Disclaimer: Disney owns everything. I am unworthy to exist on the same plane of existence as the giant mouse.

Setting: Summer after "So The Drama", however "Gorilla Fist" didn't happen, and Ron has been to Japan several other time as part of the Exchange Student program. (I plan to retro-actively cover those accounts as this story unfolds.)

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Summer School On the Path Less Taken (Terrible name, but I had to call it something, and to be frank, I'm not sure where the story is going yet.)

Revised to try and clean-up some typos, and misused words. -- Thanks for pointing them out!!

Chapter 3: Introductions

Kim gawked at the naked mole rat. Kim hadn't seen that kind of reaction from Rufus for anything that wasn't made out of cheese. Kim took a second to look close at this "Yori" Rufus had so eagerly embraced.

The young Japanese girl before her was about 17 (same as herself and Ron) if Kim had to guess. She had short black hair, and almond eyes. She was dressed in a short plaid skirt, white short sleeved button-up shirt, black shoes, and knee high white stockings. The look screamed "Japanese School Girl". Which, while Kim had to admit was probably exactly what she was, didn't help her from noticing every guy from 13 to 60 in the airport had their eyes glued to figure that stood before her. Not that this "Yori" need the outfit to draw that reaction. Kim had to admit anything short of a fearless ferret costume would have elicited a nearly identical reaction.

All of this took moments to register, but Kim didn't linger too long on topic. She was on a mission to find Ron, and friend of Rufus or not, this girl was not going to stand in her way. Kim set the letter on the railing next to Ron's watch and Kimunicator. She turned around and addressed Yori.

"Where is Ron! He should be standing right here and he isn't. What is going on?!"

"Possible-san, my name is Yori. I regret to tell you Ron-ku... Ron-san is well on his way to Japan. He asked me to give you that letter, as well talk to you about some of the questions I'm sure you must have. He has made promises to hold certain secrets. Such secrets are not easy to keep, but he has much honor, and has kept them well. There are thing he wants you to know. While he can not tell you himself, I can. I am sorry Possible-san, but as I do not know you well, I do not plan on telling you much." Yori quickly held her hand up to silence Kim as she saw the redhead was about to interrupt. "However, if you agree to the request in Ron-san's letter, we will have have a chance to spend some time together and get to know each other better. As I get to know you better I will be able to reveal more to you." Yori's demeanor and tone up until now had been pleasant and calm, but now her smile slid into a grimace and her tone chilled significantly. "On the rail you will find Ron-san's watch. The tracking chip, you and Wade Load-san implanted on Ron, ... without his knowledge I might add, ..."

Kim was taken aback by Yori's gaze, it was a combination of disappointment and righteous indignation.

".. is inside the back of his watch, which is now sitting on the railing. Is was removed during his first trip to Japan. During his trips to the Yamanuchi school his watch was kept at our public school. Ron however has been training with us in our private school. We felt it would be best if I took the watch and kept you from detaining him from catching his plane to Japan."

Kim, a mix of emotion, lead with her strength. Take the offensive, be assertive. "So you've been leading me around on a wild goose chase this whole time with Ron's watch?! What right do you have to ..."

Kim was quickly shut off when Yori interrupted, "About as much right as you have to place a tracking chip on someone! You claim to care for Ron-san, yet you treat your best friend, and as I understand it now, your boyfriend, in a way that is most dishonorable. I believe the words where 'You'd think your best friends would have at least asked before they Lo-Jacked you.'"

Kim didn't respond at first. She had told herself that the chip was just a precaution to keep Ron's safe, and that Ron wouldn't care if he know about it. The fear and panic she felt as she considered what Ron must of felt we he found out, told her she was lying to herself. She lowered her eyes and quietly asked. "So he was pretty upset when he found out?"

Yori's smile returned, and her tone softened. "He knew you and Wade-san must of had your reasons. I think he was a little disappointed, but he seems unable to stay mad or upset at anyone for more than a few moments. He is indeed a most forgiving soul, which I advise you be thankful for. I tell you this, there aren't many that would have forgiven you for an act like that. Seeing that he has known about the chip for over a year now, and has since started dating you, as well and remaining good friends with Wade-san, I think it is safe to say he harbors no hard feelings over the situation. Among the secrets we asked Ron to keep, the chip was not among them. It was his choice to not confront you or Wade-san, and I believe he did so out of concern for your feelings more than his own."

