One Tainted Secret
Chapter Two: Unaccustomed Earth
By: Michelle
Normally a quiet minded girl, Xiaoyu kept thoughts to herself about her knew living environment. Glamorous and luxury could not describe the Mishima Manor enough. She was stunned by the Mishima home, admiring it for several minutes like a tourist before following the manservant into the grand foyer, busy admiring the interior intricacies of the mansion. She noted with awe the high ceilings, the Doric pilasters, the pedimented window lintels.
The manservant informed her which parts of the manor she was allowed and which parts she could not trespass, speaking fast and never making eye contact. He led her up two flights of stairs to her quarters, his right hand pointing to the library, telling her if she ever got lost her bedroom was next to the library.
Her bed was larger than her little corner space she had at the mountain cottage with Wang Jinrei. Sitting on it now, an appreciation washed over her. She now had a bed. A room of her own.
When the manservant left and she was left alone, Xiao felt her heart leap. She wasn't sure if it was joy, but it felt like she was getting somewhere. There was also a mixture of abandonment. The heavy thud from the door closing resonated in her head. Her bedroom, so big, felt like many eyes on her.
She spent the next thirty minutes walking around her bedroom touching things. There was so much space, her room very vast with a sitting area and a fireplace. The bathroom was a marvel. All things were shiny and new, as if just built. With a push of a button there comes a flat-panel television that appears from behind a hiding spot in the wall.
There was trouble adapting to such change in atmosphere, run-down rural China to high technology Japan, but Lucy made it better.
"Five minutes, Miss Ling," Lucy walked in with this announcement. She was sixty-four years old with her hair in a knot no larger than a walnut. Behind her was the manservant pushing in a dolly. Garments hung from it. Beautiful silk dresses in simple design, pleated and pressed.
Lucy disappeared into the bathroom. Xiao heard water rushing and Lucy's shoes clinking about the marble floors. When she finally emerged, Xiao saw what was prepared for her: a bath.
If Xiao were to imagine how a mother might be, loving and dear, Lucy would fit the mold. She was kind and patient and hummed a melody that could instantly brighten Xiao's spirits. Especially in the mornings, when Xiao would wake in a terrible state of uncertainty.
"Time, dear, it all takes time to adjust," Lucy was soft and never rushed with her guidance. She had Xiao's school uniform laid out and fixed her hair in two high pigtails, a hairstyle Lucy thought looked sweet on young girls.
Xiao never had trouble with her reflection until now. Almost like an impostor. Being here in another country, she felt out of place, unsure how to act in her new crisp clothes and freshly washed hair that smelled of lavender.
She took a moment to recollect where she came from. Years were spent in nature growing vegetables with Grandpa Wang. Digging through dirt like an animal. Pulling carrots and onions and potatoes and herbs and cleaning their roots and eating them at dinner.
She looked at her hands. No dirt under her fingernails. Polished, clean.
"Your life is in your hands now," said Wang Jinrei the night before she left. He did not try to convince her out of her dreams. He only reminded her of his promise that, when she was ready, he would let her use her wings. She did not see the tears in his eyes because he closed them in meditation.
First day of school. Mishima High.
Xiaoyu managed with her Japanese, her tongue was used to the heaviness of Mandarin, she had to work her mouth a different way to properly pronounce words.
Time, she remembered Lucy saying, it takes time to adjust.
First class: Introduction to Psychology. She was late. When she walked into the classroom, it alarmed her a little. Many eyes were on her. They recognized an outsider on unaccustomed Earth.
"Ling? Are you Ling Sh-Shah-" the professor struggled.
Xiaoyu winced, embarrassed by her name. Like she was causing the professor pain just by being who she was.
"I'm sorry if I pronounce it wrong," the professor smiled. "Care to introduce yourself to the class?"
Xiao stared back at the class, so many faces puzzled by her existence. She wanted nothing more than the ground to open up and swallow her whole. Instead, she diverted her eyes and opened her mouth, exhaled loudly, relaxing her tongue before she spoke.
"You can call me Xiao," she spoke slowly. "I am from China, adopted by Master Heihachi Mishima."
