Authors Notes: Phew! I'm back with another chapter! The beach and nature had really helped me with this chapter! :) Nothing much in this chapter, just Xiao's status and of course, Jin. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own.

Chapter dedicated to sistah Sphinx, the joy of my mornings.

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Finding my way to you.

Chapter two: When nothing works… steal. :)

By: Hermionini

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My first week on the blistering hot summer road didn't turn out as bad as I thought it might be, thankfully. Camping wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. True, the road is damn hard and rocky but, thanks to my wonderful friends, I have tons of mats to make the earth I have to sleep on at least a bit comfortable. I had made do with all the food that they had packed so far too, making sure to eat in right and small amounts to make the food last long enough for, hopefully, my entire journey. It seemed as if the two had really prepared this trip for me packing all sorts of things that I would be needing for the trip, from food and beverage, to dozens of mats, and even toothpicks.

During my first week, I had been tempted numerous times to go back running to the comfort of our apartment. My pride got the better of me though. I won't go running back after only a week away. I'm strong, tough and hard as a rock. A little of this 'great outdoors' couldn't hurt me. Besides, what would the two think if I go crawling back home after a week? They'd think I'm a coward. I'm dependent. I'm weak. And trust me, I am by far not dependent, not cowardly and definitely not weak. I am actually a strong, fiery, smart, dependable, ass-kicking lady. I shouldn't beware of strangers. They should beware of me.

Thankfully though, nobody has bothered me or done anything wrong at me during my whole week on the road. If anything, as I made my way and passed from town to town, people actually seemed to smile at me in a friendly manner. Okay, so maybe people in this world are not all bad as my parents have always taught me. Sometime this week I had even bumped into a young and helpful lad who had willingly offered to carry my entire load till I get to my destination. I guess having a charming face, no matter how stinky I am and how messed up my hair is, still had advantages.

The whole week I made do with everything the duo back at our flat had packed for me. I hadn't bothered getting into an inn or hotel since I wanted to save money if ever I get tired and choose to ride a cab or whatever to wherever I would be going. Until now, I haven't figured out where exactly I would be going. I thought I should explore this place a little bit more before I go wondering to other places, besides, not as if I had my passport with me now did I? Well, maybe, and hopefully, they had packed it along with the other things they threw inside my humungous bag. If they could pack in a toothpick, why not my passport?

I haven't exactly explored the entire bag yet, fatigued from walking and carrying my humongous bag has always gotten the better of me whenever I find the perfect place to pitch my tent. Usually whenever I find a clearing that looks safe and near a body of water in some forest or whatever, all the strength I had in the morning had long since drained out of my body leaving me just enough strength to pitch my tent before I completely collapse in the comfort of the mats pillows which joyfully catches me with open arms.

It amazes me that Miharu and Julia had managed to fit enough food for a whole week, a tent, a sleeping bag, tons of mats, pillows, pens and a notebook, clothes and all those other things in a bag. I mean sure the bag was extremely large but I wouldn't have thought that all of those things they packed would fit if I had just stared at the bag. All hands for Miharu and Julia for being such great packers.

Of course, aside from the pillows, mats, tent and sleeping bag they packed, everything else would be gone one day and this morning as the wonderful golden rays of the sun shone straight through the tent and I fumbled through my bag, fishing for breakfast somewhere in it, I found that I was already short of food.

I had never expected my food supply to run out after a week. I had always eaten carefully making sure that the food the two had packed for me would last long. Then it hit me that I had failed to check whether I still had food last night. I mentally slapped myself for neglecting something that would make me survive. I was utterly speechless to find my whole bag without a single trace of food.

I panicked.

I'm going to starve. Nobody would know about it. They would all think that I just went on a journey, maybe found a man and never returned. I would die out of fatigue and lack of food. No… worse… I'm going to be one of those people who live on the streets fishing for food in the trash bins of other people… GROSS!!!

It took awhile before it occurred to me that I should simply get my wallet and buy some food from the town. How stupid I had been to have worried over nothing! Honestly, I tend to be so silly sometimes!

I quickly fumbled through the pockets of my pants and my bag searching for my wallet, my last source for survival.

Nadda.

Tears had threatened to fall from my eyes. I had no food. I had no water. I had no money. I really am going to die.

ArgH! Ling Xiaoyu you are the most idiotic person in this world! Who in their sane mind would go on a road trip without money?! How stupid of you!

