By EliadS

It is late in the evening, the moon barely noticeable beyond the peaks of the towering skyscrapers and buildings of the busy and bustling city known to all as Hong Kong. People fill the street, all walking about like busy ants, each to his or hers own business.

A young Chinese woman is walking down the streets, She seems to be in her late Twenties or Early Thirties. She is wearing a sharp looking blue business suit. She's holding a briefcase in her right hand as she walks quickly, traversing the busy and full streets with such expertise, that it can only be assumed that she is a local.

Her long black hair is curled into two buns, each covered by a pieces of white cloth. Her Coffee brown eyes focused and fixed forward at all times. Slight perspiration adorns her forehead and her graceful face mirrors exhaustion and lack of sleep.

A few minutes later she reaches a multi-floored apartment building. She looks at it and smiles creeps to her previously serious face. Then she sighs and wipes her forehead with the sleeve of her business suit.

"Home sweet home! Finally some rest! Jeez, they didn’t mention this promotion would come with all this d*mned paperwork…Makes me almost reconsider my decision, well at least until I see the pay check.” She thinks and opens the entrance door with her key while chuckling at the thought.

She rubs her eyes and shakes her head before yawning audibly “I'm going to need to buy a pair of reading glasses at this rate…" She thinks and chuckles to herself, her vision slightly blurry before it focuses.

She walks up to an elevator and presses the button. Then she hums a tune while tapping her foot. She then waits for a few moments and taps her foot faster and faster as the time. She finally exhales through pursed lips and rolls her eyes. Then she waits some more. A good 4 minutes later her patience breaks and she begins pounding on the metal door with her fist, thus emitting loud thuds and slightly hurting her hand.

"C'mon already! I'm not in the mood to climb 12 stories by foot!" She says in an angry tone. Her pounding slowly gets weaker and weaker before she sighs tiredly and leans her head on the metal Please…" she whispers softly, but with no avail.

Then she opens her eyes again and whimpering slightly at the sight of the staircase. Then she stands straight and inhales deeply. She walks over to the staircase and tiredly begins climbing the stairs “Stupid hunk of Junk! Never works when I need it to!" she thinks angrily as she continues.

As she reaches the 10th floor she hears the audible ringing of the elevator reaching the bottom floor. She then begins swearing colorfully in a wide variety of different languages under her breath. Then she waves her hand in an off hand motion while muttering "Oh…nevermind" and continues. "If I didn't know better I'd think that stupid machine has a mind of its own. I'll call maintenance tomorrow, and if they don’t fix it…I’ll Kikoshou them to next Tuesday!" She thinks and sighs again as she continues to climb up the final sets of stairs.

She reaches her apartment's door and takes out her keys from her pocket. She jams them into the lock and turns it to the left. Then she pushes the door open and enters her apartment. She sighs and places her Briefcase near the door before closing the door behind her and scratching her eyes.

She then quickly locks it behind her and stretches, the long day of work, quite exhaustion to the poor Chinese lady. "I gotta rest for once…I Haven't slept well in weeks now, good thing starting next week I'm on vacation " Chunli thinks and takes off her suit's jacket, throwing it onto a nearby chair. She then enters her bedroom and leaps onto her bed.

She crosses her hands behind her head, and cradles it with them like a pillow. She lies on her bed and looks at the ceiling for a few seconds. Then she sighs and takes off her pants and kicks them off the bed. Then she takes off the shirt as well and gets up, now left in her undergarments alone. She smiles and flexes her muscles, feeling as if a layer of skin has been peeled off her, and feels relieved and better, as the heat of the suit leaves her.

Her gentle bright colored skin is covered by a thin layer of sweat, she thinks of go to take a shower, but quickly dismisses the thought, remembering the building's hot water boiler is out of order and sighs in exasperation. "Oooh why can't anything in this blasted building work? It was the electricity last week, now it's the boiler, what next?" She wonders.

Then she walks up to a nearby closet and takes out the first shirt she can grab, tiredness slowly pulling her with its touch, her eyes threatening to shut at any moment.

