Author's Notes: Gosh it has been a while since my last update, the holidays hit my schedule up hard. I have quite a bit more typed but am not happy with it as of yet. I was going to try to cover all the angles of all the differant characters, but have realized my writing skills are not at that level yet. I would like to thank everyone for their reviews and especially GhostWhiter for agreeing to beta for me. Enjoy!
Ron sat in the bleachers at the school assembly. This one was on the dangers of substance abuse. The guest speaker was relating his story of how drugs ruined his life. Ron yawned as the guest speaker finished up his story. The rest of the students seemed as bored as he was. Kim elbowed him as he started to nod off; Erik chuckled a little.
"Ron, wake up, you don't want another detention do you?" Kim asked. "Mr. Barkin is looking this way."
Ron snapped awake and sat upright, spotting Mr. Barkin. Sure enough he seemed to be scrutinizing him. "That guy has had it in for me for years. There are a dozen people dozing off here, why doesn't he have to always pick on me?" He flexed his hands nervously.
"The funny look incident in ninth grade, remember?" Kim whispered. "Barkin said it himself when you two got stuck together with the bondo ball."
Ron just grumbled as Mr. Barkin made his way to the podium. He leaned over the microphone and spoke to the students. "Let's give a big round of applause to Mr. Schultz for sharing his unfortunate experience with us." There was a smattering of people clapping their hands. "I said big round of applause people!" He nodded his head at the more acceptable level of applause. He lifted his hand, waiting for the noise to die down. "I have an announcement to make. We once again have an exchange student from our sister school in Japan. I would like you all to give a warm Mad Dog welcome to Yori from Yaminouchi."
Kim and Ron's jaws dropped as they saw their ninja ally walk into the gym. She was wearing her typical Japanese schoolgirl's outfit, white with purple trim, with a purple headband holding back her black hair. Students gave her a round of applause and she sat in the front row, her eyes catching Ron's as she smiled. "Yori? Here? Now? Booyah!" Ron thought as a grin spread across his face.
The assembly ended as the final bell rang. Several male students that wanted to "meet the new girl" approached Yori. Bonnie was right behind them to assess the threat to her standing.
Ron reached the bottom of the bleachers and he flashed his goofy grin. "Hi Yori!" he said with a wave. The students talking to her turned to see who had called her name. They turned back towards Yori, only to find that she wasn't there anymore.
Yori bowed in front of Ron, having stepped past her admirers at just the precise moment as they turned so they didn't notice her. "Stoppable-san, it is an honor to see you again."
Ron returned the bow happily. "Please. Call me Ron-san." He straightened up. "You know Kim of course, and this is her boyfriend Erik."
"Hello Possible-hime, it is good to see you again. It is nice to meet you as well Erik." Yori bowed slightly to the two of them as the crowd that had previously gathered around her grumbled and wandered off.
Bonnie rolled her eyes and walked off, slightly annoyed. "Figures. At least she won't be a threat to me if she's fawning over Ron." She walked to the locker room to change for cheer practice.
"It is nice to see you again as well Yori," Kim started, "But I have to get ready for cheer practice. Are you coming Ron?" "I wonder why she's here this time?"
"Yori and I have a lot of catching up to do. I think I will sit this one out." Ron stated, a little sheepishly. "I hate ducking out on KP, but something might be up."
"There is no need Stoppable-san. I want to be here after cheer practice, to walk to my new residence." Yori said, raising a finger.
"You aren't staying at Ron's?" Kim asked.
"No Possible-hime, that wouldn't be proper. And while he is fond of Stoppable-san, I don't think that Hirotaka-chun would be pleased with such an arrangement.
"Oh." "So she's dating Hirotaka now, lucky girl." "Who are you staying with?" Kim asked.
"I have the honor of staying with you," Yori said sweetly, looking at Kim.
Kim was anxious for practice to be over, she wanted to know exactly why Yori was here. She started the routine as the smiling Japanese girl watched her and the squad work. Yori watched as Kim flipped to the top of the Mad Dog pyramid. "She shifts her weight unto her back foot too much. It would cost her if someone attacked at that moment." Ron did his tumbling routine, complete with handsprings and back flips across the floor. "There is little of the way of the ninja in his movements. I have much work to do."
