I don't own Tekken. It belongs to the mighty Namco.
Thanks to all the readers.
I would like to thankDevil Billy Kazama (sorry for not mentioning you in the previous chapter), Krappkarmin, art-freak, Skylight Angel and MooNTeARZ for their reviews.
Chapter 21
Kazama's reunion
FUJI-NION
10th JULY 2014
The third round was about to start. In that day it would only take place two fights, but most of the fighters were near the number one arena to watch the first fight.
Everything was ready. Asuka was nervous but she was thinking about her father. She couldn't quit.
-'Isn't that the girl I helped in Osaka?'-Hwoarang asked Julia.
-'Yes…it's her. She's quite brave…'
-'I think she's going to kill herself!'
Jin and Ling arrived in the moment when Ghastu Komeru was calling the contestants' names.
-'In the left corner…we welcome Craig Marduk and in the right corner Asuka Kazama!'
Jin stood in shock when he heard his mother's name.
-'Kazama?'-he repeated.-'She's a Kazama?'
Ling looked at the girl amazed. That was why Jin and her were always looking at each other, and that was why he said that he was feeling something weird when that girl was around.
-'Is she your cousin?'-Ling asked.
Jin shrugged. He knew almost nothing about his mother's family, but there was a remote possibility that she could be his cousin.
-'I hate that guy.'-Steve said watching the huge Marduk.-'I hope she wins!'
-'If she's a Kazama…she will!'-Ling said.
Craig Marduk was anxious to start his fight. He was disappointed to see that he's opponent was such a small and fragile girl. In order to fight against King, Marduk was forced to win that fight, but Asuka was also decided to win, since her ultimate goal was to face Feng Wei.
-'Don't hold any regrets!'-she said when the fight began.
-'I won't…it's a shame you're so pretty!'
Thinking that Asuka was probably scared by his size, Marduk threw a powerful punch directed to her face. Asuka crossed her arms to protect her face and managed to block the punch.
Marduk was surprised with her strength.
-'I guess you're not that bad…little one!'-Marduk said with a grin.
-'I was expecting more from you!'-Asuka replied attacking. She used a falling tower and then a low kick, making Marduk go to the ground.
-'You have some nerves!'-Marduk said in a bad humour. He never thought such a small person could send him to the ground.
-'I'm only starting!'
At this point everyone was amazed by Asuka's skills; she was showing to all the males that a girl could be as efficient as them.
Ling, Julia, Christie, Kazumi and Miharu were yelling encouraging words.
-'I'm going to break your face!'-Marduk ran towards Asuka, but in the last minute she escaped and she didn't waste time. She threw him a high kick that hit him in the jaw.
The ten next minutes, Marduk tried to hit Asuka but she was constantly avoiding the attacks.
Feeling tired, Asuka left her defences down and finally Marduk hit her with a low kick. Asuka fell on one knee and Marduk hold her by her hair and hit her with his right knee on the stomach.
When he was thinking that Asuka was losing her strengths, Marduk threw her to the ground. Asuka knew she was going to fall outside the arena so she held on a lateral rope from the fighting arena.
She got up immediately and caught Marduk off guard. Marduk was suddenly hit by three high kicks in the chest. Then Asuka jumped over his head and grabbed his neck from behind. Marduk was so tall that she couldn't even touch with her feet on the ground.
Soon, Marduk was running out of air. Finally he fell on his knees and blacked out the enough time to the judge declare Asuka as the winner.
After that she left the arena in a hurry.
-'I need to speak with her!'-Jin announced.
-'We're going to the park…meet us there after you talk to her!'-Ling said and kissed him.
-'Thanks!'
Jin left after Asuka, while Ling and the others left the Stadium.
-'I didn't know she was a Kazama!'-Hwoarang said surprised.
-'So…who do you think she is?'-asked Eddie to Ling.-'His sister, his cousin?'
-'I don't know…maybe his cousin.'
-'I guess your problems are over, huh?'-Miharu said.
-'Yeah…I was really stupid…I mean I was jealous for no reason!'
In the meanwhile Jin had caught up with Asuka.
-'Wait…I need to talk to you.'-he asked her blocking her way out of the Stadium.
-'What do you want?'-Asuka asked with no interest, recognising him.
-'I have been watching you for a while and…'
-'Oh my God…you really are a pervert! Stay away from me, did you hear me?'
-'It's not that! Please just hear me out, alright?'
-'No! Now get out of my way!'
-'My name is Jin Kazama…'
Asuka looked at him surprised.
-'What did you say?'-she asked.
-'I'm Jin Kazama…and I think we should talk…'
-'But…this doesn't mean anything…right? I mean there are many Kazama families in Japan.'
-'Yes, there are…but you use the same fighting style that my mother used.'
-'Your mother?'
-'Lets talk in some other place…'
-'Ok…'
When Asuka was following Jin, Marduk met them by the exit.
-'Hey…little one! I want a rematch!'
-'Leave me alone!'-Asuka replied.
