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 for providing great proofreading work. Thanks, man! You're the best! (big grin)
Big thanks go to all who read and left reviews for Chapter 24: ZK Chromedragozoid, zafnak, AtomicFire, iron-mantis, Comet Moon, Joe Stoppinghem, reddragonn343, reviewer not a writer, MondoMage, warlord-xana, reggiana, Mr. Average, whitem, shiro-wolfman-k, romantic-cancer, rye.bread, Bubbahotek, and Goinghome.
And thanks go to all who read Chapter 24. :)
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A Bond of Honor
Chapter 25 – Aftershocks
By JuPMod (aka JPMod)
It was shaping up to becoming one of those days for Steve Barkin, Vice-Principal of Middleton High School.
Ever since he had left the military service years ago, he had always wanted to help the next generations of Americans achieve their potentials. In order to do so, the big man knew that becoming a school teacher was the best means, thus it was easy for him to enroll in college and spend a few years in learning to become a teacher. Afterward, he returned to his hometown to seek employment in the school system, and since then, Mr. Barkin had not left Middleton High.
Over the course of time, he had become a force of nature at Middleton High. So much, that the students' first image would be that of the ex-Marine whenever they thought of their high school. Barkin was commended for whipping the disciplinary system into shape, getting more students on their toes to get passing grades, and was immeasurable in getting good high grade averages for the entire overall school. Indeed, ex-Major Steve Barkin was a force to be reckoned with.
Yet the 40-something man would not ever forget the day more than two years ago when he first laid eyes on one Ronald Stoppable. Substituting for a sick teacher, Barkin took a good look at the freshmen faces around the class, until he sized up a goofy blond boy, who looked like a doofus. His first impression was that the kid was an idiot, but the man knew better than to jump to conclusions without proof. It wasn't until minutes later, after turning around from the chalkboard to face the class, that he received his first proof – Stoppable was sleeping with his head on his desk. So from that day onward, the brown-haired teacher thought of only one word when implying about Stoppable – slacker, and the Marine in him was bent to whip the boy into shape.
One thing became clear to Mr. Barkin about the boy over the duration of these past two years; Stoppable was full of surprises, both good and bad. The blond hardly improved himself beyond getting an average grade, with the sole exception of Home Ec which showed the teen was a cooking master. He was lazy in doing some things, but would push himself in others, like helping his best friend, Kim Possible, in her humanitarian missions. Stoppable had elements of a person going nowhere, but at the same time, showed he had the essentials to make a name for himself
The boy, Barkin had realized one day, was a quite an enigma.
So it came as little surprise that Stoppable presented a video autobiographical paper for the entire class to watch, and when the music vid was over, the Vice-Principal mentally groaned and knew it was going to be one of those days, one with a massive headache.
After the presentation was over, Mr. Barkin clicked off the VCR with a finger before facing the class with a unhappy expression. "Oh, well, it pains me to admit this, but it was both creative and autobiographical."
Sitting at the frontmost left side student desk, Ron smugly pointed to his teacher. "You know, the guy on TV gave me a B minus."
"Fine," Barkin softly grated, "B minus." There were just times he wanted to drill Stoppable into the ground like it would be at Boot Camp.
With Rufus standing on the desk watching, the smug, smiling blond teen turned around to face his two favorite gals – Yori sitting behind him and Kim to his left. "Ha! You can't spell inspiration without procrastination, ladies," he exclaimed with index fingers pointing at them.
Kim, wearing a red/orange shirt with white side strips and brown cargo pants, pretended to think about it for a moment before answering her best friend with a smirk. "Er, yes, you can."
Getting into the act, Yori, wearing a red blouse and denim capris, matched the auburn-haired girl's expression. "Indeed, you can."
Both girls eyed each other and their lopsided grins grew wider in agreement.
Ron momentarily was stumped before giving a knowing grin, pointing back at the ladies. "Well, not the 'ation' part." He faced his little, grinning buddy before giving him a high-five with his right index finger. "Boo-yah!"
