.

(Guardian Angels)

It happened fast, incredibly fast. Jun didn't know if it had taken minutes, seconds or hours but it had happened much more quickly than she ever thought it would. What the it was she couldn't even explain, the best way that she could describe it was a sense of excitement that made her heart race and lightened her mood. As far as she knew, and what she had always speculated, was that it should take a considerably longer amount of time, months, years perhaps for whatever it was to develop.

Jun felt strange, it was almost the same feeling that she had when she was a teenager and her friends had dragged her to watch one of those romantic comedies that she detested. One of those stupid movies with a contrived story and unlikely coincidences. The problem was that she couldn't mock the silly plot or the bad acting because this time she was at the center of the story. She was the one sitting in her tiny, cluttered office wondering what Kazuya Mishima was doing at that very moment and it had nothing to do with the file that was tucked away in a drawer.

She hoped that he was not making his secretary cry or calling for some near extinct animal to be smuggled out of its home and into one of his labs because that would be completely disappointing. What scared her was the knowledge that though disappointing, those negative actions would not diminish the amount of time she had him in her thoughts.

She pictured him in the arena making sure that every detail was to his liking, she chose to believe that it was where he was at that very moment. She closed her eyes and began to spin in her squeaky office chair and was suddenly overcome by a sense of urgency, hoping wasn't enough, she needed to know where he was and what he was doing. Without thinking twice about it, she picked up the phone and dialed the number to the reception desk at the Mishima Zaibatsu, she had called so many times that it was now etched in her memory.

As she waited for the receptionist to connect her to Kazuya's secretary she turned to the wall and fixed her eyes on a poster, it was a picture of a tiger lounging next to a hand-drawn dodo bird with the caption, 'Don't let this be my story.' She hated that poster, there was no sense of urgency on the tiger's face at all.

"Mr. Mishima's office, Sayuri speaking."

"Oh, um, hello." She said sitting up straight in her chair. "This is Jun Kazama, I was just wondering if Ka- If Mr. Mishima is at the arena today."

"Hello, Miss Kazama...Wait one moment please." She heard Sayuri say, she sounded in good spirits, that was a good sign. "Miss Kazama?"

"Yes?"

"I'm transferring you to his office right now."

"Wait!" She had not expected him to be there and was suddenly feeling thoroughly unprepared. "I just wanted to know if he was at the arena."

"He was walking into the office when he heard me say your name and asked me to transfer you." She explained. "I'm going to do that before he gets impatient."

She heard a soft click and began to feel her heart race. "What do you need?" She heard Kazuya's deep voice.

It was difficult to tell if he sounded angry or if he was merely being impatient. She preferred speaking to people face to face, sensing their moods and emotions always gave her an advantage that she didn't have over the phone, it made her feel insecure.

"I just wanted to know if you were at the arena today." She confessed.

"I was." Came his short reply.

"Oh, um, I just wanted to know how everything is going."

"Why?"

"Because I helped, so I'm part of it now, I need to know."

"I'm too busy to get into that at the moment."

"Can you meet me after work?" She asked quickly as she felt her cheeks flush red.

"Where?" He asked without hesitation.

"Away from the building, there's a little place nearby."

"Give Sayuri the details." She heard a soft click and the conversation was over.

She felt awkward as she spoke with his secretary, all she needed to tell her was that she would meet him in the lobby of the Mishima Building, she wished that he would have let her get one more sentence in. She looked at the clock above Noriko's desk and saw that the lunch hour was nearly over, her three coworkers would be walking in any minute. Four more hours, she told herself, willing the clock to go faster partially because she wanted to see Kazuya and partially because she wanted to leave the office.

Her coworkers, particularly Megumi, had bombarded her with questions in the morning about what Kazuya Mishima was like and if she thought that he was guilty of all the crimes on the list. She had not known what to tell them except that she didn't know because he was being uncooperative, which was half of the truth, the other half was that she had been so focused on what she'd discovered about him that she had decided to halt her investigation for the time being. What she wanted to do first was learn about the dark energy, entity perhaps, that was attached to him. She obviously wanted to learn about him, was interested in him, but before she could proceed with her assignment and before she could sort out her personal feelings for him she needed to know what she was dealing with and how she could help him.

She spent the next four hours looking at the clock and writing backlogged reports about past assignments and dodging even more questions from Megumi; the day seemed interminable. When the clock finally struck five she quickly gathered her belongings.

"You're off already?" Noriko asked surprised, it was rather unusual for Jun to leave before her coworkers.

"Yes, I'm meeting someone," Jun said eager to leave.

"A boy?" Noriko smiled as she asked.

Jun nodded lightly as she eyed her other two coworkers at their desk. She liked Noriko, she was annoying at times, but in a motherly sort of way, something that Jun didn't mind.

"Who?" Noriko asked quietly clasping her hands in front of her chest.

"Kazuya Mishima." Jun's voice was barely above a whisper.

Noriko gaped at her then smiled again. "Go then, girl," she whispered motioning toward the door, "go."

Jun wasted no more time and exited the building. She speed-walked to the metro station and when she found the entrance she quickly descended the stairs and squeezed through the throng of people pushing her way into the subway car. When she reached the appropriate stop she once again pushed herself through her fellow passengers and rushed up the stairs and into the bustling street.

The Mishima Building was a short distance away, she reached it quickly and stopped in front of the it, it was not an architectural marvel by any means, but it was one of the tallest office building in the city, all black steel and concrete with rectangular windows that didn't make the building stand out from others. What made it different from all the other office buildings was the Mishima Zaibatsu insignia above the entrance, that was enough.

Jun entered the foyer and as always she was stopped by one of two armed security guards dressed in a uniform that consisted of black trousers and a white long-sleeved shirt. He asked for her purpose and identification then checked his clipboard and let her into the lobby.

Inside it was all marble and polished wood in different shades of taupe and white which should have made the entire area seem boring and barren but it was so expertly decorated that it gave off an understated elegance. The reception desk was empty as it was after office hours so Jun settled herself on one of the brown, leather couches to wait.

