Gomen Gomen! I'm soooo sorry that it took me so long to update! I've been really really busy lately! I registered for a whole bunch of classes during the fall so I had my hands full. So, hehe, as you can see, I'm still alive. Now, since I have my winter break, I'm hoping to further this fic as much as I can. I hope I still have readers after my long hiatus. And if I still do, I just want to say THANK YOU for reading my fic and being so patient with me! Oh and to make up for my long break, I wrote an extra long chapter for you guys. At the bottom are my personal thank yous.


Lei Fang tried to remain alert as she stifled a yawn. Across from her, Seph was talking animatedly about his popularity with the girls in his town. Gawd! I don't know how much more of this I can take! She thought. To keep herself from nodding off right then and there, she took another bite of her crab cake while Seph's voice droned on.

Catching him stop momentarily to eat his pasta, Lei Fang took a sly glance down at her watch. Oh Crap! We've been here for an hour already. She was surprised that she had managed to last for the whole hour. She had never met a more arrogant, pompous and gregarious person before in her whole life.

At first, he tried to "entertain" her by telling her stories of his fighting prowess. He told her of his numerous encounters with gangsters or mobs, going into extreme details concerning their fight. Of course in every story, he came out heroic and victorious. After he was done with that, he moved on to stories about his romantic victories.

"and then all of a sudden, the girls came around chasing me, trying to rip my clothes off!! I had to run for my life! I mean I know I'm irresistible and all but come on! It was ridiculous! And that was only one incident. I have girls hitting on me all the time, left and right." Seph stopped short for a breather. "Well, I guess I shouldn't complain right? I mean, I can't help it if I'm so hot. It kinda comes with the territory, heh."

"Uh huh," came Lei Fang's reply. She had not been listening to a word he was saying.

"But then I guess you would know. I mean, I bet guys hit on you all the time. Hah, you probably have it even worst than me! How do you handle it?"

"Uh huh." Lei Fang said.

"Uhh…Lei, I was asking you a question….Hello?" Seph waved his hands in front of her face.

"Huh? What?"

"Nothing, I was just trying to get your attention. Have you been listening to a word I said?"

"Uh, yeah of course," Lei Fang lied. "It's just that I kinda zoned out towards the end. I have so much on my mind lately." She stopped there, but noticed that Seph was looking at her expectantly, waiting for her to continue. "…um, what with the tournament and everything." Yeah, right Lei. Like your mind was anywhere near the tournament. More like on a certain someone. Shut up! She commanded her mind.

"Oh, I see." Seph suddenly leaned over towards her, wiping away some sauce from the edge of her lips with his finger. Smiling he lifted his finger slowly to his lips and sucked on it. "Mmm, they make pretty good sauce here." He chuckled to himself in note of Lei Fang's taken aback expression.

"Well, you coulda just told me that I had something on my mouth."

"What would be the fun in that?"

"Okay?" Lei Fang gave him a quizzical look. What a weirdo, she thought.

"So, Lei. I meant to ask you. How are things going with you and Jann Lee? How long have you guys been an item?" Seph asked her as nonchalantly as he could sound.

"Well…umm we're not exactly an item…per say," Lei Fang shifted slightly in her seat, obviously not comfortable with the way the conversation was going.

"What do you mean? You're either together, or you're not. He IS your boyfriend isn't he?"

"Well I don't know if you can call him that…yet."

"Have you guys even been out on a date yet?

"Ummm, yeah. Kinda."

"Have you guys even kissed yet?"

Now Lei Fang was mad. Who does he think he is, asking her all these personal questions! She came here to eat, not to be interrogated about just where exactly her relationship with Jann Lee stands. She's been driving herself crazy with the same questions! "I don't think it's any of your business," she said, eyeing him coolly.

"Sorry, I was out of line." He looked at her apologetically.

"It's okay," She said, even though it was NOT okay. His questions just compounded her doubts about where exactly her relationship with Jann Lee was going. She was not an impatient person, and usually wanted to go slow with relationships, but the tournament was going to be over any day now, and they would all have to go home, and then what? Jann Lee would probably just forget about everything that happened between them, and then the next tournament, they would just go back to acting distant towards each other.

