It's midnight here, so, here's a little Halloween surprise for you. I hope you have fun, whether you celebrate a holiday or not. Stay safe lovely readers. :)
A/N: Raiden will be OOC here, as we don't yet know what happened to him after the Sky Temple, turning super-Saiyan, or if anything actually happens to him. From that cut-scene, I got the feeling he wasn't about to play ball with anyone who harmed Earthrealm again. My version could be too much, not enough, or okay for the reader's taste. Not too sure yet. I guess I'll know soon enough...
Two Faced
Raiden stood, stunned for a time. He didn't know how he felt, though thought he should at least feel guilty for his words.
It worried him, because he didn't.
He'd frightened Kara. She'd deny it, but he saw through her poker-face. The malevolent energy flowing around him splattered like paint upon his robes. His reflection in a small mirror Kara had left caused jolts of unease within him.
Frosted ruby eyes looked back at him, misted over, lifeless, dull. Lines creased the corners of his eyes, around his mouth and his forehead. Deep lines marred there, making him look ancient. Since the attack on the Jinsei, dizziness clawed at him, digging it's dirt sodden nails deep into his skull, groping around. He'd held back wretches for a good few hours but wasn't sure he'd be able too much longer. He felt woozy, like he'd drunk too much. Alcohol didn't phase him much, he'd built up quite the tolerance.
Right now? He felt like a lightweight. Tiredness combined with sickness, fever dreams, constant sweating and full-body shaking, violent, unforgiving, almost like the flu. Visions did not help matters, all they showed him was doom and gloom.
Of course Mileena wouldn't go down without a fight.
His mind bitterly reminded him as he sat up on shaky arms. Sleep no longer felt like a necessity, more like an option. His other options were dire, any good ones long gone the moment he absorbed Shinnok's toxic energy. It poisoned him from the inside out, its choke-hold unyielding, its heavy weight lay upon his chest. It felt like an age to take a breath, his lungs aching with the effort of keeping him alive.
He swung his legs around and tried to get up with a start. However, as soon as feet touched the bare wooden floorboards, the shift in weight onto his legs made them buckle. He quickly sat, or rather, fell back down, beaded sweat dripping from his temple as he did, slipping back down into this hellish abode. His once pleasant, calm, peaceful home, his sanctuary became dangerous, full of traps he set up himself.
So weak, he could tumble down the stairs, breaking his neck in the subsequent fall.
Trembling limbs, a mass of uselessness, he could slip near the onsen, plunging, drowning himself in grey, muddy waters. Biting, cold.
His appetite waned, long, tall frame began sagging, bones jutting through.
A week had passed with him existing off of nothing. He couldn't keep it down, or stomach much right now. Tea and water were all he could drink, rice and bread all he could eat.
Days turned into a week, all fusing in a constant loop of insomnia, hunger, agony, monotony, and, loneliness...
His bed called him again, wearily. He trudged on back upstairs, fully expecting sickness to prevent much need rest...
Nursing injuries was quickly becoming routine for Kara. This frustrated her. She spent more time on her ass or back than doing any actual fighting.
She sat on her couch, mug of steaming, soothing lavender and chamomile tea in her hands. She kept it under her chin, breathing in it's sweet, herbal scent. An alternative to the hard stuff, straight liquor when the day had been rough, she thought this tea a saviour. It helped her keep her cool, stay focused on whatever she was doing. The heat also relaxed her mind, which raced ahead of her body, giving her all sorts of negative thoughts.
Tiama was supposed to be visiting today, what time, the woman did not know. She'd pressed the boil button on the kettle a dozen times before she heard that familiar, soft rapping on her door.
"Kara. I know what happened last week". Her Mother pursed her lips. "Raiden's really ill Kara. He needs help".
Kara squinted, the faint lines on her forehead more visible with the intensity.
"Righttt. 'Help'". She snorted. "You're right. He does need help. He now wants to murder people who so much as look at Earthrealm funny". She placed a finger near the corner of her lips. "He never used to be like that. Yeah. Help".
Tiama wasn't amused. "Kara".
Being scolded by her Mother made her flinch. No longer calm, she wished to walk away, but her Mother had other ideas. She lightly grabbed her daughter's wrist.
"I am only asking you because, other than Fujin, who is busy with inter-realm affairs, Liu and Kang, who are in the Shaolin Temple, you are the only other person he really knows, and trusts".
Kara yanked her arm free. "Trusts? The man wants to harm me! What the hell is it with men wanting to maim me?"
Tiama shouted, striking fear into Kara's heart. Tiama never shouted. She'd raise her voice if necessary but never shouted.
