Hello Everyone! Wow I think it's been about three weeks! Sorry about that, not only did I loose my files of prewritten chapters – I had finals. So there was no possible way for me to re-type them accurately in the time I had. Either way, well school is over now – so updates will once again return to every Thursday. Although since I am updating TODAY the next one will be NEXT THURSDAY. Got it? Cool Beans =) Alright Let's get this show on the road! =)

Before I start I want to thank my beautiful reviewers!

Talisman Valedictorian

warrior of six blades

Anais.P

XxSinisterLovexX

Cant Get Enough

howl

Thank you sooooo much for your love and support! They push me to keep carrying on and I love it! I hope you continue to enjoy =)

And also: Q and A.

Q I'm terribly confused. A Family tree would be great please?

A: Haha Okay, Here we go!

Kazehime: Ren (Grandpa) Sandput (Husband/Dad) Lidi (Wife/Mom) Alana (Sister) Talim (duh)

Hong: Yun-Li (Sister) Yun-Seong (also duh)

Hope that helps!

Q: Soooo…the Kazehime's run a hotel?

A: A bed and breakfast, but yes! =)

Q: Where are Yun-Li and Yun-Seong's Parents?

A: That will be reavealed soon enough, but they are alive. It's their grandparents that are not.

Alright, Alright enough foolishness. Let's get this show on the road!

Disclaimer: Soul Caliber is not mine. Must be nice for whoever owns it.

Chapter Four

Wake Up Call

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Others stay awhile, make footprints on our hearts and we are never, ever the same.- Unknown

Sunny days were not a normal occurrence in Reagan Township. Out of the seven days of the week, it was usually cloudy for five and rained mercilessly for four. So when Talim awoke to rays of sunshine gleaming in her face, she determined right then and there that today would be a good day.

She breezed through her daily ritual of getting ready for school with ease and even had enough time to spare to put a couple of loose curls in her hair. As she examined herself in the mirror she mentally reviewed the schedule of her day in her head. It was a habit her father had instilled in her at the age of 6, hoping to indulge some helpful self-discipline for the future. It worked pretty well for Talim, but not so much with Alana. She wasn't as willing a candidate as her younger sister.

"Homework? Check! Book-bag? Check," her chocolate eyes inspected her own reflection critically; she frowned at the slightly pink bump forming just below her ear. "Stupid acne…," she muttered, interrupting her checklist. "I really need to steal my so-active back from Xianghua…,"

After a few more moans and groans about the miniscule imperfections of her face, she grabbed a maroon headband to match her uniform, slipped on her penny loafers, and made her way downstairs for breakfast.

"He's still not up yet?" Mrs. Kazehime asked in mild concern. Her hands were busy with washing dishes and frying up a final batch of eggs for her husband. Talim was up on her feet, slipping into her grey cardigan. Her book-bag was on her shoulders and her iphone in her grasp. She was ready to go and, from the looks of it, was waiting for no one.

"Is he ever up on time, Mom," she answered, pulling her sleeves up to her elbow. "I don't even know why you bother to make him breakfast. It's a waste of your delicious cooking, if you ask me,"

"Yun-Seong always eats my breakfast," Mrs. Kazehime defended. "He just eats it on the run as oppose to him sitting down and enjoying it,"

"My point exactly! Your cooking's way too yummy to not thoroughly enjoy,"

Her mother smiled appreciatively towards her daughter. "Well as long as your enjoying it, I guess I'm doing something right," She flickered her gaze to the stairs briefly. "Maybe you should wait for him this time, sweetheart,"

"I don't wait for things that never come," The young Kazehime smoothly replied. "Besides, I have a ride today,"

"Yikes," her mother muttered. "Sounds like someone's still a tad bit bitter about yesterday,"

Talim sighed and straightened her pleated plaid skirt. "Try being a tad bit bitter about the past 9 years," Her hair whipped around as she turned to face the front door. "And I'm not as much bitter about it as I am wiser. When you live with idiocracy for such a an elongated time period, you learn to…adapt,"

Mrs. Kazehime's eyes widened in humor at the snarkiness of her very own daughter. Talim was sweet, kind, and patient. An optimistic spirit and heart of gold, if anyone asked. But it never ceased to amaze her this other side, this Mr. Hyde, that Yun-Seong Hong always managed to bring out of her. It was almost a talent.

