Juro held out his sword as Chun Li studied him carefully. His black eyes narrowed slightly, studying her. She waited for him to make the first move. If he did the first move, he would be a lot easier to read. Chun Li had her speed and agility in her favor. She did not wish to underestimate this man's skills. Chun Li learned long ago that doing so could be a grave mistake. Before she could blink, Juro dashed towards her, his sword slicing the air in quick, precise motions. Chun Li managed dodging to safety, but she had been surprised by the man's speed. He had a thin frame that obviously made it easy to move around. She took a deep breath, calming herself, thinking quickly.

She would be able to read his moves if she watched the swing of his sword. That would simplify things a little bit. He ran towards her, but Chun Li executed a jump kick, knocking him in the chest. Juro took several steps back to distance himself from her, and he took a few breaths. Her kicks could cause damage. Her years of training insured that her art be one that relied on powerful, fast kicks instead of punches.

Juro quickly dashed towards her, his sword cutting through the air. Chun Li quickly dodged to the side, but he read her reaction and hit her left shoulder. Chun Li gritted her teeth as the first wave of pain shot through her arm. Juro swung the sword again, planning to whack her head, but she shifted and gave him several quick, hard kicks above his hip. Chun Li then launched into the air, using her hands as a spring, and performed a split, her foot kicking Juro in the temple.

"You b*tch!" Juro howled. "You'll pay for that!"

Kami felt her breath leap in her throat as Juro lowered his sword. Chun Li got to her feet and lowered her fighting stance. Juro sliced upwards, causing some dirt to fly into Chun Li's eyes. She cried out in astonishment. Ryu narrowed his eyes. Juro was already weakened from Chun Li's attacks. He had nothing left but cheap shots.

Through her tearful eyes, Chun Li saw Juro coming towards her. He swung his sword, hitting her side. In return, she delivered a swift kick to his jaw. He kicked dirt up in her face with first his feet then his sword.

"You b*st*rd!" Chun Li cried out.

Juro breathed out heavily. "This should have been finished long ago..."

He sliced her left shoulder again. Chun Li felt him whack her left shoulder blade, and helplessly, she fell to her knees, her eyes stinging. She rubbed her eyes wearily.

"Chun Li, behind you!" Ryu called out.

Chun Li turned and saw Juro, sword raised high. Just as he lowered it into the swing, Chun Li leapt to the side to safety and kicked his sword out of his grasp. She then delivered lightning kicks to his chest. Finally, she jumped in the air and knocked Juro to the ground using her legs in a double kick. She fell on her upper back, already sore from the hits delivered by the kendo sword. After several long minutes, Juro lay unconscious, and several people applauded her victory. Chun Li closed her eyes in relief. Moments later, she felt someone gently lift her in a sitting position. She kept her eyes closed as she tried to tune into her body, checking if Juro had done any major damage.

"Are you all right?" came a masculine voice.

Her lashes fluttered slightly. When her eyes opened fully, she turned her head slightly to see Ryu staring at her, his face expressionless.

"I think so," she replied softly. A little smile curved her lips. "I guess I'm out of practice. If I had been training with you, I would have beaten him in half the time."

Ryu nodded. "Perhaps. But what matters is that you won and you are all right." Kami ran up from behind him. "We will get you inside where I can dress your wounds and you can rest."

Minutes later, after everyone left Juro unconscious in the street, Chun Li was sitting on the examination table. Kami was sitting in a chair, across the room, watching them. Ryu was examining her left shoulder.

"Nothing is broken?" he asked.

"No."

"I'm surprised he didn't dislocate your shoulder. He could have done so easily," Ryu stated. "But he did cause you to draw blood here." Ryu began to clean the wound with warm water and soap. He then applied an antiseptic that caused her to hiss out her breath. The solution stung. "My apologies. Did I apply too much?" he asked.

"No," Chun Li answered.

"Sorry." Ryu stepped back for a few moments to examine her. "Is your side in pain?"

"Not really..."

"Are you injured anywhere else?"

"Well..."

"That's right. I believe he hit your shoulder blade as well. Please remove your shirt," Ryu stated calmly.

Kami's eyes widened.

"Wh-What?" Chun Li squeaked.

"How can I examine you if you're covered?" Ryu asked.

"Oh...Um..." Chun Li was at a loss for words.

"Ryu-san, I can examine her," Kami suggested.

Ryu turned to her. "It is all right. I am only doing my duty as the doctor's assistant."

Chun Li stared at him, openmouthed in shock. There had certainly been times when she imagined him saying that, but not in this situation. He was really dense.

"Um, Ryu, I don't think-" Chun Li started.

"Is there a problem?" Ryu asked.

"Well, yes. You're a man, I'm a woman. And..."

"There are many male physicians in this world who see a lot more than a woman's back," Ryu pointed out.

Chun Li bit her lip. When he put it that way, it made her feel silly.

"Why are you uncomfortable with this?" Ryu asked.

"I'm not. It's just not common, that's all." Chun Li lifted up the back of her shirt. She happened to be wearing a spandex jogging top below her shirt, so she was retaining her modesty somewhat.

Ryu's fingers traced over her shoulder blade. "The muscle and bone seem intact..." He paused as he heard Chun Li's intake of breath. "You are sore here?" Ryu kept his fingers over one spot, pressing deeply.

"Yeah," Chun Li responded.

"Place some ice on this for today and tomorrow. Then you can start applying a heat pad to this. I believe during your fight, you strained your muscles. If necessary, you can also take some painkillers," Ryu advised.

Chun Li adjusted her shirt. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. You still are a skilled fighter, Chun Li. I was impressed," Ryu admitted.

"Thanks. That means a lot to me."

Kami watched the two warriors interact. She sighed. There is so much about him that I have yet to discover, she thought.