Disclaimer: All Kim Possible characters are the copyright of Walt Disney Corporation. I'm just borrowing them to write up a story with no intention of making any money. This is for fun. All other characters in my stories, that Disney doesn't own, are mine. :)
Time and time again, I couldn't say enough for all the help campy gave me by providing great proofreading work. Thanks, man! You're the best! (big grin)
Big thanks go to all who read and left reviews for Chapter 22: AtomicFire, warlord-xana, Bubbahotek, Joe Stoppinghem, Goinghome, Mr. Average, Comet Moon, and whitem.
And thanks go to all who read Chapter 22. :)
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A Bond of Honor
Chapter 23 – Fine Tuning
By JuPMod (aka JPMod)
The Mochizuki Estate. If one were to fly overhead across this vast property near the western outer edge of Middleton, the person would be in awe of its size. Acres of land nearly surrounded by a high perimeter wall, protecting an inner sanctuary of hilly forest and open grassy fields with some trees, shrubbery, and a few ponds, and surrounded by this natural landscape stood an inner enclosed compound with many structures where people lived, worked, and went about their everyday business.
Yet what made this day different than any other day for anyone at the Mochizuki Estate were the sounds of music and singing coming from the one-story garage building. The voice heard definitely was female, and it was clear the song being sung was rock & roll. Such an oddity from the typical day would have made anyone investigate what was going on in the garage, but no one did given everyone was warned in advance what to expect. After all, Master Mochizuki was no fool to deny any means of support for Kim Possible and her latest mission to stop one Dr. Drakken, and if it meant lending out the estate's garage as a place for her to practice her singing, so be it.
In the garage, at the corner work-bench area where the tools and equipment were stored, the world-known heroine was just ending her latest session on the high note, and after she was done, the girl was amazed how much her voice had changed compared to when she sang as a child in a Christmas play. Oh, she knew her singing was not ever going to be perfect nor she was ever going to seek a music career, but at least she was pleased that now whenever she hit the high note, it would not come out in a screeching way that made people cringe.
Nearby, the face of the estate's youngest resident creased into an approving grin. "After hearing your singing so many times, I think you are ready, Possible-san."
"I agree with Yori, Kim," Wade Load spoke from the Kimmunicator, which stood upright on the workbench. Through the PDA, the tech genius had provided the music for his friend to sing. "You're good to go for tomorrow."
"Thanks, guys," Kim sighed in satisfaction as she walked over to the workbench and placed down the cordless microphone beside the Kimmunicator before looking at the small PDA screen. "So everything is set, Wade?" she asked.
The pre-teen African-American nodded his head. "Your name is already in the contestants' manifest, along with Ron and Yori as your assistants. The three of you should have no problems with gaining clearance into the studio."
Kim grinned in approval. "Good. I already have my costume I picked up yesterday, so we are truly ready now." Wade and Yori matched their leader's expression.
For Team Possible's boss, it wasn't so hard to acquire the costume. As she had predicted, her best female friend was eager to offer her ideas on what would suit Kim best for her appearance on American Star Maker, and to do so, Monique took some time from her date with Felix to join Kim at Club Banana. Felix hadn't minded, knowing it was to help on a mission, and the redheaded cheerleader was grateful for her friends' aid.
Wade frowned as he looked past the two female team members. "Where's Ron? He's been gone for nearly two hours."
Both girls chuckled together, before Kim answered. "Wade, you should know that when it comes to cooking, Ron is a master who needs time to perfect his craft."
"Hai," Yori concurred, smiling fondly at her boyfriend's culinary skills. "Last Sunday, Ron-kun took time to prepare lunch for everyone here at the Mochizuki Estate. Everyone highly enjoyed his cooking, thus Kay-sama said that Ron-kun was very much welcome to cook anytime whenever he visits the estate. Mochizuki-shishou and everyone agreed.
"So knowing Ron-kun, he is definitely now creating a wonderful meal for us to enjoy."
