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 18: A New Beginning
Jin squinted at the blaze of the bright, morning sunlight. He put his palm over his eyes to watch several familiar people in the distance, coming through the great gates of the Mishima Estate. He didn't really think he'd be back this soon, a mere two weeks after the last tournament. His sentiment was shared by most, if not all the competitors, who were more than a little surprised that a new tournament was organized in such a short span of time. Because of this, the media had another field day and they came in swarms, searching for answers that just weren't given to them.
"Ohayo, Oni-chan," Asuka addressed drowsily, stretching her arms over her head. She was still in her pajamas and her dark brown hair was quite ruffled.
"How did you sleep?" Jin asked, not looking at her.
"Not too good," Asuka announced. "I kept thinking about Mom and what's happening to her."
"That makes two of us," Jin pressed his lips together. "And Dad too. He was up before sunrise but I don't think he really slept at all."
"Yeah...Dad..." Asuka looked down at her slippers. "It's kinda funny calling him that now."
"You're the one who kept insisting we call him that," Jin reminded. "Do you want to revert back to calling him 'Father'?"
"I don't want to get confused when we see Father...Oji-chan again," Asuka scrunched up her nose. "See? I'm already confused!"
"Stop," Jin wagged his forefinger in front of Asuka's face. "You're starting another stupid argument."
"I am not!"
"I rest my case," Jin chuckled and turned to observe the fighters from the gate.
"Is Ling Xiaoyu here yet?" Asuka leaned against the mansion's large oak door, her eyes following her brother's gaze.
"Not yet," Jin answered, turning towards Asuka. "I thought you said she called you last night."
"She did and-"
"KAZAMA!"
Both Jin and Asuka snapped their heads to the source of the angry shout. A well-built young man, with shoulder-length fiery orange hair, wearing a tae kwon do uniform, was running towards their direction. The closer he got, the clearer the fury in his onyx eyes appeared.
"Kazama!" he repeated again, pounding up the steps to the porch. "We were supposed to settle everything in the last tournament! You never showed up!"
"Nice to see you again, Hwoarang," Jin rolled his eyes.
"Oooh...look at you, being all sarcastic," Hwoarang made a face while waving his fingers in a childish, frustrated way. He scrutinized his rival from head to toe, then, grimaced. "Why are you standing there in your pajamas? Feel like you own the place now, do you? Too egocentric to fight the likes of me?"
"As a matter of fact, we do own the place," Asuka quipped, already annoyed with the Korean's rudeness. Hwoarang turned to argue but no words came out of his mouth. It took a few moments for him to get back to his senses.
"W...Well, well, well..." Hwoarang smiled and smoothed his hair back, turning his attention to Asuka. He walked closer and put his palm against the door, flashing a dazzling smile at her. "I don't believe I've seen you before. Where're you from, babe?"
"Get away from her," Jin shoved Hwoarang roughly aside, his sudden protectiveness surprising everyone, even himself.
"Why?" Hwoarang put on a scowl. "Is she your girlfriend or something?"
"She's my sister so don't you go hitting on her...especially in front of me!" Jin jabbed his thumb on his chest.
"Your...sister!" Hwoarang craned his neck to have a better look at the girl behind Jin. "I didn't know you had a sister."
"There are a lot more things you don't know about me," Jin stated sternly. "And if you did, you wouldn't be so insistent on fighting with me."
"You are getting way too big up here," Hwoarang pointed to his head. "But that ain't gonna stop me from hitting on whoever I want."
"I swear...if you so much as get a step closer to Asuka, I'll-"
"Asuka?" Hwoarang whistled, his eyes still fixed on Asuka. "Nice name. Mine's Hwoarang."
"Stop it!" Jin growled, his fingers curling into mallets.
"Haha! I finally found a soft spot! Maybe you cou-huh?" Hwoarang stopped at the feel of a heavy hand on his shoulder. When he turned to see who it was, he shuddered.
"You better go to the briefing out there if you know what's good for you," Kazuya snarled threateningly, his eyes narrowed into deadly slits.
"W-Who do you think you are! The organizer of this tournament!" Hwoarang took a quick step back, almost losing his balance in the process.
"As a matter of fact, I am," Kazuya folded his arms across his chest, his muscles protruding through his light blue polo shirt. "Now, off with you. And don't ever bother my daughter again, you hear!"
Hwoarang snapped his head from Jin and Asuka, to Kazuya, and vice versa. Finally, he did a small bow before hurrying towards the group of participants, who were listening in on a short briefing by a tournament personnel. An older man, also in a tae kwon do uniform, slapped Hwoarang's head and began yelling at him in Korean.
"He's cute," Asuka remarked but when she saw the expressions on her father and brother's faces, she added, "...but obnoxious. I just hate that in a guy."
"Good," Jin and Kazuya said at the same time. They looked at each other for a moment before turning to watch the group of fighters again.
"Dad? How's your arm?" Asuka gingerly moved in closer to Kazuya.
"It's getting better..." Kazuya responded rubbing his shoulder where his injury was. "Getting better..."
"That's good," Asuka nodded, her relief causing Kazuya to hide a small smile.
"Dad? Are you sure about this?" Jin asked. "Are you sure Mother will come?"
"I'm certain of it," Kazuya assured. "Just as the devil spirit can sense a intensity of celestial presence, so can the celestials sense a demonic presence. There are three of us here now. As long as we...as long as we stay together...it won't take long for your mother to find us."
"What happens from here?" Asuka looked up at her father.
"I don't know," Kazuya stared at the cranes flying swiftly above them. "But as Jun used to say, the future holds new beginnings. We just have to get to the end of this story to see the new one."
Both Jin and Asuka raised their heads and with their father, they watched the clouds sail past the eternal blue skies above. The future may not be clear, but hopefully, it'll be as bright as the spring sun that bore down upon them.
THE END?
A/N: Good golly gosh! I am so evil! Another cliffhanger! MWAHAHAHA! Who do you hate more? Me, or Dr. Larne? Hehehe. Actually, I had to, of course, stop at this point. This story ends at the beginning of Tekken 6. Asuka and Hwoarang? Not that I think they'd make a super great couple, but I think it'll be extremely funny to see Jin try to protect Asuka from him, don't you think? At least now maybe Jin will find a reason to kick Hwoarang's ass! LOL! (Don't get me wrong! I'm a Hwoarang fan too!) Do I have a sequel in mind? Yes, but it depends. Truth be told, I've already thought of the ending. I don't know about a sequel...but if I get good enough reviews, I'll do it again. This fanfic, as you may know, is a sequel and it has been made possible by the different wonderful reviews from people. For that, I thank you. I'll rest for now...but I'll be back. See you soon!