Chapter Twenty Nine: New Arrival
Author's Note: Well, I'm back from Spring Break all rested and relaxed and ready to give y'all another chapter!
Two Weeks Later…
"C'mon," Jamie Parker muttered to himself…he leaned down and stared at the name on the headstone. "Yoshitatsu Minamoto…some of us have places to be…can't you raise a little faster?"
He sat atop the stone monument…he'd been waiting for over a half hour now and he began to wonder if it was possible to actually die of boredom.
It had been two weeks since Lee's party…two weeks after his gunshot wound. Honestly, Jamie barely remembered the attack at all…and he completely blanked out during the trip back to the hotel.
At this point in time…given Jamie's situation, he couldn't go to an actual hospital…he'd heal too fast and there'd be too many questions. Apparently, Mina had wanted to take him although Jin had refused…the two had gotten into a heated debate about it and of course, Hwoarang had to add his two cents.
Well, it wouldn't be an Iron Fist Tournament if my friends aren't arguing over my comatose body…it happened last tournament and it happened again…helluva tradition…
Jamie sighed again and dangled his feet over the headstone, he fished in his pocket and found his Gameboy Advance and began an intense game of Yoshi's Story…he played the game more through memory then anything else…his mind was focusing on the past two weeks.
The tournament was ending soon…in fact, he and the others had just received the rosters for tomorrow. Grey was to fight Bryan Fury; Mina was fighting Xiaoyu; and Jamie himself was going up against Paul Phoenix.
Jamie had fought Paul before…but not officially. During the last tournament they had sparred together in Law's dojo before it had gotten interrupted by a fleet of Combots. The robots had kidnapped Xiao, Law's son Forrest, and a young karate instructor.
Jamie and Jin split up, with Jamie following the Combots through the sewers, and eventually to this very graveyard where Hwoarang and Jin met him with the Japanese faction of the Blood Talon.
Although it seemed as if Jamie had won the battle against Paul before it was interrupted, he was still worried. Paul was the one who had defeated a former Nephilim from the third Iron Fist tournament. Officially, Paul had won the third tournament, but had not stuck around to deal with the demon known was Ogre.
This left Jin and Patrick to deal with the beast…however, once Ogre merged with Heihachi and became the horrible monster he was, he had brutally killed Patrick.
Knowing Paul's background, Jamie knew that he had only trained harder and harder for this tournament as well. Peter didn't like Paul…but Jamie really had no problems with him.
Paul was just a hard ass, arrogant guy who wasn't about to let some punk kid beat him…then again…wasn't that the on going theme of most of Jamie's opponents?
As the tournament began to wind down, the fights seemed to get harder and harder…today, Jamie barely survived his battle with Nina…Jin and Hwoarang fought…this time Jin had won…but his victory was short lived as he had lost to his father. Mina had gone head to head against Lili today and she was actually a formidable opponent.
Still, the battle ended with Mina's victory…although she was nervous about fighting Xiaoyu.
Xiao had been acting strangely lately though…she seemed a bit more…calm then before. She was never much of a drinker, but lately, Jamie noticed that whenever they went out she would always be drinking either water or juice.
"Oh well…" Jamie shook the thoughts out of his head and tried to continue focusing on his game.
Yoshi's Island was one of his favorite games as Yoshi was one of his favorite video game characters ever…and right now, Baby Mario needed his help!
However, try as he might, Jamie could not concentrate on his game…instead, he continued to think about the latest turn of events.
Per Asuka's request, Jamie's best friend Robbie was coming to visit them for the end of the tournament. The two had hit it off earlier in the summer during Jin and Xiao's wedding…and Jamie would much rather be with his other friends getting ready to pick his friend up at the airport.
But…sacred duty yada yada yada…
Over the past two weeks there had been a marked increase in the vampire population…and it all stemmed from one undead being…a female vampire named Hatsumeha, known in Nephilim lore as "The Bucheress".
