Disclaimer: Nope, don't own any of the KP characters from the series. They belong to Disney. A few of the bit players are mine. This epic, along with the rest of my writing career is, unfortunately, a non-profit operation.
Chapter 5 – The Yori Factor
Kim's mom was waiting at the airport when the three arrived. Yori was introduced as a friend from Japan who had helped on missions in the past. She would stay in Middleton to back up Ron until Kim recovered. Yori's things were quickly transferred to the Possible mini-van. Ron helped Kim down from the plane and at her mother's insistence put her in the front seat of the van. Ann Possible realized there was more to this situation than Kim was letting on. Seeing the scowl on her daughter's face she asked, " is your leg bothering you? I have some pain killers with me if you need them."
Kim merely looked at her mother and shook her head. Being always the gentleman, Ron helped Yori into the middle seat of the van, and then climbed in beside her. Throughout the 20-minute ride home, Kim found herself constantly glancing in the mirror wondering what was going on behind her. Nothing, it seemed, but a discussion of their plans for training.
When they reached the Possible house, Ron helped Yori move her things into the guest room. Kim and her mom were in the kitchen, her mom fixing breakfast for the travelers and Kim staring at a cup of coffee with an intensity that could make it boil.
"You still haven't said what's bothering you Kimmie," her mom remarked.
"Just things, Mom. The mission, my leg, Ron maybe getting hurt, Yo…" she replied, trying to stop herself before her mom realized what was really troubling her.
"Yori is bothering you? I thought she was just someone you and Ron work with occasionally."
"Well, yeah, but, I guess it's just 'cause she knows Ron better than she knows me. It's nothing Mom."
"I might be jealous if your father had a friend like that," her Mom replied.
"I am not jealous, Mom. Just upset. With this leg I can't do anything."
Ann Possible shook her head. She knew the signs. No wonder her daughter had almost begged to have the Japanese girl stay with them. Something she remembered from an old movie popped into her head. But then again, this Yori wasn't her daughter's enemy, only a rival. One who had little chance unless she had seriously misjudged her daughter's boyfriend. But then, her daughter had always been a little dense when it came to Ron.
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For the first few weeks the routine was the same. During the day Yori spent time with three-year-old Hana, teaching her to channel her energy into a series of dance like moves. For most Yamanouchi students training began at an early age. For Hana it could not begin soon enough. Luck played a large role in her part of the victory over Yono and Monkey Fist. Without a doubt they would meet again. Yori hoped she had enough time to prepare the child. Between Kim, Ron and her youngest charge she would have a busy couple of months before returning home.
Throughout the world of villainy plots and schemes previously laid aside for fear of Possible interference were quickly dusted off. Global Justice managed to handle most of them until a serious villain surfaced in Central America. Kim, Ron and Yori were sitting around the Possible table with sandwiches and drinks after their afternoon training when the call came. Shego was in Mexico City where she was observed casing the national museum. Ron said he would take the mission solo, but Kim was having none of that insisting Shego was too dangerous while assuring him she was well enough to go along. Yori volunteered to go along as backup. They were about to leave when Kim's mom came home, telling her as only a mother can that for Kim the mission was scrubbed. She growled in frustration, heading up to her room as Global Justice picked up Ron and Yori.
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Ron and Yori arrived in Mexico City, heading directly to the museum to meet with the curator. The curator assured them his security systems were top of the line. Surely this Shego person could not get past them. Ron began a quick summary of Shego's past thefts. He had hardly gotten started when the curator quickly changed his mind, welcoming them with open arms. Giving them a quick tour of the facility, he pointed out all the alarm and security features to prevent accidental alarms. Ron and Yori left for a quick meal, returning just before the museum closed for the night.
The museum was hosting a traveling exhibit of Egyptian artifacts, with a number of valuable pieces of jewelry and small gold items. Since it was Shego, and knowing the state of Drakken's finances, Ron and Yori secreted themselves with the Egyptian exhibit. The evening remained quiet until shortly after midnight when alarms sounded. There was an intruder in the building, but not yet in the Egyptian exhibit area. Ron and Yori held their positions until the kimmunicator vibrated against Ron's leg.
