A/N: Thx, reviewers! Your comments have been encouraging. This x-tra
long chap is for all of you! I hope you like. R&R, plz.
Disclaimer: I don't own Tekken.
Chapter 3
Xiaoyu, now sitting dazedly in the back of a limousine, found herself quite unable to fathom just how she had managed to come from being a stowaway to a ward of one of the richest organizations in the world. Just half an hour ago Xiaoyu had been trying not to think about how she was going to feed herself if Heihachi turned her down. Now the MFE CEO himself was on his phone personally arranging for her lodgings to be furnished and decorated to the best abilities of the finest designers in Japan. Xiaoyu was having trouble taking it all in.
Heihachi's cop friend, Lei, had been shocked as well but seemed to have made a swifter recovery than Xiaoyu could manage. Apparently he could tell how shocked she was for he tried to comfort her.
"Hey there, kid, don't look so hazy. Aren't you exited?"
Xiaoyu blinked. "Yeah...I think." She crossed her legs and set her chin on her fists. "I'm not sure what to think."
Lei nodded. "Yeah, you must be pretty boggled," he replied seriously.
Xiao smiled faintly at the word 'boggled' then pulled her legs up under her chin.
Lei observed her body language with a slight smile. This kid wasn't one to let world shattering events affect her for long. "Made up your mind all ready, have you?"
Xiaoyu grinned at him. "I don't know what's going to happen next but I know I can handle it!"
"That's the spirit."
The limousine jerked to a halt.
"Xiaoyu," Heihachi rumbled, "there's some paperwork that needs taken care of if your wardship is to become finalized. I must handle it myself; legal issues and whatnot. Your room will be ready for you when you arrive, Xiaoyu, and I will try to meet you at my Mansion. However, that may not be possible. If it is not I will send my aide to escort you. I will see you tomorrow morning at the latest." He stepped out of the limousine.
"Wait!" Xiaoyu cried.
Heihachi stuck his head back in the car a concerned expression on his face. "What is it, Xiaoyu?"
Xiaoyu lifted one shoulder and looked bashfully down. "You can call me Xiao, all my friends do.and.thanks." On the last word Xiaoyu lifted her face and looked him in the eye.
Heihachi gazed at her for a moment then nodded. He started to leave again.
"Mister!"
Heihachi sighed and returned but he didn't look too annoyed. "Yes, Xiao?" "You forgot to say goodbye."
Heihachi smiled faintly. "Goodbye Xiaoyu."
"Goodbye."
The door shut behind him and Xiaoyu leaned back in the seat. She saw that Lei was looking at her. "What?"
He shrugged. "Nothing." He looked at his watch. "Wow, its getting late. You should get some rest while you can."
Xiaoyu nodded and curled up. "Mr. Lei?"
Lei set his jacket over her. "My last name is Wulong."
"Do you think everything'll be okay?" She snuggled into the jacket and rubbed her face against it a couple times.
Lei thought for a minute. "Yeah."
"How do you know?"
He looked at her fondly. "How could they help it with you around?"
Xiaoyu smiled sleepily at him. "I mean really."
The cop chuckled then answered her truthfully. "The old man likes you. That's rare enough but it doesn't really mean anything. He likes me and I've been trying to put him in jail for years. You though. He's got a soft spot for innocents. He'll do his best for you. Put you in a good school, probably even train you to be the best."
"So don't worry?"
Lei paused thoughtfully. "Not too much. But do be careful. This tournament is more than it seems. Heihachi is into something and I'm sure it's not safe or healthy. He's after something and he'll sacrifice to get it. You, me, everyone. One thing about Heihachi that you must never forget: he wants the best for everyone but if it come down to a choice between your wellbeing and what he wants don't count on your safety. The man is ruthless."
Xiaoyu stared for a minute then nodded. "Thank you Mr. Lei. Will you be at the tournament?"
"Yeah."
"Good," she proclaimed. "I like you," and promptly fell asleep.
***
"Xiao.Xiao! We're there."
A hand was shaking her. Xiaoyu murmured sleepily and pulled her blanket over her head. Someone pulled it back.
"Ling Xiaoyu."
"What?"
