Hearts Everlasting
By. Indigo Siren
Disclaimer: Tekken is © to Namco. All characters, situations based on the games and such are not my property and are being used only for entertainment purposes only. No money is being made from this story. I do however own the idea for my story as well as any character of my own creation that doesn't appear in the Tekken games. All rights reserved.
A/N: The downward spiral begins...
Chapter 11
Breathless. His heart beat furiously.
Sweat poured in steams over his tired muscles. His still clenched fists hung at his sides as he slowly let go of the extreme concentration he'd set over himself. Around him, everything felt like it was blanketed with black, out of his zone and acknowledgement. This battle had concerned nobody else. His almond eyes slowly lowered to the form groaning at his feet, bruised and bloodied.
He sighed and looked up, as the sun suddenly blared down into his eyes. Shielding, the concentration broke and the world around him lit up with colour. A voice rang out behind him loudly.
"JIN KAZAMA WINS!"
Rapturous applause filled the air. It should have lifted his spirit, but it didn't. It was an empty noise, hollowed by his own self-hatred. At his feet, the fighter Bruce Irvin had been floored. A good fight, but not quite fulfilling enough to rid the Japanese youth's mind of one single piece of ever persistent distress.
Miharu Hirano.
The focus of his fight had been enough to shut her pretty face out temporarily, but once he relaxed, there she was again, staring at him with gentle eyes.
He missed her so much.
'But this is for her own good…'
He turned his back on the stadium crowd and stepped towards the tunnel to the back. Metres away, he felt a cold caress tickle the edges of his shoulders. He snapped around sharply.
Just the wind? He frowned as he stared at the empty space behind him.
"A shadow of something evil," he muttered aloud.
The scrape of a booted foot against the concrete in front of him, turned him back. Whomever had been there was quick to depart, though he did catch the glint of a stirrup adorned boot.
'Him…' He considered to his red-headed rival. 'I thought you would confront me. Very unlike you.'
The departing figure smiled to himself. He was hoping the little rumours overheard from the 'Chinese Pixie' were right…
Asuka sat on a table in the back hallway of the stadium. After flashing her pass to make her way backstage, she just hung out randomly on the only form of seating she could find, waiting for Jin. Not only that, but she was on the look out for the fighter Feng Wei. That Chinese man had a lot of things coming to him when she got a hold of him. She hoped Lei wouldn't find out she was going to lay a hurting on him in her own time, seeing as the tournament wasn't shaping the way she wanted.
She unwrapped a stick of raspberry flavoured bubblegum and popped it in her mouth. With all the waiting she was doing, she definitely needed a distraction.
Though, after nearly half an hour, Jin finally appeared. All fresh faced and clean clothed. She noticed however his eyes didn't seem as lit up as the rest of him did. Also, there wasn't much vibrancy in his steps as he approached.
"I'm sorry I kept you waiting. The shower wouldn't turn on. I think I fixed it. Though, between you and me, the hole in the wall was around BEFORE I got there."
She nodded with understanding, grinning as she tapped her nose.
"Your secret is safe with me," she whispered, hoping up off the tabletop. "So, to town then?"
"If that's what you want to do?"
"Sure! Tokyo is beginning to grow on me." She clapped him on the back as they pushed through the double doors to head out towards the parking lot. "I've got money for a taxi."
"I prefer to walk."
"Okay, I'm sure it won't kill us to walk… And…" She hooked his arm. "You can start talking." He cocked his head uncertainly. "About your woes," she prompted. "I see your eyes. You're suffering in silence. So, it's time for you to open up."
Even as they continued to walk, he felt himself clam up, not feeling encouraged to start dishing out details about himself. He didn't even know where to get started. And for a fact, he didn't want her to find out about his genetic misfortune.
"Come on, Jin, I don't want a life history, I just want to know everything is alright," she said. "I can tell you're cut up about losing your girlfriend."
His face remained blank. "It was my decision."
"Yeah, but it doesn't mean that you aren't hurting."
He continued to walk in silence, staring ahead of him as he felt his chest tighten as he thought back to that night outside the club.
Her glazed expression as the tears began to fall… Her pain on full show, tearing him apart…
Yeah, he was hurting. It hurt to give up the thing he loved the most. Fate was not kind to him, and would have been even less kind for Miharu if things had carried on.
