Kindred Spirits Ch.3
By Troy

Interpol HQ (San Francisco branch)

It was a very uncomfortable morning for Ryu. He wasn't able to get a good night sleep. He was forced to stay in the holding center at Interpol. However, Ryu's been in worst places. Compared to some of the other h*ll holes he's slept in during his years of travelling, this was the Hilton. Ryu woke up cranky and very hungry, and when Ryu is hungry, he gets angry and impatient. "Hey! You got anything to eat here!?" yelled Ryu.

"Pipe down!" the guard down the hall yelled.

Meanwhile, in Captain Reily's office,Chun-Li enters the room to discuss further strategies and Ryu. Chun-Li seemed very tired as well. She spent the night tossing and turning in her bed. Reily sits behind his desks fumbling through paperwork.

"Morning Lieutenant. Have a seat." greeted Reily. Chun-Li sits down in front of Reily's desk. "Now then, let's get started. Read this." Reily hands Chun-Li a large envelope. "It's an invitation to the tournament Gill is holding. A number of reputable dojos around the area and Los Angeles have already recieved them. We managed to intercept this one addressed to a local Tae Kwon Do dojo."

Chun-Li opens the envelope and reads the contents. "It looks like Gill is really serious about this particular tournament."

"Yes. This tournament will only allow participant with the best skills in martial arts. There are no qualification tournments. 'If you're good, then your in' is the basic idea. It's all about reputation." Reily said as he sipped his coffee.

Chun-Li reads on. Then, her expression turns to confusion. "Sir, I don't get this..." Chun-Li points to a paragraph. "What does this mean, partners?"

Reily puts his coffee down and leans back on his chair. "This event is going to be a team tournament. It's a two-on-two no holds bar match."

Chun-Li reads the letter again. This type of tournament is unheard of to her. Usually, martial arts tournaments are one-on-one matches. "What reasons would Gill have to hold such an event? What's the catch?" Chun-Li inquired.

"We don't know yet. I've never heard about this either. I don't know if it's a martial arts match or tag team wrestling. The event is going to be held in Australia. We have already recieved numerous reports of well known martial artists and other reputable fighters migrating there already."

Chun-Li slides the letter back into the envelope and places it on the desk. "Sir, do you plan on entering Ryu into the tournament?" she asked.

"Yes. We have already begun making arrangements for his departure and arrival to Australia." the Captain replied. "Chun-Li, make I ask you something?"

"Of course sir."

Reily leans forwards and rests his elbows on the desk folding his hands, "I don't mean to pry or the make you feel uncomfortable, but I have to ask.....how have you been since your encounter with Vega?"

Chun-Li's expression turned. It was an extremely uncomfortable topic to talk about. She remembered clearly how Vega invaded her apartment and almost almost tried to rip her apart with his razor-sharp claws. The experience was very traumatic, but she refused to let it show towards her collegues. Chun-Li was too tough and proud to show weakness. She didn't want attend any therapy sessions, she thought it was a waste of time. Everyone was convince that Chun-Li was alright, physically and mentally. Little did they know is that it took almost a year for Chun-Li's nightmares to stop. For a long time, she laid in her bed with the lights on, terrified that Vega might return to kill her or even rape her. "I......I've been doing alright. Sir, why do you ask?" Chun-Li replied.

"I'm just concerned about your health, that's all." Reily said suspiciously. Chun-Li could easily tell that the Captain was definately behind something.

"Sir, concerning Ryu, I don't think it's a good idea to force him into this. He could get himself killed. Isn't there some other way." Chun-Li urged.

"Lieutenant, we're already been through this. His skill could prove very useful in the tournament and to us, we need him to get close."

"But Ryu has no experience in undercover work like we do. He's no James Bond. You'll be sending him to his death."

"I'm well aware of that........Which is why I'm assigning you to watch over him in Austalia."

"What?!" Chun-Li looked at Reily in surprise. "Sir, with all do respect, I don't think its a good idea. I-I wouldn't feel comfortable......."

"I understand Lieutenant, but you are the only one with the...qualification to handle this." the Captain explained.

"I...Sir, I appreciate it but..... aren't there other agents here that are more qualified to handle this than me."

"Yes.......but no one within this organization has your fighting ability."

Chun-Li glares at Reily, now knowing full well what his plan is. "You want me to be Ryu's partner, is that it."

"You're the perfect choice for this mission. We can't trust anyone else on the outside, including Ryu. Which is why we need for you to watch over him. Plus, with your superior martial arts skills, you make the perfect companion for Ryu in the tournament. I know very few people who possess the same skills as you do, especially for a female. No offense."

Chun-Li felt uneasy about the decision, but it was no reason to refuse or fight it. She mentally convinces herself that she can handle anything and anyone. "I understand and non taken. Does Ryu know."

"No. I'll send him up." Reily picks up the phone and dial a few number, "Officer Crane....This the Captain.....yes bring Ryu to my office." ordered Reily and hung up the phone. "Lieutenant, I know this may be difficult.."

"No sir, it's not. I'm fine with this. I apologize for my outburst the other night, its just that......I don't like it when secrets are kept from me." Chun-Li interrupted.

"I understand. I'm sorry for also keeping secrets from you, I should have told you what truly happened with Bison, but...."

"But you didn't feel it was important, I know." Chun-Li finished.

