Sachi Gosetsuke: Woo-hoo! Oh yeah! I'm done with this chapter! Woo! Finally! (seriously guys, I was doing the conga as I uploaded this chapter) Yeah, would've updated this sooner, if not for the bad news just recently dropped upon me not-so long ago :/
Innocent Nightmare: holy tortillas! You're back! –seizures- lol it's been ages since I've seen you here! But then again, I haven't been back here in a while, so I could've missed a lot…
Paulien: lol you're a dork. But I love you anyway. –hands an egg roll- lay off the caffeine a bit, Mom.
Oh yeah…I hate to disappoint you guys, but that's all I'm gonna give out for the tournament. At least, for the 5th tournament…:)
DISCLAIMER: Asuka and any other Tekken characters are all property of Namco. Kenichi is the sole property of Psychoblue. Don't even debate with me.
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Ch. 11: A New Beginning
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A Month LaterJaw-dropping sky-scrappers. Bustling people. Neon lights and busy streets. Japan's capital.
Tokyo City.
The concrete jungle of Japan's modern world.
Thousands of people, young and old, all wandering about in Tokyo, all with different purposes, different lives, trying to make a living for themselves or just exploring Tokyo's vast shopping industries. Few stopping to stare at the world around them. Few stopping to reflect on the events of their life that led them to the exact point here in Tokyo. Just millions of faces in a crowd.
But one was not in the crowd.
Away from the city's chaos and a numerous of high advance transportation…a red robin was soaring along the horizon, coming from the direction of the sun.
The bird was just exploring, flying, opening its wings and enjoying its freedom within the blue skies. This bird craved for open space, to feel the wind against its wings, and to just soar. After many struggles caused by mankind, this bird was finally able to stretch its wings all over again…and it was flying free, finally.
And high atop Tokyo Tower, Tokyo's main and highest skyscraper…was a teenaged girl, whose life was not too different from the robin's. A strong gust of wind blew from behind her, but instead she welcomed it. And as the wind calmed down, the robin flew past her. As it did so, Asuka Kazama flew by with it on her mountain bike.
She pedaled faster and faster, the wind in her auburn hair, a grin forming on her lips as she raced the robin. Heart pumping, adrenaline rushing, her thrill-seeking senses were on overdrive as the edge of the building came nearer, and nearer.
At last, the bird flew away from the building with Asuka on it's heels…and Asuka flew off the building as well, free of the concrete ground beneath the tires of her bike.
For a split-second in her lifetime, the world seemed to pause its rotation…it seemed as if Mother Earth took a deep breath with Asuka as well, as time stood still and Asuka stayed, for a fraction of a second, in Tokyo city's skyline.
Like flying. Almost.
And then she was free falling.
With a joyful yelp, she shifted her and her bike's weight upwards, and landed unharmed and safe and sound on another building.
And this was only her Sunday morning routine.
All too quickly, but not quick enough to catch her off guard, the ground disappeared once more as she again rode with the winds and scraped the skies with her tires. Readying herself for the next building, a fuzzy brown object caught her eye.
Turning her head, she saw a defenseless kitten struggling to climb the edge of a supermarket's building.
Jerking her bike upwards once more, almost ten seconds too late, she quickly jumped to a nearby fire escape, grinding the railings with her bike. She ricocheted off the railings, and kicked off another nearby building and snatched the kitten, saving it from its nasty fate with the concrete ground.
Jumping off the building's railings, she landed on the ground, scaring off a bunch of people…yet she was skidding to a perfect halt, cuddling the kitten.
"Tokie!" child's voice cried out with relief. A small child in a baseball cap, ripped jeans and sneakers came running towards Asuka, and a beam on his face.
"Here you go, kid," Asuka said brightly, handing the cat Tokie to its owner.
"Arigato! Arigato!" he said, bowing over and over again to Asuka. The child turned and ran off…but not before the baseball cap fell off, revealing a mane of long, auburn hair.
Asuka raised an eyebrow, watching the little girl run back to retrieve her cap. The girl ran off again to a group of boys her age, and she joined them to a game of soccer.
Asuka smiled to herself, as she perched back on her bike and rode off. I guess the generation of tomboyism isn't dead after all, Asuka mused to herself. You see something new everyday…
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"Kazama, over here!"
Turning her head, Asuka saw a girl just a year older than her. Running towards her with a familiar looking guy, the girl's straight, blue-black (1) hair flew past her, her usual beam bright on her face.
Asuka returned the smile and waved back at her fellow classmate. "Hey Hazuki!" she called back.
Catching up to Asuka, the girl dragged along a dark-haired, fair-skinned, olive complexion Caucasian boy just Hazuki's age. He gave a sheepish grin to Asuka and stuffed his hands into his pockets.
"Hey, Asuka," he said brightly, yet timidly. Asuka smiled back at the tall boy.
