Ichitani Hotel, Private Penthouse Suite:
"They knew we were there," Raven growled. "How could we have been so careless?"
The trio of agents stood in the living room, pondering the next course of action after the planned ambush to kill them had failed.
Victor tapped his chin. "Hmm... not what I had in mind for a small conversation."
"We're compromised by staying here," Raven stated.
Master Raven turned on the TV, arms crossed with the remote in hand. The screen displayed a news reporter detailing the Tekken Force attack they had thwarted. "Tonight's ambush has gained so much attention that the founder of Violet Systems, Lee Chaolan, has offered to help clean up the scene with the assistance of his androids."
"Not entirely. We still need to find the connection between Lee and the Zaibatsu."
Soon, the silver-haired tycoon appeared on the screen, along with several androids who began picking up the bodies before loading them into a truck. "The Mishima Zaibatsu's attack was completely deplorable on a trio of citizens. I will lend a hand in restoring this establishment to its former glory."
Master Raven raised an eyebrow. "They know we're in the area but not of our specific location. Besides, we might have a possible lead."
Victor glanced in her direction. "What do you propose, Tatyana?"
Kazuya rubbed a hand over his chin. "Anna..."
"Hmmm?"
"It's about time you and Lee do some catching up."
Her eyes rolled. "I left Lee for a reason, Kazuya. What's your reasoning for me to seduce him this time?"
"Play both sides to extract any information from him on Heihachi."
"A game of chess?" Anna smiled. "This should be interesting."
Winking at Bruce, the brunette stood from the glass table and headed toward the elevator.
"Don't do anything stupid while you're out there," Bruce reminded.
She didn't respond and only flashed her teasing smirk as the elevator doors slid closed.
Bruce shook his head. "Better hope she doesn't fuck it up in case her sister ruins our plans. That woman toys with almost every man she sets her sights on, and they stupidly fall for the same tricks."
Kazuya smirked. "That's why she's my assistant, Bruce."
New Moon Bar:
Lee sighed before looking at his watch, which read 8:39 P.M. "All right. The blood and bodies have mostly been cleaned up. I believe it's time to head back home while my androids dispose of the bodies. Aki."
"Yes, Mr. Lee?" replied a brown-haired woman, his secretary.
"Set up a meeting with the owner of this bar tomorrow at five."
She nodded and immediately went to work on her tablet. The duo departed for his luxurious white limousine on the opposite street near the curb. Always the gentleman, Lee opened the door for Aki to enter first before following her. Aki could only glare at the sight of Anna already situated inside. She wore her usual Chinese dress with the classic red lipstick and her enticing perfume. Lee closed the door just as the vehicle slipped into the sparse traffic of Kobe's streets. It only took one inhale for Lee to catch the familiar scent of champagne and roses to recognize the third person inside.
A slender hand landed on his upper thigh. "Lee..."
That familiar smirk went across Lee's face, his hand clasping hers. "Finally came to your senses, Anna?"
She chuckled, her silky voice heaven to his ears - a melody he had long missed despite the number of women usually around him. "Would saying I missed you not be enough for you?"
He inhaled sharply as her hand grazed his skin. Anna quickly worked to unbutton his shirt, and Lee could feel her coming closer with each undone button until she was sitting on his legs with her hands around his neck.
"Hmmm," Lee smirked, gazing at her from head to toe. "Glad to know your loyalty falls to nobody but me."
"Of course." She moistened her deep red lips for an added effect. "I've been wanting you so bad since I left."
Lee held her chin with his hand. "How about you and me celebrate with a little party?"
She laughed while flashing her mischievous smile. "That would be perfect."
"Aki-"
"Already on it," his secretary replied.
Lee grinned, seeing the guests quickly flood into the glass doors of his luxurious seaside mansion. Inside was what each expected, familiar faces and champagne bottles amid the music from the speakers around the house.
"Almost like old times," Anna remarked, joining the silver-haired tycoon as he overlooked the living room courtyard.
He chuckled. "Almost, though something is different. Do you take me for a fool, Anna?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Of course not."
"Then I hope you don't mind me making an offer impossible for you to resist."
"Lee..."
"I know Kazuya sent you here to double-cross me. But I have a weakness, as you do." Lee snaked a hand around Anna's waist and leaned into her ear. "I play my game of favorites, and you do that very well."
She breathed slowly, looking into his sharp eyes.
"Join me, and I'll give you free rein to chase your sister with any available weapon and vehicle. The only thing you must do is give yourself over to me... entirely."
His leather glove creaked as he gripped her wrist, a seductive grin plastered onto his face while holding Anna with enough pressure to mean it but not enough to hurt.
Anna inhaled sharply, hating how he automatically knew her buttons to press. Plus, the chance to finally off her sister was too enticing to dismiss. Of all people, Kazuya should know what revenge can do to a person. That fact alone made Anna's decision easier.
"I'm all yours."
"Good."
"Lee is back to throwing another one of his parties again," Raven remarked with a frown.
Master Raven's smirk widened into a grin. "Perfect."
Victor and Raven stared at the woman in confusion. The usually stoic kunoichi rarely grinned in public or even in private. It always meant she had a plan that required a more personal touch. It was a rare but shocking occurrence that even Victor would shut down, as these instances were often too risky.
"Already concocting a plan?"
"Simple. I'll go to Chaolan's party and ask him myself. Going as a partygoer will be better since he's never seen me in the field. Rather easy if you think about it."
