Sleepwake (Part 11/?)
See Part 1 for disclaimer.
Hwoarang felt a rush of relief when he saw the phone booth: it was well- concealed in the shadows of taller buildings, easy to miss. Heavy breathing behind him indicated that Jin had caught up, Xiaoyu still cradled in his arms.
"_Now_ you call a cab?" Jin asked in a loud whisper. "After we walked for nearly an hour, it suddenly occurs to you?"
Hwoarang ignored him, catching Xiaoyu's wrist, which hung lifelessly at her side. Her pulse was fast but faint. He lifted his hand and brushed her forehead: cold, damp with sweat. Damn. Maybe Kazama was right. She had fallen unconscious a few blocks back. Hwoarang hoped it was sleep and not something else. If her shock deepened. . .
He turned back to the phone booth. He had to think for a moment to remember the number, then he punched the digits in quickly, as if to make up the time wasted in walking. As the phone rang, Hwoarang glanced around, searching for any clue that someone might be watching. His gaze couldn't help but return to Xiaoyu.
The change in appearance was so startling, Hwoarang could barely believe he was looking at the same person: Xiaoyu seemed so childlike and frail now, completely different from the loud energetic sprite that he had started to get used to. She should've been someplace warm, someplace with a roof, and he knew that. He would've called a cab sooner, but. . .what if someone remembered? What if some random idiot out on the streets happened to catch a glimpse of three haggard people piling into a car and hauling ass, a block away from a police station ringing with gunfire? And if someone, anyone, thought to copy down the license plate number-
That's not going to happen, he told himself. Eisuke would see to that
The phone stopped ringing. A low masculine voice answered, groggy with sleep but making up for it with pure aggression:
"Who the hell is this? Do you _know_ what goddamn time it is? If this is some-"
"Good morning to you too, Sleeping Beauty," Hwoarang replied, a smirk on his face.
"Hw- Hwoarang-san?" The Blood Talon shook his head in grim amusement at the sudden change of tone. But there was no time for joviality, he had to get down to business.
"Listen Eisuke, I need you to give me a ride. Can you make it right now without being seen?"
"Uh yeah, yeah. But where?"
"Corner of Fujitaka, a block south of the phone booth. Be there in five." Hwoarang hung up without waiting for the response, and started walking.
"You. . .didn't call a cab."
Hwoarang glanced over his shoulder. Jin stood in the same place, refusing to follow. Hwoarang sighed, but he stopped walking.
"I don't trust cabbies."
"Why should we trust your 'Eisuke'?"
Hwoarang started to explain that Eisuke was a close friend, but then he remembered that this fact wouldn't be of much comfort to Jin.
"I know him. You don't. He's trustworthy."
"Heihachi can turn anyone. You're putting all our lives in his hands."
"It's the only option."
Hwoarang continued walking, but he began to regret his brusque words. He was accustomed to command, not persuasion. If Jin decided he'd had enough and chose a separate path, Xiaoyu would have no chance of safety, he was sure of that.
He released a breath he hadn't realized he'd held when Jin came up beside him.
"I trust you," said Jin in a serious voice, "She trusts you." Hwoarang tensed.
"But don't forget that when any one of us makes a decision, it changes everybody's chances of survival."
"You think that's something I could forget?" Hwoarang said in disbelief.
"God, Kazama, I'm the leader of a _ street gang_. Most people worry about their next promotion, what their boss thinks of them; I worry about making sure none of my members are dead the next day."
Jin cast him a searching look, and seemed to find his answer satisfactory, because the rest of the walk was silent. They moved quickly in the dark of early morning, but when they got to the meeting spot, a black car was parked waiting for them. As they approached, a tall muscular man stepped out, his dark brown skin and slanted eyes hinting at a multiracial background. He merely watched them in silence until Hwoarang addressed him with a brief nod.
"Eisuke."
"Blood Talon," he said, bowing. And then he noticed Jin. Well, Hwoarang mused, maybe 'notice' is putting it mildly.
