There was no more school after that.

No matter how many times Jin apologised, all Heihachi would say was that school bred insolence and immoral behaviour.

Jin missed it so much. He missed talking to Miharu and Saito, he missed cleaning the homeroom after maths lesson, he missed eating half his bento under the trees in the school yard. He missed swimming the most. He wondered if Ishida would think he'd bailed on him. He'd asked Jin if he wanted to compete for the school. Jin hadn't given a reply yet. He so didn't want Ishida to think badly of him. He had homework he'd done that he couldn't hand in. He had classes he'd only just started understanding that he needed to keep attending in order to keep up.

He cried in frustration when he thought of how far behind he'd be. But only in his room, after dark, and muffled into a pillow. He would have given anything to be off school a few months ago, but now he desperately wanted to belong, to fit in, to talk to people his own age, to talk to anyone, in fact. The staff on the estate seemed even more taciturn than usual, and Jin could barely get a word out of them. Despite his anger at his grandfather, Jin longed for when Heihachi would come back from his business trips or long days at the office and talk with him. Jin would hang on his words, and try to say the right thing to keep the conversation going and to get in his grandfather's good graces again.

After three weeks of this, Heihachi relented, and told Jin he would allow him a tutor. The private tutor would teach him the main school subjects, along with other fitting lessons, such as etiquette and bearing. Jin didn't know what that entailed, but at least he would have someone to speak with, and maybe it meant he wouldn't be so far behind in his lessons if Heihachi let him return to school again.

After that announcement, the estate became a little more bearable. Staff weren't quite so closeted around him, and Jin found himself grateful for every scrap of excess communication they gave him. He managed to settle into estate life again, a little like he had in summer, except the days were shorter and colder. He trained all morning from six until noon, ate, then trained until the sun set at half past four. He would bathe, eat, then reread his biology textbook in the evening. He had read it three times now, but it still interested him, since there were details he'd forgotten each time he reread it.

On the day that his tutor arrived, Jin's routine had to change again. He didn't like changing routines.

The day begun innocuously enough. Heihachi was away for the day, so Jin knew he'd have to greet the tutor himself. He'd finished his practice in the dojo early and bathed so that he was ready for whenever the tutor would arrive. At half-past nine, he was loitering in the gardens with a good view of the drive. Jin was sitting on one of the frosty landscaping boulders with his elbow on his knee, propping up his chin as he watched the koi, talking to the gardener.

One of the people he'd managed to strike up more of a conversation with in the last week or so was a Tanaka Hiroko. During the summer, there were so many gardeners about that Jin rarely saw the same person twice. In the winter though, there was little to be done and a stripped-down staff performed what maintenance was needed.

Two or three times a week, a woman in her twenties came in to tend the orchard, sweep leaves from the drive, and keep the rock garden paths free of debris. Tanaka Hiroko always wore overalls with pockets full of seeds, a cloth tool belt filled with gardening supplies, and kept her hair and nails short for practicality. She had an accent Jin didn't always understand, but he liked her a lot. She spoke to him normally and would tell him about the different things growing in the manicured gardens. Jin would tell her about the things he learned in his textbook and ask if they were really true and could she point out examples to him. He even asked about the old man, Mr Wang, who had a vegetable garden and lived deep in the estate. Apparently, Mr Wang was actually a revered martial artist and he'd lived there longer than any of the staff had worked here, even longer than Mr Fujita. Tanaka said that he kept to himself and didn't like to be disturbed. In the weeks where the staff had been silent, Jin had considered walking out to try and find old man Wang, but the hours it would take to walk there put him off – if Heihachi wanted him and couldn't find him, it would set back all the work Jin had done to try and get in his grandfather's good graces.

As Jin was idling, he dipped a stick in the surface of the pond, watching as the koi came to check if there was food.

"I have a tutor arriving today…" he told Tanaka.

She paused to wipe at her cheek, smearing a little mud there. "That's good, right? You like learnin' things."

Jin huffed. "Yes, I guess… but I'd rather be at school where I can talk to people in between lessons, and go swimming afterwards."