She wears a large white T-Shirt with a V-neck. She looks at it for a second. “Oops…must’ve packed one of Ken’s shirts by mistake when I visited two months ago…oh well…” She thinks and chuckles before leaping onto her bed and sighing contently. The sheets fabric so comfortable and cozy, cuddling her tired body with just the right amount of warmth.

She covers herself up and lies on her back, fighting her exhaustion and gazing up at the ceiling. Then she closes her aching eyes, savoring the silence of her empty apartment and smiling. Soon she remembers her duties and the less than pleasant thought fills her mind and her smile fades, exchanged by a tired pair of pursed lips.

"Good Grief, this new case is a nightmare! As if we didn't have enough problems with Shadowlaw, now this new Brotherhood organization has to start stirring up trouble too. And poor little me has to do all the freaking paperwork, because my co workers have to go suck up to the superiors." She thinks and growls lightly, her fists clench.

She remembers how she hands in her report, a good week load of work only to get a small approving nod and smile. Then she saw a guy in her rank that's a lazy, good for nothing idiot, joking and being praised by her boss. "It's just not fair! I work my a** off and he nods that bozo kisses up and lets me do all the work and gets freaking praised! Men…ya can't live with them, ya can't shoot'em either" She thinks and frowns, but then clams down and allows herself to laugh, knowing the chauvinist boss of hers may be an a**, But not worth condemning all the men.

And to top all of that…All investigation work is disregarded for a simple lead, which turns out to be wrong, and screws my whole month of effort. So guess who gets to reinvestigate it all over? And if that’s not enough, when the sparks start flying I’m the one strapped up, booted in the rear and sent out to the field too! " Chunli thinks and rolls her eyes, suppressed anger and bitterness resurfacing.

She sighs and turns to lie on her side. Her eyes lay upon a pair of pictures, which stand on a little nightstand located near her bed. One is a golden framed picture of Chunli's father Dorai. Chunli sniffs and touches the picture with her hand. Her eyes water slightly but she blinks the tears back.

“Papa…why did you have to die? It’s not fair! You were the only one who really cared for me…knew how to make me smile when I was sad, laugh when I cried…I miss you so much…” She thinks and swallows, blinking back more tears as her childhood memories flash before her.

She then, pushed the thoughts away, not wanting to cry tonight and turns her head to slightly to the left and looks at another picture. There another framed picture stands and brings memories different memories into Chunli’s heart.

It‘s a picture of Chunli, Ken and Ryu all standing before Ken's mansion. Ken is flashing his famous toothy grin and motioning a thumbs up sign with his right hand. His left arm is hugging Chunli’s waist. She is also smiling widely in the picture, her face happy and joyous, her eyes full of joy and seemingly twinkling. Whereas Ryu’s face, Is neutral, cold and unreadable as usual. Chunli shakes her head and frowns; the picture had been taken after the dance.

She got really close to Ryu at that fateful dance, but something had happened. She remembers that mo. She woke up to the sounds of a high pitched battle cry. She woke up and dressed up in some loose clothes.

She was surprised that she was the only one to awaken. She then went to investigate it, although she was pretty sure it was Ryu training again.

Then she remembers seeing Ryu standing on Ken's huge Veranda alone, standing in his stance, his fist extended before him in a punching position. He was looking at his fist, his eyes narrowed and his jaw tense. He was in his Gi pants alone, and Chunli blushed slightly at remembering his impressive frame and back.

Then saw him get up and look at the sun rising, dropping his stance and standing in a loose position. She could have sworn she saw his eyes moist. Then she saw him drop his head and sigh. Deep exhaustion and tiredness noticeable in the way he was standing and the look on his face. She snaps back from her quick flashback and sighs.

“Ryu…you are a living enigma aren’t you? You are so enclosed in yourself; it hurts me so much sometimes. I tried talking to you, but you pushed me away with your refusal and cold reactions. You puzzle me…One time you are so warm and kind, the other you're cold and blunt, your soul seeming to be blocked by a wall" She thinks. She can remember many times where he acted like that, all puzzled her at the time, and she never did get an answer out of him.

I…I want to share my feelings with you…so much…get to know you. Why? Why do you keep pushing the others and me away? What are you so afraid of? Don't you trust us? Me?" She thinks and the thought itself hurts and saddens her greatly.

