Chapter 7: Hold my hand…

They kept walking for a while through a narrow path. Jun could feel a faint memory ripple through her like a drop in a pond but was still unable to place it. Suddenly Kazuya stopped. Jun too stopped and stared at him. He walked up to her until he was an inch away from her face. Jun blushed and lowered her eyes, smiling.

"Keep your eyes closed," he whispered to her, kissing her closed eyes, "don't open them until I say so."

He stood behind her, his hands on her waist, guiding her as they walked. They walked a few more paces and the nostalgia in the smell grew immensely. Finally, the tightness in Kazuya grip around her waist indicated for her to stop. She stood there quietly for some time and finally Kazuya whispered in her ear.

"Open your eyes…"

Slowly Jun opened her eyes and once she did, she gasped in a joyous surprise.

In front of her was the beautiful part of the forest she had grown up in as a child. The trees and the sky were as pure as always but more than anything it was the sparkling lake that lay curled up within the bosom of the small hills like some divine snake. Since childhood the lake was something she could stare at for hours on ends, listening to its soft murmurs when the wind brushed it. This was the part of her childhood and her connection to all that was real and pure and unsullied—Yakushima forest. She turned around and stared at the man whose smiling face was prominent in the sunlight.

"Kazuya!" she said, running up to him hugging him tightly.

He hugged as well and kissed her forehead before letting go.

"Hold this," he suddenly said as he passed the light bag to her.

Jun took the bag from him but yelped in surprise when he suddenly picked her up in his powerful arms.

"What are you doing?" she giggled, looking around to see if there weren't any people.

Kazuya just looked ahead, still smiling.

"You ask too many questions," Kazuya said smiling.

He walked ahead and Jun, as always, was left wondering what this mystery of a man was up to now, staring at Kazuya's radiant face as he walked with her in his arms. He was one of those people who never smiled much and if he did it was rare—like after they would make love and he would be staring in her eyes for a long time or whenever he would see her after he came back from work—those were the times he would be smiling. But today in this morning and the forest, he was smiling and smiling and smiling.

"We're here," he said finally, the sunlight dancing off their skin and ebony hair. Jun was a bit startled when he said that and looked ahead of her. She had been so caught up with the sight of him smiling that she didn't look around. She looked up and saw a small wooden house in front of them, amidst some trees and the lake behind it. Jun looked up at Kazuya, questioningly.

"I'm leaving everything now. The Zaibatsu, my fighting career, my hatred…I am leaving it all behind. Right now I have with me all that I had before the Zaibatsu—a few clothes and the money I had earned over the years from winning fighting tournaments and working in dojos. It is more than enough, trust me. That was all I had back then and this is all I have now. But now I have something, someone, that is all that I could ever ask for…"

He looked straight in Jun's eyes and smiled. She smiled warmly when he said that, tightening her arms around his neck.

"…This house is where we will both leave everything behind. Away from everything. Just a man and a woman and their love," he whispered to her and kissed her passionately.

Jun couldn't help the tears of joy the streaked down her face when Kazuya said those words. Somehow he had done everything she always wanted: getting away from it all…all the madness and the desperation that was life today.

With her in his arms, Kazuya walked inside the house…their house.

The house was small and cozy, with a room and a kitchen. The room had a large window with light curtains and a bed near it. There was a lot of light in the house, which was a relief to Jun as she thought of the dark Mishima mansion.

Kazuya took her to the room and made her stand on the ground. He cupped her face in his hands and stared at her eyes. He brushed her whole face like a blind man; feeling her eyes, her nose, her lips, feeling every inch of her as if wanting to embed her in his very existence. He had the same tint of desire in his eyes, eyes that shone with love. The tint of desire in his eyes was like the reflection of the moon that spills over a vast ocean. Jun saw it and tilted her face forward letting him kiss her, rubbing her fingers through his hair. She eased into his embrace and their kiss as he shrugged off his vest and jacket and started unbuttoning her top.

"Kazuya…" Jun gasped between their kiss, growing hot the moment she felt his hands on her.

