Yay! New Update! I know it's been a long time since I last updated this story but here we are! I don't really have much to ramble about before the chapter starts so instead I will give another nice huge shout out to my love CRYSTALMOONLIGHTII. Thanks so much for proofing this chapter and the previous ones as well! The title is taken from the song that plays in the Naraku stage in Tekken Tag Tournament 2. I thought it was fitting for the chapter. I hope who's reading this enjoys and thanks for reading!
UTMOST LIMITS
It was another morning in the Mishima household and no matter what city the Elder and his cubs currently resided for a short or extended amount of time, Heihachi made sure his grandchildren did as they were told - especially when he came to personally deliver the message.
Today's message was for the Kazama siblings to meet him outside the hotel dressed in full dojo attire – and to be ready for a training session.
The two Mishima wards did as they were told, and quickly dressed. In a manner of minutes, they were outside their current place of residence and in the limo driving away to the nearest place of combat practice.
The ride there was a silent one - but brimming with all the usual and familiar tension. Kazue wasn't sure what to expect, especially since this would be her first training session with her paternal grandfather and brother in a very long while.
It was no secret to her that Heihachi valued Jin's training more than her own. After all, Jin was considered the heir and his training was top priority. It mattered not to the young woman - and she made it a point to continue her training on her own.
Whatever Heihachi's reasoning for requesting her to join in this morning's session really didn't have any significance to her, what the young woman knew was that she was thankful for it. After the stress of finalizing the deal with the Uhjoheun Casinos - and her conversation with her 'beloved' grandfather, The Kazama needed to blow off some steam.
All she could do was apologize to Jin later on and help patch him up if she managed to land any damaging blows. The only excuse she could give her brother was that she was on edge – but in actuality, Heihachi's words had stewed in her consciousness, only serving to make her angry, an emotion the young woman tried so hard to repress.
Jin sat in silence along with his grandfather and sister too anxious to even try to break the never-ending quiet. The younger brother's instinct could feel that the usual tension wasn't as normal as he thought it to be. He slightly turned his gaze to his sister as she sat looking out the window watching traffic and scenery go by with her jaw tightly clenched.
The young man found it rather odd for Kazue to show any signs of impatience or anger, it wasn't in her nature to lose her temper or even allude to any aggressive tendencies. With his observation, Kazama Jin concluded that something must have happened between her and their grandfather while they were away attending to Zaibatsu affairs.
As much as the younger brother wanted to try and break the silence and tension, the limo came to a stop outside the dojo where he and Heihachi trained previously.
"Once inside, hurry and warm up - then we'll begin." The Mishima Elder said sternly as the driver came around and opened the door.
The Elder and his wards entered the dojo just as silent as they were on the way here, then parted ways, with the siblings going on ahead, and their caretaker going to change as to prepare for the session by himself.
Kazue remained mute as she began fishing for her hand warps from a side pocket of her gym bag, setting it down in a corner so it wouldn't get in the way. Jin stood in silence along with her, gazing at the older sibling in confusion as she diligently wrapped her hands in the bright green cloth. He could see that she wasn't being herself and that something must've been on her mind - but the young man continued adjusting his own gauntlets before walking over to grab a candle, for not only himself, but his sister too.
"Is there something wrong?" He finally inquired in a low whisper while handing her one of the lit candles.
Kazue stared at Jin for a moment - debating on telling her brother what transpired between her and their paternal grandfather. Reaching her hand out to accept the candle from her brother, the young woman decided against telling him about the conversation with The Mishima Elder nearby.
"It's nothing Jin. Shall we?" she replied in a stoic manner as she cupped her hand around the candle flame. She walked to the center of the dojo's wooden flooring with Jin following, and the two siblings bowed to one another knowingly before sitting down.
The two sat side by side and each began focusing on preparing their mind and body. Kazue sat breathing in and out deeply - paying close attention to every breath that she inhaled and exhaled. The young woman looked as though she had slipped away from the world when she opened her eyes to stare into the flickering flame of the candle.