This was news. Everyone in the class turned and whispered loudly to each other, making glances to a young man at the back of the class. He was bigger built than the rest of the boys. It was hard to see his face, covered by loose strands of hair, but it was plain to see how handsome he was.
"Then you must know Jin Kazama," the professor said cheerfully. "Master Mishima is his grandfather."
Jin did not seem the least bit interested in what was going on. A pencil in his hand scribbled on a sheet of paper.
Xiao was confused. Old man Heihachi did not say anything about having a grandson. She did not remember reading anything about a grandson in the Mishima bloodline. Being adopted, it dawned on her that she was now a part of the Mishimas. Would he be my family, my brother? she wondered. It was a very awkward situation, Xiao decided not to think about it as she took the empty seat next to Jin, who did not pause in his scribbling.
The professor started her lecture, her back to the class as she wrote notes on the board. Everyone had notebooks out as she wrote on the chalkboard today's chapter.
The class dragged on and on and soon many heads around were slumped down on their desks, asleep. Xiao, on the other hand, stayed wide awake. It was a first experience, being taught in a large classroom, Wang Jinrei had home schooled her. As an outsider, it was exciting to be a part of something.
A wadded up piece of paper hit Xiao's head. Busy with notes, it took a moment to register something had hit her. She stared at it, the balled up paper on the floor by her foot.
"Hey!" someone whispered sharply, not loud enough for the professor to hear but loud enough for Xiao to consider it urgent.
Xiao touched eyes with a girl from across the room. She had short brown hair and a pretty face. Her finger was pointing at Jin, Xiao understood that's who she meant to hit. She picked up the balled up piece of paper off the floor and struggled. She was nervous to give it to Jin.
"Hey," Xiao tried.
Jin looked in the zone. Eyes straight ahead.
"Hey, Jin," Xiao tried again, blushing a little when she said his name.
He looked at her.
"It's for you," Xiao held out the wad of paper, pointing to it with her little finger.
Jin had a strange expression on his face, one that made Xiao very unsure about herself. Maybe he didn't hear her. Maybe she pronounced something incorrectly. A great big wave of shyness washed over her suddenly. She had never felt this way before and, not knowing that to do, she threw the wad of paper at Jin. He blinked as it bounced off his forehead. It landed on the floor between their desks. Neither made a move to pick it up.
Horrified, Xiao straightened her posture and stared down at her notes. She did not look at him for the remainder of the period.
The bell rang. At the end of class everyone exploded out of their chairs and stampeded out of the classroom. The hallways were crowded, like everyone else Xiao walked shoulder to shoulder, waddling through the masses.
"Xiao!"
It was the girl who threw the note, her brown eyes smiling. She introduced herself, a freshman like Xiao, her name was Miharu.
"Where are you headed?" she asked.
Xiao took a moment to look at her schedule. "Creative Writing," she said.
"What? Let me see," Miharu came close to Xiao. She smelled sweet, pomegranates Xiao guessed. Miharu's eyes were quick scanning the schedule. "Lucky you, you have lunch with me," she said matter-o-factly. She adjusted the bag on her shoulder, "Look for me at lunch. See ya."
It was lunch time. Xiao arrived early when no one yet came, the cafeteria tables were empty except for a few already seated rummaging through lunch bags. Miharu was no where to be seen.
Hastily, Xiao beelined for the girls' restroom but it was crowded. It was more of a hang out, girls chatting, standing in front of the mirror complaining this and that, fixing themselves, had their phones out, some lit cigarettes, one girl squirted perfume everywhere to defuse the smell, no one using the restroom.
Xiao locked herself in a stall. She listened to the girls talk about boys and nail polish. They laughed and giggled a lot. Called each other horrible names, but in a loving way, "You stupid bitch, I love you." They shared lip gloss. They evaluated each other's hair before rearranging it. They seemed happy and carefree about everything. This, Xiao deduced, was girl world.
"That's all you're eating?" Miharu finally made it to the cafeteria.
Xiao was eating by herself. She had bought two chocolate bars and a carton of chocolate milk.
"Girls here don't eat like that," Miharu said it as if it were a rule.
Xiao gave a small laugh. She wanted to say something, funny or clever, but what. How does one socialize in girl world?
