Started: 23/11/04
Finished: 27/11/04
Characters: Ryu, Sakura, Chun-Li
Outside of Southtown, towards the outskirts of the forest that borders the
sprawling city, is a dojo that no one would initially suspect belongs to Kim
Kaphwan, Tae Kwon Do champion of Korea. The reason for that is simple - The
place is in sorry shape, little more than structurally sound, the exterior
crumbling in places, and the entire building looking like it needs considerable
attention. But the dilapidated structure is at least (mostly!) structurally
sound, and its out-of-the-way nature makes it a suitable place for Ryu to hang
his backpack, for the time being. The lack of life's little luxuries is more of
a bonus than a detriment in the legendary nomad's outlook, and he usually even
forgoes the cot he has to sleep on. It's a roof for the colder weather, and
that's welcome now and then, plus it houses several of his newer allies, as
well. And with events of late, allies seem like a wise thing to keep around.
For one thing, Vega may be in for a shock when he comes to make a second play to
capture Ryu.... Provided Ken makes it overseas in time. Worn down as it may be,
the ample dwelling is still a dojo, and to that end, the yard is presently
seeing some good use.
Out front, Ryu is getting back to basics. Not for his own benefit, so much as
that of the young fighter training with him. With circumstances as they are,
and Sagat apparently not planning to respond to Ryu's offer real quickly, it
seems prudent to correct some of the flaws in Sakura's basic technique. Not to
mention the Taiyo schoolgirl's insistence on entering (and getting smacked
around) in tournaments. It's a series of somewhat slowed katas that Ryu leads,
just now, expecting Sakura to mirror the motions. The punches and kicks thrown
by the Ansatsuken master are simple, but undeniably impressive, cutting the air
audibly, almost tangibly, as he moves forward through the series, fists cutting
precise straights as his legs alternately snap up and out, sideways and
straight-on, and occaisionally lead into a full-out half-spin of a brutal
roundhouse, "Focus on the individual motion, not on an expected payoff. Every
act should be as powerful and quick as it can be, each strike applied for
optimal effect. Time your steps to encourage this flow of attacks and defense,
and center your chi so that your inner power guides every strike."
The Taiyo schoolgirl hadn't expected lessons to start quite this soon -- though
she's not complaining in the slightest! Not wanting to get another of her many
sailor-style school uniforms dirty, Sakura had changed into the school gym
uniform -- which is basically just a t-shirt and the same red shorts she wears
under her skirt anyway. And the headband and handguards, of course -- though,
like Ryu, she's barefooted. A detached smile paints her features as she
executes the motions -- her eyes drifting over to Ryu to confirm where she
should be kicking or punching, of course. There's a lot of bad form to correct,
after all -- so she's understandably appreciative of Ryu taking the extra time
to step through the series. "Okay." As she's still learning, she's wary of
speaking too much, knowing full well that she loses focus when she starts
running her mouth. She's adept at languages, having picked up English in
addition to her mother tongue, and fighting is just another 'language' of sorts
-- start jibber-jabbering in the other lllanguages and it's easy to get confused.
So... she keeps her attention on the task at hand -- practicing the kata.
Run down it may very well be... but finding the home of a warrior like Kim
Kaphwan is no sturdy task, especially when he's housing people of such note in
the fighting world. At this time Chun-Li is picking her way through the forested
path towards the fixer-upper dojo, walking in a measured stride towards her
destination. In a departure from the norm, her sleek brown hair is not done up
in its buns but instead left to trail out behind her, riding a soaring wave
about her shoulders as she walks. The choice of attire is simple in the extreme
- a lightweight blue sweater and a pair of cut-off jeans, just the kind of garb
for a warming hike through this wooded area. Unorthodox for the Chinese martial
artist? Sure, but contrary to popular belief she does have a life outside the
fight and sometimes elaborate filigreed dresses and huge spiked wristbands just
don't make the cut...
Though, admittedly, we're talking a very small percentage of the time!
Still. Since the brutal, to-the-point battle with Ryu, she's spent a relaxing
couple of days just reflecting on recent events and coming to terms with the
power she experienced on Saturday night. It's been a long time coming, this
match with the legendary Ansatsuken fighter, and facing a foe like that truly
brings a great deal into perspective... Vega is one thing, a nemesis and a
challenge to overcome utterly, but Ryu is different. Ryu is an inspiration, a
guiding light for any serious warrior. It may sound a little 'fangirl' but in
truth she merely knows when true talent is on display, and this is it... raw,
pure fighting spirit, embodied in one solid, stoical frame. What does she expect
from this meeting? Very little, but to experience the man behind the warrior's
mask, to perhaps get a more real clue of just what powers such a being, of what
heart beats beneath the muscle.
What she didn't expect as she rounds the edge of a particularly fearsome oak, is
to see another fighter there. Least of all the perky schoolgirl, and least of
all for her to be out and training with the World Warrior. However, it brings a
warm smile to the woman's lips and she picks her pace up a little, skirting
around to approach the pair from the flank with barely a glance spared for their
actual surroundings. Watching this could be an education in itself...
And like any language, arranging the techniques inherent in a martial form
requires practice. Understanding. And instinct. While the conjugation and
sentence structure may be quite dramatically different in execution, there are
indeed similarities in theory. And while Ryu is well-spoken, intelligent, and
educated to some degree, his most fluent language is that of battle, a point
driven home every time he fights. Sakura's movements are as much sensed as
watched out of the corner of his eye, noting the attacks where the girl manages
to successfully utilize the power he senses in her, along with the ones where
her technique is still rusty, imprecise. The pace he sets is not hard to keep
up with, though the bar is set undeniably high, as there is little to no flaw to
find with the Ansatsuken wanderer's own abilities, corded muscles tensing at the
perfect moments to drive his powerful limbs forward, a wrecking ball of a right
kick launched out to the side as he leans back on his left leg, the balance
synchronous, every movement as efficiently measured as it is potently delivered.
Sakura has done quite the job of building a fighting style around Ansatsuken,
and it has its merits due to that inspiration, but the /actual/ facets of the
style are all the more dangerous. And the mental clarity required to hold to
the fight equally important.
The philosophies of the style are just as important as the actual techniques,
especially in the style utilized, and now taught, by Ryu, as he was taught by
Gouken. But Sakura's had her fair share of intellectual and spiritual quandary
the last few days, and so it seems only fair to work on the simpler aspects.
Particularly since a good grasp of the fundamentals of the martial art she tries
to emulate can only strengthen the young warrior's technique. Chun-Li's
approach is certainly notable to the Eternal Challenger, but he does not
immediately pause to greet her, finishing up what's been a good, long string of
demonstration and practice for the girl who's earmarked to be his first protege,
"You must choose the shortest, or most efficient path to your opponent, in an
instant. Execute your techniques from the instincts we spoke of, in form
designed to deliver effect with the least hesitation. Your uppercuts... Do not
start from afar, but rather, fight your way in close.. Or allow your opponent
that proximity, and merely coil... and release." No obvious charge, no
haphazard flourish. Just the accuracy and control inherent in the style, as Ryu
drops low and launches nearly straight up, right fist leading the ascent,
"Shoryuuuuken!" A singular, graceful midair turn is effected at the apex of the
strong leap, and Ryu lands it gently on legs which bend to absorb the descent,
now facing a point between Sakura and Chun-Li. And not immediately launching
into another exercise, as he nods to the Chinese woman, dark eyes considering
her thoughtfully. Not the sight he most expected, just now... But certainly not
one he's going to protest.
If Chun-Li felt she was a 'fangirl', then her mind would probably be eased in
comparison with the more overt fangirl before her. Size-wise, there's no
comparison between the tiny Japanese schoolgirl and her considerably muscular
teacher -- but even still, the steps Sakura's taken to emulate her hero go far
beyond that of just a simple change of clothing. She's still a bit shaky --
bust mostly because she doesn't know the kata fully yet, and she doesn't want to
lag behind. Still, for following a dance she hasn't learned yet, she's not
doing horribly. The more steps she takes, the more she learns to 'feel' her way
around, to anticipate the move Ryu would take next -- though every so often, Ryu
changes the rhythm, and it's obvious from the way she stumbles. She's excellent
at finding patterns -- but also a grave weakness in the wrong hands. Still --
since Ryu's talking about the move, she has a hint he's about to do it -- and
such that when his feet leave the ground, so do the schoolgirl's, her fist
outstretched as it soars towards the sky. That split-second of weightlessness
at the apex of her leap seems to last forever for the schoolgirl -- such that
when she lands, she's adorning a blissful smile... and completely -not- focusing
on her moves again. In fact, she focuses on Chun-Li, and it jars her out of the
comforting reverie, causing a light misstep. But she's quick to recover, with a
quick glance to catch Ryu nodding. Addressing the femme fatale again, she
chirps, "Oh... hey Chun-Li! Good to see you again!" She snaps up her hand in
an open wave.
Chun-Li listens to the unfolding lesson as she makes her approach, slowing once
halfway there to cover the last fifty-odd feet at a rather casual stroll, her
businesslike legs no doubt enjoying the less brisk pace set today during the two
hour journey to this secluded place. The tutoring itself is.. interesting, and
it makes perfect sense based on the young woman's own judgements on Ryu's potent
style. For a large part, the advice is also applicable to her own philosophies,
though admittedly she may display a great deal more flair and - to some eyes -
movements bordering on the utterly unnecessary. But each to their own, and the
World Warrior has certainly got plenty to be preaching about... Chun-Li is, to
say the least, unashamed to call him her superior. She may even learn something
from today, beside an insight into the karate master's nature.
And then... the Shoryuken. The World's Strongest Woman grinds to a halt nearby
just as this attack is launched, her deep brown eyes quickly flickering over
every nuance of the gi-clad man's positioning, taking in every (visible)
clenched muscle and estimating the angle of each limb. A flawless uppercut, a
peerlessly beautiful technique so simple and yet... so effective. She may have
successfully reversed it against Ryu in their battle, but under other
circumstances the effects could have been far more devastating. For her. She
smiles brightly and straightens her back as Ryu offers his nod, lifting the hand
that has come to rest on her right hip and bringing it together with the other,
at her chest. Wordless, she executes the traditional bow in greeting, letting
her hair shift forth over her shoulders as she does so. Past a sweep of this
glossy brown, Chun-Li's eyes lift to take in the stumbling Sakura, and the smile
becomes a laugh as she straightens. "Hello, Sakura. I didn't expect to see you
here." Both hand set to her hips this time, and she looks between student and
master, lifting her eyebrows slightly. "I hope I'm not disturbing you?"
