A year had passed since the destruction of Lothor. The rangers
returned to their lives, but several things had changed in that short year.
The Wind Academy was filled to capacity, causing Sensei to hire on some new
instructors- Cam and Tori. Dustin, Hunter, and Blake were now primary
riders for Kelly's newly formed motocross team- Thunderstorm Racing. She
let the guys name it and was still confused as to why they picked that.
With Kelly busy with the team, Shane became the manager of Storm Chargers
and also taught skateboarding.
Tori loved her new job- she had always dreamed of becoming a true ninja master, now she trained alongside her father and brother. Sensei had adopted her soon after her destiny was fulfilled, finally giving her the loving family she had always dreamed of. She was the happiest girl in the world. She was madly in love with the guy of her dreams, living with him, and doing what she loved best in the world.
She was finished her lessons for the day and decided to drop in at Storm Chargers to see Shane. He was, as usual, behind the counter helping customers with their purchases.
"Hey you," she said bouncing into the store.
"Somebody's extremely happy today. This couldn't have anything to do with the fact that the guys are coming home today would it?"
A smile began to grow on her face. "Maybe.." Team Thunderstorm had been away for a week at a tournament. Tori could hardly keep her composure when she heard the bells on the door ring. She turned around to see Blake holding a large trophy in his hand. She rushed over and ran into his awaiting arms, planting a sweet kiss on his lips.
"Geez guys, can't you at least wait till you get home?" Hunter asked jokingly heading over to Shane. Dustin and Kelly followed with smiles on their faces. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, they released each other and headed over to the counter.
"I take it the race went well?" Shane asked as they piled their stuff in front of him.
"First place!" Kelly said holding the trophy up. High fives and hugs were shared all around. "You know guys, I can lock up if you want to go celebrate," Kelly said glancing around. Their eyes lit up.
"Thanks Kel! You're the greatest," Shane said planting a small kiss on her cheek- catching them both by surprise. "We'll- uh- see you later." He said leaving with the rest of them.
Their first stop was the academy. They quickly found Sensei and told him their good news.
"Congratulations to you all!" he said happily. They all went to find Cam to see if he wanted to go out with them, but Blake stayed behind.
"Sensei? Can I talk to you for a second?" he asked nervously.
"Of course Blake." Blake began to ring his hands. Small beads of sweat began to form on his forehead. Sensei could feel the nervousness in him. "Blake, is there anything wrong?"
"No no! Everything's great! It's just- well- I need to ask you something."
"Go on," he said.
Blake gathered his nerves, and began his plea.
"Sensei, you know I love Tori with all my heart. I'd do anything for her. I can't picture myself without her. What I'm trying to say is- oh man- would you- would you give me permission to marry her?"
Sensei kept a straight face through his entire speech. He knew this was going to happen eventually. He saw the love and general care they showed for one another. Blake stood there holding his breath. The few seconds it took for a reply seemed like hours.
"Blake," Sensei began, "I know you love her. I see it in your eyes and I see it in hers as well. If I could choose one person to have protect and love my daughter for the rest of her life, it would be you. Yes- I give you my blessing with all the love I have for you both."
Blake grabbed Sensei into a tight hug, which he returned. "Thank you Sensei! Thank you!"
"Blake," Sensei said as Blake was heading back to the others. "It would be my honor to perform the ceremony, in the ninja tradition- as your parents as well as my wife and I were joined."
Blake's face turned into a huge grin as he gave Sensei another hug. "I think that would be the greatest gift you could ever give us. Thank you so much Sensei." He gave him one last smile before running off to find the others. Sensei walked back to the main building, smiling. A small tear of happiness trickled down his cheek.
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"You guys go on- I need to talk to Hunter about something- we'll catch up in a bit alright?" Blake said waving goodbye to the others as they headed to a small restaurant.
"C'mon guys! You can talk later! We have some serious celebrating to do!" Dustin yelled.
"Later!" Blake called dragging his brother behind him.
"What was that about?" Tori asked. The others shrugged their shoulders. Hey headed in as their name was called.
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"I did it," Blake said to his brother as they entered Hunter's apartment. "Now all I have to do is actually propose." He said plopping on the couch. "That's great bro, but what's the problem with proposing- you think she's gonna say no?"
"No, no that- it's just- I want to ask her like today, but I don't have enough money for that ring I wanted." He looked down to the floor.
"Dude, are you fucking dumb?" Hunter said in aggravation.
