Authors Notes: A thousand apologies for the late update. People, I am stumped. I have absolutely no idea where this story is going... I had to yank my brain inside out and upside down just to come up with this chapter! I am so sorry... I'll do my best to continue this. I myself have been busy anyway, writing fics and doing other stuff. I'll try my best to update as fast as I can. :) I've really been busy with a new xiao'jin fic I've got coming up soon. I need a break from all this hehehe... :P

Disclaimer: If I did own Tekken then why would I be writing fanfics when I could simply make everything I want happen in the game? :P

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Hardships

Chapter 9: Childs play

By: misao seta

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"You might want to hurry up Red, it's almost 8, you'll be late." With that final reminder from the Ice queen, she left along with the goddess. I smiled foolishly for awhile thinking of the goddess's face, then snapped back at the realization that it was almost time for school.

"God, I'll be late! Damn Xiao took my time." I ran about the house fixing myself up and finally when I got ready it was exactly five minutes before eight.

"Damn I'll be late and it's all Xiaoyu's fault. Wait till I get back on you Xiaoyu!"

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The whole day of school had been such a drag. After 4 periods of lecture, note taking and seatworks, I am relieved to be dismissed for lunch break. It's a wonder how i managed to stay awake through the entire morning. It seemed as if all the teachers even got a lot more boring than the usual. School seems to be getting duller and duller by the day. It wouldn't be long until i completely snap from all this 'dullness'.

I frowned and folded my arms infront of my chest, at Jin and Christie signaling them to hurry up with their packing. I'm glad there were no hard feelings when I told Christie all about what had happened and how Jin and I had finally became friends. I told her all about it on our walk to school, it actually came out great. I'm glad it didn't turn into a drama like Christie saying, 'he's all bad because of what he did' or, 'Is my friendship not enough that you had to befried the very person who made you look horrible and shouted at you for no good reason?!'. I was pretty awestruck when she smiled big at me and congratulated me for befriending such a beasty snob... ahem... I'm pretty happy with her reaction and I'm glad that they're talking. It would have been extremely sad if i had to 'choose' from either one of them.

True, I had just began walking on the road with Jin, but i still treasure our friendship. He really is not as bad as he seemed before. He's actually real fun to hang-out with. Probably, equally fun as with hanging out with Chris. Hanging out with Chris of course had it's perks. For one, i definitely couldn't talk about Jin with Jin and i love girl talk or rather, pillow talk.

Jin of course does not talk to her as much as he talks to me but, nevertheless talking is still talking. I guess he still doesn't trust her as much as he trusts me. In time, he would completely trust Christy and hopefully i would still be able to live to that day. If you ask me, the way Jin is now, anyone who knew him before last friday would definitely say that it's a major improvement. It's waaayyy better than that un-talking doll of Heihachi he used to be. I'm really happy he's smiling a lot now.

However, what's been bothering me all day is the fact that I haven't seen Hwoarang in any of my classes. Don't get me wrong here, it's a joy not to have him around arguing with me or ruining my day. I just have this feeling that he's up to something.

This morning I had pretty much stumped him. I made a fool out of him when he was obviously hitting on Chris. Heh, gotta hand it to me huh? I'm the queen of arguments. You have absolutely no chance of beating me in arguments. Be a big bad or a goody goody, you'll never beat Ling Xiaoyu in arguing. It happens to be one of my traits.

I snapped out of my thoughts quickly looking at Jin and Chris again. Oh God, they are moving at snails pace. I would have finished my entire lunch by the time they would be done packing half of their things. I scowled at them once again.

"Come on Jin! How can you mooove so slooooww... you're like a snail!" After this said, he accidentally dropped his books on the desk. Geez, talk about clumsy. I shrugged.

"Okay, scratch that, Snails are waaay faster than you." He looked at me and smiled sheepishly. I looked at Christy, she too had just finished placing her things in her bag. Honestly am I the only fast mover here? Did they not realize that our lunch break is timed? Did they not see how anxious I was to get out? Did they not realize that as they are taking their sweet and jolly time, we're wasting sweet and jolly chatting time? What in the world is Jin doing moving in such a slow pace? Ugh! I bent down and started stuffing all his books in his bags. Unorganized.

