*BRIEF AUTHOR NOTE*
*THIS IS QUITE POSSIBLY THE LONGEST CHAPTER I HAVE EVER WROTE!
*THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE UP SHORTLY! SO PLEASE MAKE COMMENTS!
*THIS IS MY FIRST ROMANCE STORY, I KNOW I AM NOT BREAKING NEW GROUND
*WITH THIS STORY, BUT PLEASE BE KIND AND UNDERSTAND YOUR COMMENTS MEAN SOMETHING!*
*ALSO LOOK FOR THE SEQUEL AND PREQUEL... IT'S MORE NEW MATERIAL THAN THIS*
Ryu waited a half hour more; Chun Li was already forty-five minutes late. She finally came into the backyard. "I could not find a thing to wear." Ryu only observed her. "I did not expect to be sparing while I was up here." She quickly adjusted her hair into her traditional buns. "This was all I could find; it's spandex." He gave her an impatient look.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Yes," she replied. They bowed respectfully to one another then assumed their fighting stances. Chun Li made the opening move. He blocked her move and countered with a move of his own. She jumped back. Ryu then threw a fire ball, but she quickly countered with her own.
"Good," Ryu praised her. "You learn quickly."
"Thank you, but a compliment will get you nowhere. I'm not going to go easy on you." She moved in a little closer, "you wanted this and I plan to give it to you." Ryu continued to let Chun Li take the offensive, but when it was over Chun Li won. She used Ryu's strength against him, the first thing he had taught her. She jumped up and down laughing. "I won!" Chun Li did a cartwheel. Ryu got up from the ground.
"There is such a thing as a bad winner," Ryu replied.
"It just goes to show you," she cheered. "You treat me like I'm a child and not the world class fighter that I am. See I beat you fair and square."
"Oh yeah there is one more thing I should tell you, Chun Li." Ryu quickly knocked her legs from under her. "Never let your guard down." She stuck her tongue out.
"Whatever!" She snickered. He then helped her up.
***
Chun Li took unpinned her hair while she put on DVD. "C'mon watch a movie with me."
"I'll pass," he said. "Its so made up and artificial."
"I insist, you need to enjoy yourself." Chun Li replied. Ryu looked at her. "Here sit, on the sofa. I promise the movie is good."
"My friend watches movies."
"Well, c'mon." Chun Li urged while unbraiding her hair. "Watch one with me. Sometimes I feel like you are either trying to avoid me or you are one repressed closet case. I know there is more to you than just training and sparing." Ryu sat down seeing there was no way out of the situation.
"What are we going to see?"
"Rush Hour," she replied. "It's in English, so there are no subtitles." Chun Li sat up eagerly watching the movie. Ryu was not amused, he found the black guy's voice to be annoying and Jackie Chan was not very funny. Towards the end of the movie Chun Li looked over to see Ryu asleep. She threw a sofa cushion at him. Ryu woke up to see Chun Li storming away.
***
It was early in the morning when Ryu saw Chun Li asleep on the sofa. He thought she had stayed up all night to watch movies in an attempt to avoid him.
"Wake up, today is a brand new day."
"What," Chun Li turned over and almost fell off the sofa. "Bison?"
"You should not sleep late. It takes your strength." Chun Li turned back over. Ryu continued to stand over her.
"Okay," she replied. She could not go back to sleep with someone standing there. "What time is it?" She sat up and put her feet on the floor.
"4:40 am"
"What!" Chun Li exclaimed. "I'm going back to bed, I mean sofa. Ryu, it's not every day I can sleep late because I don't have to go to work."
"Don't you want to see the sun rise?" Chun Li looked around and saw that Ryu was fully dressed. "We have an hour."
"Well it has been awhile since I saw a sun rinse, " she replied. "Okay I'll get dressed, but I'm going to sleep when I get back." Ryu nodded. Chun Li went into her room and put on a sleeveless blouse and jean shorts. It was so breezy in the morning since the noon day brought with it an abrupt humidity.
They went into the woods and found a steep trail. Chun Li lagged behind; she did not want to go, but she wanted to be hospitable to Ryu since their first meeting was not pleasant. When they reached a spot that had a good view of then sky, they stopped. Chun Li looked at the view; it was simply amazing. The stars were still out in richly shaded turquoise sky. All around them the birds were singing. "It's beautiful Ryu." Chun Li replied. She leaned against a nearby tree. "It really is."
***
Ryu replied, "You asked me once what did I see when I meditate. Well this is it." Chun Li looked up at him.
"Thank you for inviting me to see this."
"You don't need to thank me," Ryu replied. He could see she was still exhausted, but she was enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
"I don't know what else to say," she replied. "I'm sorry if I treated you unfairly. I should have been kinder. I always put business before pleasure."
"What about now?" He asked. Chun Li turned to look at the lightening sky, then answered him in a dazed voice.
"Sometimes business brings pleasure," she replied. Ryu his eyes on the dawn sky. He knew that he had made peace with her at last.
"So are we friends ?" He asked. Chun Li gave him a quick peck on the cheek.. Ryu blushed, he had not been expecting her to do that. Chun Li laughed when she that Ryu was embarrassed.
"Ofcourse," she giggled, "You are blushing Ryu." He gained his composure.
Finally the sun came up. Chun Li turned to him and said. "It was a wonderful idea."
"Chun Li, how about next time I show you how to meditate properly."
"But I already know how to meditate." She yawned then smiled. "You forgot I'm not an amateur Ryu. I'm China's Champion." Chun Li then started to head back. "Well I'm going back to sleep." Ryu watched her walk back. He put his hand on the cheek she kissed. Of all the opponents he faced and all the challenges he met, it took one kiss from a girl to make him become a bundle of nerves. He watched her descend; her figure against the background of trees was pleasing to him. There was something about her. Was she the reason he decided to go back to China after the tournament? He did not know, he then turned towards the newly risen sun.
***
Chun Li woke up to an empty cabin. Ryu had not returned, but she was not concerned. She picked up the radio in her sock drawer and radioed Li. "Li," she spoke in a hushed tone. "Li, over." She waited for him to respond.
