Chapter 3 [Yamanuchi

[Sensei's Office—A Few Hours Later

Fresh off of a productive meditation session where he'd collected his thoughts, Ron limped toward Sensei's office. Given both the nature of Barkin's assignment and his desire to celebrate the holiday, he had an idea but needed his mentor's approval first.

Before he could knock, Sensei opened the door. "Ah, Stoppable San! Please come in!" He glanced at the student's limp. "Did you get treatment for it?"

"The doc recommended I rest it tonight. I'll be good as new tomorrow. It's all good," Ron reassured him.

"I'd rather see you miss a session and take care of it rather than seriously injure yourself. You're excused from the sessions for tomorrow. You are to meditate instead. Perhaps, you might also practice channeling the tai-sheng-pek-kwar?" Sensei instructed.

"Sure," Ron conceded even though he still felt he should be there.

"Stoppable San, do not worry about what the others think. Dr. Kogimoto told me he wanted you held out tomorrow. The most important matter right now is your health. Besides, if you make progress in the meantime, it will still be time well spent. Now what else is there?" Sensei considered the younger man's face. "Perhaps this is about Barkin Sama's assignment?"

"Yeah." Ron squirmed, knowing how safety conscious the other was. "Given the holiday, I was hoping to have a menorah in my room."

Sensei considered the request, knowing of course that Ron was Jewish and that he had a right to celebrate the holiday. However, he could almost envision Ron being Ron and starting a fire with the candles. It didn't take him long to reach a compromise however that would benefit all concerned. "You may have your menorah, Stoppable San. I do wish however that we could set it up in a place where the other students might enjoy it as well. You light it a half hour after sunset?"

"Yeah. I wish I could do presents for everyone," Ron lamented.

"Perhaps you might work with Nooni on a meal for the school. Between that and your sharing your heritage, those would be wondrous gifts. That is why Barkin Sama assigned the presentation to you, I believe," Sensei reassured him. "When does the festival begin?"

"Next week. Yori and I will be ready by then," Ron agreed.

"Very well. Following afternoon practice, you will light the appropriate candles and say your prayers. Will that be suitable?" Sensei offered.

"Hai. Thanks, Master," Ron accepted while bowing and limping from the room.

Stoppable San continues to worry about appearances too much! I hope this helps him.

[Ron's Room—Ten minutes later

Ron slowly made his way across the courtyard toward the central building and his room. As much as he hated to admit that his ankle wouldn't be able to hack the next day's workouts. "Stupid ice," he muttered while letting himself into his private area.

Rufus squeaked, "Sowwy."

"Thanks, Buddy. Dumb thing," Ron groused while sitting down on the bed and taking his shoes and socks off. The ankle was already puffed up. Hearing the Ronunicator go off, he turned it on to see Kim's face. "Hey, KP! What's shaking?"

"Hey, Ron, that's my question for you. Saw you limping on the monitor. What's the sitch?" she wondered.

"Just twisted it. No big," he assured her.

On her screen, she saw the ankle in question and winced. "That looks like more than a twist, Ron. What does the doc say there?"

"Gotta mediate instead of doing my drills. Man! This tanks!"

"He has a point, Ron. You don't want to really hurt yourself. Hirotaka again?"

"He and I were sparring. I backed onto some ice and slipped. Hey, got him too!" Ron explained.

"Judging from his reaction in class, I'll say you did." She frowned. "He needs the doc too."

"Sensei's all over it, KP. Don't worry. If I have to meditate, so will he."

"Take care of yourself, Ron," she concluded. "Sorry, gotta jet for CB. Later!"

"See ya!" he concluded before signing off. He rubbed his injured ankle again. "I still say this tanks!"

"Sensei has his reasons, Ron San," Yori interjected from the hallway. She walked into the room with a small pail full of ice. "I see you have been on it too much."

"I just went to talk to Sensei and then came back," he insisted while rolling his eyes.

"You need to keep that foot elevated, Ron San. It will not heal unless you do so," she lectured gently while sliding a towel under his foot. Then she piled the ice around the ankle. "Hirotaka is in the infirmary. Cracked ribs."

"Great," Ron sighed while relenting to the treatment.

"It will not be that long," she assured him while sitting down next to him. "In the meantime, we can start working on our report."

"Yeah that. Sensei gave me permission to have my menorah. I guess we can start working on it any time you like," he informed her.

"Good. I would like to do so tomorrow. Tonight, you get your rest. I will bring your dinner." She kissed his forehead. "Take care of that foot, Ron San." With that, she left.

He reclined back, knowing that he wasn't going anywhere in any event. Conceding that notion, his mind started to turn to the report and how to make it sound halfway decent.