More Dire Situations

Manji Village, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan…

About a week went by since Raven and Kunimitsu got back together again as a couple after briefly banning the former from the Manji village. Kunimitsu continued her duties as chief of the clan, making sure that public order was secured and not disrupted because of Raven's return. Speaking of Raven himself, he spent the few days in meditation and training alone in the woods. So one evening as he was walking back to the mansion, there were some Manji ninja who were frantically running behind him. They were going to the mansion to inform Kunimitsu about the return of Kuma. Though Raven himself did not know at the time for he got bumped and tripped from behind by one of the young ninja.

Raven: "Hey! What the!" (Neither ninja stopped running.) "Why are they running so frantically like that? I better follow them and find out."

Outside the Manor Courtyard…

Kunimitsu: "What is the meaning of this?"

Kensu: "He's back! That crazy bear we thought would make for a nice pelt, almost killed both of us!"

Tsubomu: "It's Kuma my lady! He demanded that he gains an audience with you! That is why he spared us!"

Kunimitsu: "What? Why is that bear back here? This better not mean that he is still trying to recruit our clan's services! I told him I was not interested!"

Raven appears…

Raven: "Hey! Is everything alright?"

Kunimitsu: "Darling?"

Raven: "What is going on? You kids should tell me as well."

Kensu: "Kuma is back! He want to talk with Lady Kunimitsu again."

Raven: "Kuma? Really?"

Kunimitsu: "Yes. I guess we need to see what that bear wants again."

Raven: "I will come with you."

At the Manji Village main gate…

Kuma sat right at the front of the gate, anxiously waiting for Kunimitsu to appear. This time he had a different request. One that was out of desperation rather than servitude. The Manji would certainly not be prepared for this development. The gate doors finally open as Kuma stood upright. Kunimitsu was there on the other side along with Raven, the translator Geborou, and the two young ninjas who followed.

Kuma (Happy.): "Woo hoo! I'm glad to see you again Kunimitsu!" (Bear sounds.)

Geborou whispers to Kunimitsu's ear…

Kunimitsu: "What is your problem now Kuma?"

Kuma: "I have news! I no longer have a place to live! Heihachi said that I must go and be my own man! But the tournament is cancelled too! He plans to fight Kazuya next week!"

Once the translation was given, everyone gasped…

Raven: "Is this some kind of joke?"

Kuma: "It's true! I fear some Zaibatsu soldiers might be after me now that Heihachi has made up his mind!"

Kunimitsu (Approaching Kuma): "So you refuse to be your own bear and survive in the wild. Instead you run here hoping for shelter is that it?"

Tsubomu: "My lady! Be careful!"

Kuma: "But the rebels? G Corp!?"

Kunimitsu (Rolls eyes): "You are such a complainer! If you need protection that much then hurry up and get inside the gate! However you will stay in the outskirts of town! No scaring off villagers understand?"

Kuma (Nodding): "I do! I do! I do!"

Kunimitsu: "Hmph." (Walking back to the others.)

Raven (To Genborou): "What did that bear say?"

Genborou: "It wasn't as easy to hear but I think some rebels are after him. It looks like he will be staying at the village."

Kunimitsu: "It's been decided. Kuma will hide here for a while. Raven, you and I shall return to the manor and find out more information about this sudden turn of events. You kids, take Kuma into the shack and keep an eye on him until I summon Minokatsu to take over for you both. Understood?"

Tsubomu and Kensu: "Yes my lady!"

Back in the Manor…

Kunimitsu had Raven wait for her in the conference room while she did some digging online about the recent announcement of the King of Iron Fist Tournament being cancelled. She gathered the necessary articles to make a report. That way she and Raven can figure what to do from there.

Kunimitsu: "I'm back." (Closing the door.)

Raven: "So what did you find?"

Kunimitsu: "Here are some articles on why the tournament is cancelled." (Places them on the table, Raven takes one and reads.) "This looks like a desperation tactic for Heihachi."

Raven: "Meaning?"

Kunimitsu: "That if he can defeat his son Kazuya, then he has to deal with his revived wife as well. Kazumi."

Raven: "That will not be easy for him. He is more powerful than most men, but to take on his son and then his wife who also carries the Devil Gene. It sounds like an impossible task to complete."

