Ambitions of a fighter (Open)

[Perses]

The ambition of a fighter would have to be simple, a fighter's ambition would be the thrive to be the best of the best. One fighter held an obsession of being the best, this obsession was more pride than anything and it drove this fighter in front of Akuma where he had learned of the satsui no hadou which resided within. This fighter's name was Ryu Hoshi, the man walked the downtown streets all alone this night, he had wished to see Ken but that was one thing he may not be able to see, since in this part of Tokyo, there were either police patrolling the streets or many fighters who would love to have a piece of Ryu, in order to earn respect as fighters, some would risk their lives and fight one like Ryu just to prove themselves.

It was foolish unless they were good enough. Although Ryu had run into a couple of them, one of which was weak enough to fall to the much skilled martial artist's hurricane kick and the other fell to a well executed shoryuken. The sky was dark as the day had become night. Ryu moved across the downtown sector of Tokyo, his pace was slow as he was not afraid of anyone and so he had decided that it would be fun to just dawdle through this unsafe zone. His muscles were hidden beneath a casual t-shirt and the only resemblance that he could fight would be the red headband which he had tied around his head and the gloves he wore around his hands.

The hadoken master let his eyes scan the area as he analyzed his surroundings, he spotted a few men who seemed to want to fight but as he passed they froze in their tracks. His feet padded along the cold, hard cemented flooring which lay beneath his booted feet. His eyes closed for a second as he blinked and sighed since he was disappointed that those men would back down as he passed. Although, Ryu hoped that there was at least one strong fighter around these parts as he had the itch to fight and earn money for another win or even just earn respect from another esteemed fighter.

The further into the downtown area of Tokyo, the shadier the people got but the more cowardly they seemed. Ryu sighed out of boredom and began to grow impatient, so he pulled out his cell phone and dialled for Ken, one he had reached his friend's machine he said "Ken, where are you, bro?" Once he had asked such a question, he hung up and tried his luck with Chun Li as he dialled her number into his cell, he knew deep down that she would try to have him taken in, since she controlled the police force and he was on their wanted list, most likely, but that was the reason he wanted to call her, he had the fighter's itch and so he knew that in a place like this, he would have his fine with a squad of police before he had any luck finding a good fighter among these cowardly men.

[Chun Li]

On this night in Tokyo, the international detective spent time unwinding after a long day. Chun Li returned to her hotel room to relax and shower, maybe curl up with a good book or a movie. She wandered inside and shut the door behind her, a tired sigh escaping her lips. Another day spent searching, chasing after a tip that Ryu was in town. When her office finally got the call about the travelling warrior, Chun Li was sent to the source to pin point his location. So far, there was nothing. But that was typical of her old friend, Ryu. He could disappear if he wanted to and so far had evaded the police with little difficulty. It was frustrating a little, not because of his elusiveness, but because Chun Li considered him close. He wasn't just a friend, he was someone she hopelessly admired. Knowing nothing would ever happen was the worst part, but having come to terms with things, Chun Li could live with it.

She rested her back against the door, locking the handle out of habit and leaned there for a few moments. Her eyes scanned the room, a suite of some expense. Chun Li wasn't happy about having to chase after Ryu, so she got the office to pay for her hotel expenses. Sweet enough, at least she got to enjoy a little luxury for once. Hell, the place even seemed a bit better than her own apartment. Chun Li's favorite feature of the suite was the bathroom, where a large jacuzzi tub was situated and called for her attention. So the detective went to it, ran the hot water and went back into the bedroom, where she put her cellphone on the bedside table and shed her clothes.

When the tub was almost full, Chun Li stopped the water and sat herself in it. The soothing heat caused her muscles to relax, to let loose and just lay there a while. And she did, it was a good fifteen minutes before the sound of her cellphone ringing shot out around the suite. With a frustrated sigh, Chun Li got up and wrapped herself in a fluffy, white cotton towel. She was pretty irked that her relaxation time was being interrupted, but she couldn't miss any calls in case they had to do with Ryu.

And it was just that. It was him.

"...Ryu?"

At first she was a bit shocked, unsure of what to say to him. It almost escaped her for a moment to do her police duties and demand to know where he was. Chun Li exited the suite onto the balcony outside, as if there was a chance someone might be listening through the walls of the room inside.

"Ryu, where are you?"

Chun Li looked out on the city, a disheartened expression on her face.

[Perses]

As his call was answered, Ryu smirked some, it had been a long while since he last spoke to his friend, Chun Li and the reason for that was because of the fact that he was not sure of whether she wanted to see him or just plainly arrest him, so this phone call was simply to get himself some action as the martial artist was merely bored just walking down this downtown street, each turn, he watched as many of the so called 'notorious' thugs trembled in fear as he passed. Some even seemed to cringe as he looked at them. So as he heard the click of someone answering his call, he knew that Chun Li would begin to speak soon.

