Scorpion opened his eyes by the birds' cheeping sounds. What time is it…? He slowly turned his head toward to the clock that was on the small table next to the bed. Ten o'clock…He never woke up so late. Well, yesterday, he slept at two. He's not used to sleep late and wake up early. He yawned under his mask. He sat up and realized that his wounds didn't hurt at all. He got up and put his clothes on (which was his usual yellow outfit). And opened the door. He stopped and listened for some sounds whether Haruna was awake, no sounds…He went downstairs silently. Is she still sleeping? He opened the living room.

She was sleeping on the sofa, soundlessly. Scorpion didn't do anything but stared at her. Like a magnet, he went closer to the sleeping mortal. He knelt down and gazed into her face. Her white, smooth skin shone brightly as the morning sun lightened the living room. Scorpion just watched her with his dead white eyes. Then he noticed something as an object shone around her neck as the sun light reflected. He looked at it closer. It was a simple silver-color necklace that rested on her smooth skin. Scorpion narrowed his eyes. That necklace…Then he found himself touching his own. He made his face even closer to her neck to see the necklace more carefully. It's exactly the same as mine…Then he began to think hard as he stayed on the same pose. Something was coming up, he felt the mysterious past was about to be uncovered or pulled out with one single rope, with only one pull…He hated the fact that he couldn't remember. He continued looking at her. He found himself sitting next to the sofa, warming himself up with the morning sun's heat, resting his gaze on her. For a long time, he realized, he hasn't met anything cleaner than this woman. Everyday, he faced with killing, protecting his life and attacking with hatred. He trusted only himself. And now, sitting in front of Haruna, he felt a little different. Almost amazed that this type of mortal exist in this cold world.  I am dead…I wonder if she noticed my dead eyes…He sighed. Dead…He was killed by the Lin Kuei ninja Sub-Zero. Heh, that ninja, Sub-Zero said he had a brother called Sub-Zero…Who could have hired him to kill me…Now I am hired to kill them, my reward is…"was" the water of life…Now they sent me some thugs to destroy me… Bring it on…bring it on…Quan Chi, I will not forget that. He squeezed his hand. He heard a moan and a sound of stretching; he looked back at Haruna who was about to wake up. She opened her eyes sleepy and slowly turned her face toward Scorpion then froze. Silent conquered the room.

"Oh!" Blushing, Haruna quickly sat up on the sofa and took one better look at the Shirai-Ryu ninja and sighed in relief. "Scorpion, it's you."

"Good morning."

"You were there all the time?" She asked timidly. "I hope I did not snore."

"No, you did not." He tried his best to speak gently in his harsh voice.

Haruna became uncomfortable and shy as the ninja stared at her calmly. "I bet you should be hungry too, I'll make the breakfast!" She smiled and exited the living room. Scorpion's glance followed Haruna and stopped at the door as she disappeared from the room. He truly couldn't believe he could be "un"wild in front of her. He couldn't deny that he was curious of her. He wasn't only interested because of the mysterious past between her, but her feminine move and her gentleness. It was so unusual in his life. He saw females but not like her. Females he knew were aggressive and knew how to kill. Haruna, on the other hand is so defenseless and fragile, which caught most of his attention. He stood up and headed to the kitchen. Haruna noticed him as soon as he entered the room.

"I was about to call you. The breakfast is ready!" Her bright smile reflected in his eyes.

Callipso woke up. As she watched the ceiling, she sighed slowly.  Then she sat up with a sad feature.  Again, a dream of Soma…and I haven't taken avenge yet! She quickly got up and changed into her Black ninja outfit. She washed her face with cold water and looked into the mirror hanged in front of her. She stared herself feeling fresh but still in a difficult face.  After the moment, she finally decided to go out and join the others. In the large dining room, she found her new friends.

"Good morning."

"Good morning, Callipso!" Replied Kitana with a smile.

Sitting with the others, Callipso ate quietly, thinking. Sometimes, she heard the others laugh, and heard them talking about films; the females (Kitana and Sonya) preferred romantic movies, Johnny Cage said he wanted to act in a romantic film one day, etc.  After eating, she decided to warm up in the training room. She was alone in the room so she relaxed a little.

