Kazuya watched the first rays of light creep into his bedroom, igniting the red carpet into a peaceful inferno. It was an odd thing to him, allowing his shades to be drawn, allowing his hidden self into the light. Precautions he always claimed. One could never be too safe. The truth was he feared it, feared the morning light. Feared it for its purity and innocence. Feared it for its heavenly divinity. Jun was the dawn to him; had been the dawn to him. She scared him that was true. She had wanted to strip the power he had long been consumed by, leaving him a bare man. But she'd love him?

 

Oh God, he thought, can she possibly love me? This monster I am, and she is so pure. Wouldn't I blacken her heart or would she cleanse mine? Am I lusting for her or do I love her? But she frightens me. She is a demon in disguise. A fire serpent sent from the dismal Hell in the guise of an angel. And yet she has bewitched me. And even this devil inside me fears her. For once, he has no strength against her. He shuns her away, but I crave her touch. I crave her.

 

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. Kazuya strained to pull the large door open, surprised by his own fatigue. Why was he so weak? Outside stood a Tekkenshu, graven face and stiff. Kazuya returned the solemn look, awaiting the soldier to speak.

 

"There is a problem Mr. Mishima," he replied in a hoarse, scratchy voice.

 

"I know."

 

~~++~~

 

Jun inhaled deeply, smelling the fresh morning dew and the crisp air. The morning was cool; the breeze blew gently against the trees causing the leaves to whisper secrets. She took it all in as she closed her eyes and gently swayed her arms across her body. She stepped slowly, setting one foot across the other. She inhaled and exhaled, making her body stiff and relaxed when needed. Her body was elegant and graceful against the burning colors of the sun.

 

Lei watched as she meditated. He had found her to be an amazing woman so far. An enigma impossible to solve. She was on the side of justice, yet vowed to protect a man who was deemed evil. It was insanity. He stared curiously at her, wondering what went through her mind when she thought of Kazuya. For never meeting him except a few days ago, she seemed to have a strong connection to him. Did she understand the consequences that might happen against her? He cleared his throat lightly, getting her attention.

 

"Ms. Kazama?" he asked.

 

"Yes, Detective Wulong?" she asked.

 

"I came to see if you had changed your mind at helping me."

 

"You're attempts are in vain Detective Wulong."

 

"I figured they would be, but I still don't understand why you are doing this."

 

"Why is it so difficult for you to understand that Kazuya doesn't need to be threatened by the law, but helped by some one who genuinely cares?"

 

"You are truly one virtuous woman, Ms. Kazama."

 

"Why do you say that?"

 

"Because you seem to see something…some kind of goodness…in Kazuya. No one else who sees that."

 

"It is because I don't look at him with my eyes, Detective."

 

"Oh? Then what do you look at him with?"

 

He noticed she stiffened a bit, as if scared to say the answer. He nodded, as he understood.

 

"I see. You see him with something inside, yes?"

 

"I see him with my heart."

 

Lei sighed. She was lost within her own emotions and would be no help to him.

 

"That is a very dangerous way of seeing someone."

 

"I know."

 

"Ms. Kazama, I know you are strong, but are you strong enough to handle the consequences this will lead up to?"

 

"I don't know, Detective. Life is full of questions, and sometimes we must wait for the answer to happen, before we even begin to have an idea."

 

Lei sighed deeply. He had to give her credit for her compassion, but he did not understand why she would risk her own life, maybe even her soul for this. He turned and walked away, leaving her in peace to finish her meditation. As his footsteps grew lighter on the grass, she stopped what she was doing. Her eyes slowly opened and she tilted her head in his direction. She felt the aching in her heart again at the thought of distilling fear into Kazuya, or anger.

 

"Trust me Detective," she whispered. "I don't quite understand what I'm doing either."

 

~~++~~

 

Kazuya watched intently at the monitors. A nagging ache in the back of his skull began to pound fiercely against his brain. All he ever knew was deceit, and like so, he was still surrounded by it. Surveillance cameras easily monitored every room and hallway imaginable, yet for some reason, a certain people felt they were hidden from them.

"Well, well, well my dear Anna…looks like you're still trying to screw me," he muttered.

He noticed the man with the silver hair and hissed through his breath. Yet more family was still trying to destroy him. Lee Chaolin, he thought gravely. He'd get his just desserts soon enough. Kazuya clenched and unclenched his hands as he watched the obscene love session he and Anna had a few nights ago. The screen flickered once again to show the two in the hall, obviously collaborating. The screen flickered again, showing Lee walking off with some blonde and they also having a "session" themselves. Kazuya recognized the woman from a previous Tekken Tournament. So that was his assassin. The cameras continued, occasionally showing a few other competitors.

