A/N: Sorry for re-posting. I was surprised to see the mistakes popped out of nowhere.

This chapter is dedicated to my Korean crush Min Jae Jung. He's going to leave Philippines for Korea now and will never come back… 'weeps'

-o-o-o-

Shattered Soul

By: Elie

-o-o-o-

It was 7:00 am. Jin Kazama hopped out of the jet just in time to be driven to school. He ran a hand through his sleek raven strands once more before entering the limousine after his grandfather. "You're watching the play too?" he asked amusingly.

Heihachi shook his head and turned his attention outside the blue tinted window. "I'm just going to drop you off and pay a visit to the headmaster."

"You should fire him," Jin joked, brushing the dusty mark from his beige colored Armani blazer. They left Kyoto an hour ago and the flight took forty minutes to get in Tokyo. Jin hated taking their private jet most especially. He had always preferred to sail on cruisers. "He's too dumb for us…"

"Stop complaining," The old man retorted, pulling some papers from his leather suitcase. He began scanning them and then gave them to Jin. "That's their play. The headmaster sent them to me by fax. I think it'll make a big impression on Ling's part."

'She's gonna do great, absolutely.' Jin thought, silenced by his grandfather's compliment to Xiao. He nudged closer to the door by the window, his eyes following the buildings that passed by their black limousine. 'I'm finally home…'

….

"Miharu, what time is it?" Xiao nervously asked. Her palms and nose were sweating hard, making it difficult to put make-up on her face.

"We still, like, have thirty minutes or so. We can catch up." Miharu replied, holding Xiao's chin firmly while applying a dry velvety-red lipstick. "Now, hold still…"

Xiaoyu had her mouth opened, but was quite irritated by her position and thought that she might get a stiff neck from stretching her head out. She noticed the lipstick Miharu was painting her lips with, and then, she started to panic. "What the fuck is this?"

"Steady Xiao or it'll slip!" Miharu demanded, snatching her friend's struggling face. "What? Do you want to look pale on stage?"

"But it's too dark! I'm a peasant, remember?" Xiao defended herself, shoving the lipstick away from her. "I only need lip gloss!"

"Whatever!" Miharu said, throwing the lipstick back into the make-up kit. She looked away, ashamed to admit that she really didn't know what the play was all about.

Hitori Eumatsu, the directress, entered the dressing room with her younger brother, Taka, standing outside wearing a very lose jumper and torn polo for his funny sidekick role. "Okay, time to move out of the room…" she yelled.

Yet, tucking her orange hair behind her ears, she admiringly stared at the Chinese girl sitting in front of her, wearing a wonderfully sewn Russian handmaiden's gown made of silk. "Wow, you look really gorgeous Ling…"

Taka rolled his eyes and entered the room as well. He had almost dropped his jumper pants as he saw Xiaoyu in gorgeous pastel colors and her hair in one cute bun. "Are you really Ling Xiaoyu?"

"Go to hell." Xiao said to him, standing up with Miharu at her side. She held Hitori's hand and squeezed it tight. "I'm sure that your hard work will pay off."

"I'm great in grooming, am I not?" Miharu winked at Taka as she followed Xiaoyu out of the room.

….

Hwoarang had already received a lot of hardcore praises as he passed by his schoolmates wearing the Prince costume which had gold, navy-blue and red as the main colors. He thought it was kinda dork, but actually, he looked so handsome in formal attire with his trademark shoulder-length auburn hair carelessly combed.

He hanged his cape on his shoulder and sat on the floor of the backstage to rehearse his lines once more. "Yes, my love. Yes. Ever since we first met, those glitters in your eyes captivated me, and up to now they still do. It also proves of your worthiness for my heart…Oh, fuck…I can't believe I'm gonna say this in front of everyone…"

He paused for a while, seeing shadows block his script, and perked his head up to see that it was Giselle with their directress.

"I need to talk to you both," Hitori said, pulling Hwoarang up. She grunted a bit, realizing how fucking heavy he was. "It's about the whole goodbye scene…"

"What's gonna happen?" The co-stars asked in unison.

Hitori blushed, reluctant to say what she must. "You see, the crew and I agreed to give the ending more passion. Like, we want you both to kiss…"

"What!" The two of them replied in shock. Hwoarang has always been a faithful boyfriend to Julia. Xiaoyu was just too disgusted to do it with someone else except Jin right now. But they knew it was just acting…and they are just overacting.

