Disclaimer: I don't own Tekken.

Chapter 3 – The First Bout

21st DECEMBER

Ling had started a letter to her grandpa last night, after she got home from school. It had been one of the most difficult days in school. First of all she had only one friend to count on: Miharu Hirano. All the others were not happy to have a foreigner student in their class. Second, her teachers had sent huge quantities of homework each day and she wasn't prepared for that. Finally her relationship with Jin wasn't going anywhere and Heihachi was always busy, so she was stuck with Jin every afternoon after classes.

Ling was in her room, thinking about what more to write to Jinrei.

-"Dear grandpa, how are you?"-she started reading at loud.-"I'm fine though I miss you and our hometown very much. Mr. Mishima lives in a huge mansion in Tokyo where everything is great and luxurious. Everything is new to me but I still miss our little home. I'm staying in his house and I have a big room for myself. I go to school everyday in a big car. School is going ok, but I have a lot of catch up to do. I met a girl named Miharu, she's my best friend here but I'm sure that soon I'll have loads of friends."

Ling stopped her reading in that part because she knew she was lying. She had written that because she wanted Jinrei to think that everything was alright with her.

-"I'm glad I can speak, write and read in Japanese, otherwise I would be in serious troubles. By the way, Mr. Mishima has a grandson, he's eighteen years old and he's not very friendly. Actually they don't get along very well, I never saw two people so in need of caring and affection. Jin and Heihachi should talk about their problems but they usually pretend to ignore each other. I'll try to help them but I'm not sure if I can succeed, because Jin is very stubborn. Anyway, I'll write more the next time. Take care.

Your granddaughter Ling Xiaoyu."

She read the last part of the letter and laughed. In reality, she thought that Jin was not only stubborn but a real jerk. He was so annoying sometimes.

Surprisingly that was Miharu's opinion too. That was probably the reason why Miharu and Ling were now best friends.

Unlike all the other girls from school, Miharu wasn't jealous of Ling because she was living under the same roof as Jin Kazama, actually she even felt sorry for her. Every single day, Miharu asked the same question when they were arriving at school: "Did that creep annoy you?'

That question always made Ling smile.

Ling went to her bed to lie down for a while. A few minutes later, Taka knocked at the door to announce that it was dinner time.

Ling got up immediately but when Taka was leaving, she called her.

-'Taka…do you work here for a long time?'-she asked.

-'Yes, why?'

-'Why is Jin always alone?'

-'I don't know Miss Xiaoyu, maybe he's not too good making new friends!'

-'He's always alone at school and I sort of understand why, but he could make an effort.'

-'Maybe he would if you talk to him…'-Taka suggested.

That suggestion didn't please Ling very much. They had barely spoken two sentences between each other in the last four days.

-'I don't think so!'-Ling finally said.-'He's too stubborn! Besides, he calls me "kid" and I don't like it!'

-'Things would be easier if you were friends! Jin is a not a bad person, believe me…'

Ling looked at the woman in front of her, not sure if she should believe in her words. She just shrugged and followed Taka to the diving room, where Heihachi was with Jin. They were both in silence and it seemed that they had been arguing again.

Ling sat down and started eating quietly. When they were eating the dessert, Heihachi spoke.

-'I heard that you're having problems in Math and History…'-he said to Ling.

-'Well…yes, but it's because…'-Ling said feeling ashamed.

-'I don't blame you because I knew that it would be difficult for you to adapt yourself to our methods of teaching.'

-'I'll study more!'-she said immediately.

-'Jin wants to quit school because he thinks that he has nothing more to learn!'-Heihachi announced making Jin look at him straight in the eyes.-'He thinks he knows everything, so I guess he won't mind to help you in your studies!'

-'What?'-both Ling and Jin said.

-'Xiaoyu needs help in her homework, so you will help her!'

-'No…'-Jin protested.

-'Why not? Is it to hard for you?'-Heihachi teased.

