Legal: I do not own Power Rangers or the associated names, places, events etc. Anything not covered by the above rights is to be considered purely the creation of the author.
Rating: T – may be some adult themes.
Timeline: Just filling some time before the next ep. This story will mainly focus on Serena and the latest step in her quest.
The Rangers finally arrived back in the US, their plane touching down after another long flight. Emily bounded excitedly out of the arrivals lounge, the excitement of getting home obviously getting the better of her. Mike just laughed to see the change in her mood from the last time she had flown.
"I think the herbal stuff Daisuke gave Emily for the flight was a little strong." He commented to Antonio. The Gold Ranger just nodded his head in agreement.
"Which cup?" He asked in response. "She had about four before take-off."
"Something tells me she could probably have flown home without the need for a plane." Jayden commented as they followed her through the airport. He put an arm around Antonio, at which the Gold Ranger just smiled awkwardly. Daisuke had already called him on his feelings for Jayden. Although he had always known he was gay, he had never really felt so strongly for anyone before.
Thinking about it now though, he was beginning to think of things a little differently. People had already commented that they thought it was odd that he had spent the last sixteen years training so hard and working towards his debut as the Gold Ranger. He hadn't only studied Martial Arts everywhere and anywhere he could find tuition, he had worked with technology and the advice of Octozord to create his own tech, and he had even discovered a symbol power all of his own. He had accomplished what had taken most their entire lives, all based on a promise he had made when he was only six years old. People had commented that they thought it was a little odd that he had taken such a promise so seriously.
As soon as he got back into town, he and Jayden had picked up exactly where they had left off all those years ago. It was heartening to know that the friendship he had with Jayden had spanned all those years. As soon as he realised who Antonio was, it was like he had never left. They were once again the two kids that played together. Antonio was the only one who had ever made Jayden feel like a normal kid, his only distraction from training. While Mentor Ji loved him, and raised him as his own, it wasn't quite the same with him. Even a lot of the hobbies he took part in with Jayden, like the ancient board games were a part of his training. With Antonio, he could just forget that he was responsible for so much, and just be a kid, even if it was only for a few minutes.
Antonio knew that something about the way he felt about Jayden changed though as he became used to living in the Shiba House. They were no longer kids, and while they still goofed around together, things had changed. It was just the way with growing up. Over time, Antonio found it harder and harder to deny to himself that he was falling for his best friend.
"Taxi!" Jayden called out as they arrived outside, flagging down the first cab he could find. "Alright guys, it's been a long trip, but it's almost over!"
"I can't wait to see how Ji's been keeping himself busy." Mike commented as they began loading bags into the vehicle. "Who wants to bet he's been meditating non-stop since we left?"
"Well it won't be long till we find out." Jayden responded as they climbed into the cab. "You've got to admit, its good being home."
Over in London, Serena was having a very different experience of travel. The flight from Italy to England was only about an hour, but this mission was going very differently from her previous ones. Rather than having most of the information she needed right from the word go, very little was known about the Kensington family, outside of the fact they were an old-money family with several mansions, and a passion for hunting and expensive items. The Bed and Breakfast she was staying in had a direct view to a pub that was frequented by the Kensingtons. In short, right now all she was able to do was watch and wait for an opportunity.
She had read all the newspapers as she waited for the Kensingtons to arrive at the pub for their evening meal. While she had only been in London for one day, from the way they interacted with the people there, it seemed they were creatures of habit. She tossed the newspaper aside and sighed as the boredom started to overtake her.
"Hayley, are you sure you don't know anything else about them?" Serena asked her. "I mean, all we're after is that sword..."
"I doubt they'll be keeping it in a city centre apartment." Hayley reminded her. "If they're keeping it anywhere, it'll be at one of their estates."
"So all I need to do is walk up to them and say... 'hey perfect strangers, would you mind taking me to your mansion and showing me your priceless collection of antique swords?'"