"Ling! You're messing my bag up! You see the math book is supposed to be at the edge, that chemist-"

"Alrighty, alrighty Jin. Shh. Zip it. I get it already. You want it fixed. Maybe we could just fix it later? Come on Jin! Lunch break is not allll day! Please?"

"But Ling, you really should learn how to organize your stuff! It prevents you from losing your things." Are you implying that I easily forget where I place my things?! Are you implying that I'm irresponsible?! Why Mr. Kazama, do you want an argument?

"You know he is right Ling." Well I'll be! Now they're ganging up on me. Chris got a glare. So did Jin. Christy was quick to wave both her hands in the air. Heh, the stare, works all the time. Scares my friends like hell, wouldn't want to face my wrath huh Christy? Jin of course did not know of that side of mine.

"But he is right you know! Ack! Your gaze is killing me, stop that. Alright already, I'm sorry for siding with him and not with you! Ugh! Jin would you just hurry up!" Yeah this is all Jins fault.

Let's all gang up on the Jin.

"But I sti-"

"Hurry up!" Chris and I both exclaimed. Immediately the poor scared lad threw all his stuff in the bag. Now that's a good boy. Alright now, come boy, lets chow.

When we reached the cafeteria, I immediate frowned when I saw the line that had already formed. A really long one to. I pouted at Chris and Jin.

"See now why we have to hurry?"

"I'll hurry next time." He apologized while he sheepishly scratched his head.

After about 20 minutes on the line, I was relieved to finally be able to get something on my tummy and just chat with Chris and Jin. I've been craving for lunch since this morning, nothing will spoil it this time.

.::Hwoarang::.

My morning has been damn shitty. I got to school late because of the brat living in the same dormitory as I am. I got reprimanded for being late during my first day. Goddess Chris didn't turn out to be in any of my classes. I still haven't thought of a plan to get back at Ling. Maybe now that it's lunch period I'd be able to think of something to do with that rock. She had definitely ruined my day.

"Hey Hwoarang wait up." I stopped and looked behind as Steve hurriedly approached me. I smiled.

Aside from all those horrible things today that made my day pretty much shitty, there were still a few things that made my day pretty well.

1. When I entered the classroom, girls all 'oohed' and 'aahed' what can I say? I'm really a charmer.

2. I made quite a few good guy friends, Steve is one of them.

3. I haven't seen Ling all day.

Seeing Ling makes me feel horrible. I don't know how she does it. I guess I have finally met someone who can make witty Hwoarang look like a complete idiot. Trust me, after that little incident this morning, I would do anything to get back at her. I don't think I could face the beautiful goddess' face ever again... well maybe I could after I got back at Ling.

"You heading to the caf?" I casually asked Steve, my shoulders slumped looking as cool as ever.

"Yeah, let's go. Line gets long pretty fast." With that said, we sprinted to the caf. I'm incredibly impatient. I am certainly not spending more than 10, heck, 5 minutes standing for food. When we reached the caf however, it didn't seem as if we had a choice. It's wait or starve. I groaned. I saw him glancing around the cafeteria, obviously looking for someone. I felt him tug on my shirt motioning me to follow him. After a few steps, we reached a table.

Oh god.

There she was. My nemesis. Ling Xiaoyu was sitting there eating and chatting happily with the goddess. I looked at her right and sitting there was some guy who was staring so intently at her. He was watching her every move. Something shone in his eyes everytime she laughed. It was as if he was worshipping her... I grinned. I had finally thought of a plan.

.::Steve::.

"Hey you guys! Meet my new friend Hwoarang." I Smiled at Ling as I introduced Hwoarang to the rest of them. I was amazed however to see Ling and Christy both spit out there food and cough.

"Red?!" Ling exclaimed.