"Yes, Li here."
"It's me, Chun Li."
"I know, what's up?" He replied. "I saw meditation man had you up at the crack of dawn."
"Yes," she replied. "His name is Ryu by the way and he's not that bad. He is kind a sweet man." Li laughed.
"Is he your boyfriend now Chun?"
"No, ofcourse not," her face flushed. "Li, what is the status of this investigation? I hate being left out."
"Sorry, Chun, but nothing new has turned up. HQ is still investigating."
"Oh, I see," she replied.
"But keep your head up. How about I go in town and pick up a few things that you, me and the rest of the my team can enjoy."
"I would like that," she replied. "I would like that a lot."
"Sit tight; I'll be there shortly"
"Alrigtht, " she replied. "I'll be waiting." She sat the radio on the he dresser and freshened up. Chun Li did not notice that Ryu had returned.
"You are back," she said. "You are awake," he replied.
"So I am."
"Did you want to spar today?" Ryu eagerly asked.
"Sorry," she shook her head. "I have some business that I need catching up on. How about tomorrow?" Ryu looked a little uncomfortable; she smiled at him. "The sooner as Interpol finds a lead the sooner you can leave." She replied. "I know I'm not the easiest person to always get along with."
"Tomorrow," he answered. He then went into his room leaving Chun Li to herself.
***
Ryu decided to meditate in his room. The place was quiet now that she was gone. He was content that he was alone even though he had wanted to spar with Chun Li. After a late breakfast he decided to go outside and trail run. When he came back to the cabin majority of the day had passed. It was around ten o'clock at night when the cabin was starting to feel empty to him. Ryu realized that he did enjoy Chun Li's company even though she didn't always talk to him.
Normally he would have went to bed, but he decided to go into the back yard to look at the stars. It was so quite without her there. He welcomed the fact he did not have to hear any of her movies on television. Ryu pulled up a chair and began to meditate. Not too long after he sat down, the front door open. He saw from the window that Chun Li had came back; but not alone. She was laughing, then the man she was with embraced her. Ryu did not know what to think of what he was feeling. She kissed him on the cheek same as she did him the other morning and said good night. Ryu waited for Chun Li to go to her room before he went back to his.
***
A couple weeks went by and Ryu was satisfied with Chun Li's skills, but Ryu was starting to feel uneasy despite things these things. He enjoyed their sparing and training together. Chun Li was a very fast learner and he learned many things from her as well. This confused him. All his uneasiness and stirred emotions made him unable to focus where he had strived to discipline himself both body and mind. Before he went to bed that night he decided to mediate to once again gain his normal composure and went to bed early.
He woke up in the middle of the night by a dream. The dream was so vivid that it disturbed him. "I must not think like that," he told himself." He tried not to think about it, since he thought women were a distraction. But was Chun Li a distraction? He got out of bed and went into the kitchen to get a glass of water. When he passed her bedroom, he saw her door was ajar. The room was dark, but he saw she was asleep. She looked visually pleasing to him, but he headed towards the kitchen. He found himself thinking about his dream again. It was so real that he could almost feel the softness of her skin. "I must stop thinking like that," he exhaled, but was aroused. Quickly he drank down the water and thought of something else. He then started to think back to when him and best friend Ken use to train together. Ken was one of the few people he had called a friend. Right now he wished his friend was there; he knew more about women than he did. Ken always said there was a perfect woman out there for him after he met Eliza. Could Chun Li be that woman for him? He knew that she was special, but what did he know about women? Chun Li was not interested him, but was she? He thought, but dismissed it. He tried not to think about it and went to bed.
***
It was such a beautiful morning when came outside Chun Li. The birds were chirping, the sun was bright and warm. She felt so free for the first time in awhile. Normally she was stuck her office and did not have the time to take advance of such days. Feeling frisky she took off her shoes and left them by the door so she could feel the grass underneath her feet. Then one by one she picked the wild flowers that were nearby. They made her think about how her father use to take her on nature walks with him. Her father was always so patient and would stop and let her pick flowers which caused them to come back home early evening. Chun Li sighted; it almost felt like it happened yesterday. She looked up at the clouds and shielded her eyes from the sun. "Father I know you are looking down on me from the afterlife." She took comfort in thinking that his spirit is with her. Slowly she sat down on the grass and placed the bouquet she had made in front of her. It was at that point she found a peace within herself. Her father maybe dead, but not in spirit.
She knew it was now time for her to put flowers on her father's grave again.
***
Ryu woke up mid morning. He walked past Chun Li's bedroom and saw she was not there. He then went into the living-room and saw her outside. She was sitting on the chair by the door deep in thought. She looked smaller to him, almost doll like, sitting there with her legs underneath her. Then he looked down to avoid eye contact with her to see her shoes by the door. Such little feet, he thought and wondered why she left them there. He went into the backyard to give her privacy.
After a lot of soul searching in the backyard, he decided to confront Chun Li and confess his feelings. He figured that if he told her how he felt it would be like a penance and she would still look kindly on him. Ryu walked towards the front door only to see Chun Li talking to the same man as before. The man seemed familiar to him, as if he had met him before, but could not remember where. Then he saw the man take Chun Li's hand. Ryu got closer, but stopped. Chun Li gracefully took her hand back. He then heard her voice; she was speaking in Chinese to him. Ryu did not understand what she was saying, but it was obvious that she was either playing with the man or rejecting him. He debated whether to go outside after her.
***
From the corner of her eye she saw Ryu looking out of the window. She smiled and waved. He waved back. He then walked away from the window. Chun Li turned her attention to Li as he walked away. The wind picked up a little and tossed her hair about lightly. It was at that moment she realized that she no longer looked at Li in the same way. His visits were becoming boring to her and it left her feeling empty and overwrought with his conversations. For nearly three months she thought she was in love with Li but realized that it was not so. She saw for the first time that Li was just a pretty boy where Ryu is much more; her morning walk with Li was dreadful. He blabbered on and on about himself all morning long and did not let Chun Li put in much to the conversation. She was reduced to a back up girl agreeing with him and singing his praises. Quietly Chun Li walked back into the cabin. She hoped Ryu was still there; she loved spending time with him. When she opened the door she saw Ryu sitting on the sofa drinking glass of water. Her eyes were opened and saw that he was not a bad looking man; his muscular arms and bare chest was a welcoming site. There was also something in his smile, even in the way he carried himself. He did say anything as she walked passed. She realized because of his taciturn manner, he was a mystery to her, but that same mystery made him even more desirable to her. She sighed in relief because she knew that she did not have to hear all of his heroic stories.
