A/N: Okay! Here's chapter 6! only one more left after this one! i only have a question for u fergnerd...LIZ HAS A MODEL GIG! am i the only one who doesn't know this?...was it in an IGPX ep. or something cause i didn' know she had a modeling gig. -confusion- and if u would like, i'll have that as a bonus chapter for this sequel. i was thinking of having it like a minisode if this story was in anime form on T.V. tell me if u like that idea okay? it'd be a great help um...hm, nothin else really cept plz R&R for this chapt, and happy reading!
Disclaimer: I do not own IGPX or any of it's awesome characters like Liz Ricarro and Takeshi Jin (x6 since i haven't been putting the disclaimer in this story. my bad!)! A perfect pair! lol thank u -Kristine x3- for reminding me. happy reading :-)
Chapter 6: Killing Two Birds With One Stone
The sun rose over the city, and at the Jin's house was silent. Takeshi woke up, and shut his eyes painfully at the sun blinding light. Besides that, because of the painful wake up call he fell out of his bed and onto the floor with a thud.
"Talk about waking up on the wrong side of the bed." he muttered to himself as he pulled the blinds so that the sun could not be seen. He yawned and stretched, and then ruffled up his hair a bit. He smiled at the silver piece as a little bit of sunlight caught onto the color, making it shine so brightly. He put on his brown baggy-ish pants and his usual white shirt with the red jacket, and grabbed the silver piece in his hand, putting it in his pocket, making sure to zipper it up. 'Today's the day. First training, and then going out to meet Fantine. My questions will be answered, and I'll have Liz back in my loving arms again. God I hope I don't sound too mushy.' he thought to himself and rolled his eyes. He yawned again as he exited his room and down the stairs.
"Hey there champ. Mom and dad wanted me to tell me that you'd better get going to Satomi HQ cause there was a little power outage last night and it's really 7:30 and not 6:30." Yuri said. Takeshi only nodded groggily, and then his eyes went wide.
"7:30! WHY DIDN'T ANYBODY TELL ME THAT! I'M LATE!" Takeshi roared and he dashed out the door.
"Bye to you too!" Yuri said with a huff as she watch her brother clumsily run down the street, he almost knocked down a poor old man.
"S-sorry!" she could hear him shout apologetically. She rolled her eyes and slammed the door shut.
'Aw crap! I'm late I'm late I'm late!' he roared to himself as he entered Satomi HQ, bursting through the door. He panted for breath, and then saw a water bottle in front of his face. He looked at it, and then up to see Liz. He took it gradually and gulped it down.
"You're late. What'd you do, go for a jog?" Liz asked.
"Something...like...that..." Takeshi gasped.
"Well, I guess that counts for training. Anyways, Amy and I were summoned to Satomi's office. You're coming too now that you're here." Liz said with a grin and pulled him down the hall.
"But..I..need..to catch...my breath!" he wailed.
"You already caught some of it. Now let's go! Pick up the pace twinkle toes!" Liz joked and he followed down the hall, sobbing all the way.
As they entered Satomi's office, Amy and Luca were sitting in a chair. They stared at Takeshi who looked worn out already. Liz threw him down in a chair, and his eyes were replaced with X's instead of swirly lines now.
"I'm glad you're all here. I guess you want to know why I summoned you here." Miss Satomi said, her hand folded across her desk. They all nodded when Takeshi was with them, finally.
"As you know, we won the race due to a quick thinking move made by Liz." Miss Satomi started and they all grinned. "Now I hope that you know that it won't work next time, because it was only a oneshot move. I really hope you'll be prepared for this race." Miss Satomi said to them sternly. They all nodded again.
"So, what do you want us to do?" Amy asked.
"Well, I want you to prepare. If we don't win the next few races we're not going to be champs again. We need to stay focused." Miss Satomi explained and the nodded eagerly. "So today I planned for you to go against the next team, their level will be 10 and yours will be 7. I hope you'll go all out and plan well." she said.
"Wait..what! When are we doing this!" Takeshi cried in alarm.
"I was planning on doing it in a few minutes. Do you have any objections?" Miss Satomi asked. 'Hell I do!'
"Y-yeah actually!" Takeshi said.
"Can't it wait?" Miss Satomi asked and Takeshi sent a message to Liz who got it right away.
"Sorry ma'am but it can't! I was planning on doing something in a few minutes so can we scheduale it for tommorow?" Takeshi asked.
"Hm...I guess so. But tommorow you'll be here on time and work hard. I'm going to watch too." Miss Satomi replied sternly.