"Damn, Hwoarang-san," said Eisuke with a playful grin, his gaze on Jin, "you move fast."
"Wh- what?" Jin said.
"What happened to the blond? Not that I blame you for making the change." I don't believe it, thought Hwoarang. He's leering at Jin.
"You haven't changed Eisuke," the Korean said smiling. "But just for the record, Jin here is free."
"You don't say?" Eisuke gave Jin a wink. Jin did a remarkable impression of a tomato.
"And who's this?" he asked, looking at Xiaoyu. "She's so cute! How old is she, thirteen? Is this your little sister?"
"A friend," Hwoarang said. "Jin, you and Xiaoyu take the back. She should be lying down. And have her feet elevated."
He opened the door, but Jin hesitated.
"What is it?" asked Eisuke.
"He thinks you'll betray me." Hwoarang's voice was toneless.
The man was smart enough to know when he was being tested. He huffed.
"Betray the Blood Talon? Do I look suicidal to you?"
"You see Jin? Now get in, we've spent too much time in one spot already."
* * *
Under Hwoarang's instruction, they drove around randomly, every aimless detour gradually taking them out of town. By the time Hwoarang had decided it was safe to head for their destination, twenty minutes had passed. Fortunately, Eisuke wasn't only a skilled driver, he was also an entertaining conversationalist. Well his conversation entertained Hwoarang anyway.
"Honey," said Eisuke, waving a hand in Jin's direction, "You have to tell me where you get your hair done."
"I - I don't. I mean, don't get my hair done."
"Wow, that must be some amazing hairspray."
"Uh, I don't use. . ."
"You're telling me that's completely natural?"
"Um . ."
And I'm Mother Teresa, thought Hwoarang.
"What's your name again dear?"
"J-Jin."
"Well talk about winning the genetic lottery, Jin! That's such a cute name: Jin! Isn't it cute, Hwoarang-san?"
"Adorable," he agreed.
"By the way, those pants are jaw-dropping, Jin. Not only is the boy gorgeous, he's stylish too. Where does Hwoarang-san find these gorgeous stylish men?"
Hwoarang couldn't hold back any longer: he burst into laughter at the look of pure misery on Jin's face.
"Speaking of all things fashionable, Hwoarang-san, you look incredible! That's a much better dye-job than last-"
"That's enough, Eisuke," he cut in, laughter abruptly giving way to a frown.
"Touchy, ne?" Eisuke said to Jin in a conspiratorial whisper. Jin's gloating smile was so loud he could almost hear it.
"But how is Xiaoyu-chan doing, Jin? She still cold back there?"
"I think the heater's really helping the recovery."
Hwoarang twisted around: it was true. Her lips were no longer blue, and a slight flush colored her skin.
"Check her pulse."
Jin reached across and gingerly clasped her arm; Xiaoyu was situated so that she took up most of the backseat, with her feet propped up on Jin's knees.
"Her pulse is stronger," he said, letting go of her wrist to brush a clinging strand of hair from Xiaoyu's cheek.
Hwoarang looked away, turning back to stare out the window.
Asleep, she seemed even younger. It wasn't surprising that Eisuke had mistaken her for a child. But in many ways, wasn't that what Xiaoyu was? Naïve, resilient, untouched by the world's corruption, unlike Jin, unlike him. That would change, he realized with a pang. Tonight alone had changed her.
Why are you thinking about this? Hwoarang asked himself. Focus. I should focus.
"Uh, turn left," he said, interrupting Eisuke's stream of chatter. They had gotten close while he'd let himself fall into reverie.
Eisuke's expression became concerned as he began to recognize the environment.
"Hwoarang-san, you aren't going to go see-"
"Yes, I am."
"Who?" Jin asked, sitting up and looking around as though some building might have a big sign saying "me, Jin, me".
"You'll find out," Hwoarang answered curtly. He was suddenly feeling less generous towards the Japanese youth.
