Ocean Avenue (Open)

[Ryuu]

Ryuu sat alone on a outcrop of rocks, as the waves crashed against the rock sending a spray of water onto the rock. He was sitting far enough that he wouldn't get hit by the spray, but still able to see the waves, he wasn't swimming, because the beach he was at, Ocean Beach, was too dangerous for anyone to swim in, but it didn't mean he couldn't admire the view. He leaned back, taking in a deep breath, his lungs filling up with the salty air. It was hard to believe that just across the ocean was his hometown of Tokyo. Talk about about a case of so close yet so far. It was hard to believe that he was here, in San Francisco, and not in Tokyo, away from all his friends he had from elementary school all the way to his first year in high school. He missed them. He had already spent a year in San Francisco, and although his English had improved significantly, he was still getting used to this new change of place. His sister Kyoko was trying her best, but she still missed Japan.

He couldn't blame her, it was hard on him too, but getting back to the present, she was probably asleep or she had gone out, he hadn't received a text message from her, everyday, same time, she'd send him a message. He pulled out his cell from his pants pocket, checking it. No new message. He sighed as he placed his cell back, he knew that sooner or later, she'd wouldn't be able to rely on him to always be around, one day, he wouldn't be around to help her, which sadly, he knew was the unavoidable truth. When he had decided to go out, he threw on a white t-shirt, a black jacket, blue jeans, and his worn down black Converse shoes. The cool ocean breeze blew Ryuu's black hair with light red streaks back, revealing his gray eyes. When he had last checked his cell, it was a little past 3:30pm, he didn't think that many people would come, even though above him, there was blue skies, a few clouds drifting around, and the sun was shining brightly.

Some of the sun shone down on him, turning his hair an even lighter colour than normal. As he looked up into the sky, a sound bursted out of nowhere, breaking the silence. My cell. He pulled his cell out of his pocket. His ringtone continued for a little while, Rewrite by Asian Kung-Fu Generation, before he touched the screen, stopping it mid-way. It was his sister, right on time, as usual. He read her message, which was very long. A smirk began to form on his face slowly. As soon as he finished reading her message, he pulled his headphones on and began listening to his music. His footsteps had left imprints on the sand, even as the waves washed over it again and again, anyone who had decided to take a morning walk would stumble upon the imprints starting from the stairs leading all the way to the outcrop of rocks that they stopped at. Little did Ryuu know that he'd have company soon, but because he was busy listening to his music, he couldn't hear, lest see them, and his back was facing the person. Only when the person was behind him, did Ryuu look around, responding automatically in Japanese.

"Is someone there?"

[Matrim Gallagher]

(OOC: THERE IS NO ESCAPING ME!)

"Uhm, whatever you said.... I didn't understand it," Matrim said. He didn't speak Japanese. A few European languages sure. And at least he knew it was Japanese, so you had to give him some credit. But he didn't know what it meant, "I don't speak Japanese."

There, Now Matrim would get points for at least knowing what language it was. So he looked at the kid carefully. He looked like a fighter, which was good. Matrim himself would appear like one. He was wearing a pair of jeans, a white short sleeve button up shirt left unbuttoned, exposing his torso, including the surgical scar over his heart. He was wearing shoes for once, a pair of white Vans that he liked to wear when he absolutely had to wear shoes. Because to him the felt like pillows for your feet.

"Nice view. Though I kind of miss having the option to surf," He said, just speaking. He didn't know if the kid spoke English, but he assumed he must know a bit of English being in America, "So, I take it you go to school around here?"

[Ryuu]

"Uhm, whatever you said.... I didn't understand it." Ryuu looked behind him, and saw a guy with brown hair standing on the rocks behind him, as Ryuu looked at him, a calm look on his face. "I don't speak Japanese." Ryuu stood up, and walked towards the guy, before finally speaking. "It was an automatic thing, I usually speak in Japanese when something surprises me," Ryuu replied calmly, as he stopped in front of the guy, "But I usually speak in English, so you won't be hearing Japanese." Ryuu took in the guy's appearance, he looked a lot like a fighter, pair of jeans, a white short-sleeved dress shirt that was left unbuttoned, exposing the guy's torso, revealing a scar over his heart, and a pair of white Vans.

"Nice view. Though I kind of miss having the option to surf."

"Mmmhmm," Ryuu replied, shoving his hands into his pockets, as a light ocean breeze blew, whipping his hair around a bit, "I'd advise against surfing here, not unless you want to drown." Ryuu had spent a year here, his English had improved significantly, if you had tried to talk to Ryuu a year ago, all you would get is broken sentences in English. "So,I take it you go to school around here?" "Mmmhmm, Moral Crest High, I'm a sophomore there." Ryuu replied, as he turned to face the guy, as he held his hand out for a friendly handshake.

