Chapter 2: Satoshi Sotaru and Vera Takahashi
The Shirai Ryu has remained mostly the same. They have long since recovered from the loss of many members of the clan from the battle against the Red Dragon led by Dogron, the son of Daegon. Dogron has since been killed by the combined efforts of Takeda Takahashi and his wife Jacqui Briggs Takahashi. With Dogron's death, the Red Dragon seemingly died along with him. Grandmaster Hanzo Hasashi has continued to lead the clan for the next couple of decades. But age has always kept up with him. Hanzo knew that it was only a matter of time before he decides to retire as grandmaster. He's not alone in doing so. But for now, he plans on setting up an important meeting regarding his chujin Takeda and his wife Jacqui.
Takeda and Jacqui have became full-time members of the Shirai Ryu. This was an offer made by Hanzo Hasashi himself, but he allows them to keep in contact with the Special Forces, now led by Cassie Cage. Since becoming full-time members, Jacqui has long since given birth to their daughter Vera Takahashi. She was named after Jacqui's late mother when she passed away. Vera, like Anthony and Flora, admires her parents and wants to be like them. While Takeda is happy that their daughter is joining, Jacqui is too. But the latter is somewhat afraid of what might happen to her daughter. Jacqui lost some loved ones like her mother and is afraid of Vera's safety. Vera is brave and can take things serious like her father Takeda and just like her mother Jacqui, she can be very protective and can be a tad reckless with her actions. Similar to Flora, she can jump to action, but is more patient and a little more calm than her. Her appearance closely resembles a mix of both Jacqui and Takeda's late mother Sochen. A little darker than Sochen, but lighter than Jacqui. Her hair is based on semi-long dreads, which are slightly longer than what Jacqui used to have when she was younger. Growing up, she gets along with her parents very well and likes to have fun with them and has become close friends to Anthony and Flora. But they are not the only ones.
Chief Hososhi has long since stepped down as chief of the Fire Village and retires with his wife Kumiko. His eldest child, Jubilee has taken up the mantle of chief, just as she dreamed of. As for his younger son Satoshi, has since grown up and decided to follow his dreams as well. Following this, they both have grown closer to Takeda and Jacqui, as they were their respective idols. The two children have matured more. While Satoshi can still be shy and a little insecure of himself and some choices he makes, he has a good heart. Jubilee has studied what it means and what it is like to be the chief and has grown more confident in her abilities as leader, which pleases their parents and idols. Since then they have also became close friends to Vera. Vera is one to tease Satoshi, but cares deeply for him. They enjoyed training each other together and specialized in certain weapons. Vera has been using a special staff that can split into two escrima sticks which can combine into a staff. Satoshi on the other hand uses special nunchucks that can turn into a kusarigama.
Takeda and Jacqui were the first to rise in the morning and quickly get dressed and ready for the big day for the Shirai Ryu. "So. Ready to kick things off as a new start, Master Sexy." Jacqui flirts.
"Only with the one and only beautiful Mistress Jacqui." Takeda flirts back. They embrace each other and look each other in the eyes as they lean in and kiss each other. Their kiss lasts for a few moments before they separate. As they smile at each other, they see a private jet landing in front of their home. Jacqui smiles with joy, knowing who it is.
Jax opens the cockpit and jumps out of it and he smiles upon seeing them and Kenshi. "Hey, there kiddo."
So glad you could make it, dad." Jacqui smiles as she goes up and gives him a big hug. Jax smirks as he hugs his daughter back.
"Glad I could help make the day better." Jax said before turning to Takeda. "So. Ready for the first day as Master?"
"I would hope so. I do have plans on how to improve it." Takeda said.
"Oh I know you will. Seeing how you became chujin, you'd make a badass successor." Jax shakes his hand before hugging him.
"Hanzo Hasashi has always been full of surprises. I know he has something special in mind for the family and clan." Kenshi said.
