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[lt_blade]

With people, there is always a sign or two that one gives when it's clear that some thing's either not right, or just on their minds. For Sonya, in this case, it was the fact that she was at her hut and not actually doing or anything, except waiting for some breadfruit to finish cooking in its banana leaf wrappings over the fire pit. It was one of those rare moments when she didn't want to think, but she didn't really feel like doing much else.

She should have known, when she didn't see his boat by the docks that morning. She tried to reason with herself that he was only on the other island, but after a few days her senses couldn't be denied any longer.  By that Saturday afternoon, what Sonya had started to deny became a fact-David Webster was no longer on the island. 

Even though they hadn't really talked much lately, Sonya couldn't help but feel something else behind his disappearance. It brought back the memory of after Joe's disappearance, when she and Webster argued over him leaving, and now with him- she felt even more alone than usual. At the time, it was because she was aware of how she had no one, and while she shouldn't have let it affect her, it was her friends vanishing off the island that made her feel how alone she was. It was how it always was, in a way, she would end up by herself. The irony now was that she had someone she loved..more as a friend, someone that could disappear any day now: she could wake up and find his side of the bed gone cold. She knew it was inevitable, but she hated the thought of waiting in fear for something like that.

He wasn't at the hut when she returned from a jog-relatively easy going with her leg still sore, but she expected him to be back any time soon. What she was thinking may have been irrational, but then what on this island was ever rational. She wanted to spend the rest of her time on the island with him, she was aware of this now-even if it took Webster's vanishing to have her come to that realization.  Sonya wasn't sure if Scorpion would agree or not, but the only way she'd know for sure is through him.

Her face was grim as she poked one of the banana leaf casings: still not done.

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He shrugged.

"When it's free, why not?"

He sat down near her. It was a tropical island, so he stayed a distance from the flames. He did not need a reminder of home.

"What are you making?"

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

She chuckled a bit. "True enough."

She carefully pulled one of the 'pounches' over to her, handling it a little until she could unwrap it a bit.

"Breadfruit and bananna slices." And some cinnamon, because it would've been a little bland elsewise. "I didn't feel like going to the compound for lunch." She wanted some privacy to think things over. "Want one?"

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"Yes, I'll have one."

He waited for her to serve him a piece, and a short while for it to cool off before trying a bite.

"Very good. I like it."

He was still wondering if something was on her mind, but he figured is she wanted to discuss it, she would sooner or later bring it up. If not, they would simply have some time together.

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She took a bite, wondering how to bring this all up. She didn't know what she was suddenly so tongue tied-people sometimes accused her of speaking all too easily.

"Webster's gone." She didn't feel she had to clarify with 'gone'. "His boat's no longer at the dock, and when he does leave it's never for this long."

Sonya knew all of their time here was limited: but seeing the gun didn't make getting shot hurt any less.

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"Webster was a friend of yours. I'm sorry he's gone."

He moved over and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"How do you feel?"

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

She covered his hand with hers.

"I shouldn't be that sorry. Since Joe left, and then Trisha..he's only just started becoming less of a hermit-it's better that he went back home."

She took another bite, answering him only after she finished swallowing. "That's a bit of a loaded question, but I feel.." She tried to put it into words. "Even more alone, I guess. Many of those I could call friends keep leaving, makes me feel a little small."

Why did she have the feeling she was rambling?

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He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her gently into an embrace with her back pressed up to him.

"You are not alone, Sonya Blade. And you are strong. You can handle anything this island challenges you with. You should be thankful for the fact that you can feel. When you lose that, you lose your humanity."

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

She leaned her head against him, letting out a breath. The embrace pressed a little against the wound in her side, but seemed worth it to be against him like this.

"When Joe left, I saw Webster packing his things on the boat and we had a shouting match." She sighed. With both men gone, it didn't seem to matter about their relationship-well, not to him anyway. She knew he could keep a secret. "They were very close, and Joe leaving just reminded me of how far away I was, from everything and everyone I'd known."

