Chapter 54

Kazuya stopped the car somewhere in a part of the city that was new to Lara. Somehow, the word dodgy came to mind. Lara wondered what he wanted here. He had promised her a surprise. He got out and when she had done so as well locked the car. Uncertain Lara looked around. She was tempted to ask Kazuya if he really wanted to leave his car standing here.

He had marched ahead, when he noticed that Lara wasn't coming.

"Lara. Come on. I am not dragging you here to kill you," he joked. She followed him through a maze of backyards and side roads. They came past the backdoor of a club.

"Where are we going?"

"Be patient. You will find out soon enough."

He had barely finished the sentence, when the door opened and some Yakuza stepped outside. Lara looked around and found that more had come from the front and from behind. A small man with evil smile seemed to be their leader. Lara recognized his face. It was Chu, a Yakuza boss she had met before.

"It was really stupid of you to come here again," he said.

"Yes, yes I know. You keep repeating yourself. But get this into your head, I don't care." Kazuya replied.

"I wasn't talking to you, Mishima. You always assume everything is about you. We all know you don't respect our territory and one day you will dearly pay for that, but right now I was talking to Miss Croft."

Kazuya turned towards Lara with a surprised look. She shrugged.

"Miss Croft here owes me a statue. She stole it from me two years ago."

"A statue that belonged to someone else…" she shot back.

"Miss Croft, I am the one who decides whom something belongs to."

Kazuya snorted and Chu spun around to face him.

"Do you have a problem with that Mishima?" he hissed.

"Yes I do."

"And so do I." Lara agreed.

"Why, oh why, did the two of you have to team up? One more annoying, arrogant and self confident than the other…"

"I prefer self confidence to cowardice. I can't stand cowards." Kazuya looked around. "How many men have to surround us, to make you as brave as you are right now? How about when I kill one…" Kazuya noticed how Chu's men tensed up. "Will you go running to your mommy? How many does it take? Two, three…?"

Lara slowly moved her hand to the inside of her jacket. Her experience had taught her, that it was a bad idea to provoke gangsters. But Kazuya didn't seem to care, so she at least wanted to be prepared, ready to pull out her gun. And quicker than she thought it became necessary. Chu snapped his fingers and a moment later five automatics were aimed at Kazuya. Lara drew her gun and pointed it at the Yakuza.

"What now Miss Croft? Do you want to kill me?"

"Give me a good reason not to."

"If you kill me, my men will kill him," he said pointing at Kazuya.

Lara looked at him, noticing the calm look on his face. However, she had a strange feeling that something was going on, that there were actually more armed men hiding in the shadows.

"I don't think so," she replied confident nevertheless.

Chu just wanted to comment on that, when roughly thirty armed men suddenly surrounded the group. Rifles clicked, when the safety was turned off. Some of the men had throwing knifes attached to their uniforms; others were carrying katanas. Lara was slightly worried but then noticed that Chu was even more uneasy. It seemed these weren't his men. He waved a hand and his people lowered their weapons. Lara looked at Kazuya and noticed his triumphant look.

"I think we had somewhere to go," he said walking towards Lara, taking her hand.

"Mishima, you are going to pay for this, bringing the Tekken Force into my part of the town." Chu threatened.

Kazuya turned towards him. "We don't recognize that claim. And now have fun."

He turned around and left, leading Lara away.

"What was that?" Lara asked surprised, when they had left the scene behind. They were still walking through backyards.

"Heihachi's men aren't completely useless, Lara."

"But, but…"

"No, they weren't all after you."

"Why?"

"You were moving too quickly. Heihachi couldn't spread them out all over the city, they had to find you first. And I sent them on different errands all the time. Let's just say that when I'm working against Heihachi, they don't get anything done."

Lara grinned.

Suddenly Kazuya stopped at the door of a strange looking shop. He opened the door and held it open for Lara.

"We will find what I wanted to get you here."

As soon as Lara had stepped through, a chime sounded. Kazuya followed her and closed the door behind him. Lara looked around; she was in a kind of antiquity shop. All around ancient swords and other weaponry was displayed. An old man came out of the storeroom at the back.

"What can I do…" he began and then saw Kazuya, "Mr. Mishima. How can I help you?"

"You had an Akechi Tarou as far as I recall."

"Oh yes, I have one of the finest katanas he has ever made. It has a value…"

Kazuya interrupted him. It seemed he didn't want Lara to find out just how much it would cost.

"I am certain we will agree on a reasonable price, the sword is a gift for the Lady."

"Of course." The man walked back into the storeroom to get the katana.

"A katana?" Lara asked Kazuya.

"You mentioned that you liked ancient swords."

"But… You are crazy, that must cost a fortune."

Kazuya shrugged.

