Project Motherhood: Kitana

by Gamer95

One night, abused Harry Potter is gifted a talisman from a mysterious old man that takes him to the realm of Outworld. There is where he meets the Kahn, Kitana, and finds the mother he always wanted. Co-writer: SkorchNTorch

3. Chapter 3

Kitana woke the next morning to Harry still asleep in her arms. Her smile melted away when she saw he wasn't happy, he was probably caught up in a nightmare, which was tragically to be expected at this point. She calmly rubbed his back and hummed the lullaby her mother would sing to her, and it seemed to do the trick, as Harry settled down into a once more peaceful sleep. She smiled and sat up in bed, still holding him close, and she looked out the window. It seemed to be a rather downcast day, most likely a storm would be brewing later... Sighing, she climbed out of bed. Well, at least it would be a nice day to spend with Harry. She could teach him some more, or maybe just tell him some stories, really there were a few things she could do, and she looked forward to them, smiling down at her son. She decided to just go for a quiet walk around the temple with the sleeping Harry in her arms... but that idea died immediately when she found Mileena outside her door, seeming very irritated.

"How dare you." Was all her sister said.

"Mileena, I'm not having this conversation with you."

"Yes, you are." Mileena's eyes narrowed. "I waited five HOURS before finally giving up. Do you have any idea what its like to be contorted in a box for five hours!?"

"Mileena. He's my son, it was nearly his bedtime. Why would you think playing a game with him then was a good idea?" Kitana replied, but knew they were going to have this conversation. With a sigh, she kissed her sleeping son's head. "Tanya? Could you please take him for a few minutes? I don't want to wake him because of this girls half-baked ideas." Tanya smirked, accepting Harry before heading off down the hall, deciding to see if Queen Sindel was around.

Harry hadn't spent much time with his grandmothet the day prior... In fact, he hadn't spent much time with her at all compared to the other women. And frankly, Tanya enjoyed the queen's company quite a lot herself. Harry seemed to stir in her arms, but Tanya quickly shushed him back into a peaceful sleep. He mumbled out a sleepy greeting to his Aunt, then returned to his nap. Tanya had to admit, the boy was rather adorable. She saw why Kitana loved him so much, and why Mileena loved him so much as well... even if she showed her love differently, and sometimes in the wrong ways. Well, no, that was too harsh. She hadn't done anything to harm the little dear, but she clearly didn't much care for personal boundaries, either. Oh well, right now, Harry was snug in her arms, being kept close and warm, and Tanya was just fine with that.

Honestly, holding this child was quite soothing, at least she thought so. It was rather like holding one of Mileena's teddy bears. Very light, very easy to cuddle, and scarcely moved an inch as she held him. But there was something so adorable about his soft snoring, or how he seemed to snuggle right up to her chest, trying to take every bit of warmth and affection she offered. "Sleep well, cutie." Tanya cooed, tickling his chin softly. She pushed open the doors to a lounge and looked around, smiling as she saw Sindel reading a book nearby.

"Good morning, empress." She called out softly. Sindel looked up, then smiled when she saw Tanya was carrying her grandson. "Your daughters are having one of their usual... disagreements, and so tasked me with watching the child."

"Wonderful." Sindel smiled as Tanya sat next to her. "How is the little angel doing?"

"From what I can tell, just fine." Tanya smiled, turning Harry over in her arms so his sleeping face was looking up at them. "Mileena is somewhat upset over Kitana taking Harry to bed while she was waiting for Harry to come find her."

"Hmm." Sindel smirked, patting Harry's cheek lovingly. "Well, that's her problem." The sleeping boy leaned into her touch with a smile. It reminded her very much of an affectionate kitten and it melted her heart. Tanya decided to hand the child over to the queen, and she took him gladly. "Oh, hello my little prince." The Queen cooed, pulling him close. Harry yawned cutely and snuggled closer, cooing happily when he felt Sindel's hair drape over him like a blanket.

"Do you think the ones who hurt him will be found?" Tanya frowned.

"Eventually, yes." Sindel nodded after thinking it over. "Regardless, Fujin ensured they don't have a home to go back to, so that will make things harder for them, at least in the short term."

Tanya smirked in amusement. "So he destroyed their home with a storm, did he?" Sindel nodded with a smirk. This was a tidbit of information that had been revealed to her after Kitana had finished her meeting the day prior.

"Well, it's a start." Sindel shrugged, giving her grandson a hug. Harry yawned by just nuzzled closer, clearly still trying his best to catch up on sleep. Sindel sighed and shook her head sombrely. "The poor dear, it feels like a light breeze could knock him over."

"Yes, the poor thing is woefully underfed." Tanya nodded in agreement. "Yet he still thinks he has to work like the temple workers..." Sindel's mouth formed into a thin line. She never abided by child slavery, not like that monster Shao Kahn had... The mere idea that anyone could force a young innocent child to work like a dog was inconceivable... Yet it happened all the time... However her emotions seemed to seep into Harry, as Sindel felt a tiny hand clutching to her top, and Harry began whimpering in his sleep.

"Mrno..mama...mamahelp...pleasdonleavememama..." Sindel debated a few options, then gently placed a hand on Harry's shoulder and slowly squeezed, waking him up from his nightmare. He jolted upward and looked around... or tried to, until he realized he couldn't move at all. "Mama...? Mama, where are you..." He stopped when he looked up to see the face of his grandmother looking down at him.

"What's wrong sweetie?" Sindel asked, clearly concerned. "Grandmother's here, you're safe. It's all right my precious little boy." Sindel cooed, pulling Harry into a tight hug, letting the small boy fully wake up and realize where he was.

"I...ihadabaddream..." Harry mumbled, Sindel and Tanya sighed, both knowing this was something he probably felt like he would be hurt over should he say anything, and from the way he tensed up, it was clear he thought that too. Sindel cooed gently and patted his back, lifting his chin up so his watery emerald eyes (which she had to admit, were rather stunning) met her purple, concern-filled ones.

"I can see that... And what kind of nightmare did you have, my dear? I'm ready to listen." She assured her grandson gently.

"I..I..." Harry stammered, shivering in his grandmothers' arms. The Queen sighed, kissing his head reassuringly. "It was really dark... and really cold, like the nights back home when snow was everywhere and I had to stay outside in the cold dark because I had been bad... and... There were voices, I don't kno..know who they were... and they... I don't know what...what they were saying... I was so scared, I just started running... and..an...and then... I ran into Mama. She was wearing this scary mask-hat-thing and had a big hammer, she laughed at me and threw me into the darkness, and then walked away...it felt like when I was held under the water, it was so cold, and I couldn't breathe!" Sindel listened patiently with a small frown. Tanya was listening in as well. His nightmare was of Kitana? That didn't seem right... They had been so certain it involved those evil people that he had lived with. "And...and..and then my family found me..." Harry added, and Sindel exhaled sadly, now beginning to put everything together. Harry saw Kitana as pretty much his whole world, so naturally, the fear, pain and anxiety he had following him would most likely use that to torment him. He wasn't scared of Kitana, he was afraid of being abandoned. That was a tragically understandable feeling. "...and...and it hurt... and she just... and Miss Kitana left...but it wasn't her...she...she wouldn't just leave me..." Harry looked up with the most pleading look either woman had ever seen. "Right?"

Sindel shook her head. "Of course she wouldn't, child... She would never leave you... You are her child and she loves you dearly... We all do... Each and every one of us will remain a part of your life no matter what happens."

"Mmm..." Harry mumbled, burying his face into Sindel's chest, just wanting to feel that affection. Sindel realized this, and hugged him tightly. She could tell he was trying his best not to let himself fall into that darkness, he said himself he didn't believe it was her, but again, feeling something, and knowing something were often different. And to such a small, timid little boy, he needed all the reassurance he could get.

"Ooh... you're just a perfect little boy." Sindel cooed, kissing his head. The boy seemed at least a little bit reassured at that as he leaned into her hold and nuzzled in close. He was so small, so starved for love that should have been given to him right from the very beginning with no strings attached... Well, Sindel had every intention of giving him every last drop of love she had in her heart. Readjusting herself on the couch, she smiled as Harry looked up at her, then seemed to relax, giving her a timid smile as her hair covered him once more.

"Most would probably find it strange that one can find such comfort in a woman's hair." Tanya remarked, smirking slightly down at Harry. "But... well, I think his little face says all anyone would need to hear."

"Thank you, Gramma." Harry then spoke up.

Sindel closed her eyes serenely and held him close to her breast, cradling him like a baby in her arms and rocking him back and forth gently. "You are very welcome, my precious little grandson..." She whispered softly. Harry looked over to Tanya and smiled at her as well.

"Thank you, Auntie Tanya." He said quietly, he couldn't reach over and hug her, as his Grandmother was currently holding him. Unbeknownst to both of them, Sindel was seeing why Mileena was so... 'keepy' with Harry, and didn't want to let him go this was something she had wanted for so long, something she had taken from her when Kitana was this little... She cursed Shao Kahn inwardly for his monstrous actions. Murdering her beloved... Conquering her empire and running it into the ground... Ruining her daughter's innocence by forcing her to be a warrior... And worst of all, forcibly corrupting her mind and memories, making her think she was an evil monster that planned everything all along... "Gramma?" Harry asked, looking up in concern. "You look sad..."

"Oh, it's... it's a long story, dear. You'll be told when your older." Sindel coughed quickly collecting herself, and smiled when she saw the genuine concern in Harry's eyes. Even when recovering from a nightmare, he seemed to care for his family more than himself. It was both adorable... and rather disheartening. "Hm. Your mother seems ot have shown you most of the temple already, so hopefully you have a grip on where things are." Harry nodded. Tanya smirked, then looked across the room and frowned.

"There's a storm coming for sure." She nodded, and Sindel looked to her and nodded. Then, both women looked back to Harry, and while Tanya hated having to say this, she did enjoy the reassurance and happiness in her nephew's eyes. "You're not going out in it, sweetness. You'll be staying with us." Harry felt immensely relieved at that. He hated being stuck outside when there was a storm out... It was so dark, and so cold, and so wet, and the loud noises the storm made always frightened him to no end. "Huh, normally one of them would be here by now." Tanya remarked. "Wonder what's keeping them..."

Meanwhile...

"No! Okay!? You can't just show up, take my son, and then run off to play games with him!" Kitana reiterated her grievance with her sister for the fifth or sixth time this argument. "Not when it was nearly his bedtime!"

"If you hadn't taken him back, we could've been done before his bedtime!"

"No! You wouldn't!" Kitana retorted, a bit harsher then she intended. "You'd just keep doing this over and over as if Harry is the only person in existence aside from you."

"He's the only one who thinks I'm normal, okay!?" Mileena finally snapped.

Both women stopped at that. Kitana stared at her sister with wide eyes and Mileena turned away with a scowl and a huff. "Mileena... That isn't true at all... Perhaps we had a difficult start, but i know now that you are normal..."

"Yes! 'Now'!" Mileena repeated her sister's statement. "Now people know I'm 'normal', now you know that I'm not the damn monster you think I am! But... it changes nothing. I see the way you still look at me, the way everyone looks at me. But Harry doesn't, he doesn't look at me like the others, he just sees me as his Aunt, as someone normal." Kitana was stunned by this sudden revelation. Was this really how Mileena felt? She thought that everyone in her family still feared and distrusted her? Was her sister's self esteem really so low that she couldn't see how wrong she was? "I know you don't fear me, at least... not like you used to." Mileena continued, her tone lower now. "But everyone I've met, they've always had that reaction, even Tanya. There's always that apprehension that disbelief or distrust because of what I am. Even among tarkatans, they thought I was 'too human' to be one of them. But then little Harry shows up in your arms, and you let me hold him. He's scared, but he warms up to me. He saw my face, and he didn't panic, he seemed more curious than anything. He never thought twice about it. He was the first person - be it family or an ally - who didn't see me as less than... whatever the hell one would describe my 'normalcy' as."

Kitana looked down. "Mileena... I... I stopped seeing you as even remotely monstrous a long, long time ago... And I'm so sorry if I never did an adequate job showing it... You are my sister, and I love you dearly." She said, making direct eye contact to show she meant it.

"T..thank you..." Mileena finally whispered in response. "I know you don't hate me, not like you used to... but..."

"I understand." Kitana nodded. "Harry is, well. Special. To all of us. To me, he's my child, to Sindel, he's the child she had taken from her, and to you, well. He's a sense of normality."

"Yeah, pretty much."

"That doesn't excuse taking him at night though. The little one needed to go to bed."

"You stole him back!" Mileena retorted, sounding childish... but in a playful way. "And we were in the middle of a game!"

"That wasn't me. That was Reptile." Kitana said. "And I'm pretty sure he's going to be Harry's bodyguard, so I'd be careful if I was you." Her warning was mostly joking, but she had a feeling Mileena would start training in stealth now... oh joy.

Mileena blinked. "Reptile, huh? Y'know, I've been wondering something about him... Sometimes I see him... talking to snakes? Like, he starts making these... hissing sounds and I think the snakes understand him..."

"It's parseltongue. An ability some of his people have." Kitana explained. "It's a very special power. Those who have it are held in high regard."

"Oh. That's what it's called." Mileena blinked.

"I believe Harry may have it as well." Kitana added and Mileena seemed... skeptical, which was fair all things considered. "He told me he had spoken to snakes back at his old home. Perhaps he simply talked and pretended to hear a response, but with the power he wields, I wouldn't put it into the realm of impossibility."

"He is a pretty special little guy... Yeah, okay, I'm gonna give him the benefit of the doubt and say he does have it." Mileena decided with a smile. "I wonder if I can talk to animals with really sharp teeth... Is that how it works?"

"Perhaps." Kitana shrugged. "The trait is known to grant the user speech with snakes, but it may allow communication with other animals. I cannot say."

"Mm." Mileena nodded, rubbing her arm and looking away, now feeling awkward after their conversation.

"If it's any consolation, I also have to deal with Mother taking my son, don't think all my anger is aimed solely at you." Kitana remarked, having a feeling Harry was now snuggled close to his grandmother's chest.

"It...isn't? But kinda is." The clone sighed. "Still, with me you'll probably get him back. With her, you may need to wait a bit." Kitana groaned and shook her head. It was true, her mother loved to pull the authority card more often than not... And that hair of hers made it very difficult for her to get in close enough to take her son back anyway. Still, she hadn't seen him much yesterday, and it was believable the family was still reeling from what they had learned... maybe letting him spend some time with his grandmother wasn't a bad idea. After all, she seemed to have some sort of magical sway over the little boy, and seemed to be excellent at comforting him.

"If I get him first, I'll let you have him. After an hour or two." Mileena commented.

"Don't start a war you can't win." Kitana warned her sister, which only seemed to motivate her more.

The half-takartan just snickered in response and leaned against the wall. "He loves his family... He loves all of us so much... It makes me so happy..." She said softly. Kitana smiled softly and nodded her head. Kitana decided she wanted to check in on her son, so headed down to where Tanya had headed, finding (predictably) Harry wrapped up in Sindel's hair, sitting on her lap. He seemed so happy, so content, it was a delightful sight to the Kahn. It was a sign of hope for many things, and she only wanted the best for her child... Right now, the best seemed to be letting his Aunt and Grandmother spend some time with him. So, she noted that she'd take him back after breakfast. Content with this decision, she quietly stepped out of the room and smiled softly beneath her veil. Her mother had always intended to have more than one child... And how long had it been since she last interacted with a child?

They both seemed so happy, she didn't want to ruin this. Shockingly, neither did Mileena. Either her sister understood that this was important for Harry, Tanya and Sindel, or she didn't want to risk angering the Queen. Which was a very smart idea. A crack of lightning tore through the sky with a loud, rumbling 'BOOM'. Thankfully, the temple walls muffled it somewhat, but it was still enough to frighten Harry, and he did what he always did when there was a storm, grabbed the rags he slept under and pulled them over his head, trying to hide from it. Except this time, the rags were his grandmother's hair, and he disappeared under it completely. Sindel blinked in mild surprise, then realized her grandson was afraid of the storm and smiled softly. "It's all right, my little darling, the storm is far away from us... So long as we're in the temple, it won't harm us." She said gently, trying to coax him out.

It took a few minutes, but she finally saw Harry lean back into her embrace, keeping his eyes shut, but clearly trying to not let the storm frighten him. He wasn't succeeding, but he was trying. Sindel sighed sadly, rubbing his back to keep him secure and safe, noting that Tanya had said he wouldn't be left out in it... was that something which had happened to him? She wouldn't put it past his old family... and that angered her to no end. She turned to Tanya with a small frown. "Tanya, dear, perhaps you could start a fire in the fireplace?" Tanya looked over at the small fireplace kept in the chambers for cold winter days and nodded, reasoning it would certainly make the room more cozy. Tanya lit the fireplace, casting the room in an orangeish-yellow hue as the fire began burning the logs in the fireplace. Sitting back down, Sindel sighed seemingly saddened by something, and then Tanya smiled, realizing that Harry was reaching out to her. Taking the small boy and placing him on her lap, she laughed gently as Harry nuzzled close to the warmth of the pyromancers' powers as Tanya wrapped her arms around him.

"Ah, there we are, sweetness." Tanya said, settling into the couch, patting Harry's head. Harry smiled and leaned in closee to his auntie Tanya. He remembered how cold it was when he was trapped outside in the storms... But his auntie's warmth was just what he needed to feel just a little bit safer... He felt the warmth envelop him, like a nice thick blanket, and he loved it. He enjoyed the warmth and comfort, and Tanya enjoyed the feeling of having someone look up to her, someone who came to her for a sense of warmth, love and protection. Harry was such a sweet little boy, it was a travesty anyone ever harmed him! But that had happened, but that was behind him. He was here with his aunt, and that was good enough.

"I'd be careful, dear. You may lose the one you care for most." Sindel said mirthfully, looking to Mileena, who gave her mother an annoyed look, but smiled when she saw her lover and her nephew so happy together.

"I'm not giving him to you. He's enjoying the warmth." Tanya said matter-of-factly. Mileena laughed and sat in a chair, just content to watch her nephew for now.

Mileena watched her lover's interaction with Harry and smiled warmly, yet also a bit mischievously. For someone who claimed to not want children, she certainly was a natural with this one... Tanya chuckled as Harry squirmed for a moment, the dark skinned woman picking him up in her arms and holding him with his head tucked against her neck. "There we are." She said softly. "Rest well, sweetness."

Harry nuzzled in close to her neck and closed his eyes, allowing her warmth to lull him to sleep. His soft snores filled the air, and Tanya smiled softly. "Well then... Hopefully the poor dear sleeps through the storm..."

"I'm surprised he went back to sleep." Sindel commented. "He had just woken up, it seemed."

"Tanya's warmth has that affect on people." Mileena remarked, smiling at the sleeping Harry. "Besides, he's been so deprived of sleep, he needs it." Sindel nodded in understanding and agreement, and smiled over at her grandson, who was once again peacefully sleeping in a warm embrace.

"Well, it's good to see everyone getting along with him." Kitana remarked as she entered the room and sat down. "Has he been any trouble?"

"I don't think he could be."

"Has anything... out of the ordinary happened?" Kitana asked, deciding now was a good time to ask her family about potential tutors for Harry's magic.

Sindel frowned and shook her head. "No, not this time. The poor dear's magic hasn't acted up so far this morning. But yes, I see why you feel the need to ask... He really does need someone to teach him his magic." Kitana sighed, and the three women looked to one another, then to Kitana.

"I'm bringing this up now, because yesterday, Harry's magic was becoming much more, well, active." Kitana stated. "As it stands, the only magic-users powerful enough to teach him are either dead-"

"Good..." Tanya muttered.

"-not the same type of magic as Harry-"

"And blind, how would that work?" Mileena asked.

"...except one." Kitana frowned. Sindel and Tanya seemed confused, as did Mileena... until realization hit.

"You can't be serious!"

Kitana closed her eyes and sighed. "I know it's... unconventional, but she really is our only option currently... Earthrealm magic users are much too secluded, even the special forces don't know where they are... And true magic wielders are seldom found here..."

"You mean Skarlet, yes?" Sindel asked, seeming almost annoyed by the proposition.

"Yes..."

"Kitana, I won't act like I understand how his magic works, but do you think she'd be able to help?" Tanya asked, raising a good point. "She's a blood sorceress, that may not be the type of magic little Harry has."

"Indeed it may not be, but she also may be the only one who can help him for now." Kitana reasoned.

"No... We can't let that... that WOMAN near Harry! Who knows what she would try to pull?! She's evil! She's a disgusting monster! I won't let her even look at my nephew!" Mileena vehemently protested the idea.

"And yet she may be the only one who can help him."

"Tanya?!"

"Mileena, I don't like the idea either." Tanya frowned, hugging Harry tighter in a protective way. "But his magic is powerful, if he doesn't understand how to use it, he could get hurt. Or someone else could hurt him." Mileena growled and clenched her fists. She hated that woman... No, she hated that THING so much... The mere idea of it being near her beloved little nephew made her blood reach a dangerous boiling point. Sindel frowned, not knowing why her daughter had such a visceral hatred of Skarlet... sure, the Queen didn't like her, but Mileena really seemed to hate her. Thinking on it, Sindel realized that it probably had to do with Shao Kahn, but again, Sindel wasn't one hundred percent sure, and didn't want to ask.

Tanya looked down at Harry and sighed, kissing his forehead before rising to her feet, she walked over and kissed Mileena's head, slipping Harry into her arms. Mileena took Harry and wrapped him up protectively in her arms, pulling her legs up and almost shrinking back into the chair with Harry held tightly. Still, the clone didn't seem to have the 'I-want-him-and-you-can't-have-him' air about her as Kitana expected, this was more a want to genuinely protect him. The expression on her face was one of genuine troubled terror. From the looks of it, Skarlet had done something to her in the past that deeply affected her. Kitana decided to bite the bullet. "What did she do?"

"She... she had this fascination with Shao Kahn..." Mileena muttered. "She... for some reason, wanted to be his bride." Sindel had the most noticable reaction to that, but everyone was taken aback by it. "I don't know if she was being controlled or not, but she really didn't seem to care one way or another." The clone shook her head. "She also... also... also may have hurt children around Harry's age. She called herself the 'Crimson Scourge' or something like that. But I don't want her hurting Harry..."

Silence"She killed a lot of people, because she COULD." Mileena growled.

"Yes, and so did you." Kitana said, saying the one thing she probably shouldn't, but knew this was a point worth making.

"Excuse you?" Mileena snarled, glaring at her sister.

"How many people died because of you?" Kitana asked. "Or Tanya? Or Myself? Or Mother? I don't believe you should be passing judgement on someone for their past sins when you yourself still blame yourself for the things you've done. You won't leave the temple because people out there fear you; and yet we don't hold those choices against you." Mileena clenched her fists, and then she looked down at the floor. She was completely silent as the words sunk in. And then she just stared. Her expression was emotionless. She couldn't find the words to speak. Her hatred wouldn't go away, and it made her a huge hypocrite... "I'm not saying I like this, but it may be the only option we have." Kitana spoke up again, Mileena still didn't look at her, now essentially curling into a ball and holding Harry close to her chest. "I'm not saying this excuses those she's hurt, I know what she's done in the past, and frankly... I don't want her near Harry, either. I know she's hurt people, and I could believe she's hurt people as little, innocent and sweet as Harry. But if she's all there is, it comes down to the question of if we want there to be the potential of someone hurting Harry, or the guarantee of Harry hurting someone and himself."

"No." Mileena muttered, still not looking at Kitana. The Kahn was beginning to feel like there was more that Mileena wasn't getting at. Why would she be so offended by Skarlet wanting Shao Kah- Oh. Okay, that made sense.

'She didn't want to be rejected, she only knew Shao Kahn as her father, she feared Skarlet would replace her...' Kitana put two and two together.

"Mileena, you don't honestly think any of us would ever consider replacing you with Skarlet, do yoh?" Tanya asked with a quirked brow. "Don't be absurd, that woman doesn't have any of your charm whatsoever." Mileena sighed, nodding in understanding.

"I just... I've seen what she's done to people, and I don't want Harry getting hurt." She sighed, hugging her nephew close. Harry squirmed about, and then seemed to wake up again, being far more used than most to sporadic sleep patterns.

"Aunt Mileena?" He mumbled, looking up.

Mileena blinked, then looked down at him and smiled softly. "Hi, cutie." She cooed, leaning down and kissing his head. "Did you have a good sleep? I didn't wake you up, did I?" Harry shook his head and yawned softly.

"M'fine..." Harry mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

"Good." Mileena cooed, kissing his head. Harry yawned, but seemed to be waking regardless.

"Perhaps we should continue this conversation at a later time." Sindel remarked. "The little one needs to eat."

Kitana nodded, not exactly happy with how much (or little, really) had been given for one reason or another in terms of trusting Skarlet, but her mother was right,Harry was far too thin.

She rose to her feet slowly and cuddled her beloved nephew up to her shoulder, letting out a soft sigh. If Skarlet did show up, she would watch her very closely... And if she pulled anything, she would murder her. "Mama?" Harry asked, looking to Kitana. It wasn't clear if he wanted to know how she was doing, or if he wanted to be with her. Either way, Kitana smiled and patted his head.