"You know, that boy truly does bring out your inner dark side, child"

The petite girl visibly blanched and turned to lightly glare at her mother. "Goodbye, Mom," she gritted, and with that she stormed out the door.

"So sensitive…," Mrs. Kazehime tsked as she went to scrape the eggs out of the frying pan and onto a plate.

For a nice while all that could be heard was the tic-toc of the kitchen clock and the rasping of silverware against dishes. A gentle morning breeze blew in through the open kitchen window, ruffling the powder blue curtains and grazing against Mrs. Kazehime's cheek. She sighed, relaxed and at peace with the quiet morning atmosphere, and enjoyed it while she still could.

It wouldn't be long before all hell broke loose above. Her fingers rapped patiently against the marble counter.

"3…2…1…,"

"Shit!"

The corner of her lips twitched at the all too familiar swear from upstairs. "Right on schedule,"

Like a herd of elephants stampeding a jungle, the kitchen ceiling shook with vicious ferocity underneath rushed and heavy footsteps. A string of impressively bad words floated from the upper bedrooms and down the stairwell. From what it sounded like, a certain carrot top rammed some unlucky body part into a wall. Hard. Mrs. Kazehime shook her head in displeasure. The boy could swear like a sailor, that was for sure. Almost as bad as his ex-navy seal grandfather – God rest his soul. If he kept up like this he'd be the family-swear-jar's sole income.

A couple round of 4-letter words later a blur of red came sprinting down the stairs, jumping completely over the last four, to land right outside the kitchen archway.

"Hey Mrs. K!" Yun-Seong greeted perkily as he strolled into the room and sat at the table. His uniform was a disheveled mess of sagging dockers and an untucked polo. He had one arm halfway in his grey school-embellished cardigan and his tie stuffed haphazardly into his pants' pocket. Although the rest of him was a complete and utter debacle his striking crimson locks were a perfected mess and his face as gorgeous as ever.

"Good Morning, Yun-Seong. Spiffy and put-together as ever, I see,"

He smiled at the small woman through bites of the breakfast in front of him.

"Well you know me," he said, small bits of toast flying out of his mouth. "I always dress to impress,"

"That you do dear,"

The red head shoved two pieces of bacon in his mouth. "Eh, uniforms don't count anyway," his eyes wandered curiously around the room. "Left already, huh?"

Mrs. Kazehime began gathering the pots and pans scattered about the counter tops. "Name a day where she hasn't, dear,"

"Last Year, April 16," He said before tossing back a glass of orange juice. "It was my birthday, and that puritan conscious of hers kicked in,"

"Oh yes, now I do remember…you can thank your sister for that. Guilted my poor daughter real good. She felt like she had no choice,"

"I know," he said with a wide grin. "And it was kinda nice to see her actually trying to be friendly with me…But it was short lived…and I can only take so much of her being nice for so long…,"

Mrs. Kazehime sighed in disappointment. "It's almost sad how much effort you children put into despising each other…,"

"Oh believe me, Mrs. K," Yun-Seong began, raising from his chair and slinging his backpack over his arm. "It's pretty effortless," And with that he pecked her on the cheek and headed out the door, throwing a pleasant goodbye over his shoulder.

"Waaaah ! You're hair is so CUTE!"

The emerald-haired girl smiled appreciatively towards her best friend. "Thank you, Xianghua! I thought you'd might like it,"

"Well you know how I am when it comes to hair!" she replied, catching a green curl with her finger and twisting it. "Gosh, Tali, your hair is always so healthy…makes me so damn jealous…,"

"Well maybe if you didn't color and bleach the ever-loving shit out of it every two weeks…yours would be too,"

Xianghua turned to glare daggers at their third amigo. "Like your one to talk, blondie,"

The "blondie" simply smirked at her. "Hey, I was already blond. I just enhanced the color," She held up one finger. "And only once. I know when to stop…unlike someone,"

Talim grinned at her two best friends as the fussed with one another. Both were so alike yet very different at the same time. They were both graciously beautiful women with long limbs and confidence radiating off of them in encompassing waves. However, where Xianghua had the lean disposition of a runway model, Cassandra had the gorgeous curves of a 50's pin up girl. A layered bob of neon purple, pink, and indigo contrasted against Xianghua's pale ivory skin. Silvery-blonde locks lay flat on the shoulders of Cassandra's glowing peach complexion.

