Back again with chapter 8!

Now, for you Hwoarang fans out there, I'll have you know that I am an ultimate Hwoarang fan, OK? And that I have no intentions whatsoever in making him "the bad guy."

Which is why I made him better in the last chapter.

My plan was to have Asuka and Jin see him as some street thug, but then Asuka soon sees him as…well, as a friend. But not right away of course ;-)

So onto chapter 8!


Chapter 8 Let the Tournament Begin

This was it.

Jin was up and awake at 5:00 AM, at the dojo.

This was the day of the tournament.

Jin punched the sandbag. He had been training for four years for this day; the day he will finally have revenge against Ogre…

And he didn't care if he had to fight Hwoarang, Xiaoyu, anyone to get to Ogre.

Even Asuka.

Jin gave the sandbag an almighty punch. The bag burst open violently. As Jin watched the sand pour out and onto the floor, his eyes blazed crimson red, and his tattoo gave a blue glow…


Later that day, across the dojo where Jin had once stood earlier, Hwoarang kicked angrily at the air, determined to perfect his Tae Kwon Do…

As Hwoarang's leg kicked through the air, he rethought his plan of vengeance: defeat Jin Kazama, once and for all and make sure he never forgets his loss, and get through the tournament, to Ogre; the God of Fighting.

Hwoarang's eyes blazed fire. I will KILL you Ogre, for taking the life of Baek…

And I'll get you too, Kazama.

That was the plan: killing two birds with one stone…


Asuka walked down the stairs in her Aikido uniform. She looked around for Jin or Xiaoyu when she heard her name being called.

"Asuka!" Xiaoyu called out. She wore a loose Chinese blue long-sleeved shirt with yellow cuffs and collar. Black shorts, black shoes, and yellow socks completed her perky Chinese outfit. She put up her hair pigtails with yellow ponytails.

Asuka smiled at her as she walked up to her. "Hi," she said, "you ready for the tournament?"

"I sure am," Xiaoyu replied, "And I hope you remember our deal."

"Of course," said Asuka, "if we ever fight each other, we have to give it our all; no holding back."

Xiaoyu nodded grinning. "Exactly."

Asuka said, "C'mon! Let's find Oni-chan."

They didn't look for him for long – soon they found him by the dojo as usual.

"Hey Oni-chan," Asuka said grinning, "Are you ready for the tournament?"

Jin nodded seriously. "Of course I am," he said smirking, "the question is, are you?"

Before Asuka could answer, Hwoarang walked up to them. He wore a white Tae Kwon Do uniform and he was staring at Jin with pure hatred.

"You ready to lose Kazama?" He asked menacingly.

Jin just glared back at him. "I wouldn't keep your hopes up too high. Don't you remember our last fight?"

Hwoarang nodded grimly. "Oh I remember," he said, "So I'm not gonna let you off so easily this time."

"I'd like to see you try," Asuka said.

Hwoarang turned to her with a smirk. "Hey there, baby, how're you feeling?"

Asuka glared at him. "Fine actually, but I have a name you know. And I like to be addressed by that name too." The she pivoted and walked away with Jin at her heels.

Hwoarang turned to leave, only to be stopped by Xiaoyu. "You know," she said, "you have a lot of nerve coming up like that in our faces. Why do you have to be such a jerk?"

Hwoarang just retorted, "What does it matter to you anyway? I wasn't trying to insult you; I was after Jin."

Xiaoyu pointed out, "Actually, it does matter to me because they're my friends. And why are you so worked up on that fight you lost to Jin?'

Hwoarang glared at her. "Well, why are you asking so many questions?"

Xiaoyu said, "Look. I don't want to be enemies with you. I just want to know."

"And what? Make us all be friends so we can sing "Coom By Ah? Ain't gonna happen sister." (A/N: I don't know how to spell the song, but it goes "coom by ah, my lord, coom by ah.)

Xiaoyu scowled at him. "Just because you don't want to be friends with Jin, doesn't mean you have to be an asshole to everyone."

Hwoarang paused. The he sighed. "When I had to call a draw in our match, he ruined my reputation. And he has to pay. Plain and simple."

Xiaoyu shook her head incredulity. "That's all? I mean, so what if he ruined you rep, but still."

Hwoarang hesitated. He didn't plan on telling anyone what happened…but to keep her away…

He sighed. "I also came for my master," he said, "My mentor was like a father to me. He was the one who taught me Tae Kwon Do. And three weeks after I had that fight with Jin…he was killed…by-by this guy who's joining the tournament."

Xiaoyu gasped. "I'm so sorry," she said sadly. "I didn't know."

"Of course you didn't!" he snapped. Then he apologized, "I mean, I'm sorry. It's just…"

Xiaoyu decided to change the subject. "Well, I'm here on other terms," she said, "Heihachi promised that if I win this tournament, he'll build me an amusement park in China."

"An amusement park?" he asked raising his eyebrows. "Cool."

"Yeah," she replied. At least now they were talking like normal people…

"You know," said Xiaoyu teasingly, "I've seen the way you look at Asuka.'

"And?"

"And you like her. More than you show it anyway."

"Wrong," Hwoarang said defiantly, "I just think of Asuka as an extremely hot chick who I can use to get on her brother's nerves."

Xiaoyu rolled her eyes. "Oh please," she said, "I know love when I see it."

Hwoarang grinned cockily. "Aw, you're just jealous."

"I'M NOT JEALOUS!"

"Sure you are. I mean she's hotter than you and all."

Xiaoyu rolled her eyes. "Sheesh, what is it with men and looks?"

Hwoarang replied, "Hey, I'm not the only one who's hitting on someone. I mean, I know you check out Jin."

Xiaoyu blushed furiously. "Wh...what! Of course I don't! Jin's my friend..."

"Oh right. I bet you just love to stare into his chocolate brown eyes...but you know you should hurry up and claim him. I think Julia Chang's starting to notice him too."

"I don't check him out!" Xiaoyu said finally. "Jin is my friend, and only my friend. So there."

Hwoarang rolled his eyes. "OK, OK. Whatever you say..."

Hwoarang checked his watch. "Look, I gotta go. See you soon."

"See ya." Xiaoyu watched him walk off. Then she turned around, feeling cheerful that she made a new friend...


GOOD GOLLY GOSH! What did I do? Of course Hwoarang's not gonna get between Jin and Xiaoyu. I would NEVER do that.

And f.y.i., I'm writing a slow pace here 'cause like I said before, I'm havin' some crappy computer problems, and also of course, the crappy school work.

R&R!