Alright, here's the eleventh chapter. As you read along, you may encounter some grammar errors and run-on sentences.

Now to the questions PM'ed to me.

First Question: How sexual is this story? Will there be any sex scenes?

My answer: Yes, there will be sex scenes in the future because this story VERY sexual. In fact, you're gonna be seeing a lot of them in this story if fans want to.

Second Question: Is Honoka gonna hook up with Hwoarang in the story later on?

My answer: I really can't answer that because that'll be spoiling the story. You're just gonna have to keep reading to find out :D

Third Question: Why do you want your story to be graphically sexual like your other story?

My answer: No comment.

Fourth question: This is a "yes" or "no" question. Is there gonna be something going on between Honoka and Kazuya? "Maybe" is not an answer.

My answer: O_O...

Fifth Question: Will there be a rivalry between Honoka and Xiaoyu over Jin?

My answer: Pretty much.

Sixth Question: Are any of the DOA characters gonna appear in the story and yes?

My answer: Oh, definitely. Kasumi, Ayane, Marie Rose, Hayabusa, Raidou, Hayate and much more. Hell, Ayame and Shiden might even show up, if fans want them to.

Seventh Question: Is Jun gonna make an appearance in this story?

My answer: Of course. What sense would it make not to include her?

Okay, enough of answering questions.

Once more, I would like to thank my top supporters of KALOPSIA, Wlyman2009 and SolSparda36. So far, you two have been the only ones giving me your feedback and I appreciate it. Yes, it's only two reviews, but it's a thousand times better than NOT getting reviews at all. That's more than what I receive on Wattpad LOL.

Enjoy the story :)

CHAPTER ELEVEN: DEMONS

" Please forgive me, I've got demons in my head."

Shadows clung to his skin like a second layer, the opaque blackness interrupted only by tendrils of smoke that curled around him.

His feet shuffled for unseen stability, his body swaying as if caught in the quiet rhythm of a malevolent dance. Eyelids pressed together, he sought solace in the darkness behind them, a meager refuge from the disorienting void. The world had muted itself, leaving a pregnant hush that buzzed in his ears—a deceptive prelude to a threat that loomed, unseen and unheard.

Yet, within that silence, danger whispered, proving him fatally mistaken.

"Give in to the anger!" The command echoed, sinister and chilling, through Jin's encompassing world of darkness. "Hate me!" The voice thundered once more, relentless in its provocation. "Curse me!" Each word was a dagger, twisted by the speaker to inflame

Jin's tormented soul.

Just when the tension seemed unendurable, a laugh bloomed—a horrific symphony of malevolence and greed. It was a sound Jin had prayed, with every fiber of his being, never to encounter again. Yet here it was, that depraved chortle of the one man Jin's heart rejected with every pulsing beat—the man with the title of 'father' yet none of the virtues.

Endless tauntings unfurled around him like a sinister waltz. Jin felt the bind of the cursed legacy tighten, suffocating him in a void where only agony thrived—his inheritance was a relentless torture of the soul…

The cruel words became a gnawing mantra, spurring Jin to flail blindly, striking out at phantoms in the air. His efforts to open his eyes were futile, his eyelids as unyielding as prison gates. Desperation clawed at him. Jin tried to muster a fight, but how do you combat an enemy with no form? How do you strike a shadow, or silence a haunting echo?

All that was left was to endure the mocking laughter and sneers of the man who should have bestowed love and protection, not this dark affliction that would now be his shadow, his chains, uninterrupted, for all his days.

Abruptly, his futile struggle ceased as he sensed the gentle embrace of tender arms winding around his waist; they were like silk scarves woven from the threads of compassion. This transition was peculiar, for he was no longer besieged by the bone-chilling cold that had clawed at his flesh. Instead, he was wrapped in a warmth similar to the first rays of dawn after the longest night.

"Don't be scared," a woman's voice whispered, as melodious as the lullaby of a gentle breeze through autumn leaves.

Sunlight sneaked through the window in slivers of amber, casting a quiet battle of shadows across the thick curtains. Beyond the confines of the room, the vibrant hum of life reverberated. A chorus of birds serenaded the morning, their melodies interweaving with the distant chatter of voices. All the while, the glass stood as an indifferent sentinel, muting the world's waking vitality to a mere whisper inside these walls.

Jin's eyes fluttered slightly as he felt a crack of light shimmer across his face, radiating warmth onto his cheek. He opened his eyes, then snapped them closed again from the glare that had broken through the small gap between the curtains.

Jin's head turned, his eyelids fluttering as he gradually allowed the early morning light to trickle into his vision. He squinted, a soft exhale parting his lips as he welcomed the gentle warmth on his face. Finally, his eyes opened fully, and he absorbed the unfamiliar scenery. This was no forest, neither the suffocating embrace of a never-ending darkness he'd come to know. The room stretched out around him, grandiose and bathed in honeyed sunlight, resembling a suite crafted from a fantasy.

Inhaling deeply, Jin's senses were caressed by the rich aromas of white tea mingling with wood cedar and a hint of vanilla—an oddly comforting blend that seemed to weave through the air, slow and purposeful. He shifted slightly, the realization of comfort sinking in. Soft, warm sheets clung to his form, swaddling him in their cocoon and shielding him from a chill he hadn't noticed until now. It felt like an unspoken promise, a delicate barrier between himself and the world outside.

