Chapter 7: This Means War / Changing Focus
1 Week Until King of Fighters Tournament
South Town was booming in population. King of Fighters was right around the corner and everyone wanted a ringside seat. Tickets had sold out last week but that hasn't stopped fans, and scalpers for that matter, from cutting into the action. Parties sprung up every night and the masses yearned for more and more entertainment to craze their addiction. King of Fighters was officially here.
Registration began this morning and carried out through the rest of the week. Fans lined up the night before just to catch the entering participants before the tournament begins. People even came dressed as their favorites but all across the boards the number one apparel are the famous 'Fatal Fury' hats worn by last year's winner Terry Bogard. The first King of Fighters Tournament of the millennium was shaping out to be the best.
Covering this spectacle is the famous News Combo 7. Their yearly ratings peak around King of Fighters due to their overly extensive coverage and uniquely acquired inside information. The station thrived on the inner sanctum that is King of Fighters.
"Hello. This is Yumi Sanada for News Combo 7. Today is the first day of team registration and as you can see the fans are jam packed and waiting to see their favorites."
Ymui walked closer to the crowd. This is what the called 'Viewer Candy'. It gets people to watch the station if they think they'll get a chance to be on TV. Works every year.
"Excuse me sir… Who are you and why are you here?" Yumi asked a random fan. He was in his twenties and seemed to be plenty excited.
"YEA! WOO! I'm Jesse Richardson and I flew all the way from America to watch Terry Bogard kick everyone's as like he did last year! WOOO!" He screamed while slapping a few of his native buddy's hands.
Yumi moved on to a few less rowdy fans. "Excuse young laides," I can't believe there are actually attractive women here, "Why are you waiting for King of Fighters?" This ought to be good for the blooper reel.
"Hallo! We are here to see Benimaru! God he's so sexy!" The mass of females were swept by his image and fainted against one another.
"These people get more and more retarded every year!" Yumi whispered to her camera man.
"Uhh… Yumi. We're – We're still on live!"
Yumi shot to a pale color but shook it off and continued through the crowd looking for the one normal person to talk to. She finally found someone who didn't seem like their head was stuck up their ass and went for it.
"Hello, News Combo 7. What's you're story?"
The young man smiled. His brown hair and blue outfit screamed attention.
"I am Shingo Yabuki! Kusanagi Martail Artist in Training! I am here to represent my Master Kyo Kusanagi in his absence." Shingo jumped from the crowd that didn't even recognize him and stood at the entrance. "Let's go Shingo!" He declared as he walked off into the registration area.
Yumi signaled to cut and prayed the Tokyo Nightly News would finally accepter her application.
King of Fighters brought all kinds of fans; even those who cared for more 'participation' on their part. Street fights were a regular occurrence and the local law enforcement usually tripled their watch and surveillance. Today was the start of the daily raid of brawling but it was only the beginning.
Andy Bogard and Joe Higashi combed these streets. Andy's brother was well known to get his warm ups from the back street brawling so that was the ideal place to look for him.
"Geese… You'd think these people would get a life," Joe commented. Seeing the streets of South Town like this sure brought back memories of the old days.
"Calm down Joe. This city is in shambles. The people only know how to live like this. We don't have any order."
"Yea. And to think Geese Howard was actually helping this place."
"Joe!" Andy yelled. He didn't like hearing praise about the murderer of his father. Even if it was true.
Andy and Joe kept on walking. There was no sign of Terry. Joe yawned every now and then hoping his comrade would notice but he knew Andy was too focused to notice or even car. With nothing else to loose, Joe closed his eyes and took another yawn.
*SMACK*
"What the?" Joe cursed. In front of him was the wall he thought he bumped into. This wall was pretty big, sporting a camouflaged bandana, black vest, and olive green pants. His face, which was covered with stubble hair, was only inches from Joe's.
"Who the…? Higashi?!" Said the man. He took a few steps back and pointed to his accomplice who was questioning some random fan.
"Joe, what are you doing?"
"Check it out," Joe said pointing ahead.
"Joe. That's – "
"Bogard, Higashi. Follow us." This guy was all muscle and no talk. Thank God Joe prayed in his mind. This guy must a killer with the ladies for his articulation he joked. He was tall, wearing all blue, had an old ball cap on his head and glasses that screamed 'getting some' but a smile that said 'only after payment'.
"What do you guys want?" Andy asked. He was showing a lot of authority in his tone. Messing around with these guys wouldn't get them anywhere and if they wanted information they'd better have a damn good reason.
