A/n: Hi guys, back with another chapter! We're moving closer to the upcoming conflict so stay tuned.

Xiaoyu left her interview smiling. She had answered all of their questions as best as she could; she couldn't presume that she had the job in the bag but she felt confident all the same. It felt a bit strange applying for employment, it felt strange that she was so grown up. Xiaoyu felt it was just yesterday that she was taking her nervous steps towards Mishima Polytechnic. Also, she would have to take into account any future King of Iron Fist tournaments. If Kazuya was just going to announce himself victor whenever there was no clear winner, then there wouldn't be much point competing.

Of course, Xiaoyu had to provide them with her current address if she were to be granted the job. That was particularly tricky, as Jin and Lars were taking pains to remain incognito, yet she hadn't returned to her flat with Miharu, so could hardly use that either.

It was funny, the talk with Miharu about being domesticated with Jin and getting a job really made it...official. It was far too early in their relationship (?) to live together and far too early to act so settled. Xiaoyu hardly noticed, even when she was cooking for them all. What a strange situation this was.

Xiaoyu refused to do the typical "Where are we?" question. She wasn't going to become one of those girlfriends, even if people predicted so because of her excitable personality. It slipped out when Xiaoyu returned home to the secret hideout, after Jin had welcomed her and asked about her interview. Like a partner.

'Wait-no,' Xiaoyu babbled. 'I don't know why...that came out whiny, can I start again?'
Jin appeared amused rather than alarmed.
'We're a couple,' Jin validated simply.
'Doesn't it feel a bit...weird. We live together in a hide-out and I've just given the address in an interview as if we officially live here. Together.'

For the first time in years Jin threw his head back and laughed heartily. If Xiaoyu weren't glad to see the old Jin returning, she would have appeared bemused.
'It is strange, but that's how it is. You can thank the Mishimas for that.'
Xiaoyu fell into his lap.
'It feels strange that we're no longer young,' she admitted. 'Life seemed so much simpler when we lived together as teens.'

Jin wanted to point out that Heihachi was their guardian and was a heartless bastard, but he didn't want to upset her. He knew she was referring to the memories of them together.

Raven appeared in the doorway.
'I have news,' he announced without greeting them. 'Where are Lars and Hwoarang?'
'They've gone out, I don't know where,' Jin replied.
Without further words Raven slapped a file on the table. White washed over Jin's face. He silently slipped the file over to Xiaoyu.

'No,' she responded.
'These are all the individual identities of Kazuya's new Tekken Force. I believe they are all your old classmates.'
Jin ran a hand through his spiky hair.

'Using my old friends and classmates against me?'

'That's not all. Kazuya has openly declared that he sells weapons to unstable countries in the midst of warfare. He is now allied with the most dangerous governments in the world. Because he now runs both G-Corp and the Zaibatsu, he has been able to take advantage of extensive designs from both companies.'

Jin silently anguished. It was his fault. Had he not declared war on the world this wouldn't be happening. He had his reasons, but still...
Xiaoyu could read his thoughts because she squeezed his hands.

'He's growing too powerful,' Jin announced. 'I don't think we'll ever be able to stop him at this rate.'
'Kazuya is deliberately trying to provoke you,' came Raven's deep voice. 'The question is: do you want to rise to it?'
'I don't know if I will be able to control myself...'

A bitter seed planted itself within Xiaoyu's core. Every time she was on the brink of returning Jin to his old self, his crappy family would do something to pull him back into the dark pit they relished being in. The Mishima curse rearing its mutant head again.

Xiaoyu got the job. The first thing she did was call up Miharu to share her news.
'Good for you, Xiao!' Miharu squealed. 'My baby is all grown up.'
If they were face-to-face, Xiaoyu could bet Miharu would have accompanied that with a wink.
'How is Panda?'

'Panda really, really misses you, Xiao. I think you should move her to live with you. '
'I think I'll be able to afford to move her here, now.'
'Have you told the others- have you told Jin?'
Xiaoyu paused.

'Not yet. it's not a great time at the moment. What with what Kazuya's doing and everything...'
'You have to tell him, Xiaoyu. You deserve some good news in your life.'
When their phone call had ended Xiaoyu got going with preparing for the dinner that evening. She was in the middle of gathering ingredients when Jin, Lars and Hwoarang strolled in.

