Hello there. This isn't my first DOA fanfic, so to speak. . . Just the first one I'm intent on finishing. I'll admit it's different—but just give it a chance. Please review after reading!
Oh, and I don't own the Dead or Alive franchise or any affiliations with it, of course (are these disclaimers really necessary?).
Anyways, I hope you enjoy!
Chapter One:
"There is one thing that Jann Lee knows: a show-down between two truly powerful men is like an inferno! The heat that burns the soul and the scorching that says you are truly alive. . . What Jann Lee is really searching for is the elation, the heat, which comes from trading blows with one who is truly powerful. . ."
-Dead or Alive 4
The sun beat down fiercely upon the vast city of Hong Kong, China. Above the crowded streets, a lone fighter's cry of victory could be heard among the rooftops. He stood silently, basking in the sun, drenched in sweat, his arms stretched out on either side of him. The heat of the day was almost as satisfying as a well-fought bout with another man. . . Yet not quite as exciting.
Jann Lee sighed, opening his eyes to face the layout before him: speeding cars, a hectic disarray of people walking along the tight-knit sidewalks, and the hustle-and-bustle of another day in the city. How boring, he thought quietly to himself.
His mornings were always boring, though, in his opinion. Despite how hard he trained, his morning workout routines just weren't doing him justice anymore. The last miniscule fighting tournament he had competed in was around 4 months back, and ever since then, his life had been terribly repetitious. He hadn't gotten an invite to the 5th Dead or Alive fighting tournament yet, which he hoped would come soon. He had decided that the Dead or Alive tournaments were the only ones worth competing in nowadays, and he eagerly anticipated the next invitation to arrive. Perhaps the destruction of the DOATEC Tri-Tower during the last tournament had finally shut down the organization for good.
"Hope not," Jann Lee chuckled aloud as he resigned from his strenuous workout along the rooftop. He opened the door adjacent to the rooftop and climbed down the stairs that led to his expansive apartment. Thanks to the funds from both his job as a bouncer and his victories within China's petty fighting competitions throughout the country, he'd been able to afford a luxurious suite on the top floor. He smiled, believing that his parents—had he known them—would have been very proud of a 20-year-old who already owned both his car and home.
Jann headed to the shower, stripping along the way and tossing his used sweatpants into his laundry room and discarding the bandages along his hands and feet into the trash bin. But before he could reach the bathroom, the chime of his cell phone broke the silence in the apartment.
As Jann retrieved the vibrating annoyance from his bedroom, he read the name flashing along the screen: Leifang. Of course, he thought grimly, with a roll of his eyes. He tossed the phone back on the bed, deciding not to answer, and proceeded to the shower.
By the time 7 o'clock rolled around, Jann hadn't accomplished much throughout the day. Leifang had left him several voicemails and text messages, saying she was 'in the mood to party' and that 'he'd better be ready for a surprise tonight'. Avoiding her claims, he'd occupied himself by reading his book, taking a nap, and following up with his afternoon workout in his personal gym. As he tied on his black necktie for work, he sighed heavily.
"This shit's getting old," he told himself morosely.
He wasn't sure what he was missing in his life, but Jann Lee knew that there was certainly a void being neglected. The only thing he had to look forward to tonight was the hope that a couple of jack asses at the club would go at it and he could intervene. He hadn't seen (or been in, for that matter) a good fight in awhile.
It was then that it occurred to Jann Lee that he was absolutely yearning to fight someone. Not just anyone, though—someone worthy. Maybe then he would be satisfied.
Jann definitely felt the urge to battle another man. The feeling just wasn't the same when he sparred against Lei, or even during the last Dead or Alive tournament when he was unexpectedly matched up against Hitomi. Although both girls were skilled martial artists, the vigor just wasn't as fervent as the times he'd gone against competitors like Zack, the wild American boxer, and Ryu, the supposed 'Super Ninja'.
"Hmph." Jann scoffed to himself as he grabbed his jacket and slung it over his shoulder. Still lost in thought, he headed out the door.
