7 - The Scars of the Soul

Kitana is almost fully recovered from the battle, but but both physical and emotional worries linger for her and Liu Kang. Also, Outworld suddenly shows signs of an impending revolution, but from surprising influences…


Early April

As motionless as the wooden training dummy before her, Kitana stood tall and straight in the center of her private training hall. Her arms were flat to her sides, her hands firmly gripping the hilts of her long-trusted tessen, her feet together, back straight and eyes closed as she concentrated solely on her objective. She stood there for several moments, breathing steadily.

She could feel it slowly returning, the familiar feeling of her warrior chi building in the pit of her stomach. She concentrated hard upon the warm energy, feeling it spread outwards to her limbs, upwards to her head and down to her feet. Inhaling deeply, Kitana's head tilted upwards slightly, and a slight smile curled at her lips. Yes, this was the feeling she had been missing for so painfully long now. She was in her element, grasping and manipulating the strength and knowledge her years of training had brought to her. Finally it was in her reach again. She began to focus her strength into her arms, downwards into her hands.

Then it happened: In what would appear to most untrained eyes as a blur of motion, Kitana used her fans to chop the dummy's neck and then bisect it right down the middle. The parts all flew from one another across the chamber, clattering unceremoniously upon the well-polished, wooden floor. Kitana straightened herself and sheathed her fans in the holsters of her thigh-high boots, a satisfied smile spread over her heart-shaped face.

The past three months of slow recovery from the War kept her from this place. Oh how she missed it; the large, simple room containing long benches stretched along every wall, several training dummies, wall targets and stands holding various weapons from naginatas, katanas, shuriken, and others. She would spend the earliest and latest hours of her day honing and maintaining her skill in the martial arts in this room; before and after tending her more monotonous responsibilities as Edenia's princess. Before sustaining her deathly injuries, it was how she started and ended every day. It was her pacifier, her energizer; the thing that gave her the strength to deal with the matters of diplomacy, the discipline to think of solutions for her people's dilemmas, and calmed her inner turmoil... for the most part.

Suddenly a slight sting in Kitana's left side caused her to wince slightly, instinctively bringing her hand up to hold the agitated spot. It was where Shao Kahn had pierced her and nearly obliterated her kidney, but thankfully the healers were able to recover it well enough to function. It took the Princess months to be able to practice her craft again, but the persistent pain left her to wonder just how capable of a fighter she would ever be from this point onward. Doctor Hasato had warned Kitana that there was a strong possibility that she would never be as strong as she had once been, but she hoped that in due time she would recover more of her old strength.

"I suppose only time will tell…" she mused to herself.

Deciding she could go a bit further yet, Kitana took her beginning stance and began to move, albeit slowly, through a Bagua Zhang kata. A few minutes passed by and she found herself absorbed in her exercises, the motions fluid and natural to her as breathing. Any pain that lingered might as well not have even been there: It was as though doing her katas was just as affective, if not more so, a solution to soothe her aches as the bitter herbs Doctor Hasato had her ingest during those first tentative weeks of her recovery. Kitana had grown so absorbed in her exercises that she did not realize she was being observed.

Liu Kang, who had gone off to meditate for a few hours after they ate breakfast together, had sought out his consort's company. He followed her familiar aura to the Fitness Wing of the palace, and had watched in silent awe as she struck, kicked and turned through the motions of the Eight Trigram Palm. In just over twelve weeks Kitana had transformed from the pale, solemn and drawn woman she was after the battle into her former self. She was Kitana, the Princess of Edenia in her full glory, and was on her way to returning to Kitana the Warrior; the Kitana he remembered from their first encounter nearly eleven years ago now.

Looking upon her gliding through her kata, clad in her familiar training attire of black and blue, her long brunette tresses held back in a flowing ponytail; the former monk could not help but reminisce over that first tense meeting between them. She had been ordered by Shang Tsung, along with Mileena, Jade and the vile mutant Baraka to attack Johnny Cage and the rest of them on the actor's movie set. Liu Kang was singled-out by the then-assassin kunoichi, and found himself torn between natural disdain, and a strange... fascination for his Outworld-bound opponent.

