A/N: Okay, to the stupid person called 'opside' - what the hell? Did I
majorly offend you in some way? Why the hell should I write MY story the
way YOU want? Oh yeah, about calling me an 'assole', jackass and bitch -
what? You couldn't decide which offensive name to call me? Pitiful . . .
when people stoop so low. Besides, there was a reason why my last chapter
was so "dam" (learn how to spell - it's DAMN) short; it was just an
introductory prologue, dumbass.
On a brighter note, I want to thank the lovely peepz for encouraging
reviews - I hope you like this chapter! And thanks to Black Phoenix for
pointing out the Panda/bear thing, I've changed it now =)
Oh yeah, if you're not fond of either Hwoarang or Julia then I suggest you
don't read this story because I like those characters very much and Xiaoyu
is good friends with them in this story. Because like I said before, this
is a friendship fic and none of the characters hate each other (although
Jin and Hwoarang still have their rivalry thing going on!)
*~*~*~*
*LING XIAOYU'S LOG* *290314*
THE QUEST FOR JIN BEGINS 2ND JANUARY
CURRENT LOCATION: TOKYO AIRPORT
I HAVE A SERIOUS DILEMMA!! I'M HERE AT THE AIRPORT, STARING UP AT ALL THE BRIGHT RED PLANE SIGNS BUT WHERE DO I GO?! WHERE WOULD JIN BE? I WISH I HAD THOUGHT THIS OVER PROPERLY BEFORE JUMPING UP AND TRYING TO LOOK FOR HIM. GRRR . . .WHEN I FIND THAT BOY I WILL TEAR OFF HIS ARMS AND BEAT HIM BLUE WITH THEM!
Xiaoyu decided that writing obscenities about Jin, however much it would make her feel better, would not help.
Also, very mysteriously, someone had credited a whole lot of money into her bank account. Xiaoyu had never seen so many zeros on the end of her original amount before. Well, someone else's mistake was her gain - she could put that money to good use and travel to more countries to find Jin.
Suddenly, the departure sign flashed above her. One of the planes was leaving for Arizona in 10 minutes . . . Arizona!! Of course! Xiaoyu would go and see her good friend Julia - she was bound to have a little information on Jin.
Jumping with barely contained excitement, the beaming Chinese girl leapt to her feet and ran to buy her plane ticket. * * *
*LING XIAOYU'S LOG* *290314*
CURRENT LOCATION: ARIZONA, USA (FINALLY MADE IT!)
I CAN'T WRITE MUCH AT THE MOMENT; I'VE JUST LANDED AT ARIZONA AIRPORT AND I REEEEAAAALLY NEED TO GET TO JULIA STRAIGHT AWAY (I DON'T WANT TO BECOME LOST!) I HOPE SHE GOT MY E-MAIL I SENT AT ONE OF THE INTERNET BOOTHS AT TOKYO AIRPORT AND KNOWS I'M ABOUT TO ARRIVE, I MEAN, I HOPE SHE HASN'T GONE AWAY ON HOLIDAY ELSEWHERE . . .
The hot sunny climate of the dry American plain-lands of Arizona was definitely an eye-opener for our heroine. Xiaoyu had never come into contact with such a place before; but the whole idea of her valiant quest seemed like a million and one adventures waiting for her to encounter.
Jumping even more excitedly than she had at the airport, Xiaoyu hailed a cab and asked the driver to take her to the address Julia had given her before the end of the last tournament.
After an hour or two, the cab dropped our heroine off in a rural dusty area, with only a few houses for miles around.
Nervously, she stepped up to the door of the house she was sure was Julia's. Straightening out her creased clothes, Xiaoyu knocked on the door.
A pretty woman, who looked like an older version of Julia, answered the door. She had her thick brown hair in plaits down the side of her back and sported, in Xiaoyu's opinion, cool thrifty Native American clothes.
"You must be Xiaoyu," she smiled warmly, extending her hand, "Julia mentioned that we would be expecting a guest. I'm her mother, Michelle."
