Disclaimers: I don't own them, but I wish I did. The title "Head in My Hands" comes from a song by Reamonn. They're an *awesome* German band with a Irish lead singer (the songs are all in English). I so recommend that you check them out!
A/N: I got the idea of 'Hunter with many, many secrets' from Gem of a Day. This chapter is set just after Boxing Bop a Roo.
Yes, this is another slash story. I'm just not telling (yet) the pairing(s).
Head in My Hands
Chapter 1: Intervention
It had been obvious to everyone that there was something bothering Hunter. But every time someone asked, he'd pointedly say he was fine and that there was nothing to talk about. And when the other four and Sensei asked Blake, he simply referred them to Hunter. Shane, Tori, Dustin, Cam and Sensei let this go on for quite a while, but when it appeared that things were not improving, they took it upon themselves to do a sort of intervention.
"I don't know about this…" Tori said, wringing her hands together.
She looked around the main room to Ninja Ops, and everything appeared normal. Except that the three Wind rangers were in civilian clothes. Cam glanced over his shoulder to see that his father was monitoring things.
"He hasn't left us any choice, Tor. Something's eating at him and it's beginning to affect his performance out there," Shane replied, blindly pointing away from them.
"I just feel bad. This is all so…"
"Underhanded. Sneaky…" Dustin listed, but stopped when Shane glared at him.
"Not helping, bro."
"What if it's a family thing? What if Hunter and Blake have been over it and it's just something that Hunter needs to work out himself?"
"Too many 'what ifs' for my taste."
"Well, I can hear our guest of honor and his little bro," Dustin noted, taking Shane's and Tori's attention from the conversation to the entryway.
Blake was in the room first, with Hunter a step behind.
"Did we miss something?" Blake quipped, smiling nervously.
And Hunter's eyes narrowed, darting across the line that the four were standing in. From Cam to Dustin to Tori and then to Shane. And the look from Tori to Shane crossed into a glare.
"We definitely did bro," Hunter answered, a hand going to his brother's shoulder.
"What is it?" Blake asked Hunter when he turned to see the angry look in his brother's eye.
"Ask them. I just know they're up to something."
"Will you both please come in and sit with us?" Tori pleaded, knowing that someone had to say something or else both brothers would turn and leave.
"What's this about?" Blake asked, his arms crossing his chest.
"This would be easier and more comfortable if we were all sitting. This needs not to be confrontational," Sensei said.
Both Thunders nodded, coming into the room. They sat together, with Shane on Hunter's other side and Tori on Blake's.
"Hunter, we're worried about you," Tori declared when they were all seated.
"No need. I'm fine."
"You're not. It's obvious to all of us. And it's beginning to affect your performance in battle," she replied gently.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Playing dumb isn't your forte, man," Shane commented.
Hunter was about to say something when he felt Blake lightly touch his arm. Casting a glare to Shane, he turned to see Blake looking apologetic. And Hunter knew the next statement wasn't going to be good.
"They have a point. Bro, I'll keep your secret forever, you know that. It's yours. But I'm not losing you over it, either."
Blake flinched when he saw the look in Hunter's eyes. There were so many emotions swirling around, and none of them good. Hunter pulled his arm away, jumping to his feet.
"You knew about this, didn't you?"
"I didn't Hunter, I swear… but…"
"And now you're ganging up on me. I so don't need this. I'm outta here," Hunter yelled. Storming to the entryway, he paused and turned. "Just stay away from me, all of you."
"All of you," he repeated, glaring at Blake.
And that was the last they saw of Hunter Bradley for a few days.