Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed the first chapter featuring the kouple that's way better than the canon kouple. Here's to more hilarity and perversion! Enjoy!
Warnings: This fic is rated M for Mature. It contains perversion, sexually suggestive themes, fanservice, and mentions underage masturbation (only in the unedited version—which can be found on my DW & AO3 accounts. Links are in the bio). Not your cup of tea? Well, you're in luck because you have options!
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…When It Feels So Right: Chapter 2 (Edited)
Wu Shi Dragon Grotto, Shaolin Temple; Earthrealm…
Feeling Kung Lao's excitement pressed against her bare, lower thigh caused Jade to grin triumphantly. She may have lost their wager, but the virid ninja still managed to successfully seduce him. And judging by what she felt through his pajama pants, not only is she willing to grant the White Lotus member the date he dreamed of, but he may get to experience the luxury of being with a woman for the first time.
And to think the entire time this Earthrealmer was keeping such precious equipment under wraps. Jade told herself as her lids hovered over her olive eyes, giving her opponent a coquettish stare through her curled lashes.
Surreptitiously shifting her leg to get a better feel of his erection, the bojutsu specialist flirtatiously smiled at the teleporter and replied, "Alright, Lao. I will uphold my end of our bargain for the double-date you dream of, but only under one condition…"
Feeling the Outworld Advisor's warm thigh rubbing against his crotch made the razor-hat wielder blush tomato-red. The innocuous touch felt good—it felt really good. And thinking about it only caused the supercilious Earthrealmer to blush deeper as his eyes widened in embarrassment. He turned his head and focused his gaze on the numerous open treasure chests and candles that lined the edge of the Grotto's pool, too humiliated to face the Edenian exhibitionist.
"I'm listening," Kung Lao's managed to get his desire for the caramel-skinned beauty pinned beneath him under control. His signature countenance of arrogance replaced his earlier embarrassment when he looked at her again.
Shifting her body again to get another feel of his length against her thigh, Jade's lids hovered over her olive gaze and she mentally chuckled when his cheeks began to redden again. "My back is sore after your last attack. It is only right you owe me a massage, Shaolin."
"I'm more than happy to oblige." The teleporter's ebony eyes alighted with excitement. He humorously added, "I see you're eager to have my hands on you, Měi nǚ."
Shifting her gaze upward to where the supercilious Earthrealmer's left hand kept her wrists in a firm grip, the Outworld Advisor's eyes also gazed down to where his right arm hovered just above her neck. Pursing her umber lips together, Jade countered his accusation with her own blunt honesty with a simple lift of her brow. "I see you're eager to keep your hands on me, Lao."
Snickering at the truth of her words, Kung Lao released her from his grip. He rose to his feet and dusted his pajama set free of the debris of the cavern's floor. Stretching out his hand, he pulled the bojutsu specialist to her feet and watched with awe as she also brushed dirt and tiny pebbles from her revealing satin pajama set and flawless skin.
Knowing the Shaolin warrior's stare was focused on the jiggly parts of her body, the caramel-skinned beauty rolled her eyes at him and retorted, "Don't stare too long."
"If I don't, then who else is here to give you the attention you seek?"
"Tch." Limping towards the White Lotus member, Jade circled her arm around his broad shoulders, and Kung Lao wrapped his arm around hers to support her. Slowly they padded over to the edge of the Dragon Grotto's pool and the teleporter tentatively helped the General into a sitting position.
Taking a seat behind her in a half-lotus position, Kung Lao removed his hat to make sure he doesn't accidentally cut her with it and placed it beside him. He combed his fingers through his short, inky locks without loosening his hair from its ponytail. He noticed the large bruise that spread across the virid ninja's upper back. Traveling from her left shoulder all the way to her right shoulder, the razor-hat wielder winced at the burgundy mark darkening her caramel skin and felt slight remorse for the wound. It wasn't his intention to hurt her with his last attack. He only wanted to stun her.
Slipping out of her shoes once more, the emerald assassin stuck her feet in the cool waters of the Grotto and released a heavy sigh when the Jinsei's energy instantly healed her aching back. Even still, the General reached for the hem of her bra top and lifted her arms over her head, removing the garment and tossing it next to her opponent's hat, making sure her masseuse can have full access to caress her bare back.
Crossing her arms to clutch her naked breasts in her palms, Jade looked over her shoulder and smirked at Kung Lao's wide-eyed expression. Giving the razor-hat wielder a playful grin she asked with a husk deepening her voice, "Do you like what you see?"
