Once Upon a Time
By: Mako-chan
>>For this story's sake, Jin and Xiaoyu will be slightly older than their T4/5 ages, but it's still a three-year gap between
them. Turned out to be quite long, nevertheless I hope you enjoy!
>>Even if I moved heaven and earth, Namco would still have the copyright on them...all I own here is the idea of this crazy story
Chapter 6 - The girl was a princess
Xiaoyu stood up and brushed the tears from her eyes. She looked at the dark and dreary skies. At least someone here
understands my situation, she told herself. "Ling Xiaoyu, he's just Jin Kazama. He's just a man. He's just your employer. He
just happens to be rich...and handsome...and intellegent...and kind...everything you wanted in a man...argh!" Utterly irritated
with herself, Xiaoyu gave her forehead a slap and stomped off back to the manor.
"Where did you go? I mean, I know you couldn't have gone that far," Jin asked her as just as she shut the sliding doors. With
arms crossed and a quirked eyebrow, Jin watched Xiaoyu as she tried to vanish from his eyesight.
The Chinese girl tried to hide her face from him. Actually, she didn't know how to face him anymore after coming to a
shattering realization. When she first met him she hated him with every fiber of her being. Xiaoyu would look defiantly in his stunning
eyes and spew words at him like venom. And now, she couldn't even bring herself to look at him.
"Something wrong?"
"Uh no, nothing. It's nothing," Xiaoyu weakly replied, waving a hand of dismissal. "I suddenly didn't feel well, that's all."
Jin reached out for her arm. "Have temperature?"
"No, I don't have fever. You can stop beginning to worry."
"Then what's the matter?" he asked very much concerned. "Something you ate? You looked fine to me just a moment ago. Is
this 'that time'?" he asked again, the last with a little subtlety.
"Will you just cut your crap and leave me alone?" Xiaoyu snapped with so much anger that it alarmed the Japanese youth.
Shocked at her own behavior, she merely looked down at the floor. "I'm sorry," she apologized quietly. "I--I don't know
where that came from. I'm...I'm sorry. So sorry. That was totally inappropriate." Turning on her heel, Xiaoyu ran up the
stairs and far away as possible from Jin.
He sat down with a sigh, resting his elbows on his knees. Then it suddenly dawned on him. And dammit, it didn't help just
sitting his ass off.
Xiaoyu closed the door with a click. She sank to the floor. "Xiaoyu. What's happening to you?" she asked herself aloud. Then
as quick as lightning, she bolted straight up and opened her drawers. In an instant she believed she knew what to do, and it
was the best thing to do -- run away. As soon as she heard Jin's voice and knocking at the door, she opened wide the
windows, letting the ferocious wind and rain enter her room. Xiaoyu, this is insanity. But face it, if you stay here any longer
then you'll become insanity itself, she thought. "Here goes nothing." Grabbing the heavy draperies, she hoisted herself with
ease and started to make her way down the two-storey structure.
"Xiaoyu! Xiaoyu, it's me, Jin! Answer the door! I--We--I need to talk to you...please," he pleaded, but to no avail. He was
about to give up when he heard the howl of the wind inside her room. Calmly, Jin took a half-step back and sent the door
flying across the room. As soon as he entered, he was filled with a sense of alarm. She was gone -- his Xiaoyu was gone.
Swiftly scanning the area, Jin found the window ajar. He looked out and saw a figure getting smaller and smaller. Xiaoyu was
running. She was running away...but he needed answers and he wasn't going to let her go. With godlike speed, he dashed out
of the house and into the vast field.
Running was becoming a harder task with every step. She kept cursing herself for not being heavy or tall enough to withstand
the strong winds and rain. The drops came with such speed that it had hurt, and the wind was threatening to blow her away.
Xiaoyu felt the familiar heat creeping into her eyes. Whether it was her own or the skies', she no longer cared. Why is it so
many people run away from everything when it's the most difficult thing to do? I never turned my back on any problem. But I
thought this was supposed to be easier, she cried inside. Taking its toll on her, as well as trying to keep her balance, Xiaoyu
walked cautious steps. But the earth was so slippery and the rocks proved to be very difficult to surpass. With feet firmly
planted on the ground, she took another step...and then she slipped, an enormous rock threatening to give her a blow to the
head for not acknowledging its presence.