I don’t think I can open up to you, not while you’re being so cold and impassive. I…I just couldn’t stand you reacting to my feelings like they meant nothing, it'd kill me inside. I hope you come together soon…” She thinks.

Chunli is sitting in front of a large table. She’s beaming with joy and laughing like a schoolgirl. All her friends are gathered around the table and singing her birthday songs. She blinks back tears of joy and grins at how kind all her friends are. They had surprised that day; Cammy had ambushed her after work offered to allegedly hang out for a while.

Chunli had of course agreed, missing her friend so much, Then Cammy took her to a restaurant where Ken had already arranged a surprise party, inviting all her Street fighting friends.

“Here ya go Chun! A hat for the birthday girl!” Dan says and puts on a triangular paper hat on her head while smiling. Chunli chuckles and keeps it from falling off with her right hand.

“Guile! Will you move your arse and bring that cake! Cammy shouts while shooting the American soldier a glare.

He crosses his arms “What do I look like a busboy? Get it yourself woman!” He says coldly.

Cammy shakes her fist and eyes him angrily "why you…" she mutters.

“I’ll get it!” Dan chirps as he offers.

“NO!” Everybody shouts in unison and holds him back to stop him.

Dan hmphs “Fine…sheesh…what’s up with you guys?” He asks and shakes his head.

“I got it” Ryu says and comes out of the kitchen while holding the cake. He wears a small smile as he puts it before Chunli. “Happy birthday Chunli” He says quietly and places the cake before her.

“Least one man here’s got some decency” Cammy says and hmphs. “And no…you’re not included in that statement Dan” Cammy says and looks at Dan who’s about to speak in his own defense, he lifts a finger before dropping it and shutting up.

Chunli ignores them and smiles at Ryu. He bows his head; his face impassive and calm as usual. His eyes seem tired, and his face worn from physical effort. Chunli's smile fades into a neutral look as she sighs under her breath.

"Can't you smile? At least pretend to be happy D*mnit! A gal should think you'd be a little more considerate" She thinks looks at the table. Ryu then smiles a small smile and hands her a small box.

"Happy birthday Chunli" he says quietly, his voice calm and soft. She looks up at him and takes it. Everyone nudges her to open it up. She smiles "Oh alright already! I'll open it!" She says, after Cammy practically shakes her into it.

Inside is a pair of silver earrings. The set is shaped like two roses. Beautifully chiseled into near real life detail. Chunli's eyes widen. "Oh my gosh, these must have cost you a fortune! I…I can't take these…" she says, blushing at the thought of his magnificent gift.

"They are my gift to you, please don't refuse them" he says softly, his face serious at his statement.

She looks into his eyes and smiles, nodding and then grinning "Ooh Ryu! Thank you so much!" She says happily and hugs him tightly, before kissing his cheek to show her gratitude.

The street fighters around, look shocked. Ryu being romantic, it was inconceivable, unbelievable. Yet here it was happening before them. Ryu is a little taken a back by her hug, but hugs back. "You're welcome" he says gently and then pulls back.

She smiles broadly, and then looks at him, as he turns away. Her eyes scanning him. Her heart beating fast and her stomach knotting. She seems to zone out, as she feels attracted to him, now more than ever wanting to tell him how much she loves him.

She opens her mouth to call him, but someone nudges her shoulders gently. “Well whadda waiting for? Blow the candles!” Dan says and shakes her back to reality as he nudges her shoulder gently again.

Chunli is leaning against the wall and talking to Cammy when suddenly she sees Ryu hefting his duffel bag onto his shoulder. He hadn't been too talkative during the party, keeping himself in the background and sitting alone as he always does, occasionally speaking to anyone who turned to him, and even when he did, his exterior was cold.

For some reason Chunli couldn't grasp, he seemingly avoided her during the party, even had trouble looking her in the eyes when they talked. She only now notices this, as she looked at him. She was too busy entertaining all her other friends. Everyone had come, except Fei long, who was in the U.S. Ken tried to reach him, but failed to. But Chunli has other things on her mind.

