Ryu and Juri walked through the town of Tokyo, Japan, taking a break from their daily training routine.
"Ah, it's been a while since I've been in the town. The breather feels very nice." Juri said, enjoying the cool weather.
"Glad to see you're enjoying yourself; like I said, I always keep my promises." Ryu replied. "Aside from that, though, don't you think you should be more hidden? After all, you were working for S.I.N and there's no telling if someone will recognize you on the spot." Ryu warned.
"Oh don't worry, dear, I doubt people will know me on the spot, considering I'm presumed dead along with my family. Besides, who's going to notice with my hair down like this?" Juri assured. She held onto Ryu's arm as the two of them walked through town together. "Let's stop by that clothing shop first." She suggested as she pulled him into the store.
"So, what do you think of this?" Juri asked, showing him some nice feminine clothes. Ryu scratched his head nervously.
"Either one would look fine on you." He answered.
"That wasn't the answer I was expecting." She replied.
"Sorry, I've never been too picky with clothes, so I really can't decide." He said.
"Oh really? You should get out more, and I do mean that literally. Whatever, I'm going to try this on, so wait for me." She said, entering the changing room.
"Let me know if you need anything and I'll be glad to help you out." The store clerk offered.
"What do you think of this?" Juri asked, surprising Ryu with an outfit of tight jeans and a tank top shirt.
"It looks good on you." Ryu answered.
"Still wasn't the reaction I was expecting, so I think I'll try on something else." Juri replied. Ryu rubbed his head, nervous and confused.
"Well, how about this?" Juri asked, presenting Ryu with a Chinese dress.
"I don't think dresses are really your thing, no matter how hard you try." Ryu replied.
"You're right, what was I thinking?" Juri replied, feeling stupid. "Check this out, then." Juri showed Ryu a Korean Taekwondo outfit.
"That looks very good on you." Ryu commented.
"This outfit sure does bring back old memories of the days back in Korea, competing in the national tournament." Juri said. She stared at her outfit for a brief moment of nostalgic remorse.
Ryu placed his hand on Juri's shoulder with empathy. "What do you say we head somewhere else?" He asked. Juri nodded her head in response. "We'll take this outfit." Ryu accepted.
"Please come again." The shop owner said.
"Hey, are you okay?" Ryu asked with concern.
"Huh? Oh, yes, I'm fine. I was just reminiscing about the old days, wondering if things could have been different." Juri replied.
"None of us can fight fate or change the past for the better. We have to accept it and move on, just like defeat." Ryu advised.
"You're pretty wise for someone who's not a master." She complemented with a kind smile, "Thank you, Ryu. I feel a lot better now."
"There's a place around here that serves good Chinese food, we should try that." Ryu offered.
"By all means, lead the way." Juri replied. She grasped Ryu's arm again.
The two entered the restaurant and took a seat at a table. "Could we have fried rice?" Ryu asked.
"Try our new rice, it's our special." Gen offered a plate of fried rice while working part time at the restaurant. "It has been awhile, Ryu." He greeted. He took a look at Juri with suspicion over her appearance.
"Do I have something on my face, old man?" Juri asked.
"No, it's nothing, child." Gen answered, walking away, still intrigued about Juri. That child has a great deal of strength. I should test her as well as Ryu. He thought. "Ryu, you and your friend come with me to the field. I would like to test you to see how your training has progressed." He offered.
"Yes, Master Gen, I will." He accepted.
Ryu and Juri met Gen in the field, ready for battle. "Now then, woman, show me your strength!" He commanded.
"This is going to hurt, old man." She taunted, charging at Gen with a powerful kick, but he easily evaded her blow.
"You have strong kicks, my dear, maybe even stronger than my former apprentice's." Gen complimented. He threw a hard jab at Juri's face, making contact. Juri wiped the bruise off her cheek.
"Not bad, old man, but let's see you dodge this!" Juri barked, launching at Gen once more with a double kick powered by her Feng Shui Engine.
"If I'm not mistaken, you are experienced in Taekwondo?" Gen observed.
"Yeah, what about it?" She asked.
"Like Ryu, you also have very interesting forms." He answered, launching a kick at Juri. "Now then, both of you come at me with your full strength! Show me your skills, don't hold anything back! Fight me as if I was Akuma!" Gen ordered.
Juri and Ryu took their positions, preparing to launch their attacks at Gen.
"Get ready, you get him on one side and I'll get him from the other." Ryu whispered to Juri. The two of them charged at Gen for an assault. Ryu came from the right side with a left hook while Juri came from the left side with a kick.
"Hmph, too obvious!" Gen grumped, straightening his back. He jumped up in the air, avoiding their blows. Juri then hopped off Ryu's shoulder as she went in for a second attack. Gen blocked her kick, then countered her with a powerful thrust punch, sending her flying backward. "Not bad, child, I barely expected that attack." He complimented.
"Hadouken!"
Ryu shot his projectile attack at Gen; however, his attack was easily avoided. He charged at Gen, throwing blow after blow, trying to land a hit on Gen.
"Better, Ryu, but not perfect." Gen said.
"Eat this, you old fart!" Juri shouted, throwing multiple kicks at Gen. Gen looked deep into her eye as he noticed the killing intent within her.
"Impressive, you are something else, girl." He replied, striking Juri in the stomach and pinning her down.
Ryu charged at Gen with a powerful punch, but when Gen blocked his attack, his body started to shake as he sensed a hidden dark aura with a killing intent within Ryu.
"No, I will not do it!" Ryu said, struggling with his dark side.
"You must be ruthless while fighting Akuma; otherwise, prove it to me by defeating this sick old man." Gen lectured.
"I don't need to give up my soul for victory. I'll conquer the darkness within." Ryu shouted. He threw counter punches and kicks at Gen.
"Shoryuken!"
Ryu launched a powerful uppercut as he caught Gen's attack to his heart. Gen had sensed no openings in Ryu's defense as the fight came to a standoff. He noticed the scar on Ryu's chest as he sensed great darkness within him. "You have improved since your last visit." Gen commented. "Nonetheless, that woman has more killing intent than you. You cannot afford to hold back on your physical and mental strength. You have to be more ruthless on the battlefield." He lectured.
"Thank you, Master Gen, for your inspiring words, but I still refuse to give up." Ryu thanked. Gen stroked his beard in thought while he still had his mind on the scar on Ryu's chest.
The darkness will awaken inside of him whether he chooses to or not. It will be quite a ruthless battle. He thought.
That afternoon, the two of them were sitting on the fountain at the park. Ryu was deep in thought on how to defeat Akuma while Juri was just relaxing. Juri got irritated with Ryu and jabbed him in the head.
"Cut it out already!" She ordered, "You worry too much about how you lack in fighting skill, it's sickening. Relax for once; put your mind at ease for awhile." She lectured.
Stunned by Juri's words of encouragement, Ryu smiled. "You're right, Juri, I'm worrying too much." He replied, rubbing the back of his head to ease his stress. Juri sighed in relief.
"Come on, there's somewhere I wanted to go that I haven't been to for years." She said, pulling on Ryu's arm.
The two of them went on the ferris wheel. "It's been awhile since I've been on a ferris wheel. My goofy, upbeat apprentice dragged me here once." Ryu said, admiring the view.
"It is a very beautiful view from up here." Juri replied, admiring the scenery. The first time I went up here was with my parents while they weren't working. She thought.
Ryu stared at Juri affectionately, dazzled by her new hairstyle. He rose and went by Juri's side, putting his arm around her shoulder as she rested her head on his shoulder, feeling very relaxed. The two stood, enjoying the view of the beautiful sunset.