Authors Notes: Okay! I am vack once again with another er… chapter. I feel like it's been forever but it has actually been only two weeks… well, it feels great to be uploading another chapter again. Thank you to all those who reviewed the previous chapter and my other fic heehee… :) I will always remember you guys. :D
DISCLAIMER: I don't own it.
.::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..
Hardships
Chapter X: Never let a 1st timer have more than one shot.
By: Hermionini/Misao Seta
.::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..
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.
.::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..
Hwoarang, Steve, Jin and Xiao had all found themselves inside the guidance room, right after their stay in the clinic, which was right after their little fess up in the canteen, waiting for Ms. Kniffy, their guidance councilor.
What started out as the usual chatty lunch break turned out to be one big scandal. After Hwoarang did the unthinkable, obviously to get even with Xiaoyu, not only did he receive a slap but something a lot stronger than that. He got two unexpected big hits from Jin and Steve. What followed then was a colossal altercation between the three guys, but for some reason, Xiaoyu had been dragged into it, receiving a rather strong kick in the shins as well. It ended with Hwoarang getting two black eyes, a bleeding lip and nose, and a pretty bruised body. Steve got his 'do' messed up, his lip bleeding and his ankle sprained. Jin on the other hand got the least injuries among the three only earning minor bruises.
After their little incident in the cafeteria and a short trip to the school nurse, they were all called to the guidance councilors office for a 'talk'. Xiaoyu and Hwoarang, being new to the school, had no idea who their councilor was. Hwoarang didn't even know they had guidance councilors. The two waited in the office together with Jin and Steve, waiting for the unknown to arrive.
Hwoarang was leaning against the wall, both hands behind his head, his face looking as arrogant as ever, as if he didn't do anything. As if the reason why they were all there was not his fault, but the other three's.
Steve was walking back and forth across the room, his footsteps echoing in the quite room as his hands were folded across his chest and his forehead furrowed. He on the other hand looked as if he was in deep thought.
Jin was seated on the couch across the couch Xiaoyu was sitting on. He, had both his elbows propped on his knees, his hands clasped together while his thumb circled each other. His face, although it was a bit shadowed by his hair, was, unlike the other two guys, blank and emotionless.
Xiaoyu, the only lady in the room, was sitting on a for-one-person couch, her hands stretched out beside her, her head tilted to the left, her mouth slightly parted and her face was, like Jin's, blank and emotionless. She was numb inside out. Everything that just happened, happened way to fast for her, it wasn't fathomable.
The only sound her all throughout the room was Steves light footsteps and the constant tick-tocking of the clock.
Tick.
Step. Step.
Tick.
Step. Step.
Tick.
Step. Ste-
"Would you cut it out Stevy boy!" Hwoarang bellowed no longer able to stand the tension with only Steve's constant steps and the constant ticking of the clock being heard. It was like a time bomb was in the room waiting to explode.
"You can't boss me." He bellowed back.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah."
By this time to two were neck-to-neck, ready to start another brawl, right at the councilors office.
"I don't think I have a place for violence in this room." A high pitched girly voice said. Everyone turned to the sound of the voice to find a very short woman, somewhere in her 50's, with a burning head. She was short and had a short frame, she was thin to the bones, her hair was rather… huge for her face and her clothes were obviously waaay out of her league. Like a grandmother trying to be a kid.
"I believe that the school doesn't either." At this, the two had instantly moved away from each other, but not stopping the constant daggers they were throwing at each other with their stare.
"Now that's better boys. Now, all of you come, come. Here in the couch please. Mr. Hwoarang and Mr. Steve. In the couch please. Now." Something about this woman implied that she was one not to be messed with. One gets the feel that messing with her would only ruin you. It was frightening.
"Okay. Explain."
"Hwoarang started it. He-"
"Hwoarang assaulted a student. We onl-"
"Kazama and Fox here just hit me for no goo-"
"All right zip it. One by one if you mind?" She nodded towards Xiaoyu. Up to now she was the only one who had remained silent. It seems as if she's staying that way as well.
Not even a word.
"Well?" Ms. Kniffy asked impatiently. Xiaoyu remained silent, head bowed.
"I see little missy here can't talk at the moment. Kazama explain."
