Graduation (An Impossible Quartet 11)
DJ Dubois
May 2008
Notes: Kim Possible and her cohorts belong to Disney. All other characters (unless noted) are mine.
Chapter 1 Yamanuchi—A week after "Surprises"
A gentle breeze whispered through the secret ninja training complex on Mount Yamanuchi's peak, hinting in a change in the weather and the brighter future to come for some of its trainees. The sun shone on that early June day.
Unheeding of these things, Ron sat in the dojo meditating on his monkey powers. As Sensei had pointed out, the recent struggle against the Ming T 'sai had shown the need for him to focus further on mastering the tai sheng pek kwar. Around him, the cobalt sheen glowed. He floated off of the ground. C'mon! Keep focus! This is cool but I need to focus!
"Excellent advice, Stoppable San," Sensei concurred telepathically before his image appeared before the student.
"I'm doing it! And…." As he said that, the glow faded. "Aw man!"
"You must keep your concentration under all circumstances. Meantime, that is enough for today. The alumni courier has delivered a package for you. I have it here if you'd like to pick it up," Sensei informed him before disappearing again.
Package? Ron looked at Rufus with curiosity.
"Wha's that?" the mole rat wondered.
"Guess we'll find out," Ron indicated as he let his friend scamper into his pocket carrier. Who could be sending me stuff? Hope it's not a care package again! He frowned at the kidding he received from Hirotaka over his parents' last attempt in that regard. Hate to be seen like a wimp! After walking over to the master's office, he knocked on Sensei's door.
"Enter, Stoppable San," Sensei bade.
Ron and Rufus entered the room and bowed to the teacher.
Sensei shuffled over to them. "Congratulations, Stoppable San. You are about to embark on another big transition, are you not?"
"I am? Getting engaged is cool. What's shaking now, Master?" Ron queried.
"Your American style graduation is approaching soon, is it not? Have you considered the ramifications of it?" Sensei proposed while rubbing his palms together. Seeing the wonder in the blonde student's eyes, he continued, "We all go through transitions in life. With this event along with your marriage, you will fully enter the adult world."
"Oh yeah…that," Ron realized while blushing ever so slightly. "It'll be cool to be done with high school. Course I'll still be tight with Kim and Rick."
"I would hope you keep your relations with them intact. One must keep the best in all things. No, I prefer that Team Possible remain as our allies to everyone's mutual benefit. Now, I believe Yori is waiting in her room for you. Perhaps you might want to share your package with her?" Sensei continued while handing him a small box.
"Domo, Sensei Sama," Ron expressed before bowing and collecting Rufus. Then he left.
Consider your next move carefully, Stoppable San. This transition is an important one. Sensei mused over the point for an additional minute before returning to his duties.
Yori's Room—Five minutes later
Even as Ron headed toward there, Yori set her white blouses and dark skirts in a garment bag proposing to store them away. She frowned as she stored them away. While she had put up with Bonnie's attitude, she'd enjoyed the video class with her teammates, Monique and their friends on both sides of the Pacific. All good things must come to an end.
As if cheer her up, the diamond on her right hand sparkled on her right hand in the low light.
And there are those favors we should be grateful for, she reminded herself with a warm smile. As in the dojo and even during training she sometimes had to catch herself before she started daydreaming. But there in her room, she was free to imagine their wedding and what it would be like to be Mrs. Yori Stoppable. I wish we did not have to wait! I will be an equal partner to you, Ron San!
As she said that, he knocked at the door. "Everything cool, Yori?"
"Of course, Ron San," she concurred while composing herself. "And with you?"
"The Ron Man's always good especially with his lady," he bragged while they kissed. "Got a package."
"From who?" she wondered.
"Sensei said that the ninja courier brought it for me. Says it's from Middleton," he presumed. He opened it to find a set of graduation robes, a mortar board, a tassel and an envelope inside.
"Those are your American-style graduation robes, Ron San. It is exciting, is it not?" she declared.
"Oh yeah! We'll be here but still in touch with KP and Rick. And we don't have to worry about school other than Sensei's training sessions," he presumed.
"We must always hone our skills, Ron San," she told him.
"Hey! Did I ever say otherwise?" he countered with a shrug.
"Of course not. It is but a simple reminder of what we must keep in mind. Who is the envelope from?" she inquired.
He opened it and rolled his eyes. "Barkin." He sighed. "Listen to this:
Stoppable,
While I normally don't pamper students, I wanted to make sure you got your regala in time for the ceremony. Make sure you have it on when you show up for it—ON TIME AND IN A SERIOUS STATE OF MIND.
Don't let me down. As much as I hate to admit it, you've made serious progress on a number of fronts this year. Do try to end the year on a good note. Remember you're representing both Middleton and Yamanuchi in this regard.
Mr. Barkin."
"Despite his tone and manner, he does have faith in you, Ron San," she advised.
"Wish he wouldn't be such a jerk about it though. Too bad we can't tell him about the secret ninja stuff. Can't tell people about why I've been doing the stuff, ya know? It tanks!" he complained.
She rubbed his shoulder. "The important people know. I know." She kissed him again and took his hand. "Let's meditate a while together. You too, Rufus San."
"'Kay!" the naked mole rat concurred as they headed for the courtyard.