She looked up at him. "Now, you're here, but then it seems like..like I can just wake up one morning and you're suddenly gone. I know it's inevitable, but just because you know a war's coming doesn't mean you're looking any less foreward to it."

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This made sense. The disappearance of her friend would remind her of the possibility that they could part at any time. And, yes, if he left first, he knew it would hurt her terribly. Strength only would ensure she survived, not that she wouldn't be hurt. He let go, moved in front of her, then passed his hand along her cheek.

"If there was anything I could do to keep us here together, I would do it, Sonya. I also fear losing you. I may... lose some of the progress I've made."

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

Sonya wasn't so sure if she feel flattered that she had such control over him, or worried at the thought of what Hanzo was capable of if he reverted-it was possible she felt a little of both.

"We shouldn't get this worked up." She answered, trying to compose herself. "Jane has been here for nearly four years, Coraline's been here for two. I hate the thought of bracing for something when I do have a life to live-maybe it's a form of 'running', but it's better than cowering."

That was the paradox of being a soldier, atleast in her eyes: on the one hand, she did consider herself to have kamikaze tendencies while on missions, but at the sametime, that just made her want to 'live' even more.

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He began keeping very close eye contact with her.

"It is very likely that one of us will have to face the loss of the other. That is a fact. It will cause a lot of pain for one of us. But, Sonya, it is worth it, and the one left behind will be able to move on."

"I, for one, do hope that we have many years before this happens."

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

She nodded. As much as she didn't like to think about it, she would try to move on if such a thing happened.

Of course, she could also be lying to herself and find herself curled up on the floor crying her eyes out.

What he said of 'hoping to have many years,' did bring a smile to her face.

"I was actually thinking on that, before you came this morning. We both want to make the most of our time together on the island, right?" She took a deep breath, it wouldn't do for her to loose control and ramble on. He might not take her serious if she did. "I was thinking, do you want to get married?"

There, she asked him, and frankly she didn't remember ever feeling so foolish.

"I want to spend my life with you-even if that life's only on the Island." Yes, they were already a 'live-in' couple, but for some strange reason, the idea of 'marriage' just made it seem more binding-like a genuine partnership.

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Hanzo had, indeed, thought about this for a while now. Ever since the photo album had arrived, he had desired more of those old times, and he had Sonya to potentially do that with. He had been willing to let some more time go by before he broached the subject, but he did not regret that Sonya brought it up.

"Sonya, you do know that if we do this, like you said, it can only be limited to our time on the island. After we both leave this island, I won't be able to be there for you."

Sonya was intelligent and must know this, but it was best to say it out loud before he gave her his answer.

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

Sonya had thought on that, it was one of the first factor she had considered before even asking him.

"I know." She said, glad that she was able to at least get it off her chest and think clearly. "Trust me, I wouldn't have asked you if I didn't considered the thought. I'm still willing to go through with it, even with the time remaining."

During her talk, her hand found his. "When we leave the island, or one of us leaves, then the marriage will be dissolved. However, I would still like to remain an ally when we go home, remember I promised to assist with finding the killer of your family."

And she intended to keep that promise, if nothing else.

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Hanzo brought Sonya's hand to his lips and kissed it.

"I wish it could be better than that, but it is all I have. If I remember anything from our time here, I can at least assure you that I will count you as an ally at the very least."

He paused before saying the next part.

"But, if you are willing to have me, I would be honored to have your hand in marriage, Sonya."

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

If she were the sort, Sonya would've temporarily forgotten her injuries and tackle him to the ground with a hug-as it was she strongly felt like doing so. She didn't do that, but the smile she gave him lit her face up to the point where she wasn't sure if she would be able to stop smiling all day.

"I'm more than willing to have you, Hanzo." It could be possible that this was a trick of the island to lull them into a false sense of security. She could wake up in a month and find him gone, or they could make it to the actual date and find one of them had gone home shortly later, and yet-somehow, with the moment they were having right now, she thought she wouldn't exchange it for anything.

She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. He had said 'yes', now they had to try and plan.

[get-over-here.livejournal.com]

The look of joy that crossed Sonya's face caused Hanzo to smile in return. It was a great feeling to be that one special person in her life. Things could not be much better.

