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Last Time

Carefully reaching down, Sensei Amino took Blake's hand, leaving the other firmly in the grasp of his elder brother, and with a final look to the graves as a couple of cemetery workers came to start throwing the dirt back in, they left.

I miss them so much.

This Time

(Kendra's POV)

"I miss them so much." Hunter's face was streaked with tears I was certain he didn't even know he was shedding. His eyes were lost in the pain of that day, telling me he was reliving it as if it was just today.

I couldn't say anything, feeling the pain that radiated off him. I knew that even with everything he'd said, a lot of which I'm not sure he was aware of saying out loud, I didn't have the whole story yet. That was the pain, but he often radiated anger as well.

I wiped my eyes, trying to remove the few tears that had fallen. All I could think was 'poor boy', but at the same time, I knew my thoughts would be seen as patronizing to him. He'd been so strong for his little brother, so brave, and I knew he couldn't have been feeling that strong or brave. Even now, as an adult and Power Ranger, he was looking at me with such vulnerable eyes.

I finally broke out of the trance his eyes had me locked in. Walking slowly forward, I remained quiet, knowing that as soon as I said a word, he'd break out of his own trance and his walls would go right back up again.

He'd spoken of being lost, wanting to cry but being unable to. Well, now he was crying. It wasn't a full out hysterical sob, but he was facing his pain, and I didn't want him to just push it aside again. Somehow, I knew he would if he snapped out of it. I don't know, but I think part of him was afraid to face that pain.

Honestly? I didn't know exactly what I was doing. I was confused myself, lost in the images his own words had conjured up. Before I knew what I was doing, I was wrapping my arms around his neck and hugging him tightly, cradling him in my arms and rocking a little on my feet. Brushing my hand through his sandy hair, and trying to ignore how my mind noticed how soft it was, I struggled to try and soothe him without saying a word.

He was shaking, and as soon as my hands touched his shoulders, he stiffened up, but to my surprise, he didn't pull away. That doesn't mean he relaxed, however. He remained stiff, not moving to pull away or hug me back, and still trembling.

Daring, I made a soothing noise in the back of my throat, as close to a purr as I could in my human body. It probably sounded weird, but I know that purring helps. It relaxes and soothes, I know it did for me, when I was little. When I'd be upset, I would go to my cat and pet her, relaxing when she'd start to purr. Not the same thing, I know, but... He still didn't move, but I felt a little of the tension ease out of his body, and I purred a little louder befor speaking. "Shhhhh, Hunter. It's ok."

Finally Hunter moved. I heard the sound of metal hitting the ground and jingling, and knew it was his keys. "I don't feel so good."

I couldn't help but smile wryly. "You're drained, you're probably gonna-"

Before I could even warn him, he shifted and shrunk. There was a bright flash, and when it faded, a pretty weepy-eyed dragon was laying in my arms, his wings almost hanging limply off his back.

"Change." I finished lamely. Looking into his eyes, I watched as his walls came back up, but he didn't withdraw completely like I thought he would. He laid in my arms and I felt no tension in his body. He must have drained himself worse than I thought. Bending down and grabbing the keys, I carefully shifted him so he was laying against my chest, his body draped up towards my shoulder with his little claws hanging on to the strap of my top.

Then I paused.

If I take him to them now, Blake and Carly will be able to tell he was crying and that he's upset. Blake will have a cow, and probably start yelling, and Carly will stay quiet-thank god she's good for that. "Um, what do I tell your bro when we get there?" I questioned hesitantly, knowing Hunter wasn't one for wanting to show his more vulnerable side in public. He wanted to seem strong and in control, at least, from what I could see.

Huffing a little, Hunter's tail swung absently against my stomach and thumped me once.

"Ouch!" Hissing a little, I firmly grabbed the end of his tail and ignoring his squeaking protests, and held on to it so he couldn't hit me again with it.

I kind of got the sense he was apologetic, probably about hitting me with his tail, but also kind of irritated that I refused to let go of his tail now. Still, he remained motionless, and I could sense he was still in pain.

So, I didn't really like how his face was against my shoulder and I couldn't see his face, but I stayed quiet about it.

I'd already started for the truck again, following the faint smell of motor oil that I recognised as Blake, and Carly's familiar smell, and hoped that I'd be able to explain to Blake when he freaked about his brother being upset and in dragon form.

It didn't take us long to get there, I guess we were closer than I'd originally thoughts. Strangely enough, Carly had a knowing look in her eye, and Blake looked sad but understanding to see his bro upset like that.

"Well..." Hesitantly he took his brother in his arms and looked at the truck a long moment. "I guess you girls don't have to 'Go Dragon'." he stated quietly, trying to keep the mood light but failing when the choked pain showed through his voice. Taking the keys, he slowly made his way over to the driver side and got in.

My thoughts were a blur. I knew I still didn't have the full story, and it was obvious I wasn't going to get it from Hunter any time soon, and in a way that was a good thing because my mind was still running over the horribly sad tale of the funeral. I heard Blake's words, and had a feeling Hunter had explained to him what was going on, since that seemed to be the only logical reason he wasn't flipping out that I was left alone with his 'big bro' and came back with him reeking of pain and exhaustion.

As for Carly's knowing look, my guess was that Blake must have at least explained a little of what was going on. It only made sense as to why she wasn't confused, or worried.

I think my reactions were mechanical. I walked slowly over to the passenger side, barely registering when I climbed into the truck and sat in the middle, waiting for Carly to climb in and close the door. Hunter was snuggled in a ball in a crimson colored towel on Blake's lap.

I couldn't help but smile the way the towel acted like a blanket for him and he seemed to be sleeping. The smile didn't stay long, however, I was still stuck on this whole situation.

"He told you about the funeral." Blake stated, rather than asking, not even starting up the truck as he slipped the key in the ignition. "About what he remembered, but he didn't tell you about after that, did he?" Shaking his head a moment, his knuckles gripped the steering wheel tightly. "No, that's right, he didn't." he muttered to himself.

Now I frowned deeply, vaguely aware of Carly's sense of confusion and worry. "No, he told me about the funeral, and that's it." I answered softly, not giving in to the urge to practically beg him to tell me more. Morbid curiosity, maybe, I knew I should have been more than grateful for everything Hunter told me, but I couldn't help but wonder what had filled him with so much betrayal and anger.

It wasn't a blind rage, I could tell that. He was hurt, had this look of fear in his eyes when we first met that I was only now picking up on. I think he was afraid of getting hurt again. Whatever it was, he became defensive, pushing people away in order to protect himself.

"It was Lothor." Blake spat the name with such anger. Not hate, not rage, but anger and pain...

I knew from those three words that Lothor was the cause of the anger in them both, as well as probably the betrayal, since I could tell the others would never do that to them. Somehow, I couldn't really help myself. "It's always Lothor." I muttered darkly. "He's attacking the world, causing so much suffering and pain." Somehow... "I'm not surprised it would have something to do with him."

Glancing at me briefly, Blake nodded, his own eyes dark with grief and anger as he glanced down and placed a hand on Hunter's back, smiling a little when he got a little grumble and shift for that.

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Hope you like it, shorter, yes I know, but it's more about what they're going through emotionally. Chapter lengths will vary, as will chapter action, LOL

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Told her what? Bro?

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R+R please

Thank you

Tenshi