Chapter Forty-Six: Promises

The time was 9:34 and still Raiden and Kitana had not returned from the Heavens. Liu Kang, Kung Lao, and Nightwolf had arrived a few hours ago and Sonya Blade explained what was on the flash drive that Smoke had taken. It turns out that they were right about Quan Chi and his intentions to steal Sindel's soul. Kano had made a whole video boasting about how Outworld was going to win the war against Earthrealm and he was going to get paid quite generously for his services. Sonya could tell that the Australian was drunk at the time seeing as he had a beer bottle in his hand and he was slurring his words. Two of his men eventually came to stop his rambling, but not before Kano started shaking his butt in front of the screen while saying "Earthrealm can kiss my ass!" That was when the video cut off.

Kano also said something about the invasion beginning in Deacon City, which everyone had already assumed since Scorpion was able to find both Tomas and Johnny Cage there. It had been an accident, but the champions were sure that the Shirai Ryu had informed Quan chi of where he had seen the two warriors. Even if he had found Sub-zero at the Wushi Academy, Shao Kahn was not about to plan an attack there again after what happened last time. Many of the Tarkatans that he used for that invasion had been killed and after the last tournament, their numbers have more than likely dropped drastically.

Once she had finished, Sonya suggested that they all stayed in the base or somewhere nearby until Raiden came back. It was already late too, so everyone had decided just to stay the night. Sonya and Jax showed their comrades to rooms that were not occupied by anyone and told them they could use those rooms to rest. Around that time, Johnny's stomach started grumbling.

"Heh, heh. Guess it has been a while since I've eaten. With all this stuff happening, I didn't even notice how hungry I am."

Cage rubbed the back of his neck nervously as if he was waiting for someone to comment about his ignorance. But no one judged him. In fact, everyone thought it would be a good idea to get something to eat.

"I think everyone's pretty hungry."

Sonya clasped her hand on Johnny's shoulder and smiled.

"Let's go to the cafeteria. No, they don't have fancy food like you're used to, but I say it's still really good, Cage."

"I'm willing to try it if you say it's good. You wouldn't lie to me, would you?"

"I wouldn't dream of it. Follow me, everyone. I'll lead the way."

No one objected to that, so Johnny, Jax, Kuai, and Tomas began to follow Sonya to the cafeteria. Liu Kang and Kung Lao were in the training room sparring while Nightwolf was meditating elsewhere. Cyrax was busy trying to decrypt some classified files that had been found deep within the drive. While they were walking down the hall, Smoke had noticed that Jade had stayed behind. She was just standing in the middle of the hallway looking down and had not realized that everyone had left her.

"Are you coming, Jade?"

That snapped the Edenian out of her trance. She quickly shook her head to hide her embarrassment for spacing out like that.

"N..No. I think I will…go for a walk. Yes."

She would not admit it, But Tomas could tell that Jade was worried about Kitana. She had wanted to give Kitana and Sindel some time to themselves, but did not feel right about letting her best friend go off on her own. Of course the Edenian trusted that Raiden would keep Kitana safe. That was not his duty thought. It was Jade's.

"Would you mind if I accompany you?"

Jade had just turned around when Smoke asked her that. She wanted to be alone, but she did not want to tell Tomas no. Although, the Edenian felt that if anyone else had asked her that, she would have insisted on going by herself. That thought confused her.

".…Of course. I would like that."

"Very well. After you."

Jade nodded and she and Smoke began walking in the opposite direction of their friends. Sub-zero noticed this, even though everyone else was too busy thinking about food to see that two people from their group had vanished. He did not say anything about it, however. The cryomancer simply smirked and let Tomas and Jade leave. There was no need to bother them and ruin their moods.

Smoke and Jade walked for some time before they finally stopped at a platform where they could see some of the air crafts the Special Forces had. Past those machines, there was a nice view of the night sky and the full moon that sat within it. Tomas stuffed his hands into his hoodie pockets and let out a breath.

"Today has been a very long day. I am honestly exhausted, but…I cannot seem to rest, no matter how much I want to."

"I understand what you mean. And yes, today has been quite long. I just wish it will end."

"Heh. Me too."

A small breeze flew past the two warriors and it made Jade shiver. It was definitely colder outside than it was inside. The Edenian was not used to such cold temperatures in Outworld, so it was going to take some time to adjust to that. Smoke glanced at Jade and could see that she was uncomfortable with the weather. He was not fazed by the cold due to his time around his cryomancer brethren. Even as he took off his hoodie, the silver-haired man could not care less about the drop in temperature. Besides, if he did happen to get cold, he can simply raise his body temperature to warm himself.

