Chapter 19: In The Dark I See

I sighed to myself looking around the apartment I once lived in. My bedroom was how I left it, just before my fateful accident. The bed sheets untidy with my clothes spawned all over. The mess represented how I hurriedly got ready to see Hwoarang during his fight with Jin in the fifth tournament – An irresponsible decision on my behalf. I wasn't thinking straight, I wanted to end my relationship with Hwoarang then and there. But it was like I knew what was going to happen during the fight, I expected Jin to attack me, which is the only possible reason.

With my memories flooding back, I knew I couldn't stay. It wouldn't be safe for me to stay here in Japan, I had to find a new place and start a better life. I quickly packed my belongings in a suitcase that I had in the wardrobe - I needed to leave as soon as possible.

With my personal possessions packed, I reached out to my phone. I had to call someone, I needed refuge - I couldn't do this on my own.

"Hey" My voice cracked as I spoke into the receiver. "I need your help."

I exited my eventual old apartment. I wanted to clear my conscience, and enjoy my last night here in Japan before I leave the country. I wanted to find a low-key place, which would be difficult since Japan itself is fairly populated. I stood in the middle of the footpath, looking across the road. I closed my eyes for a few moments and took a deep breath, collecting my thoughts.

I heard a soft voice call my name, breaking my train of thought. I opened my eyes, expecting the voice was from my imagination. My eyes wandered around, meeting with a set of familiar blue eyes - It was Steve Fox.

My heart elevated seeing the British boxer standing in front of me. I immediately wrapped my arms around his body to show how glad I was to see him.

"Are You... alright?"Steve stammered at my unexpected affection.

After realising my drastic actions, I pushed away from Steve, wiping away the forming tears from my eyes.

"What... What, are you doing here?" I tried to compose myself, hiding the sadness from my eyes.

"I like to walk around a lot."Steve lightly joked, scratching the back of his head.

I lightly chuckled at Steve's joke and softly smiled up at him. "Do you want to go for a coffee?"

Steve nodded, accepting my offer to buy a beverage and have a chat. Side by side, we walked in silence to a nearby café. We sat down at a table and ordered – I asked for a skim latte and Steve asked for earl grey tea.

"Why were you outside my apartment?"I started the conversation, quizzically raising an eyebrow at Steve with a grin.

"Well, to tell you the truth." Steve sheepishly continued. "With the sixth tournament announced and knowing about your disappearance – When I had free time, I walked around your area in hopes to see you there again. I guess I missed you.." Steve trailed off and corrected himself before I got the wrong impression. "As a friend."

I didn't know how to react to Steve's confession. The thought of someone actually worried about me seemed odd. Part of me felt touched by his sentiments but on the other side, I felt perturbed.

"Are you okay?"Steve asked with concern, noticing how withdrawn I was.

"I don't know if I'll ever be okay." I continued "The Mishima Zaibatsu did something to me and I don't think I'll ever figure out what they did."

I looked up to see Steve's demeanour change, what I said hit too close to home for him.

"I'll make those bastards pay."Steve boomed, looking me deadest in the eyes.

"Don't." I rested my hand on Steve's to calm him down.

The waitress interrupted, placing our hot beverages in front of us and left after we thanked her.

"We have to stop them" Steve persisted. "They have done something to both of us and we should do something about It."

"I'm just tired" My eyes dropped. "All the war propaganda, all the fighting and lies and hatred... I just can't."

Steve frowned at me, backing down from his plot of revenge. I was just mentally and physically exhausted to fight anymore – my livelihood was fading.

"I understand."Steve complied.

I looked up into Steve's crystal pale eyes and gave him a reassuring smile. Something about him made me feel secure, that I could trust him. I just didn't want to let my guard down, due to my other experiences with men.

"I guess you will be seeing Hwoarang again?" Steve coyly asked.

"Oh, Hwoarang." I solemnly responded. "I don't think I'll be seeing him again."

My recollection of the last encounter with Hwoarang opened old wounds. Even though I wasn't myself when I met him - what he attempted to do was despicable, I could never forgive him. The thought of him getting much further than he did, sent a shiver down my spine.

"Oh" Steve exclaimed in disappointment. "Did you want me to kick his ass?"

I shook my head and laughed lightly. "Don't worry, if anything arises I'll do the ass kicking if necessary."

"Sorry, that's my chivalry coming out."The British boxer smiled widely.

"I think Hwoarang loved Jin more than me." I furrowed my eyebrows at my random observation. "Like, there was more to Hwoarang's hate of Jin."

"What, you think Hwoarang has homosexual tendencies with Jin?" Steve let out a chuckle at my beliefs.

"Maybe." I shrugged my shoulders, grinning. "But, you know, I was thinking." I paused for a moment before I proceeded. "Would things have been different if I met you first?"

I looked into Steve's eyes in wonder. When I first met him, I never thought much about him, especially the way we met – It was so embarrassing. I slightly blushed remembering that moment.

"Well not many ladies throw their panties at me, so I can't think of any better first impression." Steve teased.

I rolled my eyes with a smile, not impressed at Steve's joke at my expense.

"I'm leaving Japan tomorrow" I confessed abruptly, taking my first sip of my coffee.

I could see the disappointment in Steve's eyes when I told him I was leaving. He sighed and shook his head in understanding of my decision. "Where will you be going?"

"I'll be staying with a friend, that's all I can say"I left my answer at that. It's not like I didn't trust Steve, I just didn't want to leave a trail to where I was going. I needed to protect my friend at all costs.

We sat there in silence finishing off our beverages. After we consumed or drinks, we paid the bill and walked out from the café together. Steve walked me to the front of my apartment and stood with me a few moments, trying to figure out how to say goodbye to me.

"I guess this is goodbye for now."Steve mused, digging his hands into his jeans pocket.

I softly grabbed Steve's wrist, expressing tenderness. "You will find someone amazing who will love you for who you truly are, and not for the monster you believe you are."

With that, I softly kissed Steve on the cheek and let go of his wrist, turning my back to head into my apartment. My heart sank, with tears flowing down my face.

The sun shone bright without a single cloud in the gradient blue sky. With my luggage in tow, I exited the taxi and walked up the driveway of a residential house. I inhaled the fresh air of Riverside, California - My new residence.

I walked to the door and knocked on the burgundy front door. After waiting for a few moments, the door opened. My former high school best friend Celeste stood there in the door frame, her baby blue eyes gleaming at the sight of me. It had been a couple of years since we last saw each other and Celeste looked the exactly same - she still had her silky, effortless golden blonde hair I was always envious of.

"V! You're finally here."Celeste squealed, drawing me in for a tight hug.

I hugged Celeste back, subdued from affection by my friend. "Yep, here I am."

A/N: Soooo close to the end now. I apologise that I'm taking much longer to post, I guess I'm a bit sad that I'm pretty much done writing this fic. =(

This was supposed end, but I've decided to write an epilogue to finish it off to give Viola a little bit of closure of some sort. Don't worry, I hope I won't take longer to post it!