8 - Choices and Truths

The Royal Assembly meets to decide on whether or not to house Lei Chen's refugees. Liu Kang completes his preliminary training and confronts Juugo. Elsewhere, Jade uncovers more about her missing loved one through Arlis' anecdotes.

Himura...

Jade paced anxiously back and forth just outside of the back gate of the encampment. She was waiting for Arlis; had inwardly been waiting all day long for this meeting. It was early afternoon, perhaps around 3:30 or so; she hadn't looked at a clock since leaving the room where a written exam was held for the soldiers a short while ago. The instant time was up and all scrolls were handed in, she bid her fellow instructors a quick farewell and then promptly went to her quarters. She changed from her formal General's uniform to something more casual and discreet, then just as quickly made her way here.

Jade had found concentrating to be a difficult task during the morning drills and the tests. Firstly, she was slightly hungover and had the most persistent of aches at each of her temples. Secondly, her mind was elsewhere. She tried to focus on the candidates before her as they moved through their intricately memorized exercises and katas, but her thoughts kept drifting to the conversation she and Arlis had the previous night after they unexpectedly met in the tavern.

To think, he actually knew her long-lost brother. Over ten-thousand years it had been since she had even heard his name spoken on lips other than her own. And she rarely spoke it herself. So much time had passed: After her training under her old master Tsui was complete, and Kahn recognized her as a warrior, she spent several centuries trying to find him. She asked, searched, dug through records, but there was absolutely no trace of her older sibling left. Eventually, Jade resigned herself to the belief that her brother was likely dead. It wasn't exactly a stretch. Nearly a tenth of Edenia's entire populace had been slaughtered in the wake of Shao Kahn's invasion. Her father, and both her parents families were all killed. Why would her brother have survived?

But no, he actually had survived.

"You knew my brother?!" Jade exclaimed, the question nearly gushing forth as a single word.

Arlis blinked a moment. "Hold on... Erin was... wait, yes! Yes I remember now!" he replied in realization. He grinned. "I do remember him mentioning he had a younger sister."

"What happened to him?" Jade abruptly asked, walking closer to him. "Please tell me! When was it you last saw him? Was he okay? How did you meet him?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa hang on..." Arlis said, hands raised in a yielding gesture. He chuckled slightly. "It'll take far too long for me to explain everything right now. it's late... we're drunk, and we have drills and more testing in the morning. Let's just get back to camp, get some rest and sober up, and tomorrow when all our formal business is done we can meet up and talk. Fair?"

Jade bit her lower lip, foot tapping the ground anxiously. She wanted to know more immediately, wanted to press and insist. But she knew Arlis was right. They had important matters to attend to in less than twelve hours. He was right about how intoxicated they were too. in spite of this sobering piece of information, Jade could still feel her head swimming and knew she would likely be in quite a bit of discomfort when morning came.

"... Alright. Tomorrow, right after the written exam you have to take. I'm going to meet you at the back gate of the encampment and we can go somewhere and talk."

"Done deal." Arlis replied.

The two made the relatively short walk back to the military grounds and parted for their individual destinations then, Jade reminding him sternly of when and where they would meet again.

She huffed slightly, twirling a loose lock of her wavy black tresses around her finger. It felt like she had been waiting forever, even though it had been all of five minutes since she came to the back gates. Finally she turned to see Arlis' tall form jogging up the path. He too had forgone his uniform, wearing a simple gray tunic and black pants; good. A part of her was worried about anyone professional finding out about their frequent conversations. People liked to talk.

"Hey, sorry. You didn't wait long did you?" Arlis asked.

"No, I've only just gotten here myself." Jade answered.

"Good. Now then," Arlis began. "There's a quiet little diner up the road. It's actually right around the corner from the tavern we were in last night. We could go there and have bite while I explain."

Jade shrugged. "Fine by me."

The two reached the small eating establishment, a simple ramen shop, within less than twenty minutes. Arlis ordered a hearty dish with pork, but the staff-wielder was not feeling too hungry at the moment and ordered some simple udon noodles with a thin coating of soy sauce.

"Alright, I can see you're pretty anxious," Arlis said, breaking his chopsticks, "and to be honest I'm anxious to tell you now that I know who you are. So I'll get to the point now." Jade leaned forward slightly in her seat, eyes gleaming eagerly. Her companion cleared his throat. "So the other day, when I was telling you about my friend that went to Seido..."

