"So, where've you been?" Guile questioned the girl who now stood before him in the make-shift military office of his cabin. She sighed and said nothing as she simply walked passed him, or more like stomped passed him. He raised a non-existent brow at her seemingly miffed attitude. She had come in the door, looked at him, and without hardly acknowledging his question, walked to the file cabinet. She pulled open one of the drawers and thumbed through the files without a word. Guile stood up from his seat at the small desk.

"We've missed our match due to your absence. It's been rescheduled for tomorrow morning, around eleven or so. You care to elaborate on where you've been, little lady?" he asked again, calling her by one of the many nicknames she hated. Natalie huffed, blowing a loose strand of hair away from her face.

She pulled out a piece of paper and turned to look at him, "I've been with someone rather interesting, he helped me out and then left me about three miles from here and I walked the rest of the way. And right now I'm just a bit frustrated 'cause I had a chance to meet with someone close to me and possibly help them and that has been recently shot to hell for all I know. That's all the info you need."

Guile raised both brows, he'd never seen her frustrated before, not to this extent. He had no idea of what she was talking about, though he had tried to find out more about her. But all the information on her was classified, nearly impossible to get to unless you were a very good hacker, which he wasn't. And he wasn't about to ask Chun or Charlie to help him spy on this bratty kid's past or dealings. One thing was for sure, he hoped she was at least this angry when the time for their match came.

"I think you're wrong there. You're still green and it's my job to keep your a** outta trouble. So, tell me who you've been with, I'm sure your commanding officers would like to know as well, since when they tried to contact you, you weren't here," he said, his tone gruff and a bit arrogant, something she was used to.

She raised a brow this time, though still glared at him somewhat. "First of all, I have more experience in the field than you'd probably care to know about. Second of all, you're not my commanding officer or my babysitter so it's none of your business. Third of all, don't freaking worry about my commanding officers and fourth, you should probably rest that old codger body of yours for our fight tomorrow!"

With that, she sidestepped and walked past him and out the door, taking the file with her. Guile just stood there, staring at the door. The little b*tch called him an old codger! He frowned before sighing. Damn it, he thought the father-daughter arguments he had with his kid were bad, at least he could tell her what to do. Natalie, being a somewhat high ranking FBI agent, could only be commanded by her superiors, which he was not. He frowned again, realizing just how much he was beginning to see her as the closest thing he could get to his daughter on this whole freaking isle. Though with the way they argued, it sometimes felt like she was a little sister, and a very bratty one at that. His train of thought was interrupted by a familiar chuckle.

"You gonna let a kid talk to you like that?" the familiar voice asked. Guile turned halfway to see Charlie leaning on the post of the door at the opposite end of the room. Guile let out a throaty sigh and put a hand to his forehead, which seemed to ache more and more often nowadays...

"Just how long have you been standing there?" Guile asked, again raising his gaze to his long time friend. Charlie smirked and used his right index finger to push his glasses up to the bridge of his nose, "Long enough..."
 

**Meanwhile**
 

The punch from Locke, or rather, Zorkaan, struck full on, staggering its receiver, Jin, by a few inches. A wild hook flew towards the side of Jin’s head, but the Kushina warrior ducked low, lashing out a powerful sweep in response. His golden brown eyes still gleaming furiously, Jin drove a powerful, dark-glowing fist directly into the stomach of his now downed adversary. The blow had enough force to create a few small cracks onto the rooftop, as well as a small burst of energy, upon impact. Noting that he was still close to the edge of the building roof, Jin quickly teleported himself to a much safer position, just as Koh kicked himself to his feet. The look on his face, Jin noted, was passive, as though the attacks hadn’t affected him in the least.

“Not bad, Kushina...” Locke’s lips curled into a twisted smirk, clearly not belonging to the assassin, whilst his eyes narrowed into crimson slits, again not his own anymore. “However, you are now only delaying the inevitable. All known traitors to the Dark God must die. It is his will.”

Jin’s eyes continued to flare off a golden hue, the only window into his emotions at this point, for his face revealed nothing. A powerful downpour of rain, from the graying heavens above, slowly began to berate the two warriors at this point, alongside a small, passing breeze, which really didn’t do much to this current scene except make it slightly more dramatic, if anything.

He and Zorkaan had been down this path before, Jin pondered. Numerous times, in fact. Never though, had he believed their next confrontation would be under this circumstance. So, under Naar’s decree he was considered a traitor to the cause, and was to be killed - or so Zorkaan had said. A part of him didn’t care whether it was true or not. Either way, the chapter between Zorkaan and himself had received a new addition. One that would - as far as he was concerned - end as quickly as it was appearing.

“Sore de hajimaru, konno owata... [So it begins, this ending]” muttered Jin, too low to be detected, as small wisps of dark flames flared almost violently off his being, completely unaffected by the rain that easily fell onto it. Feeling the wind rustle his hair and the long, midnight-coloured trenchcoat that always travelled with him - namely from his own spiritual energies - Jin brought a clenched fist to the side of him, just as his adversary did the same, his narrowed eyes flaring with a fierce, powerful intensity.

“Then so be it...”

No warning came from either of the two warriors, just a short, violent burst of colliding energies as the pair ultimately clashed.

The skies above continued to unleash their floodgates relentlessly...
 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
 

"I swear sometimes that girl is a real pain in the a**, she just waltzes in here, takes one of MY files and gives almost no explaination as to where she's been the past 24 hours! Hell, I don't even know which file she took or where the hell she's going!" Guile complained, his ruff voice raising a bit in volume. Charlie raised a brow and chuckles...

"Relax. She's a big girl and she can take care of herself," Charlie said, standing straight and walking over to the desk Guile was now leaning on.

"I'll believe that when I see it. Why on earth is she here anyway? She can't be old enough to officially BE in the FBI, let alone on a mission like this! So how the hell did she get here?" Guile argued, his brow furrowing a bit more than usual.

Charlie sighed. "I think there's something you should probably know about... Might help you understand a bit more."

Guile raised a brow, showing his interest, "Well?"
 

***Elsewhere***
 

"Ow."
 

*clip clop clip clop*
 

"......."
 

*clack clack clack*
 

"OW."
 

*boingy boingy boingy*
 

".........."
 

*clip clop drop*
 

"OW!"
 

*pick up, clip clop, clack, boingy*
 

"This wouldn't hurt if you didn't nearly die in every fight ya know."
 

"Tis true, but t'would hurt even less if thou doest not DROP ME!"
 

"We won't drop you anymore hun, RIGHT Zero 1?"
 

"......"
 

*clip clop clip clop clip clop stop*
 

"WAAAAAAHHHHH!!! THIS BLOODSTAIN WILL NEVER COME OUT!!!"
 

"......"
 

"....."
 

".........."
 

After a moment of silence at Miko's outburst, Victoand Zero 1 continued to carry Volpe to the nurse's ward...
 

******
 

Chatook an envelope from his vest and handed it to Guile. As the latter opened it, Charlie explained, "fwhat I could on her by hacking ina few government files... Oddly enough, the files were locked tight, extremely hard for me to access. With any other agent it was easy, but it seemed they took special care in keeping her files secret..."

Guile glanced at his friend's eyes before looking over the papers he took from the envelope. He raised a brow when he saw only the basic info on her: she was only 17, about to turn 18 in just over a month. It showed her height, weight, eye color and hair color. Her last name wasn't given for some reason, and his brow arched it's way further up as he read the paragraph below her picture aloud:

"Subject has shown traces of abnormal pyrophoric tendencies. Reasons and causes behind this are unknown. Subject also has abnormal strength and speed for her age, enabling an advanced fighting ability, reasons for this are also unknown. Shows an unusual ammount of self control under pressure. Use extreme causion if subject is enraged."

Guile blinked, "Pyrophoric? Isn't that...?"

"Able to bring fire from nothing more than air. Some street fighters have the ability, but it comes through years and years of practice and training with at least some martial arts background. According to the rest of the report, Natalie has almost no training in any martial art. Further more..." Charlie said, taking the first page and flipping it over to reveal the one below it. Guile read as Charlie continued, "She has a success ratio of 99%, she's brought over one hundred scumbags to justice, but that isn't what's strange..."

Guile raised the other brow, "It isn't?"

Charlie shook his head, "No... it seems some of the missions she was sent on would have been suicide missions for many agents, yet she survived as you can see. But, in surviving, she was directly responsible for the deaths of over twenty criminals... all of which were supposedly accidental."

Guile blinked as his brow rose higher, "How the hell do you accidentally kill twenty people??"

"Exactly what they said, 'use extreme causion if subject is enraged.' It later adds that she is often very reluctant to fight... up until a certain point. Apparently, they seriously pissed her off and she used a bit too much force. Not that they didn't deserve it, but sh*t..." Charlie said, taking off his glasses and wiping the lenses on his vest. Guile looked over the rest of the papers and came across a picture of a young man. The small ammount of info next to the photo said his name was "Astaroth".

"What's the story on this guy?" Guile asked, not looking away from the photo.

"He's quite a case as well. They have almost no real info on him, but he's connected to some pretty serious crimes, all involving murder. It seems Natalie was sent here not only to help us, but to try to hunt down this guy as well..." Charlie answered him. "He's in the tournament, forgot the name of his partner... but look at his face, notice anything?"

Guile studied the man's features as best he could from the vague picture, he squinted his eyes slightly, a small look of surprise in them, "He looks similar to Natalie..."

"Exactly. I've heard rumors about his first tourney battle, and it seems he has almost the same ability with fire as she has. My guess is... he's her brother," Charlie confirmed, putting his glasses back on.

"Damn," was all Guile said. Of course it made sense, the mysterious person who approached her a few weeks ago, the reason for her cabin being internally burned from the encounter, and how she escaped without a singe. And what she'd said earlier. He really did underestimate her...
 

