No Air Chapter 7: Day Three: Party! Part Two, a tekken fanfic

A/N: Before you guys bombard me with questions such as "Why did you take a year to update?", I'd like say that I can't really insert much of an update in the fastest way I can. Reason being I have school duties to tend to, I went into a scavenger hunt for stories beyond haunt (which you will find later on in the chapter), and I've been wondering how to write this very well. To make it up, I've made this longer than I would have before, and I swear I'll continue this whenever I can. I hope you guys didn't wait too long! My humblest apologies.

That said, I'll maybe continue my brag later at the foot of this chapter. BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THOSE WHO HAVE REVIEWED ME FOR THE PAST.. ERR.. MONTHS. I really got those as an inspiration, so ta-da! Here is the seventh chapter!

Summary: It all stared out as a simple bet. Little did he know that the more he tries to revert Lili Rochefort's acts, the more Hwoarang controls the urge to fall for her.

No Air

Chapter Seven: Day Three; Party! Part Two

Asuka sat on a wooden log, glaring at the Monacan with dead-daggering eyes whilst touching the bridge of her nose, feeling sore. Lili wanted to groan back at that moment, this was horror, and the environment suited the scene with a hint of traditional campfire for every gathering. The Japanese figured she'd murder more of Lili's conscience once it was over, but oh well. Sometimes, fate was a pain the ass had to endure for now. "Okay!" Hwoarang started, breaking the ice. The last piece of news articles bundled was thrown into the vat of fiery logs, in addition it was 5 feet high. "After those have been carried out, why don't we start off with a song?" He took his buttocks and firmly glued them to the log substituted as seats, hoping for response. Not only did he receive an awkward silence, but from Asuka she just won't let pass, giving him another treatment the same for Lili's.

Seeing the synapse fade in between the chance, he rubbed his nape, sighing in defeat. "Alright, no one. Nice crowd." He managed to lean forward and place his arms' weight on his thighs, glancing at Lili in between 10-second intervals, when Leo spoke. "I'm in the mood for some scary camp fire stories."

Asuka stood, perplexingly seconding the idea of scaring each other's butt hairs off, at the same time pushing away at what seemed to be a menacing idea the Korean suggested. "I agree with tomboy over here. Let's get something cracking in this show!" She rubbed her palms together as they did joint-cracking, although it is her mouth that would do the business. "Who shall start? I say we do an alphabetical arrangement starting from the last names—LILI ROCHEFORT, YOU. ARE. FIIIIIIRST." The Japanese accusingly pointed a finger, mimicking a match announcer and chancing this might be her utter or simple revenge, since she was repulsive enough to make the blonde cave.

"Do I look like a person who knows ghost stories, Asuka?" She twirled a tone, crossing legs and arms, ushering look away from everyone. It seemed that Lili, though it may or may not look like it, had really deep thoughts. Hwoarang eased a bit, raising a hand up to her, "I'd give it a go," only to save Lili's ass. He knew for a fact Asuka was all taunting right about that minute. This earned a groan. He doesn't even have an appropriate last name. The Japanese girl only snickered.

Clearing a throat for good reverb, Hwoarang introduced. "In America there was—"

"How can you tell a story that's from America when you're Korean?"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP STEVE AND LET ME TELL MY STORY!"

"…"

A sigh. "Anyway, in America there was a mass murder. Policemen went to investigate. Trying not to tread on the bodies, they took pictures of each one. One policeman saw something on the opposite wall but he couldn't read it. He walks over to it and sees the numbers "7734" in calculator form, written in blood.

"When taking pictures of this, he turned his camera upside-down and told an approaching police officer. When he pointed with the hand that the camera was in, he accidentally took a picture of the upside-down numbers. He was about to delete the picture when he realized something. The numbers were now a word. The word was HELL."

"Well no shit, Sherlock! Anyone with a brain knows what those words could've meant leet! Much more if you have a damn sense there's supposed to be a zero at first to be a 'Hello' instead of 'Hell'! My god…" Steve commented with an irritating tone, his usual Brit accent coming to elevation. Hwoarang raised a brow as he punched the hell out of his arm, wincing after. "We're not all intelligent like you. Can you do better, Prince Cocky?"