That's it! I need to get some advice about this. Tina should be back in her room now.

Lei Fang stood up abruptly. "I'm sorry I have to go." She searched through her purse and took out her wallet but Seph stopped her.

"It's okay, I got it."

"Thanks." She was halfway out the door when Seph called out for her to wait up. What now?? She thought turning over to face him.

"You, you're not mad at me are you?" he asked. "I'm sorry; I never meant to pry into your personal life. It won't happen again!"

Lei Fang suddenly felt bad. He looked genuinely worried. "No, I'm not mad at you. It's okay."

"Okay." He smiled at her. "And if you ever wanted to talk, I'm here."

"Yeah, sure." She said, although she seriously doubted that she would ever come to him to talk. Most likely she would have to endure another one of his long self-boasting stories.


Well, that went well, Seph thought sarcastically, as he made his way towards the weight room. Not only did you fail to woo her, but you made her angry. He didn't know what went wrong. Usually he didn't even have to do anything and girls would swoon left and right for him. But this time, he was actually trying. Maybe I didn't turn on the charms enough. Seph shook his head. No, that wasn't it.

It was just that nothing seemed to work on Lei Fang. He told her all about his heroic adventures and battles, but all that seemed to do was bore her to death. Other girls would have squealed with delight and bombard him with statements of "Wow, you're so cool!" or "Sephy! You're so strong!" But that's the thing. Lei Fang isn't like other girls.

This was true. This was what attracted him to her in the first place. Sure, she was gorgeous, but there was just something else about her. Besides, he had had his fair share of gorgeous girls. No, Lei Fang was special. She was not only beautiful but caring, kind, strong, independent and smart. In short, she was perfect. Why can't I ever get someone like that?! Am I not worthy of the perfect girl? He asked himself.

He sighed. No doubt, she would prove to be a challenge; even for him, and if there's anything he never backed down to, it was a challenge. It's obvious that I have to take a different approach with her, he thought. Girls like Lei Fang won't succumb to just good looks and charms. He smiled to himself. He had a feeling he knew just what to do to win over her heart.

But then there's that pesky problem with Jann Lee. Seph's brows furrowed in frustration. Right…I had forgotten about that. His initial plan was to charm her and steal her away from Jann Lee, but it was obvious now that that wasn't going to happen. He would have to play dirty (well dirtier at least) and ruin her relationship with Jann Lee first, before wooing her. That was his only chance, and besides, he smiled to himself, girls were always more vulnerable when they've just broken up with someone.

Seph entered the weight room and looked around. He spotted Zach, and Hayate doing pushups in the middle of the room and Jann Lee lifting weights at the other end. Bingo! It's meddling time!

He made his way towards Jann Lee and pretended to busy himself with some weights. He didn't fail to notice that Jann Lee stiffened at the sight of him. Hah, he's intimidated by me! Seph thought with some satisfaction (shows how well he knows Jann Lee doesn't it? Lol).

"Hey, how's it goin?" Seph asked in what he hoped to be a casual tone.

Jann Lee grunted in reply.

"That's good to hear…hey, congratulations in winning last year's tournament."

Jann Lee let out another grunt, not even glancing Seph's way. It was clear that he did not want to be bothered.

"Huh, not very talkative are you?" Seph asked grinning. What does Lei Fang see in this guy??!

"Hey, don't worry about it man." Zach said glancing over at the two. "Jann Lee's always like that."

"Yeah, he's not exactly a people person, if ya know what I mean." Hayate joined in, laughing. "I don't think he said more than five words to me and I've known him for more than a year."

"Hey I beat you then!" Zach said, laughing. "He said…let's see.." Zach pretended to think and count on his fingers "10 words to me!" They both started laughing it up.

Jann Lee glared at them in annoyance and then went back to his weight training. He wasn't about to waste time with these fools.

"Huh, that's weird." Seph started. "It seems like he has no problems hanging out with Lei Fang." Seph smiled in satisfaction as Jann Lee's shoulders visually stiffened at the mention of Lei Fang's name.

"Yeah, you're right." Hayate said, he turned towards Jann Lee. "You have been hanging out with her a lot lately, Jann Lee. What's up with you two? Has she finally caught you in her net?" Hayate let out another loud guffaw.

