Disclaimer: I do not own either Highlander or Street Fighter

AN: Due to the power outage, this chapter took a bit longer to load up.

Chap. 3

Ken entered the restaurant short of breath. He gave the cashier his reservation and was shown to his table. He saw a woman sitting there, with her back facing him. Ken cringed inwardly. 'Please don't let her be mad, please don't let her be mad.' It was strange that after 400 years of battling deadly warriors and fearsome opponents that it took the woman before him to cringe in fear. He took a breath as he strode to the table.

"Hey, hon. Sorry I'm late." He gave her a slight peck, hoping she would ring his lights out. However, she seemed pretty composed.

"Better late than never, I suppose." Her face then turned to worry, "Was it...?"

Ken nodded, "Yeah. An old grudge. But it's over now."

"Good." Suddenly, she reached over and grabbed his tie, choking him as she pulled his head over to her side of the table. As his face began to change colors, she suddenly smiled and loosened the grip before passionately kissing him. The others seated around them watched the two of them humorously and she finally let him go.

"Because I'd hate for you to leave us without saying goodbye."

Back, 3 years ago

Ken walked into the cemetery. In his hand was a pair of flowers. He always had mixed feelings about cemeteries. For an immortal, they presented a safe haven. But they are the resting places of the dead. And that always brought sadness. Especially now. He continued on until he reached a certain tomb. It looked several years old, but he knew who lied beneath. His girlfriend. Or at least his love at that time.

"Hey." he whispered. "It's been awhile, I know. You'll probably chew me up for being late...again." A faint smile formed, but quickly disappeared. He wants to say more, but the words do not leave his mouth. Realizing this, he silently drops the flowers and picks himself up.

"Sleep well, Michelle."

He then walks away from the tomb, but decides to stay around for a while so he begins to walk aimlessly. So much so that he didn't notice a woman was at a grave nearby and had just lifted herself up. The two bodies collided and the woman fell back down.

"Oh, I'm sorry miss." Ken quickly apologized as he helped her up. But when she had gotten to her feet, Ken was mesmerized. The woman was young, definitely attractive, with blue eyes and blond hair.

"It's okay." She responded, not noticing his gaze. It took a lot out of Ken to snap out of it.

"Are...you hurt?" he asked, somewhat meekly. Inwardly, he grunted, 'Geez, I can just see Ryu's face with me acting like this.'

The woman shook her head, "No. I was just leaving anyway."

Ken looked down at the stone. It read, Richard Williams: Beloved husband and father. 'Father? Then this woman has a child.'

"So was I. I was...just saying goodbye." Ken stepped forward a little, "I hope you don't think this is too forward, but would you like to have a cup of coffee with me."

The woman gave him a suspicious glance and Ken held his hands up, "No, no. I just feel sorry for knocking you down like that and I want to make it up."

The woman seemed to think about it and answered, "Okay. I have a few hours to kill before I pick up my son."

Ken nodded and the two walked out of the cemetery.

"I'm sorry. I didn't introduce myself. My name is Ken Masters."

The woman smiled, "Eliza Williams."

Ken never suspected that he would fall in love with Eliza, much less her son Mel. And he sure as heck didn't expect to marry her. Even after he told her the truth that he was an immortal. But that is what happened. And Ken had never been happier. But there were always drawbacks. Every now and again, an immortal would come and challenge him for his head. But despite that and his age, Ken was one of the most powerful immortals alive. His speed with the blade and the power that matches it has been able to vanquish every foe he faced. It began to come to the point where those that fought him weren't even challenging. He was always careful, but he was also cocky about it, with good reason unfortunately.

"I'm not going anywhere anytime soon."

India

In a Hindu monastery, a monk sat in the center in deep meditation. He was clothed in a loincloth and had a ring of skulls around his neck. His body looked incredibly malnourished, but his muscle where somehow clearly defined. As the monk hummed and chanted, he suddenly felt it. A feeling of chill and warmth all at once. An immortal. However the monk continued chanting, knowing full well that he was on holy ground and that no harm would befall him there. He heard the steps of someone coming into the monastery and then stopping. The monk felt the person more clearly. His powers allowed him to determine who it was and he could tell that the person was not an enemy.