Sometimes, it bothered Talim how stunning her friends were. Not because she didn't think herself to be pretty, but because her friends were on a completely different level than her and could get whomever they wanted…but chose not to. Everyday they were telling some poor love-struck boy

"That's very sweet, but no thank you,"

"Sorry, but I can't accept,"

"Maybe next weekend, if I'm free,"

If they really wanted to they could have any boy in this entire school, girlfriend or not. But for some reason, they chose to be single. Stayed out of the game entirely. It honestly floored Talim.

"Hey Tali, did you do Thursday's chemistry assignment?"

"Well that's the dumbest question of the year, Xiany. It's Talim, what do you think?"

"Oh shut it, Cassie,"

"DON'T call me that…you know I hate that-,"

"Precisely, my friend,"

Cassandra only rolled her eyes and started to open her locker.

"I'm sorry, Talim. Let me start over…may I borrow your Chemistry homework you so obviously did?"

"Sure thing," Talim said laughing, pulling her homework out of her bag, and handing it to her. "By the way I like the pink lipstick, matches the color in your hair,"

"And my nails!" Xianghua squealed, waggling her fingers in front of her face. Each nail was a different hot pink design.

"I swear you really do belong somewhere in deep Tokyo…," Talim mumbled, admiring her nail art.

"Hey Tali, I got those art history flash cards for you," piped up Cassandra, passing them over to her.

"Ahh yes! Thank you! I've been needing these since…,"

Whatever the petite girl was saying, it fell on deaf ears as the soccer captain with flaming red hair strolled into Lawrence E. Hristler High School. Every female's attention immediately narrowed onto him, Xianghua and Cassandra included. Theirs more subtly than most as they pretended to search through their lockers and belongings.

He was flanked by his best friend Maxi Lourdes, a man equally as dark, tall, and handsome as he was. Like always, they came in laughing as if they were having the best time of their lives. It never failed to enchant the rest of the student body, but Talim was none too enthused. As far as she was concerned nothing was that funny, every single day, at 7:50 in the morning. Especially on a Monday. People were too easily fooled nowadays.

When the two boys made their way past the three girls, Xianghua and Cassandra immediately turned their attention to Talim; who was still speaking to them as if they were listening. Hadn't she learned by now? This only happened everyday, it was only assumed she'd get the message. The world checks out when Yun-Seong Hong checks in.

Well that is, the world minus her.

They watched in amazement as Yun-Seong greeted the both of them, a giant smile on his face, then completely sweep by Talim without so much of a second glance.

She didn't even flinch.

"I just don't get it!" Xianghua exclaimed, cutting off whatever drabble her small friend had still been on.

Talim paused, sighed, and closed her mahogany eyes in resignation. "Get what?" she monotoned, knowing exactly where this conversation was going. Maybe she shouldn't have told them after all.

"You know what, Tali," Cassandra added, still casting a longing glance in the direction of the popular boys.

"No I don't," Talim sing-songed, riffling through her locker like a mad woman.

Xianghua peeked out at her from behind her locker door, her voice low and steady. "How do you two not even, you know…look at each other. Like, not even wince when you pass in the hallway. For goodness sakes, you live with the boy!"

"SHHHHHHHH!" Talim hissed frantically, slamming her locker shut. "Please! Don't remind me…I don't like to think about it when I'm at school," She whirled around and started in the direction of her first hour class, her two best friends hot on her tail.

"Why the hell not? It honestly can't be that bad,"" her multi-color haired friend said.