His ominous feelings were especially growing as of late, and keeping Miharu close but in the dark for him being worried could only cause her great pain. When he'd met her over two years ago, he'd known nothing of his cursed blood. At that time he'd started to make plans in his head about a future for them. He'd wanted things to work. Just to be perfect. But that wasn't to be, and now he couldn't give her anything more then a dark future with no certainty to whether either of them would survive unscathed.
It was a painful choice to make, but one he felt he had to do.
"Things… In my life, aren't easy to talk about." He licked his suddenly dry lips, peering at his companion out of the corner of his eyes. "It's too hard to explain to you. And some things are best kept a secret."
"Your secrets are your own, I just want to know how you are feeling? Be honest with me."
How was he feeling? One word really summed it up.
"Shit."
She gave a passionless smile. "I thought so…"
He stopped them, turning his cousin towards him. Curiously, she stared up into his emotionless face. For herself, she was witnessing the mask crack around the edges and the sadness leaked through without relent. It was a liquid transformation of emotional truth.
Carefully, he pulled her into a hug.
"It hurts," he muttered, his voice the only thing unwavering. He shook slightly within her grip, and all she could do was stand and accept his despair within her arms. "When I lost my mother, I thought my heart would never recover. Then I found something in Miharu that made the pain seem to disappear. Without her now I feel… Empty."
"You're going to feel like that for a while," she said softly. "Love hurts. If its any consolation, you've got me to hang around with? Yeah, you aren't getting any lovey-dovey, but then again, I do make some good grilled cheese sandwiches."
A snort. Maybe a chuckle in there too. Asuka smiled to his response, pulling back to be surprised by the tears he was quickly batting away from his cheeks.
"Well, well." She gave him a sort of 'gotcha' look, all grins and raised brows. "Even tough guys cry once in a while."
"Me? Crying?" He turned away, walking on. "I had something in my eyes."
"Yeah, yeah, that's what they all say." She blew out a bubble, making a loud pop sound, and quickly trailed after him.
Literally out of nowhere, Xiaoyu leapt into their path.
"HI"
He jumped with surprise, looking slightly annoyed by her action, though quickly composed himself to give her a pleasant greeting. Lucky for him, there were no tears for her to see.
Asuka leaned against Jin. "School just got out?" She asked the girl.
"Yeah, about twenty minutes ago," Xiaoyu confirmed, then looked up at Jin. "So, how'd you do in your match?"
"I won."
"Yay! Go you!" She gave him a big thumbs up.
Jin looked around behind her. "So, none of your friends with you?"
"Nope. Not even Miharu." Her gaze locked on his as she brought up the name. He remained passive. "She was out this afternoon, doing some Lady Aoi practice at the drama hall across from the city library. She said she'd meet me for some drinks at café Pom-Pom in about half an hour. You guys want to come?"
Jin's face creased with a frown. "I don't think that's such a good idea."
"What? Why not?" Xiaoyu folded her arms, her own face frowning to match his. "Why does it have to be awkward? You guys only make things worse by avoiding each other. I'm not saying you should reconcile. That's your own business, but, can't you guys just be friends? When was it ever a crime to just hang out and talk and be, well, normal, without all the love complications?"
"I don't think she'd be too happy to see me…" Asuka nudged him hard in the ribs. "What!? What was that for?"
"You're just scared," his cousin taunted.
"I am not."
"Things could have gone better for you two, but this is just the way it is," Xiaoyu softly put in. "I think, maybe she'd feel better if you just, well, casually talked. I think that's what she really needs. Maybe that way, she'll stop being bitter on what she's lost and realise, she really hasn't at all, if you're still in her life in one way or another."
That stopped him. Xiaoyu was right. He'd been looking at the situation all wrong. Because their relationship ended didn't mean to say they had to stop associating. There would be pain and maybe even resentment, but yet, it was worth trying to be her friend. If he could not take care of her in a boyfriend way, he'd watch from a far, as only a friend could. That idea made him feel better.
"Shall we go then?" Asuka asked him. A small smile formed on his lips and he slowly began to nod.
Xiaoyu clapped her hands together in excitement. "Great! Come on! If we go now, we'll get there in good time."
A script in one hand and a frothy cappuccino in the other, Miharu sat patiently in the café, going over line after line in her head as she took small sips of the hot liquid. The highlighted lines danced in her head as she closed her eyes and recalled her words perfectly. Line after line - she got better as she went.