Jann Lee's inner dragon was craving a fight. Craving it bad.
*-*-*-*
Tonight was slow. Jann had seen a few drunks enter the building that looked a bit promising, but no fights had broken out yet. He was utterly bored, leaning his back against the wall behind him, when he saw a familiar flash of yellow pull into the club's parking lot in front of the main entrance.
"Great," Jann Lee sighed, instantly recognizing Leifang's car.
Ignoring the painted red line on the gravel and the large white lettering that read 'No Parking Zone', Leifang exited her vehicle and skipped toward where Jann Lee stood.
Jann smirked as Leifang approached the nightclub, clad in a flashy top, torn jeans, and fiery-red heels. He flinched as he noticed every detail of her outfit, deciding in his head whether or not the colors clashed or corresponded—although he had to admit that Leifang always had a thing for fashion—rather than tracing her curves and gawking at the suppleness of her breasts. He convinced himself that he was simply a well-mannered gentleman. That was all.
"Woah there," Jann Lee said as Leifang reached the club's entrance. "Pay up, Lei. No freebie's tonight; I don't have time to drag you and your friends outta here again. My boss has been on my ass after your little performance last time."
Leifang giggled, as if her tacky bar-fight with a couple of American tourists a couple weekends back amused her. "I'm not here to stay, Lee. You're coming out with us!"
Jann raised a dark eyebrow in confusion. "Us?"
Out of Leifang's flashy yellow car emerged Hitomi, a young German girl who had competed in the last two Dead or Alive tournaments. She jogged up the steps toward where Jann Lee and Leifang stood, her big blue eyes glimmering in the moonlight. Jann couldn't help but crack a smile as she approached them—he had a soft spot for the girl; she was somewhat of a little sister to him.
"Come on, Lee!" Hitomi's voice rang as she flashed him a smile, placing her hands on her hips. She was only a couple years younger than both he and Leifang, but she seemed so innocent—even her clothing was conservative. "Lei promised me a fun night, and it won't be complete with you!"
Jann chuckled. "Is that right?"
"Oh, come on, don't be a hard ass! It's already getting late." She pleaded as Lei nodded in agreement.
"Nah, not this time; Friday's are my busiest nights, and—"
"Pleeeease?" Hitomi interrupted, flashing him her irresistible, child-like smile. "It's not every weekend that you get to see me."
Jann Lee melted in her hands. "Oh, all right. Just for you, 'Tomi. I'll drive around front."
Jann didn't miss the jealous glare Leifang shot Hitomi as the two of them headed back to her car. Despite this, he headed into the club and clocked out; he hadn't missed a day at work in over 3 months, so he knew that his boss wouldn't mind if he took the night off. Soon he was in his shadow-black sports car, pulling up next to Lei's vehicle in the front parking lot. Before he could roll down the window to ask her what the plans were, the passenger door opened.
"Hey."
Whatever the reason was, Jann Lee suddenly felt his nerves heighten now that Hayate was strapping in his seatbelt next to him. He guessed that the night would have been a whole lot easier with another guy to pal around with, but he'd always been slightly intimidated by the karate-master turned ninja, which was a difficult realization to accept. Instinctively, he scanned the other man's features—his soft, shimmering hair, his chiseled chest, his classy attire—and compared them all to himself. Jann concluded that they both looked pretty damn good tonight, flinching once more as this realization occurred.
"We'll meet you downtown, guys!" Lei called from her car as she sped away, breaking Jann Lee's train of thought.
"Sounds good," Hayate called back, pressing the button to roll up his window. Through the tinted glass, everything was darkened. He turned back to Jann now, as he was unable to see out the window. "Man, Leifang sure is something else, huh?"
"You're telling me," Jann said quickly, trying to convey exactly why he'd suddenly become so nervous with Hayate in the car. His palms were sweaty as he directed the steering wheel across the crowded highway. He detested small talk, but he tried his best: "What brings you to Hong Kong?"
"You, evidently." Hayate laughed. Jann felt his stomach wrench as he deciphered more than one meaning behind that sentence.
