Hi everyone :)

In coming chapter 3.
I saw the final episode of Ninja Storm for the first time yesterday. I knew what was basically gonna happen from the various stories I've read which refer back to it, but just knowing what was going to happen couldn''t beat actually watching it. Gave me one of those warm fuzzy feelings inside :) I really loved it and I know it's gonna give me an idea for a story the more I think about it lol.
Okay, some stuff about the music referred to in this chapeter; I'm in England as you may or may not know so I you might find that Tori has a weird taste in music because I'm basing it on what I know. I haven't included any groups I know don't perform outside the UK but atleast one that I'll mention I'm not sure about so if you don't recognise the name of a group/song, it's probably because they/it never made it out of the UK.
Review time :

Makia Durron : Wow, huge compliments there :) I'm glad you like my writing so much, makes me feel loved lol.

Aubrey : You're so right. It's bound to happen I think. I mean, I know that it is possible for girls and guys to remain friends but those two are just so good together :)

Moonlit Sea : Glad you think it's all excellent :) As for where I get my storylines, I get them basically from everywhere. From my own imagination and devlopments of other people's ideas are the main one's but like I said, all over really. If yours don't come out too well it might be due to planning. Stories that are made up as you go along usually don't turn out too well. It's best to have an idea of the main events you want to happen and then pad it out with extra scenes and stuff. Okay, I'm gonna stop acting like a know-it-all now and I hope some of that helped a bit :)

malissa : You said that I'm talented :) Yay :)

TVrocks : I love your name dude lol. Couldn't agree with it more. I totally agree with you on the Dustin/Hunter thing as well. If he can't be with Hunter, he should be with Tori.

huntersgrl13 : They are cute together aren't they lol. This story is 99% original since nothing is 100% original anymore because we all get our ideas from somewhere. If I'm basing it on something I always make it perfectly clear right at the begining that I am o people don't get confused. So if there isn't a disclaimer, it's all little old me :)

Ranger-gurl : Of course there's more. That'd be a bit of a funny place to stop wouldn't it lol.

I'd also like to thank Crimson-Ranger, Divagurl277, CamFan4Ever alexis and GP for reviewing as well :)

Anyone got any cavities yet? Lets hope this one doesn't cause a sweetness over load...

21:57
Forty-three hours, four minutes remain.

The movies were over and the food had been eaten. Since neither of the rangers were tired, they decided to try and do some of exercises that Cam had told Tori about which would help to strengthen their 'bond'. They sat facing each other, their legs crossed in front of them. Tori was staring at Dustin with a strong look of concentration plastered on her face. Dustin leaned back on his arms slightly and looked kinda bored. Soft music played in the background, mostly because Dustin didn't like it when a room was completely silent. Tori continued to stare, rarely blinking and not moving. Then, suddenly, her face cracked in a smile and she began to laugh un-controllably.

"What's so funny?" Dustin questioned, sitting forward slightly.

"You have a crush on Britney Spears!" Tori gasped as she held her stomach which was starting to ache. Dustin turned bright red and frowned.

"Hey, that's private information!" He cried indignantly. "I never gave you permission to snoop about the private part of my mind!" Tori looked at him as her laughter began to ease up slightly.

"I...I'm sorry." She stammered, a laugh interrupting her sentence every so often. "I just never imagined you to go for someone like her." She began to giggle again. "Britney Spears. Hehe." Dustin gave an annoyed grunt.

"Can I have my turn now?" He ordered more than asked. Tori mostly stopped her laughing and sat up straight. Now it was Dustin's turn to do the concentrating. He looked her over and found himself noting how beautiful she was for the second time that day. Her cheeks were rosey from her laughing and she looked so sweet in her over-sized, light blue pyjamas which was patterened with little sheep. He suddenly noticed that his eyes kept being drawn back to her chest. At first he scowlded himself for ogling her but then he realised that there was something there which shouldn't be. Something that wasn't natural..."Hey Tori, show me your chest." He requested suddenly.

"What?!" Tori gasped as she clutched her pyjamas shirt to her chest.

"No, not the whole of your chest, just the middle bit." He corrected. Tori looked at him for a moment before un-doing the first three buttons on the shirt. Dustin watched her intently and his jaw dropped when he saw a long red scar running down the middle of her chest, in the valley between her breasts. "Where the heck did that come from?!" He gasped as he pointed to the scar.

"I've always had it." Tori told him. "From an operation when I was two."

"You had an operation when you were two?!" Dustin exclaimed. "You've never told me that before."