Steve flicked a little piece of hair stray across his forehead. "Don't mind if I do! Okay," For a more sinister approach, the blonde man swept forward with his back arched near the blazing fire. "There was a girl named Jenna who was having a slumber party. She invited three friends but only Mary came. That night, after they did all the fun activities, they went to bed. Ten minutes later Jenna heard Mary counting "1...2...3...4...5...

"She didn't pay much attention though; she thought that Mary was counting to set herself to sleep. At about 3 a.m., Jenna woke up to go to the bathroom and heard: "565…566…567…568". She reached over to the left and turned on the light and turned around to see a man holding Mary's decapitated head pulling out her hair one piece at a time."

Steve glanced to everyone, common faces except for Asuka, half bored filing her nails, occasional tap of her nose. "Hand over the pounds, you filthy gits!" He shot his arms up in the air before tucking them behind his head. Leo scowled and clicked her tongue. "That doesn't win for best story ever. Heck, it doesn't even scare me," Clearly, the German had other ideas. She made herself dominant. "Two friends, Jacob and Andrew, well they were party people you could say. It was friend's sixteenth birthday that night. It was a Friday and it was roughly 11 PM. The party was getting a bit out of hand so both decided to go chill out and have a couple of drinks in the woods on their mate's property, until the party calmed down a bit. There they were sitting down, laughing at what had happened earlier that night, when they noticed a figure sitting down on a nearby log. It was a young girl around the age of nine, she looked lost so they asked her if she needed help, but she gave no reply. They couldn't see her face because of her hair; she sounded like she was crying."

"They calmly approached her, looking at her asking still if she was alright, but there was still no reply. She looked up at to them and to their disbelief she had no eyes and was bleeding vigorously from her torso. Jumping back in horror, she suddenly opened her mouth and the with most high pitched, ear bleeding scream one could have ever heard. She got up and glided quickly toward them, the boys panicked and sprinted frantically back towards the party but for some reason the lights from the party started to disappear, it was starting to get really weird.

The blonde woman couldn't help but cling onto the next arm possible, whoever. Jin, uneasy with the sudden approach, wasn't the type evidently. "Grrnh…" He growled, but let pass. This had a reason, a comprehensive one. Little did the leader and the blonde knew, Korean eyes set on the whole time, half a mind hearing Leo's continuation.

"She was still chasing for what seemed to be ages, the both got exhausted from it so all was left was to split up unexpectedly. Then Jacob started to yell out "Andrew!" but to his dismay he got no reply. He looked back, noticing the little girl right in his face. Scared and frozen to death was what you could describe ol' Jacob,"

Leo's fingers started wiggling. "She flew right through him, sending the freakiest chill down his spine. It seemed that he had passed out for a period of time, but when he woke up, he was just standing there, no one in sight. He heard a yelp, "Jacob!" It was Andrew. He ran up to him making sure what happened, what actually happened. Andrew said, "Let's not speak of this ever again." So both agreed and made their way back and leave the party."

Again, that awkward silence. Seemed like that German scored the other's fright and dignity. She could only snicker in defeat. Crossing her arms above her chest, she spoke again. "Do you guys imagine it?"

Everyone rambled in retaliation as they complained variously, asynchronously. She could only chuckle more. But on the far end of the log, Hwoarang still scratched his nape, flew his gaze and mainly ogled at Lili for some time, thoughts domineering what he should or should not do.

If it's about the bet, then I could just do business and lose for her… But wait, that won't help me either. I want the best for her, after everything. Maybe it's the upcoming tournament? No, it's way too far anyway. I don't know if I still have the patience to ask her, since it's always cut off. Stupid barriers. This feeling, they're too many and desperate for answers…

Jin shifted to the lady beside, slowly trying to attempt his arm back from her. "Look, I'm not one to be considerate about your facial expressions, but," he paused momentarily, glancing back and forth to his arm and her. "Seems to me you have some issues? Emotional issues?"

Lili muffled a laugh, letting go. "Not issues, exactly. Tell me, Jin. Did you buy this heap of Oceanside?"

