Thank goodness you came back… And what a way to come back too, lol!
Wow, I’ve been readin this thing since last year and can honestly say it’s the best fan fic I’ve ever read. Glad to see another chapter, hopefully you’ll continue.
Without a doubt this is the best fan fic i’ve read. I mean this is like a novel. Maybe you could sell this to capcom or something. I of course patiently await the next chapter as I believe geniousness shouldn’t be rushed.
btw, you have any other fic’s or novels or somethin?
Chaotic Blue
Yup, he’d make plenty of money if his fics was published…can you say best seller.
poke, poke… Still alive FoF?
Chaotic Blue
Good story, I just read it all. :wow:
Good work. 
I’m still alive, and still working on the next chapter.
whoa, he’s alive…faints
Chapter XX: The Boy from the Market
Darkness.
A darkness deep and total, with a silence so vast Gouken thought for a moment he was deaf. The emptiness, he saw no end in sight in any direction. Something gave Gouken the impression that it was not a darkness to be wary of, but more along the lines of the void of a blank canvas. From the black numerous tiny flames emerged, slowly filling Gouken?s view. Flames fueled by the invisble, some farther away and some closer. Some violent, some gentle and small. Countless and Gouken wondered how different they all were from each other. He fought the urge to reach out and touch one of them.
Then the candleless flames started to fade back into the void, until only one light remained, a single fire to focus Gouken?s attention:
Was it a flame? Now it was a young boy, standing there in the black with dirty clothes and vacant eyes. The void itself began to recede; the scene fading into a carrow city alleyway impossibly crowded with blurry moving people. The boy never moved, and the people shuffling all around him did not notice or disturb.
Gouken wondered why the child was the only one in focus, the only person he could see clearly.
As if the great sandman had heard Gouken, the alleyway was empty save the child in an instant. The blurry bustling people simply faded without a sound. Gouken could not see the sun, but he thought that the boy had an unusually long shadow?
The shadow behind the boy then began to pulse and twitch, or maybe Gouken was just late on noticing it? The shadow appeared alive, Gouken sensed it was a part of the boy, and familiar to himself. Gouken felt the shadow to be a danger to the child; he felt an intense urge to help him. As Gouken neared the boy the shadow rose off the ground, rising in height like a predator.
?No!? His voice seemed small and muddled. The boy was unmoving as the shadow rose over his head to enclose him.
Gouken dashed towards the boy wondering how to fight the shadow. As he ran he felt a chilling cold over his shoulder, a blast of icy wind that stung his skin. He turned his head and there was nothing to see, only the darkness that had now enclosed him.
This was the recurring dream Gouken had been having for the past two months. He did not mention it to anyone.
++++++++++++++++++
- Japan
?Hey Gouken! More herbs for this week??
Gouken stopped and turned to who called him with a warm disarming smile.
?Of course Mrs. Nishiko! I almost forgot!?
Another Saturday morning at the market. This particular time the market was only half packed and it was much appreciated by the patrons present. Gouken has gone every week for groceries for the past 5 years. He is 31 years old now, and enjoying routine.
?Thank you very much Mrs. Nishiko.? Gouken flashed another smile to the kind old woman as he handed her the money for the collection of medicines and teas and walked on. His stride was natural yet modest. He walked with planned steps but they were not meek. He walked with a straight back, one hand in his pocket and the other holding a sack of goods slung over his shoulder. Gouken strolled down street hanging to the far right. He liked to watch the activity of the market; it was a nice change from the solitude found at home.
It was still home; he was surprised at how content he was here. In the back of his mind he figured the itch to continue wandering would never leave him. The itch for what? The itch to sleep in haystacks in run down barns? The itch to look over your shoulder for bandits while the cold wind slashed into your face? Gouken liked the feeling of having a place where people knew him and he knew them. He enjoyed sleeping, training, and eating in one place again. Gouken was home yet something was still absent. Maybe it was the feeling that he?d hit a wall with his own progression in his art. For the better part of a year now he felt like he was not getting stronger. No matter how much he meditated or spared with Retsu Gouken did not feel like he was improving.
?Have I reached my limit already? Is this the best I?ll ever be?? Gouken thought to himself as he strolled through the vibrant marketplace.