The school bell rang, catching everyone's attention, and as the young adults rose from their desks, Barkin's voice hollered out. "Listen up, people! I'll have your papers graded by tomorrow," he announced before facing Ron. "As for your video paper, Stoppable, I'll be keeping it to watch it again to verify whether it really deserves a B minus. You'll get it back tomorrow."
"No prob, Mr. B," Ron replied, his cheerful expression still plastered on his face. Only then did the boy, after his pet jumped from the desk into his cargo pants pocket, leave the classroom, followed closely by his oriental girlfriend and redheaded best friend.
When the room was devoid of students, Steve Barkin finally let a small grin came to his face. True, he was a bit miffed the slacker managed to get by without writing up an actual paper, but he could not deny the video was original and a bit catchy, even though he thought rap music was nothing by noisy garbage.
Shaking his head as he headed toward the teacher's desk to file the students' papers, once more, the big ex-military officer was shown how much Ronald Stoppable was a mystery at times.
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Shortly after leaving the class, Yori latched her left arm through her suitor's right, making him grin warmly at her as they walked together. She was so much in a good mood that she felt a need for some physical closeness. With Barkin-sama not patrolling the hallways, the crafty ninja knew she could get away with showing this mild PDA without getting caught.
Yet despite her mood, the pretty Japanese gently chided her BF with a reproachful grin. "Ron-kun, were you suggesting in class, you are going to break your promise to me?"
Ron rubbed the back of his head sheepishly with his right hand as he chuckled. Out of the corner of his left eye, he saw Kim was enjoying watching him squirm. "Yori, I told you and KP that I'm not so great in doing papers." His hand waved in front of him in frustration. "Give me a written test or essay. Hey, I'm all for multiple choice, for at least I get a chance at getting the correct answers." Both girls giggled at that. "Papers, however, are not my forte," he finished with a dismissing hand wave.
"Ron…" Kim rebuked, still grinning. "You better put some effort when it comes to writing papers. They're going to be handing us these assignments more and more next year when we're seniors."
"Hai," Yori concurred at the same time the boy groaned to his best friend's words. "I presume colleges and universities in America are choosey in their selection process for students, much like in Japan." Dark eyes sincerely locked onto brown ones. "If you are planning to attend college, Ron-kun, you better start taking your present education seriously."
Producing a small shrug, Ron softly grinned at her. "I don't know about attending college, Yori. I do know I still will keep my promise to you." Yori's approving, warm grin told him what she thought, and he knew he had said the right thing.
Yet as he faced forward once more, the sunny-haired adolescent muttered his thoughts without meaning to say it. "Maybe I can procrastinate only for my papers." The young women on his sides immediately narrowed their eyes at him. "Or maybe not," he quickly amended, realizing his error. A breath of relief escaped his lips once he saw his gals' faces return to normal. He knew better than to get both ladies' ire up, for it was not healthy to be on the receiving end of their wrath.
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The crack of a bat hitting a softball was heard across the field, followed by some cheering and shouting as the defensive players aimed to get the ball while the runner tried to get as far as he could go around the bases. Seeing he could only reach second base, the teenage boy stopped, knowing if he went for third base, he would likely would be tagged out.
Ever since the sport was created in the latter half of the 19th century, baseball had grown to become one of America's favorite sports, and eventually, it expanded to be played across the world in other countries. It was a rarity in the USA to find a person who didn't know about baseball and/or played it, whether it was in school, the Little Leagues, the Minor Leagues, or the Majors.
So it had come as a pleasant surprise that PE Teacher Donna Landry and her fellow teacher had chosen to have the classes play softball outdoors. With a beautiful sunny day and a tolerable temperature, there was not a single student soul who complained as they ventured outside to the baseball field, divided into two teams, and participated in the classic game.