"I did, and the other commodities were added to it," he flicked some strands of his bangs away, scoffing at the others who seemed to be competing with various scares. "Before, though. It was just a simple dock and that spacious waterbed." He looked into the bonfire, deeply, as if he were to vaporize the flames with just one stare. "Wasn't much of my decision to demolish said dock, either. Anything revolves around money." His expression seemed to be in a state with certain uneasiness in it, pursing his lips as he went into space. Lili got the idea, being an heir to this gig didn't ever become a part of his intentions. As a matter of fact, little did she know of Jin other than the famous dictator of the Mishima Zaibatsu, own choice having to finish schoolwork and proper domination, whatever it had to do with his past time. Pretty much that was his decision. "The more fortune we have, the more power we have,"

Lili continued to ogle, minding also the eyes that were glancing; Asuka made way. "Hey you two, stop it. Attention here, chop-chop!" Hwoarang took the chance to nod, get out what he wanted to say already, though he couldn't for the fear of being glared at once more, which was the last thing he wanted to discard right now. "Since we have this fire… I'd say we'd calm ourselves and declare ceasefire," He made instant pun in a sort. "Get it, cease then… fire?" He giggled, swaying his palm to the heat.

Xiaoyu shook her head in ridicule, "That is so silly, Hwoarang," She took the lead into speaking. "Well, we've got Lili as our new, why not? It's not like we took the last year's ceasefire seriously, right?"

"Probably most of us didn't, with our chance now it is best if we do take it seriously." Asuka stared into the flames heaving up, leaning her cheek on a palm, dazed. "Now is like a fricking reflection towards our bad deeds. Complete wipeout." The others saw her dedication to what she was muttering out, being it a first timer. Steve let out a mere giggle. "Oy, you don't have to waste another moment with those considering you have heaps. Turn the spotlight to yourself, will yah?"

Asuka crossed her arms, irritated for the fact it was a solemn thing and he raids her with those 'compliments'. "I'm being pessimistic for now, okay?" She gazed and gazed, sooner to find out Steve was now beside her, nudging. "Meant it as a joke, Asuka. Don't need to be harsh, now will we?" Those ever cute smiles made her madly blush again, for the second time during this trip.

"Look, guys," Lili finally spoke out of the blue. "If this was supposed to be a sort of initiation, I'm grateful for it," Her gaze focused on the ever-glowing fire as they softened. "Thanks."

Hwoarang took the turn to speak. "You're an essential part of us at this place for now. When we go back, we'd either stay like this or remain how we are back at school, to who you're supposed to be. It depends." He said with a twig fiddled between his fingers. This night made him calm down after all that has happened, and apparently for them it was also so. "Thanks a lot, everyone." She gratified with a nod, solemn. "You don't know how much this has been quite a trip for me."

The night faded with an hour and a half 'till midnight, fire doused out and took care of before retreating to their rooms. Hwoarang couldn't help but linger into his train of thoughts once again, backing to tail along the others while they went. He stared at the starred sky. It still makes me wonder how it's never possible wanting or praying to change someone. Especially if that someone knew me for only one and a half week, I can't beg for her trust easily.

"Lion Mane."

Hwoarang turned his back, coming close with a figure that was none other than Asuka Kazama's. Her eyes were a little droopy, or in this case, obviously sleep deprived. "Lili went to the cave, the cave the cove has," she lightly chuckled as the tongue twisting alliteration. "I guess that little fact hasn't been introduced to you yet. Jin might've."

"How'd you know I was… why is she there?"

"How should I know; she was busy streaming her ankles into the water, it was like she was too hypnotized to even listen."

Hwoarang put two fingers to his chin, rubbed them as he intently thought what business she might have in an empty, dense cave. More so, the danger that might appear in no time. Asuka continued to speak to him. "You're almost as predictable as she is, during battle. And you'd think she's mighty like that."

He raised his eyes at her, darting them with eyelids narrow in rising anger. "I never said anything about her fighting skills. Stop acting like you're a know-it-all all the time, you never do anything good with it to your convoluted friends! Or would you rather consider them your posses?" Hwoarang reached his voice's peak along with the temper that was clearly held in for how many times already. "You are in no position to ever call Lili that! Do you think it's amusing to judge a person's stand right before yours? Hell I know for sure, she's more fortunate than you in spite of being broke like anyone!" The red-haired lad approached her, a pointer forcibly in front of her face. "Mocking someone over something so shallow only defines how you eagerly and insecurely want to look yourself." He didn't speak after, nor did she who only had her head bent down, eyes with.