Minutes later she felt her heart race as she saw Kazuya emerge from one of the elevators wearing a dark-gray suit. He checked his watch and walked toward her with his brow furrowed and his mouth tight, however, his anger wasn't directed at her. She felt the darkness around him intensify and saw him inhale deeply, she felt a twinge of anger at the thing but outwardly smiled at Kazuya as she stood up and smoothed down her white sweater.

"Hello." She said as he stopped in front of her.

"Were you waiting long?" There was an air of indifference in his tone.

"No, only a few minutes."

"Where are we going?"

"To a little place nearby, I know it's too early for dinner, but maybe we can just have some tea." She felt a tiny sense of triumph as the darkness around him dissipated slightly. "It's a few minutes away, we can walk if you don't mind."

"Lead the way." He said motioning toward the exit.

The guards bowed deeply to him as they exited but Kazuya paid them no mind. She led him two blocks behind the Mishima Building and into the narrower streets. They walked in silence by the little shops, food carts and cafes for a few minutes, Jun was pleased to see that the further they walked the lighter his mood became. They wove through the passersby for a few more minutes until she stopped at a little restaurant in a corner.

"Here we are." She gestured toward the door.

"Why here?" Kazuya asked. "I'm sure there are better places closer to the office buildings."

"I like to support small businesses." His question annoyed her somewhat. "Where I come from every business is a small business, it's sad to come here and see so many of them fail because people prefer the well established, brightly-lit venues."

"Maybe they should invest in better lighting," Kazuya smirked.

Jun gestured to the entrance again, he sighed and walked to the door pulling it open for her then walked in behind her. She had been there only once before, there were only a few tables and no booths, the place was very clean but the decorations were obviously old and most were tacky and cutesy, there were only two other patrons. An older woman wearing a spotless white apron approached them and seated them next to the window. Jun ordered tea for both of them as well as sweet mochi rice cakes when her stomach reminded her that she had skipped lunch. All the while Kazuya looked like he wanted to be somewhere else but his mood seemed lighter than before.

"So how was the workday today?" Jun asked as she folded her arms on the tabletop.

"Same as always."

"I've never seen you at work, so I don't know what always is like."

"Busy."

"With what?"

He sighed. "How can you stand this?"

"What?"

"All this small talk." He seemed genuinely irritated.

She sat up straight in her chair. "That's how conversations between people who don't know each other start, or do you want me to ask hard-hitting questions?" She finished somewhat irritated herself.

"What do you mean?" He folded his arms over his chest. "Is this work-related?"

"No," she answered quickly, "not at all. I really want to learn more about...the arena." She felt her cheeks flush at her own flimsy explanation.

"It's almost done." He said relaxing somewhat, but didn't elaborate and they were enveloped by an uncomfortable silence.

"Tell me a story," Jun said suddenly, hoping to start a real conversation.

"About what?"

"You."

He shook his head. "I don't have any." She quickly sensed an uncertainty in him.

"About your family then."

"No."

"I hear you have a brother," she was beginning to feel nervous and uncertain herself, "I have one too."

"I don't want to think about him." The darkness around him became more prevalent.

So...Do not ask about his family. "Fine," Jun shrugged, "you've forced me to tell a story."

"Please."

She inhaled then exhaled slowly. "There are these posters tacked to the wall of my office, they show animals in captivity... I think I hate those posters because I feel trapped like those animals in my tiny office."

Kazuya looked like he was waiting for her to continue. "That's a statement, not a story." He said when she didn't elaborate.

Jun suddenly felt flustered. "I'm kind of nervous, so it's all I could come up with."

"Why are you nervous?"

To her relief, they were interrupted by the server arriving with their order. She set a cup in front of each of them and a white, ceramic teapot at the edge of the table then the mochi between them along with plates and chopsticks. Jun thanked her and the woman bowed, before leaving.

Jun poured tea for both of them and silently took a sip of the steaming liquid, it burned her tongue and throat, but she tried to ignore it and hoped that Kazuya hadn't noticed. She unwrapped her chopsticks and put one of the rice buns on her plate.

"I hope you don't mind," she said looking at him, "I skipped lunch." He nodded, she took as small, delicate bite and tried to savor the sweet taste on her scalded tongue as Kazuya sipped his tea. "This almost tastes like the ones my mother used to make. She always made them on Sundays," Jun said as she felt her heart fill with nostalgia, "she would let me help with grinding the flour on the grain mill. At the time I thought that she was trusting me with the most important job but later I realized that she had me do it because it was the part that she hated the most." She saw that he was looking at her with interest. "What I really wanted to do was mix the sugar and the spices, but she never let me, I've always been terrible at measuring ingredients without instruments."

"Do you resent her for it?"

She was somewhat taken aback by his question. "...No. She worked very hard every day, I can't blame her for passing off a chore that she didn't like." She felt sad for him, that he would think someone would resent a parent over such a petty and insignificant thing. It must be how he grew up.

He seemed deep in thought as he sipped his tea. She felt the darkness encroaching on him again and knew that she didn't have much time before he decided to leave. A feeling of urgency came over her, it was strong and she knew from experience that it was best to heed the feeling. She felt the need to ask a question, it came to her suddenly, out of nowhere and she knew it was important to her mission.

"Why are you organizing the tournament?" She asked looking into his eyes.

"I want the best fighters from around the world-"

"Tell me the real version," she interrupted, "not what you're telling the media." There was a clarity surrounding her statement, all other thoughts seemed blurry, his answer mattered, but she didn't know why.

He looked intently at her. "I thought this wasn't work-related."

"It isn't." She said truthfully and calmly.

He regarded her for a moment, she felt the air around them grow heavy, the darkness around him intensified and it began to spread throughout the small establishment. She could feel the mood of the two other patrons begin to darken as well.

"You won't like it." He warned.

"I already know that," Jun said as she felt her chest tighten.