Off to the third-base side of the field, a group of boys and girls, representing the team currently playing offense, stood and sat. Some watched the game, while others just talked, waiting for their turns to bat. One group was around a particular blond boy and his two female companions, sitting on either side of him, and everyone listened with keen attention to the three while they told the story of what they'd experienced yesterday on the American Star Maker show.
"Wow," Liz, the only other redhead cheerleader other than Kim, spoke in amazement after hearing the whole story from the three Team Possible members. "It was a good thing Ron was able to take over for you, Kim. At least he bought the time for your tech man to nail that bad guy."
"Yeah," Kim proudly admitted as she looked at her best friend sitting to her left with Rufus standing on his left shoulder. "I'm just amazed his autobiographical paper was good enough to be sung."
A snort of a laugh was heard from Kim's best female friend, sitting just behind her. "I was amazed to have heard Ron-man here," she pointed slyly to the blond boy, "sing a tune." Focusing a teasing face at the young man in question, Monique repeated what she'd asked Ron upon first meeting him in the morning before homeroom. "Soooo… Plan any recording deals, Mr. Rap Artist?"
Everyone chuckled and giggled at the repartee, while Ron grinned and took the joking in stride. "Well, I haven't heard from anyone yet whether they want to market The Naked Mole Rap, Mon. It's not like they're going to make a CD out of it these days."
"True," concurred Jessica, the sunny-blonde cheer squad member. "Today, all they have to do is sell the song online. Many musicians still make lots of money that way."
"In other words, Jess," Kim added with a smirk, "the music CD is slowly going the way of the dinosaurs."
As everyone once more softly laughed, Yori, sitting next to her BF's left side, raised a curious eyebrow. "Nani? 'Going the way of the dinosaurs'?" With a chuckle, Ron explained the meaning behind the saying, and afterward, the lithe ninja giggled along with the others. "I'm not surprised that is the case regarding music CDs, Ron-kun. You should see my guardian's collection of records and cassette tapes."
"Yeah," chimed Middleton High's cheer squad captain with a knowing grin, "our 'rents ways of listening to music are fading away." Her green emeralds locked onto chocolate orbs. "Remember our trip to Florida to visit my Nana, Ron? Nana has a large collection of old records. The Tweebs took them to burn them into MP3 files."
"Oh, yeah," Ron nodded, remembering those times, before his expression became inquiring. "I forgot to ask whether they succeeded."
With roll of eyes, Kim snorted a laugh. "These are the Tweebs, Ron. They succeeded all right. Not only that, but they streamlined Nana's entire collection onto one CD." A chuckle escaped her lips. "Nana still listens to her old records, but only listens to the CD on her portable CD player whenever she goes out."
From the rear of their small group, a male student asked a question. "So if someone did offer you a contract to sell your song, Ron, would you accept it?"
Ron blinked at first, but it only took a few seconds for him to give a small reassuring grin and shrug. "Maybe. I wouldn't mind have a bit more moola," he rubbed his right thumb and index finger to indicate he was talking about money, "but other than that, I'm not seeking any TV appearances and such." His head shook briefly from side to side. "Not the Ronman. He would rather stay out of the limelight."
Most in the group were floored by the answer, but Kim and Yori, knowing what he had said last night, showed warmth and pride. This was not the first time today the two girls felt such feelings for Ron.
Upon arriving in the morning for school, Ron had been pleasantly amazed by the heap of congratulations and compliments many of his fellow students gave him. It was like he was now Mr. Popular with heaps of adoring fans surrounding him. Yet much to Kim and Yori's mildly-surprised relief, the young man didn't let the vast attention get to his head and just took everything in stride. The two young women saw he was keeping to his word that fame wasn't what he sought, and his actions made them prouder than ever to have him by their sides.
