Isshoni (Together)

A/note: This is the sequel from a previous fic of mine, called The Ultimate Fighting. For the ones who never read I hope you understand what's happening…

New characters are going to be added: Asuka Kazama, Feng Wei, Raven, Yoshimitsu, Kunimitsu, Marduk, and Ganryu…

I just hope everyone likes the story…and once again I want to say sorry for my mistakes/errors in writing, but I'm not an English native speaker, so…

I thank all the people who read and reviewed The Ultimate Fighting and The Countdown: Thank you very much.

Chapter 1

And it begins

EAST-OSAKA

6th JANUARY 2014

Julia was arriving home. Her new home. She was living in Osaka almost for five years. In all that time her life had changed considerably. While she was landing in the Kansai Airport, she was remembering what had happened.

First, she had gone with her sister, Michelle Chang, to Japan to enter in the Third Iron Fist Tournament. They had met the Tsunamis and their leader, Hwoarang in Osaka. Then Michelle had been attacked and she almost died. She was in coma for three years, for her family despair. As for Julia she had remained in Japan, mostly because she had fallen in love with Hwoarang. Together they had entered the Iron Fist twice, and they met Ling and Jin. Helping Jin almost cost Hwoarang's life, but he didn't regret it at all. During the time that Jin and Hwoarang were missing, in last July, Julia almost gave up, but then he returned safe. Since then they had assumed their feelings and Julia had spent four incredible months with her boyfriend. Now she new that Osaka was her home, and despite her family was in Arizona, she couldn't leave Hwoarang for more than two weeks.

Her mother had called her in the last week of December announcing that her grandfather was sick, so Julia had spent twelve days in America, visiting her family. Now she was finally home again, and she had missed Hwoarang every day.

When she finally got home, no one was there. She thought it was weird since in that house were living four Tsunamis along with her and Hwoarang.

A half an hour later Eijiro and a huge group arrived.

-'Hey guys…where's Hwoarang?'-Julia asked.

'Julia? I didn't know you were coming today…'-Eijiro said a bit preoccupied to see her.

'What's going on?'-she asked noticing something was wrong.

-'Nothing…'-he lied.

By that time, Julia knew Eijiro too well to know he was lying, and she knew it had something to do with Hwoarang.

'Spit it out…or I'll have to make you…'-she ordered.

'Alright…Hwoarang's missing…we don't know anything from him for two days!'-Eijiro said and he sighed.

'You are joking, right?'-Julia said surprised. -'What has he done this time?'

-'Nothing…'-Roomax said.-'I'll explain…'

-'Yeah…you do that! Because I really want to know!'

-'While you were in Izumo last October…'

-'Doing my field work?'-Julia asked.

-'Yes…Hwoarang got a letter from the South Korean Army. He was ordered to go back.'

-'But he was there with me…in Izumo…for a week and he never told me anything.'

-'He didn't want to upset you.'-Eijiro said.-'He told me and Roomax to be quiet about that.'

'You knew?'

-'Yes…'-Eijiro confessed.

'And he ignored the order?'-Julia asked.

'Yes. Two days ago…some guys from the Army arrived here and they asked for him. We managed to warn him in time and fortunately he escaped.'-Roomax continued.-'But he didn't contact us yet…'

'I'm going to kill him!'-Julia said getting up.-'He's running from the military and he lied to me! When I get my hands on him…'

'He didn't take his mobile phone…'-Eijiro said.-'So we can't talk to him…we don't know what to do!'

'Why did he lie to me?'-Julia complained.

-'It was…'

'Save it, Eijiro…just don't defend him…'

-'Wulong said the guys from the army will be around for a while, so he can't come back…'-Roomax announced.

-'In that case, I'll have to look for him, right?'

-'I think he would've wanted you to stay here, in safety.'-Eijiro said.

Julia couldn't believe what was happening. She had made Hwoarang promise her that there would never be lies between them, and now he was hiding from the Army. Besides, he was in danger and he could get seriously hurt. She was really upset with him.

That night, Julia didn't sleep at all. She didn't know if she was more worried or angry with him.

It was almost three in the morning when her mobile rang. It was Hwoarang.

-'You son of a…'-she started.

