The cherry orchard had been planted in the eastern meadows of the estate, far from its depths where the housing complex lay, but not far from the nearest village. Every year in spring, it was opened up to the public to view the cherry blossoms.
The orchard was magnificent, with the trees planted in perfectly spaced, even rows so that a canopy of pink and white stretched from one end of the meadow to the other. Heihachi walked under the tangle of branches, magnificent in a white haori embroidered in silver and red, over a charcoal black kimono, complete with brown hakama trimmed in cream gold. He'd personally selected a pair of geta he particularly liked for the occasion too. He nodded to one of the locals who bowed low to him before they hurried on to their picnic.
Blankets were spread beneath the trees, and a few grills had been set up to supplement the bento boxes guests had brought with them. Some more illustrious associates had come yesterday for the opening of the festival, but they'd returned to the cities now. The rest of the week was likely to be a quieter, more local viewing. Heihachi had enjoyed the flocking, adoring crowds of yesterday, and the not inconsiderable media attention, but his heart was in days like today, when he had time to spare for his thoughts and admiring the beauty of this place.
A handful of servants from the estate proper were on hand, and trying to both wait on him and not get underfoot. He could see them turning hot cooked buns on grills and loitering in his field of vision should he call on them. Heihachi ignored them however and meandered slowly and wistfully through the orchard. It was a bright day in early April – crisp and with a slight wind that occasionally shook down the blossoms like snow. Heihachi stretched out a hand to touch a shell pink petal. It drifted just out of his grasp. He gave a small smile and walked on, one hand behind his back, his eyes staying on the canopy above.
Lee was admiring the cherry blossom trees and thought it was beautiful. That time of the year always reminded him of when he'd just been adopted and arrived in Japan. He remembered the ride home after he and his new father arrived from China at the Tokyo airport and then took the limousine. He'd been so in awe of all those luxurious vehicles they took, but what impressed him the most may have been the blossoming trees… The road was full of cherry blossom trees on the way to the Mishima mansion and Lee really felt he was entering a dream world… It was so beautiful… like today… In fact, today was the anniversary of his official adoption, when Heihachi had found him in a back street of Shanghai and taken him out of it... Heihachi had then become his official father and he had a new family... He remembered when Heihachi showed him those documents that he barely could read but that were his official adoption papers…. And that cheerful smile his new father gave him with that booming laugh…
Lee then turned toward Heihachi, walking among the trees and noticed that his father was smiling slightly. Lee thought his father looked so kind when he was smiling like this... He didn't look as he did most of the time, either angry or mocking; he looked kind and human... Like he did at the very beginning… Lee looked at the box he was holding and went to his father. He bowed respectfully to him and presented him the box.
"Otousama, thank you for all you did for me. Today… Today is the anniversary of when you adopted me, I want to show you my gratitude by offering you this. I hope it repays you a bit and shows you that I respect you deeply."
Lee hoped his father would appreciate the bento box he cooked for him… He wanted to do something, outside of fighting, for his father. He had remembered how Heihachi took him from that dirty backstreet he found him in, and brought him to a restaurant to give him a real meal, then adopted him and gave him a bed and a roof over his head... A box of food may represent how he first helped him… Lee thought that without Heihachi, he may have been dead by now... He was good at fighting and stealing food but all the dangers of the streets would probably have killed him by now… Or even if he had survived, living on the streets was such a hell…
Heihachi was surprised when Lee appeared before him. He hadn't required his sons' attendance today, as he'd kept them at his side all yesterday to show off to the dignitaries who'd come to pay homage to him. He'd assumed Lee had stayed at home with Kazuya and hadn't noticed the boy arriving in the meadow. He raised his eyebrows at Lee's words.
Honestly he couldn't remember what day he'd adopted Lee, but if he said it was today then so be it. Heihachi took the box wordlessly. He opened it up and looked inside. It didn't look like it had been made by his cooks. Not to say it was terribly presented, but not up to the professional standard he usually saw. He frowned and looked at Lee.
"What's this?"
Lee looked at his father attentively to see if he was happy with the gift. He seemed a bit neutral and Lee feared a bit his frown but quickly explained,
"It's salmon sushi with rice and cooked vegetables. I looked at the cooking books to make you that bento box. I know you like Kuma and I guessed you may like salmon as well..."