"I hear that, alright." Jax said. "Say. Where is Mini-Vera? Out training again as usual?" Jax asked, referring to his granddaughter.
"As usual. With her friend Satoshi. They do this almost everyday if you ask me. I hope they will be up for it." Jacqui said.
"Gotta have faith in them, JB 2. Take it from me, who used to worry so much for his own daughter when she became part of the Special Forces before switching to Shirai Ryu." Jax advises Jacqui.
Jacqui looks at him and could tell he's not wrong. She remembered that Jax initially did not want her to be part of the Special Forces, given that he was traumatized by his time as a revenant. He was always afraid of her joining, afraid that she would end up like him and originally thought she joined because of him falling apart. That was until he realized she wanted to idolize him like Cassie does with Johnny and Sonya. Jacqui wanted to be a hero like her own father, no matter how, even after switching to the Shirai Ryu.
"He's right. Besides, we got a big day ahead of us. Come on. Let's go gather them and the clans. Hanzo is waiting for us." Takeda tells his wife. The four of them start walking together.
Today, Grandmaster Hasashi is planning on making an announcement to the entire clan with Takeda, his wife Jacqui, his father Kenshi, Vera Takahashi, Jubilee and Satoshi attending at the Fire Gardens. Most of them wonder what it could be. But Takeda has a smile on his face for some reason.
Vera and Satoshi speak to each other as they wait. "What do you think Grandmaster Hanzo will announce today?" Satoshi asked.
"Hopefully something damn good. Some good news for my mom and dad. They would make good teachers for all of the clan." Vera believed.
"Hopefully you're right. We learned from the best of the best. I've seen how they fight. So has my sister. Do you think they'll make us chujins? Heard being one can be tough." Satoshi expresses.
"You're telling me. Maybe they'll have us fight each other for a position." Vera said with a smile on her face.
"U-us? Fight each other? You sure about that one?" Satoshi nervously asked.
Vera sees the expression on his face blushing and quietly giggles. "I'm just teasing. I mean we fought each other all the time. And all the times I've flattened you and such." Vera joked.
"Yeah? Don't leave out that I have bested you too throughout these years. You have no room to talk, especially from the last time I did so." Satoshi teased back.
"That's what I'm talking about. Look. Even if they ask us to fight for the position, don't hold back on anything. Because I won't either. Give it all and regardless of winning or losing, don't feel so down if you don't get your shot. There's always other ways you can improve. Don't doubt yourself. Remember what mom and dad taught us." Vera advises him. She sees him like a best friend of hers. They like to have laughs with each other, tease and train together. Satoshi feels the same way.
Satoshi couldn't help but smile. "Thank you. Glad you and I became good friends. Because I chose to follow in your parents' footsteps along with Jubilee. Want to be what you want to be."
Vera also couldn't help but smile and blush. "Thanks. Good to have someone like you around." She said, putting her hand on his shoulder. They turn to sense Hanzo getting ready for his speech.
Hanzo sits with his eyes closed, breathing in and out. He has not changed much in terms of appearance. He has grown to have a little grey in his hair, but not as much as Johnny and Sonya. After some thought, he stands up and before all of his clan, looking down on them with pride on his face, ready to speak.
"My clan. My Shirai Ryu. Friends and family. I thank you for coming to join me today. Very few of you may know as of now of why I have summoned you all here. For many years have I taken up the mantle of grandmaster. I restored the Shirai Ryu, fought through hell and back to do so. Its honor has been restored after being stained by the hands of Quan Chi, Sektor, and Shinnok. We have faced many hard times with Shinnok, Kronika, Shao Kahn and Geras as well as the Red Dragon led by Daegon and his cloned son Dogron." Hanzo gives a speech. This puts a smile on Takeda and Jacqui's faces, having helped bring pride to the clan. "Many things have changed since we fought throughout the New Era. Changes will always take place and some are inevitable. As of today, I will be stepping down as the grandmaster of the Shirai Ryu."
