*
youshi
Lee Chaolan stretched his muscles, alone in the dojo at the Mishima Zaibatsu. His opponent would be joining him in just a few hours, time the Silver Devil would use to his advantage. Honing his Ninjitsu skills, Lee practiced his forms and combinations against an invisible version of Heihachi. The strength of his convictions and the willingness to walk the path of right action for his adopted brother, Kazuya, were powerful allies working in Lee’s favor. Chaolan had cold cut the cocaine binging, opting instead to force himself to sleep and let his body catch up on the rest he so desperately needed. By 3am, Lee had slept nearly 14 hours and felt exceptionally refreshed. He let his body soak a bit in his bathtub before heading to the dojo to make peace with his mistakes.
In the midst of his pouring sweat, Lee forged victory over his demons. His Tekken was strong. It had been too long since he last felt the true exhilaration of his own energies awashing through him, dripping into the ancient and respected art of Ninjitsu. It had been too long since he let himself see past his ambitions to realize the strength that surrounded him. That strength and forgiveness had once again been found beneath Kazuya’s kiss.
Lee stopped a moment, dropping his form to take a much needed breath. He reflected the intimate kiss he and Kazuya had shared, both verging on the bitter edge of sorrow. It had not been the first sensual contact the two had ever shared, though it had been the most emotionally significant. Lee Chaolan had an intense reputation with the ladies for sexual flamboyance. Kazuya was much the opposite. Although his love life was a private issue, Chaolan knew Kazuya to be only interested in women, much as Lee himself had always been. Yet, the Silver Devil could not dismiss the attraction. Kazuya was the very symbol of power and control as Chaolan had always been notorious for his beauty. Although they often considered themselves as brothers, the fact remained, they did not share either blood or surname.
Lee Chaolan owed no loyalties to his adopted father, Heihachi Mishima, for that matter. For all the time Lee had been a member of the Mishima Family, he was eternally treated as a guest, a secondary citizen to one of the wealthiest, most cursed families in all of Japan. For what Heihachi had given to Lee; a nice home, fine schooling and insurmountable wealth...the old man had also taken away from Lee his self respect, honor and sense of right and wrong. The scars left on the Silver Devils psyche, though not as visible as Kazuya’s bruises had been in their youth....still bled deeply from within. Chaolan had spent his life defining the fine line between self indulgence and self destruction. But Heihachi’s voice did not raise above a whisper when Lee did not come home for countless nights on end, or when his teenage adopted son would walk about the house nursing blood tendered nostrils, or donning the sunglasses from a killer hangover. But should Kazuya fail to follow an appropriate spirit shout during a particular inane form, there would be bruises to mark the occasion. Lee was never even offered the chance to learn Heihachi’s ancestral form of Karate. Always, Chaolan regarded that as a direct distinction within the house, a proverbial slap in the face.
In retrospect, it seemed petty and foolish to need attention so desperately that he would push the envelope just to find the nerve to strike the punishment. The only and slight sense of encouragement Heihachi ever gave his adopted son was in the areas of ambition. There was a sly, killer instinct Heihachi Mishima had seen in the Korean youth and he fostered it, sending Chaolan away to school to acquire the knowledge he would need to run the Zaibatsu. Or so the old man had said to him. Hind sight, Chaolan understood he would never come to manage the Financial Empire. Though he possessed the charisma, the knowledge and the contacts, he was not of the required blood to fulfill the task.
A soft voice, barely above a whisper washed through the dojo. Lee turned slowly, glancing just over the fine line of his shoulder. “A little early for you, isn’t it, boy?”
Chaolan wiped his brow with the back of his forearm. “I need to speak with you about Kazuya.” His eyes set firmly on the figure of Heihachi Mishima. The old man had come to fight, dressed in his ceremonial gi. Even for his age, Heihachi looked impressive.
“We have nothing to speak of, the plans are already in motion. There is no salvation for Kazuya Mishima.” Heihachi crossed his massive arms before his chest, glancing coldly to his adopted son.
“Well, I disagree.” Lee stated flatly.
Heihachi raised a high arched, graying brow. “You are treading dangerous ground, boy. Do not stand in my way or you will not be pardoned from the destruction of my wrath.”
“You will no longer plague our lives, old man. I stand united with my brother.” Lee hissed, narrowing his eyes.
“You, who sold Kazuya so quickly for the price of your ambition...dare to speak of loyalties. You have no honor. You were brought into my home as a test to break my sons will. There is no bond but that of hatred between you. Now, Stand down, or you will be my next opponent.”
Lee slowly drew himself into a perfect fighting stance, his eyes, unwavering. “I AM your next opponent, Heihachi Mishima. You want Kazuya? You will have to get to him through me.”
“Boy, you have no idea to what you have gotten yourself into. You are weak..your Tekken is weak. Are you so quick to part with your head, Chaolan. Then so be it!” Heihachi growled, his fighting stance, flawless as lightening coursed up along his arms. The current forked and crackled sickeningly, the thick scent of burnt ozone singeing the aire around him.
Heihachi rushed forward, surging to life as his fists reached outward in a simple flash punch combo. Lee Chaolan blocked easily, forcing the old man to use a poorly timed Demon Slayer consisting of 2 high punches and a final connecting around from the back.
With a growing smile, Lee drew into a series of rave war combination punches, swinging his shoulder wide to connect the last rush of his fist, the weight from his hip adding to the sting as Heihachi nearly failed to block. Taking his advantage, the Silver Devil easily drew his form into Shaolin Spin Kicks, his right leg connecting with the old man as the left drew forward and finally to the right leg again.
Heihachi waited for the moment Lee Chaolan would regain his footing, distributing his weight more evenly on the expanse of both legs as he reached in and grasped Chaolan for the neck breaker. Lightening surged from his forearms through the silver devil.
Lee winced as he felt the pressure tighten around his throat, pushing his adopted father backwards as he released the damaging hold, both hands pressed palm down on Heihachi’s back.
As the old man turned to face a crouching Lee once more, the Silver Devil surged upward with the back flipping Rainbow Kick. His airborne legs connected under Heihachi’s chin, forcing the elder Mishima to roll from his back on the floor to once more draw to a stand on his feet in a half crouched position.
With a growl, Heihachi charged his adopted son, anger coursing through his veins as Lee Chaolan moved in for the next combination, caught in the raising force of the Twin Pistons. A left-right combination of upward moving punches doubled Lee over, as the elder Mishima drew his strong muscled legs into a Left Splits Kick.
The silver Devil forced himself into a roll beneath Heihachi Mishima’s legs, coming to a shaky stand behind him as his right hand grasped for his opponents left arm, drawing him into a throw he titled the “Lee Harassment.” Twisting the left shoulder cruelly, drawing the old man to the ground, Lee stomped his right leg into the twisted appendage, driving his heel into the shoulder blade. As his own arm pulled back on his opponents captured extremity, the force of his weight from his twisting heel along the Elder Mishima’s shoulder blade caused a horrible bone crunching sound to fill the dojo.
“Come on, Old man. You can do better than that!” The silver devil uttered a sadistic, mocking laugh as Heihachi screamed. Releasing the hold, the elder Mishima rose to a stand, his left leg swinging out as a spinning right caught his adopted sons legs, sweeping them out from under him in a Hell Axle.
Lee crashed hard into the floor, wiping trickles of fresh crimson blood from the corner of his mouth before drawing to a stand. Heihachi was like a tiger, cold and caught in the blood lust grip of the Hunt.
With impossible speed, Chaolan rolled to a stand, instantly grabbing Heihachi in by the shoulders, his left knee connecting with a Knee Smash, sending his opponent to the floor. As Heihachi drew himself upward, Lee wasted no time, going in to connect a 5 rapid jab combo, his fists grazing the old man as he barely managed to deflect the quick blows.
With rising fury, Heihachi jolted forward, catching Chaolan off guard. His left hand hitting with a Hammer Punch as his right pressed to full extension in a Power Punch, connecting with Lee’s ribs. The silver devil flew onto his back, clutching his ribs as the force of the blows connected. The elder Mishima surged forward, his fist connecting the Demon Uppercut. The crackle of lightening awoke Lee Chaolans’ senses as the Silver Devil barely managed to duck to the side of the charged punch.
Abolishing the pain echoing through his ribs, Lee fell into the lightening fast Triple Head kick, each connecting along the side of his opponents head as Heihachi sought to avoid the contact. The window of opportunity opened as Lee charged his own power punch, his right hand glowing with the purity of his Tekken. Heihachi met the ground, hard, wincing in pain. Lee wasted no time, hopping up with a bent knee and forcing himself into a Spinning Slide Kick..his legs connecting with the elder Mishima, pushing him back along the floor. The Silver Devil arrogantly back flipped to a standing position, giving his injured step father the come hither finger.
Heihachi released a spirit shout as he moved with lightening speed, a Heavy Power Punch connecting to Lee Chaolan, sending the arrogant boy to the floor, doubling over. With a sadistic smile, Heihachi flipped his body up and over, into the Demon Scissors, his weight smothering Lee on the impact as the Elder Mishima’s legs crashed against the back of Chaolans head.
Rolling to a stand, Heihachi grasped the Silver Devil by the shoulders, bringing him into a Jumping Power Bomb. Chaolan cried out as his back connected hard with the floor of the dojo. Slapping his hands together, the lightening coursed once more and Heihachi drew his left leg up, stomping down hard onto Lee Chaolans’ knee cap.
The crunching sound echoed through his ears as the Silver Devil grasped for his shattered knee, the pain clouding over him with a growing intensity. In an act of complete desperation and foolish strength, Lee harnessed the force of his Tekken and defied his own understanding of power by coming to a shaking stance. Heihachi’s eyes grew violent and wide, he had underestimated the strength and will of his adopted son. A mistake he would soon remedy as he drew his body to the ready.
