Ron awoke the next morning to find Yori beside him once again, he gently nudged her and she woke up and looked up at him. Then she scooted out from under the covers, "Get dressed Stoppable San, we have much to do today." She told him in a cold voice.
Ron was uncomfortable, "Ummmm Yori…Did I do anything wrong?" he asked the young ninja while rubbing the back of his neck.
Yori shook her head, "No Stoppable San you have done nothing wrong." She told him as she left his quarters.
Ron dressed in a fresh gi and had his morning meal, he missed Yori's company. He didn't have anyone to talk to and he was starting to get homesick. At the end of the meal, Yori had rejoined him.
Yori bowed, "Today we will run to a much higher elevation, the wind is fierce in this part of the mountain." She informed him as she handed him a tube of zinc oxide.
Ron looked at the tube, "What's this for?"
Yori grew quiet, "In the higher elevations you will rub this cream on exposed skin of your face, to prevent the wind from blistering your face.…Any further questions?" she asked hoping there wouldn't be any.
Ron could tell by her body language that he had better not ask about any surprises today, he nodded and then the two went outside to prepare for the morning run. Ron looked around at all the students doing their various courses as he stretched for his run, "Yori, when you guys graduate from here, where do you go…I mean is there like a ninja college or whatever?" Ron asked out of curiosity.
Yori closed her eyes, "We go to Honk Kong and make martial arts films, Stoppable San." She told him flatly.
Ron smiled, "Cool, I could be the next Jackie Chan…Booyahhh." He screamed affecting a martial arts pose.
Yori took no notice of him, "We run now." She told him as she turned and started to run along a path that appeared to run straight up the side of the mountain.
Ron swallowed hard and started to run as well, "Man Yori is upset about something, it's as if she doesn't want to be with me anymore…I thought I did pretty well during the whole bath thing…I don't know…I miss Monique and Kim…I really miss Rufus." He thought to himself as he strained on his up hill run.
They ran for about an hour before the jagged rocks started to plateau and flatten out for a stretch, Ron was grateful, his lungs were screaming for air in the thin atmosphere of the mountain trail.
Yori finally pulled up and stopped, when she did Ron collapsed on the ground gasping for breath. He watched Yori pull out the white tube and spread the cream over her forehead, nose and cheeks.
Ron didn't have to be told, he did the same while Yori watched him. Once he had spread the white paste over his face to her satisfaction they started running again. Once they crossed a mound of boulders they came out into the open and sunlight and into a ferocious wind, Yori was used to the wind and Ron was nearly blown backwards.
They ran into the cutting wind for another half an hour and then Yori pulled up and stopped and pointed out towards the ocean.
Ron realized they had ran to the very peak of Yamanouchi, he looked out from the top and he could see the Northern Pacific ocean, the lowlands, small villages that dotted the landscape, there were rivers and trees without leaves due to the winter and the valleys were coated with white from an earlier snow.
Ron took it all in, "We are higher up than the clouds, and the sky seems so blue up here. As blue as the sky when I had my vision of Lacey…We do live on…I haven't had time to take it all in…I have done and seen things that I never dreamed that I'd ever see in my life, and for the first time in my life…I feel at peace." He thought to himself as he took in the sights from on top of the mountain.
Yori finally reached over in the stiff wind and tugged on Ron's gi, "We must head back now Stoppable San." She screamed to be heard above the wind.
Ron took a final look and turned and started to run back down the mountain, "I'm going to see if I can send an email or something to Kim or Monique…at least find out how Kim's doing with good old Josh." He thought as laughed quietly to himself.
The trip back down the mountain, took less time since the run was all down hill. Ron cleaned up and ate a mid day meal and then he went and found Yori, "Hey Yori, is there anywhere I can send off an email to my friends back home…You know to let them know I'm doing ok."