"Hey, Collin," she replied cheerfully.
Hazuki shot a knowing look at Collin, and nudged him in the ribs and raised an eyebrow.
Asuka suppressed a smirk. She knew very well that since the first day she came to the 3WC's Junior Division, Collin had been developing a crush on her. Hazuki was always hinting on how well the two of them "meshed."
Yet Asuka wasn't interested. Really. Sure he was really sweet, handsome, intelligent, and thoughtful…yet her heart told her otherwise, telling her to wait a little, and her feelings for him never went beyond simple friendship.
Besides. He was shy. Overprotective. And too safe. It took more than that and charm to win her heart…
Hazuki flipped her sleek long hair back and said, "So, what do you do all the time up at Tokyo Tower? Not planning on jumping off, are you?" She chuckled at her own little joke.
Asuka bit back a grin and glanced at her mountain bike that she had just finished locking to a bike railing. "Oh, just needed a bit of air," she said vaguely.
Hazuki brushed away her simple reply. "Anyways," she said boldly, "Me and Collin were just running some errands. And tomorrow a group of friends and us are going to this club. Care to join?"
Asuka replied with a nonchalant shrug. "Sure."
Hazuki grinned triumphantly and draped her arms around Asuka's and Collin's shoulders, making them walk closer together. "Great!" she said, sneaking away from them and admiring her "matchmaking work" from up ahead.
Collin smiled apologetically at Asuka and whispered close to her ear, "Sorry. Didn't even know we were running errands together…or going to a club for that matter."
Asuka chuckled softly and replied, "Hey, that's Hazuki for you." She placed her hands at the back of her head and walked on.
She liked Hazuki. She was a little too loud and a little too bold and overbearing…but she was nice. She helped her out on the first day she got to Tokyo and had kept on helping her out since. They shared a dorm together as well.
But Hazuki reminded her a little of Megumi. Always trying to set her up with a guy, trying to find a perfect "girl-ish" outfit for her, flirting, shopping, gossiping…and when she thought about Megumi, she thought about Osaka, and her father, and Mrs. Sanada, and…
"Anyone in there?" Megumi jibed, snapping Asuka back to reality.
"Huh?" she replied dumbly.
Megumi shook her head. "Oh, never mind, Kazama." She sighed irritably, and shot a look at Collin and jerked her head back at Asuka, cueing him.
Taking it, he cleared his throat a little, and stammered, "So…er…nice day we're having, right?"
Suppressing the urge to roll her eyes, she only smiled and nodded. He was trying too hard.
A wave of relief flooded through her as they reached the pharmacy.
Hazuki entered first, Asuka and Collin trailing behind. Being the gentleman he was, Collin opened the door for Asuka, and followed close behind her.
Instinctive discomfort crawled up her skin, yet she brushed it off. It's been a while since she had any guy crushing on her, after all.
But sometimes she wondered why she never really did let Collin in. Why did she reject him so? He was sweet, sweeter than any guy for that matter, or at least he wasn't one of those assholes who expected all girls to open their legs for them. And he could make her laugh, and actually listened more than he showed off. Asuka could tell that he would be a perfect catch, someone who would definitely love her, help her…so why not give him a chance?
Behind her, she heard the distinct sound of several magazines falling off its rack, and perhaps the rack falling along with them. Collin quickly stuttered a lame apology.
She sighed inwardly. Maybe that was why.
Hurrying up to Hazuki, she took her by the arm and slipped away from Collin behind the deodorant aisle.
"Hazuki, what are you trying to do to me?" Asuka hissed in despair.
"Oh c'mon, Asuka!" Hazuki argued. "Collin's a nice guy, the least you can do is be kind back to him, and perhaps give him a chance."
Asuka sighed. "Hazuki, I'm not interested, or for any love-searching quests for that matter. I'm not looking for a boyfriend, or the one just yet, ok?"
"Well, what do you know? Maybe there's more to Collin than you think. Maybe he is "the One.""
Asuka rolled her eyes. "Please, you think Collin is fit enough to be my true love? He just knocked down a magazine rack for God's sake."
"Zuki, Collin is a sweet guy…and he really likes you, you know…"
Asuka sighed again. It was true that he was in love with her. And he is really nice. But still…
"Hazuki, I'm just not interested. Collin is my friend. Nothing more, and nothing less."
Hazuki let out a frustrating groan. "Kami, Asuka, you are messed up! I'll never be able to get you, Kazama! Never! When the time comes when someone finally breaks through your shell, it won't be me, my friend. Nope!"
Asuka grinned and hugged her into a headlock. "You love me," she teased.
Hazuki untangled herself from Asuka and huffed. "Whatever. We need bathroom stuff for our dorm, by the way."
Still grinning, Asuka followed Hazuki out of the aisle and back to Collin.
Collin looked at the two girls' expression (well, at Asuka), and asked, "What?"