Giving the veteran kunoichi a look of annoyance as his brow twitched rapidly, the hubristic monk replied, "I see you enjoy patronizing me."
Looking down, eyeing the space in between their bodies, the Edenian exhibitionist released her breasts and reached behind her, blindingly grabbing Kung Lao's knees. She parted his thighs, coaxing him to spread his legs so he could sit closer behind her.
"For someone as arrogant as you are, you truly are innocent and pure, just like Liu Kang, Lao." A few feminine giggles bubbled from her throat and Jade knew she was kindling Kung Lao's ire. He always wore his insecurities about his best friend on his sleeve because he was desperate to prove himself as the Chosen One's equal. It was just too easy to use the teleporter's Achilles Heel against him. "I promise I won't hurt you, Earthrealmer. Come closer," she breathily repeated from their earlier bout.
Despite not seeing her expression, the hubristic monk knew the bojutsu specialist wore a smug, triumphant grin on her face. And knowing this irked him even more.
Taking off his bedroom slippers, Kung Lao rolled the hem of his pajama pants to his mid-calves and adjusted his body until he sat directly behind Jade, his torso just a few centimeters from touching her bare back. He also made sure to keep some distance in between their lower bodies. Once again, the Edenian exhibitionist kindled his yearning for her, making him hard again. And with her sitting half-naked only inches in front of him wasn't helping his situation. And the last thing he wanted for that shapely, lovely rear of hers touching against the seat of his—
Too late.
Once Jade felt the White Lotus member's body heat warm her skin, she purposefully scooted against him, making sure her derrière was comfortably nestled in his lap, directly against his erection. Tossing her waist-length braid over her shoulder and out of his way, the emerald assassin clutched her bare breasts again and looked over her shoulder at Kung Lao's adorable, but visibly irritated countenance and released another set of chuckles.
"Surely you're not upset with me for comparing you to Liu Kang?" The Outworld Advisor innocently asked, batting her eyelashes at her masseuse. "You could learn from his humility. I expect for monks to be humble." She faced the impressive statues of the dragons, watching as the glowing waters of Earthrealm's lifeforce spilled from their mouths.
Settling his legs around her thighs, the Shaolin warrior also placed his feet in the water, welcoming the Jinsei's energy flowing through his body and invigorating him after his spar with the caramel-skinned beauty.
"I am the exception to the rule." Kung Lao boasted, grinning behind her as he knew this time he kindled her ire. The teleporter placed his hands on the virid ninja's shoulders and slowly began to knead her muscles. He replied, "And it shows how much you know about the 'Chosen One'." The hubristic monk couldn't resist rolling his eyes at the mention of the flame fist kombatant's given nickname from their Shaolin brothers. "There are several words I can use to describe Liu Kang. 'Humility' isn't one of them."
"But—"
"And," Kung Lao emphasized, interrupting the veteran kunoichi. "I'm not as innocent and pure as you assume, Měi nǚ."
"Oh!" Jade's eyes widened in surprise. She looked over her shoulder and into the ebony eyes of the supercilious Earthrealmer. She lifted a finely arched brow at the razor-hat wielder and pursed her umber lips together. Her lids narrowed in mirth when she voiced her next question. "So, you are a sinful monk?"
Ceasing his massage, the White Lotus member also lifted his brow quizzically at the bojutsu specialist. Giving the emerald assassin a look of confusion, he quickly defended himself. "I am no Liu Kang… but I'm hardly sinful."
"Now you are simply being nonsensical, Earthrealmer." Jade huffed, her cheeks puffing in aggravation. She faced the dragon statues again and rolled her eyes when she listened to the White Lotus member chuckling behind her.
Pressing his calloused fingers deep into the muscles of her shoulders, Kung Lao found himself humored by the virid ninja's mild outburst. The Outworld Advisor often kept her cool even when faced against her enemies. But a simple comment is what broke her normally placid visage.
With his hands traveling down her back, the razor-hat wielder reached the base of her spine and increased the speed of his massage, deepening the pressure of his fingers while decreasing the tension she felt with the flat of his palm.
He listened to the Outworld Advisor's soft moans, letting him know she was enjoying his touches. And his pride swelled as his chest expanded, along with another part of his anatomy as her bottom gently moved against his groin.
