Ch. 09

Middleton Mall

Ron found himself surprisingly enjoying shopping with Yori. He wasn't one to hate shopping itself, it was that shopping with Kim was all about the 'brand' and he found that irrational. What was the problem with getting the exact same clothes or items without a logo and for less money? Ron still visited the brand stores with Yori, he just found it refreshing that she was not avoiding the rest of the stores.

They were browsing through almost every store they passed by, not really in a rush, when Ron looked around, feeling for a moment that he was being watched. Not finding anything, he figured it was just his nerves, he wasn't used to shopping with anyone besides Kim. So far, he and Yori had not selected any clothes, both having agreed to look around first since he had no plans.

"Oh, that reminds me Yori, do you have a cellphone?" Ron asks, thinking that they never did exchange numbers and that it would be more convenient if they had a means to reach the other.

"Now that you mention it, Stoppable-san, we never did exchange numbers." Yori agrees, pulling out a cellphone and asking for his number. Adding the contact information, she stops smiling. "Photo for the contact?" She asks bringing up the phone.

"Please call me Ron, we are friends." Ron reminds Yori before giving his best smile and watches as Yori takes the picture. A moment later Yori gives a dazzling smile and takes a selfie, not long after, he gets a text from an unknown number. Slightly stunned by the picture, he add her to his contact list and adds the picture to her contact. Both teens were smiling more after that, as they continued their shopping.

After going through most shops once, they talked about which ones they were going back to and began shopping in earnest. Ron originally had no intention on buying anything, but he was beginning to debate if a change in image was in order. Thinking he might as well asks her opinion, he decided to ask Yori. "Um, Yori, do you think I should change my image a bit? I'm trying to figure out if that would help others see that I'm not just a goofball." Ron said while he rubbed the back of his neck.

Yori was surprised by his question, blushing as she responded, she told him her honest thoughts. "Ron-san, I believe that your image is already great, it's just others around you that do not appreciate it."

"Your right Yori, thank you!" Ron replied and added blushing profusely. "My motto has always been, 'Never Be Normal'."

"But, I do recommend getting something for training in." Yori said and adds. "Also, I would like your assistance, Ron-san."

"Sure Yori, with what?" Ron agrees and questions, not noticing the mischievous smile that Yori hid.

~~~~~

Yori's heart was racing. Besides enjoying her time shopping with Ron, she was anxious with what she was planning but she would not back down. One thing she was sure of, was that staying passive would get her nowhere. She led Ron to the shops they agreed on and once her nerves settled in the clothing store they were in, she grabbed his hand, feeling him tense briefly and walked him towards the dressing rooms.

"Um, Yori." Ron began, not sure with the sudden turn but not trying to free his hand, she noticed, to which she took as a small victory and smiled to herself.

"Ron-san, I would like some help choosing an outfit for school." Yori answered the question he never voiced with a wry smile. "I have a couple that I think will do, but I would like a second opinion." Hearing Ron swallow, she squeezed his hand feeling her heart race again.

Leaving Ron in front of the dressing room, Yori entered, her cheeks slightly red. Inside, she looked at her reflection on the mirror provided for a moment before hanging the clothes she'd chosen on the hook. They weren't much different than what she was wearing, a couple skirts and tops. Mixed in though, she had discreetly picked a new 'training' outfit. Unlike Yamanouchi's training wear, this outfit consisted of tight fitting sports top and yoga pants that accentuated her curves. While slowly removing her clothes, beginning with her shoes and socks, Yori was extremely aware of her actions. When she had removed her light blue top and plaid skirt, Yori caught her appearance in the mirror, all she had on was black underwear and bra. It was of simple design, without anything meant to attract attention, yet the simplicity of the underwear and bra could not hide her beauty, instead it highlights it even further. Yori looked from her long legs, slowly upwards, past her narrow waist and flat belly, up towards her breast, lingering a moment when she noticed her erect nipples, finally past her delicate collar bone to her face. Her body was not like the majority of models, she had more muscle, her breast although big were not overly so, add to it all her curves and it completed an image of natural beauty that could captivate many who were lucky enough to glance upon it.

Yori's was nervous as she gazed at her form in the mirror, face flushed, the majority of her body exposed and her nipples erect from excitement and nerves. Then, she looked at the red hairband present in her hair and a tear went down the side of her face, as she remembered one of her conversations with her late mother, Hatsumi.

~~~~~

In the memory, Yori was seven and even then signs of her beauty were already present in her younger face. She remembered the conversation with her mother, who looked like an older Yori, the same lovely beauty but with hair past her waist. In Japanese, Yori remembered how she had asked her mom to help her get ready for the festival happening that day. Her mom, helped her put on the red white kimono she now wore. And how, as her mother brushed her hair, she had asked something that she was curious of.

"Mother, how does one know when they are in love?" Yori had asked and she saw her mother's reflection smile before she answered.

"Ah, has someone made you wonder if your in love?" Hatsumi asked, her smile still present.

"No, it's just that mother always looks so happy when she's around father and I wonder if that was because of love and how would I know?" Yori explained not noticing that she was being teased.

"Love is different from person to person, I believe." Her mother begins to speak. "For some, it happens when they first see someone. For others, it could be the sound of their voice, the way they act, eye color or hair length. Some can't explain what draw them in, but in my example it was your father's behavior." Her mother's smile was dazzling to Yori as she explained. "We were in middle school when I first met him. He was athletic even then and along with other girls at school, I found him handsome but beyond that the was nothing at first."

