The glaring sun started to drift itself downward into a temporary sleep, while allowing a black shade of darkness to cover the sky in its entirety. The scurrying crickets chirped loudly in the evenly cut grass of Steve Fox's yard as Nina stepped out onto the wooden patio searching for the gun wielding assassin that threatened her, Steve, and Xiaoyu's life. It was a little dark, but not so much as dark to the point where nothing could be seen in the yard. The silent pushing wind blew against Nina's loose clothing, causing it to flap around wildly. Cocking her loaded pistol back, she prepared herself for anything that appeared to want to jump out from anywhere and attack her.

The chirping sounds of the crickets were the only noise present, other than Nina breathing in the coolness of the fresh air. A few yards away from her stood a wooden shed, a place where Steve normally stored his tools for the lawn. Something seemed to be moving around from inside as a strange rattling sound could be heard moving about from within. Nina decided to step in for a closer look and investigate. Pulling open the shed door, she could make out some of the objects inside that were still visible thanks to the beaming lights from the patio.

A couple lawnmowers, a shiny red weed whacker, and fertilizer were among the few things that could easily be made out. The shed didn't seem to have anything inside other than lawn and gardening tools. With that in mind, Nina left and went back out into the cold. Once she had set foot back on the jointed stems of grass, something grabbed and attempted to strangle her from around the neck. Knowing it was the assassin hiding in the shadows, she quickly elbowed the unwelcome guest in the stomach twice, stomped on his foot, and flipped him down on his back. He sat up, grabbing hold of Nina's leg, causing her to lose balance and fall.

He pulled her half way across the lawn and kicked her multiple times in the kidney area, while she was down in a fetal position. Things weren't looking good for the blonde woman until she managed to grab hold of the leg he used to kick her. She twisted his ankle and tripped the other so he would fall. Holding onto the joint between his foot and leg, Nina twisted it with all her might until it finally snapped. The assassin could be heard screaming in horrific pain, the pain the young woman had brought upon his now broken ankle.

But damaging one body part wasn't enough for Miss Williams, oh no. She wanted to take it even further and make him suffer even more. Eyeing his other ankle and his arm, she broke those two as well. It brought joy to her face to see a man squeal like a whining pig in the night. Now he was crippled with two broken ankles and one broken arm that dangled in a deformed manner. He looked like he was in need of a doctor, for all his ligaments were bending the wrong way.

"Do you like the feeling of pain? Because I'm just getting started," Nina said whispering into his ear. The assassin learned that Nina was not one to mess around with during the beating he was suffering through. If you were willing to take her on, be prepared to lose some of the feeling in your limbs. Once Nina was through playing with the assassin and leaving him completely crippled, she pressed her foot into the right of his hip.

"So, who sent you after me?" she questioned.

"I can't tell you… he'd kill me."

"What makes you think I wont?" Nina said rolling her eyes, and pushing the heel of her foot even deeper into his hip.

"I don't really know him! He's some old guy. He just paid me to kill you, that's all!

"Thanks," Nina said, snapping his neck like a twig with her bare hands.

A minute later, Steve came outside looking rather worried. He searched for scars and bruises, but found nothing of the sort on Nina's face or body. They both stepped back into the house together and walked into the living room. The look on Steve's face grew even more serious than before, as there were a few certain questions he had wanted to get off his chest. "Nina, what's going on? Why are these people coming after you?

Nina took a deep breath, feeling the time to tell him was now. To make sure he was comfortable, she polity asked him to sit down on the sofa. Steve took a seat, and was all ears to what the woman he loved had to say.

"They're hit men. They've been after me for several months. Everywhere I go they seem to have some way of knowing exactly where I am, which is one of the reasons why we can't be together.

That explained all the shooting, but it didn't really answer Steve's other question that he had yet to ask.

"What is the main reason why we can't be together?" he asked.

Nina paused, looking into his saddened eyes. He was extremely heartbroken to hear he couldn't be with the woman he felt was the love of his life. The affections he had for her were strong, and he didn't want to give them up. Even with knowing she had a dangerous life, the British boxer still wanted to be with her. He was willing to go so far as to risk his own life just to be together with her.

