Disclaimer: See previous chapters

AN: Sorry for the long delay.

Chap. 7

Ken and Ryu were walking down the boulevard, heading to Ken's office building in the city. Normally, Ken would have driven there in one of his cars, but he decided to walk with Ryu there this time. As they were approached the building...

"She joined the monastery?"

Ken nodded, "Last I saw, yes. She couldn't handle the killings, so she sought refuge there."

"Well, I can understand that." Ryu nodded. "She seemed to be a very troubled soul."

"Speaking of which, anyone special in your life?" Ken grinned.

Ryu remained silent. This was the third time Ken had asked that question in the last hour. He didn't want to talk about it yet. He was still trying to figure out what to make of it.

"Oh, quiet are we?" Ken commented. "Shall I take your silence for a yes?"

Ryu looked away nervously and Ken was about to prod some more when they stopped walking. Their heads were ringing with a shrill silence. Someone was near...an immortal.

KABOOOMMMMMMM!

Just as suddenly as they sensed the presence, the side of the office building suddenly exploded in a ball of flames. The two men were in shock.

"What the...?"

"A C-5 explosive?"

"Yes. From what was left, that was what was used to do this."

A couple of hours had passed since the explosion. Police and fire officials finished putting out the fire and medical personnel where helping out the wounded who were hit by the debris outside as well as inside. Ken and Ryu were speaking with the officer in charge of the recovery.

"Did everyone make it out?" Ryu asked.

The officer answered, "Many are wounded. A few severely." He then paused, knowing he was about to deliver some really bad news. "Two fatalities."

Now it was Ken's turn to ask. "Who?"

"A Jim Scott and Peter Wellings. You knew them?"

Ken looked down and nodded solemnly. "Peter was new there, but Jim was a good friend." He regained his composure and shook the officer's hand. "Thank you, officer."

The officer nodded and went back to his work, leaving Ryu and Ken to talk alone.

"Do you think that immortal was responsible?"

"Maybe." Many immortals have attacked him before and it wouldn't be surprising if this was someone he met up with. But none have ever made such an abrasive move against him. At least not like this.

"I'm sorry about your friend." Ryu silently added.

Ken nodded, "Thanks." A couple of more officers came up to him discussing the financial damages. Turning to Ryu briefly, "Could you head back to the mansion? I have a lot of financial work to cover now."

"Alright. I'll see you later, Ken."

Ryu left Ken to his work and walked away. Ken began talking to the men when he felt it again. Turning his head slightly, he saw the cause of the disturbance. In one of the abandoned alleyways was a man, wearing yellow and green military clothing. He wore a beret hat with the same colors and had a long scar over his eye that coursed down his cheek. His predatory eyes were focused on Ken for a moment before he disappeared into the alley. Ken frowned to himself.

'Rolento."

1860, USA

A young, dark-skinned boy was racing through the fields in terror. He ran toward a sole mansion in the hopes to hide himself in the fields. Behind him, a group of men on horseback was chasing him, rifles shooting through the air in order to scare him. The boy continued into the field, but the wheat wasn't tall enough to hide him and the men were already on him. In his panic, the boy tripped and fell down on the grass. The three on horseback caught up to him quickly and one just off and grabbed him roughly. His face was scarred over one of his eyes.

"Where do you think you're going, boy? You know what happens when you run, right?" At those words, another came off his horse and grabbed a hatchet.

"We have to make sure you don't again."

The slave boy struggled in fear, "Please don't sir. I won't run away again, I promise!"

The scarred man sneered, "And we're going to make sure of that."

The man with the hatchet came closer, but before he could even reach the boy, the scarred man looked up. He felt the presence of another. 'Immortal.'

"What is the meaning of this?"

Ken had exited his mansion after hearing all the commotion outside. The man with the hatchet ordered, "Stay out of this, rich boy. This does not concern you."

The blond-haired man wasn't perturbed, "I don't know what you are doing, but this is my land and I won't tolerate violence or brutality of any kind here, understand?"

He moved closer, partially covering over the boy. One of the horse-riders attacked, but Ken sidestepped and gave him a swift kick in the rear end, knocking his face into the floor. The one with the hatchet swung, but Ken evaded the strike and kicked upward, disarming him. Not giving up, the man let out a punch, but Ken grabbed his arm and swung it around, causing the man to fall back. With both men down, Ken turned to look up at Rolento, who was merely watching the event.

"Well then, what we have here is a problem." he threatened.

Ken held his ground, "No problem if you just turn around and leave these people alone."

Rolento looked down at the boy and then at Ken. He gave a toothy grin. "Well then. Another time, perhaps."

Ken merely stared as the other two crawled up from the ground and saddled back on his horse. As they rode away, Ken returned his attention to the boy.

"You'll be safe now, okay?"

The boy was still trembling, but he gave a slight nod. Ken lent his hand out to help him up. The boy looked at Ken warily at first, but then he slowly reached up and took his hand. Ken helped him to his feet.

"You'll be alright. Come."

The boy queitly followed Ken to the house. As he did...

"My name is Ken. Ken Masters. What's yours?"

