Okay, I'm updating once again....my fourth chapter, can't believe I got
this far! Lolz. This is actually based on some personal experiences in my
visit to Soeul.. Anyways, I think replies to some reviews are in order
here, so:
Mizu-Tenshi: you're reviews and encouragements have kept me going! Lol, thanks a bunch.
Silver Angel: Thanks for the review, and sorry it's taking so long to update..
Where Are You Now?
Finally the uneasy ship ride was over, and she could have the luxury of touching solid land once again. Her stance felt unnatural, which was natural really, after having to spend days on a constantly wavering cruise liner, and she grapsed onto railings to hold herself upright.
Kesumi looked up for the first time to see Korea, with people and trees milling in an endless stream around the harbour. Turning her head, she faced the ocean, a scenery which would've normally locked her breath within her throat, did nothing to please her right then. Too tired and seasick to notice the outstretch of beautiful water, she bit her lip, staring pleadingly out into the crowd.
Where was she exactly? And how did she get to Soeul? Annoyed, she raked her brain for any recollection of - anything at all. But her mind was blank, and the only thing that she knew was that this was not Soeul. Okay, breathe Kesumi, breathe! You can do this.
She looked around for a telephone booth. Or even an information counter by the sidewalk - no that was unlikely...possibly police officers or....she sighed. Can life get anymore complicated than this?
Standing there in the middle of the sidewalk, being jostled to and fro by travellers made her feel as if she was placed on a boat again. So she hastened her move towards a peaceful area, and slid slowly onto an available bench.
It was already getting dark, and she had the sinking feeling that all her efforts to find her brother had been of entire vain. Sighing deeply, she started walking down the now empty streets, feeling as if she was wandering aimlessly with no specific purpose.
She'd just have to take it at a step at a time..so her current destination: to find a hotel.
~*~*~*~*~
"Oh wow! Incheon Airport kicks ass!" Andrew whispered fervently into her ear, and she couldn't help but grin at his excitement.
Tenchi had her bag already claimed and loaded onto a cart, accompanied with the rest of her trainees' luggages. The plane trip had not been pleasant, despite the exceptional service and food they served on the airline. Many hours of continuous flight had been enough to fully lock her bones into a sitting position.
"It does have some great technology, doesn't it? Not to mention that it's impeccably maintained." The rest of the boys agreed, pointing from left to right, and grinning widely.
Tala and the rest of the Demolition boys were walking gruffly, faces scrunched up into bitter grimaces. Tenchi rolled her eyes, those sourpusses.
"Oh come on guys, it wouldn't hurt you to smile!" She tossed ahead, beaming innocently as they turned to face her. "Well, we would if the plane trip hadn't been so freaking long. But it'll be worth it when I see my adoring group of fans."
Ian smirked, quickening his pace towards the exit.
"That is if you have any." He stopped short, glaring at Tala, who in turn merely stared back, surpressing the spread of a playful smile.
"Right, and you have many."
Tala shrugged nonchalantly, and was just about to reply no doubt, when Kevin - one of their security guards stepped forward.
"We'll be taking another route to avoid any awaiting fans and media. Please, follow me"
Ian fell into step beside the taller red head, a mock expression on his face, "Too bad you won't be able to see your fans, huh Tala?"
He nodded solemnly, "How the girls will be so disappointed."
~*~*~*~
Kesumi stopped in the middle of the road for the fifth time that hour, and was now positive in saying that she had lost her sense of direction. On second thought, she hadn't had a sense of direction in the first place.
Night had fallen already and the streets were illuminated by an orange glow, radiating from the many lamp-posts secured around the streets. The stars above were dancing in their silver mists, surrounding the pale moon that hovered in the sky. The distant shadow of the mountain, shivering of forgein shaped leaves, and swaying of sturdy branches alerted her to stop and observe her surroundings.
Kesumi cocked her head to the side; she always thought that Korea was a busy and crowded place. How wrong she was. She had been told that Soeul and other majour cities were hectic places, full of pollution - places that never sleep, people had said. But towns and areas that were seperated away from the citites were the exact opposite.
It was a shame that she had to leave such a beuatiful place.
With her hands placed into the tattered pockets of her jeans, and head bowed to watch the ground, she let her mind drift off. It wasn't until she was stumbling back, did she realize that she had accidentally bumped into something.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't - " She stopped herself in mid sentence, rubbing at her head where a fresh bruise was starting to form. Obviously they wouldn't understand what she was talking about !