Xiaoyu smiled back, shaking her hand. "Julia has told me plenty about you," Xiaoyu stepped into the interior of the house, relieved she was actually in the right place. "Mom! Who was that at the door?" sounded a feminine voice from the other room. Xiaoyu smiled merrily as Julia stepped into the room, joyous to see her friend again.
"Xiaoyu!" Julia cried happily, clapping sight of the tiny Chinese girl and running to scoop her up in a hug, "You're here!"
Michelle smiled. "I'll fetch some lemonade, you must be thirsty after your journey Xiaoyu."
"And a little bit hungry," admitted Xiaoyu sheepishly. Michelle laughed. "I'll put together a Native American speciality."
"Thanks Mom," Julia smiled as her mother left the room. "So, Xiaoyu, you never said in your e-mail the reason for suddenly visiting. Don't get me wrong - I'm so glad you're here," Julia said quickly.
"No, you're right, there is a reason. I'm on a search for Jin - he's disappeared, once again, and I intend to find him," Xiaoyu said, "I wondered if you'd have any information on where to start looking?"
"I'm sorry, Xiaoyu. I wish I could help," Julia chewed her lip, feeling sorry that she couldn't be of any service to her friend.
Xiaoyu saw Julia's gloom. "Don't worry," she smiled in reassurance.
"Tell you what, though," a big smile had begun to grow on Julia's face, "If you want the company, I'd be willing to help you on your quest until the very end. I promise not to leave your side!" She laughed.
Xiaoyu felt like bursting with happiness. She practically leapt at Julia and threw her arms around her. "Thank you!! That would be great! You don't know how lonely it gets when travelling alone!" a great rush of gratefulness to Julia followed after that.
Julia laughed and steadied her friend. "I might change my mind if you don't shut up right now!"
"Sorry," Xiaoyu giggled, "I'm just so excited - it's going to be so fun with you coming with me."
"Oh," Julia suddenly looked downcast; "Money might be a bit of a problem though."
"Oh no it won't!" Xiaoyu said in a singsong voice and proceeded to tell Julia about her guardian angel that had blessed her with a hefty sum of money in her account. "Hmm, looks like you got yourself a mystery benefactor," Julia smiled, "But I couldn't let you pay for me."
"I am and I will, I won't let you argue with me," Xiaoyu crossed her arms and gave Julia what she hoped was a 'don't mess with me' look.
"I guess I won't win this argument," Julia said then thanked Xiaoyu for her generosity. Xiaoyu blushed.
"So, do you still remember your high school crushes on Jin?" Julia teased. Xiaoyu went pink with embarrassment. "Yes," she squeaked, "But I got to know him so much more personally on a friend level." She turned to Julia desperately. "He's my best friend and I really think something bad has happened to him. That's why I'm doing this and going round the world looking for him."
Julia looked at her with sympathy. "Jin is a very good friend," she agreed, "I hope nothing has happened to him either."
"I was thinking of going to see Hwoarang next," Xiaoyu informed her.
"Hwoarang? Jin's sworn rival?" Julia smiled. "They like each other really," Xiaoyu said, dismissing it away with a wave of her hand, "besides, Hwoarang loves me visiting him!"
Xiaoyu knew Julia could see through her little white lie and they both burst out laughing. Hwoarang wasn't the most sociable of people.
"I almost forgot - as soon as I found out you were coming over, I made this for you," Julia jumped up and headed over to a dark pine wooden dresser. Pulling open a draw, she delicately lifted something out.
Returning to a curious Xiaoyu, Julia smiled and dropped the object into her palm.
Xiaoyu's eyes widened in marvel for the beauty of the piece of finery. It was a beaded necklace, with a tiny wooden loop hanging off entwined with velvet and turquoise beads whilst tiny wispy emerald feathers dangled down pleasantly.
"It's a 'welcoming' gift," Julia beamed at Xiaoyu's liking of her necklace, "Since you have come to our house for the first time."
"I-It's beautiful," stammered Xiaoyu. "You MADE this?" she asked incredulously, running her fingers along the beautiful shimmering length of the beading.
"Yes. Traditions are passed down from generations in my family - my grandmother taught my mother how to make traditional jewellery like this, and my mother taught me from a young age," Julia shrugged with a smile, "It comes naturally."