 

"Wait! Stop the camera," a stern voice spoke up.

 

Kazuya looked back slightly at the man behind him. Bruce Irving looked hard at the screen. Kazuya returned his gaze back onto the screen to inspect what caused so much alarm for this man. The screen possessed a man with dark hair and an aging face. He looked like just another man to him.

 

"Bruce, might you tell me what's alarmed you?" Kazuya inquired.

 

"That man! I'll never be rid of him!" Bruce shouted, obviously disturbed.

 

"Who is he?"

 

"Lei Wulong of the Hong Kong police department. He's the best cop they've got, and he's the largest monkey on my back!"

 

"Easy Bruce. That makes for an interesting fight then."

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"Exactly what it sounds like. Prepare yourself Bruce. You're going to have a battle on your hands."

 

Kazuya walked out of the room leaving a confused and agitated Bruce behind. Bruce sighed and slammed his hand on the desk. Lei would not succeed. He'd make sure of it.

 

~~++~~

 

Anna couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. She had been having that feeling lately ever since she agreed to help Lee. She felt as if everyone around her knew the truth and they all were casting judgmental glares at her. She did not know if she was paranoid or if she could even trust her instincts. Even here, in the dark confines of the ring, the feeling grew stronger. Someone's eyes were on her. Watching. Waiting for her to be at her most vulnerable point. Anna's eyes focused on her surroundings. Everything was surprisingly quiet and the only sound was that of her heels clicking against the stone floor.

 

Her ears snapped at the sound of something whisking through the air. She only had a moment to react, ducking low against the floor. She twisted her head slightly to see what she dodged only to mouth an "oh" in surprise at the small dagger planted in the wall. She glared at the tiny blade, angered at the emblem marked in it. Nina! she thought. She turned to face where the blade had been thrown from; her face was a scowl of hate and disgust.

 

"Nina!" she screamed.

 

A few moments of dead quiet past before clicking echoed in the darkness. The very steady beat of someone's footsteps taunted Anna. She gritted her teeth, awaiting her known assailant to show herself. It was no surprise to her to see Nina come out of the darkness, coy smile plastered against her pale face. She was holding another dagger in her right hand, while the tip twisted against the flesh of her left index finger. It was no surprise to see tiny drops of blood leak down her finger. Nina always kept her weapons in shape.

 

"Anna, I can't tell ya how happy I am to see ya," Nina smiled.

 

"To see or kill?"

 

"Take ya pick."

 

"What are ya thinking? Gonna kill me and then go after Kazuya?"

 

"I thought ya were the one that was gonna kill Kazuya," Nina laughed.

 

Anna's eyes widened. "What makes ya think that? I'm here to protect him."

 

"On the contrary, Lee is a very persuasive boy isn't he?"

 

Anna shuddered at that name. That back stabbing two-bit liar. He had gone behind her back and correlated with her archenemy and only sister. Anna growled low in her throat. Nina would pay desperately for insulting her.

 

"He is a rather good lover don't ya agree?"

 

That's all Anna could take. She ran at Nina with full speed, tackling the blonde vixen to the ground. Nina grunted in surprise as she felt her back crash against the stone. She groaned, quickly backhanding her sister. Anna flipped off of Nina from the force and both quickly got to their feet. Nina jumped at Anna, twisting her arms behind her back and forcing her into submission. Anna whimpered at the increasing pressure put on her arms. Nina would soon break them if she didn't act soon. Using all her leg muscle she could muster, Anna stood up and quickly high kicked Nina. Nina stumbled back a few steps before standing up. Her eyes met the sore sight of Anna's legs coming at her face. Nina flipped to the floor, landing hard. She remained still, the feeling of wet liquid dribbled down her lips and chin.

 

Anna breathed hard, waiting a few moments before doing anything else. When her breathing calmed and she found that Nina hadn't moved, she slowly made her way over to the lying mass of flesh. A little tired, she hovered over the body, looking at her with curiosity. Had she put Nina out? Anna let out a low gasp when Nina's eyes popped open. Anna tried to stumble away but she was tripped by the swiftness of Nina's leg sweep. Anna fell hard and choked when Nina's muscled body jumped on her chest. Nina took out her dagger and thrust it down at Anna's neck. Anna, striving to keep Nina at bay, locked arms against her sister's forearms. The dagger was only centimeters from her throat. Anna yelped at her failing strength. Nina's eyes were crazy with lust at the thought of hurting her sister.

