Disclaimer: Same as always

Chap. 18

Log Entry: Subject Ryu has decided to leave his dojo dwelling to travel again. According to his route, he most likely to visit the Kasinagi shine and the Kasinagi family. (For detailed history, see entry 59 and see figure Hayate)

Kyoto, Japan

Ryu entered into the shine and knelt down. His eyes closed in silent prayer for a while before a shadow came up beside him. Ryu opened his eyes as the figure approached him.

"Ryu. Welcome. I'm glad to see that you're back."

Ryu stood up and faced the person before him. It was a young woman with dark brown hair. A thick white headband covered her forehead and kept most of her hair off her face, leaving light bangs. Her face, normally serious, held a light smile.

"As am I. It has been a while, Hokuto."

Japan, 1523

A man was traveling through the forest... He was dress in a white garb with blue stripes and markings all over. His long hair was tied and flowed on his back as he walked. His ears then picked up traces of sound. Voices in the trees. 'People.' He initially thought of ignoring it, but two things stop him. One was the question of what were people doing in the forest this time of night. The other was when he managed to hear one of the voices clearly.

"This was supposed to be between you and me, Sodom."

The man stopped and peered through the trees in search. What he found were three men in a clearing in the woods. One, a man wearing a white gi, was kneeling on the ground. Two arrows were stabbed into his body, yet he remained alive. Before him stood another man, holding a sword. This man was decked in full samurai armor, a blue helmet and mask obscuring his face. Behind him, another man held a bow trained on the fallen one.

"Oh, quoting the rules huh, Ryu?" Sodom gloated. "Sorry, but I haven't lived this long by following the rules." He then looked at the sword and twirled it. "Hm. Excellent craftsmanship. This is quite a sword."

The watcher fumed. 'He plans to kill him with his own weapon?!'

Sodom raised the sword, "Don't worry. It'll be quick."

"Haaa!"

Sodom stopped at the sound of the cry and jumped back away as the stranger jumped out of the trees and landed between Sodom and Ryu. "Have you no honor? You would slay an unarmed man with an archer to wound him?"

"Sorry." Sodom answered, apparently grinning underneath his mask. "Honor has never been my strong suit."

He then nodded to the archer who wasted no time in shooting his arrow. But before the arrow could touch him, a flash of silver streaked the air before him and the arrow was cut in two. The archer gave a shocked look and hurried to set another arrow, but the swordsman swooped over the ground and slashed the bow in half. Terrified, the archer tossed away the broken bow and fled. With that out of the way, the swordsman turned back to Sodom and fled, leaving Sodom facing the swordsman alone.

"So what now?" Sodom asked before reaching back and pulling out his own sword. The swordsman began to fall into stance when...

"Leave him."

The swordsman looked over at Ryu, who had somehow pulled the arrows out of his body and was standing weakly. Glaring at Sodom.

"This is between us."

Sodom gave a half laugh and twirled both swords, "You're right. Time to take my prize."

Sodom jumped up in the air and reversed the handle on the blades, causing them to point downward as he descended.

"Stranger, catch."

The swordsman suddenly tossed Ryu his own sword and Ryu caught it. Moving quickly, Ryu rolled just as Sodom's sword flashed downwards, stabbing into the earth. Immediately after the roll, Ryu saw him viciously pull the sword out of the ground and reveal an opening underneath the armor. Moving fast, Ryu slashed out and hit the unarmored flesh under Sodom's arm. Sodom growled in pain and gave an angered swipe in response, but Ryu easily ducked the slash, twirled around and brought his blade through Sodom's other unprotected spot.