Bags were dropped on the chair next to her, and she looked up from her script to the ever elegant Anna Williams. The older woman tipped her shades and smiled with prominent ruby lips.
"Fancy meeting you here, Miharu," she greeted earnestly. "May I join you?"
"Sure. Pull up a chair," she accepted, gesturing to one of the many free seats at the table. Anna removed her bags from the seat and sat down, putting them into the one on her other side.
"Is that your play script?" Miharu nodded in response, flipping a page over and taking another drink. "Looks heavy. How extreme is the dialogue?"
"At times, a nightmare," she admitted, placing the script on the table surface, "but I'm coping."
"That's good to hear." Anna swivelled to look at the big blackboard behind the counter, marked up with the days coffee concoctions and one-off pastries. "I think I'll have myself a latte. Haven't had one for a while." She turned back to Miharu. "Are you alright for drink and food?"
"Oh yes, I've still got plenty to go," she said, giving a nod towards her mug.
A waitress came over to the pair and Anna put her order in, being firm to her demand of a nice big slice of blackberry and raspberry cheesecake. The waitress scurried off quickly to fulfil her order. Anna sat back relaxing, looking over at her companion with intrigue. Miharu was delved into her script again, face somewhat solemn, even if it didn't mean to be.
"I hope, you don't mind me asking…" There was a pause in her addressing the Japanese girl, who looked up uncertainly. "… But are you faring well?"
"Oh, yeah, I guess so…" Her eyes fell away from the shimmering ocean-coloured gaze, not exactly feeling wholly true to her words.
"You know… I heard… About you and Jin…"
Miharu looked up surprised. "Who-"
"It was Steve, through Xiaoyu. I hope that doesn't anger you. He only found out by accident when she was getting upset about a few things. Stressed about the tournament and her future plans and you…"
Guilt swept over the youth and she slumped in her seat. "I'm so stupid…" Her mutter was filled with sadness. "I've just been thinking about myself. I didn't realise I was messing up Xiaoyu as well."
"It can't be helped," Anna assured her with a gently pat to the shoulder. "When Steve came back with his worries I pried everything out of him. With his situation with Xiaoyu, all he can do is be there for her. She may mask all her pain and confusion with a giddy laugh and a childish grin, but she still needs to be assured, even if she doesn't want to be. You can rely on Steve to keep her on her feet for you." She clasped her hands on the table surface. "And with you, my dear, you just have to take one day at a time and realise that the world is a very big place, with a lot more kind souls in it. I'm not saying you jump back up on the bandwagon right away. But you shouldn't forget that this isn't the end of your love life. Your memories are your guide. Remember, you've learnt from what you've got now and you'll never make the same mistake twice."
"Are you sure about that?" Miharu nursed her drink idly between her hands. "I'm known for my royal cock ups."
"Now, you won't get anywhere thinking like that. I know you have spirit, I've seen it. You'll carry on, even if your head and heart are telling you right now that nothing will ever get better."
"Sounds like you have experience with loves lost…" The auburn-haired girl cringed. "I hope that didn't come out horribly."
"Not in the least. You're right though. I have lost love before, but its rather more complicated, seeing as I've had many crushes and acquaintances over my short life." The waitress came back with Anna's food and drink, setting it down with a bill underneath on the saucer. And a complimentary mint chocolate. She slipped the latter into her purse for later and focused on her latte, blowing the crown of her drink. "I waste my time being petty and foolish with love. Sometimes, it wasn't love, it was a distraction, but it still hurt when I threw it away, because I realised I had nothing."
"Well, you've got that silver haired guy now, haven't you?" She watched the Irish woman blush and started to smile. "I'd say you're all cosy with him."
"Hmm…" Anna trailed off, saying nothing, but her cheeks as pink as they were had done enough to answer Miharu's question. The girl settled back, sipping her own drink.
A silence fell over them for what went on for minutes on end. Miharu caught up in her script again, and Anna indulged in her cheesecake. It was gobbled up in no time at all. Miharu did take the time to notice this, grinning at her friend.
"Tasty?" She asked.
Anna dabbed the corners of her mouth with a serviette. "It satisfied. That is all I will say." She stood thereafter. "I'll be back momentarily. I have to make a visit to the ladies room."
"Okay."
Miharu went back to line learning as Anna disappeared into the lavatory.
