A/N: Kara's rather cheeky in this. Hell, she's already seen Hanzo half nude, then nude, then touched him, and now she makes innuendos. Honestly, this girl needs help. ;)

Under The Stars

Kara wiped the sweat off her brow. After another month, of dancing around with Hanzo, they ended up fighting, again.

And so, today, she was battling him, in front of his men, who were cheering him on. He hit hard. She flipped and jumped around him, and hit him, as hard as she could. And that seemed to work. He stepped back, and shook his head, before charging at her.

He grabbed a hold of her waist, and the two crashed through a thin, paper wall, and into a pagoda.

Kara struggled out of his grasp, and socked him, roughly against his cheek. He stumbled backwards, and held it.

When he didn't retaliate, she breathed out tired laughter.

She lent against a stable wall, and got her breath back.

"You've worn me out".

Some time passed, before Kara stomped on a small table, breaking it. Hanzo rolled his eyes.

"And why did you do that?"

Kara shrugged. "Well, it's gone quiet, and we ARE supposed to be fighting, are we not? Not making any sound looks suspicious. Though, I could make noise".

The man rolled his eyes again, and pinched the bridge of his nose. This 'cheeky' side of hers was getting on his nerves.

"Leave".

Kara laughed, and shook her head.

Hanzo sighed. "Foolish girl".

Her next move threw him. Kara's energy caressed the skin of his chest, and slipped under his robes, making the small hairs stand on end. He stepped closer to her, curiosity gnawing at him. She summoned a barrier around her body, and flushed, nerves tingling.

"You won't burn me, this barrier will protect me".

Testing that theory out, Hanzo summoned fire, and placed it, near her face, then a little closer. It did not burn her skin, or singe her hair. It slithered over both, and she giggled, when it tickled her ear.

"See? You can trust me".

She held up her hands, when he narrowed his eyes, in suspicion.

"Can I now?"

She nodded. "Don't worry. I won't go below your belt", she raised an eyebrow suggestively, "Unless of course, you want me too".

The man groaned, and backed off. "No, I don't".

Kara moved her energy to his face, and an uninvited warmth filled his gut, and traveled upwards. He couldn't deny that, after over twenty years, of not being touched, by anyone, other than the bastard sorcerer, and Mileena, the cloned 'princess', who acted like a wanton whore, and threw herself at him, multiple times. Hanzo winced, as he thought what could have happened, if he had let her have her way with him.

Those teeth, the obsessive, psychotic behavior, it wasn't in any way what he wanted, in a woman. He understood why some men did. Having almost all of the skin of her breasts on display...below her waist lay a tiny scrap of fabric, and the fact that she knew she'd get attention for it, and she craved that, Hanzo pitied her.

She wasn't meant to be there, or have been created, like himself. He should have died, and been left to do so, with no modicum of dignity.

Kara, however crass, and belligerent was significantly different, to Mileena. She knew how to flaunt herself, but did it with grace, decorum. She did not parade around, half naked, or throw herself at men. Yes, she would flirt, and make unsubtle gestures, which the man had to admit, did annoy him, but sometimes, they made a part of him he thought was long deceased thrum to life.

His happiness, his want to live, and perhaps meet another woman?

Was Hanzo even ready for that? Two decades had passed, and his life after that day had been a blur, of blood, sweat, vomit, tears, and anguish.

Could Kara be that woman?

Never. How could I even entertain the idea. She's a child, for God's sakes!

He did not fancy her, per-say, but he did find her pretty. Her small statue and figure however, made her look rather younger than she was, and that worried him.

What business, would a man, in his forties, have to do, with a woman, in her twenties?

Gods, Satoshi would be around her age now, if he were still alive.

He felt sick, and did not notice Kara. She was now in front of him, with her arms crosses, livid.

She'd heard him. Been listening in, on his innermost, private thoughts.

"Can you be any more patronizing?" The woman growled. "I am not fucking stupid. I know there's an age gap", she stood her ground, although her stance was faltering, "Its not like I am bearing my heart to you or anything, is it? If anything did happen, it would just be for the hell of it. Just between us. No one would know. If it does, it does. If it doesn't, it doesn't. I am fine with either. Just stop acting like I am some love struck teen, drunk on lust".

