Hero of Heroes Ch. 25 (Part 1) - The Perfect Sunset
By Night

The eyes of the young Shotokan warrior twitched as he felt the cool winds lightly brush against his body. His arms, feet, chest, and face felt cold from the open exposure to the air... but Ryu had soon began to feel warmth all over... Against his forehead, he could feel warmth that he could identify as smooth, soft skin. Against his ear, he could feel and hear the slow, steady beating of a heart. He was _CLOSE_ against someone... and he could feel his head slowly rising and falling from the person's steady breathing. A pair of warm, gentle arms was also holding him... holding him as if they never wanted to ever let go... As he was collecting his thoughts together... he sniffed the air, inhaling nothing but a sweet aroma... and the Japanese warrior knew that the person who was holding him so dearly was female. Just from the scent alone, he knew that it was none other than Chun-Li...

Ryu felt so at ease... so peaceful... and he never wanted to ever leave this position. Since his body was already so exhausted from the raging battle the night before... he was pretty much unable to move very much anyway. Having his body completely relaxed and being held so close against the Chinese woman felt so good that it caused him to only press himself deeper against her... and he could feel her arms wrap around him even tighter and feel her body slightly move to get into a more comfortable position as he did so... Damn, this feels good... After a few moments that seemed to take a lifetime to pass... Ryu finally opened his eyes slowly, squinting a bit from the rays of light emitting from the overhead, afternoon sun... but soon everything came into focus... He could see the royal blue color of Chun-Li's infamous Chinese uniform decorated by its golden swirls. On the ground, he could see her spiked bracelets neatly placed next to her. There was a small leaf on her shoulder, and from the shadows that he could see on the ground, Ryu finally concluded that they were comfortably relaxing against the trunk of a tree.

The Shotokan warrior tensed up a bit once he looked up at the sleeping woman he was leaning against. Knowing now that since the battle is over... he still has one thing left to do. He was never a man to break his promise... and he wasn't going to start by breaking the most important promise he could ever keep. But he was so nervous... he knew she wanted to hear his true feelings... but there was something more he wanted to tell her. Throughout the young warrior's entire life... he has been searching for the meaning of the fight... and during the entire time, his best friend, Ken Masters had been telling him there was always something more. Although Ryu never forgets any form of wisdom from anyone, he had always regarded the gaijin's advice as something that only a person like him would get involved with. But now... Ryu had finally realized that his friend was right all along. By the time you realize you had someone... you'll realize it's already too late... At first Ryu didn't understand what his friend had meant by those words... A woman loves you, but you never realize it... and once you do... she's gone! Ryu tensed up again at the thought... I'd hate to admit it my friend, but you're right... she's come and gone in my life many times... I just hope... I won't let it happen again... not this time!

Ryu continued to think to himself... and his thoughts were interrupted by a slight "Mmm..." The tensing of Ryu's body had caused Chun-Li to slowly awaken... and he could feel her arms gently move up and down his back. Feeling her body finally move felt so nice that Ryu also let out a slight "Mmm..." in return...

The Chinese woman slowly opened her eyes... and as her blurry vision cleared... she could see that the man she held the night before was still lying comfortably in her arms... "RYU!!!" Lifting her cheek from his forehead, Chun-Li looked into Ryu's open eyes, seeing that he was fully awake. She pulled her arms closer toward her, causing her to squeeze Ryu tightly. Although surprised by her suddenness, Ryu returned the hug shortly, wrapping his arms around her as well... and they held each other in a peaceful embrace for what seemed to be forever... "Chun-Li..." They could both feel their hearts beating, and the closeness of their bodies had completely warmed them both... When they finally released, Chun-Li smiled down at Ryu, and she moved one hand that was on his back and placed it on his head, slowly ruffling through his hair... "How are you doing?"

"Last night, I think I've used up more energy in just a few hours than I ever have in my entire life..."

Giggling, the Chinese woman moved her hand from his head down to his shoulder and rubbed it in a slow circular motion, causing him to lightly shiver... "Hope you rested well. You deserve it... after all you saved me, yourself, and avenged your master!"

