Disclaimer: No more school for me, la de doo de deee.
When you're logging on to Fan-Fiction, you know that picture thing where it asks you to read some words? Well, I was once asked by it to identify 'Religious Baloney' Well, who said that the admin had no humour?
Some people reading this may notice a new chain of events from the original. Well, there's a simple reason for all this. I'VE CHANGED THE ENDING! Yeah, so keep your eyes open for changes.
No updates for a while. Holiday season hath begun, and I shall be in Menorca trying to get as much shade as possible. (Shrugs shoulders) The sun makes me look like a raspberry ripple. I'm British, so it happens.
Chapter 2 – Rivals Meet
It was the comfort that kept Morris awake. Being a vagrant, he had become accustomed to a hard gravel bed and a pillow of a dustbin. He could never say life was hard for him. More so, it was custom built. Stealing enough to keep him going, and determinedly having as much as he could while he did. And it had become such as that a roof above him became torture. He decided to sleep in a tree instead. Walking outside, fully clothed, he found the sturdiest tree.
"This'll do." He murmured, leaping once, quickly and strongly, and grasped the said tree. Pulling himself up in one powerful sweep, he slammed down on the sturdy branch. Thankful to his near-feather weight, the branch held. He allowed his spine to fit neatly into a small crevasse, and his eyes gazed upward to the stars, allowing him to take in the amazing sight. Morris smiled. He had wanted to be an astronaut when he was five, and fond memories of star gazing remained to cause pangs of bliss when he saw what little stars he ever did in his hurly-burly life of the cityscape. Thinking of happy thoughts, he closed his eyes.
He regretted it several minutes later.
His reverie was a nastily alien one. He usually dreamt dreams of his own choosing. Such thoughts shall not be described though, for the persistent reader, mentioning young women wearing a devilish smirk and not much else should point you in the right direction. However, Morris was disturbed to find that his new summoned sexual fancy wasn't quite responsive to his passes. Or indeed his speech. Or indeed him, other than the fact that she was quite plainly staring down at him.
In fact, something told Morris that he had no influence in what happened here. Damn it. He thought. He rolled his eyes, which really shouldn't be possible if you're dreaming, though this thought didn't strike into Morris as he patiently waited for reality to return.
However, it was still a show for Morris. The young woman who stood over him had the grace not to button her shirt at the top, and her raven black hair graced her shoulders with its brilliant shining majesty. And her face, Morris thought, was simply brilliant. Soft, warm and full, her eyes shining with a spotlight of chestnut brown. Her forehead knotted in concern, though, made Morris wonder if his erection wasn't quite enough to impress her. He thought desperately, but nothing happened. She sighed.
"This isn't what I expected." She murmured slightly. Morris bit his lip. That wasn't quite what he expected. Then he heard a noise, and not an inviting one. A low, vicious growling, all too dangerous to be friendly. Not exactly loud, but imposing. The woman looked around nervously, and looked back down to Morris. "Still, it's got to happen." She said, as the white background started to swirl with red. She bent down and placed her hand over Morris's eyes, concealing his eyes. And everything blacked out.
Err… I won? Yey for me. Morris finally asked himself. He didn't dream for the rest of that night.
Five days. Five days of looking at a broken and beloved ally, cindered and fallen before her. Memories of happiness surrounded, now unable to uplift her, as the greatest loss she had ever suffered chanted before her, nagging at her thoughts and stabbing at her heart. People came and went with apologies, and left shortly after, with no ability to make her feel better. A small group of friends even came back telling her they found the man responsible, and he had absolutely hammered all of them. Great, she thought. My friend broken and now she and I have been humiliated by a drunk.
It had been five days and Xiaoyu still hadn't left Panda's side since the accident. The oddly motionless animal lay there, occasionally opening her eyes when the strength returned momentarily. When she did, she looked to Xiaoyu to only give a hint of a smile, before drifting back into the cold haunting unconsciousness that made her health uncertain. The doctor's insisted that she would be just fine, but Xiaoyu still felt like she had a hole in her life.