"Then why are you asking?" His voice was so low that she could barely hear it.

She felt the heaviness press down on her and she balled her hands into fists under the table hoping that her demeanor remained unreadable, that her uneasiness didn't show. "Sometimes...if you hear yourself talk about something that you're going to do...that you might regret...just hearing it out loud changes your mind." She said, willing herself to breathe evenly.

Kazuya leaned back in his chair casually. "To rid myself of my father, my brother too, I don't like to leave loose ends." It chilled her to hear him say it so nonchalantly. He chuckled slightly. "I said it out loud and I'm not changing my mind."

"How are you going to do that?" She asked as she felt her heartbeat accelerate, logic told her that she didn't want to know, but her intuition told her that the knowledge was essential.

He didn't answer, he took his wallet out of his back pocket, opened it and extracted a couple of yen notes then left them on the table. He walked toward the exit without looking at her, she could tell that he was battling with the darkness, was trying to maintain control and knew it was best to let him go for the time being. She sat alone for a long while trying to think of a way to help him before heading to the nearest bus stop.


Kazuya exited the restaurant and briskly walked down the narrow streets in the direction of the Mishima Building bumping into pedestrians as he went, though he didn't notice them. Devil was more restless than he had been in months, he thought that he had him under control but Jun's questions had set him off. During their previous encounters he had remained mostly quiet but upon knowing that he was going to meet with her again he had wasted no time in expressing his displeasure.

I told you she was a liar. Devil admonished. She brought you here through deception, with ill intent. She wants you to incriminate yourself.

She said it wasn't work-related.

And you believed her like a little boy believes a stranger with candy.

Kazuya stopped at the edge of the sidewalk realizing that he was on the street of the Mishima Building and turned left toward it.

It wasn't work-related. He insisted.

She's instigating, probing, hoping that something she says or asks will cause you to confess a clue or a detail. Otherwise, why would she have asked about your family? Your true purpose for the tournament?

He was beginning to feel confused, Devil's words and his restlessness and agitation were forcing him to feel the same. He knew that if he didn't do something quickly he would lose control, he felt a tingling that morphed into numbness beginning in the back of his head and spreading toward the front. A sign that Devil was gaining the upper hand.

Who knows what agencies she is working with, Devil continued, they made sure to send the most innocent-looking, pretty girl to fool you. I've told you countless times, never trust a woman, and what do you do?

I don't trust her, Kazuya tried to defend, I just-

Wanted to see her? Devil cut him off. Wanted to see that pretty smile that makes your heart flutter like a teenaged boy's? Pathetic.

Without noticing he had arrived at the Mishima Building's entrance, seeing him one of the guards quickly opened the locked door. Kazuya stalked toward the elevator. Devil was right, he realized, he shouldn't have agreed to meet with her, he was trusting her too much, why would she want to see him if not to continue her investigation? He was a fool for trusting her, for thinking that she had any interest other than to... He shook his head vigorously as he heard the chime of the elevator and the doors opened, he stepped inside and slumped against the wall.

Even if she were not a liar how can she relate to anything that you are going through? Devil continued his scolding. She had a sheltered, idyllic life with her perfect family, she is looking for a man that will fit in with that perfect family. She will at best try to change you and at worst betray you.

Fine, you've made yourself understood.

Have I? Oh, please tell me that my figurative ears do not deceive me. Devil's voice was dripping with sarcasm, it made Kazuya's blood boil.

Shut up. He ordered as he held tightly to the handrail, he felt as if the elevator were moving at a snail's pace.

Have you learned your lesson then?

"Do not speak to me as if I'm a child!" Kazuya said out loud as he felt his hands begin to shake.

Then stop behaving the way a stupid child would.

"Shut up." He felt beads of sweat begin to form on his forehead and suddenly remembered where he was, almost as a reflex he jumped toward the small, dome-shaped camera in the corner of the elevator and smashed it with his fist leaving tiny shards of glass embedded in his knuckles.

Oh, are you ashamed of me? Devil mocked. Every time this happens you make me feel unwanted, it's as if you didn't want anyone to know about me. Now I understand how poor Sayuri feels...or is she ashamed of you? Perhaps you should tell Miss Perfect about her.

"Stop." He brought his hands to his head and squeezed his temples tightly to relieve some of the numbness and pressure. He knew it wouldn't be long before Devil won.

Do not see that woman again.

"...Fine..." Kazuya conceded. Anything to maintain control.

I'm glad you see things my way. Devil said, then retreated to the back of his mind.

The elevator doors opened and with heavy steps, Kazuya walked down the hallway and into his private office locking the door. He removed his jacket and tie leaving them forgotten on the floor then collapsed on the black, leather couch. It was still early, the room was lit by natural light, though the furniture cast shadows that threatened to envelop the room. Through heavy lids, he looked at the large window behind his desk and watched the fading orange tinge that marked the end of the sunset. As he closed his eyes he thought of the previous evening, in the state between wakefulness and sleep, the part that Devil couldn't control, he wished he was watching the sunset with Jun again.


Jun stepped out of the bus with an ominous feeling in her heart. She had wanted to follow after Kazuya but knew it was best to leave him be. The darkness that she sensed in him was much stronger than what she had felt before. It seemed to be tied to Kazuya's emotions, or perhaps his emotions were tied to it. She could feel its evil, it was like a black hole consuming Kazuya's soul little by little. She walked hurriedly down the sidewalk to her apartment building, an old four-story building in a safe neighborhood about forty-five minutes away from downtown Tokyo. Cheap as far as Tokyo was concerned, but ridiculously expensive compared to her home town.

She unlocked the front door and walked up the stairs to the second floor, the forest-green carpet was worn and the once-white, now turned eggshell-colored hallway needed to be painted, but she appreciated how clean everything was. She unlocked the door marked 204 and stepped inside the small, one-bedroom apartment then removed her shoes. She took a box of matches from the coffee table in the center of the living area and lit some incense that was placed inside a small, green ceramic bowl filled with sand from her favorite secluded beach in Yakushima Island.

