Ron and Yori reported later in the evening to continue his treatment, Sensei had him lay on mat on his stomach. He nodded towards Yori and she touched Ron's forehead and as if she had turned off a light switch Ron was unconscious.
Yori looked at Sensei, "Is it really necessary to do this…he seems much better now." She asked her elder.
Sensei nodded, "I'm afraid so, he has learned much, but he has not learned how to deal with death and as you know in our business death is a constant companion." He told her sadly.
Yori nodded, she was obviously frightened by the ritual they were about to perform. Master Sensei motioned for her to bring him the tray holding a variety of interments. Then he had Yori undress Ron, which she did very slowly trying to hold off the ritual as long as possible. For it had not been unknown for those undergoing the rite to never wake up.
Master Sensei took the first long needle and inserted it into the Ron's left shoulder just above his, then another into his right shoulder. Ron jerked and then lay still; and then his body had started to sweat profusely.
Yori squirmed uncomfortably as she watched Sensei insert the next needle into the small of his back. Ron's body convulsed and let out a scream and then went limp. The ancient drug on the needle had stopped his heart. Ron Stoppable was effectively dead.
Ron's consciousness was now above the room, he was aware of what was going on. Then he saw the light and then he was in green field and a bluer than blue sky. He realized he was lying on his back, he was not alone. He was lying on someone's lap and that someone was stroking his hair.
A face appeared above him and Ron felt himself smiling, it was Lacey. She stroked his hair and smiled, "I didn't expect to see you here so soon Ron.' She told him happily.
Ron tried but couldn't speak, she placed a finger to his lips, "I know Ron…You can not stay here, you have much to do before you can see me again." She told him.
Master Sensei with drew the last needle and struck Ron squarely between the shoulder blades and Ron jerked he had returned to his body but he couldn't focus his eyes and he was screaming and then he collapsed back onto the mat.
Yori monitored Ron's breathing, she was frightened she had heard whispers of the Bukkorosu ritual but had always thought of it as legend. The initiate has their heart stopped and this allows a glimpse through the dark veil that separates this world from the next.
Yori redressed Ron and had two male students bring Ron back to his living quarters, Ron had survived the Bukkorosu but the next day would tell if he survived with his mind intact or if he would be left mad from the experience. This is what Yori had feared the most.
Ron awoke the next morning, he opened his eyes and looked around, "Yori…I feel good…I remember everything that happened…and I feel good again." He told her shaking his head in amazement.
Yori breathed a sigh of relief, "That is good to hear Stoppable San, it is time to eat now." She told him as stood to walk out of the room with her.
Ron was used to the cold and was beginning to enjoy the beauty of the mountains, but he was missing his friends and family was ready to go home. He followed Yori to the schools meal room, stark by comparison to Middleton High School's large cafeteria.
Ron noticed that Yori was very tired, "Ummm…Yori…now that I'm well…I'd like to go home…I miss my friends and my family." He told her shyly.
Yori turned quickly to look at Ron, "Your friends and family are aware of your safety, you must stay here and continue your training, Stoppable San." She informed him.
Ron nodded, "Oh well, I guess it's ok if I stay for a while then." He told her.
Yori felt terrible about having to lie to Stoppable San but in the world of espionage it was sometimes necessary to lie for the greater good. Ron Stoppable was the only one in the world that could wield the Lotus Blade, his training and safety was of paramount importance.
After the morning meal, Yori excused herself and went to go and catch a nap. Ron went to his next lesson. Ron would now learn the art of walking thru walls. The class was taught by Master Sensei himself.
He gave a brief explanation of a world that was parallel to the world we lived in and that it was sometimes possible for one to slip in between these worlds. Such skills would come in most handy in the event of capture or if one should need to breach a area unnoticed.
Ron raised a hand, "Ummm if you can pass through walls, why didn't you do it when you were captured by Monkey Fist?" Ron asked him out of curiosity.
Master Sensei nodded, "I was kept inside a stone structure, some materials can not be penetrated, and that is where your training in invisibility comes into play." He explained to Ron.
They were to face a wall in the class room, they were taught to place themselves into a particular frame of mind and then the students passed through the wall. All except Ron who bounced off the wall, he looked at Master Sensei with a puzzled look.
Master Sensei looked down at him and then helped him to his feet, "Stoppable San do you remember the discussion that we had yesterday?" he asked Ron.
Ron nodded that he had, then Master Sensei struck him in the center of his chest and before he knew it he was on the other side of the wall, with the other students giggling at him.
Ron spun around in a circle, "Ok I did that, let's see if I can get back through?" he thought to himself as he affected the proper mind set and walked back into the class room through the wall.
