Disclaimer: Tekken is property of Namco and all of its affiliates.
Chapter 5: The Night
Moonlight penetrated the glass of the perimeter of the building. The ball, thus far, was a great success. Christie couldn't help but feel dizzy between the dancing, the drinking, and Steve's movements. She laughed and danced all about the floor with him. Paul resumed his drink and conversation with Law once he returned inside from his cigarette. Lee looked out a window, and gazed up at the stars and moonlight while Heihachi picked up a glass from a passing waiter. Kazuya Mishima observed the party behind dark, dangerous ebony eyes.
"Kazuya-sama," Jin spoke firmly.
A slight smirk appeared on Kazuya's face as he turned to see a mirror image standing before him, "Why am I not surprised to see you?" he demanded haughtily.
"I have some questions for you," Jin hissed, ignoring his father's comment.
Kazuya shrugged, "Ask away,"
Jin clenched his jaw, "Did you love my mother?" from gritted teeth.
Kazuya sighed, and closed his eyes as he gritted his teeth. He faced the young man again, "Yes," he finally spoke, "Your mother tried to save me from myself, but in vain. She gave her life not only for you, but for me as well," he continued, "The Toshin in all its power and fury wanted me. Needed my strength. It felt the connection between me and your mother…she…" he looked down, but couldn't continue. His eyes glazed over, seeing only what he could. Jin looked curiously, but said nothing as a boyish longing of wanting to protect his father overcame him. He shook his head and the emotion along with it.
"Why didn't you come back?" Jin finally gained the courage to demand.
Kazuya looked up at him, and his eyes gleamed, "Come back for what? I couldn't take care of you,"
Jin shook his head, "What the hell do you mean?! You're my…" he stopped, his voice being caught in his throat, and tears hanging on the verge of falling from his eyes, "Father," he spoke softly.
Kazuya sighed and shook his head. He touched his son's shoulder. Jin straightened up, and exhaled deeply. He stood in front of his father, his shoulders squared and held back. He nodded, and walked away. Kazuya stood there for a moment, watching the young Kazama go, I couldn't have asked for more, my son.
* * * * * * * * * *
Christie nearly hit the wall as she spun out of Steve's arms. He grinned, and took her back. She put both arms on his chest, and traced her fingers along his torso.
"I'm getting tired," she spoke suggestively.
"Really, madame?" he asked, his eyes twinkling devilishly.
She bit her lip, and nodded, grinning a bit. The sweet, intruguing smell of the drink made Steve smile as he steadied her, and led her to her room.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Ling Xiayou woke up in a foreign room. Darkness engulfed her, and silence stabbed at her mind. She swallowed, and looked around.
"Hello?" she called. Her petite voice echoed, allowing her to know she was in some sort of giant room. She put her hands out in front of her, and took a few steps. She touched the wall, and was relieved at doing so. The wall bit at her hands in its blitzing fury. She forced her hands to the wall in order to maintain her security.
"Hello?" she attempted again, now adding a bang to the call, "Can anybody hear me?!" she shouted. Silence was her only response; a visitor she did not wish to have. She sighed, and slumped down, allowing her shoulders to slouch, and she folded her hands in her lap. She closed her eyes, and a waterfall of tears trickled down her face. She put a dam to the waterfalls, but her hands were soon soaked as well. She wiped her eyes, but upon discovering she couldn't stop the flowing, she simply covered her face, and cried.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Hwoarang uttered a slur of swears for he was immensely annoyed by seeing his rival again. He pulled out his cigarette, and immidately heard obnoxious laughter. He turned to see none other than Christie leaning on Steve as he sweet-talked her. He sighed, knowing he should have intervened, but he simply turned his head, and put the cigarette between his lips. The door, opening once more, gave light to another young woman. She walked by his side, and he looked up, but then looked back down to the valley.
"How's it going?" Dionne asked softly, getting near to him, and locking her hands over the banister.