***back to our nice fight***
 

“Kuraei!! [Take this]” Jin roared from his aerial position as his palm flew downward. No later than a second after, a blast of energy flew forth from it, crashing into the chest of Locke (Zorkaan, whatever) and hurling him painfully downward onto the concrete. The raven-clad warrior landed and almost stumbled, staring at Koh’s still body, as it laid embedded into the building roof. The tainted rain, which had hammered down onto the battlefield, slowed down to a light drizzle, the fervour of the azure heavens finally spent as the weather appeared to be returning to its former state.

With an upturned lip and a gust of breath, Jin blew away a lock of rain-soaked hair that hung freely across his eyes.

The fight thus far had taken a toll on both warriors, each baring signs of it. Jin however, seemed to be winning at the moment, and it didn't appear that Locke (Zorkaan, Zorky-poo, your next door neighbor...) was getting back up. Zorkaan didn't quite know how to utilize Locke's body to it's fullest extent, which gave Jin a slight advantage... or so it seemed.

Jin stood still and emotionless, except for the cold look in his eyes. Zorkaan, in Locke's body, slowly rose to his feet, a none too pleased look on his face (which really isn't his, but oh well...). Then... a quiet chuckle escaped his throat, and soon turned into a deep, bellowing laugh. Jin raised a brow just slightly but otherwise remained in the same position.

"Do you really think you have a chance, Kushina? Do you? Boy... you are nothing but a boy who has been given a small gift which he will never be able to use properly... a pawn for something much greater than himself. If I had possession of your body, you would be ten times what you are now...", Zorkaan's voice sneered through Koh's lips. He took his stance again, "And I will have that power..."

Jin's eyes narrowed, their golden-brown irises glowing slightly as he entered his stance once more as well, "Kesshite... (never)"

Zorkaan laughed once again in a demonic tone as he dashed forward, ignoring the pain his host's body was experiencing. He continued his mad dash at Jin as the latter prepared to block and counter the oncoming attack. Locke's right fist swung directly at Jin's gut, powered with a good ammount of chi behind it. The Kushina warrior blocked... but the attack was never meant to hit...

Jin realized this all to late as Locke's body flipped completely over him and landed behind him in a split second. Just as Jin was spinning around to face Koh, the latter's hands came together and, using quite a large ammount of energy, struck the ground a mere three feet behind Jin. Concrete and soil alike erupted at the force of the contact, and the effect continued rapidly toward Jin, who failed to turn in time to avoid it. The sudden upthrust of the ground threw Jin up a few feet, accompanied by large chunks of rock and gravel, each one assaulting his back and sides. He landed a second later, his skin scuffed a bit and his clothes tattered further by hitting the rough surface so hard.

Jin's blood mixed with the rain that still drizzled as he rose slowly to his knees with an inaudible grunt. He was given no time to get to his feet as a powerful kick slammed into his lower back, crushing his abdomen back to the ground and holding it there. The hideous laugh echoed again...

"Fool! You cannot win this... no one can betray the dark master and live... you know that. However... I'm glad you betrayed him, all the better to inhabit your body..." Zorkaan spoke again. Jin's eyes, which were shut tightly, now opened to reveal a dark fury within them as he let out a loud battle cry and erupted in dark flames, rising to his feet and nearly throwing Locke off of him. Zorkaan, in Locke's body, stumbled back, growling slightly at the show of power. Jin reguarded him with a look that revealed only one thing; he was pissed...

**back to brush-cut and four-eyes (sorry, running outta stuff to say between scenes... -_-)**

"I take it you're surprised..." Charlie mused. Guile looked at him sarcastically, "No... I expected a little seventeen year old girl to be a human torch and have a psycotic brother who she was assigned to hunt down..."

Charlie smirked, "Thought so... seems the FBI is still as clueless as we were. I doubt they'd assign Natalie to kill her own brother. I wonder though... if s's as strong as the file says she is, then how powerful is big bro?"

Guile f, "Probably a lot stronger than we'd like to think..."

"If there's a pattern to villians, then yep," Chasaiwith a nod. "Not surwe'll have to worry about him though... after the fight he just disappeared, not a trace of him anywhere..."

"Hn," Guile... er... hnned. He then looked at his friend again, "Say... how'd the fight go?"

Charlie smirked a bit, "We won, though it was a damn tough fight, Volpe got hurt pretty bad. I had to practically carry him to Zero1's car... he should be getting medical attention now..."

Guiled hnned again before saying, "Congrats, unfortunately our fight isn't till morning. I managed to have them reschedule it when Nat didn't show."

"Doesn't she hate that?" Charlie asked, raising a brow (which thankfully, he has one to raise...).

"Hate what?"

"That name. Nat..."

"Oh... Yeah. So?"

Charlie chuckled and turned to leave, "Nevermind."

"Hey Nash..." Guile said just as he reached the door, "Why'd you look all this up anyway?"

"Well... I was a bit curious too. And I knew you were... so I took the liberty," he answered, turning half way back to then smirk at Guile, "Besides, you suck at computers...."

With that, he left. Guile hmphed and frowned before returning to his desk and the large stack of paperwork that was collecting.
 

**back to the fight**
 

The dark flames around Jin disappeared as he unsheathed his sword, the Murasame blade. The sword itself emanated a dark energy: the air around the blade rippling with faint black flames. Without warning, Jin was suddenly directly infront of Locke (Zorkaan), his sword raised and rapidly descending towards the possessed warrior as Jin roared, "Kieuseru!!" (err... I'm not gonna translate that... understand that it's VERY rude...)

Locke's eyes barely had time to widen as the edge of Jin's blade sliced across his chest, leaving a short black arch of fire in the air and a wound just deep enough to bleed and sting quite a lot. Bringing his host's arm up to his chest, Zorkaan in Koh's body reeled back, narrowly avoiding another slash from Jin. Locke was forced back as Jin kept slashing visciously at him, cutting him every now and then. Zorkaan decided his host's body was becoming a less than pleasant place to be...

He then remembered the custom made gun that Koh had a reputation for carrying, and thus pulled it out while dodging another swipe from Jin. In a split second, the aimed and fired at Jin, it's specialized shot hitting him in the chest. A surge of electricity shocked Jin and brought his onslought of attacks to a halt. Once he recovered, he glared at the possessed Koh, his breathing a bit ragged.

Suddenly, Koh's body began to glow with dark energy as he screamed, holding his head before falling limp to the ground, unconscious. A dark mist rose up from him, showing Zorkaan had taken the easy way out, wanting to finish the battle in his less vulnerable form.

"Pitiful, all your work only to fight me as I truly am... when nearly all your attacks are useless... " Zorkaan said with a soft, yet evil chuckle.

Jin, though already battered and slightly fatigued, took his stance once more...

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The dark mist that was Zorkaan swirled upward, till he was about fifteen feet above the concrete covered ground of the alley they'd wound up in during their battle. He then paused and looked down at Jin, who remained in his stance, a dark look glaring through his golden-brown eyes. The black mist chuckled, the voice echoing in an evil, surreal sound...

"Kushina warrior... young man, you are hardly worthy of the title. It sounds so dangerous, so... deadly. I should think you would live up to it. Certainly, you've had your share of bloodshed, but that hardly ammounts to anything when compared to the countless lives I've taken... and if possession of your body is not possible, then your life will be among them..." the sinister voice spoke before emitting another dark chuckle.

Jin's eyes narrowed. Questioning his abilities and worthyness of his own name was something that one simply did NOT do to the Kushina. Those who did, usually met the hands of a cruel fate rather soon. Jin took a defensive stance with his sword, knowing it was the only thing he could use during this battle against a being who is invulnerable to all physical attacks without some magic or energy enforcing them.

If Zorkaan would have had possession of a body, he would have smirked. He settled instead for another evil chuckle as his black, misty form began to glow with dark energy. Suddenly, the energy gathered into a compact spere directly in front of the mist and shot forward toward Jin. Jin quickly raised his sword, channeling his own black flames into it to block. The block was successful, though Zorkaan seemed amused.

"Go on, waste your energy, it's only a matter of time... I am a spirit, after all... I can wait forever..." his voice whispered, seeping with evil. Jin's expression remained steady as he kept his stance. Zorkaan was too high to reach without teleporting, and if he did teleport, it would use up most of his remaining energy to get just one good hit in. The corners of Jin's lips curved down just slightly, barely noticable.

Zorkaan knew the disadvantage Jin was at, and he was about to exploit it. Besides being able to create psionic energy attacks, he also had extremely powerful psychic abilities; ones which could manipulate the mind as well as control in many cases. Jin was too strong-willed to control... but Zorkaan guessed that he may be vulnerable to other techniques in his current state. He attempted to peer into Jin's mind...

Jin's eyes widened slightly as he realized; something was very, very wrong. He began remembering things, places, events that had nothing to do with the present situation, as if something or someone else was calling them forth. Jin muttered, "Kuso...(damn)"

Zorkaan could faintly see the memories and thoughts, only faintly because Jin was trying to block him out. The dark, wavering and evil voice spoke again, "Ahhh... so, this is what the enigmatic Kushina sees in his mind? *chuckle* Boy... you do amuse me, it seems that you have no memory of any happiness in your life. Not even a thrill from death and killing? Ba! You are even more pathetic than that wretched Astaroth! I really don't know why our master bothers with you... you worthless human..."

Jin growled, he was becoming more and more pissed by the minute. He began gathering the energy to form a shield from any attacks, physical or mental. But while he was doing this, Zorkaan took his time looking through Jin's mind....
 

***Elsewhere***
 

Victoria, Zero 1 and Miko all sat in a large waiting room of a hospital. They had managed to get Volpe into the emergency ward just before the downpour of rain started outside. As they waited, Victoria's three personalities talked to each other in side her head. As annoying as it was, she'd become use to it. Zero 1 was currently counting the tiles on the floor and ceiling, obviously bored beyond description, while Miko scrubbed away at Volpe's bloody vest with her handy-dandy Shout(tm*) compact cleaning wipes.
 

*chhh-chhh-chhh-chhh-chhh*
 

*blink*
 

"Grrr..."
 

