I know, I'm very late for this update and I apologize, but translating it took me more time than I thought. Despite my tardiveness, I really hope you will enjoy this chapter: it was one of the most fun to write, because I got to do some historic researches and let my imagination run wild! Hopefully you guys will enjoy it as much as I do!
Again, a big fat thank you to my friend TheoreticallyEva for being a wonderful beta! Go check her stories, she is a gifted writer and an avid Tekken fan like me!
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Chapter II
MEMOIRS FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE
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Curled up against Hworang, Xiaoyu sobbed noiselessly, so as not to wake the passengers of the train that was driving them to Osaka.
Last night was undoubtedly the worst of their lives.
The soldiers had chased them, and Hwoarang had activated the gadget Nina had given them and got rid of one of the phones. They had taken refuge in some sort of cave after an exhausting pursuit under a torrential rain and through the muddy forest. They had spent the night curled up against each other to protect themselves from the cold while they heard soldiers patrolling around them, thankfully without finding them. The signal jammer seemed to have been pretty effective.
When the first gleams of day had timidly pointed through the thick foliage of the trees, Hwoarang had drawn an amorphous and frozen Xiaoyu behind him. They had cautiously descended the mountain and rushed into the first konbini they had found. He had practically forced her to swallow some hot tea and cakes. She was so exhausted that she let him drag her to the toilets to remove the mud that was smearing her clothes and face.
He had left her to the care of the young student who managed the shop while he had gone to buy two tickets to Osaka. The first train was at 6:00 a.m. and arrived at Tokyo at 9:45 a.m., which gave them a quarter of an hour to take the second train.
He had also called Asuka to warn her of their arrival and ask her to pick them up at the station. He had briefly explained the situation and asked if her parents would agree to host them, which they did.
He joined Xiaoyu, who had changed in the meantime and had bought some food before boarding the train.
He gently stroked her hair, trying to appease her the best he could, while he himself was overwhelmed by what had happened. He regretted obeying the old man and abandoning him to his sad fate, but he also knew that if he had not done so, their fate would not have been better. Xiaoyu must resent him and he could not blame her.
Jinrei's sudden death had greatly shocked Hwoarang. Nina had told them that their cell phones were not properly protected, and he had realized with a horrible feeling of guilt that if they had stayed in the house, their enemies would not have exploded it and just captured the three of them. The old man would still be alive, and Xiaoyu would not be so devastated.
But perhaps he had foreseen that he would die tonight. Perhaps he had preferred death rather than falling into Kazuya's hands?
"What did your grandfather give you?" he asked in a soft voice, so as not to startle her.
She remained silent for a long time, then she straightened up and grabbed her backpack. She pulled out the little black notebook, tied by a red ribbon. After a moment of hesitation, she untied the ribbon and opened the notebook on the first page, her hands trembling, while Hwoarang bent over to read with her.
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=l=l=-.-ooo0o0o0ooo-.-=l=l=
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My dear Xiaoyu,
If you are reading these lines, then I am unfortunately no longer part of this world.
As you know, I was Jinpachi Mishima's close friend. This notebook contains my memories from our very first meeting to the last events, and I hope that you will find the answers you are seeking.
I wish I could have told you face to face, but you will understand, after reading these pages, that the risk of putting you in danger was far too great.
I hope you will forgive, dear granddaughter, the secrets of an old man who loved you more than anything.
I was born in Shanghai, in 1903, in a wealthy family. China had recently opened its doors to foreign trade, and my father, an art dealer, had made his fortune by selling to the Occidentals' precious and luxurious objects, works of goldsmiths that were then jealously guarded by our country: delicately crafted sandalwood, jade and ivory jewelry, the finest porcelain, bonzes in solid gold...
I'd grown up in this environment ever since I was a little boy, but, to the great displeasure of my parents, I have never really been interested in trading. Martial arts excited me more than the contemplation of an engraving or a vase. My father agreed to send me to Beijing to follow the teachings of the renowned Master Wang Xiangzhai on the sole condition that I take over the family business on my return.
I agreed and was trained in xing yi quan until I was eighteen. During my final year of study, my master enrolled me and his other disciples in a martial arts tournament that brought together several fighters from all over Asia. I passed the first and second rounds without too much difficulty, but I lost the next fight against a young Japanese man called Jinpachi Mishima.
