DISCLAIMER: Still not mine. That much should be obvious by now. If they were mine, I sure wouldn't be working at a Wal-Mart in the middle of nowhere Kansas now, would I?

SUMMARY: Tommy has come to the Academy to help. He's amazed at the school and at the respect shown to Jason as one of the Rangers.

A/N: For those that didn't get the explanation in the last chapter here goes:

SPIRIT NINJA RANGERS

Kimberly – Heart (pink) / Crane (white)

Trini – Courage (orange) / Lynx (black)

Zack – Loyalty (purple) / Fox (brown)

Jason – Honor (royal blue) / Lion (green)

Each Ranger has two aspects: the spirit which has one color and is the trait they best personify, and the ninja which is symbolized with a different color as well as their spirit animal.

"Kim." She heard her name whispered against her hair. She felt the strong arms surrounding her. She was safe.

"She moved! Jason, she moved!" Trini's voice seemed so far away.

'Why do I feel so weak?'

'Kim? Is that you?' That voice was familiar to her. As it came to her who was holding her, her eyes flew open only to close against the lights of the infirmary.

"Tommy?" she whispered. Her voice was raspy since her throat was dry but he recognized it all the same.

Tommy held her away from him for a moment to look into her eyes. Then, with tears in his own, he pulled her back to him, cradling her gently against his chest. "Kimberly, beautiful, I was so scared when Jason told me what was going on. I was afraid I wouldn't make it in time."

"Water?" She was having a hard time clearing her throat because it was so dry. Trini was right there with the cup and straw for her. She took a couple of sips and then tried again to clear her throat. "Thank you," she whispered.

"We almost lost you, sis." Jason moved up to where she could see him as Tommy lay her back against her pillows. "Thank god I was able to reach Tommy in time."

"Sensei, what happened?"

"When I gave you the morphers six months ago, I warned you that Kimberly would have to find the other half of her heart. Without her whole heart, she would grow weak and eventually it would kill her."

They all heard the footsteps as at least three people thundered through the hallways toward the infirmary. Two young men and a young woman ran into the room. "Is it true?" the woman asked. "Did she really wake up?"

"She's awake, Tori. But she's weak. We must give her time to recover her strength."

"The students have already spread the word that the Crane is awake, Sensei. Most of the students are unable to concentrate because of the joy spreading through the Academy."

"I can understand their excitement, Dustin. After all, not only is she the Heart of the current team, she is one of the original Power Rangers. Many are excited to have her here." Sensei stepped toward the former Wind Ninja Rangers. "We must let her rest to regain her strength and stamina." He ushered the three out of the infirmary, leaving the five friends alone.

"I guess you won't get a whole lot of rest," Tommy sighed.

"No worries there, bro. If Sensei spreads the word that she is to be left alone to rest, no one will disturb her."

"Are you sure?"

"Definitely. Sensei's word is law here. No one dares to disobey him. Well, except for the three that were just here. They've never been real good at obeying any of the rules."

"Dustin, Tori, and Shane. The former Wind Ninja Rangers."

"Tommy, I want to go outside," Kim said, giving her former boyfriend the look that he could never refuse before and still couldn't turn down.

He stood up and picked her up, amazed at how light she felt in his arms. He walked toward the others who simply turned around and walked out of the infirmary. He followed them out to the gardens.

As they walked down the hallways, students and instructors alike stepped out of the way to give way to the Rangers. Kimberly seemed embarrassed by all the attention and hid her face in Tommy's neck.

It particularly caught Tommy's attention when four young boys stopped in the hallway and made a deep bow of respect. He stopped for a moment and turned to speak to the boys only to have them run off.

Jason touched Tommy's arm. "Come on, bro. The younger ones are almost scared of us. They won't stop to talk to you unless you tell them to. Most of the time, they run off before we get the chance."

Tommy nodded and continued to follow the others to the gardens. He was about to set Kim down on a bench when three young women appeared to place cushions on the bench for her. Once they were sure the cushions were in place the three disappeared and the friends were left alone again. Tommy settled Kim on the cushions and sat down next to her.

"Now, can someone please explain this whole thing to me?"