She mainly practiced on the forms. She concentrated on every move, the steps, the balanced kicks and punches. She also focused on breathing and slowly moved, tensing her every muscles. Only her deep and low breathing broke the silence. She challenged with her weapons; spinning in her hands, rotating into every directions. As she spun the blades, she imagined an opponent in front of her. Both arms spread out straight aside; she advanced by turning her torso and bringing her leg ready to kick. She imagined that the opponent dodged the attack, as soon as she landed she threw her arm: three blades also facing the same direction as her arm, she performed a kill. Suddenly, she turned back throwing one of the sais into remarkable speed in order to cut the rope, which was hanging on the other side of the room. A sharp sound echoed in the room. Callipso stood there still in a difficult face, sweating hard, relaxing her muscles.

Callipso entered the technical room where computers, monitors and other machines, which she did not have any clue what those did, rested in their places. Just as she knew, the metallic black circular small object was on the table.  The thing that would lead me to the other realm…She thought as she slowly walked toward to the table. Staring for a while, her hand reached for the object.

"Are you really going?" A voice froze her hand. She was actually surprised that she was not alone in the room as Sub-Zero erased his presence and without a sound, he entered the room. She stood there in silence for a while looking at the floor. Sub-Zero patiently waited.

"Yes."

 "But-"

"I cannot rest with a thought of my enemy in my mind, who has killed my good friend without any reason. He cannot stay alive." Callipso explained sadly.

Sub-Zero watched her and listened. Callipso reflected in his cold eyes.

"I will come with you, Callipso." He said quietly.

"I will be alright, you do not have to-"

"I have decided that I will always protect you." He looked straight into her eyes. Callipso looked back at him, not sure about what he meant. She never experienced this type of moments. This air, together, alone in one room with a mortal of opposite gender. Of course this is not the first time being with another person, but something was totally different. She studied that his attention was totally focusing on her and she felt her heart go hot. Almost uncomfortable…She mused.

She opened her mouth to refuse but froze looking into his feature.

"If it's not a problem, then I will appreciate your help." She told him. "Thank you."

Sub-Zero bowed lightly.

"But I will take Sung-Hee alone. And I do not wish to inform the others." Callipso added.

"It will be fine with me." Sub-Zero smiled. "But we will return alive."

"Yes." Callipso returned a smile. Sub-Zero came closer and reached for the object. Then he gave it to Callipso.

The sun was high in the sky, heating up the air. Scorpion crossed his legs and stood on his head while bracing his body with his arms. He watched the upside-down Haruna, who was in the small garden hanging the washed clothes under the sun, in the living room though the opened glass door.

"The sun is shining so hard I'm boiling!" Haruna said out loud as she hanged her wet shirt. Then she looked at him." Wow…how could you stay in that form…?" For the moment she watched him, who did not moved an inch, in astonishment then she decided that he was in meditation, she turned away and started to finish her job. 

Scorpion concentrated. He was aware of everything around him. He knew about the tiny flying insect just flew right behind him, a curtain making soft sounds in the kitchen, he could hear a cat passing by on the high concrete fence of their garden.  Scorpion narrowed his eyes slightly, then after one brief moment, he uncrossed his legs in the midair and let them fall. In the sitting position, still his hands were in the same places as before, he glared at the floor. Feeling nervous, he stood up without a sound and steadily walked out of the living room to the garden where Haruna was hanging the laundries in the sun. In the middle of the garden, next to Haruna: who was humming a melody, he stopped. Even more tensed, Scorpion moved only his eyes to look around. Haruna finally noticed the uneasy ninja standing like a stone.

"Is something wrong?" She asked but there was no reply.

The sun still shone brightly, a group of sparrows chirped in the nearby bushes but suddenly quitted singing and flew away. Haruna watched them in a quizzical look. Suddenly a sharp wind rushed through the garden and blue flames bombed out of nowhere around them. Scorpion tensed his muscles as he narrowed his dead eyes. One, two, three…six of those blasted idiots…Scorpion studied them. Haruna was in a total confusion and hid herself behind the Shirai-Ryu ninja. The bluish silver flame slowly turned into a human form and as another wind blew, it blew the flames away as well and black-well-worn-torn-clothed-men (?) appeared in front of them. They were already in a tensed fighting position facing directly to the Shirai-Ryu ninja. Scorpion, who has quickly recovered his presence of mind, without shrinking back, stared back at them. Haruna, with her mouth wide open, also stared at them in shock behind Scorpion's shoulder. They're back again!! In her heart, she shouted.

