A/N: A small preview of things to come. I've been stewing with this potential story idea that also takes place in the world of MK. Don't worry; the next chapter of GbNF is in the works and almost finished. In the meantime, I'm planning an offshoot of GbNF exclusive to AO3. After reading the preview, check my AO3 page and read the character sheet of the story's protagonist, Kato. Remember, read the preview scene, head to AO3, and read Kato's character sheet. Then you tell me if I should double down on this potential story.

Enjoy the preview!

As I walk on the stone road of this all-but-lost sector of Outworld, my mind starts to wonder. What could possibly be this reward Shao Kahn spoke of? The looks on Reptile's and Tsung's faces didn't give me an indication of whether he was being genuine or not. Tanya believes he's truthful, as I haven't yet failed a single job assigned to me. Ten years of service without a blemish sounds like a fantasy at best. I would think being Shang Tsung's bodyguard during the Mortal Kombat Tournament would finally be my end, but I managed to complete that task without a hitch. So well that Countess Jade put in a good word of my efforts. If Outworld had won the tournament, I would have seen Shao Kahn be over the moon.

Arriving at my house, I noticed the lock had been picked. No damage to the door itself. The entry, if seen by anyone else, would've been consensual. But knowing I locked my door and Kollector himself made it by hand, it could not have been easy to bypass. Whoever broke in has delicate and keen fingers.

Pulling out my Desert Eagle, I checked the ammo count, which was half full. That's more than enough. Slowly and silently opening the door so as not to make a noise, I sneakily enter my own house. I don't see footprints on the floor, and nothing was tampered with. Was this a statement break-in? I noticed a shadow by the kitchen and slowly approached, gun ready to shoot at the intruder.

Until I see who she is.

Princess Kitana sat on the dining table's edge, legs crossed while looking at the night skyline. She notices my presence as her expression brightens slightly before standing to meet me.

"Finally, you have come."

"Your Majesty? You who broke in?"

"That lock Kollector made for you was a challenge to pick, but nothing impossible."

Know I could relax, I put my Desert Eagle away and bowed to the realm's older princess. "To what do I owe this visit, Princess Kitana?"

"A few things, Kato. Your home is beautiful, I must say. I decided to look around while waiting. This is surely one of the many rewards of never failing Shao Kahn."

"You can say that. What brings you here?"

"I wish to thank you for accepting my request, even though Shao Kahn granted you a grace period. I hope it wasn't too arduous."

"Not at all. Reptile followed me as I searched the area, but he relented once I told him I was here on your personal request. It also helped I threatened to shoot him in the head if he didn't back off."

Kitana closed the distance between us. People don't understand how mystifying the Princess is, even with half her face covered by a mask. The Gods knew what they were doing when they created her.

"The real question now is if what I found for you was fruitful in what you were investigating?"

Kitana gracefully chuckled. "Always professional, Kato. I can see why Shao Kahn favors you so. But, yes. The files you found were more than fruitful. As I now know the truth of my origins and bloodline."

"Truth of your bloodline?" I repeated in confusion. "What do you mean?"

She averted her gaze momentarily as her eyes squinted in silent fury. "Shao Kahn... Is not my birth father."

That was a bombshell I was not expecting. "What?"

"I'm not originally from Outworld. Shao Kahn adopted me after his Konquest and takeover of my original home, Edenia. Mileena... is not my sister, but a clone spliced from my DNA mixed with the blood of a Tarkatan."

"How? Who committed this atrocity?"

"That vile sorcerer, Shang Tsung. My whole life until this juncture has been nothing more than an elaborate lie."

That doesn't surprise me at all. Shang Tsung most likely created Mileena on orders from the Emperor himself as another attempt to curry favor. This must've happened before I joined the court since Mileena was already around. As I thought of this, a great inquiry was brought to my attention.

"Princess."

"Yes, Kato?"

"Why tell me all of this?"

"The time we've spent together doing missions for him and you taking me to your favorite teahouse and seeing your face has allowed me to trust you. To be fair, I don't trust anyone in the court completely. Not even Jade, though she is more of a sister than Mileena. Something tells me you will inevitably defect from Shao Kahn. Reptile, Shang Tsung, and Rain have continued pestering Shao Kahn with lies and false promises as he's done to them. I believe they're getting through to him. Despite your impeccable service to the court, you're now walking on thin ice."

