When Ryu woke the next morning, he opened his eyes to strange sights and sounds. Everything was unfamiliar. For a moment, he had forgotten where he was. Ryu sat up and listened carefully. He heard the birds chirping outside his window, and he heard a deep voice that was muffled, but the owner was obviously speaking to someone. Ryu guessed the voice was the doctor, who was seeing patients early today. Ryu went to wash his face and dressed in his white pants for his morning training exercises. He headed downstairs and spotted the doctor tending to a little girl who had broken her arm.

The doctor smiled at him in greeting. "Good morning, Ryu-san." "Good morning, Nataka-sensei," Ryu responded.

"There is some breakfast on the table if you like," Dr. Nataka stated. Ryu shook his head as he headed towards the door. "No, thank you. When I come back, I will eat." "Very well." Dr. Nataka continued with his treatment. Outside, Ryu began to jog to the outskirts of the village. He wanted to train in peace, with no disturbances. Ryu reached a clearing, and he sat down in the lotus position to meditate. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, trying to clear his mind and relax.

Ryu let his mind wander, yet focus on the present. When he felt he was ready, he stood up and began to perform a kata. His movements flowed like water, quickly, with expertise and beauty. He then decided to work on his attacks. He would execute several punches and kicks. From about one hundred meters away, a figure stood behind a tree, watching him. She was impressed by his great skill. It showed in his training.

I can't believe I'm seeing him again, she thought to herself. She looked down at the little sack of her trivial belongings. After talking to her parents, she decided to follow him. Her parents encouraged her to meet him again and if possible, to bring him to meet them. They too wanted to meet the man who was skilled in the art of Shotokan. When she looked up, Ryu was gone from the clearing. She frowned, and let out a frustrated sound. She looked at the clearing again, walking towards it, searching for Ryu.

She felt a hand grab her shoulder. Gasping in shock, she clenched a fist and swung, ready to hit her attacker in the jaw, but the punch was easily deflected the moment she realized who had grasped her shoulder.

"Ryu-san..." she trailed off in shock.

He merely lifted an eyebrow. "What are you doing here?"

She lowered her eyes. "I...well..."

"Are you following me, Kami?" he inquired.

Kami sighed.

Ryu crossed his arms and stood in a relaxed position. "I assume you are following me because like many others, you wish to be my student?"

Kami grew wide-eyed. "What? No, I don't want lessons."

Ryu tilted his head slightly to the side to examine her. "That attack was easily deflected. Had you been taught martial arts, you would have easily sensed my presence and possibly have a chance winning the fight against me."

Kami narrowed her eyes. "All right...I DID follow you," she admitted.

"Why?"

"Because after you gave me the money, I was touched by your kindness. My parents are very grateful as well. So I wanted to see you again," Kami declared. "And..."

"And?"

Kami reached into her bag and pulled out a small photo with a bamboo frame. "This belongs to you."

Ryu accepted it, glanced at it, and looked at her for an explanation.

"During the struggle, I managed to steal it from your bag...thought I could get something worth money to sell, but I'm guessing that's the most valuable thing in there," Kami joked.

"So you wanted to see me to return this?" Ryu asked.

"Actually, I wanted to be with you a lot longer than to return your picture," Kami stated. She pointed to the blond man in the picture. "Is he your friend?"

"Yes. His name is Ken Masters. We were training partners," Ryu said quietly, looking over the picture.

Kami nodded. "And the woman?"

"Chun Li. A friend for nearly ten years."

Kami's eyes rounded. "That's it? She's very beautiful."

"The eyes of a warrior never stray from the spectacle of the fight," Ryu responded, walking away.

Kami ran up to him. "Where are you staying?"

"Why do you wish to know?"

"Because I want to get to know you," Kami stated. "It isn't very often a girl meets a strong, quiet guy like you. You're an interesting man. You must keep your friends guessing on your thoughts."

A part of him did not want her around. He wanted to travel and train, but it would be a little difficult to do so with a woman asking questions and interfering. The other half actually wanted her around. A part of his inner soul was drawn to her. She was intelligent, resourceful, and independent. In those ways, she reminded him a lot of Chun Li.

"I am staying at a doctor's house. I do not wish to impose on him any longer. But if you wish, you may travel with me to the next village," Ryu offered.

Kami grinned, her eyes lighting up brighter than any modern city at night. "Arigato, Ryu-san."

When the pair reached the doctor's house, they were surprised to see a large group of people gathered at the front entrance. Ryu and Kami pushed their way through the crowd.

"Is everything all right?" Ryu asked an elderly man who was at the front of the line.

"Nataka-sensei injured his back, so he cannot take care of us," the man stated.

Ryu walked into the house and headed upstairs, where the doctor lay on his stomach, looking weary and frustrated. Kami followed him.

"Nataka-sensei..."

The doctor attempted a smile. "Ryu-san. My apologies...I was carrying some supply boxes and I had lifted too much," Dr. Nataka explained. "If it does not trouble you...can you stay for a while to help the patients? I know training is important to you, but..."

"Sensei, I will gladly assist you," Ryu stated. He gestured to Kami. "This is Kami."

Not mistaking the doctor's curious gaze, Kami explained, "I'm from the village south of here...Ryu-san was kind enough to give my family and I money. So I wish to repay him any way I can."

The doctor nodded. "You may stay here and assist him if you feel that will repay your debt."

Kami bowed. "Arigato."

"Ryu-san...if you know anyone else that would be willing to help you, all the assistance is appreciated," the doctor said.

"Thank you. I believe I know someone who may be able to assist us..." Ryu declared. He turned to Kami. "Wash up and meet me downstairs. I'll start treating patients."

Kami nodded. Ryu headed downstairs and washed his hands. His first patient was a 13-year-old boy with a badly scraped leg. Ryu washed the wound and applied anitseptic on the gash. He then bandaged the wound.

"Do you have telegram service here?" Ryu asked the boy.

The boy nodded. "Yes. My family delivers messages in this town."

Ryu quickly grabbed a pen and paper and wrote a message in English. He handed the boy the paper. "Please see that this gets to Hong Kong. And also send the receiver the location of this village. You understand English, correct?"

The boy nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Arigato."

The boy left. By midday, Kami and Ryu had taken care of numerous patients. Some they treated on their own, but others had injuries that only the doctor could assess, so he had Ryu or Kami help him in his examination. Although they were very busy, Kami enjoyed the time she spent with Ryu. Her instincts had been right. Along with the calculated skills of a warrior, he had a gentle side that she surmised not everyone had seen.