Greetings everyone! Here's the latest chapter update! This chapter is a little shorter since a few previous entries were a little long. Thanks so much for reading and for reviewing! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters. They are all property of Namco.

It seemed that failure had become a commonplace thing in their plans nowadays, but you win some, you lose some. There was no doubt that the last plan would've worked, and it was disappointing and surprising that the crazy brute had failed to deliver the desired results. The damned fool probably allowed himself to become too distracted to actually finish the job.

She idly admired her red lacquered nails as she sat in her boss' chair and looked out the window and over the cloudy skies. 'What a gloomy day...ugh, I bet it's going to rain,' she thought with a sigh. Well, at least they had finally completed recording the interview earlier. She, too, had gotten quite a few offers from the media to speak to story hungry journalists about the clash between the Mishima Zaibatsu and G Corp, and naturally she accepted. 'It's only a matter of time before the little bastard and his guard bitch attempt to strike back in anger once it airs,' she thought with a mischievous smile. The door to the office opened and she looked up as her employer walked in.

Kazuya casually strode into his office and he barely noticed the brunette sitting at his desk, wearing nothing but a long, red, silk nightgown. Why was she here so early in the morning? It wasn't like her to be on time for anything, but it didn't matter since they didn't have a scheduled meeting anyway. "What are you doing here?" he asked as he approached his desk with his usual frown.

The brunette shook her head with a shrug. "Warming your seat, I suppose," she answered with a small smile as she stood up from his chair and walked towards the large windows and peered out at the gloomy city. "What's on the agenda for today?" she asked plainly, lacking interest in the question or his answer.

Her behavior was odd. However, he had no inclination to ask about her personal problems or thoughts, he had his own troubles to worry about. He had received a report that his son's bodyguard had survived Anna's latest scheme, and knowing her, that's what probably had her feeling down. He seated himself in his chair after she had rightfully moved from it. He looked at her for a moment and smirked. "If you truly want to kill your sister, you should stop being so weak," he claimed cruelly. Anna looked at him in mild surprise as he spoke those words. "Your pathetic emotions keep getting in the way, and my patience is wearing thin with your feeble games with your sibling," he scolded her casually.

Anna remained silent as she folded her arms across her chest and returned her somber eyes to the window. He was right. She had grown so soft lately. Perhaps it was their last truce night that interfered with her usual fervor to exterminate her elder sister. However, by no means did that mean their rivalry was over with, not by a long shot. Perhaps, after the interview aired, Nina would be enraged enough to counter, which would add fuel to the burning fire of their ongoing battles. "Don't worry, I'll deal with her accordingly," she answered with a small smirk.

Kazuya ignored her words. He would believe it when he actually saw better results from her. Besides, with the interview he participated in and the controversy surrounding it, they'd all be sure to have their hands full once his son finally made his move. The boy was unstable and anything could send him over the edge, and he wanted to be the one who sent him flying over. 'I'm tired of waiting, make your next move, Jin, or are you a soft coward as well? It's time for you to come out of hiding,' he thought deviously as he sat at his desk.

The brunette woman saw that her employer's mind was preoccupied and she decided to leave him in peace, plus he didn't seem to be in the brightest mood either judging from his short tempered words. She wanted to be alone as well to clear her head. Her failures, Kazuya's discontent with her, and the imminent rain all had her feeling dull and listless. Once she gathered her thoughts and cleared out the bad ones, she'd bounce back to normal. 'Lucky little Nina, I never understood how you always got the better hand. Always so lucky...I long for the day when your luck runs out, then maybe I can be lucky for once,' she thought bitterly to herself, as she left the office to sulk elsewhere and hoped that she'd be in better spirits soon.

It only took a couple of days for her to feel like her normal self again. After pampering herself with a deep tissue body massage, a facial, a hair appointment, and a manicure, she felt brand new. Of course, the doctors told her to avoid any strenuous activities to allow her ribs to heal properly, but that didn't mean that she had to be completely bed ridden. However, it seemed it would be no problem for her to avoid her usual rowdy activities since she was immediately placed on probation upon her return to the Mishima Zaibatsu. This was not an optimal situation for her at all. With all of the restrictions placed on her, she began to feel like a dog on a short leash with a strict master always yanking her chain whenever she strayed too far. She had no choice but to obey him until her probation period was over, whenever he decided when that would be. It was his world, and she was just living in it.

She reported to his office as she was summoned, but since she had nothing new to report or question him about this visit seemed pointless. However, she didn't want to disobey him again and suffer his wrath. Once the doors opened, she walked in quietly with her displeasure faintly noticeable on her features. It was still raining, and gloom prevailed not only over the city, but within the office as well. Nina walked straight to the large windows, disregarding the man sitting at the desk, and gazed out at the rain. She enjoyed rainy days, especially if she could stay in and relax while others bustled through the drenched streets.

He peered up at her from his book. She looked nice today; her curve hugging black skirt and royal blue, silk blouse really caught his attention. It was too bad that she was hell bent on ignoring him. Was this what they called the 'silent treatment'? She waltzed in and walked past him as if he weren't even sitting there. He knew that she would be unhappy with the terms of her probation, but it was for her own good. Without it, he feared that she'd do something reckless, and with her past injuries she'd only be hurting herself. Despite her dissatisfaction with everything, he was personally content. It was all for her own good, she'd see that soon enough. "Sit down and drink your tea before it gets cold," he ordered calmly.

Nina sighed and slowly turned towards her employer with her arms folded. She remained silent as she slowly walked over to the front of his desk and took a seat in the large chair. She ignored his eyes as she reached for her cup of tea and blew on it cautiously. He was definitely timing her arrival, the tea was still piping hot. When she finally sipped her tea, she peered over her cup at the man across from her with watchful eyes. She couldn't get a good read on him today. His mood and his expression seemed pretty neutral, but his mannerisms were as smug as ever. From the way he sat completely relaxed in his chair to the way he occasionally glanced at her with that cocky smirk, she could sense that he was taking pleasure in this. 'Is this what he wanted all along? Complete control over me? It'll never be this easy,' she thought as she remained silent.

