Chapter 4: Rock in a Hard Place / Trusted Memories

Mai shot down a cold vat of alcohol. The resulting cough is one of inexperience.

"Blegh! What is this stuff King?!"

"It's called vodka and it's disrespectful to drink it that way," King responded.

Three women sat in the warm interior of the 'Illusions' bar. Mai Shiranui, Yuri Sakazaki, and King were spending a quite minute there after an afternoon of shopping.

"I'm sorry but I thought this stuff would help. The stores were mobbed today!"

"Alcohol is good for taste. It doesn't answer any problems but one of thirst," King replied.

"You don't have act to so manly in front of us King. We're not going to rip your shirt off," Mai replied. King blushed a little bit mentally regretting telling Mai the story of when she first met Ryo.

"Come on Mai, give her a break. Let's just relax and enjoy a day off without any distractions."

Mai slammed her glass down. She was still pretty upset with Andy even though she really wanted to see him. They haven't talked since that day in front of Master Jubei's house.

King took a sip of her wine. She was feeling pretty relieved now. She was going to see her brother just as soon as she was done with Mai and Yuri and she desperately wanted to thank Sally and Elizabeth for looking after him and the bar while she was away.

*KNOCK*

"Who could that be?" King said. It was about 2 o'clock and her bar wouldn't be open for a few more hours. Probably some lost tourists looking for directions.

King stepped up to answer the door. Yuri waved her down, "Don't worry King, I'll send them away."

Yuri opened the door. Staring back at her was a very unusual sight.

It was Blue Mary and she was smiling. Not just a 'happy it's today and not yesterday smile' but a genuine pleased smile.

"Hey Yuri," she said with a very happy tone.

"Mary, what's up?" She asked back. "Come on in, we were just having some lunch."

Mary walked in and greeted the other two women. Mai gave her a little nasty glare but Mary waved it off. She was in too good of a mood to be soured now.

"Where did you come from Yuri asked?"

Oh Mary wanted to say she had a wonderful evening chatting away with Terry about this and that and that now her life was finding more meaning but she decided to keep it simple and not enter into too many details. Not just yet.

"Oh I was in the neighborhood and I wondered if King was around to have a little chat. This is a nice surprise though, I didn't expect all of you to be here."

"We just came back from shopping. Want something to drink?" King asked.

"Oh no thanks," Mary replied. "I'm not thirsty."

"That's it!" Mai shouted. The other three girls gave her a weird stare. "I'm sick of you parading around like you're the bloody queen of England. What are you so happy about?!"

Mary sighed. She knew Mai was still going to have mixed feelings about the whole King of Fighters thing but she didn't want to say anything to upset her for Andy and Terry. But the truth was a lot more appealing than staying quite. I mean, she didn't have anything to hide. She had a great time with Terry and Terry alone.

"Well, last night – "

"AH HA! You were with Andy weren't you?!" Mai's paranoia was reaching new heights.

Mary took a deep breath and shot down any illusion of her being with Andy. Mai calmed down a bit but was still feeling a little insecure.

"Me and Terry went to dinner last night." That almost came out like she was a little girl with a crush. Well, half true anyways. "It was really something."

"Oh yea, what fight did you have to pull him from to get him to commit to that," Mai shot back. Mary was a bit flustered. She really must have known Terry like the back of her hand.

"Well – Um…"

"I knew it! That Bogard is always getting himself into trouble," Mai responded. Mary didn't have anything else to say. Her good mood was suddenly taking a turn in the other direction.

"So… What happened?" Yuri asked.

"Well… We were supposed to meet at that Chinese restaurant on the other side of town but when I got there, he was already… Pre-occupied."

"As usual," said Mai.

"Anyways. I found out that it was the same guy from before that was looking for Terry."

"How did you find out?" Asked King.

"Well, I was kind of… Spying… On him."

"What?!" Mai shouted. "What do you meaning spying on him?"

"I mean… Well, lately he's been going out at really odd hours of the night and whenever I see him, he never answers me. And even when I ask him about it or hint at it, he always changes the subject."

"Did he catch you last night?" Yuri pondered.

"Well… No, he didn't say anything about it."

"Ah ha!" Mai said. "You got swindled again."

"What do you mean?"

"Listen. You were spying on him right? You think he didn't catch you he's a lot keener than you suspect. I bet he did and instead of confronting you about it he just changed the subject and made you forget all about it, didn't he?"

Oh shit! She's right! What the hell did Terry do to me? Mary thought. Her puzzled look was a dead give away about her situation. So much for her good mood.

