Kim Possible:Sins Revealed

by fernnu

After Kim finally pushes Ron too far out of her life, an ancient power is found by none other than Monkey Fist. Can Kim save the day without Ron? Is Ron the Chosen One of the Prophocies? What will happen...R&R PLZ!

7. Leaving Yamanouchi:Coming Home

Chapter 5: Leaving Yamanouchi: Coming Home

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Hi my name is Fernnu. You may recognize me as a horrible fanfic writer who left you guys hanging for months on end with no excuse at all. Well, actually I do have excuses. I think god has something against this writing. Well, maybe not god, but some higher power. You probably aren't interested in my excuses, like the writer's block I had before and then after I lost the whole chapter due to my retarded computer. Nor that I just needed a change of pace and felt like changing lines and doing a new story, or that I went to Italy or was busy with work and my junior year. None of that probably matters to you, and it shouldn't. I hope you guys can forgive me, I've seen stories that have years between updates, and I don't want to do that to you guys, so although a few months aren't much compared to a few years, I still recognize how messed up it is for the serious lack of updates. I hope you can enjoy this chapter, if there are any of you guys still reading. Are 40 pages a good start to an apology? Also, I haven't forgotten my promise. At the end of this very chapter, the pairings are shown. Kim/Ron. Ron/Yori. You shall see.

Again I apologize for the serious lack of updating. Please, I hope you can enjoy.

Fernnu

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The dark room was once again dimly lit with the sacred candles. Soft, inviting flames

winked for a closer look. Flushing upon the walls, the light revealed ancient scrolls,

thatched symbols and a dark red color that covered the walls of the small, waiting-room

sized space. This evening was the second time the room would be used in the last three

months. As three figures walked silently into the sacred room; the space where the very

founder of Yamanouchi had left the world of the living with a wish for both Lotus weapons to be safe, all three shuddered slightly. There was a revered presence felt when one entered such a room. The first figure, entering silently, stepped to the front of the room, bowed and took his seat, Indian-style, facing the doorway. The other two, did so as well, but faced the first figure instead. The second, the raven haired female, sat on her knees and backs of her legs as the young man—blonde and freckled—sat down similarly. In between the three, a long box with two candles framing it on either side, a scroll, and a smaller, midnight black box sat placidly. The small box reflected the light dangerously; gleaming wickedly and with purpose, its glassy surface shining. Lighting both candles ceremoniously, the now revealed Sensei gazed approvingly at the two in front of him.

"You have done well Ron-san—both of you"

Bowing slightly, both students quietly thanked Sensei for the complimentary remarks.

"I would like to start out by telling you both how very proud I am……of the both of you."

Gazing at Yori, he began again.

"First off, my dear Yori; you are like a daughter to me…and I must confess that I care for you greatly. I was….worried—to say the least—at the thought of your progression into the advanced levels of Tai Shwin Pek Kwar."

"Not many have survived the fierce, harsh battling that must take place to fully master the abilities and knowledge of Tai Shwin Pek Kwar. Those who do survive….usually die. Yori….I am….happy and immensely proud at your improvement, and the way you have mastered such power in such a short time. Throughout the past three months you have shown impeccable judgment and great strength and skill. You are swiftly on your way to become a sensei yourself. Sooner than I had expected, though even when you first arrived at our school….you showed such strength of heart and immense potential. I am proud that you shall exceed my abilities one day. The greatest honor a teacher can have is to be taught by his student."

Small, barely visible tears welled in his eyes. Sensei continued.

"It is this reason and because such power is in your grasp, that I award you of the honor to be named Sempai of the first order of Tai Swin Pek Kwar." (A/N for all who do not know, in regular Karate, being a sempai is like having your black belt, but you still don't have the experience to be considered a sensei…..)

Beaming, Yori bowed completely. Sensei pulled out from behind him, a violet sash. Urging her to stand, he carefully placed and tied the sash around her waist. The violet color; a deep purple, almost blinked in the reflecting light; the satiny material flowing as if it were liquid. As sensei finished the careful tying, he placed two fingers on Yori's forehead and proclaimed.

"So it is….from novice to apprentice. From apprentice to master. Now master to Sempai."

Bowing again, Yori retook her seat next to an equally happy Ron. Snaking his hand into hers, they shared a small squeeze of pressure before letting go. Catching each other's eyes, anyone could easily see the love held for each other within. (GASP! Lol keep reading, that's not the pairing hint or anything….I, just did it to mess with you guys….) letting go and retaking their solemn faces, both students looked up expectantly at their sensei.

"Now Ron-san. As for you, your journey has been so much more different, and in a way, so much more cruel and challenging than that of Yori's. Coming here a second time, with barely any knowledge, a prophecy and the fate of the world on your shoulders….I was worried for a brief moment that the pressure would be too great. I see now what a foolish worry I held. All doubt has vacated my mind now… I see that you are truly the master of Yamanouchi and the Lotus Blade. You have worked immensely hard, your physique is impressive, your fighting skills unmatchable, your understanding and connection with the blade undeniable and your confidence boosted. The sacred abilities of stealth and all others have been thoroughly taught and imprinted into your very reflexes. I am proud beyond words. What say you?"

Meeting Sensei's eyes; Ron's focused on the floor previously, sighed and began.

"For the most part, Sensei, you are right. All those things you've said, all my abilities; its all true. And if I was to go back to just my plain old life, then I would be unstoppable. Unfortunately….that's not the case. I DO understand the blade, and I hear it, understand it, and speak with it. I even can use it better than most, but still…..two problems remain. I have spent my whole summer vacation months, and even missed fifteen days of end of the year school, yet I am no closer than I was at the beginning of my stay here. "

Sighing again, Ron stole a quick look at Yori before returning his gaze onto Sensei.

"Through it all, I have yet to be able to get completely rid of the lag that occurs every time I use the blade. There is still a miniscule moment of hesitation that I can not defeat. The blade reacts perfectly to my every wish; I know it has something to do with me….and that is the most frustrating part. Speaking of frustrating, the second, more important part of my problems; the Symmetry of Souls. What is it? You have told me nothing and I am no closer to the knowledge or skill than I was when I came here. How am I to defeat Monkey Fist if I do not know how?"

"Ron-san these are things that can only be discovered by your own journey. You do not have faith. Look at yourself. Physically you are the most fit student we have. Lean and muscular, strong and fast; perfect to wield the blade. Speaking of the blade, you have progressed greatly with it. Transcending my own knowledge."

Looking stunned, Ron continued to listen in rapt attention.

"Yes Ron-san. You have. You are the chosen one, and with such a title, powers come along to be entitled to you. You have spoken with the blade, you understand the power and the need you both share to defeat the staff, and Fist. As I have told you everyday since your arrival; you must lose your fear of emotions. It is as clear as the sun in the sky that you fear losing control, fear becoming like Fist. You must banish this fear if you are to win. I know that now it is hard, but when the time comes, I have faith in your abilities….even if you do not. Furthermore, the symmetry of souls can not be taught in such a fashion as lessons in a book. The symmetry is an understanding of the forces that compel the two brothers. With your training alongside Yori and using the blade, half the knowledge is already in your grasp. All you must do is take a hold of it. This too, shall only occur when the time is right and you stop fearing the emotions that must come if you are to defeat the evil forces opposing us."