Such is the nature of most of Ryu's techniques. Rather than take their
impressive nature from complex motion, his fighting draws its aesthetic appeal
from the sheer ability espoused in the straightforward artform, the ability of
that style to adapt a balanced offense or defense in a myriad of ways depending
on the moment, the circumstance, and the opponent. It's that versatility and
adaptability that provide the Assassin's Fist with its nearly unparalleled
precise efficiency, lacking little in application despite the apparently
straightforward nature of the style. In fact, it's not quite so simple as it
looks, something Sakura knows all too well. To attack so instantaneously, and
yet so powerfully, without benefit of momentum, is a strain on both the body and
the spirit, the mastery of that form strenuous, to say the least. Ryu doesn't
comment on the faltered steps, and neither does he shower compliments on Sakura
for the portions of the kata she does well. It's a learning process, and the
progress there is more noted than critiqued, at least for now, observing where
the girl improves on her own, and which errors may need nudging down the road.
His own eyes drift between Sakura and Chun-Li. He hadn't expected them to know
one another, but with his student's outgoing nature, he really isn't surprised.
Certainly he'd heard of the remarkable Chinese warrior, and Sakura does have a
knack for tracking down legendary fighters.
Ryu returns the bow respectfully, straightening quickly afterwards and adjusting
the belt of his traditional white gi, his eyes meeting those of the Strongest
Woman in the World steadily, calm and pensive, broken only to allow for a
singular shake of his head, "No, you're not interrupting." For one thing, Ryu
invited her to come by. For another, he's not one to turn aside a fighter of
her calibre, and apparent spirited idealism. It's not often he is defeated, and
coming close is remarkable in and of itself. Plus, after the exertion of the
practice, Sakura could probably use a bit of a rest. Heck, the World Warrior is
a bit thirsty and comfortably drained himself, though exhaustion is far off
judging by his steadfast bearing and confident motions. Since the pair of women
already know one another, introductions are bypassed, and Ryu simply notes, "I
was hoping you'd stop by." The different wardrobe is certainly a big shift, a
different side to the woman than he saw in the bout on Saturday. He can still
feel the warrior's spirit within, however, and that keeps his manner unphased
and simple.
Sakura smiles warmly in response to the Strongest Woman in the World. "Hey,
same here! How've you been lately, I haven't seen you 'round!" The schoolgirl
seems genuinely pleased to see the Chinese martial artist, though she mentally
chides herself for breaking the half-trance she had entered to speak those
words. Oh well! She takes a deep breath, chestnut eyes angling back to Ryu in
anticipation. She half expects -him- to be chiding her too -- and why shouldn't
he? He did warn her that it'd be challenging, after all. But no... he
withholds the criticism, and that, in its own way, is at least as potent. Over
the past couple weeks, Sakura's started to 'read' Ryu a lot better --
interpreting what he's wanting to say without really hearing the words. Like all
of the girl's talents, it's far from perfected, but the look's all it takes for
her to stiffen up and give a properly formal bow in return. She shakes her head
in reply -- no interruption at all. Instead, she bows once more to Ryu, before
wordlessly dashing off to grab the water bottles. See? He didn't even need to
ask.
While running, she does contemplate the lesson she's been partaking of. In most
of her fights, she relies on momentum. It's a bit more flashy -- but in a way,
she'd taken cues from seeing fighters like Chun-Li in combat. Whereas the
fluidity of Chinese martial arts is an endless, unbroken legato, Ryu's
Ansatsuken is much more of a staccato beat. Both are effective techniques in
their own, but Sakura's attempted to blend the two -- with mixed success.
Hence, the need to focus.
Well, naturally the Tai Chi mistress has another side... but then, perhaps that
duality is just what prevents other fighters from reaching Ryu's heights? To
focus not on one absolute self, but to be so many different facets all at once.
It could be described as human weakness, something that to suppress completely
would be a near impossible task. On the other hand, human weaknesses are
essential to most. Not all could resist the pull of such dark forces as the
Satsu no Hadou. If any can, forever. But this is no topic on which Chun-Li knows
anything, beside the world-famous ravaging of Sagat in the tournament that
thundered Ryu into the public eye. And even if she did, such topics would be
bypassed for the time being.. that is no discussion to have on a perfectly nice
day in such an idyllic locale. The Chinese woman is here in friendly mode, as
casual and loose as she ever really gets.
"Good." She responds happily, on hearing that her visit is no interruption. A
simple politeness to ask, but some standards remain upheld no matter how
laid-back her mood... would anything less have been expected? "And I've been
fine, Sakura," she tails off a little as she says this, reaching up to brush her
hair back with one hand. Not because it needed doing, just to hide the slight
aversion of her gaze. Things have been good, but it's only a matter of time
before chaos ensues again. She's waited too long already, and she knows it. "How
about-" she pauses, an eyebrow shooting up and an amused smile lighting her
briefly darkened expression as Sakura takes off. "-you." Finishing a little
lamely, Chun-Li watches for a few moments before giving an equally amused shake
of her head and turning lightly on her heels, placing herself face-on to Ryu.
"Well... if you were teaching, you should have told me!" She winks softly,
shifting her hand back to her hip after a vague wavering in the air. "I always
like to know when I have to watch my back for challengers." Challengers? For her
coveted title, of course! Not that Sakura's the only one, what with Li Xiangfei
hot on the trail already...
Ryu has plenty of duality, and facets to his personality. Plenty of human
weakness. But, he clearly has a dominant side, as well. But then, that
steadfast warrior's focus, and disciplined ease, serve each of those aspects in
turn, and in ways, solidifies his personality into one cohesive ideal. Beyond
the benefits, though, his outlook is almost a necessity... At least, if he
intends to keep the Satsu no Hadou at bay, and maintain the ethics passed on to
him by he man he loved as a father. And that is a struggle he intends to win,
one that is more important even than the fight itself. Which is one of the
reasons he's been able to avoid succumbing to the quick route to power. He has,
however, certainly gained no small amount of that commodity on his own terms,
however, the years since the World Warrior tournament used to hone Ryu into the
warrior he is today, nearing the apex of his art. He can certainly be a
difficult man to read, and the ease with which Sakura picks up on his nuances is
new to him, though not unwelcome. Maybe because he's thirsty, maybe because
it's nice not to have to try to explain himself at every turn. It's one of the
reasons he and Ken get along so well... Ken knows his more serious counterpart,
and vice versa. In ways, Sakura is still an enigma to the young champion, but
at other times, he understands her motivations and nature very, very clearly.
Which is a big part of how she came to be here. He's not phased by his
protege's sudden departure... He's come to expect the sudden impulsive quickness
she exhibits now and then.. And besides, he's thirsty!
Ryu may not be as overt about his shift to casual as Chun-Li, but he's certainly
got the capacity, a subtle smile ghosting across his rough-hewn features as he
considers the words. Yes, perhaps a warning of Sakura's potential to unseat her
would be fitting... But not for some time, yet, "I only just began that
training." Ryu confides, his voice quiet but conversational, friendly despite
the relatively matter of fact air. It's one of the difficulties in reading
Ryu... Most of his moods look very, very similar, even if they're not. Even in
the most vehement battles, his stern resolve is changed only in minor ways,
though the resulting ferocity is nearly tangible, "Though the potential is
certainly there." One day, perhaps she'll surpass even him. That is the way of
the world, isn't it? Part of the path of student and master, "With your
strength as it is, I suspect you can keep your title. For now." Another smile,
this one more lingering, though similarly subtle. Amused. And just a little
bit teasing, in dry tones.
"I'm doing great!" the dashing schoolgirl replies over one shoulder, having
heard the Chinese martial artist despite her eager flight from the conversation.
Not that she's privy to the immediate followup, as she's busy pulling two water
bottles from the drink cooler stuffed in her bicycle's basket. Ryu might be
fine with lukewarm water, but she'd much rather have it cold -- though perhaps
she'll be silently chided for that too. Remains to be seen, though!
As she walks back to the pair -- for once, she's -not- running this time -- she
once more lapses back into fangirl-mode. Just the sight of Ryu and Chun-Li
together, talking like they've known each other for years, strikes her as so
natural, so touching, and.... aww. Such a Kodak moment. Passing the water
bottle to her teacher -- another light blush tinging her features as she
considers it again. That word, 'teacher'. Sensei. Sakura's living her
impossible dream, and she's just wondering when she's going to wake up.
Grinning back to Ryu, and then conversationally stepping over to Chun-Li, she
asks, "So... you finally got to meet him, huh? I heard about the match the
other night -- was it everything you dreamed it'd be?" Obviously, the two
female fighters have had a few conversations before. Sakura's obviously not too
conscious of the fact that Chun-Li can't rightly answer 'no' with the man
standing right here -- though that's more because she can't possibly imagine
anyone SAYING 'no', and thus, doesn't worry about embarassing the woman. She
pops the cap off her bottle and offers Chun-Li a drink -- even though Sakura's
obviously the one who needs the liquid refreshment more.
Subtle indeed, the sides Ryu displays... though clearly there, beneath a stoic
demeanour. Chun-Li can sympathise well enough, her own displays sometimes not
far off his own, particularly during the focus of battle. Ryu seems to have more
than that, preserving the focus throughout life, unwavering from all she's seen.
But for that one known anomaly, it all relates back to that - a blow struck in
heated rage, surpassing the warrior's refined technique and unburdened strength
to strike with the fury of a demon. One of the many intriguing factors the
world's strongest woman finds herself drawn to investigate...
Watching Ryu as he speaks though, Chun-Li's intent is simply to observe him as
another human being. Find those hidden weaknesses, glimpse what lies behind the
legend. In short? Converse, interact. Nothing strange, but somehow with him it
feels like a whole new experience... the mundane becoming the fascinating.
