Disclaimer: Some characters you find familiar in the story belong to Namco, not me. The plot, however, is totally mine.

Author's Notes: The story takes place after Tekken 5 and its slightly AU (yes, it's becoming quite a trend these days, yeah?). I'm not going to mention who won the tournament because I don't think its necessary, let alone important. You people are free to draw your own guesses if you like. I also took the liberty of naming Christie's grandfather, since Namco have yet to tell us what it is. As always, enjoy.

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Journey to the West

Chapter 1

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Their bodies blurred, her foot whooshing past his head, leaving a slight breeze at his ear. The sun's glare had his eye squinting as he saw her leap forward, signaling her intent to finish this. Her constant grunts hinted at her mounting frustration, unleashing it in the form of windmill-kicks and swiping elbows.

The gentle waves of Copacabana Beach served as the only music here, emitting the crisp scent of the ocean.

Eddy waited for her to make a mistake, something he did not know her to make often after enduring many grueling weeks and months of practice. So far, her technique was nothing short of flawless despite only having two years of tutelage. He would have stopped to give her much praise, but he was not about to leave himself open.

He noted the Cheshire grin on his student's face as she circled him, her childlike laughter drowning out the seagulls cawing in the distance. From here, he remembered the face of the girl he met two years ago, so young yet gifted. It was almost as if there was no end to what she could do.

His smile mimicked her own as he rocked his feet back and forth after spreading them at shoulder width to resume the ginga. Readying his body, he pretended to strike to draw that mistake out of her. Christie did not flinch though, as if she was able to anticipate his every move. Next, she shifted into an L-kick, but his experience had taught him to see behind such a trick, an attempt to fake him into screwing up. Particles of sand kicked up into the air from their actions, but they continued through it.

Christie's attacks soon started speeding up as a cassette tape did when set on fast-forward, as he found himself on the defensive side. It was then he came to understand she was sealing her own loss as he studied her movements. As she raised her leg for her trademark high-kick, he took advantage and homed in on the spot she left unguarded.

A quick leg sweep and Christie hit the earth on her back with a thud, expelling a pained grunt. The game was over, but he did not feel so victorious as he rushed to her side, her body unmoving. Her eyes opened to slits as they locked with his, a smile spreading from ear to ear.

Eddy grasped her fingers as she reached for his, pulling her up to stand. "You all right?"

She pressed her hands against her head, shaking out of her dazed state. "Yeah…I'm all right." Then came that mischievous smile before he caught the warning too late. Her fist landed a punch into his ribcage. "Gotcha!" A smirk and a giggle accompanied the blow as she fixed her hands behind her back. "Nice game, hotshot."

His moan soon shifted into a soft chuckle as he patted her shoulder. "Yes, Christie…you got me. But if memory serves me correct, wasn't it you that said I had lost my rhythm?"

"Oh, so you wanna rub this loss in my face now? Me losing our little game of H-O-R-S-E wasn't enough for you?" She said with a fake pout.

Eddy grinned. He enjoyed her banter and everything about her. With the time they came to know each other, there was a sense of compassion, a sense of trust, a sense of an unbreakable sibling-like bond that made them feel like more to each other than just simple friends. At times, Christie would stay up at odd hours within the quarters of the Gordo Estate, her body parked by the window, awaiting his safe return home from whatever business he had in the outside world. She would welcome him with embraces and tender kisses on the cheek, issuing how she much she missed him in soft, sweet whispers.

Moreover, regardless of how late it was, she would prepare a meal for him, sit by, and watch as he ate. Sometimes, depending on the extent of her mood, she would draw his bath water the way he preferred, or even offer to rebraid his dreadlocks before settling in for the night. Such treats were the perfect medicine in easing the tension from the day's labor that plagued him. Because in this cold, dark world where politics reigned and crime festered, they always supported and looked out for each other.

His thoughts aside, Eddy's mind returned to the present time as they loitered around the beach. "Well, now that you're a horse, I guess we're about even."

Christie stuck her tongue out at him. "Oh shut up." Then she smiled and brushed her hair back to strike a girlish pose. "At least I'm a cute horse."

