The Answer Lies in the Heart of Dating
Danny had returned home not long after bidding Marinette goodbye.
His parents had noticed a certain spring in his step as he walked towards the stairs.
"Well, someone is very peppy." Maddie commented.
"I'm guessing this girl you met was something special?" Jack asks with a grin.
"You bet. Marinette was awesome." Danny said.
"Marinette, eh? Would her name someday be Marinette Fenton?" Jack asks jokingly.
Maddie, in response, playfully ribbed him.
"No need to embarrass him." She said.
"Anyway, I'm heading upstairs now." Danny said as he headed towards his room.
With that, Jack and Maddie resumed watching television.
"In other news… Danny Phantom was seen battling some kind of strange ghost that looked like a doll, but eyewitnesses ran away before anything concrete was confirmed. No word on where that doll entity went.. One witness alleges a girl in red, also in a skin tight outfit that is clearly not appropriate for someone her age, was seen aiding him. She did not seem to display ghostly abilities, nor did she fly, suggesting this girl was human. No photos were taken that were clear enough, as seen here." Tiffany Snow said as a blurry photo of someone in red with a floating black and white figure were shown. "Could even Danny Phantom himself have found a romantic partner? We'll have all this and more tonight at 10."
Jack and Maddie heard what sounded like a high-pitched wail outside their house from several miles away, one more than likely Paulina.
"Ghost?" Maddie asks.
"One way to find out." Jack said as he and Maddie decided to grab their gear.
In his room
Danny had to give Marinette a 9 out of 10. Her feelings for Adrien were still a thing, but he couldn't deny he found himself enjoying his time with her greatly.
With a happy sigh, he looked up at the ceiling and thought of the bug-themed heroine who was secretly a cute, dorky girl.
"Marinette…" He said with a happy smile.
He closed his eyes and remembered the kiss they had.
Granted, it was an accident on his part, but the fact they both melted into it made it clear that, despite the fact that this Adrien was still on her mind, there was indeed a mutual attraction between the two.
He was so long that it took seconds for him to notice his phone was ringing. He answered without even looking.
"Hello?" He asks happily.
"I'm guessing it went great?" A less than pleased voice from Tucker asks.
"Oh, hey Tucker. And yeah… Marinette was awesome." Danny said.
"Really? What was she like?" Tucker asks.
"Get this… she-"
Danny stopped, recalling her secret identity. He wouldn't risk that at all.
"She what?" Tucker asks. "What were you gonna say?"
"She… is… extremely adorable when she's clumsy." Danny said, deciding to tell the part he would be able to say without betraying her trust.
"Man! Why are you getting all the best girls?!" Tucker asks.
"What do you mean? Who did you wind up with this time?" Danny asks.
"I got this girl named Chloe. She's a huge mean girl. Not only did she diss me and call me a nerd, she ordered me to go get her some fancy stuff out of my range and then ditched me when she said that she had better things to do than "hang out with a loser". It's like a French Paulina. Only way meaner, if that's even possible…" Tucker grumbled.
"Ouch. Suddenly, a ghost attack sounds like it would have been more fun." Danny said.
"Yeah… also, speaking of ghost attacks, who was that girl in red the news was saying helped you fight that ghost?" Tucker asks.
"Oh, it wasn't-" Danny stopped again.
Okay… even I'm not 100% sure what happened there. I do know that I can't let him know that was Marinette.
"Oh… that wasn't a ghost, just some type of bad guy that some other superhero I've never seen before deals with." Danny said, telling a half-truth.
"I see… well, at least you deal with that bad guy. I'm gonna go take a shower while trying not to cry about how I've had duds of dates…" Tucker said.
"Or you can be more truthful on your profile." Danny suggested.
"I am truthful!" Tucker snapped before hanging up abruptly.
"Ouch…" Danny went before deciding to see who his next date is.
User Name: RyuFan01
Age: 16
Gender: Female
Height: 5'2"
Weight: 93 lb
Home Town: Tokyo Japan
Physical Description: Tall, fit girl with short brown hair, brown eyes and fair skin. I am also of Asian ancestry and tough for my age.
Personality: I am a huge admirer of martial arts and want to be as strong as my hero.
Likes and Interests: Martial Arts, improving one's self, helping people out
Type of person I wish to date: Someone who isn't afraid to fight back, but also someone who helps people out.
Huh… Japan? Interesting. I wonder what she's doing here. I guess I'll find out tomorrow… Danny thought.
"Danny! Dinner!" He heard Jazz call from downstairs.
"Thanks!" Danny said before noticing who was it who called him. "Wait… where are Mom and Dad?!"
"Probably out to get arrested again for disturbing the peace!" Jazz added.
With a shrug, Danny headed downstairs.
That night
Danny tried his best to sleep, but couldn't. He looked at his phone and went through pictures he took with his dates so far.
He saw a picture of him at the park, one of him with Samantha at the restaurant they ate at, one with him and Gwen not long after their battle, one with him and Abby at the sewage treatment lab, one of him and Leni at Jean Juan's, and one with him and Marinette at the station before she left for the train.
He kept looking at the pictures, feeling a growing interest in all of the girls he spent time with.
So far, both Kim and Marinette were the ones who invaded his thoughts the most. Like with Marinette and Adrien, it's hard to get the first person you liked out of your head. Granted, Kim was not the first girl he ever liked, but she was the first date and made a good impression. That didn't mean, however, the other entered his mind. Samantha herself was fun to hang out with, and, like Marinette, wore a suit a bit too form fitting for her age. Gwen was a matured and rather pleasant person to be with. Abby was fun and not afraid to get dirty if it meant doing good. Leni was a bit spacy but had a good heart.
As he looked up at the ceiling, he imagined the six he met so far, with Kim and Marinette standing out the most.
"Awesome…" He said to himself as he put his phone down.
"10 bucks says he's about t-"
"DEADPOOL!" NeoMark and Flower Princess11 shouted.
"What?! That's what most hormonal teenage boys would do when thinking about girls he's into! At least, that's what I assume he'd do if I were him!" Deadpool went.
"Age rating, dude." NeoMark said, pointing at the K+.
"Stupid K+... limiting how much of what I can say…" Deadpool grumbled.
The Next Day
A quick shower, breakfast, and stop at the flower shop was in order before he arrived at the Venkman Hotel.
He stood waiting for the next 10 minutes before noticing a group of girls leaving the hotel. All of them were wearing those traditional sailor uniforms he heard girls wear in Japan. The fact that they all were Japanese told him that they must be here on some kind of class vacation.
However, as he watched them go off, he looked the other way. He didn't see the last girl leave.
She gasped for air, knees buckled as she looked around for her date.
"Great… he's probably already here." She said, seeing Danny from a few feet away. "Must be him… I don't see anyone else…" She said as she hurried.
Where is she? Danny thought before he heard hurried footsteps in his direction. He also just noticed they were getting louder and faster.
"Uh oh!" A girl's voice went.
Danny turned his head in time to see just who was about to collide with him.
Next thing Danny knew, this person was inches from him before she planted her feet on the ground as a hard brake. Danny shielded himself from harm before she stopped.
"Watch w-" Danny went before getting a good look at who almost hit him, his anger gone.
