Author's note: sorry for the very slow update. I kind of had writer's block for a while, and then I was really busy, but I'm finally back with a new chapter!

Ally's POV

We're in the practice room. Again. Discussing Kenji Young. Again. Austin just told us all about his encounter with John in Jimmy's office. We all agree that he seems a bit suspicious, but he's probably not dangerous. I emailed Sergei a few more times, and we shared more information about Kenji. So far, though, there's not much that we haven't figured out that Sergei knows.

"Ally, what are we going to do?" Austin says. Again.

I don't know what to say but my computer alerts me that I have a new email. I open it up hurriedly and see that it's from Sergei.

To: Austin Moon

From: Sergei Nikolayevich Bolkonsky

Hi Austin and Ally,

Hiro Takoyaki is on his way to Miami. I do not know why, but the Russian military is keeping a close eye on him. It may be a coincidence, but Hiro has never left Japan in years. I urge you to stay safe and stay away from Kenji for a while.

Sergei

"Hiro is coming to town?" Austin says, concerned. "This isn't good! There's no way this is just a pleasure trip. He's coming because of Kenji."

"You don't know that for sure," I say, "but it probably is. We have to be careful, but I don't think we can stay away."

"But why not?" he asks. "I mean, just let him take Kenji back to Japan with him! Then we'll be fine, and life will be good!"

"If that happens, we'll be fine. But do you really think Hiro is just chaperoning Kenji back to Japan? That doesn't make any sense." I object.

"I guess you're right." he says.

"Oh! What about John? Does he have anything to do with this?" I ask, realizing.

"Who knows? I don't think so...he seemed a bit suspicious but I still don't think he's part of this." Austin replies.

"But he's a former yakuza member," I point out, "so he has something to do with this. What's the probability that two people you're closely associated with both worked for the guy who's coming into town? Not likely."

"Guys!" Dez runs in with Trish behind him. "Hiro is coming to Miami. His flight lands in an hour at the airport! This is a problem!"

"Yeah, we know." Austin replies. "But how did you know? Never mind. I don't want to know. But what are we going to do?"

"And Kenji's mysteriously disappeared!" Trish adds. "Usually, he's always at the martial arts place! He's not there, and no one knows where he is!"

"He probably went to the airport to meet Hiro there when he arrives." I deduce. "But Kenji told me that he doesn't want to work for Hiro anymore! What if a conflict arises?"

"He could've been lying to you," Austin suggests, "after all, he thought you were head-over-heels in love with him. He's not a good guy! He might not tell the truth!"

"Okay, no need to get jealous." Trish says, laughing. "But it's a good point, he could still be working for Hiro."

"Hmm..." Dez mumbles, looking at his phone.

"What is it?" Austin asks.

"Well, John is apparently at the airport right now, no more than three feet away from Kenji." he says offhandedly.

"How do you know this?" I ask, immediately alert.

"Oh, I put trackers on them this morning." he replies. "They're hooked up to my phone, so I can see where they are."

"Seriously? So we can just go to the airport right now and find them?" Trish asks.

"Yeah, I guess." Dez replies.

Half an hour later, we're at the airport. John and Kenji are at baggage claim, so we decide to spy on them from a farther away baggage claim area. We can see them, but they can't see us unless they look for us.

"So Hiro's flight lands in ten minutes?" I ask.

"Yeah, they should announce it when it arrives." Dez replies.

I look over at John and Kenji. They're not really talking to each other, but they're standing together. They're definitely waiting for Hiro to arrive.

"So, what does Hiro look like?" Austin asks.

"I don't know," Dez admits, "but we'll probably notice if some creepy guy walks up to John and Kenji and starts talking to them. Keep an eye out for a creepy guy who looks like he could be named Hiro."

I roll my eyes but still look out for any "creepy guy who looks like he could be named Hiro".

"Guys! John and Kenji are talking!" Austin exclaims.

We all look over, but we can't tell what they're saying because of the volume in the airport. Miami doesn't have the biggest airport in the world, but it's still loud. Amid all the chatter, I hear a loudspeaker announcement in the distance.

"Flight 985 from Tokyo has landed."

I see Kenji and John perk up at the announcement and become more alert.

"Guys! Hiro's flight landed! Just now!" I say to my friends.

"I wonder how he even got security clearance..." Austin says. "Surely Japan and America both have strict security restrictions against him traveling!"

"Criminals, especially clever ones like Hiro, have their ways." Dez says.

I pull out my phone to type a quick email to Sergei telling him that Hiro's plane has landed. Might as well keep him updated.

"Look!" Dez calls, pointing into the crowd. "Is that Hiro?"

"Where?" Austin asks, looking around.

I jump up and down but I can't see anything because I'm so short!

"Over there! That guy! He's tall, has black hair..." Dez says.

"There!" Austin exclaims.

"Where?" I ask, still jumping around.

