It was a beautiful afternoon as the two street fighters continued their travels. Ryu had the same determination to free himself from Akuma's influence; through every battle he fought, Ryu sought an answer from the outcome. Juri had still stuck by him as his ally and lover, but her reason was opposite of Ryu's. She loved the thrill of the fight while still honor bound. They relaxed peacefully under the Tokyo Bridge, resting from their long journey. The shade of the atmosphere calmed their fighting spirits.

"This has been quite an adventure hasn't it?" Juri inquired.

"Yes, it has." Ryu agreed.

Juri drew closer for a kiss, but was cut off by very familiar voice calling out to Ryu.

"Ryu-San!"

Ryu quickly rose to his feet to find who called him. Who appeared behind him was Sakura Kasugano, an apprentice and friend of Ryu. Or as she called number one fan and pupil. She stood with a grin seeing Ryu again, but she was dressed entirely different. She now had a red jacket, track shorts, and tennis shoes.

"It's you! Have you been practicing?" Ryu greeted.

Sakura held her arm up, "Yep, every day, so I could become strong like you. I never thought I'd see you around here."

"Well, well, aren't you a cute little thing? I didn't know you had a little girlfriend." Juri teased.

"Oh no, Ryu-San is my master. I trained under him." Sakura had corrected.

Upon glance, Sakura started to feel a great unease around Juri. The way she smiled at Ryu with kindness. She could not explain it, but she did not trust the sight of Juri. She instantly suspected that Juri had a hidden motive.

"By the way Sakura, this is Juri Han; she's also a street fighter." Ryu introduced.

Juri held her hand for a handshake. Sakura quickly backed away hiding her frowning face.

Ryu looked at Sakura with concern, "Sakura, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing. By the way, Ryu-San, while you're in town, would you consider training me for bit, you know teach me more moves?"

Ryu sighed in disbelief, "Like I said before, I'm a student in training. I'm no master, but I will help you train, but only if I see signs of progress in your training."

Sakura got into her fighting stance ready to attack. Ryu circled around checking Sakura's fighting style.

"You're fighting style remains the same, I sense no openings in your defense." He reviewed.

"Now then, throw an attack at me!" he instructed.

Sakura launched a fast thrust punch. The attack was quickly caught by Ryu with his eyes close.

"Nice! Now you are learning to fight blind folded now? But I expect as much considering that she is a kid." Juri complimented impressed with quick eye.

Sakura placed a scowl on Juri.

"Oh so sorry, I didn't hurt your feelings did I, little girl?" Juri had teased.

Sakura demanded, "Just what exactly is your relationship with Ryu-San?"

Juri drew close to Sakura and whispered, "Me and your precious Ryu are very intimate. Did you know that we already together what I mean?"

Sakura went beet red after Juri response. She quickly backed away from Juri. The more Juri stood around Ryu, the more distrustful she felt toward Juri.

"I hope I didn't frighten you." Juri continued to tease poking Sakura's chest.

Sakura grabbed Ryu and took him to a quiet distance for private talk. Ryu had questions in his mind on Sakura's motives. He knew something was going on with her. He glanced at her with concern.

She demanded a valid reason, "Ryu-San. Who is this woman?"

"She is a traveling companion Sakura. A new ally I met along the way of my training." He answered peacefully.

"But I thought I was your traveling companion. I don't know Master, there's something about this woman I just don't like. Something about her just gives me a bad feeling." Sakura warned.

Ryu placed his hands on Sakura's shoulders, "Don't worry Sakura she is fine. She's got my back if I'm in danger."

"I thought I was always watching your back." Sakura muttered.

Ryu raise his eyebrow, "What has gotten into you Sakura, you're acting very strange?"

Sakura turned her head, reluctant to tell him her true reasons. She grasped her heart as if her chest was hurting. She usually felt joy around Ryu, but instead she felt neglect. It was as if Ryu had become far beyond her reach. With Juri around, she felt that Ryu would cut her from his life. Ryu had still questioned her attitude. Before long, she took off running with saying another word.

Juri halted Ryu about to go after Sakura.

Juri winked, "Leave this to me handsome, I'll handle it. Why don't you focus more on your training?"

