Chapter 14: Relaxing & Dining
Everyone decided to get cleaned up. Ken of course had his on personal spa so everyone went there. Ken started to say something, but Ryu told him to be silent.
"We should take this time to rest our minds as well as our bodies Ken," Ryu said. "We should all meditate."
"Right buddy," Ken said.
After several hours of meditating and relaxing, they sat down for dinner. They were all in casual clothing. Ken was wearing a blue polo shirt and khakis. Eliza was in a red dress that showed the top of her cleavage. Chun-li was wearing a purple dress with flowers. Her hair was down. Cammy had on a white t-shirt and blue jeans with her hair in a long ponytail. Ryu put back on the white t-shirt and black jeans Ken had let him borrow.
Ken sat at one end of the table while Eliza sat at the other. Ryu and Chun-li sat down beside each other and Cammy sat across from Ryu. They were pretty quiet while they were eating. They were very focused on what lied ahead. Eliza finally said something.
"So when are you guys leaving?" she asked.
"Well I think we should leave tomorrow," Ryu said.
"Why?" Cammy asked.
"The sooner we get there, the better," Ryu said. "We can get use to our surroundings."
"Well Ryu, you and I are pretty use to Thailand." Ken said.
"Yeah, but things are different this time around," Ryu said.
"I see your point," Ken said. "This tournament in Thailand will be much different from any tournament we had there in the past."
"You've had tournaments there before?" Cammy asked.
"Sure. Ryu and I have been involved in tournaments for years. Every since we were teens," Ken said.
"Ryu how many tournaments have you won?" Chun-li asked.
"I don't know," Ryu said.
"It's been a lot," Ken said. "Ryu would know if he ever stood around for the ceremony."
"The ceremony means nothing to me Ken," Ryu said. "The fight is everything."
"Why?" Cammy asked. "Why is the fight everything?"
"What benefit does a ceremony do?" Ryu asked. "Does it give you strength? Does it expose your weaknesses? Does it prepare you for life? Does it keep you protected? Does it focus your mind? Your body? Spirit?"
"I see your point," Cammy said.
"Yes to me, the fight does that," Ryu said.
"Wow, Ryu. You are so amazing," Chun-li said.
"Oh brother," Ken said under his breath.
"Cut it out Ken," Eliza said as she gave him a stern look.
"I was just teasing, honey," Ken said.
"Sure you were," Eliza said with a smile.
"So you really think we should leave tomorrow?" Chun-li asked.
"Yes," Ryu said.
"Well I guess we better get some rest after dinner," Chun-li said.
"How are we getting there again?" Cammy asked.
"Duh, my private jet," Ken said.
"Oh yeah," Cammy said. "Is Guile coming with us?"
"I don't know. Let me go call him," Ken said as he got up from the table.
"It would make sense for him to come with us. We should all stick together," Chun-li said.
"In that case, we should pick up E. Honda," Ryu said.
"Where is he?" Chun-li asked.
"In Japan," Ryu answered.
"Are you close with E. Honda?" she asked.
"We are good friends," Ryu said. "He has always helped me out when I was in Japan."
"Well a friend of yours is a friend of mine," Chun-li said.
"Mine too," Cammy said.
Ryu looked at Cammy and smiled.
Cammy is really coming along nicely. Chun-li thought. It's a shame what Bison did to her. Too bad she doesn't remember much from her past. Then again maybe it's for the best.
Ken sat back at the table. "Guile is coming with us," he said.
"Is he spending a night here?" Eliza asked.
"No he is staying with his wife and daughter tonight," Ken said.
"That's good for him," Eliza said. "I don't blame him for wanting to spend time with his family."
Ryu, Chun-li, and Cammy were quiet, looking down at their plates. These three didn't really have any family. They were all taken away from them due to terrible circumstances.
"What time are you guys leaving?" Eliza asked.
"Well since we are gonna pick up E. Honda, we better leave early," Chun-li said.
"E. Honda?" Ken said.
"Yeah, Ken. We should pick him up." Ryu said.
"Shouldn't we call him and let him know?" Ken asked.
"E. Honda doesn't have a phone" Ryu said.
"What's up with you Japanese guys?" Ken asked as he shook his head.
"Ken!" Eliza yelled.
"It's ok Eliza," Ryu said. "Ken has been saying that every since we were young."
"It's still rude," Eliza said.
"Do you at least know where he lives?" Ken asked.
"Yeah," Ryu answered. "He stays close to where we fought Bison."
"Will he be home?" Ken asked.
"Sure, he will. I've got a feeling he will be expecting me anyway," Ryu said.
"Well he better be there," Ken said. "Fuel is expensive you know."