*chh-chh-chh-chh-chh-chh-chh*
 

*blink blink*
 

"Grrrrr!!"
 

*ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch*
 

*blink, eyebrow twitch*
 

"GRRRRRRAaaaaaRRRGH!!! I HATE BLOODSTAINS!!!"
 

As Miko proceded to scrub an extra hole in Volpe's article of clothing, Zero 1 reguarded her briefly with a raised brow. He then shook his head and went back to counting...
 

"Dammit, I lost my place..."
 

***meanwhile, in the room through the door, down the hall to your left on the right hand side...***
 

Volpe lay on the doctor's table, painfully awaiting treatment. He turned his head to the side to glance at the clock on the wall; he had been waiting exactly twenty-three minutes and forty-seven seconds. His brow twitched slightly, "A hero could bleed to death in that time!"

Suddenly, he heard the door knob click as someone opened the door. He looked up and his eyes met a very nice site indeed. "Helloooooo nurse!" rang in his minas he blinked. Before him stood a busty young blonde clad in white top and skir, the latter article seemed a bit shorter than standard nurse-wear. She smiled at him as she greeted.

"Hello M.... ArrVolpe!" she sas she looked at her clipboard for his name. "How are you today?"

Volpe resisted the urge to roll his eyes and settled for a chuckle, "Emm.... not too good milady, that's why my friends hath brought me here..."

"Oh, hehe... sure. Well..." she said, walking over to him and looking over his injuries. She lightly poked a very nasty looking bruise on his shoulder.

"Ow..."

"Heh, sorry. Those are pretty bad, we'll have to give you some anestetic before we do any bandaging..."

"Heh, right-o lady. Errr... if thou can, hurry please? Tis' a tad uncomfy..." he responded, blinking as his eyes had drifted from her face. She smiled again and walked to a cabinet. She opened it and took out a couple of items, he couldn't see well from his position. Not that he was paying attention to what she was doing, his eyes had absently wandered to the tight, short skirt she wore. He blinked again as she turned around. He looked up and saw her smiling still, and holding what seemed like an ENORMOUS needle. He chuckled nervously and raised a brow, "Em... the anestetic I presume?"

She nodded and walked back over to him, the needle looking larger with each step. He ofcourse, was not afraid of a simple needle. Really, he wasn't...

She leaned over him. He suddenly forgot about the needle she held as her cleavage seemed to stare at him, or rather he stared at it, blinking yet again. The memory of the needle then came back with a vengeance as he felt it puncture one of the many bruised places on his arm...

"OOOOWWWWWWW!!!!"
 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
 

Victoria looked up, "I guess they finally got to him..." she mused.

Zero 1 smirked. Miko continued her scrubbing...

"You.... will... come.... OUT!!!" she growled as she scrubbed through the threads of Volpe's vest.

Victoria raised a perfect brow, Zero 1 just sighed, "How much longer...."
 

***Meanwhile***
 

Natalie sat on a low hanging tree branch, near the river not too far from her cabin. Her facade was melancholic and serious, obviously she was in deep thought. The gently evening breeze ruffled her long hair as she stared out into the twilight sky.

"Where are you..." she whispered aloud, looking up at the stars that faintly showed in the night sky, the part that wasn't covered by storm clouds, at least. It was already raining on the other side of Fighter's Isle, and the sky would soon cry over her as well.

She wondered where her brother was, if he was even alive for that matter. She didn't know what happened to him during the fight, she was knocked off the cliff too soon to find out. She had asked Jin if he knew, he simply replied that he didn't and left it at that. She knew from the file she got from Guile's office that they were a team in the tournament, and she knew somehow that they both worked for Naar. She sighed, hating that name. Naar. She wanted to let loose her hate for him and kill the dark god with her own hands, but she knew she couldn't at this stage. Still, if given the chance, she would die trying. It wasn't as if she was meant to live forever anyway...

Jin... he was so strange, and yet, familiar. He reminded her a lot of her brother, yet she saw some things in him she didn't see in her brother, at least not for the short time they had met. Jin was slightly more agressive, she could tell. That, and he wasn't quite as "in tune" with things as her brother. She and David... Astaroth... both had that nature. To know something without being "told", to have a feeling and follow it as certainty, these were as natural to her as breathing. She knew it was the same with her brother, but not quite so with Jin. She could tell he had a lot of unaswered questions, even if he would never ask them. She sighed again at the thought of something else she "knew". He was like her brother in the way that he'd been manipulated by Naar, probably taken around the same time as well. There was that name again, the one that ruined so many lives...

She silently hoped she would see them both again, alive and well, or as well as possible. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps walking towards her. She turned and saw Shizukesa, or Zuke, as Nishoku often called him. She smiled.

His face was downcast at first, until he felt her gaze and looked up. He saw her and blinked, "Oh... I didn't think anyone would be here. Sorry if I'm bothering you, Natalie..."

She shook her head, "No, it's ok. You're not bothering me... C'mon."

He smiled a faint smile and walked over to the tree. He climbed to short distance and sat on the branch beside her, looking out at the sky. She eyed him and spoke softly, "Something's bothering you though..."

He sighed and looked down, she really could read people well. Though in his case, it wasn't hard to tell. And this was one of the few people he was willing to vent to... "I tried talking to someone I really like... but I don't think he likes me back..."

She sighed. "Well, not much I can offer... I've never really been in that situation. Keep a positive attitude though, k? Besides, even if it doesn't work out, there are many other people in the world who'd be great for you..." she said, smiling and offering a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.

He frowned and looked at her, "Like?"

She smiled a knowing smile. "You'll see, you'll find them one day. Who knows, when you're least expecting it, you might just trip and fall over the object of your affection and slap your forehead and say 'Why didn't I see this before? I'm in love!'" she chirped, a rare thing for her to do. He blinks, then sighs again, "Yeah..."

"Say... how's Nishoku?" she asked. He huffed and stretched his arms, "She's just fine, resting from the fight. She won ya know, though I really don't see why she gets all excited about fighting. I guess she's just PMSing all the time and needs to take her frustration out on someone. At least it wasn't me this time..."

Natalie chuckled. "Ya know, Zuke... I think you and Nis would make a cute couple," she mused out of nowhere.

He choked and nearly fell off the branch, "Wh... WHAT?? Are you insane?!"

She laughed. "I'm serious. The way the two of you fight, yet still care about each other... You'd be so cute!!" she said, reaching over and pinching his cheek lightly.

Zuke hmphed and crossed his arms, "No FREAKING WAY. In case you haven't noticed, I'm gay. Besides... even if I weren't, there's no way I'd fall in love with a b*tch like her."

Natalie chuckled again, "Whatever you say..."

He stared back at the sky, a serious expression on his face. They sat there in silence for a while, both in contemplation of different things. After a while, he broke the silence and spoke, "Natalie... you know what it's like to be sent by a god, do you feel sometimes like he expects too much of you?"

Natalie looked at the threatening sky as well, "Sometimes... I feel I'm inadequate for whatever I'm supposed to do. But I do my best, that's all I can do. That's all he really expects... I think it's the same with you..."

Zuke looked down, "At least yours doesn't expect you to be better than everyone else... You're lucky that way."

"Maybe, but yours will see how good you are, maybe he already does..." she said, looking over at him. He sighed, "I doubt it, but maybe."

He then jumped down from his position, landing on the ground as thunder boomed in the distance. He looked up at her and she gazed down at him. "Be careful... things are going to get harder from here on out..." said Zuke, his tone showing some concern.

She gave him an understanding look, "I know. Take care of yourself as well, and Nis..."

He nodded, before turning and looking back at the sky once more. He then walked back the way he came. Natalie remained in her position on the branch, "Indeed, things will get worse... I just hope we can all survive what's going to come..." she said softly as the drizzle of rain began.
 

***somewhere other than there***
 

Jin raised his sword and its black flames surrounded him, formithe sheild to prevent Zorkaan from further entering his mind or attacking him. Zo's snooping was stopped short. He chuckled darkly again. "That won't last long..." he thought as he began throwimultiple at Jin. The sheild blocked each one, but was slowly wearing down with every attack.

"There are some interesting things in that mind of yours, boy... Very interesting... *chuckle* So... THAT is what Astaroth's sister looks like? Hmm... well, since he is missing at the moment, probably dead, and you are soon to join him, it shall be my own pleasure to kill her..."

Jin growled slightly, his eyes narrowing as he kept the shield up. He didn't know why he was so angry, but he knew one thing for sure. He hatedthis position, being unable to attack and destroy that b*st*rd ghost.

Zorkaan found more amusement in Jin's frustration as he continued the attacks. He knew Jin's sheild was wearing down, his energy was -unlike the ghostly Zorkaan- exhaustable. Jin would tire while Zorkaan remained strong. Zorkaan increased the power of each blast, wanting to hurry and finish his young rival. As the attacks pounded against Jin's shield, he struggled to hold his footing as his body was pushed back slightly by each one.

Without warning, Zorkaan put a large ammount of power into one quick, final projectile. As it hit, Jin's shield could no longer be held. As the sheild dissapated, Jin was victim to the remainder of the blast as it knocked him hard against the alley wall. Zorkaan was relentles as he soon followed up with several small but still powerful blasts. Jin was pounded against the bricks as each one took their toll on his body. Laughing, Zorkaan then stopped the attacks.

Jin's body slumped slightly, but then stood again, refusing to fall before Zorkaan and glaring up at him in hatred. "Chikushoume...(son of a b*tch)" he uttered, spitting a mixture of blood and saliva at the ground.

Zorkaan emitted that hideous chuckle of his once more, "So at last, it's come to this. You should have known it would end this way... Sad that even you, possibly one of the greatest warriors Earth has ever spawned, are no match for me. It is a pity, but your shameful life is about to be over..."