"What are you talking about?"
"You have a ring already."
Blake stared at his brother. "Dude, I thought we agreed that you should get it because you were the oldest." Hunter went to his bedroom and carried out the chest Sensei Omino had given them. He set it down on the table and took out the ball of cloth and handed it to Blake. Blake took it and opened it. He gazed down at the three rings that he held in his hand. Picking up his mother's engagement ring, he noticed that it wasn't your typical engagement ring- it had a diamond in the center, and two small blue topaz gems on either side of it. The topazes gave the silver band a bluish glow.
Blake looked up at his brother. "It's perfect." He got up and hugged Hunter. "Thanks bro."
Hunter smiled. "So you ready to do this or what?"
"Yea- you know what to do right?" Blake asked him. Hunter nodded and they headed out the door back to the restaurant.
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"There you are," Tori said hugging Blake.
"Dude, where've you guys been?" Shane asked.
"Just having a little chat," Blake said nudging Tori. She gave him a strange smile as he began to pull her away.
"Uh Blake, where are you taking my sister?" Cam asked jokingly. He loved calling her that.
"Just for a little walk- we'll meet you guys later alright?" They all gave him strange looks, but Hunter broke the tension.
"C'mon guys- I think the tournament we were in is on ESPN in like half an hour." That seemed to satisfy them and they headed off in the direction of Hunter's apartment. Tori gave him a questioning glance, but was soon distracted by his lips on hers.
"What was that all about?" She asked.
"You'll find out. C'mon!" he said pulling her hand as they ran down the streets until they reached the beach.
"Blake! What are we doing here?" She asked a bit out of breath. He turned himself so they were looking directly into each other's eyes. The sun was setting behind them- the sky lit up with every color imaginable. His brown eyes were sparkling as she looked at him with a confused smile. He gave her a slow passionate kiss, and slowly pulled away.
"What was that for?" She asked.
"Because I wanted something good to lead up to this," he said as he pulled out the ring from his pocket and dropped down to one knee. Tori's hands flew over her mouth.
"Oh my god." She gasped. Blake reached up and took her left hand in his. He looked straight into her eyes.
"Tori, I have loved you since the moment I laid my eyes on you- even before I met you. I want to love you forever as your husband." He placed the ring on the tip of her third finger. "Victoria Hanson Wantanabe, will you marry me?"
Tori was speechless. She couldn't hold her excitement anymore. "YES!" she screamed as he placed the ring on and grabbed her in a tight hug. Blake looked at his now fiancée and kissed her passionately, not caring who was around to see. A huge cheer coming from their left caused them both to turn. Hunter had a video camera in hand with Cam, Shane, and Dustin in tow. Blake and Tori still held each other as their friends came over to congratulate them.
"Took you long enough!" Shane said giving Blake a high five. They all laughed and hugged before Tori actually took a good look at her ring. The diamond and the light blue stones danced in the fading sunlight.
"Blake- it's beautiful," she said as they all walked back to the academy to tell Sensei the good news.
"It has a history behind it too."
"Really? Tell me," she said.
"It was my mom's. I know she'd be happy to see it on the hand of the gorgeous woman her son fell in love with."
Tears filled her eyes as she stopped and pulled him in for a gentle kiss. "I love you so much," she said.
"I love you too," he said kissing her again.
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Sensei greeted them all and moved to Tori. He smiled sweetly and pulled her into a hug. "Congratulations. I am so happy for you." She could see the small tears beginning to form in his eyes. Gaining his composure he went to Blake and shook his hand. "I meant what I said earlier- I give you my blessing with all the love I have for you both." With that he drew Blake in for a hug. Blake pulled away and went to Tori, putting an arm around her waist.
"So," Cam began, "have you thought about a date yet?"
"Cam! We just got engaged like an hour ago!" Tori laughed. Cam couldn't help but smile.
"I was just thinking that with your families here you wouldn't wait that long- that's all."
He did have a point. Tori looked at Blake and they both smiled. "I think you're right Cam," Blake said. "Why wait?"
"Whoa- you mean like right now?" Dustin said miffed.
"No, not right now, but what about in a few days. I mean you guys have tournaments lined up for the next month, so why not? Cam's right. Our families are here already, and the only other person that would be coming is Kelly."
They all looked around, finally reaching Sensei. He stood there and nodded his head in approval. "I will perform the ceremony whenever you are ready."
