Welcome back to those who have returned for another chapter of our tale of turmoil, looking forward, looking back and consequences for actions/non-actions at key moments in their lives. But before we start, we'd like to thank the following for their Reviews, Faves or Alerts: Jimmy1201, readerjunkie, Sentinel103, Taechunsa, EnterpriseCV-6, Hyperfulloflaughter, and levi2000a1. Thanks to you all and hope you continue to enjoy the story.
Last time weddings and partnerships: one at Yamanouchi for friends, another at a lair for a colorful duo with the ahead of schedule results of their union in 'attendance' and the partnership between a former mad scientist and crazed mechanic were on display (No Jimmy1201, we're not that crazy as to have a wedding involving those two…LOL!).
Kim catches up further with Justine and Monique, taking yet another butt-chewing in doing so, while Bonnie's touchstone moment brings a chance to spread the word about Kim's sitch to former adversaries of Team Possible. Meanwhile Ron, as Dean Kaminsky, tries to lay on a bit too thick his camouflage persona at the dojo he's using to keep up his ninja skills. Informed of a time limit on such foolishness by Sensei, Ron's been warned that his old shtick of buffoon will not be tolerated by his patrons for much longer. So Ron continues to hide in plain sight while coming to grips with Sensei's requirement, but on his own terms.
And once again, no we ain't going down that road again trust me, before the Disney Attorneys' briefcase locks start popping, we've gotta say the following, the Characters and Scenery of the Kim Possible show are the property of the above-mentioned company. We're just borrowing them for pro-bono entertainment. All other Characters, Scenery, etc., otherwise included within are our own creations, or of their own existences.
Storm Chaser
Chapter 9
UA Flight 4581, Middleton, Colorado to Gatwick UK:
A small teary smile came to Kim's face as she thought of all the friends she reconnected with over Summer Break.
She was stirred out of her reverie as she held a periodical she was not reading, "Excuse me Miss, would you like a blanket and pillow? This will be a nine hour flight and most passengers will want to get a little sleep.", a perky blonde Flight Attendant asked as she displayed each to the red head.
Kim looked up and smiled, "Sure, if it's not any trouble Ma'am."
X
After everyone settled down for the multi-hour flight, the same Flight Attendant returned and sat down in the open seat next to Kim, "Well they'll all be quiet for a while Miss Possible.", she said in introduction as she held her hand out to Kim. "My name is Sally and I personally want to thank you and Shego for doing what you did three years ago."
"Ma'am…..uh I mean Sally, I really don't know what you mean?"
The blonde woman lowered her voice, "The others onboard may have forgotten, but I know who you are. I also know from the timing of the incident that you beat those aliens and sent them packing to their spacecraft when their walkers were just about to attack my friends and family. If you and your friends hadn't sent them packing to their doomed spacecraft we would have been killed for sure.", Sally said in gratitude.
"I uh, well thanks but I didn't really take down the aliens, it was my partner who did it.", Kim stammered in explanation.
"Partner…You mean the rodent, the pink thing?"
Shaking her head in frustration, "That's Rufus; I was talking about….."
"Oh you mean that Wade guy.", Sally again authoritatively, yet erroneously offered.
"Wade? No he was our Tech Guy so he didn't go out on many missions.", Kim sighed. "I'm talking about Ron.", Kim assured the woman.
Now quite perplexed, "Ron? I'm not sure if I've ever heard about someone named Ron with your team." The flight attendant now quite confused as she wondered why the heroine seemed to go off on such a whimsical tangent about someone she was sure nobody had ever heard of…not at all like she thought someone like Kim Possible would be like.
Trying not to show her frustration about something that still ticked her off, "Yeah Ron Stoppable; he stayed in the background, so he wasn't as well known as the rest of us.", Kim clarified, "He was the blond who was with me for nearly every mission we ever went on, with Rufus in his cargo pocket."
'And my lover for three of the most tremendous months of my life.', Kim silently added.
"Huh, I thought it was mostly you and Rufus with Wade helping you once in a while."
"No, Ron got me to start my site up and told me I had my first mission…", she said, then wistfully added, "How long has it been? Seven or eight years now.", lost in a fog of memories, a sad smile on her face. "In fact, he was the guy who was always at my side from the age of four until he disappeared three years ago."