This causes most of the members of the clan to look at each in surprise and shock at the announcement, especially Vera and Satoshi. Takeda and Jacqui on the other hand not so much.
"Times have changed for the better. But my age has kept up with me. I have been aware that someday I would retire. Fear not, because the clan will never be without a leader. Takeda Takahashi. Jacqueline Takahashi. Step forward." Hanzo tells the both of them as they stand behind him. "You two have brought peace and pride to the clan, risking your own lives in the process. As you swore your oaths upon the beginning of your marriage, you have put others before yourselves while remembering the promises you made to protect the clan and each other. Takeda. You have been my finest student. I know in my heart that you will continue the legacy of the clan. Jacquline. You have proved yourself worthy, knowing how sacred the bonds are here. Your strong heart and devotion to help protect Earthrealm have proved that you were meant to be here with us today."
"Grandmaster Hasashi. We are honored by your words." Takeda and Jacqui said at the same time as they bow their heads to him and bend the knee.
Hanzo unsheathes his master sword and holds it up in the air. "By the power invested in me and with authority from the ancestors of the clan that watch over us. Takeda Takahashi." Hanzo lowers his sword and taps both of his shoulders. "I hereby grant you the title of master. You may rise, Master Takahashi. You and Mistress Takahashi." Takeda and Jacqui stand up and smile at their friend and grandmaster.
Takeda was the first to step forward and face the clan, ready to speak what is on his mind. "Grandmaster Hasashi. I am honored. I'd never think I would make it this far in life. Honestly, after becoming your chujin and after the New Era began, marrying the love of my life and helping in taking down the Red Dragon, I began to realize that you always took your responsibility seriously. Made the clan's survival a top priority. Including mine, my father's and my wife's. I see why you chose me out of others because I had potential despite the anger I used to have towards my father. We shared the pain of losing loved ones and we don't want each other to suffer. I want to do so for future generations of this clan." Takeda bows his head to everyone as his wife smiles at his words. Jacqui knew that Takeda would step up one day to take Hasashi's place. Since falling in love, she always wondered what it would be like being part of the Shirai Ryu since Takeda first joined the Special Forces. Jacqui was the next to step up.
"Thank you. All of you. For inspiring me to be here. Since I met Takeda when he joined the Special Forces at Hasashi's idea, it was great to get to know him better and all the training, laughs and missions we went through together with three great friends of ours. At first, I was afraid of how he would accept me as part of his clan, until he saw my worth. I was not even trying. I fell in love with Takeda during the skirmish with Shinnok and being with him felt more than that. Being part of the clan was a completely different experience compared to Special Forces and I wanted to be part of it with Takeda and help him with the clan. I'm proud to be part of the Shirai Ryu." Jacqui gives her speech with Takeda and Hanzo looking on.
Hanzo saw fire in her eyes and bravery in her heart. When he realized that Jacqui's family take their family bonds seriously and put others before themselves, he knew Jacqui would be the one for Takeda. Takeda grew attached to her since they first met and had an easy time getting along with each other since he joined the Special Forces. He sighs in happiness about the marriage they have.
"Master Takeda. Are you ready to give out your first command?" Hanzo asked him.
"I am." Takeda said before turning to his clan. "The following people I am about to call, please step forward. Vera Takahashi. Satoshi Hososhi."
Vera and Satoshi both step forward, surprised. What Vera's father is about to say next will completely take them by surprise. "Yes, Master Takeda?" Vera and Satoshi both said.
"Both of your fighting abilities, spirit, kindness and bravery have made you two one of the best fighters among the clan. However. There can only be one chujin." Takeda said. This made his daughter and Satoshi look at each other in surprise. "But that does not mean the one who loses will be left out. We shall get to that later. For now, Vera. Are you ready?"
Vera nods her head in understandment. "Yes, Master."
"Satoshi Hososhi. Are you ready?" Takeda asks him.
"Yes, sensei." Satoshi nods as well.