"Hey, that's okay. I wasn't watching where I was going either."
"I hope you're not hurt or anything...wha - what did you say?" Kesumi's head snapped up, staring bewildered into the face of a girl, who she could assume to be around her age. This person had spoken english, right? English!
"You, oh my gosh! You can speak english!" She scrambled upwards, never so glad to see a person as much as she did now.
The other girl laughed, "Why yes I can! I'm Sora Branch. You?"
"Kesumi Hiwatari." She held out her hand, and Sora took it, both girls beaming.
"So Kesumi, you lost? Where are you staying at?"
She smiled sheepishly, "Actually, I'm not sure. Do you happen to know where a nearby hotel could be?"
"A nomad, huh? Me too. I'm thinking of moving to Soeul, you know? Tons of work and stuff there. Where are you heading off to? Or are you just planning to stay here?"
"Me? I'm going to Soeul too. I really have no idea where "here" is anyways." Kesumi gave her new acquaintance a sideways glance. It felt akward to be talking to someone. She had always been used to walking down streets alone, longingly staring at groups of laughing people, wanting to be a part of them.
But she knew it was impossible, she had a mission.
"Well then! We can go to Soeul together! I'm planning to take the plane there you know, it's a morning flight, about a week from now. How about it?"
Kesumi blinked, surprised at the invitation. Should she go along with this girl? But Sora was a stanger, she had just met her! Kesumi bit the inside of her mouth, the way she always did when she was trying to make an important decision.
Is she trust worthy?
How do I know if she isn't sent by Biovolt to lure me back?
Isn't it a bit of a coincidence that she just happened to meet a girl, who just happens to be travelling too, and just happens to be going to the same place as she was? And wasn't it - she stopped herself. This was getting ridiculous.
Before her conscience could get the better of her sanity, she blurted, "Sure!"
Sora nodded, smiling brightly. "It's settled then. We're off to Soeul together."
~*~*~*~*~
"Look at all these apartments and buildings!" Max cried, a hand arching over his eyes to shield them from the rays of the morning sun. He squinted through the gaps in his fingers for a view of the countless structures that stretched so high into the sky, they seemed to have no limits.
"The streets and sidewalks are so busy! It reminds me of Tokyo."
Surrounded by security guards, the Blade Breakers leisurely toured around Soeul. Their guide was walking ahead, conversing rapidly with the Chief. Apparantly Kenny had taken up Korean.
"So how do you say good morning and other greetings such as...oh is that how you say it? Interesting.."
It had been about a week or so since their arrival at Incheon Airport, and they were too busy getting settled in, that they had absolutely no time of their own until today. Which was why they had chosen a guide to take them around, but it wasn't complete freedom. It never was, really. Too many tall dudes in dark suits, was how Tyson had put it, always watching and observing each step they took.
Plus the time zone change had put a real damper to their moods.
But with all those complaints put aside, the Blade Breakers were immensely pleased with the accomodations and surroundings in which they had been given.
"Wait! Tell me, where's the nearest washroom?" Everyone turned around, surprised at the sudden outburst as Tyson flung down his bottle of - some sort of soda beverage that he had gotten quite fond of - and tossed it towards Kenny, who fumbled desperately before catching both laptop and bottle in each hand.
"You can use the one in the Lotte Mall over the - " The guide had hardly finished her reply, when Tyson was already halfway across the street, all too dangerously unaware of the streams of honking and screeching of tires.
"Guess he had too much of that stuff, huh? Wonder why he drinks it so much?" Max took the bottle from Kenny's grasp, shrugging curiously as he brought it to his lips.
"Hey, this is good!"
"Never mind that, we need to go after Tyson, who knows how lost he's going to be in there?" Ray pointed out, his gaze trailing over the towering building, 9 or 10 stories high. "How many bathrooms do you think will be in there? And which one will Tyson be in?"
Kenny groaned, "Come on guys, let's go."
By the time they had tracked him down, Tyson had only gone through the main entrance, panting from exhaustion. "Malls here are way too big, what's the deal anyways?"
"Well, each story in the malls around Soeul have a department it is in charge of. For example: If you wanted to find electronics, you would find it to be the on 5th floor, in this mall, and everything on that floor would be dedicated to electronic related products." The guide pointed toward the directory on an intricately designed wall, that was conveniently placed beside an elegant - not to mention expensive - looking elevator.
