Author's Note: This is a story about Dee Jay. It may feature other Street Fighters and it will also feature a few made up characters in order to fill in blank spots in the story. Ya know, make seem interesting (or at least try). I tried to place Dee Jay's personality in with the typical Jamaican personality. Even to some of the language may be in Jamaican, but not much as to I know most of you will look at with ??? wondering what the freak did that sentence mean? I didn't use alot of Jamaican language for this reason. It's spread out a little so that you can still get that Jamaican feel. But, ahead of time the word "mi" is used more than others. Especially among my made up character, Robbi, the bartender. "Mi" just stands for me, my or I. Use common sense. It shouldn't be too hard to follow. Also, I put Dee Jay's character in Bison's little team of fighters, for the time being. I don't believe he worked for Bison in the video game. This is just a little added drama to Dee Jay's life that I thought would make it a little more interesting. Other than that, enjoy.

Other need to know definations:
Kill mi dead - no matter what happens
Mi mus reach - I'll get there
Leggo di ends - I'm going to leave now

--------------------------------------------------

Story Title: Rhythmic
Chapter Number: One
Chapter Title: Irie
Author Name: Dev-Ra Alyn
--------------------------------------------------

Loud steel sounds rang through his ears. He felt his body being taken away by the beat. Oh how he loved the rhythm. He felt himself grow tired after a while, but he really didn't care. He had spent the whole night dancing hard to the beats made by his friend and he really didn't feel like stopping now. Kalib set his steel drums down on the stage and walked over towards the bar. Dee Jay froze as he watched his friend pull out a stool and sat down. He walked over to the bar as well and took a seat next to him.

"Ayo, Kalib. You know we don't stop jammin 'til the sun come up. So what the deal?" Dee Jay asked.

"Ain't nothin, ain't nothin. Just had to take a break from playin. My hands is hurtin." Kalib said holding out his hands.

"Aw, mi Brotha. It's just because you hittin the steel with so much energy. You know that rhythm you beat takes you and everyone else's breath away. What'chu do on the steel is amazin."

"Yea, but mi hands got the worst of it. I think I'm gettin the arthritis in my right hand." Kalib extended his hands out again. This time Dee Jay paid more attention and sure enough, his fingers in his right hand looked stiff and a little swollen. "I can't move them from the position. Might have to give up the steels."

Dee Jay shook his head. "No, you can't give them up like that. You the best, man. The best can not lay down his steels because of arthritis. Go to the doctor, have them get you some medicine and fix that problem and you can pick up the steels again."

"No, Dee. I been to my doctors and takin the medication to relieve the pain. It just not gon' go away." Kalib looked up at his friend whose head was still shaking, not accepting the thought of his favorite musician and friend retiring. "Mi gotta put the steels away. Sorry, my Brotha. It's bad on me too."

"You ain't never told me 'bout this."

"I told you now."

Dee Jay turned from Kalib and looked out passed the bar. It overlooked a beautiful landscape of the beach. Looked almost like one of those post cards you pick up at a gift shop. Waves crashing into the sandy shore, the dark starry night and the moons reflection dancing in the waves. It would take a tourists breath away. But it was something that Dee Jay saw everyday. Nothing new about it. It still was beautiful though.

"What about'chu Dee Jay? Obeah is being a bitch to me. How's he treating you?"

"Not bad. Obeah is pretty good to me, yeah. Not that I want to tell my victory story, but I'm doin fare in the Street Fighting Tournement. My moves mi showed you at the back allies did me well in the tournement. But could be betta."

"Good, good my Brotha. That's cool. You got that Air Slasher?"

"Yea, yeah. I finally got that perfect." Dee Jay answered. They both paused for a while. Dee Jay was well in thought about the Street Fighting. The decisions he made... he wasn't quite sure if they were the right ones.

"So I take it you've seen alot of the world now?" Kalib spoke up with a grin.

"Ah, I've seen a bit. China, the States, ... but I didn't get to see Africa."

"Nah."

"Yea, yeah. No challengers." Dee Jay sighed.

"Man, that's disappointin'. No one from the Motherland."

Dee Jay shook his head.

"So you at the top of the tournement now?" Kalib chuckled.

"Not yet. Kill mi dead, though, mi mus reach." Dee Jay said looking back out to the landscape. The sun was coming up now and the red and orange colors were interfering with the nights dark sky. It was beautiful, again, to see the sun rise over the ocean like this.

Kalib pushed his stool back and stood up. "Well, Dee. Mi gon' leggo di ends before I hits the market. Talk to you later."

Dee Jay nodded and waved his friend good bye. He looked over towards the bartender leaning over the top of the table. His long dreadlocks were pulled back in a tie to keep them out of his face while working and it was obvious that he desparately needed to shave for his chin was getting a little stubbley. But his smile was friendly and remained that way almost all the time. His attention was focused on the beautiful mountains in the distance, facing Dee Jay's back. Blue and majestic looking.

"Busy night, ey Robbi." Dee Jay chuckled with a grin, noticing that he was his only customer at the time.

Robbi laughed a bit as he focused his attention off the mountains and moved closer to him. "Could be busier. What can mi get'chu?"

"Ah, you know what I always get." Dee Jay said with a smile, adjusting a bit in his seat.

"Yea. Just thought may-be you wanted to try something NEW for a change. So what be some trouble on you shoulders." He said placing Dee Jays usual rum on the table top.

"You can tell that, huh?"

"Like a fish out of water, Dee. Now tell me, mi all ears."

"Kalib be gettin the arthritis in the right hand. He won't be able to hit the steels no more." Robbi nodded as Dee Jay continued. "You know, he the best steel drum musician in the world! So it be kind of upsetting that Obeah is taking away his singular gift."

"Sounds like your grand-daddy gettin a hold of Kalib." Robbi chuckled a bit trying to make light of the conversation.

"Yea." Dee Jay said under his breath. "But if Obeah do that to him, I shutter to think what Obeah will do to me."

"Irie, man. Irie."

"Hmm. May-be." Dee Jay glanced behind him. Jamaica was fully lit now in an azure colored sky signifying a beautiful day and of course, the gorgeous mountains that Robbi had been admiring earlier.

"Mi know there's something else bothering you, but until you tell me, my only advice to you is don't dwell on the past. I have a feeling you've been carrying somethin' on your shoulders for sometime, or at least since you got back from your travels. It seem to be bothering you now this happening to Kalib. Keep your head up, man. Learn from it and move on."

Dee Jay looked back at Robbi who was grabbing a bag from under the bar.

"Mi about to head on." Robbi said as Dee Jay paid for his drink.

Robbi walked around to the openning of the bar and started to walk away. A beautiful landscape of tropical flowers lined the walkway and beautiful birds swooped by.

"Ey, man. That be good advice." Dee Jay whispered.

Robbi turned towards Dee Jay whose back was facing him. He nodded and walked on. Leaving Dee Jay with his thoughts.