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Thanks to all the readers.

Art-freak, Krappkarmin, Lady-Eliwen, Devil Billy Kazama thank you for reviewing my latest chapters.

A/Note: I'm posting one chapter each day, that's why sometimes it's hard for me to mention everyone who reviewed. So, if you're not mentioned, please don't hate me, but be sure that I'll mention you in the next chapters.

Chapter 23

Trying to hold on

FUJI-NION

12th JULY 2014

When Julia woke up that morning, Hwoarang had left already. She dressed up and told in the Hotel's reception that her room door needed to be fixed. The man looked at her with a strange look in his face. It was the second time they were going to fix that door.

-'Hey, Julia!'-Christie called.-'Are you going to the Stadium?'

-'No. I want to check on King first.'

-'I'm going with you!'-Ling said arriving.

-'What about me?'-Miharu asked. She was going to fight in two hours.

-'We have two hours.'-Ling said.-'But you can go to the Stadium and we'll meet you there in a few minutes, ok?'

-'I'm going with you…'-offered Christie.

-'Thanks!'

Miharu and Christie left to the Stadium.

While they were going to the medical centre, Ling and Julia spoke about Jin and Hwoarang.

Ling said that Jin was much better. He didn't know why he had fainted but he wasn't feeling sick, he had just felt a presence.

-'I saw Hwoarang leaving early with Baek…'-Ling said looking at Julia.

-'I suppose he wants to practice before his fight!'

-'You can't fool me…what's going on?'

-'Nothing…'

-'Tell me!'

-'He was angry because I helped King…he thinks I'm cheating on him…'

-'With King?'

-'Yes.'

-'Are you serious?'

-'Yes…things are complicated.'

-'But I thought the problem was Ganryu…'

-'And it is…I mean Ganryu is one problem, King is another problem, and the fact that we haven't been together in a long time is another problem!'

-'But what's up with you and this King guy?'

-'I know him…my sister and I saw a couple of his fights…back in Arizona. He's a great guy…I mean he helps homeless kids in Mexico.'

-'Oh…I see…and why don't you tell that to Hwoarang?'

-'I tried…he doesn't want to listen to me!'

When they arrived the doctors were checking on King.

-'So, is he alright?'-Julia asked to Dr. Otsuri.

-'Yes…he's going to have a slow recovery…and I think he's going to stay here for the next two weeks…but after that he can go home…'

-'I'm glad he's ok…'

-'Do you know if he has family? We want to contact someone.'

-'I don't know…I don't know him that well.'

-'Ok…well he's sleeping now…due to the anesthetics.'

In that moment Dr. Otsuri was called for an emergency. Marduk was having some problems.

Julia and Ling stood a bit more to see what was happening. They were waiting outside Marduk's door when a woman walked in.

-'I need a fucking doctor now!'-she yelled opening the door.

-'Go outside, Miss…I'll be with you in a moment.'-Dr. Otsuri said.

-'I need my pills now!'-she insisted.

Two nurses pushed her out and closed the door in her face. Anna was furious.

-'Bitches!'-she yelled.-'If I don't get my pills in five minutes you'll see what I can do!'

She turned around to leave and that's when she faced Julia and Ling.

Julia couldn't believe her eyes. In front of her there was Anna Williams, the woman who had shot her sister.

-'You? But how?'-she asked.

At first Anna didn't recognise her, but when she looked at Ling and then at Julia again, her memories came back. She had fought against Julia once in the Mishima Fortress, right before the explosion.

-'Oh…so you're in this tournament too?'-Anna asked with a grin.

-'You shot my sister!'-Julia grabbed Anna's shoulders and pushed her against the wall.

-'I did, didn't I? And how is she?'

-'I wish I could kill you!'

-'Of course you do but you won't!'-Anna managed to free herself and pushed Julia.-'You're a nerd! So get real, will you!'

-'I hate you!'

-'I know! I don't like you either. But fortunately for you, I'm here to sort things out with my bitchy sister and not you!'

-'Why did you do that to my sister?'

-'I can't remember very well, but I think she was in the wrong place at the wrong time!'

-'You almost killed her…you took three years of her life!'

-'She's not dead?'

-'No…'

-'Then I guess it's alright, I mean no harm done! Besides Heihachi Mishima took three years of my life as well!'

Julia and Ling looked at each other.

-'Heihachi is dead!'-Ling said.

-'I know…but as I said I need to take care of some business with my sister! But if you really want to fight me…then be prepared to lose!'