"Don't ask any questions!" Called the bandana clad man.
"Listen here buddy! We don't have to go anywhere with you guys!" Joe declared sounding pretty serious himself, "I have no intention of joining the circus so why don't you guys buzz off!"
"Joe…" Andy said hoping not to knock Joe off his high horse, "They're Ralf and Clark. They work for Heidren."
"What?" Joe said rather inquisitively. "Ohhhhh! Those guys," Joe said with a smile. "Sorry I didn't recognize you. Maybe if you laid on the floor with a big bruise on your head, but hey, how's it going?!"
"Grrrr!" Ralf hissed, "Don't mess with us Higashi! You better come with us or else!"
"Or else what?!" Joe said while taunting the Ikari warrior.
"Joe!" Andy called out. Joe was too busy making fun of his would be opponent where as Ralf was trying to break through Clark's restraints.
"Come on tough guy! Oraaaa!" Joe yelled while shifting into his kick boxing stance. Ralf was steaming and finally pushed back Clark so he would be prepared to take Joe in by force if, no. When necessary.
Andy turned to face Clark. He was just standing there looking stiff, showing no emotion at all in his face. Suddenly, he shifted his sunglasses closer to his face and slowly approached his fighting stance.
Damnit Joe! Andy cursed to himself. Why now?!
The fight had already begun. Spectators began to form around the alley cutting off all exits. There was no way out now.
Ralf charged at Joe. The intensity of his eyes showed his passion and his anger at the tall haired kick boxer. He wanted to shut him up and put him down. Joe saw this and put his right foot back. If he wanted to fight Joe he'd better be prepared to fight a veteran. Joe knew all the tricks. Except of course the old 'exploding earring'.
The short distance between Joe and Ralf ripped into smoke and flames. Ralf took a defensive roll to the side whereas Joe took a step back, shielding his face from the blast.
"That's enough!" Called a female voice from the alley. Several spectators parted and revealed the blue-haired fight stopper.
Ralf immediately stood up and dusted himself off. Joe looked over at the young lady and began scoping her out with his devilish eyes. She was tall, slender, extremely beautiful and if it weren't for that pissed of expression, she was quite a catch.
"Well hello there good look – Ah!" Joe screamed as she walked by and completely blew him off. Well can't win them all Higashi. You're a fighter not a lover. Yet anyways…
"Jones, Steel! That was not part of your mission!" She declared. Ralf cracked the muscles in his neck and shoulders but didn't say a word. He knew she was pissed and she knew that he did as well.
"Alright enough!" Andy wailed. He was pretty mad at everyone for causing a scene, now they were just wasting time. "What do you want?"
Andy already identified her as Leona Heidren. She was a pivotal player in the '97 Tournament during the whole Orochi blood fiasco.
"Mr. Bogard, Mr. Higashi. You are wanted for questioning. If you'd follow – " Leona stated before she was interrupted by a not so happy Andy.
"Forget it. We don't have time to waste with you," Andy said while turning his back. "Let's go Joe."
Joe nodded and followed. They had just about left the alley but not far enough from Leona's speaking distance.
"Even if it concerned the well-being of your brother?"
Andy froze. She must have figured out his weak spot before wanting to meet with him. She was smart alright, definitely one of Heidren's. He turned around and walked towards her.
"I'll tell you what you want if you tell me what I want, got it?!" Andy ordered. His arms crossed in front of his chest and he was going to be a stone for the remainder of the conversation.
"Very well," Leona agreed. "But if we're going to do it let's go somewhere private. We don't have many friends on the streets."
Andy took a look around. There were a lot of people watching and even more in places where he couldn't see. Staying here would only prove to be their disadvantage. Andy nodded and followed the Ikari team. Joe went along as well but not before blowing the female fans a kiss of the one and only kick boxing legend.
The bar was dull. Not a speck of class in the joint. A couple of early bird drunks lay flat on their tables with empty bottles of booze and the bartender looked like he was born and raised on the streets with nails as a pillow and chains as a blanked. Andy and Joe sat with the Ikari warriors wondering why the hell would they ever be in a place like this.
"Nice place you got here. Heidren didn't squeeze a single penny building this fine establishment," Joe commented. Leona's internal sarcasm meter broke through the roof but that didn't matter as of yet. They had business to conduct.
"This is a safe haven. We have this place monitored and bugged so we can see everything going on at all angles during any frame of time," Leona reassured her big mouthed guest. Joe nodded while looking for all the high tech gizmos she was talking about and tried to make it look inconspicuous.