"No reason to." Tori shrugged, leaning back slightly. "It's not like it effects me in anyway. It's just a scar...Is it the reason you asked to look? Did you know it was there?"

"No...I mean, I had a feeling that something was there but I didn't know it was a scar. I didn't know what it was..." Dustin trailed off, staring at the red streak. Slowly, he reached towards her. Tori, too stunned to move, just looked at the somewhat sad look in his eyes as his finger tips brushed against the scar for a second. He touched it again, his fingers lingering for longer this time, gradually traveling down. Tori's breathing shallowed again and her gaze didn't move from Dustin. His fingers stopped moving but remained pressed against her chest and he slowly raised his head and his gaze met her's. Once again, they found themselves looking into each others eyes and Dustin again felt the urge to kiss her, only this time, Tori felt the same way. Slowly and un-surely, their faces inched closer to each other until they could feel the others breath tickle their faces. Both of their eyes gradually shut at the same pace and their lips were so close to touching...

Suddenly, there was a loud crackle and all the lights went off and the CD player stopped playing. Tori and Dustin immediately pulled apart, Dustin's hand leaving Tori's chest, and looked around. "What happened?" Dustin gasped. Before Tori could answer, her door bell rang. She stood up and headed out of the room. Dustin heard the door open and then the sound of Tori's voice and another's. He listened intently but failed to make out exactly what it was they were saying. After a few minutes, he heard the door close again and Tori come back into the room.

"Must be a power cut." Tori explained, her voice indicating she was walking across the room heading for the kitchen. "Seems the whole building's in darkness." Her voice came slightly muffled, meaning she must have got to the kitchen. A faint orange glow suddenly grew and Tori appeared carrying several lit candles of different sizes and colours.

"So there isn't any electricity?" Dustin gasped as Tori came back over to him and settled the candles around them.

"Well there generally isn't when there's a power cut." Tori grinned. Dustin let out a slient groan and scratched the back of his head nervously. Tori glanced at him and smiled gently. "We should turn in for the night, we won't be able to do much with it being so dark...You really don't like it when it's quiet do you?" She asked, suddenly changing the topic.

"Huh?" Dustin grunted.

"You sleep with the radio on." Tori informed as she lit another candle on the flame of one that was already a light. "What is it that you don't like about it?"

"I don't know. It just really gets to me." Dustin answered, sounding uncomfortable. Tori peered at him through the darkness and felt a pang of pity flow through her. With a small sigh she stood up, picked up several candles and offered her hand to him. He looked at it and then back to her face.

"C'mon, let's go." She smiled. He took her hand and she helped him up. They stood quite close to each other and they peered at each other. Tori slowly turned away and led him to her room by his hand which she still held. She gently opened the door to her small room and they both walked inside. She dropped Dustin's hand and went around the room doing certain things which Dustin couldn't make out. She eventually stopped moving and blew out all but one candle. She set the un-lit candles down on her dressing table and put the lit one on her bed side table. Her single bed was in the corner of the room so one side was right up against the wall. She climbed into her bed and shuffled up next to the wall so that Dustin had room. Looking over at him, he was standing there somewhat awkwardly, not really knowing what to do. Tori pulled her sheets away from the bed and patted the space next to her. "Hop in." She invited. Dustin hesitated before quickly getting in next to her, as if the quicker it was done the quicker it would be over. Tori pulled the sheets over them and then snuggled down. "Night Dustin." She whispered from the darkness.

"Night Tor." He whispered back, trying not to move in case he disturbed her. He felt a finger poke his ribs and he flinched away.

"Relax." He heard Tori's voice order from his side. "You'll never get to sleep if you're all tense." Dustin didn't reply but did let his muscles relax. He felt Tori turn over and he knew she was facing him. He turned his head slightly and could just make out the shape of her head. "Dusty?" She murmured sleepily. Dustin couldn't help but be surprised. She only ever called him Dusty to bug him but that hadn't sounded like a jab at him, it sounded more affectionate like a petname.

"Yeah." He whispered back.

"Blow out the candle." She requested. Dustin let out a small groan and sat up to blow out the candle before settling back down. "Thanks." He heard her yawn before there was silence.

