Disclaimer: The Walt Disney Company owns all rights to the characters and situations associated with Kim Possible. I borrow Kim, her family and friends for no monetary gain. I do this only to get a few pimples on my butt from sitting so long.

The Closet II

Chapter 7

The New School

After getting off the plane at the Tokyo International Airport, Ron went to the luggage carrousel to retrieve his two bags. He wasn't sure what the weather would be like at the school so he'd packed an extra suitcase with winter gear along with four sets of his normal cargo pants, black shirts and hockey jerseys. When he pulled his second bag off the carrousel he noticed a note attached to it. It simply stated which bus to take out of the city and where to disembark.

Ron stepped off the bus, in the middle of nowhere, at the base of Mount Yamanouchi and gazed up in wonder at the high peak. Of course he lived in Middleton Colorado, in the foothills of the magnificent Rocky Mountains, all his life so Ron was used to seeing majestic mountains of similar height. But he and Kim had never gone hiking up in the mountains. Here in Japan, he was supposed to live and attend school at the very top of Mount Yamanouchi for a whole month.

"Greetings Stoppable-san," came a sweet sounding feminine voice from ten feet behind him. Ron spun around and saw a slender girl with short, raven hair about his age dressed in the typical school uniform of the Japanese people. She wore a plain white, short-sleeved shirt with black tie over a knee-length, pleated plaid skirt and long, knee-high white socks and black penny-loafers.

"Um, hi," Ron tentative greeted as he deeply bowed ninety degrees at the waist, his arms and hands firmly at his side. "And you would be…"

"Oh, please excuse my manners," the lithe girl said with only a slight bow of her own. "My name is Yori and I was sent to escort you up to the school."

"It's nice to meet you Yori," Ron said as he walked up to the girl with his hand outstretched to shake, "but you can call me Ron if you'd like."

"Very good Ron-san," Yori said with another brief bow and a sly smile, completely ignoring the handshake gesture. "Please follow me." She quickly but gracefully turned and started up a dirt path.

"Ah, excuse me Yori," Ron said as he swiftly picked up his two suitcases and ran to catch up with the girl who was setting a brisk pace, "but are we gonna walk all the way to the school? Aren't there any buses or a taxis we can take to get up the mountain? How about a scooter… Or even a elevator."

"Oh Ron-san," Yori giggled, not looking back at him, "you Americans and your silly jokes. Of course it will be your honor to walk to Yamanouchi."

"My honor?" Ron questioned as he paused in his hike and looked up at the peak which appeared to be at least two or three miles up there. He looked back to the path and saw Yori had gotten a good one hundred feet ahead of him. He quickened him pace to catch up as he asked, "Just how far is it to the school from here?"

"It is, as some people would say, only a wee stretch of the legs," Yori called back over her shoulder. "I jog this path every morning to warm up before I begin my training. Perhaps you would like to join me tomorrow."

"Hey, that's not a bad idea," Ron said as he caught up to the raven haired girl and matched her pace. "KP and I go for a two mile run with a brick loaded backpack in the mornings so I could probably handle it and it'll keep me in shape."

"KP?" Yori innocently inquired before the proverbial light bulb came on over her head while not slowing a wit in her mountainous ascent. "Oh yes, you mean your friend Kim Possible. We at Yamanouchi have heard of her exploits in saving the world."

"You've heard about our missions?" Ron marveled. "Coolio!"

"Yes Ron-san," Yori giggled, "it is, how you say, Coolio. But it is also one of the reasons you were brought here to Yamanouchi to study."

"Wait a minute," Ron said as he stop in his tracks. "I thought I was sent on the exchange program because I've been doing well in school. At least that's what Mr. B told me."

Yori stopped, turned and walked back to him. "That is the official reason why the exchange program was set up, but there are other reasons for you're being here."

"Such as?"

"I have said too much Stoppable-san," Yori curtly stated with her countenance set in stone as she swiftly turned to start up the path again. "Sensei will explain everything to you when we arrive at the school."

xxxxxx

"A wee stretch… of the legs?" Ron panted and dragged a bit as they crossed over a wooden bridge after passing under a waterfall. "You must be a fan (pant, huff) of John Wayne movies. Isn't that a line from (pant) The Quiet Man?"

