The First Crack in the Metal

**Chapter 18**
The First Cut of the Blade

“Jin, why the fuck is it so dark in here?” Hwoarang stumbled through the door, flooding the entrance with light from the hall. He could barely see a thing once he closed the portal behind him and tossed his keys to the counter.

“You fucking deaf and blind?” The Blood Talon belted out again when Jin did not answer, coming around from the dining area to find the Japanese youth kneeling before a single lit candle, meditating.

Jin turned his eyes up slowly, giving the outline of his orbs a crisp, fiery glint as he regained focus, feeling his Chi slowly drawing back inside his core. “I ran through some forms and was just finishing. I did not think you would mind.”

Hwoarang gave a slow smile. “Its kinda hot, you on your knees waiting for me.”

Jin could not help but flush as he looked up along the Blood Talons perfect body, taking in the play of candlelight flickering like a tentative lovers fingers against the fabric that guarded the Korean form before him. The glance had been appraising…as though the dominance he showed in the evening now battled with the submission he enjoyed prior to such. “How is Chang?”

“Improving. Still out of it, but hell, he’s a survivor.” Hwoarang tried to shoo off his concerns for his “brother” and exhaled sharply before that familiar glint returned to his eyes. “Got my bike back though. I bailed it out of impound. Guess Wulong isn’t so bad after all.” The Korean shrugged, sinking down to his knees on the opposite side of the candle. “So, what’s on your mind.”

“Just trying to make peace…with everything that has happened, asking for the strength to continue on my path…not unlike what you were doing in the Temple.” Jin said softly, the candle flickering gently as he spoke.

“Didn’t know I was being watched. I don’t really share what spirituality I have left inside of me…” The Korean sighed softly. “But well, there aren’t any real secrets between us anymore, are there Jin?”

Jin shook his head softly. “No.” He felt in that moment, chided like a child who had spoiled his dinner with sweets. “We are now, on even keel, Seung…”

Hwoarang knew there was more to be said….and yet, Jins lips were hesitant to give birth to the words. “What is behind this, Jin?” He asked as he slid down to his side, using his straightened arm to hold himself up as one leg folded in beside his chest.

The Japanese youth took in a deep breath, for a moment, the very life of the single flickering candle seemed to draw toward those perfect, petal soft lips. “My path is suddenly so unclear to me Seung. I do not know how better to explain it.”

Hwoarang quirked a brow, pursing his lips and nodding slightly before the light of the fire. “You gotta give me something more to go on here.” Amber eyes slid along the contours of Jins face. He recognized that pained, forlorn expression. It had been 2 years ago…the knock to his hotel room door….the knock that could be heard all around his world.

Jin breathed out quickly, as much from frustration as anxiety. The candle light flickered in response to the sudden rush of oxygen, feeding off the abundant source. “I can see only so much in the distance on this clouded path. I sense to fork right, is the action that keeps me happy..but unbalanced. It shows me the way that makes me forever run away from who I am…from my…well, Demons….and remain fearful of those who would pursue me…and fearful of myself and what I could become.” The anguish was draining on his spirit. Jin could feel the darkness around him like a thick shroud…like black wings made heavier by soaking rain. “I would be beside you. But I am running... Always running…from everyone…including myself.” Jin could almost hear the ground shaking at the pounding of boots upon earth…the fear of looking over ones shoulder, never truly free….always evading capture.

The Blood Talon lifted his pack of cigarettes from an overly tight denim pocket, tapping a cylinder out and leaning against the candle to spark the tobacco to life. He exhaled sharply as amber orbs focused half slit on the candle, envisioning this proverbial fork in the road. “And left?”

“Left…” Jin repeated and drew in vital breath. “Left is the end of the struggle. The destruction of the bloodline that ends with my own death…the quietness of no longer running….but instead, finally standing still.” The Japanese youth turned his eyes up to catch the glint of flame in the amber orbs that studied the fire. “The end of the tournament is coming…and this path is growing shorter step by step. To decide the direction is to tempt the fates….and failure to decide quickly can unleash the darkness inside of me, Seung.” Jin held his breath for a long moment. “For the first time in all of my life, I am afraid.”

Hwoarang closed his eyes as he inhaled pale smoke, caught off guard at the idea that Jin was ready to finish himself off, along with his family, to ensure the Bloodline was truly dead. The Blood Talon could feel the pulse of blood within him, the heady call that forced his adrenaline to release as though something inside of his blood was crying out to be saved…and it was not his voice requesting it. Hwoarang could see the path Jin described…with painstaking accuracy, a gift of his lovers blood. How many more gifts would there be?