"Prepare to die! Traitor!!!" One of the warriors shouted in a menacing voice. Traitor…Scorpion repeated bitterly in his heart. He looked over his shoulder and looked at Haruna's terrified face.

"Do not worry. Just don't move and don't draw attention." He whispered softly and he turned back to the others after seeing Haruna nodded. Then she slowly crouched down to her knees behind the ninja as she trembled.

Scorpion took wider stances and bent his knees. Breathing slowly and deeply, gathering all of his concentration, he tensed his arms, slowly circled in front of his chest and formed a fighting position. One of his arms was bent up so his hard fist was right next to his ear. The other arm was aiming down straight defending his torso. Moments past. None of them were moving (even Haruna). Scorpion used his opportunity and studied them. I suppose they are better than the thugs before…they have much patience, better fighting stances…but still looking nervous… The soldiers were getting uneasy. Either of them didn't want to be the first one attacking the infamous Shirai-Ryu ninja, who was standing steadily in front of them. Scorpion didn't miss the opening when one warrior moved his foot for a better stance. Haruna almost jumped up in surprise when Scorpion kicked the ground and advanced toward that soldier by performing a roundhouse kick in order to keep the others away. All of them, with lack of reflexes, hesitated. As Scorpion landed, without a pause he approached closer with another roundhouse kick. This time, not as blocking but as attacking. He successfully knocked the opponent by his neck. Without watching the soldier fly diagonally down to the ground, Scorpion turned and waited the others rushing to kill him.

Two warriors attacked him from the front. Scorpion stepped forward and blocked the arm and a foot from the enemies. Without stopping, the Shirai-Ryu ninja looked behind and gave a charging enemy at his back an accurate kick in his abdomen. Scorpion turned back to the two soldiers quickly and tried an attack. He charged at them by kicking one and punching another one, but they both blocked swiftly. Scorpion turned his head and saw two more soldiers ready to strike him. He couldn't block the shin-kick from the nearest one, which he received in the stomach. The other one ran two-three steps forward and with a battle cry, he approached with a punch. Scorpion ducked down and still in a crouching position, he circled with his right leg stretched out flat on the ground, trying to trip them. The soldiers jumped back. They are well trained…perhaps I should hurry up for the kill. Mused Scorpion.  Scorpion had his attention to the soldier, who was stunned by the roundhouse-kick, dashing toward him. Once Scorpion was in his reach, he did a low spin kick but Scorpion flipped back toward the foe that has kicked him in the stomach. Scorpion twisted his body in the midair and landed facing the target. The ninja assaulted using his hands stepping forward. The soldier dodged the punches stepping backward but failed the ninja's fast clip on his shoulder. He lost his concentration as the pain struck his chest. He failed again to block another seiken-punch on his solar plexus. Glaring back at the emotionless ninja, he shot back the punches but the Shirai-Ryu ninja grabbed the forearms tightly and he brought his leg up swiftly, so his sole facing the sky. Then he did a kakato-otoshi (heel kick); bringing his leg down with strength in one smooth move. In the last seconds before his heel touched the opponent, he slightly twisted his torso and made his leg go down a bit diagonally; aiming the neck. All of the mortals in the garden heard a loud cracking sound and saw one warrior fell limp on the grass. After a brief pause, the soldiers charged again. The nearest warrior kicked in aiming Scorpion's head but Scorpion quickly stepped aside and in change, he swung his leg at his side and accelerated backwards. The hit was enough to make the soldier lift in the air and fly backward.

