THE PHOENIX AND THE BEAST

Second of 3 series

By nightjade

DISCLAIMER: AGAIN, I DON' T OWN TEKKEN SO PLEASE..JUST READ ON AND HAVE FUN! ^_^



Jin Kazama took out the trash that afternoon and hauled the huge trash bin from their backyard to the front lawn. He sat on the grass while waiting for the garbage truck to come and pick it up. It was already three in the afternoon and Julia would be back by four thirty. He still had many things to do inside the house and he promised her that everything would be clean when she gets home. Now, he wished that the garbage truck would hurry up and get this thing over with.

"Man, you sure look stuffed out for a Tekken champion. Maybe the committee will reconsider their proclamation and hold a rematch."

Jin quickly spun around at the sound of an all too familiar voice and was face to face with a grinning Paul Phoenix.

"Paul! --- Hey! Since when did you get back?" he greeted as he extended his right hand for a welcoming shake.

The big blond hunk gladly accepted the hand and chuckled.

"Just this afternoon. I decided to pay you guys a little visit. So what's up? Heard from the others yet?" he asked as he joined Jin on the grass.

"Well, some of them. Xiaoyu was the first one to visit, actually. Then Hwoarang. They'll be dropping by this afternoon, probably after Julia gets home."

Paul looked around and whistled as he saw the trash bin on the lawn not far from where they were sitting.

"Uh-oh. Looks like your playing dirt buster now, huh? Man, that's tough! I mean, I'd rather fight than take out the garbage."

Jin just shrugged and glanced at the trash bin. It was still a trash bin.

"You'll get used to it. Besides, she does keep the house in order all the time. Just wanted to help out."

Suddenly, they heard the familiar roar of a big black bike and turned just in time to see Hwoarang's black classic pull in front of the lawn. Paul looked closer as an attractive young lady got down from the back of the motorcycle.

"I don't believe it! Is that who I think it is?" he asked, peering closer as the Korean and Xiaoyu walked towards them.

Jin laughed softly at Paul's reaction.

"Yep. The very Phoenix we all know and love. Believe me, I had the same expression when she first came to visit."

Paul couldn't stop staring as they came closer.

"They --- they aren't ...you know? ----?" he knowingly looked at Jin as he asked.

Jin curled his brows as he tried to digest the question, then shook his head as it dawned on him.

"Oh, no. I don't think they are -- yet."

"Yet?"

"Mister Paul Phoenix. Well, what a surprise! How long have you been in town?" Hwoarang asked suddenly, breaking up the conversation.

Paul looked up and grinned.

"Just now. Nice to see you too, Korean."

Soon after he said that, he got an annoyed look from an irritated Korean SD.

"You still haven't gotten over calling me that, haven't you?"

Paul looked as innocent as ever.

"Why? You don't like it?"

Hwoarang had to take a deep breath to keep himself from launching a series of hunting hawks at Paul.

"No.it's just that I thought you had gotten over it" he replied in a much clipped tone.

The blond hunk animatedly shook his head.

"Nope. I didn't."

Before Hwoarang could say anything else, Ling Xiaoyu trotted to where they were, her honey blond hair gently swaying as she moved.

"Hiya, Paul! It's nice to see you again. How was Europe?" she asked, flashing him a very bright smile.

Hwoarang felt his insides melting at the sight of her soft red lips forming that smile.

Man, she's absolutely gorgeous when she does that! he thought, trying to keep himself from falling at her feet.

Paul raised his hands instinctively for a high five, then immediately corrected his gesture and brought his hand down for a welcoming shake instead. He remembered that this Ling Xiaoyu is very different from the one he used to know. She is more mature and reserved. She didn't look like a deadly fighter at all!

"Oh, Europe was fine! Very fine!" Suddenly he felt awkward. What else can he say to her? Has her fighting spirit also been subdued?

"And you? When did you get back? How was.." he paused for a split second to think of where she had gone. "China?"

Hwoarang stifled a snort at this display of simplicity. It was obvious that the American knew of only one place in the East. Fortunately, Ling IS from China.