"Oh yeah?" Jann questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Ha, yeah. . . I was actually visiting 'Tomi back in Germany, but she convinced me to head this way to pay you and Lei a visit as well."
"Nice," was all Jann Lee could conjure up. "Well, I'm glad you guys came down. It'll be nice to have another designated driver so that I don't have to leave my car in some random parking lot tonight when I take Lei home."
Jann smiled in relief as Hayate laughed at his weak attempt at a joke. "Yeah, these girls know how to party. I'm just hoping that Hitomi can control herself—she usually tries to screw me when she gets wasted. It's annoying."
"Sounds like it," Jann agreed, slightly bothered as he gave in to his brotherly instincts whilst picturing his dear Hitomi trying to engage in any sort of sexual activity with some random, undeserving guy. "Be careful with her, Hayate—she's a good kid."
"Er, call me Ein."
Jann turned to look at his passenger, an obviously confused expression painted along his face. "Didn't you only go by that name when—"
"It's a long story," Ein inserted quickly, cutting Jann off. "Hitomi doesn't know any of the details. As far as she's concerned, I have my own dojo running in Japan."
"And not doubling as a ninja," Jann chuckled lightly. "How do you manage to have her fooled?"
Ein returned Jann's confused look from earlier. "I thought I'd been fooling everyone," he said quietly.
"Hardly," Jann scoffed. It was easier for him to talk now that the conversation was a little more interesting, though he still felt cautious. "I know all about the dirty work that DOATEC has played out over the years."
"You're very observant," Ein commented with a dark chuckle. "It's very difficult living like this—having to lie to both my family and friends. Sometimes, I don't know who I really am."
"That's deep," Jann replied.
"Yeah."
Now the conversation was getting a bit awkward. He'd never seen Hayate—well, Ein—as anything more than a worthy rival back at the Dead or Alive tournaments. He now briefly considered the turmoil running amuck in the poor guy's mind. . . It was almost a little too heartfelt for Jann's taste. He wasn't much of the sentimental type.
Thankfully, the downtown nightlife burst over the horizon in an escapade of bright lights and tall buildings, freeing Jann Lee from the petty conversation with Ein. He spotted Leifang's bright yellow car zigzagging throughout the darkness, and he guessed that the two girls already had alcohol on board. Tonight was sure to be a little crazy. Maybe some perverts from the club would try to snatch up Lei or 'Tomi, and Jann would get his fight after all. . .
By the time Jann Lee had pulled in his car next to Lei's in an underground parking lot, it was evident that both girls had already had their share of drinks. Hitomi staggered out of the car, giggling happily when Ein had to literally catch her before she fell onto the gravel.
"Ah, 'Tomi! Watch where you're walking, please." Ein's voice was authoritative, which pleased Jann. He must be just as used to Hitomi's erratic behavior as Jann was with Lei.
"Looks like we won't be having much to drink tonight," Jann said to Ein with a laugh as Lei interlocked her arm with Hitomi's and skipped ahead toward the elevator doors that lead to the club's ground level.
"True." Ein's answer was short, and Jann guessed that he was still lost in his whirlwind of thoughts from the car.
Ein's mood change was still palpable as the group entered the nightclub, and Jann felt a bit uneasy. This wasn't like either of them to be so stiff—Jann knew that both he and Ein weren't feeling themselves tonight. Perhaps some alcohol would lessen the tension.
Leifang and Hitomi immediately responded to the music that was booming within the building and they both headed out toward the dance floor, hand-in-hand.
"Great." Ein said grimly, folding his arms across his chest. "Now we both look like queers or pathetic guys with uncontrollable girlfriends; which would you rather be?"
Jann didn't think as he answered shortly, "Definitely queers. I wouldn't be caught dead with a girl like Lei. Care for a drink?"
