So now I'm finally updating! Thanks for being patient, and Xiaoinlover get your head out of your ass. Hahaha you're pathetic...anyway, so here's chapter 8, and review if you can.

As usual, the lyrics and quote at the bottom is not mine, nor is Namco's Tekken characters.

Heartache's knocking on her door

Shadows dance outside her window

Tears keep falling on the floor

As the world around her crumbles…

Love can be as cold as grave

A one-way ticket to endless sorrow,

An empire of gentle hate

Today we bury tomorrow…

"Circle of Fear" by HIM

Deception

Jin

The dim street lamp sputters with a half-hearted sigh and then dies, leaving me in the gloom of the darkness. Not that it mattered anyway—my vision was perfect, regardless if it was night or day. The elbow that Julia had broken heals in a matter of minutes, the bone mending together until it was as flawless and strong as before. No doubt it had hurt when she struck me, but it was the equivalent of a mere scratch.

Once again I stare down at my hands...I could have killed her. I could have torn her apart like I did those two men. I'm lucky I got away in time before she got to see the full extent of the monster inside me. But those men weren't, for I destroyed them without a thought, without a moment's hesitation. It was mindless, reasonless, just all out cold blood, and I can still remember their begging, begging, pleading for mercy, eyes wild with the realization that oh yes, they were going to die that night. Their blood had tasted of fear, their sweat had reeked of it, and I had enjoyed taking their life, but I don't remember what or how it happened. I just knew for sure that I was responsible. Was that really me doing all of those horrible things?

"Stop playing around. You can't deny it forever."

I pretended not to hear his voice and continued to walk down the deserted street, the remnants of Julia's whimpers of fear still echoing in my ears…

"Kazama Jin!"

Knowing that he wouldn't stop badgering me unless I answered, I reluctantly stopped walking, trying my hardest to suppress the fury that threatened to erupt.

"What do you want, Heihachi?" I snarled, my fists clenching. Already I could feel the demon's wings beginning to form, but I fought the Gene back, postponing my transformation until I knew it was safe. When I became a demon it was as if Jin Kazama had never existed, and I wanted to make sure that I was absolutely alone before letting it take over me. I already had enough blood on my hands as it was.

I hate feeling so goddamn powerless.

The gray-haired man stepped forth from the shadows, his eyes hard and cold. He was a traitor, a low-life, a lying, manipulative bastard. Once he had trained me, and I had actually believed once that I loved him. Now, all I saw were lies; he had poisoned my life.

Narrowing my eyes, I faced Heihachi, wondering how he had found me, yet not too surprised that he'd managed to track me down. Only death could stop the bastard from getting what he wanted.

"I said, stop playing around. You're just wasting your time with that bitch," he growled.

In the past I would have grabbed him then and pummeled him senseless. But now I knew that it'd all be a waste of my time. Instead, I continued to walk.

"Stay out of my life. You've already ruined it enough," I growled, turning my back on him.

Heihachi laughed then, a throaty, scratchy sound that made me cringe slightly.

"Baka! Just like your father. Look at how long Jun lasted! She was nothing but a worthless baita!" (A/N: baka: fool; baita: whore)

This time, I did grab Heihachi. Nobody speaks of Jun that way while I'm around. "Say that again, old man," I snarled, my fist inches from breaking his nose.

Heihachi merely flung me off with a simple jerk of his arm; I had forgotten how strong he actually was, regardless of his age. That single blow was enough to make me stumble, my knees weak, and I suddenly bent over, coughing uncontrollably. A second later I vomited, and I could feel my wings threatening to break loose. I had a feeling that this wasn't from Heihachi's blow. He sensed it also, and smiled.

"The Gene is getting harder to control I see…but you know I'm right, Jin. History repeats itself. No matter how far you run, you can't ever escape."

"Go to hell," I wheezed, regaining control, but only slightly.

But Heihachi was relentless. "Stop wasting yourself with this foolishness. It is the mother, not the young, who holds the true value!"