"Ryuu, Ryuu Hikari, and you are?"

[Matrim Gallagher]

"Ryuu, Ryuu Hikari, and you are?" Matrim looked at the kid, he observed him closely. His face was serious, he didn't even look at the hand. He was analyzing the kid, attempting to put the name to an old face, but it wasn't there. He wasn't the Hikari. He wasn't in anyway related to Alex or Kane. At least, it didn't seem like it. He shook the hand firmly, and then let go.

"Matrim," He said. Turning back to the view, "Matrim Gallagher, I'm the Varsity Captain at Moral Crest High."

He wasn't bragging, he was just letting it be known since they went to the same school. The kid obviously didn't know who he was or else he wouldn't be asking. Matrim started to turn and looked down the beach. He was getting bored, "I'm not gonna lie, it's a nice view at first. But then it just seems to get boring. So, Ryuu, are you a fighter?"

Matrim being straight forward? Yup. After all, he was always interested in fighters, and fighting. And this guy looked like he could handle himself.

[Ryuu]

Ryuu saw the guy look at him, like he was observing him, a serious look was on his face, he didn't even look at Ryuu's hand. Just when Ryuu felt like a complete idiot and was about to lower his hand, the guy shook his hand firmly, and then released his hand, as Ryuu lowered his hand, at least he didn't feel like an idiot anymore. "Matrim," Ryuu saw Matrim then turn back to the view, "Matrim Gallagher, I'm the Varsity Captain at Moral Crest High." "... So you were one of the transfers that became one of the new Pillars," Ryuu commented, but far from sounding bitter, he was actually smirking slightly, "Kicked the ass of the former Varsity Captain of Moral Crest High, he wasn't too thrilled about that." It's not that Ryuu didn't know who Matrim was, it's just, he only knew that the Pillars that had been in power before the transfers arrived, had their asses handed to them, but the names of the students weren't put out. He saw Matrim turn and look down at the beach, as Ryuu folded his arms across his chest.

"I'm not gonna lie, it's a nice view at first. But then it just seems to get boring. So, Ryuu, are you a fighter?"

"I have to agree with you, the view does get monotone after awhile. Nothing but the big blue ocean out there. I am." Right to the point. Ryuu was never one to elaborate his answers. He and his cousin Kazuya were in many ways, very similar to each other. Though they had not been close and visited each other often, when he had visited his cousins, he and Kazuya spent more time sparring with each other more than anything else. "I was never one to deny a challenge." Yup, Kazuya was just like him. Both of them loved to fight, but only when it was necessary, or a friendly spar.

[Matrim Gallagher]

"In that case...." He said, taking a second look. Once again pausing. It wasn't Alex.

Alex is dead.... Alex Hikari is dead......

"In that case, then fight me," He said. He stepped away from the rocks towards a more sand covered area. Waving Ryuu to him. He didn't want to fight over by the rocks because he didn't feel like getting his back broken in several places. Not to mention he had to ask him a very important question. So when he finally turned back towards him. He wasn't in a fighting stance, hands were at his side, he was standing casually.

"Go ahead and attack me once you've answered this question. Spar or no spar if you don't fight to your best I will destroy you for it. Now, answer me, and then attack. Do the names Alex or Kane Hikari mean anything to you?"

Matrim prepared for an attack. He had a feeling that the answer yes would cause him to fight a lot harder. He would beat Ryuu badly if the answer was yes. Why? He wasn't sure why. He didn't quite understand it. But that's just how it would be.

[Ryuu]

"In that case...." Ryuu saw Matrim look at him a second time, pausing once more, as Ryuu folded his arms as he looked back at Matrim. "In that case, then fight me." Ryuu saw Matrim step away from the rocks towards a more sand-covered area, waving Ryuu over, which, in Ryuu's opinion, was a good idea. Rocks were more slippery, and you had a bigger risk of falling and breaking your back in several places if you weren't careful. Ryuu followed Matrim to the sand-covered area, and stopped a bit away from Matrim as he saw him turn around and face him, not in a fighting stance, he was standing casually, his hands were by his side. Ryuu wasn't one to deny a challenge. "Alright then, I'll fight you." Ryuu replied as he stood there, slightly sideways, his hands by his side as well, he was exactly like Kazuya before he died.

"Go ahead and attack me once you've answered this question. Spar or no spar if you don't fight to your best I will destroy you for it. Now, answer me, and then attack. Do the names Alex or Kane Hikari mean anything to you?"