"Yes, Precious?" She asked.

"Um..." It was clear Harry wanted to say something, but changed his mind, or was afraid to do so. "I forgot."

Kitana tilted her head with a small frown. "Did you really, now?" She asked. Harry looked unsure, and she smiled sadly. "Harry, you don't have to hide anything from me... I am your mother. It's my job to listen to your concerns." Harry looked away, and Mileena gave him a gentle squeeze to reassure him. Kitana smiled and figured she knew what he wanted to say. "It's all right, Harry." She said reassuringly. "We're going to figure something out, you don't need to be afraid of what you can do. Not like you used to be." Harry looked up and tentatively nodded, his eyes a miture of hopeful and frightened.

Maybe this would be a good thing after all... If he could control the freaky stuff-the stuff, he wouldn't have to worry about accidentally using it anymore, and as such, wouldn't have to live in fear of it... When they arrived at the dining hall, Kitana sighed in slight annoyance at Mileena seating herself with Harry on her lap. She decided to let her sister have this, but he was hers after breakfast."Okay, sweetie, if you feel full, let me know, okay?" Mileena said softly.

"Okay, Auntie Mileena..." Harry said softly. Mileena speared his food for him and began to gently feed him, giggling in amusement every now and then over how happy he looked with each bit of food she gave him. It was sad that this was one of the first actual meals he had ever had, but that was further proof of the abhorrent treatment he had suffered at the hands of his old family. Kitana shook her head, not wanting to focus on that so early in the morning. But no matter what she tried, two thoughts kept returning; Mileena's remark about Skarlet willingly harming someone as small as Harry, and the state of her best friend. The former made sense, she was a mother, and Skarlet had done some terrible things. But the latter? Why did she have these weird feelings in her gut? She looked to Harry, who was happy sitting on his Aunt's lap, he said he wanted to help her too, but how?

She might need to spend more time with Jade... She and Harry both. Slowly ease her into feeling like herself again... She needed Jade to know that she had people here that deeply cared for her. She was not alone. Jade - like all the women here, honestly - seemed much more like herself when she was with Harry. Either because she still wanted to be a mother, because she hadn't struck Harry (and Kitana knew Jade never would), or because Harry had that effect on people. He was a small child, and one didn't need to concern themselves so much with regality or one's image. She was truly amazing with the boy based off of what she knew from their interactions the day prior. She really would be an incredible mother... Perhaps it would have been better if she had found Harry? No. He was hers.

But, as much as she didn't want to think such thoughts, she hadn't really planned on keeping Harry. Initially, she intended to show him kindness, clean him up, and then find him a home. But once she saw how he reacted to her, how she was his entire world, she knew she couldn't let him go... Jade... wanted to be a parent! She would've taken Harry home and immediately called him her son, she wouldn't've thought twice about it. It almost felt wrong to let Jade and Harry interact, as if Kitana was mocking her friend. She knew this wasn't the case, but still. It wasn't like she could stop them from interacting anyway. Jade was just as attached to the boy as everyone else in the family. He was the best way to get her back to her olr self, to get her out of the rut she was in... Regardless, the meal passed in relative silence, although Kitana was somewhat disappointed at how little Harry ate. She knew it was because he wasn't used to eating a full meal, but it also still seemed like he wanted to say he shouldn't eat.

For her part, Mileena was enjoying having Harry snuggled on her lap. He had finished his breakfast, and she began hers. Occasionally patting the little boy on the head. He would always perk up slightly at the contact, and it was super adorable. Mileena always felt a sense of smugness whenever she held this adorable little boy. What ran through her mind was 'I have him and you don't, haha!' There was something so adorable about the way Harry looked up at her when she placed a hand on his lap, and he had hugged her arm in response. This sweet little boy clearly saw her as some form of safety, something Mileena never thought any living creature would be capable of. He was just a sweet, gentle little thing...

So it was very frustrating when breakfast was over and Kitana took him back. She pouted in frustration as Harry snuggled closer to his mother. She really hoped someday she could rescue a pure, innocent little baby cinnamon roll like Harry from a bad situation and have them call her their mother. And also that Tanya would fall in love with this hypothetical child as well. "Come, precious. Let's get you ready for the day." Kitana said kindly, heading back to her room. She let out a soft 'aww' when Harry buried his face into her shoulder after some more lighting tore through the sky. It was cute, it was honestly, well, child-like. "It's all right, it's all right. We're safe in here."

She looked outside at the storm and sighed softly. No doubt he had been trapped in storms like this before... Perhaps even worse ones at that... The thought of this tiny child alone and terrified in the dark, cold rain broke her heart. Harry remained close, burying his face into his mother as she calmly rubbed his back. He was so small and fragile, he needed all the reassurance and affection he could get. More importantly, all the reassurance and affection she could give him. Still, her thoughts returned to her previous conversation. She knew Harry needed a mentor, and Skarlet (unfortunately) seemed to be the only viable option. Still, the Kahn didn't know how she would react to that, Mileena's anger and hatred clearly had roots beyond some sort of petty rivalry... would Skarlet hurt Harry? Even if it meant costing her her own life? Was she that sadistic? Kitana doubted it, but it was enough to give her pause. She definitely needed to speak to Reptile about working as Harry's retainer... The reptilian ninja was far stronger than anyone gave him credit for, and if he was always by her child's side, then she was confident he could ward off any attacks from Skarlet, at least enough to keep him safe.

She returned to her room, and found that the staff had yet to find suitable clothing for Harry, which meant he'd still be wearing her old clothes. She noted Harry didn't seem to mind, but she didn't like the fact that he could fit into her baby clothes as if it was nothing. He was a little boy, not a newborn! But at this point, he may as well be... Kitana shook her head to clear it, she didn't want to get stuck in this mindset. Once Harry was changed, he held his tiny arms up, as if asking to be held again. Kitana smiled and picked him up, giving him a warm hug. "Harry, later today Aunt Jade or Grandma may have to watch you for a short time." Kitana said, noting she would either talk to Skarlet or Reptile later. "I won't be gone long, I promise."

"Okay. They're nice." Harry nodded, believing his mother whole-heartedly.

The Kahn smiled and gave her son a gentle squeeze. "Indeed they are, dear, indeed they are..." She said softly. "But in the meantime, you will get to spend time with your mother. Is there anything you wish to do?"

"I wanna be with you." Harry innocently replied, and Kitana let out a long 'Awww...' as she pulled him close and kissed his head. The little boy really was too sweet for his own good.

"All right, would you like to spend some time in the library? I could teach you a little more about reading and writing."

"Okay!" Harry said, his eyes hopeful as he looked up at his mother. Kitana grinned and headed off, rubbing his back when he tensed up at another crack of thunder.

"It's all right, my child, you're safe inside where it can't reach you..." She whispered softly. Harry nodded, but was still on edge. That one time he had narrowly avoided getting struck by lightning stuck with him long after it happened... Kitana sighed, kissing him again to reassure him. She wasn't a huge fan of thunder and lightning either. Not because it scared her, but because of her encounters with Raiden. She didn't know how she survived their fights, but she did. Still, the current was shocking, and she always felt light-headed and dizzy afterwards. Then she came to a realization. "Harry... Did you know that you have met the ones responsible for such weather?" She asked. Her son looked up at her. "The lightning is the doing of Raiden, the man with the large hat. And the wind is the doing of Fujin, the man that brought you here."

"Oh." Harry blinked, clearly confused. "How?"

"Well, they have powers. In a way, similar to you." Kitana explained as she headed to the library. "Except their powers are based on the elements, and they can summon wind and lighting on command."

"So, they made this storm?" Harry asked.

"I don't think so, no." Kitana shook her head. "But if they were here, they could've."

"How did they get those powers?" Harry asked, innocently.

"I... don't have an answer for that, I'm sorry." Kitana frowned. "Similar to how your Aunt Jade, Aunt Mileena and Tanya have powers, I believe they were just born with them."

She looked out the window. "Thd two of them are gods... Raiden in particular was assigned to protect your world from otherworldly threats, such as invasions or monsters from other realms." She explained.

"Oh." Harry said softly, clearly not sure what she meant by that, but listening intently.

"He is... well-meaning. But he doesn't always get it right." Kitana continued with her (brutally honest) explanation. "He wants what is best for everyone, but sometimes doesn't see the different paths to getting there, and will try to do what he thinks is right, even if it ends up going wrong. His brother, Fujin, is more..." She trailed off, trying to think of the right word. "Human, I believe would be the right word. Fujin understands how your kinds works, he lived among your people for a time, while Raiden remained outside of it all." Harry smiled and nodded his head. He had only a couple brief interactions with Fujin, but that was enough for him to say with confidence that he liked him. He was a nice man and he gave him his mama. Kitana entered the library and smiled, looking around for a minute and collecting a few books. She seated herself with Harry on her lap and smiled down at her son. She opened the book on Outworld Plant-life and returned to where they had left off. Harry tried his best, and was picking up on some words as they went, seeming to have a better understanding.

Kitana was very proud of her child. He really was a smart boy, with a very impressive level of understanding of this world he hadn't even known existed for the longest time. She knew he would succeed in life. Scooping him up, Kitana carried him over to another table, eating herself and setting some paper down. She wrote 'Harry', then handed the pen to Harry. Her son looked at her and blinked, not totally sure what to do. Kitana took his hand and gently guided him as he wrote his own name, trying to help him figure out which hand he was dominant with. He understood easily enough. All he had to do was copy what his mother had written, then remember what the word looked like. It was his name... This is how he spelled his name... He finally knew how...

Kitana hugged him when she saw it looked like he was going to tear up. It was adorable and heartbreaking, something Harry seemed pretty good at being simultaneously. Still, it occurred to the Kahn that Harry really hadn't been shown any kindness his entire life, and even knowing how to spell his own name was something beyond him. Sure, it was pretty shaky and messy if she was being critical, but she wasn't. She was just happy he had managed to write it, period. "Well done, love." Kitana smiled. "I'm very proud of you." That response did cause Harry to shed a few tears. Not tears of fear, sadness or pain, but tears of joy. She was proud of him... His mother was proud of him... He finally, finally felt like he was worth something...

Kitana noticed this and kissed his head again, trying her best to reassure him. "You are worth something, love." She said reassuringly. "You always have been, to me. You always will be, don't ever forget that."

"Thank you, Mama." Harry said softly, looking up at her with tear-filled eyes. Kitana wiped them away and gave him another hug, before settling back down to show him some more of the alphabet, having him try his best to copy what she wrote. It was slow, and his handwriting wasn't that legible, but he was a child, and trying this for the first time. So the fact he got as far as he did was impressive. She managed to teach him almost all of the very basic things he needed to understand in one sitting. Teaching this child how life worked was going to be a very easy feat indeed. He was such a gifted little one. Sure, he'd need lots of practice, but the fact he learned this much, this quickly? It was most impressive. Deciding he had enough of learning for the day, Kitana packed up the books, and settled on carrying Her son about for a bit, maybe finding Jade and 'talking' with her, and no, Kitana didn't mean attempting to emotionally manipulate her friend into opening up by leveraging the sweet little Prince she carried in her arms in an attempt to help her best friend overcome her pain and grief, where did that idea come from? Although, Kitana had a feeling she was going to do so anyways. Harry made Jade happy (as he did everyone, really) and her best friend needed to open up, otherwise she'd never get better.

Jade needed to get out of this depressive state... She was truly worried for her friend. Loss was certainly painful, yet running away from it and refusing to seek help when she was in pain was not the right way to handle it. 'Well, I guess using Harry as a therapeutic tool isn't inhumane, per say...' Kitana thought. 'Morally questionable, somewhat, yes... but he WANTS to help his Aunt Jade, so is it really that bad a thing to do?' Kitana thought it over as Harry looked over her shoulder at the rows of shelves she passed by, amazed by how many books there were.

'I mean... no...' Kitana continued to try and justify her ideas to herself. 'It's not forcing him to do something he doesn't want to do... and it makes him happy!' She sighed internally and shook her head. She was doing both the right and wrong thing, at least that was what it felt like... She would make it up to both Harry and Jade someday when everything was okay again. "All right, precious." Kitana smiled. "Let's go see how your Aunt Jade is doing."

"Okay, Mama." Harry smiled, leaning into her shoulder and smiling contently. He loved being with his family, they were all so nice to him! He felt safe, and warm, and loved around them... and those feelings are what he had wanted for so long. But he always felt like he didn't deserve it, because that was what he had always been told... But his mama and all of his aunties were helping him understand that that wasn't the case at all. It was the Dursleys that were bad, not him. Kitana gave him a kiss on the head, reading his face.

"MmHmm. There's nothing wrong with you, don't think there is." Kitana said reassuringly "You're a sweet, lovely little boy. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." Harry sighed quietly, nodding and leaning into his mother's hold. Kitana smiled, happy that he seemed to be understanding this. She didn't want to make him sad though, maybe some time with his Aunt would cheer him up... She was still amazed and very pleased at how well Harry and Jade seemed to understand and get along with one another. Jade was an excellent caretaker. She would have been a great mother for him. And... she still could be... Kitana blushed.

Mar 20"Mama? Your face is all red? Is it really hot?" Harry asked, puzzled.

'MMMMMMM...' Kitana mentally screamed. She knew what Harry was asking, but he didn't realize the double implications...

"Yes, yes. I'm fine little one." Kitana laughed, shaking her head. She bit her lip, trying her best to keep a neutral expression as she kept walking. The kiss they had accidentally exchanged the day prior was forced back to the forefront of her mind. Her attraction to her best friend was suddenly on her mind. Jade really was beautiful, and a very skilled warrior, which drove her slightly wild. Dang it, Jade was her friend! She had been for years! But... friends could be more than friends. Maybe that's what Kitana saw her as, as a friend but more. That was normal, right? Well, it'd come down to Jade in the end, if she felt the same way as her...

She was afraid to say anything, though... She deeply feared the rejection... She feared she would ruin their friendship and Jade would hate her... She feared she would take it the wrong way... Kotal Kahn was dead... Would Jade truly move on? Kitana blinked, feeling something on her neck and looked down, seeing Harry having wrapped his arms around her neck and was trying to hug her. "Aw, you're a sweet little thing." Kitana smiled. Entering another room, she looked around and smiled when she saw Jade.

The emerald assassin seemed to be meditating. Deciding to wait her out, Kitana sat on a nearby chair, holding Harry close as she watched her friend. It was clear to see she was not fully into her meditation... "Urgh... why did I have to kiss her...?" Jade muttered. "Why...and why do i..." Kitana's eyes widened as she overheard her friends voice. Her face reddened slightly, and she didn't say anything.

"Aunt Jade?" Harry spoke up, and it felt like someone hit both Jade and Kitana in the gut.

'Curses... I might have gotten a clear answer as to how she felt...!' She internally groaned. She couldn't be upset with her child, though. He was just worried about his aunt... But if he had stayed silent for just a few more seconds... Honestly, all Kitana needed to do was see how red Jade's face was and she'd have her answer... Slowly, the assassin turned around, and Kitana noticed the red in her cheeks and her eyes widened.

"Oh, hello Princess, little one." Jade nodded, coughing awkwardly. She did smile when she saw the concern on little Harry's face. He really was too sweet for his own good... Kitana sighed in weary amusement and handed Harry over to her best friend, who accepted him with a grateful smile. A cuddly little five year old boy was just what she needed right now to fight her inner conflicts. "Hello, love." Jade smiled, poking Harry's ribs, making him giggle. Jade's smile was beautiful to Kitana, she had never noticed it before... Jade pulled Harry up to her eye level, and gave him a warm kiss on the forehead. "Oh, you're such a sweet little thing."

"Th..thank you..." Harry mumbled, looking embarrassed as he looked away. However, due to him being in Jade's hands, he couldn't really go anywhere. Jade smiled and kissed him again. He simply leaned against her and stared forward blankly, realizing he was trapped and at his aunt's mercy. A small smile formed on his face as he decided he could deal with that. His aunt Jade...might be his second favourite next to his mama, not that he would say it out loud.

'How can one boy be so precious!?' Jade thought, smiling at her nephew. "Is there something I can help you with, Empress?"

"I... well, I finished teaching Harry for the day, and he was wondering how you were doing." Kitana remarked, and then looked away awkwardly when Harry looked up at her with confusion clear on his face. He wanted to spend time with his Aunt, but his Mama had been the one who wanted to see what she was up to.

"I am... doing well, empress. Nothing wrong on my end..." She replied softly. She briefly debated trying to get the pent up feelings off her chest in some way, but she was just far too embarrassed to do so. Her embarrassment became slightly visible when Harry snuggled closer, resting against her shoulder. "It's been rather quiet, save for the storm... well, and the little Prince here." She smiled at Harry.

"Fair enough." Kitana nodded. "Hopefully the storm will pass in time... still, the gardens will be thankful for the rain."

"Speaking of Rain, whatever happened to him?" Jade asked, remembering the Edenian 'Prince' (Citation needed) who worked with Tanya and Mileena a few years ago. Kitana frowned, then shrugged.

"No idea." She confessed. "He just... disappeared. Probably for the best." Jade nodded her head. She had asked about Rain to the ones that were closest to him. Mileena always donned an expression that was equal parts sad and betrayed, and Tanya just looked overwhelmingly angry. Evidently, Rain had done something to hurt them. Something to betray the little alliance they had together... She never much cared for the man. He was extremely arrogant and prideful and needed to be knocked down a few pegs. She doubted she could handle being around him for long periods of time had he stayed with them.

Still, she was curious what he had done... If she had to guess? Relationship issues. Both women most likely had been well, infatuated with him. Most likely knowing him, he had effectively played both of them. Ugh... she couldn't imagine doing that to Kotal, or Kotal doing that to her. "Hm, possibly." Jade admitted. She looked down and felt her heart warm as she adjusted Harry so his head was resting against her chest.

He rested his head against her breasts and she blushed slightly, a mirthful smile forming on her face. "My, my... It would appear your son is a little womanizer, Kitana." The kahn rolled her eyes in amused exasperation.

"It is an entirely innocent act. My son is far too pure and wholesome for lewd thoughts." She replied playfully. The look in Jade's eyes made Kitana's face redden somewhat. She knew her friend was just playing, but she didn't like the implications for her son. "Please don't..." Kitana muttered. "It'll be bad enough if he ever meets Cage for an extended period of time, please don't start him on that path..."

"What path? I'm simply hugging my sweet little nephew." Jade asked, wrapping another arm around Harry.

"You're as bad as Mileena, you know that right?"

"Maybe. But I have your son." Jade retorted.

"My point exactly, my case is rested." Kitana said flatly, rolling her eyes. Jade simply smirked back at het.

"Having a large family can be a detriment when they all want your child, I would imagine." The emerald assassin said playfully.

"Yes. Yes it is. It is very much that. I swear It is borderline impossible to get so much as a moment's peace." Kitana groaned. Jade laughed. Kitana gave her a half hearted glare.

"Well, you don't need to worry, I'll take good care of him."

"Jade, I'm not giving him to you."

"Oh? You're not? But why would you hand him over to me?" Jade asked with a smirk, kissing Harry on the head again, making him giggle. "Oh, look at that, he seems happy with me."

"Jade. You are literally acting like Mileena does." Kitana said flatly. "This is how she's been acting since she met Harry. I thought you were more mature than this."

"Then you haven't been paying attention to our friendship."

"True, you always did love teasing me..." Jade chuckled to herself and tightened her hold on Harry. She would admit she was acting a little bit childish... But Kitana's reactions were honestly just too funny not to. It always got a chuckle out of her to see her friend exasperated. Plus, Harry's sweet little reactions were adorable as well. The small boy was watching their interactions with a smile, giggling at their back-and-forth. Jade loved hearing his laugh, the little boy was such a joy to be around, he made her feel better just by being around them.

He really was helping her overcome her pain and loss, albeit at a slow and steady pace. She doubted it would be very soon, but she hoped he could ultimately help her get over her bad emotional spot. Kitana watched and smiled, seeing how wonderful Jade was with Harry. The little boy seemed like putty in the arms of her family, but there was something... 'more' about Jade. She couldn't put it into words, but Jade was so sweet, so gentle and so happy to be holding her little Prince. Kitana smiled, feeling jealous as Harry rested his head against her chest- What. Kitana shook her head aggressively, not wanting to focus on that right now, no matter how beautiful Jade was, she didn't want to ruin Harry's innocence. She instead focused on him and how adorable he was. Yes, he made a most excellent distraction, with his sweet, adorable little face, and his tiny hands... She noted that he seemed to have a special connection with Jade though...

Maybe it was because Jade wasn't overly-affectionate like her mother or sister, or maybe because Harry wanted to help her get better, and being with her helped, but the little boy really seemed to like his Aunt Jade. Judging by how she'd smile and playfully poke his ribs, Jade loved Harry all the same. It was quite the touching relationship, but it also really drove home the fact that Jade was all set to be a mother herself someday. It seemed she was subconsciously using Harry as some sort of substitute child. "Well, if there's nothing else you've got to say to me, I'll just be taking my nephew and taking my leave." Jade remarked, tightening her hold on Harry. Kitana groaned and rubbed her face, before realizing something.

"Actually, would you mind watching him for a short bit? I need to go talk with someone." Kitana remarked.

"Uh, can I come?" Harry asked innocently. Kitana smiled sadly at him and patted his head.

"Normally I'd say yes, precious. But this one I would prefer if you stayed with Aunt Jade." Harry frowned slightly, but he didn't fight her on this matter and simply opted to nod his head. Kitana smiled and gave him a quick kiss. "I'll be back very soon, dear." She said softly. Harry smiled and nodded. Thank you, for watching him." Kitana nodded to Jade, who smiled and gave Harry a re-affirming squeeze.

"Come along, my sweet." Jade cooed. "Let's enjoy some time together." It was clear she was saying that for both their sakes, but it seemed to perk Harry up nonetheless.

"Okay, Auntie Jade!" He said with a smile, leaning back into her embrace.

The darker skinned woman smiled as she carried him off, and Kitana let out a soft sigh before exiting the room and leaving in search of the one she needed to speak with. He wasn't exactly hard to find. He was always lurking in the shadows. About two minutes later, she found him, seemingly finishing some training, or something. "Reptile, do you have a minute?" Kitana spoke up getting his attention. Reptile nodded and turned to face her wordlessly. "There's something I need to ask you."

"Is there sssomething you need me to do?" Reptile asked.

"Yes, well. Maybe." Kitana bit her lip, unsure of how to properly put this into words. "It is about my son, Harry." Reptile gave her his full attention. "I worry something may happen to him should myself or anyone else cannot be with him... That is why I would like to ask you to ve hus retainer and stay by his side to keep him safe..."

"Okay." Reptile nodded, and Kitana was surprised how quickly he agreed to do so. Reptile noticed this and explained: "You're the Kahn, whatever you ask me to do, I will. Furthermore, the boy has power, and there are those who may come for it, and I don't believe he is versed on training at all."

"N..no, he isn't." Kitana admitted.

"Very well. If he is accepting of thissss, then it ssshall be so." The reptilian ninja clasped a fist over his chest and bowed respectfully. "I will defend him with my life, Kitana." He spoke with absolute sincerity in his voice that gave Kitana peace of mind that her son was in good hands.

"Thank you." She sighed. "I... It seems like the only person who can help him get control of the powers he has is Skarlet. I don't think she'd do anything to hurt him, especially since it'd result in her death, but-" She stopped, not wanting to finish the thought.

"No, but Skarlet wasss vindictive." Reptile commented. "There'sss a reason Kotal wanted nothing to do with her." That was news to Kitana... sure, she had been dead and essentially a zombie-demon during that time, but it hadn't been mentioned at any point, and only further added to her apprehension. Still, what else could she do? "You are certain she is the only one we have? Powers ssssuch as this are rare in Outworld, yet he comessss from Earthrealm. Perhapsss magic usersss have resssided in earthrealm all along and we may ssseek them out?"

"I've talked to Special Forces about this, apparently it isn't as easy as that." Kitana frowned. "The magic users in Earthrealm either aren't the same type of power as Harry, or they remain hidden away, and don't communicate with the outside world. Because of that, there isn't much we can do in that regard. They knew of a few magic users, but believed they wouldn't be the best... teachers, for Harry." Jax had mentioned someone named 'Constantine', but also mentioned very, VERY clearly that he wouldn't be a good influence on Harry. Reptile frowned and crossed his arms. Skarlet was a very difficult woman... He truly doubted she would work well with the boy... So he would have to be present to ensure he did the child no harm and fight her if she did.

"Underssstood." Reptile nodded. "I'll let you make the introductions, however. I believe you would be better suited to do so." Kitana nodded in understanding.