Ein laughed slightly—strangely, Jann noted—as he agreed and headed to the bar with his companion. Ein approached the bar and coolly ordered his favorite beverage—Jann wondered if Ein knew just how captivated the bartender was by his charm. She shooed away the bill of cash that he attempted to hand her, saying that the handsome men drank free. The girl was surprisingly attractive; a little too pretty for this part of town. Ein didn't seem at all interested, though, as he flashed her an appreciative yet unwilling grin, now turning to face the dance floor in search of the girls.
"What did you mean a minute ago? You know, when you said that you wouldn't be caught dead with a girl like Lei?" Ein's question caught Jann off guard as he sat back against the bar, sipping his drink without much enthusiasm. Ein mirrored his action, and then looked at him with an unreadable expression. "She's not your type or what?"
Jann pondered this question for a moment, taking a few more sips before answering: "It's not that. She's just so . . . feisty? I don't really quite know how to put it." His eyes scanned the dance floor, spotting Lei and Hitomi within the mass of people, their bodies entwined against one another as they moved to the music. "She's hot; don't get me wrong—I guess I'm just not into the whole party scene as much as she is."
"Same here," Ein replied, his tone soft. "You know, it honestly pisses me off when Hitomi acts like this. I go out of my way to see her, and this is all I ever get. I've been away from home almost a week now, and she's been drunk 5 of those 7 days—pathetic."
Jann Lee stayed quiet for a second and took a long sip of his drink. He disliked how Ein spoke of Hitomi in such a derogatory manner, but he kept in mind that Ein was most likely on a similar level as himself and Lei—perhaps even the same level, he realized.
"Does she get all fucked up and try to impress you by doing slutty things?" Jann's words were a blatant slur, mainly because he hadn't thought before speaking. He was definitely starting to feel like himself again. Alcohol does wonders, he chuckled to himself.
"Exactly!" Ein breathed, as if he was grateful that someone truly understood his struggle. "I know 'Tomi only does it because I kissed her once when she was like this—she wouldn't get the hell off of me—but girls like that are annoying. It's rather disgusting if you ask me."
Jann compared Hitomi's explained behavior to Leifang's, and added spitefully, "I know what you mean. Lei does that shit all the time—if she's not trying to fight me, she's trying to dry-hump me, and neither motive is impressive. She just—"
"Tries too hard?" Ein asked briskly, although it was more of a statement than a question, finishing Jann's sentence. They turned to each other then, a glimmer of understanding flashing in each man's eye. Ein raised his glass, then, and said with a chuckle:
"A toast to self-control!"
"And classy women," Jann added, clicking his glass with Ein's.
They both took another sip, smiling slightly at one another as the flashing club lights danced around them.
*-*-*-*
It was nearing two in the morning, and Jann was just about sick of babysitting Hitomi and Leifang. Even Ein had had a couple more drinks, and although he wasn't completely distant, his hardened mood from earlier tonight had faded into a more subtle attitude. It was evident that he could care less about the girls tonight.
Jann had finally gathered up Lei and Hitomi when an upbeat dance song began vibrating through the new nightclub that the group had recently decided to visit. Lei instantly rushed back toward the dance floor, pulling Hitomi's arm, but Jann pulled them both back in a swift gesture.
"C'mon—we're leaving!" he ordered, tugging the girls to his side in an attempt to strain them.
"Just one more dance, Lee!" Hitomi beckoned, flailing herself about as she tried to break free from Jann's iron grip.
"Yeah!" Lei agreed, smiling up at her captor. "We'll all dance to this last one! You haven't danced all night."
"No, Lei; we're getting you all home. I shouldn't have let you convince me to come out tonight." Jann responded, his tone angry, as he pondered exactly how he was going to manage getting the girls home safely. He refused to let them both crash at his place.
"Just this last one!" begged Hitomi. "It's my favorite song."
"You've said that about every other song tonight, 'Tomi." Jann retorted, growing more impatient. He tightened his grip around each of the girls and called out to Ein: "Hey man, a little help here?"
Ein chuckled lightly and shook his head as he took Hitomi out from under Jann's right arm. "C'mon, Lee. One more dance won't hurt." He said briskly—almost seductively, with the slur from the alcohol—as he let Hitomi go.
