The screams died first before the bright white light fades. ‘Ryu’ was holding onto ‘ChunLi’s neck. The woman was battered and bruised but still alive for ‘Ryu’ had no intention of killing her. Her breathing was shallow but stable. 

‘Ryu’ smiled evilly when he saw that ‘ChunLi’ was fading in and out of consciousness, he shook her a little to make sure he still has her attention somewhat. 
  

“You wanted to take this bet didn’t you?” he pulled ‘ChunLi’ nearer and growled into her ear. For reason known only to him, he couldn’t help but hate this woman, even though she resembled ChunLi. Every nerve in him was telling to find his true mate and the one before him is not her. He never questioned his instincts and he has no intention to start. 

“…..Never would …..I expect…..you to brutalise….. your own woman….” ‘ChunLi’ said through the blood in her mouth. 
“Ah well…you asked for it.” He shrugged. 
  

“….” Blood trickled down the side of ‘ChunLi’s mouth. 
“So don’t make this too hard on yourself. All I am interested in is a straight answer, is that too hard for you?” 
“I…..am…in …..her body…..you heartless….bastard…..” 

“Bah! Stubborn woman, be serious for once. Do not take the welfare of my ChunLi as trifle or you shall suffer!” he threatened, his patience thinning. 
“….” She lost consciousness. 
“Pffft… Weak!” ‘Ryu’ tossed ‘ChunLi’ aside and stride over to the trolley of food, pulling it to the bed and sat down to attack the spread of food that was laid out. 

<  Chun-Chun…Where are you?…  > ‘Ryu’ thought to himself and wondered if Morrigan is telling the truth. 
<  ..No…If Chun-Chun was here I would know….I am never wrong…I am never wrong when it comes to my Li.  > he assured himself 
  

Looking back at ‘ChunLi’, ‘Ryu’ raised one eyebrow when he saw what he wanted to see. He smirked in victory. 
“I told you. I am never wrong when it comes to my Li.” He returned to attacking the food. 
While ‘ChunLi’ features shifted like water into Morrigan’s and into Lillith, back to Morrigan and to Lilith again in unstable control of the body that wasn’t even ‘ChunLi’ in the first place. 
  

--------- 
  

East Wing guest room, Castle Aenslend 
  

Cold hands had carried her away from the warmth of her mate, cold hands touching her, she was drowsy and unable to retaliate. Gaining consciousness seems rather difficult. She couldn’t hear what they were saying and couldn’t see. Back and forth ‘ChunLi’ couldn’t help but wonder around in the darkness, hearing only the strange language being spoken. 

It took her awhile before she regains her consciousness, adjusting slowly to light. ‘ChunLi’ was suddenly aware that she was no longer in her tattered attire but clad in rather tight fitting gown with a corset that was tied on too tight. The black and gold gown was obviously not made for her in mind. 

From the corner of her left eye she saw a fleeting shadow. She turned to see only a ghostly pale woman. ‘ChunLi’ raised one eyebrow. The room door opened and in walks a gentleman who features seem rather dark and brooding. The pale woman bowed to him. He motioned her to stay. 
  

“The gown belongs to young Lilith, it seem that Mistress Morrigan’s attire was a little too large for you.” 
“Where is Ryu.” ‘ChunLi’ said in a flat tone. 
“I Demitri Maximoff wish to seek an alliance with you.” 
“Where is Ryu?” she ignored him and repeated her question. 
“Ah. My dear lady. I am aware of your powers. You see. The Mistress has him of course. Worry not he is in good hands.” 

“Take me to him.” 
“I am afraid that in the care of the Mistress your welfare is no longer his concern.” He sat down on the chair opposite her. Both were sizing each other up. 
“Hmmph! And you expect me to believe that.” 
“Entirely your point of view of course. The Mistress is known for her ‘skills’. I doubt your mate even realise that you were ‘missing’.” 
  

“You see. In this realm there is a power struggle going on.” Demitri started even before ‘ChunLi’ asked. 
“North, west, east and south. The Mistress rules the northern realm of course. The Mistress has every interest in ruling this whole realm but it seems that the Southerners are rather resilient bunch. The Western bunch has four potential leaders at war with each other and the eastern faction is united under one ruler.” 

“Why get us involve then?” ‘ChunLi’ asked, hoping to find out what is in the south that has being beckoning them. Demitri smiled once again knowing he had her attention. 

“What the Mistress has in mind is to take the Southerners first, for they are small and the their eastern allies would not be able to reach them in time to aid them. The Mistress has chosen your mate because she believes that he is a wellspring of power that can be tapped. Foolish woman indeed. Believing that she can control a wild element such as your mate.” 
  

“And what do you want from me.” 
“Ah straight to the point are we? Well. Not only I doubt the Mistress would succeed. I also believe that she would have her hands full with your mate. Which I believe would greatly distract the Mistress.” 
“Still beating around the bush.” ‘ChunLi’ didn’t missed the sneer on Demitri’s lips when he realised that ‘ChunLi’ still had yet to give him the reaction he expected. But with controlled coolness he continued. 

“You see the Mistress would use you as a way to make your mate submit to her, but I think that would take a long time. And that amount of time is what we need to overthrow the Mistress.” 
“Who’s we.” 