Chunli looks over at him, ignoring Cammy's jabbering as she does. His face seems sad and loneliness flickers in his eyes occasionally as he sees how all the others interact. She was often frustrated at these phenomena "Why? Why are you putting up this tough and cold charade? What's the point?" Chunli thinks and rolls her eyes.

Yet Chunli couldn't help but try to reach to him. "I do care about him…so much…I can't help it, he's special and unique in his own ways. There's just gotta be someway to break through that thick skull of his, and I will succeed in finding it, Because I…I have a feeling if he opens up, he'll be the "one". I just hope…someday soon he'll trust me enough, to let me in see pass the warrior and into the man he is." She thinks.

“Umm…Cammy…I’ll be right back…hold that thought!” She says and excuses herself. Cammy looks at albeit quizzically, yet and nods "K". When she sees what Chunli is looking at she nods to herself. "That guy's gonna break her heart, he's just…just too introversive. I gotta get him out of her head, for her own good" She thinks and leans back against the wall.

Chunli walks up to Ryu, who has his back to her and puts a hand on his shoulder gently.

“Leaving so soon?” She asks softly, her voice etched with slight sadness and disappointment, even though she tries to mask it unsuccessfully.

Ryu turns to her and nods slowly, his eyes again clouded by a cold blanket of what seems to be calculating, but is more likely to be fear of exposing himself. “I have a long way ahead of me Chunli…I have to reach the tournament in Shanghai…I'm hoping to meet up with Gouki there… ” He says, his jaw tensing at the mentioning of the Shotokan demon.

"Akuma! He's leaving to seek that demon again? He's already beaten him? Why can't he just leave it alone? Why is he so obsessed, even I, eventually stopped pushing my live aside for the sake of nailing Bison." She thinks and he face turns sad.

“Well at least stay for some cake Ryu, It won't be too long, and…it's…it's been so long, can't you wait jusfa few more hours…please" She says quietly, looking hopeful, her eyes pleading.

"Please stay, I've missed you so much, the party will calm down soon, I'm dying to talk to you, I'll make your time worth more than fighting that monster. Just please, please do this for me once" Chunli thinks and looks at him even more pleadingly.

Ryu goes silent for a few seconds and his lips pursing to a small slit, seemingly in deep in thought. “I want to…but I can’t Chunli…I’m sorry…” he says, his voice wavering slightly, before he inhales deeply and it resumes its icy tone.

“But I’ve hardly seen you! You’re already and going? You call this a visit?” She asks, her voice slightly angry. Also sharp questioning and expectation are apparent in her voice. Her heart still not willing to believe he'd do this to her, for the sake of fighting.

“It's the best I can offer at this current time, I…I can't explain it to you Chunli…you wouldn't understand…” He says and sighs.

"Try me…I might just surprise you" Chunli says, her eyes becoming moist and her voice trembling slightly. She feels her heart ache and bleed with sadness, her eyes itch slightly. She then blinks to hold the tears back, not wanting to show him weakness.

"Chunli…please…just trust me…I can't explain it…" He says, his eyes closing and he clenches his teeth slightly.

Chunli exhales under her breath sadly. "Ok…If it's so important…then go" she says her voice flat and her eyes shifting from joy to sadness, cold sadness oozing with anger. Her left fist clenching and her lower jaw tensing.

Ryu's eyes scan her, then for a split second warmth can be seen in them "But…I'll do my best to come visit you soon, so we can talk and catch up on things, I…I just have to do this now. Once it's done…I'll come back" He stammers and gives her a small reassuring smile.

Chunli smiles, her heart suddenly fluttering, "A minute ago he…he…can It be? Does he actually care? I hope so…“ She thinks and cheers up slightly, her face lighting up again.

"Ok…I’d like that…"So very much" She adds in her mind. "…So can you at least come to my next birthday party, if you can't come during the year and stay this time please? She asks him.

He nods “Ok…I’ll be here…I promise.” He says sincerely before bowing and taking his leave. Leaving a hopeful Chunli looking at the door for a few seconds.