"What do you mean by that?" I snarled, my voice becoming dangerously soft.

Something shifted in Heihachi's eyes, but he dismissed my inquiry. "Nothing Jin, I meant nothing. Just believe me when I say that there are more important matters at hand."

I laughed then, a derisive, bitter sound. "After all your lies you still expect me to believe?"

Heihachi's expression grew grim. "I know how much you desire to be rid of the Gene. I can help you, Jin," my grandfather murmured, taking a step towards me, but I recoiled from him.

"Stay away. I want nothing to do with you," I hissed.

"What if I told you there might be a cure?"

The wings began to sprout regardless of my efforts to contain them. "Bullshit. I'd rather you shoot me, like you already did once. I've looked everywhere; there is no cure."

Heihachi ignored my comment. "Kazuya thinks he might have found one."

My eyes narrowing, I whipped around to face him. "What?"

The old man smiled slowly, knowing he had caught my interest at last. "Hai, Jin. Your tosaan is so desperate you see. Kazuya actually believes that he has found an antidote, and he seeks it as we speak. Come with me, and you may see for yourself. I will tell you more on the way."

It was all a trick, it had to be; there was no cure for the Gene. I'd been everywhere searching for one, and Mexico was just another dead end to add to the list. One side of my mind warned me not to fall for one of Heihachi's lies again. I wasn't fifteen anymore after all, yet I found myself interested nonetheless. It was stupid and foolish, but I couldn't help it. I was that pathetic, that desperate, and my desire to end this suffering was so strong that no matter how great my fear and doubt, I decided to trust Heihachi this one last time.

"I'm listening…" I murmured.

Julia

"You must not trust that man…he will hurt you…"

Another man was dead, killed in the same way, and only a bloody mess remains as proof of his former existence. The other was in the hospital, and, glancing at the TV screen once more, I am reminded that it was James' face that smiled back at me. According to the news, James suffered major lacerations, severe blood loss, head trauma, and had nearly died. I knew it was Jin before they mentioned any fancy theory of a wild beast on the loose. With my peer now in the hospital, with more deaths, the time was right for me to leave, regardless of the unfinished school year or my love for Jin. I should have left immediately without another moment's hesitation…but, obviously, I didn't. There was still that foolish hope burning within my heart, that faith that perhaps there was still a chance, that maybe I could help Jin overcome his evils…or maybe that wasn't it at all. It was possible that, after all this time, I was just being selfish and stubborn, the rebellious daughter out to prove something, because for once in my life, I didn't give a damn about what Michelle and the others thought of me. Who cares if my mother is worried out of her mind? This was my time to be happy, mine alone, and I'm tired of people trying to control me.

All of my life I've been a dutiful, selfless girl. I've always put others before me, always considered their thoughts before acting, and I've never had that opportunity to feel what it's like to have something of my own. Even my martial arts was a thing of Michelle's, not mine. The only thing I can think of that was completely and utterly mine was my painting, and believe me, that isn't even close to being enough.

But maybe now I've found something that can fulfill that emptiness of mine and that was my love for Jin Kazama. Nobody can take that away from me.

The silver was duller now; the amber had lost some of its former sheen, yet the ring on my finger had still managed to retain its beauty. And the scar on the hand beneath it was faint, faded, a tiny white shadow on tan skin, but still there all the same, reminding me of that strange day in the cave two years ago. The sun was shining, the rays peeking in from the tainted glass windows, the heady fragrance of the bustling city enticing me with its promise of freedom and escape…and there was the dead man's face on the TV screen, his blood pooled around the sweet-scented flowers.

The Yin and Yang. Crane and coyote.

Run, run…

I glanced at the TV once more. James and the dead man smiled back. Heading for the closet, I slip on my jean jacket and swiftly braid my hair, pulled on my boots and stared at the woman in the mirror. Christie called me smart, and James called me kind. Jin called me lovely, and Michelle called me her daughter. And I…I didn't know what to call myself, or exactly who I'd become. I just knew that the woman in the mirror repulsed and intrigued me.