"Yes, I believe that is where that line came from," Yori deadpanned as they passed through the outer gates into the school proper, "but we are only at an elevation of twelve thousand feet. That is just over two miles which is not very far at all."

"Yeah but," Ron panted, his hands on his knees to catch his breath, "the path had so many twists and turns in it, it seemed like it musta been five or ten miles long."

"I believe the path is only three miles," Yori said looking fresh as a daisy. "You are probably short of breathe because of the altitude. The air is much thinner here and your body is not used to it." She spotted an old man with a long white beard and mustache and dressed in a flowing red with gold trim kimono headed toward them. "But that is not important. The head of Yamanouchi approaches and all of your questions will now be answered."

"Ah Stoppable-san," the old man said as he stepped up to the two teens and barely bent his head in acknowledgement, "you are finally here. That is good." Yori returned the bow with a fist in hand, martial arts salute and a slight bend at the waist while not taking her eyes off the elderly gentleman.

"Master Sensei," Ron reverently said and bowed ninety degrees at the waist, again leaving his arms at his side. As Ron was coming out of his deep bow Sensei briskly slapped him across the face. "What was that for!" Ron yelped and took a step back in shock as he rubbed his sore cheek.

"That is your first lesson here at Yamanouchi, for leaving your guard down Stoppable-san," the old man serenely stated with not so much as a smirk appearing on his face. "As you do not yet know the true nature of this school I only used an open hand to demonstrate your vulnerability. The next strike will be with a fist."

"I'll try to remember that," Ron said as he continued to rub his slightly stinging cheek. "But you mentioned the true nature of the school?"

"Yamanouchi is a martial arts academy," Sensei intoned as if by rote, "and you were summoned here to train for many reasons."

"A Kung Fu school?" Ron marveled low in a hushed tone as he finally gazed around the courtyard and saw white gi clad student practicing their martial arts before he faced Yori and Sensei again. "Do you mean you train real ninjas here?"

"We do not use that vile term in this school," the old man vehemently spat in a brief show of emotions before he serenely turned and slowly headed for one of the buildings that looked like a small Japanese temple.

Yori took Ron by the arm as they followed the old man and explained, "The term ninja refers to a person who is merely a mercenary or assassin and uses underhanded tactics. It is not an honorable profession. We believe in following the Code of Bushido, the Way of the Warrior. To do battle with ones enemy face-to-face is of the highest honor. That is Sensei's teachings."

"My apologies Master Sensei," Ron said as he quickly caught up to the teacher and again bowed low but with one fist in an open hand. He realized, almost too late, that he had taken his eyes off of the old gentleman and swiftly righted himself. Ron barely got grazed across the cheek by a backhand fist.

"It is good that you remembered the first lesson Stoppable-san," Sensei said as a smirk broke through his otherwise serene countenance. "You have much to learn and only one month to learn it in."

The three entered the building and Ron found them in a large, mostly empty room. The only furniture in it was a low table in the middle of the floor, the surface being only two feet off the ground, which was surrounded by small woven mats. A tea service for three was sitting on the table.

"Excuse me Yori," Ron whispered to the raven-haired girl beside him, "but it looks like somebody sawed off the legs to your table. I know it probably gets cold up here on the mountain during winter but do things really get that drastic for firewood?"

"You and your American style jokes Ron-san," Yori laughed as she grabbed his arm and led him over to the table. "Yamanouchi is a school bound by much tradition and this is traditional Japanese furniture. When sitting on the ground we are closer to Mother Earth and our body's balance is more centered allowing the chi to flow freely."

"O-kay," Ron said as he unceremoniously plopped down onto one of the mats Yori had shown him to. "I can dig tradition and a free flowing chi… Whatever that is."

"And tradition states," Sensei said as he gracefully took a seat on the floor opposite Ron, "that you call me either Sensei or Master, not both. While Sensei means teacher, it also means master. If you call me Master Sensei it sounds as if you are calling me Master Master. Do you believe I am one of your American, gangster-style, rap artists?"