In her mind's eye, the candle's flame was metaphor of her own life. The young woman knew that her actions would determine if the fire of her soul would continue to burn bright or be snuffed out. Her deep brown eyes gazed intensely as the flame danced, and as the flame continued on, Kazue's resolve hardened like cold steel. The more she thought, the more the anger ate away at her - tempering a blade sharpened with aggression and determination.
The Kazama slowly began to rise to her feet, eyes darkened and glistening with a glassy onyx shimmer. She began her movements, her own dance of fluid motions, with each and every one ending with a sharp crackling snap - punctuating her will and her intent. Kazama Kazue was no weakling - and she was determined to show her strength, her fire and her power.
The young woman released a fierce breath to signal the end of her kata - as her own aura crackled and snapped around her fists. Green lightning slowly beginning to dissipate as the Kazama bent down to blow out the candle.
"Excellent Kazue, you have improved since the last time I trained with you." bellowed Heihachi's voice from the back of the dojo.
Jin had just finished his own kata not long after his sister and the two bowed respectfully to the Elder as he approached the center where the siblings stood.
"I never imagined you could improve but you have." Mishima Heihachi continued with a sneer plastered on his face.
Kazue stared back at her grandfather just as fiercely as he glared at her. with contempt. The young woman had the fire of a raging phoenix reborn from the abysmal ashes - it was running through her veins.
"Thank you for your kind words grandfather. It really means a lot to me to hear them from you." The Kazama said through a clenched jaw as she bowed respectfully with a hint of venom laced in the very words she spoke.
Heihachi was no fool, and the elder quickly picked up on the ill intent that the young woman discreetly tried to hide. This only served to pique the Elder Mishima's curiosity as he continued to smirk mercilessly at the two siblings before him.
"Well then shall we begin? It's been a long time since I've seen you spar, Kazue. Why don't you and Jin have a bout…" The Mishima uttered in a low tone tinged with cruelty.
The younger Kazama remained silent during the exchange between his sister and grandfather. It made the youngest feel the strangest sense of heavy foreboding dread - his blood ran cold.
Jin had never heard his sister use that tone of voice before as a matter of fact, he had never heard anyone speak so coldly before in his life. Her voice sounded as though she was void of all emotion. The chill he felt in her words reminded him of their grandfather - which only served to alarm him even more.
"Grandfather, I really don't think that would be fair to Kazue…" The brother began in a feeble attempt to shield his sister who slowly turned her gaze his direction. The look in her eyes wasn't exactly the kindest, it was one hardened with the need to prove oneself – fused with underlying malice.
"I think it's a fine idea Jin. I haven't sparred in a while with you. I don't mind it at all if that's what grandfather wishes. We shouldn't disobey." She finally replied as she stepped backwards, assuming her stance. The young woman still carried more than enough toxicity in her answer to kill on sight.
Heihachi watched as the older sibling took up her stance in an almost defiant and overly confident manner. He continued to observe, as the younger reluctantly took up his stance with hesitation heavy in his darkened, maple shaded eyes.
Heihachi wanted to see what strength Kazue held. Even though it mattered not to the Mishima what kind power she possessed - or if she even had potential, he still resolved to find a way to rid himself and his grandson of her one way or another.
Jin stood stoic and still, almost as if he had turned to stone, his eyes still carried a weight that made him feel uncomfortable in more ways than just one. He was used to sparring with his sister back in the forests of Yakushima - and when they first came to live on the Mishima Estate - but the younger couldn't shake the feeling that something was troubling the older.
"Kazue…" Jin started quietly.
"I know what you're going to say and there's no need Jin. I appreciate your concern. I always have and always will. Now let's begin." The lady Kazama replied softly - as the gentleness she held for her brother shone through, even as she raised her fists.
The younger took his stance while nodding stiffly obeying his sister's request - as Heihachi's laughter boisterously filled the eerily silent dojo. Hearing the man laugh, the older Kazama clenched her teeth with enough strength to snap every last one down to little sharpened points.
