Disclaimer: I don't own Tekken.



Chapter Six: Hunting Jin

Ling Xaioyu lay face-up on her bed. One arm on her stomach, the other above her head, one leg off the side of the bed and the other bent sideways, staring at the unpromising ceiling. Boooorrrrrrriiiiinnnnnnnggggggg. She had defeated her first opponent, Steve Fox, about 2 hours ago (or was it three, or 200?) He was a tough fighter (duh), but Ling was too quick for him. She defeated him in the second round. Now, she was bored out of her skull. It was about three now, and had been for the past five hours. Nothing around her was interesting. And as always, only one thing was on her mind: Jin. He had a way of disappearing right when she wanted to talk to him. She must have called that hotel fifty times. Five more and she got a free room! What?! She HAD to see him! But how? Then it hit her.

* * * *

"Hack into the hotel's computer?!" Miharu said in shock.

"Please? You're a computer genius!"

"But hacking?! Ling, I think you watch too many movies."

"No such thing! Anyway, you gotta do it! I have to know where Jin is!"

"Yeesh, Ling. I don't know if I can do that. And if I'm caught, I'll be in HUGE trouble! Therefore, the answer is no!"

"C'mon!"

"No!"

"Please?"

"No!"

"Why not?"

"No!"

"You didn't answer my question!"

"Okay, here's your answer: Because I said NO!!"

Author's note: Sorry, I just had to use it again.

"Aww! You gotta!"

"Ling, I think that Fox guy hit you harder than you think. I can't hack into a computer!"

"Yes you can!"

"Not legally!"

"Well, no, but you're able to, aren't you?"

"Yes, but I'm not doing it."

"PLEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAASSSSSSEEEEE??"

Miharu sighed. "Why do you want to hack into a hotel, of all things? Why not a big fancy company or something?"

"I'm not interested in that sort of thing! I just want to know which room Jin is staying in."

"Girl, you must really have something for this guy if you wanna see him this bad!"

"Well . . .maybe I do!"

"Maybe?"

"He's the closest friend I've ever had!"

Miharu gave her a dirty look.

"Closest guy friend."

"That's better. Either way, you only knew him for a few weeks!"

"We hit it off very well!"

"HA!! So you DO have feelings for him!"

Ling looked at the ground, with a small smile and a blush. "Well, if you knew him, you'd like him too."

"But I don't, so tell me about this incredible guy."

"Well, when I first met him, he was still living in the Mishima mansion. He was very antisocial because of some stuff that happened in his past, but I won't get into that. He hadn't had any friends in four years and his expression never changed. He was always so serious, and never laughed. I could tell he was unhappy and I tried to become his friend. Our first conversation of hello, goodbye, and little in between. I kept at it, though, and soon enough, I got him to tell me the whole story. After telling me that, we became good friends. It didn't last long, but it was good while it lasted."

"And during this, you became infatuated with him, eh?"

"Yeah, I guess I did. But I never really acted on it. I gave a few signals, pathetic as they were, but nothing really happened. I guess it was my fault. I was too nervous. He's the main reason I stayed in Japan. Of course, he left right after the tournament. To where he went, I don't know. I'm just glad he's back, and he might leave after this tournament too, and if I don't see him now, I may never have another chance again, so Miharu, I beg you, please find out where he's staying."

Miharu sighed. "Okay. I don't like it, but you're my best friend, Ling. And if it means that much to you, I'll find it for you."

"Thanks." Ling hugged her. "You're the best."

* * * *

Jin didn't know where he was going or how long he'd be walking. All he knew was he wanted some more time to clear his head. A walk in the woods usually did it for him, so he went there. Who was the real bad guy in this story? He knew Heihachi was, but he was no longer sure about his father. If his story was true, then he could sleep a little better. Even so, he didn't know what to think. First, he would fight his way to the top and defeat Heihachi. Then, he'd deal with his father. Most of Jin wanted to throw Kazuya back into the volcano. If it weren't for him, he wouldn't have this Devil Gene. Then again, if he hadn't sold his soul to the devil, he wouldn't exist. Which was better? Never living or living with a piece of the devil? Ogre had been after Jin. If it weren't for him, his mother might still be alive. But then, she wouldn't be his mother.

