Til Death Do As Part Ch. 2
By Vicky

Death is a strange feeling, if it can be called a feeling at all. Truth is I feel nothing. I feel no physical pain. Yet the voices of my past life keep echoing in my head. Heh, perhaps it is because we all share the same room right now.

Being in one's funeral is an interesting and yet disturbing experience. I have tried so hard to reach out to the people I love, but I can't. I am permitted no movement.

Am I being punished some how? Or is everyone's journey to the land of spirits like this? No, it can be. For the few minutes that I've been conscious, I've come to the conclusion that I'm here for a reason…but what?

Again I was drawn to observe those who were present. My eyes searched endlessly for my love, even though I knew I had no hope to see he again. I asked myself why she was not here. Had something happened to her? Is she all right? These questions raced through my mind.

A slight movement by my coffin interrupted my thoughts. I looked up to see Ken staring down at me. His eyes were fixed in mine. I wonder if he could see life in them? I wonder if he noticed that I am not really dead? But I am. No matter how much I tell myself that this is just a dream and that it will end soon, I know that I am deceased.

Ken put his hands on the edge of the coffin and looked at me even more intensely. His eyes sparkled with unshed tears.

"Do you remember Ryu, all those years we spent in training back in Japan?"

In my mind, I nodded.

"Do you remember how our bitter rivalry evolved into a strong friendship?"

"Do you remember, my friend, how we traveled the world during tournaments? But we each followed different paths. You were always so determined Ryu, and I was always so careless. But I know that there is more to life than the fight. You followed your destiny, Ryu, and I followed mine. I just wish you were here to hear me right now."

Eliza appeared by him, beautiful as always. She held her husband's hand in comfort and looked at me, sadness sprawled in her delicate features.

Yes, I can hear you Ken. I can hear you! But why can't you hear me?! I'm right here d*mn it! Can't you see me?

Another moment of deep frustration. Never before have I felt so lost and so helpless, except…

**Flashback**

Rain pounded the world outside the dojo. Thunder roared and its anger matched my emotions. Ken and I sat on the wooden floor. We hadn't spoken to each other for almost two hours. We just sat there, contemplating the rain and dealing with our inner torments.

"What are you going to do now?"

Ken spoke for the first time. It took me a while to answer. I lifted my head slowly and looked straight into his eyes.

"I'm going to find the demon who did this and he will die for such an unforgivable crime."

Ken's eyes widened. Surely he had never heard me talk in such manner or seen me so angry.

"Are you sure my friend? You'll put your life in danger and…"

"I will dedicate my life to avenge sensei and to perfect the fight in his honor"

Ken sighed. Helplessness crept into his features. He knew that perhaps he could not persuade me to do otherwise. He got up and gathered the few things he had brought on his flight to Japan. The rained had stopped and a few rays of sunlight glistened through the clouds.

"You know how much the news of Master Gouken's death pain me. But I must return to America. My family need me."

I got up to bid goodbye to my friend.

"I understand Ken. We now walk on separate paths. I will avenge sensei for both of us."

Ken nodded and left the dojo. That was the first time of my life that I felt I had truly lost my path…

**End of Flashback**

I closed my eyes as I reminisced about my past. I opened them again to see that Ken could hold his tears no longer. Once again, I felt the urge to reach out to him, but I couldn't.

I wanted to cry like him. I wanted to, but I was not able to. I wanted to jump out of this deathbed. I wanted to show everyone that I was still alive…

My thoughts turned again to the woman I love and yet so suddenly left behind…

"Oh Chun-li. Where are you?"