Chapter Six: Preperations
{...} Japanese
Juli was dreaming.
She was standing in the middle of a field somewhere. Where she was she couldn't tell. It was also nighttime. She was dressed in her one-piece navy blue Shadowlaw uniform, complete with her red fighting gauntlets. She was not wearing her beret and her hair cascaded down her back, covering her exposed back that the uniform showed.
There was someone there. A lone person, waiting for her. A man dressed in a simple karate gi and a crimson headband, the ends fluttering in the breeze. His back was to her as Juli approached. The man turned around. It was Ryu. Juli froze in her tracks.
The Shotokan fighter raised one glove-encased hand and placed it on the side of Ryu's face. Juli sighed as she allowed him to tenderly caress her face.
"It has been a long time, Juli," Ryu said softly.
"It has," Juli replied. "Ryu...come with me. We can seize comtrol of Shadowlaw together. Bison is no match for you, and you can have me as a bonus."
"You and Shadowlaw," Ryu whispered, pulling her close. "Such an enticing offer. What would your boss think if he found out that you were here with me, planning his demise?"
Juli shook her head. "I don't care anymore." She began to kiss his neck and run her hands all across his chest. "I want you."
Ryu stopped her fromm kissing his neck and pulled her in and kissed her deeply. The gauntlets that Juli were wearing came off and landed at her feet, allowing her to place her arms around Ryu's neck and pressing her body closer to his.
Juli ran her ringers through Ryu's hair as he caressed her back as he kissed her neck. Juli moaned in approval at Ryu's ministrations...
***
Juli's eyes snapped open. She was not in a field with Ryu. She was in her bed at the Royal Pacific. She sat up, revealing the haltertop and cotton shorts she was wearing and shook her head. 'You are a rather sad inidividual, Juli,' she scolded herself. 'You're having dreams about a man that you can't possibly have.'
As she settled back into the bed, she heard a voice that made her wake up. "Dreaming about me?"
Juli sat up once again and turned on the light. Seated in a chair across from her, was Vega, dressed in his usual pair of matador pants and a tanktop. He had also discarded his mask and claw.
"What the hell are you doing in here?" Juli demanded.
Vega grinned. "I told the receptionist that I was your fiance, and he gave me a key."
Juli jumped out of the bed and walked to the door. "Vega, get out of my room now."
Vega stood up and cornered Juli against the door. "Why are you cold to me?" he asked. "I used to remember that you and I were an item back when you were in Shadowlaw."
"I was young and stupid--" Juli countered.
"--and flexible," Vega finished. He moved in for a kiss, but Juli managed to dodge him and slip away form him. Vega ended up kissing the door. Vega turned around. "Come on, Juli! Since when did you became all cold on me?"
"I was never cold," Juli replied, folding her arms across her chest. "I wised up and went straight. You were always an asshole."
"Oh...I see," Vega surmised. "You're stuck up on Ryu, aren't you?"
"And what if I am? He is a lot more man than an narcissist psychopath like you."
"Ryu is nothing!" Vega retaliated. "He is a nobody! I am of noble blood! He's busy running around town with that Chinese bitch who cost me several thousand dollars' worth of reconstructive surgery to my face! And besides, what does Ryu got that I don't have already?"
Juli smirked. She had heard that Chun Li had damaged Vega's face back in the Street Fighter tournament. Vega ended up with severe bruises and cuts, not to mention a broken nose and a swollen eye. "For one thing, charisma. Second, manners, third, honor. You have nothing."
Vega was livid. He attempted to backhand Juli, who dodged and moved behind him. When Vega spun around, he saw that Juli was in the air. A second later, her lithe, yet incredibly strong legs wrapped themselves around Vega's neck. Juli then flipped him to the ground in her trademark Frankesteiner move.
Vega got back to his feet and started swinging. Juli dodged the blows. When Vega tried a roundhouse, she crounched down and once back on her feet, nailed the man with a solid kick to the groin. Vega went down, holding his privates, allowing Juli to take advantage. Grabbing a handful of his hair, Juli yanked him to his feet and had one arm behind his back in a painful arm bar.
"Let's get one thing clear," Juli seethed. "Don't ever come into my room ever again. Don't even come near me. If you do...I'll PERSONALLY rearrange your face and neuter your ass on the spot!"
She then opened the door and booted Vega out into the hallway, right before slamming the door behind him.
Vega landed in the hallway in a heap. Groaning, he shakes the cobwebs out of his head, just as someone approaches him.
It was Bison. Rather than his Shadowlaw uniform, he was wearing a black bathrobe with the winged skull insignia on the breast. He even went without his trademark hat. On his feet were a pair of bedroom slippers.
