Death isn't always the end.

By: MysticFireBlood

DEKARANGER: Hoji remembers all the times with his partner and the day he died.

THIS STORY CONTAINS CHARACTER DEATH/SUICIDE.

POST-DEKARANGERish. Nothing belongs to me.

Hoji stood outside of the DekaBase. It had been three years since that day. He smirked, it was raining on that day as well. He then looked up at the sky and smiled, even though it was raining, it felt so good against his tear-stained face. "I will be with you in no time at all," he said to no one in particular.

Three years before…

The Dekarangers had just returned home from battle when they saw something red sitting in Doggie's chair. Hoji flipped on the light and moaned, "Ban, what the hell are you doing there?"

Ban smiled, got up and hugged him, "Did you miss me partner?"

Hoji couldn't help himself and returned the hug, "Don't call me partner!"

"So, Ban, what brings you back to Earth?" Doggie asked.

"Medical leave," was all that Ban said.

xXx

Later that night Hoji had taken Ban out to dinner. He didn't care what the others thought, in fact, he already knew they knew of their so called relationship.

After they placed their orders and waited for their meals, Hoji looked up from his drink and at Ban.

"So, what's with the medical leave?" he simply asked.

"Remember what I said about that lump in my throat?" Ban asked.

Hoji shook his head yes and Ban continued, "Well the doctor ran some tests and I have cancer."

Hoji looked like he was about to choke on his drink, "What?"

"I didn't know how to tell you, but I do know it was definitely best if it in person and not over a webcam," Ban replied as he reached out for Hoji's hand and without thinking, Hoji took it.

"So, how long?" Hoji finally asked.

"Anywhere from 3 weeks to 6 months, they really can't tell."

xXx

The next morning, Umeko walked out of DekaBase to get breakfast for everyone when she saw Hoji, sitting near Ban's memorial stone, inside the fist of his hand was a picture of him and Ban in his bed. He looked nearly as blue as his uniform. She checked for a pulse and there wasn't any. She then grabbed her badge and yelled for Doggie at the top of his lungs. When he got their, he knew it was too late, Hoji was gone.

xXx

Hoji opened his eyes and there was that annoying smile, "It's about time partner."

Hoji shook his head, "Don't call me partner," he then walked closer to Ban and hugged him. Then without warning, grabbed his face and kissed him. When they broke apart he said, "And don't leave me ever again."

Ban hugged him again, "Who says death has to be the end?"

THE END