As the issue of Sakura's potential is raised, the Chinese woman gives a slow
nod, her good humour peeling back to seriousness for a moment - she was not
fully jesting to begin with, knowing well enough that the schoolgirl clearly has
the spirit to contain some hidden power. Though with little experience outside a
few friendly meetings, she knows no more than a gentle feeling.. a feeling of
potential waiting to escape. Mystical? Hardly. Intuition perhaps, or just more
very human senses. So much branded as the occult and the odd is not so - it is
merely awakened potential. This inner philosophising gives way to
light-heartedness again as Ryu finishes speaking, and Chun-Li smiles, glancing
off towards the approaching schoolgirl. "For now, hm? I'll take that as a
recommendation of the highest order." She shoots a sidelong glance to the
Ansatsuken master, an eyebrow curling upward and her smile broadening. She means
it sincerely though... if Ryu has picked a student, then it's more than merely
obvious that that student must have something special. But then, Sakura is right
there, and as she makes her final approach Chun-Li's attention is turned back to
the girl, a laugh given in reply to her words. "Everything I dreamed? Well..."
back to Ryu, a few short nods given in silent appraisal. "I suppose it's fair to
say he stood up to expectations, though I suspect he held back for a mere slip
of a girl..."
This being said, there's no following laugh, but the woman keeps her attention
fair halfway between the two fighters, only briefly lapsing to hold up a hand in
polite refusal of the water. Unsurprisingly, she's picked up on Sakura's need!
"Held back? Oh, no way! He puts his all into every fight! So it must've just
been a really close fight!" Sakura's confident that's the right answer, though
with a quick glance over at her master... well, she should let him answer for
himself. Though that answer seems to be begging for a temporary pardon -- which
is fair enough. "There's some gummi bears in my bike's basket if you want 'em!"
she calls back to the Ryu as he departs, her brow wrinkling soon afterwards.
Gummi bears? Why would Ryu want gummi bears? As insightful as she can be at
times, she still slips up every now and again. Turning back to Chun-Li, she
takes another long draw of her water with a helpful grin. "Oh... I was
wondering, have you run into Xiangfei yet? She's been -dying- to meet you, but
I wasn't sure and all." Just from talking with the schoolgirl, it'd be hard to
tell the trials she's gone through since the two fighters last talked. Though,
in some matches, her fighting ability well surpassed what even she thought she
was capable of -- in others, crushing disappointment. But yet she smiles with
the same overexuberant spirit as usual, resting her hands upon her hips as she
regains her breath from the disciplined training.
On the part of the older woman, a hand is lifted in a wave to Ryu as he makes
his departure. She pauses to watch his retreating back for a moment before
looking back to Sakura with a renewed smile, giving just a faint nod in
confirmation of that conclusion... the fight was close. Chun-Li even thought she
might emerge on top, for a moment or two, but finally Ryu showed her his full
power and finished the brutally-fought match in two fiercely effective blows.
Glancing back to Ryu as Sakura makes her marvellous offer... well. The Chinese
martial artist can't help but look a little.. confused, her gaze flipping back
and forth between them a few times, eyebrow once again raised. But at least the
schoolgirl seems to realise the craziness of the gesture herself! This causes a
slight smile and a slowly released breath, in something approaching relief. Some
things are just a little hard to comprehend. As for Xiangfei...
"Who's that? A friend of yours?" Chun-Li inclines her head to one side
quizzically, shifting her footing now to more comfortably face Sakura alone,
giving the schoolgirl her full attention now. "I don't think we've met, unless
she was just really shy..." she tails off with a rather embarassed laugh,
thinking she may just have missed someone important in that crowd of fans for
whom she signed the occasional autograph back in Seattle. Sure, they're all
important but a friend of Sakura's counts for a little more than the average
rabid streetfighting fan. It's a little more personal, after all!
Well, if you consider how easily Sakura stomped Xiangfei into the ground, then
maybe Xiangfei -doesn't- have much talent after all. ... Or else the Taiyo
schoolgirl just hit one of her rare lucky streaks. Or maybe it was just
because a week's worth of food was foolishly offered as the prize. Who knows?
If Sakura does, she's not saying anything about it. "Yeah! She works down at
the Pao Pao Cafe as a waitress, though she also was in charge of promotions for
a while." Heh heh. Sakura, Kensou, and Ryo put an end to that stint,
innocently enough. "She's... got her hair into little loops, like this?"
Kasugano makes the gesture to indicate Xiangfei's memorable hairstyle -- if
Chun-Li's met her, she's -got- to remember it! "Oh, and she's -far- from shy!
She keeps calling herself the Hip-Hop Honey of Southtown, though I don't think
anyone else has picked up the ball..." She smiles more warmly, taking another
sip of her water. Glancing back towards the dojo, she turns back, leaning
forward to confide to Chun-Li in a hushed voice, "I can't tell you what a
-thrill- this is... it really is a dreammm come true for me!" The sparkle in her
eyes, the flutter in her heart, the slight tinge upon her cheeks shows she's
hardly making this up! Though she lets a light giggle afterwards and covers her
mouth with a hand. "Sorry! It's just... wow, so amazing." Beaming, she
attempts to straighten her stance and get serious in case Ryu were to be
sneaking up behind her any moment soon.
... With only marginal success.
It's true that Ryu doesn't hold back in his fights. It's also true that he
doesn't always fall back on his mightiest options readily. It's all a matter of
circumstances, and opponents. And of finding the best opportunity to test and
improve his skills, while gaining an understanding of worthy opponents, and
varied styles. Finding that rhythm isn't always easy... In fact, Chun-Li made
it downright torturous. But that just makes the fight all that more
exhilerating, and his victory more satisfying. To triumph over an adversary of
such obvious ability has its own rewards in satisfaction, far exceeding whatever
the prize purse may contain. Ryu isn't inside the dojo for long before he turns
back up, sipping at the water bottle (and not seeming to mind at all that it's
ice-cold, even if he is used to water of varying temperatures) as he walks back
across the yard towards the two women. His experience with gummi bears is
decidedly... limited, but for the moment, he doesn't seem inclined to change
that, leaving Sakura with her candy and settling for the water. Neither does he
interrupt the conversation as he returns, simply walking up and settling into a
relaxed stance beside the others, his rather alert brown eyes travelling from
one to the other. He can certainly read the change of moods since he went
inside, but god knows Ryu doesn't understand women enough to guess the cause!
In a way, it's something of a shame that the Masters Stadium was such a huge
place, and the tournament so well-attended... otherwise, Chun-Li would surely
have noticed her fellow countrywoman screaming passionately and waving a banner
during her prolonged epic match with the Gedo Boss. But unfortunately, it is and
it was, and the powerful woman is left to stare sheepishly as Sakura goes
through her mime and describes the girl in question. When she's done though, a
brisk nod is given and a moment of thought before... well, her mouth falls open
a short way, the stare directed to Sakura now just about as blank as they come.
"The.. Hip-Hop Honey of Southtown?" She repeats slowly, reaching up with one
hand to brush back one sweep of her hair idly, not moving her gaze for a few
seconds. Laughing then she shakes her head, "I've not met her, but it sounds
like it could be quite an experience! I'll try and drop by in the next few
days..." Like she's all that busy anyway, but you never know.. one back-alley
leaping by a certain clawed Spaniard would be all it takes to throw off the best
laid plans.
Sakura's next admission garners a rare -grin- from the world's strongest woman,
and a quick glance over the shoulder of the schoolgirl... towards Ryu as he
approaches. "I'm sure he'd be flattered to hear that." She comments, giving a
sage nod and reaching out to pat Sakura on the shoulder amiably. In all honesty
though, for all her apparent composure and ability to make light of the
situation.. this is no small expedition for Chun-Li, and it shows. There might
just be a slight pleased reddening in her cheeks, not quite the blush Sakura
might sport but it's there all the same... they're in a similar kind of boat.
Noting the quick glance, Sakura's cheeks redden a bit more. He was just gone
for a moment! And yet... Kyaaa! So embarassing! She bites her lip, trying to
rein in her giddiness as she nods back to the Chinese fighter. She does lighten
up at the pat on her shoulder, though -- Chun-Li's been one of her idols too,
truth be told, so it's comforting to know, or at least sense, some kinship with
her. She pops another sip of her water so that she doesn't have to actually,
y'know, show her red face to the master -- though, really, after the
conversations she and Ryu have had to date, he's got to be used to it by now.
Sakura does find her mind wandering back to thoughts of training though...
wondering just what it -would- be like to take Chun-Li up on her earlier offer
of a sparring match. Perhaps it's too late for her to really -train- under the
Tai Chi martial artist, but a spar ought to be good for practice! Especially
since the fighter gave Ryu such a tough time of things, from the sound of it.
Sakura takes a step back, admitting the man back into the women's conversation
with a healthy, if still slightly embarassed, grin.
Ah, the Masters Tournament. Ryu wasn't around to participate, though he did
help Ken break the place in properly, a bit later. It was a recorded, and
probably widely televised bout, at the behest of Ken's manager, probably much to
the regret of Ryu's brother by another mother, given the course of that battle.
And Ken has the nerve to insist he's keeping pace with his lifelong training
partner. Hmmmph. He's met Xiangfei, himself, on an occasion when the waitress
tried to recover some of the Pao Pao's losses with a cart in the park. Of
course, the Ansatsuken warrior's appetite probably helped to make that venture
more worthwhile by quite a bit. As for clawed miscreants in the alleys, well...
Ryu has been spending parts of his nights in search as well. After an encounter
with Daigo Kazama, he learned all he needed to about the powerful murderer, and
certainly found the motivation to put his efforts into stopping Balrog. Then
again, the World Warrior has had other things on his mind, things that are
related even if he's oblivious to that fact yet. In fact, let's back up a
moment, and note that the Ansatsuken master /does/ look like he's been in a
brutal fight, particularly around the head. Rather bruised, though healing, he
doesn't seem bothered by the injuries, though they are certainly obvious, the
product of tremendous force, repeatedly applied to his face. It's not the sort
of thing one would expect to see from a friendly fight, that's for sure.. And
the fight that gave him those bruises was anything but. Ryu is not oblivious to
the admiration from either Chun-Li or Sakura, though as with most compliments
and flattery, it washes over him, taken in but not affecting his opinions much.
