Turn your back

            Ling Xiaoyu took a deep breath.  She stood outside of the limo, looking over the courtyard of the Mishima Industrial Technical College.

            "When shall I pick you up, Xiaoyu-san?" the driver asked.

            She shook her head.  "I'll be getting a ride from a friend.  Don't expect me back tonight." She smoothed the flaps of her blue shirt.

            "Very well," and he drove away.

            Ling approached the figures standing in the yard.  Cameras, reporters and spectators flooded around the field.  There were three officials, men dressed in 3-piece suits, which stood beside her opponent.  Jin stood tall, wearing a pair of black pants with a red flame design crawling up his leg. "Am I late?" she asked casually.

            "No," one suit said, "right on time.  Kazama, Xiaoyu, shake hands."

            They did so.

            "Good luck," Jin said.

            Ling shook her head. "I don't need it."

            Jin took his hand back and adjusted his red gloves.

            "Fight!" the suits called.

            Ling ran up to him and punched.  Jin took one in the face, and then hooked at her stomach.  She rolled back a few feet. Just a little more time, she thought.

            It was about 3 minutes into the fight when Ling started to slow down.  Her aim was off and her power quickly declined.  Her reflexes diminished and the hits began to bruise her.  And soon, Ling's body fell to the floor. Jin froze, arm extended from a punch.

            "And the winner in 5 minutes and 47 seconds is Jin Kazama!" another suit called.  Reporters and cameras bombarded him and separated him from her.  Buzzes of questions and glares of light overwhelmed him.

            Jin looked over the crowd and saw a young woman coming from the end of the field.  Her brown hair was pulled in a braid, and she wore a fitted tan colored t-shirt and faded blue jeans.  A sports bag hung over her shoulder. She carefully pulled Ling's arm over her shoulder and pulled her up.  She slowly guided Ling to the nearest bathroom.

            Ling's body flinched as she was laid down on a bench.  Her eyelids lifted and she found herself staring at a pale blue ceiling.  She sat up.

            "Slowly Ling. Don't get up too fast," a voice told her.

            Ling looked up and saw her at the sink, soaking a paper towel. "Thanks for coming," Ling told her.

            She smiled. "Of course I'd come." She sat beside her and gently patted Ling's bloodstained lips.  "You got beat pretty quick," she told her.

            "I had to," Ling sighed.

            A knock came to the door.

            "I'll be right back," she stood up and gave the towel to Ling.

            The door opened. "Julia, can I talk to Ling?"

            "She's preoccupied right now," Julia said, peeking out of the small cavity that the open door made.

            "Is she ok?"

            "She's fine."

            "Can I talk to her?"

            "This is a girl's bathroom."

            "No one's there," Jin huffed.  "Just you and Ling."

            "Well, she's changing now.  And we have to leave quick cuz...our movie starts pretty soon.  We'll be late.  Plus, we planned a sleepover at my hotel," Julia answered.

            Jin frowned. "So she's not coming home tonight?"

            "Nope. Don't worry, I'll take care of her." Julia smiled. "It's a girls night out thing; been planning it for weeks."

            "Ok," Jin turned around. "Tell Ling I hope she feels better."

            Julia smiled and nodded. "Ok." She watched Jin walk away.  When he was out of sight, she closed the door.  Julia set the bag beside Ling and opened it. "Here; I hope you and I are about the same size. No offense, but I didn't want to go to the Mishima house to get your clothes."

            "It's ok," Ling pulled off her shoes.

            "Ok, so you call me last night, telling me you want to sleep over at my room.  What's going on?" Julia asked. "On no...are they mistreating you?"

            Ling took off her shirt and pulled on a dark green one. "No. Jin's perfect."

            "And the old man?"

            "I don't see him a lot," Ling said as she pulled off her black shorts.  She pulled out the khaki shorts from the bag.  "I really don't want to talk about it." She walked up to the full-length mirror.  She noticed a purple bruise on the left side of her forehead.  She realized Jin must have made that a few minutes ago.

            "Ok, fine," Julia stuffed Ling's clothes into her bag. "You want to go now?"

            Ling turned to her. "Sure."

            They later arrived at Julia's hotel room that sat on the third floor.  Ling flopped on the bed and Julia ordered room service.  They ate, talking about anything that didn't relate to Jin Kazama. 

            Within a few hours, Julia fell asleep.  But Ling was waking up throughout the night and into early Saturday morning.  Ling sat up from bed.  She put her hand on Julia's shoulder and gently shook her. "Julia, wake up please."

            Julia groaned. She peered at her watch. "Ling, it's 6 am."

            "I need to go somewhere."

            "Later." Julia pulled the covers over her.

            "Please?"

            "Ling, what's with the secrets?" Julia pulled the covers away from her face.

            "If you take me, I'll tell you what happened yesterday."