After practice Ron, Yori, Kim, and Erik went to Bueno Nacho to talk. Kim and Yori sat across from each other quietly as Ron and Erik went up to the counter to order. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence Kim spoke.
"It's so nice of you to come visit us. To what do we owe the honor?" Kim asked.
"Well spoken Possible-hime, straight to the point, yet polite. I wondered how long it would take you to ask." Ron and Erik arrived at the table. "You have waited too long this time none the less." "It is common for students in my school to exchange to experience other cultures. It helps us with international opportunities when after we graduate." "Not a lie, just not the whole truth."
"So you've been planning this for a while then?" Kim asked.
"The opportunity came suddenly and I chose Middleton because I already had friends here. I'm very grateful your parents were so agreeable to the idea, it would have been… improper to stay at Stoppable-sans house." Yori watched Kim's face for a reaction.
Kim paused a second, betraying her surprise. "Why didn't my parents tell me!?" "That's wonderful news, we get to spend some time together." "Good, now I can find out why you're really here."
Kim ate her meal thoughtfully as Ron and Yori walked circles around a conversation, trying not to give away the secret of the Yaminouchi School. "It's plainly obvious they can't have a conversation with Erik around." Kim finished her meal quickly"I should get going, I have a lot to catch up on tonight. Could you walk Yori to my house when you two finish up Ron?" "I still can't believe my parents didn't tell me she was going to be staying."
"Sure thing KP," Ron said with a grin, genuinely happy. This was the happiest Kim had seen him in some time.
"Thanks Ron. See you later." Kim said turning around thoughtfully. "It has been awhile since he has been happy. I wish I knew what was wrong, but he keeps skirting the subject every time I ask him."
"Later Ron," Erik said as he dumped his tray into the trash and left to give Kim a ride home in his car.
Ron and Yori chatted for a while and finished their meals. Ron had told her what had been going on with missions and she told him how things were going at the Yaminouchi School. The sun had set by the time they had stopped talking.
"We should probably get going. I have homework to complete and you still need to get settled in," Ron stated, rising to his feet. He glanced over, seeing one of the school's 'gossip mongers' pretending not to listen in on their conversation. "Besides, I want to ask you some questions and I don't need prying ears overhearing something they shouldn't."
"Hai, Stoppable-san. I agree. We can finish catching up on our walk." Yori answered. She got up and they left the restaurant, walking quickly in the brisk night. Yori pointed to the park up ahead. "Let us cut through there, Stoppable-san." She began to veer towards the entrance.
"That will take us a few blocks out of our way."
"I know Stoppable-san, but what better place to talk?"
"I knew something was up," Ron thought to himself. "OK Yori, it's not like it's up the side of a mountain or anything though." Ron grinned.
"Always with the American style humor Stoppable-san." Yori replied with a smile. They entered the park, walking along the pathway.
"Not that I'm not happy to see you here again, but is something wrong Yori?" Ron began in a low tone.
Yori looked around to make sure they weren't being followed. "No Stoppable-san. Sensei said that he told you that you must to learn to control your power. He decided that you needed an immediate teacher to help you along the way. I seized the honor."
"But couldn't we just have had Kim teach me martial arts?"
Yori suppressed a giggle. "Stoppable-san, fighting is not the only thing involved in martial arts. I will teach you what Kim has yet to master, discipline and self-control. They are more difficult to master than any kick or punch."
She paused, sensing something amiss. Ron held still as well, recognizing her cue. A dog suddenly began barking on the trail up ahead. They began walking quietly up the trail and saw a man walking a large German Shepard. Ron's heart nearly skipped a beat as he realized it was his arch nemesis, well sort of. It was Mr. Barkin.
"Stoppable, isn't it a little late to be strolling through the park?" Mr. Barkin said loudly. "I would only hope that you have your assignment done this time if you have time to dilly dally through the park at this hour."