?Or maybe I just need to fight more people? Learn from others out there. I?m limiting myself just staying here?? Gouken did not want to think of it like that, he fought the urge to think of it as a negative. Making a home and staying in it did not feel like a limitation. Gouken was drifting away from the marketplace now, ambling down a narrow street towards the outskirts of town. Making a home and staying in it was not a limitation.
?A lot of things I need to learn to become stronger wandering can?t teach me.?
Once Gouken uttered that thought in his mind the questions fell away, withering into nothing before such a clear statement. Gouken turned his head behind him to see the market and crowd of people farther away than he thought they were. Then Gouken thought of his brother, and wondered how far away he was now. He had to be stronger now than he was the last time Gouken saw him. How strong? It had been 10 years since they had spoken; it had been 10 years since they had seen each other.
?Hmph. Gouki isn?t in a rush to see me anyway.?
Once Gouken muttered this inside himself he wondered if it were true. He was now at the top of a hill, the town being behind him and barely touched countryside spread before him. He could make out a winding dirt path that ambled into the horizon, a road out of town. He smiled to himself; the itch to walk down that road was small. Home was in the other direction.
Gouken then registered a slight tug on his pant leg that snapped him back to the present.
?Are you lost??
Gouken looked down into the dirt caked face of a boy no older than 8. His eyes held an honesty Gouken had rarely seen in anyone, his clothes were in tatters but he stood straight.
?No not at all. Just looking out and thinking. I don?t need to be lost to do that.? The boy was looking out at the sky and earth beside him, his eyes seemed to be searching, scanning the landscape for what Gouken was looking for or at. It had to be interesting to make such a big man stop and stare.
?I don?t see many adults look out into the sky like you. When I see adults look out into the sky it is because they are worried.?
?Well?I am worried. But more just thinking. I?m not sad.? Neither Gouken nor the boy had turned to face each other while speaking yet. Gouken turned his face away from the sky and to the boy to continue the conversation.
?Why are you sad boy??
?Being hungry makes me sad. But it does not make me look out into the sky, it makes me watch the ground and tables and people for food!?
Gouken couldn?t help but chuckle because the boy was also smiling. He didn?t have shoes on, and the amount of dirt on the boy?s feet and ankles told Gouken he hadn?t had shoes for a while.
?Don?t you have parents to get you food??
?No.?
?Is there anyone to look after you??
The boy shook his head, Gouken felt a sharp pang in his heart.
?What is your name boy??
?Ryu.?
?Do you have a last name??
?I can?t remember it anymore. Someone used to call me Hoshi but that isn?t my real name.?
?Oh?? Gouken?s voice trailed off into the wind. He had been without a family so long he forgot his family name. Gouken paused to look out once more to the sky, then back to the boy.
?Ryu?a strong name. Well little Ryu, you can come home with me for a meal and a bed. You?ve relied on your own strength for far too long young one.?
The little boy smiled, hope shined brightly in his eyes?so bright all Gouken could do was smile in return.
?Come along now, I bet you?re starving. I?m hungry myself.?
++++++++++++++++++
The candlelight danced around the outline of the little boy as he slept, the covers wrapped tight around his body as he slumbered in a ball. Gouken stood on the other side of the room, his back leaning against the wall. He was silent, watching and thinking.
?There?s something special about that kid,? Retsu walked into the room, his eyes glanced at Gouken then shifted to the sleeping child known as Ryu.
?Yes. I can?t imagine what his life has been like. He has been totally alone for?who knows.? Gouken?s face showed no expression as he spoke.
?Yet his heart isn?t cold. He didn?t try to steal from me and he didn?t steal any food from the vendors. He was honest and asked.?
?The principle of a nobleman in a small child. Gouken?if everyone said no and he got hungry enough he would have stolen it.? Retsu added.
?Well yeah I?m sure. But he didn?t start stealing and I think that says something.? The candle flames danced on Gouken?s face as he paused to say his next sentence.
?I?m thinking about asking him to become my student.? Gouken said it plainly, his eyes still focused on the bed.
?Are you sure??
?Not yet. But I know who to see to make sure.?
Retsu smiled, he knew whom Gouken was speaking of.
?This boy was in my dream. We were both swallowed up by shadows at the end I think.? Gouken?s voice sounded surprisingly childish, like someone reporting something so unbelievable he didn?t expect to be believed.
?Interesting. Was there anyone else in the dream??
?No one else was in focus.? Gouken?s voice was in a flat whisper.