His neck

The helmet, along with the head inside it, rolled right off and onto the forest floor. Ryu gasped in relief and pain as he knelt down. The stranger began to approach him he saw a mist of white light emerge from Sodom's decapitated body. The mist flew into Ryu and suddenly, the entire forest was engulfed with lightning. The stranger jumped back and Ryu cried as the power surged into him and the lightning crackled around. The swordsman watched the scene with both fascination and fear. After a minute or so, the lightning stopped. The swordsman approached slowly and grabbed his sword, which Ryu had dropped during the Quickening. As he bent down for his sword, his eyes caught a glimpse of the arrow wounds on Ryu. They hadcompletely healed, as if they didn't exist at all. The swordsman quickly snatched up his blade.

"What are you? A demon?"

Ryu finally managed to recover fully and answered.

"No. I am immortal."

From that time forward, Ryu and the swordsman Hayate became good friends. Hayate was a wandering warrior, much like Ryu, who roamed across Japan with his blade as his only companion. They traveled together for a couple of months before they split off on their separate ways. During that time, Hayate showed Ryu a few techniques of his sword art which mainly included various forms of counter-attacks and parries. Several years later, Ryu re-visited him to find that he had settled down and had a family of his own. Ryu was glad for his friend, but felt a slight pang in his heart at what he had. Hayate noticed this and approached him with it several times, but Ryu was resolved in his path. Years soon became decades and time ran out for Hayate. Ryu was able to visit him one last time.

"Hello, old friend."

"Heh...I should be calling you that..." Hayate chuckled lightly before a quick spam ripped through his chest and he clenched his fist around it in pain. "I know that I'm going to die. But it doesn't bother me. We are what we are."

Ryu knelt down beside the bed, "I wish I could help. I am still indebted to you."

The man's wrinkled face contorted into a slight frown, "No. I told you that you do not have to."

"And I told you that it was a matter of honor." Ryu retorted.

Hayate smiled again. During their travels, that had been one of their constant conversations.

"Always...the honorable one...eh Ryu?"

Hayate then gave a struggled breath, but relaxed just as quickly. Ryu however recognized it. 'He won't last long.' Hayate seemed to realize that too and he looked up at Ryu.

"Just do me a favor."

"What is it?"

Hayate looked toward the door, where his adult son and family were waiting outside.

"My family. Watch over them for me."

Ryu solemnly nodded and promised, "For as long as I live, I will."

The two walked out of the shrine and into the courtyard. Hokuto talked a bit about herself, her sister and her father while Ryu listened. Unfortunately, he was sickly right now and the seriousness of it reflected in her voice.

"Are you staying long?"

"I'm afraid not." He looked around the dwelling. "I was just passing through and I thought I would stop by."

"I see." she nodded. Keeping her voice even, "But can you at least stay for dinner? Nanase would be pleased and it will do Father good to see you as well."

Ryu smiled. In addition to the fact that he was going to see the others anyway, he couldn't really refuse a good meal. "Very well. Thank you."

Hokuto nodded and walked away to inform the others while Ryu waited in the courtyard. His gaze soon turned to the gateway. But he blinked in surprise as he saw who was standing there as well.

"Dan?"

"Fancy meeting you here, Ryu." Dan replied.

"What are you doing here?"

He gave a knowing grin, "Just passing by and I thought I would check this place out."

Ryu gave a darkened glance, "You've been following me."

"Uhhhh..." Dan started as he scratched the back of his head. "Well, I am your watcher."

"Still, it makes me a little uneasy."

"Sorry about that." he shrugged as he moved closer. "I'll tell you what. How about I stay with you today? That way you know that the big scary shadow man is right beside you."

"I don't think..."

"Ryu." Hokuto called, coming back near Ryu from the house. "My father wishes to see you."

Ryu nodded as Hokuto's gaze turned to Dan. Noticing this, Ryu started, although he had no idea what to say.

"This is..."

Luckily, Dan was way ahead of him. "Dan Hibiki. An old friend of Ryu's."

Hokuto narrowed her eyes a bit, "You are like him?"

"No, no, no. I'm nowhere as stiff."