"First Jin, now you. When will this end?" Xiaoyu muttered. Her raven black pigtails hung from the side of her head. They seemed to show her depression, hanging like ropes from an unused gallows, albeit if her porcelain features didn't match the colours of any wood.
"If you want to enter the next tournament and hope to win, you better get training, young Xiaoyu." Xiaoyu turned around to the speaker. It was her grandfather, Wang Jinrei. The old man was well over a hundred and going strong. His white beard had now reached his waist. Xiaoyu rolled her eyes at her beloved ancestor. Even indoors, he refused to remove his hat. As much as he concealed it and denied the fact, his completely bald head embarrassed him. Xiaoyu would often at his sight attempt to knock his headgear off, but today she couldn't muster the humour necessary.
"Gramps, if you're going to push me again, forget it. I almost won last time. If Paul hadn't power punched me, I would have faced Heihachi, who isn't the fastest of people, and won the tournament." Xiaoyu moaned.
"It's not a matter of if. It's a matter of making sure it doesn't happen again. I was defeated by Kazuya Mishima last time, yet I wasn't allowed to carry on because I might have won." Jinrei replied, taking his time in answering. Typical, thought Xiaoyu. Don't get rushed, just make sure everyone else is. "You hope for too much and plan for too little."
"I've practised for ages. A few days won't hurt. I have to stay by Panda." Xiaoyu said with determination rattling in her voice.
"If Miharu came and suggested shopping, you'd be off in a trice." Jinrei pointed at her accusingly. Xiaoyu only just managed to resist the temptation to ask if such proceedings were to occur.
"That's a lie!" She almost yelled finally. Then the red head they both knew to be Miharu walked in, her purse displayed perceptibly in her hand.
"Hey! Xiao! There's a new clothes shop over in the centre. Five minutes on bus. Wanna come?" She asked in her childish voice. Xiaoyu almost said yes, but remembered her challenge to Jinrei. She wanted to at least have one victory in the argument, as just about everything else she said was as rehearsed as a high-brow Romeo and Juliet production.
"No thanks, Miharu. I've got to stay." Xiaoyu said. Miharu moaned, drooping her shoulders in mock disappointment.
"I guess I have to stay too, then." She chose a spot. "Though we're missing out, Xiao. I saw the best. Dress. Ever!" Jinrei tried to block out the incessant gibbering about some silk dress that is no different to any other silk dress but happened to be worth mentioning. However, after a pathetic four minutes (pathetic in his own context, as he is used to great stress. If anyone else were to attempt listening to Xiaoyu and Miharu's average conversation any longer than this time, they would probably end up getting arrested for mass murder and a grand theft auto) he lost it, letting out all his rage in one loud burst.
"It's always clothes with the younger generation! If it's not denim, it's bloody leather! I'm going for a walk." Jinrei said forcefully, before walking out of the room. He had only just closed the door, and he slumped to the floor in eternal sadness to hear the conversation continue as if nothing had even happened.
"If Xiaoyu's going to enter, she'll need something beyond a miracle." Jinrei mused to himself.
Morris awoke with a painful headache circling in his head, the pain rattling side to side in his skull. He was, of course, used to this. Hangovers had become as staple a part of his life as breakfast from somebody else's platter, or a good refreshing morning jog running away from the police after sleeping on one of the cars, or even the smooth feel of somebody else's wallet. However, he wasn't quite used to having disapproving looks shot at him from below. People wear usually above him at those times.
He slowly allowing the light to finally focus itself so the blurs took shapes. Morris gave one glance to his onlookers. Asuka and her father. At first it was impossible to tell the difference between the two, until he looked down slightly and noticed the lack of breasts and the far less feminine dress sense, and Morris could take a relatively easy guess. It was Asuka who looked the least annoyed, though whatever it was for; Morris decided the answer would be pretty petty.
"What are you doing in that tree?" Mr Kazama growled. Morris rolled his eyes. He guessed, he shoots, he scores.
"Sitting." He answered, lowering himself slowly. "I was sleeping. What time is it?"
"It's noon on the dot, Morris." Asuka said, a smirk trying to force its way onto her face as she held it back. Morris's eyes widened.
