Disclaimer: I don't own Tekken, but I would hire you guys if I did…
A/N: Hello, and thank you stopping by. Well, it's been a little while, hasn't it? Sorry about that; I've been out of town. Anyway, we're getting close to the start of the fighting, so there's a ton of foreshadowing in this chapter. In fact, that's basically what this chapter is. Now, let's get to it. And here … we … go:
The King of Iron Fist Tournament 8: VIII for Vendetta
Surface Tension
The morning was very young when a woman entered her large garden. Her black hair flowing in the wind as the scent of the flowers and fresh produce washed over her. Her brown eyes glistened as the beams of the sun rained down upon her. This particular lady was known as a very cute girl, but now she was a beautiful woman. Xiaoyu Ling-Kazama had truly grown. Midway through, she felt as if she was being watched … but she wasn't alarmed or on alert. She knew this presence. Xiaoyu simply calmed herself and waited, readying herself for what was coming and preparing to react.
Suddenly, there was an attack from her side. She instinctively grabbed her attacker and flipped them with a 'Jade'. The assailant quickly recovered and tried a high kick, but Xiaoyu was ready for this as well. She caught the person's leg and spins them to the ground with 'Crank it up'. Though the altercation took mere seconds, it was over without Xiaoyu getting a very good look at the young man … but she didn't have to see him clearly; his two different-colored eyes and crest of hair were dead giveaways.
Xiaoyu playfully scolded him with a smile, "Haku-kun, what have I told you about sneaking up on people?"
Haku sat up, replying, "I'm sorry, Mom, but you didn't have to flip me so hard."
Xiaoyu brushed it off, "Oh, you'll be fine; you're a strong boy. Besides, if you want to surprise someone, you'll have to sneak a lot better."
Haku simply jumped back up, and put his arm around his mother. The two started walking together…
In the back yard of the Rochefort mansion, Jun, Lilith, and Van were training. Van lightly went through various kata, testing her strength with ankle and wrist weights. Meanwhile, Jun and Lilith were lightly sparring not that far away, softly trading hits. Suddenly, Lilith shifted her focus…
"So…" Lilith asked with neither stopping, "What do you think of her?"
Jun replied n confusion, "Who? Van-chan..?"
Incredulous, Lilith said, "No; the Queen Mother… Of course, Vanessa over there…"
Jun answered as ducked under a strike, "Well, she's pretty fast, but she's a lot stronger than she looks. I think she'll surprise a lot of people and go far in the tourney."
Lilith scoffed as she reversed an attack, "I swear you can be so thick sometimes! I mean, what do you think of her in general."
Taking offense, Jun executed a more forceful 'Inner Strength', knocking her rival back, and said, "Watch it. Not everyone is as strange as you…" The two started once again as Jun answered the question, "As for Van-chan … she's cool. She definitely gets excited easily. I think the only one who has more energy is Haku-kun."
"So, you noticed that too. Well, I think…" Lilith said as she gave a stiffer 'Broken Heart' in retaliation, "She needs to be paired off." She quickly got an idea and voiced, "Ooh, what about that Swedish cousin of yours?"
Jun replied in slight disbelief as she dodged an attack, "Sven? What makes you think they'd go for that?"
Lilith mused as if in a daydream, "My dearest Jun… Do you understand the concept of love? It's so obvious the two of them fancy each other. His jaw clenched ever so slightly and trembles with excitement when he sees her; her knees start shaking very subtly and she goes from pale to red in the face when she sees him… They are just sooo cute together."
Jun explained as repelled a kick, "Now you're the one not understanding. Sure, they connect, but, if haven't noticed, they're both pretty reserved."
Lilith dismissed the notion as she parried a punch, "oh, tish-tosh… If two people want to be together, they should be together."
"Well, just look at who they are." Jun explained with surprising insight, "Sven-kun is a straight-laced military guy; he's afraid he's too uptight and stuffy for a thrill seeker like her. Meanwhile, Van-chan knows she's not debutante or the girliest girl in the group; she's just doesn't think she can physically attract a guy like him. The only one who's unabashed about their feelings is you."
Undeterred, Lilith asked in disbelief, "Oh, right. And how do you know all this?"
Jun plainly explained, "Well, hype machine… Instead of speculating, I actually talk to them. You ever think of that, Lilith Fair?"