"Disappeared? You mean you don't know where your friend went?", Sally's interest rising at this tidbit.
"Yeah he and Rufus left and I have no idea where he is…I just hope he's alive somewhere. Wade had a way of locating him, but that no longer works…So he also doesn't know where Ron went either.", she said, rubbing her eyes. "Right now he's out there somewhere, I hope. I so wish I could talk to him…", trailing off.
Tentatively Sally suggested, "Well, maybe the reason you can't find him is that one of those bad guys wanted to get revenge on you and captured him…", then stopped when Kim suddenly paled, "But who's to say he would have been kidnapped for that reason if practically no one knew who he was?", she changed direction as she could see her line of discussion was upsetting the red head.
After the panic wave passed Kim replied, "Maybe you're right.", her face fell, "Most of our enemies couldn't get his name right even when they remembered him…Well except for one guy and he was a stone statue the last time I saw him."
"A stone statue? What happened to him?", Sally asked in shock. Then skeptically, "You're pulling my leg now, aren't you?"
Shaking her head slightly, "No, it's in the mission logs, so just about anyone can look them up…Wade still has the site up as a courtesy to me. But anyway, this guy wanted to rule the world and he made a deal with a Monkey Demon called the Yono. He failed in his quest so the Monkey Demon turned him to stone and then dragged it underground.", Kim said to the wide-eyed expression of Sally. "In fact, I was turned to stone during the fight and so was this old Japanese man.", Kim explained as her visitor's mouth dropped open.
"So you guys really weren't playing around in those missions were you?"
"Uh no, not really, there were a lot of times we could have easily been killed."
"So Miss Possible…"
"Please call me Kim. When you say Miss, I sorta remember high school and there are parts of that I want to forget."
"OK, Mis…errr Kim, if you don't mind me asking, why are you flying to England?", Sally asked, changing the subject.
"Well I'm heading back to college; somebody was nice enough to pay my way, so I am going to do the best I can. If they can make the effort to do that for me the least I can do is try to make the most of this opportunity."
"Wow that's pretty nice…", Sally said, then stopped as she saw a call light come on, "Excuse me I have to see what they need."
"Ma'am?", Kim asked.
"Yes Kim."
"Please don't mention me being on the plane. Even though I haven't done anything for anyone for a long time some people still have long memories and I don't want to be a bother."
"Sure thing.", the flight attendant replied.
Kim, after checking behind her, eased her seat back slightly. Then cuddling into her blanket she thought about a blond haired boy who gave her a shoulder to rest her head as they traveled to or from a mission. Then she smiled as she closed her eyes, 'Ronnie I hope you're well and I soo miss you.'
XXX
Drakken's old Caribbean lair:
"Blue boy this is not the way to win the heart of your wife on her honeymoon.", the mint skinned woman growled.
"Just another day or two and then we will be done and the contractors will be paid and gone. Then we are going to find a secluded beach to get away from it all.", Drew Lipsky mollified his bride as he tossed an aluminum pipe wrench off to the side, "Now would you hand me that doohickey please", pointing at a galvanized three quarter inch by six inch pipe nipple. "I think I'll have the bath for the nursery done this afternoon."
"Grrrr you better make this up to me Drew so help me."
"I will, but I wanted to get this done…with the baby on the way…well it's best to be prepared."
"So you were thinking about her?"
"Yes what did you think I was doing?"
"I didn't know, but we could have had all this done when we got back.", Shelia told him.
"Like my Dad said, 'Nothing like a Father's touch', but you are right I should have had the contractors in a month earlier. Though in all fairness I didn't know we were going to have to make these renovations just yet, you surprised me there."
"Well you should have been taking precautions too."
"Shelia…honey, I want this baby at least as much as you do.", he said in earnest. Then a little timidly, "So what did your brother, Hego, have to say when you told him the news?"
"He wanted to kick your biscuit for getting me knocked up before you got the wedding band on my finger."
"Well he was pretty happy when I talked to him at the wedding.", Drakken replied.
