Disclaimer: I am not the creator of the Characters in the story. Capcom Intertainment is the creator.

Chapter 10

Dhalsim led the group back to his village to expain how he knew they were coming. Reaching the village the 5 got stares from the whole village for being strangers. A young girl about thirteen with black hair, brown eyes, wearing a red robewalk up to Dhalsim and offered him a loaf of bread. Dhalsim took the bread then walk up to the top of a large temple and sat down. "I suppose you want answers?" he asked.

"Yeah answers would be nice." Ken said.

Dhalsim smiled, "Have a seat. and I will tell you." Dhalsim passed the bread to every one and began. "You are here to stop Shadow Geist from being released."

"How did you know?" Hokuto asked.

"Since I was ten I was shown an artifact and that was when I learned of Shadow Geist and his evil. I was told that it was my job to protect the artifact so that he may never be released. I was put through much training to master our stlye of fighting, meditaion of Hado in healing, and to forsee events. Your coming was told for sometime as was the coming of your enemies."

"When will they be here?" Ryu asked determindly.

"That I don't know."

"Why not? you knew when and where we would be coming!" Ken said angerily.

"Shadow Geist and I are in a battle in mind. I can not see his minions clearly and all he knows is that I have the artifact."

"Can we see it?" Ryu asked

Dhalsim nodded and led inside the temple. Waring the five to follow his exact steps so they don't set off any traps. After making their way through the temple they saw a torch lit room. In the center was a stone pole with the artifact. The artifact was a flat gold square with the imprint of a skull, and a small pole attached to it. "This is the final key to unlocking that monster. The first four peices from what I've been told are triangular with a corner cut in out making a fourth of a circle. by putting the triangles together you get a square with a hole in the center. By placing this piece in the center the key will be complete and Shadow Geist will be freed able to cause terror on the world once again. I need you to help me protect this key from falling into the hands of his followers."

"Well thats why were here. We'll do what we can when they arrive." Guile said boldly the rest nodding in agreement.

Dhalsim smiled,"You are all very brave for taking this task. I thank you."

Later that night a small feist in the fives honor as Dhalsims special guests. The fiest consisted of bread, fruits and vegtables. There was dancing from some of the women villiagers and a story from Dhalsim about a historic warrior. While telling the story Dhalsim used magic to bring it to life. After the feist Dhalsim showed his guests to a hut that they would be staying in.

Before resting Ken and Sakura trained a bit for the upcoming fight. Ken was proud of how far Sakura has gotten in the past two years. Ken remembers the day she started tagging along with him. He was in her town for a tournament which he won easily and moved on. Outside the town Ken saw three men harrasing a young woman about the age of fifteen. Ken moved in quickly knocking the three out and asked if she was alright. The young woman didn't seem interested in what happened but in who saved her. She answered that she was here because of him. She stated she ran from home to ask to be taught martial arts. Ken was weary at first but had been lonesome on his travels. Plus she did seem serious about her offer so he accepted. Now two years later Sakura was becoming a powerful warrior, perhaps better than himself someday.

However Ken wonder if Sakura ever wanted to go home. He brought up the subject before and she always dismissed it as if she was afraid of it. Sakura had left a note stating what she was going to do so Ken figured that she was afraid to face her parents after all this time. Now Ken felt it was time for her to see her family and this time he would push the subject. "Sakura I've been thinking about something lately."

"Whats that?" She asked curiously.

"Do you ever think of home?"

"We don't need to discuss this." Sakura replied smuggly.

"Yes we do. Your family needs to see that your alright. We can continue are travels together but after you see your family. I know your afraidto face them but I know your family loves you and miss you."

Sakura sighed. She knew Ken was right she did miss her parents and she knew they missed her, but she was afraid they would not accept her. She had changed over the past two years, she was no longer the coky careless kid she used to be. The question that ran threw her mind was would her parents know and accept that she had changed. Taking a deep breath she realized that she would never know unless she saw them. "Your right." Sakura finally said. "After we stop Shadow Geist well go see my parents."

Ken smiled, "You made a smart decision."