As usual, I do not own Kim Possible, Shego, or any of the other Disney characters presented here.
Special thanks to Poetheather1 for her help on the martial arts in the chapter. Her direction here and her help on the fight scenes were invaluable. Any screw ups still remaining are my own.
LoveRobin was great as usual helping me fix numerous errors, some Kim Possible cannon glitches, and improve the style of the piece. Any remaining cannon problems are either deliberate choices on my part or my own mistakes. Subsequent chapters will show what's what.
Please, I love to get reviews. If you like my stuff let me know. If you don't like it, please let me know as well. I only get better by fixing what is wrong. You can also use my forums at:
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Chapter 11:
D-Day plus 48 hours
Shego lounged on the Possibles' sofa working a crossword puzzle.
"Pumpkin, what's a six letter word for 'sexy redhead?' It starts with a K."
Kim Possible looked over at her lover. The teen had been pacing for the last hour. Since Dr. Director cut the connection her mind had been working a mile a minute. Though this was hardly the first time she had considered how to handle Shego's fugitive status. With the meeting looming upon them, it had her mind in overdrive.
"What?" Kim asked.
"I said, 'what's a six letter word for "sexy redhead" starting with a K'?"
"Shego, how can you work on a crossword puzzle at a time like this?" Kim responded. Then the light went on in her head and she blushed, "Thanks!"
"Obsessing much, Princess?" the thief leaned back and stretched placing the puzzle on the floor.
"Shego, GJ could put you in jail." Kim frowned and crossed her arms under her breasts.
Shego rolled her eyes, "Like how many other times they have? They can't hold me, Kimmie. Besides, Bets will jump at the chance to have me working on her side. She'll find a way to make it happen."
The teen stared at the green-skinned thief, "You're sure?"
"Doy, Princess, I'm the only person to routinely break into and out of GJ headquarters. Once she thinks about how great a team we are going to make, she'll get any charges dropped. She'll give us hell about it at first just because she's a sadistic bitch, but she'll come through."
Kim shook her head, "Sorry, I'm just worried."
"No problem, Kimmie," Shego responded. "Besides it won't be the first time she's arranged a pardon for a villain who has something she needs."
"Huh? She's done that before?" Kim looked incredulous.
Shego smirked and stretched out on the couch. "Please, Pumpkin, GJ isn't as goodie two-shoes as you think it is. Bets let Motor Ed skip on two warrants in return for technical work. Don't worry about it. She'll see me as an asset and Betty Director doesn't waste assets having them sit in prison."
Walking over to the older woman, Kim gave her a quick kiss. "Okay, I'll stop it. You convinced me."
Shego looked smug, "Just doing my job as your sidekick, lover."
Kim cross her arms and looked bemused down at Shego, "And how to you figure that?"
"Oh, by pointing out the flaw in your plan to spend the next three hours brooding so you can get on to doing something productive," Shego grinned.
The redhead rolled her eyes, "So, any other bright ideas, Sidekick?"
"Yep, time to spar, Pumpkin." With that the thief rolled off the couch and headed for the back door. "You're getting flabby."
"Hey! I am not getting flabby!" Kim stalked after her.
The pale woman tossed her hair and looked over her shoulder as she reached the back door, "Well, your mom calls you, 'Bubble Butt."
The hero came to a halt and crossed her arms over her chest, "My Mom has called me 'Bubble Butt' since I was like six months old."
Shego's smile was wicked, "And given the amount of exercise you've had in the last few days, I can see why." She skipped out the door.
The redhead glared, "You are so dead."
Outside the taller woman had already kicked off her shoes and started stretching. "Yeah, Princess, I'm so sure. Tell you what; loser has to submit to a shopping trip."
Kim raised her arms in front of her, "What does that mean? 'Submit to a shopping trip'?"
Her lover's voice was low and throaty, "It means that the winner gets to pick what the loser gets to wear and the loser has to wear it."
The younger woman gulped, "In public?"
Shego started to advance dropping into a low crouch that was different than her usual stance, "Depends on what I pick out for you, Pumpkin."
Kim leaned back into her fighting crouch, "Hope you like Club Banana, Baby."
Shego cocked her head and then rolled to the side, "Hate it."
