To Become a Shinobi Ch. 17
By Eliad Sholomovich

Ibuki walked through the streets of HK, A cold breeze ruffeled her hair. She reached a park.Several people passed down the streets nearby and a few couples were sitting on benches and on the park's grass as well.

She then noticed a vacant bench and decided to sit down. She looked up and looked at the moon that shone brightly like a pearl in a cold black sea.

" What will I do? Will I also end up like my father? And If so what will mom do? So much responsibilities on my shoulders, What If I fail?" Ibuki thought

Then she remembered her Mom and friends, Then her Sensai, "I can't afford to disappoint them or myself, I gotta pull myself together" Ibuki thought and shook her head.

Vega was watching from the shadows. "Interesting its seems the little ninja is depressed for some reason. This makes my job so much easier, The more disraction the harder it is to spot me" He mused to himself and continued spying on Ibuki.

She looked at a huge electronic clock that was on a nearby building. The clock read 03:00. She decided she would stay outdoors for another 2-3 huors before she'd head back towards the dojo.

"Sensai always did say confidence is the first step towards victory, As long as it doesn't turn into arrogance, So for once I just gotta to believe in myself. Dad did and I won't disappoint him or Sensai. I must clear my mind and focus on improving myself. Only them will I acheive my goal" Ibuki thought.

Ibuki was still sad and uneasy because of her nightmare. The tears were gone but the pain and loneliness still lingered in her heart.And it was apparent as her face was a mask of sorrow.

Ibuki sighed. Then she heard someone talk "Why the long face Kid?" A young man's voice said Ibuki bit her lip in frustration "I hate being called Kid" She thought and turned to look at the speaker.

She looked at him and put a hand on her mouth to try and choke down her laughter. The man himself wasn't funny he was young and muscular Japanese man with brown hair that was tied into a pony behind his head, It was his Gi that made her laugh, it was similar to Ryu's but it was Pink. And Thats what made him look extremely ridiculous.

Ibuki calmed herself down she didn't want to disrespect him. "I don't mean to be rude sir but I'm in no mood for talking, Please just leave me alone" She said and she meant every word.

The man laughed "Oh come on...no one can turn down a chance to talk to the Master of Saiyko-Ryu,The king of Street fighting...Dan Hibiki"

He said and raised his hand in the air and closed it into a fist and flashed a toothful smile.

Ibuki felt a smile rise to her face from his behaviour, "I wonder what he wants? I guess It can't hurt to talk to someone for a while," She thought.

She looked at him "Ok Mr.Hibiki" She said in a slight chuckle. Dan frowned "Its just Dan, don't call me that its too formal for the master of the Saiyko Ryu Ok?" He said and passed his hand in his hair.

"So...what's bothering you miss?" He said. Ibuki shook her head "I don't know you...I shouldn't even be talking to you... Why should I trust you with my secrets?" She asked.

He scratched his head "I'll tell you a secret of mine If you tell me what's bothering you, How's that sound?" He asked.

Ibuki shrugged "Fair enough" She said, Dan rose to his feet "I've trained with the World Warrior Ryu when I was younger" He said. "That always seems to work when I try talking to women" Dan thought

Ibuki raised "This is an interesting turn of events" She thought and smiled. "Ok I'm just disappointed because I lost in a Street fight" She lied.

Dan turned to her and grinned. "So You street fight?" He asked.

Ibuki nodded. Dan jumped to his feet "I hereby challenge you.... Ahhh what's your name?" He asked.

Ibuki rose to her feet "Ibuki. I don't want to burst your bubble Danny boy but I am really not in the mood for this right now so I'll be leaving now. It was fun but I gotta go" She said and turned to leave.

She felt something grab her arm . " What the h*ll?" She thought and looked behind her to see Dan holding her arm. She tried to free herself but he held strong. "Let go of me! your hurting me" Ibuki said threw clenched teeth.

"Sorry... Oh come on Ibuki! please!, just this once please" Dan said and looked at her with bug puppy eyes.

Ibuki looked around her as people gazed at the scene laughing and whispering. From the side it sounded as if he was asking her on a date. Her face turned red with embarressment as she figured this out too.

"You want to fight fine, I'll give him a fight. Maybe I can get a clue on Ryu's location from him and train a bit. Besides I could use a way to burn some time before morning" Ibuki thought.

"Oh Alright just Stop Begging, You're embarassing me" She muttered angrily and shook her head in annoyance.

Dan leapt to his feet and entered his stance, "Great, Now I shall prove the might of Saiyko-Ryu. Prepare for utter defeat Ibuki. No one beats Dan Hibiki" He shouted and a crowd gathered around them.

"Finally a chance to prove myself again, Well I have before but you can never fight enough right? Besides This might be my chance to get back into action after that blasted injury at Akuma's hands," Dan thought and for a second shuddered as he remembered the vicious Chi Projectile that almost killed him when he faced Akuma in the 3rd Alpha Tournament.

He traced his hand on a huge scar on his abdomen. Nobody could see it due to the fact his gi hid it, But Dan could feel it and it brought back unpleasent memories. "Good thing Jimmy found me and saved me from dying from my injuries, God bless that green skinned fellow" Dan thought and smiled as he remembered his odd yet loyal Brazilian friend.

Ibuki sighed and entered her stance as well "We shall see Dan...we shall see" Ibuki replied to his taunt and then her face turned to a mask of concentration and determination.

A small crowd of about 4 dozen people gathered around. Vega hid himself among them. "This should be interesting, That pink clad idiot is supposedly a good warrior or so I've heard. Vega thought and crossed his arms looking at the scene.

The crowd all shouted "Ready...FIGHT!!!