DeNice: Heh... it's me again... Anyway, this will be a rather lengthy
chapter so I hope you went to the bathroom before reading on. Yeah... I'm
not going to say anything about what's going to happen. Just check it out.
----- ------
Chapter 11: Realization
"...look... he's coming out of it."
"He is? Darrell... can you hear me? Can you hear anything at all?"
(I... Wha... what's going on...? Where am I?)
"I think he's coming along slowly."
"Don't be afraid, Darrell. You're in Koui Hospital again."
(What? The... hospital? Is that why I'm... feeling so much pain in my head and body? I... need to open... my eyes... I've got to...)
Darrell finally did and laid eyes on three doctors looming over him with worried looks, which all turned to smiles. He looked around slowly, letting his environment sink into him mind. It was a solitary hospital room full of equipment, drawers and a TV overhead. Darrell sat up in his bed, two of the doctors helping him.
"Are you feeling okay, Darrell?" the doctor in front of him asked. Darrell slowly nodded.
"Uh... yeah... I think... What happened...?"
The female doctor to his left answered this one. "You... were in a coma for almost 2 weeks. A young man and a young woman brought you here..."
At this moment, Uriko and Rei popped into his mind, but his thoughts were interrupted with the female doctor's next remark.
"Yeah... you and another young lade were admitted here. You two seem to be here a lot together, huh?"
Darrell's eyes went wide. "You mean... Sakura? Sakura Kasugano??"
The woman hesitated and then nodded. "Yes..."
Panic spread through Darrell's body. If he was out cold for two weeks... he could only imagine how badly Sakura was injured... and he couldn't even remember anything within the past two weeks.
"Please... tell me," he pleased, "Where is she? I need to see how she is."
"Rest assured she's recovering quickly from a broken rib. She'll be fine in a couple of days. You, on the other hand..."
"What?" Darrell asked, expecting the worst. All three doctors gave a grim looks, then the same woman that spoke said, "You have a badly damaged left lung. I'm afraid... that you won't be street fighting in a long time..."
The news was swift to Darrell... and it hurt. He felt as if he would burst out crying but he needed to know.
"You can't be serious... can you?"
Oddly the woman smiled. "Actually, I'm not. You will still feel pain, but your most serious injuries healed about two days ago or so. Your will must be strong to recover so quickly. I mean, you were supposed to be in a coma for at least two months... What happened to you two anyway? This is the second time in about a month that you've been in the hospital with serious injuries."
Darrell thought about it for the longest time... but his mind was a complete blank.
"I... don't know... I can't remember."
"That's to be expected. Don't worry about it. Do you wish to rest next or would you like to see Sakura. She's next door to you."
A smile appeared across his face. "Yes. I'd like to see how she is doing. Maybe she can clear up what happened to us."
"Fine. We'll be back to check on you later if you won't need us..."
Darrell nodded, saying that he was feeling fine and as the doctors left Darrell slowly rolled off his bed, falling on his hands and knees.
(Man... my balance isn't up... Gotta take this slow...)
Using the bed of leverage, Darrell lifted himself to his feet and slowly made his way to Sakura's door. He looked through that window... and grew wide-eyes at what he saw.
(What the hell!?!)
Vigor seemed to jump into his body and he busted through the door. All motion stopped in the room... but just a few seconds later Darrell made up his mind.
"Mitsukake, I swear I'll KILL YOU!!"
---- ----
Sakura normally would have been happy that after two weeks Darrell had snapped out of a coma that should have lasted about two months at the least, but now... things were going out of control quickly. First, Mitsu visits again, like he has been doing everyday after school, and starts to chat and comfort her like he normally does, and then he gave her a very soothing hug. Now, Darrell, who almost murdered her two weeks ago in a mindless craze, comes in declaring to kill her new best friend. She wasn't thinking clearly, and before she or anyone else moved, Darrell raced and grabbed Mitsu by his neck and slammed him into the wall.
"I... I can't believe that I wake up from a coma and THIS is the first thing I see you guys going!" Darrell said, full of anger. "I just knew you two were becoming more than friends... and then you guys go behind my back on this! I'll never forgive you, Mitsu!"
Sakura seen Mitsu's eyes bulge out. "D... Darrell... You wouldn't..."
A sneer crossed Darrell's face. "Yes, I would... I knew deep down that you didn't like me... To hell with that... you HATE me! Well, guess what, Mitsukake? I HATE YOU, TOO!!!" His grip tightened, making Mitsu claw on his arm. "Now... how about we SETTLE this, mon ami?"