“What are you afraid of?” The Blood Talon whispered, but he already knew the answers.

“That either way I chose, I can not win.” Jin said with deliberate speed as the revelations slowly dissipated. His purpose had once been clear and now it was darkened over till all he could see through the mist was his Korean lover….the beacon of light that heralded him to the fork in his path. That trusted light, somehow, seemed dim, tainted. “Either way I chose….it will take me away from you…faster or slower…the end result will be the same. I jeopardize myself…and fear that if I do not attend to Heihachi and Kazuya…they or I…could hurt you.”

Amber and Sable connected over the flame. The eerie, solemn flicker that echoed in Jins eyes spoke to Hwoarang…till the Blood Talon could almost see the demon whispering at him through his lovers gaze. “This is about last night, isn’t it, Jin?”

“Last night something…changed inside of me, Seung. It is as though the cage that holds my darkness…has loosened.” Jin bit the edge of his lip. A day of recollection had left him shamed of his behavior. Afraid of his own dominance and yet, craving more of it. “This epiphany…is foreboding.”

Hwoarang winced as he exhaled the blue tinged vapor in his lungs, for the first time finding it gave him no rush…no chemical euphoria as only nicotine could. “Well, that’s some sobering shit.” He snickered defensively to cover his own rising sense of concern. Whatever was triggering inside of Jin…was gnawing at him…like fangs on flesh…in more ways than one. Something inside of the Japanese youth was aligning itself with more than fate…it was as though the Devil…was making a concession in exchange for something…else.

“This has been my fear all along, Seung.” Jin continued. “That the web weaved before me would catch us both…and now that you know the secrets inside of me…and what choices lay ahead…you know why I have pulled you close with one arm and pushed you away with another.” Jin took a slow pull of breath, casting his glance down for a silent moment before returning to those amber eyes. There was something changing in Hwoarangs gaze…something that seemed almost..predatory.

“Do you think I am scared of you?” Hwoarang challenged as he flicked the ashes of his cigarette into the circular base that held the candle between them.

“You do not need to be. I am afraid enough for the both of us.” Jin sighed softly, trying to deflect the need in Hwoarang to prove himself over and over again, to rise to a challenge like a soldier to war. The Japanese youth was not sure which was more dangerous to balance…his own sudden shift that was creeping into him…or the Koreans’ dark ambition for bravado and Sadomasochism.

Hwoarang clenched his jaw, breathing in the smoke that circled him as he stood. “I told you once and I will say it again. What’s mine is mine and I don’t release anything I sink my claws into. You are not running away from me. Not now, not ever again.”

Jin felt the tension thicken between them. If the aura continued, a fight would ensue…a fight for nothing more than a fleeting feeling, a fear of future events and the foreboding forecast he could see behind his eyes.

The Japanese youth cracked his neck to the side as his eyes locked onto Hwoarang…an action that echoed the Koreans mannerisms more than his own. That gnawing feeling was returning to Jin…that sensation that spoke of darkness, somewhere inside of himself though he tried his best to cloak it. “I am not running from you, Seung.”

Hwoarang watched as Jin rose, his eyes following every familiar muscular twitch…as though he were a feral cat tracking his prey. The Japanese youth closed the distance between them, candlelight glinting off the remnants of sweat that cooled against his naked torso. Ebony tendrils clung to the side of Jins face and neck, making him a twilight apparition of forbidden desire.

Jins fingers slid up to the metal zipper that held the tight vest to the Koreans body. It hissed as it made its way to the end of its mating, giving breath and fires glow to Hwoarangs toned torso. “Whatever comes…never believe I further from you than this.”

The Japanese youths fingers slid against Hwoarangs neck, at the join of the shoulder. He felt his lover tense and cast his eyes to the flush that fell over the Koreans features as fingertips danced at the bite tendered area, still swollen from last nights feral attentions.

Hwoarangs eyes narrowed even as his hand dropped the burnt down cigarette butt he had been clutching to the floor, crushing whatever embers remained beneath his boot. Nicotine tainted fingers slid up Jins spine, into the mass of ebon tendrils that awaited him. “Pain…makes me hard.”