Black energy began swirling in a vortex around Zorkaan as he prepared for the final blow to Jin. For his part, Jin could do little more then lean against the wall and wait, not having enough energy for a good attack. Running was not an option either, since it was -in Jin's opinion- the most dishonorable thing to do. The evil energy compacted into a crackling sphere of raw power as Zorkaan was about to launch it at him. The ghost, however, failed to notice the incredible energy being gathered behind him...

"Not this day..." a familiar voice said in a low tone. Zorkaan reacted all too late as a HUGE ball of grey fire engulfed his mist-like form, searing it with it's powerful tendrils. The former attack Zorkaan had gathered dispersed into the air. Once recovered, the mist hastily glided several feet away from whoever it was behind him. Jin looked up and saw the raven-haired warrior who was his comrade, perhaps the closest thing to an ally he had. On the opposite side of the alley, Astaroth stood on a thin ledge on the side of a building, about twenty feet above Jin and Zorkaan.

Zorkaan saw who it was that had attacked him and growled, "YOU!! You aren't even supposed to be alive! You're defying the orders of Naar! This is TREASON!"

Looking evenly at him with an unreadable facade, Astaroth spoke in a simple, low tone. "If you attempt to carry out your so-called orders, I will destroy you."

Zorkaan growled again. He had no body worth possessing, and Astaroth was at near-full power. He knew he had to retreat. "This isn't over, you insolent humans! Naar will have you both executed for this!!" he spat and opened a portal for a hasty exit.

Astaroth let him escape. He stood staring at the place where the portal blinked out of existence, waiting for what he knew Jin would say.

"Why didn't you warn me that Naar wanted her dead if she didn't join?" Jin seethed as he limped forward, looking up at Astaroth. The later turned his gaze downward at the former, "I had to make sure you would protect her..."

"At the cost of my own life, I suppose..." Jin muttered. Astaroth closed his eyes momentarily and allowed the corners of his lips to faintly tug upward before he teleported down infront of Jin. "No, I knew you would survive. You were the only one I could trust to ensure her safety when I'm not around..."

"Doushite? (why)" was the simple question that came from Jin in his native tongue. Astaroth exhaled, nearly sighing. "Nazenaraba, boku wa kotogaaru dou..." (Because, I have done the same... [not entirely sure if that's completely correct...])
 

***flashback***
 

Two teenage boys, each looking to be around fifteen or so, spar in a large, dimly lit room. Both have raven-black hair, though one's hair is to the middle of his back while the other's goes only to just passed the base of his neck. The one with the longer hair has icy-blue eyes obscured by long bangs, while the other has golden-brown eyes, also partially hidden. Trading blows, they seem equal in strength.

A figure watched them from the corner of the room, observing their attacks. Its body is huge in comparison to theirs, its form like that of a human, with arms and legs and the ability to stand straight, yet with the bulky chest, thick fur and large head and horns of a bull. With arms crossed, it watched as the golden-eyed boy staggered back from a blow from the other boy. The blue-eyed boy relented, simply standing there.

"What are you doing Astaroth? Continue. You must exploit your oponent at every opportunity!" the bull-headed figure roared. Astaroth looked at him with his emotionless stare. "It was a lucky shot. This is only a spar..." he said in monotone.

The beast-like creature growled at him and approached, "You dare question me? You insolent boy!!"

Astaroth stood there, motionless as it walked up to him and raised a large hand. "You should learn respect for your superiors!" it growled as it brought its hand down swiftly to strike Astaroth's face, so hard that Astaroth's head snapped sideways as it sent him to the stone floor with a thud. He remained there, knowing it's best to just take the beating than try to fight it. The beast kicked him in the side before turning to the other boy, who had watched the scene. "And you... You will learn not to let your guard down, boy!"

Jin just stood there, his fists clenched slightly as the larger creature walked towards him, leaving Astaroth on the ground to watch. Once directly infront of Jin, the creature reached out and struck Jin much the same way he hit Astaroth. Jin fell, but just as the creature was about to strike him again, he got up, glaring at it. Astaroth's eyes widen slightly, "He knows he should stay down..." he thought.

The creature raised a brow and glared down at Jin, a scowl on his ungly face, "You darestand again? You insolent, pathetic little b*st*rd!!" He reached out and struck Jin down again, this time harder. Jin hit the cold stone hard, but slowly rolled to the side and got up again, glaring once more at his 'superior'.

"Worthless wretch! You'll suffer for challenging me!" the creature said as he raised his fist again. Jin then did something he'd never done, he attacked his teacher. Though not as physically strong as the larger being, Jin was powerful. And he was sick of being beat like an animal. He punched as hard as he could at the stomach of the brutal beast, over and over, winding him and making him double over. It then managed to grab Jin by the hair. Lifting him up, the now enraged creature roared, "You will DIE for attacking one of Naar's greatest warriors!!"

Astaroth's eyes widened more as he watched Jin struggle to break free and attack again, though his attempts are in vain as the beast punches him hard in the gut. It raised its fist again, this time covered with red energy as it prepared to finish Jin. Astaroth stood and as quickly as he could, gathered his energy and sent a firey projectile at his teacher's back, the knew it's not a smart thing to do. The attack caused the beast to stagger and loohis hold on Jin.

Jin fell to the ground and as soon as he recovered, he roared visciously and attacked his teach, hibody engulfein black flames due to his rage. His fists burned flesh on contact, before ripping the seered skin as his fists continued their path. His teacher's eyes were wide in pain and shock. Jin relented for a moment, looking at what he'd done. The beast's eyes drifted down to the gaping, burned hole in what used to be his stomach, then crumpled to the ground in a heap. Wheezing, it looked up at Jin, who stood there with wide eyes. "Ma....Master! I... must tell.. master.... you will.. die, boy...!" it whispered between coughs and breaths. Knowing what would happen to them both if Naar found out, Jin did the only thing he could. He silenced his former teacher forever with a hook kick to the side of the head, snapping the vertebrae in the beast's neck. It collapsed to the side, dead... with eyes still wide in shock.

Jin stood there, looking down at what his power had done: never had he used that much of it in his short fifteen years of life. Astaroth stared at him, still wide eyed. "You know what he will do to you...?" he asked in his quiet voice.

Jin blinked his shock away and looked up at his peer coldly, "Kamaimasen... (it doesn't matter)"

"Kamaimasen ka? (doesn't matter?)" Astaroth questioned, knowing better. Jin had no time to answer as one of Naar's elite guards walked into the room, only to be shocked at what he saw, "What the..? You two!! You will see the master at once!!"

******

"What happened?" the dark voice of Naar boomed as the two youths were practically thrown in front of him. Neither looked up at him, Astaroth kept his steady, melancholic gaze on the floor as Jin's jaw tensed and his eyes glared at Naar's feet, hidden by his bangs.

"We found them in the training room, with the dead body of Kaotin, one of them, maybe both, killed him," the guard spoke. The evil eyes of Naar narrowed, "What happened?" he asked again, this time addressing the two boys. When neither answered, he growled, "Do you even know what the punishment is for killing an elite general of mine? DO YOU?? IF you don't anwer me, you will both suffer!"

With that, he clenched one fist and suddenly both youths felt an immense pain in their skulls. Jin grit his teeth hard, refusing to speak. Astaroth held back from screaming and finally answered. "We... messed up on a technique... he beat us and... when we tried to explain he almost killed us. I... I killed him," he lied, for the first time since he could remember.

Jin's eyes widened slightly and looked over at Astaroth, who remained staring at the floor. Naar ceased the painful treatment and raised an ugly brow, "Interesting. Your cause was justified, yet still, you killed one of my generals... you will be punished."

"Yes... master," Astaroth said quietly as two guards took him by the arms and stripped him of his shirt while another one bowed to Naar and raised a rather wicked-looking whip for him to take. As Naar took the whip, Jin's gaze remained on Astaroth, who only glanced at him soberly for a moment.

"Lock him in the west wing..." Naar commanded, motioning to Jin as he rose from his seat, his huge form towering over everyone else. Two more guards took Jin and led him out of the room. As he exited, Jin could hear the loud crack of a whip behind him and a choked down scream...

*****

Jin waited in the dark, musty room. It was void of all light, save for that cast by a torch set high on a wall, allowing one to see the rats and other strange, filthy creatures that roamed about. He sat on the floor, leaned against the wall. He knew that should have been him taking the beating, but Astaroth had taken his place, and he had no idea why. Perhaps it was out of respect, or maybe because he and Astaroth were akin to each other in a way, both being the only humans in this hideous place. Whatever it was, he didn't know. He felt a faint sense of guilt at the fact that he simply let Astaroth take the blame for what he did...

His thoughts were interrupted by the large door creaking open. He looked up as a body was thrown in...

"Astaroth?" Jin questioned quietly as he looked over at the person. he got up and walked closer, kneeling down to get a better look in the dim light. Jin's eyes widened slightly again. Covered with blood, cuts and bruises, the person was barely recognizable, but it was Astaroth. Hardly able to move, Astaroth turned his head to face Jin, who stared at him with questioning eyes. "Doushite? (why)" Jin asked. Astaroth couldn't answer before blackness overtook his view and he passed out from loss of blood...
 

***end flashback (dang, that was long...)***
 

"Doushite.... you asked me the same question then..." Astaroth mused in his monotone voice. Jin did something very unusual, he sighed. Astaroth knew that he had made his point. He then smiled -just slightly- as he looked at Jin, "So, you like my sister?"

The question caught Jin off guard and he blinked briefly before regaining his composure. "She is a lot of trouble," he said in his usual tone. Astaroth closed his eyes and continued to let the very small smile play on his lips. "Perhaps... but she is worth more than you or I ever will be," he said before the smile faded into seriousness, "We have to keep an eye on her. Zorkaan knows who she is and possibly where she is..."

Jin nodded, then looked evenly at his comrade again, "Is there anything else I should know?"

"Never make her angry," Astaroth stated. Jin raised a brow about one centimeter but said nothing as the Astaroth formed a portal and the two entered it.
 