Heihachi blinked. Lee had made this? He poked at one of the squares of sushi. It wobbled. He regarded Lee from under his dark eyebrows.
"You made this? We have cooks already. You're meant to be focusing on fighting and school, not-..." Heihachi paused. He noticed Lee's eager, upturned face. Another gust of wind shook down petals all around them. These petals, and particularly this orchard, never failed to move Heihachi's heart to quieter, gentler considerations. He side-stepped memories that were dragging at his thoughts and looked back down at the bento box. Then he looked at Lee again. "Well, I suppose I better find a spot to sit down and try it."
At first Lee feared his father's answer, he seemed not really happy but when he changed his expression and said he would eat it, Lee made a small smile at his father, looking at him with hope. He was glad his father was willing to try it and now he hoped he would like it... Lee hoped he had cooked the meal in a perfect way to please his father...
Heihachi glanced around. The orchard was filled with picnickers who gave him small bows of their heads whenever he looked in their direction. He gave them all beaming smiles, but marched decisively off to a much more remote part of the meadow. He stopped some way from the guests, so that the sound of their chatter was dimmer, and the call and song of birds was brighter and easier to hear.
It was about here that Kazumi had stood, the day after they'd been married. The wind had tugged a little at her hair. Her eyes had been so bright. He'd been walking her through all the parts of the estate she hadn't seen. She'd suggested they plant so many cherry trees that not only could they have their own festival, but others might come from far and wide to see too. The trees would grow as their love grew...
"Here will do." Heihachi sat down and motioned for Lee to join him. He picked up the square of sushi he'd poked earlier and put it in his mouth. He chewed slowly and thoughtfully. Then he silently picked up a riceball and ate this too. "Not bad."
Lee was glad once more and went to respectfully sit by his father's side. He waited for the verdict and smiled brightly when Heihachi said that it was not bad.
"Thank you Otousama, I am glad you like it..." Though not bad may not absolutely mean good... Maybe it was not to the level of liking it... His confidence began dropping again but he tried not to show it, yet it was a bit hard.
"I didn't know you cooked. It's impressive you made this. Kazuya certainly couldn't, the spoiled brat. Try one. Those sushi are nice." Heihachi took another and leaned his head back, looking up at the trees. "So it's the anniversary of your adoption, is it?"
Lee was deeply happy by the compliment Heihachi was now giving him and his confidence grew back again. Yet he was a bit sad that almost each time he received a compliment, Heihachi also had to mention that Kazuya was bad... But it was better that it was him receiving the compliment than the insults... One of them had to be put down... But now it wasn't him and he wasn't ignored. His father appreciated him and took interest in him... Lee took a sushi since his father told him he could and nodded at his question.
"Yes, it is. And... you... thank you for all you did for me... I do remember it like it was yesterday..." Lee was annoyed that he couldn't really find the right words to express himself. He was still intimidated by Heihachi even when his father seemed more gentle.
Heihachi pondered that. Lee sounded all nervous and tongue-tied, just like he had when they first met. He looked sharply at him.
"I taught you how to speak properly. Have confidence when you talk. None of this stammering and hesitancy. Hmph!" He tried some of the vegetables Lee had made. Really the boy wasn't a bad cook at all... maybe he should have made him a cook instead of a son. "Well you've certainly grown up in some ways, I suppose. You were a pitiful sight back then. But look at you now, I can make even the most ragged urchin look like a prince!" Heihachi set both hands on Lee's shoulders. He brushed down his kimono and set it a little straighter. "Very elegant. I taught you something after all. Hahaha!"
Lee became troubled when Heihachi told him to speak properly but said nothing. He quickly finished his sushi and looked at his father eating once more. He began to smile proudly when Heihachi told him he looked like a prince. Lee normally hated to wear traditional clothes like he was wearing at present for the festival, though those he was wearing right now were not that bad; he liked the cherry blossom flower print on it. He knew those clothes were in fact very luxurious; they were in very fine fabric and far better than the dirty rags with holes and stains he had been wearing before he met Heihachi... He was indeed a pitiful sight then and he was now indeed dressed like a prince... Thanks to his father... His grateful gaze turned into something even more joyful as Heihachi put his hands on his shoulders. He tried to not let tears get to his eyes but he was moved by all that Heihachi was now telling him... He slightly bowed, after his father brushed his kimono and told him,
"I owe it all to you, Otousama... You saved my life..."
