(A/N: Can't believe we're already in Chapter 5! Thank you for reviewing. I don't own anything; all rights belong to Bandai Namco Tekken.)

By LADY

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Chapter 5: Holding on

In Yakushima

Xiaoyu winced, her hand instinctively reaching to her side. "Jin, stop! It hurts."

Jin focused, and gently held her in place. "Hold on, I am almost done."

With a pained expression, Xiaoyu covered her face, enduring the pain.

Minutes later

Jin finished his work, his brow furrowed in concentration. "I have purified it and the stitching is almost gone. You're going to recover soon."

Xiaoyu whispered her gratitude, her voice barely audible. "Thank you..."

Concern etched into his features, Jin asked softly, "Do you still feel pain?"

Xiaoyu managed a soft smile, shaking her head slightly. She reached out to grasp his arm, her touch reassuring. Jin's heart swelled with affection; Xiaoyu meant everything to him. She was his family, his pillar of strength. Though he had harbored feelings for her since high school, he had never confessed, fearing the consequences of his Devil Gene. Now, nothing worried him more than the thought of losing her and their children. Jin leaned closer, his gaze filled with unspoken emotions.

Sensing his unease, Xiaoyu questioned, "What's on your mind, Jin?"

Jin smiled faintly, then whispered, "Xiao... stay safe, don't get hurt… I won't forgive myself if anything happens to you."

Xiaoyu reassured him, "Jin, I'm fine. The stitches from the surgery hurt because of the alcohol, but there's nothing to worry about…and I'll always be by your side. I won't leave even if you asked!" She chuckled warmly.

Jin's gaze softened, his heart swelling with love and relief. "I want you to be safe."

Drawing closer, Xiaoyu replied, "We're leaving soon for the city, so don't worry. She won't harm us. Besides, you're the strongest man I know. With you, she won't lay a finger on me."

Jin smiled, his worries momentarily eased. As they heard the thrum of a helicopter, Jin turned to Xiaoyu. "Stay here. I'll go check it."

Xiaoyu nodded, her eyes following him as he left to find to investigate the situation.

Steve found himself standing alongside his mother, Nina Williams, facing a horde of assailants. The air crackled with tension as they exchanged blows, their movements fluid yet fierce.

Suddenly, one of the assailants drew a weapon, aiming it directly at Steve. Panic seized his heart as he froze in terror, unable to move. But before the shot could ring out, Nina leaped in front of him, her body becoming a shield against the impending danger.

"Mother!" Steve shouted, his voice choked with emotion as time seemed to slow down. He watched in horror as the bullet struck Nina, her form recoiling from the impact. Blood blossomed from the wound, staining her clothes crimson.

reaching out futilely as his mother staggered backward, her strength waning. In that moment, everything seemed to blur together - the sounds of battle, the sight of his mother's pain, the overwhelming sense of helplessness.

With a final, defiant glare, Nina managed to push Steve out of harm's way before collapsing to the ground, her body motionless. Steve's screams echoed in the darkness as he fell to his knees beside her, cradling her in his arms.

"No... not like this..." Steve whispered hoarsely, his eyes brimming with tears as he watched his mother's life slip away. Guilt and grief washed over him in waves, each heartbeat a painful reminder of his failure to protect her.

And then suddenly, as if a veil had been lifted, Steve found himself back in his bed, the remnants of the nightmare clinging to him like a suffocating blanket. His chest heaved with exertion, and sweat dampened his brow. It took a moment for him to realize that it was all just a dream - a vivid, horrifying dream that had felt all too real.

His wife, Leo, noticed his distress and immediately reached out, concern evident in her eyes. "What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?"

Steve, not wanting to worry her further, forced a smile. "no.. do you know those dreams where you fall from high places, well guess what I fell just now hahaha" he replied, attempting to brush off his turmoil.

she wasn't convinced, her intuition telling her otherwise, but she decided not to press him further. "Were you injured?" she teased, trying to lighten the mood.

Steve played along, making a silly face. "Yeah, I broke a leg," he joked before getting up. "I'll use the restroom. Do you want anything before I go?"

"no thanks..," she replied, lying back in bed, her mind still troubled by Steve's evident distress, thinking about what he really dreamt, was it his past? Or something else? "I know he doesn't want to make me worry," she thought. She kept thinking till she slept.

Alone in the bathroom, Steve looked at himself in the mirror, his reflection betraying the turmoil within. Thoughts of his mother flooded his mind, stirring up emotions he had long buried. "Where is she? I haven't heard from her in years. Is she hurt? Did something happen to her?" he wondered aloud, his voice barely a whisper. He leaned against the sink, his mind racing with conflicting thoughts. "Why do I even care?" he mused bitterly. "She didn't want anything to do with me. If I went searching for her, I might only risk my wife's life and..." His thoughts trailed off as he glanced at Leo's sleeping form, a pang of guilt piercing his heart. "I won't search for her. She doesn't need me."

Returning to bed, Steve glanced at his wife, He tucked her in gently, his thoughts consumed by the life they had built together. With a newfound determination, he resolved to protect what they had at all costs reaffirming his commitment to their family before drifting off to sleep, the echoes of his nightmare still haunting him.

Hwoarang entered the dojo with purpose, his gaze sweeping over the training equipment before he began his solitary workout.

Only moments later, Asuka slid open the door, her surprise evident. "What are you doing here?" She eyed the damaged equipment. "Yoooou!"

Ignoring her accusation, Hwoarang continued his training, unfazed.

Attempting to strike him, Asuka found herself flipped onto the ground.

"Hey, I wasn't ready!" Asuka said

Hwoarang quipped, "Shouldn't I be the one saying that?"

Asuka stood up, dusting herself off. "What are you doing here anyway? Are there no other dojos in town?"

Hwoarang, still focused on his training, remained silent.

Just then, Lili entered the dojo. "Oh, you're here already," she said, turning to Asuka. "Let me introduce you to our new mentor. Hwoarang is going to train us from now on."

Asuka exclaimed, "WHAT?!"

Watching the news unfold, Jun couldn't suppress her concern. "Kazuya, I don't think that's the right way."

Kazuya's expression was steely. "I have no choice."

Turning to face him, Jun urged, "You know who to contact. Why are you doing this alone?"

Kazuya's resolve was unwavering. "Because I am the target. If she wants to fight," he clenched his fists, "then she will get one!"

The tension in the room was palpable as they braced themselves for the inevitable confrontation.

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Thank you for your patience with this chapter. Life has been hectic lately, but I'm grateful for your understanding. I hope you enjoy what's to come!

Lady