***Here, there, everywhere...***
 

It was night, and all the fighters were resting in their respective cabins. Some were gathered in each other's cabins, and others prefered to stay the hell away from everybody. The preliminary fights would end tomorrow morning, and after that, a celebration party for all the winners was to be held that night. So basically, everyone was resting up for a night of dancing, drinking, and possibly scoring, or at least that's the thought that crossed many of the male minds (*cough* Dan..*cough*).

As slumber slowly claimed each of them, they dreamed their sweet, or not so sweet, dreams in la la land.
 

***Volpe's cabin***
 

Those who had managed to drag what looked like a mummy-fied Volpe back to his cabin were too exhausted to leave, so they just stayed the night. Zero 1 had lost the battle with Victoria for the couch, and was currently asleep on a blanket laying on the floor. Miko was propped in an odd position on a chair, a small bit of drool on her chin and mumbled names of house-hold cleaners coming from her lips. Vicky lay on the couch, her multiple personalities conversing in her sleep. The bandaged Volpe lay sprawled on the bed, or what one would guess was his bed, since it didn't look to be in very great shape. He mumbled in his sleep...

"Ah... *mumble mumble* cleavage...*mumble* jelly.... donuts..."

In his dream, he was being forced to choose between the two of which he liked better.

"Cleavage.... donuts.... cleavage... donuts... arrgg.... damnation!" he muttered as his face twitched in frustration. He woke up screaming, "JELLY DONUTS!!", and in turn woke everyone else up with a jolt...

"Die die DIE DIE JOY!!!"
 

"COME BACK SCRUBBING BUBBLES!!"
 

"DAMMIT!! MY CAR!!"
 

Four consecutive blinks followed, but no one bothered to ask any questions...

_____
 

The phone rang loudly. Not a welcomed ring, as it was 5:00 am...

"Wha... ? Who... ?" said Crimson sleepily as he woke up from a rather nice dream, where he was on the beach surrounded by beautiful women, all adoring him in so many ways... Grumbling, he got up and walked lazily to the phone, "Who on earth is calling now?"

He looked at the coffee table clock, "Five AM? What the hell?" He lazily picked up the phone. "Hope it's a woman, and it better be a beautiful one..." he thought. "Hello, who is it ?"

A woman's voice replied, "Good morning. I'm really sorry to call at this hour..."

"Oh, no, no, it's alright," saCrimson, suddenly waking up a bit more with a smile. "Thankyou!! It's a woman! And she sousexy too..."

"Um, well, I'm sorry again if I'm disturbing you. Is this Ryu Dragon's place?" she asked.

His smile fell, "Um, yeah, he in, but he's still sleeping," he said, looking at R.D. snoring as he slept on a sofa near the phone. "How the hell is he still sleeping when the phone is practically next to him?"Crimson wondered. Then he smiled evilly, "Do you want me to wake him up?"

"Yes, please. And thank you," she said.

"No problem," Crimson said, grinning widely. He put the receiver down on the table and went to the kitchen. He took a glass, filled it with water, and returned to the living room. Standing next to R.D., he poured the water directly on R.D.'s face.

"Wha...?! *Sputter* Hey?!" R.D. said as he woke up. He blinked several times then turned to see Crimson grinning evilly while holding an empty glass. Giving a death glare to the Bushin successor, R.D. said, "Before we start an unofficial tournament match, may I ask why you did that?"

"A phone call for you, from a lady. She asked to wake you up, and I figured this was the fastest and most effective way," came the answer from the still-grinning man.

"Haven't you heard of shaking someone?" replied R.D., still grumbling. He picked up the phone, "Hello, who is this?" As the reply was heard, he seemed to listen intently, while occasionally replying shortly. After two minutes of talking, he said, "Okay, see you then." He put the receiver back in its place and stood up, "I have to go to meet a friend, see you guys around lunch time."

"At this hour?" asked Crimson in disbelief.

R.D. shrugged, "Something important came up." He quickly went into the bathroom and closed the door.

Crimson stood and thought, "I wonder what's going on ? Hmmm, should I follow him?" After a moment, he figured, "Nah, I'd better go back to sleep, see if I can continue that dream again...." Then he went back to his room.

****

Forty-five minutes later, on the beach...

A beautiful woman, in her early twenties, stood on the sand facing the sea. She was tall with a lovely figure. High cheekbones set off an oval face. Long blonde hair slightly past her shoulders swayed in the wind. Dressed to look somewhat official in a black skirt and jacket with a white shirt underneath, she didn't quite match the scenery around her. A pair of black sunglasses hid her eyes. With arms crossed, she thought, "Late again." She pulled out her mobile phone and was about to call the person that she was waiting for when she spotted a figure running on the sand toward her. She put the phone back into her jacket pocket, then looked up and was shocked to see the man suddenly in front of her.

The man grinned, he was R.D. He wore a gray training suit, his old red headband, and a pair of white Nike running shoes. "Hi, Agent Robin. Good morning."

The woman recovered from her shock. "Dragon. You almost gave me a heart attack!" She punched him playfully on the chest.

R.D. smiled, "Sorry, just a bit of training for the next round of the tournament."

"Show off," huffed Robin.

He grinned. "You guessed it. So, what's up ?"

She took out a piece of paper from her jacket pocket. "We've got some information about this being called Naar and some of his henchmen, also some information about those fighters that you requested few days ago. Go here, the login name and password were as usual, you remember, don't you?" she asked as she handed him a piece of paper with a web address on it.

R.D. nodded, taking the paper. "Anything else?"

"Your reports?" Robin asked.

R.D. let out a deep breath. "Don't have any worth reporting, except that I won the first round yesterday..."

"Congrats," Robin said coolly

R.D. grinned, "If I win the tourney, congratulate me then, milady. Anyway, like I said, at the moment I don't have anything worth mentioning. I couldn't move as free as Rogue and the others. I think this M. Bison character is watching the fighters competing in the tournament, so I delegate half of my duty as a freelance agent to the others while I'm moving around the fighters picking up info."

Robin nodded in agreement. "Good idea. Just be sure to report to me when you guys got something."

He nodded, "Yes ma'am. I'll ask Rogue and the others to report directly to you if they find something. Is there anything else?"

"You looked so anxious to get away, something's happening?" Robin asked.

"Just that you woke me up a bit too early, fighters need rest ya know..." replied R.D., yawning.

She chuckled, "Well, there is nothing else. So you can go back to your beauty sleep now."

"Beauty sleep isn't the appropriate term for a man..." he said with a smile.

"Right," said Robin in sarcastic tone. "Be careful..." Then she walked away.

****

On a tree near the beach, Crimson was sitting on a thick branch watching the conversation between R.D. and Robin. "Man, what a babe! So beautiful..." He thought. "I wonder who is she, surely not R.D.'s girlfriend. And why do they have to meet so secretly and at such a weird hour? And what did she give to RD? I wonder if he is... Nah, can't be, he's a nice guy,"

He pondered for a moment ,"But then again we hardly know him." Then he saw R.D. and Robin split up. "I think I better warn Volpe and Detective Li, just in case," Then he leapt down from the tree branch and jogged back to the cabin.

***

As R.D. walked back to the cabin, his mind went back to the day he received the tournament invitation...

***Flashback***

"Yeah..." R.D. suddenly frowned. "But why do I have this weird feeling that this isn't just some tournament for the best fighters to compete?"

"Whatever happens, we'll be there to back you up, R.D.," Frank said, giving his pal a thumbs up.

"Thanks guys," R.D. grinned at all of his friends.

Then there was a knock on his apartment door. "I'll get it !" Rogue volunteered. She opened the door to reveal two men, one was older, about fifty years old, wearing a military uniform, complete with badges. The other man was about thirty years old, and wore a black suit.

"General Kirk!" R.D. called as he saw the military man. "And the head of ASB (Australian Security Bureau), Jonathan Kirby," he added as he saw the other man.

"Come in please." The two men went in. They sat down and a short conversation followed. R.D. knew both men from his first adventure when he was framed for murder. He got help from them in the court, and after that, R.D. and the others had done services for the ASB as freelance agents. "So, to what do I owe the pleasure of two important men in Australia's defense system?" R.D. asked.

"Well..." General Kirk began, as he took a sip of his tea. "We want to ask for your service, Dragon."

"Let me guess, this has something to do with the tournament invitation that I got today." R.D. said.

"Why, yes... How did you guess?" General Kirk questioned.

R.D. sighed, "Now I know about this weird feeling about the tournament... So, what's the task?"

"Take a look at these..." Jonathan said, taking out a folder from his briefcase and opening it. He pulled out several pages and gave them to R.D. and his friends. They looked at the files...

"This one looks really ugly..." Rogue said. She was looking at M.Bison files...

"So you want us to snoop into his organization?" Zarkoff asked.

"That was the original idea, before we know about this tournament. Now that Dragon, has an invitation, it could be a little bit easier to find out the story about this tournament." Jonathan answered.

"This M.Bison used to sponsor an underground tournament, and looked for strong street fighters to be used as his soldiers..." General Kirk stated.

"I know about that tournament. That's where I knew about Ryu Hoshi, the strongest fighter in the world," R.D. said.

"Anyway, we don't understand why this lord of crime sponsored an open tournament, where everyone in the world can see and know. It just doesn't make sense..." Jonathan mused.

"So, my task is to find out about this tournament and if possible, stop any evil plan that this M.Bison has ?" asked R.D.

"Not only you R.D., its our task too," Frank said to his friend.

R.D. argued a bit that the invitation was for him and it'd be hard to get them in without suspis, but after some convincing points made by his friends, he agreed to let them come. He sighed, "Ok then... we'll all go."

"Gthen! Now you will be given copies of the necessary information, study them, they might save your life," General Kirk said.

"Your contact while you're in the tournament is her," Jonathan said, pulling out another file from the folder.

R.D. took the file and read it. "Hmm... she's cute. Oops..." said R.D. as he felt a deadly aura flare up in Rogue. He passed the file to the others. "Anyway, what about the funding issue?"