Once she spoke, he heard her softly spoken words, her voice was as sexy as ever but Ryu never seemed to fall for her like other guys, he just saw her as a friend who he would spar every once in awhile as a way to help her get stronger, although, he did learn some new things when they sparred, as she may be weaker than him, but she still could pack a good punch. Ryu laughed as he thought about the last time they sparred and she kicked Ken in the groin, but as soon as he thought of it, he dismissed it so that he could talk to her. So once he finished his short fit of laughter, he said "Chun Li, nice way for you to say hello to an old friend." As serious as Ryu was, he could also be carefree and outgoing toward his friends.

As Chun Li asked him where he was, he answered "Why Chun, I am downtown, now I heard that the section of this downtown area that I walk was meant to be full of 'notorious' thugs, but all I see are pathetic cowards." Ryu waited to let those words sink in, the martial artist sighed as he continued to walk down these shady streets. His eyes closed for a second as he blinked and then he said "Why don't you come see me, as I would love a spar." Ryu waited for her answer and as he waited, he glanced over at a group of the cowardly thugs. While Ryu waited, he stopped dead in his tracks and leaned upon a wall to one of the buildings. The man wondered why she had gone a little quiet.

[Vega]

A nonsensical mission from a nonsensical man. That was the perfect way to describe this current situation. Tokyo was a city almost as ostentatious as he himself was, and its ridiculous display of neon was giving him a headache. Well, more of a headache, that was. The first had come from today’s mission briefing.

He had arrived to the meeting as punctual as usual, and that was just as well, since it seemed that the frown upon the great crevice Sagat called a mouth etched even deeper into his jaw than it usually did. No sooner had Vega lit the room with his presence, than the great hulk of a man slammed his fist upon the desk and loomed over it in such a fashion that the Spaniard had half expected him to pounce over the top of the desk like a rabid animal. The mission, he had spat, was Vega’s alone. Apparently, he had gotten word of a certain woman’s whereabouts in downtown Tokyo, and intended to send Vega out to collect information. Not to assassinate her. Just to spy. The expression upon his own face must have spoke words about how displeased he was with such a boring mission, because Sagat’s single eye seemed about to bulge out from its socket. Vega had conceded in the end, not wanting to be subjected to a blustering rant and another shower of saliva.

And so, here he stood, hidden amongst the dirtied shadows of some quiet alley corner, awaiting further orders from HQ to resume his mission. Though, just when that would be was beginning to become somewhat vague; he’d already been standing out here for close to an hour. He only hoped that hideous man who sent him here would retain to contact him before sunrise.
Tired of listening to the faint threats and rambling of the riff-raff prowling the backstreets at this hour, the masked assailant turned his attention to the folded address in his hand, flipping the paper open to double check it. Yes, this was the correct hotel, or at least it probably was, according to Sagat’s chicken-scratch level of Japanese handwriting. Quite a seedy location for somewhere reportedly a pinnacle of luxury, but that was hardly Vega’s concern. That confirmed, the address was tucked away neatly against his sash and the boring wait continued, although it was only a further minute before the crackling sounded in his earpiece, giving him just enough time to reach beneath his blond locks and adjust the volume before his superior’s roaring damaged his hearing.

“We have tapped the phone—crackle—is currently occup—crackle crackle… Silence…— opportunity. Move out.”

Well. He probably didn’t need the rest of the information anyway. Grateful enough for the fact that he was finally able to move from this corner, he hoisted himself up against the crates, and spying a stairwell a quick jump away, lunged for it to scale the side of the building with soundless ease. The floor he was after was at quite a height, something which Vega preferred… Although it was a shame that no blood would be let for all his efforts tonight. Steadying himself against the railing of a balcony, he managed to position himself behind a slight indent where the wall hid the continuing banister. A perfect position for watching the woman he was here for, he only need lean out a little to catch sight of her…

…But as he heard her voice, he suddenly found this mission worthwhile.

Chun Li. How long had it been? How entertaining this could be… But what was the reasoning behind the Shadaloo’s interest in her current position? What did Sagat possibly want with this information? Brows knitting as he settled against the wall to listen into her conversation, he reminded himself that he, in fact, didn't care a bit.

[Chun Li]

So he wanted a fight? That's all he called for? Typical. It wasn't surprising in any shape or form, and Chun Li stifled a small chuckle. It was difficult, though. If she fought him, then she would have to beat him. Bound by duty, Chun Li was unsure of the situation. She was well aware she wouldn't necessarily win, and Ryu certainly wouldn't come quietly into police custody. It was a tough decision to make... He was her friend, and he still addressed her as such. Regardless, Chun Li would have to send out the police force to his location. But it didn't mean she'd have to go herself. If she did, it would undoubtedly end in failure and pain. Pain not just of a physical kind either.

Why did Ryu have to go and become a wanted figure for the police? It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair he had to put Chun Li in such an awful position. He knew it too, the moment he called her that it would be a difficult choice for her to appear herself. While Chun Li always favored a friendly spar, this was entirely different. It was either bring him back, or failure. In the end, the international detective would have to make a choice.

"Ryu, you know what I have to do. But I won't be there... I can't. This isn't a game for me."

