"I still don't think this is a good idea," Eiji said, his voice quiet. "Blanca is smart, manipulative. If he says this man wants to meet with you, it's probably a trap."

"Probably," Ash agreed.

Eiji looked at him and then to the front door doubtfully. Ash grabbed Eiji's hand and squeezed gently.

"It'll be okay. Shorter and I will protect you."

Eiji looked at Ash and nodded.

The door opened as they walked up and they entered the house. They had scoped the place out before setting foot on the grounds. As agreed, there were no guards or gang members skulking about. So far, Blanca had been true to his word, but the night was young.

Ash stepped forward, his hands tucked casually in his pockets and Eiji eyed the spot where Ash had concealed the gun in his waistband. The youngest brother of the Lee gang descended the stairs to meet them.

Ash's expression was cold and hard but Eiji could only stare, awestruck.

The man was so beautiful he might have been a woman. His silky, black hair was pulled back with a white, cherry blossom pin and his robes were a dark, midnight blue with a silver dragon winding its way across the fabric towards a silken moon.

"Ash Lynx, thank you for coming," Yut-Lung said, bowing. Even his voice was soft and beautiful.

Eiji blushed when Yut-Lung felt him staring and looked over to meet his gaze.

Yut Lung looked back to Ash. "I would rather have this conversation in private. Your friend can wait in the foyer if he wishes."

Eiji glanced at Ash nervously.

Ash shook his head. "He stays with me."

A slight tension in Yut-Lung's jaw was all that revealed his displeasure. He smiled gracefully and nodded. "Very well. Shorter Wong, as you are a member of the Lee gangs, I trust you won't give me any trouble about waiting outside?"

Shorter scowled but bowed and stepped towards the door. Ash watched him go. Shorter had been alone with Blanca the whole ride here, but it would be okay. Ash trusted his friend.

Shorter's eyes met his briefly and he looked away, closing the door behind him.

"Does your friend speak English?" Yut-Lung said, sitting down.

"No," Ash said.

"I'm afraid I don't know Japanese," Yut-Lung said. "I suppose you will have to translate." He looked annoyed at the thought.

Ash sat down in an armchair. Eiji hesitated but then took his lead, sitting on a couch near Ash.

"I assume Blanca told you who he is?" Ash asked.

Yut-Lung's gaze fell on Eiji. "A lost pet, from what I hear." He looked at Ash and smiled. "You're quite brave to take in the mafia's stray."

Ash smiled. "A little leverage is invaluable these days. And there's a wealth of information in that kid's head, if I ever decide to crack it open."

Yut-Lung looked from Ash to Eiji curiously.

Excluded from the conversation, Eiji had taken one of the cakes from the tea tray and was nibbling on it tentatively. At the pause, he looked up and seemed startled to find their eyes on him.

Yut-Lung ran his fingers through his hair thoughtfully. "He really has no idea what we're saying, does he?"

"Not a clue," Ash answered. "Can get kind of annoying sometimes, if I'm being honest. But he's not the reason you asked me to come, is he?"

Yut-Lung shook his head and his eyes fixed back on Ash. "Your actions in New York have caught my attention. We heard about the hit on Golzine's complex."

Ash leaned back in his chair. "Everyone seems to think that was me."

"And yet no one can prove it," Yut-Lung said. There was a hint of begrudging admiration in his eyes. "You hit one of the biggest mafia dons in the business and left no trace."

Yut-Lung picked up the delicate, china teapot and poured an amber liquid into three identical cups. He offered one to Ash. "A special blend from China."

Ash raised an eyebrow.

Yut-Lung shrugged and smiled, setting the tea down in front of him. He leaned back and took a sip from his own cup.

Ash studied the amber liquid suspiciously and then stood. Yut-Lung jolted with surprise as Ash pulled the cup out of his hands and replaced it with the cup he had given Ash.

Ash handed Yut-Lung's cup of tea to Eiji and then sat down and took the third cup from the table.

Yut-Lung smiled and shook his head. "You're very mistrustful. I knew I liked you."

He smiled and raised the cup, draining every drop.

Ash smiled and drank after him.

Eiji watched both of them nervously but when nothing happened he relaxed and tried a sip of the tea.

The tea slid smoothly across his tongue, strong and rich, with no trace of bitterness. He closed his eyes as he melted into aroma heaven. It was the best tea he had ever had and before he had noticed, he had drained the entire cup.

Yut-Lung smiled and poured Eiji more tea. "I'm glad you like it so much. This one is my favorite too."

Eiji smiled shyly and took the second cup.

Yut-Lung smiled at him, the slight hint of makeup on his face highlighting his eyes in a lovely contrast. Eiji felt his heart flutter. He really was beautiful.

"So what did you want to see me for?" Ash asked, turning Yut-Lung's attention back to him.

"There is an item I wish to procure," Yut-Lung said. "But as far as I'm aware, there's only one man on the planet who has it."

"Let me guess," Ash said. "Golzine."

Yut-Lung didn't answer. "This item would be very valuable to me. I am willing to pay you a lot of money for its safe delivery."

"What is it?"

Yut-Lung glanced up at him, his soft eyes keen and watchful. "Have you ever heard of Banana Fish?"

Ash stared at him, confused. "No, what is it?"

Yut-Lung glanced at the Japanese boy sitting across from him, but Eiji hadn't reacted either. He seemed more focused on fishing a loose tea leaf out of his cup.

Yut-Lung sighed and leaned back in his chair, disappointed. He had hoped Ash Lynx would have had more information, or better yet, the drug itself. "It's the code word for a drug," Yut-Lung replied.

Ash scoffed, "You should change the name. A code word should be something forgettable. Maria or Black Bird, Schoolboy, Scorpion, or something like that. Who could ever forget 'Banana Fish'? It's far too weird and memorable."

"I wasn't the one who named it," Yut-Lung said. "If I wanted to keep something secret, it would be much better disguised."

"Oh yeah? Well then who-"

Their voices faded out. Eiji was trying to pay attention but his mind kept wandering. He felt so comfortable and sleepy. He leaned over and rested his head against the side of the couch, trying to keep his eyes focused on Ash, watching his lips form words, but it was exhausting trying to translate that foreign language.

Eiji blinked heavily as he nodded off. He slumped over on the couch, asleep, and the cup slipped out of his hand and shattered on the floor.

Ash turned at the sound.

It took Ash only a second to realize his mistake. He dropped the tea but it was too late.

Yut-Lung looked at Ash without expression.

Ash stumbled back against the table, reeling. He reached for his gun but his limbs were heavy and slow. His legs gave out from under him and he crashed to the floor.

At the sound of the crash, Shorter burst into the room, gun drawn.

"Shorter…" Ash croaked.

"Stand down," Yut-Lung said.

Shorter looked at Yut-Lung and lowered his gun doubtfully. He glanced at Eiji, slumped limply on the couch then looked at Ash. His eyes steeled and he grit his teeth.

Ash's head sank to the ground, too heavy to hold up anymore as the strong, pleasant scent of tea dragged him down into the darkness.