The charming phoenix placed her hands on her slender hips, a gesture the Korean found very alluring.

"Well, China is still China. Still lots of people." She turned to Jin who was still waiting for the garbage truck to pull over. The street remained deserted.

"I suppose you made another promise to Julia."

Jin snapped his attention back to the people around him and flashed them his shy boyish grin. Ling was beginning to doubt the champion. HE did not look like any devil to her. Was this the same person everyone wanted to defeat?

She raised one graceful eyebrow at him. He continued to blush. Geez!

"Honey! Ling!---Oh! And you guys!"

Everyone turned to look as Julia crossed the lawn, quickly making her way towards them. Ling waved back. Jin was surprised at her sudden arrival and checked his watch---a gift his wife gave him on his birthday----then frowned. It was only four. He wasn't expecting her back until four-thirty!

"So, how are you, Paul? It's good to see you again." She extended her hand in greeting.

The garbage truck suddenly honked and everyone turned to look at where it was. Jin immediately stood up and lifted the trash bin without any difficulty, much to Julia's amusement. Even Hwoarang and Paul watched in awe as he carried the huge container across the lawn.

"Wow! I mean, talk about being suddenly domesticated!" Paul suddenly remarked.

Hwoarang snorted and ran his hand through his red hair.

"Heh! And I thought he was a devil."

Julia glared at both of them and they suddenly shut up. If she was able to tame the Third Ironfist Tournament champion, then God knows what she can do to them! They just smiled back, sweatdropping.

Ling shook her head, her soft honey blond hair gently swaying from side to side. Hwoarang resisted yet another urge to reach out and touch her.

"I guess we will have to cook dinner again, right Julia?" she said, turning to her with a knowing smile.

Julia smiled back and glanced at her husband who was still emptying the trash bin into the truck.

"Yup. I guess we will." She turned to the other two, who were still regarding the scene before them with incredulity.

"Well, guys, care to join us?"

The girls need not say more.



* * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Korean placed his spoon and fork on the plate and sighed contentedly. The food tasted great and his heart soared at the detail that Xiaoyu had prepared it. He never knew she was a good cook, probably because he did not really know her well from the very beginning.

My mistake! My mistake! he berated himself again and again. Well, then again, maybe it's not too late..

"Dessert, Hwoarang?" Ling's voice suddenly cut through his private thoughts. He returned to Earth and smiled awkwardly.

"Oh! Yes please. Thanks."

The charming Phoenix smiled and stood up to go to the kitchen. Hwoarang could not resist and finally followed her shortly, much to everyone's surprise. Paul, who was busily enjoying his soufflé, looked up and regarded the scene with mystification. Then he looked at Jin and Julia who exchanged amused glances.

"Are they----? You know,-----Are they-----?"

The couple just shrugged.

"We don't really know. Well, not yet, that is."

Paul glanced back at the kitchen door, looked up a little as if to digest what they had said, then shrugged and went back to his dinner.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Ling was busily cutting the apple pie she had baked earlier, and then expertly placed it on the small dessert plate. She was in high spirits today, especially since class went pretty well. She was surprised when her high school friend Reijii suddenly came to America. Nevertheless, she was glad to have him here. In fact, she missed him especially since she went away and joined the tournament. He was a very special person to her. He was like..he was like..

She heard the door of the kitchen suddenly open and instinctively she turned to look. Standing in the doorway was the funky haired Korean with a subdued expression on his handsome face.

"Oh! You're dessert will be there in a minute." she said, smoothing the cream and crumbs from the edges of the knife with a fork and wiping them on the slice.

"Uhm, Ling."

Xiaoyu placed the pie back into the refrigerator.

"Uhm, I.I."

She took the plate and turned around, almost losing her grip in surprise as she saw Hwoarang suddenly in front of her---very close to her.

"Oh!" She stepped back a little.

Hwoarang gazed into her soft brown eyes. He wanted to tell her..He wanted to tell her so badly that his insides ached at the pressure. Before, he couldn't bring himself to look like a fool in front of her, but now, he couldn't care less. It was the first time in history that he, Hwoarang, the feared Blood Talon, the almighty gangleader, suddenly felt so helpless.