Heihachi felt troubled in his chest: a pressing sense of undeserving. Maybe it was because he was here in the place where Kazumi had stood, filled with trees she'd never had a chance to see bloom. Maybe it was because even though he'd only ever intended to keep Lee to push Kazuya to fight for everything he had, it had felt good to take that child off the street, and to see the wonder in his eyes everywhere he looked. Even now, when he'd pushed this boy so far and made it no easy thing to keep the place he'd given him in his family, there was still that gratitude. As it should be, he thought, but there was something more tender there too. He moved his hand to Lee's head, resting it gentle on his hair.
"Perhaps. But you were always a survivor. That fierce determination in your eyes is why I chose you. You were always destined to survive with that passion for winning burning in you. I wanted that for Kazuya too. And as I predicted, he had to rise again and again to try and best you. Even when you'd had no training at all, that fierceness gave you the upper hand. You, much more than Kazuya, have always better understood my maxim - that all that matters is who's left standing, nothing else."
When Heihachi put his hand over his hair, Lee definitively could not hold back the tears in his eyes. He quickly wiped them, hoping he did not lose all the esteem his father now had for him. He looked at him again.
"Thank you for all you did and thank you for the compliments now... Yes, I will never let go and will always fight to win! I will always try to make you proud of me!" Lee didn't really know what more to tell his father. He had much more to tell him about so many subjects but his words always came back to fighting and gratitude... He feared to stray away from the subjects... But why change the subject when things were going so well now? Yet he had a question... "So, you never regretted adopting me?"
Heihachi frowned slightly when he saw Lee's tears, but he said nothing. Lee always had that adoration and gratitude - why couldn't Kazuya have learned some of that from him too? Heihachi laughed at Lee's question and ruffled his hair.
"Hah! I never regret anything I do! I do everything with one hundred percent of my intention!" He regretted that he watched these trees each year alone though. He regretted when he saw the fiery depths of Kazuya's hatred in a face that echoed so many of Kazumi's features. "No, I don't regret adopting you! Even when you are weak and whiny, or crying." He laughed again. "Of course, only one who is worthy to be my son will stay my son, but that is up to you. I made a good decision. I knew you had potential with your fighting spirit, but in fact I didn't know at the time that you were also sharp-minded. I'm going to make a great businessman out of you. Kazuya will have to watch out on two fronts - you will rival him in and out the dojo!"
Lee wished he had this kind of conversation each day with his father... He became a bit troubled by the crying mention but it was followed by a booming laugh so it wasn't a serious reproach... And anyway Heihachi was saying that even then, he did not regret adopting him... Lee felt tears come to his eyes again, but turned a bit more serious as he heard the rest... When that time comes, when one of them will win over the other, it won't be fun to see... But Lee smiled again as though he'd never had that concern when Heihachi mentioned that he was sharp-minded and that he would make him a great businessman.
"I cannot wait to learn the business from you... But I will let you eat in peace now, Otousama..." Lee looked around and realised how calm and beautiful that area was... How calm and beautiful that conversation was... He looked once more at Heihachi and shyly smiled at him.
Heihachi was surprised again by how genuine Lee sounded. Was he always like this, or was it just because Heihachi himself was feeling nostalgic and quieter today?
"Hmm..." He watched Lee looking around, and when he caught that small smile, his eyes narrowed. He touched Lee's chin and tilted his face up towards him. "Tears again..." He didn't sound angered though, more curious. "Are you not happy being a part of my household?"
Lee got a bit nervous and quickly answered, "Oh no, Otousama! Those are tears of joy, not unhappiness! I'm honoured to be part of your household!" He thought that in fact there were lots of reasons to be unhappy. Since he had arrived at the Mishima estate, he cried very often, many times because of Heihachi, but he certainly did not know how to touch the subject without angering his father and losing the few nice moments he had with him… Though maybe if he explained how he felt to him, Heihachi would listen more and would realise how he treated his children, but he did not dare mention it… He did not want to be thrown out of the house…
"Joy?" Heihachi studied Lee's face further, looking for any dishonesty. "Hmm... Good. You should be honoured. I could have chosen anyone, but I chose you. Not many orphans get a fortune of billions descending from the sky to save them!"
