Mortal Kombat: Sub-Zero's Student

Chapter Three: Snowball

-Hanzo Hasashi's POV- I smile as Kuai begins to warm up to Kana. "I feel like I should give him toys, but constantly creating snowballs is tiring."
"Then take a break, Kuai. Let me take it from here." I look at Kana. "Koko ni kite, koibito."
Kana looks at me and giggles. I smile sadly.
"Come here," I whisper, holding my hand out.
Kana crawls over and grips my hand with one of his.

He looks at one of the Kunai strapped to my sleeve by a leather strap. He reaches up for it.
"No, no, Chīsame no yatsu," I remove the Kunai and place it on Kuai's bed out of reach. "I do not want you getting hurt."
"That's a good idea. I should remove weapons out of Kana's reach." Kuai gasps.
Kuai gets up and places small throwing knives on his dresser.

Kana whimpers when he sees Kuai walking around.
"What is it?" Kuai rasps, kneeling down in front of the infant. Kana holds his arms up.
Kuai chuckles and holds Kana close to his chest.
"I'm not going to leave you, Kana." He purrs and kisses the baby on the top of his head.

"You appear to be taking this parenting fairly well, Tundra." I notice, getting up from the floor and picking up the Kunai. "I never thought I'd be attached to this little guy."
"Just wait until he begins to walk and call you dad."
Kuai shakes his head with a laugh.
"I just can't wait until he can speak, even though it is amusing to guess what he needs."

Kana mutters gibberish from Kuai's tender hold.
"I think he is trying to speak," I inform him.
"Oh?" Kuai looks down. "Do you want to say something, Kana?"
"P...Papa...."
Kuai looks like he's about to cry in joy.
"Kana....your first word," Kuai grins, hugging the infant. Kana squeals at this and giggles.
****
Later that night, after Kana has been fed again and put to bed, Kuai and I sit at the dinning table again.

Sipping on tea, we discuss plans for Kana.
"He is to remain here at the temple until he is old enough to fight." Kuai states. "You can visit at anytime if you need to. I will educate him about the world and weapons from books in the temple library."
"I understand that you want to keep him safe," I begin. "But is isolating him the best plan?"
Kuai sighs, rubbing his face in exhaustion.
"Perhaps, perhaps not. I don't know. All I know is that Frost is still out there and most likely very mad that I kicked her out of the Lin Kuei." He takes a sip of tea to try to ease his nerves.

But I see tiny icicles forming around his knuckles, a sign that he is frustrated or anxious. "Frost was a good student, but lacks judgement. I can still recall the day she was exiled....She could have had it much worse. Lin Kuei law states that treason is punishable by a swift execution. She got off lucky, I didn't want to kill her."
I fiddle with one of my Kunai. "Do you know where she is now?"
"No, and that's what scares me the most."
I decide to change the subject, watching the candle of the table flicker. "What about Kana?"

Kuai looks caught off guard. "What about him?"
"Do you think he has any powers?"
He thinks for a moment, then smiles.
"I think he does. When I looked into his grey eyes, I could tell he has potential."
"Do you think he is a Cryomancer?"
"No," Kuai sighs. "His eyes are not the same bluish-grey or pure blue that is a trait of Cryomancer, from what I know of."

A few moments of silence pass between us.
"You should get some rest," I state, setting my empty cup down. "You look exhausted."
"I can't sleep," Kuai almost snaps. "I'm too worried about Kana. What if he doesn't live up to the task? What if Frost comes back?"
With each question asked, the icicles spread faster and grow more jagged along his knuckles and wrists.

"Kuai Liang. Sub-Zero." I state calmly. "Remain calm. I can remain here longer if that is what you need. I will assist you in raising Kana. I am your friend, remember?"
"R-right," This is the first time I have heard him stammer. "You're right, I just need to relax."
"Get some rest," I state softly. "I can watch over Kana tonight if need be."

Kuai nods, the icicles melting to show he is calming down, but his blue eyes still shine with worry.
I just hope I do not mistake Kana for Satoshi...
I have already lost one child, I will not lose Kana as well.