Shadows of the Zaibatsu

Everything on the radio was so saddenning. Of course the usual onslaught of offensive music and violence on the news was to be expected, but the worst part of it all was the public battle between two very precious people they were discussing on a talk radio station.

Jun Kazama pressed the volume control up as she stopped at the side of a country road. The people were talking about the Zaibatsu's ridiculous stance against the rest of the world, and the G Corp's intention of rising against that stance. Why was Jin acting like that? Had living with his grandfather tainted his heart so much that he had forgotten who he was? Had the warm and intelligent son she raised gone cold? She had to do something about it, but she couldn't let him know she was alive. No, if Jin was truly going to conquer this hatred, he had to do it on his own. She'd have to help it all along without getting involved.

That's why she had called Julia earlier. After watching the fifth tournament, Jun had become aware of that peculiar Korean's obsession with her son. The girl, Ling Xiaoyu was a possibility, but for some reason, she suspected Hwoarang would be better suited to get through to Jin.

There'd be plenty of time to worry about her beloved son later. She climbed out of her car and scanned the road for any sign of life before heading into the trees. It was a nice hike up the hill. The smell of the trees and flowers mingling under the comforting sun. When she made it out the other side, she was met with a view that managed to take her breath away every time she came there. A cliff that over-looked the city. It was so beautiful! Jun smiled and wandered over to sit on the grassy edge, gazing out at the horizon.

A while later, she heard a cough, and the middle-aged Korean she was expecting walked over to her, sitting down next to her. "It's a wonderful day," he commented almost mechanically.

"Baek Doo San, I'm so glad you could make it." She smiled warmly at the man, but it was difficult to keep it up. Seeing him reminded her of the second cause of her worries. Kazuya Mishima... No, she couldn't let herself get carried away by emotions like that. After two decades apart, it was time for those wounds to heal. "How is Hwoarang doing?"

"The pleasure is all mine." Baek paused, letting his gaze wander over the city underneath. "Hwoarang is fine, but he still has a lot to learn."

It was cute how dedicated Doo San was to playing the role of the mentor when it was so clear that he cared deeply about his 'student'. Jun let her arm dangle over the side of the cliff, brushing against the rocky wall every so often. It felt good to be around another fighter, after so many years, without a hostile atmosphere. Everyone thought she was dead, so she had specifically chosen two people who wouldn't be affected by her death to help her. Julia Chang and Baek Doo San. That way the risk was small that they would spread the news of her life to her son and her Kazuya... She fought back the sadness that thinking of that man caused, but she couldn't help but wonder and hope that he still thought about her, at least once in awhile.

For fear of neglecting the man she had come to meet, Jun turned her attention back on the Korean. "If anyone can teach Hwoarang what he's lacking, you're the best man for it. Have you heard the news? Jin Kazama has strayed so far from that innocent and loving child that I had raised." She exhaled a wistful sigh. "If your boy had forgotten how to be a feeling human being, how would you remind him?"

"I would remind him of his Korean heritage and our long-standing tradition of 'kibun', prioritising others' feelings over practical matters." Baek drew his breath, his gaze drifting to a farther side of the city, as if he was looking for someone. "That's not something he forgets, though. He's too emotional. Courtesy has never been the problem. Integrity, though..."

"... I have decided that something needs to be done before Jin and Kazuya destroy each other. Perhaps I am foolish, but I believe they are capable of overcoming their destructive nature." There was no avoiding it, she had to get to the point. "You may not like this, but I have seen the way Hwoarang looks at Jin, and I have little doubt you have seen it too. I need you to be aware that I am trying to end this father and son war, and it would be appreciated if I had your support. Your connection to Kazuya could be crucial to this working."

"You are right." Baek answered quickly. "I am not so sure I like this at all." He sighed. "Indeed I have a connection to Kazuya, but I have little to no influence over what he does. And where does Hwoarang come into this?"

Jun smiled at the man. She had expected him to be reasonably difficult to convince, but it was probably better that way. That meant he was more careful about his decisions. "I can't contact Kazuya, but you can. I'm not sure if it will be necessary yet, but if it becomes necessary, I'd need someone else to communicate with him. He can't know I'm alive... As for Hwoarang's involvement, I intend to help him get what he's been after."

"I see." The Korean sighed, crossing his arms and furrowing his brow. After a pause, he turned to face Jun. "How is this helping the people involved? I don't see what good that does Jin, Kazuya, you, me and Hwoarang."

"My priority is avoiding unnecessary deaths. My son is very dangerous, and this heartless phase of megalomania needs to be stopped. Someone needs to get through to him somehow, and I do not believe this is the job of his mother. I think he needs to be reached by someone he has no blood ties with, and once that happens, once he has something to lose, perhaps he'll remember who he is. Then I'll have to work on stopping Kazuya... I just hope it isn't too late for him." Jun climbed to her feet and stared down over the edge.

Baek showed no sign of intending to move, and instead just turned his head to gaze down over the city again. "You are right that your son is very dangerous. I would be greatly concerned about Hwoarang's safety if he were to get involved..."

A valid concern of any parent. Jun nodded and took a step in Baek's direction. "He has been following Jin religiously for quite some time now. There is already danger for him, but if it works, of course the risk will increase, but I have faith Jin would not let him get hurt."

"I'm not so sure..." Baek grazed his chin, then pushed to his feet, straightening out his hat. "There is a lot of destruction in Jin's path. I'm sorry to say the thought of Hwoarang in the middle of that does not appeal to me."

Jun nodded. She didn't exactly expect his help with that anyway, and she didn't require it. It wasn't important whether the man approved because she had no intention of backing down. "I understand. In any case, I'd like you to consider aiding me in dealing with Kazuya when the time comes."

The Korean gave her a little bow. "Certainly. I'm not as concerned when it comes to putting myself in danger. Let me know what you need when you need it, and I will definitely consider it."

"Thank you! I appreciate your willingness." Her smile was of relief as she returned the bow and nodded at the trees. "If there is nothing else, you may go first. I think I'm going to enjoy the view a little longer."

"Have a nice day, Kazama Jun." Baek bowed again, then disappeared among the trees.

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This is a collab, written together with Chlover. You can find her author profile here: http://original.adult-fanfiction.org/authors.php?no=26260