Breathe Into Me

I rushed into the woods, not even listening to Alisa's voice. Lars told Jin he loved me; but he never told me. How am I supposed to respond? What should I say?

I didn't think I could feel any worse. Lars, why didn't you tell me…? Were you afraid to tell me how you felt?

I saw an opening through the trees and I ran through. I gasped slightly at my surroundings. It was so beautiful…

Oh my…this is so amazing…! I didn't know Jun had this in her backyard. I wonder if Lars is here…

I took off my shoes and walked into the water. The whole surrounding area was overwhelming, including the waterfall. It made the whole place stand out.

"Wow…this place is amazing!"

I walked around, absolutely in awe. I looked up at the waterfall and saw a few ledges that could be climbed. I jumped out of the water, grabbed my shoes, and began climbing. When I reached the top, the view was even better than down at the bottom. I could see the stars and the moon, which the trees were blocking. This was something I couldn't really get over. This is nostalgia at its best.

"If only Jin and Lars were here to see this…this would be the perfect place to have a special occasion. But everything isn't as it was two years ago…if only we were able to change the course of time…everything would be as it should…"

I started to doze off slightly as I leaned against the rocks. My mind wandered again as I went into a restful slumber…

(Jun's house)

Jin still hasn't woken up yet, but at least his devil markings are gone. Xiaoyu was so worried for him, so he'd better not give up.

"I wonder if he's fighting the devil still," I thought aloud. "He's not responding to anything we're doing."

Kazuya came and sat next to me. He looked over at Jin, and then glared slightly. When I noticed, I looked at him.

"What's wrong?" I asked. "Is something bothering you?"

"There's a lot that's on my mind," He said. "But what's most important is our son. When he wakes up, we can worry about our other problems later."

I nodded in agreement. Jin's our main priority right now; until he's better, everything else doesn't matter.

(Asuka and Hwoarang)

Hwoarang and I both talked with Alisa for a while. The journeys that Lars and she were on were really dynamic. Maybe I should do that at least once.

"You guys did all that in just two years?" I asked. "You two had quite an adventure!"

"It was rather enjoyable," Alisa said. "But we knew that it was not for fun; it was for Xiaoyu's safety."

"Xiaoyu's…safety?" Hwoarang repeated. "What was there to protect her from? She was perfectly fine-oh…the Tekken Force training she went through…"

"Precisely; When Xiaoyu underwent the training to be a Tekken Force commander, she became a target to those who despise her. Jin also wanted to stay away from her for the time being, as well as all of us."

So…Jin stayed away because he didn't want all of us to be hurt by his devil. But…why didn't you tell us…? We deserved to know!

"I understand why he had to stay away, but why didn't he tell us? If he had told us, we could've told Xiao, and she wouldn't have suffered with depression as she did over these two years."

"She would have searched desperately for Jin as she did now. He wanted to prevent that as much as he could."

It wasn't just his devil that was bothering him, I thought. But what else could it be? Heihachi's dead, isn't he…?

I walked around a little bit, trying to figure this entire thing out. Jin's story seems too…risky. Why would he put Xiao at risk like that? So many questions, so little time…

(Ling Xiaoyu)

I woke up, pressed against the rocks. I took in a deep breath, sat up, and looked out into the open sky. I haven't felt this relaxed in over two years…

I really need to get out more often, I thought as I climbed down the waterfall. I wouldn't be as tense as I am now. I guess I should check on Jin right about now…

I walked through the trees and into Jun's house once more. Alisa, Hwoarang and Asuka all looked at me with concern. And here comes the questions…

"Hey guys," I said, trying to cut some of the suspense. "Is there something wrong?"

"Did you find Lars anywhere?" Asuka asked. "Was he in the woods?"

"No," I said, a little guilty. "I didn't find him; I even looked at the waterfall, but he wasn't there. Not even a trace could be found."

"You went to the waterfall?" Hwoarang said. "And didn't invite me? YOU LIE!"

Catching on to his joke I stuck my finger in the air and yelled, "OBJECTION!" at the top of my lungs. Asuka and Alisa laughed at both of us; well, I can't say that wasn't funny.

"Okay," I breathed. "I needed that laugh. But…did you guys get any word on Jin's condition yet?"

"Jun and Kazuya are still watching him carefully," Alisa said. "He still hasn't moved since we brought him back."

Just when I was about to give up hope, Kazuya and Jun were coming down the steps slowly. God, I hate suspense!

"Is Jin alright?" I asked eagerly. "Is he awake?"

The tension in the air was becoming palpable as I waited for either Kazuya or Jun to speak. I wanted someone to tell me something; I didn't just go through what I did for nothing, did I?

But when they did speak, my body felt like butter; I wanted to collapse out of relief. "He's awake, Xiaoyu. He's been asking for you for the past five minutes."

I felt so ecstatic; I squealed out of joy and ran up the stairs. I'm so glad that I didn't have to kill him…it would've killed me instead…literally.