Leona looked at Andy and his serious expression screamed What do you want? so instead of waiting for him to say it for a third time, she reached into her pocket and tossed him a set of photos.
Andy picked up the photos and skimmed through them. They were pictures of a single man at different angles. He was tall, sharply dressed in black, and wore black sunglasses. He looked strangely familiar and then it hit Andy.
"Who is this?!" Andy asked.
"This is an agent of the N.E.S.T.S. cartel. They were responsible for the incident during last year's tournament and we have reason to believe they are also heavily involved in this year's tournament as well," Leona responded.
"What does this have to do with Terry?" Joe asked trying to make it seem that he's also still alive in this boring place.
"Several of our agents spotted this man and another quite like him attacking your brother recently."
Andy never heard of the other guy. In actuality, he hadn't spoken to Terry since the day he came back.
"So? What do they want with Terry?" Andy questioned.
"That we do not know. N.E.S.T.S. is tightlipped about any of there operations. But whatever it is it must be serious because the second photo is one of N.E.S.T.S. best warrior that your brother smashed into a wall."
"I see… So why do you want to speak with us?"
"We want to know exactly what happened during the incident in the sewers in last year's tournament."
"Why?"
"That is classified information."
Andy hated the military line of duty. Everyone who's anyone was kept in the dark about something but he figured there was nothing wrong in telling them what happened then. That was in the past. Dead and buried. There was nothing then that they should be worried about now.
The younger Bogard began explaining the event in as much detail as he could remember. They ran into a room which number he'd forgotten and fought against Krizalid. There was that whole devastation that was the Kyo Kusanagi clone affair that sounded like a bad movie plot and then they ran out as the building was collapsing. Right before they left, Andy never caught a glimpse of where Terry had gone to, nor has he explained himself of the incident ever since.
Leona nodded. She was furious inside because they hunted them down all day to find out they didn't know anymore than she had. Terry was the one with the information she needed.
"Thank you for your cooperation Mr. Bogard. If you'll excuse – "
"Hold it," Andy ordered while remaining stationary. "My brother is not as cooperative as I am. You're not the only one looking for him."
Ralf and Clark stared at each other as if they were missing something. Nothing really came to mind and they both turned to Leona who was probably in the same state of mind.
"Yea. You ever hear of some girl with a purple jumpsuit?" Joe asked.
That girl? Leona thought. She knew exactly who they were talking about but she wasn't going to say anything to these guys. "No. Why?"
"Never mind," Andy sighed. He wasn't going to get anywhere with these tight lipped troopers. "If Terry has anything to do with N.E.S.T.S.," He trailed, "What is going to happen?"
Leona looked back at Ralf and Clark. They shrugged their shoulders not knowing what to say so Leona would be on her own. "If I were you, I'd be worried about his health, not his popularity."
Andy looked back at her with a probing stare. "What do you mean?"
"You're brother is a target now. It seems by the look of these agents, N.E.S.T.S. will do everything they can to see him dead," and with that Leona stood up and walked out of the room. Ralf and Clark followed her. They didn't say a thing to either of them.
"Andy? What is going on?" Joe asked showing a bit more concern than he usually would.
"Whatever it is…" Andy let out, "We've got to find Terry."
Mary unlocked the door to her apartment, a bag of groceries in one hand and a huge smile on her face. Her week had been absolute bliss. Terry was feeling a whole lot better and more of his cuts and bruises had completely healed. She couldn't wait to see him.
"Terry… I'm home," Mary snickered. She'd been saying that throughout the entire week but it still made her grin each time. Mary placed the groceries on her table and fiddled through the contents.
"Anton! Here boy!" Mary called. The dog came from the bedroom with his tail wagging and his stomach hungry. "Here you go," said Mary as she tossed him one of his favorite dog treats. She began to pet his head as he chewed.
"Now what were you doing in Terry's room."
Terry's room. That sounds nice but in actuality it's my room. No… Our room. She wanted to giggle at that but she'd had enough of day dreaming and wanted to get on with the day.
Mary walked into the room with a bottle of water. She assumed Terry was thirsty and she fed him nothing but nutritious foods and drinks. Junk food would only slow down his healing and only after a few days of fruits and veggies, he was walking and talking like a new man.
"Terry. I've got – huh?" She looked inside the room to find it empty. Not a soul in the house. Mary's water bottle fell to the ground. Terry? Terry!
Mary bolted over to the bed and began searching. It was really false hope but she just couldn't believe he got up and took off like that. Before giving up hope she caught a small piece of paper. It's a note.
