rg04

Only For You I Don't Regret Chapter 04

*****Author's Notes� The following Chapters takes place two weeks after earlier chapters. All the fighters have had a few matches and won. I had no intention of describing every match. Only certain key matches will be in detail.****

Chun li was panting rather heavily. The unconscious form of the man she had fought lay before her feet. The crowd's roar of cheers and boos was deafening to all in the small arena. A group of attendants came out with a stretcher and carted off the defeated fighter.

The referee held up her right hand and proclaimed her the victor. The loud speaker hushed the onlookers as the results of the match were given. "With a time of 2 minutes and 36 seconds, Chun li Xiang is proclaimed the winner.

"Man, did you see how lightning fast her kicks are?" Ken said nudging Ryu. The two Shotokan Masters had no fights scheduled for the day, so they took time to watch a few matches to judge their would-be opponent's strength and weaknesses.

"Her form and technique is precise and graceful�" Ryu commented. "But she lacks self control. She expends great amounts of energy at the beginning of the match, but has little to follow up with if the match wears long."

"Well Luv, not all of us are as patient and calculating as you are when it comes to a match." Cammy replied. Chun li approached the group and took a seat next to Cammy. "You know, this calls for a celebration. I think we should all see what the local entertainment here has to offer." Ken said

"Sounds like fun, so you can count me in! How about you Chun?" I have not seen you unwind since the day we registered." Cammy asked.

"I won't be able to join you tonight. I have been invited to a private dinner with the sponsor of tournament tonight." Chun li said. "The Sponsor that no one has seen or even spoken to? How did you manage that?" Cammy asked surprised.

"When I was heading back to my seat here, an attendant handed me an envelope with the invitation." Chun li said waving a letter.

"So how about you Ryu? Up for a little dancing tonight?" Cammy asked the Shotokan Master. Ryu rose up to his feet, and bowed to the small group. "I to must decline, I have to go and prepare for my upcoming fight."

"I've been meaning to ask you, why does he always avoid any kind of social activity with his friends? Since I first met him here, all he does is train." Cammy asked Ken.

"That is a rather long and complicated story." Ken replied. "It would best be told after dinner. Shall we?" Ken said holding out his arm to escort Cammy. "Lead the way, Luv." Cammy said grabbing his arm. "Catch you later tonight Chun" she called out walking away with Ken.

*****************************************************This was an unexpected break in her favor. Tonight's dinner would surely help in her investigation into the tournaments darker side.

Chun li looked herself over in the full-length mirror. She decided to wear a simple full-length dress with flower prints on it. She carried a small black purse that concealed her firearm.

Moments later, she arrived at the hallway that lead towards the private dinning chambers. A servant immediately seated her. The quiet room was tastefully decorated with various works of art.

A rather tall man with neatly styled short black hair entered from the opposite side of the room. He was decked out in what looked to be a red military outfit of some kind.

"Sorry to keep you waiting my dear. I had some pressing business to attend to." The man spoke as he seated himself at the opposite end of the table in a well-cushioned chair.

The man's gaze had an unsettling effect that sent a cold shiver up her spine. The servant that seated Chun li approached the man with a bottle of wine. "Lord Vega." He bowed slightly showing the label on the wine to the man.

"That will be excellent." The man proclaimed, as he tasted the wine. He turned his attention back to the Chinese woman seated across from him. "Miss Xiang, what is a beautiful woman like yourself doing in a brutal tournament, such as this?" He asked.

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"That is just awful!" Cammy exclaimed. Ken just nodded in reply. The couple had just finished dinner at one of the nightspots that were located on the grounds. Ken had finished telling her about his and Ryu's past.

"Sensei's death really shook me up, but it affected Ryu the most. Gouken was the only thing close to a family that he ever had. And to have seen him murdered before his own eyes, that really messed him up."

"Ryu is the strongest fighter I have ever known or fought against, his drive and determination are unimaginable. He will not rest til he finally avenges Sensei. But even with all his strength and courage, I just wonder if it will be enough to win out against the Demon."

"That is really very sad. It reminds me somewhat of a friend of mine." Cammy replied thinking about Chun li. "It is horrible that Ryu and yourself had to suffer that terrible ordeal."

"Well, enough about Ryu and I, tell me something about yourself." Ken asked trying to change the subject. "There really isn't that much to tell, Luv. I literally can't remember anything back past my 18th birthday." Cammy replied somewhat sadden.

"Ohh�Well, this night turned out to be somewhat of a downer�" Ken laughed nervously. "Maybe we should just hit the dance floor and forget our troubles for the night."

"Now that sounds like a terrific idea." Cammy said, as she seemed to brighten up a little.

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The main course of the dinner was being cleaned from the table. Hardly any words were spoken between Chun li and Vega. Chun li felt very insecure, as the man never seemed to take he eyes off of her. His gaze seemingly was burrowing into the depths of her soul.

"So, tell me Miss Xiang, how do you like working for Interpol?" Vega asked while taking another sip of from his wineglass.

Chun li was momentarily taken aback. *How did this man know?* She thought to herself. "I find the work very intoxicating." She replied trying to regain some composure.

Vega leaned back into the comfort of his stuffed chair. "Well, I hope you find my little tournament to you liking. I very rarely see such striking women as yourself in these tests of strength. It is usually a 'Man's World' when it comes to fighting rings.

The man was stroking his chin when she noticed the small ornate locket around his neck. Chun li's eyes widen in recognition of the small token.

"Ahh, I see that you admire my little 'charm' I picked up on one of my 'business' trips to China. I made the previous owner of it an offer he could not refuse." He chuckled evilly.

The Wu Shu mistress was on the verge of tears when she started to reach for her purse. She felt inside for the cold metallic feel of her pistol's handle. A man in a suit came in and whispered something to Vega.

He seemed to brighten up. "Ahh, I am sorry Ms. Xiang, but I must cut our evening short. These men will escort you safely back to your room." He pointed to the two large security officers that now flanked her.

She slowly withdrew her hand from the purse and stood to her feet. "It was a wonderful evening." He said mockingly. "I would enjoy your company again sometime." Vega said as he walked out the door he came into earlier.

Chun li walked past the two guards and headed back towards her room, fighting with all her strength to hold back the emotions that ran through her. Once she was at her door, the guards turned and head off towards the courtyard.

She closed the door silently behind her. She was alone; Cammy must still be out with the brash American. She thought. Finally the tears flooded down her cheeks.

The Chinese woman buried her face into her pillow as she fell onto her bed. She had finally found her father's murderer, and the monster had the stolen locket that belonged to her father. He would pay, she cried to herself. She would make him pay with his life.

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"I trust your dinner with the Interpol agent was satisfying.' Sagat asked. "It was indeed, my friend. But I find that Miss Xiang's usefulness has ended as far as the tournament is concerned. Arrange for her next match to be her last." The dictator said as he walked past the Thai fighter.