Manako's death was almost like a climax in an ever intensifying world for Cole. He felt like he carried both the biggest blessings and yet the biggest curses as well. Lately though, things somehow had settled. Stephano wasn't on his ass, and for the first time in awhile he felt a little freedom. His freedom was further indicated by the smoking rear tires on his Silvia, caused by recent drift matchup that he just narrowly won. It wasn't for the mob, and it wasn't for huge money, it really was just for fun.

These were the nights he missed, and the times he craved to have back. He found himself wishing that all the crazy jobs he'd undertaken and all his responsibilities would just vanish, and he could go back to being that weekend racer from humble beginnings. His attention was planted on the drivers and cars surrounding him, standing next to his own S15.

One thing muscle cars were good at, was drifting. And although Dom's matte black Dodge wasn't exactly known or set up to be the king slider, this was him at the wheel. He could make john deer tractor powerslide through a corner.

He wasn't really sure why he was going to this race, especially since it was just him and Mia in the passenger seat, maybe he felt that they needed to keep living high in order to distract the mob situation, or maybe he just really missed this sort of thing and was absorbing it all back in.

"You know, nothing here has really changed over those five years." He said to Mia as he backed the charger neatly into a space near some Japanese cars.

She smirked at his words, he was so right. Everything was the same, nothing changed. There was also one thing that would never change and that was to always be by her brother´s side in or out the races.

The charger came to a stop and she took a moment to take a quick glance at the japanese cars. "Home sweet home.." she started to say and before stepping out of the car she turn to see her brother who seemed debating whether to get out or stay where he was "Ready?"

Ryo was driving down a two lane road so he could get to the race to find someone. As he drove down the road slowly looking for the meeting place he noticed lights coming from a parking garage. That must be the place he thought to himself as he pulled the white Mitsubishi into the parking garage. He drove looking for a space to park. When he did he pulled in and turned the car off and got out. He walking around looking for this particular person. As he walked around he noticed he was getting stares but kept walking. When some a young man around the age of 25 walked up to Ryo with a group and said "Hey old man the retirement home is two blocks away . so leave here and you wont get hurt."



Ryo looked at the boy and laughed "You think your so bad thinking you can drift with a crap Japanese car that the Americans rebuilt. If you think you can drift then lets go." Ryo smiled. This aggravated the guy and without thinking said "your on, old man" Ryo laughed harder. As the guy stormed off to get his car mumbling under his breath. Ryo walked back to the Mitsubishi, got in and said "Lets win this race."

Ryo pulled up to the race line with the Mitsubishi and every onlooker some of them laughing and others just shaking thier head.The other driver was driving a S13. the Race director stood between them and looked at Ryo smiled and shook his head. He raised his arms and counted down "3... 2... 1... GO!!"

as his Arms dropped Ryo floored it. As he sped down the short straight coming up on the first turn he heel-toed shifted into the right turn drifting it. He then sped down another short straight into long u-turn. he then said to himself I feel like a smoke. While still into the u-turn he then takes his hand off the wheel and goes into his pocket shirt and pulls out a cigarette and lights it as he opens the ash tray. he put his hand back on the wheel to take the next turn a sharp right into a sharp left. Ryo drifts into both turns with an Inertia drift. he looked into his rear view mirror and noticed the S13 hit a pillar with his rear and spun out. Ryo smiled as he crossed the finish line. He stopped the car and got out of it. he noticed everyone had their mouths open in shock. he just shrugged it off and parked the car and stood by it.

Dom took a bit of a pause in the driver's seat of the charger before finally nodding at his sister and gracefully sliding out of it. "You're sure enthusiastic tonight." He chuckled and joined her at her side. It wasn't common that she came off as excited for race nights as he did. Probably it was just out gratitude for returning to old times....seemingly.

They walked slowly along the row until a white evo caught Dom's eye, sliding with precision across what he guessed was the finish line. When he eventually saw the driver of the evo, he was caught a little by surprise. The instance almost reminded him of Han.

"Impressive." Dom nodded as they walked by the white lancer.

Since he couldn't really find anything better to do, Cole watched a race from start to finish between two cars he thought pretty highly of, an evo and a late model silvia. Both drivers had talent, but in the end the driver of that evo was unbelievably good. His style reminded him a little of...Manako's.

His eyes followed the Mitsu as it reentered the lot and parked not far from him. He casually walked up to see the driver for himself. As he got to the car, his attention was suddenly pulled from the evo to the two people standing next to it. One was just a big dude he didn't recognize right away. But the other was the lady from the mob dinner, he was sure of it. The one that had something out for Brian. Damn, he didn't need Stephano to find out he was here. He simply stood there for a second not exactly sure what to do.

Ryo stood at next to the Evo when heavy built guy walks up and compliments his driving. Ryo looked a him, smiled and said "That was nothing try driving Japan's mountain passes everyday to make deliveries." he looked around before asking "Also can you help me I'm looking for a young man named Cole Peyton. I need to speak to him."

