Author's Note: I want to say thanks and give a shout-out to my peep, iceangelmkx, who picked Kenshi's song for me. :) It is "When I'm With You" by Sheriff. That's an 80's power ballad, kids LOL
DarkAssassin15: I'm so glad they did!
Dr. MKDemigodZ-Warrior: Well, nobody really sees Raiden like that, so I wanted to give people a reason why. As for the others, you'll see ;)
Obelisk of Light: I'm so glad that you love the hell out of this chapter! And you are too kind. As you know, I get nervous doing canon/OC pairings, so when I do them, I work really hard to get them right. And I appreciate your help writing that chapter, from doing research to gently pointing me in the right direction with the theme of aging. :D
ROCuevas: Thanks, my friend! I appreciate that!
en-lumine: Part of me is going awww, and then the other part of me is going "YES!" LOL I find I do my best writing of emotional scenes when I stop deliberately trying to make them full of feels. Kalani's actions and dialogue at the end was inspired by my grandma, who couldn't sleep without the TV in her room on every night after my grandpa had died. They had been married fifty years!
Anyway, thanks to everyone who has faved/followed me. I appreciate your continued support so much :D Now, onto Kenshi's tale...
Kenshi found himself in Thailand, in Lampang, drawn towards the young woman who was beautiful in both body and soul, the only woman who'd ever truly captured his heart. Before now, Suchin had played her little game of hard to get – he had seen into her thoughts and knew that she thought he was simply after a cheap, one-night stand – but tonight, he wasn't going to take no for an answer. He was determined to prove his sincerity; she had been hurt in the past, he knew from their conversations lasting until dawn, but then again, so had he. Any attempt to win her love, therefore, had to be big, had to be meaningful. It couldn't be the usual flirting as she tended the bar. No, it had to make him vulnerable. And, it had to be memorable.
So he had first traded his red blindfold for a pair of nondescript sunglasses, and then he bribed the piano player to take the night off. He even convinced the aging man to throw in the required tuxedo since they wore roughly the same size. The thought of a tux made Kenshi uncomfortable. He'd worn them before, and they were always a miserable experience. Itchy, stiff, they were truly a throwback from the Spanish Inquisition. But he would do it, not only because Soiree was an exceptionally fancy black-tie only restaurant serving traditional French fare, but because she deserved only the very best from him. As he tied the bowtie – just five minutes until stage time – he thought about her and ached with longing.
His friend, Kuai Liang, had taught him that if you love someone, you must treasure them as if you'd never get the chance again. Kenshi hadn't understood what the Cryomancer meant – not exactly – until he saw the demon sorcerer, Shang Tsung, steal her face and speak vile lies about all the twisted things he'd done to her. And in that moment, he realized that Suchin meant more to him than he'd ever known, that she was more than just a toy in a faraway French restaurant to play with whenever he grew bored with his work in Thailand, that she was even more than just his friend. She was not someone he'd casually sleep with when life on the road became lonesome and weary, and he needed human contact simply for the sake of preserving his sanity. Kenshi needed Suchin because he needed her love, he needed her to fill up all the empty spaces inside of him and make him whole again.
He had been lucky that Shang Tsung only lied to him to torment him. He'd been lucky that she had been unharmed. He would have protected her however he could, and in fact, that's really how he got to know the true Suchin, the one lurking below the surface of the waitress working for tips, that cold night in January. Initially, she'd insisted she was fine walking home by herself when he'd offered, adamant that she'd never encountered a mugger but if she did she had pepper spray in her purse, but he just couldn't get enough of her. A cloud of jasmine hung around her, and fire burst through her soul. And she had this ornery smirk that he longed to see with his real eyes, and not just the third eye that allowed him to see glimpses of the world around him.
He'd practically begged her to let him escort her. In his mind's eye, he sensed her doubt. How could a blind man protect her? But, she liked him well enough, and conceded. Even as the gentle flurries of snow fell onto their shoulders, they walked around Bangkok arm in arm, talking, taking the scenic route to her apartment where they spent the rest of the night just talking some more. Kenshi had never done that before, had never opened up so candidly about himself, but she shared much of her own story as well, and he decided that all of this sharing was good.