Victor couldn't help chuckling. "Quite the plan, but I don't think going alone would be the best idea. Something could happen, and we'd have to abort the mission if you're heavily outnumbered without the means to escape."
The woman placed a hand on her hip. "It's a house on the coast of Kobe, Vic. I could ride on the jet ski if I wanted to."
Raven placed his shades back on to conceal his narrowed eyes behind the red lenses. "Going in alone is too risky, given Lee's routine of getting close and personal with new faces. Yours especially."
Victor couldn't help but notice the cold edge of Raven's voice when he spoke. It seemed to be more just concern when his muscles tensed when he said.
"You're not going undercover. It's too risky."
Master Raven sighed. "Raven…" Her tone was soft in reply, though she understood what he meant without saying it.
"Perhaps," Victor interjected. "We could compromise. Should you need backup, we will drop you off at the party and wait on stand-by in the vehicle."
Raven's eyebrow sunk behind his shades. "There isn't another way of doing this?"
"We need this intel to gauge our next move, Raven."
He huffed. "Understood."
Victor nodded, hiding his smirk as he strolled to the door. 'Very interesting.'
"If you're going to a party," he continued. "You need to capture everyone's attention. Past time we go shopping. Are you coming, Raven?"
The shorter male shook his head before looking over at the TV. "Go. I could use some time to meditate."
Master Raven couldn't help but notice her boyfriend's clenched jaw as he stared at the TV. Raven forced himself to focus on the display even as he wanted to do anything possible to stop her from going alone. He hoped to calm himself with his back to the door and deep breaths. Though disappointed, Master Raven didn't hold it against him as she grabbed her keys and exited the suite after Victor.
Raven finally let his head fall. "Only one day, and we can't even have a moment of normalcy."
A chime from his phone sounded, prompting Raven to pick it up and raise an eyebrow once he found it was Master Raven who had sent him a text message.
'I know what's bothering you, but it's not what it seems. That I promise.'
Nearby mall:
The two agents walked into a fancy clothing line store. One even had real gold, silver, and diamond jewelry sold at the center of the spacious store. Only a few people were inside besides the armed security and employees. Master Raven rolled her eyes at the stares thrown in her direction due to her hairstyle. Though she knew why, it didn't make it less annoying.
"It's been too long since we last went shopping for a mission of this degree," Victor remarked before eyeing Master Raven. "What is it you have in mind for this dress?"
"You can never go wrong with a classic black halter," she answered with a wink.
"You'll still need to catch Lee's attention. Maybe adding something to that. Perhaps a metallic or gold trimming would suffice?"
"Typical Vic."
Master Raven walked over to a section of high-class dresses. Some were locked behind bulletproof glass because of the diamonds braided into the fabrics and silks. "Black and gold is a good combination, but not for this party."
Victor crossed his arms. "You have a better idea?"
"Something along the lines of silver."
The older man rubbed a hand on his chin. "I see where you're going with this. I've been meaning to ask. Is Raven okay?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "Just concerned about the mission."
Victor gazed straight at her. "I know you better than that, Tatyana..."
There it was again - a noticeable tension in her shoulders once her given name was uttered. Reluctantly, Master Raven faced him and his somewhat questioning expression.
"Is there something between you two I should know about? I noticed how you looked at Raven when he persisted."
"Only that it won't interfere with our missions, Victor."
"When exactly did this occur?"
Master Raven turned her attention back to the racks of fancy dresses. "Not to be rude, but I prefer to discuss the task at hand. I'll tell you in time."
Her superior nodded, knowing he would get answers eventually. "Understood. An eye-catching dress shouldn't be hard to find, right? Maybe red would be fitting for you, eh?"
Right then, a short female with warm pale skin approached the agents with distinct features - slim eyebrows, wide brown eyes, light pink lipstick, dark eye shadow, and long, wavy black hair with several parts dyed a light pink with the rest tied into two pigtails with ends stopping at her waist. She wore something more befitting of a senior in high school - a black asymmetrical skirt with a chain hanging from the belt loops on the left side and a uni buckle crop top. On her feet were black and white short-heeled Converses and a gold cuff around her left arm.
The girl had both hands behind her back with a coy smile. "I couldn't help overhearing your conversation, and I think I could help you with your problem."
Master Raven and Victor exchanged looks before the former spoke. "You lost, kid?"
Victor gave his subordinate a sharp look. 'Really!?'
The girl grinned at the bold question. "Cold, but that's fair. I'm Kaida, and-"
"Little Dragon," Victor thoughtfully remarked.
"Okay, old man," Kaida retorted, viewing him like a weirdo who just asked for her number. "I'm twenty-two, by the way. To catch Lee's attention, you should go for something with metallic detailing and a sprinkle of diamonds."
"How do you even know this?" Victor questioned.
Kaida shrugged. "The guy is a flamboyant airhead. So long as you look good and aren't under the age of eighteen, those androids will let you in without so much as an ID check. I slipped inside last week with a mini skirt and a tank top. Considering this is your first time, you'll need to impress."
She paused before placing a hand on her chin while looking Master Raven up and down. The woman seemed out of place in jeans and a black collared shirt, especially next to Victor.
The young girl paused when her eyes landed on the kunoichi's hips. "Those jeans aren't doing much hiding, but I know a few colors that would look good on you, miss..."
"Tatyana."
Kaida pointed at Victor. "You, go find some earrings." The finger shifted to Master Raven. "Go wait by the dressing room."
The fighters looked at each other, sharing expressions of confusion and shock. "Uh-"
"Move it, people!"
