This is a continuation of my one shot "Autumn Leaves" and is intended to be a proper 'full length' story. It is not essential to have read that one before this one; it works as a stand alone piece. I have limited time at the moment to spend on writing so sadly this will be all there is until I can get the rest written, but I did want to share this so you know I am still around.

Summary: Twelve years after Lothor has been defeated, a new evil threatens the lives the rangers have built for themselves, endangering both old relationships, and fragile new ones.

~the real vampire~


Winter's Chill

Chapter 1.

The trees stretched their bare limbs towards the unfriendly white sky; black skeletons yearning for comfort and receiving only a blast of ice wind to rattle and shake their fingers. The sun had barely risen; a glowing orb of whiter light hanging low in the overcast winter sky. The forest was silent, deserted, all but for the single, solitary woman making her way through this dead world, her breath forming clouds in the frozen air. Here and there amongst the naked trees an evergreen stood out in stark contrast, the dull green of its needles bright against the sad browns and greys that coloured the surrounding forest. The ground was strewn with the remains of summer; the once vibrant leaves now lay brown and rotting, frozen into twisted lumps that cracked and broke underfoot. As she entered a clearing, a fierce gust of frosty wind surged around her, causing Tori to gasp and clutch at her woollen hat to stop it being ripped from her head. Hurrying her step, she passed through the clearing back into the relative shelter of the trees on the other side. Patches of frost hugged the colder dips of the forest floor, white and shining in the faint yellow light that managed to penetrate the thick clouds above. Winter had well and truly arrived in the past week, all traces of the beautiful autumn banished, replaced by dull skies and plunging temperatures.

Correction, almost all traces of autumn were gone. There was something, or rather someone, which had remained. Tori had to stifle a yawn as she made her way further up the mountainside. The cold air that invaded her lungs had a tangy, refreshing taste, but it burned her mouth and nose as she inhaled deeply. She'd meant to get an early night, but the dark shadows beneath her eyes said otherwise.

Normally Tori found the forest to be cold and unwelcoming at this time of year, so early in the season; the short, dark days signifying many long lonely nights ahead. But not this morning. This morning she found the cold air revitalising, the wind blowing the last vestiges of tiredness from her body. There was a lightness to her step and she found herself smiling at memories of ruffled blonde hair, bright blue eyes and a boyish grin. It was hard to believe that only a few weeks ago, on one not very remarkable cool autumn night, a walk home with a certain thunder ninja had led to something very unexpected. If Tori had been asked when she was seventeen what her life would be like, only a few months off her thirtieth birthday, it would probably have not involved being the chief water sensei at the Ninja Academy and, if it had involved a Bradley brother, it would not have been Hunter. But time changes everything, especially dreams, and a renewed friendship had led to a closeness she had almost given up on ever having with anyone. Their relationship had developed over the past month into something much, much more than simple companionship. What exactly it was, Tori wasn't sure. It was all so new, so tentative and fragile, like the first shoots of spring braving the late frost. They couldn't spend as much time together as they'd have liked, each busy with their own students in different schools, but this had forced them to take things slowly, making the brief moments they could share together that much more special. Evening chats on the phone, as stilted and awkward at first as teenagers on a first date, had gradually got more comfortable until neither of them could fathom why they'd been so difficult in the first place. Now the conversation flowed naturally and often, as with last night's, stretched for hours. She couldn't remember everything they had said, but the sound of Hunter's deep and soothing voice in her mind created a warmth within Tori that the bitter winter wind could not cut through. A smile hovered on her lips as she trod her old, familiar route up the mountainside. Despite the many changes in her life in the past month, her morning walk to the Wind Ninja Academy was still what it always had been: a chance for peace and solitude and a time to think.

Lost in fond thoughts, Tori came to an abrupt halt at the edge of a deep pool. The waterfall that normally thundered down had been reduced to a thin trickle, its life waters locked away in ice and snow high in the mountains above. Taking a moment to clear her head, the ex-blue ranger stood listening to the steady drip-dripping of water off the moss covered rocks. With an almost reluctant sigh, she drew her thoughts away from her private life and began to focus on the day of training that lay ahead. Her beginner water ninjas had their first testing in a few days, and some of her intermediates were starting to show real promise. Though a couple were proving problematic… Mind now firmly in the present, Tori stepped across the surface of the pool and through the portal that would transport her to the secret location deep in the mountains where the Wind Ninja Academy was hidden.