Hitori smirked. "No complaining now…the play will begin in…three…two…"

The lights went off even at the backstage. There were already a lot of crowd sitting at the auditorium seats, and none of the crew even noticed, so they forgot to inform the casts to get ready. "One…"

"Shit!" Hwoarang muttered, turning to Xiao, who he can't even see because of the dark. "The intro is gonna start soon. Please help me with this."

"You should've put this on earlier," Xiao said, tying Hwoarang's cape at his back. "There, let's go," she began to walk in a hurry, but Hwoarang grabbed her hand.

"Good luck…Giselle." He said. Instead of pulling her hand like she would always react in terms of Hwoarang, Xiao held his other hand with hers. "You too…Albrecht…"

….

"Asuka! What the hell?" Jin growled in frustration. He's ten minutes late for the play and his cousin was still busy blow-drying her hair. "You told me that you'd be ready even before we pick you up."

"Well, I don't want to look ugly in your school, cuz." Asuka explained, brushing her hair this time. "Could you get my lip gloss over there? Please?"

Jin groaned, walking toward Asuka's dresser and picking up her lip gloss. He returned to her and handed over the object. "You can do your lips in the car," he grabbed her wrist and dragged her out.

"Wait!" She let go and dove in the bed for her blue handbag. Seeing Jin going down the elevator, she hurriedly closed the door and ran toward it, squeezing herself to get inside.

….

"I'm not really interested in these things, but like you said cuz, it'd better be good…" Asuka said, folding her arms over her chest to conceal her massive breasts. She wore her tight fitting spaghetti strapped blouse and paired it off with black Capri pants.

"I have someone that I want you to meet…" Jin said, looking over his grandfather who seemed to be half-asleep and tired. "After the play…"

Asuka flashed her cousin with a devilish smile, pretending to know what concerned him the most. "Really? A new girlfriend I guess?"

Jin coughed intentionally, allowing his cousin to taunt him. "Maybe…"

"What maybe! You're really gonna introduce me? Cool, I can't wait!" Asuka said cheerfully, crawling nearer to the window. She sighed and said, "Tokyo sure is big…I think I'm gonna like it here."

"Are you sure that you don't want to live with us?" Jin asked.

Asuka glared at him. "Are you kidding me? I've dreamt of being independent you know! This is my chance!"

….

"Oh hello girls!" Xiao cried out to a group of three actresses in her front. She felt stupid at the same time by trying to be cheerful despite her sad longing for Jin. "It's been a while…"

"You went to the doctor, right Giselle?" An actress asked, her eyes emphasizing Xiao to look back at her.

Xiao turned her attention from the audience back to the actress and said, "Yes, because my mother told me so."

After saying her lines, Xiao turned to the audiences again like she was looking for someone. Yes, she was finding out if Jin was around. Soon, her scene has ended and she has to go backstage again for it was Julia and Hwoarang's part next.

….

Julia emerged to the stage, on with her silk black, sewed-in corset gown with ruffles on the sleeves that was embroidered with shimmering beads. Her hair was loosened to reveal a healthy, smooth mahogany glow. She had her make-up done perfectly, the dark shades made her look gorgeously as a villain.

"Do you remember the first time that you have given me this ring, my love?" She acted out, as she let out her hand into the spotlight, vividly showing the audiences her big diamond ring. "It's still as bright as the time you have…"

Hwoarang as Prince Albrecht cut her off, walking back and forth in the stage. "Oh shut up Bathilde. My parents were the ones responsible on why you have such an item…"

As the scene where Prince Albrecht and Bathilde were having an argument was being played, the black limousine which carried the family got stuck in a traffic jam. Xiaoyu was still unaware that Jin was about to arrive…

….

Thirty minutes later, Jin, Asuka and Heihachi emerged from the entrance and took their seats on the VIP area respectively. The scene playing right now was Giselle's funeral. Jin could see Xiao being laid on a white cloth surrounded by villager characters wearing black.

"May her soul rest in peace…" The guy who had garnered the role of the village priest, said. "Let us hope that her soul may reach heaven…"

'This is so funny!' Xiaoyu snickered while keeping her eyes shut. She loved lying down, most especially because she was drowsy.