"It's time to get up."
Xiaoyu sighed. "MmmKay."
Xiaoyu sat up, stretched, yawned, and opened her eyes. Lei was leaning over her. "Ready?"
"Where are we?"
"The Mansion." Lei got out of the limousine.
Xiaoyu followed him. It was dark and the first thing Xiaoyu noticed was the twinkling of the stars. The sky was the fuzzy dark blue of twilight. The air here was crisp and clean, blowing coolly over Xiao's sleepy face. She was surrounded by towering trees that whistled their own calm tune in rustling tones and welcomed her. Xiaoyu knelt down and felt the earth. The dirt was moist and cold. She stood up and looked around. Xiao saw the Mansion, a towering beauty, and the lake beside it. Across the lake she could see mountains cutting the horizon. Xiaoyu smiled. This was a good place.
"Xiao?" Lei was ahead, looking back at her. "Are you coming?"
"Yeah," she called and walked forward. Lei led her to the front gate where a blond woman in a suit addressed them.
"You are the cop I presume? Lei Wulong?"
Lei raised an eyebrow. "That's me."
"I am to lead you to your accommodations in the city where you may stay, free of charge, until we begin housing the participants of the tournament."
Lei nodded. "What about her?"
"The ward?"
"Yes, the ward."
The lady glanced disdainfully at Xiaoyu. "The ward may pass through these gates and make her way to the front door. A butler will await her there and show her to her room."
Xiao clasped her hands behind her back. "Thank you, lady."
The aide ignored her. "Are you ready sir?"
Lei grimaced and turned to Xiaoyu. "You'll be okay here. They aren't all like that." He handed her a card. "Call this number if you need me okay?"
Xiaoyu snatched the card and threw herself at him. Lei looked faintly surprised but hugged her back.
"Thank you Mr. Lei. I'll miss you."
Lei grinned. "Of course you will." He lifted her chin. "You won't be forgotten yourself, kid. Gimme a call sometime."
Xiaoyu sniffed, rubbed her nose, and nodded. "You know it!"
Lei turned to face the simmering aide. "I believe that you, Miss, have some leading to do."
She turned sharply. "This way," she said in a pinched voice.
Xiaoyu smiled at Lei's parting chuckle then turned and looked ahead. Through the gate was a straight stone path lined with rose vines. It led to a pair of large ornate double doors. She knocked on one.
An old man peaked out, "Can I help you Little Miss?"
Xiaoyu looked down and scuffed her foot. "I'm the new ward sir. I'm 'sposed to be here?"
He flashed her a friendly smile and opened the door. "Come in, come in! We've been expecting you. Your room is ready."
Xiaoyu stepped inside and looked around curiously. She was in a parlor of sorts, standing on an expensive looking fur rug. The floor was made of high quality wood the color of old amber and the wooden coat rack next to her looked expensive. Small tasteful bureaus were scattered around while lamps bathed the room in a warm golden light. There were a couple armchairs and coffee tables to dodge on her way to the next room.
"Could you wait here miss? There's something I need to take care of."
"Of course," Xiaoyu replied and sat down on a couch. She continued to do so for about twenty minutes during which she became intimately acquainted with the various painting hung around the room. On the table beside her there was a smooth wooden vial that appeared to be made of the same wood as the floor. Xiaoyu picked it up and examined it. On the bottom of the vial there was written:
Myrtle Wood
Oregon's finest wooden products
She opened the vial and sniffed. A clear, almost astringent, scent wafted out of the bottle. Xiaoyu closed the bottle and put it back. She waited almost another ten minutes before deciding to explore by herself.
From the room she was in there were three exits. One she had used to enter this room, the other the butler had used to leave. There was a darker hall to the right that was larger than the others. It seemed to loom mysteriously, promising neither safety nor harm but answers to questions few dared to ask. The hall seemed to beckon to her, almost as if she belonged there. Xiaoyu was attracted by its lack of foreplay, by the almost brutal honesty it displayed, for there were no trappings or niceties designed to soften its blow. It was exactly as it was, in no way influenced by its surroundings.