"That early?" He asked, genuinely shocked. Asuka's grin finally showed itself, and she bit her lip in trying not to laugh. Her father poked Morris in the chest, once, dangerously.
"That tree was planted by my sister a few short months before her death. I'd expect you to show it some small shred of respect, though then I remember that it's you we're talking about." He growled. Morris looked back into Mr Kazama's eyes, deciding to stare him down. The night before hadn't been a brilliant meeting either. Though Morris expected no better. He had attempted to pee in a fountain until somebody told him it wasn't a urinal. However, by then he already had done his business, so maybe he didn't leave quite such a good impression.
Mr Kazama found that, even in his state of fury, he had to back down the stare that Morris gave, though not because Morris could outstare him. "I would ask you not to cross your eyes when I'm talking to you." He asked curtly. Then he looked back to him. "Can you even comprehend the spiritual power of that tree?" Morris turned around. Then he did what could possibly be one of the worse things to do in his life. He knocked on it.
"Hello?" He asked, pressing his ear against it. Even Asuka felt a pang of hurt. She had never met her aunt, though she was precious to her father, and the friend of her father was a friend of Asuka's. Morris turned back. "No need to call Bill Murray. Nothing about this…" Then he had to stop in mid-sentence, largely due to the massive flock of birds that swooped into him. It took three hours for Morris to pluck them all away.
The foot smashed into the wall, embedding a large hole into the granite surface, creating a good foothold for Morris to balance himself in. He waited for his chance, and when he saw it, he threw himself at Mr Kazama, who retaliated with a sharp punch in front of him. Morris rolled to the side of the punch, and drummed his hand into the lower of the enemy's spine. However, he felt a buck kick to the face shortly afterwards. However, Asuka's father buckled from the pain of the previous attack.
Morris was flung to the floor after that kick. He slapped his hand down, dispelling all pressure and cushioning his fall. He moved his legs skilfully and tripped Asuka's father to the floor. He then rolled over him and tried to put his opponent into a pin. However, the short haired opponent slipped underneath Morris and, getting on top, held Morris' neck, hoping to pull him over. Morris grabbed the arm and rolled forwards. He carried on, crushing Asuka's father several times. The young girl watched intently, the spinning forms almost on equal terms. However, she knew that Morris would eventually tire and make mistakes, as he always did. Soon, she noticed that Morris had misplaced his foot, and was tripped and flattened. However, with every fight, Morris lasted longer. This round took a good hour or so.
"Once again, I win. You need more practise if you hope to win." Her father said. He tried to sound disapproving, but Asuka and Morris knew he thought highly of Morris' style of fighting. It was fast, unrelenting and near unique in its use of the surroundings. Morris sat down again, his back to Asuka's father. He clapped his hands and got up. Morris tried to clap but missed and fell to the floor. Asuka didn't even try and think about how this was even possible. He rolled onto his feet. Asuka's father grabbed Morris' shoulders and tried to throw him to the floor. However, Morris simply spun around the back of Asuka's father and, locking his hands and putting his arms underneath his opponent's diaphragm, dragged him over his chest. Asuka's father hit the ground, but before he could react, Morris flipped over and did the same throw again. Morris got up. Asuka's father put his hand on his forehead as it throbbed in pain.
"That was….. unanticipated." Asuka's father admitted. Asuka knew that this as close as he would get to saying Morris was a good fighter. He didn't like to admit defeat, something Asuka had in turn inherited. Morris was suddenly distracted. His stomach screamed for satisfaction.
"When's the food being served?" Morris asked. Asuka's father rolled his eyes.
"You just can't stay focused, that's your problem. Motivation's what you lack. Otherwise…" Asuka's father sighed heavily and carried on reluctantly. "You're a brilliant fighter. I'll kill myself if I ever have to say that again." Morris followed his stomach, however.
"Now?"
"Oh, piss off!" Asuka's father dismissed his pupil in a slightly less polite manner than he would anyone else. Morris ran off towards the dojo canteen. Asuka followed. However, she noticed he never got to the canteen, as he had been tackled by a sheep.