Momments later, Ryu enters the office in hand-cuffs escorted by an officer. Chun-Li and Reily stood up from their chairs. "Thank you, Mr. Crane, you may remove the hand-cuffs and leave us." Reily said. The officer removes Ryu's cuffs and leaves the office. "Mr. Ryu....heh,I'm sorry but I didn't catch your last name."

"I didn't throw it." Ryu answered.

Reily didn't appreciate sarcasm or being treated like a punk. "Well, I suggest you tell me before I have officer Crane escort you back into holding." Reily threatened.

"................" Ryu made no reply, and glared at Reily.

"Hoshi."

"What was that Lieutenant?" the Captain asked.

"His last name......It's Hoshi." Chun-Li said softly. Ryu broke his cold stare and looked at Chun-Li. "Am I right?" she asked.

"......Yeah." Ryu responded.

"Alright already, have a seat Mr. Hoshi" Reily said sarcastically. Ryu takes a seat beside Chun-Li's chair as Reily makes his way back to his. Ryu, then notices an incredible fragrance in the air. Ryu realizes it's Chun-Li perfume. It was a wonderful scent, a welcome change to the smell of his cell in the basement. He remebered Chun-Li not being the type to wear perfume in the past. But things change.

"Now, this is what's gonna go dowm...." Reily notices Ryu's attention drifting, "Mr. Hoshi, are you listening to me?"

Ryu shakes his head "Uh..yeah, sorry, I didn't sleep well." Chun-Li looks beside Ryu with a bit of concern.

"Well, I want you to look at this. Chun-Li..." Reily points to the envelope at the end of his desk. Chun-Li picks it up and hands it to Ryu.

"This is an official invitation to the tournament Gill is holding. It will be held in Australia. All the best martial artists in the world will be attending it." Chun-Li explained. Ryu reads the invitation.

"We will make arrangements for you and Chun-Li to leave for Australia first thing tommorrow morning."

"Chun-Li?" Ryu asked.

"Yes. She will be your confidant throughout this whole mission and to make sure the you don't enounter any trouble there and blow both of your covers. She is also you partner in the tournament."

"My partner? What do you mean?" Ryu asked.

"This tournament will be fought in teams of two. I'll be fighting along side of you." Chun-Li answered.

Ryu looks at Chun-Li with concern, then faces Reily, "I don't want Chun-Li to be at risk. It'll be too dangerous for her."

"It's okay Ryu. I can handle this. I don't need you to protect me. I can take care of myself." Chun-Li interrupted. Ryu detected a hint of resentment in Chun-Li's tone. "I'll be going whether you like it or not."

"Chun-Li I didn't mean it that way..."

"Enough already. Were're going through with this. Chun-Li will be your partner. What YOU have to do is make sure both of you make it far enough in the tournament to get as much info on Gill as you can. Chun-Li will handle the rest. As far as your cover is concerned, it won't be too hard to mask your identity Ryu. According to government information, you don't exist. Not even a library card number. All we have to do is fill in the blanks."

"I....do a lot of travelling. I live apart from civilization."

"I see, however, Chun-Li, your identity will be a problem if Gill's men find out who you really are." Reily pushes a button on the speaker phone. "Kelly, has the file from OPS arrived yet?"

"Yes sir" Kelly responded.

"Bring it to me please." Kelly walks in with a folder, hands it to Reily and exits the room. Chun-Li wonders what's in store for her. She forgot to ask Reily about what her 'disguise' would be before Ryu came in. "Lieutenant...."

Chun-Li sat up staight in attention "Yes sir."

Captain Reily opened the folder and read the contents. "Since you're at a greater risk of being discovered as an agent of Interpol, I want you to stay as much away from the public eye as you can. The tournament is not going to be televised, but don't let any of you get your picture be taken. We've arranged for you two to stay at a local resort near the tournament's location. You two will go undercover as....." Reily clears his throat. ".....Honeymooners."

Ryu and Chun-Li -"WHAT!?"

"Uh, Captain, may I have a word with you, outside. Please." Chun-Li stands up and walks over to the door and Reily reluctantly follows.

"Uh....please excuse me." Reily says. Ryu starts rubbing his forehead.

Reily closes the door behind himself, Chun-Li steps up to him, "Captain, I'm not so sure I like the idea." Chun-Li whispers. "Can't you make us just....collegues or brother and sister?"

"Lieutenant, this cover is the most effective. We need you two to stay close to each other. You'll be able to keep better close watch of Ryu if you room together, I still don't trust him. Besides, you two barely resemble one another, this is more safer than having separate rooms. This cover will only be for the resort area in case Gill's people start sniffing around, they won't bother with yuppy newly-weds. I don't want you to go anywhere else except to the tournament. There, you can be perfect strangers, friends, cousins, whatever, got it? I just want you two to work together." The Captain was beginning to lose his patience. Chun-Li nods and tiredly exhales. Both re-enter the office.

Ryu looks at Chun-Li as she sits down. He can see and sense the tension building within her, but Ryu fails to say a word of comfort. Ryu then faces Reily, "So. What's it gonna be?"

Reily sits down and opens the folder given by Kelly and begins to write, he then says, "Congratualations, Mr. and Mrs. ......Hoshi. You've won a romantic trip for two to Austalia."