The world dimmed and a silence more complete than the empty forest she was leaving fell over her. It lasted mere seconds and Tori stepped out into a clearing high above the waterfall. Winter had arrived in the upper mountains a few weeks before the lower slopes. The first snowfall had been met with excitement by the younger students, but mornings spent out in the cold clearing the paths and training yards had soon dampened the spirits of even the most enthusiastic.

Tori smiled at a group of shovel-wielding students who were removing snow from the path leading to the academy. They paused to give her a quick bow as she passed, cheeks rosy from the exertion and their breath hanging in a white haze around them. The snow lay thick on the ground, pristine in the areas away from the main route ways; a thick carpet that sucked noise from the air and left Tori feeling as if she had cotton wool stuffed in her ears. Following the cleared path as it wound through the forest, the water sensei could see the beautiful slate-grey roof of the academy rising majestically above the treetops. The peace and stillness of the woods remained until she passed through the main gates when it was broken by masculine yells and the sounds of combat.

Reaching the open space outside the main dojo, Tori found Dustin and Shane circling each other, hands raised in fists around chin-level. Even as she approached, Shane lunged at the slightly shorter man, arm and fist flying out to connect with where Dustin's jaw should have been. The earth ninja however had been expecting it, and dropped under Shane's arm in a low crouch at the last moment, twisting his weight over his front leg and allowing the momentum to send his back hand to strike into the air ninja's ribs. Gasping as the breath was knocked from his lungs, Shane let out a curse and broke away, once again circling Dustin, though a little more warily than he had before.

Dustin gave him a cheeky grin, "Watch the language. There's a lady present." He winked at Tori and Shane took that opportunity of momentary distraction to launch another attack.

Shaking her head at the two of them, Tori turned away and headed around the side of the main dojo to a smaller door set in the side of the school. Entering the senseis' room she was met by a roaring log fire and a warming cup of hot green tea courtesy of Cam's wife, Kayla. As Tori removed her warm winter clothes and changed into her practical leather ninja uniform, the shorter woman happily chatted away to her about Cam and their plans for the upcoming holiday. A fire ninja, Kayla had only just begun teaching at the Fire Academy when Lothor had attacked the ninja schools. Freed from captivity when the young rangers defeated Lothor, she had helped tend the fragile new relationships formed between the academies that came with freedom. It was in this capacity, as an ambassador of friendship, that she first met Cam. Tori joined the petite woman on a futon and enjoyed the warmth radiating out from the fire. She knew it would be short-lived.

"So how about you?" Kayla turned to Tori, draining her cup of tea, "Any plans for the holidays?" Tori shrugged non-committally and the fire ninja frowned. "Oh come on. Surely you must have something going on? You're not spending Christmas alone, are you?"

"I… don't know." It was true. Her and Hunter's relationship was so new, they hadn't even mentioned the holidays. "It depends."

"Depends on what?" As the only senior female members of staff at the Wind Academy, the two of them had become good friends and Kayla easily noticed the other woman's sudden awkwardness. Her face lit up, "Or should that be depends on who?"

"No…" Tori tried to protest but it was too late.

Kayla sat up straight, pushing her chestnut fringe out of her eyes to look Tori square in the eye. "Who's the lucky man? How long has this been going on? Do I know him?" The blonde woman started guiltily and Kayla gasped, "I do know him. Tori you-"

At that moment the door crashed open to allow Shane and Dustin to pile in, bickering good-naturedly about the sparring match they'd just finished. Dustin, glowing with victory and perspiration, grabbed a towel to wipe his face while Shane chucked himself down onto the futon opposite the two women. He rubbed a hand through his hair, the first silver threads beginning to show at his temples; a source of great amusement for Dustin, only a few months younger than the ex-red ranger, whose own dark locks so far showed no sign of his thirty years. Tori smiled at Shane, "How'd he beat you this time?" she asked, relieved at the timely interruption.

"He got lucky," Shane growled, with a sideways glance at the earth ninja.

"Hey!" The air ninja's dismissal of Dustin's win was answered with a sweaty towel flung at him from across the room. "It's not my fault you were distracted this morning," Dustin protested as he disappeared behind a screen in the corner of the room to wash and change.

Shane pulled the towel off him in disgust and dropped it on the floor, staring daggers at where Dustin had vanished. Tori frowned; it wasn't like their former leader to allow his personal life to interfere with his training. Seeing the puzzlement on her face, Shane sighed, "It's nothing."

"Dude, it's hardly nothing." Dustin's voice came from behind the paper screen, impeded slightly by him attempting to remove his training shirt while talking. Shane groaned and let his head fall into his hands in mock despair, avoiding the two women's questioning looks. "You might as well tell them," the earth ninja reappeared, doing up the final few buttons of his uniform top as he walked across to perch on the futon next to Shane. Seeing the reticence on the other man's face, Dustin rolled his eyes and turned to Kayla and Tori, "He still hasn't told Leilani that ninjas are real."

