The First Crack in the Metal

**Chapter 13**
The Whet Stone

Hwoarang awoke with a splitting headache. Eyes flew open, only to slant in the beams of sunlight that filtered through the windows. He tried to sit up, but his body was aching…and it had not all been from the fighting, fucking and alcohol. Jin was wrapped around him, and deep in the arms of sleep. Or so he thought.

Jin stirred, his arm draped protectively over the Blood Talons clothed torso, his eyes blinking in slow, fluid motions as his lovers features melded into one, perfect face. “Seung…” He managed, his arm discarded as the Korean finally started to sit himself up. “…are you alright?”

“What the fuck happened last night” He hissed, only now realizing the two of them were laying on the floor of the living room.

Jin slowly sat up, rubbing his aching temples, the taste of blood heavy in his mouth. That was when the memories came to him, like a third person looking in, standing outside of himself. Hwoarang had passed out cold, sinking against Jins body as the Japanese youth had his lover captured between the wall and his own flesh. Only it was not him, not entirely. The devil within, heightened by the taste of blood, loosened of its shackles by a night of too much alcohol and too much of Hwoarang…was trying to break free. And it had nearly happened.

Only when Hwoarang slumped against his body, did Jin start to break free of the imprisonment of the Devils control. He sank to the floor with the Blood Talon and cradled him. He remembered crying into those copper tendrils…recalled feeling helpless as his lover lay in his arms, lost to the blackness.

Jin had little of his own strength then. He crawled into the living room from the small dining area, dragging Hwoarang with him as gently as he could. He wrapped himself around the Blood Talon, believing that although the beast had nearly been unleashed, it was only Hwoarang who brought him back to himself.

“I..don’t remember.” Jin said with as much confusion as he could make himself muster. “I think you lost consciousness.”

Hwoarang brushed a hand through his hair, straining to recall the evening. Jin had gone into such a feral frenzy after their hasty encounter, lapping at blood that fell from the Koreans hip…sinking teeth deeper in, greedy with need for more. He remembered his Japanese beauty trapping him up against the wall, wanton in a way Hwoarang had never seen before…a force that just kept coming at him, even though he tried to push Jin away. And those eyes. Those beautiful sable Japanese eyes…were tainted, like liquid mercury from a broken thermometer. “Yeah. Me either.”

Jin looked up into those searching amber depths, trying to find something to say, some words that would wipe away what foggy recollections both of them surely shared. He did not know what he would have done to his lover, if the Devil had taken him over, completely. At least, he had not violated Hwoarang as the darkness wanted to do. “About last…”

Hwoarang turned his eyes to a heavy knock at his door before glancing back to Jin, stifled at the sound that split between them like a knife. “Who the fuck could that be, at this hour?” The Blood Talon had no idea what time it was, but any hour of waking was coined, “this hour”.

“Hwoarang! You there?” Came a familiar voice.

“Ahh, shit. Its Chang.” He said, drawing up to a stand, painfully. He fastened his jeans and reached two crossed hands down to Jin. “Come on baby, get up.”

Jin took those outstretched hands, almost thankful for the interruption. His lover was not the type to pick up a conversation after it was ended, or, for all intents and purposes, never completely began. He pressed his bent knees into position and let the Blood Talons strength hoist him up…bringing him eye to eye with the Korean.

“We will figure out last night, another time.” Hwoarang said, lifting his hand to brush against Jins angular cheek, seeing so much worry in those lovely features.

“Alright.” Jins said with a slight nod to accentuate his scant acceptance of the idea.

“I hear you in there, come on. Open the door.” Chang said, impatiently from the outside of the portal.

“One fucking minute.” Hwoarang barked, looking over his shoulder as though staring down an enemy. He returned his gaze to Jins and leaned in, taking those slightly parted lips, fingers lingering up into the tendrils he had adored pulling on last night, giving the ebony edges a slight tug, feeling those warm petals open even more to him.

Jin melted into the hot twine of tongues, his lips eager for every sweet drop, as though Hwoarangs kiss could beam pure light on all the shadows that threatened to enshroud him. He moaned slowly as his lover pulled away.

“Now, I’m fucking hard as a rock.” The Korean youth half cocked a smirk, running his fingers through his dyed mane. “God damn, baby. Keep my breakfast hot for me.” He let his fingers drip down to Jins readjusted warm up pants, giving that perfect package a quick, inviting squeeze.

