Accountability

Shika Clan headquarters, Morotsuka, Miyazaki, Japan…

After witnessing the downfall of Bogdan's remaining brothers within the Dragunov family, Hide aka Crow, returned to his home at last. He was relieved to see everyone within the Shika Clan. He was pleased to see Urenna and Omani groom the boys in their ninja training. The new addition, Hanta, was too young for she was still an infant. In time, she will receive the training needed to become ninja as well.

It was not before long that the United Nations requested Hide to begin spying on the Zaibatsu, only from a distance. There were many things to look into but Hide felt that Urenna could also assist and witness just how powerful men like the Mishimas can bring an entire world to its knees. So a few days before the mission, Hide and Urenna did a sparring session before sunset just outside the old temple within the forest.

They fought for nearly thirty minutes, but Urenna never could fully make fatal hits on her superior teacher. Hide hit her in midair over the back with his wooden bokken. Urenna hit the ground fairly hard. She rolled around the surface a few times before clutching her bruised ribs. Hide landed on the ground safely from the high descent attack. He patiently waited for his student to recover. He knew that Urenna was at her limit.

Urenna: "Ughhhh!"

Hide: "Perhaps that hit was a bit much."

Urenna: "You think!" (Breathing hard.) "You hit me…more than I hit you."

Hide: "You have improved since our last sparring session. So don't see this training as a failure. Remember. Every match is a stepping stone. To strive for perfection in every match…is nearly a fleeting impossibility. My master always said to look for any opening that is a window for victory, even if your opponent is stronger in actual combat."

Urenna: "Easier…said than done."

Hide: "At any rate, it is getting late. Let's make our way back to the cave."

Along the path to the cave compound…

Urenna: "Master."

Hide: "Hmm?"

Urenna: "You said earlier that you found the Dragunov brothers. One of them is dead…but you never could find Cain?"

Hide: "No…I have not. He was supposed to be close to Damian, however, I was not able to figure out where he was. And I didn't want my position compromised since I was in disguise."

Urenna: "I see. Where was his boss, Bogdan?"

Hide: "In America. Funny enough. But that was last week. I'm sure he did not stay there for long."

Urenna: "I wonder if he will be in the tournament?"

Hide: "It's possible. He has a good reason because of what happened to his brother. However, he is close with the Kremlin, and I do not think they will back him in sponsorship. After all, the Russian forces do not like the Zaibatsu. Bogdan will have to work even harder now to maintain his forces."

Urenna: "In other words, if Russia loses a general like Bogdan, their forces become that much weaker."

Hide: "Yes. Then they will pose no threat to opposing countries or private military groups. For now, I think Cain will continue to hide and not make his presence known. We must gather our attention to the Mishima Zaibatsu. Kazuya's power grows every single day as his troops seize control of various countries one by one. You must stay focused and gather as much intel as possible. Are we clear on this?"

Urenna: "Yes master. You need not worry. I will do my task well."

Several days later, Kampong Thom Province, Cambodia…

Hide remained in Japan to monitor the movements of Heihachi Mishima, whereas Urenna was given the task to follow Jun Kazama. While Jun Kazama was an officer for a wildfire protection agency, there were concerns from her superiors that she was too deeply involved with Kazuya Mishima. The agency wanted her to investigate the Zaibatsu on charges of animal abduction and poaching. While she was doing her task before the start of the tournament, surveillance in Tokyo showed that she was with Kazuya at his newly purchased condominium on a rooftop. Their discussion was quite long and then they entered inside back together. It was all too suspicious. So, Urenna was told to watch over Jun and possibly speak with her about her relationship with Kazuya. Nothing more. It was at this time where Urenna was officially given a codename for her assignment. She went by the name, Raven.

Urenna (or Raven) was in the countryside of Cambodia watching the fight between Jun Kazama and the newly built Prototype Jack. Jun was by herself. Prototype Jack was being monitored by a team of engineers from the Zaibatsu, although they were told not to interfere with its programming during the match. At the eleventh hour, the fight was underway.