"Yeah, a bit of a feisty horse." He added in with a slight laugh, putting his arm over her shoulder as she leaned in closer to him. Even after spending hours in the sun, she still possessed that sweet fragrance. He savored it like a fresh brand of wine, soon taking into account her hygienic habits, which helped maintain that scent. Then he returned to the subject at hand. "You need to tone down your kicks a bit. You almost took my head off."

"What's wrong? Too much woman for you? Did the great Eddy Gordo have his ego shot down by yours truly?" She pointed two thumbs at her chest and smirked as her voice mimicked that of a sportscaster in the last sentence.

"Ego?" He cocked an eyebrow.

"Did I stutter?" She followed with a soft giggle, head turning. "Wanna play me in some basketball now? Promise I'll go easy on you this time." Her eyelashes batted, tone a bit softer as she held a more serious gaze that he could not muster up enough strength to turn down. "Please?"

Then, after a moment of silence, a new voice spoke out from behind. It startled them both into defensive positions; they dropped their guard as the man's visage dawned upon them. "Is this a private party or can I join?"

Eddy's longtime friend and master Sérgio stood before them, scratching the ends of his shaggy beard. "Grandpa!" Christie chirped as she ran into his embrace like an enthusiastic five year old. "You're looking well. How do you feel?" She parted from his body, her hands relaxed at his hips.

He raised a fist to his mouth to suppress a light cough. "Well, I certainly don't feel like my age, that's for sure." They all laughed at his remark as Eddy came beside him. Right now, it was as if his illness from the long, tortuous prison incarceration never existed. No longer did he tremble or groan like before.

"So, you say you're all right, huh?" Christie distanced herself from her grandfather with an unreadable look. "We'll see about that...yah!" She launched an upward kick in his direction, only to have it blocked by his swift reflexes.

"Care to try that again?" Sergio quipped, his grip fastening over Christie's ankle. "See, I can still keep up with you two."

Eddy looked at his student and smiled, him being the first to speak once the laughter had ceased. "How goes things, old friend?"

Sergio nodded. "They go well." His eyes glanced at his granddaughter for a moment. "Eddy, may I have a word with you…in private?"

Their gazes veered to Christie who stood as if she was not there. The flush rose to her cheeks in realization before she excused herself to run off and practice some more.

"Sure…" They walked under the shade of a tree a distance away, ensuring Christie was not listening before starting the conversation.

"Have you told her?" Sergio asked in a whisper, his head lowering.

Eddy gazed at Christie as she performed a back flip and then at his master again, folding his arms. "Not yet. She'll know by tonight."

Sergio closed his eyes and took a breath. "Good. I want it to be a surprise for her. I really think you two should come. You'd both enjoy it."

He nodded in agreement. "I suppose we could use some time away from here, so I'm game." His gaze wandered back to the girl. "Antonio said she's been working hard since day one. She keeps the place clean and is very polite to the customers. So, I'd say she's earned it just as much as we have."

"Then it's settled. We'll leave tomorrow. Be sure to pack everything you need." Sergio flashed a toothless grin as he brought a hand to Eddy's shoulder. "I don't think I need to tell a guy like you to be on his best behavior. Now, Christie on the other hand…"

Eddy laughed as he imagined the possibilities. "I'm certain she'll be on her best behavior as well. You have nothing to worry about. She's matured some these past few months."

"I'll take your word for it." His grip became tighter, his tone more serious. "Eddy…I never got to tell you and Christie thank you. Lying in that bed, I thought I had almost bit the dust there. If not for you two remaining strong, I wouldn't be here now."

Eddy smiled, a hand at his side. "Think nothing of it, old friend. You helped me get through hell once. I figured I could do the same with you. Christie…she never gave up hope, and neither did I."

"And for that…I thank you. I also thank you for taking such good care of her in my absence. Perhaps this can be my way of returning the favor. I better get going now." His master waved him off as he called his granddaughter back. "Have some work to do before I wrap things up at the school. See you tomorrow."

Eddy returned his friend's wave as he pondered.

'Things are defiantly starting to look up for us. I wonder how long this peace will last.'