Although deeply humiliated, I extracted from him the promise of a rematch as soon as I became stronger. We kept in contact and ended up becoming very good friends. However, we did not see each other again until five years later, during a trip to Japan organized by my father. I had always wished to discover this fascinating country, and Jinpachi made it his mission to show me around. My father made his acquaintance and was pleased to learn that he was the future head of the Mishima Enterprise, a promising scientific research company.
Our friendship flourished, resisting the wars and the distance, and we met again on his wedding day a few years later. His wife, Hatsumyo, was a young and charming person, incredibly sweet and gentle. My friend was happy, and his happiness made me realize that I was at a point of my life where I needed to find a wife.
My parents introduced me to a large number of potential brides, but I admit today that I was incredibly hard to please and that I almost got disowned by my father. However, I was right to be so demanding; otherwise, I would never have met your grandmother. She was the daughter of a good family, pretty and intelligent, and she had—unlike all the pretenders—a liveliness that immediately seduced me.
I invited Jinpachi and Hatsumyo to my wedding. However, he was the only one able to come because his wife was expecting their first child and could not travel. This was the last time we saw each other, for the Second World War was about to explode, and our two countries were on the brink of confrontation. I then tried to shelter my family and bought a house lost in the Qinghai mountains, far from the coast, where we remained hidden for years until the end of the Japanese occupation.
But enough about me. I have already told you the story of our family many times. I would rather focus on the Mishimas, because their history is what you want to know.
I learned later, through a long letter, that Jinpachi had been forcibly enlisted by the Japanese army as a fighting instructor. He had to leave behind his wife and young son, Heihachi, who was only seven years old, and did not see them again until three years later, when he deserted. Like me, he was a fervent pacifist; the horrors he had seen during the war had deeply affected him, and he was obliged to hide to escape the court-martial. One of his high-ranking friends interceded in his favor so that he would not be executed, and he was finally sentenced to pay a heavy fine.
Jinpachi was forty-six when the atomic bomb struck Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and Heihachi was thirteen. The father was deeply traumatized and horrified at the desolation and carnage it had generated; Heihachi, although equally shocked, was fascinated by the power the bomb owners had and the innumerable possibilities that flowed from it.
If these events marked the beginning of his obsession for power, it was the death of his mother two years later of a pneumonia that crystallized it. The powerlessness of the doctors to save her made him mad with rage, and he promised to do everything possible to make the family business a pioneer in scientific research.
Over the years, the gap between father and son widened.
Heihachi spent most of his time reading military magazines and English books, while Jinpachi was doing his best to overcome his grief and continue to run the Mishima business. He did not understand his son's interest in military technology, as he was opposed to violence, and Heihachi could not stand the stubbornness of his father.
When he was sixteen, he sneaked into a US army base one night to get a closer look at the weapons his magazines were talking about. But he was soon found out, and the police took him back to his father's at dawn. Jinpachi, furious and humiliated by his son's behavior, decided to send him to a boarding school in Sapporo for the last two years of his education, exacerbating his resentment towards him. They only met twice during that period and rarely wrote to each other.
After graduating, he returned to the family house and enrolled in the Experimental Sciences department at Tokyo University. That was where he met his wife, Kazumi Iwasaki.
The young woman immediately charmed him with her beauty, her freshness, her vivacity of mind and her sweetness. But she also had the not insignificant advantage of being the heiress of Yataro Iwasaki, the founder of the Mitsubishi conglomerate. The young woman, who was a few months younger than him, resisted his assiduous courting for almost a year. Heihachi was a handsome lad, but his charisma and self-confidence were overwhelming to her, as she was so shy.
If Jinpachi had reservations about the Iwasakis, due to Mitsubishi's military involvement during the war, he was pleasantly surprised by his son's choice of wife. Kazumi was the perfect daughter-in-law, and her good heart and character ended up convincing the Mishima patriarch to let her in their family.
The Iwasakis did not oppose their union. The Mishimas were an honorable and respected family, their society was prosperous, and the young Heihachi was ambitious and madly in love.
The marriage was celebrated at the end of their studies, and Kazumi moved to the Mishima manor. Her presence illuminated the house, which had become sad and austere after Hatsumyo's death. She was a devoted wife, and she also took care of Jinpachi. Heihachi worked hard, thus often leaving the young woman alone, and she got close to her father-in-law, who allowed her to do all the work and improvements she wanted. She therefore set about making the building more welcoming, decorated, and cozy. She spent hours in the large garden of the property with the gardeners to restore all the splendor it had lost since being abandoned.