Darrell's right hand rose up, balling into a fist. Mistu let out a long gasp, knowing what was going to happen next.
"I'll see you in hell..."
"STOP!!!"
BAM...
Darrell instantly dropped Mitsu off the wall while falling to his side. His anger plummeted as he tried to sort out what had just happened. He felt that similar energy attack before... He looked behind him and was in shock.
"Darrell..." Sakura solemnly said, getting out her Hadouken stance and grabbing her side a bit, giving Darrell a hardened glare. As Mitsu scrambled to his feet, away from his assailant, Darrell stared at Sakura longer... then he looked to the floor, grabbing his teeth.
"Go on..." he started, his words choked up. "Say it..."
Sakura raised an eyebrow. "Say what?"
"Say that you'll leave me for Mitsu," he replied, tears starting to run down his cheeks. "I can sense it coming. He obviously cares for you more that I do... It's clear. I don't know what happened to me two weeks ago, but it must have hurt you... Mitsu's been *hic* try to confront you and I *sniff* I *sniff*..."
At this point he totally broke down in tears.
"I'm so sorry, Sakura! I... I'm so very sorry! How could... I be so selfish!? All I've been thinking about myself! I... give up. Mitsu can give more... then my pathetic ass..."
Mitsu was celebrating inside his mind. This moment was sweater than candy; having Darrell willingly admit himself unworthy of Sakura's love and that he was the better candidate. Sakura, on the other hand, was almost about to cry herself. She sat down next to her boyfriend on the floor and asked, "Darrell... why would you... want me to do that...?"
"Isn't it obvious? I'm pathetic... I'm stupid... and I'm pretty sure that I'm the reason why we were hospitalized, even though I can't remember what happened. Why wouldn't you leave me for someone better?"
"You want to know why?" Sakura asked then answered herself. "Think about all that we've done together. I saved you from a pack of Justice High students who were beating you senseless. I did to you what I wish Ryu would have done to me; teach me how to become a better fighter. We've traveled the world together with our friend, Hinata, and my sis. We've fought many tough fighters and overpowered freaks together. We've went out to movie, restaurants, and shopping together. We've been together to support, help, and joke around with one another... Hell, we've even had sex together and loved every second of it!"
That part literally shattered Mitsu's heart right then and there as he stood in shock near the wall closest to Sakura.
(They... really did that..?) he asked himself. (That means... she... both of them... aren't virgin anymore?)
Do you remember..." Sakura said while holding onto one of Darrell's hands, "the last thing you said as we lay in each others arms that night?"
Darrell now stared at Sakura, coming around from his slump. "Yes... 'Sakura. I love you. There's no way. I'm leaving you. We're one, now. Let's not forget it.'"
Sakura started to crack a smile. "I never forgot that... and what about the very last part? The one part that you made me vow to do?"
"'If I forget that. hit me with another Midare Zakura. I'll remind myself... while you kick my butt.' Word for word..."
Sakura then stood, smirked... and yelled out two words.
"Midare Zakura!!!"
Darrell was totally caught off guard and as Sakura unleashed her barrage of attacks, one thought appeared in Darrell's mind. It was very clear now..."
"Shouoken!" she ended with her signature uppercut move, knocking Darrell into the hospital wall. He somehow found the strength to stay up on his weak feet and walked towards Sakura, who still held her side a bit. She couldn't believe that she was able to do the entire move with a recovering rib... Maybe fate let it happen... and it worked. As Darrell got close, he spoke with a very soft voice.
"You... still love me...?"
"Of course, my little chocolate bar..." Sakura replied soothingly, giving him a hug, "No matter what happened between us... I'll love you no matter what."
Darrell felt like putty now. Despite all that happened to them, although he couldn't remember, Sakura still had her heart for him and him alone... He sighed deeply and said "Sakura... I... I'm so lucky to have a girl like you. You're so forgiving and-"
Sakura silenced him by putting a finger on his lips.
"Just shut up and kiss me. Tell me your feeling with that..."
"Sure, my big cherry blossom..." and with that they started to share their most passionate kiss in a long while, playing in the others mouths with their tongues and exploring the other's bodies with their fingers. As their moment went on, Mitsu started to silently move out of the room. His heard was broken and that scene only added insulted to injury. Just as he opened the door, Darrell looked up, broke the kiss, and said, "Mitsukake..."