Before him was a tall girl with short brown hair, brown eyes and a fit figure. She wore the same kind of outfit the girls he saw leave wore, although the one addition was a white headband she wore proudly.
Wow...she looks kinda hot. Tucker would love to go to this girl's school if her skirt is a standard school uniform. Danny thought.
The girl then stood up straight before him before bowing quickly.
"Pleased to meet you!" She went with an apologetic tone.
Danny blinked, his face turning red before standing straight.
"Oh… uh… don't worry about it. So… are you Rye-You Fan Girl 01?" Danny asks.
That's when the girl suddenly had a finger in his face, looking at him like a scolding parent, much to his surprise. She now looked very fierce despite looking cute a second ago.
"Shame on you." She went.
"Huh?" Danny asks.
"It's pronounced Ree-you." She said with much conviction in her tone and an intensity in her eyes that he only saw from dedicated fan girls.
"Oh, sorry. So… RyuFanGirl01?" Danny asks.
"Yup, it's Sakura. Sakura Kasugano. And you're D Fenton?" Sakura asks, her tone switching to a friendlier one.
"Danny Fenton." Danny said as he offered the flowers. "These are for you."
"Wow, thank you." Sakura said as she took the bouquet. "So… let's get to know each other. Come on." Sakura said as she gestured for him to follow her.
"Sure." Danny said as he did so. "Where are we going?"
"There's this place I want to see that I spotted when I first arrived here. After that, we can go grab something." Sakura said.
Danny didn't ask her, he just decided to follow along.
"WHAAAAAAA?! Sakura Kasugano from Street Fighter?!" Deadpool went excitedly as he directed his attention to FP11. "FP! It's Sakura Kasugano! The most popular character from Street Fighter according to a poll that was done after the release of Street Fighter V! Why are you not excited?!"
"... I'm not that familiar with her." FP11 said with a shrug.
Deadpool stared at her in disbelief before directing his attention to NeoMark after the latter cleared his throat to get their attention.
"Here's a problem I had with the original story: there were no video game characters. We had cartoon characters, 1 anime character, animated adaptations of characters, 3 comic characters who were composites of different depictions that made them original takes, and 1 live action character… but there were no characters who originated from the world of playable pixels and polygons." NeoMark said.
"Right. The first video game character ever featured was in your Christmas special. With Balan from the critically panned Balan Wonderworld." Deadpool said.
"That's right. Bit of a spoiler but I plan to introduce video game characters in my spin-offs." NeoMark said.
"Hey, how come there were no video game characters in the original? Surely, there had to be at least one or two requests?" Deadpool asks.
"Look, I like video games but I haven't played any in a while. Even then, it's been a long time since I played anything like Street Fighters, so I wouldn't know about the recent stuff and newer characters..." Flower Princess11 admitted.
"First, it's Street Fighter, not Fighters. No plural. Second, Sakura is older than most of the characters you used, she made her debut in 1996 with Street Fighter Alpha 2." NeoMark corrected.
"She did?" Both males nodded. "Again, I don't play many fighting games." FP11 said.
"Oh… I see. [censored]! In hindsight, Sakura would have been awesome." Deadpool went.
"So, any reason why you took out Kara? She was, after all, the one everyone voted as the winner." FP11 questioned.
"Do I detect a hint of envy?" NeoMark asks with a slight joking tone.
"Mmm… maybe?" FP11 responded playfully.
"Well, don't get the wrong idea. I do like Kara. It's just… well… she wasn't based on any specific version of the character. She was a composite of different depictions. To make things easier, I'm using pre-established depictions of characters. Sakura is sort of a foil to Kara in that she's not the protégé of Ryu, the protagonist of Street Fighter, but she does spar with him to improve her skills. She's also a bit clumsier too. Plus, recall that Sailor Jupiter was the only Eastern character of the original story, so I think that we should add another. So, what better character than from a game by Japanese publisher, Capcom? Plus, video games are an animated medium, so it works well with my rules." NeoMark answered her.
"It helps that Street Fighter 6 came out recently too, despite the fact that Sakura isn't in the base roster." Deadpool said.
"Well, again, this is what could've happened in 2018, we didn't even know about 6 yet. Still, you're not wrong about good synergy when it comes to adding a character from video games." NeoMark admitted.
"Wait. We've featured Kim Possible, Supergirl, Violet…" Flower Princess11 listed off.
"Yeah?" NeoMark said.
"They've been in video games, as well as online games too, and there's gotta be mobile games involving them as well. Wouldn't they count as video game representation?" FP11 asked.
"I get what you're saying, but they didn't originate from video games, so it doesn't count." NeoMark said. "Now… let's see how this one goes."
"10 bucks says Sakura kisses Danny." Deadpool whispered.
"Lips or cheeks?" FP11 asked.
"Lips..." Deadpool said.
"You're on. If she does kiss him, 15 says it's on the cheek." FP11 said.
"Once again, you remind me why I like you best..." DP said, grinning under his mask.
With Danny and Sakura
The young woman walked with her hands behind her back, briefly looking back at her younger date following her.
Hmm… didn't think I'd get someone so much shorter than me… She thought before looking back at the road in front of her. I know he would have been too old but… She then felt her cheeks get warm before shaking her head. No… it's not like that.
Danny, meanwhile, felt like he should say something since they've been walking for 5 minutes.
"So... Sakura?" He asks.
"Call me Kasugano. We just met, after all. In Japan, you have to get to know a person first before you use their name." She said, sounding friendly despite informing him.
"Oh, uh… Kasugano?" Danny asks.
"Yes?" She responded with a smile as she looked back.
"Where exactly are we going? I do live in this town, maybe I can help you with find some fun places." Danny reminded her.
"Huh… that is true." She said before stopping and turning around. "So… Fenton, was it? If you live here, can you point me to the nearest high school?"
"Huh… why? Do you wanna enroll or something?" Danny asks.
"No. I have my reasons. So, can you tell me where it is?..." Sakura said.
"Well…" Danny then pointed in the opposite direction she was going. "It's that way."
"Huh?" Sakura went, looking in that direction before looking back at Danny. "Really? You sure?"
"I live here and go to that school… So yes." Danny responded.
Sakura then laughed nervously as she scratched the side of her face.
"Guess that's what I get for not asking a local…" She said with a sheepish look on her face.
Weird, but at least she doesn't seem to be as airheaded as Leni. Danny thought.
"Okay… lead the way, Fenton-san." She went.
"Uh… you know, you can call me Danny." Danny said.
"Hmm? Are you sure?" She asks.
"Well, yeah. You don't come off as rude or anything. I don't mind if you use my first name." Danny explained.
"Okay… in that case, you may call me Sakura then." She said, giving a thumb's up.
"Okay, Sakura. Anyway, Casper High is this way." He said, directing her as they now walked together.
As they did, Sakura had a big smile on her face.
I'm gonna find him… I just know it! She thought happily.
At Casper High.
Sakura had a disappointed look on her face.
She observed the American high school but she wasn't impressed with the old looking building.
"This is where you go to school?" She asks.
"Yup… it's… not as depressing inside. It's… kinda worse." Danny said.