Ron was gaining confidence in his new skills; the next class was sword training. Ron started to work the bokken, a wooden training sword. He trained hard with the sword, he had visions of the kung-fu movies and how cool all the sword play was.
Reality was an entirely different thing; the swords the Samurai used were high quality blades that took months to create and were very long, sometimes up to 37 inches in length. When the sword was sharpened it was more than capable of cutting a man in half even through armor.
The ninja blade was not nearly of the same quality and was used primarily as a stabbing weapon; the ninja sword typically was only 24 inches in length for close quarter combat. The poor quality of the blades was due to the mountain dwellers sword smiths not having the same skills as the sword smiths of the Samurai.
The bokken a wooden training sword used to demonstrate basic sword maneuvers, and could be used as a weapon on its own. When properly used the bokken could be used to shatter bone and damage internal organs.
Hirotaka watched Ron's progress with great interest, "Last year, he was a fool, how he is gaining confidence and skills. Soon it will be time for him to square off against me." He thought coldly.
He was Yamanuchi's top student; he was the most skilled warrior the school had to offer. He had already secured a position in the Japanese Secret Service, and now he was watching Ron Stoppable methodically looking for holes and weakness that could be exploited in combat.
Hirotaka smiled as he watched Ron work the bokken and defeat opponent after opponent, "He is raw, he alters his style to adapt to a given situation…Does he realize that is what he is doing? He is weak moving to the right…He is defeating opponents because he is unorthodox…Most impressive…I am better though." He thought as he sipped his hot tea watching Ron wield the wooden weapon.
Kim entered the Smarty Mart and asked where she could find a Mr. George Dotson she was pointed to an office in the back of the building. Kim entered the office and introduced herself to Ron's boss.
Kim shook the man's hand, "I'm Kim Possible, I'm here to try and talk you out of dismissing Ron Stoppable." She told the man.
Mr. Dotson nodded, "Do you have any information on what has happened to Ron?" the man asked Kim hoping for a positive answer.
Kim shook her head, "I haven't heard anything but I'm sure he's ok…I just knew where he is…I don't think he's dead." She told the man.
Mr. Dotson nodded, "So what brings you here other than to talk about Ron Stoppable?" he asked Kim in a serious voice.
Kim swallowed hard, "I found Ron's cell phone and you were the last two messages on the machine…I didn't want to see him get fired in case he turns up." She told him.
Mr. Dotson scratched his chin, "How well do you know Ron?" he asked her.
Kim lowered her head, "I've known Ron since I was four…I've dated him a few times since the death of his first girlfriend." She told him.
Mr. Dotson looked out the office window, "So has in all the years you've known him, has he ever done anything like this?" he asked.
Kim shook her head, "No…He…he hasn't been the same since his first girlfriend died.' She told the man.
Mr. Dotson scratched his head, "I had noticed the same thing…you see I introduced Ron to Lacey Lipton, she was my niece…If I knew what was to happen, I never would have introduced him to her." He told her shaking his head.
Kim swallowed hard, "He's had it hard and I don't want to see him come home to not having a job…He loved working here…It was always so important to him." She told him while trying to fight back tears.
Mr. Dotson nodded, "I…I placed Ron on a medical leave…It is good for eight weeks and if he don't turn up in eight weeks…Then I don't foresee him turning up at all." He said in a quiet voice.
Kim thanked Mr. Dotson for looking out for Ron and she promised that she would contact him if she should hear anything. She sat in the parking lot and reviewed the meeting with Mr. Dotson, "Well, he's not going to fire Ron…so he introduced Ron to Lacey…and I referred to her as Ron's first girlfriend…I should have been Ron's first girlfriend…I should have dated Ron back in May…He deserved it…I should have not been angry with him three weeks ago and I should have worn his jacket and now Ron's slipped away again." She thought sadly to herself.
She started her mom's car and drove off towards, Bueno Nacho, Rufus was down and maybe some nacos would be just what the doctored ordered. She pulled into the parking lot and took a deep breath, she had not seen Ned for a over a week.
She had not seen him since that Thursday when Ron and Monique double dated with him. She didn't know if she was ready to think of Ned as a fully functioning man, but from what Monique had told her, not only was he functioning but so was Ron.
She let out a deep breath, "I must not be judgmental, I am here for food and to see if he's heard anything about Ron." She thought resolutely to herself.
She walked in the door, and took Rufus out of her purse. He was lethargic from grief and not eating, Kim poked him in the stomach, "Nacho time…cheese…You have to eat Rufus, don't want Ron to come home to a skinny mole rat." She told him and was relieved when she saw a smile.