The taller boy stopped, not looking back, and responded with, "What do you want with me? You're gotten everything that you've wanted..."
"Everything... except... your forgiveness..."
Mitsu turned around while raising an eyebrow as Darrell walked over to him. Darrell's eyes were soft and friendly this time.
"I've... judged you before I've... even got to know you..." Darrell mumbled loudly. "I'm... so sorry that I... assaulted you earlier and... I want to start from the beginning and... you know... be friends.
"Are you serious?" Mitsu asked. Darrell nodded. Mistu had the mind to put up a look of scolding... but somehow he couldn't. Somehow... he didn't feel the same amount of anger he did before. Darrell then extended a hand, a symbol of friendship.
"Yeah... from the beginning, Mitsu..."
A long silence passed before Mitsu slowly gasped his hand and shook it.
"From the beginning," Mitsu repeated, finding himself smiling somehow.
(I still think he's an asshole... but... maybe he's not that big of an asshole... as I thought.)
"You two are great, you know that?" Sakura said while giving both boys a huge hug. "I'm just glad that everything's okay..."
"Sis?"
The moment was broken when Sakura's dark twin showed up from the open door. Behind her were Kei, Uriko, Rei, Hinata... and a very special guest, Karin Kanzuki, Sakura's rival.
"So... this is where you've been all this time, huh?" Karin asked while speaking to her rival from the door. Sakura got off Darrell and Mitsu and blushed.
"Your sister told me everything when we sparred two days ago," the blond continued. "She said a lot of things have been happening to you and I figured that I'd stop by. Seems you're a glutton for punishment these days."
A vein in Sakura's forehead popped out in a look of annoyance. "Watch it, Kanzuki. Once I get back to 100% we're fighting!"
"Yeah, so you can re-enter the hospital again?" Karin joked. "That's no problem with me!"
"Sure... not unless you go first!"
"Speaking of things happening..." Darrell interrupted, trying to change subject while looking at Uriko and Rei, "What about that guy who was holding your family hostage? Did he...?"
Uriko smiled while shaking her head. "That's SO last week. I already handled my... business with that bastard. I'm just happy my family's safe." Rei nodded in confirmation.
"Oh... congratulations," Darrell commented. As Kei, Sakura S, Karin, and Mitsu started to socialize, Darrell just looked on and smirked. Things were looking up... that is, until Hinata topped his shoulder.
"Uh... Darrell?" she called.
"Yes, Hinata?"
"Someone wanted me to... direct him here. You want to see him?"
"Sure. Who is it?"
"Okay..." she then gestured someone in the other room to come in and once he stepped in, Darrell freaked.
"BATSU ICHIMONJI!?!"
The wild-haired teen smirked while eyeing sown his second rival. "Looks like I never fail to see you in some type of crazy condition, huh?"
"Oh, shut up!" Darrell shot back. "Don't mess with me now that I'm in the hospital..."
"Nah... This is the perfect time to spread some bragging rights. I practically own Tamagawa Minami in street fights because you and Sakura aren't there for me to challenge. How about it? Once you get out, you and Sakura vs. me and Hinata, right at Taiyo."
"Why just us four," Darrell asked with a cocky grin. "We add Karin and you add Kyosuke. 3 on 3. Tell Roy and his Pacific High buddies they can come if they want to see a real fight."
"Sure, whatever. I'll make sure the word is spread all over for this one!"
"You do that!"
As the two hotheads began organizing the latest battle between two friendly rival schools, Taiyo High and Tamagawa Minami High, everyone else just looked at them, sweatdropping.
"It seem... as if we've got ourselves a little rival school battle, huh?" Hinata said. Both Sakuras and Karin nodded.
"Sounds like it..." Sakura S. answered matter-of-factly... "AND I'M NOT IN IT!!!"
---- ----
Sakura: Wow! That was a great ending, wasn't it?
Darrell: What the heck are you talking about, Sakura?
Batsu: Yeah! We've gotta do this battle before this story can end, and I'm sure that it's going to be a barnburner!
Ryu: (just coming in) I have to admit... I'd like to see this in person.
Sakura: RYU!?! You are... actually going to appear just to watch us!?
Ryu: Sure. I'd like to see the progress of you young fighters... especially you, Sakura... Maybe I'll invite Ken, Sean, and *cough*Dan*cough* as well.
Sakura: What was the last one?
Ryu: Uh... Sean?
Sakura: Oh....