"Umm...Miss Satomi." Amy said and raised a hand.
"Yes Amy?" Miss Satomi asked with a sigh.
"You won't be holding a grudge on the race yesterday for eternity, are you?" she asked and Luca meowed while turning his head a little clockwise curiously for an answer.
"No. I won't. I'm still amazed at how you pulled it off. And I'm very proud actually. It was just the fact that we really weren't prepared for the race that bothered me. Dismissed." Miss Satomi instructed and they all left immediately. As they walked down the hall, Liz had her hands behind her head, Amy held Luca in her arms, and Takeshi had his hands in his pockets.
"Well, since you let us have that training thingy tommorow, guess we have some free time. Anybody have any ideas of what to do?" Liz asked casually.
"You and Amy and Luca can all go do something, I have a matter to attend." Takeshi answered and gave Liz a smile. Liz gave a little smile back, and shrugged without a care.
"Allrighty then Takeshi. Once you're done with whatever you gotta do, we'll meet you at the theaters. If that's okay with you Amy." Liz said with a grin.
"Sure! A movie would be great." Amy answered and Luca purred with a meow. Takeshi nodded with a smile.
"All right. I'll be back whenever I can. Till then, you'll just have to be patient with me! Later!" Takeshi called and waved on his way out. They waved too, but then gasped when Takeshi had a little run-in with the door.
"Takeshi! You all right man!" Liz called.
"I'm-fine!" he managed to call back, his face was pressed against the glass as it slid open. He fell with a thud. Amy and Liz burst out laughing. "Thanks for your concerrrrrn!" he growled angrily and embarrassed as he rushed off to Fantine's.
"Boy was that entertainment or what?" Liz asked and Amy giggled.
Takeshi rushed off at top speed, he felt really sweaty. Half of his face was a little red and he only ran faster. Boy was that embarrassing. He took a breather, and then ran again. At top speed, he saw Fantine's house out of the corner of his eye. He gave a weary smile when he arrived, at first. When he was in front of the gate, he breathed heavily. His smile slowly disappeared with a worried look. 'Okay Takeshi...you can do this! It's now or never, and I'd rather it'd be now.' he thought to himself and took a deep breath, and gulped as he pressed the intercom button.
"Hello?" a voice asked and he stood as still as stone. The voice belonged to Fantine. 'Duh, it's her house.' he thought and rolled his eyes. Oh man, this was the perfect time to back out! NOT! He couldn't back out now!
"H-hi." was all he could say. 'Oh shoot!'
"Takeshi? Is that you?" Fantine asked.
"Um...yeah this is Takeshi Jin." he replied dumbly. 'You're making a real fool outta yourself Takeshi, pull it together!' he thought to himself and continued to slap himself mentally. He heard Fantine laugh.
"Well if you want to come in why don't you ask silly?" she asked.
"May I come in?" he asked and the gate swung open. He took one more gulp, and took a step in. He felt shivers for some reason, probably to talk her about Liz and him and about her and Cunningham. Gosh there was so much to ask her about and so much to do to finally be at everlasting peace! He reached into his pocket, and gripped on to the silver piece. 'Wish me luck Liz...I'm gonna need it.' he said to himself and cautiously began walk inside Fantine's home.
He looked around and saw nobody, where was Fantine? He sniffed a little, a new scent filled his nostrils. It had Cunningham written all over it. How many times had he been here? Too many he kept telling himself. He shuddered at the thought, it made him sick to his stomach. As soon as this talk was over Cunningham was number one on his kicking ass list. 'Get ahold of yourself Takeshi. Stay FOCUSED!' he told himself.
"Fantine?.." Takeshi called and heard a rush of footsteps. He also heard another, more louder sneaking out. Looks like Fantine had Cunningham over before Takeshi came. He let that go, for now at least.
"Takeshi! It's wonderful to see you!" Fantine said happily and gave him a friendly hug, and then backing away slightly. Takeshi gave a small smile.
"Hello there Fantine. Good to see you too." he answered and she smiled.
"What brings you here to my home?" Fantine asked.
"Um...well...see I sorta, got into a little fight with Liz..." Takeshi started and explained the whole situation. He hated to tell Fantine about his jealousy, but it had to get out if he would ever get this off of his chest. He took it from the begining. How he had seen Fantine and Cunningham that night at the restaurant, then when he saw them near the beach (adding the part: "and I know you saw me too that day,"), and then how he had a little 'talk' with Cunningham.
"You fought with Cunningham!" Fantine asked in alarm.
