Dai lay back, her laptop computer illuminating her face, studiously typing a report for her superiors. She exhaled heavily, and groaned.
I hate paperwork, she muttered to herself. I don't care if it's on computer, or quite literally on paper. I hate it.
Hwoarang grinned. Sorry I didn't give you more work in the ice pack department.
He had come out of his bout with Craig Marduk remarkably unscathed. An odd bruise here and there, particularly on his ribs, but otherwise he was fine. The sandy beach had been a boon, in many ways; being slammed onto sand was nowhere near as painful as on concrete. In other ways, it had been very, very annoying...
Got rid of all the sand? Dai inquired with infuriating politeness. Hwoarang pushed her feet off the futon, giving himself room to sit. Once he had positioned himself, she swung her feet back up, onto his lap.
Just about, he said. That stuff gets everywhere.
Which reminds me, you're cleaning the inside of Reiko's car tomorrow, she chuckled. I think you brought most of the beach back with you.
He leant towards her, trying to glimpse the screen. Report? I bet you're playing Tetris, or something.
Dai carried on tapping away. Tetris? I'm more of a Columns girl, she smiled. It's just a general report on the progress of my mission.
she said wryly, still typing. Why do I feel that this is going to be an awkward question?
What are you going to do about Kazama if you beat him?
I...I should plant a tracker on him during the fight, then, away from the cameras, follow him, subdue and detain him.
But you could do that regardless of whether you win or lose, Hwoarang said grimly. Dai sighed, and nodded.
Yes. That was the whole point of me entering the tournament. Get to Jin Kazama, ask him to come with me... She shrugged. After his fight with Nina Williams, that was changed to detain, regardless of consent'. He's considered too dangerous now.
You don't agree? Hwoarang asked, surprised. He's gone nuts, schizophrenic or something, and possesses the power to survive a bullet to the head. If I didn't know how a good fighter you were, I'd be really worried. He scratched his neck awkwardly. I still am. A bit.
Dai looked grim. Touching, but I'm more worried about you. You've got to fight Kazuya tomorrow - he's got the Devil Gene and the will to use it. She stopped typing. Even if I capture Jin, or even if he comes willingly, as I suspect he would, there's still Kazuya to contend with; if he wins the tournament, he'll be able to harness the Ziabatsu's vast resources, to learn how to utilise the Devil Gene more efficiently. That knowledge in the wrong hands... She shuddered. Or, he may be captured by Heihachi. Repeat the previous scenario, multiply the consequences a thousandfold.
So, in short, you've really got to capture both of them, Hwoarang said. You want me to plant a tracer on Kazama's old man?
Dai looked shocked. Hwoarang, I couldn't ask you to-
You didn't ask, I offered, he said cheerfully. You can tell Jeremy that I actually did something useful.
She raised a brow, smiling. You do other useful things, she said.
Yeah, but I'm kind of hoping that you don't put those in the report, he said grinning. Back to business-
Yes...what do you think, Reiko?
Hwoarang felt pride as he actually managed to refrain from jumping at the unexpected presence. Reiko gave a respectful bow, grinning, before her expression turned more serious.
It's a plan. We could capture Kazuya after his fight with Hwoarang tomorrow, while you deal with Jin Kazama, she said thoughtfully. But have you even decided how to deal' with young Mr Kazama?
Dai glanced at Hwoarang. I have to do my duty, complete the mission. I can't let Jeremy down. Jin...Jin is dangerous now, she added, almost sadly, Hwoarang thought.
Well, you've got the night to decide, Reiko said. Choose wisely.
As Reiko left the room, Dai rubbed her eyes. She emphatically hit the send' button, and slapped the computer shut.
I'm going to bed, she yawned. Then, she added softly, I have a lot to decide.
Hwoarang kissed her good night, and was then left alone with his thoughts.
********
A dream or a memory?
Dai sat outside the room, swinging her legs as she sat on the chair, only just scuffing the floor. She had always been small. The nurses were looking at her funny; something was wrong, desperately wrong, but she didn't want to admit it. She wanted to stay in her childhood realm of denial.
Kira, you have to tell her, Uncle Jeremy was saying. There isn't...there's not...
I know Jeremy. There's isn't much time. But...ah...
Reiko's concerned voice entered the fray, her Japanese toned English a contrast to the native accents.
I'm okay, her mother's voice responded, rasping with pain. She knew her mother was in pain, even though she tried to hide it. Where is she?
Outside in the corridor, sleeping, Reiko said, proving that ninja's weren't omniscient. She hesitated, before continuing. Jeremy's right. She's got to know one day...isn't it best that it comes from you?
...Yes. Yes, her mother sighed. She sighed a lot since she was taken ill. She has to know. Can you bring her in?
Dai resumed her sleeping' position, yawning as Uncle Jeremy gently shook her awake. She felt sick in her stomach. Her teachers had often commented what a perceptive child she was, but now she felt it was a curse rather than a blessing. Jeremy led her into her mother's room.
Suddenly Dai couldn't stand it. Her mother's pale, gaunt face, wracked with pain; the constant, clinical smell; the pitying looks from the nurses-
The knowledge that her mother was dying.
As Uncle Jeremy, Reiko and sensei left the room - she didn't realise sensei was here - she sat in the chair next to her mother's bed, and rested her head on its edge. Slowly, the tears came.
Dai, sweetheart, don't cry. Please....
Then don't go mommy. Don't die, she blurted, verbally acknowledging the truth. Now she waited for her mother's denial, waited for her to tell her that everything was going to be alright.
Instead, her mother remained silent, her own tears running down that face that had once been so beautiful, so full of the love of life...now it was pale, and wore an expression that wished for release.
I don't want to, believe me. Be brave. Jeremy will take good care of you, her mother sobbed.
There's...something I have to tell you....
Hey...hey, Dai.
Dai woke, sobbing, a wet patch staining her pillow where her tears had fallen. Hwoarang, dressed in a pair of track bottoms, sat over her, gently stroking her bare arm, looking concerned and confused.
I could hear you crying from across the hall, he explained softly. You were having a nightmare, or something...
Dai mumbled an apology, trying to compose herself. So far, the effort was proving to be fruitless. Hwoarang saw this, but didn't press her for details, for which she was extremely grateful. He lay down next to her, taking her in his arms. He kissed her on the head, quietly whispering reassuring words. Despite her current emotional state, she almost felt like laughing; Hwoarang had a reputation for being brash, cocky, and tactless, yet she knew that when it was necessary, he could be as soft as a marshmallow. She wondered how many others had seen this side of him...she had a feeling that she was alone in this privilege. She snuggled up to him, eventually falling asleep.