Chapter 2

Asuka Kazama crept through the corridor, quietly making her way to the kitchen so as to not wake her father. After all, the hospital had finally let him come home after six months in ICU and the last thing she wanted to do was wake him up at three in the morning. She should have been sleeping as well but her mind just refused to rest and she decided to drink a glass or two of water to help.

Though, considering the recent events, it was no wonder she couldn't sleep.

She had come a long way since the sixth Tekken tournament. Entering with the intention of capturing her relative, the CEO of the Mishima Zaibatsu Jin Kazama, she made her way towards the semi-finals before being taken down by Lars Alexandersson. But after she was clear that his goal was the fall of the Zaibatsu, she didn't mind walking away from the fray empty-handed.

Upon arriving home, Asuka was overjoyed to know that her father had recovered from his assault enough to return home. Surprisingly, he wasn't very angry with Asuka for entering the last two Tekken tournaments. Though she was curious to know why she decided not to press her luck.

However, he would still tire very easily and had to rest more often, though Asuka attributed this to the fact that he was still recovering, despite the signs that age was catching up with him. Regardless, he could no longer continue to teach at the dojo and Asuka had to take it up.

So she was now juggling academics, the dojo and taking care of her father, making her life very wearing. And the ever mounting bills were just the icing on top of the shitty sundae.

Then one day while checking the mail, she found an envelope that wasn't a bill (which they had plenty of) but an invitation to the Tekken Tag tournament. This made her think about whether or not to enter the tournament.

If she entered and won, she and her father would overcome their financial burdens for a decent amount of time. But it would take a long time and she wasn't sure she could leave him alone that long.

With this internal debate added to the stress that everyday life provided, her sleep was less fulfilling on most nights. And this was one of those nights.

She eventually reached the end of the corridor where a flight of stairs led to the lower floor. She tip-toed down the stairs at a steady pace but when she reached the last step she stopped dead in her tracks. The light was on and someone was sitting on the couch.

After a few seconds of staring, she realised that it was just her father and relaxed. But then she wondered why he was up in the dead of the night.

Curiosity got the better of her and the words escaped before she could stop them.

"Dad, you're still awake?"

Her father turned his head, smiling when he saw her.

"Asuka! I'd say the same to you!" he exclaimed in a slightly tired voice. "I was just looking through some old photo albums of when I was your age…"

"Really?" she replied, interest sparking in her as she walked over to sit next to him on the couch.

"Yes, I was reminded of these when I was looking through my closet," he elaborated, gesturing to the stack of heavy, leatherbound books on the coffee table. "And I felt nostalgic. Would you like to look through them with me?"

Asuka nodded, enthusiastically. "Sure!"

He smiled at her and she settled herself on the couch, leaning against her dad as they perused through the book. In it were multiple photos of her father from his youth with family members that she could vaguely remember, most of them sporting the family bangs.

Almost all of them were official family pictures, with everyone sitting in lines and keeping either stoic or pleasant expressions.

"It's a shame we don't see each other often anymore," her father said. Her eyes eventually fell on the face of one of the women.

Even though the picture was aged, she radiated a sort of light and beauty that shined through the yellowing paper. She had dark hair that ended at her slender shoulders with the family bangs and eyes that somehow saw into Asuka's soul. Despite that slightly creepy feature, this woman had a kind face that sported a slight smile, which amplified her beauty.

She looked rather familiar, despite the fact that she had never seen her before.

"Who's that?" Asuka let out, pointing at her face amongst her family.

"That's my cousin, Jun," he said after a few seconds. "She was four years younger than me but we used to get along pretty well. Then again, Jun used to get along well with almost everyone she met. Very likeable personality, she had."

"Oh, really?" she said, encouraging him to go on.

"Everyone in our family agreed she was an excellent example of the ideal woman," he added. "She was patient, quiet, wise, compassionate, forgiving… she was the favourite of all the elders for sure."

Asuka felt strange at the sound of these words. This woman, her aunt, was the opposite of herself in every way and her father called her the ideal woman. And she was loved by almost everyone.

Everyone she met so far referred to her as a 'nosy kid', which she really didn't think much about until now. And the fact that her father had such a smile on his face at her mention, it stirred something else in her. It was something like anger, something she was familiar with, and something she had never felt before…

She looked up at her father. She asked, somewhat irritably "Sounds great... How come this is the first time I'm hearing about her?"

At this, there was a flicker of sadness in his dark eyes. He sighed.

"She was living in Yakushima with her son when she was attacked. By what, the authorities weren't sure. But they couldn't find her body, nor did they know what happened to her son and presumed them both dead. The entire family was informed. It... was upsetting for all of us."

At this news, Asuka raised her hand to her mouth. The previous feelings vanished, only to be replaced by remorse at ever feeling angry. Then it struck her how rude she sounded when she asked her question.

"I'm so sorry… I didn't know," she said, hastily. But he just gave her a patient smile.

