Sorry for the wait! I've been working with the years 1 & 2 at a local primary school (do you call it kindergarten or something in the U.S?) all week so I haven't had much time to write.
Thank you to all my reviewers from chapters 5 & 6:
CindyRussell27, sporty-mia09, sky's girl forever, Chylea3784, Patrick in a Heartbeat, Buffyxenaman - Thank you all so much, I know I say this a lot but I really do appreciate your regular reviews.
powersthatcan - New reviewer! Hello! Thank you for going to the effort of reading all five chapters straight away! Please continue to review!
Marcus1233 - Rolls eyes You are sooooo funny...lol. Anyway, thank you especially for your review of chapter five. I went through something similar to that myself but not to the extent that you did. It's good to have some real insight into how Dustin was feeling so thank you very much for that, I really appreciate it hug.
Please review! Thank you!
"Paul, please don't say things like that."
"That's what he is Kerry! Nothing more than a disgusting fag!"
"Paul, stop it, please!"
"Quiet, Kerry!"
"I'm sorry Mum."
"Why are you letting him do this to you?" Jean asked her friend impatiently. It was a question she had been asking for the last month and had never gotten a straight answer for.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Kerry replied. She was sitting on the sofa quietly sipping her tea, avoiding her friend's eyes.
"Yes you do, this has been your first visit in nearly two months, you keep saying it's because you've been busy but I know that isn't true." Jean couldn't understand it. The quiet nervous woman sitting in front of her was not the woman she had met and become close friends with all those years ago.
"Things have been…difficult…at home." Kerry admitted.
"I noticed Dustin has met someone," Jean said with a smile, "They look very happy together." Kerry looked up at her and smiled too but then reflected on what had happened over the last two months.
"Yes 'he', your precious son is a queer!"
"I'm sorry Mum; I wanted to tell you myself."
"You may think he loves you but a disgusting little fag like him only wants one thing…"
"Stop it! Please just stop!"
"…I don't want a fag for a son."
"He was a broken man after what your husband did."
"You're scared of him aren't you?"
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"Dustin…this is silly!" Hunter moaned as Dustin lead him forward, blindfolded, "Can I take this thing off yet?" He was silenced when Dustin softly placed a finger to his lips.
"Almost, remember, you promised you'd let me do this." The earth ninja replied in a voice similar to a five-year-old child on Christmas morning.
Eventually the crimson ranger could feel grass beneath his feet. His ninja instincts told him they weren't alone but he figured that since he was at Shane's house it was just the other rangers. Hunter stopped and felt Dustin leave his side and move away.
"Now?" He asked.
"Wait a second…" Dustin quickly replied. Hunter sensed more movement but not from Dustin.
"Ok…now!" Hunter removed the blindfold, opened his eyes and…
"SURPRISE!" A crowd of over forty yelled, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Hunter stood completely stunned. Everyone was there – the other rangers, Kelly, other friends he had met in the city and even several of his fellow motocross riders. Over their heads a large red and yellow banner read 'Happy Birthday Hunter'. They were all there just for him.
"How did you know it was today?" Hunter asked them weakly. Everyone turned and looked at Blake, who smiled sheepishly.
"Much as I would love to take the credit…" The Navy ranger began, "It was all his doing." He pointed at Dustin, who said nothing. He just smiled gently at Hunter.
"Yeah," Shane agreed, "It may be at my place but Dustin wanted to make sure everything was perfect." The blonde thunder ninja didn't know what to say. Sensing his lack of words, Blake stepped in.
"Ok, we can do the speeches later, this is supposed to be a party! C'mon!" He signalled to Tori who immediately turned on some music. The crowd cheered and then started to drink, dance, talk or eat. Or in some cases everything at once. Shane winced – he was going to have a lot of tidying up to do later. Shrugging his shoulders he took two cups of fruit punch from the table and went over to sit with Cam.
Tori had already dragged a reluctant Blake onto the dance floor and they were moving in time with the music. Though it would have been funny to watch his brother try to dance, Hunter went over to Dustin who was sipping his drink under the gazebo.
"You didn't have to do all this for me." He told him quietly.
"Your right, I didn't have to…in fact, it probably would have saved me a lot of time, money and hassle if I just hadn't bothered at all…" Dustin watched as Hunter's eyes fell to the floor, tinged with guilt.