Mary: Something's not right. I need to find out more info. I'll be back before dinner.
Damn you Terry! She cursed. She wanted to crumble up the note and smash it in his face. Wait, there's something on the back.
P.S.: If you want to help, find out any info about N.E.S.T.S. and we'll talk more tonight.
Mary smiled. At least he's being considerate… She tossed on her jacket and headed out the door.
"Alright let's put the pieces together," Joe stated. Andy looked a bit serious but he was still feeling a bit soused after today's incident with the Ikari team. They both sat in Joe's hotel room and have been there for the last hour. There were a lot of pieces of the puzzle and no frame to put them in.
"There are guys in suits attacking Terry. There is an ice girl looking for Terry and now the Ikari's are looking for Terry," Joe hissed. "Since when did Terry become so popular?!"
"Calm down Joe," Andy interrupted. "Think this through. N.E.S.T.S. was responsible for the incident at King of Fighters last year. Why would they want Terry out of King of Fighters?"
"Well, I know I wouldn't want anyone who kicked my ass back at my place."
"Good point Joe, but we don't know if N.E.S.T.S. is involved in King of Fighters this year."
"That's possible but isn't that what it's all about? King of Fighters is always screwy. You never know who's going to do what or who's going to betray who."
Andy pondered for a bit. Joe's last comment hit hard. "Betray… Hey, what about K'!"
"Who?"
"The fight in the sewers remember, K' and Maxima were former agents for N.E.S.T.S."
"Right!" Joe shouted as if he was the one who figured it out. "So K' and Maxima left N.E.S.T.S. What does that have to do with Terry?"
"Think about it Joe. Let's think for a second that N.E.S.T.S. is involved. Would you really want Terry in there?"
"I really wouldn't want me in there either."
"Nice Joe but that's not the point. What about that girl?"
"Yea, the one with the freaky hair and ugly glove. What was that? A mechanical hand or something?"
A glove… Of course. "Joe! That glove. It's fairly similar to K's! Maybe she wants to find Terry to get revenge for K'!"
"Brilliance. I'm a genius!" Joe boasted. He grinned as far as physics would allow and then came to a thoughtful stare, "So… Where does that leave us?"
"Dead."
"What?" Andy questioned.
"Huh?" Joe replied.
The voice called from behind the door Andy thought. He heard someone's arm winding up, "Joe get down!"
The hotel room door ripped off its hinges and flew towards Andy and Joe. Andy's warning was well received as they both dove to opposite ends of the room. Joe smacked his couch and tumbled over. Andy was smart enough to roll before colliding into furniture so naturally he was the first one up.
"Andy!" Joe called from behind the sofa, "What's going on?!"
Black–suited men started entering Joe's Hotel room. Andy instantly spotted the connection but didn't have time to acknowledge his sight to his friend.
"Get ready Joe!" Andy called out while getting into his Shiranui fighting stance. "Geki Hishouken!"
Andy's ki blast circled the doorway of the hotel room. One suit instantly shot back and smacked the opposing wall. Blood trickled down from his forehead and his body lay motionless. He was out of the fight.
These guys are pushovers… Better keep my guard up just in case. Andy saw that two men were approaching him rapidly and he wasted no time confronting them. Joe, on the other hand, was about to get squished by one who thought he was a basketball player.
Big mistake attacking a guy with the greatest anti-air attack in the business! Joe thought. "TIGER KICK!"
His knee smashed against his adversary's glass jaw. He flew across the room like a broken jet liner and crushed Joe's coffee table.
Two more bodies piled up where Joe left his. Andy dusted off his hands but didn't have a smug look on his face. He was pissed and he wanted answers. Just as Andy was approaching the fallen suit, another appeared at the door with a weapon that wasn't a fist.
"That's as far as you go Bogard," He declared waving his pistol around. Andy had training disarming opponents with guns but not at that distance. The suit could get three or four shots in before Andy even got there and it would only take one to put him down.
"I'm glad to see that you've heeded my warning… Now – "
*THWACK*
The suit's chest exploded as if he was hit by a wrecking ball from behind. His gun dropped on the ground and he soon followed. Andy was thankful that the mess was over with but wanted to know who was responsible. Standing behind the suit was his answer and his blessing.
"Terry?!" Andy called out. The older Bogard brother cracked a smile and raised his cap.
"Hey Andy, Joe…" Said Terry. "Looks like we've got a lot to talk about."