Hanzo knew she was right, and felt terrible. Why was he acting like this? Kara was no ignorant idiot. Surely she'd been with someone in her past?...

"Kara. You know all about me, and yet, I know next to nothing about you".

Kara hissed. "Changing the subject huh? Why Because you don't know how to answer what I asked?" She frowned. "Why would you need to know about me anyway?"

His explanation surprised her. "I've come to realise that you are right. I have been treating you, like a petulant child, and I regret that. I wish to know about you, so as, if something were to happen between the two of us, we would have something to talk about, share. I think that's only fair, no?"

The woman's face went from one of shock, to confusion, then understanding, all in the space of a minute or so.

"I, er", she stumbled around for words, "Yes, I suppose you are right. And, I forgive you. I haven't exactly acted very adult lately. I understand why you wanted to", she looked away, and a little smirk graced her mouth, slightly angering Hanzo, "Shout at me. Whatever you think of me, I don't mind".

She gestured over, to the portal. "Would you like to come to my home?" A little chuckle came out. "I have tea".

He didn't want to, but, against his better judgment, he laughed.

"Of course".

Kara nodded, and expanded the portal.


Kara's home was small, but modest. Oak furniture, a dining table, and open wardrobe, with plates and glasses on it, beige coloured walls, a kitchen in the top right corner, fluffy cream rugs, a dining table, TV, and two dark red couches.

To the left was another door, to what it was Hanzo did not know, and to his right were the stairs, to the upper floor.

It felt homely, warm, comforting.

Kara gestured for him to sit down, and took off her boots.


After using the bathroom, Kara walked into her kitchen, and opened a cupboard, pulling out several small boxes of tea.

"I have matcha, chamomile, lavender, peppermint, chai...".

Hanzo interrupted her. "Not tea then?"

Kara took a moment, then giggled. "Ah, regular tea. Yes, I do have that too".

She put the boxes back, and took out a larger one, and a sugar jar.

She boiled the kettle, and turned to face Hanzo.

"How'd you like your tea?"

"A little milk, half a sugar".

Kara grabbed two mugs, and put tea bags into them.

"A little bitter, don't you think?"

He knew she was teasing him, and didn't rise to it.

He did rise however, when he heard the door to Kara's home being unlocked. He looked around, and didn't see anywhere he could hide.

Kara shook her head.

Why would you need to hide? We aren't doing anything illegal, or obscene. I am merely making you some tea.

It was Kara's Father, Jakal, and when he spotted his daughter, he smiled. When he saw Hanzo, that turned into a puzzled smile.

"Ah, Master Hasashi. What brings you here?"

Hanzo tipped his head. "General. You're daughter offered me some tea. I saw no reason to object".

Kara seconded that. "He's helped save my life Dad, the least I could do is offer him some tea".

Jakal took that, and nodded. "Got it. Thank you for helping my daughter.", he looked at her and shook his head playfully, "Sorry if she's been a pain".

Kara laughed. "A thorn in his side? Oh Dad", she grabbed another cup, but he declined, "You know me so well".

Jakal laughed, and Hanzo found some, bubbling out of his mouth too.

He sat back down, feeling more at ease now.


Kara put the milk back in the fridge, stirred the sugar into tea cups, and then placed the spoon in the sink.

She walked over to Hanzo, and handed him the mug. He fought a grin, when he saw it had a cartoon animal on it.

"What? A mug is a mug".

Jakal coughed. "I just needed to grab my spare gauntlets".

Kara looked at the ones her Father had on, and noticed they were shredded.

"Bloody hell Dad, did you take on a hoard of Tarkatan?"

Her Dad shook his head. "No, these have needed replacing for a while".

"Hang on. Why are they here?"

Jakal raised his eyebrows. "Do you really want an answer to that?"

Kara went wide eyed, and sat down abruptly, almost spilling the hot liquid in her cup on her lap, and the carpet. "No", she steadied her hand, "Nope".

She breathed another 'no' after that, and scowled, as the two men in the room laughed.