"Oh, wow. So if we want to go to - "
"KENNY! Not the time now! Where is the bathroom!" Shoppers around them passed with curious stares, before turning around to go about their normal businesses.
"We'll ask the attendants." Dressed in identical uniforms, two women stood by the enormous glass doors, greeting everyone that entered. The guide was already making her way to one of them, talking softly in Korean, something which Kenny listened with fascination.
"There is one on the first floor - this floor. Go straight down this way, and turn left. There will be a silver plaque against one of the walls that will direct you to the washroom." The guide shook her head, Tyson was out of sight and gone.
"Ready to follow him again?" Ray asked, blowing air through his teeth.
Kai cut in, voice sounding extremely clipped and annoyed, "Stop the chattering and let's continue, we're going to lose Tyson if we don't."
"Aww, didn't know you cared, Kai."
"I don't. I just don't want him to make a fool out himself; his reputation, unfortunately, can ruin mine. Besides, I said we were going to lose him, not miss him."
With that their leader was off, and they too followed, somewhat dejected and drained by the mere fact that they would be chasing Tyson for the second time consecutively that day.
"Tyson are you done yet?!" Kai snapped from the outside of the cubicle door, rapping several times against the handsomely cut and polished oak. The bathroom too, the boys had discovered was gleaming and new, with silver and golden taps and marble sinks. The cubicle in which Tyson was in, was flashing "Occupied" on the screen attatched against the door, as it had done since 15 minutes ago.
"I am! I just don't know how to flush!" Tyson whined, making the rest of the team sigh with impatience.
Kai growled, "You just reach forward and press the freaking white lever!"
"But they don't have a white lever! Besides, there are about five different buttons in here!" Ray stalked forward into a vacant stall, and poked his head inside, before coming out again, grimacing. "There are five buttons here."
"See!" They could almost picture Tyson with his tongue sticking out, triumphantly.
"Bite your tongue and try them all, would you?" Max sighed, taking another swig of Tyson's favourite beverage. Hey, the stuff was good!
"Okay, here goes."
Seconds ticked by, and only the fresh scent of flowers reached there nose, to confirm that the first button Tyson had tried had only activated some sort of air refreshener.
"The next one!"
A soft buzzing emitted through the cubicle, and they all gazed eagerly at the door, willing for it to open. They waited.
"Tyson?"
"Erm sorry, the toilet seat covering changed itself." (A/N: Yup! There is such thing in real life! You guys should really go to one of the malls in Soeul, they're very fancy and elegant...)
"The toilet seat covering?!" Ray cried out, "What the heck is that?"
"There is a covering, so it will make sure that the bathroom seats are always clean and sanitary." Kenny observed, now joining Ray in the unoccupied cubicle beside Tyson's.
"The next one?"
"Nope, the toilet paper roll changing thing."
"The next one then!"
An odd sort of buzzing met their ears once more, soon accompanied by a man's voice. They all jumped. "Tyson, what's that?!"
"I - I don't know! I just pressed this red button and then this guy is speaking through the speaker."
"You just called the attendant." Kenny groaned, figuring out the inscriptions under the speaker with what little Korean he knew.
Tyson blanched, "But I don't need one that doesn't speak english."
"Turn it off, then!"
He did, and silence circulated through the room once again. "You know what guys? I give up, I can't take it anymore!" Tyson banged open the door, and was just about to continue speaking when - a flushing of a toilet was heard, and they all peered inside to see where the noise had come from.
Apparently the toilet flushed automatically when the door was opened.
"TYSON!!!!"
~*~*~*~
Sora yawned widly as she adjusted her stiff uniform. If it were her choice for dress codes, she would've said that plain t-shirt and pants would've been fine, thank you very much.
But this was work, well temporarily for her, anyways. Because of her ability to speak in English with fluency, and could communicate well enough in Korean, she had been able to get a job as a tour guide around the city.
She had been in Soeul a couple of times before - thank goodness - but had to get a year's worth of training before hand. In reality, her training had lasted only two days, but it seemed to have taken that long.
Sora stood in the prim looking office, fidgeting. Why the manager had called her to his office, she would never know. How could she be in trouble when she hadn't even begun working yet? Had she done something wrong during her training sessions? Was she that inadequet?
"Miss Hawkins?"
Sora whipped around, "Yes?"