Had the crane forgotten how to fly?

She was changing, that Julia I once knew, and I saw it for the first time. Michelle, James, and even my damn teacher had realized it before I had; I had been too blind all this time. I did not know what to make of her, this new woman I was quickly becoming, but the scariest part was that I did not know how to stop her from taking over. She was a woman who saw no reason, who, blinded by her love and naivete, would risk everything for one little pleasure in her life. I knew all this, and yet I stayed in Mexico. I had known all this, and yet I did not change, and allowed the pain to take place…

Digging out the contents of my jeans pocket, I made sure I had enough money to buy flowers and perhaps a card. I hoped James liked marigolds or lilies, 'cause that's probably all the mercado was selling now.

I tried to remain serious, to remain composed and mature, I really did. That's what I was good at. But for the first time since my fight with Christie in ninth grade, I started to cry. Silent sobs of despair and lost hope, of love and longing, of shame and guilt, of fear and confusion…it didn't last long, though the turmoil within me would last for much, much longer afterwards. Swiping away at the wetness on my cheeks and after washing my face, I left the hotel and headed for the hospital, vowing never again to succumb to the tears that reminded me of my weaknesses.

"Why did you come here?"

James' frail whisper is barely audible, and his voice was sad, almost resentful in a way. I averted my gaze, and I was thankful that half of his face was wrapped up in heavy gauze. He wouldn't want to know that it was guilt that brought me here, that those flowers on his bedside table were as good as dead, for they meant nothing when I gave them to him. I didn't tell James what that creature was that had nearly taken his life, or that I had anything to do with it. Compassion was not the true motive behind my visit. I just wanted to make sure that the blonde man was relatively all right, so that I did not feel too much guilt if he had died. It was one less thing on my conscience that I had to worry about.

"I wanted to see if you were ok," I replied softly, taking his hand. James winced, not from his wounds, when our skin made contact; I instantly recoiled. However, James reached out slightly and recaptured my fingers, his hand warm, and my icy skin greedily devoured his heat.

"Wait Julia…J-just keep your hand there. Please? Just until I fall asleep," he rasped, and I nodded.

He was afraid. He was trying so hard to appear calm and brave, but the trembling hand in mine revealed his true emotions. James' soft breath on the pillow and the frail hand gripping mine reminded me of a wounded bird I once found in my backyard as a child, one of its pale wings twisted awkwardly, and the memory unexpectedly stirred that compassion in my heart. Maybe there was still some of that former Julia in me yet.

I stayed with James and did not ask him anything pertaining to his attack for I'm sure he didn't want to relive the nightmare. James hadn't deserved this pain, and as I watched him sleep, warm hand in mine, there awakened in me a sadness and anger that I'd never felt before. One thing was sure: I had to find a way to make Jin stop this madness, and soon.

A half-hour passed, and gently, I began to remove my hand from his grasp. I thought he'd been asleep the whole time, but James suddenly stirred and his hold tightened.

"I still care about you, Julia Chang," he murmured, his cracked lips turning upwards in an attempt at a smile.

"Oh, James, please don't…"

"I'm not going to. You've made your choice. But just be—just be careful, ok? And be happy."

"I am happy," I smiled, trying to reassure him.

James' eyes filled with sorrow, as if saddened that I would lie to him. Swallowing my guilt, I flashed him another artificial grin.

"I'll be fine…but I don't know about you, Julia," he said.

"I don't understand."

James sighed softly, his blue eyes peering deeply into mine. "Be careful, Julia," he said again, "you've changed so much…"

Then, the blonde man finally fell into slumber, his fingers slipping away, leaving my hand cold and empty.

James was released a couple weeks later, and in that time I hadn't seen Jin, not even once. Every night I obsessed over him, worried sick, unable to sleep, watching the door, wondering, waiting for his arrival…I should have realized that my "love" was no more than a petty infatuation. But, after all, I was only twenty and was blind to reality and my own intuition. I was too curious about what loving a man really felt like.

