The day was going very slowly so far, compared to how fast it seemed to go. Kechara wondered whether she should search for the sword yet, but decided against it as a group of Tekkenshu patrolled down the plaza. Tonight, she said to herself. After the date, I'll go home for an hour or so, then when things are deserted, I'll go. Kuni had hidden it in a difficult spot, and it would take some time before Kechara would have it in her possession.
Kechara dashed back to her apartment, glad that it was too early for Paul or Hwoarang. There was no sound coming from Ling's room so she must have been able to fall back asleep. Kechara was just about to open her door when she saw yellow eyes peering at her from across the the alley. Allison?
Kechara stopped what she was doing and slowly looked over her shoulder at the Canadian girl.
Allison blinked, then turned and dashed away. "Wait, Allison!" Kechara cried, and raced after the shadowy form, but was unable to catch up. She sighed, and went back to her room. She shut the door, fell on the couch, and, frustrated, yelled, "Why me?"
"Jeez, Kechara, you're a disgrace to the sleeping population!" Ling growled, standing in the doorway. "I'm up yet again, and I'm not even going to try to fall asleep a second time, because now, you're back!" She walked in a turned on the PS2. "I need Ridge Racer," she said, picking up the 1st player Dual Shock.
Kechara rolled her eyes. "Don't play much, eh?"
"Shut up."
"Jeez, you're such a bear this morning, thank God Panda isn't here or she'd get jealous." Kechara waited for a return volley.
Her only response was the sound of a motor revving and Ling muttering to herself.
----------------
Friday crawled to 8 PM, when Kechara met Jin in his office, where they waited for Ling and Law. Kechara wore her short black skirt and a dark red long-sleeved, low-cut shirt, and included her platform shoes in her ensemble. She had spent extra time on her hair, which had paid off; almost every strand was in place. She had snapped a copper necklace around her neck as she walked to the Zaibatsu building, and Jin had complimented her on it. He had admired her entire outfit, and squeezed her close when she greeted him with a hug.
Ling and Forest eventually arrived, arm-in-arm, both dressed nicely. The four sat and enjoyed a well-prepared meal over many laughs and wise-cracks.
Their meeting ended about 2 hours, then Ling decided to call it a night so she could get some sleep. Kechara had teased her about that morning but now that Ling was fully awake, she gave Kechara some fiery responses to her jokes. Ling stuck her tongue out as she and Forest left the office.
Jin laughed. "Oh, well, I just hope that you don't get up so early tomorrow."
Kechara suddenly remembered she was supposed to fetch the sword tonight. "Oh, no more early mornings again, jeez," she snorted, thenlaughed.
The CEO sighed. "Well, I suppose you'd better get back then. Don't need anymore office incidents like last time."
She patted him on the back. "I'd stay, but I'm not a Mishima," she teased.
He feinted indignance "Oh, so insult my family now? I never get a break!" He threw his hands into the air.
Kechara gave him a hug. "You'll live. You'd better."
"Oh, I think I can make it," he whispered and kissed her deeply. "Good night, sweetie."
"Good night."
Kechara left Jin and slowly walked back to her room.
"Must stay awake," she muttered, as she shut the door. "It's 10 now, so I have 2 or 3 hours to wait. Two or 3 hours..." She was still for a moment, then suddenly exploded. "What the hell am I going to do for that long this late at night?! Argh!" She fell onto the couch, crossed her arms, and screwed her face up in thought.
She was surprised by a light knock on her door. Wondering who it could possibly be, she got up and answered it.
Bright, gnger-colored hair and a hawk-like face looked down on her. Kechara was taken aback for a moment. "What the hell do you want?" she demanded.
Hwoarang leaned on the doorframe. "Hi to you too." He kept a serious look. "Can I tlk to you?"
Kechara arched an eyebrow, but let him in. "Want a drink?"