A few moments later, she was once again in a company of two, but not with who she'd expected. The shadow that loomed over her shoulder had left a foreboding feeling well up within her. A familiar cold shiver crawled up her like a swarm of tiny insects. This made her turn around abruptly.
"Miharu Hirano," Kazuya's soft deliverance was just as calm as ever, always with that mocking undertone. "It's good to see you."
She used to feel like she was drowning whenever she saw this man. Fear had once clutched her like a vice plunged into Arctic waters. It was strange that when she gazed up at the man that she only felt numb. He seemed in some way like anyone else, donned in his pristine business suit and a casual pair of sunglasses. Beneath she knew there hid a broad battle-worn body and that frightful demon-red eye. But even her memories of past encounters did nothing to turn her stomach. In the end, she figured he couldn't make her feel worse then she already did. Her soul was already in tatters.
He wouldn't find any satisfaction of taunting her today.
Giving out an inert stare, she spoke with little emotion.
"What do you want?"
"Who says I wanted anything?" There was great amusement in his voice, though she didn't let herself get agitated over it. Turning away, she focused on her script again.
"Well, I'm busy. I don't have time to talk to you."
He was rather surprised by this, but didn't show it. "I feel a little betrayed. I was looking for a simple hello, and all I get is this rather cruel dismissal." He pulled out the seat next to her and invited himself into her company. "A bit rude, wouldn't you say?"
"You're not the kind of person to just say 'hello' though, are you?" She didn't even look up as she lowly directed the words his way.
Her distance to the meagre conversation irked him. Kazuya didn't like this ignorance she was suddenly displaying so uncharacteristically. He watched her eyes scanning the lines of the script, and found them to be a little glassy. A gloom had clouded over them.
Usually, he wouldn't have cared, but today he felt he wanted to distract himself with someone else's problems then focusing on his own bitterness of the unfair world around him. As sad as it was, someone else's misery would make him feel a little bit better about being pissed off. And besides, Miharu always intrigued him. A girl of many faces and moods.
"You seem different today?" He commented, tapping his lower lip. "I usually get some sort of rise out of you. Mostly a fearful one. I would rather have the stuttering and the sweetness then this cold front."
She shrugged. "Maybe…"
"I like fearful, but sometimes I wish you wouldn't be," he softly spoke. This was one of the first times he'd generally addressed her without seemingly like he was making a joke of her. Miharu looked up. Her eyes were now confused more then anything else. "So," he continued, "I assume that something in your life has brought you down. I'm feeling kind enough today to listen."
"Sorry to say," she told him straight, "but you're one of the last people on Earth I'd talk to about my problems."
"School?" He continued on anyway. Pestering wholeheartedly - something he found was a fun game to play. "No? … Maybe your friends? Trouble with that Ling girl? Hmm… No… Ah, maybe, just maybe, it's something to do with my son." Her eye twitched as she looked back at the script. He smiled largely. "Ah, so it's about Jin."
"Leave me alone," she muttered.
"A little advice for you," he said, simply with no edge of humour. "You're best away from that boy. He's got a lot of problems, and I don't just say this because I hate him. No, I say this because I can feel something from within him. Something that I've never felt before." Her chestnut eyes darted to him, seemingly furious, though she didn't speak, just waited for him to finish. "You don't have the strength to be dealing with what lies ahead of my son. How long before he's consumed by his own demon, I don't know, but I feel his mask of humanity is going to slip away in the near future."
"What are you going on about?" Miharu's head was swimming with Kazuya's cryptic statement. She knew what Jin was, but what was all this about feeling a something new about him?
Kazuya carefully removed his glasses, baring his unearthly eyes to her. "He's growing more dangerous day by day, and it would be better for the world if he ceased to exist…"
Miharu uttered a sound, supposed to have been starting up a defensive argument for Jin. But she stopped flatly before she could go on. Her heart ached, bringing back the sharp memories of that night outside the club. She shook her head, bitterly telling herself it was over between them and she didn't care anymore. But still, death was never the answer.
"Nobody deserves death…" The words trailed off weakly and she folded her script shut, resting them atop the paper shakily.
"Really?" He raised a brow to her statement.
She sharply shook her head again, but abandoned the subject with no supporting statement. "Anyway… Me and Jin are not together anymore. Whatever happens in his life is none of my business and vice versa."
