Welcome back! And a big, a huge, a gigantic, THANK YOU! To everyone last one of you! You all are making this story a big hit and makes me want to make sure this story is awesome. I just want to say thank you so much. I work on hard on these stories and I work even harder when I realize how much you guys like them. Anyway, now that's out of the way, it's time for Chapter 3! In here we have the appearance by an old friend and further advancement into the story. Enjoy!

Chapter 3

After getting what they needed from Santos and leaving Club Cristo, the two warriors went back to their hotel, making sure to take a different, longer, and complicated path as to not be followed. Once back there, they started to unwind.

Chun-Li was smiling from ear to ear. "Ryu… that was so cool!"

Ryu raised an eyebrow. "You say the word 'cool'?"

She laughed. "I can't help it! Santos had no idea who you were and the second you used the Hadouken, you should've seen his face! Of course, you probably did after you turned around. He turned completely white."

He chuckled, "It was a good feeling."

"And he couldn't talk faster or give up more information." She plopped down on the bed. "That was the most fun I've had in a long time."

He sat in a chair. "Glad you enjoyed it."

"I can't say I didn't." Guilt hit her. "Is that bad?"

Ryu thought about it. "You're going through a lot. Any relief…" He shrugged, "take it."

She smiled. "Thanks, Ryu."

"No problem."

"I guess we can head out tomorrow. Just gotta keep moving. I hope you're okay with that."

He chuckled. "That's how I live."

"Then tomorrow."

"Sounds good." He grabbed his duffle bag, threw it on the sofa in the room, and laid down, using the bag as a pillow. "I'm gonna go ahead and get some sleep. Night."

She smiled. "Good night."

As the world warrior went to asleep, Chun-Li stared at him for a few seconds, in admiration and appreciation. She then got ready for bed and got some much needed sleep.

The next day, both fighters were on board a plane, bound for London. From the information that they got from Santos, Neo-Shadaloo was being financially supported by a man named Henry Markway, a London business man, who works for the banking firm, Rosewood International. Markway uses his connections in the bank, both legitimate and not, to fund all of Neo-Shadaloo's ventures. With the duo being in London and the man they were tracking being a London, and therefore a British, citizen, both fighters realized they were treading on territory of someone they knew well. Not really wanting to until Ryu convinced her otherwise, Chun-Li put in a call to their good friend and fellow fighter, Cammy White.

They all met at restaurant Cammy frequented, Riley's. Cammy was dressed very casually, as opposed to the usually leotard one piece that she wore for her Delta Red assignment. Cammy was, in turn, surprised to see Ryu and Chun-Li in casual clothing as well. Cammy joked that karate gis and hair buns aren't exactly common this close to Big Ben, anyway. Not wasting any time and Cammy not wanting any time wasted, Chun-Li went on to explain the details of why she needed help. She even trusted Cammy with the detail about her brother. All in all, Chun-Li not only thought of Cammy as a capable warrior but a friend.

"I figured something big must be going on," the British-accent heavy Cammy said, after Chun-Li gave her the details of the situation. "You don't usually just happen to be in London, Chun-Li." She looked at Ryu, "And you're so hard to track down that it's like pulling teeth to figure out where you were a year ago."

Ryu smiled. "I'm going to take that like a compliment."

Cammy smiled. "Well, then, back to business… Markway is going to be a tough nut to crack. Guy's got enough money to bankrupt a quarter of Parliament. I can't prove it but I think he has threatened a couple of them."

"We just need info on Neo-Shadaloo," Chun-Li said. "We find out anything else, we'll tell you."

"Thanks. As far as Markway goes, the guy pretty much has the same routine every day. Arrives at Rosewood by 8 every morning, save Sundays, goes to a pub called Gregend's by 7 at night, and back home. The time he leaves from home can vary, especially since this is a weekend."

Ryu sat back. "Hmm. Might have to catch him leaving the pub."

"That's gonna be tough. He travels with an entourage or personal bodyguards. Well trained men. Ex-Special Forces or police officers, that kind of thing."