"Waa!" Haruna shouted in surprise when the torn-clothed warrior landed on his back in front of her with his head on her lap. Quickly, she swished his head away and stumbled back. The warrior rolled to his chest, shook his head and slowly looked up at Haruna. Haruna gulped. What does this supposed to mean? She saw the bad tempered soldier was now fully aware of her presence and slowly started to get up, still in pain from the ninja's powerful kick. Haruna also slowly got up. They stood staring each other for the moment. Suddenly, Haruna ran toward the house. The soldier continued after her.

"Help! Scorpion~!!" She was in half-tear situation. Scorpion turned around and saw what was happening. Damn! Haruna! He tried to go after her but one of the remaining five soldiers kicked his back with enough power to make him fall forward. Scorpion, with his superb reflex, landed on his hands, without letting his body to land, kicked with his both feet to bash the other's chin in the midair. The warrior gave a cry as his head snapped back and fell. Scorpion was quickly on his feet.

Haruna ran into the living room with her skirt swinging around. Where is that thing?! She looked around desperately. Where did I leave it? She heard the footsteps behind her and kept on running away.

"Seyaaa!" Haruna turned around and saw the yelling aggressor approaching with a flying kick. Haruna cried and crouched down as she covered her head with her hands and arms.

Scorpion heard the crashing sound of the glasses and a shout of Haruna. In his dead white eyes, a light of haste appeared.

He…he broke my cupboard…! Haruna sat powerlessly as she saw the combatant pull his leg from the broken object once called as a cupboard. Haruna was brought back to her senses when the fighter yelled. "Come here you girl!" This time, she made herself to the kitchen. She tripped and rolled through the dining table. The chaser came right after her then stopped in front of the table and with one quick motion; he brought his leg up and with a shout, broke the table with his heel just when Haruna rolled out. I'm lucky…Haruna wiped her sweat in her forehead. Then her feature brightened a little. There it is! A few meters away next to the small fridge, there was a baseball bat standing against it. Haruna desperately crawled toward it and grabbed tightly in her hands as soon as she heard the warrior kicking the pieces of table away to get closer. By collecting all of her courage, Haruna stood up and turned around. The warrior's eyes split wider when he saw her equipped with a weapon (bat). With her eyes closed in fear, Haruna brandished her weapon. The warrior stepped aside and accidentally sat on the chair, which was right behind him. Using that moment, Haruna burst out of the room heading for the stairs. She tried running faster as she heard the footsteps charging after her.

The other four attackers surrounded Scorpion. Scorpion had to act fast. He kicked back in a sokutou highly by leaning his torso forward and he used the opportunity to punch forward. Both attacks were accurate and had hit both of them, which were in front of the ninja and behind. Then he flipped away at the last moment when the other two threw some kicks. The warriors did not give up and they kept on coming back. Scorpion tried hard blocking every attack but some had hit him. Then he heard another rumbling from the house, Haruna shouting in fear. Without showing the pain he had received in his solar plexus, he bashed back the soldier with enough power to send him three meters away. The fighters paused and watched the angered Shirai-Ryu ninja who stood powerfully in the middle. The soldiers glanced each other. You diseased…Scorpion narrowed his white eyes as he glared back finally showing his slightly angered face to the others.

"Haaa!" The stupidest, or perhaps the bravest than the rest, lunged in with a flying kick toward the Shirai-Ryu ninja.

"GET OVER HERE!" Scorpion brought his hand up and the others saw a dark snake-like figure pierced the warrior's neck in a remarkable speed. The lifeless body fell with thud near Scorpion. The enemies watched the snake in shock, which vanished back into the hand of the Shirai-Ryu ninja. Another cracking sound came from the house. Also shouts from both of the running people.