Bison placed his hands in his pockets. "Looks like Juli isn't interested," he remarked dryly.
Vega stumbled to his feet. "She's playing hard to get, sir."
Bison shook his head. "Leave her be. I mean it, Vega. Cease and desist, immediately. Leave Juli alone...or you can deal with me once we get back to the headquarters, understand?"
Vega nodded and Bison walked back to his room.
***
Morning. In the guest bedroom at the Masters' beachside condo, Chun Li woke up to an empty bed. Ryu was gone, so she decided to get out of bed and look for him. Slipping a bathrobe over her nightgown, she tied it up and exited the bedroom.
At least Ryu wasn't hard to find. Chun Li found him on the beach near the condo. Wearing nothing but his white gi pants and black belt, he was going through his meditation kata, which was a combination of Shotokan Karate and Tai Chi.
Chun Li watched him from the door. He was so graceful in his movements. That and the fact that he was half-naked, his chest and arms exposed, made her want to jump on him with a passion.
Ryu finished his kata and turned to the door. He saw Chun Li watching him. "Morning, Chun Li," he greeted.
Chun Li walked over to him and embraced him. "Good morning." She then feigned a pout. "I was worried when you were not in bed this morning. I thought you went off with one of your female fans."
"Why should I?" the Japanese fighter replied. "I have the most beautiful woman in my arms right now. I need nobody else."
"Flattery..." Chun Li said, "will get you anything you want."
"Really? Well, how about this? Ken told me about a carnival not too far from here. I was thinking after you leave rehersal, maybe you and me can go later on tonight. Just you and me."
Chun Li smiled. "I'd like that."
Ryu grabbed his jacket, which was was draped over a lawn chair and slipped it over his shoulders. Arms intwined, the couple headed back to the house, but stopped. Cammy was standing in the doorway. She was dressed in her Delta Red unirorm, but this time she was also wearing a pair of camoflague pants to cover her legs.
Ryu disengaged himself from Chun Li and stepped forward. Cammy removed her beret and moved forward.
Cammy took on look at the Shotokan champion's exposed chest and her ears began to burn. 'Damn him!' she thought. 'Now I see why Chun Li likes him so much!'
Ryu stuck his thumbs into his belt. "What is it, Cammy?"
"Um...I came to apologize on Commander Watson's behalf," Cammy said meekly. "I'm really sorry about what had happened!"
Ryu placed one hand on Cammy's shoulder. "There's nothing to forgive," Ryu replied. "I hold no grudge to your superior of to you teammates."
Cammy breathed sight of relief. For a moment, she thought that Ryu was going to kick her out of the pageant. Cammy bowed. "Thank you." She then turned and ran out the house. Ryu simply smiled and shook his head.
Chun Li fumed. "If I didn't know any better, I thought she was going to try and hit on you."
"Like that would work on me," Ryu replied.
***
Later on...
Inside the Honolulu Audirotium, the contestants of the pageant were going over the final preperations before tomorrow night, seeing as how this was going to be the last rehersal for the contestants before he pageant. Cammy was wearing a pair of tap shoes and was going through several complicated steps, the Italian fortuneteller Rose was wearing a pair of high heels and was going through some flamenco steps, the schoolgirl heiress Karin Kanzuki was still wondering what to do for her talent, the Indian princess Pullum Purna was checking which musid she couls use for her talent - belly dancing, while her bodyguard, Darum Mister stood nearby. Guy's sister-in-law Maki was testing the durability of her tonfas for her self-defense talent. Juli was talking to Cracker Jack about the song that Bison had chose for her, and Eliza and Chun Li were looking over the list songs that they could use for their talents.
Eliza shook her head. "Ugh. These songs are no good."
"You tell me," the Chinese fighter scoffed. "I've seen better choices at a karaoke bar."
"Where did Ryu run off to today?"
"He's going with Ken to pick up their suits for the pageant. Why?"
Chun Li smiled. "Ryu is taking me to the carnival afterwards."
Meanwhile, Juli and C. Jack were still arguing.
"Forget it," the former Shadowlaw employee replied. "I'm not singing THAT."
"Bison was direct when he chose this song," C. Jack replied.
Juli got into C. Jack's face. "Either I sing the song I want to sing, or Bison can find another person to participate in this pageant."
C. Jack nodded. "I'll see what I can do."
***
-Honolulu Mall-
Meanwhile, Ryu and Ken were arguing about something else.
"Come on, Ryu! Wearing a suit isn't going to kill you!"
"I look like a penguin," Ryu complained at the suit he wore.
