Cherry Blossoms Prologue
By Gouki

It was around 5pm and most of the people were already starting on their way back home. In this part of the city however, many people were still on the lookout for a good bargain and the shops and market stalls that aligned the long stretch of road would be where these people would usually visit. Ceramic miniatures, jade necklaces, earring and antiques, they had it all. Food, clothes and jewellery were never a problem here with the huge number of food stalls on the sidewalks.

However a place like this always had its dark spots and unlighted alleyways which could hide a mugger or worse and woe to the unlucky person who happened to fall prey to such people. It was in one of these alleys that two girls in a hurry to get to where they were going would venture through, and thus beginning our story…

The sun was still in the sky, and so this region wasn’t completely unlighted. Small pools of water lay on the rough terrain, result of the rain that had occurred a few hours ago. The familiar smell of alcohol, smoke and sewage lingered through the musty air and the two teenagers quickened their speed, eager to make it to the other side and reach their destination.

“Slow down…Sakura” one of them said, being one that usually wore shoes, unlike the trainers her friend wore and gaining her an easy dash ahead. The one named Sakura slowed down her pace, in order to allow her friend to catch up.

“Oh…sorry Kei…” she stopped completely as she saw that her friend needed time to catch her breath. Seeing that she needed it also, she took the time to do so. The skies were beginning to darken, not from the sun disappearing over the horizon but from the clouds that were beginning to envelop it. In a manner of seconds, a few drops of rain began descending onto the city. The cloud’s cover over the sky had resulted in darkening the alleyway further; a hint of light still being existent but its time span looked to be very limited. This gave the girls some kind of warning on what could occur if they didn’t make it to the other side whilst light was still present and they acted upon it.

“We better hurry before it gets dark,” Sakura started. “Otherwise…” she paused as she saw three silhouettes approaching the two. The shadows took on a solid form as it metamorphosed into three men, two tall and one fairly short. They looked to be around 18 to 19 years of age, perhaps just in their first year of college. Upon seeing the adolescents, the tall one in the middle gave a grin, but it didn’t look friendly. They looked to be drunk, clearly indicated by the way they were walking, and a bottle of beer that hung from the short one’s hand. The intoxicated trio stopped a few feet in front of Sakura and Kei, making no sign of letting the girls pass.

“So, how ‘bout this one Chris?” The tall one on the left looked towards his friend in the middle and gestured towards Sakura before grinning. The said name gazed towards Sakura and tilted his head as a sign of observing her. He turned towards Kei and repeated the same motion before answering.

“Heh, I like the other one…” he slurred. “She looks a lil’ sweeter” he smiled again and the girls widened their eyes in horror as realisation told them just what the men were implying.

“Get out of our way,” Kei threatened “or else I’ll…”

“Oooooh, looks like she’s playing hard to get,” Chris interrupted. “I can handle it…just try and stop me” the two behind him soon snickered at their friend’s comment.

“So you guys wanna fight? Then let’s go!” Sakura retorted. She knew how to fight, although she was still somewhat of a novice. Hopefully, their drunken state would work to her advantage.

“Sakura what are you doing!!” Kei hissed in surprise and fear at what her friend just said. “You can’t fight all three.” Before Sakura could reply, the adults laughed.

“This should be fun…” Chris said. He entered somewhat of a boxing stance, and staggered towards Sakura.

“Watch this!” he cried as he swung a punch, using most of his strength behind the attack. Such a move would’ve sent the teenager soaring to the ground if not for a.) He was drunk and at this point was almost struggling to stand and b.) Sakura had already seen the punch coming and easily side-stepped and caused him to fall from the force of his own attack. He crashed onto the ground with a loud groan, seemingly unable to continue and Sakura turned her attention to the other two.

