"The Blue Fox"


The next morning Yori took Kim to a secluded area to begin her spiritual training. Ron and Hirotaka continued their sparring. Kim was still curious about what Yori had said about Ron. "Yori, about the conversation we had yesterday….."

"Possible-san, all will be revealed in time. You have much physical and mental skill. However, you don't understand how they must harmonize with your inner self. You have much to learn to help guide Ron-san to fulfill his destiny."

"Yori, I appreciate the offer to train me but I don't think I need to find myself. I already know who I am. I've been guiding Ron since pre-k. I know what's best for him."

Yori shook her head. "You have much pride. You know many styles of the ancient arts but there is more to the arts than the physical moves alone. To advance to the next level like Ron-san has, you must learn the spiritual disciplines each has to offer."

"Like what?"

"Like this." Yori disappeared and reappeared behind Kim. "Ron-san has learned to use the powers the mystical stones gave him to call the Lotus Blade at his will."

Kim turned around when she heard Yori's voice behind her. "Well I must admit that is a pretty neat trick. However, I don't need fancy new moves to help people. I get by fine just being me."

Yori shook her head. I can not teach her if she is unwilling to listen.


Later at lunch , Ron, Kim and Hirotaka were eating. Ron noticed Yori wasn't there. He looked around and he saw Yori meditating in a field off in the distance. He got up to go see why Yori wasn't joining them for lunch.

"Ron, where are you going?"

"I'll be right back. I'm going to check on Yori."

Ron walked up to Yori and placed his hand on her shoulder. She opened her eyes and saw Ron standing next to her. "Ron-kun, why aren't you eating lunch?"

"That is what I came to ask you. Something is bothering you, I can tell. How did training go this morning with Kim?"

"Ron-kun sit." Ron sat on the ground next to Yori. "Possible-san has much pride. She is unwilling to listen and learn what I am trying to teach her."

"Really? KP can be pretty stubborn sometimes. Let me talk to her in private after lunch. Come and join us."

"I need to finish meditating Ron-kun. You go back and finish lunch."

Ron got up to head back. After a few feet he turned around. "Yori, this is why I couldn't tell even Kim about my first trip here. She was not ready."

"Hai."

Ron turned back facing forward and walked back and sat back down for lunch.

"Ron, what did Yori have to say?"

"Let's talk after lunch KP."

Kim raised an eyebrow. They must have been talking about me.


After lunch Ron and Kim walked alone. "Ron, you and Yori were talking about me weren't you?"

Ron nodded his head.

"Is she mad at me because I don't want to learn her ninja tricks?"

Ron stopped and looked at Kim. "Is that what you think this place is about? Tricks? That I've spent all this time here playing some game?"

"Ron, I didn't mean it that way. You and I as a team have always gotten through missions, school and life together. I don't see why we have to change what's been working, that's all."

"KP, up until just recently I have done the minimum, just enough to get by in life. A few months back, I felt something inside that was pushing me to better myself. It's all related to the mystic stones that I was zapped with. It has given me many abilities and with the help of this place, I am learning how to use them."

"Ron, I'm thrilled that you've discovered new abilities and you've turned your grades around at school. I've been trying for years to get you to work harder. I just don't see why I have to change."

Ron placed a hand on Kim's shoulder. "Kim, I am not asking you to change who you are. I am only asking that you'd be willing to at least listen to another POV. You have much natural talent KP but who knows what you have still locked deep inside that you have yet to learn how to use. This place has taught me how to search myself to find the inner me that I have locked up deep inside all these years. To be honest, I wish I could have come here a lot sooner."

"Why can't you teach me?"

"KP, I am still learning myself. Yori is the finest student here. Please give her a chance. She's not asking you blindly take everything she says to heart and follow in her footsteps. She only asks that you listen to what she has to say and be willing to learn new things. You can make up your own mind if you want to take what you learn here and apply them to your life."

"Ok Ron. Oh, and one more thing. I think Yori likes you."

Ron was speechless.


Yori and Kim resumed lessons. Yori tried to instill into Kim the importance of not just learning the moves of a martial art but understanding the philosophy behind them. This would allow Kim to make better use of the skills. If mind, body and spirit are in harmony, then they will all act fluidly together. If one is out of sync, the others will suffer. If focus is lost, then rhythm of movement is lost and poor decisions may be made.

Yori showed Kim some exercises to help Kim clear her head and focus on finding her inner self.

Later that evening during quiet meditation time Ron went find Yori. Ron was about to knock on the wood when Yori spoke up. "Come in Ron-kun."

Yori was sitting on the ground meditating. Ron sat on his knees next to Yori. "Yori, there is something I want to talk to you about."

Yori opened her eyes and looked at Ron. "I am listening."

"Yori, Kim told me you liked me. To be honest, I like you too. I'm confused right now. I haven't had this much attention from the ladies since…well…never. Tara and I are dating. But something inside me says she may not be the one. Then there is Kim. We've been best friends since pre-k. We practically do everything together but we haven't taken the next step. I don't know if we ever will. I think we are both scared. Last but defiantly not least, is you. I've known you the least amount of time but I feel I know you and you know me better than most of the other people I know, except my parents and Kim. You have taught me so much Yori. You've alwaysbelieved in me when very few others have. Even Kim's doubted me in times past but you never have."

Yori tried to smile. It devastated her to say this but in her heart she knew it to be true. "Ron-kun, you have grown wise beyond your years." She placed her hand over his heart. "In your heart, you know what the answer is. You much search deep and find it. My destiny is here. It is a great honor for my line to succeed Master Sensai when he steps down. Your path takes you away from here. You and Yamanouchi will be forever connected through the Lotus Blade. Master Sensai and I will always be here to guide you. Sometimes we must do what is asked of us for the greater good."

Ron hugged Yori.


Over the remainder of the trip Hirotaka and Ron worked together and Yori spent time with Kim helping her try and find her inner self. She also took some time to show Kim some new moves to add to her repertoire. On the morning of the return flight home the students were gathered in the main area. Sensai, and Ron were in the center of the stage. Kim, Yori and Hirotaka were standing to the side on the stage.

Master Sensai spoke. "Ron Stoppable, today you leave Yamanouchi as a great warrior. You join a great line of proud descendants of this school. It was an honor to guide you." Sensai and the entire student body bowed to Ron. Ron proudly bowed back. "The honor is equally mine. You have taught me much and I promise to make it my constant care to honor this school and its traditions by my actions."

Hirotaka and Yori helped Ron and Kim down the mountain with their luggage to the taxi waiting to take them to the airport.

Hirotaka wished Kim well and turned to Ron and bowed. "Stoppable-san, it was an honor to help guide you during your stay here."

"The honor was mine Hirotaka." Ron bowed and then extended his right hand and they shook hands.

Ron turned to Yori and hugged her. "Yori, words can't express my gratitude for everything you've done for me. I promise to make you and Sensai proud."

"We are already proud of you. Remember, we are always here." Yori gave Ron a quick peck on the cheeks. Ron turned bright red. Kim just rolled her eyes. Yori bowed. "Goodbye Ron-san." Ron bowed back. "I will never forget you or Yamanouchi."

Yori smiled and she and Hirotaka turned around to make the journey back home. Ron and Kim got in the cab for the journey back to Middleton.


THE END. The story will be continued in the 3rd installment, "The Ties That Bind." (My variation of So The Drama.)

AN: I brushed very lightly on Kim's training due to the state I need Kim's character to be in for the final story.