That fascination eventually overcame his initial mistrust of her, and as he got to know her that fascination evolved into admiration, awe, respect, and most profoundly… the deepest and purest love he had ever felt for anyone. He smiled warmly, a somewhat dreamy expression coming over his face as he thought of how that love had grown in the recent months. They actually got to spend time as a real couple for the first time in their long, subtle romance: They would walk the palace grounds hand-in-hand talking and laughing, they would have quiet, private dates alone, and just shared time. It was the first time they could actually be the "boyfriend and girlfriend," and both were enjoying it.

Eventually Kitana completed her kata, inhaling and exhaling a long breath to ease the adrenaline rush that came from it. It was then that she became aware of Liu's presence, and once he realized it he began his applause of her performance.

"You... are amazing." Liu said incredulously. "I never would have guessed you were so badly hurt looking at you now." Kitana beamed, setting her hands on her rounded hips.

"Yes well, I have quite a ways to go yet, but I have made a great deal of progress." she said, walking up to him. "I have you to thank for most of that."

"I just nursed the strength that was already there." Liu said, planting a brief kiss at her lips. "So, what do you say to a little walk? The rain finally cleared up, but if April here is anything like April on Earth, it won't last."

"Then we'd best take advantage." Kitana said. "Just let me clean up and change."


Indeed the brief break in the rains did not last. A few brief hours of bright sunlight came around noon, and by two in the afternoon the deluge resumed. It rained well into the night, pouring down in torrents. The sound came through the thick, slightly open draperies closing off Kitana's balcony, soothing them both into sleep with ease. But Liu's would soon be interrupted…

The man began to flinch, a thin sheen of sweat filming his skin and slight murmurings of distress sneaking from his lips. Behind his eyelids, images flashed through his sleep hazed mind. Abstracted, dim images but dark and grisly.

There was rain, like in reality, but this was an even worse downpour, almost like a typhoon; with flashes of lightning, booming thunder, and harsh winds. The water pelted down on him like stones, and was cold as ice against his bare torso. He braced himself against the storm, his eyes squinting against the sheer rainfall and the darkness. It was pitch-black all about him, but every flash of lightning allowed him a brief glimpse of his surroundings: He could make out the familiar high, sloping tile roofing and the walls that made up his home. A deep sense of foreboding filled him: Why was he here at the temple? And why did something feel so utterly wrong?

Liu trudged along almost blindly: As he made his way the scent of blood mixed with the scent of rain filled his nostrils. It was overwhelmingly thick, putting a metallic taste in his mouth that nearly made him choke. He could see the dim lights of lanterns flickering in the distance near the front gate, and he made his way toward it. When Liu passed through the threshold his eyes widened in horror.

There before him, all scattered about, were his brethren. All of them were dead, some were blatantly broken and even dismembered, as if some beast had torn them apart limb from limb. Shuddering in horror, Liu staggered in amongst them, his tearstained eyes traveling over each and every corpse. Terror was frozen upon every one of the monks' lifeless faces, or at least those whose faces were still in tact: Whoever, or whatever it was that killed them obviously struck fear in them all. Liu recognized each one. Some had been students, some had been masters; all of whom he had known, carried on a conversation with or sparred with or learned valuable things from.

Suddenly he sensed a presence directly behind him, and when he whirled about to see his own face, rotted and monstrous, a jolt went down his spine.

"Do you see what you have done?" his undead copy rasped, giving a wicked, grotesque grin. "This is what your master, whom you've faithfully served has molded you into…"

"No…" Liu uttered. "I, I couldn't… I c-could never…"

"Choose what you will believe, but it makes no difference." the corpse stated, advancing towards him and causing him to step back. "You have murdered your own…" he paused, bringing his blood-soaked hands up into Liu's view. "… and you did it with your own hands."

Impulsively, Liu gazed down at his hands, and to his trepidation found them covered in warm, tacky crimson. An overwhelming feeling of nausea struck Liu, his knees giving way. His countenance was covered in sheer guilt and horror, his agony-ridden gaze slowly moving up to his corpse. Still grinning, the animated body stepped aside to reveal its manipulator; the corrupted Thundergod Raiden, clad in his uncharacteristic, yet suitably gothic clothing. His red eyes bored down onto Liu.