Ryuu, though his face remained calm, his eyes had flashed in surprise when he heard Matrim ask about his uncle and cousin. "Yes," Ryuu said simply, as his eyes returned back to normal, "Kane Hikari was my uncle, and Alex, or Kazuya Hikari, was my cousin." Ryuu hadn't heard too much from his cousins, all he knew was, his uncle, Kane, had been the head of Hikari Industries, but then died, and then Kazuya had taken over, but then his father had taken over as the head of Hikari Industries after Kazuya had been sent to a prison school in Alaska. Ryuu had no idea that Kazuya was dead, and Matrim didn't know Ryuu and Kazuya were cousins... Until now. "How do you know about Kazu and Kane Hikari?" Ryuu asked, using the nickname he called Kazuya when they were young, as he prepared to fight.

"Are you ready?" he asked Matrim and went into his fighting stance, standing sideways, his feet spread apart shoulder-length, his right foot out in front, his body down low, keeping his centre of balance relatively well. No leg sweeps here. He placed his right hand out, his left hand on level with his shoulder, near his face. "Let's go." he said to Matrim, a determined look in his eyes. Matrim wanted Ryuu's best, and he would give him the best.

[Matrim Gallagher]

"Kane Hikari was my uncle, and Alex, or Kazuya Hikari, was my cousin." The kid said, and he didn't hear anything after that. Matrim was lost in thought, he looked at the kid but he didn't seem like a Hikari, still, he knew Alex and Kane. They were his family apparently. Perhaps on the mothers si-- no he had the last name Hikari... it was on Kane's side. How in the world were they cousins? Perhaps they just didn't look alike. What difference did it make anyway?

"Let's go."

About halfway through that statement Ryuu would find Matrim charging. His eyes lowered, his focus wasn't in the fight from the looks of it, the truth was just because his face wasn't smiling and his eyes weren't lit up didn't mean he wasn't giving his best. In truth he was trying harder. He wished he had Leon's immense power and capability for destruction.....

"YOU FUCKING SON OF A BITCH WHY DID YOU DO THIS!?!?!?" Matrim screamed, punching the floor where Alex's head had been. The night was dark, but it was extremely hot around the rooftop of the school. Despite it being Alaska, Alex's flames had heated the area. Yet Alex's body was cold......

A hard right fist would be aimed at Ryuu's left cheek as he came down on his left foot. His left hand would shoot out and crab Ryuu's hoody by the top part of the zippered area and pull down hard, Matrim's right knee would then come up from behind him and attempt to smash into Ryuu's stomach.

I won't ever know now....

"I have to know."

[Ryuu]

Ryuu saw Matrim look at him once again, but why, Ryuu had no idea. Ryuu knew he looked nothing like his cousin Kazuya, but that was because his father, was not Kane's brother, he was actually his stepbrother. Beyond the last name, Ryuu had no actual blood ties to Kazuya, but nonetheless, they were still cousins. About halfway through his last sentence, Ryuu saw Matrim charge at him, his eyes were lowered, it seemed like Matrim wasn't into the fight, but Ryuu knew looks could be deceiving, and as such, prepared himself accordingly and as best as he could, because Matrim was fast, really fast. Ryuu saw Matrim launch a hard right fist at his left cheek as he came down on his left foot, Ryuu immediately reacted, instead of blocking the punch, he moved his head to his left, flowing with the direction of the punch, as he felt the punch graze the side of his cheek.

He then prepared to fire a punch right into Matrim's side, but saw Matrim's left hand shoot out and felt the top part of the zippered area of his hoodie being grabbed, and was pulled down hard, as he saw Matrim's knee hurtle towards his stomach. Oh, this is going to hurt... Being yanked down so quickly, Ryuu could not dodge Matrim's attack, but it didn't mean dodging was his only option. Ryuu's right arm shot out, and wrapped it around Matrim's quad or the upper part of Matrim's leg, he then wrapped his left arm around the calf or lower part of Matrim's leg, resting Matrim's knee on his chest bone. Ryuu tucked his head down so his face or throat would not be exposed, he knew his ribcage and the back of his head was exposed, but right now, the only appendages Matrim had to use were his arms, and Ryuu's neck nor face could be hit in this position. "I have to know." Ryuu blinked when he heard this, know, know what?

"What? What do you have to know?"

[Matrim Gallagher]

"What? What do you have to know?"

"What do you need my Qi for anyways?"

"You're the closest thing I got, and I hope you're able to do this, even if it's just for one punch. I need you to cover your hand in fire, not a lot of fire, just a little, and I need you to punch me."