***
Ryu did his best not to look at her assets. He turned his head then realized he drank the water out of his glass. Gently he sat it on the table. It was time to tell her, but he did not know what to say. She only stood a few feet away from him. His palms were getting sweaty. He cracked his knuckles. We need to talk. She sat down on the sofa beside him. Her loose flowing hair found its way into her cleavage which was a distraction, but he managed to look her in the eyes. Ryu was not one to hesitate, but this was the first time he was in love. He moved in closer and sincerely told her, "I think I am falling in love with you Chun Li." Chun Li only stared at him in disbelief. Ryu did not know what to do. He smiled at her, then kissed her sweetly on the cheek. Chun Li closed her eyes. She then hugged him. The moment was perfect in Ryu's eyes, even though he did not suspect that result. All that mattered was that he had Chun Li; the best prize he could imagine and no tournament victory could match his feelings for her. Unfortunately there was a knock at the door, which spoiled the moment. Chun Li pulled back and stood up. The front door opened. It was that man again. He spoke to her in Chinese. Ryu only understood bits and pieces of their conversation. Chun Li went into her bedroom and came back with a bouquet of flowers. She then spoke, "Thank you Li." She said, "I really appreciate what you are doing. I haven't been to my father's resting place in over two and a half months now." She then gave him the flowers.
"It's no problem," he said, then put his hand around her waist. He glanced at Ryu. Chun Li smiled and replied, but Ryu did not understand her response.
"You are such a good friend Li," she told him. "I don't know what I would do without you." Ryu's face flushed. Li noticed Ryu's jealousy then kissed Chun Li on the lips. She pushed him away with an uneasy laugh. He said a few more words to her then left. Ryu did not know what to say. He stood up and took her hand, but she snatched it back and left out the back door.
***
It was all happening to fast. She ran into the back yard. Her heart was pounding; she felt so vulnerable and confused. Chun Li hoped Ryu was not pursuing her, but he was. She turned around to face him. "Chun Li, please."
"I want to be alone." She replied. Ryu walked toward her; she took a step back.
"I want to talk to you about what happened in there."
"I know what happened. Did you forget I was there too!"
"But I," Ryu uttered.
"I heard you the first time." Chun Li replied. She looked up into his eyes and saw he was sincere. He took her hands in his.
"You are the first woman who has ever made me feel this way."
"Ryu," she said. "Please stop; I liked the way things were." She hugged him. "Every time I get into a relationship it always end for the worse. When I love someone they always leave me broken hearted. I just don't want to go through it again, especially since I know you will be leaving when this mission is over. Don't make things more complicated for me"
"Is that what you want me to do?" "I don't know," she replied. "All I really want is to be happy, to avenge my father's death and then lead a normal life." Ryu squeezed her hands tight, not wanting to let them go.
"Is that what you really want?" He asked. She pushed him away.
"I don't know," she said. "I just want to be alone." She walked away leaving Ryu standing in the backyard alone.
***
He felt rejected, but kept an open mind. She did not answer him, but he had his suspicions why. Chun Li's mind was always on her duty and a man always seemed to linger around her. Ryu did not like that man. He went back inside the cabin and sat on the sofa. In front of him on the table was the DVD cover to "Fists of Glory". Ryu was not a Bruce Lee fan like Chun Li, but he decided to watch it, since she could spend hours watching movies.
After watching the first fifteen minutes of the movie he lost interest. His thoughts went back to her. Nothing as ever affected him as much before, his thought some how always wandered back to her. He spend many years getting to know himself and harvesting the power from within to fuel his fighting, but he realized he had only scratched the surface of his true nature. "Should I feel the way I do?" His mind was all in a fury with passions and emotions he could not contain.
Hours could have passed when he hear the front door open. Chun Li arrived; but she went straight to her bedroom. Ryu got up from his position. He knew she was going to talk to him eventually and decided it was time to go to bed.
***
Her emotions were getting the better of her; she could not sleep. Chun Li went into the kitchen and made green tea, then sat on the sofa. She was about to put on a DVD when she saw that Ryu watched one of her movies. He saw "Fists of Glory", another one of her favorites. She watched it since it was already in the DVD player. When the movie was over she was still not ready to go back to bed so she watched "Legend of the Drunken Master." Jackie Chan always made her laugh. he had humor where Bruce Lee only had skill.
After the movie was over she was completely wide awake and had finished the pot of tea so she watched television. When she was flipping channels she saw one of China's celebrities talking to a reporter about her recent marriage. The star answered, "I did it because I loved him. That's all really. I know many people fear what is unknown to them, but it takes courage to lead a fruitful life. Divorce maybe on the horizon since celebrity marriages usually don't work, but it is worth a try because I just could not imagine my life without him. But since the future is unknown we could really have a shot! " Chun Li turned off the television since it hit to close to home for her and went to bed. Was she afraid of getting involved with Ryu or just getting involved in another relationship in general? She felt so uncertain about the relationship Ryu and her already had, but she knew that whatever their relationship was, it was beneficial.
***
Ryu woke up early that morning. He saw Chun Li was still asleep so he decided to go hiking to clear his head. He remembered back to the time when Ken met his fiancée. Ken was a lot like him in many ways, but those few differences made them so very different.