Hokuto blinked in surprise at the statement and then suddenly giggled a bit. Ryu didn't know whether to be embarrassed or pleased. It was rare that Hokuto let anything show through her serious exterior. The fact that Dan made her giggle, even briefly, was nice.

"Would you like to accompany us as well then?"

Dan gave a short bow, "Delighted."

Log Entry: Subject Ryu has left the Kasinagi residence and is heading west. Destination is unknown, so it is believed that he is going into training.

Dead silence. That's what Dan thought as he moved in toward Ryu. Not even the wind moved as Ryu stood firmly, also unmoving. Ryu finally took a deep breath and began to settle into stance. Dan noticed that he wasn't using his sword, although it was still sheathed at his side. But Ryu suddenly stopped and straightened back up.

"Dan? How...?" He stopped himself short and then his eyes dulled. "Oh yes, of course."

Dan grinned, impressed that Ryu could figure out who it was even though he wasn't an immortal. Such a skill would have taken many masters years to learn. 'Guess he has that kind of time.'

"Hey don't give me that look. You have no idea how hard it is. Especially with you Ryu. All these years and your travel route is still unpredictable."

Ryu shrugged, "It makes no difference to me where I train."

"Well since we're here, how about being my sparring partner?"

Ryu now turned and looked at Dan. Dan was wearing a karate gi with a black shirt underneath. The strange thing is that the gi was pink in color. Ryu however, didn't seem to notice or care.

"You know martial arts?" he asked.

"Come now." Dan grinned broadly, spreading his arms wide. "You think I can get a body like this if I didn't?" He stopped briefly in thought, "Well, now that I think about it, I am pretty flawless."

Ryu grimaced. 'He's cockier than Ken', he thought. Dan gave a short bow and dropped into fighting stance, one that was similar to Ryu's.

"Come on." he beckoned. "Don't worry. I'll try not to hurt you too much."

Ryu shook his head in slight amusement and settled into his own stance. Dan cried and lashed out with a punch. Ryu ducked the punch and circled around Dan. Dan spun around in a roundhouse kick, but it was too far off and Ryu had ducked low and caught his remaining leg in a sweep. Dan hit the ground hard.

"Lucky shot." he grimaced as he arose slowly. "I was just warming up."

Ryu didn't reply, although he was a little confused by Dan's actions. If what he said about Watchers were true, then Dan should know that he doesn't stand a chance. 'But this is a spar', he reminded himself. Spars are just to improve techniques. And judging by the way Dan attacked, he would need a lot of improvement. Dan continued to use all sorts of attack; some of them awkward and not very practical. This showed as Dan began to grow tired from them.

"Alright. Warm up's over."

Arching his arm back, a surge of energy began to formulate. Ryu was both surprised and impressed. 'He knows ki attacks.' As his hand glowed, Ryu prepared himself for the force of whatever he was summoning. Dan grinned.

"Now...Gadoken!"

He shot his arm forward and a surge of energy flashed out. But as soon as it emerged, it disappeared. Ryu waited, believing that their may have been more to the attack. But Dan suddenly slumped to the floor, sweat dripping down his face. Ryu blinked in surprise and stood up straight.

"Perhaps...you should stick to watching."

Dan growled, but was so tired and out of breath that he could form a response.

Log entry: Subject Ryu has finished his training and has left the region. Upon entry into the city of Fukuoka, encounters confrontation with the immortal, Jack Talban-alias Cracker Jack (For detailed profile, look under Jack Talban, Cracker Jack). Believed that C. Jack was hired to kill Ryu; employer unknown.

Fukuoka, Japan

"I'm Ryu of the Hoshi clan."

"Name's Cracker Jack. The main man." The large, burly man pulled out a short Roman sword.

"And you are the dead man."

Ryu narrowed his eyes and raised his blade to block as C. Jack came in with an attack. The blades clashed loudly and held in place. Ryu pushed back and slashed off to the side. C. Jack blocked and Ryu came at him again repeatedly. Dan watched the fight from a distance, not interfering as he is supposed to and making mental notes on the fight. 'Hmm. That's unusual. Ryu's being aggressive.' Ryu continued to strike and slash at C. Jack and drive him back.