In five minutes the car came to a smooth halt in front of a door colorfully lit with too-bright neon signs.
"A bar," Jin stated, his eyebrows climbing. "We came all this way. . . to a bar."
Hwoarang got out of the car and slammed the door shut, leaning down to eye- level with the open window.
"Eisuke, thank you," he said simply, letting the depth of his gratitude show in his voice.
"Anything, anytime." Eisuke said, just as sincere. Then the mood broke as he flashed Jin a wolfish smile. "Really. Anything."
Jin blushed and nearly fell out the door in his haste. Xiaoyu made a sleepy noise when he scooped her out of the car.
Eisuke directed a hard glare at Hwoarang.
"Don't you dare get yourself killed, Blood Talon." Hwoarang nodded.
"Don't worry about me, Eisuke."
Eisuke became theatrically tearful.
"Goodbye! Take care!" To Jin, he mouthed, "Call me!"
Then the black car drove away, and soon their eyes were unable to distinguish it from the darkness of the sky.
"That was. . .something else," Jin finally said. Hwoarang agreed. Then, unable to resist, he cast Jin a sidelong glance, saying:
"So, was it good for you?"
"I hate you."
Author's notes:
More thanks to Sam Blackcrow, who is ever helpful!
My goodness, I went to the arcade this weekend, and caught my first glimpse of Tekken 4 in the flesh. Suffice it to say that I'm now dehydrated from all the drooling that occurred ^_^. Whew, is it hot in there or is it just Hwoarang's new haircut? ::spaces out::
Jin. Lei. Bangs. Mmm. . .
Okay, I'm gonna stop before this gets R rated ^_^;;.
::sigh:: So today is my last day of freedom ::starts bawling cartoon- style:: Whywhywhy? Don't make me go back, I don't wanna!
Ahem.
Isn't just sad when you're living for the weekends? Oh well, now the only other thing I have to look forward to is spring break. ::counting the days::
Constructive criticism will be printed out and framed. Flames will be used to toast marshmallows. Yum.
See Part 1 for disclaimer.
Hwoarang felt a rush of relief when he saw the phone booth: it was well- concealed in the shadows of taller buildings, easy to miss. Heavy breathing behind him indicated that Jin had caught up, Xiaoyu still cradled in his arms.
"_Now_ you call a cab?" Jin asked in a loud whisper. "After we walked for nearly an hour, it suddenly occurs to you?"
Hwoarang ignored him, catching Xiaoyu's wrist, which hung lifelessly at her side. Her pulse was fast but faint. He lifted his hand and brushed her forehead: cold, damp with sweat. Damn. Maybe Kazama was right. She had fallen unconscious a few blocks back. Hwoarang hoped it was sleep and not something else. If her shock deepened. . .
He turned back to the phone booth. He had to think for a moment to remember the number, then he punched the digits in quickly, as if to make up the time wasted in walking. As the phone rang, Hwoarang glanced around, searching for any clue that someone might be watching. His gaze couldn't help but return to Xiaoyu.
The change in appearance was so startling, Hwoarang could barely believe he was looking at the same person: Xiaoyu seemed so childlike and frail now, completely different from the loud energetic sprite that he had started to get used to. She should've been someplace warm, someplace with a roof, and he knew that. He would've called a cab sooner, but. . .what if someone remembered? What if some random idiot out on the streets happened to catch a glimpse of three haggard people piling into a car and hauling ass, a block away from a police station ringing with gunfire? And if someone, anyone, thought to copy down the license plate number-
That's not going to happen, he told himself. Eisuke would see to that
The phone stopped ringing. A low masculine voice answered, groggy with sleep but making up for it with pure aggression:
"Who the hell is this? Do you _know_ what goddamn time it is? If this is some-"
"Good morning to you too, Sleeping Beauty," Hwoarang replied, a smirk on his face.
"Hw- Hwoarang-san?" The Blood Talon shook his head in grim amusement at the sudden change of tone. But there was no time for joviality, he had to get down to business.