He took no chance; he removed his sandals and pressed his feet's surface upon the damp sand, letting the coldness run through it, along with his shirt that served as a purpose to warm himself, now removed with the newly welcomed water that splashed onto his body, paddling his feet against the waves going forth. The brown-haired Japanese snatched the rest of his material trails and placed them somewhere the waves won't drift them along, tugging behind the invisible grudge she guiltily had.

Asuka was observant, and from thereon she knew Hwoarang didn't and wouldn't back down to find Lili.

She could only hear her soft, crisp breathing surrounded by air, silent air. She needed to think. To think is the only solution she has right now if she wanted a smooth trail of coherency. Never did she enjoy the whole thing, at least, not by the long run, aside from the campfire earlier that night. She couldn't bear herself to be well despite the illustriousness and luxuriousness of the cove, now that was just holding back. She could give herself the chance if she wanted; she just didn't. And throughout, she might not continue to do so.

Nothing should be wrong with me. She thought to herself while her knees were hugged. That train didn't stop; ran on sufficient coal and those jazz with. Somehow, she couldn't relieve herself of such pain she held, or irked feeling that surged through her mind since. Doesn't necessarily need to be magnificent about it, although it also tinged her heart not to be the least bit fascinated about what the others expected from her. Sometimes, I wanted to live the life even with the absence of mother.

My mother.

She struck herself thinking the same thing over and over, what her mother was like, what she spent with her during her four years of life as a princess. She was divine in her eyes, somewhat a carbon copy of Lili herself. Not too long, the greatness from above took her and left her struggling with an oil magnate father, which got them to desperate measures because of the shortage. It was horrid of her to feign his father in the first place for the transfer. How could she be such a childish brat after all these years, she did not know the answer. Maybe staying by the edge of the cave was a good idea for now, since the gang was about to depart the next day.

She had her back turned from light when she spotted a distant shadow that cast long enough for her to be curious. Alarmed, her face flashed a defensive one as Lili shouted, "Who goes there?"

No reply was given, only the sound of loud and heavy dripping water. The figure started to emerge from the ocean bed onto the sand bed, slowly creeping its way to her, inside the cave. She was aware the second the figure was halfway it was a guy, which pushed her farther away, unaware of what actions he could do.

Worse comes to worst; she took a stance and cracked her knuckles harshly. "Show yourself!"

"It's okay, it's just me!" His voice cried out of nowhere, hands in front of him, all wet. He still had his vision blurred from the swimming, though he was also sane enough to realize Lili was in a bikini. Figures, she went swimming just to get there too. He said nothing. "Don't strangle me just yet."

"Is that you, Hwoarang?"

"In the flesh." His bulky hands squeezed the fabric of his shorts to rid the water that hindered him to walk lightly, sure making him stomp his way above the sand. Lili stood finally, dusting the sand off the back of her thighs and towards him, crossing her arms over her chest. Her face looked pale, the same time curious. "I am wondering as to why you're here with me when I didn't ask for company."

Hwoarang scoffed. "Are you kidding me? Whatever happens to you here will be your fault, anyway. But are you kidding? It's midnight, Lili," A hand raked his wet hair slick back, pursing his lips in a disappointed manner, matching eyebrows. "You don't know what lies in this area."

Lili could only grunt more, stomping a foot. She didn't like it at all, certainly with him reminding her it wasn't a good try. Yes, she did attempt to be secluded from the others. Yes, it's a decision she was aware of. But this guy here wasn't going to let this scene down, she knew it. "I perfectly know I'm the only one here so you don't have to be with me! Go back! Shoo and leave!" She pushed as her hands comfortably in front of her as she pushed his bare chest, gritting her teeth the more she put strength.

He could only fill his mouth with such chuckles, letting his heels do the halting. "L-Lili, hey! Don't make me—urgh! —lift you up and t-toss you to the water just to get you safely back to shore…!"

"This is the shore of the cave you're at which I don't want you on! Don't you know what 'leave' means? Or do I have to translate it to Korean!"

