Chapter 5 [Sensei's Office]

Sensei glanced out his window with concern. Having just talked with Hirotaka about the latter's advice to Ron, he felt a glimmer of hope. He'd felt the glimmers of understanding from Ron not to mention a deeper understanding of the bond of honor's significance. "One can only hope. Stoppable San has so much potential. He only begins to realize it."

"Hai," Miranda agreed from the corner of the room. Since her arrival a few minutes earlier, she'd allowed her mentor the space of his thoughts. "But he is growing. He understands the value of sacrifice. He has to learn trust." She saw the hot pot in the corner steaming. "Tea, Sensei Sama?"

He allowed the newly minted sensei the briefest flicker of smile under the bushy mustache. "Domo."

She acknowledged him with a bow of her head before fixing the two cups. Then she brought one to him. As she said when he elevated her to that status, he would always be her master no matter what. "I've told them both to balance all aspects of life. Duty comes first of course. However they both need to develop the other sides of their circle to be whole."

"I trust you've spoken with your uncle about this?" he supposed. While he didn't like school business discussed with outsiders, he understood in this case.

"Some. Mostly though it's observation. Uncle Dave is only one case. Ron is a lot like him. We are lucky the demon didn't claim Ron as he did my uncle,"she noted.

He nodded. "Only because Stoppable San had allies." He looked out the window toward the east. "I will not repeat the error, Miri Chan. I will not allow Stoppable San to fall to the darkness. This Zorpox must be dealt with."

She contained a flare of anger. He knew about Uncle Dave and did nothing? Just like that wizard? She took a deep breath. "That is all Uncle Dave would ask in this case."

Recalling the battles between Zorpox and her uncle's Protector persona, Sensei nodded. "He and I are in agreement." He sipped on his tea broodingly. "Even if the dark stain inhibits one tree's growth, that tree can help the others around it, Miri Chan."

"I know. Uncle Dave has said if you need help with Zorpox, all you have to do is call," she affirmed. Of course she deleted out the rest of the message.

The aged teacher could see right through her. Yet, much as she'd chosen not to say it, he would not start something either. He knew his American counterpart's anger still boiled over the past. However as Dubois San had affirmed their alliance, he would too. As he considered the words, he sensed Ron and Yori's approach. "We have visitors. Please let them in."

"So we do," she agreed while opening the door. "Hi, guys. Hope everything is all right."

"All's good in the hood," Ron concurred. "We were going to talk with Sensei about that."

"Will you be staying, Sister? I would like to speak with you after we talk with Sensei," Yori requested.

"I will be meditating in the gardens with Sensei's permission of course," Miranda expressed. Getting a nod from their teacher, she bowed to the others. "Join me there when you're finished. Domo, Sensei Sama."

After she left, Sensei turned to consider the three visitors. "I can feel your renewed understanding, Stoppable San. Hirotaka told me of your duel earlier."

"With due respect, it was more like sparring, Master Sensei. He wanted my head in the game," Ron clarified. "He said something of a bond of honor."

"He evened an account with you. Hai. I know." Sensei took another sip from his cup. "Your crisis has presented many opportunities for us to pursue, Stoppable San. Hirotaka has renewed his quest to rediscover honor and skill. Miri Chan is now a sensei in her own right. You are discovering what it means to be a partner and to trust Yori. Keep that progress. Meantime we all need to learn trust and to share the burden."

"Pardon me, Master. Share the burden?" she wondered.

"The ritual failed because not all of us had faith in it. We allowed fear and doubt to water down our resolve. Hirotaka works through his issues with your monkey power. You move through your issues together as you should. Now I need to relay that message to the rest of the school. When one of us has a need or concern, it is shared amongst us all. They need to trust in the whole," Sensei declared.

"As someone told me once, Master, even a mighty river was once a trickle," Ron quoted while shooting his wife a warm glance. "I want to keep growing."

"While your fear does hold you back, you continue to make strides. As I have said to you in the past, I would not allow someone who does not contribute to the whole to remain here. Both of you are an example to the others. I expect you to remain as such," Sensei complimented with an edge at the end.

"We shall, Sensei," she agreed as they bowed to him respectfully.

Sensei finished his tea. "Miri Chan awaits you in the garden. I congratulate you on reaching a new level of understanding in your bond of honor. Progress honorably in that regard." After a last bow between the remaining quartet, they parted ways. Stoppable San does surprise. May he continue to do so.