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 27: Birthday Presents
"Please, Oni-chan...just for one moment. Please..."
"For the last time. I said no. It was part of our deal. I know it must've been very hard for you, these last five years but it's not like you to break a promise. Perhaps it's because of that man..."
"Oni-chan, please don't talk about him that way. I was the one who called him and asked that we come here. I just want to see her, that's all."
Asuka dared a peak from her hiding place behind the large pine tree near the entrance of their dojo. The students had been rattling on and on about the unexpected visitors. Ever so inquisitive even as a child, Asuka couldn't help but see who it was but her father had immediately bawled her out for doing so and sent her to her room. That, more than anything, piqued her curiosity.
From what she could see, there were two visitors: a lovely woman in a pure white kimono and a dour-looking, well-built man, wearing a pair of dark sunglasses. He might've been good-looking if he didn't wear that scowl.
"I can't allow it. Gomen nasai. Please. Just...just leave," Master Kazama gestured beyond the gates. Asuka could see the woman's expression wilt away into deep sadness.
"It's the girl's birthday!" the angry-looking man growled. "The least you could do is let us hand over her presents!"
"Presents!" Asuka couldn't help but gasp. All three heads turned to her direction. Asuka clamped her little hands over her mouth, though it was too late. Her father had that angry look of reprimand but strangely, the man and the woman he was talking to looked elated.
"Asuka! Didn't I tell you to go to your room!" Master Kazama scolded.
"But they have presents for me!" Asuka said indignantly. "And it's my birthday! I get to do whatever I want!"
The woman's soft laughter echoed through the morning breeze. She turned to the man beside her and said, "Now, where could she have gotten that spunk?"
"Spunk? You mean disrespect," Master Kazama muttered. "I will not tolerate that attitude of yours, Asuka. Go back to your room or there'll be no party."
"Will they come to the party?" Asuka crossed her arms over the small of her chest.
"Asuka..."
"No, that's okay, Oni...Kazama sensei," the woman suddenly corrected herself and approached the girl, the man, following in her wake.
"Yamero! You can't..."
"Stop with your blubbering!" the man snapped at Master Kazama. "We'll be gone in a minute. That, we can promise."
"Konichiwa...Asuka, is it?" the woman knelt in front of Asuka and smiled sweetly at her. "You're a very beautiful little girl. How old are you?"
"I'm five today!" Asuka announced proudly and held up an open palm. "See? Five! Before, I still have to bend some fingers. I don't have to do that now!"
"I can see that," the woman laughed again and turned slightly to the man with her, who gave her five nicely wrapped gifts. "We have five gifts for you, too."
"WOW! Arigato! Arigato!" Asuka bowed over and over again. She looked up at the man, who had just the slightest hint of a smile on his lips. "Do you have kids? Can I invite them to my party? You're invited too, of course. We have cakes, balloons, games..."
"Asuka. You're done thanking them. Go back inside," Master Kazama commanded but Asuka was staring intently at the man and the woman, who had gone eerily silent.
"We have a little boy..." the woman trailed off, cleared her throat and added, "He's almost ten..."
"No little girls?"
"No," the woman sighed and stroked Asuka's brown strands. "But...if I had a daughter, I bet she'll be as pretty as you..." then, she noticed something. "That's a nice necklace you have on there..."
"This?" Asuka held up the gold chain around her neck. "It was my mama's. Papa says she went to heaven when I was very little and left this for me. I'm going to take care of it forever and ever!"
"You...you should..." the woman's voice began to crack as she stood up slowly. "I...I'm sure she would like that. Uhm...Ka...D-Darling? Do you want to say something before we go?"
"Huh? Oh, you mean me?" the man was startled at first but quickly regained his composure. He turned to Asuka and after a while, mumbled a soft, "Happy Birthday."
"Thank you, Uncle!" Asuka gave the man a quick hug and also did the same with the woman. "Thank you, Auntie!"
"W...well...I...we have to get going," the woman gently pushed Asuka away. "Enjoy the party," she pivoted and hurried towards the gate, the man at her heels. Asuka thought she could hear sobbing, but she wasn't quite sure. When the car drove away, she gazed up at her father.
"Papa? Who were they?"
"Just...people I once knew...a couple who lost a daughter. Come now. Let's start the party..."
Chapter 28