"Dustin!" Shane sighed in exasperation. "I will. I just… I don't quite know how yet. I mean, how do you tell your fiancée that you're not a policeman as she's believed for five years, rather a sensei at a secret ninja academy? Oh, and by the way, you used to be a power ranger." He shook his head. Although he tried keep his voice light and joking, the serious lines around his mouth revealed how worried he actually was.

Tori reached over and squeezed the older man's knee sympathetically, "You'll find the right way, I'm sure." With that she stood and stretched, "Ok boys. As much as I want to stay here in the warm chatting, I have a beginner class to get up to speed for their testing. I'll catch you at lunch time."

Kayla smiled up at her brightly, "Enjoy. We'll talk later," she added with a meaningful look, signifying she hadn't forgotten their earlier conversation.

Tori waved her hand over her shoulder to indicate she'd heard, before reluctantly leaving the warmth of the senseis' room to brave the cold outside. Stepping out into the frigid air, the wind buffeted around her in greeting, sending strands of hair whipping about her face. Wishing, not for the first time, that she could wear a hat and gloves as part of her uniform, she strode across the training yard to find her beginner water ninjas standing in three smart lines waiting for her. Smiling in understanding at their chattering teeth and red noses she headed for the woods, calling over her shoulder as she swept passed them, "Come on boys and girls. We have a lot of work to be getting on with."

XxX

Three long, cold hours later Tori finally took pity on her frozen water students. They'd ended up deep in the upper forests, the young men and women being put through their paces in preparation for their upcoming exam. Normally in such weather, what with water being cold and wet and accidents happening more often than not with beginners, Tori would keep the lessons short and close to the academy. But today, with so much to do, they had strayed farther than usual. And the students looked like they were suffering. Standing again in lines in a snow-covered clearing, bedraggled and shivering, they made for a pitiful sight.

"Alright kids, that's enough for this morning. Get yourselves back to the academy and make sure you find some dry clothes and hot food. Wait, wait," Tori called as they made to run for it, "I know we have no official lesson this afternoon but I expect you all to remain at the academy to practice. This first exam is important; you all need work. One of the small training yards will be made available for you and I'll have some of the senior students there for you to ask advice, give tips etcetera, etcetera. I expect you all to make use of them. Is that understood?" One by one the students nodded and Tori smiled, "Ok. Dismissed."

Instantly the young water ninjas broke ranks, laughter ringing out as they began making their way back to the academy. Smiling fondly at the camaraderie within the small group, their sensei followed them at a slower pace, carefully navigating her way through the dips and fallen branches hidden by the winter carpet. A sudden prick at the back of her neck made her stop, painfully aware that she was being watched. She waited, tense, as the chatter and laughter of her students faded into the distance. The dead forest was suddenly silent, the blanket of snow muffling all noise. But she wasn't alone.

"You're meant to be at work," Tori said to the empty air, trying to put a disapproving tone into her voice.

"You don't sound angry," a male voice replied, and a tall blonde man stepped out from behind a tree.

Blue eyes sparkling with humour made Tori instantly forget her frozen toes and the wind nipping insistently at her ears and nose. "Hunter." The warmth in her voice could have melted the snow. "What have I told you about sneaking up on me?"

The head of the Thunder Ninja Academy pouted, looking more like the broody twenty-one year old she had first known him as than the often-serious thirty-three year old he now was. "But you look so adorable when you're ready to hit someone."

Tori laughed, pulling a skein of frozen hair of her face and tucking it behind her ear, "I'm almost thirty; 'adorable' is hardly the most flattering description."

Hunter moved quickly, clearing the distance between them and resting his hands on her upper arms. "What should I say?" he asked in a low, husky voice. "Beautiful?" He laid a soft kiss on her forehead. "Breath taking?" He leaned in to kiss the side of her neck and Tori shivered at the sensation of his breath warm on her skin. "Sexy?" He locked her eyes with his and Tori felt herself falling into their blue depths as their lips met for a deep, passionate kiss. Her hands slipped down to encircle his waist and draw him closer to her, crushing their bodies together. Hunter's hands moved up from her arms to gently hold her cheek with one and allow the other to slide through her hair to cup the back of her head.

Breathless, they broke apart and Tori giggled, laying her head under Hunter's chin. "So what are you doing here?" she murmured, snuggling closer to him to keep warm.