The boy continued to stare at the ground, but he quietly whispered the answer.

"Sean."

"His name is Rolento." Ken told Ryu when he had returned. "Before the civil war, he spent his time hunting down runaway slaves. They would sometimes pass my way so I would let them in for a short while and help send them north."

"The Underground Railroad." Ryu commented. He wasn't there when it happened, but he was aware of it then.

"Yeah, although I was a sub-conductor. I wasn't involved in it long." Ken moved toward the window. "The war came up and they stopped passing my way."

"And Rolento?"

"Last I heard he became a soldier in the Civil War, on the Confederate side of course." He shrugged. "I guess he had other concerns at the time."

Ryu frowned slightly, "So all of this is a petty grudge?"

"No. He just decided now to catch up with me on his word."

Ryu's frown didn't disappear. "So why the bombing?"

"Psychological warfare. He became very talented in the art of warfare."

"Ken, are you going to fight him?"

Both immortals turned to see Eliza enter the room. Her face showed that she was worried. Ken nodded to her question. "Yeah. Out there, he's dangerous. Best to deal with it now."

The worry didn't vanish, but Eliza nodded sadly and left the room. This wasn't the first time this had happened, and most likely won't be the last either. He hated worrying her like this, but there wasn't a choice.

"Ryu, could you stay with them until I get back?"

"Sure. Watch yourself, Ken."

The trademark grin showed up on his face. "Always."

An hour later...

"So you've known him since he was young?"

Ryu and Eliza were sitting down over a meal that was made for them. Eliza seemed a little antsy that Ken had been gone for such awhile, so Ryu decided to trying to keep her occupied by telling her about his own life experiences with Ken while Mel napped upstairs.

"Yes. He was one of my master's students. He took Ken under his wing to teach him discipline and honor. We became sparring partners and good friends ever since. In a way, he's my family." Ryu stopped briefly and spoke softly. "My only family now."

Eliza blinked, "But I thought...oh." She remembered Ken telling her that their sensei was an immortal as well and began to put two and two together. "Was your master...?

Ryu nodded, "Yeah. Long ago, a man..." He stopped again. "I'd rather not talk about it."

"I'm sorry." Eliza apologized.

Ryu took a bite of his sandwich and swallowed. "No need to be. It's a part of our lives."

"I hate it."

"Hmm?"

Eliza gripped the tablecloth tightly, "This game of death you immortals play. Why must this keep happening to us? To him?" she added softly.

Ryu looked down, unsure of what to say. Or better yet, unsure on how she will react. 'I should be honest.'

"I don't know. It just is, that's all. I wish I could provide a better answer..."

Eliza gave a slight wave, "No, I know. That's just how your lives are. I just wish I didn't worry so much. Ken is a good man. Good men shouldn't have to do this."

Ryu gave her a small smile, "Ken cares about you too much to die now. Don't worry, he'll be..."

Ryu suddenly stopped abruptly and turned his head. He felt it. Someone was near.

'Ken?'

Eliza noticed the look on his face and recognized it. "Is it Ken?"

Ryu focused a bit more, "I'm not sure." By now, Ryu was sensing for ki. He couldn't feel it strongly enough. It seemed a little distant. Looking out the window, he saw a large jeep roll by the gates of the mansion. The windows were opened as they passed and Ryu caught a glimpse of a scarred man. The man grinned briefly and another jeep came up. Two men suddenly stood up, holding bazookas on their shoulders and aiming straight at the mansion.

Ryu suddenly leaped at Eliza, "Get down!"

Ryu tackled Eliza to the ground just as the bazookas fired. The projectiles hit the mansion with destructive force, blowing up the front doors and windows in a large explosion. The jeep quickly took off and rolled away. Inside, Ryu lifted from the debris on him and looked down at Eliza.

"Are you alright?"

Eliza coughed a little as she rose, "I'm fine. I'm okay." Her face suddenly went into shock, "Mel!"

Ryu looked out at the retreating jeep, "Stay here. And call the police."

Eliza nodded and ran upstairs while Ryu ran outside. Looking around, he found a garage and hopped into one of Ken's cars. Turning the keys, he hit the gas and drove off after the jeep. Despite decades of traveling by foot, Ryu managed to acquire decent driving skills in case it was needed. He was also glad that Ken picked flashy cars. That meant speed and speed was certainly what was needed here. He zoomed down the opened street-road and turned the corner. He saw one of the jeeps right up ahead of him. Pressing the gas further, Ryu zoomed even faster behind it and caught up to it in no time. The men inside were surprised to see him, but not as half as surprised when Ryu zoomed ahead and right in front.

'Forgive me, my friend.'

Ryu slammed on the brakes and stopped right in front of the moving vehicle. The driver tried to brake as well, but it was too late and the jeep was launched into the air. It flew a good distance and then slammed down sideways on the street. One of the men was still conscious and shaken from the crash. But he looked out the shattered window to see the Japanese warrior striding right toward him. He struggled to grab his gun, but Ryu had lept into the air and smashed his foot down on the jeep, trashing it even more and shaking up the passenger. Reeling his fist back, he punched through the glass and into the man's face, knocking him out as well. Hopping off, Ryu dragged out the two attackers as the jeep caught on fire. Ryu examined the men and noticed one had a piece of paper in his jacket pocket.