"It's none of your business!" Jann Lee replied forcefully.

"Sorry sorry!" Hayate said, raising his hands in defense. "I was just messin with ya. Sheesh, can't you take a joke?"

"You're talking about Jann Lee here," Zach reminded him.

"oh yeah…"

"Will you fools just shut up?!" Jann Lee boomed, obviously not amused.

"Hey, don't get testy with them," Seph piped in. "It's not their fault that Lei Fang has you wrapped around her little finger."

"What are you talking about?" Jann Lee asked him indignantly.

This is totally gonna work! Seph thought gleefully. It was clear to him that Jann Lee was a natural lone wolf and all lone wolfs were afraid of one thing: commitment. Okay, if I'm going to do this, I have to be casual about it. If Jann Lee suspects that I'm doing this just so that I can get with Lei Fang myself, he's not going to fall for it.

"Oh nothing, nothing. It's just that everyone's been talking about how you guys are together and everything…"

"What?? Who?? We're not together! I mean.." Jann Lee stopped. He didn't know if it was wise to admit to Seph that he and Lei Fang weren't officially a couple.

"Dude, it's okay Jann Lee. You don't have to deny it." Hayate said. "We've all seen you two at it. And besides Lei Fang is definitely a looker."

"Yeah, she's eye candy alright." Zach agreed. "But there's only one lady out there for me and that's my Tina chan."

"Your Tina Chan?" Hayate asked. "When did she ever become yours?"

"Well, she's technically mine. It's only a matter of time my man. Only a matter of time."

"Yeah, whatever." Hayate said, rolling his eyes. "Just keep telling yourself that dude."

"And what do you mean by that?" Zach asked, narrowing his eyes. "You don't want to go after her yourself do you? Cuz you ain't got no chance."

"Hell no!" Hayate protested. "I don't want anything to do with women, never have. They're nothing but trouble!"

"Oh?" Zach raised an eyebrow at Hayate. "Uh…You don't swing THAT way do you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Straight up man, are you gay?"

"No! Of course not!" Hayate declared angrily. "Where do you get that from?"

"Well, you said so yourself you've never been interested in girls and plus uhh…how should I put this, you wear some pretty gay stuff man."

"What??! I do not!" Hayate shouted. "Like what?"

"Well, you're always wearing those tight ass jeans. Guys aren't suppose to wear tight jeans man, they just don't. And you have that mesh jacket that you wear all the time. Also, that outfit that you wear with the medallions, what the heck is that?"

"I'm sorry; let me see if I understand you correctly. YOU'RE criticizing MY fashion sense? YOU'RE calling MY clothes gay??? YOU?! Zach??!

"What the hell are you getting at, man?"

"Uh, hello?? I'm not the one with the teletubby get up!

Oh Gawd! Will these idiots just shut up?!! Seph fumed. He had to bring the subject back to Lei Fang somehow. Jann Lee was losing interest in Zach and Hayate's banter and was going back to lifting weights.

"Anyways, I guess I just find it surprising that you're allowing yourself to be tied down Jann Lee," Seph started again casually. "I mean, I would never imagine that a man of your caliber will allow a woman to distract you from your true goal." A man of your caliber?! Did I just say that?!

"Shut the hell up!" Jann Lee retorted. "You act like you know me, but you don't. So just mind your own business!"

"Hey, he's kinda right you know Jann Lee," Hayate said, scratching his head. "I haven't seen you in the weight room or the training room much the whole time we've been here. It's not like you. I hope you're not getting rusty man."

Rusty?! Jann Lee thought as anger seeped through him. If there was anything he hated most, it was having someone question his abilities.

"Hey, leave him alone Hayate," Zach piped in. "You're just jealous that he found himself a woman and you didn't." Zach glanced off into the distance with a dreamy look in his eyes. "I don't expect you to understand, but when you've fallen in love with someone, it gives you a whole new prospective. Jann Lee has just realized that the tournament isn't everything after all."

But the tournament IS everything to me! Jann Lee thought. Isn't it? He shook his head violently. Of course it is! Winning, winning is everything. I can't ever doubt that. It's the only thing I live for…it's the only thing I've got. To prove that I am the strongest! That's what's important. And what's this talk about love? Jann Lee's mind was reeling. He felt like he was going to be sick.