She sat cross-legged on the wooden floor and closed her eyes letting the cedar smell of the incense envelop her. She freed her mind of worries and thoughts, let them all wash over her like water over a rock, and soon her mind was blank save for the image of Kazuya. She saw him standing in the white nothing wearing one of his expensive, designer suits, a scowl etched on his handsome face. He was surrounded by a dark aura so dense that the very thought of getting too close made her feel ill, she ventured in nonetheless. She had to use all her strength to penetrate it.

What troubles you, Kazuya?

She reached into his mind with a figurative hand, she touched the outer edges at first, there she found worries about his company that she had no interest in. She reached further in and saw contempt and disdain for someone close to him, a family member, his brother she assumed, she knew that he was the only family Kazuya had. She reached further into him still and she felt it.

Hate.

Black and sticky like tar consuming his thoughts and influencing his actions, it was hate for his father. But there was more, she dreaded going in, she dreaded being anywhere near it but knew that she had no choice. She pushed her thoughts inside his despite the fear and she instantly regretted it, she felt his pain, the searing hate that the entity was incubating inside him. Merely being aware of it made her stomach churn and her head throb.

She pulled herself out of her meditative state and began to shiver despite the warmth in the apartment. "No..." Jun covered her face with her hands. "I can't let it have him, I can't."

"No..." Jun covered her face with her hands. "I can't let it have him, I can't."

Even though she was afraid, at that moment she resolved to help Kazuya, to free him of the evil that was consuming him. There was so much hate in his heart that she felt he didn't even remember, perhaps didn't even know what love was...but she could show him. She could show him the way out of that dark abyss, she could loosen the entity's hold on him and save him. She quickly readied herself for bed even though it was much earlier than her usual bedtime, after what she had seen and experienced she felt exhausted. She fell asleep almost as soon as she laid her head on her pillow.

Jun found herself walking in an endless desert, the sparkling, white sand felt warm and comfortable under her bare feet. She breathed in the warm, dry air and felt a strange sense of peace as she took in the cloudless, sapphire sky and the stunning landscape. Spinning slowly she gazed upon the endless dunes devoid of any tracks or ripples, her footprints were the only marks upon the otherwise undisturbed ground.

Allow me help you. Her voice came suddenly, startling Jun.

Who are you? Her point of view changed and saw herself standing in the white sand wearing her favorite white dress, it was strange, almost as if she were watching a scene from a movie.

Jun, must you ask? She suddenly appeared before her, her brilliance and beauty made her gasp. The woman was tall with Caucasian features, she wore her blonde hair in a loose bun and a blue jewel adorned her forehead. Her white garments seemed to be made of the purest silk and air itself. Her sandal-clad feet hovered gracefully inches above the sand.

Angel... Jun knew, though she had never seen her.

I've been aware of you since the first moment Kazuya Mishima crossed your mind. You are unlike any human I have yet seen, I am quite fortunate that you decided to adhere to your destiny.

You, are the intruding presence I've been sensing? She remembered the feeling on the day she'd finally been given an appointment with Kazuya.

I am, though I find the word intruding somewhat harsh.

Forgive me. Jun said sincerely. Might I serve you somehow? She felt apprehensive asking the question but felt compelled to do it.

Yes, the beautiful being answered quickly, by allowing me to help you rid Kazuya Mishima of his...companion.

Jun wished that she had used a different word, companion gave the situation a lighthearted air that she believed it lacked completely. She was also asking her for permission to help, but what did that entail exactly? It was not that she didn't trust the divine being but there was something about her, or perhaps the situation that made her uneasy.

Without meaning any disrespect, may I ask why you cannot help him yourself? Surely you are more powerful than I am.

Angel raised an eyebrow at this. Your world is not like mine. I cannot simply occupy whoever I choose or whoever is convenient, neither can Devil. There was the name, the much more appropriate name.

Occupy? The word made her chest tighten. Then, you need to work through a person?

Yes, unfortunately. We both require a host, a human who has what is needed for us to...bond with. It is a game of waiting and patience until we find one.

What happens if you don't find someone?

If enough time passes we may, in a sense, die, in this realm at least, then there's more waiting in the other world and... Angel chuckled slightly. If you think bureaucracy is problematic in here... Not to mention all the destruction that Devil and his host may bring upon your world during the time. In this case, I was beginning to think that might happen, the Mishimas are a dying bloodline.

I'm not a Mishima. It was beginning to sound as if she were saying that she wanted Jun to be her host, she began to feel uncomfortable.

Not a Mishima, but your power, the degree at which your mind is open, it will allow me to bond with you so that we may help him. I wish I could impress upon you how rare it is to find someone like you.

I would like to help Kazuya on my own. Jun suddenly felt defensive, almost possessive.

This is not a game, young one, this is not something that you can experiment with, it cannot be taken lightly.

I am aware, I assure, you, Jun said firmly, but I would like to see what I'm dealing with for myself.

If you would allow me-

I mean no disrespect, she interrupted, but I feel that you are assuming that I will allow you to possess me, from my perspective that is also something that that should not be taken lightly.

Angel sighed. You want to think it over even though our union may be his only salvation? You saw what he is doing to Kazuya's soul, she touched her hand to her chest, I am charged with saving his soul at all costs, I assure that I have his best interest in mind.

She pondered the phrase 'at all costs' but decided that she would leave it at that.

All I want is a little time to think it over.

Very well, she said sounding disappointed, you have but to call me, I hope you will not ignore me and wait until I find you in your dreams.

I will call on you. Jun promised and saw Angle suddenly disappear.

