Love's Labors Lost Ch. 8 (Part 3)
By Ring-chan

"Can it be?"

Her eyes scanned over his face, taking in every detail in a grateful sense of disbelief. Her hands reached out to touch his face, fingers roaming over each and every rugged contour of his face until at last she was convinced that the one before her was indeed tangible.

Ryu.

He stood admiring her in the pale light bestowed upon them from the moon and stars in the clear night sky. He was right, the pendant looked absolutely radiant on her.

"I missed you so much, Chun Li..." he started, but suddenly was cut off by a loud SMACK as Chun Li slapped him square across the face.

Utterly stunned, Ryu reeled back in surprise with his hand to his cheek. Obviously the strongest woman in the world hadn't gone soft.

"Chun Li..."

"Where were you, Ryu?" she yelled. Chun Li's face was now an expression of utter anguish. The gladness she first felt had vanished and in its place grew resentment, enmity, and a overwhelming sense of betrayal.

"I'm sorry..."

"Sorry???" Chun Li screamed. Tears welled up in her eyes again.

Ryu's done it to her again. Every time she learns to adjust to life without him, he reminds her how much he means to her. Time after time... tear after tear...

"Do you have any idea what you put me through this past week???" she half yelled and half sobbed through the tears raining down her face. "Ryu! You inconsiderate jerk! I thought you were dead!"

"I'm sorry..." Ryu futilely attempted to apologize. He had no idea what to say... how to make it up to her.

"I thought... Ugghhh!" Chun Li's hands flew to her head, almost as if trying to steady all her thoughts. "I've been dead inside for the whole week! You know why???" Chun Li stormed past him towards the shore. "Because I thought your lifeless corpse was lying in the bottom of the sea!" She wiped more tears away with the back of her hand. "Because I thought you cared enough to keep your promise and come back for me!"

"Chun Li, listen to me!" Ryu ran up to Chun Li and wrapped both arm around her, enclosing her in a tight embrace. "Please, I made a mistake..."

Chun Li struggled against him, squirming and crying, trying to break out his embrace. Ryu didn't let up. He lovingly held her to him in spite of her opposition, until... Chun Li gradually stopped struggling.

Strength spent, she leaned her head on his chest, sobbing into the worn material of his shirt, soaking the fabric with her tears. All the while, Ryu gently stroke her hair while whispering softly into her ears and rhythmically rocking her in the safe, secure embrace of his arms.

"I thought..." Chun Li's muffled voice choked out between sobs, "I thought you were gone..."

"Shh..." Ryu whispered, and nestled her closer in his arms. "And leave what I have here?" He pulled back a moment to look at her face.

Her eyes were red from crying and discernibly puffy.

"Beautiful," Ryu thought as he brushed back some hair that was matted to her face as a result of the dampness, "still absolutely beautiful."

"Come on," he said as he led her towards the shore, one arm wrapped protectively around her waist, "let's get you home and warmed up."

Chun Li numbly nodded and followed Ryu back onto the sandy beach. For the first time, she realized just how cold it was outside.

"What were you thinking?" Ryu gently chided her. "Out in the water like that at night? You could catch a cold."

Chun Li nodded again.

"Ryu?"

"Yes?"

"What... what happened? I thought..."

"It's a long story, Chun Li," Ryu replied. "It would be best if we don't discuss it right now. I don't think you're ready to hear about it."

The two walked in silence towards the road by the beach side.

"It's so great to see you again, Chun Li," Ryu smiled down at her. "I can't even begin to describe how much I missed you." He leaned over and lightly brushed over her lips with his fingers.

"I missed you too," Chun Li answered uneasily.

Silence.

"Ryu, there's something I have to tell you first..."

"What is it?"

"You know, I never expected to see you again... I just..."

"Wait," Ryu interrupted her. "Here comes a cab." He quickly flagged down the taxi and two climbed in.

"Imperial Gardens Complex," Chun Li told the cabby driver, who gave their damp, wet clothing a curious glance before nodding and turning back around.

The ride back was quiet... They both had so much to say that, words couldn't have expressed what they felt. Only silence seemed fitting for the moment.

Chun Li's hand traveled to the crystal heart pendant on the necklace... and at the same time caught sight of her engagement ring.

She didn't want to deceive him... she didn't want to hurt him... but she had already made her decision: Jeff.

Chun Li stole a glance at Ryu, who upon noticing her looking in his direction, turned to smile at her. "Ryu," she started, while reaching behind her neck to unfasten the necklace. "I'm sorry, I can't accept this."

The expression on Ryu's face was nothing short of total astonishment as Chun Li slipped the necklace into his hands.

"What... but..."

"I'm sorry, Ryu." Chun Li couldn't find the courage to look him in the eyes and so adverted her eyes out the window. "There's... There's someone else."

"What? But Chun Li, how can..." he reached out to take her hand. Only then, did he first noticed the her ring. His questioning gaze left the ring to search Chun Li's face for a reply, then back to the ring again. "I see," he replied simply, almost able to mask the hurt in his voice. Almost.

"Ryu, I'd be lying if I said I don't still care about you," Chun Li gently put a hand on his shoulders. "I found that out when I thought I lost you for good, but..."

"But?" Ryu asked.

"But, I just don't think it was meant to be between us."

Clutching the crystal pendant in his hand, Ryu nodded. "If that's what makes you happy Chun Li."

"Ryu, I don't want to see you like this. Are we still friends?"

Ryu forced a smile to his lips. "Of course, you know I'll always be here for you."

Although about to say something, Chun Li was interrupted as the cab pulled up in front of her apartment and the cabby turned around.

"This the place?"

"Yeah, that's right," Chun Li replied. She turned to Ryu, "I should get home."

"Get changed quickly," Ryu advised. "Don't catch a cold."

"And you? Where..."

"I'm staying at an old friend's place," Ryu answered, quickly putting Chun Li's worries to rest. "I'll be fine with him until I find a new apartment."

"Oh..." Chun Li hand hesitated on the cab's door handle. "You'll call me if you need anything right?" Ryu nodded.

Chun Li brought one hand up, letting her fingers brush over Ryu's face with a sad sense of nostalgia. Then she leaned over and kiss him on the forehead. "Good night, Ryu."

"Good night, Chun Li," Ryu answered as he watched her get out of the cab.

As the cab drove off, Ryu turned to watch Chun Li enter her building. Her figure slipped through the door and she was gone.

He sighed and leaned back in the back seat.

What was he going to do now? Losing Chun Li was like losing his way. He felt like he had no sense of direction now... no objective, no goal, no aim...

How as he going to collect the shatter pieces of his heart and move on?

Ryu looked down at the heart pendant in his hands.

Everything he did... just so he can come back and make Chun Li happy... all his efforts were wasted. All his labors for love were lost...
~~~~~~