"Where...?" Jin's voice was a hoarse whisper, his words getting lost in the vastness of the luxurious expanse. With a cough to clear his throat, he tried again, the vulnerability seeping through. "Where am I?"

Silence greeted him, yet it was a comforting silence that seemed to wait patiently for Jin to piece together his scattered thoughts and memories. As he lay there, enveloped in quiet luxury, Jin couldn't help but wonder if this was yet another dream—or perhaps a new reality entirely.

Many thoughts surged through Jin's mind. How had he ended up here? The only logical explanation was that someone had carried him back because he had no memory of coming to this room of his own accord. His most recent memory was of being in the forest, his vigor nearly drained by the overwhelming force of the devil that dwelled within him.

Jin's ears perked up, catching an unexpected melody: the sound of water cascading in the shower, but it was the soft, feminine humming that floated through the steam and the crack of the door that captured his full attention. Confusion mingled with a tingle of panic as he pushed himself upright, the sheets whispering against his skin. His pounding heart kept rhythm with the drops of water.

With creased brows and a tilt of his head, Jin murmured to himself in a calm, incredulous tone, "A woman?"

The question hung in the air, mingling with the steam and the strains of her song. Her voice, tender, and light, carried a tune he couldn't quite place, yet it seemed oddly familiar.

He didn't understand what was going on anymore. Jin's confusion grew, his frustration not too far behind.

Why was this girl on his mind so suddenly? Was she the one that brought him back here? If so, how did she manage to do it so easily?

"Oh good, you're awake!" the same feminine voice that had echoed in the bathroom called out, now tinged with a hint of cheerfulness. Jin's head jerked toward the source, only to quickly pull back, a wave of mental unease and irritation washing over him. He lowered his gaze to the floor, his hand instinctively rising to shield his eyes.

How could his luck be any worse than it already was?

Of all the possible sights to meet, it had to be a young woman. Not just any woman, but one half-naked standing before him. Jin cautiously parted his fingers, steeling himself for a clearer view of the figure before him. To his slight relief, she was wrapped in a white towel. Although he was thankful that she wasn't completely exposed, the sight of her damp skin pressing against the fabric of the thin towel only amplified the situation's awkwardness.

With careful discretion, Jin let his eyes wander without lingering on her voluptuous, moistened form. Being in the same room with a nearly naked woman for the first time filled him with nervous tension. She boasted extraordinary salmon-pink hair that fell to her shoulders, marking her with a distinct and striking presence.

"Red... eyes..." His voice was little more than a whisper, so quiet he could barely hear it himself. His almond-shaped eyes locked onto hers—pools of crimson mystery that seemed to pierce right through him.

An image flickered across his mind, unbidden – a girl with hair like cherry blossoms, wearing a gown as white and pure as snow. The sudden vision struck him with the force of a physical blow. "Agh!" he gasped out, clutching his temples. The sharp motion was both a desperate attempt to quell the pain and an instinctive reach to grasp the fading edges of the memory, much like trying to smooth out a creased photograph by sheer force of will.

Meanwhile, Honoka stood a few paces away, frozen by a tumult of emotions. Fear for this man who had stumbled into her life, concern for the agony he so clearly suffered, and a cautious hope that she could be of aid. She hesitated, watching the struggle painted across Jin's face before her own resolve steeled.

"H-Hey…" Her voice shook, betraying her worry, as she closed the distance with careful steps. "Are you alright?" she asked, her tone a blend of gentle reassurance and urgency.

Jin's thoughts tangled like a web, each one elusive and fleeting, as he sought to give form to the amorphous specter lurking at the edges of his consciousness. Abruptly, the delicate warmth of supple hands held his face in a tender embrace. His world, obscured by the shadowy caverns of his own hands, spun into clarity, revealing the crystalline light that bathed the room. Before him sat the enigmatic girl, with lips arched in a captivating smile that seemed to beckon him closer.

Crimson eyes.

Those arresting, crimson eyes, as deep and lustrous as blood-touched roses in full bloom, together with her radiant grin, etched a permanent echo in the halls of his mind.

'This girl... she is—'

She bore an uncanny resemblance to the salmon-haired girl haunting his dreams since the days leading up to the fifth tournament.

Out of the blue, a gentle pressure made contact with Jin's forehead, concealed beneath his inky bangs. His eyes flew open in bewildered shock as he registered the warmth of her forehead against his, sending a rush of color to his cheeks. "Hmm... you don't seem to be running a fever," she murmured.

The mystery of her actions unraveled in Jin's mind.

She was employing the old 'headbutt thermometer' technique — a quaint, affectionate method of checking for fever by pressing foreheads together, reminiscent of the tender care his mother showed whenever he was sick and they were without a conventional thermometer.

"That's good," Honoka exhaled softly, a note of relief in her voice. She gently guided Jin's head down toward her enormous cleavage, nearly popping out of her towel, which intensified the blush that already stained his cheeks.

Jin's initial impulse was to retreat, to re-establish the boundaries that kept others at a safe distance. But as Honoka's soft skin touched him, he settled into the unexpected intimacy of leaning against her, finding an odd sense of comfort enveloping him.