"Mmm," Ryu nodded. He didn't quite know how to respond, but he knew he couldn't stay in silence. "Yeah... I... I did have a good rest... nothing felt more peaceful than sleeping with you..." After those words were said, Ryu cringed, instantly wanting to take them back. You idiot! What kind of response was THAT???

The smile on Chun-Li's face only got wider and her brown eyes began to light up... "Ohhhhhhh... so since you liked sleeping with me... you'd probably like to sleep with me again in the future wouldn't you...?" she asked in a teasing voice.

"Uh..." Ryu started to blush, not expecting her to respond in that way... "Well... heh heh... I uh... sure... I mean... heh..." He couldn't help but chuckle while he stumbled for words to say...

Damn... I almost forgot how cute he was when he gets like that... Interrupting him, Chun-Li placed a finger on his lips. "Don't worry... I know you what you mean." And with that, she took her finger off his lips, moving her face closer to him.

"..." Ryu backed his head away a bit... but as soon as he looked into her eyes and the smile on her face, he felt himself becoming lost in them and dropped his resistance... As he felt her hot breath begin to brush against his lips, he closed his eyes, letting her get even closer until their lips met. Ryu fumbled a bit as they kissed slowly... but soon began to join in as Chun-Li lightly ran her fingers through his hair and down the back of his neck. Chun-Li broke the kiss shortly after, smiling as she pulled away. When she opened her eyes, she could see the Japanese warrior open his slowly, seeing that he was already missing the wonderful feeling of her soft, warm lips pressed up against his.

"I'm just so glad you're alive, Ryu," she said softly as she gently placed her right hand on his cheek.

Liking the feeling of her warm palm against his cheek, Ryu tilted his head a bit so he could lean a bit more against it. "It was all because you came..."

"M-me? I... I didn't do much! He actually roughed me up quite-"

"But it WAS because of you!" Ryu interrupted, "I was almost completely in the darkness... but then suddenly, I could feel the grip around my neck loosen... and once I opened my eyes, I saw you!"

"Oh..." That was all she could say, knowing that it WAS indeed true. She just let herself listen as Ryu just kept on talking... something he usually doesn't do...

"And when I saw you about to be blasted by that demon... I... I knew I just couldn't let that happen..."

"You too?" Chun-Li suddenly asked.

"Huh...?"

"I mean... you also couldn't let someone that you cared so much about get hurt, or possibly die...?"

"Oh... well..." Ryu finally sat up a little bit, and brought his arms around, lightly wrapping them behind her waist. Just tell the truth! "That's exactly it. I... I was determined to win... not because of overcoming Satsui no Hado... not to avenge Sensei... but... for... FOR YOU!"

Chun-Li began to feel warm inside... feeling his arms wrap around her... and hearing those words come out of his mouth. "And I was determined to see that you were to come back to me safe... and I'm so glad that you are safe now. I... I-"

"Ch-Chun..." Ryu interrupted. He knew what words were going to come out of her mouth... but this time he wanted to say them first. Now is the time, Ryu. No backing out on your promise now. Ryu's thoughts were telling him to do one thing... but he just couldn't get his lips to move.

There was a short moment of uncomfortable silence, until Chun-Li broke it. "Ryu? What...? Something... wrong...?"

"Oh... it... it..." COME ON! What's your problem? "It's just that... my body is so exhausted... I mean... from all the fighting last night..." YOU COWARD!

"Oh... I see..." Chun-Li's eyes looked down, knowing that what he just said wasn't exactly what he wanted to tell her.

Ryu lightly bit his lip, cursing himself inside his head. Dammit... why can't I tell her? Ahhhhh....! M-maybe I need to find a better setting... Releasing his hold around her waist, Ryu planted his hands on the floor to finally stand up, offering his right hand to the Chinese woman still sitting. "You're wounded too... maybe... maybe we should go the hot springs. They'll heal us quickly..."

Chun-Li's eyes looked up again, and she smiled up at Ryu as she brought up her soft hand to meet Ryu's rough, dry one. As Ryu pulled her up she reached with her other hand to pick up her bracelets which she had placed next to them, and with her hand held in his, he slowly led her down the path to the springs.