It was Andy's turn to smile. "Yes, you're right. These guys' friends of yours Terry?" His brother looked at him with a reminiscing glare.
"Of course you know…" Terry grinned at Andy referring to one of their favorite cartoons.
"This means war…" Andy finished. Joe looked at them kind of funny wondering what the joke was.
"Then let's get out of here. If they sent these they'll send more," Terry stated. "I've got a place that's relatively safe. We'll hang out there and figure out some of the mysterious coincidences going on."
Andy and Joe nodded. The only thing safe in there was Joe's hidden stash of booze. He'd leave a couple grand in the lobby and ask for a new room. He couldn't wait to see their faces when they ask why. Because the room service is so god damn awful these days.
The Sakazaki house was very quite today. It hadn't been for the past week, however. Training got more intense, Ryo and King could barely move at the end of the day but they were very thankful that it was finally over with. Takuma said that that the ritual training for King of Fighters was complete and now was a time to relax and get used to the natural look and feel of your new body. It was a weird excuse but Ryo gladly accepted it. This was the time of the year where he could relax and take time to enjoy the little things in life that made him happy before he had to throw them out the window and prepare for battle.
Ryo sat in the dojo with his legs cross and his knuckles resting on his hands. He was trying to meditate and his thoughts were relatively clear. Relatively. Ryo was trying to increase his mental intensity so his Haou Shoukouken would resemble his father's but it wasn't working. The focus was on a different aspect of intensity that Ryo just wasn't getting. After finally mastering the Kououken he spent the rest of the time training the more powerful version but he wasn't getting anywhere. He really wanted to ask his father what he was doing wrong but he had a feeling that Takuma wasn't going to tell him anything he didn't already know.
Come on Ryo… What is it that you're missing? He thought to himself. The Haou Skoukouken was the most powerful technique in the Kyokugen School and he'd seen Takuma land three of those no problem on an opponent. He had no idea how he was going to compete with that.
Ryo stood up. He had enough. Meditation was going no where and his stomach was itching for some food. He left the dojo and headed for the kitchen. Hopefully the food gods were going to be kinder than the fighting ones.
The house was a little too quite for Ryo's liking. He had no idea where anyone was and that was disturbing in itself. Maybe he meditated a bit too long.
"How did it go Ryo?" Takuma called from the living room.
Ryo definitely wasn't paying attention. Now he knows that he had been meditating way too long. "Fine father…"
"It doesn't look that way."
He was right. Ryo always had a problem with misleading the truth meaning he never successfully done it with his father but he had to give his father some credit. After training in karate for your whole life, it will sharpen more than just your senses.
"I just need to calm down a bit. There's nothing I can do in my current state of mind."
Takuma nodded. "Yes, that is a good idea. Perhaps your problem is your focus."
Ryo looked back strangely, "What do you mean father?"
"How did you master the Kououken?"
"By increasing my intensity."
"Correct. And how did you do that?"
It started becoming clearer after each passing syllable. "By changing my focus."
"Yes. Now why do you think you are having problems?"
"That's what I don't know father. I did the same thing I practiced for the Kououken…"
"That is the problem."
"What?"
"The Kououken and Haou Shokouken are two different techniques. One is prided by quickness and less strength whereas the other requires heavy strength but lacks speed."
That hit Ryo like a speeding train. All of this time the answer was right in front of him and he was staring into space like an idiot.
"Do you understand now Ryo?"
Ryo nodded.
"Good. Now all you have to do is find that focus…"
Therein lays the problem. Ryo didn't know what to focus on besides anger an aggression. Kyokugen Karate was built on the foundation of strength with plenty of bricks made of anger and aggression. There isn't anything else he could think of.
"Father… What did you focus on when you perfected your technique?"
Takuma smiled. Memories filled his mind of the road he traveled to mastery. Life was never that exciting.
"Father?"
Takuma snapped out of his daze. "That is something you'll have to find out for yourself. It is something that I cannot teach nor can be learned. It is a feeling that resides deep within your heart that combines all of your emotions into power and unleash that power onto you adversary."
What the hell did he just say?! Ryo shouted to himself. His father was preachy but he never heard him that preachy.
"Do you understand Ryo?"
"Yes sir!" He snapped trying to sound attentive. His stomach rumbled and it screamed feed me! Ryo grabbed a couple of rice balls and went into the garage. At least there's something in there I don't have to change focus to do.
King stood in her apartment again to take care of her brother as she usually would once a week. Jean begged her not to but she knew there isn't anything he could really do about it but deeply, he wanted to thank her. There was no other sister in the world quite like her.
