Chapter 16:

A week passed and Chun Li was adjusting to her new life without her father. She found strength in knowing her father was watching over her and knowing she had friends to help her when times get tough. It came time for everyone else to continue on with their lives, Ken needed to go back to America, Fei Long had to go back to filming his movies, and Ryu back to traveling the world.

"I'm all packed and ready to head back to San Francisco," Ken said grabbing his bags.

"I'm so sad to see you go, and I can't tell you enough how thankful and appreciative I am for all the things you've done for me, Ken. You are truly a wonderful person inside and out," Chun Li hugged Ken tightly, "I'm going to miss you."

"I'll miss you too, Chun Li. You are always welcome anytime at the Master's Manor," Ken replied smiling.

"I'll miss you too, buddy, but I'll see you around. I'll never miss a chance a whoop your butt," Ryu said.

"Bring it!" Ken fist bumped Ryu saying goodbye, "Until we meet again, my friends."

Ken gave both Chun Li and Ryu a hug, then left with the driver who was waiting for him outside the hotel. Chun Li and Ryu left too.

"I think I'm ready to fight again. Want to have a go, Ryu?" Chun Li asked.

"You bet!"

In the dojo, Chun Li prepared to spar with Ryu, she put on her traditional blue qipao outfit and Ryu in his white gi. They went into the courtyard and stood on opposite each other. Chun Li took a deep breath in and closed her eyes. She took in all the senses around her and stood ready to battle. Ryu tightened his red bandana, he ran towards Chun Li and made the first attack. She blocked the punch. Ryu attacked again with another punch, Chun Li ducked and crouched low and kicked Ryu's feet out from under him. He got up quickly. Chun Li attacked with a round house kick but Ryu blocked it. He went on the offensive and rushed her with a kick to her side, it threw off her balance with she caught herself.

The two fighters continued to attack each other and gain the advantage for several minutes. Both were getting tired and breathing hard. Ryu gathered his strength and began to summon the hadou. Chun Li prepared her kikoken. They fired them at the same time but Ryu's had more force to his, it knocked Chun Li back onto the floor. Ryu looked at Chun Li on the floor, she didn't move. Oh shit! I hurt her, he thought and ran over to her. Her eyes were closed but still breathing.

Ryu lifted her head from the ground and lightly shook her, "Chun Li! Chun Li, wake up! Can you hear me?"

Chun Li opened one eye and grabbed Ryu and pinned him to the floor, "I win." She laughed.

"Why you little faker!" Ryu got out of Chun Li's pin and playfully rolled on top of her, "Think again!"

Ryu and Chun Li were face to face. He stared into her eyes. Even with her hair messy and she was sweaty from the spar, he thought how beautiful she was. Coming out of his stare, Ryu got up and helped Chun Li up too.

"That felt good, "Chun Li said.

"You are a force to reckon with," Ryu replied

"Thank you for that. With everything that has happened, it felt good to be in the fight again,"

"You're welcome. I look forward to your progression."

"How about we hit the showers and grab dinner?" Chun Li suggested.

"Fine with me. I'm getting pretty hungry."

Chun Li and Ryu went inside and into the locker rooms. Ryu began to undress and stepped into the shower. Chun Li quietly walked into the stall where Ryu was and sat on the chair and quietly watched him. She marveled at his toned physique, his muscular arms, his chiseled abs, and thick thighs. What a total hunk, she thought.

"Hey, if you're going to be staring, might as well pay me," Ryu said out loud.

"I didn't think you knew I was in here!" Chun Li said surprised.

"Well, are you just going to stare or get in here with me?"

"Dare I refuse that invitation?" Chun Li laughed and got in with Ryu.

The water was warm and it ran down the two fighter's bodies. Ryu watched as the water hit Chun Li's back, how ran down her to her butt and thighs. He couldn't help himself and grabbed her hips bringing them against his front side. He kissed the back of her neck and caressed her breasts with both his hands. Chun Li turned around and kissed Ryu, she reached down below and began stroking him. With vigor Ryu pushed Chun Li against the wall, lifted one of her legs and entered her. He thrusted inside her while the water poured on their bodies adding warm sensations to their pleasure. Chun Li stared at Ryu's abs as they contracted and expanded every time he thrusted inside her, he's so sexy, she thought. Chun Li and Ryu felt like their souls were connected, they felt linked on a deeper level and felt as one. The passion between them was so intense. They reached the ultimate release. Ryu felt like putty and laid his head on Chun Li's chest. She gently hugged his head.