?I don?t know what that means. I don?t know what to tell you friend, except that it is getting late.? Retsu crossed back over to the doorway to exit. He paused and turned his head to say one more thing.
?Gouken just don?t walk the whole damn way there. These are modern times you know.?
?Walking is more intimate.?
?It is incredibly slow. You can think on a train or a bus.?
As Retsu exited the room and eased into the shadows for his room Gouken reminded himself that Retsu would rather not say enough than talk too much. A minute later; as Gouken heard the quiet and singular creak of Retsu?s door closing he wondered if his friend Retsu had always been that way or had acquired it through experience.
++++++++++++++++++
-Elsewhere in Japan
Goutetsu stood outside on the porch of his house, one hand resting on a beam and the other holding a cup of tea. The only giveaway that he was in his 60s was the long braided mostly white hair on his head. His body was in extraordinary condition and his face had a few gentle creases. The sun was just beginning to come up; he could hear the roosters in the distance and the chirping birds close to him. The morning dew was still on the grass, a clue that the air felt cool and fresh.
?Dear, are we expecting any visitors?? Goutetsu looked over his shoulder as he spoke.
?No?not that I know of?.heehee.? Afaik had received the telegram days ago but she wanted to make a surprise out of it.
?Hmmm?? Goutetsu couldn?t make out the figure approaching but his form looked like it was strong and flexible. A martial artist. Someone coming to learn from him?or something a little more demanding? The figure?s stride carried no urgency.
Goutetsu set down his tea and began to slowly walk forward, his hands clasped behind him but still ready to fight if it came to it. His stride also carried no urgency.
The two men grew closer to one another and both began to lighten up.
?Master, I?m sorry I haven?t been visiting you like I should. Please forgive me.?
?Gouken. You don?t have to call me that. I?m not your master anymore, and you certainly are no one?s student! Look at you! You?ve grown into quite a man. How long has it been??
?three years mas-?Goutetsu.? Gouken caught himself but it was difficult. He still referred to Goutetsu as master in his mind, he had ever since he met him.
?Hm?I guess it?s a habit. So what brings you here??
?I have something on my mind. I wanted to consult you before I did anything.?
?Ah. But before we get to business, how about making an old man happy?? Goutetsu smiled as he unbuttoned his shirt and rolled his sleeves up. Gouken chuckled as he watched then began stretching himself.
?Let?s head west.?
?Ready? Don?t hold back son.? Goutetsu casually tossed away his shirt; he didn?t want to get it too dirty. Afaik had just done the wash yesterday. Gouken mimicked his former master, hanging his discarded shirt on a tree branch.
?You can go all out on me too. I?m stronger now than when I left.? Goutetsu noticed that the smirk Gouken used to wear so naturally when he said anything related to his strength increasing was beginning to fade. It was now a quick flash of teeth before the face returned again to that of a slightly amused man.
?I?ll soon see just how much stronger.?
++++++++++++++++++
Gouki studied the headstone, his eyes refusing to lend themselves to anything else. He was disappointed. He had traveled all this way to find and kill General Fujima and here he was already dead.
The man who killed his father and ripped his life to shreds was dead. But in a strange way Gouki thought he should thank the general. If it wasn?t for him Gouki would have still been the frail child he was when Goutetsu took him in. Yet still Gouki was disappointed. He wanted to show Fujima his strength; he wanted the old man to fear his power before he was rightfully cut down. Gouki wanted to see the fear in Fujima?s eyes as he muttered for his life; he wanted to remember it. The more Gouki thought about it the more his disappointment turned to anger. It swelled inside him, making him clench his teeth and fists as he stared at the grave.
In a flash he lashed out, striking the tombstone and shattering it to pieces. He didn?t wait for the cloud of dust to settle before he walked off?still disappointed.
++++++++++++++++++
?Is this your idea of fun?! Beating each other to pulps?! I?ve lost count of how many bones I had to reset between the both of you! Get off my table Gouken you?re done.? Afaik said with a tired voice as Gouken leapt up to walk into the other room.
?Thanks again Afaik. You?re a lifesaver.? Gouken said with a wink as he left to join his former master.
?The boy Ryu?you already know you should take him as your student.? Goutetsu was seated, relaxed back in his chair sipping on?of course tea.