"Thank you, Reptile." She remarked with a soft sigh, feeling a weight lifted off of her shoulders. Now, she had to deal with the other weight... on the one hand, she figured she should have Jade accompany her, but Jade was spending time with Harry, and she wasn't ready for Harry to see the dungeons, and Jade needed to feel better. But she needed to have someone accompany her... Mileena was out of the question, her hatred for Skarlet was much too great... And so that left her with either Tanya or her mother, who were far more rational. Both would be helpful, but she wasn't sure whom to ask. Thankfully, she ran into Tanya, and figured she'd ask her.

"Tanya."

"Oh, yes?" The fire-bender asked, looking up to see her 'sister'.

"I need your help." Kitana frowned. "I need to speak with Skarlet, but I feel like going alone wouldn't be that effective. Would you mind coming with me?" To which Tanya nodded.

"Yes... I will assist you and ensure that that parasite knows her place." Tanya said with narrowed eyes and clenched fists. While she didn't hate Skarlet quite as much as her lover, she was by no means a fan of hers. Part of that may have had to do with Mileena's hatred of her, but Mileena was right, she had done a lot of terrible things. While Tanya may not be the most compassionate woman in the realm, she believed Skarlet went too far on multiple occasions, and she didn't want her sweet little nephew getting hurt by her. If that woman did anything to harm little Harry, she would learn how it feels to have her blood boil in the most literal sense one could possibly imagine. She looked at Kitana with a concerned frown, still dreading the idea of Skarlet and Harry interacting.

Yet she had to acknowledge that Harry did have powers, and if the little dear didn't learn to control it, he could be hurt. She really and truly didn't want Skarlet near Harry, the woman was cruel and twisted, and Harry was sweet and innocent. Skarlet probably wouldn't do anything that would hurt Harry, but... it wasn't past her to try and drain his blood for power. Heck she might do it just to hurt the Royal Family. "I spoke with Reptile. He will guard Harry vigilantly at all times to ensure Skarlet does not harm him." Kitana explained. Tanya frowned. Frankly, she questioned if Reptile was even strong enough to fight Skarlet. Then again, she had never fought Reptile - or at least, hadn't fought him in many years - so she decided not to press this. If Kitana trusted him, she'd leave it be, as the Kahn had much better judgement than her sister did. If it was up to Mileena, her plan probably would've been to wrap Harry up in a blanket and never let him leave her room. Sure, she wanted to help the little one, but Tanya would admit Mileena's logic could be... flawed, at times.

"Well, we'd best be on our way before Mileena finds out then." Tanya nodded, and Kitana led the way. She knew where Skarlet was sealed away. Deep, deep within the castle, underneath a secret passage, locked in a cell... Unlike how her father left the dungeons, covered in blood, water and pitch-black, Kitana had them rebuilt to be a prison, but not a torture dungeon. The torches on the wall kept things rather bright, and the guards snapped to attention as the Kahn and Princess passed by. Kitana hadn't been down here in some time, and really, she didn't have much of a reason to come down here. The ones whom caused Outworld strife were either dead, in hiding, or had thankfully been pulled out of the madness they were left in. Not just her mother, but Kabal, and Earthrealm warrior who worked for Kano for a time, but was pulled back to reality by an old friend of his, but also to an extent both the Tarkatans and Shokans. Sure, they didn't like each other, and Kitana doubted that would ever change, but still. The two women traversed the dark, dank dungeon, searching for the one they needed to see. And after making their way to the deepest area, they finally found her cell. She was sitting against the wall, seemingly in thought.

"Skarlet." Kitana spoke with an emotionless tone.

"Yes, Kitana Kahn?" Came the quiet reply. Kitana frowned, knowing Skarlet was saying that to try and get a rise from her, but that was also how she was SUPPOSED to be addressed.

"I need to speak with you about something."

"What is it you require, Kahn? Simply speak, and I shall answer." Skarlet's quiet, breathy-yet-scratchy voice was getting to Kitana, and she didn't know why.

"How much do you know about raw magic?"

"I know there's a very powerful source of it coming from the Temple." Skarlet answered, and Kitana but her lip, unsure of what she was getting at. "I can also tell its host is very small, and rather sweet if his scent is to be believed... perhaps only a child... but it's also unstable, and growing..." Kitana took a deep breath as Skarlet continued. "Yes, very concerning indeed... If left unchecked for much longer, it could potentially cause all sorts of chaos around the temple... He has the scent of an earthrealmer... The stronger energy in the air of Outworld seems to be... raising his potential, yet loosening his control over it..." The room went silent, and Tanya realized that Kitana seemed... frightened. Angered, clearly angered at the potentially unspoken threat, but also afraid for her child's safety.

"The poor, poor thing..." Skarlet shook her head. It wasn't clear if she was being sincere, or was mocking Kitana.

"Do you have any idea on how to teach someone to control it?" Kitana asked matter-of-factly. Refusing to let the blood magician get to her.

Skarlet looked at her with an unreadable expression. "Someone will have to work with him. To teach him how to effectively use this magic without overdoing it and harming someone... And I know of only one who can do this."

"Yes, yourself." Tanya muttered.

"Indeed." Skarlet nodded. "Is this why you have come here? To ask me to train your newest pet, so you can play with it without him turning on you?"

"He's my son." Kitana snarled, then realized she maybe shouldn't have said that.

"Hm. He must be adopted then... there's no possible way that amount of power comes from your bloodline." Skarlet remarked monotonely.

Kitana snorted. "You give us far too little credit, Skarlet. You know very well my mother would easily best you in combat." She said sternly. Skarlet simply shrugged her shoulders in an 'if you say so' sort of manner.

"True, but none of you could possibly teach him what he needs to know. Lest his core tear this realm apart." Skarlet retorted. "The only one aside from me who could teach him is gone, your Father would've been a good mentor for him."

'Kitana. Please don't lose it.' Tanya blinked, thinking to herself. Kitana clenched her fists and gritted her teeth beneath her mask, the usual reaction she had when her true father was mentioned by someone she didn't much enjoy the presence of. Her father could have been a great mentor for her son... Unless... "If you are referring to Shao Kahn, he is not my father."

"That wasn't how I read i remember it, but I doubt that to be of grave importance right now." Skarlet commented. "Why have you come to me? Do you need me to teach the little one about his power?"

"Yes." Kitana finally admitted begrudgingly.

The scarlet ninja smirked slightly. "Well... I can't very well do that while I'm sealed away in this prison now, can I?" Kitana crossed her arms over her bust.

"Don't get excited. If you want your freedom, you will earn it. You will train my son within the dungeons, being closely monitored at all times, and if I am satisfied with the results, you might earn your freedom."

"Very well. Just know if he is hurt, it won't be because of me." Skarlet drawled. "Magic can be... dangerous, even to someone who knows what they're doing."

"If he is hurt, then I'll hold you accountable due to your inability to train him." Kitana retorted, and Skarlet noted the threat in her voice. She calmly nodded, not reacting in any noticable way, and Kitana and Tanya left. Kitana sighed deeply. That was one thing she really did not like about Skarlet. She was almost impossible to read. One could never tell her true intentions just by looking at her. It made being in her presence just that much more stressful. Tanya felt like she should say something... but didn't. She didn't think anything she could add would be helpful right now. Kitana was clearly thinking on multiple things, least of all how her child was doing.

Jade smiled as Harry nuzzled down into her lap. The Emerald Assassin had taken Harry for a bit of a walk, but found it hard to go anywhere what with the storm and all. When Harry had expressed interest in the history of his new home, Jade had elected to read to him, and now he was snuggled up on her lap listening intently to every word. He was stunned when he learned just how long his family had been around for. His great great great grandparents probably weren't even born yet by the time his grandma first became the ruler of Edenia! Jade felt her heart warm as she read. Harry was so curious about everything, and looked up to her as she read. He was such a sweet little boy, he was just like the child she hoped she could have... well, she was doing her best to take those feelings as Harry gave them to her.

It was therapeutic, in a way, that even though she didn't have children of her own, she could still occasionally take care of her hest friend's child in more or less the same ways she would have cared for her own. Harry didn't seem to mind, he was just enthralled with the history of his new home. Jade smiled and returned to the book, continuing to explain some of the less war-and-slaughter parts of Outworld and Edenia's history. It was different from the world he came from in a lot of ways... Yet in other ways, it was also very similar. It was fascinating. And he couldn't help but wonder if this feeling of amazement and intrigue was what his family felt about his world.

Jade patted his head, the poor thing didn't know the whole story, what once was interesting and intriguing to her had been corrupted by anger and bloodshed. Thankfully, that was in the past, but it didn't change how she felt. Jade shook her head, not wanting to get caught up on that, she looked back to the book, continuing her 'teaching' and wondered how Kitana was doing.

Kitana and Tanya exited the dungeon and returned to the temple's main halls. The kahn let out a deep sigh and hung her head. "I truly, TRULY hope I don't find myself regretting this decision..." She said softly.

"If I could be totally honest, I hate to say it, but Skarlet's right." Tanya admitted, never being one to lie when someone needed to hear the truth. "She's the only one we know of presently who can probably help him. I don't know anything about the type of power Harry currently has, and if he doesn't know, he may hurt himself."

Kitana clenched her fists, then nodded with a sigh. "Indeed you're right... A mother must always be ready to make difficult decisions for the sake of her child." She agreed softly. Tanya nodded her head in agreement.

"Don't think I like this, but I don't want the young prince getting hurt."

"Neither do I, not in the slightest." Kitana sighed, shaking her head.

"If you don't mind me asking, you really seem to have taken to caring for him in such a short time..." Tanya mused. "Why is that? Was it simply because of his abuse? Or was there something else?"

"It was a number of reasons." Kitana answered. "His poor conditions were one factor, but he was desperate for any sort of affection... he clearly saw me as some sort of parental figure after a few minutes after meeting, be it because of a want to be loved, or something else, but I couldn't leave him. And... after that, I just... decided I'd keep him." She sighed softly and looked up at the ceiling with a smile. "I believe I just... felt a very strong connection to this boy... It was as if a spark ignited in me the very instant I first laid eyes on him..." She explained further.

"Fair enough." Tanya shrugged. "I do wonder if his magic had anything to do with it, but... after meeting him? I don't much care if his magic had an effect or not..." Kitana couldn't help but smile at that. Harry truly did seem to have some sort of magical power over them... and yet all he wanted was for someone, anyone, to show him any form of compassion. She hoped being on the receiving end of all that love he so desperately craved was helping him... She knew he still had severe issues with his self worth that they would have to snuff out as soon as feasibly possible.

It broke her heart that he was in such a place to begin with, especially since he wasn't the kind of little boy who was abrasive or aggressive, and might have ended up being treated differently out of fear of what he'd do... he was a little boy who just wanted to be seen as human, and didn't even get that. It was so wrong, so unfair that he was stuck with such evil, disgusting people that would try so hard to completely destroy any and all self esteem he ever had... Not that that was much to begin with, clearly... Well, Kitana intended to fix that. No matter how long it took, she'd do everything she could to help him. But right now? She wasn't sure what to do. Jade had Harry, and she wanted to giver her friend some time with her son, but she also wanted to hold her son again... maybe she could try and talk wit Jade some more, with Harry there as well?

Yes, that was a good idea. She could be with her son, her son could be with her friend, and they could potentially chink away at the issues surrounding poor Jade and help her finally be happy once more.

Tanya seemed to tell that Kitana wanted some time alone, and left her to her own devices. Kitana set off to find her son and friend, and found them in the library again. Harry still sitting on Jade's lap as she read to him. Kitana smiled as she approached, rolling her eyes when she saw Jade subtly wrap an arm around Harry, as if telling her 'You can't have him'. For what felt like the millionth time in the past few days, Kitana rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Hello, Jade. Are you enjoying hoarding my child to yourself?" Kitana asked in equal parts playfulness and annoyance.

"Why yes, Kitana. Thank you very much for asking." Jade replied. Harry giggled as Jade kissed his head, making him look up with a warm smile at her. It honestly wasn't fair how cute Harry could be without even trying. His childish innocence was clawing back to the surface, trying to help him be a bit more like, well, a child. "My little nephew has been having a wonderful time while you were gone. I've been teaching him some history of our lineage."

"Oh? Is that so?"

Jade nodded her head. "He now knows how old we all really are... He was quite taken aback by just how many more generations we've been around than anyone he knows." She explained. Kitana nodded. Earthrealmers had such short lifespans... Wait, did that mean that Harry- Oh. Kitana felt her guts freeze for a moment as she considered what she realized. Maybe there was something Harry's magic could do to expand his life? Or maybe something that could be done in their side? Sure, it wouldn't be for a long, long, long time, but Kitana didn't like the idea of outliving her son. She sighed softly. That would be a bridge she would cross when it was actually a problem... She had enough to worry about right now without that extremely stressful thought running through her mind...

"Mama?" Harry asked, holding his arms out to her. Kitana blinked then smiled, more than happy to take her son back for a minute. The tony boy nuzzled down into her chest, letting out a soft sigh once he got comfortable. Now, Kitana had another problem... she didn't want to let him go, and knew Jade would probably want him back at some point. Well, too bad for her.

"Hello, Precious." Kitana smiled, hugging her son. "Oh, don't you worry, I'm all right."

"Good." He replied softly, his voice muffled due to the fact that his face was buried in her tummy. Kitana gently stroked his hair and let out a series of soft hums, just because she loved him and wanted him to feel safe.

'Oh, he's such a precious little darling...' Kitana thought, reaching over and picking up a blanket left on the couch and burying Harry under it. The tiny boy cooed happily and remained where he was, enjoying his mother's presence. 'Thank the forces above who gifted me with such a sweet little baby...'

Fujin sneezed, feeling as though someone was talking about him. Ah, it was probably Kitana or Harry singing his praises for bringing them together. It was good to be the hero, even if it was a slight miscalculation.

"Harry, there's something I need to talk to you about." Kitana began, looking down (and somewhat under the blanket) at her son, but felt her heart wrench when she saw the fear in his eyes. "No, no, no. I'm not sending you away or anything like that. I'd never do that to you."

"Oh... thank you..." Harry mumbled.

"Harry, I've found someone who can help you learn to control your powers." Kitana said matter-of-factly. Harry looked up apprehensively, but also with slight hope in his eyes. Kitana smiled and kissed hia forehead. "These powers of yours must be controlled... But I want to make one thing clear... I don't want you seeing her without someone else supervising you, okay?" She said gently.

"I...I don't wanna do it alone..." Harry mumbled, and Kitana smiled, giving him a re-affirming squeeze. She wasn't sure if she wanted to explain Skarlet's past to hum just yet, fearing he'd turn away from wanting to learn out of fear of his mentor. Still, she'd need to explain it at some point to him, and she just hoped she wouldn't do anything to upset him.

"There is another thing I need to discuss with you. I have decided that you need a royal retainer. Someone to stand by your side at all times and protect you when I or any of the family cannot be present." She explained. Harry looked up, somewhat confused, and Kitana patted his head. "Don't worry, love. I won't be leaving you unless I have to, this is more a precaution so you'll be safe."

"M'kay..." Harry mumbled, he didn't like the concept of being away from his mother, but he also understood he couldn't be with her every moment of the day. He wondered who she would hire to be his... retainer... The only other person he knew that lived within the castle walls was Reptile. Would it be him? He was supposed to be very loyal to his mother, and he was cool and tough...

"Reptile will be your guardian, should anything go wrong." Kitana said with a nod. She couldn't help but smile when she saw Harry's eyes light up slightly. Pulling him into a hug, Kitana wanted to reassure her son that she'd always be here for him, that she'd keep him safe and protected, like a mother would protect their child. And that was exactly how the boy felt. That so long as his mother was here, nothing in the entire world would ever hurt him... His mother was the best thing in the entire world, as far as he was concerned. Kitana thought about introducing Harry to Reptile, but she was enjoying having him snuggled close too much. She wanted to take care of him, just hold him close and let him snuggle close.

"If I'm honest, I didn't expect I'd be a parent..." Kitana admitted, rubbing Harry's back. "Still, the little one makes me happy that I've become one... Was this somewhat of a cruel thing to say in front of Jade? Probably. But she needed to start some sort of conversation to get Jade to open up. Jade simply hummed in responsel not entirely sure how to respond to her friend's words. Kitana frowned at her. "Jade... I know Kotal would have wanted you to move on from him. Your happiness was his priority."

"Okay, how?" Jade asked, a lot harsher then she intended. "If you know so much about it, how do I move on!?"

"Jade, I was just-"

"I know what you were trying to do, and it's not helping!" Jade cut Kitana off, seeming genuinely upset with her. "I know that Kotal would've wanted me to move on with my life, but you haven't lost someone you cared for like I did him! This sin't something you can POSSIBLY begin to understand!" The room was left in an awkward silence, Kitana feeling like maybe she had gone too far.

"Aunt Jade?" Jade's face seemed to drain of colour as Harry slowly peeked out from under the blanket. In her frustration, she had forgotten he was there...

She rose to her feet and briskly walked out of the room, not wanting to face him in her current mental state. Kitana sighed softly and looked down at her son. "I believe I made a big mistake, my dear..."

"..wh..whatdidido..." Harry mumbled.

"You didn't do anything, I promise." Kitana said quietly, kissing his head reassuringly. "Your Aunt Jade... she lost someone very close to her, and... I've been trying to help her move on, I've been trying to help her open up and talk about it. But the ways I've been going about it have been wrong." Harry nodded. He knew this... He knew auntie Jade was hurting... He just wished he knew what to do to really help fix the problem... He hated to see anyone in his family sad. They were all too nice to feel that way. But his Mama... his Mama had hurt her? It kinda seemed like that, even if she didn't mean too. Was it his fault? She seemed really upset when she saw he was there. Had he upset his Aunt Jade? He didn't mean too... he didn't want too...

Kitana was pulled from her thoughts by two things; her mother entering the library with concern clear on her face, and the soft whimpering that was clearly Harry beginning to break down. "Kitana, is everything-" Sindel began, but stopped when she heard her grandson crying. "Oh, what's wrong my little one?"

Kitana blinked, then noticed her crying son and hugged him tight with a soft sigh. "Jade and I had a little disagreement, and it seems to have frightened the poor dear..." She explained sadly. She regretted bringing anything up even more now...

"It's my fault..." Harry mumbled. "It...itsmyfaultshesupset..." Kitana hugged her son, but frowned when nothing seemed to change. Why was this happening?! She just wanted her best friend to be happy! She wanted her son to be happy! How was she supposed to do either of those things when every time she did, it just upset both of them!?

"Ohh... there, there my little darling." Sindel cooed, gently taking Harry from Kitana and hugging him close. There was something about the way she held him that told Kitana she knew what she was doing, and she knew how to deal with an upset child. "It's not your fault, it's not your fault, my sweet..." The older woman hugged the boy tighter and looked at her daughter with a sad smile. "You are in a very difficult situation, my child... So desperate to help your friend, yet she seems to turn down any and all attempts..."

"I know, I just... I don't know how to help her. And I don't know how I feel..." Kitana confessed, and Sindel gave her daughter a sad smile.

"You mean well, that's what matters most." Sindel said matter-of-factly. "Perhaps you should go apologize or try and talk to her." She gave her Grandson a warm hug and smiled down at him. "Don't worry about this precious little boy; I'll take care of him until you get back." Kitana sighed in exasperation, her shoulders drooping in defeat as she nodded her head. Once again, her family had successfully pilfered her son away from her, and so soon after she got him back too... "...oh, do you want to keep him for now?" Sindel asked, seeming genuinely concerned for her daughter. She kissed Harry's head, making the boy whimper slightly, still trying his best to calm down. Sindel was genuinely surprised when she saw Kitana seemed close to tears.

"Y..yes." Kitana quietly got out, taking her son back from her mother. "I'm sorry, I just- I just need my son right now."

Sindel smiled and nodded her head. "Very well then... Perhaps I can talk with Jade. After all, we share the same burden..." Kitana's eyes widened in realization. Her mother was sufferint the same pain Jadr was...

"I...I'm not sure what to do." Kitana admitted. Sindel smiled and leaned forward, kissing her Grandson on the forehead and wiped a few tears from his eyes.

"I think little Harry needs you right now." Sindel said calmly. "You've been working on keeping the Realm together, I think you should take some time and keep yourself together."

Kitana smiled softly at her mother. "...Thank you, mother... Thank you so much... I... I would like it if you could talk with Jade... You would understand better than anyone in this family what kind of pain she is suffering..."

"Of course." Sindel nodded. She liked Jade, the emerald Assassin was a skilled fighter, and clearly a good friend of Kitana, and maybe more if Mileena was to be believed... she shook her head to focus and smiled down at Harry. "I'll talk to you in a little bit, okay love?" She said kissing his cheek and finally making him give her a small smile.

"O..oka...okay gramma..." Harry managed to get out. Sindel smiled warmly, then let out a soft sigh as she made her way out of the room and down the hall in search of Jade. She knew the emerald warrior liked to hide away when she was upset so no one could see her.

"Jade?" Sindel spoke up, seeing the Emerald Assassin effortlessly spin to a standing position to adress the Queen of Edenia with the respect she thought she deserved. "We're alone dear, there's no need for those formalities."

"Apologies, Queen Sindel, it's just habit." Jade muttered, and Sindel could already tell something was off just by the way she spoke. Much like Kitana, Sindel didn't have many experiences with Kotal Kahn, both before, and during his time as Kahn. Most of the memoires she DID have of him were the things she had thought/done when under someone else's control. Kotal Kahn had most likely died thinking she was a villain, so it was rather ironic that it was her consoling his love in her vulnerable state. "It is to my understanding that you had a disagreement with Kitana?" Jade tensed and looked away, which gave Sindel the answer she needed.

"I... I just..."

"Jade, I don't blame you, and neither does Kitana." Sindel said seriously. "She blames herself for what has happened, and from what I understand, she's correct in blaming herself."

Jade closed her eyes. "No... No, her intentions were pure... She wants to see me happy once more, and I... am trying, but it's just so difficult..." She said softly. Sindel nodded her head in understanding and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Losing the man you love is never easy, my dear." Jade was going to respond, but paused, thinking about what Sindel had said. Sindel had lost Jerrod, and to an extent, Kitana at one point, so she probably did know what she was going through, as much as she didn't want to believe anyone could understand what she was going through. Yes, this was the one person in the building where she could not insist she knew nothing of her pain because it was her pain as well. The pair of them were kindred spirits in this regard... They both lost the love of their lives...

"...how did you move on?" Jade finally asked after a few moments of silence. She didn't feel right asking, but she also knew that asking may help in some way. Sindel smiled sadly and let out a soft sigh.

"It was... hard." She admitted. "Partially because I was made to believe I had killed him out of a want for power... and then there was everything that followed. My death, being a revenant, and so on... honestly, part of what helped me move on was Kitana. When I was freed, I found the best help I had were those that offered it." Jade looked at her with a slight wince. Sindel simply smiled at her. "Please, Jade... Do not be afraid to approach others for help, or accept it if offered,. You are surrounded by people who care deeply for you and worfy about you you know." Jade did't reply right away, she didn't know what to say. She wanted to move on, she wanted to get back to the way things were. She was happy around Kitana and even Mileena to an extent. Harry brought nothing but happiness, but she still felt like she was trapped, and it was honestly somewhat frustrating. She knew Kotal would want her to move on, to be happy, but it felt like she was chained to a wall, and nothing she did could set her free, much to her irritation.

She looked at Sindel with her mouth formed into a thin line. "Why must I make this ever so difficult for myself? I just can't seem to allow myself to progress past the mourning phase... Is there something wrong with me?"

"You are, were and still are in love." Sindel said matter-of-factly. "The man you loved is gone, the man whom you were going to live your life to the fullest with died giving you the chance to live that live. I know this may not be what you want to hear, but it's the truth. You're grieving for him, and that's absolutely normal."

Jade nodded slowly as she looked down at the floor. "I just... I feel as though I should be past the grieving state by now... It's been nearly a year since it happened, and yet it still feels do fresh in my memory..."

"Wounds and scars have an odd way of healing and changing." Sindel frowned, looking out the window. "Sometimes the hardest part is to allow yourself to heal, to allow yourself to change."

"How?"

"...you can't keep blaming yourself for this, for one. If you continue to try and convince yourself you need to do this all alone, then you'll only make things harder for you."

Jade frowned and looked down at the floor, clenching her fists. She had felt that this was her fight and her fight alone... That dragging everyone else into her emotional problems would only be inconveniencing them... But she also wasn't an idiot. She knew that Kitana at least would be there in some regards. But again, she didn't want this to be Kitana's burden, she was already Kahn and trying to fix everything wrong with Outworld, and she now was taking care of an abused, innocent little boy.

At the same time, Harry was snuggled close to his Mother's tummy. She seemed really upset by something, and even though she reassured him it wasn't his fault, Harry felt guilty. It was his fault, it was always his fault. But his Mama said it wasn't... This whole situation was very confusing for him. It was definitely going to take time for the trauma he had been dealt all his life to finally fade away and allow him to feel confident enough to accept he wasn't responsible for everyone's problems...

"Jade, I don't expect you to be better immediately, or even a year later." Sindel confessed. "The fact that you still mourn was a sign of how powerful and deep your bond was, and that's not nothing. But don't feel like your alone." Jade bit her lip and looked away. "I know I'm not alone, I'm just... afraid... I'm worried about letting anyone in because I'm supposed to be strong... The strong bodyguard that protects the princess... I can't just... show weakness..."

