A/N: I apologise for the size of this chapter, but I really couldn't find a good way to break it up given the layout and content.
For Arianna Le Fay's question, her family will be original characters. But I do intend to include more past rangers, who will be revealed over the course of this story, and some in this chapter ;)
Chapter 11
The next morning Evie was eating her breakfast when the phone rang.
"I got it" calls Mike.
He picks it up, "hello" he answers.
"Hi, is Evie there?" asks a voice with a hint of an accent.
"Uh sure, who's calling?" ask Mike in confusion.
"Kat" answers the woman.
"Uh Evie, someone called Kat on the phone for you" calls Mike.
Evie grabs her coffee and walks out of the kitchen taking the phone, "thanks" she says. "Hey Kat, how's things?" she asks as she sits down.
"All good here, Tommy's taken JJ out for a father son day, so I figured I'd call up and see how you were. I see you have a team now, what are they like?" asks Kat.
Evie looks up at Mike, "hang on Kat" she says before lowering the phone, "thanks Mike, you can go now" says Evie making a shooing motion.
Mike turns and walks off still confused.
Evie puts the phone back to her ear, "sorry had to get rid of Mike he was being nosey" explains Evie.
"Which one's he?" asks Kat.
"Green" replies Evie.
"Ah, of course, the greens are always clueless" agrees Kat.
"Yep, so you've been keeping track of us then?" asks Evie.
"Of course, you've been kicking some major bad guy butt" smiles Kat. "How's that been?" she asks.
The penny drops for Evie, "Ji called you didn't he" she guesses.
"He did, so how are you?" asks Kat.
"I'm okay, really. The Nighlok got all of us he just hit me a little harder than the rest of us" replies Evie, "but don't worry I'm not letting it get to me, promise" assures Evie.
"Good, because whatever he told you, it might be a worry but that doesn't make it true" reminds Kat.
"I know, thanks for calling though" says Evie.
"Anytime, so tell me about your new team then" prompts Kat.
"Well you've sort of met Mike, like I said he's green. Not overly serious but he does the job when he needs too. Bit of a jokester, Mr I'm so cool kind of thing, who puts his foot in his mouth, like a lot" explains Evie.
"Hmm, there's always one, sounds a bit like Rocky" nods Kat.
"Then you have Kevin, he's blue, super dedicated, and I mean like uber level of dedication. Nothing matters more than being samurai and doing our duty, you know the type" says Evie.
"Yep, reminds me of how Ashley described Andros initially" chuckles Kat.
"And then you have Emily, she's yellow and so sweet. She's like the nicest person ever, with this whole adorable innocence thing going on. She's a younger sister to the girl who was meant to be the yellow samurai. But she more than held her own, I like her a lot" smiles Evie.
"And lastly" prompts Kat.
"Lastly the one you want to know about, Mia, our pink. She's really nice too, gives kind of a mom vibe you know. Looks after everyone, but she's not the best cook, but she loves to do it, so we're trying to nicely prevent her getting near the kitchen" explains Evie quietly. "She's hoping for her prince charming and the perfect family and stuff once we finish our fight. She and Emily were both very impressed with my shoe collection" adds Evie.
"Your shoe collection is very impressive" agrees Kat, "so you're liking having more girls around?" asks Kat.
"Yeah its nice, I love Jayden and Ji is great but, it got a little too male if that makes sense" explains Evie.
"Oh you don't need to tell me, I think I'd have throttled Tommy, Zack and Rocky if it weren't for Aisha and then Tanya" nods Kat knowingly. "Sometimes you just need another girl" she agrees.
"Yep, its good though" assures Evie.
"Well I'm glad, and I'm glad you're okay too. Remember you can call me anytime, day or night" promises Kat.
"I know, thank you" smiles Evie before biting her lip.
"What?" asks Kat sensing Evie wanted to say something.
"One thing the Nighlok did bring up, well I told Emily everything afterwards, and she asked where my mom was, and I said I didn't care. But the thing is, I think maybe I want to know, not to see her or anything but just to know" explains Evie.
"I can understand that, it's a big question mark in your life. Do you want me to talk to Tommy? See what he can find out for you?" offers Kat.
"If you wouldn't mind, I just, I know it might not help or anything, but I just, I think I want to know. Or at least know I have the option" admits Evie.
"I completely get that, I'll talk to him tonight, have you told Jayden or Ji that you're looking?" asks Kat.
"I told Jayden last night, and I'll talk to Ji today, but Ji said when I turned 18 it was my decision if I wanted to know" replies Evie.
"And it is, you're an adult, and you have every right to know about her" agrees Kat.
"Do you think it's a bad idea?" asks Evie.
"I think it might reopen this wound for you, but I also know that while you don't know, it will niggle at the back of your mind. And you've never been one who doesn't like having all the information. So if this is what you want then I will support you through this, however you need me too" promises Kat.
"Thanks" smiles Evie.
"Always" assures Kat.
"You're the best Kat" says Evie.
"As I tell Tommy on a regular basis" smiles Kat.
Evie laughs, "can you give me a call later when you've spoken to him?" asks Evie.
"Of course, take care of yourself Evie, and that handsome red ranger of yours" smiles Kat.
"Hey you've got your own, and a white, and a green and a black" reminds Evie.
"All in one very handsome package" agrees Kat.
"On that we definitely agree, talk to you later" smiles Evie.
"Bye Evie" replies Kat as she hangs up.
She walks out of the room and sees Mike, Kevin, Mia and Emily looking at her curiously.
"What?" she asks.
"I thought we had the no contact rule" says Kevin.
"We do, for family who the Nighlok could use against us. I'd love to see a Nighlok try and take on Kat, or Tommy" snorts Evie.
"Why?" asks Mia.