Xiaoyu found herself in the hall before she had chose which way to go. She gazed up at the paintings on the wall. These were no ordinary paintings, either, but portraits. Family portraits by the look of them. She gazed up at the line of painting, inspecting one after another. Xiaoyu could see the family resemblance in all of them for they shared thick chests and broad shoulders as well as sharp chins and prominent noses. All of them looked proud and forbiddingly serious but Xiaoyu couldn't help but smile at some of the hair styles displayed. She spotted Heihachi near the end of the line and grinned. Those double peaks were unmistakable! But his was not the last of the portraits.
Xiaoyu looked at the portrait next to Heihachi's. The painting read Kazuya Mishima. This must be his son Xiao thought. The man was wearing a purple suit and sat on a couch. His hair was unconventional too, but it was his eyes that caught Xiaoyu's attention. Those eyes were dark, darker than most eyes got. There was hate in his eyes, and betrayal too. Xiaoyu was tempted to stop there but something else caught her eye. A single tear made it's way down his face; so small she almost missed it. Xiaoyu looked again into his eyes and saw something else beneath the darkness. Love. And a sadness that went beyond grief. Xiaoyu shuddered and hoped that she would never have to feel anything as terrible as that man must have.
She moved on to the next painting, last in line. This painting was of a boy and he had his father's eyes. They were deep and dark and there was anger, betrayal, and grief there too. But his eyes held something his fathers' didn't: hope. His eyes held hope and a gentleness not found in his father's. Xiaoyu wondered how two spirits could bring about such a mixture of cruelty and kindness found on that boy's face. This was indeed an interesting family.
As Xiaoyu had gazed entranced at each portrait she had moved farther and farther down the hall. She found herself far from her original room at the beginning of the hall. Now, at its end, Xiaoyu found herself in a room quite different from the one she had started out in. This room, much like the last, was constructed with myrtle wood. The floor panels were the many colors of gold and mahogany but there was no furniture. Soft mats were place throughout the room instead. One wall was painted, depicting wild and savage animals: cheetahs and tigers. The other was no wall at all but an open vista. Xiaoyu's breath caught at the beauty of the view. The room opened straight into the lake; one could walk from the Mansion into the water. On the opposite shore was a beautiful forest, towering and majestic. The forest seemed to rise into the sky and then drop back down on the other side of the mountains. The starry night sky shone onto the shiny leaves of the forest and reflected back onto Xiaoyu. She felt like she was bathing in moonlight.
"Pretty isn't it?" a voice echoed out of the darkness.
Xiaoyu jumped and turned around. A man walked out of the darkness. It was the boy from the last portrait. "Yes. I didn't know anyone else was here."
The boy smiled and Xiaoyu relaxed. She had been afraid at first. There was a darkness about him but the light shone through when he smiled.
He walked over to her and leaned against the ledge next to her. He gazed into the night. "This is my favorite place."
Xiaoyu looked at the dancing trees. "I can see why. If I had a place like this I would come here everyday."
He nodded. "I do."
They didn't say anything for a while. The silence was comfortable. Xiaoyu found it soothing. It was much unlike the silences she shared with her mother. Those were always barbed and poisonous. This made her feel safe. She didn't need say anything to communicate. She didn't need to charm this boy into putting up with her; he seemed inclined to do so without any prompting. Xiaoyu smiled but it turned into a yawn.
The boy turned and looked at her. "You must be tired. You had a long trip I heard." He started to walk away and Xiaoyu followed him. "Your room is this way. The butler was supposed to show you but he had his hands full with the bear."
Xiaoyu nodded. "I was waiting for him but he didn't come back. I was going to find someone else but I got sidetracked." She looked at him with concern. "Its okay that I came here isn't it?" They stopped at a door.
The boy considered her for a moment. ".It's okay for you. I was surprised when Heihachi told me but now that I've met you I understand."
Xiaoyu looked relieved. "That's good. That hallway looked strange but it felt okay when I went in. I just wasn't sure."
He nodded. "It was the same for me." He paused. "I'm Kazama Jin."
"I'm Ling Xiaoyu."
Jin bowed and opened the door, "Your room, Ling-san."
