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Disclaimer: I don't own Chun Li, Street Fighter, or anything involving it.

8:30 PM

The time was approaching. Chun-Li was running back and forth, checking any and everything she was bringing with her. Unecessarilly little purse? Check. Heels? Check. Cellphone? Check. Number of nervous showers and baths today? Two. To be safe, Chun-Li kept examining her neck in her hand-held mirror.

"Ooh...I think I missed a spot..!" She was freaking out, and Chao could tell. No matter, Chun-Li wanted to be absolutely flawless when she went to this party. She wanted to be drop-dead gorgeous! As soon as she walked through those doors, she wanted to steal the show. She did not have to try very hard, but even the World's Strongest Woman had her weaknesses.

"Chunnie..." Chao sipped her tea quietly. "Settle down. You act as if you've never been on a date before." She opened one of her slanted eyes, examining the reddening face of her grandchild. She was stillembarassed from earlier! "Oh come now. I heard your parents all the time if it helps."

It didn't. Chun-Li slumped her head, standing up from her position on the couch. "Grandmother, I'm going to take one more shower before I get dressed. If Ken calls, tell him that, okay?" She started to head toward her bathroom once more. "Are you sure you're going to be okay? Do you need me to get you anything?" She put aside her problems for the time being to be sure her grandmother would be fine tonight.

"As long as I have frozen pizza, stand up comedy, and ice cream...I should be fine." She flashed a grin toward Chun-Li. "Now go, child. Have fun tonight, okay? Just relax."

Her words were easing Chun-Li's nerves. Taking a breath, she proceeded into her bathroom. Before she could close the door, Chao yelled out at her...

"Bring me back some great grand babies!"

If she could without guilt...Chun-Li would of kicked the hell out of her grandmother's shin for that one. At any rate...it was time to prepare her shower.

Just as Chao heard the shower head starting--there was a knocking at the door. Her eyes cut toward the door. Her mind zoned in on the very frame of the door, getting a feel of what kind of energy was on the other side. She felt the energy of the being...it was a man of reletive purity. He must of been American.

Sliding off of the couch, Chao grabbed her cane, and began approaching the door. Chao didn't even ask who it was--she unlocked the door and pulled it open...looking up to a dozen beautiful flowers held in the hand of a tall, handsome man. "Oh my...for me?"

"Huh...?" Ken thought he had the wrong room for a moment. Though he saw a resemblance in the little old woman to Chun-Li. "Oh, no, sorry Ma'am. I brought these for Chun-Li. Is she home?"

"Hmm. I see." Chao didn't answer him purposefully. Stalling for dramatic purpose. "Come on in. She's in the shower, sonny."

"Oh, I didn't want to interrupt her. I just wanted to tell her a limo will arrive to pick her up. She doesn't have to take a cab." How generous of him. Ken didn't want Chun-Li showing up to the party in anything but the best transportation to and from the party. It guaranteed her safety. Placing the flowers on an end table near the door, Ken would begin fishing in his coat for an envelope.

"Hmm...I see...." Chao accepted the envelope..when...

"OOooooohhh--OoooOOoh! Caught in a bad romance!"Chun-Li sang out from the shower.

Chao and Ken both kind of froze in place.

"Ba-ra-ra-ah-aaaaAAah! Ra-Maaa,Ra-Aa-Aaaa~! Caught in a bad romance!"

"So, when the party is getting ready to begin, a car will be here to pick her up?" She placed the envelope aside, folding her left arm behind her back. "How will she know it's outside?"

"I want your LOOOVEE~! Love, love, love!"

Ken was doing his best not to laugh--he didn't want to embarrass Chun-Li with knowing he was there. "The driver will call up to confirm. The driver's name is Samuel Witrow, he should have the password that's on Chun-Li's invitation." His hand motioned toward the envelope.

"I want your lovin', I want your revenge! You and me can write a baaad romaance!"

Chao examined the flowers--she still seemed unimpressed by the beauties...as if sore they were not meant for her. "Hm...I see. Well, good-bye George. It was nice to meet you." Chao's small hands lifted up, flicking her wrist to 'shoo' him away.

"OOooooohhh--OoooOOoh! Caught in a bad romance!"

Chuckling nervously, Ken would politely correct Mrs. Xiang..."It's Ken, ma'am. It was a pleasure to meet you too." It wasn't very long after that Ken would step back through the door with a parting nod. Chao closed the door on him as if he were a bill collector, however. It was enough force to make Ken jump with some surprise.

The shower head had shut off.

Chao positioned herself on the couch, waiting patiently as she heard Chun-Li turning her blow dryer on. Minutes later, once her towel was secure around her body, Chun-Li walked out of the bathroom, making a bee-line for her bedroom. Though something caught the corner of her eye...a towering bouquet of flowers.

At first, Chun-Li looked to her grandmother for answers, but all she got from her was a big grin. "...Those are for me?" Chun-Li said under her breath. Was she overwhelmed by the gift? One hand went up on top of her chest as she took a step back. "Those can't be for me..." There was some kind of mistake, right? Her occasional fan-flowers, or secret valentine gifts were a couple of flowers each. This...on the other hand, was a quarter of a flower shop.

