I awoke to coldness, from her body not being near me. I sat up from the cot, and walk outside to see her standing in the moonlight. I walked close to her before she turned around.

"What is it Saia?" I asked as she lowered her head.

"I haven't seen the moon…" She whispered. "I haven't seen the stars…" She looked up at the sky. "Do you remember when we first met? When I came to your realm?" I gave a nod. "It was dark … And I could swear you were going to kill me…"

It's true… Had she not fallen to the punch I had given her.

"When your elders told you that you were to me the ways of your clan.. I knew right then and there you were going to kill me… When you threw me into the my quarters… I knew you hated me…"

Yet again, very true. I thought of all the ways I could kill her, to get out of this. I hated her because the stick of earth realm lingered on her flesh. I hated her because she was pitiful… I hated her…

"It wasn't until I beat you… That you looked at me different."

And she's on a roll… When she finally defeated me. I looked up at her, and that's when I fell in love with her.

She turned away from me. "Do you remember our first kiss?" She lowered her head.

I walked in front of her lifting her head. "Yeah, I do…"

She looked into my eyes, before pressing her lips to mine… "I want to feel them…" She whispered into the material.

"You wouldn't be feeling anything…" I whisper back.

I feel her snaking her had to the bottom of my mask. I grabbed her wrist, stopping her from going any further. "No." I lowered her hand.

"But why?"

"I don't want you to see the demon I truly am."

"Scorpion…"

I pull her close letting her head rest on my chest. "You mean too much to me." I stroke her back softly. "I'd rather spare you the hell that I am…"

Saia lowered her head slightly, before taking in a deep breathe. "where I will go, will be a true hell." She whispered.

"What?"

She perked her head slightly, shaking her head. "N…Nothing…." She smiled. "It's nothing."

I stare at her, wondering what she meant about that… But she made sure I couldn't question her more. She simply pressed her warm body against mine… and entwined our fingers together… I love her….

Her scent, her warmth… I hate to keep repeating this, but she calms the rage, the fire, the hell that I am. I hold her tightly, temptation clawing at me to pull off my mask, and enjoy a soft supple kiss from her. But I know that once she sees this demon, She'll die of horror…

"Scorpion." Reptile whispers.

I look up from her to see him appear out of thin air… Had he been watching all this time?

"What.." I let Saia go, staring at the green ninja.

"It seems as though we may start this tournament a little bit before time.."

"What?"

"It seems that emperor Shao Kahn wants to open the portals once more. But he has found one of the mortals from last tournament… He wants you to retrieve her.. You've met her once before, a Sonya Blade" he seemed to smirk.

I remembered her, she was a stupid bullheaded bitch. I look away from Reptile and to Saia, I can't say I trust him around her… "And what about you?" I look back to him.

"I am after another… He was one of Shang Tsung's soldiers…"

"And what of Saia?"

"If she wishes, she may travel with you , perhaps it'll make you're journey a little easier…"

With that said, he disappeared… And it was Saia and myself… "Do you wish to come?" I asked her… "We will be going to your realm…"

Saia gave a small smile, before speaking. "I have no choice.." she took my hand. "shall we?"