Kunimitsu: "Agreed. The Zaibatsu have quarreled about this recent decision to end the tournament. Those loyal to Heihachi will support him no matter what, but those that feel like this will be the end of him have pretty much opted to no longer serve the conglomerate. G Corp has the advantage right now despite also dealing with internal divisions."

Raven (Looking at more articles.): "So what would happen if Heihachi loses? Who takes over the Zaibatsu?"

Kunimitsu: "My guess would be his wife. I think that is why some people have turned against Heihachi now seeing that his wife is a Devil Gene user and is more powerful than him. If Heihachi dies the rest of the conglomerate will have to follow suit by obeying Kazumi or face certain death."

Raven: "Damn. That's rough. My next question is would Kazumi even take up such a position."

Kunimitsu: "The Zaibatsu? I guess it depends on her personality. Does she care about power or is she just a scorned woman who hates being forgotten about?"

Raven (Thinks): "That's kinda like you."

Kunimitsu (Smirks): "I know that look in your eye. What are you thinking Raven?"

Raven: "What look?"

Kunimitsu: "You had something to say didn't you?"

Raven: "No, It's nothing."

Kunimitsu: "Fine. Be that way."

Raven: "Well. Are we gonna make Kuma a member of the Manji now?"

Kunimitsu: "Ehhh…I don't think bears make for good ninja. He's too big and slow."

Raven (Rare laugh): "True. I think my master should learn about this development too."

Kunimitsu: "Where is she? When did you talk with her?"

Raven: "Last week. It has been a while. She was on her way to Miami if I'm not mistaken."

Kunimitsu: "Well if she doesn't know then tell her. In the meantime I will call Minokatsu and have her interrogate Kuma. Find out who is after him if what he's saying is true."

Raven: "Alright."

Raven steps out of the room to call Master Raven, while Kunimitsu calls Minokatsu…

Kunimitsu: "Minokatsu?"

Minokatsu (Answers her phone): "My lady, at your service."

Kunimitsu: "Head over into the shack above the Northwest valley. There is someone I want you to interrogate. Oh, and it's a bear."

Minokatsu: "My lady, I can't speak bear."

Kunimitsu: "Oh that's right. Then get Genborou to help translate please. We need to find out when or where these rebels are coming and doing. Perhaps I can have you guys ambush them before they do us."

Minokatsu: "I understand my lady. I will be on my way there now after I complete my inventory checkup on the trade house."

Kunimitsu: "Make it quick please. Time is of the essence."

Minokatsu: "Yes my lady!"

Kunimitsu: "Over and out." (Hangs up.)

Raven reenters the conference room…

Kunimitsu: "Raven? Did you contact your superior?"

Raven (Looking at his contacts.): "She is not responding. Maybe the voice mail box is full. I don't know. I'm going to call Condor."

Dials Condor's number…

Condors (Answers): "Condor here."

Raven: "Condor…it's me."

Condor: "Raven, hey. What's up?"

Raven: "Have you heard from Master Raven?"

Condor: "Yeah the other day. She was in New York with Finch, but now I'm not sure where she is at this point in time."

Raven: "I see. Let me find out where Finch is. Thanks Condor."

Condor: "Sure thing Raven. If I hear from her I will let you know. Condor out."

Hangs up…

Raven: "Alright. Condor said she was back in New York City so let me call Finch."

Calling Finch…

Finch: "Hello?"

Raven: "Finch, it's me Raven."

Finch: "Oh Raven! Man its good to hear from you! Are you ok?"

Raven: "I'm fine. Where is Master Raven?"

Finch: "Hmmm…she's not answering your calls?"

Raven: "No."

Finch: "Ehhh…I know that she had that vampire girl with her when she came back here in New York. They left several days ago for Miami. Master Raven fought her elimination match there."

Raven: "Miami?"

Finch: "Yeah. I mean at least I hope she is still there. What's wrong?"

Raven: "Well…I just found out the tournament has been cancelled."

Finch: "Oh yea? Why?"

Raven: "I can send you an article about it online to skip the formalities. I'll try to contact Phoenix to let her know about this too."

Finch: "Okay, but are you going to look for Master?"

Raven: "I just got back to the Manji Village from Canada. I'd hate to do another flight halfway across the world so soon."

Finch: "I hear ya. I will try and see if I can find out where she is too. Finch out."

Raven: "Understood."

Hangs up…

Kunimitsu: "She was in Miami?"

Raven: "Apparently."

Kunimitsu: "So is Finch going there to find out?"

