Mortal Kombat: Sub-Zero's Student

Chapter Forty: Whiteout

-Kuai's POV- I slump down in my chair, trying to not fall asleep. Sprinting out of the Lin Kuei temple took a toll on my energy and I had to sleep during most of the day. The scent of dinner being cooked in the kitchen causes me to wake up and enter the dining room.

Bi-Han was standing by the stove, frying..something.
Possibly spicy chicken, judging by the smell.
My brother and I hadn't spoken much since the walk back to the temple. Hanzo and Raiden are busy watching over Kana in the library.

I try my best not to slam my face down on the table in pure exhaustion as I speak to Tundra.
"Are you there?" I ask in my head.
A few moments of silence pass, then I hear him clearly. "Yes. What is it? Are you just testing the telepathy out? Or are you bored?"

Even in my head, he still sounds smug.
"Bored," I exhale, resting my chin in my hand and counting every line in the wooden table.
"How are the others doing?"
"Same as always, I suppose. Raiden and Hanzo are still here. Kana is still somewhat distant with me, but it's getting better. Things between Bi-Han and I are still tense."

"I can imagine," his voice lacks the smugness it once had, now sounding almost...sad.
"What about the attack we planned out? Have you told any of them?"
"Not yet. I haven't even told them that I ran into you. Bi-Han thinks I ran out there for nothing." I sigh.

"Better let them believe that for now," he rasps. "They'd probably freak out if you told them since the tension is still high."
"You've got a point."
"Is someone frying something spicy? I smell food."
I blink in surprise. "You can smell what Bi-Han is cooking even from where you are?"

"Yes." His voice is quiet. Sad. "Since we are one in the same, I share almost all your senses. I can feel and smell everything you do. But I can't see where you are. It's like wondering around blind, if you get my point."
"I just find it strange that the same doesn't happen to me. I can't tell where you are, only hear you." I sigh, rubbing my eyes.

"Stressed?" He murmurs.
"Yeah. Tired as well."
"Kuai?" Bi-Han's voice causes me to jolt in my seat, nearly falling off. My brother looks at me with concern. "Are you okay? You were zoning out on me. I made you your favorite dish."

"Oh," I blush. "Right. Yes, I'm zoning out because I'm tired. Thank you for the food." I smile. Bi-Han doesn't look entirely convinced, but doesn't push me. He sets the plate down and sits across from me with his own plate. I look down at the food.

Spicy chicken is laying on a bed of fried rice and sprinkled with chopped green onion. "My favorite." I laugh. "Thank you again, Bi-Han." I say and begin eating. "You still crave his affection, don't you?" Tundra asks, sounding curious.
"I do," I answer back, feeling tears well up in my eyes.

I jump when I feel Bi-Han's arms wrap around me from behind. His chin rests on the top of my head. "You still stressed over Tundra?" His voice is low and full of concern. "Yes," I admit.
"Can you still hear his voice in your head?" He asks.

"No," I lie, hoping my voice is steady.
"I don't hear anything."
****
Later that night, I lay in bed, unable to sleep. Tundra has remained quiet since dinner. I toss and turn in bed, then give up and pace my room once I get out of bed.

The crackling of the fire is enough to put me at ease momentarily. Someone knocks on my door.
"Come in," I sigh.
Hanzo enters. "Hello, Kuai." He smiles sadly.
"Hanzo," I nod, sitting on the floor near the fireplace with a sigh. "I heard you didn't eat very much at dinner. Bi-Han said that dish was your favorite. Is something wrong?"

"Isn't something always wrong?" I snap, causing Hanzo to wince and step back. "I...sorry..." I groan, pinching the bridge of my nose as I close my eyes tightly. "I'm having trouble getting to sleep. I'm so tired."

"Nightmares?" Hanzo guesses. I shake my head. "No. Just paranoia about Tundra. He can't hurt me. But what's stopping him from harming one of you? He's still out there."
"We'll find him," Hanzo assures me, sitting down next to me. "I came here to bring you this."
He holds out a small mug of cherry blossom tea.

I smile. "No way."
"I figured this would help." Hanzo smiles, handing me the mug. He has his own mug beside him.
I drink the tea, then close my eyes.
"How is Kana?" I ask.
"He is asleep."
I open my eyes and gently remove the cherry blossom from the liquid, cradling it in my palm.

"Bi-Han gave me a cherry blossom while I was still recovering my memory. I still have it, even though it died long ago." I sigh, drinking the rest of the tea before setting the mug on the stone floor.
"He really cares for me."
"Of course. He is your brother, after all." Hanzo states.

I yawn, getting up. "I should get to bed." Hanzo nods. "Very well. Rest well, Kuai. We will be here if you need anything." Hanzo gets up, takes the two mugs, and exits the room. I sigh, holding the cherry blossom close to my heart and freeze it in a clear ice ball. After I place the sphere in my bedside table, I lay down in bed, letting my tears flow as I drift into an uneasy sleep.