The two girls traded knowing smiles at this simple truth. Their blond companion was a natural when it came to food preparation, thus anyone who ate his cooking just couldn't dispute his talent. It was the reason why neither girl raised any protests when Ron left the garage two hours ago, offering to cook a good meal for them, saying they all deserved high-quality food after a long day.
And it had been a long day indeed. After Ron attended an early morning Sabbath, he and Kim had arrived at Yori's home near 10 AM, and the ninja workouts had gone until 3 PM, when Master Mochizuki called a halt to the training to allow Kim to practice her singing. So without changing out of their white shinobi workout uniforms, the three teens had ventured to the garage, and following one hour of practice, Ron left for the living quarters' kitchen to keep his promise to his two ladies.
Wade shrugged. "Yeah, I know all that. Just I thought it wouldn't take Ron this long to prepare dinner for three people and one mole rat."
"Wade," Kim gently scolded with a grin, "you should know that it takes time for Ron to prepare a good meal. You can't rush quality."
It was perfect timing that they heard a door opening and a minute later closing, and it wasn't long until the two young ladies saw the very boy they had been discussing pushing a food cart. "Yo, my ladies! Dinner is served!"
"It's about time, Chef Ronald," Kim teased, calling him by the name he was given during this brief tenure as Middleton High's chef.
Ron's smile was wide and bright as he brought the cart to a halt in front of the two girls. "And Chef Ronald delivers," he responded with a bad fake French accent, which he continued to use, making Kim and Yori giggle. The blond took off a cover from a heated bowl, revealing the steaming contents inside. "I have here Japanese rice flavored with vegetables, a touch of wine, and small pieces of salmon." His hand gestured to the next item. "Fillet salmon in melted butter, spices, and wine. And for dessert…" The teenage boy did a French kiss with his right fingers before lifting off a cover from a dessert tray. "Creamy cheese cake."
The two Team Possible women sure could smell the wonderful aromas, making them have no doubts the foods were going to be as tasty as they smelled. Besides the three dishes Ron pointed out, they saw some bread, fruit, some other snacks, and water, tea, and soda for drinks.
Picking up a dish, a grinning Kim began filling her plate with food. "You sure live up to your name, Master Stoppable, when it comes to your skills in the kitchen."
"Indeed," Yori agreed as she too filled her plate, her expression matching the redhead's. "Ron-kun is a culinary master."
Feeling his cheeks turning a bit red, Ron smiled at his two favorite girls while taking his share of the food he made. "Thanks, my ladies. Master Ronald is happy to serve."
Picking up a fork and taking a bite of fish, Kim hummed in pleasure, her green eyes closing as she savored the flavor. "It's been too long since I last ate your cooking, Ron," she confessed before opening her eyes and taking another bite, once more sounding her delight with a long "Mmmmm."
Hearing similar sounds coming from Yori, Kim looked at her newest team member and could see the looks of enchantment on her face. The Japanese girl was not immune to the savory food anymore than she was. Yet the Middleton High honor roll student felt a stab of jealousy that Ron's girlfriend had tasted her BF's cooking far more in the past three weeks than she had. Taking another bite of food, Kim vowed to get her best friend to cook more often for her. Maybe it was time for Ron to again to come over to her house and cook for her family.
After taking a bite, Yori, upon realizing something was missing, looked down at the food cart and then around the place before settling her gaze on the blond boy besides her. "Ron-kun, where's Rufus-san?"
Kim arched her eyebrows in surprise as her eyes too scanned the area, not even having noticed the absence of her littlest team member. With a food cart full of delicious food, she knew Rufus would be right there to devour a good portion of the prepared meal. It was not like him to miss out.
Ron softly chuckled before pointing to the bottom of the cart, where they saw a sleeping Rufus curled in a small nest of napkins. "Rufus had his share in the kitchen. It'll be several hours before he can eat again. This meal is for us."
Satisfied that the little guy was okay, Kim and Yori stood upright and resumed eating their meal with Ron following suit. Yet it wasn't long until the three teens heard a throat clearing, making them take notice of the still-activated Kimmunicator on the workbench and the nearly drooling pre-teen boy on the small screen.