"And I thought Tamagawa Minami High School needed some improvements…" She said before recalling why she's here. "Oh, wait a minute… maybe Ryu-san will be here."
"Uh… who?" Danny asks.
"Ryu-san!" Sakura repeated with a twinkle in her eyes before pulling her phone out.
"Who's Ryu? And why are you calling him son like you're from the South?" Danny asks.
"I said "San", not "son". It's a prefix we use in Japan to show we treat men as equals." Sakura explained before finding the photo. "Here!" Sakura said, showing the photo of her idol. "That's him, the man who won the original Street Fighter tournament."
Danny took a close look at this man named Ryu. He saw a tall, muscular man of Japanese descent with brown hair, brown eyes, tanned skin and was wearing what looked to be a white gi with matching headband.
"Nope… doesn't ring a bell." Danny said.
"Huh?! No way… you never saw the Street Fighter tournament?" Sakura asks incredulously.
There was a long gap of silence.
"... my family and I don't watch martial arts tournaments at home. They spend more of their time experimenting and making devices that set things on fire. Sometimes, it's our house…" Danny admitted, feeling a bit embarrassed to admit the last part.
"Oh… well… It was a massive tournament that I got to see for myself. I saw my hero and idol, Ryu there. I've met him once or twice, but I'm always looking forward to seeing him again." Sakura gushed.
"Huh, from the way you dressed, I woulda thought you two were brother and sister or something." Danny commented.
"Heh… I'd say I wish but… probably not." Sakura said with her eyes darting away a moment before continuing. "Anyway… I heard rumors that there was someone in white who-"
"Hey, Fenton!" A familiar voice called out.
Danny groaned upon hearing that. Turning his head, he saw a certain blonde bully march over them with a mean look on his face.
"Dash? What are you doing here?" Danny asks.
"Thanks to some stupid ghost attacking the plant where my dad works, we had to cut our trip to Mexico short and come back. So, I'm in a bad mood right now." Dash said.
Darn… We must've missed each other, wishing it stayed that way. Danny thought.
''And you know what happens when I'm in a bad mood..." Dash said in a menacing way as he grabbed him by the collar.
"Dash, come on. I'm on a date right now..." Danny said.
"Pfft, yeah right loser. I don't see that goth freak around and no one on Earth would go out with you..." Dash said.
"Hey! We're just friends!" Danny snapped as Dash raised his fist.
"Excuse me!" Sakura shouted.
Dash stopped to acknowledge the girl Danny was with finally, grinning as he dropped him and put a hand through his hair.
"And you are...?" He asks.
"That boy's blind date for the day. What do you think you're doing?!" Sakura questioned angrily.
"Blind date? Pfft! What kind of joker are you?! As if any girl besides that weirdo goth chick would even wanna be around this nerd. Besides, I'm just following the natural order of things, the strong step on the weak!" Dash went, attempting to step on Danny.
However, a kick to Dash's chest sent him into a tree.
"HUH?!" Both Danny and Dash went in unison.
They saw Sakura with her leg extended and having an intense glare in her eyes.
"You're not a wild animal! Those laws do not apply! Now, apologize to him!" She demanded.
"You hit me?! Girls aren't supposed to fight back! Now YOU apologize to ME!" Dash demanded.
In response, Sakura sent her fist directly into his stomach. Not satisfied with that one hit, her fist resumed its momentum before her body swung around and hit Dash in the chest. Like before, the momentum caused Sakura to turn before hitting him square in the jaw.
"Shouoken!" She shouted, sending Dash flying upward before he landed on his back.
"Ah-hah-hah-how…." He went, whining as he clutched his arm.
"Are you gonna apologize for your barbaric attitude?" Sakura demanded.
"SHUT UP, YOU CRAZY AMAZON!" Dash went, running at her with the intent to tackle her.
Sakura decided this arrogant full deserved another sample of what she's developed emulating her hero. Getting down, Sakura swung her leg, kicking Dash off one leg, then the momentum allowed her to spin and kick him off the other, then one more spin ended with her kicking him upward, sending him upward before she jumped up to meet him at the height of his ascension.
"Leave us alone!" She demanded before a downward swing of her leg send Dash face first into the ground.
As Dash was heard crying in pain, Sakura stood before him, glaring down with fists at hips.
All the while, Danny was stunned silent by the violence, but he wasn't bothered in the slightest at all. The half-lidded look in his eyes and the smile he had made it clear he did more than appreciate Sakura's actions.
"Ow…" Dash went, getting on all fours.
"Apologize!" Sakura ordered.
Seeing the intensity in Sakura's eyes, Dash lost all of his bravo and began to whimper now.
"Okay! Okay! Fentonows- Danny… I'm sorry. I won't bother you, I promise. Just please tell this pretty monster to stop hitting me!" Dash begged.
"Okay… let him go, Sakura." Danny said as he got up.
"If you insist, Danny-san." Sakura said as he picked Dash up by the collar of his jacket. "I see you again and I promise not to hold back. I like to avoid picking on the weak since it defies the code of honor I follow, so don't make yourself the exception." She said with an intense glare in her eyes.
Knees wobbling, Dash nodded silently before running as far as he could from the two.
Sakura huffed before directing her attention to Danny. To her surprise, Danny had a huge grin on his face right now.
"That… was… awesome!" He said.
Sakura blinked in surprise, seeing the look in his eyes not unlike those she had for Ryu.
"Really? You think so? My shoruoken and shunpukyaku weren't nearly as impressive as Ryu-san's actual techniques, and I based my moves on his own. Even the names are based on the originals." Sakura said with a humble smile on her face.
"I don't know this Ryu, but I do know that what I saw was amazing." Danny said.
"Oh… thank you." Sakura said with a light blush.
"So… what were you saying before Dash showed up?" Danny asks.
"Oh… well… I heard tell of a warrior in white who fired beams out of his hands to protect people. I assumed it was Ryu-san… but I guess judging from your lack of knowledge on him that I was wrong." Sakura admitted.
Danny took note of Sakura's disappointment.
She must have thought I was this guy… Danny thought.
"Well… I know a few places where you can have a little fun, if you'd like." Danny offered.
Looking up, Sakura smiled lightly.
"Okay. Lead the way, Danny-san. But first, I gotta ask… would you not consider taking up martial arts to protect yourself?" She asks.
"Huh?" Danny asks.
"I'd love to use that oaf as a punching bag but I won't exactly be around to save you from him." Sakura said.
"I'd love to, but two problems. One, my school kind of favors Dash since he's the star quarterback." Danny said.
"Ridiculous, athletes are meant to set a good example, not abuse their talents." Sakura said.
"The other… well…" Danny said as he took a step back.
He tried to perform a kick like Sakura did, however, he was more lackluster and less impressive than how she did it.
"Hmm… yeah, that is terrible." Sakura said. "But… with time and practice…" Sakura performed a kick with elegance and speed. "You can do this!" She said, not seeing something go off her foot.
"Cool…" Danny said, admiring her before noticing something. "Uh, Sakura?"
"Hmm?" Sakura went before seeing he was pointing at her foot.
"You lost your-"
"Oof!" Sakura went as her right shoe reunited with her, but not on her foot. It was on her head.
"Uh… never mind. It came back." Danny said.
