*************SO I DECIDED TO TRY CHARACTERS POV's SO THIS CHAPTER IS GING TO BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT! PLEASE READ, REVIEW, AND FOLLOW. THNX!**************

I kept on punching my punching bag over and over again in grief and frustration. I was try to pull myself together, but, I felt so incomplete. The two most valuable things in my life seemed to be snatched away from me. Was it God's way of testing me? Eriallia. Was it fate that we met? Was it destined that I would find you in that apartment? Was it destiny for me to love you? I punched the bag harder as I got lost in my thoughts. She's so beautiful. She's kind and sweet. A little emotional, but, one of the greatest people I have ever met. I was blessed to have her. I can't even stress how much I miss her. I miss her scent, the way she roll her eyes whenever I light a cigarette. I miss touching her soft skin. I miss holding her and sleeping next to her at night. I sure as hell miss pinning her down against her will and making love to her. The way she felt around me and moaned my name. Damn it. I can't believe I was so cold to her. Did she hat my guts? She probably did. She left the country. Practicing this form of fighting made me think about Sasayama. He introduced me to this SIlat form of martial arts. I had to sit down. I had been working out for almost 2 hours. Why would anyone do what they did to Sasayama? I don't get it. The only clue I have is a single picture and it's blurry as fuck. Damn it. I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and threw it over my head trying to cool myself off. I Sat on my couch and lit a cigarette. I closed my eyes as I inhaled and opened them as I exhaled. I couldn't believe my eyes. Was this really Sasayama or was it just his ghost? He was sitting on the opposite side of couch with his legs crossed and his usual cocky grin.

"Ko Buddy!"

"Sasayama?"

"Duh. Who else did you think I was?" Sasayama lit his cigarette. "Come on bro, snap out of it."

"I'm trying to."

"You're not trying hard enough." I laughed.

"What are you doing here?"

"Can't pay my buddy a visit?" I laughed again.

"You're-"

"Yea, I know." Sasayama up from the couch across from me and sat beside me. "Ko. You know you are my main guy and I want what's best for you. Don't let being an Enforcer get you down. It's not a bad job. You still get your pay and stuff, but, you have to make the best out of it." I knew he was right. Sasayama did that every day. He came into work with a positive attitude and always looking to have fun or just make good memories. He certainly cracked up the whole CID.

"Man Sasayama. You sure give great advice." Sasayama suddenly hit me against my head. "Oh! What the hell?"

"What the hell? What the hell is wrong with you bro? You really dumped sweetie pie Eri? Are you insane?" I knew he would be pissed about that. Sasayama had taken a liking to Eri. "I was sure you two were going to get married." Sasayama blew smoke out of his nose. "How are you going to fix this one Shinya?"

"I don't know. She went back to the states. I can't leave the country." If I could board a plane and chase her, I would. I didn't have the rights to do that. "I called her. She changed her number. I emailed her. No response." I threw my head back into the couch. "I really pissed her off."

"Yea. You did. But it was understandable why you did what you did KO. Remember that night we went to the strip club?" I couldn't believe my ears. Weren't we just talking about my girlfriend, well ex-girlfriend?

"Yea?"

"As I threw my singles at those sexy ladies, you didn't throw one. I asked you why you said you had someone at home who would gladly strip for you. Plus she cooks too." Both men laughed. "A women like that is hard to find. Especially for you KO. You're not the easiest guy to get along with at times. I guess some of that came from me. But, Eri stuck with you every step of the way. You guys never even argued."

"Yea, but, she's gone."

"Yea. For now, but, remember what she said. Eri said she loved Japan. It was like her second home land. Despite the crazy sibyl system. KO. You better get that girl back. If you don't, someone else is going to scoop her up and make her all theirs. Besides." Sasayama just finished his cigarette. "Who will give her a better orgasm than you?"

"Sasayama, you are a riot. You know that?"

"Hey, it's not my fault I got stuck with you two during a snow storm. I give you props though KO. The way you were making her scream that night-"

"Sasayama." I looked at my friend.

"What? I'm just saying. Good sex, good food, connection equals marriage. That's all I'm saying." I smiled at what he said. Soon enough I remembered that he was gone. It felt like I was talking to Sasayama in the flesh.

"How are though? Mitsuru?"

"You don't have to worry about me. I'm def. going to be ok. No doubt about that." I watched as Sasayama stood up from the couch. "You I'm worried about."

"I'll be ok. Thanks." I stood up from the couch facing Sasayama. He then hugged me.

"Hang in there bro. I'll be watching. Don't get too wrapped up in my case either." Wait! I forgot to ask him who killed him. While hugging Sasayama, I had closed my eyes and when I opened them, he was gone.

"Sasayama. Damn it." I cursed. I smiled at the conversation we both just had. Being dead didn't change Sasayama one bit. He was still himself. I threw on a shirt and walked out of the vast living room and made my way outside to the CID balcony. I needed a drink. Maybe scotch or whiskey. As I passed the bar, I saw Masaoka doing his usual drinking. He saw me walk in the room and immediately poured me a drink. I gladly accepted it.

"Care to join me outside pops?"

"Sure." We both walked outside and looked at the sun setting. Pops placed his drink on the glass table.

"How are you doing Ko?"

"I'm ok. What about yourself pops?"

"Never better. Alive and healthy. Right?"

"Right." I looked at the bench next to the flower bed and I had a flashback. I saw Eri. She was waiting here for me one day. She made me a bento. I was really impressed. It was so good. I remember her laying her head on my shoulder and her falling asleep. Little moments like that were honestly the best. Pops noticed that I spaced out.

"Thinking about Miss Renson? Huh?" How did he know? I nodded.

"Look Ko. Things happen for a reason. We may not know the reason now, but, eventually down the road. Those reasons may be revealed. I know you two love each other. Believe me Ko, I know you love her to death. Things will get better. This is just a test in the relationship."

"What if she doesn't come back to Japan?"

"Oh she will. Believe me. I have a gut feeling she will. But, if she doesn't come back. We're going to have to sneak you out of the country. Aren't we?" I laughed as I finished my glass of whiskey. Where did pops get this stuff from? It was different than many of the drinks we had today.

"Thanks pops. I mean it."

"No problem Kid. Just Trying to be of assistance."

I couldn't help but wonder, what was Eri doing back at home?

*********I KNOW THIS ONE WAS SHORT BUT THERE IS MORE TO COME! PLEASE READ AND REVIEW! FOLLOW AND FAVORITE! THANKS! ******************