Garden Delights Ch. 4
By Mayumi H

Chun-Li looked at her reflection in the storefront window. She had stopped in the middle of the street to admire a silk dress in the display window, and when she had caught her reflection, she found that she couldn't look away.

It had been only yesterday that she had been so confident in her job. She had left to meet Vega, the one that the Arena had nicknamed the Spanish Ninja, ready to curl that arrogant jack*ss around her little finger. But it had not been so easy.

Vega had wooed her with praises of her beauty flowing from his lips, and she had been stupid enough to fall for it. Now, here she was, pining for him to spite herself.

Only an hour ago, she had left him asleep in the bed that they had briefly shared. She had dressed quickly and silently in his discarded clothes, because her dress from the previous evening was nowhere to be found. For all she knew, Vega had it lying in one of his personal rooms, an effective notch on his bedpost. She had glanced back at him one more time before leaving the room, and it had almost been her undoing. She could hardly believe how peaceful he looked in sleep, the lines of his face - which could be so cruel in the arena - softened to those of a genteel lover.

Chun-Li sighed at her reflection.

Beside her, someone chimed: "We missed you at the Arena this morning."

Chun-Li looked up to see Ryu standing there, with Ken grinning behind him.

Ryu looked at her quizzically. "Are you all right?"

Chun-Li nodded. "Yes, Ryu, thank you. I'm sorry about this morning. I was...detained."

"Tailor problem, I see," Ken snickered, indicating her clothes.

Chun-Li blushed almost imperceptibly and looked away. She supposed that the clothes did look strange. The cuffs of the pants had to be rolled up nearly three times over, and though the shirt was large enough to suitably cover her, it did hug her bust tighter than she would have ordinarily liked. She looked like nothing so much as a beach-bum tourist.

Ryu was unfazed by her appearance. For someone who usually walked around in just a gi, neither clothing nor fashion was an issue. "You missed a good fight," he offered with a small smile. "Thai kickboxing. Both contestants were very good."

Ken snorted. "Well, one of them was 'good'. Sagat was in the best form that I've seen this whole tournament."

Ryu turned toward Ken. "The challenger still fought well. That is what matters."

Ken shrugged. "Whatever. I'm starving. Let's get some food before the afternoon contests." He glanced at Chun-Li. "You coming?"

Chun-Li nodded again, glad that the topic of discussion had turned so easily to events of the day. Ryu and Ken continued to talk of the Arena and fighters, effectively ignoring her, for which she was silently grateful. It gave her time to think about her current predicament. She would see Vega again, that much was certain. On what terms they would meet, however...

"When are you fighting?" Ken asked suddenly, and it took Chun-Li a moment to realize he was talking to her.

She had to think for a moment. "Two days from now," she said finally.

Ryu leaned in to her. "So late! Do you know who your opponent is?"

Chun-Li shook her head. "I was supposed to fight a Jeet Kune Do fighter tomorrow, but it was cancelled."

Ryu cocked his head. "Jeet Kune Do? Against Kenpo? That is odd."

Ken's squinted at her. "You were supposed to fight Fei Long? Why would they cancel the fight?"

Chun-Li shrugged. "They said he was disqualified."

"That can't be right," Ken told her briskly. "Fei Long's too good to be disqualified."

Ryu reached for the pamphlet tucked under his belt. He opened it, running his finger down the list of dates of names of the Arena fighters. "This is very odd," he muttered.

"What is it?" Chun-Li asked, trying to lean in to see what was so interesting. She just barely managed to glimpse a notation for two days hence, when Ken snatched the pamphlet out from under her and Ryu's noses.

"Let me see that," the American said. After a moment, his black brows shot up and he swore. "D*mn! You just got bumped to first class!" He handed the pamphlet to her, tapping his finger on a particular bolded announcement. "That's the final round for the championship."

Chun-Li could scarcely believe it, but it seemed to be true. There, in bold, black letters, was her confirmation:

FIFTH DAY: CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDS

First Seeds in all arenas to participate in elimination battles. Winners of each elimination round will face off against the reigning champions in four rounds. FIRST ROUND: BALROG SECOND ROUND: VEGA THIRD ROUND: SAGAT FINAL ROUND: M. BISON

Remember to place your bets before the beginning of each round! Winning tickets without official verification will be disqualified.

Chun-Li's arm went limp.

Someone had pushed her forward in the tournament so that she would go straight to the championship round. She didn't know for sure who it was, but she had a fair idea. Vega's words from the night before came back to her: "I know that you are not here by accident. The arenas and the Grand Fight bring many to Shad. And you are no spectator."

She felt her temper rise to the top of her throat like bile. She clenched her fists. "That...that..." she sputtered.

"Chun-Li?" Ryu asked quietly.

"Idiot!" Chun-Li shouted, throwing down the pamphlet like a gauntlet and storming off down the street.

Both Ken and Ryu watched her go, as she pushed her way through the oncoming throng, until she was out of sight. For a moment, they both stood there, dumbstruck.

Finally, Ken clapped his knuckles against Ryu's arm. "Let's get some egg rolls."