Something within him unraveled. A memory surfaced; a tender moment long buried.

His mother. His beloved mother, Jun, with her gentle touch and soothing whispers, pressing her brow to his during times of childhood illness.

'Mother...?' Jin internally whispered.

Lost in the flashback, Jin's muscular biceps tensed as they instinctively encircled her slender waist, drawing her into the sanctuary of his embrace. His head unconsciously fell against the soft flesh of Honoka's breast, surprising her with the sudden closeness and causing her to blush a deep scarlet red.

'W-What…what is he doing?' Honoka made no move to push him away and simply allowed him to hold her in his embrace. Her surprise melted into empathy when she got a good look at his face. His eyes were closed, his expression smoothed into one of peace. He looked so peaceful, like a mere child who had finally found some rest.

Honoka found her arms snaking around his torso, lending him comfort.

For a fleeting moment, Jin was awash in the illusion that he was cradled in his mother's arms, his senses swirling in the warm embrace of her love rather than the reality of the enigmatic girl who haunted his darkest dreams. The ghostly echo of his mother's tender whispers floated through the labyrinth of his mind, each syllable soaked in the honeyed tones of solace as she enveloped him in the cocoon of her nurturing hold.

But that would soon shatter like a reflection in a mirror.

Jin felt the familiar, sinister stirrings of his demonic gene within him. He mentally fought to keep it at bay, focusing on the discipline that had always been his anchor. But the more he fought, the stronger the urge became a dark whisper that grew into an insistent roar.

Suddenly, without warning, Jin's eyes flashed a bright crimson with Honoka's embrace, the unmistakable sign of the devil gene taking control. His body moved on its own, propelled by a force that sought destruction and chaos. Honoka, unnoticing the sudden change, barely had time to react before his hands were around her throat, squeezing with a strength that was not entirely his own. She felt the ground beneath her leave her feet.

"W-What…what are you doing?" she gasped as she struggled to breathe. "S-Stop…" Honoka's hand found its way to his arm in an attempt to pry his hand from her neck.

Unfortunately, her words would go unheard as the man she saved wasn't in control of his body and actions.

From within the depths of Jin's mind, his demonic entity began to taunt him, a cruel, mocking voice that reveled in the chaos it could create.

"Look at you, Jin. So weak, so afraid of your true power. Why resist? This is who you are. This is what you're meant to do."

Jin struggled internally, fighting against the darkness that sought to consume him. He could see the young woman's eyes, wide with shock but not fear, even as she gasped for air. Within those eyes, he found a glimmer of the strength he needed, a reason to fight back against the demon that sought to control him.

Just when Honoka was about to lose all hope, the unexpected happened. Like that fateful night, the same red misty aura erupted around her right hand. Honoka's eyes widened in shock at what was occurring after so long.

There it was again.

The same hot and burning sensation engulfed her body like before and last night when she fought off those biker thugs with Hwoarang at the bowling alley.

'M-My body…! It's happening again!' she exclaimed in her head.

Honoka glanced at her glowing hand, then back at Jin, and immediately became shocked that his once almond-brown eyes were now blood red. But what made her even more fearful yet curious were the strange markings that appeared on his forehead and chest. 'No…something's not right. I have to do something!'

Deciding to put her powers to use, Honoka allowed her fiery red hand to reach up and touch the arm connected to the hand holding her throat.

A hiss and growl came from his throat just as Honoka's ignited hand came in contact with his skin. His grip around her neck stayed tight as he had the overwhelming urge to make her suffer even more for her actions. However, due to the burning and searing pain he endured, he immediately released Honoka from his hold.

Jin glanced inwardly at his hands, then looked at the fallen girl lying on the floor. Holding her sore neck, she let out a few coughs to recover the air in her body.

Honoka looked worryingly at Jin, but strangely, she didn't feel any ill intentions coming towards him despite his previous actions his eyes looked… Scared? Why would he be more scared than the person he just choked? However, if anyone saw what happened and then heard the following words out of Honoka's mouth, they would swear she got screws loose.

"Are… are you ok?" Honoka asked Jin.

That was the opposite reaction Jin hadn't expected from the girl. After he attempted murdering her, she displayed kindness and concern toward him.

"I'm pretty sure I'm the one who should be asking you that," Jin says.

"You look scared when you look at your hands as if you were scared of yourself," Honoka said, tilting her head to the side. "Are you sure you're alright?"

The man looked very vulnerable at the moment to the point where Honoka wanted to hug him and reassure him that everything would be alright, but ultimately kept her distance as she preferred not to get choked again.

Jin parted his lips to give the girl his response but immediately closed them. He had the exact answer on his tongue and mind, only to find himself unable to let it out. After everything that has happened to him and nearly to the people he cared for so far in his life, he had no further intentions of indirectly endangering another life, all because he lacked the strength to suppress the devil gene.

He needed to leave and fast.

"I'm fine," confirmed Jin as he turned away from her, not wishing to look at her towel-clad body any longer. "I'm sorry, but…I have to go," he said, advancing towards the door.

"H-Hey, wait a second!" Honoka yelled, taking a step forward and before she could question him further, he was already out of the room. She gripped the front of her towel to her body and rushed after him. Throwing open the door, she dashed into the hallway and looked from both sides to search for the familiar raven-haired man.

