Look around and tell me what you see, a place
Surrounded by the hate that hides in the
Shadows inside of you, inside of me, what can we
Ever hope to see if we're not looking don't you
Want to find your own way home again just leave
Your hate behind

When will you learn to just be you, find your
Own way
When will you learn to follow through, make
Your own way

Looking for something to believe, i find the
Answer starts with me each time i follow inside
Of you, inside of me, what can we ever hope to be
If we're not trying don't you want to find your
Own way home again, just leave your hate behind

Find another way to get inside me
Find yourself
Don't you want to find your own way home again
Just leave your hate behind.

12 Stones- "Shadows"

--

Sweat poured down Julian's face in rivets, stinging his eyes as it flowed into them. He wanted so bad to squeeze his eyes shut, to stop running from this unseen enemy and rub the sweat from them so he could see clearly. He couldn't be blind, especially when so much was on the line, but he also couldn't stop running. He had to use his brain, his logic. His emotions would get him nowhere. He had to see exactly what was going on. All his emotions had ever brought him was pain. His eyes were in pain, but he had to keep running, that much he knew for sure. His lungs burned with each breath he took and the road before became blurrier with each step. Finally with much conscious effort, he gave in, he shut his eyes and ran in darkness his breaths and steady steps his only companion. He was trusting that he'd end up somewhere safe, trusting that his emotions could lead his life.

Suddenly the overwhelming urge to run ceased and Julian stopped. He opened his eyes to take in his surroundings. He was in what looked like an old stone cemetery vault. It had rows of drawers containing what he figured to be human remains. There were several rows of pews centered in the open area of the vault. This is where he saw the little boy, crying. The boy stared forward, tears running down his face, but he looked calm, serene even. Julian spoke to him.

"What's wrong?"

The boy shook his head and spoke, sniffling.

"You wanna play with me?"

Julian nodded and before he knew it the boy jumped up from the pew. He hit Julian and the shoulder as he shouted.

"You're it!"

As he ran to find a hiding place within the vault Julian laughed to himself before counting to ten and searching for the boy. He could hear the boy trying to stifle his giggles from under the pew nearest to him. Julian pretended not to be able to find him and went on a fake search for the boy. After a short while, Julian came to his knees by the pew the boy was under. He leaned his head over, ready to scare the boy. He yelled.

"Gotcha!"

The boy jumped his face full of excitement as he squealed in delight. He reached forward and grabbed the sides of Julian's face, kissing him in an act of pure love. After the light peck kiss Julian looked at the boy's face only to find the image of Christ staring back at him.

Julian snapped awake in one swift movement. His breaths were coming in quick, short pants and the bed sheets were crumpled around him in a sweaty heap. Anna stirred beside him as she moved her hand up his bare thigh. He quickly slapped it away as he yelled.

"Stop!"

She opened her eyes at his harsh command and sat up, her face showing tired concern. Julian only stared forward trying to make sense of his dream, and even more so trying to figure out just what day or time it was. Anna placed her hands on his chest and pulled herself so she was able to straddle his lap before she spoke.

"Baby, don't be worried. You said yourself last night that it's been a while since you dropped acid. You're just getting readjusted. It's just night sweats."

Julian nodded but that was the only part of his body that moved. Anna began kissing on his neck, licking a line down his collarbone to his chest, where she placed more kisses. That had to be it. It was just his mind acting funny. Hell, he'd had strange dreams a lot of times, especially after taking LSD. Anna began moving her body above Julian's, insinuating what she wanted from him. Julian moaned and moved with her for a moment as he kissed her full on the mouth. The tangled sheets impeded any real contact, the contact which his body stirred for. Then he stopped as if a bucket of cold water had been poured on him. Anna was still reaching and pawing for him as he lifted her body off of his and rose from the bed. She spoke.

"What's wrong?"

He spoke to her as he picked his previously discarded clothes up from the floor and began dressing.

"I've got a lot to do today, a lot to do for the next few months now. I don't have time to deal with any distractions."

He ran his hand through his short cut hair and left Anna's apartment. Her voice followed him.

"Distraction!?! Mother fucker!"