Why did he live in a life like this? The only one who had seemed to really care about him was his mother, but she was dead, and nothing was going to reverse that. His father didn't even try to see him, and his only other living relative, Heihachi, wanted him dead more than anything (except maybe to see his father suffer the same fate). Of course, there was Ling. Jin stopped walking and looked up from the ground. Where had that come from? Ling's picture had suddenly appeared in his mind. She was the only person who could ever make him smile, besides his mother. They had so much in common. Before he'd left, Ling told him it was safe to say they were friends. Friends. Yet he'd left her to Heihachi. Some friend he was. But it was his fault she was in trouble. If they'd never met and become friends, she would have had nothing to do with him and she would be no threat to Heihachi, giving him no reason to want to harm her. It was all his fault. Without him around, Heihachi would have next to no one standing in the way of his triumph over the world, Kazuya could've kept the Devil Gene he was so fond of, his mother would've had no reason to die, and Ling would not be in danger. Everyone could've lived happier had he not existed. So why was he here? To cause pain and trouble on everyone?! What kind of life was that?!

Finally, Jin shouted to the sky, "I WISH I'D NEVER BEEN BORN!!!"

* * * *

"Brrr." Ling shivered.

"Something wrong?" Miharu asked.

"I just . . .felt a sudden chill."

"Well, turn up the thermostat. I'm almost done. Okay . . .Jin Kazama. I thought his father was Kazuya Mishima."

"He is."

"Then why isn't his last name Mishima?"

"Everyone thought Kazuya was dead until a few weeks ago, so he just took his mother's name."

"But wouldn't here name have been Mishima?"

"No, they weren't married."

"They weren't?! Yeesh! What's this world coming to?! Okay, here we go, now we gotta act quickly, or we'll get caught. Get some paper. Okay . . .Jin is staying in a fighter's suite, obviously. Number . . .5. Top floor. Happy?"

"Yes! Thank you!"

They quickly got off the computer. Ling thanked Miharu again and took off.

* * * *

"Sir, Kimo with the match-ups for the second session."

"Send him in." Heihachi replied over the intercom. Kimo stepped in.

"Here are the match-ups, sir." He said, handing Heihachi the papers.

"Good. Let's see." He began scrolling through them. He took a sip of his coffee, and as he was doing so, his eyes suddenly bulged and he spat it all back out.

"Sir? Are you okay?" Kimo asked. Heihachi pointed to one match.

"Look at that!" Kimo read it.

"Ling Xaioyu vs. . . .oh my."

"My thoughts exactly! You're positive these were random?"

"Y-yes sir."

"They weren't rigged in any way?"

"No sir."

Heihachi rubbed his chin. "I don't believe it. She won't last one round! She'll be killed!" Heihachi's concerned look turned into a grin. "Make sure I get a good seat."

"Yes sir."

* * * *

**knock knock**

Paul answered the door. A man in a tux handed him some papers.

"These are the new match-ups for the next session, Mr. Phoenix."

"Oh, thanks."

The man left and Paul shut the door. Now he could get a feel for his next opponent. He flipped through, looking for his name and came across Marshal's. He decided to find out whom he was up against. When he saw his opponent's name, he froze.

"Oh, man." He said. Just then, the phone rang. "Hello?"

"Paul, it's Marshal."

"Oh, hey, what's up, man?"

"I, uh, just got the new match-ups."

"Yeah, me too."

Both were silent for a while.

"Marshal, listen. If you get knocked out of the tournament, and I make it to the top, I'll help you out when we get back to California."

"Thanks, Paul. Good luck."

"You too, man."

