A/N: The finale. This was, at times, a whirlwind. Every follower, every favourite, every reader, whether passing or continual, thank you so much. You've stuck with me through thick and thin, months with no updates, and terrible errors that I can't believe I didn't notice earlier. I'll miss Raiden, and Kara, and her parents, and Snake, and Viper, haha. two. This is the last and canon story arc for Kara, if you were wondering. Thanks again. I hope your New Year started brilliantly. Peace, love and all the best for 2017. :)
As Time Goes By
The next morning, Kara had since returned to her home, grabbed some clothes, washing supplies and her trusty dressing gown. She sat on a stool in the kitchen, holding a warm mug of coffee in both hands, breathing in the calming steam. Her cozy dressing gown, the hearth roaring and Raiden's company created a relaxed, happy Kara.
"You know", she looked over, smiling, "what my dreams and reality have in common? You've gone to kiss me, and then stopped. My heart freaks out, I end up trembling with baited breath. I think it'll happen, but it doesn't. I know its out of respect but, at some point, if you care about someone, a little intimacy isn't a bad thing? If I didn't want it, I'd let you know", the smile became a smirk, "trust me".
Raiden kept a knowing smile, leaving Kara to wonder. She kept the smirk, sipping the sweet beverage in the mug, sighing pleasantly.
"Might get in the onsen before I leave", she placed the mug down and stretched her arms, "I feel like a soak". The smirk deepened. She had to look away, lest she start to look mischievous. "Don't mind me".
She clicked her tongue, draining the last dregs of the caffeinated beverage, and getting ready to put said plan into action.
As she walked past, towel and clothes in hand, she couldn't help but grin.
Been naked here before plenty of times. Not whilst you were here though. Hope it doesn't get weird or anything...
Before she knew it, she was swept up in corded warm arms, ending up face to face with the thunderer. The woman looked the god up and down, squinting her eyes mockingly, free hand near his cheek, gingerly, shyly. She was struck by a wave of anticipation.
She went for it, closing her eyes and the distance fairly quickly. The god met her halfway, lips meeting hers...
Kara's knees went weak, completely caught in the moment. The world phased out around her, no sound, smell or sight could pull her away. The moment took her off guard, but she loved it. Spontaneity.
And, truth be told? She'd considered doing the exact thing he had. He just beat her to the punch...
With the onsen long forgotten, Kara sat on Raiden's knee, on the couch, head buried into his chest. He whispered.
"I thought you wanted a soak?"
Huh?
Oh!
She shook her head free of the fog. He chuckled.
"Yeah, I did. I still do. You just caught me off guard is all". Boldness kicked in, and at a ear faster than she could process. "It is your onsen, no? Care to join me?" She kissed him slowly, softly, wriggling off his lap.
She grabbed only her towel this time.
I'll leave you to think about that...
Kara?
Kara opened her eyes.
Grand-Master? Huh. What's up?
She heard a chuckle.
What did I tell you about calling me that?
She looked at the shōji screen in front of her, eyes following the intricate line work of vines connected to delicate looking sakura blossom.
We have a situation, potentially...
Sub-Zero paused.
...Troubling.
Shit...
Kara sighed.
In fighting? No. Let me guess. Some of our guys are fighting with some of Hanzo's guys. Am I right?
Her mentor let out a sigh of his own.
Yes. We were training, a combined effort when one Lin Kuei female began bullying a Shirai Ryu male. It looked like nothing more than childish antics, but is morphing into something else. A whole other entity on it's own.
Kara pinched the bridge of her nose.
They need to be reminded that respect and camaraderie is there for a reason. Both must be adhered too for our alliance, the truce between the two of you to be effective. We can't have infighting, not when the going's this good. It hasn't been for so long that, now it is, any scraps worry me.
She hauled herself out of the onsen, missing its heat immediately.
I'll be there in twenty.
Grabbing her towel, she dried off, rolling her eyes at the petty squabble she'd have to deal with.
The General in her wasn't amused. The rest of her wanted to stay here, somewhere she knew she was welcome. At the kamp, she'd receive muttered curses, on fretted nerves be it.
She realised something, as she finished drying her body. She didn't have her clothes. She turned towards the door.
"I have to go. Trouble brewing at the kamp. Apparently, a scuffle's broken out between a few of my charges and Shirai Ryu. Hanzo stepped in, but they aren't letting it drop. Need to have a word with them. But, uh, I don't seem to have my clothes. And no", she snickered, hearing movement behind the door, "that wasn't deliberate".