He tries to keep a realistic perspective on his own accomplishments, and his
respect for both of the others in question is response enough to that sentiment.
Still, he's gone for five minutes and they're both grinning like, well, giddy
schoolgirls, and looking at him with that particular glint in their eyes. A
large hand rises to brush back the sweat-moistened mass of dark brown that grows
in tousled waves atop Ryu's head, and he finally breaks his silence, and the
slight discomfort he feels at that sort of attention, from these sorts of
people, "I'd like to reiterate how well you fought, the other night." He states
towards Chun-Li, with a nod of acknowledgement, "I barely managed to figure out
your technique in time to counter, and you stayed ahead of my attacks more
effectively than anyone I've fought in a long time." That is true, and while he
does have something to ask,the compliments aren't offered to butter her up. He
looks to Sakura, indicating her with another nod, "Sakura has been working on
improving the precision and timing of her attacks, I wonder if you would do me a
favor, and give her a true test. I'm wondering if she can muster up the focus
to land a hit." Or three. If she can get three? Ryu will be impressed!
A sparring match with Sakura, welcome? There's no doubting it. When all is said
and done, fighting a friendly bout such as that is only another form of
training, arguably one that can be most effective with those of different
schools... but curious as she certainly is about the schoolgirl's blooming
talent, it's unlikely the young Chinese near-legend would suggest such a thing,
without a little prior bidding. Even if she did happen to catch the little
impromptu bout against Ken Masters. That one.. was a little hard to judge, what
with the unwise intervention of one Tony Styles.
But as Ryu steps back into the conversation, it seems prior bidding is right on
its way!
In response to the initial compliment, Chun-Li glances down with an inclination
of her chin in a light bow of sorts, an acknowledgement of the praise. No blush,
no shy giggle, or any such behaviour, but she certainly looks pleased to hear it
re-iterated. When she looks back up, it's with a crossing of her arms behind a
slightly straightened back, and a smile to the Ansatsuken warrior as she hears
out his last. Slowly an eyebrow begins to cock, and then her attention swings
over to Sakura, the girl given a considering up-down sweep of the young woman's
gaze. There's a pause then, left to hang in the air...
And then?
"It would be my pleasure, if Sakura feels like it?"
Sakura trades attention between Chun-Li and Ryu, fascinated by the conversation.
She's always had to struggle to give compliments to people she bests in combat,
though Ryu says so in such a nonchalant, admirable fashion. (Then again, he did
have five minutes to think of the proper butter-up.) It's just one of the many
reasons Sakura looks up to the man. She still feels a bit guilty about
confessing her feelings about the training to Chun-Li when he was still so close
by though, as she notices the slight discomfort. Oops. Another silent
admonishment, which she chalks up for future reference.
Though... when he starts talking about fighting Chun-Li, she gulps. Now? Here?
Well, at least she had a rest first! Taking another quick sip from her bottle,
she nods back in reply -- first with surprised eyes to Chun-Li -- half-wondering
if the quick once-over was due to spilling water on the front of her shirt --
then to her master. "Uh... sure! I'll give it my best shot!"
Kasugano caps her water bottle, setting it by Ryu's feet, then breaks from the
trio, taking a few quick steps back to give the other two some breathing room.
Here's just as good as the next place, right? She claps her hands once,
lightly, then bows to the each of the two in turn. Pausing to draw in a deep
breath, she then turns her left shoulder to the pair -- slipping into the
oft-imitated stance. "Whenever you're ready..." she notes, her tone guardedly
cautious -- her altogether look having changed. It's partly an act -- but if
the actor believes they're the character intently enough, it's often just as
effective.
COMBATSYS: Sakura has started a fight here.
COMBATSYS: Sakura focuses on her next action.
Ryu just has that honest air about him, to the point and open enough with his
attitudes as to express himself in a way that seldom seems less than genuine, or
stinking of ulterior motive. And it's a true sense, because the World Warrior
has little time or desire to indulge saying less than what he means, or being
unclear about his opinions, much less entertaining outright deception. It's
just not how he's wired, much less how he was raised. Much like his decision,
when confronted with two attractive women who admire him, to pit them against
one another, albeit in a friendly way. Ken would shake his head at this, to be
sure! But Ryu is most interested in seeing what Sakura can manage, and taking a
look at Chun-Li's abilities from a less painful perspective. He steps off to
the side after stooping to retrieve the water bottle, apparently deciding to
give them /plenty/ of room, and takes up a position where he can easily see the
ensuing spar, and assess both fighters. He's not surprised that Sakura's up for
it... He'd probably have to protest verbally if she tried to duck him. Chun-Li
can test her in ways that he can't, for quick as he is, he lacks the Chinese
warrior's fluid grace at weaving away from... pretty much everything! His arms,
on the other hand, are just as quick at the deflection, but that's a different
sort of obstacle. He falls silent once more, however, another tendency of
Ryu's... He doesn't speak when he has little to offer. Small talk has to be
coaxed, at best, and so he simply nods, and waits.
Chun-Li smiles brightly as Sakura turns and bounds away, pausing herself before
offering Ryu a nod and spinning around, heading three long paces in the opposite
direction. That should be distance enough for a nice long run up... but does she
intend to take it? There's an easy enough answer to that, and it comes just as
soon as the preparation ritual is carried out. Watching Sakura as she does so,
the Chinese martial artist reaches back behind her and deftly loops her mass of
hair into a loose ponytail, giving it a couple of sharp tugs to ensure the band
remains in place and then lowering her arms to place her hands together at her
chest. She bends at the waist to offer a solemn bow, keeping her eyes on her
friendly opponent all the while, and then flowing seamlessly into her fighting
stance... it's been seen before, by both those present, and little surprise
comes their way. The powerful woman's arms find their accustomed positions
around her upper body, her hands curling to fists and her legs spread wide as
she turns side-on to Sakura.
"I'm ready." Chun-Li says clearly, sending an encouraging smile across the
distance, and beginning to shift her feet just lightly, sketching a subtle
rhythm against the ground. "Whenever you want to move, go ahead.. I need to see
what I'm up against..." it's said with a little good humour but once again,
clearly serious enough at the same time. Her deep brown eyes flicker around
Sakura's form, studying for the first time in this scenario, from an opponent's
perspective much like Ryu now studies -her- from that of a spectator, and
getting a measure of just how this spar should progress. Though clealry no exact
preparations are being made... Sakura has a very open, honest first shot.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li has joined the fight here.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li takes no action.
Sakura allows herself a faint smile, despite her attempts to work herself back
into that same 'trance' she'd entered while fighting Kim. Ideally, she'd prefer
to be just conscious enough to give suggestions to the flow of the fight,
allowing her instincts to run on auto-pilot and obtain sure defeat. In this
case, though, she has one of her many idols as her opponent, and her greatest
superhero watching by the sidelines! No pressure, no pressure at all!
"Okay, then..." she warns, before taking off into a full-tilt run. Streaking at
Chun-Li like an olympic sprinter, it ought to be obvious she's had some
encounters with the track team -- though that's neither here nor there. What
-is- here is Sakura, suddenly sidesteppiiing to fling a quick right jab at
Chun-Li's shoulder -- though instead of actually trying to connect with -that-
hit, she suddenly shifts her stance, hips swiveling around 180 degrees in a
quick, hopping spinkick! "HYAAA!" she cries, her headband jolted about from
the sudden change-up.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li blocks Sakura's Light Kick.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Chun-Li
Chun-Li keeps watching with that same intense gaze as Sakura rushes forward. A
nice, straight headlong dash... to the point, simple to utilise and rather nice
for pulling off a quick surprise. The woman gives a faint nod of her head, the
smallest of approving smiles twitching her lips up on one side, and then she
moves to meet the initial assault, only seeming to sway away from the opening
jab before flicking her left hand up to contact with the kick just before it
reaches its intended target. "Not bad!" She offers, along with a warmer and more
definite smile, as her fingers fly open and then close on the schoolgirl's
sneakered foot. The grip isn't held long though, before Chun-Li gives a sharp
twist to one side, just enough to topple Sakura without doing any particularly
hefty damage... a trip, if you will.
"But don't hold back so much, I know you can hit harder than that!" She
continues speaking as she releases the foot directly after the attempted tumble,
and disengages from Sakura's zone of attack immediately, stepping back three
deft paces and sinking back into an identical stance, breathing steadily and
biding her time once more. It might be something of a slow start, and she's
unashamedly not giving it her all just yet.. but this is no life-or-death duel
with Vega, or a 'friendly' tournament showdown either. There's a little room to
hold back, for once, and she's glad for that...
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Sakura with Quick Throw.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0 Chun-Li
Her kick thusly deflected, the schoolgirl tries to withdraw her foot -- but yet
she's grabbed just before she's able to do so. Her mouth gapes open -- she'd
expected Chun-Li to be -fast-, but not -that- fast. But she has little time to
dwell on that, as the unbalancing move is enough to topple Sakura to the ground.
She rolls, but her hip slams into the ground a bit harder than she'd planned,
bringing a slight grunt of discomfort from the girl as she springs back to her
feet. But she wastes no time with words -- the hit only served to heighten her
determination. "Hriiii--" Charging right back at Chun-Li, the Taiyo student
positively -leaps- at her opponent, bringing her right leg high as she
pirouettes in midair, slamming that leg down at the Chinese fighter in hopes she
can catch her this second time. "HAA!" It may not be direct as Ryu wants --
but she's only on her first week of lessons!