Great Ancestor, please give me the strength to endure this. Kung Lao mentally prayed to his deceased elder whose namesake he shared. Beads of sweat began to pebble along his hairline and his heartbeat increased as his libido rose. Taking a few deep breaths, he willed himself to calm down to continue his massage.
Closing her eyes and sighing contentedly from the Shaolin warrior's touches, Jade leaned back, resting her head against his shoulder and released a peaceful hum. Absentmindedly she murmured, "Elders, that feels good."
Swallowing thickly as his nervousness increased, Kung Lao practiced his deep breathing again to get his loins under control. This was the closest he's ever been with a woman, his awkward teenhood spent at those underground clubs notwithstanding. His Shaolin vow to celibacy prohibited him from engaging in the pleasures of coition. And while the two of them indulged in suggestive banter and flirted a bit every now and then, having the General leaning against him topless with her breasts cupped in her palms whispering and moaning in his ear as he massaged her was testing his faith. Not to mention the delicious feeling of her bottom gently rubbing against his very prominent erection only added fuel to his lust-filled fire. The hubristic monk didn't know if Jade was doing this intentionally to rouse him or if she was simply being herself. His thoughts didn't stop his ebony eyes from peeking over her shoulder as he stole a few glances at her cleavage.
Thankfully the White Lotus member didn't have to mull over it for long because Jade's sudden change in demeanor routed his current thoughts.
"There is something I do not understand, Earthrealmer." The emerald assassin opened her eyes and gazed at her opponent, her olive irises glistening in the cave with curiosity. "Your relationship with Liu Kang… The two of you often refer to each other as brothers. But you're always in competition with him. Why are you so eager to prove yourself his equal? Are you really upset that you are not the Champion of Mortal Kombat?"
Kung Lao stopped his caresses, his hands motionless against the virid ninja's back and double-lidded eyes went wide when she asked her questions. He wasn't offended by her words, but they did stun him because they were unexpected.
Removing one of his hands from her caramel skin to run his fingers through his short hair again, he contemplated how he was going to answer her. The Shaolin warrior released the jet-black strands from his ponytail, letting his silken tresses free as he bought himself some time to figure out how he would indulge her curiosities. A few bangs fell over his forehead, the tips just grazing his thick eyebrows while the rest of his hair touched the base of his ear lobes and the nape of his neck.
Jade patiently waited for the supercilious Earthrealmer to answer her as she quietly observed him mulling over her queries.
After several moments of silence passed between the two, Kung Lao finally obliged the veteran kunoichi. "There is something you do not understand, Měi nǚ." The White Lotus member began massaging her again, not because Jade needed it, her back has long since healed thanks to the Jinsei's waters. He needed a distraction as he told her the truth about his lineage and the bitter truth at the price one pays when they're the Champion of Mortal Kombat.
"I do not have any desire to become Earthrealm's next Champion. I know firsthand about the curse that comes with the title.
"My great ancestor defeated Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat many generations ago." Kung Lao began. "For fifty years he was revered as the greatest hero in Earthrealm and after the old sorcerer's defeat, my predecessor became a legend among the Shaolin. The treasures you see here in these open chests you were inquiring about earlier, they belong to the House of Kung; courtesy of the Great Kung Lao."
Jade's loud gasp reverberated throughout the chamber of the Dragon Grotto. She lifted her head from the teleporter's shoulder, evident shock writhing her beautiful face as she stared at the supercilious Earthrealmer in awe. She—no—anyone—would have difficulty believing Kung Lao comes from a family of wealth and prestige.
The White Lotus member always carried the pride of his family's name with a sense of bravado. Often he grated everyone's nerves, including hers, with his antics, but there was never a time that the veteran kunoichi could remember when he bragged about coming from a lineage of affluence. It was such a juxtaposition, really. The Shaolin are frugal, choosing to live simply, but here she sat in the lap of one of the order's most prominent warriors who had the choice to live lavishly if he so desired.
Who is Kung Lao, exactly?
The emerald assassin searched his face her any signs of duplicity, but there were none. Kung Lao's ebony eyes were hardened and his lips were pressed into a thin line, no doubt his warring thoughts in his mind were getting the better of him.
"Before the Great Kung Lao won Mortal Kombat, he came from a modest family of rice farmers. Raiden recruited him when he was just an adolescent to join the secret White Lotus Society after witnessing my ancestor practicing the Wing Chun style of martial arts, believing he could be the future hope for Earthrealm in the next tournament."