Ron, his head drooping down looked up feeling a gentle hand on his shoulder; looking to see Sensei's hand lightly on his shoulder, Ron met his eyes.

"I am immensely proud of you chosen one. When the battle comes, you shall be ready. But for now, you must return home. Fist will target your loved ones, you must protect them."

Nodding, Sensei continued. "You shall leave in two days. Take with you the blade and the prophecies; they shall aide you in your quest."

Nodding again, Ron sighed as a heavy silence engulfed the three in the room. Just as Sensei was going to bid them to get rest, Ron interrupted the chance with an outspoken worry.

"Sensei….I think Yori should accompany me back to America."

Gasping slightly, Yori looked curiously at Ron. Trying to hide the hopeful glee in her eyes, Yori couldn't help but feel the pangs of disappointment at her failed attempts all summer. Since the beginning she had flirted and acted in every way, shape and form to be an interest for Ron….to get him to love her. Never once had he responded to her actions in the way she had hoped. The red-headed girl….Kim Possible held his heart wound in unbreakable chains. She had thought her ambition helpless until now. Perhaps there was still time for her yet…

"Fist may go after Yori too, and I do not want her to be in any danger."

Sensei thought for a moment before asking the opinion of Yori. Nodding yes that she would go, he sighed and agreed. Touched by his caring for her (even if only as a friend) she snaked her hand into his and squeezed. Squeezing back, he met her eyes for a brief moment before returning his attention to Sensei.

"Well then Ron-san. Yori. I believe that takes order of all things tonight. Tomorrow you shall both pack and prepare for your journey to America. Let us go and make the arrangements for the tickets, Yori. Ron-san, perhaps it is best if you inform your parents of an added guest coming with you?"

Nodding as they all got up and left the room, Yori snuffing all the candles; Ron separated from the others, walking to a phone in a nearby room. All Ron could think of was Monkey Fist's threat to hurt Kim and Yori. He hoped he was making the right decision in bringing them together in one place. One easy target….

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It had been a summer for Kim Possible, like no other. A very strange summer with frequent showers of depression, 95 chance of unhappiness and scattered little moments of pity throughout the 3 month vacation. After the day's events when the rumors of Josh Mankey's arrest and the capturing of two of the largest villains in the world, things got pretty….quiet.

And for Kimberly Ann Possible, quiet was anything but good.

Her summer had been uneventful and lacking in action. When a scarce mission did occur, she would go only half-heartedly; without Ron of course. The bad guys were pitiful; common crooks, thieves, men with dreams of world domination, and super powered geeks, scorned for being nerds and bent on revenge, were the average handful of villains of the summer. Frankly, Kim was not impressed.

Frankly….Kim missed Ron.

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RING RING RING RING RING

"I got it mom!" shouted a bored Kim to her mother downstairs. Picking up the phone, she walked into her room and flopped on to the bed.

"Hello?"

"Kim, what are you doing?"

"Oh hey Monique, what do you mean?"

"Don't you remember? Ron's arriving at the airport today! Girl! Don't you want to be there for him and make things all better?"

Exasperated, Kim sighed as she continued.

"Monique, we've been over this, he didn't reply to my letters, he hasn't asked, called, or acknowledged me at all for the whole summer. He doesn't want to see me. He…….he hates me."

"Girl you know that's not true and you should defin—"

Kim cut off her hyperactive friend short.

"Look Monique, you go ahead. I'm just going to stay where I'm wanted. I'll talk to you later. Bye."

With that, and no second chances for Monique to continue trying to persuade Kim in joining her, she hung up and shut the phone off. Placing the phone on here nightstand, not bothering to recharge it, she collapsed onto her bed. Turning over and laying on her back, staring absentminded at the ceiling her final thoughts bubbled through her, as the loud, obsessive sounds of the tweeb's ruckus downstairs lulled her to sleep.

………He does hate me………

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A/N:

This is where I had originally written and gotten writer's block….well, about over here, considering I had to re write the whole chapter. I have been writing since 6:00 Sunday night from this point on, trying to finish this for you guys.

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It was cold. So, so very cold. Unusually cold for the end of August, mused a slightly apprehensive Ron as he exited the plane and walked side-by-side next to Yori. Glancing around, she gave him a warm smile as they exited through the arrival gate and into a mass of people greeting each other. As all around the large opening where the arrival gate opened up to the public, they both stood still a moment. Among the throngs of people rushing up and past the two, both stood silent. Ron, craning his neck above the swarm of people, gazed desperately for some sign of his parents. Having talked to them before departing, he was expecting to see his mother and father and maybe….just maybe….

Kim?

Ahh yes, Kim. The one thing that had plagued every moment in Japan that hadn't been filled with intense physical, mental, and spiritual training. She was, as clichéd as it sounded, the first thought to hit him in the morning, and the last before he drifted into peaceful and sometimes, troubled, sleep. He knew that she hated him. He knew it, and he knew that no matter what, even if they ever overcame their differences (which was about as likely as Ron madly falling in love with Shego) he would still only be where he had started: just her friend. Shaking the wistful thoughts of actually being anything more than her hated ex-best friend, Ron sighed.

"Ron!"

Perking his head up at the sudden and faint call of his name over the large mob of people around him, he unhesitatingly slipped his hand into Yori's and pulled her with him towards the sound. Tugging a blushing Yori behind him, and weaving around the mass of travelers around them, Ron stopped suddenly, causing Yori to almost crash into his back. Almost. Yamanouchi and the teachings of Tie Swin Pek Kwar saved her from an embarrassing fall. Instead, shifting her balance to lean slightly on his back, she peered out from behind a frozen solid Ron. Glancing quizzically at why they had stopped and why he had such an obvious grin on his face, Yori jumped in surprise when Ron gracefully moved from his spot in a quick motion and over to a small trio of people. This time, her support gone completely, Yori landed face first onto the cold airport floor.

A loud, welcome and warm greeting sounded as background noise in her ears, but she took little attention, instead preoccupying with turning over and rubbing her aching nose. As her eyes slowly opened from their grimace, an outstretched hand leading to a warm, slightly older face greeted her. Clearing her vision, she hesitantly took the offered hand and used the added weight to help herself off the cold tile. Now righted from her awkward position Yori gazed into the deep warm chocolate brown eyes of who she could only guess to be Ron's father; Mr. Stoppable. Pulling her into a slight hug, Yori couldn't help but feel warm and safe in his arms. After the embrace ended, she was immediately engulfed by a short woman who could only be Mrs. Stoppable. Behind her, grinning from ear to ear was a chocolate brown, tall African American girl. Very pretty with warm eyes, she seemed to be positively glowing. As the warm feeling engulfed her once again, she couldn't help but feel…..well, feel great. For the first time, in a long time, she felt like a daughter: warm words and gestures were freely offered to her and she took them without haste.

For the first time: Yori felt the joys of a family.

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Sighing as he lied back in the car, Yori on his left and Monique on his right, Ron felt, for the first time, some happiness. Gazing out the window at the tall billboards that whizzed by, he sighed again.

