While Ryu washed, Chun Li stepped outside to get the mail. She leafed through the envelopes, finding bills, credit card payments, magazine subscriptions, and magazines. She reentered the house and headed to her room just as the bathroom door opened.

Chun Li turned. "All done?" She suddenly gasped in shock. Ryu was fully dry...and fully naked. She swiveled around so her back was to him. "What are you doing?!"

"I was going to my room, where my clothes are. Are you all right?" he asked, wondering why she looked red as a tomato, and uncomfortable as a person sitting on a bed of needles.

"Uh...Ryu, I understand that you're accustomed to living by yourself, and...uh...bathing publicly, but..." she trailed off.

"But what? Is something wrong?" he asked, oblivious to her embarrassment.

"You just don't go around naked in front of-"

"Chun Li, you left the door unlocked. I let myself in," came a voice with a British accent.

Cammy walked in and peeked at five feet ten of bare male flesh before her friend leapt in front of him, helping Ryu retain his modesty. Cammy's jaw dropped.

"Uh...Cammy!" Chun Li exclaimed. "I...didn't know you were coming to visit me..."

The young British woman's pale features composed after the initial shock.

"Obviously, you weren't expecting company," Cammy smirked.

Her back to Ryu, Chun Li cleared her throat. "Um...no. But I am glad to see you. There's just a...little misunderstanding here..."

"It doesn't look that way to me," Cammy declared, giggling.

"It is good to see you," Ryu said to her.

"I could say the same thing..." Cammy said. She caught her friend's glare and shot her an apologetic look.

"What brings you here to Hong Kong?" Ryu asked.

Cammy couldn't believe it. The man was stark naked in front of two women, and he was talking to her as if they were old friends.

"Well...in ten days is Chun Li's birthday. I thought you'd remember, love."

Ryu frowned slightly. "It's going to be your birthday?" he asked Chun Li, shifting slightly.

She sensed his movement rather than felt it. "Ryu, don't move!" She looked around her, careful not to look at Ryu, and then she handed him one the magazines in her possession. "Here. Cover yourself and walk to your room. Backwards."

Ryu took the magazine. Because his hostess seemed genuinely upset and embarrassed, he did as he was told.

When Ryu disappeared into his room, Cammy shot her friend a look.

"Did you tell him yet?" Cammy asked.

Chun Li shook her head. "I...can't...not yet..."

Cammy shook her head, then she smiled. "Well...I can see what you like about him. What he lacks in romance and charm, he makes up for being so physically active..."

Chun Li glared at her. Cammy bit her lip to keep from laughing.

"I'm sorry...just teasing."

Chun Li sighed, then she smiled and hugged her friend.

"It's good to see you. I'm glad you're here," Chun Li said. "I could use your company...and support."

"During our last conversation...you told me your address so I could write," Cammy explained. "Instead, I decided to visit. I hope I won't be too much of a bother."

"You're not bothering me at all," Chun Li replied hastily.

Ryu came out, wearing brown pants that matched one of his gi. The two women abruptly stopped their conversation. Ryu walked towards them.

He had been thinking about something since he entered his room after Cammy's arrival. Chun Li sensed this, for he looked like he wanted to say something, but he was afraid to.

"Is something on your mind?" she asked gently.

He looked up. "Yes. Cammy...I was wondering if you had anything planned for Chun Li's birthday."

Cammy shook her head. "Just spending time with my friend, that's all."

"I see. I was planning on giving her a small birthday party...as a way to show appreciation for what she has done for me," Ryu stated. He looked at Chun Li. "This is all right with you?"

She nodded, unable to believe what she was hearing.

Cammy's eyes lit up. "Oh, that's a wonderful idea!"

"I was planning to cook and buy a cake," Ryu explained. "Well...Ken claims that most people have food and cake at their birthday parties."

"Yes. He's right," Cammy said. "I can help you, if you like."

"Thank you very much," Ryu said politely.

Chun Li couldn't believe the effort he was willing to put into her birthday.

The next day, Chun Li was working at the restaurant. Cammy believed that she and Ryu had plenty to do. Chun Li's birthday party was a week away. That was not enough time.

Ryu was doing pushups in his room when Cammy walked in.

"Hi," he greeted.

"Hello, love. Now, if you want this party to go perfectly, we need to plan early."

"Very well. Tell me what to do."

"First of all, we're going to take you shopping."

"Me?" Ryu asked, bewildered.

