Chapter Two: Three Years Time…
Author's Note: Thank you so much for the reviews Junking and Suengseiran I'm flattered that Jamie is one of your favorite OC's on this site! I'm going to start reading you're story. This chapter introduces another fan favorite of my OC's enjoy!
Treasure Island Florida was a tiny beach resort town. Most everything was in walking distance, and the sound of the surf could be heard faintly no matter what part of the town you were in.
It was a wonderful place to grow up, it had plenty of things to do, dozens of tiny, unique shops, and a few trendy hotspots that were located right on the water. Despite the fact that it was Southern Florida, and so close to the equator, it was early fall, and even this tropical climate had to bow to the will of Mother Nature.
The climate was pleasantly crisp, and the faint, intoxicating aroma of burning leaves mingled with the familiar sea salt smell…leaving an exhilarating aroma in the young women's nose.
It was finally fall here in Florida, and Kim Sueng Mina loved it.
She made her way down the familiar streets from her neighborhood to her family owned Tae Kwon Do studio…not especially paying attention to where she was going (she didn't need too, she'd walked this path for the past seven years), and began reflecting on her life.
She'd been doing that a lot lately…and it always seemed to start with the phrase "I can't believe it's been three years!"
Mina had begun thinking this way right around the time she turned twenty two this past July. She truly couldn't believe that, this time three years ago, she'd just returned from her first Iron Fist Tournament. She hadn't remembered the end very much…just from what Jamie and the others had told her…Heihachi had tried to conduct a ritual where her boyfriend (and current Nephilim) Jamie Parker would have been brainwashed to fight a losing battle with Heihachi's champion fighter, and sacrifice her as an end result.
Why was it that Cosmo never published an article explaining how to deal with a brainwashed boyfriend?
The ritual obviously failed (or she wouldn't still be here), and Heihachi (after a severe beatdown), was sent away to some maximum security prison…everyone thought their troubles were finally over.
Hah…
Mina wasn't a fan of huge clichés…her boyfriend, Jamie loved them, saying they spiced up his conversations…but indeed, their troubles weren't over…they were just beginning.
Since taking over the Zaibatsu, Jin became increasingly erratic…and he and Jamie had had a falling out. Mina wasn't entirely sure what had happened, Jamie never really brought it up…but since then, Jin only got worse, and Jamie never spoke to him.
After that last tournament…
Well, the close knit group of friends that she and Jamie had made, gradually drifted apart…now, Mina hardly ever heard anything from Xiaoyu, Julia, or Christie, or Asuka…and those were her girls!
Everyone had been acting so strange over these last three years…but perhaps the most upsetting was her boyfriend.
Mina walked through the door of her parents karate studio…she called out to see if anyone was around…they weren't…which relieved Mina somewhat…the silence was just the template she needed for her thoughts.
She sighed, and began straightening the display cases.
Jamie…he'd become more and more withdrawn lately…seeming overly preoccupied about something. Mina couldn't blame him…after all, as the only mortal of this generation called to kill demons, Jamie life was more then a little stressful.
But still…
Other then the occasional vampire outbreak, things of a demonic nature had been relatively quiet…however, another problem seemed to be looming over the world…and that problem was Nuclear War.
As a Nephilim, Jamie was taught not to meddle in human affairs…but when it concerned a good friend of his…how could he not?!
So…three months ago, just after her 22nd birthday, Jamie Parker left Treasure Island Florida on a mission…a mission to find out what demonic influence possessed the Mishima men.
The goodbye was one of the hardest things for Mina to endure…she had cried so long and hard over it…Jamie too…crying, but practically screaming that he had to get to the bottom of this…that he had to leave…that he couldn't let the world down…
That was three months and a week ago…and Mina had barely heard a word from him since. A part of her said that he couldn't call…couldn't be traced…she knew in her heart of hearts that Jamie didn't even want to leave her…and that he wanted to call her everyday…he loved her, and she knew that…but…
The irrational side of her…
Mina was worried sick about him, and she could barely eat or sleep for want of him…when would he come back?!
"Stop…just stop it…you'll worry yourself sick again."
Distractions, Mina needed them to focus…and currently, the wall length display mirror right by the karate mat needed cleaning. Taking her sandals off, she walked over to the mirror and began to scrub.
As she cleaned, Mina took in her reflection in the mirror. She was a petite girl, standing only at 5'3, and weighing 105 pounds. Mina was never a girl to be hung up on her looks, but she knew that she was pretty. She had attractive, coffee colored eyes, a small, cute nose, and a smile that lit up the room.
Her hair used to be cut short with chunky red streaks in it…but about a year ago, tiring of short hair, she decided to grow it out. Her hair now hung in long, silky strands down to her mid back. Gone, were the familiar red streaks she was known for, instead she had dyed her hair more to her natural color, which was black.
The transition made her look more adult and more sophisticated, and she was happy with the improvement. She also possessed a trim, tight body, from constant martial arts, and dance routines.
Mina had even incorporated her dance moves with her marital arts, creating a unique hybrid that had garnered her attention to be included in the previous Iron Fist Tournament.
Mina had an easy going personality about her, and a willingness to try anything once. She was a very pretty girl, but unlike most "hot" girls, Mina was a genuinely nice person…something that her boyfriend loved. She was never too hung up on her looks and could make friends with just about anyone.