Huh! What do you know? These idiots proved to be useful after all. Seph thought. He was enjoying the conflicting emotions that played themselves on Jann Lee's countenance.

"Hey, it's okay Jann Lee." Seph said with a laugh. "I'm sure every man's been pussy whipped one time or another. There's no shame."

"I am not!" Jann Lee fumed. At that moment, he would've given anything to just bash Seph's smug face in. He hated that look that Seph was giving him just now; a look of mild amusement. Relax. Just calm down. Jann Lee willed himself. Save it for the ring.

"Hey, I feel for ya Jann Lee. I really do." Hayate said, grinning. "Women can be real trouble. That's why I've given up on them." He stretched his arms over his shoulders and got up. "I mean, look at Hayabusa. He's basically at the beck and call of my sister. She's got him totally trained." He laughed and then let out a loud sigh. "Don't get me wrong. I'm happy for them and all. I mean my best friend and my sister, ya know? But still…now they're always hanging out with each other."

"Oh boo hoo. They've got no time for me. I feel so neglected," Zach teased in a baby voice, pretending to cry.

"Shut the hell up man!" Hayate yelled, taking off his shoe and throwing it at Zach, who doubled over in laughter.

"Well, you know it starts out innocently enough," Seph started, trying to keep things on track. "She'll want to hang out with you all the time; she'll ask you to go shopping with her, be her little tote boy. You'll start to feel all giddy whenever you're near her; you'll start to miss her whenever she's not around. Next thing you know, you guys will be having "the talk."

Jann Lee gulped. He hated to admit but there was a little truth to what Seph said. "The talk? What's that?"

"Oh, you know. She'll suddenly want to know how your relationship stands, what your feelings for her are and if you guys can "take it to the next level". It's a done deal after that, man. She'll have you exactly where she wants you and then there's just marriage after that." Seph smiled inwardly at the look of pure horror that flashed briefly on Jann Lee's face. Hah! I've got you!

Jann Lee grasped his throat with one hand. He felt like he couldn't breathe; he was suddenly hyperventilating. Marriage?? I'm not ready for marriage!! He got up abruptly and rushed out the doors of the gym. Seph watched him leave with a look of triumph on his face.


"It's just so frustrating!" Lei Fang whined, kicking her feet up and down, while sitting on the edge of Tina's bed. "I never know what he's thinking. And I'm not used to being the one who makes all the first moves."

Tina watched her friend in amusement and chuckled. "Well, hey it's your fault. You couldn't have picked a bigger challenge than Jann Lee. I'm just surprised you got him to open up as much as you did."

"Yeah, so am I," Lei Fang admitted. "But you know, he's not as stoic as he looks. He can be really sweet sometimes. I mean he doesn't admit it, but I know he cares." Try as she might, Lei Fang couldn't sustain the silly grin that took over her face. "He's sooo cute! And I like him sooo much!"

"Obviously!" Tina laughed. "You've got it bad."

"Yeah…I know," Lei Fang said, cupping her face and blushing. She picked up a nearby pillow and stifled her girlish giggle with it.

"Oy! I can remember the last time I felt that way." Tina took a brief pause from applying her make up to reminisce about her past love. "Anyways, Lei Fang, could you help me with this?" she asked gesturing towards the back of her outfit, where strings needed to be tied.

"Sure." Lei Fang hopped off the bed and went over to Tina.

"And don't worry Lei. If anyone can change Jann Lee, it's you. God knows, you've worked a miracle already."

"I don't want to change him though. I like him just the way he is." Lei Fang felt another silly grin coming on. "It's just that, he's so hard to decipher and I have no idea how he feels about us."

"Well, you know what you need to do right?"

"No…what?"

"You guys need to have "the talk"".

"The talk? What talk?"

"You know, tell him how you feel about him and ask him if he feels the same way. Ask him where he sees the relationship going, and above all, get him to commit!" Tina stressed the last word.

"Um…I don't know if that's such a good idea. I think Jann Lee will just freak out if I try to ask him all that. And besides…isn't it way too soon?"

