The Quest - Ryu's Journey Ch. 10 - Ryu
By Dragonwriter

Ryu: "Are you sure you don't want to stay with us?"

The mysterious warrior nodded.

"My path lies not with you. My purpose in coming here has been accomplished, and now I must depart."

Ryu sighed.

Ryu: "Okay, I can't stop you. Safe journey."

The mysterious warrior reached forward to grasp Ryu's forearms, the gesture of equals.

"Safe journey."

The mysterious warrior turned to leave.

Chun-Li: "Wait! Can you at least tell us your name before you go?"

The mysterious warrior turned back to them and stared for a long second, deep in thought. Finally, he spoke:

"My friends call me Dragonwriter..."

And with that, he vanished, leaving Ryu and Chun-Li stunned...

***

A far distance away, deep in the center of a forest, he reappeared. Quickly ho looked around to make sure no one else was around and, sensing no one, began to set up camp.

That evening, as the mysterious warrior sat cooking dinner, his bracelets began to glow. Looking down at them, he smiled in anticipation. The time had come. She was here!

A hole in space appeared out of nowhere and grew to human size. A woman stepped out, dressed in blue with her hair done up in ponytails. She looked at the mysteriouss warrior, and a look of love passed over her face.

"Did it work?"

He nodded.

"It worked. The future is assured. Neither of them recognized me. They'll both realize the truth soon, but not yet."

She came up to him and sat down beside him, picking up a bowl of soup he had made for her.

"I missed you."

"I know. I missed you too."

As they ate, they spoke about many things. When they finished, they curled up in their sleeping bag and just enjoyed each others presence after such a long absence.

After a whi8le, she rolled over to face him. His eyes were open, and he stared at her face, as if he hadn't seen it in years. She smiled.

"I was so afraid that something might happen to you..."

He silenced her witha gentle finger against her lips.

"I know, but nothing did. I'm still alive, and I'm still yours till death do us part and beyond. You will never lose me, Chun-Li..."

They're lips met in a long, slow kiss. When the parted, she stared into his eyes, seeing the fire burning inside them. She felt it too, and she finally gave into it, letting the flames consume her.

"I love it when you're romantic, Ryu..."

And they kissed, the fire seeming to encompass their entire bodies.

The only sounds that came from the two warriors that night was the occasional soft moan drifting through the night air. They were finally, this night, able to give in to the fire.