Her feet carried her over to the flowers--and the envelope near it on the table. She quickly checked the flowers tags...who it was 'TO' was the first thing she saw. "Okay..to me....from..." She was getting excited, like she was opening up gifts early.

Chao shut her eyes, restraining herself from laughing at her grandchild's glee. Chun-Li stopped cold, though...

"No...way...Ken did all this for me?" She was breath-taken! What a nice guy! Only now Chun-Li's brain was racing...what the hell could she buy him in return for his generosity? Well, Mai said he liked watches...he had a ton of Jacob's at home. She couldn't afford that...though maybe she could give him a watch just as a friendly gesture?

"Yes, child. He delivered them just while you were in the shower." Chao got up from her feet, tapping her cane along the floor. "Do not worry, he endured your shower singing, child." She could already feel the awkward feeling Chun-Li was getting just from her expression. She seemed like she wanted to just jump off of a cliff after hearing that news.

"......" She had no words for herself, nor her grandmother.

"Your invitation." Pointing her cane, Chao would direct Chun-Li's eyes. "The driver will come to pick you up, Chunnie." Once her cane hit the ground again, Chao started to head over into the kitchen.

Chun-Li pulled up the envelope, tearing it open quickly to check it's contents. Indeed it was an invitation...they would be coming in about an hour! Dropping the note, Chun-Li's feet beat against the flooring as she raced to her room. She needed to get ready as quickly as possible!

9:28 PM

Chun-Li was all dolled up now. She looked great in her dress, and now even better with the black full-body coat she'd gotten as a gift from Mai, to cover her up for the cold weather outside. She kept the coat slung over her forearm, and her small handbag hanging from her shoulder. Chun-Li stepped out for her grandmother to see, and right away, Chao's face lit up with joy. Chun-Li giggled, doing a quick turn-around for her grandmother. "What do you think?"

Proud, Chao approached her grandchild. Her hands adjusted parts of the coat that didn't need fixing...she just wanted to keep herself busy so she wouldn't end up crying or something of the sort. "You look fantastic, dear. Though as nervous as your father was on his first date." She smiled up to Chun-Li, who returned the expression.

"Thanks, mama...I am really nervous, I admit. It's been a long time since I've been to a big party, let alone a mansion..." Chun-Li's mind wondered to her first mansion experience years ago in Japan....

( Flashback#6: Karin Kanzuki )

Thunder clapped outside the Kanzuki mansion, rain beat down on the large glass windows in front of the dining room. There stood Karin, scribbling mustaches on a printed image of Sakura, grumbling in absolute frustration. From the shadows, her rather girthy butler came, holding a dish with her ordered print-outs of Sakura's face, and a set of markers.

"The military house guests are asleep, ma'am." The butler announced, allowing Karin to snatch up the dish and set it on the table.

"Good." She grunted, "Once again I have been foiled by Sakura...no longer..." She began drawing vampire teeth on her heated rival.

"So..., what shall we do tomorrow night, Ms. Kanzuki?" He added in, grinning sadistically from ear to ear--only added to it's creepy factor by the thunder clap outside.

"The same thing we do every night, Ishizaki..." Another thunder clap...Karin stood tall, pumping her fist into the air. "Try to take over the world!"

Several more thunder claps happened--though the scene was inerrupted by Chun-Li, in a robe and slippers.

"Uh, excuse me?"

Karin and Ishizaki both turned toward Chun-Li with their mouths agape. They had been foiled!

"There's a...really big weather machine on full blast over my room...so..." She tried to reason, "Mind...turning it off...? Or...setting the rain to drizzle...? It sounds like a garage rock band outside..."

Karin took a breath--Chun-Li wasn't on to her! "Oh, yeah, sure. I just like to turn it on when I'm upset, you know?" She turned to Ishizaki. "Set the machine to drizzle. The slower rain may be more dramatic for my scene...I really wanna..." Her eyes narrowed, hoping to get her point across. "I really wanna feel the scene, you know?"

"Yes ma'am." Ishizaki was on his way, but stopped when Karin spoke again.

"--Because, because...I know you can see the scene...but can you feel it? There's a difference, you know?"

"...Yes, ma'am..." He tried to leave again.

"See? See? You don't feel it do you? You don't feelmy need for world domination. I mean come on, man, you're supposed to be support! How else am I going to beat Sakura unless I rule the world?"

Her tone was getting louder, as she was apparently getting angry! Chun Li kind of just...watched, as Karin rambled on. "You can at least be that one unwilling friend on a bank job!"

"Well...you can try fighting her without cheating..." Chun-Li added her two cents into the conversation.

"I...." Karin looked around. "...I can do that? That's cool?"

However, from upstairs, Guile shut them all up.

"GO HOME AND BE A FAMILY MAN!"

( The Present )

"You'll be fine, Chunnie." She placed her hands on either side of her grandchild's shoulders. "Now have fun. Little old grandmother will be fine, alright?"