"I'm fine with that."

As Cammy well knew, Ryu was a confident person. If something was wrong, he would stand up against it. Cammy wasn't worried about his commitment. She was worried about Chun-Li's. And, even that was not entirely accurate. She was worried about how far Chun-Li was willing to go for this. She looked over at her fellow female warrior. "So, what about you?"

Chun-Li blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"I mean… if this Neo-Shadaloo is anything like the old one, then they are going to all sorts of lengths to keep you out of their business. They already have Mei and now your brother. After your fun in Madrid, there's probably no telling what they'll do next. Are you sure about this?"

Chun-Li took a minute to answer. Cammy's questions were valid and needed. She had to think about this before going any further. Neo-Shadaloo had all of the family she had left and their only condition was she stay out of it, whatever it was they were doing. But Chun-Li couldn't stop. She'd already dragged Ryu along and now Cammy was helping. She was sure. She had to see this through. She had to get Mei and Chow. "I'm sure."

After seeing how confident they were, Cammy pulled out another cell phone. "Take this."

Chun-Li grabbed hold of the cell phone. She looked at it then Cammy, perplexed. "Why?"

"Phone's untraceable. I'd say you keep using your phone, too, but you can call me on this anytime you need anything. Just keep me in the loop."

Chun-Li tightened her grip on the phone, gently, very much appreciating the gesture. "Thank you, Cammy."

Cammy nodded. "Don't mention it."

Hours later, Ryu was sitting on a park bench that gave him a clear view to the pub that Cammy mentioned. He'd only been there about 15 minutes but he was already getting anxious for Markway to show up.

Chun-Li came up with a large brown paper bag and sat next to him. "Anything?"

"Nothing except the usual."

She opened the bag and handed him a bottle of water and pulled out a box of bagels. She opened it and started eating one.

"How much longer?" Ryu was clearly antsy.

Chun-Li giggled. "Never imagined you were so impatient."

"Usually, I'm not. I'm just used to moving."

"That must be fun."

"Not so much fun as it is strengthening."

"Like how?"

He took a drink of water. "You learn more going from place to place. People, foods, lifestyles, fighting techniques. Learn from different experiences."

She smiled. "People call you a drifter, ya know."

"I've heard that… from Ken." They both laughed. "I don't mind though. People can call me whatever they want. Personally, I think they should spend their time on the other things but whatever."

Chun-Li's mood changed. She became a little sadder. She sighed. "People will talk, no matter what. They talked about me for leaving Interpol."

Ryu looked at her surprised. "Why?"

"Because they say it was pointless to throw it all away to… well, someone called 'play mommy to little orphan girl.' It would've hurt… if I cared about what others said. Truth be told, I love my life with Mei. Her and my other students… mean so much to me. If everyone else has a problem with it, then fine. It's not their lives. It's mine."

He chuckled. "Two of a kind."

"Huh?"

"Ken. He's said that about you and me a few times. Said we're the same just in different ways. Two of a kind."

Chun-Li smiled. "Maybe Ken is more right than he knows."

They both sat for a long time in silence, finishing the bagels and drinking water. Chun-Li was usually talkative but she appreciated Ryu just being there. For once, total silence didn't bother her. Besides, Ryu never actually tried to shut her up; being quiet was just his nature. Ryu wasn't worried about the silence. He was used to being alone, having his own things to think about. Still, Chun-Li was a soothing presence and easy to talk to. She was also an amazing fighter and a brilliant person. Ryu had always respected all of that about her. He was very surprised when she called him for help but he accepted, nonetheless. He felt a great honor to have Chun-Li ask him for help. But… the more time he spent with her, Ryu found himself feeling another emotion for the former Interpol officer. An emotion he hadn't experience before or know how to deal with.

A couple of hours later, Henry Markway, who was mid-to-late 50s with a bald head and glasses, went walking toward the pub with five guys in black suits.

"Completely surrounded by guards." Chun-Li said. "Just like Cammy said."

"She said he lives in this area right?"