Xiaoyu stepped inside and was immediately attacked by a cacophony of colors. Bright neon pinks and yellows were splashed across the multitude of frills and pillows that littered the room. Carrousels bedecked shelves and walls and fluffy teddy bears grinned enthusiastically at her. Frothy pink curtains covered the single window in the room. Xiaoyu walk over to the window and nudged them aside. She had a view of the parking lot. Staring at the cold metallic landscape outside Xiaoyu realized just how far from home she was. She was suddenly barraged by self doubt and a thousand regrets. Xiaoyu leaned against the wall and slid down until her head was on her knees where she was overcome with tears.
Jin watched her then hesitantly sat down beside her. He didn't say anything or try to comfort her. He was just there and he stayed there until Xiaoyu's had cried her last bitter tear. When she could cry no more Xiaoyu hugged her legs and looked miserably at Jin.
"So I guess you don't like your room, do you?" he murmured wryly.
"No! I mean, it's not that! Its just." she trailed off guiltily.
Jin looked around. "Can't say that I blame you. I'm sorry. I didn't know it would be like this."
"It's fine."
Jin looked at her. "Will you be okay now?"
Xiaoyu nodded. "I'm fine too."
Jin nodded. "I see that." He hesitated. "I.know what its like. It wont always be so bad."
Xiaoyu bit her lip. "I miss my family."
"You will for a while. But you have a goal. That helps. Can you sleep here?"
Xiao hesitated. "Yeah." She looked at him. "Jin."
He stood up and faced her. "Don't doubt yourself Ling-san. You can do what ever you set your mind to. Don't ever let anyone tell you different."
She didn't say anything for a moment then nodded with determination and stood up. "You're right. Thank you."
He nodded and turned to leave.
"Jin."
He turned around and looked at Xiaoyu. She stood in the middle of the room looking lost and alone. She had a bewildered look on her face as if she didn't know quite what she wanted but somehow Jin saw exactly what she needed.
He walked over to Xiaoyu and put his arms around her. Jin laid a brotherly kiss on her forehead and nudged her toward the bed.
"Goodnight Ling-san."
"Night Jin," she murmured and climbed into the bed. Xiaoyu laid her head on the frilly pillow and was asleep before the door closed behind her newest friend.
Disclaimer: I don't own Tekken.
Chapter 3
Xiaoyu, now sitting dazedly in the back of a limousine, found herself quite unable to fathom just how she had managed to come from being a stowaway to a ward of one of the richest organizations in the world. Just half an hour ago Xiaoyu had been trying not to think about how she was going to feed herself if Heihachi turned her down. Now the MFE CEO himself was on his phone personally arranging for her lodgings to be furnished and decorated to the best abilities of the finest designers in Japan. Xiaoyu was having trouble taking it all in.
Heihachi's cop friend, Lei, had been shocked as well but seemed to have made a swifter recovery than Xiaoyu could manage. Apparently he could tell how shocked she was for he tried to comfort her.
"Hey there, kid, don't look so hazy. Aren't you exited?"
Xiaoyu blinked. "Yeah...I think." She crossed her legs and set her chin on her fists. "I'm not sure what to think."
Lei nodded. "Yeah, you must be pretty boggled," he replied seriously.
Xiao smiled faintly at the word 'boggled' then pulled her legs up under her chin.
Lei observed her body language with a slight smile. This kid wasn't one to let world shattering events affect her for long. "Made up your mind all ready, have you?"
Xiaoyu grinned at him. "I don't know what's going to happen next but I know I can handle it!"
"That's the spirit."
The limousine jerked to a halt.
"Xiaoyu," Heihachi rumbled, "there's some paperwork that needs taken care of if your wardship is to become finalized. I must handle it myself; legal issues and whatnot. Your room will be ready for you when you arrive, Xiaoyu, and I will try to meet you at my Mansion. However, that may not be possible. If it is not I will send my aide to escort you. I will see you tomorrow morning at the latest." He stepped out of the limousine.
"Wait!" Xiaoyu cried.
Heihachi stuck his head back in the car a concerned expression on his face. "What is it, Xiaoyu?"
Xiaoyu lifted one shoulder and looked bashfully down. "You can call me Xiao, all my friends do.and.thanks." On the last word Xiaoyu lifted her face and looked him in the eye.
