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. :)
Big thanks once again go to campy for providing great proofreading service! (big grin)
Big thanks go to all who read and left reviews for Chapter 25: ZK Chromedragozoid, AtomicFire, Joe Stoppinghem, Bubbahotek, reddragonn343, Yankee Bard, Kitsune6, Goinghome, whitem, Mr. Average, milordo-z 2.0, axt, warlord-xana, and obliviandragon.
And thanks go to all who read Chapter 25. :)
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A Bond of Honor
Chapter 26 – Quiet Time
By JuPMod (aka JPMod)
"It's just too quiet now," mentally admitted the redhead teenager as she sorted through her school books and notebooks at her locker. The school day had ended several minutes ago, thus she and the rest of Middleton High's student population were now going about their after-school business. It was just for her, Kim Possible, that she had nothing to do.
Taking a quick gaze at the locker's blank computer screen, Kim almost wished that her tech man would suddenly appear on-screen and give her a sitch to relieve the boredom. Any sitch would do, even rescuing a cat stuck in a tree would be preferable to going home and doing studying and homework non-stop. However, the lithe cheerleader knew that after a major mission, things would settle down for some time, so the likelihood of Wade appearing to give her a mission was slim. Very slim, much as Ron suddenly swearing off Bueno Nacho forever.
Sighing, her hands worked to finish putting the necessary books and notebooks in her small backpack. Kim knew precisely why she didn't want to go home alone now. For the first time in days, Ron would not be by her side after school and already she was missing him. True, she knew they couldn't be at each other sides all the time, after all, they needed their space. Yet the redhead almost always had the blond boy with her after school, and her brain knew it had all changed when another girl entered her best friend's life – Yori. Things really had changed.
After giving a relented sigh, Kim closed the locker and was immediately startled out of her wits upon seeing a familiar African-American girl standing right there leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. That smug, amused grin on the other girl told Kim just how much her best girlfriend loved doing that to her.
Giving a relieved amused grin, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Possible shook her head at the other girl. "Monique, will you ever stop scaring me like that?"
"And miss out seeing the great Kim Possible be freaked out for a moment?" Monique chuckled before waving a dismissing hand at her friend. "Not a chance!" Both girls softly laughed together, sharing the silliness of the moment.
"So what are you doing now?" a still grinning Monique asked as the two girls began walking side-by-side toward the front exit. "Heading home to cram that honor-roll head of yours with more knowledge?"
Slinging the backpack through her shoulders, Kim laughed quietly at the choice of words. She was glad her best girl friend was here to raise her spirits. "Pretty much," the redhead replied. "It's not like I have other things to do now. Cheer practice was this past Monday. The yearbook staff meeting was yesterday. Wednesdays were mostly free anyway." An eyebrow rose out of curiosity. "What about you? Nothing planned with Felix?"
With a snort of a laugh, the brown-skinned young woman shook her head. "It's not like I'm going to go out with Zombie Boy every day, girlfriend." Seeing a sly smirk on Kim's face, Monique giggled and shook her head. "I'm serious, Kim. We spent most of last weekend together, and even studied together yesterday." A knowing expression came to her face while raising a finger at her friend. "I'm no relationship expert, but even I know it's good to have some time by myself than spending most of my free time with my baby boy."
A shrewd grin slowly appeared on Monique's features. "Besides, Felix told me he wanted to do some things at home after school, and I have to work at the CB in a few hours. Not much for a BF and GF to do today anyway."
Kim grinned and nodded to the point made, just as the pair passed the front doors and ventured outside. The junior-year student had seen and heard about various relationships throughout the school. Some couples seemed to be too clingy, while others did not appear to show any signs they were in a relationship. Sometimes a relationship did need a breather if one or both partners smothered the other too much. She had heard of some break-ups due to a relationship being choked to death from too much affection.
Speaking of relationships… "Monique?" Seeing the African-American was paying attention, Kim pressed on. "Is it really true regarding Tara?"
At first, Monique blinked in confusion before laughing out loud, causing the world-heroine to frown and narrow her green eyes in annoyance. "Is it really true regarding Tara Sterling hanging out with Chess Captain Danny Cage?" she grinned. "Girlfriend, where have you been in the past week?" she chided with a smirk. "That girl is a member of your cheer squad, and you didn't know?"