Raiden knocked, opened the door a tad, passing her her clothes. She took them, nodding graciously.
"Thank you". Kara closed the door and dressed quickly, dropping her towel into the wash-basket.
Kara strolled towards an enclosed pagoda, a space designed for prayer, to be quiet, secluded.
Right now? It wasn't quiet. Shouting had her quicken her pace, practically running into the door on her way. She opened the sliding door to see the Shirai Ryu male, with a knife in his hand. Her eyes flared as her gaze swept the room, seeing her charge backing up slowly, hands in surrender.
"Okay. It's going to be okay". Kara, too put her hands up, a show of good faith, and to show she wasn't armed.
She was, but that was besides the point...
The man's eyes streamed, as did his nose. Puffy, bloodshot eyes, utter terror fixed in place, a mask not to be removed, or trifled with. The General flinched, a flashback sending an ice cold shiver down her spine. If she didn't know any better, she'd have assumed her leader stood behind her.
However, she knew he didn't.
Thuds. Loud footfalls woke her.
Bangs. Yet another prisoner, slamming something against the wall of their cell.
She choked, dry throat convulsing. She needed to cough, but couldn't summon the energy too.
Her stomach growled angrily, incessantly, pining for food, sustenance to keep her going.
Keep her alive...
The upper left hand corner of the space she was in was now her 'home', though, it provide no seclusion, no safe space, no peace and quiet.
And she hated it. It was all she had at that moment, and she wished that moment to die. The candle to flicker out, before she blew it out herself.
Without thinking, Kara approached the acolyte. He, in response waved the knife in front of him, vulnerability guiding his every move.
"General? General?!"
A frail, meek voice cried out behind her, resonating in the dead silence of the space. For an unknown reason, Kara did not listen.
She payed the price for that, and would have her ear chewed off later.
Sudden pain took her by surprise. As she looked down, she saw the knife being withdrawn from her hip, her robes staining as the wound blossomed. She snapped to attention.
"You did NOT just do that".
The General winced, feeling fluid run from her abdomen. The wound was minor at best, the stinging lasting mere seconds. The acolyte all but fainted at the sight of blood. Kara pressed the fabric of her robe to the wound, using it as a barrier to prevent more blood from seeping out. She paused as she knew what she had to do, and knew what the consequences would be.
She'd have to tell Hanzo, and he wouldn't be pleased, not when the incident could undo all of the work he had put into the clan, in one fell swoop...
Hanzo? I need to speak with you. I've just been wounded by your trainee.
The leader bellowed, hurting her ears.
WHAT?!
Kara opened the sliding door, seeing a rampaging bull in the form of Hanzo, charging towards her. She tried to sway him. What happened was an accident. A weapon drawn at an inopportune time. Yes, the man must atone for his actions, but it would not have happened had she not stepped in. Uttered threats perhaps, but not much more.
She wouldn't have let it get even that far.
"Kara, move. I won't ask again".
Kara did so with trepidation, waving him off.
"It was my fault Hanzo. I stepped in-between them when I should have scolded them. That's all".
The man in yellow and black's eyes widened, disbelief coursing through him.
"Nothing? How is you being stabbed nothing?"
Kara went to correct him, thinking better of it a split second later.
He turned to his acolyte, the poor man cowering away from his gaze, looking as if he was about to puke.
"What did I say about weapons?"
The young man stuttered.
"Not to draw them...ever. Master, I'm so sorry! I took it out in"...
Hanzo wasn't having any of it.
"In what? Self defense? I see no need for that". Hanzo's eyes darkened. "Leave us, do not return to the fortress. If I see or hear of you doing so, the consequences will be severe, do you hear me? You are banished".
The ultimate blow. The man nodded, trying to walk, but his legs wouldn't carry him. He collapsed in a heap with a sonorous thud. Kara went to help, but was blocked by Hanzo's arm. It hit her with more force than he intended, bashing her hip roughly. She groaned, turning and walking away briskly.
"You are too soft on them".
Kara bit her cheek, in no mood to argue.
"I tried to deal with the situation in a fair, reasonable manner".
"Souyae stabbed you. How can you dismiss it as trivial?"
She sighed, looking over her shoulder.
"Slashed. And it isn't trivial. It is serious. However", she turned her body, joining her head in facing him, "however. You saw the look on his face. Like he was about to empty his stomach all over the floor. He deeply regrets what he did. He knows he shouldn't ever draw his weapon. You don't need to speak to him as if he's a disobedient child".
