A/N: It's been some time since I've updated this one, though I did make an attempt months ago. I've tried to make this one fun as well as emotional...sensitive readers, you may want a tissue handy. Anyone else, enjoy the soppiness...and the madness at the end ^_^

Btw...I had to re-read previous chapters, it's been so long...and I nearly pissed myself laughing at the two boy's antics. If you're just reading this chapter alone, after you've done so, have a read of the latter half of the chapters...you might catch out the madness I've inadvertently put in there.

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Ashes to Ashes – Chapter 6

***

"My, you are a handsome boy, aren't you?"

With Aiko's constant doting on him, Kazuya felt almost uncomfortable for some reason. He blushed, tucking one hand behind his neck shyly. Aiko was kneeling in front of him, gently tracing his chest and stomach with her hands, admiring how much he'd grown.

"Okasaaaaaaaaaan...are you nearly done yet? You've been staring at me for ages..."

She chuckled and pulled the thirteen-year-old boy down into a tight hug. He relented, and wrapped his thin yet muscular arms around her neck. "I'm done for now...just marvelling at how much you've grown."

"Well if it means that much to you, I'll keep showing up from time to time to give you an update."

Smiling, she leaned up and kissed his forehead. "It would mean the world to me." She stepped back again after a moment, once again admiring the boy's physique. He was so thin, yet so toned for a boy his age...and almost as tall as her already. Unfortunately, she could tell, just by staring into his eyes...that emotion had faded from him since that fall. Even if he smiled at her, she couldn't see the happiness in those dark eyes of him; they were cold, as if he didn't want to have anyone see he was happy, or sad, or whatever hew as feeling.

She would have to admit to herself that he would never be the same again...he would never truly be her little boy again.

***

The sun, by now, was high in the sky above Tokyo, shining brightly down upon the vast greenery of the lush Mishima Mansion gardens. The estate was the pinnacle of luxury, vitality, and wealth; an oasis in the centre of an overcrowded city. Yet, despite this wealth of fertility and life around him, Lee felt dead to the world.

He'd always felt hard-done by in this world; there was always someone better than him, richer than him, more popular than him...even now, though there was no one richer, most people were smarter and more popular by far, let alone the other attributes he lacked. Somehow, he hadn't minded over the last few years in the Mishima home – but now, now that the truth was out...

Kazuya had so much potential. He might have used it too, if he weren't dead. He was in almost every way the perfect son. He was everything Lee wanted to be; down to his dark, sultry, mysterious looks...lithe, muscular body...he was too perfect.

What scared him the most, however, was the fact that Kazuya wasn't good enough for Heihachi. Now, if someone as fantastic as that boy couldn't live up to Old Man Mishima's expectations, how could Lee survive? He didn't want to die...he was too young to die...

"Lee..."

When the deep, gravely voice broke the serene silence of the garden, Lee just about leaped out of his skin, and almost wet himself in the process from fright. Looks like now was the time...

He turned around to face his foster father, but could only look into his eyes for a second...he turned his eyes downward, staring at the ground. His bottom lip quivered...was this the end?

After a moment, Heihachi spoke again, this time in a softer tone. "Lee, are you alright? What's the matter?"

That tone of voice...it wasn't sympathetic, it didn't echo concern...but perhaps interest. Lee shook his head, but did not look up. "Nothing, father."

He knelt down in front of the boy, and tilted the silver-haired head upwards by the chin...gently but firmly. "I know your mind worries about something..."

Lee bit his lip nervously. How does one say, I'm just kinda scared you're gonna kill me, Daddy...

"It's that other boy, isn't it? He worries you..."

"Well..." Lee had no idea where to start. That raven-haired beauty didn't worry him at all, it was what happened to him that did. "Kinda."

Heihachi sighed and sat on the grass, cross-legged. His face, for once, didn't have that hard expression he often wore. "Lee, Kazuya was a failure as a son. He was stubborn, obstinate, obnoxious, rude, disrespectful...and a failure as a warrior. He never tried, and never achieved. He was a failure." Despite the anguish he felt earlier for what he'd done to the boy, he couldn't shake the old hatred, even if it had been matched by guilt.

So, the truth is out. Lee bit back the tears...he was scared to death, though, he thought to himself, possibly a tad paranoid. "But if he was a failure...how could someone like me possibly measure up to please you?"

Heihachi chuckled. "Lee, my son, you are a different story. You've risen from the gutters to fit perfectly into the Mishima household. You are dedicated, loyal, and above all, respectful around the house."

Yeah, sure, Lee thought to himself, I treat you as God so I don't get my nuts kicked inside out.

The older man continued. "You are an attractive young boy, too...diligent, and open-minded. You may not be perfect, but you're still my favourite son. I have always considered you my only son."

But what about Kazuya? What about your own son? Lee felt a lump in his throat grow. His mind forced before him the image of those dark, wide eyes, lacking love and emotion...the thin, scarred body of the other boy...how could such a being, a being coldly emanating such passion somehow...be disregarded like that? The thought was almost too much to bear.