Ken was the ladies man. He cared about such trivial matters; he was not interested in the fight. When he met Eliza he changed, but Ryu always figured that much would happen. Ryu always figured that he would not ever walk down that path in life. He was the lone warrior looking for the next challenge to perfect his fighting arts. Where did women come into the picture for him? What kind of a woman would fit into that kind of a life? Women were just distractions which he had avoided in the past even though Ryu saw how happy Ken was with Eliza. If he could change Chun Li into the perfect woman for him what would it be? He thought about it, but drew a blank. Could Chun Li be that woman for him; he figured. She was such a fiery passionate woman who could be a handful, but those were also the qualities he loved about her. Her passion, gentleness and even her beauty inspired him.
***
Chun Li got out of bed and got dressed while Ryu was still away. She had to make a decision. She pulled her hair back in a ponytail and put on a pair of jeans and a tee shirt. Her mind was a wasteland full of thoughts, old wants, old dreams and her desire for vengeance. She put "Enter the Dragon" in the DVD player and waited for him to come back.
It did not take Ryu very long to return since she had slept away most of the morning. He came into the cabin quietly. Chun Li looked up at him awkwardly. "You are a very kind man," she said. Ryu sat down on the chair across from the sofa. "You been such a gentlemen to me." Chun Li did not know how to break it to Ryu. "But I don't think we could work out as a couple. You are you and I am me and all." She stopped talking once she realized she was beginning to babble. Ryu stared quietly at her then replied.
"All I ask for is a chance to possibly love you." Chun Li hesitated, she could see his expression. It pained her to break his heart. "Give us a chance," he asked.
"You are just like all the others," Chun Li sighed. "Our situation is not one where we can gain a lasting relationship."
"Why do you say that?" He asked.
"Ryu, I think the world of you and you are cute in your own right, but before I get into a another relationship I have to know that I'm not getting toyed around with."
"I don't want to toy with you. Over the past few months. I..." Ryu hesitated, he remembered how she reacted to that word. "I fell in love with you for who you are, you strengths, determination and even your tantrums and silent treatment." Chun Li was nearly moved to tears; she subtly put her hand to her bottom lip to stop it from quivering. She was without words.
"I just don't want to get hurt," she weakly protested. Her true feelings were coming to the surface, but she rebuffed. "I don't even know who you really are."
'I would never hurt you, Chun Li." He looked into her eyes, then wiped away one of her tears. "I give you my word and a warrior keeps his word." Ryu leaned forward. "I love you." Chun Li closed her eyes and then they kissed. As their kisses grew more urgent and passionate, Ryu picked her up and carried her to his bedroom.
***
The next day Ryu woke up first. He looked over next to him and saw Chun Li still asleep. She looked so peaceful; he did not want to wake her. He then realized that no matter what his feelings for her was that she would someday be his opponent again, he brushed a strand of hair out of her face. Finally Chun Li woke up. "Good morning," she said then kissed him lightly on the lips.
"Sleep well," he asked
"Fine", she replied. With one hand she scooped the sheet and wrapped herself in it. "You are a mystery to me. Do you know that Ryu?" She turned on her side to face him. "I know very little about you."
"What do you want to know." He replied.
"Tell me who you are; what makes you tick, something about you". He laughed at her simple questions.
"There isn't much to say. I was young orphan adopted by Gouken, the legendary master of Shotokan Karate. He and decided to teach him the arts of Shotokan Karate. Under his guidance, I learned the meaning of honor in a fight. Later on I met my best friend while I was studying there." We wanted to prove his worthiness as a warrior, so we entered the Street Fighter Tournament. Now I wander the earth to further improve my abilities and search for Gouki, the man responsible for Master Gouken's death." He replied, "We both lost our father figures to an evil man."
"We have a lot in common." Her hand brushed his chest in an embrace. He took her hand and kissed it. Then it dawned on him. Was it just a ploy? Ryu looked over at Chun Li. She was clinging to him, embracing him, and so seductively innocent.
"Don't you think it's time you radioed your Interpol team?" He replied. Was part of her mission to seduce him and find out if he were apart of the Shadowloo? He remembered that he was once considered both a target and a suspect. Even he thought it was odd to place the two of them together. Was Chun Li really there to observe him and get any information she could from him, making everything they shared a pack of lies?
***
She felt so alive, her body tingled and she felt energized. She had confided in Ryu and he did not reject her. She felt she could trust him with all her secrets, but she did not have any. Then she realized that she was putting pleasure before business. She looked around the room, all their clothes were scattered. Quickly she gathered up her things and went into her room. She took a quick shower and returned. It had been months since she went into hiding. The radio was in her sock drawer. When she radioed the team, she received no answer; then she tried again. They must all be asleep she thought. By her bed she read the alarm clock, it was almost seven in the morning. Quickly she threw on a pair of sweat pants and another tee shirt. She picked up her hair brush and left out the room brushing her hair. "I'm going to check on the team; I'll be right back," she told Ryu. He did not answer. She locked the door.
All the lights were on in the cabin where Li and his team stayed. She felt something was not right. Over to her left she heard a sound in the bushes. "It's an ambush," she whispered. She continued to walk to toward the cabin. All the cars were still parked outside, but somehow the cabin appeared to abandoned. Quietly she pushed the front door; it was locked. Chun Li took out her key and unlocked the door. When she entered the cabin she saw on the other side of the door she saw Vega and Sagat, two of Bison's henchmen.
"Ah, Ms Xiang, come in come in." Sagat greeted her. Vega sat with his arms crossed, the blades on either side of his shoulders.
Where is everyone?" She asked.
"They are fine, at the moment; if that is what you really mean." He coolly replied.
"How did you find me?"
"We followed a certain someone when he left a certain graveyard." Sagat then threw the flower she gave Li to place on her father's grave. Chun Li caught them.
"Where is Li?"
"Around." He got up. Vega followed. Chun Li backed up toward the door. "Where's Ryu?" He asked her. "I know you guys have him."
"Around," she answered with the same sarcasm. She turned the door knob and was about to run, but Vega slammed the door and flung her by the arm.
"Witch, I'll make you play." Vega scolded her. "Did you really think that prison could hold me?" Chun Li turned to face him. "I'm going to teach you a lesson." Vega laughed menacingly.
"And I'm going to bring you back in," she said in defiance. Sagat smiled he wanted to see for himself if Chun Li would succeed by defeating Vega, since he himself was only interested in fighting Ryu.