Hanzo disagreed.
"He is a disobedient child".
Kara stood her ground.
"And you are too hard-hearted. And, no, before you tell me off, just think on it for a second. It is one man, one incident, not a speck on the canvas of the grand scheme of things". She walked towards the medical tent, stopping to glance back.
"Deal with the acolyte as you see fit, but know that his heart isn't in the wrong place, nor is his head. He panicked, a moment of rage, insecurity. He feels like you don't see him as worthy. And, all that took for me to deem? Not reading his mind. It was that look after he'd acted. That look caused my heart to soften towards him. I may not be as bold as you, as staunch as you, my methods of training and discipline differ greatly to yours, but, I'd like to think that we do our jobs to the best of our ability. No matter what, bad things always happen. It's how we deal with them that matters".
With that, she walked away, little more to say.
The Heavens
Raiden's home
Raiden was up and about, dressed and was pressing his undershirt when he felt it. A flicker, a smidgen of pain. A flare up the skin, turning red. His hip? He stopped his task, opening the button of his robes. On his left hipbone, the skin looked to have been pinched. It puckered dark pink, under the surface layer, blood pooled, as if wanting to burst out. Pressure built there from that. Dull pain hinted at something being off.
Raiden? Can I see you?
Raiden tilted his head, buttoning up his shirt. Why was she asking?
Urgh...
The sound slipped out, unintentionally.
Kara, what's wrong? Tell me.
That came out demanding. He grit his teeth.
Got slashed. It hurts, nothing I can't handle. Going to see the nurse now.
Kara got halfway through the sentence as Raiden flew from his home.
Kara felt something hit her nose, and a look upwards confirmed her suspicions. Raiden appeared behind the medical tent, gaze questioning as he saw scarlet on her robes. She didn't want to talk about it.
I know, alright? I leave for five minutes, and I get hurt.
Eyes of shifting grey, flickering to black lighting made Kara wrapped an arm around the God's shoulder, letting him walk her into the tent.
Don't. Please. It was my fault in part. If you want to be angry, be angry at me, not Souyae.
The thunderer's eyes softened immediately. So did the rage he felt spike in his blood. It ceased as she took the blame for someone else's actions.
He tightened his hold on her, only letting go when Sonya walked in, wondering what the commotion was about.
Kara lay down gingerly on the cot, waiting for her wound to be looked at...
Autumn
Calming breezes greeted each new day, leaves varying shades of yellow, brown and amber fell, colouring the ground. A myriad of shapes, sounds, the smell of the earth. A veritable cornucopia.
This greeted Kara's eyes as she woke up. A slight stretch clicked limbs curled up during sleep. Gentle snores next to her made her look down, a graceful smile upon seeing how tranquil Raiden looked. She hummed.
I look into the eyes of the storm.
Enveloped in the arms of the storm, I feel no fear, only peace.
I'm at peace.
Hesitantly, as not to wake him, the General lightly scratched his scalp, wanting nothing more than to stay here. Nuzzle into him and forget the life outside. Her fondness grew, as did her respect.
She visited the bathroom, thoughts on how their partnership differed greatly to previous in her life.
With Smoke, it was all smoke, no fire. An instant flame he soon put out afterwards, the cold water upon her not refreshing, but painful. He chilled her to the core. He was a black hole. He sucked everything away from her, even her self worth. She loathed herself by the time Raiden stepped in, on that fateful day, ending the Enenra's reign of terror.
She almost lamented his death.
Almost...
With Snake? It was playful, lighthearted. He was an honest, brilliant man, his soul vibrant. His way of seeing things put her at ease, both with her surroundings and herself.
He made her smile, when she was on the verge of tears.
He made her laugh until her stomach ached.
He built her up, never once removing a stone for her to step on, or taking a brick from her wall. He, as corny as it is sounded to her, was her cement. The concrete structure she lent against.
He propped her up when she had no foundation left. Not that she'd admit it, at the time.
But, he knew. He knew she felt that way.
A dear friend, in her life always.
With Raiden? A deep, mutual respect lay there, the two having known one another over twenty years. More than like lay there, far more than lust. Not quickly satiated. This was a flame that started off small, indistinguishable, insignificant in the grand scheme of things, that, over time, the two fed, until it lit up carnelian, bright, vivid.
Raiden's aura was transcendental, its allure captivated her. So did he. His jaw was strong, cheekbones bold, nose defined, though not ridged. The woman found herself tracing these areas in her pondering, finger lightly grazing stubble. She smiled, the tiny hairs tickling her. A laugh worked its way up her throat. She chose to stifle it, cover it as a yawn.