"Jin, you're okay!"

I ran to him and hugged him as tight as I could. I missed him so much…I never want to be parted away from him anymore…well, him and Lars at least.

"I'm sorry for ripping your wings off," I said, apologizing. "I had to do something besides stab you with silver."

"There's no need to apologize," He said. "You did what you had to do. I'm surprised at how tough you've gotten in such a short time; Tekken Force training was the best thing for you."

I smiled out of pride and satisfaction; but my smile quickly dissipated as Jin asked a question that had me going back into wonder mode.

"Where's Lars?" He asked. "I need to speak with him…"

I shrugged. "I don't know…I asked him why he was gone for two years, but then he just left into the woods. I already looked there, and there were no trace of him."

Jin stood up slowly, with obvious pain still showing. I was about to tell him to lie back down, but I knew that he was extremely hard-headed. We both walked down the steps and into the living room where Jin was immediately bear hugged by Asuka and Hwoarang.

"Jin, we were so worried," Asuka said. "Are you okay now?"

"I'll be fine," He said, wincing a little bit. "I just need to find Lars and ask him something."

"How's about we all go look for him?" Asuka said. "Alisa, are you coming too?"

Alisa stood up with a smile on her face as she joined us. "Of course; Jun, Kazuya, do you want to join us?"

Both Jun and Kazuya shook their heads. "We'll stay here just in case he decides to come back."

"Okay."

We all walked out of the house and formed a circle. We had to know where to look before we even began searching.

"Okay, so I looked at the waterfall," I said, holding up a finger. "Cross that off…"

"He's nowhere near here," Jin said. "So does that mean that we…?"

"…We have to go into the deep woods?" Hwoarang finished. "Who knows what state he's in?"

"It doesn't matter to me," Asuka said, raising her fists for emphasis. "I'm ready to backhand him if it comes down to the wire."

"Okay, so with that being said…" I held up a combat knife that was attached to my inner thigh, showing that all of us need to have some type of weapon. "All of us need to have at least one weapon. I'm excluding Alisa because she has weapons."

Hwoarang showed me a pocket knife that he always keeps with him, along with the spurs on the back of his shoes. Asuka didn't have a weapon, but she insisted that she didn't need one. I gave her my combat knife, as I had hidden blades right in plain sight. My boots weren't platform for nothing.

Jin really didn't need one, either; one well-placed kick, and you're in the hospital. But he was still injured, so I wanted him to be on the safe side a little. I ran into the house, grabbed a kitchen knife and ran back out, handing it to him. He took it and held it to his side.

"Alright guys," I said. "Search and rescue is a go! Split up and be alert!"

All of us went in a different direction.

Yahoo, I finished another chapter! I think there's only six or seven more chapters left in this story. Either way, enjoy it while it lasts!

Sorry for not updating like I used to! A lot of family emergencies are popping up and I can't ignore them. (Not to mention insomnia as well…)

(Random scene just for the hell of it…)

Jin: *Coming in his house, taped up and in a wheelchair*

Xiaoyu: Did you learn your lesson from last night?

Jin: Note to self: Whenever Asuka asks you to lift up stuff, don't act like you don't hear her, or else you'll get the boxing glove treatment. MESSAGE RECEIVED.

Xiaoyu: Good.

Lars: *Comes down in his pajamas* Hey, Xiao. *Looks at Jin* O_O Who knew she hit like that?

Jin: Yeah… *Winces in pain* She fucked me up with one punch and a lot of submissions.

Xiaoyu: Maybe we shouldn't let her watch UFC anymore.

All 3: AGREED.

Hwoarang: *Slides down banister* Hey guys. *Looks at Jin* If you had just listened and came down the steps when she asked, you wouldn't be taped head to toe, or in a wheelchair.

Jin: Yeah, yeah…don't rub it in, okay?

Hwoarang: *Walking into the kitchen* No guarantees!

Lars: So…who wants to go out to breakfast?

Jin: I'M IN NO CONDITION TO GO ANYWHERE! AND NEITHER ARE ANY OF YOU!

Hwoarang: It's breakfast, not church! I'll fix us up a big one!

Xiaoyu: Don't burn the food again, okay? Especially the omelets and rice!

Hwoarang: On it! *Goes back in the kitchen*

Jin: Can someone help me out?

Lars: Sure… *Grabs the wheelchair*

Jin: What are you doing?

Xiaoyu and Lars: WHEELCHAIR WHEELIE! *Rolls him outside and down the steps*

Jin: AHHHHH! *Crashes into the bushes* Ouch…

Asuka: *Walks up the steps and notices Jin in the bushes* Wheelchair wheelie, huh?

Jin: *Muffled* Uh-huh…

Xiaoyu and Lars: You should've put out your legs more! *Laughs*

Asuka: *Sighs*

Poor Jin…but, he'll live. See ya later, peeps!