*THIS IS QUITE POSSIBLY THE LONGEST CHAPTER I HAVE EVER WROTE!
*THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE UP SHORTLY! SO PLEASE MAKE COMMENTS!
*THIS IS MY FIRST ROMANCE STORY, I KNOW I AM NOT BREAKING NEW GROUND
*WITH THIS STORY, BUT PLEASE BE KIND AND UNDERSTAND YOUR COMMENTS MEAN SOMETHING!*
*ALSO LOOK FOR THE SEQUEL AND PREQUEL... IT'S MORE NEW MATERIAL THAN THIS*
Ryu waited a half hour more; Chun Li was already forty-five minutes late. She finally came into the backyard. "I could not find a thing to wear." Ryu only observed her. "I did not expect to be sparing while I was up here." She quickly adjusted her hair into her traditional buns. "This was all I could find; it's spandex." He gave her an impatient look.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Yes," she replied. They bowed respectfully to one another then assumed their fighting stances. Chun Li made the opening move. He blocked her move and countered with a move of his own. She jumped back. Ryu then threw a fire ball, but she quickly countered with her own.
"Good," Ryu praised her. "You learn quickly."
"Thank you, but a compliment will get you nowhere. I'm not going to go easy on you." She moved in a little closer, "you wanted this and I plan to give it to you." Ryu continued to let Chun Li take the offensive, but when it was over Chun Li won. She used Ryu's strength against him, the first thing he had taught her. She jumped up and down laughing. "I won!" Chun Li did a cartwheel. Ryu got up from the ground.
"There is such a thing as a bad winner," Ryu replied.
"It just goes to show you," she cheered. "You treat me like I'm a child and not the world class fighter that I am. See I beat you fair and square."
"Oh yeah there is one more thing I should tell you, Chun Li." Ryu quickly knocked her legs from under her. "Never let your guard down." She stuck her tongue out.
"Whatever!" She snickered. He then helped her up.
***
Chun Li took unpinned her hair while she put on DVD. "C'mon watch a movie with me."
"I'll pass," he said. "Its so made up and artificial."
"I insist, you need to enjoy yourself." Chun Li replied. Ryu looked at her. "Here sit, on the sofa. I promise the movie is good."
"My friend watches movies."
"Well, c'mon." Chun Li urged while unbraiding her hair. "Watch one with me. Sometimes I feel like you are either trying to avoid me or you are one repressed closet case. I know there is more to you than just training and sparing." Ryu sat down seeing there was no way out of the situation.
"What are we going to see?"
"Rush Hour," she replied. "It's in English, so there are no subtitles." Chun Li sat up eagerly watching the movie. Ryu was not amused, he found the black guy's voice to be annoying and Jackie Chan was not very funny. Towards the end of the movie Chun Li looked over to see Ryu asleep. She threw a sofa cushion at him. Ryu woke up to see Chun Li storming away.
***
It was early in the morning when Ryu saw Chun Li asleep on the sofa. He thought she had stayed up all night to watch movies in an attempt to avoid him.
"Wake up, today is a brand new day."
"What," Chun Li turned over and almost fell off the sofa. "Bison?"
"You should not sleep late. It takes your strength." Chun Li turned back over. Ryu continued to stand over her.
"Okay," she replied. She could not go back to sleep with someone standing there. "What time is it?" She sat up and put her feet on the floor.
"4:40 am"
"What!" Chun Li exclaimed. "I'm going back to bed, I mean sofa. Ryu, it's not every day I can sleep late because I don't have to go to work."
"Don't you want to see the sun rise?" Chun Li looked around and saw that Ryu was fully dressed. "We have an hour."
"Well it has been awhile since I saw a sun rinse, " she replied. "Okay I'll get dressed, but I'm going to sleep when I get back." Ryu nodded. Chun Li went into her room and put on a sleeveless blouse and jean shorts. It was so breezy in the morning since the noon day brought with it an abrupt humidity.
They went into the woods and found a steep trail. Chun Li lagged behind; she did not want to go, but she wanted to be hospitable to Ryu since their first meeting was not pleasant. When they reached a spot that had a good view of then sky, they stopped. Chun Li looked at the view; it was simply amazing. The stars were still out in richly shaded turquoise sky. All around them the birds were singing. "It's beautiful Ryu." Chun Li replied. She leaned against a nearby tree. "It really is."
***
Ryu replied, "You asked me once what did I see when I meditate. Well this is it." Chun Li looked up at him.
"Thank you for inviting me to see this."
"You don't need to thank me," Ryu replied. He could see she was still exhausted, but she was enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
"I don't know what else to say," she replied. "I'm sorry if I treated you unfairly. I should have been kinder. I always put business before pleasure."
"What about now?" He asked. Chun Li turned to look at the lightening sky, then answered him in a dazed voice.
"Sometimes business brings pleasure," she replied. Ryu his eyes on the dawn sky. He knew that he had made peace with her at last.
"So are we friends ?" He asked. Chun Li gave him a quick peck on the cheek.. Ryu blushed, he had not been expecting her to do that. Chun Li laughed when she that Ryu was embarrassed.
"Ofcourse," she giggled, "You are blushing Ryu." He gained his composure.
Finally the sun came up. Chun Li turned to him and said. "It was a wonderful idea."
"Chun Li, how about next time I show you how to meditate properly."
"But I already know how to meditate." She yawned then smiled. "You forgot I'm not an amateur Ryu. I'm China's Champion." Chun Li then started to head back. "Well I'm going back to sleep." Ryu watched her walk back. He put his hand on the cheek she kissed. Of all the opponents he faced and all the challenges he met, it took one kiss from a girl to make him become a bundle of nerves. He watched her descend; her figure against the background of trees was pleasing to him. There was something about her. Was she the reason he decided to go back to China after the tournament? He did not know, he then turned towards the newly risen sun.
***
Chun Li woke up to an empty cabin. Ryu had not returned, but she was not concerned. She picked up the radio in her sock drawer and radioed Li. "Li," she spoke in a hushed tone. "Li, over." She waited for him to respond.
