Chun Li decided not to go after him. She’d let Ryu think for a while. But it didn’t mean that she didn’t care, or that she wasn’t wondering what he was thinking. Kami insisted on staying in her room, and that left Chun Li taking care of the patients. There were only a few, so that didn’t bother her at all.

It was dusk when Ryu returned. Chun Li was in the kitchen, making some wor won ton soup. His expression was closed, and almost glacial.

“Hello,” she greeted cheerfully.

Ryu mumbled a greeting.

Chun Li sighed, poured him a cup of tea and handed it to him. “I guess you’re pretty angry…”

Ryu lifted a brow. “Wouldn’t you be?”

Chun Li nodded. “I guess so.” He was in shock. That would explain his distant attitude. She feigned a smile. “It was quiet after you left. Just a couple patients came by with follow-ups…You know, I’m always amazed by the energy of children…”

Ryu gazed at her like she had three eyes. She knew she was rambling, but she didn’t care.

“They never tire out,” she continued. “You would think that-”

“Chun Li,” Ryu interrupted, “If I hadn’t overheard your conversation with my…” he swallowed, “…with Kami, would you have told me right away?”

Chun Li stared at him. “I…”

“Be honest.”

She lowered her eyes. “I don’t know.” At Ryu’s tongue-clicking, she looked up. “If it had been that way, I would want to do what was in the best interest for the both of you.”

“Which means you would have kept your silence,” Ryu surmised.

Chun Li sighed. “I don’t know. But I would want you to know. You deserve to know that you have a family. But I shouldn’t be the one to tell you that.”

“You would have encouraged her to tell me the truth?”

Chun Li nodded, biting her lip. “I would have.”

“And would she have agreed to do so?” Ryu pressed.

Chun Li shook her head. “I doubt it.”

“Which brings me to my point. Kami would have never told me the truth about her. And that left you, who would know the truth, to take matters into your own hands.”

Chun Li clenched her fists. “Ryu, that isn’t any of my business. Kami does what she feels is right at the appropriate time. Unfortunately, her timing was insufficient.”

“It is too easy to see where your loyalties lie…”

Chun Li shook her head. “Ryu, I don’t want to fight you. The truth hurts, I know. But I honestly would have done my best to assist the both of you. In-”

“I consider you family. Had I been in your situation, I would have told you immediately.”

Chun Li’s eyes rounded. “I…I didn’t know you thought of me in that way…”

Ryu shifted in his seat. “Blood runs thicker than water. People would protect and sacrifice for their family in ways they would not for anyone else.” His eyes regarded her steadily. “Considering the past we have, I thought you would know that. Do you consider me family?”

“Yes,” Chun Li responded. She grasped his hand. “I’m sorry that you had to find out that way, Ryu, but…think about it! You have a family now. You finally have something that you have been missing all your life…”

Ryu sighed. “I have a family.”

“No…a biological one. Ryu, you finally have blood relatives.”

Ryu shook his head, pulling his hand free. “But why…why was I abandoned? Why did they wait so long to contact me?”

Chun Li had her suspicions, but she wanted Kami to tell him. “Is that what this is about?” she challenged. “You’re angry because you feel abandoned?”

“She must have some motive in contacting me now, after all these years…”

“Ryu…you’re a very difficult man to locate. Try to look at it from her side,” Chun Li coaxed. “Kami’s dreamt of meeting you…”

Ryu frowned, unconvinced.

She sensed his uncertainty. “Ryu…I’ve lived for a long time without my father…even longer without my mother. I never knew my mother. But I would love to have even just five minutes with her.” She paused. “Ryu, don’t turn away from them. You’ll regret it.”

Ryu sighed in defeat. “I…”

“This is your chance to find out about your heritage,” she continued. “And I know you…you have too much pride in your roots. You won’t deny the chance to learn more.”

Ryu knew that she was right.

Chun Li glanced up, noticing that Kami stood in the doorway of the kitchen. Ryu turned, meeting Kami’s gaze.

Kami attempted a smile. “Ryu-san…is…everything all right?”

Ryu nodded. “I believe so.”

Chun Li stood up. “I’ll leave you two to talk.”

Kami took a seat across from Ryu as Chun Li left the room. She was silent for several moments. She knew that Ryu was waiting. So she retold the tale of why her parents gave him up.

“So why did you approach me now? After all this time?” Ryu asked.

“We’re hoping that you can free us from our master. He, like the swordsman you fought days ago…is a skilled opponent. He will not free us so easily.”

Ryu sat back. “I see.”

Kami clutched his arm. “Kaa-san and Tou-san would love to meet you…”

Ryu’s eyes narrowed. “I…don’t think that is a good idea.”

Her brown eyes saddened. “Oh…”

Ryu studied her for several moments. “Kami…I request that you give me time…I…need to think…and adjust to the news that you have given me…”

“Ryu-san…I didn’t want you to find out this way…I wanted to tell you so much…from the moment we met, but-”

Ryu patted her shoulder. “What’s done is done.” His eyes softened. “Perhaps when I am ready, I will meet our…our parents. I still have to adjust to the fact that I have a sister…”

Kami nodded. “I’m sorry if I seem to rush you.”

Ryu nodded. “It is all right. I’m…going to meditate for a while. Please keep Chun Li company.”

It was his way of saying he didn’t want to be disturbed. Kami understood. She watched him leave.

Minutes later, Chun Li came in, turning off the stove. She turned to Kami. “What happened?”

“I think he’s still in shock,” Kami answered.

Chun Li nodded. “Give him time. He’ll adjust soon enough.”

“You know…he looks just like Tou-san…” Kami declared.

In his room, Ryu sat on the floor, Indian-style. He tried to calm his breathing, his heart, but his mind and soul were filled with thoughts. I have a sister…I have a family…Why did they show up now? I have lived this long without them...Could I continue as if I had never met them? He was so confused…