She opened her eyes and found herself in her bed as the morning light was beginning to sift through her curtains. Looking at the clock on her bedside table she saw that it was nearly six o'clock, she slowly sat up and moved to the edge of her bed then shivered slightly when her feet touched the cold, wooden floor. She felt strangely calm despite the dream and what she had experienced during her meditation. Communication with spirits was something that she'd been familiar with since she was a child, though this was her first time communicating with a divine being. After speaking with her she was determined to help Kazuya, to do as much by herself as was possible, that meant that she needed to rearrange her entire life. She smiled slightly as she realized that she did not mind, that she would do what she needed to do for him. She stood up and rubbed her arms, the thought of hot water from the shower warming her skin was almost overwhelmingly tempting but there was something she needed to do first.

She walked out of the bedroom and into the living area, she took her purse from the hook on the door and looked for her address book. When she found the number she was looking for she picked up the cordless phone from the end table, sat on the couch and dialed the number of her supervisor at the WWWC headquarters.

She heard the telephone on the other end ring five times before someone picked up.

"Yes?" A drowsy voice answered.

"Miss Tagawa?"

"Yes, who is this?"

"This is Jun Kazama from the temporary office, I'm working the-"

"Mishima Zaibatsu case," Miss Tagawa finished, "yes, Miss Kazama I know who you are. Why are you calling so early in the morning?"

"I apologize for waking you, but this is very important..." Jun inhaled deeply. "I would like to be taken off that case, it has become a conflict of interest."

She heard a sigh, then, a long pause. "...Miss Kazama, I would prefer that you continue to work the case."

Jun furrowed her brow at the unexpected statement. "Policy clearly states that if there is a conflict of interest the officer must be assigned a different case."

"I know what policy is, but I would prefer that you resolve whatever issues you may have so that this ceases to be a conflict of interest."

"It can't simply be resolved."

"Well then maybe we can work around it," Miss Tagawa offered, "what makes it a conflict of interest?"

"It's personal."

"Do you know why you were given this case initially?" She didn't wait for Jun to answer. "Because no one at headquarters had been able to get anywhere with it, assigning it to your office was our last effort to gather evidence before giving up on it and seeing if the police or any other law enforcement agency could do anything with it. You have gotten further with it than anyone else has..."

"But I didn't get anywhere," Jun said frustrated, "all I was able to do was get a meeting with Mr. Mishima and he didn't tell me anything."

"Two meetings," Miss Tagawa corrected, "you met with him at the arena the next day. Three meetings if you count yesterday after work."

"I don't count that one, it was personal," Jun said shortly, no doubt Megumi had told her about it, she knew that she had overheard her tell Noriko about it and she knew that the younger woman loved to look good in front of her superiors.

"Well, now I see where the conflict lies." Miss Tagawa cleared her throat. "You are in a position where you can get information out of him, men come and go, but career opportunities can be fleeting. I would strongly recommend that you continue with the case."

Jun felt suddenly disappointed. "Please clarify your meaning." Though she knew what she was going to say next.

"This case will bring opportunities for me, higher rank, higher pay...If we bag this trophy I will personally make sure that you are put in an office with a proper window at headquarters, that is, when you are not out doing field work." Miss Tagawa sighed. "But if you refuse...well, there are many eager, young students who would love a place with the WWWC."

Jun's disappointment quickly turned to anger. "That is severely unethical. You have my resignation, I have nothing to retrieve from my desk, I will expect my last paycheck in the mail." She hung up without waiting to hear her response.

She stood in the living room thoroughly disillusioned. She had moved to Tokyo specifically to work for the WWWC, to follow her dreams, her destiny, as her mother had once told her. She suddenly realized how cold she was in only her tank top and a pair of shorts. She walked toward the bathroom, the thought of a hot shower beckoning her. She suddenly thought of Kazuya and wondered what he was doing, she smiled realizing that she had nothing to distract her from helping him, perhaps she could do it without Angel's aid after all.


The feeling of a soft, gentle hand on his woke Kazuya from his restless sleep. He immediately thought of Jun, hoped it was her as everything in the room was blurry, but when his eyes adjusted to his surroundings he was unpleasantly surprised to see Sayuri kneeling on the floor next to him. She was gingerly holding his right hand and seemed to be examining it.

"What are you doing in here?" He asked through clenched teeth taking hold of her wrist.

She gasped as she tried to pull her hand free. "Working, I've been here for nearly an hour."

"What were you doing?" He asked tightening his hold on her.

"Checking to see if I needed to call an ambulance." Her voice was a mix of anger and fear, as she continued to pull her hand away he let go and she lost her balance nearly falling over but caught herself on the edge of the couch. She stood up and quickly stepped away from him.

"Why would you call an ambulance?" Kazuya asked as he sat up straight.

"Bruce called looking for you," Sayuri began as she rubbed her wrist, "he said that security told him you didn't leave the building last night so he wanted me to check your office. I knocked and you didn't answer, I opened the door and called your name and you didn't answer, then I see your jacket on the floor and blood on your hand, I call you yet again and you don't answer, what was I supposed to do?" She asked sounding exasperated. "This isn't in the training manual, and by the way, you should take care of that hand, I think there's glass in it."

She picked up his jacket and tie from the floor and hung them on the coat rack next to the door. She was wearing a form-fitting, short-sleeved, red dress and black high-heeled shoes, as always she looked stylish and beautiful. He hated the sight of her and judging by the way she was looking at him the feeling was mutual.

"What does Bruce want?" He asked standing up.

"I don't know, he wanted me to call him when I found out where you were." She put her hand on the doorknob to leave but turned to look at him. "Should I have the kitchen bring breakfast up for you?"

"Yes, and call Bruce immediately."

"Obviously." She said in a tone that he had never heard from her before. "The usual I assume," he nodded, "coffee or tea."

"Coffee, obviously." He said curtly.

Sayuri opened the door. "Oh, obviously." She casually stepped out and closed the door behind her.

This is interesting. Devil said thoughtfully just as Kazuya was about to go after her to put her in her place. I'm interested to see how this plays out, aren't you?

Admittedly he was. Fine, but there's only so much I'm willing to take from her, I'm almost at my limit.