"Thanks for lunch sis…" Jean commented after finishing his meal. It was the only time of the week he got an extravagant meal instead of Elizabeth's self made take out. Sally's dinners were actually pretty good but couldn't hold a candle to King's.
"Your welcome Jean…" King replied. She reached over and grabbed a plate for his dessert. "Here you go. Try these."
"Hey… Mochi! I didn't know you cooked mochi," Jean stated as he began to devour the sweet rice snack. "Hey! These are great!"
King smiled. She was happy that her brother was enjoying the meal she cooked. Seeing him like that, happy and full of energy, it was worth every minute.
"Wow sis… You're an awesome chef!" He complimented. "I bet if you cooked a few of these for Ryo…"
He saw King blush and that shot a bigger grin on his face. Jean didn't mean to tease her this way but he always heard her talk so highly of Ryo and she needed another man in her life that she didn't need to take care of. She needed someone that could take care of her.
King didn't reply to that which brought up an interesting scenario to mind.
"Oh… I see. You already practiced cooking these for Ryo eh?"
"What?! No…!"
"Come on… These are too perfect to be first batch," Jean said while laughing. He caught her sister in a rough spot she really couldn't explain her way out of.
"Y – Yea… You're right."
"Thought so. So what's been going on between you two lately? You haven't said a word about it in a month."
"No – Nothing really… We've just been training and working out. Nothing special."
"Oh really… That's a shame."
"Jean!"
"What? Is it a crime for me to see my sister happy?"
"What are you talking about Jean? I'm happy. I've got a great life. I've – "
"Sis…"
"What?"
"You're not being honest. Tell me the truth."
King flustered. She didn't know what to say. There were never any secrets between them so she had no idea why she was being so hesitant.
"Sis, you've known him for a long time… Why are you so afraid?"
King knew the answer to that one but she didn't want to snap at her, "It's not that I'm afraid it's just… I don't want to…"
"Do you love him?"
"Jean!"
"Come on sis! No more games. Do you love Ryo?"
She blushed. She passed through her mind a hundred memories of her times with Ryo. Some of them were sweet, some were sour, and there were the select few that she wanted to live all over again.
King nodded.
"Then why don't you just tell him. Some guys are as dense as lead. I don't want to knock on Ryo, but if he didn't catch any of the signs by now –"
"Well," King interrupted. "It wasn't like I was throwing any pitches."
"What?!" Jean shot back. "Sis you –" but before he could finish his lungs burst into coughs. King quickly rushed over there and made sure he was ok. It wasn't anything special; he was just having a couple of run of the mill coughs.
"You shouldn't get excited like that Jean, it's not helping."
Jean finished his ranting of coughs. "I'm alright sis… But you won't be if you keep quite."
"…"
A sigh left Jean's breath. "Alright sis… You're done playing mom for today."
King laughed. That's what Jean usually said before they parted. He always wanted to make sure his sister left in high spirits. He was really dedicated to his job.
King kissed Jean on the forehead. "You take it easy ok?" She stepped away from his bed and headed for the door.
"Boy what'd Ryo do for one of these…"
"JEAN!" King burst with a small blush on her cheeks. Jean was laughing and she couldn't be mad at him for that. So long as he was happy; she was happy.
But are you really happy? Her inner voice beckoned.
Not you again… Can you leave me alone until I get back to Ryo's place?
Alright, but you'll be awfully bored.
She sighed and left her apartment. It was going to be a long walk home.
"WOOOO!" Ryo cried while racing in the night. He just finished tuning up his bike and wanted to take it out for a test drive. This was the life he enjoyed; high risk and plenty of action. This is what he wanted to focus on now.
Ryo cut and cornered between oncoming vehicles, not even considering his health or the well-being of the drivers. He was hungry for speed and he was on the most dangerous buffet line in South Town.
So… How's it going?
Grrr… King growled at her inner voice. There was no getting around it now. She'd have to face the music sooner or later.
Good point. Now, on to business. When are you going to talk to Ryo?
About what? She avoided. They were only getting started.
You can't fool me. I'm you. I know everything. Don't make me tell him myself!
No! Don't!
Why not? You're obviously too afraid.
I'm not afraid… It's just that… Just that…
What? What are you hoping for? Ryo isn't going to get the picture all by himself. You've got to step up to the plate and take a swing!
…
I know for a fact that Ryo would never do anything to hurt you. There shouldn't be anything to be scared of.
You can easily say that but you're not the one who has to reap the wind of the oncoming emotions that goes with it.
