Imagine your OTP exploring each others' bodies, but not in a sexual way. Finding their different birthmarks, looking over each others' scars and sharing the stories behind them, running their hands over one another and just appreciating the feeling of the other person next to them. - OTP Prompts
And here it is, the final conclusion to Exhibition Match. I thought about writing smut, but I believe this chapter'll be sexier if I write it this way instead.
Rating: T for sexual flirtation and innuendo, (if you're reading this on FFnet & AO3)
Rating: M explicit sexual flirtation, innuendo, and nudity, (if you're reading this on my new DW account)
The previous 2 chapters have also been rewritten, revised, and edited with more content added, but you can only read the new revisions on my DreamWidth account. I've also written a scene in Edenian Nights… (a DW Exclusive) that's inspired by a flashback scene in this chapter! Just wanted to throw some Shaolin humor in here! Hee, hee!
Part III
Jade's Bedchambers, Shao Kahn's Palace; Outworld…
Jade informed her guest the door was unlocked and he was free to enter the moment he arrived and knocked.
As soon as Kung Lao entered the assassin's bedchambers his brown eyes surveyed the entire room. The room was spacious, much larger than the rooms he and his Shaolin brothers slept in at the Wu Shi Academy and decked in polished oak and an array of greens. Everything from the thick, heavy, velvet curtains, plush rugs, the soft goose down duvet spread across her canopy bed; and even the decorative accents were various shades of her color's namesake. Again, the teleporter found himself admiring the opulent taste of Outworld royalty.
"I hope you're relaxed this evening, Lao."
Kung Lao's eyes shifted from admiring a painting of Kitana and Jade to the woman whose husky voice captured his attention. His jaw slackened and he felt his face heat at the General's state of undress.
Jade sat in front of her vanity wearing a pastel green, satin robe with the sash loosely tied around her waist. He could make out her pebbled nipples poking through the thin fabric and he knew she was nude underneath her skimpy attire. Her textured brown hair was braided in upward cornrows that ended with a bun atop her head. The Edenian's legs were crossed and Kung Lao marveled how her bronzed skin, right down to her pretty, polished toes, appeared smooth and unblemished despite her profession as a kunoichi. Speaking of unblemished, what happened to the scars he marred her body with the week before during their bout?
"And I'm grateful you were able to make it. Please," the bojutsu specialist extended her arm towards a forest green chaise lounge near the door. "Have a seat. There is no need for you to stand."
Doing as she requested, Kung Lao's Adam's apple bobbed rapidly as he thickly swallowed. He scrubbed his palm over his face, trying to subdue his prurient thoughts and keep his Shaolin faith in check. Elders it was difficult given whose room he was currently sitting in at such an immoral hour.
This is just a test, the monk told himself to justify why he was in the Emerald Vixen's bedroom after-hours. My ancestors are testing my mental strength to see if I will fall victim to Jade's feminine wiles. I am a Shaolin warrior; I have defeated some of Outworld's best fighters in kombat, including her. I will have no trouble overcoming a mere seduction.
"You've arrived just in time, Lao." the Edenian continued. A knowing smirk curved her full lips as though her clairvoyance accurately hypothesized the razor-hat wielder's warring thoughts. "I was just about to take a milk and honey bath." Jade stood from her seat and slowly untied her robe; her deft fingers grazing lightly over the luminous fabric. The White Lotus member wondered how even with the robe open, the kunoichi was able to show everything, and still keep her decadent lady parts hidden.
"The water is already prepared along with the candles."
His mind was clearly distracted because, at the mention of candles, Kung Lao suddenly noticed the coalescing scents of vanilla and lavender permeating in the air from the adjacent bathroom. The sweet smells entered his lungs and relaxed his palpitating heart, but increased his rising lust. The teleporter was thankful he currently wore loose pajama pants to conceal himself, although he was certain the succubus standing before him knew of his immediate hunger.
Padding her bare feet across the thick, dark green rugs to the bathroom, Jade looked over her shoulder and admired how cute her bedroom guest looked.
Kung Lao's face was red and he continuously squeezed his eyes shut, probably as a means to keep himself under control. He's still nervous, the Edenian accurately guessed as a chuckle threatened to bubble from her throat. I have to make him more comfortable, more like how he was earlier today in my training quarters.
"There's no need to be so tense, Lao." The ninja's green eyes locked gazes with her guest. "It's just the two of us here, and it's been a stressful week for us all."
The razor-hat wielder said nothing, but the color from his face began to fade, and Jade knew her words were getting to him. She just needed to encourage him a bit more.
"I promise there's nothing to fear, you know that from experience." With a grin stretching her lips, she alluded to their bout the previous week, to which Kung Lao also smiled. Good. It's working, she told herself, thankful she managed to successfully make him a little more comfortable.