"Where the hell do all these animals keep coming from?" He asked, shooing the sheep away. Amazingly, it obeyed. He watched in surprise as it seemed to know what he wanted.
"I must admit, Dad's right. You've got two days 'til the tournament, and you don't seem to care." Asuka said.
"Blame my upbringing." Morris replied, his smirk returned to his face as he wiped the sweat away with his sleeve. Asuka giggled at the black smear it left. "I was taught to take life as it comes."
"It can't work out much, can it?" She said. "My mother always says 'Hope for the best, plan for the worst'"
"Yeah, though if you're making your life up as you go along, you aren't restricted by plans and when any plan fucks up, it doesn't matter." Asuka raised her left eyebrow in confusion. "What? Makes sense to me." Morris seemed like he didn't know what she didn't like about it. She elbowed him slightly.
"You old berk." She said. They continued on their way to the canteen, though Morris had to shoo away countless animals, including, of all things, a leopard. "What drove you away from your home, Morris?" Asuka asked, hoping to make some conversation and clear away some of the vagueness that surrounded him. He immediately tensed up.
"Curiosity and adventure, mainly." Morris replied hastily, but Asuka saw that he was obviously lying. "I've always wanted to travel. Don't get me wrong, Britain's great. It just gets a bit…. well….. repetitive."
"I must admit, I know what you mean." Asuka muttered, still not trusting him. "And I suppose you only live once." She bit her lip, and looked to Morris. As much as she told herself to hate him, she couldn't help but find herself warming to him. He was only two years her senior, and he had already done more than her dad had done in his life. There was a certain feel around him, and she knew that something exciting must happen to him everyday.
"I've still got the plane ticket to pay for, you know."
"Not in the least bit surprised." Asuka smirked. Morris collected a bottle of beer from a passing wolf.
"You say it like it's a bad thing." Then both he and Asuka considered what had just happened. They turned, only to find the wolf had vanished.
Miharu and Xiaoyu were walking to the Mishima Zaibatsu Main Building together about the next day. Though they had seen it many times before, they could not help but be in awe of it. It was a colossal building, with a glass roof that touched the sky, and marble pillars supported it. They had got to the entrance, built of the blackest of ebony.
"Well, Xiao. I'll see you on your victory parade." Miharu said. Out of nowhere, Jinrei walked up behind them.
"Shouldn't you be at school, young Miharu?" He asked. Miharu eyes widened.
"OH SHIT!" She cursed before running off. Jinrei turned to Xiao. He just nodded respectively and walked in. Xiao saw some of her best friends, and some rivals. Some new people, though not as many as usual. She made small talk mostly, giving mere waves and such to passers-by. Then she spotted chance to insult a particular rival of hers.
"Hwoarang, still going on your life quest to beat Jin?" Xiaoyu asked mockingly. She had never liked Hwoarang's comments on her 'soul mate' as she and nobody else would call Jin.
"I beat that bastard and he goes does some crazy beams and that stuff. I'm not lying!" The redhead shouted back. Xiaoyu rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, sure." Xiao turned to see an unmistakeable girl about her age, with a feather in her horizontal head band. "JULIA!" She shouted, before running over to hug her. Her braids flowed through the air as she turned, her face shining a brilliant smile to her friend. However, she didn't expect to take the wind smashed out of her as Xiaoyu clasped her in a bear hug. The momentum hammered away her breath.
"Xiao! Haven't seen you since the last tournament!" She returned the hug, and the two friends parted. "Hey, I heard about Panda. I'm sorry." Julia said. Her long brown ponytail swung in the air, coming over her shoulder.
"Really? How?" Xiaoyu asked. Curiosity fuelled her.
"I was in Osaka, doing some research…" Xiaoyu nearly scoffed. Why else was she anywhere. "And I heard some guys having a fight outside my hotel room. I know Japanese, and they were shouting at the guy I'm guessing did it. Judging by the noise, they were beaten, badly. If I meet the guy who hurt Panda, I'll give him a beating." Asuka had overheard this, and became worried.
"I better tell Morris." She whispered to herself. He was having a very engaging conversation with the ebony skinned man Asuka recognised as Eddy Gordo. They must have been talking about something pretty exciting if they were that into it.
