(a/n): Ciao! I'm back! I am really happy that readers are enjoying this piece. I've been working hard on it, but the hard effort is paying off and it is, also pleasurable to write this story. I would like to apologize for having such a long delay. Well, what more can I say? Enjoy.
Chapter14: Steps to Futurity
Jin woke up early the next day before his alarm clock went off. He turned off the alarm before it rang and sat up in his bed. Things were strange yesterday. After what happened to him in the dojo he hasn't seen Xiaoyu anywhere. The thought of that she was avoiding him hurt more than he expected.
They had so many arguments, and yet they managed to unwrap themselves in the webs of each other's problems and solve them. But this, this really takes the cake. He didn't know what Xiaoyu thought of him. Probably she was thinking that he was a monster or that he was a demon, but he couldn't blame her.
It is not normal to be healed after cuts and bruises like that, it had freaked him out as well. But what really scared him was that he liked it. He was enjoying the power that was given to him. It made him feel so powerful. Powerful enough to even defeat his grandfather, but he didn't know what to do. He was afraid that he was too weak to control it. He felt as though it was controlling him, like he was getting possessed.
Jin broke off his thoughts and got up from his bed. Today is the last day of school and on Wednesday is the graduation day. The year went by fast, he still remembered his first day; he had to show some punks who's boss. Yes, he won't forget that day.
Since there was enough time, Jin decided to go to the dojo this morning; warm up and think over of what happened yesterday. There is so much to sort out, and then there's Xiao. He doesn't know how to deal with her. He never wanted to hurt her, and yet he just harmed her by whom he is.
What if she's the first victim of his misunderstanding? What if sooner or later the people will start to hate him? Start to envy his power and start hunting him? He would never be accepted for who he is, and no one would even care. He will be alone and left to the darkness. He will grow angry probably, probably too angry to withstand it all.
Once he will start envying the human's perfection, he will kill those who oppose him. He will taste their blood, their—
Stop it. Jin said to himself, quickly, unable to keep thinking of such things. He was just being paranoid. Nothing will happen. Everything will be much better than he had thought. A bright future awaits him, for the tournament starts soon and he will win the Tekken Tournament and he will kill Ogre.
Everything will be fine. Jin forced himself to think that, but he felt the opposite. He shut out the thoughts as he walked out of his room and into the bathroom. He looked at himself in the mirror and saw a young man with sad eyes. Life's a killer, that's for sure. Jin sighed and turned the cold water and rinsed his face.
Jin didn't bother to go into the dojo outside of their mansion, he decided to practice indoor this time. He felt ashamed to show his face, and he hoped he won't have to face Xiaoyu or anyone else. He needed time to think. Yeah, think. What's that going to do? Jin sighed as he looked at the punching bag in front of him. What's happening to me? Who am I? What am I? Jin closed his eyes and tried to gather his inner strength. He quickly looked at the punching bag and began hitting it with force. He clenched his teeth as he hit it hard and fast, one hit after another.
He was glad to find out that the punching bag was in place when he hit it. He felt so empowered, yesterday, that if he touched something with a finger it would break. See, you are just being paranoid; things are just going to be fine, everything is going to be just great.
Time passed, quickly. Jin concentrated his thoughts on getting his moves right, instead of what happened yesterday. He tried not to think about it, but it caused him to look back more. The wound knitting back by itself, the bullet dropping to the floor that belonged in his flesh was echoing through his ears as they hit the dojo's ground. The assassin's wide eyes and Xiaoyu's screams, all of this was passing his mind like pictures. He touched her, gently, and yet she still ran away, she was afraid of him; terrified.
Stop it. Jin said to himself and closed his eyes. He dropped to his knees and looked at his hands, taking a long breath out. If only he could read what his hands say, if only he knew the truth. Why is everything hidden from him? Why is it so secret? He'll still find out, sooner or later, one way or another. What was the point of Heihachi hiding things from him.
"Because he is not family. He was never family." Jin said quietly, remembering whom he counted as family. "Mother. Why did you lead me here?" He rested his hands on his knees as he closed his eyes. He knows quite well that he will never know the answer to that question.
"What are you still doing here?" A harsh voice caused Jin's eyes to open widely. He quickly rose and looked at his grandfather. "It's nearly ten to eight." His grandfather spoke as he examined him.
