“Eliza, honey, it’s me.”
“Oh, Ken? I didn’t think you’d call.”
“Course I would, darling. Ryu and I had some catching up to do first. Not sure where we are at the moment, we’ve just been driving outside the Kansai region.”
“Road trip?”
“Something like that. Not much else to do, considering. I’m glad I’ve come, heh, no thanks to you.”
“You would have left without telling me anyway,” Eliza sighed noisily.
“I wasn’t even thinking about going until you practically threw my bags out the door.”
“This isn’t my fault, you know.”
“Liz, I haven’t called to argue, okay? I just missed hearing your voice.”
“Took you long enough. I see where your priorities lie.”
“Are you for real?” Ken groaned, kicking the dust from the ground. “I don’t have a tracking device on the guy. Course it took time to look for him. Ryu only gave me the name of the monastery he was staying at, so I ended up driving for a week just looking for him. Phone reception is pretty bad outside the city--”
“Okay, okay, you’ve proven your point,” Eliza cut in, irritated. “So, you guys have just been talking? No sparring?” his wife asked with little trust in her voice.
“I promised, didn’t I?” Ken shot back, his tone a little sharp. “Anyway, he told me he doesn’t fight anymore. He still trains though, and I think it’s finally taking its toll on him. You’d think he’d be stronger since the last time. It’s actually a little frightening.”
“Well then, aren’t you glad you kicked the fighting habit before it consumed you?”
Ken stayed silent for a moment before uttering, “I guess. He has me to take care of him now. The Ken Master’s magic will perk him up in no time. If only he could open his eyes to other possibilities in his life. I need to show him another path to help him back on his feet...”
“Hmm, shame you only have a solution for Ryu.”
“What does that mean?” Ken darted back, feeling a little hurt.
“Your theories, Ken. Want to leave some of that magic for when you’re ready to come home?”
“Okay, I don’t even know what that means, so I’m going to ignore it.” There was a brief silence on the phone as he tried to gather his thoughts.
“Wanna know how I’m doing, Ken? Or don’t you care?” Eliza said somewhat angrily. “If you’re too busy figuring out Ryu’s life to even consider my feelings, be my guest and stay there.”
Ken spluttered, but was unable to defend himself.
“Oh, I’m doing great,” she broke out sarcastically. “It’s a lot of fun not knowing where your husband is after a fight. And before you start talking, I don’t mean the fight you love training for so much, but the fights you have with me--”
“I don’t fight with--”
“And you never let me finish because what you have to say is more important. Ken, why do you always insist on changing Ryu’s life for him? Why can’t you do something about yourself instead? Maybe that way, everyone around you would be happier.”
The remark stabbed Ken hard in the heart. He gripped onto his cell phone tighter.
“Liz, what are you talking about? I changed for you. Why can’t you see that?” he said, trying hard not to shout. He took a deep breath, then continued. “When was the last time I went to Japan, huh? When was the last time I fought or seriously trained? I can’t be your little stay-at-home boy just so you can keep your eye on me.”
There was a soft ‘oomph’ on the other line. Ken guessed his wife was punching a pillow.
“Being with Ryu,” she tuned in, “...will it make you feel better? Seeing him all messed up, do you feel...I dunno...relieved that you were right to worry about him, about some guy who doesn’t give a shit about how you are once in a while?”
Ken sighed deeply. “It’s not like that, Liz, and you know it.” His voice flattened. “Stop making Ryu your argument.”
“Do you really think I’m blind, or that stupid, not to notice what you’re really up to?” her voice quivered in anger. “You being in Japan...it isn’t a big chivalrous act to ‘fix’ Ryu. I heard you on the phone, hotshot, discussing your big tour to fight again.”
“My tour?”
“I’m not stupid, Ken Masters.”
Ken paused, trying to think quick about having mentioned a road trip tournament. He had only spoken to Ryu at the brink of midnight when Eliza was already in bed. Even if she did eavesdrop, she had clearly misunderstood. She was an expert in making him feel accountable, no matter what.