* * * *

Top floor. Fighter's suite number five. Ling had waited two years for this. She'd dressed herself in her favorite pink dress. She reached the top floor of the Mishima hotel, hoping Miharu's instructions were correct. Suite number five. This was it. Ling quickly gave herself one last look- over, then knocked on the door. No answer. She tried again. Nothing. Just her luck. She finally got her chance to see Jin again and he wasn't home. She kept trying for a little while, then decided just to wait. She sat down right there on the floor in front of his door. If he was there, and just not answering the door, he'd have to leave sooner or later. If he was really gone, he'd have to come back some time . . .right?

Time passed ever so slowly. Minutes turned into hours and hours turned into.well.more hours. Ling could feel the boredom getting to her. She was dozing fast. She was too determined to leave, so she just sat with her forehead leaning against her knees. Soon enough, she finally closed her eyes ready to let sleep come.

But then, she heard footsteps. The drowsiness vanished in an instant. Her heart raced and she jumped to her feet. Could it be him? Just in case, she straightened out her dress again. Sure enough, a Japanese male with black hair back in a single spike came into the hall, but turned the other way, not noticing her.

"Jin?" Ling said. The man turned around, showing that he wasn't. "Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you were . . ."

"My son? Yes, we do look frighteningly similar, don't we? You're in the tournament, aren't you?"

"Yes, I'm Ling Xaioyu."

"Kazuya Mishima."

"Pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Mishima."

"Please, call me Kazuya. Mishima is too close to my father for my liking. So, Ms. Xaioyu, what are-"

"Please," She interrupted. "Call me Ling. If you're letting me call you by your first name, it's only right that I let you use mine."

Kazuya's eyebrows perked. "That was freakishly familiar."

"Pardon?"

"Nothing. So, what are you doing out here? I haven't seen you around here before."

"I was waiting for Jin."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I've been trying for a long time."

"You a friend of his?"

"I guess you could say that. We met two years ago in the last tournament. We became friends, but then he disappeared. I was hoping to see him again. I got fed up with trying to call him, so I tracked him down so I could see him personally."

Kazuya rubbed his chin. "Again, very familiar."

Ling gave a confused look.

"Just memories of someone I knew. Jun Kazama, Jin's mother, maybe he told you about her?"

"Yes he did. In fact, I was practically the only person he talked to. He was always so quiet."

"A painful past can tear you up. Anyway, you remind me of her."

"Jin said that." Ling replied with a small smile.

"Forgive my straightforwardness, but it sounds like you might have been closer than just friends."

"Well . . .sort of."

"Sort of?"

"I guess I was. Okay, I guess I am. But I don't know about him."

"Well, if you're trying to find Jin, I just talked to him a few hours ago. He hasn't returned?"

"Either that or he isn't answering the door. I've been here for hours."

"Now THAT'S determination."

"And I'm not giving up, either."

"Good. I admire that kind of spirit. By the way, if you're fighting, how come I haven't seen you around any of these rooms?"

"I'm staying at the Mishima mansion. I being trained as a ward for Mr. Heihachi."

"Did you see his face when he found out I was alive?"

"He wasn't happy. Nor when he saw Jin."

"Everybody hates Heihachi and Heihachi hates everybody. By the end of this tournament, he'll be gone, though. Who knows? Maybe you'll be working for me."

"Maybe."

"If I win, perhaps I'll throw Heihachi into the volcano."

"That's . . .one way to get back at him."

"Sorry to seem extremely violent, but when you've had someone try to murder you twice, you just have an urge to return the favor."

"Jin probably feels that way."

"He does. But I don't know who he hates more, Heihachi or me."

"Why would he hate you?"

"I think he believes I abandoned him and Jun. But I couldn't return. I . . .never mind."

"The Devil Gene?"

Kazuya gave her a shocked look. "How do you know about that?!"

"Jin told me."

"Well, I couldn't return, because who knew what the devil in me would do?"

"Perhaps Jin feels you could've protected his mother, which he couldn't do."

Kazuya stood silent.

