Chapter four: All jokes aside

Shego sat in her hotel room waiting for Kim to return. Her two days was going to be up in a matter of minutes. She looked at her watch and went back to flipping through her magazine. Just then she heard an angry growl, she looked up to see Kim standing before her arms crossed glaring at her. Shego smiled and set down her magazine as if nothing were wrong.

"How did it go Kimmie?" Shego asked still smiling. Kim tossed the fake diamond to Shego and grunted in annoyance as she took a seat on the couch.

"You sent me after a fake." Kim huffed after a moment.

"Did I? Imagine that." Shego said with a smug tone as she tossed the fake back to Kim.

"I risked getting caught and nearly broke my neck for a diamond you already stole!" Kim shouted as she jumped to her feet fuming. Shego laughed for a moment and shook her head.

"Hey Kimmie, rule number one: Always expect the worst. In this case someone else stealing your prize. At least I was generous enough to let you take the credit for this one. You should thank me. No one else would do something like that."

"I don't want the credit! I want the freakin' diamond!"

Shego rolled her eyes and stood walking slowly to the kitchen and returning with the diamond in hand. She dropped it in Kim's lap and walked to the bar.

"Well since you're here do you want a drink?"

Kim examined the diamond and pocketed the jewel. "Yeah sure…rum and coke."

Shego raised a brow and made the drink then made one for herself. She handed him her drink and took a seat on the other end of the couch. She was ready for business now.

"Kimmie I have to tell you, I've seen your work. Its' a little small time for you isn't it?"

Kim took a sip and nodded.

"Hell you make ninjas seem loud, you can clearly enter and leave a room without any trace and here you are doing small time things like jewelry stores and banks. What are you doing wasting your potential?"

"Well if you must know I'm no good without a partner. I make too many mistakes and that's why I need you."

"Oh Kimmie I didn't know you were on that team."

Kim turned red and huffed. "You know what I mean. I need you to teach me how to do this solo so I don't make mistakes. You're the best thief I know and if I want to get this right I have to learn from the best."

Shego looked as though she were thinking about this proposal. She looked at the fake diamond on the coffee table and then back at Kim. This would prove to be entertaining and she could make some extra cash on the side too. If anything went wrong she could bail and never have a second thought about it.

"Okay Kimmie I'll make a deal with you. I'll teach you to work solo but you have to do whatever I say no matter how ridiculous it sounds."

Kim nodded.

"And I want a cut out of every job, starting with that diamond. If anything goes wrong then I'm not going to be there to save you, you got that?"

Kim nodded again and smiled. The thought of breaking her habit was an exciting new change for her. She knew she had made the right choice this time. Kim and Shego shook hands and raised their drinks to one another. Neither woman had any idea what was to come.

888

Somewhere in Japan…

Ron sat across from his sensei of six years. Ron wore a solemn look as they stared at one another. His had finished his training sooner than expected, it was now time for him to return home and resume his life like before.

"Ronald I have something for you." The old man said pulling out a heavy black box and setting it on the table. Ron showed little emotion at this gesture. The box was opened to reveal the lotus blade. Ron blinked for a moment and looked down at his side; he silently wished Rufus were here with him now.

"Sensei I can't take this." Ron said returning his attention to the old man.

"It is rightfully your sword Ronald. It will be your honor to keep it safe." Ron knew better then to argue this. He took the blade in his hands and stood. Without another word he bowed out of the room and made his way outside.

Yuri stood outside waiting; she greeted him with her usual smile. He smiled back and continued walking she followed.

"I leave tomorrow." He said stopping suddenly. Yuri only nodded quietly.

"I was thinking you should come with me." Ron sounded hopeful at this point. He had been planning to ask her this for a long time now and this was his last chance.

"I would love to. But my place is here at the school I cannot leave."

Ron nodded and swallowed his disappointment. It was one thing after another for him. He turned and walked away ready for a good night's sleep before his long trip home.

888

The next day…

Ron woke up early and quickly got dressed. He had packed his bag the night before and began his long walk out of the school and down the mountain. He passed the shrine for Rufus at the entrance of the school. He took no time to stop but continued walking. He would be in Middleton by the end of the day.

(AN: Sorry these chapters are a little short I'm trying to get some stuff out of the way before I get to the good stuff.)