Legal BS Disclaimer: All characters from Street Fighter, Rival Schools, and Final Fight are the property of Capcom Entertainment, while the characters from the Fatal Fury series and King of Fighters series are the property of SNK Playmore. The original story 'Heat' is the property of Lord Archive.
Part One
Time sure files when you kick other people's asses, or spending time with your friends and the people you call your family.
It has been almost four months since the little fiasco that led me into the arms of Chun Li. Since then, we've been going steady, and right now, I'm seriously debating on whether or not that I should propose to her, but everytime I think about proposing, I lose my nerve.
Don't get me wrong, she's all that I wanted in a woman, but I chicken out when I try and ask her. At least I'm not alone, since both Ken and Guile choked when they asked their respective wives for their hands in marriage.
I thought that after Chun Li and I had made out relationship official, that most of the women would stop chasing me.
Of course, I was wrong.
I told Chun Li shortly after we had started dating about several girls, both good and bad chasing after me the day she arrived. She was surprised that I didn't slept with any of them, but understood that because she pretty much lucked out in snaring me, of all people. Of course most of the girls who were pursuing me had backed down when they see me with Chun Li, lest they end up being on Chun Li's bad side. And Chun Li's a total hellcat when she's upset. Trust me. I know.
Ryu and Chun Li's home, near Tokyo...-
I was in the middle of a training session with my pupil.
We were both in the dojo, Sakura in her blue karate gi (I had forbade her in praticing in her fuku) and myself in my own karate gi. Sakura was attacking and I was defending against her attacks. She threw a punch at me and I simply grabbed her wrist and flipped her on her back. Folding my arms across my chest and wearing my ususal stoic expression, I looked down at my apprentice and said, "You're relying on your emotions too much, Sakura. Remember your training."
Sakura nodded and got back to her feet. She attacked me again. Although she was schooled once again in martial arts my me, she was doing better. She almost managed to knock me down, but I recovered and in a matter of moments, my apprentice was flat on her back once again.
"That was a bit of improvement, but still, Sakura," I noted, extending my hand out to the younger girl. At least she respected my relationship with Chun Li, as well as several other girls. I knew that she had a crush on me one time, but come on, she's like a sister to me.
I told Ken about my exploits when he visited me several months back, and he had the nerve to yell at me for not taking advantage of a situation like that. Or course, Ken wouldn't either, because Eliza and Guile would kill him.
Sakura nodded. "I know, Sempai. Less emotion, more training."
"Good," I replied. "Keep praticing."
I turned and left her in the dojo and walked back into the house. I've been in the dojo since early this morning and have been training Sakura for nearly three hours.
Chun Li wasn't here. Instead, she was in China, competing in a Kung Fu tournament, along with Fei Long and Gen's martial arts school, and wouldn't be back until tomorrow evening. Well, to tell you the truth, despite spending time with Chun Li and training Sakura, things were pretty boring without someone to fight.
Then I remembered something. It was that time of the month that I was to head over to the Bushin training hall for my match with Guy. Unfortunately, Guy had dislocated his shoulder several days ago while sparring with Maki. I guess I could go and visit him and see how he is doing.
Tokyo, Japan, later on...-
Winter was starting to set in the city, so I had to dress accordingly. I was wearing a sweater, which was partially visible underneath the jacket that I was wearing, and a pair of pants and boots that Ken gave to me for my last birthday. I took a train from the nearest town to Tokyo, where the Bushin training hall was located.
Upon arriving, Rena greeted me at the door.
"Ryu! This is unexpected," she said.
I grinned. "I know that Guy is injured, so I decided to come and visit him, to see how he's doing with his bad shoulder and all."
Rena gestured me to follow her. "Guy's in the living room. He'll be happy to see you."
Happy wasn't the word to describe it. Guy was surprised to see me. So I stayed over there for an hour and half, chatting with Guy. Rena even made dinner, so of course I had to stay (I can't refuse a free meal).
Then Maki showed up during dinner. As before when I first ran into her (and knocked her on her butt), she was wearing the Bushin ninja uniform.
"Fancy meeting you here, Ryu," she greeted me as she took a seat.
"I came to check on your brother-in-law," I replied as I took a sip of water, "and Rena invited me to stay for dinner."
I've known Maki ever since Guy and Rena were dating and it's a known fact that Maki had a crush on me. Of course, she's more like a sister to me, rather than a romantic interest. The dinner went on without incident and I decided to leave.
As I neared the door, Maki stopped me.
I turned to the female Bushin trainee. "Yes, Maki?"
Maki shuffled her feet back and forth. "If you're not doing anything tomorrow, then maybe I can come by the dojo and spar with you?"
I thought about it for a moment. "Well...my student needs someone to spar with. What about her?"
Maki nodded. "That's fine. I'll see you tomorrow then."
I nodded in response as I grabbed my jacket and walk out the door. I really didn't feel like going home but something told me that I should have.