Stopping in front of the school buses being filled with students embarking for their homes, Kim felt her ire go away to be replaced with mild embarrassment. "It's not like I'm very close friends with the entire squad, Monique. The last time I've seen Tara being in close proximity of Danny was when she came with me and Ron to the cafeteria last Wednesday when the Chess Club was holding their weekly meeting." The auburn-haired girl gave a tiny shrug. "Besides, it's none of my business anyway concerning any relationships the members of the squad are engaging in."
Monique smirked as she pointed to the cheer squad captain. "That and you were focused on other things last week, like defeating The Blue Man."
"True," Kim sheepishly grinned. She had been paying attention more to defeating Drakken than listening to the Middleton High gossip mill. It was only in the past two school days that she heard some tidbits regarding Tara dating Danny Cage.
With that smirk still on her face, Monique explained the situation. "Ever since last Wednesday, the gossip mill has heard from members of the Chess Club about a chess game their captain played with Tara and a date the two planned on Friday afternoon to play chess. It was true, for the pair was spotted in the cafeteria playing chess after school on Friday. Rumors have been flying ever since whether those two are serious with each other or not. No confirmations yet on any 'first base' sightings with those two."
Kim shook her head with a small canny grin. "It would be ironic if Tara did start a relationship with Danny. I know she's Bonnie's close friend."
A snicker escaped Monique's lips as she nodded in agreement. "Knowing Miss Popular, she would blow a gasket if Miss Sterling went against the 'food chain' by dating Middleton High's Chess Master." A wicked grin on Kim's face told the African-American how much the redhead would love to see Rockwaller lose her cool that way.
As the two young women watched the school buses drive away, Monique shrugged her shoulders. "Regardless whether Tara girl would date Cage, they are currently the second most-talked-about couple in the school's grapevine."
Blinking in bewilderment, Kim eyed her friend. "Second most-talked-about couple? Who are the first?" Her brain immediately came up with the answer just after asking the question, her lips forming an "Oh".
Turning her head, Monique gently grinned upon seeing the other girl's expression. "You already know them, Kim girl."
Nodding in concurrence, Kim spoke out the answer with a sigh. "Ron and Yori."
"The gossip mill is having a field day when it comes to Yori girl," Monique clarified with an admiring grin. "Almost every week now she does something that keeps the mill grinding on. Everybody just can't stop talking about her and her relationship with Rondo."
"Yeah," Kim spoke softly, while emerald eyes seemed out of focus as her mind whirled on the continuing relationship between her long-time best friend and the Japanese girl.
Monique's voice brought the leader of Team Possible out of her thoughts. "Speaking of those two, what are they doing now?" she asked with a frown. "I didn't see them leave the school."
Shoulders giving a shrug, Kim provided the reason. "After last period, they told me they were planning to spend some time in the library studying."
Brown eyes went wide upon hearing that particular news. "You're not talking about our very own Middleton High library, are you Kim girl? The library ran by Iron Maiden Hatchet?" After Kim nodded a confirmation, a frowning Monique shook her head. "Those two will not likely get any 'first base' action. Iron Maiden Hatchet will skin them alive if she catches any frisky business being done in her library." The frown transformed into a snickering smirk. "Yet if Rondo and Yori are smart, they likely can get away with it. I heard of stories of some couples managing to outwit the Iron Maiden."
Kim rolled her eyes. "Monique, I'm sure Ron and Yori had plenty of 'first base' action. It's not like they went a week without kissing."
"I'm not so sure about that, girlfriend," Monique eyed with a knowing, lopsided grin. "It's likely they didn't see some heavy smooch sections since a week ago, especially after what Felix told me what Ron told him."
"Uh?" Kim said in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
"This is what Ron told Felix last Thursday what had happened between Yori and him the previous Sunday." Kim's best girl friend then explained everything regarding Ron saying something inappropriate regarding an American Starmaker contestant and Yori's disapproval of his words. As punishment, Yori said she would not give any 'first base' studying at their next study session.
Shaking her head, Kim dismissed the story with a wave of a hand. "That doesn't make any sense, Monique. What about last Wednesday when Yori gave Ron major lip-lock in school."
Grinning, Monique shook a scolding finger. "Yori said at their next study session, Kim girl. Ron told my BF that Friday night they would not do any 'first base' studying, and if you think about it, I doubt they had any time or privacy for any major lip-lock sessions."