"Yeah, Talim. You make it seem like it's so God awful..I mean look at the boy," chimed in Cassandra.

"It isn't quite God-awful…but it's not exactly Paradise Island either...,"

"Then what is it?" They squealed in unison.

Talim tried not to roll her eyes. "Look, I know when I told you guys about us living together I was very vague about it, but that's because there's nothing good between the two of us except insults and comebacks,"

Her arms were held wide as she gazed around the school appreciatively. "Here, I don't have to worry about dealing with him. Here I can just be myself,"

The she turned around to face them fully, sternly catching their eyes in her own. "You don't have to understand it, I don't expect you to in any way. But I do expect you to respect it. And me,"

Although her words were soft and delicate, her message was firm and her eyes a silent warning. Even when mentioned in conversation, Yun-Seong somehow managed to wane her patience thin.

The two girls exchanged looks briefly before gazing solemnly towards their petite friend.

"We're sorry, Talim.," Xianghua apologized. "We know we can get carried away sometimes... We really just don't understand the whole situation, is all…,"

Cassandra nodded in agreement. "Don't worry, we'll get used it. I mean, it's only been a week since you've told us. It's still kind of mind-blowing that you guys don't even acknowledge each other's existence,"

"I know, I know…," said Talim with yet another sigh. "But trust me when I say Yun-seong and I don't associate in school for a reason. It just works better that way, and we've learned to like it...and for the record, I don't find him as "mesmerizing" as the rest of the student body evidently does,"

Before anything else could be said the bell rang, forcing all teens to head into their classes and start their school days. The three girls began to enter their own and head to their seats, but not before being yanked back and given one more warning concerning the issue all together.

"And most importantly you two...DO. NOT. TELL. ANYONE!"

"You know, you we're supposed to pick me up for school today?"

Rustic hands lazily gripped the curvy hips of his girlfriend. Her long chestnut tresses spiraling down her back and spilling over her shoulders. Her small almond eyes on close encounters with his auburn orbs. She was standing between his thighs, locked in their threshold, and only inches away from his smirking lips. Somehow she always snuggled her way right into his personal bubble, and though he didn't exactly love it…he had to admit he didn't mind having her there when she showed up. A finger trailed down the side of his throat.

"You always seem to forget for some reason. Perhaps I'm not as good as a reminder as I thought,"

"Yeah," Yun-Seong agreed as her manicured nails made his way into his burning locks, scratching lightly. He groaned appreciatively. "Maybe you should step your game up,"

A frilly laugh left her lips as she wound her arms around his neck. "I'll keep that in mind,"

Just as she lowered down to kiss her awaiting boyfriend…

"Lockheart! Hong! For the hundredth-millionth time – please, for all of our sakes– get your filthy hands off of each other! It's nauseating, really…,"

A young man with white-blond locks and slanted hazel eyes made his way into the classroom. He was dressed in a dark crisp business suit with a baby-blue oxford underneath. His hair had been swept back into a low ponytail and his facial hair trimmed down to business-professional standards. He had a tired and annoyed expression permanently placed on his face, something most of the teachers in the high school shared in common.

"Ahh…Sorry Mr. Sorel," Muttered Miss Lockheart under her breath, as she silently removed herself from her boyfriend's grasp and gathered her books from his desk. Before leaving she placed a small peck on his lips and whispered. "Make it up to me and don't forget to take me home today, got it?"

He smirked against her lips. "Sure thing, Mina," and watched her with no shame as she swayed her way back to her seat.

Maxi shook his head as he watched his "earnest" best friend. "You're a mess, Yun. Really, you are,"

Yun-Seong grinned boyishly as he turned to face him, waggling his eyebrows. "I don't know what you're talking about,"

Maxi laughed. "You never do,"

"Is everyone done chit-chatting and macking? Because if you don't mind I have a history lecture to teach?"

All eyes flew toward the head of the room where an impatient Mr. Sorel stood, arms crossed and face miffed as ever. A collected "Sorry Mr. Sorel," resounded throughout the classroom and with that incentive, the professor turned to face the board and scribble away.