"I called you in here to give you your first assignment." (She sighed with relief )"You will be giving the Blade Breakers a tour. You know them, correct? Miss Jones had resigned for personal reasons, you see..and there aren't many available english speaking tour guides at the moment, so...I know you're still training, but I'd like you to handle the job."
"Sure! I'll do it."
Sora beamed brightly as the beyblading celebrites made their way into view, and she caught herself nervously flattening her hair. Beyblading had never been a big part of her life, really. Sure, everyone else seemed to be immersed in the sport, but she just liked the beybladers that played it.
She introduced herself when they came within range of hearing, "Hello, I'm Sora. I'll be your guide today."
They all nodded at her, greeting her warmly - except for one.
He was incredibly handsome to say the least, tall and solid, mingled with mystery..seemingly able to take on the very earth itself. Her eyes roamed carefully to his face, and there she faltered.
Why did he seem so familiar?....
"Me? I'm here for my brother. I'm on a search for him." Kesumi's eyes glazed over, and her mind seemed to be drifting on an endless current of the sea.
"Your brother?" Sora frowned, leaning forward with curiosity.
"..Yeah. Kai Hiwatari. My older brother. I miss him, you know? I need him."
Sora gasped. Without having been told anything, without having Kesumi to describe him, she knew.
With that confirmed, she raced down the sidewalk, ignoring shouts of the Blade breakers that called her back. She needed to tell Kesumi - Kesumi needed him.
~*~*~*~
Kesumi lay back against the soft covers on her bed, shivering mildly against the whispering breeze that blew queitly within the room. She opened a weary eye, dragging the sheets up to her chin. She and Sora had arrived in Soeul a couple of days ago, and had settled in a local hotel.
Soeul was interseting and so entertaining, that she had found herself ignoring and forgetting about how crowded and cramped the city was. It was high-tech, she had discovered when riding the subway to go grocery shopping one morning. It had talking intercoms by the escalators, for heaven's sakes! And the television screens that hung from the ceiling in each train compartments, added to the impending attachment that she was going to be feeling towards the city. Plus the pretty looking cell phones and electronics around here totally rocked!
Her eyes blinked slowly, squirming around to a somewhat sitting position as groped for the clock that she had discarded somewhere on the floor the night before. 9:00.
Sighing, she trudged out of the room, muttering incoherent words under her breath as headed to the small kitchen.
Oh good, coffee. Sora must've left it brewing on her way to work. Pouring herself a cup, Kesumi took an absentminded sip of her drink, smiling to herself.
It was funny how the two of them became so dependant of each other.
Sora, she had found out was 17, and was orphaned at the age of 6. Her home had always been the orphanage, and she had never had anything of her own for a lifetime. Just last year, she had gotten a foster family, and they had brought her to Korea. And when they went back, they had left her here.
Kesumi shook her head; people could be so cruel.
She just hoped that everything would turn out well for Sora - she had been such a great older sister to her, and reminded her strangely of Tenchi.
Tenchi. Kesumi blinked back hot tears as an odd sort of pang filled her heart, like the expanding rings in the water when something grazed its surface. How she wished she could see Tenchi and Tala again...she sat up straighter, with her back almost rigid.
She would find Kai! And would reunite with her family again - Tenchi, Kai and Tala..her only family.
With a confident raise of her chin, Kesumi picked up her mug of coffee with great gusto, draining half of it in one gulp. She spluttered. "Eww!"
She peered down into the contents of her cup, as if only just realizing that her coffee was entirely black. She sighed.
Standing up from her seat by the dining table - she had forgotten that she had chosen to sit down in the first place - Kesumi reached for the sugar, and sloshed some into her cup. Then just as she was about resume her previous position, the door slammed open, and Sora stood in the frame.
"So -sora! What's wrong?"
"He's staying in a nearby hotel. Him."
"What? Who?"
"You're so close. So very close all along." Sora stared at her, words coming out in a soft, blank whisper.
"Sora, look - I don't get what you're trying to say - "
"You're brother, Kesumi. He's staying at Hyundai Hotel."
A deafening silence filled the room, broken only by the sound of a coffee mug clattering onto the floor with a sickening crack.