After a pause, Sakura laughed nervously.
"Well, even then you'll make a mistake once or twice…" She admitted as she scratched the side of her head.
Danny didn't fault her. As she put her shoe back on, he smiled at her.
Wow...she's tough and nice...it's awesome... Danny thought before the two resumed their date.
Elsewhere
Dash had reunited with Paulina, Kwan and Star. All of them were outside a coffee shop as Dash told them of what happened.
"Then the babe somehow sent me flying before she jumped up and kicked me into the ground! I fought as best as I could but Fenton's monster was unlike anything I ever saw!" Dash went, clearly stretching the truth.
"Please… I saw Fenton with some dorky girl in pigtails yesterday. Besides, it's that red Dalmatian girl that stole my ghost boy we should be on the lookout for." Paulina stated rudely.
"Ladybug." Kwan and Star corrected her.
"I don't care what animal she's supposed to be! She's a dead duck for all I care!" Paulina shouted as she stormed away with the latte in her hand. "All I know is once I see my ghost boy and he sees me in this, he's gonna forget ab-" She knocked into someone.
She groaned as her friends paused what they were doing. They saw for themselves the kind of person they walked into.
All of them froze in terror as Paulina, not seeing who she knocked into, was more concerned with the stain on her new sweater.
"Hey! You stained my new sweater!" She shouted.
"You had not been facing the direction you were walking. Also, is it not poor weather to wear such a thing?" The man she walked into asks rudely.
"It's for looks!" Paulina glared into what she realized was this figure's stomach. "And you…" Her eyes moved upward. "... owe me…" Her glare faded away as she reached his face. "...a-OH MY GOD!"
The figure before her glared down at her with one eye, one that looked blank yet full of rage.
The figure also loudly snorted at her, a scowl that made him look far more menacing than imagined.
"Move, girl…" He ordered.
Paulina felt her body shake in fear, stepping away. She turned her head to find only Star was at her side. Dash and Kwan had made a break for it.
The figure resumed his walk, passing the two before he stopped at the presence of a trash can. With a slight turn of his head, he saw Dash and Kwan were hiding behind it. Both now noticed him as they both clung to each other, shaking and knees wobbly.
"Don't hurt me! Hurt him!" Dash went as he pushed Kwan forward.
The figure before them just curled his lip in disgust.
"Hmph… a coward's blood is not worthy to stain my fist." He said in a scoff before passing them.
Once he left, Dash passed out from shock.
Meanwhile
At the mall, Danny had shown Sakura around before the two went to a spot for ramen.
Sakura smiled at her order's arrival as she nodded.
"Itadakimasu." She said before taking her first noodle. "Mmm… I can tell the broth is not as rich as I'm used to." She said.
Danny, meanwhile, fumbled his chopsticks as one fell into the bowl.
"I guess Marinette's rubbed off on me more than I thought…" He said under his breath with a smile.
"Allow me to help you, Danny-san." Sakura said, taking the chopsticks and placing them in his hand correctly. "There. Like this." She said as she showed him how it was done.
Danny, meanwhile, felt his face flush as she held his hand, despite it being to instruct him how to use chopsticks.
"Uh… thanks." Danny said.
He remained quiet as he watched Sakura enjoy her lunch, eating it with gusto.
Huh… I guess this is the part where I see how compatible we are. Danny thought.
"So, Sakura? What do you like to do for fun?" He asks.
"Get stronger." Sakura admitted with a smile.
"...so… any hobbies?" Danny asks.
"Well, I like video games… but my younger brother likes to cheat, so I don't play with him." Sakura admitted.
"Oh, so… any friends?" Danny asks.
"Well, my friend Kei isn't a fighter like me, but she's reliable. She's into weird alien toys though." Sakura admitted.
"Like… Doctor Who toys?" Danny asks.
"Maybe? I dunno… there's also Ibuki and Elena, they both are really nice and we spar sometimes. I have these friends named Hinata, Natsu and Shoma… but they're not going to my school. They don't even go to the same school. They go to rival schools." Sakura said.
"Sounds like you've got a few good friends to spend time with." Danny commented.
"I sure do. What about you, Danny-san?" She asks before taking another bit of ramen into her mouth. "Any friends, hobbies or the like?"
"Well, There's Sam and Tucker, my two best friends for years, since kindergarten to be precise. I live with my mom and dad, with a big sister named Jazz, short for Jasmine. I'm into NASA, astronomy and video games. And, I'm aiming to be an astronaut." Danny said.
"Astronaut, eh? That sounds cool." Sakura said as she took a fishcake into her mouth.
"Yeah. I'm pretty confident I can make it." Danny said.
"That's the spirit." Sakura said as she nodded.
The ghost boy smiled at her.
Huh… I don't think we're connecting in a like-like way… but at least we're getting along. Danny thought.
"As for me? I just want Ryu-san to someday train me." Sakura admitted.
"Really? Is he teaching someone else?" Danny asks.
"He's… not taking a student right now. He said he wants to learn as much as he can before he's ready to pass on his knowledge." Sakura admitted.
"Really?" Danny asks.
"Yeah…" Sakura said with a sad look on her face.
The ghost kid was curious about something now.
"So… why him specifically? Was he like… the winner?" Danny asks.
"No, he didn't win. But… he came close. It's because… he's so cool. Him and his friend, Ken Masters." Sakura asks.
"Masters? As in the Masters Foundation?" Danny asks.
"So, you've heard of them?" Sakura asks.
"Yeah, my friend Sam brought them up as a charity drive." Danny said.
"Yeah, Ken Masters is cool. Not as much as Ryu-san, but he's pretty cool." Sakura said with a smile.
I won't tell her that Sam thinks that Ken guy is a glorified meathead who is overrated by the public. Though, thankfully, I checked and found Vlad isn't related to them at all. He thought.
"But anyway… I think most people would love to be taught by their role model, right?" Sakura asks.
"Yeah." Danny said before smiling at her. "But from what I saw how you handled Dash, I think you're already amazing."
Sakura smiled.
"Thanks for that…"
As the two finished up, they heard a commotion from outside the restaurant.
"What's that?" Danny asks.
Sakura got on her tiptoes to get a good look after she had her hand over her eyes.
"Is that…?"
"Is that who?" Danny asks as Sakura got up and went to get a closer look. "Hey, wait up." He said before following her.
Sakura managed to make her way through the crowd, seeing, much to his displeasure, who it was.
"This idiot…" She said.
Danny made his way to meet up with her before seeing who it was she was disappointed in seeing.
It was a bizarre looking, bulking man wearing a mix of football gear and samurai armor, a kabuto mask hiding his face, except his blue eyes, and a badly written kanji for lost displayed proudly on his red shirt.
"Koni-chawa! Face me, if you dare!" He declared.
The crowd stared in disbelief as Danny inched closer to Sakura.
"You know this samurai quarterback guy?" Danny asks.
"I wish I didn't. His name's Sodom and he's a member of the Mad Gear Gang from Metro City." She explained.
"Isn't that the place with the wrestler from Saturday Night Slam Masters for a mayor?" Danny asks.
"Same place. I visited it on our way here. Sodom, this moron, is obsessed with Japan, almost to insulting levels... and he's still a ringleader for that gang..." Sakura explained.