"Just say 'thank you'."

"Thank you." Lara leaned over to Kazuya and gave him a kiss.

"I meant after you've seen the sword."

Lara giggled.

The old man returned carrying a long katana wrapped in a dark red silk cloth. He unwrapped it and held it open for Kazuya. He carefully took the weapon and pulled it out of it's sheath. He let his eyes wander over the blade.

"Excellent work."

He then laid the katana back onto the cloth and handed it to Lara. She grabbed the handle and felt at once comfortable with it. She had a smile on her face, when she tested it in her hand. But the smile slowly faded and she placed it down again.

"I cannot accept that."

"You were supposed to say 'thank you'. If you don't accept it, you insult me."

Lara wrapped the cloth back around the weapon and took it.

"Thank you."

Kazuya turned to the old man. "Just send me the bill as usual."

"Certainly, it's been a pleasure doing business with you again."

On their way back through the side roads, they found no sign of fighting where the Yakuza had attacked them. It was quiet and most windows and doors were closed. They found the car where they had left it and exactly as they had left it, with the roof down. It seemed that some people could even park their cars in a neighbourhood like this and no one would touch it. The radio and CDs presented an easy target for thieves, but nothing was missing. Lara carefully slid her present to the backseat and got in. She pulled out her red round sunglasses from her pocket and put them on.

She glanced over to Kazuya who was wearing his black sunglasses with silver frame. He was busy concentrating on the road and looked straight ahead. She let her eyes wander from his perfectly slicked back hair to his athletic physique, which could not be hidden by the dark blue Armani shirt he was wearing. Lara thought about the great time she'd had with him during the last weeks. She could just sit there and look at him for an eternity.

For a second Kazuya looked back at her, before returning his attention to the road.

"Do I have something on me?"

Lara grinned.

"Yes."

"Do you tell me what it is, or do I have to force it out of you?"

"I just wanted to look at you…" She sounded sentimental.

Kazuya sighed. "Lara, don't fall into that mood again."

She knew he was right. She shouldn't be depressed, that didn't suit her at all. And what's more, she had this feeling that he himself tried hard to suppress feeling the same way about it.

Lara's fist barely missed Kazuya's face, when he parried her punch. They had been training for over an hour now. Lara had joked about trying out the katana but they had agreed that it was too valuable, so Kazuya had suggested a fistfight. Lara, always prepared to learn more of other fighting styles, had agreed at once. Her other fist got through underneath his defence, but the punch wasn't nearly hard enough to impress her opponent. His muscles absorbed the punch with ease. Now that Lara had used both her arms for the attack, her defence was wide open and Kazuya grabbed her for a hip throw. She landed on the ground, which bounced slightly at her impact. Worn out from the intense fight she stayed down. Kazuya stretched out his hand to her and she took it. A moment later, she was on her feet again.

"It was a pleasure sparring with you," he complimented her. "You are a worthy opponent, if your tomb raiding business should ever fail, you could become a professional fighter. However, stay out of my tournaments," he added with a twinkle in his eyes.

"The correct statement would have been, if your guns ever fail during an adventure, you could still defend yourself."

Kazuya nodded grinning and both got ready to leave the dojo.

In the evening, they had an extensive sushi dinner. The Mishima chef had prepared a meal that would have served six people and they had a huge selection of Nigiri and Maki to choose from. Some of the rolls were pretty fancy, more like the work of an artist, than of a chef. They were interrupted once, by Kazuya's stepbrother, coming in to grab a bite, but the rest of the time they had to themselves.

When the first rays of sunlight came through the window and fell on her face, Lara awoke. She pulled the blanket up and over her head, but it was inevitable, the day had come where she would leave Japan. Sleepily, she made her way to the bathroom. When she opened the door, a cloud of steam greeted her, coming from the shower, which was running. Lara was thinking about leaving, when Kazuya pushed open the glass door. Lara blushed, unnecessarily, since he only peaked out through a gap and it was impossible to look through the glass in the moist air of the bathroom.

"Morning. Can I invite you to one last shower?"

Lara grinned mischievously. How could she say no to that? She waved with her hand to tell him to look the other way. He disappeared back in the shower while she undressed. A moment later, she pushed the glass door open and slipped inside. It was difficult to see in the steam. She pushed her way under the sprinkler head. Untangling her hair, she made sure that it got soaked through and through. Kazuya brushed some of her strands of hair aside and the next moment their lips met. His hands wandered down the length of her hair and finally came to rest on her hips. Her body trembled slightly under his touch. She took a step towards him, if that tiny movement could be called step, wanting to feel him closer. She laid her hands on his shoulders and then continued to the back of his neck. She let one hand wander up the back of his head while she pulled him closer for a kiss with the other. After a few moments, she pulled back her hands and slowly pushed him backwards. When he had retreated into the wall, she placed her hands next to his head making it impossible for him to get away. He was clearly enjoying, that Lara was taking the initiative.

