Chapter name a little play on words, everybody knows (I think??) how Jann-Lee (or Chicken-Man as a few of my friends and I like to call him) is called the Dragon, and some people know how Ryu means Dragon in Japanese (Dragon Falcon?? But anyway Japanese makes it sound so much nicer) so… :)
Ryu hadn't had much sleep that previous night after beating Kasumi. In his heart, he really doubted that what he had done to Kasumi was what Hayate had wanted him to do, and that in itself was enough to deprive him of a good night's sleep, not to mention that he had mysterious dreams about a lavender-haired girl stabbing him in the back as soon as he did eventually drift off to sleep. No matter how much he tried to convince himself that Kasumi was better injured as she was then dead at the hands of the Tengu, he still couldn't purely persuade himself into believing that he had done the right thing. He decided to wander the streets around the tournament arenas, and ended up on a building with several rails. The whole street area looked ransacked and dilapidated, and he was just considering going when suddenly, a fist flew at him accompanied by a loud battle cry.
He immediately caught it, blocking it from doing any damage. Annoyance filled him that he hadn't noticed the fist flying at him until it was nearly too late. He glanced at the owner, still holding his arm. Jann-Lee from the previous tournament. He was strong, but he let emotions drive him too much. Not that I can really say that I haven't done that myself, he thought bitterly.
"Leave. Now," he hissed at the Chinese fighter, who was looking more and more arrogant by the minute. "This is not a simple combat championship,"
The look that he was given proved that the self proclaimed 'Dragon' was not getting the gist of his statement. He decided to bite the bullet and put his words into cynicism clear enough for anybody to understand. No others should die by the hands of the Tengu. Without realizing it at the time, he was set on doing the same thing to Jann-Lee as to Kasumi. "I don't think you… commoners can handle it," he hissed instead.
"Keep your mouth shut!" Jann-Lee spat out, wrenching his arm from Ryu's grip, immediately getting into a fighting position. It didn't surprise Ryu this time to hear the speaker yell 'Fight!'
Jann-Lee made the first move. It was clear that he would, considering the offence he had taken at Ryu's previous comment. He let one first fly, and Ryu immediately put up his hands into the blocking position. Even still, the force of the blow made him stumble with the impact of it. The Chinese man used this as an advantage, grabbing his head from behind and pulling it backwards.
Pain flooded through his neck and so it barely registered when he was thrown to the ground. He remained there for several moments, trying to get the world into focus again. He got up before performing the 'Tenrin-Kyaku', the backwards kick which Hayate had once seen and swore that he had got muscle strain simply watching him do it. He chastised himself mentally. Now was not the time to be thinking of Hayate. Jann-Lee fell to the ground, before rolling and getting up instantly. It didn't matter. Ryu thought to himself, adrenaline powering him. There is no way that you are losing to an arrogant Chinese man whose battle cry sounds more like a chicken then anything else. He did a high kick, temporarily stunning the Chinese, before bringing his heel above his head and slamming it down on Jann-Lee's own. He fell to the ground instantly, and remained there for a few seconds before jumping to his feet again. Ryu was expecting this, and immediately ran over to Jann-Lee before grabbing him. The Chinese man stiffened, expecting a throw; expect Ryu merely vaulted over his shoulders, landing at Jann-Lee's back. Before the Dragon could turn around, Ryu neatly grabbed him, jumping onto his shoulders, before flipping him over and landing him face-first into the dirt in a matter of seconds. Jann-Lee immediately sprung to his feet, more because of pride then anything else, as Ryu did another neat flip off him onto the ground, before unleashing the two punches followed by three kicks he had used on Kasumi. Only four of the blows connected, but it was enough to send Jann-Lee flying across the arena. It was over. He was one step closer to facing his destiny.
"Fare-thee-well," he said softly, before vanishing in a swirl of leaves.
More Ein next chapter, for those Ein fans, I know you exist because my friend is one (actually, I think she likes his looks more then him but, well…) Anyway, until next time! :)