Her masquerade did not go unnoticed. The sleeping God woke, cracking an eye open at her.
Kara shrugged.
"What? Hmm, you need a shave".
She tried to sound admonishing, but using her 'General' voice on Raiden, she couldn't do it without bursting into laughter.
Raiden agreed.
"That I do".
Kara pounced on him, pinning him down, weakly, playfully.
"You'll have to get rid of me first".
She grinned devilishly. He nuzzled her. She frowned, narrowing her eyes.
"Stubble mister. It's like rubbing sandpaper on my face".
She sat up, hands hovering over his chest.
"Hmm. I'm torn", she put a finger to her lips, "I could get up. I could stay here". She looked down, wiggling an eyebrow. "What say you?"
That earned her a kiss as Raiden sat up, his hands behind him. She smiled into the kiss, taking a hold of his collar. Her other hand went to join it, pausing as it ended up under his shirt.
"Are you okay with this? I mean, is it appropriate? Is me sleeping here even appropriate?" Kara's face twisted worriedly. "Why am I questioning this?"
Raiden took her hands, closing her fingers and his around them. The sizable difference made a grin pull at her mouth.
"Are you scared that if you blink, or let go, all of this will disappear? That I will disappear?"
The worry covered her face fully, the mask stuck, as if glued. She nodded meekly. Raiden pulled her toward him gently, giving her another nuzzle, this time against her cheek.
"This is real. All of it is", she told herself, "well...there is one way I could know for sure. We both could".
Kara's face bloomed red, as pure a rose. She looked away, embarrassment flooding her. She felt like an eighteen year old again. Eighteen year old Kara wanted intimacy, but had no experience in it, in any of it's acts.
Now that she did? She was confident. A confident, bold woman, who knew what she wanted, and asked for it.
She would ask for it, she decided, with triumph in her heart.
She surged forward, kissing Raiden slowly, sweetly, asking permission through actions, not words. Luckily for her, and her flustered mind, the God was on the same page as her, having the same train of thought.
Cautiously, they let each other in, under one another's skin. Her cool melted away, replaced by that all familiar encompassing feeling she'd craved for some time. Unaware that it lay dormant, locked behind a steel door that was her duties.
For now? In this moment? She cast aside her status, as did Raiden.
Right now? In this moment they were just two people, holding on to something dear. Taking as well as giving.
It wouldn't ever be selfish. No one would gain more than the other.
All or nothing? They'd choose all every time...
She began to like the rain. Embracing her, cooling flushed skin. Calming flustered thoughts, a racing mind.
She began to like the shadows, the ones that would engulf her from behind. The arms that shielded her, keeping her warm, safe.
Nature was a curious thing. She'd look up at the sky, observing as the sun set and the moon rose, the air refreshing on bare skin. Billions of stars glittered above her, like the fairy lights she had as a child.
Learning was a favourite of hers. She thrived on it. Mapping out skin, tracing patterns, making invisible paths, leading nowhere, but done nonetheless. Finding otherwise unknown, ticklish spots that she took full advantage of.
Everything mattered, became clearer to her.
Small gestures, slight smiles, no words. The silence spoke volumes, pen elegantly writing their story.
She'd take his kasa hat, teleporting around, grinning impishly. The God would find her, and one night, he found her on the couch, nought but the hat on her head. He'd shake his head, pretending not to go about his day, as if she wasn't there. Muffled laughs made him ache to smile, but he'd hide it. He'd perfected, as she called it 'stone face'. His poker face was hard to breach.
When she did, it would fall completely and utterly. And the thunderer wouldn't have it any other way.
The pair kept their relationship quiet. A few knew, and were accepting, joyous for them. They appreciated that, neither needing any more nagging words, causing doubt's light to flash in their minds.
A rainy day. On days like this, Kara would sit by the fire, with hot chocolate, wearing only a smile. This day found her the woman wearing one of Raiden's shirt as she sat upon his bed, sunlight bathing her form from a nearby window. The shirt was more like a dress and see-through. This was the sight that greeted the man upon entering his room. The pair exchanged soft smiles, light framing them in its amber glow.
And, with the sun setting, their beautiful storm, swirling around in a teacup flared to life...
Ah, the weather. It can be temperamental. It can also be wondrous, beautiful. A sight to behold.
Weather metaphors on the other hand? Ah, metaphors. How I love and overuse thee...