Seeing the baffled redhead, Monique grinned and rolled her eyes before enlightening the story, ticking off her fingers for each point made. "One, last Wednesday was the last time they were seen doing major lip-lock. Two, they didn't meet on Thursday, so nothing happened then. Three, they weren't seen kissing at school on Friday and Felix told me Ron would not get any kisses when they planned to study at his place after school. Four, you were with them all day Saturday, and nothing happened between them. Five, on Sunday, you were with them again all day. Again nothing happened." The black girl closed her fingers to start the ticking off process over again. "Six, they weren't seen kissing each other on Monday at school, and I know Yori had things to do at home after school. And seven, yesterday, they didn't meet, so again no kissing."
Blinking in astonishment, Team Possible's leader realized that her best female friend was right. Ron and Yori really didn't have any major 'first base' sessions since a week ago.
Knowing she had proven her case, Monique let a satisfied grin came to her face. "If Ron and Yori are sneaky, they might able to steal some kisses under Hatchet's nose."
Jade eyes narrowed. "Yeah, you might be right, Monique. Yori would be sneaky enough to do it." Her right fingers curled into a fist. "Given Yori is a ninja, she'll be sneaky all right. I wonder if she's sneaky enough to crawl into Ron's bedroom at night to try to demand more out of him," she mentally said without saying it out loud for the other girl to hear.
Upon seeing Kim's fisted hand, Monique's warning sirens started to blare in her head. "Uh, oh. Maybe it was not wise of me to mention Yori sneaking kisses from Ron. Kim Hulk is making an appearance, and that clenched hand seems to have Yori's name on it."
Acknowledging that damage control was needed, Monique knew a topic that would calm down the green beast inside the redhead world heroine. "Yo, Kim." Those green orbs immediately snapped back to reality and focuses on brown ones. "How about you join me at the mall before I start my shift at Club Banana? Remember I told you last week about the new line of clothes that was coming in? They came in over the weekend." Knowing she had sprung the trap, Monique pressed the advantage. "We can check them out."
Knowing how much Kim loved clothes from Club Banana, Monique saw her friend's expression become gleeful and excited. "You're on. Let's go!"
Following the enthused auburn-haired cheerleader in the direction of Middleton Mall, the African-American mentally sighed with relief. She had, for now, diverted Kim's thoughts off the Japanese girl and any thoughts on what the new student was doing with Ron. Just Monique wondered how much longer it would be until things might come to a point of no return between Kim and Yori.
Hoping that things might not come to a head between the two girls who meant a lot for Ron Stoppable, Monique chuckled and let a silly thought brighten any dark feelings. "If indeed Yori and Ron are sneaky, they will no doubt take the opportunity for some 'first base' action in that library. Not that they would try to neck in that place with Iron Maiden Hatchet on the prowl."
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"Mmmmmm," moaned two teenagers as their open mouths were pressed together enthusiastically. The Japanese girl couldn't help but melt at the firm, warm pressure the American boy was giving her. It had been so long since they last kissed like this that they cherished the first time with relish. Of course, that was like an hour ago, and yet despite their attempts to return to his studying and homework, the blond boy would initiate further 'first base' studying with a quick kiss which would melt her being, thus they would forget themselves all over again.
Of course, the young couple knew they were playing with fire by kissing in the high school public library. They were seated together at a table in one of the far corners of the place from the reception desk, so no one could see them. Yet this didn't deter the librarian in checking in on them once in awhile. It was like she had some sort of built-in PDA radar when it came to kissing teenagers.
Breaking the lip-lock, Yori smiled at the grinning boy beside her. This was like… What? The sixth or seventh time in the past hour? Not that she minded, just she would like to see him get some work done. "Ron-kun," she gently chastened, "as much as I appreciate doing more 'first base' studying, it is best that we get some real school studying and work done."
"Hey, I didn't hear you complaining before, ninja girl," Ron smugly retorted as he gazed deeply into those twinkling, twin, ebony orbs, which were memorizing to him. His brain also loved her outfit – a button-up, long-sleeved, blue-purplish, floral dress with hugging black waist belt and black slipper shoes. He remembered she had worn this dress three weeks ago when the pretty shinobi was first introduced to the MHS junior varsity cheer squad. It had come to a pleasant surprise for him this morning to see her in this dress again.
Her mouth constructed a giggle. "True," she admitted, "however…" Her hand came up to capture his chin to move his face and eyesight toward the notebook and text book in front of them. "It's best we get back to work."