Fifteen minutes later:
Kaida and Victor sat outside a dressing room at the back of the spacious store, waiting for Master Raven to put on the night's second dress. The red one was too gaudy with its wrinkled layers that puffed out like a rose with a short but tailing train. It was too elaborate for Lee's party, even with the high slit. Next to Victor sat a couple of earrings, diamonds, silver, and gold boxes.
He sighed. "How long does his parties usually last?"
"Until midnight, sometimes until one in the morning," Kaida answered.
"Noted. At least we have time."
Cli-Click.
Master Raven walked out of the dressing room, donning a hot pink halter dress with a slim fit to her upper body and low dropping back. However, the only thing keeping it on her was a long satin ribbon tied around her waist with the bow at her back. The ribbon's two ends hung toward her knees.
"It's nice but too tight around my waist," Master Raven stated.
Victor sighed. "Of course."
She had a point, but this was beginning to drag out longer than they initially thought.
"Okay..." Kaida remarked before showing a dark blue dress on a velvet hanger. "Try this one."
Victor looked at his watch, reading 9:29 P.M.
Cli-Click.
Again, the master kunoichi walked out of the dressing room. This time, it was a simple dress with a high slit on the left-hand side with a triangular turtleneck collar but no special trimming or details.
"Too simple," each woman remarked.
Kaida placed her hands on her hips, strolling in a small circle. "There's got to be something in here that-"
She paused without further comment. Master Raven noticed, and her eyes landed on the same thing nearby - a mannequin covered in elegant black clothing.
"Woah..." Kaida breathed. "You see what I'm seeing, Tatyana?"
"Uh-huh."
Victor merely smiled and got up from the cushioned bench. "I'll get help."
The clock read 9:42 P.M. Once again, the older man and young girl were waiting for the kunoichi to leave the dressing room.
Kaida smirked. "That was one amazing dress."
Victor raised an eyebrow. "You sure? Seems like an exaggeration to me."
"I swear. Guys never get it. You can see it, but you don't know until she wears it."
"What?"
Kaida rolled her eyes. "Look, I gotta go. I promised my dad I'd be back at the hotel before ten. If I see you two again, tell me how the party goes. See you around..."
He held out his gloved hand. "Victor."
She took it. "Victor. Later, T."
"Uh... bye?"
With that, the young girl quickly walked toward the store's glass exit doors and into the waning crowd leaving the mall.
Victor stood from the cushioned seat and leaned against the wall. "Feisty, isn't she?"
A chuckle sounded from the other side of the dressing room door. "That would explain her name."
"Reminds me of you when you were her age."
"To be fair, Raven was more of an annoyance than he let on when you weren't watching."
Victor paused as his eyes closed, listening to the world around him while carefully formulating his next set of words. The subtle sounds of fabric brushing against skin, cars zooming past at moderately fast speeds, shoe taps on the sidewalks, and the muffled honks of cars in crossing traffic. A tiny whisper of wind filled his ears.
"Are you certain about this plan, Tatyana?"
"Completely."
"It's not the exits I'm worried about, but Lee's androids. They are state of the art for a reason."
"I've faced robots before, Vic."
"None with possible scanning and storing personal data." The older man stood from the wall. "Now isn't the time to be an arrogant agent."
"It's not arrogance. I would know when I'm over my head."
"Still..."
"Trust me, I plan to keep my head on straight. Just because I use my other talents for this objective doesn't mean I've lost my mind, Vic."
"You done in there?"
Cli-Click.
Victor stood back from the door as Master Raven stepped out in a new black halter dress of comfortable satin that hugged and outlined her curves without restriction. A single strap of stretch material clung the dress to her upper body with a triangular turtleneck collar with the low dropping back topped just a few inches above her backside. A wide slit began at the left waist, revealing most of her smooth, long legs. It also had metallic lavender detailing and trim adorning the collar and slit, seamlessly guiding the eyes to the best viewable places. The dress accentuated her attractive figure, leaving little to the imagination.
Victor's eyebrows raised as he pulled down his sunglasses. "I think I get what Kaida meant. You look... stunning."
Master Raven gave a small smile. "Thank you, Victor."
10:05 P.M.:
Raven found himself enveloped in a serene ambiance orchestrated by the soothing notes of an upbeat jazz melody emanating from the speaker on the coffee table. The soft piano chords playing a melancholic yet enchanting tune failed to distract him from the nagging concerns about Tatyana's well-being. A disconcerting grimace etched itself across Raven's visage to quiet his racing thoughts. The impending events at the party, especially Lee's unpredictable actions, dominated his mind, and there was only one way to quell them.
Taking a deep breath, Raven subdued the external influences by lowering the music volume and muting the television. The screen displayed a female reporter donning a striking red suit, reporting from the now-empty bar wreckage. Combots, resembling diligent janitors, diligently worked to erase the remnants of violence – scrubbing blood-stained floors and collecting spent bullet shells.
"As you can see behind me, there are still several Combots cleaning up the blood and bullet shells left," the reporter relayed via the TV caption.
Uninterested in the Mishima Zaibatsu's pursuits, Raven got up from the couch and sat on his knees in a posture of quiet introspection. He followed every instruction of the sacred ritual required for every clan ninja. Failure to do so meant disruption for the mind and soul. The ambient jazz notes lingered to provide a subtle soundtrack to his inner journey within. Closing his eyes, Raven sought solace amidst the tempest of concerns that swirled within his thoughts. His silhouette remained a testament to discipline in the living room's stillness. The soft glow of lighting cast a serene aura around him as he delved into the realm of eerie silence. Each measured breath served as a pathway to centering himself, distancing from the external turmoil.