But…was this love? It had all happened so quickly.

And he finally came, one late Friday evening as the sky turned dark. This time he'd tried to conceal his haggard appearance by putting on a shirt (which was inside out, but I didn't mention anything) and he'd forced a smile to his face upon entrance.

"Hey, love," he croaked, shutting the door behind him.

Crossing my arms, I turned to face him; I had no time for his little game of innocence today. You can do this, Julia, you can do this...

"We have to talk, Jin."

His face grew solemn, the smile dropping from his mouth. "Julia we're not—we're not breaking up…are we?"

I smiled humorlessly. "I'm afraid it's much bigger than that."

Relief spread across his face, and Jin instantly relaxed. The fake smile reappeared. "You're not gonna ask me where I've been? Don't you miss me?"

"We'll get to that soon enough. Sit down."

Only a small lamp on my nightstand lighted the room, and the dim glow cast jagged shadows across Jin's handsome face. It was an eerie effect, and I had to force myself to keep eye contact. The room had smelled clean when Jin had walked in, but my memory pulled forth the dead buffalo…

"I love you, Julia. Don't forget that, ok?"

I smiled wryly. He was still insecure, human or demon, still afraid of loneliness. It was nice to see that in him, because it proved that he still retained at least some of his humanity. But there was still a long ways to go yet.

"Yeah, well, you know I love you too. But, I'm afraid, Jin. I'm not gonna lie to you."

"Of what?"

Of you…and yet I still love you, trust you…

"Um…"

"You can tell me. I'm here to protect you."

I met his gaze. Was he just playing around, trying to be funny? Or was he truly oblivious? I mean come on; wasn't it obvious what I feared?

"Can you protect me from yourself?" I whispered. The cliché question, but I really needed an answer at the moment.

Jin holds his head in his hands and sighs deeply, finally understanding. Each day I see him there is less and less of that Jin Kazama that I'd fallen for, less of that gentle smile and sweet laughter. He was like a spiritless, empty shell, a stranger. I still loved him, but he made me uneasy, wary, and it was as if I was back in the temple again.

"Are you afraid of me now, Julia?"

"I…don't know…"

"I'm going to fix things, Jules, just give me time. I know I frighten you sometimes, and I'm sorry, really I am, but I can't control it. You have to understand that," he sighed, his expression pained.

"What do you mean 'fix things?' And why are you here in Mexico anyway? Somehow, you've never seemed to fit," I said coldly, turning to face him. Why had I never asked him this before?

The crane believes she flies, but rather, she is only bound in the coyote's jaws…

Jin hesitated, as if trying to decide whether or not he wanted to give me the truth or a fancy fabrication. It didn't matter; I could detect any lie he flung my way.

After a long moment, Jin decided to take the honest route. "You know this wasn't my choice. I didn't choose or want to be this way."

"I know, but that doesn't mean I understand your story any better," I replied.

He hesitated briefly once more, but then Jin pressed his lips together and responded, "Julia, I'm here in Mexico looking for a cure. When the Gene worsened, became harder to control, I decided that I needed to take matters into my own hands. If I wanted to get better, then it was only up to me. I don't have anyone else."

So he was looking for a cure. But what exactly did he expect to find? A little green vial labeled "Devil Gene Antidote"? (A/N: Little did Jin know that the antidote's been in front of him the whole time…readers of Love Found, you know what I mean).

I nodded, understanding a little more now. "Ok, so you're looking to get cured…but that still doesn't explain your sudden disappearance for two weeks."

Jin shrugged then, and I sensed the lie before he voiced it. Leaning in close, I raised a finger to his lips.

"Be careful. Tell me the truth, Jin, or don't say anything at all," I whispered, "I'm not too fond of liars."

And the disheartening part was that the Japanese man chose silence.

Pushing the fury and frustration aside, I said, "I know that that blood within you is uncontrollable; but Jin, the murders have to stop. Now."

"I'm trying."

"No, you're not."

