Disclaimer: See previous chapters

AN: Again, my deepest apologies...

Chap. 25 (The real Chapter 25)

'I wonder if this was such a good idea...'

It was nightfall and he lay in bed in one of Ken's guestrooms. Contrary to what Samuel told him, Ryu was still a guest in this house and he would act as such. Of course, that didn't stop him from inviting Chun Li to stay the night, offering her the guest room nearby. Still, in all honesty, he didn't know what Ken would say at him having a visitor there without his permission. His friend had given him a privilege and he didn't want to abuse it. But he was certain that Ken wouldn't mind. In fact, if Ken was to ever find out, he would probably tease Ryu about it for decades. Literally…

He's done it before…

Chun Li sat quietly in a small restaurant with a bowl of rice before her. It has been several months since she joined up with Ryu and began her training with him. It was difficult to say the least and she hadn't gotten a full grasp of it, but Ryu assures her that she is progressing well. 'I just wish I believed it' she thought as she took a scoop of rice with her chopsticks and ate it. As she chewed though, the sensation of an immortal called her attention. Her eyes snapped up, but made no other move as a man entered into the restaurant. He was of medium size and build, with long blond hair. The man turned to her, obviously searching for the source of his own sensation and his eyes widened and the sight of her. A small smile crept up his face and he moved right over to her.

"What brings a lovely lady like you out here?"

'Well, he is a looker…' Chun Li thought with a mental blush as she answered, "A little this, a little that. What about you?"

The man continued to grin and he took a seat across from her. "I'm meeting a friend, but for a night of dinner with you, I could hold it off."

She smiled but not without a thought of caution, "I'm afraid not. I'm kind of busy."

"Are you sure it couldn't wait one night?"

'Well, he's certainly persistent.' The offer was tempting, but she had spoken the truth and she didn't even know this guy. For all she knew, he could have been hunting for her. 'No. I have to stop thinking that way.'

"The truth is I'm with someone."

"Oh…" The man's eyes widened slightly and he scratched the back of his head. "My apologizes. I guess I shouldn't be supposed though."

"Oh no, it's not like that." Chun Li answered quickly, chuckling all the while. "He's helping me out with some things."

"Really? Like wh…?"

Ken stopped when he felt another immortal presence. Both turned their heads to the door and another person walked in, one they were both familiar with.

"Ken."

Chun Li blinked, noticing that he was indicating to the stranger sitting with her. Ryu's gaze then shifted to her and now it was his turn to blink.

"Chun Li, what are you doing here?"

The woman shrugged uncertainly, "I thought I'd have lunch here instead."

"Wait, wait." Ken held up his hands. "You two know each other?"

Ryu nodded shortly, realizing the situation and he motioned his hnd to Ken, "Chun Li, my best friend, Ken Masters." Turning his hand to Chun Li, he spoke to Ken. "Ken, this is Chun Li."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Ken said abruptly. His gaze shifted for Ryu to Chun Li and back again repeatedly. His grin returned and it grew immensely, "Has it finally happened? Have you finally…found a woman?"

Ryu blinked in shock and held his hands up, his face beginning to brighten. "Ken! It's not like that!"

Ken stood up from his seat, still grinning, "No my friend. You are busted. After all these years…I was beginning to think that you were becoming a monk."

Chun Li watched the scene with interest and a bit of amusement. Ryu was deeply embarrassed by his friend's insinuations, displayed by the unusual blush that was forming on his face. Until now, she had never seen him any other way except as a teacher. Now, with his friend, she was seeing him in a different light. Putting that on hold, she decided to help him before things went too far. Already some of the other customers were gazing in their direction.

"Excuse me, but it isn't that way."

Ken finally ceased in his 'assault' on Ryu and looked over at her, "Oh really?"

The woman nodded, "Ryu has been training me in the art of ki, which is why I can't go out on that date with you."

"You asked her out?" Ryu turned to Ken in askance. He placed a hand on his forehead and sighed, "Why does that not surprise me?"

Ken glared at him, "What surprises me is why you haven't? I think you really are a monk." Turning to Chun Li, his charming grin returned, Well, Ms. Li, my invitation still stands if you wish."

Chun Li smiled back, but turn to Ryu, "Is that alright with you Ryu?"

"Well…" Ryu started slowly. "It's up to you really."

"Hm." Truthfully, she was kind of hoping Ryu could have said otherwise so she could continue her training without declining Ken's offer. But then again, she had been going at it for several months straight and Ryu had said she was getting better and should relax at times. 'I guess I could take that break.' Smiling at Ken…

"Well, it's a date then."

"Later tonight?"

"Sure."

Ken nodded to her and glanced at Ryu, "Ryu. I guess our match will have to wait."

"Obviously."

As it turned out, it took them another fifty years for them to meet again. Ken had to leave two days later for some business in the Americas and Ryu hadn't heard from him during that time. Strangely enough, he asked about the date, to which Chun Li replied that it was the most fun she had in a long while but she was ready to get back to her training. What made it strange was because it wasn't something Ryu would normally ask about. He didn't understand then why he had, but now…

Ryu groaned to himself. Sleep would not come to him easily tonight. Rousing himself, he strode over to the door and toward the stairs. But before he could reach it, the door nearby opened as well and Chun Li stepped out, wearing one of Eliza's nightgowns. The two of them froze on sight of each other for a moment until Chun Li spoke.

"I couldn't sleep."

"Neither could I."

A seemingly long silence overcame them and then Ryu spoke this time.

"Ken has a training area in the backyard. Would you care to join me?"

He had no idea why he asked her that question came from. He wasn't even sure he said it until he saw the surprised look in her eyes, which turned to thoughtfulness. She thought about it for a minute and then shrugged.