Her efforts ended up paying off, and—not content with having restored the manor's character—she had won the respect and sympathy of the servants, who saw that she was hardworking and quite charming.
The first year of their marriage passed as if in a dream, and the two spouses were as enamored as the first day.
The change occurred insidiously a few months later during a family dinner that gathered together the Mishimas and the Iwasakis. Kazumi's mother had asked her daughter if she and her husband were planning on having children, and the young woman, surprised, had answered in the affirmative. Her father, who was a little tipsy, had subsequently advised his son-in-law not to delay producing an heir.
Heihachi, irritated that his manhood was openly questioned, said nothing but started to worry. It was true that they had only been married for a year; however, the couples around them usually had their first child quite quickly, and he was worried that he would be considered weak if they did not have a child soon.
His anxiety turned into obsession, and the family meals became a real torture for both spouses, constantly scrutinized by their elders. Heihachi finally fed up with his in-laws, and despite the combined efforts of Jinpachi and Kazumi to pacify things, he now refused to welcome them. He became taciturn and shady, haranguing his wife for trifles. He spent a considerable time at work and came home exhausted, stressed, and aggressive.
The young woman deeply suffered from this situation. Being a mother was her dearest wish, and she did not understand why she could not get pregnant. She loved her husband more than anything, but his mood swings worried her. Heihachi had never raised his hand at her and would never do so, but he had become suspicious and possessive. He dismissed two servants on the pretext that he found them too close to his wife and demanded to know her whereabouts. She could no longer visit her family, and he only allowed her to leave the property after a thorough interrogation that left her in tears.
She knew that her husband loved her passionately, but his possessiveness and authority stifled and frightened her.
Jinpachi, who was also very much invested by his work, finally realized the behavior of his son when he found his daughter-in-law in tears one evening on his way home from work. He tried to intervene, but Heihachi dug in his heels. The conversation almost resulted in a physical confrontation, which was only avoided by Kazumi's interference. The two men remained at odds with each other, and the young woman gradually sank into sadness and despair.
The second year of their marriage passed. After months of vain efforts, Kazumi eventually got pregnant. This news made the couple mad with joy, and Heihachi became as considerate and pleasant as he used to be. Unfortunately, she miscarried after three months of pregnancy. The doctor who examined her explained to her defeated husband that she had a uterine malformation and that the chances of her getting pregnant again were small.
Time stopped for weeks. Kazumi remained prostrate in her room while Heihachi dedicated his body and soul to his work. They spoke only to exchange banalities and suffered in silence in their own corners.
Jinpachi, saddened to see them sinking in despair, talked at length with his daughter-in-law and offered to set up meetings with researchers. She refused on the ground that she could not bear to lose a child again and resumed her life. She bravely endured the coldness and indifference of her husband, who insidiously blamed her for the loss of their child.
An old servant who had been serving the Mishimas for years took pity on her and advised her to go to a healer who officiated in a temple lost in the mountains. At first reluctant, Kazumi eventually agreed to go after weeks of reflection, accompanied by the old woman, while Heihachi was on a business trip.
The healer did not perform a medical examination, but she asked her how far she was willing to go to have a child. The young woman thought about her husband that she still deeply loved, about their past happiness, and imagined what her childless future would be like. Heihachi would perhaps repudiate her, or they would be condemned to live together, both filled with regret and bitterness, and she knew with certainty that she could not live such a life. She wanted to bring back the happy and loving man she had met years ago, so she answered that she would do anything.
The woman smiled mysteriously, which made her shiver with uneasiness, and handed her a delicately crafted wooden box. It seemed as old as the world but bore no trace of usury. When she took it, the box was strangely hot, which surprised her. The healer said she did not want any money and advised her to keep it close to her and hide it from anyone. Kazumi accepted and left the temple. The old servant seemed equally astonished at the strangeness of their conversation, and concluded that the box must have been purified by monks and would doubtless bring her luck.
Nothing happened during the following days, and Kazumi wondered if it was not just a bad joke. Heihachi and she did not sleep in the same room anymore, so she kept the box in a chest near her bed. She gazed at it every night before falling asleep, without anything happening.
One night, however, she had a disturbing dream. She was in a dark place, alone, and could see nothing but the darkness around her. A voice rose, soft and charming, and asked her what she would give in exchange for a child. Frightened, Kazumi asked who was talking, but it did not answer and asked its question again.