"Ron," Wade spoke before he placed his hands together in a pleading gesture. "Can you please send me a portion of your food? It has been so long since I last ate your cooking."
While Kim and Yori giggled, Ron chuckled. "Wade, dude, are you betraying your mom?"
"That's not it!" Wade frantically said. "I love my mom's cooking, but even she admitted yours is better than hers."
Kim and Ron grinned at this. Last year, when Ron's culinary skills were revealed to everyone at Middleton High, Wade had been skeptical at first. After all, this was Ron they were talking about. Yet after Ron sent a prepared meal to his house and the tech guru took a bite of it, Wade changed his mind and joined the ranks of people who loved Ron's cooking. Yet the young boy still wouldn't leave his room, so once in awhile, Ron would deliver a meal when the African-American boy asked for it.
Thinking about it, the blond teenager knew it really had been several months since Wade's family, consisting of only Wade and his 'rents, enjoyed one of his prepared meals. "Sure thing, Wade. I'll stop by on my way back home and drop off some of the rice, fish, and cake for ya."
A thankful smile came across the super genius's face. "Thanks, Ron. I appreciate it." His dark eyes came to rest on Kim. "I'll be signing off now. Talk to you tomorrow."
"Thanks, Wade," Kim gratefully said with a grin before the tiny screen went blank. Afterward, she returned to her meal, and the three young people silently took pleasure in the delicious food with relish.
A few minutes after Wade signed off, Team Possible heard a door opening and closing and footsteps walking down the length of the large garage heading toward their position. A Japanese man, wearing slightly oil-stained mechanic coveralls, appeared. For Kim and Ron, they had not ever seen this man before, yet for Yori, she was not surprised as she gave a welcoming grin to the man.
Chocolate and emerald eyes appraised the elder person before them. His age appeared to be between mid-30's to mid-40's, yet Kim guessed it was most likely lower 40's given a few strands of gray hair much like her dad. He wore a black mustache and goatee, which encircled his lips, and his height was shorter than Master Mochizuki, making him more on par with Kim's mom. Overall, for the two American teenagers, the person looked like any other typical guy seen every day; however, knowing he was here, he had to be connected somehow to Yamanouchi.
"Evening, Yori!" he grinned in greetings as he approached the three youngsters. His voice hinted that, as Kay, he too was Japanese-born given the slight accent.
Yori slightly bowed in the customary Japanese greetings. "Evening to you, Sato-sama."
A snort of a laugh came out of the mechanic's mouth. "I don't think I'm going to convince you to drop the suffix, despite how many times I told you to do so."
A tiny imp of a grin appeared on Yori's face. "I always give respect to my elders unless they prove themselves undeserving, Sato-sama."
Shaking his head slightly at the Japanese girl, the elder Japanese turned a warm expression toward Kim and Ron. "Care to introduce me to your friends, Yori? I know I already know them, but they don't know me."
With a gesturing hand pointed toward him, Yori trained her eyes on her teammates. "Possible-san, Ron-kun, this is Tadao Sato, our master mechanic who fixes and maintains most of the machinery on the estate."
Temporary placing their eating utensils on their plates so they could free their right hands, Kim and Ron each shook Tadao's hand in greetings.
"So," Ron, with a grin, began after he shook hands, "you said you already know KP and me."
Tadao chuckled, yet it was Kim who spoke after rolling her eyes. "Well, duh, Ron. We are well-known by most people in the world."
The blond aimed a ticked expression at his best friend. "You keep forgetting, KP, that they know you most of the time." His right index finger pointed to his chest. "They keep mispronouncing my name!"
Again Tadao chuckled, feeling a bit sympathetic to the young boy. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, I do know who you are, Ron Stoppable. By now, most everyone who lives and works on this estate knows the boy who's dating Yori here," he finished with a gesturing hand toward the ninja girl, who started to blush from embarrassment.