'Port 45.'

Ken exited the elevator of the hospital in a hurried pace, looking for Eliza. He found her in one of the waiting rooms. Her hand was slightly bandaged, but she was fine nevertheless. Ken quickly swept her up in a hug.

"Eliza, are you alright?"

Eliza tightened the embrace, "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

Eliza smiled at his worry, "Don't worry. We're all okay. Thanks to Ryu."

Ryu was sitting in the nearby couch, with Mel sleeping on his leg. Ken moved over to him.

"Ryu. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Don't worry."

Eliza was then called to sign a few clearing papers and left the room. Ken glared at the ground hard enough to set it on fire.

"When I find that son-of-a-"

Ryu cut him off by handing him the paper he found. "Here. It's a docking ticket at port 45 at the bay."

Ken took the ticket and examined it briefly. "He wanted me to find this. He wants me angry so that I'll slip up." He put the ticket in his jacket pocket. "But that's not going to happen." he added dangerously.

Ken stood up, but Ryu grabbed his arm, "You are sure?"

Ken stopped. He knew that his friend was worried about his mental state, but he wouldn't let it dictate the fight that was to come.

"I'm sure."

Ryu looked at his eyes and concededly let him go. Ken grabbed the door handle and looked back at Ryu.

"I know I'm asking much of you again for this, but could you..."

Ryu answered before he finished, "I'll stay with your family until you return."

"You're a lifesaver, Ryu. Thanks."

Ken walked into the abandoned dock. He was once again wearing his red karate gi and his blade was strapped firmly to his side. As he walked in, he felt the presence of Rolento. Turning around, he saw Rolento walk out of the shadows, an old American cavalry sword tipped on his shoulder.

"If you wanted me, you could have just asked."

Rolento sneered, "Now where's the sport in that?" He then laughed, "Besides, it got your attention, didn't it?" He then cruelly added, "By the way, how's your wife and kid?"

Ken glared and unsheathed his blade, "They had nothing to do with our fight."

Rolento lowered his own blade, "Civilian casualties are acceptable in this war. And I will take whatever advantages I need to survive."

"Well, then you shouldn't have messed with my family. You might have lived longer!"

Ken suddenly lunged and struck out. Rolento blocked the blow and Ken attacked again. Again, it was blocked and Rolento was grinning openly.

"I don't think so. If anything, it is I that will bury you."

Rolento then struck out with his own blade and Ken blocked it. Rolento let out another strike and it was blocked as well. Ken pushed away the blade and swung out. Rolento rolled backward and Ken's blade hit a metal grating, causing sparks to fly. Rolento continued to roll and he suddenly changed direction and flew through the air. Ken raised his blade just in time to block, but the strike was hard and it allowed Rolento to slash out on the ground and hit Ken in the thigh.

Ken stumbled back in pain and Rolento attacked fiercely. Ken blocked two of the attacks and rolled away from the third. Ken stood to his feet again, albeit still wounded. It would heal, but for now, it was slowing him down. Rolento came at him again with a stab. Ken deflected it, but on passing by, Rolento decked him in the face and Ken was knocked down. Rolento grinned more and raised his arm to strike down, but Ken suddenly jumped from the floor and hit him with the sword's hilt. Dazed, Rolento backed off a bit, giving Ken enough time to stab him through. Rolento gasped and bent down to the ground as Ken arose to his feet again

"Guess you have to cancel you funeral plans, while I make some of my own!"

Swoooooooooooo!

Rolento's head rolled on the floor and the body fell with a thump. Ken stood up straight just as the Quickening from his opponent reached and entered into him. Ken cried aloud as electricity swarmed around him and exploded everywhere. The dock exploded in some areas and crashed in others as Ken received his opponent's power. Then it ended and Ken was on his knees, breathing heavily.

2 days later...

"Are you sure you won't still around longer, buddy?"

Ryu was standing out on the sidewalk, duffle bag on his back. Ken and Eliza were sitting inside the car when they drove him out on an open road.

"I'm sure. I have to get back on the road again. And…it has been awhile since I was home."

"Well, are you sure I can't get you a plane?" Ken then added jokingly, "Or a car?"

Ryu scratched his head nervously, "I'm sure. And I said I was sorry."

"Yeah sure. I bet that you only came by to wreck one of my cars, Ryu." he continued.

Eliza scolded, "Ken, that's enough of that." Looking up at Ryu, "Well, will you at least visit more? Mel can't seem to get enough of his 'uncle'."

Ryu nodded, "I will try to. Goodbye, Mrs. Eliza."

Eliza smiled back, "Polite as always. Goodbye, Ryu. See you soon."

"Yeah. See ya later, muscle man." Ken remarked.

"Sure thing, hotshot."

The two tapped fists and Ryu began to walk down the lonely road in silence. As he did, Eliza commented.

"He didn't say goodbye to you."

Ken nodded, "We never do."