"Wow," said Xiaoyu, still amazed, "It's really pretty."
"This bit is a dream catcher," Julia pointed to the velvet-covered loop, which had turquoise beads caught in its centre, "It filters through all the good dreams while you sleep but catches all the bad ones in it's web."
"Geez, I really wish I had bought you something now," Xiaoyu said, chiding herself for being thoughtless. After all, Julia was letting her stay in her house and Xiaoyu had shown up with nothing to show her gratitude.
"Xiaoyu, really, I didn't expect anything," exclaimed Julia, "I'm just really glad to see you again. Besides, haven't you done enough by saying you'll pay for our trip?? "
"I'll still going to get you something and your mother, too," Xiaoyu said, determined. Once our heroine had made her mind up about something, it was impossible to get her to change it.
"Alright then," Julia laughed, shaking her head. Then she sniffed the air hungrily. "Looks like Mom has our dinner ready," she grinned and tagged Xiaoyu, "Last one into the kitchen has to set the table and wash up afterwards!" And grinning, Xiaoyu watched her friend bound away.
"Julia Chang, you will do no such thing!" came her mother's voice, "Xiaoyu is a guest in this house and I'm not having her doing chores! In fact, I have a better idea - why don't you come straight in here and help me?"
Xiaoyu giggled as Julia groaned. Looking down at the beautiful Native American necklace, Xiaoyu knew she was going to have fun while she was here.
* * *
*LING XIAOYU'S LOG* *290314*
CURRENT LOCATION: ARIZONA AIRPORT
TRAVELLING COMPANION: JULIA CHANG
TRAVELLING CONDITIONS: SUNNY, DRY, WARM
NEXT STOP: SEOUL, KOREA
IT HAS BEEN A GREAT WEEK AT JULIA'S HOUSE. EATING DINNER EVERY NIGHT UNDER AN ENDLESS EXPANSE OF STARRY SKY AND DRESSING UP IN TRADITIONAL COSTUMES (JULIA LENT ME SOME OF HER CLOTHES) TO TAKE PART IN NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBAL DANCES AND SHOWS. I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE, BUT THEN I REMEMBERED MY VALIANT QUEST . . . I CAN'T LET JIN DOWN, HE MIGHT NEED ME. ANYWAY, WE'RE OFF TO SEE MY DEAR FRIEND HWOARANG. OOH, HE'S GOING TO BE SO HAPPY TO SEE ME!!! (I KNOW HE MISSES ME LOADS!)
*~*~*~*
*LING XIAOYU'S LOG* *290314*
THE QUEST FOR JIN BEGINS 2ND JANUARY
CURRENT LOCATION: TOKYO AIRPORT
I HAVE A SERIOUS DILEMMA!! I'M HERE AT THE AIRPORT, STARING UP AT ALL THE BRIGHT RED PLANE SIGNS BUT WHERE DO I GO?! WHERE WOULD JIN BE? I WISH I HAD THOUGHT THIS OVER PROPERLY BEFORE JUMPING UP AND TRYING TO LOOK FOR HIM. GRRR . . .WHEN I FIND THAT BOY I WILL TEAR OFF HIS ARMS AND BEAT HIM BLUE WITH THEM!
Xiaoyu decided that writing obscenities about Jin, however much it would make her feel better, would not help.
Also, very mysteriously, someone had credited a whole lot of money into her bank account. Xiaoyu had never seen so many zeros on the end of her original amount before. Well, someone else's mistake was her gain - she could put that money to good use and travel to more countries to find Jin.
Suddenly, the departure sign flashed above her. One of the planes was leaving for Arizona in 10 minutes . . . Arizona!! Of course! Xiaoyu would go and see her good friend Julia - she was bound to have a little information on Jin.
Jumping with barely contained excitement, the beaming Chinese girl leapt to her feet and ran to buy her plane ticket. * * *
*LING XIAOYU'S LOG* *290314*
CURRENT LOCATION: ARIZONA, USA (FINALLY MADE IT!)