"He was the one?" Jade asked.

"Yes, it was him." Arlis began, stirring his dish some. "I first met Erin when I was just a kid, around 30 years old. He had escaped to the small village I was born into a few decades before then. He and a bunch of other escaped slaves. They all ran together in this little group of bandits that would ride around through different towns, robbing and picking off a few low ranking officers in Kahn's ranks. Then they'd come home and split the spoils with all the townsfolk. And he eventually became their leader. The man was like a hero... my hero."

"I see." Jade murmured thoughtfully. "He was a pick-pocket back before the slavers came to our camp. Our father couldn't stand it, but we needed whatever food or money he could steal. We were so poor..."

Arlis nodded. "Well he had risen far above being a mere purse-snatcher by the time I got to know him. He and his band would sometimes come home with chests full of gold and enough food for a banquet." he paused slightly, a somber smile coming over his face. "He did a lot for the village, especially my family. He always looked out for my mother, and my little sisters and I. He felt bad for us since my father abandoned the family. As we both grew up more, he kind of took me under his wing, taught me how to fight, and soon I was joining him and his group in their raids. We got more of the younger guys in the village to join and we grew into this bigger organization. We even started wearing uniforms and garnered a reputation.

"We got bolder, started hitting bigger targets like military outposts, inns, even successfully robbed a few regional lords." Arlis paused. "Do you remember hearing about Overlord Motoki being found half daad in the Golden Desert with all his vast treasure stolen?"

Jade thought a moment, "... I do remember. It was about six-hundred years ago. Motoki was favored highly by the Emperor and it was reflected in his riches and lavish lifestyle. I remember hearing he and his caravan, carrying all his wealth was traveling through the edge of the desert on their way to some regional conference between the local lords. Then he was ambushed and all of his possessions were stolen, even the robes off his back, and he was then left stranded alone. I never knew him but I heard he was a gluttonous and greed-obsess\ed bastard."

"And after we robbed him he became a half mad, half starved bastard by the time his loyalists found him." Arils said, sounding somewhat smug.

"Wow, so you all made off with everything he had. You and my brother..." Jade said wistfully, shaking her head.

"It was the biggest heist we had ever pulled, and we soon found it was the most dangerous." Arlis continued quietly. "Naturally stealing from a regional lord meant more or less stealing from the Emperor himself, and soon he sent a garrison of his troops to hunt us down.

"To avoid any of us getting killed, Erin disbanded the group. Not only that, but he made sure everyone in the village got enough from the heist to leave and settle some place else. By the time Kahn's men arrived the place was totally abandoned. Everyone split in different directions, but Erin came with me and my family. We moved from town to town, working some and continuing to steal when we could. But the Emperor's troops still hunted us for decades, so we constantly had to keep moving.

"Finally around a century ago, they gave up chasing us. I think the Emperor had become too invested in trying to take Earthrealm in their Mortal Kombat tournament again by that point, so he drew his troops back." Arlis paused and took a few bites of his food. Jade followed suit, but her attention was rapt upon him instead of her meal. Her brother had been alive all this time, and she had even known of some of his exploits without being aware it was him.

Jade swallowed down a mouthful of udon. "All of us in the Emperor's employ nicknamed all of you the Kiri after what happened to Motoki, because you vanished like mist. None of you were ever found. I even once had a mission to spy upon a suspected member of your ranks, but it was a false lead." She paused, shaking her head. "Just imagine if I had actually found a member. I may have learned about my brother long ago. Elders know I had tried to find him for so, so long... but I never turned up anything. There weren't even documents of him in any slave records."

"Probably because the slaves themselves had found and destroyed them." Arlis interjected. "At least that's what Erin told me they did."

"I see..." the green-eyed woman muttered. She took a sip of her cup of green tea. "So you said he then went to Seido?"

Arlis gulped another portion of his meal. "Yes. By then we had settled into a little area just on the backside of Lei Chen. Since it was a trading outpost with Seido, he somehow went there and got a visa for himself and Ren, his girlfriend. He wanted out of Outworld, to go somewhere where he could live a legitimate life and raise a family in safety, even if he was trading one oppressive law for another."

"And so they left, and you haven't heard from him since?" asked Jade, somewhat downcast.