The owner of the shop, a skinny Japanese man, spoke to Ryu in rapid-fire Japanese. {You are right, my big friend. The suit doensn't, pardon the pun, 'suit' you.}
Ryu the got an idea and motioned the owner closer. He whispered into the owner's ear and the owner's face lit up.
The owner bowed. {Yes! Yes, I can do that!}
{But I need the package by tomorrow night before 6,} Ryu replied.
The owner bowed again. {It will be done before then.}
Ryu gave the owner the address and after Ryu changed back into his casual outfit, which was a black T-shirt and denim jeans, he and Ken walked out of the store.
***
As they exited the clothing store, they ran into Fei Long again. He was still dressed incognito, with his sunglasses.
"Hi, Fei," Ken greeted.
"What brings you here?" Ryu asked.
Fei shruggd his shoulders. "I was just checking out the place. I might use this for a scene in my next movie."
However, one of the female patrons noticed Fei and saw through his disguise. "OMIGOD! IT'S FEI LONG!"
That set off a chain reaction as an stampede of women charged towards the Chinese movie star. Ryu and Ken ducked back into the store as Fei was pursued by the throng of screaming women.
"I'd sure hate to be him," Ryu said.
"No argument there," his friend agreed. "So what's next?"
Ryu caught sight of a jewerly store. "I have something to do first," the Japansese fighter said as he headed in the direction of the store.
***
-And later on...-
Inside Chun Li and Ryu's bedroom, Eliza and Cammy were sitting on the edge of the bed as they watched Chun Li pick out her wardrobe for the evening with Ryu. Chun Li knew that it was only Ryu she was going out with, but she always liked to make an impression on him.
Eliza and Cammy dodged another article of clothing that was tossed in their direction. "Um, Chun Li," Eliza objected, "It's just a harmless date, not a fashion show. Besides, Ryu is the kind of guy who likes you regardless of what you wear."
"So it's really pointless for you to flash your chest on the date," Cammy chimed in.
This time, a pair of denim pants caught Cammy in the face.
Chun Li stepped out of the closed, carrying several articles of clothing in her hands, and walked into the bathroom. After six outfits, Chun Li came across something she liked: A black midriff tanktop and a pair of white pants. Cammy and Eliza gave her the thumbs-up for that outfit.
Grabbing her wallet, Chun Li rushed out of the room and out of the house to meet up with her boyfriend for their date.
{...} Japanese
Juli was dreaming.
She was standing in the middle of a field somewhere. Where she was she couldn't tell. It was also nighttime. She was dressed in her one-piece navy blue Shadowlaw uniform, complete with her red fighting gauntlets. She was not wearing her beret and her hair cascaded down her back, covering her exposed back that the uniform showed.
There was someone there. A lone person, waiting for her. A man dressed in a simple karate gi and a crimson headband, the ends fluttering in the breeze. His back was to her as Juli approached. The man turned around. It was Ryu. Juli froze in her tracks.
The Shotokan fighter raised one glove-encased hand and placed it on the side of Ryu's face. Juli sighed as she allowed him to tenderly caress her face.
"It has been a long time, Juli," Ryu said softly.
"It has," Juli replied. "Ryu...come with me. We can seize comtrol of Shadowlaw together. Bison is no match for you, and you can have me as a bonus."
"You and Shadowlaw," Ryu whispered, pulling her close. "Such an enticing offer. What would your boss think if he found out that you were here with me, planning his demise?"
Juli shook her head. "I don't care anymore." She began to kiss his neck and run her hands all across his chest. "I want you."
Ryu stopped her fromm kissing his neck and pulled her in and kissed her deeply. The gauntlets that Juli were wearing came off and landed at her feet, allowing her to place her arms around Ryu's neck and pressing her body closer to his.
Juli ran her ringers through Ryu's hair as he caressed her back as he kissed her neck. Juli moaned in approval at Ryu's ministrations...
***
Juli's eyes snapped open. She was not in a field with Ryu. She was in her bed at the Royal Pacific. She sat up, revealing the haltertop and cotton shorts she was wearing and shook her head. 'You are a rather sad inidividual, Juli,' she scolded herself. 'You're having dreams about a man that you can't possibly have.'
As she settled back into the bed, she heard a voice that made her wake up. "Dreaming about me?"
Juli sat up once again and turned on the light. Seated in a chair across from her, was Vega, dressed in his usual pair of matador pants and a tanktop. He had also discarded his mask and claw.
"What the hell are you doing in here?" Juli demanded.
Vega grinned. "I told the receptionist that I was your fiance, and he gave me a key."
Juli jumped out of the bed and walked to the door. "Vega, get out of my room now."