“I’ll teach you a lesson, brat!” the short one said as he threw the bottle he was holding to the ground and charged forward. Like Chris, he swung wildly and resulted in striking only air as Sakura ducked under the blow. Using her small experience of fighting she punched him directly in the stomach and the man keeled over and immediately began vomiting due to his now upset stomach. Suddenly, Sakura’s eyes widened in fear as she felt something sharp and cold press into the skin of her back. Before she could react, her body was forced against the wall and she felt her arms being held tightly behind her.

“You look like you’ve got plenty of energy for a little girl,” a voice said in her ear. She couldn’t detect any alcohol on his breath, and realised that he was the only member who was actually sober. “I think I’ll take you instead…” He ran his tongue along her ear lightly and slowly, and despite Sakura’s squirming he had a great hold on her due to his strength and stopping her chances of escaping. In fact, her attempts only seemed to satisfy him.

“Shaddup and take this like a woman b*tch!” Chris yelled as he threw Kei down to the ground forcefully and causing her to cry out in pain. She looked up in fear as the two men towered over her sitting frame. Chris then placed his hands to his jeans, and slowly pulled down his zip but then he stopped.

“Make your d*mn *ss useful and keep a lookout or somethin’!” Chris barked over to the tall one.

“And leave you to have all the fun? I don’t think so…” he replied, a perverted grin adorning his face.

“Fine, suit yourself.” Chris said. “But I’m going first!” A glance at the two and Kei pondered on how sweet it would be if death chose to embrace her, in comparison to what she knew but couldn’t stop from happening that is.

“I guess I get you all to myself. Look’s like your friend’s gonna be REALLY busy.” Sakura closed her eyes, not willing to show any sign of weakness but when she heard the familiar sound of his zipper, she couldn’t help but let a few tears fall as she silently prayed that someone, anyone would save her.

“Leave them alone!!” a voice streaked through the frigid atmosphere, demand written all over it. The one holding Sakura turned to the person responsible for the supposed threat and met the icy gaze of a man wearing a white gi. He was young, but very muscled obviously meaning he was a fighter with the red fighting gloves that covered a pair of weathered hands and the gi to prove it. A long, white headband was tied around his forehead, almost concealed by the autumn coloured hair that covered the top and back of his head. Chris and the second man had also looked towards the one who had interrupted their “fun” and in doing so, allowed Sakura and Kei to escape to a safe distance but they were no longer a concern.

“Who da f--- are you?!” the tall one who had cornered Kei spat. The stranger didn’t say anything.

“You ruined our lil’ party, and now I’ll make sure you ain’t ruining anymore!” Chris then withdrew a small blade and gave some kind of karate yell as he ran towards the fighter. He thrust his hand forward, in a wild attempt to impale his opponent through the chest. The man avoided the lunge, and grabbed the wrist of the hand that held the weapon before delving his knee into Chris’s abdomen. He clutched his stomach in pain, as the knife fell from his hand and he fell to his knees, finally reaching unconsciousness when his face struck a pool of rainwater on the ground. The other two, being smart enough not to mess with this fighter, took a few hesitant steps back before fleeing. The man watched them leave, and after picking up the duffel bag that stood by his feet walked over to the girls who were still in slight shock over what could’ve happened to them.

“Are you two alright?” he inquired as he held out two hands in order to help them get up.

Y-ye-yes, thank you very much…” Sakura trailed off as he focused his attention on Kei. She couldn’t help but feel attracted to this man. Not just for saving her, but she realised that he was strikingly handsome and strong. “Just who are you…?” she asked.

“Ryu…” he simply answered. Sakura felt as if she would remember the name and him for as long as she lived. “Can I offer to escort you two to your destination?” he asked with concern in his voice.

“That wou-would be nice, thanks” Sakura replied. “Not only strong and handsome, but polite as well…” she thought. She couldn’t help smiling at him, who returned it with a friendly smile of his own and causing Sakura to blush slightly from embarrassment. Of course, Kei noticed this and gave a slight grin small enough for Sakura not to notice, if she wasn't focused on the man who saved them.

“I’ll definitely tease her about this…” she thought as she, Sakura and Ryu continued the path towards their respective homes.