just something that I thought of and started on a whim...

note: ** marks denote use of the English Language.

Street Fighter:  Chasing a Legend

	It was one of those mornings where the land of the rising son
earned its name, with a spectacular sunrise on the horizon and waves
crashing dramatically by the rocky shore.  On a particularly high cliff
overlooking the sea was a traditional Japanese resort that had, if you
could afford it, a ridiculously beautiful view of it all.
	At the moment, the two Americans staying in one of the better
rooms were enjoying it over breakfast and conversation.  They both were
dressed in kimonos and looking out their large window into the ocean. 
They both had long blond hair, but that's where the similarities ended. 
The lady had a certain air about her that said 'rich', and was blessed
with the looks of a supermodel as well.  The man had a more rugged look,
with a very muscular build and a slight hint of stubble on his face. 
	*"Japan was a nice place after all, right hon?" asked Ken.
	*"Okay, I'll admit, I love this place,"* said Eliza, *"But I still
say you'll never get me to eat that sushi stuff."*  She grinned while
sipping her coffee as Ken mock-frowned.
	*"Tsk, closed-minded."*
	*"Shush, you.  I'm gonna go try out the hot springs.  Join me?"*
wondered Eliza, giving a wink.
	*"Oh-ho, how can I resist?"* said Ken.  *"Lemme clean up a bit,
then I'll join you, okay?"*
	*"See you downstairs, honey."*  With a seductive wink Eliza left
the room, leaving Ken there with a goofy grin on his face.
	After she left, Ken went about humming a merry tune, combing his
hair from the semi-tangled mess that it was, brushed his teeth (with a
nifty automated toothbrush Eliza had bought him as a gift), then started
mowing his face with an electric shaver.
	It was while he was clearing out the space under his left nostril
that he heard a gentle knocking at the door.  He frowned, holding the
shaver in place as he wondered who would be knocking at this time of
morning.  He wasn't expecting company, so that couldn't be it.  He started
on the right side of his face and yelled, "Eliza?"
	No response, aside from more knocking.
	This could be bad, he thought, while clearing out that last bit of
sideburn on the right of his face.  He was cleaned up, all shaved, and
ready to fight.  What better time to answer the door?
	*"I'm coming, already!"* he irritably yelled, cautiously moving to
the door.  He sounded impatient, but then again, that's what he wanted
whoever was behind the door to think.  Stepping to one side so that the
attacker would get nothing but empty space if they tried to charge in, he
slowly slid the door open.
	There was an almost blinding flash of light.
	Ken dove forward, rolled, and took aim at....
	"EEEEEK! Don't hit me!  Don't hit me!"
	He blinked.
	Inches away from his fist was the face of a very young Japanese
girl, clad in a white and blue sailor outfit of some sort (a school
uniform, he guessed), fingerless blue gloves, tomboyishly short black
hair, and sporting a white headband in a very familiar fashon.  She also
had her eyes closed, one hand with a camera, and both arms raised up in an
attempt to block his fist. 
	"Ah," he said in a most confused manner, "who are you?  If you
want an autograph, you coulda just asked..."
	The girl slowly opened her eyes, realizing that she wasn't going
to get punched, and looked at Ken with some dissapointment.
	"Hey," she said, "you're not Ryu."
	The sound of an ego deflating could almost be heard.
	"What?"
	"I heard he was staying here.  Where is he?  RYU!  WHERE ARE
YOU?!"  She strolled into his hotel room, looking under the bed, in the
closets, and in the bathroom.
	"Hey!  Wait a minute!  You just can't stroll in here!  Hey!"  He
reached for her, grabbing her by the shoulder, and found himself flat on
his back.
	Damn.
	It was too early in the morning for crap like this.
	"Who the heck are you anyways, and where's Ryu?" asked the girl
irritably, still keeping a grip on his arm.  He frowned, not liking this
at all, and flung her away (but into the futon.  He wasn't about to start
beating up on schoolgirls). 
	"I am Ken Masters, and YOU..."
	"Ken Masters?  THE Ken Masters?" asked the girl as she got up, her
attitude suddenly becoming much more positive.
	"Well, yes..."
	"THE Street Fighter Ken Masters?"
	"That's me," he said, smiling a bit.
	"Ken Masters, Ryu's best friend?  ALRIGHT!"  The girl jumped up
and down excitedly while Ken's ego suffered yet another sudden deflation.

	Ryu.

	It was ALWAYS Ryu.  Getting the sensei's approval, mastering the
new technique, winning the Street Fighter Tournament, it was always RYU
doing it first and doing it better.
	If they weren't on such friendly terms, he'd hate the guy.

	"Yeah, that's me," sighed Ken, "Ryu's pal, Ken Masters."
	"Oh I'm SO honored to meet you (ohmygosh I'm takling to Ryu's best
friend!) here lemme take a picture of you."
	Click.
	*FLASH*
	This time, Ken WAS blinded by the flash.
	Meanwhile, Sakura continued to rant.  "Sorry I didn't recognize
you before but I mean I'm not used to seeing you with your hair all strung
out like that I mean it's normall tied back isn't it can you tell me where
Ryu is?"
	Ow just great it's seven in the morning I'm half-awake and there's
a Ryu fanatic bugging me, thought Ken.
	"Huh, mister?"
	"Hm?"
	"Can you tell me where Ryu is?"
	"Look, I really can't say..."
	Suddenly, Sakura dropped to her knees right in front of him.
"PLEEEASE!  Please please please!"
	*"Well, I can see what's been keeping you."*
	Uh oh.
	Ken grinned nervously, sweating a bit.  *"Eliza, honey, this IS
NOT what it looks like... really..."

-to be continued-