Chapter 15:

The next morning, Chun Li woke up to the sound of Ken and Ryu talking in the hall. She got out of bed and quietly went to the restroom. She tried to listen to the conversation between the two, but she couldn't make it out. It almost sounds like they're arguing, I'd better try and get closer.

"What else was I supposed to do, Ryu? You left her!?" Ken argued.

"I had to. I have to do what needs to be done. I must kill Akuma."

"She has no one here. I manned up and was there for her which is more than I can say for you,"

Angered, Ryu punched Ken. He fell back into a table and knocked all its contents over. Chun Li came out to see the commotion.

Seeing the table knocked over, she quickly went over to it and picked up the picture of her dad and her.

"That's enough, you two," Chun Li demanded. "What is going on?"

Standing up and brushing himself off, Ken said, "I told Ryu that I've offered to move here, or you can come back with me to America."

"And I was telling my so-called best friend that it didn't take him long until I was gone for him to swoop in and make his move on you," Ryu said.

"You're ridiculous, Ryu. Ken has been nothing but helpful to me. He's been here for me since you left, which let me remind you, you gave me no choice in the matter, and I…," Chun Li began to tear up, "I am dealing with enough already. I don't need you two giving me more to think about,"

Ryu walked over to Chun Li and hugged her, "I'm sorry. I'm so angry at myself I wasn't here."

"I ask both of you, please, don't make things harder than they are," Chun Li turned to Ken, "Ken, I appreciate all the help you've given me. I really would not have been able to do this without you. And Ryu, thank you for coming all the way back here but now I need I need time to think and you two aren't helping. I appreciate you both but please leave. No questions, just go."

"But Chun Li," Ryu said but Chun Li cut him off.

"Just go!"

Ken and Ryu left back to the penthouse. As much as she didn't want to be alone, the two fighters were distracting her. 15 minutes later the doorbell rang. What did they forget, she thought.

Chun Li opened the door to find Fei Long standing there with flowers.

"I'm so sorry, I forgot I told you to come over today," Chun Li said.

"Don't worry about it. Here, I brought you these," Fei Long handed Chun Li the beautiful bouquet of flowers.

"Thank you. Come in."

"I'm surprised your henchman Ken isn't here. He seems to follow you around everywhere,"

"He was but I had him leave with Ryu,"

"Ryu? I thought he left for Japan? Ken must have gotten through to him."

Chun Li and Fei Long talked for a while longer. He asked her about her future plans, but she wasn't ready to discuss it. After Fei Long left, Chun Li decided to go out into the garden. She thought about her dream with her father. Don't give up my goals and dreams. He wants me to still become a cop but how could I? Chun Li walked around the garden and sat in her favorite spot by the pond. She recalled when her father and her used to play in the garden when she was little. She remembered a game they used to play with hiding notes in random places around the yard. Chun Li pretended she was playing the game again. She reached under the bench she was on and began feeling around. She felt something, a letter attached to the bottom of the bench. She pulled it up and saw it was a letter from her father. She opened it and began to read. To my little princess…if you're reading this, then the job must have gone wrong. I'm sorry, princess. I'm sorry I won't be there to see your future endeavors and milestones but I am so happy that I got to see you get this far in your life. It seems like yesterday Gen and I were teaching you your first kicks and punches, and now you have grown into a beautiful and talented young woman. You have made me so proud. I will miss our movie nights, your dinners, vacations, and our father-daughter days. I know you may feel lost but don't fret, princess, you will make the right choices and decisions in your life, you have a good head on your shoulders, you were always my voice of reason, just like your mother. Don't give up on your goals, continue training and fighting, and be the best you can be. Keep your fighting spirit alive, you have so much potential. I love you, Chun Li and I will always be by your side watching over you and protecting you. Remember, don't let your emotions get the best of you and keep your head up. Love always, dad. Tears welled up in Chun Li's eyes. She was sad yet happy. The letter gave her a spark, she was determined more than ever to continue making her father proud. After careful thought, Chun Li knew what she had to do. She called Fei Long, Ryu, and Ken and asked them to meet her for dinner.