?Yes, it is what my gut feeling is telling me. But what about the rule of two? Ryu would have no one beside him during his training??
?Tradition is a guide Gouken, not a jailer. The boy should be trained, you want to train him?? Goutetsu paused to slurp more tea. ?So train him. Another student will probably come along later.?
?Wow. This was easier than I thought.?
?It always is.?
?Not true. Your training was harder than anything I imagined.?
Goutetsu erupted into a hearty laugh, he spilled the cup of tea in his right hand and slapped his knee with his left. Gouken did not understand what Goutetsu found so funny but the sight of his former master laughing made him laugh.
?You even started out by throwing us in a river! Two little boys! We thought you were so mean afterwards.?
?I was! And I was gentle when I should have been too.?
?I agree. Thank you Goutetsu?.for everything really. I don?t know where I would have been if it weren?t for you.?
?I don?t know where or who I would be if it were not for you two. To stay on the subject?have you heard from your brother??
Gouken paused, his eyes held a distant look in them.
?Not at all. I worry about him. He seemed to hold so much pain in his heart??
?The pain motivated him. I?m sure he?s fine. He?s strong. You both are.?
Afaik appeared in the doorway, her smile had returned.
?Gouken are you staying for dinner??
?Um?I-?
?I?m sorry hun but he won?t be. He?d better head home.? Goutetsu turned to look at Gouken, smiling brightly like a proud father.
?After all, he?s got work to do.?
Good direction your going in FoF, can’t wait to see when Ken joins Ryu.
Should have decribed Gouken’s and Goutetsu’s fight, a freindly duel between student and teacher…priceless.
Overall nice job nonetheless. :nunchuck: :rock:
When will we see the next chapter ?
People that read this please comment. I’d like to hear what you guys are liking and what more you want to see.
Akuma: I haven’t even started writing the next chapter…but its all up here poits to head and nods
If the next chapter is in ya head, let it all ooze out ya ears so you can start writing asap…lol
It would be cool to see a sparring session between Gouken and Retsu…
Damn,would have been great to see Fujima cut down by The Master of Fist.Anyway great to see an update,cant wait for the next.
Yup…Gouki would’ve opened a can of whoop ass on Fujima.
Holy crap!
Sorry, it’s just I remember following this story when you first started it, but from what I recall you were taking a break or something, then I never really came back to this part of the board. Now I just happen to wander on in and here it is!
Hey dude, any chance of a text file of the story so far? I’d really like to re-read it and catch up. Problem is I’m a lazy bastard and don’t want to go hunting through the 24 pages of this thread to find it all 
Sidestory: Wildfires
- Thailand
Thailand’s famous heat paraded itself around the arena; not even a building standing up on just beams could chase it away. It didn’t help that there was a crowd at least double the capacity present. They were everywhere. A sea of people on the floor, a crowd tightly packed outside and a mob scene on the upper level balcony. All of them came from near and far to watch the spectacle, and their eyes hadn’t moved from the ring since the contest began.
As Dan sat on the shoulders of a watcher that knew whose son he was he couldn’t stop wondering why his father had come out of retirement. He was happy his father was home all the time now. He was happy with all the attention that otherwise would have been devoted to training. Dan couldn’t understand why his father kept going on about his ‘last hurrah’. And what made this fighter known as Sagat so special?
Go Hibiki knew no one would understand why he chose to fight again after 5 years, but at least his trainers went along with it and pretended to. Go knew how old he was, he didn’t need to be reminded of it anytime the fight was brought up. He also knew how young Sagat was, how he swept Thailand in a storm with his remarkable talent. How people were calling him the best that had ever been. Sagat was being titled the Prince of Muay Thai. Everyone had to have known that kind of talk would not sit well with someone like Go Hibiki. Someone who after becoming the best defended his title more times than the average newscaster, fighter or promoter could correctly count. They had to have known; yet why were they so shocked when Go announced he was getting back in the ring just to fight Sagat?
Go hopped back to avoid a piston of a punch and then dashed in crouching to land a blow for himself. Go cocked back his fist but caught a driving knee that made the teeth in his mouth rattle. Go attempted to ignore it as he unleashed a series of elbow strikes to Sagat’s chest, planning to finish it off with a reverse spinning elbow to the face. Sagat caught Go’s arm and held it tight. Go stared into Sagat’s eyes. The screaming mob was a blurry whisper in his peripheral; there was only his opponent?s eyes. They held a fire Go was very familiar with. This Sagat…was something. Even Go had to admit it.