He broke their kiss and brought his face down to her breasts. Bringing his hands up to them he began squeezing and kneading and like the numerous times before, Jun arched her back letting his hands have their way. Kazuya looked up at her face and smiled, her eyes shying away only to look at him begging him to go on…to not stop. He licked the tip of her breast, rewarded with a passionate yelp from his beloved. She continuously let her hands rub his neck or messaged his powerful shoulders, pushing his head forward to intensify the licking and moving as close to him as she could. He continued licking her nipples, while his free hand continued feeling her other breast, rolling her nipple between his thumb and finger. He started alternating between her breasts while she closed her eyes, overwhelmed with pleasure, feeling his hot breath on her breasts.

"Kazuya…please…please…go on…" she kept moaning between her ecstatic gasps, feeling her lips, craving for his that were busy igniting and smothering her breasts.

He took off the rest of her clothes and started rubbing her legs, her belly and her curves with his hands, going up and down her whole length, slowly kissing every inch of her body.

"Jun…you're so lovely…so lovely…"

He suddenly hugged her around the waist and picked her up, making licking her nipples easier for him and more pleasurable for her. Jun tightly hugging his head to her breasts, moaning loudly now, her breasts feeling as if they were burning white-hot.

"Kazuya…"

Finally he brought her down slightly, till they were face to face, feeling each other's hot breaths, seeing the passion like a flame in each other's eyes, feeling the warmth and the heat in their love soaked chests.

"I love you…" he whispered and kissed her again, their tongues dancing around each other's. With her well supported and his powerful arms, he entered her. Jun drew in her breath sharply and then moaning as she felt him enter. Kazuya was beside himself when he heard her moan and started thrusting in and out of her.

"Jun…Jun…"

They continued moaning and gasping through their deep kiss, her arms wrapped around his neck, her legs encircled around his body. She was squirming around but she was in Kazuya's protective arms. They continued making love this way until Kazuya's taut biceps started fading. He broke their kiss and moved towards the wall. Jun felt the cold wooden wall behind her but apart from that was too busy feeling his ecstatic entries to care. He started licking her again and Jun squirmed around in the sumptuous déjà vu, his entries and his licking making her head spin.

His entries continued and Jun had her eyes tightly shut, feeling the heat and the passion sear through her whole body. She hunched forward on to his shoulders, hugging him tightly.

"Kazuya…oh Kazuya…"

The ecstasy was starting to get overwhelming, and Jun bit her finger trying and failing to not to get overwhelmed the way she was. Kazuya too was losing control over himself as he heard her husky voice, her glistening body, her damp hair and her shining black eyes. He picked up pace and soon enough Jun started moaning and gasping even louder.

"Kazuya…Kazuya…"

Kazuya himself was grunting loudly, losing grip over himself, his heart pounding loudly in his ears.

"Jun…oh Jun…"

He finally made her lie down on the bed next to them, reuniting their lips, kneading her warm breasts again and resumed their lovemaking.

"Kazuya…Kazuya…"

Jun was panting huskily, her chest heaving, her breasts glistening, his warm hands still feeling them. She brought up her own hand up to his chest and started running her hands over his broad shoulders, his muscular chest and the scar. A long time passed but they never realized, their mind bodies and souls in bliss. Kazuya grunted loudly now, unable to hold much longer. He cupped her breasts in his large hand while the other latched on to her leg, biting his lips in pleasure.

"Jun…" he grunted loudly as she felt a hot rush gush into her. She too followed, bucking her hips violently as her threshold breaching, convulsing in a voluptuous reverie.

"Kazuya…"

Out of breath, she laid still for a long time. She brought up her hand to her burning, throbbing temples. She had her eyes closed, feeling the sweet ecstasy wash over her whole body again and again like some resounding melody.

A long time had passed since the two had made love. The day had become rather chilly and dark while they made love. Kazuya was sitting on the bed, reclined against the wall. Jun was in his arms as they both stared at the darkened world, the sun shining through the thick clouds. Kazuya draped his thick jacket over her shoulders when he felt her shiver slightly. Jun though didn't seem to notice that. She stared at the sky sadly, wondering why whenever they made love the sky would darken. Jun tried to ignore it but it continuously crept on her.

From the corner of her eye she looked at Kazuya who was staring outside. He looked at peace. But why was she…?

