Warning: This chapter will begin to shed light on Jackson's past. The warning is here to inform you this is super dark and is going to mention a lot of subjects that are wrong, both morally and legally. I condom those who par take in these matters. You have been warned.

Chapter 3: A Past Enlightened

"Jacky, Jacky," Houki shouted as Jackson continued down the hall, "Jacky why did you quit?"

"Because," he turned and Houki was shocked at what she saw, "I remembered why I don't fight."

He walked back off still angry. But Houki was still frozen at what she saw. His golden eyes shedding tears as they held so much pain.

"Jacky what's wrong?" she asked with tears filling her eyes as she held on to his sunglasses.

The water was perfect. But Cecilia could not understand what happened. She was still confused on what happened. She knew the first part, she underestimated her opponent and it cost her. But right when he was about to win, he missed and then quit. This…this man perplexed her. Whenever they were in class he was like a timid mouse, but when she issued the challenge it was then she saw him. A true man, one that her mother had described. He was strong, determined, focused, yet she had seen him be kind, and helpful.

"Jackson," she said as she turned the water off, "I want to learn more about you."

The gym echoed with sounds of flesh hitting a punching bag and a series of grunts. Jackson was literally soaked in sweat. The sun had well past set, blood dripped from his, and he showed no signs of stopping. Nor did he want to stop, every timed he slowed the look in Cecilia's eye came back. The look that above all else haunted him. Soon his rhythm returned and his shouts grew. Unknown to him he was being watched.

The bell rang for class to start. Miss Yamada stood in front of the class with a somber look on her face. She was looking at the empty desk of Jackson.

"Miss Shinonono have you seen Mr. Jackson," Maya asked with worry.

"No ma'am I have not seen since after the match," Houki said with equal worry.

"Has anyone seen him?"

"No ma'am," came the reply from the class.

"I wonder where he is?" Maya questioned aloud.

He watched as the waves lapped the sands. He had been up all night, unable to clear his mind. His hands coated in his own blood. He had no way of calming down.

"Piece of junk," Chifuyu said as a large metal bang followed.

Jackson looked behind to see Miss Orimura banging on the hood of a car. Jackson recognized the car immediately it was a 2015 Subaru WRX STI.

"What's the problem Miss Orimura?" he said getting closer.

"Jackson why aren't you in class?" she asked which he ignored as he poked his head inside.

"Check engine light is on," he said to himself as he tried to start it but nothing happened, "Ok probably the starter. Miss Orimura, do you know if the school has a garage?"

"Yes the school does," she said getting agitated.

"I'll push you steer ok?"

"Fine," she said getting in the car.

It took a little bit of effort to get going but soon enough he began to get rolling. What Chifuyu did not tell him was it was 2 miles away. He pushed it into the garage, which was empty, and on to a ramp. Soon Jackson had the car up and the starter pulled out.

"How did you do that so fast?"

"I love fixing things, cars most of all," he said pulling the solenoid off, "it takes my mind away from everything, but this," he said pulling out a gear, "and there's the problem. A bad wire to the solenoid, it's a quick fix."

"So where did you learn this?"

"Growing up I was good for two things, fighting and fixing. My past ain't something I like talking about," he said keeping focused.

"You know if you share I might be able to help."

"Do you really want to open this can of worms Miss Orimura?"

"As your teacher, yes."

"My first real memory I have is around three, I think, this Indonesian man who owned a restaurant caught me rummaging through his trash. Next thing I know he's feeding me teaching me Silate, the fighting style of Indonesia. By the time I was seven I learned Silate and Brazilian Jujitsu from a neighbor. That's where I also started to learn to fix anything, it was just second nature. But that's where the happy memories end for the most part, a few more good things here and there but this was when I was literally thrown into darkness."

He installed the starter and got it going like new, but Chifuyu was too busy listening.

"You see the neighborhood I lived was under the control of small branch of the Italian Mob. One day this group of thugs comes to collect 'protection' money. Boss doesn't have enough so they start breaking things. Eventually I couldn't take it and attacked them, ended up breaking one guy's leg before they stopped me. They said I was the payment and took me with them. They threw me down in a cellar and kept me there for a week. Soon I found out why they wanted me," he sat on the hood trying to tell the story not remember it, "these sick fucks. They found a way to make money in a sick, brutal way. They figured that people liked to watch fights so they made the 'UKF the Ultimate Kid Fights'. Three age groups; below 10, 10-13, 14-18; but that didn't stop them from throwing a 15 year old to fight a 7 year old. That was my first fight, and when they showed me what would happen if I lost."

Tears began to escape his eyes as he could not fight back the memories.

"The loser where taken to the back room and violated would be the cleanest way of saying it. I…I couldn't go to the room, is all I kept saying. They told me the rules 'you win by making the other guy quit or knock them out'. I was so thankful for what I learned. The other boy was knocked out after I kicked his legs out and landed an elbow to the face. As they raised my hand I could hear, I still hear, the cries and screams from that room."

Chifuyu was trying to hold back the building tears, but was starting to fail.