Jade noticed her opponent didn't refer to the Thunder God as "Lord" as he habitually did. There are rumors that there's tension between the deity and his protégé, but she knew if she asked Kung Lao about it, he would neither confirm nor deny the accusations. Instead, she rested her head on his shoulder again, willing herself to listen to the rest of his story.
"My kin's victory in Mortal Kombat brought generational fame and fortune to my family's name and he used it to cultivate the school into what it is today. And it made the once proletarian Academy of the Shaolin globally renowned. But there is an unspoken curse in the Temple that comes with preeminence in the ceremony…"
"…The victor will not age for fifty years until the next tournament." Jade finished. "For those of us who hail from Outworld, that is but a mere speck in time. But for Earthrealmers…"
"Yes. For many ages, the Great Kung Lao outlived his friends, his family… his loved ones because he constantly had to train as a kombatant to defend our home realm in the next competition." By now the razor-hat wielder finished his massage. He folded his hands in his lap, looking down where his fingers were intertwined, his mind no longer focused on the Edenian exhibitionist.
"One by one my great ancestor had to watch everyone he cared about the most die. His wife. His children. His grandchildren. The friends he made at the Temple. He outlived them all. And all for what? To constantly remain in kombat? That is not a life I would wish on my worst enemy. I'd like to imagine my predecessor was much happier living meekly on that rice farm before Raiden's influence. Hún dàn."
Kung Lao uttered the expletive under his breath in his native language. Although Jade was unaware of its meaning, she knew it was an obvious insult towards the elemental god.
"After the Great Kung Lao's defeat in Mortal Kombat at the hands of Goro, for the next four hundred fifty years, the Shaolin died fruitlessly in the ceremony until the tenth tournament. There was no one from the Academy who could live up to my kin's namesake until…"
"…Liu Kang…" the caramel-skinned beauty completed Kung Lao's sentence in a soft whisper.
The razor-hat wielder continued as though Jade never spoke. "He was selected by our order to defend Earthrealm due to his impeccable skills. During our graduation ceremony at the school, Liu Kang and I were chosen to have a match to determine which of us will represent our home realm in Mortal Kombat. He because of his kombat prowess and mastery of Jeet Kun Do. I was chosen because of my family's namesake and expertise at adapting my ancestor's fighting style and incorporating it with my unique weapon's handling.
"I was humiliated in front of our Shaolin brethren when he defeated me." Releasing a heavy sigh, Kung Lao finally felt the burden he's been carrying all his life gradually lift from his shoulders. He wrapped his arms around Jade's bare torso and rested his chin atop her hair. An innocent gesture and the Outworld Advisor knew the hubristic monk was seeking comfort in her embrace. She also knew it took the teleporter to gather the humility necessary to admit all of this to her. And she was honored he was so very open and honest with her. She began to understand the White Lotus member a little more now.
"I've been preparing to represent the Shaolin my entire life in Mortal Kombat. It is my birthright as I carry my family's name to live up to the legacy my great ancestor set. My nephew Kung Jin who idolizes me… I feel like I let him and my family down. I do not want my nephew to think his uncle is nothing but a boastful failure. He deserves to know I am just as strong as the tournament's Champion. As our great predecessor…
"But Liu Kang… someone who's not even from the Kung lineage, someone who was orphaned as an infant and brought to the Temple, managed to not only beat me in kombat, but succeeded in the ceremony twice, defeating Outworld's most powerful foes."
The Edenian exhibitionist waited patiently for the Shaolin warrior to continue. She felt the skin of her belly pinch as supercilious Earthrealmer balled his hands into fists, clearly agitated that he couldn't live up to his ancestor's reputation.
"And I couldn't be more proud of him."
That was unexpected!
"Am I envious of the praise he receives for besting Outworld's mightiest kombatants in Mortal Kombat? At times, yes. However, the title of Champion of Mortal Kombat couldn't have been given to someone more deserving. My brother carries the pride of the Shaolin and our home realm on his back. His victory has secured Earthrealm's safety for another one hundred years. And he's the perfect candidate for the title. And I do not have to worry about Liu Kang's fate during the next ceremony, he has Kitana in his life. She's perfect for him," a sly smile curved Kung Lao's lips, although Jade couldn't see it. "Even though I'll never tell him that."
Chuckling while nodding and humming in agreement, the emerald assassin said, "Kitana's dark demeanor has lifted ever since she's crossed paths with Liu Kang. They are perfect for each other."
