Chapter 16: Eliza
Days pasted and Chun li grew stronger with the knowledge of Chi, under the tutelage of Ryu. With the power also came wisdom and insight, as she seemed to be more at peace with herself and able to control her rampant emotions. But one thing was a constant; her feelings toward the Shotokan warrior grew as well.
Finally the day came when Ken decided it was time to check out, and head for Paris, much to do with the fact that he missed Eliza. Ryu and Ken had their bags packed and sitting on the floor by the private elevator. Dan walked out of his room and approached them.
"I'll meet up with you guys in a week or so. They should be done filming this movie by then." Dan said. It was amazing, it seemed that working on this action movie had somewhat mellowed out his attitude.
"Okay, the floor is still rented to me for the week, so join us when you can." Ken replied.
"Sure will, I got to keep you guys in line!" He replied with a grin. "Well, I got to go. Later!"
Ken pulled out his cell phone as Dan disappeared into the elevator. "Hi! Is the jet fueled and ready? Wonderful. We'll be there shortly." He said clicking off his phone.
Chun li came out of her room carrying her luggage. "All set!" she said happily. "I can't believe you are flying us all to Paris!"
"Hey! Anything for my friends." Ken replied smiling.
They took a taxi to the airport, and within the hour they were in the air heading towards France. After a couple of hours in the air, Ken was fumbling a small box in his hand nonchalantly.
"What's that?" Chun li inquired.
"Well, I planned on proposing to Eliza once were in Paris. I picked this up back in Hong Kong one day." He tossed the box to her.
Inside was a very *LARGE* diamond ring. Chun li let out a *sigh* "It's so beautiful! I've never seen one as beautiful and you are going to propose to her in Paris? How romantic!" She shot Ryu a look.
Ryu did not notice her look, as his eyes were closed in meditation. Chun li gave back the box to Ken. "How long have you known Eliza?" she asked.
"About three years now. She is a great girl, just like you. I think you two will hit it off instantly." Ken said returning the box to his bag. "She has been on a vacation of Europe and Asia for awhile now, and I miss her deeply."
"Ahhh, I see that you do." She smiled at him, then turned to watch out the window of the private jet. Giving out a little *sigh* she wondered if she would ever know happiness as much as Ken and Eliza seemed to have. She glanced back over to Ryu again.
The private jet finally arrived in Paris. The trio of fighters disembarked from the jet and headed through the terminal. As they were walking through the waiting area, Ken eyes lit up and he dropped his bags and ran.
Eliza ran to him and he caught her up in a fierce hug and kiss. Ryu and Chun li stood there watching the two clinging to each other. They finally settled themselves down and walked back to where Ken had dropped his bags.
"Ryu, you remember Eliza don't you?" Ken said holding her hand.
"Greetings Eliza. You look well." Ryu said with a short bow.
"Nice to see you again, Ryu." she replied also bowing. "And *WHO* is this?" she asked Ken. "Don't tell me Ryu ACTUALLY has a girlfriend now??!!" She said with amazement.
Chun li blushed slightly. "My name is Chun li. I am just a student learning from Ryu." she replied.
"Oh! I am sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you. It's just that I have never seen Ryu with any girl, let alone travel with one. I thought maybe he had finally found someone." Eliza said.
"That's quite okay." Chun li replied.
"Well, you all must be exhausted from flying, I got a limo outside waiting to take you to the hotel I am staying at with my family. Come on Ken, we have a lot of catching up to do!" She said dragging Ken by the arm towards the exits.
The hotel they stayed at this time was just as nice as the last. But instead of renting the entire top floor like last time, Ken settled for the penthouse suite. It could accommodate four bedrooms, so when Dan did arrive he could move right in.
The days started to pass by rather quickly. Chun li continued to improve with the lessons Ryu had given her. She was finally able to call forth her chi, but could not throw it. Ken was spending lots of time with Eliza, but he had not found the right opportunity to propose to her.
The morning sky was a very dark gray and the threat of rain was imminent. Ryu decided it was best not to go out today for another lesson. The four of them were setting around the hotel room planning on today's events.
"I got a great idea of what we can all do today. We can go shopping!" Eliza said with a smile.
"Well, I guess, since its going to rain today, might as well get out of here." Ken replied.
"Great! Chun li and I can hit the clothes boutiques' around and you two can carry our bags." She said playfully elbowing Ken in the chest.
"Are we in for it today!" Ken replied looking at Ryu.
"I am sorry, but I am afraid I will not be joining in on this trip today." Ryu said.
"Why not?" everyone said in unison.
"I have been neglecting my training. So I will stay here and practice today. I am sorry if this inconvenience all of you. If you will excuse me". He replied getting up and heading to the door.
From the rooftop of the building, Ryu saw them enter a taxi, and head off to shop. A light rain began to come down. Ryu stood in meditation oblivious to the rain. Once into his meditative state, Ryu's mind began to drift. His thoughts still troubled by what the Demon had said.
Suddenly, he felt a familiar aura. His eyes shot open, and scanned the rooftop. He saw nothing, but still felt the presence of the Demon around him. He quickly made his way to the door leading back down from the roof. He felt as if he was getting closer to the source of the power. He was just about down the stairs from the roof, when the aura of evil started to fade away.
Walking into their room, he quickly looked around. Nothing was amiss as far as he could detect. Then he saw it. Stuck on the table in the middle of the room was an ornate dagger with a scroll attached to it.
Ryu walked to the table and plucked out the dagger. Opening the scroll, he quickly read the message. His hands started to tremble and he clenched the parchment tightly in his hand. He then looked out towards the window. He tossed the dagger and the crumpled scroll on the table and walked to where the phone was. He quickly wrote a note in Japanese.
Ken was overloaded with shopping bags. In the first hour of shopping with the girls, he was struggling to hold all the bags of clothes Eliza had bought and try to manage to keep up with the two. Man! I sure wish Ryu had come along! She is going berserk! He thought to himself.
"Chun li! What's wrong? This is a shopping trip! You don't even have one bag filled yet!" Eliza said looking at a pair of shoes in the shop of a window.
"Hmmm? Oh, my heart is just not into it today." She replied.
"Is it because Ryu didn't come along?" Eliza asked.
"N.. No. That's not it".
"Yes. Yes it is. I'm not blind you know. I see the way you look at him. I can tell that there is more going on than you just learning about a martial art technique from him. She said, stopping waiting for Ken to catch up from way behind.
Chun li blushed a little at this remark. "Yes, I do have feelings for him, but he does not seem to be interested. Back in Hong Kong, I thought I had gotten to him. But lately he seems so distant."
"Well, I can tell you this much. I wasn?t able to get that man back there overnight." She said looking at Ken stumbling up the sidewalk buried in bags. "And I am sure it will just take time with Ryu. I've noticed a change in him when you are around. Just have a little faith."
"What... *HUFF* are we *HUFF* talking about?" Ken said finally catching up to the pair.
"Oh, nothing dear. Just girl talk." Eliza said smiling at Chun li. "Here, hold this bag for me."
"Ok." Ken groaned a little at the added weight.
Ryu walked out of the suite, closing the door behind him. He secured the drawstrings of his duffel bag and tossed it over his left shoulder. He then headed for the stairs down to the lobby. The light rain had ceased somewhat when he walked out of the hotel and headed down the street.
He stopped and looked back at the hotel he had just left. Good bye my friends. I shall miss your company. Farewell Chun li His thoughts trailed off. Turning on his heel, he headed off down the street.