"You will murder for me to protect Earthrealm." he said simply, a command more than a statement. Liu found himself paralyzed as Raiden's gloved hand suddenly began to reach for him. He didn't know if he was mystified or simply in shock, but he could not move. Just before Raiden's fingers made contact, Liu clenched his eyes shut and braced himself…

Liu's eyes snapped open, a sharp gasp escaping his lips. He immediately raised his tremulous hands before his face, relieved to find them clear. It wasn't the first time he had the nightmare: It had been plaguing him for well over a month now, but it was the first time it had ever been so chillingly detailed. His sudden intake of breath stirred Kitana awake, and she propped herself upon an elbow and rubbed her eyes.

"What's the matter?" she murmured groggily. Once her vision adjusted she realized her consort was clearly afraid, as he continued to stare at his hands as if he had not heard her at all. "Liu…? What is it? Are you alright?"

Liu jumped slightly when he finally heard her voice, staring over and meeting her now alert and worried gaze. He heaved a sigh as reality fully set in again.

"… Y-Yeah, sorry." he murmured. "I'm alright… I just, I just had a bad dream."

"That seemed to be more than just a simple 'bad dream' to me." Kitana pressed. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine." Liu assured, his voice totally even and full of its usual, reassuring warmth: The look on Kitana's face showed she did not believe one bit of it, but she decided to leave him be… for now. Her expression softened and she slunk closer to him, pulling him into her arms. Liu accepted her comforts, wrapping his arms protectively around her slim waist and burying his face into her shoulder. He inhaled her scent deeply, reveling in her presence. He tried to appear fine, but truth be told the poor man was shaken to the core. Kitana rubbed his arm and back soothingly until she heard his breathing shift into the soft, rhythmic pattern of sleep. Only then did she allow her own tiredness to pull her back into slumber herself.

'Still,' she thought just as she drifted off, 'I'll definitely be bringing this incident up again tomorrow…'


Dawn came bright and sunny. The rains had vanished by sunrise, leaving only scattered puddles and a few lingering droplets off of trees and roofs as the only proof of their occurrence. Kitana blinked awake before Liu, a rarity, rubbing the crust of sleep from her eyes. She looked over into her beloved's face, noting the slight wariness of his youthful features. Whatever he must have been dreaming of must have been quite stressful. She pressed a loving kiss to his forehead before carefully disentangling herself from his arms and standing from bed. She stretched her arms up and arched her back gracefully, sighing in content at the feeling of the kinks loosening from her lithe form. She finger combed her loose tresses and smoothed down her thin, sleeveless blue nightgown, tugging the hem down to its full length just above her knees as she made her way to the balcony.

Kitana pushed one half of the draperies open and tied them off, smiling as the early morning sun greeted her. She strolled all the way out to the balcony's railing, uncaring of the dampness the rains left against her bare feet as she surveyed New Jerrod. She had done this many mornings over the past ten years since Edenia's liberation, somewhat awed and greatly pleased by the immense growth of the capital city. After the palace was reconstructed, there was, in the very beginning, a collection of only a few temporary shelters scattered about. Then there were houses, a few schools and the university. Now the expanse of buildings, all elegant and of varying sizes, stretched on further than the eye could see, even from her very high vantage point. The fact that Edenia was growing and thriving in spite of all the warfare and invasion made Kitana happy and gave her a feeling of accomplishment.

After a moment the Princess retreated back into her chamber, just as Liu was sitting upright and stretching his arms.

"Hey you." Kitana greeted, smiling. Liu gazed at her and gave a lazy smile, rubbing his eye. She couldn't help but grin at that charming look. She climbed back into bed beside him and rubbed his shoulder. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, just tired…" Liu answered. "Let's lay down for a bit more." he lazily added. Before Kitana could agree Liu playfully dragged her down with him, causing her to giggle at his silliness.

"Well, at least you're in a good mood." Kitana offered. "You looked so frightened last night… you had me worried."

"It's no big deal." Liu dismissed. His protective instinct was overriding his own needs now. It was all too recently that Kitana was the one having nightmares and in major stress, and now that she was finally stable and strong again he was not going to let his own problems cause her any more worries. So for right now, he was going to sweep his woes under the rug, and hope they would stay there until he felt it time to bring them out into the open.

Kitana eyed him knowingly. "I think it is… but I won't press you about it." she reluctantly acquiesced. "I trust that you'll talk to me about it when you're ready."

"And I will, I promise." Liu assured, leaning in to seal their lips.