He was nowhere to be found like she had hoped. Honoka's contorted into a confused frown. Where did he disappear to?

Honoka pushed those thoughts aside and headed back inside her hotel room to get dressed to go out with Tamaki for breakfast. Putting on a simple casual black T-shirt with a skull and crossbones logo, camouflage miniskirt, thigh-high socks with bows, and a pair of leather ankle boots, Honoka headed and waited for Tamaki to pick her up.

10 Minutes Later

Honoka's footsteps whispered secrets to the silent corridors, a rhythmic echo that danced in her ears. Lost in a labyrinth of thoughts, she wove and unwove the tapestry of her recent encounters with the raven-haired stranger, each step threading another piece into the complex pattern of mystery.

"That's weird. Why did my body become so hot all of a sudden?" pondered Honoka, her arms folded on her ample breast.

A burning curiosity consumed Honoka as she sought to unravel the mystery of the fiery sensation that coursed through her veins during moments of peril. This encounter, however, was different; the blaze that typically surged within her, granting her strength, now seemed to flow out and into the stranger before her.

It was as if she hadn't lost a part of herself, but had willingly shared her enigmatic energy. She was the source of this power—her thoughts clung to the possibility that others might also draw upon it. As the energy seeped from her to him, the chaos that once raged within the man was soothed, his demonic demeanor settling into a composed stillness. If she could only find him again, perhaps the keys to understanding this peculiar exchange, and the true nature of her power, might finally be within her grasp.

However, the gears in Honoka's head began to turn as she realized something. 'I've seen him before! He's Jin Kazama. He participated in the 3rd and 4th King Of Iron Fist Tournament. No wonder he seemed familiar. How did he get all beat up like that? He's a very good fighter, so why was he injured?' Honoka thought.

"Maybe I could get some answers when I see him again," the pink-haired girl said.

Approaching the hotel entrance, a sense of déjà vu washed over her as she caught sight of a pig-tailed girl in distress, her gaze darting to and fro in search of something elusive. Honoka quickened her pace, the edges of her lips curling into a smile as she recognized Xiaoyu, the girl who had become a cherished acquaintance. Eager anticipation shone in her eyes as she closed the distance.

"Xiao-chan!" she exclaimed, her voice slicing through the din with a warmth reserved for familiar faces.

Though Xiaoyu's eyes flickered with recognition, her feet betrayed no intention of halting their frantic dance. Noticing Honoka's approach, Xiaoyu's etiquette took the reins; it would be unkind to ignore such a welcome intrusion.

With a courteous dip of her head, Xiaoyu's greeting came in a whirlwind, "Hey, Honoka," her words a blend of warmth and urgency. "I'd love to stay and chat, but I'm in a bit of a hurry. I just wanted to at least say "hi"."

"Oh, it's fine, really," Honoka said with a dismissive wave of her hand, her voice gentle yet laced with unwavering patience. "You seem a bit on edge. Is everything alright?"

"Actually, I'm on the hunt for a friend of mine," Xiaoyu's voice quivered with a mix of determination and angst, her eyes scanning the crowded streets as she spoke. "I know I saw him, just around the corner. But it's like he disappeared into thin air." A heavy sigh escaped her lips, her next words held the weight of an unspoken promise. "But mark my words—I'll find him if it's the last thing I do."

"Hmm…" Honoka paused, the gears turning in her head. Then, her eyes lit up, a radiant idea forming. "Ah, I know! How about I help you look for your friend?" she offered, her voice a gentle, hopeful melody. Her sweet smile blossomed like a promise of unwavering support.

The Chinese martial artist mentally face-palmed at the so-called quote. 'No one says that.' she mentally sniggered.

A warm, heartfelt smile blossomed on Xiaoyu's face, her eyes shimmering with an unspoken depth of gratitude. A soft gasp escaped her, barely above a whisper, "Really?!" The word hung in the quiet between them, laden with hope. She reached out, her hand gently grasping Honoka's, her voice a tender melody, "Thank you so, so much, Honoka. You have no idea what this means to me."

"No problem. You know what they say, "two eyes are better than one", right?" the pink-haired quoted with a wink.

The Chinese martial artist met Honoka's eyes with an unreadable expression. Inside, her thoughts danced with a blend of amusement and disbelief. 'No one says that,' she chided silently, a smirk playing at the corner of her mouth. 'Hwoarang definitely knows how to em'. This one's not just naïve, she's totally clueless.'

"Can you describe him to me?" Honoka implored, her gaze locking onto Xiaoyu's with earnest curiosity. "Maybe I've already seen him before." said Honoka.

Xiaoyu nodded, a fond smile on her lips.

"Okay," Xiaoyu nodded, a fond smile on her lips, "he's like extremely tall and powerfully built," she emphasized, her hands unwittingly outlining the air in front of her as if she could trace his formidable shape. "With a strong, muscular physique that—you just can't miss it." Her voice faltered then steadied, growing softer as if sharing a secret. "His skin is fair, almost too pristine, like marble. But it's the intensity in his stance, the way he carries himself." She paused, swallowing hard. "It's like he's a storm. Silent until he decides not to be."