"Yes, you. As the master of ceremonies, you need to look nice."

"What's wrong with the way I look now?" Ryu asked.

"Nothing. It's just that..." Cammy blew out a breath, thinking. "It's just that...for Chun Li's birthday...you need to look like a...an average man, not a warrior."

"Okay. We'll go shopping, then."

Hours later, Cammy took Ryu out on the streets of Hong Kong. She first took him to get a haircut.

"What's wrong with the way my hair looks?" Ryu asked.

"It's too long, love. Don't worry. We'll just trim it."

Ryu agreed, knowing that Cammy would keep persuading him until he gave in. Ryu's black hair had long bangs that drooped over his forehead, and the back brushed the bottom of his neck. Cammy told the stylist to cut it a certain way. The woman nodded and smiled. Ryu sat back, hoping that Cammy wouldn't go crazy with the haircut. In twenty minutes, the stylist had cut and blow-dried his hair. She proudly held up a mirror for Ryu to look at. Ryu carefully studied himself. His hair was much shorter, the bangs falling to his eyebrows instead of his eyes, the top layered and thick, and towards the nape, it was extremely short, nearly showing his scalp. Cammy grinned at him.

"You look wonderful, love!"

Ryu frowned. "I suppose…"

Cammy paid the stylist then dragged Ryu to the mall. They shopped at many stores. She bought several collared shirts and trousers for him.

"Now you'll look very nice!" Cammy was saying.

Several days later, Cammy and Ryu were in Chun Li's kitchen at her house, while Chun Li was at the restaurant. They were thinking of the menu.

"I asked her if we could use her restaurant for the party. She said it's fine," Ryu explained.

"Oh, wonderful! I called Fei Long, Ken, Edmund Honda, Dan, Guy, Sakura…and anyone else they wish to invite."

"What about Sagat?" Ryu asked. "He is now a man of honor after leaving Shadowloo."

"Yes…I asked Ken to get in contact with him."

Ryu nodded. "I need to buy food. What kind is served at a birthday party?"

"All kinds of things. That's what makes a birthday special…The food is as unique as the birthday person," Cammy answered. Cammy handed him a piece of paper and pencil. "Chicken, gelatin for dessert, soda, rice, anything you wish for your sushi, and a cake." She ticked the items off her fingers. "Did you write all of that down?"

Ryu was still writing a few moments after she finished talking. When he finished, he looked at her.

"I believe I listed everything."

"Let me see."

"Cammy…" he began, but she snatched the list from his hands.

She frowned at the unfamiliar lettering. "I can't read a thing!" she exclaimed.

Ryu gingerly plucked the list from her fingers. "I wrote in Japanese. I assume you don't understand the language?"

Cammy giggled. "Obviously not." She propped her chin in her hands. "What kind of gift are you giving Chun Li?"

Ryu sighed. "I…haven't found anything yet."

Cammy pursed her lips. "Haven't found, or haven't looked?"

"Perhaps both…" Ryu grinned sheepishly.

She sighed. "Okay. So…we go shopping now?"

"Of course."

The two left the house and headed for the streets.

An hour later, Ryu stepped into a store, Cammy right behind him.

"D*mmit, why the h*ll should I have to stay here?" came a male's teenage voice.

Ryu turned and saw a young teenager wearing a blue cap, white Chinese-style shirt and black loose pants. He was by the cash register.

"You will watch your tongue around me, young man," a man chided. He was very old with long white hair and a beard. Ryu immediately recognized him.

He walked over and bowed to the old man. "Gen-sama. It is good to see you again."

Gen looked at him and smiled faintly. "Ryu. You look well. How may I help you?"

Ryu smiled sheepishly. "Well…Chun Li…is having a birthday in four days. I…am giving her a birthday party…and I plan on cooking. Cammy…" he gestured to the woman beside him, "…has invited several of Chun Li's friends. You are welcome as well."

Gen nodded. "Yes…Chun Li often shops here… I will arrive for her birthday. Now…how may I help you shop for groceries?" He turned and caught his teenage grandson watching them, eavesdropping. Gen narrowed his eyes. "You had a question, Yun?"

He shook his head. "No, nothing. It's…always sooo nice to see the guy who beat me up a while ago. Don't worry, Ryu, I'm much stronger now, so I can easily defeat you."

Ryu smiled with amusement. "I have other matters to tend to."

He and Gen turned to look for food. Yun scowled at Ryu's back.