She stood by Dom´s side listening to the small conversation both men had until the stranger in front of her mentioned Cole´s name. "I know the kid," she began to say. She couldn´t help but wonder what Cole got himself into. "Is there a particular reason you´re looking for him?" If Cole worked for Stephano and her uncle knew he was here... she left the sentence unfinished waiting for a reply to her question. Cole had to be here...

Ryo smiled and said "Well yes in fact you may have heard about a japan native who came here and began making a name for himself as the "Best R34 Diver to hit the streets". Well when he got here he made a friend and his name was Cole. Well that Native from Japan as my son." then he paused a bit before continuing "and to thank him i got him present." He looked a Mia and asked "So Mrs.__?"

"Toretto," she smiled to the man. "Yes, I remember..." That day at the Luna Azure when she sat at the table and joined her uncle, she spotted Cole and a japanese guy next to Cole but didn´t give much thought nor did she spoke to him just argue but with Cole once she stepped out of the Italian restaurant.

Dom himself had no idea who this 'Cole Peyton' was, but apparently Mia did so he just let her do the talking. He shot the Oriental guy a curious glance as he gave his story. A present to this guy just for being a friend of his son's? Of course with the way his brain worked, he automatically thought mafia was somehow tied to this, especially since Mia apparently knew him. "Where do you know him from?" He whispered to Mia as he kept his eyes forward.

Cole was crouched behind an Integra parked next to the Evo as he listened to the ensuing conversation. To his shock his name came up almost right away. The brunette's response basically confirmed that is was her...what was her name? Mia was it? He tried hard to remember. His expression drastically changed as the foreigner talked about his son, who could be none other than Manako. Was he seriously here to give him a gift? Seemed pretty steep, he hoped that his dad wasn't here because he actually blamed Cole for his death. Who knows what story he heard.

Nonetheless, he was always one to take the bull by the horns, so this would be no exception. He emerged from the Integra and joined the three of them by the Evo. "I would be Cole." He said not really sure what to say, he kept one eye on Mia and the other on the Asian.

Ryo looked at the blonde headed kid who walked up to him sayng he was Cole. Ryo looked him over and smiled "So your Cole. Come with me we need to talk. So hope in the Mitsubishi we need to go somewhere more private." As Ryo opened the door to the Mitsubishi and sat in it.

"Long story" she answered quickly when Dom questioned her about how the hell she knew Cole. Indeed, it was a long story, a story she couldn´t even think of at the moment. Out of nowhere Cole appeared from where he was hidden to face the japanese man. It all seemed strange... where was this man´s son? What the hell was going on?

Cole's eyes grew suspicious and darted around a bit for any sign of Stephano. A stranger asking him to hop in and have a talk...If only he had a nickle for every time that happened in the recent past. Finally he brisked past Mia and the guy next to her to head towards the passenger seat of the evo. If this guy really was Manako's dad, he had no idea to conduct himself, skilled in foreign relations he was not.

So for now he simply pretended he didn't hear who he was. "To say I'm curious would be an understatement." He said as he slide into the seat, taking another glance at Mia from the car.

"Very well." Dom looked around them a bit and was further surprised when a blonde guy emerged out of nowhere, saying he was the man in question. His eyes kept trained on him as he walked by them. The situation was odd to say the least, something that made his take a mental note to have a word with him next time he saw him.

"Is he tied with this mob by chance?" He voiced his suspicion to his sister.

Ryo started up the car and drove out of the parking lot. As he drove out he turned toward the part of LA with the most turns and less straights which was the hills of LA near the Hollywood sign. As Ryo drifted around parts of the narrow roads. Ryo began to talk as he drifted pass some cliff faces "So Cole my name is Ryo Sora and i have a surprise for you." As Ryo drifted into a parking lot overlooking the Hollywood sign. He parked the car and turned it off. He got out and walked in front of the car and sat on the hood waiting for Cole to join him.

Cole was expected a tame ride down to wherever they were going, but he was incredibly wrong. This guy must've been from the D1 GP or something, effortlessly and gracefully whipping the back of the car around to make nice trails of tire smoke behind them, it was impressive.

"A surprise eh? You know you never introduced yourself." He said with a bit of a laugh as he got out of the car and and made his way to the front.

Ryo laughed with Cole before saying "Like I said in the car my name is Ryo Sora and I'm Manako Sora's father. Well the reason I brought you out here was for a 3 other reasons. Reason number one to thank you because the time Manako was out here he told me about you and how you befriended him and gave him a run for his money. Reason two a week before his death Manako wanted to Thank you for your friendship himself but well..." then Ryo looked up at the night sky before continuing "So I decided to bring your present with me and we are sitting on it." Ryo smiled at Cole and waited for his reaction before going to Reason three.

He got the name he was looking for, Manako. His expression went dark in remorse. "Very sorry about your son." He said quietly and looked down at his feet. "I couldn't imagine being in your position."

Cole had to hold back some emotion as he talked about Manako, it was still hard even today. He gave a bit of a questioning look at Ryo until he finally got it. He was giving him this evo? At Manako's request? Wow, what a gesture. "If anything, I should be the one giving you a gift." He said as he looked back at the car. "Much thanks though, you know my tastes." He grinned.