COMBATSYS: Sakura successfully hits Chun-Li with Flower Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/----===|=------\-------\0 Chun-Li
A-ha! There's that fighting spirit, which was in the dash but not quite there in
the execution of the kick itself. Skill and experience are important, but..
really, for all her doubts about challenging anyone easily considered 'below'
her, Chun-Li knows full well that with the right stuff anyone can break past her
guard. She's been surprised in the past, and every surprise is a valuable lesson
in not underestimating an opponent. Watching Sakura's second charge, she's no
less on her feet and considering just as intently. But for these moments, the
schoolgirl has IT, and though the Chinese woman slips one foot to the side,
tensing up ready to spin away from the deceptive... panty-flashing blow, she
moves just that milisecond too late, feeling the hard impact of a feistily aimed
foot against her shoulder.
"Nngh!" Chun-Li grits her teeth over the smile that would otherwise be
appearing, and tucks into a crouch with the force of the attack. As she moves
down, she spins, dislodging the foot before it can make any more of a meal of
the blow, and turning through one hundred and eighty degrees, presenting her
back to Sakura. For a fractional moment.. nothing more, as then with a sharp cry
she brings both hands down to either side of her crouched form and launches
herself into the air with an expert application of pressure. This time she
doesn't hold back, and flipping in the air to place herself upside down above
Sakura, she casts a quick glance down then twists further, completing her
acrobatic manuever and coming down just behind the schoolgirl with a knee thrust
out to catch her with a nasty blow to the back of the neck!
COMBATSYS: Sakura blocks Chun-Li's Medium Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0 Chun-Li
As much as Sakura wants to impress Ryu, she knew that -focusing- on making a
good impression will only make the converse more likely. Which is why she'd
started to imagine Chun-Li as less of an idolic figure in her life -- and as
more of a deadly threat that she has to put an end to quickly. Not that it
looks different in the way she's fighting, since she's still got that thin
half-smile upon her face, but it's true in her ferocity. She's already starting
to charge after her quarry again, before the elder fighter goes airborne --
though even still, Sakura's tracking her, eyes going up. And when Chun-Li
reaches the point that the Taiyo schoolgirl needs to turn around to follow,
there's a brief moment when it looks like she might hit -- but instead, the
gym-uniformed student throws her elbow back, blocking the well-placed knee
strike with an equally well-placed defense. Which isn't to say it's unbreakable
-- Kasugano staggers forward a bit afterrrwards -- but that it wasn't as hard as
it could've been. Before the nimble fighter can leap too far away, though,
Sakura swivels around in a tight 180, snapping her fist forward like the hammer
on a pistol in an attempt to knock the Chinese star off her feet.
COMBATSYS: Sakura successfully hits Chun-Li with Medium Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-======|===----\-------\0 Chun-Li
It's a precision Ryu had yet to witness from Sakura, an understanding of the
dynamics of the fight, utilizing her opponent's motions and measuring her own to
create greater effect. It seems she's been taking his advice to heart, and
while that's not surprising, it is impressive how quickly the Taiyo schoolgirl
has managed to put some of it to use in her fighting, without benefit of time to
think or plan. Ryu folds his arms over his chest, loosely, and leans his back
into the tree behind him, the large trunk providing more than ample comfort to
relax, and watch a rather impressive spar. So far his new student has managed
to hold her own remarkably well, but he's also aware Chun-Li is just testing the
waters, thus far. Even so, he's not fool enough to discount the achievement...
Or the benefit that comes from measuring an opponent's rhythm early on in the
fight, and the silent master watches thoughtfully as the battle unfolds outside
Kim Kaphwan's dilapidated Southtown dojo.
...never underestimate, indeed.
That was good by any standard, and downright impressive for the presumed
difference in calibre between the two fighters outside Kim's secluded dojo. A
perfect tracking of movement, and a very sturdy defence all combine to
momentarily stop Chun-Li's painful descent, her knee meeting hardened, ready
flesh where it would otherwise have brought up a -nasty- bruise. This time she
can't hold back the smile, and a rather proud beam is sent down on Sakura. About
long enough a distraction for the schoolgirl to spin around and deliver a hefty
punch, winding the Chinese fighter and sending her back on a hastened course
towards the floor, only her quick instincts stopping an ungainly collision as
she whips an arm out behind her and tucks her shoulder in, rolling into this
point and flipping up to a standing position a few feet away, pausing to grab a
breath of air and let her ponytailed hair settle against her back.
"Well..." she murmurs, once her lungs are full again, though granted their
initial out-thrusting of air was worstened by sheer surprise, "It seems Ryu
knows how to pick a talented fighter.. maybe I'll have to treat you to something
special." She flashes another smile, this one a little sly, and shifts her
footing, right leg sliding out in front and the left bending beneath her as both
hands ride back to her hip. She's seen Sakura lobbing chi-attacks quite happily,
and she knows well enough the problems her own Kikouken can occasionally cause
even the toughest warrior... fast, and moderately powerful, it's proved a
formidable companion. Can Sakura pick up a third point?
Shifting her feet one last time for comfort's sake, Chun-Li's smile vanishes and
she hurls both arms forward, a golden pinpoint flaring at the centre of her
palms and blossoming with an organic blue outer field that pulses eratically as
the subsequent chi projectile is flung out towards the perky, talented
schoolgirl. "KOUKEN!"
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Sakura with Kikou Ken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Sakura 1/------=/=======|====---\-------\0 Chun-Li
Chun-Li may not be the most equitable of sparring partners, but Sakura's proven
that she can at least -land- a hit, even two against the nimble fighter. Corner
of her mouth taking a bit of an uptick once the second hit lands soundly, she
hops back and decides to give her momentum a rest, lest her dashing around lead
her into another hip-jarring imbalance. Slipping back into her Ryu-inspired
stance, her right fist hovering by her jaw, she nods back. She wasn't quite
sure what the elder fighter meant by 'special', but once she feels the wind kick
up, her headband and Taiyo High t-shirt set into ruffling motion by the surging
waves of air, she knows she may just want to move. She does -- but that last
step by Chun-Li was enough to compensate for the slight attempt at evasion. The
Kikouken's energy slams into the schoolgirl with all the force of a speeding,
unladen swallow, knocking her back four hurried steps before the blue spectra
fully dissipate. Yet, afterwards, Sakura scratches her nose. A bit
glassy-eyed, she lifts her gaze back to focus on Chun-Li, scanning her
expression for hints of the martial artists' next attack. She -has- been
pressing awfully quickly... instead of surging forward with another attack,
Kasugano just smiles lightly, her lightly bobbing stance giving little
indication as to what the Taiyo student may be thinking next.
COMBATSYS: Sakura focuses on her next action.
Chun-Li pauses herself after tossing out the lightning-quick ball of pulsing,
rather feminine chi. She watches Sakura past extended hands, still rigid from
the forming of the attack, and narrows her eyes slightly. But not with any
vicious intent.. more a touch of excitement, that a match she feared could be
one-sided has turned into something far more enjoyable. Of course, she's also
forced to mentally scold herself for daring to think anything but optimistic
thoughts about the Ansatsuken-inspired girl's levels of strength and ability.
But that's okay.. we all make mistakes, even the powerful Chinese woman - no
matter how much a certain waitress would like to believe otherwise.
As Sakura slips back into her stance, seemingly content to wait, this brings
another brief surge of pleasure. So she's learning... even if the rushes paid
off one in two, they're not worth pressing constantly and a little break can be
just as effective. Chun-Li gives a nod of approval and slips her hands back to
her waist, pausing for a half-second before dropping into a low dash herself,
straight towards the World Warrior's pupil. "Since I doubt you want me to hold
back-" she manages to blurt out, clearly for all the speed with which is
delivered, and then she straightens abruptly a short distance from Sakura,
spinning onto her left leg and letting the gathered momentum carry her the rest
of the way, her right leg lifting at the same time and being held, poised, with
knee tucked into her stomach for just an instant. And then...
"YA! YA! YA!" Fury is unleashed. A rapid flurry of kicks delivered with
machine-like power and fluid grace, the young woman's extended leg blurring into
a rippling haze as the foot is planted time and again up and down the length of
the schoolgirl's body. At least... that's the plan.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Sakura with Hyakuretsu Kyaku.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Sakura 1/--=====/=======|=======\-------\0 Chun-Li
Sakura certainly doesn't want Chun-Li to hold back -- though she does want to be
able to ride her bike home tonight without an immense amount of pain. Well...
she might still get that, but she'd have to rest a while afterwards: Chun-Li's
mighty blurring kicks land one after another, each imprinting soundly into the
schoolgirl, each quite likely to leave a bruise from the sheer force of the
blow. But even as those kicks hit, Sakura's still got her gameplan from before
firmly in mind -- and thus after the next high kick, Sakura ducks down low,
starting to sweep her bare toes around in a blindingly fast trip at Chun-Li's
left foot. The reason for the swiftness would be explainable by the blue aura
trailing after it -- the very aura that's fueling her charge, turning her into a
spinning whirlwind, aiming to sweep the Chinese fighter off her feet. On the
off chance that her nimble opponent doesn't escape, Sakura would follow up by
standing and delivering a most painful roundhouse to follow... one in a million,
to be sure.
COMBATSYS: Sakura successfully hits Chun-Li with Haru Ichiban.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1 Chun-Li
There's a rather major disadvantage to the fabled Lightning Kick. Namely, that
it's a little difficult to come to a clean stop. This is one element that
Chun-Li long ago got off to a tee, but unfortunately a small gap is unavoidable
- the human body simply can't throw thattt many attacks and not have to have a
little break. That break is more than enough for an opportunistic opponent to
make their assault... and having an actual plan never hurts. Never hurts at all.
Consequently, when the world's strongest woman pauses in place after delivering
the final kick, her arms poised around her upper body and fingers splayed for
crucial balance, she's suddenly confronted with a blazing blur of Sakura kicks
and totally unable to defend!
Payback time!
Buckling under the first flurry of grounded blows, the Chinese woman is left
totally open for the full course of the attack, body twitching this way and that
with each subsequent hit. From any fighter, such an assault is painful and
disorientating.. and while Sakura's damage may not last like an attack from her
mentor or any other fighting powerhouse, that doesn't make it any less nasty in
the short term! Sent flying by the last roundhouse, Chun-Li ends up several feet
away on her back, landing with a dull *whump* and forced to scramble
unceremoniously to her foot, chest heaving as she restores breath for the second
time this match.