Snickering from seeing the flushed cheeks on the other girl and Ron, who was also embarrassed knowing almost everyone at the Mochizuki Estate practically knew him as Yori's boyfriend, Kim eyed the Japanese mechanic. "I see you're wearing mechanic coveralls, so I presume you don't work full-time here?"
An approving grin spread across Tadao's features. "That's right. It's not like there's things to fix every day. I mostly earn my living as an auto mechanic, working six days a week. I stop by every Saturday evening to check on the vehicles used most of the time by the estate's residents."
Both Ron and Kim blinked at this, for they saw a flaw. "Whoa, dude," the freckle-faced boy said, "if you work six days a week fixing cars, how do you manage to come here if something does need fixing?"
Eyes twinkling, Tadao answered. "I said I worked six days a week. I didn't say I work full-time. I'm self-employed with my own small garage on this side of Middleton, not far from the estate. If someone here calls me to fix something, I can come at a moments notice, depending on the priority."
"Cool!" Ron grinned. "You get to work on these beauties!" he waved down the length of the garage and the two rows of cars and motorcycles lined up on either side of the building.
The garage happened to be the second-largest structure of the Mochizuki Estate behind the living quarters. It was long enough to accommodate its 20 regular-size cars and a few heavy-duty pick-up trucks used for large work hauls. A garage door and one personnel door were situated on either side with a third set in the center facing the central bay where motorcycles and a few ATVs were housed around a lift used for car/truck maintenance. Only the corner work-bench area seemed out of place. For anyone entering this place, the numerous vehicles spoke volumes as to the wealth and power of the estate as a whole.
Tadao grunted an affirmative to the younger man's statement. "True," he said just as he began walking down the aisle between the parked vehicles, the three teenagers following him holding their dinner plates in hands. "Yet not all these cars have been used in a long time. Some have been pickled for the time being."
"Pickled?" Ron asked, not familiar with the term when it came to automobiles. Even Yori raised a curious eyebrow.
Yet it was Kim who provided the answer. "He meant that the engines have been dried of gasoline and oil, thus preserving the engines from long-term degradation."
The middle-aged mechanic smiled in acknowledgment. "That's right. It doesn't pay to have all of the cars ready to go if they are hardly ever used."
"What?" the Middleton High mascot nearly shouted, flabbergasted. "Is that Dodge Charger," his finger pointed to the car on the left, "not souped up and ready to roll?"
After seeing the Japanese man shake his head negatively in amusement, the blond boy groaned in disappointment. "Aw, man! It would have been so cool if it was painted red with a Confederate flag on top." His face became excited as his imagination ran wild. "Imagine cruising around Middleton in this baby."
Mr. Sato chuckled at Ron's enthusiasm, while Yori was baffled as to what her boyfriend was talking about. Kim just rolled her eyes and smirked. "Ron, you watch too much of that show. Don't expect Officer Hubble to be chasing you around town like that idiot sheriff from the show."
"Yeah, yeah, KP," Ron grinned, his eyes showing his mind still was in dreamland. "It still will be cool, though, to imagine it." He pointed to his two female companions. "You ladies will ride shotgun while I sit behind the wheel."
Kim snorted in teasing disbelief. "Me? Ride shotgun? You still have not passed Driver's Ed, Ron, while I currently have my student's permit."
Ron instantly deflated. "Do you have to remind me, KP?" His head turned upward as he waved a single hand up. "You just ruined the image!"
"Sorry, Ron," Kim apologized; yet her smirking face said she was not regretful for shooting down her best friend's ego. Yori covered her mouth with a hand as she giggled, while Tadao simply grinned, his eyes conveying his laughter.
The master mechanic patted the young man's back as the two young women took another bite of their dinners. "Cheer up, young man. I'm sure you'll get your driver's permit soon."
A weak, appreciative grin appeared on Ron's features. "Yeah. Thanks." The grin brightened somewhat. "I'm thinking of also maybe getting a motorcycle license as well." His face perked up. "Cruising around town on my bike, looking cool like the Fonz." Again, Kim rolled her eyes, Yori giggled despite again not knowing what her BF said, and Mr. Sato chuckled.
