Disclaimer: See previous chapters.

Chap. 4

"Hey. You're just in time. Come in."

Sakura nodded to Chun-Li and stepped inside her house. She slipped her shoes off and followed Chun-Li into the living room.

"You're here alone?"

"Well Mikoto is on her way back now and should be here any minute."

"Oh, a girls night huh? Sounds like fun."

Chun-Li disappeared into the kitchen and Sakura sat down. While she waited for Chun-Li, she gazed around the house. Her eyes fell upon a photograph by the lamp. On it was Ryu, Chun-Li, Mikoto and Shinji, all grouped together. A family picture, she mused. At that moment she heard the door unlock and open. Looking up, she saw Mikoto walk in.

"Sakura!"

"Hey Miki." She stood up and the two girls embraced each other in a tight hug.

"What bring you over?"

Your mom invited me over for dinner." The two of them sat down at the table. "So how are you? I haven't seen you much since you became a nurse."

Mikoto gave a fake frown, "I'm a doctor. Stop teasing me."

Sakura giggled, "Hey, can I help it if it's so easy with you? Besides, I haven't done that in a while."

Chun-Li then came in, holding two plates of food. She placed then down and gave her daughter a short kiss.

"Hard day at work?"

Mikoto shook her head, "No, not really. One guy did come in with a broken rib and a black eye, but nothing serious."

"Sounds like he was in a fight." Sakura mentioned.

Mikoto nodded, "He recently entered a street fighting competition in the area. Apparently, he lost."

Sakura shrugged, "Oh well, you win some, you lose some."

Chun-Li came back into the room with her own plate and sat down, "Broken ribs. Reminds me of the time when I first met Cammy. At the time, she was brainwashed by Bison, so she tried to kill me. She kicked me straight in the ribs. I was sore for months."

"No way. She did?" Mikoto asked. After she was born, Cammy was made her godmother. She was close to Mikoto and she found it hard to believe that Cammy is a fierce fighter.

"Yeah. I don't think I've ever been in a fight where a person could match me at...well everything. She was as fast and as strong as I was." She sat back in the chair, "I find it still amazing that I beat her."

"Then what?" Mikoto inquired.

Chun-Li answered, "Bison called her back. I didn't she her until a year and a half later when she was a part of that M-16 unit, Delta Red. She was freed from Bison's control and actually helped us in finding him."

"And that's when you met father?"

"No, it was a little before that. When I was just looking for Bison for revenge and Sakura was chasing him all over the world."

Sakura frowned. "I did not. It was only half of the world."

"Oh, so that's supposed to make it better?" Chun-Li countered.

Sakura smiled, "Hey, I got what I wanted, didn't I? That just goes to show that if you set your mind to it, you can accomplish anything."

It was at that moment that the doorbell rang. Chun-Li stood up to get it, but Sakura motioned that she would. When she opened the door, a familiar face surprised her.

"Sean?"

The dark skinned man was equally surprised, "Sakura? What are you doing here?"

"I was invited over. What are you doing here?"

Sean scratched his head, "Me? Oh, I was just in the neighborhood and I thought I'd stop by and say hi."

"Who is that, Sakura?" Chun-Li had called out.

Sakura called back, "It's Sean. He's paying us a visit."

Chun-Li came to the door and greeted the young man, "Hello Sean. It's been awhile."

"Hi Chun-Li. May I come in?"

"Oh, of course. Just leave your shoes by the door."

"Sure. Thank you."

Sean stepped inside and slid his shoes off. Once done, he came into the dining room.

Chun-Li motioned to the chair, "Just sit down. I'll fix you something to eat."

Sean's eyes lit up, "Really? Thanks." He then turned his attention to Mikoto

"Hey Mikoto."

"Hey Sean. How are you?"

"I'm good. I was just coming from the airport and I thought I'd stop by."

Sakura jumped in. "I heard about your 4th win of the US title. Congratulations."

Sean looked down at the table and gave a weak 'thanks.' Sakura noticed this.

"What is it? Didn't you want to win?"

"Oh no, I did. It's just that, well lately there haven't been any real challenges. A few strong ones here and there, but the overall competition has been a bit low."