Anna left and Julia sat down on a chair. She was confused with all she had felt at the same time.

She had felt anger and fear. For all that time she thought Anna was dead and Michelle had been avenged, but now, everything was different.

-'What will you do?'-Ling asked.-'Do you still want revenge?'

-'I don't know what I want anymore…'-Julia said.

In the meanwhile, Hwoarang was practising with Baek. Being older than Hwoarang, Baek had noticed he wasn't acting normally.

-'I passed by your room…your door is broken!'

-'I know…'

-'Do you want to tell me what happened?'

-'Not really…'

-'I think you should talk to someone…sometimes it helps!'

-'Since when you're an expert in this?'

-'I'm not…but I'm your friend, and your master!'

-'Julia and I had an argument again…'

-'And you broke the door?'

-'No! Ganryu broke it! He thought I was going to hit Julia or something…'

-'Were you?'

-'What?'

-'Going to hit Julia…'

-'NO! Of course not, I would never do that! I just punched the stupid wall!'

-'You know…violence is never the right way!'

-'I know…I would never hit Julia!'

-'Then why did you argue about?'

-'I…think she's bored because Ganryu doesn't leave us alone and so she just found herself someone else!'

-'You think she's cheating on you?'

-'I don't think she's cheating on me…but I think she might consider that option since we can't be together…'

-'You're crazy!'

-'Why?'

-'Julia loves you…she wouldn't do that! You still have a lot to learn about a woman's heart!'

-'As if you were an expert…'

-'I'm not…but I'm older and I know a bit more than you…'

-'So?'

-'Julia had a normal and stable life in the USA…at least that what you told me…'

-'And?'

-'She left all that for you! It's obvious that she loves you! Maybe you're interpreting things the wrong way!'

-'So…what do you think I should do?'

-'It would be a good start if you said «sorry».'

-'«Sorry»…? Our problems won't go away with that…'

-'Then think of a way…'

In the Stadium everything was ready for Miharu's fight against Marshall Law.

-'Oh my God! I can't do this!'-she said.

-'Yes, you can!'-Christie declared holding her hands.-'Now calm down and take a deep breath…'

-'Yeah…breathe in and breathe out…'-Yuu said.

-'She's not into labour…you moron!'-Kazumi replied.

-'Don't call me moron, you traitor!'-Yuu shot back.

-'Guys! This is Miharu's moment! Shut up!'-Christie asked.

-'Just go and give all you have!'-Steve encouraged her.

-'Why can't I quit?'

-'Because we won't let you!'-Jin said while his eyes were on Kazuya, who had just arrived.

-'Believe me…Miss Hirano…it gives me no pleasure to hurt a lady!'-Marshall said when they were both on the arena.

-'Thank you, Mr. Law.'

-'I won't be too hard on you…and if you and that British boy break up…just think about my Forest, ok?'

Miharu sighed. Ling had told her that Marshall was completely obsessed with the idea to find a fiancé to his son.

-'Why don't you just tell Marshall that you have a girlfriend already?'-Paul asked Forest.

-'He would have a heart attack!'

-'Is she that ugly?'

-'No…she's the daughter of a Chinese Mafia lord in Chicago…'

-'It was nice to meet you kid!'-Paul joked.

-'Thanks…'

-'Hey, at least she's Chinese…'

-'Half Chinese…her mother is from Russia…'

-'Is she blond?'

-'No…she looks like her father…'

-'Then maybe you'll survive.'

-'I can't tell dad…'

-'How the hell did you meet the daughter of a Mafia lord?'

-'By coincidence…'

-'You're full of surprises Forest…and a hell of a suicidal guy…'

An hour later, Miharu was still in shock. She had won the fight. Both contestants had fought until the last minute. That was when Miharu seeing that Marshall was hurt on his left leg, attacked with a low kick and he hit the floor too hard. He was out for more than ten seconds and she was declared the winner.

But she wasn't the only one in shock; actually they were all in shock except for Forest who was really happy. Now Marshall couldn't say that he was weak, because he had lost to a girl too.

-'That serves you well, father!'-Forest said laughing.

-'You shut up that mouth, or I'll beat you up!'

-'Not in this state you won't!'

-'Don't you say another word, young man!'

-'Thank you so much for winning!'-Forest thanked Miharu.

-'It's…ok…'-Miharu said while she was being surrounded by her friends.

-'Tonight we'll celebrate again!'-Christie said.-'This is being great!'

In the meantime, Kazuya and Lee were talking about Asuka.

-'I have her profile right here.'