YAY! That was..how many pages was that? ANYWAYS! The point is that I finally updated my 4th chapter! MUHAHAHAHA Aren't you proud of me? *stretches* That chapter took me a while, didn't it? Well, if you want me to update soon, then review! Review, damnit! *ahem* Please? Great! See you guys in my next update~
Mizu-Tenshi: you're reviews and encouragements have kept me going! Lol, thanks a bunch.
Silver Angel: Thanks for the review, and sorry it's taking so long to update..
Where Are You Now?
Finally the uneasy ship ride was over, and she could have the luxury of touching solid land once again. Her stance felt unnatural, which was natural really, after having to spend days on a constantly wavering cruise liner, and she grapsed onto railings to hold herself upright.
Kesumi looked up for the first time to see Korea, with people and trees milling in an endless stream around the harbour. Turning her head, she faced the ocean, a scenery which would've normally locked her breath within her throat, did nothing to please her right then. Too tired and seasick to notice the outstretch of beautiful water, she bit her lip, staring pleadingly out into the crowd.
Where was she exactly? And how did she get to Soeul? Annoyed, she raked her brain for any recollection of - anything at all. But her mind was blank, and the only thing that she knew was that this was not Soeul. Okay, breathe Kesumi, breathe! You can do this.
She looked around for a telephone booth. Or even an information counter by the sidewalk - no that was unlikely...possibly police officers or....she sighed. Can life get anymore complicated than this?
Standing there in the middle of the sidewalk, being jostled to and fro by travellers made her feel as if she was placed on a boat again. So she hastened her move towards a peaceful area, and slid slowly onto an available bench.
It was already getting dark, and she had the sinking feeling that all her efforts to find her brother had been of entire vain. Sighing deeply, she started walking down the now empty streets, feeling as if she was wandering aimlessly with no specific purpose.
She'd just have to take it at a step at a time..so her current destination: to find a hotel.
~*~*~*~*~
"Oh wow! Incheon Airport kicks ass!" Andrew whispered fervently into her ear, and she couldn't help but grin at his excitement.
Tenchi had her bag already claimed and loaded onto a cart, accompanied with the rest of her trainees' luggages. The plane trip had not been pleasant, despite the exceptional service and food they served on the airline. Many hours of continuous flight had been enough to fully lock her bones into a sitting position.
"It does have some great technology, doesn't it? Not to mention that it's impeccably maintained." The rest of the boys agreed, pointing from left to right, and grinning widely.
Tala and the rest of the Demolition boys were walking gruffly, faces scrunched up into bitter grimaces. Tenchi rolled her eyes, those sourpusses.
"Oh come on guys, it wouldn't hurt you to smile!" She tossed ahead, beaming innocently as they turned to face her. "Well, we would if the plane trip hadn't been so freaking long. But it'll be worth it when I see my adoring group of fans."
Ian smirked, quickening his pace towards the exit.
"That is if you have any." He stopped short, glaring at Tala, who in turn merely stared back, surpressing the spread of a playful smile.
"Right, and you have many."
Tala shrugged nonchalantly, and was just about to reply no doubt, when Kevin - one of their security guards stepped forward.
"We'll be taking another route to avoid any awaiting fans and media. Please, follow me"
Ian fell into step beside the taller red head, a mock expression on his face, "Too bad you won't be able to see your fans, huh Tala?"
He nodded solemnly, "How the girls will be so disappointed."
~*~*~*~
Kesumi stopped in the middle of the road for the fifth time that hour, and was now positive in saying that she had lost her sense of direction. On second thought, she hadn't had a sense of direction in the first place.
Night had fallen already and the streets were illuminated by an orange glow, radiating from the many lamp-posts secured around the streets. The stars above were dancing in their silver mists, surrounding the pale moon that hovered in the sky. The distant shadow of the mountain, shivering of forgein shaped leaves, and swaying of sturdy branches alerted her to stop and observe her surroundings.
Kesumi cocked her head to the side; she always thought that Korea was a busy and crowded place. How wrong she was. She had been told that Soeul and other majour cities were hectic places, full of pollution - places that never sleep, people had said. But towns and areas that were seperated away from the citites were the exact opposite.
It was a shame that she had to leave such a beuatiful place.
With her hands placed into the tattered pockets of her jeans, and head bowed to watch the ground, she let her mind drift off. It wasn't until she was stumbling back, did she realize that she had accidentally bumped into something.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't - " She stopped herself in mid sentence, rubbing at her head where a fresh bruise was starting to form. Obviously they wouldn't understand what she was talking about !
