>Ryoko wiped the sweat off her forehead as yet again she sent her
>yo-yo flying towards the target. It flew straight and hit the bull's
>eye exactly. Her sensei nodded solemnly and clapped his hands.
>"Very good, Kuonji-san. You have passed the test." Ryoko nodded.
>"Sensei, could I please have my scores?" she asked, bowing politely.
>"Very well. You received a hundred percent on the accuracy test. A
>ninety-six percent on the strength test. A hundred percent on the
>speed test. A ninety-five percent on your endurance test. A
>ninety-eight percent on the awareness test. And a ninety-nine
>percent on your control of your chi. You have done well."
>"Arigatou gozaimasu, sensei."
>"You have learned all we have to teach you," came a voice from the
>outside.
>"Hai, Master," she replied. A tall man entered the room and Ryoko's
>teacher bowed and retreated to a wall.
>"Now, you must challenge me to a sparring match." Ryoko nodded
>solemnly, swallowing nervously. The master got into a fighting
>position, and Ryoko did the same. He immediately sent a yo-yo flying
>out at her from nowhere but Ryoko was able to dodge it, sending her
>own yo-yo flying back at him. However, he just lifted his arm and
>deflected it.
>"Nani?" breathed Ryoko. Her teacher leaned forward.
>"You have to do more than send your yo-yo at him, Ryoko. Remember,
>your strength is not as strong as his!" he advised. Ryoko bit her
>lip and pulled her yo-yo back. The master nodded in agreement with
>her teacher. Ryoko took a few practice swings with her yo-yo and
>then sent it flying out, glowing with chi. The master quickly
>dodged the attack sending his own yo-yo towards her and knocking her
>down on her back. The master leaped up into the air to finish her,
>but she rolled out of the way as his foot came in close. Yet again,
>she sent her glowing yo-yo at him but he leapt out of the way,
>knocking her down yet again with his yo-yo. Ryoko rolled up onto her
>feet immediately.
>"Kuonji-san. You must remember our teachings. If you cannot use
>them to their full extent in a real battle, then it will be no use
>to you at all," said the Master. "You must learn how to use your
>newly taught skills on your own. This we cannot help you with." He
>bowed and put his yo-yo away as he walked out of the dojo. Ryoko
>sighed.
>"Kuonji-san, we cannot teach you anymore. You have learned all the
>skills," said her teacher suddenly. "You must learn how to use them
>in battle."
>"Hai, sensei."
>"Go." Ryoko looked up confused. Usually, he said to sleep and
>regenerate her energy for the evening.
>"Nani?"
>"Home. What will you learn by staying here any longer? Yes, you
>must return home. Then, when you are ready, return here to
>challenge the Master. Remember, you are not yet adept at the yo-yo.
>You are still our student, so don't attempt to defeat enemies that
>are too strong for you!"
>"Hai, sensei."
>
>*****
>
>Ryoko waved goodbye to her sensei as she left the dojo, heading back
>home to Nerima. It wasn't too far away. She'd be back before
>nightfall. She knew exactly what she was going to do to practice
>her skills and get better at using them. *Heh. I can take on...
>no... Ryouga, Ranma, and Oneechan are probably too strong for me...
>I know! I can take on Akane! She's barely a martial artist!* She
>grinned and began whistling a happy tune. She was returning home
>after at least three months of training. A whole summer away from
>home. And now she was going back. *I wonder what's going on...*
(
geocities.com/totalanimenut)