She'd been around since the late 1800's wreaking havoc throughout Asia. Apparently, in her time she was one the most beautiful and celebrated Geisha in Japan (which would explain why she dressed like one).
Hatsumeha was terrified of getting old and…long story short, she found a way to stay young forever.
Heihachi had paid her a vast sum of money for her services to see if she could defeat the Nephilim…her main method of attack was to create as many vampires as she could and try to bombard Jamie with as many denizens of the night as she could.
The only flaw in her method of attacking was the fact that every vampire she sent was newly risen and fairly inexperienced…Jamie had no problem dusting them.
Hatsumeha had been dead for three days…Jamie had fought her in downtown Tokyo…while she had never killed a Nephilim in her long life, she certainly could have perhaps if Jamie wasn't too experienced.
Jamie's bullet wound was still healing, and during a critical moment in the fight, she had kicked in hard in the gut, making him drop his weapon and howl in pain…but at the last second, he pulled through and emerged victorious.
And now…
Now it was time to put an end to the very last vampire in Hatsumeha's régime. Remembering the battle that had taken place made his bullet wound ache, and he rubbed his stomach fleetingly.
It was a miracle he was still alive…he had survived so much during this tournament and now it was nearing it's end…and he still had no idea what Heihachi and Grey had instore for him.
Heihachi was hiding something…and Jamie wasn't sure he liked it.
He had a sense for this sort of thing…and right now, he felt as if everything around him was building up to something big…something that he couldn't quite put his finger on…
Something…
And suddenly, Jamie felt the ground below him stir…and a hand punch through the earth and wrapping around his ankle.
"'Bout damn time!" Jamie called.
He easily shook his ankle free, pocketed his Game Boy and leapt off the gravestone. Jamie assumed a fighter's stance and as the vampire pulled itself out of the grave and faced him.
"That's right…you wanna taste? Grade A Farm Fresh American Boy…come and get it." Jamie said menacingly.
"With pleasure." The vampire snarled.
The battle began, with Jamie easily blocking the poorly aimed attacks…quickly, Jamie pulled the small dagger out from his cargo shorts and pivoted attempting to drive the blade into the creature's heart…oddly enough the creature blocked the attack and sent Jamie sprawling onto the ground.
He let out a grunt as he hit the ground.
"Oooohhh now you've done it." A voice called from the trees.
It was a familiar one…one Jamie hadn't heard in almost a month…it had an Australian twang to it…could it be…
Robbie…
Jamie turned to catch a glimpse of his best friend standing between Peter and Kyo…he wore a tanktop and a pair of shorts…he crossed his well muscled arms across his broad chest.
"Wait'll I drag you back to my mistress." The creature said.
"Hey," Kyo began. "Is that Mr. Minamoto from the bank?"
"Do you need our help?" Peter called…ready to leap into the fray.
"No," Robbie held Peter back. "Watch this mate, it's awesome."
Jamie grinned inwardly…if it's a show his friends wanted, then a show was what he'd give them. Quickly, he whirled his legs around like a helicopter blade, using the only Capoeria maneuver he knew…his limbs hit the vampire in the face knocking him backwards, and giving Jamie the time he needed to get up.
"Got news for you buddy…your mistress is dead!" Jaime said as he punched the creature.
"You lie!" He hissed.
"Um…not really…vampire bitch spontaneously combusted after Jamie sliced her head off." Kyo added.
"Then I shall avenge her!" He screamed and unleashed a quick spin kick.
The blow connected and Jamie stumbled backwards.
"Maybe we should really help him." Peter said, starting to get worried
"I'm telling you…just watch." Robbie replied casually.
"Oh okay…" Jamie said sarcastically.
Quickly…to get some room Jamie unleashed a quick combination of two punches and a roundhouse before finishing with a punishing spin kick…he focused all his strength in the kick…and lopped off the vampire's head, he was in the air for two more rotations before landing.