"You see Ms. Kniffy, it all started with…"
.::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..
Xiaoyu found herself slowly walking back to her dormitory alone at 6:30 pm after they had an extremely long and tedious talk with Ms. Kniffy who was a real pain in the ass. Thankfully, Xiaoyu was not given any punishment at all, and rightfully so as well. She hadn't done anything at all. She was the victim. Hwoarang has hell to pay.
Xiaoyu spent her walk to her dorm thinking about the days events. This has by far been the most unusual day. She had never expected it all to go this way when she had awaken this morning. Who would have known that after today, Hwoarang, Jin and Steve would have detention because of her, she would receive a kiss from someone she'd rather die than kiss, she would have a huge and painful bruise on her shins. And alas, for the first time in her life, she hasn't spoken a single word for almost half a day. Today had truly turned into a very very strange day.
Hwoarang had given her the shock of her life. He had definitely crossed the line. He had no right to do that, even if he wanted to have revenge on her. His tiny embarrassment in front of Chrisy this morning was nothing to what he had done to her in the cafeteria. The outcome did shock her as well. She never expected Jin and Steve to behave that way. She had expected Jin to have a screaming fit with Hwoarang at the most, but to punch him? And Steve, when had they gotten so close that he'd be willing to punch Hwoarang for doing something… rude to her?
When she reached the door to her dormitory, it was already past seven. Silently praying that Hwoarang wasn't in, she cautiously opened the door.
Relief washed through her when she found their dormitory empty. Tossing her bag on the couch she made her way to her room, slamming the door as she entered.
She plopped herself onto her bed. Feeling for her phone somewhere. Finding it hidden under her pillows, she quickly dialed Chrisy's number. A couple of rings then Christies voice filled her ears.
"This is Chris. I'm sorry, but I am not home at the moment. If you have a message please leave it after the beep. Toodlez!"
Sighing she just put the phone down. Great. This is turning out wonderfully. Now she had nobody to rant on.
[Maybe I should go out. I haven't explored this place much yet. Maybe there's a bar somewhere in town and I could rant on some bartender there…]
With a new found hope in her mind, she quickly stood up, changed into some casual clothes and headed out for the town.
.::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..
The place was called 'Static'. It was located in the middle of the city very much lively with it's speakers booming loudly in the active night life of the city of Tokyo. People of all sorts were going in and out of the place, all those coming out seemingly drunk and have fully enjoyed themselves, all those going in seemingly ecstatic about getting in and partying.
Inside Static was like a jungle. People were dancing everywhere, the music was beating loudly, some people were drinking like mad… it was crazy and for Xiaoyu, it was the right place to be. She needed to loosen up, this is definitely going to be just the place where she could do that.
Smiling brightly, she slowly made her way through the small gaps of people tightly compressed in the place. After about 7 minutes, she had reached the bar.
"Hi I would like a glass of water please." The bartender laughed.
"Girl we don't serve water. We serve strong stuff or no stuff at all."
"Give her a Mi-mix Josie."
"All right! One Mi-mix for you then, young lady." The girl named Josie just smiled at her then went to make her the 'Mi-mix', whatever that was.
Xiaoyu quickly looked at her right to see who ordered the 'Mi-mix' for her. She saw a Japanese girl, probably the same age as she was if not maybe older, with shoulder length brunette hair smiling at her.
"Yo! I'm guessing your new here?" She asked.
Smiling shyly, Xiaoyu nodded.
"I'm actually new to the country. I don't know the place much yet."
"Well this girl, is 'Static'. Possibly the best partying place all over Japan." The girl proudly said beaming at Xiaoyu.
"I noticed." Xiaoyu said with a smile glancing at the dance floor, watching all the ladies throwing themselves all over the floor and the guys.
"What's you name?"
"Xiaoyu. Ling Xiaoyu. Call me Xiao."
"Great to meet you! My name is Miharu." Miharu smiled at her, just then Josie just returned.
"One Mi-mix for you then." The elder lady said passing Xiaoyu some orange looking liquid.
"Uhm… thanks." Xiaoyu just stared at it.