"Ryu...Where the h*ll are you? It's been so long; I'm beginning to worry about you. Are you in danger? Are you even still alive? You promised you'd come that year and you didn’t? You promised to be at the next party and you didn’t!" She thinks and turns away from the picture.

Am I not important enough to give up a week of your training? Am I not worth a week of your relentless search for Gouki? Is the fight really all you care about?” She thinks and sniffs at the thought.

She feels a pinging sadness seep into her heart and expand into a full scale depressing heartache

“Why? Why does he always have to be like this? Can’t the guy get a life? Can't he think of anything else but his stupid fighting?” She thinks and holds back a sob unsuccessfully.

Tears leak from her eyes, and flow down her graceful cheeks, glittering softly in the moonlight, which invades the room from a window. Bathing her in soft light and illuminating her beautiful face.

“He’s got to have a reason for this. He just has too. When I next see him, he’ll explain right? Yeah…he’s got to…He wouldn't lie to me, or let me down. I know he wouldn't, He has to care, or he wouldn't have given me those earrings, or promised in the first place” She says, reassuring herself with the notions and smiling despite her doubts and tears.

“I hope wherever you are you're Ok, Please come and see me soon, I worry more with each passing day…" Chunli thinks and then sighs, slowly allowing herself to drift to sleep.

Little does Chunli know that Ryu who she misses so much is less than a mile away from her.

** Meanwhile, A quarter of mile to the south of Chunli's apartment **

A figure is leaning against the wall of an empty alley. The figure melts into the shadows, and the curtain of darkness conceals his features perfectly. Then the moon shifts its position and soft white light illuminates the alley.

The light is reflected upon a metallic mask, this mask hiding the face of a world-renowned assassin. The assassin also known to many by the alias of Vega, he is currently waiting for his target to arrive.

His blue eyes narrow and he raises his trademark claw, the same claw that has already consumed and destroyed the lives of many people. It gleams in the moonlight, It's sleek metal edges, curved and ready to slice his victims.

"Why has master Bison sent me? I am an assassin, not a freaking dogcatcher! I don't capture targets…I kill them! This is such a waste of my precious time." He thinks and sighs silently, his breath almost completely silent.

Then he can hear running footsteps that echo through the empty streets and he grins under his mask. "I may not be able to kill you warrior, but nobody said I can't have a little fun and hurt you a lot!" Vega thinks and consolidates himself, relishing on the thought of the upcoming attack he will soon execute.

Meanwhile Ryu is running, he stops as his exhaustion forces him too. He leans his hand against a wall and pants tiredly. Sweat adorns his forehead and bangs of limp and moist hair fall on his forehead, blocking his vision slightly. He drops his duffel bag and tries to regain his breath.

He brushes them aside and slowly calms his irritate breathing. He feels his heart beat strongly in his chest cavity. His chest rises and descends quickly as he shakes his head and wipes his forehead again. "I gotta rest for a few minutes" He thinks and shifts his position to lean his back on the wall and close his eyes.

Suddenly Ryu hears running footsteps and he opens his eyes, he can see a blur approaching him quickly. He can't make out the shape but it doesn't matter. His senses tell him danger is approaching and he exhales tiredly and stands straight. Then the footsteps are also accompanied by a high-pitched battle cry.

Ryu looks forward and his eyes go wide, the blur suddenly sharpens and he recognizes the attacker. "Vega!" Ryu thinks, but he doesn't have time to think for long as Vega sends his claw forward aimed at his abdomen.

Ryu leaps sideways and the claws miss him. Vega's claw slam into the wall, He then removes it and turns to look at Ryu that is rises to his feet and enters his stance.

"Greetings Senior Hoshi, beautiful evening for some bloodshed isn't it?" Vega says and turns his body to face Ryu. His blue eyes narrowing and gleaming cold, no emotion whatsoever traceable in them.

Ryu doesn't answer the assassin and keeps his stance up. Vega grins under his mask "I'm going to enjoy this," He thinks and his muscles tense as he prepares to attack. Ryu's eyes are cold and calculating as he scans the Spaniard carefully.

"I've heard of Vega's speed and skill from Chunli, I don't know if I'm in shape to beat him now, yet it seems I don't have a choice" Ryu thinks and inhales deeply.