The lunch bell had rang and all students had gone to hang with their respective cliques. Luckily for teenagers of Hristler High School they were allowed to eat wherever they so desired. This placed the Three Amigos in the classroom of their favorite professor who allowed them to be as ridiculous as the pleased.

Today was no exception.

"Marry Derek Jeter. Do Tom Brady. And Kill David Beckham,"

"WHATTTTT? Are you CRAZY?"

"You have GOT to be out of your mind. Who the bloody hell kills David Beckham?"

"What? He just doesn't really…do it for me, I mean I guess he's attractive but…,"

"But? BUT? But WHAT! He's David freakin Beckham! There IS no but!"

"Yeah, unless you mean but as in ass – because then there's an exception. A really nice one too…,"

"Well..I think personally think he's, for lack of a better term, a dbag. I mean – your not captain of the best team in American MLS – after leaving England as the soccer king I may add – and not be a dbag. It's just physically impossible,"

"What's physically impossible is you actually liking a soccer player…,"

"So biast, Talim. Geez, I thought you of all people would be above that…,"

"What? I'm not biast I'm just saying that-,"

"Talim Kazehime,"

All three girls paused their girlish little "debate" to turn and look at the teacher at front of the classroom. Talim met her gaze with a soft smile. "Yes?"

The teacher watched her with guarded eyes. "Can I speak with you in the hallway please?"

The emerald haired girl's expression faltered slightly, her chocolate eyes flashing small bits of concern. "Sure…am I in trouble?"

A gentle yet forced laugh left the teacher as she held her arm out towards the door. "No, not at all dear," It was meant to be reassuring, but it only worried her even more.

"Oh…okay," said Talim as she swallowed the knot in her throat and headed towards the hallway, the teacher trailing. "Be back in a bit!" she threw over her shoulder to her crew before disappearing out into the corridor.

Xianghua and Cassandra shared anxious looks when the teacher slowly slid the door shut behind them.

Whatever was going to be said, it wasn't anything good.

Once again, Mina was in Yun-Seong's bubble. She sat square in his lap, hands cupping his face and her nose nuzzling softly against his. Yun-Seong, as usual, had his hands hanging loosely onto her hips, playing with the fabric at the top of the pleated skirt. He deeply inhaled the scent of Victoria Secret and grinned. It was reasons like this that he loved lunchtime – he didn't get much food, but he did get a lot of his very touchy-feely girlfriend. And she was hot, so he couldn't really complain. Life was good.

"Aren't you even the least bit hungry for food?" he asked dreamily.

"I am…," she answered thoughtfully. "But I'd much rather be standing here with you,"

"Clearly,"

She giggled. "And if I get too hungry, I can always just…,"

Yun raised his eyebrow, wondering why Mina had stopped mid-sentence…only to get her drift when he felt a slight nibble on his ear. Holy crap, had she really gone there? During school? Lord help him…

"Ah, Mina-Mina you just can't do that in school…,"

"Hmm? Why not, It's not like your not enjoying it…,"

"True…," Yun mumbled, allowing himself to relax. "But still…,"

"Ahhh loosen up, it's free time. Nobody's paying attention to us. It'll be-,"

"Yun-Seong,"

Two sets of heavy-lidded eyes slowly turned to look at classroom door. One pair narrowed and one pair widened when they saw who stood there.

"Talim…?" Yun-Seong asked in disbelief, lightly pushing Mina off of him.

"What is she doing here?" the tall brunette asked with a touch of venom.

Talim didn't even look in her direction.

"Yun-Seong we have to go," she said, her voice slightly wavering.

The red-head caught her weakness, only because of knowing her for so long, and instantly became alert. Fully separating from Mina he walked over to where the small girl stood; her stoic expression quivering slightly. He gripped her upper arms gently.

"What's wrong?" his tone was all business. He stared Talim directly in her swarming eyes, searching for some type of answer.

"It's," she paused, attempting to calm herself.

She would not break.

She would not falter.

She had to be strong.

She was strong.

"It's grandpa, something's wrong with him. And it isn't looking good,"

What do you think? RnR and let me know. Especially if your mad about it lol

- Venus