Honoka leaned in, her eyes alight with a mix of determination and curiosity. She tilted her head slightly, her voice tinged with excitement, "Alright! Got it, tall and muscular. What about his hair and eyes?"

Xiaoyu's finger rose, absentmindedly brushing her chin. A distant smile tugged at her lips, her voice a wistful murmur. "His hair... it's black, short, and somewhat spikes to the back of his head. Kinda like a duck's tail."she mused. A sigh escaped her as if the next words bore the weight she described, "And his eyes, they're dark, deep brown—almost black—reflecting a lot of struggles he's been through. There's a certain depth to them. Like he's carrying the world's weight." Her voice, barely above a whisper, carried a tenderness that eloquently spoke of empathy.

Honoka's brow furrowed in concentration, her voice soft but laced with intent. "I see," she murmured, etching every word into her memory. "Black hair and deep, dark eyes. Is there anything else about him that stands out, anything at all that jogs your memory?"

Xiaoyu continued to think for a moment.

Xiaoyu paused, her gaze distant as if sifting through memories. "Yeah, there's this... tattoo on his left arm, like a symbol that's impossible to ignore," she said, lightly tracing the air with her finger as though sketching its outline. Her voice took on a softer tone. "And his clothes, they're distinct—always these old-school martial arts garments or gear that screams 'ready for battle.' He's got this intensity, this brooding aura that surrounds him, you know?" A wistful smile flickered across her face. "But beneath that, there's a gentleness, a fierce kind of kindness. He's determined, fiercely determined, to stand up for his convictions, to fight for what's right."

As Xiaoyu's final words painted the stranger's portrait, a striking image of a man with hair as dark as a raven's feathers suddenly sprang to life in Honoka's mind, perfectly matching the described figure.

"Oh, you mean Jin?" Honoka's voice carried a tinge of surprise that softened as she continued. "You just missed him—he was here thirty minutes ago," she said, her words slow and weighted with a hint of regret, as if she were picturing him walking away just before Xiaoyu arrived.

"Wait, really!?" Xiaoyu's eyes widened with a glimmer of hope. "He must be close then. I—I have to go!" Her voice trembled with urgency, betraying a heart ready to leap out of her chest. But as she turned, poised to sprint, Honoka's next words anchored her feet to the ground, wiping her mind clean as a blank canvas and stop dead in her tracks.

"Just so you know he spent the night in my hotel room."

Xiaoyu pivoted on her heel, her every movement calculated and smooth as she faced Honoka. A gentle smile graced her lips, a masterful veil of benevolence. Yet veiled within its tender curves lurked a fury so formidable, a consuming darkness so intense, that somewhere, in a distant realm, a legendary sword shimmered crimson with envy.

"Come again…?" Xiaoyu's words were edged with a veiled threat, her voice low and steady. Her gaze, sharp and unyielding, bored into the girl before her, as if daring her to falter, to disintegrate into nothingness beneath the weight of her stare.

"Your friend, Jin," Honoka began with a lightness in her voice that belied the gravity of her words, "he stayed over, with me, in my hotel room." Her eyes sparkled with mischief, entirely ignorant to the daggers the pig-tailed girl's gaze was sharpening just for her. "I admit, it was a bit awkward at the beginning," she confessed, her fingers twirling a strand of her hair, "but, you know, it got easier." she paused, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "And in the morning," she continued, the smile fading into something more complex, more intimate, "after my shower, Jin... he was a little rough. Not that he intended to be." She bit her lower lip, reflecting. "It wasn't malicious, just...I dunno."

"I hope for your safety and well-being, I misheard you. Right?" Xaioyu's voice danced with a deceptive cheer, a razor-sharp edge lurking beneath. Her heart simmered with rage, the beast of her anger pacing its cage, eager to leap at Honoka should it turn out she dared to wrong Jin.

"Hmm…but that's exactly what happened. My grandma said it's a woman's job to take care of a man when he's injured." explained Honoka.

'Not only did this thief steal Jin's purity, but forced herself on him while he was clearly hurt! How could she-' thought Xiaoyu.

"I found him in the forest all beat up and I couldn't just leave him out there, so I brought him to my room to nurse him back to good health." Honoka concluded, recounting her and Jin's encounter in the forest.

As the wrathful pig-tailed girl absorbed her words, her simmering fury slowly ebbed away. She could see the purity of Honoka's intentions, her actions painted with strokes of Good Samaritan altruism. Yet, the moment Honoka recounted how Jin, robust and overly assertive, handled her with less than gentle hands, a spark of suspicion reignited in Xiaoyu's gut.

Honoka's gaze carried a purity, untainted by the sly shadows of a cunning seductress.

'Okay,' she thought, a tremor in her mental voice betraying her uncertainty. 'maybe I was about to jump the gun here.' Her heart hammered against her chest—a deer caught in headlights, second-guessing its instincts.

She struggled to keep her composure as she listened to Honoka's words, and her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Hmm, is that so?" she said with a forced casual tone, trying to contain the storm of emotions raging within her.

A blush crept up Honoka's face as she said, "It's just like I said earlier, he was a little too healthy. I never had a man treat me so roughly before."

If one looked at this scene before them, they would notice a blushing innocent maiden. On the other hand, the second maiden looked like she was going to jump on the former by the way her left eye was twitching.