"Mary, don't feel bad. It's just – "

"It's just WHAT?! Huh?" Mary was pissed. She didn't like to be played around with especially by men. Terry Bogard was on the top of that list.

Nobody knew what to say. The mood had drifted from calm to unsettling. Not a soul moved an inch.

"Men are such bastards," Mai threw in her two cents. Mary raised her head to that.

"I hear you Mai," Mary added.

King gave a small grin. Well, if something good were to come out of the situation, at least they were being friendlier to each other.

"Welcome to the Bogard women happy family," Mai stated. "Membership is full time and it never expires."

Mary couldn't argue with that. Mai definitely had the experience playing on her side.

"What about you two? What's it like with Kyokugen men?" Mai asked the other two women.

"What?! Me?! I – I don't know!" King defended.

"She's been avoiding Ryo," Yuri inputted.

"I don't know what you see in that guy. He's sloppy, and never combs his hair. He's like a child," Mai stated. King would normally let it slide but something came over her that she would never thought of doing two months ago.

"At least he has his hair cut instead of looking like a girl."

"Why you?!" Mai shouted back.

"Alright Alright! Take it easy you two!" Yuri stepped in. "I think we should call it a day."

Mary nodded. King and Mai stared at each other for a few more seconds, neither one wanting to back down. Yuri was the first to respond by taking Mai out of the bar. King let out a final sigh and sat back down.

What got over me? What was I thinking? King pondered to herself. Mary looked over at her with a more sympathetic expression.

"What do you think those guys fight for?" Mary asked. King didn't really know of anything that came to mind.

"I wonder if they know how hard it is just to fight for their attention."

King sighed. She definitely knew that battle. "It's hard to fight a battle without fists. And the stakes are more than just physical."

Marry nodded. "Want a ride back?"

King agreed. They were going no where with this conversation and it was better if they ended it here than go too deep. King would have other days to think. Right now she had to train.

"I – I told you I didn't see him!" Cried a thug.

"Jesus, just run you fool!" Replied his friend. They were both pretty beat up but they were lucky they could walk.

Fools…

The thugs didn't even have a chance. A wave of purple like surrounded their bodies and threw them into an unforgiving wall. They landed with a sickening thud. The stranger who attacked them spit at the sight of their demise.

Night was creeping around the corner. South Town was about to fall under a blanket of crime and mystery. Just another phase in on going saga of life.

Terry Bogard was enjoying a nice drink in a nice environment. The air was still crisp and the drinkers were still working their first or second rounds. This was nice time to just relax and let the night blow over.

"Hey there good looking… What's a cute guy like you looking glum for?" Asked one of the bartenders. He looked up at her and then to the other bartender to her right. They were identical. But the question was, which one of them said that?

"Hey Sally, don't you know who that is," said the twin on the right.

"No, who Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth whispered into her sister's ear. Sally jumped back and held her hand over her dropped jaw.

"I am sooooooo sorry Mr. Bogard!" Sally exclaimed.

"It's alright," Terry replied. It could be a simple mistake. He let his jacket and hat sit on the chair next to him. Anyone who wasn't looking hard enough could have thought he was just a normal guy.

"So Terry, I heard you pulled a rabbit out of your hat last year," Elizabeth commented. She was right. He'd just barely got out of there. He figured this one was the one who watched fighting and the other was the typical girl.

"There's a fine line between luck and skill."

Elizabeth licked her lips. "Keep talking that way and I think you're going to be pretty lucky tonight. I get off at 2 sweetie."

Terry chuckled. Nothing too hard. Just a couple of short bursts. "Thanks for the offer but I've got other things on my mind tonight."

"Whenever you're up for it tiger…" She winked. Sally confronted her on the other side of the bar and began a verbal bashing. Terry thought it was kind of funny though. It was kind of hard to compare a wolf to a tiger. Meh, philosophy wasn't on the agenda for tonight. Tonight, Terry was just going to kick back and enjoy what was left of the day and worry about tomorrow… Tomorrow.

A suited man just walked into the bar. Terry's warning meter banged like a heavy metal band drum solo. This was too coincidental.

Much to his surprise, the suit just blew right past Terry and approached two guys shooting pool. They were fairly muscular with a hint of bourbon on their breath showing off their muscles by wearing a couple of tang tops.

The suit chatted with them for a few minutes. Terry pretended to be uninterested but kept his glass at a certain position so he could check their actions.

