Chapter 24: The Bastard Known as Heihachi

He felt unbelievably tired when he finally got back inside. The fact that it took so much energy just to walk across the street was infuriating. It was almost as if all the trouble he had put into training was for naught. He waited for his breathing to calm down again. For a moment, he sat there in complete silence. But it was too silent; he couldn't even hear the movement of feet from the various maids around the mansion. Furthermore, wasn't it morning time? Kazuya glanced over at his digital clock: 7:30AM. He'd at least smell the scent of food. If it wasn't for him, for the other maids who worked there. With a sigh, he stood up and went out to the hallway and then to the banister so that he could get a clearer view of the central room all the way on the first floor. The lights were on at least, but there were no voices. Wasn't there something wrong with this picture? Perhaps he had already fallen asleep again. Maybe this was just a dream again.

"Ah, Kazuya, it seems that you're strong enough to walk."

Kazuya turned to the familiar voice and revealed a man dressed in a uniform that suggested that he was a doctor. "Do I know you?"

"Probably not. You've been virtually unreachable for quite a long time. It's a miracle that you're even regaining your strength, but it's certainly good news. Your Grandfather will be pleased."

"He's at work now."

"It's the first time in a while. He took a leave of absence so that he could keep a closer eye on you, but I finally convinced him that his worrying won't change your condition in the least."

"What was your name?"

"Dr. Umi."

"Dr. Umi, don't you think it's strange? There's no maids here."

"I gave them a few days off."

"Why?"

"They were unneeded."

"And who gave you the authority—

"Your grandfather naturally."

"You convinced Grandfather to go back to work and now you've dismissed the housemaids for a few days. What are you trying to pull?"

"I guess I shouldn't be too surprised of your distrust. You've been through a lot. I know that you'd rather see a familiar face than some stranger, but you'll just have to trust me. Everything I do is in your best interest. Now why don't you lie down for a while longer—I'll make you a nutritious breakfast."

"I'd rather not."

"Well, suit yourself. I'm not here to force things on you," Dr. Umi said as he turned in the direction of the stairs. "Try not to tire yourself. I'd say you're already pushing it after going out to the neighbor's house."

Kazuya was a little surprised that the other knew as much. It was unnerving. He decided that he would take another set of stairs down instead of the very same one Umi was using. He made embarrassingly slow progress, but he was glad that no one was there to watch. He wondered how he had even gotten up the nerve to see Jun. Before he had realized that maybe he didn't want Jun to see him in such a humiliating condition, he had already made it across the street and turning around would have given him little comfort.

"Nice of you to finally come down," Kazuya heard Umi say from a distance as soon as he made touch down on the first floor.

Kazuya gave the other an annoyed look, "Weren't you making breakfast?"

"Remember, Kazuya, I have to keep an eye on you. I wouldn't send away the housemaids and tell Mr. Mishima not to worry if I wasn't fully capable of taking care of things."

Dr. Umi smiled pleasantly at Kazuya and then bowed once before turning and making his way to the kitchen.

"Wiredo," Kazuya seethed under his breath.

In reality, he didn't feel like traversing the sprawling building of three floors and dozens of rooms. He had already gone "adventuring" around the mansion when he was younger and then again when Jun had insisted on a tour of the place. Even now, he still didn't understand the layout of the mansion, but he knew enough to get to the most essential places like the kitchen, the dining room, the gym, the closest restroom, his room, and Jinpachi's room. Kazuya eventually made his way to the dining room. A place that was very familiar to him. He sat in the seat that he always chose which was straight across from Jinpachi. He wished he was there at that moment just so he could validate that soon some type of normalcy would return to his life. He also wanted to discuss something with him. It was time that he really did tell him about Devil. The fact that he had made the other worry so much did not sit well with him. Surely he deserved an explanation. He wondered how he'd approach the subject. Was there some easy way to explain things? There was still that chance that the other would think the other completely crazy. Kazuya hoped it wouldn't come to that.