I CAN'T WRITE MUCH AT THE MOMENT; I'VE JUST LANDED AT ARIZONA AIRPORT AND I REEEEAAAALLY NEED TO GET TO JULIA STRAIGHT AWAY (I DON'T WANT TO BECOME LOST!) I HOPE SHE GOT MY E-MAIL I SENT AT ONE OF THE INTERNET BOOTHS AT TOKYO AIRPORT AND KNOWS I'M ABOUT TO ARRIVE, I MEAN, I HOPE SHE HASN'T GONE AWAY ON HOLIDAY ELSEWHERE . . .
The hot sunny climate of the dry American plain-lands of Arizona was definitely an eye-opener for our heroine. Xiaoyu had never come into contact with such a place before; but the whole idea of her valiant quest seemed like a million and one adventures waiting for her to encounter.
Jumping even more excitedly than she had at the airport, Xiaoyu hailed a cab and asked the driver to take her to the address Julia had given her before the end of the last tournament.
After an hour or two, the cab dropped our heroine off in a rural dusty area, with only a few houses for miles around.
Nervously, she stepped up to the door of the house she was sure was Julia's. Straightening out her creased clothes, Xiaoyu knocked on the door.
A pretty woman, who looked like an older version of Julia, answered the door. She had her thick brown hair in plaits down the side of her back and sported, in Xiaoyu's opinion, cool thrifty Native American clothes.
"You must be Xiaoyu," she smiled warmly, extending her hand, "Julia mentioned that we would be expecting a guest. I'm her mother, Michelle."
Xiaoyu smiled back, shaking her hand. "Julia has told me plenty about you," Xiaoyu stepped into the interior of the house, relieved she was actually in the right place. "Mom! Who was that at the door?" sounded a feminine voice from the other room. Xiaoyu smiled merrily as Julia stepped into the room, joyous to see her friend again.
"Xiaoyu!" Julia cried happily, clapping sight of the tiny Chinese girl and running to scoop her up in a hug, "You're here!"
Michelle smiled. "I'll fetch some lemonade, you must be thirsty after your journey Xiaoyu."
"And a little bit hungry," admitted Xiaoyu sheepishly. Michelle laughed. "I'll put together a Native American speciality."
"Thanks Mom," Julia smiled as her mother left the room. "So, Xiaoyu, you never said in your e-mail the reason for suddenly visiting. Don't get me wrong - I'm so glad you're here," Julia said quickly.
"No, you're right, there is a reason. I'm on a search for Jin - he's disappeared, once again, and I intend to find him," Xiaoyu said, "I wondered if you'd have any information on where to start looking?"
"I'm sorry, Xiaoyu. I wish I could help," Julia chewed her lip, feeling sorry that she couldn't be of any service to her friend.
Xiaoyu saw Julia's gloom. "Don't worry," she smiled in reassurance.
"Tell you what, though," a big smile had begun to grow on Julia's face, "If you want the company, I'd be willing to help you on your quest until the very end. I promise not to leave your side!" She laughed.
Xiaoyu felt like bursting with happiness. She practically leapt at Julia and threw her arms around her. "Thank you!! That would be great! You don't know how lonely it gets when travelling alone!" a great rush of gratefulness to Julia followed after that.
Julia laughed and steadied her friend. "I might change my mind if you don't shut up right now!"
"Sorry," Xiaoyu giggled, "I'm just so excited - it's going to be so fun with you coming with me."
"Oh," Julia suddenly looked downcast; "Money might be a bit of a problem though."
"Oh no it won't!" Xiaoyu said in a singsong voice and proceeded to tell Julia about her guardian angel that had blessed her with a hefty sum of money in her account. "Hmm, looks like you got yourself a mystery benefactor," Julia smiled, "But I couldn't let you pay for me."
"I am and I will, I won't let you argue with me," Xiaoyu crossed her arms and gave Julia what she hoped was a 'don't mess with me' look.
"I guess I won't win this argument," Julia said then thanked Xiaoyu for her generosity. Xiaoyu blushed.