And then, just like that, it was time to go onstage. Sento had fed him enough energy earlier to allow him to see his way to the grand piano without fumbling about like an idiot, though it was difficult regardless. His heart pounded in his chest, but it wasn't from all the eyes watching him. What if his plan failed to impress Suchin? Or worse, what if she was already taken? Immediately, he recognized a flaw in his plan; he should've snooped around before he pulled this stunt to be sure she was still unspoken for. He almost turned and fled the restaurant upon realizing his error. But then, he heard a sweet voice like an angel call out to him in surprise.
"Kenshi?" Suchin asked, and he heard her step towards the piano and stand only a few feet away on the polished dance floor. "What are you doing here?" she demanded to know in English. She had learned it by watching imported American movies, her favorite, he knew, was the original The Karate Kid. He looked at her, admiring her petite frame clothed in a plain black skirt and button-up white blouse, wishing he could see it like he could have long ago, once upon a time before Shang Tsung cursed him. "I haven't seen you in a year."
He inhaled deeply to steady his now-trembling hands. So much for escaping… "It's been too long, I know, Suchin," he spoke into the microphone, using her native Thai, forgoing the English that she'd just used. He wanted people to understand him. Though, how his voice came out so calm and clear was beyond him. It belied the panic rapidly setting in on his heart as he realized what he meant to do. "I was on a mission that went a lot longer than I expected."
"You're not Kamnam," a new voice growled in a broken Thai dialect laced with a thick French accent. Kenshi presumed it was the manager. "What have you done with him?"
"I told him to take the night off," Kenshi said with a smirk as he looked in Suchin's direction. He felt a little bit more confident now. Something about confrontation had always given him the added push of courage he needed to do what had to be done. He inwardly thanked the very angry manager for his help. "On my mission, Suchin, I realized something very important, and I had to come tell you immediately."
"Kenshi, you're going to get me fired-"
"I love you," he blurted out. Immediately, the busy dining room, which had gone quiet to hear this exchange, suddenly gasped as one. Some of the diners began to clap at his seemingly fearless declaration.
"You don't even know me," she protested.
"Yes, I do," he stubbornly argued. "And you know me. Better than anyone in years. You're my moon and my stars." Now Kenshi grinned when he reached out with his mind and felt hers. It was so full of confusion, but so touched at the same time.
"I…" she breathed, trying to find her words as she slapped her hand to her heart to steady the wild flapping within. "I think you should leave, and I will talk to you about this after I am finished with work." Some of the patrons murmured their agreement, but a few more groaned in disappointment.
"Well, I am not leaving until you agree to give me a chance, Suchin," he replied, digging his heels in further. "And to prove to you how serious I am, I will sing to you."
"Kenshi, no!" she exclaimed as he began to play a dulcet melody that he'd always found pleasing to his ear. "This is hardly the place-"
I never needed love like I need you, he sang, now in English, as he sensed her blush in mortification. She didn't like all the attention from him, he could tell. Deep down, she didn't believe she deserved it. Oh, Suchin, he thought, how wrong you are.
And I never lived for nobody, but I live for you.
Oooh, babe, lost in love is what I feel when I'm with you.
"I'm calling the police," the manager threatened, and the audience immediately booed him. That didn't deter him, and he wound his way from the dining room. Well, Kenshi thought as the next few lines spilled from his mouth and into the mic, I probably have a few good minutes before the authorities arrive.
"Kenshi, please, I don't want you to get in trouble," Suchin pleaded, folding her hands together as if in prayer.
But he continued singing, his voice fearless and determined:
Maybe it's the way you touch me with the warmth of the sun,
Maybe it's the way you smile / I come all undone
Oooh, babe, lost in love is what I feel when I'm with you.
Baby, oh I get chills when I'm with you.
Baby, my world stands still when I'm with you.
When I'm with you.
I never cared for nobody like I care for you,
And I never wanted to share the things I want to share with you.
Oooh, babe, lost in love is what I feel when I'm with you.
If there was ever a time Kenshi sang his very heart out, putting every ounce of effort into getting each pitch absolutely perfect, and hitting every last note, it was this time. His fingers skillfully flew over the keyboard, the melody sweet and powerful and full of every ounce of care he could muster. It was all for Suchin, his beautiful, beloved Suchin, who had long since stopped protesting and trying to protect him from the coming police, and listened in awestruck earnest as he sang his cheesy song in all its glory just for her. She was melting. He could feel it. He sensed it as he reached out to her and touched her mind ever so gently with his powers.