Matrim remained still and concentrated his energy inside of him. He wanted his shield, he would not fight unless he could go full out. The grip on his fists tightened, and he stayed still, looking down at his opponent. He didn't leave the spot, he let him hold his leg, "I have to know......... I have to know who's stronger......"

"Show me what you got." Matrim said, his blue hair was gelled up and he was ready to recruit for his gang.

"With pleasure."

"You have to get to Alex's strength, the strength he was at before......" He tightened the grip on his hands even more, remaining still, he wanted to fight, but he felt as though he should say this next part before the fight continued, "Before he died."

(OOC: Posts remaining in the same spot 1/1)

[Ryuu]

Despite the fact Ryuu had Matrim in a vice-grip, instead of trying to break out of it like most would, Matrim just stood still, not moving, like he was focusing on something, but what, Ryuu had no idea. He saw the grip on his fists tighten, as he stayed still, continuing to look down at him, as Ryuu stared back at him in confusion, why didn't he try to break out? He was just standing there, in the exact same spot, letting Ryuu maintain the vice-grip on his leg. "I have to know......... I have to know who's stronger......" "What?" Ryuu said, now extremely confused, who was stronger? Wasn't the answer obvious? Ryuu was strong, but not as strong as Matrim. Ryuu may not look like Kazuya, but his personality was exactly like Kazuya's, after all, when they had visited each other, Ryuu had spent more time with Alex, sparring with him, since they were the same age, while his sister, Kyoko, spent more time with Kyoko, drawing and all that, since they were the same age as well.

"You have to get to Alex's strength, the strength he was at before......"

Before he what? Ryuu saw the grip on Matrim's fist tighten even more, continuing to stay still, as Ryuu stared at Matrim, a puzzled look on his face. "Before he died." That one single sentence, struck Ryuu in the chest like a sledgehammer. He froze, just standing there, before he released the grip on Matrim's leg, and backed off a bit, a look of shock on his face, as he stared at the sand. "K...Kazuya's dead?" Ryuu finally managed to say, as he stared at Matrim. "He died? When? Tell me!" Ryuu then rushed back at Matrim, and took a hold of his shirt, gripping in his hands. "How did he die? Why did he die!?" Ryuu couldn't believe it, his cousin was dead. Now he understood why Matrim looked at him so many times, he was trying to find a hint of Alex in him. But no matter how times you looked, he looked nothing like Alex. "I'm not Alex," Ryuu finally managed to say, as his grip loosened on Matrim's shirt, "I'm only related to Alex through the name Hikari. We share no bloodlines, because my father, is Kane Hikari's oldest step brother."

Ryuu released Matrim's shirt, and stepped back. "I will never be Alex, no matter how much you want me to be. I am myself, I am Ryuu Kazuya Hikari, the cousin of Alex Hikari. But I won't let him fade away. I will keep memories of him alive." Ryuu went back into his stance, and stared straight at Matrim. "The flame of Alex Hikari, will never burn out."

[Matrim Gallagher]

"The flame of Alex Hikari, will never burn out."

Matrim's hands ignited with flames. And when he saw it he laughed, bringing his fists up he got ready to attack. The flames didn't burn him, they were his own. It was much like what he had asked Alex to do that day. Matrim didn't know how a Qi could change, but he knew Qi when he used it. Somehow his shield left him, and somehow what he was left with resembled Alex's flame technique. Only difference was, when Alex used flames, they were fireballs, and pillars of flame.

"You can say that again," Matrim said. This kid understood Matrim, he knew when to break the fight and when it would start. The death of Alex didn't change what they were doing, "I'll tell you when we're done."

He went again, this time he was focusing on boxing. The best part of this was even if the kid blocked, the flames covering his hands would be able to burn him still. And Matrim was faster and stronger then this kid. So he threw a right jab towards the chest, after hitting something he would pull back on the punch bringing that right fist, and throw a left hook towards Ryuu's right cheek. If both attacks succeeded he would bring both hands together at the insides of the wrists, open his hands up with his fingers slightly curved, and he'd throw them both towards Ryuu's stomach as if he was shooting a fireball without the flames actually leaving his body.

I guess this would explain my Qi..... so what about Leon and Reira? Oh well.... they'll find out in their own time I guess....

