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Part 1 - "Our Past, Present, and Future"
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~~~ Ken's POV ~~~
"Chun," I said, knocking on her door. There was no answer. Slowly, I opened the door and saw that she wasn't in her room. I looked at the darkening sky and then hurried outside, to my massive garden. Yesterday, I had found her on the bench, dreamily pouring over a book of romantic poetry. She had lost track of time. When I had approached her, calling for her to get back in, she blushed and embarrassingly covered up the book she was reading.
Which is how I found her again today.
"Ath," I said. The wind picked up and it was getting chilly. It was nearing spring and even though it never really got cold in the suburbs of San Francisco, there was always a chilliness at this time of the year. She looked up startled, then blushed, quickly shutting her book.
"Sorry, I lost track of time," she mumbled. She came over quickly, grinning shyly and gave me a peck on the cheek. I smiled, ruffling her hair. We walked back in.
The chef had laid out a nice dinner - fresh salad to start, fish grilled with herbs and lemon, with rice dusted with spice. I went to pick out a good wine with dinner as she went to get freshened up. The eating room was a nice airy casual room with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the beautiful garden.
"This is nice," she said smiling, taking a deep appreciative sniff of the cabernet I chose.
"Napa is just stone's throw away," I replied, digging in. I studied her from the corner of my eye. About a month ago, she had appeared at the gates of my estate. She was dirty, sick, and... nervous. After she had washed up, she had slept for days, only waking up to eat some soup. I watched over her, concerned, as she whimpered from her nightmares.
All I knew was that Chun li - who I considered to be a sister - had to be protected.
When I first met Chun li, Ryu and I were already best buddies and had been spending summers together. My parents had sent me to Master Gouken, because they had given up trying to school some discipline in me. What I had gained out of all the trainings over the summers were siblings I wished I always had - Ryu and Chun li - and a teacher who I respected far beyond anyone else in the world - Master Gouken.
Chun li came into our lives when Ryu and I were both 14. She was extremely shy, smiling at us but never having the brevity to meet our eyes. She was 2 years younger than we were. She was sent to us by Master Gouken's good friend, Gen, and was told she could spend her summer here. Over the summer, she became my personal project. I broke her out of her shyness, taught her some flirting skills (which I doubt she ever used), and whenever Ryu refused to partake in any practical jokes on the monastary a mile away, I recruited Chun li. There were many times when Chun li and I joined forces to play jokes on Ryu. She loved spending time at the mountains in Northern Japan so much, she came back every summer until I left for college.
One thing I clearly remember though was that before Chun li came to join us, Master Gouken requested never to ask her questions of her past. He never gave a reason why - but both Ryu and I honored his request to this day.
"Are you sure Eliza doesn't mind I'm here?" she fretted, breaking me out of my thoughts.
"She knows you're family," I replied, squeezing her hand.
"I don't want to cause friction... I've caused you enough trouble already," she began.
"Ath, you have not been imposing. I want you here," I said firmly.
She smiled in gratitude. Then she dug in, obviously enjoying her food and eating with gusto. To tell the truth, I was really relieved at seeing her at my home. She had disappeared for a year. I had received a call about a year ago, and then she had sent me her prized spiked bracelets. When I tried contacting her back, she was nowhere to be found. I had fretted and even hired a private investigator to find her. She had vanished - until about a month ago.
"Do you remember when we lied to Ryu," she said suddenly, "of how he was instructed by Master Gouken to catch fish and collect mushrooms?"
"And we watched him do it, and then took the fish and roasted and stuffed ourselves," I said starting to laugh. Ryu had worked hard while we goofed around all day, and then swept in to take all of his hard work.
"And he was angry at us that he didn't speak to us for a whole two days," she said, smiling, her grey eyes sparkling.
"But he never told - he was too loyal," I said, still laughing. Good ol' Ryu, I thought.
"We would've gotten in a lot of trouble if he did," she mused, grinning.
"I let him beat me in a spar after two days," I said, "it seemed to put him in a cheerful mood. He started to speak to us after that."
"Thanks for taking one for the team," Chun said laughing.