Jakal ran upstairs, and grabbed his gauntlets, before heading out the door.

"Thanks again Master Hasashi", he paused, "Oh, and Kara?"

Kara looked at him. "Yes, Daddykins".

Jakal smirked. "Play nicely now. Relations are just getting off the ground, and we don't want anything, to sour things".

Kara bit her lip. "Oh dear, I may have already done that. Master Hasashi's tea is bitter! Oh no!"

Her overly dramatic tone and 'innocent' gesture irritated Hanzo, but he chose to stay quiet about it.

Jakal scratched his beard and made a face, which Kara snickered at, before nodding, and shutting the door.


"So, you wish to see into my head?

The period of silence between the pair was only ten minutes, but felt much longer. A little awkward.

"If you would permit it".

Kara finished her tea, and placed the cup down, on the coffee table.

"You're so polite. I like that. It's getting rarer nowadays".

A puzzled look from the man had her continue. "What I mean is. Some guys now, they don't act like you. They aren't respectful, they aren't decent people at all. Its a little sad really. Manners and being a decent, honest human being cost nothing".

Hanzo agreed. "A shame. I was raised to be courteous, not impulsive, or rude".

Kara smiled. "I appreciate that, really, I do. Thank you", she gestured to his cup, "Are you finished?"

He drank the last of the tea, and nodded. Kara took the cup, and placed it next to hers.

"Mind if I sit near you? It'll make opening my mind easier".

Hanzo moved over, and let the woman sit by him. She didn't sit too close though, she wanted him to have some personal space. He appreciated that.

"Here, place your fingers on my temple. You see the aura?"

Hanzo observed the lilac coloured aura, that covered her head. "If this darkens, it means I am fighting you. I will show you everything, like you did for me, even if it hurts".

The ninja acknowledged just how tough this would be for her. She would be bearing her memories to him, her soul. He would not do anything, to make her feel any more discomfort, than she already felt.

This felt oddly intimate isn't how it should feel, is it? He wasn't so sure...

He shook his head, and did as she instructed, placing his fingers, on her temple.


"Want me to start from the beginning? As a kid and such?"

"If you wish to".

Kara closed her eyes, and focused on a memory, when she was seven years old. She had just fallen over, and was screaming for her parents.

Jakal wasn't there, but Tiama was. She ran over to her child, and picked her up, seeing darkened purple skin, and bloody scuff marks, on her knees. She sighed, and healed her wounds. They hugged, and Hanzo felt his heart squeeze. This was a sweet, heartwarming scene, and her aura remained lilac.

It darkened a tad, with the next memory, and he felt jealousy pull at him. He saw Kara, in the Lin Kuei training grounds, looking at a boy, around her age, across the dining room hall. She was thirteen here, and the boy looked to be the same. He had vivid forest green eyes, dusty blond hair, and lightly tanned skin. An older girl was looking at him too, and Kara narrowed her eyes at her.

"That's Jeanette, or 'Hurricane', as she called herself. She was an awfully entitled bitch. Sorry, but she was. She was older than me". Her memory looked back at the boy, and younger her blushed, "That's Stephen, or Snake, as we called him. He's double jointed, and so is flexible, and very quick, light on his feet".

Fast forward, and Kara was seventeen, and speaking with Snake. Kara hadn't really changed, save for her longer brown hair. Snake had changed. He was taller and his shoulders and arms were broader. They were alone, and it was beginning to get intimate, so Kara skipped that part, despite her blush, which Hanzo noticed, but did not mention.

"I know, sex before marriage". She thought he wouldn't agree with that.

Hanzo shook his head. "Cultures are different, I know that. Just because mine did not agree with that, does not mean I will judge you, for agreeing".

Kara curtly nodded in kind.

Her aura darkened to almost black, when Jeanette was being scolded, by Sub-Zero, and Jakal.

"What happened?"

Kara growled, and was fighting against him. "Kara, it's okay", he reassured her, "It's a memory, it cannot harm you now".

"Jeanette tried to attack Snake. She backed him up, into a corner, when she found out about him and I. She told him if he didn't let her sleep with him, she would tell our peers that he had come onto her, and when she said no, he'd beaten her. Bitch".