Out in left field, a brown-haired second-in-command of the cheer squad was scowling at the display of attention the loser was receiving. The dork should not be getting such popularity compared to her. Yet in recent weeks, Stoppable has slowly gained the notice of the student body by dating a beautiful Japanese girl who stood up for him, and there were already signs the couple has influenced the food-chain, like Tara being seen with the captain of the chess club of all the boys in the school... The Chess Club! Now to further make matters worse, Ron had been on national television, sung a rap song that was growing in reputation, and was climbing up the social ladder faster than he ever had in the previous school year.
For Bonnie Rockwaller, nothing irked her more than being made a fool. Someone was going to pay dearly for this. Oh, yeah. Someone was going to pay.
"Possible!" Coach Landry called out, catching everyone's attention. "You're up to bat!" she right thumbed toward the home base while keeping an eye on a clipboard in her left hand.
"Get a home run, KP," Ron encouraged as the redhead stood up. Kim grinned in thanks with a nod before heading toward the home plate, picking up a bat along the way. Standing to the left of the plate, she took a few practice swings before bending her knees slightly and facing the pitcher with the catcher and the male PE teacher, acting as umpire, behind her.
Kim nearly swung at the first two pitches, but let them go for called balls instead. Yet the third pitch was the charm. Her arms swung the bat and hit the ball with the full force she mustered behind the swing, making the ball speed pass the shortstop up the field. With no fence to picket the ball, the centerfield player, who happened to be Crystal – the curly-haired brunette of the cheer squad, ran with speed to try to catch up with the bouncing ball.
As Ron and others cheered her on, Kim put strength behind her legs as she ran toward first base, and seeing that Crystal had yet to catch up with the ball, the lithe cheer squad captain made a dash toward second base. Half way toward her goal, she saw the centerfielder pick up the ball, so once she reached second base Kim halted her advance, deciding it was wise not to risk heading toward third. A satisfied smirk came to her face as she basked in the hoots and cheers of those on the sidelines, knowing she had done well.
While the softball was passed back toward the pitcher, Mrs. Landry called out for the next batter. "Takana! You're up!"
Yori blinked at this and to be truthful, she was feeling a bit nervous. This was her first time ever playing this sport despite having researched the game after Ron-kun had explained to her about the whole 'base' concept regarding stages of a relationship.
Seeing the slight apprehension in her expression, Ron quickly reached out to place his hand on his girlfriend's right arm as she began to stand up. With a confident grin, the blond teen gave her the reassurance she needed. "You'll do great, Yori."
Feeling the anxiety fading away somewhat, the pretty Japanese warmly grinned at him and nodded. Knowing she had the backing of Ron-kun behind her, Yori headed toward the home plate and picked up a bat along the way. She placed herself in the same position as Possible-san had before bending her knees as she faced the pitcher.
The pitcher underhandedly threw the ball, which Yori eyed keenly. Yet when she swung the bat, she realized the swing was too high compared to the ball, thus the bat missed by a few centimeters as it arched down into the catcher's glove. "Strike One!" yelled the male PE teacher, causing a few groans to be heard.
"You can do it, girl!" Monique rooted, hands cupping her mouth as the ball was passed back to the pitcher.
Taking a breath, the almond-eyed teen again faced the pitcher, her eyes focused on the movement of the ball as it was delivered toward her. Her brain told her to swing the bat, but a brief fear made her backtrack. Yet it was too late given her swing was partly over the plate. "Strike Two!" the umpire called out. Once again there were groans, moans, and a few shaking heads from Yori's team.
With left foot on second base, Kim frowned as she watched the Yamanouchi ninja get two strikes back-to-back. A part of her was gleeful that Yori was showing that she was not good in everything, yet she was concerned that it would be bad for her team if Ron's GF struck out. The team already had two outs this inning with one run, making them tie with the opposing team. If they could get another run, they would be ahead.
A snide smirk spread across Bonnie's face. This situation was just too good to pass up. "Hey, Takana!" she shouted out for all to hear. "It's no wonder you're losing! You've been kissing that loser of a boyfriend of yours for so long that his brain is making yours smaller!" With that said, the brunette snickered.
