Kenny didn't know what hit him at first. One second, he was walking alongside Ryu, talking happily to the only adult ever that seemed interested in hearing his expert six year old experiences. Suddenly, Ryu grabbed him and pulled him close, only Kenny felt something else tugging at his other arm. This something "else" had a grip that felt like sand paper, and it felt cold. Ryu had lost his grip on Kenny and the boy felt himself get thrown into midair, feeling is body float in the sky for a brief moment, before landing in a pile of smelly garbage bags with a loud thud.
Kenny's hands and feet clawed at the bags as he tried to get himself out. It was like being trapped in a pile of beanbags chairs. No matter how much he struggled, he would only sink lower. He heard a piercing scream, much higher than that of a woman. Kenny could see a brilliant flash of light outside the pile of bags, and then he heard another scream. It was lower, more familiar this time. Something happened to Ryu. Kenny continued pushing the garbage bags out of the way. Maybe he could push himself out instead of trying to climb up.
It was silent outside now, as the boys attention was focused on releasing himself rather than what was happening outside. Although he was concerned about what happened to Ryu. A helping hand dug it's way through the bags. Kenny heard a voice call out to him.
"Can you get out?!" Kenny took a hold of the hand that yanked him free. Thinking he would see Ryu, he was surprised to see a pretty girl standing in front of him. She was wearing the same kind of headband that Ryu wore; only she was wearing a junior high uniform, the innocent sailor uniform clashing with the violent wrist guards on her hands.
"Who are you?" Kenny asked. "And what happened to Ryu?"
"I don't know what happened to him," the mysterious girl replied, ignoring Kenny's first question. "But we can't leave him here. We need to take him to a hospital." The girl ran off into a crowd, muttering something about finding a cell phone. "Stay with him!" she ordered before leaving.
Kenny knelt down beside the unconscious Ryu. He lay on his front with his head twisted to one side, his arms sprawled out in front of him. Kenny put his hand on Ryu's shoulder and shook him. "Wake up, Ryu. Are you okay?" But there was no response. He was scared. What happened to Ryu? He was just talking a few seconds ago. But now it was like he was dead. Panic struck, Kenny's face began to crumple as tears started coming out from his eyes.
"There is no use in crying," a stern voice said. Kenny looked around, trying to find the source of the voice. "What happened was terrible, but you need to be strong before you can cry. Ryu's life depends on what you right now."
"W…who's saying that?" Kenny asked.
"I did." A dark figure, standing behind him, stepped into the light. It was a man dressed in an orange uniform that closely resembled a ninja's. He had jet-black hair that hung over his eyes in long strands. His skin was tanned and as he got closer, Kenny could read the kanji embedded into his shirt. It read, "Bushin."
* * *
Sakura's heart thumped in her chest as she waited in the waiting area of the hospital's emergency ward. She couldn't believe all that had happened in one day. She left her home in the hopes of meeting Ryu, maybe even getting his autograph or something. What happened to her was more than she could ask for. Not that she wished anything bad upon her idol, but it gave her the opportunity to help save his life. And perhaps when he awoke, he would want to thank her personally and give her his autograph for sure! And maybe, he could repay her for her good deed and agree to be her sensei! Sakura began to blush and she squealed in delight.
Well in all honesty, it hadn't been just Sakura to save Ryu's life. There was the kid that was sitting beside her who was with him when the attack happened. He was the one who stayed with Ryu and made sure nobody attacked him while she ran off to use someone's cell phone. And then there was that mysterious Bushin ninja who quickly led the three of them to the hospital. He was gone now, though. Sakura wondered what his purpose was. Could he have been the one responsible? She didn't know. But whoever it was, she cursed the culprit under her breath. Nobody lays her finger on her Ryu and gets away with it that easily. She would find out who it was and get him good.
"Do you think Ryu's gonna be okay?" the boy asked her.
Sakura shrugged. "I dunno. The man that took us here told me he was going to be fine. He said he didn't see any signs of broken bones or anything. Besides, Ryu is a champion! He can live through anything!" Sakura could've sworn she heard a wolf-like grown coming from the boy. She looked at him with wide, fearful eyes. "What the heck was that?!"
The boy blushed, looking slightly embarrassed. "Ryu was going to buy me something to eat," he said. "I haven't eaten my dinner yet."
Sakura dug the change from her pocket from her registering fee at the tournament arena. "Here," she said, giving him a handful of change. "There's seven hundred yen. What do you say we go and grab a quick bite to eat? I don't think the doctors will be done with Ryu for awhile."
The boy's eyes lit up. "Okay!"
"By the way, what's your name? My name is Sakura." She pointed to herself.
"I'm Kenny," he replied. "So where are we gonna eat?
This kid doesn't waste a second, does he? "Well, Sakura replied, "I only have enough money for McDonald's. Is that okay with you?"
"I don't know," Kenny said, looking worried. "Ryu told me McDonald's food will kill me."
"Haha," Sakura laughed. "Don't worry, it's only a metaphor." Seeing the confused look on his face, Sakura realized she shouldn't have used such big words. "One little burger won't kill a big brave boy like you, right?"
"Of course not!" A beaming smile formed on Kenny's face.
"Well, then what are you waiting
for? Let's go!"