"Keep all the receipts for everything, and you'll be paid by the government. If you need help with funds, just contact Robin..." said Jonathan.

"Okay, it's settled, and I get to choose the way as usual?" R.D. asked.

Jonathan shrugged, "You're a freelance agent, so you get to choose your method, but I need to tell you to keep your identity as an agent secret. Bison's agents will be everywhere on the island, so be careful with what you say and do and who you trust, even if he is your idol..."

"Gotcha chief," R.D. said with a nod.

"Good, now if you all excuse us, we have to go now. So much to do, so little time." General Kirk said with a sigh. He and Jonathan got up and shook hands with R.D. and his friends.

*** End flashback... golly gee, that was long...***

"I wonder what they're doing now... It's been a while since Rogue contacted me.," thought R.D. as he reached the cabin.
 

***Elsewhere***
 

Another phone rang. Another rather loud, annoying, and very unwelcomed ring. Natalie -who was sleeping rather nicely in her comfy bed- lazily and grudgingly opened an eye and glared at the phone before pulling the pillow over her head. "Stop ringing, darn you..."

After around seven rings, she was annoyed enough to reach over and answer it. "Hello," she stated, her voice not all-too-friendly.

"Natalie, just reminding you we have to be at the arena in an hour for our fight. Thought you might forget. Anyways, that's all. Bye," Guile's voice said before she heard a click, signifying he hung up. She groaned, thinking, "Dammit, dammit dammit dammit. I hate mornings. How on earth does he sound so awake at this hour?? Must be the coffee... That man drinks way too much coffee...."

She slowly rolled out of bed, looking at the clock that read "6:00am". Her right eyebrow ticked a bit. Grumbling, she went to the bathroom for a shower. (For all the perverts out there, no. I'm leaving it at that.)
 

***In a different place***
 

Guile sat in his office chair and sipped his coffee. He loved his coffee. Black, strong brew, strong enough to curl the nasal hairs of a bull. Most people thought he was going all the time on sheer will and strength, and that the hard glaring look in his eyes was military intensity that he could see right through you. Nah, it was the coffee. Not that he minded them all thinking that, it was his little secret. As long as there was coffee, the fuse to Guile's temper would be a little longer.

As he sipped the black concoction, he idly wondered if Natalie would be able to get dressed, eat and get there on time. He grinned to himself at annoying her by calling just to wake her up. There was another thing he found he enjoyed from time to time. Nat-chan was always fun to pick at and just plain piss the fire out of, though he knew he'd yet to see her real temper. Still, it was almost as enjoyable as coffee... almost.

Guile looked at his watch; he'd be picking her up in forty-nine minutes. Then the picking would begin again, and maybe he'd find out just who the hell she was with all that time. He then sighed as he remembered the recently discovered secrets she kept. He'd have to tell Chun and the others eventually, and when Natalie found out they snooped on her, she would not be pleased...
 

***somewhere......out there...*points* ***
 

Meliza sat at a table in the Fighter's Inn, eating breakfast. The workers there were busy, all trying to get the place ready for the party that would be held for the victors that evening. She sighed, absently poking her scrambled eggs with a fork. Her mind was on things other than eating...

"I wonder where he is..." she quietly mused. It'd been a while since she'd seen or heard from Locke. She had this nagging feeling that something was wrong with him for some time now. She wished she knew exactly what it meant though, if anything.

"Did you hear 'bout that guy they found down the street?" one of the bartenders ask another, who shook his head. "They found one of the tourney fighters in an alley, all roughed up. He was in pretty bad shape, barely alive by the time they found him..."

"What happened? Who was it?" the other asked, curious. Meliza arched a thin brow as she listened. The other man replied, "They don't have a clue as to exactly what happened, but his name was.... hmm... Koh... or something like that I think..."

Meliza's eyes widened as she shot up from her chair and to the bar. "Hey! That man you're talking about, where'd they take him??" she asked hurriedly, deeply concerned.

"Hehe, well lady, since he was hurt I'd guess they took him to the hospital. Only one on the Isle..." he answered. Before he could blink she was bolting out the door with a shout of "Thanks."

Hailing a taxi, Meliza ordered the driver to (you should very well see this coming) Fighter's General Hospital, one of the most original names on the Isle, eh?
 

***Somewhere over the rainbow... or maybe not***
 

In a cabin (there are cabins all about the place), Astaroth sat in a chair next to the window, gazing out at the overcast morning sky that was left over from last night's storm. "I wonder if it will rain again today..." he thinks.

He glances at the opposite end of the simple room. There, is a bed with a lump protruding up under the blanket. Astaroth raised a brow, it would be seven o'clock soon, and if he allowed it Jin would sleep til noon. Astaroth, on the other hand, had been up since four. He'd come to this room to see if Jin was up at six, and when he wasn't he just decided to wait a while.

Sighing a short, discontented sigh, Astaroth got up and went over to wake the weary Kushina warrior. Jin was lying there on his stomach, haphazardly stretched across the bed, arms and legs strewn about. His face was nearly buried in the pillow and what was visible looked very tired. All in all, it was an amusing position for the Kushina warrior to be in.

Astaroth pondered; he'd never had the opportunity to rudely awaken anyone before, Jin and every other "student" or soldier under Naar was usually awakened around the same time. He thought for a moment, wondering just how to do this. A very small smile formed on his lips as he thought of a suitable wake up call. Astaroth's hands came up in front of him, palms facing each other as he summoned wisps of gray fire between them. One thing Astaroth could do that most couldn't was control the temperature of his fire completely, he could even -as was the case here- make his flames ice-cold...

As his small smile turned into a small smirk, Astaroth showered Jin's body with the icy flames. Jin's eyes snapped open as his body jumped, "KUSO!! (sh*t)"

His head snapped sideways to glare up at Astaroth, who stood there with a faint chuckle in his throat and a small smirk on his lips. "Time to wake up," Astaroth said simply.

Jin growled and rolled over, covering his head with the blanket, "Iie, baka. Ookiiosewa! (no, you idiot. don't bother me!)"

Astaroth "hmmm"ed and reached down, grabbing the edge of the blanket and yanking it up and off of Jin. Jin sat straight up and glared at him, small circles under his eyes and his hair all in a mess. Astaroth chuckled quietly, "Well, you do have something in common with my sister..."

Jin, still glaring, raised one brow slightly, "Nani? (what)"

"You don't seem to be a morning person today. And you look like crap when you wake up," Astaroth stated simply in the usual monotone. Jin huffed. He did NOT want to get up. First of all, he felt like sh*t from the damage done in yesterday's fight, and se, he was freaking tired from the said fight as well. Not to mention from saving Natalie... Hefell back down on the bed and pulled the pillow over his head to block the irritating view of light barely peeking into the wind, "You go do whate... I'm staying."

"You're acting like a child, Jin. What would Natalie think of you if she saw you acting like this?" Astaroth mused in his low voice. Jin threw the pillow at him and glared up at him again as he caught it. Astaroth held the pillow with what looked like an amused facade, "Temper, temper..."

"Shut up. What the hell is wrong with you?" Jin asked in a slightly irritated tone as he rolled back over. Astaroth replied simply, "My sister's match is today, in twenty minutes. I thought you might want to see it."

The look in Jin's eyes went from peeved to slightly curious. He looked back up at Astaroth, who stood looking back evenly, pillow still held. Jin sighed just slightly and rolled out of bed, "Fine."
 

***Pick a place, any place...***
 

Natalie hurriedly ran the brush through her damp hair and quickly tied a ponytail about mid-length of her long, dark brown tresses. She dressed as fast as she could, slipping on a blood red tank top and her black, baggy pants. After being mostly dressed, she popped a chocolate-covered donut in her mouth and chew on it while finishing up. Just as she'd put on her cross pendant and was trying to get her combat boots on, she heard a knock on the door. She groaned, knowing who it was, "Mll mmf mmm mn nn mmfmmmff!! (I'll be there in a minute!)"

She hopped on one foot to the door -the donut dangling from her mouth- still trying to tug on one boot. Once to the door, and stumbled a bit, but managed to lean on the wall and opened the door. Guile stood there, looking calm and ready. "Are you ready yet, Nat-chan?"

Natalie nearly growled at that name. Today was not her day, so far it'd managed to be as big a pain in the a** as possible. And to top it all off, she was going to have to fight today. Gulping down the remainder of her donut, she tied the laces of her boots and blew a loose strand of hair out of her face, "Yeah. Let's go."

And with that, they went out the door and were on their way...
 

*** Ten minutes later, at Fighter's stadium (there's that original name again...)***
 

A crowd has gathered in the stadium, not nearly as large as the one from the previous day but still around a hundred or so people. Many are fighters who want to see someone else get beat up for a change, some are there because they missed the previous day's fights and others are just hard-core fighting fanatics. All in all, watching the only four combatants who haven't fought yet beat the crap out of each other was a nice way to start the day.

Astaroth and Jin watched on the side of the stadium from everyone else. Jin had managed to get his hair under control in a hurry, and fight off the urge to sleep some more just to watch the girl he saved fight. Astaroth was there for more reasons than just to watch her, but no one knew that but himself.

Others whom Natalie and Guile both knew were there as well. Nis-Nis and Zuke were there, as well as Crimson, Guy, Cody and even Ryu -the later three mostly because a good fight always interests them. Kumori and Iwa were there to watch as well, and so was Yun. Lilly had dragged Yang to the mall earlier that morning, just to be there when the stores opened...

Vicky and Zero 1 had done Volpe the favor of getting his bandaged body to the stadium so he could watch Nat-chan and Sir Guile fight whoever. And of course, Guile and Nat's fellow law enforcement/military officers and friends, Cammy, Chun and Charlie were all there. Yup, all them people and a partridge in a pear tree. Everyone else had better things to do. Now, on to the important parts...

Everyone seated themselves as the announcer welcomed them all to the last preliminary bout. The fighters themselves had yet to make their entrance, partially because it wouldn't be as dramatic unless it was announced, and partially because Guile and Natalie had only just got there. Once the welcome was over, the announcer started...