Suddenly, she was quiet again. "How is Ryu?" she asked suddenly. I pushed my plate away, feeling pity. It was no secret that she had been madly in love with Ryu since she turned 14. I had tried my best to get them together, as subtly as I could - but Ryu was so dense that it never worked out. It sometimes broke my heart however, to see Chun li still pining for him, a decade later.
"Still pursuing the world," I answered gently, "pursuing fighters, pushing limits, all that good stuff. You know how he is. I think he's in India now."
Ryu had called me about a month ago, and described meeting a fighter who had extraordinary meditation powers. The fighter, Dhaslim, could disappear and appear at different areas of the ring, confusing fighters. Ryu spoke to him afterwards, wanting to trade fighting secrets, wanting to learn from him. He was always on a quest to learn more.
"Yeah," she said thoughtfully, quietly. Our plates were cleared and we were given dessert of strawberry tart and a bowl of fresh fruit with tea. We immediately dug in. Chun li had once remarked how eating food at my home was more like dining at a restaurant.
"You know," she said sipping her tea, "I wanted to tell you why I'm here. I owe you an explanation."
"You don't have to tell me anything," I said, honestly. She didn't - I was just happy to see her well. She looked at me, thankfully, smiling a little bit.
"I think I owe it to you anyways," she said quietly, lowering her lashes. She held her teacup tighter, almost as if she was savoring the warmth. Then she looked up. This was difficult I could tell.
"I track, um, bad guys as a living," she started nervously, "and last year, when I called you, it was because I was going undercover, underground. I wasn't even sure if I was going to make it back. I was tracking this big warlord and I was, ummmm, taken in for about six months."
She paused, chewing on the crust of the tart nervously. I felt my heart pounding... breaking really. She was so young! And not only that, I had never met a more genuine person in my life than her ... if anyone had hurt her...
"I finally escaped, but his network is large. Larger than anyone knows or anticipated - so I had to be really careful. I didn't know where to turn so I just came here." Suddenly, her eyes became red. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come here. I was careful that I wasn't followed - but if anyone finds out, I put you at risk..."
"Ath," I said suddenly, grabbing her hand. I tried to stop shaking. The thought of anyone hurting her made me sick. "If you didn't come here to me, I would've been furious."
We were silent for a long time. Then I asked, "did this warlord... did he hurt you?"
She looked at me, and then burst into tears. I enveloped her in a hug, trying to stop my own, not wanting to let her go.
~~~~
~~~ Ken's POV ~~~
I was on my way to Eliza's home, to pick her up for our date. I had made a reservation at the top restaurant in town so I was decked out in fine formal wear. Chun li was staying home, wanting to catch up on reading the news. She never seemed to want to leave my place - and as I suspected all along, it was because she was afraid of being spotted.
I sighed as I pulled into Eliza's driveway. I had spoken to Ryu earlier this afternoon.
"You need to visit," I said. He picked up a sense of urgency in my voice.
"What's going on?" he asked after a slight pause.
"She - Ath - is with me. She's..." I didn't know how to word it. Just thinking of how she had been hurt, struggling, and abused over the last year and me not knowing of it, made me sick. "She's in trouble," I finally said. I rested my head against my hands, in exhaustion.
"I'll be there in less than a week," he said. I felt appreciation for him. There was almost nothing else in the world that would've torn him apart from his training. He was so driven, it was his whole world. But he was leaving wherever he was to be at her - our - side.
I knocked on Eliza's door and she opened it immediately, expectantly. She smiled excitedly. We've been dating for more than a year, but it always feels like the relationship is new, as if we're falling in love for the first time. I whistled in appreciation and then pulled her in for a hug and kiss. As always, she giggled, her eyes sparkling as she enthusiastically kissed back. She was gorgeous - a blonde hair, blue eyed, tall slim beauty. Her features were delicate, soft, and feminine, she did her hair in tumbling lazy curls, which reminded me of spun gold. She, as usual, was wearing the perfume I had given her for a random gift. One thing I love about her is that she always manages to cheer me up, just by holding my hand or looking into my eyes - and she did exactly that right then.
We had met when I attended a banquet for a non-profit organization, one that was dedicated to aiding children around the world. She was not only a marketing person for the struggling small non-profit, but also the event coordinator. She caught my eye from the very beginning. Her smile attracted me. When she caught me looking over, she bravely came over and introduced herself.