"I made that mix you know. That's why it's called the 'Mi-mix'. I made it especially for people asking water here. Heehee… don't worry it's not poisoned and it's not too strong. Just right for beginners." Audibly gulping, Xiaoyu pressed her lips to the glass and took a sip.
It was as if she was drinking ice. The drink had a cold sensation to it, making it seem as if you had swallowed ice. It had a bittersweet flavor and slightly tasted like Mango. Xiaoyu had actually enjoyed it. She took another gulp or two.
"Works everytime! Not a single soul ever said that stuff sucks."
"It really is good!"
"Of course! I happen to have made that mix." Miharu beamed at Xiaoyu and then starting the conversation again.
"So what brings you to this part of town?"
"Uhm… I just wanted to explore the place a bit. I guess I needed to loosen up to."
"Stressed? You go to college?" The Chinese nodded.
"Where?"
"Mishima High." Miharu gasped audibly.
"You must be hella rich then. Never could I afford to go to that school. So… I'm guessing you're from China?"
"Yep. My father usually goes to other countries for his company and right now, he's assigned over here."
"I see, I see." Xiaoyu gulped the remaining sips of the Mi-mix.
"Hey! Easy with that stuff Xiao, You could still get drunk with that,"
"Um, excuse me, I'd like another one please." Miharu gaped at her. Wasn't she the girl asking for water awhile ago? What happened? She just gulped down a Mi-mix in 5 minutes.
"Heh. I'm guessing you're having problems?" Xiaoyu shrugged at Miharu's statement. Did she have a problem? Hell yeah she had a problem. His name is Hwoarang.
"You betcha girl."
"Heh, mind sharing?" Xiaoyu paused for a moment, then thinking that it was the reason why she went out, she smiled and faced Miharu, that is after taking three gulps from her MI-mix that had arrived.
"You see it all began this morning…"
.::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..
"Ugh the ass!" Miharu said vehemently.
"I know! I mean, he had no right!" Xiaoyu replied finishing her fourth glass of Mi-mix.
"Xiao, might get drunk there." Xiaoyu called for Josie and asked for another glass of Mi-mix.
"And what is it with Steve and Jin? Re they like like… ummm… my protectors now? Heehee! I'm a princess then!"
"Okay maybe you're already drunk." Miharu looked slightly worriedly at Xiaoyu. She had been gulping down mi-mixes like crazy. Who knows what she'll do when she's drunk? Strip? Do some crazy acrobatic stuff on the floor? God knows it's the last thing Miharu would want right now.
"Don't talk gibberish Mihawu! I'm still alrighty! And Chrisy! Ugh! Chrishy was juzz thhurrr! She doesn't saids anythang!"
"Yup and your grammar is just perfect. You're drunk." Josei passed Xiaoyu another Mi-mix.
"Josie stop it! She's drunk already!"
"Oh quiet Mihawu! I'm not drank! I'm perfectly fine. Wait where was I? Oh right! Flowers are pretty!" She gulped down the whole glass in one shot, the she slightly swayed and the almost fell out of her seat. Miharu shook her head. What a mess.
"Heehee… why's the room moving? Oh, is this one of the effect of this place? How awesome! Heehee!"
"All right no more Mi-mixes for you young lady. I'm calling for someone to bring you home. You have mobile?" Mihru quickly looked if she had brought a bag, and she did.
"Mooobbiille? Heehee! Moooooooooooooooooooo… bile! Heehee!"Shaking her head once more, Miharu grabbed Xiaoyu's bag and looked for her phone. Finding it, she quickly searched for Christies number.
"Gah! Thief thief! Someone help me She stole y bag! She stole my bag!!!" People immediately looked at Miharu and one man tried to run and tackle her."Stop! Stop! Stop! I'm not stealing her bag for goodness sakes! I'm calling her friend, she's clearly too drunk to go home by herself." Miharu quickly tried to explain.
"And why should we trust you?" The man asked suspiciously.
"Ugh. Ask Josie, she'll tell you." The man looked at Josie for assurance, and Josie nodded immediately.
Ring ring…Ring ring…
Ring ring…
Ring ring…
Ring ring…
"This is Chris. I'm sorry, but I am not home at the moment. If you have a message please leave it after the beep. Toodlez!"
