Sparkling Fire and Smokey Sighs (READ DISCLAIMER)

9: The Seeming Truth

"We need a place to hide and you pick grandpa's shack in the mountains?" Shego said from the other room, unseen.

Kim flinched, but pulled on the fresh clothes; a white tank top and loose pants with a new set of sporty undergarments. Her body moved sluggishly and it took more effort to pick up even her hair brush when she was done. Her anger, once a raging inferno, felt fuzzy around the edges, like someone had draped a heavy woolen blanket over an angry dog.

From the door came two knocks. Kim exited the bathroom, padded over, and accepted a tray full of dumplings from a young boy. He waited patiently, and Kim idly wondered if he was expecting a tip before it hit her. She turned back into the room and brought back her pile of clothes, along with Shego's catsuit — she was wearing the same white clothes Kim wore. He took off running as soon as Kim set them in his hands. She picked up the tray, took two of the dumplings, then put the rest with the tray on Shego's bed. She ate, brushed her teeth, put on her shoes, and threw the door back open.

Ron stared at her.

"KP —"

Kim held up a hand. "Ron, not now. Please."

"Sorry, KP," Ron said, abashed. "I know I should be giving you your space, but I—" He rubbed his neck. "I know something is wrong, and I just need to do something about it. There's gotta be something I can do to help you"

Kim's heart felt like Ron had just grabbed it and sank his fingers into it. "I'm so sorry, Ron." She took his hands in hers, but looked at the floor. "I didn't mean to ignore you, but… can we just pretend everything is normal for awhile? There's too much to think about right now. We can deal with my stuff later, okay?" She looked up.

Ron's eyes bored into her. For a moment, Kim thought he might press the issue. Finally, he sighed. "Alright KP. But only until this whole thing is over!"

Kim smiled. "Deal." She glanced to her right. "But I really have to go. Maybe you could show the other students some Monkey Kung Fu. It's a Chinese martial art, after all. Talk later?"

"Yeah," Ron said, "okay."

Kim hesitated, then kissed him on the cheek. She stepped out, shut the door behind her, and walked towards the door opposite of the front gates and slightly to the side of two oversized double doors. It opened soundlessly as Kim stepped inside.

"So what does bring you to me, túdì?"

Kim nearly jumped. Sifu sat beside a tiny table, pouring tea. Another seat sat opposite him. Kim strode across the room, took her seat, and Sifu handed her a cup. Kim sipped.

"I thought you didn't want to know the reasons," she said, not meeting his eyes.

"No," Sifu said in his deep rumble that did not fit his light frame. "I do not need to know that you are, ah, 'on the lam,' I believe the phrase is."

Kim started.

"I have cable, you know." Sifu shrugged, then looked at her cup. "You haven't said anything about your tea. That could be considered rude."

"S-sorry!" Kim said, taking another quick sip. "It's really good, actually. Subtle. …I'm sorry, I'm just… distracted."

"Which brings me back to my question," Sifu said.

"But you just said —"

"That I didn't need to know certain things, yes." He smiled. "I mean, why did you come to me?"

"I need a reason to visit?" Kim said.

"No," Sifu said, "but you have one."

Kim stared at him just a moment, then hunched over her tea. "You're as bad at talking to myself," she said.