"So how do you like your classes?" Miharu asked. She remained standing. Arms crossed as if waiting for a gentleman to pull out a chair for her to sit.
"Okay," Xiao said as two other girls sat down at the table.
One was tall, tall like a tree, with gorgeous brown hair that rested on her shoulders in waves and curls. The other was short, about Xiao'se height, with short blonde hair. The blonde had on a polite smile and the brunette nudged Miharu for an introduction.
Miharu finally sat. "Xiao, this is Audrey and Pricilla. Guys, Xiao's new from China."
"China? How's that?" Pricilla asked, tucking her blonde hair behind her ear, accenting heavily the word China as if she had never heard it.
"Same blue sky, same green grass," what else was there to say? Her life story? How she was all over the news after the Mishima yacht take-over? Instead Xiao explained to them about being in the tournament.
"Iron Fist?" Pricilla gasped.
"People are traveling from all over the world to attend this fighting tournament, but it's not easy to get accepted in," Audrey looked Xiao up and down, "How did you get in?"
"She's adopted by the old man who runs it," Miharu answered for Xiao.
Pricilla shrieked.
"You lucky girl," Audrey said with a quivering smile.
"Oh…my…God, you guys," Pricilla said slowly. "Jin Kazama."
Xiao was slightly confused at the turn of the topic, how it managed to get switched to Jin.
"I know," Miharu shook her head. "I had to work hard to get into the upper division psychology class with him. And new girl here lives with him."
Flashback of the note mishap caused Xiao to lower her head, hide her blush. "Is he," she was reluctant to ask, "a mean person?"
"You guys, there he is," Audrey ignored her, in awe, pointing to the other end of the cafeteria.
Jin walked in alone. With hair covering nearly half his face it was difficult to see what it was he was searching for. He seemed older, his manner unhurried and placid. He wore no expression.
Audrey stood up. "I'm gonna do it."
Miharu snorted. "Good luck. My note attempt failed this morning," she winked at Xiao.
Xiao was amazed at how shameless they were about their attraction to guys.
"Rumor has it that he already has a little American girlfriend," Pricilla rolled her eyes.
"You don't even know if that's true," Audrey countered. "Doesn't matter anyway," she left quickly to catch Jin before he disappeared.
"It is true, I saw her pick him up after school one day," Pricilla whispered after Audrey left.
"Stop stalking him! He has enough of those," Miharu shook her head. She turned her attention to Xiao, her face suddenly serious. "It's a fact though: girls and their mamas."
"And they are never the same after they had their share of Jin." Pricilla whispered softer, "I mean, look at Audrey's desperation."
Xiao wasn't sure if she was supposed to ask questions if she was being told all the answers.
Jin looked kinda bored as Audrey was talking to him. She twirled her pretty brown hair and lightly touched his chest as she laughed at something she said.
Xiao cleared her throat and stood up. "I'm gonna get more milk."
"Hmm," Miharu tossed some money, "grab me one too."
"Yeah, me three," said Pricilla.
At the concession stand Xiao loaded her arms with milk cartons. People seemed to purposely run into her, someone flipped up her skirt from behind. After paying, clumsily, she turned and in her haste collided into someone. She hit the ground hard. One milk carton busted and sprayed all over her.
"You knocked her out, Kazama," a male voice, unfamiliar.
"White panties, uninspired, but classic," another male voice.
Large hands underneath her armpits pulled her up to her feet. It was Jin, two of his friends beside him. Audrey was back at the table with the girls, their heads together giggling. Xiao stood there, nonplussed, while the upper division guys walled her in.
"Look at her hair," said one of the guys.
"She's a freshman, man."
"CHINA!" one yelled in her face, their laughter roared.
Jin didn't laugh. "She's in my psychology class."
"My milk," Xiao remembered aloud. She searched the ground. There was a carton next to one of the guy's foot. When she reached for it he kicked it away.
"Man, let's go, she's boring," he said when she did not react.
The two of them walked off. Jin stood there.
"Here," his big hand held the two remaining milk cartons. Big hands covered with white bandages. "Welcome to Mishima High."
Lucy came in and said fifteen minutes until dinner was served.