Without warning, the nearest opponent received a high spin kick. Scorpion quickly moved on to the one who stood next to him with his mouth open. Scorpion used his both hands and grabbed the other's head and brought it down. At the same moment, he shot his knee up. With one short cry, the warrior, who couldn't oppose, died fast as his skull cracked. As soon as that was over, Scorpion jumped up aggressively and spun in midair with his leg straight to the side forming a koshi. His foot reached the soldier's neck. The mortal fell to the ground never getting back to his feet for more trouble. Scorpion landed and turned his head to the remaining fighter recovering from the spin kick. The soldier looked around and saw his comrades unmoving on the ground. He face went red and glared back to the ninja. Forgetting his fear, he dashed toward him. He emerged with a speedy kick, which aimed the ninja's chin but the faster ninja avoided by moving aside and grabbed the fighter's ankle tightly. Before the soldier could bring his other leg to kick Scorpion's face, Scorpion bent one of his knees toward his chest and sprung it out. In the next moment, his foot sole broke the others knee joint. The warrior screamed in agony and fell to his side. As he still shouted, Scorpion walked by him and grabbed him by his collar and lifted him to his knees. Glaring with his dead eyes right into the others, Scorpion brought his other hand up, which only two of his fingers stuck out. In a flash of time, his hand shot out and struck a point in the soldier's neck. The warrior closed his eyes and stopped breathing. Scorpion enlightened his grip and let him go. All of these killing affairs happened less than a minute. Again, anger was good. It gave him strength and speed.

 Scorpion knew this wasn't over. He dashed into the living room and sprinted for the stairs. Haruna…He hoped she was uninjured.

Haruna was driven into the small balcony. Her bat was lost between the confusion of the getaway. She had nothing to throw, she didn't dared to fight back and she was trembling as she slowly backed away. The warrior stepped into the balcony, finally smiling a little. Haruna felt her back touch the handrail of the balcony. She looked behind and saw her small garden pretty far down. She looked back at the approaching warrior.

"Well, looks like you lost your way sweetie…" He smiled nastily at her, which she trembled even more. "Looks like you and I are going to have fu-"

Haruna forgot to breath as she saw a monster-looking black animal sticking out from his neck. Then the monster disappeared making a hole into his neck.

"Gaah…" The warrior moaned in pain as blood spilt out. Haruna screamed as he stumbled closer.

"Nooo! Go away! Please!" Haruna desperately tried to push him away but he was quite heavy. He fell down first.

Scorpion saw Haruna disappear from the balcony with a short scream of fear. Panicked form struck Scorpion and he immediately dashed for the handrails.

"HANZO-!!!" Haruna cried as she fell. Scorpion, who was already crouching on the handrail, grabbed the handrail and swung down. Measuring the exact degree, he kicked the handrail downward and let his grip go from the handrail. The kick gave much faster speed than Haruna's natural (?) fall. Scorpion caught her with both arms holding tightly against his chest in the midair, still facing to the ground. Scorpion flipped his body desperately in the last moment and succeeded in landing on his feet with a big thud echoing in the garden.

Scorpion, still in a tense body, stood panting, carrying Haruna, who was also panting as she hid her face on his shoulder and holding his neck tightly with her arms. Around them the fallen warriors started to vanish into the thin air. Slowly, Scorpion recovered his presence of mind and loosened his hold of Haruna. Protecting someone else…could be harder than protecting myself…Thought Scorpion heartily. Still holding her up, he peered into her face.

"Are you…ok?" His harsh voice broke the silence. Then he noticed that she was in tears. As he stared at her in amazement, he made her down to her feet as softly as he could. Standing close to her, he watched her clear tears falling slowly down her cheeks. Finally he found some words. "Are you injured somewhere?"

"Just scratches." She replied between the tears. Then Scorpion experienced something he never had: Haruna jumped to him and hid her face on his hard chest. It seemed to him like electricity ran through him. He felt her warm feminine body touching his, which made his heart pound slightly faster. He stood like a stone.

"Scorpion…" Haruna said in a slight voice. Then she looked into his face. "Thank god you were there when I fell…thank you." Hearing that, he felt his heart burning hot. She wasn't crying anymore but her eyes were softly red. Scorpion looked at her with his eyes wide. Then he found himself touching her shoulders lightly by his hands. Haruna could not read his face but his eyes were serious. Feeling the warmth of his hands by her shoulder, she watched his masked face's expression and guess that he was about to say something then suddenly-

Scorpion sprang around in a fighting position. Brief moments passed and finally, Haruna also heard sounds of footsteps coming towards them. Feeling sick, she imagined of those bloodthirsty warriors. But then…

A double-chinned round-shaped-fat&short middle-aged woman appeared from their house. Scorpion cocked his thin eyebrow.