-'I said…I want a rematch!'-Marduk pulled Asuka by her shoulder, but Jin grabbed his hand.
-'Let her go…NOW!'-he said.
Marduk did what he was told.
-'I'll be around…little girl…and as soon as you're out of this tournament, I'll be waiting for you!'
-'Fine…suit yourself!'-Asuka said.-'I won once…I can do it again!'
Jin saw his friends in the middle of the park and stopped. He wanted to speak alone with Asuka. They sat down near a small artificial lake.
-'So…who's your mother?'-Asuka asked.
-'Her name was Jun Kazama…'
-'I never heard of her…where is she?'
-'She died.'
-'I'm sorry…I didn't know.'
-'It's ok. What about you? Where do you live? Who are your parents?'
-'My mother is dead too…her name was Shiori and my father is Takao Kazama. We live in Osaka since always, my father runs a Dojo where he teaches the Kazama style.'
-'So your father is also a Kazama…did he ever tell you anything about the Kazama family?'
-'He never speaks about his parents…I think they are dead by now…but he told me once that his father was very strict and stubborn.'
-'I didn't meet anyone from my mother's family too.'
-'Why not?'
-'It seems that my grandparents didn't like my father much and they never approved that relationship.'
-'That's stupid…they should've accepted…he couldn't be that bad…who is he?'
-'Kazuya Mishima…'-Jin answered almost in a whisper because he knew her reaction.
-'Mishima…that name rings a bell…OH MY GOD! You're a Mishima? Like that guy from the Mishima School and the Mishima Empire?'
-'Yes…'
-'So…you're rich! And famous…'
-'I don't want that! I want a normal life!'
-'You are the grandchild of Heihachi Mishima.'
-'That doesn't matter to me.'
-'So…let me see if I get it…you are the son of Jun Kazama and Kazuya Mishima, right?'
-'Yes.'
-'That makes us what?'
-'Since your father is a Kazama…and since you use the same style as my mother I would say that your father is probably my mother's brother…'
-'So we're cousins…'
-'I guess so.'
-'WOW…I'm Jin Mishima's cousin! That's so cool!'
-'Where's your father?'
-'In Osaka…'-Asuka told Jin what had happened to her father and what her true reasons to be there were.
-'Ok. As soon as the tournament ends and as soon as you get your revenge…I'm going to Osaka to meet your father!'
-'Ok! That's a deal!'
-'Do you want to have some lunch with us?'
-'You mean with all of you?'
-'Sure…you're my cousin so you can't walk around alone…'
-'Thanks…Jin…Can I call you Jin?'
-'Yes, you can call me Jin. Come on, Asuka…I want you to meet my girlfriend.'
Asuka was absolutely amazed with what had just happened to her. She had found out a cousin and she was going to meet his friends. Besides, Jin seemed much friendlier than she thought he was. And it seemed that Hwoarang was one of his friends and that way she could know him better.
-'Guys…this is Asuka Kazama…we spoke a bit and we think that we're cousins.'-Jin announced.
-'Hi. It's a pleasure to meet you all.'
-'Can we have lunch, now?'-Hwoarang asked.
-'Yeah…sure…'-Jin said.
-'Well…Asuka, welcome to the group, and just to let you know…your cousin is a jackass!'-Hwoarang said.
-'Look who's talking!'-Jin replied.
They all went to a fast-food restaurant and left together to watch Steve's fight at three p.m.
Asuka was more interested in talking to Ling than in watching Steve's fight, since she wanted to become a part of her cousin's group.
-'So…you're dating Jin, right?'-Asuka asked.
-'Yes…'
-'And Miharu…?'
-'Miharu, Yuu, Jin and I were in the Mishima Polytechnical School in Tokyo, so I guess I can say that we're good friends. In the last tournament, Miharu met Steve and they are dating too. The same goes for Julia and Hwoarang, but you probably know that since you met them in Osaka…'
-'Yes, I do. It's amazing how you are all a big and united group…'
-'United? I wouldn't say that!'
-'Why not?'
-'Well…Hwoarang and Jin are not the best friends in the world. Actually they are only here to kick each other's ass!'
-'Why?'
-'Because they're just childish!'
-'Actually it's Hwoarang's fault!'-Julia said joining the conversation while King was making his first attack on Steve.
-'Why is that?'-Asuka asked.
-'Hwoarang refuses to have a draw against Jin!'
-'They fought before?'
-'Yes…none of them truly won…so this will be the final bout!'-Ling said.
Asuka watched Hwoarang and Jin, who were yelling advice for Steve. In the meanwhile, having recovered his strengths, Steve was much faster and King had met the ground twice since the beginning of the fight.
In that moment King came at Steve again and tried to hit him with an uppercut, but he failed. He quickly changed strategy and hit Steve with a low quick. Steve fell on his butt and King took that chance to try to hit him with his knee. Steve managed to role out of way in the last second and he got up immediately.