"I hear there are powerful beings who live in this town! Are they other world warriors?! Come and face me!" Sodom declared.
"World warriors?" Danny asks.
"It's what we call specific street fighters who travel the world, like Ryu-san." Sakura said before groaning and tightening her headband. 'Alright, this might get ugly. Leave this to me." She said.
"Wait, are you sure? He looks armed, dangerous and kind of off his rocker." Danny said.
Sakura just smiled at him reassuringly before walking through the crowd.
"Sodom!" She called, getting the samurai quarterback's attention.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the yan deer school girl, Suh-curr-ah." Sodom said in surprise.
"I'm not a yandere! And it's pronounced Sah-koo-rah!" Sakura exclaimed before calming herself. "Just make this easier for yourself and go away. You have no business here in Amity Park."
"As long as there are powerful nakamas around, I will gather them for my gang, and spread the Mad Gear Gang to new territory!" Sodom said as he pulled out a jitte and katana. He then rushed towards Sakura, who stood ready.
"Bring it! I'm gonna do to you what you do to Japanese when you speak it!" Sakura said.
"Daikyo Burning!" He exclaimed as he attempted to grab Sakura with his weapons, but the girl nimbly spun around, dodging him. "Uh oh..."
"Shunpukyaku!" To everyone's surprise, Sakura seemed to be floating as she spun around, her leg stretching out, kicking Sodom on the head, causing him to stumble.
"What did that girl just do?" Someone asked in the crowd.
"Is she even human?" Another asked.
As the Japanophile was dazed, Sakura landed on the ground, crouched slightly and put her hands together, seeing a bright, blue ball forming.
"Hadoken!" She exclaimed as she fired the blue energy ball towards Sodom. As Sodom finally recovered from the hit on the head, he turned around, just to see the energy ball in front of him. As it made contact, it exploded. Once the smoke cleared, they all saw Sodom dazed and burnt from the attack.
"Ow…" Sodom went.
Sakura then rushed forward, crouching down and preparing a punch.
"Shouoken!" she exclaimed, delivering a devastating uppercut that sent the giant man flying off his feet. He was flown at least six feet high before landing roughly on the ground, not getting back up.
"Whoa…" Danny said under his breath.
Once Sakura was done, she saw people everywhere looking more terrified than relieved.
"What's wrong?" She asks as she takes a step forward.
People gasped before running away from her
"Monster!" Someone was heard shouting.
Sakura looked hurt as she approached Danny.
"What's everyone so scared of?" She asks.
"Uh... you." Danny said, taking her arm quickly, examining it.
"Huh?" She went.
"How'd you do that?" Danny asks as he let go of her arm.
"Oh, the Shouoken? I based it on Ryu-san's Shoryuken. Well, it's all about clenching the fist and-"
"Not that, I meant the fireball." Danny clarified.
''It's not a fireball, it's a Hadoken." Sakura explained. "It's a projectile attack where I gather my energy and unleash it as a burst in the direction I send it."
"Yeah, well, around here, only ghosts can do that, and you're no ghost." Danny explained. "And seeing a girl like you firing those things like it was nothing, they probably thought you were a ghost."
Before Sakura could rebuff, someone suddenly landed in front of them, making a small crater on the concrete. Danny and Sakura covered their eyes to avoid the dirt and dust, and when they opened them again, Sakura gasped.
"Sagat?!" She asks.
In front of them was a tall, muscular, intimidating, bald man, wearing Muay Thai trunks and bandages wrapped around his feet and hands, as well as an eyepatch on his right eye. What caught Danny's attention was the painful-looking scar across his chest.
"That poor imitation can only mean you know of Ryu. Tell me where he is!" Sagat demanded.
"I don't know where he is. And if I did, I'd never tell you." Sakura said.
"Who is this... scary looking pirate guy?" Danny asks.
"He's Sagat and he's obsessed with Ryu-san, to the point of hunting him down." Sakura said, glaring at the man.
''Like you?" Danny asked, wondering if Sagat was a male version of Sakura.
"Great, now I can't get that image out of my head!" Deadpool exclaimed.
"Shh..." Both NeoMark and Flower Princess11 went.
"I'm a fan! I'm not obsessed!" Sakura exclaimed comically at him before looking back at Sagat.
"You will tell me once I beat the answer out of you." Sagat said, cracking his knuckles.
"Not here." Sakura said, pointing towards an abandoned car dealership. "There, so no one else has to be hurt."
"Fine..." Sagat said, walking away.
"Danny, stay here. I don't want to risk Sagat fighting dirty." Sakura suddenly said.
"Sakura?" Danny asks.
"I'll be fine, promise." Sakura said with a smile before going to handle Sagat herself.
Danny knew Sakura was strong. The way she fought was different from Kim, Samantha, Gwen, Abby, and Marinette. She was on a whole other level, but Sagat was giving him the fear of her losing and he wasn't going to let his date face him on her own.
"You will be, because I'm not letting you go alone..." Danny said under his breath as he decided to find a spot to morph.
Sakura arrived where Sagat awaited. She was tense as she looked at the man who just stared at her, his arms crossed.
"Where is Ryu?" Sagat demanded.
"I don't know. And if I did… Do you think I would tell you?" Sakura asks.
"You will if you value your life, girl." Sagat said, uncrossing his arms and getting into his fighting pose, causing Sakura to do the same.
Suddenly, Sagat rushed towards Sakura with a flying knee kick, which Sakura barely dodged, but before she could react, Sagat landed on the ground and quickly did a spinning roundhouse kick which Sakura blocked, sending her sliding a few feet away.
Sagat then rushed forward, throwing kicks and elbows that Sakura barely dodged and blocked, feeling some of his attacks grazing through her defense.
I can't keep defending, I have to do something. Sakura thought as she dodged and blocked.
"I need to attack or he'll beat me!" She said to herself.
"Speak while you're still conscious!" Sagat demanded as he readied his fist.
Sakura suddenly crouched to avoid a kick and clenched her fist.
"Shouoken!" Sakura shouted as she did the spinning uppercut, but Sagat effortlessly dodged it before raising his knee.
"Tiger Knee Crush!" He shouted as he kneed Sakura to the stomach, knocking the breath out of her.
Before she could try and recover, Sagat delivered a strong roundhouse kick that sent her crashing to the ground.
"Ugh…" Sakura went, groaning hard.
"You truly thought your poor imitation of that attack could hurt me?" Sagat said, remembering the move that gave him his scar. "I have been training for one reason and one reason alone, to defeat Ryu. You may have copied his abilities to an extent, but that's all you are, a copy."
"At least I follow Ryu-san out of admiration and not petty revenge." Sakura muttered.
He then stepped on Sakura to stop her from getting back up.
"Now, where is Ryu?" Sagat asked again, pressing her down with his foot.
"I...won't...tell you, Sagat. You're such a sore loser that you tarnished your reputation as the most respected Muay Thai master on Earth." Sakura grunted out, trying to move his foot off her chest.
"If you will not tell me what I need… then I have no need to deal with you." Sagat said as he raised a fist.
However, he felt a hand grab his fist.
