Hero of Heroes Ch. 6 - Favors
By Night

What a crowded city Ryu thought as he walked through the streets. Left and right he looked, and saw numerous people, cars, bicycles, and an endless chain of stores along the sidewalks. Easily sticking out from the crowd, Ryu also received many looks from the people passing him. It was unusual seeing a Japanese man dressed in his uniform walking through the crowded city of Hong Kong. Even some young women passing by gave him warm smiles. Ryu merely blushed and kept walking straight.

The sounds of students training could be heard as Ryu finally reached his destination. He entered the dojo waiting room and observed the class. Such unique fighting styles. Taking on the forms of creatures of nature. Perhaps I shall learn the basics of this style one day he thought to himself. In the front of the class he saw Grand Master Gen, old, but still healthy and in top fighting condition. It was only a few minutes until Gen realized he had a visitor and when he finally saw who it was, he immediately turned to one of his aides to relieve him and take over.

Ryu smiled as Gen headed in his direction and bowed before him when he approached. "Grand Master, it is the greatest honor to see you again," Ryu said respectfully.

Gen put a hand on Ryu's shoulder and laughed, "Grand Master? My son, have you forgotten how much we elder warriors dislike being reminded of our old age?"

Smiling Ryu replied, "My deepest apologies. But indeed you are no doubt a Grand Master and it would be of disrespect to call you otherwise."

"Your honor never leaves you, my young warrior. But first, let us go into my office and catch up on things!"

"Of course Gran..." Ryu paused, "er... Master."

Gen's office was filled with various weapons, trophies gained from his younger years, and pictures of numerous people. Ryu noticed an autographed picture of Fei Long, his grandsons Yun and Yang, who were currently in the dojo training, and various other students who trained under the great Grand Master.

"Have a seat, my son," Gen said as he sat behind his desk.

Ryu nodded and pulled out the seat across from the desk and sat down.

"So, young Ryu," Gen started, "what brings you here to Hong Kong?"

"Well Master, after seeing Fei Long's new movie in the United States, I was reminded how long it has been since I have been here," Ryu answered.

"Ah, so you saw 'Flying Dragon II'? By far the best sequel ever made. So you just saw the movie and just decided to fly here?"

"I knew you were here training students, so I decided to pay my respects to you. You were after all, one of my late master's greatest allies."

Gen's face began to take a concerned look. "I see. You wish to still seek advice from me on dealing with loss of your master?"

"I have gotten over that some time ago, but I still feel that his... departure... was unjust. During the last tournament, I failed to find Akuma."

"Ah, I heard all about your victory against Gill. He was definitely a powerful opponent."

"But I still did not find Akuma... However, during the battles I fought... I DID sense his evil presence. But I just could not find him anywhere!"

"Akuma is an elusive one, Ryu. I fear that he has been watching you... observing how you fight. He wants to see your full potential. I can only assume he hasn't presented himself to you because there's more he wants to see."

Ryu looked at Gen in awe. "But... I was nearly defeated by Gill. I did indeed use all I had in order to defeat him!"

"Maybe. But perhaps, Ryu, you have more power within you that has not been unleashed. This is the power Akuma seeks."

Trembling, Ryu looked down at the floor. "But I... I cannot! I know Akuma only wants me to... discover my evil intent! I mustn't! It is not a warrior's way fight with evil..."

Gen reached over and put his hands on Ryu's shoulders. "Do not worry, my son. As a... Grand Master... I know that you are one of the strongest willed warriors I have ever witnessed in all my years of fighting and teaching. I know that you are strong enough never to give into Akuma's words."

"Perhaps. But... deep in the recesses of my body, I know there IS untapped power I have not yet unleashed... I really can feel it."

Looking down at Ryu, Gen gently said, "I know too, Ryu. Like Akuma, I too know that there IS indeed more power within you that you have not yet realized. But Akuma wants you to unleash it quickly and realize how much devastation you can truly deal. I on the other hand believe there is a way you can unharness your true power, but without giving into evil."

Puzzled, Ryu asked, "Without giving into evil?"

Gen leaned back in his chair. "Ryu, we all have evil sides within ourselves. You. Me. My students. My grandchildren. All of us. Sometimes, anger is what makes us powerful. When we become angry and use it to battle... we lose ourselves in the anger itself. But since you are one capable of channeling pure energy throughout yourself, the anger you use could turn the energy into evil energy. Satsui No Hado... if you choose to fight angrily too much... Satsui No Hado may eventually consume you. That is exactly what happened to Akuma."

"Akuma... his hate for his master and his brother... my master... made him... a... a DEMON!"

"I know, Ryu. And he's only using Gouken's defeat to anger you. To make you remember how close he was to you so you can use your anger when you fight him. But I know that you are strong enough not to give into this."