Lighting up a hand, "I told Hego what would happen, if he touched a hair on your head.", then shutting the plasma off, "And then I reminded him that since the UN and GJ got all the charges dropped after what we did during the invasion, that he should give up his quest to legally lean on you for something that was between you and me.", Shego said. "I also reminded him that we haven't done anything bad since then, unless you count on us making an exorbitant amount of money off your inventions.", the former villainess laughed at her brother's reaction to her retort.
Then after remembering the context of their 'Pardons' the raven haired woman reminded her husband, "Besides it wasn't me and the Princess that stopped those things, it was Stoppable, so if anything we owe him for our Pardons."
"Stoppable? Who's he?"
Snorting in frustration, "Kimmie's boy toy." Then at Drew's blank expression she clarified, "The buffoon."
Realization dawning, "Oh him, well we haven't seen them around for a while you know, I guess going straight was worth it, I don't have lairs blowing up in my face all the time. But now that I think about it we haven't seen Kimberly Anne Possible for about some time. I wonder where she's been hiding."
"She's at that swanky college, probably with the sidekick most likely. It's best if we don't bother them. You know what happens when we annoy them."
"Yes I suppose it is, oh will you hand me that silver and red can? That's pipe dope.", he asked her.
"Pipe dope? You mean this one that says LA CO on it?" At his nod Shego picked up the can of Teflon thread sealant and handed it to her newlywed husband.
Then Drakken demonstrated why you don't wear nice clothes while using the lubricant as Drew seemed to get more smeared on himself than on what he intended it for. The stuff seemed to go on forever…almost as good as the Prussian blue tool and die makers use to lay out metal parts for machining.
Then the newlyweds heard a crash and a boom followed by the roar of a large big block V-8. "Damn how did he get back on the island?", Shelia groaned knowing what she was going to see and hear next was a "Yeeeeeeah" and an 'air guitar' played by the now middle aged, potbellied and balding Motor Ed Lipsky (Yeah, he still had his signature mullet).
"I don't know, but Edward was working on something for his bike that would allow him to go practically anywhere.", the blue scientist informed his wife.
"You mean he now can come here without asking permission first?", at the nod she growled, "I'll flambé his stupid behind, I still remember and owe him for being called an 'accessory' and made to wear those ugly clothes back when we heisted that rocket."
"Ah Shego, in Ed's mind, I think you've been promoted to 'preferred accessory'.", Drew replied as they heard the signature voice of the mulleted motorcyclist/retired villain. Noting the wild look in her eyes, Drakken decided not to say anything more until his wife calmed down.
"I'm gonna kill him and any woman on the jury will say it's justifiable homicide.", the irate target of Ed's 'affections' lit both of her hands up for the first time in quite a while.
"Honey, don't hurt him too bad, he does have a valid contractor's license and he promised to give me some pointers."
"You invited him? With. Out. Asking. Me. First?", she ground out.
"We have to get this done so that we can go on our honeymoon dear.", Drew said soothingly as he tried to calm her down, well aware she just might regret doing something, 'But knowing their past I highly doubt it.'
Soon the muscle shirted and mulleted mad mechanic found the pair still arguing about him when he got to them. "Hey green babe.", Ed offered as he pinched her on the behind.
"Grow up jerk.", Shego snapped back as she turned and smacked him in the jaw with a right cross sending him flying into a wall, "I told you to keep your hands to yourself. Do it again and I'll make a girl out of you."
Ed for his part after he checked his jaw to see if it was still working yelled, "That's what I like…a woman with spirit!"
"Edward.", Drew began as Ed got up from the floor, "Shego is my wife, your hands belong nowhere near her. If you keep up this attitude I will simply inform Gram Mama of your actions and let her handle you."
For once the gearhead stopped cold as his jaw dropped, "That is totally bogus cousin! Your Mom and Granny would make my life miserable."
"Take it as it is Edward, Shelia is tired of you grabbing her butt and so am I. You might be bigger, but I have ways of hurting you without leaving any evidence of what happened and without even having to use my plant powers.", the former villain warned.
Sigh, "Alright, but I can still play the air guitar right?"
"Why don't you play a regular one?", Andrew inquired.
Sigh, "I tried once…for a couple of years, I sucked. No talent whatsoever. But seriously, if I was any good at it do you think I'd be working on bikes and trucks? They'd be only a hobby. But any righteous dude would love that rocker lifestyle, seriously.", his excitement growing. Then with a knowing smirk, "But when you listen to some of them on the radio now, you can like tell they only know three chords.", Ed let them in on his 'secret'.
