DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN MK.
Today, when I woke, I woke alone. However, there was a note on Liu's side of the bed.
"Gone to train," he wrote. "Will see you later."
I smiled and rose. Grabbing a set of clothes, I walked up to Frost and Raiden's rooms, knocking on the door.
"Come in," Frost said, her voice an annoyed growl. I chuckled, but entered the room.
"What happened this time?" I asked, setting my clothes down in the bathroom. I ran a bath while Frost came in and sat down at the vanity, a book in her hands.
"That blasted husband of mine, that's what happened!" she snarled. "Honestly! Someone needs to teach that boy not to tease unless he intends to please! I mean, you can't honestly let a girl get all hot and bothered, ready and rearing to go, then just vanish, leaving her frustrated against the wall!"
I smothered my laughter. It wouldn't bode well for me to laugh right now. I knew Frost's temper well.
"Maybe he just doesn't want this relationship to be based on sexual needs, not understanding how sexual of a creature you are," I tried to reason. Frost glared at me.
"Don't defend him, Honey," she warned. "He'll get his soon enough!"
I shook my head at her.
"Keep telling yourself that, love," I told her. "For now, I think we should go shopping today. Liu said Raiden gave you his card. Even if it's window-shopping, I'll take it. I need to get out of these bland walls."
"I agree," she said. "Let's go."
Days became weeks as they all blurred together. While I was coming to fully appreciate, maybe even love Liu Kang, Frost and Raiden remained distant from one another. Every once in a while (nearly three times a day), Frost could be seen storming down the hall, a frustrated look on her face. I could only shake my head with a smile. I knew why she was so frustrated. However, as weeks turned into months, I soon lost my ability to smile every time she passed. Now, I frowned.
"Why are you frowning?" Liu asked. "You should be used to seeing that."
"Yes," I answered. "I am. But I don't think she can hold off much longer."
He appeared like he wanted to ask what I meant, but soon thought better of it. So, he'd dropped it. I knew Raiden was getting the best of her every time, turning her own sexual games on her, getting her all hot and bothered, then walking away. She often bitched about it under her breath, cursing the Thunder God with more choice words than anyone else would dare utter about him. Raiden, however, maintained his amusement... up until one night.
Raiden teleported in a storm, his grip on Frost white-knuckle tight. Sonya, Jax, Tiron (the new trainee), Liu, Kung, and I all exchanged looks. It was unlike Raiden to be this... angry. Without a word, he dragged her inside. Something told me shit had officially hit the fan.
"Gods bless it, Raiden, you're hurting me!" Frost protested, anger in her own voice. "Let go!"
There was no answer for a few minutes, then I saw the light in their room switch on. I heard low, angry voices at first. Then it escaladed to the point that we could hear every word being said.
"A BAR, FROST?" Raiden roared. "A BAR? YOU ARE NEVER TO GO BACK, I FORBID IT!"
"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, TELLING ME WHAT TO DO? YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ME, ASSHOLE!"
"I'M YOUR HUSBAND!"
"AND IT IS MY LIFE! YOU'RE A SORRY EXCUSE FOR ONE, YOU KNOW THAT? FOR GOD'S SAKE! GET OVER IT! YOU WEREN'T HELPING OUT SO I WENT TO SOMEONE THAT COULD!"
"LIKE HELL YOU'RE PULLING THAT AGAIN!"
"AND WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO, PLACE ME UNDER HOUSE ARREST?"
"DO NOT MOCK ME, CHILD!"
I winced. Frost would definately blow her top at that one. She hated being called a child.
"CHILD? LOOK WHO'S ACTING LIKE ONE AND IT ISN'T ME!"
"YOU WILL REMAIN WITHIN THESE WALLS FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS-"
"OR WHAT? WHAT WILL YOU DO? I'M ALL READY IN HELL!"
It was a few seconds before the next words were said.
"RING AWAY, I KNEW YOU'D STRIKE ME ONE DAY..."