Jin let free a heavy breath as Hwoarang walked away. He muttered in native Japanese, hoping Hwoarang could not understand him as he readjusted the aching stiffness that tented his clothing, with hopes he could hide it from invading eyes.

**

“What the hell took you so long?” Chang barked as Hwoarang opened the door with a smirk. It did not take his blood brother a moment to notice the obvious…”state” the Blood Talon was in.

“Busy. What’s going on?” Hwoarang said. He could not face the news of the day without his first, morning cigarette.

“Well, you letting me in, or what?” Chang shook his head. He wondered who the Blood Talon had brought home last night. Hwoarangs bedroom should have had a ticket holder at the entrance, “now serving #….”

The portal parted and Hwoarang stepped back. “Don’t say a fucking word till I get a cigarette.” He chided, reaching into his overly tight denim pocket to find the pack crushed…but a few good cylinders remained.

Chang stepped into the apartment through the kitchen. Droplets of dark dried blood lined the range in a pattern as though someone had been bleeding and moving at the same time. The dining table before him was askew, chair toppled to its side, dirty broken dishes on the floor with a host of other indiscernible objects, smashed to pieces. “What the fuck happened in here last night?” He said as his eyes turned upward from the rubble to find…Jin Kazama sitting on the couch. The Japanese youth looked like a train wreck. That was the answer to his question.

Hwoarang stepped into the living room, where he could see Chang observing the mess. He lit up a cigarette after the terrible moment he could not find his lighter, which had been tucked safely in the breast pocket of his zipper up vest. For a moment the flame illuminated his features and Jins eyes met his through the flicker. The Blood Talon quickly drew his attention back to Chang. “Nothing.” He replied with a snicker.

Jin felt the heat of Changs eyes on him and drew in a heavy breath. He waited for either to start talking, alight with the sudden need to leave this apartment or face the wrath of one of Hwoarangs street demons finding out…their secret.

“Kazama Jin. We finally meet in the flesh.” Chang said, walking over to the Japanese youth who bolted upright onto his feet as though he was about to be attacked. He bowed, which Jin echoed, quickly enough.

“Jin, this is Chang, my blood brother. There, now everyone knows each other.” The Blood Talon exhaled the blue tinged vapor, dropping back into the couch, feeling the leather welcome his weight. “So, what’s got your panties in a bunch this morning, Chang?”

Chang shook his head, still in awe of being in the presence of Kazama Jin after nearly three years. He had been at the first fight between the two, in the back alleys of Korea. Had helped Hwoarang recover after the vicious draw. Another two of those years he had spent trying to find out if the Japanese youth was really and truly dead. But this was their first, complete meeting.

If Chang had been into guys, Jin would have been an obvious choice. He was the strong, silent type, the atypical tall, dark and handsome. It was no wonder Hwoarang could not stop thinking of the Japanese youth, even during his time served unwillingly in the Korean Military.

Chang returned his attentions to Hwoarang even as Jin sat down. “I was downtown last night with Saatchi and passed by Club Oblivion. Saw your fucking bike there and flipped script. I thought something happened to you.”

Hwoarang had nearly forgotten his bike was still at the club. “Shit. I gotta get it out of there before someone steals the fucking thing.”

“Good thing I kept a set of keys on me cause I brought it back here. Thought either you got too piss drunk to ride it or you were laying dead somewhere. Your never without your bike, Seung.” Chang said, without even thinking.

“How does he….?” Jin began, silenced by Hwoarangs halting hand.

Chang looked to Jin and then back to the Blood Talon. So, he wasn’t the only one besides Baek Do San to know Hwoarangs big secret. This wasn’t just a couple nights of desire with Jin, there was way much more on the line.

“We had a little too much to drink and walked back here. You’re a fucking lifesaver, Chang. God Damn. Don’t know what I would have done if something happened to that bike.” The Blood Talon let his head tip back against the pillowy softness of the leather couch, exhaling smoke.

“Long as you are alright. You coming to the den today? We still have some recruits from two days ago who are waiting for your seal of approval.” Chang asked, side glancing to Jin.

“Yeah, I will make an appearance.” The Blood Talon said, crushing his cigarette. Although unspoken, Hwoarang could feel the difference in his blood brothers eyes. Chang approved of his choice of lovers, probably for the first time in their lives together.

“Well, then I wont keep you and your..company.” Chang said, nodding his head to Hwoarang. “Don’t worry, I will see myself out.” With that, he turned on his heel, bowing slowly to Jin with a half smile.