If only Jun was here…Now all he had was Jinpachi. Secretly, he wished that he had just a little more friends than just those two, but what sane person would want to be around him for more than ten minutes? It wasn't as if he was a pleasant individual or increasingly friendly. He certainly didn't have good conversation. He might as well get used it. There was Jinpachi, but he was always busy and soon he would be too, wouldn't he?

Kazuya could hear Dr. Umi cooking away in the kitchen. He wondered if doctors were supposed to be able to do as much, but then Dr. Umi didn't seem like any normal doctor. After a few more minutes of listening to the sizzling of eggs on the stove, he began to doze off. He wasn't sure how much time had passed before the smell of food became stronger. Dr. Umi had walked in quietly and set a hot, steamy bowl of okayu on the table and a tea cup of shogayu. The smell of the hot ginger drink was enough to bring Kazuya to wakefulness.

"I'm sure your bed would have been much more comfortable."

"I don't care," Kazuya said steadily.

The other still smiled at him pleasantly and then took a seat directly across from Kazuya. Kazuya could immediately feel the constant gaze of Dr. Umi on him as he examined the food.

"Well, what do you think?" the doctor asked politely.

"I think it's disgusting."

"It's all to make you healthy again so that you can get back to your regular routine. I heard that you're an apprentice to your grandfather."

Kazuya took one bite of the rice porridge and grimaced. What happened to the taste? And better yet, why was there was no meat? "I bet you hear a lot, don't you?"

"I've had plenty of time to talk with your grandfather. He's a very open, friendly person."

"Hmph, could be his downfall."

"Why would you say that? His employees adore him and he enjoys going to work since it's like a second home to him."

"Telling some creep doctor his life story doesn't seem like the sanest thing to do."

"He knows that your life is in my hands."

"What?" Kazuya said looking up at the man.

"I mean...surely you know that you would have died without my help."

"Right. I doubt that." Devil would never let that happen—it has too much at stake. Then he took a sip of the acrid drink.

Dr. Umi smiled again. "For instance, I could have poisoned the food that you're eating right now."

The chopsticks in his hand became still for only a moment, but then he shrugged, "I wouldn't be surprised."

Dr. Umi had expected a more startled response, but he seemed to have far more thicker skin than he had assumed.

"Are you really just going to sit there watching me?" Kazuya asked as he finished over half of the rice-nothingness.

"Well, I have to make sure you don't decide to throw anything away."

"You're wasting your time."

"I have nothing better to do."

That's rather unsettling… "Why is there no meat?"

"Now, now, Kazuya, this certainly isn't the time for such solid food. Better to start light and go from there."

But he was still deathly hungry even after that, but Kazuya didn't even begin to say as much to the doctor. Maybe if he could just get into the kitchen without getting noticed…Wait a minute, why did he even have to sneak? He was going to make himself something else whether that doctor liked it or not.

"I think it'd be a good idea to get some rest after this," Dr. Umi said standing. "I might not have put poison in your food, but I could have put something else in it besides. Oh and I wouldn't try to sneak into the kitchen, there'd be no point." He smiled thereafter, bowed, and left the dining room.

"Pft, what kind of doctor is that anyway," Kazuya grumbled to himself. "When Grandfather gets back here…"

He found that though he wanted to venture into the kitchen, he no longer felt like it. In fact, he felt so tired that he hardly felt like going anywhere at all. By the time Dr. Umi came back in to check on him, Kazuya was sound asleep on the dining room table. He took up the dishes he had brought out and promptly returned them to the kitchen.

"Well, that didn't take very long at all. It's been awhile since I've had to resort to such crude methods, but just like your grandfather said—you are pretty stubborn."

He couldn't check his vitals at this point since the other was asleep, but he'd wait until the other was just waking and less resistant to him. Patiently, Dr. Umi sat down in a seat closer to him and waited for the moment to pounce. That moment took a few hours to get to, but it came. Then he wished it hadn't come. Perhaps surprising him half to death wasn't the most appropriate method as he ended up with a bloody nose and on the floor.

"What was that for…?" Dr. Umi cried out in a shock that he could not disguise from his voice.

"Thought you were someone else," Kazuya said with a grin.

