**I do not own Tekken. :")
xiaojin: Hey, thanks for the reviews, you're a real confidence booster! As for your question in the previous chapter, Jin isn't attending the said university. So when he said Miharu didn't want Xiao to get in trouble, he meant Xiao should head to her class instead of coming along with him outside the campus. :)
Chapter 3 : One word, Two meanings, Three people
Xiaoyu knew Hwoarang well enough to know that he's not going to approach him over the next few days or weeks if she doesn't do anything. That afternoon, she decided to walk her way to G Corporation to see him.
"Well, if it isn't little Xiao!" greeted the tower-tall masked man.
"King!" she chimed, jumping to reach him for a high five.
"I thought I'd never see you again! And you've… Well, actually… you haven't grown at all…"
Xiaoyu gave a disappointed look but then bounced back to her lively self as she asked him what he was doing at the company.
"I signed up for the next tournament, the Final Iron Fist they say. Bruce told me and Marduk last night. We couldn't dare miss it! Hell, those tournaments are just part of our lives now!" he explained.
This gave Xiaoyu a shock. She remembered clearly how Hwoarang told her he's never going to sponsor any fighting tournaments in his lifetime. 'What in the world just happened?' she asked herself.
"Aren't you here for the same reason, lass?" he asked.
"Oh, well not really… But I might join as well!" she replied. "Got to go get my documents ready then, King! It was nice to see you again!" Xiaoyu rushed her way to Hwoarang's office, feeling both angry and confused. She hated the idea of fighting ever since she was little. She only joined because Heihachi bribed her with the idea of her own amusement park; she was young and naïve back then! The succeeding tournaments were merely because of Jin, though. And now that Jin seems pretty normal to her, she knew she has to put an end to this stupidity.
"Hwoarang!" she stormed in his office.
"I'm guessing you heard the news…" He concluded, flipping a pen between his fingers.
"I thought you wanted the Mishima legacy to be over? What is wrong with you?"
"I haven't known just yet…, maybe after this I will."
"What? Just stop it already!"
"You stop this! I am so—"before he could continue to speak, someone barged in the room.
"Heya guys!" Asuka showed up.
"Oh great, another Kazama to 'brighten' my day." He sarcastically said.
"Shut up, brat! I'm just here because I heard about the next Iron Fist!" Asuka replied. "I'm in, got it?"
"Yeah, yeah… Just leave me alone and get your papers ready as usual." Hwoarang shooed her. "And take this kid with ya!"
Xiaoyu glared at him for a while and stomped her feet hard as she left the room, leaving Asuka surprised at their little throw down.
"Well, that's quite an act" she mumbled, leaning her hips on his table as her back faced him.
"I suggest you do the same and let me be" he muttered.
"Say, is this because of my cousin being back in Japan?"
"No! This has nothing to do with that bastard! Why would I be affected if he's back in her life? Like I even—" again he was cut off.
"Oh, so that's about him as well. I was actually asking about the tournament, but if you wanna talk about that; fine by me!"
"What? Just shut up!"
"Stop throwing your temper at me, jerk! I'm trying to figure out this calamity you're starting!"
"Whatever"
"So, let me get this straight. You're jealous of Jin"
"As if"
"Because you actually like Xiaoyu"
"She's just a sister"
"And that's what you thought, but your feelings have gone deeper"
"No"
"So now you want her for yourself. Thus, knowing Jin will not enter any tournament of yours, you made sure to bet everything you gained!"
"Your point is?"
"You want to defeat Jin to please Xiaoyu!"
"Look, defeating Kazama has always been part of my goal so stop questioning my decisions!"
"But this time you actually have something to fight for. Though, I do wonder, is it really just jealousy or are you scared he'll take everything away from you?"
"I'm confident with my own strength. I've already defeated his family, including you, and so he's going to be next."
"It's not the strength you have, Hwoarang. Looking at her, it's obvious that Jin is irreplaceable in her heart. Defeating him won't change that."
"Like Isaid, I have no idea what you're trying to prove here."
