Love's Labors Lost (Ch.1)
by Ring-chan

Standard Disclaimer: I don't/didn't/won't/never will own Street Fighter… blah blah blah… I did, however, invent the Raspberry Dingletopper ^.^

Southern Cambodia
He inhaled a deep breath and cringed in disbelief.
Was this possible?
Hand still clutching at the excruciating scorched laceration in his side, he stared at his opponent.
He had... wounded him... At last, a worthy adversary!

"Impressive," his hand carelessly abandoned the wound, the blood from which was soaking into a region of his coal black gi. "Might I have the name of the man whom I'm about to obliterate?"
His opponent maintained the neutral mask that was his expression. A quick gust of wind flitted through the wooded forest they had made into their battle arena. The breeze toyed with the tattered ends of his red bandanna and sent them fluttering in the cool night air. In the dim, late dusk light, his white gi maintained its clarity and prominence against the dark background, its whiteness almost seeming to glow in expectation of combat.
Then he spoke, calm, sure, and strong not reflecting the fact that he himself had just sustained multiple injuries, "I am Ryu Hoshi, and I am here to avenge my master."
First Akuma's lips curled up to form an amused smile, then a maniacal stream of laughter floated from his mouth.
"So Gouken's prized pupil has come looking for vengeance? Quite an honor."
"You wouldn't know about honor, demon. You who killed your own brother."
"I admit that was unfortunate... But perhaps a teacher and student reunion is in order?"
It took no more than a split second for him to continue his attack.
Akuma pummelled at Ryu, connecting a series of punches and was promptly answered by a swift, strong kick to his head. Staggering back, Akuma resumed in a defensive stance.
No, it was time to end this all.
Ryu felt his pace quicken as the demon cupped his hands in front of him.
This was it...
Energy crackled at the edge of Akuma's fingertips, slowly swirling into the center of his palm and materializing into a spherical mass of chi power.
Ryu quickly followed the suit, summoning all the energy he knew he contained within him and attempted to compact it into the grasp of his outstretched hands.
"RAGING DEMON!"
"SHORYUKEN!"
As the two raging, pulsating orbs of chi energy collided into each other, the impact emitted a blinding flash of light concomitant of a jarring, searing shockwave of chi power that expanded out and slammed back into each of the warriors colossal momentum.
Both fell to the ground unconscious while the surrounding trees caught fire from the scattering chi energy.
From tree to tree... from the trees to the grass... limbs of flames reached out and the fire grew into a raging conflagration.
In the meanwhile both fighters still laid comatose and unperceiving on the ground while the burning inferno closed in around them...
~~~~~~
"Chun Li? Chun Li? Earth to Chun Li?"
"Huh?" Chun Li snapped to attention and felt her cheeks color as she realized that for the third time that evening, she had let her attention drift away... away from her date.
"I'm sorry, Jeff. Did you say something?"
After a brief chuckle, her date, Jeff Chang, leaned down and gently kissed her on the lips. "I just said I thought that movie was really romantic. Didn't you like it, sweetie?"
Chun Li racked her brain. What did they watch again? She must not have been paying attention...
"Yeah, I really enjoyed it," she smiled as they continued strolling down the street, hand in hand.
"What do you keep thinking about?" Jeff asked again. "It seems like you've always got your mind on something, Chunny honey."
Chun Li groaned as she heard him use his special nickname for her. "Oh... it's just... jut some work stuff I guess..."
"You work yourself too hard, Chun Li," Jeff put a protective arm around her shoulder and affectionately stroke her hair. "Try not to think about work? I want you all to myself when we're together."
She quickly redirected their attention to the window display of a clothing store. "Hey look, they're having a sale on sweaters."
"Do you want to go check it out? I think we..."
Not even being aware of it, Chun Li let her attention wander again. Jeff's words were no longer coherent to her as she continued staring into the glass display case.
It was not anything in the display that intrigued her but actually their reflection in the glass that so fascinated her. The image of her and Jeff together...
It just didn't look right... It didn't feel right...
But why?
The guy's cute... no, more than cute. With a set of dreamy eyes, deep chisel features and that killer smile... heck he could have been the Asian carbon copy of Ben Afflick.
He's gorgeous, he's crazy about her and he treats her like she's his entire world. What's missing?
"Chun Li? Honey? Are you listening to me?"
Trying to regain her grip on reality, Chun Li quickly smiled. "Yes, of course I'm listening to you."
Pause.
"What did you say Jeff?"
"I asked you if you wanted to get a new jacket," Jeff replied. "I think it's time you get rid of this old one."
"What?" Chun Li answered defensively and clutched at her old, if not tattered, jacket. "No, It's just fine."
"Sweetie, I'll buy it for you..."
"Jeff, it's not about the money. Look I just don't want a new jacket!"
She looked down at her jacket and its weather-worn, time-torn fabric. Sure, it wasn't the exactly designer brand wear but it served its purpose: to keep her warm.
Just then a chilly evening breeze brushed by and Chun Li found an involuntary shudder run up her spine. She reached to pull the jacket tighter around her. Jeff chuckled and pulled her into a hug to warm her up.
"Alright, hon, no new jacket, if you say so."
Chun Li didn't answer but just snuggled closer into his embrace.
"But seriously Chun Li, I don't understand why you get so sentimental and attached to such old, raged things."
"Jeff, you wouldn't understand. This jacket means more to me than you'll ever know because it..."
Chun Li's voice abruptly trailed off and she nearly choked on her words. Her mind reeled in horror.
Oh no... No she can't tell Jeff...
She can't tell him that this jacket belonged to Ryu...
~~~~~~
Yeah yeah I know my thing with the Ryu/Akuma battle is stupid and in many ways just plain pathetic :P That was really just best I could come with due to my lack of patience to keep thinking...
Well whatever...