"Listen Eisuke, I need you to give me a ride. Can you make it right now without being seen?"
"Uh yeah, yeah. But where?"
"Corner of Fujitaka, a block south of the phone booth. Be there in five." Hwoarang hung up without waiting for the response, and started walking.
"You. . .didn't call a cab."
Hwoarang glanced over his shoulder. Jin stood in the same place, refusing to follow. Hwoarang sighed, but he stopped walking.
"I don't trust cabbies."
"Why should we trust your 'Eisuke'?"
Hwoarang started to explain that Eisuke was a close friend, but then he remembered that this fact wouldn't be of much comfort to Jin.
"I know him. You don't. He's trustworthy."
"Heihachi can turn anyone. You're putting all our lives in his hands."
"It's the only option."
Hwoarang continued walking, but he began to regret his brusque words. He was accustomed to command, not persuasion. If Jin decided he'd had enough and chose a separate path, Xiaoyu would have no chance of safety, he was sure of that.
He released a breath he hadn't realized he'd held when Jin came up beside him.
"I trust you," said Jin in a serious voice, "She trusts you." Hwoarang tensed.
"But don't forget that when any one of us makes a decision, it changes everybody's chances of survival."
"You think that's something I could forget?" Hwoarang said in disbelief.
"God, Kazama, I'm the leader of a _ street gang_. Most people worry about their next promotion, what their boss thinks of them; I worry about making sure none of my members are dead the next day."
Jin cast him a searching look, and seemed to find his answer satisfactory, because the rest of the walk was silent. They moved quickly in the dark of early morning, but when they got to the meeting spot, a black car was parked waiting for them. As they approached, a tall muscular man stepped out, his dark brown skin and slanted eyes hinting at a multiracial background. He merely watched them in silence until Hwoarang addressed him with a brief nod.
"Eisuke."
"Blood Talon," he said, bowing. And then he noticed Jin. Well, Hwoarang mused, maybe 'notice' is putting it mildly.
"Damn, Hwoarang-san," said Eisuke with a playful grin, his gaze on Jin, "you move fast."
"Wh- what?" Jin said.
"What happened to the blond? Not that I blame you for making the change." I don't believe it, thought Hwoarang. He's leering at Jin.
"You haven't changed Eisuke," the Korean said smiling. "But just for the record, Jin here is free."
"You don't say?" Eisuke gave Jin a wink. Jin did a remarkable impression of a tomato.
"And who's this?" he asked, looking at Xiaoyu. "She's so cute! How old is she, thirteen? Is this your little sister?"
"A friend," Hwoarang said. "Jin, you and Xiaoyu take the back. She should be lying down. And have her feet elevated."
He opened the door, but Jin hesitated.
"What is it?" asked Eisuke.
"He thinks you'll betray me." Hwoarang's voice was toneless.
The man was smart enough to know when he was being tested. He huffed.
"Betray the Blood Talon? Do I look suicidal to you?"
"You see Jin? Now get in, we've spent too much time in one spot already."
* * *
Under Hwoarang's instruction, they drove around randomly, every aimless detour gradually taking them out of town. By the time Hwoarang had decided it was safe to head for their destination, twenty minutes had passed. Fortunately, Eisuke wasn't only a skilled driver, he was also an entertaining conversationalist. Well his conversation entertained Hwoarang anyway.
"Honey," said Eisuke, waving a hand in Jin's direction, "You have to tell me where you get your hair done."
"I - I don't. I mean, don't get my hair done."
"Wow, that must be some amazing hairspray."
"Uh, I don't use. . ."
"You're telling me that's completely natural?"
"Um . ."
And I'm Mother Teresa, thought Hwoarang.
"What's your name again dear?"
"J-Jin."
"Well talk about winning the genetic lottery, Jin! That's such a cute name: Jin! Isn't it cute, Hwoarang-san?"
"Adorable," he agreed.
