Chapter III: The First Strike
A/N: Sorry for the delay. I had finals, and even though this fic's already been finished on paper, I never had the time to type up the chapters and store them. Plus, my laptop was taken from me, so I'll have to use my dad's until further notice-and be very discreet about it, too(glances furtively around). And of course, I don't own Tekken.
Afternoon, two days later
Hwoarang was in Baek's study, placing a call. Asuka's imperious voice drifted over to him through the open window overlooking the yard, where his friend Hayner Adams was attempting to teach her the basics of basketball. Judging by her snappy retorts, the lesson was not going all that well.
If she ain't the very definition of the word 'klutz', then I don't know what is, Hwoarang thought, his ear pressed to the phone. Come on Lei, pick up, pick up...Whatever Lei was doing, he should have been back by now. For the tenth time running, Hwoarang got his voicemail, left an angry message, and hung up, swearing. He checked the phone book and dialled Interpol HQ Seoul's number, but the lady who answered was blunt and unco-operative. He then decided to call Baek. The call went through.
" Hello?" he began tentatively. He heard something in response, but it was largely muffled by a steady whir of static. For some reason, the phone lines were acting up; it just wasn't the day for long-distance calls to the US. He eventually gave up, replacing the phone with a slam, muttering, " What a piece of crap!"
"Hey."
He looked up. Hayner had just entered the room, looking furtively over his shoulder.
"I just got away from her. Look, I dunno what's cooking up between you and her and the Interpol guy, but I need to know if you're still on for tomorrow night."
Hwoarang groaned. How had it slipped his mind? A friend of Hayner's father, a wealthy Korean-American businessman called William Dae-Kim, was hosting a party at his summer residence in Seoul. Baek, and by association Hwoarang, had received invitations a week ago. But Baek was still away on business, and Hwoarang relished the opportunity to run loose, for once. Hayner had told him that there would be plenty of foreigners in attendance, mostly Americans, but he'd also said that the party was a ' formal thing' and the females 'sophisticated.'
" Yeah, I'm still game," Hwoarang said," but there better be no dress-code, 'cuz I sure as hell ain't gonna be going in a tux!"
"Well, not exactly a dress-code, but if you don't want them to give you the 'look', then you gotta wear some sort of jacket... Your pants shouldn't be hanging low, and you'd best leave out the goggles."
"Damn, what is this, an old ladies' tea party?!"
Hayner laughed. " What are we gonna do about the kid? Do you think we should just sneak out and leave her here?"
"Where are you planning to go?" The boys looked around, and there was Asuka, standing at the doorway, wearing her trademark scowl.
"Nowhere," they replied simultaneously. Miraculously, she did not pursue the subject, but continued in a different tone," Hey, I just noticed that black motorbike in the shed. Could you-"
"No!" Hwoarang instantly flared. " I might have gotten that thing for a hundred bucks at a garage sale, but it's still a Ural motorbike. No joyrides for you. Period."
He was very adamant about that bike. It did not begin to match up to Baek's but it was a start. Unfortunately, Baek would have strongly disapproved, so he'd had to stash it in the tool shed.
"C'mmon, don't be a spoilsport!" Asuka whined.
"Go on, Rang," Hayner chimed in." Just a five minute spin round the block." He leaned forward and whispered to him." Seriously, bro, anymore whining and my eardrums'll pop."
"Fine, but you take her," Hwoarang finally huffed. " And if I see so much as a dust particle on my bike, then I'm kicking your ass back to the US. And you'd have to pay me a hundred bucks, plus interest, so we'll be calling it an even two grand!"
Hayner grinned."Fair enough."
XXXXXXX
Hwoarang was in the garage inspecting his bike for damage when he saw Lei walking up the front path leading to the house.Finally! He waited until Lei had paused in front of the door, then walked up to him. " Hey, Lei."
Lei made no indication that he'd heard. He seemed lost in thought.
"Um, Earth to Lei, do you read me?"
Lei's head snapped back." Oh, hello, sorry about that." He did not smile.
"Well, what's the dope on the Brat Case?"
"Nothing much..." He did not meet Hwoarang's searching gaze.