"You look gorgeous... as usual," I commented, twirling her around. She was wearing a blue dress, bringing out her eyes. It hugged her slim body. Around her neck was a silver necklace that accented her tan.
"You always say that," she said smiling.
"I always mean it," I said. She grabbed her purse, grabbed my hand excitedly, as we made it to my car. I looked at her for a long good second. I thought of how I will always be falling in love with her, every time I see and hold her. Her enthusiasm and happiness was like a beautiful renewing sunlight that I never wanted to stop basking in.
"What's wrong?" Eliza asked when we were seated in the restaurant. She closed the wine menu and looked at me. Her gaze was so trusting and clear, I couldn't lie.
"Chun li," I said after a long pause. I leaned back, sighing. I trusted her to tell her this information - so I did.
"I just feel... so angry and so disgusted at what happened to her," I said, feeling a knot in my throat, "she's the most genuine person I've known - and I see the torment in her eyes. She's... scared, she's hiding now."
Eliza blinked back tears. They've met and liked each other immediately. Eliza understood unselfishly, that Chun li had to stay with me to gain her health back. She refrained from asking probing questions, preferring to wait until we were both ready to tell her. For that, I loved her more.
"I'm sorry to hear that," she said quietly, dabbing her eyes, "she's so young to be going through this."
"Yeah," I said. I didn't share how I was starting to suspect that there was something to this story - something longer, with more history.
"Maybe some girl-to-girl talk would help her. Maybe I can talk to her - in fact, I want to. But you let me know if she'd be comfortable with that. I know you're with her, helping her, but maybe she needs... a girl to talk to."
She looked at me and smiled, squeezing my hand. "The important thing is that she's out of danger. Now let's get her better. She's your sister and I want to help if I can."
My heart swelled with gratitude with those words. I squeezed her hand back. And I saw what I always knew in my heart - a woman who would always understand, support, and love all the craziness of my life. A woman who possessed an outer beauty I couldn't stop thinking about, but also a deeper inner beauty.
I knew it was crazy but it also felt so right. "Will you marry me?" I blurted. I didn't even have a ring - I hadn't planned on it - but I knew, she was The One for me right then and there.
~~~~
~~Vega's POV~~
When I first saw Chun li, it was at a banquet in a grand estate tucked away in the Alps. As I was entering the hallway, there was a group of men leaving. They were serious, with a purpose, and immediately, I knew they were protecting something - or someone. And before I saw her, I felt a presence - a feminine presence. One that felt beautiful and strong.
We caught each other's stares and what I saw took my breath away. She had about ten men surrounding her, escorting her outside, but she stopped abruptly when we caught sight of each other. She was stunningly beautiful, with a poise that was so elegant and regal, and a gaze could trap and seduce a man in a heartbeat. Her straight black hair was pulled back which revealed her fine perfect structure.
We held each other's gaze - her grey eyes against my blues - until she was gently urged to keep on moving. Reluctantly, she started her pace again, but not before she gave me another glance.
"Senor..." my escort murmmured.
"That woman..." I said, still captivated. Beauty stirs me. I've always taken great care and pride to preserve mine - as was required and propeled me into fame as a matador just a few years back before I retired. I've taken many of the most beautiful women in the world to bed... sometimes toying with them... but she was different.
"Sir," the escort repeated quietly.
"Her name?"
He looked uncomfortable. "Please senor, if you allow me to make a suggestion," he said finally, his eyes darting around the place, "please do not hint at anything when it comes to that lady to Lord Bison."
"I see," I said with a pause, suddenly remember the whispered rumors. Rumors of how this cold-hearted bastard who treated everything and everyone coldly and as expendable property, suddenly had a weakness and a complete devotion to a woman with such grace and beauty. I suddenly felt resentful. Someone like Bison, a brute, couldn't appropriately appreciate and enjoy such beautiful objects such as myself.
Sighing, I followed the escort to the small banquet room. Sometimes, I wondered why I did "consultant" work for him. But the truth was that after I retired, I was bored. I did some cage-fighting to amuse myself, but that got old quickly. Then Bison, who heard of my supreme fighting skills, recruited me to work for him on a project basis. The work required the best of the best - strength, agility, skill - and above all, focus.
