Chapter 4: Another day, Another situation

The day had generally went through fairly ordinary. This was an unusual time where he decided he would take the day off. Well, Jung had influenced him to do so, more or less, much to his own annoyance. He never liked people telling him what to do, but he decided that he could possibly benefit from taking a day away from all the stress of running a gang. It was a lot of work.

Sometimes, he didn't really consider how he spent his time, but it always was the same. It always came down to the same conclusion. Not matter how much money they made, he could never find enough money to pay for that botched deal. It was simply impossible.

Hwoarang decided that maybe some fresh air would clear his mind. He put on his jacket and headed outside. He looked at his bike, but changed his mind. Maybe the walk would get him some exercise.

As he mulled over various thoughts he realized that he hadn't heard from Julia since their meeting at the headquarters. Her job was probably running her dry. Besides, after the way they abruptly "ended" their relationship after the third tournament, it was likely that she would want anything to do with him.

Hwoarang paused when he reached the dojo. He peered inside, but it was completely empty. He hadn't planned on training but he figured that maybe he'd get a head start. The next tournament could possibly be only a few months away and unfortunately he had very little time to train since the last.

The bag hung still in the middle of the dojo. He kicked it a few times and swung back to him continuously, until it began to swing back to him in a fairly predictable rhythm. But he lacked the strength and precision he used to have. He punched the bag with his fist in frustration.

"I'm not focused."

But he resolved not to give up. That was one thing that he had remembered from his master's harsh training lessons. He continued kicking the bag with a fury of quick combinations and variations. It felt good to him, to finally get back into combat. When he thought of the next tournament and another chance to finally face Jin Kazama, his blood boiled. He'd be ready.

Before he knew it, it was evening and he barely knew where the time went. He sat on the floor of the dojo, panting. His phone started to vibrate. He pulled out his phone and looked at the screen. The number was from the BTHQ. They would probably ask him to come in; he knew a day of would be too good to be true.

"What is it?" He spoke into the receiver.

"Hwoarang, you need to come over right away. We have a situation."

Hwoarang's eyes widened.

"I'll be right over."

He stood onto his feet and rushed out the door, breaking out into a sprint. What could that situation be about? He took a turn into an alleyway where one of the senior members of the Talons was waiting for him.

"What is it? What happened?"

"We had another intruder."

"Intruder?"

Hwoarang followed the official into a back office and towards Hwoarang's office.

"He did a lot of damage."

When the official pushed open the door, it was a complete disaster. Everything was torn apart. Papers were all over the floor. Furniture was turned over. It was as if a tornado had hit the room. Hwoarang surveyed the damage silently, his rage beginning to steadily increase.

"This is exactly the way we found it" The senior member spoke again. "The strange thing was, there wasn't any sign of forced entry."

"Who did this?" Hwoarang spoke, trying to keep his anger under control. Some other members of the Blood Talons stood at the doorway. Jung stood ahead of the rest.

"Was anybody here?"

Everyone was silent for a few moments. The Jung finally spoke up.

"I saw the guy."

Hwoarang remained silent, permitting Jung to continue.

"I confronted him… in the alleyway. I wasn't any match for the guy. I asked what he wanted, and he said he wanted to see you and that you owed him something."

Hwoarang was a bit taken back and the other members looked at him oddly. He then recovered swiftly.

"I want more security. I want a report filed on this ASAP. The rest of you can start cleaning the damage in the warehouse."

The members slowly dispersed. He stooped to the ground. He felt someone still behind him.

"Hwoarang? You sure you don't need any help?" Jung asked.

"I'll be fine."

Hwoarang heard the door shut behind him.

He shifted through the papers and decided to see what if anything was missing. He couldn't understand. Did Bryan really think he would really keep the money in his office? What was Bryan really after?

As these questions whirled in Hwoarang's mind, his phone vibrated yet again. Not recognizing the number, he placed the phone to his ear slowly.

"Hello?"

"Hwoarang?" a female voice asked.

"Yeah." It wasn't that he wasn't happy to hear from her; it was just that he had too many other things on his mind. "Jules this actually isn't the best time…"

"Is something wrong?"

Hwoarang hesitated. He fixed his turned over chair and sat in it.

"Shouldn't you be asleep?"

"I can't sleep I've been having nightmares

"About your…"

He heard her make a sound like a sob, but it was restrained.

"I miss her," she softly spoke her voice wavering. He hardly had the words to say. She had always been sensitive with regards to her mother's disappearance but she never could actually tell him what happened.

"Oh."

He shifted in his seat.

"It's like" she began again, as if trying to clarify herself. "You see yourself over and over again. And you pray, you wish things can be different."

Hwoarang was silent. It was almost like she was reading his mind. He stood up from his chair and began to scoop pick up papers and re-file them.

"What about you Hwoa? Do you ever have dreams like that?"

Hwoarang made a sound that sounded like a scoff. Hearing that she was silently waiting for an answer, he breathed deeply and spoke:

"I think everyone wishes that things can be different. But what else do we have but what's in front of us?"

Hwoarang paused, as if trying to convince himself. They were both in thought thinking about things they had done and the places where they had been. Julia finally broke the silence.

"You know what, Hwoarang? I've always admired you."

"Really? Why?"

"You just seem so care-free."

Hwoarang tried to restrain himself from laughing. Instead he came back in sarcastic tone. "If you don't think I got my own crap, you're mistaken. I just try not to care about anything anymore."

"Hmm.," Julia replied as if considering the thought. "Is there anything you want to talk about?"

"No."

"Are you sure? You still didn't tell me what happened tonight."

"It's not you're concern."

"I'm making it my concern."

Hwoarang sat back in his chair. He hated it when she was pushy. She hadn't changed a bit. He also knew that she always had a way of getting things out of him. She would keep pushing and pushing until he finally he'd break. Hwoarang sighed in exasperation.

"If you must know, my HQ was totally trashed tonight!"

"Really, by who?"

Hwoarang hesitated again. But since he had gone this far, he might as well at least give her a name.

"Bryan Fury."

"I remember that name. Didn't he die in a shoot-out a couple of years back."

Hwoarang shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"Wait a minute! That's it!" Julia exclaimed. Hwoarang cringed. She must have figured out that one of the gangs involved in the shoot-out was his.

"I know. I'm sorry…"

"What are you apologizing for? I just realized who that guy from work looked like."

"What?"

"Well, Today this guy came in. He was pretty creepy-like. I guess he went to see Dr. Abel."

"Hmm." He felt as if there was a connection there but he couldn't quite put it together. Obviously Bryan had no obvious reason to be at an ecological company. Does he suddenly care about the environment all of a sudden?

"If you want I can talk to Dr. Abel…"

"No, not a good idea. In fact, I'm not sure if I like you working that job if he has access to it."

"Well that's too bad. I need the research for my reforestation project."

"Is research more important than your life?

Is the gang more important than yours?

By now, Hwoarang was furious. How dare she involve the gang in this? You don't seem to get it. Thegang is my life! They were there when I had nothing! That's why I do what I do! I figure I owe them at least this much. And I definitelydon't need you telling me how to run life.

"Fine then!" she yelled, her tone matching his. "I won't interfere with your life anymore! Good night!"

Hwoarang closed the phone and violently slammed into the desk. He wouldn't allow anyone to run his life. He'd do everything as he always had done.