 

Just then, some invisible force threw off Nina. Her body slid against the ground a few feet before finally coming to a stop. Both sisters slowly rose to standing positions, shocked at what just happened. The bright lights of the arena blinded them, only allowing them to see black and white spots for a moment. Clapping filled the room and an ominous laugh rang through their ears. Their eyes finally focused on the blurred image only to see a scowling Kazuya Mishima staring at them.

 

"Kazuya?" Anna asked. "I'm…I'm so glad ya are here! This is ya assassin. Have the Tekkenshu dispose of her now!"

 

"Are you giving orders to me now, Anna?"

 

"N..no sir. I just thought that…well…"

 

Suddenly, more Tekkenshu entered the room and surrounded the two women. Some held guns while others held tazers the size of cattle prongs. Both of them had the feeling they were going to be used against them.

 

"Kazuya?" Anna asked.

 

"My sweet Anna, do not have any fear. You're going to have the chance to be young and beautiful for the rest of your life," Kazuya smirked.

 

"I…I don't understand."

 

"Hirosho…take the Williams's to Dr. Boskonovitch. He's been looking for test subjects to use on his `cold sleep' experiments. I think these two will do just fine."

 

"And find my beloved half-brother! I have my own score to settle with him."

 

Kazuya turned and walked out of the room, leaving Anna and Nina to struggle against the amazing odds of the Tekkenshu. Kazuya smiled as he heard the girls scream.

 

~~++~~

 

"Detective Wulong?"

 

Lei turned slightly, surprised to see Jun staring at him. What did she want now? Maybe she had changed her mind and decided to work with him. He laughed internally at the idea. He knew she would never change her mind about Kazuya. A woman's heart is never easily turned. She was in love with him, whether she knew it or not. Any fool who talked about Kazuya could see that. Did Kazuya love her back though? He sighed. Everything was taking a tragic turn.. He reverted his attention back to Jun.

 

"Yes, Ms. Kazama?"

 

"I…I just came to apologize for my lack of help. I forget that people within your profession lack the wisdom of looking at the impossible."

 

"Should I be insulted?"

 

"No, but it's true. Admit it that you think I'm crazy about what I say about Kazuya. I know you think it."

 

"True, you're defense is a bit rash, but Ms. Kazama, you must understand that Kazuya has hurt and harmed many people, whether it from himself or this demon."

 

"I know…"

 

"So why protect him?"

 

Jun fell silent. It was an odd thing that she suddenly questioned her own motives. She really did want to help him, but Lei was right, he had hurt many people. Men could change though. That was God's gift to humanity; the chance of change. She sighed and shrugged.

 

"You love him, yes? Even in the limited time you've spent with him. I can see how you're drawn to him."

 

Her eyes twinkled softly. The glass sheen of tears covered her onyx eyes. So it was true. If someone had noticed it, someone who she hardly knew could see it; it had to have been true. She did love him. Lei smiled at her reaction, honestly touched that someone, especially a woman such as Jun, could look at Kazuya with love and not judge or cast him out due to his own crimes. He truly envied this woman.

 

"Yes, I see…" he whispered. "It's an odd feeling."

 

Jun smiled. She was about to say something before being interrupted by someone clearing their throat. Lei and Jun's eyes turned their attention to a strikingly powerful figure cast in shadow. Instinct told them who it was though. Kazuya. He was a man of the shadows, compelled by forces to remain forever hidden.

 

"I'm glad to have found you Detective Wulong," he hissed through sharp teeth.

 

"Why is that?" Lei inquired.

 

"I have a match for you to fight. You should enjoy it quite well."

 

"And why is that?"

 

"You'll be fighting Bruce Irving. I know you have been acquainted with him for quite some time now," Kazuya smiled.

 

"Irving?" Lei whispered. "Who will I be fighting next?"

 

"Should you defeat Bruce…you'll fight me, but don't count Mr. Irving out too quickly. You'll find him to be a more than decent fighter. I suggest you go suit up. You don't want to be tardy and defaulted."

 

Lei gave Jun a look of `do you see what this man is,' before bowing respectfully and walking off. Kazuya and Jun both watched Lei until he was a mere ghost against the setting sun. Jun realized she was breathing hard from being so close to Kazuya. He looked calm, as if nothing was out of the ordinary. Kazuya looked at her with a wicked grin.

 

"For his sake and your compassion, hope Bruce wins."

 

"Would you harm Lei, Kazuya?"

 

"I'd do more than just harm, Jun."

 

Jun lowered her head slowly, her eyes tracing the patterns the grass made against the earth. She was fighting the heartache she felt toward him. Would he never accept her again?

 

"Do you see the monster I am now, Jun?" he asked.