Vega hunches forward, placing his hands at the side of his body, his face aimed at the ground, and then he crouches low and leaps forward with amazing speed.

Ryu is ready for him though and as Vega's claw slashes downward, Ryu leaps over Vega. Vega's claw licks the air as he lands on his feet. Ryu somersaults in midair and lands behind Vega. Vega flips back and lands on his hands, then he pushes off the ground and spins around, while extending his foot.

As Ryu turns around immediately, he feels the taste of Vega's shoe as it slams into in his face. Ryu reels backwards and sees Vega land on his feet. The Spanish ninja then steps forward and tries to stab him with his claw again.

Ryu sidesteps diagonally to the right and Vega's claw whistles beside his left ear, Ryu then sends his left foot crashing into Vega's abdomen the minute his right foot touches the ground. Vega absorbs it, foot colliding against muscle, Vega grunts and sees Ryu step forward. He quickly dodges a follow up punch by ducking, hoping to surprise Ryu with a punch as he rises.

But to Vega's disdain hfaito see Ryu spins around. As Vega rises, Ryu nails him with a roundhouse kick, heel connects against metal, as Vega feels his teeth rattle from the impact. Vega is forced to reel backwards and shakes his head.

Ryu then steps forward and tries to punch the assassin's abdomen, his fist cutting through the air, his knuckles approaching the muscular area quickly. Vega catches this at the last moment and is able to shift his body sideways.

Ryu's fist hits nothing but air and Ryu's left in a very vulnerable position. Vega's eyes gleam with glee as he slashes with his claw, hoping it to sink deep into Ryu's flesh. Ryu however steps backwards and manages to save himself from being fatally wounded.

Vega's claw connects slashing against Ryu's Chest, cloth and skin being cut. The blow leaves 3 long lines of crimson on Ryu's chest. Yet the wounds aren't deep and not near damaging enough to bring the World warrior down.

"First blood! Hahahaha…I love this…the site of carving his flesh, seeing his blood, and knowing I am superior to this lowly pig! This is the only true profession that suits a man of my beauty and expertise," Vega thinks and his eyes show his perverted joy upon wounding his opponent.

Ryu instinctively moves a hand to touch the wound and winces. Vega takes advantage and does a quick handstand, then wraps his legs around Ryu's neck; he then pulls his legs back, sending Ryu slamming into the ground behind him back first.

Ryu groans as he hits the rough pavement. His back hits the cement with a thud. He feels the wind being knocked out of him, and he coughs. He shakes his head and looks up at Vega. "Must find a way to match or negate his speed" Ryu thinks and tries to think fast.

Vega then unwraps his legs from around Ryu's neck and flips to his legs before raising his claw, all this happening in split seconds. Ryu goes wide eyed and rolls aside, Vega's claw misses his by inches and clangs against the cement audibly, and sending small sparks as well upon hitting the hard ground.

Ryu then lifts himself up, by pushing off the ground using his hands before he kicks Vega's abdomen. His foot crashes into the Spaniard's solar plexus, and the momentum pushes him back. Then he changes his position to a crouching one, his leg muscles tense as his Chi courses through his body, then he readies his right fist, His chi collecting within his knuckles, the warm flow pumping more adrenaline into the warrior's body, and leaps upwards.

Meanwhile Vega is also forced to bend forward due to the blow. He hears Ryu shout "Shoryuken!" And feels the powerful force known to many as the Rising Dragon punch slam into his mask. Vega feels as if a battering ram slams into his face and is sent flying backwards, the blow also lifting him off his feet.

He lands on his back with a thud. Ryu lands on his feet before moving to hold his fist. His knuckles are now bleeding from the impact against the metallic mask. He grits his teeth and looks at his hand while grimacing. The crimson flows through a nasty cut and stains the back of his hand and wrist guard.

Vega gets up and feels something run down his nose. It flows into his mouth and falls onto his tongue. He tastes it and find it to be blood and his eyes widen. "My face? He…He harmed my beautiful face!" Vega thinks and begins breathing heavily.