Kim and others winced at Rockwaller's remarks, while Ron, Rufus, and Monique glared back at the nasty girl. Yet when they eyed Middleton High's newest student, they could see Yori was not pleased at all at the insult. Not one bit.
With a glower, the pretty Japanese very much wanted to walk furiously over to Rockwaller and engage the snotty girl in a war of words. She didn't mind being targeted, but once more, Ron-kun had been targeted also, as well as their relationship. Her mind made her remember that she would not allow the other girl to get one over her, for Bonnie was not worth it, but part of her just could not let that insult pass without some kind of retribution.
Taking a breath and closing her eyes, Yori raised the bat upright in front of her, like it was a sword. Her memories recalled the wise words of Sensei during a class lesson at Yamanouchi a few years ago...
The sky was blue and clear, and the air was refreshingly cool. As they sat in the lotus position, many young eyes followed keenly and respectfully the eldest of Yamanouchi's senseis as he strolled casually through the courtyard among them. After all, he was Yamanouchi's master teacher, the one known as Sensei, and one would be foolish and blind not to listen to his words whenever he taught a class.
"As far back as humans remember, emotions have always played a part in society. Most people would rely on feelings to sometimes make decisions for them. Yet making these decisions totally on feelings without rational thought or concern sometimes would yield unwelcome results." Sensei paused for a moment as he scanned the many faces sitting before him.
"Emotions have their place in our world. Without them, we cannot love, mourn, or enjoy life that exists around us, but if one is not careful, they can tend to suddenly control you. Some have let anger or hate consume them to make rash choices, which would leave pain and suffering behind, especially toward others. Sometimes we let emotions not able us to see solutions to problems."
Standing in the center of several rows of students, Yamanouchi's Master Sensei placed his hands together in a prayer fashion. "Whether it is a personal dispute or on the field of battle, feelings can run high, spiraling out of control. However, if one maintains calm and focus, one can able to find balance, thus one can able to be more proficient in achieving one's goals.
"Close your eyes," he instructed, which Yori and the others obeyed. "Look into your minds and think of good thoughts and focus on them. Breath easy in and out, and let the dark tides inside your beings be wash away in the outgoing tides, leaving only the light inside you."
Even though her eyes were closed and could not see her adopted father's face, Yori knew that tone of voice when he spoke next. It conveyed a small hint of pride, and she had no doubt there was a small warm grin on his face.
"Once your thoughts and feelings are calm and stable, like undisturbed water of a pond, you will be capable to accomplish almost anything within reasonable limits." He paused, and Yori could imagine he was nodding as his grin broadened. "Indeed, almost anything within reasonable limits."
Opening her eyes half way, a calm and rational Yori repositioned her bat and aimed her sight at the pitcher. Many had looked confusingly at the Japanese girl, wondering why she acted the way she did, but it was clear now, from her facial expression, that she had cleared her mind, making her look more determined with that concentrated face. One that stated she was not going to repeat her mistakes.
With a jeering Bonnie yelling, trying to make the new student lose her attentiveness, the pitcher wound up and served the pitch. Yori paid no heed to what was around her as her eyes and mind was only on the approaching ball. Just when the ball reached a certain point in the air in front of her, oriental eyes narrowed a bit more and arms sprang forth to bring the bat down to connect with the spherical object with force.
The crack of the impact was loud, sending the ball speeding down the left foul line. "Fair ball!" Coach Landry called out only a few seconds after Yori and Kim began running like Hell while the ball already passed Bonnie's position, forcing her to run heavily to catch up with it.
Ron, Monique, and the other members of their team cheered and cried out encouragement as they watched their teammates run, feeling the excitement in the air.
"Go, Kim, go!" Monique called out as her best female friend approached home base at the same time Yori passed first, and when the redhead landed triumphantly on the plate, the African-American girl came out to greet the victor with two hands held aloft for high-fives. An enthusiastically grinning Kim happily obliged her friend.
