Hello everybody my name is Trevyler and welcome back to What Clouds Smoke! I am writing this on Saturday but it might not be finished for a day or two after depending on what kind of writing time I have. One thing though is that in this fic there there will be times where characters become OOC for the sake of plot. If that happens please don't go telling me about it unless it's something you like or don't like about it. Jade at the end of the last chapter was a good example of that.
Enough of talking about things like that, I have more good news. If I complete all the necessary schoolwork, I will be free to do whatever I want next week. That means more writing for my stories. I think any of the readers who actually will be happy about that. Another thing is that I'm contemplating putting some of my other stories on hold so that I can work on a few that were neglected or ones like this that I like to right more.
Anyway let's start the chapter shall we.
CHAPTER 6:HERE COMES TROUBLE
Smoke was barely a few feet from the palace when he felt a presence become close to him very quickly. It was a welcome presence, but it also made him nervous.
Jade was surprised that she'd gone so quick to catch up with him, seeing as not a time in her life had she ever ran that fast.
She smiled at him as he looked towards her, "Do you mind if I tag along?" she asked.
He smiled back, "Not at all." he replied.
Jade was really hoping he didn't notice her flushed face.
She decided she'd show him a really interesting, "If you're wanting to go site seeing then I know the best place to go. Are you up to it?" she offered.
Smoke nodded, "Sure what is it?" he asked.
Jade kept walking very slowly, "They're ancient Edenian ruins. Our protector god Argus used to reside their long ago before he was killed by his own son. He was to Edenia as Raiden is to Earthrealm." she answered.
He cracked his neck, "Let's go then." he said.
Let's just say that when Jade suggested going into Edenian ruins, this wasn't what he was imagining. Instead of the astonishing scenery found in the main city, everything here looked so grim and depressing.
Smoke thought he shouldn't judge structures made thousands of years ago, "This still looks pretty incredible for how long they've been abandoned. Although they're not nearly as breathtaking as everything that I've seen already. Can we go inside?" he inquired.
Jade nodded, "Just watch your step and be careful. I don't know how stable these are anymore. Just because they were built for a god doesn't make them eternal." she warned.
He made sure to listen to her because he'd rather not die here.
They had to go through a lot of parkour, climbing, and other things to reach their destination. It was a cliff overlooking a large crater. The archway had some strange engravings that Smoke didn't understand.
Jade sat on the edge under the giant archway, "Sit." she said simply.
Not needing another invitation, Smoke did just that. They peacefully sat for some time just admiring the view.
Jade decided to try a conversation, "It's amazing isn't it. Thinking how things could've been during this time before Shao Khan ever came here. It must've been nice. I don't' know what it's like really aside from the recent days. I can't remeber anything before Outworld. I was too young. I don't know anythign about my family or where I lived. I just feel kind of empty sometimes..." she confessed.
Smoke put a hand on her shoulder, "I know how you feel. I was taken to the Lin Kuei when i was a kid. I had no idea about who I was. All I knew was that that cursed place would be my new home. I was locked away until my preteen years in which I was finally allowed to roam around the grounds. I made a couple of friends. The first being Sub Zero and the second being Tundra. Sub Zero was known as Bi Han and Tundra's name was Kuai Liang. They both accepted me because they knew the feeling of having strange abilities. Bi Han of course is now dead because of Scorpion. Kuai Liang took the name Sub Zero in honor of his brother. He is the Sub Zero that you all now know." he finished his story.
He removed his hand and stood up, offering his hand to Jade, who gladly accepted it. She noted that his touch left a burning sensation in its path.
He smiled, " Let's head back. It's nearly Mid day and I want to see a little more of the city and maybe just enjoy your company for a little while longer." he suggested.
The words caused the faded blush to return to her cheeks, "Sounds good to me. And by the way, you look...good...in it..." she trailed off.
Smoke raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?" he asked puzzled.
Jade shyly gestured to his clothes, "The outfit. You look...g-good in it." she repeated.
Smoke understood and smiled awkwardly, "Um Thanks." he mumbled, but it was still decipherable.
The green clothed ninja girl felt absolutely stupid. She wanted to say that he looked a lot more than good in it, but her mouth simply wouldn't let her do it.
They grey ninja just was glad to hear that he didn't look stupid in the outfit and that she actually liked it. He wanted to compliment her in some way, but everything that came to mind would make him look like a pervert. Jade truly was beautiful in many ways. He'd have to find something special to do for her later.
As they took the same path back and reentered the city, something unexpected happened.
A female laugh rang through the air, "Finally found yourself a man Jade? How much did you have to pay him or what did you do for him?" she said with a smirk.
Jade and Smoke both turned around to see a yellow clad Edenian woman with black hair, "Tanya" Jade said through gritted teeth.
Tanya laughed once again, "Oh Jade. Still as vulgar as always." she said.
Smoke shot her a glare, "I'd shut up if I were you." he warned.
She just gave him a glance, "You make hollow threats. You couldn't beat me even if you tried." she taunted.
That was the last straw, "You'll regret that." he replied.
The ninja teleported behind Tanya and knocked her off her feet. As she got up, he kicked her in the face. Tanya counted with a fireball that Smoke merely turned into smoke and moved through. Jade joined in and used her staff to hit Tanya in the back so hard that it broke some bones. Tanya stumbled around before Smoke came down from above her and knocked her onto the ground.