Lee harnessed the last bastion of his strength, knowing that should he lay there in subject to Heihachi’s control he would be awaiting Kazuya on the other side, torn from his own existence. In a last ditch effort to end the fight, Lee drew himself into the Silver Cyclone, his power charged Left jumping Kick.
Heihachi grasped the Silver Devils leg, throwing him down on the ground. The back of Chaolans head hit the dojo floor as his eyes caught the last glimmer of true focus...Heihachi Mishima, his adopted father drew his leg up, forked with lightening....and stomped down onto Lee Chaolans remaining knee cap.
The shatter of bone was a softer sound than the collapse of his soul. His scream echoed the dojo walls as Heihachi glared down at him with blood lust in his eyes. “Do not defy me, boy. Take those last words to your grave.”
The judge, horrified at the sheer cruelty of one man declared the fight over. But Heihachi was not yet finished.
Heihachi lifted Chaolan by the silver tendrils of his long bangs, forcing Lee onto broken knees. The Elder Mishima’s hand came down in the Lightening Hammer, the forking electric current eager for blood.
A hand grasped hold of Heihachi Mishima’s, caught in mid swing as Chaolan fell over, his broken knees unable to support his body weight. Lightening flickered through the eyes of the Elder Mishima as he met the intense glare of the King of Iron Fist.
“You will do no more damage today, old man.” Kazuya hissed darkly, his hand clenched over the angered fist of his father, both appendages shaking violently in rage.
Heihachi growled, trying to control the flares of hellfire raging through his spirit. “You have broken the rules of the Iron Fist and interfered in the match.” Kazuya would not release his hand from over top of Heihachi’s. “The judge declared this match over, old man. If you take Lee Chaolan’s life, now, you will forfeit your right to compete.”
Heihachi slowly lowered his hand, composing himself with a slow drawn breath, his eyes boring into Kazuya’s till he could see his own reflection from within his blackened depths. “Then so be it. The life of your brother is spared. He is weak. His suffering is only now beginning.” The elder Mishima turned, a gleaming, half crazed smile drawing over his features. “Should you defend your title and succeed, you will be mine, boy.”
“All in due time. First you must battle the winner of the next Semi Finals match, this very afternoon. If you are then triumphant, we shall see for whom the bell tolls.” Kazuya drew his lips into an arrogant half smile, the scent of his confidence lingering like fine perfume in the aire about him.
“Let us see if you will pose more of a challenge than he did” Heihachi motioned to an unconscious Lee Chaolan laying along the dojo floor, his legs bent at an odd angle beside him.
Heihachi turned, bowing to the judge and then, bowing himself out from the dojo....a psychotic grin across his upturned mouth. Kazuya waited till he could see the last glint of his fathers graying hair disappear into the shadows outside the dojo before he turned, kneeling at Lee Chaolan’s side.
Barking to the judge to get the paramedics, Kazuya drew his hand softly down against the side of Chaolan’s cheek. Kazuya whispered to him, slowly rousing him from the sweet arms of blackness. “Lee, can you hear me?”
Chaolan turned his head slowly, his face hidden beneath long tendrils of molten silver hair. With eyes cast in the deep cauldron of pain, Lee’s voice cracked, sending trickles of blood from his mouth. “Forgive me, Brother, I have failed you....”
“The ambulance will be here soon enough, everything will be alright...”
“I can’t move my legs....Kazuya....I can’t move my legs!” Lee’s eyes went wide with fright as he summoned all his strength to move his mangled extremities. Kazuya pressed him back softly with the inside of his palm, closing his eyes slightly as the realization of what Heihachi had done to Chaolan washed over him. Kazuya had just come from the CEO office downstairs to check on the status of the match, when he could then see Heihachi setting Lee up for the death blow. A moment later and Lee Chaolan would have been a disembodied soul, free of the trappings and pain of shackled mortality. But now, it seemed Lee was crippled, his both knees mangled beneath his black leather pants. The jutting edge of bone threatened to tear free of his legs, which rested in twisted angled to Chaolans side visible through the pants. A pool of blood surrounded the silver devil. Kazuya wondered if Lee would ever be able to walk again, let alone feel the exhilaration of his Ninjitsu art, in practice.
“Lee, your legs will mend, everything comes in time. You must not think about it now. You must hold your strength....” Kazuya turned to look over his shoulder. He could hear the sirens from the ambulance in the streets below. What was taking them so damn long, did they not realize his brother was in excruciating pain?
It took only seconds after Kazuya returned his eyes to a writhing Chaolan for the paramedics to rush into the dojo. The CEO turned to step aside, giving the trained medics space to administer care when Lee Chaolan grasped Kazuya with his leather gloved hand. “Forgive me Kazuya...Forgive me for failing you....”
Tears streamed down the Silver Devil’s dark eyes as the paramedics worked around his body, ripping through the leather of his pants to find the source of the injury. Kazuya could see by the looks exchanged between the medics....this was far more serious than even he could have thought. Once the leather pants had been shred away from Chaolans legs, Kazuya could see the shattered bone, stomped to pieces and shredded beneath Heihachi’s traditional wooden sandals. The sight was....gruesome.
Lee tugged his hand once more, the light of morning cast along his flawlessly beautiful skin. His tears were like glistening diamonds, reflecting the sun. Kazuya felt his own voice break, suddenly seeing Chaolan as he was so many years ago, when they were only boys. “There is no forgiveness to be given, Brother. You have not failed me.”
Lee tried to smile, holding back his want to scream as the paramedics transferred him onto a back board, carefully trying to arrange his legs while packing down ice to stop the profuse bleeding.
As the medics brought Chaolan from the dojo on the stretcher, Kazuya turned to one of those who remained behind, filing the report for the injury. Grasping the young male tightly by the shoulder, Kazuya turned the paramedic around to face him. “You do whatever it is you need to do but you FIX his legs. Fly in however many teams of specialists you have to. My brother is to walk again, do you understand me? Make sure to pass this on to the attending doctors at the hospital. I donated 3 new floors in that damn place, I expect results.”
The paramedic nodded, “I will make sure the doctors know that he is your brother, Dono Mishima....”
“Excellent.” Kazuya nodded, turning to regain his composure. He pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger, forcing himself to focus. He would be meeting with Paul Phoenix, here at the dojo in the Mishima Zaibatsu within a few hours. He had to concentrate and be ready for anything.
Opening his eyes, Kazuya was drawn to linger on the pool of blood, straining the dojo floor. Turning his head slightly, he studied the pattern of vitae. From where the bones had been broken on Lee Chaolans knees, the blood almost appeared to form the abstract wings of a demon.
Turning to the judge who had stayed back during the paramedics arrival, Kazuya nodded toward the floor. “Have the janitors come and clean this up before the next match takes place.”
Sighing softly, Kazuya exited the dojo, opting not to bow on his way out
.
ten’on
Jun Kazama lifted the phone to her ear, dialing the familiar digits to the Zaibatsu for Lee Chaolans extension. The doctors office was busy, bustling around her as patient after patient was called in. The receptionist had been kind enough to allow her to use the line to dial out for this very important call.
The first ring went through as Juns eyes glanced to Lei Wulong, sitting in the waiting area, flipping mindlessly through some outdated magazine. She could feel his anxiousness, his curiosity as to the doctors prognosis for her condition. Wulong had witnessed the nausea wave first hand when he had come to pick her up this morning, seeing how it had weakened Jun to the point of near exhaustion.
The second and third ring came and went with no answer. Jun wondered if Chaolan had stepped away from his desk or if perhaps he had not yet returned from his match. Either way, she had grave news to deliver as to her status in the Tournament. So much seemed to flash before her mind. Her life had turned itself upside down.
At the fifth ring an impatient voice answered, nearly barking over the line causing Jun to wince.
“This is Kazuya Mishima, can I help you?”
Jun nearly froze on the other side of the line. She felt her heart skip a beat. Why did the CEO of the Mishima Financial empire answer the extension for Lee Chaolan. Why his voice...why now....
“Hello, this is Kazuya Mishima, can I help you?” he repeated, impatiently. Jun could hear the soft sound of movement and realized Kazuya was about to hang up. Forcing herself to speak, Jun drew in a breath. “Hello....Hello..”
“Yes, Hello, can I help you?” He sighed. Somewhere in the background Jun could hear shuffling papers. Closing her eyes Jun swallowed the bitter taste in the back of her throat, her fingertips nervously playing along the curl of the phone cord.
“Yes, Dono Mishima, this is Jun Kazama. Forgive me for disturbing you, I had hoped to reach Lee Chaolan in regards to this afternoon’s semi finals for the Iron Fist Tournament. May I speak with him please?” She could feel her heartbeat racing as her free hand softly fell along the line of her stomach.
There was a momentary silence on the line as Jun focused on the pattern of his breath. To hear his voice brought a shiver beneath her skin, especially now.
“Yes, Miss Kazama....I am sorry but Lee Chaolan is not available. He has been injured during the tournament. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Ohh god, is Lee alright?” Jun felt her breath catch against her lips. She knew the Silver Devil was set to fight Heihachi this morning. Apparently, Lee Chaolan had not come away from the match unscathed.
“I assure you he is under the best supervised care.” Jun could feel the cold tinge icing through his voice, she nodded soundlessly as she bit against the edge of her lower lip.
“I am afraid I will not be able to continue participation in the Iron Fist, Dono Mishima. My doctor has deemed my current health status as....delicate.” Jun tightly closed her eyes, choking back the sudden desire to burst into tears.
“I see...” Kazuya’s voice seemed to soften. “Is there anything myself or the Zaibatsu can do to assist you?”