Yori shook her head, "Stoppable San we are a secret school, we have no modern convinces such as telephones or computers. If we had those luxuries we would not be able to maintain our secrecy." She told as they went to their next lesson.
Ron frowned, "Ok…I'm just getting a little homesick that's all…Yori…Can I ask you a question?"
Yori nodded, "Of course Stoppable San." She told him trying hard to sound pleasant.
Ron nodded, "Yea…ummmm…I noticed here recently…sort of…today like…that I don't think you….like me much anymore…and it's cool and all…but I don't want you to hang around me if you don't want to…you know." He told her sadly.
Yori drew in a breath, "Stoppable San it is all in your mind because you are homesick, and I haven't been feeling much myself today…it is close to the time of the month that women do not like to discuss." She told him with a half smile.
Ron nodded, "Ohhhhhh…ohhhhhh yea, hehehe I gotcha…I know…Kim's hell on wheels when that happens…ok…I just wasn't sure." He told her awkwardly.
Yori was satisfied that Ron felt better so they went to their next class, but Yori felt terrible inside. She had told lie after lie after lie to Ron and she knew it would all come crashing down around her soon, for she knew she couldn't continue to lie indefinitely.
His next class was to develop his muscles; Master Sensei slapped Ron's stomach, making him nearly double over. He grabbed his arms and looked at them and then looked at his legs, "You are soft in the center; we will work on developing your stomach muscles."
Ron nodded, "Very cool, six pack abs here we come." He said excitedly.
Ron went through a series of exercises and conditioning that left him barely able to stand upright when it was all over. He staggered out of class and went back to his living quarters and collapsed on the floor.
When evening came around Ron sat up in his room and began to meditate, "He let his mind reach out and he once again saw images, a building collapsing, flying over sand dunes, an explosion, Rufus, and then the link was over as Ron was startled because Rufus could see him too.
Ron jumped upright forgetting his sore stomach muscles, "Did I just contact Rufus?" he thought to himself.
Ron walked outside into the cold, it was colder than usual on Mt. Yamanouchi, "There must be a storm on the way." he thought to himself as he headed to the evening meal.
Ron now had much on his mind, "If I can contact Rufus, I can get a message to Monique or Kim and let them know everything is ok…I shall work on the contacting Rufus again tomorrow." He thought happily to himself.
At evening meal Ron once again sat alone, he was an outsider and without Yori around he had no one to talk to, "I guess it's not so much different than back home, except for the place having some serious lack of heat issues…If Monique or Kim's not around, I'm pretty much alone there too…I guess I'm going native, the rice and raw fish are starting to appeal to me…I miss my bed…I miss my friends…I almost miss Josh Mankey." Ron thought sadly to himself as he finished his food.
Master Sensei saw a change in Ron's mood, "Stoppable San, have a seat." He told Ron motioning for him to sit at his table.
Ron bowed and sat down, Master Sensei looked him over, "You have been eating alone for the last few meals…Do you not have any other friends here at the school?" he asked curiously.
Ron shook his head, "Not really, Yori's about it…She's been moody today so I haven't been bothering her…maybe she'll feel better tomorrow." He told Sensei sadly.
Master Sensei nodded, "Perhaps Yori will feel better tomorrow, until she does, I want you to practice your ninja skills at night by following different students around the school…Remember be silent, be unseen, Stoppable San." He told him with a wink.
Ron brightened up, "Sneakin' around ninja style…I gotcha." Ron told him as he bounded out the door.
Master Sensei shook his head, "It will be interesting to see if any of the students will be able to detect that they are being watched…Now I must attend to Yori." He thought grimly to himself.
Master Sensei left his table and glided down the path to Yori's quarters, he knocked on the wood frame of the door and he heard Yori tell him to enter. He slid the door to the side to gain entrance and then closed it back again.
Yori was kneeling in the corner of her quarters facing the wall, Master Sensei knew that Yori was troubled, "Stoppable San has missed you, is there something wrong Yori?" Sensei inquired.