"So Ron? How was the volunteer work?"

Giving the puzzled Yori a quieting look, he delivered the well-thought out excuse.

"It was great Dad. Well I mean—not great for those poor people—but being able to help was great. Yori and I were able to help a lot of people who lost their homes to the tsunami."

"Oh my little Ronnie! Such a good young man. We are so proud!"

Blushing from his mother's antics, he turned as Monique poked him in the side. Glaring at her playfully, she asked in a hushed tone.

"So Ron, did you get my letters?"

"Yea, thanks. It meant a lot. You got mine right?"

"Mhmmm. 'course I did. So….."

Looking Monique in her eyes, seeing a glint of some mischief, he sighed again.

"Before you go asking me, she still hates me, right?"

Unable to bring himself to even say her name, Ron's whole demeanor changed when Kim was brought into the conversation. His eyes dulled a bit, and his shoulders drooped. He knew that she still hated him. If not, then why hadn't she responded to any of the letters he had sent her, or why she hadn't sent her anything…

"You know what? You don't even have to answer, I can figure it out on my own, I know she still does……" casting his eyes downward, he sighed heavily. Feeling the sudden pressure of Yori's hand slipping into his hand, he squeezed gently.

The gesture went unnoticed to the chatting Stoppable parents who were discussing dinner plans for the evening.

For Monique though, she saw everything.

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Arriving at the Stoppable residence, Mr. Stoppable and Ron brought the bags up to his room. Showing Yori around with a quick tour of the house, he and Monique decided to walk around town a bit, seeing as it was only 3:15 in the afternoon.

Exiting out the door and onto the sidewalk, Yori on his left and Monique to his right, Ron lazily draped his shoulders around both of the girls, eliciting a blush from Yori and a raised eyebrow; a bemused expression, from Monique.

"Well then Naco king, happy to be home?"

Grinning goofily he glanced to the both of them. "You know it"

"Well then, how about we stop by Bueno Nacho…I'm surprised you haven't suffered from withdraw yet."

At the mention of cheesy nachos, Rufus, who had slept the whole journey in Ron's cargo pants pocket perked up. Bounding out of his nap he scampered up Ron's chest and flung himself into Monique. Chattering away lovingly he gripped her face in his furry little arms.

"Hey Rufus! I missed ya little guy!" she said giggling, "And I Know you missed Bueno Nacho, am I right?"

Seeing him nod his pink little head furiously, she laughed again.

"Well it's settled then, let's go."

Continuing on, they chatted happily of minor things, occasionally pointing important or meaningful things to Yori, trying to include her, though she mostly listened. Back in the car, she had been afraid that this 'Monique' could be a problem for her. Thankfully, she could tell the love between them was purely platonic, unlike that dammed red-head….

"And here we are! BUENO NACHO!"

Having just crossed the street, the trio stood in front of the small fast food place. With a sombrero roof and sign glimmering in the sparkling sun that broke from out of the clouds, Ron and Rufus gasped in unison.

Running ahead, the two girls glanced at each other as the pale freckled boy and his pet scampered up the steps to the front door. Smiling warmly to each other, they ran after the waiting Ron inside.

Entering the double doors of the restaurant, the nacho and cheesy smell of tacos and fast food filled Yori's senses. As she and Monique found a booth, Ron was already ordering some cheesy feast.

Only moments later, he and Rufus returned with three precariously stacked trays filled to the top with tacos, nachos, Nacos, chips, cheese dip, hot sauce and three large soft drinks.

"Ron-san, is it healthy to consume such cheese and processed foodstuff?" asked a confused Yori, eyeing the large cheesy Naco she had unwrapped hesitatingly.

Glaring at the now sheepish Japanese beauty, Monique and Ron smiled warmly.

"Hey no worries. Try some, if you don't like it, well…..there's so much you can get, we'll just order something else."

"Yea girl, don't worry about your figure, I can tell that I could dunk you in a vat of lard, and you'd still come out looking that good." Monique added, nodding.

Smiling, Yori hesitantly took a small bite. Grimacing slightly at the expected taste, she was pleasantly surprised at jus how good it was. Glancing up at the two teens that were slightly leaning in, waiting expectantly for her reaction, she giggled slightly and held up a proud thumb up.

Instantly Monique cheered, Rufus burped in agreement from his box of small nachos and dip, and Ron elicited a loud,

"Oh Yea! BOOYA!"

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The meal continued on, until Yori had to interrupt Monique's and Ron's conversation of the upcoming first day of school and how Yori would fit in.

"Excuse me, Monique-sa and Ron-san, but I require use of your restroom."

Looking up, Ron smiled warmly, "Hey don't sweat it. Go straight up to where you would order some food, on the left there's a little hallway. Girl's bathroom on the right."

Following his pointed arm out and smiling, she thanked them and turned away. Watching her leave, a smile on his face, Ron's daze was interrupted.

"Oh. Thank. God. Ron, I couldn't wait for her to leave. I need to talk to you in private." Monique stammered out.

"Why, what happened?" Ron asked, slightly worried.

"Well, it's about Kim. I—"

"Monique," he cut her off, "I told you, she hates me and I—"

"No! Listen Naco boy, just because you run off to do some bogus volunteer work, it doesn't mean that you know what the status of everything here in Middleton is. So just be quiet and listen."

Seeing that Ron and even Rufus were at attention, she continued.

"Look, first I want to know why you never answered Kim's letters?"

"What letters? I never got any."

"But you got mine?"

"Yea, so? She didn't send me any."

"But—but that's not true, I was there, we sent them together. I saw it. I know it, we did it together!"

"Look Monique I don't know what you are talking about. I didn't get any letters from Kim, just you and my parents. One or two from Felix too, I think. And even if she did send me letters, I sent her a bunch and she never responded…"

"And you listen to me RONALD!" she practically yelled, frustrated, "Kim did. She's been heart-broken since you left and… wait you sent her letters?"

"Yea of course, I tried to make amends…."

"But she never got anything I—"

"No way. Monique that's just cruel. I know she still ha—"

"Argh!" Monique sighed in exasperation. "Will you just listen for one second? Jeez!" she exclaimed, tugging at her hair. "Kim beat up Josh Mankey after you left because he was dissing you and just because he's an over-all jerk. Course that was before he got arrested….."

"Wait! What? Josh got arrested?"

"Mmmhmmm, that's what I said. But that's not important. Now, what's up with this Yori chick? You guys hold hands and I can tell she obviously likes you, have you guys, you know…did you….are you guys like……?"

Leaving her question unsaid, Ron had no chance to explain anything because at that exact moment, two things happened.

One, an explosion rocked the Bueno Nacho, causing everyone within to duck for cover, though it had come from outside.

And secondly, a wild looking Yori burst from the girl's bathroom, Tie Shwin Pek Kwar dancing in her eyes.

As Ron stood, the same look in his eyes, his whole body and mind screaming danger, he felt the Lotus Blade, currently in the form of a necklace around his neck weigh down. Urging, pushing, needing, wanting…..

As Yori reached the table she and Ron shared a look as a confused Monique stared up at them.