"Kara! He doesn't want to kill you. You cannot go through life believing everyone is out to get you! Yes, he isn't himself anymore, he isn't the man we once knew anymore, but he's no fiend. No monster".
"He virtually threatened me Mom! You should have seen the look in his eyes. It felt like he was looking straight through me".
"Did he threaten you?"
Kara blanched. Tiama repeated.
"Did he threaten you?"
Kara shook her head.
"Well, no, but...".
Her Mother interrupted.
"Why are you lying to your own Mother? Didn't I bring you up better than that? Didn't your Father bring you up better than that?"
She said this matter-of-fact. Kara was upset but masked it, poorly with bravery.
"Because I'm fucking scared Mom! I'm terrified of him". Her voice broke. "He doesn't have to do anything to make me want to run away", her voice trembled, "like a goddamned coward".
Tiama openly cried, squealing, fists clenched.
"Fine. I will give him the help he needs".
She fell silent, leaving her daughter suspicious. She wasn't telling her everything...
"He asked about you. You Kara, no one else. That's not what you wanted to hear, is it?"
Kara's jaw worked to process that. She sniffed.
"Me? Whatever. Probably delirious".
Her Mother's face was a mix of upset and pain.
"Don't tell me you didn't get to know and care for him when you were there with him. It was over two years Kara, not two minutes".
The younger raised her brows, went to argue, but held her tongue. Her Mother was right. Arguing would only aggravate things.
"Fine", she eventually forced out between thin lips. Pupils widened, she stepped back, visibly anxious.
"Why do I feel like this? I keep doubting him. Since I saw him ragged, it's made me uneasy".
Tiama said what she was thinking, quite blunt.
"It could be because he is a man, and some have hurt you in the past".
Kara scoffed. "Yeah, one did"...
No. Three did.
She corrected. "Okay. Three did. But Stephen didn't. Johnny hasn't, neither has Grand-Master, or Master Hasashi, or Kenshi, Takeda, nor Jin nor Dad. The three that did were heartless assholes. The latter are not, well, Johnny can be, but that's not the point".
The two chuckled at that.
"Kara, I. I'm so sorry. I'm getting frustrated at you for nothing".
Kara shook her head. "Not at all Mom. I'm being belligerent, a child. I'm forty-five in a month. I have no excuse to act the way I do". She sighed. "I'll visit him tomorrow".
Tiama smiled, wiped away her tears. Kara reached for a tissue and pulled it from the box, passing it to her. She took it and smiled weakly.
"Growing up sucks huh".
Kara groaned, smacking her palm against her forehead.
"Mom...", she whined.
The family ended up in fits of laughter, the mood lightening considerably.
The next day
Kara gathered up some courage, fiddling with the box of things she'd brought the sick Elder God. Standing outside his home felt like standing outside the palace, devoid of warmth, ominous. Still, she had to, as she heard the popular phrase, 'grow a pair'. She was an adult, adults did not act like frightened children, hiding beneath their blankets from the 'monster' under their beds...
She sighed, and knocked, her hold increasing on the box she carried upon the door's opening.
Raiden stood before her, change immediate in his appearance, gait. Kara bowed her head and wandered slowly inside.
The first thing she saw was Raiden's robes. They were pitch black fabric, tainted by something, sinister...
"Your robes, they're black. By your own doing or...not?"
"No. No matter how often I change them, they become black over time".
Kara saw onyx waves radiating from him in the corner of her eye. She blinked several times and walked into the kitchen, placing the box on the counter, opening it. Raiden found himself curious at the small blue pot she picked from the box of 'tricks'. She turned, holding the tub in her hand.
"This is menthol rub. I swear by it. You rub it on your chest, it helps ease chesty coughs and snuffly noses".
Raiden was bemused, aware of the topic shift, though not bringing it up.
"I don't have a cough".
The woman laughed nervously. "Good. You'd be putting on anyway, all kinds of inappropriate otherwise".
She stuffed the tub back into the box and pulled out some tea in a pouch.
"This should help. Chamomile and ginger, it can help calm nerves and a roiling stomach".
She handed him a thermometer. He, still bemused took off the cap and put it under his tongue. A minute later, he took it out. It beeped as he looked at it. It was a little higher, though nowhere near as high as it had been earlier that week. He gave it back to Kara, who looked at it and frowned.
"Feverish. Huh. That's not good".
"My temperature had always been higher than what is deemed usual".
Kara rubbed the back of her head. "The opposite with me. My hands are always cold". She smirked. "You know what they say. 'Cold hands, cold heart'".