***

"Wait... what's that?" Something had caught Ryu's eye and they stopped in the middle of the path. In a small distance, off the trail, he could see large round spheres connected to each other, formed into a what appeared to be a necklace. Ryu walked closer, taking his lady along with him to get a closer look.

Upon close inspection... it was undeniable. It was Akuma's beaded necklace. Reaching over with his free hand, Ryu picked up the necklace, and held it at face level. There was still blood on it from when Chun-Li had pierced his chest with her spiked bracelets, and some of the beads were missing, destroyed along with Akuma's own destruction. The Shotokan warrior just stood still and stared at them. Many thoughts went through his head, and for many moments, he just stood and stared, almost forgetting that he had someone with him.

"Um..." Chun-Li finally spoke out after a long while.

"Oh... I'm sorry..." Ryu apologized, turning his head to face her.

"It's ok! Just that I thought you were TOTALLY zoning out on me!"

"Well, this necklace just reminds me of a lot of things..." Ryu turned his head to look at it one last time before turning his head back to Chun-Li. "Um... Chun-Li... before we go to the springs... I need to do something first..."

"Oh... what is it?"

"Just some things I wanted to say to Sensei..."

Chun-Li smiled, knowing that she too went through exactly what he's going through now... "Sure, Ryu! Lead the way!"

Keeping the beads in his left hand and Chun-Li's hand in his right, Ryu went down a different path, deeper into the forest.

***

"Wow... it's so beautiful..." Chun-Li was captivated by the scenery. Ryu and Chun-Li were at a lush, green area of the forest surrounded by trees. There were flowers growing by the tree trunks, the grass was lush and full, and there was even a waterfall right in the middle of the area. And nearby the waterfall... Chun-Li could see an oval shaped, white rock formation.

"This is where Ken and I buried Sensei..." Ryu said in a gentle tone. Being at this place is always torture for him. "When we were young, I used to always come here. I just loved the surroundings so much that I could just lie under a tree for hours. It was such a peaceful place that... this was the only place where I felt Sensei could rest after he was murdered. Then when I would came back here, it was always horrible since seeing his grave would always remind me of that incident."

"And now that he's been avenged... how do you feel?" Chun-Li asked.

"Well... let me tell that to him right now then."

"Of course!" Chun-Li watched as Ryu slowly walked towards the grave of his late master, letting go of her hand. Gosh... this is almost exactly the same thing I went through with Father...

The warrior of Shotokan took a bow, and slowly lifted his arm, holding up the beats of his fallen opponent. Looking at the stone formation, he gathered up everything he wanted to say mentally. For the longest time Sensei... I have wondered when this day would come... the day when I would stand here... telling you that I have finally defeated him. The demon. Pausing in his thoughts, he continued. It appears that day is today... and now you can finally be at peace. Your brother was a the greatest opponent I have ever faced... and in destroying him... I have not only saved myself and avenged you... but I have saved him as well, freeing the demons from within him. Ryu lightly flung his arm... tossing the beaded necklace towards a tree nearby the grave, having it hang off one of the stubs from the trunk. Rest well warriors... let the heart of this forest be your home forever. Ryu turned his eyes back towards the rock formation, and he sat on both knees. For countless moments he just stared... recapturing every moment he had ever had with the only man that he looked up to as a father.

Chun-Li watched Ryu sitting the entire time, thinking about her own moments with her own late father. She didn't mind waiting, knowing that she herself took quite a long time when she was going through the routine. So she just stood, smiling from behind him, holding her bracelets in front.

"Sensei..." After many minutes of silence that seemed to have passed all too quickly for him, Ryu finally spoke aloud.

Chun-Li's head, which was hanging down from the waiting, finally looked up hearing the break in the long silence.

"There were so many things you've taught me... and there was one thing that had always stuck in my mind..." Ryu finally began to stand up, and once he was on his feet, his arm extended to its full length with his hand curled into a tight fist. "You always asked... 'What do you see beyond your fist?' I've always been looking for the answer of that question. And now, I think I'm a little closer to that answer..."

"Hmm...?" Chun-Li couldn't help listening to Ryu's words...

"There is only so much a fist can do..." Ryu continued, "But there seems to be a limit... which is why I can never truly see anything beyond it." Right then and there, the fingers slowly began to spread part, and Ryu's fist opened into an open palm. "... And I've finally realized... if you open up that fist... then the amount of what can be done is limitless."