“Liz, you don’t seem to remember why I let myself stray from training and my love for fighting. Jeez, you’d think putting my family first would actually mean something to you.”
It didn’t seem fair that he had to stop being whom Eliza initially fell in love with, just because it didn’t suit her anymore. He hadn’t felt like a martial artist for years being stuck behind an office desk and dealing with the corporate world. He tried again, calming his emotions.
“Honey, no matter what happens between us, and how much you may hate me at times,” he spoke softly, “I still love you. And I won’t hang up the phone till you believe I’m worth holding on to.”
She breathed harshly over Mel, who was asking what there was to eat for supper. His voice was loud, speaking over punk music that blasted from his iPod. There was an uncomfortable rustle, forcing Ken to move the phone slightly away from his ears.
“Hey dad, what’s up?”
“Hey kiddo, you cool? I’m with Uncle Ryu now. Remember him?”
“Ummm, sorta,” Mel said, clearly unsure.
“What have you been up to? Training I hope?”
“Nah, not really,” Mel said moodily. “I ordered new brake pads for the bike. Hopefully, they’ll arrive tomorrow or the day after. Gonna take it out for a spin. And Aunt Julia and Uncle Guile are dropping by later, but that’s about it really.”
Ken smiled at the thought of his sister-in-law visiting. By the sounds of it, Eliza needed the company.
“Hope you’re not giving your instructor a hard time being such a smart ass. I heard what you did to him the other day. I don’t want you being too cocky and breaking an arm like your old man.”
“I didn’t do anything wrong,” Mel protested. “It wasn’t even me. Sean sneaked up on the instructor and ran off before he could catch him.” Ken shook his head. Sean had too much control over Mel, and Eliza was too soft to demand caution for their behavior.
“Just be careful, you hear? I don’t want you giving your mom a hard time,” Ken smiled, missing his son incredibly.
“Oh, Mom wants ya. See ya.”
The speaker sounded muffled as the phone was passed back. Ken was pleased his new cell phone was somewhat decent at picking up the smallest signal compared to the phone he threw out this morning.
“Hon, come home soon okay, and if you must, bring Ryu too. Sounds like he needs a vacation. You can tell him I’ll make a good ol’ turkey roast just the way he likes it.”
Hearing his wife’s change of tone, Ken suddenly felt relieved. The ache in his heart melted away.
“Sure thing, babes,” he said with ease. “Say hi to Julia and G.I. Guile for me.” He laughed at his own joke with the thought of his military brother-in-law.
“I will. It’ll only be a flying visit, but Amy will be staying over for a few days to keep Mel company.”
“Nice of them to burden you with more babysitting.”
“Pleasure to have the company.”
“And I’ll drag Ryu’s sorry ass to America.”
“Sure. Give my love to Ryu.”
“What about me?” Ken asked, shrugging.
“Love for you waits at home.” She hung up.
Ken’s phone was burning hot from the temperature that had transferred from his sweating body. His iced coffee had melted with the cream stuck messily around the rim, and the chocolate bits h
e loved so much had drowned down into the base. He grabbed the plastic cup and slowly sipped.
Meanwhile, Ryu was standing away from the café, gazing over the bay of the beach below that shone in the light of the late afternoon. Having endured the summer monsoon he despised, he felt the weather creeping into a higher humidity. There was no breeze, but the tail of his red headband blew onto his shoulder with his slightest movement. The tide was low, swishing gently against the sandy beach where a young child chased his parents with a large plastic ball.
Ryu watched the little boy with much intensity. His feet brushed against the sand that caught between his toes, and his legs stopped and started at diverse paces as he called out to his parents to chase him with the ball in his hands. Ryu felt harmonious watching the family enjoy the break of the sun. Whenever it was possible during his travels, he made sure that he visited the beach once in awhile, to feel the tiny yellow grains massaging his feet and sticking to his soles when they were damp.
The sound of the ocean was the most beautiful sound on earth, even when the sea was in its most violent rage. Such a sound must be soothing, being surrounded by water for nine months in the mother’s watery womb. The security and comfort of the interior lining, the echo of a female voice, and the regular thud thud of her heart must be comforting. That thought alone amazed Ryu. He magnified his most calm thoughts to recollect the feeling that he and every human had experienced, but never committed to conscious memory.
