STREET FIGHTER
Legendary but Lonely
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Disclaimer: I don't own Chun Li, Street Fighter, or anything involving it.
5:30 AM
Another day closer to New Years. The alarm clock was beeping continuously. The noise was irritating, and even with such irritation, her body refused to move. She was so comfortable under her blankets. It was so cold outside that she was tempted to not leave the warmth of her bed. Though, she was forced to give in once one of her eyes spotted the time.
One hand came out from under her sheets and slapped the top of the alarm clock to stop it.
"Augh..." She groaned. Chun-Li retracted her hand and began to sit up in bed. Alone as usual. Her bed was big enough for two, but one side of it was always cold, no matter the season. Unless she tossed and turned, of course. She was twenty eight years old. In good health and spirits, but she was always getting depressed with her age, and her marital status. She had always wanted children...and if things didn't change sooner or later, it would be too late for her.
It didn't seem likely things would change at all for her though. It was always her work first. She was helping families around the world. Protecting them so they would not have to go through what she did when she lost her father. She was reminding herself of this as she slid out of bed in her oversized white T-shirt that doubled as a gown.
The usual morning ritual was gone through with ease. All Chun-Li needed was her coffee, a little bit of the weather station, and then off to work she would go. Patrolling New York City until Interpol caller her up once again. She'd about an hour to get totally done.
S.I.N. was a branch of Shadaloo...this much she knew after Seth was dealt with. Though once she, Guile, Cammy, and Abel parted ways, she didn't get many updates from anyone on the situation, including from HQ.
Just as Chun Li was getting her mug for her coffee, she heard a knock at her front door. Who in the world could that be? Someone who bypassed the buzzer downstairs...traveled well over ten stories, and knocked on herdoor? "Coming," Chun-Li promised. She set her coffee mug down in her kitchen and went to her door. Hopefully this wasn't another fan who found her address. She'd have to move..again.
It was early. She didn't even consider asking who was at the door. With a yawn, Li's left forearm covered her mouth. Her eyes closed for a few moments as the door opened. "Hello there." She tried to be polite. Her eyes opened up. She froze. Her eyes went wider with absolute terror. She gasped, stepping back and grasping either of her covered ox horns.
"Hello Chunnie!" A little old voice said.
"Grandmother!?"Chun-Li could not believe this unannounced visit! She panicked, looking from side to side, running to every corner of her living room to straighten things out! "It's so good to see you grandmother..!" Chun Li stood before her couch, kicking one of her romance novels under it with her heel.
"Yes yes! Good good! Ah, where are my grand babies?" She got right to the point, didn't she? The little old gray haired woman shuffled in with her cane, dragging her rolling suitcase behind her. She was fully dressed in a big coat, a scarf around her neck. Chun shut the door, but didn't respond immediately. She was busy dusting down an end table with her hand while her grandmother's back was turned.
"Uh..! I don't know, Grandmother Chao. I just haven't met the right guy yet." The age old excuse. Yeah, it was cute when she was nineteen. Not so much anymore.
"Ah." Chao took a seat on the couch carefully, placing her cane across her lap. "If you like gerls, Chunnie...I understand." Chao was sure that was the problem.
Chun Li's face reddened as she looked to her grandmother. "For the last time, Grandmother Chao, I prefer men!"She mumbled between her teeth. She wanted to change the subject quickly, plus she had to get her coffee and head out on patrol. "So! How long are you in town, Grandmother?" She sighed after her brief pause. Now in the kitchen, she was pouring herself a cup of Coffee. Mixing in her sugarsand creams.
"I am moving in, Chunnie," Chao heard Chun Li spit all the contents of her mouth out upon her pause. "I figure you so alone here in America, New York..., that family should be closer. It...is not problem is it...?" Chao didn't hear anything from Chun Li in the kitchen. She hoped it wasn't bad she had arrived here in America. It was so costly to come! so many loopholes!
"....No, it's not a problem at all, mama!" She finally spoke up, calmly sipping her coffee. She would feel guilty if her grandmother went through all that trouble just to be unwanted. "Make yourself at home. I have plenty to eat. I'm cooking dinner tonight, so don't you worry. We'll kick off our first day together with a nice meal." She tried to be optimistic, but now she'd have to deal with her nosey grandmother every day.
"Good!" Chao had now been in the kitchen. That scared the living hell out of Chun Li who nearly spat out her coffee again, but held her lips tight together. "So! Mission for the week is to find a date so I can have grandbabies! You've plenty male friends! Think of it!" Chao started to step behind Chun-Li, pushing her slowly out of the kitchen like she was a box.
"Mama! It's not thateasy! Cut it out!" Chun Li started to step away from her, and toward the door at her own will. With her keys, badge, gear, and coat, she got ready to step outside the door. "I'll be back at five if I'm lucky. Again, make yourself at home, Grandma." She gave her a wave good-bye.
"Have a good day Chunnie! Xiè xiè nín! I will!"
The door was shut.
