A\N Hi! UPDATE! Ok, now i REAALY flopped with a delay, but i have an excuse for being sick for two weeks. Also 2(maybe 3 but probably 2) chapters till the end!

And as always

READ AND REVIEW.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kim Possible.

Chapter 17

Lurking in dark

Kim had never before seen anybody drinking a smoothie with such anger. Shena almost chewed that straw. And what is most important that her female friend had no idea what all that was about. Kim just got a message that said: Smooth palace 30 minutes!, and after the arrival she noticed a very, VERY, irritated Shena with a fresh smoothie in her hands.

"Uhm, Shena!" Kim decided to start the talk. "Are you…ok?"

Shena stopped drinking and stared at Kim, making her shudder a bit.

"How'd ya think?" she hissed at her.

"Woah, woah." Kim raised her palms protectively. "Chill."

"I…argh..." Shena put away already empty cup. "Sorry…"

"Something really pissed you off i see."

"SomeONE!"

"Trouble in paradise then." Kim smirked.

"You could say that." she scowled. "It's been a month since we started dating, so i called him, hoping to take him out, celebrate it, ya know."

"So i assume something went south..." Kim said carefully.

"He told me that he has plans for today already"

"Was his plans that bad?"

"Have no idea, since they don't include me apparently, he didn't tell me anything about them!"

"Really?"

"He is hiding something from me!" Shena boiled with anger, resisting the urge to smash white plastic table she sat at. "I can't believe it, after all stuff we both have been through he DARES to keep something from me!"

"Did you have a fight?"

"Sorta, it was one-sided." Shena looked to the side and sighed. "I told in his face everything i thought about it, send you a message and… turned off the phone."

"Well, if you don't want him…" Kim pulled out her cellphone.

"Wha- Hey hey hey Possible! He is still mine and mine alone! One little fight doesn't change it!"

"Is that so?" Kim smirked and put device back. "Stop staring at me like that, i was just teasing you!"

"Yeah, Right." Shena raised a brow to show her doubt.

"But, to your information, if you two ever break up, i'll be the first to call dibs on Ron."

"Like i'm going to give up on him so easy. Nah, he might be a jackass for pulling the secrecy card on me, but i still love him."

As this little confession was out a subtle smile appeared on her lips. True, she was angry, downright furious at Ron just moments ago, but at the same time, she couldn't hold the grudge. It was really interesting month for her to say the least. She saw Ron in different lights, from an awkward and silly boy to a suave gentleman. Needless to say he was still full of surprises. The fact that he hid something from her did push a wrong button in her temper, but on the other hand nobody is perfect.

"You feel better now?" Kim had a victorious smile.

"Yeah, thanks." Shena said more calmly. "What do you think he is so secretive about?"

"No idea." Kim shrugged her shoulders. "But i don't think it's anything bad. Especially in light of recent events."

"I sure hope so." she sighed and pulled out her cellphone and turned it on.

As soon as device booted itself a chain of the same melody repeating itself boomed from its speaker. Seven missed calls, and more than dozen texts were missed, and every single one was from Ron. Messages ranged from "Please don't be angry, i'll explain everything later i promise." to "Please don't break up with me Pleeease!". Though amount of texts was somewhat obsessively creepy, every single one still was full of Ronnes that she liked.

"I know that smile." Kim commented with a sly smirk.

"What smile?" Shena's cheeks became pinkish. "A-anyway, i can send a text or let him suffer a bit, what do you think i should do?"

"Hey, he's your boyfriend, you decide."

Ron meanwhile was in the city near one of the biggest hotels. Thoughts of a certain black-haired pale beauty circled in his head, dropping periodically a heavy anvil of guilt. He didn't want to ditch Shena like that today, in any other time he would already be at her steps, waiting in anticipation for a date. However he had plans today, an important meeting. As he stepped into the elevator and pushed fifth floor button, a ringtone came from the pocket of his pants. It was a text message from Shena: "Don't be overdramatic, we are not breaking up, but i need a proper explanation and a date in near future. P.S. i'm still angry at you!". Ron breathed a sigh of relief. A short ding signaled him that he arrived at the fifth floor.

"Room 511, room 512…" he mumbled, searching for a certain door. "Here! Room 513!"