He let the door slam behind him and he smiled to himself, his blue eyes sparkling like a college frat boys. Oh yeah, he was back for real now.

--

Cammy woke to her stomach turning. It was unusual for her to be hungry in the morning but after last night she figured that her body might need some replenishment. She and Cranky made love well into the night, countless times, each time as intense as the other. She rolled over to cuddle Cranky close to her and found him gone. It was then she finally opened her eyes and let reality hit her. She let the smells and sounds register into her mind. Bacon, eggs, biscuits, dishes clanging; Cranky was cooking her the breakfast he'd doted on yesterday. She couldn't hold her smile as she put a robe on and made her way into the kitchen. He was standing over the stove in only boxer shorts as he placed food on two plates. Cammy cleared her throat to get his attention. He turned, picking up the two plates and smiled. There was what looked to be flour on his face and what looked to be a grease burn on his abdomen. Cammy laughed as she spoke.

"That's what you get for cooking without a shirt on."

Feigning innocence, Cranky handed her a plate as her stomach turned again. He spoke.

"This is a real American breakfast; I know you'll love it."

Cammy took the plate. She hadn't ever realized herself to be a breakfast person, but her stomach was growling like she hadn't eaten in days. Suddenly a wave of queasiness hit her and Cammy let the plate crash on the floor as she turned on her heels and ran for the bathroom. Cranky called out to her. She made it just in time to vomit up the small amount of food that was in her stomach. Kneeling on the floor of the bathroom, Cammy heard Cranky come in behind her. He placed a large glass of orange juice on the sink and sat next to her as he spoke.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm so sorry Cranky. You put so much work into that and I ruined it. I guess I really can't handle food in the mornings, no matter how good it is."

"And mine is the best."

Cammy felt herself about to cry, her face probably giving it away because Cranky quickly spoke up.

"It's okay, really. I cook all the time, I like it. Besides, I didn't drop my plate, so I get to eat."

Cranky helped her from the floor and she grabbed her glass of orange juice.

"Thanks Cranky, for this, and last night."

He put his arm around her as they headed towards the kitchen.

"Oh last night was my pleasure."

--

"I don't need to tell you I am weakened, Sagat."

The overly tall Tai man bowed his head and answered M. Bison.

"Yes sir, I understand. But I also know that putting this much of Shadowlaw's activities into sister companies' care cannot be good."

Bison bashed his fist on the arm of his chair as he yelled.

"I have no other choice! The explosion of our base of the American West coast weakened our reserves, and the battles there weakened me!"

Sagat noted that Bison's breaths coming in short gasps and sweating profusely. Maybe something really was wrong with his long time Master. Despite being obviously weakened even more from this confrontation, Bison continued.

"I've now lost two of my Dolls. My personal army is lacking. I need the help."

Sagat bowed his head again, suddenly strangely sorry for the dictator.

"Perhaps another tournament could help restore your power?"

"The time isn't just right for a tournament just yet. Especially after the disaster that was the last one. Before the tournament I must regain something that is rightfully mine."

"Juli?"

"She is expendable; not one of a kind. No, this something is once in a lifetime."

"The Shadow Technology."

Bison nodded as he continued.

"Our former ally Umbrella Cooperation had discovered the boy to be alive. They already failed to commandeer him. We won't suffer such failure. But first, we need the funds. One step at a time, Sagat; one step at a time. For now we wait."

Sagat had mentioned the Shadow Technology it before the facts behind it even re-registered. He well remembered Dr. Feng's only son Kenneth and the hell he was put through at only six years old. The technology was embedded into the boy's body and could only be utilized using the boy; it could not be removed. Bison didn't know of the fact that when Sagat had discovered the boy alive after the battle following the Alpha tournaments he'd left him under the care of Ken Masters. Bison hadn't known Kenneth to be alive at all. Sagat knew the young American was not lacking in funds and had seen the man care for the boy. He was hoping Bison would think it a lost cause, but it seemed he hadn't forgotten about the raw untapped power within Kenneth Feng. The teenager probably didn't realize the danger that was now about to come to him and everyone who he holds close.