"Very good!" She manages, with a breathless grin, and then shifts slowly into
her stance, body turning side-on and arms raising around her. By this point her
cheeks are mildly flushed, her eyes glistening... she's enjoying this! And it's
certainly showing her a lot about this fledgling warrior, and proving that Ryu's
faith in her is every bit as well-founded as she'd expect... time to give her
another shot, then, and the young woman isn't going anywhere, shifting slightly
in her stance and watching Sakura with a gaze now more on the level of equals
than master and pupil. "Soon as you like."
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li takes no action.
Very good, indeed. Sakura may not have the power behind her technique yet to
lay the Strongest Woman in the World out cold, but she's certainly got what it
takes to knock Chun-Li around, and that is enough to please Ryu to be sure. In
some ways, she's holding up better than he did in his fight with the Chinese
fighter, but then it's all very relative to who's fighting, and how. He doesn't
need any confirmation of Sakura's potential, he knows that well enough already,
but the visible demonstration of progress, and the growing capacity to take the
/right/ action and not just hurtle headlong into combat, particularly against an
adversary as powerful as Chun-Li, is well and duly noted. Ryu doesn't really
shift much during the fight, remaining mostly motionless against the tree, and
quiet. He's not going to distract either woman, nor does he have anything
that's pressing enough to warrant interrupting such a battle, for which he has a
front-row seat. Or tree, at least.
After Sakura's kick lands, she looks down at her toes, arms spread in a
counterweight for her extended foot. She... hit with it. She couldn't hit
Krauser with anything to save her life, and Rock had just outright -embarassed-
her in the Schools Tournament fight. Is that the benefit of Ryu's teaching?
Focus and determination? Luck? Or all of the above? She doesn't know... the
very realization that she'd just delivered so many blows to one of her idols
thrills her, somehow. More like when she was fighting Kim. She's hurt,
naturally, but she's used to adrenaline numbing the pain -- even though the
earlier hits from Chun-Li's Hyakuretsu Kyaku are starting to discolor. And...
even though Sakura's -starting- to get winded. It may as well be time for a
little extra boost... and as Chun-Li's pretty much said whenever she's ready,
Sakura takes the opportunity to hold her ground. Toes once more sinking into
the ground, she shifts back to her earlier stance -- once more with her fists at
the ready to defend or attack, her mouth parting to allow her to draw deeper
breaths. No pressing the attack just yet -- maybe after a moment though.
COMBATSYS: Sakura focuses on her next action.
Chun-Li means to give Sakura as much time as she needs to make another
assault... and as the schoolgirl seems to choose to take just that amount of
time, she inclines her head briefly in acknowledgement, her eyes shuttering for
a half-second. A slow breath comes in with their reopening, and then a quick
glance is shot to Ryu. There's approval in there, that much is obvious, and
though brief the look is meaningful enough to convey just how she's been feeling
about this fight, and about Sakura. Potential and current. Quickly her attention
is back on the girl though, and a slight shifting in posture marks a move
towards something less casual, less welcoming, as if the Chinese fighter is now
also preparing herself, rather than lurking semi-idly for the next round.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li focuses on her next action.
A breeze picks up -- though it's not due to either of the fighters' actions.
More likely, it's nature, voicing her gentle support for the two combatants, her
cooling breeze sifting through hair and sending ripples of comfort throughout
the area. Neither of the two is making any sudden moves -- two pairs of brown
eyes locked upon each other.
Though, as Chun-Li seems to be shifting to a less casual position -- Sakura
surges into action, seemingly without warning. Hands snapping behind her, her
fingers splay apart, curling around a small blossom of aquamarine flame,
spinning and swirling with tremendous speed as the schoolgirl pours more of her
accumulated energy into it. A faint smirk appears on the girl's face as she
suddenly sweeps the rapidly-growing orb forward, its luminescence smearing into
a blur from the swift motion as it hurtles across the distance towards Chun-Li,
heralded onward with a cry the Chinese woman knows well, if not voiced by
Sakura: "HADOOOOUKEN!"
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li fails to slow Medium Hadouken from Sakura with Kikou Ken.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Chun-Li
A welcome enough breeze, as most are during a fight, and Chun-Li breathes a
little deeper to take in the newly freshened air, at the same time enjoying the
sensation in her hair, so rarely unbound from its tight and restrictive style.
But then an altogether different feeling of shifting forces brings her back to
reality, her gaze snapping to Sakura's suddenly out-thrust hands and a cry that
she knows very well indeed... it's uncannily similar to cries she heard just a
couple of days ago, cries that left her needing a good day's rest and plenty of
fresh air! This time she gives a half-smile and hurls her own hands forward,
shifting back on her footing to compensate for the change in posture, sending
another of those gold pinpoints blazing out from the space between slender
digits... but too late, and her eyes snap wide open as the expected organic blue
is engulfed with a field of harsher, brighter energy. Energy that rushes forth
to strike her full in the face and chest, sending her hurtling back across the
ground.. still standing.. a couple of furrows torn in the soil to mark her
trail, her eyes slamming shut with pain.
It's a few moments before she recovers from that one.. an attack with not just
the name and appearance, but all the potent effectiveness, of Ryu's own. More
than merely impressive, this one actually takes her aback, and she stares across
the field at the perky schoolgirl before laughing, the sound coming rather husky
over a last dissipating wave of pain. With this done she straightens up and bows
to Sakura for good measure, then sinking back into a more defensive stance, her
legs evenly spread beneath her, right hand fisted at her hip and the left
extended, fingers curled outward and pointing beyond Sakura's distant right
flank. "Either your training's really paid off, Sakura... or I should have
noticed you sooner. I underestimated you."
Sakura stands her ground, hands held outstretched for the few seconds until her
fireball lands true -- then slowly returning them back to her side with a light
grin. The grin grows at the compliment though -- "More the training, I'd
say..." she answers, with a knowing wink in Ryu's direction. She's well aware
that heaping too much credit on her own abilities is a setup for dramatic irony,
not to mention outright -rude- smugness, and so she prefers to keep it toned
down in a challenge such as this. She'd already bested the expectations given
her -- might as well keep running with them! Sticking to her usual stance, she
slowly closes in on Chun-Li's position, carefully narrowing the gap between the
two. Though... before the distance is too short, she cocks her hands to the
side, hands flaring with cerulean light, forming a tight-knit ball of flame
between them. Digging her toes in, she lobs the smaller, faster fireball at
Chun-Li, the fireball mushrooming from the inside out from the sheer velocity.
"Hadoooouken!" Tempting fate, perhaps? Or just trying her luck?
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li dodges Sakura's Small Hadouken.
Chun-Li follows the glance and the wink with an amused eye, nodding slightly
just before Sakura starts to make her way forward. At this point she's already
spotted the next action, the slight telltale prickling in the air telling of the
forging of another energy ball by her young opponent. She's prepared then, for
the odd and speedy Hadouken coming her way a short moment later, and with a
knowing smile she's moving the instant a blue flicker is sighted, twisting to
one side to let it soar past her back - whipping the Chinese woman's ponytail
into a mild frenzy as it grazes past. This done, she takes a hopping sidestep
then lunges across with the opposite foot, all but leaping towards Sakura then
at the last moment bending from the waist and placing the fingers of her right
hand gently to the floor.
Some may know what's coming next, Sakura may be able to guess even... the
question is whether she has time to move out of the way. With the pressure
applied, Chun-Li curls off from a bent position in a graceful willow-bend of a
manuever, ending up head-down in the air with her arms crossing over her chest.
A leg kicks out to either side, and then.. "SPINNING BIRD KICK!" The first of
that all too famous series of spins is delivered, the very first coming into
striking distance of the Ansatsuken schoolgirl and all the others aimed to
follow it up with staggering force. It's a treat to even be on the end of this
one, though just how long that treat can be appreciated... well, that depends.
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li successfully hits Sakura with Spinning Bird Kick.
[ \\\\\ < > ////////////// ]
Sakura 1/-======/=======|=======\=====--\1 Chun-Li
Once again, Ryu is more concerned with the technique launching Chun-Li spinning
into the air than he is with the results of that kick. It's more than obvious
that the attack carries substantial force, but what's less obvious is the
lineage of the spinning kick. While it may be a good bit different from Ryu's
own variant on the move, the Hurricane is hard to mistake. Which again begs the
question from the Ansatsuken master.... Where did Chun-Li learn to fight? It
still doesn't seem like an improvisation or copycat maneuver like Sakura's
aerial twists, and the thoughtful look on Ryu's face deepens as he sinks further
into reverie, considering the possibilities, along with the course of the
battle.
Sakura probably gets negative points for trying the same thing twice in
succession, sure... but for some reason she'd thought that the closer proximity
may have given her the edge. ... Apparently not, as the Tai Chi fighter had been
quick enough to avoid it, and quicker still to execute the inverted cousin of
her master's Tatsumaki Senpuu Kyaku. For as Sakura stars to dive to the side in
avoidance, Chun-Li's got enough momentum to carry the spinning kicks forward,
foot catching Sakura's arm and tugging her back into the whirling maelstrom.
Buffeted about by the repeated kicks, Sakura topspins off to the side, gravity
soon taking hold on the girl as she throws her arm down to the ground for
balance. Chuckling a bit at her tardy response and the swift attack, Sakura's
quick to note: "I never thought I'd see -that- one up close..." she notes,
having watched it many times on videotape and from files her brother dug up on
the 'net... but the admiration can come later. Right now: the fight! Tapping
the ground, Sakura takes off like a sprinter at the starting gun, rocketing
towards her opponent with a blue blazing aura trailing behind her. Grinning, as
she's sure Ryu's watching, she decides to put today's lesson into practice --
straight, linear moves, as opposed to several weaker circulars. Hurling a good
portion of her weight into a rushing elbow, she then follows it up -- regardless
of whether it hits -- by ducking low, then rising sharply into an uppercut,
nearly her entire form suffused in the bright blue burning glow of her immense
fighting spirit! "SHOOOOOOOORYUUUUKEN!" She's not sure if she can lay claim to
that name yet -- but it doesn't hurt to try!
COMBATSYS: Sakura successfully hits Chun-Li with Midare Zakura.