"Yes, Li here."
"It's me, Chun Li."
"I know, what's up?" He replied. "I saw meditation man had you up at the crack of dawn."
"Yes," she replied. "His name is Ryu by the way and he's not that bad. He is kind a sweet man." Li laughed.
"Is he your boyfriend now Chun?"
"No, ofcourse not," her face flushed. "Li, what is the status of this investigation? I hate being left out."
"Sorry, Chun, but nothing new has turned up. HQ is still investigating."
"Oh, I see," she replied.
"But keep your head up. How about I go in town and pick up a few things that you, me and the rest of the my team can enjoy."
"I would like that," she replied. "I would like that a lot."
"Sit tight; I'll be there shortly"
"Alrigtht, " she replied. "I'll be waiting." She sat the radio on the he dresser and freshened up. Chun Li did not notice that Ryu had returned.
"You are back," she said. "You are awake," he replied.
"So I am."
"Did you want to spar today?" Ryu eagerly asked.
"Sorry," she shook her head. "I have some business that I need catching up on. How about tomorrow?" Ryu looked a little uncomfortable; she smiled at him. "The sooner as Interpol finds a lead the sooner you can leave." She replied. "I know I'm not the easiest person to always get along with."
"Tomorrow," he answered. He then went into his room leaving Chun Li to herself.
***
Ryu decided to meditate in his room. The place was quiet now that she was gone. He was content that he was alone even though he had wanted to spar with Chun Li. After a late breakfast he decided to go outside and trail run. When he came back to the cabin majority of the day had passed. It was around ten o'clock at night when the cabin was starting to feel empty to him. Ryu realized that he did enjoy Chun Li's company even though she didn't always talk to him.
Normally he would have went to bed, but he decided to go into the back yard to look at the stars. It was so quite without her there. He welcomed the fact he did not have to hear any of her movies on television. Ryu pulled up a chair and began to meditate. Not too long after he sat down, the front door open. He saw from the window that Chun Li had came back; but not alone. She was laughing, then the man she was with embraced her. Ryu did not know what to think of what he was feeling. She kissed him on the cheek same as she did him the other morning and said good night. Ryu waited for Chun Li to go to her room before he went back to his.
***
A couple weeks went by and Ryu was satisfied with Chun Li's skills, but Ryu was starting to feel uneasy despite things these things. He enjoyed their sparing and training together. Chun Li was a very fast learner and he learned many things from her as well. This confused him. All his uneasiness and stirred emotions made him unable to focus where he had strived to discipline himself both body and mind. Before he went to bed that night he decided to mediate to once again gain his normal composure and went to bed early.
He woke up in the middle of the night by a dream. The dream was so vivid that it disturbed him. "I must not think like that," he told himself." He tried not to think about it, since he thought women were a distraction. But was Chun Li a distraction? He got out of bed and went into the kitchen to get a glass of water. When he passed her bedroom, he saw her door was ajar. The room was dark, but he saw she was asleep. She looked visually pleasing to him, but he headed towards the kitchen. He found himself thinking about his dream again. It was so real that he could almost feel the softness of her skin. "I must stop thinking like that," he exhaled, but was aroused. Quickly he drank down the water and thought of something else. He then started to think back to when him and best friend Ken use to train together. Ken was one of the few people he had called a friend. Right now he wished his friend was there; he knew more about women than he did. Ken always said there was a perfect woman out there for him after he met Eliza. Could Chun Li be that woman for him? He knew that she was special, but what did he know about women? Chun Li was not interested him, but was she? He thought, but dismissed it. He tried not to think about it and went to bed.
***
It was such a beautiful morning when came outside Chun Li. The birds were chirping, the sun was bright and warm. She felt so free for the first time in awhile. Normally she was stuck her office and did not have the time to take advance of such days. Feeling frisky she took off her shoes and left them by the door so she could feel the grass underneath her feet. Then one by one she picked the wild flowers that were nearby. They made her think about how her father use to take her on nature walks with him. Her father was always so patient and would stop and let her pick flowers which caused them to come back home early evening. Chun Li sighted; it almost felt like it happened yesterday. She looked up at the clouds and shielded her eyes from the sun. "Father I know you are looking down on me from the afterlife." She took comfort in thinking that his spirit is with her. Slowly she sat down on the grass and placed the bouquet she had made in front of her. It was at that point she found a peace within herself. Her father maybe dead, but not in spirit.
She knew it was now time for her to put flowers on her father's grave again.
***
Ryu woke up mid morning. He walked past Chun Li's bedroom and saw she was not there. He then went into the living-room and saw her outside. She was sitting on the chair by the door deep in thought. She looked smaller to him, almost doll like, sitting there with her legs underneath her. Then he looked down to avoid eye contact with her to see her shoes by the door. Such little feet, he thought and wondered why she left them there. He went into the backyard to give her privacy.
After a lot of soul searching in the backyard, he decided to confront Chun Li and confess his feelings. He figured that if he told her how he felt it would be like a penance and she would still look kindly on him. Ryu walked towards the front door only to see Chun Li talking to the same man as before. The man seemed familiar to him, as if he had met him before, but could not remember where. Then he saw the man take Chun Li's hand. Ryu got closer, but stopped. Chun Li gracefully took her hand back. He then heard her voice; she was speaking in Chinese to him. Ryu did not understand what she was saying, but it was obvious that she was either playing with the man or rejecting him. He debated whether to go outside after her.
***
From the corner of her eye she saw Ryu looking out of the window. She smiled and waved. He waved back. He then walked away from the window. Chun Li turned her attention to Li as he walked away. The wind picked up a little and tossed her hair about lightly. It was at that moment she realized that she no longer looked at Li in the same way. His visits were becoming boring to her and it left her feeling empty and overwrought with his conversations. For nearly three months she thought she was in love with Li but realized that it was not so. She saw for the first time that Li was just a pretty boy where Ryu is much more; her morning walk with Li was dreadful. He blabbered on and on about himself all morning long and did not let Chun Li put in much to the conversation. She was reduced to a back up girl agreeing with him and singing his praises. Quietly Chun Li walked back into the cabin. She hoped Ryu was still there; she loved spending time with him. When she opened the door she saw Ryu sitting on the sofa drinking glass of water. Her eyes were opened and saw that he was not a bad looking man; his muscular arms and bare chest was a welcoming site. There was also something in his smile, even in the way he carried himself. He did say anything as she walked passed. She realized because of his taciturn manner, he was a mystery to her, but that same mystery made him even more desirable to her. She sighed in relief because she knew that she did not have to hear all of his heroic stories.
