Disclaimer: Same as before

Chap. 5

Ken was once again heading toward his miniature dojo, sword in hand. This time, both Eliza and Mel were sound asleep, so he would be able to finish his katas tonight. He knelt down on the floor and placed the weapon before him. He then closed his eyes in meditation. As his mind cleared, memories began to enter into his mind...

"You've received a sword?"

Ken had just come out of the inner sanctum and out of the dojo where Ryu was waiting outside. Ryu was surprised to see the object Ken was holding beside him.

"Yes, Master Gouken gave it to me." Ken held it forward for him to see. "Are you surprised?"

Ryu shook his head quickly, "Yes...I mean no...I mean..." Ryu stopped briefly to calm his thoughts, "He never gives anyone a sword. At least, no one except me."

"Cool. That must mean we're the best, eh?" Ken looked up at Ryu, but notice that his eyes were downcast. "What's wrong?"

"Did he...did he tell you...anything?" Ryu asked slowly.

Ken was a little wary of Ryu's attitude, but answered anyway. "...Yes. He said that it will protect me no matter how long I live and that..."

"It all depends on your skill." Ryu finished. "He told me that himself."

Ken cocked his head, "Was you expecting something else?"

"I...don't know." Ryu eyes seemed to search around, "I felt...something else in his words. Almost as though..."

Ken finished his answer, "He was trying to tell you something else, right?"

Ryu nodded, "Yeah."

Ken lowered the blade back to his side and placed a hand on Ryu's shoulder. "We shouldn't worry about it. I'm sure that whatever it is, we can handle it."

Ryu's head finally lifted, "Perhaps...you're right."

"Of course I'm right." Ken grinned. "I'm always right."

Ken's eyes suddenly snapped open. He felt a presence. Someone was here. An immortal. Ken wasted no time in unsheathing his sword and holding it ready. But there was still no one in sight.

"Come out and face me."

Still nothing. Ken's senses were alert nevertheless though as he scanned the place, looking for his opponent. He slowly began to move into a shadowy part of the house. It was then that he felt it. A shimmer of light and steel flashed briefly, but it was more than enough for Ken to raise his blade to block the opponent's sword strike. The blade rose and fell again and Ken deflected the attacks once again. The blades clashed in the air and held firm against each other.

"You've been slacking off, Ken."

Ken blinked. 'That voice...' "Ryu?"

The figure moved forward to show that it was indeed Ryu. A slight smile was on his face as he continued to hold the blade in place.

"Sensei wouldn't have approved of that."

Ken returned the grin, "Oh really. We'll see about that, you old vagabond."

Ken suddenly moved forward, swinging his blade in an arch. Ryu stepped back to block, but Ken doubled up and quickly slashed out a second time. Ryu ducked and the two of them switched sides. Their swords crossed again.

"How was that? Still think I'm slacking off?"

Ryu cocked his head slightly and then swung his blade high toward the side. Ken blocked and Ryu stuck again on the opposite side. Ken blocked again and struck out forward. Ryu parried the strike and shot his blade upward. Ken dodged, rolled on the ground and their blades clashed once more.

"Perhaps I was mistaken."

The silent swordplay continued. Ken dashed forward and swiped downward twice with his blade. Ryu dodged the first one and blocked the second. He then pushed away and swiped toward the midsection. Ken hopped back and placed his blade at his side. Ryu saw this and did the same. Wind whipped around Ryu briefly and Ken's blade glowed in fiery red. Then, using their ki, they attacked simultaneously.

"Shoryuken!"

The warriors jumped into the air and their blade clashed loudly. The impact caused them snap away from each other and they fell back to their respective places. After staring at each other for a while, Ryu lowered his weapon.

"I was mistaken. You have improved, my friend."

Ken lowered his as well and slid it in its sheath, "So have you, as always."

Ryu put his away and the two friends clasped arms.

"It's been awhile, Ryu. I was beginning to think someone offed you."

Ryu smiled, "Not yet. But the world is full of warriors. I should be cautious, but I can't help but feel elated by it as well, no matter how long I've lived."

Ken laughed, "Four hundred years and you haven't changed one bit, buddy."

Ryu looked over at him, "Although I see that you have. Your hair is shorter."

Ken gave a slight grin as he brushed his hand through his golden hair. True, his hair was still long, but now it was by normal standards. It didn't even reach his shoulders now but rather it was trimmed much like Ryu's hair.

"Yeah. well it would be embarrassing if people couldn't tell the difference between me an my wife."

"You're...married?"

"Yeah. 2 years now." He indicated to his wedding band briefly. "And I have a kid too."

Ryu's eyes were wide. 'A child? But how?' I took him a moment to guess how, since immortals can't have children. "It would appear that I have missed much, my friend."

Ken just waved, "Nah, don't worry about it. We each have our lives to lead."

"Yes."

Ken stifled a yawn, "Well, since it's late and we pretty much wore ourselves out with our little match, what's say you say here for the night and we can catch up in the morning. You can use one of our guest rooms."

"Okay." Ryu bowed slightly. "I didn't mean to come so late."

Ken assured him. "No problem. For you Ryu, my door is always open."

AN: Yeah, it's a little short. I'll try to make up for it in the next chap.