Chapter 23

Blaze danced around by the hot wok, stir frying shrimps and vegetables with her airpods in her ears, happily humming to her Latin playlist whilst she added more black beans and chilli into the mix.

"You never stop dancing, do you!" Rudra shouted with her arms folded as she rested against one of the kitchen counters.

"Whaaaa….?" Blaze answered, removing her earphones.

"Nevermind!" The Kunochi pursed her lips, then rolled her eyes.

"It's finally done! What do you think of the new recipe?" Blaze asked, handing her friend a pair of chopsticks.

Rudra cautiously delved into the food that was still sizzling inside the wok.

"Mmm… It's good! And packs a punch too! Not bad for an English chick…"

"Really? You reckon the boss will put it on the menu downstairs?" Blaze asked.

"If he doesn't, he's got no taste. I have to say, I am impressed though. Not only did you come here and learn to fight, but you gained some culinary skills too!" Rudra smirked.

"Hey! I already knew how to fight," Blaze argued.

"I wouldn't exactly call Judo fighting…" Rudra joked.

"You wouldn't have said that yesterday when I practically took down those six armed bodyguards for you!" Blaze raised an eyebrow.

"Oh yes! Speaking of which, this is for you…" Rudra pulled out a small envelope from her handbag.

"Really? That was quick!" Blaze replied as she took it.

"Let's just say Mr Xin was impressed with your work and our little assignment. Make sure you count it though, it was a 10% cut as we agreed. All 5K should be in there".

"Thanks", Blaze smiled, placing the envelope with the cash in the backpocket of her jeans. "So, what's next for us then?"

"I'm not so sure," Rudra answered. "My brother has another assignment lined up for tomorrow but…."

"But what?" Blaze frowned.

"But it's in Wood Oak City…" she sighed.

"So? What's the big deal? You know I can get them to talk!"

"It's still too dangerous. Sure, we've had our fair share of assignments outside of the city and abroad, but if someone recognises you, that's it! You're screwed!"

"It's been two years and I can't hide here forever," Blaze shook her head. "Besides, I need to see my sister at some point. She doesn't even know if I'm still alive and I know she's here searching for me!"

"That choice is yours Blaze, but it's still a huge risk with your face plastered all over the Fed's most wanted list in this city. Speak to Leon, maybe he will say yes to you going on the assignment as I'm skipping town again from tomorrow." Rudra advised.

"How long are you going back to Japan for?" Blaze queried.

"6 months this time, maybe even a year. I've got a lot of assignments and even some assassinations lined up this summer until December, so it's hard to tell. Yuko will help to manage the restaurant while I'm gone. Leon thinks the move is for the best…"

"But you're leaving so soon. Why didn't you say anything….?"

"Something in here smells good!" Shiva optimistically bursted into the kitchen. Out of nowhere, he suddenly caught two chopsticks mid air that were flying at speed past his ear.

"Wanna try some?" Blaze proudly grinned.

"Don't mind if I do!... Hmmmmm" he replied as he started to chew on the food.

"Well….? What do you think then?" She eagerly asked.

"Your noodles are a bit overdone, but I think the head chef downstairs will like it for the new menu! Nice work Blaze!"

"Great!" She smiled to herself. As Blaze walked out of the kitchen, she threw her apron towards Rudra who caught it abruptly.

"Hey! What's this for?"

"Your turn on the dishes, remember? I got training to do, enjoy!" Blaze winked as she left.

"Hey, I thought you two stopped your day's training after 4pm?" Rudra turned towards her brother, taking another mouthful of the stir fry straight from the wok.

"We do. But Blaze is finally starting to understand that meditation is part of her daily training also in order to master her chi, so that's what she's gone to do."

"A waste of time if you'd ask me. Why would you even need chi when a Samurai sword does just as much damage and requires less effort!" Rudra frowned.

Shiva smiled as he leaned forward to kiss her on the forehead. "You know I love you sister, but you and I are so different from each other, especially when it comes to fighting with weapons".

She grinned back at him, "don't remind me!".

"Hey guys and girls! Ready for dinner?" Blaze enthusiastically smiled as she opened the door. She was suddenly greeted by six dogs and eight cats, all excited to see her as they were at the same time on each day.

"How's Benny doing?" She then turned to the vet in the corner of the room. Sara lived here for part of the week along with two other carers employed to look after the animals.

"He's much better now," She answered. "As you can see, he's got his energy back and they've all had a nice run today!"

"Thanks. Keep up the great work!" Blaze replied.