Kitana responded to him immediately, wrapping her arm back around his neck and pulling herself flush against him. Liu deepened the kiss, feeling that all too familiar warmth rising in his stomach and spread over his body. His hand ghosted over Kitana's hip, groping the rounded flesh and earning a groan from her that rumbled in his mouth. She slowly began rolling onto her back, pulling him over her. The kiss gained urgency, and hands began to roam. Kitana's dainty fingertips glided up Liu's back, sensually exploring his brawny torso. He in turn slid his hands down over her waist, exploring and memorizing her curves. Unthinkingly her legs entrapped his waist, and both of them groaned into each other's mouths when they felt each other's heat. Boldly, Liu transferred his kisses to Kitana's neck, and she shuddered.

It was the first time their intimacy had gone this far. Ever since Kitana began to noticeably recover, the physical closeness between her and Liu had slowly begun to escalate. Before this time period after the War ended, the sexual aspect of their relationship had never been explored, almost not even given a single thought. Sure they were attracted to each other, but there was simply far too many other priorities whirling about them to allow for any such things to even enter their minds. But now they had time, they had each other's presence, and plenty of sudden, intense tension seeking to be sated.

But not just yet.

Caught up in the urgency, Liu unthinkingly looped his arm beneath Kitana's waist and drew her up against him. The quick movement sent an immediate jolt of pain through her side, and she went rigid.

"Ouch! Liu stop it!" she hissed. Panicked, Liu set her down and lifted himself off of her, gazing down at her in horror as she curled up tightly, clutching her side.

"Gods, I'm so sorry." Liu said. He leaned down and rubbed her arm, kissing her temple conciliatorily. Kitana drew a hissing breath, blowing it outward to relax herself. The sudden pain dulled almost immediately, and once she realized she was fine she groaned.

"Damn it…" she spat. She was more agitated about their sensuous moment being ruined than her well-being.

"Are you alright?" Liu asked worriedly. He laid himself beside her, pulling her close and kissing her temple. He felt guilty for letting himself get so caught up. "I'm sorry… I wasn't thinking."

"Don't be sorry, I'm alright Love." Kitana reassured sweetly, rubbing his cheek. "I didn't think it would still hurt so much."

"You're sure you're alright?"

"Yes Darling, I promise you. It was just a quick pain. I'm alright." the Princess soothed. She then rolled her eyes and grudgingly said, "I suppose we'll have to wait just a bit longer…"

"However long you need." Liu caringly agreed. "The last thing I want is to cause you any pain." Kitana gave a nod in reply.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. The pair rose from the bed and donned robes over themselves, and Kitana went to answer the door. A servant, a middle-aged woman, bowed rigidly on the other side.

"Good Morning to you Madam. Forgive such early intrusion, but the Queen and Lady Jade request your presence in the Council Room as soon as possible."

"I see. Did they say why?" Kitana asked.

"They said an… 'interesting' message has arrived from the Outerworld Investigations Agency." the woman said. " They also said Master Liu may be interested in it as well."

"Interesting, you say?" Kitana mumbled. "Very well, I thank you. Please inform Mother that we will arrive shortly."

"It shall be done." said the servant, giving another bow before she swiftly departed. Once she left, Liu and Kitana both gazed at each other somewhat worriedly. News from Outworld always, understandably, brought on the slightest feelings of concern.

"I'm going to go get dressed. I'll meet you back here after." Liu said. Kitana agreed with a nod, and he set off for his chamber.

Kitana quickly shed her nightgown, pulling into an almost gi-like, pale blue tunic with white and indigo patterning, and billowy pants of the same indigo beneath. She pulled her hair back into a simple ponytail and put plain gold studs in her ears, leaving her face makeup free. Liu came in moments later, dressed more simply in a mostly black, sleeveless tunic and black pants, and the two departed for the Council Room. Inside, Sindel, Jade, and both advisers stood over a spread of documents on the round table. None of them looked particularly troubled, which relieved them both, but something of interest was definitely occurring.

"Mother, you wished to see us?" Kitana called out as she and Liu approached, the latter bowing to the Queen.

"Indeed. Jackson Briggs has brought us interesting news." Sindel answered, ushering them both over to the table. She picked up one large parchment and handed it to her daughter. "There is a movement occurring in Outworld. Apparently a new ruler is coming into power, and a peaceful one at that."

"Are you serious?" Kitana asked in complete disbelief. She exchanged a brief glance with Liu, also clearly in shock.

"And more, he isn't even native to Outworld." Jade added. "He is an upstart from Seido of all places. And yet the people seem to be accepting him."