And then he was done with the song, and the entire restaurant went wild with applause. Before he met Suchin, the noise would have pleased him. If he hadn't gone down the road he did, if he hadn't become a warrior and a consultant for S.F., he knew he would've been a professional musician. He'd often dreamed of what it was like to be a rock star, to be hailed by thousands of screaming, adoring fans. And now that he had a taste of that life, he didn't even notice it.
His fierce attention was on her, and on her reaction. But she didn't say anything, and he knew she was struggling to find the words. So, he'd help her out.
"Now will you give me a chance?" he asked.
"I…I…" she stammered.
"Don't make me play 'The Glory of Love' from The Karate Kid because I will go there," he warned her with a smirk. She'd loved the movie but made fun of the cheesy power ballad by Peter Cetera.
"Kenshi," she began, her eyes looking down. He sensed the overwhelming desire that she had to say yes to him, that she did want to run off with him like in some sort of fairytale romance, but he also felt her fear of her family, and what they would say, especially her mother. It drowned out all other noise and enveloped her, shading her mind with uncertainty and self-doubt.
"Please, Suchin," he said. "I know what's in your heart, and you want to be with me. Please, give me just one chance." She looked at him, but said nothing as she stood in place, fighting her inner demons to find her voice. So Kenshi slowly swiveled his head back and forth at the audience and said, "What do you guys think?" he asked. "You have nothing to lose by giving her your honest opinion. So should she give me a chance?" Naturally, the diners applauded their yes.
Pleased, Kenshi slid off the piano bench and carefully stepped towards her, feeling his way forward with his feet. To earn those all-important sympathy points, he stretched his hand out in front of him, flailing his arm, even though he could see glimpses of the stairs through his third eye. Suchin took the bait. Not wanting him to fall off the stage, she grabbed his arm as he stepped down the stairs onto the main dining room floor. The scent of jasmine clouded around him and made his head pleasantly swim.
As soon as he reached the bottom, he whirled her around and wrapped his arms around her. She looked up in bewilderment at him, and now that their bodies touched he could feel the pounding of her heart inside her veins, but she did not resist. Instead, he heard her breath come in ragged, uncertain pants, indicating her need, her desire. Gently, tenderly, his fingers buried themselves in her silky hair, which was styled into half a bun that allowed her bottom layers to hang loosely, and he pulled her mouth to his, kissing her as one of his hands slid down her back to pull her closer.
When he finally pulled away, he whispered, "Suchin, I want you more than anything in the world. But if you can look me in the eye…so to speak…and tell me without a shadow of a doubt that you don't want me, then I'll go and I'll never bother you again. But please don't make me go." With that, he rested his forehead on hers.
"Don't go," she whispered back, her body trembling. She was still afraid, yes, but he sensed the fiery courage he'd come to know and love well up inside her and fight it back.
At her quiet plea, he laughed and then kissed her again, this one more passionate and tender than the first. Her soft lips melted and parted beneath his own, and she opened herself up to him, cupping her hands around his cheeks as the diners all applauded. When he pulled back this time, she threw her arms completely around his neck and hugged him, smiling.
"That's the man!" the manager's voice suddenly rang out. Kenshi and Suchin both looked up and saw a small handful of Thai police approach. They would be easy to dispatch, he knew, but not here. Not in front of Suchin and all these people. He'd wait until he was outside to knock them out with his powers.
"I've got to go!" he said to her quickly, smirking. "You still live at the same place?"
"Yes," she said, nodding her head, surprise and amusement and anxiousness rippling through her in equal parts.
"Good," he said as he took off running, peeling off the monkey suit with each step. "I'll see you there later! After you get off work."
A few weeks later, Kenshi came to Suchin as she stood by her bed because she was frightened. He came to her not as her friend of the last few years, but as her lover. She trembled, her body naked in front of him for the first time, and although he held her the darkness in her apartment was so deep with the curtains closed that even in his mind's eye he could barely see her; for all he knew, she was a ghost. Her delicate jasmine scent wafted from her body like the promise of a spirit, giving him his only real clue that she was there.