Jin rose immediately to return the formal farewell, finding himself too hasty in his stance. “Pleasure to meet you, Chang.” He said, even as the other Korean youth was walking toward the door.

When the Japanese youth heard the portal closed, he turned his eyes to Hwoarang. “How does he know your name?”

“We have been like brothers a long time. Only he and Baek ever knew it…and now, you. I keep my secrets close to my heart.” Hwoarang said, feeling that almost possessive chill from Jins eyes. He drew up against the still standing Japanese beauty.

“What other secrets do you keep, Seung?” Jin asked, warily as the Blood Talon drew up against him, fingers snaking into his already mussed ebony tendrils.

“I keep only as much as some and less than others.” Hwoarang said, leaning in against Jins lips. The Japanese beauty met him half way for a deep, slow twining kiss, his hands sliding up Hwoarangs clothed spine, pressing the Korean against him.

The Blood Talons hand slid along the outside curve of Jins hip before dipping into the scant space between them to cup the already thickening shaft bound in those loose warm up pants.

Jin moaned into those perfect moist lips, tasting that fiery Korean mouth, laced with nicotine. A sworn prayer of salvation, ended mid chant as his eyes opened to find Hwoarangs gaze holding his. “Did you keep breakfast hot for me, baby?” He purred, licking his lips of Jins taste.

“Yes…” Jin said, flushed as the Korean beauty cupped and kneaded against his barely constricted length. “What..did you have in mind?”

Hwoarang pressed in against the sweet flesh of Jins neck, his hot tongue lapping against the side of the Japanese youths earlobe. “A good hard fucking.” He purred into the shell of Jins ear, making his lover shiver at the heat of his breath. “I think you need some release…” he continued. “..I know what its like to have all that pent up aggression in your blood.” The Blood Talons teeth captured the lobe of Jins ear.

The Japanese youth moaned, drawing Hwoarang as tight to him as he could, feeling that perfect hand change from kneading to stroking against his already eager length.

“You wanna fuck me, baby?” Hwoarang purred, his teeth releasing the captured lobe to give his tongue freedom to trace the flesh just below Jins ear. “Break me open, like I did to you last night?”

Jins eyes tightened. He felt his body shift, almost uncomfortably. “I…cant.” He managed, the taste of blood still coursing through his senses. “I cant..trust myself with you, like that…not right now.”

So he did remember last night. Hwoarang stepped back, tilting his head down slightly, his eyes boring into Jins like a power tool. “Why cant you trust yourself, Jin?” He said with a heavy, analytical voice.

“Because I cant.” Jin said, drawing himself closer to Hwoarang, pain and fear heavy behind his eyes. “Lets just..leave it at that, please.”

“Leave it at that? Mind telling me what the hell all of this is about, Jin? First the tattoo…and then the feathers…the black markings and that crazy silver shit in your eyes?” Hwoarang remained firmly in place, even as Jin drew painfully close. “You have been keeping me in the dark for two fucking years. What aren’t you telling me?”

Jin felt the heavy weight of Hwoarangs questioning, almost unable to meet those amber eyes. His fingers reached out, trying to find some sense of reassurance. “I cant tell you anything…if I don’t know myself.”

“That’s not fucking good enough, Jin.” Hwoarang hissed, both in angry questioning and at the trace of the Japanese youths hand. Even as pissed off as he was, Jins touch still did things to him. He couldn’t help that. “Tell me why the fuck I feel..sick…around you…”

“Sick?” Jin asked, genuinely unsure of what Hwoarang meant by his words.

“Yeah, like punched in the gut sick…you get into this fucking mood…and it hits me like a hammer.” Hwoarang narrowed his lashes.

The thought of it was too painful for Jin to take. There had to be a correlation between the blood Hwoarang had tasted from him…and that sickness. That overwhelming illness must have come from their connection…and the devil within him. Hwoarang had seen the tribal black markings…now began to question the feather..or apparently, several feathers Jin had left behind while fighting off the transformations. It had to be from that night, with Steve in the Koreans apartment…

“I just don’t have the answers you seek…but we will figure this all out, Seung…please…believe in that.” Jin said but he knew Hwoarang was not biting at his bait. He felt torn, on a soul deep level. Fractured from the hold of that cutting amber gaze.

“Maybe I should take you home.” Hwoarang said, firmly encased in the wall that sprang up fast between them.

That simple comment cut Jin to the bone. “No. That’s alright. I can walk it just as easily.” He withdrew, defeated by those eyes, by the embattlements that now separated the Japanese youth from his lover.

