Jin woke up in a slight haze.

He swore that he had an odd, but strangely pleasant dream that seemed to pleasant and too surreal to be true. Not only had he not destroyed anything for once, but his darker half had actually had a decent bit of conversation for once and with Asuka at that.

Not only that, but his past- all of it, not just his own hand in it- had been told, and he found out something interesting; the two of them were related. But he laughed at this. It couldn't be- he didn't feel any real connection to her, much less anyone. In any case, he got up, stretched out a bit, and looked for somewhere to clean up.

But before that… he looked behind him, just to make sure…

There was nothing there. No tears in his shirt, no traces of feathers on the floor… good. He sighed with relief. So, it was only a dream after all. He found himself wishing that there were more like it.


Kanto The Slayer presents a Tekken song fiction…

Caught Up!

Well, you guys asked for it, so it's time for more Jin/Asuka goodness. Or something like that. Thanks for the support, everyone that's read so far. I do appreciate it. Well then, it's time for the story to commence again.

Disclaimer: Oi… don't go and pull out your "sue me" sticks, you guys. I don't own it.


Asuka was sitting on the floor of the training hall, meditating.

She found that the Devil's image was still in her mind, even now. She couldn't stop thinking about Jin, either, and it was starting to get on her nerves. She liked the guy, but she didn't want to think about him all the time- her father had just been put in the hospital. She needed to have her mind elsewhere.

She quickly focused on something else, other than that. Turning towards the day that she saw her father in the hospital was a good idea. Well, not entirely, but it kept her focused. She found however, that she was just glad that he was all right, once she really thought about it.

But then, there were the students… the man he killed- his own master… and that cop, who was trying to keep her out of the path, saying that it was only "police business." Her resolve doubled, as her eyes snapped open in a gaze of fierce determination. She would show them all not to underestimate her, or mess with those she cared for!

Yeah, I'll show them all!

She walked towards Jin's room to wake him up and convince/beat him into sparring with her, only to find that he was already awake. She heard the sound of running water from the men's bathroom- probably the shower- and decided that it would be better if she… didn't just rush in. As she walked back to the main hall, she found that Xiaoyu and Miharu were yelling for them.

"Yeah, hang on! I'm on my way!"

"Hurry up- it's a Sunday! We're heading out- didn't we call you about that?"

Asuka cringed. Well, duh. She had been training so much that she had forgotten all about that. As she jogged the rest of the way in her pajamas of all things, and with her hair a mess, they took a good look at her and laughed. She placed her hands on her hips and pouted at them.

"It's not that funny- I haven't had time to really get ready."

"B-but," Xiao managed to say while she was laughing, "You just look so ridiculous, I can't help it! Just go get changed- My sides are starting to hurt!"

As she walked back to get ready, she called out, "And go get Jin while you're at it! Heaven knows he needs the sunshine as well!"


Though the school grounds were pretty much closed on a Sunday, everyone admitted that it was a decent place to have a lunch. Which is why most all of the students had gotten into the school so many times, even with the gates locked, that the school made it a habit to keep the gates open, closing them when it was time to do so.

And today, Mishima High was packed.

Someone had gotten into a real mess with one of the seniors during the week, and now there was a fight going on. Everyone had gotten together to watch- even bringing their lunches and starting a not-too-small betting pool. As the four of them walked by, Asuka recognized it immediately.

"Dammit… can't these boys settle their shit some other way?"

She was already heading toward the fight, giving a good solid kick in the head to the one who she knew was running the betting pool. It was the same one every time, and she had to give him a good kick so many times that it had become second nature. "Find us a good spot- this shouldn't take long!"

Jin, Xiao and Miharu all looked at each other for a moment, and walked after her, not wanting to miss the fight. Not that Jin was interested one way or another, but he did want to see how she was progressing- they weren't just sparring for nothing, after all. Besides, he was getting a good workout as well- she was already good, but she wanted to be better.

He liked that.

In any case, Jin felt more than a few gazes on his back as he approached, and whispers saying that he was back. He mentally asked himself just how popular he was with everyone here… But he paid it no mind, as he used to back when he was actually in this school.

When they arrived, Asuka was already in the aggressor's face.

"What the hell is it this time, Tsai? I don't like the fact that I have to keep on kicking your ass most of the time, as well as your little buddies. Can't you go one day without fighting anyone?"

He looked at her with that same condescending look. "Don't give me that, Kazama. I only fight with people who interfere in my affairs. This upstart," he yelled, pointing an accusing finger to the boy in question, "Was caught looking at my girl- he even had the nuts to charm her and shit. I don't take kindly to that."

