Chapter 11: Somewhere in Canada

 

A peaceful tranquility… the birds were chirping, the wind blowing ever so gently.  Leaves rustling in the trees as the sun was rising.  A clear brook flowed adding to the already beautiful landscape.  Indeed it was a picture perfect scene, save for an old and ancient-looking hermit seated atop a rock.  He had been staying in this spot since the day before, in deep meditation.

 

Opening his eyes, Oro gazed at the huge expanse of bubbling life all around him.  Eyes that have seen more years come and go, yet still as clear and piercing as ever.  A small and dainty butterfly flitted in front of him before finally coming to rest on his outstretched finger.  The ancient master smiled, such was the beauty of life and its innocence… nature so pristine and so much more.

 

As the butterfly flew away, Oro finally started reflecting on his thoughts.  Throughout countless journeys and battles, his purpose had been to find a person worthy of becoming his student.  Alas, his search had not yet come to an end.  Hearing news of the latest Streetfighter tournament was what had brought him to participate in the hope of achieving his purpose.  Such a gathering of fighters from around the world would surely be worth looking into.

 

He also assumed that the current Streetfighter champion, Ryu, would also be participating.  Noting to himself, Oro had been following Ryu’s progress for a long time and had been impressed with the young fighter’s potential.  Such a man would indeed be worthy of what the ancient master had to teach, notwithstanding the fact that Ryu himself was already considered a master of the martial arts by all.  It was a well-known fact that Ryu had not taken any students despite the huge number of aspirants who came to him.  Maintaining that he was still training himself had kept him from accepting anyone who approached him.

 

“Perhaps I have finally found the one to whom I can pass on my knowledge”, Oro mused. “The only thing left to do is find and confront him.  But that would take some time as he has a reputation of being hard to find.  Regardless, I know that he is not one to back down from a challenge and I will come to face him one way or the other.”

 

The sound of a breaking twig caused Oro to look behind him.  It was a large gray she-wolf and she was limping on her front left leg.  Apparently, she had stepped on a trap and had managed to get away before a hunter had found her.  But in consequence, her injury had caused her considerable pain that when she got into a fight with another wolf she fared quite badly and was wounded all over.  Upon seeing a man in front of her, the wolf instinctively growled and bared her teeth in response… frightened as she was.

 

Oro wasn’t fazed however, and he felt compassion on the she-wolf’s predicament.  Stretching out his gnarled hand in a gesture of concern, Oro’s countenance was that of genuine compassion on the injured wolf.  Sensing no harm from Oro’s intentions, the wolf’s manner changed from that of apprehension to that of curiosity and tentative friendliness.  Slowly, she moved closer to Oro’s side and lay down beside him, licking his hand.  Gaining the she-wolf’s trust, Oro then proceeded to treat the poor animal’s wounds, which he did with diligent care.

 

Having done with it, Oro then prepared to leave.  The she-wolf wagged her tail and began licking his hands as if thanking him for his help before finally moving back into the woods, away from sight once more.  Despite himself, Oro couldn’t help but smile at the sight of seeing the wolf in better spirits.  Gathering himself for the long trip, he gave some thought to the days ahead and to his ultimate purpose.

 

“I’m coming for you Ryu…”