"Great she's not home. Who would you get home Xiao?" Miharu asked Xiaoyu who was singing the ABC's.
"Ooh! How do I get home? Let's fly Miharu! Wouldn't that be so cool? We're going to be like the birds and the bees and flowers and the trees and the moon up above and the thing called looooovvveeee!!!"
"Goodness Xiaoyu qhat have you done?!"
"Jinny Miharu! Call J-I-N-N-y!!! heehee! Jinny!" She giggled.
Sighing, Miharu searched for Jin's number.
After a couple of rings, a deep mans voice answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"Er… Mr. Kazama Jin?"
"Speaking. Who's this?" something in the was he speaks was scary, Miharu decided to just quickly get to the point and hang-up.
"Well Um… Xiaoyu kind off needs help getting home, She' over here in Static and she got… too drunk. Would you mind fetchi-" He hanged up.
"Wow Xiaoyu. Your friend certainly has a pleasant attitude." Miharu murmured obviouslt pissed at Jin's rudeness.
"JinnY? Hahaha! Jinny is an ass! Hhaha! He shouted at me during my first day for being so talkative! Hahah!" Miharu smiled at Xiaoyu. She actually looked and sounded cute drunk. Xiaoyu suddenly frowned.
"What's the matter princess?"
"Heehee! Princess! Well, Jinny might get mad at me for being hewe so wate. Mihawu pwomish you'll shut at him if he shouts at me?" Xiaoyu looked at Miharu pleadingly. She couldn't say no. Nobody would have.
"All right. I'll scream like hell!" Miharu was actually enthusiastic now, if she would screm at him, that would be pay back for hanging up.
"Yeah1 HOOOLLLLAAHH!!!" Xiaoyu shouted louldly in the bar that some pleple stared t her as if she was mad.
"Watchoo staring at?!"
"Well this is a pretty site." Both Miharu and Xiaoyu turned around at the manly voice from behind them. Miharu had immediately dropped her jaw at the site of the man. The man whom Xiaoyu ran too and threw herself into Jin's arms all the while shouting 'jinny jinny! Mi it's jinny!'
"Hey there Xiao."
"Jinny! Jinny! Miharu and I will fly!!! Like the birds and the bees and the flo-"
"All riighty Xiao. NO need to get into that again." Miharu quickly before she could finish her little song. Jin chuckled.
"It is not funny Jinny! Go Miharu scream at him!!! HOOOOOLLLLLAAAAHHH!!!!" Jin looked sightly worried.
"What did she drink?" He asked Miharu.
"Fivee glasses of Mi-mix's. It's her first time I guess. The drink isn't too strong since it's for starters but she still got drunk. Not a strong stomach I'm guessing. She' been like this for some time now."
"Mimimimiiiiiiwaawuuu!" Xiaoyu called out, then suddenly burst out laughing hysterically. Jin nodded.
"Yes. I don't think she ever drank anything like this before and if you say it's for starters than she's definitely got a week tummy there."
"Jijijijin!!! Hhaha!!! Did you hear what I called mimimimiiiiiiwaawuu?? Hehaha!!! There it goes again jijijijjiiin!! Hahaha! Did you hear what I just called you? Hahah!"
"Oh my goodness… I'll bring her back to her dormitory…"
"Actually I don't think that would be very wise Mr. Kazama. You see, she told me about the little altercation during noon today and I don't trust her sleeping anywhere near that Hwoarang guy."
"What do you suggest?" Jin asked.
"Got an extra room?"
Tsuzukeru….::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..::o::..
Authors Notes: I know, I know. I am the most pathetic chapter ender in the whole wide world. Yes, I know the ending of this chapter sucks but I had to end it here. You could predict what happened by then anyway right? It's pretty simple… :)
Thank you to all those who have reviewed and supported my fic. You have my never ending gratitude and the promise of another chapter up soon.
After this update, Hardships would mellow down a bit due to school and I really want to finish my other fanfiction Finding My Way To You. It's a pretty good fic and I've pretty much got everything there outlined so I think I'll be posting more of that fic. If you would want, you could check it out. It is Xiaoyin anyway… actually more than this is. :(
Comments? Suggestions? All welcome. Just click the magic button over there… I know you want to…
BOWS
hermionini