Quickly gulping his last sip, Ken walked over to Ryu with his hands in his pockets.
“Missing you, are they?” Ryu asked nonchalantly, his hands loose on the railing. He continued to watch the blue ocean, contemplating on whether to take a long swim.
“Like you wouldn’t believe,” Ken managed a smile, feasting his eyes upon the magnificent view. “They seem to be doing fine without the master of the house around.” He winked. “I reckon my kid’s preparing for a rally BMX championship, or something. I’ve been teaching him to ride a bike since he was a baby. Heh, look at him now. All grown up.”
Ken had a big fatherly smile. He continued.
“Eliza doesn’t seem to understand why I have to travel. For some reason, it’s become a big strain on her. Hormones, honestly.” He laughed.
Ken thought back to the time when he bought the new house for his family. It was such a proud moment for him to do something like that. The property was a real bargain, a new double storey with a nice pool in the backyard, and a huge luxury spa and hot tub next to it. Eliza loved to swim. Her whole family was athletes, her late father having played for eighteen years as a quarterback for the Redskins. Her mother started out as a ballet dancer, and later turned to gymnastics at the age of nineteen, and soon picked up a bronze medal during the 1968 Olympic Games. Eliza’s two older brothers went onto the NHL, and she became a sportswriter.
It was only appropriate to have a pool.
“Is it difficult to raise a family, Ken?” Ryu turned to his friend and asked. The family he watched were now eating a picnic. Ryu’s gaze had gone to a seagull flying over the ocean to pick its target of fish.
“Nah, piece of cake,” Ken joked with a rueful smile. “Strange question coming from you, buddy.”
He watched Ryu’s expressionless face for clues as to how he felt but just as automatically, he leaned against the railing, gazing at the sea.
“Every moment is a special learning curve, same as martial arts. Think of the way you dedicate your time to the arts. That’s what I do with my family now.” His jaw knotted to prevent himself from revealing his true feelings. Rapidly, he added, “Y’know, Ryu, you can continue to choose to do what you do forever, but it’s never too late to change the path you’re on now.”
“Thanks for the advice, Ken, but I didn’t ask for it.”
Ken turned and smiled as normally as he could, wishing he hadn’t made that last statement, especially after the rocky conversation he had just had with his wife. Like Ryu, Ken loved the thrill of street fighting, but he had given serious thought to whether he really wanted to carry on fighting all his life. Getting married had been a scary yet joyous step at first, but these days, being home was much like the ultimate fight that Ken had been trying for.
Softly, he continued. “You’re just as consumed with the arts in your adult life as you were when we were younger. I just don’t want you missing out on anything.”
Ryu never thought of what he was missing. Despite the wavering contemplation about his mother and father, perhaps even a brother or a sister, he never expressed the desire of having his own family. He fended for himself with no idea of what it would be like to take care of someone else, too.
“You remember what my father did, Ryu? Do you remember the time when we first met? My father sent me to Master Gouken as his last resort to discipline me. To the other side of the world, man. I don’t blame him, y’know, for sending an aggressive brat like me away. Heh, anything’s better than boarding school.”
Ken heaved an angry sigh, thinking of how little time he spent with his own child. “Now I’m the CEO of the biggest oil company,” he shrugged. “Sure, learning martial arts proved to my dad how I could change, but I wasn’t going to continue proving myself to him. It was a stupid childhood insecurity thing, but I’m obviously over that now.”
Thinking of Ryu’s predicament, Ken’s mouth tightened. Akuma had cared for no one but himself, and had done whatever it took to be stronger. It made Ken uncomfortable to think that Ryu was walking the exact same path without realizing what other choices were available.
“There’s not a day that goes by when I don’t think how beautiful my wife is. She completes me and Mel completes us. That’s what life’s all about,” Ken laughed, shaking himself out of his serious tone. “You just gotta try things out and see where it takes you.”