"Greetings, Ryu."

The wandering warrior nodded to the monk, "Greetings, Dhalsim."

Dhalsim finally opens his eyes to stare at Ryu.

"It's been almost 200 years. It is good to see that you are still alive."

Back,1701

Ryu had entered the small village in lower India. He was simply passing through town in order to get to a boat heading elsewhere. While he did, he sensed the presence of an immoral as he passed a ancient monastery. Seeing that it was holy ground, he didn't bother to draw his sword, however he was curious as to whom it was. Entering the temple he looked around in search. He saw a few monks moving about doing their daily activities, but none of them was the presence he sensed. He then moved to the yard outside. There, a solitary figure sat cross-legged in deep meditation. Ryu simply watched him as he sat motionless until finally the monk opened his eyes to look at Ryu.

"Peace be with you, stranger."

"I am Ryu Hoshi of the clan Hoshi."

"Ryu Hoshi of the clan Hoshi. I am Dhalsim, student of the Yoga arts. Do you come in peace or the sword?"

"Peace."

"Well then, I am glad to meet you."

Ryu and Dhalsim spoke to each other as Dhalsim showed him around the town. Dhalsim told him about his teachings of peace and Ryu in turn talked about his journeys. Dhalsim was impressed by the warrior.

"We are quite alike. We both seek to perfect ourselves. But for what benefit do you?"

"It is all that I have. My fists, my blade. It is what I was raised to learn. To seek to perfect the fight."

"I see. But you must learn what it means to fight. I seek to perfect the way of peace in order for others to learn. In this time, it is needed. Things are changing in this country, as things change. It is up to us to share what we know with others, both mortal and immortal. Only then can the benefits be well."

"But I do not seek to benefit. I only want to learn what it means to fight and to improve my skills."

"Very well. But it may take you many lifetimes before you discover the answer."

Present...

"Still traveling, my friend?"

"Yes. I'm on my way to America to visit an old friend."

"That is good. Friends are a rarity for us."

"..."

Dhalsim sensed his hesitation, "Are you any closer?"

Ryu narrowed his eyes, "I'm not sure. I have learned much since we last met. But I find the more I learn, the more there is to learn."

Dhalsim nodded, "Such is the way of knowledge. I have been practicing Yoga for nearly 400 years. Yet, there is much more to discover about it than ever. I believe it is that which drives me to go on."

"The same with me. I find myself wishing to learn more."

"Just remember that such knowledge has power, and we must be responsible with that power."

As Ryu absorbed those words, his head lifted up. Sounds of yelling were in the air and both immortals turned to the source of the noise. Nearby, a crowd of people where circled around two fighters, placing various bets. One was obviously Thai, wearing the traditional clothes of a kickboxer. The other looked American with blond hair. Despite that, his stance was the same, only more relaxed. His eyes showed experience.

A street fight.

Dhalsim noticed his gaze, "Go on. It's who you are."

Ryu nodded as he strode over to the fight. The Thai was hitting his opponent repeatedly, while the American was getting smacked all over the place. Ryu frowned. He saw what the man was doing. He was letting himself get beaten until the stakes were high enough. Then he would beat his opponent and collect the money. True to his words, the American suddenly came back and with three kicks, he put down the Thai in no time at all. 'That is a dishonorable practice' Ryu thought to as he moved closer. The man was gathering his share of the money, but then turned to the crowd.

"Next, who's next?" His gaze looked straight at Ryu. "How about you?"

The crowd began to cheer again at the prospect of another fight as the fighter continued, "Yeah. Come on. Don't tell me you're afraid? Although I wouldn't blame you if you were."

"Fine then." With that Ryu entered the ring and faced his opponent. The man began to bounce around in his stance with a grin on his face.

"So who are you?"

"Ryu Hoshi."

The man nodded, "Ryu, huh? Name's Joe. Now let's get it on."

AN: For those who don't know, Joe is a kickboxer from the first Street Fighter game. Now that that's out of the way...