Ch. 08
Master Sensei looked Ron in the eye, seeing the young man's desire and conviction to improve. After a while, he nodded in agreement and began to speak. "Stoppable-san, I am glad to hear such words." Seeing the relieved and eager look on Ron's face he added. "Let me begin by explaining a little more about the Mystical Monkey Power that you posses. The MMP has an imprint of various things. One, the techniques and forms for Tai Shing Pek Kwar. Two, the technique developed by a master of Tai Shing Pek Kwar to sense, train and increase the Ki in ones body from the energy found around us, with which one can achieve things normally thought impossible. And three, a fragment of that master's will, meant to guide you in times of need, but this will in time dissipate." Pausing, Master Sensei waited for Ron to process the information.
"So that is why I was able to enter Shego's mind without training." Ron said, acknowledging his understanding.
"Precisely, Stoppable-san." Master Sensei replied nodding with approval. "As for the training you've requested, we will begin with hand to hand combat and meditation. Once you become proficient in meditation, we will move to sensing and using the technique developed by the master of Tai Shing Pek Kwar, to gather the energy around you and build up your MMP." Master Sensei said up to here and looked to Yori before continuing. "Yori will be in charge of your martial arts training."
"Yes, Master Sensei." Yori quickly replied with a bow, trying to hide her excitement but Master Sensei noticed nonetheless.
"Stoppable-san, another thing that is necessary, is to improve in your studies. As you're aware, a healthy mind begins with a healthy body but knowledge is also power. It would be a mistake to seek one and ignore the other." Master Sensei advised.
Ron had a resolute look as he replied. "Thank you, Master Sensei, I will try my best." Ron had just finished speaking when his stomach growled, causing the young man to blush.
Chuckling, Master Sensei spoke. "Seems like your body is in need of sustenance, it has been a while since last you ate, Stoppable-san." He was about to suggest that Ron feed Rufus, when he noticed the little guy fast asleep in Ron's hands, 'good' he thought to himself, Rufus needed the rest.
~~~~~
Ron was excited at the prospect of training, even more so, when Yori was to be in charge of his martial arts training. Although, he wasn't sure her thoughts, he found her extremely attractive. Sadly, even though he had not admitted it to anyone else, he had feelings for Kim that went beyond that of best friends. Being aware of that, he was not going to pursue a relationship where he was thinking of another. That was not something a man should do. Although, his parents were mostly absent, they and Mrs. Dr. P had thought him as much. With that thought in mind, he remembered the usb flash drive and the contents it had, but not sure how to handle the situation, he decided it was best to focus on what he could do.
Getting up from the bed, he announces it was time to tend to his hunger. "So, who's up for a meal?" Ron asked Master Sensei and Yori as he walked towards his bedroom door with Rufus in hand. Not hearing differently, Ron assumed they were following behind him, opening the door, he headed downstairs to the kitchen.
It took Ron an hour and half to cook enough food for him and his guests. Waking up Rufus, Ron was about to suggest inviting the ninjas that saved his life to join in the meal and so he could thank them personally, when his cellphone rang in his pocket. Excusing himself, Ron took the phone out noticing two things, one, it was Kim calling and two, it was just past noon on Monday, meaning she was calling from lunch. Knowing that Kim would start an argument over his missing school, Ron decided to put the phone in silent and deal with it later.
"Master Sensei, can you call the ninjas that helped me so they could join us for the meal and I may thank them personally?" Ron asked of his mentor.
"Oh, what led to that conclusion? I am sure we never mentioned them, Stoppable-san." Master Sensei asked, curious as to how or when, Ron noticed their presence.
"Ever since I've visited Yamanouchi, I had a feeling I was being watched. At first, I thought it was to see if I broke my promise but after a while I figured there was more to it and with what just happened, they must've been sent to keep me safe." Ron explained, conscious of Master Sensei and Yori staring at him.
"Well done, Stoppable-san" Master Sensei compliments, impressed that Ron was aware of his 'guardians' so early on. "But I must clarify one thing, they were sent to ensure your life was not lost and they will not always be present in your time of need, you mustn't become reliant on their protection." Master Sensei advised.
Ron seriously listened to Master Sensei's words before nodding and replying. "I understand Master Sensei, how would I grow if I believe that my life is never in danger. I will keep it in mind that the one I must rely first and foremost is myself." While speaking, Ron made sure to keep eye contact with Master Sensei so that he could see his sincerity.