"Oh, snap!" cried Bonnie, breathing heavily as she raced to catch the wayward baseball. Her mind was mentally cursing Stoppable's girlfriend for putting her in this position of being the only one to retrieve the ball and to stop the Japanese from gaining a run.
In the meantime, Yori was already approaching second base at the highest velocity her toned, muscled legs could push her. Her dark eyes saw Rockwaller was still chasing the ball but was almost upon it. Calculating the risk, the flexible kunoichi decided to chance it, thus she sped by second base, aiming for third. Many eyes went wide from the result.
"Is that girl crazy?!" Monique nearly shrieked as she watched Yori aiming for third just when Bonnie was picking up the ball.
"She'll be tagged out for sure!" Kim mentally exclaimed, thinking the oriental girl had made a tactical error.
Seeing Bonnie was turning about to throw the ball, Ron cupped his hands around his mouth. "YORI, SLIDE!" he and Rufus shouted together to warn her.
With a feral grin, Bonnie saw there would be time to get the ball to the third baseman, a boy from the high school baseball team, to tag out the newcomer. "You're out, Takana!" she hollered before throwing with enough force to get the ball to third base.
What happened next was akin to watching a car accident, where it would be impossible to tear one's eyes away from the sight. Everything happened in less than a few seconds, yet everyone was able to see clearly the details.
Knowing the ball was on its way to third base, Yori could see the ball would reach the baseman just when she was about to arrive. Allowing her legs to go down first before the rest of her body, Yori went into a slide, feet leading the way, just when the ball came into the baseman's glove. At a particular moment when the young boy was about to swing his arm down to tag her, the Far Eastern young lady propped her left foot flat onto the ground, enabling her body to leaned upward with the momentum, yet at the same time, her right leg swung in a 360 degree low circle to the right. This maneuver made the boy's gloved hand to miss her, and a moment later, her right foot completed the circle to land right onto the base with her left foot acting as a brake to prevent her from going too far.
As the dust was settling down, there was a few seconds of awed silence as every person stared with slack jaws and wide unbelievable eyes at what they had witnessed. The stillness was broken with Mrs. Landry animatedly shouting two words, which conveyed an umpire call on Yori's status. "SHE'S SAFE!"
"Booyah!" cheered Ron afterward with a pumped fist. His optimism immediately caused everyone on the team to cheer, hoot, and applause. Even some on the opposing team joined giving Yori an ovation. It was an incredible feat to have witnessed.
"Yori girl, that was just one spankin' move!" Monique praised with a wave of a hand as she, Ron, and few others approached the grinning Japanese girl, who was brushing off dust and dirt from her body.
"Arigatou, Monique-san," Yori said in thanks, her hands busy with cleaning her form. "I figured it was a good maneuver to use in order to avoid being tagged."
"That it was, Yori," Ron this time spoke with a warm, proud grin for his girlfriend. Her matching caring expression, which was locked on his own, spoke to him how much she valued his words. Brown eyes scanning her body, his face faltered just a bit in concern. "Are you okay, Yori? Sliding with your legs exposed like that?"
Her warm face became a kind, reassuring one just when she finished dusting off the areas of her body she could reach. "I'm fine, Ron-kun. Maybe a bit scratched up, yet otherwise, I'm okay."
A snort of amusement made Ron and Yori turned to Monique. "You may not be scratched up, girlfriend, but you surely will need a shower once you get back to the locker room. Your back is dusty, not to mention what other areas are now filthy." An agreeing grin from the Asian told the African-American that Yori was indeed going to do just that.
"Alright, people!" Coach Landry yelled out, catching every person's attention. "You can continue to praise Takana later! We have a game to play, so let's get to it!"
As those facing Yori returned to their original places and those on the field back to paying attention to the game, Monique smirked as she leaned a bit toward her new friend with Ron listening. "Well, I hope whoever is up to bat next would do well. We have two outs already, and it would be a shame if you didn't get a run due to the next person getting tag out."