-'Julia…just hear me out, please…'-he asked her.

-'Are you alright?'-she asked immediately.

Hwoarang smiled when he heard that question, he knew she was worried.

-'Yes…I am…'

-'Great! Because when I get my hands on you…I'll kill you! How dare you do this to me? I'm worried sick and you lied to me all this time! And don't deny it, because Roomax told me everything!'

'Babe…I don't have much time…I'm in Sakai. In an old hotel…I have rented a room and I don't know how much time I will be here, since I think they'll come after me!'

'I'll meet you tomorrow…'

-'No. Stay there, this is dangerous! I'll…'

In that moment, Julia heard two shots and she panicked. She yelled his name on the phone but no one answered back.

SAKAI

7th JANUARY 2014

Julia had drove two hours non-stop until Sakai. It was a nice city not far from Osaka. She had still some problems driving in Japan, because the traffic was always a chaos, but she was determined to find her boyfriend. And she was considering the idea of killing him. Julia arrived in Sakai at seven a.m.

She managed to discover from where Hwoarang did called her last night, thanks to the phone operators and she was now near a phone booth and there was blood on the floor.

Julia almost started crying, but then she pulled herself together. That blood didn't mean anything. Hwoarang was too smart to be caught like that.

She was going to leave that small alley, when she noticed an old man standing there watching her. She noticed he was drunk, but even so she had to make sure if he had seen anything.

After give him some money, she finally managed to make him talk.

'The guy was strong, you know…the red hair…'-the drunken man said laughing.-'He kicked twelve of them.'

-'Twelve?'

-'Yeah…maybe more. But he kicked them all!'

-'Was he hurt?'

-'Yes…I think so…but he walked way, so I guess it wasn't serious.'

Julia sighed in relief.

-'Where is he now?'-she asked.

-'I don't know…but he had a key from the Kushu hotel…cheap stuff if you ask me!'

-'And where's that?'

-'Two streets down, Miss…'

Julia left immediately. She parked the jeep near the small hotel and entered.

-'I'm looking for someone…'-she said to the man on the counter.-'He has red hair and…'

-'That son of a bitch didn't pay me last night!'-the man cut her off.

-'Is he here?'

-'Yes…and I want my money!'

Julia paid for two nights and went upstairs. She knocked on the door and waited.

-'Hey babe…'-Hwoarang greeted letting her in.

Julia slapped him right after he closed the door.

-'I guess I deserve that!'-he said.

-'You lied to me, you jerk! I hate you!'

-'I'm sorry…'

-'You said no lies, no secrets…remember? You promised me!'

Julia was really furious but she was angrier with herself because after saying those words all she wanted to do was to kiss him.

She pulled him by his shirt and kissed him, while taking off her jacket.

-'I hate you for lying to me…'-she said, taking off her blouse.-'But I hate me more because I can't stop loving you!'

Hwoarang smiled while he was taking her towards the bed.

-'I missed you too, babe!'-he said taking off his shirt.

-'You're hurt!'-Julia said when her hands touched a bandage on his arm.-'Maybe we should stop.'

-'I'm not that hurt! Besides…do you want to stop?'

-'Not really…I hate when you're right!'-she said smiling.

-'I know…I love you too…'

Julia woke up suddenly and she was alone in the bed, she looked to her watch and it was marking almost noon. She started to get dressed but she couldn't stop thinking about Hwoarang. Where was he? She was afraid that he had left again without saying a word.

When she was about to leave the room Hwoarang came in with lunch.

-'You idiot! You scared the hell out of me!'-she said hugging him.

-'I bought lunch!'

-'Next time leave me a note!'

-'Ok…sorry.'

-'I'm sorry too…I didn't mean to slap you…'

-'Yes, you did…and I deserved it!'

-'I was so scared. Why didn't you tell me? You met me in Izumo, why didn't you tell me about the letter?'

-'You were happy…and I would spoil your happiness. I couldn't do that! By the way, how's your grandpa?'

-'Better…and don't change the subject!'

-'Look Julia this is my problem, ok? And you shouldn't have come! If they catch us, we'll be in deep shit…I had some troubles running away last night, and I can't take you with me!'

'What? Are you planning to leave again?'