She filled the kettle up, pressing the button on it for it to boil.
"Tea?"
The man nodded. Kara moved the tea to the side, grabbed some mugs and to the side and pulled out a bag of food.
"Managed to keep anything down?"
He nodded, much to Kara's relief. She smiled.
"I have veggies, spinach, eggs, noodles and beef. I'll put them in the fridge so you can have them when you want. Not much of a cook, but I can make the basics".
The click of the kettle had her jump. She was skittish, that much was obvious. Raiden sighed. He knew the reason, a valid one to be sure. The elephant in the room grew impossibly large, so did the lump in Kara's throat. She coughed, and faced him, standing as boldly as she could.
"Look. I need to get this out of the way", she questioned, "Are we okay? Are you okay more specifically?"
The man wanted, needed to reassure her. Everything about him the last time they spoke gave her the idea that he'd just attack her, without cause, without warning. He would not do that.
"I never meant to alarm you. I would never harm you, let alone kill you. I couldn't concentrate on anything at that time. Everything blurred, whirred around. That is no excuse".
Hazel eyes softened, a long exhale the only sound heard in the room.
"Good", she confirmed it in her mind after speaking the positive word, "I'm glad. I don't want to fight with you". She shifted, pretending to make the promised tea.
"Being completely honest with you?"
The God nodded. "I didn't want to come here. It was Mom who convinced me to do so, and I'm grateful she did. I want to apologise for what I'm about to say". She wished to speak clearly, louder, convey her emotions in her intonations, but she fell short, ending up whispering.
"I genuinely thought you wanted to hurt the others, when you were at the kamp. That thought wasn't validated. It was unacceptable and messed up, but I still had it".
Raiden understood, more than the woman knew.
"From my actions this past week, I cannot blame you for having that thought".
Morbid curiosity gnawed at the General's brain, the tea long forgotten.
"What did you do?"
The question caused both to raise a brow.
Did she really wish to know?
Did he even want to tell her? None knew of he'd done to Shinnok after his attempt to take control of Earthrealm's very life essence after all.
He made a decision. She hadn't lied to him, therefore, he would not lie to her.
"I killed Shinnok. He had gone too far. The revenents have nowhere to turn. I must see to it Mileena is halted before her plan comes to fruition".
Kara wasn't remotely bothered that the selfish bastard fallen-one was dead. If anything, she considered it a blessing. Divine justice.
"I'm there. Anything you or Earthrealm need, I'm proud to be of help, stand beside you all. Haven't really had a chance to prove I can actually fight, other than use my abilities. They aren't all I have, only a part. I wish to prove to, well, myself, that I am able to stand on my own two feet, fight alone. Succeed alone".
She rifled through the box of first aid items, snorting as she caught herself and what she was saying.
"What am I, your nurse?"
Raiden shook his head, confusing his companion.
"You've fought much more than you realise. Just because they were not physical battles, that does not mean you haven't fought any. You doubt yourself far too much".
Kara went to butt in, opening her mouth, but nothing came out. She looked like a fish, opening and closing her mouth. She had to work to shut it.
"I know what you're about to say, and, you're wrong. You couldn't have foreseen being kidnapped. It wasn't your fault. You couldn't have foreseen Smoke's sudden change of behavior. He wasn't your fault. You kept on fighting. Even being threads from death, you came back. You could have died whilst you were brought to the Jinsei chamber. The energy may not have saved you, but you let it. It doesn't just help all who wander into it, Kara".
Kara mumbled the first few words.
"I knew he was bad, I just chose to ignore it", Raiden's words began sinking in, "wait. So I did have control, to an extent? I thought the Jinsei was influenced by your energy".
The God nodded. "It is. My presence needs to be there, but it was up to your will whether you survived or not. The remainder of your energy fused with the Jinsei's".
"So, Shinnok took your power, and that's how he could control the energy? Corrupt and redirect it?"
Again, the God nodded. It was then that Kara saw red flecks in usual neutral blue.
"You aren't sleeping are you? I can help there. I don't think you wandering around, looking and sounding like a zombie will inspire much faith in people. Then again, you've done a lot for us, and we haven't ever really thanked you, or repaid your servitude".
Raiden waved a hand. This made Kara cross. She crossed her arms and pouted, standing her ground.
"You deserve to be repaid. Right", she sighed, "Sleep or eat?"
"I haven't managed either very well this past week".
Kara prioritized. "Sleep. I will stop your head spinning. I can feel the tension it it, it's clouding mine too".
The God frowned. "I apologise".