From behind him, the Chun-Li had listened to each word and as a warrior herself, appreciated the philosophy being said. But when she thought he had finished, he still continued.

"When you first left us... vengeance was on my mind for quite some time. I was always thinking about how I would obtain it until this very day."

The Chinese woman winced a bit. I wish he'd stop reminding me of myself... it's embarrassing!

"... But events that I have never once anticipated had occurred. While I was constantly seeking revenge for a dead person... those who were still alive... had slowly began to enter my heart."

At that moment, Chun-Li's heart missed a beat... R...

"Chun-Li..." Ryu turned around, holding out his open hand.

"Y-yes, Ryu...?"

"We should let Sensei rest now... let us continue to the springs..."

"Oh... okay..." She had expected something else... but she guessed that this probably wasn't the right time yet...

***

The coolness of the air had caused the hot springs to emit more amounts of steam than usual. There was no one around except for the warriors that had just arrived, holding clean towels in their arms. There were two areas: A lower area for the men by the wooden deck, and the upper area on top of the small waterfall for the women. It was the exact same hot springs area where Ryu and Ken had fought in the third Street Fighter tournament before he set off to face Gill, and where Chun-Li had been to watch him.

As Ryu looked up at the women's area, he let go of Chun-Li's hand. "Um... should I stay down here while you go up-"

"Ryu..." Chun-Li interrupted, reaching over to take his warm hand back into hers. "No one's around... why don't we both go up to there together...?"

Ryu muttered a small protest of some sort, but Chun-Li interrupted again.

"I'd be all alone up there... and besides, the view is much nicer!" Her other hand came around putting it on top of Ryu's, completely warming it.

The Japanese warrior felt a small tingle surge through his hand and run up the length of his arm. He knew that he shouldn't protest any further. "...Okay."

"Yay!" Chun-Li cheered and she pulled Ryu, this time leading him across the deck and up towards the top of the waterfall area.

Once they approached a spring large enough to fit the both of them, Ryu stepped towards the edge and lightly stuck his toes in to test the temperature. It was definitely hot and the steam arising from it was hot as well. Once he put his foot back on the edge, his hand let go of Chun-Li's hand, and went to the knot of his black belt and began to undo it. Once he was finished, a large cloud of steam emerged from the spring, causing Ryu to close his eyes and turn his head away. As soon as his eyes opened... he could see that Chun-Li had placed her bracelets down, and reached for the bottom of the top of her uniform and slowly pulled it upwards. "Oh... um..." he interrupted.

"Hmm?" Chun-Li stopped, leaving her hands where they were.

"Um..." Ryu's face began to turn red... "H-how about I go in first w-while you can undress at the other area..."

Chun-Li couldn't help giggling and when she stopped she smiled, appreciating his respect for her modesty. Awwww... he's such a gentleman... and a sweet gentleman at that... "Okay, I'll be right back then." Turning around, she walked off towards the lower area and Ryu waited until she was out of sight. Once she disappeared, he shed his clothing and slowly stepped his left foot inside the hot spring followed by the right.

Ahhhh this feels nice... Ryu closed his eyes, feeling the heat hot spring all over his body. It felt like all the tension and wounds he felt melted away. As he let his body relax, he could hear the faint dropping of clothing in front of him... and when he opened his eyes... he saw a lovely creature before him.

A captivating, voluptuous Chinese woman stood across from him, completely without clothing. Her arms were folded in front of her with white towels draped over them, covering everything that would be too revealing to Ryu's eyes. Her ponytail was now in a small loop tied together by the red bandanna so that her hair wouldn't get wet once she stepped in.

Ryu swallowed hard, feeling heat build up within his face which was not caused by the hot spring. Most men would probably sell anything and everything they own just to catch the sight that Ryu has right before him. After taking almost too long of a gaze, Ryu mumbled a bit, unable to form whole words.

Chun-Li just smiled down at him... a smile that caused him to blush even harder than he already was. She was giggling inside, loving how just a simple smile can cause the man's brain to turn into mush. Finally, she kneeled down, setting one of the towels on the edge, and slowly stepped into the spring one foot after another. Once her feet touched the bottom, she sat down low enough so that her head was left above the surface of the water. "Mmmmmm..." she lightly moaned out loud as she lightly rubbed her neck with the one towel she was still holding.

