Disclaimer: I do not own Street Fighter. If I did, then I probably wouldn't be here.

Chap 6.

"Hey man, half this money is yours."

Money?

If you hadn't come in, I might have lost the fight. Here. Japanese fighters have to stick together, cause we're brothers! Ahahahahaha.

_____________

Later that evening, Ryu, Chun-Li, and Sakura had gathered to the fighting ring. Among them were crowds of people waiting to see the fights. On the sidelines, bets were being placed to see who would be the winner. When they arrive, E. Honda had just finished off his opponent, using the hundred hand slap technique to render his opponent unconscious. The crowds cheered loudly as Honda was declared the winner. He walked out of the ring, wiping his head with a towel when he saw the others.

"Hey, you made it."

Ryu nodded, "Yeah. I see you're well known to the crowd."

Honda laughed, "Of course. These are my fans."

The announcer walked in, "Our next bout will be between two new competitors. The challenger…Ryu!"

A few claps were heard as Ryu entered the ring. Sakura cheered loudly before realizing that no one else seemed to join her. The announcer continued, "And his opponent, the storming white dragon, Yun!"

A teenager rolls in on a skateboard. He jumps high into the air, causing the board to twirl and then landing on the floor. The crowd cheered as he made his entrance and Yun took it all in. Behind him was another young man, slightly older, watched him quietly. Yun put away the skateboard and faced his opponent, "You're Ryu? You don't look so tough."

"Don't underestimate him, Yun."

That came from the silent young man in the corner.

"Remember, he was the one who won the tournament."

"Ha! If I hadn't been slowed down Yang, then I would have won."

The announcer came up, "Are you ready? Fight!"

Yun crouched low in fighting stance and Ryu did the same. The boy crept toward Ryu and let loose a kick. Ryu easily blocked it but it was just a feint and Yun bounced back and leapt high over his head. Ryu turned around just to see the boy roll on the ground and lash his foot upward, catching Ryu in the chin. Ryu fell back a bit and Yun rolled the cap on his head.

"Come on. The audience needs a good show."

On the sidelines, Chun-Li and Sakura watched.

"That boy just doesn't learn."

Sakura turned to her, "You know him?"

Chun-Li nodded, "Yes. His father Lee was in the first World Warrior tournament. He was a close friend of my father. And their grandfather is Gen, one of my teachers."

Sakura smiled, "Is Yun any good?"

Chun-Li nodded again, "He's good alright. But he always wastes time using flashy moves with little force, then waiting for the crowd to get hysterical before using his real strength."

Sakura looked back in the ring, "Oh, really?"

"Yep. That's how he lost in the tournament?"

"To whom?"

"Me."

Sakura looked back at her and saw the small smile on her face. "Then he doesn't stand a chance against Ryu."

In the ring, Yun continued to harass Ryu, using his attacks with low force in an attempt to irritate him. But Ryu remained calm, keeping Yun in front of him. The crowd continued to get edge and Yun decided to get serious. Standing in pose, he summoned a brief surge of energy, causing his body to shimmer. And as he moved, two afterimages moved behind with him.

Chun-Li noted, "He's using the Genei-Jin technique. Now he's being serious."

Yun charged, sending a heavy fist into Ryu. Ryu stepped back, but not far enough as the punch hit him square on, with the afterimages hitting him repeatedly.  Yun then twirled for a kick, but Ryu blocked it and send a driving fist into Yun's ribs. He backed off briefly before coming in for another attack. Ryu staggered back and Yun came in again. Ryu barely blocked the next attack, but managed to grab Yun and flip him over his shoulder. Yun swiftly got up, only to hit with Ryu's Joudan-Geri kick, propelling him out of the ring. Yang covered his face with his hand before going to get his fallen brother.

"The winner, Ryu!"

The crowd cheered as Ryu walked out. Sakura smiled, "Looks like another victory."

"The fight is all."

The rest of the matches went along swiftly. Many fighters were KO'ed easily. The last match of the night was to take place between Ryu and E. Honda. The two bowed to each other.

"Heh, now that the warm-ups are over, let's get started with the main event."

"Let's go then."

E. Honda charged at Ryu with a running palm. Ryu was pushed back by the force and E. Honda managed to sweep under him. Ryu was knocked to the ground, but rolled away just before Honda fell down on him. Ryu jumped up and hit Honda with a knee, then followed up with a roundhouse kick. Honda however, ducked the kick and grabbed Ryu, squeezing him in a bear-hug. Ryu was trapped.

"Oh, no. Ryu."

"Don't worry. He'll be fine."

Ryu strained a bit before head-butting Honda, causing him to drop him and leaving him open to Ryu's famous attack.

"Shoryuken!"

