Hero of Heroes Ch. 13 - Togetherness
By Night

Chun-Li and her Japanese warrior escort stood in a long line which wound around many gates. Many people were awaiting to board the Dragon roller coaster, one of the many thrill rides of the amusement park.

"I remember something like this back in the States," Ryu said, "There was a place that was nearby San Francisco, and it had many sites of entertainment just like this. It was called 'Great America'. Except that instead of waiting in long lines, Ken just flashed a large dollar bill and we were able to board instantly!"

The Chinese woman giggled to herself. "Well, at least with the advantage of waiting, you get to talk with the person you are with!"

Ryu looked down at her and smiled, "Very true. I've always been a patient person anyway, and there's never a need to hurry such things."

Chun-Li held her purse to her chest and continued making conversation, "So what kinda rides did they have over there?"

Putting a hand to his chin, Ryu thought for a moment. "Well, they're not hard to forget at all... they were just so exciting! There was one called 'Top Gun', where your legs are left dangling freely while the vehicle moves at incredibly fast speeds! And there was another called 'The Invertigo' where it also has your legs dangling, and the track complete twists and turns, and the vehicle takes you both forward and backward! And there was a very similar one to this one... 'The Grizzly' I recall."

"Wow... those sure sound like fun! I've been on this old thing with my father when I was a little girl. I still love it though, since it brings back memories..."

The line moved ahead a few paces, and the two moved up. Ryu looked over at his companion and saw her looking down a bit. "You came here with your father often?" he asked.

"Yeah..." she answered, "I love this place. I love to see the dolphins, whales and birds, and riding on the roller coaster. My father would always take me here every so often. I just grew really attached to this place as a child, but then I grew up..."

Ryu nodded. "I see..." He realized that he never had any childhood hobbies while growing up. His whole life was nothing but the fight, and he was happy about that. But here with Chun-Li, he's realizing that having someone beside him can be nice too. Someone that cared so much for him... even more than as a friend. He fixed his look towards her eyes, and saw a small sparkle deep within those dark brown irises. She caught his gaze, and gave him a warm smile in return. Ryu put his hand behind the back of his hair and brushed through it as he tried to hide his blush... Take it easy Ryu... just go with the flow... He moved his hand that was brushing through his hair and placed it on her far shoulder.

Her shoulder twitched, her eyes widened, and her mouth hanged slightly at this sudden advancement. Wha... he... Ryu...

He smiled down at her and broke the silence. "Even though you're grown up now, there will always be that little child spirit within you... and I'm really grateful that you decided to re-experience those nice childhood memories... with me."

Finally coming out of her shock, Chun-Li closed her mouth and smiled once again. "Well... you're so special to me... and I just want to see you happy... because I... I..."

Her words were interrupted when the people behind them nudged them to move forward. Confused, they both just realized that there was huge gap separating them from the people in front of them in the line. Embarrassed, Ryu dropped his arm around Chun-Li's shoulder, and placed his hand on her back, lightly pushing her foward as they moved ahead.

Aww... well at least it was nice while it lasted... and maybe it was good that I didn't tell him, or else it might think about it too much for the rest of the day... Getting her thoughts together, Chun-Li sighed, but continued. "Well, we're gonna be boarding soon! Are you scaaaaaaaaared?"

Ryu smirked, "It is the speed of this machine which is all part of the thrill! I fear NOTHING!"

"Fear nothing huh? Whatever!" Chun-Li said sarcastically.

"Well... I've yet to encounter something I am afraid of... and high velocities don't cut it!"

Chun-Li giggled, seeing Ryu getting defensive and after a few short moments, it was finally their turn to ride.

***

The vehicle slowly climbed up the slope and neared the peak. Ryu and Chun-Li were seated in the front car of the roller coaster, with Ryu sitting on the edge next to her and looking side where he could see out to the ocean. The vehicle almost came to a complete stop as it was about to make its dive down the other end of the slope and a small breeze passed by ruffling Ryu's hair. Such a great view of the ocean from this height...

"Hey Ryu!" Chun-Li interrupted, "Here we gooooooooooooooooo!" She raised up her arms and held them up in the air waiting for the dive with Ryu turning his head forward and doing the same.

The vehicle plunged down the steep slope at an incredibly high velocity and Chun-Li gave out a thrill filled scream while Ryu roared out as if he was yelling a battle cry. The cart made many high speed dips, drops and turns, with all of its passengers screaming in enjoyment. But as soon as it started, the excitement was soon over, and Ryu and Chun-Li put their hands back onto the safety restraint and tried to regain their breath from all the yelling and screaming.