If I knew Raiden, he would have frozen at that line. After a few more minutes, Frost came storming out of the entrance. Raiden abruptly appeared in front of her, reaching over to stop her. It happened so fast I was in too much shock to believe she'd done it! The ringing of flesh hitting flesh echoed through the temple courtyard where we stood. Frost's hand was back at her side, clenched into a tight fist. Raiden's expression was stunned, his hand going to his offended cheek.
"Back off," she told him, then shouldered past him, walking out of the courtyard and up the side of the mountain. I knew well she was going to the hot springs to blow off some steam. Finally, Raiden's eyes flashed in anger and he vanished in a clap of thunder.
While others found that scene disturbing, I was more upset than disturbed.
She would break soon.
I was sure of it.
I sighed heavily, watching Raiden storm out of the temple again. I knew Liu and Kung were in for a day of very harsh training again, especially when he was in this kind of mood. I'm sure everyone heard him and Frost arguing again this morning. He had got it across that she should have a bit more self control. In reply, she'd made it clear that he was an icy, emotionless bastard that only saw what he wished to see. It hadn't been pretty.
Sonya had stopped by several times, her new trainee, Tiron, in tow. Tiron had often tried to comfort Frost without crossing Raiden. He succeeded more often than not, thankfully. Frost and him were often seen vanishing off together, making us all the more glad that Raiden was usually gone all day and never saw this. I knew Frost hadn't cheated on Raiden, not yet, but I knew it was only a matter of time as things progressed.
It got even worse... when I let my curiosity get the better of me. Frost had been writing frequent letters and getting just as many back. One day, when I went to put the mail in the mailbox, I paused and opened her letter to Kit. After reading a few lines, I gasped.
"Oh my god..." I whispered. Raiden would be furious if he ever read this!
Kit, I thank you for your cooperation in this. I'm so irritated and
frustrated right now that it isn't even funny! I'm grateful that you
have accepted to help me in this troubled time, since my husband
seems far from caring enough to do so. Tiron told me of a place, a
cave. He said he'd have to do some serious checking into it, but he
would try his best to help me. His answer should come soon. He
said that this cave was said to be off all scannable radars, including
Raiden's ability to sense anything. Unless he's using his eyes to find
something in those caves, he won't. Tiron will get back to me on the
location and a date when he can manipulate the odds, making sure we
won't be followed or tracked. I don't want Raiden finding out before
I am ready. When that happens, I will send you a letter detailing
where and when. I can't take this suffering any long. Please don't be late.
Frost.
I was horrified, but resigned at the same time. I'd sensed something like this was coming. I had felt it in my gut. With a heavy heart, I replaced the envelope and re-adressed, re-stamped it, and sent it on it's way. If Kit was willing to do this deed, then it was obvious that she was in dire need, the intoxication becoming far more than she could bear.
I shook my head and walked back to the temple with a heavy heart. Liu met me half-way to our room.
"Honey, are you all right?" he asked. I looked around and pulled him into a hug.
"No, Liu, I'm not okay," I answered softly. I pulled his head down kissed him softly. "I have much to explain to you, if you'll let me."
He nodded and we went to his room. There, he sat me on the bed.
"Now, what's all this about?" he asked gently. So... I told him everything I knew.
I growled. It had been three weeks since I'd slapped Raiden across the face. Now he rarely let me out of his sight. Fortunately, he didn't read my mail so I was able to talk to Kit about the problem. Liu and Honey seemed to be watching me much more constantly, too, though it wasn't in a surveillance kind of way, but in a 'please don't do anything you're gonna regret' kind of way. After asking Honey about it, she revealed that she had read my letter and had told her husband. She had also assured me that he was sworn to secrecy. Liu didn't like keeping something like that from Raiden, but had agreed that it wasn't his secret to tell.
Desperate and furious with his constant surveillance, I wrote to Kit and told him that I would meet him there. Tiron had assured me that, on a specific day, I could slip away unnoticed due to Raiden's being otherwise occupied with the protection of Earthrhelm. I knew I should have warned Raiden, but I was too furious with him to hesitate. I thanked Tiron for the information and set the date for Kit and I to meet.
So, ten minutes before all hell was supposed to break loose, I rose out of bed and got dressed. I left behind my make-up, my jewelry. I wouldn't need it. I snuck out, though I felt Raiden's eyes on me all the way to the city. Once there, I felt his gaze suddenly disappear. I smiled, pleased.