 

He quickly turned and strode swiftly back to his home. He distinctly heard Jun call for him once, but no more. He bit his lower lip, scared at his own apprehension. His hand trembled as he reached for the door handle. Darkness…

 

The darkness would soothe him.

 

~~++~~

 

Jun had run to her room after that small bout with Kazuya. She had been so overcome with emotions and she actually feared others seeing her weakness. She lay curled on the huge bed, a dull ache in her heart she knew so well. She was lost within and so confused. Her strong psychic feelings seemed to have failed her this time and there were no other options that she could see.

 

She closed her eyes, repressing any chance for tears to escape. She forced her ragged breathing to slow, to become even, like the waves in the ocean, a simple rhythm. Her arms relaxed on her waist, her nimble fingers twitching involuntarily as they also relaxed. Her whole body was still and her mind was concentrating at restoring her breaking psyche. She needed to be strong for Kazuya, so when he broke, she'd be able to be there.

Jun's body became light, as if she was floating. Her body glowed, shimmering in white at the power of the angel. She was serene and her body no longer felt the pain it had been undergoing. Her soul was at rest, unable to register the feeling of heartache. Jun sighed a breath of content as she fell into a deep slumber.

 

~~++~~

 

Kazuya paced back and forth in his bedroom. He had found himself spending more and more time in there to just think or become even more confused. His bare feet hardly made a sound against the thick carpet on which, over time, he had treaded many miles across. His mind raced with so many thoughts--thoughts of betrayal, thoughts of love, thoughts of sin, and thoughts of salvation. It had hurt him to shun Jun as he did. His heart cried out for her against his will. Maybe he was becoming weak.

 

He pressed his palms against his throbbing temples. Wasn't it wrong to deny the heart of things, especially in terms of love? Oh yes! The very idea of love, so new to him, yet that was what it was. He loved her, or something about her, and he needed her to be with him. He needed her to purify him. He sighed; now was the time for action. Now was the time to talk to her. Now was the time to love her. He made his way toward his door, only to be stopped by a sharp pain ripping through his chest.

 

Kazuya fell to his knees and cried out. His whole body began to burn and his muscles felt as if someone was ripping nails through them. He cried again as the edges of his scar were outlined by some blue hew. A blast of purple light erupted from his chest, sending Kazuya hurtling through the room. He crashed against the wall and fell to the floor. He tried to cry out, maybe for help, but his voice was too weak. His shaking arms lifted him slowly into a crouching position. His right hand slowly raised and gingerly touched the scar. It was still there, but the outline trickled with blood. He winced as he fingers grazed the jagged skin. Kazuya's eyes suddenly caught the glow of a low radiance. His eyes rose to see a towering demon cloaked in amethyst skin glare down at him. His body reeked of evil and pulsated with raw power. Kazuya showed no fear to this demon, knowing full and well where it came from. It was him.

 

"You! The Devil!" Kazuya cried out.

 

"And you, the mere mortal I saved. Do not forsake me Kazuya!" the demon warned.

 

"I do not fear you, Devil. You have no power over me!" Kazuya screamed.

 

"I am only power, Kazuya. Your power! You're nothing without me!"

 

Kazuya only glared at him. Was he right?

 

"Do not go to that woman! She will only cause your demise!"

 

"You fear her? Why?" Kazuya inquired.

 

"I know no fear! I am the Devil!" the demon roared.

 

"You do fear her! She gives me peace and that is all I long for!"

 

"You're peace will come after you kill your father. You will do as I say!"

 

"I'd rather have her!" Kazuya cried out.

 

The demon growled low and pumped his leathery wings. He clenched and unclenched his hands. Kazuya grit his teeth together, forming his loose hands into tight fists of power. The Devil lunged for Kazuya, grabbing his arms. The two grappled with one another, issuing a fight of domination.

 

"You'll not win, Kazuya!" the Devil screeched.

 

~~++~~

 

Jun did not know how long she had slept, but the sound of powerful lighting and thunder awoke her. Her heart pounded from the sudden sound. She leapt to her feet and made her way to the window. Only a blanket of stars covered the sky. She cocked an eyebrow, wondering where the crushing sound came from. She jumped as it thundered in her bedroom again. She twisted her head toward the door. The noise came from behind it.

 

She slowly made her way to the door, jumping again as the clatter of noise echoed throughout her room. Her hand touched the frozen door handle and with a swift breath she threw it open. She half-expected to see a demon jump out at her, but instead, a weakened Kazuya collapsed in her arms. She struggled to hold his weight as she drug him inside her room. She laid him across the floor and inspected his wounds. His chest was bleeding heavily and his body was bruised. What devilry did this to you? she wondered.

"Kazuya?"