The assassin's taciturn behavior wouldn't dampen his mood. Besides, at least she followed his orders and came when she was summoned. He would get her talking sooner or later. "How was your massage?" he asked abruptly. When her blue eyes widened a bit, he knew she was going to retort.

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. How was he obtaining this information? Did he have people following her? "Who told you this?" she asked as she folded her arms again.

Jin smirked as he finally got her to open her mouth. "It doesn't matter," he answered as he returned his attention to his book. "I was just curious if it improved your condition."

"It did, thanks for asking," she bit out with a blank face.

"Good."

"Jin, why have you called me here? Surely you needed me for something besides forcing me to sit here while you slowly grate my nerves," Nina scoffed.

"To keep an eye on you," he replied curtly.

"I assured you that I wouldn't do anything to go against your orders."

"I know."

"Then why must you do this?"

"Is this so horrible for you that you constantly have to complain?"

"I'm confused, what do you need from me?" she asked as she leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs. She wasn't amused by his games anymore. What was this really about?

The raven haired man lowered his book and looked into her questioning eyes. She was really crabby this afternoon. He was hoping that she would be in a calmer mood, but at least he wasn't getting the silent treatment anymore. In truth, he was feeling a little agitated and ill at ease, and he was hoping that the woman in front of him would help to alleviate his anger. He tried to ignore it at first, but as the news spread about his father doing a public interview to slander him, he became a little apprehensive. Even if he didn't watch it, he knew he'd overhear something that would ignite his anger and risk triggering his anger, and consequently, his demonic half. His so called father was notorious for that.

He sighed and turned his chair towards the window to silently watch the rain droplets slowly cascade down the large window panes of his office.

His behavior was alarming. Something was troubling him, it was the only explanation for all of this. Communication wasn't his forte. With his ineptitude in socializing and her general disinterest in people, it was a miracle that they were able to converse at all. "Jin," her voice was lower and more soothing. "You can tell me what's wrong. I thought you trusted me."

He did. He just didn't know how to word it properly without sounding strange or too forward. He didn't understand his behavior around her anymore. He exhaled and remained silent.

"Jin?" Nina spoke his name impatiently, still awaiting a response from him. Maybe the rain had something to do with his mood shift.

"Will you just sit here with me?" he requested in a hesitant manner. In spite of his efforts, that definitely didn't come out in the way he intended.

The blonde raised a curious brow. He called her here to simply sit? What an odd turn of events. His behavior was hard to decipher, understanding him at times was like solving a Rubik's cube. She didn't know what to do besides comply with his simple request. "I'm here, sitting. What else do you need me to do?" She simply couldn't be mean to him, it would make her feel guilty, which was something she hardly felt.

He turned his chair to face her again as she said this. It surprised him that she was actually being somewhat compliant. He sat his book down on his desk and almost immediately she reached for it and picked it up. He sat quietly as he watched her open it and skim over the chapter he was currently reading. It was then that another potentially dangerous idea popped into his mind.

It had been so long since she last read this book, but she remembered it vividly because it was the one her father enjoyed discussing with her the most. "Hm, so how do you like it so far?" she asked, trying her hand at making small talk.

"His rhetoric is interesting and his argument is persuasive," he told her as he leaned back into his large chair. "However, I would like your input."

Her eyes met with his in mild surprise. "My input? Why? What don't you understand?" she asked, quizzically.

"I wonder if I'll understand it better if you read it aloud to me, and then we can discuss it together," Jin suggested boldly with a straight face.

The blonde looked at him with a blank stare, attempting to ascertain if he were simply jesting. He really must've been bored if he had time to fritter away, but she supposed he better enjoy it while he could. Once the war started, he'd probably long for days like these. Nina let a small sigh escape her lips as she contemplated her answer. He was getting bolder as the days passed, yet this facet of his personality was much more interesting than his usual repellent attitude. "Seriously? Is that what you want? You want me, a trained assassin, to sit here and read to you like a child?" she questioned in disbelief.

She was holding the book, she had an understanding of the book, and she enjoyed the book, so why was his request so unfeasible to her? "Yes. I trust in your knowledge of the material, and I want you to read it to me," Jin reiterated to her clearly.

There was no use in fighting against him, so she conceded and did as she was requested. Despite her uncertainty of his demand, she opened the book and began to read where he left off. Besides, why would she complain? She probably had the highest paying babysitting gig in the world, so she read to him.

Jin focused his attention on her as she began reading. Her voice was clear and surprisingly melodious as she eloquently read through the old philosophy text. As he listened to her voice as she read, he could pick up remnants of her native Irish accent. He didn't think she'd comply, and due to the absurdity of his demand, he wouldn't have forced her, but deep down he was pleased with her obedience. The airy tone of her voice paired with the gentle pitter-patter of the rain outside the window made him feel at ease. Gone for good, or at least temporarily, were the thoughts of his father and the turmoil that swam within the dark recesses of his mind.

His eyes settled upon her lips as he watched them move as she pronounced and enunciated each word clearly. He was slightly mesmerized and once again he had to shake the images of the kiss he stole from her from his mind. Honestly, he barely registered much of what she read, his mind continuously drifted off and he only listened to the sound of her voice and not the actual words she was speaking. Hopefully, she didn't quiz him on the material. He smiled inwardly as he closed his eyes, only letting the sound of her voice and the gentle rain pervade his thoughts.

Short and simple. The next chapter will be a little longer and will be posted before the weekend is over! R&R!