Smokescreen: A Collection of Vignettes

Chapter 16

Take her. She has always been yours. The Enenra whispered.

Smoke looked at Sakura as she spoke with Raiden and Kung Lao. There was something that felt familiar between them. It was like that they already knew each other. Whatever it was, it felt so right. Plus, the Enenra had been sending him dreams about her and him that were less than appropriate. By the gods, he had a really nasty nosebleed after a really steamy dream. He had to take care of himself after that. To be fair, though, Sakura was absolutely beautiful. No. She was stunning.

In those rare moments when he had time for himself, Tomas would always try to spend time with her, and she was always delighted. He loved everything about her. Her eyes and hair were a stunning shade of violet. Amethyst, actually. He often called her his Amethyst goddess in his daydreams. Her face was sweet and kind. She always had a smile for everyone. Though, as a warrior, she was fierce. He often found himself flat on his back when they sparred together.

Not that he minded.

Tomas stood up straight as Sakura and her companions parted ways. His heart fluttered when her eyes found his and sparkled. Her smile would be brighter. She didn't smile like that just for anyone. It was for him. The Enenra was right. She was his. She had always been his. It had told him that Sakura would sneak glances at him and flush prettily when he was around. Come to think of it, Tomas had noticed her getting an eyeful of him.

Take her. The Enenra said again.

Now wasn't the time to be a coward.

"Good afternoon, Sakura!" The man greeted cheerfully.

"Hello, Tomas!" She responded.

Here goes nothing.

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Sakura felt a tiny blush rise to her face when the smoke-user called out to her. It was hard not to smile when she was around him. There was something about him that drew her to him. For one thing, he acted like a kid around Johnny Cage after the actor offered him a part in a movie. That interaction just made Tomas seem so pure, in spite of his profession. That was another thing. He was kind to his allies and an absolute sweetheart towards her. Sakura giggled as she remembered Johnny calling him out on his little crush on her. Cage didn't need to, however. Tomas had been obvious since day one.

Her heart began to pound when the man began to approach her. He did so many things to her without him realizing it. He just had that effect on her. It helped that she loved that campfire scent that he exuded. She loved everything about him. Oh, sweet Elder Gods, she was absolutely nuts about the man.

"Would you care to come walking with me?"

"I would love to."

Sakura left the grounds with Tomas, and she thought she heard a faint good luck. She chuckled. Typical Johnny. The two remained silent for a time, simply enjoying each other's company as they listened to the sounds of nature. Honestly, there really wasn't a need to talk. This was all that they really needed. There was an energy, or a chemistry, between them that simply meshed together perfectly.

A strong hand took hers and held it tightly. She looked up at the man and noticed a tinge of pink on his cheeks and his ears. A small, shy smile appeared on his face. Sakura smiled back at him before she hooked her arm around his elbow and squeezed his hand.

"Does this mean we're courting?" Tomas asked.

"I'd like to think so, Tomas."

The young woman pecked his cheek. She so enjoyed watching him turn pink.