A/n: Extremely sorry for the late update. As usual I'm having to juggle everything- life is crazy! I hope you enjoy.

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Xiaoyu's eyes fluttered open. She reached out for Jin only to grab at emptiness. A glance at the clock nearby told her it was nothing to worry about. He was probably sparring.

She dressed quickly, anticipating viewing the tournament schedule. When she arrived in the lobby she found Paul, Marduk and any other burly fighter (typically)fighting over who would get to view the schedule first. This gave Xiaoyu the opportunity to slide up to it and enjoy a hassle-free viewing.

Ling Xiaoyu vs. Rodger Jr.

Piece of cake.

Jin Kazama vs. Lili Rochefort.

Oh dear.

She was probably one of the last people he wanted to challenge, given his history of seizing her father's assets. Never mind, it could be worse. He could be against...take a pick.

Xiaoyu knew the communal gym would be a place to avoid, nevertheless she paid it a visit. She was far from surprised to find Hwoarang aggressively pounding at the punching bag with his high kicks.
'Hello Hwoarang,' Xiaoyu said quietly.
'Hey.'

His glare was focused on the bag before him. No guesses as to who he was imaging in its place. Time passed where they failed to strike up a conversation. Xiaoyu felt the need to address the elephant in the room.
'Look, about last night-'

'It's your life,' he interrupted, throwing an unexpected punch. 'You do what you want with it, I have no right to tell you what to do.'
'You're just looking out for me.'
'Hm.'

'I have a fight later on. Will you come and watch?'
'I'm busy.'
Xiaoyu's lips curved downwards. It took all of his power to avoid giving that wounded puppy expression the light of day. She didn't stick around for long, knowing not to bother with him. Hwoarang paused for a moment, drawing in oxygen roughly before unleashing a torrent of unforgiving blows.

Xiaoyu prepared herself for her match. She was on in 12 minutes, and tried to visualise how the fight would turn out. The beauty of participating in the King of Iron Fist was that there was a strong chance of facing the same people over and over again. She had been given the opportunity to store everyone's techniques in her memory and use them against their owners.

The stands began to fill up and her nerves began to set in. Obviously this was far from her being inexperienced; she merely felt the nerves because it was a natural thing to feel before a match. Grandpa Jinrei used to urge her to take the nerves and turn them into positive energy to use in the battle.

Xiaoyu did a quick warm up on the platform trying to avoid searching the crowd to examine who had turned up to spectate. Roger Jr's mother approached and Xiaoyu prepared herself to end this swiftly. As soon as the announcer gave them permission to fight, Xiaoyu was faced with a series of intense boxing moves enough to rival Hwoarangs' earlier on.

However, Xiaoyu was quick on her feet. She managed to avoid most of his and his mothers' attacks. When they were worn out, which was always the case with moves such as these, Xiaoyu switched from defence to attack.

Using Roger Jr as a launchpad Xiaoyu conducted a superb mid-air flip and landed expertly. Roger Jr was flung to the ground and took some time recovering. Before he could retaliate Xiaoyu launched forward. Her assault caused Roger Jr's mother to lose balance and wobble. Xiaoyu conducted the fan dance to rain dance to finish them off.

Piece of cake.

She helped the Kangaroos to their feet, picturing Panda being attacked in the same way and feeling guilty.

'Ling Xiaoyu wins!'
The gathered crowd gave her polite applause, to which she didn't take offence to. She had other things on her mind.

Xiaoyu fled in search for a particular stage. When she reached it, it was far more populated than hers ever was. She heard a girlish squeal and resolved to get a closer look.

Jin was utterly annihilating Lili to the point of no return. Each of his pounds and kicks were utterly brutal. The crowd were enjoying it so much that they forgot he was once the most hated figure on the planet. Their faces portrayed thorough amusement at watching this spoilt brat get her comeuppance.

Sweat glistened on his tanned torso.

Xiaoyu felt herself shudder. She wasn't sure if it was fear or something more carnal.

Lili's body landed with a thud. Her face glistened red. The audience erupted. Without even a glance at his defeated opponent, Jin descended the steps like a king. Xiaoyu spotted a look she was recently becoming very accustomed to. A haunting, shadowy, icy expression from a pair of eyes that she once regarded as gentle and kind. At that point Xiaoyu felt unsafe in Jin's company.

Xiaoyu took comfort in the sultry hot water pelting her skin. It enveloped her body, making her feel secure in its presence when she felt anything but. Memories of Jin looming over her and threatening her, flooded her psyche. When his beautiful eyes lost their warmth and gentleness and morphed into something a killer would project. His suffocating hold on her body. The overwhelming suspicion that there was another presence in the room. The feeling that he was capable of anything.

This was all brought on by simply viewing his fight against Lili. Even when she sparred with him in Mishima Mansion he always lessened the intensity of his moves, afraid of even bruising her slightly. Yet here he was: completely eradicating Lili.