More meaningless talking. Meaningless only on paper. Terry had no idea what they were saying because he couldn't read lips. Then there was a break.

A photo the suit pulled out exchanged hands with the two pool players. He didn't say another word and just walked out. The threat was gone; it was time to see what these to guys were up to.

Terry made a break for the bathroom. He made sure the guys didn't see him walk in. If they wanted to talk in private, no better place that the porcelain throne.

Two guys walked into the bathroom.

Jackpot!

Terry hid himself in the only stall with his feet propped up. Hopefully neither of them was going in there for number 2.

"Hey, you down?"

"Ah shit! You better believe it."

"How much they say they payin'?"

"Two hundred g's my friend."

"Yea. Word is this kid is worth ten times that."

Ugh. This was educational. Who the hell would hire these guys for $200,000? Terry thought to himself. You'd think you'd have better things to spend your money on. South Town was a weird place but nothing compared to this. Then again, if you really wanted to find someone, you'd hire any degenerate you could find. There was always strength in numbers.

"You shittin' me?"

"Nah. They say he is the son of some famous fighter and they only heir to his estate."

"For Real?"

"Hell yea! And they say he's right here in South Town. Someone's got him and there keeping him hidden."

"Cool. You know where to start looking?"

"Nah. But I know a guy who works in the underground ring. He might know who's holding the kid if he's really the son of a famous fighter."

"Shit yea! We're going to get paid."

"For real. Let me just hit the john and we'll be out of here."

"Alright, see you in a minute bro."

"Later."

One left the bathroom. Terry heard everything he needed to. The unseen bathroom attendant headed for that stall.

*THWACK*

Terry ferociously kicked it open. His foul-mouthed chatterbox was lying flat against the other wall. Piece of cake.

"So buddy… Tell me about this kid."

Terry left the bathroom whistling a tune as if he dropped a few pounds while in there. No one really seemed to notice and he retook his seat in front of the bar.

"Nice kick tiger…" Elizabeth noted. Terry looked at her kind of cockeyed but then realized where this was going.

"I didn't think you'd want a camera in the bathroom. Not with the kind of guys in this joint."

"It's for insurance purposes cutey. Wouldn't want any unnecessary law-suits now would we?" She winked again. This was getting old he thought.

"That camera of yours doesn't have a microphone now does it?" Terry asked. Elizabeth shook her head.

"Sorry handsome. We can't afford the fancy stuff."

Terry stood up and threw his jacket and hat on. A couple of guys looked up and stared at him as if he was a ghost. Terry Bogard was sitting right under their noses and they didn't even notice.

"Well it looks like you have a toilet backing up… Sorry I can't help you clean up but I've got things to do and people to see. Maybe I'll take you up on your after hours bar one of these days."

"I'll be waiting," she blew him a kiss. Terry was joking but he should have expected it. He would have waved it off but his energy was needed elsewhere. He left the bar and thought nothing of his idols. Finally, a break in his search and he was going to put it to good use.

"KOUOUKEN!" Ryo shouted. It traveled a decent distance this time. Maybe seven or eight feet before it dissipated.

Ryo spit. He was getting pretty frustrated. He'd been practicing nothing but the Kououken for 6 hours straight. Both of his arms were starting to get numb but he kept at it. He wanted to master this technique if it killed him.

"Ryo!"

"Yes sir!"

"What are you doing?"

"What do you mean father? I've been doing what you instructed."

"Ryo…"

He was right. Ryo wasn't doing what he was told but it was so hard to change your style after you made it routine.

"I… I just don't see how to control my intensity. I… I have nothing to focus on."

"That's not true Ryo. Think about the things you that are close to your heart."

"That's easy. It's you, Yuri, and Robert."

"That's a good start. Now think about the time Yuri got kidnapped."

"I was pretty angry then."

"Excellent. Now try your Kououken."

Ryo nodded. He thought about the search, the fear, and the anger he felt against Mr. Big. He was ready.

"KOUOUKEN!"

Ryo's blast traveled a great distance. It almost went a full hundred yards before it went out. His eyes glowed with a bright hope. He'd made some progress.

"Very good Ryo. Now do you understand the power of the Kououken?"

Ryo nodded. This was a good start.

"Again!"

"Yes sir!"

Ryo thought about the pain Yuri must have felt while she was being captive. All of the torment she was put through just for being known by Robert Garcia. All of that for just being a friend to someone rich?!

"KOUOUKEN!"

The blast traveled quickly. Takuma gave a positive grunt. The distance easily doubled that of his previous attempt.