~~~~~
Ron's afternoon was hectic. After thanking the ninjas for saving his life, they all sat down to eat. Out of the three, he only recognized one, he had black hair and a small beard. He remembered seeing him before, as one of the ninja that aided him when he set out to recover the Lotus Blade from Monkey Fist and his monkey ninja while he was at Yamanouchi last time. His name is Akito and he was the team leader of the three man squad watching over Ron. He would also assist Yori when needed during Ron's training.
Next, Master Sensei arranged for Yori to transfer to Middleton for his training. Since the amount of time needed would not suffice with a short exchange program like last time, his teacher would be coming to him. Ron was wondering where she would be staying and to his surprise he received an answer from an unexpected source. His parents called the house and upon answering, he was informed that the Stoppable's would host a student from Japan that should be arriving at the house today, so he was to make her feel at home.
Once that was settled, Ron was instructed by Master Sensei on which posture he was to use on meditation, the lotus position and given a few incense that would help beginners reach the appropriate state of meditation. Then, Master Sensei asked Yori to make arrangements for his return to Yamanouchi and to have funds made available for herself so she would be able to fit in, which were delivered as a bank account at the Middleton bank.
An hour later, satisfied with the preparations made, Master Sensei, while stroking his beard, bid farewell and boarded the ride for his trip back to Japan. Yori then pointed out that she would need clothes for her stay in Middleton. Ron agreed but he would need to shower first and Yori thinking to the last time she cleaned up, agreed that she'd would need to as well. Ron blushing at the image that popped into his mind, of a naked Yori under the shower stream, hurriedly showed her to the bathroom and where to find the towels. Going to his room for a change of clothes, he went to the bathroom in the master bedroom, his parents' room and stepped into the shower after placing Rufus comfortably on the fresh clothes.
Twenty minutes later, both Ron and Yori were downstairs, ready to leave. Ron with his signature style which composed most of his wardrobe and Yori with the same light blue top with a plaid skirt school uniform Ron remembered her wearing when she met him at the airport. As always, present in her hair was the red hairband.
They agreed on going to the mall, since they variety of shops would provide Yori more options. On the walk, Ron started a conversation, asking of her wellbeing and what she been up to since last they met. Finding out that she mostly been at the school, progressing in her training and aiding Master Sensei. He likewise summarized that he had been attending school and helping on missions. After catching up on what the other had been up to, the atmosphere between the two relaxed and they continued chatting till they arrived at the mall fifteen minutes later.
With laughter and conversation they began browsing the stores.
~~~~~
Kim's weekend went great. After helping Ron get back to normal and accompanying him to the wedding, she went home. An hour later, she was on the phone with Monique chatting about the latest fashion, when she got a text from Josh, to see if she was busy that weekend. Promising to tell Monique all about it later, she said goodbye and texted Josh that she had no plans.
The following day, she went on a simple movie date with Josh. After, they had some pizza, talked and later, he walked her home. She took a leap and kissed him on the cheek before going in. Inside, giddy with excitement, she rushed to her room, already dialing Monique to tell her everything.
On Monday morning, she was still excited and did not even wonder why Ron had not come over for breakfast as he often did. Quickly finishing her food, she was out the door, heading to Ron's house, to go to school together. There, Kim was getting impatient, since it looked like Ron either overslept or had already left for school.
She was taking out her phone to call Ron, when a call from Josh came in, forgetting to check on her bestfriend she quickly turned and answered. "Hi Josh!"
By the time lunchtime came, it was apparent that Ron did not show up for school, since they shared a few classes. Slightly worried and a bit upset, Kim called his cell but received no answer. She was about to leave a voicemail, when Josh came asking if the seat next to her and Monique was taken, inviting him to join them, Kim once again forgot about Ron.
After school, Kim decided to surprise Ron by going over to his house but to her surprise and anger, after ten minutes of knocking, calling and waiting, there was no answer. Calling Wade on her Kimmunicator, Kim decided it was time to use the secret they both kept from Ron. "Wade, I need you to use Ron's chip to track him."
"Kim, you know I don't like doing that, plus why haven't you told him about it." Wade replied.
"Wade, Ron never went to school today and he's not answering my calls, he could be in trouble!" Kim told the young genius. "And you know I'll tell him, I just haven't found the right time." She added not entirely truthful with him. Hearing Wade typing, Kim nodded to herself.
In a moment, Wade replied with Ron's location. "His fine Kim, I just checked and his at the mall, no need to worry."
"Thanks Wade, you rock!" Kim said cutting off the connection on her Kimmunicator. With a location, Kim was already on her way to the mall, unaware of the surprise she was going to get.