"I'm hungry," Kazuya finally said after a long time with her still in his arms, as if rousing her from her thoughts.

Jun didn't react, her mind still elsewhere.

Kazuya shook her a bit making her look at him.

"I said I'm hungry," he said again.

They both got off the bed, the cold morning air assaulting their bare bodies with a vengeance. Kazuya pulled on his jeans and walked outside to the little restroom adjunct to the house. He washed up and when he came out he caught a glimpse of the lake that was still sparkling. The water looked inviting and coaxing. A part of him felt like dipping into it and losing himself in it but he refrained. He smiled a bit as he looked around at the forest and the small animals that scurried around; everything caught up in its own motion yet all belonged to a single flow.

"Kazuya! Hey, Kazuya!"

He discarded his thoughts and walked up inside the house. He almost laughed out loud when he saw Jun standing there, wearing only his white jacket that was clearly too big for her. Jun realized what he was laughing at and placed her hands on her hips.

"Oh, you think that's funny?"

Kazuya shrugged and sat down on the floor, waiting for the much-anticipated breakfast from her hands. She finally walked up to him and Kazuya smiled. She walked up to him and placed the plate on the table in front of him. Kazuya's smiling face was quickly replaced. Kazuya looked up at her—confused.

In front of him was…tea. Just tea.

"What's this?"

Jun just looked at him.

"There was nothing here! Didn't anyone teach how to shop for groceries? We need to go to the town and get it today," she laughed.

Kazuya looked away, irritated when she laughed at him. Were it anyone else he would've caved their face in. She laughed even more when she saw that, finding this overgrown pouting brat so endearing. She put up her best waitress gestures and poured the tea for him, "Here you go, sir, tea, tea and more tea."

Jun sat down in front of him as he started sipping his tea. Kazuya sipped again and raised his eyebrows—it was great. Something told him that Jun was a great cook. Jun was glad he liked it but waited for some appreciation. Kazuya though was too busy sipping his tea, staring outside of the window.

Jun cleared her throat.

No response.

She cleared her throat a little harder, irritated at his obliviousness.

No response.

Jun sighed. He was hopeless.

She took her cup started sipping away at her tea in silence, enjoying the tea, the smell of the morning, and her future that was in front of her. A future she was going to share with him. As Kazuya took a sip of his tea he looked up and saw Jun staring at him as she drank. She had the cup held in both hands, watching him lovingly. Kazuya smiled back. Nothing else seemed to matter in front of her.

An hour later

Kazuya and Jun were at the corner of the road. Jun was sitting on a small boulder, shielding her eyes as she stared towards the bend of the road, waiting for the bus to come. Kazuya was prowling around in impatience and the sun was starting to irritate him—he wasn't used to waiting for so long. He looked at Jun who was sitting quietly on the rock, cupping her face in her hands, staring ahead of her. He couldn't believe how relaxed she was. She tilted her head towards him to look at him when she heard his restless muttering. She couldn't believe how impatient he really was—it had only been a few minutes.

"When the hell will this damn bus come!" he finally let out, turning sharply to her.

"It'll be here, Kazuya. Have patience…"

"Che..." Kazuya spat.

Kazuya didn't say anything and continued prowling around. Jun just stared at him, shaking her head slightly. Finally a dull drone of an engine echoed through the still forest. Jun got up and stood near the bus stop. Kazuya followed her gaze and saw the large yellow bus that eased its way through the lush green forest and towards them.

"Good afternoon, Kazama-chan," the cheerful old bus driver said to her.

"Good afternoon," Jun smiled back at the old man. She even smiled at the few people who were sitting in the bus. She knew them all almost. She was pretty famous with the local people as they all believed her to be the 'chosen one'. The driver was still smiling when he saw the tall, handsome man who followed behind Jun. The man would've been more handsome hadn't it been for the scowl on his face. The driver shrugged. He had never seen him before but that didn't mean that he shouldn't greet him.

"Good afternoon, sir," he said in a good-natured tone.

