That's interesting.

Dai sat up, drowsiness falling off her like thawing snow off a branch. Reiko was standing by the window, smiling in her usual serene fashion. Dai frowned; could she hear shouting? She clambered out of bed, joined Reiko at the window, and took an involuntary step back.

Why is Yamada-sensei attacking Hwoarang with a sword? she asked. It seemed like a reasonable enough question.

Reiko chuckled. He actually floored him.

What? Who-

Reiko turned to her, a broad grin lighting up her face. Your man floored my man.

Hwoarang...floored Yamada-sensei? she gasped, her jaw dropping slightly. Regaining her composure, she began grinning herself. That is so cool!

Ah, yes, but I think my beloved is taking it rather badly, Reiko said wryly. If I didn't know better, I'd say he'd been learning our ways whilst we weren't looking.

Dai kept her eyes on the fight, but couldn't resist a sly grin. I may have given him a few pointers.

Outside, Hwoarang eventually hit the floor hard, skidding across the gravel. Mr Yamada stood over him, menacingly holding the katana to his throat.

That's one-all, Hwoarang said evenly after regaining his breath. Best out of three?

Mr Yamada looked irritated at the reminder of his uncharacteristic defeat. He pulled the sword back into a guarding stance.

Get up then, he muttered, realising a split second too late Hwoarang's intentions. Usually when he did scissor kicks, Hwoarang would be flying through the air. However, it also worked well floor bound...

As Mr Yamada hit the ground, Hwoarang span away from him whilst simultaneously snatching the sword. Now he was standing above his fallen foe, holding a blade to his face. He grinned, and held his hand out to the stony faced ninja.

Two-one, I win, he smirked. Mr Yamada rolled his eyes in resignation.

You cheated.

Did not.

Did too.

How old are you? Seven? Hwoarang said laughing. Mr Yamada held his obdurate expression, before laughing himself. He sprang up without Hwoarang's assistance.

Off day. Haven't been feeling well, Mr Yamada offered as explanation. You don't really need to tell Dai or Reiko about this, do you?

I thought that occasionally losing was supposed to be beneficial, or so Dai tells me, Hwoarang chuckled. But don't worry, I won't say anything if you don't.

Mr Yamada bowed slightly in gratitude, but faltered when he saw Dai and Reiko leaning out of the window, eyebrows raised. Dai shook her head and began tutting. Seeing the ninja's expression change, Hwoarang turned and saw the two women. He sniggered.



Mr Yamada sighed and grabbed a rake from a small shed, and turned his attention to the gravel, muttering under his breath. Eventually, he allowed himself a resigned shrug. Hey, even grandmaster's can't be perfect all of the time...

*******

Heihachi sank into the leather chair. It had been weeks since he had last sat in his office, viewing the various reports from the multitude of departments that formed his Ziabatsu. A smile crept along his face, though it was devoid of humour; it was instead the knowing smile of a predator, realising that the game was nearly over, and that the rewards of all his careful planning could soon be reaped.

His son was under his dominion already, and soon his grandson would follow. All possible threats to his rule were soon to be extinguished.

With a languid gesture, he flicked on the huge screen that adorned his office wall;it served several purposes, from hosting video-conferencing with overseas investors to merely displaying the news. Right now it was showing his grandson's battle against the English girl, Dai Martin. Intelligence had flagged her as having a possible affiliation to an anti-Mishima coalition, although had very little in the way of concrete evidence.

Heihachi turned to the window, seeing the screen's image reflected on the glass. It didn't matter for now; after his upstart progeny had been dealt with, then he would turn his attention to all these ridiculous groups that had been harassing his company for decades. He looked out to the city, and contemplated the future, the future that he was set to dominate.

That future would consolidated today.

******

Jin sat meditating, trying to still his mind, trying to focus on his breath. It was difficult, for his thoughts were in a constant state of flux, and demanded attention. Today was the penultimate battle, between him and Hwoarang. After that, it would be Heihachi...

His thoughts drifted in a different, and quite unexpected direction as he suddenly thought of Ling Xiaoyu. He could almost sense her, smell the vague scent of flowers that always seemed to accompany her. Despite this, is was still quite a surprise to open his eyes and see her there, wearing a brightly coloured summer dress that reflected the personality of its wearer.

I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you jump, she said nervously as Jin started. He noticed that she seemed to shrink back slightly, almost as if she was...scared?

Her fingers twisted strands of raven hair from her pigtails, in a manner that suggested anxiety rather than coquettishness.

Jin waited a minute or two as silence hung in the air, knowing that Ling wanted to say something but didn't seem to know how to say it.

You are you, aren't you? she blurted suddenly, before clasping her hands over her mouth in a belated attempt to stop the words from escaping. She cringed. God, that sounded stupid, even for me...