I sat down at my designated seat at the dinner table. The table was full of - what else? - businessmen who were conspiring to make a dollar here and there. I was bored and amused at the same time. These petty men, I thought with a sneer, didn't see that Bison was playing them. It was like a chess game. Bison chose the men carefully, and when time would come, would pit people against each other. These men only thought to be princes in their own industry. Bison sought to be a king with the world in his hands.
Bison smiled slightly when he saw me. I nodded back. In the corner of my eye, I studied him. I could never figure out if he was insane or a ruthless businessman. He was too brilliant, focused, and clever to be insane... but then again, the hunger of power was a bit unhuman. His quest for power didn't seem to have a purpose. He never took much pleasure in what the riches would get a person. He pushed on, coldly taking the world, one chunk at a time.
When the guests left, he and I were the only ones sitting at the table as the servants cleaned up the dishes. I gazed out at the stunning view of the mountains through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
"You called me in to take out Senor Chausan," I stated.
"Correct," he replied. He fixed his ice-blue gaze on me and I looked away. As confident of a man I will say I am, I am never comfortable looking straight into his stare. There is too much power emanating from his stare alone that makes me uncomfortable.
"So soon?" I asked, amused, "why, you only met him. He seemed... likeable."
"Becoming sentimental?," he said with a slight sneer, "It is the correct move," he stated, leaning back, finishing his glass of wine. He wore a suit of the finest materials and his grey diamond cufflinks caught my eye. They reminded me of the woman I had encountered just before dinner.
"And what other guests were invited here that was not at dinner?" I asked casually. I was going against the suggestion of the escort. I needed to know - she was on my mind. Bison just looked at me cautiously, with a pause. Suddenly, the mood shifted. He was suddenly waiting, testing, a bit tense.
"Guests?"
"A woman," I said, knowing he knew who I was talking of, "a woman who seemed not to belong left this place before dinner began."
"Her name is Chun li."
I was surprised it was that easy to get information out of him.
"And how does she fit in?" I ventured.
"That is not your concern," he answered calmly. He finished his glass of wine and set it down. He studied me, possibly assuming any intentions I might've had.
"She's quiet fierce," Bison said with a slight smile, "and would give a death-beating to almost any man, as almost she gave me, if he was to have an unfortunte encounter with her... not that any man would even have a chance to approach her, let alone speak to her, if he'd rather not risk facing me..." his warning was clear.
I ignored the warning. "And why... would she give you a beating?"
"She hates me. But it matters not. She is mine now, and she belongs to Shadowlaw and she will greatly build to the organization when the time is right."
He then got up and politely, curtly, wished me a good trip and a good mission, and left. I shook my head when he left. As brilliant as Bison was, his own arrogance blinded him. In the moment that I saw Chun li, I saw a fighter - a woman with a spirit so strong, her hate for this warlord would eventually determine the future of this empire. She was here for a purpose, I mused, biding her time.
And I received my answer a month later when I saw her for the second time. I had heard word that she was on the same base I was at. Shadowlaw had received prisoners and so I waited, guessing she would sneak down to survey what was going on in detail. And she did come, when it was night and the labs were quiet. I quickly guessed she was once a government agent, a law enforcement person, to take such interest in these cases. Her feline movements as she moved around quietly was entrancing.
"What would Bison think if he saw you around here," I asked amused. She abruptly stopped, and turned, defensively. I had hidden my chi so she wouldn't detect easily. I stepped out of the shadows.
"He dooesn't have to know," she replied quietly, evenly, studying me. She was beautiful - more beautiful up close. And her chi, her stance was even more unique, memorable, and beautiful. In an instant, I could feel her anger, focus, vulnerability all bundled with steely strength and graceful preserverance.
"No he doesn't," I answered after a pause. It was clear she was on a mission, to dig up whatever information she needed and learn more of Bison's workings. It was clear that is why she stayed, why she lived under his posession. The flash of hatred at the mention of his name was clear.
She took a step towards me, studying me intently.
"We've met before," she whispered.
"Yes Senorita. My name is Vega." I bowed slightly and gave her my most charming smile. She seemed unmoved.
"And you run some of Bison's operations."
"On a consulting basis. When I choose to do so."
"What do you do?"
