A/N: Guys, I want to sincerely apologise for me not updating this. It's not that I couldn't be bothered, it really isn't. I had ideas, and lots of them. But the moment I went to type them, they just vanished, and I'd end up frustrated. I want to put a million percent into this, and I will do. Thanks for the support, reviews, follows, faves, they just erupted, and I really wasn't expecting that at all. Cheers! :D

Light And Shade

Winter was on it's way, it's chill racked through Kara's bones, and she constantly shivered. Even lighting the numerous hearths in Raiden's home did not do much to alleviate the problem. This particular evening found the young woman, sitting in the Elder God's armchair, with a cup of tea in her hands, trying to warm them up. Her numb fingers made her curse multiple times, the cold wasn't her friend.

Which, was rather ironic, considering that Kara trained with the Lin Quei, in their temple, which stood on top of a vast mountain range, and the temperature there got so low at times, everyone there had to just grin and bear it. Harsh conditions were something the young acolyte should be used to by now...

...but, she wasn't, and she wasn't sure if she ever would get used to them.

So for now, she was fairly content, sitting in front of the fire.

However, she was starting to feel lonely. Farren was asleep most hours of the day, and even when she did wake up, she'd only meow and give attention to Kara, because she wanted food, or to be let out the house. Raiden was in Earthrealm, for the ninth Mortal Kombat tournament had begun, and Earthrealm's fighters desperately needed to win this time. Shao Kahn could not win again. If he did, then Earthrealm would be his, to do with, as he saw fit. And the young woman knew that a man such as him, as smug, vain and compulsive as he was, would utterly destroy the realm, and rebuild, it in his image.

She hated to admit it, was loath to almost, but Kara missed Raiden, dearly and it confused her. She wasn't used to relying off of other people. She'd always been self-reliant. But, when the Elder God decided to take her, under his wing, and protect her, she couldn't understand why she was so important. Yes, she could control and manipulate her environment, but only when she's figured out what to do. She couldn't use her powers willy-nilly. She had to plan ahead, think ahead, evaluate all possible outcomes, and possibilities. And that tired her out. Sometimes, Kara wished she was as powerful as her Mother.

Then? Then she could help, she would be powerful, formidable, a force to be reckoned with.

Now? All the young woman could manage was moving small objects, or slow paced fights with Raiden, when he were there.

She wasn't tough, and after all of the training she had done, to get to where she was now, that revelation hurt like hell.

When Raiden did finally come home, he looked drawn, pale and almost like he'd throw up. Kara knew immediately that something wasn't right. She made some herbal tea, and walked into the living room with it. Raiden, before sitting down, glanced at his armchair, and noticed a dint in it. He looked at Kara, and she smiled.

"What? It's comfy. Anyway, how's thing in Earthrealm, Lord Raiden?"

Raiden sat down, and looked glum. "They're losing, again. And my amulet, every time we lose, or something significant happens, a crack appears. I saw many possibilities for what would happen in the tournament. But I never forswore us losing again. I should have seen this. Why didn't I?"

Kara sat down next to him, and placed two cups, and the kettle of chamomile tea down next to them. "Did anyone appear that wasn't supposed to be there? That can alter the outcome, the future".

Raiden nodded. "Kung Lao, dressed as one of Shang Tsung's guards. Thought he could fool, but not me. I did not see him coming here in my visions".

"His unexpected arrival could have tragic consequences. Or, it could be a blessing in disguise".

Raiden barely concealed a huff. "None of them are ready, none. It's almost as though they have already conceded defeat".

Kara's smile faltered. "Would you like some tea? Oh! I've washed and ironed all of your clothes and put them in your room. Yes, I went in there, and no, I did not snoop".

Raiden's mouth quirked into a slight grin. "I would like some tea, and I didn't think you would snoop. It isn't in your nature".

Kara poured the tea into the cups, and handed one to the Elder God. He took it and nodded in thanks. "How have things been here?"

Kara took her own cup and breathed in it's sweet scent. "Well, I have gotten fat, and really lazy. I'm becoming like the human version of Farren. I want to train harder, but when I do, I can't handle it. My muscles ache with the effort. Hell, even just running up the stairs virtually winds me. I hate it".

The man next to her blew on the tea, before taking a sip. He made a contented hum. "Well, your abilities seem to be coming along nicely".

Kara waved her spare hand and frowned. "No, they really haven't. I am so weak, I can barely move anything. The heaviest thing I used my mind to lift was a chair. A CHAIR, they aren't even heavy. I, if Mother was here, I could train with her, she'd help my mental focus. Also, I...wait, your hurt".

The ivory haired man looked at the ribs on his right side and nodded. "Shang's men ambushed me. Yet another thing I did not see in my visions".

The young woman moved closer to him, and hovered her hand over his ribs. "They're bruised, and the skin will swell around them. Unless, you let me help".

Raiden's face said it all. "No Kara. You need to preserve your strength".

Kara rolled her eyes, to add dramatic effect. "Ugh. Look, I know I can heal you, okay? It's not like I'm asking you to strip or anything, is it? All I have to do is focus my energy on your ribs, and help ease the pain, and the swelling".

Raiden concealed his discomfort at what the young lady had just said, with another sip of tea. "That was inappropriate Kara".

Kara rook a few seconds to register what she had just said...

...and then, she flushed bright red and put her cup down. She then cradled her face in her hands. "Oh Gods. I'm sorry Lord Raiden. That was completely inappropriate of me to say. I just, I didn't mean what it sounded like, when I said I could heal you. UGH, I just...okay, I'm just going to stop talking".

As he moved, pain lanced through his side, and he bit down a groan. He knew he needed help, but admitting it was not in his nature.

That, and he was an Elder God. He shouldn't need help. He should be able to manage on his own.

He sighed, and looked at the still red faced Kara, who was trying to hide her face, behind her cup. "You're right, I do need healing".

The brunette haired woman nodded, and finished the last of her tea. She moved that little bit closer to him, and put her hand near his ribs.

Raiden saw a serene purple light emanate from Kara's hand, and it bathed him in an amethyst glow. He then felt the skin of his ribs ease. His injury had made it tense up, but now, it felt much better. The pain dulled, and was almost gone, when she suddenly stopped, and held her head. The Elder God moved from his armchair, and sat next to her. He put his hand on her forehead, and felt her sag against his shoulder.

"Kara? Kara? Are you alright?"

The Lin Quei acolyte looked at him, and nodded. "Yeah, that just drained me a little". She sighed. "Every time I think I'm ready to fight again, my body fails me. I'm only twenty-three, my body shouldn't be failing me yet".

Raiden shook his head. "Sometimes, we all need to take it easy, step by step. Not step, then leap. You can only push yourself so far, before you exhaust yourself, you crash and burn. You did help me, so it's clear to me that you can do it".

Kara pouted. "I know. I'm getting ahead of myself. I do feel physically better, but mentally? I may act like I'm okay, but really, I'm not. I think you and I are alike in that respect".

Raiden tilted his head, and that uncomfortable feeling came back again, with a vengeance, and lodged itself in his gut. He swallowed the lump in his throat before grunting. He stood up, and moved to the kitchen area.

His reply was a mere whisper, one he believed she didn't hear.

But she did.

"Sometimes, we all need help, but we can't always ask for it".

Kara stood up, and went to follow him. "Why not?"

Raiden put his cup in the sink, and ignored her, as he walked past her, and up the stairs.

You don't understand Kara.

I just can't...