#𝟎𝟎𝟑.

★ ⋆ 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 ⋆ ★

★ ⋆ ━━ "Sooo," Johnny asks with an irregular sense of excitement. He carries a cup of water and a cloth for Jessie. He sits with her in front of the dojo, on the cement, sweat evident on Jessie's clear skin. The sunset making her glisten in his eyes. "How'd it go?"

   Jessie had just finished an hour long practice of sword fighting with Kenshi and she was worn out for the most part. Her arms were sore, too heavy to lift itself. Sweat was getting the clothing she wore, stick to herself. She shivers in disgust as she feels it in every inch on her skin. It wasn't fun for her either, Kenshi did not hold back and didn't go easy on her. Said it was best for her. For what exactly?

   Jessie groans and looks to the sky, with her hands holding her weight from the back. "Like I was fighting hell."

   Johnny hands her the cup of water as he has his full attention on her.

   "Thanks." Jessie acknowledges. She chugs the water swiftly. It is cold, full of ice, just what she needs. She moans with satisfaction. "Just what I needed."

   Johnny stares as she drinks the water but quickly looks away to the sky, when she turns to him to thank him. "No problem, you're still my manager. I mean I can't really pay you in moolah right now but I can by taking care of you..." Johnny eyes Jessie and stammers on his words. "you- you're still my manager right?"

   Jessie shakes her head and takes the rag from Johnny's hand and pats her sweaty skin. "Obviously Johnny, but I better get a raise after this whole shenanigan."

   "Thank goodness because my assistant's the worst to handle seriously." Johnny states as a matter of fact. "There was this one time where-"

   "Yeah, yeah, I've met them. Not fun." Jessie and his assistant didn't have the best business relationship.

   Johnny sighs contently and stands up. He lets out his hand to Jessie, she gently grasps it. Her slender, soft hands clamping with Johnny's rough callous hands felt like a puzzle piece finally fitting together to her. It was a weird comparison she thought of but it's rare she ever actually held hands with him. She quickly lets go after getting up with his help.

   Johnny felt the rough pull she did when pulling her hand away. A weird feeling struck through him when she did that but couldn't pinpoint what it was. He fixes his hair and takes the cup and rag Jessie used, back. "Get washed up Jess, they're preparing dinner for us later tonight. We'll be in the dinning area, the monks will help you find it. Ciao Jess!"

   "See ya!" Jessie was glad to finally get a shower.

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   After her shower, she walk with a happy mood. She follows the monks, full of excitement for food to grub on. She changed back into her regular clothes, her leather jacket and jeans. They told her they washed her clothes to which she was grateful for.

   They open the doors for her and she enters, it was a sight to see. The dinning table was 10 feet long with four chairs on each side and one chair one each end, facing inward of the table. The table is lace with extravagant food choices, drinks and even some dessert. A chandelier hanging in the middle, it looks to be made of pure glass.

   She thanks the monks once more and enters. Kung Lao and Johnny Cage sit on both of the ends near the chair that faces the inner table, while Kenshi sat by Johnny and Raiden sat by Kung Lao. She also sees Johnny taking pictures of the place.

   The sound of the doors opening, made everyone look, to see Jessie back in her regular clothes. Johnny smiles as he waves at her. "Hey Jess! Got your food for you!"

   Waving shyly she quickly passes them and goes to sit in the chair until Kung Lao suddenly stands up and moves the chair open for her. "Oh- uh thank you Kung Lao."

   Giving him a smile, she takes her seat and lets out a inaudible yelp as he pushes the chair back closer. "It's no problem Jess."

   "Hey," Johnny says. He drops his fork on his plate and points a finger at Kung Lao. "I only get to call her that. You haven't earned it."

   "What are you, a child?" Kenshi asked Johnny as he elegantly prepares his food on his plate. Johnny eyes Kenshi and scoffs.

   "As if." Johnny replies.

   Kung Lao laughs ridiculously and takes a sip of his glass cup. "And you have? Need I remind you, you literally left her with two complete strangers. Who knows what we could of done. Not very gentlemen of you Cage."

   Johnny quickly takes a bite of his steak and dramatically drops the fork back on the plate. Speaking with his mouth full. "I don't need to prove myself to you-"

   Jessie groans loudly enough for the four at the table to hear. Raiden simply sips his drink as he takes in the situation. "Why are you two bickering as if I'm not here? Johnny," He quickly turns to Jessie as she clamps her hand on his right wrist. She squeezes it. "Thank you for getting me my food and my favorite at that."

   His innocent look with his cheeks full is adorable to her. If it wasn't for how he handles the situation. It seems her approval in his gratitude makes him a little too confident in the situation. "See Kung Lao, bestie beats acquainty anyday-"

   "Kung Lao," Jessie stated. "Thank you for helping with the chair, not many do that for me."

   Kung Lao bows his head. "It just common manners my mother taught me."

   Johnny let his mouth open full of food, with a face full of shock at Jessie's words to Kung Lao. He swallows the remains of the meat and coughs. "Sure, its just common manners Kung pao, I can do that too. Remember Jess when I helped you on your-" Jessie gags mentally as he was about to mention what she thinks he ment. She hates being reminded of that moment, his brother at the time was no help either.

   "As attractive as Ms. Jessie is, I believe the food is going cold. May as well dwel in its finest than bicker like children right Kung Lao?" Raiden states as he prepares to eat.

   "Yup Raiden, sure." Kung Lao lets the argument go and dives into his food.

   Raiden then faces Johnny. "Johnny, I believe you can put Kung Lao's miniature knowledge of Jessie behind you correct?"

   "Yeah," Jessie exhales as they start to simmer down. She began to take a bite of her food until Johnny had to run his mouth. "as long as he knows that Johnny Cage wins."