'Stay calm, Xiao. Nothing scandalous happened,' she repeated to herself, reminding herself to keep a level head. But mentioning Jin's brazen behavior towards Honoka made her blood boil. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

As Honoka blushed and mentioned Jin's rough treatment of her, Xiaoyu's left eye twitched with barely contained rage. She struggled to maintain her cheerful facade, but her true feelings were seeping through.

'If I find out she even harmed a single hair on Jin's head indecently, I'm going to tear her limb from limb,' Xiaoyu vowed to herself, her determination evident in the steely glint in her eyes.

She struggled to maintain a calm and casual tone as she responded to Honoka. "Hmm, that's some story there, Honoka. I'm glad Jin is okay, but it's just a bit surprising to hear about him being so... rough. Are you sure everything was just out of concern for his well-being?"

"Mmm, I dunno," Honoka answered honestly. "He looked so terrified after that. It was like he was afraid of himself for how he was towards me earlier."

Xiaoyu continued to watch Honoka closely, her left eye twitching with the effort to stay calm. "I hope everything you're saying is true, Honoka. But if I find out otherwise, I won't hesitate to protect Jin. You understand, right?" There was an edge to her words, a clear warning to Honoka that Xiaoyu would not tolerate any mistreatment of Jin.

"Hmm?" hummed a confused Honoka, tilting her head to the side.

"Jin…he's not just a friend to me. He's been one of my closest friends ever since the third tournament."

Xiaoyu knew that she had to investigate further and ensure that Jin was safe from any potential harm. Determined to uncover the truth, she silently vowed that she would not rest until she was certain of Honoka's intentions toward Jin.

Xiaoyu decided it was in her blood pressure's best interest to stop conversing with Honoka about Jin. The poor girl couldn't tell if Honoka was deliberately messing with her or just an airhead. She is more leaning towards the latter than the former, but the way Honoka worded her sentences about her Jin irked her very being. So, she resumed her search for Jin till her upcoming match.

Honoka watched Xiaoyu's retreating form in confusion. "What was that all about?"

Elsewhere

As they exchanged words, the subject of their conversation involuntarily shivered and sneezed, as if the very air around him had whispered his name.

"Is someone talking about me?" Jin questioned. Deciding not to dwell on it further, he continued forward. Jin walked through the silent trees of the forest, his mind filled with thoughts of the mysterious girl Honoka. The sunlight filtered through the thick canopy of trees above, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the forest ground.

He couldn't shake the image of her and the enigmatic power she seemed to possess. It was as if she held some strange influence over him, an influence he couldn't quite understand.

As he thought back to the incident where his devil gene had taken control. He remembered the fear and confusion in her eyes as he struggled to fight against the overwhelming power of the devil gene coursing through his veins. She had reached out to him, her voice soft and soothing as if trying to break through the darkness that threatened to consume him.

Honoka had reached out to him, a red, misty energy emanating from her hand. He couldn't help but feel a sense of confusion and curiosity.

But most of all, Jin remembered the unexpected thing she did.

'She smiled…' he recalled.

Jin didn't understand why.

Despite nearly choking the life out of her, she responded with concern and a smile instead of fear. It was a reaction that left Jin feeling both bewildered and intrigued.

He couldn't deny the fact that her actions could have a possible profound effect on him. Her literal blazing touch had seemed to bring him back to his senses, to quell the violent urges that had overtaken him. It was a power Jin couldn't comprehend, leaving him with a deep sense of unease.

As he continued to walk through the live trees, the memory of Honoka's eyes filled his mind. There was something in those eyes, something that seemed to hold a glimmer of understanding and compassion despite the violence that had transpired between them. Jin couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Honoka than met the eye, and he was determined to uncover the truth.

With Honoka

Honoka stood outside the hotel entrance, waiting for Tamaki to show up.

Honoka's ears tuned to the unmistakable growl of an engine barreling closer. Her gaze locked onto a pine green Porsche 911 convertible, a relic from the early nineties, as it weaved recklessly through the traffic, flirting with danger at every turn. The car's descent into a skidding stop in front of her was as abrupt as it was thrilling.

"~Morning, Hono-chan!~" shouted Tamaki.

"Morning!" Honoka's voice bubbled with delight. Her crimson eyes danced with wonder, drinking in the sleek contours of the European sports car. She ran her fingers along the smooth lines of the chassis before sliding into the driver's seat. "Wow, this is beyond cool. This is my first time in a left-hand drive, and it's a sports car no less," she marveled.

"~Thank you,~" Tamaki beamed, lovingly patting the sleek curves of her latest acquisition. "!Picked this gal up from Nagata-kun—a real good friend who's got an eye for sweet rides. He never lets me down when I'm in need of something special.!" Her voice swelled with pride, and in the shimmering gleam of the car's surface, her reflection grinned back at her.

As Honoka nestled deeper into the plush seat, a contented sigh escaped her lips. "I could stay here forever; it's like sinking into a cloud made just for me. It's perfect, Tamaki," she murmured, the cool leather caressing her skin as she found her sweet spot of comfort.

A soft chuckle released from Tamaki's throat as she revved the engine and pulled into the bustling city streets. "~You'll get used to it, trust me.~" She then glanced at Honoka, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "~So, spill the beans. How was your first date with Hwoarang?~" she asked, a playful lilt in her voice.