"C'mmon Lei, own up! You can't lie to a compulsive liar and not get busted." He did not consider himself a 'compulsive liar', but Baek certainly did.
"I've got nothing, kid, not on this one, but what I know for a fact is that another martial artist went MIA last night, a lot closer to home this time. A Tae Kwan Do champion, an acquaintance of Baek's. I'm not looking forward to telling him." He sighed, rubbing his temples. He looked pale and drawn." I'll just hit the shower and grab a mug of coffee, then I'll be off again. Can't afford downtime." He made to enter the house.
"Whoa, whoa," Hwoarang began, planting himself in Lei's way. " How long are you gonna be gone?I can't babysit much longer; I got a party to hit tomorrow night!"
"Well, Rang, the only party you're gonna be hitting anytime soon is a pajama party in this house, I can promise you that. Now if you'll excuse me,I really don't have time."
Hwoarang did not budge. Lei getting blunt and impatient meant that something was waaay off." You know, I think someone should go check on Baek, 'cuz you sure as hell seem to be channelling his spirit, or something."
Lei's face split into a grin for the first time. " Thanks for pointing that out. For a second there, I thought I was about to lose my soul." Hwoarang grinned back. " Yeah, you're absolutely right," Lei continued in a much warmer tone." I did say you'd have to watch her for only two days. It's not fair for you, no..." he paused, looking thoughtful." Hey, tell you what. Maybe we can work something out. That party you were talking about,Baek's a no-show, right? So then, you can take Asuka instead and I'll talk to Lana, get her to send a couple of guys to stake out the place while you're there, for Asuka's security."
"Cool, but you're still hiding stuff from me," Hwoarang said knowingly.
XXXXXXX
Baek Do San Residence ,next evening, 8:00 pm
"We're gonna be late," Hwoarang said irritably. He was all set for the evening, having dispensed with his goggles and treated his hair to some gel to make it less unruly. Hayner looked equally unhappy, in a dress shirt, jacket and slacks that had initially elicited a gale of laughter from his Korean friend. They were waiting for Hayner's sister Helen to finish up with Asuka, whom Hwoarang had refused to take along until she'd swapped her tomboyish outfit for something more appropriate. When the two girls finally came down, both boys gasped.
Asuka not only resembled a girl now; she was practically a princess. Her periwinkle blue dress shimmered(Helen had sprinkled silver glitter all over it), she wore silver slippers, and had a blue hairband studded with false diamonds in her hair.
"Damn, talk about before and after pictures," Hwoarang muttered.
Hayner was less discreet. " What did you do to her, sis?!" he cried. " She looks like an Asian version of Cinderella!"
Asuka clenched her fists. By the time she had finished retaliating, Hayner was forced to wear his Ray Bans, in order to conceal his newly acquired black-eye.
XXXXXXX
William Dae-Kim Mansion, 8:30 p.m.
Hwoarang had never seen such luxury. He took one look at the reception hall, with its huge crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, its marble floor, fine silk drapings and lavish furnishings inlaid with gold, and considered making a hasty exit. It was all so unfamiliar: The sweet scent of canna lilies and roses, the band on the raised platform, playing their slow, soothing, melancholic music, the guests, in their designer dresses and suits, milling about, the gold fountain that sprayed bystanders with champagne instead of water, and the immaculately dressed waiters serving refreshments and waiting on the guests as if they were acting their parts in a well-rehearsed movie. Hwoarang suddenly felt giddy, even as Hayner handed him a glass of champagne to try. Beside them, Asuka's eyes were as wide as saucers, and Hwoarang knew she was wishing for eight other pairs of eyes.
Hayner suddenly nudged him. "Look!" A girl was coming their way, seeming to glide, her long mane of platonic blonde hair flying behind her. She was wearing a curiously-cut, white satin dress and a string of pearls around her neck.
" ' Ello," she said, coming to a stop in front of Hwoarang, directing her words to him, completely ignoring Hayner and Asuka. " You must be zat 'Orang boy, ze famous one."
"And what was your first clue?" Her accent irritated him. She was most probably French.
She seemed to discern his disparaging tone. " Za awful red 'air, of course," she said dispassionately.
"Yeah, well at least I'm not the one wearing a pillowcase for a dress."