"By the way, those pants are jaw-dropping, Jin. Not only is the boy gorgeous, he's stylish too. Where does Hwoarang-san find these gorgeous stylish men?"
Hwoarang couldn't hold back any longer: he burst into laughter at the look of pure misery on Jin's face.
"Speaking of all things fashionable, Hwoarang-san, you look incredible! That's a much better dye-job than last-"
"That's enough, Eisuke," he cut in, laughter abruptly giving way to a frown.
"Touchy, ne?" Eisuke said to Jin in a conspiratorial whisper. Jin's gloating smile was so loud he could almost hear it.
"But how is Xiaoyu-chan doing, Jin? She still cold back there?"
"I think the heater's really helping the recovery."
Hwoarang twisted around: it was true. Her lips were no longer blue, and a slight flush colored her skin.
"Check her pulse."
Jin reached across and gingerly clasped her arm; Xiaoyu was situated so that she took up most of the backseat, with her feet propped up on Jin's knees.
"Her pulse is stronger," he said, letting go of her wrist to brush a clinging strand of hair from Xiaoyu's cheek.
Hwoarang looked away, turning back to stare out the window.
Asleep, she seemed even younger. It wasn't surprising that Eisuke had mistaken her for a child. But in many ways, wasn't that what Xiaoyu was? Naïve, resilient, untouched by the world's corruption, unlike Jin, unlike him. That would change, he realized with a pang. Tonight alone had changed her.
Why are you thinking about this? Hwoarang asked himself. Focus. I should focus.
"Uh, turn left," he said, interrupting Eisuke's stream of chatter. They had gotten close while he'd let himself fall into reverie.
Eisuke's expression became concerned as he began to recognize the environment.
"Hwoarang-san, you aren't going to go see-"
"Yes, I am."
"Who?" Jin asked, sitting up and looking around as though some building might have a big sign saying "me, Jin, me".
"You'll find out," Hwoarang answered curtly. He was suddenly feeling less generous towards the Japanese youth.
In five minutes the car came to a smooth halt in front of a door colorfully lit with too-bright neon signs.
"A bar," Jin stated, his eyebrows climbing. "We came all this way. . . to a bar."
Hwoarang got out of the car and slammed the door shut, leaning down to eye- level with the open window.
"Eisuke, thank you," he said simply, letting the depth of his gratitude show in his voice.
"Anything, anytime." Eisuke said, just as sincere. Then the mood broke as he flashed Jin a wolfish smile. "Really. Anything."
Jin blushed and nearly fell out the door in his haste. Xiaoyu made a sleepy noise when he scooped her out of the car.
Eisuke directed a hard glare at Hwoarang.
"Don't you dare get yourself killed, Blood Talon." Hwoarang nodded.
"Don't worry about me, Eisuke."
Eisuke became theatrically tearful.
"Goodbye! Take care!" To Jin, he mouthed, "Call me!"
Then the black car drove away, and soon their eyes were unable to distinguish it from the darkness of the sky.
"That was. . .something else," Jin finally said. Hwoarang agreed. Then, unable to resist, he cast Jin a sidelong glance, saying:
"So, was it good for you?"
"I hate you."
Author's notes:
More thanks to Sam Blackcrow, who is ever helpful!
My goodness, I went to the arcade this weekend, and caught my first glimpse of Tekken 4 in the flesh. Suffice it to say that I'm now dehydrated from all the drooling that occurred ^_^. Whew, is it hot in there or is it just Hwoarang's new haircut? ::spaces out::
Jin. Lei. Bangs. Mmm. . .
Okay, I'm gonna stop before this gets R rated ^_^;;.
::sigh:: So today is my last day of freedom ::starts bawling cartoon- style:: Whywhywhy? Don't make me go back, I don't wanna!
Ahem.
Isn't just sad when you're living for the weekends? Oh well, now the only other thing I have to look forward to is spring break. ::counting the days::
Constructive criticism will be printed out and framed. Flames will be used to toast marshmallows. Yum.