Ryu gazed up at the sky. He was sitting on the grass, in the large backyard of the Masters' estate, meditating. Ken had gotten up earlier than he did, and he was currently nowhere to be found. The same situation existed with Chun Li. When Ryu asked the servants about Ken and Chun Li's whereabouts, they shrugged, saying that Ken had an errand to run, and that Chun Li went with him. Perhaps the two did not wish to disturb Ryu, and they didn't include him along. Ryu wondered if Ken remembered his birthday. Probably, Ryu thought. He realized that Ken and Chun Li just went out for whatever reason. He was not expecting any presents. But Ryu knew that whatever errand Ken and Chun Li had run, it involved his birthday. Ken was never so quick to leave Ryu out of anything.

Ryu could tell that it was several hours from sunset, judging by the brightness of the sun and its position. He thought about his teacher, and the many experiences he had gone through as a fighter. Several baby sparrows landed three feet in front of him. He studied them carefully, how light they seemed on their thin legs. Their wings fluttered in the wind. He smiled. So young, they have much to learn about life and survival in this world, he thought. In those ways, they are very much like me...

Chun Li surveyed the living room that Ken had selected as the party room. Streamers were slung across the walls. Balloons were at every corner. Ken and the servants had moved the furniture neatly to the side. She looked at Ken, who checked to make sure everything was in order.

"What do you think?" Ken asked.

"I think…" she paused. "Well…it looks fine. It'll be quite a party."

"You know what to do, right?" Ken asked.

Chun Li nodded. "I'll collect the gifts as the guests walk in."

"And…?" he prompted.

"I know…I know…" Chun Li nodded. "I got it. That's already been taken care of."

Ken grinned. "Good. This is gonna be a great party…"

Chun Li certainly hoped so.

Chun Li sighed, looking around. There were at least twenty guests. Ken had managed to locate some other fighters from around the world, and they had all come bearing gifts for Ryu…eager to see the Masters' estate. Ever since guests had entered the door, Chun Li had been putting gifts aside. She wondered where Ryu was. And how he had not discovered the party just yet was unbelievable. Ken had assured her that the servants had kept him busy. Especially the children of the servants. They wanted Ryu to demonstrate his skills, something Ryu was happy to do.

"Hey!" Ken addressed the small group. "Ryu's coming…I see him!"

Everyone quieted. Footsteps were heard coming towards the living room.

"Ken seems to be occupied for the day. I wonder if-" Ryu spoke to the servant as he entered the living room, oblivious.

"Surprise!" everyone screamed.

Ryu's eyes widened in surprise. So many that he knew were here. Edmund Honda, Guy, Cody, Guile, Cammy, Sakura, and more…and they all came to celebrate his birthday.

"Thank you…" Ryu responded, at a loss for words.

Everyone congratulated him with a hug or pat on the back. Then they proceeded to eat the food the servants brought in. Chun Li stayed away, ready to put Ken's plan into action.

Cammy walked up to her, noticed how far she seemed from the group. "Why are you all the way out here, love?"

Chun Li blushed slightly. "Um…no reason…I just…want to sit back and watch…"

Cammy frowned. "You don't want to greet Ryu?"

"Oh…no…I did…this morning. I figured that I should just let him enjoy the company of everyone else…"

Cammy looked at her suspiciously. "I guess…"

Ken, across the room, shot a look in Chun Li's direction. She lowered her eyes.

"Excuse me…I have to use the restroom…" Chun Li declared, leaving the room.

"Okay, everybody!" Ken called out. "It is time…for gift opening!"

Everyone gathered around Ryu in the center of the room. Ken explained to wait patiently while the servants bring the gifts in.

Two servants came in bringing a large cake. It was white with red frosting. Everyone began to sing 'Happy Birthday'. At the conclusion of the song, the top popped open, and Chun Li jumped out, dressed in a black spandex outfit, and a headband with furry bunny ears attached.

"Happy birthday, Ryu!" she exclaimed.

Everyone looked at her in shock and silence. Ryu then spoke up.

"So…where are the birthday presents?"

Chun Li tried not to turn red. She wanted to crawl in a hole and die. AFTER she murdered Ken…