Kim knew Yori was right. If Ron had still been upset about the chip it would have come up before now, however that didn't help her from wanting to find Ron and beg him to forgive her. She wanted to hold him and tell him how much she really loved him, and needed him, and at the moment really missed him. Kim's eyes started to tear up.

Yori stepped forward, and gave Kim a brief hug. "I believe we have much in common Kim-san and I hope we can become friends. Why don't you read Ron-san letter, although he requested you check the Kimunicator first for a recording he made, me and Rufus-san will go down to the restaurant and bring back some tea."

"Thank you Yori."

Kim checked the Kimunicator and hit the playback. The screen came to life and there was Ron, her goofy, smiling, sweet, Ron. When she last saw him, well when she still had higher brain functions, she was yelling at him, but seeing him again just brought back how much she loved him.

"Kim about earlier today, I never meant too ... that's not to say I hadn't ever thought about ... I mean you're beautiful and I think about you ... not that, that is the only way I think about you ... I mean." Kim laughed, he was so cute when he got all flustered. "OK, let me start over. I am sorry that the first time I did that was in the middle of a fight. I don't know why I did it. Maybe subconsciously I knew it would distract you, but part of me thinks it might of been more along the lines of a dieing man's last wish. I hadn't seen you that angry since you fought Shego after the Diablo incidence. I hope you don't hate me, I love you very much, and hope you can forgive me. I have more I want to talk to you about but that is in the letter. I wrote it last night, that is why I made this recording to apologize for this morning. Can't wait to see again. 8 weeks will be the longest we've ever been apart, I'll try my best to finish up in 6 weeks and come home early. I miss you already, and can't wait to get back to you. That much time away, even if you are still mad, I think I'll be so happy to be back next to you I wouldn't even care if you where punching the daylights out of me. Well got to run, read the letter, I'll try to hurry back as fast as I can. Love you." The Kimunicator blinked off.

Kim turned her attention to the Ron's letter.

KP,

There are things I desperately want to tell you, about Japan and the Yamanuchi school. What I can tell you is that the Exchange Program was an excuse to get me to study in Japan with people that understand the whole Mystical Monkey Power. During my trips to Japan I have come to care about the people and culture here very much. They have made sacrifices to help and protect me. Sensei and Yori have been my two closest friends here in Japan and I trust them with my life.

Kim, I need to ask you to do me a grande sized favor. I know you're not going to like it, but I need to you do this for me. Everything we've done for each other, and everything we meant to each other, I've never kept score, and would never hold anything over your head to compel you to do something you're not comfortable with, but this is something I feel so strongly about I am begging you to trust me on this one. Let Yori take my place on missions until I get back. She is more than capable of taking care of herself and doing whatever is needed on the missions. I told you I trusted her with my life, but now I'm telling you I trust her with something infinitely more precious to me, I trust her with your life. She promised me on her honor that she would look out for you while I am away. So if you don't except her on the missions, she is just going to follow you anyway. If I can't be there to watch your back, I need to know someone trust is filling in for me. She'll be close by, in fact she'll be staying at my house with the folks, and I gave her the keys to the "Battle Bike". She'll be sure Wade and the Dweebs get plenty of time to work on it, but in between overhauls it will be her transportation.

Please take the time to get to know Yori, and befriend her. She wouldn't want me to tell you, but she has some personal things she is dealing with right now. I really think she could use some friends this summer, especially being so far from home.

Better wrap this up.

Love you,
Ron

Kim wasn't too happy with the arrangements. The Stoppable's didn't have a guest room so that meant Yori would be staying in Ron's room, riding Ron's motorcycle. Kim felt a pang of jealously, but she comforted herself knowing there was no way Yori would be interested in Ron. Not that there was anything wrong with Ron. After all Ron was her perfect boyfriend, but he was an acquired taste. After all if took Kim nearly 14 years to finally appreciate him for who he was. Even then you had to look past all the goofiness and slacker life style. Given the guys that must have been flocking to Yori's door, Kim was sure Ron was never even a blip and Yori's radar.

Pulling out her Kimunicator Kim got a hold of Wade.

"What's up Kim? You and Ron work everything out?"

"No, he gave me the slip, he was on the plane to Japan, while his Japanese friend was was playing hide and go seek with his tracking chip?"

"What!!? Ron found out about the chip!?"