He watched a koi tail flick the pond surface and shatter it into ripples. He longed to swim like that, bend his body and shoot through the water with that endless silence and pleasant resistance.

"Why'd you get taken outa school?" the gardener asked.

Jin shifted where he sat.

"Did something I shouldn't have…"

He moved a finger idly over the rough surface of the rock beneath him. Tanaka was on one knee, picking flakes of leaves from between the small white stones of the garden path.

"What, get in a fight or somethin'?"

Jin hesitated. Probably most of the staff already knew anyway. Secrets didn't last long on the Mishima Estate.

"No… Well, I did, but that's not why… I had this stupid costume for a school event. I had some paint around my eyes for it and some glitter and my grandfather told me to take it off. I don't know why I got all stubborn with him over it. I should have just-…" Jin sighed and looked back at the fishpond. "I could still be there if I'd just done as he said…"

The gardener paused. She was still for a moment, then turned to him.

Jin shot her a sidelong look. "I know it's dumb, okay."

Tanaka glanced about them. "Wanna know a secret?"

Her conspiratorial tone ensnared Jin's interest and he leaned in. She lifted the hem of her overalls and pulled down her sock a little. On her ankle was a small heart, striped in brilliant colours like a rainbow. Jin gasped.

"Is that-" He looked around him too before continuing in a whisper. "-Is that a tattoo?!"

"Mmhmm." She rolled her sock back up and pulled her overalls down again. "Gettin' more common these days. Someday, things'll be easier, an' lots of old taboos won't rile people none like they do now. I can tell you though, still didn't go down well with my folks. I got a proper talkin' to as well."

"You told them about it?"

"No… Kinda wish I had. They just saw it one time in summer when I was careless."

Jin's hands clenched. The mark on his bicep felt colder, heavier under his clothes.

"Why do you wish you'd told them?" he asked, trying to sound casual.

Tanaka shrugged and went back to clearing leaf litter off the path.

"Just woulda been easier. Coulda been a way to show I trust 'em. And instead I had all this you're concealin' stuff bull on top of the thing itself, y'know? But still, it's important to rebel a little sometimes. If you can't be yourself, you're gonna wind up someone else, ya get me?"

Jin chewed at his lip. He combed his fingers through his fringe and thought about that.

His thinking was interrupted by the turn of wheels on gravel. One of the limousines was pulling up before the mansion. Jin stood and stretched.

"Go wow them with your plant knowledge," Tanaka said, casting him a grin.

"Not likely." Jin cricked his neck and stretched his arm before him. He was stiff from this morning's training. "The tutor's here to teach me manners and maths or something."

"Manners?" The gardener laughed. "You're the most well-mannered person on this estate."

Jin gave a wince of a smile. "Not the right kind of manners, I guess."

He walked out into the drive after that and stopped before the car as the door opened.

The tutor was younger than the butlers but older than most of the rest of the staff. He had silver lines in his hair, which was side-parted and brushed very straight over his head. He had wire-frame oval glasses, high cheekbones, narrow eyes, and thin arched eyebrows that leant him a disapproving air. He wore a crisp black suit that immediately made him look boring.

Jin regarded the man sourly as he stepped out of the limousine he'd been brought in. Jin gave a slight bow.

"Kazama Jin," Jin said. "Pleased to meet you."

The man already looked displeased. He bowed low, and then said,

"Kimura Tadashi. I can see we have our work cut out for us, Young Master Kazama."

Jin frowned, but before he could say anything more, Kimura added,

"You are a young master in the Mishima household – always wait for those who rank beneath you to bow first. And no need to bow so deeply. An incline of the head will do for staff."

Jin stared at the man. Was he already trying to teach him lessons? He hadn't even got in the front door.

"But you're my teacher…" Jin said. Then added, "Aren't you?"

"I am a member of staff hired by your grandfather. I am here to serve you."

"So… I don't have to do anything you say then?" Jin tried. "I'm the boss and all that?"

"That is correct," Kimura said. "You may, however, wish to do as your grandfather orders, and I believe he would like you to listen to what I have to say, do you not think?" Jin hastily agreed with the man and Kimura continued. "Then respect my words at the request of your grandfather, but that does not mean your bearing should fall any. You are still a Mishima."

