Disclaimer: All Kim Possible characters are the copyright of Walt Disney Corporation. I'm just borrowing them to write up a story with no intention of making any money. This is for fun. All other characters in my stories, that Disney doesn't own, are mine. :)
A Booyah, high-five, and cheer go to campy for again providing wonderful beta/proofreading! Thanks, man! (big grin)
Big thanks go to all who read and left reviews for Chapter 9: GargoyleSama, userx, Etherelemental, AtomicFire, Chris Bennett, Leon, romantic-cancer, Zaratan, SassMasterGeneral, and Goinghome.
And thanks go to all who read Chapter 9. :)
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A Bond of Honor
Chapter 10 – First Step
By JuPMod (aka JPMod)
For Kim Possible, it was pretty ironic that life could change in a short period of time. A little more than two weeks ago, she found out her best friend, since pre-k, had a new girlfriend. A few days later, she found out much about the Yamanouchi organization, a top-level ninja group working for the Japanese government and other governments. Her best friend had taken his relationship with his girlfriend up a notch, and only yesterday did he accept an offer to be trained as a ninja. With all of this, the pretty redhead wondered what else could possibly change.
Now, under clear blue skies, Kim and Ron were walking down the dirt road of the Mochizuki Estate, heading toward the gate of the inner compound. They'd been told by Yori yesterday not to bring gis or anything, for everything would be provided.
As the two teens approached the inner gate, Kim glanced at the blond boy beside her. Knowing him for so long, she could pick up on the body clues on his state of being, and currently, she could tell he was nervous. An imp of a grin spread on her face. "Looking forward to your first day in class, Ron?" she teased.
"Oh, yeah," Ron nervously chuckled. "Being pounded to a pulp should be quite fun."
Kim rolled her green eyes and snorted a laugh. "Ron, Master Mochizuki said he will gradually train you. I doubt you're going to be sparring with swords today."
"Uh-huh," Rufus agreed from his usual spot in Ron's pants pocket.
Feeling a tad better, Ron gave a tiny grin. "Yeah, you're right. Just it has been so long since I last took any lessons, I think I might have forgotten them."
Kim caught what he was referring to. "You mean what you learned at Yamanouchi?"
Ron nodded his head. "Yep. I might have been placed in the advanced classes, KP, but I did learn a few things that helped when I was fighting Monkey Fist."
Curious, the teen heroine was going to inquire further when the inner gates slowly opened inward just as they arrived. Yori, in a white student shinobi shokuzu (ninja uniform), was there to greet them. "Ron-kun, Possible-san, welcome."
"Hi, Yori," Kim returned the greeting with a polite smile.
Ron came forward to hold Yori's hands. "Hi, Yori," he smiled, and in return, the Japanese girl gave a quick smooch on his lips, smiling up at him.
Seeing the affectionate display made Kim feel like punching the other girl's lights out. Yet all she did was twitch an eye. She knew it would not do any good to go ballistic in the middle of the home of a master ninja.
"Come," Yori gestured toward the large, two-story, residential house, "you must change into your student uniforms. Master Mochizuki will be waiting in the gardens behind the house."
Turning, the ninja girl led the way toward the large living quarters. Just like last Sunday, the three passed others as they moved across the compound, mostly the caretakers of the estate as they went about their business.
Upon entering the large front entrance of the living quarters, it was not hard to notice that it looked more like a large dormitory than a family house. They only had time to spot the large living room before Yori led them up the front staircase to the second floor.
From there, they veered to the right and passed several rooms before entering one on the right. It was a nice room with one double bed, dresser, desk, and closet. Given it lacked any personal touches, it was clear that no one occupied this room.
Picking up a white ninja uniform from the bed, Yori gave it to her boyfriend before pointing to the changing partition. "Go change, Ron-kun," she grinned, and with a grin, he obeyed. Rufus hopped out onto the bed before his owner went behind the screen to change.
Facing Kim, the ninja girl gestured toward to several white ninja gis on the bed. "Since Ron-kun has visited Yamanouchi before, we knew what size would fit him. However, since you're new, Possible-san, we could only guess what size might fit you."
With a grin, the redhead waved Yori's concerns away. "No big. We'll just try them, until one fits."
"Precisely," Yori grinned in return. It was just then that Ron emerged wearing the ninja gi.
"Not a bad fit, Yori," Ron grinned as he inspected himself just before placing his clothes on the bed.
Yori smiled as she examined him. "It is good to see you back in our uniform, Ron-kun."
Shaking her head with a smirk, Kim took the female uniforms from the bed and went behind the partition. "Well, we'll see how much he'll handle himself today before he breaks."
