, turning her attention toward me, "Wait a second. How old are you, kid?"

"It's after hours, Rhiannon," Carlos brushed her off, "It's cool."

"I'm sixteen today," I told her, "Why?"

"I got a little sister your age," she smiled, "I've been dying to put a needle on her again. So, how big were you looking for? I'm sorry. I got sidetracked."

"Down my shoulder blade," I ran my finger the length of my back, "And it'd probably stop in my lower back."

"Sorry, sweetie," Rhiannon turned me down, "I need to get home. My boys are waiting."

"I understand," I let her go, "I'm sure Carlos can manage it, too."

"That's fine," Carlos allowed, "Kiss the husband for me."

"Will do," Rhiannon gave him a halfhearted salute, "See you tomorrow, Carlos."

"Bye!" And just like that, she was gone. As quick as she came into our lives, she left. I'm sure her boys are her husband and her son. I'm not going to keep them apart. I've been through that bullshit and it sucks.

"Hey, Carlos," I wondered, "Is she new?"

"Who?" Carlos chirped, "Rhiannon? No. She's been around for a while. She's damn good at her job, too. I have yet to have a more talented artist in my shop. Other than me, of course."

"Cocky prick," I giggled a bit, "So, then, I guess it's just you and me. And my boyfriend, the awkward third wheel."

"Love you, too, baby," Ritsu stuck his tongue out at me. Very mature.

"Looks like he's the jealous third wheel," Carlos jabbed, "But more or less. I'm guessing he's there for moral support."

"And a reference," I explained, weaving my fingers between Ritsu's, "I'm looking for a dragon."

"Really?" Carlos gave me a look. Meanwhile, Ritsu's fighting tooth and nail to hide a smile from me. Little shit, "You don't strike me as the dragon tattoo type, Rei."

"Well," I went on, "It's not really a dragon. It's more like a fire serpent."

"When were you planning on telling me this?" Ritsu asked, wrapping his arms around me.

"I didn't think you'd be with when I got it," I admitted, "I was going to wait until we got back to Japan and ask Ryu to do it, but…What the hell? Why wait? Meditrina needs a Mars."

"Who's Mars?"

"He's the Roman god of war," I told him, "But he used war as a way to bring peace to the land and fought for the people. He's also the father of Cupid and I think that's adorable. Something about him…I don't know. I feel like I could empathize with him."

"Alright," Ritsu smiled a little, "I can get on board with that."

"Good," I kissed his cheek, "Now, take your shirt off."

"Excuse me?" Now, he's playing shy? You were just on board for this, Ritsu.

"Don't be a prude," I rolled my eyes, "Like I said. Reference. I like the art style of Meditrina and I wanted something similar. So, if you'd be so kind as to show us Meditrina, we could get this done tonight."

"If you're going to go with something down your body, Rei," Carlos stepped in, "It's going to take more than just tonight to finish it."

"Alright," I knew this would take multiple sessions. And I could understand that.

Slowly, but surely, Ritsu took his jacket off and undid the buttons on his shirt. Bless this boy. And there she was. Meditrina and all her sparkling glory. She's so fucking pretty, "Is this a good enough reference?"

"A beautiful reference," I admired the view, sitting at the edge of the table in front of Carlos's station. He caught the occasional glimpse of Ritsu's back while he sketched away. Have I ever mentioned my boyfriend is a stunning creature? Because goddamn…

"I'm not a piece of meat, Reila," Ritsu pouted, "Don't objectify me or I'm not going to scratch your back when Mars is healing."

"Fine, fine," I could live with what was in my peripherals. That's ok, too. But I have feeling I'm going to need that back scratch.

"Alright, Rei," Carlos finished up his half assed sketch of Ritsu's back, "Like you told him. Take your shirt off…Or at least drop the top half of your dress."

"We're starting now?" I squeaked, not thinking he'd have something already.

"I got a general idea of what I'm doing," he reported, "You ready?"

"Hell yeah!"

I was more than ready.