He let Lee go and returned to eating the bento box. He wondered briefly what it might have been like if Kazuya never climbed back up that cliff. Maybe he would have adopted Lee anyway. It was good to have a legacy, and he wouldn't take just any old brat. It had to be someone who wanted to fight to keep every scrap he was given. Lee could be so dutiful and obedient. Maybe it could have been a better life with just the two of them. Heihachi's face fell into a frown again. But Kazuya was alive, and Heihachi knew that when he turned away, Lee and Kazuya whispered in the shadows behind him. Maybe Lee really was genuine, but he also had that conniving air to him, always saying what Heihachi wanted to hear, hiding away his rebellion rather than spitting it in his face like Kazuya did. It was hard to think of Lee's possible treacheries on a day like today though. The sun was warm and bright, and the grass all around them swayed and collected carpets of petals from the trees above. And this bento Lee made was rather good. Good food always made Heihachi feel better.
"What about my festival - are you enjoying that?"
Lee felt some fear at the mention that anyone else could have been chosen and he was glad he had not spoken about any negative things to his father. He probably would have paid for it... He now was extremely grateful to have been chosen but all this could be taken away so quickly. Lee feared that frown his father made, but at least he seemed to enjoy the bento box.
"I am enjoying it very much! It's excellent! In fact, this festival is my favourite of all..." Though this festival was not only about the beauty of flowers but also about the fleetingness of life... and that nothing lasts forever... Something he was often reminded of with his place here... But he'd rather take it for the beauty of it... And somehow, maybe the cherry blossom trees didn't last long, but they always came back next year and his father just told him that he was a survivor... And he would prove it to him...
"Your favourite?" Heihachi sat back in thought. He put another sushi roll in his mouth, savouring its fresh flavours as he thought on that. "Hm... Is that why you're wearing that kimono? I'm sure I never bought such a thing for you. But you do have some style like your Otousama. I'm sure lots of young ladies' heads are turning." A sly look came over Heihachi's face. "Any heads in particular that you enjoy the attention of?"
Lee nodded at the kimono question and his smile brightened at the comment on having style like his father. It was so easy to forget the threats or fears he felt just moments ago when his father was complimenting him. Lee blushed at the head turning mention. It was true that he did make heads turn at school and enjoyed it very much, even starting to act like a ladies' man sometimes, but to talk about this with his father was making him feel a bit shy... And the question Heihachi asked after was even more embarrassing. He enjoyed the attention of all but in fact loved no one in particular... Some week a girl was more attractive to him and the next week, or even day, it changed to another... He may have a few favourites but again not one who would be 'the one'...
"Huh... Not really... some are cute but... not really..."
"Bwahahaha!" Heihachi slapped his knees, then clapped Lee on the back. "There's still lots of time for all that! I'm sure you'll settle down with some nice young lady in good time. But I'll have to see if she's worthy before you do. Hahaha!" Heihachi's face went suddenly serious. "But for now you better focus on your martial arts and studies. Don't let those pretty faces distract you."
Lee was surprised when Heihachi began to slap him on the back, though he should not be, since his father was always like - rough even in his kind moments... He smiled shyly at his father while wondering if he would have to marry one day. Like all respectable people do... The prospect of this didn't please him very much... And he would also have to present the chosen one to his father... He certainly didn't know what kind of woman would please Heihachi as a daughter-in-law... And how she would be treated... No, he wouldn't get married... and then he may not have to present any chosen pretty face to his father... It was better like this... Settling down was certainly scaring him a lot.
"No, Otousama, I do not get distracted by anyone. I always study and train as I must do." It wasn't exactly true, but his good grades certainly didn't betray that he sometimes got distracted for many reasons... Among them some flirting and also the fact that he actually was indeed tired of always being obedient... Though he felt bad about it now... His father was being caring towards him... Even replacing and dusting his kimono like a good parent... He had to be worthy of him.
"Good," Heihachi said. "Rely on no one but yourself. Train hard and be cleverer than all your allies and enemies. That's what I say to Kazuya, so you better train as hard and be smarter than him if you ever want to get anywhere near the Mishima Zaibatsu."
Heihachi had finished the bento box and leaned back now, looking at the blossoms. His thoughts got caught up there in the tree branches. What-ifs over the love of his own life edged back and forth in his thoughts as they always did at times like this. What if he'd been more self-reliant? What if hadn't let his guard down? What if he'd foreseen some betrayal? He tried to pull away from where those memories were going. He looked sharply at Lee.