"It's not weakness to admit you need help." Sindel said. "But I understand why you may think it is." She paused for a few moments, then continued. "You're a good friend to Kitana, and she cares about you. You don't need to hide everything from her. And... well, while he is far too young, little Harry cares deeply for you as well."

"The young prince cares for all of us, pretty much anyone who shows him kindness." Jade sighed. "And I hate that it's the acceptation, not the rule to him."

Sindel nodded her head in agreement. "It is most upsetting, but as more and more people show him kindness, I am confident he will grow more confident in himself. He will have more positive interactions in the future that will coax him from his shell."

"Indeed." Jade nodded.

Meanwhile, Kitana laughed gently as Harry's tiny face peaked out from under the blanket. He gave his mother a closed-eye smile, enjoying her warmth and love. "You're so cute." Kitana cooed, laughing gently again when Harry's face went red and he tried to hide under the blanket. "No, no, no. Mother would like to see her sweet little son." Harry giggled again as Kitana hugged him. The Kahn cuddled him close to her breast and gently rocked him back and forth. Her expression turned wistful. As therapeutic as Harry was, she just couldn't seem to get Jade off her mind... Had she harmed their friendship in any way?

She didn't think she had, and as much as she hated thinking like this, Jade NEEDED to move on. It wasn't because her grieving annoyed Kitana or something superficial like that, she cared fo her friend. But she was concerned Jade would just keep slowly going downwards, and eventually, she'd be trapped. Well, okay. Jade was strong, one of he best fighters Kitana knew, and she knew Jade would never let herself just drop into despair over her loss, if anything, she had doubled-down on training, as if that loss me her never want to lose anyone again, but was she losing herself. She worried that her best friend could become nothing more than a fighting machine, a hollow shell of what she once was. She feared she would eventually focus on training and fighting and nothing else. The weight on her chest reminded her that her son was here, and he looked up at her with a mixture of concern and love.

"Oh... you're such a sweet little thing." Kitana sighed, wrapping her arms around Harry and kissing his forehead. "Harry, please don't blame yourself for what's happening, your Aunt Jade is trying to work through something, and I'm trying to help, but I'm not sure I've been doing it the right way."

Harry nodded his head. "It's okay, mommy... You're trying really hard to help, and I... I think auntie Jade knows that... I think she wants you to help her... She just doesn't know it yet..." He said softly, trying his best to comfort her.

"You're such a sweet little boy." Kitana said quietly, nuzzling her son's head with her cheek. She pulled the blanket up over the pair, letting him get nice and comfy again. She hoped he was right, she hoped she could help her friend. She knew her mother was currently working to help Jade, and that, the young kahn appreciated greatly. But still... She was just a little bit hurt that her best friend was so adamant about not letting her in... Maybe for now she should take her mother's advice and just take sometime for herself. And by herself, she meant her son. Kitana settled back into the chair, Harry cuddled close, and she opened the book she had listlessly been reading to him. It was an old book of legends from the different realms, apparently Earthrealm called it 'Journey to the East' or something like that. Either way, she was more focused on just enjoying some time with her son.

As usual, Harry listened to the story with rapt attention, and Kitana has to smile at how into it the boy was. There was no fear involved, he was just genuinely interested in books and learning. Evidently he had wanted to attend school back in his world. But he had been denied that, believing he was too much of a freak to do so. So, now he wanted to learn where he could, and if his Mother was teaching him in some regard, he wanted to learn. But at the same time, he was really comfy where he was, and the story was really interesting, so he was happy. After finishing the story, Kitana turned to her son with a small smile. "I must say, your realm certainly know how to tell an excellent story utilizing concepts that do not exist there." They had known centaurs existed long before contact with Outworld apparently.

Harry nodded and simply looked up with a small smile. This was the happiest he had been... ever! He still somewhere feared this was just a dream, and he'd wake up back at his old home, and all this would be for naught, but with each passing day, that fear dropped away a tiny bit more. There was a long way to go, but he couldn't deny that he genuinely was happy with his Mother. And the rest of his family too. They took care of him just as much as his mother did, they helped him learn just as much as she did, they loved him just as much as she did. Loved him... He never thought he would ever get love... He blushed when Kitana kissed his head again, seeming to pick up on what h was thinking. The Kahn sighed with a smile, enjoying the sight of her son seeming genuinely happy for a change.

"Well, we could..." Kitana began but trailed off. "Harry, I'm rather comfy where I am, are you?"

"MmHm." Harry nodded, curled up under the blanket.

"I don't really want to get up and go somewhere, do you?"

"MmMm."

"Well, let's just stay here for a time." Kitana smiled, wrapping her arms around her son under the blanket.

Harry smiled and nodded his head. "Okay, mommy..." He mumbled softly before nuzzling his head closer to her stomach, getting a smile from her as she cuddled him close and rocked him back and forth in her arms.

'How could anyone ever harm such a sweet little boy?' Kitana thought as she rubbed Harry's back in a soothing gesture. 'He's such a small little boy, all he ever wanted was for someone to show him some compassion... but they feared him, they hated him. And for his powers? Something they didn't even understand?' She wondered if they ever even tried to learn about it, or if they just hated him for hate's sake. Come to think of it, where did his powers come from? Most likely it was from his bloodline, so probably his parents. But that left her with the question of just why was he sent to relatives who openly hated him after his parents were killed? Surely there had been better options... Like perhaps someone who could teach him magic? At this point, Kitana didn't really care one way or another. She was angry with Harry's relatives, and she would do what she could to ensure justice was done. But for now, some of these questions would sadly have to go unanswered. Still, she was thankful she had found little Harry, and she was happy that he took to her so quickly. As wrong as it may be to compare the two, he was almost like a lost, abused puppy. Still, she was doing everything in her power to take care of him, to make him feel better. She wanted him to be happy.

And judging by the way he was currently latched onto her, she could tell that she was doing a fairly good job accomplishing this goal. Yet beneath this happiness was an underlying sense of doubt and uncertainty... As the rain kept falling outside, Kitana sighed softly, thinking about the future. Harry would hopefully have some sort of control over his powers, although she wished it was knowledge from pretty much ANYONE else. But, like she had told herself many times now, she didn't exactly have that many choices. Well, aside from that, there would be the future of Outworld, she would have to eventually let more poeple know she had adopted a child (she realized that there was a good chance Liu and Lao either didn't know, or found out because of Cage) and that raised the question she hated; would that put him in danger? When her fath- Shao Kahn, ruled, assassination attempts were fairly commonplace (admittedly, she was one such assassin, but still). But would Harry be in danger? She was fairly well liked amongst her people... Yet she still feared there were others still that would despise her. It was commonplace as a ruler that she would not be popular with absolutely everyone in the kingdom...

She had her enemies, that much was for sure, she just hoped things would be okay for the poor dear. He had been through enough already in his life, he didn't deserve to be targeted further. But... well, that just meant it was all the more likely that at some point, someone would be stupid enough to try. Still, he was safe with her for now, and that was good enough. And if anyone was foolish enough, the family would rain hellfire upon them and make them suffer for the crime of so much as even thinking of harming their little prince... There would scarcely be enough to bury. Kitana looked down, letting out a soft 'aww' at the sight of Harry, curled up on her lap asleep, sucking his thumb like a newborn as he slept in his mother's warm embrace. This was a feeling Kitana loved, and one she could get used to. He was such a sweet, precious little boy, he deserved all this and so much more.

She carefully picked him up and snuggled him close to her bosom, gently rocking him back and forth as she idly wondered just how things were working out between Jade and her mother. Had her mother made a breakthrough? Hm... maybe she should check on them... but at the same time, Sindel was talking with Jade, and Tanya was distracting Mileena, so that meant she had Harry all to herself, and that was fine with her.

"...after you were, ahem, re-awoken, how did you move forward?" Jade asked, thinking about those first few days when the timeline was reset, and everyone was awoken and back to normal.

Sindel looked down and sighed softly. "I was horrified and disgusted with myself for months after my reawakening... The mere idea that I cou,d ever commit such atrocities, willingly or not, was simply devastating to me... I lived with that guilt for some time, and then I began to question if there was any point in me showing myself to my own family, I felt disturbed by what I had done, and I knew if Jerrod saw what I had done, it would disgust him to no end." She looked down. "I despised myself. I was terrified to even speak with anyone I knew because of how much I had hurt them... I was so confident that they would hate me, that they wished for nothing more than to see me die... But Kitana reached out, and in time, I began to try and open up. I talked with my family, and in turn they listened, and together they helped me move on, but the hardest part was understanding that I needed to be willing to be open." Sindel continued. "That... that was the hardest part."

Jade stayed quiet as she listened to the queen's story. "I... I need to come to the same conclusion you did, don't I...? I need to allow myself to open up..." Sindel nodded her head in affirmation.

"If you do, you will come out stronger than ever before."

"But, then what?" Jade asked quietly. "I move on, and then... what comes next?"

"Whatever your heart tells you." Sindel nodded. "I know that may not be the easiest thing to do, but I believe you'll know what to do."

"...perhaps." Jade sighed. The emerald assassin hugged her knees and gazed upon the floor, suddenly finding it very interesting. Sindel was right... It was time to move on... It was time for her to take that initiative and force her life back on track. She needed to apologize to Kitana, she didn't mean to snap at her like that. Her friend just wanted to help, and she had done nothing but push her away... She had tried to help, and admittedly had gone a bit too far, but she had still tried. And then there was sweet little Harry, who probably now thought she was mad at him, or most likely was blaming himself for this.

She sighed softly and rose to her feet slowly, giving Sindel a bow. "Thank you very much, Queen Sindel... Things feel much more clear to me now that I've spoken with another that truly shares my pain..." "It's fine, my dear." Sindel smiled. "I understand what you're going through, and only ask that you try your best. I can't expect you to be perfect even after all this time."

"I understand... I think I need to apologize to Kitana..."

"I don't think you do." Sindel shook her head. "Kitana feels like she went too far in trying to help you, although you may want to reassure Harry you're not upset with him. The poor thing seems to beleive he's at fault for almost everything."

Jade clenched her fists and closed her eyes. "Such evil people... How could they damage an innocent child's self worth so thoroughly that he even blames himself for things that are clearly not his doing?

"I wish I could answer that." Sindel sighed sadly. "Still, at this point, the best thing we can do is try our best to move forward." Jade nodded in understanding.

'I hope everything is all right with Jade and Mother.' Kitana thought, casting a smile at the sleeping boy on her lap. 'Things are certainly okay here...' She held her son close and sighed softly, thinking back to her earlier conversation with Jade and how she had utterly blown it. She was grateful her mother was as wise and experienced as she was, or there would have been trouble.

"Kitana?" A voice spoke up, somewhat softly. Kitana looked over to see Jade walking back into the library. "I'm not disturbing anything, am I?"

"No." Kitana smiled, looking down to Harry. "The precious little one is asleep for the time being, and seems rather happy."

Jade nodded her head with a small smile. "Yes, I can see that." She said softly, approaching and gently rubbing her adorable little nephew's head. "I hope he knows that I put no blame on him for our earlier disagreement..."

"I think he understands, but he seemed a little upset with himself." Kitana sighed, looking at her son. "I explained it wasn't his fault, and I think he understands..."

"He looks so sweet while he's sleeping." Jade smiled. "He seems so calm and at peace. It's such a drastic change..."

"The little dear tries his best to seem happy, but..." Kitana trailed off and sighed deeply.

"The pain he's experienced is likely to linger..." Jade said softly. Kitana looked at her with a sad expression. "Yes... I know all too well how this poor child feels... In spite of how differently we are suffering, the general concept is the same." There was silence for a few moments until Jade spoke again: "Kitana, I'm sorry." She said. "I know you were trying to help, and I wasn't as receptive as I should've been, I... I'm sorry I snapped at you, I just... I'm afraid of moving on."

"I understand." Kitana said quietly. "I... I didn't exactly go about things all too well myself." The two girls were silent for a moment. "I really do want you to open up to me, Jade... I know I can't force you... But if you could just... trust me with your feelings, perhaps just once... I do believe it may help..."

"After Kotal died... I... I felt like I didn't have anyone." Jade began quietly. "My Mother... Is gone, she had been since we were kids, and... you were really the only friend I had. I have respect for our Earthrealm allies, but I can't talk to them the way I talk to you. Now that he's gone... I was afraid of isolation, I guess."

Kitana placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "But why, Jade? I am still here. I have never gone anywhere. There was nothing preventing you from talking with mr." She spoke softly to her best friend, who sighed.

"I know, I knew you were there, but there was something... more. I don't know-"

"Yes, you do." Kitana cut in. "But you're afraid to say it."

"...okay...I...there was that sense of some sort of bond." Jade sighed.

Kitana tilted her head to the side. "Oh? And would you care to elaborate further?" She asked. Jade exhaled through her nostrils and tried to figure out the best way to accurately summarize what she had meant.

"Well, you had Liu for a time." Jade stated bluntly, and Kitana's face reddened almost aggressively. "Mileena and Tanya have each other, and I had Kotal. There was a strong bond that I could rely on, it was someone I trusted, beyond just being a friend, and now... losing that was harder than I can put into words."

Kitana looked down. "Jade... Liu Kang and I... we cannot be together. We split shortly after Kotal passed on... I too don't have a romantic partner any longer... I know it isn't the same, but... we are both alone right now... And we both... can move on from our old flame... If we really try..." Jade was going to respond, but an audible yawn from Harry got their attention. The tiny boy seemed to squirm for a moment, then stretch himself out before settling back down into his nap.

"Aww..." Jade smiled. "He truly is an adorable little thing, isn't he?" She said, sitting next to Kitana on the couch. The Kahn smiled and patted Harry's head.

"He truly is." The two women looked down on the sleeping child with warm smiles, then seemed to notice how close to each other they were. They blushed slightly, but neither made any move to get away from the other. Kitana smirked, then put the blanket over the three of them, Jade's eyes widening in surprise at the sudden movement, but then felt Harry resting on her lap. Looking down, she saw he had turned around and now lay on both women's laps.

They both clapped their hands over their mouths to stifle their giggles so as not to awaken the sleeping child. He really was a sweet, precious little thing... It seemed they had been turned into a makeshift bed for him. "He needs to get his hair cut at some point." Jade smiled, running her fingers through it. "It's rather messy..."

"Really? I like it this way." Kitana replied with a shrug.

"Ugh, no. I don't think it suits him." Jade shook her head.

"Well, I'm his Mother, so too bad." Kitana retorted without thinking twice.

Jade sighed and shook her head in exasperation. "And if he decides he would rather have his hair shortened?" Kitana stared blankly, having not considered that option. "I'll be sure to ask the poor dear when he wakes."

"Why is it when he sleeps, it's all right, and seen as adorable, but when you, me, or Mileena does it we're seen as lazy?"

"Your job is to be a bodyguard, I'm the ruler of this realm, and Mileena refuses to take responsibility." Kitana answered one after another. "We can't just sleep where ever, whenever. As for the little one, well... first of all. Look at him." Kitana ordered, nodding down to Harry. "Second, he's never had a proper night's sleep, let alone a non-nightmare-filled sleep before I found him. And third, he's a child." She gently stroked her son's head. "He is still at that age where a daily nap is necessary... And since he's been so deprived of sleep all his life, he's going to need to catch up on his sleep as much as he can..."

"Fine. I'll accept that." Jade said in mock irritation. "But only because he's cute."

"ONLY because he's cute? Not because of what the royal family may do to you if you were to harm him?" Kitana asked.

"Yes." Jade replied, and Kitana couldn't help but laugh slightly.

"You really are too much, old friend." She said softly, lightly nudging Jade with her elbow. The emerald assassin simply smirked in response and focused her attention on Harry. She would admit, she did enjoy watching him sleep. He seemed to be under the impression he was still sleeping on Kitana's lap, and nuzzled closer, resting his head against her tummy before letting out a soft sigh.

"It's unfair... how did one little child get all this cuteness?" Jade sighed. "He's such a kindhearted boy..."

Kitana nodded her head in agreement. "He has one of the most tender, gentle personalities I've ever seen... It touches my heart what a pure, kind soul he is... And it went to waste on a bunch of filthy vermin..."

As if to prove her point, Harry mumbled in his sleep "Mama..." and nestled down, Jade feeling like she was threatening to tear up at being miscalled 'Mama'. It was something she had always wanted to be called...

And it wasn't even her own child saying it to her. She felt slightly ill inside. Thankfully, Kitana caught on and placed a hand on her shoulder gently. "Be strong, my friend. Everything is going to be okay..."

"I hope it will be..." Jade said quietly, patting Harry's head, earning a smile from the boy. "One way or another, I hope it will get better."

"It will." Kitana said reassuringly, turning her friend's head to look at her. The Kahn let out a soft sigh. "I know it's easy for me to say, but you must try to have confidence that things will eventually work out. The more you tell yourself it won't, the deeper into this hole you will dig yourself." Jade nodded in understanding, her eyes showing hope, anger, regret, pain, joy... so many emotions all at the same time, Kitana found herself lost in them, just... reading them, for lack of a better term. It was as if she forgot what they had been talking about. She smiled, and Jade finally smiled in return.

"Perhaps you are right. Perhaps it is time I start thinking more positive thoughts... Brooding has accomplished very little... I must force myself to look forward to the future, whatever mysteries it may hold..." Jade said. It was a nice moment, both women felt reassured, Harry was sleeping soundly... it was just... right.

"Jade, there's... there's something I've been meaning to ask you." Kitana slowly began, deciding she may as well be honest. "It's just... for the last while, I've been thinking about some things..."

"Which are?" Jade prodded.

"I-"

"Kitana? Is everything all right? Apparently Harry's unhappy for some reason... where is he?" Mileena's voice suddenly echoed through the library.

"Yes, can you take Harry for a minute? If Mileena takes him, I'll never get him back." Kitana growled, shifting Harry into Jade's arms and picking up the book to try and act like nothing was happening. However, she realized at the last moment both of them were under a blanket on a couch together. Mileena pulled the door open and saw the scene before her. She blinked slightly in surprise at seeing the three of them in such a close proximity, and then she gave her sister a knowing smile and a wink. "Mileena." Kitana said flatly.

The clone just smiled. "Mileena, this isn't what you-"

"Yes, it is."

"Mileena. It isn't."

"Yes, it is." The clone repeated.

"Mileena, if you make me raise my voice and that wakes up Harry, you'll be on to make your own meals for a month."

"Oh, that's not fair!" Mileena protested. "I just wanted to know how he's doing! Why is that such a crime?!"

"Because you stole him last time you wanted to know how he was doing."

"Because you keep hogging him, how else am I gonna get any time with him?" Kitana clapped her palm against her face and let out a long suffering groan of annoyance. Frankly, her sister was a literal child.

"Mileena, we had this discussion earlier today."

"Yes, earlier today. Now it's later."

"You really think anything has changed in the few hours since then?!"

"Yes."

"You have the body of an adult and the mind of a child. I'm pretty sure Harry is more mature than you." Jade commented.

"Well... he likes me more!"

"That is a very bold lie for you to tell, Mileena. It is abundantly cleae that no woman in his life will ever surpass his mother." Kitana said with a huff. Mileena pouted and crossed her arms over her chest. It just wasn't fair!

"It seems that in this moment, I am his favourite." Jade smirked, looking down at the sleeping Harry, who was nuzzling closer, using her chest as pillows as he innocently napped. Kitana gave Jade a flat look, regretting giving Harry to her.

Jade simply smirked and winked slightly at her. Mileena spoke up. "I don't really get why you're so upset considering you two are so obviously gonna fall in love and be his moms together. I mean, it's a very clear conclusion." Jade was going to say something, but her eyes widened when she saw how red Kitana's face was. Her's was too, but she was able to hide it behind the excuse of having Harry snuggling up to her. Kitana... Jade smiled, maybe...

Kitana narrowed her eyes at her sister. "Mileena, are you quite finished trying to embarrass me?" Mileena frowned and tilted her head to the side.

"Why are you embarrassed? If you have feelings for her, you should act on them. I'm just trying to move things along."

"Mileena..." Kitana muttered. "It isn't as simple as that."

"I think it is." Mileena replied with a shrug. Jade watched the two go back-and-forth, content to held the sleeping Harry close. His soft snores were adorable, and he seemed so safe and happy in her arms.

She also noticed that Kitana at no point during her argument with Mileena attempted to correct what she was saying. Hmm... Did this perhaps mean that she really did have feelings for her? That was... interesting... Jade wouldn't lie, she did think Kitana was rather attractive, but she... well... how did she feel? She had known Kitana her entire life, but when... when they kissed, she had felt something come alive, something she hadn't felt since she was reunited with Kotal... It was a wonderful feeling, and for the briefest of moments, she had finally felt joy again. But with that joy came a heavy dose of awkwardness. This was her best friend and the one she was to guard. To start a relationship would be such... change.

Yet would it be a bad one? To have a connection again? To have someone to love, someone to turn to? To have someone fill that void inside her that was left by the death of her husband? Would that be right? Did she truly feel that way towards women, or was this merely a spur of the moment thing compelling her to take any opportunity she could to move on from Kotal? Could she truly just.., hook up with Kitana? She looked down to Harry, as if asking for his opinion... but then remembered he was sleeping, and therefore, couldn't receive an answer. Furthermore, he probably didn't understand what Jade was going through, and what she was feeling. Actually, if she hooked up with Kitana, would that make her Harry's mother, too?

She felt a sudden burst of joy welling up inside her at the mere thought of it. Her face turned slightly red. It really was a nice thought... She wanted a family dynamic very much, more than she had ever wanted anything in her life. She smiled at Harry, who was now holding onto her top with one hand as he slept peacefully. He really looked and felt like a newborn... he was so small and frail, but seemed so happy to be with her... he was a precious little thing. And then there was Kitana. She really was beautitul, quite possibly the most beautiful woman she had ever seen in her life... Oh, this was so embarrassing... She had been so sure she was past this crush on her friend too...

"Mrgh..."

'No...no...please, don't wake up now!' Jade mentally protested, seeing Harry was waking up. If things weren't bad enough for her, she was going to have to try and explain this to Harry. Knowing Mileena, she'd just make it worse.

"Aunt Jade?" Harry mumbled.

"Hello, love." Jade smiled, kissing his head. "You had a short nap, are you sure you don't want to sleep more?"

"N..no..." Harry yawned. "I didn't sleep a lot when I was working."

Jade's mouth formed into a thin line. She really did hate it when bits and pieces of the boy's past were dredged back up... "Well... You aren't working now, so it's entirely fine if you wish to get just a little bit more sleep..."

"You're really comfy..." Harry said, lying his head back down. "Hi Mama, hi Auntie Mileena..." He sleepily waved before closing his eyes again. He wasn't sleepy, but being held by his Aunt, under a warm blanket? This was a nice feeling, he just wanted to take it all in.

Mileena let out a tittering giggle at how cute the boy was and Kitana just smiled softly and reached over to stroke her child's hair gently. "Hello, my little precious... I hope you enjoyed your nap." She said softly.

"Mmhm." Harry mumbled sleepily. This was a nice feeling for him, he loved this feeling! HE felt safe, he felt like his family cared for him. That he wasn't gonna be hurt by them. To some children, they wanted to explore, play, have the world to be theirs... but to Harry, all he wanted was someone to show some compassion to him. Now? Now, he got that. As long as he had this, as long as this never went away, he felt like he could be happy. He prayed that he could stay like this for a very, very long time, that life wouldn't take this away from him and put him back to misery. Jade seemed to read his thoughts, and doubled down on the embrace, wrapping both arms around him and kissing the top of his head. He was such a sweet little thing... it wasn't right that his life was so used to violence and abuse!

Kitana had (truthfully) joked that if she didn't adopt him, Sindel or Mileena would, and Jade knew she would too. If she had been there, she would've taken him and kept him close. She'd've given him everything he could ask for... but now? Well, she was content holding him close, letting the love and warmth radiate from her. The idea of being a family with him and Kitana was seeming more and more appealing by the second, as both of them had things she absolutely adored about them. But would Kitana truly reciprocate the feeling? She wanted to ask... but now Mileena was here, and the last thing she wanted was to do this with her around. Actually, she wasn't sure she wanted Harry here either when she admitted (or tried to) her feelings. Was this who she was? Was she making a mistake?

"Mrrmgh..." Harry pulled her from her thoughts as she felt him nuzzle his head against her chest as he rested peacefully in her arms. She smiled and closed her eyes, visibly relaxing and decding to just live in the moment for now. She really didn't need to look too deep into things, she just needed to take it all as it came.

'I want my son back, but by the Elder Gods they look adorable together...' Kitana thought with a wide smile. Mileena huffed in annoyance that Jade got to hold him but not her. "Mileena, if you try anything, I'll have Reptile deal with you."

"It won't stop me."

"No, but it'll slow you down." Kitana sighed, then grew serious. "Also, I know you hate her, and I won't ask why, but Skarlet will be teaching Harry."