It's that time already? "Right, grandfather. I'll be on my way." Jin said softly and started to walk towards the exit, where Heihachi stood.
"Is everything in order?" Heihachi stopped Jin by putting a hand on his shoulder as he walked by. "I saw blood in the dojo, outside." Heihachi's voice boomed and Jin's heart stopped. "Yes. Everything is fine." Jin said, not daring to look at his grandfather's eyes.
"Very well, then." Heihachi let go of him and walked towards the middle of the dojo. "Ling Xiaoyu has already left for school, you better go and catch up." He didn't look at Jin as he was standing with his hands knitted together. "Right away, grandfather." Jin inclined his head in respect and walked out of the dojo.
Jin quickly changed into his uniform and ran out the front gates. The limo that Xiaoyu took was gone and Jin had no choice but to make a run for it. Gripping his school bag harder, Jin ran past the blocks and noisy streets of traffic.
Warm air breathed through his hair, whipping his bangs backwards, as he reached much quieter streets. Summer rays beamed down on him, causing tinkles of sweat to form on his forehead.
He made a turn to his left and came up to the gates that enveloped the campus that was filled with kids. He could see the limo from here as he neared the entrance into the school field. He slowed down as he neared the gates and walked slowly into the campus.
He couldn't find Xiaoyu; it was too crowded. But it wasn't such a big loss. She sits next to him in his first class; he should be able to at least get some words out. He just hoped that she would listen to him. Jin didn't like the idea that she was avoiding him. He wanted to get some facts down straight, so she didn't go and start hypothesizing. He still remembered that time when he got her berserk when he said he has no time to talk about nonsense.
Jin quickly rushed to class, and right before the late bell rung Jin touched the door handle and entered the class. His eyes quickly searched the back of the class, and there she was, Xiaoyu. Jin smiled inside, but kept a serious face as he nodded at the teacher and quietly went up to his seat.
"Xiaoyu. It's good to see you." He hushed quietly as he sat down. "I need to talk to you." But instead of looking at him, Xiaoyu's eyes were glued towards the front without blinking. "Xiao?" Jin asked, hesitatingly. She completely ignored him, like he had when he first met her in this class.
Jin sighed and immediately looked back at the teacher who began speaking. "Good morning everyone. This is the last day of this class and it's very humid and hot." The chattering noises slowly drifted away as the students finally settled down. "I know its summer and all of you want to be outside right now, but it wouldn't be wise to start fooling around."
The teacher slowly came around the desk. "Whenever you have time I suggest you walk over near the Science office and check the grades you have received on your exam that you took in May. This does not count towards your Advanced Diploma. If you received a three or higher, the course would be accounted for in the Institute. Remember the grading for this exam is from a 1 to a 5." The teacher picked up the papers and started to walk up to each student.
Jin looked back at Xiaoyu and tried again. "Xiaoyu, listen. I don't intend to hurt you, I just want to talk like we used to talk." Still to no avail, her steady eyes were aimed towards the front of the room. Jin sighed again, and decided to let her go this time. He'll talk to her in the car.
Sharing only one classroom has been a relief for Jin. He didn't know what he would do if she was in all of his other classes.
Today was definitely not a very good day. What was worse is that the school day was nearing to the end. It was a short day and classes zipped by quickly. Seniors were allowed to walk around hallways to get their teachers sign their yearbook and take pictures for remembrance. Jin wasn't too fond of the idea because he hated this school as much as he hated his grandfather's mansion.
Prison. That's how he thought about the school and his home. A goddamned prison he was thrown in. It didn't help to know that his mother led him here.
"Hey, Kazama! Why don't get your ass here so I could take a picture with my buddy?" An unimportant 'friend' ran up to him. Buddy…yeah right. "I'll pass." Jin said instead and rested his chin on his palm.
"I wonder what kind of excuse you told the people who took the graduation pictures." His friend came up to him and nudged on the shoulder. "Come on, Jin, just once. I would like to tell my grandkids that idiots exist in classes." Although he sounded like he was joking, Jin was in no mood for humor. At least light humor.
"You'll still be able to tell them that by taking your own picture." Jin said coldly. "Whoa man. Who's pulling your chain?" His friend sat in the chair next to him. "I haven't heard you talk like that since last month."