"Excellent Ryo. The speed is equal to my own. The size is still fairly smaller but you are improving over your last attempts."

A smile crossed Ryo's lips. He never expected improvement like this in only a few minutes. Things were going great.

"Alright Ryo. Try one more time."

Ryo nodded. He began charging a blast. Another memory that crossed his mind was the search at the 'Illusions' bar. He was very angry then. He'd been searching for hours and not even a clue. That's when he got into a fight. A fight with – .

King!

"KOUOUKEN!"

Ryo looked forward. He spat on the ground. It was just like the Kououken he'd been doing for years. What the hell was he thinking?

"Ryo! What is the matter with you?" Takuma asked, "What were you thinking?"

"I – I was doing as you said father but then… Then something crossed my mind that threw me off guard."

"What was it?"

"It was the time I was searching for Yuri when she was kidnapped. I walked into a bar looking for information."

"Did you get into a fight?"

"Yea. But…?"

"What was it about the fight that turned your emotions?"

"I – I… I fought a woman?"

"Ryo!"

"It's not what you think father!"

"Then clear my thoughts."

Ryo took a deep breath. He didn't think it would be this hard to talk about this.

"King…" He whispered.

"What was that?"

"It was King dad… I… I fought King and…"

"You didn't win?"

"Yea…"

"You looked fine when I fought you."

"You don't always win a battle with fists."

Takuma cracked a grin. That was something he told Ryo when he was very little but then Ryo asked So why do I learn karate? And Takuma replied So you won't have to fight.

"I see… Well Ryo, you should keep your thoughts off that subject if you want to master the Kououken. That is an order."

Ryo agreed. It would be hard to focus with that on your mind. Hopefully this training will end soon. Maybe his dad would think it was ok to keep thoughts of her when he wasn't training. There was no way he was going to ask now, he had a distance to beat and two weeks left to do it.

King laid on her bed. She wasn't feeling one hundred percent and she had done nothing but relax and enjoy the day. Well, that wasn't entirely true. The incident at the bar wasn't all that relaxing.

What am I doing?

King had a pretty normal life for the past few years. Her bar had its good days and its bad but there wasn't much stress. Sure her brother Jean was still sick and she tried every year to win the prize money to give him treatment but she fell short every time. She did save some money that she made from her bar. About $5,000 or so but it wasn't enough for Jean's treatment. He'd have to be taken to Tokyo and the treatment was $7,500 a month and she had no idea how long he needed to be in there.

The prize money from King of Fighters would easily cover that. Even if it was split eight ways she could treat Jean and still have some left over to buy her building and rent out the apartments for some extra revenue. Life would be good if she only got that chance.

She thought for a while. Maybe she did have this chance. She was fighting with another team; a team that actually made it to the finals once in a while. With a little extra effort from her, they could win this thing.

King sprang up from her bed with all knew thoughts. She needed to call her brother. It wasn't exactly written in the books yet but King felt confident in the Kyokugen karate skills.

"Hello?" Jean answered. He was sitting at home watching some television. There was something about another local beating that didn't really interest him. The person on the other line however.

"Hey Jean!"

"Sis! How's it going?"

"Not bad. How are you?"

"Same old. I have my good days and bad."

"I see. Are Sally and Elizabeth taking good care of you?"

"Yea. Don't worry about it. I may be a little weak but I'm not a baby. I've been off the bottle for months."

King laughed. Jean was good at doing that.

"You're worried about something aren't you?"

King paused for a second. "How – How did you know?"

"Well, usually you'd call me at 5 o'clock on the money. It's almost eight thirty and you're still sitting around thinking your little thoughts."

"Yea… Well, I kind of have some good news?" That sounded off.

"Oh, has Ryo finally asked you out."

"WHAT?! Jean knock it off!"

Jean started busting up. He knew his sister's weak points. She needed her blood to rise a point or two every now and then.

"Heh heh… You're too easy King."

"So I hear. Do you want to hear my news or not?"

Jean slowly drowned out his laughter. "Sure thing sis, what's the good word?"

"I think this is the year."

"What?"

"I think this will be the year I'll actually win King of Fighters."

"Really? What makes you so sure? I never really hear stuff like this from you?"

"I – I don't know Jean. This is the first time in years I've fought on another team and it just seem that – "

"That things are finally going your way?"

"What?"

"Come on sis. I know how much of a hassle it must be to take care of me all these years."

"Wait Jean!"