"That's right." Arlis replied, also sounding a bit saddened. "Well, he got one letter to me about five years later. Sent it by way of a man looking to escape from Seido to Outworld ironically enough. He said the rules there were pretty stiff but the place where he settled was peaceful. He found a good job as a carpenter and he and Ren apparently got engaged." He gazed at Jade, wearing and incredulous expression. "If only he knew his missing little sister was in fact the Emerald Flash, now turned General of the Edenian Imperial Army; liberator of our kingdom and trusted friend of our princess! He'd have been damn proud and amazed."

Jade laughed slightly at all the praise. She gave a small smile. "Did he talk about me a lot?"

"Not a whole lot. He didn't talk much about his past at all really." the lieutenant said somewhat ruefully. "But when he did, it was mostly about his beloved little sister. He always hoped that you were safe, wherever you were. And he hoped you'd do whatever you had to do to stay alive."

"Well I guess we both did." Jade murmured.

The rest of their meal was spent mostly in brooding silence. Both were inwardly incredulous at the fact that fate had brought the two of them together, connected by a man who had meant so much to them both. What were the chances? It was somewhat astonishing, and definitely hard to believe. After they finished their meal, Arlis paid the tab and they left. They proceeded back to the military compound, still silent and stewing in their thoughts. Arlis escorted his superior yet again to her dwelling, and as she was about to step into the doorway, she suddenly turned to him with a fierce look in her eyes.

"I'm going to look for him again." Jade declared. Arlis' eyes widened somewhat.

"What?"

"I'm going to look for him again Arlis." Jade repeated. "For so long, I was sure my brother was dead, just like the rest of our family. But he's been alive all this time, right under my nose. And I believe he's still alive in Seido somewhere. I don't even know how or where to start... but I'm going to find him, and if he'll have it I'm going to bring him back home to Edenia where he should be. And I want you to help me. Will you?"

Excitement immediately suffused the young man, a grin stretching across that handsome face of his. In truth, he had wanted to find his friend again as well, but never had the time or resources to do so. But now Edenia was free and he was a soldier in the Imperial Army. Jade was right: Erin should be in his native realm, living the life he was meant to before the dark emperor stole it away. He should be with his only blood family once again.

"Yes. I'm in."

Meanwhile, at the Royal Palace...

"It would compromise us greatly to allow so many foreigners from our enemy realm into our borders." Minister Malek, head of education stated.

"But they are innocent citizens being slaughtered simply for wanting their town to be freed from tyranny!" cried Minister Qiun of investigations. "Their plight is not dissimilar to our own just a decade ago. It would be purely hypocritical for us to turn them away."

"Be mindful that the last time we allowed supposed 'refugees' into Edenia, we were swiftly invaded! And just a year after we had won our own freedom." Ambassador Han-Shou argued. "We have no way of knowing for certain that this is no scheme to take our world yet again."

"This is unfortunately very true." Kitana agreed, a rarity when it came to Han-Shou. "We cannot ignore the fact that this may well be a ploy. Edenia is still in a weakened state. We've fought again and again since our kingdom was restored, and our armies, though rebuilding, are still lacking."

"However, we also cannot ignore that Lei Chen's people are not unlike our own." Sindel added. "Their society is mostly upper class, artistic people with little crime. From what Princess Kitana and others have reported, it was one of the very few places to live in Outworld where there was peace."

"Only four times in my life had there ever been unrest in the city." Kitana started, counting on her fingers. "The first was during the Kuatan Rebellion, when the city was coerced into allying with the Shokan by force. The second being when Overlord Zeffeero refused to pay his tribute to the Former Emperor and troops were sent in to threaten the people. The third was a direct result of that, when they allied with Seido for support, and the latter eventually seized control of the city. And the fourth is this latest incident." The Princess paused a moment, meeting her gaze with everyone at the large roundtable.

"Four incidents in over ten-thousand years; nearly all caused by outside influences. Only four. Meanwhile countless raids, wars and massacres happened almost daily in practically every other region of Outworld." Kitana paused again, lacing her fingers. "If that extremely low statistic proves anything of merit, it, in my opinion, states that the hearts of Lei Chen's citizens to not bear the same corruption that plagues other communities of Outworld. These people are not hardened by constant pillaging by the Tarkata or Kahn's military. They haven't had to kill to take from others or even merely to defend themselves. They erected walls to protect their society, mostly with success so they had generational peace."

"I agree with the Princess there." Adviser Xing Leng spoke. "Before Edenia's liberation, I myself had lived there with what remained of my family for many centuries. The people were peaceful, even welcoming to others who came to live there in peace as well. I believe that no harm should come to Edenia should they be allowed asylum."