Well, that was a relief. She was half expecting a guilt trip, but instead got encouragement.

"Thanks, mama." Chun-Li gave a bright smile--but it changed to a puzzled expression when she saw her grandmother start to go into her pockets.

"Here is some protection, Chunnie~"

Chun-Li's face heated up immediately. Why did her grandmother of all people have that. "Grandma..!"

"Kee kee kee!I am only joking deary!" Chao's laughter was like having her teeth pulled for Chun-Li. She was constantly facing embarassment.

Upset, she turned her nose up and marched away from her grandmother. "I'm just going to wait on that call," She stated, keeping her back turned to Chao. "Have fun tonight, grandmother." What perfect timing. The telephone had started to ring and immediately Chun-Li answered. Once the passcode and the driver's name was given, her ride was confirmed.

Now the bundles of nerves finally hit the fan. She raced to her grandmother, kissing her on the cheek for her farewell. Near instantly, Chun-Li was out the door. She took the elevator down, and it seemed like it was taking too long for her likes this evening. It truly was just her anxiousness to get to Ken's party and to see him. She wanted to thank him for once again not letting her take a cab.

Once downstairs and out of the lobby, she was greeted by the driver and shown to the back of the long stretch Limo. Chun-Li was impressed and starstruck all at once from seeing this limo. Climbing into the back, Chun-Li made herself comfortable...almost in a daze for the entire ride.

She couldn't wait to be among friends again. Well, possible friends that Ken may of invited. There were high hopes things would not be awkward among some people who may of been invited. She could remember how awkward one of her get-together with friends had been before...

( Flashback#7: The Bogards and Mai Shiranui)

It was a rare occasion that Chun-Li got a chance to hang out. She had a mission in Japan, so she figured she'd stop by to visit Miss Shiranui.

On the couch, Chun-Li sat between Andy and Terry Bogard, watching Mai's enormous screened television. They seemed to be squinting a little toward it--well, Chun-Li and Andy. Terry's hat was in the way of his eyes.

"You know, even though it's called 'High Definition'...it still looks like regular TV." Chun Li confessed, looking over toward Andy.

"Yeah, I know. It's kind of like surround sound. It's just normal speakers turned all the way up." Andy retorted in a rather dull tone. Though things picked up, once Mai entered the room in a skimpy little pink towel.

"Aaaaanddyyy~"She called out with a wink. "I'm going to go take a shower, mm'kay?"

"Alright."

Mai's enthusiasm dropped. She put her hands on her hips, though kept her smile. "Care to join me, Andy?"

"No thank you. I'm fine."

"......." Mai just sighed, stomping her feet and slamming the door as she entered the bathroom.

"Man, what's with her?" Andy was completely oblivious to what had just went down. Though Chun-Li was looking at him curiously.

"Andy...? Are...are you..." She seemed reluctant to use the term. "...Are you...like, into guys or something?"

The Bogard boy sighed, placing his hand on his head. "No, I'm not ga--"

When he was interrupted by some blonde woman who suddenly walked 'in-frame'.

"Hey, you shouldn't say that you know? It's offensive." The apparent important person said to them in a scolding manner. Everyone but Terry looked over to her with wide eyes.

"What?" Chun-Li and Andy seemed to say in unison.

"Don't say something's gay when you think it's stupid. I mean what if I said High Definition is so blonde haired loser who ignores his hot girlfriend who one day is going to leave him for somebody like Kyo Kusanagi if he keeps this up." That was quite a mouthful. Apparently, that was aimed right at Andy.

"Well, that'snot very nice..." Chun-Li was...still trying to figure out how this woman even got here. She didn't remember...remembering this part of the day.

Heated, Andy fired back with shoting and pointing of his finger. "We weren't even using it in that context! Come on!"

"Whatever. That costume you got is so straight. So you guys gonna stop calling things gay?" She was quite pushy, wasn't she?

Terry finally spoke up on their behalf..."Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!....--GET SERIOUS!"

( The Present )

Well...that didn't exactly happen, but it seemed to be in Chun-Li's head. Maybe she was watching too much television. She finally was arriving at the party...the butterflies were at their peak. She had to take this as she took on any mission or challenge.

Take a deep breath,

She told herself.

Let it all go.

When the door was opened for her, of course due to the celebrity of the fighters and important people showing up to the bash, paparazzi were all around. Chun-Li stepped out one heel at a time, putting on her best 'red carpet smile' which was actually more of a cute pout.

The cameras flashed at her, but Chun-Li wasn't stopping for many photo ops, she was focused on being lead through the door of the massive building by the security outside. As soon as her feet crossed the threshold, soft classical music and low conversations were heard all about the lobby. There were several parties going on, but Chun-Li was lucky enough to have top floor party where Ken was holding the event.

After checking in, Chun-Li was directed to an elevator where she could use a key card to access the highest floor available. Reaching the party was now enevitable. Was Ken even going to like her dress, once the coat came off? She had to once again gather herself, as the elevator doors shut.