"How is it you make me feel the way you do?" Ryu asked.

"Whatever it is, you make me feel the same way," Chun Li replied.

Later at dinner, the Ryu and Chun Li enjoyed being able to spend quality time with one another. Chun Li almost forgot Ryu would be leaving the next day.

"So, tomorrow…you'll finally continue your journey?" Chun Li said.

"I was avoiding this talk but I suppose it was going to come up sooner or later," Ryu replied.

"It's alright. I've accepted it. We both have our duties to fulfill. You'll be headed back to Japan and I'll be here, working harder than ever to honor my dad."

"You'll be the best officer in all of Hong Kong, I'm sure,"

"You can count on it!" Chun Li laughed. "I'm going to miss you like crazy,"

"As will I…which brings me to this," Ryu pulled out a jewelry box and handed it to Chun Li.

"Ryu? What is this?" she asked surprised.

"Just open it."

Chun Li opened the box and found a necklace inside. It was heart shaped and had her birthstone, aquamarine, in it. The back was engraved which read miles apart, you have my heart.

"Oh, Ryu! This is beautiful! Help me put it on?"

Chun Li turned around and lifted her hair so Ryu could put the necklace on her. She turned back around. He watched it glimmer against her chest.

"Now, I've got something for you," Chun Li said.

"For me?" Ryu replied surprised.

Chun Li dug in her purse and pulled out a wallet sized photo of him and her standing atop the Victoria Peak. "My favorite picture of us," she said.

"Thank you, Chun Li. I'll take it with me wherever I go." Ryu hugged her.

Chun Li and Ryu enjoyed the rest of their evening together. They walked through the park and through town looking at all the sites and lights. They made their way back to Chun Li's house. It was late when they got home so they began to get ready for bed.

They snuggled tightly laying in bed. They held each other knowing it was the last night they would be spending together for a long time. Their passion led to them becoming intimate. They connected their souls one last time.

The next morning Ryu got up early. He didn't want to wake Chun Li, so he quietly gathered all his things and called for a taxi to take him to the airport. He left. At the airport, Ryu got out of the taxi and went to get his boarding pass. Just before he was to go to the terminal, he saw Chun Li standing there looking as beautiful as ever with tears welled up in her eyes. She ran to him and hugged him tightly.

"I couldn't let you leave without saying goodbye to you one more time," she cried.

"I know. I didn't think it would be even harder to leave you this time," Ryu replied kissed Chun Li over and over.

"Please write to me whenever you can and call me,"

"I promise. No matter where I am, I'll always find my way back to you,"

One last kiss and hug they shared.

"It's time to go," Ryu said and began to move back from Chun Li. Their hands still embracing, finally let go.

"You are worth every mile in between us," Chun Li said as she watched Ryu walk away into the crowd

Goodbye…my love, Ryu thought.

Chun Li, Ken, and Ryu continued with their lives. Chun Li proved top of her graduating class and became a police officer. She continued to train and work very hard, so much that her reputation preceded her wherever she went. Ryu continued to travel the world. He met all kinds of fighters and people along his journey. Everyday he trained harder than before and became well known in the street fighting community. Ken worked alongside his father learning how to take care of the family business. He continued to date his longtime girlfriend Eliza and eventually married her.

As the years past, Chun Li and Ryu spoke less and less. Ryu became more determined to fight and kill Akuma without giving into the dark hadou. Chun Li focused all her effort into bringing down Shadowlaw. She worked alongside Guile and Nash. But, with all the time spent apart, Chun Li and Ryu still had a deep admiration for one another, still much love for the other, but it was getting forgotten, pushed away by their desire to succeed in revenge against the killers.

As fate would have it, it intertwined the two lovers once again…

But that's another story…

The end.

Coming soon is another story of the love shared between Chun Li and Ryu. Until then!