Disclaimer: See previous chapters

Chap. 23

The small passenger boat ship cruised through the still waters of the night. It would be another hour and a half before it reached its destination at the docking port in Japan. Ryu was currently in his room alone lying down on the cot he made for himself. When the ship came some time ago, he had planned on getting a little sleep before transferring off. But it never came and his eyes stayed open. His mind was preoccupied with the Chinese woman that now accompanied him.

'Why?' he thought in mild confusion. 'Why did I invite her to come with me like that?' Even though they were traveling in practically the same direction, it wasn't like him to just up and invite someone to join him in travel. Normally, he would have simply stayed quiet and traveled on. If the person were going the same way, that wouldn't have changed anything. It would normally start that way and end up where their destinations break off. Then he would go his way while the other person would go their way. No words and no goodbyes. It was his way.

Amazing how that changed when she showed up…

Raising his eyes toward the window, he looked as the stars twinkled in the cloudy sky. 'Chun-Li…' It continued to surprise him how much he had changed because of her. He was also surprised when she asked him to teach her the ways of ki, or chi in her native tongue in order to use it as a projectile. Not necessarily by the fact that she asked, but by the fact that she hadn't already known it. At their meeting, he felt an incredible aura of energy coming from her. Then later, when he discovered that she was an older immortal than he was, he was astounded further. But then again, using energy in such a manner was known to only a few martial artists in the entire world. He was just fortunate that Gouken was one of them.

And now, so was she…

Kathmando, 1603

"Haaahhh!"

"Again."

"Haaaaaahhhhhh!"

"Again."

Ryu stood to the side while his newest 'student' continued her training in ki manipulation. She had spent the past hour and a half working on it, but without any results as her efforts proved fruitless each and every time. Also, she was being too forceful in her attempts. He knew she was spent any more and she would probably pass out. Normally, he would have stopped some time ago, but the fire in her eyes told him otherwise. She was driven to complete this; that much was clear. So much so that he figured that she probably wasn't even feeling the fatigue that obviously weighed down on her body. But her drive was serving as a two-edged sword. She was rushing, anxious to complete her task. And that simply would not do. Whatever her rush was, it had to wait. As long as her thoughts pushed her this way, she would never get the calm and focus she needed. Eventually, frustration would defeat her.

"Raaahhhh!"

Right on cue, Chun-Li bent down to the ground tired, exhausted, and irritated. She smashed a weak fist into the ground to show it.

"Why can't I do this? Why!"

Ryu simply stood where he was, not answering her question. It would be very simple to do so, but she was not ready for the answer. Not now, now like this. But Ryu soon found himself frowning. 'I should tell her right away. There's no need to wait this out.' But in retrospect, he stopped himself. Women have never been his strong suit; that was more Ken's 'domain' as it were. Furthermore, this woman here…he didn't know too much about her. She didn't speak much and simply practiced whatever lesson he gave her. Perhaps it is time to find out. Looking to the side, he grabbed a towel and handed it to her. Chun-Li looked up from the ground and onto the cloth. Then Ryu said a couple of words he never really thought he would be saying.

"Come. We need to talk."

While Ryu reminisced in his room, his compatriot stood on the deck of the ship looking out into the sea. The winds whipped through the Chinese immortal's hair as she stood in place. And like her friend, she was thinking of the past. 'Friend…' It had been years since they seen each other, but that didn't matter. However, she had not thought to seek him out and visit him from time to time. That would have been useless anyway, since Ryu traveled constantly, making him impossible to find. But the fact that she never thought about it made her feel a little guilty, mostly when it came to Ryu because they were somewhat alike. Among the people she met and known, he was probably one of the few that could truly understand her.

Perhaps the only one, period…

After she wiped the sweat from her face, Chun-Li discarded the towel and stood up. Ryu's back was turned, but he began walking. Chun-Li took a breath and moved behind him. Ryu said nothing as they walked down the dirt road toward the river. The woman soon moved up beside him where she saw his eyes looking toward the waters. She could tell that he was in thought. In their time together, she had been able to discern about him. They shifted back and Chun-Li looked on ahead.