Now that I was free of his watch, it was time to find that cave.
"Raiden!" cried Sonya. Raiden soon appeared to see Tarkatan Hordes flooding the temple from a portal. Tiron, Jax, Sonya, Liu Kang, and Kung Lao were fighting to stop the flow, but losing.
Frost entered the cave to find Kit, waiting for her. He looked up at her with a soft smile. He knew well why he was here.
"Grew your hair out, I see," he teased, walking up to me, pulling me deeper into the cave, deep into one of the caverns.
Following the Tarkatan hordes were Quan Chi and Shang Tsung. The two sorcerors focused on Raiden, putting all their power into distracting him.
Kit kissed Frost fully, letting her body mold to his own, their hands hungrily undressing one another.
The Tarkatan hordes were slowly losing numbers, several going back through the portal to escape the Earthrhelm warriors.
Moans echoed through the cave as two bodies moved as one, flesh on flesh, Kit's hand sensually stroking Frost's side.
Shang Tsung and Quan Chi knocked Raiden off his feet, only missing the killing blow due to Liu Kang's interference.
Sweat began to build as the two hungry beings of nature moved faster together, driving themselves closer and closer to the end.
Liu Kang was soon distracted by the arrival of Mileena as she battled both him and Kung Lao. Raiden was, once again, fighting the sorcerors alone.
With ecstacy filled cries, two bodies ceased their movements, one leaning over the other, both breathing heavily and trembling. Slowly, one rose and dressed, then bolted out of the cave, running towards the temple.
Raiden was slowly gaining the upper-hand and the sorcerors were forced to retreat. The remaining living tarkatan hordes quickly exited through the portal, the two sorcerors following. Slowly, the Earthrhelm warriors recovered their breaths, looking over the numbers they'd killed.
I wrinkled my nose in disgust as I stepped out of the safety of the temple, looking at the mess the tarkatan hordes made on the lawn. Then Frost appeared, walking through the front gate. Her eyes swept over the damage, the breeze blowing her hair into her face. Personally, it felt good to me as it carried the stench of the tarkatans away from us.
Raiden suddenly stiffened, then his eyes shot to Frost. I took a closer look at my friend, then shook my head sadly.
"You didn't," I accused, my voice more of a prayer that she hadn't. She didn't look at me as she answered.
"I couldn't ignore it anymore," she answered simply. Raiden's face hardened with fury as Frost walked past us all, into the temple. I knew he smelled Kit on her. Just as he was about to teleport to take out his anger on him, I spoke up.
"Think about what you're doing, Raiden," I said sharply. His furious gaze went to me.
"Do you realize what she has done?" he demanded, his voice hard. I nodded, which only seemed to infuriate him more.
"And she wouldn't have if you hadn't driven her to it!" I snapped, my own anger rising. That made everyone fall silent, all eyes on Raiden and I. The Thunder God was just barely staying put, barely listening to my explanation. "Do you really think these games, these intrigues haven't taken their toll? Raiden, if she goes without for too long, it begins to hurt, not emotionally, but physically. For every day that passes that she refuses, the pain gets that much stronger. Your games, your... teasing... only made it worse! She was going to break any time now! I half-expected her to break sooner! She's never held out this long!"
His fury slowly vanished with every word I spoke, while mine grew.
"What did you expect her to do?" I demanded. "Writhe on the ground unable to move? She did what she had to to make it stop! You've no one to blame but yourself!"
Then I walked into the temple after her. I didn't wait for his reaction as I flew through the halls, unsurprised to find her in her rooms, bathing. Misa was there, though she also seemed to know what had occurred. She looked at me, sadly. I felt someone's gaze on me and glanced over my shoulder, seeing Raiden on the balcony, listening. I turned my attention back to Frost, pretending I hadn't seen him. He needed to hear this from her own mouth.
"Got too much to bear, didn't it?" I asked her, my fury gone at the sight of her tear-stained cheeks. She nodded, though I saw a great deal of self-loathing on her face.
"I hate using Kit for this," she said, her voice telling of her loathing. I sighed.