"…but I wanted to." Dustin added happily. Hunter looked into his boyfriend's eyes. He could still see the lines of pain and sadness that he had endured over the last few months.
"You've had enough to think about, without worrying about me too." Hunter looked away again. Dustin looked at him with confused amusement.
"Err…dude? I hate to break it to you but…you're my boyfriend…that kinda gives me permission to think about you all the time." He laughed and Hunter couldn't help grinning.
"That is so corny." The thunder ninja smirked. Dustin pouted his lips in mock offence and Hunter responded by kissing them passionately. Loud cheers and wolf-whistles sounded out from everyone who saw them. Tori grinned at Blake who kissed her lightly. Shane and Cam looked at each other and smiled, sitting hand in hand.
Once they broke apart Dustin went to refill his punch while Hunter greeted other guests.
"Dustin." A familiar voice spoke hesitantly behind him. He put down his cup and slowly turned to see his mother standing there. Tears appeared in her eyes and he wrapped her in a loving embrace.
Hunter kept back for a moment, happy beyond words that she had responded to his email.
"What are you doing here?" Dustin asked her.
"Well, Hunter told me you guys were having a little get-together, but he didn't tell me it was going to be this big." She looked around at the banners and decorations.
"I didn't know," Hunter insisted with a grin on his face as he walked towards the pair, "I thought we were having a quiet drink at Shane's place."
"You were in contact with her?" Dustin looked at Hunter.
"I'm sorry, I should have told you but I wanted it be a surprise," He explained, "I know you miss her so I persuaded her to come along." Dustin smiled at his mum who smiled back. Hunter was sure he saw a glint of uneasiness in her eyes so, when Dustin went to talk to Tori a few minutes later, he had the opportunity to confront her about it.
"Mrs Brookes-"
"Kerry." She insisted.
"Kerry…how did he react when he found out where you were going?" He asked her slowly. When she avoided his gaze he got the answer he was dreading.
"He doesn't know, does he?" He queried.
"No…he thinks I'm at Jean's house having tea," She admitted, "I don't care if he finds out, I didn't want to miss the chance to see Dustin and to wish you a happy birthday."
"You didn't have to…my birthday isn't important."
"Yes it is, besides, I spoke to Jean the other day, her words hit home just like yours did…I need to go back to being the strong woman I was when Dustin was younger, this is just the first step." She told him with a genuine smile. He smiled back and she surprised him by giving him a warm hug.
Dustin watched from a short distance away. His heart swelled when he saw how close his boyfriend and mother had become, but at the same time it hurt him as a reminder of his father and how he and Dustin could never be that close.
Hunter seemed to sense his boyfriend's pain and looked towards him. Seeing his eyes was all Hunter needed. He quickly introduced Kerry to Blake, got them talking and walked over to Dustin.
"Thinking about your Dad?" The thunder ninja asked him softly. Dustin groaned and looked up at the sky…but with a smile on his face.
"Damn it man…you know me too well!" He grinned. Hunter pulled him into his arms.
"Too late to complain now, that's what happens when you love someone." The blonde grinned back and Dustin kissed him tenderly. Everyone who saw cheered and toasted to the birthday boy.
"Dustin, Hunter and Blake, don't drink too much – you three have work tomorrow." Everyone laughed as the three boys moaned their protests.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
Unsurprisingly, Kelly was obeyed, and Hunter and Dustin walked back to their apartment completely sober. Their laughter filled the dimly lit street as they talked about the day's events.
"Who knew Cam could be such a party-animal!" Hunter smirked. Dustin giggled in the older boy's arms.
"Yeah, Shane went as red as his t-shirt when Tori got Cam on the dance-floor!" They both burst into laughter again, knowing that Sensei would not be happy when he found out Cam had been drinking. The samurai wasn't drunk, but Cam had turned out to be a light-weight and was tipsy after just two cups of 'fruit punch'. Thankfully, Shane steered him away from the punch after that.
The two chuckling ninja's entered the apartment building and walked the corridor to their door.
While Hunter was in the bathroom, Dustin stood on the tiny balcony outside the bedroom. It wasn't cold and there was a gentle evening breeze that seemed to bounce off the brown curls on his forehead. He watched silently as the city slept and smiled at the gentle starlight that spread across the sky.