Hayner snickered beside him. The girl gave him a withering look. "And you are?"
"Oh, just a shadow in the background called Hayner. Don't mind me."
"Pleasure," she said drily." I'm Emily Roquefort." She seemed to be expecting the name to have a huge impact on the boys. She was gravely mistaken.
Hwoarang feigned disbelief." I'm sorry, are you telling us you're Paris Hilton's half-sister?"
"More like her illegitimate daughter," Hayner quipped. Both boys burst into laughter, and even Asuka had to join in at the sight of the blonde's mortified expression.
Emily Roquefort finally seemed to notice the younger girl. " And you must be 'is little sister," she said , nodding at Hwoarang.
"Eeeeewww!" Asuka wailed.
Hwoarang winced." Geez, if you think all Asians look the same, then you sure as hell need to get your head examined."
"Won't do her any good," Hayner said." She's a hopeless case of 'dumb blonde'" The boys laughed some more and exchanged high-fives. When they had turned back to look, Emily Roquefort had already glided off, arm-in-arm with a tall, dark-haired boy.
Hwoarang glanced at Asuka. She was still glaring after Emily, insulted at being ignored and mistaken for his younger sister.
"Drop it, okay?" he told her," but seriously, I wonder what a girl like her's doing at a party for Americans and Koreans. Got lost on her way to see the MonaLisa?"
"Her father owns half the oil-fields in the world, if you must know," a female voice said from behind. " Big fish for an American businessman like Mr William Dae-Kim."
They whirled around. A teenage girl was sitting at a small table two feet away, tan and curvy, clad in a simple black dress, her brown hair tumbling past her shoulders.
"Did you think we were related too?" Asuka asked her, desperately needing a second opinion.
"Of course not, honey. You two have very dissimilar features. Would it be too much to ask the three of you to keep me company? It's getting a tad too dull here."
"Sure!" Asuka said, grinning, taking an instant liking to the girl and dropping into the seat beside her. Hwoarang and Hayner followed suit.
"Finally, someone who doesn't have sh-, dung, for brains, haven't met anyone like that in,like, forever," Hwoarang began. He had been about to say 'shit', but caught himself just in time. He had a feeling it wouldn't register well with the girl.
The girl smiled." Well maybe you've been looking in all the wrong places, Rang. I'm Julia Chang by the way."
Hwoarang opened his mouth to reply, then abruptly closed it as the name hit home. He stared at her.
She smiled at his discomfort. " That's right, Rang, and there's no need to apologise or anything, I'm sure you didn't have time to consider my letter. Answering fanmail can be such a stressful career..."
Hwoarang smirked, finding his voice." You stalker! You came all the way here to interview me about the effects of LDF? I don't think so!"
She smiled yet again-a natural response, not a mechanical one." Trust me, Rang. My interest in you is purely professional. I've dated my fair share of bad boys, and never one who was two years younger than me, like you are. I'm here with my mother and some others. Mother's an executive at EcoField, the company that does the reforestation projects and researches alternate energy resources back in the States. She's hoping to bring Mr Dae-Kim on board one of her projects, to finance it, but fat chance, with oil tycoons around." She frowned in Emily's general direction.
"Hang on," Hwoarang said." You said in your letter that your mom was a university researcher. She's a company executive in her spare-time?"
Julia chuckled." Actually it's the other way around." She then proceeded to ask Hayner and Asuka about themselves. Hwoarang watched her, noticing her tanned complexion. " Are you Latino?" he finally asked.
She dissolved into fits of laughter." Oookay," she began when she'd sobered up. " Geography's definitely not your top subject."
"I never said it was. But it's Biology that's totally lost on me."
"Well, that's unfortunate. Biology happens to be my best subject. But that doesn't mean we won't be getting along."
"Your best subject? Wow, I mean sure, you're not wearing fur coats like those chicks over there, but I didn't figure you were the bookwormy, nature-girl type. Just your mom. Something's missing..."
"Maybe because I've ditched my glasses for now. I'm wearing my contacts."
"Oh..." As the conversation unfolded, Hwoarang realised how different this girl was.Flexible, resilient, all sarcasm rolling right off her back. Maybe 'cuz she's older,he thought.