Ron knocked on a numbered door. Several seconds later an old asian man dressed in red and yellow kimono opened it and, while smiling subtly, gestured Ron to come in. As boy entered the hotel room, he turned towards man older man,who just closed the door, and bowed.

"Good to see you Master Sensei." he said while bowing.

"It's good to see you too Stoppable-san" man bowed at him too and went towards a table in the middle of the room. "How about some tea?"

"Of course Master Sensei!" Ron at the table and, by the habit, touched the back of his neck awkwardly. "Oh, and i'm sorry for dragging you all the way in Middleton."

"Not a problem at all." Master Sensei poured green tea in two cups. "It's good for my old bones and eyes to go out of Yamanouchi from times to times. Also, i understand there were some things you wanted to discuss with me face to face, and not with my spiritual form."

"Yeah yeah, things…" Ron took a cup and drank from it, instantly burning his tongue with hot tea. "Ow ow ow…"

"Calm your mind Stoppable-san. Impatience only leads to a downfall." Old man spoke softly.

"Right, calm, be calm." Ron told to himself and took a deep breathe. "Master Sensei, there are two things i want to talk to you about. And first one…ehm… there is a girl…"

Ron desperately tried to start a conversation without upsetting Yamanouchi traditions or his vow, but words stubbornly refused to help him.

"I think i know what you are trying to say to me Stoppable-san." Master Sensei interrupted distressed boy. "Is it about Shena Go-san?"

"Yes, about her! How do you know about her?"

"We are ninjas. Getting the information is one of our specialties. " Master Sensei drank some green tea. "And, be free correct me if i'm wrong, the second thing that troubles your mind is the recent defeat of Monkey Fist."

"Pretty much." Ron drank his tea, trying to calm his nerve again. "Wait, if you knew about Monkey Fist, you could at least warn me about him! He almost killed me with Mystical Monkey Power!"

"If you carry your children on your arms all the time, they will never learn to walk."

"Good parental advice, but how it relates to our conversation?"

"I thought it was necessary for your growth as warrior Stoppable-san. Being unprepared, feeling your disadvantage, but carry on and fight till the end. It is important for you to feel this situation. But rest assured, i sent several of my pupils to watch and protect your parents and little Hana as soon as i felt his presence again."

"Thanks." Ron petted the back of his neck again.

"I see it is not what you wanted to discuss concerning Monkey Fist."

"No, it isn't. But, can we start with Shena?" Ron asked hopefully.

"Of course." Master sensei nodded.

"Can i tell her my secret about Monkey powers and all? I can assure you she can be trusted and won't tell a soul about Yamanouchi."

"And what is the reason behind this request?" Master Sensei raised one brow and smirked subtly, while stroking his beard.

"You see, there was a whole story about trust and secrets and now she has some serious issues about it, and she is very dear to me, and keeping a secret from her will be really wrong, and will hurt her in the end, and i don't want to hurt her, and…"

"It's enough. Your fondness of her is clear to me." old man smiled, as he notice a blush appearing on boy's face. "However i need an opinion of another Yamanouchi ninja to decide on this question. My best student should be evaluating her as we speak. I will make my decision after i get the confirmation the Shena Go-san is indeed fit to know a secret of Yamanouchi."

"This seems fair." Ron agreed and drank some more tea. "Do i know this student?"

"Ho ho." Master sensei laughed quietly. "You do."

Shena felt uneasy as she entered her house. She said goodbye to Kim fifteen minutes ago at the Smooth palace, and went straightly home. However as she went through her front door and reached her living room instincts kicked in. Something was wrong. Curtains on windows were closed, sunlight shone through the gaps between, barely lighting small parts of living room, leaving the rest of it in shadows. In that darkness Shena noticed some movement. Someone or something was there with her. She immediately pulled out Communicator from her purse and tried to dial Kim. She was kidnapped recently, and she won't repeat such shameful act again.

Shadow moved again, passing by teen hero in a second. It grabbed the device out of her hand and pushed her toward the center of the living room. Shena rolled forward and instantly stood in the fighting position, enkindling her palms in green flame. It was impossible to concentrate on shadow's movement in the dark, light from her hands didn't help much, even sound from unwanted guest seemed to be everywhere around her. The only option at that moment was to tear the curtains off. Leap towards the windows was immediately interrupted by the shadow grabbing her arm and tossing her at the same spot she was before.