Hwoarang momentarily stopped and spun on his heels, so he's now behind Lili, his floating hands beside him. "Go and translate it to Korean if you're sure of what you're saying."

"… Ah—"

"Ha! I knew you couldn't."

"What's different, I still want you off here!"

Hwoarang furrowed his eyebrows, hands clenched way too tight on his hips abed with muscles and other bulks. There were amounts of words he had in his mind to describe how much menacing Lili was right now. Apparently so was he, which he ignored since he was making a point—well, almost. "What's going to change? Hell, you haven't told me about why you were so glum and that stuff earlier. You never did. Now I have an appropriate reason why I'm here, now spill."

"I was… trying to." Lili hung her head downward, back still showing from him. The flow of her somehow tangled-up hair still shone under the moonlight under the spot they both were in. Neither noticed despite the argument/debate at hand was looming around, until few droplets fell upon the bridge of Lili's nose. "Better affirm of it inside the shelter."

"I wish there was enough heat to keep us warm." Hwoarang wondered for their necessities, sprawling his feet comfortably on the jejune part of the cave's sand. Lili folded her knees together, composed around the latch of her hands. Rain was raging outside and they had no choice but to stay for the time being. Inside, Lili felt guarded and watched on with Hwoarang here, even literally. He kept his stare, solid and glued; something came up from it. The Monacan wondered for herself, with an evident expression, eyebrow raised with gritted teeth behind two pursed lips. "Why do you stare at me like that?" Lili asked, averting hers away with a silent groan. Rocks had their scattered formation there, where she eyed, calming herself with something else. Why was it so hard to think while he was there?

"You were going to tell me what was wrong with you, and I'm not going to accept a 'no' as your answer." Hwoarang finally replied, intently staring at upper focal features rather than down, where he shan't. Other than that, he secretly admired as he placed both palms on the balls of his knees. Now was actually his opportunity to coax her into telling it without much of distraction. He easily praised the moment; only, the persuasion of her getting to tell him in a smooth manner was the problem, as it was obviously.

Lili dropped the latched hands around her knees and set them on the dull sand flatly, laying her forehead on the tips. A deep sigh settled out from her mouth, looking at Hwoarang from the corners of her eyes. "You're really persistent about this, aren't you? And I suppose if I tell you, would you look down on me?"

He could only chuckle in ridicule, leaning back at the tall rock behind him. "After all this time, you thought I was still going to do that because of the bet?"

"Well, isn't that your reason?"

"That's just preposterous. Lili, if you trust me," He further adjusted his seat into an erect one, eyes able to pierce through her soul. "You'd tell me, right now."

Lili didn't speak as of that, clawing her face in irritation and slammed them as they were, practically shouting and soon she stood up, "You do not know how hard it is to even let out the fact I've been missing my mother ever since I visited this beach for the second time! It's not alright to doubt it because I know!" at his face. Hands start to fidget by themselves, popping sounds, soon enough that her mood was breaking down into tears and sobs silent enough, the ones she didn't want comfort on. Hwoarang would dagger his anger onto the retort he shall soon raise his voice to, which unfortunately faded to no avail. He possibly couldn't reprimand her now that she looks hopeless, even if she wants to. He had to, that was his purpose whether or not she approves of it. "You've… been musing all of that throughout this trip…?" The Korean asked, looking at her bare, white back with eyes that don't seem to waver from one region of hers, to the sand, fingers clenched onto the sand.

"… Yes. It's not a very good memory, too."

"Consider me asking away about it, that is, if you would sit first and face me."

With that, Lili heaved a sigh and wiped the little water streaming on the verge of her eyes, full of emotion and ready to deploy down her cheeks. Tucking her knees in, she pointed them to Hwoarang, completely vulnerable and weak. She couldn't help herself let out of this situation that it could possibly near her own hatred for herself, which she did not want; she had other business, and settling her selfish hurt inside above anything else is just not cut out to be how she was in the first place.

A determined Lili.