   The sound of utensils clashing against a plate was heard from Kung Lao. He stands up and leans against the table. "Is that a challenge?"

   Johnny tiredly stands up and acts as if his arms were carrying thre whole situation. He stretches them out as he spoke. "Catch me outside and find out bro."

   "Enough." Lord Liu Kangs voice echoes through the large dinning room, making both men sit quickly in their seats. Liu Kang slowly walks to them and stand by the empty seat on the other end. "All of you need your strength in order to fight well in the tournament. Johnny and Kung Lao, you may fight eachother in the upcoming days if you choose to do so. It'd be wise to, for your furute opponents vast in different abilities. For now, please," He points to the food display on the table. "Eat at your hearts content."

   "Don't mind if I do, double L Kang." Johnny then chows down on his plate. Everyone else doing the same. Liu Kang left the area once everyone settled.

   Jessie ate as well, her mind starts to be clouding about kenshi. How mysterious he still is to her, and how weirdly close Johnny and Kenshi got all of the sudden. Were they hiding something or doing something on the down low? "Kenshi?"

   Kenshi held the glass cup in his hand and tilt his head at her voice. "Yes Jessie?"

   Jessie folds her hands together and faces as much as she could to Kenshi and to Johnny. "You know, it's weird how close you two already are- I mean it wasn't that long ago you two were fighting over a sword...what changed?"

   A sudden silence echos among the group until Johnny laugh in awkwardness. "Jess come on, you know how guys are. Bonding over struggles, let's get back to eating-"

   "I wasn't asking you Johnny." Jessie commanded with a tone raise.

   Johnny took a gulp and nods as fast as he could. "Okay, I'm just- eat. Yeah eat." Johnny stuff his face while Kung Lao and Raiden stares in confusion.

   "Okay Jessie...you wanna know the truth?" Kenshi looks at her with a solemn gaze, how he spoke was full of sorrow.

   "It would be in your interest to, instead of sneaking off with Johnny to god knows where."

   With conflicted looks from Johnny and Kenshi, he finally spoke. Just not what Jessie wanted to hear. "You- You're my...sister."

   "Okay," Laughing till her voice hurt, she wipes a tear from her face. "Just because we both Asian doesn't mean we're blood related my guy. What is it really?"

   Johnny runs his hand through his brown hair in mild frustration. "He's serious Jessie, that's why we kinda...bonded over it. I don't know. You're his long lost sister believe it or not," Johnny looks over to Kenshi to see if he could continue speaking. Kenshi nodded gratefully. "The Yakuza faked your death. That's why Liu Kang called you Tatsu, it's your real name."

   "Hmm," The loud bang of her hand on the table made Raiden and Kung Lao, jump. "And you kept this from me Johnny? Why?"

   He holds his hands up in defense. "I mean, it really wasn't for me tell. It's kenshi-"

   Jessie stares at her plate then to Johnny. "Still. You held something from me when you knew it could be life changing. You lied to me, Johnny. You lied to my face."

   "Ba-" He had almost called her babe. Why would he? Maybe because he had argued almost everyday with Cristina or because Jessie is a woman. He'd usually call any woman babe but it's Jess. He wouldn't have said it if he didnt mean anything by it. Maybe Johnny was second guessing himself. He desperately grabbed her hand and held it with compassion. "Jess no I didn't want to. I wouldn't. You have to believe me."

   A face full of disappointment fell upon her face to him, he shruken in his seat when she pulls her hand away. Not in a playfull manner as she usually does but in a disapproving manner towards his actions. He was disappointed in himself as well. She closes her eyes and exhales. "I'm going to go to sleep now, enjoy your guys' meal. Goodnight."

   "Goodnight Ms. Jessie." Raiden said with politeness. Jessie didn't acknowledge him.

   She walks to the doors and saw Liu Kang standing there, his expression hard to read with his white eyes. "...Do you know where the beds are here?"

   He bowed his head and held the door open for her. "Of course, I'll lead you."

   "Thanks. Is it true what Kenshi said...and why you called me Tatsu?" Jessie asked as she walks along with Lord Liu Kang.

   Liu Kang just walks with his hands clamp together with a calm expression. "It is. Unfortunately you had to learn under such circumstances but do not think they'd conspired against you. They were planning to announce it to you in a better situation."

   Jessie watches her feet go up and down, full of embarrassment and regret. "I understand Lord Liu Kang, thank you."

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   Johnny and Kenshi walk back together where the beds were located. Johnny enters first and saw Jessie fast asleep, with no sheet covering her body. He grabs one from a near bed and gets in the small bed with her. He lays down with his right hand under his head and his left hand holding Jessie close by her shoulder. She just groans and turns in her sleep, hugging Johnny's firm waist. Johnny smiles and looks up. He feels someone's eyes watching from another bed and sees Kenshi looking at him as if he did something wrong.

   He rolls his eyes and shifts in his place. "Dude I'm not gonna creep on your sister. If there is one thing you need to know about her, she's actually has a fear of the dark. We've slept in the same bed with eachother when we were in highschool. Just couldn't recently or pasts years because well, I'm married. Or I still think I am..." Johnny glances at his ring on his finger.

   Kenshi nods and stares at the tattoos on his hands. With a soft and calming voice he spoke. "Anything else I should know about it Jessie?"

   "How about this," Johnny leans up a bit to face Kenshi who was beginning to settle on the bed beside the two. "Everynight after Jessie falls asleep, I'll tell you something about her. Deal?"

   Kenshi smiled as he began to close his eyes. "Deal."

   With one last remark, Johnny speaks. "Don't think this makes you any closer to Sento. It's still mine."

   "Of course it is Cage, but I'll soon have it. Whether you like it or not."