Disclaimer: I don't own Tekken.

I thank all who reviewed last chapter and all the readers.

Chapter 5 – Studying a Soul

27th DECEMBER

Ling had started her training with master Kitano when Jin was called by Taka. He had a phone call from Heihachi.

Jin stopped practicing and left.

-'You are totally recovered now!'-Kitano said.-'How was school today?'

-'Ok…'-Ling noticed that master Kitano was just like Jinrei, always worried about the others, but he was a bit younger than her grandfather.-'Do you have children?'-Ling asked curiously.

-'Yes. Two girls. They're away…'

-'Why?'

-'They have a job and a family of their own.'

-'How did you meet Mr. Mishima?'

-'That's a long story. Now lets get to work, shall we?'

Ling nodded. When Jin returned to the gym, he wasn't very happy. Ling knew that he had probably started another argument with his grandfather on the phone.

-'Kazama…is everything alright?'-Kitano asked watching Jin punching a bag with all his strengths.

-'Sure.'-Jin answered.

Ling watched Jin too. She was now curious to know what Heihachi had told his grandson to upset him that much.

When they finished it was almost dinner time and Kitano left in a hurry too.

Jin and Ling took a shower and had dinner all by themselves. It was becoming a habit since Heihachi was out for a month.

Though they didn't have much to talk about, Ling was starting to enjoy the dinners with Jin, because every time she was spending alone with him, she could watch him and try to understand his real nature.

When they finished their dinner, Ling was going to watch TV, when Jin spoke.

-'Get your Math's book and meet me in the library. Heihachi wants me to help you studying…'-he said and disappeared up the stairs.

Ling did what she was told. Now she knew that he was angry because Heihachi was forcing him to teach her.

She entered the library and met Jin near the computer.

-'You don't have to do this! I'll manage on my own!'-she said.

Jin looked at her and she felt his eyes scanning her. She couldn't tell what was going on in his mind, or if he was angry or not.

-'I'll help you…'

-'Look, you really don't have to. It's ok…Heihachi can't force you because he's not here, and I don't mind to study on my own! I just don't want to upset you…'

Ling watched the computer monitor to escape Jin's eyes and for at least five minutes they stood in silence. After that, Ling decided to grab her book and return to her room, but Jin held her arm.

-'I'm not upset with you…and I don't mind to help you…'-he started.-'I just hate when Heihachi tries to rule my life. I hate him.'

-'I'm sorry…I never meant to be a rock on your shoe.'

-'You're not! You're not the one to blame. Heihachi is.'

Ling smiled and Jin took her book out of her hands and opened it.

-'Do you have homework to do?'-Jin asked.

-'Yes…but I don't understand very well…'

-'Ok. I'll teach you…'

Jin pulled a chair and sat down; Ling did the same. She listened to him carefully while he was explaining the exercises, but she was also trying to figure him out.

One hour later, Ling was almost finishing that exercise. She had finally understood what she was supposed to do with those weird graphics and formulas.

-'I did it!'-she announced, getting up to stretch her legs.

-'Let me see…'-Jin looked at her notebook.-'You did it! It's ok...you finally got the hand of it.'

-'Thanks to you!'

Jin smiled. It was just a "little" smile, but Ling felt really happy when she saw that she had made him smile.

-'What?'-Jin asked when he realised that she was looking at him.

-'It's nothing.'-Ling said quickly, feeling a bit embarrassed.

-'Maybe we should go to bed.'

-'Yeah…we should.'

When they were both at Ling's bedroom door, Ling decided to ask something to him.

-'Jin? Why are you always alone?'

-'Huh?'

-'Why don't you have friends at school? Why are you hiding from everyone and you always look so distant? Aren't you sick of being on your own? Don't you want to have a friend?'

Jin looked at her without knowing what to answer. No one had ever asked him those questions, and honestly, he didn't want to answer.

-'I don't need company…and I don't need friends…'-he said. His bad humour had returned.

-'I'm sure you don't mean that. I mean everyone needs friends…friendship is very important.'

-'Well I'm not like you or other people. I don't need anyone to tell me what to do…I like to be on my own and that's how things will always be! Good Night…'

Ling stood there watching Jin close his bedroom door and she felt sad for him. She couldn't believe that he preferred a lonely life. How could someone choose to be all alone? Why was he denying friendship? Why was he so cold sometimes?

30th DECEMBER

Jin hardly spoke to Ling in the next two days. She knew she had passed the line, because things seemed to go back as they were before their fight. The silence between them was becoming hard to take, especially for Ling, who was someone who loved to talk and to see everyone happy.

-'Don't worry with him!'-Miharu said in their ten minutes break.-'He'll live!'

-'But I thing I made things worse!'

-'You didn't…that's his nature…he's a jerk.'

-'I don't think so.'

-'You're a dreamer, Xiao…Jin was always alone and he never cared, so you shouldn't care either! He likes to be lonely…so leave him alone!'

-'Sometimes I think you are as bad as him!'-Ling confessed watching Jin leave his classroom.

-'I'm not! I have friends and I care for people!'

Ling didn't continue that conversation because she decided to go and meet Jin.

-'Hi!'-she greeted.

Jin looked at her but he didn't say anything. He was still a bit angry because she had invaded his privacy with her questions.

-'I never meant to upset you this much! I think I should've kept my mouth closed…'

-'Yes, maybe you should.'

Ling looked at her feet and her face turned red.

-'I'm sorry.'-she apologised again.

-'You should go to classes. Your teacher is coming.'

-'What about you? Aren't you going to your classes?'

-'Not this one…'

-'Why not?'

Jin gave her the look "it's none of your business.", but then he explained.

-'It's English. I don't need English lessons anymore.'

-'I'm staying with you.'-Ling decided.

-'WHAT?'

-'To keep you company.'

-'I don't need company; I'm used to be on my own.'

-'I don't believe you. You need someone to talk to.'

-'No, I don't! Now go to classes!'

-'Don't give me orders! I can do whatever I want!'

-'Fine…but you'll be punished…'

-'And so will you.'

Jin stood there facing Ling as the rest of their classmates were entering the different classrooms. They were the only ones missing. After some minutes Jin walked forward, towards the trees and Ling followed him. He stopped near the fence and climbed the nearest tree.

Ling copied him.

Ten minutes passed and Jin didn't make any intention of starting a conversation. Ling was beginning to feel a bit guilty for missing classes.

-'What do you think it will be our punishment?'-she asked.

Jin looked at her and decided to ignore her.

-'Did you hear me?'-Ling insisted.-'Talk to me!'-she yelled.

-'I don't want to talk to anyone! Leave me alone!'

-'Why?'

-'Because this is the real me! Now stop acting like you're my mother, because you're not!'

Ling felt fear when she noticed Jin's eyes. But then she touched his hand and smiled.

-'You're wrong Jin Kazama. This is not the real you.'

Jin was suddenly taken over by a warm feeling of hope and for a moment he felt the presence of Jun Kazama, his beloved mother.

-'You need to give us a chance…because not all people are mean and evil. Give me a chance to prove that you can trust other people.'-Ling said when she saw that Jin wasn't angry anymore.

Jin looked at her hand still in his and then he met her eyes. Slowly he nodded.

-'You won't be sorry'-she said happily.-'Trust me.'