Ryu’s face tensed, suppressing his vulnerable emotions. He had never given himself the space or time to enjoy the life Ken had, and he hadn’t even considered the role Ken took as a father.
Ryu remembered the time when Ken and Mel were at the park playing catch. The baseball mitts were too big for Mel’s tiny hands, and Ken’s hair was too long. Watching them laugh and play immediately brought Ryu a smile. Ken was a natural father. His son looked up to him with adoring blue eyes, calling to him while he ran further away, then yelled with so much excitement when he caught the ball. There was one word to describe the way Ken looked then: proud. A feeling Ryu had never bestowed upon another.
It was his turn to be proud of someone else, but he wasn’t sure whether his time would ever come.
Ryu looked like he was about to say something urgent, but then he stopped. A loud disturbing yell of a child was heard coming from behind the café. The scream had seemed to struggle to escape from the child, as if his throat was filled with torture. Ryu chased after the gurgling scream, ignoring Ken calling after him. His heart thudded harshly and his chest choked with tears as the juvenile voice grew louder.
A gasp of shock caught in Ryu’s throat, and for a second he was immobilized. Two middle-aged men were belting a young Japanese boy. His shorts were dangling around his skinny ankles. His thin brown legs and buttocks were covered with red and purple slashes. The boy was convulsing with fresh tears rolling down from his once slanted eyes.
Livid, Ryu slammed his fist against the dark brick wall, frightening the men out of their violence.
“YOU SONS OF...!”
The men held onto their belts tightly. One was more confident-looking than the other. The area stank of spoilt garbage. Black flies buzzed around the flesh of the child, eager to suck on dead skin when it rotted. A part of his thigh looked infected. The skin had a red tint.
The older, more aggressive-looking man launched his belt back at the child, ignoring Ryu’s brief interruption, then whipped the boy hard on the face. The boy flew into the corner. The second man cowered back, dropping the belt on the ground, as he saw the stranger jump into action. Ryu kick
ed the belt from the attacker, then caught both men by the collars of their grimy shirts. Seated, the boy held himself stiff with fear, regarding the newcomer from behind his knees.
“Pig,” the older man sneered in Japanese, grinning at Ryu without fear. Ryu’s grip tightened as his jaw clenched in anger.
He slammed the men against the wall, feeling warm blood drip onto his arm from their noses. Both men shared similar features. Same height, fairly skinny and tanned. He could tell that they were impoverished.
“Why are you hitting him? HE’S A CHILD!” Ryu yelled at them in Japanese, shaking them ferociously.
“Get lost,” the more abrasive man scoffed, lewdly spitting while he talked. “This is none of your damned business.”
“Hitting a child is every bit my business,” Ryu retorted, knocking their skulls together.
Perhaps these men knew nothing better than to hurt someone vulnerable, but to Ryu that was no excuse. A child is the perfect depiction of innocence and it hurt him to think that this boy was mercilessly exposed to the cruel world. He tensed his arm, revealing bulging muscles around his toned skin to intimidate the men, but it seemed to have the opposite effect on the bolder one.
“You think that’s gonna scare me, you asshole?” the man taunted, squeezing his fists in front of him. The little boy continued to cry into his hands. “Shurrup, you little weasel,” he slurred, kicking the boy into silence like a helpless animal waiting for slaughter.
“THAT’S IT!” Ryu screamed, throwing himself at the man but Ken suddenly had hold of his collar and pulled him away.
“RYU, DON’T!” Ken’s voice was full of warning.
Ryu nodded, frightened by his surge of emotions. He never fought in anger but he was ready to make this his first and only exception. The two Japanese men looked at each other, then scrambled past Ken, bumping him hard along the way. Perhaps it was better for him to deal with them than Ryu, Ken decided.
“Oh no you didn’t, messing up my designer gear,” Ken growled, and with that, he ran after them.
Exasperated, Ryu felt himself collapse against the wall. He was filled with an emotion so heavy he could have cried. Suddenly he was aware of the mellow music and the aroma of coffee coming from the café. Moaning, the boy shuffled noisily against the rubbish bags, exhausted by his pain. Snapping his head up, Ryu considered him, silent. The slashes on his body were deep. Lines of scabs marked his skinny arms, making it apparent that the child endured daily physical abuse.