"I invited you here because I wanted some company tonight." Slipping her right arm out of her robe, the bojutsu specialist exposed her bare skin to him as she padded closer to her destination. "There's no need for me to be alone tonight if I don't have to." The General slipped her left arm out of the robe, and again the Earthrealmer admired the Outworld assassin's buoyancy as the thin fabric rested atop her naked breasts, remaining in place. By now Kung Lao was painfully aroused. He shut his eyes, clenched his teeth, and mentally said a prayer in Mandarin to get through the night unscathed.
"After everything we've been through during these trying times, I want us to temporarily forget our woes and enjoy ourselves." Standing in front of the threshold to her bathroom, Jade's gaze never left her guest's as she requested, "Please join me and unwind." She fully disrobed, the satin pooling at her feet as she entered her bathroom, and the monk only saw the bare skin of her toned back and muscled thighs before the rest of her body disappeared in the washroom.
'The best way to overcome a battle is to engage in it and emerge victorious'. Lǎoshī Bo' Rai Cho's words rang in Kung Lao's mind this very moment as he stood from the chaise. His slippered feet followed the succubus' path to her bathroom with a new determination overwhelming him.
Tonight, he was going to overcome the Edenian's seduction and beat her in her own salacious game of Tag. He disappeared into the bathroom right after her. After all, to quote the Emerald Vixen, "there's nothing to fear".
"There's so much at stake, Lao," Jade's voice took on a somber tone the teleporter's never heard before as her gorgeous face writhed in a melancholic frown.
Every time Kung Lao was with her, the kunoichi appeared determined, self-assured, and brazen. However, right now, she allowed herself to be vulnerable. And he felt honored that she trusted him with her innermost woes. Nevertheless, he wanted to console her as best as he could, yet was uncertain of what to say. So he remained silent as she continued to confide in him.
"We've lost many comrades in these tournaments. And now the threat of the Brotherhood of Shadow looms." With a heavy sigh, the bojutsu specialist hugged her knees to her chest and rested her chin atop them. Her lids narrowed in fury and her eyes hardened in malice as she once again thought about her sworn nemesis, Tanya.
Jade's lips curled into a snarl, baring her teeth as she imagined the various ways she would make the white-eyed Edenian suffer for aligning herself with the enemy and betraying their home realm to Shinnok. The pyromancer will die by her hands, the Emerald Assassin promised herself this.
Despite promising the Shaolin warrior tonight they should relax, the ninja found respite impossible considering neither she nor the rest of the Forces of Light, could predict when the Brotherhood of Shadow will strike.
Kung Lao sat on a carved, oak stool with a dark green velvet cushion and observed the Princess' bodyguard.
Jade's eyes weren't looking at him, but ahead as she was lost in contemplation.
He watched with a mix of curiosity and concern as myriad expressions writhed her soft, bronzed face.
When she was angry, she bared her teeth and furrowed her brows in a frown. The teleporter deduced the ninja was thinking about her arch-nemesis, the Edenian, Tanya.
Kung Lao didn't know much about the other brown-skinned woman except what he learned from the meeting in the Great Hall. Tanya betrayed Edenia to Shinnok. She's also able to manipulate fire and is an expert in martial arts, weapons-handling, black magic, and seduction. Apparently, the traitorous pyromancer and the General have had long-standing tension that spanned centuries. Tanya betraying their realm the moment it was freed after Shao Kahn's defeat only ignited Jade's ire and determination to destroy her in kombat.
His dark brown eyes focused on the kunoichi's features softening and her lids hovering over her eyes in worry. Her bottom lip quivered and she bit it to stop the quakes. Immediately Kung Lao assumed Jade was thinking about Princess Kitana's safety and well-being. The Emerald Assassin's selfless devotion to the Heiress was admirable to the White Lotus member.
The Princess and the General's relationship was similar to the relationship he shares with Liu Kang. The two grew up as childhood friends, developed an impenetrable bond, and are willing to do anything for each other. However, there wasn't a rivalry amongst the two women unlike with him and Liu Kang. While Kung Lao loved Liu Kang like the brother he never had, he found it sometimes impossible to conceal his jealousy for his best friend.
The razor-hat wielder wished there was something he could do to placate Jade's worries, but he was just as concerned for their future, too. With the threat of the Brotherhood of Shadow looming and not knowing when the Netherrealm natives were going to strike, the ultimate battle for their lives is imminent. Kung Lao found himself silently worrying whether or not they were prepared for it.
The monk heard the sounds of water sloshing in the tub, the wet noises jarring him from his thoughts. He looked in Jade's direction where she now rested against the side of the tub with her arms folded over it. Whatever she was thinking about, it seemed she relinquished her thoughts because her pretty face now appeared relaxed.