"Then if you're such an expert, why don't you tell me what I should do! Stop trying to talk about something you don't understand!"

"I don't understand? I don't even think you understand anymore than I do!"

"Shut the fuck up!"

Speechless, I could only sit there in silence, watching a man I thought I once knew. Jin's eyes were wild, bloodshot, his skin dotted with sweat, teeth bared like a coyote, but after a moment, he breathed in deeply, regaining control of himself. Jin raked shaky fingers through his spiky hair and blinked furiously.

"I'm sorry, Julia. You're right, but it's just that I've already tried everything. Really, I have. And nothing's worked."

"I can help you," I murmured after recovering from his violent outburst.

He looked away sadly. "Well…you already are, in a way."

I sat back, perplexed. "How so?"

Jin moved towards me, cupping my face between his large hands. "You showed me goodness. You gave me your heart, and I thank you for that."

The way he said it would have made any other girl flattered and weak at the knees, but under these current circumstances, it just wasn't that romantic. His mouth felt cold as it pressed against my forehead, and I moved away, fists clenching.

Run…run damn you!

"W-What were you doing tonight, Jin? Where were you these past weeks? I can't take the silence for an answer," I whispered, my body beginning to shiver. The room had grown icy cold.

Jin met my inquiry with a steely gaze, his mouth hardening into a thin line, face suddenly stoic and unreadable. I didn't know what was worse: Jin's sudden bursts of fury, or his cold, mysterious silences that offered no hint to his thoughts and feelings.

He stood up from his seat on my bed, and I saw the slight outline of his chest muscles beneath his shirt as he moved, his powerful body oddly graceful, a sleek panther in the brush. A month ago it would have been a major turn on, but right now I felt like putting on my leather gloves.

I shouldn't fear the man I loved. Love and fear don't go well together (obviously), but at the time I did not care to notice these things.

He moved towards me slowly, slowly, until we were chest to chest, and I had to lean my head back slightly. I hated the height advantage he had on me, but I stared defiantly up at him nonetheless, still waiting for his answer.

"What are you doing, Jin? Killing more innocents?" I asked, and my voice sounded like a whimper. Something changed in those dark irises of his, and I knew that I was right. How many lives had he taken this time?

I've always been a strong woman, and I don't let size hinder my confidence. I can flip men five times my size onto their backs with a simple grab or thrust of a wrist. But at the moment, with this man so close and barely touching me, I knew what true fear was. The hard glare in his onyx eyes and the ivory-smooth, pale skin of his face…it all seemed wrong. And, after nearly a month and a half, I still couldn't decipher Jin Kazama.

Jin leaned down towards me and pressed his lips gently to mine in a kiss like a whisper, a frosty breath upon the delicate petals of a rosebud…a shiver slithered up my back.

"You trust me don't you, Jules?" he murmured against my hair, and I found myself nodding.

His powerful hands trailed cool fingers up my back. "You've always been so honest with me. It's one of the things that I love about you."

I began to back away, my gaze never leaving his. The Japanese man stared right back, head cocked slightly, as if pondering if I were a prey worthy of chasing…

"So tell me honestly, Julia: what do you see when you look at me?"

With that, he stalked out of my room without another word.

Closing my eyes, I listened to the door click shut, hating myself even more for not knowing the answer. Why was Jin so afraid to tell me what he'd been up to anyway? And if I wanted to help him, didn't I first have to know what I was fully dealing with here?

After waiting about five minutes, I slid on my faded jean jacket once more, slipped on my frayed moccasins, the ones that made no sound when I walked, and left the hotel. The night was beautiful, like every other night here in Mexico, but its warmth failed to quell the chills that had overtaken my body.

Tonight I would find the answer to Jin's question, and to my own personal questions as well. What did Jin do every night after he left?

I'm no buffalo hunter, but Michelle had taught me a few tracking skills nonetheless, and it took me only five minutes to track Jin down. I hated sneaking around like this. It wasn't right, wasn't honest, and if we truly loved one another then we'd trust each other enough not to have to resort to spying. But I needed answers, and Jin wasn't helping much.