Kim sprung forward as the thief rose up, launching two punches that her lover barely avoided. She followed this up with a leg sweep. The older woman almost did not leap over it. She barely managing to clear the leg. Kim's spin-kick was beautiful, her form perfect to slam into the off-balance woman. Shego had to bend almost double to avoid it as the redhead's foot sailed over her. The green skinned thief dropped to her side kicking Kim's legs out from under her.
The redhead tumbled back. Coming to her feet, she tried to regain her stance. The older woman though recovered faster. Shego's fist slammed into Kim's right shoulder knocking her down. Before the hero hit the ground, the thief was on top of her. Trapping her legs, the taller woman poised one hand over the teen's throat.
The woman bent her head down and kissed her, "One point." Shego then rolled back to her feet.
Kim rose to her feet not quite sure exactly what had happened. Normally when they fought both girls' styles were hyper-aggressive, each of them throwing punches and kicks as furiously as they could. They used similar methods relying on speed to get through each other's defenses. The teen was the quicker of the two while Shego was the stronger.
The thief dropped into the same low crouch and swung her hands low to the ground, her knuckles almost brushing the earth. Kim switched into a formal Eagle Claw style from her normal Mantis in order to counter the grappling Shego seemed to want to use. If she wants to get close that's fine with me. In addition to the devastating kicks that Kim favored, the style had numerous grasping and pressure point techniques.
"Come and get it, Baby." The teen's eyes were hard. Everyone knew that Kim Possible did not like losing to anyone.
"Oh, I'll get it alright." Shego's tone was mocking. "I think I'll get my Kimmie all dolled up in satin and lace. And then Princess, I'll make my little satin doll beg for me."
Kim's first instinct was to attack, but seeing how well that had worked for her last time; she waited as the older girl circled her. The thief was usually so graceful, but today she looked almost hesitant, like she was unsure if she could take Kim. Maybe she's not feeling well or something.
Finally, the pale girl threw a roundhouse kick. The teen easily blocked it. Shego stumbled backwards going down onto one knee. Advancing with a kick, Kim followed up by slashing downward with a claw strike. The thief was waiting for her.
Tumbling to avoid the girl's kick, the pale-skinned woman slammed both her feet into the redhead's gut sending her sailing over head, the wind knocked out of her. The hero was good enough to land on her feet, but before she could get back into a stance, Shego had thrown three more punches, while slipping behind her to get her arm around the girl's throat. "That's a second point for me. Do you want to make it three out of five or just concede now?"
The girl's eyes blazed as the thief held her tight, "I don't give up."
"Music to my ears, Princes," her lover replied, nipped her ear playfully then was gone again.
For ten more minutes the two traded blows. In each bout Kim felt sure she would win. Shego was at first tentative, then would seem almost scared, or run around driving the girl off balance as she tried to follow her. Every time, however, that the hero thought she would be able to connect, the thief had her on the ground, in a joint lock, or just grappled into immobility. At the end of each point, Shego would kiss or nip her and was gone again; each display of affection making the teen madder and madder.
Finally, Kim stood panting, trying to figure out why she was losing. What the hell is she doing? This is so not her style. How does she keep wining? Suddenly, it hit what her lover was doing and she clenched her jaw in anger, "When did you learn Monkey Kung Fu?"
Shego snorted, "Ever since Monkey Fist said you couldn't lay a finger on him. I figured it would be an ace in the hole if I ever really needed it."
The redhead's hands curled into fists though she left her hands at her sides, "So, why use it now?"
The thief shrugged, "Well, you never know when he might attack."
"Not! This isn't about Monkey Fist!" Kim stated as she took one step toward her.
The older woman rose out of her crouch and took up a relaxed stance; her hands held loosely across her chest, "Of course it isn't, Princess."
The cheerleader got right in Shego's face, "Just stop it! Ron wouldn't hurt me. We'd never fight like that."
Ignoring the girl's anger her lover just shook her head, "Kimmie, face facts. The fool catches us in bed, breaks your Mom's wrist, trashes your lawn, and gets in a fight with the rat."
Quivering with rage Kim fought to bring her voice under control, "That's naked mole rat. And don't call Ron a fool."