"So, do you still remember your high school crushes on Jin?" Julia teased. Xiaoyu went pink with embarrassment. "Yes," she squeaked, "But I got to know him so much more personally on a friend level." She turned to Julia desperately. "He's my best friend and I really think something bad has happened to him. That's why I'm doing this and going round the world looking for him."
Julia looked at her with sympathy. "Jin is a very good friend," she agreed, "I hope nothing has happened to him either."
"I was thinking of going to see Hwoarang next," Xiaoyu informed her.
"Hwoarang? Jin's sworn rival?" Julia smiled. "They like each other really," Xiaoyu said, dismissing it away with a wave of her hand, "besides, Hwoarang loves me visiting him!"
Xiaoyu knew Julia could see through her little white lie and they both burst out laughing. Hwoarang wasn't the most sociable of people.
"I almost forgot - as soon as I found out you were coming over, I made this for you," Julia jumped up and headed over to a dark pine wooden dresser. Pulling open a draw, she delicately lifted something out.
Returning to a curious Xiaoyu, Julia smiled and dropped the object into her palm.
Xiaoyu's eyes widened in marvel for the beauty of the piece of finery. It was a beaded necklace, with a tiny wooden loop hanging off entwined with velvet and turquoise beads whilst tiny wispy emerald feathers dangled down pleasantly.
"It's a 'welcoming' gift," Julia beamed at Xiaoyu's liking of her necklace, "Since you have come to our house for the first time."
"I-It's beautiful," stammered Xiaoyu. "You MADE this?" she asked incredulously, running her fingers along the beautiful shimmering length of the beading.
"Yes. Traditions are passed down from generations in my family - my grandmother taught my mother how to make traditional jewellery like this, and my mother taught me from a young age," Julia shrugged with a smile, "It comes naturally."
"Wow," said Xiaoyu, still amazed, "It's really pretty."
"This bit is a dream catcher," Julia pointed to the velvet-covered loop, which had turquoise beads caught in its centre, "It filters through all the good dreams while you sleep but catches all the bad ones in it's web."
"Geez, I really wish I had bought you something now," Xiaoyu said, chiding herself for being thoughtless. After all, Julia was letting her stay in her house and Xiaoyu had shown up with nothing to show her gratitude.
"Xiaoyu, really, I didn't expect anything," exclaimed Julia, "I'm just really glad to see you again. Besides, haven't you done enough by saying you'll pay for our trip?? "
"I'll still going to get you something and your mother, too," Xiaoyu said, determined. Once our heroine had made her mind up about something, it was impossible to get her to change it.
"Alright then," Julia laughed, shaking her head. Then she sniffed the air hungrily. "Looks like Mom has our dinner ready," she grinned and tagged Xiaoyu, "Last one into the kitchen has to set the table and wash up afterwards!" And grinning, Xiaoyu watched her friend bound away.
"Julia Chang, you will do no such thing!" came her mother's voice, "Xiaoyu is a guest in this house and I'm not having her doing chores! In fact, I have a better idea - why don't you come straight in here and help me?"
Xiaoyu giggled as Julia groaned. Looking down at the beautiful Native American necklace, Xiaoyu knew she was going to have fun while she was here.
* * *
*LING XIAOYU'S LOG* *290314*
CURRENT LOCATION: ARIZONA AIRPORT
TRAVELLING COMPANION: JULIA CHANG
TRAVELLING CONDITIONS: SUNNY, DRY, WARM
NEXT STOP: SEOUL, KOREA
IT HAS BEEN A GREAT WEEK AT JULIA'S HOUSE. EATING DINNER EVERY NIGHT UNDER AN ENDLESS EXPANSE OF STARRY SKY AND DRESSING UP IN TRADITIONAL COSTUMES (JULIA LENT ME SOME OF HER CLOTHES) TO TAKE PART IN NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBAL DANCES AND SHOWS. I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE, BUT THEN I REMEMBERED MY VALIANT QUEST . . . I CAN'T LET JIN DOWN, HE MIGHT NEED ME. ANYWAY, WE'RE OFF TO SEE MY DEAR FRIEND HWOARANG. OOH, HE'S GOING TO BE SO HAPPY TO SEE ME!!! (I KNOW HE MISSES ME LOADS!)