'Of course. I'll just hang around…I'll go south first…they'll get tired soon, and then I guess they'll leave.'

'What about me? What am I supposed to do in the meanwhile?'

'Go back to Osaka…you said you wanted to find a job. Wait there for news…once I get somewhere I'll call you! I'll be in touch…'

'Oh…I get the idea…so you'll hang around while I'll stay in Osaka, right?'

-'Yeah…You can wait there…for a couple of months!'

'When will we be together?'

'I can meet you somewhere near Osaka…a few times…'-Hwoarang said.-'If you want to.'-he added.

-'And then I'll go back to Osaka again, right?'

-'Yes.'

-'So I'll be only needed to make love to you while you're hiding, right?'

-'No…I never said that!'

-'Don't give me this crap! I want things to be as they were!'

-'Me too! But these guys won't stop until they catch me!'

-'In that case…I'll go with you!'

-'Where?'

'I don't care! If you decide to turn yourself in, I'll go with you to Korea…if you want to keep on running; I'll go with you as well! Do you understand? And this is not a suggestion!'

Hwoarang looked at her surprised. She was really determined and he couldn't make her change her mind.

-'Fine…you win!'-he finally said.

'That's better!'-Julia said kissing him.-'We'll leave tomorrow morning…I'll phone Eijiro to warn him. He was worried too.'

YAMAGAWA

11th JANUARY 2014

Jin was leaving the house to practice a bit before Ling woke up. Usually after that he couldn't focus on his trainings anymore.

-'Jin…?'-Ling asked joining him after a couple of hours.

-'Yes?'

-'I want to tell you that you can go…I won't mind!'

-'What?'

-'Go practice in the mountain…like your father used to do! I know that you want to spend sometime alone. I'm not letting you practice enough…I'm sorry!'

-'Are you sure?'

-'Yes. But don't stay too long…you know that I'll miss you!'

-'I know…I'll miss you too!'-Jin kissed her and went home to pack some things.

One hour later Jin was ready to leave.

-'What will you do?'-Jin asked.

-'I'll spend more time with Panda…'

-'You should give her a name, you know?'

-'Her name is Panda!'

-'Panda? Isn't that too obvious…I mean to call Panda to a panda?'

-'Are you saying that it's not original?'

-'No…not at all!'

-'I'm warning you…I don't like when you're sarcastic…'

'Sorry…'-Jin said kissing her and putting his bag on the floor. Then he carried her in his arms to the bedroom.

'I will not forgive you…'-Ling said on the bed.-'No matter what you do…'

-'Give me some minutes…and you'll change your mind!'

Just like Jin said, Ling did forgive him. A few hours later Jin kissed her goodbye and left to the mountain, while Ling stayed in the bed thinking how lucky she was.

After losing her family, Ling thought she would never have a normal life again, but thanks to Jin, now she believed in the future.

TOKYO

25th JANUARY 2014

Since Ling had left, Miharu felt a bit lonely. But she was very happy to know that her friends could now be together. Ling deserved to be happy with Jin, and Julia, she should be over the moon when she met Hwoarang again.

Miharu remembered how her two friends were when they thought that Jin and Hwoarang had died. But now everything was fine, at least for them.

Miharu was in shock when Yuu told her that Jin had showed up well and alive and that he had gone to Kyushu to search for Ling. After a while, she decided to contact Eijiro and he announced that Hwoarang was back too, so Miharu was forced to believe in Yuu's words.

She was a bit sad because she had written to Steve telling him that his two friends were alright and he hadn't answered back. She was starting to think that probably he had forgotten all about her.

In December last year, Miharu and Yuu had been really close. He was there for her all the time and they were in the same University, so they could talk about everything. She was studying Biology and he was studying Economics.

For her surprise Yuu didn't want to give the next step to a closer relationship. Everyone had noticed that Yuu liked Miharu more than just a friend, Miharu had also realised that a bit too late, since she always thought that he was in love with Ling. Now, she couldn't understand why he wouldn't give the next step, but then, he explained everything to her.

Miharu could remember his words like it was yesterday «It's no use to start something that isn't real! You don't love me the way I love you, so we'll only be friends!», Yuu said to her. Since that day they were like brother and sister.