"Gotcha!"
Out of nowhere, an awfully familiar pair of arms grasped her, almost never letting go.
"Don't make come after you. Don't you ever run away from me again," Jin said, strangely, without a hint of command in his
voice. An insurmountable relief washed over him. For a moment there, he truly felt that he was going to lose someone he
valued more than his riches, more than his own life. Slowly, he ran his hands through her drenched hair, letting her head rest
upon his strong and broad shoulders as he clasped her closer to him until they felt each other through their soaked clothing. "For everything and anything I did wrong...to hurt you...forgive me," he whispered.
The words sent a shock throughout Xiaoyu's system. Did he just begged for her forgiveness? For what? For giving her the life
she never thought would be possible? For respecting her as a person with intelligence and skill? For him being perfect?
Forgiveness...but for what? Xiaoyu lifted her head slowly, slightly creating distance between them as she placed her supple
hands on his hard chest. For the first time after what felt like eternity, she looked once again into his mesmerizing brown orbs.
"Do you want to leave me that bad?" Jin quietly asked, trying his best to hide the hurt and disappointment he felt.
"What?" To leave him...she never thought of it that way at all. It hurt all the more when all of his emotions reflected in his
eyes. It was a foolish thing to do. I just did it for myself. It was my selfishness that made me leave, she realized. "No, not at
all."
Cupping her face, he asked Xiaoyu with all honesty, "Then why? Tell me."
She took hold of his hand. "It hurts, Jin. It hurts. It hurts so much."
Jin looked at Xiaoyu and slowly understood. "Tell me. Everything."
"I never really paid much attention to what most people said. They said that love, wonderful it may be...it hurts. I never
believed them because I refused to. I believe that my love for Uncle Wang and my brothers and sisters was enough. I never
once sought a man to kiss me...to embrace me. This is the first time and it hurts...so bad. I'm just a poor Chinese girl you
just took pity on and nothing more. It's so painful. Nothing more," she repeated, almost like a litany.
Jin didn't know what to do. He wanted to kiss her. He hug her. Anything to make her feel better. But he knew he was the
cause of her sadness. But he desperately needed to know something. He needed to hear those words straight out of her.
Soon enough, Jin didn't know whether or not his heart gave a leap, did a somersault or skipped a beat. He had gotten his
answer.
"Master Jin Kazama...I love you. And it hurts because I don't know what you think of me. What you feel for me. If you
thought of me or felt something different. It's painful because I'm just a maid and nothing more. When you kiss me and hold
me I'm always shattered. At first I hated you. I really did. I hated when you made me do the most impossible things. When
you beckoned for me like air. But I've grown to look forward to those. No matter how hard, if it pleased you. To need me--"
Jin cut Xiaoyu off. "And that I do. I need you. Very much. Stay. I'm not asking you as Jin Kazama or Master. Lonely boy
Jin is asking Xiao to stay with him. He would do anything to keep her. All she has
to say is 'yes'."
"But--but...," Xiaoyu stammered. "I don't even know why you shower me with so many gifts. I'm just your maid, am I not? I
don't think I'm that kind of woman. Nor will I ever be...and I have nothing to give!"
"Who cares? I don't!" he said fiercely, "I ask nothing of you. Nothing that all the money in the world can buy. All I ask for is
your heart."
She had said those precious words. It gave her a sense of relief and optimism. She thought he'd turn her away. But he didn't
want to let go after all. Mustering up her courage, she tiptoed and planted a soft kiss on Jin's lips. Not wanting her to end so
soon, his hand slid to her nape and kissed her with so much ardor.
"It hurts too, you know...the thought of someone leaving me behind...especially on the day before my birthday..."
"I'll never do it again. I promise." And Xiaoyu sealed it with another kiss, and she intended to keep her word.
Moments passed, and as if Mother Nature was avidly watching a drama, the winds ceased and the rain disappeared. Slowly,
the sun showed itself in the glorious skies, and underneath its glow were two new-found lovers.