Heihachi gazed at her for a moment then nodded. He started to leave again.
"Mister!"
Heihachi sighed and returned but he didn't look too annoyed. "Yes, Xiao?" "You forgot to say goodbye."
Heihachi smiled faintly. "Goodbye Xiaoyu."
"Goodbye."
The door shut behind him and Xiaoyu leaned back in the seat. She saw that Lei was looking at her. "What?"
He shrugged. "Nothing." He looked at his watch. "Wow, its getting late. You should get some rest while you can."
Xiaoyu nodded and curled up. "Mr. Lei?"
Lei set his jacket over her. "My last name is Wulong."
"Do you think everything'll be okay?" She snuggled into the jacket and rubbed her face against it a couple times.
Lei thought for a minute. "Yeah."
"How do you know?"
He looked at her fondly. "How could they help it with you around?"
Xiaoyu smiled sleepily at him. "I mean really."
The cop chuckled then answered her truthfully. "The old man likes you. That's rare enough but it doesn't really mean anything. He likes me and I've been trying to put him in jail for years. You though. He's got a soft spot for innocents. He'll do his best for you. Put you in a good school, probably even train you to be the best."
"So don't worry?"
Lei paused thoughtfully. "Not too much. But do be careful. This tournament is more than it seems. Heihachi is into something and I'm sure it's not safe or healthy. He's after something and he'll sacrifice to get it. You, me, everyone. One thing about Heihachi that you must never forget: he wants the best for everyone but if it come down to a choice between your wellbeing and what he wants don't count on your safety. The man is ruthless."
Xiaoyu stared for a minute then nodded. "Thank you Mr. Lei. Will you be at the tournament?"
"Yeah."
"Good," she proclaimed. "I like you," and promptly fell asleep.
***
"Xiao.Xiao! We're there."
A hand was shaking her. Xiaoyu murmured sleepily and pulled her blanket over her head. Someone pulled it back.
"Ling Xiaoyu."
"What?"
"It's time to get up."
Xiaoyu sighed. "MmmKay."
Xiaoyu sat up, stretched, yawned, and opened her eyes. Lei was leaning over her. "Ready?"
"Where are we?"
"The Mansion." Lei got out of the limousine.
Xiaoyu followed him. It was dark and the first thing Xiaoyu noticed was the twinkling of the stars. The sky was the fuzzy dark blue of twilight. The air here was crisp and clean, blowing coolly over Xiao's sleepy face. She was surrounded by towering trees that whistled their own calm tune in rustling tones and welcomed her. Xiaoyu knelt down and felt the earth. The dirt was moist and cold. She stood up and looked around. Xiao saw the Mansion, a towering beauty, and the lake beside it. Across the lake she could see mountains cutting the horizon. Xiaoyu smiled. This was a good place.
"Xiao?" Lei was ahead, looking back at her. "Are you coming?"
"Yeah," she called and walked forward. Lei led her to the front gate where a blond woman in a suit addressed them.
"You are the cop I presume? Lei Wulong?"
Lei raised an eyebrow. "That's me."
"I am to lead you to your accommodations in the city where you may stay, free of charge, until we begin housing the participants of the tournament."
Lei nodded. "What about her?"
"The ward?"
"Yes, the ward."
The lady glanced disdainfully at Xiaoyu. "The ward may pass through these gates and make her way to the front door. A butler will await her there and show her to her room."
Xiao clasped her hands behind her back. "Thank you, lady."
The aide ignored her. "Are you ready sir?"
Lei grimaced and turned to Xiaoyu. "You'll be okay here. They aren't all like that." He handed her a card. "Call this number if you need me okay?"
Xiaoyu snatched the card and threw herself at him. Lei looked faintly surprised but hugged her back.
"Thank you Mr. Lei. I'll miss you."
Lei grinned. "Of course you will." He lifted her chin. "You won't be forgotten yourself, kid. Gimme a call sometime."
Xiaoyu sniffed, rubbed her nose, and nodded. "You know it!"
Lei turned to face the simmering aide. "I believe that you, Miss, have some leading to do."
She turned sharply. "This way," she said in a pinched voice.