"But the risk is still present, however small." said the other Adviser, Hideo Toshirai. "If they are allowed in, they must be carefully screened."

"And perhaps not allowed to interact with Edenia's native populace. Not until we have assured they are not a threat at least." Kitana mused.

The Queen thought a moment. "There is a large military base that I believe is currently not in use, as we haven't enough troops to occupy it. It is in the far off territory of Shimabara."

"Indeed so," Kitana dawned. "I've only been there twice but I believe it had enough space to house several hundred families. And it also has walls."

"It hasn't been occupied since it's construction." Minister Qiun spoke. "It may need some additional constructs, but if we should allow the citizens to enter... it would make the best location."

"Well the issue has still not been decided as of yet." Han-Shou remarked sternly.

"Indeed not, Ambassador," Kitana replied, casting her a narrow-eyed glance. She turned to everyone again. "We must hold a conference with all the Daimyo's and discuss this matter further. If we are all in agreement that Lei Chen's citizens may have permission to enter, then the matter shall be taken to our vote. Then to the vote of the people."

"A summons shall be sent to all territories by tomorrow. All of the lords and the Royal Assembly shall convene together within no more than a week. Meeting adjourned. You are dismissed." Sindel declared. All of the Ministers stood from their seats in unison and bowed, befoe making their way out of the chamber. As she grew closer, Han-Shou approached Kitana and Sindel imploringly.

"My Queen, Princess, may I have a word?" she asked, unusually cordial. Mother and daughter cast each other a curious glance.

"Yes, Ambassador. You may speak." permitted Sindel.

"I know that we have had our differences over the years. But I beseech you, we must act upon this matter with the utmost caution." Han-Shou stated.

"Of course we will." Kitana said. "Believe me, we are all quite wary of the position we have been placed in. But innocent lives are at stake."

"By those lives I assume you mean the Outworlders?" the Ambassador inquired warily. "The innocent lives of our people may also be at steak. The risk lies not only with the intent of the citizens of Lei Chen, but the potential threat of Seido being angered by our involvement. Our peace with them is tentative and mostly unspoken. We have resolved to merely stay out of each other's affairs and have left it at that. Seido has tried to claim territory beyond their borders in Chaosrealm as well as Outworld. We don't want to ad our realm to their list."

Kitana nodded. "This is true, that's why I want to proceed carefully; to gather the opinions of all our elite, and our own citizens as well."

"Thus far it seems that you are doing just that, and I commend you." Han-Shou said sincerely, which nearly took Kitana and Sindel both aback. WIth a wry smirk, the Ambassador continued, "But my nature demands that I remind you to not be brash. I understand that you wish to save all within your sights, young Princess. But our defenses are low, our people are tired. We mustn't bring war to our doorstep again."

Kitana gazed upon Han-Shou consideringly. Her pride inwardly hated to admit it, but the Ambassador was right. Edenia's safety had to take top priority, and she had to consider her kingdom's course of action cautiously, especially given how her last major decision to enter a war cost them greatly. She gave the older woman a single nod.

"As long as I draw breath, Edenia will be protected. Whatever choice we make, that all of us make," she gave Han-Shou a pointed look, "it will be carefully considered. And it will be the best decision for all of us." Han-Shou gave a very small smile, perhaps the first genuine one Kitana had ever seen her make. It almost looked like it physically pained her.

"I should hope so." she replied. Giving one final bow, the Ambassador finally took her leave, and Sindel and Kitana cast each other another glance.

"Did we really just have a peaceful conversation?" the Princess asked in amused disbelief.

"I think you did." Sindel chuckled, also sounding surprised. "Perhaps you're gaining some level of ground with getting on her good side."

Kitana thought a moment, then scoffed. "I won't hold my breath on that..." she drawled.

Knight's Encampment...

Liu Kang, as well as fifteen other recruits, moved through their katas in perfect unison; all grace and strength born from their tireless weeks of practice. The fundamentals of Zha Chuan and the use of a Kwan Dao were engrained upon them all now, the movements as involuntary as taking a breath. A few men down from Liu was Fedir, whom had now become his good friend. Behind them sat another sixteen men, already having been examined and now observing the other half. And before them all, Juugo sat upon his dais, scrutinizing each one, especially the Earthrealmer. He couldn't stand it, but Liu took to martial arts like a bird to flight. No matter what challenges, tests and obstacles he tried to throw at him to mar his focus, the Former Monk remained sharp. Perhaps he simply could not discredit him in the eyes of the court after all.