"Today's fighters are Colonel Guile, a veteran in street fighting and a fan favorite, and a newcomer to the fights known as Natalie!" he said in an overly dramatic tone as the two entered and stood at one end of the arena, Natalie scarfing down the last of another donut.

The announcer proceeded to introduce the next team, "Their opponents are two newcomers as well, but from what I hear one certainly has a reputation! He is a mysterious man known only as "Sin", and his partner is a young fighter named Ren Goddard!"

Natalie raised a brow at the first guy's name, "Sin?"

She and Guile both watched as the two entered the other side of the arena. One, Sin they guessed, was clad in a coal black, loose fitting ninja-like suit, everything but his hands and eyes covered. The other wore a simple dark green gi, causing Guile to groan slightly, "Not another Shoto-clone..."

Guile turned to Natalie, "Want me to start?"

She yawed, "If you want..."

He nodded and walked forward a few feet, signaling he'd be the first to fight. Sin stayed on the outer part of the arena as Ren walked forward. Announcer spoke for the match to begin, and it did. Both took their stances, though not for long as Ren rushed forward and extended his foot towards Guile's mid-section...
 

***in a spot. Not that spot, the other one...***
 

Meliza arrived at the hospital, rushing through the doors and to the front desk. She saw a woman sitting at a computer, typing. Meliza hurriedly asked, "Please, can you tell me which room a man named Locke Koh is in?"

The woman looked up briefly before looking back down at her computer, "Yes ma'am, give me one second..."

She typed on a few keys and the name and room number came up. "He's in 312. Go down that hall and take the elevator to your left... it's on the third floor..." she said, pointing. Meliza went on her way, "Thanks..."

****

Meliza rushed down the hall on the third floor, scanning the numbers on the doors quickly. There it was; room 312. She quickly opened the door and went into the room. Upon entering, she saw him. Locke was lying there, his bare torso bandaged as well other parts of his body. He is unconscious, a nurse busily checking his vitals. The nurse looks up, "Oh, I'm sorry, are you a relative?"

"No... a friend. How is he?" Meliza asked, not taking her eyes from him.

"Not too good, he's lost a lot of blood from multiple abrasions. He just got out of ICU..." the nurse answered. "I'm done here, I'll leave you alone with him... Call if you see any changes in his condition..."

Meliza nods and sits in a chair next to Locke's bed as the nurse leaves. Looking at him and sighing, she mutters, "Locke... what the hell happened to you?"
 

***Back to the arena***
 

Ren hit the ground hard, his form unconscious from the beating he'd just received from Guile. The crowd of course, cheered wildly. Now, it was Sin's turn. Guile had barely broken a sweat on Ren, and he was sure he could beat this other guy alone as well. It was looking like Natalie wouldn't even need to fight today...

Sin stepped forward and took his stance, one similar to a ninja's, but slightly looser. He looked at Guile, then at Natalie, who seemed to hold his attention. He motioned to her, signaling his wishes to fight her instead of Guile. Guile raised a non-existent brow and looked back at Natalie, who was looking at Sin with a questioning expression. Guile asked her, "You want this guy? I can take him if you don't think you could handle it..."

Natalie ignored the last part and nodded, "I'll take him."

Guile stepped back as she walked forward, entering her stance about ten feet from Sin. The latter eyed her for a moment before charging at her quickly, with surprising speed. Raising a brow at his speed, Natalie sidestepped the kick he sent. A turn and a fierce punch immediately followed the missed kick. She blocked, but noted his strength, while not overpowering, he was slightly stronger than she was. Blue eyes narrowed as he sent another punch toward her abdomen. This one conn, but only caused Natalie to stumble back a foot or so. Sin growled in frustration that he'd miscthe strength needed to make her fall...

Natalie heard him growl and raised both brows slightly; it sounded familiar. She decidedto ignore it for themoment, as Sin was throwing another kick at her feet. She jumped to avoid it, making the crowd "oohh" and "ahh" as she landed several feet behind him. Sin turned quickly to face her, expecting an attack. He was surprised to see her just standing there in her stance, eyes fixed on him in a calculating manner. She spoke quietly, just enough to be heard over the crowd, "I've met you before... haven't I?"

Sin allowed himself an unseen smirk beneath his mask, "We have met."

"Who are you really?" she asked, a small sense of dread tugging at her. Sin chuckled dryly, "You'll see..."

He then lunged again, but this time he pulled something small and unidentifiable from his belt. Natalie prepared herself for the worst as he neared her, only to be a bit surprised as he threw the object to the ground, causing it to explode in a cloud of black smoke. The smoke blocked her vision, as he seemed to disappear from sight. She kept her senses alert as the cloud loomed around her, not dissipating as fast as she'd like.

She then heard a quiet voice sound off the name of some attack, and it was very close... Her eyes widened and she turned, but not in time to avoid the oncoming attack. A blur of kick and punches berated her, from her legs to her torso, and up to her face. She only manages to block a few, having to absorb the rest. The smoke clears, showing her staggering back from a strong punch to her jaw. The crowd cheered, most of them anyways...

Guile and all Natalie's other friends watched with slight tension. Jin raised a brow as Astaroth's jaw tensed. Jin asked, "Why is she remaining defensive?"

"She dislikes hurting others... even in a fight," Astaroth answered, his tone showing his dissatisfaction. Jin "hmmed" and looked on, a slight sense of concern bugging him, vaguely evident in his eyes. Astaroth glanced over at him, seeing it. He smiled, just barely, before turning to watch Natalie again.

Natalie was blocking another short onslaught, thankful that she could at least see this time. Sin cursed and backed off a bit, her defense was rather good. It was looking like he'd have to use a bit more force...

Natalie eyed him again, remaining defensive as she tried to figure out who he was. Sin scowled and attacked again, this time she could tell he was giving it his all. She was forced back, blocking most of the attacks but some hit their target. She grit her teeth as a hard kick to the abdomen forced her to stumble and fall to the ground. The crowd awaits the next move in anticipation.

Sin paused for a moment and looked at her prone form. He chuckled darkly and charged at her once again, intent on finishing the fight. Groaning slightly, Natalie looked up to see him approaching her at a rapid pace. She growled slightly; she'd had more than enough.

She got up into a half-kneeling position, a bit of a peeved look on her normally calm face. He continued his course, planning to attack her still. Natalie remained in the position, a dark look in her eyes as he came within a mere three feet of her. As his right leg rose and descended quickly toward her, her eyes narrowed. In a spilt second, her body vaulted diagonally upward, her right leg extended as blue fire suddenly blazed across it. She threw herself into a forward flip with a shout, "Take this!" Sin was caught off guard and the fiery attack struck his torso and jaw with considerable force, burning through the fabric of his outfit and searing the skin beneath.

Sin cried out in pain as his body was launched upward and back a few feet from the force of the kick. The crowd cheered wildly at the comeback. Astaroth allowed himself to smile a small smile for a moment. Jin raised one brow just slightly and continued to watch.
 

***Yup, scene change again...***
 

Meliza looked over Locke's form, he didn't look right at all. He was lying there, not moving or making any remarks, his dark eyes closed and hidden. The most uncharacteristic thing was... he looked vulnerable. Meliza sighed, she was completely unused to seeing him this way, and it was something that both intrigued and bothered her.

She reached over and lightly touched his hand. The poor guy looked like he'd been through hell. She sighed, wondering who on earth could have done this to him...
 

***In a room down the hall***
 

Ayame sighed, brushing her hand gently over the comatose Kay's cheek. She wished so much that he would wake up. She'd been at his side for quite some time now, ready and waiting for him to open his eyes, which hadn't happened yet. She could communicate with him telepathically every once in a while, but it wasn't quite the same.

"I hope he wakes up soon..."
 

***Back to your regularly scheduled fight. Woo hoo.***
 

Once he recovered and got up, Sin glared at Natalie. The latter, simply took her stance again, her expression calm yet very serious. Breathing hard, Sin looked down at the burn marks on his chest. He growled slightly and looked back at her, rather ticked. He charged at her again. Natalie'e eyes narrowed as she took a slightly different stance, preparing to block and counter whatever he planned to throw at her.

Once about four feet from her, Sin jumped high and pulled something from his belt. Natalie didn't have time to see what it was, until he threw it at her. She saw the glint of metal all too late as the blade of a small knife sunk into her left shoulder. She cursed under her breath as her right hand automatically went to the wound.

The crowd "oooo"ed as a small spray of blood came from her shoulder. Astaroth tensed and his eyes narrowed as he saw this. Jin would have heard him growl just slightly had he himself not been narrowing his own eyes and paying very close attention. He found himself not liking that man in the least, and briefly wondered why this man had suddenly pissed him off by hurting Natalie. But it was an unfair and dishonorable tactic that was it. Really, it was...

For their parts, Volpe was ranting about justice and how only an unjust fiend would use a knife against a lady in battle, Miko worried that she might have another nasty stain to contend with, and everyone else just watched with concern or mild interest. Charlie's brow furrowed a bit as he thought, "Damn, how much does it take to get her angry? That file said she was deadly..."

Natalie grit her teeth as she pulled the blade out. She would heal, much faster than most people would, but for this battle, it seemed her left arm was rendered useless. She glare at Sin, whom she could have sworn, was sneering as he approached again. He gave her little time to react as he bolted forward with one fist rared back, ready to take advantage and strike her again. Guile was beginning to worry, she was being much more defensive than she should've been. She managed to swat his attack with her good arm, only to be struck in the jaw with a second punch. Her body reeled back, but she still stayed on her feet.

Sin laughed, "Looks like you'll lose this time, little b**ch..."

Natalie glared at him, "This time?"

He said nothing more and lunged at her again. Natalie's eyes narrowed, "I've let this go entirely too far..."