He walked to his desk and sat in his chair for a few minutes rummaging through drawers to pass the time and hoping the pounding headache that had just started would go away soon. His phone began to ring and he picked it up.

"What?"

"Bruce will be here in twenty minutes and your breakfast will be here shortly," Sayuri said.

"Fine." He had not even finished saying the word and he heard her hang up without asking if he needed anything else, as was expected of her. "That little..." He was in no mood for her games.

Go easy on the girl, Devil said as Kazuya stalked toward the door, she's just beginning to get interesting.

As he opened the door he heard someone talking to Sayuri and stopped to listen.

"That was so fast," he heard Sayuri say in a convincingly cheerful voice, "you and your girls work magic in that kitchen."

"When it comes to making Mr. Mishima happy I think everyone in this building tries." It was the voice of an older woman that he didn't recognize. "Here, these are for you, I just made them myself."

"Thank you," Sayuri gushed, "you didn't have to."

"We really appreciate you downstairs," the older woman said, "you're much better than his last secretary, she was always bossy and in a foul mood, I can't really blame her I guess, but you're always so nice to everyone, we all know it can't be easy to do that when you work in here."

"That's sweet of you to say, Minori, I'd better take this to him now."

"Of course, dear, have a good day." He heard the woman exit.

A few seconds later Sayuri stopped in front of his office door, a look of surprise apparent on her face. He stepped aside to let her push a metal food cart with covered dishes and a glass coffee pot into the office.

"Here it is." She said turning to leave.

He again noticed, and was bothered by the fact that she didn't ask if more was required of her.

"What's her name again?" Kazuya asked. "The kitchen worker."

"She's the cafeteria manager." Sayuri corrected. "Her name is Minori."

"She's right," he began deviously, "you are much better than my last secretary, she didn't offer a full array of services."

He expected to see shame or sadness in her eyes or that she would at least look away but he was surprised to see anger as she firmly held his gaze. It was brief, but unmistakable, then without blinking her demeanor changed and she gave him a pleasant smile.

"Will there be anything else, sir?" She asked in her usual respectful tone as she delicately clasped her hands in front of her stomach.

I told you she was beginning to get interesting.

"How is Lee?" Kazuya asked.

"He says his training is going well."

"Where is he training again?"

"I don't know, sir." She said evenly. "I'll be at my desk if you need anything, Bruce will be here soon." She bowed slightly then exited the office.

What did I ever see in that lying bitch? He asked Devil.

Potential.

Kazuya shook his head and poured himself a cup of coffee. Before he was able to take the first sip there was a knock on the door and Bruce Irvin entered immediately after. The tall, black man was dressed in jeans and a plain, black T-shirt, his casual style and unusual haircut bothered Kazuya somewhat but he couldn't complain about something so petty knowing how difficult it was to find trustworthy and capable employees. Bruce's appearance was an advantage at times as most people who saw an American dressed in jeans would not think that he was the Mishima Zaibatsu's head of security, most people who saw him mistook him for a tourist who didn't speak Japanese and would speak freely amongst themselves while in his proximity.

"You're early," Kazuya said annoyed at the fact that he thought he had at least fifteen more minutes before he arrived. "That's almost as bad as being late."

"No it isn't," Bruce said as he closed the door, "I take pride in the fact that I'm always punctual, I've never been late in my life."

"I don't think your Japanese is as good as you think it is," Kazuya told him, "punctual means on time, not before time or after time."

Bruce laughed. "It's not even nine a.m. and you're already being a dick. Go home and get some sleep, you look like shit." He took the second cup from the food cart and poured himself some coffee.

Kazuya simply shook his head, no one else would dare speak to him that way, not even Lee. But there was an unexplainable camaraderie he felt toward Bruce that made what he said seem amusing, though at times irritating, rather than disrespectful.

"Any news?" Kazuya asked as he sipped his coffee, ingesting the hot liquid slightly relieved his headache.

"The boys arrived in Moscow earlier today." Bruce turned one of the chairs in front of the desk toward the exit and casually sat down. "By this time tomorrow they'll be putting the doctor on a plane."

Doctor Geppetto Bosconovitch was the leading scientist in many fields, including genetics. Kazuya had tried to acquire his services legitimately and the doctor had refused even when Kazuya had offered more pay than he was sure anyone else had or would. He had refused to work for him based on what he had said was 'moral grounds'. Kazuya doubted that anyone conducting the types of experiments and research that Bosconovitch was undertaking was in any place to give lectures about morals. His refusal had forced Kazuya to take drastic measures and had resulted in his men flying to Russia to retrieve the doctor. Bruce had tried to convince him that it was too risky but he wouldn't hear of it, he needed the doctor to oversee the genetic experiments that his scientists were carrying out and would be essential to the success of the merger with G-Corporation. Once everything was in place and the tournament was over there would be no limit to what he could do, the kind of power that he could achieve with never before seen weapons at his disposal. There was also the possibility that he would be able to unlock Devil's full abilities without losing control and that was worth any risk.

"Good," Kazuya said as he sat back on the couch.

"I should be there." Bruce tapped his foot lightly on the floor. "I have a feeling they're going to fuck it up somehow."

"You chose them," Kazuya pointed accusingly at him, "so if they fuck it up somehow guess who will be held responsible?"

"You are not pinning this on me," Bruce said sitting up straight. "You said that you wanted me here, so if anything happens it's on you."

Kazuya shook his head in disagreement but knew that his point was valid. "Should be easy enough even without you there."

"You know," Bruce said leaning back in his chair, "after you chose Ganryu over me for the Ireland job and now with this Moscow thing, I'm starting to feel like you don't trust me as much as you say you do."

"Goddammit, Bruce," Kazuya said impatiently, "you sound like an insecure woman."

"Hey now, no need for name calling, I'm just saying I need some action, I'm starting to get bored, and you can't blame me for being nervous about sending my boys out on their own for the first time." Bruce laughed. "I guess this must be how parents feel when they send their kids on their first drive alone." He was silent for a moment as he drank his coffee then gave Kazuya a serious look. "You should really take care of that hand," he said pointing to it, "I had maintenance repair the camera in the elevator, I gave the man a little something to keep it quiet."