"Hey, that's okay. I wasn't watching where I was going either."
"I hope you're not hurt or anything...wha - what did you say?" Kesumi's head snapped up, staring bewildered into the face of a girl, who she could assume to be around her age. This person had spoken english, right? English!
"You, oh my gosh! You can speak english!" She scrambled upwards, never so glad to see a person as much as she did now.
The other girl laughed, "Why yes I can! I'm Sora Branch. You?"
"Kesumi Hiwatari." She held out her hand, and Sora took it, both girls beaming.
"So Kesumi, you lost? Where are you staying at?"
She smiled sheepishly, "Actually, I'm not sure. Do you happen to know where a nearby hotel could be?"
"A nomad, huh? Me too. I'm thinking of moving to Soeul, you know? Tons of work and stuff there. Where are you heading off to? Or are you just planning to stay here?"
"Me? I'm going to Soeul too. I really have no idea where "here" is anyways." Kesumi gave her new acquaintance a sideways glance. It felt akward to be talking to someone. She had always been used to walking down streets alone, longingly staring at groups of laughing people, wanting to be a part of them.
But she knew it was impossible, she had a mission.
"Well then! We can go to Soeul together! I'm planning to take the plane there you know, it's a morning flight, about a week from now. How about it?"
Kesumi blinked, surprised at the invitation. Should she go along with this girl? But Sora was a stanger, she had just met her! Kesumi bit the inside of her mouth, the way she always did when she was trying to make an important decision.
Is she trust worthy?
How do I know if she isn't sent by Biovolt to lure me back?
Isn't it a bit of a coincidence that she just happened to meet a girl, who just happens to be travelling too, and just happens to be going to the same place as she was? And wasn't it - she stopped herself. This was getting ridiculous.
Before her conscience could get the better of her sanity, she blurted, "Sure!"
Sora nodded, smiling brightly. "It's settled then. We're off to Soeul together."
~*~*~*~*~
"Look at all these apartments and buildings!" Max cried, a hand arching over his eyes to shield them from the rays of the morning sun. He squinted through the gaps in his fingers for a view of the countless structures that stretched so high into the sky, they seemed to have no limits.
"The streets and sidewalks are so busy! It reminds me of Tokyo."
Surrounded by security guards, the Blade Breakers leisurely toured around Soeul. Their guide was walking ahead, conversing rapidly with the Chief. Apparantly Kenny had taken up Korean.
"So how do you say good morning and other greetings such as...oh is that how you say it? Interesting.."
It had been about a week or so since their arrival at Incheon Airport, and they were too busy getting settled in, that they had absolutely no time of their own until today. Which was why they had chosen a guide to take them around, but it wasn't complete freedom. It never was, really. Too many tall dudes in dark suits, was how Tyson had put it, always watching and observing each step they took.
Plus the time zone change had put a real damper to their moods.
But with all those complaints put aside, the Blade Breakers were immensely pleased with the accomodations and surroundings in which they had been given.
"Wait! Tell me, where's the nearest washroom?" Everyone turned around, surprised at the sudden outburst as Tyson flung down his bottle of - some sort of soda beverage that he had gotten quite fond of - and tossed it towards Kenny, who fumbled desperately before catching both laptop and bottle in each hand.
"You can use the one in the Lotte Mall over the - " The guide had hardly finished her reply, when Tyson was already halfway across the street, all too dangerously unaware of the streams of honking and screeching of tires.
"Guess he had too much of that stuff, huh? Wonder why he drinks it so much?" Max took the bottle from Kenny's grasp, shrugging curiously as he brought it to his lips.
"Hey, this is good!"
"Never mind that, we need to go after Tyson, who knows how lost he's going to be in there?" Ray pointed out, his gaze trailing over the towering building, 9 or 10 stories high. "How many bathrooms do you think will be in there? And which one will Tyson be in?"
Kenny groaned, "Come on guys, let's go."
By the time they had tracked him down, Tyson had only gone through the main entrance, panting from exhaustion. "Malls here are way too big, what's the deal anyways?"
"Well, each story in the malls around Soeul have a department it is in charge of. For example: If you wanted to find electronics, you would find it to be the on 5th floor, in this mall, and everything on that floor would be dedicated to electronic related products." The guide pointed toward the directory on an intricately designed wall, that was conveniently placed beside an elegant - not to mention expensive - looking elevator.