The Shotokan warrior sitting across from her finally steeled himself together and was able to speak normally again. "Is... is the water hot enough...?"

After rubbing down her neck, she looked at him through the constant emerging clouds of steam. "Definitely... this feels so nice... as if all the poisons in my body are slowly drifting away..."

Ryu smiled a bit, having a bit of an uneasy time with this beautiful woman right across from him. "That's good... these springs are great at healing the body..." Ryu decided to finally rip his gaze off of Chun-Li and turn his head to his side. "Looks like you were right... the view IS much better from up here."

Chun-Li looked over to where Ryu was looking and could see a wonderful view of the springs down below, and the forest in the distance. Next to the springs... she could see the deck... the same deck where Ryu and Ken had fought... "I told ya. I know... because I've been here before. You remember right...?"

"Yeah... I... I do. You came to watch the third tournament..." An uncomfortable feeling suddenly came over Ryu...

"Well... I didn't exactly come to watch the tournament..." Chun-Li lightly rubbed her arms with the towel as she nervously spoke... I'm not going to get anything from him unless I tell the truth... "I... I came to watch you."

Ryu's heart missed a beat... he was expecting her to say that... and it just made things uneasier. Now is the time, Ryu. Don't hold back. Ryu shifted his eyes downward towards the water. What's the problem? You can't leave her hanging like this! Ryu's eyes and head turned to look at random places in the water... his mind was just in a riot. He so wanted to tell this woman his true feelings for her... but he was so afraid. Afraid that perhaps he might say it in the wrong way. Or perhaps he might say too much or too little.

"Ryu...?" Chun-Li gently asked, interrupting his thoughts.

"Y-yes...?"

"Is... is something w-wrong...?" She looked at him with concern-filled eyes. Gosh I hope I didn't scare him by saying that... "You... you seem a little subdued... was it something I said...?"

"No...! No no no..." Ryu quickly denied. There we go... now continue... "It's just that..." Keep going... "...that maybe... maybe that fight winded me up more than I thought..." WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT??? YOU COWARD! YOU LIAR!!! HOW COULD YOU LIE TO HER?

"I... I see..." She failed to see the truth in his eyes, but decided to accept the answer anyway...

"I'm s-sorry... I..."

"No, it's okay... I mean after all... I was pretty much spent as well..."

Ryu weakly smiled but his mind was yelling at him. You've just destroyed a demon but failed to tell this woman you love her?! What kind of man are you?!

"Well..." Chun-Li spoke up again, and lightly raised her hand above the surface of the water, motioning him to come towards her... "Why don't you come over here... I heal much faster when someone I care about is close to me... so maybe you do too."

The heart of the Shotokan warrior began to beat fiercely at her offer. "Uh... I..." He stuttered a bit, but once he got himself back together, he knew he couldn't reject this offer. "O-okay..." Perhaps it'll be easier if I am closer to her...Ryu slowly treaded over across the spring, slowly approaching her. The closer he neared, the more he could feel his heart threatening to explode. Through the steamy clouds, her face just looked so angelic, and her skin was almost glowing from the wetness of the water. Once he was only a few inches away from her, he swallowed hard to steel himself a bit, and moved to her right side, sitting right next to her.

"That's better..." Looking up at his eyes, Chun-Li smiled warmly, bringing her right arm to wrap around his back, and bringing her left arm around to hold onto his right shoulder.

Ryu looked back into her gentle, light brown eyes... they were just so full of allure that he couldn't help getting lost in them. Feeling her arms around him, he brought his own left arm around her back and right hand down beneath the water to hold her waist. His hand tingled at the touch of her skin... her skin was so soft, yet her flesh was so firm and warm. The towel protecting Chun-Li's modesty was barely being held up, only being held by her upper left arm and it was almost ready to fall. Ryu sucked in his breath lightly, hoping that she wouldn't hear it, and tried to remain in control of himself.