"This is unreal…" the Princess murmured as her eyes scanned the report, Liu reading over her shoulder.

05 APRIL - 2003

OIA HEADQUARTERS - 09:00 HOURS

REPORTS BEGAN CIRCULATING AROUND LEI CHEN OF A WARRIOR NAMED DAIROU* AND A PARTY OF GATHERED FORCES FROM BOTH SEIDO AND OUTWORLD TRAVELING ABOUT ON, WHAT CITIZENS REFER TO AS, "PEACE CRUSADES."

"Dairou…" Kitana murmured thoughtfully. "Where have I heard that name before?"

"From this report from almost seven years ago, not long after Edenia's restoration." Jade answered, presenting Kitana with another parchment, somewhat rotted and torn. She briefly scanned it, her brows raising in realization.

"That's right! He was the member of the Seidan Guard who allegedly killed the assassin who murdered his family, and was sentenced to a life sentence in prison. Then a few years later, he was set free by the leader of the Seidan Resistance and hired to do their bidding." The Princess set a curled finger to her lower lip. "Huh… to think he actually survived the War. He's more cunning than he leads one to believe."

"Apparently he had been residing in Outworld after being left wounded from a failed assassination attempt on Captain Hotaru." Adviser Leng stated. "He had been supported by allies he made there all this time."

"And they and the Resistance members are likely the one's leading these so called 'crusades.'" Kitana stated. She continued reading.

THE RUMORS BEGAN ABOUT SIX WEEKS PREVIOUS, BUT WERE NOT ESPECIALLY NOTED DUE TO DOUBT OF AN IMPACT. SURPRISINGLY, IT SEEMS THAT THE CALL TO MAKE PEACE UNDER DAIROU'S RULE IS RECEIVING GROWING RESPONSE. SEVERAL VILLAGES AND TOWNS, ALL LOCATED WITHIN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO EACH OTHER, HAVE ALREADY AGREED TO UNITE UNDER HIS BANNER. SOME MEMBERS OF HIS FORCES HAVE MOVED IN TO ESTABLISH LAWS. BUT THE ONE TROUBLING FACTOR IS THE MOST RECENT RUMOR; A PLANNED ATTACK AGAINST THE SEIDAN RULE OVER LEI CHEN. DAIROU STATES THAT HE DOES NOT WISH TO INVOLVE ANY BLOODSHED THAT WILL LEAD TO THE DEATHS OF INNOCENT CITIZENS, AND ONLY WISHES TO REMOVE CAPTAIN HOTARU'S DOMINION OVER THE CITY. HE THEN WISHES TO PROCLAIM LEI CHEN OUTWORLD'S NEW CAPITAL, AND SPREAD HIS INFLUENCE OUTWARDS.

WE BELIEVE THAT THIS INFORMATION IS IMPARATIVE FOR YOU TO BE AWARE OF.

AS DOCUMENTED BY:

MAJOR JACKSON BRIGGS

"What does all of this potentially mean?" Liu asked.

"It could mean another bloody upheaval, and another potential threat." Kitana answered, relaying her unease. "Why would the clans of Outworld suddenly agree to unite after all this time?"

"A bit too convenient, don't you think?" Jade asked rhetorically. "I think we should merely stand back and investigate. Once we know what's going on under the surface, if there is anything, we can make plans about how to proceed."

"Indeed so…" Queen Sindel said. She looked between the former bodyguard and her daughter. "You two have the best experience with covert activities. How do you believe we should proceed?"

Kitana thought a moment. "We need to gather in-tell: We must select someone trustworthy to get inside information and relay it back to us."

"And I already have just the girl in mind…" Jade said knowingly. "I will make contact with her today, and hopefully we can get her here by tomorrow. She's one of the best spies for the Freedom Fighters, and I think she'll be perfect for the assignment."

"Excellent. Have her in the Throne Room tomorrow at this time. Even though you trust her, have her carefully screened before she arrives." said Sindel.

"It shall be done Madam." Jade replied, bowing.


The Next Morning…

It was around nine in the morning when the Queen and her associates gathered in the Throne Room. Jade stood to the right of Sindel, and Kitana faithfully at her left. The leader of the Freedom Fighters brought forth the information on her choice for the mission, and the Queen and Princess read over it thoroughly.

