There stood Kelly, a big smile plastered onto her face.

'Hey Kel!' I shouted as I ran over to her. 'Are you alright?'

'Yeah, perfectly fine. Anyway, well done. You finally defeated that psycho, that power up sure was awesome. It was so cool!' She grinned.

I couldn't help but grin when I heard these words. 'Yeah, if it wasn't for the evolution, I might never had the chance to destroy Jacob.' I started down at my watch to stop myself from blushing. 'C'mon, let's get you home, don't want to worry your parents do you?'

'Can we take that motor bike of yours again?' Kelly asked in excitement, 'The rider here was so fun!'

I arched my eyebrows and gave a small grin. 'Excuse me, but you might want to note that I'm a 17 year old and don't have a licsence for motor biking around the city. And there's no way I'm going take you home morphed. We're taking the bus!'

'Aw come on!' She pouted and gave me a slight push.

During the bus ride, I wanted to ask her the same question that was boggling inside my mind for all this time, but just couldn't work up the nerve. I gave myself a big kick as Kelly got off, scoulding myself for being such a coward.

'You just defeated a crazy psycho who wanted to kill you, and now you're freaking over a girl?' I yelled at myself.

2 weeks had passed since I defeated Jacob, the Hellspawn Ranger in combat. Kelly was leaving for the US tomorrow, and we were having a big farewell party in the evening. This, was going to be my last chance.

'Thanks a lot!' I snapped at the smoking black fumes of the Insectron I just destroyed. 'I'm going to be late. Why do you guys always have such bad timing?' Heading off to a dark corner, I demorphed and ran over to downtown.

Everyone was there by the time I arrived. Issac and the others knew about the Insectron attack but I forbid them to talk about it during the party, it was just too risky. I didn't want another 'Hellspawn Attack' for the rest of my life.

Time passed quickly as we all fooled around, having fun and everything. Before I knew it, it was already late into the night, and people were slowly leaving.

'Derek!' Issac yelled over as he walked up to me.

'What?' I asked in confusion.

He slapped me on the back and said in a mere whisper, 'So, are you gonna do it tonight? It'll be your last chance!'

I looked at my best friend, he always knew me too well. Slowly, I nodded.

'Go! Take her home and then tell her while you're on your way there. Don't worry about anything, place every second thoughts back, they'll only get in the way. Got it?'

Again, I did nothing but nod. My head was starting to spin again. I rushed over to the bathroom and started drowning my face with ice cold water. I started at the mirror, at my own relfection. 'I'm doing this!' I told myself firmly.

When I got out, everyone had already left, even Issac. There in the whole place, were only Kelly and I.

'Hey Derek, I thought you left!' Kelly suddenly said.

'Oh, yeah.' I blurted, 'Just thought probably you'd like a walk home? It's already late and it could be dangerous for a girl like you walking on the streets alone.'

Kelly narrowed her eyes at me, causing my hands to tremble as cold sweat poured down my face.

'Or,' I said quickly before something went wrong, 'Maybe you'd fancy a ride on the Tsunami Cycle?'

Instantly, her eyes glittered as a huge smile appeared. 'You got it!' She yelled in excitement.

'Phew!' I mentally said, wiping off the sweat from my forehead. 'Close one.'

And there we took off on the cycle, speeding towards her home. We talked about everything I could think off, the new band, that disgusting Insectron I fought.

The talking ceased when the cycle reered down the pavement of her house. Slowly I got off , my mind was racing so quickly that I thought I was going to faint any second. I was about to open my mouth when suddenly!

'Uh, Derek?' Kelly asked.

I looked over at her, her angelic features sending another wave up my numb body. 'Yeah?'

'You remember that time when you walked me home after we fell down that hole underground?'

I tried my best to make a joke. 'How could I forget? I knocked you to the ground!' But quickly changed my tone as I saw her stare. 'I mean, yeah. I do.'

'Well, there was something I wanted to tell you right? And I told you that the time wasn't right. Remember?' She asked, I could hear by her voice that she was nervous.

'Uh huh.'

'I think maybe now's the right time to tell you.'

All of a sudden, I felt as if I was shot up into the sky. 'Could it be? Could it be?' My mind raced.

'I like you.' She said simply.

Ok, my whole body was on fire while my brain was frozen in shock.

'But not that kind of like in love, it's the kind between brother and sister.' She added.

Now I felt as if I had no brain or body or even soul at all, still I nodded.

'Love wouldn't last forever, but friendship can. I didn't tell you at first because I thought it'd break you down. I don't want to lose you, ever. It'd kill me if you left me in the end or I left you. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?' She explained.

I snapped, completely. 'Why the hell did she have to say it like that at first?' I thought angrily, 'It's not fair!' But then, visions appeared across my head. Kelly held captive by Elesect, threatening to kill her. Kelly tied and bounded by Jacob, to lure me into a trap! The fear in her eyes!

If it wasn't for me, Kelly would never have had to go through all this. It was me who did all this to her. Slowly, I understood. I walked over at put a hand on her shoulder.

'Of course I understand.' I said softly. 'Even if you accepted me, I would say no now,' I shook my head as she tried to speak. 'Listen to me first. It's just not safe, at least for now for you to be with me. You know what happened when Jacob captured you. I could never see you hurt, especially if I had done it. With my own hands.'

'It's not your fault Derek, don't blame yourself.' Kelly comforted.

'Anyway, it's for the best.' I said, looking at her eyes. 'Perhaps, maybe when my war is over, things would be different. If the war ever ends. But until that time, you take care of yourself.'

Kelly looked at me, tears were glimmering from her eyes. 'Oh Derek, thank you.' She said as she wrapped her arms around me, giving me a small peck on the cheek.

'It's getting late. You should probably get inside. I have something to do tomorrow, so I can't go to the airport. Be careful when you're over there, ok? Remember, whenever things go wrong, always know that there'll be someone to back you up. Someone who loves you.' I said. For the first time in a long time, I felt myself slowly relaxing.

We embraced one last time as she walked back into her house. Numbly, I got back onto the Tsunami Cycle and sped off to the same mountain I always went to. And I lay down at the same spot I laid when Kelly first rejected me.

What I did was right, I told myself. You are a warrior, that was a necessary sacrifice. I was brave, I was strong. I did what I had to.

'Kelly, I love you.' I murmured to the stars above. Slowly, I drifted off to sleep.

As I lay asleep, the spirit of sensei hovered around me.

'Derek,' He said, 'Well done. You have made me and the academy proud.'

Well, another chappie up! Yeah, I know I suck at writing romantic scenes, sorry bout that. This is actually my first offical attempt to do so, please don't flame me. I'd love it if you guys could give me some suggestions to write them better. The next chapter is gonna be some sort of a surprise. Stay tuned.