Chapter 18: All That Remains

"What did you mean by my walls are breaking?"I spoke up, breaking the silence within the room.

Jin called me into his office to have a sit down talk. There were so many things that needed explaining for my sanity. Firstly, the untimely demise of Dr. Kussow, the doctor who brought me back from the brink.

"Dr. Kussow is legally responsible to give you an explanation. But due to his unforeseen suicide, I will give you an explanation on my accord."Jin clasped his hands together underneath his chin, closing his eyes for a few moments.

"... He killed himself?"I questioned myself out loud. My heart sank at the thought of such a hard-working man would resort to such a measure. From what I could remember, the man was such a nurturing person, who helped me in so many ways.

"Due to your accident, you suffered from, sufficient memory loss." Jin proceeded, skimming the details of Dr. Kussow's death. "We were able to alter your memory, forging new memories, and deleting old ones. "

My eyes widen, learning about my altered memories. The Zaibatsu had taken advantage of me, something that was so violating and disheartening to me.

"...Why?" My throat croaked.

"For me to create a successful empire, I need to acquire a valuable force. Due to your relation with Lee Chaolan, I figured you, Viola Rose, could be a possible next of kin for the Zaibatsu."

"You brainwashed me simply you use me for a possible heir?"I raised my voice slightly, making more of a statement.

"Not necessarily." Jin added "it was merely turning something to one's advantage."

"What do you mean by that?" I raised my eyebrows in curiosity.

"I don't understand why, but I did feel guilty for what happened to you." Jin's voice lowered slightly "At first, I wanted to save you."

"Why should I believe you?" I sternly spoke, crossing my arms over my chest and avoiding Jin's eye contact.

"Remember when I answered your question about happened to you in your accident?"

My eyes darted into Jin's eyes. I remembered what he told me – He felt remorse and wanted to find me the best medical personnel to revive me. I never questioned the validity, I just remember asking why I deserved saving, and how Jin simply said he wanted me to reach my full potential.

"I'm getting is more heat than light."I exasperated. This whole time I've been lied to, played as a puppet in Jin's game and I was getting angry. I'm getting more questions than the answers I wanted from Jin.

"There is nothing else I can say."Jin knew he was being a jerk on this matter, I could see the sly smirk creeping upon his face. He knew he had me wrapped around his finger and there was nothing I could do about it.

"So what's going to happen to me now?"I coldly glazed at the man who I despised in the past.

"Absolutely nothing. You're a lost soul - your services here are no longer needed here."Jin spun his black leather chair away from me and reclined into it.

"So that's it?" I protested, making a loud thud on Jin's desk with my hands.

"You are free to go." Jin spun his chair back and got out of his seat. He inched closer to me and burned my soul with his eyes. "But only under these conditions. You are not allowed to go to any media outlets or interfere in the Zaibatsu operations as long as I'm in power. If you disobey, there will be no choice but to eradicate you."

I took a big swallow, mesmerized by Jin's domineering yellow eyes. Those were the same eyes I last saw before he attacked me. Without fear, I reached my left hand along his shoulder. The yellow disappeared and his brown iris filled of emptiness returned. I felt Jin's opposite hand clasp over my hand on his shoulder.

"I hate you, Jin Kazama."I softened my disposition. Jin was willingly setting me free, something unusual for him. I could no longer abhor this man, even though I just told him I hated him. I now pity him - there was something much deeper to his behaviour, I couldn't hold it against him. Jin's cursed bloodline has plagued him for so long, I can sense he wanted to end it.

I slipped my hand away from Jin's shoulder and turned my back, proceeding to leave his office.

From the orders of Jin, I had at least 30 minutes to pack up my things and leave the premises. I grabbed a few items of clothing, shoes and other valuables into a large handbag. The clothes provided for me are designer labelled, so I couldn't just leave them here – Who else is going to wear this stuff anyway?

I did a last-minute inspection of my room to make sure that I had everything I needed. I caught sight of a purple rose in a vase – that was the rose that Jin gave me after I defeated Christie Monterio. I smiled to myself, picking up the rose and inhaling the scent. Without hesitation, I ripped the rose off the stem, throwing it on the ground and stepping on the withered flower.

"Such a shame." I huffed to myself at the remains of the rose symbolizing my relationship with Jin Kazama.

With the remaining minutes, I found a piece of paper and pen. I wanted to leave a handwritten letter for Mercy, my now former bodyguard. Even though she was simply hired to protect me, she was a person who kept me level-headed during the over deal.

Mercy,
By the time you read this, I will be no longer here. I don't know where my destination is, but I want to assure you, I will be okay.

I really wish I could say all these things to you in person, but I haven't been given a lot of time. But I want to thank you. You have been more than a bodyguard to me. From the time we spent together, you became the only true friend I've had.

I know for a fact you're an intelligent, strong-willed woman who is capable of so many things. I want you to succeed in whatever you do and to find a place in society, other than working for the Mishima's.

One day our paths will cross again, until then.

~Viola

I folded the paper into two and scribbled Mercy's name on one side. By the time I had written her name, my time reached its end. I looked up to see my chaperon standing at my door with his arms crossed.

"Times up, Miss Rose."The man in the black suit with thick sunglasses commanded.

"Excuse me." I walked up to my escort, disregarding his unfriendly behaviour. "Would kindly give this letter to Mercy? Her full name is Mercedes Evans. I would appreciate that this letter reaches her hand as soon as possible."

A/N: Happy New Year! I apologize, writers block hit me harder within the last week of the year. I didn't want to get lazy and let this sit here unfinished. I tried my best to fight the writer's block off.

Getting closer to the end. One more full chapter and an epilogue to go. Yay!