Disclaimer: I do not own Mortal Kombat or any of its characters. All rights belong to Ed Boon, Nether Realm Studios, and Warner Bros.
After the successful discussions of peace with Mileena in Outworld, Kurai returned home to tell his mother the good news, much to her shock and Kitana's. But Jade and Ophelia didn't doubt him for a second. If anyone could've pulled off the peace negotiations, it would be him. And he did.
Before Kurai had realized, a month had gone by since the invasion of Earth Realm, and only a few weeks since his return to Edenia and the peace negotiations in Outworld. For Kurai, things were now going smoothly.
One night, after a long day training with Ophelia and Jade while Kitana and Sindel handled their royal duties, Kurai went to his room after kissing Jade goodnight, since she and her mother still wanted to catch up on things after being apart for so many years. So, Kurai went to his private bathroom to clean off any and all dirt and grime that stuck to him during his training session in his large, pool-like, bath tub. He could've taken a shower, but he wanted to have a good soak this night.
What eventually caught him slightly by surprise, however, was the arrival of someone who he has not seen since the Outworld tournament. And he was more than happy to know that she is still alright. "You're not going to catch me off guard, Tanya. You make your presence known with... less than honorable intentions." He says with his eyes closed while he's in the bath.
Hearing a fleshy stomp on the floor with a pouty huff, Kurai opens his eyes to see Tanya, once again, in a less than modest state. Just like before in Earth Realm. "I'm happy to see that you're alright. It's been over a year now since I saw you last." He says to her genuinely as she smiles and walks over to the tub before climbing in.
She sits on top of him with her head against his chest before sighing contentedly. "I'm glad you're ok too, darling. After I heard about Outworld invading Earth Realm, I feared the worst, but then I heard that Sindel had miraculously came back to life. But when I heard that you still hadn't come back to Edenia, I was afraid that you had..." She explains to him before trailing off and deciding to not finish the thought.
Kurai sighs and nods with understanding before wrapping his arms around her and just sits with her in the tub in a comfortable silence. After a while, Tanya begins to kiss his chest softly while trailing up to his lips. They both begin kissing each other passionately as Tanya straddles him and begins to grind her hips against his, but Kurai grabs her arms, pulls away from the kiss and shakes his head.
She groans in frustration before collapsing against his chest. "I know you and Jade are together, but would it be so bad to have me too? I want no one else but you, Kurai. I want you to ravage me to the point that I won't be able to walk the next morning." She tells him while she laughs at the end when she sees him smile.
Kurai pecks her lips softly before looking at her tenderly. "Tanya, believe me, I want to. With you and Jade. But I'm just not... there... quite yet. I've been with more women since Sadira, but like I told Jade, a real connection? That's honestly what I crave most. With Jade I have that, I can FEEL that. And with you-" He goes on to explain, but is interrupted by Tanya, who had a hurt expression.
"With me you don't have or feel it." She says with a cracked tone in her voice as her lips begin to tremble, but Kurai holds her close as he looks into her eyes.
"With you, Tanya, I can feel it too. And I want nothing more than to share it with you. I just don't want the both of us to be just... sex friends." He continues before he chuckles at the his small joke. "You told me in Earth Realm that you love and want only me, but what you're after isn't the way to go about it or get my attention. You want my attention? Be more honest about it." He tells her before shifting their bodies around to where her back is against the side of the tub instead of his.
Tanya looks up at him while wrapping her legs against his waist before he begins kissing her again, but this time more slowly. Lovingly. He kisses her, and her him, as his hands slowly begin to trail up and down her body, causing her to feel goosebumps all over while her hands and legs tremble from all the pleasure she was feeling just from him kissing her. Exactly like before in Earth Realm when she wanted him to claim her everything.
She moans in the kiss and embraces him while trying to pull him closer to her before she begins to whine. Wanting more and wanting to know what else he can do besides kiss her blissfully to the point she falls unconscious. He continues to kiss her while feeling her body with his hands until he grabs her waist and pulls him into her lap.
Tanya bites her lip with a smile before wrapping her arms around his neck while he slowly sinks himself under the water and her with him. The two then begin to continue their kissing session under the water while feeling their hands glide over their bodies. They eventually begin to run out of breath and come back to the surface, both wet from the water and hair messy and matted.
