Every child cries. They cry because they're afraid of the dark, of storms, of insects, of monsters, of ghosts...And when terror overcomes them, they cry louder and the first thing that comes to their mind is to seek refuge in the arms of their own mother, who consoles them, kisses them on the forehead and strokes their hair, telling him that everything is fine and that nothing bad would happen to them, because she was there to protect them...But he never had anyone in his childhood to do all this and now the roles were reversed.
He hadn't even realized that he stood up, sat next to the woman who had given birth to him and held her in a warm embrace, while she was letting herself go to a liberating cry. When was the last time she vented and let emotions take over? How much confusion must have been in her heart and in her head at that moment? How many years had passed in which that woman of steel didn't indulge in basic human emotions? Everything he had learned in the last few hours was unbelievable: gods, demons, evil spirits… All of this existed only in books and movies, not in real life. But...
He continued to hold her trembling body in his arms, while she was squeezing him desperately, as if she was afraid of falling apart.
"Nina..."
"Oh Steve...I know you hate Jin...He did so many wrong things, but he wasn't evil! He had a horrible past, marked by so many bad things and he didn't deserve them!"
"You have to admit that what he did is unforgivable tho! The war he started is still going on and people are still dying because of his ill-advised decision!"
"But he couldn't know it! He tried to save us all, he gave up everything to do it… Even me!"
"May I know what was going on with you two? Do you realize what trouble he got you into now?" He scolded her, trying to reason with her.
The blonde tried to calm down, sighing heavily a couple of times.
"What was going on? Something I can't explain, Steve. I've never felt love for anyone, except my father. He was my hero, sure, I loved my mother too, but he was my whole world. I meant everything to him and I would have done anything to make him proud of me. Then he was killed and I lost all of myself, more and more every day meanwhile I suffered a misfortune after another. I always tried to stay strong and stainless, not to let anything or anyone hurt me not to get hurt again...Yet Jin...He...He was my soul mate. We both suffered so much and no one could understand us better than we did with each one has ever made me feel the way he did...Thanks to Jin I discovered what it meant to love someone...We spent unforgettable moments together, I miss him waking up in the morning still in his arms from the night before. We were in love, Steve. And out of love I helped him making his last wish come true, never abandoning him for even a second and protecting him tirelessly. The idea that it was all for nothing kills me."
Lovers. So the ruthless Jin Kazama and the cold Nina Williams had been able to experience the most beautiful of feelings. While dispensing destruction orders, from the top of the Mishima Zaibatsu they sat immersed in their bubble of happiness. But above all, what surprised him was the fact that her mother had been able to open up and learn to love..At what price though! Steve breathed deeply, while his mind worked tirelessly: her life had been a roller coaster and when she had finally found the right person, she had been snatched away from her by cruel fate, marked by an incredible curse. He continued to harbor hatred towards Kazama, he certainly wasn't forgivable for playing the damned hero, but perhaps with time he could even vaguely accept what happened. But now he had more serious problems to think about: what to do with Nina? She was still her parent and she was in huge trouble, it was his duty to help her through it.
"Alright." he exclaimed after a few moments, time for the assassin to calm down a bit. "I believe you. But now we have a much more serious problem to think about..."
The blonde sniffed and raised her head slightly, eyeing the boxer questioningly.
"..Do WE have?"
"Yes, WE have! As I told you before, until proven otherwise, you're my mother and right now you're in a position where putting your pride aside and getting help is your only way to survive."
"But..."
"Oh for fuck's sake Nina!" he snapped suddenly, leaping to his feet. "Will you stop for once? You're in deep trouble, wanted by G Corp and who knows who and pregnant too!What do you plan on doing alone? Where do you think you're going when the whole country is locked down? I see the fear in your eyes, you know? Fuck monsters, Egyptian demons and devils, you are human, just like me!"
That outburst left the blonde astonished. She knew very well that he was right, and in her heart she knew that she really needed support in the most difficult moment of her new life. So why couldn't she just bow her head and admit that what her son had just told her was the simple truth? She smiled ruefully for a moment, realizing that her flesh and blood was not only an excellent fighter, but also a very mature and caring person. Maybe she didn't deserve his attention either. How could he really be her son?