"And I got my ass kicked." he added sheepishly, rolling his eyes and then narrowing them.
"Well that was a stupid thing to do! It's a good thing that Cunningham didn't kill you!" Fantine exclaimed. 'Cunningham...another question...' he thought to himself. He went on. He began with how Liz had a talk with Cunninghma after his beating, and found out the truth of his feelings that still held true to Fantine. He explained of how he was dumped, and of how he had come to her to seek advice, and to make everything right with him and Liz for good. Fantine was silent though, she seemed a little angered and sad at what she was hearing. She turned away from Takeshi.
"Takeshi, that's all you've come for, right?" she asked him warily.
"Well..." he started and she turned to face him, anger written all over.
"Well what? I'm waiting." she snapped. He had never seen her this way. It made him feel bad, and it made him feel like a little, helpless kid who didn't know what to do in situations like this.
"I want to know...when did your relationship with Cunningham start?" he asked and she gasped, again turning away, making sure no eye contact was made. She slightly turned, and he breathed in deeply, showing her he was prepared.
"Cunningham...knew about how I was planning to become your ex." Fantine started. 'So this was...a secret relationship?...Something behind my back?' Takeshi thought.
"My relationship with him started before I would dump you." she said in the most honest way she could. He was shocked, and yet felt happy about that for some strange reason. "It was only a couple of days before I had planned to break up with you. When I told you the words 'it's over between us', I felt happy that I wouldn't have to hide anything from you if you weren't my boyfriend anymore, knowing that I could have my relationship with Cunningham grow. Yet, somewhere deep inside I still had feelings for you, and you had them for me apparently." she said to him. He nodded silently, and let her continue.
"After you came to my house that day to see about our relationship, and after you had confirmed it I was very happy." she said with a smile, but it faded.
"And?..." Takeshi asked, afraid to see what the answer was.
"But now, you've come back. You've said that somewhere deep inside there's a part of you that still wants me. Takeshi, what is your true choice? What do you truly want? I don't want to go through this again like last time...you've..hurt me too much now." she said to him, a cold stare replaced her sad smile. Takeshi gulped. This was a side of Fantine that he had never seen, nor did he even think it existed!
"I want things to right again...I want things to be like they were when I was with...Liz." he said. That made him feel a little more guilty since she had said he had hurt her once too many times. But...if she had to be the one to hear his harsh words then, so be it. Okay so maybe he was being a real jerk by telling her this, but if he wanted Liz back like he truly did, it would be done no matter what the consequences were.
"So, how are you going to fix it?" Fantine asked. Takeshi was silent, this time he felt like his brain had stopped working. How was he going to fix it again? 'Oh crud, don't tell me! NO! BRAIN FREEZE! ARGH! Wait, you only get those when you eat ice cream...bummer...' he thought to himself and narrowed his eyes in frustration. He could see Fantine slightly fold her arms across her chest in anger, wondering what his answer would be.
"I...I don't know. I think, talking about this problem of mine might help. I mean, I'm jealous and I don't want to be! How can I make my jealousy just disappear?" he asked her.
"You answer that question on your own Takeshi. I can't answer it for you. If I do everything for you then you'll never learn." Fantine said angrily. That was it. THAT was the FINAL STRAW.
"Okay Fantine I know you're mad at me but could you at least try and work with me here! I'm in a tight situation here and I don't need you acting like my mom who tells me things like doing things myself when I'm asking very nicely for your help!" he bellowed and she seemed pretty upset at his outburst. He breathed in heavily, and was able to calm himself down. 'Wow...I feel better. Having that hate get outta me was pretty cool...' he thought to himself and looked at Fantine with a sad face.
"I'm sorry for yelling at you...but telling me that I have to find the answer for myself when clearly I'm stuck is a little mean, ya know?" he said to her. She couldn't help but smile slightly.
"Fine. I'll help you Takeshi. You said that you were jealous, why don't you take it up with Cunningham?" she asked.
"Cunningham? Why him?" Takeshi asked.
"Well, you were jealous that I was dating him. Maybe Cunningham is the source of your jealousy. Who knows, maybe in your fight with Cunningham you can tell him about your problem." Fantine answered.
"Hm...I guess..but if I don't get my answer soon I'm coming straight back here." he said. There was a short silence. "With your permission of course." he added and she giggled.
"Now, where would I find Cunningham?" he asked.
"Well, last time I remember he said he was going to the park. Hope you find you answer." Fantine said when he was out the door. He waved and rushed off. Fantine smiled, and then sighed heavily.