With her hands on her hips, she yelled back. "First of all, no one is your property around here, and second, you have no right to beat up on kids that are weaker than you, younger than you, and have no idea how to fight!"

He smirked at her. "So you're saying I should pick on someone my own size, huh? Well then, I have all day… I might as well pick on you, Kazama."

She felt the thrust punch coming, even before it came, and suddenly lifted her right knee sharply, slamming him straight in his chest, right where his heart was. He stumbled back, stunned for one full second, then had to catch his breath, get his blood pumping again, and get feeling into everything, all at once.

"D-dammit, Kazama… I'll make you regret that!"

She walked a few steps away, smiling to herself as she did so. "Is that so?" As she turned, she got into stance, her hands open and loose, prepared to ward off his attacks. "Then come over here and make me regret it, if you can!"

As soon as she said it, he rushed forward, coming at her with a left cross that he was sure would knock that silly grin off of her face. Not surprisingly, she slid underneath it and gave him a hefty right uppercut, sending him flying, before following up with a jumping left kick, her shin slamming him in the back and twisting him. She followed up with a turning right punch that caught him in the air, then a left kick that rose just to her head, catching him with it in mid air.

Before he landed again, she ducked slightly before wailing into him with a hard right hook, and finally sending him back to earth, sending that same right arm right on top of him, her fist slamming him into the ground.

He wasn't going to get back up for a while.

After a while in stance, she looked closely at him, nudged him with her foot a few times, and scoffed. "What… that's it? You talked all that shit and couldn't even last… someone tell me how long that took… what? Less than twenty seconds? Hah! I know little kids who can fight better than that."

The crowd laughed and cheered, wanting another fight…. one that wouldn't take such a damned short time. And we had a now bored Asuka. "Someone drag him outta here and give me a real fight!"


Jin was impressed.

She had beaten the ruffian handily, and in record time. As Ling and Miharu cheered along with the crowd, he began to honestly consider his chances against her in the tournament, and found himself wondering if he would really be able to get what he wanted out of this.

On top of that, his admiration for her grew with her strength, as he noted to himself that the two of them were sparring together for the past week, before this came around. Now, he was glad that he did- he had a glimpse at his competition, and saw that it was fierce.

If there are opponents as tough as she is, I can't hold anything back- even if I have to become a Devil.

The possibility didn't put as much fear in him as it used to. In fact, he felt somewhat comfortable with it now. Maybe it was because he didn't care anymore- perhaps he was drowning in apathy. Then he mentally shook himself. He had to pull it together, or else he wouldn't be able to get rid of this curse. The only way he saw to do that was to take everything- not just half of his Devil Gene, but all of it.

He had a feeling that he would find such a thing at the tournament. What, with both his father and another entity that he could sense- albeit faintly- he was sure of it. But now that he had seen Asuka tear through this kid like he was a sheet of paper…

"I challenge you!"

Everyone heard the declaration, and turned toward a widely grinning Miharu Hiyama, pointing toward the center of the throng of onlookers where Asuka stood. She looked at her quizzically for a moment, and then nodded. She knew what Miharu was capable of, and was always in the mood for new opponents.

"All right! I've been looking for a decent fight these days. Come at me!"

Miharu headed towards her, a cheeky grin on her face. This would be the perfect chance to test out her training from Xiaoyu, as well as have some fun. Besides, it would only be a spar, right? She wouldn't rub her out like she did that other guy… would she?

Fortunately for her, she was fair. "Okay, first one to get floored three times loses-"

Miharu had a mischievous smile this time, instead of her happy grin. "Not fun enough… how about a bet? Say… a thousand for each knock down?"

Asuka quirked an eyebrow. Even Ling and Jin were surprised that Miharu was actually confident enough to take a bet. But as Asuka contemplated the situation, she nodded. It sounded like a pretty good deal. They both got something out of it, and it would be a waste if she just left it at a simple match. "Sounds good; we'll just take it out of the betting ring's pocket. They don't need the money- all they do is hoard it anyway."

A loud, irritated "Hey!" came from somewhere in the background and both of the girls responded with a loud, equally irritated "Shut up! Serves you right!" They turned to each other, bowed, then walked away to take their positions. As they both got into stance, they stared at each other, their wills clashing the air charging with their force.

It must not have taken long, because Asuka struck first, charging toward Miharu and stepping to her left, thrusting out with her left palm. She hoped to get a decent knockdown at first, but she had another thing coming. Miharu turned to her right, the blow slamming her ribs and making her spin one extra time, but she was still alive, and still up.

However, Asuka knew that it was just a stumble, and took the opportunity to cut her right leg viciously in a wide reverse sweep, knocking Miharu's legs out from under her. (Her new Sacred Blade kick. I love that move.)