Jin felt the pressure at his spine, roaming up into his tangled mane. His free hand trailed down to the source of Hwoarangs heat…to find the words the Blood Talon whispered…were truth. “Receiving your pain…makes me hungry.”

The fiery Korean grasped Jin close to him, till his lover could feel the heat of his breath against his face. “Lets see how hungry I can make you…” Hwoarang groaned as Jins fingers danced against his denim bound length. He lowered his mouth slowly, feeling his lovers lips open….warm, slick muscle twining out into the cool air, seeking its mate.

Jin moaned into the mouth that met him, fingers pressing into the bite tendered place at Hwoarangs shoulder, just to feel his lover tense and arch into the hand that toyed against the denim length he craved. Jins thirsty mouth drank the hot wine of the Blood Talons lips…only increasing the desire to submit, even as the fires of hell began to rage beneath his skin, making the Japanese youths’ shoulders ache….the pain of wings thirsty for the air of flight.

“Have me…here and now…or I will be forced to repeat last nights events…just to see you sob with relief.” Jin hissed in shallow breath as Hwoarangs mouth released his own. The Blood Talons eyes narrowed at his lovers shocking words, half wanting to accept the offer but refusing to show his willingness to submit to Jins growing darkness.

“The only tears that will come will be when I make you beg.” Hwoarang hissed, grasping Jins obsidian tendrils with a gloved grip, forcing his lovers neck to bend to his puppetry.

“Seung.” Jin moaned as he felt a hot tongue torment the fresh flesh at the join of his neck and shoulder. It was teeth he wanted in his skin…and the desire for such darkness was as startling as it was frightening. His lovers dominance was calming the beast inside of himself.

Hwoarangs eyes shot up as though hearing an enemy in the midst, his laving tongue vanishing from his lovers skin. He listened, just past the heated breath that fled Jins lips…for the sound to come again. A series of knocks to the door echoed down the narrow hall, louder this time than last.

“Come on. Get off each other and let me in!” Came the familiar squeal from the outer hall.

“It seems we have company.” Hwoarang snickered and slowly withdrew his fingers from Jins feathery tendrils. “Wanna invite her to watch?”

Jin straightened his spine as his lover slowly withdrew the heat he craved for the sake of his sanity. “Don’t answer the door…don’t stop.” Please…save me….

The Blood Talon pursed his lips, even as the knocking grew louder, as did the voice that echoed into the room. “That doesn’t sound like you, baby. I think you’ve got a little too much of me in your system.” Or a little too much…demon.

Jin narrowed his eyes and forced himself to regain his breath. Hwoarang was right…this was not him..not him at all. What was happening? Why could he not seem to get control of himself… “Your right…we should let her in.” He said, only half meaning his words.

“Might want to adjust that Gi…your casting a shadow.” The Blood Talon gave that half cocked grin as he looked over Jins throbbing state. “God damn, I wanna break you open.” He licked his lips, giving Jin one more look before brushing a hand back through coppery tendrils, moving toward the persistent knock at the door.

Jin breathed out heavily, readjusting his desire as he watched the shadow of Hwoarang slip down the narrow hall…like prey evading his claws. Lings invasion felt like a threat…everything apart from Hwoarang against his body…felt like a threat.

The Demon was rattling its fleshy cage…the shackles…were breaking….

The Japanese youth slid his fingers into his hair, two hands rushing through as though trying to block out the sensations refilling within him. This moment felt like the last chance to regain himself…to have Hwoarang control what was building inside him, subjugate the darkness…by taming the body. What is happening to me?

**

Kazuya ran the tip of a long, manicured nail against the paper before him, scratching a deep line, repeatedly into the parchment. His breath was slow and controlled as his brow lifted to the suppliant who sat opposite his desk.

“You understand what this means?” Came the dark and yet sultry voice of the Middle Aged Mishima.

“Yes.” The voice that responded was crude and guttural in comparison.

“You will see to it that your former compatriot is found. His lure will assuredly bring Kazama Jin to his senses….to face me in the semi final round. Once I have what is mine…Mishima Heihachi….will cease to exist.” Old scores…are close to being reckoned.

Kazuya leaned back in the arm chair, drawing his fingers just beneath his chin in a bridge formation. The tracks had been laid in place….ready for the train to roll forward…and into his tactical clutches. “You understand the price for failing me at this capture?”

