Kindred Spirits Ch.2
By Troy

Back at a nearby San Francisco police department, Ryu, along with a number of witnesses and suspects are being held in custody. Andore was taken to a hospital to be treated for chest injuries inflicted by Ryu. Ryu is being interrogated by an agent of Interpol.

"I already told, I was just there to compete. I don't know anything or anyone named Gill." Ryu said.

"Did you talk with anyone when you were there?"

"No." Ryu replied.

"Look pal, its important that you tell us everything you know. The man we're looking for is one of if not, the most powerful and dangerous men in the world. Possibly even more powerful and dangerous than Bison himself." said the agent.

Ryu's eyebrown lifted. More powerful than Bison? Now that's a scary thought. Ryu can still remember the battle he had with Bison years back. He was a cold, ruthless fighter with incredible power. Bison's psycho power was practically unstoppable. "I never felt such power since........him." Ryu thought to himself. Him?

"I'm sorry. If I knew anything about this Gill or anyone working for him, I'd tell you believe me." Ryu replyed.

"Tell that to the judge pal." The agent rises from his seat and walks towards the door. "I'm done with him." he said to the security guard and exits the room.

Outside the interrogation room, Chun-Li watches Ryu through the two-way mirror as the agent passes her. She hasn't taken her eyes off of him since he entered the interrogation room. Chun-Li stands there there at almost a catatonic state, wearing her trademark hair-bun ribbons along with her standard Interpol grey jacket and long mini-skirt uniform. "He's all grown up...." she thinks to herself. "Why? So you've finally come back. Where have you been all this time?" Chun-Li eyes begin to water.

"Hey Li. You say something?" Kelly, an officer and one of Chun-Li's friends at Interpol walks in. "Hey....Hey are you okay?" Kelly asks.

Chun-Li breaks her trance and turns her head away, blinking her eyes rapidly to dry up the tears. "...I'm ok." she says.

Kelly looks at Ryu sitting in the room all alone through the mirror. "Do you know him?" Kelly asks.

Chun-Li pauses and looks at Ryu. "I....I don't know anymore." she replied.

"You know him don't you? Who is he? Is he a friend of yours." Kelly inquired.

"I knew him a long time ago when we were teenagers. He was....a close friend back then." Chun-Li answered.

"What happened?"

"......He left." Chun-Li replied as her eyes begin to water again.

"Left? What do you mean?" Kelly asked with a look of concern.

"Look, I'm sorry Kelly. I...I just don't want to talk about it right now. Ok?"

Just then, the agent re-enters the serveillance room accompanied by Captain Reily. Captain Reily was old veteran at Interpol. He'd been with the organization for years. He was one of the men responsible for recruiting Chun-Li into Interpol, plus he knew and worked iwth her father before his murder. He walks in holding a folder in his hand.

"Captain!" Chun-Li stood vigilantly.

"Lieutenant. It's alright now, your free to leave. I'll finish up the interrogation" the captain said to Chun-Li.

"Sir, if you don't mind, I would prefer to stay here." requested Chun-Li.

"That's not necessary. I would prefer to talk to Ryu in private." the Captain insisted.

"Private? Why? What do you have to say to him that I can't observe?" asked Chun-Li.

"I'm affraid that's classified. Joe, escort the Lieutenant and Kelly to the lobby please." ordered the Captain.

"Yes sir."

"Classified?! What do you mean?" Chun-Li raised her voice.

"Chun-Li, do what the Captain says for now, please." urged Kelly.

"After you Lieutenant." the agent said gesturing his hand towards the exit.

With a look of confusion, Chun-Li reluctantly left the room with Kelly. The agent shuts the door behind themselves and leaves the two.

"Why does Captain Reily need to talk to Ryu in private for? What doesn't he want me to hear?" said Chun-Li.

"Look, take it easy ok. I'll go get you some coffee. Wait here, it'll be alright." Kelly said trying to comfort her friend. "I'll be right back." Kelly leaves.

"D*mmit..." Chun-Li muttered.

Captain Reily entered the interrogation room. Ryu slouched in his chair, about to fall asleep.

"Sorry to keep you waiting Mr. Ryu. I had to sign a few reports." the captain said as he was sitting down.

Ryu looked up at the man and focuses his eyes. "You. I remember you. You were at the mountain when me and Ken defeated Bison."

"Yes. I'm Captain Reily, I'm not here for a visit though. I've come to ask for your help." stated Reily.

"Excuse me?"