"No thanks." The Korean looked around her living room as he sat on her couch. "Nice place. I think i got gypped on the electronics," he said analyzing her ET center. "Damn..."
Kechara smiled then dashed into the kitchen to grab a Pepsi, hoping the caffiene would keep her awake. Se carried it back to the room then sat on the floor, leaning up against the wall opposite to Hwoarang.
Hwoarang wringed his hands. "I guess I just wanted to sa sorry for what I did during the match. It was kinda assinine."
Kechara had never known what to expect from the gangster, and this really took her by surprise. "Um, thanks," she sputtered.
"Yeah," Hworang said quietly. He fixed her with an intense stare. "Don't go around telling everybody I said that, cuz it ain't everyday I apologize for anything."
"I promise." Kechara kept her eyes on her Pepsi can, feeling extremely awkward. She could tell he was holding something back, and her senses were proved right when he stood up and walked over to her. He knelt so that he was at eye level with her, then slowly leaned toward her, eyes sparkling.
Kechara froze, then, mind thrown into chaos, turned her face away.
"Why?" Hwoarang demanded, taking hold of her chin and forcing her to face him again.
"Stop!" Kechata batted his hand off her face, and tried to push him away.
He put his arms on her shoulders and pressed up against her. "What the hell is wrong with it?" he stormed.
Kechara tried a new tactic and put her feet on his chest. "Because I'm too young to be just another lay!" she hissed, shoving him back.
Hwoarang glaared down upon her, his hands clenched nto fists. "Too young for a fuck, huh? Then what the hell are you doing with Jin? Why do you think he's being so nice and sweet with you? Huh?!" He crossed his arms. "He's a fucking Mishima! It's in his blood to go around screwing every woman in the area! You think you're special? He's just in it for a fuck or two!"
Kechara stood up and slapped him. "Asshole, how the hell would you know? You're probably just jealous because he gets more girls than you," she sneered, getting in his face.
"Jealous? Why the fuck would I be jealous?!" Hwoarang's cheek matched his hair and his temper. "He's a motherfucking prick! Yeah, I'm sooo jealous he fucked a Chang! Whoopie, that's so damn special. I think I'll just have to sit here and cry a fucking flood about it!"
Kechara had turned her back to his ranting but had whirled around to face him when he said Chang. "What?" she asked, not wanting to believe.
Hwoarang realized he had hit a soft spot. "Oh, yeah," he said, "Julia Chang. Jin told me last year. He said she coulda been a bit spicier but was fun nonetheless." He put on a halfway innocent look as he glanced at her. "Oh, I'm sorry, you probably didn't want to hear that. Oh dear, what have I done?" he said in a falsetto voice then snickered. "I gotta go. See ya around, bitch." He walked out the door, slamming it shut.
Kechara couldn't move. She stood frozen, eyes still on the door, fists clenched, and mouth slightly agape. No... A feeling of disbelief washed over her. It can't be... She finally unclenched her hands and blinked, feeling the rush of tears. Kechara closed her eyes and stood in place, taking deep breaths and forcing herslef not to cry.
He's probably just saying that to get to me...
Kechara felt dual strands of hot liquid stream down her face, then was suddenly thrown into a deep rage. She emmited a deep growl from the depths of her throat as she walked over and furiously flung her door open. Her dark eyes probed the alley in search of the Korean, then narrowed as he was seen walking quickly away.
Kechara wanted to race after him and beat the truth out of him, but felt her anger slowly being blocked from her mind. A strong feeling of intelligence and common sense sent her back inside her room.
What is happening to me? Kechara suddenly felt light and airy, and closed her eyes, feeling a slight air caress her face, her arms, her hair. She inhaled deeply and slowly exhaled out of her mouth. The light feeling disappeared and Kechara shivered, then opened her eyes.
Allison Huay stood before her.
Kechara suddenly went into a coughing fit, and held onto the end of her couch to stand. Allison watched her calmly, eyes glowing that peculiar yellow.