            Julia froze. "Ok, I'll get dressed."

            She got up and changed.  She and Ling went to the garage and entered Julia's rented car.  She exited the parking garage.  "Where to?" Julia asked.

            "North of the city, on highway 12," Ling answered. 

            "Ok, start talking. What happened yesterday?" Julia asked. "I've seen you fight; you were against King and the battle didn't end until 20 minutes later.  How could you get beat by a guy ½ his size in 6 minutes?"

            "I had to get beat."

            "You said that earlier too. I know you're friends with him.  Is that why? You didn't want to fight with a friend?"

            "Kind of."

            "So then..." Julia had an idea. "Oh my gosh! You like Jin!"

            Ling started to blush. Did she like him? "Th-that's not the reason!"

            "Then why--."

            "Jin's last fight was yesterday. Since he won, he can go to the finals."

            "You went easy on him?" Julia couldn't believe her ears.

            "Well, he was going to win anyway."

            "Then why did you go easy on him?"

            "So his focus would be on his final fight, not me."

            Julia sighed. "Ling, your heart is good but you have to be honest.  That's what friends do and you owe him that."

            Ling nodded. "Pull onto this road." She led Julia into a dirt road that weaved deep into the forest.  "Ok, ok," Ling told her. "Stop the car." Ling came out. "I'll be back in a few minutes." She walked towards a curtain of thick leaves.  The lake opened up to her, still filled with bits of the night.  The atmosphere was still darkened and only little bits of sunlight were captured in the glen. At the corner of her eye, she saw a black and silver Kawasaki motorcycle. 

            "Ling?" a male voice called.
            Ling turned.  On the bike sat Jin.  She stepped back. "What are you doing here?"

            "I could ask you the same thing," Jin walked up to her. "I thought you and Julia have a girl-hang-out thing. I needed to talk with you."

            "I do too," she said.

            "Lady's first," he invited.

            "But you asked first."

            His eyes turned to the lake. "I heard you two in the bathroom yesterday.  Julia said that it took you a quick time to be defeated and you said 'I had to'."

            "Yah, that's why I have to talk to you...Jin, I rigged our fight," Ling admitted.

            "What do you mean?" Jin grew silent, then looked at her. "Ling, did you not 'fight' with me?" She nodded her head. Jin couldn't believe his ears. "Why?"

            "Because I knew you were going to win anyway," she started.

            "Then why did you go easy on me?"

            "Because I didn't want you to focus on our fight.  I wanted you to be concerned with your finals."

            Jin's lips grew tight and his eyes fell.

            "I know getting revenge is important to you so I let you--." She watched Jin shake his head and turned.  She grabbed his hand. "Jin, would you listen?"

            "Why? So you can lie?" His glare was stiff and his voice was low.

            It hurt to hear him say that; she knew he didn't like liars. "I'm telling you the truth, I swear!  This is really hard--."

            "If you fought me honestly in the first place, this wouldn't have happened.  I can't believe you went easy on me..."

            Ling's eyes widened. "What is this? Is it all about your pride?"

            "You don't get it!" Jin raised his voice and Ling stepped back.  He never raised his voice at her before.  "It may be about pride because I didn't rightfully earn to go to the finals! And as much as you say we are close, you lied! You know me better than anyone! You, above all people, know how important this tournament is--."

            "I know! That's why I--."

            "But I was wrong," His voice lowered to its normal volume.  It suddenly turned calm, without any emotion. "A true friend is completely honest. If you really cared...you..." his eyes fell.  Jin stormed off, hopped on his bike and revved away.

            Ling's knees grew weak and she fell to the grass.  The sun hit her eyes and her gaze was running over the lake.  From behind her, Julia approached.  She sat a few feet away and waited.

            Julia arrived at her hotel in the afternoon.  After a lunch with Ling, she dropped her back home.  As she was passing by the lobby, she noticed a figure in the gym, going medieval on the punching bag. At a second look, she realized it was Jin, not giving any mercy to the helpless heap of sand. Julia opened the door.  He and she were the only two in the recreational room.

            "I heard you're on your way to the finals," Julia started.

            Jin continued to practice.

            "Is it going to be held in an arena somewhere?" she tried.

            "Somewhere on the south side of town," he answered, his attacks echoing through the room.

            Ah-ha. Now he has said some words.  "Well, congratulations. You must be very proud; the type of thing you want to celebrate with friends..."

            Jin's arms fell to his sides. "What are you getting at Julia?"

            "Why are you here? Only guests are allowed--."

            "I checked in this morning."

            "Why? You have a place to stay already."

            "Well, this hotel is closer than the mansion." He continued practicing.

            Julia let out a groan, disgusted. "I can't believe you.  You want to stay away from her that much? You're pathetic."

            He punched harder, causing it to swing. "Is there a purpose for you talking to me?"