That was all the doctor got for an answer as the other stalked off to the kitchen. Dr. Umi was glad that he had asked permission to lock all the cabinets and the refrigerator down beforehand. At least he could take his time getting back up and cleaning himself up before presenting himself to Kazuya once again. By the time he got back to the kitchen, Kazuya had just finished checking the state of each and every cabinet. He did not look very pleased.

"If you'd take a seat somewhere, I'd like to check your vitals."

"No," Kazuya said simply with a frown as he walked by him.

"How do you expect to get better if you don't let me help you? What do you think doctors are supposed to do?"

But the other was still walking off.

"What do you want me to tell your grandfather? That you're not responding well to treatment? Do you really want to worry him anymore than he already has?"

Kazuya stopped when he heard the last question.

"Your father called for my help for a reason. He trusted in me to make sure that you made a full recovery. Kazuya, I—

"Let's get this over with already," Kazuya said approaching the other once again.

He held his arm out in a way that Dr. Umi believed that he was going to be punched in the guts, but it didn't happen.

"Well?" Kazuya asked to a startled doctor.

"Oh, right, of course."

The entire procedure didn't take long and Dr. Umi informed the other that his vitals were "promising" and that he still needed to rest.

"I'm fully aware of your routine of working out for a very long time, but there'll be no more of that for a while. I would hate for there to be a relapse."

In the end, Kazuya didn't care what the doctor had to say. No mortal man could even begin to understand what was wrong with him, but for his grandfather's sake, he decided to give the doctor some peace of mind. He didn't need to be told twice that he shouldn't be doing anything extraneous—he didn't feel like doing that sort of thing, but anything was better than going back to that cursed bed. But what else could he do? The fact that Jun was gone became more and more depressing to think about. He could call her sure, but he didn't want to be a bother to her. He didn't want to seem desperate…which he was.

The day seemed to go on and on despite being in a daze the entire time. It was just weird dreams and Dr. Umi over and over and over again. He dreaded the flavorless "snacks" that Dr. Umi seemed so fond of giving him at thirty minute intervals or the pills that he insisted on Kazuya taking which he never actually took. Kazuya found himself staring at his digital clock for an eternity until that time came for dinner. It was then that Dr. Umi walked into his room and flicked on the lights.

"Grandfather should be here any minute," Kazuya said to the approaching doctor, "What are you going to tell him?"

"That you've been an enjoyable patient. The bloody nose business will remain our little secret. Your grandfather seems like a good person."

"Tell me when he gets here."

"Oh, I will. I'm sure you two have a lot to talk about," the doctor said with a smile that bothered Kazuya.

Then Kazuya looked over at his arm suddenly when he felt the sharp pang of a shot piercing his skin. Dr. Umi quickly emptied the syringe. Why hadn't he noticed that his hands had been hiding suspiciously behind his back? Why hadn't he been quicker at blocking his hand?

"What did you do?" Kazuya demanded.

"I was only helping you along…to your death that is."

Kazuya lunged at the other without a second thought, but found himself crashing to the ground as the doctor quickly sidestepped and avoided the whole thing.

"You really are a stubborn little thing. Even in death you still want to fight. You might have saved yourself the trouble and died slowly and painlessly had you taken your pills, but I have a schedule to keep and now your time is up."

"You…bastard! Wait right there, I'll give you more than just a bloody nose."

But his vision was already blurring as he crawled after the other relentlessly. His legs would no longer respond, but his arms still remained functional—even that was threatening to give out on him. Just then, Kazuya felt a foot ram directly in his face and the force behind the kick sent him tumbling backwards into the dresser that held his digital clock. The dresser shook violently upon impact and drew the clock closer to the edge.

"You won't get away with this! My grandfather…"

Another kick was sent squarely at Kazuya' chest and finally the clock tipped over and made a nice sharp impact on his temple.

"Your grandfather will what?" the former doctor asked with a laugh. "I've been itching to tell you this all day, but your grandfather is not coming back here ever again. Heihachi has seen to that."

Kazuya didn't even try to climb back to his feet, it was impossible at this point. He was utterly trapped and was rapidly losing consciousness, but the mention of Heihachi's name brought him back to the land of the living. "Hei…hachi," Kazuya breathed.

