Hero of Heroes Ch. 9 - Thoughts
By Night

Ryu and Chun-Li walked down the halls of the building towards the elevator. Ryu's focus was on nothing but her. He watched her walk, as she smiled to herself without a care in the world. Her hair was not tied up in buns today... she let it flow all the way down to its full length, reaching down to the middle of her back and swayed with each step she took. The front section was curled perfectly into light, small bangs as she always had it. Ryu continued studying her as he looked down her body... she was wearing a sporty, rather tight fitting, royal blue shirt and black jacket. Looking further down, he saw that she wore a tight pair of stretch pants and had on a pair of Nike Air tennis shoes to complete her outfit. A rather... athletic choice of clothes... They reached the elevator and Chun-Li pressed the "down" button, then turned to face him.

Noticing he was studying her, she smiled and said, "Hehe, how do I look?"

"You look... great!" he replied.

"I got this all yesterday before I came saw you at the dojo! Glad you like it!"

"It suits you well. You look completely fit."

"Hey, you don't look bad yourself! Who would've thought a guy like you who wears nothing but his karate gi 24/7 would one day be seen in Banana Republic clothes?"

"Well I suppose I must adapt myself for changes. Perhaps I'll buy some more today..."

"You do that!" Chun-Li said as she poked Ryu in the chest, "Say... don't you think we look like a couple?" Chun-Li stood closer to Ryu and looked in the blurry reflection on the closed elevator doors.

Ryu looked and saw that the clothes they were both wearing did make quite a good match. "Why, it appears we do!" He continued at their reflection and put his hands in his pockets. Just as he was studying himself further, there was a dinging sound of the elevator finally arriving, and the doors opened.

"Well, let's hurry up! The taxi will be waiting!" Chun-Li said excitedly as she took Ryu's arm and guided him inside.

Ryu jumped a bit at her sudden movements, and walked in with her. She pressed the button to the ground level and Ryu continued to study her again. She's so cheerful. So much energy. How could such an energetic and outgoing person like such a lonely, quiet person like me...? Ryu thought. She stood rather close to him, and he could smell the sweet scent of her hair just as he did the night before. His hands suddenly began to move and head towards her waist in reaction to the angelic aroma. Ryu noticed this and stopped himself No! I must not think such things...

Chun-Li noticed Ryu move suddenly and asked, "Yes Ryu? What's up?"

"Oh... nothing... just that um... you hair smells great," he stammered.

Blushing, Chun-Li brushed a hand through her long, black hair. "Oh! I... I just washed it!"

"Just washed it? Just shampoo alone creates such a magnificent aroma?" Ryu asked surprisingly.

Chun-Li laughed, "I dunno! It's just a funny thing we women have!"

*DING!* The elevator finally reached ground level and Ryu and Chun-Li walked out. As they walked towards the doors to the street, Ryu still couldn't help himself from looking at her. She does not appear to be wearing any make-up. Her beauty is... natural... The yellow cab was already parked outside waiting, and Ryu walked ahead of Chun-Li to open the door for her.

"Why thank you! You're so sweet! Now did you do that because of your HONOR, or out of the kindness of your heart?" Chun-Li teasingly asked as she sat down.

"I... uh... well, both..." Ryu stumbled as he sat down next to her.

"Hehe, I was only teasing, Ryu! No need to get so nervous!" she said as she touched him on the shoulder. Chun-Li told the driver the location of the hotel, and the cab took off.

Ryu sat, puzzled. She's so cheery, it's as if she's a completely different person than from last night... one night she acts like a seductress, the next morning she acts as if nothing happened... It appears I have a lot to learn about females... The night before was still clearly implanted in Ryu's mind. It was a night he knew he could never forget... the first time a woman has ever made such advancements on him. I wonder... DOES she really feel that way about me...? And if she does... I wonder how I should feel in return... Ryu looked at her, noticing she was just staring out the window. You look so peaceful... Is it because you are with me...?

Chun-Li noticed him looking, and looked back at him and smiled. Ryu, caught in the act of looking, blushed and turned away to look straight ahead. Chun-Li smiled to herself and looked back out the window. He's looking at me... does he think I'm beautiful...? she wondered, as she brushed a hand through her hair. Just play your cards right, Chun... play them slowly and smartly... and he'll be all yours... They did not speak a word to each other throughout the entire ride. They just continued to stare in their directions, both thinking of each other... and their feelings.

Chun-Li... Ryu tought, I can't believe what is happening to me but... I've never felt this close to anyone ever in my life...

***

Chun-Li paid the fare, and the cab took off while Ryu looked up at the towering hotel. "Incredible... so huge and magnificently built... it's like a palace!"