"You mean it? Like a ninja bonding?" Tori asked hopefully. He again nodded his head.
"Then it's settled." Shane said.
"Oh my god! We're getting married!" Tori exclaimed.
Tori loved her new job- she had always dreamed of becoming a true ninja master, now she trained alongside her father and brother. Sensei had adopted her soon after her destiny was fulfilled, finally giving her the loving family she had always dreamed of. She was the happiest girl in the world. She was madly in love with the guy of her dreams, living with him, and doing what she loved best in the world.
She was finished her lessons for the day and decided to drop in at Storm Chargers to see Shane. He was, as usual, behind the counter helping customers with their purchases.
"Hey you," she said bouncing into the store.
"Somebody's extremely happy today. This couldn't have anything to do with the fact that the guys are coming home today would it?"
A smile began to grow on her face. "Maybe.." Team Thunderstorm had been away for a week at a tournament. Tori could hardly keep her composure when she heard the bells on the door ring. She turned around to see Blake holding a large trophy in his hand. She rushed over and ran into his awaiting arms, planting a sweet kiss on his lips.
"Geez guys, can't you at least wait till you get home?" Hunter asked jokingly heading over to Shane. Dustin and Kelly followed with smiles on their faces. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, they released each other and headed over to the counter.
"I take it the race went well?" Shane asked as they piled their stuff in front of him.
"First place!" Kelly said holding the trophy up. High fives and hugs were shared all around. "You know guys, I can lock up if you want to go celebrate," Kelly said glancing around. Their eyes lit up.
"Thanks Kel! You're the greatest," Shane said planting a small kiss on her cheek- catching them both by surprise. "We'll- uh- see you later." He said leaving with the rest of them.
Their first stop was the academy. They quickly found Sensei and told him their good news.
"Congratulations to you all!" he said happily. They all went to find Cam to see if he wanted to go out with them, but Blake stayed behind.
"Sensei? Can I talk to you for a second?" he asked nervously.
"Of course Blake." Blake began to ring his hands. Small beads of sweat began to form on his forehead. Sensei could feel the nervousness in him. "Blake, is there anything wrong?"
"No no! Everything's great! It's just- well- I need to ask you something."
"Go on," he said.
Blake gathered his nerves, and began his plea.
"Sensei, you know I love Tori with all my heart. I'd do anything for her. I can't picture myself without her. What I'm trying to say is- oh man- would you- would you give me permission to marry her?"
Sensei kept a straight face through his entire speech. He knew this was going to happen eventually. He saw the love and general care they showed for one another. Blake stood there holding his breath. The few seconds it took for a reply seemed like hours.
"Blake," Sensei began, "I know you love her. I see it in your eyes and I see it in hers as well. If I could choose one person to have protect and love my daughter for the rest of her life, it would be you. Yes- I give you my blessing with all the love I have for you both."
Blake grabbed Sensei into a tight hug, which he returned. "Thank you Sensei! Thank you!"
"Blake," Sensei said as Blake was heading back to the others. "It would be my honor to perform the ceremony, in the ninja tradition- as your parents as well as my wife and I were joined."
Blake's face turned into a huge grin as he gave Sensei another hug. "I think that would be the greatest gift you could ever give us. Thank you so much Sensei." He gave him one last smile before running off to find the others. Sensei walked back to the main building, smiling. A small tear of happiness trickled down his cheek.
(((((((((((((((((())))))))))))))))))))))))
"You guys go on- I need to talk to Hunter about something- we'll catch up in a bit alright?" Blake said waving goodbye to the others as they headed to a small restaurant.
"C'mon guys! You can talk later! We have some serious celebrating to do!" Dustin yelled.
"Later!" Blake called dragging his brother behind him.
"What was that about?" Tori asked. The others shrugged their shoulders. Hey headed in as their name was called.
((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))
"I did it," Blake said to his brother as they entered Hunter's apartment. "Now all I have to do is actually propose." He said plopping on the couch. "That's great bro, but what's the problem with proposing- you think she's gonna say no?"
"No, no that- it's just- I want to ask her like today, but I don't have enough money for that ring I wanted." He looked down to the floor.
"Dude, are you fucking dumb?" Hunter said in aggravation.
"What are you talking about?"
"You have a ring already."