Deciding to get the topic off of her long-time friend's wild imagination, the eldest daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Possible eyed the Japanese girl. "What about you, Yori?" Dark eyes turned to focus on green ones. "Are you going to learn to drive?"
Yori nodded with a mild grin. "Eventually, Possible-san. Middleton may have a good mass transit system, but it doesn't go everywhere. From what I've been told, in order to get to most places in America, one needs to drive there."
Mr. Sato nodded in agreement. "It's not like Japan where there's a nearly country-wide mass transit system. Unless a person lives and works in one of the major American cities which have good mass transit, one has to learn to drive to get around this country." His head bobbed toward the young kunoichi. "Yori will be given private lessons to help her pass the written exam, and after some time behind the wheel, she'll eventually pass the driver's test."
Kim nodded in understanding to both the plan to help Yori gain her license and to the reasoning for her to require one. Indeed, it just didn't pay to live in America without a driver's license. It was a way of life for nearly everyone in the nation.
After the group reached the central area of the garage, Tadao, seeing the sunlight was growing weaker through the windows, went over to a light switch panel next to the door and flipped a row of switches on. Ceiling lights came on and illuminated the entire garage, providing the four humans better means to see around them.
Ron gave out a long "Oooooo" as he walked over to a cluster of motorcycles and examined one in particular. "It's a Harley-Davidson!" he exclaimed before turning to face the girls with a huge grin and a finger pointing to the bike. "Now this is a bike."
"True," Kim admitted as she and Yori joined the smirking blond. "Yet don't think you'll be cruising on it anytime soon, Fonz." Ron stuck out his tongue at his teasing friend, while Yori giggled.
Softly laughing at the teenagers' antics, the Japanese mechanic walked over and placed a hand on the bike. "This particular model was bought in 1975, a few years before I came here from Yamanouchi." A fond grin of remembrance spread across his face. "I remember Hiroshi then was quite a motorcycle rider. He occasionally would ride around the Tri-City area on these bikes just for fun."
Three astounded teenagers blinked at the elder man, not quite believing what they had heard.
"Are you referring to Mochizuki-shishou?" Yori inquired, still in disbelief.
Tadao snorted, the side of his lips curled upward. "Of course I was referring to him. He wasn't a shinobi master back then. Despite him being nearly ten years older than me, we befriended each other when I came here. Our love for movies and motorbikes gave us common ground." His grin became wistful. "As his responsibilities grew, Hiroshi stopped riding. We grew up, but…" Twinkling eyes shined down at the three teens. "I know he will always have a love for these vehicles, even if he is a master now."
Out of the three flabbergasted youngsters, Ron was the first to recover as he smiled widely. "The Master is not only a movie lover but a motorbike lover as well." He pumped his free right hand in the air. "Booyah!"
Their teammate's trademark joyful word snapped Kim and Yori out of their trance and both ladies slightly grinned. They knew their elders were once young as they were, yet it was sometimes easy to forget this, given their mindsets pictured parents, teachers, and older folks as wise, responsible people that didn't mesh with the mental pictures of imagining them as brash, irresponsible youngsters.
Mentally shaking these thoughts out of her head, Kim eyed the grinning Mr. Sato. "So, given you said you came to America from Yamanouchi, I guess you're a ninja too, right?"
The grin on Tadao's face became a bit sad. "Well, yes and no."
Yori's lips curled to match the older man's expression, given she already knew the story behind his answer. However, Kim and Ron blinked, before the freckle-faced boy shook his head. "Dude, that answer will not pass on the written test, especially it's from Mr. Barkin."
"Ron!" Kim chastened him with a mild glare, which Yori copied. Their male companion gave the grace to appear sheepish.