----------
The morning of Saturday finally came, and in one of the rooms of the Mishima manor a youthful Chinese girl woke up to the
chirping of the birds. Xiaoyu stretched underneath her covers, and then bolted up into a sitting position. She stifled a yawn,
and gave her left eye a slight rub, her eyes darted towards the direction of the closet. With a smile and a whistle, she opened
it, and revealed an elegant qi pao made of the finest silk and elaborate embroidery of plum blossoms. It was pristinely white,
long with slits running up on both sides. She smiled at herself. Jin would like this, she thought. It was her most prized
possesion and she could never be more proud of it. It was always said that when it perfectly suited the woman, the qi pao did
wonders to the wearer. It was designed in such a way that it showed the figure of the woman. Along with its matching slip-ons, she had asked Mrs. Nomura about, Xiaoyu laid the dress ever so carefully on the bed and headed for the bathroom.
However, before a full second could pass, a loud screech filled the room. "I forgot Jin's gift!"
Meanwhile, three doors down the hall, Jin rose to consciousness with a groan and a pillow on his head. "Twenty-four," he
mumbled raspily. "And tomorrow, seventy-two," he finished with disgust. The number reminded him of his eccentric
grandfather. The image of an old man with bushy brows and an unusual balding head came into mind. God help him, he didn't
want growing old just like the father of his father. Irking himself out, he jumped off the bed and went to the marble bathroom.
"Oh what to buy!" Xiaoyu lamented. She paced across her room and fidgeted. She knew she didn't have much time left, nor
much money in her wallet. But whatever she had, it would have to do. She had to go to the nearest shop or mall, but she
knew if she suddenly took off Jin may beckon for her and that would be troublesome. Besides, her stunt yesterday was reason
enough to drive him crazy. Xiaoyu massaged her temples...then raced for the kitchen.
The morning passed by well onto the afternoon quickly. Soon enough, Jin found himself buttoning his crisp white shirt and
running a hand through his thick jet-black hair. He hadn't seen Xiaoyu as far as he knew, and it was strange for him. Jin
smirked, for people who lived in the same house it was indeed unusual not to come across each other even for one day,
especially when they weren't exactly living in opposite ends of the expansive mansion. But he brushed it away, he himself had
decided that it would be better not to make her do things... undeniably odd, still. A knock and the twist of the doorknob
disrupted his thoughts. Jin was welcomed by a sly grin plastered on a man's face.
"Birthday boy!" he yelled, settling himself comfortably at his friend's king-sized bed.
"You're early."
"Just making sure everything's a-ok. A girlfriend who's an event planner really comes in handy, I should say. But really, if
things were really left up to me and those hormones of yours didn't die a premature death, I'd have this place filled with
broads...every year would be like a big bachelor's party."
"Yeah, so it seems," Jin said in an approving tone, giving one last look at the mirror and then turned to his friend. He felt
a sense of nostalgia. Who would have thought that Jin, the young Japanese heir to the Mishima Enterprise would be friends with
a Korean thug - before he became quite a success story -- by the name of Hwoarang? They were total opposites
from the very beginning - he was calm most of the time, but his friend was hotheaded - figuratively and literally. But it was
funniest that they built their friendship on a street brawl that ended many times in a draw. Neither one of them liked it, but
they seemed good at it. As that old jibe goes, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em." Unaware of his actions, Jin let out a snort.
"What's so funny?"
"Nah, it was nothing. You sure seem to like this girl. The longest you've been with as far as I know."
Hwoarang waved an unethusiastic hand at his friend. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. You can say that. She's cool."
"I've never seen you dote on anybody for so long. I thought you had that saying that they're good for two weeks at most and
that's it."
"I'm a changed man, Kazama," Hwoarang preached. "Change is the world's constant. Now that I've somewhat transformed
myself into you, you should do the same thing."
"What, be you?" he asked his friend incredulously.
"Why not? Chicks dig my style."
"Girls pounce on me like they would with that hit-the-croc game. But I'm not into those kinds of girls. That's one part that wouldn't
change."
"You probably do all the vices in the world except for the sweetest one. You sure you don't have some kind of
chronic problem with 'Jin Jr.' over there?" Hwoarang joked.