She approached the counter and said hello to Ned, he was smiling and happy to see her. Kim ordered some food for her and Rufus. Ned nodded and took her money, "So Kim Possible any word on Ron yet?" he asked in a cheery voice.
Kim shook her head, "None yet…any ideas what happened to him?" she asked Ned, she was a little put off by his good mood.
Ned smiled, "If I know Ron, there's a girl involved and he's hit the road with her…He's a little wilder than what he lets on to you, Kim…Voracious appetites for female companionship and all." He told her smiling.
Kim gave a weak little smile, unnerved by Ned's assessment of the whole situation, "Well I hope so…sort of…if that's the case both Monique and I will kill him." She told him uneasily.
She took the tray of food from Ned, and headed towards Ron's booth, "If he's right, Ron could be in over his head…Ron may want to be in over his head according to Ned…Ewwwwwwww, Monique's slept with both Ron and Ned…Stop it…Concentrate on Ron…I thought Monique would have better taste than to let Ned have his way with her." She shook the thoughts out of her head as she concentrated on getting Rufus to eat.
She unwrapped the naco and sat it in front of Rufus and then with a plastic fork she taped the tray three times, "EAT Rufus" she ordered the little pink rodent.
Ron ate his evening meal and returned to his living quarters, he had not seen Yori since that morning and was becoming worried about her. He sat on the floor and began to meditate, in the pale yellow light from the whale oil lantern that provided the light for his room. He could feel the emptiness fill his mind and images began to form.
The images didn't make sense, he saw an older Kim with short hair and a bruised face, he saw a beautiful woman who wore heavy lipstick smoking a cigarette, he saw an older version of himself adjusting a gun in a holster under a suit coat, he saw a baby, a sister and then his eyes flew open.
"I am going to have a sister." he thought to himself as he saw the door to his quarters slide open. Yori stood in the doorway, "Forgive the intrusion Stoppable San, it is time for you to turn down the lamps and turn in for the night." She told Ron in a distant voice.
Ron smiled, "Yori, I'm think I'm getting cold again." He told the pretty young ninja with a sly smile.
Yori bowed, "Then it would be my honor to get you a second blanket." She told Ron in an icy voice.
Yori left the room in a hurry and Ron watched her go, "Something is wrong…did I do something wrong? I wish I understood girls better, I may be the chosen one but it doesn't do squat for understanding girls." He thought sadly to himself.
Yori ran into the darkness and leaned against a pillar of the Buddhist temple, "I have trained for this since I was twelve years old, I have been trained to lie, cheat, steal, use my charms to gather information and if necessary kill for my country…How can I do this if I feel so bad about telling one little lie to Stoppable San." She thought sadly to herself.
Yori collected herself and went to retrieve a blanket for Stoppable San, "He does not realize the true nature of his being here, to him this is like a live action movie, a game. I must not question Master Sensei but I think Ron should be told exactly what he is being trained for." Yori thought sadly.
She quietly entered the supply room for the school to retrieve the blanket and found Master Sensei standing in the room, Yori let out a gasp and quickly bowed. Master Sensei returned the bow, "You are troubled about having to be less than honest with Stoppable San…I have foreseen this because of your fondness for him. He must be made aware of his purpose a piece at a time…Other wise it would overwhelm him and we would lose the only person who can control the Lotus Blade." He told Yori in a firm voice.
Yori lowered her eyes, "Of course Master Sensei, I try to understand…but I am troubled." She told the Master quietly.
Master Sensei nodded, "When a bird is hatched from an egg, it does not know how to be a bird, it must learn a little bit at a time. If the mother bird tries to teach the baby bird to fly right away, she will overwhelm the baby bird and the baby bird will fail…do you understand what I am trying to say to you?" Sensei asked the young girl.
Yori nodded wordlessly, Master Sensei sensed she was still troubled, "Yori, your assignment is simple, nurture Stoppable San, befriend Stoppable San, make him feel comfortable, if you feel you can no longer do this, let me know now and I can replace you with another female student." He suggested to the young girl.
Yori clasped her hands together tightly, "That will not be necessary; I shall continue to see to Stoppable San and his needs." She said in a cold voice.
Master Sensei moved closer to Yori, "There is a coming darkness and we will need Stoppable San more than ever…Do not fail this assignment." He told her in a low menacing voice
Yori bowed and quickly left the supply room with the blanket, she was angry. She had been manipulated and she knew it, "This business for which I train can be cruel." She thought to herself as she slipped into Ron's quarters and slid under the covers beside him.
Ron slept quietly beside her and she held him, "He used my feelings for Stoppable San to manipulate me, he knew I would let no other girl here attend to his needs…There are times I think there is more to Master Sensei than what he shows to his students." Yori thought angrily to herself.