"Well, I must go." He said at last. "You still going to wait out here?"

"Yeah. I can't miss Jin. This is his room, right?"

"Yes it is."

"Good. What time is it, anyway?"

Kazuya looked at his watch. "9:23"

"Whoa! I can't believe I've been here that long!"

"When did you get here?"

"About 2."

"You have one hard spirit to break. If you need anything, I'm in fighter's suite number 8."

"Thank you."

Once he left, Ling sat down again. Soon, the drowsiness crept back up. She rested her head on her knees again and fought sleep to no avail. Eventually, she closed her eyes and drifted to sleep.

* * * *

"Sir," The secretary said over the intercom. "Ms. Panda to see you."

"Send her in." The secretary opened the door and Panda came in.

"So, Panda, how can I help you?" Panda replied in a jumble of growls and grumbles. Heihachi must've forgotten that he didn't speak bear. "I'm.sorry, Panda. I don't understand." Panda stood on her find legs and struck a fighting pose. "Fight? Fighting? Fighter?" Panda nodded at the last one. "A fighter in the tournament?" She nodded again. "Kuma?" Panda shook her head. "Oh, Xaioyu?" Panda nodded. "What about Xaioyu?" Panda put her palm horizontally just above hr eyes and looked around the room. "You're looking for her?" Panda nodded, then shrugged. "I'm sorry, Panda. I haven't seen her." Panda let out a big bear sigh and left the office. Heihachi looked back at the match-up list.

"Pretty soon, we won't be seeing her at all."

* * * *

Ling's eyes fluttered open. The bedside clock read 7:13. Today was Saturday. Sleep-in day. She rolled over and closed her eyes again, holding the sheets up to her neck and snuggling against the pillow. Then she was wide-eyed and awake. The last thing she remembered was sitting at Jin's door. Why was she suddenly in a bed? Ling sat straight up. Nothing was familiar. The room was significantly smaller than her bedroom (mansion bedrooms are huge) and a different color. Sunlight streamed in through the window to her left. A dresser sat to her right and nightstand on her left. A closed door was in front of her. She kicked off the sheets and found herself fortunately still dressed. Things could be worse, Ling told herself. She could've woken up beaten and raped. Or next to someone she didn't know. But everything about her still seemed okay.

Ling got up and ran out the door. Beyond it lied what looked like a small house, or a condo. To the right, a little ways away, was the door and a small kitchen. To the left was a sliding glass door and a balcony. Obviously, she was on a high floor. Very high. Almost directly in front of her was a TV, a chair, and a couch facing them. What really surprised Ling was the couch. The end of was facing her, so she could see the front of it. Someone was sleeping there. He had a blanket spread over himself and he was facing the back of the couch. She was frozen. She'd been brought into an unknown place by an unknown person, but not harmed or violated in any way. She dared in a little closer and saw this male had black hair that hung down to his shoulders. But with the body facing away, she couldn't see the face. Dare she try and go closer? She did. Ling moved forward, and inch every few seconds. Just as she got within ten feet of the sleeping body, it stirred. Ling gasped, then covered her mouth to prevent herself from making another sound. Who could this be? What did he want with her?

The man rolled over, but the blanket got moved up and covered the face.

"Morning already?" an unidentifiable voice mumbled. He stood up, his back to Ling and stretched. Her eyes widened. His figure was impressive enough from behind, but then he turned around. It was like one of Ling's wildest dreams was coming true. A hunk of a guy, standing ten feet from her wearing nothing but his boxers. He had huge muscles covering his chest and arms. Ling's gaze traveled from that to his six-pack, then down to his.legs. Strong and lean all over. This guys was BUILT!

Author's note: Okay, I'm a guy, and I'm getting sick. All the females out there had better be happy.

"Oh, you're up." He said. Ling never once took her eyes off his impressive body. Seeing this, he put on the clothes next to the couch he'd laid out. White pants with black flames on the right leg, and a white button-up shirt with black flames rising up from the bottom. He left the shirt open, to Ling's pleasure.