"Liu Kang and I grew up together in the Academy since childhood studying under the same masters and learning the techniques of martial arts. Now we fight side-by-side as partners, as brothers. And I realize I do not need a title to define me or the burden of living in the Great Kung Lao's shadow shaping my future. We were once students here and now he and I instruct the next generation of Earthrealm defenders. I will continue to honor my great ancestor, however, I will succeed on my own merits."
After a few moments of silence passed between the two of them, it was Jade who spoke first. "I am sorry, Lao. I did not know any of this."
"Hmm?" Kung Lao lifted his chin from her hair and craned his neck to get a better look at the bojutsu specialist. "Why are you apologizing?"
This time it was her turn to swallow humble pie as she admitted, "If I had known the truth about your past, the truth about your lineage, I would have—"
"Silly woman," the razor-hat wielder softly laughed as he moved his chin from the top of her hair to rest on her shoulder. "You do not have to feel compelled to apologize."
"Thank you, Lao…"
"Heh, why are you thanking me?" He chortled.
Reflecting on Kitana's kidnapping and the role he played in rescuing her when the Earthrealm protector was prepared to leave the Princess to die by Shao Kahn's hands, Jade also felt obligated to express her gratitude.
"Because if you had not suggested to Raiden that you'll assist in rescuing Kitana while the others fight in the tournament, my sister surely would have died that day. I never properly thanked you for it."
"Tch. You are silly, Měi nǚ. You do not have to feel compelled to thank me, either."
Despite Kung Lao's words, the General felt an incessant need to reveal some dark truths about herself to the hubristic monk. "I found out quite some time ago that I am the daughter of Prince Jobashel. He presided over a small Edenian country. My mother was a humble sorceress, studying the teachings of Lady Delia's ancient magic.
"I was an infant when my home realm, Edenia, lost their tenth Mortal Kombat tournament. Shao Kahn invaded and slaughtered our King, Jerrod, and nearly the majority of Edenia's inhabitants. He only spared a handful of us, turning my people either into his slaves for his enjoyment, or grooming us to be his elite assassins. My parents were among the ones he allowed to live.
"As a token of their loyalty to their new Emperor, my parents gifted me to the brute without a second thought." Jade bared her teeth in anger as she thought about how her parents didn't care enough for her to fight for her, to be more than willing to die for her. How little did they think of their only child to hand their baby to a cold-blooded murderer without hesitation?
Kung Lao kept quiet as he intently listened to the virid ninja detail the origins of her past.
"Once he received me, Shao Kahn, immediately sentenced my parents to death. They were imprisoned in his dungeons, waiting for their execution until the day when they died by his hands in the Kolosseum during a celebratory festival. The Emperor gathered the natives in commemoration for asserting dominion over Edenia for the ever-expanding Outworld. And he made sure that my parents were humiliated before they took their last breaths. He called them cowards, used them as examples of cowardice for giving away their only child instead of fighting for my life. And he was right."
"Cào dàn…" Kung Lao cursed in disbelief after listening to everything the Edenian exhibitionist just said. He lifted his head from her shoulder and eyed her, her olive gaze meeting his ebony irises. "It is I who is sorry for what you've endured, Jade. I cannot imagine how you must have felt when you discovered the truth about your parents."
"Oh, I was infuriated. I am still livid. However, I will not allow my eyes to weep, or my heart to clench, for people who have never considered me. My birth mother and father gave me to Shao Kahn without a moment's hesitation, thinking he would spare their lives… only to be sentenced to the same fate as the other Edenians he slaughtered. At least King Jerrod fought for his people, his family before falling victim to the Emperor's War Hammer…"
She rested her head on Kung Lao's shoulder again and closed her eyes, the tension that developed in her body now releasing as she voiced her next words.
"But I suppose the Elder Gods work in mysterious ways. If my parents had not given me away to Shao Kahn, I never would've have met my sister, Kitana. For over ten thousand years she and I have lived together, trained together, and fought side-by-side together. I will happily die for Kitana as I know she'll die for me. I am proud to say I have not inherited my family's spinelessness. I will never allow myself to be dictated and ruled by a tyrant. I will seek liberty in death before I will ever allow that to happen."
"It is one of the many things I admire about you, Jade." The teleporter openly stated. "Your tenacity and bravery, and your loyalty to your home realm and Kitana are meritorious.