Chun-Li brushed her hand through her wind-tossed hair adjusting it back into place and looked over at Ryu who was doing the same. "Fun huh?" she asked.

Ryu regained his breath, "Ah, indeed. But you should see the rides where I went in the States! Those have even more excitement with their even higher speeds!"

"Well, if I ever visit the States I'll try to remember to hit that place you told me about!" Chun-Li smiled as she continued fixing her hair.

She... she looks... cute like that...! Ryu thought to himself as he watched her hands delicately finish getting her hair back to how it was. Never really noticed how cute she looks when she's happy like this... it looks great...

The vehicle finally came to its full complete stop and lifted the safety restraints and the passengers departed while the next people in line boarded.

As they approached the exit gate Ryu kept his look fixed on Chun-Li until he decided to ask, "So what shall we do next?"

"Well, let's go over to the shows! They got the cutest dolphins and whale!" Chun-Li looked at the schedule leaflet to check the time and looked at the time on her watch. "In fact, one is starting up very very soon! We should get over there now!"

"Lead the way, my lady..."

"Hehe," Chun-Li giggled as she grabbed Ryu's arm, "this way!"

***

"Look! Aren't they just so cute?" Chun-Li asked as two dolphins did flips in mid-air crashing into the water gracefully.

"Well... more than just cute... they're graceful... and flawless..." Ryu answered. Then he turned his view to her... And you... you're also cute... graceful... and flawless... If only I could say that to you...

"You really have a way of describing things!" Chun-Li turned her head back towards the show and soon a large whale was gliding through the waters. "Oooo it's the whale! I always remember when it did its big splash, and I always got soaking wet!"

Ryu smiled, and continued to think to himself. She's so full of spirit... and that smile... it's just so... cute...!

"Hehe, isn't that whale cute too?" Chun-Li asked again.

He was caught by surprise. "Oh... well, it's cute, but like the dolphin there's so much more to it... it's a powerful beast that is nearly unchallenged in the depths of the sea!" I should really stop looking at her before I get in trouble... but I just can't keep my eyes off her...

"I should've known you'd say something like that hehe."

Ryu turned his head to watch the performances, but stole small glances at the lovely face of Chun-Li whenever he could. The long hair... the eyes... the lips forming a smile... every feature about her constantly drew Ryu's attention to her. He couldn't help himself. It was as if he felt invisible fingers pushing his face aside to steal a short look. And now, he felt as if an invisible hand was guiding his hand towards her waist... but he took control of himself and brought his hand back to his knee.

Instead, he just decided to admire her from where he was sitting. He looked over at her face to see if she noticed when he was moving his hand near her, but suddenly, he heard a huge splash and a second later, he was drenched by a huge wave of water! He heard a small scream and saw Chun-Li turn her head towards him, her hair completely wet. "That was a big one! Ryu are you wet?"

Running a hand through his now wet hair, he answered, "Well, not TOO badly... at least this pullover is pretty resistant to water! But what about you...?"

Chun-Li looked herself over as she squeezed out the water soaked in her hair. "Oh jeez... I'm soaking! My jacket I think will be ok... but my shirt is all wet... that was probably the biggest splash ever!" She continued to squeeze out the water in her hair, and proceeded to take off her wet jacket, leaving her in her white t-shirt underneath.

Ryu hung his mouth open slightly... he could see right through her wet shirt. He could see her white bra underneath, but thankfully the bra was not see-through. However, he still noticed a little bit of the crevice between her breasts... and he immediately turned away before he became too attached to what he was seeing. "M-maybe you should put the jacket back on..."

"I can't right now! It's too wet to put back on!"

"But... I can see..."

Chun-Li looked down. "Yeah I know... it happens... it's not THAT bad..."

"Hmmm..." Ryu looked down at his blue pullover and wiped off whatever water drops were left over, leaving it mostly dry. The material underneath was completely dry and still pretty warm, and Ryu pulled it off over his head. "Here... it's still dry underneath and it'll keep you warm," he said as he offered to put it on Chun-Li.