Jin wasn't sure he liked the way people called him a Mishima. He was proud to be a part of his grandfather's family, but he was a Kazama, not a Mishima, and anyone who tried to take that from him would find out just how hot his temper could get when pushed. This Kimura looked like he would parrot his words back to Heihachi though, so Jin said nothing.

Jin nodded some. He realised everyone had stopped. The driver had got out and was standing by the car, hands folded before him. The tutor was standing with his hands by his side, silent. A servant from the house was standing just behind Jin, also silent. Everyone was looking at him, just waiting. Jin's fingers twisted at the hem of his shirt anxiously.

"Um…" He glanced around. He turned to the servant behind him. "Please could you fetch Fujita-san?" The servant bowed and left. "Uh… That will be all," Jin said to the driver. They bowed too and got back in the car. Jin looked back at the tutor. He wondered if he was being graded on all this. "Please come in," he said to the tutor. "Would you like some tea?"

The tutor bowed now, and followed Jin. Jin slipped into his indoor shoes and looked around quickly for someone to ask for tea. He wished he could just do it himself. He wasn't sure where the right room was to receive a guest either. Thankfully, Fujita appeared just then. Jin spoke to him in a hushed voice, not wanting the tutor to tell him he was doing things wrong.

"The tutor's arrived. Can you get us some tea? Where should I invite him to sit?"

"Wherever you so please, Young Master Jin," the butler replied.

"Where am I meant to ask him to sit?"

"Might I suggest the tearoom, Young Master?"

"Oh! Yes, of course… Is that the room near the zen garden?"

"No, Young Master, it looks out onto the manicured gardens."

"Oh! I know the one. Okay." Jin straightened his collar.

He suddenly wondered if he was expected to do a whole tea ceremony now that he'd invited someone in for tea. He really hoped not. He done a couple before back home, but never on his own, and never regularly enough to remember all the steps. Jin led the way to the tearoom and even managed not to get lost. Somehow, the tea was already made and on the table by he got there though. He breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't expected to go through any elaborate formalities at least.

"Would you like the doors open or shut, Young Master Kazama," a servant asked.

It was cold out, but the view was beautiful. Jin turned to his guest.

"Do you have a preference, Kimura-san?"

"As you prefer, Young Master."

Jin indicated for the doors on one side to be opened. He sat at the low table and Kimura followed suit. Jin knew he was meant to pour the tea at least, so filled Kimura's cup and then his own. He waited until his guest drank, and then sipped at his.

"I'm honoured to meet you, Young Master Kazama," Kimura said after a few moments of silence. "As I'm sure you're no doubt aware, your grandfather has asked me here to tutor you in various academic pursuits, along with behaviours and etiquettes befitting someone of your status."

"Yes…" Jin was finding it hard to sit still. His eyes flicked to outside. He tried to focus on the serenity of that view and on the soft herby flavour of the tea in his cup. He drew a deep breath in then out, and held his posture still. "Yes, I am aware."

"My task is to educate you, so please feel free to ask me any manner of questions you desire. I do not expect you to know anything, but I do expect you to help yourself by voicing any difficulties you are having. Remember, this is not a classroom. I am not your teacher. I am a tutor, here to aid you in growing into your position as heir to the Mishima Empire."

Jin didn't really have any interest in being heir to anything other than Heihachi's karate. But these things mattered to Heihachi – the things he possessed, the way he was perceived, and his ideas of legacy. And so to honour his grandfather, Jin knew he needed to honour and respect the things that Heihachi cared about. To Heihachi that respect took the form of obedience and stepping up into the role of member of the aristocracy. Even if that wasn't Jin's dream, it was important to him that he show gratitude to his grandfather. Maybe along the way, Jin might even grow closer to him. He had seen snippets of a kinder, gentler man under his grandfather's fearsome exterior.

Jin drew himself up. It would be nice to be able to ask questions about what he was meant to do to achieve that. He was always floundering with mistaken etiquette. Maybe as long as he was careful with what he asked, it would be okay. He didn't want too many of his ignorances passed on to Heihachi, after all.