“Yes….Mishima-sama. I…I understand.” Came the soft swallow of breath and what little saliva left in Saatchi’s mouth. His life was the bargaining chip, that was the price of a deal struck with the devil…

“I want Hwoarang out of the way….and I want it to look…as sudden as it is violent. I want what is inside of my son to rise like a phoenix from the ashes. Anger is subjugation. Complete surrender is what I expect of Kazama Jin. Total obedience is what I expect from you.” Kazuya gave a cold smile as he looked once more to the tournament roster posted just an hour ago. If he had time, he would delight in the sweet torture of the Korean Gang leaders pleads for death. There were other matters to attend to…other pawns to move in this game.


“I will do as you ask.” Saatchi said, biting the edge of his nail, unable to look upon the ghastly face he recalled from the Den. Chang….poor Chang…unendingly loyal to the thug who called himself leader…refusing to stand down to the devil himself. What was he supposed to do, end up like the rest? No…Kazuya had spared him…and even now, he was thankful for his life and a chance to obliterate Hwoarang. It was the Blood Talons fault…it was Hwoarang who called up this beast…by indulging in sin with the son of a monster.

“Do well by me, Saatchi….and the reward will be great, indeed. Temper that with the idioms of failure…and do not flinch at the sword strike. My talons are sharper than steel.”

Shaking, Saatchi rose from the requested meeting and quickly moved to the door, his head down in anger and shame…in fear and hatred. His fingers lingered over the pocket of his jeans, where the cell phone and number were kept. The Korean Military…would soon know where to find their AWOL soldier.

Kazuya rose from behind the desk as a smile formed over his features as Saatchi exited his office. “What we want is now in our grasp.”

//A more perfect trap could not be set, than this well planned, well staged event. Kazama blood is weak and predictable, afterall.//

**

Ling was poised to pound at the door once more. She could hear voices inside, low and sultry…but this was far more important than the needs of the flesh. At least, from her point of view.

Hwoarang, vest undone, parted the portal with such a quick motion, Ling fell back a step. “Midget.”

“Oh god damn, you scared the life out of me!” The Chinese beauty responded with an exasperated growl, leaning in with a sudden open hand slap to the Blood Talons bare upper arm. “Don’t do that again!”

The Korean pursed his lips and quirked a brow at Lings sudden assault. “This better be important. Your interrupting what was the makings of a good hard fuck.”

“Totally gross.” Totally hot. Ling blushed and produced the paper she had been holding in her free hand, bringing the treasure up to Hwoarangs eyes, not a scant inch from his nose. “Tournament posting. Important enough?” She said with a half smile, half sense of indignance. “But if you don’t want to see it, I can go.”

Lings shoulders heaved and she turned on her heel. There was no real intention of walking away…just enough drama to make Hwoarang believe it.

“Stop your shit and get inside.” The Blood Talon snickered as Ling turned, pushing past Hwoarang…only to have the tournament posting list grasped from her hand as she moved.

“Hey, that wasn’t fair!” Ling huffled as Hwoarang closed the door, flipping on the light switch to illuminate the dark pathway into the living room. “I don’t know how Jin puts up with you, rude as you are.”

“I love your compliments, midget.” Hwoarang snickered, shaking his head to the side.

Ling rolled her eyes and walked into the living room, her smile reforming as she saw Jin seated on the leather couch in his Gi pants…fingers splayed through his dark tendrils as he held his head. “Hey Jin! Are you a sight for sore eyes. Where have you been hiding yourself?”

“Well, well. Seems like I get some revenge on the ol’ man. My match tomorrow is Mishima Kazuya…10am…and Jin here gets our boy Steve…9am. We can finish with these two and still have breakfast in bed. No cooking required.” Hwoarang said with a smile, folding up the tournament paper and stuffing it into his pocket.

Ling was not paying attention. Jin was so quiet, so still that the hairs on the back of her neck were standing on end. “Hey, Jin are you alright?” She said, leaning down onto her haunches, placing one hand on the Japanese youths knee.

Jin jolted slightly at the touch, the sound of his teeth grinding, instantly filled the room. “I am not well.” He said in a husky, dark voice.

Ling rose up and turned to Hwoarang. “Maybe we should make him some tea…he sounds incredibly gruff. Jin, do you want some tea?”

The Japanese youth exhaled sharply, his lips though barely visible, curled into a sneer. “I don’t want any fucking tea…I need something darker…heavier….sweeter…hotter.”