"Oh... thank you so much!" She put her arms through the sleeves of the offered pullover, and Ryu helped pull it over her head. She pulled the bottom over her waist, and she put her hands beneath her hair and flung out the wet hair out of the neck whole, causing her wet hair to cascade down her back. She looked over and Ryu and gave him a smile. "Thank you. You're too sweet, Ryu. But aren't you gonna be cold?"

"It's perfectly all right. Cold doesn't bother me too much, and this shirt only got wet around the collar."

"Well okay, if you say so! Thanks again."

"It was all my pleasure, Chun-Li..."

They both exchanged smiles, and continued watching as the performance by the dolphins and whale concluded.

***

The stars were twinkling brightly, and a light breeze passed through the calm night air. Ryu and Chun-Li were seated aboard a cart in the ferris wheel of the park, taking one last break before finally departing. The wheel moved slowly and silently, and Ryu and Chun-Li looked into the night sky. This is just like those nights back in the days in Japan... Ryu thought to himself.

Since the dolphin and whale show, they spent their time eating dim sum at the Middle Kingdom area of the park, watching the Chinese performing acts, learning about the 5000-year old history of China, and looking throughout the various aquariums. Now, after all the excitement, time for one final moment of relaxation.

Chun-Li was back into her black jacket, since both the jacket and her shirt had dried, and Ryu was back into the warmth of his pullover. Gosh... she left such a powerful, sweet aroma in this... He sniffed the insides of his pullover, and inhaled the sweet strawberry scent that Chun-Li's body had left from wearing it. The roar of the roller coaster with the screams of the passengers could be heard in the close distance while the roar of the tides of the ocean crashing against the beach could be heard in the far distance. It was completely peaceful as the couple's seat had reached the top of the ferris wheel. They came to a stop once they reached the top, and it didn't seem to be moving for a few moments. "Hmmm it looks like... the power kinda failed hehe..." Chun-Li finally said, breaking their long silence.

"Yeah... it appears so," Ryu added, "but at least we're at the top of the wheel... and the view is quite nice from here."

"Ryu...?" Chun-Li asked, as she turned her head to look at him right in his eyes, "did you enjoy being with me today?"

Ryu turned to meet Chun-Li's eyes, and answered, "Of course! This was one of the most enjoyable times of my life... and mainly... because it was with you..."

She grinned, "Do you really mean that?"

"I definitely mean that! Throughout the whole day, I've enjoyed every moment. I enjoy having you as company, and I also enjoy being your company..." Ryu began to slow down in his speech... he didn't want to say too much... but he continued anyway. "You were such a great host, and I even learned many things from this place. It was all because of you, that my stay has been nothing but a pleasurable one..."

"Oh Ryu, thank you so much for saying those things..." Chun-Li said gently.

But Ryu still continued, "And since near the beginning of being here... I... I..."

"Yes? You...?" she asked, awaiting him to finish his sentence.

Can I tell her...? Can I tell her that... I've had almost all my thoughts and emotions focused on her...? I have to! It's the right thing to do... but no I can't... I don't know if she's ready to hear it...! Ryu thought as he turned his eyes toward the bottom of the seat. He didn't know at all if he could continue...

"Ryu...?"

I can't just stop now... just.. go with the flow... Ryu looked back into Chun-Li's brown eyes which twinkled as brightly as the stars above them. "...I couldn't stop thinking about you... throughout the entire day... the smiles you gave me... your laughter... your kindness... your beauty... all of that just captivated me..."

"R-Ryu..." Chun-Li held a hand and clasped it over her heart.

"...your hair flows so gracefully with the winds... and the way you speak to me sounds like each word is like a sweet musical note in my ears... and your eyes are as calm as the sea after a storm..." Ryu scooted a little bit beside her, and his right arm began to travel behind her waist... Should I...? Of course I should... I want to... I need to... He wrapped his right arm completely around her waist, and pulled her closer.

"..." Chun-Li was speechless... and didn't object all to Ryu's advancements.

Ryu took his left hand and held her right hand. Her hand was slightly cold from being exposed to the air, but it quickly became warm from the heat of Ryu's. Why am I doing this...? Is it because...? He pulled her even closer... so close he could feel her breasts lightly brushing against his chest... and his lips were inches away from hers. Her breathing was heavy, and her breath was hot as it touched his lips... she was waiting for his sweet kiss... She hosted me for an entire day of pure entertainment... I mustn't run away without re-paying... I mustn't escape... like how I always do...

"R-Ryu..."

"Chun..." Ryu lowered his head, and his lips finally made light contact with hers...