Mileena's mouth formed into a thin line. "I'm supervising every session, and if I don't like what she's doing, I. Will. KILL HER." Mileena spoke in a tone that made it clear this was non-netotiable, and Kitana sighed.

"Mileena, I will be supervising her closely, Reptile as well. If you were there, it would probably make things worse." Kitana said matter-of-factly, but the look on Mileena's face made it clear she wasn't backing down. "Know that what you consider wrong, and what I consider wrong tare two drastically different things, all right?"

"Mm." Mileena grunted.

"Sneezing will not be considered a punishable offense. Neither will talking. Or the simple act of moving. Or breathing." The fact that Mileena was visibly disappointed that she couldn't harm Skarlet for these basic human functions was alarming. No matter how much she changed, that anger and almost 'feral' side would remain... still, Kitana knew she could control her sister. Mileena growled something inaudible, but Kitana decided not to press it. Whatever was between her and Skarlet was between her and Skarlet. "You don't have to like her, but at least try to keep things civil. For Harry's sake. If you give yourself to your anger, you'll frighten him." Kitana tried to reason gently. Mileena's face turned slightly less wrathful at that.

Mileena sighed quietly, understanding her sisters' reasoning. She didn't like it, she didn't agree with it, but she'd accept it. For now. But if Skarlet did ANYTHING to make her little nephew uncomfortable, she didn't care what promises she had made to her sister. That bitch would pay the ultimate price... She refused to give in to sitting by idly and watching her play her nefarious schemes on someone as tiny, young and impressionable as her adorable sweer little nephew...Why was Kitana trusting her?! Couldn't she see how much of a terrible idea this was!?

"Mileena." Kitana spoke softly. "I understand and appreciate your concerns. But Skarlet is the only one who can train Harry to control his powers. If he doesn't learn, then he might get hurt by them, or he may hurt someone with them."

Mileena bit her lip, then immediately regretted doing so because she ended up biting clean into the skin and drawing blood. She winced slightly, then nodded. "But he can't ever, EVER be alone with her."

"Of course. You think I'd leave her alone with Harry?" Kitana frowned. "I'm only doing this because we have no other options."

"I guess..." Mileena sighed, looking away. She clearly didn't like this, but... there wasn't much she could do, really. She'd keep an eye on her nephew, but she couldn't teach him magic like he needed to learn. She clenched her fists. Why, oh why was this the only option?! She hated this whole situation with all her heart... She wanted nothing more than for Skarlet to die in the most violent, gruesome way possible, yet she was going to spend time with her nephew!

"Mileena, if I let you have time with Harry tonight, will that put your mind at ease?" Kitana asked, and Mileena nodded feverishly. "Look, after dinner, I need to give him a bath, after that, I'll let you have him for a time." Mileena let out a squee and clapped her hsnds together happily. Kitana smiled fondly at her sister. "You may be even more of a child than Harry, dear sister." She ssid playfully. Mileena responded by sticking her tongue out. Kitana just smiled. She knew her sister was childish, but... hey, it was clear she meant well, and it was clear she cared deeply for her son. Speaking of her son, Kitana smiled over at him, as he snuggled close to Jade's chest. The tiny boy seemed so content...

Her best friend really was a natural with her child, and that earned a new level of respect from her. She was entirely cut out to be a mother. She could easily fill the role of... of Harry's other parent... That was a nice thought, actually. Kitana smiled softly at it. Thinking about the three of them, a family, spending time together, training, sitting out in the garden... It made her happy, and it'd make Harry happy, and he'd make Jade happy. They could be a happy family of three, just as was meant to be... A child or more with two (or more if it was that kind of family) parents, that was the ideal family in her eyes. The gender of said parents be damned.

How would Jade react? Did she feel the same way? How would Jade react if she told her that she had feelings for her? "I tooooooollllllddddd youuuuuu..." Mileena said with a smug smile, clearly reading her mind. Kitana's face reddened and she looked away in embarrassment.

"Nothing is confirmed yet, Mileena, don't get smug yet." Kitana said flatly, trying her best to maintain a neutral tone in her voice. Mileena just gave her a large toothy grin that she could see evern through her veil. "I'll tell Mother..."

"NO." Kitana and Jade said in unison, which only seemed to strengthen Mileena's beliefs. Harry let out a soft giggle from where he rested.

"Aunt Mileena's funny..." He mumbled, still enjoying being with his Aunt Jade. His statement just seemed to make Mileena happier. Not that making her happy would take a lot, but there was something special about when it came from her nephew.

"You see that, Kitana? He thinks I'm funny! Has he ever called you funny before? No! Of course not! Because you're not funny, you're all stuffy and boring! I'm funnier than you, so HA!" The half-breed gloated with a smirk.

"Yes, but I have him." Kitana replied, and immediately Mileena deflated when she realized that was true.

"Do you have to ruin everything for me?" She whined.

"No, but if I let you do everything you attempted to, we'd most likely be at war once more with EVERYONE." Kitana said seriously, and Mileena huffed, looking away.

"Just because there are some people that I want to beat up a little bit doesn't mean I would cause another war." She said, sticking her nose in the air. "Maybe rip off a few big chunks of skin for good measure..."

"Mileena, not in front of Harry." Kitana frowned, and Mileena looked away embarrassed, knowing that she shouldn't be talking like this in front of her innocent nephew. Jade noticed Harry seemed to have tensed up in her arms and sighed, kissing his head. "It's okay, she didn't mean anything by it, love." Jade said reassuringly. She totally did, but he didn't need to know that. He was better off being blissfully unaware of all the rather gruesome activities that the family had been a part of in the past, both distant and not so distant.

Jade kissed Harry again, then held him up in the air, above the blanket. Harry was a bit surprised, but giggled nonetheless."You're so cute~." Jade cooed. Harry didn't know if he would ever get used to his family gushing over him so much, but he did know that he would never in a million years stop enjoying it or being immensely grateful to experience it. Harry yelped as Jade suddenly dropped him, then caught him, smiling warmly at him. Harry blinked, then giggled as Jade did it again, to Kitana's thin-mouth chagrin.

'JadeifyouhurthimisweartotheElderGodsIllneverletyouliveitdown...' Kitana mentally seethed. She knew Jade wouldn't hurt Harry, but still, she's a concerned Mother. "Don't drop him." Was what she said out loud, trying her hardest to come off as calm and collected but just coming off as stiffly concerned and obviously trying to hide it. Jade had to chuckle softly. Harry giggled as Jade caught him once more and pulled him close, smiling warmly. There was something about Jade's smile that seemed so real and genuine, like she was happier than she had been in a long, long time. It was reassuring, it was... hopeful. Like how Harry had fin ally smiled when he called her 'Mommy'.

It was warming her heart to see her friend finally feel genuine joy after all this time. After so long of being miserable and forcing every bit of happiness she was showing, there was finally light in her eyes again. "Is the storm still out?" Kitana asked, and Mileena nodded.

"It seems to have picked up, if anything." Mileena nodded. "Still, Mother said the garden needed the water, so... eh." Kitana nodded in understanding, noting she needed to ask her mother about having herself and Harry work together in the garden.

She already had an idea of what to plant with him. She was even considering importing some Piranha Plants, as she felt they msy make good company for the boy. She gently stroked his hair. "Storms can be very good for plants you know."

"Mmhm." Harry nodded. "The flowers always seemed thankful whenever it rained back home. Even if it was dark and really cold, it was nice knowing the flowers got some water."

'The poor thing, he's so sweet... how could they leave him out in a storm?' Jade frowned. "Well, you can be less frightened of the storm knowing that our gardens will be grateful for the water. The rain is what will allow all the plants to grow big and healthy, you see. Despite how intimidating storms are... they serve a purpose."

Harry nodded, settling back down onto the couch between Kitana and Jade. He looked up at the two of them, then let out a content sigh, enjoying the warmth. This was his family... this was his home... he was safe, he was loved. They would be there for him no matter what. He never had to be afraid again. He knew now that he had a family that he could trust and rely on to take care of anything and everything that could potentially harm or frighten him. However, his current position, and the reactions of Kitana and Jade only gave more weight to Mileena's theory about the two of them. Much to Kitana's annoyance. But... seeing Harry take Jade's hand and her hand, and hug them to his chest was probably the cutest thing they had ever seen Harry do.

The two women exchanged a small smile, visible even from under their veils, then turned their attention back to the boy. He was cuddling their hands close with s happy, closed-eyed expression on her face. "It's not fairrrr..." Mileena whined. "Why won't Tanya see that she's ready to be a parent?!"

"This isn't something you can rush, Mileena." Kitana said gently, trying to alleviate her sister's frustration.

"Didn't you go from finding Harry to adopting him in less than five hours?" Mileena retorted, making a good point. However, there was one difference between her case and her sister's (mental stability notwithstanding).

"Yes, but I'm not sharing that responsibility with anyone."

"Yet." Kitana rubbed her temples in exasperation. Mileena grinned widely, pleased to get under her sister's skin. She was pretty sure that was a huge part of being a sister and she had to be sure to annoy her to show her affection.

Harry giggled and looked up at his Mother, holding his arms out to her. Kitana smiled mirthfully and scooped him up into her arms. "You're so cute." She cooed, playfully poking his belly. Harry let out an 'Eep!' and squirmed about in Kitana's arms, but she refused to let go. She held him close as he tried his best to get away playfully, but was trapped in his Mother's embrace. Eventually the boy just accepted his defeat and leaned in closer with a smile on his face. This was really really nice... Just him spending time with loved ones, safe from the violent downpour taking place outside... "Hm, looks like you're trapped, little one." Kitana said mirthfully, wrapping er arms around Harry. "That's too bad... because now, you can't escape..." Harry blinked, then giggled when Kitana kissed his head, he loved the way she was kind to him, he loved that she thought he wasn't a freak... she was the kindest woman ever! and he loved her, so much.

And she thought he deservrd to experience this love and affection. She was trying so hard to convince him that he was worth far more than he realized, that he deserved to be safe, happy and valued. And... he was starting to believe it... "He's mine after dinner." Mileena said, pointing to Harry, finally giving up on getting her nephew right now, and decided to leave the three-family-to-be-members be. Mileena turned and walked off, cooing and waving to Harry, who gave a shy wave in response.

"I still have trouble believing she's a clone of you." Jade remarked.

"Perhaps she is what I would have turned out to be had I had the time and mental capacity to fool around rather than focus on being a proper lady all the time. In a way, I rather envy my sister." Kitana replied softly.

"Really? I don't think you've ever said anything like that." Jade remarked, genuinely surprised by Kitana's remark.

"Well, for most of my life, I've had no reason to. I've only known her for a few years, so I haven't reflected on such an idea until very recently." Kitana shrugged, smiling down at Harry. She wanted to make sure he would have a proper upbringing. One where he could enjoy life like a child, but would also have the best of everything the royal life had to offer. Although, it really seemed like Harry's current position was everything he ever wanted. She was glad he was able to find joy out of the very simplest things she could offer him. From something as simple as a hug to a walk outside in the gardens to just simply being in the same room as her... She looked to Jade, should she ask her now? She could, it'd be easy, just bring it up in casual conversation... but, Harry was here, she didn't want him to think one thing and then be told another, especially if he thought he may have a second Mother.

She'd talk to her later tonight while Harry was in the care of his Aunts, that was probably the best course of action. She nodded in content with this situation. If all went well tonight, Harry would have a slightly more full family dynamic. The idea of raising this child alongside her best friend brought her immense joy... She also felt her legs had stopped working, and realized she had been here quite a while. Rising to her feet, she groaned as her legs cracked as she did a few stretches to get the blood flowing once more.

"Has there been any word from our Earthrealm allies?" Kitana asked, looking to Jade. The Emerald Assassin blinked, then gave her friend an amused smirk.

"Kitana, it hasn't even been a day yet." She chided her lightly. "They'll find them, eventually."

"Yes, yes, I guess you're right."

She let out a sigh and looked down at her son with a sad frown. "I just need to see this filth suffer the consequences of his cruelty as soon as possible..." Jade nodded her head in understanding, as well as agreement.

"I do believe it will only be a matter of time, Kitana." Jade replied, reassuringly. Kitana nodded, then smiled down at Harry. "Come love, let's go see what Grandmother is up to."

"Okay!" Harry beamed as Kitana carried him off. Jade watched them go with a small smile. She felt... satisfied for the time being. She didn't much care to think about her past pains, she simply decided to relish in the contentment her time with Harry had brought. He was such a small, sweet little thing, he cared so much for someone he had just met. He truly was a little angel. Jade sighed and smiled, shaking her head as she thought about things. This... well, she didn't know why, but she had a feeling changes were coming.

With Harry tucked into one arm, Kitana walked the halls of the temple, oqccaiosnally smiling down at her son who held onto her arm and rested his head against her. She considered how she would spend the rest of the day. The storm was still going strong, so that kind of killed a lot of options. They were confined to the indoors for a good long while, for as long as it took for the weather to clear. Kitana noted she should tell her Mother that things were okay, she was thankful for Sindel's council, as it clearly helped Jade in some way. Plus, the Queen would want to make sure her Grandson was okay... and Harry would make her happy just by being there. After that? Maybe she could demonstrate some of her techniques to Harry, let him see what she was truly capable of.

She reached her mother's chambers and lightly rapped on the door with her fist. "Enter." Came the former queen's regal voice. Kitana slowly pushed the door open, and her mother smiled warmly upon seeing her. "Ah, Kitana. Is everything all right?" Sindel asked.

"Yes, thank you." Kitana nodded. "Jade and I... I think we've finally made progress that will be permanent in one way or another. I wanted to thank you for your help."

"If you wish to thank me, you could let me have my grandson for a time." The Queen smiled mirthfully, and Harry looked hopeful.

"Seriously?" Kitana groaned, losing the regal edge to her voice. "Fine, but I have plans with him, so he can't spend all day here." Kitana relinquished her son to her Mother, who happily wrapped her arms around him.

"Of course, of course. But please, tell me, how did it go? You said you may be making progress, how exactly?"

Kitana smiled softly. "I... intend to confess to Jade my attraction towards her, and possibly take her on as my lover." She admitted shamelessly. Sindel simply smiled and nodded. That was certainly to be expected, it was either going to be her or Liu Kang. Harry seemed confused, and Sindel kissed his head, making him smile. The Queen wasn't sure what she should say to Harry, and figured Kitana would want to be the one who explained this. So, Sindel settled on the next best thing; holding her precious little grandson close, and letting him feel safe and warm.

"I believe she feels very similarly to you." Sindel remarked. "One way or another, it's clear she wants to move on, and she all but said she has feelings for you."

"Like being happy? I get those feelings from Mama too..." Harry spoke up.

The two women smiled and chuckled mirthfully. "Oh, it goes so much deeper than just simple happiness, my dear. Love is a mysterious and powerful feeling... One that is almost impossible to truly put into words,

"I don't get it." Harry frowned, and Sindel kissed his cheek.

"Don't you worry your cute, precious little head about it, darling." Sindel cooed, wrapping him up in her hair and rocking him back and forth gently. "You'll understand when you're older."

"M'kay..."

Sindel smiled softly. "Someday you'll start to take interest in falling in love... And I will be all too eager to support whomever you'd choose... Well, provided they treat you properly, that is..." The elder woman giggled.

"But...I love you..." Harry said, still not understanding what Sindel was getting at. The Queen let out a soft gasp, covering her mouth, then let out a long 'Awww...' and pulled Harry into a tight hug, resting his head against her breast and kissing the top of his small head. Sindel couldn't help it, it was so cute! He was so sincere and genuine... how could she NOT find it adorable?!

"I love you too, child... But there are actually many different types of love. You may love a certain type of food, but you don't love that food as much as you love your pet. Yet the love you feel for your pet can't compare to the love you can feel for your fellow man, from family to the person you want to spend the rest of your life with... And even those kinds of love... feel different. You love your friends, your family, your child or your husband or wife in very, very different ways." She explained.

"...oh." Harry blinked, then nuzzled closer to his Grandmother. "I still love you..."

"By the Elder Gods, he's so precious!" Sindel cooed, kissing his forehead and beaming down at him. Kitana watched the heartwarming sight, thinking about Harry's possible reactions to Jade becoming his mother as well. There were none she could think of that weren't overwhelming joy. She smiled at the thought. But would Jade reciprocate her feelings though? She was so loyal to Kotal Kahn, even long after he had passed away... Could she really just swoop in and take over for him? Well, even if it didn't happen right away, she wanted to try. She wanted Jade to know how she felt, even if it was just to try and help her move forward in some regard. Kitana's thoughts turned to her mother, considering who she had lost, and wondered how her father would've reacted to meeting Harry... he was a kind and compassionate ruler, and would've seen him as family, much like his wife. But that wasn't to be. Regardless, she was thankful to her mother for helping her move forward, and helping Jade move forward.

"Thank you so much for your help, mother... I don't know what it was you said to Jade, but I can tell that she really did take it to heart." The kahn said gratefully. Sindel was clearly pleased to hear this and nodded her head.

"And Skarlet?" She asked, frowning slightly. "How did that go?"

"She's agreed to do it." Kitana said, clearly not the biggest fan of it, but still acknowledging it needed to be this way. "However, Reptile and I will be supervising at all times."

"Good."

"...and Mileena wants to as well."

"Not good." Sindel frowned. "I know she means well, but I don't think she should be present, at least for the first few sessions."

Kitana sighed and nodded her head. "I agree, but she is extremely adamant about it... Do you think perhaps you could talk with her? She always did listen to you more than anyone else in the family..."

"I can talk to her, but I think in this case, she won't listen to even me or Tanya." Sindel frowned, then smiled down at Harry. "I've never seen her show such adamant love to anyone or anything before. She absolutely adores the little prince." Harry blushed at the words and Sindel laughed gently. "It's not hard to see why. Kitana smirked, agreeing with her mother in that regard. Still, her sister and Skarlet clearly hated one another (at least, Mileena did) and she didn't want that interfering or causing negative repercussions for her son.

"Perhaps we should muffle and tie her down for the sessions." She said it as a joke, but for the briefest of moments, she genuinely considered it as an option. It would prevent a lot of fighting at least...

"From what little I know, Skarlet is likely to try and get into Mileena's head subtly, her words and insults aren't always clear. Do be careful when you see her, especially for little Harry's sake."

"Am... am I gonna be hurt?" Harry asked, somewhat frightened.

"No, no, no, dear." Sindel shook her head. "We're just taking precautions."

Harry looked unsure and fidgeted slightly in his mother's hold. His family really didn't seem to like this person... Should he really be around her? "Um... Mommy...? Is miss Skarlet scary...?" He asked timidly.

"She's..." Kitana began, but trailed off. What was she supposed to say? She's a killer who's done terrible things under the orders of someone else and enjoyed them? That was pretty much everyone Harry knew (sans the enjoying it part). "She has a troubled past, like all of us, and she's done some rather terrible things. But I wouldn't let her near you if I wasn't sure you'd be safe." Kitana settled on the answer, pushing some of her mother's hair away from Harry's eyes.

Harry nodded his head slowly in understanding. He could tell his mother wasn't being completely transparent with him, but at the end of the day, her words weren't lies or anything. "Okay, mommy, I trust you." He said softly. Sindel laughed gently, giving him one last squeeze before passing him to her daughter, who happily took her son back and held him close. "Thank you, precious." Kitana smiled. "I'm very happy to hear that."

She gave him a kiss and let out a sigh. Parenthood was quite compicated, but so very rewarding... She knew her son was being honest. Despite comint off as shy and unsure, she could tell she had his complete trust. "Now, darling. If you ever need anything, or you don't want to be alone, come to my room. Even if I'm not here, you're more than welcome to come in." Sindel remarked, kissing Harry's forehead, earning a small giggle. "I'll take good care of you."

"Thank you, Gramma." Harry said innocently.

"Thank you, Mother." Kitana nodded. "But I've already promised Mileena she can have some time with him and Tanya tonight... mostly to get her off my back, but still."

Sindel nodded her head with a small smirk. "I understand, dear, I've had my time with him either way. But do bring him by more often, I believe I deserve a chance to form s bond with him too, don't you agree?"

"Actually, that reminds me." Kitana remarked as a previous thought came to mind. "I was wondering if you would be fine with Harry helping you out in the garden. He really likes it out there, and apparently enjoyed doing it back at his... old home."

"That would be delightful!" Sindel beamed, and Harry's eyes lit up hopefully.

Kitana smiled in content. "I may very well join you when I have the time... But this will be a very good bonding activity between the two of you." She said. "Perhaps we could give Harry a little garden of his own."

"Really!?" Harry asked hopefully, with probably the most joy other woman had seen from him... ever. Even though she fully intended to do so, Kitana and Sindel now felt like they couldn't possibly say 'No' to Harry now. Again, they didn't plan too, but still. The hopefulness and genuine child-like excitement was both adorable, and reassuring. It helped convince Kitana she was doing the right thing.

"Yes, dear, and you can choose whatever safe plants you like for this garden." Kitana affirmed, nodding her head with a smile. Harry hugged her tightly and she returned the gesture. "My, my, you're quite enthusiastic."

"I think it's lovely." Sindel smiled. "He truly does care for you, and you for him."

"Was that ever in question?"

"No, but it's nice to see it, regardless." The former Queen said, raising a good point. Kitana laughed slightly and kept hugging her son. He was so small and light, it felt like she was hugging a pillow... She looked him over and smiled. He had managed to gsin a little bit of extra weight. It wasn't a lot, but it was certainly enough to be noticeable. He was back on track to reaching a healthy weight. Just a little longer... Tucking her son's head into her neck, Kitana smiled and rubbed his back, earning a happy coo from the little boy. Well... what now? Kitana thought about it, then smiled, remembering what she wanted to show her son.

"Come, precious. I'd like to show you something." Kitana mused, carrying Harry off to where she could perform some of her forms for the little boy.

Harry nodded and allowed his mother to carry him out of the room and down the hall. He gave his grandma a wave goodbye, which she returned with a smile. "Where are we going, mama?" Harry asked innocently.

"Apparently aunt Jade showed you some of her fighting techniques, correct?" Kitana asked, and Harry nodded. "Well, I'd like to show you what I can do."

"Okay!" Harry nodded, excited to finally see the skill his mother had. Kitana chuckled, his enthusiasm was sweet, it really seemed like this was a big deal for him.

"All right then, come. I'll take you to the training room and show you just what I can do." She said with a smile. Harry perked up and felt excited. His mother was probably so graceful and skilled at fighting. She entered one of the many training rooms, choosing one that was somewhat away from the main areas of the temple. The last thing she wanted was to be distracted by something or someone. She had no doubt her form and technique were flawless, but still, when working with razor-sharp fans, you didn't want to cut your own arm off. She had nearly done that more times than she cared to admit, (eight), while practicing when younger. Still, she was as gifted in fighting as she was gifted in looks. "Okay, dear, just to be on the safe side..." She closed her eyes and clasped her hands together, mumbling a quick prayer... and a blue barrier of mysterious energy surrounded Harry. "This is a divine temple. Within these walls, I can create a shield to defend you from getting hurt."

Harry reached forward and touched the blue aura. It was warm, like a blanket. He couldn't put his hand through it though, but he cold breathe and see just fine. It was really cool! He wondered if he would be able to do this one day with his powers, or if he was just a freak and wouldn't be able to do this. Kitana nodded in satisfaction, and picked up her two weapons, opening them with their usual flourish, she took a deep breath and began. It was almost like a dance routine in its elegance and beauty. Hary watched with wide, excited eyes as his mother showed him what she could do. She really was incredible! She made it look so easy! Every movement was performed with astounding grace and precision.

Kitana threw one of her fans into the air, spinning in a masterful circle before catching it behind her and cartwheeling forward, using her fns as extensions of her hands, she moved forward in a fluid loop and spun once more. Harry clapped his hands and let out a soft cheer as his mother displayed her talent. This was how she fought? It kinda looked more like she was dancing. It was very pretty to watch... until the water puddle got in the way. "Gah!" Misstepping in her form, mixed with the water, Kitana fell backwards onto the ground. It was a rough landing, ungraceful, and somewhat embarrassing, which was worse to her because her son was watching. "Blasted water..."

"Are you okay, Mama?!"

"I'm fine, precious." Kitana sighed, shaking her head and rising back to her feet.

One of the castle workers poked her head around the corner. "Oh dear, it seems one of the maids has missed a spot... I'll be sure to scold her for you, Lady Kitana." Kitana sighed and nodded her head in affirmation. Sighing, she dusted herself off and decided to try once more. She was somewhat embarrassed, but refused to let that ruin her form or her composure. Kitana was still Kahn, and one of Outworld's most skillful warriors, and she refused to let a single mistake ruin that.

She turned to her little one and bowed slightly in apology. "I'm sorry, dear, that was a mistake on someone else's part. Let me show you what I can truly do without such a distraction in the vicinity." She said sheepishly.

