Chapter Text
Hanzo Hasashi found ice-type Pokémon to be incredibly disconcerting creatures. While he acknowledged that Pokémon were not bound by the generalization of their species, they were still so unpredictably powerful considering their weakness to so many types. Any creature that could cause white-out blizzards, start avalanches, and generally cause immediate death for no other reason than they were angry was worth a healthy dose of respect. He also considered that perhaps, he was uncomfortable around ice-types because most of the ice-type Pokémon he had ever come in contact to were Lin Kuei.
Nowhere else was there a place with so many ice-type Pokémon than within the mountain of the Lin Kuei temple. Most, if not all members of the clan had at least one ice-type, and being that each member was a highly trained warrior, their Pokémon were suitably trained. At least now, under the reformed teaching and guidance of Kuai Liang, the Lin Kuei used their freezing abilities for the defense of Earthrealm, rather than the merciless display of power to keep order under the previous grandmaster. Having close experiences with both periods in the Lin Kuei’s history meant Hanzo could appreciate the reformation, not the least because he loved Kuai Liang.
But that still did not mean Hanzo could not be unsettled by the Pokémon Kuai Liang surrounded himself with. The wide, dead-eyed, grinning gaping maws of a baivanilla currently hovering too far into Hanzo’s personal space was one such Pokémon. It has done nothing except noisily breathe icy gusts into the side of his face for the better part of the ten minutes Hanzo had been sitting on the courtyard’s small bench. He had tried to ask both of the blank faces to give him a little more space, and when that had failed, he had attempted to gently push the gigantic, double-headed ice cone, painfully aware that they could have become upset, and had only managed to give his palm a slight freezer burn.
“Kyuukon, some assistance, please.” Hanzo practically begged his Pokémon do something.
She lifted her head from her paws, stared a moment, then resettled into a more comfortable position, even going so far as to fan her nine tails elegantly across her face, all the better to ignore him. Hanzo muttered a few choice insults but resigned himself to waiting for Kuai Liang to join him. He only hoped it would be sooner rather than later. As a grandmaster himself, he knew exactly how long it could take to finish one’s duties for the day.
“I do not know if you cannot understand me, or are simply choosing to ignore me, but I am begging you to please move.”
Hanzo felt no shame in admitting that he was a bit desperate for the baivanilla to move and free him from the disquieting presence. Of course, nothing happened. In fact, it became worse. He could feel another set of eyes on his person. The need to know who was watching him so intently warred with his need to just leave it alone and stay blissfully ignorant. However, he could not deny his warrior instincts to be aware of his surroundings at all times, so he steeled his nerves and slowly looked over his shoulder. If he were a lesser man, he would have jerked off the bench and fallen to the ground in surprised horror. As it was, he was Scorpion, Hanzo Hasashi, grandmaster of the Shirai Ryu, and he had the control and dignity to remain still when suddenly presented with the expressionless face of a barikooru.
“I do not suppose you are here to escort this one away from here?” He gestured to the baivanilla, not even sure why he was asking since he already knew the answer.
From what little he knew of barikooru, the face did not convey any emotion, but the body’s face did. Just saying that in his head made Hanzo deeply uncomfortable. And it got worse. The barirooku twirled the ice cane and then began tap dancing around him until they were face to face, and then did not stop. He stared imploringly at Kyuukon, willing her to intervene in some way, but she continued to ignore him. So Hanzo was left to endure this exquisite kind of torture alone.
If the elder gods were capable of mercy, they would deliver him from this frozen hell. Fortunately, his prayers were answered. Barikooru began tap dancing out of the courtyard, and finally, at long last, the baivanilla slowly drifted out of his personal space, though continued to stare at him until they disappeared behind the wall.
Hanzo could finally take a deep, relaxing breath. Only, he realized he could see his breath even though it was the middle of summer. Just when he thought it was better, it got worse. He slowly turned to his side, frowning at not finding anything. A sharp shiver ran up his spine. With a fortifying breath, he carefully faced forward, and while he would never admit it to anyone or anything, Hanzo jerked back in surprise, despite having known what he would find.
There was only one Pokémon at the Lin Kuei temple that Hanzo would admit to feeling threatened by, and that was the yukimenoko hovering in front him. He had heard the legends about yukimenoko and their malicious acts against unsuspecting travelers in the snow mountains, but never put much thought into them because that was all they were, legends. Pokémon reflected the will of their trainers, and any Pokémon could be used for good or evil. But with this particular yukimenoko, Hanzo was certain more than one person in this world suffered a freezing death from her frost, especially considering her trainer used to be Bi-Han.
She was also a peculiar yukimenoko, with her slightly different colors and the jagged scar running down the right side of her face. It reminded Hanzo of Kuai Liang. He had asked if it was coincidence or purposeful that their scars matched, and he had been upset to learn it was the latter. He had been under the impression the relationship between the Sub-Zero brothers was strained at best, so he had been confused as to why Bi-Han’s yukimenoko was so loyal to Kuai Liang.