"No, of course not Sensei. I beg your forgiveness," Ron sincerely answered as he slightly bowed his head with fist in hand and not taking his eyes off of the older teacher this time. "My brief study of your language didn't cover the true meaning of your title so it was my mistake believing you should be called Master Sensei, because you are the head teacher of the school."

"That is quite understandable," the old man said with eyes closed and a slight bow of his head, "and you are forgiven. Now," Sensei continued as he started to pour three cups of tea from the ancient looking tea set on the table, "as to the real reason you are here. It is written in our ancient scrolls that a young blond boy from far away will gain Mystical Monkey Powers and so become the Chosen One."

Yori passed out the three cups of tea as Sensei poured them and continued with the story. "The Chosen One will keep the world safe from evil for many years to come with the use of his Mystic Powers and Tai Sheng Pek Qwar."

"Okay," Ron said as he graciously accepted the cup, assimilated the information and tried to process it. "It sounds like I'm your Chosen One guy since I'm blond and that freak Monkey Fist said something about gaining Mystical Monkey Powers when we fought last week… But what is Tai Sheng Pek Qwar?"

"That is what you are here to learn," Sensei said as he raised his tea cup in a toast. "It also goes by the name of Monkey Kung Fu."

"M-M-M-Monkey," Ron stuttered and shuddered, his hand holding the cup of tea aloft crashing to the table top spilling most of the almost clear liquid. "Why does it always have to be monkeys plaguing my life?"

"Do you have some conflict with monkeys Ron-san?" Yori curiously asked before she casually took a sip of her tea.

Ron told his hosts all about his summer camp experience at Lake Wannaweep when he was six years old. Yori giggled at his tale but Sensei only sat stoically and occasionally took a sip of tea. When Ron finished, Sensei leaned over to his guest and said, "So, you have a long-standing fear of monkeys. That will never do since you are also to become the Ultimate Monkey Master."

"Ultimate M-M-Monkey M-M-Master?" Ron stuttered, a look of sheer panic on his face.

"Yes, Ron-san," Yori said as she set her tea cup down on the table, "but do not worry. We have ways to vanquish any fears you may have. You must trust us though. The road will not be pleasant at first but you will be cured of your monkey phobia by the time you leave Yamanouchi."

"Oh, okay," Ron said, still trembling a bit from his monkey phobia but feeling a little better if they could actually rid him of said fear. "I guess I'm here to learn and if you can teach me not to be afraid of monkeys then you've more than done your job in teaching."

"You are here to learn Tai Sheng Pek Qwar but that is not the only reason you were brought to Yamanouchi," Sensei wisely stated. "As you know, you are on an exchange program and that means one of the students from Yamanouchi is in Middleton High School right now to take your place. His name is Hirotaka and he has traveled to your school to test and tutor your friend Kim Possible-san in a few things also."

"A few things like what?" Ron anxiously asked, suddenly fearing Kim would lose interest in him if she came in close contact with someone who was as well versed in the martial arts as she was and also a hottie. (And not an artist.)

"Hirotaka will test Possible-san in her knowledge of the martial arts," Yori blithely stated, "and will assist and tutor her with any missions that come up while you are away."

"Oh no," Ron groaned as he slumped forward, his head hitting the table. (In the puddle of his spilled tea no less.) "It'd be just my luck if this Hirotaka guy is handsome to boot."

"Why do you worry about such things Ron-san?" Yori queried in concern, placing a gentle hand on his back.

"Why am I concerned?" Ron almost shouted as he sat up straight, flecks of tea flying everywhere from his now tea-soaked hair. "KP and I just became a couple a few weeks ago and if she starts hanging out with some guy who's better looking than me and know more martial arts she'll dump me for him and I'll lose her!" Ron again slumped onto the table, trying his hardest to hold back the tears welling in his eyes. While he remembered what Kim had said about their relationship being solid he still had a few doubts that she could become fickle and grow tired of his former, he hoped, vegetation and procrastination lifestyle.

"While Hirotaka-san may be considered handsome," Sensei stated as he stood up and walked around the table to stand over Ron, "it is not his duty to distract Possible-san from her own destiny. It is written in the ancient scrolls that you are to be the Chosen One but it is also written that you are to have a red-haired companion in life that is your equal. If you desire to fulfill the prophecies, you must train hard so that you can obtain that equality. Only then may you keep Possible-san as your companion."