"Alright, Jun-bug, if you're so smart… What's wrong with Vincent and I?"
Jun sarcastically jabbed at her rival, "He's sane and you're kind of … not."
Not taking that, Lilith reared back, a pink aura gathering around her body, and blasted at Jun with a 'Piercing Thorn Fortissimo', knocked her rival back a ways.
"You want to keep it up?"
Jun said to herself under her breath, "Again, I don't know why I bother."
Lilith then called out as she saw, "Oh, speaking of the handsome Swede…"
Just as she said, Sven appeared, his light blue eyes and upward-spiking blond hair being obvious indicators. Jun again couldn't help but marvel at how much he resembled his maternal uncle, Lars. The two stopped as he approached…
Lilith greeted him with a smile, "What a coincidence! We were just talking about you."
"Oh? About what? Good things, I hope." Sven said.
"Believe me. You don't want to know." Jun warned.
Lilith instantly came up a plan and said, "But, he should … especially since Van has something to tell him."
As Jun snapped her head in Lilith's direction, Sven reacted with poorly masked anxiety, "She… She has something to tell … me?"
Lilith went on, "Oh, yes. She said it was very important too."
His anxiety unfurling a little, Sven concluded, "Alright, well, if she thinks it's important… then I should see what it is."
"This is never going to work." Jun said as Sven started over.
"Shush! Just watch."
Sven approached, but Van had her back turned, not even noticing he'd arrived. Van spun around with 'Wu Hu Chu Dong', and Sven instinctively blocked with 'Chevron Slash'. The two attacks offset, but the two were left with their faces inches from each other and they instantly froze. Their eyes grew wide as they locked in place. Their faces went pale to deep red. They were just stuck as they stared at each other. Soon, they realized just where they were, and rapidly backed away, the red in their faces only intensifying. Finally apart, Van and Sven were so mortified but excited that they couldn't even speak or get a word out to each other; they just exchanged nervous smiles and even more nervous laughter.
Lilith exulted, "See? What did I tell you? Those two so need to get together!"
Jun could only palm her forehead at the Monegasque heiress.
Haku happened to be passing through the home gym, and happened to spot Akane already inside training. Immediately, he stopped. The red-haired nymph elegantly and nimbly practiced atop a tall balance beam, going through the motions, kicks, and transitions all while keeping her center of gravity. The Kazama twin couldn't help but start watching almost mesmerized by her; meanwhile, he didn't realize he was slowly getting closer to her.
At one point, Akane attempted an odd 'Phoenix Talon': she didn't go up at an angle like usual, but instead went up vertically. Unfortunately, she couldn't quite get it … and went tumbling off the beam! Haku quickly snapped out and caught her in his arms right on time.
Surprised, startled, and still a bit frightened, Akane stammered, "H-H-Haku-san… W-What are you… W-When did you get here?"
Haku smiled back and replied, "Just a little while ago. It's a good thing I did, huh?" Haku remembered the move, saying, "Say, were you trying to do my 'Phoenix Arrow'?"
Akane, more than a little embarrassed, admitted, "Well… I was just… Um, yes. I'm sorry."
Haku reassured her with a slight chuckle, "Don't apologize; I'm glad you like it. Still, I think you should stay with 'Phoenix Talon'."
Akane replied with subdued praised, "Oh, it's just… Yours recovers so fast; you land right on your feet. And, it's a lot stronger."
Haku added with slight skepticism, "Maybe, but it's also not as fast and doesn't reach as far. Also, there's a trick to it."
"There is?"Akane inquired with surprise.
Haku explained, "Let me tell you a secret: I'm double-joined in my hips. That's the only way the move works."
Akane said with a slight smile, "I would have never guessed… You make it look so easy."
"I guess, but it's not the real one, just like my whole style. I just don't have the speed and skill to do it the real way." Haku gave her a warm smile and said, "I'm not as quick or sound as you."
Akane replied, her smile widening slightly, "Yours is still very good. I think you were very smart and creative to change the moves so you could use them. You made the moves stronger and they recover so quickly. You're … You're very strong."
As they continued to look at each other, both Akane and Haku got lost in each other for a second. That's when the red-haired nymph realized just where she was, and began to blush. Haku could tell she was uncomfortable, and that's when he realized he still had her in his arms and hastily let her to her feet. The two could only share nervous laughter, unable to even speak. Haku anxiously rubbed the back of his head while Akane nervously looked away with a small smile.