The tearoom was filled with soft morning light and weak shadows. The chilly breeze that blew in was directly behind his guest, Jin realised, though the man didn't seem phased by it.

"Am I meant to learn how to do a full tea ceremony on my own?" Jin asked. He might as well start there.

"In this day and age it is not a necessity. There are those on your staff who will be able to perform one should you require one. However, it does set one apart to be able to do so. If you have the inclination to learn, I can show you how."

"Does my grandfather wish me to learn?"

"Do you wish only to become whom your grandfather wishes you to be? One day you will be a man grown, Young Master Kazama, and the lessons you have learned in youth will be those you must rely on as you conduct yourself in the world."

If you can't be yourself, you're gonna wind up someone else, ya get me?

Jin quieted. Things like etiquette and education had really only felt like a hurdle he had to jump through in order to maintain his place as Heihachi's pupil in martial arts. He was here to become strong enough to take revenge, not to take his places amongst ranks of fancy businessmen. The way this tutor put it though, made Jin realise that maybe he should be doing more with his time. Even if he never became head of any Zaibatsu, a tea ceremony was about respect, mindfulness, meditation, and inviting a guest into one's home. None of that had to be exclusive to living in a stately home.

Jin inclined his head a little. "I would like to learn how to do a tea ceremony."

Kimura bowed in turn, a little lower. "As you wish. I am to come here four days a week. From ten until noon we will be dedicated to matters of etiquette. Then from one until five we shall cover academic concerns. I have been instructed not to set you any homework, since Mishima-sama desires your free time to be spent honing your martial arts."

School without homework did sound good… And it would be much easier to concentrate at the estate than in those school classrooms. For one, there'd be no annoying chalk and blackboards…

"Kimura-san – is this how I should address you?"

"That will do fine."

"Kimura-san, what is the correct way to bow when I have done something very wrong?"

"That would depend to whom you are apologising."

"To my grandfather."

Kimura considered for a moment.

"This depends on your relationship with him, Young Master Kazama. Your grandfather is a powerful man, if you are concerned by the severity of your actions, it will do you no harm to show him full respect, especially if no others are present."

Jin considered this. He considered it all morning, in the back of his head, whilst Kimura taught him of expectations in high society. He considered it when he took lunch on the terrace. He considered it in amidst his afternoon lessons. And he considered it as he trained before supper, and in the shower, and during supper.

At 8 P.M. his grandfather returned home. He would eat first, Jin knew, and then liked to have some silence to himself. At 9:30 P.M., Jin asked to be received by his grandfather. A butler conveyed the message for him, and shortly he was brought to one of the internal living rooms, where a warm fire was crackling.

Jin came in and stood next to the doorway. Heihachi gestured for him to sit. Jin's heart was beating fast. He instead came and knelt opposite him. This piqued his grandfather's interest. When Heihachi looked up, Jin bowed, and touched his forehead to the ground.

"Please forgive me, Ojiisama, there is something I have kept from you."

Heihachi stirred. His tone wasn't all that friendly.

"What is it?"

Jin gathered his words and swallowed. "I believe when I… was attacked, something marked me. It took me some time to understand this, and afterwards I sought to conceal it from you, fearing what you would make of it. I was wrong to do this and should have shown you immediately."

"Sit up."

Jin did. He tried to keep his expression neutral and calm. His heart was hammering so hard he wondered if his grandfather could hear it.

"Show me," Heihachi said.

Jin unbuttoned his shirt and slid one arm out. He unwound the bandage Ishida had given him, exposing the jagged mark on his bicep to his grandfather. His stomach curled in shame when he saw the thing, obsidian dark, like a hole almost, black against his skin.

Heihachi eyebrows descended. He beckoned Jin closer with a finger. Jin shuffled up. His grandfather took his arm in his hand. His grip was vice-like. He rotated Jin's arm towards him. His other hand came close to the mark, hovering over it. Jin felt a swell of nausea. His eyelids fluttered and his eyes rolled back. His grandfather touched the symbol. Curtains descended over Jin's vision and a dread coursed all the way through him, ten times worse than when he'd touched the mark himself.