……

Then the scene where Giselle's soul and Prince Albrecht meet again to give their final goodbyes began. Jin gripped his seat's arms, slowly anticipating Xiaoyu. But a sullen thought occurred to him immediately. The thought of his ex-best friend touching what is his made him furious. 'It's just acting…' he reminded himself.

….

"My final adieu…" Xiaoyu said, forcing her eyes to close, awaiting Hwoarang's kiss. This wasn't the whole play really…but the Hitori need some fucking passion.

Hwoarang was reluctant to do it. He thought of Julia watching him behind the curtains. However, this is the ending. It had to be great…

Intentionally sticking his hair to the side of his ears, Hwoarang tried to lean down get level the petite Xiaoyu. Shaking and hesitantly complying, he brushed his lips against hers and tried to put it just there. No tongue.

Xiaoyu hated this more than anything. It reminded her of the time she kissed Hwoarang at the alleyway. It made her feel sluttish. But to no avail, she tried thinking that it was Jin whom she was kissing instead. She stepped forward, pressing her lips harder onto Hwoarang's.

Julia smiled while watching the two, who now seemed like the new hot couple in campus. Her attention slipped towards Jin who was sitting at the VIP corner along with his cousin and grandfather, looking hotter than ever. Actually, she never loved Hwoarang. That's why she didn't feel jealous. Her eyes were just drooling over Jin right now who was looking handsomely hot in his suit. He looked like a model rather than a high school senior. How she regretted cheating on him before…

Asuka was gaping surprisingly at the person acting as the Prince. She didn't even bother noticing Jin slouching in his seat looking uninterested. Her full attention was at Hwoarang, the sex parasite from the other room. "That's…that's…holy shit…"

"What?" Jin asked, in his bored tone. And he was REALLY bored of the fucking scene which was the fucking kissing of Albrecht and Giselle. And he fucking hates it.

Asuka shook her head in response. "Nothing…"

The kiss broke and the lights went entirely out as the curtains began to close. The audiences, mostly students and rich parents, gave their standing ovation.

(Applause)

The clapping were deafening even for Hitori who was sitting in the first seat. Praises raised the auditorium. Even Heihachi forgot that he still had an appointment to do. Seeing the school's headmaster, he gave Jin a pat on the back and went toward him.

"Want to come to the backstage?" Jin asked Asuka, who was absently staring at the stage. "Hey, the play is over."

"Huh what?" Asuka jolted awkwardly. She stood up and followed Jin, not bothering to ask on where they were going again.

There, he asked Taka were Xiaoyu was.

She's at the dressing room." Taka answered as he passed by Asuka while giving her a coy wink.

"I'll stay here and wait for you." Asuka said, taking a seat on a stool. "You won't take long…would you?"

"No I won't." Jin smiled. "I'll be back with her."

……

Xiaoyu was now dressed back to normal with her tight orange V-neck blouse and short shorts. Slipping in her fit denim jacket, she grabbed her handbag and the rest of her stuff, and started to leave the room when the door suddenly opened.

She unconsciously dropped all that she carried and stopped, falling on her knees. "Jin…"

"What are you doing?" Jin rushed to her, pulling her up. "Stand up…"

"I thought you'll never come…" Xiao murmured, standing up. "I hate you…"

"No you don't," Jin pressed her to him, embracing her wholly. "You can cry now…"

Xiao didn't want to, but it seemed that her tears had already flown down, the very tears which she had saved just as he told her to. "You watched it?"

Jin nodded, nudging her neck. She felt so warm…she felt like his mother…Touching her seemed like being able to stay beside a fireplace after all the cold he had endured in Kyoto. "You were great…"

"Thanks…If only you had been here…" Xiao sniffled, touching his cheeks, feeling the warmth she had been longing too. She looked up to his face, expecting what she deserves. "You're the one who's supposed to kiss me…"

Jin quickly leaned down, clashing their kiss at once. He held her body tight against him while devouring her lips entirely. He grunted a bit once he accepted Xiao's tongue shove itself inside his mouth. They both kissed hungrily but passionately, obviously missing each other's company for too long.

Jin tried hard to keep his balance. But seeing to it that they mustn't do it here, he broke the kiss with only a trickle of saliva separating their lips. "I want you to meet someone…" he panted.