Actually Yuu was spending a lot of time in her house, with her younger brother Kenichi, who was now seventeen years old.

Shinru had married and Riuga was in the Navy, so Yuu was like a brother to Miharu and Kenichi.

-'Finally we'll have a week off'-Yuu sighed going home that afternoon.

'You will…I have to deliver two projects…'

-'No you don't!'

-'What?'

-'Here!'-Yuu gave Miharu two tickets and she looked at them closely.

-'What's this?'

-'A train ticket to Shikoku and another one to a sports convention that will happen next week.'-Yuu explained.

-'For me?'

-'Yep!'

-'Why?'

-'Because I think you deserve it!'

-'I don't understand…'

-'Steve Fox is going to be there…go talk to him…'

-'Steve? How do you know?'

-'I pay attention to the news…'

-'But Yuu…I can't!'

-'Aren't your projects finished?'

-'Yes…'

-'Then give them to me and I'll deliver them for you!'

-'Really?'

-'Sure…Just go and enjoy yourself!'

-'Why did you do this?'

-'Because you're my friend!'

Miharu almost cried. Yuu was being so good to her, and she had never noticed he liked her.

'We could be together…if you talked to me sooner…'-Miharu said feeling suddenly sad.

-'No…we could be together if you hadn't met Steve…but you did…so…'

-'You're an awesome friend!'

-'I know…'

SHIKOKU

SAKAIDE

27th JANUARY 2014

Miharu was finally in Sakaide, where according to Yuu, Steve would fight that same night.

She went to a hotel to get a room and them she prepared herself to meet Steve. It was a cold night when Miharu left the hotel. She searched for the place where the fights would take place and when she was entering she recognised two persons. Paul Phoenix and Forest Law were there. There was another man, and by the looks of him, he could only be Forest's father.

Miharu didn't know if she should go speak with them or not, but then Paul saw her and called her name.

-'Hi!'-he greeted.-'So are you here for a fight?'

-'No…Mr. Phoenix…I'm just watching!'

-'Oh…can I ask you something?'

-'Sure…'

-'Don't call me Mr. Phoenix…it makes me look old!'

-'You are OLD!'-Forest said smiling.

'Shut up you brat!'-Paul said.

-'What are you doing here Mr. Phoe…Paul?'-Miharu asked.

-'Having a break! We're just passing by…'

-'Passing by?'

-'Yeah…we're travelling to improve our skills!'-Paul said excited.

-'Actually…it's to improve my son's skills!'-Marshall Law said.-'He's a jackass!'

-'I'm not!'-replied Forest.

-'Yes you are! Paul told me you lost with a girl…a Chinese girl!'

-'Paul's a traitor!'

Miharu looked at those three guys and she thought how they could travel with each other if they were always fighting.

'Look! Fox is going to fight!'-Paul said suddenly.

Miharu wasn't expecting that so when Paul said Steve's name her heart almost jumped out of her chest.

-'Come on…lets find a seat!'-Marshall said.

Twenty minutes later, everyone was waiting for Steve to knock his opponent out.

-'Have you heard of Kazama and Xiaoyu?'-asked Paul.

'Yeah…Ling wrote me last month. She said everything is fine!'

-'And Hwoarang and Julia?'

'I spoke with Eijiro; he said that Julia was in the States to visit her family…but I guess she's back already! I think they're fine too!'

-'Good. I can't wait to meet them again in the next Iron Fist!'

-'Next Iron Fist? When?'

-'This July!'

-'I didn't know! Are you sure?'

-'Yes.'

-'Are they going?'

-'Kazama is…but I don't know about Hwoarang! As for me…I'm preparing myself! Next we're going to China to learn more about Kung Fu!'

In that moment everyone was screaming Steve's name. He had won his fight and he was definitely, the winner of that tournament.

Paul and Forest started to yell and Steve saw them. He smiled because he never thought that he would see a familiar face in there. Then he saw Miharu. His face changed and he just waved at her.

-'If you go down those stairs you can meet Fox by the exit!'-Paul said to Miharu smiling.

-'Thanks!'-she said leaving.-'Oh…and have a nice trip!'

Paul, Forest and Marshall waved.

-'Who was she?'-Marshall asked.

