Chapter 8
As he entered, Spark walked up to him and said: "Is something wrong my Lord? You left several hours ago." This kernel of information did surprise Ronin as he said: "No, nothing is wrong Spark. Everything is fine now. I'll be in my room if anyone should wish to speak with me." Spark nodded his head and went about his business. Upon entering his room and changing back into the sweats and shirt he wore that morning, he heard music coming from Amperica's room. He opened the door on his side and listened for a time before knocking gently on her door. The music stopped as the door opened and Amperica stood there in a pair of sweats and a shirt similar to Ronin's. Her smile was genuine as she stepped aside to let him enter. She offered him a chair and said: "How can I help you Ronin?" He sat down and said: "I was hoping to just talk with you when I heard your music. It's wonderful. Will you play some more?" Amperica sat on the edge of her bed and took up her Japanese guitar and started to play the song from before.
Ronin let the music engulf him as he relaxed and looked around her room. Several paintings, both historically Japanese and American were on the walls. A small selection of stuffed animals decorated a clothes dresser in one corner next to a holder of the sort you stand a guitar in. The carpet was a gentle blue color that was soft and warm underfoot. Her bed was a full size futon with a fitted set of covers topped by a fluffy pink comforter. Ronin found the music soothing and listened for a time. When the song ended, Amperica put her guitar back on its stand and asked what had happened at the Temple of the Elder Gods. At first, Ronin was only going to speak of the highlights of the experience but he found himself so comfortable with her that soon he found himself telling her everything about the visit. As he spoke, she walked around to the back of the chair he was in and started to gently knead his shoulders.
Her perfume was light and airy, and her hair soft where it touched his neck as he looked at her and thought her the most beautiful woman in existence. Like a magnet, his lips gently drifted in and met hers full on. The kissers broke for air as Ronin suddenly felt guilty for taking advantage and said as he stood up to leave: "I'm sorry I didn't mean to do that. I'd better leave now." Amperica pulled him back into the chair and sat in his lap and said: "I was afraid I would have to kiss you first. Don't feel guilty, my Lord, I wanted that as much as you did. At first I thought this task I had accepted would be an arduous one but now I see that it will be anything but that", saying no more she kissed him again.
The next morning when Ronin awoke, Amperica lay next to him. The love they had made the night before had been beyond pleasure and Ronin felt complete in a way he never had before. Not wanting to wake her, he just watched her as she slept and knew that he loved her as he had loved no other before. She awoke on her own as he smiled at her and said: "Good morning beautiful how was your night?" She smiled back at him and kissed him before answering: "Wonderful. Yours?" Ronin said: "Flawless." They both got up and took a shower together before going downstairs for breakfast.
Similar to the day before, breakfast was a selection of items Ronin recognized from his previous life. After eating, he called for Spark and said: "Please send a message to the master you mentioned to me, Bo Rai Cho. I need to start my training if I'm to select the champions of Mortal Kombat." Spark said: I thought you might do so Lord, so I took the liberty of sending for him already. He should be here any day now but you should know that while he is a master of many fighting arts, his favorite is Drunken Boxing."
Ronin had heard of it but never seen it outside of a movie. Just then, the door gong sounded and Spark went off to answer it. As Ronin finished his food, Spark returned with an older man following him. The man was just past middle age in appearance, long black hair streaked with gray, wearing pants colored a dark shade of gold with black slipper shoes of the sort Kung-fu students wear. His top was a kind of speckled black and pea soup green that accentuated his rather large girth.
Spark said: "May I present Master Bo Rai Cho." Ronin stood and bowed to him. He returned the bow and said: "You asked to see me Lord Raiden?" Ronin said: "Yes I did. My predecessor recommended you as did my new friend Fujin and my majordomo Spark here. Will you help to train me so that I am better able to protect the Earth Realm?" Bo Rai Cho said: "I will need a month in which to evaluate your fighting level, but yes, I will train you."