"Way to go buddy!" Kyo cheered. "That's the last time he ever denies me a loan!"
"Good job Jamie; you had me worried for a second there!" Peter said.
"Aaaww…I knew you'd be fine." Robbie said with a grin.
"Hey man!" Jamie said, a huge grin plastered on his face. "When did you get here?"
The two slapped each other's hands and did a few complicated hand motions before finishing in a guy hug.
"Just a little while ago…I got off the plane and found these two holding a sign for me." Robbie smiled.
"Wasn't Mina going to pick you up?" Jamie asked.
"She was; but Asuka wasn't ready yet so we picked him up instead." Peter replied.
"And I remembered that dad had sent you out here to take this last vampire out, so we thought we'd swing buy." Kyo added.
"Brings back old memories watchin' you dust 'em…but that last bit was quite spectacular if I do say so myself." Robbie added.
"Well y'know…my own Nephilim way of saying 'welcome to Tokyo!'" Jamie replied.
"You really came at a great time Robbie…it's the end of the tournament so you can see the final matches and…" Peter began.
"And Jamie killed that psycho vampire Geisha Hatsumeha and her craptacular army." Kyo interrupted.
"Vampire Geisha?" Robbie mused. "Well that's something you don't see everyday…wish I coulda' seen that."
"It was definitely something…I think that when I die I'll go down in history as The Nephilim who killed such a weird vampire."
"Among other things." Robbie added.
The two laughed together and chatted about what was going on at the homefront and how they're friend Maureen said hello and was sorry that she couldn't make the trip…how Justin's doing fine…but one of the neighbors complained about a party he had the other night.
"Well if you get Bam there then something's going to break or get blown up." Jamie responded.
"So what are we going to do tonight anyway?" Peter asked.
"Well…ding dong the witch is dead…I vote we party!" Jamie replied.
The cheers from the others consented in the deal.
Meanwhile…
"I enjoy being a girl!" Mina said brightly as she glanced at herself in the bathroom mirror.
It felt strange to see herself in an outfit that looked remotely feminine…it seemed as if these last two weeks she wore nothing but jeans, sneakers, and t-shirts to her fights or workout clothes.
She had dozens of cute outfits, but in the long run efficiency won out over style.
Of course, she had plenty of cute jeans and t-shirts…and her workout clothes looked nice on her too…but tonight, she was going to be a girly girl if it killed her!
She had made the mistake of wearing one of her favorite "lace cami tops" to her fight with Kunimitsu…Mina had won the match but her top had suffered from ninja's blade.
Ever since that battle Mina learned the hard way to dress practical for her matches…but not tonight!
Tonight one of her best guy friends was coming to visit, and they were all going out to party! Mina had her hair straightened, the majority of her make up on, and an awesome outfit…all that was left were for her to pick a fragrance, help Asuka, and wait for Jamie and the boys to get back.
Hatsumeha was dead…Jamie was safe…and although they were still knee deep in this battle over good and evil tonight was the one night where they could put it behind them and cut loose.
Mina applied her eyeliner with expert care, and quickly touched up her lips with lip gloss before heading out of the bathroom and into the warzone that was her room.
She chuckled at the image in front of her…six girls in one room…the room itself was a tornado of makeup products, clothes, crumpled fashion magazines, and various other odds and ends.
The din of blow dryers, straightners, music, and conversations assaulted her ears. As Mina left the bathroom Julia quickly rushed in. Christie, Xiaoyu, and Kaori hovered over Asuka who sat uncomfortably on the second bed.
"I'm glad you enjoy being a girl 'cause I don't!" Asuka declared.
"Girl, when we get through with you, you're gonna look soo hot!" Christie squealed. "OOOOWWWWWUUUUHHHH!" Asuka wailed.
"Asuka," Xiao said with a sigh…she held Mina's straightner in her hand.
"I can't help it! My hair is smoking!"
"That's how you know it's working Asuka." Xiao retorted.
