Gotham Tournament [Batman x King of Fighters Harem]

CH5: A Mission (prt 1)

The unmistakable sound was definitely heard by the surrounding party goers and present KoF fighters. Even through the music and chatter, it cut through and reached their ears with a resounding echo.

SLAP!

With their attention grabbed, the crowd surrounding them immediately turned; some with mild curiosity and others with total shock. None more so than Terry, Joe and Rock who stood there with their mouths agape.

Bruce had his head turned with wide eyes, revealing a red mark on his cheek while Mai's body remained still with her hand in still in the air after it struck its mark. Her hair obscured her eyes and her teeth grit. The only thing of her body that moved was the slight tremble of her shoulders.

"You've got a lot of nerve..." she seethed.

He dropped his surprised expression and turned his head to face her just in time to see her own chocolate brown eyes glare at him. Bruce tried to open his mouth to speak but what could he say? He knew she was rightfully angry with him but he couldn't express that, it was like his jaw muscles and diaphragm were rusted up at that moment.

Even if he could muster up the strength to speak, he'd never get the chance to because Mai spoke again.

"You finally decide to talk to me after all these years! NOW of all times! Right after what happened to Andy!?"

"I..." Bruce blurted.

"I don't want to hear it!" the kunoichi snapped. "You never bothered with my life before, so why now!? I so moved on from you! I was HAPPY with Andy!"

Feeling his vocals go completely numb, his gaze dropped from hers and was beginning to regret his decision to approach her. When she saw him go completely silent, Mai turned away from him in disgust.

"Hmph! Go to hell, Bruce!" she spat as she stormed off.

Terry immediately followed after her, giving a momentary glance toward Bruce as he passed him. Several people looked on as Mai marched towards the pool area, among them was Chizuru who had a curious expression and Benimaru who couldn't help but smirk at the whole event.

She finally felt the cool night air on her skin and the crowd of people drift behind her but it did little to alleviate the rampaging swirl of emotions inside. She should've seen this coming, it was a given that as long as she was in Gotham, there'd be a chance she'd run into him. She just didn't expect it so soon,...like this.

"Mai!" she heard Terry's voice behind her. "Hold up!"

"Go away, Terry!" she barked in annoyance.

She still had her back turned to him but it was only then when she became aware of her surroundings. She was at the edge of the pool area which was bordered with a kitschy white picket fenced along with arranged foliage and a planted palm tree. The aforementioned pool was adjacent to her and the lighting reflected wavy blues on her legs.

"Not until you answer me first." Terry said. "Who was that guy and how do you know him?"

It would seem that Terry was unaware of who Bruce was but that was no surprise; he rarely paid attention to the rich types unless it was other fighters like Benimaru or Robert and she'd be in the same boat had she not met the man all those years ago. Frankly, she was beginning to find Terry's obliviousness irritating.

"Like you give a damn." Mai scoffed.

That gave the blonde pause and caused his brows to furrow.

"What are you talking about!?"

Mai spun towards him in ire.

"I'm talking about Andy! He's your brother, how could you be so calm like this!?"