She sniffled back her tears softly, her arm bracing along her stomach as her closed lashes fought to hang onto errant tears. “No, Dono Mishima...we will be fine, but thank you....” Jun stopped short of completing her sentence.
“If you are certain, Miss Kazama. The Zaibatsu is fully covered with insurance in the event a fighter is injured during the Tournament....” Kazuya’s voice gave on the other line, cracking softly though he quickly, flawlessly regained his composure. Jun could feel a sense of excruciating pain surrounding his vocal inflection.
“I have no injuries as result of the tournament, Dono Mishima. But thank you, I...appreciate...your concern. Do send my regards to Lee....and...good luck in your own upcoming Match.” Jun bit her lip a little harder, her eyes opening to glance at a worrisome Lei Wulong. The detective rose, moving toward her, reaching a hand to her forearm as she clutched her stomach.
“Are you ready?” he asked softly.
Kazuya grew eerily silent on the other side, hearing the delicate, comforting voice of Lei Wulong. “Of course Miss Kazama, may you feel better and thank you for participating in the Iron Fist tournament. If I might ask a slight endeavor of you, do inform Detective Wulong that I have received his message and he will be hearing from me shortly.”
“Yes, Dono Mishima. I will inform the Detective of your message...” Jun hesitated, looking up into Lei’s dark eyes, so full of concern. “Good bye Dono Mishima.”
“Goodbye Jun...” Kazuya said sorrowfully...followed by the click of the receiver.
Lei hung the phone up for Jun, placing his arm softly against her shoulder. “What did the doctor say? Did they find anything? It doesn’t normally take this long for STAT bloodwork....”
Jun laid her hand gently against Lei Wulong’s chest, her tear filled gaze threatening to spill their lamentation over the rim of her almond eyes. “There is nothing wrong with me Lei. Quite the opposite...I...I’m...Pregnant...” Her lower lip quivered slightly as the mixture of pain, longing and strength writhed through her soul.
“Your...pregnant?” Lei tried to swallow, his mouth suddenly going dry. “Who is the....” He cut his voice mid sentence, looking left to right, unbalanced as all of this washed over him. Yet, his hand found hers, holding it gently, scared that his touch might break her...
“You know it is Kazuya Mishima. I have been only him and no other for sometime now...” It was Jun who now looked away. When the doctor had told her the results in her blood test and urine specimen had come back positive for pregnancy, Jun felt a world of emotions threatening to collide within her. As she sorted through her thoughts, understanding she would do this alone, asking no help from Kazuya, she was excited. Life was renewing, growing inside of her and now she was at one with the earth in a way she had never felt before. All the sickness and heartbreak tearing through her world seemed to simply fade away....with the hope she now carried inside of her.
“What are you going to do? I mean about Kazuya?” Lei walked with Jun, holding her shoulder softly and leading her from the office to his awaiting car.
“What is there to do Lei? I love him but I will not trap him and bind him to me with this. I can do this alone. I am strong and there is hope where new life grows.” Jun stopped, looking deep into Wulongs’ eyes. “I do not want him to know, if I can at all help it.”
Lei traced the edge of his fingertips against Juns’ cheek. “You do not have to do this alone...I will be with you, through all of this, if you will have me there.”
Jun smiled softly, returning the warmth of his touch against his cheek. “I am glad to know you will be there, at the ready, Lei. But my feelings for you are a love of another sort. I would not have you care for me and my yet unborn child, knowing my heart belongs to him. I could not have you help me to raise his child, knowing the hatred you hold in your heart for him. But if you will take my words as I mean them, for the love of your friendship, then I would be honored to have you there to hold my hand....”
Lei winced slightly. He had always known his feelings for this beautiful creature were not to be returned. Yet he could not help but worship her....from her very spirit to her incandescent beauty. Kazuya Mishima was a bastard and a fool. “A love I accept and return, pleased that you will have me along for the ride. I will promise you that I will not speak to Kazuya of this...”
“Oh, Lei, that reminds me...He asked me to deliver a message to you directly. He said he received your message and you will be hearing from him shortly...” Jun gave Wulong a curious look.
Lei nodded, opening the car door for Jun. He would deal with the CEO later. Pushing his thoughts away, he smiled to her as she slid into the car, Lei closed the door, leaving her arm draping over the rolled down window. “So, does this mean I get to be known as Uncle Lei?”
Jun nearly giggled at the thought. “Hmm that all depends....”
“On what?” Lei gave her a sideways smile.
“On if you let me pull the siren just once to scare the living hell out of someone on the highway, Uncle Lei....”
Lei shrugged with a lazy wink, stifling a yawn from an all-nighter at the station. “I think I can manage that, but in the meantime we need to figure out a place for breakfast, I’m starving and your eating for two now. None of this vegetarian stuff eh?” Wulong drew around to the driver side, sliding in and roaring the ignition to life.
“Oh no, that is all the more reason to eat vegetarian. I am going to start this baby off the right way, even if I won’t see that little face for awhile.”
Lei pulled out of the parking lot and onto the highway, batting Juns hand away from the siren with a laugh. “So, do you want a boy or a girl?”
“Hmmm...I just want a healthy baby...but I would love to have a little boy.” Jun drew silent a moment, the realization hitting her with sudden and intense force. A little boy she could raise with all the love in her heart. She wondered, if the baby would be a boy, would he look....like Kazuya?
seidou
Kazuya knelt before the dais in the small ante chamber room within the CEO office at the Zaibatsu, his head bowed in deep meditation. The third in the line of 4 candles burned brightly, the two previous had been burned all the way to the holders for former matches; giving Kazuya the strength and humble balance from his prior victories as well as honoring the opponents he had faced.
Kazuya’s red riveted gloves lay upon the upraised dais, drenched in the strength of the candle’s focusing essence and awash amidst the heavy flavor of smoky incense. His thoughts were deep, introspective. The Devil was quiet. No mocking laughter or snide inward commentary. There was only the solace of the wax as it burned slowly to half it’s length.
Kazuya opened his eyes as the candle danced at his desired point of length. Raising upwards slowly, he drew toward the dais bowing to his ancestors as his hands reached for the gloves. There would be no need for his black belt today, Kazuya opted instead for the familiarity of torn blue jeans, black boots and a white form fitting tank top.
Accepting the gloves, Kazuya rose from his honoring bow. The candle would burn, as it had so many times before, in ritual sacrifice for the battle awaiting him. Stepping from the sacred space, Kazuya prepared himself for his opponent, Paul Phoenix.
hiyayaka
Paul Phoenix was standing in the dojo at the Mishima Zaibatsu, pacing along the inner sanctum, swinging his arms in a crisscross motion to loosen his shoulders. He was like a caged tiger, hunting his prey, impatient and hungry.
Kazuya entered forsaking the desire to bow in this place. There was no honor left in the elaborate dojo. Blood had been viciously spilled within it’s walls all in the name of vengeance. There were only malicious spirits to show reverence to and the King of Iron Fist wanted to grace from such entities.
Coming to stand with his back turned to Paul, Kazuya glanced over his shoulder, making eye contact with the roguish American fighter. He raised a brow slightly as Paul drew his lips into a dangerous smile.
“So I hear they took your punk ass brother away in an ambulance. Serves him right, that little silver faggot.” Paul snickered as the match began.
Kazuya felt his lips draw into a dark, foreboding grimace. A current of electricity sliding up along his body. His glance became that of a violent animal as something in his demonic eyes...snapped.
Paul used the moment to rush inward, using the Bone Breaker Technique. His right leg swept Kazuya’s from beneath him as his right elbow connected with his sternum. The King of Iron Fist pushed out a long breath, hardening his stomach muscles to absorb the impact.
The brash American fighter threw himself arrogantly into a Neutron bomb, forward flipping into Kazuya with hopes of knocking him to the ground. His aspirations were shattered as Kazuya blocked, coming to a stand from his crouching position to execute the Twin Pistons. His fists slamming hard into an upward motion, Left then right. Kazuya wasted no time, using his tsunami kick, impacting his opponent and sending Paul to the ground with a hard cry.
An evil smile bit across his lips, Kazuya Mishima was hungry for blood, eager to shred the life essence from Paul Phoenix. The American fighter flipped backward to his feet, his next move was almost predictable. The Phoenix Smasher...a full right extension punch, ripe with Ki.
Kazuya grasped hold of his opponents extending arm, drawing him in for his double leg throw as his upper thigh smashed hard forwards and then backwards above the neck of Paul Phoenix. The American met the ground, as Kazuya stood above him, a malicious smile and blood thirsty eyes boring down into his opponent, waiting for Paul to get up.
“Get up Paul Phoenix, it’s time for me to make you choke on your words.” Kazuya hissed.
Paul growled, drawing to a stand as Kazuya charged into him with the Demon Slayer. A vicious combination of Left, Right punches, with the final coming left, drawing power from the full turn around the back. Paul grasped his stomach, doubling over as Kazuya instantly followed up his first attack with the Spinning Demon...a crouched, leg sweeping motion, bringing Kazuya’s flying appendage in two full circles, smashing Paul’s legs out from under him.
With growing anger and intensity, Paul rose, rushing in for the jab sweep, a combination of a right punch followed by a left mid kick, connecting with his opponent, sending the King of Iron Fist back. Paul seized the moment, falling into the Shredder...a left kick followed by a hard right kick.
Kazuya grasped hold of Pauls leg as he attacked with the shredder, viciously placing his opponent in the steel pedal drop, throwing him over the shoulder and smashing his back hard into the dojo floor.
Paul rose shakily, rushing headlong for a simple swing at Kazuya. Licking his lips, Kazuya rushed into Paul as he moved, tackling him to the ground with a running spear. Mounting his opponents chest in the flash of a second, Kazuya assaulted him with a series of head punches, sending splatters of blood into the air.