He lost time for a moment, and found himself folded over, shivering and gasping for air. His fringe was damp and clung to his forehead. He looked up cautiously, aware that this was a breach in decorum.

"I-it's not a tattoo," he said, still reaching for breath.

"I can see that," Heihachi said, apparently unphased by Jin's state.

"You can?"

Heihachi gestured to him. "That reaction. Something is off about this mark. And look-"

Heihachi released him, and leant back to open a neat set of draws. He drew out a hand mirror. He clapped twice and the room's lights brightened. Jin glanced around him. He didn't know they could do that. Heihachi returned to him, gripped his arm again, and held the mirror next to it.

"Take a look at it."

Jin looked in the mirror. He knew what the mark looked like. He'd had to look at it every day for nearly five months.

"Do you see?" Heihachi asked. "Even the finest tattoo betrays the hallmarks of ink meeting skin. Incremental feathering, slight unevenness of lines, weighting and minute bleeding of ink. This mark is more like a scorch mark. It's curious, and perhaps due further studying."

"Is it a disease? Am I sick? Will it go away? I can't get it off even with soap, it-"

Heihachi stilled his barrage of questions with a hand and released Jin's arm.

"Most likely something to do with that ogre when it struck you. Perhaps by this mark it intends to hunt you down and finish what it started."

Jin paled. He hadn't thought of that. His skin felt clammy. A green hand closing around his throat, so tight it burned. Nails pricking at his skin. A fist slowly closing, crushing. The air constricted in Jin's neck and he couldn't breathe. His lungs weren't working. He looked at Heihachi, mouth opening and failing to draw in air.

Heihachi laughed. "Do not look so timid, boy. You are quite safe here. The beast has not dared to show up to challenge me, and it's not like to in future."

Jin looked up at Heihachi, with his fierce mane and gleaming eyes, broad, browned chest scarred through his part open kimono, his hands so large they easily wrapped around Jin's arm. Heihachi was invincible. He would keep him safe. Just then, Jin was so desperately glad to be under his protection. This must be why he'd been told to seek his grandfather out. His grandfather could defeat anything. Perhaps even the ogre was afraid of Mishima Heihachi.

Jin fell forward, gasping in air. He caught himself with his hands on the wooden floor, heaving air into his lungs. His body was quivering and his hair was still slick against his forehead. He felt exhausted all the way through his body. His bowed forehead drooped forward and found his grandfather's knee. He very badly wanted contact just then. Something grounding, something safe. Heihachi didn't immediately shake him off or say anything, so Jin took those stolen moments gratefully. His breath drew in ragged, and harsh.

Heihachi's hand came and rested heavy on the back of his head. A small, grateful sound escaped Jin and he closed his eyes tight.

Heihachi's voice rumbled through to him, and Jin felt it through the contact as much as heard it. "You did well to tell me of this mark, but in future I want no delays and no deception. I expect honesty and transparency of you, do you understand?"

"Y-yes, Ojiisama," Jin got out. He drew himself together, refinding his breath. Heihachi's hand lifted from him. Jin swallowed. "Thank you for your lenience," he murmured.

Jin sat up straight then and Heihachi indicated with a finger for Jin to sit before him. Jin did so and righted his shirt as his grandfather replaced the hand mirror behind him.

"Your tutor came today. How did you find the lessons?" And like that the conversation and moment was moving on, leaving Jin still floundering in the aftermath of his panic.

Jin tried to gather his scattered thoughts. He pushed a hand through his damp hair.

"I found them interesting… It is good to have someone telling me how to behave correctly, since I often get this wrong. The lessons in the afternoon were different to what I'm used to at school, but it was easier to concentrate in them."

"I should hope you're concentrating regardless of whether you're being tutored here or in school, Jin."

Jin looked up. "O-oh, yes, of course, Ojiisama. I only meant… yes, of course, I'm concentrating regardless." Jin's fingers worried at his knees, nails running rough over the material. He remembered Kimura had told him to appear proper by directing conversation to where he was more confident. He sat up a little straighter and placed his palms flat on his thighs. "Kimura-san seems very reasonable and is a good teacher. He explains things clearly. Thank you for sending for him, Ojiisama. I will be diligent in my studies."