Finally, Haku stammered out, "Well, uh… Akane-chan… I'm glad you're okay…"
Akane anxiously replied, "Y-Yes… Thank you for helping me, Haku-san."
"Anytime… Well, I'll just, uh… let you back to it."
Akane abruptly let out, "Wait, Haku-san…"
The Kazama twin immediately stopped, but Akane was almost in a panic. What did she say that? She really had just blurted it out with no idea to what she would say. But she was stuck now. It would be foolish to just wave it off now…
Akane shakily said, "T-There's … something I … I want to tell you…"
The red-haired nymph just wanted to say it, but she couldn't. She just wanted to blurt it: I dream about you… I can't stop thinking about you… You make my heart sing… But she took one look at him and, the words got caught, leaving her staring at him.
Thinking something's wrong, Haku asked, "Umm, Akane-chan… Are you ok?"
Akane snapped out of it and quickly thought something up, "Oh… Yes, I just wanted to tell you that… I wish you good luck; I think you can win."
Haku smiled and replied, "Oh, well, thanks, Akane-chan. That means a lot…" The Kazama started but stopped again, saying, "Actually… there's something I want to tell you too."
Haku worked up some nerve and turned back. He was just going to let it all out: you make me stronger… you make my heart go crazy… you make me want to be better… But he couldn't get it out either. Haku just looked in her eyes and lost his nerve really quick.
With a smile, Haku thought fast and said, "I uh, what to wish you luck too. I know you'll do great."
Akane smiled in response, and Haku finally set to take his leave. On his way out, Akane watched him depart, letting out a sigh of longing and mentally swooning. Haku waited until he was around the corner before he let out a sigh of disbelief, his hands running through his hair. As he reflected on what just happened, he went back to holding her, from how good she smelled to how soft she felt. Before long … his nose began to bleed, which he quickly wiped away. The Kazama let out another sigh as he started down the hall.
Face of the Enemy
Continuing a tradition started the previous tournament, The King of Iron Fist 8 began with a street festival, this one being held at the Dawn's Rain theme park. In every way, it was as all street festivals are: the swarms in attendance were packed closer than usual, restricting movement but not enough to discourage anyone. Countless vendors lined the sides and the middle of the pathways, selling merchandise and concessions to unbelievably long lines of people. The sights, sounds, and overall fanciful bombardment of the senses gave the event an almost ethereal quality as it drowned out any noise from the outside world.
"Where is she?" Kyou said in exasperation.
The taekwondo master was not enjoying himself. With Van's help, he was looking for Lilith, and he didn't particularly enjoy festivals anyway for their inherently chaotic nature. Van, on the other hand, was really having a good time at the celebration. She fit right at home amongst all the excitement and merry mayhem of it all.
"Slow down, Kyou," Van said in an attempt to calm him, "Wherever she is, I'm sure she's fine. That Lilith is a tough girl, you know."
"Don't try to cheer me up; I still have to find her… Let's ask around."
The two approached the first person they saw: a Spanish woman in a flowing red dress playing an acoustic guitar. At her feet sat the open case with several bills and change. Seeing them approach, the woman looked up, when she and Van's eyes met. Instantly, they both got an odd feeling, and did not break their gaze. It was ... as if they were looking into the future or feeling something to come.
With the two women not looking away, Kyou said, "Excuse me, but I'm looking for someone. I would like to know if you've seen her."
Esmeralda replied, still looking at Van, "What does she look like?"
Kyou described her, "She's about 5'8" with light orange hair. She was wearing all white. Have seen her?"
The Spanish lady finally looked back at her guitar and said, "I'm sorry. I haven't seen her."
"Hmm. Well, thank you anyway."
"De nada. You're welcome."
Kyou went back to his search … and turned right into someone, a pale Russian man in a full dress military uniform. As he and Dragunov stared, the two got a subtle feeling of contempt for one another even though they'd never met. It was … like they knew somehow that they shouldn't like each other. Meanwhile, Van dropped some money in the case and pulled Kyou away. Esmeralda and Dragunov continued to stare at them as they disappeared into the crowd…
Lost in the shuffle, Akane was alone wandering around the park with only a map for help. Finally, she ran into someone... literally. Focused on her map, Akane ran into a woman's back: a Japanese woman with red hair and green eyes, in full ninja garb including a fox mask at her side.