"Seeing you of course," he answered, wrapping his arms around the smaller woman. "I just thought, as we've both been so busy lately, it would be nice to spend the afternoon together."

"Mmm," Tori shut her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of warmth that surrounded her. "Hunter you know I'd love to, but I've got classes this afternoon. There's too much to do. The beginners have their testing, the intermediates are-" She was cut off by Hunter's lips covering hers and she opened her eyes in surprise. Sliding her hands up between them, she gently tried to push him away. "I can't."

"Yes, you can," Hunter said with a teasing smile. "Tori, you worry too much. Your kids looked good today, from what I saw of them anyway. Your senior students need to start taking some more responsibility; you do too much."

"I'm the only water instructor," Tori protested and Hunter grinned triumphantly.

"That's just what I mean," he said, looking straight into her eyes, "You can't do all this by yourself. Shane's got a whole team now of air ninjas to teach, Dustin's got a couple of assistants, hell, even Cam's found a senior student good enough to help him with his samurais. You need to start stepping back. Come with me this afternoon. Let Anya or Hannah teach. It'd do them good." He smiled, "You never know, you might be surprised." Seeing Tori still torn, chewing on a nail worriedly, he nudged her shoulder with his, "Please? Don't make me beg."

As he stuck out his bottom lip and fluttered his eyelashes, the blonde woman laughed and hit him affectionately on the arm, "Okay, okay. I'll do it. You're right, I need some assistance and unless I give the girls a chance they'll never be able to show what they can do."

She slid her frozen hand into Hunter's warm one and the two of them made their way through the still forest, the muted sun casting pale shadows through the naked trees. As they approached the Academy, Tori gave the thunder sensei a quick peck on the cheek, "Wait here. I won't be long."

Hunter huffed out a cloud of warm breath and stuck his hands under his armpits, "You better not be. I don't want to freeze to death."

She flashed him a brilliant smile before hurrying up into the Academy, her boots leaving clumps of snow in her wake as she strode down the corridor that led to the senior common room. The wood panelled room was welcomingly bright and warm compared to the cold darkness of the passageway she had just come through. The students jumped to their feet as they realised who their visitor was, and gave her a quick but respectful bow. Tori nodded at them, impatience beginning to claw at her, but she forced herself down her feelings of teenage giddiness as she turned to the two senior water ninjas that Hunter had mentioned. Both were equally talented and Tori found her anxiety thawing as she approached them. "Anya, Hannah, may I have a word?" Drawing them away from where the rest of the seniors were hanging around the fire, she quickly apprised them of her decision to have them teach her afternoon intermediate class. "I know it's short notice, but I think it's about time you learnt what it's like to teach. And it's a good way to test how much you actually do know." Seeing the sudden apprehension cross their faces, she added kindly, "I have a lesson plan all set out, you don't need to worry on that score. It's nothing you are not fully capable of." She paused, "But if you think it's too much too soon-"

"No Sensei." It was tall and willowy Anya that cut across her. With a quick glance at her companion she continued, "I think we'd both like to try."

"Good," Tori said brusquely. "Well I shall leave them in your hands." With that decided, she had a quick word with a couple of her other seniors to arrange for some to be present in the practice yards as she had promised her beginners and then left the chatter and noise of the common room to slink back down the dark, chill corridors and scurry across the main training yard into the shelter of the senseis' room. Throwing off her stiff training uniform she changed into her ordinary clothes in what felt like a flash. Socks, shoes and coat quickly followed, though in her haste she left her hat, scarf and gloves behind. It didn't matter; she'd be back to collect them later. In no time at all she was out into the icy air and heading for the gate. A sudden image of Dustin or Shane catching her playing hooky crossed her mine and she hastened her step.

She found Hunter where she had left him; a broad grin lighting up his face as she appeared through the trees. Slipping her arm through his, she stayed close as they snuck through the woods, away from the cleared paths, and headed for the portal, "So… where are we going?"

XxX

Tori loved the beach in winter. There was something hauntingly beautiful about the deserted stretch of sand and the grey waves that crashed on to it. Blake had hated it. It was always too cold, too windy, too dull for him. When they'd broken up, Tori had spent a lot of time walking along these same sands, tears frozen to her cheeks, heart as grey and as empty as the sea. But that had been a long time ago and now she was here with Hunter.

Although he never said, Tori was sure he liked the desolated beach as much as she did. Walking along the firm, damp sand at the waters edge, Hunter had taken her small hand in his large one and tucked them both into his coat pocket for warmth. There was no need to speak, just listen to the waves breaking on the shore, the wail of sea birds flying high above them, the rushing of the wind in their ears and their own footsteps crunching on the sand.