Blake stared at his brother. "Dude, I thought we agreed that you should get it because you were the oldest." Hunter went to his bedroom and carried out the chest Sensei Omino had given them. He set it down on the table and took out the ball of cloth and handed it to Blake. Blake took it and opened it. He gazed down at the three rings that he held in his hand. Picking up his mother's engagement ring, he noticed that it wasn't your typical engagement ring- it had a diamond in the center, and two small blue topaz gems on either side of it. The topazes gave the silver band a bluish glow.
Blake looked up at his brother. "It's perfect." He got up and hugged Hunter. "Thanks bro."
Hunter smiled. "So you ready to do this or what?"
"Yea- you know what to do right?" Blake asked him. Hunter nodded and they headed out the door back to the restaurant.
(((((((((((((((((((())))))))))))))))))))))))
"There you are," Tori said hugging Blake.
"Dude, where've you guys been?" Shane asked.
"Just having a little chat," Blake said nudging Tori. She gave him a strange smile as he began to pull her away.
"Uh Blake, where are you taking my sister?" Cam asked jokingly. He loved calling her that.
"Just for a little walk- we'll meet you guys later alright?" They all gave him strange looks, but Hunter broke the tension.
"C'mon guys- I think the tournament we were in is on ESPN in like half an hour." That seemed to satisfy them and they headed off in the direction of Hunter's apartment. Tori gave him a questioning glance, but was soon distracted by his lips on hers.
"What was that all about?" She asked.
"You'll find out. C'mon!" he said pulling her hand as they ran down the streets until they reached the beach.
"Blake! What are we doing here?" She asked a bit out of breath. He turned himself so they were looking directly into each other's eyes. The sun was setting behind them- the sky lit up with every color imaginable. His brown eyes were sparkling as she looked at him with a confused smile. He gave her a slow passionate kiss, and slowly pulled away.
"What was that for?" She asked.
"Because I wanted something good to lead up to this," he said as he pulled out the ring from his pocket and dropped down to one knee. Tori's hands flew over her mouth.
"Oh my god." She gasped. Blake reached up and took her left hand in his. He looked straight into her eyes.
"Tori, I have loved you since the moment I laid my eyes on you- even before I met you. I want to love you forever as your husband." He placed the ring on the tip of her third finger. "Victoria Hanson Wantanabe, will you marry me?"
Tori was speechless. She couldn't hold her excitement anymore. "YES!" she screamed as he placed the ring on and grabbed her in a tight hug. Blake looked at his now fiancée and kissed her passionately, not caring who was around to see. A huge cheer coming from their left caused them both to turn. Hunter had a video camera in hand with Cam, Shane, and Dustin in tow. Blake and Tori still held each other as their friends came over to congratulate them.
"Took you long enough!" Shane said giving Blake a high five. They all laughed and hugged before Tori actually took a good look at her ring. The diamond and the light blue stones danced in the fading sunlight.
"Blake- it's beautiful," she said as they all walked back to the academy to tell Sensei the good news.
"It has a history behind it too."
"Really? Tell me," she said.
"It was my mom's. I know she'd be happy to see it on the hand of the gorgeous woman her son fell in love with."
Tears filled her eyes as she stopped and pulled him in for a gentle kiss. "I love you so much," she said.
"I love you too," he said kissing her again.
(((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Sensei greeted them all and moved to Tori. He smiled sweetly and pulled her into a hug. "Congratulations. I am so happy for you." She could see the small tears beginning to form in his eyes. Gaining his composure he went to Blake and shook his hand. "I meant what I said earlier- I give you my blessing with all the love I have for you both." With that he drew Blake in for a hug. Blake pulled away and went to Tori, putting an arm around her waist.
"So," Cam began, "have you thought about a date yet?"
"Cam! We just got engaged like an hour ago!" Tori laughed. Cam couldn't help but smile.
"I was just thinking that with your families here you wouldn't wait that long- that's all."
He did have a point. Tori looked at Blake and they both smiled. "I think you're right Cam," Blake said. "Why wait?"
"Whoa- you mean like right now?" Dustin said miffed.
"No, not right now, but what about in a few days. I mean you guys have tournaments lined up for the next month, so why not? Cam's right. Our families are here already, and the only other person that would be coming is Kelly."
They all looked around, finally reaching Sensei. He stood there and nodded his head in approval. "I will perform the ceremony whenever you are ready."
"You mean it? Like a ninja bonding?" Tori asked hopefully. He again nodded his head.
"Then it's settled." Shane said.
"Oh my god! We're getting married!" Tori exclaimed.