A/N: Told you I would have a new chappie posted for you guys upon waking up. :)

For someone who had a rough night, I'm sure happy as heck today. Then again, today IS my birthday, so. Could be the booze wearing off too. O.o

Anyway, enjoy!

Sub-Zero hadn't gotten much sleep as of late. His mild insomnia had started the night he had reluctantly decided to make amends for his disrespect toward that beautiful woman he had last seen many years ago. Part of him wanted to forget about it all just to get some rest, but the more assertive side of him refused to let that happen.

He was lying in his bed, quietly pondering what could have happened had he not disrespected her. Would things have been different? Perhaps. Then again, the Cryomancer's naturally pessimistic outlook on life itself always defeated any chances of him growing into a better person. It only hindered his outward physical image.

Sub-Zero, for one, was very handsome. His deep-set blue eyes, which inherently marked him as a Cryomancer, were enchanting. Anyone could look directly into them and be lost in a sea of mystery. Not to mention his very attractive face, he also had the well-built body to match. The only thing missing to this already stunning man was an air of friendliness.

Having grown up in the Lin Kuei since his infancy, Kuai Liang had never really learned to develop his social skills. It didn't really matter, especially since the Grandmaster who had ruled him for so long did not particularly care about anything his subordinates had to say. For that very reason, even if Kuai Liang had something to say to the world, he always kept his personal opinions to himself. It's not like anyone even acknowledged him anyway, so why bother in doing it now?

But the emotionally stoic young man of only twenty-three years of age still had more room to grow. He was still maturing, albeit more slowly than the average man his same age. Another factor to be considered was that ever since he had escaped the corrupt Lin Kuei along with his best friend, Smoke, he had been a loner. Smoke had long since been captured, and as much as it hurt him to accept that he really had no one, Kuai Liang bottled it up.

His heart was now as cold as the ice he controlled, and that empty part of him wanted badly for that special someone - whoever it might be - to come around and repair it. The Cryomancer did not want to succumb to his silent misery...

Sareena had fought several demons blocking her escape from the Netherrealm before she finally managed to get out. Nearly losing her human appearance in her most recent fight, she realized that she had lost an incredible amount of energy. Tired, she decided to take a short break in order to revitalize her strength. She didn't want to risk being attacked while in her true form, in Outworld of all places.

Even so, she knew that she could use the dead realm's energy to maintain her human form. That was why she was here instead of her original destination in Earthrealm. Until she was sure that she could wander the abandoned realm without being attacked, she silently sat down against a huge rock for a good hour or so.

Several moments had passed before the demoness realized that she was safe to continue on her trek to where her heart needed her to be. She did not know for certain if he would even remember her, but it was worth a try.

Sareena walked through the ruins of Lei Chen before encountering a young woman clad in purple. The woman in question looked a bit like Kitana, albeit not as beautiful.

Noticing the outsider wandering though her village, Li Mei stopped the demoness. She wasn't willing to fight Sareena, since she knew how powerful the facaded woman was. Not just that, but Sareena generally did not attack unless the assault was launched at her.

"I'm not here to stop you from your trip, Miss. But may I ask why you are here in Outworld?" Li Mei quietly implored.

Sareena didn't want to fight the Outworlder either, but she knew that the only way to get past this interruption would be to cooperate. She cleared her throat before replying, "I'm planning a trip to Earthrealm and I have to absorb the energy of this realm to maintain my human form."

Li Mei was stunned at the demon woman's honesty. Normally enemies would never reveal their truest intentions, so the purple-clad warrioress smiled amiably.

"I understand. I appreciate your honesty. Not something common from one of your kind."

Sareena shuddered at the thought of being reminded about her origins. However, she let it slide. She knew Li Mei was right. No one from the Netherrealm was as honest as Sareena was. That was one of the reasons she was cast out of her former alliance in the first place.

Tentatively, she smiled at the Outworlder before speaking in a voice full of resentment. "I guess you are right... I never really felt like I belonged among them..."

Li Mei frowned in confusion. "So... Pardon me, but are you implying that they banished you?"

The red and black garbed vixen shrugged indifferently. "No, I actually escaped. It is only a matter of time before my master realizes I left the Netherrealm, so I must go."

Li Mei noted the tension lacing Sareena's voice, but chose to not keep her plans to travel to Earthrealm halted. "I understand. I may not know you, but good luck. I hope you figure everything out. You're a demon, I'm sure, but I do sense some good in you."

Sareena remained stoic upon hearing the unusual compliment. Normally, no one ever noticed the good in her. It was always disregarded or berated, so she was shocked to hear such kind things coming from a stranger. She didn't know how else to reply, but she figured she'd be grateful and show her acknowledgement.

"Thank you," she calmly said with a furtive smirk.

Li Mei grinned happily. "No problem. May the Elder Gods protect you."

Sareena watched in pure stupor as Li Mei smiled once more before walking off into the opposite direction. After having stood there for a while, she remembered her original task. She set off toward the portal near the outskirts of Lei Chen with a new sense of hope within.

Maybe there was something worth being proud of after all, even if she was a born demon...

A/N: I'll say it now. Yeah, this story loosely follows the original canon. Smoke is automated in this fic, and a few other canon events will be altered to my personal preferences. Some OOC-ness is to be expected, as with all fan-written fiction. I guess it is safe to say that this fan-fic is set in an alternate universe. Oh well. xD

To all you lurkers out there, thanks for reading. Also, I'd like to thank Nentone for being my first reviewer. :)