"You're right," Ron sniffled as he sat up and wiped his eyes and head with the sleeve of his shirt, also managing to get most of the tea out of his hair. "This is just like our schoolwork and training back home. I gotta train hard if I'm gonna keep Kim in my life." He looked up at Sensei who was standing over him. "So, when can I start?"

"You start immediately," Sensei stoically said as he turned to walk out of the room. He stopped in the doorway and turned back to Ron. "But you must promise on your word of honor one thing. You can never tell any other person about what goes on here at Yamanouchi."

"But Kim should know," Ron defensively stated as he stood up from the table. "She and I have been best buds since forever and now we're a couple. I can't keep a major secret like this from her."

"This is one secret you must keep," Yori solemnly stated as she and Ron followed Sensei out of the room. "If you do not then the balance of power between good and evil may be thrown off and evil may win."

"Well that would totally suck," Ron grumbled as he was directed to the dormitory where he would be living for the next month.

xxxxxx

Kim Possible was assigned to show the exchange student around the school because her boyfriend, Ron Stoppable, was the one sent on the exchange program to Japan. She immediately noticed how handsome Hirotaka was but, remembering her brief crush on Josh, reminded herself that she was Ron's girlfriend now and that she shouldn't be looking at other guys that way.

"And here we have the library," Kim cheerfully said as she led the handsome Japanese student through a set of double doors at Middleton High. Her voice soured as she continued, "It's run by Miss Hatchet. She has her own filing system and is very strict, so beware. You'll need to return any books you borrow on time or you may never be able to return to Japan."

"I am sure she is merely concerned about the books she is in charge of," Hirotaka smoothly said as he pulled out a stick of gum, unwrapped it with one hand and flipped it into his mouth. "Your Miss Hatchet sounds like a very dedicated lady."

"Yeah, well…" Kim started to say before she was cut off.

"There's no chewing gum in the library," the gruff voice came from behind the pair. Kim and Hirotaka turned around and saw the large, imposing woman behind the checkout counter, a feral grin spreading across her stern face. "It looks like we have someone new who doesn't like to adhere to basic library rules. Maybe a week's worth of detention in librrrrrrary lockup will teach you a lesson."

"I assure you," Hirotaka smoothly began with a glinting smile and brief bow, "that I am not one to flaunt your rules. I was merely popping a breath mint into my mouth so I would have fresh breath in case I were to meet such a lovely lady such as yourself." He opened his mouth wide to show the gruff librarian nothing was in there. "It is my honor to meet such a beautiful, dedicated young woman who is so devoted to her work."

"Well, I suppose I may have been mistaken," the harsh older lady said with a blush to her face as she coquettishly preened the tight bun of her hairdo, "and you have such nice manners too. I'm sure you'd never break any of the rules. And your name is…"

"Oh," Kim perked up and stepped forward to introduce her charge, "this is Hirotaka. He's the exchange student from Japan who'll be attending school here for a month while Ron is over there studying."

"Of course," Miss Hatchet chuckled and extended her hand to shake. Hirotaka merely bowed to the librarian. "The Japanese people always have such fine manners…" Her gruffness returned as she turned to Kim and said in an extremely menacing voice, "…Unlike some people we know. I have my eye on you, Kimberly Ann."

"I'll be sure to remember that," Kim nervously laughed as she took Hirotaka by the arm and swiftly led him out of the library. When they were far enough away, Kim finally settled down and groused, "Boy, she sure would make one great villain."

"There is no doubt about that," Hirotaka softly chuckled. "But as with all villains you only need to know their weakness. With your Miss Hatchet, you only need to flatter her with kindness and she will become putty in your hands."

"Maybe," Kim sighed as she looked around the hallways. "But anyway, that's the school. We have fifteen or twenty minutes before we need to get to our first class. Is there anything else you'd like to see?"

"Only you, Possible-san," Hirotaka said with a lascivious grin and a twinkle in his eye. "Is there someplace private where we can be alone?"