"Because Tommy and Kat are former rangers themselves, Tommy was a member of the original team" explains Jayden as he walks in.
"Other rangers?" asks Emily.
"Yeah there's lots of them, we might've been doing it for generations but Tommy and his team were our age when they were first called to defend the Earth from Rita Repulsa and her evil alien goons" replies Evie.
"Yeah there are multiple teams, we're just the ones who's bad guys keep coming back" nods Mike.
"So what rangers were they?" asks Mia.
"Tommy is original green mighty morphin, white mighty morphin, red zeo, first red turbo and black dino thunder" lists Evie.
"And Kat is the second pink mighty morphin, pink zeo, and first pink turbo" finishes Jayden.
"Wow, that's a lot of colours and teams" says Emily, "he sounds rainbowriffic" she smiles.
"I like that one Em, and ironically both started out evil thanks to Rita" adds Evie.
"Who started out evil?" asks Ji.
"Oh Kat called, we were just explaining who she and Tommy are" answers Evie.
"Yes Tommy is an exceptional ranger and an exceptional mentor and fighter. And a good friend" smiles Ji.
"So you're know other rangers?" asks Mike looking at the three of them.
"Tommy and Kat are the only ones we know really well and see or speak to with any regularity" replies Evie. "We met then when we were younger, Kat's kind of a big sister" she adds.
"And they both spent time at the Ninja Wind academy, trained with three of the ninja rangers" adds Ji.
Both Evie and Jayden share a smile at that, "yeah they were, very helpful" agrees Evie.
"Very" nods Jayden.
"Any other ones?" asks Mia.
"We don't know them no, but Ji knows a couple and Tommy knows all of them" answers Evie.
"Wow, you have some cool friends Ji" nods Mike looking impressed.
"I have lots of cool friends, and a number of contacts who aid the samurai rangers in many ways" replies Ji.
"Logical" nods Kevin.
"How is Kat?" asks Ji.
"Good, she said Tommy and JJ were out for a father, son day" replies Evie.
"They have a kid?" asks Kevin.
"Oh yeah, lots of the former rangers do" nods Evie.
"That's so sweet, a real fairy story" smiles Mia dreamily, "they fight together, save the world together, get married and have kids" she sighs.
"I suppose its romantic when you put it like that" admits Jayden.
"Anyway, Ji I've got something I want to run by you, if that's okay" says Evie.
"Of course" nods Ji as the two walk out of the kitchen and into Ji's office.
"What can I do for you?" asks Ji.
"I know you called Kat to get her to talk to me" says Evie pointedly.
Ji sighs, "I thought perhaps you'd appreciate talking to someone who is more impartial. And as you said you have become very close to Kat" explains Ji.
"I get it. It actually gave me the chance to talk to her about something that I wanted to do" says Evie.
"Oh, and that would be?" asks Ji.
"You remember when I turned 18 you asked me if I wanted to find out about my mother?" asks Evie.
"I do, you said you didn't. Quite colourfully" says Ji.
"Well, Emily heard what the Nighlok said to me yesterday, and I told her about my mom and everything. And she asked me where she was, and it occurred to me, I have no idea if my mom is even still alive. And like Kat said, I don't like not having all the information. So, I asked her to talk to Tommy about it for me, but I wanted to let you know" explains Evie.
"If this is what you want Evie then I will support your decision, but are you sure this is what you want, that this is something you wish to know, because you don't know what they will find" reminds Ji gently.
"I need to know Ji, I don't want it to be a question mark anymore. I want to know where my mother is and what she's doing" says Evie firmly.
Ji nods, "then that is what we will do. I assume Tommy will call back later?" he asks.
"Kat said he would" nods Evie.
"Then we can discuss it then, have you told Jayden?" asks Ji.
"I told him last night, he's not exactly a fan, but he says he's behind me. And you did say it was my decision" replies Evie.
"And it is, you have every right to know what Nia has been doing and where she is. I take it you are not looking for a reconciliation though?" asks Ji.
"I have no interest in ever reconciling with Nia, I just want to know" answers Evie.
"Very well then, that is what we will do" says Ji. "Do any of the others know?" he asks.
"Only Emily and she said she won't say anything to anyone" assures Evie.
"Alright, then for now we'll keep this to ourselves" promises Ji.
"Thanks" says Evie.
Ji nods and rests his hand on her shoulder, "for the record, you are twice the ranger and twice the person she ever was" smiles Ji.
"Thanks" smiles Evie.
"Go and get ready to train" urges Ji.
Evie nods and walks out of his office.
Ji sits down on the edge of his desk with a sigh, and picks up the picture that sat front and centre of it.
It was Jayden and Evie both aged 8, the first Christmas they'd had after Evie had joined them.
Jayden had his arms wrapped around Evie and both had large grins on their faces.
"I hope this doesn't backfire" he sighs. Even now over a decade later Ji knew Evie still occasionally woke from nightmares about it.
But it was her choice, and he'd support that.
Evie heads back to her room to change and finds Emily sat on her bed.
"Hey Em" she says.
"I caught the back-end of your conversation with your friend Kat. I'm sorry I really didn't meant to eavesdrop, you're really going to look for her?" asks Emily.
"I need to know Em, I don't even know if she's still alive" replies Evie.
Emily bites her lips for a moment before standing up and hugging Evie, "okay, let me know if I can help" she says, "or if you just need to talk, or a hug, I give good hugs" she adds.
"You do" agrees Evie with a smile as she pulls back.
"So you said Kat is like your big sister?" asks Emily.
"She is, yeah. Ji knew he'd have to call in some female help eventually. So when I needed to go bra shopping aged 11, Kat took me, and she's just this really warm person you know. She's helped me a lot over the years, whenever I need a woman's opinion you know, the sort of things you usual got to a mom or a big sister for" explains Evie.