"Hisae Kodoyama…" Kitana recited as she read the information. "I remember her. If I recall correctly, she used to be a spy for the Emperor, and then converted to our cause when Edenia was freed."

"I can assure you that this girl is trustworthy." Jade encouraged. "I taught her the tricks of the trade myself, and she's reported back to me on quite a few covert missions. She was the one who informed us of a way back into the palace during the War with Shinnok, as well as his plans to assault Earthrealm."

"Indeed. I remember conversing with her a few times back during the Reconstruction. She struck me as being very level-headed, and genuinely eager to please." Sindel said. "Let's hope she'll be able to handle herself."

A few minutes later, Hisae was brought in. She was a young woman at six-thousand years, just a fraction below Kitana in the stage of her life, but like the Princess and many of her other subjects, she was hardened by life under Kahn's service. She too had loathed her previous life, and was more than eager to make a new one for herself when Edenia was liberated. She was a tall, sturdily built and very pretty girl, with bronze skin, hazel eyes and a long, black braid of hair; and she carried herself with a rather confident air. She came before the throne and knelt onto her right knee; bowing in the traditional Edenian way.

"It is an honor to be in your presence Madam." she said in a strong, but still humble voice.

"Hisae Kodoyama… you may rise." Queen Sindel said, and the young woman complied. "A report has come from our allies at the Outerworld Investigations Agency: The beginnings of a revolution have seemed to occur in Outworld, and we are interested in knowing how these events are unfolding. For this, we require assistance; and General Jade has requested you for the task."

"I am at My Lady's service." Hisae replied.

"A man named Dairou, who is a known mercenary and prison escapee from Seido, has gathered a following which has traveled through Outworld on supposed 'Peace Crusades.' He appears to be attempting to unite Outworld through mere persuasion and general concern for the well-being of the citizens, but we are not entirely trusting of this. That is why we have called upon you."

"We need someone to feed information to us from the inside." Kitana began. She pulled a message from her sleeve and passed it to the young spy. "Another message has come from the Agency. It states that Dairou is reportedly seeking strong warriors to act as his personal protection. We need you to pose as a guard and get close to him; find out exactly how he is operating." The Princess paused, her eyes thinning. "It can prove to be a dangerous task. You must use the utmost caution, and be willing to defend yourself and the mission by any, means, necessary. Do you accept?"

Hisae swallowed hard, and for a brief moment childlike excitement flashed in her green-brown eyes. She quickly steeled herself. "I accept."

"Excellent." Sindel said, a small smile curling at her lips. "General Jade will inform you of the specifics." At this, said general stepped forward, ushering Hisae into the next room for briefing.


Liu Kang sat silently in meditation out on Kitana's balcony. He breathed steadily, in and out, as he emptied his mind of all thought.

Suddenly a flashing image of his brethren's lifeless faces and his bloodied hands flickered behind his eyelids, snapping him from his calm almost immediately. His pulse suddenly quickened, and he found himself hyperventilating. He leaned his head down into his hand, clenching his eyes shut. But the image kept playing, he could still hear the screams, smell the blood…

A touch on his shoulder caused him to gasp, jumping to his feet and whirling about. Kitana stood there, moving back with a start. Liu's mouth got ahead of him.

"What are you doing coming upon me like that?" he snapped, regretting it instantly.

"I-I'm sorry Liu. I didn't mean to frighten you." Kitana said, perplexed by her consort's reaction. The monk pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head slightly.

"No… no, I'm sorry." he muttered, trying to collect himself. "I'm just… a bit out of sorts."

"Is it because you hadn't slept well last night?" Kitana asked. "Maybe you should lie down for a bit."

"No, I'm okay…"

"But Liu-"

"Kitana please, just drop it, alright?" Liu interrupted, his voice still on edge. He sighed. "I'm going to train outside for a bit…"

Kitana watched warily as Liu bristled past her and exited the chamber, feeling worried and a bit forlorn all at once. Something was obviously wrong with him, but what was it exactly?

And why was he not telling her?


Looks like trouble is brewing for our couple... don't worry, in the next chapter things will look WAY up ^_^.

*Reference to Dairou's MKA ending.

I overall don't like how this one came out. It's too choppy for what I like, but this whole Outworld situation is going to evolve a bit more, and this was already getting kinda lengthy so I ended this chapter here.

Please review, (thanks to those who have been) and more coming soon!