Raven was sure to stay out of sight as she witnessed the amazing fighting skills of Jun Kazama. Jun was in no hurry at all to defeat the android. She performed parry after party against Prototype Jack, using little to no offensive combos as a counterattack. Jun was just 22 years old at this time, around Urenna's age. However, Jun was fighting like a veteran in her debut match. Raven was watching in awe.

Out of frustration Prototype Jack tried to levitate in the air for a dropping stomp technique against Jun. Jun was prepared as she did a back handspring to avoid the attack. Before the android could attack with two diagonal chops to Jun's head, Jun quickly dashed into the android and performed a palm strike at the android's chest area. The attack did not look like much, but the ki that Jun built up for it was strong to make Prototype Jack blank out its circuitry. The android collapsed on the ground at a full stop. The fight only lasted 8 minutes.

Urenna: "She is incredible! That thing couldn't touch her at all! No wonder she is in the tournament. Whoever trained her has to be just as good as my master to do that! But still…could she be good enough to stop someone like Kazuya? Or maybe they won't fight each other. Just who are you…Jun?"

In a strange turn of events, it appeared as if guns were being drawn at Jun Kazama once she turned her back away from the android to leave the fighting area. The Zaibatsu had just repaired the Prototype Jack it recovered back in Belarus, only to see it broken again by this mysterious, yet powerful young woman. The main engineer did not want Jun Kazama to simply just walk away. He commanded the troops to fire at Jun. But that chance never came.

Urenna appears and strikes!...

Zaibatsu Soldier: "Aaaaaaahhhhh!"

The Zaibatsu troops were surprised by the person who was attacking them! Urenna even slashed the camera away from the guy who was viewing the fight footage. The freaked-out camera man ran for his life! The engineer tried to fire at Urenna from behind with a pistol, but the ninja used an after-image technique at the last second. Urenna reappeared from the engineer's right side and simply used her left hand to chop at the engineer's neck, hitting the jugular vein. The elder man fell down completely knocked out. Jun Kazama looked on from a distance, but she never moved. Even she was curious about what was going on and was cautious of this woman approaching her after stopping the Zaibatsu from attempting murder. Soon the two young women were face to face, keeping some distance between them. Urenna broke the silence.

Urenna: "Jun Kazama. I mean you no harm. Allow me to introduce myself. As you can see I am a ninja with the codename Raven. Will you keep this meeting a secret between us?"

Jun: "Y…yes. Sure. It's just…. I have never seen a foreigner ninja before."

Urenna (Smirking): "It is a first time for everything. I spent most of my life in Japan. So, I feel as Japanese as you."

Jun: "I see. Your life must have been filled with challenges."

Urenna: "Yes it has."

Jun: "Are you in this tournament?"

Urenna: "No. I was ordered to observe you by my superiors at the United Nations."

Jun: "The United Nations?"

Urenna: "Yes…it was actually requested by your company. They were worried that you were getting too involved with the host of the tournament, Kazuya."

Jun (Eyes widened.): "How could they? Do…do they think I am supporting him?"

Urenna: "That I don't know. However, a job is a job. Are you for or against him, Jun Kazama?"

Jun (Feeling vulnerable.): "I…I am only trying to…open his heart."

Urenna: "Huh? Open his heart?"

Jun: "Yes…I know you may not understand…but Kazuya does have a different side to him. I have seen it for myself. There is something possessing his mind and body. It is very evil. It will not stop until it has completely taken over Kazuya. That is why…that is why I am here. I will do my best to cast out that spirit and heal Kazuya for good. No matter what!"

Urenna: "Wait…are you saying there is a spirit controlling his entire being?"

Jun: "Yes…it is unlike anything I have ever felt before, but I have read about this spirit before known as Debiru No Inshi. It can mask its presence very well. But once you see it, it will become clear, and no normal person can stop it."

Urenna: "Hmmm…my clan has fought many demons before, but I have yet to hear anything about this Debiru No Inshi. Why is that?"

Jun: "Their existence is not that known because it a rare curse. So most Japanese records have not added it into their chronicles. Except for my family. The Kazamas. We know of about the rare spirit because we too have a cursed blood."

Urenna: "Huh? You too?"

Jun: "Yes. That is why I have to be the one to help Kazuya from being completely consumed by his condition. Try to understand, please!"