Hwoarang narrowed his eyes, even as Ling nearly blanched at the way Jin barked at her. Never had he said a single disrespectful word to her…and this was far more than she was prepared for. “I was only asking, Jin. You don’t have to be so mean. Damn it, Hwoarang, what did you do to him? He was never like this before….” she was cut off before her thought could continue…

“Go home, Ling. You are not wanted here.” Jins tone was softer but no less potent in the words he spoke. The battle was raging inside of him…and his shoulders were slowly starting to ache…

Hwoarang stepped in against Jin, brushing his fingers down his lovers naked back, drawing the Japanese youth to gaze upward. Chocolate brown eyes were leaking with molten silver…like droplets of mercury in dark water…

“Close your eyes, Jin.” Hwoarang said quietly before turning to look at Ling. “He isn’t feeling well…don’t take it too seriously, Midget. Thanks for the posting but you should get going…before he gets any sicker.” Its not a request, its a warning.

Ling was awash in strange sensations that mingled with her own indignance. Something was wrong with this scene and Ling hated nothing more than being lied to and disrespected to boot. “Well, to hell with you both then.” She gasped and turned on her heel, pausing a moment to see if either would prevent her leaving. When nothing was said, no movement made, Ling muttered curses beneath her breath in Chinese and she strode confidently, prideful to the door…slamming it behind her as she exited.

**

Jin cried out as Hwoarang drove pain deep into his body. Every thrust was an exorcism, each heaving breath salvation. Blood filled his senses, running in rivulets down the Koreans chest between the Half Demons stuck teeth.

Hwoarang held Jin captive to the floor to avoid further scratches from the talons that extended from the Japanese youths nailbeds. Sweat dripped from the Koreans forehead to his lovers skin as he pressed himself deep…hard into the gates of the Japanese youths body. Every sweet cry of agony only fueled Hwoarangs dark desire…till he could feel the demon inside of Jin retreating…

**

The Blood Talon stood in the kitchen, taking heavy draughts of water to replace electrolytes that had been so sorely depleted. His body was raw from the onslaught, his skin drained and replenished of vital blood…and though he savored the taste of Jin…it did nothing to vanquish the remainder of his thirst.

The Korean fished through the kitchen for something to eat, something to sustain the pain in his gut now that his lover was sated and sleeping. Sex had been like a deliciously painful crime scene…and his chest and back paid the price, gashed open and bloodied. Once he had sated his appetite, a shower would be in order…the longer he waited, the longer Jin would sleep, undisturbed…and the greater the risk of infection ran for the open areas of his flesh. At least he had learned something in the SpecOps unit of the military.

Grasping a jar of Korean pepper paste, Hwoarang withdrew eggs from the refrigerator…a bottle of oil and a frying pain from the cabinet. Protein was a requirement to help his body reassess and refunction….to heal the delicious damage devoutly inflicted.

Just as the Blood Talon began to prepare his fried eggs, a knock came to the door. The clock display said 11pm…only Chang would show up this late…and Chang was still in the hospital. That revenge would take place…soon enough.

“Open the door or I am kicking it down.” Came that familiar Chinese voice and the repetitive pounding of her fist that threatened to do just as she promised…or else, wake Jin along with half of the Yurei district.

“Fucking hold it down, Midget. People in this building work for a damn living.” Hwoarang growled as he flung the door open, meeting Lings angry flushed features.

“Where is Jin, we need to talk.” Ling said with a narrowed glance, pushing past Hwoarang to the kitchen. Only when she turned to face the Korean, did her angry features fade into something more akin to concern. “Oh my god, what happened to you? Are you alright?”

Hwoarang looked down his chest to the bite visible area of torn flesh, just above his heart. Dried blood clung to his skin in flakes…and when his eyes met Lings, the guilt for his act was more than visible.

“Jin did this to you? Oh my god that looks bad. We should get you to a doctor..you might need a tetnus shot or something! That could get infected…” Lings hand went to her mouth as her eyes clung onto the ghastly vision.

“Its alright…this will heal…” Hwoarang said with a slight stammer, not quite sure how to react to Lings sudden flush of worry. This debauchery had become a craving, par for course….but to the Chinese youths eyes, it was an angry wound made of hatred..not of lust and love.

“We really should clean that up!” Ling said, grasping the kitchen towel that hung on the handle for the stove, knowing it was probably never used. She ran the hot water and soaped the towel, ringing it out before the Korean could say a word. “Here, hold this against the skin….”