'Lee's theatrics and whatever else Tatyana may face. What could be delaying her and Victor so long? It's merely a single dress.'
The anticipation of their return prompted a sense of restlessness amid Raven's meditation. The world outside faded away as he eliminated all distractions and allowed the rhythmic cadence of his own breath to guide him into a state of profound meditation. Minutes unfolded in quiet contemplation, a respite from the tumultuous events that had unfolded earlier.
In this sacred space, Raven harnessed the power of meditation to fortify his mind - a brief respite before Victor and Master Raven's inevitable return.
10:23 P.M.:
"I feel like we're forgetting something..." Victor remarked, tapping a finger on his chin.
Master Raven raised an eyebrow. "What could we be missing? We have the dress and need to get going so I can get our intel."
"Oh, don't lie. I know you're rushing me to put it on again."
She smirked. "Can't blame a girl for trying?"
"Look, wait by the door. I'll make this quick."
"Fine."
Master Raven shook her head while walking away, knowing full well her superior would get something extra to spruce up the outfit more. It was unsurprising and something she considered normal at this point. He always had to add some flare to almost everything he did, outfits included. After all, it was his idea to trade out the dress shoes of her suit for more befitting, modified heels he bought for when she needed to act in a critical situation. Shock-absorbent inner soles, rubber heel for grip, armored toes with thick but flexible leather - a surprising combo that fit well with her loose tie. Master Raven chuckled, remembering Victor first giving her the heels.
"Try them out."
She looked at him with avid confusion. "What?"
"Kick me."
"Vic, what—"
He laughed. "Trust me on this. Aim for my hair if you need to."
"Right…"
She used one hand to unbutton the collar of her shirt and loosen her tie.
He rolled his eyes in indignation. "Why do that? You need to look respectable in a suit."
"Look, I'm already wearing it with heels. You know I hate wearing this constricting thing you call stylish clothing," Master Raven retorted.
"You'll learn to love it. Besides, custom-made suits aren't cheap in our line of work."
"Yeah, yeah. Hold still; I wanna swipe that loose strand of your head."
He chuckled and stood still as requested. With a quick twist of her leg, the kunoichi's foot sailed for his head. Victor leaned back, eyebrows raising at how close the toe had come to connecting. He inhaled sharply, a slight smirk forming.
"Close, very close. Almost like you wanted to knock me out."
Master Raven looked down at her heels. "You were right. Not one single twitch of stiffness."
"See? Who said ninjas can't be deadly and fashionable?"
Master Raven smirked before leaning against the glass wall. "He was right about the suit."
"Do you guys have any cuff bracelets?" Victor asked.
The guy in a dark suit and short black hair nodded. "Looking for something fancy with engraving or simple but flashy and durable?"
"Durable."
"Follow me, sir. We keep our bracelets in the back with our shoes."
"Perfect."
10:42 P.M.:
Raven fastened his other glove onto his left arm, pacing the living room now that he had his suit on. Despite his current musings, his meditation session quelled most of his anxiousness about tonight's mission. To him, this felt... different. Not in a dangerous way. However, he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Tap.
Tap.
Click.
"What took you two so long?" Raven asked. "One dress shouldn't be hard to find."
Tatyana left Victor to answer the question and quickly left for the bathroom with a mischievous smirk.
The older man scratched his neck. "There was a kid, and then Tatyana spotted something she liked. Plus, I had to ensure the entire look was complete."
"Wha- Victor..."
"Just trying to make sure this goes well." He fixed his tie. "My expertise in style will come in handy once you see Tatyana in the full outfit."
"How long is this gonna take?" Raven grumbled.
"Never rush a woman, Raven!" Master Raven yelled from the bathroom.
Victor laughed. "You heard her."
"Right..."
Raven sheathed his blades at his back as he stood by the balcony. Victor sat on the couch, tapping his foot patiently as they waited for Master Raven to finish getting dressed.
"At this rate, we'll be late," Raven remarked sharply. "Might as well abort the objective."
"That won't be necessary."
The silky voice originated from the middle of the room, familiar but laced with lust and inviting to the ears. Both Raven and Victor looked up to see... Master Raven, donning her new outfit. All trains of coherent thought left Raven at the sight before him. Gone was her usual suit and tie he was accustomed to seeing. Instead, the black halter dress she came out in complimented each crevice of her frame without restriction.
"So, how do I look?"
Raven's breath hitched, something his allies picked up on. "You look... a-amazing, Tatyana."
The dress accentuated Master Raven's features as desired, with a nice view of her smooth legs donning open-toe stiletto strap booties. A pair of long silver bar earrings filled generously with detailing. Polished gold cuffs around each wrist brought out the glow of her dark, flawless skin. Her lips were painted in a deep brown lipstick accompanied by black eyeshadow.
'Yeah, I'm keeping this if his reaction is anything,' Master Raven vowed.
Victor smirked at Raven's stunned expression at Tatyana's awe-worthy appearance. "I believe my work here is done. But we have no time for gawking. I called a limo. Your chariot awaits, madame."
Lee's Mansion - 11:16 P.M.:
Lee tipped his glass to the owner of the New Moon Bar, smirking with a slight head nod. It was the least he could do while the Combots cleaned up his business.
