Chapter 2: Your Mistake
AN: This chapter takes place one year after the final episode of PRNS. Blake left to ride for Factory Blue and Hunter left to be Head Teacher at the Thunder Ninja Academy. Shane, Dustin, Cam, and Tori are all teachers at the Wind Ninja Academy.
It was a cool California afternoon as Tori sat at the beach next to her surfboard watching the waves lap over each other. She had just finished surfing and decided to sit for a bit on her blanket and enjoy the view. Things had seemed to be pretty busy in the passing months with her classes at Blue Bay Harbor University and teaching at the Wind Ninja Academy. It seemed like she didn't have much time to surf or enjoy a quiet time at the beach. Tori slowly closed her eyes as the sun shone down on her and the wind blew her wavy blond locks. For the first time in a long time she felt at peace.
Tori sat like this for a few minutes when she heard the sound of a motorbike come up behind her. That sound always reminded her of a particular person...and his brother. 'Blake, why haven't I heard from you? I wonder if Hunter is still mad at me.' Tori thought before she opened her eyes to greet the rider that approached. "Hey Dustin, what's going on?" Tori said as Dustin walked up to her and took a seat next to her on the blanket.
"Hey Tor! I come bearing good news! Guess who's coming home?" Asked the goofy motocross rider.
Tori thought for a moment, 'Could it be?' She wasn't sure, but something told her that one of the Thunder Brothers was whom Dustin was talking about. "Um, Blake?"
"Nope sorry Tor, lover boy is not coming home. However, his brother is. Isn't that sweet dude?" Dustin asked excitedly.
'What! Hunter is coming home?' Tori thought. It had been over a year since the two shared a very heated and passionate kiss on her birthday. It had been a year since they said their farewells to the Thunder Brothers and since she last heard from either one of them. She kept in touch with Blake here and there, but never really saw him and with Hunter...well, they never really talked. They never really did to begin with, but that one kiss spoke volumes for the two. Tori secretly regretted not pursuing anything with Hunter, but after she found out that Blake had liked her also she just couldn't take the chance. Time quickly passed since then and Blake accepted the offer to ride for Factory Blue. He would send her post cards every now and again, but that was pretty much it. Neither ever made the move or initiated a relationship. So, Tori felt that she lost out on two great opportunities. It was a bizarre love triangle, but now it was nothing more than a memory. Tori sat in silence consumed by her thoughts for what seemed like an eternity. Tori had let out a deep sigh, which did not go unnoticed by her old childhood friend. "Hey Tor, are you alright?"
Tori snapped out of her reverie and looked up at Dustin who was watching her. "Oh, yeah Dustin. I am fine. I was just thinking that's all."
Dustin noticed Tori's sudden somber mood and decided to probe her a little more. "Tor, are you sad that it's not Blake that is coming home?"
"Yes and no. I am just sad that Blake and I never had a chance. I guess that we just weren't meant to be. I don't know maybe he was holding out for something better to come around."
Dustin placed his arm around his best friend and replied, "Tor, all things happen for a reason right? Maybe you are meant to be with someone else. How about Hunter? Have you ever felt anything for the guy besides hate?"
"Hate? Hate is a strong word, Dustin. I don't hate anyone, especially Hunter. I don't really know Hunter all that well. So, I can't really say. Why?"
"I was just curious. I think you two make a good-looking couple. You're both blonde, athletic and attractive people."
Tori gave Dustin a funny look after his last comment. "We're both attractive people?"
Dustin stared back at Tori. He found nothing weird or wrong about his comment. "What? Yeah, you're both attractive. Hey, I can say a guy is attractive as well can't I?"
Tori chuckled at Dustin's innocence and patted him on the back. "Yeah Dustin, you can. Just don't let Shane hear you say such things or Marah. They'll both think that you are nuts."
Dustin let out a laugh as well. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
"So, when does Hunter come into town and how long is he here for?" Tori asked.