"Well then I hope I get to meet her" smiles Emily.
"She'll like you Em, she'll like you a lot, then again I don't think anyone could not like you" smiles Evie.
"Lots of people in school didn't, they teased me a lot, its why I wasn't so hurt by the Nighlok. Because my big sister told me not to let it affect me, and she said that I just needed to pretend they never said anything. Big sisters can be the best thing" says Emily.
"Yeah, they can" agrees Evie. "Just let me change so we can train" she says as she grabs her training uniform and nips into the bathroom, emerging a moment later pulling her hair up into a high ponytail.
"Can I train with you today?" asks Emily, "cause you have some really cool moves and I want to make sure I don't let the team down, and you're really good" says Emily.
"Of course I'll try train with you, give Jayden a chance to put Mike on his ass a few times" smiles Evie.
Emily smiles and the two walk out into the garden where the others are gathered.
"Hey Ji, Emily asked if she could train with my today, is that okay?" asks Evie.
"Of course, you all need to train against different opponents" nods Ji.
"Great" smiles Evie as she grabs the training swords and throws Emily hers.
Emily catches it and takes up her stance.
"Show me what you got" says Evie.
Emily launches forwards and the two begin to train, it was clear Evie was better, but Emily was able to hold her own. And Evie was still able to help her.
"Evie seems in good spirits" notes Ji.
"She told you then" says Jayden.
"She did" nods Ji, "what do you think?" he asks.
"It's her choice and when Evie sets her mind to something, there is nothing anyone can do to dissuade her" replies Jayden.
"But you don't like the idea" assumes Ji.
"I don't want to give Nia any chance to do any more damage to Evie. Even indirectly" answers Jayden.
"Tommy will vet the information first, and if he can he'll try and spare her anything too painful" assures Ji, "besides Evie has the right to know, if we don't help her, she'll do it on her own" reminds Ji.
"I know, just keep me in the loop if Tommy says anything" says Jayden.
"I will" nods Ji.
Jayden picks ups his own sword, "come on Mike, lets see if you've been practicing" says Jayden.
As training winds down Emily gets up from where Evie had knocked her down and leans on her sword, "okay, you're seriously good, and you don't even look like you broke a sweat" notes Emily.
"I've had a bit more practice and also I had a very different training partner" answers Evie.
"How do you mean?" asks Emily.
"Jayden got bigger and stronger in ways I couldn't match. Don't get me wrong I'm probably stronger than your average girl, but it still didn't match his, so I started to compensate with how I fight. You remember how Jayden called it tricky?" asks Evie.
Emily nods, "I see why, I couldn't tell what you were going to do" says Emily.
"And that is how I beat him, I'm smaller and I'm faster than he is, but my hits don't pack as much of a punch, so I need to get more in to have the same impact as just one of his hits had on me. And I had a better chance if he couldn't block my hits, so I mix things up" explains Evie, "what you need to do is figure out what works for you Em, and you're fighting style will vary depending on the opponent. Do you think the same way fighting Mia as you do with Mike?" asks Evie.
"No" replies Emily, "but how do I figure out what works for me?" asks Emily.
"Same way I did, with practice and letting others help as well" smiles Evie, "that's what this is for" she adds gesturing around them.
Emily smiles, "that makes sense actually" she nods.
"I do try and make sense when I dispense my occasional pearls of wisdom" laughs Evie.
They head back inside and Evie walks into her room, stopping at her dresser she looks at one of the pictures on it.
It was her, Jayden, Hunter, Dustin, Tori and Cam who had been dragged into the picture by Dustin.
She picks it up and smiles, that week had done so much more than Ji even realised.
She sits down on the bed still looking at the picture and thinks back.
They get out of the truck their bags slung over their shoulders as they look around.
"Guess its not just samurai who like to tuck themselves away" notes Evie looking around.
"They have a lot more to hide than we do" says Ji.
Jayden and Evie look around impressed as they walk up the stairs and see an older man waiting for them.
Ji walks up to Sensei Kanoi with a smile, "thank for having us, I thought it might do my samurai good to try their skills against someone other than each other" says Ji.
"It is an honour and joy to have you with us Ji, it has been too long" smiles Kanoi. "And it is understandable why you would wish to diversify their training, I imagine after so many years they know each other's technique and skills better than anyone else" nods Kanoi.
"They do, and perhaps spending time with others closer to their own age may benefit as well, or rather those who understand their burden" adds Ji.
"Of course" agrees Kanoi. "I've asked the former ninja rangers to help out, though none of their elements match it may challenge both of them" he adds.
"Indeed" nods Ji turning to look at Evie and Jayden who had stopped behind him.
"This is Sensei Kanoi, and old friend and a long time teacher at the Wind Academy" explains Ji, "and this is Jayden and Evie, the fire and metal samurai" he adds.
"Sensei" they both greet with a bow.
"It is wonderful to meet another generation of samurai, you are both most welcome" smiles Kanoi.
"Thank you, you're academy is lovely" smiles Evie looking around.
"I am glad you find it so, if you'll follow me we've prepared rooms for you" says Kanoi.
They grab their bags and follow after the sensei.
"Wow, this is a lot bigger than our training ground" whistles Jayden.
"Jealous?" teases Evie.
"Maybe a little" chuckles Jayden.
They reach one of the higher levels and see a blonde girl and a dark haired guy finishing up a lesson when sensei calls them over.
"Evie, Jayden this is Tori and Dustin two of the wind ninja rangers, and two of my best teachers" smiles Kanoi.
"Nice to meet you" nods Jayden.
"You too" says Tori.
"They will be staying with us for a few days to give them a chance to hone their skills in a different environment and against different opponents" explains Kanoi.
"We're happy to help the next ranger team" beams Dustin, "what's your element?" he asks looking at Evie.