"Nothing," Asuka answered brightly.
"Nothing," Hazuki answered back grumpily.
Chuckling to herself, she took Collin by the hand and said, "Here, help me pick out some snacks, Collin." Just for Hazuki's sake.
At the snack aisle, Asuka asked in a mock-serious manner, "Hmm, what'll it be, Collin? Hershey Kisses or Lays?"
"Better take the Kisses," Collin said seriously, "Heard they really help girls like you."
He grinned and added a bag of barbeque chips to her basket. "Yeah, and those too."
Asuka batted her eyes flirtatiously. "Oh? To, "pump up our minds" or, "perk us up a bit?""
"Both," he answered, "And they're really good."
She laughed and handed him low-carb slim-fast bars. "You definitely need to loose some lbs., no offense."
He laughed and said, "Yeah, but you're paying for it."
"Well, then pay for the chips and chocolate."
He smiled charmingly. The smile that usually got girls melting…and had no affect on Asuka. "Ok, you pay for half, and I'll pay for the chips."
Asuka grinned and high-fived him. "Fine. Loser."
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Asuka walked out of the store, in a happier mood, carrying a bag filled with chips, Kisses, and toothpaste. Behind her, Collin called back at to her.
"Yeah?" Asuka asked, trying not to sound irritated.
He smiled sheepishly, and tugged her gently away from Hazuki's suspicious gaze. "I, uh, have a project to do for my Photos class," he explained, running a hand through his dark tresses.
Asuka nodded, "And?"
Collin replied, "And, I was wondering, maybe you and I could, uh, sorta ditch Hazuki and, uh…take a walk through a park or something, and…you know, f-for photos?" he stammered nervously at the last part, holding out his camera.
Asuka gave a super-sweet apologetic smile. "Gee, Collin, that sounds nice, but I had to catch up on some of my training…" A walk to the park, especially with a friend sounded nice, yet when it comes to later in the day during a Sunday, it was Asuka-time, and Asuka-time was spent best alone sorting out thoughts.
Asuka tried not to let the expression on his face change her mind as he replied quietly, "Oh…right. I understand." The old smile came back. "Maybe some other time?"
She returned the expression and answered, "Course."
He pivoted off with a wave. "See you later, I guess."
"See you…"
Asuka stuck her hands into her pockets and made her way towards the bike rack.
Whistling a tuneless song, she hopped on her beloved mountain bike, and pedaled away, full speed ahead, skillfully and just narrowing missing the people in front of her.
The city flashes by in colorful displays, of blurred scenery, the never ending seas of strangers and neon lights just beginning to brighten deafeningly as the day began to darken. With the wind on the back of her neck, in her hair, and the fragments of the city's dust and gravel gathering at the tires of her bike, she pedaled on, ignoring the complaints of the people jumping away. This didn't slow her down. The sun, heavy and hot on the horizon, began to lower into its set, and the lazy swirls of pink and orange turned lavender, and blue. Deja vu. But she pedaled on.
All she needed was this freedom. The freedom to ride, and to keep riding on. This freedom, here in Tokyo, was probably the freedom that she really needed. This was probably the cure to her sorrow of yesterday, sorrow that she only truly experienced just a month ago…
It's this freedom that made her forget that there ever was a time when she wasn't herself. Almost.
Memories of the past throbbed in the back of her mind. Like the annoying buzz of a mosquito. But she brushed it away and let the wind blow on, carrying it away the sins of the past, keeping its secrets in the dark shadows of her mind, locked in Pandora's box, and she relished the feel of the wind in her hair to purify her wounds and to numb the memories temporarily. Like a bird flying around in its open space, depending on the wind beneath its wing to support her.
All in all, life in Tokyo had been wonderful. Exactly what she needed. Not once did she spend her time moping around aimlessly, spending time in the past, and crying…she proved her word right that she wouldn't go all "emo." Instead, she went exploring, going through exciting times in the city, having loads of fun at her WWWC classes…in fact, she was possibly the youngest top student in her Junior Division. It must run through the family.
It was a perfect way to start all over. Here, she was only Asuka Kazama, fresh age of 18, college student and 3WC Junior Officer, and skillful at martial arts…no one had to know exactly how skilled she was or how she used to beat up people around her neighborhood, or that she grew up with no mother, and nobody knew of her pain and depression that took part in the past…so all in all, no one really had to know that one wrong move could have them on the ground with one swift and painful kick from her.
She honestly didn't mind. No one to judge her, no one to fear her. She respected in a way most were. However, she still stood out in her own special way. It was something that she couldn't necessarily control, nor minded.
There were those few people who recognized her from the tournament. They all retold the tale to her, how they were struck awe at her last fight with her bitter enemy…being complimented and admired so was a guilty pleasure she allowed to take over her exasperating memories of defeat.