The black haired woman snarled, "I'll call him whatever I like until proven otherwise. And now Drakken has been broken out of prison by someone with the skills of a master ninja; someone who could only have gotten in with an immense amount to technical expertise or mystical powers. Sound fucking familiar? Until we figure out what the hell is going on, I'm treating him as a threat and you need to as well."
Taken aback by the anger in Shego's voice, Kim retreated one step her voice dropping back to more normal tones, "Baby, Ron's my best friend. I know he's upset but there is no way he would do this."
Shego raised one eyebrow, "You know that for sure?"
Kim nodded.
The thief's voice was harsh as she looked at the ground, "Then where is he? If some villain had him we'd have heard by now. They'd have wanted to gloat in your face about it. If he ran away he'd have at least told his parents. I might not think a lot of him, but I don't believe he'd worry them like that if he was in his right mind. Besides, forget the whole 'attacking the rat thing,' has he ever left Rufus behind like this?"
Shego looked back up at the redhead and softened her tone. "For the love of God, Kimmie, I can't take the chance that he's a danger to you. If I'm wrong, and I really hope I am for your sake, I'll apologize and kiss your feet before bed every night for a week. Don't you think I'd rather do that than see you have to fight him? I've never wanted to be wrong so much in my life Princess. I know what this will do to you. It will tear you the fuck apart."
Seeing that Kim was no longer filled with anger even if it was starting to sag a bit, the older woman pulled her into a tender embrace, "And despite how much you want to deny it, I can't let you. As it is, if he came after you and he's in control of whatever the monkey powers do, you can't win. You couldn't even take me, and I'm hardly a master of the stuff."
Placing her head on Shego's shoulder the redhead asked in a very tired voice, "So, if I agree to do this what do you have in mind? Not that I'm thinking I can use it on Ron, but hey, Monkey Fist is still out there somewhere."
The thief drew back and kissed her, "You ever studied Jeet Kun Do or Wing Chun?"
Kim shook her head.
Shego nodded and let her go, "That's what I figured. Your style is all North China; very flashy with lots of kicks. It won't work against Monkey."
Kim looked stubborn and kicked the dirt, "It worked fine against you."
"Yes," the older woman replied, "And that's because my style is similar. Both of us started when we were small. Both of us are incredibly fast. For a fast small woman, kicks are better than punches for the most part; more body mass and inertia involved. Northern arts like Eagle Claw and Choujiao were developed to fight in mountains and plains. Their long attack lines are generally good for anyone who wants to rely on footwork, speed and kicks."
Her lover grumbled, "I can so throw a mean punch when I need to."
"Not the point, Princess." Shego smirked. "You're still better with your feet than your hands."
Kim rolled her eyes, "Know all this. Trained in sixteen martial arts not all of which are Northern Chinese Kung Fu styles. Eight black belts. Duh."
The thief shot back, "Not one of them in a Southern Chinese style, I'll bet." She rolled her eyes mimicking the girl, "Kimmie, Monkey is designed to fight Northern arts. All of them rely on extended stances and combinations. Monkey waits for you to overextend and then smashes into you as hard as it can, or throws you to the ground, or grapples. The reason you can't beat Monkey Fist isn't that he's so much better; all your styles play to his strengths."
Kim's mouth hung open. This is making too much sense.
Shego turned Kim around and stood beside her. "Mimic my stance." She put her legs more in line than apart, her right arm up and in front, her left curled around low to her body. The position placed her right arm in line with her body. "So if Northern won't work, we'll try southern; Wing Chun to start and then Jeet Kun Do as soon as you've got the basics down."
The teen cocked her head, "Why switch to Jeet Kun Do from Wing Chun
The pale woman moved in front of Kim, "I'll get to that in a second. Okay, you're in a typical Wing Chun stance. The art was developed to fight along the rivers of southern China. It is highly balanced and very compact in its movements, since, hell, overextend and you fall off the boat. The idea here is to use the most direct path as possible. Your strikes are in line with the body. Your kicks will tend to be low. Those expose you to fewer counters. Keep your movements as restrained and focused as possible." She threw a few punches which the redhead emulated. "See the difference between those and the cross punches you are used to throwing? They don't go from your shoulder in a diagonal, they go straight out."
The teen nodded.
"Okay, so here is the deal," the thief went on. "If you don't overextend, Monkey has nothing to use its best moves on. All we have to do is keep things under control."