"Anything," she replied.
"Would you give me your soul?"
She hesitated, then realized that she must certainly be dreaming and replied in the affirmative. A halo of purple and foggy light then surrounded her and thickened into a humanoid form with scarlet eyes that pounced on her at lightning speed. She felt an unbearable pressure around her head and woke up screaming.
Trembling and covered in sweat, she come to her senses as the servants crowded around her with anxiety. She reassured them, explaining that she just had a nightmare and went back to sleep. The next morning, she awoke, overflowing with a vitality that she had not felt for many months. Instead of remaining prostrate in her room as she was now used to doing, she bathed, dressed carefully, and asked the chauffeur, who was surprised to see her so joyful, to take her to town. She bought new clothes, as well as groceries for dinner, and gave the servants leave for the day.
She spent the afternoon cooking the dishes that her husband liked most, and when Heihachi came home from work, he was more than surprised to find his smiling wife waiting for him in front of a table covered with appetizing dishes. Speechless, he settled in front of her and gazed at her. She was radiant in her new kimono, and he realized that he had forgotten how beautiful and desirable she was. Thanks to the meal and alcohol, they forgot their discomfort and found themselves as passionate as before. Heihachi moved back to their room, and the dark and heavy atmosphere that had reigned in the manor disappeared.
Kazumi realized one day with amazement that she was pregnant again, when she noticed that she had not had her period for several months, and the physician confirmed it. Despite her fears and anxieties, and the attentiveness of her husband who was not at all attentive, the nine months of pregnancy passed without a cloud. Both spouses were delighted, as was Jinpachi, who hoped that the arrival of a baby would soften the character of his son, as well as their relationship.
Kazumi's water broke one November evening. As Heihachi was away, she sent the servants to warn him that she was about to give birth. The doctor who had followed her during her pregnancy arrived at once, as did Jinpachi, who had left work in haste. After a few hours of labour, she gave birth to a boy and asked her stepfather to join her in the delivery room.
She handed him his grandson, asked him to call him Kazuya, and died as Heihachi was crossing the gate of the property. His sadness and sorrow were heartbreaking when he entered the room and discovered the lifeless body of his wife. His father handed him his son, but he paid no attention to the baby and insisted that they leave the room.
He refused to see Kazuya for almost a month, and it was Jinpachi who took care of the child. Their complicity and affection grew at the same time as Heihachi's hatred. The latter, overwhelmed with grief, saw in this child, once so wanted, the one who had robbed his wife from him. Unable to acknowledge his wrongs, he also resented his father for being with his wife in her last moments instead of him. The bitterness made him dark, and he took refuge in work, fleeing the family home.
He invested his whole body and soul in the Mishima Enterprise and contributed greatly to its incredible expansion. When he tried to invest funds in research and the production of military equipment, Jinpachi vehemently vetoed. The two men tried to make every possible compromise, but they both stuck doggedly to their positions. Heihachi cursed his father for being alive and opposing him tirelessly. He eventually ended up organizing a mutiny with the help of the society's partners that he had bribed into supporting him.
Contrary to what he had expected, Jinpachi did not take the news badly and told his son that he was leaving the manor and taking Kazuya with him. Heihachi, delighted to see him leave without a fuss, refused nevertheless to leave the boy to him and sent him away.
Little Kazuya, who was just four years old, knew the harshest years of his life. Left to the care of servants, he was treated severely by his father, who had little interest in him. He taught him Mishima-style karate and was an intractable teacher, showing no compassion for him. He bullied him and mocked him for his fragility and gentleness, traits he had inherited from his mother. In spite of all this, the little boy did his best to get back to his frightening father's good graces, but never succeeded.
Jinpachi's impromptu return, after a year's absence, was the trigger that changed the course of the events.
He came to the manor one evening and was greeted by Heihachi, who was furious to see him again. He told him that he had contacted the partners of the Mishima Enterprise and that he had learned how his son had convinced them to turn on him. Heihachi then offered him a deal: they would fight in single combat; if Jinpachi won, he would have the firm back, but if he lost, he would leave Japan forever.
