Street Fighter [Part III]
Title: Street Fighter
Author: Sum3r
Length: OneShot/Divided into Parts
Pairing: HoRella/JaeMin
Rating: NC-17/R
Warning: MANY. No Joke. Be advised before you read this.
Disclaimer: Based off all those street-fighting action movies-like really.
For: Rose [Fic #1]
Summary: In underground street fighting, it’s all about survival of the fittest and the rising chance to be on top. When Yunho’s Sensei is brutally murdered and his brother is kidnapped by an unknown gang, he must now train himself to enter the underground ring in a desperate attempt to bring his brother back and the murderer to justice. But in a world where fighting is always the answer and revenge is the key, will Yunho have what it takes to make it throught?
Previous: [Part I-Blood Stains and Knives] [Part II-Hide and Seek]
[A/N]: Finally posted after so long ^^~
Part III - Training and Answers
The next morning, the same two security guards appeared by Yunho’s side as he walked into the building, but the other man was no longer surprised as he walked to the elevator with the guards behind him. Yunho had been told nothing of what was expected today, but being with his Sensei for over eight years and with the basics of martial arts imprinted in his brain, Yunho knew that somehow he was going to ending up fighting before he left.
So when the elevator dinged opened to Leeteuk’s grinning face, Yunho wasn’t surprised when the other man pointed to the white ring and told him that you have 15 minutes to get ready, show us what your Sensei taught you-
Whispers followed his as he walked down the steps and closer to the ring, whispers of I heard he was hand-picked by Takashi Sensei- Him? He looks so weak, even the younger Fighters can beat him- He’s going to Fight Kangin, did you hear?- My bet’s on that he’ll lose- Put my bet on the winning one-
When Yunho finally reached the stage and began stretching, a crowd had formed around the outer ring, a crowd full of Fighters, of trainers, of martial artists. Some were openly mocking him, some looking on with skepticism while others watched with interest.
Bets were placed and the stakes were raised high. If Yunho lost, he would be removed immediately, if he won, for the next six months, his life will be centered on one thing and one thing only-fighting.
Someone handed Yunho a roll of bandage. Flexing his fingers, Yunho wrapped the bandage around his knuckles as he checked out his opponent, a man larger and seemingly stronger than him. On one corner of the ring, Kangin stood relaxed, hands bandaged and body open.
“Ready rookie?” he said, tauntingly, as the match was declared started.
Yunho clenched his hand into fists as he got into his stance, shoulders back, body low.
“Bring it on bitch.”
Both men attacked first, Kangin with a punch to Yunho’s left, Yunho with a punch to Kangin’s right. Yunho ducked before the punch handed on his cheek however and twisted, foot high in a kick to Kangin’s face. Kangin blocked immediately with both hands and with one hand, grabbed Yunho’s foot, throwing the other man to the ground.
With the other leg open, Yunho arched his back and lifted his body up, kneading Kangin in the stomach with his knee, as Kangin released his foot, stumbling back. Without any hesitation Yunho attacked again, going for an uppercut, but Kangin grabbed his arm and at the last second, twisted Yunho so that the other man’s back was against his chest.
“Good, but are you good enough?” he said, near Yunho’s ear as the other man struggled in Kangin’s grip. Then, falling limp, Yunho leaned back against Kangin, giving him his dead weight. Kangin stumbled back again, and Yunho took his chance, vivaciously twisting around punching Kangin in the gut, before finishing the other man by grabbing him and throwing him off his shoulders onto the floor. Kangin crashed into the concrete ring with a thud, and rolled until he reached the corner, blood seeping from his mouth.
Did he just- That was Kangin, and he, he- I betted for the win! Where’s my money- A lie, beginner’s luck- He cheated-
“5. 4. 3. 2. 1…”
Yunho stood, panting, as Kangin got up at the 10th second, slowly, as the rest of the Fighters watched in silence. Standing up, Kangin wiped his bloody mouth, and walked towards the other man. Yunho stood still as Kanin approached, and when Kangin was a reasonable distance from him, Yunho bowed, a jerk of his head, in respect.
Kangin slowly smirked, acknowledgement in his eyes, acknowledgement of his loss, acknowledgment of the respect that was dutifully given, acknowledgement of Yunho, a better Fighter than him. “I guess you’re good enough.”
Kangin turned his eyes to Leeteuk, who was watching from the back, and when given a small nod, he slipped an arm around Yunho’s shoulders.
“Welcome to Haneul rookie.”
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It was tough; Yunho had always known martial arts wasn’t easy, but this was completely different from what he had gone through as a child. Fighting to him had always been a way of self-defense and protection, a test of individual skills. This was a more direct and crude way of fighting, using various techniques so that one could reach to be in the ring-and stay there.