"Metal, Jayden is fire" answers Evie.
"Earth and Water vs Fire and Metal, could be fun" smiles Dustin.
"Could be" agrees Jayden eyeing Dustin a little warily given his very exuberant attitude.
Tori notices and suppresses a chuckle, Dustin could have that effect on people,
"I have also asked Hunter to drop by" adds Kanoi, "he's a thunder ninja" he explains.
"Starting to feel a little outnumbered now" mutters Evie.
"This will also give the two of you a chance to hone your skills fighting together against other opponents" reminds Ji.
"Samurai vs Ninja, sounds epic" smiles Evie.
"I like how you think" smiles Dustin.
"Tori, Dustin why don't you show the two of them to their rooms and then join us back here on the training ground" says Kanoi.
"Of course sensei" says Tori.
The four of them head off, Tori dropping in next to Jayden since Evie seemed to be able to handle Dustin.
"Dustin is a bit much sometimes I know, but he's good" assures Tori.
"I'm sure he is, you did save the world" replies Jayden.
"You will too when the time comes, we didn't train nearly as hard as you do, and we don't leave our families to do it" adds Tori.
"My parents are gone, Evie's too. We were both raised in the Shiba house by Ji" explains Jayden.
"Oh I'm sorry" says Tori,
Jayden just nods not really wanting to discuss his father.
Evie meanwhile was listening to Dustin and trying not laugh and how energetic he was as he pointed to random things.
"So you guys don't have metal or fire elements?" she ask.
"No, just air, earth and water" replies Dustin, "metal and fire sound cool though you'll have to show me some stuff" says Dustin.
"I'm sure you've got some skills to share" replies Evie.
They reach their rooms and set their stuff down, before heading back out to where Tori and Dustin were waiting for them.
"Ready to start?" asks Tori.
"Sure, we're here to train after all" agrees Jayden.
They follow them back down to the training ground.
"Let start with the two of you training as you usually do, then we can get a better idea of where to work" explains Kanoi.
Evie and Jayden nod and Ji hands them both training swords.
"Ready to hit the ground Jayden" teases Evie.
"Please we both know that's your specialty" retorts Jayden.
"Maybe another hit to your head will straighten your memory out" snorts Evie as the two begin, fighting with the practised ease of two people who had known each other for a long time. Able to easily block and counter one another's attacks due to the familiarity of it all.
The others watch as the two continue their fight.
"I see what you mean, they can predict each other too well now" nods Kanoi.
"They know what the other is going to do before they do it" agrees Tori.
The fight ended a few minutes later with Jayden knocking Evie's feet out from under her, his training sword pointed at her throat. "I win" he says.
"No you don't" replies Evie as she brings her feet up kicking Jayden in the leg at the same moment as she kicked his hand away, flipping to her feet she used him being off balance to knock him to the ground landing on top of him, one foot on the wrist of his sword hand, her knee landing on his other arm pinning it to the floor and her hand on his throat.
"Expect the unexpected" reminds Evie as she stands up and holds her hand out to Jayden who takes and stands up shaking his head, "you like that move way too much" he huffs.
"And you have yet to learn how to counter it" smiles Evie.
"Impressive both of you, but I do believe other opponents might do you a lot of good so you have to think differently" nods Kanoi.
"Nice move" nods Dustin as he walks forwards looking at Evie.
"Thanks" she says.
"Dustin if you could train with Evie, Tori you can train with Jayden" says Kanoi.
"Great I love putting red rangers on their ass" smiles Tori.
"You can try" replies Jayden.
"Think you can teach me that move?" ask Dustin looking at Evie.
"I'll show you mine if you show me yours" smiles Evie.
"Deal" nods Dustin.
The two pairs move apart and are about to start when another guy walks up.
"Dad, I need your help with something" he says.
"Of course, Jayden, Evie this is my son, Cam, he's the green samurai" smiles Kanoi.
"Huh, I thought there was only one green samurai" notes Evie.
"The power is a little different to yours, but the power comes from a divergent member of the pink ranger bloodline, the Watanabe's" explains Kanoi.
"Cool" nods Jayden.
"Cam, this is Jayden and Evie, the fire and metal samurai" says Kanoi, "and you may remember Ji" he adds.
"A little" nods Cam looking at Ji.
"You were a young boy when I saw you last, you remind me of your mother" smiles Ji.
Cam smiles, "really?" he asks.
"Very much" nods Ji.
Cam looks pleased and then snaps back to what he was originally doing, "sorry, dad can I borrow you?" asks Cam.
"Of course, Ji perhaps you can join me, I'm sure you'll want to see what we did with the ninja ops" smiles Kanoi.
"I would, I'm sure Evie and Jayden will be fine with Tori and Dustin" nods Ji.
"We're good, go have fun" says Evie.
Ji smiles and heads off with Kanoi and Cam.
"So where shall we start?" asks Dustin.
Evie smiles, "how about you show me what you got" she replies.
Dustin nods and the two pairs square off and continue sparring.
Evie is pulled from the memory by a hand on her shoulder and turns to see Jayden stood there.
"Sorry what?" she ask.
"I said the shower is free, where'd you go?" he asks.
Evie holds up the picture "thinking how we met Tori and Dustin" replies Evie.
"They were good teachers" nods Jayden.
"Ji still has no idea just how much of an effect that trip had" smiles Evie.
"Nope, and all thanks to one meddlesome crimson ranger" agrees Jayden as he looks at Hunter.
"He had us pegged within minutes" she says.
"You certainly warmed up to him fast" notes Jayden.
"One damaged soul recognising another" replies Evie as she thinks back to the first time she met Hunter.
Evie was training in the early morning light, she hadn't been able to sleep after her nightmare. And she didn't want to bother Jayden, so she'd come down to try and clear her head another way.