“Don’t be fucking ridiculous. I will take you back to wherever you are staying and head off to the den.” Hwoarang said, realizing he was in desperate need of a shower since yesterday, but once more, not really having the time. The Korean looked everywhere around the room, as long as it was not at Jin.

With a heavy breath, Jin whispered. “Okay.” He had no fight left in him. His body was too weak from previous exertions and the devil within, draining his strength with its near transformation. His mind was shattered by Hwoarangs questioning and his inability to answer. The fear of what he could say was a gripping thing…how could his Seung Roh still want to be near him if he knew this terrible secret, so much more deadly than the guarded secret of his lovers’ name.

The Blood Talon walked into the kitchen and grasped the keys still on the range from where he had thrown them in a drunken haze. Swirling them around his finger, he reached for the door. “Lets go.”

**

The Motel room door was swung open, moving with the heavy breeze of the warm day. “What is this?” Jin hissed, stepping off the bike, even as Hwoarang remained seated.

The Japanese youth drew toward the open door, adrenaline rushing through his body as he cautiously approached, holding the flat of his palm against the door. What unfolded before him, was the last thing he expected to see. Everything was turned over or broken. The bed was resting against the wall, the small television laying on its face on the floor, the glass broken out of it. Curtains ripped off the walls, bathroom door hanging from its hinge. Even the dressers, Jin had not used, were emptied of their drawers and left strewn about the room. His suitcase was gone…everything he had brought with him from the small apartment in Australia…lost, forever. Jin could do nothing but stand in the room, his small destroyed world, a metaphor for the maelstrom.

Hwoarang leaned against the open door, flicking the ashes of his cigarette. He remained on the bike for a few minutes, debating whether or not to leave the Japanese youth in the mess that had undoubtedly unfolded itself. But, mad as he was, he could not bring himself to do that. And, with a languid motion, the Blood Talon drew himself off the bike and sauntered his way to the room that swallowed Jin.

“So, who did you piss off?” The Korean said as Jin stood motionless in a world of turmoil.

Jin did not answer, he could not. This went far deeper than a demolished motel room rented under an assumed name. This was an invasion…and whoever had come here looking for him intended for something far worse than broken sticks of furniture.

The Blood Talon walked deeper into the room, watching Jin survey the scene, broken by more than just the surroundings. He could not read his lovers mind…but he knew the feeling all the same. “Shit load of damage here. Who do you think did it?”

Jin was as still as a statue amidst the rubble of his world. “This has the force of Mishima Heihachi behind it. My father is not so brash…as this.” He was not truly sure but from what he believed in his heart, this was not Kazuya. The younger Mishima’s attacks would have been more severe, more blatant and unabashed.

Hwoarang nodded, watching Jin, his back still facing the Korean. “Well, that settles it then. You cant stay hiding out where Gramps can find you.” He said, shuffling his boot against splintered debris.

“I have no where else to go.” That was truthful. Any money he had, more than the little bit he carried in his wallet, was now gone. His bank card had been left in the safety box in the room which was torn open with sheers. “I will think of something.” He added quickly, not wanting to lose more of his strength than he already had before the Blood Talon.

“Yeah. You have somewhere to go. You can stay with me. My apartment is big enough for the both of us.” Hwoarang was veiling his words, still rife with anger at Jins failed omissions to his query.

“I could not ask that of you. That would be twice you have stepped between me and disaster. I would not put you in danger.” And being with me..is danger.

“Your not asking me, I am telling you.” Hwoarang said, cracking his neck to the side, feeling the tension of the muscles and bones pop with the steady motion. “Got anything left here of any value?”

“I don’t have anything left here and even less than that with me. Nothing but the clothes on my back.” Jin said, feeling completely powerless in this crucial moment. He had nothing to offer Hwoarang, nothing to cover what expenses he would incur for food or shelter. It was frightening to believe that now, Jin truly had no one to turn to, no where to go. For the first time in his life, he was completely alone.

Jin did not want to tell Hwoarang a simple and unequivocal truth. Heihachi might know where Jin was hiding now…but it was Kazuya, a more prevalent danger, that knew where the Blood Talon lived and therefore, where Jin, could be found. His father had tracked Jin there, using demonic senses and completely opposed to the life his very blood son was leading, a sin.

Either way Jin turned, he was in a pincer movement…the sides were squeezing against him, forcing him into action, into the false security of running and hiding. He could not find redemption, no matter his choice of going left, or right at the proverbial fork in the road.