With a snort, Shego laughed, "You're a wannabe? Oh wait till the others hear about this. I could get that information to the Princess. She could have it posted on her site."
Ed now paled, "Now that is wrong, busting my chops like that, seriously." Then scratching his chin, "But now that you mention her, I haven't seen Red, or skinny dude for that matter, for a while.", he said. "They were almost like clockwork busting up our fun. I wonder where they're at."
"Don't worry about Kim Possible, she's in college.", Dr. D informed his cousin, "Now can you give me hand with this bathroom? My wife is tired of helping me and I want to keep her in good spirits until we get done."
"Sure cousin, uh green babe could you make us some coffee. From the looks of things I'm gonna be in here for a while and so is Cousin Drew.", Ed asked.
Shelia warned, "If you call me 'GREEN BABE' one more time you big goofball I am going to beat you so bad even the doctors are gonna have to look twice to see what end your head is attached to."
XXX
Sapporo, Japan:
(Kaminsky-san, can you explain how this problem is worked?), Professor Angugi asked after he finished putting it on the board.
Ron laid out a rough graph on the board, (The absolute minimum is here, by following…..)
Then the blond American solved the problem showing that he knew what he was talking about.
After watching Ron work it out, long ways, the Math Professor nodded, (Acceptable Kaminsky-san you may take your seat.)
(Thank you Professor.), Ron replied bowing then smiling that he got the problem.
X
While walking quickly to another class Ron glanced over and noticed a petite Japanese girl struggling to keep pace with him.
(Kaminsky-san, that is your name, correct?), she asked her demeanor coming across as a bit forward, (My name is Ukuma Sekari. I am in the Math class with you.)
(Miss Sekari, my name is Dean Kaminsky.), he said in return. (Yes, I remember you from class. Are you getting much out of it? Professor Angugi is a little demanding, but if we do well in class our grades will be at the top in the school. I checked and he is one of the more thorough instructors in school here.), Ron replied.
The girl responded, (To tell you the truth, I am having trouble with the terminology and some of the problems. I might have to look for a tutor if I keep falling behind.)
Ron looked at the girl with one eyebrow arched, (I studied ahead and a friend of mine took this course and this instructor. So I knew what to expect), he shrugged. Then looking to her in concern, (Do you really need help?)
(Yes.)
(I have two more classes then I am free for the day. Would you like to meet in the math library in three hours? I can spend some time before my evening class.), Ron offered.
(You have classes in the evening too?)
Ron explained, (Yes but not on campus, I am studying something else a few days a week and I have made a commitment for three hours on each of those days.)
(What is that class?)
(Oh it's nothing of consequence, just something I want to do to better myself. When I get done there I have to go out for a little run and then home to fix dinner for me and my friend.), Ron added.
(Don't you ever go to the clubs, to go dancing or anything? You are talking about a very full schedule with no time to relax.), the short girl noted.
The blond man gave her a small smile, (It is what I am used to. I am here to make myself better.)
(You are an American, right?)
Ron nodded.
(I thought that all Americans are lazy.)
Ron then snorted, (We are…At one time I was too, so you are not that far off Sekari-san. The truth is most Americans like their goof-off time, and that is one of the reasons I am here. I want to finish what I began and prove that I am focused now. My parents are counting on me.)
(If you do as well as you did today, you will be at the top of the class.), she said in slight awe. (Alright Kaminsky-san, I will meet you in the math library in three hours.), she informed him.
Ron smiled then bowed, (It will be my honor Sekari-san.)
As she walked away Ron mused sourly, 'Crud, not even half way through a semester and I have some kid hitting on me. Well I hope she wasn't, but my luck is that crappy. I just hope I don't have to let her down hard.'
The blond turned another way and headed to his Geology class. Ron had always liked maps and the makeup of the continents, but now he was studying what made up the Earth and for some reason it was very interesting to him. If Kim had known she'd be very proud of him, after she kicked his butt for worrying her. But Ron was oblivious to all that, he was in his own world of deniability.
