Chong watched Alain leave. He remembered. Hora hung on his tongue like a word waiting to be growled. He could taste it.

None of the Lotus where afraid to show their face. In their own shop. Let him know. For when he sees them on the streets, he will look the other way.

He put his hand on Ami's shoulder as she started to move away. It wasn't the type of hold that said stay, it was the kind that said, I'm here, and Ami relaxed as visibly as she would allow.

Ami may be clueless, as Mistress's Orders, but even Ami felt the change in the air. Chong loved that feel. And with the looks, smiles, grins, on the others. He could tell they liked it also.

"I will take you for noodles tonight Ami. Just us. My treat, what do you say?"

"Don't worry" he tightened his hand on her shoulder before he thought she would take off. He jerked his head towards the stairwell up.

"Hao, go." Their eyes met as Hao nodded sharply and was off. The rest of the Guys seemed to be busy discussing a few rings and a odd shaped looking club with "Wirt's" tag in kanji. It seemed to bring them a few chuckles.

"of course I will Ami. I will wait for you."

He let his hand ease from her shoulder, wondering out of character if it had been to much of a grip. Ami looked completely terrified, or something close to it.

That was when there was the sudden exchange of brotherly blows started. No telling what started it. Even though it was obvious no ones feelings or honor where seriously injured, Chong didn't think this was the place. Over the counter he went with the rest of the young men, shoving them out the front door as two of them tried to out grapple the other. The encouraging barbs and cheers from the rest of them didn't help.