"Oh, wow. So if we want to go to - "
"KENNY! Not the time now! Where is the bathroom!" Shoppers around them passed with curious stares, before turning around to go about their normal businesses.
"We'll ask the attendants." Dressed in identical uniforms, two women stood by the enormous glass doors, greeting everyone that entered. The guide was already making her way to one of them, talking softly in Korean, something which Kenny listened with fascination.
"There is one on the first floor - this floor. Go straight down this way, and turn left. There will be a silver plaque against one of the walls that will direct you to the washroom." The guide shook her head, Tyson was out of sight and gone.
"Ready to follow him again?" Ray asked, blowing air through his teeth.
Kai cut in, voice sounding extremely clipped and annoyed, "Stop the chattering and let's continue, we're going to lose Tyson if we don't."
"Aww, didn't know you cared, Kai."
"I don't. I just don't want him to make a fool out himself; his reputation, unfortunately, can ruin mine. Besides, I said we were going to lose him, not miss him."
With that their leader was off, and they too followed, somewhat dejected and drained by the mere fact that they would be chasing Tyson for the second time consecutively that day.
"Tyson are you done yet?!" Kai snapped from the outside of the cubicle door, rapping several times against the handsomely cut and polished oak. The bathroom too, the boys had discovered was gleaming and new, with silver and golden taps and marble sinks. The cubicle in which Tyson was in, was flashing "Occupied" on the screen attatched against the door, as it had done since 15 minutes ago.
"I am! I just don't know how to flush!" Tyson whined, making the rest of the team sigh with impatience.
Kai growled, "You just reach forward and press the freaking white lever!"
"But they don't have a white lever! Besides, there are about five different buttons in here!" Ray stalked forward into a vacant stall, and poked his head inside, before coming out again, grimacing. "There are five buttons here."
"See!" They could almost picture Tyson with his tongue sticking out, triumphantly.
"Bite your tongue and try them all, would you?" Max sighed, taking another swig of Tyson's favourite beverage. Hey, the stuff was good!
"Okay, here goes."
Seconds ticked by, and only the fresh scent of flowers reached there nose, to confirm that the first button Tyson had tried had only activated some sort of air refreshener.
"The next one!"
A soft buzzing emitted through the cubicle, and they all gazed eagerly at the door, willing for it to open. They waited.
"Tyson?"
"Erm sorry, the toilet seat covering changed itself." (A/N: Yup! There is such thing in real life! You guys should really go to one of the malls in Soeul, they're very fancy and elegant...)
"The toilet seat covering?!" Ray cried out, "What the heck is that?"
"There is a covering, so it will make sure that the bathroom seats are always clean and sanitary." Kenny observed, now joining Ray in the unoccupied cubicle beside Tyson's.
"The next one?"
"Nope, the toilet paper roll changing thing."
"The next one then!"
An odd sort of buzzing met their ears once more, soon accompanied by a man's voice. They all jumped. "Tyson, what's that?!"
"I - I don't know! I just pressed this red button and then this guy is speaking through the speaker."
"You just called the attendant." Kenny groaned, figuring out the inscriptions under the speaker with what little Korean he knew.
Tyson blanched, "But I don't need one that doesn't speak english."
"Turn it off, then!"
He did, and silence circulated through the room once again. "You know what guys? I give up, I can't take it anymore!" Tyson banged open the door, and was just about to continue speaking when - a flushing of a toilet was heard, and they all peered inside to see where the noise had come from.
Apparently the toilet flushed automatically when the door was opened.
"TYSON!!!!"
~*~*~*~
Sora yawned widly as she adjusted her stiff uniform. If it were her choice for dress codes, she would've said that plain t-shirt and pants would've been fine, thank you very much.
But this was work, well temporarily for her, anyways. Because of her ability to speak in English with fluency, and could communicate well enough in Korean, she had been able to get a job as a tour guide around the city.
She had been in Soeul a couple of times before - thank goodness - but had to get a year's worth of training before hand. In reality, her training had lasted only two days, but it seemed to have taken that long.
Sora stood in the prim looking office, fidgeting. Why the manager had called her to his office, she would never know. How could she be in trouble when she hadn't even begun working yet? Had she done something wrong during her training sessions? Was she that inadequet?
"Miss Hawkins?"
Sora whipped around, "Yes?"