Instead of replying, he picks me up around the waist and lifts me up. I shriek a little but he holds me up so that I can see a bit better. I see a tall guy with black hair, but he walks away from baggage claim and doesn't even look over at Kenji and John. They're still standing there, looking around.

"Nope, that wasn't Hiro." Dez says.

All of a sudden, Kenji looks over in our direction and squints, looking. It barely takes me a second to realize that he's looking at me.

"Austin! Down!" I exclaim.

He puts me down on the ground. "What is it?"

"Kenji was looking over at me!" I exclaim.

"Did he see you?" Trish asks.

"I don't think so, but he was definitely trying to see if he recognized me." I reply. "We have to be careful so that he doesn't look back again."

"Guys! Is that Hiro?" Dez exclaims, pointing at another man in the crowd.

"I don't know, let's watch." I say.

We all watch the tall, sunglasses-wearing man in the crowd. He walks slowly and inconspicuously, and it would've been easy for Dez to miss him. The man walks over to the baggage claim area where Kenji and John are, but they don't see him. We watch as the man picks up a large black suitcase from baggage claim, walking over towards Kenji and John.

"That must be Hiro!" Trish exclaims.

Sure enough, the man walk over to Kenji and starts talking to him. John stands behind Kenji and shifts uncomfortably.

"I wonder what they're talking about." Austin says.

"I can go closer to eavesdrop," I suggest.

"No way!" he exclaims. "Hiro's a dangerous guy! You are not going to spy on him."

"Austin, you don't have to protect me." I tell him. "I'll be careful, I promise! And with airport security and everything, I'm not in any danger. Besides, they won't even see me!"

Before he can object, I run out into the crowd, careful not to get lost or seen. I settle on hiding behind a chair several feet away from Kenji, John, and Hiro. I can barely hear them, but it's better than nothing.

"I haven't seen you two in so long!" Hiro says. "Especially you, Kong! You should never have left Japan. Kenji, you must come back home soon."

It takes me a minute to realize that Kong is John.

"I will definitely go back home soon, boss." Kenji says. "I need to find a good time, though. You know I need money, and Austin Moon pays very well."

"Hiro, how do you know Kenji?" John asks.

"Kong, you had already left home and settled here in America when I found Kenji." Hiro explains. "He was only a small child when I found him. It was during that storm all those years ago. Do you remember? The winds were blowing and it was raining incredibly hard. Our men were seeking shelter when I found young Kenji bruised and battered outside. I am not usually very empathetic, but I could see that he had potential. Such a young child, but he survived this terrible storm. Barely. That's when I realized that we should take him in. Of course, I had no use for a child, but I knew that in the future, when he grew up, he would be of great use."

"I suppose you were right." John says, a little bitterly.

Why would John be bitter? Does he have something against Hiro? Probably, since he left Japan and then acted all uncomfortable when he arrived today.

"Of course." Hiro says. "Kenji is one of my most trusted and loyal. And you, Kong, are also a force to be reckoned with. Don't pretend you left your old life by coming to America. No matter what you do to get rid of your old self, someone from your past will come back for you. So be prepared."

John looks a little scared. What does Hiro mean? It seems like he knows that someone is after John, but who and why?

"Boss, what are you talking about?" Kenji interrupts. "Why would anyone be out to get Kong? I don't know him very well, but he seems very nice."

Hiro sighs. "Kenji, you are still young. Kong was one of our best criminal minds back when he still worked for me. By leaving Japan, he was not saving himself from our world. Many of our men back home are still angry about his leaving. Kong, everyone thinks you have betrayed us."

"But why would you leave Japan?" Kenji asks John. "Weren't you happy?"

"No," he replies sharply. "I was not happy. I don't particularly like violence, and although rewarding, my experience with Hiro and his men was also exhausting. I wanted to work in a more legitimate and trustworthy workforce."

I hold my breath. Will Hiro get mad? After all, John just insulted him to his face. Instead, though, Hiro laughs.

"Kong, I suppose that is your belief and no one can change that. I respect your brainpower and I respect your decisions, even if I do not agree with you. In the end, though, you're not to important to me. You're simply a former colleague who ran away."

"Hiro, I have to go." John interrupts. "I need to meet with Jimmy Starr. In case you didn't know, he's my business partner."

With that, John walks away, but Kenji and Hiro remain. As soon as John is out of sight, Hiro whispers to Kenji. I have to sneak closer to them to hear what he says, but I can still barely hear him.

"Kenji, can you do me a favor?"

"Sure, boss, what is it?" Kenji asks.

"Kong is no longer one of us. He is now one of them. The enemy. Potentially dangerous, as well. He knows all about me and about us. No matter how innocent he seems, he cannot be trusted. I must return to Japan in a few days. However, I will entrust you to eliminate him before he finds out too much."

Author's note: thanks for reading! Sorry again for the slow update, I'll try to write more soon but I really can't say how long it will take :/