"Are your school grades better than Kazuya's?"
Lee became intimidated once more by Heihachi's question. He knew his grades were better than Kazuya in most things, maybe not chemistry and history though - he didn't have too much interest in history with the way it was taught and he never put enough time into the chemistry course to be better than Kazuya. But he didn't really want to point at Kazuya not being better than him in other subjects. But then, his father had to be proud of him... But he also wasn't good enough... He lowered his gaze and said,
"Yes. As a whole... In most subjects." He lifted his eyes toward his father since he could not show that he also was ashamed and feared him.
"Hmph! That brat... I'll have to work him harder. He dares hold his head high whilst coming second to you," Heihachi murmured, stroking his chin. "And as for you," he looked Lee over. "You think I'll be impressed by 'most' subjects? What matters is being on top! Being the best! I don't care about 'most' subjects. Beat him at everything!"
Lee regretted saying Kazuya had less good grades than him. He feared Kazuya would pay for it, but he didn't have time to think about it too much since Heihachi now addressed him about his own grades. Looking afraid, he backed away his upper body a bit from his father, before bowing to him.
"Yes, Otousama, I shall now beat him at everything!"
Heihachi's more confrontational attitude faded a bit when Lee said that. He always had that dutiful and respectful tone that made someone much more agreeable in Heihachi's eyes.
"Good boy. You're meant to be making Kazuya work for everything, so make sure you don't slack off."
Lee nodded. He would now have to study those two subjects that didn't interest him too much... But he had to make his father proud of him... And be able to hear him call him 'good boy' once more... even if it sometimes also sounded like a dog...
"Yes, Otousama. I won't slack off."
Heihachi nodded. "Good... good." Then he pointed a finger. "I want to see results too though, not empty promises. I know what you're like: all agreeable and filial when I'm here, then running amok as soon as I turn my back." His face softened a little though and something almost fond hovered there, if only for a moment. He gave a sigh, and watched as another breeze tugged blossoms through the air. He absently reached out and plucked a few petals that caught in Lee's hair. "How many years did you say it's been since I adopted you?"
Lee blushed and lowered his head as an admission of guilt when Heihachi told him he knew how he was... Though he lifted it quickly enough to notice the soft gaze his father had and how he was now gently picking the petals off him, making Lee feel like his father was once more taking care of him. He once more felt affection for his father.
"Six years." He smiled shyly at Heihachi and said to him, "Thank you again. And for your kind words today."
"Kind?! Bwahaha!" Heihachi laughed loudly, then his face went immediately contemplative. "Yes... I suppose I am in a strange mood today. Well, don't get used to it - if I was soft on you all the time, you'd never learn anything useful! I teach you the tough lessons now so that you're prepared for anything later in life." Heihachi thought for a moment. "Six years, eh? Yes... you're no longer a tiny weed of a boy. I suppose it's true you might not even be alive if I hadn't brought you here."
Maybe saving this boy's life could be a kind of penance for the lives he'd destroyed. Maybe. No, his soul needed no balancing. Jinpachi deserved what he got coming for being a stubborn fool, and besides it wasn't like he was dead. And Kazumi-... She'd done that to herself. He'd tried to be merciful. And Kazuya-... He'd let him live in the end, hadn't he? He was raising the boy to give him a fighting chance before the brat got what was coming to him. They all deserved what they got. In fact, he'd only been magnanimous and gracious, all things considered. They should all be as grateful as Lee.
Heihachi looked at Lee once more, this time with a kind of possessive pride. He put his hand on his head. "But you are obedient and grateful, as you should be. Sometimes I think you're the only one who appreciates all I do."
Lee was a bit disappointed when Heihachi told him to not get used to it. In fact, each time Lee felt any kindness coming from his father, he always thought this might be the time that Heihachi would change and become gentle toward them all the time. But, in fact, maybe Heihachi was right. Maybe they needed to have this hard education to get stronger… Lee didn't feel it was good, but Heihachi knew best. But still,… they would still obey him even if he was kinder… probably… Well, they would be happier… But maybe they did need that lesson for later in life. But still… Yet with what indeed would have happened to him if he had stayed in the streets, how could he complain? His adoptive father definitely saved his life and offered him a chance to become a billionaire… Lee sometimes wondered what he would have become if Heihachi had not found him and death was indeed often an answer he imagined… or if not, it certainly would not have been a happy life… Harder than now and with nothing at the end… He did owe so much to Heihachi.