The men all completed their katas and stood at attention, staffs held at their side and posture erect. After a moment, Juugo stood.

"Congratulations men, your preliminary training is now complete." he said authoritatively. "But this is merely the beginning. Of the hundred that first arrived here, only thirty-six of you have come this far. You men all have valor, strength, intelligence and will. Remember and harness each in the coming months as your training intensifies. All of Edenia will be watching you now." The Captain paused, stepping down from his dais.

"For now you have earned rest. Tonight you all will depart for the capital city and to your new lodging. Well, some of you..." Juugo pointedly met Liu's eyes, and the Prince Consort glared right back. He had business with him now that this ordeal was over. The Captain cleared his throat and addressed them all again. "Rest, then prepare to depart. Dismissed!"

The men bowed and then leisurely departed for their quarters. As Liu walked, Fedir caught up to him.

"So what's the plan?" he asked quietly, a wry smirk on his features.

Liu merely shrugged. "Nothing extraordinary. I'm merely going right to his office and confronting him about what he's done."

"That's going to go over well..." Fedir mumbled.

"He's still my superior, like it or not. I have to be mindful of that. And the last time I took matters into my own hands... it didn't go so well." Liu murmured, referring to his little encounter with Yasahiro and his cronies. "Besides this is the last day I'll hopefully have to cope with him for a long time."

Not that it really mattered to Liu much. Juugo's pettiness was irksome to say the least, but it was hardly the worst he had dealt with. and besides all of that, tonight he would finally be returning home to his wife. He was definitely looking forward to that. Their little reunion five days earlier, and how far it had nearly gone, was still at the forefront of his thoughts. Tonight he would finally be finishing that bit of business as well. He smirked to himself, and Fedir noticed.

"Well I'm sure Juugo is probably the least of your concerns." he said wryly.

The two men returned to their barracks. Fedir was content to flop down for a nap, while Liu took a change of clothes and headed for the showers. After a quick, cold washing, he changed from his training attire to a more casual shirt and pants, and then made his way for Juugo's end of the encampment. Despite the opinions many had of him, the soldiers and guards pacing about allowed their Prince passage to the Captain's office. One young assistant showed him directly to the door, knocking upon it for Liu.

"Captain, you have a visitor." the young man announced.

"Who is it?" Juugo irritatedly called from the other side of the shoji screen.

"It is the Prince Consort. He says there is a personal matter he would like to discuss before you."

There was a brief silence before the Captain calmly said. "Send him in." The young assistant slid the door open for Liu, who inclined his head slightly in thanks before stepping inside. Once the assistant slid it shut again, Liu fixed a stern gaze upon Juugo. The man sat at a large desk, scribing away at some important document or another, not even bothering to look up at him.

"What is your business with me Cadet?" he eventually inquired indifferently.

"Let's not pretend Captain. You know why I'm here." the Prince warned. "I'm here regarding the letters you have intercepted from the palace... from my wife."

Juugo scoffed, still not raising his gaze. "So you've finally caught on."

"Don't insult me." Liu murmured. "I've known for weeks."

"And you wait conveniently until your training from me is complete to confront me on the matter." the Captain jeered. He finally gazed upon his visitor with a snide smirk. "Smart move boy. You didn't want to get even further on my bad side." To this, Liu began to laugh quietly under his breath, and then it grew slightly louder. Juugo's smirk fell, a sharp crease forming between his thick, black brows. "What's so amusing?"

"Elders... you are a pathetic little man for all of your power and haughtiness." Liu remarked, still chuckling somewhat. Juugo's frown deepened into a scowl. "You honestly believed mere hazing would faze me? That you could deter me in some way?" Liu's amusement was quickly switched for anger again. Honestly it's pathetic, these measures you take, all out of mere jealousy."

"You think that's all this is about?" the Captain asked, his sneer returning. "This isn't merely about your union with the Princess... rather what it represents. A foreigner will sit upon our throne, an ignorant monk who knows nothing of politics or diplomacy. Who are you to rule Edenia?"