"But what can I do, Master? If I ever face him... I know all I'll think about is Master Gouken..."

"Be strong, Ryu. There is a way to find your power without giving into your hate. And once you unleash your power in this way... you'll be free to use it without ever worrying about Satsui No Hado."

"Master! You must tell me! I need to know how!"

Gen frowned, "Sorry, my young warrior. But the answer lies within you and you must find it yourself."

Disappointed, Ryu could only say, "I... I see."

Gen kept his hand on Ryu's shoulder. "Do not fear! The answer may be closer than you think!"

Just then the door to the office opened. "Um... sifu? Are you..." the woman who opened the door completely froze.

Ryu froze as well as he couldn't believe his eyes. He looked at Gen, and back at the woman. He looked back at Gen and looked past his shoulders to see a picture of the same woman on top of a cabinet behind him.

"Chun-Li? I thought I gave you the day off? What brings you back here?" Gen asked, not aware of what was going on between the two younger people.

Chun-Li gasped. "R...Ryu...! It... it really IS you!" Her heart suddenly speeded up as if a lover had returned from a long voyage to the woman he loves.

"Ch...Chun-Li... I... I never thought I'd see you here! You... train under Master Gen now?" he asked as he stood up.

Chun-Li didn't answer. She only ran up to Ryu and wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

"Ch-Chun-Li...! I..." Ryu suddenly stopped in his words as he felt Chun-Li's body tightly against him. He could feel the firmness of her breasts lightly press up against his chest, and he began to tremble. He blushed heavily, and in response to the feelings, he wrapped his arms around her waist to hug her back, pressing her body even deeper against his.

... I... I'm... finally in the strong arms of the man I...

"Interesting. I was unaware the two of you knew each other this much!" Gen finally said, interrupting Chun-Li's thoughts.

Shocked, Chun-Li immediately let go of Ryu and blushed in embarrassment. "Oh! I'm... I'm so sorry Ryu! I-It's just that I haven't seen you for a long time and I-" she stammered.

Ryu, feeling a small tingle on his chest where Chun-Li's breasts once were, was blushing as well. "It... it's ok!"

Gen, knowing both Ryu's and Chun-Li's questions finally said, "Chun-Li, Ryu is here visiting Hong Kong to pay his respects to me. And Ryu, yes Chun-Li has been training under me for quite a while and has already mastered the arts of both the praying mantis and the crane! She came to me after the second Street Fighter tournament after Bison's defeat and decided to teach other students not to use revenge as a motive for fighting. And she has done her job well."

"Oh... I see," Both Ryu and Chun-Li said simultaneously. They both looked at each other, still embarrassed and laughed again.

"So Ryu, where are you planning on staying?" Gen asked.

"Well Master, I guess I'll just stay at a hotel for to-"

"No!" Chun-Li interrupted, "Why waste your money on a hotel when you... you can stay at my place?!"

"But Chun-Li! I cannot impose upon you!" Ryu said in an honorable manner.

"No no no! It's no problem Ryu! Really! And by staying at my place I can show you around the city easier!"

"But wouldn't it be inconvient for a man to be in a woman's sanctuar-"

"Ryu!" Gen interrupted, "Have you forgotten that it is ungrateful to refuse a favor?"

Ryu, completely caught off guard, lowered his head, "Indeed I have forgotten. You are quite right, Master." Ryu looked back at Chun-Li accidentally focusing straight into her brown eyes. He was completely dazzled by how her eyes had a certain sparkle. They're so beautiful I could stare at them forever... he thought. Not wanted to be too focused for too long, Ryu broke out of his daydream and finally said, "Okay, I'll go with you back to your place, Chun-Li. Thank you so much for the offer."

Chun-Li smiled happily. "Yay! Then let's go! There's so much I want to talk to you about!" She grabbed hold of Ryu's arm pulling him quickly out of Gen's office.

"Wait! Chun-Li!" Gen called out, "You never told me why you came to see me!"

"Oh... well sifu, I just wanted to ask if you saw Ryu! And I guess I know the answer now!" she playfully replied.

Smiling, Gen said, "Ah. Well then feel free to take the day off tomorrow and any other day you wish to spend with him!"

"Really? Oh sifu, Thank you soooo much!" Chun-Li squeezed Ryu's arm even harder.

"Ow..." Ryu winced.

"Oops! Sorry!" Chun-Li excitedly said as she rubbed the part where she squeezed.

"You two have a good time now you hear?" Gen yelled out as Chun-Li and Ryu left the dojo.

"Oh we will sifu! We will!" Chun-Li yelled back, pulling Ryu to her apartment as fast as she could.

Gen went back into the training area to relieve his aide. As he continued to instruct his students he thought to himself, Ryu... perhaps you have found the answer already...