"Oh, now you've done it," sighed Jann, now letting Leifang loose as well. The two girls laughed and interlocked arms before taking a joint sip from a leftover martini. "Now we won't be out of here for another hour." Jann began to nurse his beer once again in frustration.
"Nonsense," Ein whispered back, giving his counterpart a wink. "Watch this—Hitomi?"
"Yes?"Hitomi whirled around to face Ein, a smile broadened across her face. She almost toppled over in the process, and Ein caught her once again. She seemed to smile even brighter once in his grasp.
Ein flashed a brilliant smile. "Lee and I will dance with you guys, but afterward, we're going home. You need your rest."
"Oh, good!" Lei and Hitomi cried out in unison.
Though the original song that had riled the girls up was over, Leifang and Hitomi grabbed hold of their designated dance partners and dragged them onto the dance floor. Jann had to give it to Ein once again—like the bartender at the first nightclub, he had charmed Hitomi into doing what he'd wanted, without even trying.
The club looked much more appealing from this angle—the lights danced along the walls and upon the faces of the number of people moving to the music. Leifang maneuvered her way in front of Jann Lee, pressing her hips against his crotch and moving them rhythmically along with the beat of the song. Jann awkwardly attempted to move his hips in correspondence with hers, although he had to admit that he'd never been much of a dancer. He looked up at Ein and Hitomi, hoping to gain a few pointers. . .
Only, the two of them seemed to be in an entirely different world. Perhaps it was the alcohol blurring up his vision, but Jann couldn't help but keep his eyes on Ein and Hitomi as they danced vigorously upon one another, their bodies moving rapidly against each other in an utterly sexual demeanor. Rather than dancing back against Ein, Hitomi was facing frontward, grinding against his body intensely, and tossing her hair back as if she were actually engaging in intercourse. Gone were the brotherly instincts he'd had earlier tonight.
Ein's face was focused, yet all too distant. He wasn't' enjoying himself as much as Hitomi seemed to be, but his body movements could have fooled anyone. He mechanically thrust his hips against Hitomi's responding pelvic writhes, sliding his large hand to the small of her back, as if he yearned for more. Jann smiled pleasantly to himself as he realized that it was all just a façade Ein put forth to please Hitomi, similar to the mask his own mask that he wore around Lei.
As the rhythm of the song grew more rapid, Leifang and Hitomi caught sight of one another and began to pull the group closer together. Lei and Hitomi began thrusting themselves against each other, and although Jann had to admit that their movements were quite arousing, his attention was entirely on Ein as he move forward as well. Soon, Jann Lee and Ein were nearly face to face, with only the two interlocking bodies blocking their way.
Suddenly, Jann's inner dragon was calling out. Was there about to be a fight?
Jann Lee scanned the room as he felt his stomach wrench in every direction, becoming more anxious; eager.
He remembered his conclusion from today—that his urge for the heat of battle had been the missing piece of the puzzle. Now that same feeling returned, and he searched closely for the opponent that he was sure to encounter shortly. Maybe tonight wasn't a waste after all, Jann smirked within himself. C'mon, where the hell are you?
Instantly, a blaze of heat touched Jann's arm. Here we go! He chimed.
But when his eyes looked up to find his attacker, Jann Lee was locked in Ein's rock-hard gaze. In his peripheral vision, Jann could make out the form of Ein's hand brushing against his arm. . . He just was unsure why it felt so painstakingly hot. He recognized the heat from a previous bout between the two men in the last Dead or Alive tournament, but why was this occurring now, here on the dance floor?
Jann broke through his reverie and realized just how close he and Ein were now. Though Lei and Hitomi were still between them, their bodies were so close-knit together than Jann could feel Ein's heat from where he stood. He glanced quickly at Ein's hand as it continued to move upward along his arm, but as he noticed the mind-blowing contortions of Hitomi's body as she moved upward from the dance floor along Ein's form, he was merely supporting himself by using Jann's arm. Although the touch was nothing to worry about, it still didn't explain the vigorous burn that radiated from Ein's body.