"It's alright. Sis. It doesn't matter to me if you win King of Fighters or not. I'm happy whether or not I'm healthy. I've got a great sister who'd do things that most siblings would have abandoned me for and she's willing to do anything to make me happy."

"…"

"That's enough sis. I'm tired of you always trying to make me happy without anything for yourself. What do you want sis? What will make you happy? Whatever that is, I want it for you!"

King didn't have a response. Her brother was a big part of her life and she would do anything for him. It warmed her heart knowing that he's learned a few of her better qualities. She smiled over the receiver and even though her brother couldn't see it, Jean knew it was there.

"Thanks Jean."

"I'm just doing what you've been doing for me for the last ten years."

"Take care ok? I'll come see you again next week."

"Alright and bring Ryo with you. I need to have a few words with that guy!"

"JEAN!" King shouted. Jean could feel the vessels popping on her face all the way through the receiver.

"Night sis."

"Good night Jean."

King hung up the receiver. A sigh left her breath. The night had totally consumed the sun and she was pretty much out of it now.

Her stomach rumbled. It wasn't anything significant; she just had an urge to have a small snack. She opened the refrigerator door and saw something she didn't expect.

It's average.

She wanted to see two dozen chickens lined up in the freezer and nothing but milk and water to drink but it looked just like a normal refrigerator would. Well, except for one small difference.

"What's this?" King said to herself. She reached in and pulled out a plat of mochi (rice cakes). There was also a little note attached.

For Ryo: HANDS OFF!

King chuckled a bit. This must be Ryo's favorite snack she thought to be a little deceptive and decided to take one. There were a bunch there; it wouldn't be like he would cry over it.

She took a bite. Hmm, not bad. Ryo must really enjoy these kinds of snacks after eating that protein broth that tasted like human sweat and sugar. At least he has some taste.

King then wondered to herself how to improve the taste. It was good, but not great. After coming home from two weeks of training, Ryo deserved better. Maybe I can go to that shop a couple of blocks past the stadium she thought.

Oh shoot! That shop closed and moved inside the stadium for King of Fighters. That was a bit of a disappointment. She really wanted to do something nice for Ryo after all that he's done for her.

Try cooking yourself stupid! Her inner voice beckoned. Cooking? Me? No way!

Why not?

Because I can't cook!

That's not what Jean said…

King remembers all of the time she spent cooking for Jean when they first moved to South Town. She was real bad at first but after a while Jean wouldn't eat anything unless she made it.

Fine… You win. She may have been an excellent street and tournament fighter but there's no way you could win the battle of the mind. Not physically anyways.

King located one of Yuri's aprons and put it on. She had a little trouble fastening it, she wasn't really familiar with this kind of apron. King turned and faced the reflection in the refrigerator.

She had a tiny blush.

King never really looked at herself like this before. So feminine, so womanly, so… Beautiful.

No! No! No! She screamed at herself. She hated men! Men treated her like garbage. They don't care about her wants, her needs, and her feelings.

Not Ryo…

True. Ryo hadn't done any of those things and even when they first met he was extremely apologetic. He took care of her in her weakest moment and for the longest time he'd been a great friend.

Friends don't make you blush…

Oh shut up! She cried to herself. She didn't have time think. Mochi needed to be prepared and she was going to do it whether or not it killed her. She went at it with a passion almost equaling hers of fighting. And she did it with a smile.

(Author Note: Well Chapter 4 is wrapped up and I've already started on Chapter 5. That is when the story will really get cooking. Speaking of which, King… Cooking? I know it seems a bit far fetched for those hardcore KOF fans but I think she would do something that's a little off her character if it were for Ryo.

Story Note:

- Jean, King's younger brother: I have no idea what type of illness Jean had, they never really said specifics in anything I read. I naturally took it as a physical sickness that made him really weak. Nothing too fatal but something that would keep him from going out and living a normal life. Also, his name is (I believe) pronounced just like Jean Claude Van Damme.

- Sally and Elizabeth: Again, I'm not sure what kind of personalities each of them had since they were only used in background information. I gave them personalities like the sweet girly sister (Sally) and the more sexual desiring (Elizabeth). If I'm wrong on this I won't change it but I'd like to know for future reference.

Anyways, there's a special guest coming in the next chapter that will change the relationship of two characters. I'm really taking off on this fic and only your reviews will help me roll out chapters faster. Take it easy guys and I'll see you next chapter.

P.S.: I found out that I turned on 'Block Reviews from Anonymous Users'. I know, stupid stupid me! So those who tried, my apologies.)