"Hey!" Ron gave a mock-ticked expression, making Yori giggle. Facing away from the changing screen, the blond boy could see the front courtyard out the room's two windows as well as the vast landscape of the estate beyond the compound's walls. "I'm curious, Yori, how many people are living here?" His brown eyes focused on her dark ones. "You all can't be living in this one building."
Upon hearing him, Kim paid more attention, given she too was curious.
With a grin, Yori started explaining. "Not everyone who works here lives here, Ron-kun. Many live outside the estate with their families. These living quarters," her hands gestured to the room to indicate the entire building, "are mostly for the students and the few individuals who call this place home. Master Mochizuki is one person.
"Also, not all students live here. After one year, they are free to rent an apartment or live nearby. Some, who are attending nearby colleges, opted to even live in college dorms or living suites."
Seeing she was finished, Ron asked the question before Kim could. "So how many are living here?"
Scrunching her face up in thought, Yori hmmed before answering. "There are close to 20 of us living on the estate. I know there are 20 estate workers living off estate grounds. Close to ten students living in dorms or apartments in the Tri-City area."
Kim was amazed. "You have 50 people currently in the Tri-City area alone?" After trying two uniforms, she was just starting to put on her third.
"Hai," Yori replied. "Currently, we have several spare bedrooms in this building for future students, and since some would move on to live elsewhere in America, few more rooms would be free. Very rarely would all our rooms be full."
Satisfied with the third uniform, Kim stepped out from the partition, and Yori nodded in approval that the ninja garb fitted the redhead perfectly. "Good. Now we are ready for Master Mochizuki."
After Rufus climbed onto Ron's shoulder, Yori left the room first followed by Ron and Kim. She guided them to a side staircase that descended down to the rear of the building, and upon reaching the bottom, the two American teens saw they had entered the kitchen. It was not just any residential kitchen, but a large one suited to prepare large quantities of food & drink, much like a restaurant's kitchen with two large refrigerators, one restaurant-size range & grill, assorted cooking utensils, etc.
Ron, being a cook, was intrigued as he gave an appreciative whistle. "Quite a layout you got here, Yori. Top stuff for even a master chef."
Yet it was not Yori who responded. "I thank you very much for the compliment, young man."
All three teenagers and one mole rat turned to see a Japanese woman come out of a room carrying a box, so it was easy to tell it was the kitchen's pantry. The woman had long, thick, black, wavy hair in a ponytail, and she wore a white, long-sleeved shirt over black pants with a white apron covering her front. Judging from her appearance, she looked like she was in her thirties.
Smiling, Yori gestured to the woman as she placed the box down on a counter. "Ron-kun, Possible-san, this is Kay Yamagato, our estate's chef. She prepares most of our meals." Facing the other woman, the Japanese teen gestured to Kim and Ron. "Kay-sama, this is Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable."
An annoyed chittering made Yori realize a mistake. With an apologetic grin, she pointed to Rufus. "And this is Rufus. My apologies, Rufus-san." Rufus grinned in satisfaction.
Kay came forward with her hand extended. "Pleasure to meet you," she smiled as she shook hands with Kim and Ron and even a finger shake for Rufus, and all three returned the greeting with a smile on their faces.
One thing that was clear to Kim and Ron was that Kay's mastery of English was far better than Yori's. Almost on par with Master Mochizuki's. Yet there was still a slight Japanese accent to hint that she was Japanese born and not American born.
After the initial introductions were taken care of, Kay eyed Ron with a twinkling face. "So, I finally get to meet the young man Yori is fond of. She told me you're quite a chef."
"Yes, ma'am," Ron proudly grinned. "Cooked for all of Middleton High for some time."
"Quite an achievement," Kay approved, still grinning. "To cook for more than 300 people, one really has to be good. I did that a few times myself." The elder woman returned to the box on the kitchen counter.
Ron had so many questions to ask Kay. "Ma'am, I wonder where—"
The estate's chef raised a stalling hand with a kind grin. "I understand you have many questions for me, Ron, and I will gladly answer them another time. Right now, I know Master Mochizuki is waiting for you three young people, so don't keep him waiting."
"Hai," Yori agreed. "This way." With her in the lead, the three teens walked out a back door to the bush and flower gardens behind the living quarters.
Kim had taken notice of something regarding Kay. She didn't bother with the use of honoraries when addressing Ron. Maybe it was just because the elder woman was used to living in America so long that she had stopped using honoraries. Yet Master Mochizuki still used honoraries, so it might also be a matter of personal choice. The redhead heroine quickly brushed the thoughts aside as she strolled beside Ron just behind Yori as all three went through the gardens.