"I hope you don't hurt him too much Alex. You'd better get to the park and fast." Fantine said and Cunningham nodded with a smile behind her, gave her a kiss, and rushed off at top speed.
Liz and Amy were still waiting at the theater, and still Takeshi hadn't arrived. Liz had her eyes closed, one of them twitching continuously while he foot tapped rapidly out of frustration. Her arms were folded across her chest. Amy had her eyes closed calmly, one hand on Luca's back who was curled up in a ball. Liz finally lost it and cried in anger.
"AAAAAUGH! I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE! WHERE IS THAT JERK!" she screamed, flames could be seen from her eyes.
"Relax Liz. I'm sure Takeshi will come...soon." Amy said with a weak smile, a sweatdrop could be seen.
"HE'D BETTER BE HERE SOON OR ELSE I'LL RIP HIS HEAD OFF! MAKING US WAIT FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES IS LONG ENOUGH!" Liz roared and Luca meowed, his eyes looked liked - - ,and went back to sleep.
"What'd that cat say?" Liz asked.
"Luca said 'Relax Liz he'll be here, he said he would be, and it's only 30 minutes. You're not very patient are you?'." Amy translated and Liz stomped up and down, back and forth from right foot to left.
"YOU BET I'M NOT PATIENT! THAT'S IT! I'M GONNA FIND TAKESHI AND DRAG HIM BY THE EAR BACK HERE IF I HAVE TO! AMY, YOU WAIT HERE! I'LL BE BACK!" Liz roared and rushed off to find Takeshi, a trail of dust could be seen.
"Should we be worried Luca?" Amy asked. Luca didn't respond, but purred.
"You're right." Amy said with a smile and then had a worried look on her face, sweatdrops appeared. "We shouldn't be worried...we should be terrified..." she said to herself and sighed.
"Hm...Fantine said Cunningham was somewhere in the park.." Takeshi said to himself and looked around, squinting his eyes. The scene went to his eye point of view, and it looked from left to right. Passing a person with brown hair his eyes quickly laid them on him. "That would be Cunningham." he said and rushed up. Cunningham had barely made it to the park, and he was exhausted.
"Hey! Cunningham! I demand a rematch!" Takeshi roared as he ran over.
"Well if it isn't Takeshi. Come to get your ass whipped again?" Cunningham asked.
"It's gonna be the other way around this time." Takeshi replied with a devil's grin, and charged with a punch. Cunningham blocked it easily, and gripped his hand on Takeshi's fist. At this range Takeshi would be able to have a small time to talk to him.
"Listen...the last time we talked, I had the wrong reason to fight you. I was just angry, but this time I have a purpose!" Takeshi was able to say as he jumped back from Cunningham, putting a little distance between them.
"So what's your purpose this time kid?" Cunningham asked.
"My purpose to fighting you...and winning, would be to make things right between Liz and me. For GOOD." Takeshi said and Cunningham laughed.
"All right. I get your purpose, but I don't think you'll win." Cunningham said with a grin and charged foward, a punch ready to fly. Takeshi dodged and grabbed onto Cunningham's arm, immobilizing the ex-champ for moments.
"The reason why I'm fighting you, is for three things. My purpose, to get rid of my jealousy forever, and to kick you ass in this rematch." Takeshi said through grit teeth. Cunningham winced for a second when Takeshi's grip tightened, but managed to get out of that sticky situation. He stepped on Takeshi's foot and backed off while Takeshi hopped around painfully.
"Hey no fair!" Takeshi yelped.
"That's tough kid." Cunningham replied and attacked. Takeshi was able to block Cunningham's swinging kick, and flipped him over.
"If I fight you, and talk out my problem, then I know that my jealousy is gonna disappear. So why don't you just give up already so I can get on with my life!" Takeshi roared as he punched Cunningham in the gut. He coughed a little bit of blood, and was able to toss Takeshi over onto his back. Cunningham slammed his foot onto Takeshi's chest. 'Argh! I don't have time for this!' Takeshi thought through a painful grunt.
"You think defeating me will make your jealousy go away? Why are you jealous anyways? For dating Fantine? Didn't we talk about this last time?" Cunningham asked.
"Yeah...we did...I am jealous about that reason, and yet I'm also jealous that you can...probably provide more for her then I ever could. The last thing I did with Fantine before she dumped me wasn't a happy moment let's just put it that way." Takeshi said. Cunningham put his elbow on the leg that was on top of Takeshi, putting himself in a thinking position.
"That's why you're jealous? Cause I can give more to her? Dude, that's a sorry excuse for jealousy." Cunningham said with a frown.