"I commend your astounding perception, Princess."

"Please, Kitana will do." She permitted me to drop the honorific. "Speaking of Jade, you've also earned her trust and loyalty. She thinks very highly of you."

"If you don't mind me asking, who was she with a few weeks ago? I haven't seen him before."

"Ah, yes. That is her lover, Jai. He is Edenian like us and grew up with Jade and Tanya. Let's say those two fight over more than who is the better warrior."

"I noticed this also and must admit Rain's interception took longer than I initially anticipated. My questioning of Shao Kahn living up to his end of our deal is also starting to get to him. I always had a slight hunch he would never honor it entirely for fear I may leave his service if he does."

"You're keenly sharp on these things, Kato," Kitana pointed out. "Do you think you can sway Shao Kahn into pushing them all away again?"

"Not anymore. I fear his betrayal and my defection are inevitable. I'll have to inform Amsterdam and Ireland in the morning. If you plan on defecting, know I will stand with you."

I kneeled before Kitana, pledging my service for whatever may come.

"Rise, Kato," she commanded, and I did so.

Despite the mask covering her face, I can see her expression brightened.

"That is a relief to hear."

"If that is all, Kitana, may I walk you back to the palace?" I offered.

"That won't be necessary, Kato." Kitana erased the little distance between us. "I haven't revealed the final reason why I'm here."

"There's more?"

"Yes, much more."

She averted her gaze again. "Your reward for serving Shao Kahn for years without a single blemish..."

What little of her face I could see began to blush.

"Is standing right before you."

I picked up on what she meant immediately. She is the prize.

"Shao Kahn... has given me your hand?"

Kitana nodded. "Yes."

She then embraced me.

"Surely this must be some mistake, Kitana. You would never give yourself up non-consensually."

"You're right. But I never refused either."

"You... approved of this?"

Kitana gazed deeply into my eyes. "I was the one who suggested you and me to be wedded. It was either me or Mileena. Wouldn't you agree she is the worse option after what I told you?"

"Of course. But are you sure that this is what you want?"

Kitana pulled her mask down, removed my sunglasses, and placed them in my coat pocket. "I do."

"But we're planning on defecting. Surely the marriage proposal won't be legitimate anymore?"

She places a finger over my lips, her breath massaging my mouth. "Then we'll simply make the marriage official. Now stop being a complaining professional and kiss your fiancee."

Doing as she requested, I gave my new fiancee a kiss as time seemed to stand still. Kitana tastes like pure heaven, I discovered.

Her command afterward ultimately sealed my fate. "Take us upstairs, love."

I lifted Kitana into my arms and took her to my- excuse me, our room.

"By the Gods. That was fantastic," Kitana gasped after we finished. "You're pretty experienced, Kato. No doubt the mutations Shang Tsung gave you helped as well."

"I suppose that's one thing I can thank him for," I responded.

"May I ask you a question, love?"

"Of course."

"Is Kato your real name?"

I chuckled lightly as Kitana held me softly. "No. It's a corruption of my Family name from when I still lived in Earthrealm. My real name is Samakato Kenta."

"Samakato Kenta." She repeated. "I love it."

"You may call me Kenta if you wish."

Joy appeared in her eyes. "Truly, Kenta? That will take some time, but it's a small matter."

"I don't mean to sour the mood, but our eventual defection..."

"Tomorrow, my love. We can discuss this in the morning after you inform your soldiers. Also, I'll inform Jade of our plan at our secret location. No doubt she'll want to take Jai with her. We'll have to be cautious with Tanya lurking around."

"Alright then. Ready to retire?"

"Yes." Kitana yawned. "Tonight was more draining than I realized. Now that we are together, there's no need to fear. Sweet dreams, beloved."

"Goodnight," I said softly, holding her close before falling asleep.

A/N: So? What'd you think?

In terms of the story, this would be smack dab in the middle. If you want a more in-depth dive into Kato as a character, his character sheet is on my AO3 page. (Same Pen Name as FF) Lemme know what you think of this and the Character Sheet with a PM or Review.

I'll see y'all soon. Bye!