Chapter9

Kazuya drove to the place where he was supposed to meet Lee. Lee was waiting there and as suspected Nina was with him. Kazuya rolled down the window.

"Hey Chaolan, you know this car has only two regular seats. I can't fit all of you in here. You two lovebirds have to part."

"Kazuya Mishima, you are a bastard." Nina said.

"She definitely has to walk! Get in Lee, before I leave you here as well."

Lee greeted Lara. She got out and let him climb to the back. He shifted uncomfortably.

"How much did you pay for this... car? And you don't even get proper backseats."

"They didn't consider a stupid brother when they designed it." Kazuya replied.

"Are you sure we can leave Nina here?" Lara asked worried.

"She can walk home, she doesn't live far away." Lee told her. "But you can be glad that you are his date. Otherwise you might be the one walking home."

"You know that isn't true, I just don't like Nina." Kazuya defended himself.

He then started the car and drove out of town. Lara knew the road from her little trip. They came to the main gate of the Mishima estate, the barrier was opened for them at once and without question. Lara was suddenly very excited, when she had first seen the fence she thought she would never come to the other side of it, but this was actually quite easy. Now that she was past the guards the grounds looked pretty harmless. Maybe her task wasn't that difficult after all. The Porsche stopped in front of the mansion and Kazuya let Lee climb out.

"Goodnight Lee and good luck with dad."

"Oh no. Did he ask for me?"

"He called me at least 3 times during the day to ask about you."

"No, no, no. Couldn't you have told me earlier?"

"Good luck." Kazuya said again, this time louder.

"Thanks for the lift." Lee said.

Then he said goodbye and walked toward the door. Kazuya closed the door and drove down the road again and back out through the gate.

****

Lara was somehow disappointed that they had left the grounds. But now she was sure that she could make it again and then she would have the time to find what she was looking for. But there was now one thing she was really afraid of. If she made her move and got the artefact, how would Kazuya react, if he found out? She didn't want to be in Nina's place and that was just because he disliked her. How would he treat one who had betrayed him? Suddenly she recalled the dream she'd had after their first meeting. What did it all mean?

But after all he had made the first move, she had just been friendly, she told herself. Somehow she knew that this wasn't the point. She was using him. Suddenly Lara wished to be in her bed in the hotel. Should she ask him to take her home? But all of a sudden? Wouldn't he get suspicious? Was she getting afraid? Or feeling sorry for him? Maybe both?

"Where shall we go now?" he interrupted her thoughts.

She jumped.

"What's the matter Lara? You look like I scared you?"

"Oh, it's nothing, I was just thinking... I am tired."

"Shall I drop you off at your hotel?"

"I don't know. I am sorry. I have to call someone at home."

"Not your boyfriend!?" he said grinning.

"No, no. An old friend, I have forgotten to tell him something... But I guess it can wait till tomorrow."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." she said firmly, trying to convince herself.

She wanted to call Downey, tell him that she couldn't do it. Tell him that he had to find someone else... But there probably wasn't anyone else who could do it. Lara needed to stay calm and keep her feelings hidden. She had to go through with it. She could do it.

****

Lara looked out of the window and noticed that Kazuya was slowing down the car. He parked it at the side of the road.

"Come on, there is a beautiful park here, let's have a walk, this might distract you. Lift your mood."

"Ok." Lara forced herself to say.

She knew she had to push it aside. Lara grabbed her bag. They both got out of the car and Lara took a deep breath.

"That's better" she lied. "I guess I still have to get used to the time difference. I am feeling dizzy and tired."

"I kept you too long yesterday night, and I'm doing it again, but I can't help it. I should really drive you back to your hotel."

"Let's walk through the garden first." Lara said to him.

They walked a couple of minutes without saying a word. Lara had to struggle with the path; her shoes weren't made for walking on cobbles. She stumbled and Kazuya caught her.

"I hate those shoes."

"You could take them off and we could walk through the grass..."

"I could take my sneakers out of my bag if you don't feel offended by me wearing them to a long dress."

"Prepared for everything?"

"You bet..."

If he knew what else I have in my bag, she thought.

"But if you continued wearing those shoes and you stumbled again, I could catch you again and do this."

He bent over to her, placed his arms around her waist and kissed her.

When he released her again Lara said: "I have to admit, I wasn't prepared for this."

"I am sorry, I shouldn't have..."

Before he could finish the sentence Lara had taken the initiative and kissed him as well. She was surprised about her own reaction but couldn't help it. He held her tight.

"You are cold. I wish I hadn't left my jacket in the car and could offer it to you. Let's return to the car."

And so they walked back, Kazuya's arm was slung around Lara to keep her warm. They climbed back into the car. It was nearly midnight already.

"I will return you to your hotel if you want."

"Yes, I think I should really go to bed. And you have to get up early..."

They returned to the hotel. They got out and Kazuya accompanied Lara to her room. At the door they stopped.

"Good night, Lara."

"Good night. So sad you have to work tomorrow."

"I know. Shall I pick you up for the fight tomorrow night?"

"Yes."

"I will be here at 5, if that's not too early for you."

"No."

"From tomorrow at 5 I am completely yours until Monday, when I have to work again. Well except for the fight at nine on Saturday." he said.

They kissed again and then he left. Lara went straight into bed. She couldn't get to sleep immediately. All the time she had to think about what had happened. Had she gone too far? Had she made a big mistake? But all this time it felt so right.

****

20 minutes later the silver red Porsche was driving up the road to the Mishima Mansion. Kazuya drove into the garage and closed the roof. Then he went into the house where he met Lee.

"Glad you are back. Our father is quite angry that my car got stolen and that I didn't show up."

"I told you."

"He is behaving strangely. He is planning something."

"And you call that strange?" Kazuya replied.

"We should keep an eye on him."

"That's why I sleep with one eye open."

"I'll go to bed now, see you tomorrow morning." Lee said.

Kazuya walked to his father's study and knocked at the door.

"Lee?" came Heihachi's booming voice.

"No." Kazuya replied.

The door opened.

"What do you want?"

Heihachi sounded quite annoyed.

"I just wanted to check if you are all alive."

"I have to disappoint you, as you can see we all are."

Kazuya spotted a huge red gem on Heihachi's desk.

"What is that?" he said pointing at it.

"None of your business, son." came the harsh reply.

"Well, whatever. Good night."

Kazuya left his father alone. He didn't expect a reply. He walked up the stairs and went into his bedroom.