Lee once more appreciated the way Heihachi looked at him and how he put his hand on his head so he smiled shyly once more at his father. He wanted to reply that others, meaning Kazuya, appreciated what he did, but it would probably end up in some insults against Kazuya, so he might as well shut up and take the compliments for himself.
Heihachi inspected his son, making sure those petals were out of his silver hair and brushing his fringe aside so that it was straight and respectable. If only it were Kazuya who was like this: thoughtful, trying to please him, and normal... not carrying around whatever it was that had infected Kazumi. Kazuya had that Mishima fierceness. Heihachi saw so much of himself in him. And so much of her... It should have all been so perfect.
"Well," he said, still casually sorting out Lee's appearance and setting everything the way he wanted. "Don't you forget it. It's me you owe loyalty to, no matter how persuasive Kazuya is. Don't lose sight of that. You should always be on my side, not his. Or you'll regret it in the end and think back on my words today and remember I was right. Train hard, study hard, stay by my side and do what you're told, and everything will go fine for you. Don't concern yourself with anything else."
Trying not to look too emotive, Lee enjoyed greatly when Heihachi was replacing his clothes and hair. He definitely felt like his father cared for him and could not help but look at him with love… or maybe he was mostly looking at him, pleading for more love? He didn't really know… Yet his gaze changed a bit to surprise when Heihachi began talking about Kazuya. Yes, he did take the side of Kazuya sometimes… Mostly when Heihachi was not looking indeed, like he just warned him earlier, either out of anger toward their father or to comfort Kazuya or just because they were getting along better. He never understood that hate and rivalry between Heihachi and Kazuya… Well, not everything… He lowered his gaze and said,
"Yes, Otousama. You are the one who saved my life and offered me so much. You are the one who taught me your martial arts and will teach me business. You are my revered father, I shall always stay by your side." As he spoke, Lee lifted his eyes toward Heihachi again and somehow this time they looked more convinced and passionate. All that he owed to Heihachi and probably his charismatic presence, made Lee believe he would stay by his father's side and maybe Kazuya would also change his mind one day… Maybe Heihachi will be kind to them both… Another side of Lee also told himself that he had to. The one who had everything and could take it back from him was Heihachi...
Heihachi gave a gentle smile. Of course, he still held his heart high out of reach of any affection - you could never tell who was going to stab you in the back and when - but at least he knew he had Lee firmly under his control. That made him feel a lot more relaxed. He took Lee's head in his hands and kissed him lightly on his forehead. He did genuinely feel something for the boy, even if that gesture was more about solidifying the spell of his power over him. Lee was certainly his and would remain so for some time after this. Kazuya would go back to being more isolated and would train all the harder in his despair. Heihachi let Lee go.
"Good. That's what I want to hear." He gave Lee another smile. "And I'll take one of those bento boxes any time. You're quite impressive with your cookery."
Lee was touched by his father's gentle smile but he definitely was moved and won over when his father took his head and kissed him. Tears came to Lee's eyes and he grabbed his father's kimono in the hope that this tenderness would never end... But it had to when Heihachi let him go. Lee didn't dare hold on desperately to his father and he reluctantly let go of the reassuring fabric. The other smile and the compliment pushed Lee to melt totally as he looked at his father with renewed devotion and gratitude. He deeply bowed to Heihachi, touching his head to the ground as he said,
"Thank you, Otousama, I am honoured you loved my bento box! I shall cook others for you! Thank you!"
Heihachi nodded, pleased by that display. The bright weather, beautiful trees, and his son's glowing gratitude had dispelled even his earlier melancholic mood. "Good! Hahah! I look forward to many more bento boxes! Now, let's go and get some tea. I can't think of anything better than green tea under cherry blossoms. Or maybe cherry blossom tea... I haven't decided. Come, we'll go look and see what smells best!"
Lee nodded with a smile, happy again to be invited by his father in such a cheerful way and with no official reason. Definitely Heihachi loved him...
Author Note: We were inspired by a panel in an old Tekken comic where Heihachi shows Lee some affection. We wrote this small story of fifteen year old Lee trying to show Heihachi how thankful he is to have been adopted.