Life, so far, was perfect…in the meantime.
She stopped her bike at a quiet park. It was the only park where it was actually quiet. It was strange to think that there could actually be someplace peaceful, and with less inhabitants to intrude upon here on Tokyo. Less excitement. Almost like that small empty space within one's soul.
She parked her bike against the stone wall, and walked about, letting the quarter moon's light to guide her. The night was just beginning to darken, as the evening crept on faster and turned into night.
Yet she wasn't fazed, as she carried on almost lazily. After all, she was ace prowess in her own Kazama-ryu. Any creep who tried to mess with her would just end up with their face in the concrete. And if they were lucky enough, it wouldn't be in there permanently.
So it didn't come as a surprise when she realized she was being followed.
She walked on, more alert and on her guard, but she didn't let her appearance show it. All she wanted was this stranger to think she was an innocent, naïve college student, so that when he attacked, she would…
There was movement behind her. She turned. And just a couple yards away, there was a blurry silhouette. Tall. Bulky…and dangerous.
She narrowed her eyes, almost challenging the stranger to come nearer, checking to see if this figure was something to worry about. But he didn't move. Instead he stood at his spot, hidden by the shadows, staring back at her…or at least, she assumed he was staring back at her. After all, he was hidden in the dark, his face not able to be detected by her suspecting eyes, unreadable, a mystery…
And quick as a flash, he ran away.
Instinct made her run after him, though the back of her mind said, Let him go…yet something in her heart, something in the pit of her stomach, something in the roots of her tingling skin and shiver running up her spine told her that she must follow, that there was something to this figure that she knew she had to risk danger and just run after.
He ran fast, but not fast enough. A great distance away, she was still able to keep up with him, his dark back always in her vision. The man was smart to run away from the many people behind them. They reached a dark alley way, where she knew that it wouldn't be smart to go into and chase this stranger…but she kept running on, not knowing why she was still running, why she was still chasing after him, what she excepted to get out of this and what she was running for…
Her breath came in gasps, but she was used to this, since she's had many years of martial arts, soccer, and track. Her heart was hammering wildly in her chest, her legs running faster and faster, a surge of adrenaline pumping through her veins…and the curiosity within her that told her something was up.
Or perhaps the familiarity of the stranger running away from her.
He made an unexpected turn behind a brick wall, throwing her off guard, but she ran after him and turned as well. And all she found was a telephone booth, a dark, lone alleyway with a lamppost shining deafeningly to the ground.
And she was alone again.
She sighed in frustration, and ran a shaky hand through her hair. She turned around and saw just how much ground they had covered, and cursed herself for doing something to irrational and stupid.
Great, she thought angrily, I just stapled a sign on my forehead saying "Idiot" and scared a way a poor stranger, and now I'm miles away from my bike—
The phone rang.
She looked at the ringing phone in the musty telephone booth and tilted her head in confusion.
I didn't know you could call a telephone booth…
She looked around as if trying to find some passerby who could coincidentally know the answer to this predicament she was in. to answer, or to just walk away. Well she had many opportunities to just walk away from the stranger. So might as well…
She walked over to the telephone booth and took the phone from its cradle. She tentatively put it in her ear, hoping that there would be no response, just planning to place it back right away and once again wondering what the hell she was doing…
"Moshi, moshi?" (2)
"…"
Nothing but silence. And the annoying ticking of her wristwatch that suddenly seemed to be blasting away.
"Uh, hello?" she tried again. Then she scowled. "What the hell am I doing? Oh my God, yeah, I'll just talk to myself for a bit here, and—,"
"You are in danger."
She froze, her heart skipping a beat. "…Wh…What did you say…?"
"Go back home and stay there. Forget what you know. Forget everything."
Her confusion built up and her heart sped up. She practically screamed, "Hey, what are you--?"
T-click.
Nothing. Nothing but the dial tone, and her ticking wristwatch, and her fast breath and hammering heart. And the deafening sound of silence.
You are in danger.
What did they mean, she was in danger? Who was this person? What was going on?
…And what did they mean, forget what she knew? What did she know?
And then, the bird realized once more, that no matter how long she flew, how fast she flew…she could not escape her past.
Apparently, Life had many more unfortunate events in stored for Asuka. In the distance, she could almost hear the crooning sound of a bird's sad coo. She shivered, the hairs on her neck standing as the wind came in and whistled a familiar tune. She recognized it as the winds of change.
She came to Tokyo to begin a new life, to start over. What a new life she was about to begin…
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Sachi: grr. The ending sucked. Sorry. I just wanted to end this quickly.
Oh yeah, and pay close attention to this chapter…'cause the next chapter or the chapter after that, will be the end. Sorry. It's been a fun ride.
(1) I chose blue-black for her hair color for a reason…'cause it's now my new hair color xD
(2) Moshi, moshi – it's how they answer the phone in Japan.