'Well if you recall, Miharu and Julia actually threw me out right after they got out of the room with this bag! How am I supposed to know that they didn't pack my wallet? And besides, I was still in shock of what they were going to do! You should have reminded me to bring my wallet!'

I thought it was in your pocket!

'See! You're no different than I am! It's both our fault.'

Fine!

In frustration I had kicked a large boulder on the side of the road… I completely regretted doing that since my foot throbbed in pain right after my attempted assault on the piece of earth.

"Crappy stone"

You see Ling, some people tend to think first before thinking of kicking something as hard as a rock.

'Shut up'

I sat on it in frustration. I had to think fast and real quick or else I'd starve to death and eat leftovers from people's trash bins. The vision of me picking food from trash bins played in my head and I quickly wagged my head to remove it. There is no way that I would fall that low. No. Even if all my other plans, whatever they are, fail I will never eat from trash bins. No, that would be far too foolish of me, besides who knows what some sort of disease I might encounter from doing that? I might die from all the germs in those food anyway! I might as well die of starvation, than die from some disease.

I quickly thought of ways on how to escape this dilemma I had put myself into. No, scratch that, Miharu and Julia had put me into. If they haven't even wanted me to 'go on vacation' then I wouldn't have to think of a plan to avoid starvation! Yup it's their entire fault. They are getting some hurt when I get back home. Those two better be prepared to face my wrath when I get back. cause believe me, it's something none of them have ever experienced.

Now however, is not the time to think of how to get angry at Miharu and Julia when I get back… I will get back and I won't die of starvation. No, that is too simple. If I would die, I would get killed by someone's hands, not die of a freaking disease, how lame is that?

Alright, let's list ways of surviving.

1. Work somewhere, as a waitress probably.

My mind says yes, my ego says no. I would never want to be seen working as a waitress. Okay, it's not as if it's an honor less job, it's just not my thing. Besides, I'm too clumsy to carry a tray filled with all that food in a hand. The food would undoubtedly spill all over the place.

That being unacceptable I guess I'll have to retort to my last resort. I'll just nip a few things now and then… I wouldn't be seen anyway. I would wear a cloak to hide my identity. Besides, it's waaay easier and less tiring than working as a waitress.

The only problem with this is that it's waaay to early. It's always better to steal in the evening, when it's dark. I don't know if I could survive till then. Probably I'll go nip something in the market, but when night falls, travelers beware…

Night had finally fallen after a few close calls from the market. The lady selling apples in the market had almost caught me but thankfully, a customer came and I had immediately ran away as soon as she switched her attention to the customer. The whole day, all I had eaten was a rather large apple, and an orange. It's actually quite hard to steel anything else other than fruits since well, vegetables need to be cooked and so does meet which leaves me no choice now does it?

I pushed my thoughts aside concentrating on any incoming sounds from the road ahead. I had to keep my senses active a hundred percent for any travelers going this way. Once they get near me… I ambush.

A smirk has been playing in my lips for quite sometime now, I hadn't felt this excited for so long. For some reason, doing something against the law did not get me shaking from head to toe I was shivering in anticipation. This would be my first bad doing since ages and that thought thrilled me. It's good to do something bad after being so good for such a long time, I makes me feel… excited.

I thought nobody would be passing by this road for the evening. It's been awhile since I sat here waiting for someone to come for me to attack but the road has been silent as I waited. Finally, thankfully, I spotted a shadow crossing the road. A person, most likely a man, was walking towards my direction silently humming to himself.

My mind had quickly assessed the possibility that, that person was a bandit… nah. It's not very likely. Well, I could always see their reaction. Most bandits would break down and confess or attack once accused. Heh, you really are a genius aren't you Xiaoyu? Finally gathering up strength, tightly wrapping the cloak around me and grabbing the bread knife that lay beside me really tight, I jumped out into the road to confront my victim.

"Hold it right there!" I shouted boldly at the figure standing next to me.

The clouds had shifted and the moon bathed us with light. In front of me stood a tall man with soulful brown eyes and messed up spiky hair. I blinked. He blinked.

"YOU!" I shreaked.

Standing right in front of me was none other than my high school buddy, who sometimes was my rival, Jin Kazama.

