Untitled Ch.1
By Blankman

It was a cool Christmas Eve in San Francisco. The Masters were doing some last minute preparations for their Christmas bash. Ken had invited a few of his Streetfighter pals to celebrate Christmas and the new millenium with him and his family.

Ken was in the kitchen preparing the Christmas turkey,(it was either that or another night on the couch), Ryu had tagged along hoping to get a bite out of the fridge, plus he didn't want to hang around Eliza, Cammy, and Chunli,(girl talk was just too hard for him to comprehend).

Ken put the turkey in the oven while Ryu grabbed an apple from then fridge.

"Hey Ryu, can you pass me the stuffing on the counter."

Ryu did so and took a bite our of his apple. After a few moments of silence, Ken spoke up.

"Ahem!,...so...are you and Chunli still not talking to each other?".

"You could say that," he said, leaning against the kitchen counter. "I feel rather uncomfortable about being hated by someone I barely know."

"Come on Ryu, she doesn't hate you, you just got off on the wrong foot."

Ryu had a look on his face that said *I'm really not convinced*. "I hope so," he finally replied and began contemplating about the past events.

*FLASHBACK*

It was Thursday, two more days until Christmas, and Ken's guests began arriving. The first to arrive was Cammy followed by Dan, and Ryu. Chunli was the last to arrive, and when she did, everyone went out to greet her. She slowly got out of the chauffered limousine Ken had sent to pick her up from the airport, and gave Cammy, Dan, Ken, and Eliza a hug then knelt down to give Mel, a hug and kiss. She then stood up and recognized the stranger standing beside Ken. He was the one who had defeated her long-time nemesis, Bison.

"Hello Ryu," she said offering her hand to shake.

If Ryu was slightly taken aback by this, he did a good job in hiding his disappointment and shook her hand.+

"Hello Chunli."

After a brief uncomfortable silence, she went back into the car and pulled out a pile of presents. Mel's eyes instantly lit up.

"OOOh Prezzies!!", he yelled as he jumped for joy.

"Son?", Ken inquired.

"Yes dad?"

"Pull yourself together."

Mel's jumping came to a stop as the group of adults burst into laughter, except for Ryu who simply grinned.

Ryu then focused his attention to Chunli, who seemed over burdened with the gifts.

"Would you like me to help you with those?", he asked, getting a hold of the presents.

"um,...no, its okay," she said holding the gifts a little closer.

"I really don't mind carrying them for you," Ryu said pulling the presents towards him.

"Look, I really don't need your help," she said a little louder and pulled even harder. Unfortunately, Ryu had let go too early and the presents fell to the ground. The last one fell with a CRASH!!! Ryu cringed.

The rest of the group, who had been discussing their enjoyable moments together, turned around in shock.

"Oh no," Chunli said on the verge of tears, as she knelt down to pick up the gifts.

"I..I'm sorry," Ryu said apologetically.

Chunli's sadness quickly faded into anger as she shifted her gaze to look up at him.

"I TOLD YOU I DIDN'T NEED YOUR HELP," she said with a large hint of vehemence in her voice. "What part of that didn't you understand!"

"I..I..."

"I took a six hour flight from Hong Kong only to find one of my bags is missing; I come here hoping to have a Very, Merry Christmas with my friends, only to top it off with This!!"

"I..I..," he didn't know what to say.

"OOOh, now the party's getting interesting," Dan said.

"SHUT UP DAN," the rest of them said in unison.

"I hope you're happy Mr. the fight is all," she mocked in a macho tough guy voice.

"Hey, hey, no need for name calling, that's my pal you're talking to!," Ken put in.

"Shut up Ken," Eliza yelled, "Can't you see she's upset." "Come on Chunli, I'll show you to your room," she said as she picked up Mel and motioned for Cammy to follow. When the girls reached the door, Eliza turned around and mouthed out, *you are sleeping on the couch tonight Mr. Masters*

"Hehehe, looks like someone's sleepin' on the couch tonight," Dan chuckled.

"Hold me back Ryu," Ken said as he tried desperately to knock Dan out, while Ryu held him back.

Dan took this opportunity to run into the Mansion

*END FLASHBACK*

"Chunli is so stubborn, are all women like this?", Ryu asked.

"I'm afraid so, Eliza's always looking for ways to get on my nerves."

"What was that!", Eliza inquired, as she walked in.

"um...I said I'd better get started on the or d'oeurves.

"Do that," she said as she walked out.