"Though we had an off-shore wind farm off our coast." Eddy said. "Four mills."
"Four?" Morris asked. His eyes widened to the size of globes. They both squealed like teenage girls talking about the most popular boy band at the time. Asuka rolled her eyes. Some things that were a surprise weren't at all good things. She tapped Morris on the shoulder. He looked away from his conversation. "Yes?"
"Don't go that way, whatever you do." Asuka pleaded, gesturing to the two girls. Morris and Eddy looked.
"Why ever not?" He asked. "Your friends can't be that embarrassing." Asuka tried not to answer with an affirmative 'yes.'
"The owner of that panda's over there." She explained. "And I want to keep on friendly terms with Xiaoyu and Julia, so please don't go and do anything stupid." Morris, however, blanked most of it out, and only heard. The owner of that panda's over there. Go. Do anything stupid.
"Glad she's here! I've got a bone to pick with her." He crackled his fingers. However, before he could proceed, he found that a kangaroo and a bear were now holding onto his feet. He made one step, and fell. He looked to the two. "What the hell's with all these animals bloody following me around." He said this loudly, and lots of people turned to look. Sadly, this included Julia and Xiaoyu.
"Hey! You're that guy who hurt Panda!" Julia shouted accusingly. "I'd recognise that voice any day."
"Right!" Morris shouted, trying to pick himself up. "So it's your fault I've been landed with your bill!" Asuka crushed her hands against her forehead. This would not end well, knowing her luck.
"Actually it's mine." Xiaoyu butted in. She stood tall over Morris as he looked up. He turned his head to the side.
"What's with the fur lined panties?" He asked. Nearly woman in the room looked on in horror as to what he said. How dare he! Even the Williams sisters were shocked at this statement. The men smirked as Xiaoyu's face went red with either embarrassment or anger. Asuka tried not to laugh. It sounded too typical of Xiaoyu not to be funny, though she tired desperately to avoid laughter. "No offence, but you look a bit young to be a prostitute." Some giggles, a lot of gasps, and, from Asuka, a struggled squirm. "Mind you, in that school uniform get-up, I wouldn't be all too surprised if this were your occupation."
The flood gates opened for Asuka and many of the men in the room, who all began to howl in hysterical laughter. Asuka wept in hilarity as her voice rang with mirth. Xiaoyu and Julia looked around at the ridiculing crowd, who chanted their amusement. Some people even managed to get the breath to wolf whistle, and even Morris found himself laughing. Soon the hall rang with the sounds of shocked women and girls slapping their boyfriends and the muted laughs of said people. Asuka stopped laughing.
"So sorry, Xiaoyu, but…" She wiped a tear away as Morris managed to stand up. Xiaoyu looked to him. Her eyes were as red as her face, and her fists were clenched. She pulled back her fist, only to have Jinrei hold it back.
"Don't, my dear." He said. "It'll only end worse off for you." Xiaoyu knew he was right. "And anyway, you were asking for it, wearing those panties." Xiaoyu stormed out, with Julia and Asuka following her closely, attempting to comfort her. Jinrei stared harshly at Morris. He shrugged his shoulders. And then Heihachi Mishima chose that time to announce the tournament.
"Good day, all competitors!" He shouted. His rough face had grown a beard, and his grey spouts of hair from the side of his bald head were causing great problems for Morris's powers of self restraint.
Mustn't think of hair. He looked around for something to focus on. He then saw Christie Monterio, the Brazilian Capoeira expert, and, through her far from reserved shirt, her embarrassingly large….. assets. Concentrate entirely on hair. Morris thought to himself, desperate not to embarrass himself.
"I'm so glad so many came, or, at least, in the case of some people…" Here Heihachi stared at Kazuya, who hadn't taken the liberty to conceal himself. He liked to make himself known. "Now, I'm sure you all know the drill. Certain amount of rounds, lots of fighting, we've all been here before. Thank you for your kind attention and may the best man win, so my victory is all the more satisfying!" He now left, his impatient and bored words ringing behind him.