Kazuya didn't say anything and just glared at him. The poor old man almost gasped when he saw Kazuya stare at him, and quickly stepped on the pedal. Everyone in the bus was staring at Kazuya as he came inside and they were all surprised when he sat beside Jun. They stared at him, at Jun and then back at Kazuya again. It was as if they were trying to see the connection. They didn't see any—the only one they saw was that she was a beautiful woman and he was a handsome man. The bus door closed with a loud whistle.

"Tell me something, Kazuya?" Jun asked after the bus had moved on towards the town.

"What?"

"Does it hurt you if you be nice to someone?" Jun asked him, staring outside of the window and at the Yakushima forest. Kazuya noticed her stare and realized that there was reproach in her words. She looked at him again. He didn't say anything—there was nothing to say.

"I mean, really, that old man was being nice to you. He didn't mean any harm to you. It wasn't a challenge to some fight. He was just an old man wishing you a good evening. The least you could do was smile."

The two sat in silence after that, neither uttering a single sound. Some time had passed by and a small town was visible in front of them. The bus whistle blew again and the door opened with a loud hiss. All the passengers stepped outside and rushed towards the town center. There was some sort of a festival going on and the whole town was alive with all sorts of people. Jun was still upset with Kazuya and walked on in front of him as they were getting off the bus. Kazuya noticed it. Taking a deep breath and swallowing down his massive ego, he walked up to the driver. The old man recoiled when Kazuya stood in front of him. Kazuya harsh expression hadn't altered but the look in his eyes was different.

"Please forgive my rudeness, old man. I was just a little cranky because of the sun."

Jun was surprised. She turned around and saw Kazuya standing in front of the old man, his head lowered slightly.

"Kazuya…?" she whispered to herself, realizing who he was apologizing to.

The old man was pretty much surprised but smiled nonetheless.

"It's okay, young man, don't worry about it," he said gently.

Kazuya bowed slightly and stepped out of the bus. Kazuya stood there watching the bus leave, feeling a weird easiness in his spirit. It was like a few drops being taken away from the sea…but he felt it. Never did he feel such a sensation before. As he turned around he saw Jun walk up to him, smiling.

"See…that wasn't so hard, was it?"

She held his arm and together they walked in the town. Kazuya was relieved to see all the smiling people, and the sounds of their laughter. Little boys were playing with toy guns while the girls sat in groups chatting away. He saw lovers walk around with their beloved, looking into each other's eyes. He looked at the beautiful trees and the simple houses, the plain old-fashioned shops and the smiling people. Everything looked simple and fresh. He looked at Jun's radiant face next to his, her smile and the freshness of his skin. He couldn't understand all this sudden outpour of gratitude he was feeling for everything around him. Especially for the woman next to him. It was here, right now, that he realized what it was to be alive…not to have money or mansions or legacy. No. It was finding something worth living for and loving.

What was he living for?

What was it that he loved?

He looked at Jun again. He knew the answer all along.

She was saying something but he wasn't listening. It was as if he had just immersed himself in some viscid reality—a reality that couldn't be heard or seen or tasted or smelled. It was a reality that could only be felt by the heart. And he was feeling it right now. Jun was still saying something when he surprised her with a kiss. It was a deep kiss and Jun was startled at first but eventually eased into it, letting his tongue dance with hers and feel the shape of her lips. They were standing right in the midst of a crowded festival but neither spared a thought to it.

Jun finally broke the kiss and looked up at him, dazed slightly.

"Wow…what's with you today?"

Kazuya just held her hand and kissed it dearly. Jun wanted to know what he meant but he interrupted her.

"Hey, look at that!" Kazuya said pointing to some sort of a stall selling ice creams and candies. He knew for a fact that she'd like to have some. He told her to wait as he squeezed through the crowd to get their share. Jun saw him disappear into the crowd and returned sometime later with a packet of candies.

"How did you know I like chocolate candies!" Jun asked excitedly as she took the candies from him—rather greedily too.

"Lee told me women love chocolate," Kazuya said with a shrug as he walked ahead. He genuinely seemed eager to see all the stalls and was carefully scanning each and everyone with his intelligent eyes. It was then that they saw a board pointing to where the circus was being held. Jun and Kazuya looked at each other and then hurried hand in hand and joined the large deluge of people that was going towards the circus.