***
Ryu did his best not to look at her assets. He turned his head then realized he drank the water out of his glass. Gently he sat it on the table. It was time to tell her, but he did not know what to say. She only stood a few feet away from him. His palms were getting sweaty. He cracked his knuckles. We need to talk. She sat down on the sofa beside him. Her loose flowing hair found its way into her cleavage which was a distraction, but he managed to look her in the eyes. Ryu was not one to hesitate, but this was the first time he was in love. He moved in closer and sincerely told her, "I think I am falling in love with you Chun Li." Chun Li only stared at him in disbelief. Ryu did not know what to do. He smiled at her, then kissed her sweetly on the cheek. Chun Li closed her eyes. She then hugged him. The moment was perfect in Ryu's eyes, even though he did not suspect that result. All that mattered was that he had Chun Li; the best prize he could imagine and no tournament victory could match his feelings for her. Unfortunately there was a knock at the door, which spoiled the moment. Chun Li pulled back and stood up. The front door opened. It was that man again. He spoke to her in Chinese. Ryu only understood bits and pieces of their conversation. Chun Li went into her bedroom and came back with a bouquet of flowers. She then spoke, "Thank you Li." She said, "I really appreciate what you are doing. I haven't been to my father's resting place in over two and a half months now." She then gave him the flowers.
"It's no problem," he said, then put his hand around her waist. He glanced at Ryu. Chun Li smiled and replied, but Ryu did not understand her response.
"You are such a good friend Li," she told him. "I don't know what I would do without you." Ryu's face flushed. Li noticed Ryu's jealousy then kissed Chun Li on the lips. She pushed him away with an uneasy laugh. He said a few more words to her then left. Ryu did not know what to say. He stood up and took her hand, but she snatched it back and left out the back door.
***
It was all happening to fast. She ran into the back yard. Her heart was pounding; she felt so vulnerable and confused. Chun Li hoped Ryu was not pursuing her, but he was. She turned around to face him. "Chun Li, please."
"I want to be alone." She replied. Ryu walked toward her; she took a step back.
"I want to talk to you about what happened in there."
"I know what happened. Did you forget I was there too!"
"But I," Ryu uttered.
"I heard you the first time." Chun Li replied. She looked up into his eyes and saw he was sincere. He took her hands in his.
"You are the first woman who has ever made me feel this way."
"Ryu," she said. "Please stop; I liked the way things were." She hugged him. "Every time I get into a relationship it always end for the worse. When I love someone they always leave me broken hearted. I just don't want to go through it again, especially since I know you will be leaving when this mission is over. Don't make things more complicated for me"
"Is that what you want me to do?" "I don't know," she replied. "All I really want is to be happy, to avenge my father's death and then lead a normal life." Ryu squeezed her hands tight, not wanting to let them go.
"Is that what you really want?" He asked. She pushed him away.
"I don't know," she said. "I just want to be alone." She walked away leaving Ryu standing in the backyard alone.
***
He felt rejected, but kept an open mind. She did not answer him, but he had his suspicions why. Chun Li's mind was always on her duty and a man always seemed to linger around her. Ryu did not like that man. He went back inside the cabin and sat on the sofa. In front of him on the table was the DVD cover to "Fists of Glory". Ryu was not a Bruce Lee fan like Chun Li, but he decided to watch it, since she could spend hours watching movies.
After watching the first fifteen minutes of the movie he lost interest. His thoughts went back to her. Nothing as ever affected him as much before, his thought some how always wandered back to her. He spend many years getting to know himself and harvesting the power from within to fuel his fighting, but he realized he had only scratched the surface of his true nature. "Should I feel the way I do?" His mind was all in a fury with passions and emotions he could not contain.
Hours could have passed when he hear the front door open. Chun Li arrived; but she went straight to her bedroom. Ryu got up from his position. He knew she was going to talk to him eventually and decided it was time to go to bed.
***
Her emotions were getting the better of her; she could not sleep. Chun Li went into the kitchen and made green tea, then sat on the sofa. She was about to put on a DVD when she saw that Ryu watched one of her movies. He saw "Fists of Glory", another one of her favorites. She watched it since it was already in the DVD player. When the movie was over she was still not ready to go back to bed so she watched "Legend of the Drunken Master." Jackie Chan always made her laugh. he had humor where Bruce Lee only had skill.
After the movie was over she was completely wide awake and had finished the pot of tea so she watched television. When she was flipping channels she saw one of China's celebrities talking to a reporter about her recent marriage. The star answered, "I did it because I loved him. That's all really. I know many people fear what is unknown to them, but it takes courage to lead a fruitful life. Divorce maybe on the horizon since celebrity marriages usually don't work, but it is worth a try because I just could not imagine my life without him. But since the future is unknown we could really have a shot! " Chun Li turned off the television since it hit to close to home for her and went to bed. Was she afraid of getting involved with Ryu or just getting involved in another relationship in general? She felt so uncertain about the relationship Ryu and her already had, but she knew that whatever their relationship was, it was beneficial.
***
Ryu woke up early that morning. He saw Chun Li was still asleep so he decided to go hiking to clear his head. He remembered back to the time when Ken met his fiancée. Ken was a lot like him in many ways, but those few differences made them so very different.
Ken was the ladies man. He cared about such trivial matters; he was not interested in the fight. When he met Eliza he changed, but Ryu always figured that much would happen. Ryu always figured that he would not ever walk down that path in life. He was the lone warrior looking for the next challenge to perfect his fighting arts. Where did women come into the picture for him? What kind of a woman would fit into that kind of a life? Women were just distractions which he had avoided in the past even though Ryu saw how happy Ken was with Eliza. If he could change Chun Li into the perfect woman for him what would it be? He thought about it, but drew a blank. Could Chun Li be that woman for him; he figured. She was such a fiery passionate woman who could be a handful, but those were also the qualities he loved about her. Her passion, gentleness and even her beauty inspired him.