[ \\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-----==|=======\=======\1 Chun-Li
Well, she could hardly have gone the whole match without letting Sakura see all
the trademark moves! What kind of idol would she be then?
Then again, actually having a chance to pound your idol into the dirt is
probably a fair bit better again. As Chun-Li unfolds from delivering the
devastating kick flurry, placing both hands down and curling around into a
crouch before hopping up to her feet and into the defensive stance she assumed
earlier, she has time to crack a smile at Sakura's comment. It's a little wry..
as after all, she -did- offer lessons a while ago and all Sakura had to do was
take up the offer. But hey, the wait makes it all the sweeter and the lessons
from Ryu make it all the fairer. Deals don't come much better than this, and
this is demonstrated amply when the Chinese woman's quickly erected defense is
flung wide open by the rushing elbow of Sakura, enough fighting spirit and sheer
pluck behind it to crack a mountain. It sure does a good job here, leaving
Chun-Li wide open to be flung up on the end of a blazing fist... it's more than
Ryu ever managed, as there's no reversal in order here, just a skyward rocketing
and a fair amount of pain. It's enough that the world's strongest woman hangs in
the air for a short time, impaled on the sky, but soon enough she begins to
plummet.
As she falls, her eyes - previously closed against the sudden and effective
assault - snap open, and her body twists so that she is soaring in to meet
Sakura's own landing head-first, arms held above her ready to catch herself on
the grassy soil below. And catch she does, and a little bit more again! Landing
in a headstand, the Chinese martial artist flips herself instantly into an
energetic slash kick, flipping through one hundred and eighty degrees and aiming
to slice across Sakura's full length with one outstretched leg, the other tucked
behind so that as she lands she ends up doing the splits. Making herself a
little prone? Maybe, but there's always some way out of these things...
COMBATSYS: Sakura dodges Chun-Li's Sen'en Shuu.
Sakura keeps her eyes on Chun-Li as she goes airborne, only losing sight of her
for the split second in her vertical (!) dragon punch where the rotation forces
a quick turn of her head. As the two female fighters fall, the weary Sakura's
still focused intently on her elder, already sensing the signs of the rapid move
even before she leaves the ground. It's a good thing she did, for even with
that much advance warning, Sakura's headband is still sliced by the kick as the
schoolgirl dives into a quick roll to avoid the kick. For such a little
exhibition match, Sakura's doing... pretty darn well so far. At the current
time, though, the schoolgirl is already keenly aware of her limitations -- and
instead of pressing another attack so soon, she springs back to her feet,
withdrawing. It's not just a simple stalling tactic, though -- even as she
paces backwards, her fists clenched in the traditional Ryu-like stance, her form
is cloaked in a translucent blue veil of chi. It's hardly subtle -- but from
the waves of energy wafting towards the girl, it's obvious she's not just -any-
schoolgirl.
COMBATSYS: Sakura gathers her will.
[ \\\\\ < > //////// ]
Sakura 0/-------/-======|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Chun-Li
Vertical uppercut indeed, a move - and execution - well worthy of the
schoolgirl's master. Especially given that particular technique was rather
smoothly dodged by the world's strongest (second strongest?) woman only a couple
of days before. The strike was good, but the returning attack was almost
flawless in itself... but the crack in its faade was found, and used by Sakura.
Chun-Li is impressed, and surprised to say the least. A smile flashes into view
as Sakura darts backward, leaving the Tai Chi mistress room to recover without
need for further acrobatics... so there's a little relief there, mixed with the
open pleasure on display. Who'd have thought this could be so close?
"He's really taught you well." Chun-Li remarks, as her hands shift down to
either side of her. She holds her eyes on the waiting girl for a moment longer
before applying pressure and flipping out of her position, spinning back through
the air to straighten up, landing on her feet with a dramatic flourish of her
arms to either side. "But I'd like to see just -how- well..." her tone
containing a note of apology, the woman bows her head and watches Sakura as she
raises one leg, arms shifting to balancing positions around her, fingers
splaying outward.
And then it's a surge of motion, a blinding flash of blue-white energy erupting
around Chun-Li as she hurls herself towards the Ansatsuken protg, raised leg
whipping out in a thrusting kick to the stomach and arms repositioning for an
optimum entrance stance.
"SENRETSU KYAKU!"
She only gets faster once the initial blow is thrown, the other leg whipping up
as the other goes down and flashing off another kick at head height... then her
torso twists, balanced again on the single leg she began with as the finale to
the impressive combination technique comes - a Lightning Kick, foot flashing
across the length of her opponent's body on the end of a powerful leg blurred to
the vision, a burst of chi accompanying each connection. And finally it's over,
Chun-Li poising herself in the same stance in which she began, deep brown gaze
hopefully alighting on a temporarily fallen schoolgirl... but who can say?
COMBATSYS: Sakura endures Chun-Li's Senretsu Kyaku!
[ < > /////// ]
Sakura 1/-======/=======|=======\-------\1 Chun-Li
How good? Well... the Taiyo schoolgirl's far from perfect. For one thing,
she's already exhausted herself from all that running about -- giving an
opponent 120% of one's attention takes its toll! Though, luckily, the pause she
took to recenter her chi was enough to act as something of a breather, allowing
the schoolgirl to calm herself, and not get too terribly cocky about her string
of successes against the Tai Chi mistress.
And it's just as well... for Sakura really doesn't stand much of a chance of
evading Chun-Li's next assault. Rather than try to dodge, the still-glowing
schoolgirl simply prepares for impact. The first thrust kick knocks her back a
couple feet, which elicits a quick pant of breath -- though the following kicks
slam into her, much like the ones before it. Sakura screws her eyes shut
throughout the brutal barrage as she's buffeted about like a limp sack of
potatoes, forced back from each blow. Her feet carve a trench in the ground in
the process, and when that final blow lands, Sakura's flung backwards a few
dozen feet -- though it's about then that the schoolgirl's eyes finally snap
open, amidst the terrible bruises she's just been dealt. For ... as much as
she'd just been pummeled, she'd focused on one simple task -- gather her will
for one all-or-nothing attack. Even as she flies backwards, her palms are
reeling to her side, fingers curled about a growing ball of crackling chi. The
hint: "Shinkuuu...." The blue glow surrounding her sweeps into her grasp,
accompanied by sparkling bursts of light, all swirling about in one raging
maelstrom of chi. Maybe her luck's about to run out, but in the case that it's
not, the schoolgirl slings her entire body forward, slamming the huge sphere of
chi -- that's nearly as large as she is -- forward at Chun-Li with a cry of
"HADOOOOOOUKEN!"
COMBATSYS: Sakura has reached second wind!
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li interrupts Shinkuu Hadouken from Sakura with Hazan Tenshou
Kyaku.
- Power hit! -
[ < > ///// ]
Sakura 1/---====/=======|-------\-------\0 Chun-Li
Sakura gets bowled over backwards from the recoil, throwing herself into a
tumble as she hits the ground, but does push herself back to her feet.
Shoulders doubled over, arms hanging low, it's hardly her standard Ansatsuken
stance that she rises into... but from the smile on her face, she rises back to
the challenge...
And the challenge is coming... hoo boy, is it coming! But first...
As she feels her kicks land, Chun-Li feels only the thrill of the battle, free
from any concept of 'holding back' she may have entertained earlier in the
fight, free from the unnecessary compassion. Because Sakura's proved she can
take all this damage, every kick that lands being weathered beautifully
considering the difference in years and experience between the woman and the...
no. This is between two women, and between two fighters. Two skilled warriors
with plenty to prove on either side, even if that necessity may not exist here,
now.
With the last of these thoughts clamouring through her head as the attack draws
to a close, the Chinese woman pulls herself out of it with usual grace, poised
and tense with a slow breath being drawn in to compensate for the winding such a
manuever brings. Her eyes focus on an opponent only briefly dropped.. just as
she'd hoped.. and then comes the retaliation. Another thing she'd hoped for.
Sakura has more to give, more to prove here, that much has become obvious along
with a great many other things. The pause is needed by Chun-Li, and she only
watches as the first pricklings of chi begin and thusly blossom into...
A half-smile from the world's strongest woman. THIS is familiar. This finished
her off in truly awesome style in the bout with Ryu. This time, will it be any
different? The answer would seem to be a resounding 'yes', but as the wave of
energy rushes into the woman and soaks her from view in a cascade of burning
power this answer doesn't seem too obvious. For any really paying attention,
however, it's obvious that no knocking back has occurred - the monstrous attack
dissipates, and leaves an after-image of Chun-Li in its wake, still poised but
burned into a silhouette against the eyelids, if only for a fleeting moment.
A fleeting moment is long enough, as through the faint aura hanging in the air
before Sakura, a lithe and graceful shape bursts through with a martial cry,
eyes flashing as they focus once more on a feisty and skilled opponent. "HAZAN!"
Chun-Li drops to a crouch, spinning with gathered momentum fully three hundred
and sixty degrees, her booted feet kicking up a rush of dry soil, and as she
comes back around she launches herself into the air with a carefully applied
palm, one leg thrust out to strike the schoolgirl with an impaling kick. But as
usual, it doesn't end there. "TENSHOU!" She spins about again, half the degree
this time, and delivers a second kick to one side of Sakura's body, every bit as
powerful as the first. And again. "KYAKU!" Her cry hangs in the air, the woman
continuing to rise with her impaled prey and strike blow after agonising blow,
before fifteen feet up she finally comes in for a plain aerial crouch, finishing
the move. The aforementioned prey is left to find her own way back to earth
after the final blow is struck, and Chun-Li herself hangs in the air for a few
moments, ponytail whipping around her in still-flowing winds. When she finally
does fall, it's into a deft crouch, a cloud of dust thrown up by her otherwise
smooth and graceful landing.
Sakura may be watching the attack, but even still, that doesn't exactly mean
she's -ready- for it. She'd been overclocking herself, hastening the tempo of
the match past her usual rhythm to give herself a fighting chance against the
Chinese woman -- and it looks like time works against her now. Of all the
counters to her devastating Shinkuu Hadouken, she had expected a more
traditional attack. A Kikou-Ken, maybe, or even the massive overkill Kikou-Shou
she'd spotted once or twice in the past. Either of those would have given the
schoolgirl the split-second she'd need to get out of the way -- but when Chun-Li
rushes -through- the punishing attack, Sakura is caught completely unaware.
