Jin's Rice Ball
Back in Japan, Miharu Hirano's residence…
Xiaoyu immediately left back for Japan so she could make the special rice ball recipe that could potentially save her from an unfortunate match up against the person she cares about the most (outside of her family), Jin Kazama. Miharu just got her new apartment which was close to her eventual place of study for college. Of course, Miharu had a nice sizeable kitchen. She eagerly awaited Xiaoyu to come back so that they could work together in making this recipe.
Doorbell rings…
Miharu: "Xiaoyu! You're back!"
Xiaoyu: "Hey Miharu! Nice place you got here!"
Miharu: "Arigato! Come in!"
In the kitchen…
Miharu: "So! Did you get the ingredients like the fans suggested?"
Xiaoyu: "Everything but the rice, I rather use homemade rice grown here in Japan."
Miharu: "Rice, I got plenty of that in the cabinet! Let's get to work!"
Xiaoyu: "Yatta!"
90 minutes later…
Xiaoyu and Miharu meticulously created the special rice ball recipe that would sure to be satisfying for even the most stoic of men like Jin. They were both tempted by the allure of the smell. However, Xiaoyu made sure not to eat them. Miharu bought some strong aluminum foil to keep the food from spoiling so quickly. All of that preparation however made them both hungry.
Xiaoyu (Sits at the chair): "Man…that was not easy at all. I need to rest, but I'm starving."
Miharu: "Yea, but I still would love to have at least one bite of the rice ball."
Xiaoyu (Shaking her head.): "I can't let that happen Miharu! Jin and I have to be the ones to eat it!"
Miharu: "Oh. I guess we'll just have to buy something to eat then."
Xiaoyu (Nodding.): "Yes! We have no choice."
Sometime later…
During her brief stay at her friend's apartment, Xiaoyu still trained vigorously hard on her own. She did it just in case something bad would happen if her plan didn't work against Jin or if the Zaibatsu had other ideas about the two of them not fighting. Soon, it would be time for Xiaoyu to leave for New Zealand. After finishing her last set of moves in her form, she looked up to the sky and made a promise not to fail.
Xiaoyu: "I can't lose this time! If I do, I will lose Jin forever! I won't let him die on his own! So I can't fail this plan! I will succeed!"
Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand…
Xiaoyu left the local airport in Queenstown, New Zealand. A Zaibatsu vehicle waited for Xiaoyu at the entrance. It was there to escort Xiaoyu for the upcoming fight. She made sure to carefully secure the rice balls in her bag within the suitcase. One of the officers wondered why she was carrying a shopping bag in the first place. The officer knew just how skilled Xiaoyu was in combat. He did not want to risk an embarrassing defeat so he left the issue alone.
Jin did arrive at the venue of the match as he shifted back into his human form. He used his Devil Power to fly himself there. Jin did not know how Xiaoyu was going to proceed fighting him. He remembered his cousin's words about Xiaoyu's feelings. Beating her up was something he did not desire to do, but that is what Heihachi and this evil entity stalking Jin wanted. At this moment, Jin was conflicted on what to do. For the first time since the tag tournament Jin and Xiaoyu met face to face once again.
Jin: "Xiao."
Xiaoyu: "Jin!"
Jin (In fight stance.): "Are you ready?"
Xiaoyu: "Wait!"
Jin (Pauses): "Hmmm?"
Xiaoyu (Takes out the bag from under her jacket, the weather is cold.): "Please! Listen to me Jin!" (Keeps going). "We do not have to fight! I have no reason to hurt you! Please accept this gift as a means of my surrender!" (Brings out the rice cake).
Jin: "What? You're surrendering?"
Xiaoyu: "I don't want you to become a war criminal! And I don't want to be the one to stop you! Please! This is your favorite rice ball! The recipe of your mother!"
Jin (Looks at it.): "Xiaoyu. You…made this?"
Xiaoyu (Shakes her head): "I did!"
Jin started approaching Xiaoyu, accepting her terms of a forfeit. Then that same demonic voice came back in his head having other ideas.
Oni: "Forget about that stupid rice ball! Just kill her and win the match!"
Jin (Stops. Holds his head.): "Please! Don't!"
Oni: "KILL HER!"
Jin (Down on his knees): "Get out of my head! I won't do it!"
Xiaoyu (Confused.): "Jin?"
Oni: "KILL HER YOU WHINY MAGGOT!"
Jin: "Xiao, get away from me!"
Xiaoyu: "But Jin!"
Jin (Changing): "GOOOOOO!"
Xiaoyu (Drops the rice ball and runs): "HAAAAAA!"
Jin was losing himself again into his Devil powers. The urge of taking Xiaoyu's life instead of her kind gesture enticed the evil Oni spirit forcing Jin to unlock his curse again. The last time this happened, Jin nearly killed Asuka. In a desperate attempt of defiance, Jin picked up the dirtied rice ball and immediately stuffed it in his mouth! If nothing else, he could at least taste whatever Xiaoyu made for him before the Devil Gene could take over his body and mind!
The sweet insides of the rice ball cake along with the chewiness of the rice itself, suddenly calmed Jin's mind. He continued to eat as his body returned to normal. Then for just that one moment, Jin thought about the time his mother made this very recipe.
Flashback…
Jin (at 5 years old): "This tastes amazing mother!"
Jun (Smiles): "I knew you would enjoy it Jin."
Jin: "Can you please make it again for tomorrow?"
Jun: "As long as you keep practicing your stances and do your school work, I will make this recipe for you always."
Jin: "Arigato mother!"
Jun patted Jin's head as they sat together under the tree for their picnic in the wilderness of Yakushima Island. Following tradition, Jun Kazama took up her culinary skills from her parents. Their specialty was rice balls, especially the type that could be made into dessert. Jin missed this taste of her mother's rice ball so badly!
Back in the present…
Xiaoyu (Stops running.): "Huh? Hey! Jin is not chasing me? That dark energy is gone!"
Official (coming from behind Xiaoyu.): "I don't blame you for quitting! Who wants to fight that thing?"
Xiaoyu: "He is not a thing! Jin is a human being who is just cursed with an unfortunate fate! I'm going back!"
Official: "Are you nuts?!"
Xiaoyu ran back towards Jin's direction. Through the dust, she could see Jin rising back up. His jacket and shirt was torn a little bit, but he looked normal again. Xiaoyu was so relieved she ran up to Jin and hugged him.
Xiaoyu: "Jin! I'm so glad you didn't let that thing take over you!"
Jin (Sighs): "Yeah…I am too."
Official: "I don't believe it!"
Xiaoyu (Turning around, with a frown): "Call the match already! I lost ok!"
Jin: "No! I lost!"
Xiaoyu: "Jin?"
Jin (Looks at her calmly): "I lost to my emotions again. Had it not been for that rice ball Xiaoyu, I would have killed you and everyone else in this area. I thank you."
Xiaoyu: "Oh Jin!" (Crying.)
Official: "Whatever! The winner of this match is Ling Xiaoyu!"
Jin and Xiaoyu continued to hug until Jin finally let her go. Jin was ready to leave again. However, Xiaoyu called him back. She at least wanted to know what Jin was planning to do later in the tournament. One way to make him stay was the fact that she still had a sack of rice balls in her hotel Jin could eat up.
Xiaoyu: "Wait! Jin! I know it was the recipe of your mother that made you snap out of it! There's more where that came from!"
Jin (Stops): "Well…"
Xiaoyu: "I can give them to you if you just stay with me and talk!"
Jin (Turns around.): "Fine."