Ron pulled the device from his pocket and keyed it asking, "What's up Wade?"
"You're in the wrong place," came the response. "Shego is at the other end of the building in the Native American exhibit area."
The two teens raced to the other end of the building. Yori held back, allowing Ron to take the lead. "Give it up, Shego," Ron called as they approached. Surprised, Shego turned to face them.
"Oh great. The buffoon and who? Rent a ninja?" Shego replied. "Just about done here anyhow so I'll just be on my way." Reaching into the broken display case, she removed what appeared to be a pendent on a leather thong, grinning at the two crime fighters.
Yori looked at Ron, her glance clearly telling him, "she's mine." Ron nodded and Yori leaped forward, fans in hand to face the green woman.
"So Little Miss Ninja wants the honor of defeating the great Shego," the green villainess snarked. "Not gonna happen, but let's see what you have, little girl. Bring it."
"No honor comes from defeating one who is without honor," Yori exclaimed as she charged.
Taken off guard by Yori's sudden attack, Shego fell back and begin to defend herself, dropping the item in her hand. She found Yori a formidable opponent although more predictable than Kim. While the battle raged, Rufus leaped from Ron's pocket and scurried to retrieve the fallen artifact. Seeing the pink blur dashing across the floor dragging her prize, Shego sent a plasma bolt after the little guy. Rufus dodged and a moment later was safely back in Ron's pocket. Yori moved quickly to place herself between Ron and Shego. When the next plasma bolt came, she surprised the green woman by repelling it with her fan.
"Interesting toys, Princess, but they won't change anything. Got something else?"
Yori seized the opportunity to move in quickly attempting to subdue her opponent. Shego sidestepped the attack and with a quick spin caught the ninja from behind, sending her to the floor. Yori rose quickly, resuming her fighting stance. This time Shego moved in, sending plasma bolts at the floor at the ninja's feet. Yori moved quickly to avoid the blasts. When they stopped she seized the offensive, delivering a swift kick to Shego's mid section causing the villainess to fall back.
While Shego and Yori continued to fight, Ron tried to maneuver himself behind the villainess. From past experience, Ron knew she was moving toward her planned escape route. Then he saw the ladder dangling through the broken skylight. He attempted to get between Shego and the ladder, only to have her spin around and knock his feet from under him. Ron attempted to flip back to his feet, stumbled, and found himself entangled in a display of fishing nets that had heen behind him.
Still dodging Yori, Shego had finally maneuvered herself under the broken skylight. Grasping the ladder dangling from her waiting hover car, she reached into her pouch, withdrew a remote control, and signaled the craft to pull her up. "Tell the old man I'm still better than his best," Shego called as she disappeared through the skylight.
Shaking her head, Yori said, "perhaps we should train on recovery and balance when we return to Middleton." Then she helped Ron out of the nets. Ron waited for the familiar ripping noise that, thankfully, never came. Then they rushed to the case Shego had broken. Neither could read Spanish, but Ron was pretty certain he knew what at least a couple of the words meant. He chose not to concentrate on the possibilities. From the pattern of discoloration on the bottom of the case it was clear the article Rufus retrieved was one of several that had been in the display. Shego had the rest.
As they waited for the museum curator, Ron asked, "What did Shego mean by that last comment?"
"We have met before. Young girls are sometimes fooled by those pretending to be heroes. Let us not speak of it."
"Ummm, yeah, well if you ever want to talk about it…." Yori shook her head ending the conversation.
Half an hour later, they were with the museum curator in his office going over the exhibit inventory to determine what was missing. The source and nature of the items confirmed Ron's suspicions. Delving deeper into the secrets of the missing artifacts, the two teens knew they must get the information into proper hands as soon as possible. There would be a slight detour on their return to Middleton. Ron keyed the kimmunicator, informing Wade they had several details to clean up and would not be back until the next day. He tried to reach Kim, but she did not answer.
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Meanwhile back in Middleton, Kim grew tired of sitting at home, waiting. She and Monique had the late shift, so she called and arranged to meet at the mall before work for a quick bite and some girl talk. Both girls bought salads from the food court then found a table.
