"Your plan is risky," Yut-Lung said.

He and Eiji were sitting together on the backseat as Blanca drove the car through the night, headed to New York.

"All I need you to do is get me inside," Eiji said. "I know what to do."

Yut-Lung glanced at Eiji. "What if you're discovered?"

"It won't come to that. Dino expects me to be running, trying to hide from him. He's trying so hard to find me, he won't think to look under his own nose."

Yut-Lung glanced at him. "But what if?"

Eiji looked out the window. "If it comes to that… I'll die fighting."

It sounded like something Ash would say, and despite himself Eiji felt a bittersweet smile tug at his lips.

Yut-Lung looked at him. "You would really rather die?"

There was a cold resolve in Eiji's eyes. "Yes."

"But… What about Ash?"

Pain and sadness flickered into Eiji's eyes and he looked away. "Ash will understand."

He glanced up and saw Blanca's eyes watching him in the rearview mirror. Eiji looked away.

"He'll understand."

Yut-Lung ran his finger along the delicately crafted petals of his cherry blossom pin. He had underestimated Eiji before. He hadn't looked like much and that soft exterior was deceptive. He was well trained, Blanca had seen to that. More than that, he was smart and determined. Catching him wouldn't be easy. Holding on to him would be even harder.

Yut-Lung looked up as the car pulled to a stop. Blanca opened the door for him and Yut-Lung stepped out and looked at the unassuming restaurant located in the heart of Chinatown.

The door to the Chang Dai swung open and a woman looked up. Her customary greeting cut short when she saw who stood in the doorway. Yut-Lung's eyes flicked over her. Judging from the way she had stiffened she knew who she was. Yut-Lung recognized the resemblance between her and her brother. She was Nadia Wong.

Nadia set her hand down on the counter in front of a boy sitting on a barstool. He looked up at her and then followed her eyes to the door. His scowl deepened and he stood slowly.

The boy glanced at Nadia and she nodded, a confirmation of some silent and subtle communication between them.

Yut-Lung smiled. Despite ultimately being a traitor, Shorter had trained his gang well. To an outside observer, there was nothing about their interaction that would catch the eye.

The boy led Yut-Lung and Blanca into a private back room and shut the door behind them.

"You must be Sing Soo-Ling," Yut-Lung said.

Sing's eyes narrowed. "I am. You're Yut-Lung."

He seemed to remember his place and bowed low. "Mr. Lee."

Yut-Lung smiled. "Yut-Lung is fine. I trust you are the new leader of Shorter's gang."

Sing bit back his scowl and simply nodded.

"Good. I need four of your best men. Expert shooters."

Sing nodded. "You have them, Mr. L- Yut-Lung."

Yut-Lung could see the curiosity burning in his eyes but Sing didn't dare question a member of the Lee family, even if it was the lowliest one.

Sing Soo-Ling was smart. Yut-Lung would have to be delicate to keep from arousing his suspicion.

Yut-Lung brushed his hair behind his back and looked at Sing from beneath his long lashes. Sing held his ground with a glare. Yut-Lung smiled and turned to go.

"Thank you for your cooperation Sing Soo-Ling. And congratulations on your promotion. I trust you'll serve us better than the last."

There it was. A slight clenching of the jaw, a narrowing of the eye. Sing bowed to hide it but Yut-Lung had seen the rage in his eyes. He was loyal to Shorter. Sing would alert him to Yut-Lung's presence and that would pull Ash back to New York.

Yut-Lung turned to go and stopped when his eyes fell on two Japanese-English dictionaries on the table.

Yut-Lung couldn't believe his luck. Shorter had housed Eiji here. Not only was Sing still loyal to Shorter, he would be loyal to Eiji as well. After all, who couldn't be after meeting him?

Yut-Lung turned back and smiled smoothly at Sing. "Oh, I almost forgot to ask, Sing Soo-Ling. Send one of your men that speaks Japanese. I will need a translator."

Sing's eyes widened and Yut-Lung closed the door behind him.

Blanca helped him back into the car and they pulled away, leaving the restaurant behind them.

Yut-Lung felt Blanca's eyes on him and met his gaze.

Blanca studied him for a moment and then turned his eyes back to the road.

"Sing is loyal to Shorter," Yut-Lung said. "Sing will tell Shorter and Shorter will tell Ash. They'll save Eiji and my brothers won't suspect I had a hand in it."

Blanca nodded hesitantly.

"You don't think it will work?"

"No." Blanca looked at him and his eyes were sad. "I don't think your brothers will leave this up to you. They'll send their own men to make sure the job goes right. And you'll have no choice but to do your job… or turn against them."

Yut-Lung glared angrily out the window. "You would have me betray my brothers?"

Blanca spoke quietly, his eyes lowered. "No. I would not have you put yourself at risk."

Yut-Lung glared at him, judging Blanca's face. "Even if it means betraying Eiji?"

Blanca looked away. "I've made my choice."

He looked back and Yut-Lung was startled by the hint of tears in his eyes. "I will not lose you, Yut-Lung. I- I would do anything for you."

Yut-Lung looked away. "You will do as you are ordered to do, Blanca."

Blanca nodded and turned his eyes back to the road. "Yes, sir."

Yut-Lung kept his face neutral and poised but he couldn't help but glance at the assassin's face and wonder…