"I can't…Can't kill him…but I…I can surely make him SUFFER!" Vega thinks and begins shaking with rage. His eyes widen with animalistic ferocity that wouldn't shame Blanka himself and he shouts angrily before lunging forward.

Ryu waits for him and is a little taken aback by the bloodlust in Vega's blue eyes. Vega slashes at his face, Ryu ducks and is greeted by a backfist as he gets up, His head snaps sideways and a mix of blood and spit flies out of his mouth.

Vega then rolls forward landing on his hands and leaping toward Ryu, ramming his right shoulder into the Japanese warrior's solar plexus. Ryu is pushed back and Vega lands on his hands and rolls forward.

Ryu regains his foot and sees Vega's claw fly towards him, Ryu quickly kicks with his foot and swats the clawed hand aside by hitting the wrist, and then he turns around and hits Vega's face with a sidekick.

Vega is knocked back, But in his state he is beyond pain and he leaps to his feet immediately. Ryu dodges another deep arc slash and then grits his teeth and deflects the reverse slash that follows with his forearm. Ryu begins feeling dizzy and nauseous and feels his wounds burn with pain. The loss of blood and exhaustion beginning to show it's signs.

Vega pushes forward again trying an inner roundhouse kick, Ryu barely blocks it with his wrists before stepping forward, his face twisted with effort as he does. Then he leaps forward and kicks Vega's chest. The blow sends Vega staggering a few steps back. Ryu meanwhile leaps off Vega's chest and spins around quickly, he extends his other foot and it crashes heel first into the Spaniard's masked cheek.

Vega's head snaps sideways and he is sent spinning and pummeling to the ground by the force behind the blow. He lands on his back while Ryu lands on his feet; he winces as his foot pains him, the strong collision against the metal mask, apparently injuring his foot.

Ryu then feels his feet shake and head spin, he tries to balance himself, but when he leans his weight on his foot, it hurts him greatly. Vega coughs and spits blood before rising to his knees and from there his feet.

Vega eyes Ryu with pure rage and hatred and inhales deeply "Calm down Vega, He's too skilled to attack blindly, the pig! I'll carve him alive! But first I have to let him falter…yes…falter…then I'll bring him to Bison…alive…but just barely! I'll make him suffer! Oh yes…" Vega thinks and laughs madly.

Ryu eyes him warily "Gotta knock this psychopath out…and fast" Ryu thinks and cups his hands. He grits his teeth as wisps of blue Chi begin swirling and forming an electrical sphere within his open palms.

The heat scorches his wounded knuckles, also his injured foot, throbs with pain, as additionally pressure is exacted on it. He shuts his eyes to small slits, barely being able to see and fights his weakness. His foot threatening to send him tumbling at any second, but he ignores those thoughts and chokes all the pain down.

Vega eyes him and fakes collapsing, after "trying" to rise to his feet. He looks at him in a seemingly in a helpless position, his eyes wide with fake fear while kneeling.

Ryu then cries out loudly "HADOUKEN!" and throws his hands forward. He releases the sphere and it sails across the air, leaving a blue trail of energy as it goes. The air seems be charged with energy, the molecules getting energetic and sending small surges into Vega's metallic gear, jolting him.

Vega shivers slightly yet grins still and rises to his feet before somersaulting over it, He lands a few feet from Ryu and grins "My turn!" He shouts and lunges forward.

Meanwhile the Missed Sphere slams into an electricity poll and a bright blue flash, huge explosion and crackling sound follow before the power around them both dies, Leaving the two in moonlight alone.

After the explosion the recoil sends the poll crashing to the concrete road. The sounds echo across the streets and can be heard for several miles in all directions.

People begin looking outside their windows, but can't see a thing. Only hear footsteps, grunts and cries of pain and see occasional flickering of Vega's metallic gear. Then another set of running footsteps is heard approaching the scene.

It belongs to Chunli, who was alerted by the previous cry of Shoryuken, has seemingly awoke from her slumber and rushed to check out what's going on.

"Ryu!" Chunli's voice echoes loudly as she sees Vega kick him to the ground. She cups her own hands while running. Blue wisps of Chi surround her hands as a blue globe quickly amasses within her hands.