Kim took a few experimental punches. "So why Jeet Kun Do?"
Shego corrected her strikes, "Straight. Don't turn as much. There. Better." She nodded, "JKD is Bruce Lee's derivative of Wing Chun and it has got some advantages. It is more flexible since it brings in more elements including things he studied when he was growing up included boxing and fencing." The green skinned woman's feet shifted and suddenly she was bouncing on her feet like a boxer. "Boxing footwork is extremely useful and helps keep your opponent off balance." She change her feet again, her left farther back and ninety degrees to her body the fight forward. "And fencing stances like this allow you to move forward and back rapidly while still presenting as little a target as possible. It isn't about forms with Jet; it is all about using as little as possible to defeat your opponent."
The teen imitated the boxing stance. "I see. So, keep things under control but adapt for the opponents styles."
The thief smiled, "You got it. Though a lot of people look down on Wing Chun and Jeet because they don't allow for as many power hits as say Shotokan Karate, but you have to have a solid base for those. If your base is too solid, Monkey gets around you. By keeping everything loose but contained, Monkey's style now plays to your strength's."
"Alright," Kim agreed and whipped the sweat from her brow. "You win. I'll work on it. Like you said, 'if Monkey Fist attacks…'"
Shego just put up her hands, "Whatever works for you as long as we do this, Princess. Oh, and I can't wait for our shopping trip." She kissed Kim on the nose. "I have all sorts of ideas for things you'll be wearing."
"Hey!" the teen objected.
The thief sauntered away, "You lost, Possible. I won. I pick what you wear." She looked back over her shoulder, "And you're gonna love it. Now, shower time. Join me?"
"Shego!" Kim cried exasperatedly. "My parents are due home any time."
The thief shrugged and thought about pressing the idea, but the doorbell rang.
"We'll talk about this later," Kim said turning to the door.
"We'll do a lot more than talk about it later, Princess," Shego called after her.
Kim stopped for a second her entire body shivering. Rather than respond she pressed on toward the door. She could hear the woman's chuckles behind her.
"One sec," the redhead called as she jogged to the door.
Looking through the peephole in the door, she saw two people. The first was a tall Japanese girl dressed in dark slacks and a red top. Her black hair fell across her half of her face. The second was a short heavy set white haired Japanese man with a long beard. He was dressed in a black Armani suit with a Chinese collar and a white shirt. Both of them were standing calmly.
"Yori? Master Sensei?" Kim asked as she opened the door.
"Possible-san, I am honored to see you again." The girl bowed and replied.
Kim fully looked at the ninja girl. "What are you doing here?"
"We are here to help you, Possible-san, you and Ron-san. Is he here?" Yori's face brightened at the sound of Ron's name.
"Ah, no, Ron's not here, Yori." Kim replied. Though the last time she had encountered the girl, Kim had seen her as a threat to her relationship with Ron. This time all she felt was relief.
Yori blushed for a second realizing she being too forward and stepped back allowing Master Sensei to approach. "Forgive me, Possible-san, I am being rude."
"Possible-San," the old man said bowing before the redhead.
Kim returned the bow, "Please call me 'Kim', Master Sensei."
"Only if you will please call me 'Sensei', Kim," the Master replied serenely.
Kim smiled, "Please come in both of you. Though I should warn you, I have… ah… a friend over. You might have seen her on the news."
The green-skinned woman had held back at the bottom of the stairs to make sure the arrivals were not a threat to her lover. She had expected them to be turned away. The invite, plus Kim's relieved tone, caused her to pause and head back into the living room. They can deal with a little sweat stink. The thief took a seat on the couch and waited.
The redhead led her two guests into the house past the stairs and into the living room. This could get interesting. Gesturing to the thief reclining on the couch, "Ah, Sensei, Yori, this is Shego. Shego, these are friends of mine from Japan."
The thief nodded, "Honored to meet the Master and first student of the Yamanouchi Ninja School." She grinned at Kim who was clearly struggling with the fact that her girlfriend knew who the two Japanese people were. "Oh, don't look like that, Possible. Monkey Fist can't hold his liquor and let a few too many details slip about his adventures. For some odd reason, the villains know a lot more about your friends than you do."