As soon as Yunho was given his karate uniform, training had officially begun for him. Day and night, he would practice in the training rooms with several of the other masters and senseis. They would watch over him, as he struck the punching bags or karate equipment with full force, and tell him where he went wrong, or what he should do to get the maximum result.
There aren’t any rules in Street Fighting as there are in martial arts. You do anything to stay in the ring and defeat your opponent-and that’s how it’s been for decades.
Yunho’s entire diet was changed; a new eating plan was created by a strict dietitian that dictated every morsel he put in his body. He had regulatory tests done and every two weeks, matches were held between Fighters that Yunho was sent to participate in. He no longer had time to spend with his friends or go out and watch a movie, instead he trained his body learned how to punch better, kick stronger and last longer in the ring.
Ever since Yunho had defeated Kangin, he only lost one match in the first two months of his six-month training period. Stronger, he thought, when he lost the fight and walked out with the taste of defeat in his lips, I need to become stronger.
And he did. Yunho was quick to learn and fast to obey; he never disrespected the trainers, as some of the younger Fighters did, and taught himself at home over and over again if he couldn’t master that certain move, or how to break a fall with minimum impact. He continued to go to school, however, since it might become suspicious f you don’t attend your classes-but he was far from caring how his finals went or what his grade point average was.
Stronger. Strong enough to avenge him and find him, find him and bring him back where he belongs.
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It was during the third month, when Yunho’s shirts no longer fit him and his biceps became triceps, that news of his younger brother reached him.
Yunho went down on one knee, sliding one of his legs around him in an attempt to trip the sensei, but the sensei was fast and jumped, turning his leg into a kick that Yunho blocked, before reaching up, hand clenched into a fist. “Hi-yah!” It was his third sensei that month, the others telling Leeteuk that I’ve taught him all that I know-it’s no wonder he was Takashi’s pupil- and he was from the northern mountains of China, mastering in the Chinese martial arts and hand-to-hand combat. Leeteuk approached him in the middle of the fight, and with a flat tone and intent eyes, said,
“We have news of your brother.”
Yunho froze as the sensei took his chance, slamming Yunho down onto the tatami floor with a knee in his stomach. “Never,” he said, “let your guard down and become distracted. It’s one of the basic rules.” Yunho, standing up after a few short seconds, profoundly apologized and bowed to him as the sensei let him take his leave.
“Follow me.” He followed Leeteuk, heart pounding, hands becoming clammy, as his body shook. He felt as though he was about to throw up, as his throat tightened and a sick feeling flooded his stomach. “Is he…” Yunho’s voice cracked. He swallowed, before starting again. “Is he okay?”
“I said we have news, not the body.” Yunho took a deep breath as they walked past the rooms, an excessive amount of guards surrounding the offices that were pushed in the back.
“Have you ever heard of Kim Jaejoong?”
Yunho racked his brain, trying to find the answer. The past seemed so long ago that it had felt as though years had passed since the both of them had sat together and watched that old boxing match. “I think so…” he said slowly, “I’m pretty sure Changmin was teaching him Japanese.”
Then Leeteuk asked the question that he was truly getting at. “But you haven’t met him have you? Because I doubt you would’ve forgotten him if you had, and I really doubt you would’ve left your brother with him.”
Slightly confused, Yunho walked with Leeteuk until they reached one of the office door and with a smile, Leeteuk opened it, ushering Yunho inside.
The first thought that came across Yunho’s mind when he entered the air-conditioned room was that I should pay more attention to Changmin’s friends-
Jaejoong was sitting in the head chair, wearing a designer suit and covered in expensive furs. His hair was dyed platinum blond and several ear piercings decorated his left ear, his face set in an expressionless and cold way, much like the room he sat in with the air-condition blasting on full. He seized Yunho up as soon as the other man walked through the door, eyes unreadable.
He got straight to the point as soon as Yunho sat down, Leeteuk coming up to stand behind him.
“Changmin is auction #12586 and will be put on bidding in the black market in Southern Japan this coming Friday. He will be right after a famous Japanese painting and before a Chinese slave.” Jaejoong looked up at Leeteuk, continuing, “Siwon’s interested in the slave, so I’ll contact you when I have him in my possession.”
Yunho immediately jerked, but then catching Jaejoong’s calm eyes, he tried to steady himself, hands clenching underneath the table. “I…I-”
Jaejoong leaned back, legs crossing, “Concentrate on the Tournament Yunho, I’ll take care of this. And besides,” Jaejoong’s voice grew low, as he slipped a knife from his pocket. He toyed with it a bit, and with a slow fake smile, said, “I’ll take of Changmin and his persecutors. I already dealt with his kidnappers, of course.”