Not a word was spoken when they sat down. Giving up waiting for details, Xiaoyu turned her back on them and made a start on dinner. It was only when she slapped the plates in front of them that Xiaoyu decided enough was enough.

'Ok, what happened?'
Lars instinctively pulled out a folded newspaper and handed it over. Xiaoyu unfolded it and found her eyebrows furrowing. When finished her eyes swivelled over to Jin.

'Kazuya's testing on wild animals? What is he...testing?'
'It can't be something for the good of mankind,' Lars replied.
'Jin can't be happy about this,' Xiaoyu tried to force a response from him. 'He grew up with them.'
Jin left his seat and wondered out. Xiaoyu deliberated before following.

'It was the reason my parents met. My mother was a wildlife inspector- remember?'
'I remember you telling me,' Xiaoyu confirmed.
'It's just another way to break me down. Kazuya is really pulling the stops to make sure that I'm damaged beyond repaired.'

'I must say, son, you have impressed me.'
Kazuya followed Heihachi's movements in his office with disgust.
'Without lifting a fist have you been able to attack Kazama and hit him where it hurts. Mental as well as physical skill, I'm impressed- I've said it again. Throwing you down that ravine did wonders-'

A flash of danger appeared in Kazuya's eyes. He boiled inside.
'-I think I've been unfairly labelled a bad father.'
'Enough,' Kazuya growled.
Heihachi cemented his amusement by pressing his lips together.

Kazuya turned his attention to the gigantic TV screen displaying a few animal test subjects and their current situation. The effects were working well. As soon as his scientists announce that their antidote was effective enough, his plan would be launched into action.

'What exactly do you have planned, son?'
'None of your business, old man.'
'Hmph!' Heihachi didn't appreciate that at all.
'Just stick to the plan. Kazama is all riled up, now. So, start to lure him towards us. That's all.'

'Things would be better if I was running this joint,' Heihachi muttered to himself.
'What was that, old man?'
Kazuya rounded on him.
'As far as I know, the Zaibatsu and G-Corp are mine. I am running this joint therefore I'm calling the shots. Now, if you don't do as I say I will withdraw your retirement fund. Because you won't be able to pay for bodyguards the hounds will come right after you. You and I both know a mass of people want you dead.'

Not as much as they want you dead, Heihachi said silently.

'When I give you the go-ahead, I will grant you a small Tekken Force to begin antagonising process. Make it irresistible to Kazama not to get involved. Him and his posse.'
Kazuya had Heihachi dismissed.

When Heihachi had been confirmed as having left the floor, Kazuya said into the air 'You can come out now.'
Anna Williams, his ever-faithful bodyguard(!), sashayed from her hiding place.
'I can tell you look forward to getting rid of him the most,' she remarked.

'That prick thinks he can order me around just because he is my biological father. He should learn by now that his time is up- at least, it will be. Soon.'

Anna was sent off on her mission. Top secret of course.

Kazuya poured himself some champagne, hoisting his feet to rest on his desk and relishing the taste. When his eyes were shut he felt his thoughts turning on a person who was now a distant memory. The woman he hardly knew.

Kazuya fished her picture out of his office drawer (it had been shamefully suffocated by a wad of folders. It was one where she was observing the nature around her. Her stomach jutted out. Before Heihachi became the cause of her death.

It was because of that bastard that Kazuya never got to know his mother. Kazumi Mishima. Taken too early but possibly saved from being tied to Heihachi.

Nevertheless, he would make sure that Heihachi left this world if it took him the rest of his life.

Xiaoyu trudged up to their room. An evening of making dinner and washing up emitted a yawn out of her. When Jin followed, he was apologetic.

'We've been so caught up with Kazuya that we've been- I'VE been ignoring you,' he explained sheepishly. 'How did your interview go?'

'I got the job,' she answered while folding up her used clothes.
'You're following your dreams, Xiao,' he whispered beside her ear.
Jin held her tightly, nuzzling into her soft hair. The advantage of towering over her; he got to appreciate every bit of her.

As they got under the covers, Jin expressed his pride through various tender kisses on her body. His body enveloped hers from behind. The closeness of her behind to his crotch proved too much to bear. He was careful not to hurt her, yet to prove to her that she was his and he was hers.

Devil vocally expressed how good it felt to have her like this. Jin ignored him but he still lingered.

His love for Xiaoyu fed Devil's hunger for lust.