He rolled his eyes. "You know a threat works just as well. Stop squandering my money."

"I don't mind making a threat or carrying one out when I need to, but I want people on my side, people who are willing to take risks for me because they're loyal to me, not because they're afraid of me. They're more likely to turn on you when they fear you, before you know it they throw you under the bus if there's another big, bad wolf who can protect them from you."

"That hasn't been my experience." Kazuya countered.

"Not yet." Bruce shrugged. "You're a smart man, maybe you should consider changing your ways, get more people on your side."

"I let you get away with a lot, Bruce...but that doesn't mean that you can tell me how to run the Zaibatsu," Kazuya said menacingly.

Bruce raised up a hand in surrender. "All right, my apologies, boss." He shook his head, then sighed. "Do you want me to destroy the footage from that camera?"

"Did you see it?" The thought of anyone seeing him in such a vulnerable state made him feel uneasy.

"No." Bruce stood up and set his empty cup back on the food cart. "You know me, what happened in there is none of my business." He crossed his arms and looked soberly at him. "In all seriousness, though, if there's a dead body in the building I need to know so I can properly dispose of it."

Before Kazuya could answer there was a soft knock on the door and Sayuri entered.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but your first appointment is in an hour and I need to know if it should be rescheduled."

"Yes," Bruce answered. "He's going home, reschedule all of them."

"Sir?" She looked uncertainly at Kazuya.

Kazuya sighed, he knew there was nothing essential scheduled for the day but he didn't feel comfortable going home while his men were in Moscow, Bruce seemed to sense this. "You know you can trust me and Ganryu to give you status reports and handle anything that comes up."

"Fine." He said looking at Sayuri. "Cancel them all."

"Should I reschedule any?" She asked.

"Figure it out," Kazuya grumbled.

"Very well." She gave Bruce a sidelong glance then looked back at Kazuya. "I need to speak with you as soon as you're available."

"Fine." He said feeling suddenly irritated. Sayuri stepped out quietly and closed the door. "No," Kazuya said staring after her, "unfortunately there was no dead body."

"Oh, come on, her?" Bruce chuckled. "Don't kill her, looking at her is the only joy I've been able to find on this god-forsaken floor, you need better-looking staff up here."

"There are dozens of other floors where you can find joy." Kazuya screwed up his face in disgust and shook his head.

"It's not as easy as you might think," Bruce countered, "by the time I got here your brother had picked through the best ones already and I don't want to be where he's already been. I'm lucky he slowed down after getting serious with your secretary, otherwise there would be nothing left for me. It really helps that this place has a high turnover rate, otherwise I'd have to go off site to-"

Kazuya pinched the bridge of his nose. "I really, really don't want to hear about your sexual exploits." He knew Bruce was right, he needed to go home to shower and do some training in the dojo.

Bruce smirked. "You always say that, but-"

"I really don't want to hear about it," Kazuya said harshly. "And yes, erase the footage."

"Consider it done." He said walking toward the door. "When's your stuck-up brother coming back, anyway?" He asked before opening it.

"In a few days." He felt his headache returning. "That's one dead body you may actually find."

"And one I wouldn't mind finding, or getting rid of." He gestured toward the door. "And that would mean she would need some consoling."

"You just said you didn't want to be where he's already been." Kazuya reminded him.

"She would be his widow, or whatever you call a dead guy's girlfriend, not some discarded one-night-stand, it's not the same." He defended. "Anyway, I'll call you any time there's a change." He said before exiting.

Sayuri wasted no time knocking on his door once Bruce left the office. "May I speak with you, sir?" She asked somewhat timidly, he noticed that she was holding a first aid kit.

He looked down at his hand for the first time. There was dried blood on the knuckles and fingers, he could see small cuts and scrapes as well as a few tiny fragments of glass. There was slight pain and some discomfort, but he'd long since learned to ignore such trivial things. He looked suspiciously at Sayuri but nodded, she put the kit on his desk and opened it.

"Why are you doing this?" He asked sure that she had a goal in mind.

"If Lee was here this is what he would have me do, please." She motioned to one of the chairs in front of the desk. "It looks like it just needs to be cleaned, but if you prefer I can have someone from the lab come up to do it."

Kazuya took the seat. "So this is about Lee."

"Can you please put your hand on the desk?" She asked as she extracted a pair of small tweezers from the kit.

"You're not even going to wear gloves?" Kazuya asked her.

"I just washed my hands, but if it bothers you that much I can do that." He shook his head. "You're right, this is about Lee." She said.

"What about him? Are you going to tell me where he is?"

"I don't know where he is." She said as she set the rest of the supplies she would need on the desk. "I want to know what I need to do to keep you from ruining his career and his reputation."

"And to save your relationship, of course, to keep me quiet."

She smiled sadly as she began to carefully pluck glass from his knuckles with the tweezers. "A couple of days ago, yes, but now..." She sighed heavily. "I've been thinking it over since you told me what he did...what you think he did, and I'm certain that he didn't steal from you."

"How are you so certain?"

She shrugged. "I just am." She looked his hand over and seemed satisfied, she took a cotton ball and moistened it with rubbing alcohol then began to clean off the dried blood. "I think you know it too, you know he wouldn't do that."

"He's the only one with access to those accounts, there's no way around that. He stole from me, he committed a crime and he has to pay for it."

"He's not a criminal."

Kazuya chuckled. "How much does he tell you about what really goes on behind closed doors."

She looked affronted. "Not much, I admit, but I know that whatever he does he does it for you, because you ask him." She said as she continued to carefully clean his hand. "And he's loyal to you, he always has been, so the least you could do is not press charges against him, not make it public."

"I told you before that I owe him nothing, but you said you were here to ask what you had to do to keep me from doing that. What are you willing to do?"