"No worries Mr. B. I'm on my way home to do it right now." Ron stated with false cheer. "Why do I have to run into him everywhere I go? He subs in half my classes and seems to hover over me in the hallways. I shouldn't have given him that funny look in the 9th grade…"
Mr. Barkin simply "Hmphed" and was on his way, his dog marching obediently by his side. Ron and Yori continued down the path. Yori was discreetly eying the bushes as they passed by. She locked eyes with a figure in a ninja mask as recognition flashed across her face. Yori slide her fingers apart in her left hand and two shruiken dropped silently into her fingers. She reflected the overhead light off the steel to the ninja in the bushes; the ninja had recognized her as well. The ninja's green eyes sparkled in amusement as she slid back further in the bushes. Ron walked on oblivious, as Yori followed slightly behind him.
"So when do we start Yori?" Ron asked.
"You will start tonight. I want you to make sure you finish the homework that Mr. Barking spoke of."
"Aww, man! That tanks!" Ron quipped back, scuffing the ground.
Yori rolled her eyes. "He has far to travel." "Discipline is necessary in all forms of life, not just during meditation and sparring. We will practice those as well though, starting tomorrow after school."
Kim looked on the two people sparring in front of her. It had been a couple of days after she had arrived when Yori suggested they restart their sparring matches during the weekends. Something was up though. Ron was losing, badly. He was never up to her level in fighting, but he shouldn't be doing this poorly. She looked back to the match with a critical eye.
Ron grunted as he took another hit. He threw a half-hearted punch; trying to make it look good and felt his feet leave the ground as Erik threw him. He rolled with the throw lessening its impact. A smile engulfed Erik's face.
"Ok, that's enough guys," Kim said with a bit of a frown. Ron bowed to Erik. Erik gave him a bit of a nod in return. He strode out of the sparring area and grabbed a water bottle, taking a swig.
Ron began walking out of the sand pit with a look at Yori, who had watched on. She slowly bowed her head, a smile playing at her face. "You did well, Stoppable-san."
Erik walked towards Kim, "How about a kiss for the victor?" he asked with a swagger and a smile. She walked right past him towards Ron.
"Are you OK Ron?" she asked.
"Yah, KP, I'm fine," he said with a grin.
"You're not feeling ill? How are your ribs?" Kim asked with concern. "It was almost like he was holding back."
"No, I'm not sick KP and my ribs are OK. Everything is pretty much healed up, still a little tender, but no big."
Erik rolled his eyes, his face turning a bit red. "He'll be just fine Kim, he's used to losing." He stepped back with a gulp, realizing what he had just said, as Kim spun around quickly.
Her eyes glowered at him as she spoke quietly, "Don't call him a loser, ever."
"I didn't mean it that way Kim," Erik said sheepishly. "Sorry if it came out that way Ron."
"No big deal Erik," Ron stated with a grin, his flushed face saying otherwise. "I don't really care what Erik thinks, but this is hard to do in front of Kim." "Nice throw by the way, that wasn't karate."
"Kim has taught me a few things," Erik said, his smile creeping back onto his face.
"And it's time for the next lesson," Kim stated. "In humility."
"We really should be going now Stoppable-san," Yori said standing up and brushing off her gi. "You promised to show me the hiking trails this morning."
"Oh, yah. I forgot. Bye Kim, later Erik." Ron said as he gathered his gear.
"Goodbye Ron, bye Yori!" Kim said with a smile, Erik waved. She stepped into the sparring area and turned to Erik. "Now we will brush up on the basics." "Like respect for your opponent."
Yori and Ron left for their walk after he dropped off his duffle bag and changed into sweats. Yori spoke of school and the people that she had met while Ron listened, seemingly troubled. "Why? Why did I have to lose?" he thought.
"Are you listening to me Stoppable-san?" Yori questioned sweetly.
"Yes Yori. You were saying that you admire Justine Flanners work ethic and are glad you partnered up with her for chemistry."
"Very good Stoppable-san, though I believe you were truly somewhere else."
"I just was thinking about sparring today," he said as they turned onto the old trail leading to the abandoned amusement park.
"Hai, you did very well in your mission today."
"If you mean by losing, yah, I guess I did." He stopped and looked at her, "Why did I have to do it though? Isn't the point of sparring to do the best you can?"