The rising dragon fist caught Honda in the chin and sent him flying back. He nearly fell out of the ring, but managed to hold himself in. The attack had done its job though, as Honda clearly showed signs of fatigue and pain.

"I guess I won't beat you today. I throw in the towel."

The match was over and the announcer declared Ryu the winner. The announcer then came to Ryu with the prize money, but he instead gave it to Honda.

"Here. My thanks for giving me a good fight."

"Hey, thanks Ryu. I knew this would be my day. I'll see you around."

Ryu walked out with Chun-Li and Sakura. Sakura was constantly bringing up the fight as though she had been to a movie. It was still early in the evening, but the trio headed to Ken's mansion. As they approached, they could hear the loud voices of the children inside. The butler opened the door and they went inside. Ken was sitting playing videogames and by the look on his face, he was losing. Mikoto jumped up and cheered.

Ken threw up the controller, "I quit. She's just too good."

Chun-Li giggled a bit, and Ken saw them enter, "Hello. How did the fight go?"

Ryu nodded, "It went well."

Sakura jumped in, "You should have seen it. He caught Honda with the shoryuken and sent him flying out of the ring."

Ryu raised an eyebrow, "It didn't happen like that…"

Sakura jump at him, "You're just being modest. He flew and that's that."

Ryu sighed and let it go. Chun-Li sat down and looked around, "Where's Sean and Mel?"

Eliza came in the room, "Upstairs, practicing on the video game. Apparently, your daughter has given them the motivation to practice harder."

Ken laughed, "If those two trained in martial arts as well as they play games, we might be in trouble Ryu."

Ryu laughed as well, but it was accompanied by a low rumbling noise.

Mikoto was the first to hear it, "Ryu's stomach is talking."

At this, everyone laughed tremendously. After a long while, Ken managed to catch his breath, "I guess we better feed the beast then, eh Ryu?"

Ryu stood, slightly embarrassed, "Hmph."

______

At the dinner table everyone was seated. To their surprise, Ryu didn't gorge on the food as before, even though he was taking in large amounts of food. Everyone chatted and talk, remembering old events and past battles.

"…and then after the fight, Dan tried to convince me to wear a pink gi like him. Can you believe someone can be that arrogant?"

"I can think of one or two people."

"What's that suppose to mean?"

"You are just as arrogant when it comes to fights, Ken."

"Hey, that not arrogance, that's just the truth. I just simply state that no one can beat me."

"Except for Ryu."

"Hey, watch it kid."

"That's right. No one can beat my dad."

"Ryu can. And I'm not a kid."

The night went on like this for a long time. When it became late Sakura and Chun-Li decided to leave. Ken had one of his drivers take both of them to their homes. Sakura went back inside to get Mikoto, who fell asleep earlier. Ryu had agreed to stay another night with Ken, although he couldn't understand why Ken was so adamant about it…

Flashback…Five minutes ago

"I should leave as well."

"So soon. Can't you stay for at least another two days? I hardly get to see you much."

"But…"

"Come on. Two days won't hurt. The warrior path will still be there afterward. Besides, you and I have an old score to settle."

"Hmm. Very well. Two more days."

Present…

Ryu walked outside and found Chun-Li waiting for the car. Ryu found himself frozen in place as he stared at her. The lights outside made her look even more beautiful to him.

"Oh, Ryu. I didn't know you were standing there."

Ryu awoke out of his trance and replied,"Gomen. I didn't mean to startle you."

Chun-Li walked toward him, "Its okay. I was just waiting for the car."

The two stayed quiet for a while. But this time, it wasn't the uncomfortable silence as in the hospital. This was worse. They stood there, examining one another, waiting for something to be said.

"Ryu, I…"

At that moment, Sakura came out of the door, holding Mikoto in her arms, "The car should be coming now."

On cue, the limo rolled around the side and the driver opened the door for them. Chun-Li looked at the car and then back to Ryu.

"Good night, Chun-Li. Good night Sakura."

Chun-Li bit her lip. She was so close to saying it, but it looks like she'll have to wait again. "Good night, Ryu." She took Mikoto in her arms and entered the car, followed by Sakura.

"Good night Ryu." said Sakura.

The limo drove away, leaving Ryu to his thought, "Was she really going to say it? Or did I imagine it? Maybe I should have said it. But I don't know how she'll react. But my path, my goal as a warrior? Will I…if I. Ughhhhh. So many questions." Ryu reentered the estate, unaware of the two pairs of eyes that were watching him.

"Ughhh. So close. Why did Sakura have to come at that time?"

"It's not her fault. They just took too long. It looks like I'm going to have to have a man-to-man talk with Ryu."

"This is so tense. It's like watching a soap opera."

"You said it. Mmm, speaking of which, how about you and me have one of our own?"

"Darling, you took the words right out of my mouth."