"Really, father? You don't hate me?"

Heihachi actually smiled somewhat. "Lee...as I said, you are my only son..." He reached down, and grabbed the boy under the arms, and drew him close. This, Lee realised, was the first time Heihachi had ever shown anything remotely like fatherly affection...and the first time he himself had received anything of the sort. It was a precious moment he may never get again. Tears welled up in his eyes, and as he returned the firm hug, they flowed freely down his cheeks. Could it be true? Could he possibly have a family, after all these years?

***

From the other side of the mansion, laughter could be heard. The laughter of a woman, and with it, that of her young son.

The two were engaged in a playful wrestling match on the grass. Kazuya managed constantly to overpower Aiko and pin her to the grass – mainly because she was ticklish, and he wasn't – but also because of the massive difference in strength. Beforehand, Kazuya had refused to let go, refused to resort to such childish pursuits...but rolling about on the grass looked like so much fun...something he hadn't had in at least a decade...he relented and wrestled his mother to the ground.

The hours passed by so quickly the two didn't realise how long they'd been playing. Finally, Aiko managed to pin the boy by his wrists to the grass. As he looked up at the sky, gasping for breath, he noticed it was growing darker...the clouds were reflecting orange light. It was almost sundown.

Aiko couldn't help but admire her beautiful sun as he lay pinned to the grass. After hours of romping around, finally, she could see a glint of something in his eyes. Was it...happiness? It could have been, who knows...but something told her that he was feeling...happy. His eyes reflected it, or something like it – something she hadn't seen since he was about three or four. She glanced down...his ribs stuck out. He was so thin his bones stuck out – ribs, hip-bones – is this what he would have been like, if he had lived? It was painful to see.

"Kazuya, you're so thin..." She released one of his slender wrists, and rested a hand against his side.

He shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm just tall, I suppose."

"No," she shook her head, "You're too thin for a boy your age."

"Well I guess that's what I'd be like if I was alive. It's not my fault..."

In the distance, Aiko noticed Lee and Heihachi heading inside for dinner. Obviously he'd finally spent some quality time with his adopted son. Kazuya noticed too, and sat up. "I'd better let you three eat dinner, I've already denied you lunch..."

She placed a hand on his chest. "No, Kazuya...I can do without dinner if it means I can spend more time with my only son..."

His hand wrapped around her wrist, the thin fingers closing completely around it. "I'll be back sometime. You'll see me again."

"Don't go..." She felt herself getting worked up, and bit back the tears. "Don't go, Kazuya...not when I've finally found you after all these years..."

His other hand rose, and he put both of them around her hand, still pressed against his chest. "I have no choice. I can't stay long."

"What do you mean? You're here now..."

He sighed. "I don't know how to explain it, I don't completely understand myself...but if I stay too long, I fade out of existence for a while, remember?" He squeezed her hand tighter, but it didn't stop her from sobbing...she lurched forward and hugged him a little too tightly for comfort. "But don't worry, Okaasan...I can come back occasionally, for a little while...

She cried a little while, then sat back and smiled at him. "You promise you'll come and see me?"

He smiled back. It was a genuine smile...the warm, loving smile of a real 13-year-old boy. "I promise."

Aiko stood up, pulling him with her. She gave him another tight hug, and wiped her tears aside. After a moment, the hand she was holding became immaterial...her fingers went straight through it. The boy before her...she could see the trees through him! And very shortly...she couldn't see him at all; nothing but the trees. He'd simply...disappeared.

She calmed herself, gathered her wits about her, and headed indoors. Dinner was most likely prepared, since today was one of her off-days. And, most likely, Lee and Heihachi were waiting for her.

The two were already seated at the table, waiting for her to come and join them. She sat down silently, and served herself her meal from the bowls in the middle of the table.

Heihachi took a mouthful of his food, swallowed, then spoke callously. "Where's the boy?"

"He's...he's gone, back to...wherever he came from."

He took another mouthful. "Good."

Lee sat in utter silence. Aiko looked up at him, in surprise more than anything. "Good?"

Heihachi shrugged. "We can get on with today's lives now. We have a son here and now, we need not dwell on the past."

What else could she say? She opted not to argue, and ate her meal in silence.

***

What a day it had been.

Lee couldn't sleep; and for once, it wasn't the obnoxious heat or humidity that defied the house's air conditioning. It was the events that had unfolded, the truths that had been presented to him over the day. They plagued his mind, forcing him to think rather than sleep.

He glanced at the clock beside his bed. One-thirty? Great. He'd been sitting up against his pillows in the dark for three hours now. He still wasn't tired, either.

He focussed his eyes on the back of his bedroom. Maybe if he stared at nothing for long enough he'd fall asleep. Or not...when he stared for long enough, he noticed something there. Something that wasn't normally there, that is. Silently, he drew back the curtain an inch or so, allowing moonlight to flood through the room. There was something there indeed...or someone. Someone was standing in front of his desk, facing away from him, wearing nothing but white Gi pants. Was it him?