She had just graduated college this past May, receiving her degree in Child Psychology, but she had yet to make her transition to graduate school…much to the disappointment of her parents.
Mina had always been an exceptional student, but after going to school non stop for sixteen years…Mina decided she needed a break…to gather and reflect…particularly over the latest turn of events regarding Jamie…so, for now, she worked full time at the karate school.
It was just the break she needed.
She checked the mounted clock on the wall…she had a half hour before the students and parents would start to filter in…it was probably best for her to get ready.
Mina was about to do just that, when she heard the door to the school open, filling the room with the pleasant jingle of bells. She turned in time to see her first student of the evening walk in…a half hour early to be precise.
"Miss Mina. I'm ready to start class ma'am!" He stated with a gently mocked sincerity which got a laugh out of his master.
"Justin," She giggled. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me Miss Mina."
"C'mon Mina, you're more then just my lil' bro's girlfriend…you're my…what's it called again?" He asked with a scratch to his head.
"Sensei." Mina replied with a smile.
Justin Parker was Jamie Parker's older brother. At 31, he had been taking care of Jamie for the past 12 years since their parents died. A world renowned skate boarder, Justin Parker possessed a heart of gold, and a wonderfully laid back personality.
He'd begun taking Tae Kwon Do lessons two months ago. He wasn't going on any skating tours lately, and he needed something to do to take his mind off his younger brother's disappearance. Almost as a joke, Mina suggested that she teach him Tae Kwon Do…and well…Justin Parker was now one of Mina's most promising white belts.
He stood in his new, crisp karate uniform, his white belt gleaming proudly around his narrow hips…his name written in English, and Korean adorned the back of his uniform.
"Well, you're a little early. Do you want to help set up for class?" Mina asked.
"Sure thing." Justin replied.
Poor Justin, although he tried, Mina could tell he was just as upset over Jamie's disappearance as she was. After their parents died, Justin had made a promise to protect his brother no matter what…and it was kind of hard for him to do that, when Jamie was locked in a battle against every creature the night had heard of.
Now, Jamie was gone, Justin had no idea where he was…and sometimes he would look to Mina for answers…and it broke her heart when she couldn't give them.
"Soooo," Justin began, as he helped Mina get the training swords. "did you get anything interesting in the mail today."
"Um, I don't know," Mina said off handedly, as she struggled to grab the kicking pads…whoever had used them the night before put them in an impossibly high place…Mina hated being short. "I haven't checked it, why, did you?"
Justin walked over to her, and easily grabbed the kicking pads, and handed them to her.
"Well, something came in the mail for Jamie today…and it's kinda why I came in a little early…I wanted to talk to you about it."
"Oh?" Mina's ears pricked, and a feeling akin to butterflies in her stomach began to flutter. "What is it?"
Wordlessly, Justin ran off the mat, to his gym bag, and fished around a bit, as Mina tentatively watched. Even though it took Justin only a few seconds, it had seemed like hours.
Finally, Justin returned with a manila envelope about the size of a college application…Mina knew all too well what this was…and she felt the color drain from her face.
"…Another…Iron Fist…" She sputtered weakly.
She looked at the plane envelope, and suddenly, felt her legs give out…fortunately, Justin was there to steady her.
"Yeah," Justin began excitedly. "Apparently, that Jin guy is gonna have another one! It'll be hosted in Tokyo like the others! I figured that Jamie would probably know about it…even if he didn't get the letter…and he'd probably be there!"
Mina couldn't believe it…another King of Iron Fist Tournament…and it would be hosted by Jin Kazama none the less…despite the political animosity surrounding him…why in the hell would Jin do this now? These tournaments were always so dangerous…it was a miracle that Jamie had even survived two…a complete oddity that she had survived only one.
What was Jin planning.
"Mina? Mina are you listening?" Justin asked.
"Yeah…I'm sorry…" Mina said blearily.
"I know that Jamie'll be there…that's why he left in the first place right? And…I was wondering…I know that any fighter is allowed to bring a guest with them…that's why I was hoping you got a letter too…I was wondering if it would be possible if I could go with you? I mean, I just wanna see my little brother and make sure he's okay."
"Justin…" Mina began.
The look in his eyes broke her heart…Justin Parker wanted so desperately to see his younger brother, he would dive headfirst into danger just to make sure Jamie was alright. Jamie would be upset if his older brother was ever put in harm's way…but…
"Mina, I know what you're going to say…that it's too dangerous…well I don't care! If I can't go with you, then I'll fly myself…but…I just…I just need to make sure Jamie's okay."
"Justin…I don't even know if I was invited. I…I haven't gotten a letter yet…I can't."
Suddenly, the phone rang in the school's main office. Mina was going to let it ring, the conversation with Justin was too important...until the answering machine picked up, and her younger sister's voice flooded the room.
"MINA!!!! OH MY GOD!!!! YOU GOT A LETTER TODAY TO ENTER THE LATEST IRON FIST TOURNAMET!!! OH MY GOD, YOU NEED TO ANSWER THE PHONE!!!!! THIS IS SO AWESOME!!!!"
"Well," Mina began with a slight smile (even though smiling was the last thing on her mind), "I guess you'll be my guest of honor Justin Parker."
She said the last bit as positively as she could…but on the inside, she wished she could be as brave as she sounded.
