Smokescreen: A Collection of Vignettes

Chapter 2

Sakura screamed in pain as she continued to crawl away from the doppelganger. He had caught her in the legs during their fight and shattered them to keep her from running. Using a little wind magic, she had summoned hurricane force winds to blow him away. She knew it wouldn't keep him down for too long, but it was enough time to make an attempt back to the compound. She tried to think beautiful thoughts to keep the pain at bay. She thought of her marriage to the handsome smoke-user of the current timeline. She prayed to the Elder Gods to bring her Tomas back home to help her.

The young woman heard footsteps behind her and she didn't need to look to see who it was. It was terrifying to know that this man was a reflection of what her Tomas could have been. Yes, her husband could be rough at times when he fought or was training new recruits. He wasn't part of the Shirai Ryu for nothing. However, he was never, ever, cruel. Not like this imposter.

"Come home with me, Sakura. I promise to take better care of you in the future."

His voice was soft and alluring. It was the same voice that her beloved used to seduce her. The violet-eyed woman ignored him and continued to crawl. The monster behind her continued to stalk her, like prey. He was hungry for her.

"I prefer the original Tomas." Sakura grunted.

=================

The dark warrior sighed as he gazed upon her slim form. It was a shame that he had to hurt her, but she had given him no choice. He'd fix that up once he got her back to his timeline. Her battered and bloody skin would be flawless once more and her broken legs would be mended. They would be wrapped around his waist when he would take her to his bed.

As he let his mind wander, the man caught sight of the woman's katana...well, his katana. He had kicked it out of her hands to disarm her and it had landed just a few yards ahead of where she lay. He moved to confiscate it. That katana was the same katana that he had used to kill the champions of his timeline. He had been courting the Sakura of that timeline before they intervened. They, in his mind, had brainwashed her into joining Earthrealm's champions. He had tried to win her over to his side, but she had refused. He had given her multiple chances to go back to him. She had turned him down every damned time.

So, he killed her.

That was why the gray-haired man was here. He had wanted a Sakura that was already part of Earthrealm's champions. He had wanted to warp her mind and her body and humiliate the champions here all in one go. He wanted to corrupt.

He was so fucking close.

"My loyalty...argh...to Tomas here...will never waver."

A low, dark chuckle escaped the doppelgänger's lips. He'd fix that.