"Well, here's the thing. Hunter is coming to teach at the Wind Ninja Academy with us. He is stepping down from the Head Teacher's position at the Thunder Ninja Academy."
"What?" Tori was in shock, "Why would he do such a thing?"
"Leann is back from traveling around Europe and Hunter felt that it was the right thing to do and Sensei long ago offered him and Blake an open invite to teach at the academy. So, he's due here Friday night. We're going to have a BBQ that night at the academy. Are you in?"
"Of course!" Tori replied a little more excited than she had wanted. "Well let's get going. It's getting late. We only have two days till Hunter will be in town. Oh by the way, where is he going to be living since him and Blake sold their house last year?"
"Sensei offered him a room at the academy, but he's going to be living with Shane and me, we have that extra bedroom anyway." (AN: If you've read my other stories Shane, Dustin and Tori live in the same apartment complex with Tori in a two bedroom and the guys in a three bedroom. Tori was originally suppose to live with them, but wanted her own space.)
"Oh that's cool. A complete bachelors' pad huh?"
"Yep, it's going to be so sweet dude!"
Two days later...
Cam, Shane and Dustin were hanging out by the grill when Tori came out of the academy with a tray of red garlic potatoes. The three guys eyed the tray hungrily as Dustin's stomach began to growl. Cam and Shane turned towards the yellow ranger and laughed. "Dustin, you just see food and your stomach growls. Didn't you just inhale two hotdogs like five minutes ago?" Cam asked.
"Yeah, but I love it when Tori makes her red potatoes!"
"As do I..." replied a voice not heard by the group in about a year.
"Hunter!" The three guys replied in unison. The three dropped what they were doing and went to greet their old buddy.
"Hey bro, it's been awhile huh?" Shane said as the two shook hands and exchanged a one-arm hug.
"Yeah, but it feels great to be back." Hunter replied as his eyes wandered over to where Tori was standing. "What, no hug for your enemy?"
"Hunter, you know I never hated you. We just never talked or got a chance to get to know each other." Tori said as she hugged the handsome, dirty blonde before her.
Hunter returned the hug and whispered in her ear, "Well, that's about to change..."
Tori felt chills run and up down her spine from the feel of his warm breath so close to her skin. Tori was left speechless and just flashed Hunter her infamous smile; a smile that he had missed and thought about everyday for the past year. "Well, it's good to see you too."
"So dude, what's up with Blake? We haven't heard from him in a while." Dustin asked.
"Well, he's in Hawaii with Factory Blue for another race. He just signed a new contract with them. He's going to be with them for two more years."
Tori heard this and her heart sank. 'I guess things do happen for a reason,' she thought.
Hunter saw Tori's smile fall a little and felt bad to be the bearer of bad news. He also felt that pang of jealousy like he did when he saw his brother kiss Tori on the cheek. 'I guess she was waiting for him or something.' He thought. "Well, enough talk let's eat!"
"Yeah! Grunted the guys, as Tori laughed to see the men act like barbarians around the food.
Hours passed and it was getting late. The group cleaned up and was now getting ready to leave. Tori and the guys said good night to Cam. Dustin rode with Tori and Shane rode with Hunter back to their apartment complex. Once they all arrived Tori went to go sit out on the beach as she usually did every night. Shane and Dustin helped Hunter upstairs with his things. The three then all sat in the living room and talked while flipping through the channels on the TV. Hunter couldn't keep his mind off of a certain blonde beauty. He got up and looked out the apartment window and he could see her silhouette sitting out on the beach. "You know guys I am going to go for a walk. Don't wait up for me, I'll see you two in a bit."
"Okay," replied Shane and Dustin in unison.
Tori was sitting solemnly watching the waves lap over each other as usual. She was lost in thought, as the memory of the kiss her and Hunter shared played fresh in her mind.
