All I want for Christmas is… Part 10
December 25th… Japan
Sun light had creep in from the worn seal of the doors of the ancient dojo. Morning had finally arrived, and seemed to have chased away the violent snowstorm that had swept the area the previous day.
The concentrated light was hitting Ryu squarely in the eyes, as he slowly opened them. He moved his right hand up from underneath the heavy blanket to rub his forehead.
He froze suddenly. Something was amiss here. Where did this blanket come from? That is when he finally felt the warm body that was snuggled up to his left side.
Glancing quickly over to his left side, he saw a wave of vibrant light brown hair that lightly covered the face of a very familiar young woman that was lying next to him.
"Chun li…" He whispered under his breath. "Am I still dreaming?" He thought to himself.
Hoping desperately that he was not imagining this, he reached over with his right hand and gently brushed away the stray strands of hair that covered her face.
Slowly, two of the most wondrous eyes that Ryu had ever seen opened and fixed their gaze upon him. A smile crept across her small mouth.
"Good morning." She breathed lightly.
"You had me very worried last night when you crashed in here. What were you thinking trying to walk through a blizzard?"
"I thought I could beat the storm home before it's full force hit. It's not that I am ungrateful for you being here, but I do not understand."
"I went to visit you in Hong Kong, but I was informed upon my arrival by you neighbor that you had left with someone else. She said you were spending the holiday with a man, and that you looked very happy." Ryu said tearing his gaze away from her.
Chun li detected the note of sadness coming from the wanderer. She reached over and took his large hand into her small hands.
"Yes, I was very much happy. Happy because I was going to spend the holiday with someone that I love very deeply."
Ryu felt his heart start to sink. 'So it is true.' He thought to himself. 'She is in love with someone else.'
Before he could think any further, she took his chin and lifted it up to look him in the eyes. "That person that I am in love with is you, Ryu." She replied.
"The man that my neighbor saw me leave with was the cab driver. He came up to help me with my bags. I did not expect you to come to see me after your visit with Ken."
"How did you know I was visiting with Ken?" He asked.
"The day you left Ken's house, he called me and told me about the conversation that you two had. After his phone call, I knew I had to see you to finally tell you something that I have always wanted to say."
"And what is that?" Ryu asked.
Chun li encircled her arms around his neck and pulled him in close to her face. "That I have always been in love with you since we first met."
With that, she leaned in and the wanderer tenderly on the lips.
To be continued…