Yes, she knew that no one was to be spared; this was a competition after all. However, watching him do that unnerved her. Was it just that? Or was she uneasy because she could feel her memory of the Jin she used to know, being overcome by a malicious black blur.

Xiaoyu turned off the shower and stepped out followed by a shadow of steam. She longed to stay under the hot water for longer even at the risk of wrinkling. Wrapping her body in a long towel, Xiaoyu remembered that she had left her clean clothes on her bed. Silently cursing herself, she unlocked the bathroom door.

She crossed over to the bed. The door opened. Jin, who was deep in thought with his eyebrows creased, halted. His eyes roamed over her semi naked frame trying everything in his power to prevent those devilish thoughts that were starting to form.

'Xiaoy-'
'I'm so sorry I'll just get changed,' she gabbled, diving back into the bathroom.
Again she was overcome by the same jitteriness she experienced while watching him fight. Emerging timidly out of the bathroom and now fully dressed, Xiaoyu made a beeline for the front door. Not before Jin grabbed her in time.

'Xiaoyu, are you ok?' he asked with concern.
'Everything's fine,' she babbled.
She pulled herself out of his hold, only to find herself back in it again.

'Something is wrong, Xiaoyu, and you're going to tell me.'
His voice was firm but without anger.
Various faux explanations danced about in her mind. All crazy. Some only mildly plausible. Eventually she just gave up.

'Your match with Lili...'
He stared at her intently. She could see his mind calculating.
'You were there?'
Xiaoyu nodded faintly.

Jin sighed heavily, expressing clear annoyance.
'Don't come to my matches, Xiaoyu,' he ordered her.
Xiaoyu wilted, shrinking in his presence.
'You...scared me a little.'

He softened.
Reaching out, he stroked her delicate cheek.
'You know that I would never do that to you, right?'
She nodded. Despite being unconvinced that she agreed, he released her.

She fears you.

Lars consulted his watch. Hearing approaching footsteps he threw a glance over his shoulder. He was in the process of following one of Kazuya's henchmen; leader of the Tekken Force and his replacement. After checking if it was safe, Lars tentatively came out from his hiding place to get a better view of the situation.

This man was hovering at the entrance of an underground car park, trying to look as if he was not hiding from anything or anyone, and failing miserably. Lars was borderline bored when a spotless black limo pulled up almost driving right over the man's feet. The man drifted over to the passenger window that was descending.

Lars examined the features of this passenger. He started.

Heihachi Mishima.

What was Kazuya's aide doing secretly conversing with Heihachi Mishima.

Xiaoyu strolled with Panda, enjoying the company of one of her closest companions. Miharu was currently applying for jobs which meant that she couldn't spare time to watch Xiaoyu. She made up for this by frequently texting and talking on the phone. It didn't matter much to Xiaoyu, as long as she got to talk with her best friend.

Panda's presence was soothing. She certainly drew Xiaoyu away from her troubled thoughts, not erasing them from mind, but effectively giving the illusion that they didn't exist. A false hope but it was better than nothing.

The previous night was extremely uncomfortable for both Xiaoyu and Jin. Both were aware of the wedge between them but neither knew how to address it. Nor wanted to address it. They both slept rigidly. Jin more so in fear that his evil nature might take a hold and make him do something that would destroy the both of them.

Surprisingly, Xiaoyu was up before Jin. She hurried through getting ready and rushed down to the lobby in order to see who her next opponent was. Xiaoyu felt herself go cold. That was when she had to run.

Panda sensed her master's troubled vibes without question, and knew her company would do Xiaoyu good. The city was still- a nice feeling in the morning. The air was fresh and soothing. Xiaoyu felt her muscles relax and released a contented sigh. She needed to clear her mind before the match this afternoon. Judging by her opponent, Xiaoyu needed clarity on her side.

A family came into view that piqued her attention. The couple were young and clearly madly in love with each other; a rarity in the present. It was as if they were in another dimension, where only they existed. Xiaoyu's chest ached, not with pride but hurt. She always read about it, watched it, heard it but never did she experience it for herself. She thought she did, until she was met with deadly eyes.

Fear obliterated love.

As a girl, and as a teenager progressing into a woman, she dreamed of such things like most girls did. But the past four years had brought to her attention the bleakness of the world and bleakness of reality. The picture withdrew more and more into the black background.

Xiaoyu no longer knew who she was and what she wanted in life. She was not the master, but the spectator.

Her eyes then moved onto the male toddler clinging to his mother. His round face bright with youth; the epitome of childhood innocence. The couple were pushing the latest addition to their family in a baby pink pram.

That exact picture was what she always yearned for. What she always believed Nature owed her, what she was due. The inevitable chapter in her life that she awaited with such passion.

The couple passed by. Xiaoyu broke from her intense stare and gave way to melancholy. Panda sensed this and attempted to cheer her up.
'I'm fine, really,' Xiaoyu smiled weakly.
She was attempting to convince herself more than Panda.