"You're right, I'm human..." she replied in a low voice, running her left hand over her face, to wipe away the last few tears. "I'm human and as such I've found myself to be disgustingly fragile, when I've always been used to being in total control of any situation. What am I going to do? I have no idea, Steve…I have no idea!"
"How about using this opportunity to finally start a new life?" the boxer asked.
"What do you mean?" the assassin replied confused.
"I mean...Kazama is out of game. This country is destined to disappear from the maps as well. Unfortunately the world is no longer a safe place, but at least it makes sense to live to the fullest while you can, somewhere else. Besides, there's a life growing inside of you. A little human being, fruit of the love between you and Jin. You should be grateful for that, instead of seeing it as a curse..."
"But Steve...I'm not appropriate to be a mother...I don't...I mean, look...Look at you! I tried to kill you!"
"But you didn't! Listen to me..." he sat back down in front of her, taking her hands between hiss and forcing her to look into those blue eyes that were the exact reproduction of hers. "I know you're scared. And I know you never wanted me to be born. I certainly can't blame you: I came into the world in a barbaric way, they used you as a guinea pig against your will and it's not fair You had no choice, I was forced on you. But now it's different! Sure, this pregnancy is just as unwanted, but this time you'll have 7 months to get used to the idea. Seven months to fall in love with the baby you're carrying, to understand how much actually you're ready to give him all the love in this world. I know you're saying that now because you're terrified but I bet my whole career you would never want to give up the last thing you have left of the man you have so loved."
"Steve think, damn it! Jin would never, ever allow this! He never wanted heritage, he wanted to eradicate his whole family. I can't risk this child once born becoming another threat that..."
"It won't be, you said it yourself! Jin was raised by his good and merciful mother, it was the inauspicious circumstances that unleashed the evil in him. I am sure you care enough to do the impossible to protect this new life and raise it to the best."
Nina froze at those words, while one drop of guilt after another hit her. Those words had been very sweet and comforting and she didn't feel she deserved them. All the moments of her childhood passed before her eyes, especially those spent with her adored father, who always looked at her with a gaze full of affection and pride, who supported her tirelessly and had always believed in her, until the end of the his days. Was this what it meant to be a parent? Was this love? She thought back to the terror she felt when she woke up at the thought that those beatings she had suffered at the hands of G Corp soldiers might have hurt the fetus. So it was true! Then she cared about that little big presence in her womb. Steve stared at her silently, studying her brooding expression, wondering what was going through her head. It must have been a really bad time for her. But one thing was certain: he would not let her sink.
"Steve, I... You're right. About every single word. Yes, I'm scared. Yes, I care about the baby. And yes, despite the risks, I'm not going to give up the only tangible memory I have of Jin." after that confession she immediately felt lighter, but it was a passing sensation. "But I don't want this child to grow up in such a messed up place, that can awaken any evil part of it. I can't stay here. And I have no idea how to deal with all this by myself!" she admitted ruefully.
"But you are not alone!" the boxer answered, putting an arm around her shoulders. "I'm telling you for the hundredth time: you are my mother! And as such I could never leave you! I care about you, Nina!"
He cared about her. Those simple words were a relief to the soul."Anyway, you're right. By now the whole world is doomed to destruction and you have to live each day as if it were your last, but the further you do it from Japan, the better!"
"I've got them all on my heels..." she bitterly stated, playing with a strand of hair. "Heihachi wants my head for failing to capture Jin and high treason. Three Tekken Force soldiers who have always been loyal to me and Jin warned me weeks ago, telling me to get the hell out of here, but I procrastinated and now the G Corporation knows I'm still alive and can't wait to hand me over to Kazuya. It will be nearly impossible for me to start a new life..."
"Well, it depends how far you go...Since my career has gone from stall to collapse thanks to the Mishima Zaibatsu, I have no reason to stay here anymore. I thought about trying to get it off the ground again in the United States, but there are too many spies. I think I'll have to devote myself to something else..."
"Okay, but where? We can't afford the luxury of being noticed!"
"Actually, there would be a pretty safe place..." the boxer replied, looking straight into her eyes and hinting at a smile.
"Which is...?"
"It's not that bad in Ireland..."