"I'm surprised. Thought you'd be tired of parties by now," Anna remarked.
"I would, but..." Lee's teasing grin returned. "I learned a few things from our exciting past. Things I find very useful. As you once said, 'Life waits for no one, so why waste it being serious and formal all the time?'"
Anna chuckled. "Kazuya was eye candy, but he never knew how to have fun. Always so focused on revenge with his father."
"Isn't that how you and your sister are?"
"Not to the extent of pure hatred. It's a sibling rivalry between us. One that will end with Nina begging for my mercy."
Lee couldn't help laughing; he found the passion for Nina's downfall amusing and sexy. The discord between the Williams siblings was all too familiar for him, seeing as he and Kazuya never saw eye to eye whenever in the same vicinity. Nor did it help with Heihachi's treacherous teachings. It was the main reason for Lee's resentment of his adopted family and why he forged his own path to supremacy.
"As I remember," Lee swiveled the champagne in his glass, a tiny glint appearing on the curved edge as a single wave danced and slid. "Your passion still holds as good as ever."
"Glad to know you still appreciate the finer things in life. So..." Anna's hand landed on his arm and slowly moved down to his hands. "When can you and I get some time to... catch up?"
He held her hands. "Soon, my dear. I need to ensure the last of our guests are enjoying themselves."
Anna stood from the glass guardrail, her hand trailing his back as she walked away with a winking. "Don't keep me waiting, handsome."
Outside:
The limousine stopped in front of the mansion doors. Victor glanced at the kunoichi from his driver seat in the rearview mirror, suspicious of her smirk as she stared out the window.
"You ready?" Raven asked from the front passenger seat.
She chuckled devilishly. "More than ready. And try not to be too worried. I'll be fine. This mission requires a woman's touch."
"That's what I'm worried about..." her boyfriend replied.
"Be nice while I'm gone, boys."
A small laugh sounded from Victor as he nodded while Raven remained silent. One of the Combot servants stepped forward and opened the limousine door. A black open-toe heel landed on the smooth concrete, the shadows revealing a soft, dark leg.
Lee was about to leave the guardrail when he felt the party's atmosphere change. An air of shock and silence filled the party, and only music played as everyone seemed to watch the last guest arrive at the celebration. He placed his gloved hands back on the glass, dark eyes staring intently as a tall woman in a delicate dress and jewelry walked in. She effortlessly commanded the attention of everyone, man or woman, in the room.
Lee smirked. "The lady of the final hour has arrived. Aki."
His secretary looked up from her tablet. "Yes?"
"Is that woman on our regular guest list?"
Aki looked over the names, none with the mystery woman's picture beside it. "Unfortunately not. Shall I escort her off the premises?"
"That won't be necessary," Lee interrupted. "Let her roam. She and I will mingle soon enough."
Master Raven scanned the surroundings, her light eyes meeting Lee's. She seemed to slow down around them, even as she blinked and cast a slight smirk in return. His smirk widened to a grin before watching her approach the balcony at the back of the spacious living room.
Meanwhile, Victor slipped a magazine into his silver Sig Sauer p3204 pistol, eyeing the polished metal as it caught the moon's light that shone through the limousine's open window.
"Do you trust her?" the Frenchman questioned, pulling back the slide.
They were currently stationed at the top of a parking garage. Raven leaned against the limousine as he stood outside, his arms crossed while staring down the modern beach mansion below. His narrowed eyes bore through his red shades. Victor could sense the younger agent's tenseness from his Ki signature alone. It was vibrant and sharp, like a hostile rogue ninja they faced back in Kyoto. This could only be gained after falling into the desire to kill without proper mediation to keep one's equilibrium.
"Huh?"
"Do you trust her?" Victor repeated.
"Of course I do," Raven answered.
"Then you have no reason to worry."
"Agree to disagree, sir."
Victor slipped his pistol into the holster at his leg. "With her ability to capture an audience, I would be worried too. But my agent is loyal, and I highly doubt she'd betray your trust that easily. Unless for good reason."
"Like that mission back in the seventh tournament?"
"She insisted on going."
"I would've at least liked to know she was going instead of finding out by watching the match on TV."
"Raven," Victor breathed. "Hopefully, Tatyana is having a better time with this than you are right now."
"I'm just concerned, Victor."
Master Raven blinked while overlooking the calming view of the sea, standing in front of the glass guardrail. She released a deep breath as a calm wind wafted through the air and her dreaded hair, a small smile forming. It was peaceful until she sensed another presence that wasn't her target - a short man in a dark red suit and slicked-back black hair waltzed up to her. He leaned against the guardrail to catch a better glimpse of her features.
"Never seen such a captivating woman of your grandeur at a party like this. You new to town?"
The expensive cologne that hung around him was striking and off-putting, but Master Raven hid her disdain well. It didn't mix well with the faint hint of cheap perfume of the woman he 'talked' with the night before.
She laughed. "I was supposed to come with a friend, but it seems she left me to mingle alone."
"A shy woman such as yourself?" He grinned, revealing one of his golden casted teeth. "You don't seem like a good liar."
"Not shy. I merely don't prefer this scene."
The man's grin grew wider, making the kunoichi resist every urge to throw the man over the rail and into the sea below.
"Maybe you and I could get out of here. I have a few spots in Kobe I think you'd like."
Master Raven raised an amused eyebrow. "Does line that always work with all the girls you 'show around'? Your talking game would be more convincing if you didn't also smell of roses - a nice mix to your striking cologne."