“Not asking you for anything. I will do what I have to do to keep you afloat.” The Korean said, looking up at Jins back as he spoke. He had no worry for money, for the first time in his life, even if he did not say such out loud. Although still angry, upset at Jins lack of forthcoming information, the way he felt had not changed…and if Jin belonged anywhere, it was with him.

“I would not sleep well at night, beside you or apart from you, knowing you have been forced to spill your blood on the streets to provide me…with anything.” Jin said, completely unable to face the thought of Hwoarang battling one street fight after the next to provide him with support. He was not helpless…he could find something.

Hwoarang wanted to reach out to Jin when we saw the Japanese beauty look over his shoulder to him. How alone his lover felt, how distant…as though the Blood Talon himself was no longer someone to be counted on. No matter the questions, the circumstances or the danger, the Korean was not going anywhere. “Come on, Jin. There is nothing here to look at but broken furniture. Let me take you back to my place and get you set up.”

The Japanese youth had nothing he could say, even as he heard Hwoarang walking to the edge of the room, boots trodding over broken glass and debris. Jin was at the whim of the fates, and yet all crossroads seemed to lead to the Korean youth….his only chance of salvation amidst the wreckage of his own existence.

**

Jin rested his cheek against the Blood Talons shoulder as the two rode through the back alleys of Tokyo, believing it might well be the last time for something so candid and unguarded…and all under the guise of safety. Hwoarang had muttered about the area potentially being watch by Mishima Heihachi’s men…that the back alleys might provide more cover to get between the motel and the Yurei district. The wind swallowed his next works but the Japanese youth recalled hearing something about Hwoarang being “more careful” this time.

The Korean looked over his shoulder with a quick motion, making sure they were not followed, he told himself, but in truth he wanted a glimpse of Jin with a cheek pressed against his shoulder. He was still angry, nestling himself behind the walls he created to protect himself…a barrier as quick to rise as the Blood Talon was quick to anger.

The two came to a skidding stop, back wheel tripping outward and Jin jolted upright from the force. They were back where it had all began, the Blood Talons apartment. The engine killed and Jin slowly rose off the back, his body still sore from the fight the day before and the events that had unfolded that evening.

Hwoarang drew his deadly legs over the edge and rose, striding to the door and unlocking it, waiting for Jin to enter before making sure the portal was secure. He did the same with his apartment door and tossed his keys back on the range.

“I have to hit a quick shower. Make yourself, well, at home.” the Korean said, walking past Jin for the bathroom. He was still avoiding looking into Jins eyes, afraid his walls might come tumbling down if he let himself drown in those dark pools.

Jin nodded and removed his jacket. He needed a shower as well, but he would wait for the Korean to leave before he freshened himself up. In the mean time, he sat himself down on the couch, holding his head in his hands, trying to absorb all of this into his system. No matter how he wanted to strike, it was always Heihachi who struck first.

**

Hwoarang stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around his waist, returning the razor and shaving cream to the bathroom medicine cabinet. He walked over to the bed, where everything from his army duffle was spilled, digging through it to find all the basic essentials. Deodorant, comb, fresh set of clothing. He had to reorganize all his shit, sooner or later.

He dressed, tossing the towel onto the floor in the bathroom till he came home later and could take the time to clean. Reaching into his dresser drawer, he withdrew a fist full of yen and a pack of cigarettes before walking into the living room, where Jin sat with his head in his hands. It was still too painful to look at the Japanese beauty.

“Here.” The Korean said, handing over the money in his grip. Jin looked up, not comfortable with accepting it and after a moment, Hwoarang tossed it onto the coffee table. “Pick up some food for yourself and get whatever else you need. Cant live in the same fucking clothes, day in and day out.”

Jin exhaled a thick breath. “When will you be back?” He wanted to say more but his lips just could not find the words.

“Don’t know. Going to the den. Then, probably out with Chang for some pool and drinks. I wouldn’t wait up.” The Korean said with an icy edge to his voice. He tapped the fresh pack of cigarettes against the inside of his wrist before withdrawing the cellophane, walking to the door, pausing a moment…at a loss of what else to say. “Oh. Make a copy of the key and don’t leave the door unlocked. Just be here when I get back since I am leaving you the only key.”

Jin listened without saying a word as the Blood Talon walked out, locking the door behind him. He was left alone in his world once more…a world where nothing made sense, no escape from the walls closing in around him. No escape from himself.