'Dad…what a moron! She's someone we met last year…'

-'She's nice…why don't you find a girl like that? Your last girlfriend was so dumb…'

-'She was not!'

In the meanwhile Miharu was waiting for Steve. Now the she was about to meet him, she didn't know what to say.

-'Hi…Miharu…'-Steve said.

-'Hey…it was a good fight…'

-'Thanks…'

-'So, I wrote you…'-Miharu said. She was still upset because he didn't write her back.

-'I know…is it really true? Jin and Hwoarang are alright?'

-'Yes.'

-'Good! I spoke with Christie and I told her that they were ok. She was euphoric!'

-'Oh…you were with Christie?'

-'No…she's in Brazil…I was home. We kept in touch…'

-'But you never wrote me back…'

-'I'm sorry!'

-'Sorry? Is that it? Are you waiting for my forgiveness, with «Sorry»? I know you're quite handsome and you can have all the girls you want, but you have to do better than that!'

-'Things were crazy a couple of months ago…and I couldn't put your life in danger!'

-'But you could speak with Christie!'

-'Actually, she called me…to say that there is going to be an Iron Fist this year!'

'Are you still hunted down by the Syndicate?'

-'I don't know…that's the problem!'

-'What do you mean?'

'Detective Wulong managed to catch some members from the Syndicate, and now they seem to be quite…but they might be up to something!'

-'Shouldn't you be hiding?'

-'You sound just like my parents! I don't want to hide anymore!'

Miharu looked at her feet.

-'Come with me!'-Steve said.

-'Where?'

-'I want you to meet Marianne!'

-'Marianne?'

Steve took Miharu and they both entered in a black car. Steve ordered his driver to take them to his hotel and a few minutes later they stopped in the most expansive hotel in Sakaide.

'Hey…so I told you that you were going to win, didn't I?'-a middle aged woman said hugging Steve.-'You're the best! I love you so much!'

Miharu was shocked but she managed to act normally.

-'Miharu…this is Marianne Johnson…my manager!'

Miharu and Marianne looked at each other.

-'Steve is like a son to me.'-Marianne explained.

-'Oh…yes, of course…'-Miharu said in English.

-'I'm going to take a shower, can you stay with Miharu for a while?'-Steve asked.

-'Sure!'

Marianne told Miharu a lot of stuff about Steve. She really knew him well. She told her about his last years in High School and his excellent performance in the British Boxe League. It seemed that Steve hadn't told anyone about his real mother, so Miharu never mentioned that.

-'I'm back!'-Steve said with a smile.

'I guess I'll better go and phone my husband…my son is sick and I want to check if his father is taking care of him properly!'-Marianne said good night and left.

-'So…what do you think?'-Steve asked.

-'She's great!'

-'She's like a second mother…but now I have some many mothers that I'm confused!'

Miharu felt sorry for him, she couldn't imagine how it was to be in a similar situation.

-'Is everything alright with your parents?'

'No. They want me to quit Boxe…they are afraid that I might be killed…'

-'They have a point!'

-'But things are getting better! It seems that the Syndicate lost interest in me and I have to keep on with my life!'

-'I understand…just like Jin…'

-'What?'

-'Jin was hunted too…by his own family, but now he realised that he had to continue with his life!'

-'I can't wait to meet him again…and Hwoarang!'

-'Are you going to the Iron Fist?'

-'Absolutely!'

-'Then you'll see them there…I'm sure!'

-'Are you going?'

-'Yes…probably…'-Miharu said blushing.

-'Lets go…I'll take you to your hotel.'

A few minutes later, Miharu and Steve were right in front of Miharu's door.

'Miharu…I'm really sorry for not writing back…'

-'I was being selfish…forget about it, ok?'

-'There's something I need to tell you…'

-'What?'

-'I'm leaving again…after tomorrow. I have more tournaments to go to…but I'll be here in July, or maybe in June! I promise!'

Miharu looked at him. Actually she was expecting something like that. He was a boxe champion, and a celebrity, so he had an agenda to follow. She couldn't stop him to go.

Miharu went close to him and she kissed him. Steve answered back but when they entered the room, he broke the kiss.

-'I better go!'-he said.

-'Why?'

-'We both know what will happen if I get in!'

Miharu blushed violently.