Shiva had bought this building next door to the restaurant and dojo last year. He invested money into it in order to build a brand new rescue centre for stray animals in the city. Three trained vets would rotate and stay at the premises, plus he employed local staff to help look after and care for the animals until they were rehomed. One of the things Blaze loved about being here was the fact that, after a long day of training and hard work, this place was always a safe haven that she could escape to and spend her time with the animals. No matter how much of a prick Shiva had been in the past, or how critical he was as a fighting mentor, one of the things that she admired was his love and care for the animals that they had rescued.

"Thanks girl! I'll see you in the morning after your training!" Sara smiled back.

Life here was good. Of course it wasn't home, but Blaze felt at ease and relaxed around the place. She had continued to develop her skills as a fighter and as a person. She felt as if no day was ever wasted here and everything she was doing had purpose. Shiva had taken Blaze in when she was in trouble and had helped her get off the drugs and away from the toxicity she had in her life.

Blaze spent the next half an hour of the evening watching the sun setting over the roofs of Chinatown. Meditation through the noisy hustle and bustle on the streets below was a challenge that she had to learn to overcome. High up here above it all was the quietest it would ever get, so she made the most of it. However today, Blaze was hitting another stumbling block.

She tried once again. First she closed her eyes, then she leaned forward and reached out both of her palms by her side. The air around them instantly turned thick and blue, swirling like a vortex, where she channelled all of her energy into a bright orb close to her body. Drawing more energy from the air and the earth around her, Blaze then swung her arms around in a circular motion until her body turned into a bright white light, silhouetting a beautiful floral pattern around her aura. However, this was where Blaze began to struggle once again. The energy she was holding onto, both internal and external, was intensely bright and hot and full of electricity. She struggled to breathe and was fearful of losing control of it.

Blaze held on for as long as she could until her power finally imploded. Once the light and aura cut out, she immediately fell to her knees. She was out of breath and was sweating as if she had been for a 20 minute run.

"You're chi is getting stronger, just give yourself some more time," Shiva carefully observed her from a distance.

"I'm so close, I can feel it!" Blaze continued to catch her breath whilst she shook her head, disappointed with herself.

"It's already there, just trust yourself."

"But I can't make the levitation yet! I'm so close, Leon!" She stood up, heavily dropping her hands to her hips with frustration in her voice.

"Something's blocking you, it has been ever since you got here. I think you're just scared of letting go…" he explained.

"Letting go of what?"

"That's exactly what I mean! You or I can't see what is there physically, but it's like a feeling. A bit like being vulnerable with your spirit and not being afraid to allow it to linger outside of its protective shell."

"That's easier said than done," Blaze huffed, taking a seat next to him with the city lights in full view ahead of them for miles.

"Are you still having those visions when you meditate?"

"Yeah," Blaze glanced down. "It's as if I'm living through a nightmare all over again, every time I close my eyes".

"You know that as your powers become stronger, you will have to deal with whatever you're running away from and whatever you're in fear of".

"I get it, but…" Suddenly, a bright white butterfly flickered past their eyes out of no where.

"That spirit has been following you around ever since you got here. It's a good sign, just be patient," Shiva remarked.

"What spirit?"

"That white butterfly. I've noticed it at least 50 times around you…"

"Well I haven't! It's just a butterfly… anyway what's this assignment you got going on tomorrow night?" Blaze rubbed the back of her neck, keen to change the subject.

"It's just a concert. I'm bringing the guy in for someone else to interrogate. It's got nothing to do with money this time so the pay isn't great. It won't interest you anyway…."

"So, were you ever planning on telling me the hit was on K-Washi?"

"Blaze…" he sighed, "I know what you're thinking and I can't take you with me, it's too much of a risk for both of us. What if someone recognises you?"

"But why!? Rudra will be in Japan, so it's also too dangerous if you go alone," she frowned before continuing. "You know K-Washi would be useful to me as a hostage! Tim, Bernstein, Barbon, all of them work with this guy. You saw him that night at the club yourself when I was with them!"

"Blaze, no. Not this time. I'm going alone and that's my decision and it's what I've been ordered to do. Whatever happened in the past with those people, well, you're still here aren't you? So you need to let this go," Shiva warned.

"Ok…you're right." Blaze defeatedly shrugged, "I'll see you in the morning then," she rose to her feet.

"Ok, goodnight", Shiva replied. "And stop worrying about finishing your move, you've worked really hard on it and it will come, I know it!"

"I hope so," Blaze half heartedly smiled back before retreating to her room.

"Daddy!"

"Hey baby girl!" Adam wrapped his arms around his 15 year old daughter then he swiftly picked her up a couple of inches off the ground whilst they hugged each other.

"Uncle Axel? Is that you?" Cherry stuck out her neck forward, stunned as she could barely recognise him.