Down she went.

Asuka rose up and pointed a finger into the air in victory. "That's one! Two to go!"

Miharu quickly rose up and got into stance again. Okay, so she wasn't all that easy to dodge. Well, that would be even more interesting. But there was no time to think, because she was coming towards her with a rushing right uppercut, the fist heading straight for her chin.

She quickly lowered herself into the Phoenix stance, the punch barely missing her. After that, she suddenly sprung into the air, snapping her left leg up and nailing her opponent straight on the chin. With the following right kick sending her twisting through the air and landing hard, she smirked as she landed.

Pointing her own finger into the air in a mock gesture, she grinned cheekily. "That's one! Now we're even! So… you gonna stop playing and fight?"

Asuka was slightly angry at her being duped so easily. That, plus the cocky manner that Miharu had taken on got her blood boiling. It was time to shut her up. "Oh yeah, It's time to fight. And you won't like the results! Come at me!"

Miharu did so, seeing as she had an advantage. Well, it was mostly from the adrenaline that was now coursing through her, now that she had a knockdown, and the crowd started cheering. She ran forward, stepping in with her left foot and kicking forward with her right, the ball of her foot slamming toward Asuka's chest faster than she had expected.

She managed to block in time, but the aggressor had another surprise. She kicked off of her forearms, leaping backwards into the air before landing smoothly in Phoenix stance, and waiting for her next attack. Asuka wasted no time in whipping out the right reverse leg sweep, intent on dragging her front leg to the floor.

'Fraid not!

She hopped into the air, whipping her left leg around in a pirouette kick, neatly making it look like the two of them were about to dance. In fact, they were. While Miharu was landing, Asuka took the liberty of hopping up, turning her body and her right leg around in a roundhouse kick, letting the inertia turn her in a complete circle.

She just missed, and Miharu swept her left leg underneath her, not wanting to lose momentum. As she stood up, she found that she had her back turned- her kick had taken her a bit too far, and Asuka saw it. She continued her motion, sweeping low with a front right leg sweep. Miharu pretty much knew what was going to happen, and even if she didn't, she would've done this anyway.

She ducked, and moved both of her arms in the supposed path of the attack in order to catch and divert- otherwise known as a parry. Voila- she caught the kick and turned it to her left side to counter the motion, followed by three palm strikes- left, right, then left again, the third attack slamming into her with much more force than expected as she focused her will into the strike.

Down went Asuka.

Miharu simply said "Two!" and quickly began walking to the side; step by step, focusing her energies all the while… meanwhile, Asuka was having a harder time getting up. The petit friend of Ling Xiaoyu was stronger and better trained than she had thought at first- a mere beat down wouldn't do the trick.

Grace instead of power, Asuka… grace instead of power.

She loosened her stance, her arms flowing smoothly in a kata as she walked to the opposite side of Miharu, keeping her in focus at all times. Miharu, slightly puzzled at first, but quite willing to play along, moved in her own pattern as the two of them looked for an opening.

But the girl with light brown hair was getting frustrated- Asuka was not showing anything but a constant repeat in her pattern- no changes, no breaks… it was too easy. She decided to take it all to chance, and rushed, launching herself into the air, twisting so that she would land right on her shoulders.

Bad news- she missed. Good news, she landed on her feet…

Asuka had spun to her left, lashing out with a heel drop with said left leg. Miharu managed to block the attack, then strike out with a right palm strike, followed by a left uppercut that turned her back to Asuka, before making an attempt to slam both palms into her midsection.

She would soon feel pain… Asuka swept her right hand low after blocking the first two strikes, aiming to grab her opponent's right leg. Once she had done so, she broke her stance by leaning forward, rolling over her and making her fall. On top of that, seeing as she had to finish the movement, she twisted her ankle, feeling a little sorry for Miharu.

Needless to say, it hurt. A lot. Miharu squealed in agony as her ankle was damn near broken, and she immediately tapped out, smacking the concrete with her fist a few times. Luckily, someone managed to cry out "She tapped, she tapped!" and Asuka let go.

"Two. Sorry about that."

Miharu got up, incensed. She got duped, and was forced to submit all because of a little pain! What would Xiao think of her now? She had to redeem herself. She had to beat her! With a passion and determination in her eyes, she rushed Asuka, attacking with everything she had and wailing on her with a ten hit string.

She hopped into the air, her right leg arcing in a complete circle. Asuka defended, but her arms would be in serious pain the next morning, she was sure of that. Inside block, outside, high, low… then came the first right sweep.

