This was originally part of an old fic that never went anywhere. I decided I liked this little ficlet enough to upload it. It's my take on the Xiao/Jin relationship, anyway. Also a little tide over until I get close enough to publish my bigger projects.

Disclaimer – Don't own Tekken.

.

.

Guidelines

.

.

When Jin finally decides to call for her, she sees that his eyes are chilly and brisk, like the rain in September. He outlines in small, certain terms the new restrictions placed on her as a ward of the Mishima, and he does so in simple, choppy language, as if she is a child.

She's given a timetable of curfews and dates in the Zaibatsu's official ivory laid paper, and she thinks Jin is just as beautiful as the expensive stationary. He's crafted with exquisite, fine lines, too fair and exact for base humanity but flat and cold to the touch.

Her girlish joy at finally being given the opportunity to gawk and giggle at him drains away as her knuckles bleed white. The paper crumbles in her grip; her fingertips are stained with inky sweat.

Of all the words she ever wanted to say to him, and all she can manage is the one.

"Why?"

She flinches at its use. It's a whining word, for children waiting to stay up late or teenagers complaining about doing the washing up. Jin props his chin on his fist, sighs, but in in his eyes there is a flicker of frustrated, brittle affection, not unlike what a stoic brother would harbor for his bothersome little sister.

"It's for our own safety, Xiao," Her name is smooth and sonorous on his tongue. She shivers. "The world is a dangerous place. I want to keep you near…" There is a barely identifiable smirk gracing his lips as her cheeks redden. "…within reach. You are my responsibility."

Grandpa Heihachi had announced to her on her first day in his quarters that she was her own responsibility. A girl plucky enough to attack his freighter and disarm his bodyguards surely could take care of herself. He'd admired her strength, her ambition, even if it was the bubblegum dreams of candy floss and coasters. But now the consequences of such an agreement are closing in like prison bars and Jin, now her reasonable and adult guardian, is her jailer.

She nods mutely. All the swelling hysteria and confessions and questions she'd gathered in her head before the meeting deflates like a pricked balloon. She is suddenly aware of a new, humbling maturity dropping in her chest like an anvil.

"I'm glad that it is fully understood." Jin indulges her with a small, cold smile. It leaves her powerless in his wake, but she's beginning to decide that she doesn't like that very much. He gestures offhand to the blonde bodyguard beside his desk. "Ms. Williams, please escort Ling Xiaoyu to her rooms."

As soon as they are out of the tunneling hallways, the oak paneled rooms and the doors flecked with gold leaf, she pulls away from Nina.

"I know the way," She says, a little harsher then she means to, even if Nina cocks a finely arched eyebrow at this display. Xiao hesitates. "But thank you."

As she walks away, the world shifts into a tight, spiteful focus.