Beginning Anew
Chapter 5: Approaching Storm Clouds
Beep, beep, beep, beep
Hwoarang moaned, lifting his head from the floor. What in the hell was that sound? Suddenly Jin shifted and sat up.
"Sorry Hwo. I set my watch to make sure I wasn't late for training."
The redhead yawned and stretched. "What time is it?"
"Five-thirty...a.m."
"Damnit Kazama..."
Jin chuckled. "I'm sorry."
Hwoarang wrapped his arms around Jin's chest, pulling the Japanese back down onto the floor.
"Everytime you wake me up at the crack of dawn you have to make out with me for five minutes."
"Yessir..." Jin chuckled, pressing his lips to Hwoarang's.
Ten minutes went by before Hwoarang finally let Jin sit up again.
"Here." Jin handed his watch to Hwoarang. "It's set for ten. That's when my bed and your mattress are being delivered."
Hwoarang moaned and snuggled under his blanket. "You people and making me get up early..."
"Poor Hwo. Has to get up two whole hours before noon. Boo hoo..." Jin teased, grinning.
The Korean gave a small kick to Jin's shin and growled something inaudible. Jin smiled, got up, and walked downstairs to his bedroom. He changed into a pair of loose black pants and a white cotton tank top.
"Bye Hwoarang!" He called as he passed the spiral staircase.
Hwoarang didn't answer, but Jin knew he heard him. Jin put his sneakers on and left, locking the door behind him.
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When Jin returned it was half past noon. He was stiff and sore all over. Elisa was a tough instructor but Jin knew she would live up to her promise of whipping him into shape. He walked into the kitchen to find a note on the counter:
Hey babe. I've gone out for awhile to check out the city. I set up your bed for you. I also dragged my mattress upstairs...do you know how hard it is to lug a mattress up a spiral staircase? My shins will never forgive me! I'll be back around two/two thirty. Whenever. -Hwoarang
Jin smiled. [He called me "babe"...]
Checking the city out didn't sound like a bad idea and a walk would help with his tense leg muscles. Since the approaching clouds looked like they were threatening rain, Jin put his new coat on and went out. He was only a few blocks away from the apartment when someone called his name.
"Jin!"
He winced, almost expecting Ling to come running up. But she didn't, it was Drina, Elisa's granddaughter.
"Hello Drina."
"Hey." Drina looked up at Jin, "Why are you wearing your hood up on such a sunny afternoon? Those rain clouds won't be here for another two or three hours."
"I cannot be recognized." Jin replied.
"Paranoid much?" Drina teased, smiling.
A small smile pulled at Jin's lips. "Yes. No one, not even Hwoarang, knows what my grandfather is capable of."
"I feel sorry for you. Heihachi Mishima being your abuelo and everything."
"My what?"
"Abuelo. That's 'grandfather' in Spanish. 'Abuela' means 'grandmother'."
"Oh..."
"You have an evil grandmother too??"
Jin shook his head. "I never knew her. She died giving birth to my father."
"Why do you still refer to them as 'grandfather' and 'father' if you hate them?"
Jin shrugged, "Force of habit I guess."
"Oh...well it was nice talking to yah. You're a good fighter. I was watching you and abuela this morning."
"Thanks. See you."
Drina smiled once more and scampered off, vanishing into the subway tunnel. Jin bit his lip, nervous. He hoped Drina would keep his and Hwoarang's identities a secret from her friends. The fighter looked up at the approaching clouds once more before continuing on.
Part Six |
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