Together as one, both students of Yamanouchi spoke with icy hatred as their senses screamed for action. The perceived threat all too well known.

"Monkey Fist."

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BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

Kim Possible had been lying on her bed all day, thinking about how much Ron must still hate her, when she had slowly drifted off to troubled, light sleep. An hour into her little nap, the Kimmunicator rang out urgently. Shaking her out of her slumber she groggily found the constantly ringing device and switched it on.

"Hey Wade—YAWN—what's the sitch?"

"Kim! Hurry up there's trouble down town at Bueno Nacho! Monkey Fist is there and he has a new….something, it looks like a weapon!"

Snapping out of her daze, she perked up.

"Here Kim, this is a small video feed I got from some the security footage…."

As Wade's face was replaced with the calm outside of Bueno Nacho, Kim held her breath in suspense. Suddenly a bright red flash took over the screen, causing Kim to blink suddenly. When she reopened her eyes, Monkey Fist was standing….no….floating in midair, a large red staff glowing in his hand and hundreds of monkey ninjas landing around him. Eliciting a silent charge, the ninjas proceeded to destroy the outside of the restaurant and terrorize civilians in the area. Without warning Fist turned away from the camera and fired a large blast of red energy from the staff, hitting a nearby tree and causing it to fall with a silent boom.

The transmission feed ended and Wade's frantic expression returned to dominate the screen.

"Kim you need to get there ASAP! He's gone insane and is threatening innocent lives!"

"Ok, no problem Wade, I'm on it." The red-headed teen, trying to calm both her nerves, and those of the ten year old boy genius.

"Oh and Kim, there's one more thing that I found out through Intel."

"What's the sitch?"

"Ron."

"WHAT?" Kim nearly shouted at the genius on the screen.

"Ron is at Bueno Nacho with Monique and….some girl from Japan."

"How…why?" a baffled Kim could barely stammer out.

"I don't know Kim, I just wanted to warn you. Look you got to go now!"

Shaking her head and trying to snap out of her confusion, she nodded,

"Right Wade, I'll be there."

Switching off the kimunicator and changing quickly into her mission gear, she opened her window and leaped out. Landing gracefully on the front lawn she ran to the sidewalk and activated her jet propelled roller blades. Making her way to the crisis at hand, she was only dimly aware of the danger.

Instead, only one thing was on her mind.

Ron.

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The wind swirled around him. The breeze seemed colder against the bare skin of his arms as he back flipped away from a team of three monkey ninjas. Reaching the crumbling foundation of a wall, his back almost coming in contact with the rubble, he stood poised and ready to fight.

Unarmed.

For the moment.

Darting his eyes to spy the scene behind his would-be captors, Ron saw that Yori had taken heed and gotten Monique and Rufus to safety but had jumped into the mass of confused fighting. Her graceful movements aiding in dispatching many ninjas and helping her get the few civilians away from danger. He knew, Ron understood all too well, the responsibility she felt to the people. To the innocent. Still, she was innocent too, and he had told her to get out of the way and leave.

She hadn't listened.

"Stupid women"

He muttered to himself as the Ninjas came ever closer, taking their time, not realizing that they would soon be destroyed; not realizing who and what they were dealing with. He could feel the tension in the air; he visibly saw their hind legs stiffen in the split second before they leapt towards him in unison. In that split second, he spied Yori summersault over the smoldering Bueno Nacho drive through menu before tripping and falling after a hidden group of attackers pounced upon her. His eyes widening and a small gasp emitting from his lips: the chain and charm that lay around his neck glowed a bright celestial blue and pulsed suddenly.

The light of the blade, even in its current form, took a hold of his senses and he, for the moment, became one with the blade.

Turning his attention in that split moment back to his pathetic attackers, the feeling that he could win; the confidence was overwhelming. Running straight towards the pouncing minions, he easily slid underneath their forms high in the air and ended up behind them. Bolting up and spinning around, he charged. The poor attackers barely turned to face him again when he launched his own attack; stepping on a raised mass of bricks—giving him a boost. Staying true to the grueling form that he had been taught, Ron glided through the air, right leg outstretched and spinning.

In one quick contact, all three ninjas collided with his foot and fell unconscious. Landing in his original starting position, his back once again to the alleyway wall, Ron leapt over the seemingly dead attackers and ran.

He ran and ran.

Yori in his sights.

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Leaping over smoldering wreckage Ron arrived from his alleyway experience a few yards from Yori. Even with the increased speed that he was running at, he knew that he would arrive too late. In front of him, Yori lay on her back as four monkey ninjas landed around and atop her. Screeching in glory they attacked. Though Yori was no novice to Tai Shin Pek Kwar and was able to dispatch two of her attackers, more seemed to materialize out of thin air to hold her down. With their vast numbers they subdued her, aiming well placed hits to her stomach and face.

"Aieeeee!"

Her scream echoed in the vast expanse of rubble as Ron came ever closer.

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It was like a dream. That was it. This was all a dream.

As much as Ron wished it to be so, he knew in his heart that what was happening was all too real. He had finally reached Yori and as if in a trance he kicked off all her ninja attackers, not once calling upon the Lotus blade that hungered for righteous battle. It hungered, much like its brother staff for the enraged berserker attack that could only be achieved through the Lotus Blade. Through the thundering need that grew within Ron, he held back, uncertain and in truth, without need of the Blade's rage.

He had enough of his own.

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"Yori!"

Ron's harsh yell echoed out as he kicked off the last of her attackers. Holding a hand out for her, she quickly grabbed a hold and pulled herself up shakily.

"Are you alright, Yori?"

Gasping for breath with labored breathing, she responded after a moment.

"F-Fine Ron-san. What is happening?"

Gazing into her beautiful black orbs, he visibly grimaced at the black eye that stained her ivory skin and the slow drip of blood from her cut lip. Taking a look around, he noticed that the fighting had stopped. A survey of his surroundings, the silent hush of the wrecked fast food eatery, did not bide well with his instincts.

"Yori. I don't like this" he responded hesitantly. "It seems like a—"

Ron never got to finish his sentence. Instead, a new, sinister voice interrupted and concluded his outspoken fear.

"Trap?"

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"HAHAHA!"

Startled at being interrupted both Ron and Yori looked up, but immediately wished they hadn't. Above them a laughing manically Monkey Fist stood atop a red glowing….discus…of some sort. Floating a few meters above them he swooped down, arms crossed and a smug look plastered on his face. His eyes were black as night.

"Ahh Ronald. How nice to see you once again. And your lovely girlfriend as well. Priceless."

Reaching an arm back he instinctively nudged Yori behind him. "What do you want Monkey Fist?"

"What a redundant question Ronald. We both know what is happening, forces beyond our—well, YOUR control are tugging us around. Pushing us, pulling us, urging us….like the blade around your neck…"

Eyes widening in surprise, Ron gasped, speechless. "How—what?"

"Oh Come now Ronald. Apparently your training has yet let you recognize the brother weapon of your own." Seeing Ron's surprised expression grow, Monkey Fist continued as he finally lowered only about ten feet in front of him and only about a foot higher off the ground. From the standpoint, Ron could see that he seemed more muscular….more powerful than before.

