Six Years Later:

 

Jun sat amongst the trees, silently breathing in crisp morning air. The sun beamed gently through the leaves, causing the golden rays to dance around her. The light breeze tickled her skin, and cries of the animals delighted her senses. Her eyes were closed, and her mind was set in deep meditation. She was almost at peace. A restless sigh interrupted her deep reverie, and gentle doe eyes opened. She rested her soft gaze down at the little boy sitting next to her. Rather than practicing his meditation, his dark eyes were fixed on a small bird, sifting through dead leaves in hopes for a morning meal.

 

Jun watched the young boy intently. He had flawless pale skin, slightly muscled and toned from early teachings of the Kazama-style martial arts, but mostly from the running and jumping his abundant energy gave him. Coal black hair stood straight on ends. Jun had realized she had forgotten if it was by genetic design or the child's own style. His dark eyes twinkled with mischief and a small grin was plastered against his smooth face. Small fingers eagerly danced within his lap as he struggled to keep from bounding up. So much energy, so much power was locked in this small child. Jin Kazama. Her child. The only creation left of Kazuya's legacy. She sighed heavily, grabbing the attention of the young child.

 

The young Jin snapped his head to the side and stared wide-eyed at his mother. He blushed deeply as if he had just been caught doing something naughty.

 

"Sorry mother," Jin said quietly.

 

"For what?" she asked.

 

"For not practicing my meditation. And I'm sorry I disturbed you," he replied bashfully.

 

He certainly didn't have the charismatic arrogance of his father, or at least not yet.

 

She smiled. "You haven't done anything wrong, Jin. Why don't you go play?"

 

Jin complied with her wishes. He was on his feet and running through the trees in mere seconds. She watched the energetic boy until he was no longer visible through the vegetation. Sighing, she stood up and walked toward the small lake that was near their hidden home. She sat by the bank's edge, dipping her bare feet in the cool water. She stared at her own reflection for a moment. The years hadn't changed her much, since the Tekken Tournament. Her hair was slightly longer, barely up to her shoulders, but still had the same ebony color. The corner of her eyes were just a little wrinkled due to the stress and happiness her child brought. Her body was a little plumper since the childbirth. Her eyes, she noticed, had changed the most. They no longer seemed to hold the same pure glitter they had at one time. They were shielded by a darker image. They still sparkled hope, but seemed chained down by some burden. Her lower lip trembled as salty tears began to fill up her eyes. She worried for her child, her beautiful child.

 

She had sensed it the moment he was born. Half of his soul was filled with light, while the other half was filled with darkness. A fallen angel created by an Angel Mother and a Devil Father. The Devil Gene. His soul could be so easily swayed to either side, she realized early on. She choked down a sob. How hard she tried to protect Jin, forcing him into a life of solitude. She was denying him a childhood; offering only the chance to learn techniques in which to defend him and to find inner peace. What life was that for a child? He had deserved at least a chance to decide, didn't he? Jun often found herself daydreaming of how different her life, as well as Jin's, might have been had Kazuya gone away with her. Kazuya…

 

She couldn't control her tears. Small crystalline orbs slid down her flushed cheeks as she thought about their one night of true passion, of true peace, of true love. How was any of this fair? She scolded herself for thinking such things. Life wasn't fair. There was never any point to dwell in it. Kazuya was gone and her life…

 

She stopped her train of thought suddenly. She could feel a set of eyes watching her. Her senses picked up and she snapped her head around quickly. She breathed a sigh of relief to see Jin standing there. He looked worried. She sighed and wiped her tear-streaked face. She motioned for the boy to join her. He did, all too ready to console his mother. He took a seat against the dirt floor, gently leaning into the hug his mother opened to him. They were both quiet, content to watching the ripples of the lake.

 

Jin was worried. Many nights he had heard his mother crying. Why, he wasn't sure. He was sure it might have had something to do with his mystery father, a man he thought somewhere deep down, he'd never meet. His mother opted never to talk of him, saying it was for the best. Jin grew increasingly frustrated with that answer, knowing well that the man was what caused his mother this pain. His mother was the most important woman to him, and he hated the fact that some `ghost' was harming her.

 

"Mother?" Jin said, tentatively.

 

"Yes, Jin?"

 

"Why do you cry? It is because of my father. I know that."

 

"It's nothing Jin. You shouldn't worry about me."

 

"You know, we're all we've got here. I've accepted that. Please talk to me mother."

 

She tilted her head slightly. "What have you accepted?"

 

"Mother, I know I'm young, but we have been to the towns before. I see kids running around playing together. I see people socializing and I see what instincts they have, and everything. I know that's considered `normal.' I know we're different, and I've never complained about our different way of living. I accept the choices you made for us."

 

She sighed.

 

"My Jin. There will be a time in which I will tell you everything. For now, just accept that I will be okay, and that I will be with you no matter what."

 

Jin shook his head. "My father has done this to you, and I hate him for it!"

 

Jun frowned.

 

"There is no need for hate in this world. It does nothing but eat at your heart until nothing is left to protect your soul. Jin, revenge and hate seem like a cause, but it would break my heart to see it in you. I am a part of you Jin, just as you are a part of me. I am your light as you are mine. That which we are, therefore you're my guide, and I ask you to let me be yours."

 

Jin huffed. "How can I be your guide, if I can't even protect you?"

 

She remained quiet. Jin sighed.

 

"I love you, Mother."

 

"I love you too, Jin."

 

"You are my Angel," he whispered.

 

She ran a hand through his silken tresses, smiling at the way his eyebrows furrowed when he was upset. It reminded her of someone. It reminded her of his father. How so much alike they were. She sighed again. She tucked her son gently against her side, holding tight to his lithe frame. Her angel was gone, and she was his angel now. Fate had a nasty way of repeating itself, and she wondered, if she truly were his angel, would fate reply itself the way it had in her life. The future seemed so blurry.

 

She felt it then. A chill went down her back as the small breeze changed. Sharp blasts of cold air pushed against the trees. The leaves rustled together, spilling secrets to one another. Jun listened carefully as the forest suddenly grew quiet. Her eyes darted around, searching for any kind of danger, but she saw none. Then, just as soon as it started, the wind stopped. The soft breeze returned and the animals began their cries once again. Everything was as it was; with the exception that Jin was now asleep against her. She clasped her hand against her son, holding him tight.

 

"The wind has changed."