Back-flipping off from his opponent, Kazuya raised his red riveted leather gloved hand, licking the smathering of blood from one of his fingers. Paul rose, blood rushing down his forehead as he growled, writhing into the Foot Launch over the shoulder throw. Paul checked Kazuya’s foot, preventing him movement forward, grasping his arm as he swung full into the Left Hammer punch, following with the full right hip and arm extension of the Power punch.
Kazuya staggered backwards, instantly maneuvering for an offensive Rising Sun, triple crouching spin kick, taking Pauls’ legs from under him and bringing his opponent once more to his back.
Paul fought to come to a stand, blood staining over his eyes as Kazuya crouched, rolling into the lightening uppercut....the current forking along his forearm as the heaving punch connected, sending Paul clear across the dojo.
Paul glowered in anger, crouching to charge his Ki into the burning fist, his right arm glowing with power...charging his opponent amidst a blood thirsty haze.
Kazuya side stepped, grabbing his opponent by the hair for the Skull Smash. Forking lightening surrounded Kazuya, in full power and control, the extension of his arm falling as a downward slice into Pauls’ skull...as he screamed. Releasing his hold on his opponents hair, tufts entwined through his fingers, Paul fell forward, the course of pulsing blood rushing along the dojo floor, staining the hard wood in the same spot where Chaolan had bleed beneath the propensity of Heihachi’s cruelty.
Looking toward the judge, the fight was declared over and the winner...the King of Iron Fist.
His eyes cast hatefully down toward the blonde, flat topped American fighter, Kazuya felt the urge to spit on the unconscious bastard. Wiping his blood stained, leather gloved hands along his torn up blue jeans, Kazuya stepped out of the dojo, cracking his neck as he walked.
seidou
Kazuya knelt in meditation before the burning glare of the candle, his bloody gloves offered once more along the dais. His fight had been vicious, his motivations, blood thirsty. The American fighter had sealed his fate the moment he uttered his comment on Lee Chaolan.
There was no humbleness in his post victory meditation. Kazuya was shivering with animalistic rage. For a moment he wondered if the Devil assimilated himself into his Ki, causing his rage to spiral out of control. But then the King of Iron fist realized, the propensity for violence and destruction was his birthright, given to him as surely as he carries the blood of Heihachi Mishima.
The candle sputtered as Kazuya opened his eyes, ready to absorb the strength of the match. Drawing himself up to a stand, Kazuya drew a breath in sharply, feeling the aire about his body change, transmuting into courses of lightening, crackling with fury around him. With a singular fluid motion, the force of his electrified fist thrust itself forward, extinguishing the last breath of flame without ever needing to physically touch it.
Bowing, Kazuya let his body absorb the soul of the candle.
enrai
Heihachi Mishima sat at his folding tray table, in the rundown apartment he had come to live in for the past two years. Accustomed to insurmountable wealth, the transition to squalor had been a difficult one to make. With no money, other than a small savings he had stashed away for a rainy day, Heihachi was more concerned with indulging himself in the escape of the underground scene then returning to his former grandeur. Sinking headlong into a life of lewd and lascivious behavior, passing his time with alcohol and prostitutes; Heihachi stumbled through two years in a perpetual self indulgent, self destructive haze...to which he never cared to emerge.
And then, one night, caught amidst a drunken haze at a seedy pool hall in the slums of Tokyo, Heihachi Mishima saw the light. A local news broadcast flickered over one of the several TV sets, suspended from the ceiling of the pool hall. Over the raucous music, Heihachi could barely make out the sound on a segment of particular interest. The segment revolved around a controversy involving the Mishima Zaibatsu, a global Financial empire with special interests in Militarized defense, home based in Tokyo. His dark eyes narrowed as Kazuya Mishima, CEO of the Zaibatsu gave a statement to the press and public regarding the organization of a Martial Arts Tournament, hosted by the Corporation, titled “King of Iron Fist, 2”. Together with Lee Chaolan, assistant to the CEO and Vice President of Public Relations within the Corporation, the CEO pleaded his case in support of the Tournament, emphasizing the acclaim and revenue a competition of this magnitude could generate for Tokyo’s already booming economy.
Heihachi remembered dropping his cigar, lightening crackling along his drunken fist as he watched Kazuya play the suave, charismatic puppet master, winning over his audience. Kazuya Mishima and Lee Chaolan...two sons Heihachi had foresworn long ago. Like ghosts they had come to haunt him. Yet, he knew then, this was an omen.
Heihachi had decided at that moment, to leave the lascivious lifestyle he had become accustomed to and begin anew. He had to train his body once more to harness his fatal lightening. Heihachi Mishima was going to set out on a path of destruction...decimating his son Kazuya, pretender to the throne and his weak, morally and chemically challenged adopted son, Lee Chaolan. With his Ki in focus, he would reclaim the Zaibatsu or meet his maker trying.
Taking another drag from his cigar, Heihachi pushed away the reflections of his life before this moment. One of the fighters had dropped out of the tournament, leaving him to battle Jack-2 at 1pm. No doubt Kazuya had improved on the old recipe and built a stronger, more effective Robotic operative. Little mind it mattered, Heihachi would destroy it as he had destroyed the spirit of his adopted son, Lee Chaolan.
Heihachi Mishima’s Tekken was the key to undeniable victory.
shikkei
Jun Kazama sat beside the hospital bed of Lee Chaolan. Her hand delicately held his, caught amidst the various lines of IV fluids and medications. There were so many wires drawing up to the constantly beeping heart monitor, the hum of the oxygen machine and a blood pressure cuff that automatically took his readings, every 15 minutes.
The Silver Devil had stirred only slightly as Jun spoke pleasentries to him. The affects of his pain medication had him spiralling deep within himself. Jun could feel his pain. The grip of his hand gave her the images of the trauma which had been inflicted. The cruelty of Heihachi Mishima had taken on a degree of Evil the EcoFighter had never before encountered.
Jun slowly ran her hand above the length of Lee Chaolans body, sensing his Ki. His legs had been severely mangled by the vicious Geta Stomp she had seen like a movie in her mind. The doctors had been forced to insert new, state of the art knee joints, reconnecting the mess of muscle and tissue around the injured site. Jun could feel his Ki was still strong, though severely diminished. He would walk again, with rigorous physical therapy. Lee might even regain his beloved Ninjitsu art, in time.
Brushing aside matted silver tendrils, Jun looked down on the sedated Chaolan, as a mother would look down on a sickly child. He looked so innocent as he slept, so at peace. He was quite beautiful to behold.
Jun spoke softly to him, drawing her fingertips against his palm. “It is time for me to go Lee. When I heard you had been injured I called to check on your status. You were coming out of surgery and into ICU, then. I have been here with you since mid morning, when they released you from Intensive Care. The specialists have worked hard on you, thanks to your brother. Now...You must focus your strength and climb the long road ahead of you.” Jun felt his hand move beneath her fingertips. Even in this state, she knew Lee could see her Ki from inner eyes. “I may not have the chance to see you again, Lee Chaolan. I will be leaving Tokyo to start a new life somewhere. Perhaps, someday, we will meet again and remember how, for a short time, our paths in youth, intermingled within all of our destinies. Be well, Lee...and take care of Kazuya.” Jun leaned down and softly placed a kiss along his porcelain cheek.
Turning, Jun glanced down at her watch. It was nearly one o’ clock in the afternoon, Lei would be coming to pick her up and return her to the hotel. The morning had changed her life forever...and now, she could feel the sense of exhaustion threatening to claim it’s victory over her.
Flickering her eyes upward, there was someone leaning in the doorway to Lee’s hospital room. She stopped, mid step, averting her eyes from Kazuya Mishima. A sudden, visible quiver danced along her form. “Pardon me, Dono Mishima, I came to visit with Lee. I am sorry if I have interrupted you.” Jun wondered how much of what she had said to Chaolan had been overheard. How long was he standing in the doorway, listening?
“You have not interrupted my visit, Miss Kazama. I thank you, for my brother, for taking the time to see him.” His voice was soft, almost wistful.
Jun could feel his eyes on her, though she could not bring herself to look up, knowing her heart...shattering once more at seeing him, could be evident in her eyes.
Jun moved to walk past him, as Kazuya turned sideways to rest along the door, catching her in an awkward attempt to exit the room. As he spoke, Jun pressed her back along the doorjamb opposite of him, painful inches separating them. “How is he?”
“Lee is sedated, but his mind is strong. In time, I hope he will be alright.” Jun looked to the floor but his presence was overpowering.
“And yourself?” There was a note of concern in his voice.
Jun could not help but look up, her almond eyes falling into his as her heart skipped a beat. She felt the swell of love wash over her. He was beautiful...too radiant to consume all at once. “I am much better now...”
“Excellent.” Kazuya paused a moment, the flat of his foot pressing against the doorjamb. He could not take his eyes from her. Every urge told him to grasp hold of this angel and smother her against him...never to be released from his arms. “Forgive me, but I overheard your telling Lee that you will be leaving Tokyo?”
“Yes, Dono Mishima. I have great responsibilities overcoming me. Although Tokyo is a magnificent city, it is time for me to find a place that is more closely linked with the earth. I have already faxed my resignation to the WWWC...” Jun let her sable lashes lower softly. Why was she telling him all of this. Kazuya would not care what she did and where she went so long as she left Tokyo...and his side...for good. Or so she believed.
“I am sure the WWWC will greatly miss an agent of your skill and dedication. You are an asset to their organization” Kazuya felt the swirling emotions rushing through him. Jun was leaving Tokyo. He might never find her again.
“Hardly.” Jun sighed.
A long moment of excruciating silence fell between them. Kazuya finally cleared his throat, offering his hand. “I would like to wish you good luck and happiness wherever you decide to go.”
