Mature alert...I may have butchered a sacred cow...but I have to move my story along...
For the balance of the next day Ron was trained in the use of nunchakus and the shuriken. The nunchakus Ron enjoyed from all the kung fu movies, and always wished he could work them with skill and now he could. He wrapped the two stick connected by a chain around his body at lightening speed.
The shuriken was what Ron had always called the kung fu throwing stars. Now he knew how throw them with accuracy and learned their true tactics. They were used as distractions so that a ninja may make his escape, "Someone throwing those things at me would sure get me to duck." Ron thought happily as he hit his mark time after time.
At the mid-day meal Ron was busily eating lunch when Yori stopped by the table and bowed, "Stoppable San may I sit with you."
Ron smiled, "Sure Yori, pull up a bench there." He told her pointing at one of the wooden benches that were next to him.
Yori smiled, "Tomorrow is a day of rest and reflection Stoppable San, I was wondering if you would do me the honor of having you as the guest of honor at my chado ritual tomorrow night in my quarters?"
Ron nodded smiling, "It would be my honor to be there." He told with a slight bow.
Ron continued to eat with Yori making small talk, "I wonder what a chado ritual is? I will have to ask Master Sensei." he thought to himself.
After the meal Ron headed off to Master Sensei for more work on developing his muscles. The elderly man once again put Ron through his paces but this time Ron was able to do the exercises and wasn't left too sore to move.
Master Sensei was pleased with the progress that Ron was making, "Everyday he draws closer to realizing the full potential of his power. Soon Stoppable San, soon you will no longer need our training…You will be a most feared assassin." Sensei thought happily as he watched the boy train.
After training was over for the day Ron sat beside Sensei and asked him what a chado ritual was all about. Sensei smiled and stroked his long white mustache, "It is a very intricate tea ceremony Stoppable San."
Ron twisted on his bench, "You mean I've been invited to a tea party?" he asked not sounding thrilled about the whole proposition.
Sensei raised an eyebrow, "It is much more than a tea party Stoppable San, the tea ceremony is a highly stylized ritual that honors harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. There is also a code of conduct for the guest of honor, which I assume you are. If the conduct is not carried out properly, you may injure Yori's feelings." The elder told Ron in a stern voice.
Ron was starting to get nervous; he had no idea what to do, "Master Sensei…What am I supposed to do? I don't want to hurt Yori's feelings and I'm not sure how to act." He said as his eyes looked at the ground.
Master Sensei nodded, "This is good that you do not wish to offend Yori, first thing to remember is that where there is a tea ceremony taking place, the room must remain pure, all shoes must be kept outside her quarters. Next she will seat you in a seat of honor. Then Yori will bow and thank you for coming to her tea party and you must bow and thank her for inviting you….Do you understand Stoppable San?"
Ron nodded and Sensei went on, "You must bring a small fan and a white napkin with you for she will offer you a cake, you will accept the cake, but you will not eat it…Understand Stoppable San." Sensei said in a teasing voice.
Ron laughed, "Yea, no eating the cake."
Master Sensei nodded, "You will place the cake on the white napkin, then Yori will begin to make the tea, each movement she makes will be highly symbolic and tell a story. Once the tea is finished she will hand you a cup and a saucer and say "Please" you will accept he tea and say "Let us enjoy a sip." And then you will take one sip of the tea….Do not slurp, do not guzzle…Stoppable San." Sensei told him with a wink.
Ron nodded, "Ok, I can remember that."
He continued on, "Once you have sipped the tea you will hold the cup up in the air and admire the beauty of the cup, then you will bring the cup back down and continue to admire the beauty and then you will admire the saucer. Then once you have done that, you take two fingers and wipe them around the inside of the lip of the cup. Yori will then invite you to enjoy the cake, and then you may eat the cake and finish the tea."
Ron nodded, "I got it covered, I can do this." He told Sensei confidently.
Master Sensei nodded, "Once the tea is finished you may have a second cup or you may place the empty cup upside down on the saucer with your right hand. Then bows are exchanged and Yori may make a short speech thanking you for coming. Yori will then clean the instruments and return them to their places and then the tea is over."
