>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...*