"Yes Ronald. The staff. I have it and I am here with a simple request. I am sure you have heard the prophecies that I have and know that one of us will die if we continue on as we are, we will spiral into battle and sadly…you shall perish. I come to you with a very, very generous offer. Let go of this crazy unfair appointment of power and stress, let go of the blade and hand it to me and I will let you and your vixen here live."

"You're a fool if you think that I would do that Fist. I won't give up before I have started."

With mock sadness he sighed and shook his head. "Are you sure you are ready for the pain Ronald?"

Glaring at each other for a moment Ron answered truthfully, his voice on edge, rocky like gravel.

"Yes."

And that was when everything took a turn for the worst.

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"Yes"

As soon as his decision escaped his lips, Monkey Fist snarled menacingly and flung out his right arm suddenly. Before Ron could think to react, a bright crimson flash blinded him. Covering his eyes, he fell to his knees in the wake of the raw power. As the flash ended and he took his stance again, he glanced back at Yori.

Only to find her missing.

"Over here young master."

Whipping around to face Fist, Ron's blood drained cold.

Standing in his same position before, Monkey Fist held out his left hand, holding a helpless, fear stricken Yori in his clutches. Her hands clawing at his for breath.

"Now you see what you have done to me Ronald? Now I give you a sadistic choice that only you can make. Give me the blade and she lives. Fail to do so, and she dies."

"Don't do this Fist!" despite the cold, icy glare in his eyes, Ron's heart leapt within his chest. His blood ran cold.

"Oh Ronald….what have you done now? Look, do you see what shall happen for your stubbornness? This beautiful young, innocent maiden shall die. Your little girlfriend's blood shall be on your hands….selfish one!"

As Fist's taunting continued, Ron paid little heed to his words. Instead, he fervently tried to manage a plan quickly; anything that could work to get Yori out of Monkey Fist's strangling grip. All he needed was a…..distraction. A shabby idea formed in his mind, he tuned back into Fist's continuous monologue.

"I give you one last chance to save her life Stoppable! Give unto me the blade!"

As the venom of Fist's words dripped in the wind blown air, Ron gazed into his eyes. No longer their natural black color, they glowed with intense crimson. Flashing in the sunlight, Ron knew, although he didn't understand how, that the staff was controlling Fist. He could feel the evil taint traced upon Fist's soul. Flickering his eyes to Yori, meeting hers as she kicked and scratched in vain at the lone powerful arm that held her in a death grip, her eyes streamed with tears as she met Ron's chocolate brown gaze.

Her look was one of scared acceptance of death.

A death that he was unwilling to allow to come to pass this day. As the silence stretched on, Fist screamed in rage.

"WHAT SAY YOU? GIVE ME THE BLADE! GIVE IT TO ME OR SHE IS DEAD!"

The enraged Fist tightened his grip.

Ron's whole body tensed.

He was ready.

He stepped to leap and take on Fist, grabbing at the necklace that hung loosely, willing it to change into the desired weapon.

He was ready.

But just as he got a few inches off the ground, a familiar blur of black and red flashed into the side of Monkey Fist and caused him to release his grasp on Yori. Watching her fall in slow motion to the ground, unconscious, Ron was speechless.

Kim……..

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Kim had arrived as quickly as her jet roller blades would allow her, reaching the wreckage of the Bueno Nacho. Stopping in horror of the full extent of the damage, she gazed out over the debris. Stealthily picking her way over overturned rubble, she quickly dispatched a group of three monkey ninjas with ease. Crouching behind a large chunk of overturned concrete, a re flash of bright light caught her attention. What she saw when her vision came back to her, she was horrified.

There, stood Monkey Fist, only he seemed…..more evil. More formidable. There was something about how he looked, as if he had taken way too many anabolic steroids that just did not sit well with Kim. He stood, floating on what she could only describe as a red floating disk. In one of his outstretched beefy arms, he held an Asian girl by the throat. Her long black hair cascading around her face, she seemed to be struggling against an impossible grip. From her distance she couldn't tell what was going on exactly but he seemed to be giving a lengthy speech to….someone.

Picking her way through more overturned damages, she slowly got into a better position, intent on surprise attacking Fist, when, suddenly, the person he had been in deep conversation with came into view.

Ron.

Stepping over ever closer she finally came into ear shot of what Fist was saying.

"Now you see what you have done to me Ronald? Now I give you a sadistic choice that only you can make. Give me the blade and she lives. Fail to do so, and she dies."

"Don't do this Fist!"

Oh Ronald….what have you done now? Look, do you see what shall happen for your stubbornness? This beautiful young, innocent maiden shall die. Your little girlfriend's blood shall be on your hands….selfish one!"

Hearing this….that the Asian beauty struggling for life was Ron's….girlfriend;

Everything made sense to Kim. Talk of a blade and everything else faded from her mind as what Monkey Fist had said, sank in. The cold look of mixed anger, determination and fear for the girl, the look in his eyes, the…love he held for her, why he had not responded to her letters….it all became perfectly, dismally clear.

He had moved on.

Swallowing her grieving heart's painful pangs of agony, she cleared her mind of everything but the task at hand. She was Kim Possible. Even if the one she had fallen in love with, loved another, she would still save the day. Save the day now, and let her world tumble apart once everything was back to normal.

Inhaling a shuddering breath and sigh, Kim squeezed her eyes shut as tears threatened to fall. Scolding herself for being so weak….so emotional, she tapped into her determination to help Ron. If Ron cared for this girl….then…..Kim….well she had to save the day regardless. Glancing back at Ron, as she got into her final position, she could easily recognize the glint in his eyes. The way he got that clouded look whenever someone was talking to him, but he wasn't really listening.

When he was thinking….or planning.

"WHAT SAY YOU? GIVE ME THE BLADE! GIVE IT TO ME OR SHE IS DEAD!"

Monkey Fist's outburst startled Kim. Giving one last look at Ron, she knew, somehow, that he had a plan. She just couldn't let him go through with it. His cloudy gaze had sharpened and she knew that he was ready to do….something.

She couldn't let him get hurt.

Timing it perfectly, Kim set her rocket pack and fired herself at Monkey Fist.

Just as Ron took a step.

Colliding into the heavy set muscular villain, everything was a blur of red. Sending them both tumbling to the ground, Kim immediately set off in a fury of wild punches, hoping to distract Fist from the rapidly fading girl. With any luck the girl had been released.

"KIM!"

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Ron stood with the wind blowing over him in shock. Yori had fallen and she was clearly unconscious. He should run over to her and check if she was ok. He should run over and help Kim fight Monkey Fist. He knew it, but, time seemed to ooze slowly and his whole body was stuck. It was as if the lag from the blade had transcended to incorporate his whole being.

Kim…Yori….Fist….

The blue blade that had flashed in transformation was still clenched loosely in his hand. With a little surge of energy from the lotus blade, Ron's dazed confusion snapped into non-existence and he quickly launched himself forward.

Running and sliding over to Yori first, he quickly located a pulse. It was a little weak, but he knew she would be ok. As he was about to get up, a large pulse of energy banged out, silencing the small battle between Kim and Fist. Whipping his head around and bolting up, he was just able to duck and roll out of the way as the red discus flew over him and arced back.