It took everything inside Jann Lee not to press himself against Ein's warmth. Too weird, Jann told himself, still trying to fight off his urges to feed his craving. He honestly couldn't decide if he wanted to be closer to Ein or if he wanted to fight him. The flame was all too fervent inside him.
Suddenly, Ein's cool voice broke through Jann's silent internal argument.
"Lee, you okay? You look like you're burning up."
Jann stifled a laugh as he shook his head. "We just need to get the hell outta here."
Ein nodded in response, taking his hand from Jann's skin and using it to slow down Hitomi's motions. "C'mon, 'Tomi—we gotta go."
Hitomi didn't put up a fight, and merely flung herself into Ein's arms all-too willingly. The gesture made Jann flinch. He was too preoccupied with his present fever—or was it Ein's?—to worry about Hitomi's current inability to walk in a straight line.
Lei turned to face Jann now, smiling shyly. "Thanks for the dance," she cooed.
"No problem, Lei. Now let's get you guys home."
The four exited the club and walked out into the downtown streets, which were still teeming with life. As they neared the parking lot containing him and Lei's cars, Jann could still feel the heat from the dance floor radiating off Ein's skin. Perhaps it was all in his head—his dragon seemed to be being quite an asshole tonight after learning that there wasn't any action earlier.
"How are we doing this, Lee?" Ein asked as they approached the two vehicles, now practically carrying the girls in their arms.
"Follow me in my car," Jann answered gruffly, tossing Ein his keys. "Lei's place is a good ways away from mine—it'd be best for me to make sure that you guys make it back there in one piece."
Ein nodded as Jann proceeded to unlock Leifang's car with the keys she'd given him earlier tonight. Neither girl seemed to be anywhere close to conscious as the two men placed them gently in the backseat, strapping them in after doing so.
"See you in a bit," Jann called out to Ein as he took his place in the driver's seat of the bright yellow automobile. "Be careful with my baby, alright? She's a classy lady!"
Ein chuckled as he revved up the engine of Jann's car. Soon the downtown lights faded as both sets of wheels headed back toward the heart of the sleeping city. . .
*-*-*-*
Jann Lee and Ein had done a halfway decent job of tucking Hitomi and Leifang into bed, and now they stood quietly outside Leifang's apartment in the darkened corridor.
"Thanks for tonight. It was interesting. . . To say the least." Ein said with a laugh. He looked at Jann now, who was sweating up a storm. "But, are you sure you're okay? You look like you're running a fever or something."
"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine." Jann Lee said curtly, wiping the sweat from his brow. "It's just really late. . . I'm all partied out. I'll see you tomorrow or something, okay?"
Jann attempted to walk toward the elevators, but a swell of heat swept over him, and he stumbled, grasping the wall for support. He tried his hardest to remember if someone had slipped something in his drink earlier tonight, or if he was still burning up from Ein's warmth. As Ein whisked to Jann's side, helping him stand upright, Jann suddenly felt on fire. He immediately realized it was Ein that was doing this to him. Despite whether or not it was still in his head, he knew that Ein was the trigger to his massive fever—a fever he evidently couldn't sweat out.
He liked this.
It was numbing him—similar to the blows from an opponent in a match.
Spectacular, Jann thought with a twisted smile.
"Lee, I think I better drive you home. You don't look well at all."
Anything to keep this up, Jann decided.
"I get to drive," he told Ein with a grunt.
Ein smiled, laughing. "Whatever you say, Lee."
Whether it was Ein's irresistible charm that won him over, or if it was the promise of a good sparring partner in the morning, Jann was unsure. Despite what was occurring within his subconscious mind—his dragon—he smiled back at Ein as they headed downstairs toward his car.
Although Jann Lee's inner dragon was craving a fight, it found gratification merely from Ein's presence. . . And he smiled as he realized this. This fever was no ordinary one—it was satisfying, enticing even. Every part of Jann's being reacted to it, both physical and mental.
Whatever was happening to him, Ein was playing a major role, and the result was sure to be interesting.
*-*-*-*