"Whom do you think Mr Dae-Kim would prefer to do business with?" Julia asked. "Will greed make him pick Roquefort, or will his conscience lead him to Mother?"
"Er, I think a little something called 'sanity' would force him to choose door number three..."
Julia smiled." You're clever, in a really funny way. Some people might take it the wrong way though."
"Well I guess it's just their luck. The question is: are you one of those people?"
She laughed. " I should hope not! We all know that a girl should be thick-skinned when it comes down to that kind of thing, otherwise, she's gonna end up going gray way before her time."
He smirked. " Well I sure hope you don't go down that road."
"Me too.."
They suddenly heard a high pitched cry. Looking around, they saw Emily Roquefort sitting at a nearby table, drenched in champagne, the waiter responsible for the spill apologising profusely.
Hwoarang instinctively looked at Asuka. Her face was just as blank as it had been that other one time. He seized her shoulders and pulled her up." 'Scuse us, guys. We gotta sort something out." Asuka snapped back to reality as he steered her away.
"What happened?"
"Don't you play dumb with me!" Hwoarang hissed. " I know what you did to the French girl!"
"I didn't do anything!"
"Sure you didn't," he huffed." Now look here, you need to start getting a grip on yourself. You don't punish people with your powers for every tiny thing they do to you, 'cuz if you do, then somewhere down the line someone's gonna start asking a lot of questions, and then what?"
"I don't know what you're talking about!" she cried. She looked quite frightening as she glared at him. He was unaffected.
"Go ahead, then, strike me down with lightning or whatever! Won't change the fact that you're a freak of nature... And maybe Lei should have stashed you in an asylum, in a strait jacket!"
The last vestiges of strength and defiance faded from her eyes. She took off, wailing, and disappeared amidst the crowd of revellers.
XXXXXXX
Hwoarang was in too foul a mood to make it back to the table. He wandered aimlessly about, until the sight of the least expected person in the world stopped him dead in his tracks. Lana Lang, Lei Wulong's longtime superior, was sitting in a dark corner, dressed in a black chiffon dress, one long,shapely leg crossed over the other.
"Hello, Hwoarang," she greeted." Long time no see..."
"What the- what are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be sending in two guys for surveillance!"
"There's been a change in plan," she replied, toying with her drink." We've stationed a whole squadron of Tekken Force soldiers around the perimeter."
"Tekken Force?"
"The Mishima Zaibatsu's peace corps."
The name stirred a distant memory in his mind.The Mishima Zaibatsu were intending to use LDF in their chemical warfare...
"How could you be working with them? They're bad guys!" he was outraged.
She looked at him coldly." Hardly. You've been listening to Lei's conspiracy theories. The Zaibatsu has been leasing the Tekken Force to our Anti Terrorist Force ever since-"
"-you kicked Lei off it."
" -ever since the Tekken Force was established-sixteen years ago"
"And why would you need the ATF to surround this place?"
"Because... this case has become our top priority."
" Hey, Rang!" It was Hayner, looking concerned. " What kept you? And where's Asuka? I saw her run off-"
"What's this?" Lana said sharply. " You don't have the Kazama girl?!" she demanded of Hayner. Then she looked at Hwoarang and the expression on her face was murderous.
"Well..." Hwoarang began, taking a step back, alarmed. " She's off sulking somewhere..."
"You let her out of your sight?! You fool!" there was an edge of controlled hysteria in Lana's voice as she abruptly stood up, upsetting her glass. " You damn fool!"
As if on cue, a sudden violent explosion rocked the mansion. All hell broke loose...
XXXXXXX
A/N: Sorry for the extremely lengthy update. I've taken some artistic liberties: Lily is Hwo's age and Julia is 2 years older. Also, I'm not too sure I got Julia right.But that doesn't matter because I actually want her to be interesting for a change. Anyway, like I've said, I've finished writing this fic ; yes Julia has a big part to play, that's why I made her slightly older, and no, Lily is not a major character, I just used her as a comic relief, in fact, this whole chapter was basically comic relief; nothing serious happened until the end, which was of course... a cliffhanger. Oh, and I'm sorry about the lack of Baek for now, but don't worry, he'll get his part...