Xiaoyu smiled at Lei's parting chuckle then turned and looked ahead. Through the gate was a straight stone path lined with rose vines. It led to a pair of large ornate double doors. She knocked on one.
An old man peaked out, "Can I help you Little Miss?"
Xiaoyu looked down and scuffed her foot. "I'm the new ward sir. I'm 'sposed to be here?"
He flashed her a friendly smile and opened the door. "Come in, come in! We've been expecting you. Your room is ready."
Xiaoyu stepped inside and looked around curiously. She was in a parlor of sorts, standing on an expensive looking fur rug. The floor was made of high quality wood the color of old amber and the wooden coat rack next to her looked expensive. Small tasteful bureaus were scattered around while lamps bathed the room in a warm golden light. There were a couple armchairs and coffee tables to dodge on her way to the next room.
"Could you wait here miss? There's something I need to take care of."
"Of course," Xiaoyu replied and sat down on a couch. She continued to do so for about twenty minutes during which she became intimately acquainted with the various painting hung around the room. On the table beside her there was a smooth wooden vial that appeared to be made of the same wood as the floor. Xiaoyu picked it up and examined it. On the bottom of the vial there was written:
Myrtle Wood
Oregon's finest wooden products
She opened the vial and sniffed. A clear, almost astringent, scent wafted out of the bottle. Xiaoyu closed the bottle and put it back. She waited almost another ten minutes before deciding to explore by herself.
From the room she was in there were three exits. One she had used to enter this room, the other the butler had used to leave. There was a darker hall to the right that was larger than the others. It seemed to loom mysteriously, promising neither safety nor harm but answers to questions few dared to ask. The hall seemed to beckon to her, almost as if she belonged there. Xiaoyu was attracted by its lack of foreplay, by the almost brutal honesty it displayed, for there were no trappings or niceties designed to soften its blow. It was exactly as it was, in no way influenced by its surroundings.
Xiaoyu found herself in the hall before she had chose which way to go. She gazed up at the paintings on the wall. These were no ordinary paintings, either, but portraits. Family portraits by the look of them. She gazed up at the line of painting, inspecting one after another. Xiaoyu could see the family resemblance in all of them for they shared thick chests and broad shoulders as well as sharp chins and prominent noses. All of them looked proud and forbiddingly serious but Xiaoyu couldn't help but smile at some of the hair styles displayed. She spotted Heihachi near the end of the line and grinned. Those double peaks were unmistakable! But his was not the last of the portraits.
Xiaoyu looked at the portrait next to Heihachi's. The painting read Kazuya Mishima. This must be his son Xiao thought. The man was wearing a purple suit and sat on a couch. His hair was unconventional too, but it was his eyes that caught Xiaoyu's attention. Those eyes were dark, darker than most eyes got. There was hate in his eyes, and betrayal too. Xiaoyu was tempted to stop there but something else caught her eye. A single tear made it's way down his face; so small she almost missed it. Xiaoyu looked again into his eyes and saw something else beneath the darkness. Love. And a sadness that went beyond grief. Xiaoyu shuddered and hoped that she would never have to feel anything as terrible as that man must have.
She moved on to the next painting, last in line. This painting was of a boy and he had his father's eyes. They were deep and dark and there was anger, betrayal, and grief there too. But his eyes held something his fathers' didn't: hope. His eyes held hope and a gentleness not found in his father's. Xiaoyu wondered how two spirits could bring about such a mixture of cruelty and kindness found on that boy's face. This was indeed an interesting family.
As Xiaoyu had gazed entranced at each portrait she had moved farther and farther down the hall. She found herself far from her original room at the beginning of the hall. Now, at its end, Xiaoyu found herself in a room quite different from the one she had started out in. This room, much like the last, was constructed with myrtle wood. The floor panels were the many colors of gold and mahogany but there was no furniture. Soft mats were place throughout the room instead. One wall was painted, depicting wild and savage animals: cheetahs and tigers. The other was no wall at all but an open vista. Xiaoyu's breath caught at the beauty of the view. The room opened straight into the lake; one could walk from the Mansion into the water. On the opposite shore was a beautiful forest, towering and majestic. The forest seemed to rise into the sky and then drop back down on the other side of the mountains. The starry night sky shone onto the shiny leaves of the forest and reflected back onto Xiaoyu. She felt like she was bathing in moonlight.