"Is the Lady of Shadowlaw interested in getting more involved?"
She lapsed into silence for a second, and I could feel a flash of anger and disgust.
"Is that what they call me?" she asked.
"Yes Senorita, does it displease you?"
"If I could," she said with a smile, "I would tear this criminal organization apart. And I believe one day I will."
I lifted a brow. Bison was right. She was a force to be reckoned with.
"Where are you from?" she asked. She was starting to relax, study me in a different light. I had to remind myself she belonged to Bison... for now... the temptation to seduce her was almost too much.
"Barcelona," I said with a smile. "Tell me," I continued, "when and how would you tear Shadowlaw apart?"
"Are you interested in joining me?" she asked with a smile.
"If it proved to be interesting, I would welcome the partnership."
She cocked her head. Then she walked over towards me, close. I dared not to move. She smelled clean and almost like incense. Her grey-eyed gaze was hypnotic. I closed my eyes, wanting to reach out and touch her, but I didn't dare.
"You're not one to tell on a lady, are you?" she asked, her lips close to my ear. She was teasing me.
"Never fear," I answered, "I am not the one to kiss and tell Senorita."
Then she was gone.
Now, I found myself asking a frightened looking dock worker off the coast of Brazil. Sightings of Chun li led me here.
"She knocked out about 10 men," he said, his eyes darting everywhere, "they approached her, and next thing I knew, they were all down. She jumped on a ship that left here about 5 days ago. To Mexico I believe."
I let the frightened man go. In truth, there was a start of an excitement in tracking her down. She was smart, deadly, a very interesting opponent that promised a very interesting game. I would track her down, no matter how long it took.
~~~~
~ Chun li's POV ~
When I first arrived at Ken's estated, I was weak, dirty, full of fear and worry. Ken didn't recognize me for a full second and when he did, he cried out in alarm and fear. Ushering me into the house, he exlaimed he would take me to the hospital right away. I begged him not to, and then passed out. When I came to, I was in bed, with a family doctor looking over me. Ken assured me he trusted this doctor.
He never asked me questions, preferring to wait until I was ready to tell him. I was so moved by that that I cried for two whole days, thanking the heavens of such a wonderful friend I considered to be a brother. While I was gaining my strength back, he would often come to sit at my bedside, bringing wholesome snacks and tea, softly talking about the things we used to talk about as children: the world, the fight, our beliefs, and love. He administered his chi on me, an art of healing he learned from our Sensei Gouken. It was him and his presence that mostly healed me. The thoughts of Bison, his realm, his unwelcome advances slowly faded.
I met Eliza perhaps a month after I arrived at Ken's estated. I was nervous. What would Ken's girlfriend think of another woman staying at Ken's home? I slowly dressed my best, in conservative clothes to downplay any suggestion, and met her at the parlor. When I came down the grand staircase, Ken was beaming, his hand holding hers.
"Chun, this is Eliza," Ken said proudly, looking at her adoringly. He put his arms around the blonde beaming woman. For a moment, I felt a stab of envy. The love and adoration seemed to shine from both of them and it left me with a peculiar feeling.
"Ken talks so much about his 'little sister'" Eliza said warmly, stepping forward and hugging me. I hugged her back, surprised at how easily Eliza accepted me as a friend. Then Eliza linked arms with me - again surprising her - and leaned close.
"You HAVE to tell me all of Ken's childhood stories," Eliza whispered with a giggle. I laughed, envy washing way just as quickly as it came. It was like having a sister, I thought, a best friend. I looked back at Ken, who winked at me, beaming at our easy friendship. I swallowed a lump in my throat.
I didn't venture out much and didn't meet with Eliza often but when she did drop by, we warmly greeted each other. Three days ago, Ken announced that Eliza and him were engaged, and that they would throw an engagement party. He excitedly told me about how he blurted it out, without planning for it... but that the moment he asked, he knew it was the right thing to do.
"I'll always be madly in love with her," he said, as we munched on cookies in his living room, watching some rerun on TV.
"I'm so happy for you," I said. He must've caught the wistfulness of my voice because he suddenly turned to me and smiled. He pinched my arm.
"I would set you up with any of my single friends - of your choosing - if you weren't so picky," he teased.
"I'm not picky!"