"Excuse me, please." He walked past the staring, drooling Ling, who watched him walk into the bathroom. Once he was out of sight, Ling almost passed out on the floor from the sudden experience. She fell onto the couch, her hand still over her mouth. Whoa.

Ling then slapped herself. First of all to get herself out of the trance. Second because she had failed to see who it was! Whoever it was, he didn't seem harmful. And the fact that he could kill a crowd of women with his looks was a big plus.

Soon, he came back out and Ling saw who he was.

"Jin!" She said. She recognized him better now that his hair was in that spike. He gave a small smile. Ling was speechless.

"Let me answer your first few questions. Last night, I came home late and saw you sleeping at my doorstep. That was a huge surprise. I was glad to see you, but I didn't want to wake you, so I brought you in. I let you have the bed and I took the couch."

"You always were quite the gentleman."

"And for your other questions, no, I did nothing that would harm or violate you in any way."

"I know you wouldn't."

"So, now answer my question. Why were you sleeping at my doorstep?"

"Because I wanted to see you."

"You sure that's the smartest thing to do?"

"What?" Jin's smile was gone. He walked out to the balcony and leaned on it. Ling followed him out.

"Why don't we start from the beginning?" Ling asked.

"And exactly where would that be?"

"What happened after the last tournament? Where did you disappear to? I know that you didn't just run away."

"You want to know?"

"Yeah."

"Well, after I defeated True Ogre, he vanished into thin air. I thought it was okay, but then Heihachi's guards fired a barrage of bullets at me, and Heihachi took the pleasure of finishing me off. I thought I was dead, but then something happened. It was like something awakened inside me. The scary thing is I knew what it was. The demonic being living inside me passed down by my father. Then I got up, trashed the guards, and knocked Heihachi out of the building and flew away. Now let me ask you, why are you still here?"

"I told you I was going to stay and train to work here. Of course, I thought you'd still be here."

"I couldn't stay. Heihachi wanted me dead. And I feared he might want to kill anyone who got too close to me too. Namely you."

"Jin, I'm fine."

"But for how long? How long before Heihachi thinks you're getting too close? Did you heed my warning at all?"

"Warning? What warn- you DID send that e-mail, didn't you?"

"Yeah. Does Heihachi know?"

"I doubt it. Once I replied, I deleted the message. By the way, why didn't you reply?"

"I figured one letter was putting you in enough danger."

"So where were you, anyway?"

"Australia. I spent the last two years training to take Heihachi down. Once I found out about the fourth tournament, I figured this was my chance to get back at Heihachi."

"Is that the only reason you joined?"

"Not really. I also wanted to get you out of danger."

"Well, at least you thought about me."

"Sort of."

"Sort of?"

"Actually, until that I found out about the tournament, all I thought about was how to destroy Heihachi."

"Oh, well . . ." Her voice trailed off.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I just wish I could've said goodbye."

Jin looked down at the ground.

"Jin?"

"I didn't even think about saying goodbye. All I thought about was getting as far away from Japan as possible."

"After being attacked like that, I'd want to get out also."

"I just left without even thinking about you." Jin said, more anger in his voice than normal. "Of course.it was probably for the better that I didn't see you again. I've put you in enough danger already." Then his eyes shot open. "What was I thinking?! I just put you in even more danger by bringing you in! Heihachi is bound to notice you're gone! He'll link it to me and think you're getting too close, then he'll be sure to kill you!" Jin pounded the balcony rail. "I'm such an idiot!!"

"Jin! It's alright!"

"No it's not! I can't protect anybody! Not my mother, not you!"

"Jin, you were only fifteen."

"I'm 21 now and I still just cause trouble on everybody."

"No you don't"

"Yes I do! Without me, everyone would be happier. Heihachi would have next to no one in his way, my father could've kept his beloved Devil Gene, my mother wouldn't have been in danger of Ogre, and Heihachi would have nothing against you." He pounded the rail again. "The world would be better off without me."