"I don't need you telling me that!" Takeshi spat.
"Are you sure that's what you're jealous about?" Cunningham asked.
"I think so yeah!" Takeshi roared. 'Now get the hell offa me!'
"Well, here's some advice for you. Stop wavering on the past and move on with your life! It might be true that I'll be able to give Fantine more, but you still have time to give everything you have to a lucky girl named Liz Ricarro. Isn't that what you had wanted from the beginning?" Cunningham asked. Takeshi was in his frozen state. 'Cunningham's right...That is what I wanted...to be with Liz and nothing else. To be happy with her all throughout my life...Then...Then what am I doing standing around here! I need to get to Liz and fast! But um...looks like I'm in a sticky situation...' he thought to himself with a smile. It was then that he knew his jealousy was at peace, and now he could fully move on with Liz, for good. And he'd keep that promise this time. He swore it.
Liz trudged down the streets, searching for Takeshi with her keen eyes. She kept huffing and puffing as she continued her fast walk.
"When I find Takeshi he's SO DEAD MEAT!" Liz roared.
'I'm afraid to ask... What're you going to do to him?..' her inner self asked.
"I'M GONNA KICK HIS FRICKIN ASS! WHAT'D YOU THINK I'D DO GIVE HIM A REGULAR SCOLD!" Liz shouted back, blowing her inner self away. As she rounded the corner, she saw two figures fighting like barbarians. Wait a minute, one of those barbarians was Takeshi! Cunningham stood on top of him. Liz's eye twitched, and she placed her left hand on her right shoulder as she rushed to Cunningham. 'NO ONE BEATS UP TAKESHI UNLESS I SAY THEY CAN!' she cried and charged straight foward.
"Okay...can you get offa me now Cunningham? I see what you're saying..." Takeshi said with a grunt. Cunningham gave a friendly grin, but before he could get off he recieved an angry fist in the face, making him fall to the ground.
"NO ONE BEATS UP TAKESHI UNLESS I SAY THEY CAN!" she lashed at Cunningham. She gave Takeshi a look and helped him up. He smiled and said thanks, but couldn't stop Liz from her rampage on Cunningham. She punched, kicked, twirled, flipped, and did any other kind of damage to Cunningham.
"Um...Liz..." Takeshi started. She continued her pursuit.
"Liiiz..." Takeshi tried again, but Cunningham was still recieving a beating.
"Liz calm down you're going to kill him!" Takeshi cried in alarm and she got off of Cunningham, throwing him to the side. Cunningham had a lot of bumps, and a black eye. He seemed down for the count. xx She turned to Takeshi.
"You made us wait forever for a movie you jerk. What were you thinking!" Liz shouted and Takeshi flinched just a little, closing his eyes. He waited for his beating, but didn't recieve one. When he opened his eyes he saw Liz give a sigh and a weak smile.
"Well, we've wasted enough time here. Let's go before Amy and Luca die from boredom." Liz said with a smile and they walked off, leaving Cunningham behind.
"Oh wait! Liz hold on for a sec." Takeshi said and rushed to Cunningham's side. He bent down, and Cunningham was still out of whack. At least he was concious to respond to what Takeshi said to him.
"Um...no hard feelings, okay?" he said.
"Right...no hard...feelings..." Cunningham replied weakly. 'This is my thanks for showing Takeshi the light...Boy I'm not doing this again even if I'm bribed to death!' Takeshi nodded with a smile, and rushed to Liz's side. They hurried back to the theater where they expected Amy and Luca to be waiting. It was during their short running period that Takeshi was ready to tell Liz everything was all right now, and that everyone would be okay from here on after.
"Hey Liz." he said to her and she stopped running.
"Yeah? What is it Takeshi?" Liz asked. He only smiled. She laughed with a smile.
"What is it Takeshi? We're already way late and I don't think Amy or Luca will put up with us if we don't hurry back to the theater." Liz said with a grin.
"I have something to tell you, and I think it's worth hearing." he said to her with a big smile. Liz looked a little confused, and then faced Takeshi, her right hand on her hip.
"All right Takeshi. Let's hear it then." Liz replied with as a grin began to form.
A/N: there ya have it! the second to last chapter! i'm glad ev'ryone's liked my sequel up till now. thanx everyone for ur reviews! well, i'll be working on the last chapter! i already have the perfect ending in mind! again, tell me if u say yay or nay to the minisode at the end of this sequel! it'd really help! anywayz, again, thanx for the reviews u've made my summer! urs truly, -Em