As Ron walked into the classroom he held out his student ID and placed it in front of the scanner. 'Well it is better than Mister B calling attendance.', he thought as the red LED flashed letting him know his presence as now recorded for the class.
As he thought about it Ron got tear in his eye thinking about a past. 'Did I ever have a future there? It could have been a villain's plot…that's right none of them even knew my name except good ole Monty…..I wonder how he is getting along with the Yono? Oh well what is past is past. At least I can kinda keep an eye on him over here.'
The instructor, Doctor Onkawa, was a short chubby balding man who was also close to a genius and had gotten Ron's attention when he mentioned about 'certain mountains' in Japan where weird things seemed to take place and was entertaining spending next summer with a group students there to find an explanation.
When shown on the map the American stiffened as he realized what the Doctor was talking about: Yamanouchi. What the blond had thought at the beginning was just a normal college class and turned more into a spy mission as the former member of Team Possible and current asset of Yamanouchi gathered intelligence about the upcoming extracurricular and extra credit expedition. 'I guess I'd better let them know.'
Of course Ron, being on call so to speak, decided to inform Sensei that very same night while he and Rufus meditated in order to give the old man enough time to plan something which would certainly make the College students' time most entertaining.
X
After getting the assignments for the next class the blond exited hoping there wasn't another girl following him like the last time. 'Well I'd better make it to statistics and then to my little study date with that girl. I hope she isn't looking for a boyfriend. Oh well work, work, work all day long.', he mused as he seemed to avoid all contact with other students has he hurried.
X
The American sat in the Math library waiting and hoping the waif of a girl wouldn't show so he wouldn't have to deal with this 'sitch' so soon after coming to Hokkaido University. He thought about blowing this meeting off and decided that might not be the best thing as she might come looking for him. So he sat there studying his book, but about four chapters ahead.
(Good afternoon Kaminsky-san would you like tea? I have brought two cups.), Ukumi asked as she set them down quietly so as not to disturb others who were studying in silence.
(It would be my honor.), Ron whispered groaning inside knowing he would have to repay this gift, wondering all the while of how he was going to do it and if the girl had 'plans'.
With a slight bow the blond accepted the tea then rose as the girl sat down at the table. 'This sooo much like a Yamanouchi setup I don't really know how to treat it, I guess I'll play it like she is someone who does need help with her math and try to figure out what's going on later.'
(So let's open up to where you started having trouble.), Ron offered still wondering if she was a plant.
The young Japanese woman replied, (Well I don't understand some of the terminology and this is also much harder than the previous course.)
(Of course it is, before we learn all the shortcuts in the next class we have to figure out the hard way.), Ron chuckled.
Ukuma frowned, (Why don't they teach us the easy way first?)
Ron continued to chuckle, (It is the Kami's way of testing us to see if we are stubborn.)
(You are Western, do you believe in the Kami?)
(I only believe what I feel, there are many spirits that are not true Gods. If we believe in the Kami then one we should pay attention to is Omoikane.)
The girl was surprised, (You know of the spirit of wisdom?)
"Hai.", Ron responded hearing the surprise in her tone.
(But you are European….)
(True, my family comes from Poland though I was born and raised in America.)
(Then how did you come to Japan?)
(Well I was traveling after my high school days and I came to Japan and found I liked it.), Ron semi-lied.
(Where are your parents?)
(My Mother got a promotion and ended up in Norway, I hate meat cakes so I stayed here.), Ron explained.
(What's a meat cake?), she inquired.
(I'm not sure, but I think it ranks right up there with lamb and cabbage stew as a favored menu item in Norway.), Ron caught a confused look, (I never liked cabbage, but anyway I'd rather be here.)
(Why didn't you return to America?)
(To what Sekari-san? My girlfriend rejected me while overseas at college and left me for someone else; I only had one or two friends, and I had no prospects for finding any after he want to college so I needed a change of scenery and here I am. I am content here.), Ron said as he began to laugh softly.
Ukuma Sekari smiled, (You are funny. I like you Kaminsky-san.)
(Of course, everyone likes the buffoon well most do. Anyway, I like you too Sekari-san. Now let's get back to work, we are making too much noise.), the blond advised after he took a sip of tea while glancing around to see if they were getting any unusual attention.