Darrell: Whatever... Make sure you review and check out the next chapters. If you like a nice street fight then you're gonna get it! Okay, Chan! Take it away!
----- ------
Chapter 11: Realization
"...look... he's coming out of it."
"He is? Darrell... can you hear me? Can you hear anything at all?"
(I... Wha... what's going on...? Where am I?)
"I think he's coming along slowly."
"Don't be afraid, Darrell. You're in Koui Hospital again."
(What? The... hospital? Is that why I'm... feeling so much pain in my head and body? I... need to open... my eyes... I've got to...)
Darrell finally did and laid eyes on three doctors looming over him with worried looks, which all turned to smiles. He looked around slowly, letting his environment sink into him mind. It was a solitary hospital room full of equipment, drawers and a TV overhead. Darrell sat up in his bed, two of the doctors helping him.
"Are you feeling okay, Darrell?" the doctor in front of him asked. Darrell slowly nodded.
"Uh... yeah... I think... What happened...?"
The female doctor to his left answered this one. "You... were in a coma for almost 2 weeks. A young man and a young woman brought you here..."
At this moment, Uriko and Rei popped into his mind, but his thoughts were interrupted with the female doctor's next remark.
"Yeah... you and another young lade were admitted here. You two seem to be here a lot together, huh?"
Darrell's eyes went wide. "You mean... Sakura? Sakura Kasugano??"
The woman hesitated and then nodded. "Yes..."
Panic spread through Darrell's body. If he was out cold for two weeks... he could only imagine how badly Sakura was injured... and he couldn't even remember anything within the past two weeks.
"Please... tell me," he pleased, "Where is she? I need to see how she is."
"Rest assured she's recovering quickly from a broken rib. She'll be fine in a couple of days. You, on the other hand..."
"What?" Darrell asked, expecting the worst. All three doctors gave a grim looks, then the same woman that spoke said, "You have a badly damaged left lung. I'm afraid... that you won't be street fighting in a long time..."
The news was swift to Darrell... and it hurt. He felt as if he would burst out crying but he needed to know.
"You can't be serious... can you?"
Oddly the woman smiled. "Actually, I'm not. You will still feel pain, but your most serious injuries healed about two days ago or so. Your will must be strong to recover so quickly. I mean, you were supposed to be in a coma for at least two months... What happened to you two anyway? This is the second time in about a month that you've been in the hospital with serious injuries."
Darrell thought about it for the longest time... but his mind was a complete blank.
"I... don't know... I can't remember."
"That's to be expected. Don't worry about it. Do you wish to rest next or would you like to see Sakura. She's next door to you."
A smile appeared across his face. "Yes. I'd like to see how she is doing. Maybe she can clear up what happened to us."
"Fine. We'll be back to check on you later if you won't need us..."
Darrell nodded, saying that he was feeling fine and as the doctors left Darrell slowly rolled off his bed, falling on his hands and knees.
(Man... my balance isn't up... Gotta take this slow...)
Using the bed of leverage, Darrell lifted himself to his feet and slowly made his way to Sakura's door. He looked through that window... and grew wide-eyes at what he saw.
(What the hell!?!)
Vigor seemed to jump into his body and he busted through the door. All motion stopped in the room... but just a few seconds later Darrell made up his mind.
"Mitsukake, I swear I'll KILL YOU!!"
---- ----
Sakura normally would have been happy that after two weeks Darrell had snapped out of a coma that should have lasted about two months at the least, but now... things were going out of control quickly. First, Mitsu visits again, like he has been doing everyday after school, and starts to chat and comfort her like he normally does, and then he gave her a very soothing hug. Now, Darrell, who almost murdered her two weeks ago in a mindless craze, comes in declaring to kill her new best friend. She wasn't thinking clearly, and before she or anyone else moved, Darrell raced and grabbed Mitsu by his neck and slammed him into the wall.
"I... I can't believe that I wake up from a coma and THIS is the first thing I see you guys going!" Darrell said, full of anger. "I just knew you two were becoming more than friends... and then you guys go behind my back on this! I'll never forgive you, Mitsu!"
Sakura seen Mitsu's eyes bulge out. "D... Darrell... You wouldn't..."
A sneer crossed Darrell's face. "Yes, I would... I knew deep down that you didn't like me... To hell with that... you HATE me! Well, guess what, Mitsukake? I HATE YOU, TOO!!!" His grip tightened, making Mitsu claw on his arm. "Now... how about we SETTLE this, mon ami?"
