A Tale of Two Seeds

Chapter 12 – Friend in Need

The heat of the day begins to fade as Jin Kazama slowly walks toward the large garden in the middle of the Mishima complex. He looks back to the events of the night before. He remembers forfeiting the tournament to the young Korean, Hwoarang. Then he recalls the run up to the top of the large mountain where the evil Toshin is waiting. Then nothing.... The next thing he remembers is dragging his grandfather from the falling temple. Then the slow trek back to the complex where the doctors took his grandfather to a private hospital for care. The young man tries once again to peer into the black hole in his memory..................nothing....

"Damn it!" Jin says in disgust. "Why can't I remember?"

Jin's footsteps bring him nearer and nearer to the garden. His mind is still troubled so he does not hear the nearly silent footsteps that follow him. The figure matches Jin's steps and slowly paces the young man. Then he steps forward and puts his hand on Jin's arm. Quick as lightning Jin turns and grabs the man's arm meaning to pull him in and render the arm useless. Equally fast the other man pushes Jin's hands away and yells,

"What the hell....Damn it Jin, its me...."

Jin looks up then and sees a familiar young man near the same age as himself. "Hwo..." begins Jin, but a sudden anger passes through him and he yells, "What is your problem!! You could have just called my name!!!"

As Jin's fists clench in and out, Hwoarang slowly steps back. He hasn't known Jin that long, but he has never seen the young man lose his temper so quickly. As a matter of fact never at all. Jin is usually cool, calm, and collected at all times. Cautiously Hwoarang steps forward and slowly says,

"I did...several times....you weren't listening."

Jin steps back at this and slowly composes himself as Hwoarang continues,

"Look Jin...I didn't come up here for nothing. I've got a favor to ask...."

"What favor?" Jin interrupts coldly.

Hwoarang, now slightly irritated himself, steps forward and points his finger in Jin's direction.

"You owe me!!! I could have forced you to fight instead of letting you go off on some wild goose chase and you know it!!!

"How on earth do I owe you? You are the KING OF THE IRON fist!!! You have your reward!!! What more can you want?"

Hwoarang takes one step closer to Jin, jabs his finger in his chest, and says,

"You!!! Its time we settled this. I didn't enter the tournament for the money. I came here to kick your ass. Now its time to show me what your made of Jap boy!"

Hwoarang steps back into a fighting stance, and Jin just stares at the young Korean. Then he laughs a small laugh and turns to walk away towards the setting sun.

"Go home Hwoarang. I'm not going to fight you."

As Jin starts to walk away Hwoarang uses one last ploy to get him to fight. He didn't want to use this, but this fight is to important to wait any longer.

"Hey Jin, your mom was sure a weak Bitch!"

Jin stops suddenly and his fists clench tightly as Hwoarang continues.

"I mean come on...she was supposed to be all pure and stuff. Well, I don't see your daddy anywhere! Your mom was a SLUT and you were the result!"

As the words ring out from Hwoarang's lips instant regret forms in his mind. He hadn't meant to be so vicious, but now it is too late . Jin turns, his entire body is twitching from anger and he appears to barely be in control. Two tightly controlled words slip from Jin's mouth,

"You're dead!"

Hwoarang's eyes widen in shock as Jin's fists begin to glow a pale red. Jin then looks up and meets Hwoarang's eyes. A deep dark red light emanates from them and Hwoarang steps back in shock.

"What the hell!"

Jin starts walking slowly toward Hwoarang. Not knowing what to make of this thing in front of him, Hwoarang takes several steps back keeping his focus centered on Jin. Suddenly a small form stumbles between the two young men and crashes into Hwoarang sending him to the ground. His head hits hard and he is slightly dazed. Shaking it off Hwoarang looks up and sees a glowing red fist raised high above his head ready to strike. "HOLY SHI....." thinks Hwoarang. The fist begins to descend and Hwoarang closes his eyes and tries to prepare himself for the blow. It never lands. Before the fist strikes a small weak voice calls out from beside him.

"Jin, no."

The voice penetrates the anger that surrounds Jin's mind. The fire dies from his eyes and the red glow disappears from his fists. He looks at the small figure on the ground beside him.

"Mother," whispers Jin in shock as he rushes to her. He looks down at her small form for the first time in 5 years. She is weak and pale. She is wearing what appears to be a Mishima soldiers uniform, and her skin is cracked and dry from dehydration. Taking her carefully in his arms Jin carries her over to a bench near the large tree.

Hwoarang is still lying on the ground in a slight state of shock. He slowly sits up and looks toward Jin and Jun. He stands and walks cautiously toward them and slowly speaks,

"Look Jin, um....what the hell happened back there?"

Turning slowly from his mother Jin looks up at Hwoarang. There is still anger in his eyes but there is fear as well. With urgency in his voice Jin speaks,

"I don't have time for this now! Please get some help! Go find the doctors! I can't move her anymore than I already have!"

"But I...."

"Please...."

Hearing the pain in Jin's voice Hwoarang simply nods his head then runs off into the night to try and find help. Jin turns again to his mother and pulls some stray hairs out off of her face. Her eyes flutter open and she looks at her son. Her cracked lips try a small smile and she softly speaks,

"Jin you are alive....I thought I would never see you again."

Jin cradles her head in his arms.

"I'm here mother. Help is coming. I've missed you so much!"

Mother and son wait side by side for help to arrive. Only one member of this little family is missing. As the sun sets fully, a dark figure soars from a fissure into the night. It can sense them both. A dark smile crosses its face. "Soon," it thinks. "SOON!"