"How! By scorching my hair! What was I thinking…he's never going to like me!" Asuka said.
"Yes he will Asuka…I know he will…trust me, he's one of my best friends." Mina said with a reassuring smile to her friend as she picked out a pair of dangly earrings.
"Then why am I going through all this then?"
"Because we want to…accentuate you're beauty…you're a really pretty girl Asuka." Kaori replied helping Christie with her makeup.
"Yeah, you've got such a tiny waist and you've got the body to wear some really hot clothes you shouldn't cover it up all the time!" Christie added.
Mina's black gaucho pants swished as she walked towards the dresser and sprayed a bit of perfume on her wrists and neck. Her tight, green linen t-shirt accentuated her body nicely, and her black heels went nicely with her gauchos.
After proclaiming Asuka officially done, the other girls went to finish getting ready in the bathroom…leaving Mina and Asuka behind.
"Make up, heels, and nail polish…I don't think I'll ever get it all right!" Asuka complained as she reached for a lip stick.
"Wait!" Mina replied. "That clashes; try this one." She finished with a smile and handed her friend the right one.
"Thanks Mina." Asuka said gratefully. "Do you…do you really think he'll like it? What if he's not interested in me…just what I'm wearing?"
"Hey, he liked you just fine earlier in the summer…and you looked like you always did…we just wanna show him how awesomely hot you can be! I mean, look at you!"
Timidly, Asuka walked to the full length mirror and stared at herself. Her hair used to be an unruly nest of fly-aways and wings, but Xiao had straightened them to soft silky brown locks that fell gracefully to her shoulders.
Her make up accentuated her fine, pretty facial features and her denim mini skirt and black halter top hugged her athletic body nicely.
"Why is it that I can perform a ten hit combo and beat up guys twice as strong as me…and yet I can't walk in these damn heels?" Asuka wandered aloud.
"Don't worry you'll get used to them…it took me awhile to learn I can even fight in them!" Mina said brightly.
Suddenly, Mina's cellphone blasted Sean Paul's "Temperature"…Jamie must be calling. Quickly, she dashed to her phone, and a few seconds later squealed in delight.
"That's them! Jamie and all the boys are waiting for us downstairs!" She said happily.
New Scene…
"And anyway we were about to…whoa!" Hwoarang cried.
Quickly, Jamie and the others turned to see the girl's walking down the stairs with Asuka bringing up the rear.
"Asuka…you look…" Jin said in disbelief.
Quickly, Mina and Robbie hugged before she officially introduced (again) her friends.
"…and you remember Asuka right?" Mina asked Robbie.
To Asuka, he was just as handsome as the last time she had seen him…tan skin, short, spiky blond hair, green eyes…which were staring in disbelief at her…she hoped she wasn't blushing.
"He…hey…" Asuka said nervously.
"You look…I mean…you look…" Robbie stammered.
"Amazing?" Julia offered.
"Yeah…and…"
"Stunning?" Christie giggled.
"That too…"
"Thanks…so do you…" Asuka said.
"Well alright, are we gonna have long awkward pauses or are we going out?" Steve shouted.
Everyone laughed at the icebreaker and began to leave the hotel…as they walked Jamie leaned in to Mina.
"Whoa…did you do all this? She looks…well I think all the adjectives have been covered so far."
"While I am an official make-over sensei I cannot take all the credit for this one." Mina said in a mock kung fu master voice.
"Well props to you guys then." Jamie said.
Mina watched as Robbie and Asuka tentatively began talking and walking closer and closer together.
"Aaaaawww aren't they so cute together?" She said as she clasped her boyfriend's hand.
"You've done a good deed sweetie…you've got some good karma comin' your way…some really good karma if you play your cards right tonight." Jamie said with that boyish grin Mina loved.
"Ooohh can't wait," Mina giggled. "But lets wait on PDA-ing 'til we hit the club alright?"
Jamie laughed and wrapped his arm around her. "Sounds good."