Harry nodded, and Kitana continued. In a matter of seconds, it was as if she had never made a mistake. There was an elegant grace to every one of her movements, her form perfected over years of training and focus. It was, in it's own way, beautiful to watch, but terrifying to have to fight against. And then Tanya entered the room, saw what was happening, and decided to play a little joke on her sister in law. "Kitana, look out, Mileena's trying to steal Harry!" She called out while Kitana was in the middle of a move. Tanya then burst out laughing when Kitana snapped to attention, mis-landed an arial spin move, resulting in her stumbling forward, and then being hit on the head by one of her fans. Thankfully, the move involved closing them and tossing them, catching them then re-opening them. But, that also meant the metal weapons had a bit of weight to them, and one of them knocked her on the head.

She collapsed facefirst to the floor, her butt sticking up awkwardly in the air. Her other fan came back down and hit her on the head a second time. All she could do was let out a long suffering groan at the indignity of it all. "Mama?" Harry asked, clearly concerned. Then, he looked to his Aunt Tanya, who was still laughing uncontrollably. "That was really mean, Aunt Tanya..."

"I know, I know... I'm sorry, sweetie." Tanya laughed. "It's just... we have a long history of doing stuff like this to one another." She lied, deciding to try and get Harry on either neutral ground or her side.

"Well... you should stop doing stuff like that... What if the fans were open when they hit her? She could have got really hurt..." He was trying to scold his aunt, but he also didn't have the confidence to get very firm with her. Tanya smiled mirthfully at him, his attempt was adorable, but he clearly didn't have the heart to actually go through with it. She nodded, deciding to give him the response he wanted, the last thing she needed was Harry being upset with her, which would lead to Mileena being very, very upset with her if she upset her nephew... "Very well, love."

Kitana, by that point, was in the process of getting to her feet. She glared at her sister in law. "If you had done that just one moment earlier, it would have been quite gruesome." She said coldly. Tanya nodded.

"Indeed. Which is why I timed it perfectly."

"I thought you were better than my sister." Kitana grumbled.

"I thought you were more skilled than to be caught off guard by a simple statement."

"Yes, but my son was involved, so naturally I'm going to react to it." Kitana countered, finding herself unknowingly falling into an argument.

"Well, if you're as skilled as you claim you aren couldn't you have simply checked and caught your weapons WITHOUT making that mistake?"

"I don't know. Are you going to be able to run when your legs are missing?" Kitana shot back, then realized something, and Tanya did as well, and they spoke at the same time. "I just sounded like my sister..." They exchanged a glance, then Tanya laughed again. Kitana sighed and shook her head. "Why, why, why must I be tormented for the amusement of my own family?!" She exclaimed in defeat. Tanya patted her head condescendingly.

"Well, at least the little Price didn't get hurt." Tanya remarked, and Kitana glared death at her. "I'll leave you be." The fire-bender remarked with a smirk, waving kindly to Harry as she decided to leave, most certainly not going to tell Mileena that Harry was on his own in the training room and she could go get him or something equally false. Why would she ever do that?

"Are...are you okay?" Harry asked, again.

"Yes, thank you for your concern. Harry." Kitana sighed. "Now, allow me to try that again." Recollecting her composure, she began the process for the third time, tossing her fans about and creating a whirlwind from the power of her swings... just as someone was passing by with trays full of cakes that blew in her direction. Kitana didn't know what had happened, actually, and she was left standing there, blinking in confusion, before looking at her body, seeing it was now covered in culinary creations. Why? Why!? Why did this have to happen to her?! This had never happened before! Why now?! The one carrying the cakes poked her head into the room with a nervous look in her eyes. "Um... Heheheh... I was just... making a birthday cake for my husband and some of the others asked for some as well..."

Kitana sighed deeply, knowing she couldn't get upset with one of the workers who had clearly put a lot of time an effort into making said cakes she was currently covered in. The Kahn groaned slightly, then shook most of the cake off of her arms and wiped it away from her face. "Well, it tasted good." The Kahn smiled, trying to clean herself off, then she gave her son an amused grin as he giggled at her current predicament. "Yes, yes, I do admit I look rather silly... Unfortunately that just isn't how I want to look..." She said softly. "I don't know what's going on today... I'm usually far more well composed than this..." She let out a sigh.

She refused to let this ruin her day, though. Kitana had been through wars and tournaments where she was in much worse condition than this, so why should cake slow her down? She reasoned it was because her son was watching, and she hadn't gotten hurt, just embarrassed... twice. Shaking her head, Kitana looked to Harry, then over to the worker. "Would you mind watching him for a minute? I need to get changed."

"Of course, Empress." The worker nodded.

"I'll be right back, Harry. I'm just getting changed." Kitana explained not wanting Harry to think she was leaving him.

Harry nodded his head in understanding as he watched his mother rush out of the room. He looked over at the woman who had baked the cakes. "Um... Sorry about the cake... I can help you make more..."

"Awww, that's sweet of you!" The woman cooed, making Harry blush slightly, the redness in his cheeks just made her giggle slightly. "Don't worry about it, it's not a big deal."

"Oh, uh... okay... M'sorrry..."

"Sorry for what, dear?"

"Idunno..."

"Aw, it's okay. I think Empress Kitana was more embarrassed than anything..." The woman smiled, and Harry nodded in understanding.

Kitana re entered the room shortly afterward wearing an identical copy of her skimpy garb from usual. "Sorry, dear, I'm back now, and this time I intend to get it right." She said with a determined nod. Harry applauded her determination. The worker bowed in respect and left the two be. Kitana sighed, picking up her fans, then immediately looked to the door. It was closed, good. She opened her fans and paused again, making sure no one had somehow gotten in while she was gone. Once she was satisfied, she looked to Harry, still seated on the floor in the protective aura, watching with clear interest. 'All right, from the top.' Kitana told herself. 'And focus, just let your body flow, you've done this before.' And so she did. Once more, Kitana moved with grace, speed and swiftness that would amaze almost anyone who watched, which was part of her style, trying to distract her opponent so she could go for a strike, but here, she felt free. She was performing for her son, and he was amazed by it.

Unfortunately for her, there was a crack in the ceiling caused by many years of wear and tear. As she was in the middle of her routine, a large slab of ceiling fell down and landed right on top of her head. Thankfully, it wasn't both a load bearing part of the roof, and that it wasn't the heaviest piece. Still. "Oowww..." Kitana groaned, rather unprofessionally. Slowly, she peeled herself off of the floor and pushed herself onto her back. Then, a smaller part of the ceiling came down and hit her once more. "Ow."

"M..m..Mama!?"

"I'm fine, sweetness." Kitana groaned. Her voice was muffled due to the fact that most of her body was squashed underneath a chunk of ceiling. She let out a sigh of defeat. "I believe I'm done for today..." She muttered as she pushed herself herself up, she sluggishly made her way over and collected her son. Harry held on tightly, afraid his mother had been hurt.

"I'll be fine, Harry." Kitana smiled, giving him a hug. "I've been through worse."

"I don't want you getting hurt, though..."

"Aww, you're so adorable." Kitana laughed softly. "I need a bath, and you could use one too." When she got to the door, she reached for the handle-

Wham!

But the door was opened right into her face...

"Harry? You in here?" Mileena asked, looking into the room. She looked around, saw that her nephew was nowhere to be seen, then shrugged and closed the door to reveal that Kitana was backfirst to the wall, her eyes spinning dizzily from the impact she had taken. Her head stopped spinning and felt two arms wrap around her neck. She cooed gently and kissed her son once more. It wasn't clear if he blamed himself for this, or if he just felt bad for her. Either way, his concern and compassion was touching.

"I'm fine, I'm fine." Kitana sighed. "It just seems like the world is conspiring against me today, and for the life of me, I can't say why..." The Kahn remarked as she headed back to her room. Somewhat ruined clothes and bits of debris aside, she looked no worse for ware, but her pride had suffered many, many hits. "When Aunt Jade showed you her skills, did anything like that happen?"

"No." Harry shook his head, Kitana's pride and dignity taking another blow.

She let out a deep sigh and sat down on her bed, holding her son close. "Perhaps... we should stay here for just a while..." She said softly. Harry nodded his head in affirmation and nuzzled in closer to her.

"I like being with you..." Harry mumbled.

"And I love being with you, little one." Kitana smiled. "You're a wonderful gift to my life. I'm so happy I was able to find you."

"I'm happy you did too." Harry smiled up at his mother, Kitana laughing gently at how big his eyes looked through his glasses. There was something about the praise she got from such a small child that was different than the praise she got from onlookers. Hell, even praise that she got from her own family (well, the rest of her family rather) paled in comparison to the sheer amount of joy that her son's kind words brought her. She leaned down and kissed his head once giggled and leaned into the kiss, clearly savouring every single one as if it would be the last one he would ever get. Kitana made a mental note that'd she'd ensure he got as many as he wanted, and then some. When she pulled her lips away, Harry cooed, reaching up to his mother. Kitana smiled and hugged him close, cooing and kissing his forehead again.

"You're Mama's precious little prince, don't ever forget that." She said softly. She really did say that to him a lot... It was to the point wherr Erron would probably end up making one of his drinking games around every time she told Harry how adorable and sweet he was... She didn't care. Harry had been through so much, that even after only a few days of having him, Kitana wanted him to feel the lifetime of affection that he was denied. The Kahn wrapped him up in her arms and lay back on her bed, not caring if things got dirty, she just wanted to hold her little boy.

She let out a soft sigh as all the events of the last several days came flying back into her mind. It had been an utterly wild couple of days... She had adopted a son, she was going to confess to Jade, she was constantly at war with her own family to spend time with her son... She looked down, seeing Harry snuggled on her chest, eyes closed in a peaceful rest in the embrace of the one who loved him. Patting his head, she sighed happily, this was nice, she looked forward to more of this. 'Yet tomorrow may be tricky.' She thought. 'If he is to begin his training, how will he react? Not just to Skarlet, but to his powers in general? He seems so terrified of them.'

She closed her eyes sadly and hugged her son tight. It absolutely broke her heart that he was so terrified of something inherent to his very being... His magic was a part of who he was... They had essentially taught him to fear himself... This was on top of the self-loathing he was saddles with, seeing himself as a freak, as someone who didn't deserve a family, as someone who was so worthless that even calling him by his real name was above him. It was truly disgusting, and Kitana had no words to express her hatred of those who had harmed her child. They would get what was coming to them soon enough... No matter what happened, they were going to pay the ultimate price for the cruel, evil treatment they had given her child... Their lives would be over... Perhaps literallyl

"Mama?" Harry spoke up.

"Yes, precious?"

"Um... can I ask you something?"

"Yes, of course you can."

"Uh, why did you help me?" Harry timidly asked, and Kitana was a bit taken aback by his question. "I'm thankful you did, but... why would you want to help me?"

Kitana looked down at her child sadly. "You were in trouble, dear. It's only natural I helped you. That's the basic instinct every woman has... Children are to be protected and chershed, whether or not you know who they are."

"Huh..." Harry blinked, that concept seeming so new to him. Kitana sighed slightly, and continued.

"You're terribly underfed, you've been abused your whole life, you aren't even in your own home realm, I couldn't in good consciousness just leave you where I found you. Then, well, I fell in love with you. Your little voice and adorable face. The compassion and kindness you have for everyone around you, all those things made me want to help you more." She held him so that his head was rested snugly in the crook of her neck and closed her eyes contently. "The reason I helped you, my child, is simply because you are worth helping... And you always will be..."

"Thank you, Mama." Harry mumbled. He knew he had been saying that a lot, but he wanted his mother to understand how much he truly loved her, and how thankful he was for everything she had done. She was his mother, and he wanted her to know he loved her for that. He never imagined what it would be like to have a mother because he thought he was unworthy of so much as humouring the mere idea of being safe and loved by someone else. But when he finally had one... this was just what he wanted... Kitana chuckled mirthfully, it was adorable how much he wanted something as so simple as a hug, and how happy he was to simply be held by someone who loved him. She understood why her family loved him, and as somewhat annoying as it oculd be to have to fight them to have her son, it was honestly rather nice... well, for Harry at least.

While she was no fan of warring with her family for him, it was good for him that they were so willing to express their love for him. It taught him that he had a lot of people that loved him and had every desire of being a part of his life. Still, the fact he needed to be reminded of this was heartbreaking. But again, Kitana would do all she could to help him. Her mind wandered once more, turning to Jade, wondering how she would react to what Kitana planned on telling her. She hoped it wouldn't ruin things, that even if she said 'No', they could still be friends, even if it was just for Harry's sake. She felt her heart clench at the idea of Jade turning her down. She really did want to settle down with somebody, and Jade was a very good candidate for this... Loyal, strong, loving, beautiful... She very much hoped she would accept her...

She began to turn onto her side, but then remembered the tiny baby boy on her belly and stopped. Instead, she decided to just relax and enjoy being with him. She wasn't sure what time it was, but after everything that had happened today? She was fine with just ignoring everything but her child for a little while. She was long overdue for a day off anyway, she had been doing nothing but nonstop work lately and she was rather over it. And she couldn't think of any better way than relaxing with her son. He truly was such a little treat for her to have, everything about him was so adorable, and she just wanted to hold him close and let him know everything would be okay.

'Although we should take that bath at some point...' She mused. 'Eh, it can wait.' Though perhaps not for too long... She really didn't enjoy the idea of a filthy dirty bed in the least... She looked down at het son with a soft sigh. "Perhsps it's time the two of us washed up, my little darling."

"M'kay." Harry yawned. It was clear to the Kahn he didn't really care what they did, so long as he was with her. Kitana chuckled softly, entering the bathroom and beginning to fill the tub with warm water. She set Harry on the counter and removed his shirt, frowning as she inspected his injuries. They were healing, but they were also still there. It was clear more than a few wouldn't go away completely, but they didn't look as sickly as when she first saw them. Still, they looked horrific.

And the sight of them caused her enraged maternal instincts to return with a vengeance. 'I need to protect this boy from any and all further harm... Never again will a single injury mar his tiny, frail body...' She sighed, kissing his head before taking a moment to just hold him close. Kitana didn't know if Harry understood that she was upset or not, but she didn't really want to bring it up right now either. Shaking her head, she let go of him and got ready to get cleaned up. A few minutes later, the pair were resting in the warm water, Harry floating somewhat due to his size and weight, while Kitana watched him carefully. It really was amusing in a very grim way that her son was light enough to be like a little pool floatie in the tub. It was adorable, yet it was also very depressing. The rubber ducky had a similar level of buoyancy to him.

Kitana decided not to focus on that, and picked up the soap before lathering her hands in it. Harry giggled as his mother cleaned him up, wiping away what she could from his small frame, giving the slightest sigh of relief as she saw some of the last bits of stained blood come clean. It wasn't much, but it was a sign that things were getting better. She was slightly miffed that it all hadn't come off the first time she had bathed him... Had it really caked itself onto him that much? She let out a soft sigh as the answer immediately came to her. It was a cold, firm 'yes' She pulled the soapy boy close and held him close, resting his head against her shoulder as she gave him a hug. She knew she needed to get cleaned up, but her child's condition was far more important to her. Harry didn't mind one way or the other, he just liked Kitana's warm embrace, it was a sign of safety to him.

So long as she was holding him, he felt like there was nothing in the whole wide world that could ever hurt him. He was able to feel safe as he was held close... He knew his mother would protect him with everything she had. Plus, the water was relaxing. It was nice and warm, just a little under what would be uncomfortably hot, so it felt like a great way to unwind after everything that had happened today, and Kitana's aching muscles were thankful after being jostled and bruised multiple times by some sort of unseen force, or her family intentionally messing with her. Part of her wanted to let it go, but part of her kinda wanted to punch Tanya. She didn't hate her sister, but Tanya was very, VERY good at messing with people. Too good, in fact. To the point where it was just pure and simple infuriating. Mileena was annoying at times, Jade had a razor sharp wit, and her mother liked to (jokingly) abuse her authority. But Tanya... She was the tricky one...

The woman had been treacherous long ago, but she seemed to have settled somewhat in recent years. Kitana sighed slightly, thinking about it. She trusted Tanya more now than she had in the past, she had somewhat expected Tanya to only be using Mileena for her own goals, but she truly did care for her sister, and now, she truly cared for her nephew. But she never did lose that sneaky side of her. She simply used it for far more mundane practical jokes that frustrated her to no end... She seemed to get her kicks by stirring up a ruckus and observing the aftermath. Still, Kitana hoped that Tanya knew better than to try and do anything that may have Harry involved. She figured the threat of herself, Jade, Sindel, Reptile and Mileena would be enough to keep her from trying anything with her son. Or, at least anything that may get him hurt in some way shape or form.

She shook her head firnly. 'Don't think such thoughts, Kitana, she would never... She loves Harry every bit as much as the rest of us, she would never intentionally put him in a position where he might get hurt...' She suddenly remembered she was in a bathtub with her son, and Harry probably didn't know how to swim. But when she looked down, Harry was still snuggle held against her, slowly batting at the water with one of his free hands, and watching as the water rippled about the tub. She had to smile at the way he was entertaining himself in the tub. Such a basic action, yet he regarded it with such wonder and intrigue, it was so amusing to watch. She herself humoured him and watched the water ripple as well.

It seemed so captivating to him, just silently watching the water push outwards in a simple wave, but Kitana couldn't help but smile, the wonder on his face was just too cute. She noted as she began to wash her hair that the two of them had nearly identical colouring of hair, even down to a few specific lighter spots compared to the rest, but where Kitana's hair was long and wavy, Harry's was... a mess. She tried her best to try and get it to straighten out a little bit, but it seemed no matter what she did, the boy's hair was untameable. Hmm... Perhaps she would need to have it cut for him... He would look nice with short hair. Then again, Jade had told her to cut his hair, maybe she should keep it like this just to spite her. Sure, she had no real reason to spite her, but also Jade had been one of the ones trying to take her child, so that may be as good a reason as any. Or, that may be a terrible mindset to think in regardless of the reason.

Chuckling softly, she decided she would cut it later. "You seem rather content, precious." Kitana smiled, placing a hand on her son's back. Harry looked up, seemingly just realizing where he was, as if the water had been so engrossing to him that he lost everything else. Kitana laughed gently, pulling him closer. "You're so cute~." He simply smiled at her. After so many years of being told he was ugly and worthless, hearing the constant reassurance that he was cute was very reassuring and allowed him to like himself a little bit more.

Kitana kissed his head, letting him know that this was true, he was adorable. He was a sweet little boy, and he deserved all this, he deserved the love and affection her family showed him. Treated like yesterday's bad rubbish... Harmed and abused just for the crime of being who he was... It couldn't have happened to a less deserving child than Harry... But it was okay now, because he was finally getting the life he did deserve. Kitana smiled as she began to clean herself off, watching her son closely should anything happen. She doubted anything would, but after everything Harry had been through, she didn't want to take any chances. Harry meanwhile was effectively exploring the tub, letting himself drift about from one corner to another, occasionally batting at the water innocently, he was clearly enjoying himself.

Kitana watched him closely out of the corner of her eye. She knew there was no real danger, but he was so tiny that she slightly feared that he would start drowning any second. Thankfully no such thing happened. Once she was clean, Kitana smiled and watched Harry for another few minutes. She knew they needed to get out at some point, and dinner would be ready soon, but Kitana didn't want to rush him, he was too innocent for that... plus, she knew after dinner she was going to lose Harry for a little bit, and was going to have to talk to Jade, and only one of those things she had hope for it to turn out well. So she sat back against the wall, watching serenely as Harry floated to and fro across the tub. It really was a sweet little sight, looking at just how much fun her son was having doing such a mundane and generic thing.

He floated about, looking up to the ceiling looking out the large glass roof that went upwards, currently being coated by heavy rain. Still, it made a rather relaxing sound as the water rippled against the glass and rolled off to the ground below. This was nice. He felt safe and warm in spite of the heavy storm occurring just outside his home. This was new. Another thirty minutes or so passed, and Kitana sighed. The water had cooled off, and supper would be soon, so they should get ready.

"All right, precious. It's time to get dressed." Kitana nodded, rising to her feet and holding Harry to her chest. Harry nodded and nuzzled in close to her, allowing himself to be carried out of the tub. Kitana stepped out with a sigh and bundled her son up in a nice fluffy towel that left his tiny face poking out from the front. Harry let out a soft giggle as Kitana hugged the bundle then set it down on the bed. While Harry may be her son, she still needed a little privacy. Stepping back into the bathroom, she dried herself off and then got changed, stepping back into her bedroom and smiling down at her son, still wrapped up in a fluffy towel. Would it be an issue if she brought him to dinner like this?

Well, after dressing him of course. It wasn't like her family would object to him looking absolutely adorable and sweet as they ate dinner, and she had a gut feeling Mileena in particular would be delighted by it. With a smirk, she unwrapped him and quickly slipped some clean clothes onto him. Harry squirmed about as Kitana dressed him, before grabbing a clean towel and wrapped him up in it, leaving only his face poking out once more. "Comfy, love?" She asked.

"Yes, Mama." Harry said quietly.

"Good." Kitana grinned, then kissed his head. He closed his eyes and cooed cutely at the display of affection. Kitana smiled, then stepped out from her room. "Seems I will have to be the one to feed you, my dear." She said softly. "After all, your arms are trapped."

"Oh, is that an issue? I can move-" Harry began, but stopped when Kitana laughed.

"No, no, no. Precious. It's not an issue at all." Kitana smiled gently. "I'll just have to keep you close at dinner is all."

"Yay!" Harry said with a small cheer.

Anything that let him be close to his mommy was a good thing in his book. He fidgeted slightky within his little coccoon to try and find a comfier position, quickly settling on one that he was satisfied with. Kitana grinned, holding the bundle close to her chest and set off to the dining hall. Thankfully, tonight was one of the more 'casual' nights, meaning some of the other staff wouldn't be present, most likely just her immediate family. Or maybe not, Kitana didn't know. "All right, supper time, love." Kitana nodded.

She smiled at the way his eyes lit up and entered the dining room to find her family was present... as well as Reptile. "I invited Reptile to join us for dinner, seeing as how he will be Harry's new retainer." Sindel explained. Kitana now questioned her choice to bring Harry like this, especially since he and Reptile hadn't really met formally, but there wasn't anything she could do about it now. She looked down to her son, then looked back up at the table, then nodded.

She stepped forward, then sat between Jade and Reptile. The latter looked over with his head tilted in confusion. "Is the temperature too cold for the child?" He asked in confusion and slight concern.

"N..no... I, uh..." Kitana struggled to think of an answer to his inquiry. "It- no, that isn't the issue. I, was taking care of him and lost track of time." Reptile blinked, not sure what to make of this explanation, but also wasn't sure if questioning the Kahn was a wise move. Humans could be rather interesting and odd in their choices sometimes.

"I see." He said with a nod before making eye contact with Harry. "Hmm... It seems we have never been properly introduced... I am Reptile, and I will be your protector from this moment forth. I hope you will come to rely on me."

"Oh, uh, okay."Harry nodded, his tone was hesitant, but it was clear that this whole thing was new to him, so he wasn't one hundred percent sure how to react. He nodded nonetheless, understanding that Reptile was now to him what Jade was to his mother.

The reptilian ninja nodded his head, and Harry looked like he was considering something for a few seconds before he decided to speak up to him. "Um... Is it okay if I ask you some questions...?" He asked softly.

"Of course."

"Are you a lizard?"

"Saurian." Reptile corrected with a slight shrug. "My kind is, well, was, a reptilian race, essentially humans with reptilian qualities beyond appearance."

"Oh, like how you turned invisible?"

"Yes."

Harry nodded. "Um... Can you climb on walls and stretch your tongue to catch things...? And do you need to shed your skin...?" Reptile nodded his head in affirmation to all three questions.

"I can and do."

"Oh, cool." Harry spoke quietly, thinking things over. Kitana smiled at their interaction, Reptile seemed oddly calm, all things considered. He never really had issue answering questions about his kind, but there was something nice about their interaction. She remembered how vicious the saurian had seemed when he had worked under Shao Kahn... It was because it was the way he had to be to please his master... Now that she was in charge, there was no further reason for him to be bloodthirsry. Part of that viciousness may have stemmed from the fact that so many of his kind were killed, and he was one of the few who remained. There would always be a sense of anger, of pain which she couldn't just fix overnight. But that was partially why she respected Reptile so much; when Sindel and Mileena returned, he had been apprehensive, angry even. But he was willing to give them another chance, since Kitana had asked him too. Perhaps it was because she was the Kahn, or perhaps because he saw something better in them, he had set aside his anger and pain, at least for the time being. In time, that anger and distrust dissipated, and while it would never completely go away, he was willing to listen, and willing to try and let them prove that times had changed.

He was willing to speak civilly and respectfully with them, and even his general demeanour in their presence had improved greatly. No longer did he tense up and speak stiffly, he was now able to maintain his composure. And now, he seemed to be doing just fine with Harry. That was good. Kitana had no worries or second thoughts about Reptile's ability to defend the little Prince. If she did, she wouldn't've asked him to take on this responsibility. But she would be lying if she had no concerns about Reptile's personality at first. Thankfully, those concerns were being alleviated within seconds, and Kitana let out a quiet sigh of relief. They seemed to get along perfectly fine. Harry was curious, yet respectful and quiet and didn't overwhelm Reptile with his questions. Reptile was stern, yet took every inquiry with a level of grace and understanding.