He shrugged, "It's going, I guess," he muttered.
She looked at him, and leaned her back against the rail of the balcony, "Hey, we're friends, right? Talk to me," she pleaded gently.
He was silent for a moment, "I'm wondering if in the end it's going to be worth it all," he admitted.
She swallowed; she wasn't ready for something like this, "What do you want from this tournament?"
He exhaled deeply, and the smoke fled into the night, "I want all of the Mishima's to know what it's like to need," he spoke, "To know what it's like to fear…not having," he explained.
Dionne looked down, "Vengance?"
He held the cigarette and looked at her, "Yeah, something like that," he muttered with a slight smirk, putting the cigarette back in his mouth.
She swallowed, and he turned to her once more, "Well, what do you want? What would you do if you won?"
"I'd get answers," she spoke softly, "I'd find out why my parents abandoned me, and why Lee left. Then," a smile apparently dancing on her lips, "I'd invest the cash, tear down the building, break the empire, and go home with my family and friends," she spoke, her eyes glazing over.
He smiled, "Seems noble enough," he muttered, taking his cigarette, and tossing it over the edge.
Dionne shrugged, and went back inside. Hwoarang looked down, but simply left the balcony in its serenity to go home.-
* * * * * * * * * * *
Jin had to go home. He had his answers, but he still felt hollow. He sighed, and began to walk away. He bumped into a few people, but finally he bumped into a last young woman.
"We have to stop meeting like this," Dionne spoke with a slight smile.
He couldn't even force himself to be polite, "Sorry," he spoke simply.
She took his arm, her countenance taking on an air of concern, "Jin, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, let me go," he insisted, pulling away. He walked faster toward the door, and left it swinging as he walked out. Dionne followed after him, and narrowed her eyes in persistence.
"Jin Kazama, I'm not leaving you alone until you tell me what the hell is wrong," she snapped at him, folding her arms.
He spun around and faced her, "What do you want from me? Everytime something goes wrong, you're here to make it better! Why don't you just leave me alone?!" he snapped angrily.
She clenched her jaw, "I already told you, Kazama! I'm here for you! We're in the same boat!" she retorted.
He looked down, "Just leave me alone," he spoke, knowing he sounded like an irritated teenager. She walked over to him, unsure of her own actions. She took his hands, and he looked at her. She looked up into his eyes, and they stood there for a moment. A gentle breeze brushed past them, pulling them closer together. Jin moved her hair behind her ears, and she closed her eyes. Unaware of what was happening to him, Jin simply bent down a bit, and kissed her. Slowly, he put his arms around her waist, and she put her arms around his neck. The biting wind blew a bit harder, and the two separated. Dionne looked down, then back at him; her cheeks were rosy, and her eyes shone in the moonlight. Jin was flushed, and he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Goodnight," Dionne spoke first, offering her hand.
Jin felt his pit hollowing deeper as he took her hand, and shook it firmly. Neither would let go, and Dionne finally nuzzled his hand gently, and he moved closer.
"I'll walk you home," he spoke simply. She nodded, and put her hand through his.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Heihachi grinned at the sight of his grandson with another young woman.
"Sakari!" he called to his secretary over the din.
Yes, chauvenistic, egotistical bastard?! She thought, but aloud, "Sir?" sauntering over, annoyed.
He motioned his head to the young couple outside, "How come you never tried love?" he asked her.
She looked down quietly, and could have strangled the ass with her own hands. He knew she had fell for Jin from the moment she laid eyes on him. Deciding to be professional, she never attempted to deal with him.
"I'll see you tomorrow, sir," she hissed, walking away. I thought Ling was his only love interest…apparently I was wrong, she thought to herself, swishing the bit of champagne in her glass, and storming off.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
A/N: Sorry this took me such a long time to post! Anyhow, this is just a small elaboration of what happened the night of the ball. The next day will resume the tournament as scheduled.