Hi! I'm sorry for the long wait, but I have a lot of troublesome things going on right now. For one thing, this weird dude at school started stalking me! Anyway, I'm really sorry! Please forgive me, and as always, R&R!
Kari: I was thinking of adding Lee too, but I don't really know how to place him in the story. When he comes into play, it will be a lot later. I also don't know much about his character...
KrappKarmin: I don't really know how I could fit those pairings into the story... If you want, I write one-shots on demand. Just email me and I can give you a one shot with the previously mentioned couples. Also, I don't know much about Eddy or Miharu, so you'll have to enlighten me.
Ignes Fatui: Thanx soooooo much!
XInfernal: I know I made Julia seem really weak, and I promise that's about to change. When I first added her to the story I didn't know much about her character, but now I know loads more so her character will start to develop.
TheWishOfNight: Thanx for the complements! The halloween special should be up by...Halloween!
If anybody has any costume ideas for the special, I'd be glad to hear them. I'm going to make Xiaoyu something innocent, Jin something tough, Hwoarang something hot and rebellious, Christie something dancer like/elegant/figure showing, and Julia something more native American (yes I know it's overdone but I still like it !)
Bonds of LoveLing Xiaoyu laughed and reached up a hand. Julia took it and helped her up. "Good job Julia!" she exclaimed. Over the past few days all four of the fighters had made full recoveries, and today Ling and her friends had gone back to the dojo to train. Since Hwoarang was adamant about fighting against Jin, Julia and Ling were now partners. In their last fight, Julia had managed to knock Ling against the ground. It was the first time all day that Ling had lost to her, and she could see the pride sparkling in Julia's eyes.
Ling dusted herself off, and she asked, "why don't we go check on the boys?" Julia shrugged, "why not? We'll arrive to see them either fighting, or Hwoarang will be glaring daggers into Jin's back. If looks could kill, Hwoarang would have killed your boyfriend long ago." Ling smiled. She had only just told Julia that she and Jin were... more than friends. Honestly she didn't know how to put it. They didn't really date or do the things regular boyfriends and girlfriends did, but at the same time the relationship was way more than plutonic. Utterly confused, she finally reached the place where Jin and Hwoarang were fighting. Jin was using a towel to wipe some of the sweat off his face, and Hwoarang was glaring daggers into his back. Julia was always right. "So, did you lose?" Julia asked Hwoarang, a smile on her lips. "No!" Hwoarang snapped. "We tied."
Ling rolled her eyes and walked over to Jin. "Hi," she said. Jin graced her with a smile before turning toward her. "How did the training go?" she asked. "Not bad," he replied. Ling smiled at him and he in turn asked, "so how'd things go with you?" Ling quickly responded in a needy voice, "Not to bad, but Julia won the last fight so now my bum hurts!" Jin raised his eyebrows at her and Ling giggled. "What?" he asked. "Nothing, you just look funny when you do that." Ling watched as Jin opened his mouth to come back with a witty comeback, but just then Heihachi stepped in. The happiness in the air dissipated, and Ling glared at Heihachi's intruding presence.
Heihachi frowned at them and told them, "I'm afraid I have to leave for business. I won't be back until tomorrow afternoon. That is when we leave for Egypt. Tonight you have a new job. You will pose as couples and go to a party that I'm hosting in the manor. Jin, since I won't be there, you are acting as host and Ling will be the hostess. See that everyone has a good time, and that no one figures anything... unpleasant out. That's all. The supplies are in your rooms. I suggest you start to get ready." With that he left on his trip.
Ling sighed, and her and the others meandered back into the house. Ling headed straight to her shower. She tuned the water to a pleasantly warm temperature and stepped in. The water enveloped her, and Ling sighed in contentment. It was times like these that she could almost forget where she was and why she was here. She added shampoo and gently massaged the scalp of her head. The shampoo soothed her, and she slowly rinsed it off. As she partook in the wonderful feeling, she didn't notice the figure outside her curtain.