Tadao simply grinned, not at all appearing to be insulted. "To answer your question more clearly, Kim," the two girls and one boy returned their attention to the master mechanic, "I did attend Yamanouchi, therefore I was trained to become a ninja. However, an accident during one training session caused severe damage to my right leg." He patted his right leg to emphasize it. "Despite intense physical therapy, I have lost the ability to use my right leg properly, therefore, I can't run, jump, or do other physical feats requiring my legs. At 17 years old, I was devastated to learn I would not ever graduate as a full shinobi."
Kim and Ron felt sorrow at this, for not everyone in the world would see their dreams come true. It was cruel fate that something happened to Mr. Sato to have crushed his hopes to become a ninja.
However, the next moment have the three teenagers seeing a sly lopsided grin appearing on the Tadao's face. "Yet that didn't meant I couldn't serve the Yamanouchi organization in another way. Given the opportunity to serve any of the branches as non-combat personnel, I decided to come to serve the America branch and learn as much about mechanics, which was my favorite hobby. I enrolled in Upperton University and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering." Kim and Ron's eyes went wide as this news, while Yori simply smirked. "I've been helping this estate ever since, and over time I became the Master Mechanic."
"Cool!" Ron exclaimed, being the first of the pair to come out of shock. "Does this mean you can whip up a super plane for KP, Yori, and me to ride the next time we need to fly?"
"Ron!" Kim chastened him again, but this time in a grinning, playful matter. Yori chuckled as her boyfriend merrily grinned.
The Middleton High cheer squad captain rolled her eyes once before eying the amused Japanese engineer. "So I guess that despite you could have had a career as an engineer, you stayed as a simple car mechanic so you could help out this estate," she pointed to down to indicate the entire Mochizuki Estate, "in case of emergencies. Given both my 'rents have Ph.Ds, I know these high paying careers are not always flexible 9-to-5 jobs."
Tadao smiled and nodded at her accuracy. "That is correct. I could have had a career with a good, high-paying corporation, but, as I said, I wanted to help the Yamanouchi organization. Being semi self-employed gave me the freedom to be flexible in order to help this estate when needed."
Feeling good that this kind man had found a way to help his people, Kim felt confidence to ask something. "So I presume most of the Mochizuki Estate's support staff are from Yamanouchi?"
It was Yori who replied. "Hai. Some are like Sato-sama, who couldn't become shinobis but still wanted to serve, while others are graduates. Only a few have not ever been to Yamanouchi, but they are mostly relatives of Yamanouchi alumni. An estate of this size requires a large staff to maintain and administrate it."
"Yeah, I figured that out," Kim admitted with a wry grin. "I seriously doubt Master Mochizuki would have had the time to teach you and Ron if he had to do all the paper work every day."
As Yori and Tadao chuckled in agreement, emerald eyes wandered over the selection of motorcycles until it came across one quite familiar. "Ron, take a look at that bike!" she gasped, pointing to the bike. "Do you recognize it?"
Ron frowned and scratched his head as he looked at the bike his friend was referring. "What's so special about this bike, KP? Looks like any other bike they make today."
Kim frowned at her best friend. "Hello, Ron. Remember last year before you left for Yamanouchi? Hirotaka drove this motorcycle into the gym!"
Memories of that day came back to Ron, causing his mouth to open in awe. "Oooo. That's right," he said while taking a look at the bike again. Now that he knew what Kim was talking about, the blond could really see it was the same motorcycle the Japanese exchange student used.
Knowing whom the redhead was speaking about, Yori examined the bike closely. "This is the motorcycle that Hirotaka-san used to drive into the Middleton High School's gym as you said, Possible-san?"
The Middleton High cheerleader nodded an affirmative. "It's the same. I didn't know anything about Yamanouchi then, yet despite this, I knew Hirotaka couldn't have brought his bike all the way from Japan. It would have cost too much to transport it. I'd figured he must have rented or borrowed it." Kim's mouth curved lopsidedly. "Yet now that I know about Yamanouchi, it makes sense that Hirotaka must have stayed here at the Mochizuki Estate during that one week student exchange program. He borrowed this bike from the estate."