"The instant you discovered Kitana's sentencing to death by Shao Kahn, you did not vacillate to defect from your Emperor and seek the assistance of your enemy realm to save her. No matter what you experience, your spirit cannot be broken. And that makes you truly beautiful, Měi nǚ."
Closing her eyes as she snuggled deeper into the White Lotus member's broad shoulder, a breathy sigh fell past the Outworld Advisor's parted, umber lips. She gently smiled—which soon turned into a wicked grin. "Are you sure you do not want to tell me how beautiful I am because of my exquisite features, or my marvelous curves?" To emphasize her question, Jade opened her eyes again and rubbed her backside against Kung Lao's lap, causing his manhood to stand at attention once more.
Great ancestor, please give me the strength to deal with this Outworld vixen. The Shaolin warrior prayed to his kin for the second time.
Clutching both sides of her waist, Kung Lao used a bit of force to cease the movements of Jade's hips, despite the figurative red devil on his left shoulder whispering in his ear to allow her to continue. Smirking down at the caramel-skinned beauty, he countered her question with one of his own.
"Why would I tell you something you already know? You're not the type who enjoys listening to repetitive comments."
"Watching men gaze upon my beauty and listening to them mention it is one of the few repetitive things I enjoy listening to, Earthrealmer."
"And I presume you killed them afterward?"
"Ha, ha, ha, ha!" Jade's husky laugh filled the space between them and hearing her sound so jovial also caused the teleporter to smile.
Goosebumps prickled against her arms and the cooling air in the cave made her shiver in response. The virid ninja almost rubbed her arms to allow warmth to seep into her skin until she remembered her naked breasts were filled in her palms.
"I think it is best we leave here and return to our rooms, Lao."
Her shivers were caught by Kung Lao's acute eyes. He smirked malevolently at the veteran kunoichi before saying, "Do not mind my presence. If you feel the need to rub your body to warm yourself, please do." He stood from his position from behind her and slipped his feet into his shoes.
Offering an arm to the emerald assassin, Jade released one of her breasts, taking careful measures to make sure her other arm tightly clutched her bosom so she wouldn't expose her nipples to the still-grinning monk.
The virid kunoichi allowed him to help her stand and she slipped her feet into her bedroom flats. Ignoring his comment, her olive eyes watched as Kung Lao reached for his hat, placing it back atop his head. He also grabbed her bra top and offered it to her, which Jade thanked him for.
Facing away from him, she slipped it over her head until the flimsy lime-green satin covered her areolas from his view. Turning towards him again and eyeing his deadly headwear, Jade remembered the question she wanted to ask him before their wager.
"Just what brought you here to the Dragon Grotto, Lao?"
Turning to walk out of the cave, disappointed he didn't even get a peek at her breasts, Kung Lao began. "I come here every now and then to meditate whenever I have trouble sleeping. The atmosphere is tranquil."
Nodding in agreement, Jade followed behind until she matched his pace, walking next to him shoulder-to-shoulder. "So… what do you intend to tell your Shaolin masters about the destruction of their Trap Dungeon?"
"What?" The hubristic monk exclaimed in disbelief, pausing mid-step. The audacity of the Edenian leaving him with the responsibility to confide with his superiors of the Dungeon's ruination, especially after she destroyed it! "You're the liaison between Outworld and Earthrealm. The duty to confess about what happened in there lies with you."
Jade continued walking, placing her hands on her hips as she allowed them to sway with every step she took, knowing he was watching. Not looking back at her opponent she admitted, "If your masters discover I was the culprit who ruined that room, there is a high chance you may not get that double-date you dream of."
And damn it she's right.
As loathed as Kung Lao was to admit it, he knew the General had a point. Releasing a huff of air, the razor-hat wielder marched behind her, pursing his lips in agitation as his mind tried to think of a lie to tell the upper echelon of the Temple what transpired.
Knowing his eyes were focused on the curvy cheeks of her derriere as she walked, Jade giggled and said, "You can watch my backside twist as you think of a veiled excuse for what happened to the Trap Dungeon."
"It is going to be difficult to concentrate on conjuring up a story while I'm focused on your body, Měi nǚ."
"It is also why you are second best to Liu Kang, Earthrealmer." Turning around to face him, the emerald assassin walked towards Kung Lao, purposefully making sure the tips of her hardened nipples just barely grazed the front of his beige, cotton pajama shirt.
