Chun Li sighed as she headed home. She had been thinking about her discussion with Fei Long for the last half hour. They had parted nearly two hours ago. What was she going to do? Could she really convince Gen to come with her? And what if fei Long was right? What if Ryu would turn into Satsui No Hado? She didn’t know if she could handle that. She listlessly plucked at a loose thread on her silk blouse. She couldn’t shake off this uneasy feeling. Fear, perhaps?

“What’s on your mind?” came a voice.

Chun Li looked up and met Yun’s dark eyes. Without realizing it, she had stopped in front of Gen’s market. She smiled slightly. “Hello to you too.”

“You’re thinking about him, aren’t you?” Yun pressed.

Chun Li sighed. “I can’t help it. I’m worried.”

“Ryu can take care of himself.” Yun frowned slightly. Ryu was not one of his favorite people, but Chun Li cared for him deeply, and she was basically family to Yun.

“I know that. That’s one of the things that bothers me.”

“I don’t get it,” Yun replied.

“Ryu is independent. He doesn’t need me. But I want to be with him right now.”

Yun glanced at the sky. “Why didn’t you go with him?”

“I don’t know…I should have.” Chun Li stepped forward. “I…I need to speak with Gen.”

Yun gestured to the interior with a nod of his head. “He’s at the register.”

Chun Li made her way through the aisles of fruits and vegetables to where Gen was. The older man looked up and gestured to Yun, who immediately walked over.

“Chun Li and I will go for a walk,” he announced.

Yun nodded. “Where’s Yang?”

“In the back,” Gen stated.

The two were sipping tea at a nearby restaurant. Chun Li had been quiet the entire time. Gen had already sensed that something was wrong. But he didn’t push her, and she was grateful for that.

“It is a beautiful day we are having, is it not?” Gen asked. “Today I saw several children playing in the streets. They looked to be less than age ten.” He paused for a sip. “It is interesting, is it not? How children grow up so quickly and-”

“Gen,” Chun Li interrupted softly. “I have a favor to ask.”

Gen sat very still. “Yes, little flower?”

“I was wondering…if you could come with me…” Chun Li took a deep breath. “To help Ryu.”

Gen stroked his beard thoughtfully. “Why do you wish to help Ryu? He has plenty assistance.”

Her brown eyes looked up at him with the most lost expression he had ever seen. “Gen, I want to be with Ryu. I feel as if…a part of me…I feel that I have to help him in any way I can.”

“Ryu will be arriving at Gill’s island in a few hours,” Gen stated.

“Fei Long said that he could have a pilot and a chopper for us while he helps Yun and Yang with the store,” Chun Li supplied.

Gen shot her a hard stare. “You have planned this well, I see. Do you realize the possible results of what you are about to do?”

Chun Li nodded, staring right back at the elder man. “I know. But I love Ryu, and I will do whatever I can to help him.”

Gen responded, “It is not our time to die yet.”

“Then we should leave as soon as possible,” Chun Li replied.

“Little flower, I have two grandsons who can hardly look after themselves. I do not intend to leave the store in their not so capable hands. You have a good friend and restaurant that needs tending.”

“I spoke to Min. She says it’s fine.”

Gen shook his head.

“Gen, I know how strong you are. I have complete faith in you. I know that you won’t leave Yun and Yang just yet.”

“Who said anything about those two ungrateful brats? I merely meant that if I died, they would possess my store, since they are my only heirs. And I worked hard to keep that a good business. They would ruin it in a week.”

Chun Li smiled, knowing that Gen genuinely cared for his adoptive grandchildren.

Gen cleared his throat. “You are who most concerns me.”

Chun Li frowned. “How so?”

“Ryu cannot beat Gill alone,” Gen stated.

“I know. That’s why he has all the help-”

“He needs to use the evil intent,” Gen stated matter-of-factly.

Chun Li’s eyes rounded. “But I thought-”

“Whether he decides to use it is his choice. But he is much more powerful with the intent. He does not realize it.”

Chun Li sighed. “I…I always assumed he’d overcome it someday, and find another way to be stronger than he currently is.”

“He has yet to find that other way.” Gen studied her carefully. “But I do not anticipate that he will find it soon. I just hope you are ready to see the evil side of your beloved.”

Chun Li swallowed, narrowing her eyes. “We don’t know for sure if he will become Satsui No Hado. And I’d rather go just to see if he decides not to use it.”

Gen nodded. “Very well, then.”

Fei Long was in a bookstore, reading a magazine on the latest martial arts news. There was a cover story on Ken. Fei Long chuckled, remembering the days of the tournaments when he met up against Ken when his mobile phone rang. Fei Long unclipped it from his pocket, pulled up the antenna and held it to his ear.

“This is Fei Long,” he greeted.

“Fei, it’s me,” came a female voice.

“Chun Li!” he exclaimed. “Where are you?”

“At the market,” she informed. “I have Gen’s approval.”

Fei Long tossed the magazine on the shelf and swore softly. “This is nuts, Chun. I can’t believe you’re-”

“We had a deal,” she pointed out. “I got Gen. Now you need to get that chopper and pilot.”

Fei Long sighed. Chun Li was still being stubborn. Over the years, he found it to be one of her most irritating, yet endearing qualities. “I guess there’s no point in trying to talk you out of this last minute. I’ll meet you at Gen’s.” He was about to hang up when he heard a sound.

“Fei?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks.” She paused. “I love you, you know that, right?”

He sighed in defeat. “I love you, too, girl, even though I think you’re the craziest woman alive.”

“See you soon.”