"Okay."

Five minutes later, Chun Li walked out into the backyard. There was a brick-laden path in the middle, which led further out and ended in front of a small dojo-like ring. She saw Ryu there waiting for her, standing straight and still with his eyes closed. When she entered the ring, she stood beside him and turned, facing the same direction and closing her eyes as well. A gentle breeze blew between them and Ryu finally took a small step forward, waving his arm out just as slowly and gracefully.

At the same time, Chun Li did the same motion, with just as much grace and precision. She then took another step forward and lifted her hand upward, opening her palm as she did so. Ryu mimicked her exactly, both in timing and execution. The kata continued and both immortals went through the motions of the art without slowing down or crashing into each other, despite the fact that their eyes were still closed. The pace began to pick up, going beyond the simple steps and blocks and now moving into swift punches and kicks. Yet never once did they come into contact with one another. Finally, they circled around and stood still in the center where they had started and took a deep breath. Opening her eyes…

"Whew. I was beginning to think that I had forgotten this." she breathed. Ryu opened his eyes shortly afterward and let out a little sigh.

"It has been awhile."

Silence ensued between them as they took short breaths in order to relax their muscles a bit, but Chun Li was starting to feel a little anxious by it. So much so that she decided to call it a night.

"Well…Good night Ryu."

"Oh…Good night, Chun Li."

The next morning, Ryu exited his room after washing up. Ken had bathrooms all over the place (it being a mansion and all) and Ryu was glad for that. He had this strange worry that he would accidentally run into Chun Li again like he did that night. And if it was out of the bathroom, he could bet that it would most likely be an embarrassing situation. Sitting on the bed, he began fitting his clothes on. While putting on his shirt, a knock came to the door and Samuel entered inside.

"Morning sir. Breakfast is ready downstairs."

"Oh…" Again, Ryu wasn't quite used to this. Having someone else make breakfast for him was a rare occurrence in his life. 'Might as well enjoy it while I can.'

"Thank you. I'll be down in a moment."

The servant nodded and left the room. Ryu stood up, slipped on his white gi top and then exited the room. The smell of breakfast came to his nostrils quickly and his stomach groaned as a result. With a small smile, he made his way downstairs and into the dining room. His eyes began waver over the food, but stopped when he saw that he was not alone.

"Good morning, Ryu."

Chun Li was seated at the table, already with her own meal in front of her. She was dressed in her normal attire and her hair was tied in its usual buns. Ryu returned the greeting and sat on the other side of her. It didn't take him long to start chowing down on breakfast. Chun Li let a small giggle, causing him to flush a little from embarrassment and slow down in his eating. But beyond that, neither one of them made a sound.

Chun Li regarded this thoughtfully. It seemed that ever since they met each other at the boat dock, they have been ensued with silence. True, Ryu was never a talkative person, but this was becoming a little disconcerting. Even more so when she realized that he had spoken more than her, striking up conversations and invitations. It must have been a hard thing for him to do. 'He must feel as if he can't get through to me. Well, it's time to change that.' However, just when she affirmed to do this, he spoke up again.

"It's amazing."

"What is?"

Ryu looked up from his plate and around the room, "Ken lives in this place like this and has a family. It's amazing that he's able to keep up his training."

Chun Li shrugged and took a drink of juice, "Well, not everything in life revolves around training and fighting, Ryu."

"I know. It's just…" He looked back down at his plate, "Sometimes I find myself trying to picture myself in his place." His voice softened, "But whenever I try, I am unable to."

The pair was silent for a moment (again), with Chun Li giving him an inquisitive glance.

"You've changed Ryu."

The man blinked as he looked up from his plate. "How so?"

"Well…I don't know really." she said honestly. "It's just that you seem to be a slightly different person than when I first knew you."

Ryu shrugged. "Time can do that to anyone."

"Not always." Chun Li countered. "Often, but not always."

Chun Li took another drink of her juice while Ryu simply became still in thought. She had yet to notice this as he looked up at her and quietly spoke.

"May I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

His expression softened, more so than before. "Why did you leave?"

Becoming still for a moment, she closed her eyes. "My training was complete. You said so yourself."

Ryu raised an eyebrow at this. "I believe my exact words were, 'You have progressed well enough to master it on your own.'"

"Exactly."

"But…that wasn't necessarily a dismissal."

"There was no need to stay there any longer than I needed to." she answered flatly. "You knew what I was doing back then."

"Yes." he half-sighed. "It is the same thing now."

Chun Li frowned and lightly shook her head, seeing exactly where this conversation was going. "Please don't."

"Don't what?"

"Don't bring it up. I know you still think I'm searching for revenge, but that's not true, not anymore. In fact, it was your words and teachings that made me see it differently."

Ryu blinked. "Oh?"

"I must thank you for that." She then gave a thin smile. "I would have led on a meaningless existence if not for you."

"That wasn't what I was going to say. I…"

His pause came from his attention shifting elsewhere. An immortal was nearby; they could both feel it. 'Has Ken returned so soon?' Chun Li on the other hand, reached down for her gun. Remembering that the assassins that came after her and Ryu were immortal, she didn't want to take any chances. The doorbell rang and Samuel went to answer it. 'Why would Ken ring the bell?'

A warning light flickered in Ryu's mind now and both of them stood up from the table to check it out. A crash sounded a moment later, causing the two of them to dash toward the door. The crash had come from a vase, which was knocked over by Samuel, who was currently being held in a chokehold from behind by a large, blond-haired man with blue eyes and an unshaven face. He wore an orange jumpsuit, which Chun Li easily identified as a prisoner's uniform.

"Try anything and this old man dies!"