-'Who is she?'-Kazuya asked.

-'Her name is Asuka Kazama, daughter of Shiori and Takao Kazama, she's turning eighteen this month, and she lives in Osaka with her father. It seems that he has a Dojo were he teaches the Kazama style.'

-'I don't know him…and Jun never told me she had a brother…'

-'So, who is she?'

-'I don't know…this Takao Kazama can be Jun's brother or Jun's cousin…only that can explain the reason why this girl uses the Kazama fighting style!'

-'Are you happy now?'

-'No.'

-'Why did you want to know about this girl…do you think she could be your daughter?'

-'No. Jun and I were parents only once…'

-'You can be Steve Fox's father…'

-'But I'm not!'

-'How can you tell?'

-'I would know if he was my son…'

-'How?'

-'I would feel it!'

-'Like a bond?'

-'Yes…'

-'Do you have that bond with Jin?'

-'Yes…of course…'

-'And Asuka?'

-'I'm not sure…but maybe I'm just feeling things because she's Jun's family…'

-'What will you do now?'

-'I'm going to have some lunch…'

In that moment Jin had noticed that Ling and Julia weren't there for Miharu's fight. He started to wonder if they were alright. While the others decided to go to a Chinese restaurant, Jin and Asuka went looking for them in the medical centre.

Ling and Julia were talking quietly in the park. Julia was confused; she was feeling so many things at the same time.

-'Come on Julia, lets have some lunch in that restaurant…I'll pay!'-Ling suggested cheering her up.

-'Ok…'

They sat down and waited for the waitress to come.

-'I think I did a mistake coming here!'-Julia said.

-'No, you didn't!'

-'Yes, I did…I mean look at me…things are so complicated. I lost my boyfriend's respect…I found out that my sister's attacker is alive, I have a guy who thinks I'm in love with him…'

-'Things will get better…I mean I thought the same when I arrived…'

-'Yes, but your boyfriend wasn't accusing you of cheating on him!'

-'You're right…but I was accusing him of having an affair with Asuka…and now I learned she's his cousin…I was wrong. Hwoarang will see he's wrong too!'

-'But when?'

-'Never! I told you he would do this!'-Ganryu said sitting down on a chair next to Julia.

-'Oh my God…please take me out of here!'-Julia said.

-'In two days things will be alright!'-Ganryu said happily.

-'I don't like you! What more do you want me to say?'

-'I know that you're saying that because you're afraid that he can hurt you…'

-'I'm not afraid, you deluded fool!'

-'Why don't you accept her feelings?'-Ling asked.

-'Because I know she lying to herself!'

-'Julia can't be your girlfriend…ok?'

-'Of course she can…I only have to get rid of that jerk!'

Ganryu left, leaving the two girls astonished.

Julia banged her head on the table.

-'He's such an idiot!'-she said.

-'He's persistent…that's for sure…'

While Julia and Ling were having lunch, Jin met someone he wasn't expecting.

-'Lee…'

-'Hey, Jin…how have you been?'-Lee asked looking to Asuka.-'Who's she?'

-'My cousin…I think…'

-'I see…'

-'Asuka…can you please look for Ling and Julia alone for a while…I need to speak with Lee.'

-'Ok…sure.'

Asuka left but she was curious to know who that guy was, so she turned around to another street and she stood there listening to the conversation.

-'You're on the tournament?'-Jin asked.

-'Yes…have you met him?'

-'My father? Yes, I did…and let me tell you that I no longer have a father!'

-'You two had an argument?'

-'Lets say that he threatened to kill me…'

-'You shouldn't pay attention to Kazuya's words…'

-'He looked serious. By the way…did you send Kazumi to spy on us?'

-'No…Kazumi is here?'-Lee asked pretending to be surprised.

-'Yes, she is.'

-'Well, it's a free world and my army is resting so, I guess she decided to come to have some fun.'

-'Yeah…I guess so.'

-'Is everything alright with you and Xiaoyu? I mean do you need money, or a place to live?'

-'No, we're fine! We've been travelling!'

-'Well, that's good…but if you need something just let me know.'

-'Sure. But…did my fa…Kazuya talk to you?'

-'Sort of…he asked me to investigate that girl…Asuka…'

-'Why?'

-'He was curious to know why she had the same name as Jun.'

-'What did you find?'

-'Nothing much…I guess she's really your cousin.'

-'Why are you here uncle Lee?'

-'I don't know…I guess I was feeling bored.'

