A/N: Thank you, Salysha, for the proofreading!

Disclaimer: I do not own Tekken.

Chapter 11

Getting Away

~X~

Hwoarang stared out his bedroom window, watching two birds in a tree across from him. He glanced over at the alarm clock and sighed. "Shit," he cursed and got out of bed. He grabbed some clothes from his dresser and stepped out of the room.

He quickly made his way to the bathroom and closed the door behind him. A few minutes later, he came out washed and dressed and ran downstairs. "Hey," he said as he entered the living room. "I want to go out."

Lee and Jin both looked up from their books. "You can't," Lee said and returned to his reading.

Hwoarang frowned. "Make me," he said and grabbed his jacket and shoes. "I am going out."

"Hwoarang, don't make me tie you to a bed," Lee said, setting his book down and standing to his feet. Jin mimicked his actions.

"Cha, you would like that, wouldn't you?" Hwoarang snorted, tying his sneakers. "I'm bored. I want some air, so I am going out."

"Hwoarang, please. If you want some fresh air, we can sit on the back porch for a while," Jin suggested, trying to reason with the redhead.

"Nope. I am sick of doing that, too. I have been here for a couple of weeks, or whatever, and it's been four days since Sam was here. I am stressed and I want to get out," Hwoarang said, sliding his jacket on and making his way over to the front door.

Lee and Jin both grabbed Hwoarang by the arms, holding him back from leaving. "Stop, Hwoarang. You know it's dangerous," said Lee.

Hwoarang sighed, closing his eyes and tilting his head to the side, cracking his neck. "Shut up," he said in a low voice. He then leaned his right side against Jin and pushed himself forward. He elbowed Lee in the chest, sending him flying. He twisted his body around, grabbing Jin's arm holding his and shoving him in the chest. Once both men were out of the way, Hwoarang booked it, slamming the door behind him on his way out.

"Shit," Lee said, getting up over to Jin and helping him up. "You all right?"

Jin rubbed his face and took the offered hand. "I'll be fine. Let's just go after him."

"Agreed. Something was wrong," the older man said and grabbed his car keys from the table. "Let's go."

X

Hwoarang ran from the house as fast as he could, making his way down the street and around the corner. He knew Lee and Jin would follow him, probably by car. I am not going to have much time to get away, he thought as he cut through someone's back yard. "Sorry, folks, don't mean to be rude," he said to the family who were enjoying a cook out.

He chuckled softly and quickly crossed another street and down an alleyway. There, he stopped and leaned against a wall, catching his breath. "Shit, I hope I'm safe," he mumbled, pulling out a pack of cigarettes from his coat pocket. Once the cigarette was lit, he continued on his way, heading for the downtown shopping district.

He walked in a slow pace, but kept his eyes open for Lee's rental car. He decided it was safer to hide inside the mall than wander the streets in case Lee spotted him. If they were going by car, he was sure it wouldn't be long before he was spotted. I am glad I didn't dye my hair yet.

Grinning, Hwoarang entered the mall, blending in with the small crowd.

X

Jin scanned each street that they passed for bright red hair. He was worried; Hwoarang shouldn't be running about like this. "You'd think his hair would stick out easily," he said with frustration.

"No, Hwoarang hasn't dyed his hair yet. 'Natural,' my ass. It's long and brown now, so he can blend in easy. Even in America, there aren't a lot of people with red hair," Lee said with a sigh and turned to another street. "Think. What are the places where Hwoarang might go to?"

Jin sighed and looked away from the window. He is right: Hwoarang hasn't dyed his hair yet. Why didn't I notice? "Bars and clubs and anywhere with a fight."

Lee scanned the area carefully and turned into a city parking lot. He took the parking ticket at the entrance and drove in. "If he is in a bar, it's best to look on foot. I don't think clubs are open at this time of day, and, well, I am sure sooner or later, we will come across some type of a fight," he said, parking the car and turning off the engine. "Call Steve and let him know what's going on. I know he is in town somewhere, so maybe he can help."

Jin nodded and pulled out his phone to do just that.

Lee, on the other hand, waited for Jin, looking around the underground parking lot for some chance that maybe Hwoarang was there.

"Steve said that he would keep an eye out," Jin said, pocketing his phone. He took a look around, just like Lee had, and remembered the time Hwoarang had called him out to a fight in a similar place almost two years before.

"Any other place Hwoarang might go to?" Lee asked, looking over his shoulder at Jin.

"Um, maybe the mall or some place to eat," he said, hating himself for not knowing more about the redhead.

It seems like it's true: you can't love someone, the evil side of Jin's mind said, and the laughter echoed in his mind. Jin shuddered, trying to ignore the dark voice. The last thing he needed was to let his other half take control when he needed to look for Hwoarang.

"Jin, come on!" Lee said, already at the exit.

Jin blinked and quickly ran over to Lee, giving him a small apology, and the two continued on their way.

~X~

Hwoarang sat down on a mall bench with a pretzel in hand. He was starving and he was glad he had swiped Lee's wallet when the older man had taken a hold of him before.

He sat there, snacking on the pretzel for several moments when someone took a seat next to him, crossing one leg over the other.

"Hello, Hwoarang-kun," the man said in a smooth voice.

Hwoarang stood rigid when he heard the very familiar voice. It was deep and cold but smooth. He turned his head and looked at the man sitting next him. "Jamie…!"

To Be Continued…