Lara just finished packing her bags and sat down on the bed. She looked at her company.

"Take care of yourself, when I'm gone. Don't cause any trouble you cannot get out off."

"Like what?" Kazuya asked innocently, but of course, he knew what Lara was referring to. She probably understood the seriousness of the upcoming tournament, the fact that either he or Heihachi wouldn't walk out of the ring. And she was probably more concerned than he himself. He knew the old man, he knew all of his moves. Of course, it was also the other way around, but Kazuya's moves were faster and more precise. For him it was quite obvious, that he couldn't be defeated.

He looked to his watch and then grabbed one of Lara's bags. She followed his example and took the other one.

"Just be careful," she continued.

"I promise."

Lara's thoughts drifted off, while they walked down the stairs of the west-wing. She wondered what it would be like if the two fought against each other. She had seen them both fight. Their styles had been similar, but still there were differences. Lara was unable to say who might win. But she felt that Heihachi had not taught his son everything. However Kazuya also had a few moves Heihachi didn't have.

"Kazuya?"

"Yes?"

"You said earlier, that your father has taught you to fight, but why do you have some moves he doesn't have and vice versa?"

By the limo a servant held the doors open for them. Another one took her luggage and put them at the back, while the two got in.

"You've misunderstood me, Lara. There's a difference between training and teaching. My grandfather, Jinpachi, taught me Mishima karate. But back then it was something I would do for fun. He was always proud of me, when I had mastered a new move. After my grandfather's death, I started training with Heihachi, who thought I was undisciplined. He did not teach me my moves, he taught me to fight like a machine."

"I see. I just hope that you'll win."

"I will," he assured her. He looked at his watch. "We better be going now. Or you won't get to the airport at all."

"I don't mind staying here."

Lara almost sounded reluctant to go.

"When you arrive in Egypt, you will have so much to do, that you won't have time to be sad."

Lara nodded half-heartedly while the car set into motion.

They stood in the airport by the customs gate through which Lara had to go to get to her plane.

"Goodbye, Lara." Kazuya said.

"Goodbye. Will I see you again?"

"Certainly."

Lara just stood there, not moving, not saying anything.

"Go." Kazuya said.

Lara hesitated.

"Do you want to find the mummy cat or not?" he reminded her.

"You are right. I should go now." Again she hesitated. "I will miss you."

"I will miss you too." He hugged her, and Lara let herself drift away, feeling good in his embrace. Then she slowly freed herself from his arms and grabbed her luggage.

"See you", she said and walked through the gate. Kazuya waited till she had disappeared and then left as well.

Kazuya sat in his office in his chair, feet up on the desk, his eyes on the ceiling. He had headphones tucked into his ears and was listening to 'Amber' by Dir En Grey, loudly and totally ignoring the knocking on the door. Lee Chaolan gave up and entered anyway.

"Kazuya!" he yelled.

Kazuya had noticed his brother stepping into his office. He took out the earphones.

"What?"

"It's lunchtime."

Kazuya expected Lee to be joking and looked at his watch. Alarmed he took his feet of the desk, when he saw that his brother was right.

"Oh shit. Were did the morning go?" He hastily shook his mouse and the blank screen turned back to displaying a spreadsheet he had been working on, till he had drifted off in thoughts. "I'm sorry Chaolan, but I don't have time for lunch. I have to get some work done. Tonight I'm going to start my training, care to join me?"

"For this 'King of Iron Fist Tournament'?" Lee asked.

Kazuya nodded. "I intend to use my chance to rid the universe of Heihachi. And I am going to expand the Mishima Zaibatsu, when it's mine."

"World Domination?" Lee joked.

"Why not?" Kazuya replied sternly.

"You know that's a full time job?"

"And that's exactly why I am not going to lunch with you."

Lee left the office and Kazuya got back to his work.

Lara sat in her private jet, clouds drifting past outside. In front of her, she had a laptop displaying detailed information about her next assignment, an assignment she had been waiting for, for quite some time now. But right now she couldn't concentrate on it. She looked around the interior of the plane and wandered how it would be if Kazuya were here now. She caught herself imagining making love on the leather couch. She had to grin, but pushed these thoughts aside, starting to work on the task ahead again.

THE END

(Seriously, this is over, you can go home now! Thanks for reading.)


Author's Note:

This it the end of my first Tomb Raider Tekken Crossover, but I've already begun the sequel. The first chapter(s) will be published soon. I will do some minor revisions first.


Side notes for this Chapter:

Chu is a character from comic issue 13.

Dir En Grey is a Japanese Rock Band.