Mitsuko reacted with hostility, "Oww. Watch where you're going!"
Akane frantically started apologizing, "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to run into you. Please forgive me."
Mitsuko said as she turned around, "Alright, settle down. It's fine. No need to lose your mind."
Still apologizing, Akane said, "I am sorry. I should've been looking where I was going. Are you alright?"
"Yes, yes, yes. Calm down. Now, where were you going so fast?"
"Actually… I don't know."
"I see. What's a pretty girl like you doing here all alone?"
"I'm just looking for my friends … but I haven't been here in awhile. So, I'm lost."
"Well, don't worry; you'll find them soon enough…" Mitsuko added with an air of implication, "You should be careful though. There are some very dangerous people around here."
Feeling it, Akane responded, "Um, alright…"
Mitsuko then pointed out, "Look at that. I think I see some of your friends coming."
Akane turned to see Van and Kyou approaching…
Akane turn to face Mitsuko again saying, "Oh yes, that's some of them. Thank… Huh?"
But Mitsuko was gone, vanished without a trace. There was no sign of where she went or that she was even there…
Akane could help but think, "How… How did she know they were my friends?"
Van happily called out, "Akane! Over here!"
The young Hirano joined her friends…
"Encore!" a group of girls screamed in delight, "Encore!"
Vincent responded with a smile, "Okay, but just once more!"
Yushin was in the midst of an impromptu show. He had been passing a performer with 'bombs' of confetti when a stray almost hit a girl in the face. Fortunately, the silver-haired Chaolan kicked it just time. The bomb exploded on impact with a shower of streamers and confetti, quite stylishly. The girls cheered and asked for more, and, with some prodding, he was persuaded to join the performance.
Yushin signaled he was ready. The performer tossed some bombs his way at various heights. The young Chaolan expertly kicked each one in a decorative, celebratory array. With each success, the crown especially the girls went wild. Finally, the show was over: Yushin acknowledged the crowd, shook the performer's hand, and the crowd dispersed… But one remained. It was a tall man with curved sideburns and dark rings under his brown eyes. On his broad shoulders sat a bearskin coat over a black Karate gi, and over his heart sat the kanji characters for 'flat eight' … meant to be read 'Heihachi'.
"Chaolan…" Susano said as he walked up on stage, "I'm should have expected you to be grandstanding around here."
Vincent replied with hostility, "Susano, the god of hot air… I'm a host of this event; I do what needs to be done to ensure a good show for the fans."
Susano offered a backhanded comment, "You have a knack for it. Good thing since that's all your joke of a style is good for."
Vincent gave a returning serve, "It's definitely better than yours, which is only suited for … say, snarling like an ape or slamming your head in to a brick wall."
Susano walked close and tightened his fist in Vincent's face as he replied, "And breaking bones. Don't forget that!"
"Hmph…" Vincent noticed the symbol on Susano's chest and tapped it as he said, "I see you're still idol worshipping trash."
That did it! Something like that always hits a nerve. It was always a rule for him: 'No one speaks ill of Heihachi-sensei'. Susano went from calm to livid in an instant. He started breathing heavily, his eyes growing wide, and his fists clenched.
Susano replied with subdued fury, "I told you before… Don't you dare insult my master or I'll…"
Vincent interrupted, saying adamantly, "All your threats change nothing… Any man who willingly throws away his children is worthless trash…"
Susano angrily fired back, "Shut your mouth! You don't know anything! Heihachi-sensei was a great man."
Vincent hostilely retorted, "Your sensei was a swine! He turned his back on my father, on my uncle Lars, and my cousin Jin. Heihachi Mishima is an irreprehensible scoundrel. Oh, I'm sorry; too many big words. I'll spell it out: Your sensei is scum, the kind that needs to be scrapped off the sole of you shoe!"
"Your father is the worthless one, a piece of garbage."
"Don't try to match wits with me, minion. Didn't your precious sensei teach you not to start fights you can't win?"
Susano got right in Yushin's face, "Keep talking and I swear I'll snap your neck."
Vincent pushed back, "Fine, then I can spit in Heihachi's face personally! You know… maybe it's best Heihachi left. If he hadn't, my dad might've turned into a mindless drone like you."
