My Hadou-ken came a momment too late. I killed the demon, but not before he had a chance to perform the ultimate killing technique.

Putting my entire life force into the Hadou-ken, I managed to destroy him... and myself.

Now, with my body spent, all I can do is lay here alone, waiting. The end of my path is fast approaching, and now I must accept the fate I have chosen... alone.

Alone. The word comes so often into my mind to haunt my thoughts. Am I really alone? What about my friends? The few friends I took time to make, that is...

I... I always thought I was doing the right thing, searching to avenge my sensei and perfect the fight. But now, I can't help but wonder how things might have turned out. Had I chosen a different path, I would probably be with my friends right now, laughing and having a good time for once.

But that wasn't the path I chose, though now I wish it had been. I look back on my life, only to see so many wasted days. Days I could have spent with those I care about. Instead, I spent them training for this day. Was I really that stupid? To care only for perfection and revenge? Could I have been that blind?

I already know the answers to these questions. If only they weren't true...but they are.

I only wish now that I were not alone. That instead my friends would be here with me. Comforting me, giving me the compassion I never deserved. But would I really want them to see me like this? To see what I've done to myself? To see where the path I've followed so long has finally taken me? No... I don't want to put them through that. But I wish I had at least said goodbye. I didn't see the point though, did'nt think it mattered. I thought I would come back. But I was wrong. So very wrong.

If only I could just see them again, just once more. Then I could die a happy man.

Ken, you've been my best friend for so long. You always tried to tell me there was more to life than fighting. I wish I had listened to you. Now I won't be able to see you or your family anymore. I'm so sorry Ken, but at least you do have your family to be there for you after I'm gone. Someone else has no one.

Chun-li... There's so many things I wanted to say to you, so many things I wanted to share with you... But I did'nt, all because I thought they were wrong. All because I thought they would distract me from my d*mned path. I'm so sorry I never told you... so sorry. Now there's no one left for you. I see so much of myself in you... some things I wish I did'nt see. You've tried so hard to avenge your father... and you keep trying. Please don't end up like me, Chun-li. Please don't follow the same path I followed. I... I love you too much to just let you do that. I hope you know, even though I'll never get the chance to tell you.

I can feel the end coming. My body hurts all over, it even pains me to breathe. My vision is blurry as I stare at the night sky. The full moon sheds the most beautiful light, strange how I've never noticed just how beautiful it was until now...

Suddenly, I hear footsteps. It sounds like someone's running this way. Who could it be? I never told anyone where I was going...

I look toward the direction they're coming from. I can barely see... but there seem to be two figures... I can't quite make out what they look like...

As they get closer, a feminine voice yells.

"RYU!!!"

Oh my God! It's her! She came! I don't know how she found me but she did. Thank God, she did.

And my best friend is with her!

As soon as they reach me, they both kneel beside me, each trying desperately to revive me from the state I'm in. She pulls me close to her, and holds me tightly. Ken stays by my side, telling me everything's going to be alright. But I think he know's it isn't.

I can see the expressions on their faces. I've never seen my best friend in so much pain before. I wish he did'nt have to see this, but I'm glad he's here with me.

Chun-li's expression is the hardest to look at. Warm tears streak her face and fall on my chest. I want so badly to be able to hold her, tell her everything's okay, to wipe away her tears forever. But all I can do now is reach a weak hand to her face, touch her soft skin wipe a few of the tears away. But each time I wipe them away, more tears soon replace them.

"Ryu...oh my God...Ryu,what happened? I-it doesn't matter, you're gonna be okay! Please Ryu! Just hold on! Everything's gonna be okay!",she whispers with pain in her voice.

She looks at Ken. He closes his eyes as the tears emerged. Now he knows what will happen. He knows it's not all going to be alright.

"No...",she says as she looks back at me. "No Ryu! You're not going to die!!"

All I can do is look at her.Ken gets up and begins to walk away, tears steaming down his face. He knows what will happen and what I need to do. Before he goes, he turns back toward me, fakes a weak smile and says, "Hey buddy, see ya around sometime okay? Y-you take care of yourself, Ryu. Sa...say hi to sensei for me okay?"

All I can do is fake a weak smile in return. Tears form in my eyes as he turns and leaves. He doesn't go very far, I can still see him in the distance, sitting near against a tree, his arms propped against his legs, his head burried his arms.

I turn my gaze back toward Chun-li. She's crying even harder now. It's almost time, I know I only have a momment left. My hand remains on her face as I look into her eyes. Now's my chance to tell her what I'll never be able to show her.

"Chun-li... I'm so sorry I never told you, forgive me. But I'm telling you now. Chun-li... I love you."

Having said those words, I close my eyes as my vision fades. I can feel my hand fall to the ground, and suddenly I can't feel it anymore. I can feel my spirit being separated from my body. I can see again, but not with physical eyes. I can see the shock and pain on Chun-li's face as she realizes what just happened. ***

"Ryu?... RYU?... RYU!! Please don't go!! Don't leave me!! NO!! Ryu!...Ryu...", she cries. Then I hear the words I've wanted so long to hear. "Ryu...I love you too."

I feel myself being pulled upward. I look down on those I love and bid them one last farewell... Goodbye Ken. Goodbye Chun-li. I will miss you...