Noting the look of irritation on his face, Jade softly chuckled and palmed his jaw, caressing his cheek with her thumb. "However after listening to your story, you are number one with me. And I do not think you need to prove yourself to be Liu Kang's equal. You are strong in your own right, Lao. And your contribution in the tournament also helped save Earthrealm. Your ancestor is smiling."
"Jade…" The shock was evident on his face, his double-lidded eyes widening at her words. Reaching for her hand, Kung Lao squeezed his fingers around hers, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. At a loss for words, the Shaolin warrior could do nothing except hold her hand in his.
"We will see each other soon, Lao." The bojutsu specialist's body became encased in green fog. The virid ninja de-materialized in front of him, eventually disappearing from his sight.
Kung didn't even realize he was standing alone outside the entrance to the Trap Dungeon. Looking into the starry sky of the early morning, his lips stretched into a lopsided grin as he palmed his cheek where Jade's hand just cradled it moments ago.
"Yes, we will see each other again, Měi nǚ."
I despise Chapter 1. I needed to write something to make up for the cringe-fest.
I worry that I may have made the first part of this chapter too OOC. But I'm leaving it as is because I like how I wrote both Jade and Kung Lao coming to terms. And I will like to add that (in my humble opinion) Kung Lao is the best-written character in MK11—and one of the best written in the new timeline. His characterization is one of the few things Kittleshit did write (spelled that way purposefully). Kung Lao was extremely enjoyable in MK11's Story Mode. He kept me intrigued and entertained.
I like to headcanon that Bo' Rai Cho and Kung Lao have something of an uncle/nephew relationship. I never really thought about it before until the MKX and MK11 dialogues. Kung Lao reveres Bo' Rai Cho, and the latter seems to also hold the hat-wielder in high esteem. It's a nice change from the entire cast constantly shitting on poor Kungy for no reason in favor of Liu Kang. So aside from Liu Kang, I like to imagine there isn't anyone else Kung Lao trusts in his very small circle besides Bo' Rai Cho.
And speaking of reverence, I can accept that NRS decided to retcon Kung Jin being Kung Lao's nephew instead of his cousin. Fine. But turning Kung Jin into another Liu Kang fanboy? Unacceptable! So, I also decided to keep Kung Jin's admiration for his uncle intact. Again, it's just a nice change from the usual, and (I think) it adds character to Kung Lao and gives the teleporter another reason for the way he is.
And speaking of Kung Jin, the idea about Kung Lao coming from a wealthy family came from Kung Jin's MKX bio. Kung Jin was born into wealth but his family lost their fortune after Kung Lao's murder at the hands of Shao Kahn. I found that tidbit interesting and I wanted to incorporate it into this fic.
I wrote Jade's past this way because I wanted to remind people of the Jade I grew up with. Deception Jade is still (in my humble opinion) the best iteration of Jade in MK lore. I miss the strong-willed, sexy, flirtatious, unpolished, humorous woman Jade used to be. Now we have to suffer from lovesick, fangirl Jade. Another one of Kittleshit's mistakes. Any new-schoolers who're introduced to the MK series (especially if MK11's their introductory game) will think Jade has always been a conservative woman in love. And that's not true. There is a list of words I can use to describe the emerald assassin; "conservative" and "lovesick" will not make that list.
I also like to headcanon that Jade is proficient in Edenian magic. Looking at her MK11 gear really made me think to myself, Oh, shit! She has a lot of magic-inspired gear! And I think that's cool. And it would be powers she inherited from her mother (also taught to her by Shao Kahn, even though he'll never let her know it was Edenian magic she was learning). Even Jade's moveset in the game is mostly magic-based. In my fic, A Warm Winter, I had Jade open a portal to Outworld for this very reason. It can also be a reason why Shao Kahn's elite assassins are able to manifest and conceal their weapons with a flick of their wrists, and why they're able to teleport.
P.S.: I promised Liu Kang and Kitana would make their cameos in this chapter. But I had to get this out of the way to set the foundation for this story's main kouple. But it's guaranteed we'll see our favorite red and blue pairing in Chapter 3. And that's another thing. Initially, this story was supposed to be 2 chapters, but it's looking like it may be 4 chapters. But that's a good thing, especially since JadeLao fics are few and far in between.
P.P.S.: I'm still cackling at everyone wanting them the fuck in the Grotto! Does anyone care about the Grotto being sacred? ?
Mandarin phrases are from Yabla.