(OOC: Qi info
Charisma: 35 [-5 Cha for ignition]
Posts of continuous use: 1)

[Ryuu]

Ryuu watched rather calmly, as Matrim's hands ignited with flames and laughed when he saw it, Ryuu smiled slightly, Matrim was using the same Qi Kazuya was able to use, fire. Only difference was, Kazuya had been able to make fireballs and flame pillars. "You can say that again. I'll tell you when we're done." "Fair enough." Ryuu replied, despite finding out about Kazuya's death, it still didn't change anything that they were doing. Ryuu saw Matrim charge at him once more, throwing a right jab aimed at Ryuu's chest, Ryuu couldn't react in time, partly because Matrim was much faster than him, so Ryuu took the blow, as the flames surrounding Matrim's fist collided with his chest, as Ryuu's shirt caught on fire and singed a bit. Matrim then pulled his fist back, and throw a left hook towards Ryuu's right cheek, but Ryuu timed his head movement with the punch, and felt the flames graze his cheek, burning it slightly.

He then saw Matrim bring both his hands together, both touching by the insides of his wrists, open his hands up with the fingers slightly curved, and threw the both at Ryuu's stomach, like he was firing a fireball, except the flames didn't leave his hands. As soon as Matrim got close enough, Ryuu dodged the attack, barely though, as the flames grazed his side, catching the side of his shirt on fire, as Ryuu moved away a bit and quickly pulled his jacket and shirt off and threw it down on the ground, stomping out the fire. He then pulled his jacket back on, and looked down at his chest and side, slightly red from the fire, and then at his shirt on the ground. "That was my favorite shirt," Ryuu said, as he looked at Matrim, "I guess you brought the heat to this fight." He then looked interestingly at his chest, before back at Matrim. "You can use flames just like Alex could. I saw his Qi before, he showed it to me before."

Although the pain from the burns were hurting Ryuu, he fought through the pain, and went back into his stance. "You bring the heat, I'll bring the fire. Show me what you got Matrim."

[Matrim Gallagher]

"Enough talking!" Matrim would say. He wouldn't have let Ryuu get a chance to take a nice little break and chat, he would be on the move, this time with something a little more original. He would probably catch him off guard, he would pull his right fist back as if to punch, but instead his left foot would shoot straight up so that if it connected it'd most likely hit Ryuu's chin and send him in the air a bit. Matrim would kick off his left foot, launch into the air, and then bring that right fist down hard on Ryuu to send him crashing towards the ground.

With any luck Ryuu would have anticipated the punch in the beginning of the attack, and with Matrim's hands on fire, he didn't expect Ryuu to see a kick like that coming. Matrim's face would be filled with apathy as he fought, mostly because he was busy thinking, planning his attacks which was something he hadn't done very often.

Let's see how much you can really take......

OOC: Qi Info
Constitution: 38 [-2 every other post]
Charisma: 35 [-5 Cha for ignition]
Posts of continuous use: 2)

[Ryuu]

"Enough talking!" Ryuu calmly watched Matrim, unfazed by the hard edge in his voice, Matrim was on the move once again, as Ryuu prepared himself for Matrim's strike. He saw Matrim pull his right fist as if to punch Ryuu, as Ryuu brought his hands up in front of him, concentrating not just on his fist, but also his lower body. Not all strikes were meant to strike, but meant to be used as a feint, something Ryuu had picked up from sparring with Kazuya. And it was a good thing Ryuu had kept an eye on Matrim's lower body, for he saw his left foot shoot straight up, his attack was so fast, that Ryuu didn't have very much time to dodge it or counterattack it, all he could do, was let the blow connect. Matrim's foot hit Ryuu solidly on his chin, sending Ryuu into the air slightly. He's strong... Heh, so this is who your friends are Kazu? Ryuu then felt Matrim's right fist come crashing down hard on him, the flames sending pain coursing through his body, as he was sent crashing into the ground.

"Uhhh..." Ryuu would grunt softly out more than anything, as his body crashed against the sand. He felt a headache starting to appear, but he wasn't out just yet. The spot where Matrim's fist had connected hurt, and it was red too, but all the same, Ryuu fought through the pain, and struggled to get up, managing to get up on one knee, breathing hard, his eyes hidden by his hair. He then struggled to get up, fighting through the waves of pain, but he got back up on his feet, a bead of sweat running down his face, his eyes still hidden by his hair, as he chuckled softly. Get as strong as Alex huh? Then bring it. Ryuu brought his hands up in front of him, the burns on his chest and side red and painful, but they would heal. But a hospital visit might be in order after this fight was over. What Matrim didn't know was, Ryuu's eyes were starting to cloud over, but Ryuu fought against the darkness that threatened to swarm his vision.

The memory of his cousin spurred Ryuu to continue fighting, to get just as strong as Kazuya had been. Ryuu was going to fight until he could no longer fight anymore.