As she spun her sword and continued her attack she heard the sound of clapping and turned to find a blonde guy she didn't recognise stood nearby.
"Not bad" he says.
Evie just raises an eyebrow, "and your opinion should matter because?" she asks.
He chuckled, "I'm Hunter, head of thunder academy, and you must be one of the samurai" he says walking forwards.
"Evie" she answers, "you're the other guy sensei mentioned" she says.
"That'd be me" he replies.
"Why are you here so early, I mean this isn't your academy?" asks Evie.
"I figured I'd stop by, couldn't sleep figured I'd arrive early" shrugs Hunter, "what about you, why are you down here alone in the early hours of the morning?" he asks.
"Couldn't sleep either" replies Evie.
Hunter nods, "how about you spar with me then, because that dummy isn't putting up much of a fight?" he offers.
"Well according to Ji and Sensei I am here to learn to fight new opponents" admits Evie.
"You're old opponent boring then?" asks Hunter as he grabs another sword.
"No but he and I have been training together since we were little, we know most of each other's moves by now" explains Evie, "unlike you guys there aren't entire classes of other samurai for us to practise against" she adds.
"Sounds kind of lonely" says Hunter.
"It can be, but we train our whole lives for this, better to be alone than put anyone else at risk" shrugs Evie.
Hunter nodded and made the first attack, Evie blocked it with ease and pushed him back. Evie studied him for a moment before making her own attack, which Hunter blocked but she followed it with a flurry of other attacks only to stop and switch it up a moment later.
Hunter was good, but he found he couldn't predict her moves and while he managed to block most a few of her hits got through.
Finally Hunter's brute strength won out and Evie found herself trapped against his chest, both the swords over the top of hers keeping her pinned.
"Not bad" chuckles Hunter as he lets her go.
"You're good" admits Evie.
"So are you, and unpredictable which is good, make you hard to read in a fight" compliments Hunter.
"I'm rarely going to be able to match strength so I have to be quicker and find ways to compensate" answers Evie as she took a sip of her drink.
"Good philosophy" nods Hunter as Evie offer him her bottle and he takes a quick drink, he'd struggled himself a few times in that fight, she was good.
"Well unfortunately Jayden got stronger than me once puberty hit, we stopped being equally matched in strength, I had to find new ways around it, which is how I developed my current fighting style" explains Evie.
"Smart move, I take it Jayden is other samurai?" asks Hunter.
"Yeah, he's the fire samurai and the red ranger" says Evie.
"And you would be?" asks Hunter.
"Metal, and black, you're crimson right? Tori mentioned it" says Evie.
"I am, only one of my kind" he smirks.
"Well I'm the only female black ranger so I've got my own niche" chuckles Evie.
"Quite the accomplishment, you're powers are hereditary, though right?" asks Hunter.
"Parent to child, our elemental symbol power is what is passed down" nods Evie.
"Symbol power?" asks Hunter.
"It how samurai tap into their elements, here I'll show you" says Evie as she pulls out her samuraiser and quickly draws the symbol for water and a moment later a bottle of water appears and she hands it to Hunter.
"Now that's a nifty trick" nods Hunter.
"It has its uses" agrees Evie. "But I can't summon metal attacks the way Dustin can call on his elemental power. Using symbols without a samuraiser can be really draining the stronger the symbol is" explains Evie, "it gets easier with practice but it still takes it out of you" she says. "Okay I showed you my trick, now you show me one Thunder Ninja" says Evie.
Hunter chuckles, "only fair I guess" he nods and focuses for a moment before the sound of thunder echoed across the sky and Evie looks up with a laugh, "nice" she says.
"Not quite as cool as Dustin and Tori I'm sure, but hey I'm still good" says Hunter.
Evie rubs her eye and Hunter looks at her, "why can't you sleep?" he asks.
"New place" shrugs Evie not really wanting to discuss it.
"See I might buy that but you can't bullshit a bullshitter" says Hunter.
"Meaning what?" asks Evie.
"If it was just the new place you wouldn't be out here trying to slay whatever really keeps you up at night. Nightmares I'm going to guess" says Hunter.
Evie doesn't say anything so Hunter continues, "samurai leave their families right, when you're called to train?" he asks.
"Usually yes, save the Shiba samurai, their house is the base so their parents are around, but Jayden's mom died when he was young and his father was killed in the final battle" answers Evie.
"What about you?" asks Hunter.
"What about me?" asks Evie.
"I don't see any other samurai here which means you're whole team has yet to be called, so why are you here, why aren't you still with your family?" asks Hunter.
"Because Jayden and Ji are my family, have been since I was 8" replies Evie.
"I'm adopted you know" says Hunter.
"You are?" ask Evie.
Hunter nods, "yep, me and my little brother Blake, we were adopted when Blake was 4, I was 6, we lost our adopted parents a few years ago. But they were our parents and they loved us. But I do wonder about my biological parents you know" admits Hunter.
Evie sighs, "my dad died when I was 7, construction accident" says Evie.
"And your mom?" prompts Hunter.
"Don't know and don't care, she abandoned me on Ji's doorstep when I was 8, I haven't seen or heard from her since. Far as I'm concerned, she'd dead to me, but the day she left, I remember it perfectly and sometimes I get nightmares about it" admits Evie.
"I can't imagine how horrible it must've been for her to leave you" says Hunter.
"Most traumatising moment of my life" replies Evie, "she didn't want me, but like you said our powers are hereditary, she had me as an obligation to ensure this generation had a black samurai. But my mother never wanted this life, so she left me and went off to do her own thing, told me I was a mistake and she wanted nothing to do with me" explains Evie.
"Jesus, I'm sorry that's, that's rough to say the least" apologises Hunter, he'd been devastated to lose his parents, but they'd had no choice in leaving him and Blake, but Evie's mom had chosen to abandon her completely, it was unthinkable.