Pushing himself up, Ron glared at the battle that raged.

Kim, after having gotten Yori free and bringing Fist down had landed a few good punches before he had slapped her into a nearby wall that had still been standing. Shaking herself off, dazed, she had just had enough time to dodge the oncoming discus that Fist had launched at her.

"KIM POSSIBLE! I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU TO ARRIVE. YOUR PRESENCE SHALL MAKE THIS SO MUCH SWEETER!"

Launching the discus that had boomeranged back again, Kim quickly shot her grapple gun out to a nearby tree and avoided the blade. As it came back to Fist, he tensed to throw it again, but found himself being pushed forward by a powerful attack. Falling face first, he bolted up and turned to face his attacker.

Ron.

His lethargy gone, Ron stood poised with the blade in one hand, balancing on his outstretched left leg, while his right was bent, held in chamber after his devastating kick.

"STOPPABLE!"

"The one and only Fist"

As he said this, Kim landed next to Ron in perfect fighting stance.

Her presence unnerved him slightly, as his did to hers, but they kept their stances. Although no one said a word, they were both mutually committed. Talk would have to be for later.

"AHH TEAM POSSIBLE TOGETHER ONCE AGAIN. JUST AS I HAD HOPED! RONALD! HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF MY OFFER? GIVE ME THE BLADE. IN THIS CONFRONTATION, YOU HAVE BEEN LUCKY. YOUR GIRLFRIEND IS NOT DEAD. CAN YOU INSURE HER SAFETY FOREVER? WHAT ABOUT YOUR PARTNER? WHAT ABOUT KIM!"

Before Ron could respond, Kim interjected, speaking for the first time.

"Listen Monkey Fist, I don't know what kind of steroids you have been taking or what new toys you got, but….Team Possible can take anything you throw at m—us."

Stuttering a little, she refused to show any weakness in her relationship to Ron, unknowing of just how much Monkey Fist really knew.

"HOW QUAINT AND HEROIC: YOUR WORDS MEAN NOTHING, POSSIBLE. THIS HAS STOPPED BEING ABOUT PETTY CRIMES AND, IN TURN, YOU. THIS IS BETWEEN STOPPABLE AND MYSELF. YOU ARE NOTHING MORE THAN A WEED IN THIS. YOU SHALL BE PULLED AND STOMPED OUT LIKE ALL THOSE WHO ARE UNWORTHY! THERE ARE GREATER FORCES AT WORK THAN YOU COULD HOPE TO UNDERSTAND OR OVERCOME! ONLY STOPPABLE, AS PATHETIC AS HE IS, COULD HOPE TO GRASP THE SITUATION FULLY!"

"Sheesh, even with the new look, he's still the same old lamo isn't he?"

Immersing herself back into her old self for the moment, she muttered quietly to Ron. Catching himself before chuckling, he instead gave a cold response, graveled and strong.

"He's much more than he ever was. You shouldn't be here. You could get hurt."

"I could say the same for you"

"Don't argue about this Kim, I'm serious. Leave whenever you get a chance and take Yori with you."

"I never run from a fight Ron!" Kim's voice was slowly rising as her infamous temper boiled. "You can take your girlfriend and I will take care of Fist."

Before he could protest, Fist's discus flashed into a long staff and he charged.

Ron, wielding the lotus blade, leapt forward, ahead of Kim and met with Fist, sword clashing with staff. Brother meeting brother.

"STOPPABLE, YOU WIELD YOUR BLADE WELL….BUT YOU HAVE YET TO LEARN ALL YOU NEED, WHEREAS I HAVE FOUND ALL KNOWLEDGE. I SHALL ULTIMATELY KILL YOU."

Parrying an attack that was aimed at his chest, Ron counterattacked with a quick few slashes to Fist's hands and legs.

"Don't you ever stay quiet? The blade is more powerful in weaponry combat than the staff!"

Twirling his staff around quickly, Fist laughed at Ron's retreat and words.

"THIS IS TRUE. BUT I AM MORE CAPABLE THAN YOU. BECAUSE OF YOUR LACK OF ABILITY AND MY SUPERIOR KNOWLEDGE, WE ARE EUQAL!"

At this, Kim, who had been searching for a way into the fast paced battling of weapons, shot forth a powerful roundhouse kick to Fist's back. Instead of connecting though, she found her leg encased by a red whip in Fist's left hand. In his right, still battling a furious Ron, he held a red, wickedly curved saber. Turning his head, he sneered and pulled Kim by her leg, thrusting her in front of him. Using her as a shield to defend against Ron who had just jumped up to bring the blade crashing down upon Fist, cold shock ran though him as he saw Kim instead. Without thinking, and for the first time, without the familiar lag, Ron held the blade and transformed it into a two forked blade. Crashing both bladed edges into the ground, he left a huddled Kim unharmed between the two edges.

But at a cost.

Having let go of Kim's leg, Fist had combined both weaker weapons back into its original form as the long crimson staff. Fist took Ron's surprised shock to his advantage and struck him down at the side of his head.

Crashing face first into the dirt, Ron groggily got up as quickly as he could, only to find the worst of things before him.

In almost perfect symmetry to his dream, Monkey Fist stood before him, Laughing as he held the unconscious Yori in one hand and a struggling Kim in the other. Both held out to each side, his venomous laugh echoed in the air.

"HAHA! AND HERE I THOUGHT ONLY ONE WOULD BE ENOUGH TO PERSUADE YOU, NOW LOOK UPON WHAT HAS TRANSPIRED! THIS IS YOUR FINAL MOMENT! RELEASE THE BLADE AND I LET THEM LIVE. FAIL TO DO SO AND…"

At this he glanced at Yori and then to Kim, before smirking back at Ron.

"THEY DIE"

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Ron was faced with an impossible decision. If he relinquished the blade to Monkey Fist, then they would all die. But how could he hope to live with him if he let either of them die? The choice was to great. He had wanted to be the hero, and he had faithfully taken upon himself this burden.

But they did not. Even Yori had not agreed to the blade's curse. Because in truth, that was what it truly was. A curse. A promise for battle and pain. They had not signed up for this. They shouldn't be involved. This was Ron's problem

Not there's.

In the flash of the blink of time that these thoughts raced into his mind, a sudden epiphany echoed in his mind. He knew he could save them both.

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"YOUR LAST CHANCE NOW STOPPABLE! I GROW WEARY OF THIS! THEY ARE DEAD!"

"NO! Wait! Ok! I will, I'll give you the blade!"

Screaming in protest, Ron called out to Fist. Grinning evilly, he sneered and threw Yori's limp body to the ground.

"GIVE ME THE BLADE STOPPABLE OR THEY DIE"

Reaching an outstretched hand forward, Fist waited as Ron, nervously crossed the distance of wreckage to meet him. Kim, still frantically gripping at the beefy fist that encompassed her throat, widened her eyes. She didn't know what was going on, but she knew that if Ron gave in, they would both be dead in a heartbeat.

Catching Kim's frantic look, Ron twitched an eye slightly in a half wink, only earning a confused Kim to cease trying to break free for the moment.