Ron nodded, "How long does the tea ceremony last?
Master Sensei smiled, "Sometimes up to four or five hours."
Ron choked, "What?"
Master Sensei chuckled, "Yori is very young and not well practiced at the chado ritual, it will probably last for forty five minutes, an hour at most." He reassured Ron.
Ron breathed a sigh of relief, "I can do this, now I need to come up with a fan."
Master Sensei smiled, "You may use mine." Sensei said as he waved his hand in the air and produced a small paper fan.
Ron chuckled, "Now you're just showing off."
Master Sensei smiled and nodded, "Oh and remember, wear a clean white gi and try not to smell like a goat." He told Ron while chuckling.
Ron smiled and nodded and then went on his way to meet with Yori for an afternoon run, "Yori seems to be feeling better, from what Master Sensei says she is really going all out. I think…I could stay here and be happy with Yori…Same problem as home, in a few months everyone goes their separate ways…I am not sure but…I think I love Yori." The thought stunned Ron.
He hadn't really thought of love for Yori, she had always been very attractive to him He kindness was always appreciated; she was as graceful as she was beautiful and he had grown dependant on her for companionship, "I still love Kim, but at the moment there can not be anything more than friendship without becoming a yo-yo to Kim's ever changing moods towards me…I'm still learning about Monique and I like her." Ron thought intently to himself.
Ron waived at Yori and asked her if she had a new route for them to run, she had a gentile smile on her face and this put Ron at ease, and nodded for him to follow her on the run. He started out running beside her, they went up hill over the mountain passes, "Yori has always been kind and believed in me, even when others didn't…Is it love or gratitude…I think she loves me…I don't know, I think I'll just quite thinking and just run." He thought to himself as he followed Yori up the steep mountain trail.
Kim and Monique drove back to Kim's house to start going over the clues and the evidence they had as to where Ron might be found. Kim opened a line to Wade and the three started to work.
Kim produced a note book, "Ok, when was Ron last seen?" She asked the room.
Monique raised her hand, "The last I saw him was about three weeks ago on a Friday, when he dropped me off for work."
Kim nodded, "Then a few minutes later I called him on the cell phone."
Monique nodded, "Then he vanished, Kim what did you say to my boyfriend?" She asked Kim as she glared at her.
Kim grimaced, "Monique! We just talked and Ron was complaining about not sleeping because he was too busy satisfying someone's carnal needs the night before.' Kim told her angrily.
Monique rolled her eyes, and replied angrily, "Ohhhhhhh sure blame it on the sister because she's not afraid to express her love."
Wade coughed nervously over the Kimmunicator, "Hey guys…am I going to be old enough to listen to this conversation…I mean I know what the words mean, I just can't believe you guys are fighting about Ron." Wade said in amusement.
Monique looked at the device and raised an eyebrow, "Butt out geek boy."
Kim sighed, "Wade's right, this isn't getting us anywhere…Truce till we find Ron?" She asked her rival for Ron's love in a quiet voice.
Monique nodded, "Ok…truce"
Wade was laughing, "No keep going, I was hoping to hear some really choice four letter words coming out of you two."
Kim glared at the device, "Wade"
Wade held up his hands to signal he was going to quit goofing around, and then Kim continued, "Let's see we talked, he said he was still having trouble sleeping and then he became upset and told me he was going home and hung up." She finished the run down and thru her hands up.
Monique nodded, "He didn't go home, he went to Quarry Lake…You don't think he was crushing on some girl that we didn't know about?" she asked in a panicky voice.
Kim made a queasy face, "Ordinarily I'd say no…Now…Who knows…Ned says he has a voracious appetite for girls." Kim said sadly.
Monique laughed, "I'll go along with Ned on that one."
Wade piped in on the Kimmunicator, "Let's assume there are no other girls involved, he went to Quarry Lake…and then what?"
Monique shook her head, "He vanished."