"The one Kitana chose to rule beside her." Liu answered confidently. "It is true Juugo, I am no royalty. I know nothing of holding such power... but as I'm sure you've seen, I am a fast learner, and a tenacious one at that." Humbling his tone, Liu continued. "I have not come here to bring ruin to this world, nor do I plan to misuse the power of the position I will soon be placed in. As I told Kitana before we wed, I consider this place to be my home now... your people I now consider to be my people, and I will go to any length to ensure the safety and prosperity of this kingdom for as long as I draw breath and live within these borders." Juugo raised an eyebrow, seemingly considering Liu's words.

"You seem genuine enough, Prince, but it's a foolishly romantic notion to believe you will adjust to leadership so easily." he stated. He then moved back slightly in his chair and opened a compartment low on the left side of his desk. Out of it he extracted five small scrolls all tied together, each one bearing the royal insignia; Kitana's letters. Keeping his gaze firmly locked on the Prince Consort's, he sat them on his desk.

"You have valor, I will commend you for that." Juugo started, "but as I told you and the other cadets earlier... this is only the beginning."

Liu nodded, stepping forward and taking the scrolls. "I am aware." he said succinctly. He bowed deeply. "In spite of our differences, I honestly hope one day to meet your approval as your prince, and to serve this kingdom well." And with that, Liu turned and dismissed himself.

As soon as the shoji slid shut again, Juugo flashed a smirk.

"We shall see Prince."

Late that night, Royal Palace...

Kitana's head jerked upward slightly from her pillow as she heard the door to her chambers open and abruptly shut. It was almost midnight: She had turned in a few hours ago and had, for once, fallen deeply asleep rather quickly. Shaking the haze of said slumber off, she blinked into the darkness of her chamber and slowly her vision focused on the masculine silhouette standing a few meters from her bed. He dropped something like a bag upon the floor, then moved to the nearest nightstand and lit the lantern sitting upon it. When the light brightened her view, and that all too familiar, loving smile was illuminated for her to see, her own expression brightened.

"I'm home." Liu simply said.

Without a word, Kitana darted from the bed and flung herself into his waiting embrace. Their hug was not unlike the one they had shared just five days ago, but even sweeter knowing that this reunion was permanent. They lingered that way, neither saying a word, just clinging to one another tightly; almost desperately.

"Oh my Darling... finally you're back with me." she murmured blissfully.

"Indeed I am Ai Ren," Liu replied, moving back from her slightly. His eyes were smoldering, and her breath hitched at the sight of them. "And I'm finally back for this."

And then he took her lips, her eyes momentarily going wide from his suddenness. His impatient tongue probed its way inside and Kitana felt her knees giving, lust already seizing her entire body. Almost like telepathy, both their minds traveled back to their interrupted passion from their last time in each other's presence, the need left unfulfilled still burning to be sated.

Kitana raked at his shoulders to push down the cloak he wore, and he hoisted her up against him by the back of her thighs. Hastily he carried her to their bed and deposited her beneath him, pushing up her already short nightgown. They continued to fervently kiss as she undid his tunic, working it free from his torso. Abruptly then Liu broke the kiss and snarled slightly in pain, snapping Kitana out of her lustful stupor. She then espied a rather angry looking bruise upon his shoulder.

"Oh..." she murmured, running gentle fingers over the darkish mark marring his olive skin. She then noticed his torso was peppered with quite a few minor injuries, some even bandaged. "Argus, did we send you to begin your training or into battle?"

"Ahh... well, perhaps a bit of both?" Liu muttered, eyes averting slightly and a lopsided smirk at his lips.

"What does that mean?" Kitana asked confusedly, sitting up slightly. "Just what exactly did they do to you while you were there?"

"Nothing I couldn't handle..." Liu said, waving his hand dismissively. Kitana's brows knotted together a moment, but as her husband seemed unbothered, she eventually just shrugged.

"Well, either way I can see you've apparently come home to me aching in more ways than I had expected..." she began sultrily. Leaning closer to Liu, she ran playful fingers over his strong chest, and his breathing went somewhat heavy again. "I have a little something that can help with them."

"Oh do you?" Liu purred, grinning.

Kitana merely nodded, and then stood from the bed. She extended her hand to him, and he accepted it. Wearing that seductive smirk that always drove him wild, she led him into their bathroom, and he bit his lower lip in anticipation as he followed her.

You know, in spite of the fact that my focus has shifted to more important things, I partly feel a little ashamed that I haven't finished this story. But I think that's about to change. NO PROMISES, but I will say that gears are beginning to squawk back into motion again...

New update tomorrow, or rather, later today from what time it is where I am.