One who isn't afraid to barge right into Kazuya Mishima's office and reclaim what she had, what his father had. She'll have to work her way up higher, she knew it. "Hwoarang," She started finally, hanging her head down. "My mother along with father and I used to roam around these parts when the cove was still at plans…. Rather, when Jin was my age, it was very soon to be constructed. Anyway, this was… most of my childhood. I was brought here during times for a stroll, whenever both of them were free from paperwork, the moments I have always wanted. I was around four years old, if memory serves right. My mom…" She glanced outside to the raging raindrops that weren't ceasing for now. It felt like the downpour of her life into one moment. "She was calm enough to spoil me as father did. But she was there to teach me some of the things into becoming independent, regardless of it being heeded. I… wasn't open to the world. The world I knew was where the childish games I played, the fancy role I did as a princess and the activities I got to do as a tot… existed." She could only shrug, turning her head away, saying nothing more as she drifted next into a waterfall of tears synchronous with the cascade of the rain, letting her heart fall down in depression. "I didn't like that memory, Hwoarang! I will never learn… Just like how you will look at me for the rest of this bet which I'd certainly fail because of these… hands that you can call lustful for money…!"

The other couldn't take it anymore; he knew that if he kept hearing this from her, he just might slap her and say life-changing things, more so their friendship that would disintegrate. It didn't take him long to hold back until he grabbed the blades of her shoulders, squeezed them, stopping them from the possible action of flailing her arms further in case they'd jump into various places of her face, and eventually stopping Lili's crying, only to look at him. He wasn't pleased with anything she's doing to herself. "Calm down… Look at me and just calm down for a moment, look at me."

She started to gaze, scrutinizing how the color of his eyes were deep honey brown, if she looked at them well from the minimal light they had from outside. Despite it, its intensity was bound to daze her, and with that, she was her again, tears streaming down still. Somehow it didn't stop whatever she did. Bound to be fresh, the memory settled for now, but as she stared, the more it faded, as Hwoarang continued to speak. "You don't have to blame yourself for something you didn't even have the knowledge about."

"Huh?"

"Lili, you were a young girl. Kids won't ever know they're childish unless they grow up. Once they have that realization, they're no longer called a kid."

A little of that spoken out and Lili entirely stopped. It came to her senses Hwoarang made one heck of a point, being the slacker he is sometimes, at the same time making a rank above average. She wondered a bit, deciding to save it later when moments were a bit lighter for both. "A-Ah…" was all that she could produce in this weather (metaphorically putting it also). Fingers were slightly curled, resting by the sides of her thighs, shivering from the cold. Hwoarang soon figured the piercing action his own did to hers would bring her discomfort, loosened his grip, trailing eyes down to his thighs. His butt was soon resting on the heels of his feet, folded. It seemed as if a few, maybe five minutes have passed; Lili spoke out.

"Th-… Thanks." She uttered low, chattering teeth discreet enough from the cold. Her clear blue eyes rid from tears and water looked into his deep pair, smiling finally, seeming to be reassuring enough, putting Hwoarang into a state of relief. At least it paid off, he thought. She was usually stubborn, at least, it was how he discovered it. She still was, but that little virtue he lived by as a minor thing made her believe it so easily, spinning her with ease. His left hand caressed her locks, those blond locks that were tangled up together, not paying mind to the lack of finesse. He didn't mind at all. There weren't any other ideas or any conversation-starters roaming around both of their minds, but the Monacan felt that the sweetness Hwoarang gave must be repaid, in the most possible and easy way.

She leaned closer, startling the lad, and before either of them could even dare notice what they were doing (yes, Lili was more or less improvising), she planted a kiss on one of the apples of his cheeks, carefully avoiding to close what's left of their proximity lower than their heads.

Hwoarang froze; he could only gape at a portion of Lili's half, since the lips that were in contact with his skin were still attached. The tingles that he felt were delightful and warm, almost as if the sparks were booming between both. Or that was just him, he didn't really care. Tints of red formed on the surface of his cheeks, exhaling as Lili retreated after the whole 10 seconds. She, too, had those cheeks similar to Hwoarang's, pinkish, ridden with embarrassment. Her thoughts weren't the ones to come up with such. Somehow, she just did (more like on reflex, rather).

It took a moment to let Hwoarang regain his composure back, sitting, looking at Lili. "What was that for?"