He moved over to her and kissed her. He felt very much alive this day, and even though it would end someday, he would always be thankful for his time here with Sonya.

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

She closed her eyes, enjoying the kiss a moment before pulling away. She thought she could rely on him to help her think through this, but obviously he was just as excited about the thought as she was.

"Come on, I'm glad we're on the same page." Really glad-oh god, she was not blushing. She was twenty-seven for christ's sake, she shouldn't be acting like some love struck teenager. Sonya took a few deep breaths to calm down. "But we have to plan this out-I could ask around, odds are there's someone around here who could made a ring." And obviously two more rings after that.

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Ah, Sonya, always the tactical one.

"Sonya, relax, there is plenty of time to plan out the details. In the end, rings and ceremonies and all that are not as important as the fact that we've made a commitment to each other."

He moved in behind her and started giving her a shoulder massage. He knew Sonya liked that very much, and it often helped calm her.

"So, let's begin with your ideas for what you would like to do. I am not very particular about this sort of thing."

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

She rolled her shoulders back: Hanzo always knew how to help her relax.

"Generally speaking, I'd like a small ceremony and reception-invitation only." Sonya had been on the island long enough to know that the only way to keep a party seperate was by 'invitation only'. "That aside, I'd just like to keep thinks simple."

Her face became serious. "However, I was mostly talking about after the ceremony-the possibility of having kids. I'd rather that not be too much of a surprise."

He was right, the ceremony was only so important, but kids...he never said so outloud, but Sonya knew part of him would like to start a family.

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He had assumed that Sonya would want to keep things simple, but it was a relief to hear her say so. Some women have grand fantasies of their wedding day from when they were young, and he was glad Sonya was more down-to-Earth. He did not want to make a circus out of it, and his one requirement had just been met.

Kids... that was quite a topic.

"I think I would like to try. I know that there is a chance one or both of us could disappear, but I'm not accustomed to living in fear. If the worst happens, there is still a good community here. What are your thoughts?"

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

"How about this is the first time I could really consider being a 'mom'." She answered honestly. "Even when Lance and I were engaged, there was no question that we wouldn't have kids-our careers were too dangerous."

She leaned against him a bit. "It's not like we have to worry about finances here, and it is relatively safer to raise a family here than back home." She thought a moment. "I think, in the event we do have kids, we should go to the councle to make a living will. That way if one or both of us vanishes, we'll know right off that our kid or kids are with someone we could trust."

Sonya grimaced. "But lets be frank here, I'm not the most maternal woman in the world." Knowing her, she'd probably scar the kid emotionally before it's out of diapers.

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Hanzo let out an amused breath.

"I'm sure you would make a fine mother, Sonya. If a ninja can be a father, a soldier can be a mother. It may be our only chance to ever do this. Your life back in Earthrealm is too dangerous, and mine has ended."

He kept massaging her.

"I agree we should make this will, assuming we go ahead with this. Who do you have in mind?"

Scorpion was not the most socialble person on the island. He knew some people, but nobody he would entrust a child to.

[lt-blade.livejournal.com]

Sonya wasn't entirely sure why she was anxious-she wouldn't be the first woman to have a kid.

"That part I think we could leave open for the moment. We still have a wedding to plan, finding out who'll be the kid's 'emergency' guardians is a long way off."

She smiled a little. "Back to the wedding, we don't have to make it a grand affair, but we should find someone to marry us-though I think we could find someone on council to do that-then there's the guest list, food for all of them, decorations."

She paused. "As for the rings, it's the tradition of it all, you know, an engagement ring and of course a pair of wedding rings. I could ask someone at the club tonight, or maybe when I'm well enough for ITF training again-surely someone would know about metal work."

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Hanzo spoke in a soothing tone.

"I'm sure there's a way to get wedding bands made. Ask around. We have plenty of time to work on the guest list, food, and decorations. And, as for children, I'll stop taking those pills. It will take some time wear off, and if need be, we can use condoms."

He kept working on her. She did seem anxious. But, in time, he could remedy that.