"Nonsense!" Tina applied a sheer coat of gloss on her lips and pressed them together. "You can't be expected to wait around forever."

They both startled and looked up as they heard a loud knock from outside. "Who is it?" Tina called out.

"It's Hayabusa. Are you ready yet? Mr. Lionel is waiting."

"Almost! Hold on!"

"Sheesh! What's taking so long? It's a fighting tournament, not the prom!"

Tina and Lei Fang both rolled their eyes. "Hey, just because I'm going to be fighting doesn't mean I can't look good!" Tina shouted back. She finished applying her makeup and took a step back to admire her handiwork. "Hmmm, perfect." Turning towards Lei Fang she grinned. "Well, here I go."

"Good luck, Tina! You can do it!" Lei Fang said pumping her fist in the air. She suddenly remembered something and reached inside her pocket. She pulled out the velvet jewelry box that Zach had given to her before. "Oh, this is for you. It's a good luck charm for your fight today."

"Oh Lei Fang, you shouldn't have." Tina opened it carefully and gasped at the multi-colored bracelet that gleamed inside. "It's beautiful! Thank you!"

"Hehe, don't thank me, thank Zach. He's the one that told me to give it to you."

"Blachh!" Tina exclaimed in disgust. "On second thought, it's hideous. I don't want it."

"Oh come on Tina! He only means well. And besides if he doesn't see you wear it for your fight tonight, he'll be hurt."

"And I care because?"

"Pleeeease? Just wear it this once." Lei Fang begged, looking up at Tina with puppy dog eyes.

"Oh alright." Tina said sighing holding out her wrist so that Lei Fang could put the bracelet on her. She held up her hand and observed the bracelet more carefully. "Well…I guess it IS kinda sweet that he did this."

"Yeah, it is," Lei Fang said smiling. "Now come on. You're gonna be late." Lei Fang grabbed Tina's arm and guided her towards the door.

"Well, it's about time!" Hayabusa said, crossing his arms. He gave Tina a once over. "Uh, high heels? Do you really think that's practical?"

"Well, it may not be practical, but it makes me look more slender."

Hayabusa threw up his hands in defeat. "Okay, whatever. Let's go."

"Tina, I'll be rooting for you from the bleachers," Lei Fang said.

"Thanks Lei." Tina turned to leave with Hayabusa before turning around and saying with a wink "and don't forget to have that talk with you know who."

"Umm..yeah. Will do." Lei Fang sighed. Somehow she felt that it was a bad idea but hey, what did she have to lose?


Well, I guess you guys can see where this story is going. But don't worry! This is a Lei Fang/Jann Lee fic after all, so rest assured that they WILL end up together. It'll just be a little bumpy road, that's all. I can't make it TOO easy on them, after all where's the fun in that? Hehe. And don't worry Darkdragon, I'll try not to hurt Jann Lee or Lei Fang too much. They're my favorite characters too.

Alright, I just want to thank a few of my reviewers because your reviews mean sooo much to me! They truly motivate me to write. So a HUGE thank you to:

Snowbunni3z -thanks for keeping up with this fic. Believe it or not, you were the one who got me back and writing the second time around

nichole hahn – I don't know if you're still reading this, but I'm really glad you liked it! And thanks for putting me in your favorite authors and story list. I feel so special. Lol

Sagistar – Thanks for reviewing…although your review actually kinda scared me. Lol, believe it or not I had just finished watching silence of the lamb for the first time and then I read your review. o.

Khaos Sama - lol, I laughed out loud when I read your review telling me to "review soon!" I was like "huh? Review my own story?" But I know what you meant. I'm glad you like the story, and aren't you happy? I updated!

Also my thanks go out to Kamion, Sadisticshadow, PrinceVegetasPride, Miranda, roc, darkdragon, Seungmina1991, penguin-sesshy, xxmoonlight-angelxx, littleblu, bluemage01, KuzuRyuZen08, RoseDemon, Gleeful Melancholy, and whoever else I missed out.


As always,please review! I would like to hear your opinions on my writting. Tell me what you like about the story and what you don't like (a little constructive criticism can do a world of good, but just not too harsh okay -). The faster you review the faster I will update!