Sakura sat by the lake thinking about Ryu. Now that Juri was in Ryu's heart, she felt there was no place for her in it. She had felt even more neglected than ever. She took a deep breath and practiced with her fist. However, she threw it in reckless manner that caused her to lose her balance.

"Feeling ignored are we?" Juri whispered.

Sakura turned around quickly to face her opponent. It was Juri who had stuck behind her. She still held a dirty look on Juri.

"Don't make such a frown dear, I'm not that bad once you get to know me."

"What are you really planning with Ryu-San?" Sakura inquired.

Juri drew close to Sakura's face and answered, "Isn't it obvious? I'm planning to spend my life with him, because we are soul mates."

Sakura bowed her head in depression. She turned away from Juri to avoid facing her. It was unclear if she was shy or ashamed to face Juri. Juri continued to pry despite Sakura's refusal to talk.

"Admit it, you like him do you?" Juri poked fun at Sakura.

"Of course I do he is my master after all." Sakura answered with her back turned.

Juri sighed and corrected, "I mean in whole another way. If you know what I mean."

Sakura grunted still not facing Juri. She continued to hide her face from Juri. At soon as Juri caught a glimpse at Sakura embarrassing frown, she started laughing. She felt she had touch Sakura deep down. Sakura launched a straight punch at Juri.

Juri caught Sakura in the same grapple she used on Chun Li on their first meeting, "Oh you're so cute. You remind me of how I was."

Sakura's tension had dwindled. Her thoughts of Juri started to change.

"I like Ryu-San, and I don't want that to change." Sakura suddenly confessed.

Juri was surprised, "I'm sure he'll never forget about little old you, because if he does, then I'll beat it out of him. Men these days are pretty stubborn."

Sakura nodded agreeing with Juri, "Yeah, Ryu-San is stubborn at times. His training always came first before anything else."

"Yeah, I know. Once he's made his decision, he sticks with it." Juri agreed.

Juri wrapped her arms around Sakura's neck, "Don't you worry your pretty little head. I'll make sure you won't go unnoticed."

Ryu calmed his mind off all distractions as threw one punch at time. In and out he breathed to focus his Chi. But regardless; he still felt a deep darkness in his heart, so it was up to him to conquer it. But knowing Ryu, he would never give in to the dark power of the Satsui-No-Hadou.

"Hey Ryu-San!" Sakura called out happily.

Sakura and Juri appeared arm and arm together smiling at each other. Ryu was glad to see Sakura to her usual happy, energetic and cheerful self. But in another way, he started to wonder what Juri said to Sakura. Since, Juri wasn't exactly a motivational speaker.

"I see you two are getting along well." He said.

"Yep, we just had a bit of girl talk." Sakura replied.

"That's nice, show me your strength!" Ryu instructed.

Sakura nodded her putting on her red boxing gloves.

Sakura attacked Ryu with a series blows. Ryu easily saw through her movement. It was like facing his shadow. Almost like a younger version of him. He caught Sakura's incoming attack and tossed her with a powerful shoulder throw. Rather than mad, Sakura was glad to had matched Ryu's strength. Ryu stood proud as he helped her on her feet.

Sakura kneed her head, "Thank you so much for the fight Ryu-San."

"It was my pleasure Sakura. You have improved quite considerably." Ryu smiled.

Later, Ryu packed his bag, he and Juri were heading off to the open road. Sakura still felt worried about Ryu's disappearing again. Juri nudged Ryu to confront Sakura personally.

Ryu placed his hand on her head, "Don't worry Sakura. I assure you that this is not the last time we will meet."

"Really, you promise?" she replied.

"Don't worry; I'll take good care of him." Juri assured.

"Yes; we'll fight again another day. And besides I want you to always be around. That is to train my newborn. So someday if I'm not there. You'll be the master and they will be your apprentice." Ryu smiled.

Sakura smiled as she felt very relieved. She was deeply touched by Ryu's words of wisdom. With that, her worries of never seeing Ryu again were over. She was sure she'd see him again no matter how long it took. Sakura waved at Ryu and Juri as they left to their path.

The final battle approaches in the next and final chapter; Fate of the Satsui-No-Hadou.