Darrell's right hand rose up, balling into a fist. Mistu let out a long gasp, knowing what was going to happen next.
"I'll see you in hell..."
"STOP!!!"
BAM...
Darrell instantly dropped Mitsu off the wall while falling to his side. His anger plummeted as he tried to sort out what had just happened. He felt that similar energy attack before... He looked behind him and was in shock.
"Darrell..." Sakura solemnly said, getting out her Hadouken stance and grabbing her side a bit, giving Darrell a hardened glare. As Mitsu scrambled to his feet, away from his assailant, Darrell stared at Sakura longer... then he looked to the floor, grabbing his teeth.
"Go on..." he started, his words choked up. "Say it..."
Sakura raised an eyebrow. "Say what?"
"Say that you'll leave me for Mitsu," he replied, tears starting to run down his cheeks. "I can sense it coming. He obviously cares for you more that I do... It's clear. I don't know what happened to me two weeks ago, but it must have hurt you... Mitsu's been *hic* try to confront you and I *sniff* I *sniff*..."
At this point he totally broke down in tears.
"I'm so sorry, Sakura! I... I'm so very sorry! How could... I be so selfish!? All I've been thinking about myself! I... give up. Mitsu can give more... then my pathetic ass..."
Mitsu was celebrating inside his mind. This moment was sweater than candy; having Darrell willingly admit himself unworthy of Sakura's love and that he was the better candidate. Sakura, on the other hand, was almost about to cry herself. She sat down next to her boyfriend on the floor and asked, "Darrell... why would you... want me to do that...?"
"Isn't it obvious? I'm pathetic... I'm stupid... and I'm pretty sure that I'm the reason why we were hospitalized, even though I can't remember what happened. Why wouldn't you leave me for someone better?"
"You want to know why?" Sakura asked then answered herself. "Think about all that we've done together. I saved you from a pack of Justice High students who were beating you senseless. I did to you what I wish Ryu would have done to me; teach me how to become a better fighter. We've traveled the world together with our friend, Hinata, and my sis. We've fought many tough fighters and overpowered freaks together. We've went out to movie, restaurants, and shopping together. We've been together to support, help, and joke around with one another... Hell, we've even had sex together and loved every second of it!"
That part literally shattered Mitsu's heart right then and there as he stood in shock near the wall closest to Sakura.
(They... really did that..?) he asked himself. (That means... she... both of them... aren't virgin anymore?)
Do you remember..." Sakura said while holding onto one of Darrell's hands, "the last thing you said as we lay in each others arms that night?"
Darrell now stared at Sakura, coming around from his slump. "Yes... 'Sakura. I love you. There's no way. I'm leaving you. We're one, now. Let's not forget it.'"
Sakura started to crack a smile. "I never forgot that... and what about the very last part? The one part that you made me vow to do?"
"'If I forget that. hit me with another Midare Zakura. I'll remind myself... while you kick my butt.' Word for word..."
Sakura then stood, smirked... and yelled out two words.
"Midare Zakura!!!"
Darrell was totally caught off guard and as Sakura unleashed her barrage of attacks, one thought appeared in Darrell's mind. It was very clear now..."
"Shouoken!" she ended with her signature uppercut move, knocking Darrell into the hospital wall. He somehow found the strength to stay up on his weak feet and walked towards Sakura, who still held her side a bit. She couldn't believe that she was able to do the entire move with a recovering rib... Maybe fate let it happen... and it worked. As Darrell got close, he spoke with a very soft voice.
"You... still love me...?"
"Of course, my little chocolate bar..." Sakura replied soothingly, giving him a hug, "No matter what happened between us... I'll love you no matter what."
Darrell felt like putty now. Despite all that happened to them, although he couldn't remember, Sakura still had her heart for him and him alone... He sighed deeply and said "Sakura... I... I'm so lucky to have a girl like you. You're so forgiving and-"
Sakura silenced him by putting a finger on his lips.
"Just shut up and kiss me. Tell me your feeling with that..."
"Sure, my big cherry blossom..." and with that they started to share their most passionate kiss in a long while, playing in the others mouths with their tongues and exploring the other's bodies with their fingers. As their moment went on, Mitsu started to silently move out of the room. His heard was broken and that scene only added insulted to injury. Just as he opened the door, Darrell looked up, broke the kiss, and said, "Mitsukake..."
The taller boy stopped, not looking back, and responded with, "What do you want with me? You're gotten everything that you've wanted..."