"Thanks, Lucy," Xiao yawned, dropped her pencil and stretched. The last hour was spent writing in a journal, a project in her Creative Writing class.
Every night at exactly eight o'clock dinner was served. It is the only time Xiao saw Heihachi. Master Mishima was a strict man who followed a strict agenda. Tardiness of any sort was not tolerated. Last night she showed up five minutes late and, as punishment, no chocolate brownie for dessert. For a man of high importance, a formal attire was expected, which explained the light blue dress on Lucy placed on the bed. Out of her uniform and into the dress, she took out her pigtails and brushed out her hair.
She arrived a few minutes early to the dining room. The table was already set and prepared. Xiao stood next to her chair with hands clasped in front of her, just as Lucy taught. She was soothed by the chill of the air-conditioning, by the beautifully carved plaster ceiling, by the servants' voices that echoed pleasantly in the marbled interior behind the dining room doors.
Someone entered.
"Good evening, Master Mishi-" she trailed of when it wasn't the old man.
Jin walked to the opposite side of the table and stood next to his chair. He was dressed in black and his eyes were on her, dark and gleaming. The dim lights in the room made him, if possible, look even more desirable.
"Good evening, children," Heihachi declared loudly as he made his way to the head of the table.
Xiao greeted politely. Jin bowed respectively.
"Sit."
The first course was brought out, and after they were all served, Heihachi spoke again.
"Xiaoyu, I don't think you've met my grandson yet."
Jin was still watching her, his eyes sensing a familiarity, as if he knew her already. His good looks sent Xiao straight into girl-world, a place where she was most uncertain with herself. She literally craved him. But for what?
"Just like you, he's an orphan."
Heihachi was quiet now, nonchalantly sipping his soup. The main course was served. The silence stretched long and felt strained. Xiao peeked up at Jin, his expression unreadable, blank as usual. That was all for an introduction.
After dinner, she retreated back up to her room to read the assigned chapters for psychology. The chapter dragged on and on and she ended up just scheming through the entire chapter. She answered the study questions in the back and shoved the book away. There was a need to stretch her legs.
9:26 p.m. Curfew was eleven. Donned in shorts and a sweater, Xiao headed out for a run.
The weather felt great. There was a slight chill, but not freezing, mild wind. The night was quiet. Only the rhythm of the pebbles crunching beneath her tennis shoes were heard. She jogged on for another mile.
The Mishima mansion was heavily guarded, surrounded by a thick forest. During her run she noticed the dojo was separate from the mansion, closer to the forest, where there is a clearing fenced off. Inside she could see a light on in one of the practice rooms. Someone was there, a shadow moved about inside.
The bushes to her left rustled. Before Xiao could react a giant figure leaped out. Her mouth was clamped and she was tightly held from behind.
"What are you doing out so late?" the deep voice put a chill down her body.
Quickly, she twisted her body and side stepped. Once her arm was free she swung it, aiming for the head but hit the shoulder instead. There was a stumble. Quickly she threw herself at her attacker, screaming as alarming as she could. Caught off guard her attacker fell, landing with a grunt, with her on top. She sat on his chest, her knees holding his arms down. She searched his face, but it was too dark to see.
"Let go of my head," he demanded. He coughed but did not struggle. He placed his hands on her knees but did not push them off. Then she froze, Xiao knew exactly who it was and jumped off him.
"Were you following me?" she squinted into the darkness.
Jin stood up, grass and dirt stuck on his sleeves. "The forest isn't safe."
"I wasn't going into the forest," she said. Fired up, she felt she had to say something, "I would prefer not to get involve with whatever it is you are out here doing."
"What is it you think I'm doing?"
"That you have a girlfriend." She shouldn't have said that.
"Is that what you learned at school?" he humored her.
"Everybody likes you."
"What else?" he stepped closer.
"I don't, I mean-I don't know you...really." She put her lips together to shut them. He was standing very close to her and a tingle ran down her back.
Jin was quiet, then serious. "So you're the orphan?" he asked.
Xiao nodded.
"You're the one?"
"Yes," she answered without knowing what he meant.
Jin's eyes slowly lowered to her lips. He seemed pleased. Enlightened, he had no more questions.