Jinpachi agreed and they sank through the forest that adjoined their property to reach the Hon-maru, a massive temple that belonged to their family. They fought for hours, neither wanting to lose to the other. In the end, Heihachi's youth and resistance overcame his old father, who acknowledged his defeat and was ready to keep his promise. Unfortunately for my old friend, his son took advantage of his exhaustion to knock him out and chain him in the basement of Hon-maru, condemning him to an atrocious death.
Was he afraid that Jinpachi would come back one day? Or did he simply want to get rid of his father?
As he left the temple, he was surprised to see little Kazuya, barely hidden behind a column. The boy admitted that he had followed them because he wanted to see his grandfather again. Heihachi dragged him into the forest, promising him that he would see Jinpachi very soon, and the confident child followed him without protest until they reached the edge of a ravine. Heihachi got into his fighting stance, told him that they would fight, and promised that if he won, only then could he see his grandfather. Caught off-guard, Kazuya thought that his father was joking and did not expect to receive a violent kick that sent him to the ground. His father had not restrained himself, and the pain in his belly made him understand with anguish that he was deadly serious. He struggled to get up, on his father's orders, shaking like a leaf. He hardly parried the second blow, and the third one hit him in the jaw and threw him into the air. He landed on the ground, groaning in pain, and could not prevent the tears from falling.
Snarling at this pathetic spectacle, Heihachi felt all his hatred and sadness sweep over him like a tsunami, and he grabbed his son by the collar of his kimono and held him hanging at arm's length over the ravine. The little boy realized what his father was about to do, and his tearful eyes widened in shock.
"Now, let's see if you are worthy to be my heir..."
And he let him fall...
He watched his son disappear into the endless abyss with morbid fascination, and the screams faded into a dead silence. He remained motionless for a moment, then went home as normally as if he had not just gotten rid of his own father and son. He feigned worry wonderfully when the servants came to wake him up in the middle of the night to warn him that Kazuya had disappeared. The tearful father act duped the police, but not some of the servants, who knew better than anyone how the patriarch treated his son behind closed doors.
The surprise was therefore widespread when Kazuya reappeared after five days.
His clothes were tattered and covered in dirt, he had multiple cuts and dried blood on his limbs, but it was the enormous wound on his chest that shocked the doctors because it had already healed. Heihachi wondered how his son could have survived such a fall, and when he met his gaze, he shivered with fear as he saw a reddish gleam in his irises.
The boy kept silent when asked about his disappearance and people eventually thought that the trauma had made him mute. For weeks, he stayed in his room, hardly ate and refused to speak.
As he grew up, he became taciturn, withdrawn, and very secretive. The servants no longer recognized the little boy he had been, but they noticed that father and son avoided each other carefully. As if to add to Kazuya's intense hatred, Heihachi decided one day to adopt a young boy whom he had met on one of his trips to China. He had noticed Lee Chaolan because of his silvery white hair, which was quite surprising for a young boy, but moreover when he had fought two boys older than him. Impressed by his ardor and drive to win, Heihachi brought him back with him.
He introduced him to the servants—who were stunned by this unexpected news—and to Kazuya, who did not react but clenched his fists imperceptibly. His goal became clear in the weeks that followed: creating a rivalry between the two boys. Heihachi covered Lee with gifts and attention and blatantly ignored Kazuya.
When he was eighteen, Kazuya left the house one winter morning, and he disappeared for eight long years. Heihachi did not worry over his disappearance. He knew that, sooner or later, they would meet again, and only one of them would live.
My little Xiaoyu, you know the rest: in 1985, Heihachi organized the first Tekken tournament, and was defeated by Kazuya. The latter then threw his father into the same ravine where he had nearly died twenty years ago, thus finalizing the vengeance of which he had dreamed for so long.
My dear granddaughter, you now know everything about the Mishima family. However, I think you should also look for the Kazama clan, because their destinies are, after all, closely linked.
Be very careful...
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=l=l=-.-ooo0o0o0ooo-.-=l=l=
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Xiaoyu quietly closed the book and turned to her friend.
The same astonishment dwelt in both their eyes, and they remained silent for long minutes, digesting what they had just read. As she was going to put away the notebook, a picture escaped, which Hwoarang quickly caught. It depicted a couple during their wedding, and Xiaoyu recognized with amazement a happy and smiling Heihachi with his young bride. Kazumi was really beautiful; she had a delicate face and very fine features, and her eyes were beaming with happiness. The couple looked very much in love.
Xiaoyu found in this beautiful face some of Kazuya's features, and she shook her head at the gigantic mess that Heihachi had caused.
