Chapter15

At 6 they drove back to Lara's hotel. She needed to get some stuff. Kazuya had offered her to stay on the boat for the rest of the weekend and she had accepted. She had told herself that this would give her more time to learn about Heihachi. But the truth was that she enjoyed Kazuya's company. He wouldn't speak often of his father anyway. And if he did it was full of hatred. It didn't take her long to pack her bags.

****

45 minutes later they entered the arena. Ganryu was already in the ring warming up.

"Wow, he is really massive. Still no problem for your father?" Lara said.

"No. It's going to be boring."

"Whom have we got here?" came a voice from behind. It was Lee. "Hi Lara."

"Hey, Lee. How is your car?" Kazuya asked him.

"The inspection went well, apart from the wheels everything seems to be alright." he answered. "They will get new ones for me on Monday evening. Can you give me a lift to work on Monday morning?"

"I guess I have no choice."

"Um, before I forget. HE said to tell you to come home tonight." Lee continued.

"Tell him I'm not 16 anymore!"

"No I won't. I don't like being punished for YOUR behaviour."

"My behaviour??? Since when do I have to be home at ten?" Kazuya said angry. "Unlike other people I'm never late for work, and it's none of his business what I do the rest of the time."

"Don't blame me. I just delivered the message." Lee defended himself. "Besides, he wanted to tell you personally but apparently you switched off all telephones."

Lara had to suppress a grin.

"He was really mad at you... still is." Lee continued and then glanced at the ring. "Poor Ganryu."

At that moment the announcer stepped into the ring to announce the fight. Heihachi came down the aisle. Today he was wearing a traditional sumo outfit, just like his opponent. Kazuya shook his head.

"Oh please. This looks so ridiculous. Has he no style at all?"

"Some people think that sunglasses and an Armani suit are not very practical for fighting." Lee replied.

"You would rather look like this?" Kazuya answered pointing at the ring.

Lee stayed quiet. Lara found this whole conversation quite amusing.

****

The fight began. It didn't go well for Ganryu, although he could place a couple of hits.

"I am bored." Kazuya said after 5 minutes.

Lee rolled his eyes.

"What's the matter with you? Let's hope that the second fight tonight will be of more interest to you."

"Unlikely." he said and got up. "You two can stay here if you like, but I'll get outside."

He turned around and walked out. Lara was a bit confused and wanted to follow him at first. But then she thought about it and she wanted to stay and watch the fight. She knew that it might come in handy to know Heihachi's moves. Lee shook his head in despair.

"Be glad that you don't have to live under one roof with those two, they can drive you mad." he said. "Their moods are always unpredictable."

The fight went on for another fifteen minutes, but finally Heihachi won. Lee got up.

"Come on Lara. Let's go, find him."

****

But just when they were about to get out into the hall, Kazuya came in holding a glass of water.

"So it's over?" he simply said. Then he looked at his watch. "Remind me again, why was there an one hour break between fights?"

"I don't know." Lee replied. "Let's get outside and have something to drink."

"What a great idea." Kazuya said nodding at his glass.

"What is the matter with you?" Lee asked.

"I am annoyed."

"Oh yes, we can see that..."

"I am wasting my time here." he said a bit louder when he noticed that Marshall Law was going past them.

Law turned around.

"Thank you very much. I don't like wasting MY time with YOU either." he replied.

Kazuya narrowed his eyes. Lee grabbed his arm and pulled him away.

"Come on, you will get your chance later. There is no need to pick a fight here."

Lara still stood there in the middle of the passage facing Law. He looked at her.

"Aren't you the girl from Wednesday?" Law asked. "So you are still playing with the fire?"

"As you can see." Lara replied.

"What do you see in HIM anyway?" Law continued.

"A challenge. I like challenges." she said and turned away.