"We finally meet Ice." Hwoarang replied cockily. What was that all about? Red? Ice? I don't get it. The obviously know each other, why the nicks?

"Hey Hwoarang. Hey Steve, why don't you guys grab a seat." Chris motioned to the chair beside her and beside Ling. I quickly made a motion to sit beside Ling; I was surprised to see Hwoarang run for the chair right beside Ling. What the heck?

I frowned however when it hit me that i wouldn't be able to sit right next to Ling. I guess front view is better though. I sat beside Christy.

It took a moment for me to realize that it wasn't only Ling and Christy on the table. I looked to the right. It was Kazama.

"Oh, Steve, Red this is Jin, not that you wouldn't know him." Christy and Ling laughed. I nodded as if to say hello and thankfully he did not mind me much. I was busy staring at Hwoarang. His actions had caught my full attention. He was acting strangely unsual. He had this sly grin in his mouth, as if he was planning something. Something must be up. What is it he is planning?

I stared at him intently to try and catch his attention but it was no use. He was staring at Ling too. Giving up on the idea that I would get anything out of him, or even catch his attention, I looked at Ling again. Giving her now my one hundred percent attention. Staring at her always made me full, I didn't even bother lining up over there for shitty food they serve us. She had this way of making me forget hunger, forget everything. Ling couldn't even be compared to food. Ling is much much better. She saw me staring and looked at me puzzled at why I was staring at her. I smiled at her. She smiled at me.

Yep, Ling is much better. I could melt.

My thoughts were quickly interrupted as I saw Hwoarang sneak his arm right by Lings shoulder. His voice, seeming louder than usual, suddenly echoed through my head.

"Hey babe, what's our plans for tonight? Dinner for two or what?"

Babe? Tonight? Plans? Dinner for two? What the-

I looked at Ling looking for an explanation. She tried shrugging his arm off her shoulder but to no avail failed. What is it with Hwoarang. Looking at the side, I saw Jin too had a puzzled look. What is happening?

"What are you talking about red? Tonight? You cook your own food." Even if Ling denied dinner or whatever, it still felt as if I was missing on something important.I wanted to get in on whatever they were talking about.

"Come on babe, stop kidding around. I know you want it."

"Red stop it." Ling said sternly a fiery look present I her eyes. Why, I would definitely want to see Ling in action for once.

"Why should I?" Hwoarang asked cockily.

Time seemed to slow down as Hwoarang gently tilted Lings chin up and kissed her full on the lips.

I froze. Everything froze. Silence. I felt as if I had gone momentarily impaled of hearing and speaking and moving and breathing. I couldn't breath. Everything around me had stopped. I couldn't hear any of the other student happily talking. It was deadly silence, I hated every single bit of it. I hated seeing everything frozen up like I was dead. I hated a frozen Hwoarang kissing a shocked Ling.

Everything had finally started to go back in motion and the next thing I knew, Hwoarang was on the ground, two big bruises on both his cheeks, blood was coming out from his mouth. I was standing right above him, my arm stretched out, my fists clenched. I had just punched his face. He deserved it. He had no right to touch Ling. I was not the only one who thought so anyway, besides me, Jin stood. We had both hit him in the face and Hwarang was knocked out cold on the floor.

Tsuzukeru...

Authors notes: Geez, I feel pathetic. This chapter was rushed I am so sorry. I had actually just written it now and hadn't proofread it yet. I am terribly sorry it's short, i can't think opf anything more to add. I'll try my best to update again soon. A chapter added is still good news right? :) Hope it didn't suck as much as I think it did... I'll update soon! :D

Review please! Review please! Review please!

Adverisment: Hehehe, if you have time, you might want to check out my other fics. ehhehehe, i don't think i would be able to update another fic by the next week, i've got to go somewhere without the comp :'( Hehehe, check out my fics for the time being! :D Please review hehehe. :)

Thank you to all those who have faithfully followed every chapter and reviewed. You have my gratitude and the promise for more chapters. :)

.::misao seta::.