"So why the long face girlfriend?" Monique asked after they were seated. "Trouble in paradise?"
"Noo, not really, well, maybe, I dunno," Kim babbled in response. "It's just Yori. Here I am laid up and she's right there to step up and go with Ron. They left yesterday and were supposed to be back this morning but they're not back yet. It was Shego, so I know he needed the backup, but still…."
"Still jellin over the ninja girl?" Monique asked, smirking,
"Not jellin, really. I mean I trust Ron. It's just not right her dragging my boyfriend around the world."
Shaking her head, Monique replied, "Girl, QYW. That boy of yours wouldn't even think of doing anything. She could crawl in bed naked with him and he'd roll over and take a nap."
'How well I know,' Kim thought to herself. "You're right, Mo. I'm getting myself all worked up over nothing. What's playing at the theatre? I'm up for a movie tonight." 'At least then I'm not home wondering what Ron and Yori are up to' she thought as the girls headed for Club Banana.
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After completing paperwork for loan of the remaining artifact and making copies of all available information on the missing items, Ron and Yori headed for the Mexico City airport where they were met by the white Yamanouchi jet. Having been up all night, the two heroes slept through the entire trip. Sensei met the plane when it landed and, after a brief conference, took the remaining artifact and the curator's information with him. The jet was soon airborne on its' way back to Middleton.
"So is this like a secret ninja jet or something?" Ron asked Yori as the plane lifted off.
"It belongs to one of many organizations assisted by the Yamanouchi ninja," she replied. "It is at our disposal should the need arise."
"So KP and I don't have to beg for rides anymore?"
"More American style humor?" his companion asked. "For now your place among the Yamanouchi ninja must remain secret."
"Awww mann," Ron exclaimed. "Rufus is gonna be so bummed. He was just getting used to first class."
Yori could only shake her head and smile.
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Shego's hover car landed in a secluded patch of forest in rural Thailand. She shed her trademark costume in favor of the casual clothing of a tourist, complete with backpack. Making her way to a small town nearby she was able to blend in with a tour group returning to Bangkok. As the bus got under way, an elderly lady made her way down the aisle passing out box lunches. She looked at Shego, then at the list on her clipboard. "You must be a late addition," she remarked. "I don't have a box lunch for you." Shego waved her on her way, and leaned back in the seat for a nap as the bus bounced its way through the Thai countryside.
That evening, she made her way to the restaurant of a small hotel in Bangkok. Giving the name of her contact, she was led to a private dining room. A distinguished looking man of short stature, probably in his early fifties, stood as she entered the room and motioned her toward a chair. Once seated, she reached into her backpack, withdrawing several items and placing them on the table. The man took what appeared to be an archeologist's journal from his briefcase and opened it. Comparing each item to drawings, he nodded, and then looked at the woman across from him. "One is missing," he said.
"I was interrupted. Happens occasionally in my line of work."
"No matter, it was just for insurance." Then he handed Shego a thick envelope that she immediately put into a belt pouch.
"A pleasure doing business with you," Shego said as she rose to leave. "If you need me again, you know how to reach me." The man nodded as she turned and left the room.
The man relaxed and ordered dinner, giving himself plenty of time to be certain no one had observed his meeting. After finishing his meal, he casually left the restaurant taking the long way back to his own hotel, stopping frequently to look at the wares of various street vendors while watching for surveillance. He was no novice, having spent years in the shadows of the game until circumstances forced him to enter the main arena.
As he walked, various options played out in his mind. He silently cursed the fate that placed him in such an awkward situation. He had received specific instructions for the actions he was about to take. Six generations of loyalty and service demanded he comply. Now he found himself preparing to face things he could barely imagine. But he must. It was his duty.
Returning to his hotel, he went directly to his room. Removing his suit and shirt, he brushed them and hung them in the wardrobe, then shined his shoes before setting them aside. Normally in such circumstances he would have other duties before retiring, but tonight he went directly to bed. The first of his tasks would begin in the morning.