“Of course,” said Leeteuk interrupting, with a grin, “You were after all, one of our best trackers.” Jaejoong looked up from his knife to Leeteuk and smiled, an honest smile that lit up his face. Leeteuk’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he made no comment and stayed silent. Yunho’s hands were still tightly clenched and he made no movement to relax his body. His back was straight, his teeth clenched, fists curled. If I ever find out who did this to him…
Wait.
Yunho looked up, as Jaejoong opened his mouth immediately, guessing what he had to say. “They targeted Takashi sensei and your brother at the same night, thinking he was you. And like the stupid idiot he was,” said Jaejoong, voice harsh and slightly frustrated, “he took your name in hope to protect you. They found out and instead of killing him, they’re planning on selling him off.” There was a hard edge to his voice, as Yunho’s mind began to put things together.
[Flashback]
“You got a part time job?” Changmin nodded, as he opened the ramen packaged and slid it in the boiling water, mixing it with the wooden spoon. “It’s not really a job,” he explained, “I’m just tutoring Japanese.”
“And the person you’re tutoring? How old is she?” Changmin shook his head, as Yunho set the dining room table, getting out the bowls and chopsticks. “It’s a he,” said Changmin, “and he’s three years older than me.”
“Really?” Changmin nodded, “Yeah…” “Is he a friend?”
Changmin stopped stirring the ramen, as he stared at the boiling noodles, and thought about the question seriously. “Yeah,” he said, after long last, “he’s a friend. He’s different from anyone else I know, but yeah,” Changmin nodded to himself, “he’s definitely a friend.”
[End/Flashback]
Jaejoong looked around, as if seeing the office for the first time. “Where’s Heechul?” he said, sounding curious. Leeteuk smiled, moving from around the table to the back of Yunho’s chair, placing his hands on his shoulders in an attempt to relax him. “I think he’s still holding a grudge against the hamburger you stole from him.”
Jaejoong’s laugh was loud, but he completely sobered up after a few seconds. Placing a hand into his coat, he pulled out a folder and slid it in front of Yunho.
“Like I said, concentrate on winning the Tournament. I’ll take care of Changmin.” And with a nod to Leeteuk, Jaejoong was gone, causing the tension in the room to be easily lifted. Yunho’s body relaxed, but his mind was full of thoughts on his brother.
Sold. Auction. My name. Changmin. Alone. Scared.
“Well?” Yunho knew Leeteuk was testing him, a different sort of test, but one nonetheless. He replayed the scenes over in his mind and thoughtfully analyzed them.
“He’s like a cat,” he said finally, “he’s someone who would purr and stoke your leg, and then a few seconds later, bite you when you least expect it.”
Leeteuk smiled a knowing grin, as Yunho continued to stare at the empty seat. “Good,” he said, leaning over from behind Yunho and dropping his hands from his shoulders, “Sensei taught you well.” Yunho nodded, accepting the compliment for his late sensei.
Leeteuk leaned forward, as he flipped open the folder and spread out the papers. Four pieces of paper, each with a particular man’s full autobiography, starting from his birthday to when he joined the Hangeshi and down to where he was last found and what hospital he currently resided in, was typed up and carefully detailed. Leeteuk was skimming through the papers when Dr. Li Yin entered, handing him the latest statistics on his Fighters. Her eyes fell on the papers as she too skimmed them through and as she looked up, she raised an eyebrow, coolly meeting Leeteuk’s eyes.
“He’s gotten softer,” she remarked, as Leeteuk took a hold of her papers. He nodded, “I think so too…back then, he would have done worse without a second thought.”
Yunho’s head immediately jerked up, and Leeteuk didn’t have to turn back to his shocked face. “It’s fine,” he said, as he flipped through the stats, “If he wanted your brother killed, Changmin would have been crying in his grave long before now.” He put the papers back down on the table, and Yuho caught a glimpse. ‘Severe concussion, three broken ribs, paralysis of left leg, three months recovery… His eyes widened as he skimmed through, the list of injuries going on, and on…
Leeteuk thanked her and turned around, beckoning Yunho to follow him with a finger. Yunho stood up, cautiously and wearily as he felt no regret for those who kidnapped his brother, and followed Leeteuk as the older man led him through the office and into the main floor. They walked past the doctors, the businessmen and the Fighters who were training in either hand-to-hand combat or using punching bags and other Fighters.
“You are good, Yunho,” said Leeteuk, as they walked past the training rooms, “and you have a shot at winning the Tournament than any other Fighter in here, and these men have been training for years.”
“…but Jaejoong was our best.” Yunho said nothing as he walked behind him, watching his back and he pondered over Leeteuk’s words. “He was different too, his fighting style, his techniques, the way he presented himself-completely different from you. We had picked him from the streets, like many of our others, and he…he was crueler then, and attacked without remorse. But he had also won the Tournament twice, and was guaranteed a third win when he happened to cross paths with a college student excelling in Japanese on one of his trips back to Korea. Things happened…and Jaejoong quit, deciding to have his own place and work ‘somewhere else’ he said.”