Vega stood up and cornered Juli against the door. "Why are you cold to me?" he asked. "I used to remember that you and I were an item back when you were in Shadowlaw."
"I was young and stupid--" Juli countered.
"--and flexible," Vega finished. He moved in for a kiss, but Juli managed to dodge him and slip away form him. Vega ended up kissing the door. Vega turned around. "Come on, Juli! Since when did you became all cold on me?"
"I was never cold," Juli replied, folding her arms across her chest. "I wised up and went straight. You were always an asshole."
"Oh...I see," Vega surmised. "You're stuck up on Ryu, aren't you?"
"And what if I am? He is a lot more man than an narcissist psychopath like you."
"Ryu is nothing!" Vega retaliated. "He is a nobody! I am of noble blood! He's busy running around town with that Chinese bitch who cost me several thousand dollars' worth of reconstructive surgery to my face! And besides, what does Ryu got that I don't have already?"
Juli smirked. She had heard that Chun Li had damaged Vega's face back in the Street Fighter tournament. Vega ended up with severe bruises and cuts, not to mention a broken nose and a swollen eye. "For one thing, charisma. Second, manners, third, honor. You have nothing."
Vega was livid. He attempted to backhand Juli, who dodged and moved behind him. When Vega spun around, he saw that Juli was in the air. A second later, her lithe, yet incredibly strong legs wrapped themselves around Vega's neck. Juli then flipped him to the ground in her trademark Frankesteiner move.
Vega got back to his feet and started swinging. Juli dodged the blows. When Vega tried a roundhouse, she crounched down and once back on her feet, nailed the man with a solid kick to the groin. Vega went down, holding his privates, allowing Juli to take advantage. Grabbing a handful of his hair, Juli yanked him to his feet and had one arm behind his back in a painful arm bar.
"Let's get one thing clear," Juli seethed. "Don't ever come into my room ever again. Don't even come near me. If you do...I'll PERSONALLY rearrange your face and neuter your ass on the spot!"
She then opened the door and booted Vega out into the hallway, right before slamming the door behind him.
Vega landed in the hallway in a heap. Groaning, he shakes the cobwebs out of his head, just as someone approaches him.
It was Bison. Rather than his Shadowlaw uniform, he was wearing a black bathrobe with the winged skull insignia on the breast. He even went without his trademark hat. On his feet were a pair of bedroom slippers.
Bison placed his hands in his pockets. "Looks like Juli isn't interested," he remarked dryly.
Vega stumbled to his feet. "She's playing hard to get, sir."
Bison shook his head. "Leave her be. I mean it, Vega. Cease and desist, immediately. Leave Juli alone...or you can deal with me once we get back to the headquarters, understand?"
Vega nodded and Bison walked back to his room.
***
Morning. In the guest bedroom at the Masters' beachside condo, Chun Li woke up to an empty bed. Ryu was gone, so she decided to get out of bed and look for him. Slipping a bathrobe over her nightgown, she tied it up and exited the bedroom.
At least Ryu wasn't hard to find. Chun Li found him on the beach near the condo. Wearing nothing but his white gi pants and black belt, he was going through his meditation kata, which was a combination of Shotokan Karate and Tai Chi.
Chun Li watched him from the door. He was so graceful in his movements. That and the fact that he was half-naked, his chest and arms exposed, made her want to jump on him with a passion.
Ryu finished his kata and turned to the door. He saw Chun Li watching him. "Morning, Chun Li," he greeted.
Chun Li walked over to him and embraced him. "Good morning." She then feigned a pout. "I was worried when you were not in bed this morning. I thought you went off with one of your female fans."
"Why should I?" the Japanese fighter replied. "I have the most beautiful woman in my arms right now. I need nobody else."
"Flattery..." Chun Li said, "will get you anything you want."
"Really? Well, how about this? Ken told me about a carnival not too far from here. I was thinking after you leave rehersal, maybe you and me can go later on tonight. Just you and me."
Chun Li smiled. "I'd like that."
Ryu grabbed his jacket, which was was draped over a lawn chair and slipped it over his shoulders. Arms intwined, the couple headed back to the house, but stopped. Cammy was standing in the doorway. She was dressed in her Delta Red unirorm, but this time she was also wearing a pair of camoflague pants to cover her legs.
Ryu disengaged himself from Chun Li and stepped forward. Cammy removed her beret and moved forward.
Cammy took on look at the Shotokan champion's exposed chest and her ears began to burn. 'Damn him!' she thought. 'Now I see why Chun Li likes him so much!'
Ryu stuck his thumbs into his belt. "What is it, Cammy?"