"Kenshi, I don't think I can do this," she said, though it was not fear of him that spurred her words, but insecurity and doubt. "I'm just a waitress, not anyone important like you-"
"Yes, you can," he confidently said, and pulled her down to the bed. The surface beneath them was firm and warm. "And yes, you are."
He probed her mind to see her thoughts, knowing he shouldn't, but too curious to look away. Suchin reached for him in the darkness, wanting to trace every inch of his body with her fingers, but she hesitated when her mother's face intervened, harsh and foreboding. Don't let a man touch you before you're married, the woman snarled. And, oh, God help her if she could see her now.
But then Suchin pushed her away and closed her arms around Kenshi's neck, her smooth cheek against his smooth cheek, and as he kissed her and tentatively stroked her small breasts, she sighed and thought this is Kenshi, sweet, handsome Kenshi. And with that, he saw that she remembered a day in July when she was working the bar at Soiree, but it was hours before they opened for dinner, and he snuck in as she polished glasses and kept her company, and he'd made her laugh so hard from doing various impressions of cheesy martial arts movies that she nearly broke more than one dish as she'd worked. It had been fun.
She thought of birds, particularly starlings and sparrows flying high in the sky, and her hands found his belt and loosened it. When Kenshi was naked like her, and his body pressed up against hers, he sensed her curiosity compel her to touch him lightly. He groaned against her neck as her fingers brushed against him, and the blow of his breath caused her bare body to ripple with goosebumps. And then, there was sudden fear blossoming through her mind that he was too big for her, that there was no way all of that would fit inside of her.
In the darkness, the swordsman smiled at her thoughts, and then he pushed his way forward probably just a bit too fast. She hissed, her teeth biting at her lower lip as he sensed mild pain inside of her, but he saw her think of the birds again, dancing and darting through the sky, until the burning left her. Soon it did go, and she reached up to touch his lips with her finger, and he moaned, not entirely sure he could stand the pleasurefor very long.
"Teach me how to fly, Kenshi," she said with a calmness that he knew she didn't feel. Birds danced through the sky of her mind.
"Always," he whispered, kissing her damp temple.
The heat inside of them both rose, and the power of that moment suddenly shifted back to him, but she gave it gladly and went with it as he led her. They rocked together, and Kenshi felt a delicious spiraling sweetness which he sensed made her begin to turn her head helplessly from side to side beneath him.
"Oh, Suchin," he mumbled, feeling the sweat drops bead on his face, feeling their connection, something firmly in place, something like infinity. "I love you so much."
Biting her bottom lip could not stop the cry that escaped her then, and he felt her pleasure rising, threatening to overwhelm her, very much like his own. Glorious images of flight filled her head, and so she flew up and up, unknowingly taking him with her, and now the power was not with either her or him but somewhere between them, and he cried out, his muscular arms trembling, and she arched up and into him so that he could feel her spasm around him.
But Kenshi was not finished. He slowed down his pace, and Suchin, trembling and gasping, curled her delicate hands around his cheeks. This time, there was passion, though not the same kind as before. He sensed her contemplate his kindness, tenderness, the way he seemed just short of calm. He smiled at that; if only she knew just how anxious he felt right now, she'd laugh. He was eager, but this time it was tempered by patience, and perhaps the realization of how huge this moment was. And at the end, he was surprised by her sudden swell of pleasure to match his own, and he almost laughed when he sensed her say Oh! It's happening again! Oh, God, please don't let this stop.
And then Kenshi huffed as his fingers curled around the sheets, pulling them loose at the corner, threatening to rip them apart as she cried out his name and then buried her head against his shoulder, moaning, and they reached that moment together – he knew they did – because he felt it in her mind. But his thoughts were swept away by the utter sweetness of it, and he barely heard himself whispering, "I love you, Suchin, I love you, I'll always love you," over and over as everything inside of him exploded in blinding white light.
Then it was over, and he hugged her to him, and for a long time they stayed that way, his smooth cheek against hers. But finally, he withdrew from her silently, and then pulled the comforter onto them both, holding her in the darkness. For the first time in years, he felt whole again.