"No need, Asuka. I never told you. You were only a child when it happened. I didn't want to burden you with such sad thoughts."

This did nothing to improve her mood. She turned to avoid his gaze.

"But you know, you do remind me of her somewhat," her father continued. Asuka held back a scoff. It was pretty obvious that they were nothing alike.

"After all, she had entered the second Tekken tournament, herself," he finished. Asuka's eyes widened and she turned to face him again.

"She was a fighter?! But the way you made her sound, I thought she'd be one of those 'prissy' types who wouldn't want to rip her dress or somethin'."

He laughed, heartily, at this.

"Jun!? Never! She was an excellent fighter! Better than me even! She then later gained the title of 'Chosen One' and everyone expected great things from her. She was the pride and joy of the family. Made me a little jealous myself."

"You say it like I'm jealous of her too," she pouted.

"Asuka, you're not a very hard person to read," he said, amused. Hadn't heard that one in a long time.

She huffed in frustration and folded her arms and he pulled her into a one-armed hug, chuckling.

"Asuka, I'm just telling you what my relatives used to tell me. She was my cousin so I would often get angry at her over petty things, but I ultimately loved her. And the same applies to you, though I take special note of your achievements, such as your title of 'Gang Mediator'."

Asuka grinned at this. Then a thought occurred to her. "So, is that why you weren't angry about the tournaments?"

He sighed, his expression sombre. "Well, I would prefer you had stayed away from those tournaments but, I realised that I could never stop you from what you feel you have to do."

He looked at her and smiled. "It reminded me a bit of Jun too. She was just as stubborn as you. Besides, I'm sure it was a good change from fighting gangsters in the streets. Must have been a good fighting experience."

"I dunno, some of 'em were wimps," she jibed. "Half of 'em didn't take me seriously. Showed 'em though, didn't I?"

Her father chuckled.

"That's 'cause you're a Kazama! And my daughter," he added, proudly. She hugged her father, smiling widely.

At least he didn't think she was a nosy kid.

Her eyes wandered to the top of the mahogany coffee table in front of them and fell on a bundle of envelopes beside the photo albums. Her eyes narrowed when she remembered what those were.

"Say, dad…?" she started. He glanced at her, expectantly. She bit her tongue.

Should she even discuss the matters that were troubling her sleep?

Ought she tell him about how the dojo is not enough for managing the house and ask him whether or not she should enter the tournament?

Would he agree with her? Would he try to do something himself rather than let her take over, which he had attempted to do before Asuka reassured him she could?

"Nothing," she uttered, pathetically.

"Alright then," her father replied. They sat in silence for a while, hugging each other loosely, before her father spoke up. "Asuka, I'm honestly really proud of the way you're handling everything. I don't know if I tell you this often."

He did. A lot. But she let him go on.

"It isn't easy, managing the house and the finances and studying at the same time. I just wish this old man could help you out more..."

"Dad, you're not old," Asuka insisted. "And trust me, you're helping me just by taking it easy. Your health is the most important thing to me!"

He gazed at her lovingly and squeezed her frame with his arm. "Asuka, parents can't help but always worry about their children. Things will look up for us soon, I'm sure. Hard work always pays off."

Asuka nodded. She sincerely hoped it would.

"Good heavens, it's getting late," he remarked, gazing at a clock on the other side of the room. "I think I'll turn in for the night. What you say?"

"Sounds good," she agreed. She took the photo album from him and put it on the table. "Do you need my help going up?"

"I think I should be fine," her father assured her, slowly getting up from the couch and grimacing a bit as he did. He spared her a big smile though.

"Good night, Asuka," he said, affectionately, before heading to the stairway. With his departure came new feelings of conflict. She couldn't help herself as her eyes fell once again on the red leaflet that lay on the table. She sighed in frustration and ran her fingers through her hair.

She was a good fighter... but it sounded selfish that she'd even consider leaving him alone, just for a chance for some sport and money…

What would Aunt Jun do at a time like this?

The ideal woman, who was loved by everyone, who had fought in the second Tekken tournament… who died with her son years ago…

No… she couldn't leave for the tournament. Her father had no one else. No other family, no wife, just one daughter. They'd manage somehow but she couldn't leave him. Her hard work will pay off.

For once, she would put aside her love of the fight…

She reached forward, grabbed the invitation and threw it across the room. Not paying any attention to where it could have landed, she heaved herself up and pursued the glass of water that promised her a good night's sleep...

... but when she took a step, she was surprised to hear a heavy thud instead of a faint squeak. She jumped from the shock, spinning around in her place to see what had caused it. Her gaze eventually found the source.

Her father, crumpled at the foot of the stairs, unmoving.

Asuka felt the scream rip through her throat before she heard it ringing in her ears, arriving by his side before she felt the muscles in her legs contract.


Chapter title is from a song of the same name by The Veronica's.

May Peace Be Upon You.