"I called you in here to give you your first assignment." (She sighed with relief )"You will be giving the Blade Breakers a tour. You know them, correct? Miss Jones had resigned for personal reasons, you see..and there aren't many available english speaking tour guides at the moment, so...I know you're still training, but I'd like you to handle the job."
"Sure! I'll do it."
Sora beamed brightly as the beyblading celebrites made their way into view, and she caught herself nervously flattening her hair. Beyblading had never been a big part of her life, really. Sure, everyone else seemed to be immersed in the sport, but she just liked the beybladers that played it.
She introduced herself when they came within range of hearing, "Hello, I'm Sora. I'll be your guide today."
They all nodded at her, greeting her warmly - except for one.
He was incredibly handsome to say the least, tall and solid, mingled with mystery..seemingly able to take on the very earth itself. Her eyes roamed carefully to his face, and there she faltered.
Why did he seem so familiar?....
"Me? I'm here for my brother. I'm on a search for him." Kesumi's eyes glazed over, and her mind seemed to be drifting on an endless current of the sea.
"Your brother?" Sora frowned, leaning forward with curiosity.
"..Yeah. Kai Hiwatari. My older brother. I miss him, you know? I need him."
Sora gasped. Without having been told anything, without having Kesumi to describe him, she knew.
With that confirmed, she raced down the sidewalk, ignoring shouts of the Blade breakers that called her back. She needed to tell Kesumi - Kesumi needed him.
~*~*~*~
Kesumi lay back against the soft covers on her bed, shivering mildly against the whispering breeze that blew queitly within the room. She opened a weary eye, dragging the sheets up to her chin. She and Sora had arrived in Soeul a couple of days ago, and had settled in a local hotel.
Soeul was interseting and so entertaining, that she had found herself ignoring and forgetting about how crowded and cramped the city was. It was high-tech, she had discovered when riding the subway to go grocery shopping one morning. It had talking intercoms by the escalators, for heaven's sakes! And the television screens that hung from the ceiling in each train compartments, added to the impending attachment that she was going to be feeling towards the city. Plus the pretty looking cell phones and electronics around here totally rocked!
Her eyes blinked slowly, squirming around to a somewhat sitting position as groped for the clock that she had discarded somewhere on the floor the night before. 9:00.
Sighing, she trudged out of the room, muttering incoherent words under her breath as headed to the small kitchen.
Oh good, coffee. Sora must've left it brewing on her way to work. Pouring herself a cup, Kesumi took an absentminded sip of her drink, smiling to herself.
It was funny how the two of them became so dependant of each other.
Sora, she had found out was 17, and was orphaned at the age of 6. Her home had always been the orphanage, and she had never had anything of her own for a lifetime. Just last year, she had gotten a foster family, and they had brought her to Korea. And when they went back, they had left her here.
Kesumi shook her head; people could be so cruel.
She just hoped that everything would turn out well for Sora - she had been such a great older sister to her, and reminded her strangely of Tenchi.
Tenchi. Kesumi blinked back hot tears as an odd sort of pang filled her heart, like the expanding rings in the water when something grazed its surface. How she wished she could see Tenchi and Tala again...she sat up straighter, with her back almost rigid.
She would find Kai! And would reunite with her family again - Tenchi, Kai and Tala..her only family.
With a confident raise of her chin, Kesumi picked up her mug of coffee with great gusto, draining half of it in one gulp. She spluttered. "Eww!"
She peered down into the contents of her cup, as if only just realizing that her coffee was entirely black. She sighed.
Standing up from her seat by the dining table - she had forgotten that she had chosen to sit down in the first place - Kesumi reached for the sugar, and sloshed some into her cup. Then just as she was about resume her previous position, the door slammed open, and Sora stood in the frame.
"So -sora! What's wrong?"
"He's staying in a nearby hotel. Him."
"What? Who?"
"You're so close. So very close all along." Sora stared at her, words coming out in a soft, blank whisper.
"Sora, look - I don't get what you're trying to say - "
"You're brother, Kesumi. He's staying at Hyundai Hotel."
A deafening silence filled the room, broken only by the sound of a coffee mug clattering onto the floor with a sickening crack.
YAY! That was..how many pages was that? ANYWAYS! The point is that I finally updated my 4th chapter! MUHAHAHAHA Aren't you proud of me? *stretches* That chapter took me a while, didn't it? Well, if you want me to update soon, then review! Review, damnit! *ahem* Please? Great! See you guys in my next update~