Yori nodded once in understanding, her lips matching the other girl's. "As I said after the first time you told me about this story about Hirotaka-san, I'm not surprised. It's quite like Hirotaka-san to do the things you have described, Possible-san."
An amused chuckle brought all three Team Possible members to look at Tadao Sato, who was shaking his head in amused, disbelieving disappointment. "Hiro did that with this bike? He should know better than that."
"From your words, Sato-sama," Yori spoke, "you must have met Hirotaka-san when he was staying here."
Tadao bobbed his head once. "Only once, Yori. I found him to be quite knowledgeable about motorcycles and motor vehicles. He has a deep liking for American culture, and there was no doubt to me that once he graduated from Yamanouchi, he would come to American and live here at the Mochizuki Estate. I'd told him that he should consider learning to be a mechanic as a career."
Shaking his head again, the elderly man smirked. "Anyway, he told me he had taken a liking to several girls while here. I might not have know about his stunt of driving his bike into the gym, but I did know he was a quite a playboy."
"Yeah, he was," confirmed Kim. Yet the proud young woman was certainly not going to mention that she happened to be one of those girls who had crushed on Hirotaka. It was embarrassing to have been led on by the Japanese boy like a crushing sheep, and given Yori knew about Hirotaka, there was no way Kim would tell the ninja girl, not to mention Ron, who was dating Yori. As far as she and Monique were concerned, they both agreed that it was best to not mention this awkward time of their lives to anyone. Ever.
The Master Mechanic of the Mochizuki Estate gave a shrug before turning to eye a car. "Well, I'm sure eventually Hiro will grow up.
"I leave you young people to your meal provided by Kay, while I'll be checking on Hiroshi's car over there." He pointed to the four-door sedan he was eying. Kim and Ron could see that it was a luxury car, and they weren't surprised one bit. After all, if Master Mochizuki was to maintain the image of a wealthy man, he has to drive a vehicle with lavish creature comforts.
Yet before the Japanese engineer started to move toward the automobile, Yori spoke out to him. "Actually, Sato-sama, Ron-kun provided this meal we're eating now."
Raising a curious eyebrow, Mr. Sato turned to face Yori before focusing on Ron. "You made this meal?"
The blond nodded with a proud grin. "Yes, sir!"
He didn't respond at first, but after a minute, Sato pointed to the young chef. "On second thought, before I examine Hiroshi's car, I want to taste your cooking, Mr. Stoppable." His finger lowered as he continued his explanation. "Hiroshi phoned me on Sunday night about your cooking, saying you had left some leftovers. However, by the time I had stopped by Monday evening, there was nothing left!"
Ron and Kim trained their sights on their newest team member, and Yori, seeing their unspoken question, smiled a bit sheepishly. "Everyone loves your cooking, Ron-kun. They kept coming back for more. As I'd said before, you're a culinary master. Even Kay-sama admitted you're very skilled in the kitchen, remember?"
The high-school junior nodded his head and gave a reassuring grin, telling his girlfriend he was not upset at all. On the contrary, Ron was quite pleased he had made a great impression on everyone at the Mochizuki Estate, much like he had at Middleton High. His cooking talents were something he knew he was better at than most people, and it was something even his parents said he should be quite proud of.
Turning to face the estate's mechanic, a still grinning Ron held up both hands in a calming gesture. "No prob, Mr. Sato. We still have some rice and fish over there on the cart. Chef Ronald is happy to serve you." With that said, the boy led the eager middle-aged man back toward the workshop and the food cart, and both young women followed the men on their tails.
Yet when the foursome reached the food cart, a sight greeted them that produced mix reactions among the group. Kim narrowed her eyes and frowned. Yori giggled with a hand over her mouth. Ron groaned and clapped a hand over his eyes, and Tadao Sato produced a disappointed shake of his head.
And what was it that they saw? An overstuffed naked mole rat lying on top of the food cart among an empty bowl and pan where the rice and fish used to be.