Raven: "I didn't ask because I know he has to guard the Talisman he stole from India. It was something Heihachi wanted really bad to get an edge against Kazuya." (Sends the link about the tournament's end to Finch.) "Maybe Phoenix can track her down."

Kunimitsu: "What is this talisman? I never heard about it."

Raven: "It's called Durga Dhanyaka. Made by a sorcerer a long time ago but got sealed off centuries ago due to its power. It was supposed to give the user eternal youth or even superior strength."

Kunimitsu: "You don't say."

Raven: "Hard to believe but it works allegedly." (Calling Phoenix.) "Phoenix? It's me Raven. Tell me your status."

Phoenix: "Phoenix here, just been monitoring the movements of the Zaibatsu out here in Tokyo. It looks like these guys are fighting amongst each other ever since the tournament got cancelled. Did you hear about that?"

Raven: "Yes we did. Look I have not been able to get a hold of Master Raven. Have you?"

Phoenix: "Hmmm…not since Sunday. I know she had a fight in Miami, but that's about all I know."

Raven (Sighs): "This isn't like her. Now I may have to call the kid to find out if she spoke with Master."

Phoenix: "I'm sure Master is alright Raven."

Raven: "With Eliza traveling with her, I'm not so certain, despite all that has happened."

Phoenix: "She will call you in due time c'mon."

Raven: "Maybe. When are you coming back to the village?"

Phoenix: "Tonight I guess. What's happening now?"

Raven: "We just have Heihachi's ex bodyguard enter our premises under the Manji's protection. You could investigate to see if anybody is trying to kill Kuma."

Phoenix: "Kuma eh? Alright I'll see if that is indeed the case. I'll brief you in a few hours. Phoenix out."

Raven: "Understood." (Sighs.) "Well Tweet is the last person. Who knows what's she is up to."

Kunimitsu: "How old is Tweet?"

Raven: "Only 16."

Kunimitsu: "Oh. What was her current objective?"

Raven: "She was supposed to keep tabs on Zafina."

Kunimitsu: "Zafina?"

Raven: "Yeah."

Kunimitsu: "Are you still talking with Zafina?"

Raven: "No! My Master just wanted to know her where abouts. I haven't kept up with Zafina honest."

Kunimitsu (Sighs): "Fine. Go on. Continue."

Raven: "Me and Master Raven wondered if Zafina was still around for the tournament, but she never registered for this one. So based on my history with her, Master Raven wanted to see if Zafina would be willing to help with her investigation about the Zaibatsu and G Corp. She sent Tweet to track her down. 4 weeks ago Tweet managed to find Zafina. Zafina was looking for this dagger that could purify evil spirits. So at least that is what Tweet could figure out. Now let me see if I can get a hold of her."

Raven calls Tweet but no answer…

Raven: "No answer from her either."

Kunimitsu: "Husband. Perhaps the young one might be in some sort of danger."

Raven: "You think so?"

Kunimitsu: "Just a woman's intuition. That can explain why your Master isn't accepting calls right now."

Raven (Sighs): "I guess can't ponder about it anymore. I will get my hovercraft ready to leave for tomorrow, but I won't go until Phoenix comes back."

Kunimitsu: "Well, hang on. Why not have Phoenix go in your stead?"

Raven: "She's gonna be tired from coming back here though. The girl just did reconnaissance of the Zaibatsu HQ for the last 4 days."

Kunimitsu: "Well…we can't just leave Karasu at the village without his parents. So I'll just stay put and find out when these rebel forces are coming for Kuma."

Raven: "Understood."

The next day…

With the sun coming from the horizon of the mountains, Raven got his hovercraft fully gassed and ready to leave. Kunimitsu stood watching with her son in her arms along with Minokatsu, Shinomatsu, and Phoenix. Raven's hovercraft finally launched. He looked at the women and then waved before setting off into the yellowish sky. All the girls waved, including Kunimitsu with one arm. However, some tears flowed under her fox mask. Now that Zafina was brought up yesterday, Kunimitsu wondered if Raven would be lost to her once again. Shinomatsu noticed Kunimitsu's face and asked.

Shinomatsu: "My lady?"

Kunimitsu (Wiping her face): "It's nothing."

Shinomatsu: "What shall we do about Kuma now?"

Kunimitsu: "Have him come with us. We will track these soldiers down and hit them before they hit us."