The longer the young woman stood debating whether or not to make the first move - the more she thought about the Elder Mishima and the kind words he had shared with her. Without fully thinking it through, Kazue launched a punch aimed straight at Jin's jaw.
Jin was taken aback by the ferocious attack the older sibling sent his direction. The younger managed to dodge the fist which veered his way, but found himself gasping for air after moving to dodge so swiftly. Kazue followed up with a punch to Jin's stomach - then quickly back flipped away from her brother as he collapsed to the floor, winded from her blow.
She didn't want to take out her frustration on her brother, but whenever Heihachi erupted in laughter – it caused her blood to boil. It was almost as if she could see nothing but red heat rising from her body - her eyes seemed twisting a soulless black. Her mind blank with rage – Kazue charged once again with a fist at the ready, striking Jin in the temple as he attempted to get back to his feet. The force of the blow sent him to the floor once more.
Jin's vision blurred as he desperately tried to regain focus, doing his best not to lose consciousness. He knew his sister was near and more than likely was ready to strike once again. The young brother rolled to his back – before he could attempt to block with his forearms, Kazue landed a sharp heel kick directly to his chest. Jin began his retreat from her once again; but she stopped him by grabbing his shoulder, forcing him onto his back, then pinned him to the floor.
She began savagely landing blow after blow to the young man's face, who now had his forearms trying to block every strike as much as he possibly could.
Yet again, Jin found himself baffled by his sister's intensity, it was as if it came out of nowhere - and he struggled to understand why. With his vision still blurry, Jin felt as though he were fighting blind - but quickly noticed the older sibling had stopped the assault. Lowering his guard partially, he could see the outline of his sister hovering above him.
"Kazue..." He whispered quietly. The young man's tone was more questioning than anything else. Jin wasn't sure what to expect - but knew that silence was never a good thing in certain situations. The only sound that filled the room was Heihachi's snickering and condescending laughter.
The younger Kazama felt the weight of sister shift as she stood to her feet. His vision losing the foggy edge slowly as he made out Kazue's hand – it seemed to be held out for him to grab.
As she pulled Jin to his feet to stand, the older sibling stared at her brother for a long moment.
She had bloodied his nose, split his lip and underneath his left eye were the beginnings for a bruise slowly turning blue, yellow and purple. This was a normal thing for martial artists; Kazue knew this and understood it very well. What she didn't like was the anger that managed to seep its way out of her – the rage that turned into vicious and merciless animosity.
"I've done enough for today. I would like to return to the hotel please." Kazue mumbled, seemingly emotionless. The young woman stood stone-still with her eyes to the floor, bowing rigidly to her grandfather.
Heihachi stepped forward, chuckling while running his fingers along his chin, the other hand placed on his hip.
"I suppose you've done enough for today, you'll only be a distraction to Jin if you continue to linger here," The old man replied, snapping his fingers for one of the Tekken Force suits to come forward.
Kazue's eyes flickered upward, gazing at her paternal grandfather. His words - they were clearly meant to force some kind of reaction from her, but the young woman was done playing the Mishima's heartless game.
"Take her back to the hotel. Make sure she reports to you if she decides to venture into the city," Heihachi dictated to his lackey.
"Yes sir!" The goon bowed to the Elder Mishima stiffly before turning to Kazue - motioning her to the exit. "This way, Miss Kazue."
Kazue raised a brow slightly, and then scooped up her bag from the corner she'd left it in. Making her way to the armed suit, she turned to bow at her grandfather and brother, "I will see you both later," before heading out to the awaiting limo.
Once in the vehicle, Kazue dug through her bag to find her phone. Opening her contacts and finding Hwoarang's number, the Kazama quickly sent a message to him - asking if he was available to meet up. Before she could even put the phone away, it buzzed signaling a reply from Hwoarang.
~Yeah. I'm free. Say, we meet up at the cafe near your digs yeah? From there you owe me Dak-Galbi!~
The young woman smiled briefly, putting her phone back into her gym bag and turning her gaze to the scenery flying past as the car sped onward.
~X~
