AN: Vector Sigma. Megatron demanded more on-screen time. Good work, Starscream. You failed Megatron yet again. Least there wasn't an Autobot Matrix to wipe everybody out this time. Nice to feel like a kid again; I give the Transformer movie credit for that.

61. Senpai

"So what's this bar mean again?"

"Um, it's your life bar. When it goes down to zero, your character is defeated."

"Right, right."

The blond dangled the controller from his fingertips, a wash of frustration imprinted into his features. The brunet braved a look.

"Are you sure you know how to play?"

"Of course I know how to play! I was just testing your skills, that's all."

"Okay."

The game bleeped into action and an automated scream echoed from tiny speakers milliseconds later. Jyuumonji turned to Sena.

"Best ten out of eleven."

62. Haunted

When Sena asked him what his favorite color was, he blanked and stuttered a random hue. The runt ran off. Jyuumonji smacked his own forehead when the boy came back with a pair of pink popsicles

63. Power

"Hey, Kuroki."

"What is it, Toga?"

The two boys huddled together. Sena was showing their leader a new game that he was interested in and since they were hungry –and way above being extra weight from that dating crap- they waited outside and kept the two in eyesight. They kept their voices low as to avoid detection.

"Y'know, Kazu-chan and Sena are getting kinda serious together."
"Yeah, they're together almost everyday now."

"Like they're chained together or something."

"Like two mutts tied to the same pole."

"And we're here."

They watched when Sena pointed to a display case to Jyuumonji who scratched the back of his head, his ears tipped pink. The two swore they saw flowers bloom in the pot outside the store. Togano tucked his Jump underneath his armpit and nestled his arms together.

"Maybe we can bond together somehow."

Kuroki nearly dropped his DS.

"What the hell-?! But Sena is Jyuumonji's boy-"

The shaded teen punched Kuroki's shoulder.

"Not like that, you idiot!"

"Then how, jackass?! What's your plan?"

Half an hour later, the couple returned -Sena apologizing for his frivolous behavior and Jyuumonji likewise looking just as guilty- when their ears were assaulted by blaring trumpets and synthesized drum beats. Before they could wonder whether they had walked into the wrong neighborhood, the trees bellowed a noble and familiar (?) declaration of justice.

"Ultra Deimon Rangers, assemble!"

Caped figures leaped from the branches above and posed with unparallel grace before Jyuumonji. Their attire was the same save for the colored shades and capes.

"Deimon Black appears!"

"Deimon Orange fight!"

They twirled and tugged Sena closer to them, hands joined and hips tilted. They slipped on a pair of red shades and a matching cape onto the dazed boy before whirling themselves once more.

"With Deimon Red, our powers are unstoppable!"

They froze in their state staring the blond down, wordlessly challenging him to belittle or swear or laugh at their five-minute uniforms and cheap fanfare from the 80's. The other twenty minutes were long, too damn long. Their idea was solid and they weren't going to let anyone trash it. They dared the blond to break.

After the music wafted away, Jyuumonji smirked and rolled his shoulders back into their sockets.

"What's my color?"

Rangers Black and Orange straightened.

"Based on your current behavior and by the great principles of Deimon Ranger Law ™, it is clear to us what your rank shall be.

"Clear as the sky."

"Um, it's overcast."

Sena's observation went ignored.

"So what is it?"

"You are Deimon Ranger Dancer Pink!"

"Named so for his scattered blushes and nasty intentions."

And the senior rangers were promptly punted into the sky.

64. Taken

Although the day was young and the train was packed, the long row of seats surrounding the sleeping Sena was vacant. Jyuumonji made sure of that.

65. Dawn

He knew the blond, more than anything perhaps even to a fault, prided himself for his earned reputation. A former smidge in the eyes of society, he hauled himself and his friends to an era of light. Once ignored, he was now famed and steadily climbed the ranks to a legendary status that many have marveled over. Recognition was his medal and praise his proof to his labor. The fact that he bound himself to his friends' hips and took them with him made the boy shine even more. He grew into a worthy man.

And he felt he had to live to that image.

Rarely had the brunet seen him with a smooth forehead, his brows constantly knotted and lips always frowning and always glaring. Even when they were alone, he had the habit of crossing his arms over his chest like titanium bars to a prisoner's cell, his back fiercely presenting all the mighty muscles he has earned. He spared no one from his punches of enlightenment and cared little for modesty and brown-nosing. He knew, even though the blond would look guilty about it afterwards, that he still fancied the satisfaction of stalking the liquor store and defending their turf to teach those who didn't know any better a very valuable lesson in respect. Sometimes he would catch the blond rubbing his crossed scar smugly, fondly remembering when and how he got it. Jyuumonji admitted to him that he couldn't feel himself living otherwise.

So when Sena faced the ruffian's sleeping face that morning, he couldn't help noticing how sloppy and peaceful the blond looked. His hair, gritted and free from his gel, mashed into the pillow. His forehead creaseless and his eyes blissfully closed. His mouth was slightly ajar and drool trickled from its corners. Sena allowed himself a stifled chuckle when the blond loudly snorted in his sleep. He settled into a quiet heap, his chin rubbed lightly against the brunet's arm. How undignified one might say for someone with his attitude.

The blond's arm pulled him closer. The brunet returned the embrace and smiled.

He wouldn't change a thing.