Just in time, the cavalry arrived: Lilith came up and held Yushin back while Raven appeared and held back Susano. At that moment, the two women connected. Lilith upon seeing Raven got a bad feeling of foreboding, one of worry … like they were going to meet again in the near future.
Susano screamed angrily as he was led away, "Chaolan, you better pray! Pray dearly! Pray with everything you have that we don't fight! If we do, I swear, I'll kill you!"
Vincent screamed in return as Lilith held him back, "I hope we do! Then, we'll actually test your sensei's teachings!"
As Susano and Raven disappeared from view, Lilith said, "Well, it looks like you two were about to start the party early. Good thing I showed up just in time."
Vincent said reassuringly, "Oh, I'm not afraid of him… Still, why did you come looking for me, though it's nice to see you? Did you need something?"
Lilith said in a suggestive tone, "Not exactly. I just figured that with such a grand setting, we could … spend some time together … alone."
Vincent smiled as he pointed away, "I, uh … hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it seems we have been thwarted."
Lilith looked where he pointed to see Van, Kyou, and Akane walking up. The Monegasque heiress let out a frustrated sigh, and muttered a curse in Korean … then another in French. The two joined the group, Van immediately throwing her arm around Yushin's shoulders and Kyou lecturing Lilith…
Out behind the actual event, Jun was moving around the production tents, checking things and making sure all cues were going smoothly. Satisfied with everything, Jun exited, turned the corner, and immediately passed … Kamikage Nodachi. Instantly, both stopped, Kamikage stopped to talk but Jun was simply stopped by an intense, sudden feeling.
Without turning, Kamikage said, "Well, it seems congratulations are in order. The festival is a rousing success."
Jun, also not turning, replied, "Actually, we have you to thank for this. Without your vote, this would never have been possible."
Kamikage responded very oddly, almost in an accusing tone, "Believe me; I had very little to do with this. The credit goes to you both… You are truly your father's children."
At the point, Jun was now getting a very bad feeling, a large sense of dread and malice. She started to feel like … she was in immediate danger! She almost didn't turn around. Finally, they both slowly turned when both got some back-up...
"Yo, nii-san!" Ryunosuke excitedly called out, running up to his brother, "Finally. I've been looking everywhere for you."
"There you are, Jun-chan." Haku said as he came to his sister's side, "I need…"
Haku shared his twin's feeling immediately. Jun's feeling only intensified and obviously emanated from Kamikage. Together, the twins were stunned to silence. Kamikage could all but stifle the intense feeling of hatred and excitement at being so close to them. He even showed a twisted and disturbing smirk. Meanwhile, Ryunosuke could sense the tension, and actively set out to change whatever was causing the unrest, including his own.
Ryunosuke cordially offered, "Ah, the Kazama twins! And Jun-sama! It's a shame we haven't met face-to-face until now especially now that I see how lovely you are in person."
Jun replied, mostly ignoring the greeting, "Oh… Thanks."
Haku promptly pushed his feeling aside, saying, "Gentleman, thank you for coming. It's nice to see some executives support."
His smirk persisting, Kamikage replied, "We weren't going to miss this."
Ryunosuke promptly added, "We couldn't miss it, what with us competing and all."
A chill running down her spine, Jun asked, "You both … are in the tournament too?"
Haku offered with being cordial becoming harder and harder to force, "Well… Good luck to you and maybe we'll run into you."
Kamikage, his smirk showing no sign of disappearing, responded, "I would say that's certain… Good luck to you as well."
Finally, Kamikage turned and continued on, Ryunosuke right behind him. The twins meanwhile were stuck…
"Hey, you guys!" Vincent yelled out in the distance.
Shocked awake by the familiar voice, even causing them to jump slightly, the twins turned and saw their friends coming. The two promptly joined their group, their minds still troubled and racing from the bizarre interaction they just had.
Haku began relaying what had happened, "Guys, we just had the strangest run-in…"
Vincent quickly said, "You too? It seems like that's been going around…"
End Chapter
A/N: There you have it. I hope you enjoyed it. I know this took a long time, so I'll try to be quicker in the future. Anyway, we'll finally get to the fighting next chapter, so I hope you come back. Thanks again, I hope you liked it, and I hope you come back. Please R&R and as always, Rant, Rave, and Review.