"So you remembered me then huh?" He smiled as the two of them hugged.

"Of course I do! You were the one who used to let me play video games at the office when dad had to work. And you let me switch on the police sirens in the car from time to time!" Cherry laughed.

"Just like your uncle Sammy, you've grown up kid!" He smiled.

"Her fighting style is even similar to his!" Adam remarked.

"Is that so?" Axel raised an eyebrow, impressed.

"Yep! Plus I got my own moves, as well as this…." Cherry proudly grinned, pulling out her guitar from its case.

"What, do you sing for your enemies or something?" Axel joked.

"Noooo!" Cherry frowned. She then held the instrument high up in the air. It suddenly sparked an electrical bolt towards him that Axel quickly reacted to, blocking it just in time.

"Not bad, kid! That thing is lethal!"

"Cherry, put the guitar away! That was unnecessary!" Adam's tone with her quickly changed.

"It's ok. I think it's a good thing that you're learning to fight and you have something like that to back you up. Your enemies won't suspect it coming…" Axel replied.

"No, she ain't fighting!" Adam interrupted.

"WHY NOT?!" Cherry shouted.

"Because I said so."

"But Uncle Sammy fought with you guys when he was my age! Just cause I'mma girl…"

"It's definitely not that! Your uncle didn't have much of a choice at the time…"

"But…"

"But nothing!" He argued.

"But you said you'd train me!" Cherry snapped back.

"Can't you tell I'm busy?!" Adam immediately paused, heavily regretting his last sentence.

"Yeah, you're always busy!"

"Cherry, wait!" He frowned as she stormed off then slammed the door. "...Shit!" he muttered to himself.

"Looks like you got yourself another bored teenager there. Sammy wasn't so different from what I remember. All she needs is some training to focus on, which ain't a bad thing you know", Axel suggested.

"And who's got the time to teach her now that school's out for the summer? Sammy taught her a few moves but, you've seen what him and his crew are up to these days."

"Want me to train her while you're working? It will stop her from doing anything stupid, anyone can see that Cherry wants to fight. And she's gonna try one way or another. Would you rather her fighting on the streets with those friends of hers next to her or with us by her side?"

"No, she's not fighting. Period!"

"You said the same thing about Sammy once, but that never stopped him".

"Look, if I ever want parenting advice, you're the last person I'd turn to! Just forget it!" Adam angrily charged forward, pointing at him.

"Hey, what the fuck has got into you? I'm only tryna help!" Axel backed off.

"Just leave it! I can deal with my daughter myself and I don't need your help! You've never had any idea what it's like to raise a kid, so do me a favour and keep your bullshit advice to yourself!" Adam snapped.

"You know what? I'm gonna go to the store to get the rest of those groceries and some more clothes before we head to Max's place. If you need me, you know where I am." Axel calmly replied before closing the front door.

Adam suddenly found himself in the centre of his front room, staring back with regret at a family photo of himself, Cherry and Sammy from when they were younger. He then slowly walked over towards one of the white cabinets in the corner of the large room. As he opened the door, there was no denying that the contents of its interior were a mess and hadn't been touched for months, maybe even years.

Inside were more photos, documents and papers scattered around three large shelves. Some of the stuff from Blaze's old apartment was also stored inside this particular spot, where Adam had done his best to seize most of her important belongings before Tim had the chance to get to them on the night she ran away. Then, at the back of it all, Adam spotted the wooden box containing the urn. He stared at it for a moment feeling guilty at the words he had just shouted towards Axel. At the same time, Adam felt a cold shiver down his spine and that was the moment he thought of Blaze, wondering where she was and if she was ok.

Suddenly, the front door knocked, startling Adam. He instantly closed and locked up the cupboard, leaving the small key in the lock. "Just a sec…!"

As he opened a door, a woman in her mid 30s with long brown hair and glasses frantically looked up at him.

"Amira? What are you doing here?!" Adam tried his best to keep his voice down.

"I know Axel is here!" She barged her way past him through the front door.

"You've been spying on me? How many times do we have to go through this? I told you, I'm still doing everything I can to find your sister!"

"Adam, she's in trouble and still on the run! And it all started with him! He might even know something about where Blaze might be…!" She hysterically reached forward, grabbing onto Adam's shirt with desperation in her voice.

"Please Mira. I'm begging you. Don't mention anything to Axel about what happened to Blaze or the baby. He has no idea…"

"THAT'S NOT YOUR CHOICE TO MAKE!" She shouted back.

