Morning, 
  

Many fighters were invited. The Ten Grand Masters are here as well, The Inner Circle (they have being called many things: Mafia, conspirators to take over the Martial Arts world. But to the Inner Circle they are just a big family, taking care of their own members). 

Some members of the Press given exclusive rights to come into Shadowlaw to cover this big story. The Seven Black Jackets who would not miss this for anything. And some fighters who had received the invitations. 

"Anndddddiiieee. It’s so sweet of you to bring me to such a huge event!" Mai squealed, she was wearing a red dress with a plunging neckline and a hemline that was a few inches above the knees. Her high heels were so sharp that it could poke a person’s eyes out. Her presence caught the attention of Sean, Robert and Kensuo, whose noses were bleeding profusely. And she was one of the few people in formal attire, while everybody else was in smart casual. 
  

"You…. read my mail….insisted on coming …. What can I do?" Andy mumbled. Andy was wearing a polo shirt that goes with his pants, as usual he was still uncomfortable with Mai’s openness. He was kind of relief when Ken arrived. 

"Hey Andy how’s the dojo doing in Japan?" Ken asked, he had brought along his family for the new dojo’s opening. 

"Oh its doing fine. I’ll be sending some students over here for the exchange program. You?" Andy asked. Eliza had just taken Mel over to the buffet table and Mai was taking the opportunity to flirt with Ken to make Andy jealous. 

"I brought one of my best students over. Sorry Mai, I’m a married man. Hey Andy do something about her will yer?" Ken said. 

<<   You think I haven’t tried? I hope she can’t pick this up.   >> Andy sighed. 
<<  Don’t think she could. Come on Let’s get something to drink.   >> Ken moved towards the buffet table. 

Ryu and ChunLi had just finished an interview with the press. 

"Hey thanks Li, for allowing me the chance to cover this big scope." One reporter said. 
"Anytime April. Be sure to help yourself to the refreshments." ChunLi offered. April thank her and headed off with her cameraman. Yuri in T-shirt and jeans came over bringing them something to drink. 
"Tough day huh?" she asked. 

"Not a big problem. Thanks." ChunLi answered. Ryu was in a sleeveless T-shirt, vest and jeans, while ChunLi was wearing a T-shirt, jacket and jeans. 
"Thanks for helping us with the guests. Yuri." Ryu said. 

"No prob. Ryu gor(brother). We Inner Circle always help one another." Yuri smiled and went off into the crowd again. 
  

"So Agent ChunLi, this is what you left Interpol for." A familiar voice came from behind. 
"Chief! It’s you! How did you get over here?!" ChunLi exclaimed. 

"Ah. It was true we lost a lot of connections in Shadowlaw with you gone. You were our best agent against Shadowlaw, are you sure a raise in salary, added benefits and more unnamed conditions won’t bring you back?" the blond hair man in black shades asked. 

"I’m sorry chief. I quit Interpol last year to start a new life. I’m tired of running around the world chasing down criminals." 
  

"Sigh. Such a waste of talent. What would your father say?" 
"Daddy would respect my decision." Was ChunLi’s answer. 

"ChunLi there’s one thing I don’t understand. You were working against Lord Vega (M Bison) the last few years, quitted Interpol and settle down in the heart of Shadowlaw to open a dojo. But surely living in Shadowlaw you are bound to run into Vega’s people. Are you sure during the year when you were missing, you weren’t brainwash by Vega(Bison) or anything?" 

"I’m kind of like this place after my many assignments here. And yes Sagat came by often. The Ten Grand Masters had sort of settled the problem of being harassed. And no I was not brainwashed." 
  

"I’ve tried my best. I wish you the best of luck in your new venture. And this lady here is Shannon Ma, a promising young agent from our Hong Kong department. Help her out if possible ChunLi." The chief said and headed off. ChunLi studied the dark hair girl and thought that she had seen her before. 

"It’s an honor finally meeting you Elder Missy." 
"Don’t called me that here. Aren’t you from Daddy’s Project Infiltration?" 
"Er yes. Ms ChunLi….. You are indeed as legendary as was describe in Interpol. Glad to be of service to you." Shannon said before moving off. 
  
  

The 10 Grand Masters approached them and congratulated them. Master Gouken and Lord Vega were the last two. They both congratulated ChunLi before turning to Ryu. 

"Good work, my son. I am proud of you." Gouken patted Ryu on the back 
"Thank you Sensei. It’s an honor having you here 

"Heh. Heh …. Congratulations on your new venture, Múko (son-in-law ~Jap)." Vega(Bison) growled as he shook Ryu’s hand. 

"Thank you Gífu (father-in-law ~ Jap)." Ryu mumbled. The two men staring eye to eye were pumping each other’s hand, there was a little test of strength and endurance going on. In less than a minute they both let go at the same time. 
  

"Ah so there you are! I finally get to meet you after all these years!" Vega saw the Interpol chief and went off to find him. 

"…" He gulped, a look of discomfort upon his face. 
"Well you’re in my territory after all. It will be rude of me not to welcome you. Heh heh Heh." Vega and the chief headed off to the buffet table. 
  
  

The sound of drums and cymbals herald the arrival of the Lion dance troupe, their mission is to get up to the top of the obstacles placed before them and reach for the ‘cai qing’. In a few moments the ‘lion’ was up the obstacle, it bit off the ‘qing’ and ‘swallow’ it. After it ‘spitted’ out the leaves of the ‘qing’ it unfurled the scroll that was attached. 

‘Sheng Yi Xing Long’ (May business prosper) it said. Together the couple cut the ribbon at the dojo’s entrance, proclaiming the dojo to be officially open, accompanied by the sound applause. Heading to the Lion dancers the couple given them the token ‘hongbao’. The Lion dancers removed the lion costume. Yun and Yang had being training hard for this performance. 
  

"Grandfather! Can we stay over here for a while?" the twins asked. 
"The two of you have already being selected for the exchange program. You can stay of course. The two of you best behave." Gen said. 
"We will! We will!" the twins were excited about this, for they have in mind who they wish to spar against. A little later the guests began to leave. 
  

-------------- 
  

Evening 

The only people who still remain outside the dojo with Ryu and ChunLi were the 7BJs, the 10GMs, the Inner Circle and some of the exchange program students. The other exchange students and certain fighters’ family members were inside the dojo while everybody gathered outside. A lone figure appears against the horizon coming towards them. Even the light of the setting sun could not pierce through the shadows that hide her face, it doesn’t matter for they knew who she was and they had being expecting her to be here since noon 

"What? A farewell party for the witch?" She asked wicked smile on her face. 
"Name your conditions." ChunLi said in a calm voice. The newcomer was somewhat disappointed, she had expected fear in her prey. 

"I’ll give you until after tomorrow to say your good-byes and prepare your funeral. And before sunset the day after tomorrow if you are to too afraid meet me at the grass field opposite your dojo then darling Ryu is mine by default! MWWAAAHAHAHAHA!" she was still disappointed by her prey’s calm face, without waiting for and answer she turned around and left. 

She would have not given any warning and kill the witch right here and now. Had it not be for some of the people here who are more powerful than she is (and she has no intention whatsoever of facing them, she may be crazy at the moment but she’s not stupid!) and would kill her instead if she acted too rashly. 

She could not help but wonder who is hunting who. She would take her time, after all she had waited for a long time for this fight, a few more days would not matter. Whether her opponent turns up or not she will still kill her prey and have darling Ryu for herself, she licked her lips at both delicious thoughts. 

"MWWAAHAHAHAHA!" She laughed to herself, thinking about how the witch would look at her dying breath unable to retain control of her lover………