Before Sagat could react, he was thrown off Sakura, but he managed to recover quickly. He looked at his surprise attacker and saw Danny Phantom floating down to the ground, his arms crossed.
"I don't know how you guys do it from where you're from, but here, pinning a beaten schoolgirl is wrong on so many levels in ways I don't want to talk about." Danny said to Sagat before turning to Sakura, who sat up, holding her chest. "You okay Sa-I mean, miss I've never seen before."
"Yes, I am." Sakura said, looking at Danny Phantom in surprise. "...What are you?"
"Me, I'm a local hero. Just passing by." Danny said before turning to Sagat, who glared at him.
"I have heard of you, a being with unique powers. However, you are no world warrior." Sagat said as he studied Danny before turning to Sakura. "I have no business with you, Phantom. My business is with her. She will tell me where Ryu is."
"And I said no, I don't know where he is and I'd never tell you if I did know." Sakura said stubbornly.
"The pretty girl I never saw before said no." Danny said. "Now, leave before I make you."
Sagat just looked annoyed before he got into his fighting pose and charged. He threw a roundhouse kick towards Danny, but to his shock, his leg just passed through him harmlessly.
"What?" Sagat said in shock before he started throwing kicks and elbows, all of which were phasing through Danny.
How is he doing that? Sakura thought in shock, never seeing a fighting technique like that before.
Danny suddenly retaliated with a punch, which Sagat blocked, sending him a foot away. Danny was surprised to see how Sagat didn't seem remotely bothered, a punch that even some of his stronger foes would have reacted to.
"You are strong, I will admit, boy." Sagat said, not looking phased from Danny's punch. "But you are untrained! Tiger Shot!"
Sagat threw both his fists out and fired an orange energy ball towards Danny at a fast speed, but Danny quickly blocked it with a shield, though he was pushed a few feet back.
"Okay, let's see how you like this!" Danny exclaimed as he fired at Sagat. "I hope you don't mind, but I don't actually shout my attacks. Not good at naming them!"
Sagat dodged Danny's Ghost Rays before rushing to Danny.
"Tiger Genocide!" He shouted, his body glowing.
Danny quickly made a shield that blocked Sagat's relentless attacks, grunting from every strike, before his shield broke, surprising Danny as the force blew him away. Dazed, Danny saw Sagat rushed at him, so he swung a kick that Sagat blocked with ease.
Sakura, seeing that kick, recognized that move.
"Wait a minute…" She said under her breath.
Sagat then pushed the kick away, knocking Danny off balance before throwing both fists out.
"Tiger Shot!" He shouted.
Danny was blasted through the wall of what would have been the dealership's own auto shop, making it dent in the wall inside before Sagat pushed him by the neck with his forearm.
"Those are cool names, to be honest…" Danny said.
"You shouldn't have intervened, boy." Sagat said with a growl as he pulled back a fist, which was glowing.
"So, what's next after you punch my face in? Are you going to kill the girl after that?" Danny grunted.
"What? No!" Sagat exclaimed.
"Really? Because that's what it looks like, a trained fighter picking on a kid!" Danny exclaimed.
Sagat slowly let Danny go as he processed what he just heard. He then turned to Sakura, who had just entered to see if she could be of aid, realizing that she was just a child and he wasn't holding back.
"I… I was.. I just wanted to fight Ryu…" Sagat said.
"And you were willing to harm or even kill some teenager girl to do it." Danny pointed out.
Sagat looked down to his hands and, realizing what he almost did to Sakura, turned his head away.
"...What have I done? I have let my time in Shadaloo and my desire for revenge corrupt me." He said in a shamed tone. Without looking at the two, he walked away from them, exiting the building with his head lowered.
Danny rubbed his throat before looking at Sakura, who stood alone and looked at him.
"Uh... hope you're okay, miss." Danny said with a salute.
To his surprise, Sakura marched up to him and pointed her finger in his face.
"You!" She went.
"Huh?" Danny went.
"You were hiding this from me, weren't you, Danny-san?" She went.
"W-What?" Danny asks.
"You kept your powers hidden from me? What were you planning? A sneak attack? Don't lie to me." Sakura said, though her tone suggested she was lying with a playful tone.
"W-What?! Come on, Sakura. Why would you think that?" He went nervously.
Sakura then flashed a smile on her face.
"Well, for starters... I never told anyone with snow white hair or glowing green eyes that my name is Sakura." She pointed out.
Danny's smile dropped as he facepalmed.
"And there I go a second time..." He muttered.
"I knew it was you when I saw that poor form in your kick. So..." Sakura said, taking steps away.
"So?" Danny asks.
Sakura then, to his surprise, made a fighting stance.
"Come on! Fight me! I wanna see how good you are! Just no flying or blasting or anything like that!" She said.
"Huh?" Danny asks.
"I want an answer to know if I can trust you. As Ryu-san would say... the answer lies in the heart of battle!" She declared with a smile.
Danny raised an eyebrow.
"Uh... okay?" He said, reluctantly taking a fighting stance.
Sakura rushed towards Danny at impressive speed and threw a punch, but Danny dodged it before throwing a punch back, which she blocked. Her eyes widened in surprise as she felt how strong the punch was, despite not having any intent to harm her.
She quickly spun around to avoid getting blown away and used the momentum to throw a kick, which Danny ducked before jumping away as used the momentum again to perform a sweep. Sakura then rushed forward, her fist clenched. Danny saw this and tried to throw a punch to stop her. As he did so, Sakura smirked before she stopped her attack and let Danny throw his punches, which she dodged to the side and grabbed his arm and pulled him towards her, catching his neck on a choke hold.
Danny, who was surprised, tried to break free, but before he could, Sakura let go, making him stumble a little, before she used Danny as a jumping pad, sending him to the ground as she landed a few feet away.
There was a notable amount of red on Danny's face as he closed his eyes.
I almost looked up her skirt… He thought.
Danny rolled on his back to recover before he saw Sakura, who smirked at him. Danny decided to get even by running at her, fists raised. Seeing him throw a punch, Sakura just waited, so she was surprised when Danny was a few feet away when he suddenly did a baseball slide that hit her legs, knocking her off balance, before he jumped on her and pinned her to the ground, grabbing her arms to stop her from moving.
The two panted heavily as they stared at each other before they smiled as Danny let go and fell on the ground next to her. Sakura took a long breath before she laughed.
"Okay... I was right. I can trust you're not the bad guy..." She said.
"Uh... you can?" Danny asks.
"Yeah. You're strong and fast, but you have a very poor form. But most importantly, there was no intent to do harm in any of your blows." Sakura then sat up, causing Danny to do the same. "So... while we're here... why not tell me about... this?" Sakura asks, gesturing to all of him.
Danny blinked before shrugging, deciding to answer her question.
As he sat down, neither saw a white insect made of metal watching from afar.
10 minutes later
"And that's how I got this..." Danny said, pointing to his chest.
"Huh... and I thought what was going on with Taiyo High and Justice Academy was crazy..." Sakura commented before she got up and dusted herself clean. "So... I'll keep your secret."
"You will?" Danny asks.
"You did save and spar with me. Besides..." Sakura said before smiling at him. "I like you."
Danny turned red.
"Uh... you do?"