"Yea, get this, he found out about it a year ago, and had it put in this watch."

"So we're busted huh?"

"Well he hasn't said anything yet, but now that he knows, we know, I expect we will hear about it."

Wade had a memory flash and started laughing.

"What's so funny?" Kim asked.

"It kind of makes since now." Wade replied wiping a few tears a mirth from his eyes. "Twice last year Ron called me and said he was lost, and wanted to know where he was. The first time was on a Saturday night, and I told him he was at school. The second time I told him he was in his room. I though he was suffering some kind of sever disoriented from head trauma of chemical exposure. Turns out he must have been looking for his watch."

"Sounds like Ron. Hey, Wade can you do me a quick favor? See if you can patch into the in fight phones on Ron's plane. Last time we talked I was kind of tweaked, and if he is going to be gone and incommunicado all summer I want another chance to say goodbye."

"Give me just a minute." Wade typed furiously. "OK connecting you now Kim."

"Hello? ... Ron Stoppable here ... Don't know who you're calling, but I think you so have the wrong number." a confuse Ron answered.

"I don't think so Ronnie." Kim purred into the phone.

"KP! How? ... never-mind, Wade obviously. So you calling to kill me or kiss me?" He said with a chuckle.

"While I think you still have a few things to apologize for, if I had you in front of me, I think I'd try to kill you with kisses." Kim toyed back.

"Keep talking like that and I will make them turn this plane around. God I'm glade to hear your voice."

"Same here. I couldn't let you get completely under the radar before I apologize for yelling earlier, and let you know I love you. I also have some things I need you to forgive me for like the whole chip thing. I lied to myself and said it was no big and for the best, but I shouldn't have done that to you."

"KP, I don't care about that right now. I only need to know two things. First that we are OK, and when I get back we will straight everything out."

"Yes Ron, we are OK. I'm not going to let a little fight get in way of us. When you get back we will pick-up where we left off. Only this time I hope a little less yelling, and a lot more squeezing."

"... Why didn't I bring my parachute, I'm sure I could have gotten back to Middleton with-in an hour of two if I jumped right now. ... Stewardess can I get a parachute? ... No? Damn"

Kim roared with laughter. God today had been so terrible up until now, and just a few moments on the phone turned her day around. "I so needed to talk to you. How am I going to be able to get by without you? You should have kept you Kimunicator, we could have still talked."

"Sorry KP, wish I could have, but signals are traceable and if you haven't noticed my friends take their privacy to extremes."

"Early you said there where two things you needed to know. We will be OK, that was the first, what is the second?"

"Are you going to let Yori go on missions with you?" Ron asked.

"I admit I don't like it. Can she fight? Can she run? Can she keep her head in the game when things start blowing up? But, if you still think she can handle it, I'll trust you."

"She can handle it KP, you got nothing to worry about there. Thank you KP, you have no idea how happy I feel knowing Yori has your back."

"I still don't understand why you can tell me what is going on yourself."

"Safety measures. You wouldn't believe what I had to do to get them to agree to tell you. If you hadn't of saved the world all those times, I don't think I could have ever gotten this far. Never the less I agreed to the condition that Yori meet with you and decide just how much to tell you. They put a lot of faith in my for vouching for your ability to keep our secret. I know you won't let me down."

"Looks like Yori is on her way back with some tea. I'll love to talk to you until you get to Japan, but if I don't get some answers soon, I think I going to burst. Be safe, and come back to me soon. I love you Ron."

"I love you KP."

Kim turned off the Kimunicator and turned to Yori, as the Japanese girl handed her an ice tea.

"OK Yori, let's talk."

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A/N: Sorry for the long delay between chapters. In my mind I see this story growing bigger than I intended. Been struggling with trimming is back to make it more manageable. It's only my second story, so I don't want to bite off more than I can chew. I still see a lot of possibilities with this lay out. I may just write out the most vivid scenes I see in my head, and then use some quick narration to connect the dots.

A/N: I love the idea of a Kim and Yori team/friendship/rivalry without Ron directly in the middle. (And no this is NOT a Kim/Yori story, so get that out of your heads right now.) I plan to have fun keeping Kim in he dark for a little while. I like to think this is an original idea, but if anyone else has done it before let me know, I'd love to read it. (not that that would stop me from doing it too.)

A/N: Thanks again to all my reviewers. You are the reason I keep plugging away at this story.