Once, twice, thrice Chun-Li's feet slam into the schoolgirl's bruised frame,
sending her flying once more into the air. Teeth gritted to keep from screaming
too loud, Sakura's... well, she's not smiling -now-, at any rate. Fists clench
as she flies through the air, though... well, let's just say, the landing isn't
really the greatest. Limbs fly in all directions as the schoolgirl makes a
crash landing in the soil, finally coming to a stop quite some distance away.
Weakly, Sakura remains there for a moment... but still valiantly pushes herself
up, passing a tight smile back to Chun-Li. ... Making no sudden move to rise to
her feet just yet, though...
COMBATSYS: Sakura takes no action.
COMBATSYS: Sakura can no longer fight.
COMBATSYS: Sakura has left the fight here.
A tremendous battle, indeed. While it's true that years and much experience
seperate the two women, it's also fair to say that Sakura has met, and
subsequently blown away, Ryu's expectations of her performance. That's a
definite plus in the Ansatsuken master's book, and it certainly makes the fight
that much more compelling, and intriguing. One might feel sympathy for the
Taiyo schoolgirl as the Chinese fighter's last few techniques crash home, and
while Ryu can appreciate the pain those legs deliver, he feels mostly
satisfaction, an approval of the performance of his protege, that it takes all
of Chun-Li's power and grace to match her opponent. That she can't hold back
and walk away, and that the young warrior has pushed her to those heights with
an impressive show of her own is not lost on the legendary nomad. Ryu's earlier
words ring with an overwhelming irony as the battle rises to its inevitable
climax, and while the masterful Chun-Li may not be usurped today, the promise is
certainly one to hang over the days to come. As Sakura falls a second time to
such a potent technique, Ryu does shift away from the tree he leans against,
stepping forward a couple strides towards the battleground, his dark eyes
sweeping between the pair, considering. He expects this one is over, and the
approval shines in his eyes. It was a well-fought match, and he's certainly
convinced that the hurdles he set have been suitably overcome. He doesn't
initially speak, seeming content to consider, and remain patient as the two
compose themselves.
Summed up as it is in the thoughts of the World Warrior, this fight certainly
hasn't been what anyone would have expected. It's been far and beyond all
expectations placed in Sakura, and thousands of miles away from what Chun-Li
herself expected. She not only didn't -need- to hold back, she could not
-afford- to hold back. One single slip iiin her last two techniques and the fight
would have been Sakura's. This is a fact the world's strongest woman can feel
through the welling bruises on her powerful form, through the throbbing ache
beginning to flood forth now that adrenaline can dissipate. And for all this
achievement, still the schoolgirl is rising, and.. smiling. A smile can only be
returned with another smile, and that is exactly what it gets, a warm and bright
expression breaking over the stoicism of battle.
"I'm..." Chun-Li begins to speak, but it drifts away and she shakes her head,
instead giving a simple, honest laugh. Her gaze remains averted from Sakura for
a moment, focusing instead on Ryu, and she finishes her intended speed with a
slight bowing of her head. "I'm impressed." This said - and understated - she
draws in a long breath and rises to her feet, turning her attention back to her
fallen opponent and crossing the distance between them in a few measured paces,
"Sakura, I never thought I'd have to go so far... I underestimated you, and I'm
sorry." The smile gains the needed apologetic edge, the words spoken sincerely
and the sentiment well-meant.. of course, there's always the chance that the
Taiyo girl would consider this performance not enough. Uncertainty always
exists, however small. "Are you okay to walk?" An eyebrow raises inquisitively
now, the smile slipping a little as the woman's gaze flickers across Sakura,
checking for any sign of severe injury. Injury she knows most likely isn't there
at all, beyond the expected bruising. It's a few more seconds before she offers
a hand, if said hand is accepted and needed...
COMBATSYS: Chun-Li has ended the fight here.
Given the few moments to collect herself without having to worry about, y'know,
another -fight-, Sakura reluctantly pushes herself back to her feet. Her arms
and legs are covered in red welts, and her Taiyo High Athletic Dept t-shirt is
covered with soil-stamped bootprints. But nonetheless, the smile peeks through
that dirt-smeared face of hers. "No, no, it was a fun fight! Thank you very
much for the opportunity!" She bows once more, deeply, attempting the formality
even though it's dubious whether she can pull herself back up from it. ... She
does, just with some delay, and twitching muscles. She untucks her shirt, at
that point, fanning herself with the cool dusk air. "I should be okay in a
minute... might need some ice though..." Idly, she rubs her stomach and ribs,
hoping she doesn't have to make yet -another- visit to the Southtown Hospital.
But hey, if she did, she'd at least get another stamp on her Frequent Fighter
Card. ... After paying attention to Chun-Li, though, the girl takes another bow
towards Ryu. "Thank you, master, for all the training that allowed me to -get-
to this point!"
If not for the smile, and her ability to rise, Chun-Li might have been led to
thinking her final kicks were a bit much... but no. Not now she knows just what
the feisty girl's limits are. Her current limits, at any rate, the true depth of
her skill likely won't reveal itself for some time... though a certain Chinese
fighter will be particularly interested in seeing that day come, after the
present day's events. But as always, a faint doubt did come into play, and as
Sakura puts any would-be fears to rest, her 'victorious' opponent seems to relax
somewhat, all tension dropping from her form as she lightly folds her hands in
her lap and glances towards Ryu as Sakura does, responding to the girl's words
shortly after the acknowledgement of her master. "Well, just let me know.. I'm
sure you can take it, but it's best to be safe." She smiles sidelong at Sakura,
then looks towards Ryu with a short, sweet bow of her own, flashing a small grin
as she rises from it. "And to think I offered to help Sakura train... perhaps
it's just as well she never took that opportunity!"
One thing Ryu has learned over his years of fighting, is that oftentimes, the
unexpected is exactly what one has to expect. He's gotten relatively good at
it, at this point, but he's certainly a bit surprised at the impressive show.
For one thing, in ways, Sakura did better against Chun-Li than he did. Of
course, part of that could be the different attitudes... Underestimation is an
advantage Ryu certainly didn't have, with his own reputation preceding him
rather heftily. But that's only a small part of the accomplishment, and it's
certainly not where the Ansatsuken wanderer places the responsibility for that
showing. Chun-Li's nod is returned, a respectful inclination of his head
announcing Ryu's concession to the words, and his acceptance of her take.
Still, he can hardly take the credit for all of that prowess, with the brief
time he's been training the girl. Not long at all, with any intense regularity,
and while their previous encounters may have helped.... "I only helped you to
bring out what was already there." Ryu answers simply, humbly, to Sakura's
words, his eyes shifting to his rather promising student, speaking words that he
has heard before. Still, he offers a similar, slow nod to Sakura. He can
certainly accept her respect, "And you have shown, all too clearly, why it
should continue to be so." A smile graces his stern face, then, softening the
hard lines and easing its way naturally onto his features, despite his often
serious demeanor. The smile stays subtly for some time, and is shared with
Chun-Li as well, "I do not doubt you could have helped that potential greatly,
as well." He admits, once again denying undue credit, "I'll help you get some
ice, Sakura." And perhaps some other first-aid implements, "You're welcome to
come in, Chun-Li. I've got some things I'd like to speak with you about, and I
suspect we could all use some hot tea." Particularly the overexerted pair.
Sakura gives a sunny smile in reply to Ryu. His praise is one of the things
that keeps her going -- the fact that she's able to -earn- it warms her heart
even more. Clenching her fist over her chest at the proud sensation, she smiles
and nods in reply. "Okay! Thanks, master!" It's worth noting that Sakura likes
calling him that occasionally just to watch the light squirm at the sudden
responsibilities he's taken on. But really, she -does- see him as her master --
more than just a teacher, but the person responsible for shaping who she's to
become in the future. She's headstrong and independent to a point -- but she
willingly relinquishes the refinement to Ryu. Maybe Chun-Li can read the
unspoken interaction between teacher and pupil -- but it's not something that
can easily be elaborated upon. Turning back to Chun-Li with a smile, she nods
back quietly, starting to follow along after Ryu, albeit with a much slower
pace. "I -wanted- to take you up on it!" she protests, a hint of her true age
revealing itself in her vocal strain. "I just didn't see you 'round at all
after that once! What were you off doing, anyway?" She breathes long, measured
breaths -- focusing on the walk before her rather than the multitude of wounds
plaguing her youthful frame. A bit of ice should clear those right up. "I
don't think I'd mind a fight like that every now and again, if you're still up
for it..."
Chun-Li is indeed watching Ryu and Sakura as a pair, as master and student... in
the truest, deepest sense now that she knows the similarities - and the
distinguishing differences, just as importantly - between their respective
styles. It's an amusing relationship, in many ways, and the smile broadens once
more on the woman's lips. But more than just that - it's warming, another hint
of the very human soul within Ryu. The warm-hearted being beneath the hardened
exterior of the warrior. A warrior now informing her he has questions to ask,
things to find out... and this tears the powerful young lady from her brief
revery, looking to Ryu with a faint 'hm?' and a raised eyebrow. There she pauses
momentarily, before restoring a smile and nodding her head decisively. "I'd love
to! It's quite a walk back, after all." She nods again, and shifts her footing
in preparation for movement, just faintly, then pauses visibly as Sakura speaks.
"Oh." A light flush creeps across her cheeks and she drops her gaze to the
floor, scuffing a foot in a rare display of uncertainty, "It's a long story,
Sakura. It..." she looks up and to Ryu once more, eyes widening in realisation.
"It might well be what your master wants to talk about." The tension here passes
though, and she starts walking to catch up to the schoolgirl, smiling again as
she responds to the final segement of her speech. "As for that, I'd be glad to.
I learned a thing or two myself today."
And then... on to some much desired tea, and an equally welcome rest. Two hours
hiking and a fight like that, is enough to tire anyone!
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