The answer Kuai Liang gave him was unsurprising. Yukimenoko was the first Pokémon that Bi-Han had caught, but with his never-ending desire for more power and control, he had eventually rejected her for another Pokémon, one he deemed stronger. And of course, Kuai Liang had empathized with Bi-Han’s rejection of her. That was why he had argued with the previous grandmaster about keeping her instead of killing her. The Lin Kuei had been adamant all weakness should be removed, and the two of them had to prove that they were strong enough to stay. During the fight with a manyula, Kuai Liang had been struck by its claw, but despite the injury, he and Yukimenoko had been able to defeat the manyula, solidifying their place as Lin Kuei warriors. A day after their fight, Kuai Liang had woken up to Yukimenoko sharing an identical scar.
Since then, she has remained by Kuai Liang’s side, which was wonderful for Kuai Liang to have something good left from his time as Tundra, but at the same time, it meant that she was excellent at cockblocking Hanzo any chance she got. There was nothing that killed his libido like intense staring and freezing temperatures.
“Please do not interfere,” Hanzo asked, hoping that there was merit in asking. “It has been too long since last we saw each other.”
She offered no sound, and Hanzo could not read her expression. Yukimenoko set down the tray she was holding. It was covered with tea paraphernalia, and she continued to stare at Hanzo as she prepared the tea. Hopefully that meant Kuai Liang would be joining him soon, and then he could focus on anything other than the weird Pokémon wandering through the temple.
A sharp barking noise interrupted his thoughts, and Hanzo finally felt himself smiling. Kuai Liang’s little white rokon dashed into the courtyard, immediately bounding up to Hanzo and jumping in his lap.
“Xiǎoxuě, you spoiled brat, get back here and have some dignity.”
Hearing Kuai Liang’s dry tone caused Hanzo’s heart to skip a beat, not the least because Yukimenoko floated away to a more respectable distance.
“Hope for dignity has long since passed, Grandmaster,” Hanzo replied while scratching behind Xiǎoxuě’s ears.
“One could at least try.”
Hanzo turned to face Kuai Liang who was now standing in the courtyard, a small sincere smile playing on his lips. It was always a pleasure to see Kuai Liang peaceful and happy.
“How about you show some manners and greet Kyuukon?” Kuai Liang suggested. “That lap is mine.”
With quick yip, Xiǎoxuě leapt from Hanzo’s lap and immediately bounded straight into Kyuukon. Hanzo watched as she finally started paying attention and greeted Xiǎoxuě with a light nose bump. This caused Xiǎoxuě to chirp happily and begin weaving between Kyuukon’s tails, seemingly having the best time of his life being swatted by each one. How a rokon as old as Kuai Liang’s still managed to act like a hyper kit remained an amusing mystery. By all rights, Xiǎoxuě should have been a kyuukon by now, and behaving as a mature adult Pokémon. However, Xiǎoxuě refused to evolve, even in the presence of an ice stone.
His musings were cut short when a heavy weight settled on his lap. Hanzo grinned as he wrapped an arm around Kuai Liang’s waist.
“I apologize for the delay, but I had to deal with a young trainer who was certain this was a Pokémon gym,” he explained with a quiet huff. “But enough of that, I see Yukimenoko has prepared tea.”
One of Yukimenoko’s hands affectionately patted Kuai Liang on the head. She then handed a tea bowl to Hanzo, somehow conveying her utter disdain at his presence, while still appearing gracious to Kuai Liang.
“Ah, this tea is perfect as always. Thank you, Xuě Yāo Nǚ,” Kuai Liang bowed his head respectfully.
“Yes, thank you,” Hanzo added, more out of obligatory politeness than actual thankfulness.
His tea was brewed horrendously, and he was absolutely certain Yukimenoko did it on purpose. She somehow looked very smug with herself. Well, Hanzo could be just as petty. He drank deeply from his bowl, complimenting the flavor profile. With a chilly gust of air, Yukimenoko floated towards Kyuukon and Xiǎoxuě, staring daggers at Hanzo all the while.
“I hope you are able to spend some time here,” Kuai Liang interrupted Hanzo’s silent standoff with Yukimenoko. “I know our individual duties consume most of our time, but I still miss you. Any time spent with you is time treasured.”
All thoughts of Yukimenoko dissipated in light of Kuai Liang’s words. Hanzo’s heart felt full to bursting with love for this man. He pulled him in for a chaste, yet no less passionate kiss.
And in this moment, Hanzo was never more alive. It did not matter what obstacles were in his way, be it looming apocalypses or overprotective Pokémon. He was not going to let his time with Kuai Liang go to waste.