"Her loss as Jayden and Ji like to tell me, besides I have a family, might not be blood but as I'm sure you can attest family doesn't need to be blood" smiles Evie.
"No, no it doesn't" agrees Hunter, "want to grab some breakfast before the others arrive?" he offers.
"Sure" nods Evie.
They head inside, "any idea on breakfast options?" asks Evie.
"They've got pretty much everything, what do you fancy?" asks Hunter.
"Just toast works for me, I'm not a huge eater in the mornings" shrugs Evie.
"That is not a proper breakfast" says Hunter.
"Screw you" retorts Evie.
"Charming" snorts Hunter.
"I never claimed to be, I'm a bitch in black" smirks Evie as she pours herself a cup of coffee.
A few minutes later they were sat down eating when the door opened and Jayden came in with Dustin.
"Morning, hey Hunter" smiles Dustin, "Jayden this is Hunter he runs the Thunder Ninja academy" introduces Dustin.
"Nice to meet you" nods Hunter.
"Yeah you too" replies Jayden as he pours two cups of coffee setting one down in front of Evie taking the other for himself.
"I've already had one" says Evie.
"Mhm, and lets not pretend you don't usually have more" says Jayden.
"Too true, too true" admits Evie with a smile as she takes it.
"You're not normally a dawn riser, where were you?" asks Jayden.
"Couldn't sleep, so I went to train, and I ran into Hunter, he kept me company" assures Evie.
"You're not bad company to keep" smiles Hunter.
"Try living with her for 8 years" says Jayden.
"I will put hair removal in your shampoo again" warns Evie.
"No way you did what?" asks Tori.
"We were 10, Jayden decided he'd hide some of my stuff, I couldn't find it anywhere. So, I put hair removal cream in his shampoo, and told him I'd keep making his hair fall out until he gave it back. Turns out ten-year-old Jayden was pretty gullible" smirks Evie.
"You're a cruel, cruel woman" says Jayden.
"I'm aware" nods Evie with a chuckle.
Both samurai missing the knowing look Hunter had as he looked between, he already had them figured out.
"Took him the space of few minutes apparently" chuckles Evie.
"And yet it took Ji catching us together for him to figure it out" notes Jayden.
"Hunter didn't know us, maybe it was the outsider perspective" suggests Evie.
"Either way, his methods were certainly, unorthodox" says Jayden.
"He managed to prove his point" reminds Evie.
Jayden nods he certainly did.
Hunter looked at Evie, "so exactly how long have you been interested in Jayden?" he asks.
"What, I don't know what you're talking about, he's my friend" says Evie trying to laugh it off.
"You have the exact same look on your face my brother did when he first realised, he liked Tori. I know the signs, so how long?" asks Hunter.
"Awhile, we both admitted we liked each other, but figured it was best to just ignore it. Ji would freak if we started dating, and Jayden's so focused, his plan seems to have worked for him but not for me. I just thought I was better at hiding it" admits Evie.
"You are pretty good, given the amount of times you end up on top of him when you're training. I only know because I watched Blake go through it, twice both times for Tori" snorts Hunter.
"Well whatever, he's not interested anymore, it'll just go away" sighs Evie.
"No, it won't, believe me. Ignoring it won't make it go away" says Hunter.
"Then I'll just have to keep hiding it" replies Evie, "I'm good at it" she adds.
"He's not over you for the record" offers Hunter.
"Yeah right" scoffs Evie.
"Yes right, because the amount of stink eye I'm getting off him is actually almost palpable. He's jealous, and I'll prove it to you, when I tell you watch him without making it clear you're watching. You're pretty good at that right" says Hunter.
"Okay" nods Evie still sceptical.
"Good and smile when it happens" he adds with a smirk.
"You're weird" decides Evie.
"You'll thank me, believe me" assures Hunter.
They begin to spar again and a minute later Hunter manages to grab both her arms and spins them pulling her against him so her back hits his chest, both her arms crossed over, leaving her completely without leverage.
Hunter leans down so his mouth was next to her ear, "now smile and glance" he murmurs.
Evie does so and true enough she sees a look of absolute rage cross Jayden's face as he looks over at them, then a moment later Tori knocks him to the floor using his distraction.
Evie looks up at Hunter who smiles, "told you so" he says.
"Okay maybe you're not so weird after all, and maybe you do have a point" admits Evie with a smile.
"Told you you'd thank me, now come on, show me what you really got" teases Hunter.
Meanwhile Tori helps Jayden up, "what was that? You were doing great and then you just spaced?" asks Tori.
"Nothing" says Jayden, but his gaze landed back on Hunter and Evie who were smiling at each other before they began to spar again, and it looked to Jayden like Hunter was deliberately getting up close and personal to Evie. And he didn't like it one bit. In fact, since they'd arrived Evie and Hunter had seemed to be getting on really well.
Tori follows his gaze, and everything falls into place, so it wasn't just Evie who was into Jayden, unable to help herself she just has to stick her oar in. "Hunter can be a bit of ladies man when he wants to be and Evie's pretty too" she notes.
"We're supposed to be here training, not so some ninja can flirt with her" huffs Jayden.
"Hunter's not a bad guy, she could do a lot worse, I might be dating his brother but even I have to admit Hunter is kind of attractive too" says Tori trying to hide her smirk.
"Well Evie can do better and she deserves better, plus he's 22 she's 16" retorts Jayden.
"Like who?" asks Tori.
"Just someone better" repeats Jayden.
"Okay then" says Tori knowing what Jayden really meant was that he was the only who should be with Evie.
They finish up practice and as they walk back inside Hunter deliberately ensures his hand is resting on Evie's back as they walk inside, and he can practically feel Jayden's glare as he does so.