"Good. You may fight bare-handed, or fight with your weapons. No lethal moves. No killing. Do I make myself clear?" Takeda asked them.
"Yes, Master!" Vera and Satoshi both said.
"Good. Now face each other." Takeda instructed. The two young ones nodded in understanding and get ready to get out their weapons to face each other.
Jacqui, feeling a little concerned about Vera fighting Satoshi, walks over to her husband. She tends to worry about her daughter from time to time, given that Vera can be a tad reckless sometimes. "Are you sure it's a good idea to do this? Have Vera fight Satoshi? I mean we've both seen how she fights and such. Always coming back with bruises. She's been reckless from time to time."
"So were you and I back in the days during our early Shirai Ryu and Special Forces training. In fact, all of us were. I even had some cuts when facing Hanzo Hasashi." Takeda stated.
"Exactly right. But there is always room for improvement. Training is never perfect, Jacquline. Have faith in your daughter, Vera. Don't forget how you two fight as well. I know it is not an easy task to remember, but that does not mean you should go in without thinking." Hanzo tells her.
Jacqui sighed out of reluctance and concern for Vera. "Hope you know what you're doing. Then again, Vera has come far with her training. Win or lose, she will be bestowed upon the greatest gift." Takeda said. Jacqui quickly turns to him and looks into his eyes and sees what he means. She smiles and kisses his cheek.
Vera and Satoshi get out their respective weapons, ready to face each other in Kombat. "You ready for this, Satoshi?" Vera asked her friend.
"Always whenever you are, my friend." Satoshi said.
"As long as we bring it all on with our training, then we shall both do good. No matter who wins or loses here, there will be no hard feelings from each other." Vera said.
"I agree. Let's begin." Satoshi said before they start fighting.
Vera and Satoshi dash at each other and clash with their respective escrima sticks and nunchucks. Vera deflects them away, allowing her to slam one of the endpoints into his stomach, knees his chest and back kicks him across the face, stumbling him. She comes in and double kicks the forehead, back kicks his right shoulder and swings her escrima sticks at the same shoulder. Satoshi briefly caresses his injury, but is willing to continue to fight. Vera attempts to swing her sticks at both sides of his waist, but Satoshi flips over her, slams the endpoints of his nunchucks onto her upper spine, swing kicks her back, turns her around, and swings his chucks at her head three times before triple kicking her in the chest, sending her backwards. Vera tries another swing kick, but Satoshi ducks, wraps a nunchuck around her right ankle, chops her left rib cage, her chest, and backflip kicks her in the chin, stumbling her again, then he elbows her forehead, grabs her neck and throws her to the ground, back first.
Vera gets back up. She looks at her parents watching the battle. Jacqui seems to be worried as usual at how many times Vera has lost and injuries she sustained. Vera then turns back to her friend with determination on her face. Vera combines her sticks into a staff and spins it and holds it behind her. Satoshi swings his nunchucks, ready to fight more. Vera goes on the defensive and she manages to deflect his swings before she finds an opening. She swings her staff at his back, the back of his right leg, and the left side of his head. Satoshi turns his nunchuck into a kusarigama and starts swinging at her. Vera does to avoid the attack to get up close, but Satoshi grabs her staff with his weapon and yanks it out of her hands, disarming her. Vera had to think quick as Satoshi continues swinging. She manages to grab the chain and pull him in for al elbow strike to the face, side kicks his left rib cage, and punches him in the chest followed by a strong kick, sending him down in defeat.
"Way to fight smarter and not stronger." Vera compliments him before she walks over and offers her hand. Satoshi catches his breath and takes it.
"Thank you. Congratulations on a well done battle, Chujin Vera. May your new position help bring honor to the Shirai Ryu clan." Satoshi smiles and bows his head to her. Vera smiles and blushes at her friend as she sees her parents, grandfather and Hanzo Hasashi walk down to her.
"You've fought well, Vera. Our daughter. Despite coming out on top, we still have much work to do. You are the new chujin. But there is much to learn about being one. Not only that, there is still much training to do." Takeda said to his daughter.
