Breathe Into Me
(Ling Xiaoyu)
When we got to Asuka's house, we quickly got inside and shut the door. Those sounds outside were becoming a little too loud.
"Xiaoyu, what was that?" She asked, frantic.
"Those were Tekken Force soldiers," I said. "Stay in here while I go check."
I knew she was gonna object, so I ran out as quickly as I could. I only hope no one was hurt…
(Downtown)
The sound of gunfire was deafening, but I ignored it. Whatever started it, it must've been big; really big.
I didn't go right into battle; I climbed on top of roofs to get a better vantage point. It calmed down a little bit, but there was so much chaos around…was Jin talking about this the whole time?
"Wow…this place is a wreck…" The rooftops were safe enough, but that all changed when I felt the cold barrel of a gun touch the back of my head.
"Who are you?" The person behind me was a man; and a young one, too. His hair was black and draped all the way down to the middle of his back, and his Tekken force armor was still intact, but with bullet holes. A long piece of hair covered one of his eyes.
"That's none of your business," I said, turning around. "I should be asking you the same question."
He seems so familiar, I thought as I lowered his gun to a safe level. But I can't place my finger on it…
He grasped me by my shoulders and looked directly in my eyes. I couldn't see his eyes, and it annoyed me. I wanted to know why he's so familiar to me…
"Um, why do you seem so familiar to me?
The man shook his head, confused. "I don't know what you're talking about…"
He's lying…he does know me…in a sense.
I didn't have time to ponder how he knew me, because a grenade was tossed our way. He picked me up and jumped back down to ground level.
"Look, this is no place for a girl like you," He said. "Go back home!"
Something about him just told me to listen, so I did. I ran back the opposite way as fast as I could, but I'm not going back to Asuka's house. I was going back to my house; after all, I had a prom to go to tomorrow.
I pulled out my cell phone and started to call Asuka, hoping that she would pick up.
"Hello?"
"Asuka, I'm going back to my place," I said. "Don't follow me, it's too dangerous."
"What? Hello? Xiaoyu, answer me!"
I closed my cellphone and continued running down the street to my house. I didn't want her to follow me; she would just end up getting hurt.
(Asuka Kazama)
Xiao just hung up her phone without warning. If only Jin and Lars were still here…
I started to become panicked, but I quickly calmed myself, remembering that she trained herself in military combat. But another side of me knew that the old Xiaoyu was in there somewhere; we just had to find a way to awaken her.
"I can't leave my house, but I can call someone that can help me…"
I began dialing numbers until he picked up. "Hwoarang, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," He said. "Do you hear gunfire? Or is that just me?"
"No, it's real; look, Xiao went back to her place. Do you think you can make it down there to her?"
It was quiet for a few seconds, but he answered soon after.
"Yeah, I can do it. After I check up on her, I'm coming to see you, okay?"
"Okay…"
I hung up afterwards. For two years, she's been acting distant, and tomorrow's the prom. I only hope that she'll be in a good mood to come with us…
(Ling Xiaoyu)
I felt weird on the inside; how did that man know me? It almost seemed like…he knew me from another life.
I sat down on my couch, thinking. I'm beginning to think that I shouldn't have gone downtown; now I'm starting to get a lot of ideas and theories in my head.
That man obviously knew something, and I wanna know what.
But, getting close to him is way easier said than done. But I'll worry about it later.
I heard a knock at my door; I got up and opened it, surprised at who was standing in the doorway.
"Hwoarang, why are you here?"
"I was asked to check up on you…" He allowed himself in and sat down. "How are you doing?"
I sighed and sat down next to him. I felt like shit, but I didn't show it. "I'll be okay. Are you still going to the prom with Asuka?"
He nodded. "Yep; who are you going with?"
"I'm going alone. But I'm sure that one of the guys at the school will be dying to ask me out."
Hwoarang chuckled as he ran his hand through my long hair. "I'll bet. But I want you to watch yourself, okay? The world is slowly falling apart…"
I already knew that…but what can I do to stop it? I'm just a human…or am I?
"I get that the world is falling apart, but…I can't stop it… I don't know where to look…"
As soon as I said that, a paper airplane flew through the window and into my lap. I picked it up and began reading it.
All will be revealed at the prom; be there. You're first clue is this: His long, dark hair flows with the wind, with his eyes swimming with the color of the midnight skies? Find him; he is the key to unlocking your destiny…
I was left skeptical even as I gave the piece of paper to Hwoarang. I met a man with long, dark hair, but I was never able to see his eyes. What does that mean?
"This sounds a little weird," Hwoarang said. "It's almost like a riddle. Do you know why someone's written this?"
I shook my head. "No…but they said to look around at the prom, and that's what I'm gonna do."
"Really; you actually believe what they say?"
"It's all I have to go by. Besides, it wouldn't kill me to just take a look around."
I heard Hwoarang sigh as I stood up. Yes, the world was falling apart slowly, but I have to figure out what this riddle means…
"So, it's settled; I go to the prom, search for this man, dance around a little, and then ask him some questions. Sounds reasonable..."
"Hmm…okay."
Alright then…I guess we wait until prom. Ugh, I know I'm gonna hate this…