Jin dropped his head in misery. She had heard, heard how he had nearly killed his competitor, heard how most people thought he had gone insane. His blood froze as a fragmented memory came to him, as if he was seeing it through another's eyes; a girl running in horror from the battle, running from the horror of seeing his other self doing such things, running from the coldness of his gaze...

She hadn't heard. She had seen.

How...how can you be near me? How can you stand me, knowing what I've done?

His voice sounded strange, strained. He couldn't bear to look at her, to see the fear in her eyes, her fear of him. Why was she here?

He wasn't expecting her to wrap her arms around him with such velocity that he was nearly bowled to the floor. Her tears flowed, and she began babbling incoherently. Jin didn't care; as he returned her embrace, he knew that here was someone that could offer him the forgiveness and understanding he could yet offer himself.



He stroked her hair, fighting back the tears that were welling in his own eyes. Ling...slow down.


They sat in Jin's ramshackle hut, as Ling recounted what she had been doing since the last tournament, and since receiving the email warning her of Heihachi's diabolical intentions, sensing that Jin would talk when he was good and ready.

I was sure it was from you, so I took it seriously. I always thought that Heihachi was...well, benevolent, with all the stuff the Ziabatsu did for world peace, and the environment, but I did some digging- she frowned, And it wasn't long before I hit dirt.

Jin nodded. I'm glad you're safe.

Ling chewed on a cereal bar, expecting Jin to say more, He didn't; instead, he seemed painfully self-conscious that A, he lived in a hut, and B, that the most he could offer his unexpected guest was cereal bars and mineral water. He chewed on his lower lip.

You're not saying much, Ling ventured gently, tilting her head in that way Jin found so endearing. He looked embarrassed.

This is about the longest conversation I've had in two years, he smiled awkwardly. Even my conversations with Brad-sensei were shorter. He chuckled. Although I didn't speak much English, and he didn't speak much Japanese, so that's not difficult.

Was that when you were in Australia? she asked. He nodded.

She looked at him, trying to figure out how she could ask him what the hell was going on. Likewise, he was trying to figure out how the hell to tell her.

Jin...what happened to you? After the tournament?

Jin looked at her, at those questioning brown eyes. Heihachi killed me.

Ling's eyes widened in horror. What are you saying? Jin?

After being machine gunned down by the Tekkenshu, Heihachi shot me. In the head. His tone was bitter, but, Ling realised, if what he was saying was true, he shouldn't even have a tone. He gave her a grim smile. I got better.

Ling asked breathlessly. It seemed ridiculous, but she knew it was true.

Something...something in my blood. A curse, Jin settled on. I nearly lost control, nearly lost myself. I was going to kill Heihachi, but I managed to stop myself.

Ling asked angrily. Jin was taken aback by her tone.

Why' what?

Why stop yourself? You knew then what Heihachi was! Tears rolled down her cheek. I can't believe he tried to kill you...

Jin allowed himself a grim chuckle, feeling vaguely surreal that he was actually talking to someone about these events. Believe me, there hasn't been...there's rarely been a day gone by when I haven't thought Would I have saved the world a whole load of grief if I had finished him there and then?' There's even been times when I wished I had killed him for pure vengeance's sake.

No-one would blame you for that, Jin, Ling said her voice trembling. Jin sighed, and leant against the wall.

It's not that simple. It shouldn't be that simple. He thought for a moment. If I killed him...whatever it is in my blood, it would have won, and it would take control, I'm sure of it. He dropped his voice. It's happened once, briefly...I don't want it to ever happen again. You saw what I did to that woman...I had no control, it was as if I wasn't even there. I don't know why it happened, and I'm terrified that it will happen again.

The girl said you were in danger, Ling said softly. From both Heihachi and yourself.

Jin was intrigued. He asked, although he felt that he already knew, Which girl?

She said her name was Dai, I think. She's a competitor.

I know, I beat her, Jin said thoughtfully. Ling looked awkward.

Sorry. I...I haven't seen any more of your matches.

Jin gave her an understanding smile, tinged with sadness. That's okay. His brow furrowed. When I fought her, she gave me a warning - she told me to stay away from grandfa...from Heihachi. It annoyed him that even after everything Heihachi had done, he couldn't help but think of him as his grandfather.

What are you going to do? Ling said worriedly. You're going to be going to his home to fight that Korean guy! What if it's a trap?

Jin brooded, and rested his chin on his knees. I have to see this through, to the end. I can't just keep running for the rest of my life. He touched her hand. I can take care of myself.

I'll come with you! she exclaimed. I can watch your back, and-

No, Ling, Jin said firmly. For whatever twisted reason, Heihachi wants you dead. Even if he didn't, he would probably use you to get to me. If anything happened to you...

He broke off, unable to finish the thought; he couldn't even bear to think about it. I've lost too much already.

Ling smiled weakly, and rested her head on his chest. We won't always have to run.