"This went on for years. When I was not fighting I was fixing things. After my 100th victory they let me be an occasional 'muscle', but that's another story. Now I bet you've wondered how my persona changed in the arena instead of in class. You see I have a fear of being around women, mostly teenage women, so needless to say I'm way out of my comfort zone. And the reason is," he paused to take a deep breath, "when I was 12 I just entered puberty, I won another match and was taken to my room. Next thing I know they tell me to take a shower and take me to large bedroom. Apparently one of the higher boss's teenage daughter watched my match and liked what she saw," this was when he truly began to breakdown, "y…yo…you're a man now k…ki…kid, go have some f…fu…fun. That's what they said," he got up and punched a door hard, "I WAS FUCKING 12," he screamed in anger as he collapsed, "and it hurt. 'y…yo…you'll like this b…ba…baby' is what she said, but all I felt was pain. It hurt so bad I almost lost my next match. When she was done I was taken back my basement, and I stayed there for days. I felt awful," he shows a scar going from his wrist to his elbow causing Chifuyu to gasp at the sight, "all I wanted was to be free, but they wouldn't let me. 'O…on…only the owner picks when the d…d…dog gets put down' they said they saved me. That was the last time they let it happen though. Then when I turned 14 it was a big deal so they made a bet with the Yakuza. And thus born was my second most hellish day. It was brutal, both of us bleeding and battered. The backroom kept me from quitting, and I guess his honor kept him going, until I finally got a take down in. He was tired so I slid into the mount, pinned his arms, and let the punches fly. More blood, but no sign of him quitting. So I decided to end it I jumped up and dropped a punch on him with all my weight. His eyes," he held his head in pain, "no matter how hard I try to forget, there they are a look of fear as he coughed up blood. I don't know how but he died. Just went completely limp. I broke down right there, looking at the Yakuza I muttered out an 'I'm sorry' between my sobs. It must have worked because before I knew it I was working for the Yakuza. The boss must have taken pity on me because I didn't fight in matches, only fixed cars, and helped them with wise guys, but he also had me study everything on the IS. The day I was discovered to operate the IS, I was supposed to steal the core," he said wiping eyes, "it feels slightly better now to say it. But now you know the truth I'm nothing but a criminal tool."

As he finished he felt arms wrap around him and he jumped away ready to fight, but what he saw would forever change his perspective. Chifuyu had her arms out, and tears pouring down her face.

"I…I'm sorry," she said showing an emotion he did not recognize, "with such a fear, why come here?"

"Freedom," he said simply, "four years where this is it. When I made my choice to come here I promised not to fight, but I broke that promise. When I saw Cecilia's eyes all I saw was that boy looking up at me. So what do I do now?"

"Well first we get you a shower because you smell," Chifuyu said trying to lighten the mood, "then we go to class. But I have two questions for you. Why the sunglasses?"

"Cause I don't want anyone to see the real me like you did. I mean look at you, the strong unemotional Chifuyu Orimura crying like she just watched the Notebook," this was followed by a quick slap to the back of the head," OW, sorry guess I'm still a smartass from time to time. Now what's the second question?"

"What's with the bandage around your neck?"

"It's my mark for all the sins I've done," he said taking off the wrapping slowly to show a scar going around his neck in a circular ring, "up until the Yakuza got me they made me wear a dog collar with Jackson written on the front. It's why I hate being called a dog," he quickly wrapped it up.

Chifuy very carefully grabbed his hand, feeling him try to cringe away.

"Jackson from here on out you're my personal student, ok?"

"Why me?"

"Cause it's my job to keep you safe and healthy, and because you show the most potential out of everyone. But back to the original problem you need a shower."

She quickly guided him to the closest locker room and had him shower and change into an extra set that she had.

"So are you ready?"

"Do I have a choice Miss Orimura?"

"When we are alone call me Chifuyu, ok?"

"Yes ma'am."

The bell had just rung meaning a small recess and as they walked by they overheard students talk about a new transfer student in class 1-2. For the most part Jackson ignored it until he heard a voice stand out among the rest.

"JACKSON," a female's voice shouted full of anger making him turn and his heart sink.

"Ling?"

He was looking at a young petit teenage girl, with light brown hair pulled into two pig tails with yellow ribbons on both sides. Her uniform seemed normal aside from her sleeves seemed to be detached, but it was her eyes that he noticed. Jade green eyes that were filled with hate and pain, lined with tears. She began to walk closer, unbeknownst to them Houki and Cecilia showed up happy to Jackson, but they were shocked by what happened. Ling slapped Jackson, hard and loud for all to see. All Jackson did was take the punishment.

AN: Well I feel like a terrible person after writing this. Not the same happy story as the real IS is it? Now that we know what happened with Jackson, but what happened between him and Lingyin? And why did Cecilia look happy to see him? And is up with the more humanized Chifuyu? Find out next time in Chapter 4 A Ling to Remember Me By. Also new poll up on Jackson's harem, pick what you like so I can help filter my thoughts.