"I highly doubt you could have found anyone else on such short notice that would ensure the least amount of desecration as possible," I told her, having her lean up so I could scrub her back.
"I shouldn't have given in," she whispered. "Can my will really be that weak?"
I set the rag down and pulled her into a hug.
"No, sweetheart," I told her. "No... your will was strong... but not even Raiden could have withstood the pain as you did... I can almost guarantee that..."
"What kind of wife sleeps around on her husband?" she demanded, her voice full of her anger at herself. "What kind of wife am I?"
I looked at the floor. I had feared this would happen. While she made it appear that the marriage meant nothing, to her it was still a sacred bond, meant to be respected. She had broken that sacred vow... and loathed herself for it.
"You did what you had to," I told her softly, pulling her into a hug once more. She just sat there in the tub and cried. I vaguely made out the form of Raiden teleporting away in the vanity mirror, having heard enough. I shook my head. I had no doubts that Raiden would forgive her. The problem would be getting her to forgive herself.
I felt the bed lower on the other side, a soft hand lightly touching my arm. I quickly brushed it away.
"Don't touch me," I said, my self-loathing still in my voice. "I broke my vows to you."
He completely ignored me and touched me again, pulling me back against his chest.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked softly.
"Would you have believed me?" I asked in reply. "Or would you have simply assumed it was another game, a new strategy to get you into my bed?"
He had nothing to say to that. He just held me, both of us curled up on that bed.
"Well, you needn't ever do that again," he said softly. "I will take care of you."
I turned to face him, then leaned up and stole a soft kiss... which I quickly changed to one charged with hunger. He gasped in surprise, then kissed me back with just as much heat, but soon pulled away, forcing down his reactions.
"No, Frost," he said firmly. "I do not reward bad behavior, no matter how tempting it may be."
Knowing he was right, I nodded. Slowly, he resituated behind me, getting comfortable against me, holding me to him. The feel of his hand running through my hair again and again slowly lulled me to sleep. I only knew the warmth of the body behind me.
I looked up as Raiden entered the dining hall. His eyes zeroed in on me and he made his way over to me.
"Have you seen Frost?" he asked, his tone worried. I shook my head, my eyes then seeing the near-panic on his face.
"What happened?" I asked urgently. "Last I saw her, she was curled up on your bed, where you joined her."
His eyes met mine, a look of horror coming over his features.
"Honey, I just now returned," he said. My heart sank, my hands flying to my mouth. Raiden began to look truly panicked now. He teleported to his quarters. A few seconds later, a loud cry of grief and rage shook the temple. Liu and I exchanged looks before we ran to Raiden's quarters. He was there, his back facing us... holding a note in his hand. Wordlessly, I took it from him.
What a wonderfully easily deceived wife you have
Raiden. I will take great pleasure in taking her
for myself...
If you want her back, you will bring your warriors
for one more tournament. If you lose, Earthrhelm
will belong to Shao Kahn. If you win, I'll consider
returning your wife. Personally, I may keep
this one. She's quite the rare lotus, don't you agree?
Shang Tsung
I shook as I looked at him.
"What do we do now?" I asked softly. His gaze was impossible to read.
"We do nothing," he answered finally, his voice icing over to hide his true emotions. "Earthrhelm is safe from Shao Kahn. He cannot be allowed one more chance to take it."
"So you'll sacrifice Frost to them to protect Earthrhelm?" Liu demanded, angered by his easy dismissal. I, however, read between the lines and placed a calming hand on my husband's arm.
"Liu, Raiden can't be allowed to show any weakness to his enemies," I told him softly. "He must ignore his own feelings on the subject and retain the face of one colder than ice. If he shows his weakness for her, they will only keep her longer, just to torture him more. She would never be safe from them."
Liu's face fell to dispair.
"However, her friends can save her... through stealth," I spelled out. His eyes flew to me, understanding. He took one last look at Raiden, kissed me, then ran downstairs to find Kung Lao. I looked at Raiden.
"They won't come back without her, you know that," I told him. I barely caught the tiniest of nods that he gave me. It was time to give Shang Tsung our answer.