Honoka's face lit up with excitement. "It was amazing! Hwoarang took me for a ride on his motorcycle, and we even got chased by a cop for a while. It was so thrilling!" Her laughter filled the car.

"~Wow, sounds like quite the escapade for a first date,~," Tamaki said, her grin spreading from ear to ear, the sunlight glinting off her vibrant green hair as they zipped along.

"No kidding!" Honoka exclaimed, tossing her head back with a laugh. "But that's just the half of it! After bowling, we were thrust into this chaotic showdown with a gang seeking revenge. It was like something out of a wild action flick—absolutely exhilarating!" Her eyes danced with excitement, reliving every pulse-pounding moment.

Tamaki's eyes sparkled with mischief as she let out a long, low whistle. Her laughter danced around them like a playful breeze. "~That sure was an eventful date,~" she cooed, teasingly. "~Seems like Hwoarang really knows how to spin a tale into an adventure, doesn't he?~" Her voice was a mix of wonder and a dash of envy, painting the air with the kind of liveliness only she could bring.

"Definitely," Honoka nodded emphatically, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I never knew a date could be so thrilling! He sure knows how to shake things up." She glanced out of the window, still reeling from the adrenaline rush of the day before. "I mean, who knew a casual bowling date could turn into a real-life action movie?"

"~Mm-hm.~" she hummed, focusing on the road. Her lips then pulled into a sly smirk. "~So, is he good?~"

Honoka chuckled, leaning her head against the seat as she reminisced about the unexpected twists of her date. "Good? He's incredible!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of admiration and surprise. "His moves on the motorcycle, how he handled the situation with the police, and then the gang—honestly, I've never seen anything like it! He was so... cool under pressure." The car turned a corner, the cityscape blurring past them.

"And to top it off," Honoka continued, a playful grin crossing her face, "he's actually really sweet. You wouldn't expect that from someone who can drop-kick a guy twice his size, right?" She sighed dreamily, with a far-off look as she recalled the day.

'That wasn't what I meant.' That question entirely went over her head. Tamaki found Honoka's innocent nature rather adorable. It was true that she wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but her sweet and childlike demeanor made up for it. Tamaki slowly turned and pulled into the parking lot of a local diner.

"~Ooh, sounds exciting!" smirked Tamaki, turning off the engine. "~Did you two reach 'first base' on that ride, Honoka?~"

Honoka blushed furiously, her cheeks turning as red as a rose. "U-Uh…no. Not really. We didn't... I mean, I'm not even sure what 'first base' means!"

Tamaki chuckled at Honoka's embarrassment. The former swimsuit model rested her arm on the car seat and turned to the younger girl, entirely giving her undivided attention. "~Come on, Honoka, you gotta know at least a little about kissing and stuff, right?~"

"N-No…I-I mean yes!" Honoka stammered, shaking her head. "To be honest, I…never really kissed anyone before," she admitted, timidly playing with the hem of her camo skirt.

Tamaki's eyes widened in surprise. "~No way! A very pretty young thing like you has never been kissed? But you're always so confident and skilled in martial arts! How come you're so inexperienced when it comes to relationships?~"

"Ehhehheh. B-Because… I've never really had one?" Honoka laughed sheepishly.

Honoka didn't hide a single lie hidden in her response. Honoka's sheltered upbringing under her grandmother's watchful eye left her with scarcely any experience with the opposite sex. The extent of her interactions with boys was limited to the occasional date invitation, invitations she invariably met with a polite refusal.

Honoka wasn't entirely new to the concept of kissing, as it would often be shown in a couple of martial arts films she had watched. Her knowledge of sex and foreplay, however, wasn't as strong as her knowledge of various types of martial arts and fighters. She has heard conversations about it from other students and her friend group, but they weren't that explicit.

Tamaki nodded understandingly. "~I see. But hey, at least your date with Hwoarang sounded fun and exciting! And it's okay to take things slow when it comes to relationships. You'll learn as you go along.~"

Honoka smiled gratefully at Tamaki's supportive words. "Thank you, Tamaki. I appreciate your understanding. It's just that it's all so new to me. I've only seen kissing in movies, and I don't exactly understand much about..er.. you know."

The green-haired woman laughed and shot Honoka a wink, trying to lighten the mood. "~Well, don't worry, Honoka. You've got me as your guide to the world of romance and relationships! We'll take it step by step, and I'll fill you in on all the juicy details.~" Tamaki winked.

Inside the Diner

Silverware chimed against ceramic, weaving into the soft hum of chatter that enveloped Honoka and Tamaki in the diner's warm embrace. Seated together, they sipped iced orange juice, the glass beads of condensation cool against their palms, anticipation simmering as the scent of fresh coffee and sizzling bacon promised a hearty breakfast soon to grace their table.

Honoka's fingers danced nervously over her napkin, a visible hum of anxious anticipation surrounding her as she braced to unravel the news clutched tightly in her chest.

Tamaki caught the flicker of unease on her friend's face and flashed a reassuring smile, an unspoken promise to smooth away the worry that creased her brow.