He gave her a shaky smile, trying not to show his anger. "Aw, come on, baby..."
His rough hand gripped her arm hard enough to show he wouldn't take no for an answer. "Don't be like that. I can make you my rich wife. All you have to do is dance."
Before the woman could speak, another voice sounded from the wide doorway. "Is this man bothering you?"
Lee's arms crossed as he observed the scene unfolding before him when he caught sight of the man's hand gripping her arm.
"Beat it, Lee," he growled. "She's mine."
The silver-haired devil took that as a challenge before approaching and separating the two. "Don't make me do this again, Roman."
"No! I'm sick of being in your shadow! I used to be your bodyguard!" Roman exclaimed, "You got big, and I'm left in your shadow. A man who takes the finest woman home at your party will be the talk of the town."
Lee's eyes narrowed. "Yet it's clear she does not wish to go with you. I suggest you leave while you still have your dignity."
Master Raven caught the tightening of Roman's suit around his shoulders, his muscles tensing underneath. She knew then he wouldn't leave that easy or without causing a scene. Lee glanced back at the woman behind him, giving her a slight nod as his gloved hand landed at her waist. She held her composure despite his gentle but foreign touch. Roman swung his fist for the silver-haired tycoon. Lee stepped back, taking Master Raven's hand and spinning her around. His foot tripped Roman before steadying the woman by holding her waist. Roman didn't have time to react before a fist landed against his jaw, knocking him unconscious upon impact. Shaking her hand, Master Raven inhaled sharply as a slight sting erupted in her ring finger after striking a gold-braced tooth.
Lee smirked. "Quite the punch."
"It pays to know something about fighting for situations like this."
"Indeed. This happens often?"
She huffed. "Not really, but do you always happen to show up at the right time to help a girl out of a situation like this?"
Lee chuckled as well. "No."
"I guess I got lucky."
The tycoon smirked. "It would seem so, but it was rude of me not to introduce myself." He bowed slightly. "I am Lee Chaolan."
"The famed, suave founder and owner of Violet Systems," Master Raven added. "Your reputation precedes you."
"And you are?"
She grinned, her hand trailing down his chest with a whispery tone that matched the shine in her eyes. "You think I'd just give that up so easily?"
Lee gingerly caught her hand in his palm. "Can I at least know why you grace my party with your presence?"
"I was hoping you and I could have a conversation of our own."
The silver-haired man held himself from grinning like a madman. "Oh?" His hands found her waist before spinning her around, which ended with her back against the wall. "What's on your mind?"
Master Raven giggled, pulling on his tie ever so gently. "I want to know your true motives."
"What is taking him so long?" Anna hissed.
She got up from the king-size bed, her heels tapping on the polished floors as a signal of displeasure. Anna headed for the living room, only to spot Lee and another woman at a nearby wall. A visible and contemptuous glare formed on her once angelic face, her hands gripping the white guardrail.
'What the hell is she doing here!?'
Glancing upward, Master Raven caught Anna staring at her with evil intentions. "I'd rather talk somewhere more... private."
Lee removed his hands and lent her his elbow. "That can be arranged."
Anna leaned one hand against the door and another on her hip, her glare sharp on her usually smug face as she eyed their intertwined arms. There was no way this chick would swoop in and mousy so close to her beloved Lee. She stomped her way toward them.
"Hate to break your illusion, Lee," Anna quipped. "But your mystery woman is not who she seems to be."
Lee grinned. "Nonsense, Anna. She's a new guest, so I suggest you behave."
"I'm serious, Lee! She's-"
"Enough."
The word was uttered with a wave of his gloved hand, which took Anna back in silence as she offered no immediate retort. It was clear Lee would not stand for Anna's blatant disregard for his new visitor without giving her a chance to speak.
"You should give us some time to get acquainted since you can't be kind to my guest here."
Anna was left in shock and watched as Lee and Master Raven left to the open balcony of the expansive bedroom, the brunette unable to stand it. Their arms remained interlocked as they walked entirely in sync; the sparkle in Lee's eyes was faint but palpable while admiring her confident gait. Anna could easily see behind her façade; she was here for information and only wanted to play him. From the soft, inviting tone to the blink of her eyes.
Master Raven inched closer as she spoke. "What of your partnership with Mishima Zaibatsu?"
"Oh, a mere stepping stone for my rightful takeover of power."
'Typical.'
"Fine then," Anna seethed, the edge of a small throwing knife revealing itself between the middle and ring finger of her clenched fist. "I'll show you."
With a swift flick of her wrist, the throwing knife flew towards the taller woman. To her mild surprise and Lee's jolt and awe, Master Raven deftly caught the throwing knife... the tip mere inches away from her eye.
Lee stepped back as Anna aimed a high-heeled kick at the taller woman. "What did I tell you, Lee? No normal citizen would know to do that."
Master Raven shrugged. "True, but you should face the facts. He's lost interest in you."
Anna's glare deepened, and Master Raven stepped back before spinning the throwing knife in hand while waiting patiently for the brunette to attack again. She gripped it in her left hand with the blade's silver tip pointing at the ground.
Furiously, Anna ran towards the taller woman with reckless abandon. Master Raven ducked her flying kick and spun upon reaction to block another kick and parry a flurry of fists before landing a knuckle strike to Anna's chest and another fist to the brunette's jaw.
Somehow, Anna caught it. "You'll regret that."