Reily takes a picture from the folder he was carrying and slides it to Ryu. "This is Gill. He's one of the world's most infamous underground crime lords. We've been trying to track him down for a few years now. Likes to sponsor a lot of illegal martial arts tournaments under a number of different aliases as well as doing a few drugs and weapon rings for extra money. We've managed a bust a few of his activities like the one you were in last night, but we still haven't found him yet."

Ryu looks at the black and white photo. It was a bit blurred. All he can make out was that he had long flowing hair. "How do you know he exists or is ever responsible?" Ryu asked.

"We've had a few witnesses in the past that could've proved Gill was behind it all. They've all given the same description. But they never make it to court alive to make a conviction or even to point a finger. They were either, sniped, poisoned or blown up. Bastard's always one step ahead of us. We never had such a problem since.....Bison."

"So what do you want with me?"

"We want you to enter a tournament Gill is personally holding. It seems he's decided to come out of his corner. It's all nice and legal, right down to the stadium and judges. Its rumored that Gill himself may also participate. With you great skill, I'm sure you will be able to win the tournament."

"You make it sound so easy." Ryu said sarcastically.

"From the man who took out Bison, it should pose little problems for you." the captain replied.

"A true martial artist never underestimates his opponents. I am alway serious in a fight. Battle is never easy." Ryu stated. "I'm sorry Mr. Reily, but I'll have to say no."

"Mr. Ryu. I must ask you to reconsider. We now have the chance to finally take down Gill now that he's coming out of hiding. We may never have this chance again." Reily said.

"Why don't you people handle it. Why do I have to fight? Don't you have skilled professionals qualified to your dirty work?" asked Ryu.

"We've tried everything in the past. Sharpshooters, bounty hunters, undercover agents. They're all dead. Most of our witnesses in the past have been participating martial artists like yourself who have actually met with Gill personally. Usually to receive a prize or something." said the captain.

"I'm sorry. But my answer is still no." Ryu said. "Can I go now?"

"................" Captain Reily leans back and smirks. "I'm affraid we can't let you go Mr. Ryu."

"What!? Why the h*ll not? I told your man, I was just a passerby, just taking in a fight! I didn't know it was illegal!" Ryu shouted.

"The San Fran police department thinks otherwise and this is their jurisdiction."

"Then tell them I'm innocent!"

"Tell them what?" the captain said ignorantly. "Innocent? You almost killed a man and you tried to escape from the scene. I hardly think you're innocent."

"The man was a fighter. He wanted a challenge. I gave it to him! There was no foul play." explained Ryu.

"According to our Lieutenant's report, you tried to escape. How do you explain that?"

"................" Ryu clenches his fist.

"Of course we could convince the police the drop the charges. If you help us that is." said the captain smiling.

"Or?"

"Ooorrr. We can leave you to San Fran police. But just to let you know, your situation doesn't look too good, what with those charges and all. There is a high chance you could face jail time."

Ryu gives Reily and evil stare and pauses. "I'll take my chances here. Sorry."

Reily crosses his arms and then rubs the back of his head. "Hmmph! It's your funeral. I'll be back." He takes his folder, rises from his chair and exits the interrogation room. As Reily shuts the door he silently say "You got balls kid. Looks like its time for plan B."

Ryu rubs his face and thinks about his decision. He wonders how Chun-Li is. She seemed extremely upset when she arrested him. "This is not the way I wanted it"

Chun-Li paces in the lobbby sipping her coffee. Captain Reily enters. "Lieutenant, may I have a word with you?"

"Yes sir." Chun-Li followed Reily to a empty office in the department. "Sir? May I be so bold as to ask why you needed to talk to Ryu in private?"

"I'll be straight Lieutenant. It's no secret to me you have a past with that man."

"With all do respect sir. I'd like to keep that a little private." Chun-Li said.

"You don't need to keep any secrets from me Chun-Li, and I will stop keeping secrets from you. What do you know of him"

Chun-Li breaks eye contact and looks down at the floor ".......He was a close friend to me long ago. One day he had to leave to visit his sensei......He never came back."

"I see. Chun-Li I want you to have a seat." Reily pulls a chair from under a table for Chun-Li and both sit down accross from each other. "Now, what I'm about to tell you, you may not like it. But it was Ryu's request and Interpol's decision."

"Ryu's request? Decision? I don't understand." Chun-Li says in confusion.

Reily explains, "You remember a few years back, Interpol took down Bison...."

"I was recovering from my fight with Vega in the hospital, go on." Chun-Li interrupted.

Reily clears his throat, "Yes...well, We were not directly responsible for his takedown."

Chun-Li is confused "But.....I read the report and the newspaper. It credits Interpol. Even Captain Guile said so."

"I'm sorry to say it was all a cover up. We gave the press a "modified" version. We convinced Captain Guile to play along as well." said Reily.