"Chun-Li." he spoke finally. "I've never thought about asking this because of my debt to you. But this is necessary to know."

Her eye moved toward him again, "What is it?"

"Why?"

She blinked in confusion, but her stride never changed. "I don't understand."

"Why do you want to learn from me?"

She kept silent. She knew where this was going and it was something she really didn't want to talk about. She had already told him about Shadowloo and her quest to stop them. But each time, she had managed to leave out her reasons why. Now he wanted those answers.

Ryu continued, "It's vital that I know, but even more for you to say it. It affects your training."

'Affects my training?' A slight frown creased on her face, but it disappeared just as quickly as it came. "I need an edge. To bring Shadowloo down."

Now it was Ryu's turn to frown. She had given this answer before and it was not what he wanted to hear. 'So he does want to know.' This was confirmed by his next words.

"There's something more, isn't there?"

He finally stopped walking, stationing himself before the water. Chun-Li did likewise, but no answer came from her. But her silence was answer enough. Her fist clenched tightly and Ryu turned to face her fully. His brown eyes bore deep into hers, searching for something.

"This affects your training. I promised that I would help you learn it. So I need to know."

She shut her eyes and turned away, but the emotions were already boiling to the top. "They killed my father!" she snapped as she whirled to him with angry eyes. "There! Are you satisfied?"

Ryu's expression remained unchanged. "You want revenge."

Chun-Li could feel her rage simmering above the rest of her emotions. 'How dare he judge me!' "Who wouldn't?!" she replied immediately. "You can be noble if you want, but the truth is that in my place, you would do just the same."

"You're right."

Not the response she expected and as such, surprise and confusion replaced her anger.

"Huh?"

Ryu turned to the water and spoke softly, "My sensei, the closest thing I had to a father, was killed by a demon that took his head. I know what it's like. To feel the anger surge through your mind, the adrenaline of meeting the person and the hatred in hurting the one that hurt you." He gave a single sigh, "It still hurts, even now. For as long as I live, it will hurt." His eyes locked with hers again.

"And we live forever."

Shame soon became the dominant feeling in Chun-Li. She was a fool to think she was alone in this. As an immortal, it was only natural that Ryu would have his own share of pain and sorrow.

"Ryu…I'm…sorry."

Ryu's eyes suddenly widened and he looked away, "You're hurt still. And angry. Push that all aside." He began to move away from the lake, "When you do, you can continue your training."

Chun-Li stood silently. It had taken her some time to realize just what he had truly done. In order for her to learn chi projection, she had to clear her mind of all her negative thoughts. It had driven her far, but she would have to let it go if she was to learn this. It would be hard. She would have to let go of her search for who knows how long.

"And we live forever."

She had the time. She had to wait. She had to exercise patience now more than ever and not be too eager in her endeavor. If this were to work out, she would have to wait.

"Ryu?"

The lone warrior stopped in his tracks, "Hm?"

"Thank you."

But she had changed since then. Then she had wanted revenge. But as the years…the decades went by, vengeance had left her with nothing but hurt and emptiness. Her efforts were frustrated and each time, she would lose more of herself. It wasn't until after Ryu that she realized that she wasn't the only one that Shadowloo hurt. There were others. So many others. She remembered when she pursued Shadowloo, they only left two things in their wake. Dead bodies and a scattered few to weep over them. It could not be ignored. Which is why there was a new motivation for her now. She still wanted to avenge her father's death. But she had to put the others who where hurt first and he personal feelings last. It had to be justice. True justice.

This brought her mind back to the present journey. Though she was still on her vacation, her captain had informed her of a possible lead in LA. She could tell that he didn't want to contact her like that, but given her record, she was the only one suited for the task. It may be nothing, but that's what she had to discover. 'You never know.' Still, a part of her wished that her captain hadn't asked her. Seeing Ryu made her wish that she were visiting a friend of hers or two.

At least she found Ryu…