After being dragged home- for the second time- Mina was now fated to marry the idiot son of the Kim family. She knew that, even though he claimed to love her, it was a major power move: the Kims would own the Seung dojo when Han Myong passed away. This added fuel to the fires of her frustration, which were already burning within her during her training. Added to these were the news of the conflict between Japan and Korea, the freedom of life outside of the school, and a thirst to not only prove herself, but to gain her independence. So she set out once again. However, she was not without some sense. Mina had seen the true face of Soul Edge, and not once, but twice... It seemed that she was now faced with the lingering doubt that she could ever love Hwang... thus, she gave in, and vowed to get over him. She delved further into her training, using it to fend off the many men who made an attempt to court her. During this time, an aspiring student had risen to the same plateau as Hwang himself. However, much to Mina's enjoyment, he had been refused a challenge, just before Hwang left. As he worried over the matter, Mina approached him with the White Storm, and told him to search within its mirrored depths for an awnser to the situation. She didn't think he would act on it... Now, she was obligated to go after him, intent on saving him from the oblivion that she had thrown him into. However, her own heart longed for years gone by.. and the young woman who had definitely had a lasting impact on her life. Was she in love with the freedom.. or the girl that had become a woman? After asking her father for permission, he had somehow accepted the decision. Overjoyed, she began to prepare herself for the journey. Unfortunately, she would be leaving in a different disposition by the end of the night... Chapter 1: Frustration and Freedom ________________________________________________________________________ "You're all idiots! Nothin' but a bunch of money-hungry jerks!" shouted Seung Mina as she stomped out of her father's presence. Just the day before, she had run into the eldest son of the Kim family, who was trying to convince her to settle down... and with HIM, to her disgust. Hearing the racket- and the resounding slap to the face afterwards- Han Myong began to scold his unruly daughter. "Now, look! I've tried to be reasonable with you... But I've lost my patience now! Can't you-" Mina immediately interrupted with "'Be a normal girl'? Yeah, sure! Look! They've lost their sense of self-worth... Their pride and honor! If I have to change the way I look and act to make friends, then it's not worth it! Besides, this guy only wants the school, not me!" Shocked, her father shot back with "Can you prove this?" "Humph! even if I could, you'll never listen to me! You never do! I don't know why I even bother!" And with that, she stomped away. All things considered, she was treated with more respect as a child. She began to remember the days when she was younger, and such things did not bother her. 'I had friends, a life, and my father's respect. Even Hwang paid more attention to me back then. I used to want to be just like him... strong, agile, and a great fighter. I think... I loved him. But then I grew up... and they acted like I didn't exsist! And now I'm some prize to be given away! I used to cry... but now I don't! I'm not a kid anymore!' Her thoughts finally became words... "I'm not some baby that can be pushed around! I'm a woman! A warrior! I've got the right to go where I please!" And all this was said while packing her worldly possessions in a bag. However, her father was listening in on this dialog... And decided to do what he thought he had to. He locked the door. "For your own good..." "No!!! I'm NOT gonna be in here forever, y'know! HEY! You hear me?" He didn't, for he was already gone. "Awwwwww CRAP! What am I supposed to do NOW?" Mina franticly looked around for an answer... And found one. "'Be a good girl'. Yeah, right! I'm not really gonna stick around for this nonsense." She got to work on the lock. "Even if it takes all night... I'm getting out of here!" And it did, in fact, take all night. But nonetheless, Mina was rewarded with an unlocked door. "I got it! Now to finish packing up..." She was, of course, talking about her Scarlet Thunder, the mighty blade that had served her well during her last outing. Now, it was probably locked away in the treasure room, along with the other treasure swords, White Storm, and Blue Thunder, which was in Hwang's possession. Looking at the empty space made Mina think of him... And it angered her. "Good riddance. I never want to see Hwang again." She took hold of her weapon... and was reeling in pain. "Wh... What's this about? It burns... why?" As she pondered, a voice rang out in her head... 'It begins.' "What? Who are you and what are you talking about?" Silence... "I need more sleep... Wait, no I don't! I've gotta get out of here!" Mina cautiously approached the weapon, and as she approached, she heard a pulsing sound. "What's this? A heartbeat... but it's not me! Then what..." 'You are afraid, are you not?' "Hey now, I'm not scared! Who do you think you are?" 'I am the presence within every warrior. Therefore, I know you better than you know yourself.' Mina, who was obviously confused, as well as frustrated, tried to retrieve her weapon, and was burned again. 'Humph. I knew it.' "Dammit! How am I supposed to-" Mina was silenced by the voice. 'I trust that you don't have time to waste.' "That's right! I've gotta go, NOW!" 'Then calm down.' "Huh? How's that supposed to help?" 'I leave it up to you.' "Wait!" Silence again. "How weird..." However, she was already beginning to calm down. Mina quickly remembered her training from Kong Xiquaing... and began to let her mind wander. She thought of her time away from home... the battles, the adventures, and the freedom. She had learned many new things during her travels, including how to focus the energy within her soul. She had never tried this technique before, but she still knew how. She took a deep breath through her nose, and gathered her energy. She guided that energy to her left hand, and in doing so, reached her hand toward the weapon... and gripped it. 'Gone... the pain is gone!' "Ha! No sweat! Now I can leave." As mina approached the gates, she noticed that the guards were sleeping. "If father saw you like this, he'd be SO mad!" at this, the guards woke up. "You hear something?" The other guard said, rather sleepily, "The wind. Why?" "But, I thought..." The guard scoffed, saying, "Heh! 'You thought', huh? Right..." Mina had already cleared the wall. ________________________________________________________________________ -End- I dedicate this to Lemon Master, my inspiration. Those great stories are what fan fiction should be! Thankx, man! - Next Chapter - Mina begins plotting her course for destiny. Yet she soon finds out that the world has changed, and she cannot fight alone... fortunately she finds an ally in an old friend. And this meeting will change her fate...Forever.
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