"The best for both of you." Kazuya abruptly stood. "Love hurts, but at least you'll be able to fix those wounds in time. You won't be able to fix yourself if you're blown into oblivion." He lowered his tone as she gazed up at him, starting to lose the numbness and feel weak under his scrutiny. "Carry on with your life. Forget what you know. Darkness prays on those who chases shadows."
Kazuya left her to mull over those words and turned to leave the café when he came face to face with his son, stood within the doorway, staring holes through him. Behind Jin, Xiaoyu and Asuka stood uncertainly.
No words passed between them as Jin stepped closer, seething with a sudden unmanageable fury. But he willed it down, even if his fists were close to raising for a fight. Kazuya held his ground, his face a pleasant mask of innocence that only fuelled the fire within the youth. Though he knew not to try and taunt him, especially with the backlash of energy that was growing. It could only provoke unnatural things to rise, and the public didn't need to be the front row spectators to a freak show. He got a simple piece of satisfaction from walking away, seemingly quite jolly aside the situation, and felt his son's response in the form of lashing metaphysical streams of burning anger. Jin was a collected man. He'd hold back. But he was feeling the underlining whisper of a warning that told him to stay away from Miharu, girlfriend of not.
Kazuya exited the café without a backwards glance, leaving the respective youths to their own little drama.
Miharu had been shocked by Jin's appearance and her senses had dulled, making everything a muffled blur. Seeing him, made her head swim and heart beat furiously. She'd forgotten this feeling - like the first time you see someone you've missed for years. Most of her emotions had evaporated into thin air and she was looked at him with a startled gaze. Those deep brown eyes that had followed hatefully after his father, turned to her, displaying mixed feelings within swirling irises. She felt rather then noticed Xiaoyu coming over to her to see if she was alright. Noticing Asuka, clarity hit full force and reality swayed her numb deluded dreams.
She hadn't notice Jin approach her briskly and jumped at his closer presence. His face twisted with painful sentiments.
"Why were you talking to my father?" He demanded. "Are you insane?"
Her legs nearly knocked over the chair as she stood up to defend herself.
"Excuse me? He came to talk to me. He wasn't invited, but he sat there anyway. And besides, he did nothing wrong. He just spoke was all." She didn't decide to reveal the details of what Kazuya had said, feeling someone agitated by the sudden outburst from her ex.
"What did he want? What did he say?" His hands suddenly found their way to her shoulders, but she was fast to break away before he could get a good hold of her.
"That's none of your business!" She snapped. "And don't think you have the right to ask, just because he's your father."
"He can only cause you trouble," Jin said, failing to keep the annoyance out of his voice.
"So? Maybe he does? What do YOU care what happens to me?" The whole café had their attention on the pair, interested in this sudden spectacle. Anna had just stepped out of the ladies toilets when she noticed there was sudden quiet besides the shouting voices of the two Japanese youths. She took a slow walk back towards the table.
"You should know why…" He didn't want to start openly airing their so-called 'dirty laundry' across a café full of nosy patrons. It felt almost like their emotional turmoil was a dramatic car crash, and everyone was slowing down to rubberneck.
"Oh, really? Should I?" Miharu folded her arms haughtily. "Why, are you trying to say you love me?" She fake gasped. "But no! Wait! YOU dumped ME! Isn't that saying something?" Her hands slammed on the table. "No, I don't feel like you care, even if you think you can convince me otherwise."
"Miharu… Things…" He awkwardly scratched the back of his head, trying to find words that might quell her anger. "Well… They're not good for either of us. You know about things I can't say… Well, this… Is all for the best…"
He'd cocked it up good and proper, knowing so when the last words filtered from his mouth.
"I don't care anymore. I know when I'm not wanted." She gathered her things hastily, shoving them into her school bag. "You know what, Jin," she continued as she packed. "stay the HELL out of my life!"
"Miharu…" Anna stopped just behind her. It seemed a bad idea to intervene, but she had to try and diffuse the situation for the sake of the pair. But that seemed to fail when Xiaoyu had taken her friend's arm, to start to reason, but was pushed off sharply. The Chinese girl looked hurt.
"I don't want to see you get hurt anymore," Jin reasoned only to see she'd started to cover her ears. He attempted to reach for her again, but she slapped his hand away. The small sting was nothing compared to the pain coursing through his heart.