Jun extended her own delicate hand, accepting his as the familiarity of his touch sent a shiver down her spine. These incredibly soft, commanding hands had graced every inch of her burning flesh, sating her again and again with cries of indescribable passion. She could feel her cheeks flush at the thought, her breath pressing past her lips, harder than she wanted him to see.
Kazuya saw the slight tremble rushing through Jun as her hand slid into the comfort of his. He could sense the pain edged behind her eyes as she tried desperately to avert prolonged contact with his own. He had tainted her with a sadness she had not possessed before meeting him. Much as Jun had forever altered his being, granting him the ability to love and the bittersweet memories he would treasure for a lifetime. With a sense of shock, a familiar voice echoed through his mind. The beast had awakened....
Such poignant sadness rests within your souls. Fools. Her illness is not a sickness, it is no wonder your blinded eyes can not see this as mine do. Our Jun carries within her a surprise...for one of us, Kazuya. Which one shall reap the benefit, do you think?
The demon had been quiet for too long. Kazuya suddenly felt the foreboding sensation the demons awakening brought to his soul.
Jun instantly felt an intense darkness surrounding Kazuya. That same malicious sensation she had wanted to rid him of, but had failed in her attempt. From within his eyes it seemed another entity...a dark soul was sizing her up...with an intentful smile. A sense of urgency broke her hand from Kazuyas’. “Good day, Dono Mishima. May the roads you travel bring you a life of happiness....”
Rushing past him, Jun could not grip the fear shaking her. Visions threatened to consume her as she moved at a quick pace toward the elevator. She felt as if she was fleeing for her own safety. There were malevolent fingers grasping at her soul, probing into her thoughts. Sliding between the cold steel of the parting doors, she brushed her hand along her hair, trying to regain her composure from the elusive fear that gripped her. Why Kazuya? Why now?
kyoudaiai
Kazuya watched Jun walk hastily away. He could see by her suddenly guarded motions that she had felt the Demon lurking behind his soul. Perhaps she felt the fear of her imminent danger, should she stay at his side. Either way, it was for the best to see her go. Though his heart did not agree.
Taking a long breath, Kazuya walked toward his brother, a small quiet figure amidst the technology that surrounded him. There was a look of peace on his face. A look Kazuya only expected to see, if this hospital bed were a comfortable coffin.
Sitting down in the chair left beside his brothers bed, Kazuya studied the Silver Devil with intense scrutiny. In one fell swoop, Chaolan had brought the wrath of Heihachi down upon all of them...yet none had to stand in the firing line as Kazuya did. Although their Father had cruelly injured Lee, it served more as a warning to Kazuya than for any other reason. With the exception that comes from a dangerous lesson. Lee had betrayed the old man, now he was serving a harsh, unforgiving penance that might haunt him for all his days.
For a moment, Kazuya wondered if Lee would have come to see him...should the situation have been reversed. If Heihachi’s plans for the tournament had gone forward under the guise of blissful ignorance, Kazuya would have met his father in the Finals without ever knowing of his return. In the event his Father would have won, with the help of his vengeful adopted brother...would Lee Chaolan come to Kazuya’s bedside, mourning what he had done?
Hanging his head softly, there was too much to think about. The match between Jack-2 and Heihachi was surely about to begin. This round of the semi finals would determine who the King of Iron Fist would meet in the last phase of the tournament. Jack-2 was strong enough to destroy the old man, but the Robotic Operative lacked one essential element for total victory. A soul. Machines have no soul, no Ki from which to draw their strength, only the programming set by a technician from which to garner it’s resources. There was no sense of unpredictability that came from a main frame. Only the constant onslaught and series of preprogrammed maneuvers fed to the posotronic brain by a computer chip. Yet, time and age had taken it’s toll on Kazuya’s father. Perhaps he would be unable to withstand the superior strength a metal hard body can give a fighting machine like Jack-2.
Kazuya placed his hand within Lees’. Softened, haunted eyes drank over the face of the silver devil...still beautiful and unmarred. Kazuya felt the hatred, like bile, rising to his throat. He had never hated any man, with the exception of Heihachi, the way he hated Lee Chaolan. And still, the yin and yang battled within him. He loved no other man as kin as much as Lee. Chaolan had been the Light to his darkness, the wild rebellion to his own stoicism. There may have been only a few years separating them, yet Kazuya felt as if he were far older and his adopted brother...the spirit of youthful insolence. Kazuya had witnessed Chaolan come through stage after stage of changes, driving him to violent impatience. Yet, no other had been privy to the secrets Kazuya kept. No other, beside Jun Kazama.
Kazuya could feel the heart break and longing in her eyes when they connected to his for the first time in days, that felt like years. The bridge he placed between them was easily torn away with her touch. An alarming quality. And still, Kazuya felt the importance of the distance the moment the silenced Demon regained a voice in his mind. Why, after so long, had Devil made himself known? Clearly, the entity within wanted something strongly...awakened by Jun. But what was it? What was this surprise the demon so greedily made his bid for? It could not be her body. The Devil had already taken that with selfish pleasure. The frightening thought gripped Kazuya then. Perhaps, the Demon wanted her soul to host his own.
Looking over his shoulder, Kazuya felt the mocking laughter ride through his mind. The Devil had been listening to his thoughts. He would have to silence them before his ideas became a harsh reality.
Dropping Lee’s hand from his, Kazuya rose, bending to place a soft kiss on Chaolans’ dry, cool lips. “Goodbye, Brother.”
Leaving the hospital room, Kazuya never looked back. A soft tear spilled down the closed eyes of Lee Chaolan. Even left in the blackness of his own despair, Chaolan could sense Kazuya’s pain....intermingled within his own.
raiden
Heihachi glanced along the metal frame of the robotic operative, Jack-2 as they stood, face to face in the dojo at the Mishima Zaibatsu. This room had witnessed the old mans harsh victory over his son. The scent of blood was strong in the sacred space. How fitting for Kazuya to mandate all of the Semi Final matches to this place, for security reasons, no doubt.
The judge declared the commencement of the match as Heihachi and Jack drew into stance. There was no sign of recognition or emotion from the gleaming eyes of the robot, only the lingering preprogrammed urge...to kill.
With a sudden press forward, Heihachi hit with the flash punch combo, a flurry of left, left right punches connecting to the metal. Unrelenting as the Jack barely moved backward, the elder Mishima came from a defending crouch into the Twin Pistons, smashing upward at the hardened shell of the robot. Once more the Jack was unfazed.
With lightening fast speed, Heihachi grasped hold of his opponent, swinging the heavy frame of the Jack into the jumping powerbomb, sending electric current through his computerized opponent as its’ back slammed hard into the floor. The mechanical sound of the robot sizzled while Heihachi threw himself over into a flip, connecting with the Demon Scissors.
Jack-2 rolled upward, coming at Heihachi with a High and Low cross cutsaw. It’s massive piston controlled arms swinging into a wide X motion, connecting inward with Heihachi’s shoulder before the metal behemoth pressed the X motion outward, catching the old man under the knees and sending him flying into the dojo floor.
Heihachi grasped at his back, wriggling himself to a stand, swinging into the Left leading and lightening enhanced, Dragon Uppercut. Jack-2 went down onto it’s back with a crashing thud, sparks emitting from under the metal trunk of it’s body.
Instantly, Heihachi rushed inward with the Geta Stomp, connecting three times with the vicious attack he had used to crush the knees of Lee Chaolan. The thick wooden sandals, with the weight and force of impact connecting to his robotic opponent, tore into the metal of Jack-2s’ shell, exposing the wiring of it’s legs as white electric spark sputtered from the metal fatigued wounds.
Jack staggered upward, it’s servo motors forcing it to overcome the handicap as it’s left arm swung out into the Jack Hammer. The pistons hummed as the move executed...out...across and down. Two of the three punches connected, the third blocked as Heihachi choked back the force of rising blood from his throat.
Jack-2 continued the assault, using the next in his line of preprogrammed moves. The Double Hammer. Both of it’s massive metal arms swung down, connecting to Heihachi with a hard cry...though somehow the elder Mishima managed to side step the second part of the strike as it came doubled, upwards.
Sucking back a breath, the sweating, bruised old man struck with the Heavy Power Punch, a full right Extension of his lightening forked arm as his robotic opponent was pushed back with the force.
Heihachi rushed inward, under Jack’s guard, grasping with his left arm behind the metal head of his opponent. Executing the Stone Head throw, Jack fell backwards allowing his opponent to perfect the Hell axle...a jumping Left to hard right set of kicks that tumbled the operative to the floor.
Setting into a forward roll, Jack-2 crouched into a Cossack dance, it’s massive arms folded before it’s expansive chest as its’ legs kicked out, Left-Right, Left-Right, to connect with Heihachi’s shins.
Grasping at his ripped up front leg, Heihachi had to get the machine out of this destructive maneuver. Using a Leaping left side kick, Heihachi followed with the Lightening hammer, his electric charged hand coming down, left, square on the top of the robots head.
Wasting no time, the elder Mishima had to end this fight before he could be severely injured by this machine. Sending all of his Ki into Fatal Lightening, the forking motion of the current draping along his arms as the old man went into the Neck Breaker Throw. The Lightening stalled the computer within the Robotic operative, as Heihachi ripped the circuits from under Jacks’ neck, effectively and completely shutting him down.
Letting the robot fall to the ground, Heihachi withdrew his arm, a series of viciously ripped out circuitry entwined within his fingers. Holding up the wiring, which would have been a human jugular, the Judge declared Heihachi Mishima the winner and challenger to the King of Iron Fist for the Finals match.
