Takeda's POV:
Okay, now that was weird. Cassie and Jin? Where's Sub Zero, he might have frozen hell over at some point today. Oh there he is. I walked up to him.
"Grandmaster, I have a very serious question to ask you." He turned around at the sound of my voice. He raised an eyebrow and said, "What is it Takeda?" I shuffled my feet. He is going to think it's stupid. Why would I actually think to ask that question? There was the sound of a throat clearing. I looked up to see Sub Zero's slightly concerned face. "What is it child?"
Think. Think. Something that won't sound stupid. "I think I'm in love with Kung Jin and I don't know what to do."
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Why was that the sentence that came out of my mouth? Of all the things that I could've said, that had to be it?
I immediately froze and prayed to the Elder Gods that he didn't hear me.
"You are?"
Shit. I blushed; I could just feel it. "I... Did not mean to say that." I whispered. He nodded. "So you're not then?" I sighed. "No, I am... I just didn't mean to say that out loud." I was trying to keep my voice low so that no one would hear anything. He nodded again and asked, "So what did you mean to say?" I shrugged. "I'm not sure. I was going to ask a dumb question and then decided to change it to something else so that I don't sound like a complete idiot." He chuckled slightly. "And what was this dumb question?" I thought for a second. Why not? Maybe he'll forget about what I said earlier.
"I was going to ask if you somehow froze hell over. Cassie and Kung Jin walked in laughing." Sub Zero outright laughed here. I gave a tiny smile because everyone was staring with wide eyes. No One had ever really heard him laugh before. He looked a whole lot younger when he laughed. "No, I didn't freeze hell over child. Though it would serve hothead over there right." He replied with, pointing to Master Hasashi. Said "hothead" glared in our direction.
"I heard that Elsa!" Uh oh... This isn't going to end well. Sub Zero took deep breaths. I had to calm him down somehow! Then I noticed something.
"Master Hasashi, are you... Blushing?"
All eyes were on him at that point, including Sub Zero's. Master Hasashi glared at me this time. "Aren't you supposed to be on my side? Frozen over there your new mentor now?" I laughed. "No, but a student takes up every opportunity to best his master. I saw an opportunity and took it." Sub Zero clapped me on the back before turning to Master Hasashi.
"So? Blushing Hasashi? Over what?" Once he started, everyone joined in.
"Yeah, Scorp! Why the red face?" (Mr. Cage; of course)
"Aww, he is halfway human!" (Also Mr. Cage)
"Something you wanna share with the class?" (General Blade)
"Aww, did you like Grandmaster's laugh?" (Jacqui surprisingly)
With Jacqui's sentence, Master Hasashi got slightly redder. It would take a pretty trained eye to see, so I immediately snickered. "Jacqui got it right." Everyone blinked. A door slam was heard; Master Hasashi left. We all laughed and brushed it off. Sub Zero tapped my shoulder. "Yes, Grandmaster?" He shook his head. "Kuai. Just call me Kuai. May I speak with you in the kitchen please?" He asked. I couldn't do the kitchen; I just shook my head. "We can go outside though." He didn't know why I couldn't be in the kitchen, but he agreed nonetheless. I really couldn't be in that kitchen for a while. Memories from earlier flooded my mind, and I shuddered. I heard an intake of breath and looked around. 'Please don't let that be who I think it is...' I thought.
'I'm afraid it is son. I need to speak with you.'
Double shit. I forgot that allowing those memories to enter the forefront of my mind, my father might catch it. He must've started paying attention to my thoughts after I started the whole thing with Master Hasashi. I couldn't face him just yet, so I grabbed Sub Zero's hand and speed walked out the door. He looked surprised but easily kept up, so I didn't slow down at all. When we got to a pretty secluded area, I finally stopped and let Su- Kuai's hand go. "What did you need Kuai?"
He blinked before shaking his head. "You wanted to talk about Kung Jin without being overheard. Don't deny it; it was written on your face." I sighed. "Well it's a bit late. I thought something..." Kuai looked at me with sympathy. "Your father heard it." I nodded. "What if he's disgusted by me and won't accept me? Where the heck would I go if he kicks me out? And obviously I won't be allowed near Jin ever again. I don't want to have to deal with any of that!" I was slightly shaking at this point. Kuai sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "You really picked a person to talk about this to. Look, I can't give you an emotionally inspirational speech on this."
I shook my head. "I don't want that. At all. I want the truth; that's it." He breathed a sigh of relief. "That I can do. You shouldn't be worrying right now. He's proud of you for what you've done. I honestly don't think he cares who you sleep with." I couldn't help it; I started laughing. "You... I've never heard... You've never talked like that before!" He raised an eyebrow. "What? I told you the truth." He smiled and ruffled my hair, causing me to let out a very manly squeak and rush to fix my hair. "Do you have any idea how long it takes to do my hair in the mornings?!"
He laughed; I glared. "Whatever Kuai. So what's the deal with you and Master Hasashi?" I said with a slight smirk.
That shut him up pretty quickly.
And was that a blush on his face?
He glared at me this time. "It's not what you think. I will only use this term because you'd understand it... We're sort of like frienemies with benefits. It's just sex; that's it." I raised my eyebrow. "Uh huh, so why the blushes? You like him!~ You love him!~" He quickly covered my mouth. "I. Do. Not. Even if I did, he would never accept that." I licked his hand because why not, and he immediately retracted it. "Immature much?" I shrugged. "You let go didn't you? Anyway, trust me. He wants something a bit more. When everyone was teasing him, he was getting slightly angry. However, when Jacqui stated that he liked your laugh, his face got redder. I have the trained eye to see that type of thing. Master Hasashi taught me himself. Trust, he's into you."
And with that, Kuai blushed even more. "I didn't think he was one to blush in the first place. Not like you can really see much. His skin is pretty dark. Okay fine, I like him. I don't love him, at least not yet. Like I said, you really know how to pick who to talk to about relationship problems." He sighed. I pat his shoulder. "Then we'll both be the other's confidant. If we have a problem, then we will talk to each other about it. Get through this mess together. Deal?"
He hesitated for a second or two before taking my hand.
"Takeda."
Annnnnd... Triple shit. I turned around to find one of the last people I wanted to see. I think I'd rather deal with Shinnok again than face my dad right now.
"Kuai Liang, can you give my son and I a minute?" My dad said. I internally cursed Kuai for betraying me and leaving almost immediately. Damn it, some friend you are... Now I have to deal with my dad. I look at him. I wished I hadn't. I saw nothing but disappointment and hurt in his eyes. I couldn't take that look in his eyes. I couldn't go through him telling me how much of a failure I was.
I ran again.
Hey guys, Blockbtob1a4men here. You guys can just call me Aya. Anyway, here's another chapter. I'm sorry it's so late; I basically got swamped trying to do Summer homework, and my 10 year old nephew is visiting for the Summer. Unfortunately, he loves hanging around me. I feel uncomfortable writing this with him in the room. But! I got it done, and I hope you all enjoyed it!
-Aya