Mileena watched with a mixture of 'He-looks-so-adorable-I-just-wanna-hug-him-forver!' and 'Why-am-i-the-only-one-who's-not-allowed-to-hold-him?!' on her face. Tanya smiled in amusement to her glass, watching the pair. And then Harry asked a rather odd question that caught Reptile off guard. "Can you talk to snakes?" Reptile blinked at that. How in Outworld did he know? It was practically unknown to anyone outside the Saurians.

"Yes, I can." Reptile nodded, speaking in parseltongue, and to his shock, Harry replied.

"Oh, cool. I hear them back home in the garden."

"Y..you...understood me?" Reptile blinked, taken aback. Everyone around the table looked to him in surprise or confusion at his reaction.

Harry nodded his head. "'Yes... I can do it too... Um... I'll show you..." And then he began speaking in a mannet none but Reptile had ever heard, a raspy hiss that sounded like an extremely ancient language. Reptile was the only one to know he was saying 'This is how I talk with snakes.'

"Incredible..." He muttered.

"Reptile? Is everything all right?" Sindel asked.

"Y..yes, he's ssspeaking Parseltongue." Reptile remarked. "Assss far as we know, it's a trait which is unbelievably rare for humans to be able to learn, and yet he ssspeaks as if it's ssssecond nature."

Harry blinked. "Oh... I didn't know that not a lot of people can do it... I thought it was just a part of my magic and that everyone with magic could fo it..." Harry mumbled, rubbing his arm and looking down rather sheepishly.

"No, it's a talent that very rarely manifests in magic users, or anyone who isn't part Saurian or adjacent species. It's also extremely rare for a human to be able to have this ability, especially to the extent that you are capable of." Reptile crossed his arms and closed his eyes with a small smile. "I must say, I am impressed. Your magical prowess must be truly vast... Either that or you simply have a prestigious lineage..." He said. Harry didn't reply, he didn't know much about his powers or his lineage. He had been told his parents had hated him, but he didn't fully believe it, it just didn't seem right. He also didn't know if they had powers like he did.

Kitana smiled and gently petted her son's tiny head. "He most certainly is a special child... To each and every one of us..." She said softly. All the women at the table smiled and nodded their heads in unison. Harry looked away embarrassed, which wasn't really possible because of him being wrapped up in a towel. From there, the meal was rather calm, there was small conversation until Tanya decided to be, well, Tanya.

"So, Kitana." She began. "How did the little one like your presentation?" Kitana's face fell and her eyes narrowed, knowing EXACTLY what Tanya was getting at.

Mileena gave her lover a disapproving frown. "Tanya, how many times do I have to tell you not to terrorize sister?" She said in clear disappointment. Tanya simply looked at her with a smirk that screamed "I'm not sorry."

"I didn't do anything, Kitana made a mistake in her form." Tanya shrugged, Mileena clearly not believing her.

"That's not what happened..." Harry mumbled. "You made Mama slip..."

"Really?" Mileena asked, annoyed.

"You believe his word over mine?" Tanya asked, not too offended at being called out.

"Yes."

Tanya simply shrugged her shoulders and Mileena crossed her arms over her breast, narrowing her eyes. "Tanya... Do you want to sleep on the couch tonight?" She asked her lover with a stern tone in her voice.

"Worth it." Tanya smirked, and Mileena hit her over the head. "Ow..."

"Stop setting a bad example for Harry."

"Oh, and you've done everything perfect thus far?"

"Stop changing the subject!"

"I'm not. I'm looking at your point from another angle."

Harry looked concerned as he watched the two women bickering. Were they going to split up because of him?! Jade nipped that concern in the bud. "Don't worry. They do this sometimes. They'll make up later tonight." Harry nodded, remembering the other day his Aunt Tanya had been acting like this for some reason, maybe she wanted to get a reaction out of his Aunt Mileena? He didn't know why she'd do this, but if they'd be okay, then he wasn't going to say anything. He didn't want to make things worse somehow. He looked up at his mother with a slightly concerned expression and she gave him a smile and a nod to assure him that his aunt was being truthful with him. He allowed himself to relax and took another forkful of food from his mother.

Indeed Tanya already seemed to be working on her sister... much to Kitana's dismay. She wasn't going to judge her sisters for their relationship, but the sometimes overt displays of affection could be, mistimed, to put it nicely. Especially when Harry was so little and probably had no idea what they were doing. On the one hand, that was good, as he probably just saw it as them being in love, but at the same time, Kitana didn't want to have to try and explain things should he start asking questions. It didn't help that she would have to make sure to soundproof their shared bedroom as much as possible that night because she really did not want Harry hearing the sheer amount of noise they made during their... 'make up sessions'." Thankfully, Tanya seemed to understand this, and returned to the food. Mileena huffed indignantly but didn't say much else, looking over and smiling at Harry, clearly looking forward to getting to have him for some time tonight. Kitana couldn't help but smile slightly, they had a sweet bond.

Mileena, in spite of how obsessive it came across as, clearly did legitimately love Harry with all her heart. It was their interactions that brought Kitana confidence that Mileena would be an amazing morher someday. Plus, Mileena had kind of been trapped in the temple for quite a while now, as she didn't feel comfortable being out and about in Outworld, as many of the citizens still feared her. So, it made sense that when someone new showed up, she'd take interest in them. Add to that the fact that the 'someone' was an adorable little boy, and her somewhat over-zealous attitude made sense in some regards. She looked aympathetically at her sister. Life really was hard for Mileena... She was created as a tool of war, she had been rejected by someone she thought of as her sister until very recently, and everyone feared her, yet she remained so... happy.

Perhaps due to her own mental *ahem* 'quirks', or perhaps because she genuinely saw better things. Either way, Kitana knew for a fact that Harry was certainly a big help in her feeling better than she had been in quite some time. Yes, her enthusiasm could be a little annoying, and broke through several personal bounds, but again, she meant well. She took a bite from her meal with a small smile. This really was the perfect family dynamic to help her son grow past his fears and trauma. The love and care he was showered with daily from all of them would let him hesl. Harry remained close, thinking about everything he had been told about his frea- no, his powers. Is that what his Mother had called them? His powers, right. Well, whatever they were called, it seemed like on top of him being able to so things most couldn't he now also had a power most people even WITH his powers didn't have. Harry wasn't totally sure how he felt about that.

It was... good? It made him special... right? That was a pretty nice thought... He had his own special abilities... He wondered if there was anything else special about him, any other untapped powers he could use. Maybe that's what he would be learning from Miss Skarlet. Although apparently Miss Skarlet was kinda scary, and while he trusted his Mama not to let her hurt him. But he also wondered why she would want to hurt him or his family, he didn't really get why anyone would want to hurt any of his family. They were all so nice, it didn't make sense that anyone would want to hurt them! Unless... Oh. That made sense. If his family was really really nice, then the ones that wanted to hurt them must have been really really mean.

Kitana seemed to pick up on Harry's change in demeanour, and gave him a re-affirming squeeze, which did lift his spirits. To him, being held by his Mama like that meant he'd be safe, and no one would hurt him. He just wished no one would hurt his family as well. He would definitely have to get his magic under control. If not for himself, then for them. They said he was strong. If he could use that strength, he could use it to keep everyone he knew and loved safe.

For now, he was happy to remain held close to his mother, even he could barely see over the table top even from where he sat on his Mother's lap. He listened tot he conversation but remained pretty quiet, unsure what exactly they were talking about, but still. He looked over and smiled up at his Aunt Jade, and the Emerald Assassin returned the smile. He honestly couldn't say why, but he felt a sort of... special connection to his aunt Jade. In fact, this connection he felt was quite similar to the one he felt with his mother... Not that his aunt Jade could ever replace her. Jade reached over and patted his head, Harry smiling and closing his eyes at the contact. Kitana smiled to herself at their interaction, noting that honestly, Jade would be the perfect mother for Harry. Soon, dinner was done, and Kitana rose to her feet, turning to look for Mileena... who was already in front of her.

"Gimmie."

"Mileena-"

"Gimmie. You promised." Kitana let out a sigh and relinquished her Harry over to her sister, who let out a squee of delight and snatched him right up before gently nuzzling his face with her cheek. Harry let out a soft giggle and tried nuzzling back. "Youresoadorableijustadoreyoumysweetpreciouslittlebabyboy..." Mileena cooed, her words being hard to hear or understand from where her face was buried in Harry's hair and as she was nuzzling his head, making things harder to hear regardless.

Harry let out a giggle and nuzzled in closer to his auntie with a small content smile. Kitana, despite herself, had to let a small smile grace her features as she observed the scene before her. It really was adorablel "You're mine now." Mileena said childishly.

"Mileena-"

"Mine."

"Mileena." Kitana spoke a bit sterner this time. "I don't know how long I'll be, but if he gets tired, don't try and play a game for two hours with him, all right? He still needs his sleep more than anything."

"Fineeeee..." Mileena sighed over-dramatically. It was clear that meant she was going to play with him until he fell asleep, but still, Kitana reasoned it was better than her keeping him up all night. She chuckled softly and shook her head in amusement. She was most certainly going to tire her son out for the night, absolutely no doubt in her mind about that... But right now she needed to speak with Jade. She smiled mirthfully as Tanya made her way over and began playfully poking Harry's bundled ribs. He seemed to have moved on from his fears of harming their relationship, and seemed to have forgiven her for what she did earlier to Kitana. Shaking her head, she approached her friend.

"Jade, I was hoping I could talk to you."

The emerald assassin turned to her and tilted her head to the side before nodding. "Of course. What is it?" Kitana made a motion for Jade to follow her, and she got the message, following Kitana out of the room. Jade bit her lip slightly, unsure where this was going, and more than a little apprehensive about where this may/may not be going. Still, she followed behind Kitana, deciding to see where this went. Kitana needed a private area where they would not be disturbed. And what better place than her own bedroom? Jade followed the kahn into her quarters, feeling a little bit bashful. Odd, considering she had been in here many times...

"So, what is it?" Jade blinked, a bit uncertain as to what was going on, and why Kitana brought her here.

"I've... I've been thinking." Kitana began slowly, looking away slightly. "About what you've been going through, and about what I can do to help. I've known you for years, and, well..." She took a deep breath and tried to steel her nerves. By the elder gods, she was so nervous... So much to say and no idea how to say it... On paper it had seemed so simple, but now she could plainly see it was anything but. "I care about you, I have for a long time." Kitana began once again. "I was happy to see you and Kotal so happy together, and I felt your loss, even if I didn't know him as well as you did. I'm not blind, Jade. I know you're hurting, and I know you want to move on, yet you're afraid that doing so would be disrespecting him in some way, so you've built this prison you've trapped yourself in, and it appears to me, that you don't know how to get out. Am I on the right path, or am i completely wrong?"

Jade tried to maintain a stoic expression, but it rapidly crumbled away as her best friend spoke to her. She remembered her earlier talk with Sindel and shevknew that she had to let Kitana in... It was time to move forward... "No, no... you're right." Jade said quietly, looking away and rubbing her arm. "I'm... I'm tired, Kitana. I'm tired of waking up every day and feeling empty, I'm tired of constantly looking around myself and feeling like I'm broken. I'm tired of trying to go day-to-day but being unable to move on because I'm so caught up on something that I can't explain! I'm tired of feeling broken and being unable to do anything about it..." Kitana nodded, listening to what her friend said. Everything made sense. Jade was one of the most skilled fighters Kitana had ever met, maybe even more-so than her. But she had loved Kotal, and it really took something from her when he died, and Jade clearly didn't want that to define her life, but was struggling to find a way out.

"And...and I'm tired to arguing with myself about Harry..." Jade added, and Kitana snapped to attention.

"I'm sorry, what?" She asked quietly.

"I'm... I'm tired of arguing that I should've been the one who found him. I'm tired of the constant back-and-forth I'm having with myself over him, I know he showed up by chance, but there's a part of me that feels like I'm being mocked by some unseen force because you found him... and that's not fair to him, or to you! Hell, that's not who I am!" Kitana was taken aback by this new tidbit of information. She hadn't been aware that her vest friend was actually having such thoughts. She felt like she had failed royally. To not notice just how distraught Jade was... "I'm sorry." Jade sighed, rubbing her arm. "That's not fair to you, and especially unfair to Harry. He in no way should be put in the line of conflict due to my inability to move on, to get over this, to-"

Kitana cut Jade off by hugging her. That's all she did. The Kahn remained quiet, and simply held her best friend close, trying her best to be reassuring to her. Jade tensed up at the sudden contact and looked at her best friend with a teary expression in her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Jade... I had no idea... I was so flagrant about my love for my child right in front of you..."

"No, no... no... it-it-it's not your fault." Jade shook her head. "He's so emotionally damaged, he needs all the love he can get, I can't blame you for being a good mother to him. I don't want you to think I'm blaming you for any of this." She took a deep breath and tightened her hug on her best friend. "I want everyone to he happy, especially you and Harry, yet it feels like its coming at the cost of my own happiness sometimes... I know, a truly selfish thought..."

"Jade, I want to help you. I want you to help Harry." Kitana whisper-blurted.

"Pardon?"

"Jade, I love you." Kitana said matter-of-factly. "And... I know Harry does too." Jade stared blankly at her best friend, trying her best to decipher what she had just been told. Kitana had just told her she loved her... But in what way? Was she saying she loved her platonically... or romantically...? "...I...look, I don't know how you feel about this, so please don't feel like you have to respond one way or another, but would you be willing to take on another role for Harry, and myself?"

Jade's eyes widened as she had a hunch she knew precisely where this was going. "Kitana... Do you mean..." The expression in the woman's eyes said everything, but it just wasn't enough for her. "Please Kitana... Say it out loud. I must hear it."

"Would you want to be Harry's Mother, alongside me?" Kitana finally said. Jade blinked, her breath stuttering slightly in genuine shock. This... this was... she didn't know how to put this into words! What should she say?! What should she think?! What would Harry think?!

"Kitana... I'm most confused... Is this supposed to be you confessing something to me?" Jade asked. Kitana bit her lip. She had been nervous to say it out loud, but it seemed she would have to confess her feelings...

"Yes."

"...oh." The two women sat in silence, neither one sure of what to say now, and Kitana's mind wandered to her son, she hoped he was okay...

"Gotcha!" Mileena declared playfully as she snatched up Harry, having found him hiding under the bed. Harry giggled as he was pulled into a hug by his Aunt. The half-tarkatan cuddled him close to her chest and pressed her nose against his, nuzzling it together before twirling him around. Tanya and Reptile stood by idly, watching the interaction with small smiles.

"So what do you think Kitana needed to talk to Jade about?" Tanya asked.

"I'm unsure." Reptile shrugged. "I think sssshe wants to ssspeak with Jade about something, but I'm uncertain of exactly what it could be."

"Kinda figuring she'd be admitting her feelings to her, but who knows."

Reptile blinked, then nodded his head. "It was alwaysss clear they had feelingssss for one another, so I'm quite ssssurorisssed took them so long to finally act upon thessse feelingsss." He said with his arms crossed.

"I mean, Jade kinda shut everyone out as of late, it makes sense it would take some time. Or Harry." Tanya shrugged, walking over and taking said nephew from Mileena. "You've had him long enough."

"Hey!"

"But as I was saying, it does make sense why things are happening now." Tanya remarked, holding Harry to her chest, earning a small giggle from the boy while Mileena sulked.

Reptile nodded his head, then looked over at Mileena with a frown. "You will have your chanccce another time." Truthfully, he thought Mileena was rather childlike. As such, he felt he had to also watch her closely for the Kahn's smirked down at Harry, who seemed oddly apprehensive. Tanya frowned, then sighed in realization.

"Don't worry, sweetness. I'm not going to do anything to you that might get you hurt." Tanya said reassuringly. After a few moments of silence, she added: "Fine, or your mother."

"Thank you..." Tanya smiled, hugging her nephew. She felt weird lying to him, but whatever.

Reptile gave her a suspicious look. "You know, Lady Tanya, I myssself am quite capable of pulling a decent trick. Should you harm the kahn, I will not hesssitate to claim vengeanccce in her honour." He said.

"Hm, fair." Tanya smirked. "Guess it's just Mileena then."

"Don't you dare!" Mileena yelled, throwing a pillow at Tanya. It her her face, and landed on Harry, who then rested against it.

"Does that count as assaulting the prince?" Tanya asked, mischievously.

"I ssshould sssay not. He isss not harmed and isss reaping the ssspoilsss of Mileena'sss attempted asssault on you." Reptile replied with a shrug, nodding at the boy who was nuzzling his cheek against the pillow.

"rrrrgghhh...HMPH." Mileena fumed, turning her back on them. Tanya smiled down at Harry, adjusting him so he was more comfortable in her arms against the pillow. Harry seemed happy with how things had turned out, so she saw no reason to try and mess with that. Even if he did feel a bit sad that his aunt Mileena was grumpy that he was taken away. But... she had her turn, so it was only fsir that his aunt Tanya had hers too, right? Right. That was the fair point of view.

Back with the Kahn and Assassin, the latter was still reeling somewhat in shock from the question. She... Kitana had just... but that meant... Jade felt weird, she honestly kind of hated this feeling, this feeling of uncertainty and confusion, as if the rug had been pulled out from under her, and she wasn't able to think clearly. What should she say? What should she do? How was she to appropriately respond to the situation? This whole thing was just so confusing and she wished she understood her own feelings so she could work through it! "Listen, if you can't answer right now, I understand." Kitana finally spoke, understanding what she was asking was kind of a big ask. "If you need some time to think it over, that's just fine, but I wanted to put this out there for you, to know that I would be happy if you said yes, and just as happy if you said no."

Jade looked at her best friend and took a deep breath. "Kitana... Truthfully... I've had conflicting thoughts involving this topic... I have... feelings for you that I just don't know how to act on and I'm very confused because of it..."

"I understand." Kitana smiled, gently taking Jade's hand. "And if you need time to think it over, or perhaps talk to someone about it, I understand." Jade slowly nodded, her face reddening somewhat.

She slowly slipped her hand out of Kitana's grasp and took a deep breath. "Perhaps... we could further discuss this matter tomorrow when I've had the time to consider everything...?" She asked rather shyly. Kitana's spirits sunk slightly, but she fully understood. With a nod, Jade blushed and tried to hide it, which only made her blush further.

"Of course, Jade." Kitana smiled. "Take all the time you need."

"Thank you, Kah- Kitana." Jade nodded respectfully, then added: "So, are you going to go get your son now?"

"No, I'm going to train for a bit." Kitana shook her head. "I promised Mileena she could have him for a bit, and if I take him back now, she'll probably steal him again later. I think it's best to let her have her time."

Jade nodded her head in understanding. "Ah, yes, of course, that sister of yours can certainly wear you down, like any sister..." She said softly, still feeling incredibly awkward and bashful from their conversation.

"Well... are you going to be alright, Jade?" Kitana asked after a few moments, and Jade nodded, much to the Kahn's relief.

"Yes, you've given me a few things to think on, Kitana. I just... need a little bit of time, is all." The assassin finally replied with a nod.

"Very well." Kitana nodded. "If you need to speak with me, or Mother, don't hesitate to ask." Jade nodded her head in understanding and watched as he friend left. As soon as she was gone, she considered what Kitana had just said. She decided that the best course of action here was to talk to Sindel...

So, she silently walked down the halls, feeling awkward, more than anything. Did... did she do something wrong? No, she had asked to be allowed to think, rather than make a snap decision, that wasn't a problem. It wasn't like Kitana was going to offer this to someone else. Who else was there? Skarlet? Kitana would've lost her mind if she was even considering that. But being a mother. That was something she had wanted for so long, and to be a mother to someone as sweet and precious as Harry? It felt like a dream come true. But what if that's all this was? A dream?

And did she truly have romantic feelings for Kitana, or was she just intoxicated with the idea of playing a more directly maternal role to little Harry? Oh, she hoped the queen would have answers...

"Jade?"

Queen Sindel may be a skilled warrior, but she was also wise beyond what one might expect.

"Jade?"

Now, Jade wasn't saying she was stupid in ANY sense of the word, but there was far more to Sindel than many would know. She was both a very comforting presence when she needed to be, and shockingly critical of something or someone when need be, even if that was of her own daughters.

"Jade?"

She did so out of a want to keep peace, to help people move forward, and especially to help Kitana be the ruler who could help bring Outworld from the brink of chaos it was left in and-

"Jade!"

"Gah!" Jade snapped to attention, seeing Sindel was next to her.

The emerald assassin turned to the queen and hurriedly leaned forward in a bow. "Hello, your highness, I apologize sincerely for my failure to respond... I have... much on my mind at the moment..."

"Mm, I could tell." Sindel said with a small smirk. "What's wrong?"

"I...I was talking with. Kitana, and she asked me to do something that I'm not totally sure how to respond to it." Jade said awkwardly.

Sindel blinked, then the corner of her mouth turned up in a smirk. "I see. So my daughter has finally confessed her feelings for you, has she? She really is quite smitten with you, even if she doesn't know how to properly convey it."

"I know, er, I know now. But... I don't know how to respond." Jade confessed, looking away.

"Well, how do you feel about her?" Sindel asked, honestly. "Just go with that, and you'll have your answer."

"I'm trying, but- I don't know." Jade shook her head. She let out a deep sigh. "Lately I have been feeling a... a deep affection for her, but I worry that it may not be entirely genuine... I feel as though I may be subconsciously wishing to use my best friend as a coping mechanism... And that's wrong..."

"That's understandable." Sindel nodded. "You've lost someone very close to you, and you've found a way of feeling something you thought you lost the ability to ever experience, correct?"

"Yes, Empress."

"No, child. Sindel is fine, it's just the two of us." Sindel said compassionately.

"I...I... If that is what you wish then... Sindel..." Jade spoke softly and slightly uncomfortably, clearly not entirely sure about using the former empress' real name so casually, whether or not anyone was present... "I just- I'm sorry." Jade muttered. "I'm not sure what to say or do right now. Kitana has offered me something I've always wanted, but I'm uncertain how to go about accepting it, even if I should."

Sindel nodded her head in understanding. "Kitana has given you time to think of what you wish to do with this information... And you came seeking me in the hopes that I can give you a nudge in the right direction."

"Yes."

"I'm sorry dear, but all I can tell you is probably what you already know. Do what feels right to you, and if you need time to think, that is fine too. I have known Kitana has feelings for you for quite some time now, but I also knew she appreciated your friendship, and was willing to simply leave it at that. This next step is up to you." Jade was silent for a moment. She really had been hoping that the queen would have all the answers in that infinite pool of wisdom she seemed to have. But alas, she knew very well that was unrealistic... "Jade, if you want my honest opinion, I'll give it to you." Sindel remarked. "If you believe you would be happy with Kitana, regardless of Harry being a part of your family or not, then I'd accept her offer. I believe the two of you would be lovely for one another, but I can't say what weighs on your heart. If this concerns Kotal, and how he would react... again, I'm sorry, but I don't really have an answer. But everything you've told me about him would suggest he would want you to be happy, however that is."

Jade nodded, the Queen's words making sense. She knew the queen was right... Kotal would want her to move on and be happy with her life... He would no doubt support her forming a relationship with Kitana... She knew what she had to do. It was time to move on. "Thank you, Sindel." Jade nodded with a small sigh. "You've been quite helpful, as usual."

"I try." The Queen smirked, but her smile was genuine, and thankful for her being able to assist in any way shape or form. Jade knew her answer, but still, she wanted another minute or two to herself. Just... well, she was nervous, and she didn't think anyone could or would blame her. This was a very big step in her and Kitana's relationship... Things were going to be very different if she accepted... Was it truly in her best interest to reciprocate her feelings? ...Yes. It would bring them closer... She walked out to a balcony and looked out over the cool night sky. She decided to just rest for a minute and breathe. Well, now she had her answer; she'd tell Kitana 'Yes', but for now, well, she needed to breathe. It felt like the world was spinning rabidly, beyond any and all reason.

She tried her best to find her focus, but her mind was just swimming. It was like even her thoughts were thinking thoughts. This entire situation was so... unreal to her, she didn't know how she was meant to react... She looked up to the night sky, taking in its tranquil beauty. This was it. She... well, if Harry said yes, she was a Mother. She and Kitana more or less would be married, and they'd take care of Harry together. Why was this so hard to understand? She shook her head and let out a sigh. Here she was, making things more complicated than they really needed to be... Just like she had been doing since her husband died... Was she always this difficult?

'For all the grief I give her, Mileena never had this issue, did she? She and Tanya always were able to work through any sort of relationship issue...' Jade thought, shaking her head.

Back in their room, Mileena had finally gotten Harry back, and opened the window she had held him at when they first met. The storm had (finally) stopped, and the clouds were gone. "It's lovely, isn't it?" Mileena sighed.