"I'm going to go take a shower, then are we still on for the motocross lesson?" asks Evie as she looks at Hunter.
"Absolutely, you'll love it" smiles Hunter as he heads off to prep the bikes.
Evie nods and glances back at Jayden who was burning holes in Hunter's back.
"He spent the entire week winding me up, how did I not realise why?" asks Jayden.
"Because you might be a samurai and a red ranger, but you're still a guy, and guys are clueless" smiles Evie.
"Took you explaining it to me for me to get the hint" admits Jayden rubbing the back of his neck.
"You completely lost it" snorts Evie.
"I thought that was the entire purpose?" asks Jayden.
"It wasn't my idea" reminds Evie as they think back.
As Hunter saw Jayden, he looked at Evie, "trust me?" he asks.
"Yes" says Evie hesitantly.
"Then go with this" he says as he leans down and kisses her one arm wrapping around her waist the other cupping her face.
Evie responded automatically and actually found that Hunter was a really good kisser, not that she had any experience at all on that fact. Then she heard a familiar shout and pulled back turning her head given she was still in Hunter's arms and saw Jayden storming towards them.
"Jayden" starts Evie only for her to find herself pulled out of Hunter's arms and the next thing she knew Jayden had hold of Hunter and had him pinned against the wall.
"What's your problem?" demands Jayden.
"What's my problem, clearly you're the one with the problem" retorts Hunter as he breaks Jayden's hold and pushes him off.
"Stay the hell away from her" warns Jayden.
"Last I checked you don't speak for Evie" replies Hunter.
"Stay away from her" repeats Jayden.
"That is entirely up to her, not you" says Hunter.
Jayden lunges forwards but Evie gets in front of him, "Jayden, calm down" says Evie her hands on his chest.
Jayden glares at Hunter.
"Hey, Jayden, take a walk" orders Evie pushing him back.
Jayden turns and storms away.
Evie looks at Hunter who smirks, "damn that worked even better than I planned" he says.
"How was that a good thing?" asks Evie.
"Now you go and talk to him, and he's mad enough to admit everything. So go and talk to him and sort this out once and for all will you" says Hunter.
"If this works, I owe you big time" smiles Evie.
"Oh I know" nods Hunter.
Evie turns and races after Jayden finding him angrily beating up a tree in the forest.
"What the hell was that?" demands Evie.
"He kissed you" replies Jayden.
"Yes I am well aware of the fact, why the hell did you get so pissed off though?" asks Evie.
"Do you really have to ask me that?" snaps Jayden turning to her.
"Yes, because you sure as hell haven't shown any interest in me in the last year. And you know what you might've been able to ignore your feelings and make them fade away but mine haven't. So, excuse me if an attractive guy decides to pay me attention and kiss me without being a complete ass about it, given the fact you've shown zero interest" retorts Evie tears springing to her eyes, but she blinked them away.
Jayden notes the tears and he kicks himself, "do you really think that?" he asks.
"What else am I supposed to think Jayden, you don't seem to have shown any interest in me as more than a friend in months. And I've tried to provoke a reaction and gotten nothing" answers Evie. "Until we got here, I was sure you wanted nothing more than friendship" she adds.
"So wait, everything with Hunter that's been to try and make me jealous?" asks Jayden.
"Yes you jackass, I have zero interest in Hunter, and he has zero interest in me, other than some maybe base surface attraction" snaps Evie.
"So you don't like Hunter?" clarifies Jayden.
"Not like that no" says Evie.
"But you kissed him" reminds Jayden.
"No, he kissed me, funnily enough dumbass the only person I wanted to kiss me was you" huffs Evie as she turns and starts walking away, "this was such a stupid idea" she says.
Suddenly she feels herself being tugged back and lands against Jayden's chest, and the next moment his lips are on hers.
Evie sinks into it one hand fisting in his training the shirt the other tangling in his hair, this was the first kiss she'd wanted.
Jayden held her flush against him as he backed her into one of the trees, wanting more he ran his tongue over her lips seeking entrance which she granted as their tongues tangled together.
The need for breath caused them to break the kiss but not to step away.
"I should've done that a lot sooner" says Jayden.
"You really should have" agrees Evie.
"For the record, it took every ounce of my self-control not react over the past months" adds Jayden.
"I really hate your self-control sometimes" replies Evie.
"I want this Evie, I want us" promises Jayden.
"You do?" she asks.
"More than anything" assures Jayden running his thumb over her cheek.
"We can't let Ji find out" she says.
"No, he'll never approve" agrees Jayden.
"So what do we do?" she asks.
"We keep it secret, no one else needs to know and its not like we don't have an adjoined bathroom and plenty of time alone together in the house. Plus, if we've managed to ignore them for this long without letting Ji on that something was wrong, then we just keep up the façade. We act like nothing is different, but we'll know there is and when its just us we won't need to hide it" smiles Jayden.
"We're really going to do this, you and me in a secret relationship" says Evie.
"Normal enough for you?" he asks.
"More than enough" smiles Evie leaning up and kissing him again.
Jayden smiles and kisses her back before pulling away. "We should head back up no sense in rousing suspicion this early on" he says.
"Agreed" nods Evie, "but Hunter and Tori will know this was their plan" she adds.
"Tori too?" asks Jayden.
"Yeah, why do you think she's bigging up Hunter so much when you're around" giggles Evie, "he's not the Bradley she's dating" she adds.
"And I thought you were devious" smiles Jayden.
"They are ninjas" chuckles Evie.
"Well then I'd better say sorry and thank you too Hunter and thank you to Tori" says Jayden.
"Yeah, you really do, all I have to say is thank you" smiles Evie.
"I'm still mad at the guy though" says Jayden.
"Why?" asks Evie.