That maybe true but I'm going to keep bugging you until you do something. You can't keep your feelings bottled up forever.
King sighed. Her mother never had time to teach her how to deal with the opposite sex. Especially if you liked someone you've known for a long time.
Maybe…
Well, when King of Fighters rolls around… Anything can happen. I'm not going to keep quite until then! And with that, she kept on walking into the night without a thought of the outside world.
"Hey there little lady… Aren't you the prettiest thing?" Called someone from the shadows. King stood at attention. Just another drunk. Nothing to be afraid of.
"Hey you found one…" Another voice called. This one came from another direction. Two wouldn't be much of a problem. Just take a little longer.
"All RIGHT! I'm starving!" A third shouted. King started to feel a cold chill on her spine. Something wasn't right about this situation.
The three thugs crawled from their hiding places. One looked to be an average male who looked like he didn't shower or shave in a few weeks. Another was a shorter, uglier version of Chang, an opponent she fought and beat during last year's tournament. The third was the worst of all. He was clean cut, wore a flamboyantly colored suit, and had the making of one of those Hollywood producers who knew exactly what to say to get someone in bed.
"Hey… She's cute!" The first one commented. "The short hair kind of reminds me of a guy but that face and body is all woman!"
King cracked a small blush. She was still embarrassed to be known as a guy even though she wasn't around Ryo. She definitely got used to that atmosphere and here was irony staring her in the face.
"Yea… I'd like to know if she's a screamer." The suit replied.
"Let us send you to the island of pleasure madam!" The fat one begged. They started to close in on her but King kept stepping back. Soon her tracks where cut short as her body slammed into a chain-link fence.
Shit! She cursed. King was going to have to fight but she was still a little reluctant. Something definitely wasn't right.
"Ah… You're trapped. Be a good girl and come with – OOOUGHF!" The suit shouted while taking a sharp kick to the gut. He instantly went down and his body began convulsing as a result.
"Why you – ARGH!" The first one got a kick to the crotch. King restrained herself from doing things like this in a regular fight but this was a street fight. They wanted to mug and rape her. Guys like that deserve castration! Anything goes.
"Huh?! Argh!"
"TRAP SHOT!" King unloaded on the fat one. She wanted to vent a bit of her frustration off on these guys and especially the Chang look alike.
King dusted her hands off. It was a job well done in her mind. She hadn't even broken a sweat and here where three of South Town's many degenerates laying flat.
"You bitch! I'll – "
"Huh?" King turned her head to face the first man she'd dropped. He was on his knees, now armed and aimed at King's back.
A thousand volts of electricity ripped into her spine and without even thinking about it she dropped to her knees. Why… That?!
"Get her!" The still reeling average guy ordered. The suit grabbed her from behind and tossed her into the fence. A right fist soon followed into her gut.
King spat into the air. She'd taken a few blows like that before but it still hurt every time. Kick boxing created abs of steel but it wasn't meant to be taken literally.
"Rip her shirt off!" The suit ordered. He had her left arm locked and used his free hand to grip her hair just in case she tried another stunt like that.
The average guy tore her blouse right off. A smile trickled on his face and so did a bit of drool. She was wearing the black silk bra she had been showing off in her mirror as of late.
Tears began to form around her eyes. King never felt a pain like this. She wanted to tear these guys to shreds and she literally could but her legs just wouldn't respond to her brain's wishes.
She then felt a tongue slide up the back of her neck. It felt disgusting and she spat in retaliation but nothing came out of her effort.
"Look at that… I bet she loves it rough!" The suit replied to his companions. "Do the pants next!"
They both smiled. This night was shaping up to be pretty good. They were full of liquor and now, free sex.
"HAOU!"
"What the?" The average pondered. "Check it out!" He ordered the fat one.
Chang's clone walked away from the scene with King's naked image in her mind. He saw a fairly old motorcycle parked in front of the bar they just came out of and a weird orange light coming from the alley.
"Huh?"
"SHOUKOUKEN!"
A massive ball of orange ki flew from the alley and collided with the fat man. The blast shot him from his standing place and right through the chain link fence. He didn't even have time to scream.
"Why that!" The suit shouted while dropping king. "Get him!"
The average guy looked a bit scared. Whatever took out the fat one, he didn't really want any part of but then there was the orders of the guy with the tazer. He was closer and more of an immediate threat than the ki thrower so he'd try his luck next.
He charged foreward. Let's see how you like a little melee combat he taunted in his mind while whipping out his switchblade.
