Hero of Heroes Ch. 16 - Acceptances
By Night

Chun-Li slowly fluttered her eyes open, and she immediately noticed that the man she was holding close the night before was missing... Where... where.... Ryu... She sat up, and looked around, finding Ryu in the corner of the room putting some clothes into his duffel bag. "Oh there you are!"

The silent warrior turned his head and gave an affirmative 'good morning' nod, and resumed his packing.

"Ryu... what are you doing?" she asked curiously as she stretched and yawned.

"..." Ryu just continued to stuff his belongings.

"Ryu...?" she asked again with more concern to her voice.

Must tell her... Ryu turned around to face her, looking into her eyes. She looks so at ease... don't want to tell her something she may not want to hear... but I must... "Chun-Li..." he started.

"Yes...?"

Just tell it straight... "I... I had a dream last night..." he started, "in fact, it was a complete nightmare..."

"Oh... what happened...?"

Ryu swallowed. "Well... it was with Akuma and I again... and from what happened, I realized that I am a danger to both myself and you..."

"A danger? You? Dangerous...? Ryu... what are you talking about?"

"My untapped power inside me... I need to prevent it from being unleashed by the evil influence of Akuma... I..."

Chun-Li blinked.

"I need to destroy the Satsui No Hado within me... for good. I realized that if I don't do something now... then I'll never be able to get rid of it and it will consume me, causing catastrophic destruction to myself and people around me... and if I want to prevent that from happening... then I must..."

"Y-yes...?" Chun-Li was almost afraid to hear the answer... but seeing that he was packing, she knew what it already was...

"I must leave, Chun-Li... I must go back to Japan... my... my warrior instincts tell me that I will find an answer there..."

"Ryu...!" Chun-Li didn't want to hear anymore... Just the night before, she was in his strong arms... kissing him... pleasing him... and now he says he has to leave... without hesitation, she bounded off the bed and headed towards Ryu with wide open arms as if a predator were to catch its prey before it escaped.

"Chun-Li... I..." he said as he fell back from her arms wrapping around him, "I'm dangerous... I shouldn't be close to you..."

"No... you're not... I know and you know that... you'd never hurt me... or anyone... just... don't... say... anymore..." she cried as her eyes began to fill with tears.

"Chun-Li..."

"Please Ryu... just... hold me..."

"I..." Ryu's arms were at his sides... he didn't want to be close at all with her after what he did to her in his nightmare...

"Please... please..." Chun-Li's body began to tremble, her arms around him tightened... her tears began to fall down her cheeks... and Ryu could feel the warm tears lightly drip against his bare back.

Sensing her pain, Ryu closed his eyes as he gently returned her embrace, holding her close. He could feel her hug tighten even more and her body began to feel even more warm than it already was... ...in the strong arms of the man I love once again...

They both sat on the floor, locked in a close, warm, heart-felt embrace for a moment that seemed endless, until they finally released each other... and as they pulled away, Ryu looked deep into Chun-Li's watery eyes and gently wiped off her tears with his finger.

The crying woman reached up to hold his hand as he did so, and looked right back into his eyes... seeing them so filled with emotion... Never forgetting the night before... she decided to move just a little bit closer to his face...

"..." Ryu could see her advancement... but didn't hold back... and started to even advance a little bit himself... until his lips touched hers... and they kissed once again... tenderly... Ryu weaved one of his hands through her long, soft hair while the other squeezed her hand...

As the moments passed, the passion of the kiss increased... until Ryu finally broke away... Chun-Li reached for another, lightly kissing his lips once, and pulled away... "Are you definitely sure about this decision, Ryu?" she finally asked.

The Shotokan warrior nodded, "Yes... I am sorry Chun-Li... but I must."

Chun-Li looked downward. She knew that Ryu has made up his mind... and is accepting it. She looked back up to face him again. "C-can I come with you...?"

"N-no... y-you mustn't... you could get hurt..." Ryu struggled to say, remembering his nightmare.

"B-but I can help... remember...? I... I've been able to summon more power than I ever have... and I don't want you fighting alone..."

"Chun-Li..." he whispered, brushing his hand through her hair, "your offer to aide me is an honorable one... but I know that you are a warrior... and as a warrior... I know that you understand... that I have to do this myself..."

More tears began to well up in Chun-Li's eyes, and she nodded slowly, understanding the exact meaning in Ryu's words.

Ryu reached up and kissed her on the forehead and squeezed her hand. "I am so sorry, my beautiful flower... but I am also doing this for-"

"For my sake...?" she interrupted, "Because... you want us to be together safe and happy? Forever? ... I know Ryu... I know..."

"..." Ryu was completely stunned... "I see that there is no fooling you, my Chun-Li..." He smiled warmly, brushing away another tear. "You really do understand. And I am so grateful of that." He wiped away the last of her tears, and ran his finger down her soft cheek. He slowly turned away, gently releasing her hand, and resumed his packing once again.

"Can I at least help you pack...?" Chun-Li asked with a smile.

Ryu blushed a little to the smile and gave his own smile in return. "Th-that'd be great."

Chun-Li giggled and helped gather his belongings. Ryu... that smile... it really suits you... and I will always be here for you so that smile will always stay with you...