"If I was only teaching you to fight, then yes Stoppable-san." She began walking again, "But I am here to teach you discipline. It is difficult to win against a well-matched opponent, but it is more difficult to lose to an inferior opponent. Especially one you don't seem to care for."
Ron rubbed the back of his neck and looked at the trees as they walked, "I don't mind Erik, we're OK with each other."
Yori covered her mouth a little as she suppressed a giggle. "Oh Stoppable-san, you are an open book for the world to see. Your attempts at deception need some work."
Ron blushed and scuffled his feet. "It's that obvious?"
"Hai Stoppable-san," she said, nodding her head. "But we will work on that as well. Deception is one of a ninja's best weapons."
"I don't want to be a liar though Yori. It's just not right."
"What is stealth if not deception of your presence? Learning the arts of deception does not make you into a liar Stoppable-san; it allows you to conceal your emotions and thoughts from your enemies who may wish to read them. You did well today with it, though I believe Possible-hime suspects something."
"So the sparring was practice in discipline and deception?" Ron questioned.
Yori nodded her head slowly, "and more. What did you learn today?"
"That Erik is as poor at winning as he is at losing?"
"Hai, I have seen many like him before, though they rarely make it into Yaminouchi. He does not respect those he has bested. And what did you learn of Kim?"
"Nothing I didn't know already Yori. She stuck up for me when Erik started bad-mouthing me."
"Hai, and she ignored him until she knew you were OK. You now know where you stand with both of them."
"So you were testing them as well?"
"Everything is a test Stoppable-san. Now we shall test our endurance. First one to the carnival grounds gets to pick the place for lunch."
Ron ended up having sushi in Upperton for lunch.
The next few weeks went by quickly for Ron with school, cheer practice, and training with Yori. Ron improved with her tutelage, though he grew quite used to eating sushi.
Ron and Yori sat facing each other in the lotus position, their knees touching. "Good Stoppable-san, now focus on your breathing. Draw power in when you inhale, and focus it when you exhale."
Ron drew in a breath feeling the mystical monkey power coalesce inside of him. His eyes began to glow blue. He exhaled as she taught him, losing only a little of the power. Focusing the power was much harder than calling it. Sensei had told him that it would come as naturally as breathing for him with practice. He repeated the stepped until his body dimly glowed blue and a charge filled the air, a gentle breeze kicked up in the exercise room, shuffling the papers around. Ron smiled; it felt good drawing the mystical monkey power. It heightened his senses and the pain and stiffness in his body faded away. He felt powerful, like a coiled spring.
"That is good Stoppable-san. Slowly release the power now."
Ron exhaled letting his focus slip a little with each breath until all the power had drained away. "Aww, I wanted to see how bright I could make it."
Yori looked at him with her 'serious face'. "It is not for me to test the strength of your power, but to help you control it. Building any more than that could be dangerous if you lose your focus. You must be careful and make certain that no one sees you using your power. Sensei says it is to remain a secret."
"Even from Kim?" Ron asked sadly. "I hate hiding things from her. I hide my feelings to protect our friendship, but I don't even like that."
"Kim may find out eventually, as she did about Yaminouchi, but do not reveal it to her before it is necessary. You have done well these past weeks, I hope you will remain diligent in your training after I leave."
"I will Yori, thank you."
"It has been my honor Ron-san," she said with a smile. We should get ready now though, guests should be arriving shortly for the farewell party. Mr. Possible is picking up nacos."
"Badical!" Ron said with a smile, pumping his arm up and down. He stood up and gave her his hand to pull her to her feet. Together they walked upstairs to prepare for the party.
Author's Notes: One thing that I worry about as a writer is holes in the story that I can't recognize as the writer. I am also concentrating on trying to make a smooth transition of the character's personalities to encompass new abilities and revelations I put the character through (ie: Ron becoming a more proficent fighter, Shego recusitating Ron when he died for a moment, etc.) What I am trying to say is are the jumps in the character's actions/reactions too OOC for what they are going through in the story? If you have an opinion I would appreciate you addressing it in a review, or even email/PM if that's more comfortable for you.
Thanks!
Aedan