"Training? You mean more than fighting? More than being a chujin?" Vera asked out of curiosity.
"Yes. Your time as chujin has just begun." Takeda uses his telepathy to speak to her.
Vera puts two fingertips up to her head, as if he just heard him in her own head. She turns to her father out of surprise. "Whoa. That was cool. How am I hearing you in my head like that?"
"We are telepaths. It is a family gift. Me, my father and those before us has passed down this gift for many generations." Takeda telepathically said.
"You're saying I can read minds this entire time? How did I not know about that?" Vera asked.
"I wanted to make sure your fighting skills were perfected first. Controlling your telepathy powers is not an easy task. It has taken me more than a while for me to master them. Your grandfather helped me with mine, and it's only right that I do the same for you. You will also be part of a team that we are putting together." Takeda said.
Vera turns to her mother. "Mom. Are you able to use telepathy too?"
"No. But I don't need telepathy to tell you how proud I am of you. Though you can be tad reckless sometimes, you've been one of the strongest fighters here with the clan. We could not ask for a better daughter. I'm proud of you, Vera." Jacqui said, placing a hand on her daughter's cheek, making Vera smile.
"Real proud of you, kiddo." Jax smiles at his granddaughter.
"Thanks, Grandpa Jax. Glad you could make it here today." Vera smiles as they hug and embrace each other.
"Master Takeda. Thank you for bringing us here today. Even though I lost, it was worth seeing you and Mistress Jacqui again. And becoming friends with your daughter. She has a fierce heart." Satoshi said.
"Thanks, Satoshi. We are also happy that she has a friend like you. You do not have her powers, but you have spirit and courage like her. It's only right that you are given something else." Takeda said.
"What do you mean?" Satoshi asked.
"Since you lost, I got something planned for you. You will be leading your own clan within the Shirai Ryu from your home. Along with your sister Chief Jubilee. I know that you've always wanted to be a leader of a clan like Grandmaster Hasashi. It is time you are given that chance." Takeda said with a hand on his shoulder.
"Master Takahashi. I am honored. Thank you. For your words and being so generous." Satoshi said.
"As the new master, it is my duty to care for all lives of the Shirai Ryu. Put others, including my wife before me. That is how the clan as always existed for years. We do not run. We fight. But we must not be reckless. Duty is always worth noting as a leader. I know that you will not fail us." Takeda said.
"He's right, Satoshi. Seeing how you've grown, seeing how you train. How you and Vera get along, I bet you will make a good leader. Don't let anyone get you down. We speak from experience." Jacqui tells him with a smile.
"Mom is also right. You'll make an awesome leader. I'm willing to see how you'll do someday. And maybe one day I would love to fight by your side against anyone that threatens us. All you gotta do is have self-confidence." Vera steps up.
"Thank you. All of you. I am humbled by all of your words. The Takahashi and Briggs family has remained strong throughout these decades. I know it will grow. Hail the new Shirai Ryu master!" Satoshi exclaimed.
"Hail the new Shirai Ryu master!" The clan chanted. Things seem to be looking up for Takeda, Jacqui and Vera. Their daughter has become chujin as her father has years ago and discovered her own telepathy powers. Takeda promises to help train her and help her control her powers. Jacqui couldn't help but be more than happy for her daughter and would not ask for a better one. She sees pride and glow in Vera's eyes as she hopes to make her parents proud. They would never let her down. Not once. But what is this team they are building?
Note: That's right! Satoshi, the young and shy boy from Shirai Cross Bondings is a young adult and Vera, Takeda and Jacqui's daughter is named after Jacqui's mother. I made up the idea of Vera combining and separating her staff and the way Satoshi can turn his nunchucks into a kusarigama was an idea inspired by Michelangelo from the 2012 Ninja Turtles show and thought it would look cool. I hope you guys like these two. Next time, an OC from the previous story will make her return.