Tanya takes deep breaths and kisses him again before looking at him with amazement. "By the Elder Gods... I can't get enough of what you can do. But I think now... I understand what you're saying. And you're right. If I really want this. If I truly want... us... then I have to be more honest about my feelings and stop acting like... well, a slut, essentially. But... I have no other way to express how I really feel, other than that. Even though I make my feelings known just by talking. I'm not going to stop though. I'm not like your sister. And I've seen Jade be more flirty, but she's still a bit of a prude." She explains while smiling at him teasingly.
Kurai nods with a laugh. "I wouldn't ask you to change either way, Tanya. Not ever. Our relationship now, while I'm still getting used to the physical part of it, I wouldn't have you any other way." He tells her honestly before kissing the side of her mouth in a teasing manner, causing her to pout before they both smile. "But it's still me, Tanya. Don't be afraid to be more open with me when it's just us. I would never, and I will never, ever hurt you. You know that." He tells her lovingly, causing her lip to tremble before she smiles.
She nods and hugs Kurai tightly and holds their embrace with each other for a while before she pulls away and gets out of the tub. "Leaving already?" He asks her, causing her to nod as she grabs a nearby towel and dries herself off.
"Unfortunately, where I'm still considered a traitor among the people in the palace and the city, I'm to be killed on sight if I'm ever spotted. So... I like to challenge myself and test my luck by coming and going from Edenia from time to time. Plus, you're home now, so I have more reasons to sneak into the palace and have my fun." He explains before winking at him while subtly presenting her full figure to him.
He notices, of course, that wasn't his main concern. "I know I haven't talked to mother, Kitana, and Jade about this yet, but you're part of the Edenain Rebels with Ophelia. Why hasn't she said yet anything about your innocence? She has to know about that, right? She wouldn't have allowed a traitor to be in Rebel Force if she doubted your loyalty." He wonders curiously to her out loud, which causes her to sigh before walking back over to the tub, but she doesn't get in this time.
She gently caresses Kurai's cheek while she looks at him tenderly. "She hasn't said anything because I asked not to. For now, it's better this way so your sister, Jade, and now your mother's reactions would be real if our enemies ever discover me to be a double agent." She explains with a somber tone.
But Kurai couldn't understand this. Why put herself through all that trouble? Is it her way of paying some great penance for something that she could not help so many years ago? If so, it's ridiculous for him. She shouldn't have to continue suffering for something that was out of her control.
"Shao Kahn is gone though, Tanya. And Edenia is now at peace with Outworld. Why are you putting yourself through all of this when it's needless and unnecessary?" He asks her with concern as she looks at him lovingly.
She leans forward and kisses his cheek before whispering in his ear. "Outworld isn't the only threat, Kurai. You may have neutralized one threat, but you haven't neutralized all threats." She tells him quietly before pulling away to look at him. "I'll keep Ophelia updated on everything I learn, and I'll be sure to ask her to update you too when they pop up. And please, don't say anything to Jade or your family yet. When the right time presents itself, we'll tell them together. You, me, and Ophelia." She begs him before kissing one last time before standing up without waiting for him to answer.
"Farewell for now, my love. See you again soon." She tells him with a wink and a smile before leaving the bathroom. No doubt to get dressed and leave the palace before her presence is noticed.
Kurai leans his head against the edge of the tub and sighs deeply. "You've just made this a little harder, Tanya. I can't stand keeping this from my family, OR Jade. But you asked me not to say anything for now, so I'll keep my mouth shut for now. But only because this... secret of yours is keeping you safe from other threats. It's a crazy method though. And one I don't agree with, but it's worked so far, so who am I to say otherwise?" He thinks to himself deep in thought before deciding to finish up with his bath.
Kurai hops out to dry himself off then heads to bed, but has great difficulty sleeping. He sighs exhaustively at thought of Tanya, who is willingly keeping herself at risk just to make herself pay a great penance for something she did not do by choice.
His eyes begin to grow heavy before a look of determination comes across his face. "I promise, Tanya, even if it means losing the faith and trust of my family and Jade herself, I'll bring you back home safe." He silently promises before finally drifting off to sleep.