With that said, Chun Li hung up. She closed her cell phone and sighed heavily. She was too distracted by her personal feelings to notice she was being watched there on the balcony. Normally she would've felt something was up, but the warrior girl's heart and mind were heavy. It was hard for her to open up her phone again and dial the local police department and notify them of Ryu's whereabouts. But she had to do it. It was her job, nothing more, nothing less.

"You just had to do this to me, didn't you... It shouldn't have to be this way."

Chun Li muttered to herself, loudly enough that Vega could hear (Not that she knew of course).

Once Chun Li was sure the police were heading towards the scene, she turned around and went back into the hotel room. She sat down on the edge of the bed, still wrapped in her towel. Another frustrated sigh escaped her lips, then she grabbed her comb from the nightstand and began to work on her hair. There had to be something to get her mind off the situation, at least a little. But Chun Li knew no movie nor book could be good enough to do just that.

[Perses]

Ryu sighed as he would miss a chance to see one of his closest friends, well at least he thought she was a friend, however, he knew she had a duty to uphold and so he expected a full fledged squad of police heading his way, a smirk formed over his face as he simply replied "Yes of course I know what you need to do, but do you have to do it? Like unless your phones are tapped by the police department, couldn't you simply lie to the bastards?"

Of course this was not Ryu's fault that he had fallen into this predicament, the only reason he was a wanted man could indeed be due to the fact that he fell under the satsui no hadou and ended up nearly killing Sagat or was it due to the fact that Ryu was a con-artist alongside his best buddy, Ken Masters? Although it was still the police's job to uphold the law and attempted murder and hustling were listed as a very serious crimes, which meant that Ryu could go away for a very long time. However, those policemen would have to catch him first.

As Ryu had his body leaning up, against the wall while his right hand held his cell phone to his ear and his left hand rested deep within his pockets, the martial artist thought about his friend, Ken and how the bastard was doing, these thoughts lead to Ryu's decision to call the blonde fighter and try to meet up with him, right after he finished his conversation with Chun Li, but before he knew it and could even utter one more word, he heard the click, this was the click which one heard when the person on the other line had just hung up their side of the line.

Ryu laughed slightly as he knew that she had decided to hang up and then dial for her apartment, this meant that he would have his fun very shortly, however, so he would not be outnumbered, he dialled Ken's number but ended up be answered by a machine, so he left a message "Hey bro, I kind of need your help in the downtown section of Tokyo, able to meet me round there?" As he finished, he hung up and then all he could do was wait.

[Vega]

Ryu.

Such a short name for such a bland man, quite befitting, in that sense. Of course, his skills were exceptional, not even Vega would deny that, but he found his complete lack of charisma and stern frown decidedly unappealing. Boring hair, boring clothes, boring stance, boring expression, boring, boring, boring. It was criminal that such an insipid man possessed such stunning strength… What was the use of it if the wielder could never bring it to its fullest potential? Ryu had worked so hard to build his abilities, it was almost a shame that he seemed to hold no interest toward the aestheticism of combat.

At least he now held some idea as to why Sagat had sent him out here.

Discreetly observing the woman on the balcony end her conversation with the most boring artist on the planet and snap the cell phone closed again, he found himself quickly puzzled by the melancholy slouch in her shoulders, and the faraway stare she sent over the hotel balcony. What a beautiful sadness this was, not dissimilar to the slow drooping of a dying peony. What could have been said over the phone to garner a display this tragic? He supposed he would find out later, if Sagat had actually managed to tap the phone signals as he so claimed. What a terrible man Ryu was, to depress such a beauty.

Her subsequent statement was even more perplexing. What had he done? The assassin found his curiosity peaked, though perhaps the answer might have been clear to anyone who possessed some level of human empathy. The only time Vega’s heart began to pound was when bathing under an arch of blood, and laughing over his own superiority as he blinked away the red haze of the warm liquid from his eyes. Blood and tears of joy… An elixir of his own making which was always enough to rouse him. But these were the false emotions of a madman. In truth, Vega only pretended to know of the complexity and nauseating emotion that was love. He’d never gone so far as to be affected by it. Not since…

His cue had arrived to move. With the woman’s back turned to the windowed balcony, Vega made his way through, as light footed as his training allowed. Although a curtain wasn’t exactly the most flattering position to mask himself (perhaps a little cliché for his tastes?) it would do fine for now. Standing against it, the shadows cast from the night shielded him from view and allowed his observations to continue, the gleaming claw which he had taken with him despite orders hidden amongst the curtains folds. Provided he kept steady, he would only be noticed if his position was stared at intently. Chun Li appeared distracted enough by her hair, anyway.

But such luck wouldn’t last.

No sooner had Vega settled amongst the shadows, than the earpiece he’d near forgotten he still wore crackled back to life, startling him in a moment of distraction. Whatever was said over the communicator was fast ignored in favour of exiting back out the open glass doors, the curtains billowing as though a sudden strong breeze had caught hold of them as he threw them off. Though Vega was fast, and managed to crouch upon the edge of the balcony above in the blink of an eye, the chances of Chun-Li not noticing someone was lurking around were rather slim indeed.

The claw upon his wrist had turned out to be a potentially good idea after all…