"Yeah... you're cute, nice, fun and you're a great sparring partner. That said... you need some training. I'd recommend you to my friend, Hibiki-san... but I feel like that is anti-training to be honest." She admitted with a flat look on her face.
"Who?" Danny asks.
"Dan Hibiki... he's... not great. He insists he's my sensei but... well, his heart's in the right place." Sakura admitted.
"Huh... from one Dan to another." Danny commented.
"Yeah... but I think you can outdo him... which isn't saying much admittedly." Sakura said.
"Okay... so... you like me?" Danny asks.
"Yeah." Sakura said with a smile before, to Danny's surprise, she hugged him.
"Oh… uh… okay." He said.
"No worries, I won't even tell Ryu-san. Besides, even if we don't pick each other, I think we can make great sparring partners. I could tell from what happened with Sagat that you're not much when it comes to experience in hand-to-hand." Sakura said.
"Yeah, I learned from experience." Danny admitted.
"Well… if we meet up once in a while, I can show you a thing or two." Sakura said with a thumb's up.
"That'd be… really cool." Danny said.
"Also… nice of you to have some decency and close your eyes when I went over you." Sakura said.
"Heheh… yeah. I'm not… I mean, you're cool and pretty… but I don't have the okay to look." Danny said.
Sakura was momentarily speechless upon hearing that, making Danny fear he may have said something wrong.
"You… you think I'm… pretty?" She asks.
"Well… yeah." Danny admitted.
Sakura had a smile appear, one that looked almost relieved.
"Okay… well… shall we get back to our date then? All that fighting made me want something sweet." Sakura said.
"I know a good ice cream place." Danny said as he morphed back to normal.
"Well… then…" Sakura said as she gestured to the hole Sagat made when he sent Danny though the building. "Lead the way…"
20 minutes later
The two left the ice cream shop with cones in hand.
"So, this Chun-Li? She close to Ryu? Like… dating?" Danny asks.
'No. I don't think Ryu-san is interested in any kind of relationship outside of platonic." Sakura said.
"So, you're dead set to be his student, huh? Why not ask someone like Ken Masters?" Danny asks.
"He's always busy with stuff. Plus, Ryu-san just has this sort of… coolness to him." Sakura said.
As Danny nodded along, his cone was quickly slapped out of his hand.
"Hey! What th-"
He was then pushed to the wall by a very mean jock.
"Aw, had a little accident, Fenton!" Dash mocked.
Before he could continue harassing him, Sakura came to Danny's side protectively.
"You again?" Sakura asks.
"You!" Dash went, seeing a shot at revenge. "You just got lucky cause the sun was in my eye! Now, it's payback time!"
With a snap of his finger, the rest of the football team came to his aid. All of them surround Danny and Sakura.
"Danny-san, duck." Sakura said.
"How is that gonna help? We got you outnumbered." Kwan said.
"So, what's it gonna be? Apologize and I might let you go out with me." Dash said.
"I'd rather kiss Akuma." Sakura said.
Dash's grin dropped and became a confused look on his face.
"I don't know who that is…" He said flatly.
"Be thankful to whoever you pray to at night you might never meet him." Sakura said.
"Whatever… Boys! Show her how we do things here!" Dash ordered.
All of them attempted to gang up on her. However, in that split second, Sakura swung a kick that knocked all 5 of them onto the ground, hitting their faces. She landed ever gracefully as Dash watched his team now on the ground, wincing and groaning in pain.
Danny, meanwhile, watched in awe.
Wow, so cool… so very cool… Danny thought in joy.
Dash gasped, stepped back in horror before Sakura grabbed him by his shirt and lifted him off the ground.
"Now… you will give us the money to buy my date a new ice cream! And don't worry… you're angled so the sun isn't in your eye." Sakura said.
Seeing the intensity in her eyes, Dash gave up.
"Here! Take my money! Take it all!" Dash went, pull out about $50 worth of money.
"Huh… he must've bullied more kids today." Danny went as his bully continued to show how much of a complete coward he was.
"Oh my god…" Dash sobbed. "Take whatever you want just please don't kill me. Please don't kill me!"
Sakura frowned at his cowardice before taking about $10.
"This should do." She said before tossing Dash aside.
She walked up to Danny, helping him up.
"Thanks." Danny said.
"Let's go get you a new cone." She said.
"B-But why are you with Fenton?!" Dash asks.
"He's my date." Sakura said plainly.
"B-But he's a wimp! What would you like about him?!" Dash asks.
"He's a really nice boy. He's not scared of me and thinks I'm cool. And… he didn't look up my skirt when the opportunity presented itself." She said, winking at Danny.
"Heh… I'm also smart enough not to do anything like that." Danny admitted.
"Right…" Sakura said before looking up as if in thought. "Although…" She pressed her finger into her chin. "I do admit I like you… so, maybe I should do something to show how much I enjoy spending time with you and that I'm super grateful a guy like you wants to spend time with me."
"You don't have to." Danny said.
"I want to. Hmm…" Sakura said before snapping her fingers. "I know!"
"You do?" Danny asks curiously as she holds his chin.
"How about this?" Sakura asks before giving him a light kiss on his lips.
At that moment, Danny froze up. His brain went static, unable to form words as Sakura kissed him.
He even forgot the world around him. All he could think of with his eyes so wide was Sakura being so close and her eyes closed as she lightly kissed him.
Once she pulled away, she smiled sweetly.
"There you go, Danny-san."
Danny didn't respond with words, only with a nod of his head. His face was a bright red at the moment.
Meanwhile, Dash and his cronies stared in disbelief.
"Fenton's a monster magnet! Run!" Dash screamed as they all made a break for it.
As the group left, Sakura held up the money.
"Let's go get you a new cone." Sakura said.
Danny, meanwhile, started to regain his ability to think and speak.
"Thanks but… you didn't have to do that." Danny said.
"Oh, blame that arrogant oaf, he assaulted you for no good reason. And he's so cowardly that even Hibiki-san could handle him." Sakura said.
"Not that… I meant the kiss." Danny said, turning red again as his eyes darted away.
To his surprise, Sakura smiled at him.
"Yes I did. Because you've been a sweet guy who was nice and saved me. Plus… I wanted to see the look on their faces that a "monster" like me could like you." Sakura said with a small wink.
Danny smiled at her.
"Thanks, Sakura."
"No problem, Danny-san. Now... let's go get that ice cream!" She said victoriously.
From there, the two left to get another set of cones.
30 minutes later
The two returned to the hotel Sakura and her school were staying at.
"Well, guess that's it." Sakura said.
"Yeah… it was a lot of fun meeting you, Sakura." Danny said.
"Even the parts with that boorish and rude idiot? And I don't mean Sagat." Sakura asked playfully.
"Okay… some parts are less than others." Danny admitted.
"I had fun with you too, Danny-san. I hope you take up my suggestion and brush up on fighting skills. As powerful as you are, your skills paled against Sagat. It's a relief you convinced him not to keep fighting, but that might not work against other kinds of enemies." Sakura explained.
"Right. I'll look up Ken Masters' videos like you suggested and pick up what I can." Danny said.
And hide them from Sam, since she'd think I'm becoming a sell out or something… Danny thought.
