Chapter 15:
Here, There, and Back Again
Why? Was the question that kept running through Hwoarang's mind. Why would she do that? Why would she protect that cop from getting hit by that car? The same person that had been trying to kill her. Hwoarang punched the wall in frustration and confusion. His fist made a large hole within the wall. The memories kept running back and forth through his mind, torturing him and pushing his limits. Hwoarang slumped to the ground letting his bloody fist fall from the hole and letting a tear fall.
"Why?" he whimpered, "Why did you have to leave me?" The short strands of his flaming hair falling in his face. Shadows crawled over and through the window secluding him in darkness. Hwoarang curled up against the wall clutching his legs and burying his face in his knees. Hwoarang dried his tears away and stood up. Grabbing his portable CD player and his jacket he headed out the door.
Heavy metal rock blasted out of the headphones that Hwoarang wore. His sneakers silently pounded the sidewalk in anger and frustration. He just couldn't understand. No matter how hard he tried. He shook his head and watched the sidewalk pass beneath his feet. Anyone could have sworn that the real Hwoarang had died. The real Hwoarang........
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Kazi walked along the dirt road of the outskirts of Tokyo. She flagged down a farmer's truck and jumped in the back. She rode all the way to Tokyo, trying only to think of what she would say to him. But the truth was, Kazi was never good at apologies or showing her true emotions for anything. She thanked the driver and jumped of at the main intersection in downtown Tokyo, two hours later. Kazi looked at her watch,
"Damn. 1:00 AM already." She sighed and headed down the street to the docks. 'I need to find someway to get some money.' Kazi then spotted Denise. Kazi walked over to her. The girl jumped a few feet back, her face ghostly white.
"What's the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost." Kazi said almost laughing. Denise sighed,
"What do ya want?"
"Was just wondering if you could help me out."
"With what?" Denise said suspiciously.
"Help me get a shop."
"A shop?" Denise raised an eyebrow.
"Mechanics. I need some money." Kazi answered simply.
"Why don't you street fight with what's-his-face?"
"Who? Hwoarang? First: He's changed, and what he is doing, is.... not kosher with me. Second:" Kazi sighed, "I walk my own path."
"Ah, don't follow in other peoples' footsteps. That's a good principle to go by." Denise seemingly understood, "There's an abandoned shop near the downtown area, I'll see if I can get it for ya."
"Thanks." Kazi said gratefully.
"Ahh.. Don't worry about it. Think of it as a thanks for saving me from that car." Denise started to walk off.
"Hey!" Kazi said. Denise turned to look at her. "Don't tell Hwoarang."
"I won't." Denise left. Kazi smiled and looked at the midnight blue colored sky.
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Kazi stood at the dock. The glistening waters of a dark blue hue splashed lightly as she waited. She was sure he had gotten the anonymous letter. 'Come-on Hwoarang....' She thought. She heard footsteps. Kazi turned and waited for the person to turn the corner. Kazi suddenly saw Hwoarang round the corner and look up from the ground. His amber eyes grew wide in disbelief. Hwoarang felt his heart stop and his blood run cold.
"K-K-KAZI?!" he managed to sputter.
"Hwoanchan?" Kazi said. Hwoarang's heart started to pound quickly and his blood ran swiftly and made him want to run to her. Kazi smiled weakly, not sure if he was still angry with her. For a moment, Hwoarang stood still, making Kazi uneasy. He suddenly burst out into a run and grabbed Kazi in a strong, bone-crushing embrace. Kazi smiled, "Hwoanchan..." she whispered in his ear. "I'm so sorry."
"Don't- don't worry." Hwoarang pulled back to look her in the face. He smiled as he noticed her bright hair and smiled even more at the fact that she HADN'T dyed it again, but this time in shame. They stood there, Kazi hugging him as if he was going to be ripped from her grasp. Hwoarang held her too. "Where have you been?" He whispered.
"Here..... There.... Ya know… And back again....." Kazi said opening her eyes to see the shadow of a man in the shadows silently walk off. His head hung as if he were full of a deep, dark sorrow that could never be cured......... Kazi's heart seemingly melted in sympathy for him and his sorrow, because she too..... Knew of that kind of pain, and it was not fun........ "Here... There.... And back again....." She whispered again.
