-Chapter Two-

Crimson breathed calmly, awaiting the first move from the hulking boxer Balrog. Guy simply stood a few feet away, watching Crimson. The boxer broke into a cocky grin and finally made the first move, charging at the young Bushin with his patented Dash Punch. Crimson's eyes went wide upon realizing how quickly Balrog moved, then he quickly stepped away from the long reach of the attack. Letting Balrog go past him, Crimson turned and sent a fist to the boxer's back. Balrog turned around angrily.

"Hey, punk! That's a cheap shot!", he said in a fury at Crimson. Crimson hardly blinked, infuriating Balrog even more. Balrog with an animal-like growl, attacked Crimson again with another punch. Crimson parried the first blow, but Balrog then crossed up and swung with another punch from his other fist that sent Crimson whirling in a daze.

"*Gee whiz... He's strong!*", Crimson realized. Getting back into his stance, the young Bushin ninja leapt away from Balrog as the boxer came towards him in a Dashing Upper. Crimson hadn't made many attempts to counter Balrog yet, but he was waiting patiently for an opening, which was *exactly* how Guy taught him... As Balrog continued his bout with Crimson, the younger Bushin fighter finally saw an opportunity to strike back. Balrog, in a yell, swung extra-hard at Crimson's face.

"*Now it's MY TURN!*", thought a triumphant Crimson. Ducking under the hit, he punched Balrog hard underneath the jaw, sending the burly boxer upwards into the air. Before Balrog could counter, Crimson gathered his chi, and soon launched off into the air with Balrog.

"Rising... TRIUMPH!", called out Crimson as he did his variation of Guy's Bushin-Hassouken. Two fists smacked Balrog across his face, followed up with an elbow to his throat, then Crimson finished the move by performing an aerial flip backwards off of Balrog's chest, sending the boxer crashing into a nearby wall, making him careen into several garbage cans. Crimson landed on one knee, breathing somewhat heavily, but quickly got to his feet. Adjusting his hat, Crimson looked at the approving face of Guy, then the crowd, who was in awe.

"Korezo... Bushin ryuu! (This is Bushin style!)", Crimson said to the crowd. The crowd responded with cheers. But as quickly as the crowd began to cheer, there was suddenly silence.

"Um...?", Crimson started. Turning around, he was greeted with a straight punch to his face that cleared him all the way into the street. Rolling along the ground, Crimson rolled into a defensive stance.

"It ain't over yet, kid...", Balrog threatened with a raised fist. Crimson then got into his relaxed fighting position, and then ran clear at Balrog. Balrog charged himself up, then attacked to counter Crimson. Crimson saw the punch directed his way, and had an idea.

"*I'll use the same attack Guy did!*"

As Balrog's fist was about to connect with the lower torso of Crimson, Crimson launched up into the air, flipping past the boxer as if in slow motion. Landing on the ground, Crimson charged up his chi, preparing to use the special Bushin attack... Balrog turned around, and tried to sweep Crimson with a low punch directed at the ground. The young Bushin fighter recognized the danger and jumped, pushing out his leg in the process. Balrog rocked on his heels as Crimson's kick smacked him in the head.

"Argh! NOW I'm mad!", Balrog said, spitting. Dashing like a Buffalo at Crimson once more, Crimson thrust a hand forward, calling out the name of another move.

"HADOURYUKEN!"

Balrog was knocked to the floor by the projectile. Getting up to his feet shakily, Balrog wiped blood from his lip. He was steaming mad. This punk kid was getting the better of him? Not on his life!

"You feel like giving up yet, Barlog?", Crimson said, intentionally messing up Balrog's name. The boxer was seething with rage. NOW this kid was making it personal. Spitting amongst the ground again, Balrog ran once more at Crimson. Crimson was prepared for the attack, after all, all Balrog knows how to do is punch, right? WRONG. As Crimson prepared for another punch, Balrog suddenly rose into the air with his Buffalo Head attack. Balrog's thick skull connected with Crimson's, sending Crimson spiraling onto the floor.

"*What...in the heck... was that?*" Crimson was more surprised that he could formulate a coherent thought after that crushing attack... As he got to his feet slowly, Crimson realized he just made what possibly could've been another possibly fatal mistake. Five quick blows to his ribs and abdomen sent Crimson right back onto the pavement where he previously had fallen. Now Balrog had the upper hand. Crimson then took the full brunt of Balrog's punch attacks, receiving an uppercut to his jaw, a blow to his chest, and a deliberate punch to his kidneys. The boxer attacked with the speed and ferocity of a caged lion, and the Bushin student couldn't even keep his guard up... In less than four minutes, the tide had turned and Crimson was bleeding from the mouth prostrated on the ground, Balrog was standing over him, the crowd was a hushed whisper, and Guy simply stood there, STILL not coming to the aide of his student. Balrog picked Crimson up by the front of his shirt, which was now dirty and spotted with blood.

"Well, it looks like the better man won. Say goodnight, chump. Sweet dreams...", Balrog said with a chuckle. At that moment, Guy sprung into action. Jumping into the fray that was Balrog and Crimson, he ordered Balrog to cease the fight.