With a reluctant sigh and small grin, Ron nodded, giving in to her demand. "Fine, let's get this over with." The lanky blond soon was focused on the math homework he was assigned today.
A few moments after he started his work, two sets of teenage eyes spotted a bulky moving form out of the corner of their eyes. It was clearly the big figure of Ms. Hatchet, the MHS library's chief librarian, as she inspected a row of books for something. The elder woman for a moment narrowed her spectacled eyes at the two youngsters before moving out of sight as she journeyed back to the front reception desk.
Once the menacing-looking faculty member was out of sight and hearing range, Ron leaned over to whisper to his GF. "You heard her coming, did ya?"
Yori nodded just once. "Hai, I did," she replied with the same voice tone, the corner of her lips curling upward.
Ron smirked as well. "Good ol' ninja hearing comes in handy." He was indeed glad for Yori's sharp senses that were honed during her training at Yamanouchi. This had been like the fourth time Iron Maiden Hatchet tried to catch them making out. It was like she wanted them to be caught, given how she gave the 'Evil Eyes' at them.
Giving another giggle, Yori tapped the math book. "Let us get back to your homework, Ron-kun. From what you have told me about Hatchet-sensei, it is best we stay off on anymore 'first base' studying for some time."
Brown eyes once more on his school work, Ron bobbed his head in concurrence. "Yeah, when it comes to PDA's, she's worse than Barkin." Hearing his girlfriend giggle once again made him grin.
As he tackled his workload, Ron remembered telling Yori about Ms. Hatchet last night when they had been chatting on the phone. He had told about the incident, prior to the 'Gorilla Fist' mission, regarding Kim's missing library book on cheese and his attempt to back track to find the book while his best friend served public service under Hatchet's iron rule in the library. It had amazed Yori how much he went out of his way to help Kim, and the Japanese girl was particularly interested in what had happened when Ron was at Monkey Fist's castle. Yet Ron's GF was amused to hear he had the book in his backpack all along. It was like him to be forgetful at times.
After several minutes of work done, the Stoppable's only child decided to bring up a subject he had been meaning to ask today but kept forgetting about it. "Yori?" Seeing he had her attention, he pressed on. "Have you given thoughts on whether you want to join any of the sport teams when we start school in the fall?"
Befuddled, Yori blinked at his question. "Nani? Why you ask that, Ron-kun?"
Ron softly grinned as he shrugged. "Well, as you know, Mrs. Landry's certainly been impressed with your three-pointers in basketball, and that slide you did on Monday was 'Booyah!' cool!" Yori grinned at his compliment to that moment she took third base in a softball game. "Given your skills, you can dominate any sports game." After pausing to let his words sink in, the blond finished his comments with an inquiry. "So are you planning to join any teams?"
Glancing down, the pretty Yamanouchi ninja gave a slight forlorn look with a small grin before reconnecting her onyx eyes with his chocolate ones. "To be honest, Ron-kun," she admitted softly, "I do not think it would be fair for me to join any of the school's sports teams."
Now it was Ron's turn to be puzzled. "Why not? You can get the school to the state's championships, no matter what team you join."
"That is precisely why I should not join." Seeing he was even more confused, Yori elaborated. "Ron-kun, my skills and physical training give me an advantage over most teenagers of our age group. With perhaps the exception of Possible-san, there would not be any fairness if I were to compete in sports against those of lesser skills and training. Sports should be played with individuals being on almost equal ground." Her brain immediately came up with something that would make her reasoning be understanding to the blond boy. "For example, I've read in recent times about scandals involving professional sports players using a drug that boosts their strength and performance. I think the drug is called 'steroids'."
"Oh, yeah," Ron nodded with a frown. "The Power Booster drug." His eyes narrowed. "Those guys were cheating."
Giving a small knowing grin, Yori reached over to clasp her hand onto his. "It's the same as I would feel. It would be cheating."
Ron wasn't exactly completely convinced as his lips curled slightly upward. "I don't know about that, Yori. Your strength is your own, not boosted using wonder pills. Did you play sports at Yamanouchi? Not that I remember seeing anyone play any sports when I was there, that is."
Grinning in amusement from his last sentence, Yori knew what he was aiming with his point, but she was not deterred. "Hai, we played sports, Ron-kun. Just have you forgotten that all students of my class at Yamanouchi are almost on the same level of skills and strength as I?"