At dinner later that evening, Chun Li met with her three fighting companions. They were waiting for her at the table.

"Thank you all for coming," Chun Li said as she sat down at the table, "I asked you all here tonight because I've come to a decision. I thought very carefully about this and I think this is what's best for me.

"Your future plans?" Ryu asked.

Chun Li nodded, "Yes. I've decided to become a cop and work for Interpol. Shadowlaw has become too big and too powerful and I want to be the one to take them down. I want Bison's head. He will pay for what he did to my father. I will not rest until I kill him and bring down his entire empire of wickedness."

Ken, Ryu, and Fei Long looked at each other. They saw a change in Chun Li, she seemed determined and full of anger. They worried for her but knew that once she had her mind set on a goal, she wouldn't stop until she reached it.

"Then you'll stay here?" Ken asked.

"Yes, I'm going to continue the internship I have and I'm going to prove to them what a valuable asset I am. I am very grateful of your offer Ken, but my life is here and I must honor my father," Chun Li replied.

"And what of the dojo?" Fei Long asked.

"Will you help me run it? I know it's asking a lot and you have your movies to film, but I know my father would want me to continue to keep it open." Chun Li said.

"It would be my honor to sifu. I will help in any way you need."

"I still stand firm, Chun Li. If you need any kind of help, the Masters foundation will always be there to lend a hand." Ken said.

"Thank you, both of you," Chun Li said to Fei Long and Ken.

Chun Li, Ken, Ryu, and Fei Long spent the rest of the evening together. It was so warming for Chun Li to have all her closest confidants with her. For the first time since her father died, she didn't feel alone.

As it got later in the night, Fei Long went home, Ken went back to the penthouse, and Ryu and Chun Li went back to her house.

"Thank you for coming back with me, Ryu," Chun Li said

"I am happy to be here for you," Ryu replied.

"I am sorry I got so upset with you before you left,"

"Don't be sorry, I shouldn't have let you walk away. When it comes to relationships, I'm not the best at it, all I really know is fighting,"

"Even though you weren't gone long, I feel as though I have a better understanding of you now,"

"How's that?" Ryu asked.

"You seek to become a better fighter so that one day you'll get revenge for your sensei…well, now I seek the same thing. I don't want to stop until I bring down Shadowlaw and Bison,"

"Then we must go our separate ways again?"

"Yes. You were right. Our timing is off," Chun Li agreed. "Until I get all the insurance paperwork and settlements finished, will you stay with me?"

"There is nothing that could keep me away from you right now," Ryu leaned in and kissed Chun Li. She cried tears of happiness.

Later, Chun Li and Ryu changed and got into their pajamas. They got ready for bed but neither was sleepy.

"Want to watch a movie with me?" Chun Li asked.

"Sure," Ryu said. He knew Chun Li's and his time was limited so he wanted to spend as much time with her as possible.

Chun Li put on a movie and they sat together on the couch enjoying each other's company. She felt safe with Ryu and glad he was back with her. Ryu missed Chun Li's touch. He loved looking into her eyes and connecting with her. They both felt secure next to each other on the couch. For a brief moment, Chun Li's and Ryu's troubles went away. They both fell asleep watching the movie.

Chun Li woke to see Ryu asleep with his head tilted back on the couch. She stared at him. She thought how Ryu was so handsome. Wanting to go to bed, Chun Li turned off the TV and woke up Ryu.

"Hey, let's go to bed," Chun Li said and grabbed Ryu's hand. He got up and followed her to her room.

"I can go to the guest room," Ryu said.

"Don't be silly, I want you with me."

They got into bed. Chun Li put her head next to Ryu's and looked at him eye to eye. Ryu put his hand on Chun Li's face and kissed her goodnight. They both fell fast asleep.