It wasn't long until they came across a small clearing off one side of the gardens. It had a little pond in the center, containing foot-size stones running across it. On a stone bench not far from the pond sat Master Mochizuki, wearing his master attire of red coat over black slacks and slipper shoes.
Standing up, the ninja master bowed, and all three teens and one mole rat bowed in return. After all five straightened upright again, the elderly man grinned. "Stoppable-san, Possible-san, welcome." He laced his fingers in front of his stomach as he approached them, his eyes on Ron. "Accepting the offer to become a ninja was one thing, Stoppable-san, it is entirely another to endure the training. As Yori-chan no doubt told you, it will not be easy. Furthermore, your free time will likely be shortened, for your training should not excuse you from your other responsibilities – school, family, and others." His dark eyes pierced into the younger man's brown ones. "Do you still accept the offer?"
Not flinching and his eyes steady, Ron nodded once with a determined face. "Yes. I know if I want to help KP and Yori, I want to learn what I can to do so."
Both girls were surprised at first, but just after their expressions transformed into admiration and appreciation as they grinned at him.
Master Mochizuki grinned in satisfaction. "Very well." Turning around, he walked toward one side of the pond with Ron, Yori, and Kim following. "Before we can begin your training, Stoppable-san, you must be tested, so we can know where you stand according to your skills."
Stopping, the ninja master turned to face the three young people. "One of the most basic skills of any true martial artist is the use of acrobatics. To be swift and agile to evade your opponent's attacks and to place yourself in a position to fight back, one needs to know to be flexible and supple." His left hand gestured toward the pond. "As you can see, this pond has stepping stones going across it. It would be simple for one to walk across, but as a test, a martial artist has to flip and somersault across the pond with hands and feet on the stones." His eyes rested on Yori. "Yori-chan, please demonstrate."
Yori bowed her head once before turning to face the pond, and without a pause, she ran toward the pond and sprang into the air. On one hand, she landed on the first stone and immediately pushed herself off it to land on the next stone with one foot and repeating the routine, alternating hands and feet, with all the other stones across the pond. In less than a minute, the teenage ninja landed on the other side in a crouch before rising to face the others.
Ron and Kim were impressed.
With a grin, Master Mochizuki faced Kim. "Possible-san. Can you do it?"
The redhead girl gave a tiny smirk before launching herself toward the pond. Her performance was much like Yori's, except she added rolls and spins in mid-air between the stones, and when she landed on the other side, she did it in a fashion like she was cheerleading, with her hands and arms spread up in the air with a grin on her face.
Kim turned toward Ron and Master Mochizuki on the other side of the pond before flipping her hair over her shoulder. "No big," she said smugly.
"Show off," Ron muttered, his face teasing. While Yori giggled, Kim playfully stuck out her tongue at her long-time friend.
Giving a small headshake at the good-humored banter, Master Mochizuki faced his newest pupil. "Now it's your turn, Stoppable-san."
Brown eyes went wide. "Me?" Ron squeaked as he pointed to himself before nervously chuckling. "Master Mochizuki, I'm not Kim or Yori. I can't do what they can do."
Master Mochizuki raised an eyebrow at this. Yet instead of saying anything, he walked toward the small area between the pond and the walkway and motioned to the ground with a hand. The three teens soon joined them and could see flat pieces of stone imbedded in the ground, looking like stepping-stones.
"Stoppable-san," the master finally spoke, placing his hand to entwine with his other again, "hop from one stone to the next and alternate your feet upon each stone. It is no different than the children's game of Hopscotch."
Eying the two girls, Ron saw Kim was just as bewildered as he was, while Yori merely grinned at him like she knew something that he didn't. Shrugging, he handed Rufus to Kim, where the mole rat climbed to stand on her shoulder, and then he did as the ninja master told him to do.
"Good," Master Mochizuki said. "Now do it again, but only with your hands."
This made Ron and Kim even more confused, yet the blond boy again did as instructed. It was easy for him to do so, given he had done this a few times. After completing the task, he flipped upright again.
Nodding after the young man completed the task, Master Mochizuki gestured to the stones again. "Now… Do it with both hands and feet."
Ron frowned at this. It was one thing to hopscotch with only your hands or your feet, but both? Could he really do this? Taking a breath, he knew that in order to get the energy to flip, like Kim and Yori could, he would have to do what they did, so he gave himself some running room before launching himself at the stones. He flipped and somersaulted from one stone to the next, alternating his feet and hands, and when he landed on the other side, he was amazed that he did it.
He saw Yori was grinning at him with pride, Kim was astonished, and Rufus gave a cheerful "Booyah!" Master Mochizuki grinned before his hand motioned toward the pond and the stones there.