Following him to the heart of a deserted, darkened clearing, I hid behind a nearby bush, hoping the night would aid in my concealment. Remaining motionless and silent, I waited quietly as I watched Jin fall to his knees, clutching at his body.

What I witnessed seemed the stuff only of nightmares. It was all so unreal, like an illusion, and if it were not for those dead men and Jin's changed behavior, I would have believed myself insane and hallucinating. Clapping my hand over my mouth, I forced myself not to cry out in fear and disbelief as I watched the man I loved transform to his demon counterpart. Black wings, billowing feathers and unsheathed claws, shirtless and wailing, the demon stood erect, howling homage to the night. His eyes were crimson, and their scarlet glow contrasted sharply with the darkness of the clearing. The image of my painting came flashing back, the art room, the smell of fresh paint and the horse-haired brush between my fingers…

I held my breath, hoping Jin wouldn't notice me, but then I watched as he froze, head cocked in my direction, nose slightly uplifted to the air.

Silent as I was, his sense of smell never failed him…

When Jin suddenly seized me, I finally allowed myself to scream. The sound of my voice frightened me, and the vicious howl of the wind forced the cry to the back of my throat. Screaming was useless here; it would not bring help, or save me from the death that would surely result from this encounter.

Growling, the demon flung me away, and my body crashed to the ground. Struggling to catch my breath, I staggered upright, instinct taking over. Knowing that running would be of no use I had no choice but to fight.

Raising my clenched fists, I waited for Jin to come within range. He swooped down a few seconds later, red eyes smoldering, fanged mouth grinning, and I swiveled, side-stepped, and bent low, first sweeping out with my right leg, catching the demon in the shin. Grunting, I then rose, snapping the same leg out in a fierce roundhouse that sent him staggering forward. However, Jin recovered quickly and lashed out with a jab to my face that made lights dance in my eyes. Shaking away the momentary pain and disorientation, I clenched my teeth and came at him again. Lashing out with a quick flurry of jabs and uppercuts, I forced the demon to defend, sending vicious blow after blow into his uplifted arms…but it turned out for the worst. I hadn't even affected him, and all of that moving, plus the fear and dying adrenaline, was making me exhausted. Usually in a match I can last for a few hours of intense combat, but there had never been fear involved.

And when Jin seized me in one clawed hand, I thought I was done for. But as his crimson eyes met mine, something shifted behind them, and he immediately released me. Puzzled but not waiting for him to make another move, I took my opportunity and fled. Only once did I look behind me, but found that I was alone. Why didn't he follow me and just kill me? It would have been an easy victory.

Well, I had my answer now. And now that I'd obtained it, I wasn't sure if I could help Jin anymore. I was sure as hell still going to try, but I didn't know how useful my attempts would be.

Jin

Once I'd realized that it was Julia I fought, I'd immediately retreated. If I killed her, then there was no point in finding a cure, for she was one of the only reasons why I decided to strengthen my search for an antidote, one of the reasons why I allowed my father to murder those countless tribes of Native Americans. Heihachi had shown me Kazuya's plans, his path of destruction, and had told me that my father had insisted that the antidote lay in the earth itself. And of course the best lands, where the earth was still powerful and still retained some of its ancient magic, was where the Indians resided. They were the keepers of the Earth's secrets, the only ones who knew the land best, and my father desperately desired that information.

Kazuya was crazy, but although I knew this, I did nothing to stop him.

After that, my father had invaded the reservations and killed numerous innocent people if they'd refused to cooperate. I knew that the Natives would only refuse, for they loved the land and sensed the demon within Kazuya, but again, I stood aside and watched as Kazuya took life after life after life. I was just a little crazy too, because in my mind, the search for an antidote justified their deaths.

After my father had killed them all, he would ransack their lands, though I don't know what he expected to find. He always found nothing, and would move on to the closest tribe.

This time, Arizona was his next target.

"Day and night cannot dwell together"–Duwanish proverb