"I guess you could always try that approach." Hayley stated. "Although I was doing a little digging, and I think I might have found a better way. It seems that at this time of year, the Kensingtons like to get some of their friends together in a shooting estate they own in the country for a three day hunting party."
"Hunting?" Serena asked.
"Yeah, apparently the price is ten thousand and upwards for an invite. Only the crème de la crème need apply." Hayley told her.
"Ten grand, that's about what? 18 thousand American?" Serena asked her. "I think I'll just check the back pocket of my jeans."
"Well, fortunately there is another way to secure an invite." Hayley assured her.
"Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like this?" Serena muttered. "Okay Hayley, what's the plan?"
"Well, apparently they really like to have a good time. A lot of women go to the estate with the guys." Hayley began.
"That's your plan?" Serena asked her. "You want me to pose as eye candy?"
"If it helps, I've heard that Edward's son, Frederick Kensington has something of a weakness for Americans." Hayley said to her. Serena just looked to the window as she saw the Kensingtons' Bentley arriving. "The hunt party is this weekend, they head out on Friday."
"Friday? That's tomorrow!" Serena protested.
"I guess you better work quickly to make an impression then." Hayley commented. "This should help."
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Serena just sighed.
"I really hate it when you do that." Serena commented as she opened the door, finding a delivery guy outside. He handed her a package, which she signed for, and brought it inside. She opened the box, finding a little black dress inside.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding!" Serena stated, picking up the dress and inspecting it thoughtfully. "The things I do for the Samurai."
The Rangers arrived back at the Shiba House, making their way into the Living Room, finding Mentor Ji in front of Mike's Wii, playing a spirited game of tennis. Mike just let out a little cough, letting him know that they were there. He looked around to them, with a look on his face that just kind of screamed 'busted'.
"I...uh...Daisuke never told me you were heading home." He commented.
"Obviously." Mike chuckled. He put down the remote and turned to face them. "So, do you have it?"
"Right here." Antonio told him, handing him the wooden box. Mentor Ji smiled as he opened it, seeing the Black Box within.
"Excellent!" He called out.
"I managed to hack in." Antonio told him. "I've already programmed the Blue Power Disk into it, but we were interrupted before we could complete the task."
"Then that will be your priority." Mentor Ji told Antonio, handing the Black Box back to him. "The others will split your chores among themselves to free up your time."
They groaned as they heard this, but Antonio didn't seem to be complaining. The Black Box was the greatest challenge his skills had ever faced, and he was eager to get back to it. The computer nerd in him just couldn't resist the challenge of the ultimate hack job.
"I won't let you down." Antonio assured them. "I'll just go and get started."
With that, he went into the room he shared with Jayden.
"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm kind of beat after that journey." Mia said with a yawn as she made her way towards her room. "I think I'm just going to lie down."
With that, she made her way towards her room with Emily close behind her. The euphoria caused by Daisuke's herbal remedies were beginning to subside, and it looked like she was close to crashing. She helped the Yellow Ranger to the girls' room, leaving the others with Mentor Ji.
"I think we should unpack." Jayden announced, allowing them to all leave the room. Mentor Ji just watched them go, before turning back to the Wii and starting up the game again.
"Alright Murray, let's see how good you really are." He said with a smile as he hit the serve.
Back in London, Serena made her way into the pub, making sure she passed by the Kensington's table on her way to the bar. It looked like they were already starting the party, having reserved a large table, which was surrounded by people. They were all dressed in suits, many of them also sporting expensive jewellery in a gross display of excess.
It was a rather nice little place, the decor of the interior made up largely of dark wood, and classical paintings. There was a large Union Flag behind the bar, which had a number of chrome taps on it. There were many bottles behind the bar, and there was a fire place, which burned in the corner. She ordered a glass of white wine from the bar, and made her way over to the large, leather chairs there, taking a seat by the fireplace. Not only was it a comfortable chair, it was also positioned in such a way that it had a perfect view of the Kensington's table.