She giggled, (So you are a buffoon who hates meat cakes although you don't know what they are.)
(So it seems. Now let's look at problem twenty-three.), as Ron tried to get the girl on track.
X
Ron smiled as he closed his textbook and turned off his calculator, (It seems you knew more than you thought you did Sekari-san. You should be fine on the next assignment.)
The young girl frowned not liking this development, (But Kaminsky-san what will I do if I have more trouble?)
(Just let me know and I will help as I can.), Ron replied, (There are a lot of other students in our class that are much better at mathematics then I am.)
(Oh.)
(Would you like for me to walk you to your dorm?), the blond offered not understanding that the gesture might be mistaken for something else.
(Do you really have to leave?)
(Yes, I must be going or I will be late and the instructor is very strict.)
(Sure you may walk me to my apartment building…if you wish to.), Ukuma replied not happy that she didn't get more personal information out of the towheaded blond man, hoping to at least get his phone number out of this little encounter.
As they left the math library she motioned, (This way Kaminsky-san. I live just off the east side of campus.)
(Lead the way...)
(Are you sure you would want to get something to eat?), she asked, now no longer worried about being forward.
(Again I am sorry, but I must decline Sekari-san. As I said my instructor is very strict. Maybe some other time…that is if you allow me to buy.)
The girl brightened handing Ron a card, (I will take you up on that Kaminsky-san, my address and phone number is on the card. Will tomorrow night be alright?)
'Crud, how did she work that in?', Ron groaned inaudibly knowing he was roped into a date. (Would seven be too late?)
(Seven it is.), the girl replied sweetly.
Now with a spring in her step, the Japanese girl led Ron to her apartment building.
(I will be expecting you tomorrow at seven please don't be late and have fun tonight in your class.)
(I will remember Sekari-san and I always have fun in this class. Good night to you.), Ron responded ignoring that the girl was obviously waiting for something and he knew enough not to lead her on by giving in.
After he turned towards his apartment building Ron walked a little faster to get some distance between him and the girl who had upset his system. After about three quarters of a mile he made one turn and walked a couple of blocks and made another. Soon he was using his key to enter the building.
After climbing the steps he entered the apartment and called softly, "Rufus buddy, I'm home."
Not hearing the normal 'Hnk Ron, cheese, yea', the blond went in search of his mole rat friend. Curious at the lack of response, Ron quietly searched for his little friend. Peeking into the door to his bedroom where he and Rufus slept, he stopped cold. On the mattress was the pink little guy, embracing a picture that Ron knew so well.
"Rufus, it's alright.", Ron whispered as he walked over to pick up his friend, "Things just didn't turn out the way that we all thought they would. Besides, we don't want to bother KP…She's already found her 'guy', so we have to be happy for her."
Shrugging, "Besides, we have a job now, so I don't think our paths will cross for a while."
"Hnk, Mom.", Rufus squeaked as tears appeared in his beady black eyes.
"Yeah, but she doesn't love me anymore, her silence said more than anything she ever said to my face. But it's better this way; I had to get away or I would never have gotten better.", he sadly and somewhat correctly, rationalized.
Looking in Rufus' eyes, "Don't worry buddy we'll always cheer for Kim even if it's a million miles away." His heart breaking all over again as he plopped down into a chair near his bed, holding, as far as he knew, his only true friend in the world.
He could tell his little buddy emotionally was in no condition to project his thoughts so he decided continue to 'talk' audibly instead.
"Hnk yeah…Mom."
Gently scratching his bald head, "Yeah buddy, now c'mon, let me get you some cheese.", the blond American told his hairless buddy.
"Hnk cheese.", Rufus replied but without his usual enthusiasm on the subject.
Sighing, the lonely ninja stood up and carried his buddy into the kitchen to make him a snack.
Setting him down on the counter Ron opened his small refrigerator, took out a package, removed the cheese from within and placed it on a cutting board he removed from the drying rack. Then he opened one of the drawers and pulled out a knife.
A rarity in this part of the world, Ron had found a shop nearby that sold small quantities of a particular brand of Cheddar that Rufus loved above all versions of that milk-based food group. Hoping to cheer his buddy up, Ron carved ten large slices, which he presented to the mighty mole rat with a gentle flourish before returning the remaining cheese to its sealed package and the fridge.
