Part 10���� Part 9 - Part 11

He invited her up to the office again, and she politely refused.

"I guess I can understand that," he said, smiling. They were now right outside the Zaibatsu main building, the passing people who knew about the Devil incident staring in amazement at Jin.

"People are staring at you," Kechara whispered.

"I'll give them even more reason," he purred, and kissed her again on the lips.

"I'm getting myself into alot of trouble," he giggled, then squeezed her into a short hug before he entered the building.

Kechara sighed happily, but at the same time, her mind wandered back to the comments that Ling had made. Argh, I'm too young for this. She wondered what everyone at home would say when she told them she was with a 20-year old.

If I tell them...

But why would Jin be so interested in a girl five years his junior that was so young? Sure, his parents had had the couple year age difference, but they were in their twenties. And people question whether that was love or the Devil...

Kechara decided to save it for later, not wanting to look stupid by just standing outside of the main building, her face screwed up in thought. The bugs had begun to swarm, but she decided to head back down to the grassy landing, which was connected to the beach and the ocean by a small bluff. That way, maybe the waves will help me relax. She swatted away a mosquito and started down the walk.

A cool breeze played with her hair and her shoes tapped softly against the paved sidewalk. The site wasn't very far from the main building, and for this, Kechara was glad, as her feet had begun to hurt from walking in her shoes. She pondered briefly, then stopped, reached down, and pulled them off, carrying them both by the strap with her finger. She wiggled her toes, aand smiled, feeling the wind slide past her face. She stepped off the pavement and into the grass, and slowly ambled towards the bluff, hearing the swish of the waves beyond, and felt at a total peace.

She reached the bluff, and sat down on the edge. The tip of the sun just barely showed over the lapping horizon, and Kechara watched as the last sliver disappeared. She looked up to the heavens, then closed her eyes, again savoring the breeze. This is perfect...

Kechara snapped to attention when she heard a laugh from the beach below. She was too far away to make out their faces, but watched, smiling slightly, as two figures played tag on the sand. Her grin faded, hoever, as the figures drifted closer, and she could notice the feathers and boots of no one other than Julia Chang. Her eyes narrowed and her heart grew cold as she recognized the voice of Griffin Burkhart.

She watched as the Indian girl limped along, still in a bit of pain from her match. Griffin had run ahead of her but stopped and turned around to help her. Kechara heard Julia scream then giggle as she almost tripped, then was supported. Kechara's eyes welled when she saw Julia's face meet Griffin's for a passionate kiss, and could take it no longer. She stood up and dashed back through the grass, heading for her room.

She didn't know that Griffin had seen and recognized her, and that he now felt guilty, but she didn't care. I guess I deserve it after he saw me and Jin. But Julia? She's probably doing it as revenge, too.

She wanted someone to talk to, but Ling was still on her date and Jin had work to do. She reached her room and dropped her shoes near the door, then fell onto the couch. She grabbed a tissue so she wouldn't stain the leather with her tears, and quietly cried herself to sleep.
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Kechara woke up early the next morning, due to going to sleep the first time ever before eight PM. She had a pounding headache, but took nothing for it, cautious of what the Zaibatsu probably put in their pain killers.

She slipped a Shonen Knife CD into the CD player, hoping that maybe the music would make her feel better. Thinking that one else in the rooms next to her's wanted to be awake at 6 AM, she turned the volume down, then sat on the couch again, singing along with the bouncy songs. She began to lose her headache and soon got up and danced, finally feeling happy.

She paused as she heard somthing hit the wall from Ling's side and a muffled shout. Kechara giggled, turned the music down lower, then walked out and knocked on Ling's door.

The sleepy Chinese girl answered the door in cloud pajamas and eyes half-way open. "My, aren't we bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning," she grouch, and yawned. She let Kechara in, then immediately sat on one of her beanbags.

Kechara giggled. "And how late were you out last night?" she demanded, putting her hands on her hips.

"Late enough, Mommy," Ling replied sarcastically. When echara raised an eyebrow, Ling rolled her eyes. "We didn't do anything! And you call me the sicko. Jeez..."

Kechara laughed. "Just curious. So what are you doing today?"

"Sleeping." Ling yawned again. "Oh, and guess what I heard. I heard that a certain Native American girl was out with a certain American boy last night." She picked her nails and eyed Kechara.

Kechara rolled her eyes and sighed. "Nothing escapes you, does it?" Ling giggled. "Well, I guess all's fair since I'm after Jin. I feel kind of bad but oh well, looks like I'm getting my payback."

"Ha." Ling crossed her arms over her chest. "I told you Jin had his consequences!"

"Yeah, sure," Kechara said, waving her hand. "Heard any other Tournament gossip?"

Ling brightened. "They found Kunimitsu!"

Kechara's heart stopped. "They did? Where?"

"I guess she was prowling around near jin's office. The guards saw her dagger gleam and chased her into a corner. hey've been asking her about the Manji sword, but she won't tell them where she hid it." Ling scratched her head.

"Great," Kechara managed to choke out. She realized now how quiet it had been in her room the day before and that it seemed like no one had been there but her. "So where are they holding her and what will they do?"

Ling cleared her throat and said, "I have no clue. If you're so interested, you could probably ask your little Jin. He always get involved in everything and since they think she got into his office, I'm sure he's doing something about it."

"I see." Kechara glanced at a clock on the wall. "Oh, hey, it's 6:30, don't you think you should get some more sleep?"

Ling eyed her suspiciously. "I know what you're doing-trying to make another excuse to go see him! But now that you mention it, yeah, I think I'll take a little nap." She sighed. "I'll let you get away with this one, Ra." She grinned.