"~Honoka, my dear, you look like you're about to face a firing squad.~" Tamaki teased. "~What's on your mind?~"

Honoka raked her fingers through her hair, her mind racing for the smoothest way to unravel the secrets she had tightly woven. "Erm… well, Tamaki… I'm afraid that I might have left out a few details." Her voice was a whisper-thin thread, fragile in the silence. "About last night, I mean."

Tamaki's lips curled into a mischievous grin, the glimmer in her eyes igniting with anticipation for the secret Honoka held just on the edge of her tongue. "~Oh, there's more?~" she purred with a playful lilt, leaning in closer. "~Do, tell. I'm all ears~" she urged.

"O-Okay...um," her voice trembled, a delicate note of hope threading through her apprehension. "Do you, by any chance, might you know Jin Kazama?" Her red eyes searched eagerly, desperate for a flicker of recognition.

Tamaki's response was instantaneous, her eyes alight with a blend of astonishment and disbelief. Jin Kazama—that name alone had the power to turn heads and command the attention of crowds. It was impossible for Tamaki to claim ignorance of his legend; whispers and wild tales of him echoed incessantly among her ex-colleagues from the swimsuit modeling scene, sending them into frenzied admiration.

A soft chuckle escaped her lips.

Echoes of her former peers crescendoed in her memory, their voices a symphony of squeals, utterly bewitched by the legendary Jin Kazama and his sculpted physique. Reclining with a thoughtful tilt of her head, Tamaki crossed her arms—her interest now intensely ignited.

"~Why, yes. He's the winner of the third King of Iron Fist tournament. He's quite a prominent fighter in the fighting world. Why do you ask, Honoka?~"

"It's just that…" Honoka's eyes drifted from Tamaki's inquiring gaze down to her lap, her fingers twirling a lock of hair in a dance of anxiety. "Last night, a few hours after Hwoarang and I returned to the hotel from our date, I found... um, Jin in the park."

Tamaki smirked amusingly. "~Hmm, really now? And what did our sweet Honoka do upon such a fortuitous encounter?~"

Heat crept up into Honoka's cheeks, and she fumbled for words, her eyes darting anywhere but into Tamaki's amused glance.

"Umm... I... I brought him back to my hotel," Honoka's voice trembled as she confessed, wrapping my her around herself—as if the gesture could fend off the memory. "To take care of him. He... he was a bit rough with me initially," she swallowed hard, the specter of his hands gripping her neck too tightly flashed before her eyes, but Honoka shook her head quickly. "But he never intended to hurt me. I know that."

The silence slithered past them for a suspended moment until Tamaki's laughter shattered the stillness, her imagination whisking her thoughts to faraway places.

"~My, my, Honoka, you naughty, naughty girl!" Tamaki chuckled, an undercurrent of surprise lacing her words. "~Here I thought you were all sweet and innocent.~" Tamaki chuckled.

With wide-eyed bewilderment, the young schoolgirl's gaze locked onto Tamaki. Her eyelids fluttered in rapid succession, a silent testament to the turmoil churning within. "Huh? What…?" she stammered, her voice a fragile whisper threaded with disbelief.

"Anna might've been onto something. I'm starting to believe there's a femme fatale lurking beneath that innocent facade of yours," Tamaki teased, a playful twinkle in her eye. "~To think after your date with Hwoarang, you'd go and scoop up another man—Jin Kazama, no less—and whisk him away to your hotel room. What a scandalous turn of events! Should I be jealous or simply commend your boldness? I oughta give you a nice and good spanking for being so bold.~" she jested, a devilish smile gracing her beautiful face.

Honoka's eyes widened in panic, realizing the unintentional implication of her words. She quickly interjected to set the record straight.

"What?! No, no, Tamaki! It's not like that at all!" Her voice trembled, thick with the weight of urgency. "He was seriously hurt! I found him hurt in the park and I took him back to my hotel to treat his injuries. That's all, I swear!" As she spoke, her hands fluttered like panicked birds, omitting the darker truth of his hands around her throat; right now, all she wanted was to dissolve the thick cloud of doubt hanging between them.

Tamaki's laughter bubbles up, uncontainable, as she drinks in the sight of Honoka's adorable disarray. Her eyes shimmer with mirth, and with a tender touch to Honoka's arm, she wordlessly implores her to find her serenity.

"~Easy, easy, Honoka,~" the green-haired woman's voice was like a balm, laced with a playful undertone. "~I'm only poking fun at you, see?~" She leaned forward, a conspiratorial twinkle in her eye. "~I know you meant well. But you must admit, how you told your story was rather... suggestive.~"

Honoka let out a relieved sigh, her shoulders slumping as the tension drained from her body. She managed a small, embarrassed smile, grateful for Tamaki's understanding. "Tehehe. I guess I did make it sound a bit... weird. Sorry, I was just so worried about him. But he's okay now, thanks to the help." Honoka sheepishly giggled, rubbing the back of her head.

"~Of course, Honoka. I know your heart is always in the right place. Just be careful how you phrase things, or you might give someone the wrong impression.~"

The two share a laugh, the air now clear of any misunderstandings. As they continue to chat, the atmosphere was light and full of camaraderie, a testament to their friendship and mutual respect.

Question: What do you guys think? Is Honoka an angel or a femme fatale? LMAO