Master Raven's eyes darted down to the floor, catching the twist of the brunette's foot as she executed 'Dominatrix Heel.' The master kunoichi quickly veered left, watching Anna flip before her. The world moved slowly as the satin dress sailed past her. Before Anna could recover, Master Raven landed a low kick to her knee before landing another to her stomach. Anna stumbled back, inhaling sharply as the kunoichi continued on the offensive. She pulled off a quick no hands cartwheel over Master Raven's low kick. With a spin, Anna grabbed Master Raven's arm and took hold. With a grunt, Master Raven smashed her head into the brunette's stomach, the opening leading to a heavy shoulder.
"Ack!"
The brunette used the momentum to transition into a backhand spring, each breathing lightly as they stood several feet away. A low growl emitted from Anna while the kunoichi stood ready and silent.
'She's flashy, unlike her sister,' Master Raven thought.
Her keen eyes watched the small twists of Anna's left hand as three more small throwing knives revealed themselves in between her fisted fingers.
'A trap move. Anna has something up her sleeve for when I strike.'
The kunoichi flexed her fingers, knowing that attacking first wasn't ideal in this situation. With that in mind, Master Raven sprinted toward the shorter woman.
"Hah!"
Anna threw her knives, each aimed with lethal precision at vital body points. Master Raven channeled her ki before disappearing out of sight.
Poof.
A black heel landed against the wall as Anna blocked her kick and countered with a low kick of her own. She aimed another for Master Raven's side, who parried with expertise and went for another blow for the jaw. Master Raven looked up just in time to the twist of Anna's foot as she held it for a split second, toe pointing to the floor. She jumped back as Anna swung her fully sharpened nails. The brunette spotted an opening and landed a well-placed heel against Master Raven's sternum, eliciting a grunt of discomfort.
Master Raven dusted off the area that was hit. "You're fortunate this dress is black."
"Black fits your bland style," Anna spat. "I've seen better on simple boys on these streets."
"It caught Lee's attention perfectly fine. Least I'm not the sleazy one."
Angered even further, Anna rushed forward. Master Raven held her urge to grin after coming to a simple conclusion. Nina, the better sister, fought with fewer openings while not relying on emotional attachments. Anna swung her foot as Master Raven ducked under, blocking the knee strike before connecting with powerful fists against Anna's side. The kunoichi spun and stepped into a back elbow strike, only for the brunette's head to move to the side, winking as she found and grabbed a hold of the taller woman. She swung around like a needle before gripping Master Raven's shoulders and using her weight to execute 'Overhead Toss.' Realizing her disadvantage, Master Raven tucked her legs in and disappeared.
Anna quickly grabbed an IMI Micro UZI from the nightstand near the bed and fired three separate shots. However, neither hit their intended target, as Master Raven wasn't even in sight. There was no time for Anna to react; a sliding heel kick sent her to the knees before a clone of the taller woman backflipped towards her. She hooked her chin and sent the younger Williams airborne. Anna inhaled sharply, recovering midair and throwing another round of six knives. Master Raven rolled under the flying knives. She aimed a high kick at the brunette while preparing herself for impact despite covering her face.
"Ah!"
The brunette landed on the floor, her Bond Arms Derringer pistol clattering to the floor. She grabbed it, finger on the trigger, and turned around. "Ugh!"
Master Raven's black heel landed on her neck, sitting just above Anna's throat. One step and the kunoichi wouldn't think twice about crushing her windpipe.
"Stop!" Lee abruptly shouted. "Nobody needs to die. Who are you, and what do you want?"
"For now," Master Raven started, her back turned to the man. "That information is classified. As for what I want, I need a few answers. I'll be on my way afterward."
"What makes you think I'll just give you the answers you want so easily?"
Without looking down, Master Raven applied pressure to Anna's neck. Doing so with a straight face, her head craned while cocking an eyebrow to call out Lee's bluff. Anna could feel the heel's sharp sting beginning to close her windpipe with each second.
"Ok! Ok! I'll cooperate."
Master Raven didn't waste time with her first inquiry. "Considering your views on the Mishima Zaibatsu and the opposition to them by most of the world, why is Violet Systems allied with them?"
"Simple business, to capitalize on its downfall."
"Why?"
"Being cast out of the Mishima Family after discovering the truth of Kazuya's Devil Gene, I want to make sure the world knows who the true heir to the Zaibatsu is." Lee's tone turned sharp with disdain. "Being an adoptive child, Heihachi still played favorites. The old man was no true father to me anyway."
"You know you don't stand a chance against either of them, Lee," Master Raven concluded.
"I'm well aware of that, Ms. But that's the genius of it! I let the two bastards destroy each other and take the Mishima Zaibatsu right under whoever is left. The people will be on my side when Kazuya's true colors are revealed."
"The partnership is a transition into the leading spot. Nobody will question it," Master Raven chuckled. "Clever."
Lee grinned. "A game of chess, my dear."
"A dangerous one at that. Tread carefully, Chaolan, as we'll be monitoring very closely."
Her mysterious allure only served to captivate Lee.
Master Raven's attention switched to her helpless victim, who looked to be turning blue in the face. "As for you, Williams. It would be unwise to continue this game of switching power players. The only one risking getting burned is you. Besides, you can keep your playboy as I have no interest in a man who's helping to keep what little life you have left."
Poof.
She was gone without a hint of a trace left behind.
Lee ignored Anna as she coughed and gasped for air with ragged breaths. "That... fucking bitch!"
