A/N: Sorry for the wait with this one! I've been more focused on Restless than this for some reason, even though we're so close to the end. In fact, the next chapter will be the last. I hope you enjoy this one, and thanks for sticking with this story for so long.

Chapter 36: Home

"Ow." Hwoarang complains as I clean the blood from his wounds with antiseptic. I roll my eyes at him, putting the cloth down.

"Don't be such a baby."

"It hurts!" he protests. "I hate fucking antiseptic."

"Well, tough."

We're in an infirmary. It's not the same one I recovered in earlier, this one's an empty one that we used Hwoarang's special method of unlocking to get into. It doesn't look like it's been used in a while, with a thick layer of dust over everything. There's no expiry dates on antiseptic though, right?

"Y'know what?"

"Hm?"

"After tonight, I can honestly say that nothing will ever surprise me again."

I smile at him, finishing up and throwing the used cotton balls in the bin. "Me too."

Hwoarang sighs, looking around the room distractedly.

"Do you wanna stick around for the finals, or can we go?"

A few hours later, the ferry's on its way back home, the sun shining cheerily in the cloudless sky as water surrounds us. There was no sign of Jin before we left, not that I'm surprised. But I kinda hoped he'd come back with me. I do have faith in him though, I know he'll be back as soon as he can.

Besides, he'd damned well better do after kissing me the way he did, and saying the things he said. Just thinking about it sends a blush to my face, and I shake my head as if that'll somehow get rid of it. I never thought anything like that would happen between us, or that he'd actually care about me the way I care about him. I just really hope that Jin can beat Toshin. I know he's a skilled fighter, but Toshin...

I've done as you asked, Jin. Don't you dare break your promise.

I look up into the sky and close my eyes, letting everything fall away for a few seconds and just enjoying the feel of the sun on my skin. Hwoarang's the one I should be concerned about right now. He seems so listless, and that spark, that energy and humour I love about him isn't there. I've tried to talk to him, but I get the feeling he wants to be left alone at the moment. All I can do is wait for him to come to me, I suppose. My phone chirps to life in my pocket; Miharu's calling. I haven't even rang her to tell her we're on our way home.

"Xiao, how're you doing?" she asks brightly, and the sound of her voice makes me smile.

"I'm okay. Guess where me and Hwo are right now?"

"At the finals? TV's covering them. Wave for me!"

"Nope. We're on the ferry. We should be back in about an hour."

"Really? That's awesome!" she laughs. "I can't wait to see you. I'll meet up with you guys when you get - " She stops suddenly, and I hear her voice muffled through the handset: "I'm on the phone, mum!"

There's a pause, and then she's back.

"Hey, sorry, I've gotta go, mum's made breakfast."

"Your mum... made breakfast?" Mi's mother isn't known for her culinary skills. Miharu always jokes that she's has to go home because her mum's making takeaway.

"Yeah, she's been on a cookery kick ever since Aunt Kari bought her a recipe book for her birthday."

"Well, good luck with that."

Miharu laughs "Don't worry, I'm getting my brother to taste it first. I'll see ya."

Then she's gone, and I shake my head with a grin and snap my phone shut. Hwoarang hasn't moved from his spot leaning against the railing, staring down into the water as if it's the most fascinating thing he's ever seen. Right. I'm not letting him sulk. I don't care if he wants to be alone, I'm gonna make him talk to me. I hate seeing him being moody, it's not natural for him not to be smiling for more than a few minutes.

The warm breeze ruffles through my hair as I walk over to him, and I brush it back behind my ears, leaning onto the railing next to him and breathing in the sea air.

"Hey, you." I poke him in the arm. He doesn't shift his gaze from the water.

"Hey yourself."

"Whatcha doing here on your own?"

"Just thinking."

"Colour me surprised."

Hwoarang smirks a little, moving away from the railing and stretching languidly. Some strangers I didn't see at the tournament stroll past, muttering to each other about God knows what, and I can hear a gull cry somewhere overhead.

"What is it?" I ask after a while.

"Nnh." he shrugs, putting a cigarette in his mouth and checking his pockets for a lighter. "Dammit."

"Come on. What's up?"

"I dunno. I guess..." he sighs. "I guess I just really thought Baek would show up at the tournament. Stupid."

"I'm sorry." It's lame, but I can't think of anything else to say. Plus, I feel a little guilty. I knew something had happened to Baek after I overheard Jin and Heihachi's little discussion. I should have told Hwoarang about it straight away. I just couldn't find the right words. Besides, back then I didn't even know what Toshin was. But even so, we could have found out together, and maybe Hwoarang wouldn't feel the way he does now.

"I know I act like I couldn't care less, but..." Hwoarang puts the cig back in the packet and turns to the water again. "I suppose I do care."

"Of course you do. He's like your dad, right?"

He makes a dismissive noise, but he doesn't answer.

"It's kinda weird living by myself. I dunno how I'm gonna carry on paying for everything."

I smile.

"I hear there are these things called jobs, Hwo. It's interesting. You do things and people give you money."

"Yeah, okay. Can you really see me stacking shelves?"

"It's nearly summer. There's gonna be plenty of jobs kicking around. I'll even get one with you if you want. I dunno, I'll sell shoes instead of buying them for once."

He laughs, and knowing that I've helped cheer him up a little lifts my spirits. It's always the other way around with us. He's always the one who has to bother me until I'm happy again. It's nice to be able to return the favour.

"That's better. Actually got a smile out of you." I comment, and Hwoarang raises an eyebrow.

"If you wanted to make me smile, I can think of a few better ways to do it than that."

"I'm sure you can."

He must be feeling better if he's making comments like that. Tamer than usual, but still, typically Hwoarang. I stare out over the water, and there's land on the horizon. We're almost home.