Kim nodded in agreement, "Any news on our old arch foes Wade, Maybe one of them captured him?" Kim asked looking for possibilities.
Wade shook his head, "GJ is keeping things pretty quiet these days."
Monique brightened up, "Hey remember that one girl that showed up at school last year…Yoshi…Yogi…"
Kim looked at Monique, "Yori…I doubt it…Ron wouldn't run off with her." She said in a confident voice.
Rufus launched from his little home on Kim's make up table and started jumping up and down and making Karate noises and acting like he was wielding a sword.
Kim got excited, "Rufus, you mean Ron's trapped in an abandoned barn…Where boy, where?" She asked the naked mole rat excitedly.
Monique shook her head, "Kim, he's trying to tell you, Ron's with Yori somewhere…You know Kim sometimes you can be a real ditz." She told her as she rolled her eyes.
Kim glared at Monique, as Rufus continued to jump up and down, "Uh Huh, Uh Huh, Ninjas…Yep" he told them nodding his head vigorously.
Kim cocked her head to one side, "That would mean…Ron's in Japan."
Monique shook her head, "That boy does get around." She said in amazement.
Kim had a determined look on her face, "Wade contact Mr. Nakasumi, I'm going to need a ride to Japan if I'm going to find and bring back my Ron."
Monique held up a hand, "Hang on girl, WE are going to Japan and WE are going to find MY Ron. Girl you are trippin' if you think I'm going to let you loose with my boyfriend alone." She told Kim as she put her hands on hips to let her know that their would be no discussion on this issue.
Kim frowned, "Fine…make that a ride for two Wade…and find me the location for the Yamanouchi School…I am so going to hurt Ron if that is where he is." She said thinking out loud.
Monique smiled, "We are going to hurt Ron if that is where he is." She reminded her.
Wade shook his head, "Since Ron left with Yori last year, the Yamanouchi school has totally dropped off the grid…I can't find a trace of them, including the site I went to last year to find out about Yori." He told the girls in astonishment.
Yori looked around the room to make sure that everything was as it should be for the ritual, she wore a white kimono with her hair tied back, she had arranged artificial flowers to achieve the proper effect, once this was done she sighed, "Perhaps tonight he will become my joufu." She thought anxiously to herself as she awaited Ron's arrival.
Ron arrived for the chado ritual on time, he pulled his canvas boots off and set them to the side of Yori's quarters, then he knocked and Yori answered and bowed and invited him inside.
Ron's mouth dropped open as he saw Yori in something other than a ninja outfit or a school uniform; he was dazzled by her beauty, "She really went all out to impress me." He thought happily to himself.
Her quarters were much more decorated than Ron's stark bare walled quarters; he noted the art that hung on the wall and the artificial flowers that were arranged neatly in very ornate vases.
They exchanged bows as Ron entered the room, then Yori escorted him to his seat of honor, then Yori bowed, "Thank you for coming to my tea ceremony, Stoppable San."
Ron returned the bow, "Thank you for inviting me, Yori."
Yori smiled a pleasant smile, "Would you like a cake, Stoppable San?" She asked as she brought out a tray containing small cakes.
Ron nodded and pulled out his white fan and napkin and sat them just off of his left hand, and then he took one of the cakes and placed it on the napkin. Yori smiled, she did not expect Ron to know about their customs as well as he did.
Yori then took a seat next to a small charcoal fire and started the preparation for tea making, her movements were fluid and graceful and they mesmerized Ron. She ground the green tea leaves into powder and continued on with the ritual.
She used the water scoop to pore the water into the pot, and then she placed it delicately on the small charcoal stove. Once the water was heated she poured the water into the cups that she had previously arranged.
Ron could see she was in a world of her own and that she was enjoying this, "I wonder if this reminds her of home?" Ron thought as he watched Yori approach with his cup of tea.
Yori held the cup and saucer out towards Ron, "Please try the tea." She said smiling as she extended the tea cup towards Ron.
Ron accepted the tea, "Let us enjoy a sip." He said as he brought the cup to his lips.