Kechara let herself out as Ling ambled back to her bedroom. She quietly shut the door then dashed to the main building, still in her pajamas.

She met one of the Tekkenshu guarding the entrance, and asked if Jin was up yet.

"Of course," he replied. "Kazama-san is always awake at dawn. But I can't let you in."

Kechara pleaded with the guard but got nowhere. She was about ready to throw him across the plaza in frustration, when a voice from the doorway said, "Let her in, She's clear."

She glanced over to find Jin striding toward her and the guard. The Tekkenshu bowed and backed away, allowing Kechara to pass. Jin took her hand and led her into the building.

They reached the CEO's office. Jin shut the door, then embraced and kissed her. "What brings you to my dreaded domain in your pajamas?" he said, smiling and rubbing her back.

"Oh, not much." She looked down. "I guess I forgot to change," she said, blushing. They laughed, then Kechara got to the point. "I heard you guys busted Kunimitsu."

He arched an eyebrow. "oh, you did? Who said that?"

"Ling."

He laughed. "I should have known. She knows everything before she's supposed to." He gestured to the table. "Please, have a seat."

"Thanks." Kechara sat down at the table which had earlier displayed Jin's blood. "So what happened? Where is she?"

Jin took a seat across from her. "A guard found her closing the door to this room and had back-up called in before she could escape. She was after some files all the way back from the Iron Fist 1, but she never got out with them. We tried to get Yoshimitsu's sword from her, but it seems she has it hidden somewhere on the island, and she wouldn't give us any clues toward its whereabouts. So I'm going to send some soldiers to scan the island on Sunday while people are watching the matches."

"Whats going to happen to her?" Kechara asked.

Jin sighed. "I'm not sure yet. I don't really want to kill her, but the thieving of that sword comes into play and I'm sure Yoshi would be pressing for a death sentence."

"Where is she?"

"Down in the basement of this building. It's kind of like the Zaibatsu prison." He focused on her. "Why are you so concerned?"

"Just curious," she replied quickly and stood up. "Can we, um, go see her?" She culd tell Jin was becoming suspicious, but Kuni was her friend.

"Sure," he said quietly, giving her an intense stare. He rose and led her to Kuni's cell.

The cat ninja was all muddy and without her dagger, obviously depressed. She looked up through her mask as Kechara came into view and then stopped outside her cell. "Who is this?" she hissed.

"Kunimitsu, Kechara Matz to see you," Jin said in a clear voice. And perhaps sensing Kechara's thoughts, "I'll leave you two alone." He yelled to the guarding Tekkenshu and then left the hallway with a slam of the door.

"He trusts us," Kuni said quietly. "He;s been the nicest Tournament organizer that I've known." She lifted her mask off of her face so she could speak more clearly. "Listen, I need you to keep the sword."

"What?" Kechara gasped, but was silenced by the ninja.

"Please, you will need it. You must take my word for this one, the time will come when it's properties will be of use to you." She paused. "Remember that it is not where Yoshi is stabbed, it is what he is stabbed with that allows him to survive. That "suicide spot" does not exist. The sword will kill yet heal if commanded to do so. You use it, I assure you, in both instances."

"Kunimitsu, please-" Kechara started but was shushed again.

"You have an important role to play in this saga," she whispered. "You will be faced with challenges and extreme danger. But if you refuse to play your part, worse things may fall upon others. Please accept." She stopped and focused her intense green eyes upon Kechara's black ones, waiting.

Kechara bit her lip. "But I don't-"

"Please accept." Kuni's voice sounded as if it was supported by steel.

Kechara sighed. "I'll accept then. But I know nothing about any of this!"

"You will," Kuni promised. "Now about the sword..." She briefed Kechara on its location then donned her mask. "I will escape from here. I've done it before, I an do it again. I have unfinished business so you will see me again." She leaned back against the wall as the hallway door opened and Jin entered with the guards. "Did I give you enough time?" he asked.

Kechara nodded. "Yes, thanks." Kunimitsu growled.

"Listen, Kuni, I'm still working on trying to avert the request by Yoshi, okay? I said I'd keep you posted!" Jin insisted.

Kechara glanced at the dirty white mask and could tell the person under it was smiling. Kuni growled and Kechara, then left the drab hallway with Jin.

"Better?" Jin asked when they emerged into the lobby.

"Much, thanks," Kechara said, but in truth, she was extremely confused about Kuni's words and afraid about keeping the sword, and what the ninja had said about her near future. She didn't have the slightest clue about how she could affect anything of major significance. I will use the sword to both kill and heal. That thought swirled through her head. Even if she managed to get the sword and keep it a secret (and she only had less than two days to recover it), she doubted she would be able to kill anybody.

"You're very quiet," Jin said, startling her out of her thoughts.

"Hey, are you still coming to our little dinner date tonight?" she said, triyng to change the subject.

Jin realized she was nervous for some reason and went with the flow. "Yes, I'm looking forward to it. My expert chefs down in the kitchen are preparing a feast that I hope you three will enjoy."

"Neat," she replied lamely. "Well, hey, I need to go get dressed, so maybe I'll call you tonight before I leave to come here." She started to edge away.

"Sure, even though I was hoping I'd have some company while I worked today," he said, grinning. "Yes, go get dressed, those shorts are way to short for you to be running aorund in. I'd fear for your safety and our relationship."

She slapped him playfully. "Oh, yes, I'm going to go and run around the island in these shorts, sure," she giggled.

"See what I mean?" Jin gave her a short kiss, and then they parted.