Jun sat alone in the Mishima gardens. The sun's rays danced between the trees and cherry blossoms floated to the ground around her. The memories of last night threatened to drown her as she tried to justify her actions. Kazuya, the ever-lustful sinner, had somehow twisted her emotions and seduced her. She was no more than another victim of his demonic passions and charismatic charm. She lied to herself. She gave herself, all of herself to Kazuya, and loved every moment she was with him. And now what, she thought to herself, as her hand came to rest protectively over her stomach. She could feel the life, as small as it might be right then, stirring inside her.

 

She felt it from the moment he spilled his devil seed within her. A child, a son created from an Angel Mother and a Demon Father, would be brought into this world. What would Kazuya do if he knew? Would he be joyous or angry or fearful? Jun couldn't answer any of these questions for herself, but would she tell him? Time was against her now for the tournament was still going and the war between father and son would be even stronger now. Her hopes of this feud disappearing were destroyed when she awoke to find Kazuya missing from her bed. He still intended to finish what was begun.

 

"Ms. Kazama?"

 

Jun sighed. It was Lei Wulong once again. Would that man never stop?

 

"Yes," she replied without turning to him.

 

She heard him walk slowly toward her. One step sounded heavier, almost dragging but not quite, limping. She remembered he had a match yesterday. Was this `super cop' actually hurt? He took a seat next to her, gradually lowering himself to the lush grass. Her human compassion forced her to eye him for serious wounds. His face seemed older, the lines in his face driven deep, and bruised. His back was slightly bent, too hurt to sit with better posture. That was all she could visibly see. He vanquished her fears by giving a warm smile.

 

"How was your match?" she asked.

 

"Painful, but triumphant. Kazuya was right. Bruce was more than a decent opponent."

 

"And now you'll face Kazuya?"

 

He sighed. Jun studied him for a moment. His black eyes danced, his mouth twitched slightly hinting at a small smile. All in all, he looked rather…peaceful.

 

"No…Ms. Kazama. I'm not going to face Kazuya. This battle took much out of me, and I know it isn't my place to be the final challenger."

 

"Oh, and who is?"

 

"I'm assuming Heihachi Mishima. The `Great Family Feud' I suppose. It's almost as if…destiny…has chosen them to be the final fight. Wouldn't you agree Ms. Kazama?"

 

Jun smiled. "Taking a look from my point of view?"

 

"Just thought I'd see how it was from the other side of the spectrum."

 

"And?"

 

"And I can see why I stick to facts and evidence. This way I won't just leave it up to chance. But it was a good lesson to see where you come from."

 

Jun nodded. "So what are you to do now?"

 

"Bruce has seemingly vanished and it's up to me to apprehend him. I suppose I'll continue my investigation on him."

 

A moment of silence past between the two as they sat. The day was intoxicatingly beautiful and their bodies fought to stop from being drunkenly euphoric. Jun breathed in deeply, sighing at the end of her wispy breath. She heard Lei sigh as well.

 

"Well, Ms. Kazama, I'll leave you here then. It was nice getting to meet you. Perhaps I'll see you in the future," he replied, standing up slowly.

 

She nodded. "Thank you, Detective Wulong."

 

Lei was about to ask her `for what' but stopped. He simply smiled, shrugged, and walked away slowly. Jun had a feeling she'd never see him again. She protectively put her hand over her stomach once again, and inhaled the sweet scents of the flowers before turning to her meditation. Her mind was about to be scarred and she needed all the strength the world could give her.

 

~~++~~

 

Kazuya circled the arena, checking to see that all things were well. The walls were dark, the torches lit low, and the floor carpeted by red and white carnations. The irony that something considered soft and peaceful would be used as ornaments for pain and fear. Kazuya's mind was bent on revenge. There was only one challenger left since Lei forfeited and Paul Phoenix was defaulted, and that was Heihachi Mishima. Kazuya sneered at the thought of that name as he felt his veins flow with venom for his father. Their fight wasn't scheduled till tomorrow evening, but Kazuya couldn't help but find himself eager. A Tekkenshu made it's way toward him and he waited patiently for the man to speak.

 

"Sir. Dr. Boskonovitch's experiments have been started. We…uh…we couldn't find Lee Choalin though. It appears as if he's just vanished sir," the young soldier explained.

 

"Vanished? One mortal does not simply vanish. More so, he ran away. Silly, silver-haired coward."

 

Kazuya grabbed for the Tekkenshu, brining him inches from his face. "Find him. I want him back here alive. Do not show your face to me till your job is done."

 

Kazuya pushed the man back. He stumbled a few feet before regaining his balance. "Yes…yes sir," he replied quickly before running off.

 

Kazuya snorted as he watched the man. Good help was never easy to come by. Why he allowed himself to entrust his life to these men was beyond him. He was shocked to find himself sighing, a pure sign of growing weary and tired. Had his evil finally taken too much of him? He found himself longing to be locked away in Jun's grasp. Who would have thought he could be the romantic type. He dazed into that night, remembering the feel of her ivory skin, memorizing every shrill cry and soft whimper that escaped her soft, pink, supple lips, recalling the way her body melted against his in perfect harmony, the way her heart beat against his chest and the way his beat for her. He slumped to the ground as his knees gave way. Why was he so weak all of a sudden?

 

That demon inside of him was trying to break free. Kazuya had done well against him, locking it deep inside of him. Now it was trying to feed off his weakness, trying to break free. So ironic, this thing of love. It was considered by many to be the greatest strength a man could possess, but it was also the greatest weakness at the same time. Kazuya gritted his teeth as he pushed the sweet memories from his mind. He found himself growing stronger now. Heihachi had been right. She was a weakness to him.