Taking another deep breath and holding it, Kechara ceased coughing and eyed the Canadian girl sharply. "What's going on?" she whispered.
Allison practically flowed to her, then put her hands on Kechara's shoulders. "You're to fetch the sword this night?" she asked in an almost disembodied voice.
Kechara eyes narrowed in suspicion, but Allison held up a hand in surrender. "Of course I know. And you'll need me if you want it. It doesn't matter how late you go out, guards are always posted." Her eyes shifted downward. "And I also need it."
"But-"
"No questions now," Allison breathed. She walked to the wall and stood. "You'll have to change. I advise you wear black."
Kechara scanned the dark girl's black vinyl Matrix-esque outfit and sighed, frowning. "I don't think-"
"Okay," Allison interrupted. "We're about the same size. Come with me. And don't wear your platforms." She started out the door.
Kechara quickly pulled on her dirty sandals and followed Allison down the alley until they reached the very last room. The girls quietly slipped into the apartment, which Kechara found housed none of the bright or rich colors the other apartments did. Either this drabness was Allison's taste or Jin had found little or nothing about her.
She followed the Canadian back to a dull bedroom, where Allison pulled open the door to a large closet, revealing sets of dark clothes.
"Mix and match," Allison said lightly. "And you can take your time. We have all night." She left the bedroom.
Kechara had never worn vinyl in her life, and decided not to try it tonight. She found a tight black tank top and some baggy black army-type pants and pulled on a pair of heavy combat boots. She decided that it would do (even though this whole thing seemed crazy) and returned to Allison.
A slight smile passed the older girl's face. "Not trying to tight stuff, eh?" she said, and Kechara shook her head grinning. "It suits you."
"Thanks." Kechara struck a momentary pose. "I think I like your wardrobe," she said.
Allison cracked the first full smile Kechara had ever seen on her. "It works," she said quietly. "We can go now if you like."
Kechara nodded. The girls exitted the apartment then stopped in a patch of shadows near the end of the alley.
"You remember Kunimitsu's instructions?" Allison asked.
"Yup."
"Good. Where are we headed?"
Kechara paused briefly to recall her sense of direction. "Straight through, I think. We have to pass through a gate near the main building."
Allison began slinking through the shadows towards the Zaibatsu main structure and Kechara followed close behind.
"Now which gate is it?"
"Um..." Kechara racked her brain, trying to remember Kuni's lecture. "The left one, I think."
"You think?" Allison turned her yellow eyes on Kechara.
She bit her lip. "I'm pretty sure."
"Okay, if you're wrong, we'll just have to come back." They advanced towards the left gate, which was guarded by four armed Tekkenshu.
"Here we go," Allison whispered. She picked a medium-sized rock up off the ground. "First, create a diversion." She heaved the rock a good distance from the gate, close enough to be heard but far enough to make the distraction worthwhile.
The two girls watched as a pair of the guards jogged off to investigate the sound. "I've got the one on the right," Allison whispered. They carefully crept closer to the two remaining guards, then sprang when their backs were turned.
Kechara launched into a flying kick and struck her guard square in the back of the head. He crumpled to the ground with a slight whimper then was silent. It hadn't killed him, but, thanks to her boots, he would be out cold for quite awhile.
Allison had paralyzed her guard and started running past the gate. "Come on, we don't have much time," she called quietly, beckoning to Kechara. They dashed a short way, then stopped. "Now what?"
"See that building up ahead?" Allison nodded. "I guess that's the back of the industrial park. The entrance is right where you can see it, but there's some sort of secret passage near it. Kuni said to look for a certain pattern that resembles the Tekken kanjis.
Allison nodded and they crept to the wall, found the door, and started searching for the passage. A shout sounded from the direction of the gate.
Kechara looked back and saw the figures of the Tekkenshu coming toward them. "Crap," she muttered and frantically searched for the kanjis.