Who else would it be? Lee stayed silent, and watched the figure. He seemed to be reading the school stuff sitting on the desk, in the dark. The silver-haired boy became fixated on the other boy's back...though he was thin, there was a lot of muscle on that back of his. He was well toned for a thirteen year old, and fairly tanned. As he stealthily turned a page of a book on the desk, the muscles rippled slightly. Lee couldn't help but notice the form of what lay below the belt of those Gi pants too...for some reason, something he found rather 'yuck' to even think of...he wanted to know what the other boy's butt felt like. Damn these teenage hormones! He also had to damn himself...and being interested in almost anything on two legs, rather than just women.

He eventually glanced back at the clock. Quarter to two? He'd been staring at the kid's ass for fifteen minutes?! He couldn't help but blush. What was wrong with him? Apparently a bit...he looked back down at himself, and noticed there was a bit of a 'tent' in the bedcovers!

Hastily, he dragged his knees up to his chest under the covers. The sudden noise caught Kazuya's attention, and he glanced over his shoulder at Lee, one eyebrow perked.

"You're awake?" He whispered.

Lee nodded robotically. His mind whirred at a hundred miles a minute trying to think of what the hell he was supposed to make of the situation, especially the aching hardness under the sheets he was trying to hide.

Kazuya left the table after a moment's thought, then walked over to the bed and sat down on the end. "Cool...I guess we can talk then, or something..."

It occurred to Lee, finally, that this was the first time he'd seen the boy since that morning. "Where've you been?"

The shorter boy shrugged. "I had to go back for a few hours. I've been gone since dinnertime."

Lee rolled his eyes, but smiled, finding himself staring in fascination at the thin chest before him. That's when he realised that Kazuya was more child-like than he'd thought. "Heh...you have no hair on your chest either..." He finally reached over and turned the bedside lamp on. "And none anywhere else, except on your head..."

The raven-haired boy gave him a blank look. "Uh...why does that matter?"

"Well...it's just that...erm...well, teenagers are meant to start growing hair n' stuff, and their voices break...you know..." The blank stare Lee still got proved that no, he didn't know at all. "C'mon, surely you know about puberty!" He was having difficulty maintaining a whisper.

Kazuya shook his head. "I have no idea what the hell you're talking about."

"Oh well." Lee thought for a moment. Hey, why not just check? "Raise your arms..."

After a moment of incredulous staring, Kazuya obeyed and lifted his thin yet muscular arms into the air.

"Wow..." the silver-haired boy looked surprised as he stared at what was offered. "You really are still a kid..."

Kazuya scowled as he put his arms down. "I don't see what's so good about looking like an ape anyway. And I don't see anything on you either!"

Lee pointed at the centre of his chest. "Look closer then."

Kazuya leaned right in, the tip of his nose an inch at most from the taller boy's chest. Yeah, so there were a few thin silver strands on his chest, big deal. He noticed the same thing as Lee lifted his arms. Lee felt himself being captivated once again by the dead boy. His skin looked so smooth, and those lips...they looked so soft up close. "Yay, a few stragglers. You're such a big, bad man..." He reached forward and firmly plucked out one of Lee's armpit hairs.

He helped, of course, and slapped the other hand under his offended arm, but slapped his other hand over his mouth. Whoops...don't want Heihachi hearing him at this time of night. Kazuya merely grinned with a hint of malice in his eyes. Well...on closer inspection, maybe it was just a cheeky smirk.

"Why'd you do that?!"

Kazuya shrugged. "Cuz I felt like it, I guess."

Blushing, Lee dropped his knees and crossed his legs under the sheets. "Well...don't do it again, Mmmkay?"

"I won't...unless I feel like doing it again." He glanced down to notice the covers denting upward oddly. Bizarre...what did Lee have under those covers of his? He simply perked a brow and said nothing, looking over at the clock instead.

Lee noticed the stare and pulled his legs back up. Whoops again...that wasn't good. Without warning, a yawn erupted from his throat. "Agh...I'm getting sleepy."

Kazuya slipped off the bed and stood. "I'd better let you get some rest then." He turned to leave.

"No, wait..." He glanced back over his shoulder at the call. "When are you coming back?"

The smaller boy shrugged. "Don't know for sure. It'll be a while...maybe a year or so. I have some things to get done here and there."

"A year?!" He was on the verge of losing the whispering tone once again.

Kazuya rolled his eyes. "Time goes differently for me when I'm not in this solid form and amongst living people...I can't explain it. But it'll be a while for you before I can see you again. Just...try and get your homework done without me, okay?" He grinned cheekily, before walking toward the wall next to the window...and disappearing into it.

Lee watched the spot he disappeared from for a minute or so, wishing he would return...but exhaustion began to overwhelm his senses, and he relented. After turning out the light, he snuggled down under the blankets. He was about to sleep, when the throbbing hardness reminded him of its presence.

Great, what a wonderful souvenir to leave me with, Kazuya... Somehow, though, he wasn't ungrateful. He was almost thankful. Still, he sighed as, for the sake of getting a few hour's sleep, he put his hands to good work.