A Tale of Two Seeds

Chapter 2 – Love Planted

The morning sun was just peaking over the mountains as Wang Jinrey began his daily morning routine. Usually these walks gave Wang a sense of peace and contentment. Today was different. His mind was still in turmoil over what he had witnessed the day before.

With slow graceful movements Wang Jinrey moved through his daily Tai Chi routine. Already a master of Shini-roku-Go-Ken, Wang had taken up Tai Chi to center himself and find better inner balance. Something seemed different today though. His routine did not seem to flow as smoothly as usual. His concentration wavered for the first time in years and he stopped.

"Something is wrong here."

Slowly he drops down into a meditative posture and tries to concentrate on the strange feeling he is getting. His eyes close and he reaches out toward the source of discomfort. SLAM. With a start his eyes snap open and the realization of what is happening crosses his face.

"NO!"

He quickly rises and runs down from the top of the mountain.

"I must stop him, he thinks. "It is here and is already trying to reach the boy. I must get there before it is too late."

He finally reaches the bottom of the mountain and he can see the river in front of him.

"There is still time."

He can see the boy across the river holding something in his hand. The boy rears back his hand and prepares to throw the object. Still from quite a distance away Wang yells,

"NO! KAZUYA DO NOT THR....."

The nut sails from the small boy's hand and in that same instant a powerful force stops Wang in his tracks. He is frozen and cannot move. He tries to speak but cannot. A voice then speaks to him, "FOOLISH OLD MAN!!!! DID YOU REALLY THINK YOU COULD STOP THIS? HE IS MINE NOW!!!!"

Finally able to force some words out Wang pleads, "Take me in his place, I am a more worthy sacrifice."

Wang gasps as the pressure increases 10 fold.

Viciously the voice continues, "I CANNOT TAKE YOU OLD ONE!!!!" SHE, WILL NOT LET ME! YOU ARE BEYOND MY GRASP! BUT THE BOY IS MINE BY RIGHT, and NONE not even SHE can stop me!"

With that the pressure decreases and Wang is free. He looks towards the boy and sees him stand up, briefly say something, then walk with a slow determined purpose toward the main Mishima complex.

For the second time in his life Wang has failed. First, when he failed to save the boy's mother when she gave birth and now he had lost the son as well. Showing his age he slowly gets up and walks toward the river. Sitting on a nearby rock, he s puts his bald head in his hands and one tear falls onto the ground in front of him.

"Kazuya is lost. I have failed again."

"Old man why do you cry?"

The sudden appearance of a small girl startled the old man. He quickly regains his composure and with a weak smile on his face he replies,

"I am sad young one, I have lost something dear to me,"

With a bright smile on her face the young girl pulls a small oval object out and puts it into Wang's hand.

"I found this on the other side of the river. Something told me to give it to you. I hope you like it."

When the seed touched his hand time seemed to freeze and a quiet voice spoke in the back of Wang's mind.

"You did not fail. This day was meant to be. I have a task for you. Plant this seed in your garden and let it grow. It may be the only thing that can save Kazuya's soul."

With that the spell was broken and Wang looked at the child in front of him.

"Thank you, my child. This is a very special thing you have done for me. I wish to reward you. What do you want?"

"I don't want anything sir, you just looked like you were in pain and needed a friend."

A great big smile appeared on the girl's face as she peeked over at the seed in Wang's hand. With great excitement she asks, "Sir, there is one thing. If you are going to plant that, can I help take care of it. I love plants and trees and animals and I would do a good job."

The look of innocence and joy on the girls face made Wang smile.

"Of course you may my dear. We can go plant it right now. I have the perfect spot.

The old man and the little girl start toward the garden.

What is your name Child?"

The bright smile never wavers as the small girl replies,

"My name is Jun."

The morning sun was just peaking over the mountains as Wang Jinrey began his daily morning routine. Usually these walks gave Wang a sense of peace and contentment. Today was different. His mind was still in turmoil over what he had witnessed the day before. "How will a single seed save Kazuya's soul?"