Ling stepped out and wrapped a towel around herself. She dried her hair and decided to dress for the party. She headed over to the box that was now a familiar sight on her bed. An elegant silk gown flowed through her fingertips. It was a wonderful baby pink, and it shined. Ling slipped the dress on and it fit her perfectly. The color made her skin gleam and it shaped to her form, showing off her elegant curves. Ling looked further into the box and found a comb with a white hyacinth on it. A variety of hairpins and clips gave Ling an idea and she set to work. Soon her black hair was twisted and braided into a halo around her head. Extra hair that was left over was gathered up and held in place by the comb. It gave her an extra two inches of height, and it extenuated her long graceful neck. The last thing in the box was a pair of elegant pink heels. Ling slipped them onto her feet. She couldn't fight in them, but this was only a party. Secondly she applied a very natural looking lipstick, shimmering pale pink eye shadow, and just a bit of blush. A golden necklace with a small Hyacinth charm completed the outfit.
Ling looked in the mirror as she analyzed everything. She slowly scanned her reflection, starting at the bottom and moving up. As she got to her face, she suddenly saw a mysterious figure over her shoulder. Ling gasped and turned, knocking over her make up, but her stalker was ready. Ling felt a cloth cover her mouth and she inhaled a purely disgusting sent. She struggled, but her struggles gradually weakened. Her lungs burned, and then all was black.
Julia sighed as she pulled out a beige dress. It was modest, but still exquisite. She slid it on and watched as she was transformed from a simple Native American girl to a beautiful woman. The dress wasn't as modest as she first thought, and the v-neck showed a bit of cleavage. The color accented her pale tone and made her rich brown hair glow. The dress was very form fitting, and Julia's flat stomach and skinny waist were amplified. Julia brushed out her hair and gathered it into a large bun. She held it there with a pearled hairpiece. A matching necklace of pearls adorned her neck along with pearl earrings that dangled daintily. She added some extremely dark lipstick to complete the look. When she was done she looked like a sophisticated young woman. She opened her door and hurried downstairs. Hwoarang's going to die from shock when he sees me.
Hwoarang picked at his clothes with distaste. He hated dressing up, but the old geezer apparently wanted him to look like an overly sophisticated dweeb. He cautiously glared at the outfit before giving up on his attempts to kill it with his glare and putting it on. The pants were barely baggy, he noted with displeasure. He pulled on the white silk shirt and gave up. He refused to tuck it in, and instead he let it hang over his pants. Then he ditched the tie. They were for old people and people like Jin. Finally he pulled the overcoat on, only to realize it was too short to go with his new improved style. He busted out through the door and happened to see a maid passing by. Grabbing the unfortunate lady he said, "make this longer so it goes with my outfit." The bemused maid left and Hwoarang got a longer garment back in less than a half an hour.
Inside he pulled his vibrant red hair back into a low ponytail at the nape of his neck. He sprayed the cologne on himself and looked in the mirror. His pulled back hair gave the ladies a nice peek at his handsome face and Hwoarang left the top few buttons undone to give a teasing look at his muscular chest. He smiled broadly and started down the stairs. Let's see if ever-studious Julia can resist the irresistible Hwoarang!
Jin calmly buttoned up his shirt. He fastened the tie around his neck and made sure his hair was spiked up. The tuxedo he was wearing made him look totally irresistible, and as he walked from his room, one of the maids dropped her laundry. Jin sighed and helped her to pick it up. The flustered maid walked away. This always happened... Hopefully Ling will react the same way, he thought with a grin.
He started down the stairs, but a glance over at Ling's room stopped him. He walked across the hall and knocked gently. No one answered, and Jin knocked again, louder this time. Still no one answered. Jin gently swung the door open. The room was a mess. Make up was scattered all over the floor and her full-sized mirror had been knocked onto the ground. There were clear signs of a struggle and Jin immediately panicked. On her bed lay a letter. With shaky hands Jin picked it up and read it.
Dear Jin,
I have her. If you do care for her at all and don't want to see her injured, come to the dojo at 8:00. Don't bring anyone with you, or tell anyone where you are going. If you do this, the girl might not be injured. If you do not show up, or are accompanied by other people Ling Xiaoyu's life cannot be guaranteed.
The letter gave no hint as to who sent it. Jin dropped the letter and glanced at his watch. 7:15. He sprinted out of her room with glowing red eyes as hot as coal. If they hurt her I'm going to make their death even more miserable. Ling, pleases be safe!