Last month. That was about the time when he met Xiaoyu. She really changed him. "I'm just tired." Jin lied and stood away from his desk. The bell rung and Jin took the cue to leave the class for good. Sigh. This is it. All that's left now is the Tekken Tournament. I haven't really thought about what I'm going to do after it. Thinking about it won't change anything and it was not too important this instance. Thinking about how to start a conversation with Xiao was.
How should he start? What was there to say, anyway? Just telling her about it won't do any good. Xiaoyu already knows what's wrong with him. Well, she has a general idea anyway. Sigh. Great. I am only bad at one thing. And it just happened to be socializing.
Nothing came to mind and Jin already neared the limo. Xiaoyu was sitting inside, staring down at her hands. Before entering the vehicle, Jin took a deep breath. He opened the side door and sat down opposite of his friend so he could take a good look at her face.
"Seatbelts." The driver called back to them and the car's ignition started up. Jin quickly secured his seatbelt as Xiaoyu did the same and the car slowly took off.
"Xiao?" Jin called out her name lightly. "Xiao, I really need to speak with you. Would you at least listen to me?" Nothing happened. Jin sighed and leaned his body towards her. "I'm not asking to say anything, I just want you to hear me out. Don't you ever want to express your feelings sometimes?" It was useless and Jin is not even close in getting her to talk.
He didn't dare to sit next to her. She might not take it the right way; after all she believed that he would hurt her. He couldn't blame her either. He had power to cause other's harm, but he wouldn't dare to even touch her. He was afraid to touch her because he didn't know how much power he possessed himself.
"Look. I really don't know what happened back there." Jin decided to be honest and open. "I was scared, Xiao. I understand that you were scared, as well. I didn't know what was happening. I thought I was going to die." She still hasn't looked at him, but Jin pressed on.
"Look. No matter what happens, I promise not to hurt you." Or so he hoped. He was nearly losing control, but she didn't need to know that. Not now anyway. "It's just that if I haven't acted, if I haven't hurt that woman in the dojo she would have hurt you instead. I just wanted the best for you. I don't want to see you in pain." Still to no avail. It was useless, Jin figured.
The car halted to a stop and Jin heard the driver call out. "We reached the destination." Jin watched Xiaoyu leave the car and run to the mansion. Jin lowered his gaze. Were those tears he saw on her face?
Sighing Jin slowly came out of the car and thanked the driver. He shuffled his feet back to his room. Slowly and regrettably he went up to his prison. As soon as he entered his small prison, he dropped on his bed and looked at the ceiling with dreary eyes.
What a terrible day. Now that I think about it, my whole life is upsetting to think about. My colleagues chat about their future, talk about what they would tell their grandkids about their lives. I never thought of anything like that. Grandkids? I mean come on. Who cares about that?
Jin sat up and looked at his hands. I'm a sad being. Ever since Mother died, I've been through Hell. Sigh. He lied back down and swung his hands under his head. That was four years ago. What should I do? And now these strange powers. Did Mother know anything about them? Why would she lead me here? Didn't she know whom my grandfather was? Did she want the best for me? What should I do?
(You should defeat Ogre.) A sly voice whispered in his mind that made him jump to his feet.
Who's there!?
(You don't know?)
Who are you?
(I am you.)
Lies.
(Why would I lie?)
Show yourself.
(Are you sure you'll be able to handle it?)
What are you talking about?
(Does it matter?)
Get out of my head!
(I cannot.)
What are you?
(I am you.)
What do you want from me?
(The real you.)
What are you talking about?
(You know what I'm talking about. The real you.)
You're insane.
(On the contrary, it is you who is hearing voices. Show me the real you. The one I helped create.)
What?
(Still no clue, I see. Here. Let me enlighten you.)
Severe pain ripped through Jin's whole body, which caused him to fall on the ground. "What's happening to me?" Jin asked particularly no one. I can't control it. Jin suppressed another cry as he felt something ripping at his back. It's inside of me!? Jin shut his eyes as he felt bones crack and the world was going dark.
Fire everywhere. Panting as he was running inside the burning house. Every corner looked the same. Where was she? Something exploded in the kitchen and caused him to fall and the floor rushed up to his face. The wooden walls began to snap as they were cooked under the flames. He quickly rushed out, out of the house and it collapsed under its own weight. "NO!!!" He tried to reach towards the debris but an odious beast with wings stood in his way.