"Pretty isn't it?" a voice echoed out of the darkness.
Xiaoyu jumped and turned around. A man walked out of the darkness. It was the boy from the last portrait. "Yes. I didn't know anyone else was here."
The boy smiled and Xiaoyu relaxed. She had been afraid at first. There was a darkness about him but the light shone through when he smiled.
He walked over to her and leaned against the ledge next to her. He gazed into the night. "This is my favorite place."
Xiaoyu looked at the dancing trees. "I can see why. If I had a place like this I would come here everyday."
He nodded. "I do."
They didn't say anything for a while. The silence was comfortable. Xiaoyu found it soothing. It was much unlike the silences she shared with her mother. Those were always barbed and poisonous. This made her feel safe. She didn't need say anything to communicate. She didn't need to charm this boy into putting up with her; he seemed inclined to do so without any prompting. Xiaoyu smiled but it turned into a yawn.
The boy turned and looked at her. "You must be tired. You had a long trip I heard." He started to walk away and Xiaoyu followed him. "Your room is this way. The butler was supposed to show you but he had his hands full with the bear."
Xiaoyu nodded. "I was waiting for him but he didn't come back. I was going to find someone else but I got sidetracked." She looked at him with concern. "Its okay that I came here isn't it?" They stopped at a door.
The boy considered her for a moment. ".It's okay for you. I was surprised when Heihachi told me but now that I've met you I understand."
Xiaoyu looked relieved. "That's good. That hallway looked strange but it felt okay when I went in. I just wasn't sure."
He nodded. "It was the same for me." He paused. "I'm Kazama Jin."
"I'm Ling Xiaoyu."
Jin bowed and opened the door, "Your room, Ling-san."
Xiaoyu stepped inside and was immediately attacked by a cacophony of colors. Bright neon pinks and yellows were splashed across the multitude of frills and pillows that littered the room. Carrousels bedecked shelves and walls and fluffy teddy bears grinned enthusiastically at her. Frothy pink curtains covered the single window in the room. Xiaoyu walk over to the window and nudged them aside. She had a view of the parking lot. Staring at the cold metallic landscape outside Xiaoyu realized just how far from home she was. She was suddenly barraged by self doubt and a thousand regrets. Xiaoyu leaned against the wall and slid down until her head was on her knees where she was overcome with tears.
Jin watched her then hesitantly sat down beside her. He didn't say anything or try to comfort her. He was just there and he stayed there until Xiaoyu's had cried her last bitter tear. When she could cry no more Xiaoyu hugged her legs and looked miserably at Jin.
"So I guess you don't like your room, do you?" he murmured wryly.
"No! I mean, it's not that! Its just." she trailed off guiltily.
Jin looked around. "Can't say that I blame you. I'm sorry. I didn't know it would be like this."
"It's fine."
Jin looked at her. "Will you be okay now?"
Xiaoyu nodded. "I'm fine too."
Jin nodded. "I see that." He hesitated. "I.know what its like. It wont always be so bad."
Xiaoyu bit her lip. "I miss my family."
"You will for a while. But you have a goal. That helps. Can you sleep here?"
Xiao hesitated. "Yeah." She looked at him. "Jin."
He stood up and faced her. "Don't doubt yourself Ling-san. You can do what ever you set your mind to. Don't ever let anyone tell you different."
She didn't say anything for a moment then nodded with determination and stood up. "You're right. Thank you."
He nodded and turned to leave.
"Jin."
He turned around and looked at Xiaoyu. She stood in the middle of the room looking lost and alone. She had a bewildered look on her face as if she didn't know quite what she wanted but somehow Jin saw exactly what she needed.
He walked over to Xiaoyu and put his arms around her. Jin laid a brotherly kiss on her forehead and nudged her toward the bed.
"Goodnight Ling-san."
"Night Jin," she murmured and climbed into the bed. Xiaoyu laid her head on the frilly pillow and was asleep before the door closed behind her newest friend.