"ICHIGEKI HISSATSU!"
*CRACK*
The air in his lungs shot out like a thousand swords. He felt the center of his chest split apart but there wasn't a sign of any blood. His body smacked the ground without the sign of normal breathing.
The suit grabbed King and pointed the tazer to her neck. "I'll kill her! STAY BACK!" He yelled with a hint of fear in his tone. King was recovering from the initial shock and wanted out of this situation as soon as possible.
King blasted her heel into the suit's food. He cried out in pain and more importantly, released her from the hostage situation.
"KYOKUGEN-RYUU OUGI!" The hero jumped out from the shadows and flew towards the suit. He didn't have a chance now.
"ORA – ORA – ORA – ORA – ORA!" Kicks, punches, elbows. Each landed at key pressure points of the body and they were rocking the suit's world.
King couldn't believe what she was seeing. A man that thought he was big and tough was being humbled in a matter of seconds. The second sight really brought a ray of light on her world.
"R – Ryo?!"
"MORRATA!" Ryo finished off the lecher with a spiral Kohou uppercut and sent him straight into the air and soon, down to the concrete.
Upon landing, Ryo tightened his belt. It was unusually for him to be in his gi at this time of night but he never changed out of it since this morning. Kind of lucky that it happened but then he looked over towards King and realized where his luck should have been.
"KING!" Ryo shouted while running towards her. She was still on the ground, sitting up and watching the massacre that took place. Her body was frozen.
"KING? KING?!" Ryo cried. "SPEAK TO ME!"
King's eyes peered over to Ryo's. She saw the fear and worry in his eyes. Crying was inevitable.
"Ryo…" King sighed.
"King?"
"RYO!" She yelled wrapping her arms around his body. The tears would not stop flowing. She had never felt this scared and vulnerable in her entire life. All she wanted to do was let it out.
Ryo squeezed her back. He was real pissed off no longer than a minute ago and now he was quite relieved. He subtly examined her body with his arms to make sure of no immediate injuries. Ryo calmly pushed her back after confirming that she was ok.
"King, are you alright?" He had to ask. This would make her feel just a little bit better.
King could feel the water swelling up in her eyes but she quickly wiped them away. She didn't want to seem like a little child that required the assistance of a knight in shining armor. Although, it did feel good when he came to her rescue.
Ryo stood up and carried King along with him. She was shaking. She wanted to tell him thank you and show him the love he just showed her but her body wasn't moving to her brain's commands.
"I – I – I…" All she could get out is a stutter. Ryo was more compassionate than that. He hugged King again trying to get her shaking to stop and after a few minutes it worked.
"King… I promise I'll never let this ever happen again." That was his way of reassuring her. It worked for Yuri a few years back, no reason it shouldn't work now.
Ryo kissed her on the cheek. He didn't do it to calm her down or relieve her stress but it came out like a physical emotion. When he was passing by on his bike, he saw King being assaulted by those thugs and he was furious. He never felt anger like that hit him so hard and taking out the garbage had never felt so good. Even his Shoukouken improved greatly but that was the least of his concerns.
King blushed. The past few minutes were swallowed up by Ryo's past action. She didn't want anything to move. Time, space, the universe; that could all take a back seat. She wanted to live this moment a thousand lives and a thousand deaths if she could. This was true happiness and she was glad that Ryo could share it with her.
Thank you… King prayed wanting the person she thought who could have let this happen to know how truly grateful she was. A smile finally touched her lips.
They broke off after another minute or so. Ryo looked into her eyes and felt a ton of weight lift off his chest. There King was, smiling and he couldn't be happier.
Ryo draped her in the upper portion of his gi. His arm soon followed as they walked towards his bike. "Come on King… Let's go home."
"Home…" She whispered, "That's the only place I want to be right now."
(Author notes: Finally! A little action going down. I'm relieved I'll say. I didn't think I was going to write a chapter just before KOF but I felt there needed to be a little filler just before the big moment. I can officially say this fic is just about half over. I know! Already only half done and I'm one of the longest KOF fics on . Anyways, writing this chapter started to loose my interest a bit but the ending sure brought me back. Next chapter is round one of the KOF tournaments and here's where the action really begins. Thanks for the reviews guys (Especially Mallow and SilentNinja). Your words help me move this fic. All of my other silent readers should take a cue from these two. Your reviews are my motivation guys and the more that come in, the quicker I punch out chapters. Well, I've ranted on for long enough. Take it easy guys and I'll see you next chapter.)