After a little while, two strong arms wrapped gently around his waist and Dustin leaned back against his boyfriend's chest. Hunter kissed the base of Dustin's neck causing the earth ninja to sigh with pleasure.
"Thanks for today." Hunter told him.
"After everything you've done for me, this was the least I could do." Hunter frowned slightly and turned Dustin around to face him.
"I don't need repayment-" He was cut by Dustin pressing their lips together, tenderly but firmly.
"Like I said… I wanted to." Dustin whispered before he playfully nibbled at Hunter's bottom lip. Knowing that there was no point in arguing, Hunter pulled Dustin to him so that their bodies were pressed tightly against each other and kissed him passionately…
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Hunter suddenly sat up in bed. He looked over at his clock. 4:30 am. He felt something warm against him and smiled when he saw Dustin curled up next to him. His curiosity as to what woke him up was rewarded by another beeping sound. He reached over Dustin, grinning as the earth ninja moaned softly.
"What's up, Cam?" Hunter asked groggily.
"Dude! Insult! My bro is still in bed with lover boy!" Hunter sniggered at the virtual double's bluntness over Cam's love life.
"Ok, Cyber-Cam, what's up?" Hunter replied as Dustin began to stir.
"Zurgaine is down at the plaza and he's got a band of crazy kelzacks with him."
"Ok, we're on our way, get the others to meet us there." Hunter closed the link and began getting dressed.
"Ugh, don't evil space ninjas sleep?" Dustin moaned as he stepped out of bed. Hunter turned around and couldn't help gazing at his tanned, muscular and completely starkers boyfriend. Dustin fully opened his sleepy eyes and saw Hunter's staring.
"Dude, not the time!" He complained but couldn't hide his grin. Hunter snapped out of his trance and threw on some clothes.
Once out of the house the two ninjas streaked down to the plaza.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
"Zurgaine!" Hunter snarled at the evil space ninja as soon as they arrived. The plaza was mainly empty; any civilians who were there were keeping well out of the way. Zurgaine was alone with only eight kelzacks.
"Prepare to meet your end, rangers! Kelzacks, attack!" Hunter and Dustin sprang forward into battle. A few swift ninja moves and the kelzacks fell like flies.
"We're still here Zurgaine!" Dustin called out.
"Not for long, yellow ranger! Meet Gymela!" In a huge flash of red lightning, a large monster appeared next to Zurgaine, who then disappeared. It wasn't like anything the rangers had seen before. Gymela was covered in blood red fur, had steam bursting out of it's nostrils, it's furious eyes were like fire and it's horns looked razor sharp. The ground seemed to quiver whenever it let out it's rock shattering roar. Dustin and Hunter had to hide the tinge of fear they felt at the sight of the creature.
Thankfully that was when the others arrived, all of them shocked by the appearance of the beast.
"Ready guys?" Shane stepped forward.
"Ninja storm-"
"Thunder storm-"
"Samurai storm-"
"Ranger form, ha!"
Once morphed, they charged towards Gymela, swords drawn. The three wind ninjas attacked first. After several hits each they saw that their ninja swords were barely scratching the creature. Hunter and Blake combined their weapons to strike Gymela. It did appear to be damaged but just got back up again easily. Cam switched to super samurai mode and attacked but the beast kept getting back up after every hit. They heard screaming and turned around to see that another band of Kelzacks were rounding up a small group of civilians.
Gymela turned to face the civilians and appeared to be preparing to blast them. The power rangers ran forward but Gymela instead focused it's blast on them. The impact sent them flying into the wall behind them, all were left gasping for breath.
Dustin looked up at the people about to be blasted. One person caught his eye and he looked back, hoping he was wrong. He wasn't. At the front of the crowd, on the floor in pain, surely about to die…was Paul Brookes. Gymela was seconds away from blasting them.
Gathering up all the strength his battered and tired body had left, Dustin ran forward…straight into the path of the blast.
Hunter could only watch in horror as a blinding burst of energy emerged from Gymela and a deafening screech filled the air.
"DUSTIN!!!"
…
Dun-dun-daaah! What's gonna happen to Dustin? (Marcus1233 you don't have to answer that lol) You'll have to wait for chapter eight to find out...please review! It makes me so happy:-)
