"Bushido: Way of the Warrior"

AN: To set this story up, I'm changing the order ofsome episodes. "Crush" happens well after "Exchange". I'm not changing Kim's character and making Ron/Kim protagonist/antagonist. Rather, I am creating Ron's reaction to something that happened in crush (which wasn't dealt with in the show) and using it as a basis for this story. This first chapter will just deal with the events of crush and briefly touch on the beginning on Ron's journey. This first chapter alone won't resemble the title but I wanted to take some time to setup the chain of events that leads to the story, bear with me through chapter 1. Story will start rated "G" and will change to "PG" with later chapters.

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Kim had kicked the door shut with Ron still in the janitor closet when Josh had come by. Later at the Spirit Dance while Kim and Josh were dancing, Ron alone in the dark closet shouted, "Help, somebody let me out. C'mon, I'm a bon-diggity dancer." Hours passed, Ron sat in the dark. Any minute now, KP will come by and let me out. Ron sat with Rufus. Ron had been pounding on the door and yelling for help but because the music was blaring from the dance, nobody could hear Ron. As the hours rolled by Ron's thoughts strayed. How could Kim do this to me? Does she not remember kicking the door shut? Ron's stomach was really growling. What I wouldn't give right now for some nacos. He was pretty thirsty too. Ron just sat in the dark. He was sitting on the ground, his knees pulled up to his chest. Ron had given up an hour earlier yelling and pounding on the door. He throat was dry and irritated from all the yelling he did.

Later, Josh walked Kim home from the dance. Kim had a dreamy smile the whole way home. "Well Kim, I had a wonderful time tonight. You're a great dancer."

Kim just blushed. "Thanks Josh, I had a wonderful time too. You're not a bad dancer yourself. Call me tomorrow, want to do lunch?"

Josh just smiled, "I'd like that." Josh leaned in and kissed Kim. Kim turned a very bright red and had a very dreamy expression on her face.

"Goodnight, Kim"

"Goodnight Josh." Kim waved goodbye and walked into the house.

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Next morning, Kim woke up with a huge smile on her face. What a wonderful evening last night was. The sun was shining, she looked outside her window and saw what a beautiful day it was. Kim happily walked downstairs to the kitchen for breakfast. She would then get ready for a wonderful afternoon with Josh. Mrs. Possible was cooking breakfast. "Good morning Kimmie, how was the dance?"

"Wonderful!" Mrs. Possible smiled as she noticed that Kim was in a very good mood. "Kimmie, do you know where Ron went after the dance? The Stoppable's called looking for him. It looks like he never came home last night. They thought he had maybe spent the night here. I haven't seen Ron this morning. Is he here?

"No Mom, Ron didn't stay here last night. Actually, I don't remember seeing him at the dance last night. Last time I saw his was." Oh No! "Ron!" Kim screamed. She jumped from her chair and ran out the front door. She was still in her pajamas.

"Kimmie, wait! You're still in your pajamas." Mrs. Possible shouted but Kim was already half way down the street.

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A very panicked Kim had gotten a janitor to let her into the school. She practically pulled the janitor's arm off dragging his down the hall as she ran down the hall toward the closet. "Ron…Ron" Kim shouted as she ran down the hall with the janitor in tug. When they reached the closet, the janitor's hand was shaking while trying to find the right key on his key ring with Kim shouting at him. When the janitor unlocked the door, Kim practically shoved the janitor to the floor as she flug the door opened and turned on the light. "Ron, Ron, I am so sorry" Kim shouted. Kim saw Ron laying on the ground, curled up in a ball, his back toward her. Rufus was curled up next to him on the floor. Kim rushed to the floor beside Ron, tears rolling down her face. "Ron, I am so sorry." Kim shook Ron gently.

Ron slowly opened his eyes. "Where am I?"

Kim, still crying, "Y-YYour in the janitor's closet at school."

Ron suddenly realized what happened to him last night. He thought maybe it had all been a bad dream. A look of severe sadness sweep his face. Kim could only watch helplessly as more tears rolled down her face. "I am soooooo sorry." Ron got up and walked out of the closet and beelined for the water fountain. Kim ran after him, "Ron, we have to talk about this. I am so sorry I did this to you." Kim saw Ron head for the water fountain. Oh no, he was without food and water since yesterday afternoon.

"Ron, let's go to Bueno Nacho, I'll buy as many nacos as you and Rufus can eat."

Ron had stopped drinking and let Rufus take a turn for some water. This whole time, he hadn't said a word to Kim. How could she do this to Rufus and me. After Rufus finished, Ron took some more water, he started walking towards the door. He hadn't made eye contact with Kim the whole time either. He was slouched over staring at the ground in front of him as he walked, his hands in his pocket.

Kim followed Ron, tears streaming down her face. "Ron, please talk to me. I'm so sorry I did this to you."

Ron finally spoke up, "I need to go home and be alone for a while."

Kim stopped in her tracks. Tears still coming down her face. Did Ron ask to be left alone? He's never said that to me before, ever. She wanted to run up to him, hug him and get him to look at her and see the pain in her eyes. But she knew she had done enough damage. It was best if she let him be for a few days and then confront him to get him to talk about this. This can't be the end of our friendship. No…No… No, I won't let Ron go without a fight. Kim allowed some distance to form between her and Ron but followed Ron to make sure he did in fact go home. She headed home.

