Jin always had an in-between feeling. In between being innocent, and not. In between being harmless, and lethal. In between being a child, and someone that was simply young, but a child no longer. It was like walking a tightrope at all times, being in a constant state of precarious balance.

Yet, right now in this very moment, she was just an ordinary child. Small, a little bit scared, and emotionally overwhelmed. So as soon Slade reached out for a hug, she simply burrowed her face into his side and started to cry, wrapping her arms as far around him as they would go.  Frankly, she wasn’t even sure why she wept. She was actually overjoyed in this moment. If he’d rejected her, she wasn’t sure what she would have done. 

She stayed like that for several moments, quietly listening. Then she pulled back, a bright and beaming smile on her face. One that spoke volumes. Despite being a killer in training, there was a heart underneath. One that she had to hide, but it was there.

“You’re going to be Otou-san forever. I hope you’re prepared for that.” She wiped her face on her sleeves, and took a few deep breaths. This was a big decision, but one she’d had spinning around her head for weeks now. Once her mind was clear, she spoke again.

“I think it needs to be a secret. For now. Because our enemies will use that against us, right? Or mostly against you. I don’t have any enemies besides the Kiretsu. That’s probably gonna change, but right now I just want to go to school.” She swung her feet a little bit, thinking.

“I just have to figure out what to call you. I mean, even if I say ‘Uncle’ that might be too much, right?” She looked back at him with concern. In her mind, she had to keep him safe. Nevermind the fact that he could absolutely and without question keep himself safe. Jinny wanted to protect him too, just the way he protected her.

“So. I guess you get two new names today. I was thinking sensei? It's accurate, anyway. What do you think?”