As he approached fast, she decided to meet him head-on. She rushed forward at a very fast pace, fast enough to catch Sin totally off guard as her right elbow connected with his face. Sin reeled, but his body was soon caught in a fierce slew of strong, short kicks to his chest, abdomen and head. Natalie's attacks were engulfed in blue flames, adding to the damage. After nearly beating him silly with the kicks, she back flipped from close range, her feet hitting his upper chest and jaw with enough force to send him flying upward by a couple of feet. As he ascended, Natalie crouched low for a split second before launching her body upward, her leg extended and covered in flames, exactly like the kick she'd done earlier. This time though, Sin felt multiple blows hit various paof his body as she spun her body to repeat the kick several times, leaping off the ground to meet him whenever she lost altitude.

The odd thing was, all this happened within the time span of about five seconds...

Sin landed, his body nearlengulfed in flames. Nlanded on her feet shortly after, sweat now beading her forehead as she breathed slightly heavier than normal. She waved a hand at Sin's now unconscious body and the flames immediately died. The crowd was silent for a moment before erupting into loud cheers.

The announcer's voice sounded, "Ladies and gentlemen! The winners are Captain Guile and Natalie! They will go on the next round! That concludes the preliminary rounds. As for all the winners, be sure you all attend the party held in your honor tonight at the Fighter's Inn! Thankyou and good day!"

The audience started to scatter as Natalie walked over to Sin. Guile blinked. He knew she could likely take care of herself, at least from the report, but he'd never expected her speed to exceed his own by that much... and the flames weren't too bad either.

Jin looked at her, one brow raised and his jaw slightly gaping, but only slightly. Her speed rivaled if not exceeded his own, and Astaroth never told him that she had the same ability with fire as the two of them. All in all, he had to admit, even if to no one but himself, that she was a better fighter than he'd expected- even if she was far too defensive in battle. Astaroth smiled a faint smile as he watched his sister...

Guile walked up behind Natalie as she looked at Sin's now uncovered face. He heard her sigh and asked, "Who is he?"

"One of the people I'd put away. I didn't know he'd escaped..." she says quietly. She turned to him, "C'mon, let's go."

Guile nodded and they left.

Jin got up, ready to leave as well. Astaroth stood, but instead of leaving, he teleported to the arena. Paramedics were on their way, but not soon enough as he glared down at "Sin". Jin raised a brow and was soon standing beside him, "What are you doing?"

"Ensuring he doesn't come back for revenge again," Astaroth stated, his tone dark as his normally melancholic eyes narrowed. Jin nodded, knowing what he was about to do and not objecting to it.

Astaroth's nodachi suddenly appeared in his hand. In a swift, almost graceful motion, he raised it and brought it down, piercing the heart of the unconscious man, killing him almost instantly. He and Jin then teleported away, taking the body with them just as the paramedics came out with a stretcher...
 

***That evening, at the Fighter's Inn***
 

"WAI!! Time to shake my MIGHTY BOOTY of JUSTICE!!!"

Volpe hit the dance floor, taking Victoria with him. The tables in the Fighter's Inn lined the wall to make room for a rather large dance floor, complete with disco-type lighting, blaring dance music and people shaking their respective booties from wall to wall.

Volpe spun around, swiveling his hips to a Latin beat as Victoria danced with him, giggling a bit. It'd been entirely too long since she'd danced like this. Sir Volpe continued dancing, pulling a few moves that would make a teen bopper green with envy, "Ricky Martin, eat thou not-so-mighty heart out, sirrah!"

Thankfully, Natalie had healed him earlier when he had nearly broken a leg while trying to hobble up and congratulate her and Guile on their victory.

Meanwhile, Chun-li had managed to drag Ryu onto the dance floor, and was attempting to teach him how to dance to a fast beat. Iwa and Kumori grinned as they watched from a table to the side, along with Ken, who grinned as well. One could see the plans for the future marriage of the couple stirring in their heads...

Zero 1, not too keen on the whole atmosphere, sat at the bar, sipping on his drink. Guile sat one seat down from him, doing the same. Charlie was chatting with Cammy at the bar, both laughing over some little joke unknown to this author, and Dan was currently arguing with Sakura over who could dance the best. He soon lost, and was at the bar ordering sake.
 

R.D. and his friends were all chatting at a table, and Crimson had decided to forego telling anyone of what he saw earlier. He decided that dancing with two - count them, TWO - incredibly beautiful women at the same time was far more important.

"So, handsome... you're in the finals?" one asked. Crimson nodded, smiling as she snaked an arm around his neck, swiveling her hips in manners that should be illegal in such a short dress.

"What martial art do you fight with again?" the other asked.

"Bushin-ryu," he answered. The woman smiled, putting her arm around the opposite side of his neck, "Oh... sounds interesting, maybe you could show us a few moves then?"

Crimson grinned to himself. Oh yes, life was good.
 

John Heagy had been dragged to the dance floor by the ever-bouncing R. Mika, nosebleeding all the way. Shockwave watched from the corner, a grin on his features. Ahh... the wonders of a busty girl not wearing a bra...
 

Nis-Nis had insisted on going to the party, and dragged Zuke there with her. He sat at the bar while she danced with multiple partners, having a blast. Zuke sighed, this would be a long night...
 

Miko had come along, though she'd stopped dancing when she saw a stain on the floor in a corner. Ofcourse, she immediately whipped out a spray bottle of cleaner and a scrub pad and went to work. Evil dirt... beware.
 

At the door, a man with silver hair stood, wearing a mostly black outfit and lots of rather expensive looking jewelry. Memphis Long scanned the party and grinned. Events that attracted so many beautiful women were few and far between in this place. Not to mention this served as a much needed break for him. Smiling, the handsome man looked over all the sexy ladies and prepared to use one of his best talents; charm. That and his devilishly good looks...
 

Natalie, being a wallflower, stood alone near the entrance. Memphis was about to pass her until the movement of her looking at her watch caught his eye. He looked at her, and smiled to himself, "Might as well start here..."

Natalie was a bit lost in thought, as usual. Only when she heard a voice addressing her did she look up, "Hello, beautiful... Care to dance?"

She saw a man smiling and extending a hand to her, a certain charm in his smile. She knew instantly that he was definitely a ladies man, and she recognized him as the assassin, Shouzou Long, more commonly known as Memphis Long. She offered a polite smile, "No thankyou."

Memphis blinked, before trying again, "Why not? A lovely lady like yourself should be out on the dance floor, not hiding here... C'mon... why don't you dance with me? You'll enjoy it..."

Natalie closed her eyes and chuckled, "No thankyou, Memphis."

He raised a brow, "Wait a sec, I never told you my name! How do you know me??"

She looked at him, "Sources. Don't worry, I'm not an enemy. Besides, I think you should know something... someone -who I think is a friend of yours, at least an acquaintance- is injured pretty bad, if that concerns you."

His eyes narrowed slightly, "Whoever you are, you'd do best to stay the hell outta my business. And I think you're lying. You don't even know me or those who I know..."

She shrugged, "Suit yourself...."

He hmphed, deciding there were many other, more beautiful women at this party to be concerned with. He walked off, thinking, "What a weird girl. Friend injured? Hmph, yeah right."

Natalie sighed and walked outside, leaning on the side of the back door and returning to her previous thought pattern.

Meanwhile, Astaroth and Jin appeared close by, hidden around the corner from her.

"I don't see why we have to come here," Jin stated, a bit annoyed. Astaroth answered, "We have to keep an eye on her..."

Jin huffed and peered around the corner at her. Astaroth stood behind him, watching his partner watch his sister. Suddenly, a thought came to his mind. He knew Jin was not easily flustered, caught off-guard, or God-forbid embarrassed, but he somehow knew that Natalie would be able to bring these traits out. That small smile crept onto his features once again. This was an opportunity that he simply couldn'tresist. He noticed that these mischievous notions were coming more and more often nowadays...

He took a scloser toward Jin's back, and with a good amount of strength, placed two hands on Jin and shoved him forward a few feet, right into Natalie's linof vision. Jin's eyes wand he cursed quietly as he stumbled forward. Natalie saw him, "Jin..."

Jin glanced back and glared at Astaroth, mouthing as foul a curse as he could think of to the slightly smirking warrior. He then stood up straight and turned to face Natalie, who, to his slight dismay, was walking up to him.

"Jin, what are you doing here?" she asked him, smiling a bit. Jin found himself searching momentarily for an answer, before finally settling on, "I have my reasons for being here..."

She chuckled softly. She was now only a couple of feet from him. He looked at her evenly with his usual emotionless gaze, as she looked back with a smile. She then noticed a few bruises and scrapes still leftover from his battle with Zorkaan. Her smile faded slightly, as she reached one hand forward slightly, towards a gash on his collarbone, "You were in a fight?"

Jin found himself wanting to draw back a bit as her hand neared his skin, but stopped and nodded, "I was. But I am fine."

Hearing the slight stand-oafishness in his tone, her hand stopped short and withdrew, "I see... I can heal you if you want..."

"No. I'm fine," he said, his tone slightly flat. She sighed, "Was it because of me?"

Jin was a bit surprised, how did she have that kind of insight? Another similarity to her brother, he supposed. He knew she shouldn't be so eager to heal person after person so soon after her earlier fight and injury, which he noted, was mostly gone it seemed. He finally answered, "That's not of your concern... Like I said, I am fine."

She sighed again, "Ok..."

The silence after that made Jin uneasy for some reason. He looked at her eyes, which were downcast, apparently in thought. He wondered for a moment what was on her mind, why she seemed so melancholic, so like her brother most of the time. He pushed the thought aside, figuring once again that it was none of his business. Finally, she looked back up at him and broke the silence, "Any news on my brother?"

Jin nodded, "He's fine..."

Natalie's smile returned, which put Jin more at ease. She was about to say something else when someone stumbled through the back door...

Both looked over at the person, Jin with some apprehension. It was Dan. Drunk as a skunk after only three shots of sake, with another in hand, he stumbled over to them. "Oi, Nat-chan! *hic* Got yerself a boyfriend I seee