Kara spat out curses, profanities, until she felt a finger across her lips. She stopped talking, and took a breath.

"Sorry. I just don't like her, at all".

Hanzo could feel anger radiate off her. "I can tell".

His lips thinned. "Do you want to continue?" She nodded. "What happened?"

"Snake told them what she'd done, and she admitted she lied. She was thrown out of the clan shortly after that".

Kara went forward again, to when she was twenty one, and Hanzo saw her and her boyfriend, standing outside her dorm room, watching the snow fall. They lay down, and made snow angels. They were laughing, and scooping up snow, throwing it at each other, and several clan members around them. They looked happy, in love, joyous. Hanzo felt a smile tug at his mouth, and decided to let it.

Then, her aura lightened, to almost a clear mist, when she was at her most recent memory, of Snake. They were twenty-three, and had decided to break up. They had a good run, and would remain good friends. She hugged him, for a while, and teared up, as she let him go.

"That was four years ago".

"Why did you break up, if you were in love?"

Kara shrugged. "We fell out of love. I talk with him regularly though, He's married, and got two kids. Really happy for him".

Hanzo moved his hands away. "And you? Are you happy?"

Kara opened her eyes, and waved her hands. "With life? Yes. With someone? No. I haven't met anyone I wanted to date. That's fine".

She stood up, and grabbed the tea cups. "Is it me, or are you hungry?"

The man was about to nod, when his stomach answered for him.

The young woman laughed. "I'll take that as a yes. I don't have much in though. We could order take-out".

Hanzo shook his head. He'd have none of that laziness.

"What do you have?"

He stood up, and walked beside Kara, whilst she looked in the fridge.

"Salmon, eggs, I have rice in the cupboard, and flour. I could make dumplings".

The man nodded, and his stomach agreed. He sighed at it.

"Salmon, with steamed veg, rice and dumplings. How's that sound?"

Good, it sounded good.


Kara opened the balcony, of her room, and stood on it. The dinner had gone nicely, and tasted fantastic. She wanted to brag about how scrumptious it tasted. She'd never cooked anything that good before.

Then again, she did have some help.

Speaking of help...

"Hanzo?"

The man in question walked near the stairs. "Yes?"

Kara snorted. "You can come up here you know. Doesn't mean I'm going to do anything, just because it's my bedroom".

She added, for good measure, "Though I do appreciate the sentiment, and politeness".

Hanzo walked up the stairs, and into her room.

"I just wanted to say thanks".

She looked up at the sky, and was dazzled, by the beauty of the night sky.

His tone sounded incredulous. "And you needed to tell me that in your bedroom, why exactly?"

Kara turned, and walked over, to her bedroom cabinet. She took out a thin, purple ribbon.

"Sub-Zero gave you a blue ribbon, as a sign of peace, right? And my Dad gave you a bronze one? Since I may be taking on his post in the future, I figured you may as well have this. As a sign, that I, and the clan will stand by you, and yours".

He let her tie the ribbon, around his wrist. The sentiment was a nice one, and Hanzo untied a yellow ribbon of his own, and tied it around her wrist.

Kara looked at it, and smiled. "Right. Well, this went quite well, don't you think?"

Hanzo tilted his head. "Why wouldn't it?"

Kara chuckled. "Well, you and I have a tendency to try and harm each other. We haven't, since earlier today. That's pretty good going".

The man chuckled in return, and walked around her, and back down the stairs.


Kara followed him, and opened her front door. When he tried to walk past her, Kara ended up, with her back pressed against the door, and Hanzo, looming over her.

He didn't leer, or even move away.

He merely moved forward, looked deeply in her wide eyes, brushed her cheek with his hand, and ended up, forehead to forehead with her.

She'd stopped breathing, she was sure of it. But she could feel his breath on her cheek...

On her lips.

She wanted to swear, shift, do something to try and make this not as uncomfortable as it was.

Didn't he dislike her? Why would he be that close, if he did? Willingly too?

Then, he moved, and walked away, leaving her utterly confused, slightly warm, and rather breathless too...