All because of a woman.

He was used to being chased by women. He was used to not caring how they felt or not caring about them at all. Now things were different with this girl. This very special and unique girl. He had to tell her.

"Uhm, Ling.I."

The charming Phoenix gazed back into his eyes. She could see indecision and fear. Whatever it is the Korean was holding back, it was something very serious.

"What is it?"

Hwoarang was suddenly aware of how close he was to her. He could almost kiss her.and the idea was very tempting.

Should I tell her now? What if she doesn't agree or even ..or even.feel the same way? How would I take it?

He took a deep breath and looked deep into her eyes. She was so sincere.

I can't do it! Not now! Now is not the proper time.and not here!

He looked down at her hands and gently took the plate. He let his fingers brush hers and wished that he could just hold it there for a moment longer. The Phoenix suddenly blushed, much to his mild surprise.

"Uhm, you don't have to bring this in for me. I'll take it. Thank you." He gave her a gentle sincere smile...a smile Ling Xiaoyu found very striking. Something she rarely saw in him. even never.

She smiled back, showing off her dimpled cheeks.

"You're welcome."

They locked gazes for a moment longer before Hwoarang finally looked away and turned to go. Xiaoyu watched his retreating figure as he went out the kitchen door and disappeared from her sight. She felt uneasy and yet excited. Hwoarang is a very mystifying character and she had known that from the time they first met. She couldn't read his thoughts nor predict what he's going to do next. This particular sweetness was definitely uncalled for and she was not prepared for it. Somehow, she felt good. Scared but good.

She just wished he stayed a while longer.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Reijii Haruka whistled happily as he walked down the street on his way home. Finally, he had found her. It had taken quite a long time and a lot of agonizing efforts before he did, but it was all worth it. He was here with her and that's all that mattered. Everything was perfect...except for a lousy Korean snake with the funny flaming hair.

Now what did that guy want with Xiaoyu? Does he like her? Hell, he doesn't even look like he's bound to care about anyone----not with that kind of attitude! And Ling would never fall for someone who's rude and uncouth and much worse, someone who looked like a gang leader! She was way too sophisticated for something like that!

Suddenly he felt himself flare up in resentment at the memory of how he was addressed by that no good scumbag. GLOWFRIEND! The nerve of him! How dare he?!?

"Well, well, well! We have ourselves a firefly!" an undisclosed voice suddenly interjected from behind.

'What the--?" Instinctively, he turned to look and was face to face with a huge fist coming down on his face. His shimmering stopped as the light suddenly went out of him and he crumpled on the ground like a rag doll.

His attacker snorted and motioned for the others to come.

"Take him away." They obeyed and carried him away, without leaving any trace.



..to be continued...

* * * * * * * *

@ Geez! Sorry for making Hwoarang sound like a pervert! I couldn't think of any other ways on how he should sound at this stage..And for making Jin look too tame. Actually, Jin was being a good husband to Julia who's trying really hard to be a wife..so I guess you guys have to give them some credit (?).^_^ And Hwoarang was trying to be true to himself. He does have a strong attraction to gorgeous women. At least we're seeing a more human side of him.(?) ^_^ Finally, last chapter would explain why this Reijii character GLOWS so much. Hehehe..hope you guys had fun reading this. Thanks to those who reviewed this..it really helped. =)@



REIJII: Tell me again why I'm glowing so much.

NJ: In the next chapter, Reijii. I'm writing it now. (furiously typing on the keyboard)

REIJII: Really, why am I glowing so much?

NJ: In the next chapter, Reijii. (types even faster)

REIJII: WHY AM I GLOWING SO MUCH?!? (getting very very bright)

NJ: (takes a bucket of water and splashes it at him. The glowing stopped.) There! You're not glowing anymore!

REIJII: (dripping wet) Fine! I can take a hint!

HWOARANG: (suddenly comes in) Hey, glowfriend!

REIJII: (starts flaring up again) YOUUUU!!!

NJ: "...!"