Not even 20; yet his lean and toned body was over 6 feet tall. His arms and legs had tremendous reach and the speed to capitalize on it. He was good, but not worthy to be an heir to the throne Go had sat on once. Not yet.
Sagat then viciously knocked Go in the center of his back, the driving force of Sagat?s knee dislocating Go’s shoulder and sending him bouncing off the ropes at the opposide side of the ring and to the mat. Go’s manager leapt up, ready to stop the fight. Go shot him a glare so fierce he froze and sat back down. Go struggled to his feet, one arm limp and straight and the other raised in a tense defensive position. What remained of the fire that once burned in Go’s eyes was a smoulder, but it still burned. Go turned over his shoulder and looked at his son. Dan’s face was frozen in fear and anticipation. Go winked, turned back around and rocketed towards Sagat; jumping into the air with a flying knee.
Go’s attack stopped suddenly as Sagat gripped Go’s neck with one hand. Go’s feet dangled at least a foot above the mat. Go could feel his strength draining from him. As if the force from the sudden jerk ruptured the reservoir of his spirit. He still had some left, he still had plenty left. Go smiled at Sagat, the old cocky smile he used to give doomed opponents. Go?s knee was fast as lightning, stricking perfectly into Sagat?s side. Sagat grunted and winced releasing his grip enough for Go to swat his limp outstretched arm and deliver another knee to the same spot. Sagat rocked backward, Go guessed he had one more good attack while the getting was good. He cocked his free arm back. Before Go could land the punch Sagat?s punch connected to Go?s face, dropping him in an instant.
Go could hear the crowd gasp as the side of his face smacked the canvas. Go had been a fool. Sagat?s arms are longer than his. Go cursed his foolishness as flipped over on his back, propped his arm beneath him and rose to his feet. Sagat was in his corner, patiently waiting. How nice of him. Go hopped in place for a second and punched the air. He did not want to look at Dan. For now it would be best for everything else to fade back and away. Sagat charged, his legs pounding the canvas in a gallop. Go?s punch was swatted away, his elbow strike was caught in Sagat?s left palm and Go was delivered an unguarded straight punch to the nose from Sagat?s right hand. Go fell back in a daze. Sagat would not let him go, grabbing him by his limp arm and punching him in the gut. Go dropped to his knees, his forehead touching the canvas. His eyes looked glazed and distant. Sagat still gripped his useless arm. The crowd gasped.
Then Go shot his working arm forward and upward, two pointed fingers aiming for the fire Go desperately wanted to stamp out. Go felt Sagat’s grip suddenly release and he felt himself crash to the floor. Sagat was screaming, doubled over with his hand over his eye, blooding oozing from the gaps in his fingers. Go knew Sagat would never see out of that eye again, and the large crowd was beginning to get the picture.
Go didn’t bother to get up. He knew what was coming next. It was really how he always wanted it. Go Hibiki dreamed of dying in the ring because it was the only place where he had lived. Anywhere else he only existed, waiting for the next chance. The crowd was far away now; Go could not hear anything.
Sagat composed himself and charged, blood streaming down his young handsome face. He grabbed Go by his head and lifted him up. Then he began to savagely beat him. The crowd stared; the cheering had died and was now buried. The only sounds that could be heard were the sounds of Sagat tearing into the former champion. Go did not fight back, he was in another place. He let himself go limp and took the countless blows. He eventually began to detect more broken bones and internal bleeding. He could feel his insides oozing, his body swelling with so much pain. Then he blacked out and drifted away, now content that he had passed the torch totally. Go Hibiki eventually drifted so far he could never return. Sagat wailed on Go Hibiki for 5 minutes after he died, even then 20 men had to pull the enraged fighter off of the lifeless body that was once known as the undisputed champion. The crowd refused to utter a word; their eyes were still glued to the blood-splattered ring. Some were violently throwing up…others were sobbing.
Very good side story, Dan’s hatred and revenge for Sagat begins at an early age.
I loved this side story!! I’ve been reading this fanfic since chapter 1 and I definitly believe it’s the best on the net. Anyway keep up the great work FoF. (And try to get the chapters out faster. This story hooks you like carck!)
wasrechatta no ka?
Chaotic Blue