Chapter Text
Suzakujo, Japan…
The young man stood before his mentor-and father figure- with a briefcase in his hands and an envelope with a ticket to Beijing. The older man, the karate warrior-monk Gouken, said to his protégé, Ryu, "Be on your best behavior. Young Chun-Li needs all the support she can get-especially going through such a tough time in her life."
Ryu said, "Yes, sensei. I will be there to help Chun-Li. Now I must be leaving. I'll see you in two weeks time. Farewell, Sensei."
The younger man bowed to his teacher, and the older man returned the bow. Ryu then headed for the nearby city, where he'd take a cab to the airport. From there, he'd fly into Beijing.
After an uneventful flight, Ryu landed in Beijing. As he walked through the airport, he saw a familiar face. "Sifu Gen." Ryu said, and bowed towards the older man. Gen placed his fist into his empty hand, and bowed to the younger fighter.
'We are honored by your presence, and honored that you have come to represent Gouken." Gen said.
"Gouken was a friend of Dourhai. Sensei wanted to come, but decided to send me. I am honored to pay my respects to a great friend." Ryu said.
They exited the airport, and walked to a black sedan. Gen and Ryu got in the back, and the car took off, headed for the heart of the city. Ryu then asked, "Sifu Gen, how is she…Chun-Li?"
Gen said, "I have never seen such a change in her. She is so-sad and angry. I do not know what I can do to help."
Ryu said, "Can I see her? Maybe if she sees a friend, she will feel better."
Gen replied, "It can't hurt. Driver, Kang Ling Apartments"
-RCL-RCL-RCL-
The car pulled up to the apartment complex-which was one of the most high-quality apartments in Beijing. Gen escorted Ryu to Chun-Li's apartment, then knocked on the door. The door opened, a a young woman, about 16, opened the door. "Hello, Sifu Gen." she answered.
Gen and Ryu walked inside, and sat down on the couch. Gen spoke, "Chun-Li…you remember Ryu, Sensei Gouken's top pupil? He has traveled to pay respects to your father."
Chun-Li looked at Ryu, then said, "Yeah…I remember you. Thank you for coming. You must be tired from your trip…would you like something to drink? Is iced tea OK?"
Ryu said, "That would be great, thank you." Chun-Li then got up to go to the kitchen. Sifu Gen said, "Ryu, I take it you will be on your best behavior while I return to my school. I'll be back later this evening to take you to the Wai-Fon Hotel." Gen then left the apartment.
Chun-Li returned, with two glasses. She looked around the living room, then said, "Where's Sifu? I thought he might like some tea…"
Ryu replied, "Sifu said he needed to return to school. So, how are you doing? I know it must be…hard for you right now…"
Chun-Li said, "I knew Daddy's assignments were always dangerous…but when I heard he was assigned to investigate 'Shadaloo', I was really scared. They have a reputation for threatening officers…and their families. And when the bureau called me and told me Daddy was….Daddy was…." At this, Chun-Li put her face in her hands and began crying. Ryu came over to her and hugged her, and she continued sobbing and crying. "Why?…why? It's not right! He was a good man…and they killed him!"
Ryu held her, and said nothing. He let her pour her grief out, and felt grateful to be the rock he felt she so desperately needed. They sat there for hours, as Ryu silently gave her emotional support. She softly said, "The funeral's tomorrow. 11 am. Someone will be there to bring you to the cemetery."
Ryu nodded, to show that he heard her. The knocking on the door broke their reverie. Chun-Li stood up, and walked to the door. After seeing who it was, she opened the door. Gen walked in, and said to Ryu, "Are you ready to go?"
No, just a little longer…, Ryu thought. But he replied, "Yes, Sifu Gen. Let's go. I could use some rest."
Gen said, "Very well. Let us go, then. Chun-Li, we will see you at the funeral tomorrow. Good night."
-RCLRCL-RCLRCL-
The black sedan took Gen and Ryu to the hotel, and Ryu marveled at how opulent the hotel was. They both took the elevator to the 10th floor, where Ryu's room was. As they walked into the room, Ryu couldn't believe everything that was in the room. The room made the shack he lived in with Gouken look like…well, a shack. Gen said, "Well, my young friend, I will leave you to rest for tomorrow."
Ryu looked throughout the room. There was a tray loaded with noodles, soup, and chicken in a spicy sauce. Ryu, who hadn't eaten anything since that morning, attacked the food with ravenous desire. After dinner, Ryu took a shower and got into bed. Slowly, he fell asleep-but he began dreaming about a young woman who he knew needed his help to weather this storm.
-RCL-RCL-RCL-
Ryu awoke to the sound of knocking on the hotel door. Rising and putting on a robe, he opened the door to see that there was a small bundle on the floor in front of the door. The bundle was a black suit. He took the suit inside, and after a quick shower, changed into the suit. He sat on the bed and waited. Not much later, there was another knock on the door. Ryu opened the door and saw Gen there. Gen looked at Ryu and said, "Are you ready, young dragon?"
Ryu said, "Hai, Sifu." Both men then headed down to the lobby and outside, where the sky had darkened, and the rain drizzled down. Ryu said, "Sensei often said, 'When good men die, the heavens themselves weep' "
Gen said, "Gouken is right. The heavens themselves weep and mourn the loss of such a great man…"
And here's the first chapter of my very first Ryu/Chun-Li story! Don't forget to comment!