"Since when did another part of me have a name? Besides, you ought to be thankful. If I was as sex-starved as you, there
wouldn't be any woman left for you to take home...and this is about the time when I kick your ass out of my room."
Xiaoyu excitedly slipped onto her dress. After zipping up and fastening all of the buttons, she straightened it with her hands
and stared at her reflection. Tipping her head slightly to side, and out of boredom as well, she began to pick on her
appearance - she always hated her height. She always wished that one day she'd wake up and would be five inches taller.
Then she stared at her eyes. "Too big, ready to come off their sockets," she criticized, wrinkling her nose. Then she focused
on her skin. Xiaoyu thought she was too pale and that if she placed any one of those traditional makeups, she might as well
act a part in some Chinese ghost story. She whined that her lips where far from those she saw on magazines and even though
it was said that the qi pao did tremendous to the rightful wearer, it seemed that the dress disliked her, it was as if she was
staring at a "more enhanced" child body. Xiaoyu heaved a sigh, but before she could demoralize herself further, one of the
servants knocked. "Come in, please."
The young maid let out a gasp as she saw the Chinese lass - she had never seen any woman so beautiful and so perfect, and
so suited for the master of the Mishima household. It would be so impossible for him to not be taken with her, he always was,
and everybody knew that was the reason he took her to his home...and not because he wanted to build a collection of
servants.
"Himiko, what's the matter?" Xiaoyu inquired, expectant of an answer. While the made was gaping with awe and admiration, to Xiaoyu, it had appeared to be the kind of stare you would only give to freaks of nature. She felt like shrinking.
"You're dressed already," Himiko said wistfully. "And all we need is to fix your hair...I don't think we'll be needing any of
these," she concluded, swiping away the makeup sprawled across the dresser. Then she proceeded to fix Xiaoyu's rich ebony
hair.
"You look mighty antsy," Hwoarang chided, gripping his friend's shoulder. "If I knew better I'd say you were waiting for
someone."
"Yes, in fact I am," Jin replied exasperated. He took another glance at his watch. "The party's started. Where is she?"
"Holy shit! Did I hear that right? Must be night of the living dead hormones!"
"Quit it!"
"Alright. You d--." But before he could finish the word, Hwoarang stopped himself. It wasn't going to be pretty if he made a
THAT bad joke. "Although I'm hurt," he said, feigning a pain in his chest. "Why didn't you kiss and tell? And I tell you
everything."
"Yeah, you don't miss and you don't even care to leave out the sordid parts."
"Can you at least tell me what's she like?"
Jin replied with a profound smile, "Unlike any other woman I have ever seen before."
Hwoarang whistled. He hated to admit it, but he was impressed with his bud.
"There, it's done!" Himiko declared, quite proud of her work.
Xiaoyu smiled warmly and thanked the maid. She was very pleased with what she did for her in the past, that was why she
asked her for the favor again. Surveying on the mirror, Xiaoyu looked at her hair -- the front almost left untouched, and her
long tresses where gathered into a twist fastened with a simple ornament. Her bangs were parted unequally to one side, and
tendrils were left to frame her face, leisurely resting on her shoulders. "Time to go now, I guess," she said with a shrug. But
as she was attempting to stand from her stool, a monstrous rip pierced her ears. Alarmingly, and uttering a silent prayer, she
wished...
"Oh my!"
Xiaoyu tried her best to close her eyes shut. But she had to see. Her elegant qi pao had been ripped near the slit, causing the embroidery to tangle with the protuding nail shabbily hammered to her dresser. She had always been careful, but also
careless, but that was because she never really wore something as fancy as what she was wearing that night. "And I haven't
even gone one minute!" Disappointment washing over her, she felt the sting of tears dancing in her brown depths. The gravity of the predicament
hit her like a rockslide - she didn't have anything else to wear...she wasn't
going to be able to see Jin on the night she wanted to see him the most..."Not
like this."
The night wasn't going so well for Jin either. He was anxious and worried about
her, constantly pining and half-heartedly entertaining the numerous guests that
graced the estate's expansive garden.
As for Xiaoyu, the night had ended even before it began.