"Don't say that!" Ling snapped.

"But it's true! You know it is!"

"No it's not! Now stop thinking so negatively!"

Jin looked away from her.

"Jin, the way I see it, everyone is put here for a reason."

"Example . . .?"

"Well, um . . .look at Paul Phoenix and Marshal Law. Two completely different people. Marshal is a levelheaded Chinese man who's as fast as a bullet. Paul on the other hand, is an egotistic, American man who gives off more power than speed. Despite their differences, they're best friends."

"What does that have to do with what you said earlier?"

"The reason they're here is to help each other out."

"What?"

"Paul and Marshal help each other with their faults. If one wasn't around, the other would fall."

"Yeah, well, why am I here? To burden everyone?"

"No, that's Heihachi's role."

"So why am I here?"

"Simple: to stop Heihachi. Besides, you beat Ogre."

"Someone else could've done that."

"You sure?"

Jin didn't answer. He just faced the large city below.

"Besides," Ling added, wrapping both her arms around one of his, "It's nice to know I've got a guardian angel around."

Jin was silent for a moment. "If everyone is here for a reason, why do you think you're here?"

"Well, I haven't figured it out yet, but I know I serve some purpose. Perhaps it's to try and help you. Our relationship was definitely out of the ordinary. It was short-lived and pretty crazy, but it was good just the same."

Jin shot her a look.

"D-did I say something wrong?"

"That's what my father said about him and my mother."

"Well, perhaps you and I are a replay of them."

"Don't say that."

"Well, we are, aren't we? You're the man living with a piece of the devil, and I'm the one trying to help you through it."

"Yeah, now I'm gonna get thrown in a volcano and you're gonna be killed by the next demon floating around."

"Not if you defeat Heihachi."

"I told you before, every time I try to protect somebody, they end up in trouble or dead."

"Third time's a charm."

"Look, I appreciate your help, but you're wrong."

"Jin, stop it! I came here to see you because you're my friend, not because I wanted to hear suicide threats. Can't we talk about something else?"

"Like what?"

"Well, uh . . .I saw your father last night."

"You did?!"

"Yeah, while I was waiting for you."

"What did you say to him?"

"We . . .just . . .talked."

"Did you say anything that would let him know that you know me?"

"Y-yes."

"Ling!! Are you trying to put yourself in danger?!"

Ling's smile had long since faded. "You know, Jin, I hoped you'd be glad to see me, but it appears you're just ashamed of me." She turned to leave.

"No, Ling wait!"

She turned back around.

"I'm not ashamed of you."

"Then why don't you want anyone to know that I know you?"

"I'm just concerned."

"You're pushing it a little too far, Jin."

"Ling, I . . .I'm sorry. I'm . . .just a little paranoid that something will happened to you. The only person who ever got as close to me as you have died."

"Jin, you have to get rid of the things in your life that are hurting you. I'm not saying to completely flush your mother from your memory, but you need to cancel out her death. It seems to me like she's still alive. Right here." She put her hand on his chest and it took all her strength to remove it.

"Thank you. She is. But not only there."

"Hmm?"

"It seems a big part of her had imbedded itself in you."

"I can't replace your mother, but I do what I can to help."

"And you do a great job."

Then his lips caught hers in a deep, passionate kiss.

Suddenly, Jin pulled away in shock.

"Jin?"

"The devil. It's . . .quiet. It's still there, but . . .I can't hear it anymore."

"Like I said. I do what I can."

They moved in for a series of long, hard kisses. Between one of them, Jin spoke softly. "I love you, Ling. I always did."

"I love you too, Jin. And I always will."

Jin held her close to him, kissing her once more, never wanting to let her go again.



Author's Note: Awww, ain't it sweet? They finally confessed their love. Y'all like? Many people have been bugging me about putting some Xaiojin in, so I finally got to it. Not as good as I hoped, but it'll have to do. Please review!!