On a sunny day in California, Ryu, Ken and Chun Li were in a park of sloping hills and dewy grass. The three were very young, barely in their mid-twenties, yet they had experienced so much of life. Ken lived in San Francisco, and he invited his two friends to spend a week at his home. As Chun Li watched Ryu and Ken spar, she reflected on her first impression of the Masters' Estate.

It had been a three story mansion just miles north of San Francisco. Ken's house came with everything...maids, butlers, and chefs. She could love living in a place like that. Oddly enough, Ken wasn't spoiled because of it. Perhaps it was because he was raised by Gouken most of his life...and the men claimed that Gouken was a strict teacher. Chun Li diverted her attention back to the two young men.

They stood in a defensive stance, trying to read each other's moves, seeing who would attack first. Chun Li already knew that Ken would. He was more aggressive between the two. Ken was more of an offensive fighter, Ryu the defensive. But when Ryu saw an opening, he took it.

Sure enough, Ken launched himself in the air, executing a kick. Ryu quickly moved out of the way and waited for Ken to face him. The two stood a mere two feet apart. Chun Li watched, anxiously seeing who would do the next move. To her surprise, Ryu delivered a punch, which Ken blocked, then Ken delivered several jabs, which Ryu dodged, and then a high kick to the head. Ryu quickly moved his head away, grabbed Ken's foot, and tripped him. Ken landed on his back and then rolled away.

"I think that's enough," Ken said. "I'm getting hungry. What about you two?"

"I could use a meal," Ryu agreed.

Ken turned to her. "Chun Li?"

She nodded. "My stomach's growling."

"Hey..." Ken pointed. "I see a hot dog stand over there. What kind of stuff you guys want?"

Ryu shrugged. "It does not matter."

"Okay. Be back in a few..." Ken dashed off to get the food, leaving Chun Li with Ryu.

She smiled at him. "You're very good. I think one day you'll be as good as your teacher."

Ryu smiled back at the compliment. "Thank you. However...I still must train very hard and perfect the fight."

"I'm sure you can do it."

Chun Li sighed. I sound like an idiot! she thought. When she first saw Ryu, she thought that he was very handsome. And when she met him, he spoke with a calm, gentle voice, and she wanted to get closer to him. She hadn't known him for very long, but she became infatuated with him. She wasn't exactly sure how to tell him. He was very naive about women and relationships. Also, he seemed very serious about perfecting his fighting skills. She wondered if that was all he thought about. One way to find out...she told herself.

"Um...Ryu?"

He looked at her. He had been admiring the sky and atmosphere around them. During his travels, he rarely had a chance to enjoy nature and its beauty.

"Yes?"

Chun Li felt her cheeks grow hot. "Um...I wanted to talk to you about something..."

"What is it?" he asked.

"Well, I...uh..."

"Ryu! There you are!" came a girl's voice.

The two turned, seeing a girl in a white shirt and blue skirt run towards Ryu. She snatched Ryu's arm.

"Sakura...?" he said, shocked to see her. "How...?"

"I've been looking all over for you. Now that I found you, I have to talk to you." Sakura dragged him away, leaving Chun Li behind.

Chun Li clenched her fists. "I was so close! I don't believe this!" she exclaimed.

"Don't believe what?" Ken asked, coming up to her. In a paper bag, he had three three hot dogs with ketchup, mustard, and relish and in the other bag, he had three sodas.

"Nothing," she said curtly. She grabbed the bag with the food and wolfed down all three hot dogs.

"Hey!" Ken cried. "I paid for those!"

Chun Li ignored him and snatched a soda away from him.

"Where's Ryu?" Ken asked.

"How should I know?!" Chun Li retorted.

Ken winced. "Sorry...what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing!" Chun Li downed half of the soda in one huge gulp.

"Okay...I guess I'd better buy some food for myself...Since Ryu isn't here, wanna come along?" he asked.

"Sure. I have nothing else to do," she responded curtly.