"Shit!" Shena stood again. "What the hell do you want from me?"

Only silence answered her question.

"Fine." she grinned. "Wanna play? Let's play!"

She threw two balls of flames at the curtains, engulfing them in green fire. As the burned further, more room became lit. Under the light pouring into the room shadow turned into more human shape. A female figure in black ninja gear, including black mask covering her face. Without darkness to hide in an intruder changed its tactic and decided to attack directly.

For Shena such development was mostly positive since she was much better in close combat in situations like this. After blocking several punches and a kick, aimed towards her head, she countered by low kick aimed to the ankles to trip the opponent. Ninja noticed it instantly and backflipped in the air, avoiding it. However as soon as she landed she felt a strong impact to her abdomen from Shena's kick, and was thrown right to the wall by it. A green inflamed hand appeared right before her masked face.

"Who are you?" Shena asked her.

An opponent slowly changed her posture, now sitting on her knees with a straight back and hands are folded on the lap. Her eyes were closed like she was waited for a finishing strike. Needless to say it was bemusing for Shena. She waited a bit, just watching at the still position of this ninja, contemplating about what to do with her.

"Hey." Shena said, still holding her inflamed palm near her attacker. "Do you understand English? Nod if you do."

Ninja nodded slowly.

"Great. How about this. I'm not going to burn your face off, and in exchange you are going to explain what the hell is going on."

She nodded again. Shena stopped the flame as person before her stood from the floor and took of the mask, revealing an asian girl with a red hairband in her black hair.

"My name is Yori." girl bowed. "I will gladly answer some of your questions after one urgent situation we both must deal with."

"Some? And what situation are you talking about?" Shena asked in confusion.

"It appears the fire from your curtains is spreading."

"Oh SHIT!" Shena exclaimed as she noticed burned smell in the air.

Master Sensei poured some more tea to Ron's cup. He just listened the whole story about the last battle with Monkey Fist from the boy's perspective, and as the story went on the more and more saddened the boy become.

"Master Sensei. I know that the first time he turned into the stone wasn't my fault, it was more his failure, but this time…" Ron was looking at the tealeaf floating in the tea. "It was me who trashed the sole thing that kept him alive. Does that mean that i took someone's life?"

"Do you think that it does?" older man stroked his beard again.

"Well…" Ron sighed. "I'm trying to ignore it, to not think about it like that. But it's no use. The thought that i took someone's life still kicks in."

"You are the kind soul Stoppable-san. And it is good." Master Sensei nodded. "Monkey Fist became dead inside when he accepted the pact with Yono the Destroyer, and his body died when Yono took him underground. The one you have defeated wasn't a man, it was merely a dead soul with a body resurrected by an unnatural way, driven by the ash left by his former self. So, i believe, you shouldn't bear a blame for his recent demise."

"Thank you Master Sensei." Ron bowed slightly.

"It seems my student is back." old man turned his head toward the door.

"Long time no see Ron-san." asian girl entered the hotel room and bowed to him.

"Long time no see Yori!" Ron smiled widely. "So you are the one who was sent to evaluate Shena?"

"Stoppable-san spoke highly of her." Master Sensei said. "But i would like to hear your thoughts now, Yori."

"Shena-san has spirit of a true warrior inside. Her wits, strength and compassion are fitting to be a part of Yamanouchi legacy." Yori spoke with a great respect in her voice.

"Hm, i see." Master Sensei smiled. "In that case, i allow her to know the secrets of Yamanouchi. Stoppable-san, you can tell her anything you want."

"Thank you Master Sensei! Thanks Yori!" boy's smile was wide and joyful.

"Ron-san." Yori said softly. "I think it would be better for you to go to Shena-san right now."

"I guess, but i haven't seen you for a while, it would be rude to just leave like that." Ron stated.

Yori giggled at this statement.

"It's alright Ron-san, me and Sensei will be in town for at least couple days, i'll gladly meet you and Shena-san tomorrow. Also Shena-san asked me to tell you that you have a lot of explaining to do."

"I gotta go! See ya tomorrow!" Ron darted through the door.