(You know what to do.) The voice whispered inside of him.
What do you want?
(To help you.)
Jin screamed from pain and agony. I cannot control it. It's too strong.
"Jin?" A friendly, light voice called out to him and suddenly the pain released its grip on him. He let out a deep breath, and cleared the sweat from his eyes. It was all a dream? No, it wasn't. It was all real. He still felt the slight bit of pain in his back. What was happening to me?
"Jin?" He heard his name again and looked up at the worried face of Xiaoyu. "Are you, okay?" He winced when she gently touched him.
"I'm okay." He lied as he breathed out heavily and sat on his bed.
"I'm going to call Heihachi. Wait here." Before Xiaoyu was able to make a move Jin said, "Don't. I'm fine. Really." How he wished he could believe himself. "Don't call him, please." And he was glad to see that she listened to him.
"It was happening again, wasn't it?" Xiaoyu asked him. Jin had no words for her, but he couldn't lie. "Yes."
There was a long, uneasy silence. Xiaoyu was standing near the door and Jin was sitting on the floor. Nothing came; there were no words to say to her. He didn't need to tell her anything because she knew already. Jin finally accepted the fact that he was cursed.
"You should lie down." Xiaoyu spoke through the stillness. "You should get some rest. Perhaps you're tired."
Jin listened to her and sat down on his bed, but he still wouldn't dare to look into her eyes. I cannot control it. No matter how hard I try. It is stronger than me. Jin looked at his hands. I am dangerous. I can very well hurt, Xiao. I have to tell her. "Perhaps." Jin looked up at her. "Perhaps it is best you stay away from me. You were right. I'm sorry for not realizing it, before."
Xiaoyu's eyebrows knitted together in worry. "I didn't mean that, Jin. I was just scared." She sat next to him. Before she placed a hand on his shoulder Jin moved away. "No, Xiao." Jin decided. "I cannot control it." He looked into her painful eyes. I already started it. Might as well go all the way. "I'm afraid that I will hurt you. And I don't want to hurt you."
There was another uneasy silence between them. Jin's heart ached to see Xiaoyu look at the floor. He caused her pain and he felt awful.
"I understand Jin." Xiaoyu said. "But I'm still your friend. And I will always be on your side. Remember that." Jin looked at her sympathetically. Was she trying to make him feel better or did she really mean it. "But—"
"—no buts." She cut him off. "I am afraid." She admitted. "But I'm still your friend." She came over to him and placed something thin and light into his hands. "I am still your friend." She said again and walked out of his room.
Jin looked what she gave him. It was a china rose.
(a/n): So how's this for a chapter. Good enough to satisfy your thirst? I hope so.
Here are a lot of thanks to all of you reviewers.
BeBeBlu009: Hahaha. Sorry to keep you waiting. Unfortunately the tournament will only end when the story ends. Okay, maybe not. Don't worry. There will be nice events in the story. And I do have a satisfying end for the book.
JamiesAngel2008: Sorry to keep waiting, as well. I feel awful. But there won't be this many delays anymore.
Tiger5913: Sorry to disappoint you by not killing the assassin. Jin would get a chance for another try.
Skitzo-phrenick: Yes. The kiss between Xiao and Jin would be saved for a special moment. Well, I guess you found out what happened when Xiao was afraid of Jin.
MissDbzMedabots: Sorry for not updating. I'm happy to hear that you are enjoying this story. I do my best, really. And don't worry. This story won't have a sad ending. It would have a satisfying ending. I promise.
Melancholy Doll: I don't know if you are reading this, but if you are I would like to thank you very much. You are right. I should write for myself. And you what, I'm happy to know that I am writing for myself. Thanks for your encouragements.
Miss Da Qiao: Are you glad to see I continued this time? Haha. I know I am. Hopefully there won't be anymore delays.
Water-ice: I'm glad you say that. I really don't think the pairings matter. There are some other great pairings out there than Jin and Xiaoyu. It just happened that with Xiaoyu I could write more and she happens to be the opposite of Jin.
Rar: Hahaha. I'm sorry. Don't worry. You will find out more about him. It just happens that Jin knows little about himself too.
WINNER: I thank you for your compliments. I hope you will continue enjoying this story.
Edward: Well, here was more. I hope you liked it.