Disclaimers: Still don't own them, if I did, I wouldn't be writing his.  It'd be on the screen since Ninja Storm would still be on the air.

This started a small ficlet, a missing scene from Pork Chopped.  But it grew, and grew, and grew into a story of it's own.  So not only did I come to my own conclusion on the 'third ticket' but also… where was Cam at the end…and why didn't Blake go with Hunter???

Oh, and, this might be the beginning of a series of stories that examine the friendship between Hunter and Cam.  Right now, this is the only one I have done, but I hope to add more later.

Of Books, Bikes, and Brothers

Part 1: Thunder Troubles

Hunter couldn't help but glare at Blake's back.  He knew his brother really liked Tori, it was obvious to anyone who spent more than five minutes in the company of the pair.  He just wanted a little time with his little brother to himself.  He was tired of sharing him all the time with Tori and the other Rangers.  He wasn't even asking for one day, nor an entire afternoon.  Just a couple of hours.  And he figured that since he was inviting someone, he wasn't sharing his brother.  His brother was sharing him, in a way. 

"Great," he mumbled as he followed Blake to the counter.

Blake had to invite Tori along, didn't he?  Blake didn't even ask why Hunter bought three tickets.  The only conclusion Hunter could come up with was that Blake thought that Hunter bought the third for Tori, knowing that Blake would want to invite her.  Too bad Hunter didn't think about that when he bought the three.  He had originally intended it for Cam, hoping to get the computer nerd out from the cave for once.  Hunter was glad he hadn't gotten to talk to Cam since he couldn't disinvite Tori now.

Later that day, when they were all back at Ninja Ops, Hunter stared at his plate of chicken and vegetables, mindlessly pushing around the veggies until the corn, carrots, green beans and peas were all mixed together.

"Uh, bro?  You gonna eat that or play with it?" Blake asked, nudging his older brother.

"I'd prefer if you ate it," Cam piped in from across the table.

"Is there something on your mind, Hunter?" Sensei asked, turning his attention to the eldest Thunder Ranger.

Hunter looked up from his food to see three sets of eyes staring at him. 

"Sorry, must've spaced.  I'm fine," Hunter said, shoving a fork full of veggies into his mouth and avoiding eye contact with everyone else.

A few minutes later, Cam, Blake and Hunter all stood, carrying their plates to the sink.  Blake checked his watch, then exclaimed, "Oh boy.  Tori's gonna be mad."

"Why?" Hunter asked, flatly, something that his brother missed.

"I'm supposed to meet her in front of Storm Chargers in fifteen minutes."

"Go on, bro.  I'll clean for ya tonight," Hunter said, exasperated.

"Thanks bro, I owe you one," Blake said before running out of the room.

"Yeah," Hunter muttered, turning on the water so he could start the dishes.

"You sure there's nothing on your mind?" Cam asked, grabbing a towel so he could dry.

"Can't a guy just think in peace without being interrogated for it?" Hunter snapped.

"I'm just a little concerned," Cam said wearily.

"Sorry, bro," Hunter said, glancing quickly at Cam, then going back to the dishes.

"Has the word 'bro' always been a permanent part of your vocabulary?" Cam asked, changing the subject.

Cam knew there was something on Hunter's mind, but it was obviously something that he didn't want to share.  It wasn't too surprising, though.  Out of everyone, Hunter was the one least likely to talk when anything was bothering him.  Blake may not have noticed Hunter's odd behavior towards him, but Cam did. 

"Yup, as far as I can remember."

The duo continued to clean in silence.  When Hunter was finished, he ripped a few paper towels off from the roll and dried his hands.  Throwing the crumpled towels away, he muttered something about being in his room if anyone needed him before storming off.