Xiaoyu blushed, thinking the same. "Help me carry my stuff please…"

-o-o-o-

Asuka waited patiently for her cousin and for someone who he might call as his girlfriend. But she paused briefly after noticing that Hwoarang was in front of her. "Oh, it's you again…"

"Are you Jin's relative?" He asked. Now, he was wearing a black denim jacket with a moss-green shirt underneath, and a gray cargo pants. "You resemble him quite a lot…"

"Right guess." She answered a bit nervously. She can't even understand herself on why. "I'm waiting for him right now…"

"Okay." Hwoarang said, thinking about hanging out with her for a while.

Julia had just received a call from her mom who congratulated her for their play's success. She was dragging her gown and petticoat on the floor along with her for they were too heavy. Surprisingly, she saw Hwoarang talking with another girl. That didn't made her angry at all, instead, she approached them.

"So, like, you don't get detention by doing all those stuff?" Asuka laughed enthusiastically, enjoying the redhead's company. "Cool!"

"In Korea, the school's punishment is to kick your ass…hard." Hwoarang jeered, but when Julia suddenly appeared in front of them wearing a very revealing yellow tube top and blue mini skirt, he stopped to feast his eyes on her. "Hey, babe,"

Asuka stopped laughing too, remembering this girl as the villain earlier. She was very beautiful too up close. Observing her hold Hwoarang's neck seductively and the way she would press her body against his, made Asuka want to leave them for privacy.

"This is Julia Chang by the way," Hwoarang introduced his girlfriend nicely.

Julia smiled brightly at Asuka, hiding her bitchiness beneath those white, straight teeth. She let out her hand to Asuka for a handshake. "And you are…?"

"Asuka Kazama," Asuka held her breath and then exhaled. She felt Julia's hand gripping hers and immediately pulled it away.

"You're Jin Kazama's what?" Julia asked in shock. Hwoarang just stood by her, busy with his cellphone. He's got free unlimited texts for the day.

"I'm his cousin." Asuka answered, expecting Julia's reaction. She knew how popular Jin is in school and she doesn't care. Anyway, she was secretly looking at Hwoarang. 'Damn, he has a girlfriend!'

Jin and Xiao went back together. Jin was carrying all Xiao's stuff, from the costumes to the make-up kit. They were both too busy talking to each other that they forgot who were in front of them.

"Let's go Julia," Hwoarang muttered, taking Julia's wrist. He gestured to Asuka and smiled. "I'll still be around…" then he dragged himself and Julia out of the backstage to join other remaining audiences.

Asuka blushed, hiding it under her raven strands. Jin tapped her on the shoulder, smirking. "Did you talk to them?"

He received a nod and then shrugged. He turned to Xiao, smiled, and back to Asuka. "Cuz, meet Ling Xiaoyu. She's one of the competitors at the tournament."

"Hey!" Xiaoyu greeted energetically. She was happy because Jin had offered to be her company at the arcade tonight. But when she saw Asuka glaring at her, she whispered to Jin immediately, "Is she mad at me or something?"

"What's wrong?" Jin asked. "Tell me Azzy…"

"Yo," Asuka greeted. She's in a bad mood but she placed her hand on Xiao's shoulder and apologized. "Sorry for looking at you that way. It's just how I look…"

"Uh…huh…" Xiao blinked as soon as Asuka hurried off outside. She turned to Jin who was chuckling to himself. "What now?"

"I think she's heartbroken, that's all." He said. "By the way, we should go home now and train…"

"What about the mall?" Xiao pouted playfully. "You promised."

Jin chuckled again and caught her lips quickly with his. "After training" he explained, and slowly began to walk ahead of her.

Xiaoyu smiled, licking her lips. She loved it when Jin would fool around, most of the time, because it brightens up her mood nowadays. However the thought of Julia Chang made her fists clench into tight balls. But Jin quickly interrupted her.

"I can't believe I'm being this possessive but…" He started, "I don't want you near Hwoarang anymore. Okay?"

Xiao nodded. "You're possessive alright…why would I want to get near him anyway?"

"The thought of you kissing him…" Jin lowered his head, covering his frown under his bangs. "Well never mind…let's get out of here…"

Xiao nodded again, unable to contain her thoughts anymore. She followed Jin out but saw Julia leaning at the door. "What do you want know whore?"

"We need to talk." Julia said.

-o-o-o-

A/N: I got something inside my head now, and it's just waiting to be typed…

You know you love me,

Elie