She took a sip of wine as she picked up a paper, just to cover her so it wasn't obvious she was looking their way. She noticed the figures at the table, taking them in.
Edward Kensington was an elderly man, somewhere around his early sixties. He was bald, with a white handlebar moustache, and thick glasses. He was wearing a classic white suit that looked like it would have been in fashion somewhere around thirty years ago. He seemed to be a jovial man, raising laughs from the numerous guests at his table.
Frederick was a little more subdued. He was a tall, large man, wearing a black suit with a white shirt and deep, red tie. He had short, brown hair, and a handsome face, with smooth, tanned skin. He was not as sociable as his father, barely speaking or laughing. If anything, he just satisfied himself just sitting back, sipping his whisky. She caught him casting the occasional glance her way and just smiled. Hayley's plan appeared to be working. All she needed was to ensure that she didn't make herself too obvious.
"Bloody awful business isn't it?" She heard a thickly accented voice say. It was only then that she noticed Frederick standing before her. "Would you mind if I sit down?"
"Be my guest." She replied. He took a seat, putting a bottle down on the table as he sat opposite her, gripping his glass gently.
"Your accent...you're American." He commented.
"Yes, I am." She answered him. "What do you mean bloody awful business?"
"The front page." He stated. Serena looked to the front page of her paper, seeing a picture of a kid that could only be about 17 or there about. The headline declared him to be missing from Eton. Serena had heard of the school, it was a very exclusive private school in the United Kingdom, which had a tremendous reputation. Indeed, many members of the Royal family had attended Eton.
"Yeah, it is sad." She commented. "Sorry, where are my manners? I'm Kat...Kat Hillard."
"Frederick Kensington." He answered, leaning forward and shaking her hand in a strong grip. "Um...sorry to ask, but I couldn't help noticing you looking..."
"Here was me thinking I was being subtle." Serena told him. "I kind of know who you are."
"Really?" He asked her, becoming curious. "I wasn't aware my family's fame had extended beyond our borders. My father has never been too fond of the Americas. Personally, I was always fascinated by them."
"Glad to hear it." She replied. "I have to admit, that I kind of wanted to find you."
"Now I really am curious." He responded, giving her a little look. He waved over a waiter and requested another glass. "Would you like some? It's my favourite brand."
"I would think it would be for fifty pounds a shot." Serena commented. He just smiled, seemingly a little impressed. He poured her a glass.
"So why did you want to meet me so badly?" He asked her. She shifted a little closer on her chair.
"Is it so hard to believe I just want to get to know you better?" She asked him. He gave her a little smirk and finished his drink.
"Perhaps something can be arranged." He suggested. "How do you feel about hunting?"
"I grew up on a farm." She told him. "It was kind of a necessity."
This was only partially true. She had grown up around guns and hunting, but her family never really had much of a taste for it. While they occasionally had to hunt out of necessity to control the population of predators and protect their livestock, they never hunted for sport. The Samurai Code preached respect for life, and so they only believed in killing what they needed to for food. She did know her way around a shotgun.
"We're having a little get-together at my father's estate. It'll last the entire weekend." He explained to her. She couldn't believe her luck. It seemed that Hayley was right about his weakness for Americans. "If you'd like to come..."
"The estate?" She asked him.
"Kensington Manor. Its a few miles outside of town." He told her. "It's a nice location..."
"I'm familiar with it." She assured him. "I have to admit, it's been a while since I last used a shotgun."
"Then it's settled." He replied. "I'll collect you here tomorrow at nine?"
"I can't wait." She answered, finishing her drink. As she got up, she gave him a little smile and dragged a hand across his shoulders for good measure. As she left the pub, she could still feel his eyes on her.
"Wow, I'm impressed." Hayley complimented her. "I never thought it would be that easy."
"Yeah, now if you don't mind, I seriously need a shower." Serena told her. "That guy really gives me the creeps."