Yori nodded her head, "I have had to lie many times to Stoppable San today, and now I feel that I am without honor." She told Sensei with a voice cracked with emotion.
Master Sensei closed his eyes, "Yori, we all want what is best for Stoppable San, what you are doing is for the best, and what you are doing is under the direct order of myself…I must shoulder the responsibility of honor, not you." He told the young girl gently.
Yori nodded, "I understand Master Sensei, I am still troubled, Stoppable San wants to go home, he misses his friends, and if he finds out I lied to him…" Her head sank lower into her chest at the thought.
Master Sensei closed his eyes he knew that she was right, he may end up hating her, as well as distrusting her, "Yori, he has friends back home, but right now he's missing his friend here at school. He enjoys your company, no one else will socialize with him and he is lonely for you." He told the young girl.
Yori turned away from the wall, "I had not thought of this, I have treated him badly today and I must make it up to him." She told Sensei her mood obviously improving.
Master Sensei appeared pleased, "You used to enjoy performing the chado ritual before you came to school here, perhaps you would feel better if you performed the tea ceremony for Stoppable San." He suggested to Yori.
Yori smiled, "Yes, I will perform the tea ceremony for him…Do you think he will enjoy it, Master Sensei?" she asked unsure of herself.
Master Sensei smiled, "If you are performing the ceremony, I'm sure he will be pleased." Sensei reassured her.
Yori was excited for a chance to do something she had not had the opportunity to do since she was very young. Master Sensei bowed and excused himself from her quarters.
Master Sensei glided down the path and could feel Ron's eyes on him, "Come down Stoppable San, I know you are there." He said smiling.
Ron Stoppable was working roof top to roof top spying on one student then another in total secrecy before spying Sensei coming out of Yori's Quarters. Now that Ron was caught, he was disappointed that he had been detected, "Awwwwwww…I was doing so well too." He told Sensei.
Master Sensei chuckled, "Go to bed Stoppable San." He told the boy.
He continued his walk towards his quarters, "I will coach Stoppable San on the tea ritual, it would not be good for Yori to have her feelings hurt unintentionally by his lack of knowledge of the ceremony….When Yori finishes school here, I will keep her on as staff…She is…too fragile for this business." He thought to himself sadly.
Ron went back to his quarters and started to get ready for bed, he noticed he was starting to smell a bit funky and realized he had not bathed since the hot springs of a few days ago. He heard small footsteps coming up the stone steps that led to his quarters, "Yori…yes, it will be Yori." He thought proudly to himself.
He was learning to listen and could make out the different sounds that people made as the came up the stairs and past his room. He only knew three people at the school but he could tell who was who just by the sound of their approach.
Yori slid Ron's door open and entered; she approached Ron and embraced him warmly. Ron returned the hug, "I'm glad your feeling better…I was getting worried." He told with a large smile on his face.
Yori pulled back from Ron and scrunched her nose, "Stoppable San…You are in need of a good bath…and it will be my honor to bathe you, now follow me at once." She ordered Ron.
Ron smiled and followed Yori out the door; he was beginning to enjoy taking baths. He followed her down the stone stairs to another pagoda style building that held the bathing rooms. Large in ground tubs to fit 4 to 5 people at once, the Japanese believe in communal bathing, Ron just liked taking baths with Yori.
The temperature in the room was hot compared to the cold outside, due to late hour the room was empty, Yori took a bucket from near one of the in ground tubs and poured filled the pale and poured it over rocks that were heated by a boiler and the rocks sizzled and popped and gave off heat.
She motioned towards one of the smaller in ground tub and told Ron to disrobe and then she filled the tube with hot water. Ron felt like a lobster when he climbed in but he soon grew used to the temperature.
Then Yori disrobed and joined him with a bar of soap and a washrag, "Normally Stoppable San the men only bath with other men and the ladies with other ladies." She explained to Ron.