When Jin left Lee, Asuka went to the park to hide. She was surprised with what she had heard. There were people investigating her, and that man was Jin's uncle. Everything was so weird.

-'Hey…Asuka!'-a voice said behind her.

Asuka jumped and then she saw Julia and Ling.

-'Please…don't do that again! You scared the hell out of me!'

-'Sorry.'-Ling said.-'What are you doing here?'

-'I was…a…looking for you…'

-'How was Miharu's fight?'-Ling asked.

-'She won.'

-'Really? That's great!'

-'We are going to celebrate tonight!'

-'Hey…where have you been?'-asked Jin joining them.-'I'm starved…lets join the others!'

-'We already had lunch.'-Julia said.

-'Jin…we have a problem…'-Ling announced.

-'What?'

-'Anna Williams is here!'

Jin looked at Ling and Julia with a serious look.

-'Who's Anna Williams?'-asked Asuka.

-'We'll tell you later!'-Ling said.

-'Oh man…always the same crap! I want to know!'

-'Later!'-Jin said.-'Lets have lunch, Asuka…'

In the afternoon, only Hwoarang and Steve went to see the fight that would oppose Bryan Fury with a mysterious fighter who was wearing a black mask. Actually he was all dressed in black.

-'He reminds me of a robber…'-Steve said.-'Do you dress like that too?'-he joked.

-'No…when I rob things I don't need a black suit because usually I do it at daylight.'-Hwoarang replied ironically.

-'So that's the mighty Fury, huh?'

-'Yeah…I can't believe that we own our lives to that son of a…'

-'Really?'

-'If it wasn't for him…we would've stayed in that stupid chamber with Heihachi and he would've probably killed us all.'

-'Lets see what happens now…'

Bryan Fury was a very good fighter, a bit violent, just like Hwoarang remembered him. Fortunately Baek wasn't around. The fight lasted almost an hour and ended with Bryan's loss. Hwoarang was surprised, at first he thought that Bryan wouldn't take it easily, but he left the arena without even look at his opponent.

-'That Katsumoto guy is very strong…I mean…he won Fury…'-Steve said.

-'Yeah…I think I've seen someone use his technique, but I can't remember…'

-'Are you coming to the bar to celebrate tonight?'

-'Of course…'

The bar was crowded when Jin, Miharu and Steve arrived. It was Miharu's turn to pay the drinks. Jin had left Ling and Asuka in the hotel. Ling had promised to tell Asuka about what had happened to them since the third Iron Fist tournament. Asuka was paying attention to every detail. Ling only omitted the devil gene, because Jin had told her to, since he didn't want to scare his own cousin.

In the meanwhile, Bryan Fury was packing his things when someone knocked at his door.

-'You? You worked with Heihachi, didn't you?'-Bryan asked when he saw Dr. Abel.

-'Yes, I did…but Heihachi died and my new boss needs your services…'

-'What do you think I am? Some kind of mail boy?'

-'No…you're someone that can only help yourself, by helping us…'

-'What do you mean?'

-'I read Dr. B's files…I know what they did to you…'

-'That's in the past!'

-'No, it's not! Because you're running out of time.'

-'What?'

-'I suppose Heihachi promised you power…and instead you would have to become his lab rat, right?'

-'Yes, sort of.'

-'Dr. B started his experiments on you, but Heihachi ordered him to use the devil gene in you, using Kazuya's blood. The problem was that your body rejected the blood and the gene…that's why you were in cryosleep for a few years.'

-'But I survived…'

-'Indeed, but after that he tried to make you the perfect soldier. For that he implanted a chip on your head to control you. He did the same to Nina and Anna Williams, but they rejected the chip and Dr. B took it out, or they would die! But you didn't reject it. You became a success in a way…'

-'I became his mercenary…'

-'Just like Nina Williams a couple of years later. But sometimes you could oppose to his orders and you ran away…you've been running since then…but the truth is that you're sick and if you don't take the right medication you'll die in a couple of years!'

-'You're lying!'

-'No, I'm not! I know your symptoms…lack of memory, confusion, cold sweats, disturbed vision, hallucinations…sometimes you know where you are and you know what to do, other times you don't know what it's real and what's not…'

-'Sometimes, I don't even know my name…'

-'Exactly…'

-'So you know what I'm going through…that doesn't mean anything.'

-'It means I can help you…I'm a scientist…but in return you have to do something for my boss.'

-'Who's your boss?'

-'Mishima Jinpachi…'

-'Another Mishima? I don't trust them…'

-'Jinpachi is Heihachi's father and believe me, if Heihachi was alive; Jinpachi would love to see him dead!'

