Where… where am I…?

A soft voice interrupted her thoughts, startling her into complete consciousness.

"You fainted, so I took you back to your hotel room. I apologise if my actions were seen as an intrusion to your personal space,"

She sat up instantly, ignoring the stabbing pain in her forehead. Ryu was sitting there, emerald eyeing her intensely as he perched on the edge of the couch. He looked distinctly uncomfortable, and it was then she realised with a start that his previous comment had been far from jesting.

"No, you… you're fine," she managed to get out, swinging her feet to the ground. "Make yourself at home,"

Her words of comfort did little to persuade her guest, she noted. However, as though he could feel her stormy grey gaze on him, he stood up fluidly, with the poise and grace of a cat.

"Would you like some coffee or tea in that case?"

She nodded, getting unsteadily to her feet and instantly regretting it as she lost her footing, watching as the ground came rushing up to meet her. However, instead of dull impact as the she hit the floor, she felt a sudden warmth as she realised she was in his arms.

"Be careful. You still aren't fully better yet. I apologise. I don't know what I was thinking, to bring it up in such a casual and uncouth way. Please do forgive my idiocy,"

She nodded, staring as though hypnotised into swirling emerald orbs. The next thing she knew was the deliciously endearing taste of absolute purity as his lips touched hers.

What, what… what is he doing? Kissing me? Why? The thought whisked away as soon as it crept into her mind, her lips responding in the only way they knew to the kiss, returning it.

Her heart was pounding like a caged thing, threatening to rise out of her chest. This feels so different, yet so right. As though it was meant to be. He feels so good in my arms. And I fit so nicely into his. It really feels like destiny.

With a sudden start, he pulled away, enough to leave her, even still in his arms, reeling from the shock. "Leifang. I… I don't know what I was thinking,"

"That's okay. Don't apologise," she held up a hand before he could do so as he set her gently on the foot of the bed. "You're a good kisser, by the way,"

"No. This is wrong," With confusion, she had noticed that he had backed away from her. "We should never be doing this. Even with that, your life could be put in danger,"

She couldn't help snorting. "How so?"

"You know nothing of the life we lead," his voice was low, as he stared at his hands, folded in his lap. "Anything, even the merest little mistake, could be counted against you,"

"A mistake?" Without meaning to, her voice had risen. "Is that all this was to you? A mistake? I suppose it was a mistake for you inviting me to lunch yesterday? Because it certainly was a mistake for you to mention my friend's demise in such a coy manner! You should be ashamed of yourself, insulting her memory by such a demeaning remark!"

"Perhaps so," Unlike the fire she was expecting, what she had always received when arguing back with Jann, there was nothing. Simply resignation. Defeat. Admittance? "All I can do is apologise again, Miss Leifang,"

What the? Miss Leifang? Either he's suddenly turned really formal, or he's just doing it to demean me. And… I can't tell which he's doing. I hate that.

"Do you think that you're so above me you can demean me like that?"

Again, a look of resignation. "I was just trying to be polite. I really should go. I'm sure that both you and I have better things to do with our time then engage in this petty and meaningless conversation,"

She gritted her teeth. Even if he doesn't mean to, he has this aggravating way of making everything sound so damn condescending. I can't tell whether he's being sarcastic or not, which really aggravates me! He reminds me so much of Jann-Lee in that respect. Or perhaps it's just the word 'condescending' that reminds me of Jann-Lee more.

"So is that all this was? I thought we were beginning to know each other better, I thought I was finally getting to know you, the one they call the enigmatic but one of the strongest fighters in the world, just a little bit better. But obviously not. Obviously you were merely being polite when you invited me to dine with you, and being polite meant you were forced to engage in 'petty and meaningless conversation',"

"Look, I didn't mean it like that. I-" he broke off abruptly. "I'm wasting oxygen even trying to convince you otherwise, aren't I? No wonder you and Jann couldn't keep your relationship going. You are both as stubborn and bull-headed as each other. A brick wall would crumble under the pressure you would apply onto it,"

"Get out of my room!" she pointed to the door furiously. "Don't ever insult me again! Get out of my house and don't come back!"

"As you wish," She turned away from him, glaring at the wooden door. The next minute she turned back to tell him to hurry up again, he had gone.