By this time, Asuka was getting tired of defending herself, and simply performed two back handsprings, just to get out of her path. Thus, the two sweep kicks, followed by the high split kick missed entirely, and when the last blow came, Asuka was ready for it. She quickly got into a different stance, one of her arms above her head while the other was right at her waist, and let the attack come.

Once it did, her arms moved in a full circle, her lower arm taking the attack and pulling it towards her, dragging her upwards at the same time. As she was pulled through the air, she changed hands, the other hand coming up and behind her, hooking one of her legs. Making its own quick circle to toss the leg she had captured to the side, she effectively sent Miharu spinning neatly in the air and to the side, before hitting the ground on her back.

She smiled sweetly at her, the cheers of the crowd ringing in her ears as she stood there, her hands on her hips and her head cocked slightly to the side.

"Three. Gotcha!"


As the two of them walked towards the leader of the small-time gambling ring that had been set up- it was the same one every time- people were collecting their bets- a whole bunch of people, at that, for most of them had bet on Asuka. A few had only bet on the odds of such an outcome happening (Asuka- 3; Miharu, 2) and got their pay as well.

But as the two of them approached, they cheered them both on anyway, regardless of who won. Miharu had put up a hell of a fight- even Asuka said so. But Xiaoyu's friend wasn't so happy about the outcome. "Ling taught me everything I know. I used every trick I could, and still lost. What will she think?"

Asuka looked over at her, a bit surprised that Miharu cared that much for her friend's opinion. She smiled and patted her on the shoulder. "Let me tell you what she would think. She would be glad that you were all right, impressed that you stepped forward and proud to have shown such skill. I know I am."

Miharu managed to smile, but still had her doubts. She wanted to win- to make her friend even prouder of her than the normal situation called for. But she had lost… and it would only be a "train harder" this time, probably. At least, this is what she had in her mind.

After they had gotten paid- through force and persuasion of course; these guys never cracked easily- they walked back towards the throng of people, only to find that Jin and Ling were no longer there. Asuka shrugged and said that they would go looking for them, just to take a look around and see what else was happening. Slowly, Miharu started to feel better as she chatted with the woman in pale blue about… well, everything and nothing.

Asuka simply listened, laughed at what was genuinely funny, frowned slightly about what was not, and spoke openly on things she knew about. All in all, it was not a bad walk. When they finally approached the other two, they were seen laughing- a very nice picture indeed. Of course, Xiaoyu couldn't help but damn near jump into the air, glomping onto her light brown haired friend as If she were a favorite plushie.

"That was so awesome! You guys did great!"

Miharu smiled sweetly, hugging her back. She didn't mind being glomped all that much- at least not from Ling. In fact, she rather liked it. "Thanks a bunch; I do try my best!" Xiao was simply glad that she was all right, and the girl's eyes widened slightly.

She would be glad that you were all right…

"You were so cool, calling her out like that. I know that no one else would've been able to do such a thing- all the people in this school are such posers anyway, especially that Tsai and his group."

impressed that you stepped forward…

"And you fought so well out there! I guess my teaching you all this was a great idea after all; for a while there, I thought I wasn't doing anything at all but hanging out with you…"

And proud of you to have shown such skill.

Miharu looked at Asuka, wondering how the hell she knew all that would happen. She simply winked back, as if to say 'I just know', and turned to talk to Jin.

She began to wonder, from that point forward, if the rumor about her being able to see things that no one else could were true…


"So… that's how you break up fights. I'm impressed, really."

Asuka nodded. "It's what I do around here. If something gets too out of control, I have to take care of it. Heck, no one else will. Fights that are pointless or out of anger aren't meant to be fought. That's what I think, anyway."

Jin nodded- it was a good way to think about things. The tournament circuit was the only real way to compete, though the reasons were certainly personal, and people put much more into the battle than just controlled techniques. They put everything into a battle, and fought as if it were their lives at stake instead of money or power.

"I expect you to do at least a decent job in the tournament. But know this… if the two of us happen to fight each other…"

She nodded. Regardless of how they felt to one another, their minds were set.

"Got it. I don't want you to hold back- I won't either. Besides, I'm always up for a good fight."

She would avenge her father and bring that man to justice, even if she had to fight against her own cousin… who she happened to have a crush on as well…. both halves of him.

When did things get so complicated, she asked herself?


Chapter 5: The Way She Moves

Whoa… do I smell something with a Ling/Miharu thing going on? This looks like the good basis for a side chapter.

Well anyway, thanks for the support. It helps to know that you guys are actually reading this thing, and like it. Much love to a certain reviewer, who just gave me a damned good idea! You guys are going to love it when the tournament finally comes around. Should be in a few chapters... watch this space.

Ja ne.