"Oh!" Yori said focusing on the story.

"It was a couple of months after the entrance ceremony, when his actions captured my heart." Her mother continued her story with the smile ever present as she brushed Yori's hair. "He was in a fight!" Hatsumi paused remembering. "He was up against eight other kids, although he kept trying till he was unconscious, he still lost. Apparently, bullies he had put a stop to before had gathered together to stop his interference. Later, I when learned the reasons, is when I knew I had fallen in love with him. He was fearless as he fought against greater numbers, for what he believed to be right. Even then, I was to shy to approach him, but after, when we were paired for some school work, we got to know each other and in time began to date." Hatsumi reminisced. "When I am around him, then and even now, I feel both safe and happy, knowing that he would fight with that same intensity for me. It causes my heart to race and I can't help but feel lucky that we are together. Thinking of your father and being around him, I get this feeling I can only describe as love. That is how I know that am in love."

Yori remembered what her mother had warned of next, for that was the last advice she recieved from her. "You must be cautious to whom you give your heart, Yori." Hatsumi's tone was serious as she spoke. "Love is extremely powerful. It can give the best of feelings and even strength beyond ones limits, but one can also lose themselves in it. If your love is used to make you do things against your will, remember that, they're not the right person to have your love. When your loved one asks nothing of you, but gives the best of themselves to you, is when you know they are worthy of your love. They would make you smile, hug you when your sad and even when you fight for something that you are at fault for, they would make sure that your okay. So remember, Yori, you must be yourself even as you fall in love. Although it might be hard, think of it like this, you give to them because of love not because you want their love. Love happens naturally and it's not meant to be forced."

~~~~~

Yori, crying softly to herself began putting her clothes back on. She felt ashamed of what she was doing, like she was trying to buy Ron's love with her body. She was not sure, if putting on the new 'training' outfit, was out of love or to acquire love. She was confused and wished she had someone to talk about it with. Calming herself, she suppressed her emotions and exited.

Thus, Yori was glad that when she exited the dressing room in the same clothes she entered, Ron didn't look disappointed but doubtful. He sought to make eye contact with her, but Yori tilted her head down and to the side, new tears already spilling as her emotions came back to the surface. Yori was about to make a run for it and go back to the Stoppable home, but before she made the first step, she felt arms close around her. Her training kicking in, Yori sent two quick strikes to the abdomen of the person holding her, but the hold did not loosen in the slightest, in fact it tightened. Just as her knee strike was about to hit the genitals of the person holding her, she heard Ron's voice at her ear and stopped mid strike realizing who she was attacking.

"I don't know what's going on, but if you need someone to talk to, just say the word and am there." Ron whispered quietly into Yori's ear.

At his words, Yori's body trembled but after hesitating briefly, she wrapped her arms around him. As she felt a broader back than she expected, she stopped trying to hold her feelings at bay and quietly sobbed into Ron's arms. Yori was overwhelmed and confused with the events that happened the last few minutes. She held on tighter to Ron and the comfort he provided, to which in turn, Ron tightened his arms around her and with his right hand rubbed gently at her back.

~~~~~

Ron wasn't sure what was going on thru Yori's mind, but when he saw his friend was troubled and began to cry, he did what came natural to him, he helped. He didn't doubt the actions he was taking, he only did what he hoped would show Yori that he was there, if she needed his help. Ron did not expect that his sudden hug would cause Yori to attack, an oversight, considering her ninja background. Taking Yori's two strikes to his abdomen, he tightened his hug and quietly spoke to her ear.

"I don't know what's going on, but if you need someone to talk to, just say the word and am there." Ron said and felt Yori's body trembled in response. After a moment, she returned the hug and continued to quietly sob in his arms. When he felt her strengthen her hug, he did the same and began to rub Yori's back with his right hand hoping to soothe her.

Ron was not aware how long he held Yori in his arms, he just provided all the comfort he could. When Yori finally began to talk, he loosened his hug but didn't let go. "Thank you, Ron-san. I apologize for my display."

"No problem, Yori. I'll say it again, if you need someone to talk to, just say the word and am there." Ron replied and reminded Yori.

Looking down at Yori in his arms, Ron finally realized what was happening. He held an extremely beautiful young woman in his arms. His face blushing and pulse quickening, he became aware of her scent, warmth and the feeling of her body in contact with his own. At that moment, Yori's face came into view as she looked up. She was blushing herself, but this time she didn't break eye contact with him. Ron was lost in thought, wondering how lucky he was to have such a beauty in his arms and as he looked into her eyes, he felt the need to steal a kiss. Throwing caution to the wind, Ron brings his face closer to Yori's and does just that. It was a slow yet quick kiss, not lasting more than five seconds, Ron brought their lips together and kissed Yori gently.

~~~~~

After Yori calmed down enough to stop crying and thank Ron, she was just starting to enjoy being in his arms when his heart rate increased, letting her know, that he too, was aware of her in his arms. Feeling her heart race and a blush come to her face, Yori looked up and into Ron's brown eyes. She was beginning to be lost in them, when Ron's face came closer and he stole her first kiss. It was gentle and Yori found it amazing. Just when the two came apart again and were lost recalling the moment, someone spoke to the side.

"Didn't know you had it in you, Ron."