"Oh yeah?"
"I'm just... waiting for the right guy," I stammered, feeling myself flush.
We lapsed into silence as we watched TV. When it was another commercial break, Ken turned to me.
"Ryu is coming to the engagement party."
I gasped, then tried to cover it up, acting nonchalant. I sipped some hot chocolate, then hugged the pillow closer.
"It's been forever since I've seen him. I wonder what he looks like."
"He's the same."
"Maybe he won't recognize me?"
"Ha, fat chance," Ken replied.
There was a long silence.
"You know, he misses you," Ken said softly. He was looking at me, his blue eyes searching mine. I looked away, suddenly, trying to fight tears. I wished to believe him, but it was hard. I had needed him, when I was struggling to not let fear consume me and survive - but I had no way of contacting him.
"It's hard to remember that when he can't be reached," I said, swallowing a lump.
"It's who he is Ath," Ken said.
"Yeah," I whispered. It was who he was. It was the reason why we were worlds apart.
The day of the engagement party came and Eliza's older sister, Elaine, came by to help with preparations. I was having so much fun, basking in the company of female friendship.
"Keep still!" Elaine commanded, as I sat down obediently on the dressing chair and closed my fluttering eyes. She had a large box of makeup - shadows of various colors, blushes, bronzers, mascara tubes. The party was tomorrow, but she insisted on trying to "understand my palette" and see what colors worked on me. Eliza sat on the bed, teasing me and Elaine.
"You have really nice grey eyes," Elaine muttered, taking out some silvery shadow, "black and dark silver would go nice."
"Oh Chun li," Eliza teased, "it's not torture, it's just mascara!"
"Keep your eyes open and look at the ceiling," Elaine instructed.
The transformation was amazing. I looked like a different person and when Ken came to knock on the door, he whistled when he saw me.
"My little sis looks all grown up," Ken said teasingly.
"We were just experimenting," I said, embarrassed.
"Good thing I've called Ryu over," Ken said, still teasing, "or the single guys at the party won't be able to take their hands off you."
I blushed even more red as the three laughed. Ken left and it was not Eliza's turn.
"Something bridal but not too blushing-bride-like," Elaine mused as she started to mix some colors.
Then I felt it. The chi that I had been searching her whole life for. A warm, pure, strong presence that I couldn't and wouldn't mistake in all of life. Rushing towards the window, my heart at my throat, I saw a car pull up and then a man jump out. He had a powerful build and was wearing jeans, a black t-shirt, and a baseball cap. Ken came out and greeted him enthusiastically, even putting him in a headlock, knocking his cap off and ruffling his hair. Both of them laughed, joking, as they made their way in.
"Chun li?"
I turned facing them.
"Are you OK? You look ill," Eliza said, looking concerned.
"Yeah... I actually have a stomachache," I lied, "I'm just going to lie down for a moment."
"Rest up," Elaine said kindly, "we'll see you at dinner?"
"Yes," I said quietly as I exited the guest room and made my way over to my room.
It was a couple of hours later when I saw him. I had showered and dressed in a pretty wool dress. It wasn't exactly cold in San Francisco, but there was a chill in the air. I looked at herself in the mirror, nervously and was suddenly wracked with questions. Would Ryu notice me? Would he think I was pretty? How would he greet me? I couldn't bear the thought of the possibililty of a formal greeting... but how was I to know? I hadn't seen him in years...
When I walked downstairs, I saw that Ryu was greeting Eliza and Elaine, and surprisingly, he was entertaining them too, with some of his stories. 'Since when was he the charmer?' I thought. As I started her way down the stairs, he ceased talking, his eyes trained on me. I felt a lump in my throat as I looked into those familiar brown eyes. They reminded me so much of childhood, of home, of protection and love...
"Ryu -" I said, starting to smile. I think I must've practiced my greeting about a million times. But it became lost as I was suddenly pulled in and enveloped in a bear hug.
"I've missed you," Ryu whispered. For a long moment, he didn't let go. My heart was galloping and for a moment, I think time stopped for a second. I breathed in his familiar scent, resting against his arms. He was the same, and different. Then I quickly pulled away before my shaky legs gave out.
"You look wonderful," he said finally letting me go.