The ninja tilted her head to the side and gave the Shaolin warrior a coy grin. Reaching her arm out to him she asked, "Will you please pass me my towel, Lao?"
Fascinating, Kung Lao matched her grin with his own coquettish smile. She's truly a remarkable woman.
The Earthrealmer looked at the green towel folded on the vanity next to him. He turned back to the Emerald Vixen and his smile stretched into a naughty smirk.
"And if I say 'no'?" He challenged with a raise of his brow.
Releasing a few light chuckles at his question, Jade countered, "I would say, 'Do you wish to see me naked, Lao'?"
Noticing the way the monk's face redden and his lips parted at her unexpected question, the bojutsu specialist knew she won their little game of words. That was until Kung Lao gave his own quick-witted rebuttal.
"I would then say, 'Given your choice of battle attire, it feels like I already have, Měi nǚ'."
This time it was the kunoichi's face that darkened and her lips parted in shock.
She's now It, the razor-hat wielder's mind thought about how their interactions reminded him of the children's game of Tag.
Recovering from her surprise Jade replied, "Our kombat attire is designed for mobility, breathability, and…" the assassin allowed her words to trail off as she studied Kung Lao's face. "…seduction."
Rubbing his chin as he contemplated what she said, the Earthrealmer nodded in agreement as his grin widened.
Remembering the battle uniforms Princess Kitana and her cannibalistic clone, Mileena, wore made his face darken more. Who could forget the mesh keyhole opening of Kitana's high-cut leotard and thigh-high boots? Although the Heiress' personality, mannerisms, alluring beauty, and battle prowess didn't emit an aura of seduction, her chosen garments did. It was no wonder Liu Kang became smitten with the Outworld Heiress.
"Now…" Jade began, interrupting his thoughts again. "Will you please pass me my towel? I have finished bathing."
As tempting as it was to keep the thick fabric away from her to extend their game, Kung Lao reached for the towel and handed it to her. "Here you are. It is impolite to keep a lady waiting after all."
Keeping her eyes on the razor-hat wielder, the Emerald Vixen opened the towel and used it to conceal her body from his eyes as she stepped out of the tub. She wrapped it around herself and secured the fabric over her breasts. Turning around and protruding her derrière so the monk could get a good view of her round curves, Jade released the stopper from the tub to allow the milk and honey bath water to drain.
"Another Earthrealm custom, I presume?" The Edenian faced her bedroom guest again and gave him a flirtatious smile. Tucking her towel in between her breasts, Jade's smile widened when Kung Lao's dark brown gaze lingered on her chest for a moment too long. Her eyes also trailed down to his lap as she noticed just how excited he was.
Looking up at him again, the bojutsu specialist gave the now red-faced teleporter a sly wink and continued their conversation without a hitch.
"Saying it's discourteous to keep women waiting? And what about men in Earthrealm? Is it equally inconsiderate for women to keep men in anticipation as well? Are Earthrealmers incapable of exuding patience?"
Jade padded over to the threshold of her bathroom door and looked over her shoulder, expecting Kung Lao to follow her. When he remained sitting on the stool staring at her, the ninja decided to tease him again.
"I'm waiting, Lao," she told him with an alluring grin and come-hither stare.
The White Lotus member stood from his seat and took a few steps until he was standing in front of the assassin. Newfound confidence overwhelmed him as he leaned forward invading her personal space. He stopped, keeping his forehead just a breath's distance away from touching hers.
Lowering his tone, Kung Lao looked Jade in her green eyes and husked, "It appears Edenians also have difficulty exuding patience. I presume proper etiquette isn't taught here in Outworld?"
Enclosing her hand around his, the General massaged her thumb over his knuckles and kept her gaze locked with his. Even without him saying anything, Jade knew Kung Lao was referring to their battle on Shang Tsung's island and the way she attacked him without a second thought.
"My impulsiveness can nearly mirror yours, Lao." The kunoichi affirmed. "If I see something I desire, I pursue it. I find it obtuse to wait for something that I want."
This time Kung Lao knew she wasn't referring to their fight, but her blatant attraction to him.
And her infatuation was requited, although it went against his Shaolin faith. He closed his eyes and mentally whispered another prayer in Mandarin to make it through tonight. The teleporter knew he shouldn't even be here with her, but Jade's hard for any man to resist. And it would be fruitless for him to deny that his attraction to her and his curiosity is the reason why he's standing in her bathroom with only her towel keeping their bodies from touching.
Keeping her hand enclosed in his, Jade led Kung Lao out of her bathroom and into her bedroom. She faced him and circled her arms around his neck, pressing her soft, feminine curves against the hard planes of his body as she hugged him.
"Thank you for keeping me company tonight, Lao." She whispered in his ear. Releasing him, she palmed his chin and admitted, "I appreciate you spending time with me, even if it was brief. I enjoyed your presence."
