Disclaimer: I don't own Tekken or the characters within the series. This awesome series and the wonderful characters within it are the property of Namco. This story is for entertainment purposes only.
Journey Inside a Dangerous Mind
Chapter 2: Julia
By: Kadeana
Julia Chang gazed at Jin Kazama, her eyes wide and her expression could almost be described as . . . frightened. His eyes were as tortured as they ever were and called for someone, anyone, to take up the banner and fight for his soul. The brown depths fooled many a people after the fifth, King of the Iron Fist Tournament—and she was embarrassed to admit that she was among the number of the ones fooled. She closed her own eyes when she realized he was studying her face with an unnerving intensity.
She sat with her back straight. Her well-toned body held a womanly grace that always intrigued him. Her long brown locks were pulled back into two neat braids. The headband that seemed apart of her being was not in its rightful place. He guessed it was missing in rebellion for having to interview him. Her eyes finally opened, shining in defiance. The proud princess returned? He released her from his grip and she quickly got to her feet. Her arms were akimbo and to his amusement, she did not bow to him in greeting. She always was too brave for her own good.
"Konnichi-wa, Kazama-san." She didn't even try to fake warmth that she didn't have the ability to feel for him anymore. "I am here on behalf of the government." A government she was quite miffed at. Julia was not a reporter and why they came to her and demanded that she do this interview was beyond her comprehension of logic. Her presence would only upset him in some way or another—and the government would not dream of doing that—so all this had to be his doing. She decided she better be on her guard because there was no telling what he had planned for her.
He only saw her as an object of his entertainment—which was pretty much how he viewed the entire world in general.
"That is very intriguing to me." He stood to his feet his eyes never wavering from hers. "The fiery little miss with her own code . . . now on another leash." To his pleasure her eyes sparked angrily—in an unexpected glimpse of the Julia of the past. The one buried by grief and a misplaced sense of loyalty to her mother's memory.
"Leash?" she repeated in a whisper. Jin felt like he could almost feel the chill from her icy tone.
"When first we met, you were this fiery creature . . . that would go to any lengths to get Chang-san back," he replied. "When you failed in that mission, in atonement you turned yourself into a shadow of her. A leash that repressed the fiery, passionate side of your being . . . For much too long." He strolled over to his futon and sat down. She followed him with her honey colored eyes. It was almost like he was the hunted and she was the hunter and it amused him to no end.
She decided then that she liked him much better back in the days when he could have been considered half mute! "Kazama-san, it is not your place to evaluate me," she replied, her back stiffening. "I am the interviewer here. Besides . . . I don't want to be here anymore that you want me here . . . So let me do my job, and then I'll leave."
"Shall we begin, then?" he repeated. Her eyes narrowed like that of a cat stalking its pray but instead of pouncing on him—much to his disappointment—she walked over to the futon and then grabbed her tape recorder, notebook, and pen that sat on the small table in front of it. She walked to the opposite side of the table from the futon and sat on the cushion he had vacated.
She cut on the recorder and then pressed the play button. "Tell us about the events that occurred during the Third King of the Iron Fist Tournament," she commanded. "The events that changed you from that of a normal kid . . . to the being that you are today."
Kid. Her bravado always did amuse him to no end. Who else in the world—other than Kazama Asuka—would have had the nerve to say that to him? And the way she said 'the being' was as if he was something that crawled out of the most vilest place that ever existed.
"I was nineteen by then," he pointed out. "Why start there?" She pressed the pause button on the recorder.
"It is during that period that the changes began," she replied. "Also, out of respect of the late Kazama-san, I will leave out details about her life. The things that she would not wish to be known." Nothing more, nothing less, she thought as his left eyebrow rose in silent questions.
She took the recorder off pause and then looked at him expectantly. "The tournament of fate," he said one side of his lips slightly rising. "It was intended to be 'my presentation to the world' party. But in own my eyes . . . it was all about revenge."
"Revenge?" she prompted.