"Here. This will keep you warm."

Tomas held out his hoodie to Jade, but she shook her head.

"No, thank you. I could not…"

"It is fine, I insist. Take it. Please."

Hesitantly, Jade took the hoodie and slipped over her head. It was too big for her, as she already knew it would be, but it was warm and it even smelled nice. It smelled…like Tomas. That thought made the Edenian blush and she hid her face in the sleeves of the hoodie.

"Thank you."

That "thank you" came out as a barely audible whisper, but Smoke understood what Jade had said.

"You are welcome. Is it…is it comfortable?"

"Oh, yes. It is."

Tomas smiled widen and Jade could not help but smile back. It was contagious coming from the silver-haired man. The Edenian lowered his sleeves and folded her arms over her chest.

"Tomas…were you not hungry?"

"Huh?"

"While everyone else was going to the cafeteria, you decided to come with me. Were not hungry as well?"

"Oh, right. No, I was not hungry."

His stomach growling told Jade otherwise. Truth be told, Smoke was hungry, but he had felt the need to go with Jade instead. His concern for her overruled his own hunger. Jade's smile widened.

"If you are worried about me, Tomas, then I insist that you do not. I will be fine, really. Go and take care of that upset stomach of yours."

"It can wait. Besides, if I go, I would rather it be with you."

The incredulous look Jade gave him made Smoke realize what he had said. Now he was the one looking away so the Edenian would not see him blushing.

"I..I meant that…I do not want to leave you…alone and…I w..would not feel right just…"

Jade's sudden burst of laughter stopped Tomas from saying anything else. How wonderful her laugh sounded in his ears. Jade gently grabbed Tomas' chin and turned his head around so she could look at him. The Edenian made no comment about the blush that was still evident on the silver-haired man's face.

"I understand. And that is very sweet of you, Tomas. But as I have said, I will be fine. I can take care of myself."

"Believe me, I know. But…I am your friend. I cannot help but worry about your well-being."

"Again, that is sweet. However, I do not want my friends to go hungry because of their concern for me."

Smoke chuckled and ran a hand through his hair. As he did, Jade saw how his hair glistened in the moonlight and how freely it flowed in the wind. Tomas, too, was examining Jade, but it was not her hair that he was interested in. It was her eyes. Emerald eyes that glowed in the night. He had been hypnotized by those gems since the first time he had seen Jade. So intrigued by each other's appearance that Smoke and Jade had not perceived just how close they had gotten. Clearing his throat, Tomas took a step back to put some distance back between him and Jade.

"May I ask you a question, Jade?"

"Of course. Anything."

"When all of this is over and Shao Kahn is defeated…what do you plan to do in the future?"

"Well, I…I suppose I have not thought that far. Even during these few days I have been free from Shao Kahn's rule, I only wished to be able to see another day. To not have to look over my shoulder for someone who wants to kill me. I still feel that need now."

Jade then literally looked over her shoulder for intruders. She knew that no one was around, yet she could not help herself. Being surrounded by assassins and murderers for most of her life have made the Edenian very paranoid. But Smoke knew that feeling all too well.

"Jade…"

Jade turned back to Tomas and she was curious as to why he had his fist over his heart. The serious look on the man's face, however, made Jade stay silent.

"You will not be going against Shao Kahn and his army alone. You have many friends who will lay down their lives for you, because they care for you, Jade. I care for you. And that is why when this war begins, I will do everything in my power to make sure you live to see another day and many more after that. I swear on my life."

Looking into his eyes, Jade believed every word that Smoke had said. His words made the Edenian speechless and all she could do was stare at Tomas with wide eyes A moment had passed, and Jade soon raised her fist over her own heart.

"And I swear, on my life, that I will do the same for you. I will not allow Shao Kahn to hurt those that I care about, and that includes you, Tomas Vrbada."

They both put their fists down and as they did, they heard footsteps and voices coming their way. Bursting through the double doors, Kung Lao froze when he saw Smoke and Jade staring at him.

"Uh…am I interrupting something?"

The look on the monk's face made both Tomas and Jade chuckle. While they were laughing, Kung Lao noticed that Jade was wearing Smoke's hoodie. He chuckled to himself.

Love. Even in a crisis, it still manages to slither its way into people's hearts.