The woman payed it no mind. "It's fine".
She walked in front of the thunderer and sat down, patting the space next to her. He sat down, smoothing out his robes, in usual practise. Kara cleared her head, and took some deep, calming breaths. She tuned out all distractions and focused her energies on Raiden's head. He felt the throbbing from a headache lessen. His eyes no longer felt sore, his body no longer felt heavy, his flu-like symptoms eased their hold. Wisps of light flowed around Kara's arms, from her forearm to the tips of her fingers, pastel purple hue weaving, dancing their way around her form.
When she opened her eyes, they were purple, glimmering with flecks of glitter.
When he opened his, in the reflection of Kara's mirror, he saw they were back to their usual aquamarine, flecked with white bolts here and there.
"Your eyes".
Kara blinked, concentration faltering.
"Ah", she rubbed the back of her head, shifting, "yeah. Viper's were this colour. Not sure if that happened when my abilities were returned to me, or through training and meditation, they changed over time. I'm hoping that latter to be honest".
She coughed, standing up.
"I'll sort everything out here. Try to relax, maybe get some rest?"
To her amazement, Raiden agreed. Amusement shimmered in her eyes.
"Alright. Give me half an hour".
She walked upstairs, changed the bed covers, putting the others and Raiden's robes in the wash, and changing the sheets. When they were done and dried, she ironed them. She gave him a fresh pair of robes before he went upstairs, and set about cleaning the kitchen.
All of this took an hour. She cursed herself for vacuuming last, hoping Raiden hadn't fallen asleep yet. Night fell quickly, prompting the woman to think about going home. Slight whistles perked her ears. Those whistles became cries. Tiredness was thrown aside, replaced by concern as the woman got up, and tiptoed up the stairs. She'd been in his room a few times, never to snoop, but part of her was a little sneaky, forever wondering and wandering to find out what was going on in there. She cautiously knocked. With no reply, she tentatively opened the door was silently as she could.
Something less than benign plagued his dreams, that much was certain. Kara felt pity pull at her gently, like the feeble grasp of a child, holding onto a hand for comfort, guidance from an adult. Was she mothering him? That made her stomach lurch. She shook her head of that thought.
No. I'm no 'Mother Hen'. I'd much rather look after animals than children.
Farren...
The fluffy fat cat would have died a long time ago, though, this did not take away the sourness she felt. She loved the silly white feline. Covering her in fur, kneading her skin as if she were a cushion, her flouncy, strutting walk as she looked you, right in the eyes, and did something she shouldn't. Kara almost laughed as sweet memories came back to her.
She covered her mouth and gave the God sleeping in front of her her full attention.
She wondered if he had done this with her. Looked after her when she lay in the bedroom opposite his, vulnerable, crying, bleeding, skin raw, mind rawer. He looked at odds with whatever he was dreaming about, as if part of him felt at peace, and the other part warred with the idea of peace, tranquility. Kara knew the man rarely sought help for himself, believing he could tackle anything alone. Take on all the burdens of the realm and it's warriors.
Kara knew better than to question him, but, she knew he wasn't able to do that.
Not anymore, at least...
Getting a cool, wet facial towel from the bathroom, she wiped it across the man's head. A nightmare the likely cause. Sadness flooded her.
You've lived millennia. The memories you must have, the things you've seen. The mental load must be enormous. I can't leave knowing you are suffering.
Kara didn't wish to witness what he was seeing. She ended the nightmare, and held her breath when she saw his hand twitch. He was far too perceptive for his own good, in her humble opinion.
"I know you're awake". She chuckled quietly. "And yes. Before you tell me I shouldn't being here, I know that. I just wasn't about to leave knowing you were", trying to think of the right phrasing was tricky when it eluded her, "having trouble resting easy". She raised a brow, cautiously testing the waters. "That wasn't in any way condescending now, was it? I never meant it to sound so, if it was".
Raiden could have rolled his eyes. She was apologising, again. She did that often, despicably since the Sky Temple battle, as if she were trying to keep in his good books. He hadn't ever taken her out of them. Her name wouldn't be erased, nor her reputation and her achievements. They spoke volumes.
His spoke tomes. The large, dusty, pages torn and worn leather-bound type.
"You are apologising again".
Kara shrugged, taking the towel and scrunching it up.
"Eh. As Dad used to say: 'I don't want to muddy the waters. So, if I have to bow down in order for things to go smoothly, I will'".
Now more awake, the God shifted, sitting up against the headboard.
"So you feel the need to bow? Have I ever asked you, or anyone for that matter to do so?"