"Um...I came to apologize on Commander Watson's behalf," Cammy said meekly. "I'm really sorry about what had happened!"
Ryu placed one hand on Cammy's shoulder. "There's nothing to forgive," Ryu replied. "I hold no grudge to your superior of to you teammates."
Cammy breathed sight of relief. For a moment, she thought that Ryu was going to kick her out of the pageant. Cammy bowed. "Thank you." She then turned and ran out the house. Ryu simply smiled and shook his head.
Chun Li fumed. "If I didn't know any better, I thought she was going to try and hit on you."
"Like that would work on me," Ryu replied.
***
Later on...
Inside the Honolulu Audirotium, the contestants of the pageant were going over the final preperations before tomorrow night, seeing as how this was going to be the last rehersal for the contestants before he pageant. Cammy was wearing a pair of tap shoes and was going through several complicated steps, the Italian fortuneteller Rose was wearing a pair of high heels and was going through some flamenco steps, the schoolgirl heiress Karin Kanzuki was still wondering what to do for her talent, the Indian princess Pullum Purna was checking which musid she couls use for her talent - belly dancing, while her bodyguard, Darum Mister stood nearby. Guy's sister-in-law Maki was testing the durability of her tonfas for her self-defense talent. Juli was talking to Cracker Jack about the song that Bison had chose for her, and Eliza and Chun Li were looking over the list songs that they could use for their talents.
Eliza shook her head. "Ugh. These songs are no good."
"You tell me," the Chinese fighter scoffed. "I've seen better choices at a karaoke bar."
"Where did Ryu run off to today?"
"He's going with Ken to pick up their suits for the pageant. Why?"
Chun Li smiled. "Ryu is taking me to the carnival afterwards."
Meanwhile, Juli and C. Jack were still arguing.
"Forget it," the former Shadowlaw employee replied. "I'm not singing THAT."
"Bison was direct when he chose this song," C. Jack replied.
Juli got into C. Jack's face. "Either I sing the song I want to sing, or Bison can find another person to participate in this pageant."
C. Jack nodded. "I'll see what I can do."
***
-Honolulu Mall-
Meanwhile, Ryu and Ken were arguing about something else.
"Come on, Ryu! Wearing a suit isn't going to kill you!"
"I look like a penguin," Ryu complained at the suit he wore.
The owner of the shop, a skinny Japanese man, spoke to Ryu in rapid-fire Japanese. {You are right, my big friend. The suit doensn't, pardon the pun, 'suit' you.}
Ryu the got an idea and motioned the owner closer. He whispered into the owner's ear and the owner's face lit up.
The owner bowed. {Yes! Yes, I can do that!}
{But I need the package by tomorrow night before 6,} Ryu replied.
The owner bowed again. {It will be done before then.}
Ryu gave the owner the address and after Ryu changed back into his casual outfit, which was a black T-shirt and denim jeans, he and Ken walked out of the store.
***
As they exited the clothing store, they ran into Fei Long again. He was still dressed incognito, with his sunglasses.
"Hi, Fei," Ken greeted.
"What brings you here?" Ryu asked.
Fei shruggd his shoulders. "I was just checking out the place. I might use this for a scene in my next movie."
However, one of the female patrons noticed Fei and saw through his disguise. "OMIGOD! IT'S FEI LONG!"
That set off a chain reaction as an stampede of women charged towards the Chinese movie star. Ryu and Ken ducked back into the store as Fei was pursued by the throng of screaming women.
"I'd sure hate to be him," Ryu said.
"No argument there," his friend agreed. "So what's next?"
Ryu caught sight of a jewerly store. "I have something to do first," the Japansese fighter said as he headed in the direction of the store.
***
-And later on...-
Inside Chun Li and Ryu's bedroom, Eliza and Cammy were sitting on the edge of the bed as they watched Chun Li pick out her wardrobe for the evening with Ryu. Chun Li knew that it was only Ryu she was going out with, but she always liked to make an impression on him.
Eliza and Cammy dodged another article of clothing that was tossed in their direction. "Um, Chun Li," Eliza objected, "It's just a harmless date, not a fashion show. Besides, Ryu is the kind of guy who likes you regardless of what you wear."
"So it's really pointless for you to flash your chest on the date," Cammy chimed in.
This time, a pair of denim pants caught Cammy in the face.
Chun Li stepped out of the closed, carrying several articles of clothing in her hands, and walked into the bathroom. After six outfits, Chun Li came across something she liked: A black midriff tanktop and a pair of white pants. Cammy and Eliza gave her the thumbs-up for that outfit.
Grabbing her wallet, Chun Li rushed out of the room and out of the house to meet up with her boyfriend for their date.