Disclaimer: See previous chapters

Chap. 58

"I've got to say, I'm not sure if this is a pleasant surprise or not."

Exiting the airport, Ken had long sensed the presence to the immortals awaiting him. However, he hadn't thought to try and sense for their ki signatures as he emerged and his surprise showed when he blinked upon his exit, seeing Chun-Li and Guile waiting for him outside. Suppressing a scowl toward the burly man, Ken made his way toward Chun-Li with a smile and a hug.

"Hey, pleasant surprise. Great to see you."

"Hi, Ken." Chun-Li replied, returning the hug. "It's good to see you too."

The two separated and Ken's smile turned into a grin. "I'll bet. Especially after hearing what you and Ryu did to my house."

The Chinese immortal gave a slightly embarrassed chuckle and flush. "Ah, I'm really sorry about that."

"Ah, don't worry about it." Ken waved off, although he was still grinning. "I was thinking of redecorating a bit anyhow."

"Do we have time for this?" Guile interrupted impatiently.

Ken finally allowed his face to twist into a scowl (albeit an amused one) as he turned his attention to the soldier. "And now we come to the not-so-pleasant surprise. Still with the brush-head I see."

"Still haven't learned to shut that trap of yours." Guile returned.

"Hey, what are brothers for, right?"

This earned a confused blink from the woman immortal. "Excuse me?"

"Don't ever call me that" Guile growled, ignoring his partner's comment "Ever."

Her eyes narrowed at him for a moment, but lightened away as her gaze went back and forth between the two men. "I believe you two owe me a story."

Ken's grin turned feral "And I'll be sure to tell it." The grin slipped away and his tone dropped and became serious. "But I'm guessing that's not why you guys are here."

"Unfortunately" Chun-Li answered. "But not here."

"Got ya covered."

Ken lifted his hand in signal and a limousine rolled in to the parking area. As his luggage was being set in the vehicle, Chun-Li couldn't help but chuckle.

"What, no sports car this time?"

"Need a break" he shrugged. Opening the door, he beckoned with a grin.

"After you, milady."

Chun-Li chuckled again as she entered the car while Guile…just simply scowled.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

-0-

'Nothing like a good sunset…'

Stretching his arms out, Sean rose up from the hillside road he had settled on to watch the sunset overlooking the city. After separating from Ryu in Greece, Sean decided to just wander around a bit, which turned out to be for months now and somehow he ended up here. Despite being Ken's student, Sean seemed to act a bit more like Ryu in that he just wanders about without a true destination, simply seeing the world. It was a bit funny considering Sakura, who was trained by Ryu, was more like Ken in that she was more of an urban person, enjoying the city life and the sights within, while he preferred a more rural life.

Not that he didn't enjoy a night or two on the town…

Still, this was his preference. Perhaps it was due to his past, his early life in slavery that influenced this and his rush for freedom. And while he knew he was taking a huge risk in his escape, in his case it had paid off more than he could have ever known or believed at the time. Not only in saving his own life from another immortal, but in meeting his First Teacher as well. It was that same determination and yearning for freedom that allowed him to escape in the first place as well as survive for a long as he has now.

Well, that and Ken's epic teachings…

Stifling a light yawn, Sean continued on. If he was going to be in town, he'd better get a place to rest for the night. This was another new place for him and he was eager to see all there was in it.

After all, that was part of being an immortal. The fun part, that is…

"You guys are looking for Ryu?"

"We've learned that he's been targeted by Shadowloo" Guile answered. "From Bison himself."

Ken couldn't hide his surprise at this. "You saw him?"

Chun-Li answered this time. "Yeah. He showed himself and pretty much told us to find him."

There was a brief silence in which Ken narrowed his eyes slightly at her. "That's not all, is it?"

The Chinese immortal lowered her eyes for a moment, but with a mental sigh, she relayed to him her fight with the brainwashed-controlled Sakura which was followed by her encounter with Bison and their departure. Ken couldn't keep the grimace off his face, but to his credit, he put it away quickly enough to continue the conversation civilly.

"I see. So basically you're being used as pawns, with Sakura as bait for Ryu."

Her sigh wasn't mental this time. "Basically."

"We plan on turning this to our advantage." Guile interjected. "If he's looking for Ryu, then he'll have to make a move when we find him. We can use that against him to bring Shadowloo down."

"That isn't much of a plan." Ken frowned. "In fact, it downright sucks."

Guile growled and was about to retort, but Chun-Li beat him to it with a much calmer response. "But it's all we have. Will you help us find him?"

Resting back in his seat, Ken folded his arms and slowly closed his eyes "You know what you're asking of me, right?"

Chun-Li was silent and even Guile caught on in realization. In a nutshell, they were asking Ken to practically betray someone who he considers is his brother (not jokingly, as with Guile) for a next-to-nothing chance to get at Shadowloo. A lose-lose situation.

"What's the alternative?" Chun-Li said finally. "We can't just leave things as they are."

His eyes still closed, Ken let out a breath. "No, I suppose not. Hold on for a moment."

The pair blinked in confusion as Ken picked up a phone and dialed a number. It took only three rings before the receiver on the other end picked answered.

-"Hey, Ken. Just getting in? "-

"Yeah, but something's come up." Ken replied lightly. "Looks like its going to be a bit longer before I get back."

There was a short moment of silence before she replied in the same light manner -"The usual business?"-

"The usual."

-"Okay. Don't work too hard then."-

"I'll try. See ya later, babe."

-"See ya later. Love you."-

"Love you too, Eliza."

Hanging up the phone, he knocked on the window of the driver and gave instructions. Once done, he returned his attention back to the other two occupants, quickly noting a change on Chun-Li features that he recognized was realization and which was followed by a small smile as she turned to her partner.

"So you two really are brothers." When Guile looked over at her (both in question and in annoyance), she easily replied to his unspoken question. "Eliza's not a name used commonly. And Jane told me about her sister when I visited. I had no idea she married one of us though, but your face seems stuck on a scowl, so it was simple enough to figure out."

Ken smiled, impressed with her deduction skills, and was about to say so (as well as throw in a few more barbs at Guile) when the colonel spoke. "So what was that about with the call?"

His tone turned serious when he answered him. "It's a safe bet that Shadowloo knows you guys would come to me. Best that they keep their eyes on me."

"Mm. Good thinking" Guile nodded in agreement

"And thank you for helping us." Chun-Li added.

"Don't thank me yet" Ken replied. "Even with my help, there's no real guarantee that we can find him."

"Are you serious?"

"Very serious" Ken nodded solemnly. "When the guy wanders, he really could be anywhere."