King was a tough opponent, but he was not motivated to win since he saw that now there was no chance to fight against Marduk.
On the contrary, Steve wanted to win at all costs to show that he was able to face Jin and Hwoarang as an equal opponent.
After a failed attack, King was hit by to uppercuts and a powerful hook. He stumbled back and hit the floor hard.
He didn't stand up for the next ten seconds and Steve was announced the winner. He raised his right arm to the audience and everyone was cheering.
Miharu was proud of him, he had fought bravely and the most important thing was that he had won fairly without hurting himself or his opponent much.
-'It was a good fight…kid…'-King announced, getting up slowly.
-'Thanks…you're very rough too.'
-'You took fifteen minutes!'-said Hwoarang to Steve.
-'It was better than the last time!'-Jin declared.
-'I can do better!'-Hwoarang said.
-'We'll see about that!'-said Ganryu who was passing by.
Hwoarang pulled Julia, so she could stay behind him. He didn't want Ganryu to try something.
Asuka didn't know what was going on, but she could feel the tension in the air.
Hwoarang and Ganryu glared at each other for some minutes, but then Ganryu left without a word.
Julia sighed in relief.
-'Today…the drinks are on me!'-Steve said.
-'Good! Lets celebrate!-Christie cheered.
After dinner everyone was reunited on the bar to celebrate Steve's victory.
-'What do you think about Asuka?'-Jin asked Ling when they were entering the bar together.
-'She's not that bad! And she seems very brave!'
-'Well…it runs in the family!'-Jin said proudly.
-'Hey, guys…'-Asuka greeted.-'The others are waiting! Lets go!'
She pushed Jin and Ling and they met the others. Steve and Miharu were waiting for the drinks on the counter.
Everyone was spending a great night. Paul, Marshall and Forest joined them a bit later.
Jin saw his chance to talk with Paul in private, to see if Paul knew something about the Kazamas.
-'I'm sorry…Jin…I really don't know anything about your mother's family!'
-'I was just checking…'
-'So that girl…Asuka…is your cousin?'
-'Probably…I don't remember my mother being pregnant…and Asuka is younger than me…so she's probably my cousin!'
-'I think you'll know once you speak with her father.'
-'I know. We'll go to Osaka after the tournament!'
-'Who's that guy?'-Asuka asked pointing to Paul.
-'Paul Phoenix.'-Miharu answered.-'Don't you know him?'
-'Phoenix is a legend…at least in the USA.'-Kazumi added.
-'I think I heard something about him on the news…'-Asuka declared feeling embarrassed for not knowing much about Paul.
-'He helped us…and especially your cousin…'-Julia explained.
-'Why?'
-'We'll tell you later…it's a long story and we're a bit tired now…besides, this is not the kind of story to tell in a place like this!'-Ling pointed to Susume Takani who was in the bar with her camera man.
-'She's persistent!'-Kazumi said.-'I saw her talking to the boys…I mean she tried but they didn't say much!'
-'The media are so annoying!'-Miharu said.
-'You have to be careful if you're going out with Steve!'-Ling said.
-'I know…'
-'I'm surprised she's not stalking Jin…'-Asuka declared.
-'That's because she doesn't know he's a Mishima.'-Julia said.-'If she knew…believe me, Jin would never be able to be here!'
-'Hello, ladies…can I ask you a few questions?'-Susume was decided to go ahead with her mission.
-'Only if you turn off the camera!'-Julia said firmly.
-'Ok. It's a deal.'-Susume asked her partner to turn off the camera, which he did immediately since it was late and he preferred to be having a drink.
-'What do you want to ask?'-Ling asked, guessing the answer.
-'I'm writing an article to the Daily Fuji…and I'm also a reporter from the Fuji TV…I would like to know how, you, female contestants, feel about this tournament.'
-'Well…lets put it this way…if we didn't like it, we wouldn't have come!'-Christie said quickly.
-'So…you are more interested in martial arts, or in the boys?'
-'I like both…'-Christie answered.-'I'm straight so…'
The others laughed with her answer.
-'I've seen you with them!'-Susume pointed to the next table, where the boys were talking.-'Are you friends?'
-'Yes…we can say that.'-Julia said.
-'Where did you meet them? Was it in the last tournament?'
-'Yes.'-Ling lied. The others understood her idea. If they all said how they have met, things would get complicated and their privacy would be at stake, so by telling that they all had met in the last tournament, they were making things easier.
-'So these tournaments allowed you to meet many friends, right?'
-'Exactly.'-Miharu said.-'Martial Arts' tournaments aren't just a violent event.'
-'What about you…'-Susume turned to Asuka.-'You're so young…what are you doing in this competition?'
-'Well…with all do respect Miss…that's my business.'
-'We need to go, now…'-Julia announced getting up.-'I have a fight tomorrow!'
-'Oh…right…well in that case I'm anxious to see your fight! I hope we can meet again!'
-'I surely hope not!'-Julia said in a low voice. The others didn't say it, but they all agreed with her.