Josh had called to get together for lunch with Kim but Kim cancelled. She was too worried with about Ron. Kim had tried to call Ron several times later in the evening but only got his answering machine. Next day, Kim tried again calling several times in the morning but again only got Ron's machine. Kim was determined. Ron Stoppable, even if I have to break down your door, you will talk to me. Kim ran to the Stoppable house. Kim ringed the door bell. Mrs. Possible answered the door bell. She didn't look too happy to see Kim. Kim broke down, "Mrs. Stoppable, I am so sorry about what I did to Ron."

Mrs. Stoppable embraced Kim. "It's ok Kim, I know you didn't mean to. Ron's just having a tough time dealing with it. Ron thought you were the only person who would never hurt him. But I understand that nobody's perfect Kim. We are all human and we all make mistakes. Give Ron some time. I'm sure he'll come around. I know you mean so much to him."

Kim tried to muster a smile but couldn't. "May I go see Ron?"

Mrs. Stoppable shook her head. "I'm sorry Kim but Ron asked not to be disturbed. He's hasn't come out of his room except to use the bathroom or get something to eat and drink but he immediately goes right back in and closes the door."

Defeated, Kim just nodded and turned to head home.

Later Sun night, Ron was on his computer. The ringer on his phone was still turned off. His answering machine was filled to capacity, all messages left by Kim. He purposely stayed off of IM. He checked his email and besides the two dozen emails from Kim, Ron saw he got a message from Yori:

Greetings Ron-kun:

I hope life is treating you well. I am preparing for the trials to be held in three months. Sorry I don't have more time to write you. You're always welcome to come back and visit us at anytime. Maybe after I pass the trials, I can come to Middleton and visit you? I have never been to United States. Perhaps, I can try that, what did you call, naco I think?

Miss you

Bye,

Yori

Ron smiled for the first time since it happened. Maybe I should go back and visit Yamanouchi. They appreciated me. After all, I am a warrior hero. Ron wrote back.

Hello Yori,

I am happy to see your email. Things haven't been going well for me. Are you serious about having me go back out there to visi?. I really could use a vacation.

Ron

Ron hit send and was casually surfing the Internet when he got a new message. Probably another message from KP. Ron looked at it and noticed it was a reply from Yori. Wow that was fast. Wait a minute, it's Monday morning over there. She's probably in front of a computer. Ron opened the message:

Ron-kun,

I am sad to hear you're not doing well. Yes, I talked to Master Sensei and you are always welcome any time to come visit and stay with us for as long as you like. Sensei says he welcomes you to stay a while and train with us. It would me my honor to guide you again if you come.

Yori

Ron thought about it. I need to get away and clear my head. But Mom and Dad aren't going to let me just skip school to go to Japan. But this is something I need to do. For me.

He replied to Yori:

Yori,

I am making arrangements to come and visit immediately. I hope to see you soon.

Ron

Ron picked up the phone and called Wade.

Wade looked at his modified caller id and saw Ron as calling. "Ron, I heard from Kim what happened. You have to believe her. It was an accident. She feels terrible. You have to talk to her."

"Wade, I wish I could say things would be that simple for me but they aren't. I need some time to clear my head. Wade, I have a favor and a request."

"Buddy, you tell me what you need and I will take care of it."

"First, I need a ride to Japan, tonight. I also need you to promise me you won't tell Kim. I will tell her when I'm ready."

"But Ron…"

Ron interjected, "Wade, please. I've been following in Kim's shadow my whole life. What happened Friday was the sad realization of this. I need to figure out who I am. I need some time to think."

There was a few moments silence, "OK Ron, I respect that."

"The last thing, I want you to disable that chip you have tracking me."

"No, Ron. How will we know you're safe?"

"Wade, I can't live my life in the shadows. I need to learn, be it the hard way if it must if I can stand on my own two feet, without Kim's or your help. Please Wade, if our friendship means anything to you, please respect my wishes."

Another few seconds of silence pass. Ron heard some typing. "Ok, Ron. I have disabled your tracking chip. I promise I won't re-enable it unless you tell me to. But please, please when you get all this sorted out, will you please let me turn it back on."

"Ok Wade. Thank you. Your friendship means a lot to me."

Wade got worried, "Ron you're talking like I'll never going to see you again. You're not going to…."

"No, Wade. I promise to you I won't do that. I'll be back. I just need to go away for a while to find out who I am. I'm not sure how long it will take."

"Ron, we already know who you are, you're…."

Ron interjected, "I'm the loser at school who gets locked in the closet. I'm the goofy sidekick, the distraction…"

Wade interjected, "Kim and I, your parents, the Possibles….the people that matter don't think that."

"But I'm beginning to think that. Wade, this is something I need to do."

"Ok Ron, but remember you don't have to do this alone. We are always here. Please call us if you need anything."

"Thanks man, for everything."

"Ron, I hope you find what you're looking for."

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Ron silently packed two weeks worth of clothes. He wasn't sure how long he was going to be gone. About 2AM he snuck downstairs and placed on the kitchen table the letter he wrote to his parents explaining what he was doing and why he was doing it. He promised to call every other day to let them know he was ok.

xxxxxx

At Yamanouchi Yori had informed Master Sensei of Ron's email.

"Young Stoppable-san's heart and soul are troubled. We will do what we can to cleanse him. Stoppable-san must learn to control his emotions and maintain his inner balance. I think it is time to teach him the eight virtues. He is destined to be the next keeper of the Lotus Blade. The time has come for him to continue his journey.