Obsession

Reunion

The minute I woke up, I smelled something delightfully familiar. I flashed my eyelashes and made out the native Lin Kuei symbols around me. I was laying on something comfortable and warm. And as I opened my eyes, I saw Smoke sitting close to me, his habitual playful smirk glided with ease across his face.

"Welcome back, squirt. I've missed you."

I squinted just to make sure I was actually looking at Smoke and not just some mirage of him. I reached out and touched his face and he touched my hand in response. "It's been too long, I see."

"Wha...where-"

"You're back in your room. Scorpion told Raiden what happened to you while you were there and he automatically brought you back. There's a really good chance you won't be going back until after the upcoming Mortal Kombat tournament."

I stared at my hands and asked slowly, "Really? He told Raiden everything that happened?"

"I'm not sure he told him everything. But I'd like to know."

I froze. He put his hand on my shoulder and smiled gently. "Whenever you're ready. I'm not rushing you."

Of course I wanted to tell Smoke what had happened. He was a brother towards me, just as he was towards Sub-Zero. I knew that I could pour my heart out to him. So I told him everything from start to finish. I poured my heart out to him like I usually did and even cried a couple of times. He listened to it all, his once happy expression began to fade.

"She...pulled a knife on you?" He asked.

"Yeah...and when I told her that I forgave her, she told me to get out..."

"...What a bitch."

"Smoke."

"What? I know she's your mother and everything, but she pulled a knife on you. That isn't exactly praiseworthy."

"Okay, you're right to a point. But I've forgiven her, if I just abandon that and start insulting her, then what use was forgiving her? Forgiveness symbolizes renewal, not renewed grudges."

"...You weren't kidding when you said that you were good at writing."

I playfully shoved him and he smirked gently. "I'm happy that you're alright. But do you care to tell me why your back and right arm have been bandaged?"

"She managed to slice me a couple of times. It isn't anything too severe though, is it?"

"I don't know, I didn't treat the wounds. And the last person you were around was Scorpion."

"Whoa, wait. Scorpion?"

"Mhm. And Ama, I've got to tell you...he likes you."

"...Smoke, shut up-"

"Just listen, you never listen. He isn't going to tell you this, but he really is starting to like you, Ama. He-"

"Smoke, if you're playing me-"

"Would you shut up and listen?"

I threw myself back on to the pillows and crossed my arms.

"I know it sounds a little weird."

"Try very. Smoke, why would he like me when he has...uh, had...a wife?"

"I never said that he wanted your hand in marriage, I'm saying that he has feelings for you which you will never be able to see unless you pay very close attention."

"What are you Smoke, a relationship advice guru?"

"So what if I am?"

"Then there's something else about you that I know!"