"Now…" Sakura said before closing her eyes. "One last thing."
She inched close to Danny's face, making him think she was going to kiss him again.
Danny froze, closing her eyes and preparing to feel a pair of lips on his again. Instead, he felt them on his forehead.
Opening his eyes, he saw Sakura kiss his forehead before pulling back and smiling at him.
"Uh…" He went.
"You thought I was aiming for your lips, huh?" She asks.
"W-Well I… I...I mean...uh...maybe?"
"Dirty boy." Sakura playfully chided.
"N-No, I-" Danny went.
"Although… if you pick me, I might do it again." Sakura said.
"Wait… what?" Danny asks.
"Or not. But still… if, no, when we meet again… let's spar again. Next time, I won't hold back so that we'll see how strong I stack up against you. And you better practice." Sakura said.
Danny blinked a bit before nodding with a smile.
"It's a deal."
With that, Sakura held her fist out, indicating she wanted a fist bump. Danny complied.
The two fists pressed into each other as the young street fighter smiled down at the half-ghost superhero.
"Well, take care, Danny-san." Sakura said as she returned to the hotel.
"Take care, Sakura." Danny said as he waved to her before returning home.
As Sakura crossed the doors, she smiled to herself.
"I didn't get to find Ryu-san… but at least I met a nice guy." She said to herself.
Meanwhile, Danny smiled.
"She was… pretty cool. Probably the best fighter I've dated so far… Even if I don't pick her, I'm going to remember to see her again." Danny said to himself before stopping. "Remember… wait… did I forget something? Let's see…" He pondered. "We hung out, ate, she kissed me… we clearly bonded in a way that she has the same shot at being my girlfriend like Kim through Marinette. Am I forgetting something?" After a moment, he shrugged. "Nah… probably nothing…"
With that, he resumed his walk home.
Meanwhile
A SWAT truck was in the parking lot of the police department of Amity Park. Two of its men were pulling someone detained by the police into it.
"Ika sete kure, baka-domo!" Sodom called out with poor pronunciation as he tried to break out of his chains.
"Alright, alright there, Ronin Warrior. Back to Metro City for you." One officer said.
"You can't do this to me! The Mad Gear Gang will take the world! I will be its Ree-daaaāh! YOU HEAR ME?!" Sodom went but was ignored as he was pushed into the SWAT truck.
"Well, there goes date 7. What did you guys think?" NeoMark asks.
"YES! Street Fighter exists in this version of Many Dates!" Deadpool went.
"Very unique, I'll give you that. Sakura's not a character I used in the original but I see her appeal." Flower Princess11 said.
"So, care to stick around for the next one?" NeoMark asks.
Flower Princess11 looked at her phone.
"Actually, I gotta get back to Danny and Kara. Maybe later?" She said as he got up.
"Okay." NeoMark said.
As she got up, Deadpool did as well.
"Let me help you." He said, getting the door.
"Thanks, Wade." She said sweetly. As she was through the door frame, she inched closer to Deadpool. "Remember what we said?" She asks in an almost mischievous tone.
"Don't worry… that dork doesn't know what's coming his way." Deadpool said.
"Okay…" FP11 said before she turned.
"Uh-uh!" Deadpool went, holding his hand out. "Our deal? She kissed him! It happened intentionally this time too!"
FP11 groaned.
"Fine… I'll even throw in the money from our bet with Marinette…" FP11 said, handing him $25 before going.
With thanks to Flower Princess11 and TheWhiteTitan.
And with that, our first video game character has been featured. Before someone calls out how Sakura's not a cartoon character, or that I didn't use her depiction from the infamous Street Fighter cartoon or not as infamous Alpha animation, recall that video games are an animated medium, so it totally counts. I have two other video game characters in mind.
So, that one awesome dude in the reviews who makes suggestions for video game girls... thank you. You can stop now, I have more than enough choices thanks to you. :)
Speaking of Street Fighter Alpha, this incarnation is set between 2 and 3, keeping her young enough to date Danny.
Next up, we have another character from a work not from the original. This time it's a cartoon character.
RonaldM40196867: You mean seeing Marinette with Tikki made him realize that? And no, just seeing Marinette where Ladybug was standing is what made him realize it was her. Mexican dolls. I just wanted an akumatized DP character. Because it helped them bond. Yes. No. Yes. Maybe? Somewhat. Still willing to hear requests. Dunno.
61394: So that's where he got them from. I like her too, but I do agree with people her love for Adrien tended to get too stalkerish. Frida's 13? Darn artistic age. Also, sorry but you were a bit off on who this was. It was Sakura from Street Fighter.
qazse: I do think they'd go well together. If not as a couple, then at least as close friends... with a mild attraction to each other.
Luiz4200: Yup, he was her date.
Menatron the Angel of Ideas: When I have the time.
pokemon fan 1991: Sorry, but my Deadpool has established rules that the different variants cannot cross very often.
danifan3000: No spoilers for any shows for people who hadn't seen them please. As for Debbie... wait and see.
Whotoonhouse75: Remember, this is date number 7. We have 23 to go and only 8 returning faces with 4 replacements in them.
amit . avrashi: Sorry, but Sabrina was cut. It had to be 9 because of Adrien, but that doesn't mean Danny's not into her that much.
djinn, ScarecrowReaper, FrostHunter: Thanks.
Invader Johnny: Irony indeed. She was unintentionally making her rival and object of her affections get closer.
Runeion, cybirddude, Leman42x, Fantom, and IrishKatana: Thanks for the suggestions.
Jebest4781: I'm open to a story about them though. Am considering it at some point.
William Escobar 608: Ayuda que él esté bromeando al respecto y que a ella ya le haya gustado estar cerca de él. A pesar de la creencia popular, no estoy obsesionado con las pelirrojas. La mayoría de las chicas con las que he trabajado resultan ser ellas.
Bob the mammoth: I'm surprised how quickly it became popular here. I'll admit I'm not too knowledgeble on later seasons, but I am aware of the controversy of Astruc. I agree with the chemistry... and admit that I take my dislike of certain characters pretty far... but other times I just really love putting Peter Griffin through the ringer. As we see, it's Sakura from Street Fighter, our first video game rep. As for your questions: Not sure, not sure, Teen Titans, probably shapeshifting.
FC Tiraspol Fan: Nope.
White Pantera: More than likely no.
Jacob Cook: Cool.
Leonardo: Maybe, if I'm still around then. Knowing my luck... I might be. I have. It's not 100% what I was hoping for, but I do like it. That said, if an animated revival ignores it like Incredibles 2 ignored the comics and games, I won't be upset.
Guest: Neat.
Symbolic Joker: I admit in hindsight she would have worked for Kara too, and the numbering would have worked better, but I felt she worked better as Sabrina's foil. Interesting, I'll look both of them up. Most of these details I'll probably get to in the epilogue stories. We'll see how it goes on the epilogue chapters when I get there, including if I use the 10 returning girls.
JDF Legacier Morphicon: Glad to know I shocked you :) PD as in Prima Donna, something we called him in Danny and Kara. Annie sure is adorable :) Stick around :)
Somaliland Bill and Guest: Nope.
Drakonslayer21: Probably not.