"There ya go buddy.", Ron said as Rufus picked up a slice. "Oh if you want to check on the site, be my guest…", his smile faltered slightly, "but don't tell me anything…I couldn't deal with it.", he sighed sadly. Then seriously, "Remember no one is to know I'm here, Yamanouchi secret…"
Truth be told Wade Load was a great programmer and hacker, but there were others who had similar if not better skills; several, in fact, who were in a certain covert ninja school on a mountain in Japan. And a couple of these had developed a 'ghost' program that had been downloaded from a very high speed and quite powerful computer some of the school's assets had access to, which allowed those assets' computers to flit about the networks of the world, and the Internet without leaving a trace of their ever having been there.
And very soon, one of those special computers was going to be on the air searching without being seen by any security systems or protocols.
In improved cheer, but not quite his usual self, "Yay Ron.", Rufus seemed better now. Though given the green light to check on the goings on in Everlot and in Kim Possible's life, his joy was tempered by what he might find of her and learn of the man Kim was with now.
Brought out of his reverie of cheese and internet surfing, "Listen I gotta go to class, nothing like head bustin' to keep your mind in the game. I'll see you later and I'll pick up your favorite sushi on the way home.", Ron said as he made his way to the door.
Nodding as he set down the cherished hunk of cheese, Rufus instinctively ran to Ron, knowing his master was in need of a hug, something that was in short supply as things were now.
Surprised at the rush to hug him, Ron picked his friend up and held him to his cheek, the mole rat holding on tightly as he squeaked his best wishes to his friend. After placing him back on the ground, Ron picked up his small gym bag and headed out the door, "I'll be home in about four hours. Get some sleep, I need to meditate tonight and I need a partner."
A thumb's up, Rufus watched as Ron went out into the night before returning to his plate of precious cheddar and the promise of a few hours at the computer. Munching on a slice, Rufus contemplated Ron as he was now, after his long road back from the emotional devastation he brought to Yamanouchi.
Two things the mole rat was certain of regarding his best friend: 1) After what happened between him and his former girlfriend in Middleton Ron would never again fall under the sway of the fairer sex, he didn't want to put his heart at risk like that ever again. Which lead to 2) As the Chosen One, and as Ron Stoppable, his friend made an oath to swear off any enticements from the estrogen-laden members of the Human Race and to live his life free of such entanglements.
From his time spent with his best friend, Rufus knew that once Ron made a promise, or swore an oath about something, it was as irrevocable and unbreakable as he was unyielding; his status as Chosen One notwithstanding, though it added more weight to the oath or promise, in his mind.
This 'quirk' of Ron's, Rufus learned, lead his best friend to some grief in the blond's life, as the myriad of scars on Ron's body attested to, especially the two prominent ones on his chest he kept from view. Then there those moments, in the last three years, where his obstinate attitude nearly cost the MMP enhanced American his life over some stand he made.
XX
After Ron left the naked mole rat climbed up on his master's computer desk and booted the large machine up.
Being the intelligent creature that he was he carefully jumped on a series of keys on the keyboard, carefully making sure that he did it per the instructions listed in a certain book hidden in a desk drawer. Though not under lock and key, a thief would gain nothing by stealing the computer or the book. The encryption of the computer would foil entry for quite some time, and the book's code was nearly unbreakable, unless you had the rest of the decade to break it.
Once online, Rufus scanned along till he got to the site he had been looking for. After a few moments, and with a squeak that almost sounded like a sigh, he went to another site where he entered his old password and logged into the online game.
XX
Shouting over the din of his students working out, Master Hakkuri called out, (Sloppy! Again! Now I will count. This is two moves forward, then one move backward.) Groans were heard as he shouted, (One, two…..one)…..(Two, three…two)….(Three, four…three)….(Four, five…four)
X
Again the Master was not happy with the progress of the more inexperienced students, (No, not like that Musika. The wristlock is applied to the outside to apply pressure in the proper way. Kaminsky-san, come here, I will demonstrate on you.)
Kamuta Osaki looked on as the small old man slowly applied the technique and then rotated to show how the pressure could be adjusted to fit a variety of situations before he put Ron on his back. Master Hakkuri was mildly puzzled as Ron rolled with the torque applied to him in the takedown from the full wristlock maneuver, mute to the minor torture he endured as the recipient of this visual explanation of the move.
