"So you're heading back home."

"Yeah, it's time that I returned. Someone is waiting for me."

"Oh, your parents."

"No, a girl."

"A girl?"

"Yep. A very special girl. We've been dating for a long time after the tournament and before I left, she said she'd wait for me."

"Well it's nice to know someone is there waiting for you, I guess."

Don't worry. Someone's got to be out there for you, Ryu."

"I doubt it. What's her name?"

"Eliza."

_____

The next day Ryu was released from the hospital. Ken picked him up and invited him to his house he had in the area. 'House' as in an incredibly big mansion, not like the on he has in the U.S., but big nevertheless. Ryu spend most of the day in meditation when Ken knocked on his door.

"Come in."

"Hey buddy. Feeling better I see."

"Yeah. "

"Listen, I need a favor. Eliza is going shopping and I want you to go with her."

Ryu gave a worried face. The last time this had happened, he wound up carrying several boxes of clothed. Ryu may be strong, but that much weight strained his limits. And it didn't help that Ken managed to disappear in mid-shop.

"Oh, no. I am not going to be fooled again by you."

"Neither is she. That's why I have to go. I figured with the two of us their, the load won't be as heavy."

Ryu considered it for awhile. "Hmm. Well, it seems reasonable. Very well. But if disappear again like last time, you will regret it."

Ken laughed, "Come on. Do you think I'd do something like that again?"

"Yes."

_____

The two made their way downstairs and into the living room. Sean and Mel were playing video games and it looked like Sean was losing.

"Grrrr. Rahhh. No!"

Mel jumped around, "I won again!"

Sean let his head down, "You cheated. This controller is broken or something."

Mel laughed, "You're just a sore loser."

Sean glared, "Oh, yeah. One more round then. And this time, I'm going to win!"

Ken smiled at the two youngsters before opening the door to get the car. Outside, Chun-Li was about to ring the bell.

"Oh. Hello Ken. Is Ryu here?"

"Yeah. He's here. Come in."

Chun-Li walked in, with Mikoto by her side. Chun-Li looked around and saw Ryu watching Sean and Mel playing the video game. Sean yelled in frustration and Mel jumped around in victory again. Ryu turned around to see Chun-Li.

"Hello, Chun-Li."

"Hello, Ryu. Feeling better?"

"Much. It won't be long before I can fight again."

Chun-Li smiled, "You never change, Ryu."

It was at that time Eliza came down the stairs, "All right. You two guy's ready? Oh, hey. Hello Chun-Li."

"Hi Eliza. You look well. Oh, I'm sorry. Were you all going out?"

Eliza smiled, "Yep, the boys and I were about go to the mall. Do you want to come?"

"I don't know. I don't want to impose or anything. And I have to watch Mikoto here."

"WHAT!!!"

The group turned to see Mikoto with Sean and Mel. Mikoto was playing the game and it looks like she beat Mel. Mel was yelling 'no fair' while Sean was laughing hysterically.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! The girl not only beat you, but she got a perfect. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!"

"No fair. I want a rematch."

"Okay. But I'm still going to beat you."

Eliza smiled, "It looks like it's settled then. Mikoto can stay here with them and you can come with us."

"Well, okay. Sure. But I don't have enough to buy too many clothes with."

"Nonsense. I pay for them, no problem."

"Okay."

In the background, Ken and Ryu sighed. They knew Chun-Li was just as avid a shopper as Eliza, so they can look forward to carrying twice as many packages.

"Don't even think about it, Ken." Ryu whispered

Ken replied, "I wouldn't make it far anyway." Taking a deep breath, Ken sighed, "Well, we better get going."

"Hold it."

The two men turned back around to Eliza.

"You're not going like that Ryu."

"Huh?"

"I understand your lifestyle Ryu, but this time you are going to wear some decent clothes."

Ryu was still wearing his karate gi and red headband. He also had slippers on, but he didn't usually use them much.

"Ken, why not let him borrow some of your clothes? They would look good on him."

Ryu turned to Ken with a hopeful expression, but Ken shrugged, "Sorry Ryu, but I can't help you here. Besides, I want to see this."

Ryu sighed again and Eliza grabbed his hand and began to walk him up the stairs, but stopped. "Hmm. Why don't Chun-Li help you out?"

"Huh?" the two said in unison.

"Yeah. Chun-Li knows you a lot better, so she can pick out a good choice. Besides, someone has to watch Ken so that he doesn't make another getaway."

"Aww, come on. I make one mistake and they brand you for life."

"Come on you two. And hurry it up. Sales end at 4:00."

Ryu climbed back up the stairs, followed closely by Chun-Li. When they disappeared…

"Is everything going according to plan?"

"Yep. All the invitations have been sent."

"Good. Now all we need to do is keep Ryu occupied."

"Don't worry. Chun-Li will handle that."

"Speaking of which, you sent her up there with him on purpose, didn't you?"

"Of course. Those two were made for each other, that's obvious. It's just a matter of keeping Ryu in one place, and Chun-Li from taking too long"

"We're ready."

Ryu came down the stairs, dressed in dark blue pants and wearing a white shirt. He also had on a pair of Ken's shoes and the headband stayed around his head.

"Now that's more like it. You look wonderful, Ryu."

Ryu scratched the back of his head, "Uhh, thank you. Chun-Li mostly picked them out."

Eliza smiled, "Really? Then she can help me find more clothes for you."

Chun-Li laughed, "Yeah. That will be a great idea. Let's go!"

The two women jogged out, leaving behind the two men slowly behind them.

"Ken."

"Yeah?"

"Do you think we can still make a run for it?"

"If it was just Eliza, probably. But with Chun Li as well, no way."

"That what I thought."