Jade growled, "You will be in a great deal of trouble with Queen Kitana when she finds out you started a fight with her friend and guest from Earthrealm." she said to the now limping Tanya.
All of a sudden, Smoke was knocked into the air by a punch, "How pitiful Tanya. I thought you could at least take on weaklings like these." Rain said.
Tanya glared at him, "It was an unfair fight. This woma-" she started.
Rain cut her off, "That is no reason that you should've failed the one task I assigned you. If you can't handle taking on two ametuer fighters, what use are you to me?" he asked, quite obviously annoyed.
During the little interlude, Smoke had time to get up and rush at Rain only to get pushed back by a stream of high pressure water and roundhouse kicked to the ground once again. As he tried to stand up a surge of electricity went through him as Rain struck him with a lightning bolt. Tanya to the opportunity to throw one of her tonfa at him. It cut deep into Smoke, leaving an open wound that started near the left side of his chest and ended by his right hip. Smoke slowly began to lose consciousness until he finally blacked out.
Rain approached his body, "Imbecile. You know nothing of true kombat." he scoffed to the now unconscious Smoke.
Jade felt her blood begin to boil, "Upset are we dear?" Tanya still had the audacity to taunt her.
Just then, a sai made it's was into Tanya's leg.
It could only belong to one person, "Mileena?" Jade asked turning around.
Mileena was standing not too far away on a rooftop, "I knew you two would be back to cause trouble. Although I was hoping I'd get here sooner." she said in an uncharacteristically serious voice for her.
Jade nodded at her, "And now we shall take you to court to be judged by the Queen herself." she said returning to her professional state.
Rain attempted to use his lightning attack on her, only for her to teleport down and kick him in the head a few times. Her grabbed her around the throat only to have her Bite his arm. He retracted the hand and saw that it was badly damaged.
Mileena just laughed, "Mmmm Tasty." she said teasingly.
The demigod scowled, "This isn't over." he said teleporting himself and Tanya away.
Jade rushed over to Smoke's body, "We need to get him to the infirmary." she told Mileena.
Mileena nodded, "Let's go. We'll get the guards to help us get him there quicker." she responded.
The green clad girl brushed his silver hair from his face, "Stay strong Smoke...for me." she said sadly.
A few hours later, Smoke awoke to yet another unfamiliar room. The first thing he noticed was that it was hard to sit up because of a sharp pain all along his torso. The second thing he noticed was the sleeping form of Jade next to the bed. He gently shook her, causing her to jump slightly.
She smiled as she realized who'd woke her up, "You're alright." she said carefully wrapping her arms around him.
He returned the hug eagerly, ignoring the stinging pain, "I've been through worse." he replied.
The Edenian frowned, "I was worried." she admitted.
The ninja moved back, "Well I'm fine now." he told her.
They both went silent and turned away from each other blushing.
Smoke cleared his throat, "What happened?" he asked.
Jade started to go into an explanation.
*Flashback*
Jade and Mileena had the guards bring Smoke to one of the rooms where the head healer or doctor worked.
After the healer did what they could, the girls were told that someone would need to help him apply bandages when he awoke or try and do it while he was still unconscious. Jade volunteered to do it because she'd been trying to work on medical practician in the recent time in case the need ever arose.
She also knew that she would have to periodically help him change the bandages among other things for the next day or two. Since felt responsible since he was in a way defending her. The fact that he was willing to defend her honor made her hopeful that there was some type of affection he held for her.
A room had been given to Smoke for him to stay in until he regained consciousness. Jade decided to do what she could of her task now. She slowly removed the remaining thick fabric of his tunic off of his torso. She hoped no one would come in to see her completely red face or that he wouldn't wake up during it. She gently started wrapping the bandages around his chest, making sure not to touch his wound with her hands. She repeated it until she had finished the upper and mid part of his torso. Now she was taking great care in her movements near his stomach since it had taken the most damage from the attack. Her face was grim as she hovered over it with her hand, tracing it. She released a breath that she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
Once that had been finished, she realized that to get to the rest of the wound covered at the current time, she would have to remove his pants a bit. As she went to do it, she backed away and held her hand to her face. No, that was too far, she'd have to wait for him to wake up before she proceeded with that. Eventually, she sat down beside the bed and leaned against it before falling into a peaceful sleep.
Jade finished her retelling of the last few hours quickly.
Smoke took a look at the wraps, "You did fine. This'll do for now. I can change them myself if I need to from here on out. Sorry for making you go through the trouble of fixing my injuries, but thanks for the help regardless." he thanked her.
A guard came to them, "We have another visitor from Earthrealm that wishes to speak with you." he told Smoke.
The silver haired man nodded and put on his replacement tunic before following the guard.
The two weren't expecting who they saw standing at the entrance to the palace speaking to Kitana, "Sub Zero?" Smoke said surprised.
And that's it for this chapter. The reason it took longer than I'd expected is that a few last minute things came up that I had to deal with. Also I extended this chapter quite a bit. The beginning with the ruins and the fight with Rain and Tanya were originally gonna be part of the last chapter and the part where Jade fixes Smoke's injuries was gonna be it's own short chapter, but I decided to split the chapters up like this instaed. I executed this part of the story much better than the intended plan. Anyways, remember to tell me what your favorite part of the chapter was and if there's anything you'd like to ask or say to me about the story or just in general. Have a great day!
~Trevyler