Heihachi nodded, he seemed pleased. Jin felt warmer, but kept his expression neutral.

"Good. You better know your etiquette properly by summer, I intend to take you with me to an important event, it will be your first formal appearance at my side, so I expect no mistakes."

Jin drew himself up a little straighter.

"What event?"

Heihachi's lips lifted in a cold smile. "It's a secret for the present, dear boy. All you need to know is that it will be a formal public occasion, and you will bear yourself with the grace I expect."

Jin bowed his head in assent.

"In the meantime," Heihachi continued, "I do have a smaller social function upcoming. How would you like to attend a New Year's party with your old man, hm?"

Jin froze. It was a question that was worded like assent was the only possible answer. Jin drew his breath in evenly.

"I am not very experienced with social gatherings, Ojiisama."

Heihachi's brow descended. He laughed a moment later though.

"A party like this is the perfect opportunity."

Jin stayed quiet. He knew now that the question hadn't really been a question after all – he was going to that party.

"I won't have had many etiquette lessons between now and new year," Jin said softly.

Heihachi waved a hand. "It'll be a private event, only fifty or so."

Fifty.

When he lay on his futon that night, Jin couldn't sleep. He was thinking of fifty old men all looking derisively at him as he failed to pick up minor social cues. He tossed and turned on his bed, but his heart kept hammering. It wasn't just fifty old men and a party that bothered him and he knew it.

Jin sat up. He touched his throat. The mansion was perfectly silent. It made him shiver. He got up and pushed open the door at the back of his room. He grabbed a blanket and stepped out with his bare feet onto the wooden corridor beyond. He opened the outer door onto the veranda. It was freezing out, and his breath came sharp in his lungs and sent wreathes of mist out into the night. Jin collected his blanket around him and sat on the edge of the veranda, looking up at the stars. Frost was just crystalising on the underside of the gutters above, and twinkled faintly by the light of the swinging lanterns hanging from the eves further along.

Out here, Jin could hear the wind stir the trees, boughs creaking and dead leaves rustling. He could hear owls hooting and the distant splash of water features in the gardens, not yet frozen over. He could hear life out here. Jin hugged his knees and breathed more evenly.

His grandfather had said that monster might be hunting him. Jin looked out into the night. He never used to fear the dark. It had always seemed comforting, with its shadows to hide in. Now though, he wondered if some day those burning red eyes would be out there, if they'd finally stalk him here. Jin swallowed. There was no point worrying about that now. He tried to think of more manageable things.

He was upset about that party he'd have to attend, but there were plenty of things that had gone well today. He tried to focus on each one. He had a teacher to help him with the things that confused him in high society. He could continue on his school lessons and not get left behind. His grandfather knew about the mark on his arm and wasn't angry with him. And it was a beautiful night. That was at least four good things, which certainly outweighed one upsetting party.

His toes were going numb and the tips of his nose and ears felt very cold. Jin was happy out here though, just on his own, with no one troubling him or asking anything of him. He wondered then if maybe he should have stayed on Yakushima on his own – just tried to go on alone. But his home there had burned, and the places he loved all reminded him of-… and that beast might come back. Burning eyes in amid the bushes. It might come back. It might come back, and Jin wasn't ready. He wasn't ready. He wasn't ready. He had to kill it. He had to destroy it.

His heart burned then. It burned with pain and fear and anger and violence. He practised holding his tears in and instead just letting that rage simmer. He would destroy that nightmare bringer. He would beat it down and snuff out its evil, like Fudō Myō-ō, the wrathful god. Once it was gone… once it was gone, maybe everything would be better. Maybe his heart wouldn't hurt like this. Maybe he could go back home and rebuild his house. Maybe he could walk the mountains. Maybe he could forage in the forest and eat by firelight. Maybe could swim in the reefs again. He missed swimming so much.

Maybe he could work out who Kazama Jin was beyond just this pain and anger.