            She stalked up to him.  "You know Ling better than I do so you must know she must be hurting right now."

            Jin was silent.

            "You're such a jackass. No one's perfect.  You're her friend; you should at least try to understand!"

            "Understand what? Her 'good-hearted' motives?"

            "Everyone has a motive and it's good in their eyes. Hwoarang wants to bash your skull in, that bear wants to fight Phoenix, Ling wants her amusement park...and you have yours too."

            "Oh really? And what's yours?" Jin barked. "What, did Gramps steal something from an archaeological dig and now it's missing?"

            "My mother is missing," Julia answered. "I'm hoping I can find out what happened since she left to talk to your Grandfather."

            Jin's eyes turned away. "I'm...sorry," he uttered.

            Julia snickered slightly. "Please, I don't need your pity. I know you, of all people, are the only one who could relate.  Well, at least you know where your mom is.  She's in a happier place.  God knows where mine is..." she shook her head. "Why are you running away from her?"

            "And we're back to this," Jin rolled his eyes, and returned his attention to the punching bag.

            "You know what I think? I think you're afraid."

            The bag started to swing.

            "I think you're scared because she cared for you and you allowed her to be close to you.  But then she made a mistake.  Wake up Jin, not everyone is perfect.  You have so many ideals of this world, you can't look at reality in the face!"

            His fist slammed against the bag and it fell off its chain.  Jin stomped up to her, his eyes burning into her own; his lips close to her face.  "You wanna talk about looking at reality? I've seen just as much as you; maybe more."

            "Obviously not," she replied," because you're probably blinded by your pride. I see a girl who's truly remorseful."

            He narrowed his eyes then walked away.  When he was out of sight, she released a deep breath.  Julia hurried to the elevator to go to her room.  The double doors opened. She walked in, pressed level 3 and closed her eyes.  She recalled her encounter with Jin, remembering what they each said.

            "I've seen just as much as you, maybe more..."

            Julia opened her eyes. She recalled his glare changed as she stared at him.  His eyes burned a blood red...was she imagining it?

            "So Jin already left this morning?" Ling asked.  It was Sunday; the day of Jin's final match.  "Hmm...Heihachi-san left too.  Maybe he went to watch." She had asked him if she could watch Jin's fight but he refused her, telling her only officials are allowed in the final rounds. "Do you think...he'll come back, Julia?"

            Julia sighed. "Well, it's his home. He has to come back sooner or later."

            Ling forced a smile. "So all I have to do is wait, right? That's not problem."

            And she waited.  A day passed. Then 2, then 7, then 10...it had been 2 weeks since she last saw Jin on that Saturday morning.  The tournament was over and all the contestants had already gone home.  For two weeks, Ling went to school, alone in the limo ride.  No one was in the house to talk with and to share with; Panda couldn't speak a word of human anyway.  No one was there to take her on bike rides with Kawa-chan; it sat in the corner of the garage, collecting specs of dust each day.  Ling asked Heihachi where Jin was.  "He disappeared" was all he said on the matter.

            Ling opened the door.  She hadn't stepped in his bedroom since the night before the fight.  He was on his bed, studying for a test. Now, the bed was cluttered with clothes, probably when he was packing...that was the day he left.

            He also left his walk-in closet room open.  She walked in.  Her fingers ran over his shirts and jackets, remembering each time he wore that certain piece.  She made one round along the racks of clothes.  As she exited the door, she noticed a white box with an envelope taped on it.  The envelope had her name written in gold.

            She picked it up and flopped on the bed with it, placing it on her lap.  She pulled out a piece of paper that was in the envelope. The writing was in gold ink; his writing:

April 28, 1999

Dear Ling,

I hope you know that you are a dear friend to me and I want that to never change.  I know you'll like this and you'll look "cute" in it.

Jin

            Ling put the letter down and opened the box.  She gasped.  Inside the box was an exquisite pink dress with blue and gold flowers; the very same dress she was eyeing at the store.  The box dropped from her lap and she began to cry.  She buried her face in her hands and her head fell to his pillow.  From the first moment she entered this country, he was there.  Now, Jin was gone.  His sheets still had his scent and now they were wet with Ling's tears.  Ling's breath shook and her head became clouded.  Memories of him flooded her brain, recalling all precious, treasured times with him.  A sensation ached in her chest, as she knew he wouldn't jump out from behind her and scare her.  That's what he usually would have done.  She knew she was alone.

            "Jin..."she muttered. "Where did you go?"

            And Ling cried herself to sleep on Jin's bed.

...fin...

(Author's jabberish: And so ends Tekken 3...EEK! Well, FYI Tekken and all its characters don't belong to me...but you already knew that...In accordance to the real origin of the dress, I don't think Jin really bought her that dress, but hey, anything goes. Thanks for reading; I got more to come!)