-'Why?'

-'Heihachi betrayed him as well.'

-'And what's the job?'

-'Come with me ad you'll soon find out.'

Bryan took his bag and followed Dr. Abel. He didn't have anything to lose.

When Ling finally finished telling Asuka the stories of their lives, she was really astonished.

-'You went through all of that in these past four years?'

-'Yes…but gladly we're alright now!'

-'I never thought something like that could happen!'

-'But it did!'

-'How can someone become so mean?'-Asuka asked thinking about Heihachi.

-'I don't know…'

-'And Steve…being hunted by the Syndicate! He's very brave! I mean you all are!'

-'Thanks…we should go now…to meet Jin!'

-'Yes, sure…and the explosions…I never thought Eddie could do it…he's a nice guy.'

-'He was seeking revenge too…for his father!'

-'And the Mount Fuji eruption! It must've been difficult to think that Jin and Hwoarang were dead!'

-'Yes it was.'

-'And…'

-'Asuka! Please stop! You're not going to repeat the whole story…right?'

-'Ups…Sorry!'

-'Besides…Kazumi knows very little about this…'

-'Ok, I'll keep it to myself.'

-'Good!'-Ling sighed and they entered the bar. Julia was leaving in a very bad humour. Asuka and Ling saw immediately why.

Hwoarang was in a table alone with Kazumi and he was drinking a lot.

-'They're having problems, right?'-Asuka asked.

-'Yeah…'

-'Well…it happens…I hope they sort things out…'

-'Where did Julia go?'-Ling asked Christie.

-'To her room. That idiot is ignoring her!'-Christie pointed at Hwoarang.-'He has been talking to Kazumi for about one hour. Julia was almost crying, besides…look!'

Ling watched a drunken Ganryu sleeping with his head on a table.

The night went on. Everyone talked and laughed and then it was time to go to sleep. Jin, Ling and Yuu would be fighting in the next day. Hwoarang was a bit drunk to go on his own, so Jin took him, since Steve had left with Miharu already.

-'You're so irresponsible!'-Jin said when they were arriving to the hotel.

-'Why are you holding me?'

-'Because you can't walk, you stupid asshole!'

-'Don't call me asshole, jackass!'

-'Shut up!'

Jin knocked at Julia's door and she opened it. She was expecting that. Jin put Hwoarang on the bed.

-'Thanks Jin…I'm sorry for the trouble!'

-'It's ok.'

-'Yeah, Jin don't you want to stay for a while?'-Hwoarang asked imitating Julia's voice.-'I can make you a tea…'

-'Shut up!'-Jin said.

-'Why?'

-'Good night Julia.'

-'Good night Jin!'

-'Good night Jin…I love you mummy…thanks for walking me home!'-Hwoarang joked.

-'Jerk!'-Jin said when Julia closed the door.

-'You're unbelievable!'-Julia said disappointed.

-'So?'

-'Why are you doing this?'

-'I'm not the one who's going to the hospital to see King…'

-'You were talking to Kazumi too…so don't give me that crap!'

-'I was talking, Julia! Just that!'

-'And I was just checking if he was going to live! And do you know who I met?'

-'Whatever…'

-'I met Anna Williams…and guess what? She's alive and well…and she walks around as if anything happened! When I saw her…I needed you…I needed someone to be there for me, to tell me what to do! But you weren't there! I had to talk to Ling instead!'

-'I…didn't know…'

-'My boyfriend wasn't with me, and guess what? He was hitting on a girl he hardly knows…on a bar! But life isn't fair right? And do you know more? If you weren't such a jerk…we could be together by now!'

-'Yeah right…with that fat ass coming over here knocking our door down!'

-'That fat ass is as drunk as you! But you didn't notice, did you? You were too busy talking to Kazumi!'

-'We can still be together!'

-'No, we can't…you're drunk!'

-'So what? I'm still me! I can handle it!'

-'Yeah…sure you can…'-Julia said ironically.-'You know what? This time you ruined it!'

Julia went to the bathroom. A few minutes later, Hwoarang knocked at the door.

-'I'm feeling sick…open the door!'-he asked.

Julia walked out and she went straight to bed. She heard him throwing up, and she covered her head with the sheets. Minutes later, Hwoarang lay down on the bed. He was too dizzy to think about their fight and about their relationship, so he just fell asleep immediately. Julia was awake, she thought about everything that had happened that day. That had been from far the worst day of her life.