"You won't get him Vega! Bison has done enough already," She thinks as she approaches and her Chi intensifies. Electrical tendrils dancing around her palms.

The blue light illuminates the dark atmosphere, showing her features and clothing, which consists of a pair of shorts and an overly big white t-s. Sheinhales deeply as her hands shakes under the pressure of holding the raging energy which is her Chi. Her body urging her to release the amassing life force.

Vega who till now had been too busy toying with the exhausted world warrior to notice, suddenly feels the amassing of energy near him. He blinks as sudden light engulfs his near vicinity. Then he also hears the running footsteps.

He turns to the source and curses, he is standing over Ryu with his unclawed fist ready to strike, and knock Ryu out.

Suddenly an oval projectile of blue chi slams into his chest accompanied by a feminine cry of "Kikoken!" Vega is thrown off Ryu and lands on his feet a few feet away. He shakes his head and balances himself only to sees Chunli running towards him with frightening speed.

In the moonlight he can't see the facade she's wearing, but he guesses it isn't a friendly or loving one. Vega sees her leap towards him and leaps backward himself. He lands on his hands and flips backwards.

She then presses forward again and kicks his chest, then she kicks at his feet. He is swept off his feet and crashes to the ground heavily while exhaling. She tries to stomp his nether region. But Vega moves and she only stomps his lower abdomen.

Vega rolls aside and looks for a way to escape. Chunli leaps forward again, aiming a kick at his neck. It hits home and sends him to the ground again. He groans and hears her cry in anger.

Vega then sees his much needed escape route, it being a side alley behind her and his eyes narrow. He blocks her follow up kick with his forearms and is pushed to the ground heavily. He grunts as the wind is knocked out of his lungs and rises to his feet quickly. Chunli's legs are slowly covered by Chi and Vega curses "Puta la Merda!" before she leaps upwards.

"Tenshou Kayku!" She shouts and rises into the air. Her Chi enveloped feet then proceed to hit Vega's chest repeatedly, kick after kick colliding against his body, her shoe bruising the skin and causing him to exhale heavily with each quick blow. After 4 consecutive kicks to his abdomen the final one hits him straight in the face and sends him pummeling downward towards the ground.

Vega lands on his back and grunts, He shakes his head and sees her descend. He rises to his feet tiredly, already exhausted by the prior fight as well. He looks at the alley and then at Chunli which lands on the balls of her feet. "I can't get him with this angry Seniorita in my way…Bison won't like this but, He who flees and runs away, lives to kill another day" He thinks and leaps backwards, he places his feet on the wall and kicks off it.

The move causes him to be catapulted over her. He somersaults and lands on his hands a few feet away. Then he flips to his feet and breaks into a desperate sprint. He growls under his breath and begins running away, heading into the side alley, and vanishing into the night. "This isn't over Seniorita…I will be back to settle the score" He thinks as he escapes Chunli with his awesome agility and speed.

"VEGA! COME BACK HERE!" She shouts in frustration as she frowns and grits her teeth angrily. Chunli is tempted to follow him but decides against it, as she hears Ryu hitting the ground heavily, obviously collapsing. She turns around and rushes to him. She crouches beside him and shakes him gently.

"Ryu…Ryu…RYU!" She tries her voice calm but slowly getting frantic and worried. When she doesn't receive an answer she worriedly turns him over, and gasps at his wounds. She feels tears well up in her eyes and bites her lower lip, moving her hand to check for a pulse and fearing she might not find one.

She smiles when she finds one, but it is very weak. "You're wounded so badly, How the hell did that psycho find you? And why are you here? Are you here for me? Oh nevermind that now, I have to get you to a hospital" Chunli thinks and eyes him fearfully, her eyes scanning his wounds.

She picks him gently and slings his arm around her neck, while supporting him by holding her arm around his waist, and moves toward her apartment. "I'll tend to these wounds and make sure you'll be alright, just hang in there Ryu" She whispers in his ear as she heads for her apartment. Stopping or a second to pick up his duffel bag, knowing how important it is to him.

"Please…" she whispers finally as she pulls them both forward, despite the burden of his weight.