Hwoarang took the towel and did just that, not really knowing how to stop Lings concerned ministrations. It was touching…to see someone other than his gang..or Jin…care about him. “Really, its alright.”

“Why did he do this to you? What is wrong with him!” Ling said, with a gasp, forcing pressure to the area where Hwoarang held the whet soapy towel.

“Are you going to tell her…what we do in our bedroom…or anywhere else in this apartment?” Jins voice was soft, his words less menacing by the return of his placid tone…yet the defensiveness seemed to catch in the air and hang there like a corpse.

Hwoarang felt his lovers presence before Jin began to speak. “I trust you slept well, baby.” That slow, devious smile fell over the Blood Talons lips as he glanced over his shoulder to view Jins half clothed body…and in that simple view, his entire demeanor changed.

“Incredibly well.” Jin said, his sable gaze returned as he crossed his arms before his chest and leaned his shoulder against the wall of the kitchen.

Ling jolted in astonishment. She had not heard Jin approach…and now that he made his presence known from behind the Blood Talon, she could see a dark bite tendered area just along the inside of the Japanese youths shoulder. It too had been bleeding although the area seemed to be more healed than the mark on Hwoarangs chest. How was that possible?

“What..what is going on?” Ling said in a shaken voice, stepping back till she felt the chair in front of the breakfast table hit against her backside.

“Its just a little something private…between lovers…” Jin said as he pressed off the wall and drew up alongside of Hwoarang…protectively, defensively. His fingers reached for the towel the Korean had pressed to his skin and removed it…tossing it into the sink. “I take pride in the way it looks….”

“…and the way it feels.” Hwoarang completed the sentence and the sentiment as sienna eyes locked to his lovers gaze. It was as though Ling no longer existed when he held Jins eyes.

“This isn’t natural, Jin.” Ling said, even more shaken by the Japanese youths words and movements. The pride was echoing through the room for such destruction, such obvious pain….such…unbelievable acts. “Blood…your drinking each others blood!?”

“Nothing has ever felt more natural, Ling. Nothing has ever tasted so good, been so fulfilling as Hwoarang…his very life force running through my own.” Jin spoke though his eyes never left his Korean lover.

“The idea that something of Jin is always inside of me…” Hwoarang continued where Jin left off, the previous soreness and hunger replacing itself slowly with dark desire, rekindled.

“You both sound crazy! What the hell is happening to you…both of you!” The Chinese youth felt like the last person on earth that made sense. “Don’t you know how dangerous it is…diseases and illnesses, infections…your not vampires!” Her hand went to her pale face, the shock refusing to absorb into her skin.

“What we do is our own business, Midget. No one asked you to storm in here and start making judgments.” Hwoarang said in a dark voice.

“How long have you been doing this..” Ling asked, the fear still present in her voice.

“Again, none of your business. Now, you stormed in here all pissed off…don’t you have a piece of your mind to give Jin so you can get the fuck out?” The Blood Talon scanned his eyes over Jins body, that hunger building once more.

“Jin…something is very wrong with your aura…something is so very fractured, like a mirror that has been dropped. I have been sensing it since that night at the opening of the tournament and its gotten worse…its like your changing….and I am afraid..I am afraid for the both of you.” Ling said as tears welled into the rim of her eyes. Why did neither of them seem to see what she could see?

“Maybe its evolution. Maybe it is the way I was born and the way I am meant to be. What if it is strength and not weakness. What if I am finally aligned to my path.” Jin said, finally tearing his eyes away from Hwoarang, though the hunger was visible as his gaze ripped away. The sense of protectiveness and pride that surrounded him wanted to possess his beautiful Seung Roh…

“Maybe your just…losing your mind. Jin…you know this is not right…you know what you are doing with him is wrong…its blood Jin…its not meant for drinking, its meant for living.” Frustration was welling up with anger and fear, mingling deep in Lings chest. “Hwoarang…please…snap out of this…be the rational one for a change. Please.”

“What if it is meant for both?” Jin replied with a non chalance that was reminiscent of the Blood Talons demeanor rather than his own.

“I think you should go, Ling. I don’t think there is anymore to say tonight.” Hwoarang arched a brow, even as Ling began to move….her body stiff and her eyes strong on the two wounded lovers. He could read the concern…and he understood it…even if he did not want to.