"...And what if I don't want to?", Balrog taunted. Crimson looked at Guy with a dazed look. Guy realized that he might've been at fault for putting Crimson in a match like this so early in his training. Guy then stepped in front of Balrog.

"Listen... Leave Crimson be. Otherwise, I will have to inflict harsh punishment on you...", Guy said calmly, eyes unblinking. Balrog looked around at the crowd, then looked directly at Guy. With a chuckle, Balrog then performed one of the worst things someone could do another person... With a loud snort, Balrog promptly spat on Guy's face.

"I'm sooo scared..." Balrog said in a mock-whining voice. Dropping Crimson on the ground, he then smacked Guy away from in front of him. Guy wiped the gob of saliva off his face and glared at Balrog.

"You have no honor...", Guy said pointing an accusing finger in Balrog's direction. The burly boxer simply laughed.

"Took ya' that long to figure that out? Boy, you ARE stupid!"

"You'll be sorry...", Crimson forewarned to Balrog from his spot on the floor. Balrog looked down at Guy's student with a look of contempt.

"Shaddup, you!", Balrog said, giving Crimson a kick, sending the young Bushin ninja sprawling. As Balrog returned his attentions to Guy, but... he was gone!

"Not again...", Balrog said quietly. As he said that, a unseen fist punched him in the face. Balrog looked left to right, expecting to see an arm, a hand, anything. But nothing such showed up. Swinging blindly at what he couldn't see, Balrog swung hard out towards him side, and in return a Whirlwind Kick was directed in his direction. As Balrog hit the floor, Guy blurred back into focus.

"I do not wish to fight you, Balrog, but if you insist in doing so, I'll be for-"

"Shut da' hell up, you little twerp! I'll kill you for this!", Balrog roared, lashing out at Guy. The Bushin master simply awaited the oncoming attack from Balrog, parried it, then as chi energy formed an aura around him, Guy rushed forward at the boxer in a dazzling myriad of attacks. Crossing up Balrog with a three-in-one fist combination, Guy changed in mid- attack to a random flurry of kicks, then finished it off with a flying roundhouse that crashed against Balrog's skull. Balrog hit the ground, spun backwards in the pavement, hit a wall and then lied still, obviously unconscious. The crowd soon began cheering hysterically when previously they were scared and frightened. Guy nodded, and helped Crimson to a standing position.

"I didn't realize you weren't ready to stand up to his level in terms of strength, Crimson. For that, I apologize.", Guy said to his young student. Crimson smiled weakly, beginning to feel a bit better.

"Don't worry about it, Guy. I'll be fine... I hope."

The store owner (who also was watching the entire fight) came out of the camouflage that was the crowd and thanked both Crimson and Guy.

"Thank you so very much. I don't know what might've happened if you two didn't show up. Those Shadaloo thugs are always bothering me for protection money. For what reason, I'll never know..."

"Well, if they show up again, we'll be around to stop them. You have my word as a Bushin Ninja.", Guy said, shaking the store owner's hand. Crimson smiled and shook the owner's hand as well.

"Yeah, don't worry about a thing. We'll handle them if they want to come back and pick a fight.", Crimson said with a smile. Without Guy's aid, Crimson was able to continue walking with Guy towards a destination he still didn't much about. Where exactly was Guy planning on taking Crimson? He still didn't know...

***********

Later That Day

***********

Crimson was feeling better, but he was still wasn't in top condition. His ribs were bruised, and his face was puffy. Guy looked at his student with a look of concern.

"You're absolutely sure you don't want to go head back? You aren't in the best of health right now...", Guy said quietly. Crimson nodded. He knew Guy felt guilty about arranging that match with him and Balrog, but he wasn't going to address that situation..

"It's okay...", Crimson said with a smile. "...I'll be fine. Besides, I *still* want to know where we're going."

"Fine by me. We'll continue then.", Guy said nonchalantly. Crimson watched Guy as they continued their trip to wherever they were going to. Crimson noticed how Guy spoke only when necessary, and took note of his quiet, almost stoic, demeanor.

"*Must come with the job, I guess.*", Crimson thought with a shake of his head as if saddened by the idea of it. The Bushin duo were making their way past the city lights and into the outskirts of the surrounding city. Crimson eyed the area closely.

"You said we were going to meet a friend out here, I recall...", Crimson trailed off. Guy nodded, and continued ahead. Crimson was beginning to get a bit annoyed at Guy's secretive ways, but followed Guy anyway. Finally, a few metres ahead, Guy finally stopped.

"We're here...", Guy announced. Crimson saw a dojo not too far ahead. This was the place? Who was Guy planning on seeing? All these questions spun in Crimson's mind, when suddenly the voice of Guy broke his thoughts.

"Are you coming?", his calm voice replied. Crimson nodded, and quickly caught up with the Bushin master.