Urenna (Rubbing her chin in thought.): "Well…if you insist on fighting on your own, then so be it. I think we can agree that the last person Kazuya should face is his own father. We know that he would be more than willing to silence his own son for his personal benefit."

Jun: "Heihachi worries me as well, but I want to avoid taking him on if at all possible. If he and Kazuya were to fight, then one of them will surely die. Its something I wish not to see."

Urenna (Sighs.): "You have a kinder spirit than I could have imagined Jun. I'm curious to see just how far you can go with your resolve. And maybe…when this is all over, I would like to test myself against you. Sounds fair?"

Jun: "In a test of combat?"

Urenna nods: "A sparring contest. Nothing more."

Jun: "Oh I see. A test of skill. I'm sure you are gifted in your martial art ability Raven. I will accept your challenge once my mission is done here."

Urenna (Smiles.): "You have yourself a deal Jun. I'll keep watching you win until then. Farewell! Ssshhhhaaaa!" (Disappears.)

Later into the night, Urenna briefly speaks with her master about Jun…

Urenna: "Master I have news. I prevented Jun Kazama from getting killed by the Zaibatsu. They were planning to take her out even after winning her first match. I had no choice but to reveal myself to her."

Hide: "I see. I am sure someone like her would know that secret eyes were watching her anyways. So tell me, what kind of woman is she?"

Urenna: "Jun is very brave and strong, yet quiet and calm. She took down that android thing so effortlessly. I was quite shocked. She says she comes from a long line of exorcists and she claims she knows how to reserve this curse that is inflicting Kazuya Mishima. Something called Debiru No Inshi. Do you know master?"

Hide: "Hmmm…I heard rumors of a clan that once harbored that cursed spell, but it was kept dormant by another exorcist back in the Tokugawa era. This is why the curse was rarely mentioned in our clan's records. My master was aware of its capability, but never took the threat seriously. So I never worried about it up until this point. I assumed Kazuya was just as ruthless as his father, but if the rumor is true, then this world really is in grave danger. That young woman could die as well if she is not prepared."

Urenna: "You could be right, but I sense that she really has feelings for Kazuya. Yet, Kazuya may not feel the same about her."

Hide: "Is that so? Hmmm…that could hinder her to finish him off if he can't be stopped."

Urenna: "I'll make sure she doesn't die master. Even if it is Kazuya."

Hide: "Be aware that the fighter is disqualified for outside interference during a fight, not before or after."

Urenna: "I know that but…"

Hide: "It's the rules of the tournament. The opposition will be named the victor even if that person is taken down. Try to understand. As much as I don't like Heihachi, I will not stop him from taking a life from anyone he chooses. Not during the tournament fights that is."

Urenna: "Ugh…stupid rules."

Hide: "Keep monitoring Jun. I will do the same for Heihachi. We don't need any surprises or setbacks as we follow these people. Are we clear?"

Urenna: "Understood master. Raven out."

After some time passes…

Urenna continued to monitor the movements of Jun Kazama, even though Jun wasn't fully aware of it. Urenna trained herself well to hide her ki. Throughout the tournament, Jun did very well in her 6 preliminary matches. Her victories earned her a position in the elimination rounds. In Jun's first eliminating match she managed to defeat Wang Jinrei. Oddly enough after the match, she had a long conversation with Wang. Urenna could barely hear it from her position in the jungle. Wang had growing concerns over Kazuya. He too could sense that spirit curse within Kazuya taking over his body and mind. Wang knew he could not match the might of Heihachi or Kazuya. He asked Jun and Marshall Law, one by one, to be the ones to put an end to them both. Jun however wished to save them and not take their lives. Wang was not so certain that keeping them alive would stop their ambitions for power and control of the world.

Two days later…Jun returned to Japan. Urenna naturally kept up with her movement until she stopped in Osaka. There was a small dojo tucked within the middle of the city. It was here where Jun briefly visited her older brother and his newly wedded wife. This was the first time the two women ever met. Jun's brother offered her to stay for the night, but Jun declined. She really wanted to be in Yakushima, at least before her next match against Heihachi. Thus, Jun spent the night with her family before leaving the next morning.