"This is one of the most expensive hotels in all of HK!" Chun-Li explained, "Let's go up!" Chun-Li grabbed Ryu's arm while he was still staring upward and tugged him inside.

Ryu observed his surroundings, finding nothing but complete luxury. This is about as equivalent to Ken's mansion! He looked from left to right slowly while Chun-Li continued walking ahead towards the elevator. Ryu was captivated in the elegant interior of the lobby until Chun-Li finally came running back and grabbed his arm.

"C'mon slow poke! They're not gonna be waiting for us all day you know!" She wrapped her arm around his so that he wouldn't lag behind again. "Let's go go go!"

"O-Okay!" Ryu said as he turned his head back to take a final look at the lobby while trying to keep up with Chun-Li. When they reached the elevator, Chun-Li pressed the call button, and it came down almost instantly. They entered, and Chun-Li pressed the button to the appropriate floor.

The lift rose at an incredible speed, and they were at the floor in less than 5 seconds. Chun-Li, still arm-in-arm with Ryu, walked with him down the halls until they finally reached the door. Chun-Li knocked and it was immediately answered.

"Chun! So good to see you again!" Maki said as she gave Chun-Li a hug. Chun-Li returned the hug with one arm, and the other arm still in Ryu's. Maki then looked at Chun-Li's companion and stood shocked. "R-RYU?! Is that you??? You look.... normal!"

Hearing Maki, another person came running to the door. He was black haired and was wearing a red polo shirt and black dress pants. "Ryu?" he asked, "RYU! I hardly recognized you! How have you been my good friend?"

"I am perfectly fine. Thanks to Chun-Li, I've had a wonderful stay here so far. I hope you are doing well too!" Ryu answered.

"I am doing quite all right myself. With my wife and best friend with me, I couldn't be any happier! Oh... and it appears you and Miss Chun-Li have become... a couple?"

"Uh... well that is I... we..." Ryu started.

Chun-Li cheerfully smiled and tugged on Ryu's arm, leaning closer to him. "Hehe! Do we really look like a couple?!"

"Yes you do! Why I thought maybe you two were husband and wife!" another voice said from behind Guy. She was a tall, beautiful Japanese woman, with finely chiseled features.

"You really think so Rina? REALLY?!?!" Chun-Li giggled and leaned even closer against Ryu.

"Hey now, people! Why do _I_ have to be the lonely one around here? Hmph!" Maki said angrily, arms crossed.

"Oh Maki dear, do not worry! The perfect man will come for you! It just happened to Chun-Li right? So it can happen to you too!" Rina said trying to console her.

Ryu was startled at what Rina had just said. "Uh... well I don't think we... I mean... um..."

Guy punched Ryu in the arm. "What are you stammering about eh?"

"And you're blushing too, honey!" Maki added.

"You cannot stand here and tell us that the two of you are not together! She has her arm around you and both of you are wearing matching apparel like a true couple! Please, tell us... how do the both of you feel about each other?"

Ryu looked over his shoulder at Chun-Li and searched for what to say. He looked right into her beautiful brown eyes and was transfixed in her gaze. They are like gems... As he continued looking at her, he could see her eyes wanted him to answer them. What do I say? "Well," he started, "something... happened last night... that... that made me... closer to her than I have ever felt towards anyone in my whole life."

"I see. Believe me, I know exactly what you are going through me friend," Guy said.

"Your heart will guide you, Ryu. It'll know what it truly feels in time," Rina added.

"Something happened...? Wow... what?" Maki asked curiously.

Chun-Li giggled, "If I told you right here out loud, Ryu might die from blushing too hard!"

"Well, it is a personal matter between the two of you only. But for now, shall we depart?" Guy asked.

"Y-Yes," Ryu answered, glad he was out of the spotlight.

Guy wrapped an arm around his wife and closed the door to the room and the group headed out. Chun-Li, clung to Ryu's arm and walked behind with Maki close behind, with no one. I wish I had someone to cling onto like that! Some girls just get all the luck...

Ryu felt Chun-Li still leaning against him, her head now on his shoulder, and looked ahead at Guy and his wife. He looked back down at Chun-Li and his nose was once again filled with the lovely scent that permeated from her hair. Chun-Li... he thought, ...you have such a powerful effect on me that I never knew could weaken me in such a way... He took another sniff in the air, and looked ahead once again at married couple noticing they were leaning into each other. He felt Chun-Li's arm adjust against his so that she could get a better hold... and he helped her. Ryu looked over at her beautiful face, and decided to lean against her in return. I would normally do this out of honor, Chun-Li... but this time I will do it purely out of the kindness of my heart...