I'm not right
And I'm not fine
I wanna be rain
that tastes like wine
I wanna be good
I wanna be great
I wanna be everything
except for your mistake
Hunter slowly approached the girl. Tori could feel a presence behind her and turned around to see who it was. "Hey Tor, I didn't mean to scare you."
Tori smiled up at Hunter and replied, "Don't worry, you didn't."
"Do you mind some company?" Hunter asked nervously.
"No, not at all. Have a seat." The two then sat in silence.
Send me inside your mind
I wanna know what you're thinking
This time I'll try
to be the one you always thought you knew
It's true
I'm blue
And without you
I'm not right
I'm not fine
I wanna be rain
that tastes like wine
I wanna be good
I wanna be great
I wanna be everything
except for your mistake
The two stole glances at each other when they thought the other wasn't looking. Hunter couldn't believe how beautiful Tori had gotten while he was away. Her wavy blonde hair cascaded down her back. Her eyes were a light sea blue and her lips a pale pink. Her skin was flawless and she was still slender, but toned and tanned. She was more beautiful that he remembered. He thought about her everyday while he was at the Thunder Ninja Academy. "A penny for your thoughts?" Hunter said to break the silence.
Let me into
your view
I wanna know how you see this thing
that's us
I must
keep managing my madness over you
It's true
I'm blue
And without you
I'm not right I'm not fine
I wanna be rain
that tastes like wine
I wanna be good
I wanna be great
I wanna be everything
except for your mistake
"I was just thinking about how quickly time has passed for us." Tori answered as she continued to stare at the ocean.
"Yeah, tell me about it. I thought about you everyday..." Hunter started and then caught himself half talking to her and half thinking out loud. 'Whoa, did I just say that?'
Tori was surprised by Hunter's response, but she couldn't ignore what he had just said. She looked down and bit her lower lip as she always did when she got nervous. "You did?"
'Well, its too late now. I might as well tell her. Its all or nothing now.' Hunter thought before he answered her. "Yeah, you've been on my mind since your birthday at the beach."
Tori smiled and turned to look at Hunter. She missed his intense light brown eyes and his chiseled features. He was handsome and mysterious. He always kept Tori wondering and that was probably why despite her feelings for Blake was so drawn to Hunter. "About that night, I didn't mean what I said."
"Which part?" Hunter was secretly dying to know if she still thought their rendezvous was a mistake.
"When I told you that it was a mistake...I was confused then." Tori replied as she lowered her gaze.
And I don't want your sympathy
just understanding
Would we be better off if I just took some time
to try to understand you?
"Tori, I don't know what came over me, but nothing in my life has felt so right until that day. I know that we really haven't had a chance to get to know each other, but I really want us to have that chance now."
"A year can really change things..." Tori started.
"Tori, if you don't feel the same way, then I don't want to waste your time..."
"Hunter, please let me finish. Back then I thought that Blake and I could have had something, but it just never happened. So, I passed up the opportunity with you. I don't want to miss out on it again."
Hunter felt a big weight lifted off of his shoulder. "Tori, you were worth the wait. I am sorry that things between you and my brother didn't work out, but I am not sorry about us."
"I am glad to hear that." Tori replied as her and Hunter leaned towards each other and met for a slow, sensual and soul searing kiss.
I'm not right
I'm not fine
I wanna be rain
that tastes like wine
I wanna be seen
I wanna get clean
I wanna just fall out of in between
I'm not right
And I'm not right
I don't want to be your mistake
Meanhwhile...
Shane and Dustin were getting ready to go to bed. As Shane was in the bathroom brushing his teeth Dustin stepped out onto their patio that over looked the beach. He squinted his eyes to see who was out there. He was able to make out two silhouettes. "Hunter and Tori?" He said aloud. "I knew that something was up between those two. I'm not stupid."
Shane who just stepped outside replied, "Are you sure about that dude?"
"Yeah, let's give the two love birds their privacy. We can bag on them in the morning." Dustin finished as he headed inside.
"You got that right, bro." Shane said as the two parted ways to their own rooms to turn in for the evening.