Stepping forward the short elderly man bowed, "Shego-sama. It is an honor to meet an opponent of such accomplishments. Your command of the martial arts is known to us. I do hope that during the time of our visit nothing remiss will happen."
The thief slinked to her feet and returned the bow, "I don't think that is a problem Master Sensei." She cocked her head to look at the ninja girl, "Neither you nor your head student have anything to worry about."
A puzzled frown creased Yori's lips for a second, and then she regained her composure, turned, and bowed to the green-skinned woman, "Thank you for your assurance, Shego-sama."
Relief broke out on the redhead's face. Okay, no fight in the living room. Mom so hates when it happens. "Please, won't you both have a seat? Could I get you something to drink?"
As they sat Sensei spoke, "No thank you, Kim."
Yori nodded in agreement, "I am fine as well, Possible-san."
Kim nodded and sat down next to Shego. Seeing how close the two sat, Yori's eyes narrowed for a second. Sensei just took note of it, but showed no reaction.
The silence stretched on for a second. Finally the hero broke it. "So, why are you here? You were asking about Ron."
"Hai, Kim." Sensei responded. His body was held upright but relaxed his hands clasped in his lap. "We were hoping you would know where he is. The Yamanouchi School is concerned about his whereabouts."
Glancing at her girlfriend for a second the teen replied, "Well, I don't really know where he is. We sort of had a fight a couple of days ago, and I haven't seen him since." Looking guilty, Kim leaned forward, "Not that we haven't been looking. But I think he's okay."
Sensei pulled at his beard for a moment in thought. "I see. May I ask who you have been looking for him with?"
The teen nodded. "Well, Me, Rufus, Wade," she placed her hand on her girlfriends thigh, "and Shego."
Yori started as she saw Kim's hand, "Shego-sama has been helping you search for Ron-san?"
The pale-skinned woman brought her legs up under her, "Yeah, Shego-sama is helping search for Ron-san, ninja girl. What's your problem with that?"
The Japanese girl took a quick breath, "I meant no offense, Shego-san."
The thief jabbed a finger at her, "Doy, I didn't say you meant offense. I asked what your problem was. And you do have a problem with it, right?"
"Shego!" Kim snapped at her. Turning to face Yori she said, "I'm sorry. Things have been a little tense here."
Sensei responded before his student could, "No, Kim. It is we who owe Shego-sama an apology. She is quite right about my student's behavior." His gaze turned thoughtful, "It seems that Master Shi Yong Xin was correct."
Both the thief and her lover turned to look at the old man. "Master Shi Yong Xin?" they said in unison.
Stroking his beard the Master went on, "Yes. You were both students at different times to abbot of the Shaolin Temple. He told me once that you, Kim, were one of his greatest students. But Shego-san was his most observant." He smiled, "Here her powers of observation are what matter."
Leaning into her lover the hero whispered, "You studied with Master Shi? You didn't tell me."
Rolling her eyes, "We haven't gotten around to discussing everything, Princess." Turning back to the Japanese girl, "So, I'm waiting."
Clasping her hands in front of her, "Again, I am sorry for my behavior. It is just strange to find one of Kim-san's greatest enemies helping search for," she hesitated, "Ron-san."
The black-haired woman smirked, "Kimmie, you didn't tell me Ron had another girlfriend."
The female ninja's head snapped up, "I am not Ron-san's girlfriend."
The smirk didn't waver, "But you want to be."
Visibly calming herself the brown haired girl replied, "Hai, Shego-sama, but that is unimportant. I put my feelings aside so the two of them could be together."
Throughout this exchange Kim had shrunk back into the couch. She was not sure what was happening, and normally would have objected, but something in her lover's manner told her to be quiet. Where the girl stood on this was important somehow. Another part of her just wanted to know the answer.
She finally held up her hand, "Yori, I'm sorry. I was wrong to come between you and Ron."
"Kim-san," the girl replied shaking her head, "you owe me no apology. I know the two of you love each other. I would not interfere with Ron-san's happiness. As I stated once before...."
Kim grimaced, "Ah, about that… The whole loving Ron thing, turns out it was more like good friends. Not romantic." The redhead looked down miserably. "I should have told him that a long time ago. Maybe the two of you could have had something."
Yori's normally calm demeanor was shattered and she openly gapped at the other girl, "You… you don't love Ron-kun? But, I thought… ." She then looked up at her master, "Master Sensei, what does this mean?"