******

The Dojo

******

"What's the deal with this place, anyway?", Crimson said, looking around at the interior. The dojo seemed old, yet it was in perfect condition. Guy was at the far end of the small dojo.

"Right outside this place, this dojo... is where I fought Master Zeku for the title of Bushin Master.", Guy said solemnly.

"*That's odd... I've never seen Guy show that much emotion before...*", Crimson realized. Guy seemed almost... saddened.

"What's wrong, Guy? You seem... troubled or something, man...", Crimson said in a low voice. Guy looked at his student with a slight smile.

"Hm. I guess I never honestly did tell you how a Bushin student actually *becomes* a Master, did I?", Guy said quietly. Crimson shook his head no.

"Then I'll tell you now. Sit.", Guy said. Both took seats on the decorated floor of the dojo. Guy began his story as Crimson listened eagerly.

"This is the place where *all* of the ninjas of Bushinryuu go to challenge the Bushin Master. In order to become the next master, not only do you have to defeat the current master, you have to *kill* him."

Crimson's eyes went wide at that. Kill? The young fighter knew that Bushin forbade senseless killing, but that didn't seem like Guy's nature... Was it? Crimson then asked Guy a question regarding the subject.

"You killed your own Master? Isn't that somewhat honorless?", Crimson said. Guy shook his head no.

"It is honorless if you are doing it in cold blood. Master Zeku and I prepared for that day, even as he was training me. We both knew when the time had come, I would have to prove to him I could be the successor of the Bushin style. We battled with no anger, jealousy or rage in our hearts... just respect."

Crimson listened to each word as if they were the last he'd ever hear. If the time had come, would he have to fight Guy, and kill him? It didn't sound right. But wait a minute...

"What about the other way around?", Crimson asked. "...What if the student loses to the teacher?"

Guy's look became a look of understanding what Crimson was getting at. "I know what you're thinking, and no, if the student loses to the Master, he or she won't be killed."

"That's a relief.", Crimson said with a sigh. But he realized that Guy wasn't telling him something. "...There is more, right? So what happens to the student?"

"The student will never become a true master of Bushin style. If he has the courage to face the master of Bushin, he must win. Or face the consequences, which could even mean banishment. And it's happened before...", came Guy's curt reply. THAT got Crimson's attention.

"Oh.", was the only response Crimson could muster up. Guy noticed his student's worried expression. Getting up to his feet, Guy told Crimson to do the same.

"Listen, Crimson...", Guy started, "...You don't need to worry about becoming the successor of Bushin for many years to come."

"I know...", Crimson said in return to Guy, "...But I don't know if when the time comes to me to challenge you, I'll be able to finish the deed. I just don't know if it's in me..."

"Ah...", Guy said, raising a finger, "...But how do you know you'll win? For all you know, you could be banished from the teachings of Bushin for the rest of your life..."

Crimson was taken aback by Guy's harsh words, but by now he had learned to let it brush off his back. Crimson knew that the words Guy said were to somewhat fire up his confidence and boost his belief that he could overcome the naysayers and people who believed he couldn't become Bushin.

"Well, Guy...", Crimson said to his teacher, "...I'm sure I'll be ready when the time comes to challenge you."

"Heh, you'd *better* be ready.", Guy said with a slight chuckle emanating from his mouth.

"...I won't spare you anything when the time for battle arrives..."

Crimson chuckled nervously as he wiped a drop of sweat off his brow. He was beginning to wonder if this line of work was for him or not. As he thought, Guy made a move towards the back of the dojo. Crimson observed Guy, and followed close by. As they approached the back of the small dojo, Guy reached for something. Crimson didn't exactly see what his teacher was looking for.

"Um...Guy?", Crimson directed at Guy. Guy paid no attention to Crimson. His hand moved along the wall, as if searching for something.

"Ah. Here it is...", Guy said quietly to himself as if Crimson wasn't there. Suddenly a hidden door in the wall swung free, revealing an expansive back area. Crimson looked at the sights. A myriad of plants and small trees, exotic and bright, a small lake, and a tombstone...

"This is where Master Zeku rests in peace, Crimson.", Guy said, pointing at the tombstone. The duo slowly approached the grave of Guy's teacher. Crimson had a hard time understanding the words and kanji on Zeku's grave because he hadn't fully grasped the language and overall culture of Japan yet in his six-month stay with Guy.

"It says, 'Here lies a Master of the deadly ninja art of Bushinryuu. A great man, and a noble leader of the Bushin Ninjas.'", Guy said quietly. Crimson watched as Guy got down to one knee and rested a hand against the tombstone of Master Zeku.

"Master...I'll never forget the words you told me. They help me even now, and for that, I'm forever grateful...", Guy said, his voice barely a whisper. Crimson imitated Guy and got down to one knee also. Guy turned to his young student.

"I would like to pay homage as well.", Crimson said to Guy. Guy nodded and smiled as the two continued to pay their respects to the former Master of Bushinryuu. Crimson realized as he silently listened to Guy's words of honor and respect, that in Guy's mind, Master Zeku was not only a teacher and fellow member of Bushin, but a friend as well.