"Rufus!" Ron shouted out.
Opening his eyes, the little guy waved a greeting. "Hi!" The next moment had him closing his eyes again and plopping back to his original lying position, his tongue sticking out of his mouth in a very pleased expression.
Sighing in displeasure at his small pal, Ron took off the covering for the cheese cake and was relieved to find the dessert was untouched. "At least you can have a piece of cheese cake, Mr. Sato," he said as his hand picked up a cake knife while placing down his empty food plate. "I've left plenty of rice and salmon in the kitchen, so I'll give some for you to take home." He sliced a piece, placed it on a small dessert dish before handing it, with a fork, to the older man.
"Much appreciated, Mr. Stoppable," Tadao thanked as he accepted the dessert.
As the Japanese man ate his cake, Ron proceeded to slice the cake to hand pieces to Kim and Yori before he served himself. It wasn't long before both girls were humming in pleasure from the richness of the cake on their tongues.
The estate's mechanic and repairman smiled in satisfaction down at the blond student of Master Mochizuki. "You live up to the reputation Hiroshi placed on you, Mr. Stoppable. This is quite a tasty cheesecake. I look forward to sampling the rice and salmon later."
"Thank you, kind sir," Ron replied grandly with a smile. "Master Chef Ronald Stoppable is indeed the best."
Tadao Sato good-heartedly laughed and clapped the younger man on the shoulder, while Yori giggled and Kim chuckled, smirking and shaking her head at her best friend's antics.
Taking another bite of the sweet dessert, Kim's thoughts dwelled on the mission that would start tomorrow. It seemed she and her team were ready now, and all was left was to initiate the plan. The redhead knew the nation's freedom as well as the rest of the world depended on her winning the American Star Maker contest. She would not allow Dr. Drakken to claim a victory. Not by long shot.
Mentally determine to succeed, Team Possible's leader forked another bite of cake into her mouth, and her eyes fluttered shut as her brain was remained once again how incredibly good this dessert was. Thoughts on Drakken quickly fled, to be replaced by one thing in her mind.
"I really, really have to get Ron to cook again for my family. He's so the Middleton da Vinci when it comes to food."
With that said in her head, Kim Possible ate another bite with great relish.
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TBC (End of Chapter 23)
A/Ns:
1) Yeah, yeah, I can hear some of you are getting a bit impatient for the 'main event' to start. This chapter is just a little intermission to allow me to add another inside look at lives of those working and/or living at the Mochizuki Estate. Given the size of the estate and the organization it supports (Yamanouchi), I figured it should have a good-sized fleet of ground vehicles to help in their everyday lives. Besides, this chapter also provided me a chance to introduce yet another OC to the growing ranks. :)
So yes, the next chapter will be what some of you are waiting for. Be on the look out for it. ;)
2) I don't know about other countries, but it is true that unless one can drive, one will not get far when living in America in most places. I know New York City has a great mass transit system, but go outside the city, and one will find very little means to get around without driving. Even where I'm living now, unless one can drive, one is stuck.
Given what I've read online about Japan, the country has a nearly nation-wide mass transit system that would allow one to reach almost any part of the country. Yori and Ron, in "Exchange," were seen taking a bus to a certain point before walking the rest of the way up the mountain to Yamanouchi. So I figured for Yori, she grew up mostly without the need to drive around, yet now, living in America, she has to learn to drive. Middleton may have a good bus system, but it cannot go everyone one would need.
3) Just to let everyone know that even though I didn't make the top three nominations for any of the categories (Oh, poo!), yours truly will be writing up a presentation for the upcoming 2nd Annual Fannies Awards ceremonies. Yori and I will be presenting the Best Alternative Pairing Award, so I will not start writing up Chapter 24 until I finish writing up my part for the Fannies. I might not take long, yet I'm going to have fun! (snicker)
So when Zaratan starts to post the fanfic for the Fannies Awards on February 17th, be on the look out for my and Yori's presentation of the ceremonies! It's going to be a blast this year! (big grin)