When she checked her grandfather's diary, she found that there was one last photo. It featured a charming little garden, well maintained, which, besides vegetable plants, had a large willow tree, on the branches of which hung a child's swing.
This place was unknown to her, and she did not understand why he had given her such a picture.
"It was Kazumi who was possessed by Devil," she whispered to her friend, "and the box that this healer gave her was Pandora's Box, the one Zafina had told me about."
"The box that connects Earth and Hell?"
"Yes, and that explains why only Kazuya and Jin are affected by this curse."
"You mean that, by possessing Kazumi during her pregnancy, this demon modified Kazuya's DNA?"
"I think so."
"It must have taken possession of him when Kazumi died."
"You think?" Xiaoyu asked dubiously.
"Yes, your grandfather explained that his behavior had changed when he returned to the mansion. His father trying to kill him was bad enough, but it was the demonic possession that ended up transforming him."
"Okay, but in this case, why did Kazumi not change when she was possessed? And why did she die?"
Hwoarang remained silent for a few minutes, thinking intensely.
"This is only a supposition," he began, "but if I were a demon, I would rather take possession of a young host. I think Devil's target was Kazuya from the start, and that's why he offered this deal to Kazumi."
"It seems a bit far-fetched. I'll ask Zafina. She knows a thing or two about demonology."
"Do you have her number?" Hwoarang asked in an unnaturally impassive voice.
"No, but Lars must have a way to contact her," she replied, staring at him attentively. "Why do you ask?"
"Nothing, nothing..."
"Did she accidentally catch your eye?"
He blushed abruptly and she burst out laughing.
"Stop it!" he cursed.
"I'll stop," she chuckled, raising her hands. "But about my grandfather," she said, serious again, "I wonder how he could get all that information. Surely Jinpachi didn't tell him all that?"
"Probably not," Hwoarang replied. "And there's no way Heihachi or Kazuya would ever confide in him."
"Yeah… He must have known other people who were close to the Mishima. Perhaps the servants?"
"No, there are many things they couldn't have known. But this Junichi will no doubt help us."
"Is he Asuka's father?"
"Yes, she confirmed it to me on the phone."
"So he's Jun Kazama's brother. Perhaps she herself knew things and revealed them to him before she disappeared?"
"Without a doubt. You told me your grandfather knew her, didn't you?"
"Exactly. That must be why he sent us to see Junichi. I just hope he'll be willing to help us."
"We'll soon find out. We'll be there in ten minutes..."
They picked up their belongings, grabbed their backpacks and waited for the train to stop to get out carefully, scanning the crowd in search of soldiers.
Asuka, who was waiting for them on the platform, welcomed them warmly and took Xiaoyu into her arms.
"What did you do to your hair?" she gasped, wide-eyed at the new Hwoarang.
"Oh, don't get me started on that!" he grumbled. "I must be one of the only naturally red-haired Koreans, and I have to hide it!"
"We'll explain later," Xiaoyu said. "We shouldn't linger..."
Asuka nodded and motioned them to follow her, and they headed to the taxi station. They rushed into the first vehicle they saw, Asuka in the passenger seat and the others behind. She pointed out her address to the driver, who quickly started off. The journey was silent, except for a few questions from the driver, and they quickly arrived in front of the young woman's house.
Hwoarang paid the driver and they followed Asuka inside the house. They took off their shoes and were welcomed by her parents.
"Welcome," her father greeted them. "I'm Junichi Kazama, and this is my wife, Saeko."
His wife was small and thin, with a smiling and open face. He was tall and well-built, and Xiaoyu saw with a twinge in his heart that Jin had the same eyes as his uncle.
They bowed deeply, apologizing for disturbing them and thanking them for their hospitality.
"It's nothing, it's a pleasure to get to know Asuka's friends," Junichi said. "Given her temper, I was growing desperate over her lack of social life."
"Dad!" Asuka cried while her mother giggled discreetly.
"Come on now, isn't it true? You've built yourself quite a reputation in Osaka!"
The young woman, mortified and red with shame and anger, shot daggers at Hwoarang, who was trying hard not to burst out laughing.
"My friends have not travelled all the way through Japan to listen to you mock me!" she said with annoyance.
"True, forgive me. Let's go in the courtyard. You will be more comfortable."
"Um, Kazama-san, I do not want to be rude, but I think Xiaoyu is not feeling well," the young man said.