"I… don't know," She raised her palm up, shrugging shoulders. "You're the gentleman I can't understand sometimes…"

He had his head down after that little explanation, furiously blushing, something he wouldn't even dare show anyone, even Lili. That feeling appeared worthy enough to receive one rare flattered reaction, and with that, Hwoarang formed a smile on his lips, looking directly at Lili, nodding his head. "Thanks, I think." He chuckled some and swiped back his hair, feeling its tangles and ignoring how they're stuck against each other.

Hwoarang soon sat after, how he was earlier before anything happened, subtle and erect. His cheeks deserved the heat of flattery from what he had taught Lili, which by the looks of it was much appreciated. Again, the Korean never experienced having such sincere love for a girl. If ever he did, it'd be false, a thing he had to correct about himself if he wants to succeed in the incoming adult life. Maybe dying a virgin will happen to him; living with 32 cats in addition (a cliché thought, yes, Hwoarang would gladly do it). Somehow, living up to that expectation would bring less to his later objectives, but for some reason, he wants to continue doing what he shall for his parents, along with Lili and the others if he could squeeze more. Lili kept staring as they returned gazes, smiling at each other whilst the rain fell, pattering of water hitting the sand floor, echoing around that cave.

"You're always welcome, Hwoarang."

"Now you listen, woman! I've been having the dreamboat of the night and I get startled just because of one bloody search and rescue party!" The Brit snapped at the brunette, stomping the sandaled feet on the floor of the lobby, unkempt hair due to late night tosses and turns present on his head. Asuka could only smack her left flip-flop at his cheek, sending Steve staggering back, much to his guard that was pretty much down the whole time. They were gone for about an hour and a half now, making the rest worry, interrupting their sleeps. "E-Either way it's not safe to be out for an hour and a half, you nimrod!"

Alisa came shortly after searching everywhere, be it the sandy land, to the spa rooms located east of the cove, there wasn't a Lili or a Hwoarang anywhere. The rest did the same, and it was before long Asuka tried to come clean about where they were.

"They're… by the cave," She raised her hand with a finger pointed to the sea. "Very far, but we'll get there by boat." The Japanese female fighter furrowed her eyebrows at the last-minute preparation, yet they had to be sure of both Lili and Hwoarang's safety, no matter how much they (or Asuka alone) would've disliked them both together.

Moments of sea driving passed until three from the group arrived to land with one stepping to check if they were alright by a quick scan inside the cave, flashlight packed. The light was blinding on the other two's part as the brunette froze the illuminated ray on their figures, eyebrows meeting. "Where have you two gone…?"

"I told you—"

"You don't know how worried we were!"

Steve and Xiaoyu remained glued to where the verge of the islet was. The breeze… It seemed calming, but at this rate, it was full of converging silence, growing more and more intense.

Lili took a stand, dusting off some sand grains that stuck to her porcelain skin, covering her chest in the process. "Why would you worry over me, and especially with Hwoarang?" Lili raised her voice to her question as a backfire, stern and implementing. "Afraid you would be held responsible for whatever will happen to both of us?"

"Now, you listen here! That's not the case today! Unless your brain had little span of what happened at the campfire, I'm a changed person today! It isn't like that, I was really worried!" Asuka managed to heighten the vibrato of her voice than hers, both exchanging reasoning.

The Monacan was threatened to slap the hell off of the hypocrisy Asuka veered to have. The false sympathy was as unauthentic as it looked; with it she could only groan. Since her rage was becoming the best of her, she grabbed a handful of sand, throwing it in sheer frustration, aimed for Asuka's face. Indeed a rival, but what has become was a conflict between enemies. In fear of making things graver than they seem, the Korean alongside Steve and Xiao intervened, pacifying what turned out as a steamy fight. Hwoarang shoved Lili aside who attempted to assault more than she could do. "LET ME AT HER SO I COULD TEAR THOSE EYES OUT FROM HER PRIMMY BRATTY EYESOCKETS!" Asuka, enraged, huddled close to Steve, the Brit barricading Asuka's path of possible injury-infliction. She could well enough explode on him if needed the action, but more so, she shouted amidst the excruciating pain that caused her eyes to shut tightly.

Hwoarang couldn't help but grab Lili's own arms, squeezing them as she tugged her back; glares affixed the Japanese, full of hate and deceit. The field went on in a bad scale. Yes it did, indeed. The three companions felt bad of their needless help, letting the two girls succeed feud.