***
Chun Li got out of bed and got dressed while Ryu was still away. She had to make a decision. She pulled her hair back in a ponytail and put on a pair of jeans and a tee shirt. Her mind was a wasteland full of thoughts, old wants, old dreams and her desire for vengeance. She put "Enter the Dragon" in the DVD player and waited for him to come back.
It did not take Ryu very long to return since she had slept away most of the morning. He came into the cabin quietly. Chun Li looked up at him awkwardly. "You are a very kind man," she said. Ryu sat down on the chair across from the sofa. "You been such a gentlemen to me." Chun Li did not know how to break it to Ryu. "But I don't think we could work out as a couple. You are you and I am me and all." She stopped talking once she realized she was beginning to babble. Ryu stared quietly at her then replied.
"All I ask for is a chance to possibly love you." Chun Li hesitated, she could see his expression. It pained her to break his heart. "Give us a chance," he asked.
"You are just like all the others," Chun Li sighed. "Our situation is not one where we can gain a lasting relationship."
"Why do you say that?" He asked.
"Ryu, I think the world of you and you are cute in your own right, but before I get into a another relationship I have to know that I'm not getting toyed around with."
"I don't want to toy with you. Over the past few months. I..." Ryu hesitated, he remembered how she reacted to that word. "I fell in love with you for who you are, you strengths, determination and even your tantrums and silent treatment." Chun Li was nearly moved to tears; she subtly put her hand to her bottom lip to stop it from quivering. She was without words.
"I just don't want to get hurt," she weakly protested. Her true feelings were coming to the surface, but she rebuffed. "I don't even know who you really are."
'I would never hurt you, Chun Li." He looked into her eyes, then wiped away one of her tears. "I give you my word and a warrior keeps his word." Ryu leaned forward. "I love you." Chun Li closed her eyes and then they kissed. As their kisses grew more urgent and passionate, Ryu picked her up and carried her to his bedroom.
***
The next day Ryu woke up first. He looked over next to him and saw Chun Li still asleep. She looked so peaceful; he did not want to wake her. He then realized that no matter what his feelings for her was that she would someday be his opponent again, he brushed a strand of hair out of her face. Finally Chun Li woke up. "Good morning," she said then kissed him lightly on the lips.
"Sleep well," he asked
"Fine", she replied. With one hand she scooped the sheet and wrapped herself in it. "You are a mystery to me. Do you know that Ryu?" She turned on her side to face him. "I know very little about you."
"What do you want to know." He replied.
"Tell me who you are; what makes you tick, something about you". He laughed at her simple questions.
"There isn't much to say. I was young orphan adopted by Gouken, the legendary master of Shotokan Karate. He and decided to teach him the arts of Shotokan Karate. Under his guidance, I learned the meaning of honor in a fight. Later on I met my best friend while I was studying there." We wanted to prove his worthiness as a warrior, so we entered the Street Fighter Tournament. Now I wander the earth to further improve my abilities and search for Gouki, the man responsible for Master Gouken's death." He replied, "We both lost our father figures to an evil man."
"We have a lot in common." Her hand brushed his chest in an embrace. He took her hand and kissed it. Then it dawned on him. Was it just a ploy? Ryu looked over at Chun Li. She was clinging to him, embracing him, and so seductively innocent.
"Don't you think it's time you radioed your Interpol team?" He replied. Was part of her mission to seduce him and find out if he were apart of the Shadowloo? He remembered that he was once considered both a target and a suspect. Even he thought it was odd to place the two of them together. Was Chun Li really there to observe him and get any information she could from him, making everything they shared a pack of lies?
***
She felt so alive, her body tingled and she felt energized. She had confided in Ryu and he did not reject her. She felt she could trust him with all her secrets, but she did not have any. Then she realized that she was putting pleasure before business. She looked around the room, all their clothes were scattered. Quickly she gathered up her things and went into her room. She took a quick shower and returned. It had been months since she went into hiding. The radio was in her sock drawer. When she radioed the team, she received no answer; then she tried again. They must all be asleep she thought. By her bed she read the alarm clock, it was almost seven in the morning. Quickly she threw on a pair of sweat pants and another tee shirt. She picked up her hair brush and left out the room brushing her hair. "I'm going to check on the team; I'll be right back," she told Ryu. He did not answer. She locked the door.
All the lights were on in the cabin where Li and his team stayed. She felt something was not right. Over to her left she heard a sound in the bushes. "It's an ambush," she whispered. She continued to walk to toward the cabin. All the cars were still parked outside, but somehow the cabin appeared to abandoned. Quietly she pushed the front door; it was locked. Chun Li took out her key and unlocked the door. When she entered the cabin she saw on the other side of the door she saw Vega and Sagat, two of Bison's henchmen.
"Ah, Ms Xiang, come in come in." Sagat greeted her. Vega sat with his arms crossed, the blades on either side of his shoulders.
Where is everyone?" She asked.
"They are fine, at the moment; if that is what you really mean." He coolly replied.
"How did you find me?"
"We followed a certain someone when he left a certain graveyard." Sagat then threw the flower she gave Li to place on her father's grave. Chun Li caught them.
"Where is Li?"
"Around." He got up. Vega followed. Chun Li backed up toward the door. "Where's Ryu?" He asked her. "I know you guys have him."
"Around," she answered with the same sarcasm. She turned the door knob and was about to run, but Vega slammed the door and flung her by the arm.
"Witch, I'll make you play." Vega scolded her. "Did you really think that prison could hold me?" Chun Li turned to face him. "I'm going to teach you a lesson." Vega laughed menacingly.
"And I'm going to bring you back in," she said in defiance. Sagat smiled he wanted to see for himself if Chun Li would succeed by defeating Vega, since he himself was only interested in fighting Ryu.