They reached the cliffs at the far end of the beach and found a place to sit out of the wind behind a large rock. Tori, sitting between Hunter's legs, leaned back against him, enjoying the warmth his arms wrapped around her brought. Sitting in comfortable silence, Tori took deep breaths of the salty sea air, the smell of seaweed and rotting wood familiar friends. She felt… content.

The thunder ninja nuzzled his head into her neck, kissing her gently. "Happy?" he whispered.

"Mmmhmm," Tori smiled as she stared lazily out across the grey water, the gusts of wind sending spray flying off the waves. "You were right; I needed a break. Needed to get away from the academy, even just for the afternoon. I can't wait for the holidays now."

"Yeah, I think I'm actually looking forward to them this year," Hunter said.

Something in his tone caused Tori to twist out of his embrace to look at him. "What do you mean?" she asked, "You don't normally like the holidays?"

Hunter leaned back onto his arms, hands pressing into the damp sand, "I like the spring and summer ones well enough. But winter… It's meant to be a time for family and I don't really have any." He spoke frankly yet Tori knew Hunter rarely voiced thoughts like these. He caught her about to speak and cut her off, "No, I know I have Blake. But he hasn't been home for Christmas in years. It's always just been me." He gave her a lopsided grin, "But maybe this year…"

Tori smiled at him, heart fluttering, "Are you asking me to spend the holidays with you?"

He straightened up and pulled her into his arms, "Actually I am. I thought we could go somewhere. Somewhere warm, where you can surf and I can watch you surf. Somewhere where it's just you and me. How does that sound?"

The water ninja gave him a quick, impulsive kiss on the lips, "That sounds wonderful." She paused, a smile tugging at the corners of her lip, "On one condition though." Hunter raised an eyebrow quizzically. "You're surfing too."

Hunter laughed; he'd been saying he wanted to learn for weeks now, but not in the cold autumnal seas. "Ok, deal." He grinned at her, and Tori found herself once again staring into his sparkling blue eyes, so full of life. As they leaned in for another kiss, a strong gust of wind rolled in from the sea, bringing with it cold salt spray whipped up from the tops of the waves. Looking up, the two of them saw dark clouds spilling across the sky. The water had darkened to a furious grey, the waves now tipped with white as they were pushed towards the shore. The two senseis exchanged looks and Hunter sighed, resting his forehead against Tori's. "Time to go?"

"Looks like a storm's coming," Tori said regretfully, "I need to get back to the academy to check my students haven't rioted in my absence." Hunter gave a snort of laughter and got to his feet, holding out a hand to help Tori to do the same. Brushing sand off themselves, the thunder ninja took her hand in his again for the walk back down the beach towards the place where the woods met the sea. The strengthened wind rushed around them, carrying sand that stung their skin and got caught in their hair.

It was with mixed feelings they reached the relative shelter of the forest; relief to be off the suddenly unwelcoming beach but sadness as this was where they had to part ways. "Well, see you," Hunter said awkwardly and made to walk away, but Tori still had her fingers laced between his and pulled him back.

"Not so fast mister," she said in a low voice, and circled his neck with her arms, guiding his lips to hers. There was the taste of salt mingled with the scent of him and it was with reluctance that Tori broke their embrace. "Speak later?"

"Definitely," Hunter replied, his voice husky. He sighed, and gave her a final, chaste kiss on the lips before streaking off in the direction of the Thunder Academy, leaving only a fading trail of crimson behind.

Tori stood for a moment looking in the direction Hunter had vanished. She could still feel the warmth of his skin on her hand and the pressure of his lips against hers. She rubbed a thumb across her lips and smiled. Then she gave herself a mental shake; she was acting as if she was that seventeen year old girl again, the girl she used to be before Lothor and Power Rangers and Blake and life had happened to her. With a last look at the stormy sea, she began the trek back up to the waterfall and the portal back to the Wind Ninja Academy. Under the trees dusk had already fallen and Tori quickened her pace, wanting to check on her students and get back to the warmth of the senseis' room as quickly as possibly. Reaching the pool slightly breathless from her quick hike, she paused to compose herself before entering the portal.

There was the normal swirl of colours and deafening silence, but when the world stopped moving she stepped out into chaos. Clouds of a deep, unnatural purple hung threateningly; white hot flashes of lightening crackling across their surface. Tori could almost feel the static electricity building. A vicious wind tore at her clothes and whipped her blonde hair around her face. Once her eyes had time to register what they were seeing, the view was one of complete and utter devastation.

The Wind Ninja Academy was gone.