"You look great too," I responded. He had put on a fresh button down shirt and jeans. His hair was shorter than I remembered and I noted very faint scars on his arms. Above all, I couldn't help but stare into his eyes. His eyes were reflecting his smile, in all of the world's genuity. But behind that, there was a mature look in his eyes, a hardened look. I was startled to see how different he looked than when he was 20. Behind the kindess and gentleness, there was a look of a hardened warrior.
"Alright lovebirds, dinner is about to be served," Ken said teasingly, as he put his arms around Eliza. They both sauntered to the dining room. Elaine, whose husband also joined later, followed. They left me and Ryu, still in the sitting room staring at each other.
"I've missed you," I blurted out. I didn't mean to but it just came out, and I felt my cheeks turned red. I stole another quick glace. He looked so handsome, I felt my breath catch at my throat.
"I've missed you," Ryu returned. He sounded apologetic about it. "I'm sorry I've not kept in touch. It wasn't right and I thought of you often. But I travel so often and so do you that -"
"- it's alright," I said automatically. In truth, it wasn't - but for a moment, I felt the world was right, that the man I was still very much in love with, was right here, looking at me tenderly, warmly.
He smiled and then offered his arm. I took it and we made out way to dinner.
The party the next day was huge, with waiters and bartenders tending to the dinner out in the garden. Torches were lit to keep the guests warm. Ken had spared no expense and everybody could feel the adoration the golden couple had for each other.
I had not left Ryu's side and he, didn't leave mine. He sometimes gave me a tender glance, sometimes putting his arm on my shoulder protectively. He told me stories of India, of the mountains in Asia, the fighters he met around the world. And of course, the sights he saw. We had slipped near a bench in the enormous garden, away from the party scene - the same bench I usually went to when I wanted to be alone and read books of romantic poetry. The party was getting louder the later it got, with champagne and wine pouring forth.
"When I was in India," he said, "the most beautiful was when I was in a remote village area. The weather was warm, balmy, and it was getting late. Rather than renting a room for the night, I decided that I could sleep on top of those huge trees. So I climbed up, settled myself on the thickest branch, and looked up at the sky. The stars, Chun," he said, his eyes lighting up, "were amazing. Like a million diamonds studding the sky. In the darkest of the night that night, there were a smattering of shooting stars. It was -"
"- beautiful," I finished. My heart ached. "I wish I was there."
He had reached over and squeezed my hand. Then he didn't let go, holding my hand gently and looked at me searchingly.
"It seems as if you have been through much in the past year," Ryu said quietly.
"I - " I faltered. I didn't know what to say nor where to start. I swallowed hard, caught between wanting to run and wanting to confess all that has happened, starting with Charlie and ending with fleeing and looking over my shoulder until I made it to this haven.
"You can tell me when you're ready," Ryu said kindly. We were quiet for a long while.
"Chun, do you remember the dojo?"
"Of course," I said, happily remembering one of my favorite memories of childhood. The stunning lake and the forest surrounding it, the streams that fed the lake and the stretch of pasture just beyond the forest... and then gentle monks passing through once in a while to give their regards to Gouken...
"You were happy there?"
"Of course," I whispered, "I was happy there with you and Ken."
"In a few days, I will be returning there, to rest and train."
"Oh." I nodded, forcing a smile. There was a pause.
"Do you want to come with me?"
My eyes opened wide, surprised. "Oh," I stammered. This was completely unexpected!
"Of course, you don't have to," Ryu said, "but I hope you will. If you can."
"Are you sure?" I asked, starting to feel a tingle of excitement. It was like a childish dream come true, I thought.
Ryu smiled, his eyes again reflecting his smile. "Yes, of course."
"I'll go with you!" I said, trying to keep the excitement out. But he heard it, and laughed appreciatively. Then, unexpectedly, he pulled me in for the most gentle, heartwarming hug. I leaned in, suddenly feeling like everything in the world was going to be OK, believing for a second that this man was going to protect me and set the wrongs right for me. It was a foolish thought I know, but at that moment, I didn't care.
~~~~
~ Ken's POV ~
"Sho-ryu-ken!"
I immediately flipped back, mid-air, barely missing. Ryu and I landed on the ground at the same time.