Ryu straightened up, his face suddenly expressing a full sense of calm. Being as gentle as possible, he pulled up the boy’s shorts up to cover his genitals and rolled up the bottoms to air the infections. He wanted to cradle the child in his arms but kept his distance for the moment.
“Who were those men? Why were they hitting you?” he asked softly, but recoiled, as the boy cried harder.
“I’m Ryu. What’s your name?”
The boy looked at him, his shiny eyes examining Ryu’s white gi before answering, “Kenji.” Ryu released a small smile, retrieving a bottle from his duffle bag. He poured drops of water into Kenji’s desperate mouth.
Ken reappeared, blocking the light as he entered the cramped garbage yard where Ryu and the boy had planted themselves. He huffed a little, his hair slightly disheveled and his face peppered with sweat, but stood wordlessly at the entryway. He immediately saw the love and attention Ryu gave to the boy, and decided to leave him to it. This is what Ryu needs, Ken reminded himself, smiling slightly, as he watched his friend comfort the boy with his gentle demeanor. Ryu was compassionate, caring, and nothing like Akuma.
“Kenji, it’s going to be okay. I’ll make sure they won’t hurt you again,” Ryu swore, unclenching his fist against his leg. He couldn’t believe the rush of emotion pulsing through him. “Who were they?”
Kenji breathed uneasily, peering at Ryu, first at his sorrow-filled face, then at his karate gi. “You’re a fighter...aren’t you?” he spoke croakily, trying hard not to wince at the pain. “I like fighters like you. I want to grow up strong like you so no one can hurt me again.”
Ryu’s heart juddered. He wished the boy were a fighter to defend himself in such an inhumane existence.
As an orphan, Ryu had never had parents to look after him. Despite Gouken’s generosity, he had continued to wonder even to this day how his life would have been if he could have been with the family he was born into. Ryu had been told that his parents suffered from harsh poverty, and knew their son would not survive under their care, especially after the death of their first child years before. It hurt Ryu to see poverty and pain. Pushing past his own feelings and experience, he put a smile on his tense face.
“They thought I stole money. My uncle always hits me,” Kenji stuttered, his bottom lip quivering. “My dad always listens to him. I never stole in my life, I swear. My dad dropped his wallet. I was just going to return it.” Kenji cried again, this time resting his head on Ryu’s large arm.
“Ryu, we have to take him to the hospital. He won’t survive like this,” Ken suggested, hailing them out of the darkened corner.
“Yeah. You’re right.”
Ryu gathered Kenji in his arms and stood up from the dirty ground. Ken poured more water in the boy’s mouth. The humidity was causing the boy to slip toward unconsciousness.
“I hate when people make a lame excuse to start up violence. He was accused of theft, Ken,” Ryu said, his face contorted with disgust.
“For real, it’s sickening. Don’t worry about a thing, Ryu. We’ll get him the best treatment and make sure he gets a better childhood.”
“I was hoping you’d say that,” Ryu said appreciatively. He knew to count on Ken for financial support. “But I swear, if I ever meet them again, I’ll...”
Ken rested his hand on Ryu’s shoulder in an effort to ease his fury. “I’ll make sure no one gets away with this,” he promised. Then he tapped Kenji’s cheek gently, forcing him to look up at his rosy face. “Hey, little buddy,” Ken said energetically in Japanese. “Try to stay awake, you hear.”
Kenji wearily opened his eyes halfway.
“Don’t worry, kid. You’re safe now, I promise you,” Ryu reassured him.
Ken watched the ground as his feet advanced forward. “You know what, Ryu?”
“What?”
“You’ll make a great father one day. But if you ever feel the need to practice, I’ll let you babysit Mel and Sean anytime.”
Ryu stopped walking, staring straight into Ken’s soft brown eyes, then sighed, resuming his journey. He didn’t want to think about a family, not even being a mentor. Right now, his only interest was to take care of Kenji until he was able to smile again.
*****
Chapter 10:
PREMIERE