"I just think it's best to admit your feelings and let Xiaoyu choose who she wants to spend forever with. Having her to yourself when she's longing for another won't satisfy you in any way possible."
Asuka left after her deep remark and shut the door close. It made him think, whether or not what she said was true. It could be, seeing as how attached he had become to her over the past few years. What if she was right? Was he scared of losing everything? What was even there to be scared of? He was happy before he won the tournament and he had always been happy without the wealth and power. He was friends with her back then as well, so what changed? Is it the fact that his rival left without a trace so he actually had her for himself for once? Possibly. But one thing's for sure, he doesn't want to let go of her.
Hwoarang stood up as he finally realized some stuff. He made up his mind and took his leave. It took him ten minutes to reach Xiaoyu's place. The doorbell rang twice before Miharu opened the door for him.
"Hwoarang" she greeted. "If you're looking for Xiaoyu, she's inside her room."
"Thanks, Miharu." He replied as he marched his way onto her room. "Hey, it's Hwoarang. Mind if I come in?" he knocked twice then waited for a response.
"Come in" she replied.
Hwoarang quickly opened the door and closed it behind him. He gazed at her for a moment, pondering upon his newly discovered feelings.
"Well?" Xiaoyu asked as she raised a brow at him.
"Oh, right… Well, I just wanted to tell you that I will continue sponsoring the Iron Fist Tournament whether you approve of it or not. But before you conclude to anything, I'm not trying to be Heihachi, using people to satisfy me with their sufferings. I just wanted this to be a way to settle things. And if I'm not mistaken, I know he'll agree to my decision."
"Listen, I don't really understand your purpose and from which point of view you're looking, but I'm pretty sure you're just being the old braggart you've been. So stop this nonsense! And Jin won't agree to that, he has his own life to think about! He's normal now and I want him to stay that way!"
"So what? So he can be closer to you? So he could feed your little dreams of him at night?"
"Just… Leave! I don't want to see or talk to the Hwoarang in front of me!"
"Fine. Go be merry with your worthless bastard!"
Hwoarang slammed the door open as he made his way out. That wasn't the talk he had in mind. He was supposed to make amends, not start another argument with her. He knew he was jealous of how Xiaoyu loved the other man even after being left for so many times. He had always been there for her so why be with Jin instead of him? He never did anything to hurt her, till now. Questions invaded Hwoarang's mind, a lot of feelings mixed up. He never knew having affections could actually blow one's peaceful head. He headed to the Dojo to throw a few punches and sweat. He needed an outlet, a release of all the unwanted thoughts that's been driving him crazy.
"Easy, child, you won't kill the good old punching bag even with that strength" Marshall Law commented as he let out a soft smile.
"Marshall" he addressed.
"I don't know if I am allowed to say this, but you should sort your head some time soon. Holding another Iron Fist Tournament won't be easy for you, lad. I have no idea about your reasons, but you've already helped a lot of people in so many ways. Suppose you don't win this game and someone else with other motives takes on your place, what would happen with the changes you've made?"
Marshall Law proved a good point, one that never occurred to him. "I understand, thank you for giving me a piece of your mind." He smiled at the elder fellow and nodded as he left. A minute after, his phone rang. He checked who it was, planning to ignore the phone till he read the name.
"Xiaoyu" he whispered as he answered the call.
"Hey, I just… wanted to apologize earlier."
"It's fine, I understand why you're mad."
"No, just let me finish."
"Alright, go on."
"I don't really understand what's gotten into you recently. I know Jin is the reason behind your schemes, but please don't do this. I'm not asking you to turn this down just because I don't want Jin to fight anymore. I don't want you to go back to the arena, Hwoarang. I don't want to worry about every battle you take and wonder if you're coming back alive! Even though we're not blood related and I'm not legally your little sister, I'm your family and you know that! You're irreplaceable as my older brother. Nothing and no one can change that!"
"I've heard that word two times today, from two different people but definition related to only one. Funny how one can be irreplaceable to love… and the other merely irreplaceable as family."