"It's no trouble at all." Kung Lao replied. "I enjoy being around you."
Only now realizing how much taller the monk is compared to her height, Jade marveled at the difference in their stature. The Shaolin warrior was a good head taller than her. Standing on her toes, the kunoichi leaned closer to him and gave the Earthrealmer a light peck near his lips.
Lowering both feet on the floor again, she chuckled at his wide-eyed visage and bid the kombatant farewell. "Goodnight, Lao."
Enclosing his arms around her waist once more, Kung Lao gave the bojutsu specialist one final hug before he departed her chambers. "Wǎn'ān, Měi nǚ," he returned the General's farewell in his native language.
Once Jade's bedroom door was closed, the Shaolin warrior leaned against it and wiped the perspiration from his brows. He gave his body a few moments to cool down as he thought about his encounter with the Emerald Vixen.
Looking down past his waistline, the White Lotus member uttered a Mandarin curse under his breath at his rigid state. "I'm just grateful Liu Kang isn't here to see me like this." Thinking about how many times he's teased the Mortal Kombat Champion about Kitana, Kung Lao knew the flame fist kombatant would be more than thrilled to have his recompense at the razor-hat wielder's expense. He was also grateful he was alone in the corridor so no one else could see his shame.
"I should leave," Kung Lao said, trying to encourage himself to step away from Jade's bedroom door, although his feet wouldn't comply. He took another peek past his waistline and realized his anatomy also refused to acquiesce to sensibility.
The teleporter knew it would be sagacious to depart and head to his sleeping quarters, but his body instead turned around and faced the bedroom door again. The reality wasn't lost on him—Kung Lao simply didn't want to leave. He wanted more of Jade's company, and he knew if he turned that doorknob she wouldn't refuse him.
But how far was he willing go with the temptress? For his entire life, Kung Lao held on to his purity and obligingly followed his Shaolin faith. Was it really worth throwing all of that away for an Outworld assassin?
Shaking his head at his thoughts, the monk mentally scolded himself. I am not an inexperienced, prepubescent child! There is no reason for me to be apprehensive about seeing Jade again. Our exchange was innocuous; I am more than capable of controlling myself! If Liu Kang can…
Thinking about his best friend and his salacious engagement with the Outworld Princess instilled new confidence in Kung Lao. Out of the two of us, Liu Kang has already dismissed his teachings. Jade and I simply have engaged in frivolity. There is no need for me to be concerned.
Using his brotherly rivalry with his childhood friend as motivation, the razor-hat wielder reached for the doorknob and slowly opened the kunoichi's bedroom door.
Kung Lao stood there in a stupefied daze admiring the seductress' sensual physique. His eyes trailed from her toned back to her tapered waist, right down to her curvy backside and bronzed thighs. More blood rushed to his groin and by now he was painfully erect.
The monk knew he should close the door and leave, he was intruding on her privacy. But he couldn't find the desire to look away. She was absolutely beautiful; Jade is truly a work of art.
The palpitations in his heart increased as his lust for the Edenian rose. His eyes watched every movement she made as the ninja stretched, massaged her shoulders, and rolled her neck. The brown-skinned beauty turned around and faced him, catching the White Lotus member in the middle of his voyeuristic perusal of her magnificent shape.
"Are you going to stand there and just stare, or are you going to join me inside and close the door?" Jade's husky voice questioned the teleporter's motives. "Your manners are lacking, Shaolin." The assassin tilted her head to the side and gave the kombatant a curious look as she did nothing to conceal her nudity.
"The air coming in from the corridor is making me awfully cold, Lao."
Immediately Kung Lao's eyes focused on her chest and mentally noted she, indeed, looked 'cold'.
Realizing the two warriors were silently staring at each other, the razor-hat wielder shook his head to clear his mind of the lascivious fog that clouded it. He quickly entered her bedroom again and shut the door.
Scrubbing his face with his palm, the White Lotus member had to question whether he was in the midst of a dream or under one of Shang Tsung's spells. There was no way in any realm that he, a simple monk, could possibly be standing in the middle of the night in the bedchambers with the most beautiful temptress he's ever laid eyes on. And she's fully nude, waiting on his next move.
Once his eyes locked with Jade's and that canary-eating grin spread across her exquisite face, Kung Lao knew he wasn't leaving her bedroom for the rest of the night.
If only I was strong enough to resist temptation and remain in my chambers, the teleporter thought sourly. Somehow this is all Liu Kang's fault!
Mentally I ventured back and forth deciding if I wanted to add an extra fight scene between Jade and Tanya in this chapter to make it more Mortal Kombat-y. I decided not to in the end simply because I suck at writing action scenes. Yes, yes, I know writing the fight scene would give me experience, but you can also chalk it up to plain ole laziness. Oh, well. If you enjoyed this, please feel free to leave a review.