"Williams, you're next!" Mrs. Landry announced, causing many eyes to train on the pretty, black girl in question.
After blinking a few times in stupor, Monique nervously chuckled as she felt her cheeks burn a bit, especially upon seeing Yori was smirking at her with a knowing look. "I'll do the best I can, Yori girl," she mentioned while slowly backing away. As she turned around to walk toward home plate, Monique muttered, "Oh, boy," knowing well that Yori's run depended on her batting well. It just didn't pay to say anything that would jinx you big time.
Softly giggling at the retreating girl's appearance, Yori eyed the blond boy still standing beside her while he watched Monique's back. "I think Monique-san is regretting her choice of words."
"No doubt about that," Ron concurred with twinkling eyes, while Rufus bobbed his head in agreement. His head swiveled to lock his eyes with dark ones. "Now if I was up to bat," the mock-smug, grinning, teen boy placed a hand on his chest, "it'll be my honor to give a home run for the both of us."
Feeling tickled at the game they were playing, Yori raised her chin with a pretended smug superior attitude, arms crossed. "It would be indeed your honor." She was pleased to see his grin went wider.
"Takana! Stoppable!" a voice startled the two teenagers, making them look at the forty-something female PE teacher. "You two lovebirds can flirt later," she ordered with a lopsided grin.
Snickers, girlish giggling, and gentle laughter from the other students started to turn Ron and Yori's cheeks to a rosy color. The Japanese turned her face away in embarrassed amusement, while her Caucasian suitor backed away from her toward their seated team while keeping his eyes on the gym teacher.
"Right, Mrs. L. We'll flirt later," Ron grinned sheepishly with a finger pointed the brunette class instructor. Loud teenage laughter around him made the goofy boy realize what he'd just said. Feeling his cheeks were burning more and seeing Yori's were also turning redder, Ron knew it was best to keep his mouth shut and retreat, and he did so with a barely whispered "Oh, boy."
"Flirt later," chirped an amused Rufus, causing another round of laughter around the already humiliated blond.
"You're not helping, buddy," a red-cheeked Ron groused at his little pink friend.
Despite it seeming that everyone was enjoying the show Ron and Yori had given, one person was not laughing, for she was scowling at the couple from her position in left field. Bonnie just felt her victory was snatched from her. It was supposed to be her moment to shine, as she thought the Japanese wench would be tagged out by her throw. Instead Stoppable's girlfriend turned a bleak situation into triumphant save, and it irked Bonnie big time
"Mark my words, Takana," Bonnie seethed in her head. "You'll pay. One day… You will pay."
Unaware to the brunette cheerleader, a redhead cheer-squad captain was also not happy but for different reasons. On the outside, she gave a small grin, but inside she was upset, thus she hadn't cheered for Yori after the new student pulled her stunt.
"Why…?!" Kim mentally fumed. "Why does Yori do everything better than me?!" It annoyed her that the Yamanouchi ninja could make it look so easy to do the things she did. Oh, the smarty almond-eyed girl couldn't drive a water-bike or drive a car yet, but the ticked leader of Team Possible knew it would be a matter of time before Yori could even do those things well. Her peeved mind just couldn't figure out yet what the beautiful oriental young woman couldn't do.
So as the game continued with many in good high spirits, two irritated girls were oblivious that they both shared the same thoughts at that moment. Thoughts of imagining one Yori Takana being on the receiving end of a sharp knife.
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TBC (End of Chapter 25)
A/Ns:
1) Given the last chapter was a long one, I made this chapter shorter dealing with some fallouts after the mission. Just some jealing going around toward our favorite Japanese kunoichi. (wink, grin)
2) I'm not a baseball/softball nut, so don't scream at me if I gotten some of the sport's terms wrong and such. I thought it would be a nice time for them to get outdoors and have some fun in the sun playing something other than basketball. (Edit In: Hats off to campy for correctly some of the terminlogy! (grin))