At first, the blond had no idea what she was talking about, but soon his brain clicked and the answer made his mouth formed a circle as he said, "Oh." Ron mentally berated himself for not remembering that all the students at Yamanouchi were ninjas. They would be almost on equal footing with each other if they played any physical sports. He thanked God that he had not played any sports when he was there. It would have been his massacre, if he had played dodge ball against a bunch of swift moving shinobi.
Mentally shaking off the image of him lying on ground after being plummeted by dozens of red dodge balls, Ron shrugged and gave his oriental girlfriend a supporting smile. "Okay, I see your point. I still think it would not matter, since it is still your own strength. But if you're uncomfortable about it, you should not be forced to join any teams, Yori."
Yori's grin broadened into a warm, appreciative smile at the same time she squeezed his hand. "Arigatou, Ron-kun, for understanding my reasons."
Feeling warm upon seeing her loving expression, Ron felt proud for saying the right thing. It was her decision to whether to join any sports teams or not, anymore than it was anyone else's decisions to do what they want to do in life. It made him feel good that he would support her as much as she would support him.
With the tension gone, Ron casually placed his hands behind his head, grinning. "So, if you're not going to join any sport teams, do you have any ideas for what you're going to do for ex circ activities?"
Having gotten use to his way of talking, Yori knew what he meant by 'ex circ activities'. "I truly have no solid plans, Ron-kun," she shrugged a bit. "Maybe join the Chess Club or the Debate Team as Barkin-sama suggested. There are many months to go before the next school year starts, so I have plenty of time to make any decisions."
Nodding, the blond junior student mentally agreed. It was not like she had to make a decision now. Yet his Bueno Nacho-loving brain had come up with a simple solution to help her make it easier for her to choose.
His face contorted into a grinning expression that told his girlfriend he was up to something. "I'll be right back," he said with a raised finger before venturing off into a part of the library and leaving behind one confused female ninja.
A few minutes later, the young man was back with a book in hands, and after placing it down onto the table, almond-shaped eyes read the words on the front cover – Middleton High School Yearbook 2004. Intrigued, a black eyebrow rose up at the grinning boy, who sat back down on his chair before opening up the book and began explaining.
"This, Yori, is the high school yearbook," Ron started as he flipped through the pages for both of them to see. "Every year, before the school year ends, we put together pictures into a book to remember the best of times of the school year. Every teacher, faculty member, and student has their pictures in here, along with pictures from every sport team, club, and other school organizations. Even some events of the year are shown in the yearbook."
As they looked at the faculty photographs, Yori understood what her boyfriend was describing. "Ah, I see. It's like a memoir. A journal of memories for people to look back on the high school's life for a given year."
Ron couldn't help but smile at those words. "A journal of memories..." He bobbed his head in concurrence. "I like the sound of that, Yori!" The young woman grinned in thanks at his praise before both returned to gazing at the yearbook.
After sorting through the teachers & staff section, the Japanese girl tapped the book once. "Are you and Possible-san shown anywhere in this yearbook?"
Giving a snort of a chuckle, Ron nodded. "Yeah, Kim is nearly everywhere as you can see," he said as his finger pointed to the miscellaneous filler photos before paging to the activities section. "Also you can see that she was in a lot of clubs as well as the girls' swim team and the cheer squad." He finished on the page showing the cheer squad Yori was quite familiar with, producing an amused grin from her on sight of the goofy blonde mascot standing next to the squad captain in the team photo.
Suddenly an idea sprung into Ron's mind, making him point to Yori with one index finger and aim the other index finger at the cheer squad photos. "Hey! You can join the cheer squad, Yori!" he spoke with excitement in a low voice so he wouldn't cause a racket in the library.
Yori's eyes went wide at the suggestion before she closed her eyes and sadly shook her head with a small grin. "No, Ron-kun," she mentioned before opening her eyes at the confused boy before her. "It would be unwise for me to join the cheer squad."
"Why not?" asked Ron. "You have the moves and skills that would make you an excellent cheerleader. It certainly helped KP."
"It's not that," Yori gently rebuked. "It has everything to do with both Possible-san and Rockwaller." Seeing he was even more befuddled, the beautiful teenager sighed just before clearing things up. "As you know, Ron-kun, Rockwaller and Possible-san have a rivalry between them. You also know how much Rockwaller does not like me. Now imagine what would happen if I was to join the cheer squad where an intense rivalry is already in place. How do you suppose Rockwaller would react?"
