Note to readers: Ok, for those who have never read anything else I've written you should know I never do the expected.  Think of a hall of funhouse mirrors, things are not always what they seem.

Chapter 3 Weird

"Earth to Tori, Tori come in."  Tori jumped at the sound of the voice and the image of Blake's shocked face dissolved into that of his brother. 

"Hmm?"  She managed waiting for the last of the fog to clear from her mind. 

"You ok?  That blast didn't rattle anything upstairs?" 

"Oh, no I'm fine.  Why?"  Tori asked frowning, had she just been day dreaming? 

"You've been staring at me for the last five minutes."  Hunter said and she informed her frowning.

"Oh, sorry, Dustin must be rubbing off."  She said and was relieved herself when she managed a faint laugh. 

"Right, are you ready to head back to town?"  Hunter asked and she nodded.   It was only then that Tori realized that they were still standing on the shoulder of the road, the van and bike not more than ten feet away.  Had she really spaced out that long? She never did that, not since she was seven anyway.  Not since she'd been heeling Grams make cookies and had gotten burned on the stove as a result… 

"Ok, you're doing it again." Hunter then began looking down into her eyes, she supposed for a concussion or something

"What?  Oh, sorry."  She managed looking away, she was fine, and couldn't he see that? 

"Right, get on."  He said after a minute and she frowned to where he pointed to his bike.  Why would she want to ride with him?  She could drive her van, it was fine wasn't it? 

"Hunter?"    She asked when her mind started to wonder once more. 

"We're going back to ninja ops, so syberCam can have a look at you."  He explained and then after a minute decided the bike might not be an answer; if she spaced out she might forget to hold on. 

"Hunter I told you I'm fine."  She protested when she watched him in confusion why was he now moving his bike into the grass?  Suddenly she felt a little tired, what was happening?  She felt herself sway and called.  "Hunter!" 

*** 

Hunter saw Tori swaying and reached her just as she started to slump.  Cursing he forgot his bike, running to the van and putting her in the back. 

Hunter didn't know what was going on but he didn't like it.  He knew just what Lothor could do and he didn't like the idea of anything happening to this girl.  It hit him that that might have to do with that blast, what if the kelzaks were just trying to lay one of them low?   Before he could think, Hunter changed his mind about driving; instead, he climbed in to the back, picked up Tori and warped out. 

*** 

"What happened?"  Cyber Cam asked as Hunter came in still carrying Tori in his arms. 

"Kelzaks attacked us."  Hunter told him and Cyber Cam pointed to a spot where Hunter could lay the blue wind ninja

 "She should have been morphed."  Cyber Cam The holographic care taker of their headquarters said grimly. 

"We were, but we got hit with some kind of an energy beam."  Hunter told him as Cyber Cam pulled out a bioscanner.  

"What kind of a beam?"  Sensei asked hopping p onto the exam bed. 

"I don't know, like a cannon blast."  Hunter said after a minute's thought.   "She was ok at first and then she started staring into space."  Hunter told them as he began to pace, what was going on?  What was Lothor up to now? 

"I see."    Cyber Cam adjusted a setting on his device and scanned the other side of Tori's body.   Then what she collapsed?" 

"Yes, she kept saying she was fine and now…"  Hunter ran his hands through his hair in a sign of frustration.

"There doesn't seem to be any physical reason for the fainting."  Cyber Cam said father a few more minutes.  Then after adjusting the scanner once more for a new scans.  "There is no spell I can detect with the scanner." 

"No, it seems that Tori is just exhausted."  Sensei said and Cyber Cam nodded.  

"Well, she did walk a good distance before training."  Hunter mused thoughtfully.  He supposed that on top of their rigorous exercises could ware out the strongest man in the world. 

 "Yes, you should take her home."  The Ginny pig told Hunter who was again standing at Tori's side. 

"Yes sensei."  Hunter said and moved to pick Tori up once more.  He'd Take her home and…  But he didn't know where she lived, he didn't even know if there would be anyone to look after her.  He couldn't just leave her alone, what if Lothor went after her?  In this state she couldn't defend herself.  No, he'd take her to his place.  He knew Blake wouldn't be home so he wouldn't be under foot. 

When they were gone sensei turned to his son contemplatively.  Cyber Cam looked back at him waiting. 

"I do believe that we may have a problem."  The Ginny pig said and cyber Cam tilted his head in question. 

"The tides are changing, from blue to amethyst."  The old soul said thoughtfully, and cyber Cam thought he detected a hint of worry in the Ginny pig's voice. 

"I don't understand.'  Cyber Cam asked, why would he be worried?  Would he not be glad that at last Tori and Hunter were acting like friends? 

"You will, soon enough."  The furry teacher said and hopped off the exam table and over to his wheel.  He seriously needed to work off some of his nervous energy. 

TBC

*** 

What do you think?  Was it what you expected?  I just so totally hate being predictable.  *smirks*Anyhow, I'll post the next chapter soon as I finish it.  Shouldn't be long it's half done.