 

~~++~~

 

Kazuya frowned slightly when he found her. She sat peacefully in the gardens, cherry blossoms settled around her. He noted the way her shoulders lifted and fell with each deep breath. She was in deep meditation. His heart broke at the sight of her peaceful resonance as he questioned her motives to be with him. Each step screamed to turn and run away, back to the dismal and lonely life of before, but his heart and mind could not be swayed and finally he reached her.

 

Jun's eyes opened as she felt the new presence next to her. She smiled as she realized it was Kazuya. She was quick to her feet, her slender arms quickly locked around him and she gathered him into a tight embrace. Kazuya stood frozen for a moment. New to this, he was used to people pulling away from him. His powerful arms soon found their way around her waist and he gripped her into an abused hug. Jun groaned a little from his power, but displayed no anger as she pulled away from him.

 

"I'm glad you found me, Kazuya," Jun whispered.

 

"Why?" he asked.

 

Jun's eyes widened in surprise. She was not expecting a reply like that. Was it wrong to hope someone you wish would find you did find you? She cocked an eyebrow and smiled warmly. Kazuya was still so naïve to love. She'd have to treat him like a child learning something new.

 

"No reason. I'm just happy…to see you."

 

He nodded. What did she expect? Some sort of loving reply?

 

"I do actually have something to discuss with you, Kazuya," Jun replied suddenly, fiercely.

 

"And that is what?"

 

"I spoke with Detective Wulong and I know you'll be facing Heihachi."

 

Kazuya was silent.

 

"I know it's something you want, to finally finish off a man you hate so much."

 

"You're stating facts at which I already know, Jun. What is it you want to say?"

 

"It's…it's a lot, you see. I don't know if it's in my right to ask you…but…"

 

"But you'll ask it anyway. Tell me, Jun."

 

"Would it be so wrong for you to leave all this and forget your hate for Heihachi?"

 

His mind burned from her request. Was she serious? His whole life had been bent on destroying his father and this woman was asking him to forget it all. Could love make a person so blind? He breathed through clenched teeth and saw that Jun had taken notice. She tilted away from him and tensed her body for any signs of violent action. No! He wasn't going to hurt her. He forced himself to calm down. When he regained control, he looked her in the eyes.

 

"Jun…all I've known is hatred and fear and power. I cannot give that up so easily. My life has revolved around my father and I cannot…will not give that up. I function solely for the purpose of defeating him. What can compare…what can you offer me?"

 

Jun shut her eyes tight, hurt at what he said. "I thought maybe a life with me."

 

Kazuya opened his mouth to reply, but stopped as the notion of what she had said sank in. He had never really thought of the future. A life…a family…a lover who loved him back was never an option for him. Now it was. He stepped back slightly, as if scared of her. He was at a loss for words.

 

"I…I don't know, Jun."

 

"Kazuya, come with me…stay with me. You can't survive a life of hatred and spite," she reasoned.

 

Kazuya opened his mouth to speak, but stopped at the sound of a mocking laugh. It sent a chill down his spine as he recognized it. His pupils turned to dark balls of lighting as he faced the unexpected visitor. Heihachi made his way slowly toward the two fighters, grin intact, hands placed firmly at the small of his back, each step light across the grass leaving hardly any blades smashed to the ground. A man so old, yet filled with finesse, he was. A warrior.

 

"Ah, my son and his lover. How sweet," he said in a sickly sweet tone. "All for not I'm afraid."

 

"All for not? What would you know, old man," Kazuya seethed.

 

He laughed again, but ignored his comment. "My dear, you do understand that you are and will be the cause of my son's eminent demise. Of course you do. Women have intuition with these things. Your mother had it as well, Kazuya."

 

Kazuya stood protectively in front of Jun, shielding her from any other harsh taunts from Heihachi.

 

"Leave her out of this. This is between us."

 

"You're weak, Kazuya!" Heihachi bit out. "Weak!"

 

"This woman has made you weaker," he continued. "You're weak like you mother! You're still the same weak five year old from the cliff! No stronger! I should have known you would be this way from the way your mother was. I should have killed you in her womb!"

 

Kazuya snapped. He let out a shrill howl that sounded too much like a wild animal. It took all of Jun's strength to pull him back to her. Heihachi only laughed at his son's anger. He liked that. He liked to see the fear, the anger, the hate his son had for him. He enjoyed watching his son break down in front of his very eyes. He enjoyed it, and he would enjoy killing him as well.

 

"Tomorrow then, son."

 

"No! Tonight! Now! I'll finish you now," Kazuya snapped.

 

"Very well. I'll see you at the arena," Heihachi said gleefully.

 

He made his way very slowly away from the two, his steps light and barely audible. Once out of sight, both sucked in huge gasps of air. Neither had realized they had been holding their breath. Kazuya pulled himself out of Jun's grasped and began making his way to the arena. Jun quickly made her way in front of him and forced him to stop.

 

"Kazuya! No! Let's just leave! Leave with me!" she begged.

 

"No!"

 

"Kazuya…"

 

"Vengeance first! Then my life with you!" he snapped, before shoving her aside.

 

Jun watched tearfully as Kazuya marched his way to battle. Tears stung her eyelids as her mind fought to forget the inevitable.

 

"Good-bye Kazuya. I know you'll not come back to me."

 

She fell to her knees and cried.