"The only way I'm getting hurt is if you're around," she told him spitefully. That caused a flinch from him. Remembering what Kazuya said, in his own hate of the boy, she felt in that very second that she shared his sentiments. "Why don't you do us all a favour, Jin, and DROP DEAD!" Sharp, swift and malicious. The recoil of his pained expression set her walking towards the door.
"You're a real bitch, you know?" Asuka shouted after her, but was ignored as Miharu slammed the door on the way out.
Background chatter began to filter in through the café again, filling the empty void of silence.
"Oh, you kids," Anna groaned, covering her face. "Can't you be normal and go fight on the school playground? Ridiculous! Nice of you to give the viewing public something to gossip about!"
"Real sweet of you," Asuka snapped at the Irish woman.
"What? Am I the only one here feeling that this scene was a tad bit unnecessary?" Anna stepped before Jin. "I assume you knew she wasn't in the best of states, why bother engaging her like that? It's not only embarrassing for yourself, but even more so for her! Her raising a ruckus can only reflect badly."
"Jin! Go after her!" Xiaoyu implored between them. "You said you want to fix things! Don't let it go on like this!"
"Is that really a good idea?" Asuka broke in. "You saw the way she was. That is no girl that can be reasoned with."
"Miharu's really nice and understanding! She's just hurting is all!" Xiaoyu defended.
"And he's not!" Asuka scowled.
Anna's hands came up between both girls. "Okay, girls, lets not give the public a variant round two."
Jin sighed. "You're right, Xiaoyu. I should try." Maybe he could finally be honest about some things that caused his want for their break-up. To get her to understand could take the sting out of her emotional wounds. Turning, he smiled to Asuka. "Will you wait for me here?"
"Okay."
"I'll try not to be long."
And with that, he quickly left to catch up.
Miharu's steps after leaving the café had become hurried. Eventually, she'd run, as fast as she could away. But she was only a street away from the café when her strength had failed her and she stopped, collapsing against a wall and broke down crying. She obscured her tear swamped face into her arm, lightly punching the paint lathered brickwork on the corner of a pharmacy building. Hiccups rose from her tightening throat, coming on so thick and heavy she thought she might pass out.
'Why? Why does it hurt so much?'
Behind her came the gruff rumble of a motorcycle engine, purring as a call for attention, and she found herself turning to see Hwoarang stepping off.
'Great. Just what I need…'
"Oy! Miharu! Nice surprise." He approached, though she turned away. "What's with the tears?"
"None of your business." How many more times did she have to say that sentence today?
"Hey, come on, don't be like that," he said, putting up his hands. "Can't a guy care?"
"No. Guys don't care." She tried to walk away but he was quick to step in front of her, pressing her against the corner of the building between the street and a side alley. Her struggles were weak, and she just ending up crying again.
Hwoarang didn't know how to deal with crying girls, he just kind of gave her an awkward glance, patting her arm.
"I hear you and Kazama are finished…" He said offhandedly. "A real tragedy. He's losing a nice girl."
She turned away, tears uncurbed, not knowing whether to be flattered or annoyed.
He half-smirked. "I like you better when you're not blubbering like a pansy. Cheer up. Life goes on. Lets not talk about the past. It doesn't matter anymore. Lets just enjoy life for all the good things."
"Don't think you're going to take advantage of me," she hissed, suddenly feeling defensive.
Hwoarang jumped back, looking surprised. "Whoa! That wasn't a come on, I swear!" He went to lean against the wall opposite. "I was just going to say, you can tell me what things are going down in your life besides your screwed up love life. Hey, how about I take you home? No funny stuff. I promise."
She eyed the 'Blood Talon' cautiously. Something said that he had amorous intentions, but something else suggested he was just going to talk and maybe take the piss out of her while breaking the speed limit on the Japanese freeways. The latter didn't sound too bad. She didn't care about her past dislike of him. Right now, the distraction was good.
She shrugged. "Sure."
He laughed, sharp and quick. "And I was sure you were going to say no." Around the far corner, he saw Jin rush to the pavement edge, looking around hurriedly. Hwoarang smiled inwardly.
'A knife to the heart, Kazama. This is for making a girl look so sad…'
"Though, first," Hwoarang said, seeing Jin was about to look their way. He took a step forward, taking her within his solid arms and carefully pulling her up against him, and swiftly, lay one hell of a kiss on her. She didn't even have time to react before he was smothering her under his lips. Warmth. Softness…
Memories of being loved fluttered through her mind.