But no matter how he felt, the emotions he had formed for the young lady were the wrong emotions. Thinking it was just natural male human love, it didn't add up to him as to why they were the wrong feelings. After all, he was a man and she was a woman, so what made it wrong for him to love her the way he did?

"Do you remember when we talked about you wondering who your mother was?" Nina said. "And did you ever wonder what she looked like or how she sounded?"

Steve gave a slight nod, not understanding where the conversation was going.

"Of course. We spoke about that at the restaurant. But what does that have to do with me and you?"

"Everything."

"What are you saying, Nina?" he said, raising an eyebrow.

"If you ever wondered who your mother was, look no further because she's standing…in front of you."

There was nothing, nothing but silence in the room for a brief moment. Nina believed this was hard for Steve, but he had to know the truth. A son had the right to know the identity of his own mother. It was something all parents should know. Waiting for Steve's reply, Nina heard nothing but the cackling sounds of laughter. She looked over to see her son laughing hysterically over what she had just said. Happy tears could be seen leaking from his eyes as he saw it as more of a joke than what it really was intended to be.

"You're my mother, that's a good one!" he chuckled.

Nina's eyes suddenly turned into flaming balls of fire. This was serious and yet he was treating it as if it were some kind of prank. Seeing him laugh made her want to strike him across the face. This was emotional as it could get for Nina and she didn't appreciate the response she was getting. Steve expected her to burst out laughing as well and admit it was all just a playful joke, but her mouth didn't even crack a smile.

Staring into her icy cold eyeballs, he could see a look of seriousness. The chuckling soon died down into soft silence. Secretly, an awakened Xiaoyu happened to be watching the two from the top of the steps as they informally talked to each other. She thought of there conversation to be much more interesting than the stuff shown on television.

"There's no way you can be my mother. Your much too young," Steve noted.

"I know it sounds crazy, but it is true. I am your real biological mother."

"How? Can you prove it?"

"Yes, there is proof, but I have nothing to gain from lying to you, Steve."

"Then if it is true tell me this…why take so long to tell me?"

"Fear. I've never feared anything in my life before…until I met you. I have a very dangerous life, and I did not want you apart of it. I believed never telling you would be the best thing to do. Why would you want to know that your own mom is a hunted assassin?"

"What a minute…assassin? You are an assassin?"

Nina nodded shamefully to his response.

"Yes. I've taken lives here and there without any concern. People fear me and run away from me. Everyone that looks at me…sees me as a monster. I was even given the nickname "The Cold Hearted Assassin" by many. I drew blood. I devoured pain, and I tortured my victims until they were put out of their misery. The only people that haven't seen me or labeled me as a monster are you and Xiaoyu."

Steve sat back even further in the couch with his hands on the sides of his face. He had to relax himself for a while, for this was truly shocking news. He now knew everything about Nina that there was to know, and understood why she didn't share the same emotions he felt in return. Minutes went by without a word being said. Little Xiaoyu was also in shock, as she sat at the top of the steps.

She now knew why Nina acted the way she did towards her and others. But this wasn't going to sway their friendship. Even after learning her neighbor was an assassin, Xiaoyu was going to continue being the friend she was to Nina. Steve sat on the couch still puzzled with his eyes glued to the floor and both of his hands resting on his lap. It had been five minutes since he last said a single word.

Coping with what was said earlier was hard for the young boxer. Too much had been put on his mind. The look on his face explained it all. Nina came and sat down on the couch next to him. Slowly, she brought his head over into her lap and ran her fingers through his evenly combed hair-- kind of like a mother did her small child. Xiaoyu wanted to cry, for she could tell how both Steve and Nina felt. Such a thing was hard for both of them.

Crimson Wolf :Erg... Nee... Er... I guess Steve might be with Xiaoyu? Well, she did mention wanting someone around her own age... If you DO put her with Steve, I guess I can handle that, I guess, lol.

I understand your feelings about wanting more detailed reviews. I wish I could get more of those so I can improve my writing skills (if there's any of that) but it's hard to find patient review people around here.