"Oh, Mrs. Kazawa!" Haruna called out. "Is there any problem?"

"Naa~, don't ask me dear. Haru-chan, what's with this cupboard?" Her loud voice filled up the garden. Scorpion slowly stood up straight.

"Oh…that cupboard…it was quite old. So-, we broke it up to make it fit through the door…so we could throw outside…" Haruna knew she was acting like an idiot.

"Well, Haruna, when did you become so vicious?" The woman asked her as she crossed her hands. Haruna just smiled.

"So are you sure there's no problem? Because I heard some shouting and screaming too-"

"No problem at all! I guess I left the TV loud…there was this action movie going on-just a minutes ago." She smiled.

"Ok…but if you have anything, just call ME, ok, Haruna?"

"Yes-"

"Anything, I will help you. Just call me. I'll be always there. Oh except on Wednesdays. You know I have this aerobic lesson." She blabbed out.

"Yes, I know." Haruna smiled. "I'll call you when I need something. Thank you for your kindness every time, Mrs. Kazawa."

"No, not at all my dear…" Then she looked suspiciously at Scorpion. Before she could continue her talk, three of them heard a ringing sound.

"Oh! It's my doorbell! I forgot my friends were coming this afternoon!" Shrieked the woman. "So, see ya!" She winked and scurried away. Haruna bowed lightly and sighed.

"She's my neighbor, Mrs. Kazawa. She's nice. She was a good friend of my mother, so she feels that she has to take care of me." Haruna explained to Scorpion. Scorpion nodded at last.

"What a mess…" Haruna sadly commented when they entered the living room. Scorpion stood staring at the broken cupboard as Haruna went to the kitchen.

"Wow…" He heard her voice. He peaked into the kitchen and saw the table split in half. Some cups and plated shattered on the floor. Watching this, Scorpion looked at Haruna.

"I will clean it." He said. "These are all my responsibilities."

"Thank you, Scorpion. But it will take a long time if only you clean it." Haruna smiled. "I will help you."

Quan Chi stood on his feet. A slight irritation appeared in his face. So… Scorpion won again…this is not a good sign…he is getting stronger and stronger…Quan Chi waited three hours since the departure of his assassins. He found out they weren't coming back. He realized Scorpion had enough time to kill all of them. Quan Chi slashed his hand above the table. Reiko, who was in the same room with him, brought his eyes up to see a cup broken on the floor. Darn it. I should of have sent a stronger warrior in the first place. Now Scorpion definitely knows that I want him killed…Anger filled him up. This is not getting well…I have to change my way…

He turned to Reiko.

"Reiko, were you informed that Scorpion is alive and fully in action?" Reiko looked at him.

"Scorpion? No. I was not informed."

"So you don't know he's against us." Quan Chi grinned.

"Against us? What had happened to him? He turned himself into the Earth warriors?"

"No, he didn't. I don't think he would join with his nemesis in that team."

"The Lin Kuei ninja…" Reiko muttered. "It is a bad sign, Quan Chi. We are getting fewer."

"I know, I know. That god of ours isn't doing well." Quan Chi spat out. Hearing this, Reiko hid his quizzical look. He waited for Quan Chi to say more.

"But don't worry, I have a brilliant idea. I will advise it to Shinnok." He smiled at Reiko. Reiko bowed and started to go.

"Oh, before you go, I want to make sure…you…you would be following me, right?" Quan Chi asked silently as he smiled. Reiko stopped and turned around. His cautious eyes gazed at the pale, bald creature.

"I do not understand what you really mean, master Quan Chi." Reiko replied calmly.

"It doesn't matter whether you understand. Just answer me, you would be at my side…" Quan Chi grinned. He's up to something. Reiko supposed but did not show any emotion on his face.

"Quan Chi." He bowed with a thin smile. Then turned around and headed for the door. He could still feel Quan Chi looking at him but he carried on.

After Reiko left the room, Quan Chi was still staring at the place where Reiko had been. He could not figure out what exactly Reiko responded; yes or no…He knew Reiko was cold toward others and very proud. Oh well, I will take that as a yes. If I were wrong, then I would face him later.    

It was a cold evening.