"Because I was supposed to be your first kiss, not him" he replies.
"I didn't mean anywhere near as much as kissing you did" promises Evie.
"Thank you" smiles Jayden kissing the top of her head before they turned and headed back up to the academy.
"He had all the finesse of my fire smasher" recalls Jayden.
"You needed a fire smasher to the head to get you to act" reminds Evie.
"I'm sorry I was such an idiot" he says.
"It all worked out, so I'll forgive you" assures Evie.
Jayden leans his forehead against hers, "and here we are" smiles Jayden.
"Well worth it, and all thanks to a meddlesome crimson ranger" agrees Evie before she stands up, "now I am going to shower" she says as she disappears into the bathroom.
Jayden looks at the picture and shakes his head, "thanks Hunter, I owe you and Tori" he says as he sets it back down before walking out of Evie's room.
Later that evening as they were eating dinner the phone rings.
"That'll be for me" says Evie as she walks out of the room and picks up the phone, "hello" she answers.
"Hey if it isn't my favourite fellow coloured ranger" smiles Tommy.
"Hi Tommy" smiles Evie.
"How you doing kiddo?" asks Tommy.
"Pretty good, adjusting" she replies.
"New teams always take a little bit of time for that. So I take it you know why I'm calling" he says.
"Kat talked to you" nods Evie.
"She did, now I'm not making any promises, I might be a ranger with a lot of connections, but it'll depend on what she's been doing. But I promise to do my best" he assures.
"I know, thank you" smiles Evie.
"You deserve answers if you want them Evie, just remember this isn't something you'll be able to put back in the box once you take it out" reminds Tommy gently.
"Yeah, I know, but I just I want to know, or at least have the option" admits Evie.
"Then I will do everything in my power to find the answers for you" promises Tommy.
"Thank you, seriously" says Evie.
"Hey anything for another ranger" replies Tommy.
"You wanna talk to Ji?" asks Evie.
"I'll drop him a word, take care of yourself kiddo, show those Nighloks who's boss" smiles Tommy.
"Will do" chuckles Evie before walking into the kitchen, "Tommy wants to talk" says Evie handing the phone to Ji.
Ji nods and walks out the room.
"So can you help?" asks Ji.
"I'll do what I can" assures Tommy.
"Alright, give us a call when you get something" says Ji.
"Will do" nods Tommy.
Ji smiles and hangs up before returning to the kitchen in time to see Jayden, Emily and Evie finish up and walk out of the kitchen since it wasn't any of their nights to wash up.
"So can your friend help you?" asks Emily.
"He says he'll try" replies Evie. "But until then I'm just going to put it backs in its box. We've got bigger problems than my mother" assures Evie.
"Okay, but if you need to talk, I'm here" smiles Emily hugging her.
"Thanks Em" replies Evie hugging her back, "I think I'm just going to go unwind" she says squeezing Jayden's hand as she walks past.
Emily looks at Jayden, "was it really as horrible as Evie said?" asks Emily.
"Worse, far worse" answers Jayden with a sigh.
"How could any mother walk away from their own child like that?" asks Emily.
"I wish I knew; I really do. I just hope these answers don't reopen old wounds, or worse make new ones" sighs Jayden.
"Did you see it all?" asks Emily.
Jayden nods, "I was on the porch" he sighs thinking back.
"Nia please, don't do this" pleads Ji as Nia walks out of the house.
"I never wanted this life, it was never meant to be mine and I am done putting my life on hold for some ancient crappy obligation I never asked for. So, if you want another black samurai, you have one, train her, raise her, do what the hell you want with her because I'm done" snaps Nia.
"She's your child, she's all you have left of your husband" reminds Ji.
Nia rounds on him and slaps him sharply, "don't you dare bring Markus into this, we were meant to have a wonderful life together and you know what Evie wasn't meant to be part of it. She was an accident and a mistake and not one I intend to keep around, Markus is gone, and you know what I never wanted her in the first place. My parents made me keep her to continue this cursed family line, so congratulations one black samurai ranger for you" yells Nia.
"Mommy" calls a small voice and Ji turns to see Evie stood on the porch, tears forming in her eyes. Jayden just behind her.
"She's all yours, enjoy, and guess what when the time comes she can pop out the next one too, hell maybe you can save yourself some effort and just pair her and Jayden up" says Nia turning and walking down the drive.
"Mommy" cries Evie running after her mother and grabbing her hand, "mommy don't go, I'll be better, I'll stop asking" pleads Evie.
Nia looks down at her, "you were a mistake Evelyn, one I never wanted, you wanted to be a samurai well here you go. Enjoy the life, and I'll enjoy mine, without you in it. You're an anchor to this life dragging me down, and I am done with it and you" hisses Nia as she pulls her hand away with enough force to knock Evie onto the floor before turning and walking away.
"Mommy" calls Evie, "mommy don't go" she begs pulling herself to her feet. "Mommy" she screams with such desperation and terror lacing her voice, but Nia kept walking without even looking back.
Emily felt tears pool in her eyes, "that's beyond horrible" she murmurs.
Jayden sighs and nods the echo of Evie crying still playing on his mind, even to this day he could hear it clear as a bell.
"We have to make sure Evie is okay" decides Emily resolutely.
Jayden looks at her, "we will" he nods.
"And if I ever see her mom I think I might actually hit her" says Emily with more venom than Jayden thought it possible for her to possess.
"Get in line" he replies.
"Well whatever happens, I'll do whatever Evie needs me too" promises Emily.
"Me too Em, me too" nods Jayden giving her a one armed hug.
Emily returns it before pulling back, "and I won't say a word" she adds.
"I know" smiles Jayden.
He just hoped this didn't turn out to be an even bigger mistake than he already feared it could be.
A/N: Lemme know your thoughts