Disclaimer: See chapter one


Chap. 8


Japan, countryside

The quiet of the forest soothed the spirit of the lone warrior as he strode through the brush. He could always count on the forest's calm winds and foliage as he walked toward the dojo on the top of the hill. Despite this place being his home, he was rarely there often. It just wasn't the same as his first home in the shrine with his master. True, it was the same area, but it seemed somewhat empty now. Still, as Ken would say it, 'there's no place like home.' Ryu shook his head lightly and smiled. 'I listen to Ken too much for my own good sometimes.'


Europe, 1579

The two immortals were panting as they finally stopped running and hid around the back of the local inn. A troop of soldiers rode past and down the road. When they had disappeared, Ken and Ryu stuck their head out of the side. Seeing the men gone, Ryu growled at his compatriot.

"You just couldn't say no, can you?"

Ken shrugged innocently, "Hey, how was I supposed to know her father was the duke and she was proposed to another? Give me a break. I lost our horses back there."

The two men walked out of the side of the building as Ryu continued, "Give you a break? I don't very much like running out of the country because my best friend couldn't keep his hands off the duke's daughter."

Ken grinned, "Why don't you try it sometime? Lord knows you haven't had a girlfriend since...ever."

"I never considered it, nor do I need to. The fight is all."

Ken sighed, "Yeah, yeah. But even you have to relax and get some social skills. In fact, that's just what I'm going to help you with."

Ryu blinked nervously, "I don't..."

Ken cut him off, "Nonsense. You can't go on for eternity without at least dating once." He grabbed Ryu's arm and began to pull him toward the inn.

"That looks like a good place. Come on."

Ryu tried to convince Ken out of whatever he was up to as they entered the inn, "Ken..."

Ken ignored his pleads as they entered in and fond a seat. As they sat, Ken looked through the small group of people.

"Hmmm, let's see. Ah, she's a looker." His gaze had stopped on one of the innkeepers, a pretty, young woman who was currently clearing one of the stools.

"But Ken, I don't even know her." Ryu protested.

"Of course not. That's why you're going to go up and talk to her."

Ryu blinked, "Now? But..."

"Don't worry. Just as for her name and tell her how pretty she is. You shouldn't need more than that."

Ryu grimaced inwardly seeing that he wasn't going to get out of this one. Ken wasn't going to stop until he did what he wanted. Extremely nervous, Ryu complied and quietly walked through the other customers and sat on the nearby stool.

"Hello."

The girl stopped briefly and gave him a friendly smile, "Hello."

Ryu stopped abruptly, causing the girl to eye him strangely. Ryu tried to calm himself. I must...remain focused...

"What's your name?"

The strange look disappeared and the friendly smile returned, "You first."

His face began to shift color slightly, "Ryu."

The woman nodded, "Ryu, huh? My name is..."

"Melene."

Ryu and the woman turned to look at the source of the new voice. Standing at the doorway way a man, average height, with strange hair sticking out and down in front. Both Ken and Ryu sensed something from this man. He was immortal.

"Oh, hi Rosso. You're finally back." The girl called out

The man however, was focused on the Japanese warrior, "Who are you?"

"My name is Ryu."

The man stepped forward menacingly, "Are you trying to take my woman?"

Ryu blinked in surprise, "Wha...no, no. I didn't...?"

The man didn't wait for a straight answer as he suddenly unsheathed an English broadsword and slashed out at Ryu. Ryu jumped back and away and the other customers all moved out of the way. Ryu held his hands out.

"No, wait!"

The man slashed out again and Ryu ducked and rolled on the ground. Seeing no other option, Ryu pulled out his own blade and the steel clashed loudly. The man pulled back and stabbed forward, but Ryu parried the strike and sidestepped away. But the parry didn't slow the man down as much as he thought as he used the parry to spin around in a vertical arch. Ryu barely backed away from the slash and positioned his blade at another angle. However, he couldn't help but admire the man's recovery skill. The man held his blade up and heat began to steam around it. He was ready to strike when...

"Stop it, Rosso, he was just being polite."

Rosso looked as Melene came in between the two of them. He looked from her to Ryu and then back again. Seeing the look in her eyes, he lowered his blade, the searing energy now gone. Melene shook her head lightly and then turned to Ryu, who lowered his blade as well.

"Please forgive him. He's a sweet man, but can be hot-tempered sometimes. That's why many nickname him the volcano."

Ryu nodded and sheathed his sword. "I understand. I'm sorry if I appeared...differently."

V. Rosso put away his blade as well after seeing the honest expression on his face. "The apologies are mine, sir. I let things get out of hand."

"Well, no apologies are necessary." He bowed to the two and turned to leave, "It was...interesting meeting you two."

Melene waved, "Bye."

Ryu walked outside to see Ken waiting for him outside.

"Well, that went well, eh Ryu? Ahhh, hey, let go!"

Ken found himself the victim of his own atomic noogie, courtesy of Ryu...


Ryu half-grimaced at that memory. It wasn't exactly one of the best moments of his life. Still, it was a...interesting time. And although brief, it did serve as a learning experience. But for once, it wasn't for the fight. He didn't think it would be useful at first, but that changed some time later. Changed because of...

Suddenly, Ryu's head jerked up toward the dojo. A presence was coming from within the small dwelling. Ryu dropped his bag and unsheathed his blade. Holding it to the side, Ryu slowly entered the dojo, his eyes roving over the area. As he did, he began to sense the person's ki, in case this was someone he knew. He continued to move cautiously through the dojo, eventually heading outside through the back. As soon as he stepped outside, the aura of ki became stronger, strong enough for him to recognize. He gave a brief smile and slightly lowered his weapon.

"It's been a while, Sakura."

A feminine figure came up from beside him in the bushes. She wore a schoolgirl outfit and fighting gloves. A white headband was tied around her hair and a smaller-looking katana was strapped to her side. A wide smile was etched on her face as she moved in front of Ryu and gave him a deep bow. Ryu returned the gesture and Sakura suddenly jumped at him and clasped him in a tight embrace.

"Almost too long, Ryu."