Again, Kara shrugged.
"Not me. I bet no one else either. You don't seem the maniacal, smug asshole type. Arrogance is a bugbear of mine, alongside idiocy, and people who can't hold decent conversation. At least with you, I don't feel like I'm talking to a wall. Even when you don't answer me, the wall is the least interesting".
She noted more sweat beading on the man's brow.
"Hold up".
She placed the back of her hand against Raiden's forehead. It was boiling. She snatched her hand back and cursed under her breath.
"Still got a fever". She remembered she had ibuprofen tablets in the box she brought.
"May sound unorthodox, given who you are, but, I have some tablets downstairs. They could help with your temperature. Lower it for a bit, just so you can get some sleep. Quality sleep I mean, not that, 'I'm kinda asleep, but not really. More a pitiful excuse for a nap' asleep. Want some?"
Raiden nodded. Pills were not his thing, he'd usually just wait it out, and eventually, he'd fall asleep, awaking with a modicum of vigor.
Not as much as he'd like...
But, if Kara trusted them, and their effects, he would, at least, try them.
"I'll get you some water".
Kara walked out of the room before he could decline her offer of water.
She walked back in soon after, glass in one hand, pill packet in the other. Kneeling down next to the bed, Raiden took the pills off her, but not the water. He popped two out of the pack and swallowed them easily. Kara looked vexed.
"Damn, you're hardcore. I tried doing that once. Ended up coughing so hard, it felt like my lungs would come out my throat. Dad was patting my back for a good long whole after that. Never again". She laughed and placed the glass down onto the bedside table. "I best be off, it'll be midnight soon, and I'm tired. Flagging a little bit".
The thunderer nodded. "Of course". He smiled. "Thank you Kara. It couldn't have been easy for you, coming back here".
Kara carried on that vein of conversation.
"After the last encounter I had here? Yeah", she sighed, "It wasn't as simple as I would have liked. Walk in, feel at home. This is, was my second home for a long while. I want it to feel like that again, you know?"
The God tilted his head. "You wish to stay here?"
Kara half nodded her head. "Yes and no. Yes because it means I am a lot closer to Mom, and Dad has been staying here a lot recently too. With his health the way it's been, I want to be close to him in case...". She stopped. Raiden tried to console her, lift her spirits.
"He's strong. He will fight tooth and nail Kara. You inherited that from him. An indomitable spirit".
The woman snorted. "I spent most of my time on my back". She knew what she'd said was a pun, though did not add a caveat onto it, or retract it.
"An no because I should be independent. Being here isn't doing that, is it?"
She coughed. "Anyway. I best be off, lest I pass out somewhere other than my bed". She left the pills next to the glass and stood up, dusting her knees off. "Try and look after yourself, you hear?" Admonishing him felt silly, but hilarious in her bed. She'd have snorted had he not deadpanned her words. "Chill, it's all good. Just don't go getting worse. It isn't just Earthrealm that'll worry. I will too".
Raiden looked away, seemingly ashamed.
"You shouldn't need to worry. There is no need too".
The woman's brows lowered as she squinted.
"No, but I do. I consider you a dear friend, and I sure as hell worry about them whenever things go wrong. There always seems to be something around the corner, just watching, lingering, being a total bastard, who you know is about to cause mayhem. You just don't know when". Kara stood, arms folded. "If Mileena is gunning for the throne, we need to be ready. Kotal needs to be too".
She heard a familiar ringtone downstairs, blushing, and twisting on one foot.
"That'll be my alarm. I set it for midnight. That's the 'Go to bed, it's late' one". She looked away, flushing.
Another alarm went off not a minute later. This time, the woman looked at the floor.
"Okay. That's the 'It's one minute past midnight, and you are still up. Why the hell are you still up' one. I really need to go".
Raiden had a joke on the tip of his tongue. Saying it could further rile her, or it could take the edge off her flustered state.
"You are the one keeping yourself here. If you did not talk, you wouldn't still be here".
He wasn't quite sure how Kara took that, her face giving nothing away.
"Checkmate Lord Raiden. You were chatting too you know".
She picked up and threw the towel at him, giggling mischievously.
When she stopped laughing, she turned, looking over her shoulder.
"Night".
Raiden rolled onto his side, putting the towel back onto the table beside him.
"Good night Kara".
She left the room, the soft click of the door the last thing he heard.
...Until Kara's phone decide to sound the alarm one last time.
"Goddammit!"
She ran down the stairs to shut it off.
The man chuckled at that, before closing his eyes, and finally drifting off into a deep, restful sleep.