Author's notes: This story is a sort of sequel to "As Purity Lay in the Arms of Evil", other than "As Evil Lay in the Arms of Purity" and "Obsession Possession" and can be considered a sort of prequel to "Tekken 5: The Kazama-Mishima Connections, "The Kazama-Mishima Connections 2" and "The Kazama-Mishima Connections 3" so I suggest you read those fics since it may have something to do with this. This fiction is from Jun Kazama's point of view. Some characters, situation and information may be fan-made. Rated NC-17
Disclaimer: Jun Kazama, Jin Kazama, Kazuya Mishima, 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 11: To Save is to Sacrifice
"Mama! Mama! Look what I got for you!" Jin thrust a handful of colorful, wild flowers to me.
"Thank you, Jin. These are lovely," I smiled as I watched my son scurry off to my brother to skip stones with him on the lake's surface.
It was now spring. The flowers were all in bloom and the leaves of the Yakusugi trees never looked greener. The birds were chirping and the sun was bright. Through all this tranquil atmosphere, I still wallowed in the same melancholia I had been experiencing for quite a while.
I was in my fifth month. I was starting to show so I had to put on a thicker obi around my waist but even that wasn't enough. A few weeks more and my predicament would be painfully obvious.
At the time of my first pregnancy, I had been so nervous and wracked with grief over my loss of Kazuya that I didn't eat much but was fortunate enough to give birth to a healthy baby boy. My grandmother had delivered him but she wouldn't be delivering my next. Grandmother Kaoru would have to remain in Yakushima, where she could see to Jin's well-being.
Right now, I have a sinking feeling that I may have more difficulty giving birth to this baby. I had never gained as much weight but thankfully, it still hadn't ruined my figure. I was always careful with what I ate, but I tend to overeat at times.
I had recently overheard some gossip about me, which were quite similar to the ones back when I was pregnant with Jin. I've never really liked it. And that may be the reason why my brother and my grandmother had planned for me to give birth in Osaka, in one of our family dojos. They had tried convincing me for months but I hadn't relented up to now. What if Kazuya were to come back? How would he find me? How can I tell him about our new baby?
However, I knew that if I stayed any longer, I could be endangering both my children. Kazuya will have to find out some other way and Jin...will have to try and understand.
"Jun-chan?"
I turned around and gazed at my brother. His eyes told me it was time. With a deep sigh, I stepped back from the dock and followed him and Jin back to the cottage, where my luggage was waiting.
"How long will you be gone, Mama?" Jin asked, his little fingers holding on to me tightly. My brother had long since concocted the fabrication that I was sick and needed to be in a hospital in Osaka for a while. Jin threw a tantrum at first, but as the weeks went by, he began to understand. My brother was the driving force behind it.
"I'll only be gone around four months, Jin," I assured. "Meanwhile, don't make trouble for Oba-chan. Okay?"
"But why can't I go with you?" he whined. The way his pitch rose indicated his closeness to another tantrum. Quickly, I knelt down beside him and cupped his little face gently in my palms.
"Jin..." I sighed, "I have to do this. If I stay any longer...you could be in danger. Besides, you still have school to attend to."
"Is your illness really that contagious?" Jin pried some more. "You don't seem sick. You look very healthy, Mama."
"Looks can be deceiving," I stated in a flat tone, another half-truth coming into my mind. "My illness grows up, Jin. Once it grows up, it will be contagious. That's why I...I have to get it out of me before it does that."
"But why so long!" Jin stomped his foot angrily. "Why do you have to go to a big hospital! Why can't you just use your magic herbs like you did for my fever?"
"Jin, please," I pleaded. "You know I don't want to leave you. I would never want to leave you but I have no choice. I promise I'll be back. And I'll call you every night too."
"And during the day?"
"Yes. And during the day."
"Hmmm...alright..." Jin let out in such a weak, defeated voice, my heart just cried out for him. My brother quickly picked up the sadness in the air and tried to insert some joviality.
"Hey! How about a mother and son picture for the trip, eh?" Oni-chan took out his Polaroid camera. "Jun-chan, why don't you have Jin-chan in front of you?"
I did as I was told and mustered the same smile Jin was trying to hold. I knew why my brother had my son in front of me. All evidence of my pregnancy must be kept under the cover of secrecy.
Chapter 12