-'That's not the point!'

-'You are the top student of your class…so I guess it will not be difficult for you to help her!'

-'I don't have time!'

-'Yes, you do! You have plenty of time! After classes, both of you will come home, you'll practice martial arts for three hours, then you'll have a shower, you'll have an hour to do what you want, after that you'll have dinner and next you're going to study to the library.'

-'I can manage on my own!'-Ling said lowering her eyes, avoiding Jin's.

-'No, you don't. I want Jin to help you and that's final! I'm going to be out of the country for a while and I want you two to have a routine. Next week you'll have a martial arts master to guide your trainings!'

-'I don't need to be guided.'-Jin said getting up. Ling saw that he was furious with Heihachi. When Jin abandoned the table, Heihachi followed him and they both went to another room.

Ling felt scared, but also curious, so she went to the door to hear what they were saying.

-'You've been questioning my orders lately and I don't appreciate that!'-Heihachi shouted.-'You're my grandson and I expect you to respect me!'

-'You're just an old fool! I don't care what you think! I hate you!'

-'Why are you acting like this?'

-'You killed my father!'

-'We talked about that, Jin…'

-'I want to go away!'

-'I can't let you do that! You're my heir! You will inherit the Mishima Zaibatsu and in order to do that you need to continue your studies.'

-'Why is that girl here?'

-'What do you mean?'

-'She's here in case I don't succeed as your heir, isn't she?'

-'No, not really…but you're free to think whatever you like!'

-'I don't want to be your heir. I'm not even a Mishima…I'm Jin Kazama!'

-'Do you want a chance to prove yourself?'-Heihachi questioned calling Jin's attention.

-'What?'

-'You think you're ready to fight against me and win, don't you?'

-'Yes…'

-'Then I'll make a deal with you.'

Jin looked at his grandfather and nodded.

-'What's the deal?'-he asked.

-'I'm going to hold a tournament. A very popular tournament…the Iron Fist.'

-'My father and my mother went to the previous Iron Fists…'

-'You are correct. And now it will be your turn, but in return I want you to finish school and you'll practice under my orders.'

-'Or what?'

-'Or I won't invite you to the tournament! I'm the one organising it and you won't be able to participate if I don't want you to! I will give orders to my guards to keep you away from the tournament!'

Jin lowered his eyes.

-'You wouldn't do that! I'm your heir!'

-'That's true…you're my heir, but that doesn't change anything! You don't want me as your enemy, Jin…'

-'Who will you invite for the tournament?'

-'I have some names in mind!'

-'Who?'-Jin insisted.

-'Paul Phoenix, Eddie Gordo, Yoshimitsu, Julia Chang…and also Ling Xiaoyu.'

-'Are you joking…?'

-'No. She's a good fighter. You haven't seen her in action.'

-'So…in order to enter the tournament, I have to finish school? Is that it?'

-'Yes…it's a fair deal!'

-'Fine! I'll do it! But in the end of the Iron Fist I want a fight against you!'

-'And you shall have it…if you win your other fights!'

Jin turned his back on Heihachi and left. Ling hide behind the stairs and returned to the table, thinking about Heihachi's words and the Iron Fist.

22nd DECEMBER

It was Saturday morning and Ling had just joined Jin to go to school. She realised that Jin was a bit different.

When they arrived, Jin went to his classes without saying a word while Ling joined Miharu.

-'Did the creep annoy you?'-Miharu asked as usual.

-'Not really. But he's different since last night!'

-'On no! You're starting to like him!'-Miharu complained.

-'No, I'm not!'

-'Look…all the girls in this school like Jin Kazama! He's like a God or something like that! Not for me, of course!'

-'I know that! You told me…'

-'Please don't join the Jin Kazama fan club!'

-'I won't!'

-'Jin's not worth it, you know…'

-'Hey…Miharu…have you ever asked yourself why Jin is always alone? I mean he's famous and everyone would like to be his friend, but he is always alone!'