"Hadoken!" we both yelled. Our energy clouds met, and we charged at one another. He came to me with a barrage of kicks, me blocking each and every one of them. "Tatsumaki-Senpû kyaku!" I lept up spinning, delivering powerful kicks. I was always able to do this faster than Ryu, but faltered a bit on the power. But the speed definitely made up for power on many occassions, sometimes wearing out a fighter much more quickly.
"Hado-Hado-Hadoken!" He hurled his chi at me in triple succession. I blocked, grunting as I felt the impact against my forearms. He quickly lept over -
"Hadoken! Tatsumaki-Senpû kyaku!" I grunted again, defending myself, from another barrage of kicks. His speed and skills was definitely well-honed and precise. But I had a few tricks up my sleeve...
"Sho-ryu-ken!" He defended mid-air ... "Sho-ryu-ken!" this was my specialty. He was surprised, and this time it caught him right on the chest. He flipped over, panting, then without pausing, he lept at me again, and swung a backhanded throw, with a few well placed jabs. Then spinning in mid-air again, he delivered his powerful hurricane kicks. Not as fast as mine, but delivered a bit more of a punch.
"Ack," I muttered. I flipped over him, and then aimed - and got him in a headlock - and gave him the biggest noogie ever. Ryu yelped in surprise, and then grabbing my arms, he threw me far. I flipped and landed on my feet grinning.
"That's not fair," Ryu called out in Japanese, rubbing his head. He shook his head at my childishness. I rolled my eyes. Even as children, he shook his head at me and Chun li at our childish games. He was still as boring and good of an adult back then.
"Anything is fair in a fight buddy," I said, back in Japanese. Summers in Japan have made me fluent and I fondly talk to Ryu in Japanese. I plopped down on the ground. We had been sparring in the back lawn.
"The gardeners are going to have a fit," I said, looking at the tuffed up ground. Ryu made his way over and plopped down next to me.
"You're not as bad as I thought you'd be," Ryu said teasing, "I guess you still train once in a while."
"Whatever. I went easy on you and I still almost beat you."
"Ken Masters? Going easy on a fight?"
"Yeah, because you're a guest. And because I'm a gracious host and all."
"Right," Ryu shook his head again. I cuffed him in the back of his head.
"Geez," I said, "look at your gi. It's still the same old one since I saw you last."
"It's not," Ryu said, exasperated.
"You're getting to be quite famous in the fighting cricle. Why don't you take care of your wardrobe? Change things up a little."
"And take fashion advice from you?"
"That would be a start."
Then we caught sight of Chun li. She waved to us from the back patio. We waved back. Suddenly, I grew somber.
"She told me you asked her to go to Japan with you."
"Yes," Ryu said quietly. He studied her. I'm sure he was wondering what had happened to our friend, our little sister. Ryu rarely probes or comments - but he has a way of understanding people's emotions and feelings.
"And you wanted to do this, right?"
"Yes, I want to take her away. Take her to a familiar place, a quiet place... a place I believe she can heal at."
I sighed. Chun was reading at the patio. It was a warm day today and she wore jeans and a simple t-shirt.
"She's a great girl," I murmmured, "beautiful inside and out."
"I'll take care of her," Ryu said, "I should... I want to."
He looked at her, almost nostalgically. "She's been there for me," Ryu said softly, "I need to be there for her. It's all there is to it."
He looked up at me, smiled, and then got up to speak to her. I watched them from afar, my heart warming up to the sight. They were happy. There was no one else in the world who could draw a laugh and a smile from Ryu as easily as she could. And every gesture, every touch Ryu made put a smile on Chun's face. It was like childhood... and yet almost new.
"Hey," Eliza was crossing over to me.
"Hey babe," I said, as she sat down next to me. I wrapped my hands around her.
"Ugh, sweaty!" Eliza exclaimed laughing.
"Sorry, but I can't resist," I said, wrapping her even tighter.
"You guys made a fine mess out here," she remarked looking around the once perfectly manicured lawn.
"It's my thing, to show Ryu that there's still a fighter that's just as good as he," I said laughing.
We both watched Ryu and Chun conversing, sitting close.
"They look happy," Eliza said softly, "do you think they will be? Together?"
"I don't know," I said honestly, "but I hope so."
~~~~
Part 3 to come.