"Play along? I don't get it? Captain, what happened at the mountain incident with Bison? What does this have to do with Ryu?"

Reily takes a deep breath. "Ryu was the one who defeated Bison."

Chun-Li is shocked. She looks at Reily with disbelief. "What!? Why was this keeped from me?"

"It's not just you, a lot of people who weren't directly involved or who didn't witness it, weren't told either." Reily said calming her down.

Chun-Li stood up enraged. "That doesn't matter! You were there sir! You could have told me! You know how I felt about Bison. What he did to my father!"

"I know but Ryu requested that he didn't want to take the credit. Besides, all that mattered was that Bison was gone. Personally, I thought it would make you feel happy to know that Interpol was the one who defeated Bison. To bring honor back to your father."

Chun-Li's eyes began to water again, "You lied to me!!! You lied to the world! For what? Fame? Credit? Honor? Why would Ryu do something like that?"

"He said he wasn't interested in fame. He said he was only interested in the fight. The fight was all to him." Reily explained. "Now sit down Lieutenant!"

Chun-Li sits down and places her hands on her face to hide the tears. "Even when your not with me, your still protecting me." Chun-Li thought to herself. "So...now what. What did you say to him?"

"I asked for his help in trying to get Gill."

Chun-Li exhales "What did he say?"

"He said no."

"So what do you want me to do?" asked Chun-Li even though she knew the answer.

"We need him Lieutenant. He's the Ace in our deck. We need him to get close to Gill so we might find out who he really is and what he's up to."

Chun-Li looks at Reily. "And you want me to try and convince him. What if I say no?"

"Chun-Li. We are so close to nailing Gill. He's grown too powerful and destroyed so many lives. Not just in the ring but world-wide with his drugs and weapons. We have a responsibilty to the whole world. We have to put aside our personally feelings and do what's right for the majority. You can't afford to say no."

Chun-Li looks up at the ceiling and takes a breath. "Fine." Chun-Li gets up from her chair and heads for the interrogation room. Reily smiles.

Ryu paces the room, fed up with waiting. He wonders if he made the right choice. He could always call Ken to bail him out, but Ryu's too proud for that. He could handle this situation by himself. Ryu leans foward against the wall, tired and hungry, he hears the door open from behind him and assumes its Reily. "Look, I already told you, the answer's no....." Ryu turn around and suddenly becomes fully awake. Chun-Li and Ryu stood across the room looking at each other, both too shy and affraid to say a word.

Chun-Li walks towards Ryu and stares at his face with watery eyes. "So....how are you?" never before has Chun-Li had such a hard time saying four words to anyone. She's had a hard life. Since her father and Ryu left, her life has been lonely. No one to give comfort, no one to laugh with, no one to cry with. Chun-Li tries to keep her composure, torn between hate and love.

"I've been better..." Ryu replied. Feeling a sense of shame and regret. Ryu makes little eye contact with Chun-Li, not wanting to see her sadness and hatred towards himself.

"Captain Reily tells me that he asked for you help." she said softly.

"........Yeah."

Then Chun-Li breaks the ice, "Look, Ryu, whatever happened in the past...leave it there. We need to concentrate on the present, for both our sakes. The past is not important." Chun-Li said. But the past is important to both of them. What mysteries could have driven them to the live they now live, especially for Ryu.

"Your right. I just wanted to say.....It's good seeing you again." Ryu said with a gentle voice.

Chun-Li looks down on the ground and for a brief second, manages to smile. "Ryu, I know this is difficult. But we need your help."

"I already gave my answer to Mr. Reily." Ryu replied and turned around.

"I know, but....This is really important to us. Gill is a very dangerous man. We need to bring him to justice. Please, you're our only hope. If you won't do it for the world.......Then....do it for me."

Then Ryu's mind drifts......

**************************FLASHBACK*******************

Chun-Li- "Hey Ryu, you think you're strong enough to fight a demon?"

Ryu- "I can take on a hundred demons. I'm gonna be the strongest in the world!"

Chun-Li- "Oh yeah! Well, I'm gonna be the strongest woman in the world!"

Ryu- "Well, you're the strongest girl I know."

Chun-Li- (blush) "Really?"

Ryu- "Really."

Chun-Li- "I don't think I'm that strong........except when I train with you."

Ryu- "Well, I'd be happy to fight for you."

Chun-Li- "Really? You'd do that for me?"

*******************ENDFLASHBACK*********************

"Ryu? Please. I....we need you." pleaded Chun-Li

"Ryu turns around and look Chun-Li in the eyes. "Yes."

Reily smile from behind the two-way mirror.