-'You don't like me that much?'-she asked.

-'No…I like you even more, that's why I don't want to ruin this! Good Night!'

-'Good Night!'

Miharu saw Steve leaving and she laid down on her bed thinking. Maybe he was right. Things were going too fast and she had seen many relationships ruined because of that. She should wait, besides maybe it wasn't the right time yet, but she was determined to wait.

SOUTH-OSAKA

28th JANUARY 2014

Asuka Kazama was back from another school day. She was finishing her High School in the brand new Osaka Mishima Polytechnical School.

In last September, Mr. Misuno had been in Osaka to inaugurate the School. It was the first school in Osaka to have martial arts as a subject. Asuka had loved that idea since she was the daughter of a great martial arts master. Her father had a Dojo in their neighbourhood and Asuka was, with no doubt, his most talented student.

None of her friends were surprised to see her high marks in sports and martial arts.

Asuka was a normal seventeen year old teenager, but she was always getting into troubles, because she had the habit of supporting justice and to punish the bad guys. Her father had tried to teach her that sometimes people couldn't make justice with their own hands but Asuka didn't share his opinion.

Asuka's only problem was related to the opposite sex. She refused to believe in men, except for her father, of course. She hated her class mates, but despite all that she was one of the most popular girls in school. Many guys had tried to ask her out, but she had always turned them down.

To Asuka, men were mean, disloyal, liars and they couldn't be trusted.

-'Asuka! Come here!'-master Kazama shouted when his daughter arrived.

-'Hi dad! What's up?'

He looked at Asuka with an angry look.

-'Satome's father was here earlier…he said you beat his son in school. Why did you do that?'

-'Satome is a jerk!'

-'That's not what I asked you young lady!'

-'He was hurting a younger boy…the kid was alone! I had to do something!'

-'How many times have I told you? Don't interfere in other people's business!'

-'But dad…'

-'No buts! You're almost eighteen!'

-'You always told me to use my skills to help my friends!'

-'Help your friends…not interfere in people's lives! You are overreacting…you can't save everyone!'

-'I know…'

-'Then stop playing the hero!'

-'Fine!'

-'Lets go to the trainings…the others are waiting!'

After the trainings, Asuka went out with her two best friends, Naoko Natsumoto and Kaede Nikura.

-'Too bad this is our last year in this School…'-Asuka said.

-'Yes…you are really enjoying these martial arts classes, aren't you?'-Kaede asked.

-'Yes.'

-'I'm not! I hate to fight! I think that a girl shouldn't fight!'-Naoko announced.

-'I don't fight to hurt people, I fight because I need to be able to protect myself in the future, besides, I was always good at it!'

'Of course…your father has a Dojo!'-Kaede exclaimed.-'Oh…did you know that the Director Minamikawa said that Mr. Misuno is going to be the jury in the martial arts exams…'

-'The Mishima Schools Headmaster himself?'-asked Naoko surprised.

-'Exactly. They said that Mr. Misuno is a great headmaster and that he will inaugurate another Mishima School this year in Kyoto.'

-'Isn't this Misuno related to the Mishima Empire?'-Asuka asked.

-'No…Mr. Misuno replaced the former headmaster of the Mishima Polytechnical School in Tokyo. And now he is helping to create new schools.'-Kaede answered.

-'But the Mishima Empire is over, right? I mean, I remember to see that on the news…'-Asuka said.

-'Yeah…I guess so…it was a huge scandal!'-Kaede said amused.-'I wish I was in the Mishima Polytechnical School in Tokyo when that happened…I mean they had all the fun…'

'My cousin was in Tokyo at that time, she said that there was a guy in the Mishima school who was unbeatable!'-Naoko announced. She looked at Asuka because she knew that her friend didn't like to know that there was a guy stronger than her.

-'You're cousin was joking!'-Asuka said.-'No one is unbeatable!'

-'He was…at least that was his reputation…'

-'Lies…Guys always think they are stronger than girls!'-Asuka laughed and started to head home.-'One of these days I'll show the world the power of Asuka Kazama!'

Kaede and Naoko laughed and followed her.

A/note: Thank you for reading…I don't know when I'll post another chapter, but I'll try to do it as soon as possible.