Heritage and Chi Ch. 4
By Mariko Hoshi

"What's on your mind Ken?" Ken looked at the kids and back at Ryu. "Three things. First, what do you think Bison will do next?" Ryu thought. "Mmmmm? Good question Ken. One thing is for sure Bison will come back." "Second, what do you think of Mariko. Father to father." Ryu looked at Mariko. She was now playing tag with Mel and Josh. She laughed as Josh tripped. Josh grin and try to grab Mariko by the leg. Then Mel jump her. The boy found him self on top of Josh. The pair ran after her as she ran into the woods. "Ken I... It's going to take some time but it's feels right for some reason." Ken grin. "Well I'm glad you feel that way because your live is going to change a lot. Last question. What do you think is going to happen when Kaori shows up." Ryu didn't say any thing for a while. "I don't know what will happen Ken. I guess we have to wait and see."

Mel was looking for Josh and Mariko. He heard some giggling. "Mariko???" He moved toward the sound. He looked in the bushes and as he looked behind a tree he was grab from behind. He rolled with his catpure. He looked up into amber eyes. "Hi there, having fun?" Mel was breathing heavily. He couldn't understand the feeling that was happening inside him. He just nodded and grin at Mariko. His heart beated faster. ~Why does she have to be so beauthful~ Thought Mel. Mariko knee closer to Mel. Her hair touch his face. His heart skip a beat. Then suddenly Mariko was gone and Josh was on top of him. "Hey!!!!" Mariko was laughing her head off. Josh of couse was red in the face. Mel was not a happy camper. "Josh if you don't mind. Can you please get off me." Mariko was still giggling. Mel and Josh looked at each other. In one voice. "Get her!!!" Mariko had to move quickly from not becoming a part of the pile up. "Mariko!!! Josh!!! Mel!!!" Came the call of voices. "Fun time is over." Mel sign!!! ~Next time Mariko, next time.~

Kaori looked around as the helcopter landed near by the Dojo. All she knew was that her daughter was here. The soliger lead the way up the stairs to the Dojo. She froze when she reached the top. There was Mariko with some others. She couldn't believe it. "Well now who do we have here?" Mariko ran up to her mother. "Mom!!!" The pair hugged each other. "Now what is this I hear about you and some thing about Shadowlaw." Mariko looked at her mother. "Now are you going to tell me or do I have to..."

"Mom... Don't you dare." Kaori rubbed Mariko's head. "Hello, Kaori." Green eyes looked up into brown eyes. "Hello, Ryu." Mariko hugged her mom as Ryu faced Kaori. "Ryu, I should of..." Ryu put up his hand. "Don't Kaori. What ever happen in the past is the past. We should be looking forward to the future. Mariko's Future."

"Your right Ryu but I should of tried harder to find you." Ryu looked at Mariko. She looked at him with Amber eyes. Ken was right about one thing his life was going to change. He hoped he could be the father that Mariko needed. "So is any one going to tell me what happen with Shadowlaw or do I have to..." Mariko tug at her mom. "Don't go over board, please mom." Kaori took a deep breath and hugged her daughter. "Well I see you haven't change too much. All ways trying to keep me out of trouble." Mariko hugged her mother. "That my job." Kaori laughed out and hugged back.