“-Can you?” said Yunho, and when Leeteuk looked back with a questioning glance, he asked again, “Can you quit?”
“If you win the Tournament, hold the title and forfeit the money, then yes, we will let you go and you will no longer have any ties with us. Of course, once you leave, you can’t come back. Jaejoong was the first to leave, Kyuhyun shortly leaving thereafter…”
Kyuhyun. The loner. Yunho’s mind flashbacked to the dark eyes and clear cut face of someone he had met once, someone Changmin had introduced him to at their college fair, but he mostly kept to himself except for that time when he saw him with his half-brother who-
His eyes widened, and he gave an audible gasp, frozen to the spot as he realized who it was.
[Flashback]
“But sir, he didn’t make and appointment, and I’m sorry, you have to leave-”
[End/Flashback]
“Yes, Kyuhyun…I’m sure you met him once or twice? He was an exception to our rule since he paid the full payment in advance…I believe he and your brother go to the same college? And you’ve already met Ryeowook, his half-brother, who works with Siwon-”
When Yunho said nothing, Leeteuk smiled, “The world’s smaller than you think Yunho, and everyone has their own story.”
There was a short pause before Yunho spoke again, “And Jaejoong, didn’t he-?”
“Jaejoong left over a year ago, because of your brother most likely, but since he has close ties to this group, and the people in it,” his tone become slightly warmer, “he comes back once in a while. It’s the first time he’s gone to such lengths on someone else before,” voice thoughtful, “and it almost seems as if he’s reverted back to his old self.”
Yunho swallowed, clearly troubled by everything happening around him. He never told me. I didn’t know-About Jaejoong, that Changmin knew this place, that-He could have been in trouble, but he never said anything. Told me he was a ‘friend.’
“But he is right; Jaejoong will take care of it, and I’m pretty sure your brother would have told you if he was in serious trouble,” Leeteuk said, as though he read his mind, “and as of right now, your brother is in safe hands. He’ll contact you when he finally has a hold of him. In the meantime, as to not let this happen again,” they stopped at the elevator, Leeteuk turning around to face him, “I need you to concentrate on the Matches. We’re losing time, and they’re losing patience.”
Yunho searched his eyes, feeling sick in his stomach as the events played out. A part of him wanted to return back to the time when it was just him and Changmin, sitting and laughing about something or other. Now…now Changmin was somewhere in southern Japan, and he was training to fight in a Tournament where he might not come back out alive.
“Why?” he said, softly, more to himself than Leeteuk. Pieces were falling into place, fitting together like a tightly knitted glove, but there was one loophole missing; there was something that Yunho couldn’t fully grasp on to. “Why…do this?”
“Power comes with a price, and you know that as well as I do. You…were never supposed to be taught any of the arts.”
Yunho only stared at him, finding the truth behind his serious eyes. “The reason why Sensei lived in your little town was because he was ordered to do so. His pupils began interfering with the series of paid and betted-on tournaments, where the final victor was already announced before. After swearing on only teaching the basics, Sensei, may God rest upon his soul, took you on and taught you everything he knew before they found out and killed him. The knife you chanced upon was an accident, but it is, or was now, your choice to come here and finish all of this.”
Yunho looked away, heart heavy. He faced the metal door, seeing the warped reflection of himself staring back at him. “Will it? Will this finish all of it?”
One word, one answer. “Yes.”
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“Yunho-ah?” The apartment owner knocked on his door, “Yunho-ah? Are you in there?”
As he continued knocking, a door a little further down the hallway opened, as an older woman stepped out, trash bag in hand. She looked up and saw the owner continuing to rap against the door without any response.
“Sir…” she began, as he turned towards her, seeing the saddened expression on her face. “Yunho is going through some difficulties now…he’s lost both his brother and a close family friend.” The owner turned back to the door with a perplexed expression, “…and he’s not home yet?”
Down the empty hallway and past the silent kitchen, Yunho curled up in his comforter, pulling it closer to him as he sat in the corner of his room. All the lights were turned off, and as he lay surrounded by darkness, he closed his eyes against reality that he had to face come the morning. As an older brother, he had failed Changmin; as a pupil, he had failed Sensei, but he would not, under any circumstance, fail this and lose the only thing left that would give him back his pride as a man.
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[A/N]: Heechul and Yunho will finally meet the next part and it's all going to be about them now. ^^~
Kyuhyun and Ryeowook have their own story Familial Ties which should be posted soon (i wanted to make it short....but now it's like 20 pages and growing...)
Thank you for reading <333