Master Raven had already descended the long staircase, dusting off the debris left behind by Anna's heel on her dress. The mark soon disappeared, and the only blemish was a small bruise. That didn't deter her in the slightest if the smirk on her face was any indication as she strode toward the exit. The wanting eyes of men and the jealous stares of their women only served to amuse her. Lee rushed out of his room to the guardrail with his hands perched upon its top. He watched as Master Raven disappeared through the glass doors of his house. He smirked with a hand against his chin.
'Quiet the woman indeed. I must see her again.'
'You will when you least expect it, Chaolan.'
Lee blinked. "Wha-?"
'Although I didn't tell your bimbo, I'm already spoken for and off your list of airheads to seduce. If I were you, I'd strongly suggest you cease your fruitless pursuit. Not that you had any legitimate chance to begin with.'
Master Raven's telepathic words echoed within Lee's mind and served as a stark warning that shouldn't be taken lightly. The door of the armored limousine opened for her as the agent didn't spare another glance back and entered the car before it drove away. A muted silence filled the limousine before Victor eyed his top operative, holding his words of concern at the sight of her satisfied grin. It was something he hadn't seen since her first Close Encounter Mission. One paired with glowing brown eyes and a slightly raised eyebrow, able to see her glowing in the dim lights of the vehicle.
"Tatyana..."
"Don't worry. I got the needed intel and much more."
She tossed an object in his direction. Victor caught and held a small throwing knife - the words Anna W. engraved into the blade.
"She's working for Lee now?"
Master Raven crossed her legs, the moonlight cascading over her thigh in the slit of her dress. "Anna has no true loyalty, though I can surmise Lee promised her something Kazuya wouldn't. If only you'd seen it, Victor. She's not as challenging as I presumed."
"I'm afraid to even ask. Did you have fun?"
"Plenty, and I look forward to the next time we cross paths. We'll discuss the details back at the penthouse."
Raven didn't say a word the entire time, opting to keep what he wanted to say later behind closed doors and away from prying eyes.
G-Corp Headquarters: Millenium Tower Penthouse
"Why hasn't Anna called yet?" Bruce questioned.
A G-Corp operative holding a tablet busted through the front doors before Kazuya could respond. "Sir, you have a voice message from Violet Systems."
"Play it," Kazuya demanded.
Beep.
Hello Kazuya. I wanted to give you a heads-up on your situation with the lovely gift you sent me.
"Gift?" Bruce repeated.
Then Anna's sultry voice spoke. Nothing personal, Kazuya. It's just that you and I currently have different goals. Don't wait for me, but take Bruce out for a walk now and then. He gets cranky when he can't play soldier outside. Ciao!
The voice message ended.
Bruce failed to hide the disbelief in his expression. "I shouldn't even be surprised..."
Kazuya said nothing; the only sign of his outrage was his right eye glowing a bright red.
Ichitani Hotel, Private Penthouse Suite - 12:19 A.M.:
"I'll tell you what I found after I get out of this dress," Master Raven said, unlocking the cuff from her left wrist.
Raven stared at the woman as she walked away. The confident sway in her walk was hypnotizing, but he couldn't help sighing in frustration. He shook his head while staring at the floor before eyeing Victor. "You buy her a dress, and look what happens. I blame you for this one, Vic."
The taller man laughed. "Hey, even agents have to get out and have fun. One of her ideas of having fun is... that. Crazy to think she can turn that on like a switch."
"Scary."
"Precisely. Remind me never to go shopping with her again."
"No promises."
Back in her suit, Master Raven loosened her dark tie before reentering the living room with a duffle bag in one hand and her sheathed blade in the other.
Victor nodded with his suitcase in hand as well. "Glad I wasn't the only one thinking we should relocate. A private jet awaits us on a private airstrip several minutes from here. What did Lee tell you anyway?"
"His partnership is only a means to transition into the commanding position of the Zaibatsu. He has no real interest in aiding them whatsoever. A stepping stone, as he called it, to allow Kazuya and Heihachi to fight and kill each other while usurping the survivor. Being business partners will make it seem like a natural position if he takes it from whoever is left."
"What do you mean if?" Raven questioned.
"It won't matter which Mishima is left of the two. They're not giving it up without a fight," Master Raven clarified. "Either way, he doesn't stand a chance fighting Kazuya or Heihachi."
"That leaves the question of if there will even be a Zaibatsu to take over after all the fighting. If not, Lee will be fuming," Victor finished."
Beep.
Beep.
The Frenchman slipped his phone from his pants pocket, seeing a text notification from the jet's pilot. The plane is fueled and ready to go, Sir.
Victor put his phone back into his pocket. "Plane's ready to go. Pack your bags, Raven, and we'll plan our next move on the way back."
Raven nodded and waited for the older man to leave as the door closed behind him before turning to his girlfriend with crossed arms. "Are you alright? He didn't touch you inappropriately?"
Master Raven shrugged. "I'm fine, but it was nothing I didn't allow."
"And Anna?"
"Not as challenging as her sister, but she can kick."
"I still didn't like you doing that."
"You and Victor."
He shook his head. "You know what I mean."
"Do I, though?"
Master Raven gave him a sympathetic smile before leaning into his ear, which startled Raven. She planted a lingering kiss against his cheek, leaving a noticeable kiss mark of her lipstick against his skin. It was a while before she moved away, her eyes half-lidded as she gazed into his.
"You have nothing to worry about. I gave you my word and plan on keeping it. And we didn't get to finish our date, right?"
"R-right."
"Relax. You can and should trust me. As I said beforehand, we'll discuss this on the flight back."