After his training session, Ryu headed back to the clinic. He had matters to discuss with his family. This family experience was new to him. He had lived his life having close friends that were like family, but he never had an actual family.

 He spotted a man with a kendo sword approach the clinic. Chun Li was outside, bidding a patient goodbye when she caught sight of the swordsman. She stood up.

 “Can I help you?” she asked.

 His narrow eyes assessed her coolly. “I am looking for a family. A Japanese elder man in his fifties…a-”

They heard a gasp. Chun Li whirled to see Kami standing in the doorway, her face pale.

 “T-Tomo-san…” Kami swallowed.

 Tomo viciously shoved Chun Li to the side, causing her to fall on the ground, before dashing inside.

 Ryu ran up, helping her to her feet. “Are you all right?”

 Chun Li nodded. “Just surprised.”

 The two walked in to find Tomo and Hideaki speaking Japanese in a heated argument.

 “I can’t go back now. My wife…she’s still weak!”

 “Well, you shouldn’t have run away like that!”

“We had to find our daughter! We had to make sure she was safe. Surely you can understand-”

 “Be quiet, Hideaki. You belong at my estate, now. We’re going back. Now!”

 Chun Li looked at Ryu, who had narrowed his eyes.

 “Why are they such an asset to you?” he spoke up.

 Tomo glared at him. “They have been my servants for many years. They already know they aren’t supposed to run away. No one runs away…”

 “What if they want to be free of your employment?” Ryu asked.

 Tomo laughed bitterly. “They wouldn’t know how to take care of themselves! That’s why they came to me in the first place!”

 “What have you provided in exchange for their services?” Ryu challenged.

 “Room and board,” Tomo spat.

 “That’s it?” Ryu questioned. “Sounds more like slavery than loyal servitude.”

 “Who are you, anyway? This doesn’t concern you!” Tomo glared at Ryu.

 “I challenge you,” Ryu declared. “If I win, they go free. If you win, they go back with you.”

 “Ryu-san!” Kami exclaimed. “No!”

 Hideaki placed a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “Let them be…”

 Tomo took in the karate gi and pants that Ryu wore. “All right…”

 Everyone gathered outside. Ryu and Tomo faced each other while Chun Li and Ryu’s family stood to the side.

 Tomo quickly dashed in, slashing the air rapidly. Ryu stepped aside and tripped Tomo, causing him to land on his face. Tomo got to his feet, spitting dirt.

 “D*mn you!” Tomo exclaimed.

 Ryu jumped in the air, executing a jump kick, but Tomo hit his ankle with his sword, throwing Ryu’s center of gravity off balance, causing him to land on his side.

 “Ryu-san!” Kami gasped.

 Ryu pushed off his hands to land on his feet. Suddenly, a wave of pain shot up his right leg. He grimaced slightly.

 Tomo laughed. “I am much stronger than you think. But so are you…that hit should have broken your foot.”

 As Tomo came close, Ryu executed a roundhouse kick, knocking his sword aside. Ryu winced, since his right foot did the impact.

 Kami rushed forward to take the sword away, hoping to give Ryu the advantage. Tomo saw her move, grabbed her shirtfront and tossed her aside. Kami landed on the ground with a thud.

“Kami-chan!” Miko cried out.

 The girl’s eyes were closed. Ryu clenched his jaw as Tomo snatched his sword up.

 “Stupid girl…she shouldn’t get involved in such matters…” Tomo sneered.

 Ryu cupped his hands together and chi began to swirl around him. The wind suddenly picked up around him as he gathered chi from his surroundings.

 Chun Li smoothed her bangs back, well aware of what he was about to do.

 Tomo stared at the blue light with disdain. “You think a silly chi blast will stop me? Ha!”

 He rushed forward, sword held above his head, ready to strike. Chun Li swallowed as Tomo got closer and closer. Just as Ryu was in Tomo’s striking range…

 “SHINKUU-HADOKEN!” Ryu released the chi from his palms and Tomo flew several yards back, completely unconscious.

 Hideaki rushed over to Kami to help her up. Ryu limped over to Kami’s side and gingerly squatted down.

 “Are you all right?” he asked.

 Kami smiled. “Yes. Thank you…Nii-san.”

 Ryu cuffed her chin lightly. “You’re welcome.”

 Chun Li walked over as everyone got to their feet.

 “Good job,” she said, placing Ryu’s arm over her shoulders so she could help him walk.

 He smiled briefly. “Thank you.”

 In the examination room, everyone gathered around Ryu. Chun Li cleaned him off while he talked with his family.

 “You can live at the dojo,” Ryu stated. “It’s quiet…and a bit far from the nearby villages…but it has everything you will need.”

 “I think we would enjoy the peace and quiet,” Hideaki stated.

 Chun Li pulled out an ace bandage and began wrapping Ryu’s foot. “I’ve been there several times. You’ll like Ryu’s home.”

 Hideaki sent a speculative glance at Ryu. “Oh?”

 His son shook his head. “Training.”

 Hideaki’s mouth drooped in a frown. “Shame…”

 “Okay,” Chun Li said as she finished wrapping Ryu’s ankle. “You know the rules, Ryu. Stay off your feet for the next few days. We’ll put you in your room and I’ll go get an ice pack for this. Dr. Nataka will be on his feet soon, so you don’t have to worry about us being laded with patients.”

 Ryu smiled wryly. “It appears I have no choice but to oblige…”