"Sure. Those apartment complexes right behind us. Keeps his travel time home short since he usually leaves drunk."

Ryu looked at the building then looked back at the pub. "And he's leaving late tonight?"

"It's a weekend and she said he never goes into work on Sunday. And since he's not a religious man…"

"So, that means they have to come across the park?"

"Yeah…" She was curious as to what was going through his head.

"Alright. I know what to do."

Chun-Li stared at him for a few seconds. "Ryu… why have you been so gung-ho about all this?"

"Because I don't like people kidnapping kids. A personal pet peeve of mine." Ryu looked at her, a serious look in her eyes. "Especially when those kids belong to my friends."

Chun-Li was speechless. And touched. Ryu really cared. He wasn't just doing her favor.

"Alright…" Ryu looked back at the pub. "Here's my idea…"

Hours later, Henry Markway and his bodyguards came out of the pub close to 2AM. They walked across the park, the old Mr. Markway quite buzzed but not off center. They were going through the park, just passing by the fountain, when all of a sudden a kick came out of nowhere knocking the first of the five guards down. They quickly formed a perimeter around Markway but another was cut down by a sweep kick from Chun-Li. Another guard went after while the remaining two caught sight of Ryu. One of them charged at him only to receive a backfist to his gut followed by a spin kick to his chin, rendering him unconscious. The last guard by Markway pulled out a gun but Ryu quickly kicked that out of his hand. He punched the man the several times ending it with a standard uppercut, taking him out as well. The one guard going for Chun-Li she had easily taken care of with a strong well placed kick to his abdomen. The first guard she swept kick and got and tried to stab her with a knife she was concealing. She saw him coming and kicked him hard enough to send him into the fountain, unconscious with a fractured jaw, missing teeth, and now wet.

With the guards down, Chun-Li and Ryu looked and saw Markway hiding on the other side of the fountain.

Chun-Li sighed. "He didn't even have the smarts to run away."

They heard sudden movement through the trees in the park, causing Ryu and Chun-Li look up at the trees.

"That may be the reason for…" Ryu didn't get to finish before woman in black ninja garbed descended from the trees and dropped down on Ryu's chest with his feet, forcing him hard on his back. She jumped up and tried the same trick on Chun-Li.

Chun-Li tightened her fist.

She easily kicked the ninja out of the air. The ninja landed via performing a flip. Chun-Li charged at her, going for palm strikes over but the ninja dodged them all. The ninja came back with punches that Chun-Li deflected and gave her a kick to the side of the gut. The ninja returned with punch that Chun-Li managed to block but not her turning into a kick causing Chun-Li to stumble back. The ninja flipped backward and jumped high in the air. Chun-Li wiped dirt off her lip, looked up, and charged her hands. She stepped back just enough to dodge the ninja's strike…

…but not enough to move away from her.

Chun-Li moved her hand to her side and swiftly brought them up in front of her. "KIKOSHO!"

The ninja looked just in time to get an energy strike right to her face, sending her flying back and crashing into a tree followed her landing face first in the grass, out cold.

Chun-Li lowered her hands and smiled. She looked over to see Ryu had a vice grip on Markway's arm. "You were holding him the whole time?"

"Didn't want him to get away."

She giggled. "And you didn't help me?"

Ryu smiled. "I knew you had it under control." He looked at the path of pain that the ninja took. "Your Kikosho was a bit much."

"Maybe." She walked over to them, "But I find that funny coming from a man who used a Hadouken on a luchador." She looked at Markway, who had a look of terror on his face.

"Wh-who are you people?" Markway stuttered out in fear.

"My name is Chun-Li. And I want the location and names of the leaders of Neo-Shadaloo."

So, now, our heroes are about to learn more about Neo-Shadaloo. So, in the next chapter, more will be revealed... and, just like an old friend appeared in this story... an old enemy who lurks in the shadows will be coming out in the next chapter. Trust me, you won't wanna miss Chapter 4. Oh, guys... I promise this will only get better! Stay tuned!