“Heh heh. You and I of course my dear lady. I believe that back in your world you are the Crown Princess of Shadowlaw? Giving up all that power for the sake of one man? Suppressing your vaulting ambition to rule? Allowing a measly male of no status surpass you? Why should you stay in his shadow? Live a life in humility where one as you should live a life in glory and honour?” 
Still no change in expression in ‘ChunLi’s face. Demitri cursed Morrigan’s name in silence. 
  

“What makes you so sure that I would co-operate with you?” ‘ChunLi’ finally spoke. 
“That together, we have what it takes to overthrow the Mistress, that we can take over this realm and finally we can take over your world and we can rule both world, which is your right.” Demitri tempted her with power. 

“No. I work for no one.” 
“HA!! Still believing that your mate will come for you? I doubt so with the Mistress twisting him around her little finger. Kurayami no Hanayome(Bride of Darkness) know that there is only one way to return to your world, without me you would be stuck in this hellhole. Your options are limited of course but do think about it, take a shower or a meal but think about it. Most of all remember that the Mistress had what it takes to convert your mate. HMPHH! Subborn.” Demitri growled and left with the pale maid. 
  
  

‘ChunLi’ got up from the bed and to check out the room, opening the door she found that there was quite a few demons guarding her outside. Closing it she thought to herself. 
<   Hmmm….not that I can’t take them down….still I have to find that big lout(Ryu)…very well….I’ll played by your rules for now....   > 

Reaching the closet she search for what she could wear. Pulling out a black long sleeve bodysuit and a black sleeveless dress coat with ankle length gathered skirt (think Vice and Mature). Throwing the attire onto the bed, she undresses and headed into the shower. 

Once refreshed she put on her new assemble. Tying her hair into a ponytail near the top of her head. Her boots are still wearable it seems. Outside there seem to be some kind of commotion. Grabbing her spike bracelets, ‘ChunLi’ managed to climb up to the beams above the door, positioning herself between two beams she awaits the intruder. She smiled, whoever it is sure picked the wrong day to mess with her. 
  
  

West wing guestroom castle Aenslend 
Noticing Morrigan/Lilith were stirring ‘Ryu’ threw away the leg of turkey that he was eating. Moving quickly he grabbed Morrigan/Lilith by the throat. 

“Awaken are we? Now back to business. Will you or not take me to my true mate?” 
“…….Yes……..” 
“Now that was not too hard yes?” 
“….” 

Lifting them up by the throat he dragged them outside. The two demons outside were shocked but ‘Ryu’ use his free left hand to fend them away. 
“Where do we go now?” 
“….East wing….all the way across…..” 
  

Crossing all the way to the other side of the castle, they shock the demons who were outside ‘ChunLi’s chamber. 
“I’m insulted. She has more guards then me?” he tossed Morrigan/Lilith aside and dispatched the guards without even breaking a sweat. With a shrug he entered. 
  

The door creaked open. ‘ChunLi’ leapt down upon the intruder and drew first blood. The intruder turned, grabbing her as she grabbed him. A hand around each other’s neck. 
  

“Fancy that, trying to fool me again. What? You got more of you where you came from?” ‘Ryu’ sneered. He was now dressed in a black vest and pants and shoeless as usual. ‘ChunLi’ couldn’t help but raised an eyebrow. 
“HA! Using this form to try and convince me to join you? In your dreams!” ‘ChunLi applied more pressure. 

“Aiyah! Taking up lessons I see. Hmmph! Nearly fool me but not again! Where is my Li!?” Kicking the door shut behind him. 
“Oooh…Trying to be convincing huh? Trying to throw my guard down? Get real.” 
“Who are you? More of Morrigan’s little friends?” 
  

There was a moment of silence as both of them started thinking. 
“PROVE IT!!!” they shouted at the same time 
“Tell me why are we here?” 
“If I know I would have told you. Tell me what brought us here!” ‘ChunLi’ said 
“Rose did somehow. Okay you tell me now. What was the last thing we saw before Rose came around?” 
“The ‘tian’ of diamonds in the cave of Gouki.” 
There was another silence before they release each other, ‘Ryu’ hugged her first. 

“Miss me?” ‘Ryu’ asked 
“Nope, not at all.” 
“What?! After all I done for you.” 
“What this? I smell the perfume of another woman on you?” 
“Yeah, there was another, She looks a lot like you. Should have believe that that was you heh heh.” ‘Ryu’ hinted as he raises his eyebrows. ‘ChunLi’ eyes him carefully. 

“What jealous?” 
“Why should I be?” ‘ChunLi’ asked in a flat tone. 
“Come on. You are worried about me. Aren’t ya?” ‘Ryu’ teased her 
“I am not.” 
“Are too.” 
“Am not.” 
“Are too.” 
“Am not. You big lout!” 
For some reason known only to ‘Ryu’, he poked ‘ChunLi’s left breast. ‘Ryu’ watches as her temperature rises. 
“SENRETSU KYAKU!!!!!!” She screamed, stampeding him into the wall. 

Moments later when ‘Ryu’ got up, he brushes the dust of his vest. Moving to ‘ChunLi’ and kissed her deeply, slightly surprised that she responded to him instead of beating the hell out of him as she normally would. 

<<   Good to have you back to my side. My Kurayami no Hanayome …   >> he send to her. 
<<   Our mindlinks seems back online too…yeah yeah..I miss you too…. Satisfied?   >> 
<<   Very much ..   >> 
Still locked in embrace they put away all other thoughts for the moment. What matters is that they are together again.