With a booming laughter of decadent victory, Heihachi strutted from the dojo, leaving his opponent, shattered on the floor, leaking vital fluids all along the dojo....like the blood of Lee Chaolan had done at his hands, earlier this morning.
abunagaru ijin
Jun tossed and turned in the grip of fitful exhaustion. She grimaced in pain as the silent threat of her visions battled over her. There was another presence in the room with her, a disembodied soul...hungry to claim the prize she held deep within her body.
The world of her dreams had been upturned, tainting her private realm with nightmares of unfathomable proportions. Jun had been sitting in a field, her skin kissed amidst the wildflowers of a small mountain village. The native birds sang to her overhead as she watched the newborn wildlife clinging close to Mothers’ warmth and safety. But then, in her dreams, the wind began to change. A cold breeze blew through the tops of trees, crying a warning as the birds above screamed, falling dead into her lap. Jolting upward, Jun cradled the cold feathered bodies to her stomach, forcing her dreaming Ki to resuscitate the slain animals. They would not regain life!
Suddenly Jun felt something pressing down on her chest. Still clutching the animals, she gasped for breath. In the realm of the real world, a strong entity was making itself known.... in her dreams, she was violently suffocated. Sinking to her knees, the lifeless birds crashing from her grasp, Jun looked up. Kazuya was standing several paces away from her.
In a dark purple silk suit, her lover took a step closer...his hand drawing out to reach hers. His movements were stiff, almost puppeteered. “You know what I have come for Jun...give me what I seek.” The voice came from Kazuya though his lips did not move.
Drawing closer still, Jun felt the overwhelming fear collide with her body. Kazuya leaned down on his haunches, his eyes were swirling with a blood red light...inhuman, as his hand pressed against her stomach. “I have come for my son, you bitch. Release him to me.”
Jun slapped the hand away from her flesh, screaming as she drove herself to a run. With one hand held outward, Kazuyas’ fingers stretched forward as his palm faced her running form....she suddenly was powerless to make headway. Jun pushed herself, sending all of her energy to her legs...but she could not gain an inch of ground to separate herself from Kazuya.
Turning, she pleaded. “Please, Kazuya...no...”
Kazuya’s hand kissed the side of Juns face from a distance, sending her sprawling onto the ground. He laughed, violently. “Pleading only makes me want you more.”
With a violent burst of glowing purple flame, Kazuya was consumed. Jun screamed, horrified as the flames died instantly....replaced by a Demon of rich lavender flesh...with wings of ornate leather, rivaling the beauty of any angels. Yellowed horns pressed skyward from black slicked back hair as talons of equal color rested at the demons hip. “Don’t look so surprised Jun, surely you have known all along?” The devils voice was dark, and hissing with a familiarity Jun could not place. “Have you not realized yet who I am? I am him, don’t you see. We are one and the child you are carrying...a son, belongs to me.”
The demon arched it’s wings taking to flight with a quick surge upward, coming to land before Jun. It’s massive taloned feet crushing a newborn bunny as it landed. Jun looked up with bloody tears falling over her eyes, staining her cheeks, harlequin.
Devil leaned on it’s massive haunches, it’s taloned nail bracing under Juns chin, lifting it with a slight pinch as a trickle of blood leaked down it’s purple skin. Coming face to face with the shivering Jun, the Devil flicked it’s forked tongue from it’s face...so like Kazuya’s....and lapped at the bloodied spot it made in her flesh. “Come now, Jun. You knew my touch when I planted my seed into you that night at the dojo. A touch more commanding than HIS touch. You rode my seed into you, don’t you recall. And now, I am offering you the chance to live. All you have to do, is give me what I want.”
Jun rose with lightening speed, pressing her hand into the beast with a thrust of her Ki. The Devil rolled back, laughing.
“You are not the father of my child, demon-trixter. I was already carrying the seed. This child, a son, will be of Kazuya....created out of love with the blessing of Heaven. Go back to hell!”
The Demon grew impatient. What she had said wreaked of truth. “You wish me to return to hell, then I am taking Kazuya Mishima with me!” The ground split apart beneath the demon. With a taloned hand ripping at it’s own scarred chest, the Devil pulled the soul of her lover from within the vicious marking. Kazuya’s hand reached out to Jun....as the Devil hissed. “You will regret denying me, bitch. You have sealed his fate. You will host my soul once I rip the essence from the fetus you carry. You have killed Kazuya Mishima and your unborn son as well.”
Diving into the ground, the Demon returned to the hellfire, dragging Kazuya with him. Rushing to the edge of the spitting fiery cliff, Jun shielded her eyes. She could see Kazuya falling....and finally consumed by the liquid fire of hell.
Screaming in tears, Jun bolted upright in her bed. Her hand protectively swung around her belly as she shivered and pleaded in fear. Was there truth in this vision, or was it just a created nightmare of her own exhausted mind? The feeling was still with her. Every beat of her heart, every frightened breath screamed to her. She had to go to Kazuya. She had to warn him of this vision. Jun Kazama had to save him....before it was too late.
yurushii
Kazuya had sent the servents away, leaving the house empty and quiet. He sat in the dark, listening to the trickle of the water gardens which garnished the corners of his den, offering him the solitude he desired.
Heihachi had defeated Jack-2, in the early part of the afternoon while he had stayed at Lee Chaolans side. The final round of the King of Iron Fist tournament was less than 24 hours away. The time weighed heavily on his mind. Kazuya knew he should have been at the dojo on the estate, running through his combinations, honing his Tekken for what the morrow would bring. But no amount of training could prepare him for what he was about to face. One way or another, only one Mishima was walking out of the battle, alive.
Brushing his hand through his hair, Kazuya lifted his wine glass to his lips. The soft sounds of the water gardens intermingled with the traditional Japanese score of “Musashi”, a production from the Noh theatre on the life and philosophies of a Ronin Warrior from post feudal times. The delicate music reflected the richness of traditional history and legends. It echoed Kazuya’s own reflections.
Taking another sip of his red wine, Kazuya hummed along with the score, sinking deeper into the soft leather of the couch...deeper into a forthcoming remembrance and possible depression. If this was to be the last night of his life...the quiet contemplation represented the isolation of his very soul as he locked himself away from the world.
Kazuya heard the doorbell echoing through the empty house. Taking his remote in his hand, he raised the volume, drowning out the would be visitor as he felt the score rush through his blood...rich with infinite sadness as to the futility of the human condition.
Downing his wine, Kazuya poured himself another glass. The doorbell kept on, relentless. Bringing the volume up to Maximum, vibrating the walls, causing the water gardens to trickle with unbalanced force...Kazuya hummed louder.
The extended selection came to an end, restarting from the overture. The incessant chiming of the doorbell drew Kazuya’s hateful glance. Throwing his wine glass to smash against the wall, he rose, lowering the volume and storming toward the entrance way.
Ripping the ornate oaken door open, the hinges creaking as if they were prepared to give to his wrath, Kazuya screamed at the aggravating visitor. “WHAT?”
Jun Kazama stood before him, startled as Kazuya ripped open the door, clad in black Armani dress pants and white Armani button down shirt, mostly undone and completely disheveled. Turning with a quickly inhaled breath, Kazuya looked behind him, running a hand through his jet black hair. “Forgive me, Miss Kazama. I was not expecting visitors. Can I help you?”
Kazuya turned his eyes back to Jun. She could tell he had imbued several drinks by the glassy brilliance of his eyes. The anguish and anger was all around him, like a finely brocaded cloak. “I came to speak to you...”
“I have already thanked you for your kindness showed to my brother...and I have wished you recovery and happiness through out your life. What more, is it exactly, that you want from me?”
“I need to speak to Kazuya Mishima, not the drunken Houdini who has greeted me, this night.”
Kazuya’s eyes narrowed. “Pardon me?” He asked dangerously.
“Let me break it down for you in smaller words. Drunken escape artist. Is that more to your liking? I do not wish to waste your time with squabbling...I need to speak with you, please, may I come in?”
Kazuya wanted nothing more than to strike her and send her sprawling onto the grass, away from him and this cursed house. Did she not understand he was trying to protect her, trying to save her life?
“Whatever.” Kazuya turned and walked away, leaving the door open as he headed back into den, finding comfort amidst the darkness. Jun followed, closing the door behind her, moving in the direction to which she had heard the music.
Standing just inside the doorway to the den, she listened a moment, lingering on the faint sounds of Kazuya’s breath as it moved in time with the rise and fall of the score.
After long moments, she finally broke the silence. “’Musashi’, what a fantastic selection. I did not know you enjoyed Noh theater.”
Kazuya laughed, mockingly, enshrouded in darkness. “There are a lot of things you do not know about me Miss Kazama.”
She sighed softly, her eyes drawn to the large sliding glass doors, leading to the outside of the estate. She could see his silhouette shift. “Can we drop the formality for just awhile. I do not want to pretend nothing ever happened between us, Kazuya.”
“As you wish Jun, though tell me, should I call you Jun or perhaps ‘my sweet angel’.” Kazuya hissed sardonically.
“Only if that is what you feel for me.” Jun shifted slightly.
“God damn it!” Kazuya barked, walking toward the stereo system, shutting it down with a vengeful click. “Why don’t you get the point? I don’t want you around....”
“I get your point loud and clear, I just refuse to believe it is the way you say it is. I did not imagine the tenderness spent in your arms or the warmth of your lips.”
“I already told you my reasoning. You gave me what I wanted and thus your usefulness is benign....” Kazuya was exasperated, clutching at his words like a shield.
Juns voice lowered, obviously pained to hear him say such things...again. “I know what you said. The memory of it has haunted me since I ran from the compound. I can not dispute your feelings, I can only hold true to my instinct. It is telling me...there is more...”
“Why must you insist on something that does not exist. Do you enjoy setting yourself up for disappointment?” He hissed. By the movement before the sliding glass doors, she could tell Kazuya had his back turned to her.