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On Patrol
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Chunners had shotgun in the squad car. She and her longtime Interpol partner Wallace were both put in the NYPD to keep a close eye on the city streets for any S.I.N., Shadaloo, and some more recent menace activities. Chun-Li didn't mind the job. She had the same side-job whenever she was in China for extended times. By her birthday in March, she was planning on moving back to Hong Kong and starting a martial arts school. It would be a good way to give the community youths a way to defend themselves from the horrors she had faced.
Her grandmother's words were roaming about her head, though...
I have plenty of male friends, she says. Yeah, they're all fighters too. Just because we have that in common doesn't mean we're meant to be. Augh...this route is so boring...
She gave a yawn. It didn't stop Wallace from enjoying his slice of pizza while they waited at the stop light. The snowfall never stopped New Yorkers. Chun Li should of been keeping a sharp eye, but she hadn't her usual amount of morning coffee.
What if I asked Wallace out?
She looked over to him, pigging out on his pizza.
No. I'm not that desperate. Besides, he's got a fiance, doesn't he? Never really asked.
Chun Li started to think further, just to pass time.
Most of the guys in the tournaments I was in would always be the first guys people would think of me with. I don't want to start there on my list....how about...Terry Bogard? Hm.
Chun Li tapped her chin in thought, but suddenly became horrified with the images that came in her head. Her inner Terry was screaming at her.
"GET SERIOUS!!!" Inner Terry yelled, making Chun-Li feel small.
...No, maybe not Terry. Hm...well, a lot of people always say I should go for Ryu...but...I'm not sure why....********************
Flashback #1: Ryu Hoshi
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I remember the one time I got to see him. I figured it was worth a shot since everyone kept saying we'd be so great together to me.
"Hey, Ryu!" Chun-Li called out, racing across the small bridge crossing the pond to catch up with him. "Hey!" She once again called out, standing before him as he turned.
"Chun Li, is something wrong?" Ryu asked. It seemed sparkles were fluttering around his entire body.
"No, nothing's wrong. I just wanted to thank you for your efforts against Bison. Though we lost Charlie...we gained so much information." Chun Li folded her arms behind her back. Business as usual, but she wanted to try and get to know this mysterious fighter a little better.
Ryu just nodded. He said not a word further.
"Oh," She didn't like awkward moments, so she continued the conversation. "Do you mind if I walk with you?"
Ryu gave another nod, and a smile. Those sparkles returned immediately. He walked with Chun Li along the bridge, back onto the streets. She had done most of the talking, explaining her problems with Bison, and a little about her background. She was hoping he would open up just as much to her as they walked on.
"So, that's my story..." Chun Li said, looking up toward the sky. It was orange out--the sun was sinking into the horizon."I thank you and Mister Masters were participants in the tournament. You both are truly remarkable." She praised them, and turned her head toward Ryu. He wasn't there. He was walking away from her. He was at least a good ten meters now. Those sparkles were gone. It was just like other people told her--Ryu was Ryu. The fight and the challenge meant everything to him.
Before things could even get started between them, they ended. Such a major turn off.
"....Jerk." The Present
Nope...not Ryu. If I wanted a man to ignroe me and take me for granted, I'd be a serial dater by now. Who else is on the menu? Guile? He's married though.
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Flashback #2: William Guile
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All Chun-Li could see was Guile's eyebrow-less face staring at her.
"Go home and be a family man!" He barked at her.
******************** ...No thanks. I hope his wife doesn't have to deal with that.
The Present
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Chun Li tapped the tops of her knees as they drove through the green light. She was still awfully bored.
Maybe Fei Long? He's a great martial artist. I am a big fan of his...but...
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Flashback #3: Fei Long
Chun Li had been on set of one of Fei Long's recent Wushu epics. She hadn't met Fei Long before. There were rumors he was going to enter a tournament. Chun Li took her chance while on a mission to say hello to him.
"Mister Fei Long. It's a pleasure to meet you in person." Chun Li extended her hand toward Fei as he wiped sweat from his face with a towel.
"You are...?" He questioned as he took her hand to shake it.
"Chun Li Xiang. I'm a big fan of your work." She smiled, tilting her head to one side.
The ever busy Fei Long had heard the story a thousand times. "Thanks for appreciating my work, Miss Xiang." He started, but patted someone nearby on the shoulder. "Dan, you know Chun Li, right?" He said, easing Dan between he and Chun Li as he started to walk away. He had work to do.
"Hubba hubba!" Dan said, rubbing his hands together. "Does your chest hurt? 'Cause it's been bouncin' in my head all day long, baby!--Yeow!" He was cut off by a sudden palm beneath his chin. He fell back onto the floor in a heap. Chun Li puffed her cheeks at how rudely she was treated by Fei!
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The Present
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...He's a real loser, too. Oh well...I'm out of contenders I guess. Maybe Ken. I haven't seen him in years though. I wonder how he's doing. He was always so polite.
She gave a soft sigh in thought.
I never was able to take up that dinner offer....
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That's it for Chapter 1. Feedback, please? :)
Your Inner Terry demands it!