Sensei shook his head, "I do not know, Yori-san." Turning to Kim he asked, "What happened two days ago?"
The redhead turned away and Shego put her arm protectively around her. "Short version, Old man, is that he caught Kimmie and me in bed, tore up the yard, and hasn't been seen since. Though I'm pretty sure he broke my ex-boss Drakken out of jail no matter what Princess says here. Any questions?"
The old man sagged ever so slightly, something Yori had never seen him do in front of anyone outside the school. Always youthful despite his age, suddenly his face showed his many years. Yori was shocked at the change.
She knelt by his side, "Master?"
Sensei's face had gone grey, "Yes, Shego-san, I have one more question. When he 'tore up the yard' was he in a great cold rage and using his monkey powers?"
The thief nodded, "Rufus says so and given that Ron was trying to kill the rat at the time, I don't have much reason to doubt it."
The old man closed his eyes. His voice was still calm but tinged with sadness, "Yori, my daughter, I am sorry. You were right."
The girl looked up at her Master. The last few seconds were a nightmare for her. First, being told Ron-kun was responsible for such things; second, seeing her teacher's reaction. Sensei was never wrong. He was the guiding light of Yamanouchi. Though Yori had disagreed with him about Ron's fate, she had trusted his judgment. This was too much to take in at once. "Master Sensei, tell me what has happened?"
Without opening his eyes he responded, "I have been a fool. I thought he would control the power. Instead it controls him."
Yori sprang to her feet and backed away from her Master. Her hand over her mouth, she stared at him wide eyed. "No. Please, no. Master Sensei, it cannot be true."
Kim leaned into Shego, "What are they talking about?"
Her lover shrugged, "Beats me."
The old man turned to the sound of the thief's voice and straightened his shoulders. His eyes, remained closed, "I am afraid that Ron-san has gone over to the Dark Side."
Sensei was greeted with silence. He opened his eyes to see the three women staring at him, "What? I have seen Star Wars."
The green-skinned woman recovered first and shouted, "Are you fucking kidding me?"
The Master shook his head, "No, Shego-san. I am not kidding. I chose a metaphor I you would be familiar with."
Kim's voice quaked, "Okay, just what do you mean?"
Clasping his hands before him the old man went on, "You see, the monkey powers are almost a living thing. The Master who controls them shapes them, and they in turn shape the Master."
The redhead thought for a second, "So, some sort of mystic feedback loop?"
"From what I know of computers, Kim, you are essentially correct," Sensei nodded. "Before it is controlled, the power is neutral. Once it is taken, the owner's thoughts shape it. Thoughts of love and confidence bend it to the side of good. In turn it increases its master's own love and confidence giving him the ability to wield the power for the good of all."
"But anger, Kim, anger bends it to evil and it nurses that in the Master. A hot rage would have turned him into a berserker for a short time, but would not have given him the control he needs to become one with the power. A cold rage, one that focuses his confidence and anger, binds him strongly to the power though it bends him to the causes of evil. The Master's power grows until the world is but a plaything in his hands."
Kim's hands flew in front of her mouth, "This is all my fault!" Shego held her tightly.
Sensei shook his head, "No, this is not your fault. It is mine and mine alone. My arrogance caused this nothing more."
The thief snarled, "What the hell does that mean?"
Taking a deep breath the white bearded man went on, "Shego-sama, twice Yori asked that Ron-san be provided with full time training from Yamanouchi. The first time was after his brief visit to Japan, while the second was after your rescue of me a few months ago. She argued that without support Ron-san would not be able to develop the power that was within him. His moods and lack of discipline would have left him vulnerable to the darker side of his personality. Twice I rebuffed her believing my own way was better. I was wrong not to listen to her."
The redhead looked deep into his eyes, "I don't get it. Why not take him in?"
Placing his hands on his knees the Master of Yamanouchi replied, "For two reasons. First, I foresaw an event, something I expected to happen in the next year. I do not know exactly what would be, but I believed that Ron would reach a crisis. A crisis that I knew involved his love for you and what I thought was your love for him. I believed that you would perhaps be hurt in battle and he would embrace the power within him in order to save you. I did not realize that the crisis would be one that could turn him down the wrong path."