Ron smiled a toothy grin, "I like this arrangement better." He told her teasingly.
Yori giggled as she rubbed the bar of soap on the washrag and started to wash Ron's hair, "This is a weird way to wash hair…A country where men bathe together, this is Josh Mankey's dream come true." He thought happily to himself as he raised an arm for Yori to clean.
Once Yori was finished, Ron was disappointed that their was no repeat of the session they had in the hot springs, "Awwww…I was hoping to feel…cleaner." He teased her.
Yori giggled, "Stoppable San you and your American style raging hormones, perhaps another day." She told him as she motioned for Ron to wash her with the washrag.
Ron was lathering up the soap, "Uh, Yori…I thought…you know that it was that monthly thing?" he asked cautiously as he started to wash her hair.
She smiled, "How you American's say…false alarm?" She asked not sure of the wording.
Ron laughed and nodded, "Ohhhhhh…ok…I gotcha." He told her as he scrubbed her back.
After Yori was clean they dressed and cleaned up behind themselves, then they returned to Ron's quarters for the night. Ron lay on the floor with Yori cuddled up beside him hugging him, "Is this, what being married is like?" he wondered to himself as he drifted off to sleep.
Back in Middleton, Rufus had believed he saw a vision of Ron meditating but wasn't sure if it was real or a dream. He was in a gi, Rufus now knew that Ron might be in Japan. He sprang up and tried to tell Kim, he made wild motions with his paws and chattered. Finally after ten minutes about ten minutes Kim began to understand.
Kim looked at Rufus, "Ron…You know where Ron is? Well tell me Rufus, tell me." She pleaded with Rufus excitedly.
Rufus started making karate motions and waving his arms around and acting like he was wielding a sword. Then Kim cocked her head to one side, "Ron fell into an abandoned well and needs our help? That's it isn't it…Ohhhhh Rufus your just like Lassie." Kim squealed as she gave the little mole rat a hug.
Rufus slapped his paw to his forehead and fell over backwards. Apparently that was not the message he was trying to get across to Kim, but it was too late. Kim called the Police, then the Stoppable's, then Monique and then ran outside to borrow her dad's car so she could pick up Monique and go searching in abandoned wells for Ron.
Kim picked up Monique and started to drive off for Quarry Lake, Monique looked at Kim, "You're pretty sure about this abandoned well thing….right?" she asked Kim not quite knowing what to make of her.
Kim nodded, "That's where Rufus said he would be that's where he'll be." She told Monique confidently.
Monique threw up her hands, "Stop the car girl…We're going to all this trouble on the word of a naked mole rat? If he knew about this well thing before why didn't he tell us?" Monique asked Kim as she sat back in the seat and crossed her arms.
Kim shrugged, "Maybe…Rufus…called Ron…on…the…phone?" she struggled for a reason and then slumped behind the steering wheel.
Monique shook her head, "Look Kim it's been almost three weeks now…I thought he was alive…now…I just don't know." She told her quietly.
Kim was getting ready to yell at Monique for giving up, but the Kimmunicator went off. Kim hit the button to answer and seen a very glum looking Wade, "Kim…They found a body out at Quarry Lake…You may want to head out there." He told his friend sadly.
Kim drove out to Quarry Lake, neither of the girls said anything on the way out, both were afraid of what was to come and how it would impact their lives. Kim pulled up next to the squad cars and the ambulance and then the two girls got out of the car.
They approached a sheriff's deputy and asked if the body was Ron's. He shook his head, "I think it's a false alarm, won't know till after testing of course but they think it's the remains of a 400 year old Indian…but their not certain." He said shrugging his shoulders.
Kim and Monique smiled wearily and got back into Kim's father's car. Monique shook her head, "Kim, I have the feeling we're going to have to find this boy on our own."
Kim nodded and let out a big breath, "I think your right…I think it's mission time." She told Monique narrowing her eyes.