As the girls and the ninja master stayed in front of the pond, Ron walked toward one side to face the stepping-stones in the pond. For a moment, his brown eyes narrowed as he surveyed the pond stones, just before he initiated his run, and like he had done with the stones on the ground, he flipped and alternated his hands and feet as he went from one stone to the next. In less than a minute, he landed in a crouch on the other side.
Yori proudly clapped, Kim produced a small, astounded grin, Rufus cheered again, and Master Mochizuki simply grinned as Ron came over to them.
"You see, you can do it," the elderly master said. "You are underestimating your own skills, Stoppable-san. This test was something you have done many times before."
Kim blinked in confusion. "He has?"
It was Yori who answered. "Master Mochizuki and I have seen this when we observed your cheer squad's practice session. As leader of your squad, you should know the strengths and weaknesses of each person in your squad."
Frowning, Kim shook her head. "As the mascot, Ron just runs around wearing the Mad Dog mask. He does occasional acrobatics, and sometimes…" Her voice trailed off, realizing what Yori and Master Mochizuki knew with wide-eye clarity. "Sometimes he does it with just one hand or foot. All that with a mask on his head." Her green eyes turned to look at her best friend, seeing something new about him for the first time.
"Precisely, Possible-san," Master Mochizuki grinned. "Stoppable-san has the skills already, thanks not only to being the high school's mascot but also from the many years of doing missions with you. He is not on the level of you or Yori-chan, but in time, with practice, he can reach the same level. His skills need to be, as many in America come to say, tuned-up."
"Badical!" Ron widely smiled. "So I can really do this?"
Still grinning, Master Mochizuki gave a nod. "Hai, you can. To quote a wise saying, 'If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.'"
Kim and Ron chuckled at that, while Yori grinned, confused on what was funny.
"Master Mochizuki dude," Ron grinned, "that saying was made by a white-haired scientist dude in a movie where he invented a time-traveling DeLorean." He raised a finger. "I always say that was one cool looking car."
"Indeed," the elder man replied, his eyes twinkling. Kim giggled, and Yori grinned but this time in pleasant amazement on this new knowledge about her legal guardian.
Ron thumbed over his shoulder toward the pond. "So, do I practice some more?"
Shaking his head, the ninja master strolled away, prompting the three teens to follow. "Another time, Stoppable-san. This was just a first step. In time, you'll take another." He led the way down the path toward another part of the vast flower gardens.
Ron sputtered out a laugh. "That's another line from another movie, dude. A lady going into outer space through some gyro thingy."
Face twinkling, Master Mochizuki turned his head slightly to eye his pupil. "Do you think that every ninja master was born with a red master robe, Stoppable-san?" He gave a tiny shrug. "When I first came to America, I found American movies to be delightfully entertaining. I still occasionally go into town to catch a movie at the theater." All three teenagers chuckled.
"So what now, Master Yoda?" Ron asked in a joking matter.
"Ron!" Kim berated him in an amusing matter. Yori giggled.
"I prefer Obi-Wan Kenobi," Master Mochizuki said. It was easy to tell that the older man was enjoying this.
The blond teenager raised an eyebrow at his teacher. "Seen all five movies?"
Master Mochizuki nodded once. "I am going to see the sixth."
"Great," Ron replied. "Can you do me a favor?" The elderly man raised an eyebrow to indicate for him to continue. The boy took on an expression like he was pleading. "Please, pleassssse, prevent me from going down the Dark Side! I don't want to wear a mask over my head!"
Kim rolled her eyes as she smirked. "You wear a mask once in a while when you're playing the mascot. Duh." Yori simply kept quiet with a grin, enjoying the exchange.
"I'm talking about the black mask, KP!" Ron cried out before placing a hand lightly over his throat. "How could anyone breathe in that thing?"
Both girls and the ninja master looked at him in mirth as they all walked on the path toward whatever place the ninja master was leading them to.
It came as a dreadful surprise to Ron a few moments later that Master Mochizuki wanted him to be reacquainted with a bo staff, prompting memories of the times at Yamanouchi when he shredded his ninja uniform using the same weapon. He hoped and prayed the same thing would not happen again.
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TBC (End of Chapter 10)
A/N: Just a small disclaimer that I used the quotes and characters from those movies with no intention to make money. Just playing it safe here, ladies and gentlemen. :)
And if any of you immediately knew the first two movies Master Mochizuki quoted from, give yourself a pat on the back! Ron gave the hints about what those movies were, and if you haven't seen them, I say you should go to the video store and rent them out. Great movies. :)