'What is wrong with Kaminsky-san? He should be screaming in agony. Either he has no feeling in his joints or he is used to this kind of exercise.', he contemplated. 'But he said that he has no experience with martial arts…No matter, I just might have found my training dummy.', the old man mused after he released the joint lock.
Shrugging out of his musings, he turned to the class, (Now watch closely as I show a higher level, it is used to deliver crippling pain to your assailant if need be. If worked right they will not be able to use the arm for several days.)
X
An hour later:
The Master was still unsettled from his discovery that Ron didn't react like most students in their twenties to the general 'abuse' that came with studying in a martial arts dojo.
But then he smiled, 'At least I have found my duty uki now.', referring to the designated toss around student who was always on the receiving end of receiving hits from the instructors by being the 'bag guy' by holding the striking dummies. Normally this was an older teen in financial need that attended class and 'paid' his way by being a 'target dummy'.
At this Master Hakkuri frowned, he had never used a paying customer this way, but the young blond man looked durable and he was a paying customer. 'Well I didn't expect this one to stay here forever, but he has weathered the taunts and strikes of the other students without complaining.'
One thing the little man knew nothing about was that the one student he was making an example of in his dojo had faced a much harsher training regimen and methods than he ever imagined, from a school the old Master never knew existed.
(That is enough for tonight…class dismissed.)
Ron stayed for a few minutes and began to stretch on his own with his eyes closed.
(Are you able to function after I applied all those joint locks on you Kaminsky-san? I know they were a little brutal, but the opportunity to teach those techniques came up so I decided to show them tonight.), Master Hakkuri explained.
(Just a little stiffness Master, but I will be fine once I work the kinks out a little.)
(I will be in my office if you need to have a rubdown.)
(It is nothing Sensei, I will be fine. I will be dressed in twenty minutes.)
X
True to his word Ron Stoppable, aka Dean Kaminsky, was dressed and out the door. Fifteen minutes later he was at the counter of a carryout place only ten minutes from his apartment ordering a quick meal for Rufus and himself.
XX
(Thanks Mister Ugetu for the extra treat, I'll tell Rufus that you sent it for him.), Ron laughed as he bowed and turned to leave.
(Kaminsky-san you have an unusual relationship with the rodent…)
(Sir he is the only one who can stand me after a while, I have to treat him nice.)
XXX
Middleton, Colorado:
Sitting at his desk at GJ, Wade Load's thoughts were of the brave young woman he had said goodbye to hours previously.
'I'm not gonna put personal stuff on the site but I'm gonna keep the old roster up. Maybe someday if Ron checks out the site he'll get the feeling that we still consider him to be on our Team.' Wade mused as he erased some of the old data and then updated the site with information about Kim being enrolled overseas. He then included information that she was not taking missions because of class work, and then added a link to redirect visitors to the site with mission requests to Global Justice.
Going further, Wade even linked updates on what some of the old and former villains were up to. It made him smile, even if sadly, to think about what he and his friends had accomplished over seven years and how much safer the world seemed to be.
He could see that though the Team Possible site was still getting 'hits', the number had been steadily going down for the last couple of years. 'Soon they'll forget all about what we did for them. At least Kim looks like she's going to be fine. Man what a tough girl she is….', then he corrected himself, 'I gotta remember she's a woman now.)
As Wade continued to type his mind wandered back to some of the 'old' missions. 'Man it was so good then. We were in the groove and you could just see Kim and Ron coming together….oh well…'
Then the African-American genius just stopped as tears came to his eyes, 'He was always scared shitless, but it never stopped him. Kim thrived on the action and attention, but Ron shriveled from it. Maybe he just went away to find some peace and quiet and to stay safe. I guess I can't blame him.'
XXXX
Well it seems that Kim's got her base reestablished once again and she's on her way back to school, growing stronger in the knowledge she's not going alone into her future. Wade's left clues for Ron to see, but it only works if he checks for them or allows others to inform him of them. One door opening, times two, another closing as both move on with their lives.
And it looks like Rufus' observations about Ron and promises may just get road tested in Sapporo for the time being.