"Girls, stop it!" Hwoarang yelled at the very top of his masculine voice, irritatingly coming to a point with eyebrows meeting. "This is getting insane and I'm irritated from it enough! Won't you two ever settle your differences? Good god, you two are worse than cats and dogs! Pretty soon you'll be like Seoul and Pyongyang… It's fucking terrible," His heart seemed to skip a beat, recalling the events of when they were still there before migrating. Wasn't deemed necessary to think of such but what mattered most was the case now at hand. "If you two want to see us talking to you guys, act your age and stop fighting for nothing..."

His feet started trudging to the side, getting aboard the boat before turning to view the others in a glimpse, perplexed, frustrated, lost.

The British boxer, he was evidently baffled and all of this, he deemed, was surreal, even past the normal surrealistic nature moments like these could reach. Downright creepy, as he'd put it, even the fantastic aura turned well enough crappy. But there he was, though, helpless, sidelined, sidekick-y. That's him. Believe it or not, that wouldn't be a decisive thing to change even if matters suit the change. He couldn't be the type to bring things in appeasing nature, such as these.

He didn't stop there, though. Worse matters would come to worst if he didn't action on Asuka's ailing eyes, which was permeated by the sand particles, on a case that could permanently blind her. He guided her to the brink of the shore, splashing some water on her eyes, regardless of it being salty. He just needed to get those out of her eyelids. "Is it helping?"

"I think so," Asuka answered back in a low voice, resting her hand on Steve's arm as she carefully scrubbed the little particles, minuscule and bound to do her eyesight damage. The right eye was slowly gaining its original clarity; she noticed now she was leaning on the Britain, and he could only stare back. Indifferent, she thought, his eyes were the same either way. Every time she looked at those, she'd only fluster, becoming of the bickering it ensued. It was usual, and as much as possible, shallow on a daily basis.

But now, this wasn't the case. Asuka entirely saw how he can be different and not indulged into wrecking her day— like how she made out most of the whole—in his eyes that particular moment. Sure, it was weird, put it at that. She didn't mind it. She'd blame the astonishing image on the eye that left her able to see later on, the other slowly parting lids. It wasn't a sign she'd consider something she felt, but it did make her feel something extraordinarily different.

Steve noticed the silence that stood in between them. "Asuka?" He could only ask with the help of a questioning tone at the end of her name, hesitating that if he teased her instead, she may knuckle his head hard enough to make him drift to shore the next morning that arises. But she didn't, and thank god she didn't. There was definitely something wrong. The Japanese woman could only jolt, standing on her feet again, frustratingly going back to the board of the boat, crimson tints visible on her face. Steve followed suit.

Lili… Xiaoyu remained subtle, staring at the Monacan; she was very quiet, but the anger had not subsided. Clenched fists still formed around her right, waiting to uncurl, waiting to fade. It was definitely pathetic of her to do such a thing, and as the thought came slightly to her jaded mind was how it gave her much of the realization. Blue gentle eyes were now staring at the Chinese, who was also staring back; Lili let out a tear. "Xiao…"

Ling didn't stop herself from briskly walking to her and hugging her closely, letting the tears of anger at the self-masochistic deed fall from her cheeks once more, pulling closer than Xiaoyu did. "There, there… We need to get you to a warm place, Lili." She put hands around her face, patting it softly to give her at least some calmness and a bit of warmth there if it helped. Lili, in turn, nodded. Two pairs of feet went back to the slightly large boat, the two rivals apart from each other as the motor ran on water, heading for the previous land.

To be continued…

A/N:So am I forgiven? Was it worth a good read? Hopefully after this, I'd refresh my memory. I know this story's one of the few to have Lili/Hwoarang in it, so I'll put force and let my inspiration make its way so I could finish this. I didn't want to end this, either, so I will!

I'd like to hear your feedback from this chapter, if you guys don't mind submitting a review. I put all my efforts on this and reading a good written feedback gives me a pat on a back for it. Heehee. Thanks for taking the time to read this; I shall continue to write this story 'till the very end! Closing this with a bid farewell (for now), minimal flaming please! Please and thank you! :)

P.S.: Out of all the scary stories, the one Leo told was based on a true happening. O.O