"Listen to me…" Adam calmly replied, placing both of his hands over her shoulders. "Tomorrow night, there's a concert in the middle of the city and something major is about to go down. Now I really need Axel's help in catching those criminals and this operation we're about to go into is highly dangerous for all of us. I'm telling you this because we have to get in there focussed and with a clear head. I know this is hard for you to hear but…"

"What about my sister?! You gave up on her!" Amira pleaded with tears in her eyes.

"I didn't and I won't, I swear! But I'm tellin you, this concert tomorrow night and what is about to go down could result in injuring or even killing thousands of people in this city if we don't do something! And I need Axel's help! So I'm begging you to go home and not to mention a word of any of this to him right now… please," Adam insisted, gently taking her hands. She avoided his eye contact for a moment.

"I promise you Mira, once this is all over, we will continue looking for her. And I'll tell Axel the whole truth…. Thousands of innocent people are relying on us to get this right! Promise me you wont….."

Just as he finished his sentence, Axel returned. "Hey, the front door was wide open, what's goin'…. Amira?" He halted in his tracks, surprised to see her.

She immediately charged forward towards him with her hands swinging through the air uncontrollably. "YOU!... YOU BASTARD!"

"Hey, just calm down…" Axel placed his palms in the air then gently took hold of her wrists as her hands punched forward.

"It's because of you she got into this mess! You left Blaze when she needed you the most! And now my little sister is in trouble and I haven't seen or heard from her in almost 6 years! Murphy could have killed her!... I HATE YOU!" Her voice croaked as she shouted exasperated. Axel stood there, feeling a deep sense of guilt as he took every punch from the sides of her fists that hit his chest over and over again.

"I just want my little sister back!" Then finally, Amira cried out in pain. Her anger had quickly turned into sorrow as she started to sob with the tears uncontrollably running down her cheeks.

"I'll find her and I'll bring her home, I promise….. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry…" Axel replied, gently putting his arms around her as she buried her head in his chest where she had previously lashed out at him.

"It's gonna be ok, I'll make sure we find her," Axel sighed, briefly locking eyes with Adam who was now standing behind her.

To Adam's relief, although Amira had caused a scene just now, she had kept her mouth shut for the greater good. Once she had calmed down and left, Axel took the opportunity to question his old friend once again.

"What the hell was that about? What kind of trouble was Blaze in?" He asked, concerned.

"I don't know…" Adam shrugged. "All I can tell you was that Murphy got her hooked on the drugs. You and I both understand what that world is like and what trouble it brings, especially after witnessing what happened to our parents."

"Yeah but this is different. Why would Blaze be on the run and why would she have done that shit in the first place? It doesn't make any sense!" Axel shrugged.

"I got news for you, Blaze changed! She lost her job then she lost herself after getting involved with Tim. She waited the longest out of all of us, believing every day that you would show up and stick to the promise you made her. But you didn't. There were many reasons why Blaze fell off the edge, but she changed and like you did, she shut us all out of her life in the end! Now if you wanna find her, that's your choice. But we got other things to worry about right now!"

There and then, Axel bit his tongue, knowing full well that Adam was hiding something from him. But his friend was right. This was the wrong time to deal with the issue and thousands of lives were at stake right now. So Axel promised himself he would do what was necessary first, then would get to the bottom of this as soon as possible.

Author's Note

So this was another big chapter to write and it had a lot going on. First, I wanted to focus some of it on how Blaze was doing as she had been absent from the last two chapters. One of the major differences was the she had developed a star move (like all the other characters). This one is definitely my favourite star move from all the characters (as you can tell :-) )! and I wanted to write about it.

In the later part of the chapter, I wanted to highlight the fact that Adam is in the most difficult position out of everyone. Some time has passed but, even though his initial reunion with Axel was a shock, the tension and hostility between the two of them is starting to cause cracks in their friendship because of what had happened when Axel left. Adam essentially is at the centre of all of it where he and Blaze's sister are the only ones who really know the full truth about what went on. His intentions are to still help and find Blaze, but at the same time, his priorities (moral and dutiful), lie with saving the city and preventing innocent people from becoming controlled by the Y-Syndicate. His friendship with Blaze and the last time they saw each other didn't exactly end well either when she ignored his advice when it came to Tim and the drugs.

On a separate note, I also wanted to gradually introduce Cherry further into the story. Again, as the next chapters develop, her involvement will become clearer and more significant even though Adam disapproves of her wanting to fight. He is really the person at the centre of it all who is having to deal with everyone's issues from all angles, including his own daughter. More on this will develop soon as we are still at the time before the events of the 4th game.

So I'm very excited to show you what is coming next! :-). All I'm going to say is that the premise of the next chapter will be mainly set at a concert we've been waiting for...