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 fanfics, Tekken 5: The Kazama-Mishima Connections & The Kazama-Mishima Connections 2. Rated G
Disclaimer: Kazuya Mishima, Jun Kazama, Jin Kazama, Asuka Kazama, Wang Jinrei, Ling Xiaoyu, Hwoarang, Steve Fox 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 12: Challenge
"Come now, Asuka. Stop crying," Jin whispered as they headed towards the estate grounds. A day had passed since their horrible confrontation with their estranged mother. It had been hard for both of them but it was clear that Asuka was affected the most. She wasn't able to stop crying even as they returned to their father's office to bring him the news. Kazuya didn't say anything, though his eyes had constantly rested on his sobbing daughter.
Up to this moment, Kazuya had not said a single word to his children. He didn't even tell them that he was starting the tournament today. They only learned it from the tournament announcer, who had also told them of a last-minute gathering at the grounds.
"I...I can't believe..." Asuka sniffled and choked on her words. Jin gave her a reassuring pat on the back.
"Come on. We can't have people seeing you like that. Be strong."
"Thanks, Oni-chan," Asuka wiped her tears with the back of her hand and straightened her spine.
"We can be sure of one thing: that woman is Mother," Jin declared while rubbing his cheek. "Like you, she can slap the hell out of anything!"
"It was your fault," Asuka reminded, but managed a small laugh. She and her brother hastened to the grounds but once there, they stopped.
At the very front of the large crowd, was their mother. This time, she didn't bother to conceal her identity. Except for the bandage which she kept on her right shoulder, she wore no sunglasses and her dark hair was loose, strands of it fluttering in the afternoon breeze. She even wore something quite similar to what she had on in the last tournament, though this time, with a different design.
As if sensing someone watching, she swerved her head towards Jin and Asuka. She narrowed her eyes at the siblings, silently threatening them to stay away or else.
"I think we better steer clear from her," Jin pushed Asuka along further whilst shuddering from his mother's evil look.
"Jin! Asuka! Over here!" a pale hand waved from atop the crowd's heads. When the person jumped up and down, it was Ling Xiaoyu. Jin and Asuka quickly made their way towards her.
"Isn't it exciting!" Xiaoyu declared, spreading her arms wide. "I can't wait for the tourny to begin! How come it took your dad so long to start it? And why are you two so glum?"
"Family issues," Jin and Asuka mumbled at the same time, making Ling Xiaoyu's eyebrows arch up in surprise. However, she knew now to stay away from the matter when it comes to her friends' personal problems.
"I am so ready to beat up that damned kangaroo!" Xiao put on a happier demeanor and pumped her fists in the air. "I'm not gonna eat dirt this time! How 'bout you two? What if you're scheduled to fight one another?"
"That's not going to happen," Jin waved a pamphlet. "I checked."
"Well, you know. They do crazy stuff in this tournament," Xiaoyu shrugged. "Hey! There's my grandpa!"
Jin and Asuka followed Xiaoyu's pointing finger with their eyes. Their jaws dropped when they saw Wang Jinrei, giving them a short wave.
"Wang-san is your grandpa!" Asuka asked in surprise.
"Of course," Xiaoyu raised an eyebrow. "How'd you know about him?"
"We met him at lunch one time. He and Dad were talking about something personal," Jin explained. "Xiao, you think you could maybe try and convince him to talk about that?"
"You want me to be a spy? Give you some top secret information from my own grandfather and destroy the trust and loyalty I have with him?" Xiaoyu widened her eyes emphatically.
"Uhmm...something like that."
"Okay," Xiaoyu nodded and with a smile, she made a dash for her grandfather.
"I hope she succeeds..." Asuka spoke up. "I doubt it though."
"KAZAMA!"
"Oh, what now!" Jin rolled his eyes irritably and turned to Hwoarang, who was being tailed by Steve. "Hwoarang, I am so not in the mood to talk to you!"
"Just 'coz your daddy is runnin' this here tournament, doesn't mean you can strut around like you own the whole freakin' world!" Hwoarang complained. "Besides, I wasn't calling for you. I meant Asuka here. How've you been, girl? Haven't seen you around."
"Me too," Steve piped up.
"You stay out of this!" Jin flared, startling the British lad.
"Saw the schedule," Hwoarang changed the subject. He waved his own copy of the pamphlet in front of his rival's face. "D'you know who your first opponent is going to be?"
"I don't care for schedules. I can take you on right now!" Jin positioned himself. He was much to agitated at the time to pass up the chance of venting his anger at someone.
"Finally you and I are on the same page," Hwoarang took on his fighting stance. He was about to make his first strike when someone pulled him back by the collar.
"What's this? My student? Up to no good again, I see."
Hwoarang stiffened and turned his head shakily towards Baek Doo San, who was looking at him with utmost disapproval.
"M-Master...I..."
"Shut your mouth," Baek pulled his student's collar harder and dragged him deep into the crowd. The last thing the Kazamas heard Hwoarang say was, "Ah...nuts..."
"And you? You up to challenge me, too?" Jin focused his attention on Steve but all the while, he was staring at a woman in a purple suit with the same blonde hair he has.
"No thanks," Steve said somberly and disappeared into the crowd. Jin and Asuka stared at each other in bewilderment.
"I guess everyone has their own set of problems," Asuka reasoned.
"For the fifth fight, Paul Phoenix shall battle withHEY! What the!"
Everyone immediately looked up at the balcony, were the tournament representative had been announcing the schedules. Not too many people had listened to him; but he certainly got their attention now.
The microphone captured some muffled conversation before the representative stepped aside, making way for the tournament organizer: Kazuya Mishima.
"What's Dad doing up there?"
"I dunno. I'm sure he's gonna pull a fast one on us again."
"There's some last minute adjustments to the competition schedules," Kazuya declared. He shifted his penetrating gaze over the woman at the front of the crowd, who wore the same expression of contempt as he. "Kazama, Jin and Kazama, Asuka's matches will be cancelled and they shall adjourn atop helipad B within the hour."
"WHAT!" Hwoarang shouted. "That's not fair! I waited all this time toOUCH!"
"Didn't I tell you to shut your mouth?"
"But MasterOUCH! Okay! Okay!"
"Other than that," Kazuya continued, "I have also cancelled Eva Castinelli's...or should I say, Kazama, Jun's schedules and ask...no; demand that she also go up to helipad B at the same time as the other two Kazamas."
A myriad of whispers broke through the crowd. Jin and Asuka however, were deathly silent.
"Jun! I knew it was you!" Lei Wulong started to approach but when he saw the way Kazuya was glaring at him, he backed off. Meantime, Jun bent her head down and shook it softly.
"You just never give up, do you?" she stared at Kazuya one last time before whipping around and making her way out of the grounds.
"Don't you dare back out of the tournament!" Kazuya threatened heatedly, the volume of his voice making most of the fighters cover their ears.
"Don't worry," Jun called back menacingly and moved her gaze over Jin and Asuka. "I'm sure I'll be seeing you three soon enough."
Chapter 13