"I knew that the creature that killed someone precious to me . . . would surely surface at that tournament. It would be naturally drawn to the strength of the warriors involved in it," Jin replied. "I wanted to face him again . . . and this time . . . the outcome would be very different. For I had trained many a years, under the guidance of Mishima Heihachi, to ready myself . . . for the time we met next."
"Continue on with the tournament," she requested.
"I met four very strange people in this tournament, and they all forced me to look outside the realm of revenge, that I had enclosed myself in," he replied. "Ling Xiaoyu, she and I attended the same high school, and she was another ward of my ojii-sama's. She was determined to be my friend. There was also Hwoarang. A man from Korea who ignorantly branded himself my equal. But at that time, in my life, it is debatable that he was. And there was, Julia Chang. A young fiery American, who had the gall to try and kidnap me"—she gave him a look that he could almost call condescending—"and hold me for ransom to get her mother back. And the fourth was Yoshimitsu-sama, a Robin Hood like thief, who irony of ironies . . . acted as my conscience."
"But, why? Of all the fighters in this tournament, why did these four stand out the most to you?" she asked scribbling about his physical emotions in her notebook. Jin's expressionless face wasn't much to write about, but she desperately needed away to brace herself for the insults that she was sure to come her way.
"The American was like no other female I had ever encountered before," he replied, "or wants to encounter like that, ever again. Most understood, upon first introduction, that I was not to be trifled with. And then quickly fled in the other direction. Xiao-chan, of course, ignored all my subtle 'go to hell' expressions. The infuriating little American, however, she met them head on."
Nineteen-year old Jin Kazama, fatigued of the day's events, walked the grounds of his grandfather's vast estate so he could just . . . relax. He enjoyed Central America very much and thought it was beautiful and once he got over the change in humidity, he went exploring and never stopped the calming ritual after the first jaunt. Since that first trip, he saw many interesting things while exploring. There were different types of wildlife that he'd only seen before in books and on the computer. Beautiful plants . . . and best of all . . . a beautiful native girl.
The previous day, on one of his excursions, he saw a girl swimming in a lake. He had not approached her, not wanting to disturb the enchanting scene. He just watched her from afar, wondering who she was. Why was she on Mishima grounds? And what was her story? Thinking of her forced a small smile to grace lips that had seemed to forget how to smile.
And now . . . she was following him. She couldn't know that he was aware of her; that he grew up in nature such as this; and that he could hear her soft steps. He could even hear her soft breathing. If he had been anyone else, Jin was sure she would have gone completely unnoticed.
He did not consider her much of a threat so he let his mind wander to more stressing topics. . .
The start of The King of the Iron Fist Tournament, would begin in a couple of days. He could not wait to destroy the being that murdered his beloved mother. And in doing so . . . he could finally let her rest in peace.
He also wanted Mishima Heihachi-sama's approval but Jin often wondered if he was asking too much of his grandfather. His Ojii-sama accepted him but Jin sensed something there that wasn't quite right. He put those uneasy thoughts aside because the mystery surrounding his birth would be hard for anyone to understand and accept as the truth. He was grateful that Heihachi took him in and trained him.
A lesser man would have sent Jin away and never looked back once.
He'd almost reached the forest edge when he heard, "Stop where you are." So . . . she had finally decided to let her presence be known. He did as she commanded. "Turn around, very slowly." Jin started to turn. "And don't make any sudden moves." Bossy onna. Jin turned dramatically slow.
Hanging around with Ling Xiaoyu was having unusual effects on him. Usually, his patience would've worn thin and he would've ignored the girl—hurting her tender feelings—or most likely just given her a scathing glare that would make her tremble with fear. Now he had more patience and developed somewhat of a sense of humor. He'd seen Xiao-chan do this exact thing to plenty of people, including his grandfather, when he was attempting to discipline her.
No need to be mean to the homeless girl—who obviously thought the he was the one trespassing on lands that belong to his grandfather. Land that would, maybe, belong to him . . . someday.
"Stop that!" she commanded. "Do you even realize how annoying that is?" He stopped moving completely, inwardly pleased that his plan had worked. "Now turn around and no more idiotic tricks!" An innocent command that just pleaded for more idiotic tricks but he decided to go along with her request.