Anyway, more on this chapter... Well, bullets just come whizzing by at the worst times, don't they? What'll happen when Nina finally gets to tell Steve that she's his mother? (er... if that happens.) It was also a bit astonishing how Steve has (or had) an actual 'home', seeing as the mob was lookin' to kill him. I'd always pictured lots of 5 Star hotels for the boxer. Hm... I guess that's all I got... Not truly a detailed review but I'll be sure to be more observant next time I read this story... Oh, and overall it's another great chapter! gives thumbs up

Thunderxtw's reply: I understand how you feel. I submitted some other stories that are considered to be really good by a couple people, but only a small tiny number read them and sometimes I decide to just cancel the story and write for it no longer.

About the bullets, yeah they just keep coming at the worst times. It's like in life when something is supposed to happen but it constantly keeps getting interuppted by something else. That's happened to me a lot.

Steve could be in a hotel, but in this story the mob no longer exists, so there's no need to hide. I should have mentioned that...my bad!

Your review is still good regardless. I think you can be a good writer as long as you show your dedication to it.

Thanks for your kind words.

Rahaf: OMG,poor guy,i feel bad 4 him,..
...
why dont Nina & Steve infiltrate the Mishima headquarter to find who could the father be..""
...
love the way u potray Ling...

hope 2 see more Nina action soon...

..i was wondering if u could do a death by degree fic after this is done..if its ok with u...have u played the game btw,

wish u the best of luck...
PEACE...

Thunderxtw's reply: Yeah, I feel sad for both of them..(sniff)

I alway's try to imagine Ling in my head then I just write it down. I do that with a lot of my stories where I have to actually picture the character...I'm sure I'm not the only one that does that.

About Death by Degrees: No, I havent played the game. I heard it was horrible. It got really bad reviews from critics everywhere. I don't think its really as bad though as some say. The game looks fun and I would get it but the price for it is too high...maybe when it goes down I'll think about picking it up. I coulddo some research and make a fic for it any way even though I havent played the game. Making a fic of it I wouldnt mind doing.

Thanks for your review.

krappkarmin: I'm sorry if my reviews are too plain. I think I know how you feel about those 'it's great, I want to read more, update soon' stuff. I type those all the time and took them for granted. Even those reviews for my fic I took for granted. I'll try to change that.
So let me get serious about this chap. I find Steve's affection for Nina disturbing. (I'm not trying to be offensive in any way) Teh feelings that he should feel, I think, should be the same kind of love Nina's feeling for him. Steve's twenty-one in your fic is it not? Then Xiaoyu would be a more suitable partner for him if you're considering a more normal couple in this story. I've never actually seen a Steve and Xiaoyu pairing but it'll be interesting if you really pair them up together. (If you want to of course) It'll be better if he falls for Miharu. Another problem would be the italics of the quotes said by the characters. Is there a reason for that?
I like your fic is becasue it's not making fun of Steve. I find a lot of Steve-bashing fics out there. That's why I appreciate your story so much. (And of course the other authors who doesn't make Steve a stupidhead in their stories)
How's that? Hmm...come to think of it, this is how a true review should look like. Its purpose is to help the author make his or her story better.
As for the status of my fic, I just started on chapter three and had some parts planned. Still working on it though...
Thank you for your reviews and continue 'Nina Returns' soon!
Peace

Thunderxtw's reply: You dont have to apologize, its alright.

Yeah, I know how you feel about the feelings. That's really sick when you think about it, don't ya think? And I agree, Xiaoyu would be a better choice for him since she's closer to his age and has no direct relation to him.

The quoted italics are just a habit I picked up. I read other fics and see people doing the same, so I kind of followed in their footsteps.

I really don't tend to make fun of certain characters unless they play as the bad guy. I mean who doesent wanna make fun of the jerk who deserves to get his? Steve's a cool guy and I find him likeable. I havent really seen the Steve bashing fics you speak of. I don't like seeing my favorite characters getting made fun of either in fics, but its the authors own right to write what they want.

I read your fic earlier and I must say you have me interested to read more of it. Don't keep me waiting long... hee hee!

Good Luck with the story and thank you for your review.