He sipped the mixture and it had a bitter taste to it, Ron smiled, not knowing for sure if that was how the tea was supposed to taste or not. Then Ron held the cup up and looked at the design and then down at the saucer, then Ron took his two fingers and wiped the inside rim of the cup and placed it on the saucer.
Yori smiled and returned to her seat, "Let us enjoy the cake." She said as she watched Ron take a bite of the cake and take another sip of the green tea. Then she tried her tea and partook of a cake as well.
After the cake, they enjoyed a second cup and then Ron placed the saucer on the small table just in front of his right hand and then he turned the cup upside down and placed it on the saucer.
The Yori cleaned the instruments of the tea and placed them away very carefully.
Then Yori stood before Ron to make her closing speech.
"For many years, I wondered what shape my kareshi…my boyfriend would take. Would he be a kind, considerate and thoughtful or would my heart lead me astray to a man who was selfish and cruel?"
"Then one day I met a boy, who the elders called the chosen one. He came to school with us and though he tried hard could not master any skills. The other students laughed at him, but I saw only dignity and compassion."
"He rescued me from a lonely fate, and saved a loved one from a similar fate. While his skills were weak his courage was strong, I found my fondness for this boy turn to love. That is why I have chosen you Stoppable San as my guest of honor and to become my kareshi joufu…my boyfriend, my lover."
Yori finished her speech and bowed deeply.
Ron's jaw dropped open, "I didn't expect this." He thought panicked by the thought of actually having sex with a girl.
Yori walked over to where Ron was seated and helped him stand up, she embraced him warmly and looked into his round brown eyes, "Tonight Stoppable San you will sleep her." She told him smiling.
Ron was shaking, "Yori…ummm…I've…never…you know…been with a girl…before…like that." He said in a quivering voice.
Yori smiled, "Then it will be my honor to be your first then, and we shall learn together." She reassured him as she began to remove his gi.
Ron helped her take off his cloths and then he helped her off with her clothing, "Ummm…Yori…Could you do me a favor...tonight…could you call me Ron?" he asker her nervously.
Yori took him by the hand and let him to her sleeping mat and pillows, and motioned of Ron to lie down. Ron watched her as she turned down the light from the lanterns around the room and then she came to him.
She crawled onto the mat with him and folded herself into his chest, she then looked up at him, "I love you…Ron, and I shall cherish this memory for all of my life." She told him with a tear in her eye.
Ron nodded, "I love you too…Yori and this will be my honor." He told her as he kissed her lips.
Ron began with things he was comfortable with; kissing, nibbling here and there and he let his hands roam a little further. Sometimes Yori would guide his hands for him and that made him feel more confident. Finally Yori moved onto her back and guided Ron on top; she looked into Ron's eyes lovingly as he took both of them into adulthood.
After their passions were spent Ron held Yori in his arms and stroked her hair, "So beautiful, so very beautiful" he murmured over and over again while she stroked his chest.
Yori smiled and murmured little words in Japanese that Ron didn't understand, but enjoyed listening to them anyway, "Ron…was…I …pleasing for you?" she asked in an unsure voice.
Ron smiled, "You were wonderful, Yori…I like hearing you use my first name…It's been so long since I heard it." He told her sadly.
Yori looked at him nervously, "You are still missing your home and friends?"
Ron nodded, "Yea…a little…but I met this pretty young lady with black hair and almond shaped eyes that is starting to make me forget about leaving." He told her as he pulled her closer for an embrace.
She curled up in Ron's arms and started to doze, "I never thought it would be like this, I never really thought much about sex at all really…I always pulled back with Kim because we were friends for so long…Maybe that is why she's so strange with me…she's afraid too…maybe I'm to blame there as well…we are both afraid to cross the line…Monique, she teases but I never really took her as being serious about sex." He thought to himself as he listened to Yori sleep.
He wiggled around to get a little more comfortable on Yori's pillows, "If I'd a known she had pillows, I'd of thought about putting out a long time ago." He thought to himself trying hard to keep from laughing.