Knowing how much Bonnie did not like Yori, his mind already was developing pictures of an even ruder Bon-Bon who would not like being outclassed by yet another girl in cheerleading. Ron's mouth opened wide in understanding after seeing the possibilities of what might happen.
Seeing his expression that told her he now comprehended the situation, Yori sadly nodded. "Hai. Things would become worse with me being a cheerleader. It's best I stay out of the way for the betterment of Possible-san's squad."
"Yeah," Ron reluctantly agreed. "Bonnie would really be the Queen B." "So much for getting Yori to wear the cheerleading uniform." The young man could see in his mind's eye how wonderful his Far Eastern GF would look in the MHS cheer squad outfit. There was no doubt Yori would outclass Bonnie in the looks department of the squad, given Yori was already outshining the brunette cheerleader in looks overall.
After watching his slightly downcast face, Yori gave a small lopsided grin as she shook her head while returning to look at the yearbook with her hand turning a page. The pretty kunoichi knew Ron was imagining her in the cheerleading uniform and was disappointed that she would not want to join the squad. She mentally admitted that she would look great in the uniform, but she knew it was the best that she did not join.
"I'm sorry, Ron-kun," Yori chuckled in her head, "but it seems you have only your imagination now to envision me as a cheerleader."
Taking a closer look at the page she had turned to, Yori saw photos of the high school's marching band, but what caught her attention the most were the pictures of a group of girls on the opposite page. They appeared to be wearing style uniforms different than the cheer squad's, but it was clear they were not a separate group of cheerleaders.
"Ron-kun, what does this group of girls do?" she asked while pointing to the photographs of the people in question.
Ron grinned upon eying what she was referring. "Now these ladies work along side the marching band, Yori. They're not the cheer squad, so they do not perform flips, cartwheels, or even the pyramid thingy. They however do perform bon-diggity tricks that KP's squad does not do "
"Oh?" Yori was quite curious now.
With a knowing smile, the geeky boy turned to the next page and gestured to the photos of the group in action. He then started to explain the purpose of the group and their relations to the marching band. By the time he was finished a few minutes later, his eyes took in the expression of his girlfriend, and it told him she was very interested.
"I think I'll place this group on the top of my list of potential school activities I could join," the Japanese girl grinned. "It appeals to me."
"Really?" Ron asked with a grin before eying the photos again.
Taking a good guess what his mind was conjuring up, Yori slyly grinned before leaning toward him slightly. "Imagining me wearing the uniform, Ron-kun?" she softly spoke, making her sound seductive in tone.
Picking up the tone of her voice, Ron laughed quietly a bit as he eyed her with a leering look. "Well, I cannot lie, ninja girl. You'll look quite hot in it."
"Indeed, I would," Yori parried back with a pleased, crafty appearance before closing the remaining distance to lock her lips over his. Both closed their eyes and savored the feeling coursing through them. She conveyed her thanks and warmth she felt for him, while he basked in the attention her emotions brought out in him for her. After a minute or so, their lips parted and both smiled tenderly at each other.
"Arigatou, Ron-kun," Yori softly thanked.
"You're welcome, Yori," Ron replied back just as softly.
As the young couple turned as one to eye the yearbook again, Master Mochizuki's newest student immediately thought of something. "So… Do you have yearbooks at Yamanouchi?"
Raising one eyebrow, narrowing her eyes, and smirking, the Yamanouchi female ninja trained her look at her suitor. A look that said, 'Are you out of your mind? You know the answer to that!' "What do you think?" was her spoken reply however.
Blinking at first in confusion, Ron soon came up with the answer and he slapped a hand over his eyes on how stupid he could be. Lowering his hand, he leaned his mouth closer to her ear. "Let me guess…" he whispered. "It's a secret ninja school, thus you do not have any yearbooks."
"Precisely," Yori smugly conveyed, taking in his sheepish expression for a few moments before deciding he had suffered enough. "Students or any faculty are not allowed to leave Yamanouchi with any photographs that can give away our secrets," she spoke normally. "It would compromise our security if such yearbooks were to be produced."
"Yeah," the blond admitted with a somewhat sympathetic sad grin, "but, Yori, what about remembering your friends and such. Would it hurt to have even a snapshot of your schoolmates, teachers, and friends to remember them by?"