As they looked in each other eyes, neither of them said anything... and just let themselves relax letting the hot spring finally take its effect as it caused all tension in their bodies to just melt. It felt so nice that neither of them felt like saying a word, and just let each other feel comfortable being close together. Ryu finally regained enough control of himself, and leaned his head forward to rest his cheek against Chun-Li's head.

The Chinese woman closed her eyes, and gently set her head down on Ryu's chest, moving her body a bit to hold him closer. I could stay here forever with him...

***

Even though it did seem like forever, Ryu and Chun-Li sat in embrace in the hot spring for hours, until the sun was starting to heard towards the horizon. The temperature of the hot spring remained constant, keeping them both steadily warm.

Chun-Li lightly fluttered open her eyes, noticing the redness of the sky above. She moved her head a bit, causing Ryu to also open up his eyes, and he removed his cheek from her head, sitting upright. Chun-Li looked up him and smiled lightly. Even though she was so happy that he was here right next to her, something was missing... She could see in his eyes ever since he first woke up that he's been holding back something from her. And even now, he still holds the same look. Ryu... please tell me... it's almost as if you're not even here. I might just have to... encourage him a bit... "Ryu...?"

"Y-yes...?"

She moved her hand from his shoulder, and placed it on his cheek and slowly dragged him towards her as she moved towards him. Before Ryu could even react, he felt Chun-Li's lips quickly make contact with his. It took him a little while to realize what was even going on, but once he did, he slowly began to join in, pulling her a little bit closer. Chun-Li on the other hand decided to increase the passion... and she began to slowly snake her tongue forward, entering Ryu's mouth to meet his tongue which was sitting idle. Her tongue slowly glided across the underside of his tongue repeatedly swirling it, until Ryu timidly began to join her... Once she felt him joining in, she let her tongue slowly dance with his for a few more moments before slowly pulling away. After placing her arm across her chest to hold the towel in place, she finally spoke. "Ryu... if you have something to say to me... please... don't hold back. Just tell me."

The kiss had definitely loosened him up a bit, and Ryu slowly nodded. "You're right... I... there's been something I've wanted to tell you... and also ask you..."

"Well then, big boy... please do."

Okay Ryu... here goes... Ryu closed his eyes, steeling himself... and opened them, looking directly into Chun-Li's. "Chun-Li... did you hear what I was saying to Sensei earlier?"

Completely pleased that Ryu was finally talking, Chun-Li answered, "Yes. I couldn't help overhearing you, but yes. I heard it all."

"Then you heard me say to him that... I've learned to open up my fist...?"

"Mhm," she nodded.

"Well..." Ryu moved his hand that was on her waist and brought it up over the surface, curling it into a fist, and opening it briefly after. With his open hand, he reached for her free hand and held it firmly. "It's YOU... who is the one that helped me open it. And in doing so... you also helped open up my heart..."

Chun-Li's eyes lit up, and her smile widened even more...

"Do you remember how I said... those who are still alive... are slowly entering my heart...?" he continued.

"Yes," she answered in a whispering voice, "Yes I do."

"It... it's YOU who entered my heart. The special place in my heart... the place where I just can't let go of you... ever."

"..." She was completely speechless...

"In the past... I let you come and go in my life numerous times. And now... now that you've come into my life again and are here with me... I don't want you to go this time..."

"R..." she started, but she never finished that sentence.

"Chun-Li... I love you."

The three words... the three words that Chun-Li has heard only in her dreams was now being said to her straight from his lips and into her ears. She felt a warm, loving feeling in the pit of her stomach and soon felt it throughout her body, causing her to squeeze Ryu's hand harder. The arm that was around his back pulled him in a little bit and she moved closer against him... almost burying her face into his neck... "I love you too..." she whispered.

Ryu's arm pulled her closer, and held returned the hug pressing his cheek deep against her head. Once they released each other, Ryu looked into Chun-Li's eyes filled with so much happiness. "Can I ask you something...?"

"O-of course, dear..."

"Well... since we have an annoying habit of being together and separating... I was just wondering... if maybe... you want to break that habit... to just be together... and never separate."

"Ryu...?" she asked smiling, "Is this your way of proposing to me...?"

Ryu couldn't hide the red shade that was forming in his face. "Heh... well... y-yeah..."