"Just let them be, Fist, and you can have both. brothers" Ron replied to the eager monkey lord.

"YES, YES, JUST GIVE ME THE BLADE AND THEY ARE ALL FREE…"

Stopping a few feet away from Fist, Ron lifted the blade and twirled it delicately in his fingers. Stopping it so that he gently clutched the light weighted sword by the blade, he held the hilt out for Fist to grab.

"...FINALLY…"

Just as Monkey Fist's beefy fingers were closing around the hilt, Ron urged the blade with an intense furiousness to change. Flickering in a brief flash, the blade and hilt exchanged places, so that Ron was gripping the hilt and Fist had his hand around the wickedly curved and deadly edge of the blade. Powerfully lifting up, Ron grunted as he sliced through Fist's hand. Earning an earsplitting scream from Fist, Ron finished the journey of the blade, continuing in an arc to slice at his adversary's other hand. Cutting through the tender skin of his wrist, Fist cried out a second time, this time opening his grasped hand and allowing Kim to roll and fall free.

As soon as Ron saw this, he let the blade flick back and change into a bright blue staff of his own. Slamming the butt of one of the edges deep into the still agonized Monkey Fist's stomach, Ron sent Fist flying six or seven meters away. As soon as Fist had landed, Ron hastily yelled out to Kim.

"Get Yori and get out of here!"

This time earning no arguments and a solid nod from Kim, he turned back from watching her and ran at full speed to Monkey Fist who was slowly getting up. Reaching him before Fist could try to attack; Ron slammed the blade, now transformed into an ax into Fist's shoulder. At the last possible second, right before impact would have been made, a loud metallic ringing and silver flash glinted as the large ax razor met with liquid red armor that had formed over Fist's shoulder. He was tapping into the uniquely powerful property of the staff. As it seeped over all of Fist's body, he, enraged, backhanded Ron. Flying back a few feet, Ron stayed shakily on his feet.

Fist too, stood with unease. The armor caressing him and pulsating; creating jagged bladed edges and studded portions of liquid steel.

"YOU ARE LUCKY THAT I MUST HEAL THESE WOUNDS STOPPABLE. I SEE NOW THAT THE PROPHOCIES CAN NOT BE STOPPED. WE SHALL BATTLE THE FINAL BATTLE SOON. UNTIL THEN I LEAVE YOU WITH A PARTING GIFT AND A WARNING."

Standing up straight, fist pointed an accusing finger at Ron as he slowly levitated off the ground, a faint red aurora hazing around him.

"FIRST, THE WARNING. YOU HAD BETTER WATCH YOUR LITTLE WOMEN. FOR WHEN I DESTROY YOU, I SHALL HAVE THEM FOR MYSELF."

Angering at the thought of such an evil act and without truly realizing it, Ron was encompassed in a blue glow, all his own and rose up, leveling with his glowing enemy as they both constantly rose above the ground until they were high above the town.

"I won't let that happen Fist. I will stop you." He yelled as the wind whipped the two lone figures.

"WE SHALL SEE. WE SHALL SEE. FOR NOW, THOUGH, I LEAVE YOU WITH MY GIFT,"

Smiling evilly, he flicked his outstretched arm down. Whipping his head to glance at what he was pointing to, Ron gasped as he saw Kim, her mass of red hair traveling over the debris slowly, her battle having taken a lot out of her and Yori's limp, added weight slowing her all the more.

"I HOPE SHE WONT BE NEEDING HER LEGS ANYTIME SOON!"

With that, a powerful burst of crimson shot forth from his arm. As the pulse of energy headed straight for Kim's lower back, her spinal cord, Ron forgot the evilly laughing Monkey Fist completely and dove straight for Kim.

Flying face down, he was only dimly aware of a second flash of red above him, announcing Monkey Fist's departure. Speeding down impossibly fast, Ron could still hear the vile laughter echoing in his mind. The ground rushing up to him impossibly fast, Ron was still about a meter behind the large pulse of energy. Grinding his teeth in determination, he used the lotus blade, currently in its natural form and willed it to help push him forward. The aurora of celestial blue haze increasing and trailing behind him like a bright comet's tail, Ron slowly reached closer to the beam. Flicking his eyes towards the ground, he realized that even at his current speed, he wouldn't be able to make it. Already he could make out every feature of Kim's face. The slight trickle of blood down her bruised cheek, the bruises around her neck. He was, only, perhaps twenty feet from the ground.

Leveling midway to the crimson beam, Ron desperately did all he could do to stop the beam. Using the blade; it flashing without hesitation, Ron molded it into a foot and a half long pole. Using the magic of the blade to help him, he silently prayed that his plan would save Kim. Coming only ten feet from the ground, Ron grunted in effort as he threw the small pole straight before Kim.

It reaching the ground before him or the beam of red energy, Kim was surprised when it jetted straight into the ground before her, causing her to trip forward and drop Yori as they both fell face first into the ground and out of the way of the energy shot. Seeing that she was out of danger, Ron released his tensed form and opened his arms, hoping to stop his rush into the ground.

It was too late.

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The red Beam hitting the ground with a small bang and smoke, Ron could not stop in time. Turning at the last second so his shoulder took the fall, he hit the ground.

Hard.

The pain was immense. Ron tried to take breath, but it felt as though his entire being had caught aflame. The pain engulfing him, he didn't hear Kim's anguished cry of his name, or the way the lotus blade flew from the ground and formed over him. Ron blacked out before he could notice the blade's blue armor slip around his whole body and pulse blue before melding with his skin and turning back to Ron's familiar pale skin.

All Ron could think of before he was lost in the pain, in the blackness of unconsciousness was one thing.

Kim…….Yori

….he loved her.

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A/N: I hope you guys don't mind, this is really long, but the last scene for the chapter. I would have cut it out and just told you which of the two girls he actually loves in the last lines above, but I figured I owed it to you guys to at least give you everything I could out of this chapter…..

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Ron woke up to the steady beeping of a monitor and an uncomfortable lump pushing against his back. Flickering his eyes open, they were bombarded with bright fluorescent lights. Snapping out of his haze, the medical, sterile smells of a hospital invaded his senses, and he knew at once where he was. Shielding his eyes and opening them again experimentally, he let them adjust. Leaning up in his bed and propping himself up against a pillow, Ron looked out at his surroundings. On his left was a window, closed with the curtains still open. By the darkness that had set over the town, he figured it was about 8:00, until he glanced at the small bedside table that held a vase of fake flowers and small clock next to it.

'Ok so I was wrong, its 9:30 pm.'

He thought to himself, slightly amused. It quickly vanished as the events of the day tumbled into mind. Looking to his right, he winced when he saw Yori. Laying in the bed next to his she slept. Her monitor eliciting a constant beep like his own, he saw that she had a bruised neck, black eye and an IV attached. Her injuries hopefully weren't serious.

He was about to get up and check on her personally, when the door to the small room opened. Walking in, a sheepish Kim stood in the doorway, frozen. Likewise, Ron's eyes grew and he shakily took a breath as they just stayed still, neither moving, before, Kim shook her head slightly and walked over to the uncomfortable looking chair that was beside his table, near the window. Sitting down, silently, she held one hand by the wrist, resting them over her knees. Looking down, then out the window, the uncomfortable silence stretched endlessly, before Ron broke it.

