Author's notes: This story is mostly based on Tekken 4 and the currently (2004) released information on Tekken 5 and its characters. Though some infos were taken from Tekken Official, some situations, events and characters are all fanmade. This is also the sequel to my previous fanfic, Tekken 5: The Kazama-Mishima Connections. Rated G
Disclaimer: Kazuya Mishima, Jun Kazama, Jin Kazama, Asuka Kazama, Ling Xiaoyu, and all Tekken characters referred in this fanfic are the property of NAMCO. This is only a fan fiction from the imagination of an obsessed fan. No copyright infringement intended.
Chapter 2: Sorrow
Osaka, Japan.
It was another glorious spring morning in the prestigious martial arts dojo of the Kazama clan. The cherry tree was a-bloom with its pink blossoms, the wind gently taking the petals along its wake. Students began their daily activities whilst still enjoying the season's festivities.
At first glance, no one could have guessed that less than a week before, this dojo had undergone one of the most intense ordeals in its history. A mysterious Chinese man by the name of Feng Wei had come to ruthlessly attack the master and some of the students. Now, life went on as it once was, save, for one difference: the vigilance in everyone at the dojo.
Two students were jogging along the wooden structure when they heard the distinct sound of hand and feet cutting through air, making them stop. Inside the temple, they spotted the master's daughter, Asuka Kazama, practicing on her moves, her short brown hair flinging across her face as she did another cartwheel kick.
The boys shook their heads.
"I reckon she still couldn't get over being creamed by Feng Wei."
"Yeah. It must've been a pretty bitter defeat. I've never seen her this serious or this quiet on a spring day."
"Not to mention she didn't come to break the fight between Tatsuo and Keiji a while ago."
"Hey, you two! Get back to your work out!"
"K-Kazama Sensei! Y-yes sir!" the boys stammered at the same time. The old man watched the two boys jog off before turning his attention back to his daughter.
Master Kazama gave out a heavy sigh and wheeled himself towards the temple. Other than his back, he also had other injuries that needed months to heal; but to him, nothing was more painful than seeing his daughter sad.
"Asuka?"
"Father!" Asuka rushed to her father's side. "You shouldn't be up so early! The doctors told you to take it slow! Why can't you--"
"Chastising me again?" Master Kazama chuckled. "You are more like your mother than you think."
Asuka's breath caught in her throat. She could feel the tears burning from her lids but she blinked them away. Several days before, she had lost the only memento her mother had left her: a gold necklace which she had kept for more than sixteen years; and she was yet to tell her father about it. She couldn't find the opportunity or the courage to do so. This, more than anything, was the cause of her sorrow.
"Is there something wrong, dear? You have been very quiet these last few days."
"Now's my chance..."
"Father...it's because..."
"Oh, yes, before I forget," Master Kazama turned his wheelchair around and headed for the exit. "You have a guest. We'll have to talk later. It looks like she traveled a long, long way just to see you."
"She?"
A girl wearing a pink tank top under a white jacket and a pair of matching white pants popped out from the bushes, her dark pigtails blowing in the breeze. She beamed a wide smile at Asuka.
"You were very rude to leave without saying goodbye, Asuka Kazama!"
"Ling Xiaoyu!!"
The girls sipped from their tea cups in silence. The joy and jubilation of seeing each other again had now disappeared. They both knew it was time to talk of other things: serious things.
"Asuka..." Ling set her cup down. "You went after Jin, right? What happened there?"
"I'm not really sure myself," Asuka answered solemnly. "This woman came and..."
"Yes?"
Asuka sipped her cup once more, looking for a way out of this altercation. She didn't like keeping secrets from Xiaoyu. She felt...no. She knew that this girl could be trusted but Jin had warned her against dragging Ling into this mess. It was as if Jin was trying to protect Ling.
"Asuka? What about the woman?"
"An assassin," Asuka continued. "The assassin came for Jin and his father. But we overpowered her and she disappeared. Jin's dad escaped without giving him the answers he wanted."
"And you? What was your part in that?"
"I saved their butt," Asuka said jokingly. "But seriously, I did. I helped with the assassin thing."
"And Jin? What happened to Jin?"
There was a sad look in Xiaoyu's brown eyes, pleading for answers. Asuka gave out a heavy sigh.
"Is that why you came here?"
"Yes..." Ling admitted guiltily. "But I wanted to check up on you too! I--"
"Ling, I'm not mad," Asuka laughed. "If anything, I'm amused. You really do like him don't you?"
"I...I just want to know if he's alright. I have some things I want to make clear."
"Jin's alright," Asuka affirmed. "He told me he was going to search for his father."
"Oh..."
Asuka sipped on her cup again. She refused to reveal the further details of her and Jin's last conversation, which, to be frank, wasn't a very pleasant one. After discovering her necklace gone, Jin had warned Asuka to stay away again, using some rather harsh words. She would be lying if she said it didn't affect her at all. She had mustered all her strength to keep a straight face at the time.
"Well..." Ling stood up and patted her pants. "I better get going."
"You're kidding, right? You just got here!"
"I...I have to look for Jin."
"We're cooking up a storm for lunch."
"Hmm...fine, you got me."
With childish giggles, the girls made their way from the porch and followed the aroma of food towards the dining room.
Chapter 3