"Xia-Xiaoyu?! Xiaoyu Ling??" He inquired taking a step forward to see if it was really me, I still had that cloak wrapped around me. It amazed me how good his memory was, I mean after all those years he still remembers my voice!

"What are you doing here?!" It never occurred to me that I'd meet someone I know in this road. It's miles away from the town and it's a wonder what he was doing here.

"Oh, so it is you. Why the cloak? Is this a private road? What are you holding there? Is that a knife?!? What are you doing here with a knife?" I quickly hid the knife behind me and let the cloak fall off me. I smiled at him sheepishly I had been caught. This is sooo embarrassing. I am soo gonna kill him if he tells anyone.

"Er… It was chilly so I decided to where a cloak and umm… I was holding the knife in case someone came to assault me while I was having a walk I mean of course I wasn't planning on assaulting you and stealing your money by threatening you with this bread knife over here. Hahaha, that was the farthest thing on my mind."

Shit.

Xiaoyu you are an idiot.

I saw him raise his eyebrow. He suddenly had a smile on his face.

"Good thing you're not planning on continuing your assault on me. Or are you? Is this the time where I run now? So what are you doing here?" He inquired once again.

"I was under the impression that I asked you first." Yeah, that's it Xiaoyu. Be a smart ass. Don't let him get you.

"Well, I'm actually traveling around, believe it or not on foot." My jaw literally dropped. This is way too much to be a coincidence.

"How about you? It's been ages since I saw you, it's really a shock that you're here right now, planning on assaulting poor travelers like myself." He smirked. I glared at him. He obviously didn't know the situation I was in! I was being threatened into eating leftovers from trash bins! Did he not know how hard that was?

"I ran out of food and I had no choice! Come on, it's waaay better than eating leftovers from trash bins right? I'm traveling as well. Oh and I'm traveling by foot too, just incase you were wondering." This time it was his jaw that dropped.

"Oh… well, since you're starving and I've got food, why don't you have some? This is a good place for me to stop tonight. I hope you don't mind if it's nothing spectacular, food is still food." I felt as if I could hug the guy. He is an angel A heaven sent. I could just kiss him… okay maybe not. I absolutely don't mind the food being 'un-spectacular'. When traveling by foot, don't expect things to be spectacular, they'd be good at the most.

I nodded to answer his question and quickly got my things behind the bushes. I have been saved for the night. Thank god for sending travelers I know, it made thing waaay easier. Instead of getting into a ramble, I could just ask for some chow.

With my nod, he smiled at me then proceeded to preparing the food. Standing there really made me feel awkward. Not only am I asking for food but I'm also acting like a real don waiting for the food to be served for me. Alrighty then Kazama. I guess I have no choice but to help you out. I shall now give you the privilege of getting to see my awesome camping skills.

"Let me set the fire!" I cheerfully told him, marching up to him.

"Okay, but I'm out of matches. You have to do it the primitive way." That did not sound good. I looked at him for instructions.

"You know, rub two stones together."

"Of course I know that." One embarrassment is enough for the evening, we don't want him to get all cocky just because I momentarily forgot that rubbing two stones was the primitive way of starting a fire. I'm still in shock of meeting someone I know from way back in high school out here in this forest clearing.

"I happen to be real good at this you know. I've been camping for ages." Yeah, brag about something you absolutely suck at, that's the right thing to do.

.::an hour later::.

"Are you sure you don't need any help Xiaoyu?" I glared at him. Did I look like I needed help? Sure he got both our tents up already, he had prepared the food already, everything was set, except the fire.

"No! I am absolutely capable of starting a fire!" I tried hitting the two stones harder, but I only succeeded in breaking one into two small rocks. Grr…

"Xiaoyu… they don't work like that…"

"I said I could do this!" I snapped back at him.

"Whatever you say…"

.::15 minutes later::.

"Hah! I got it! See! I told you I'm good at this!" I blew on the spark to get the fire to start. I looked back and saw him jerk awake from his sleep. Grr…

"Now I'll just get the food on the fire and cook it in a b-"

"Xiaoyu, I think I better do the cooking."

Tsuzukeru...

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Authors Notes: Well... how was it? I know Jin's part was pretty short. From now on, he's going to be in every chapter... how isn't that just dandy? :) I will be updating every friday mornings. :)

Big big thanks to all those who reviewed. You have my never ending gratitude. :)

Please be a darling and review. It helps make my day. :)

Till the next chapter.