Ryu went for another strike, but C. Jack rolled on the ground and it missed. Seeing the opening, C. Jack readied his blade and stabbed forward, but Ryu managed to dodge to the side a second before it could stab him. But as he did, a sudden whack hit his shoulder and caused him to yelp in pain. Ryu grabbed it and found it was broken. Looking up, he saw what had hit him. In C. Jack's right arm held a thick wooden bat. Ryu frowned. 'So that's why he used the sword with his left.'

Dan made another note of this, even though he knew that another watcher was probably recording this now anyway. C. Jack's style was more with his bat than his sword. He would usually beat his opponents to death and then take their heads when they were down. Ryu would have to be careful. Ryu steadied himself, wincing a bit from the earlier blow. C. Jack held both weapons leveled and suddenly stabbed forward with the sword. On instinct, Ryu deflected it, but C. Jack used that time to smash Ryu in the back with the bat. Ryu cried as he fell to the ground, but tucked himself in order to roll. When he got to his feet, his instincts told him to jump back. A second after he did, the sword of C. Jack's slashed the air, missing Ryu narrowly.

Ryu stood away and leveled his sword again. Dan saw the glimpse Ryu had in his eyes. 'He figured it out.' C. Jack put his sword arm forward and spun it upward, aiming for the head. Ryu raised the sword in an attempted block and C. Jack pulled back in order to swing the bat again. Ryu however ducked the bat swing, causing C. Jack to loose his balance slightly. Ryu's sword spun around in a ground-ward crescent and came back up from behind C. Jack, severing his head. Ryu moved back, sighing in relief and wincing in pain all at once. But that soon became a solid cry as the Quickening took form and struck him. As it tore up the surrounding area, Dan continued to watch.

'A level-2 Quickening.'

The Watchers had monitored and recorded four types of Quickenings, although they have five classified. Level-1 is usually classified for new immortals who experience their first Quickening. The experience it leaves on them alters them forever as they take in the realization of their new lives as immortals. But beyond that, there's nothing really special.

Level-2 is your standard Quickening. The usual lightning explosion effects that trash everything around them. Level-3 is left for more experienced immortals. In the past, such occurrences were rare, but now in the time of the Gathering, they have been witnessed more often. More bolts of energy are seen and in some occasions, there are other affects like rings of fire or slight windstorms.

Level-4 is for rare powerful immortals. Mostly those who have lived for more than a thousand years or for skilled immortals with over five hundred kills. The Quickening is displayed in an aura-like form and has been know to lift the victor into the air. Level-5 is the Final Quickening. The one in which the final immortal will experience. It is believed that the power of this one will also unlock the Prize, whatever that was. In any case, the power alone would exceed all of the others combined. It has yet to be seen. As Dan approached Ryu to help him, a stray thought entered his mind as he looked at the fallen warrior.

'I may see the Final Quickening.'

Log entry: Ryu defeats C. Jack, but is unsure as to who wants him dead. Continues traveling west. Believed that he is heading toward China. Reasoning being that he intends to visit Chun Li (For detailed history and information, see entry 9 and subject Chun Li)

With that entry, Dan closed his journal log and sat back in his seat. Tomorrow, Ryu will reach the city of Shanghai. Luckily, Dan was way ahead of him as the bus he was on was almost there. Reflecting on his last words, he smiled.

'Ryu and Chun Li...forever.'

Even though that was unlikely, Dan couldn't help thinking it. He was a big romantic at heart and now was as good a time as any to play Cupid. Ryu doesn't even realize that he is heading right to her. According to his sources, Chun Li heading for Shanghai right now and will arrive as soon as Ryu does. Realizing the implications of this, his grin broadened.

'Sometimes it's good to be a Watcher.'