Yori smiled with some sadness in her eyes. "Once we leave Yamanouchi, Ron-kun, the only things that we can have to remember our times there is what we take with us in our minds," she touched the side of her head, "and in our hearts," she finished while touching softly over the part of her chest where her heart was. "I understand that photographs and videos are used by most to remember the past, but as members of the Yamanouchi organization, we are not allowed them at all. The only exception is when we are assigned to any of the branches after graduation."
Brown eyes lit up upon hearing that last sentence. "So you can take photos of friends and such while you're staying at the Mochizuki Estate?" The brightened face of his GF told him everything as she nodded. "Coolio!" he widely grinned. "It'll be great for you to have photos to place in your own scrapbook to remember things years from now."
"Hai. It would be great to have my own personal photos of those I care about." Almond eyes narrowed as she slyly grinned. "Including you, ninja boy."
Ron posed smugly. "Just remember to catch my good side, ninja girl."
Unable to contain herself, Yori softly laughed with a hand over her mouth, and her reaction prompted her suitor to smile broadly. It was music to his ears to hear her laughter, knowing he was the cause to bring happiness to her.
Removing her hand, the teenage kunoichi bobbed her head a few times in affirmative. "I'll try to remember to do that, ninja boy," she promised with that glowing smile still on her features.
Closing the yearbook and placing it toward the side of the table, Yori gestured toward the unfinished math work, her face encouraging. "Now then, Ron-kun, you should finish your assignment. The sooner you finish your schoolwork, the sooner we can do other things."
Catching the emphasis, Ron grinned before tackling the math work. He certainly would not argue against such sound advice, especially knowing they would have time for some more 'first base' studying.
It was many minutes later, when Yori was helping Ron understand some things for his science class homework, that the young couple spotted Ms. Hatchet in a nearby book aisle. The librarian gave the young people a look before walking away. Only after she was gone did boyfriend and girlfriend softly chuckle.
"And we were not even snogging each other when she came to check on us this time," Ron eyed his study partner and smirked as he thumbed toward the now empty aisle where the elderly librarian stood a few moments ago.
Yori giggled again before replying. "You speak the truth, Ron-kun. Hatchet-sensei no doubt wants to catch us, believing we're doing 'first base' studying all the time behind her back."
Feeling a bit mischievous, the geeky young man wrapped an arm around her waist, causing her to raise an eyebrow at him, yet her expression overall told him she didn't mind this bold move on his part. "Well, now… Since the Iron Maiden has already made her latest appearance, I think it's my chance to get some bon-diggity, hot kisses from my hot ninja girlfriend."
Joining in the game, Yori leaned closer, placing a hand over his on her waist. "Oh?" Her dark eyes narrowed as her voiced lowered in a seductive tone. "Are you sure that your ninja girlfriend is willing to give you those kisses?"
Ron felt his lips curled into an ensuring smirk as his chocolate eyes gazed deeply into ebony orbs. "Oh, I have a good hunch she is quite willing," he whispered as his mouth inched closer to hers as hers were doing the same.
The rational side of her mind wanted her to get them back to studying, but her heart has gotten her in its grip as his intense look immobilized her. "Your hunch seems to be correct," the raven-haired brunette barely whispered for him to hear.
"Boo-yah," the blond so softly breathed against her lips before closing the remaining distance to press his lips firmly on hers, radiating warmth and security.
All coherent thoughts fled Yori's head as she just let herself give in to the kiss and the incredible feelings coursing through her soul and body. Her Ron-kun, despite all his exterior appearances, sure knew how to use those lips on hers with such affection that it blew her mind.
Homework and anything school related was far from being on the top of Ron's priorities at the given moment. Those soft lips, smell of her skin and hair, and the feel of her body were just too good to think of other things, thus he felt he could stay this way with the beautiful oriental for a long time.
Yet despite both teens wanted to keep their lips together for as long as possible, eventually they had to part from each other. With a soft moan, they broke apart slowly and opened their eyes to see each other. After a moment, warm smiles spread across their faces.
"I do not think I will ever grow tired of doing that with you," Yori warmly spoke from the heart, which was beating with a feeling of love for the young man before her.
"Same here, Yori," Ron replied. Until Yori came along, he had not ever had a serious relationship with such intense emotions before. No girl had ever done this before to him. Not ever.