"Everything... except... your forgiveness..."
Mitsu turned around while raising an eyebrow as Darrell walked over to him. Darrell's eyes were soft and friendly this time.
"I've... judged you before I've... even got to know you..." Darrell mumbled loudly. "I'm... so sorry that I... assaulted you earlier and... I want to start from the beginning and... you know... be friends.
"Are you serious?" Mitsu asked. Darrell nodded. Mistu had the mind to put up a look of scolding... but somehow he couldn't. Somehow... he didn't feel the same amount of anger he did before. Darrell then extended a hand, a symbol of friendship.
"Yeah... from the beginning, Mitsu..."
A long silence passed before Mitsu slowly gasped his hand and shook it.
"From the beginning," Mitsu repeated, finding himself smiling somehow.
(I still think he's an asshole... but... maybe he's not that big of an asshole... as I thought.)
"You two are great, you know that?" Sakura said while giving both boys a huge hug. "I'm just glad that everything's okay..."
"Sis?"
The moment was broken when Sakura's dark twin showed up from the open door. Behind her were Kei, Uriko, Rei, Hinata... and a very special guest, Karin Kanzuki, Sakura's rival.
"So... this is where you've been all this time, huh?" Karin asked while speaking to her rival from the door. Sakura got off Darrell and Mitsu and blushed.
"Your sister told me everything when we sparred two days ago," the blond continued. "She said a lot of things have been happening to you and I figured that I'd stop by. Seems you're a glutton for punishment these days."
A vein in Sakura's forehead popped out in a look of annoyance. "Watch it, Kanzuki. Once I get back to 100% we're fighting!"
"Yeah, so you can re-enter the hospital again?" Karin joked. "That's no problem with me!"
"Sure... not unless you go first!"
"Speaking of things happening..." Darrell interrupted, trying to change subject while looking at Uriko and Rei, "What about that guy who was holding your family hostage? Did he...?"
Uriko smiled while shaking her head. "That's SO last week. I already handled my... business with that bastard. I'm just happy my family's safe." Rei nodded in confirmation.
"Oh... congratulations," Darrell commented. As Kei, Sakura S, Karin, and Mitsu started to socialize, Darrell just looked on and smirked. Things were looking up... that is, until Hinata topped his shoulder.
"Uh... Darrell?" she called.
"Yes, Hinata?"
"Someone wanted me to... direct him here. You want to see him?"
"Sure. Who is it?"
"Okay..." she then gestured someone in the other room to come in and once he stepped in, Darrell freaked.
"BATSU ICHIMONJI!?!"
The wild-haired teen smirked while eyeing sown his second rival. "Looks like I never fail to see you in some type of crazy condition, huh?"
"Oh, shut up!" Darrell shot back. "Don't mess with me now that I'm in the hospital..."
"Nah... This is the perfect time to spread some bragging rights. I practically own Tamagawa Minami in street fights because you and Sakura aren't there for me to challenge. How about it? Once you get out, you and Sakura vs. me and Hinata, right at Taiyo."
"Why just us four," Darrell asked with a cocky grin. "We add Karin and you add Kyosuke. 3 on 3. Tell Roy and his Pacific High buddies they can come if they want to see a real fight."
"Sure, whatever. I'll make sure the word is spread all over for this one!"
"You do that!"
As the two hotheads began organizing the latest battle between two friendly rival schools, Taiyo High and Tamagawa Minami High, everyone else just looked at them, sweatdropping.
"It seem... as if we've got ourselves a little rival school battle, huh?" Hinata said. Both Sakuras and Karin nodded.
"Sounds like it..." Sakura S. answered matter-of-factly... "AND I'M NOT IN IT!!!"
---- ----
Sakura: Wow! That was a great ending, wasn't it?
Darrell: What the heck are you talking about, Sakura?
Batsu: Yeah! We've gotta do this battle before this story can end, and I'm sure that it's going to be a barnburner!
Ryu: (just coming in) I have to admit... I'd like to see this in person.
Sakura: RYU!?! You are... actually going to appear just to watch us!?
Ryu: Sure. I'd like to see the progress of you young fighters... especially you, Sakura... Maybe I'll invite Ken, Sean, and *cough*Dan*cough* as well.
Sakura: What was the last one?
Ryu: Uh... Sean?
Sakura: Oh....
Darrell: Whatever... Make sure you review and check out the next chapters. If you like a nice street fight then you're gonna get it! Okay, Chan! Take it away!