Jun took a step further in, leaning against the wall for support. Her hand braced along the coolness. Beneath her fingers, she found a light switch. Though she had no desire to activate it and completely shred his cloak of comfort.
“I have never been disappointed...in you...or what we shared.” Juns voice was soft, tinged on the verge of overpowering emotion.
Kazuya never expected her to answer in such a way. The loving honesty of her words bred life into his dying heart. He had to fight the urge to give in to her angelic essence. He had to protect her. He was the only one that could. “That is not what I meant.” Kazuya could find no other words in the heat of the moment.
“Isn’t it though, Kazuya? When will you realize that you have become my world...the very sun and the moon to wake me and lull me to sleep at night. There is nothing if there is not you. I came into your life and from that instant I have only wanted to save you from the pain you keep buried deep in your heart. I only wanted to love you...and be loved by you.”
Kazuya leaned his hand on the cool glass, looking down, though he could not see her in the dark, regardless. “Is that all I have been, a Crusade to you?”
Jun sighed angrily, flipping on the light switch and shedding the comfort of amnesty the darkness brings. Kazuya turned, looking to her from over his shoulder. There were tears in his eyes.
“Kazuya...” Jun walked forward, her arms aching to drape around him. To ease her suffering...and his.
Kazuya held his hand up, forcing her to stop in her tracks. “Do not come any closer and do not look at me. Go. Just get out.” He was at his breaking point. She had found the very last chink in his armor but he could not yield. He Would not yield.
“Kazuya...please...”
He turned his face away from her, watching his own disheveled reflection in the mirror likeness from the polished sliding glass doors before him. He wondered, for a moment, if the angel...his mother Kazumi...was still there, visible only to Juns empathic abilities to detect ghostly resonance. “Don’t you understand, Jun. This is the path destiny has chosen for me to walk. I must see it through to the end. My mind must be clear, not cluttered with emotion. You put both of us in danger by being here.”
“From what Kazuya...from who? Tell me, please?” Jun pleaded softly.
Kazuya took a seat on the leather couch, sinking in as his head rested along the bridge of his knuckles. “From me, Jun. I am a danger to you...or rather, what energies I play host to. A malevolent force...a darkness....”
“A devil...” Jun answered for him. “A devil who came to you, offering you a choice in a moment of desperation. Your life in exchange for your soul. That is what I have felt inside you, lurking within like a caged tiger, biding his time before he breaks away from your fleshy prison. This devil...this purple devil...came to me in my dreams...” It all finally made sense to Jun. All the foreboding feelings came together like a perfect puzzle.
Kazuya looked up in amazement. His secret, closely guarded was finally free. And Jun still stood there, her eyes holding his....as he foundered for words.
“Devil came to you?” Kazuya rose, walking toward her. “What did he want, why did he seek you out?”
“It was in a dream...the demon came to me, first looking like you. He wanted something but I...I don’t remember what it was. And then he told me I had signed you over to death.” She stammered, looking away.
Kazuya grabbed Jun by the shoulders, forcing her to meet his eyes with a sudden shake of his arms. “Jun...what did the devil want. What is it that you would not give him....that has made him threaten you with these visions?”
“Kazuya...I told you..I don’t remember, it was a dream..I must have blocked it out. I awoke so scared...”
“Scared enough for you to come here and warn me about Devil. If you came all this way to deliver the message, then you know what it is the Demon wants. What is it Jun. I need to know, I have a right to know. Unless you want to see the Devil hand me over to the darkness of death...”
Jun shook her head. She could not tell him. The Devil had sent this dream as a warning but maybe now that Kazuya knew he could be prepared for it, as he prepared himself for Heihachi.
“God damn it, Jun. I can not decipher the message unless I know what the Demon wanted of you. Did he demand you to host his spirit with your body? Did he demand for your life? Only by solving the puzzle can I hope to counter act whatever the entity is planning. There is no doubt in my mind the Demon will strike the moment I am weakened in the fight with my father. The Devil could snuff my life if he has chosen another to host him.....”
Jun bit her lip. She knew what Kazuya was saying to be truth. The Devil would most likely wait until his state was weakened by the force of his Heihachis’ blows, in the heat of battle. The demon would then, most likely, sap the rest of Kazuya’s energy in order to carry out his threats....leaving her lovers’ jugular proverbially exposed for the old man to go in for the kill. But what if she could prevent this vision from becoming reality. It would mean exposing her own secret, chancing the idea that Kazuya might turn away forever, thinking this to be some twisted trap. Or worse yet, Kazuya would accept it all...distracting him from the match tomorrow, with fatal results.
Looking deep into the boundless depths of his eyes, Jun placed the palm of her hand against his cheek, the tip of her finger brushing along his lips. She gathered her strength, forsaking thoughts of herself...for him. “Kazuya. I’m...pregnant.” she paused. “That is what Devil wanted. He wanted the soul of the child I am carrying, a son, in exchange for your life.”
Kazuya stepped back as if dealt a physical blow, his eyes wide...unsure of what to make of the startling news. Jun Kazama was pregnant...with his...child. Her sickness and exhaustion made perfect sense to him now...as did the macabre riddle devil had whispered through his mind in the hospital room of an incapacitated Lee Chaolan.
Jun watched Kazuya step back, the full onslaught of her words overtaking him with a sudden, violent torrent. “Kazuya...”
His dark eyes snapped up, caught within a world of sudden possibilities...
“I...I am going to have a...son?” Kazuya was captured somewhere between disbelief and hope; anguish and fear. In the course of a day, his life had dramatically changed and yet, the next several hours would bring him to walk an entirely new path. There was so much to think about. The future suddenly seemed to be a possibility he could consider. A son. His son.
And yet the shadows enchroached on his joy, as his eyes held Juns. Kazuyas’ brother, Lee Chaolan was left nearly crippled in a warming given by a vicious old man...hell bent on destruction. Heihachi would be awaiting him tomorrow morning, thirsty for blood and vengeance....eager to strike to kill. And now it seemed the Devil within was planning his own revolt, craving the soul of Kazuyas unborn child.
Jun reached for Kazuya, feeling his torment. Her hand slipped like silk along his cheek. Kazuya closed his eyes, lost in the touch of her flesh, a feeling of redemption he believed he would never find again.
“Lets run away from here, Kazuya. Lets just go where the world will never find us...” she pleaded softly, fear creeping into her voice. The gravity of the world outside of the lovers feeling suddenly...insurmountable.
“No, Jun. I can not run, the past will always find me. My father will see to that. But when all of this is said and done, we will discuss the future....if it is not too late to have one...together...” Kazuyas hands encircled her waist, drawing her in tight to his body. “Is it too late, do you think?”
Juns eyes lowered softly as her lips quivered, aching for his kiss. “Better too late than never at all...” she whispered against him, weakened by his nearness.
Kazuya’s mouth claimed hers with an intense passion, devouring her lips as if the tide of life and death...salvation and damnation rested within her bounty.
“Lets see if we can’t make this night...last forever...” Jun moaned with painful desire, her body quivering with the dark passions only his touch could bring.
Kazuya scooped her up into his arms. “Tonight there is no darkness or light....no fathoms of right and wrong. There is only love and desire. There is only you...and I. We will be forever, Jun. Our eternity begins with the life..the scion, that grows inside you.”
Carrying her up the stairs on the east wing, Kazuya crossed into the master bedroom, closing the door behind them.
chigiri
Kazuya rested in the luxury of his feather down bed, one arm draped behind his head, the other holding Jun to him. The dark purple silk sheets draped across their forms, captured the moonlight as it danced over the room.
Jun leaned upward on her elbow, letting her head softly rest against her palm as tendrils of her dark mane kissed the length of her skin. She could not remove her eyes from his own mysterious depths. He was truly perfection, cast into mortal form.
Kazuya lifted his hand, tracing a finger along her cheek, pressing against her warm, soft lips. He could have spent a lifetime looking deep into her almond eyes, their depths welcomed him to try.
With a mischievous smile, Jun pulled the sheet from his body, exposing his exquisite form. Kazuya made no attempt to cover himself from her feasting glance. “Well, my little hellcat, are you so anxious for round two?” With a raise of his high arched brow, Kazuya gave a dark smile, watching her eyes burn along the entirety of his flesh.
With a sensual evil all her own, Jun regarded his swelling response to her stare. Casting her eyes up once more, she purred. “It seems I am not the only one ready for another taste...”
Jun placed a burning kiss along his muscular chest, slowly trailing downward as Kazuya lowered his eyes. Her lips found his hip...and then his thigh as soft whisps of hair fell in a wave against his eager flesh. With a flick of her tongue, she teased his desire, drawing the very tip of his sacred skin past her aching lips. Jun felt his muscles tense, his chin tilting upward ever so slowly as he inhaled a long, sharply drawn breath.
Jun felt the swell of desire writhe through her blood. Drawing him through the torment of devouring him, inch by painfully delicious inch...the softness of her tongue danced under his length. With a tormented moan, Kazuya arched his hips...seeking the pleasure only the entirety of her mouth could bring him. Jun pulled back slowly, exposing his moistened flesh to the cool night air.
Kazuya gasped, his hands balling into fists around the purple silk sheets. He had incredible control, though this temptress pushed him to the brink of his limits.
“Do you want more?” she purred playfully as the heat of her tongue lapped against the underside of his beautiful length.
Kazuya writhed in agony, barely able to breath, let alone speak.
With a sudden and intense motion, Kazuya felt the inner depths of her mouth encircling him, drawing his flesh deep to the back of her throat. The pressure of her suck sent him into convulsions of intense pleasure. Juns lips moved with fury claming and then relenting on his sensitive shaft, her pace nearly dizzying him to climax. And then suddenly....she stopped.
