Disclaimer: Same as before.

Chap. 4

The crowd cheered wildly as the two fighters circled one another. Ryu kept his fists tight and his stance steady while Joe simply circled. 'He's overconfident.' Ryu thought to himself. Joe continued to move and then stopped when he saw that Ryu wasn't going to attack.

"What are you waiting for? Are you going to fight or what?"

Ryu remained silent as Joe began to jitter around, trying to provoke Ryu into attacking first.

"Come on. Don't tell me you're getting cold feet now. Are you afraid of me?"

Ryu continued in silence. He knew that Joe would have to attack first in order to know what he was really capable of. He could have taken one of the many openings Joe was giving him, but Ryu wanted a real fight. Finally Joe got frustrated.

"Fine then. I'll end it quickly."

Joe lashed out his left elbow and Ryu blocked it. Reacting fast, Joe moved in his right elbow, going for the face. But Ryu managed to duck it narrowly and moved to the side. Joe turned around and gave a sharp low kick, hitting Ryu's shin. Seeing him back away, Joe went for another elbow. However, he underestimated Ryu's recovery and Ryu blocked it and followed up with a knee to the midsection. Joe was pushed back slightly and Ryu lashed out with his own fist. On instinct, Joe ducked the blow and jumped back.

"Not bad for a low rate. I might actually work up a sweat."

"Not bad. Come on, Ryu."

Young Ryu was busy sparring with his partner Ken. It had been a few months since Ken had been introduced at the temple. His studies had been rough at first, but he gradually adapted. He already knew Japanese from his mother so that wasn't a problem. His biggest advancement was in learning the art. He picked up at such a rapid pace then Gouken had no other alternative, but to assign Ryu as his sole sparring partner. But the problem was his attitude. He knew of the progress he made and that filled up his ego largely.

"Hmmm."

Ken hopped forward with a fake kick, but followed up with a sharp punch. Ryu blocked and stepped back. Ken sent another punch. Ryu ducked. Another punch. Another block. But Ryu made no move to attack. Ken launched into a barrage of attacks, a few actually hitting Ryu. But Ryu still held himself in defensive stance. Ken finally jumped up and shot out a flying kick. Ryu moved to the side and finally shot a punch of his own. Ken was smacked in the face, but he quickly recovered and hit Ryu in the chest. Both boys backed away from each other, readying for the next attack.

"That's enough for today."

Gouken walked out of the woods to greet the two boys. Both of them bowed to their sensei.

"But Master Gouken, Ryu didn't fight back."

"That doesn't matter. This, like all of your exercises, is for learning. What did you learn Ken?"

The blond youth though for a while and said nothing. Gouken turned to Ryu.

"Ryu. What about you?"

Ryu though for a moment, "I...I shouldn't be defensive all the time."

Gouken nodded, "In time, your fights will become real. But even then, you must keep your mind clear and focused. Learn from your opponent. Only then can you truly be victorious. Understand, Ken?"

"Hai, sensei."

"Now, go back to the shrine and complete your chores, both of you."

"Hai sensei."

Joe suddenly jumped up and over, landing right behind Ryu. Ryu turned as the kickboxer twirled a full 360 kick, hitting Ryu with tremendous force. But Ryu wasn't knocked down, although his arm was hit badly.

"I'm impressed. Not too many can survive that attack."

Joe rushed at Ryu again and executed a graceful jump kick. But Ryu hand jumped up with him and kicked back, hitting him in mid-air. Joe fell back on the ground and rolled up, only to see Ryu charging at him. Caught off-guard by the sudden change of tactics, Joe lashed out a straight fist, missing Ryu totally. A gust of wind erupted out of nowhere and Ryu spun into the air and kicked Joe, twice. Joe was smacked by the force and hit the ground. He didn't move even after Ryu landed back on the ground. The crowd was both amazed and silent after seeing that display as well as many losing their money on Joe. Ryu took a breath and walked out through the still-silent crowd and back toward the monastery and Dhalsim.

"Well?"

"It wasn't as fulfilling as I hoped, but it was a good fight."

Master's Residence, USA

It was late in the evening. Ken strode outside of his mansion after waking in the middle of the night. He walked out of the house and into the courtyard. He was still in his nightwear, but he carried his blade with him. He walked until he reached a little port in the center. He knelt on the ground and laid his sword down. His sword...

Ken had been called in from his daily chores to the inner sanctum of Master Gouken. When he arrived, his master was at his usual position, kneeling on the floor. Ken waited until his master had finally arisen and moved to the back of the room. There, his opened a chest and took out an object. It was a katana sword, with golden designs on the hilt. The sheath was colored in a brilliant design of red and yellow. Wordlessly, Gouken held out the weapon to him.

"The time is coming close where your life will depend on this. Never go without it and it will protect you no matter how long you live. How long depends on your skill."

"Sensei? I...I fear I do not understand."

Gouken merely nodded, "In time, you will. Now take it. This is yours. You have earned it."

"Earned." Ken whispered. He looked down at the brilliant weapon and took it in his hands while bowing to his master.

"Domo arigato, sensei."

Ken suddenly swiftly arose and began his katas. His movements were fluid and graceful as his blade slivered thought the night air. He continued this in complete silence, with only the sound of the night to accompany him. Well, until another sound came up behind him.

"Dad."

Ken stopped and turned to the entrance. There stood his 7-year old stepson, complete in his pajamas.

"Hey Mel. What are you doing up this late?"

The child sleepily replied, "I had a bad dream and I saw you out the window and I followed you."

Ken gave a slight smile, "Aw. That's okay. Come here."

The boy moved to him and Ken bent down to him. "What was the dream about?"

"A monster came out of the kitchen and tried to get me."

"Ah, that sounds rough. But don't worry. There's nothing in the kitchen that can get you, okay. Not while I'm around."

"Are you sure?" the boy inquired.

"Positive. Now go back inside. I'll tuck you in when I get there to make sure, okay. You don't want your mom to find you awake down here."

"Because she'd tear you a new one, right?"

"Rig...Where'd you learn that from?"

Mel grinned, "From TV."

"Go on. Get going. I'll be right behind you."

Ken watched as the child went back inside the house before picking up the sheath of his sword and reinserting the blade inside. 'Watch over us, my friend'. With that, Ken followed Mel inside.

"So you must go now."

Ryu nodded as he exited the monastery, "Yes. I have a friend to catch up with. He probably thinks I'm dead."

"I wouldn't say that." Dhalsim assured. "You are just as strong as he is. He's probably just waiting for you."

"In any case, it was good to see you again." Ryu replied before bowing respectfully to the Yoga master.

Dhalsim returned the gesture, "The same here. Take care, Ryu."

"You too, Dhalsim-sensei."