Everyone turned to her and saw her pale and drawn complexion and bloodshot eyes.
"He's right. You need a good bath and some rest," Saeko declared. "We will talk later. Come with me, I'll take you to the bathroom."
Without protesting, Xiaoyu followed her to the bathroom, accepted the towel she handed to her, and took off her clothes. She soaped and scrubbed herself energetically, getting rid of the sweat, fatigue, and sadness that seemed to form a second skin.
Once clean, she slipped into the bathtub filled with hot water and closed her eyes, letting out a long sigh to relax. She remained in the water for what seemed to be an eternity, until someone softly knocked at the door.
"Xiaoyu?" Asuka's voice said. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm done," she said, coming out of the bathtub and wrapping herself in the towel.
"I brought you a change of clothes. I hope they will fit you," her friend said, handing her a few things. "I'll let you change, and I'll take you to the guest room."
"And Hwoarang, what is he doing?"
"He's talking with my father. He said he wasn't tired."
It was only when she was lying in a comfortable bed and when the curtains were pulled that Xiaoyu allowed herself to silently cry herself to sleep.
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=l=l=-.-ooo0o0o0ooo-.-=l=l=
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She was awakened a few hours later by Asuka's mother.
"Xiaoyu-chan, dinner is ready."
"I'm coming right up," she said, rising.
She rubbed her eyes to finish waking up and stretched. The shower and the nap had worked wonders, and she felt her stomach gurgle. She followed Saeko to the drawing room, where a beautiful table had been set. Everyone was waiting for her and greeted her. She knelt beside Asuka and attacked the food prepared by her mother.
Dinner was very relaxed. Asuka and her father were bickering under Saeko's amused eyes, while Hwoarang stuffed himself as discreetly as possible. Xiaoyu felt at ease in the middle of this family, and the warmth and kindness of her guests made her forget the sadness that tightened her heart.
When they were finished eating, Junichi spoke.
"While you were sleeping, Xiaoyu-kun, your friend explained to me the reason for your visit. I happen to know your grandfather, by name only. It was my grandmother and my great aunt who knew him and who will probably be more fit to answer your questions than I."
"Can we see them?"
"Yes. However, I must warn you that they have always lived with us; they are very old, and I'm asking you not to fatigue them too much."
"Of course, I understand perfectly."
"Follow me, then," he said, rising.
They all followed him as he led them through the corridor to a closed room. He slid the wooden panels and motioned them to enter. Xiaoyu bowed deeply as she noticed that two very old women were living in the room. They were both lying on a futon but had their backs resting against a headboard, so that they faced them as everyone sat around them. They were so alike that Xiaoyu wondered if they were not twins.
"Grandmother, great aunt," Junichi began softly, "we have guests who would like to meet you. Here are Ling Xiaoyu and Hwoarang, who are Asuka's friends."
The two friends bowed before their elders, who looked at them benevolently.
"And here is my grandmother, Saori, and her sister, Kaori," he added, pointing to each of them. "They are twins, as you may have noticed."
The two elders chuckled. They were remarkably similar. From their wrinkled faces to their pristine white hair pulled back into a bun, the only thing that differentiated them was the mole that Junichi's great-aunt had on her right cheek.
"We are honored to meet you," Xiaoyu said in a respectful voice. "My grandfather, Wang Jinrei, advised us to come and find you, because we need your help."
"We knew your grandfather well," Saori said. "We have not met again for many years due to distance and passing time. How can we help you?"
"We're friends of your great-grandson, Jin," Xiaoyu replied, ignoring Hwoarang's discreet snort. "He disappeared, and we are looking for him."
"We have never had the opportunity to meet Jin," Kaori replied sadly. "We do not know anything about him."
"Then can you tell us about your clan? Master Wang seemed to think that this could shed light on many things."
"What do you want to know?"
"Everything that you can remember."
Saori sighed deeply and turned to her du formulaire
"Do you want to tell them?"
"With pleasure. You will take over if I fall asleep."
"I will."
"Young people, I see that you are young and full of good will. However, you do not seem to know what you are looking for and where to find it. Anyway, make yourself comfortable, because my narrative may be quite long..."
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TBC... The Mishimas' story is obviously different from the one in Tekken 7, for I wrote it before the game came out. See you soon for the next chapter! And feel free to leave a review to tell me what you thought of that chapter, I love reading your reactions!