By Maia
Ryu walked solemnly through the park. He and Sakura had been
walking together, but went separate ways at the split of the
crosswalk. He smiled as he took in the cool breeze and the
beautiful image nature gave off. Stopping by the pond, he knelt
down by the edge. Bending forward a bit, he studied his
reflection. He let his imagination take over as the image changed
to Sakura, but instantly converted to Chun Li. Ryu closed his
eyes and thought about her.
*…so beautiful and 'free'…*
He quickly shook his head.
He whispered under his breath. "NO! You and Sakura are
together! She loves you…"
*But do you love her? * A voice in his head countered.
After a while, Ryu found that he couldn't answer. One of the most
important things his sensei thought him was to always be truthful
to yourself.
*Then why did you turn to Sakura? *
Ryu found himself reminiscing to the past.
~Ken's Christmas Party~
"Sorry man, Chun Li said that she couldn't make it."
Ryu looked at Ken as he spoke, trying to hide his disappointment.
He turned and sat at the table with huge platters of food. He
pondered why she didn't come.
*Because it wasn't important to her. *
Ryu diminished the idea quickly. He knew Chun Li enough to know
that her friends her extremely important to her.
*Because she didn't care for you. *
That idea was eating Ryu alive.
*Did she care for me? Of course she did…but in the way that
'I' care for her?…*
"HEY!"
Sakura interrupted his thoughts.
"I was wondering if you wanted to dance?"
The first answer in his mind was to decline, but then he thought
about his life.
*You can't keep hoping for something that may never be...*
He smiled and led Sakura to the dance floor…
~End Flaskback~
*And that's how it happened. *
"RYU!!!!!!"
Ryu turned around and found Sakura running in his direction.
He stood up and waited for her. Once she did she was panting
rapidly. He lightly grasped her shoulders.
"Sakura what is it?"
She looked up and took a deep breath.
"Ken…(breath)…said that we...(breath)…needed
to get back right away….(Breath)…important."
Ryu looked curiously at her, then took her hand and ran toward to
house.
~5 minutes later~
The two entered the mansion and searched for Ken, stopping at the
side of a maid.
"Excuse me, do you know where Ken is?", Ryu asked
impatiently.
"Yes sir, Mr. Masters is in the study, he…"
Before she could finish, they shot up to the second floor.
When they finally made their way there, Sakura cursed under her
breath about how too big the house was.
They entered through the double doors and found Ken pacing across
the room, talking into the phone with frustration. Sakura was
about to ask what was wrong, but was silenced by Ryu. They
listened to the conversation.
"I don't care what the complications are! You get everyone,
AND I MEAN EVERYONE, on it at this minute!"
A much calmer response was heard through the other end, which
made Ken much angrier. He clenched his fist and took a few deep
breaths. Then spoke again.
"Look, do anything…'everything' you have to."
He stopped momentarily in his tracks. Gripping the telephone much
tighter, "AND IF YOU DON'T I"LL MAKE SURE THAT THE REST
OF YOUR LIFE IS A VERY UNPLEASANT ONE!" He then slammed the
phone into the receiver and slumped into the couch.
After a few moments of silence, Sakura spoke up.
"Ken?"
Ken looked up and stood up abruptly.
"Finally you guys are here!"
Sakura glanced at Ryu, then back at Ken. "Um, what's wrong?"
Ken rubbed his hands over his face and let out a frustrating sigh.
"Chun Li's missing."