Kazuya’s eyes opened as he exhaled deliriously aching breaths. Juns eyes held his as she slowly crawled above him, letting his mouth moistened length slide down her body. Straddling her prey, Kazuya could feel the heat between her thighs...the slick warmth of salvation...pressing above his most intimate flesh. With a slow writhing motion of her hips, Jun felt his tip press just within the soft aching entrance of her body, causing her to suck back a hard breath.
Working him into her slowly, the muscles within her delicate flower pressing with intense passion, surrounding his width as her body devoured his length. With her head pressing skyward, Jun quivered, her body staying perfectly still...feeling the pressure of Kazuya inside of her, forcing her sanity to the very limits of desire.
Kazuya moaned, panting as the ache built to intensity...his very control beginning to snap like tension wires as he felt her sex, squeezing all around him. With a sudden grasp of his strong hands on her hips, Kazuya rolled Jun onto her back...never separating their bodies as she impacted, driving his length deeper into her.
Jun cried out, feeling Kazuya drive himself deeper into her body. His arms draped behind her back letting his fingertips hang over her shoulder as his hips pushed him to impossible strength and speed. Their breaths became intermingled as their lips connected, each tasting the others’ cries of pleasure.
Kazuya wanted to break her and remake her beneath him. He drove himself to the edge of reality, seeking penance and salvation buried deep in her body.
The gates of heaven opened as his eyes held hers. Together, they rode the sweet wave of bliss, defying the warnings of both gods and angels above.
Drawing a shaking hand to the side of her flushed face, Kazuya grasped her with his eyes. “I love you Jun. I have always loved you...I will always love you. In this life and the next, until the world itself collides with the heavens..I will still love you as much then, as I do...at this moment.” Kazuya felt the tears threaten to consume him. It felt so good to finally say to her the way he felt in his heart the moment his hand touched hers for the first time.
“I feel as if I have waited my entire lifetime to hear these words...from only your lips..As if this moment was my destiny..as if you are my destiny.” Jun smiled, chasing the jealous angels from the heavens with a grace they could never capture.
Kazuya rolled to his side, drawing Jun in close to his soul. He smiled, resting his head against his hand. “Our son will possess all the blessings of heaven, the strength of my blood...the tenderness of your soul...and the passion of our love. In him, we will be forever united....”
Jun held him against her, feeling his heart in time with her own. Who would have believed such perfection could be found, when worlds collide.
naresome
Kazuya stood at the foot of the bed, watching his angel in the blissful arms of sleep. The morning had risen, no matter how he tried to keep it at bay. Some things were just beyond his sphere of power. The flow of nature was one of them.
Dressed in a simple pair of black Armani slacks and his white button down shirt, Kazuya was ready for what had to be done. He had called the detective, Lei Wulong nearly an hour ago and asked him to meet at the Zaibatsu by 7am. It was almost 6:30am, now.
As Jun fell into sleep, Kazuya realized what he had to do. There was only one way to save the soul of his unborn son...the life of the woman he loved and his own tattered essence, tainted by the Devil within. Funny how choices such as these come easily enough when there is love to conquer fear.
Kazuya let his eyes drink in the sight of her, delicately entwined in his sheets. Traces of sorrow rang through his voice as he whispered to her while she wandered amidst the splendor of her dreams. “I love you Jun. Whatever may happen, this day, remember that always.”
Taking his gi bag and placing it to his shoulder, Kazuya turned and walked from the master bedroom at the Mishima Compound and down the stairs to the awaiting limousine.
tenshinchigi
Kazuya sat in his high back, leather executive chair, watching the triumph of the sun over the Tokyo skyline. Pressing the cordless phone to his ear, he repeated the message once again. “’The future begins with a promise.’, yes, that’s right. To the 10nth floor, room 1116. Thank you...”
Hanging up with a click of his finger, Kazuya took a moment to enjoy the scenery before him. Tokyo city never looked more beautiful than at the kiss of day or at the promise of night.
A knock came to the ornate double doors of the CEO office. Lei Wulong wasted no time as he entered, finding Kazuya turned to face the windows. Clearing his throat loudly, Lei announced his presence, making no attempt at masking his hatred for Kazuya. “You must want something pretty bad to call me at the station. Lets make it snappy, shall we?”
Lei walked closer, stopping before the desk as Kazuya turned his chair around to face him. The CEO looked tired and yet, incredibly peaceful. “Thank you for coming Lei.”
With narrowed eyes, Wulong stood rigidly. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this private audience, Kazuya?”
The CEO smirked, folding his arms atop the dossier, resting on his rosewood desk. “I have asked you here for a favor, one for which you will be greatly compensated....”
“I don’t take bribes, so don’t waste your time or your money.” Lei interrupted, holding firm to his integrity.
“There is no love lost between us, Wulong. However, I think this will explain it all.” Kazuya slid the dossier forward as Lei reached, opening it’s leathered cover.
Scanning through it quickly, a look of confusion drifted over his face. “I’m not a damn stock broker, Mishima. What in the hell do you want me to do with these financial records. I’m sure you have an entourage of tax lawyers better suited to take care of this kind of thing.”
“I can’t trust a tax lawyer with this.” Kazuya stood, placing his trembling hands in his pockets. “The only one I could intrust to see this through, is currently sedated in a hospital bed. These papers are to insure the welfare of someone very close to me. I want her to be well taken care of in the event...in the event I do not return from the match against Heihachi Mishima this morning.”
Lei looked up at him before drawing himself into an available seat. “And you want me to be the executor of these papers?” He was in disbelief. For years Kazuya Mishima was enemy number one, leading above all other criminals with a list of allegations ranging from murder and kidnapping to the Mafia involvement that may have led to the death of his own partner. Not to mention the fact that Kazuya Mishima had stolen away the very woman Lei Wulong had fallen for.
“She is pregnant, Lei. As you already knew. There is too much on the line to pretend I will walk away from this match unscathed. Though I will do my best to assure just that. But you see, Lei, for all the hatred you feel against me, my son will be worth 10 times the better of what I am. I would see he and Jun...secure, if I could.” Kazuya paced along the expanse of windows, the world weighing down on his shoulders.
“How do you know it is going to be a son?” Lei narrowed his eyes in confusion.
“Lets just say I have it on high authority...or low authority...if you will.” Kazuya sighed to himself. “In anyway, will you do this for me? And if not for me, then for Jun.”
Lei brushed a hand through his ponytail mane of dark hair. “Answer me one question and I will consider it.”
Kazuya nodded.
“Do you love her, Kazuya?” Wulong asked, straight forward, holding no punches.
“Yes, Lei. I love Jun Kazama with every breath I can hold. She has turned my life around and given me hope for the future. A son, Wulong. My angel is giving me a son.” Kazuya turned away, looking back along the Tokyo skyline. The hour was drawing near.
Wulong felt an intimate sadness flow through the room. It was as if Kazuya expected.... “Alright, Kazuya. I will do this for you.”
“There is one last thing, Wulong.” Painfully, Kazuya forced himself to meet the detectives eyes. “I want you to take care of her, in the event I can not do that myself. You are a man of honor, one I admire. I know you will do what is right for her and for my son.”
Lei Wulong knew what Kazuya was saying behind his words. Kazuya was giving him intimate permission to pursue Jun Kazama, to cherish her and protect her if he himself could not.
Shaking his head slightly, Lei had the sudden urge...to mourn. There was a heavy darkness hanging along Kazuya’s spirit...it was almost, tangible.
“Oh and...finally, look in on Lee Chaolan for me. Be sure that if anything should happen to me, that he is moved to a different hospital facility away from Heihachi. I know this is a lot to ask of you Lei. But I trust you. I have no one else left to take care of these important issues.”
Lei Wulong rose extending his hand to Kazuya. He was making his own peace with the demon he had been seeking to capture for so long now. Funny how the CEO looked more like a man and less like a beast when he was ready to walk the razors edge. Lei could sense a strong honor in him, one the detective had never noticed before.
“We will laugh about these precautions at your wedding, one day. Though I can not promise I will return the bride, once I charm her with my suave dance steps.” Lei smiled as he tried to loose himself of the anchoring heart break, feeling Kazuya shake his hand.
“Indeed Wulong. What an interesting idea.” Kazuya nodded as Lei gathered the dossier, turning to leave.
Kazuya called to him as Lei reached for the double doors. “Lei...if anything should happen to me this morning....Know this. There is foul play involved at the hands of Heihachi Mishima. Remember my words. Please.”
Lei nodded, marking it to his memory. “Good luck, Kazuya.” He bowed before the CEO, turning to walk from the room.
Lei Wulong would be the last person to ever see Kazuya Mishima....alive.
seidou
Kazuya knelt before the final burning candle, in a line of others, melted to the holder. His gloves left as an offering upon the slight dais in the ante chamber of the Mishima Zaibatsu. With a heavy heart, Kazuya slipped into the comfort of meditation.
The demon was quiet, brooding somewhere within, awaiting the perfect moment to extricate his plan. Kazuya knew what had to be done. He was ready to grasp the future, his heart heavy with love and longing.
Kazuya imagined what the face of his son might look like. Would he resemble the austere visage of his Father...or the tender angel face of his mother. Either way, Kazuya knew he would be proud.
The candle burned to half way, Kazuya could feel its’ essence in his Ki. Drawing to a stand, he bowed, filling his lungs with the cloy burning scent of the incense.
Come along, boy. Lets not tarry now. We have much to do. Remember, a promise is...a promise.
Kazuya drew in a deep breath, walking slowly from the ante chamber to the limousine that awaited him outside of the Zaibatsu. The car would carry him into the countryside, amidst the legends of the Volcano spirits, in a place where Father and Son could be completely undisturbed as they settled an old score.
An Eye for an Eye.
A life...for a life.