Harry looked up at the night sky. It really was pretty to look at... The entire world looked so peaceful at nighttime. He could even hear the sounds of frogs croaking from the ground below. "Yeah... It is pretty..." Reptile looked back, and nodded when he saw Kitana asking to speak to him, knowing they'd be outside, and Mileena and Tanya could be trusted with Harry.

"But not as cute as you~." Mileena cooed, kissing the top of his head. Harry giggled, then looked up.

"Aunt Mileena? Why do you think I'm so cute?" Harry asked, his low self-image still very, very much a factor in his life. Even if his family was helping repair it. Tanya smiled and approached as Mileena answered.

"Weeeeeell... First of all, you're very very little. So tiny... And you have such a sweet little personality. And those big green eyes... And your cute little voice... And you're just so cuddly too!" Mileena explained. Harry was hugged to his Aunt's chest, resting his head on her shoulder, as Tanya reached over and gently ran a hand through his hair.

"Plus, you're such a sweet, shy little thing." Tanya added. "You've been through so much, and yet you're still so adorable." Harry felt convinced. Her words were so sincere... How could he not be? He felt just a little bit more confident in himself... He felt that every nice thing that his family had said about him was true... He happily settled down, letting out a soft sigh as Mileena rubbed his back. Tanya looked to Mileena and nodded, and the pair sat down on their bed, deciding to read to Harry for a bit. Outside, Reptile and Kitana were finishing some plans for tomorrow... namely dealing with Skarlet, as Harry's lessons would begin then. Kitana still wished there was some other way, but... she didn't really know who or how to get around all this.

"Ssskarlet isss no fool, Lady Kitana... Ssso long asss ssshe is sssupervisssed, ssshe would never think to try and harm young Harry. And if ssshe doesss, I will be sssure to honour my duties and sssubdue her."

"I know, I'm... I didn't want to say this in front of her, but Mileena's right." Kitana said.

"Isss this a matter of pride? Or ssssomething else?" Reptile asked with a raised non-existent brow.

"If Mileena knows I agree with her sentiment on Skarlet, she'll never let Skarlet teach Harry. She'll probably kill her."

Reptile nodded his head in agreement. "But do you truly share the sssame sssentiment? From what I have ssseen, you clearly don't ssshare the sssame vitriolic hatred that your sssissster harbours for her."

"I don't hate Skarlet, I pity her." Kitana admitted. "Skarlet's magic was corrupted from the start. She's troubled, but she also has no want to changed, so she simply uses her powers for whatever purpose se sees fit."

The kahn closed her eyes. "It's almost as if she's never been given the chance to change for the better... As if she never had a reason to. It seemed as though no one had ever cared for her, so she saw no reason to care for them...

"Hrm. That may be, or perhaps she's made her choice, and yet ssshe simply actsss this way for no reassson other than she can. I respect your compasssion, Kitana Kahn, but be careful around her. Sssshe will not show the sssame kindness you may show her."

Kitana nodded her head in understanding. "Yes... I know I can't let my guard down... But I just can't help but wonder if there's a reason behind her twisted demeanour... What could have caused such a warped worldview?"

"Not to oversstep any bounds, but many people may have become the way they were due to the circumssstancessss around Shao Kahn's leaderssship." Reptile reasoned, and Kitana nodded begrudgingly. Her 'Father' pretty much let people do what they wanted, so long as it didn't interfere with him conquering realms, and because of that, people became their worst selves, no longer needing any sort of excuse to do so. So many of the prisoners in the dungeons had never known anything outside of her wicked stepfather's rule, and as such, they failed to understand why they were imprisoned. It was quite saddening in all honesty... There was a sense of chaos and anarchy that seemed appealing, and Kitana somewhat understood it. To be set free, really and truly, to be told that anything went, and for depravity and sadism to be rewarded in some cases, of course the mind set of the realm would become more vicious and violent.

Whether they liked it or not, rules and laws absolutely needed to be laid down for the good of the world at large. For without them, so many were hurt and even killed on a regular basis, and decent people lived in constant fear. She hoped she could keep things level. The Shokans and Tarkatans had thankfully mellowed down somewhat, but Skarlet was still... Skarlet. Because of that, Kitana knew she had to be careful for her son's sake, more than anything. She wished the woman had been raised in a better environment growing up... She firmly believed no one was born wicked... Skarlet was a product of a bad environment, and she couldn't help but feel slightly responsible for it.

Inside the room, Harry was snuggled in-between Mileena and Tanya. The former resting her chin on top of his head, and the latter keeping the trio warm as she read a story to Harry. The little boy was just happy, that's all there was to this. He loved spending time with his Aunts, and they always showed him kindness and love... the feeling of love and acceptance was something he always wanted, and both women were showing him it in abundance. It was interesting. He knew they and his mother loved him more or less equally as one another, but while his mother showed it in more subdued ways, his aunties were far more in your face about their love. Well, Mileena was at least, as he found himself being cuddled like a stuffed animal to Mileena's chest. Admittedly, he didn't mind at all. She was really comfy, and her love felt really nice. On the other side, his Auntie Tanya was very calm and gentle, much more like his Mother, but she had some warm powers that made him feels safe and relaxed in her arms.

Yet in spite of his aunties' benefits, he knew they would never be able to hold a candle to the connection he had with his mother... Or, oddly enough, his auntie Jade... He felt as though his connection with her was... special. Maybe Mileena knew, maybe she didn't. Tanya could tell as much, and she was fine with that. The bond between a mother and son was something special, and something which couldn't me interrupted or derailed without great effort, and she had reason to want to do that. "...the end." Tanya finished with the story, and Harry smiled up at them.

"That was a good story." He said in his timid voice. Mileena beamed, clearly wanting to play another game with him, and the night was young. Tanya knew she could try and calm Mileena down, but that wasn't going to happen... oh, well. If Harry was happy, that was good enough. With a small smirk, she stood back and watched as Mileena pulled Harry into a game of I Spy. Currently Harry was trying to find something in the room that was green. "Um... Is it that basket over there...?" He asked.

"Nope!" Mileena shook her head. "Try again!"

"Uh... is it that blanket?"

"Yup!" Mileena beamed, kissing his head. "Good job!"

Back outside, Kitana sighed deeply, knowing at the end of the day, Skarlet was the best case scenario for training Harry, at least in terms of helping him get some level of control over his powers. But maybe she would look for alternatives on the side... It had to be possible that other magic users that could help Harry existed if she just knew where to look... Goodness this situation was so difficult...

Still, she knew she had to go through with this, lest Harry be harmed, or someone else for that matter. Even her Mother, who had some forms of magic couldn't teach him, as the power that ran in her bloodline was different from Harry's, as they could essentially empower an object to act. as a conduit. Tanya's powers were more akin to Sub-Zero's, and both of them weren't the correct type of user to teach her son. She had to wonder just why Skarlet had chosen to channel her magic into such a gruesome power to be perfectly honest. Blood manipulation... Of all things, why would she train herselt to use such an awful power? Maybe it was by choice, maybe it was simply what she was born with, either way Kitana had issue with it, but as she had pointed out to her sister, could she truly claim she was better? Well, yes. But not to the extent she would like, that would always be inescapable. Still, she didn't expect Skarlet to reform in a day, or ever, if she was honest, but she hoped (and was willing to enforce) her being able to treat Harry with enough kindness (even if it was mostly cold, and somewhat uncomfortable) to help him learn.

She thought of the potential her son had and smiled softly. He could do so many great things with his power if it was just properly nurtured... If all went well, she knew he would do so much good for the world. Kitana noticed Jade walking by at the other end of the hall, and her mind turned to that. Had her friend made any decision? Could she really expect her to do so under such short notice? Well, yes. But that wasn't important right now. What Jade needed was to be allowed to come to this conclusion on her own terms.

'I've come to this conclusion, why is talking to her so hard?!' Jade mentally groaned, now feeling semi-trapped in another way, as she now attempted to work up the courage to go tell Kitana the truth. She tried her absolute hardest to psyche herself up. Why oh why was she making it so hard on herself? She already knew Kitana had feelings for her, all she had to do was reciprocate! So why couldn't she just do it without stressing herself out?

"Jade?"

'Great...' Jade turned around and saw Kitana a few feet from her. The Kahn seemed calm, but that couldn't be said for Jade.

"Jade, I don't mean to press you for time or anything, but are you okay?" Kitana asked, concern clear in her voice. Jade nodded her head, but didn't offer a verbal reply. Her nerves were getting the best of her... Just great... Kitana put a hand on the emerald warrior's shoulder. "Have you given any thought to our earlier conversation?"

A"Yes. I... I want to..." Jade began, but sighed, unable to finish her thought. "Oh for the love of- Yes. My answer is yes." There. She had said it, there was no going back now. Whatever happened now, happened, and there wasn't anything she could do to change the fact that she had said 'yes'.

Kitana stared at her best friend for several seconds, processing her answer. Then her eyes closed as she smiled warmly. "I had hoped you would say that..." She approached her nervous friend and pulled her into a hug. Jade blinked, then smiled herself, returning the hug. They remained there for a minute, and finally, Kitana let go. The Kahn smiled warmly, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Jade smiled in return. There was a sense of freedom she felt from that simple admittance, as if she was now allowed to be happy again, even though that couldn't be further from the truth. She knew what it was, she felt herself take the first step forward. The two women leaned towards one another, their eyes closing slowly as they gradually grew closer and closer... And then, their lips made contact and the two women practically melted into a passionate kiss.

There was something so alluring about the presence of the other, as if a spark which had struggled to catch for years finally caught, and all but exploded into a burning fire. A fire which would light the path of what was to come in the future, and a fire which would never go out. After a few moments, they pulled back and nodded. "So... what now?" Jade finally asked, and Kitana sighed.

"As much as I would like to introduce Harry to his other Mother, taking him from Mileena would probably just irritate her, and I'd never hear the end of it." Kitana gave her new lover a light smirk. "Would you care to join us in our quarters tonight, Jade? We can spend the night together as a family..." She spoke gently and softly, and Jade's face formed into a smile. Jade blushed, but nodded nonetheless.

"I'd be delighted." Jade nodded. "I'd love to spend a night with my son."

"He's my son, too." Kitana said matter-of-factly, and Jade nodded in understanding, but Kitana had a bad feeling this would be a thing that Jade would be able to use in the future.

The two women exchanged a glance. "Kitana... I would not be opposed to giving Mileena more time with Harry so the two of us can spend a little quality time together..." Jade said rather shyly, not meeting her friend's gaze.

"That... I think that could work..." Jade finally smiled slightly, and the two left for another room.

Back in their room, Mileena sat with Harry on her lap, wrapped up protectively in her arms as Tanya showed Harry some more of her powers, both fire and tongfas. Summoning her bladed weapons, she threw one, only for it to appear behind her, which she caught without any issue. Harry couldn't help but find himself reminded of earlier that day when his mother was showing off her skills to him. He was just as invested now as he had been back then. He just hoped his aunt Tanya wasn't interrupted by anything...

"Lady Tanya?" A voice spoke up from outside the door, pulling her from her focus...

Thunk!

"Ow!"

And distracting her from the incoming weapon. She grumbled something about karma inaudibly underneath her breath and rubbed the back of her head ashe opened the door. "Yes?" She asked, somewhat annoyed. One of the maids curtsied in respect.

"Apologies, M'lady, but Empress Kitana wanted me to inform you and Lady Mileena she would be busy for a time ,and that she'd come collect the little prince later." While Mileena's grin widened, Tanya let a restrained smile form on her face. This was also the first time the servant saw Harry, and she couldn't hold back a smile at how cute he looked.

"Very well. Thank you for relaying this information." Tanya said with a nod. The maid nodded and gave another respectful curtsy before turning to leave. Mileena let out a soft squee of delight. More time with her beloved nephew!

"Mama's gone?" Harry asked, looking up with a somewhat sorrowful look in his eyes. Mileena immediately set to comforting him, trying her best to cheer him up.

"No, no, no." The Clone said, pulling Harry close and resting her cheek atop his head. "She's just going to be a little longer than she expected, that's all. And that means you'll be staying with us a bit longer!"

"Oh, okay!" Harry said, seeming to perk up at that. Mileena giggled, adoring his little reactions. Tanya smirked, and decided to try her forms again... And the second she did so, Reptile reappeared right next to her, causing her to botch one of her moves, briefly engulfing her in a small explosion of fire that left her completely covered in charred ashes.

"Syzoth!" She snapped, irritated.

"What?" Reptile asked. "I didn't intentionally sssscare you."

"Yeah. Sure." Tanya grumbled, looking down at her clothes. "Ugh... wiping some ashes from her hair, she sighed, having a feeling that she kinda deserved that. But she wasn't going to admit to such things, her pride wouldn't allow it. Mileena was giggling up a storm at the sight, and she shot her lover a flat, annoyed expression. "Well I'm very glad to know that my pain and humiliation brings you joy, love of my life." She said flatly. Mileena laughed harder.

"Well, now you know how my sister feels!" Mileena laughed.

"She wasn't set on fire! She was merely hit in the head." Tanya grumbled.

"And then covered in cake. And buried under the roof." Harry added, remembering what his Mother had been through. His timid remark only seemed to make Mileena laugh harder, which just confused Harry more.

"It isn't thst funny though... Mama could have gotten hurt..." He said softly. Mileena stifled the rest of her laughter and cuddled her nephew close. He was just too pure for this world filled with sins and weirdos...

"D'aww... it's okay, sweetie. It's okay..." Mileena cooed, nuzzling the top of his head. "It's okay, Auntie Tanya's all right, plus, she was mean to your Mama, that makes this okay."

"It does?" Harry asked, confused.

"No, No! do not teach him that!" Tanya snapped, a but harsher than she intended, but Harry didn't seem frightened, just confused. Mileena just pouted and turned herself and Harry away with a 'Humph!' Tanya rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her breasts. "Don't start acting like a bratty teenage girl every time someone scolds you."

"I don't!"

"Yes, you do." Tanya said flatly. "Everyone here knows it."

"Harry doesn't." Mileena countered, trying to save face. Tanya's look simply said 'He will', and Mileena huffed indignantly. Harry looked up from where he was being held and smiled, his Aunt was kinda weird sometimes, but he loved her all the same. Mileena buried the bottom half of her face in her precious nephew's hair. "Don't listen to her, Harry, I do not act like a bratty teenage girl, and anyone who says I do is just lying because they're jealous because I'm cooler than they are." Harry blinked, confusion clear on his face. That kinda sounded like something a bratty teenager would say, but he didn't want to say that, because then he might sound bratty, and it would be mean to say that to his Aunt.

"That issss exactly what it sounds like." Reptile remarked, flatly. Harry nodded in understanding and Mileena deflated.

"Fine. Here." Mileena grumbled, passing Harry over to Tanya. "You're all being mean to me..."

"Aunt Mileena? Are you okay?" Harry asked, now genuinely concerned for his Aunt. Tanya laughed gently and kissed his head.

"It's okay, sweetness. She'll be fine. She just acts like this sometimes." Mileena threw a pillow at her face. She just laughed in response. Reptile watched the interactionl silently wondering just how it was that their relationship was supposed to work when there was this mucn little arguing.

Harry was clearly wondering the same thing. He didn't understand the different love languages some couples had, but he also felt happy seeing them together. It was clear they cared for one another, even if his Aunt Tanya was kinda mean to his Aunt Mileena... still, Aunt Mileena always seemed ready, willing and capable of moving on, or getting even in her own way, so Harry knew nothing would keep her down for too long. He hoped he could be like that someday, as he still felt fear gripping his body, fear that this was a dream, that the shadows would return, and the voices wouldn't be silent. But then he'd be hugged by his family, like his Aunt Tanya was presently doing, and it would send ripples of reassurance throughout his body, letting him know this was real. About two hours passed, and Harry was clearly worn out. Mileena was disappointed, but also knew he was still very small. Just as she was going to tuck him into bed, the door opened and Kitana looked in. "I'm here for my son." She declared.

She then felt something brush past her and saw that Mileena and Harry were no longer in the room. She stared blankly before letting out a long suffering sigh of exasperation. "Reptile, please help me find her." Reptile nodded and the two left, leaving an irritated Tanya in the room. She loved Mileena, she truly did, but the clones childish tendencies could be both adorable, and very irritating. This was the latter. If Mileena was like this with Harry, Tanya genuinely believed she wasn't ready to be a mother, and that felt... hurtful. Tanya herself wasn't sure she wanted to be a mother, but Mileena did. So very clearly, she did. But the way she acted made the pyromancer think twice, and rather apprehensively at that, about adopting a child with her. Any child of theirs needed to be shown the proper balance of love and discipline. She knew Mileena would never show their child discipline, and she really didn't want to be seen as the 'mean mother that never let them have fun'.

Mileena's childishness stemmed from a rather twisted place; her depravity. She was made to kill, to be a living weapon who slaughtered and murdered without any regrets, and as such, she was made to not be able to think about that. It wasn't until Kitana had gotten through to her that she began to show remorse. But even now, her energy and odd quirks could be attributed to her creation, and Tanya wasn't sure how to help with that. But she certainly had to try and help her mature... Mileena was going to end up being a mother someday with or without her, and she was going to have to make sure she was really prepared for this difficult job. Kitana let out a long, low string of grumblings and profanity as she headed back to her room, Harry secure in her arms. Her sister was bad enough, but she seemed like a feral animal trying to protect its young when she had Harry. Or to be more precise, like a feral animal trying to protect its young when it was time for Harry to go to bed. Thankfully, Harry was tired, so he wasn't picking up on his mother's insults.

"Hi...mama..." He yawned, smiling up at her. That lifted Kitana's spirits, and she kissed his head.

"Hello, precious. Please stay awake for a minute, there's something I need to talk to you about."

"Oh...did...did I-"

"No, you've done nothing wrong, Harry."

She smiled warmly at her son. "In fact, the news I'm about to share is something I think you will very much like... I know you've bonded very nicely with Jade these past few weeks... The two of you have become quite close."

"Mmhm. She's really friendly and really pretty..." Harry mumbled. "And she's like you, she's nice to me... but she seems sad, and I don't know what to do to help her, and I feel like I've upset her because of that."

"Awww, you're such a precious little thing." Kitana cooed, kissing his forehead. "She isn't upset with you, quite the opposite in fact. She loves you with every fibre of her being."

"Oh, that's good..." Kitana couldn't help but laugh, her son's thoughts, half-asleep or not, were adorable. He spoke them with such conviction, he clearly believed what he was saying, and his capacity for compassion was unmistakable.

"Well, I have very big news for you regarding your aunt Jade... Oh no, don't worry, it's good news! You see, the two of us have gotten much, much closer today... So much so that we are now... well... together." Kitana explained.

"Oh, okay." Harry blinked, clearly not picking up on what Kitana was getting at. With a smile, Kitana decided being blunt was the best answer right now.

"Harry, Jade has agreed to help me raise you... as your mother."

"Wha..!?"

"Jade and I, are now both your mothers." Kitana explained softly, entering her room. Harry's eyes widened at the sudden revelation. Two mommies...? He had two mommies now? Mommy Kitana and Mommy Jade? Suddenly he felt wide awake. And not just that, he felt very excited.

"R...really?!" He stammered, excitedly. Kitana smiled and kissed his head before turning him around where he saw Jade sitting on the bed. He was silent for a few moments then finally stammered out; "H..h..hi, mommy..." Jade's eyes filled with tears of joy as she rose to her feet and swiped Harry from Kitana, putting him into a tight, somewhat crushing, but loving hug. Harry sniffed, then began crying himself, overwhelmed by everything that had been happening over the past few days, and both his parents where there to make sure he was okay. Kitana quickly joined the hug when she realized both of them were crying. She smiled sadly as she embraced Jade, and Harry by extension, giving the young boy a warm, loving embrace from both angles.

"Mama...Mommy..." Harry mumbled happily, trapped between the two women, happier than he had been when Kitana had first adopted him, all those few days ago.

"Yes, my little warrior. We're here." Jade cooed softly, kissing Harr- her son, on the top of his head. Kitana let out a soft, gentle laugh at that, and repeated the gesture.

Harry smiled in pure bliss. He had mommies... Two of them... Two mommies that would love and protect him... He could not rememver the last time he had felt so happy... He felt as though his family was now truly complete. Kitana and Jade smiled, deciding it was time for bed. The three climbed under the warm blanket, Harry's face peaking out from under it, looking up at where he was sandwiched between the two women. He let out a content yawn and nuzzled down in-between them, feeling protected by his parents. The two women smiled down at the little boy. Their little boy... They were really parents together... They were officially in a relationship now... Somehow this fact had not fully clicked until now, even after what they had done while Harry was with Mileena and Tanya...

"Well, good night, precious." Kitana whispered, kissing her son. "Good night, Jade." Kitana kissed Jade, making the assassin blush.

"Good night, love." Jade replied, kissing Harry. "Good night, Empress." She kissed Kitana making her smile somewhat. Harry meanwhile was half-asleep and wrapped up in a bundle of love. He clutched into both his parents as he let sleep overtake him. He wanted to stay awake and be with his Mommies, but he also knew he had to sleep. But they'd keep him safe while he slept. And so Harry's eyes closed slowly as he nuzzled in deeper to the blankets and yawned adorably before sleep overtool him. Kitana and Jade smiled. Despite previously bidding each other good night... they weren't quite ready to sleep yet.

"Well, he seems happy." Kitana smiled. Jade let out a soft laugh and nodded. From the way Harry was seemingly struggling to find a way to hug both women in his sleep, it was clear he was content with his new family. "I'm glad you agreed to this."

"As am I." Jade nodded. "It's just... he's such a sweet, precious little gift..." Jade let out a soft 'awww' as Harry seemed to give on on hugging both of them, rolling over in his sleep and nuzzling against her. "Well, it's good to know he has favourites."

"Don't you start with that." Kitana grumbled. "The rest of my family is bad enough."

Jade let out a soft chuckle before carefully leaning over and stealing a quick kiss from her Kahn with a soft smile. "I can't believe I never acted on my feelings for you at any point in the past... Truthfully, I have always held affection for you."

"Well, as did I." Kitana admitted. "But we both had other commitments and relationships, so I figured remaining friends was an excellent choice."

"Mmhm. This little bundle of joy really seems to have brought people together." Jade remarked.

"Indeed he has. I'm pretty sure he could be effective in keeping Earthrealm aligned with us."

"You think his magic is that powerful?" Jade asked, a bit surprised.

"I can't say for sure, but his cuteness is." Both women let out a soft giggle at that and pressed their foreheads together, closing their eyes and just enjoying the moment. It was so nice to share the same bed with someone, most especially for Jade.

"Mrgh...Mama..." Harry mumbled, nuzzling against Jade's chest, making the assassin blush. She had waited so long to hear that, and it still felt like a dream. But here he was, her son, snuggled close to her chest, held safe and secure, just like she always wanted. And now, she had her best friend, heck, her wife, by her side. She suddenly began to think back to her and Kotal's wedding plans. She and Kitana were going to have to wed now... And frankly, she was quite partial to the way it was done in Earthrealm. Their weddings seemed very festive and fun. But if there Earthrealm allies came? That might be a bit much... not that she minded too dreadfully, but she knew Kitana wasn't the biggest fan of embarrassing stories, and she had a feeling there would probably be more than a few from their wedding. Either way, it was nice to think about what would be, rather than what should've been.

It was finally time for her to move on from Kotal and look forward to what the rest of her life would have to offer. Frankly, it was all looking pretty bright at the moment... She felt she could allow herself to be happy. Kitana couldn't read Jade's thoughts, but she had a good feeling what she was thinking about, and smiled warmly, happy her friend had finally gotten what she wanted so badly. She finally got the chance to be a mother, to be in a family. Now, she had Harry and Jade, and things were good. She couldn't remember the last time she ever felt this... warm. Yes, that was the perfect word to describe it. She felt warm. As if there was a fireplace built inside her heart that was perpetually aglow with a brilliant light.

'This is nice.' Kitana smiled, wrapping an arm around both her son and Jade, pulling them closer. Warmth and love radiating between the trio in ways none of them ever expected. For now though, sleep seemed like a good idea, and Kitana yawned, settling down for a nice sleep.

Jade seemed to have more or less the exact same thougts and closed her eyes as well. Finally... She felt complete... 'Kotal... I hope you are watching me right now... And I hope you are happy for me... I am finally able to make peace with your passing.'

Jade swore she heard a voice calmly say 'If you are happy, then I am happy.' but perhaps she was dreaming, but something told her deep down it wasn't a dream. She let out a calm sigh, feeling tears form in her eyes, but they were happy this time, she felt content. As sleep overtook her, she could have sworn she felt the hands of her deceased husband stroking her hair, and a smile came to her face as she knew that her moving forward had allowed Kotal's soul to be at peace. Before she drifted off, she saw Harry had absentmindedly buried his face into her chest, clutching to her top with his tiny hands as he slept. She tilted her head down and kissed her son one more time, smiling warmly as she draped an arm around him.

She let out one last yawn and smiled as she felt the little boy nuzzling in closer to her. With a few small tears in her eyes, she fell fast asleep with a smile on her face. For the first time in ages, she truly slept soundly.