Chapter 13: The Search For Tiffanie

Through the Eyes of Mina

Jamie kissed me goodbye as me and Peter left down the hallway. We were going to confront Heihachi and see if he knew anything about Tiffanie's whereabouts.

"Thanks again Mina, for coming along with me to look for her." Peter said.

I smiled and nodded to him, saying, "Just make sure you don't tell that witch Sylvia about any of this. She might kill us if she gets the chance!"

"I wouldn't worry too much about her." He said.

We walked into the elevator and pressed the button to go to the main floor. We were going to go ask Heihachi what he knew. Peter seemed quite anxious as the elevator went down. I tried to release the tension by tying my hair into a bun, waiting for him to say something.

"You know Mina…"

"Yes?" I asked.

"I really think you and I make a good team. I just wanted to thank you again for being there for me. You're like my friend Keenan, only in female form."

"Who's Keenan?" I asked as the elevator came to a halt. Peter smiled as he thought about the man. Apparently, they shared a good relationship.

"He's my buddy from back in the States. He saved my life and ever since then, we've been like brothers."

"Oh really? How did he save your life?" I asked, wondering what could have happened that he would need someone to save him.

"Umm…I don't think I'm ready to talk about that just yet. Maybe someday. Only King knows about that horrible time in my life…" he replied to me, making me wonder just what could have been that bad that he wouldn't want to tell me.

The elevator opened and we stepped out, making our way towards Heihachi's office. Once we stepped inside, we looked at each other. We both could feel the evil vibes coming from the man.

A man stepped forward from behind the counter and looked at Peter.

"Can I help you?" the man said.

"Hey Dean. I was just wondering if we could talk to Mr. Mishima. We're having some trouble." Peter responded. I smiled at the man as he looked at me. Any funny ideas on his part would result in a most serious beat down.

"Well I'm sorry but Heihachi Mishima is quite busy at the moment. Is there perhaps another time that the two of you could stop on by?" The man named Dean said.

"Mr. Earwicker, let them in. I happen to have some time right about now to see them." We heard Heihachi say. Peter and I followed Dean Earwicker to see Heihachi. Before we got there, Peter turned to me and said something.

"Be careful." He told me. I nodded in agreement as we walked into Heihachi's throne room. It was a large, dark room that caused me to cringe in slight fear. Peter led the way as we walked into the large room, Dean staying behind us and motioning for us to enter. As soon as I walked in, I could his eyes peering into the back of my body.

I turned around in disgust and said to him, "Do you like what you see?"

He stuttered a bit before replying, "Ma'am, I wasn't-"

"Good because it's not for sale." I told him before turning back around to follow Peter. Once I turned, I saw Peter laughing slightly. I couldn't help it, I started laughing along with him as well. We suddenly got serious when all the doors to the room closed violently, making the both of us jump slightly.

"Peter?" I said as he looked around the room.

"Something's wrong…" he whispered as he looked to me.

Suddenly, five men jumped out of the shadows and assumed several different fighting stances. Peter and I dropped into our stances as we stood back to back, turning around slowly to keep an eye on each of the men.

"Meet the T.F.S." Heihachi said from across the room.

"T.F.S.?" I asked Peter before he turned to answer me.

"Tekken Force Soldiers." He answered. As soon as Peter finished answering me, the soldiers charged at us. I dodged a punch and traded one of my own. We couldn't see the men's faces as they were all wearing biker helmets. Peter spun around my back and kicked one of the men in the face. I pushed one man away from me and twirled in circles, ending the move with a firm spinning kick to his face.

"That was my famous 1, 2 Step move!" I yelled as the man fell unconscious. My little soliloquy cost me, for I felt a fist come down on the back of my head. Peter yelled out my name, but not before knocking the guy out for me.

"Mina! Are you okay!" Peter asked as he kicked his way through the other three. I nodded as I rose to my feet, flipping one of the other men over my shoulder with a throw. Peter back handed one of the last two guys and I used my elbow to K.O. the other. Smiling at each other, we looked into each other's eyes and became silent. Suddenly, I heard a sound.

"Peter! Look out!" I yelled before I grabbed his hands and cart wheeled over his body, knocking out the attacker that had his eyes set on my friend. And just like that, it was over.

"Thanks…" Peter said as he embraced me in a hug. I smiled as I hugged him back, totally forgetting that Heihachi was still there watching us. We remembered that he was there once we heard the clapping.

"Congratulations. You have earned yourselves an appointment." He told us as he finished his clapping.

"You know, life isn't an action movie." I said to Heihachi.

"Nice to see you too." Peter said harshly.

"My boy, we used to be friends. Why the sudden hatred?" Heihachi asked Peter.

"I grew up and realized what you were all about." Peter responded. The two looked at each other with anger and that's when I felt it was necessary to me to step in.

"We came here for a reason Mr. Mishima." I said.

"Ah yes. Kim Seung Mina I presume? The fighter that utilizes her dancing techniques along with her Tae Kwon Do skills."

I nodded and motioned for Peter to speak. Without even hesitating, Peter began to speak.

"I'm looking for a friend. Her name is Tiffanie Jean-Louis. Do you have anything at all to do with her kidnapping?" he said in a more gentle tone.

"Hmmm…she WAS supposed to be a fighter in this tournament this year, but she never showed up. Sorry I couldn't help you."

"That's it? So what now? We just-" I began but was interrupted.

"It's okay Mina. The man obviously doesn't know anything about her. Let's not take anymore of his precious time." Peter said as he pulled me by the wrist and walked out of the throne room.

As soon as we stepped out, I stopped and looked at Peter.

"How do you know he's telling the truth?" I asked him.

"That man is a horrible liar. He didn't even smile when he spoke to us. He's telling the truth." He replied.

"So now what?" I asked as we left the office and entered the main lobby yet again.

"Now, we wait until whoever has her shows their hand. Then we make the play from there." He replied.

Just then, Jamila walked out of the nearby elevator and looked at the floor. She looked as if she was searching for something. I was just about to ask her if she needed any help when suddenly, Peter pulled something out of his pocket. It was a card with her picture on it, and I assumed that that was what she was looking for.

"Hi Jamila!" Peter said joyfully. "Looking for this? I found it on the floor after you left the other day."

"It's pronounced 'Jamilia' with an 'ia' at the end. Get it straight." She responded as she took the card out of his hand and walked away.

"Oh, okay…h-have a nice day!" Peter said. There might as well have been a tumbleweed blown into the hallway, for Jamila was gone just as quick as she arrived.

"It's okay, Peter…maybe next time, she'll be nice to you." I said, trying desperately to reassure him. Yes, maybe someday the world would see him for the wonderful young man he was.