Mikoto took a bite of her meal, "Well, I guess when you're trained by the great Ken Masters, you're bound to be at the top and stay there."

"Perhaps, but even when Ken was fighting, the stacks were always high. No it just seems like every fighter has disappeared and replaced with rookies."

Chun-Li place the plate before Sean and sat back to her own meal, "Well, that's bound to happen. A new generation is coming up and they have to fight in order to find their purpose. In time, they will become stronger than us. That's how it always is."

Sean shrugged, "Not with Ken. Surely not with Ryu."

Chun-Li countered, "Well, they are special cases. Especially Ryu. He was born a warrior and he's a warrior still. But a time will come when one will surpass him."

"You mean Shinji?"

"That would be a goal of his training. Of course, Mel could do it as well, but I believe he would rather try to surpass his father instead."

"Naturally."

The three of them stayed quiet for awhile and Sean suddenly appeared to seem nervous.

"Can I ask you guys something?"

"What is it?"

"Well, I don't know how to say this. But I was wondering...well, you're married Chun-Li. And Kairi proposed to you once, Sakura."

Sakura grumbled, "Don't remind me."

Sean began to stammer, "I was just wondering...well, maybe...how to...when to...you know."

The girls all exchanged glances.

"What is it, Sean?"

"How do you think...a guy should...propose?"

Sakura's eyes widened, "Oh my god. Is this about Elena?"

Sean slowly nodded and Sakura jumped up, "Alright! That's so sweet. You're going to ask her when she comes back? Oh that's sooo romantic."

"Well...I don't know."

Sakura suddenly stopped and stared at him. Mikoto took over, "What do you mean?"

"Well, I tried proposing to her twice, but each time I froze up. She's going to be returning here in about a week and I don't know what to do. I would have asked Ken, but every time I go to meet him, he's not around."

Sakura shook her head, "That's okay. You don't need his help. Not with us around."

"He doesn't need our help."

The response came from Chun-Li. Both Sakura and Sean turned to her

"He doesn't?"

"I don't?"

Chun-Li nodded, "Sean. Just tell her how you feel. You have to get it out and open. Trust me, you'll feel a whole lot better when you say it and see the look on her face.

"Are...you sure?"

"Well," she began thoughtfully, "I can't speak from a man's perspective, but I believe the sooner the better. Practice saying it. It may not help much, but at least give it some effort."

"I'll try. Thank you." Sean then began to eat the food and he smiled, "Wow, this is great."

Chun-Li smiled, "Thanks. Wow, you sounded almost like Ryu then."

"Really? Speaking of which, where is he?"

"Ah, you know him. He disappears and reappears at will. But don't worry. He's probably watching the two boys to make sure they don't get in any trouble."

Mikoto giggled, "Yeah. Knowing Mel, there will be trouble."

"Like father, like son."

_______

Deserted area, unknown.

Two shadowy figures appear in a field. The wind whipped around them as they faced each other. Then with sudden battle cries, they leapt into the air and kicked each other. Their blows connected, but they continued onward and landed noiselessly on the ground. They then turned and faced each other again.

"You've gotten better."

"So have you. Major improvement."

Then ran at each other and attacked again, each of them striking out and blocking or deflecting their opponents' attacks. After a long exchange, they backed away from each other again.

"So how is he?"

"Good. I was watching his latest fight. He's improved greatly. It will only be a matter of time before he's ready."

"That's good to know."

One of the figures charged and the second one jumped back. A surge of energy formed and flared out. The first shadow dodged to the side and summoned his own energy. The second one let it come and he deflected the energy. They then stood still again.

"What about our two wanderers? How are they?"

"They're safe. Actually they did well in their first bout."

"First bout already?"

"Yeah, Thailand. They fought in a local competition and advanced."

"Oh come on. You're holding back. What happened?"

"Shinji fought against Adon. Before their fight ended, Sagat intervened and tested him."

"And?"

"That's it. The match ended afterward and they left."

"You must be very proud. He faced off his first two real challenges."

"Yes, I am. I just hope their journey isn't as dangerous as ours."

"It will be. But they'll survive it. They're strong."

"Yeah, you're right. Although, if Mel is anything like you, they're probably bound to be in trouble."

"Oh that hurt. Now you're the one who's in trouble."

"Come."