When she looked at him there was uncertainty in her eyes. "I don't know."

"Are you willing to commit a murder? Sleep with a client?"

"Maybe...If it means that he keeps his freedom...I-I don't know." She closed her eyes and shook her head slightly. "Is that what you need me to do?"

He was honestly surprised by her answer, he was beginning to see a side of her that he had no idea existed, he wondered if even Lee knew about it. "I don't understand you. One minute you're trying to hurt him, willingly betray him and doom your relationship and the next you're prepared to kill for him."

"Yeah," she chuckled slightly, "I've been a mess since he left, you don't make things easy." She sighed. "We all have our moments of bad judgment, make decisions that we regret and wish we could take back. Don't you?"

"No." He said truthfully. "I always know what I'm getting into and am prepared to live with the consequences."

She rolled her eyes. "Of course you are."

He pulled his hand away suddenly angry. "I've seen this attitude from you all morning, it needs to stop right now."

She cast down her eyes and began to dispose of the used supplies in the waste basket. "I apologize for that, I didn't know what working for you was really like, I've always had Lee to protect me from your worst. I'm just trying to adjust to a hostile environment, that's why my attitude has been all over the place, but I learn quickly. I won't let my personal feelings for you interfere with my work performance again."

Her answer, though seemingly truthful, did nothing to improve his mood. "Meaning you'll lie your way through the workday, pretend you don't hate me."

"That's what I've done for my previous employers, and hate is a very strong word, I don't hate anyone, including you." She said as she put the remaining supplies in back in the case.

"What is it then?"

"A deep dislike." She said looking into his eyes as she sat in the remaining chair.

Kazuya crossed his arms. "So Lee protects you from me and now you're trying to return the favor?"

She sighed impatiently. "No, this has nothing to do with what he's done for me or even guilt for that matter."

"Then why?" He asked genuinely curious.

"You wouldn't understand." She turned her face away.

What a sweet girl, Kazuya inwardly sighed as he heard Devil's voice, it seems that she truly does care about your brother. How disappointing, I was hoping that she was a heartless bitch.

No, she doesn't, I will prove it.

He thought for a moment. "I'm going to make you an offer, say yes because you'll never hear it again." She turned to look at him with a worried expression on her face. "Resign your position, tell me where you want to work and I'll make sure you are hired, turn your back on all this, leave him to fend for himself and move on with your life."

She shook her head and spoke without hesitation. "I can't do that."

You are wrong.

No, I'm not.

"What's the worst thing you've ever done?" He asked trying a different approach.

She looked uncomfortable as she pressed her fingers to her temple. "You already know, you were there."

"So you go from cheating on your boyfriend to murder?" He asked incredulously. "That's quite the leap, people usually learn to swim before willingly jumping into the deep end. Again, why would you do that for him? I'm sure someone like you can easily find another man to protect you and buy you diamonds."

She shook her head seemingly angry. "Yes, of course, I can, but his money has nothing to do with it. Haven't you ever felt the need to...protect someone? To..." She took notice of his blank expression and scoffed. "I told you, you won't understand."

"Why do you think I'm incapable of understanding?" He asked now angry himself. He wanted Devil to be wrong, he wanted to know that she was just another of Lee's gold-digging girlfriends.

Why do you want that? Don't tell me you're envious of him.

It's not envy.

She looked uncertain as she spoke. "...Because you are the type of person who plots to ruin his own brother's life." Her brow furrowed and she looked condemningly at him. "He's done nothing to you."

Devil sighed. Apparently, women have to choose between being smart or pretty.

Kazuya looked disbelievingly at her as he felt his body tense and his headache worsen. "He's done nothing to me?" His anger surged. "Is that what he tells you?"

She seemed worried as she crossed her arms protectively in front of her but continued to speak. "No, but from what I've been able to piece together...I understand your resentment because your father chose him over you, but you can't blame Lee for that. It was your father's choice, your anger should be directed at him, not Lee, he's a victim just like you." She quickly looked away as she finished.

Devil laughed. Someone should tell her that honesty isn't always best.

"...Get out." He felt the urge to strike her and knew that if she didn't leave immediately it was something that he might do.

She stood up and exited quietly without saying another word closing the door softly behind her.

I'm embarrassed for your brother, Devil said casually, aren't you?

What?

You shouldn't envy him, you should pity him. A woman is fighting his battles behind his back, making him look weak and cowardly.

I don't envy him, I just... He searched his mind for the right words but it was suddenly difficult to think. Things come too easily to him, he doesn't deserve what she's doing for him. And the way she lies for him every day is sickening, does he know what she's really like? Kazuya began to feel a tingling in the back of his skull. I need to go home.

It's what a woman does I suppose, it can't be helped. Lies to him, lies for him and makes him weak.

Kazuya went to his desk and pulled his briefcase out of the drawer. He's done nothing to me? He's just like me? I'll make her regret what she said, she'll learn the true meaning of the word victim. He took his jacket and tie from the coat rack before walking out of the office.

Finally, it's been a while since I've had some real fun. I was beginning to fear that thinking about that other woman was making you soft.

"Sir?" He heard Sayuri say as he stepped out, she was sitting at her desk and had the phone to her ear.

He glared at her. "What?"

He was pleased to see fear in her eyes. "Um...Miss Kazama is on the phone, should I transfer her to your office?"

"No. I don't want to speak with her." His headache intensified as he said those words.

"What should I tell her?"

"I just told you." He said as he made his way to the door.

I knew you would make the right choice. Devil said approvingly. Now let's leave this building, it's been a while since you last let me stretch my wings.


A/N: Here you have it, I hope this is a coherent chapter, I've been sleep deprived for the past year and it's starting to catch up to me, so if there's something that doesn't make sense let me know and I'll try to fix it. I know that some people may not agree with my portrayal of Angel or with some of the choices I've made and will make, if that's the case I hope you'll stick around and give me a chance anyway, I would truly appreciate it. I hope you all enjoy it, thank you for reading.