With her eyes looking steadily into his, the Japanese ninja admitted to herself how her boyfriend was slowly changing before her eyes. He still acted mostly as the goofy, funny guy, but there were modest changes that had taken form. His self-confidence was growing. His grades were improving, and despite it was somewhat unlike him to be so bold, like the time he'd started a necking section with her when he was at the Mochizuki Estate two Sundays ago, she welcomed his daring to tell her how he felt about her with actions. Yep, for Yori Takana, she definitely loved the Ronald Stoppable that was emerging before her.
Feeling impish, knowing the blond boy wouldn't mind at all, the black-haired smirking girl placed a hand on his cheek. "How about we take a 5 minute break?" Yori suggested quietly with eyes showing warmth and fondness for him. "We can use the quiet time to add more knowledge to what we know about 'first base' technique."
Hearing what she recommended, Ron's expression soon matched hers. It was an opportunity that he would be a fool to decline. "Don't mind that we do, ninja girl. Want to start studying now?"
"Definitely, ninja boy," Yori whispered before moving her hand from his cheek to the back of his head to pull him into a passionate lip-lock, both their eyes closing on the contact. She may not see how she was affecting him, but she could feel it, and the Yamanouchi kunoichi knew she had him where she wanted him as she moaned softly into his mouth.
As Ron felt his girlfriend open her mouth to invite him in to make the kiss even hotter, he mentally was glad Rufus had sought out another part of the library to nap in peace and that this corner of the building was secluded. After all, he and Yori definitely need the privacy for what they were doing now.
With his tongue slipping into her mouth, making them both softly moan together, all other thoughts flew from the young couple's minds. They would eventually return to his school work later, but for now, it was their quiet time to relax in each other's company, letting their hearts guide them with deep feelings that they knew were akin to something called love.
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TBC (End of Chapter 26)
A/Ns:
1) I would like to give a lesson in Japanese Grammar 101 here.
I'd read in many Naruto fics regarding the use of plurals with Japanese words, like 'kunoichi' and 'shinobi'. In some fics, the writer places a 's' at the end, while in other fics, the writer does not. I consulted with Kitsune6, who is a big help to me in the past regarding the uses of Japanese honoraries and other Japanese information, and Kitsune6 told me that there are no plurals when it comes to Japanese words. 'Kunoichi' is use both in single and plural as well as 'shinobi'. Therefore, the way I use these Japanese words in this fics in the plural form is indeed the correct way to use the words. No 's' is ever use at the end of these words.
So there you have my lesson in Japanese Grammar 101. Just remember this the next time you have to use any of these Japanese words in any fanfics you're writing. ;-)
Editted in 8/3/07: Kitsune 6 informed me, via review of this chapter, regarding the proper use of -sama and mentioned Yori would not use -sama for Ms. Hatchet given it is too polite an honorary to use for the librarian. I'd went back and changed the suffix accordingly. Barkin however might could still be addressed occasionally as -sama given he is an ex-military officer and the vice-principal of the school, thus Yori would be polite to use the suffix toward Barkin compared to Ms. Hatchet.
2) Well, if the hints were not strong enough to tell you what school activity Yori might highly join for the new school year as a senior, I'm not going to tell. ;p I figured she is better off not joining the cheer squad given the already tense rivalry between Bonnie and Kim, thus things would get worse if Yori, who is growing to be just as popular as Bonnie and Kim, would join the squad. So with the cheer squad out, I thought she would be better off with this other group. Given what I've seen in my own high school, this group of girls has flashy sexy uniforms too. :)
3) The explanation as to why Yamanouchi has such a policy regarding photographs is pretty much explained. They have to keep the school a secret, and if anyone sees photos and start asking questions, it would be hard to keep the secret from remaining a secret.
I had at first thought to give Yori some photos of her adopted father (Sensei) and other friends at Yamanouchi, but after thinking it through, I knew it would not be wise for the sake of the security of the school. Yet given now Yori is living in America in a place that is known, the policy rule doesn't apply, so I knew she could now start collecting photos and such of her family and friends in America. :)
4) Yep, this chapter is mostly Ron/Yori fluff after so many chapters since the last one. Given the couple has gone a whole week without any personal time for themselves; I thought I give them some alone time for some good 'first base' studying. That is as long as Iron Maiden Hatchet doesn't catch them. XD