"Me?" Kim nervously gulped hard. "You want to be alone with me?" Her stance suddenly became rigid and countenance set in stone as she firmly shot down the obvious, at least in her mind, sexual advance. "I'm sorry Hirotaka but I'm currently seeing Ron and I won't cheat on him while he's out of the country. You can find someone else to be your girlfriend while you're here in Middleton." Kim swiftly turned and began to quick march down the hallway.

Hirotaka gracefully flipped over the redhead and landed in front of Kim, stopping her in her tracks. "I hear you are strong in the martial arts and I am most interested in seeing your… prowess." He let loose with a fast barrage of chops and kicks, all of which Kim dodged or parried.

"If you think you can get into my pants by proving to me you're my better in the martial arts," Kim countered and began to go on the offensive, "then you have another think coming, Buster!"

The two kicked, flipped and punched their way down the nearly empty hallways for a good five minutes before Hirotaka backed off a step, put his fist in open hand and slightly bowed to Kim. "It is not my intention to, as you say, get into your pants. My mission parameters are such that any pleasure I am to receive is only the satisfaction of a job well done."

"Mission parameters?" Kim warily questioned as she sat back, still in a defensive pose. "What're you talking about?"

"That is why I wanted to be alone with you," Hirotaka said with a glinting smile. "I am to tell you of the reason why your friend Stoppable-san was sent to Japan and to test your skills in the martial arts. One of my objectives is complete. You are most capable of using your fighting skills."

"Thank you for the compliment but why was Ron sent to Japan?" Kim warily asked as she relaxed her stance. "Are you saying it wasn't because his grades are improving and the Principal wanted to challenge him further?"

"That is the cover story," Hirotaka said as Kim led him in to the empty-at-the-time gymnasium and took a seat on one of the bleachers. "The true reason Stoppable-san was sent to Yamanouchi is because he was imbued with Mystical Monkey Powers when he went up against Lord Fiske and has become the Chosen One."

"My Ron?" Kim warily questioned, "the Chosen One?"

"Yes Possible-san," Hirotaka affirmed with a nod. "A prophecy from long ago states that a blond boy from far away will receive Mystical Monkey Powers and will fight against all evil in the world."

"Well, that does sound like Ron," Kim pensively said, deep in thought. "He told me about the Power he accidentally received when he fought Monkey Fist. So does that mean he was sent to Japan to learn how to use his Mystic Powers?"

"That, and to bring his martial arts knowledge up to your level," Hirotaka affirmed.

"That may take more than a month," Kim laughed. "Ron is a bit clumsy at times and doesn't catch on to anything quickly without the proper motivation. But with the right incentives he can improve rapidly, as he's proven with his schoolwork and martial arts skills."

"Yamanouchi is a secret martial arts academy. Because of that we know all about your training program, his improvement in school and all that has happened to Stoppable-san over the last month," Hirotaka said with a gleaming smile. "We also know he is at your side when you battle the evil in the world. I am here to see to it that you fulfill your part of the prophecy. It is also written that a red-haired girl will accompany the Chosen One in his many battles and also in his journey through life."

"So Ron and I will be a couple and get married," Kim whispered to herself in relief, too low to be heard by the exchange student sitting next to her. "I knew I shouldn't be dating Josh or anyone else."

"What did you say Possible-san?"

"Oh nothing," Kim lilted aloud, proud of herself that she had come to the correct conclusion about her future companion in life. "You just cleared up something that's been troubling me a little over the past few weeks. Well, it's time to get to class," she said, looking up at the clock on the wall and rising to her feet.

"There is one thing you must promise though," Hirotaka said as he joined her on their walk to their first class. "You must promise on your word of honor that you will say nothing about our conversation to any person."

"I can't tell anyone?" Kim queried as she stopped in her tracks and turned to the handsome stranger. "I can't even talk about this with Ron? We've been best friend forever and we don't keep secrets from each other."

"No one else must know or the prophecy may not come to fruition."

"If I tell Ron, I could lose him?" Kim muttered in shock and despair.

"Worse yet," Hirotaka warned. "You could upset the balance between good and evil, and evil may win."

"Well that would totally suck," Kim growled, knowing full well that she would have to keep the knowledge hidden, even from her best friend/boyfriend.