-'I guess he's a jerk…but you're right…I don't understand that. Many girls dream about the day he will ask them out on a date because he never had a girlfriend…but in my opinion he just likes to see them drooling over him!'

-'Miharu?'

-'What?'

-'Why don't you like Jin?'

-'Hmmm…let me see…because I think he's a chauvinistic pig, who likes to break every girl's heart and he thinks he's the best! Yep, I think it sums up my opinion of Jin Kazama!'

-'Ok…never mind! Lets go to class!'

-'What do you want to do after classes?'-Miharu asked.

-'I don't know…'

-'Do you want to go and see a baseball game?'

-'Do you play baseball?'

-'No, not yet but I'm trying to enter the team this year…'

-'Ok…then I'll go with you!'

-'Great!'

On Saturdays, students only had classes until midday. So when the bell rang, Miharu and Ling went to the baseball fields. Miharu knew almost everything about that popular game and she was really decided to enter the school team. Only the captain was a bit stubborn and reluctant in accepting her as a player.

-'He knows that I'm the best for the place…why is he hesitating?'-Miharu complained.

-'Are you a good player?'

-'Of course I am…I just argue a lot with the others…'

-'Have you been in the team before?'

-'Yes, once…'

-'What happened?'

-'I was…expelled…'

-'Why?

-'Bad behaviour…but that's not the point is it? I mean if they want to win this year, they have to call me to play, otherwise…'

-'You're absolutely right!'-Ling said immediately supporting her friend.

Almost an hour later, Jin was still expecting Ling near the car on the school's front gate. He decided to search for her. When he was approaching the fields he saw her going to a building and he followed her.

Ling was going to the bathroom when she realised that she was being followed. She hide behind a door, ready to surprise the person who was after her.

When he was close enough, Ling pushed the door and knocked him down. But her face went white when she saw Jin lying on the floor.

-'What the hell are you doing?'-he shouted.-'You almost broke my nose!'

-'I…I'm so sorry…I thought you were going to hurt me…I'm really sorry…'

-'Why would I do that?'

-'I don't know…'

-'Let's go home…Heihachi is leaving today and he wants to see us now.'

-'You were waiting for me?'

-'Heihachi ordered that we should go to school and back home together, so yes, I was waiting for you…idiot!'

-'Sorry…I didn't know it was you…'

-'Come on…'-Jin grabbed her hand and pulled her, but not too hard.

Ling had to follow him. As she was leaving she managed to wave to Miharu, who frowned seeing that she was with Jin Kazama.

At home, Ling and Jin listened to Heihachi's words quietly. He was going away for a month.

-'I want you to study and practice hard while I'm gone!'-Heihachi said.

-'Yes sir!'-Ling agreed.

Jin stood in silence, but Heihachi didn't say a word.

-'By the way, tomorrow you'll meet Mr. Kitano. He's going to help you with your practice.'

-'I said I don't need a master!'-Jin announced.

-'He'll assist you in the trainings…but he'll be working almost exclusively with Ling, so don't worry…'

-'I'm pretty good too, you know?'-Ling said. She didn't know how strong Jin was, but she wasn't happy to know that Heihachi had hired a martial arts master just because of her.

-'Though I'm sure that you can manage on your own, you're not on Jin's level yet and you have to work hard if you want to be as strong as him.'-Heihachi explained.-'You're going to the Iron Fist with Jin and I need you to be ready!'

-'Are you saying that I'm weak?'-Ling said feeling upset.

-'No…but compared with Jin, you're…'

-'I can kick his ass!'

Jin looked at her with a surprised face. He had never seen her shouting. It was obvious that her pride had been hurt.

-'Lets fight then…'-Jin suggested.

-'I think you shouldn't.'-Heihachi said.

-'I accept!'-Ling announced with a smile.

-'Good…lets see if you can really kick my ass!'