"That's right. He'll be taking over your grandfather's corporation shortly. In the meantime, be a good little boy and die. Wouldn't want to worry your father now would you? Either the poison will take you or the blood loss. Well, I'll leave you to your own devices."

"Wait…"

"You still alive?"

"What…what is your name? Your real name."

"Well, I'll give you some amount of satisfaction as you die—Uramesh Taisuke."

"I'll kill you," Kazuya growled.

For a moment, Taisuke almost believed him as he saw an alarmingly savage look in his eyes, but then he smiled in his usual pleasant way. "Just you try."

Not a second later, the false doctor had disappeared from Kazuya's line of vision. His sight began to darken the more he tried to resist until he was sure that he must have fallen unconscious.

"Looks like you need my help once again," Devil's voice echoed through his head.

"This was your fault. Don't try to pin this on me. For someone who says they've lived for so long you lack foresight. You were so obsessed with getting your revenge that you neglected to look at all the consequences…Now look what has happened—

"I will not take this from a mere human. I know exactly what I'm doing."

"You've made a grave mistake."

"Just as I planned, Jinpachi is now out of the way. Now you can focus once again."

"Ha! You think you had any control over his fate? My father does as he pleases and you just happen to benefit from it. He'll have his day…and so will you."

"Insolent fool! I control you! I am the reason you are alive now. I own your soul!"

"You're too weak to even admit your mistake."

Devil hissed angrily at the other, but it was cut short as Kazuya felt a strong hand grip his neck roughly and toss him back onto the bed.

"That Taisuke…he couldn't even finish the job."

It took a great deal of willpower to open his eyes again, but he had enough motivation to do so—he had heard the voice of his father. A voice that would often haunt his dreams.

"So, you're still alive."

A shadowy figure of his father towered over him menacingly with arms akimbo.

"Old man…"

He could almost sense the other looking over him critically. "I see you've kept up your training. Planning to kill me one day, kid?" he said with a grin. "That look in your eyes…Being thrown off that cliff was the best thing that could have happened to you. Now you're a true Mishima. Of course a little thing like poison wouldn't kill a man who could survive that kind of fall. I think I'll let you live."

Kazuya felt as the other grabbed the nape of his shirt.

"Next time, you take care to keep up your health. No son of mine should be seen in such pathetic condition."

This time Heihachi simply unhanded the other and Kazuya fell ungracefully to the ground in a miserable pile.

"I'll be taking my father's place. You ever want it for yourself, you'll have to fight me for it."

"…Bastard…You'll get what's…coming for you," Kazuya managed through gritted teeth.

Heihachi laughed at this as he turned to look at his son for a while longer. He stepped over to him and tried kick him once again, but this time Kazuya grabbed the other's foot in a feeble attempt at retaliation. Kazuya's grip was easily knocked away. It was all rather entertaining to Heihachi.

"Look at you, you still want to fight, don't you?"

Kazuya cried out when he felt his chest cave in as Heihachi stomped with surprising force on him. The electricity that shot through his body was enough to take away whatever fight he had left in him.

"There, I think that's enough for now."

It wasn't until Heihachi left the complex that Kazuya even began to move on his own, but he was only crawling and mindlessly at that. A thick trail of blood followed in his wake and especially after he made a tumble down stairs all the way down to the first floor where he lost consciousness again. He stayed there for a few days as blood began to gather and dry beneath him. Then he started once again. The only thing that went through his mind was the image of his father towering above him in triumph. If only he could get his hands around that man's neck, then he could strangle him to his heart's content.

"Old man…" Kazuya groaned out loud. "I swear I'll kill you…"

/

AN: Will Kazuya ever get his revenge? Stay tuned for the next episode of…(Oh, wait, this isn't really a show, is it? And really, if you're reading this—who doesn't know what's going to happen?) Anyways, thanks for all the encouragement in your reviews. AngelInTheDark19 () asked about a possible Xiaoyu/Jin story: …Ummm, maybe? I'm not even sure if Jin actually likes Xiaoyu. That relationship always seemed one-sided to me. The recent CG movie helps a lot though.