"How is Yori?" His voice startled her a little bit, but Kim quickly recovered.

"She's fine. She had a minor concussion and some bruises on her neck where she was strangled. Other than a few cuts and bruises everywhere else, she'll be up in no time. You….don't…..you don't have to worry."

Ron nodded; his face blank and unreadable and turned to stare at Yori again, as Kim desperately tried to discern some emotion he was feeling. Hate, love, relief, anguish, fear, pain…..

Silence stretching for another few moments, both looked to each other at the same time and asked in perfect unison.

"How about you?"

Both of them looking away as they said the same question at the same time, Kim silently blushed as Ron scratched his face. Taking the silence as her turn to answer, Kim began.

"I—I'm." she stopped, pausing to get the words in the correct order. "Physically, I'm ok. A few bruises and my throat kind of hurts, but other than that, I'm good. How are you?"

Thinking back as he nodded, acknowledging that she had spoken, he cleared his throat.

"I feel fine. A little sore, but I'm pretty much at a hundred percent—"

That was it, Kim couldn't take it anymore, she had to interrupt before this fake conversation continued.

"Ron! I'm…I'm sorry to interrupt but, how? You fell from the sky and, the sword, and the girl, and you, and Monkey Fist and……How?"

Her confused face forming an unintended cute pout, Ron couldn't help but chuckle, despite all that was between them.

"Curious till the end, huh Kim? Did we forget you hate me?"

He hadn't meant for the words to come out so bitter, but they had all the same.

Kim, opening her mouth a few times, but at a loss for words, couldn't respond immediately. When she finally found her voice, it sounded meek and defeated.

"I…don't."

To her surprise, Ron barked out a bitter graveled laugh.

"Come on Kim. The fight? Did you forget what we said? I know I didn't and I know you meant it. Or what happened in the park? How you never responded to my letters?"

"Your letters?" Kim responded, her temper rekindling, "What about mine? You never responded to mine!"

"Well I never….got…..them?" Ron's cold comeback fell short as the words seeped in, adding to the knowledge that Monique had shared combined with them.

Looking at Kim questionably, he focused on her beautiful emerald eyes.

"Wait…so you sent me letters?"

"Of course, I tried to…." Kim was suddenly struck with a bout of speechlessness and shyness. Intent on not losing, maybe the only chance at regaining Ron, she pushed forward anyway.

"I—I tried to make peace. I tried to apologize to you, but….you never….you never responded." Her temper back to being nonexistent, she looked away, embarrassed and unable to meet his gaze.

"You—You did?"

The way he asked, the way a bit of hopeful, wishing crept into his question sparked hope in Kim as well. Meeting his chocolate brown eyes, she nodded, her mouth going dry and losing herself momentarily in his warm eyes….until they hardened once more.

"So what about the fight?"

"I…I said some things I shouldn't have, and—" before Kim could finish, Ron interrupted.

"Did you mean any of it?"

His disarming gaze drilling into her, she had to remind herself to take a breath at the intensity of his ire. She thought back to the fight, to everything she had said, how she had agreed to feeling pity for him, never showing she truly cared, her selfishness, how she had agreed to feeling as if he was a burden, a social leech and a loser….it all struck fresh pangs of guilt within her. Looking upon Ron, though, her best friend for as long as she could remember, she saw him in a different light. It wasn't the fluorescent hospital bulbs or the beeping of the machines, it was, a revelation that had been a long time coming and only now finally dawning on the dense red head.

Taking another breath, she closed her eyes as tears that had been held back for so long freely fell, though she did not sob. Meeting his waiting gaze through her watery vision she finally answered.

"N-No. Not o-o-one s-single w—word." Damn those tears for making this any harder on her than it already was, still, she was just happy to let them finally out.

Ron took a moment and seriously looked at Kim. He knew she was amazing at everything and could act. The hurt she had caused him ran deep within him and he honestly could not be sure if what he was seeing was just an act to get him back, because her conscious wouldn't let her sleep at being mean to a 'pitiful loser' or if she really was sorry. He suddenly was aware of the lotus blade in necklace form, weighing heavily on his neck, silently reminding him to open his heart and truly think of her words. Weigh her words and make a decision for forgiveness.

He thought of how much pain he had felt and all the anguish she had caused him, and how sad and teary eyed he had been amidst his training. The nights spent in dismal sorrow and despair. The depression and cold empty feeling….one that Yori could never truly fulfill. He thought of every unwilling moment and action she had done that caused him so much pain.

His heart hardened and he became bitter.

But, then, as the necklace pulsed energy throughout him, he remembered everything else too. The good times, sharing cookies, shared vacations, family barbecues, the park, playing together, first meeting each other, being scared with each other….growing up with each other….growing to love her for who she was and never wishing her to change…

Ron let all these memories flow through him, balancing on a metaphorical scale in his heart, until finally, he made his decision.

"Do you really mean that?" Ron spoke the first words in the hospital room, breaking the silence that had left Kim in desperate agony.

Nodding vigorously, she spoke through her tears. "I d-do Ron. I really do. I am so-so sorry t-that I h-hurt you, t-that I said t-those things. I n-never wanted to h-hurt you. I never wanted to lose you, I…I….P-p-lease…."

"Kim…" he interrupted her as more tears stained her beautiful face, "I want you to know that you hurt me. So badly. It was the worst kind of pain. I didn't think I could survive it."

She nodded, wiping her eyes and getting up from the chair, heading for the door, thinking, with despair, that she had done it. She had lost the most important person in the world.

Before she could make it to the door though, she felt a hand grasp her forearm and pull her back. Spinning around, she saw that Ron had grabbed her and she was now halfway sitting on his bed, facing him, and a few inches shorter than him. Had she been in any normal condition, she would have noted how tall he had grown over the summer. As it was, though, she flinched, her eyes squeezed tightly, expecting bitter and harsh words.

"Kim, look at me." His quiet demand made her shake visibly as goose bumps from what was happening and the cold air-conditioned air on her bare, t-shirted arms rippled out.

Meeting his eyes, she couldn't help but quiver her lips.

"Kim, I don't know how else to say it, but……" he paused, unwittingly torturing her all the more.

"I missed you so much."

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As soon as the words escaped his lips, he grabbed the shaking girl in his arms and pulled her close. Finding herself in Ron's arms she finally let loose her teary eyed lament and began to sob in his shoulder. As Ron stroke her flaming red hair lovingly, he whispered sweet, sweet words of reassurance to help his distraught friend.

Just to have everything pushed away. Just to have her back, Ron felt a part of him that had been missing, finally be fulfilled.

It was Bliss.

It was love.

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End chapter 5

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A/N:

Tada! 40pages! And you guessed it! It IS a RON—KIM fic after all! Woot woot! Haha ok so ill stop, and I guess I have nothing left to say, except I hope this makes up form my serious lag in updates, and I hope that it wasn't too long….or bad….

I won't be an ass and ask for reviews, not sure if I deserve them, but. I hope u enjoyed it

As always

Fernnu