The Keeper of Flame and the Master of Ice (Sub-Zero x Reader)

VII - The Journey Home

Well, I wanted to let readers know that I won't be updating this fic for a while until I finish another fic I'm writing at the moment. That story will end soon and maybe I'll post it soon on this site. If you like Metal Gear and Raiden, maybe you'll be interested in that reader insert c: I have a chapter and a half to go c:

Hope you can forgive me and, please, enjoy.

*********************************************
Warnings:
Unbetaed. OOC. Sexual references.

*********************************************

Part VII: "The Journey Home"

There wasn't a lot to do during the journey.

You'd brought some scrolls in your bag to keep yourself entertained in the meantime but, honestly, you preferred admiring the landscape through the window of your carriage, since it was the first time you had the opportunity to leave the safety of the Tengu clan.

Never did you imagine that the world would be this immense, as a vast expanse of never-ending grasslands lay before your eyes. It was almost hard to believe that you'd left your childhood home behind, following your husband to claim your place in the Lin Kuei as his wife. The thought made you jittery, and you weren't sure what to expect now that it was becoming a reality.

How did they feel about your marriage to their leader? From what Liang had told you, they'd been uncertain of his nuptials with you, initially at least, but he could have been trying to tone the situation down, so you wouldn't be anxious.

Well, no one said it would be easy. You knew it would take some time for them to accept you, an outsider and former enemy, into their clan. And though the task seemed intimidating, you remembered your grandmother's advice: kindness, humility and wisdom, both in your actions and words, would be your greatest allies from now on.

Before the imminent sunset, the party came to a stop near a river surrounded by a growth of trees and high grass. On cue, one of the men riding at Liang's side announced that you would be making camp for the night. In no time, a perimeter was outlined, groups were organized for different tasks, and the tents were set up. The horses, relieved that they could rest properly, followed their masters to the river and drank to their heart's content before grazing from fresh pastures.

Well after the sun disappeared behind the snowy mountains, and once you had something to eat, you found yourself sitting on a large rock by the riverbank. The gentle gurgle of the water was music to your ears, and the moon shining down upon its surface took your breath away. You almost felt tempted to take off your shoes and dip your feet in it, feel the soft mud between your toes like when you were a child, but you weren't sure if you should.

Looking around, you noted that most people seemed to be minding their own business. While you had been eager to offer your help around camp, you had no other option but to sit around and watch others do everything for you. Despite your insistence, it appeared that they didn't wish to aggravate the grandmaster by taking such liberties with you.

Speaking of him, you hadn't seen Liang in a while, and you were getting a little restless all on your own. Your attendants had kindly seen to your needs of comfort and nourishment, but they had retired at a distance to assist the others in their chores- as you'd told them to.

So here you were, lonely and bored, trying to find some worthy entertainment to pass the time. It hadn't been a day since you left the Tengu palace and already you missed Yue and her antics, even when they were an embarrassment. Thinking about her made you smile and you wondered how she was doing now that you were gone.