He finally tuned to face her and her own eyes were trying to rip him to shreds with a scathing glare he could swear she borrowed from himself, Hwoarang, or Ojii-san. Her pretty mouth was set into a determined frown that didn't really fit her face. Her well-toned, tanned body was clothed in blue jeans and a little doeskin vest, covering a green sports bra. Her hair was parted down the middle in two braids. Some of her hair fell forward to frame her face. A red headband with yellow, green, blue, red, and black pyramids decorated her head, with a red feather protruding from its side.
He had the sneaky suspicion that she was the complete opposite of the menacing aura she was trying to project toward him.
"You are my prisoner." I am? Jin thought looking at her blankly. "Since your ugly, old grandfather," Jin simmered at this, "is so fond of kidnapping people . . . I've decided to return the favor."
"Kidnap?" He repeated and couldn't stop the bewildered expression that matched his feelings of astonishment. Heihachi had him studying the English language pretty much the moment he was under his roof. He had planned not to reveal he spoke anything but Japanese but she had thrown him for a loop. This was a kidnapping?
"Yes! Now come with me!" she commanded. "We need to get back to my camp before nightfall."
Jin just stared at her, wondering how he ended up in this absurd situation. How did this little onna think she could take him prisoner? It would take more than her to capture him. After training under his grandfather, it would take an entire army.
Where was her weapon? Did she think he'd just bend to her will like a puppet and follow her? Pretending to do so would probably prove to be amusing but this was just too much. He folded his arms and shook his head in disbelief. "I think . . . that I am insulted."
"Like I care! Now come on!" She stomped her booted foot like the action would scare him into submission to her will.
"Am I such a none threat, that you have no need of a weapon?" His astonishment had officially loosened his tongue.
She narrowed her eyes at him. She showed him her fist. He guessed it was a signal that there was no way that she would lose control of this situation. "This is the only weapon I need," she snapped. What? He stared at her blankly. "I can handle the likes of you without any other!"
If Jin were a person giving to fits of laughter this would be the moment he would be doubled over in his mirth. Since he hadn't been inflicted with that ability he could only stare at her. He was at a loss of how to end this confrontation delicately, when a flash of red caught his eye. He looked just beyond her. Kuma, his grandfather's bodyguard and beloved pet, crept slowly up behind her.
"I may not be much of a challenge, but him . . ." he let his words trail off, his eyes still focused on Kuma.
She snorted, in a most unladylike fashion. "Like I'm stupid enough to fall for that," she scoffed. All the color drained from her face when, what had to be a very wet, nose touched the small of her slender back. A rebel, panicked squeak escaped her lips and then she covertly looked over her shoulder, while also trying to keep him in her sights.
Jin smirked in both amusement and victory over her look of horror but his smirk faltered when Kuma got into his attack stance. She turned slowly and started to back away, never seeing Jin give Kuma a silent warning. Ignoring him—which the annoying bear seemed to do in an alarming number of cases—the huge bear swiped down with one of his mighty paws but she leaped backwards, evading the attack, but causing Jin to fall backwards when she pummeled into him.
Kuma got on all fours, preparing to attack again. He rushed forward but Jin used his foot to block his advance. Cradling the girl's head against his chest, he gave the stupid, rebellious bear a withering glare, which caused Kuma to flee for his life, or at least to pretend to flee for his life. That bear was a weird one.
"H-hey." His voice sounded stupid even to his own ears. He received no answer in return. You do not have to play dead anymore, he thought as another rare smile almost forming on his lips but she still lay limp in his arms.
"You'd fallen for me." Jin's crooked grin was even more annoying than his words.
"Cute," she muttered, cursing the fates for subjecting her to such nonsense.
"So, did you faint from the horror of being attacked by a bear or from your head colliding with mine?"
The answer was both embarrassing scenarios but she knew better than to encourage him. "Does it matter?" she asked. Why does he think any of this is relevant? The teasing gleam in his eye gave her her answer. So, you're mocking me.