She was suddenly very confused. There was a strange amount of comfort with this kiss - being noticed for being an attractive young woman, but rationally, it was maddening. This was Hwoarang after all, and he was known for his games.
The Korean cast a passing glance up, delighted to see Jin's shocked face taking in the scene. He pulled back, eyes on Miharu, whose mouth had dropped open beneath shocked eyes.
"That's the only advantage I'm taking. I couldn't help myself." He shrugged casually, giving her a sly wink.
She pushed him lightly and rolled her eyes. "Bastard."
"Insult me on the way," he thumbed towards his bike. "I don't have all day to hang around arguing with you… Not that it isn't fun."
"Fine." She didn't care anymore. She'd just go with it.
Miharu stepped towards the bike and waited for him to mount first before she herself climbed on behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Hold tight now." Her grip locked more firmly around his torso. He grinned. "That's how I like it."
Up the street, Jin's slow, angered steps began to speed up as he watched Miharu mount the bike behind his rival. He was running as he heard the engine revving up.
"MIHARU!" He shouted, but was too late. The bikes engine drowned out his voice as it sped away. He was left standing alone where they'd once been.
That bastard had kissed her, right before his very eyes. Taking advantage of her while she was not on her guard, she was suckered in. Hwoarang was cruel and devious, and there was no way in hell that he'd let him get away with it.
He clung to his chest, feeling a searing pain rip through him. This wasn't a broken heart. This was something using his hurt as a ladder to climb through his very soul.
'Please… No…' He hissed, quickly stumbling into the side alley, following it down until the murky shadows began to swallow him from the view of the streets. His eyes searched around him from the water-damaged walls to the chain linked fence blocking off an empty industrial estate car park. He felt better that nobody was around, he just knew that it wouldn't be wise for anyone to come into contact with him at that very moment.
He fell to his knees, trying desperately to control his erratic breathing. Gagging suddenly, his throat practically closed up on him. He keeled forward until he was resting shakily on his forearms in the dirt. Retching, streams of blood poured from his mouth liberally. He had little chance to be startled as he arched violently, spasming with a strained cry gargling in the back of his throat. His shirt strained tightly against his chest as the top of his back bubbled. Skin stretched and began to break apart as two churning new appendages tore away from the confines of his inner body. His shirt was shredded as thick, black, feathered wings spread out behind him.
An inhuman growl raged from his lips and he turned his head skyward, baring thick, long fangs. His mind was swamped with new urges and feelings that weren't his own. A new consciousness was slowly encasing his mind, and he was helpless to fight it.
This new mind did not have good intentions.
His tanned skin darkened further as beneath on his chest and forehead, eerie, inky tattoos welled to the top layer in a spill of dark, twisted patterns. Stark claws split from his long fingers. Thick razor-sharp talons extended out and dragged across the dirt, leaving jagged lines indented into the ground.
Blood poured from the sides of his head as through the scalp came two brown, thickly indented horns arched in a tilted 'L' mould. Behind stretched bangs, the gleam of a red jewel split the very middle of his forehead to crown the monstrous glory that Jin had become.
Brown, human eyes were gone. Pearly white irises had taken over, scanning the area with little care. His lip curled with distaste and he rose up, looking over his transformation. The horrified Jin that should have been had been buried under a demonic consciousness that was much its own being. It was satisfied to have finally won the inner battle.
That girl, Miharu. He had her to thank.
The pain Jin and she shared had left an opening for his devil to break through - that second of horror that had been had opened the exit for this creature through his soul.
Now, he was complete.
Spreading those huge wings, he flew out from between the buildings and high up into the cloudy vista of the cerulean heavens.
Two hours later, Asuka past the top of the alley in which this unexpected transformation had occurred. Concerned to why he had not come back, she had gone in search. When she had passed this very alley, she's shivered violently against an invisible cold wind, lingering from the evil that had been there. A part of her sensed the darkness, though her mind couldn't quite register what it was she'd felt. But it made her uneasy.
She had not seen what had briefly lurked - a creature that had been of her own family, nor had she seen it fly away in a determined pursuit.
During those hours that she'd be waiting, little did she know of what had happened across town…
A/N: So, what has happened across town? The next chapter will reveal all... Stay Tuned!
