Mortal Kombat: Sub-Zero's Student

Chapter Thirty-Three: Never Satisfied

-Bi-Han's POV-  Three days have passed since the incident with Kuai. I have stayed in the Shirai Ryu Temple the entire time, watching over Kana and informing Hanzo about the situation.

"What you described going on with Kuai acting out of line....that isn't the first time this had occurred."
Hanzo explains, leaning against the temple railing with his hand resting on the top of it.
"What do you mean?"
"One time Raiden assigned Kuai to gather up multiple cursed daggers on a mission. He was almost successful, until Kano beat him on getting the last one. If you got marked by the dagger, you would be possessed and turn evil. That's what happened to Kuai, if you were ever wondering how he got that jagged scar across his eye."

"He never informed me of this," I add darkly.
"Kuai is a man with many troubles, Bi-Han. He probably didn't admit it to you so you wouldn't worry. But I don't know for sure."
****
-Kuai's POV- I toss and turn in bed, clawing at the mattress in distress. Why hasn't Bi-Han come back?! Did he just ditch me? Did he side with Hanzo, just to mock me? To make me suffer?
"Are you happy?" I want to scream at him.
Do you feel accomplished, knowing what you did to me? Acting all sweet, brotherly, and crooning over your brother before you stab me in the back!

Is that why he acted all nice? Giving me those kisses and rubbing my back? I glance down at my bandaged hand, my finger lingering on the area that Bi-Han kissed in a joking way, just to get an embarrassed reaction out of me. How dare he...

"Must you continue to mope around and feel sorry for yourself?" Tundra moans, taping on the cracked mirror surface to get my attention.
I get out of bed and storm over to the mirror.
"How can I not?" I snap back.
"Really, Kuai....You just really miss Bi-Han, don't you? You miss him calling you baby brother..." he states in mock sympathy. "And him being there for you. What if you scared him off? Wouldn't that be amusing?"
"I admit it," I scoff. "I do miss him," I rub my bandaged palm with fingers that are still somewhat bruised.

"I thought he left me forever when they announced that he died." I grip the dresser table tightly to distract myself from breaking down in tears.
Tundra sighs, raising an eyebrow, his face looking more bored than amused.
"Why haven't you tried to take control again?" I ask with genuine confusion.
Tundra yawns, covering his mouth with a clawed hand. "Both you and I share the same body, Kuai. I feel every sliver of pain that is inflicted on you. You passing out took a toll on me as well. Trust me, if we both felt better, I would have taken hold by now. That cut on your palm is especially annoying."
"How reassuring," I spat, walking away from the mirror and gazing at my bookshelf.
****
-Bi-Han's POV- "Is there anything else Kuai had admitted to you that he hasn't to me?" I demand, closing the door to Kana's room after I put him to bed. The poor boy keeps asking where Kuai is.

I don't know how much longer I can keep up the lie of telling Kana everything is okay.
"Well," Hanzo begins, glancing at the mess of icicles that still block the doorway to his room. "He once told me he kept crying himself to sleep and repeating your name over and over. He was a wreck when he found out you had...you know..." Hanzo trails off, letting the awkward air stiffen between us at the unspoken information.

I groan, slumping against the wall and sinking to sit on the floor. "I should have never left Kuai alone in the temple. I'm such a fool."
"Then let me go see him."
"That is a foolish plan," Bi-Han scoffs, sounding like his arrogant self I had battled in the tournament.
"He'll be wary of you. Kuai wasn't exactly in the right state of mind when I left."

I narrow my eyes. "Then we all go. All three of us."
Bi-Han whips his head up, his white eyes wide.
"You are insane,"
"And if we don't? How do we know Kuai hasn't slit his throat by now?" Bi-Han's eyes harden. I knew it was a risky move saying that Kuai could hurt himself. But it is the only option I have if I want Bi-Han to come with me.

"Very well," He mutters through gritted teeth. "Lead the way, Hanzo. We must hurry."