"It is very flattering to believe that you fainted from the overwhelming power of my animal magnetism." Julia sighed and cut off the recorder. "Of course back then . . . I had no animal magnetism. And even if I did . . . I didn't have the ability to make any good use of it."
He had animal magnetism in spades but that was beside the point. "What does this have to do with anything?" she asked calmly.
"Everything," he replied.
"I don't like being mocked." You of all people should know that. You pushed me over the edge and I showed you that was a big mistake.
"I am not mocking you," he replied. "I call it sparking up conversation with an old friend."
"I didn't ask to do this interview."
"I did not say that you did."
"Would you be adding Julia Chang to your equation if she, I, wasn't doing this interview?" Now he had her referring to herself in the first person.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Cut the recorder back on," he commanded.
"Not until you answer me."
"Didn't they warn you, that you must be nice . . . for he might lose his temper?" he asked. "You could get fired for making me angry. So doing so would not be wise." Not that he was even close to being angry but he thought it prudent to point out.
"I didn't ask to do this in the first place!"
"Someone is still bitter."
"I hate you. . . and so does anyone else with normal brain activity."
"It is kind of hard to love two beings inhabiting one body," he replied. "One is bound to get on your bad side."
"Maybe that were true before you fought Jinpachi," she replied. "But after that . . . there were no two beings anymore. It was just one. Jevil, Jivel, or Jinvel!" If only she'd realized that before she fell for his charms.
"You are complicating things," he decided.
"You were mocking me," she repeated incredulously.
"When?"
"I'm supposed to believe I made an impact on your life?"
"Yes."
"I'm not an idiot. So . . . I know when I'm being fed a line," she replied. "I am the inferior American, remember?"
"I did not have a sex drive until I met you," he replied. "I would say that was a deep impact."
She looked like she wanted to kill him but instead—much to his disappointment—she grabbed all her belongings, stood to her feet, and then rushed to the lead door. She pressed the button to the speaker that connected her to the guards standing on the other side of it. "Let me out of here!"
"Leaving so soon?"
"I refuse to sit here any longer . . . and be insulted by you," she replied heatedly. "I'm going to use every resource I have to get out of this ridiculous contract."
"Because saving the world, from deforestation has to be good for something . . . Right?" I alone hold the cards. You will come here until I say you cannot. "See you tomorrow, Julia-san." Her back stiffening let him know using her first name insulted her.
"Don't count on it." The lead door slid open. She rushed to freedom. The doors closed slowly behind her.
Jin's eyes closed, a smile briefly appearing on his lips. Four and a half years had done her justice. She was prettier and still had the body of a warrior goddess. The most important development of all, her old attitude was resurfacing. The attitude she had when she so fearlessly tried to get her mother back.
Teenage Julia would be trying to kick his impertinent ass right about now. Which he definitely deserved. Julia was one of his many unfortunate victims.
"We, we did her wrong," Jin said sorrowfully, slowly shaking his head in remorse.
"She should have known her place from the start." Devil arrogantly folded his arms.
"Her place was with us."
"I could not allow that."
"It is good I have decided to take over more control now," Jin muttered. Redemption was his key objective.
"I allow you to take more control," Devil corrected.
"We will make certain wrongs right."
"Boring." Devil made a face.
"We have done things your way and look where we have ended up."
"By your will, we are here!"
"By our deeds . . . we are here," Jin replied calmly.
"We'll die of boredom."
"So be it."
"Why did I have to get stuck with a being as twisted as you?" Devil muttered. He was finished with the conversation. Jin knew where he stood on this decision.
If anyone had caught the debate, it would've looked as if Jin was having a conversation with himself, taking on the role of the person he was conversing with mad precision. If they were to look in his eyes during the exchange, they would've seen one of his brown eyes flicker to a pale color.
A startling thought crept in as he got prepared to make tea. How rude of me, I should have offered the onna a cup.
Shut up. Was Devil's contribution to the new conversation.
Edited: June 26, 2013