Turning to Yori, "It is the second reason that I must apologize for the most. My daughter, I must beg your forgiveness. I thought you argued by eyes blinded by your own love, but your vision was the clear one. I hope someday you will forgive me."
Looking back at the other two women he began, "We should begin looking…"
He was interrupted by Yori moving to kneel at his feet. "Master Sensei." The girl actually shook, though only her teacher could see her eyes; eyes that held both anger and sadness. "I should leave now."
His rebuke was harsh, "Yori!"
"No, Master," she raised her hands and placed them Fist-to-palm in front of her. "You know I must do this. He came to save me. And you. How can I do less?"
Their eyes locked and the seconds passed. Finally Sensei lowered his eyes; the duel of wills was over, "Hai, my child. Do as you must. My guidance in this matter has proven lacking." He bowed to his student who returned the gesture.
The ninja girl spun and got to her feet. She quickly bowed to both Kim and Shego, "Forgive me, Kim-san, Shego-sama, for what is to come." With that she was out the door and gone.
The thief responded first leaning back into the couch, "Fuck."
Sensei bowed, "'Fuck', indeed, Shego-sama."
Kim looked back and forth between the two, "What are you doing? We have to go after her. If she goes up against Ron, he could kill her!"
Now she believes he's evil. Remind me to put on a nice suit and a fake beard next time I want to convince her of something, "Pumpkin, that isn't what's happening, is it Master?"
Sensei looked at his hands, "No, Shego-san. It is not."
By now the redhead was on her feet, "Okay, so what is going on?"
Shego reached up and pulled her back down, "Kimmie, she isn't going to fight him. She's going to join him."
Kim's eyes widened, "But that doesn't make sense, Yori isn't evil."
Shego shook her head. "Kimmie, she isn't evil. She's in love with him. And the guy saved her life. My guess is that she thinks that she can get close to him, gain his trust, and find a way to reach whatever part of him is still Nice Guy Ron, as opposed to Scary Evil Ron."
Sensei stood, "You are correct, Shego-sama, though I think she realizes that may be impossible. I suspect that if she cannot save him, she will at least try to guide him and make sure he avoids the most heinous of acts. I pray that the costs will not be more than she – or her soul – can bear."
Kim put her head in her hands, "Great, Ron's got a sidekick."
The Master of Yamanouchi stepped to the window, "Kim, could I trouble you for that glass of water now?"
The redhead nodded, "Sure. One sec." She headed into the kitchen.
Without turning from the window, the old man clasped his hands behind his back. "I noticed the bruises on her hands, Shego-sama, when I came in. They are what I would expect to see from someone learning the styles of Southern China. You are training her to fight him, correct?"
The thief laced her fingers across her belly and put a foot up on the coffee table, "Yep."
Sensei nodded, "Very wise. She will need more upper body strength though. Her muscle development does not prepare her for the rigors of the techniques she will need to use against Ron-san."
Shego's tone was very matter of fact. "The gym equipment is already on order. She's going to hate how much work she'll have to do. Not that I give a damn."
The Master turned back to the pale woman, "And just what do you care about, Shego-san?"
The thief locked eyes with the old man. "Keeping her safe." Her voice dropped to a contemptuous whisper, "And I promise you this, old man, if she's hurt because of your fuck-up with Ron-boy, I'll burn your precious temple to the ground around you."
Kim returned to the room with a glass of water in her hand. She was puzzled as she watched the two of them stare at each other, and for the second time today, the Master of Yamanouchi broke the gaze first. "What did I miss?"
Sensei turned and crossed the room to her, "Nothing, Kim. Shego-sama was merely informing me of how precious you are to her." The hero blinked and blushed. "May I say you have earned the love of a great woman? I wish you both much happiness in your life together."
He drank the glass of water and looked at the two of them. How I could have been blind to the nature of her love for Ron-san? From the moment I saw Kim-san and Shego-sama sitting together, I realized where Kim's heart lay. "I promise the two of you I will do whatever is in my power to ensure your happiness coming to pass. I will be in contact soon."
With that, the Master left and silence returned to the room. Kim looked on after him.
Shego looked at her watch, "So two hours till our meeting, Pumpkin." She rose and stretched her back. Grinning to break the tension she asked, "Now, about that shower?"