Dustin lay there awake for ages, un-able to let himself drift into sleep. Usually, if this happened he'd have the radio to sing along with in his mind but with no power, he couldn't do that. He turned to his side and came face to face with the sleeping Tori who had obviously moved closer at some point without him noticing. He could make out most of her face now that his eyes had become accustomed with the darkness. She looked so cute and peaceful, her lips slightly parted and her hands gathered together just under her chin. A small smile crossed his lips and he gently pulled a hand up and ran a finger over her cheek. Why did he suddenly feel this way about her? This morning she had been a girl and a friend, but she wasn't a girlfriend. Now, less than twelve hours later, he was looking at her in a different light. She was still a girl and she was still a friend, but now a part of him wanted her to be more than just a friend. Un-certainly, he edged slightly closer to her and draped an arm over her waist. Her head was now lightly resting against his chest and his chin was brushing against her hair a little. While he held her, a song came into his mind and, in an almost inaudiable voice, he gently sang it.

I could stay awake,
Just to hear you breathing.
Watch you smile while you are sleeping,
When you're far away and dreaming.
I could spend my life,
In this sweet surrender.
I could stay lost in this moment...Forever.
Well, every moment spent with you,
Is a moment I treasure.

I don't wanna close my eyes.
I don't wanna fall asleep.
Cause I'd miss you babe,
And I don't wanna miss a thing.
Cause even when I dream of you,
The sweetest dream would never do.
I'd still miss you babe,
And I don't wanna miss a thing.

Lying close to you,
Feeling your heart beating.
And I'm wondering what you're dreaming,
Wondering if it's me you're seeing.
Then I kiss your eyes,
And thank God we're together.
And I just wanna stay with you,
In this moment forever,
Forever and ever.

Tori moved a little suddenly and Dustin paused. He shut his eyes to make it look like he was asleep and waited until he was completely sure she was still asleep herself. When he was satisfied she was, he slowly opened his eyes and continued.

I don't wanna miss one smile.
I don't wanna miss one kiss.
I just wanna be with you,
Right here with you,
Just like this.
I just wanna hold you close,
And feel your heart so close to mine.
And just stay here in this moment,
For all the rest of time.

I don't wanna close my eyes.
I don't wanna fall asleep.
Cause I'd miss you babe,
And I don't wanna miss a thing...

Dustin let out a yawn and found himself too tired to continue. His eyes floated shut and within seconds, he was asleep. However, from where he had left off in the song, another small voice continued;

And even when I dream of you,
The sweetest dream would never do.
I'd still miss you babe,
And I don't wanna miss a thing.

Tori's eyes opened slighty and she snuggled into Dustin's warmth before closing her eyes again and letting herself drift back off to sleep.
09:43
Thirty hours, eighteen minutes remain.

Tori woke up to find that Dustin was no longer laying beside her. After getting out of bed and quickly running a brush through her hair to get rid of the worst of the tangles, she exited her room and wandered into the kitchen. She was surprised to find the table layed with maple syrup, butter, blueberry sauce, two glasses of orange juice and knives and forks. Also, Dustin was by the oven, trying to keep an eye on the toaster while cooking pancakes. He'd obviously already made several pancakes as there were two plates next to him, both with fairly large stacks on them. Tori walked further into the kitchen and stood by the table.

"Hey, the power's back." Dustin smiled, taking a second to flash her a smile. "Have a seat, it won't be much longer." Tori did as she was instructed and watched Dustin in amazment.

"I never knew you could cook." Tori admitted as Dustin flipped the pancake he was cooking over.

"I can do a lot of things." Dustin replied with a mock smugness. Tori smiled at him and frowned suddenly.

"How long have you been up?"

"Erm...A couple of hours maybe." He mused as he nudged the pancake with the spatula in his hand.

"Never thought of you as a morning person either." Tori told him, her eyebrows raising slightly.

"I'm not usually but I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. I didn't want to wake you by tossing and turning so I thought I'd just get up and make breakfast." Dustin explained.

"Oh." Tori said lamely as Dustin put the now cooked pancake on one of the plates. He moved to the toaster just as four waffles came popping out. He quickly put two on each plate and tehn took them over to the table. He placed one plate in front of Tori and put the other one down in front of him as he sat down opposite her. "You didn't have to do all this you know." Tori told him quietly, sounding almost embarrassed that he had.

"Yeah, I know. But I wanted to." He told her in the same way. They looked at each other for a moment and Tori considered telling him that she'd actually been awake last night when he was singing. "Well, what are we waiting for?" Dustin said suddenly. He grabbed the maple syrup and drenched his pancakes in it.

"Sure you've put enough on those?" Tori laughed as she put a small helping of blueberry sauce on the side of her plate and cut a chunk of butter to put ontop of her pancakes. Dustin just stuck his tongue out at her before eating the bit of pancake he had stuck on the end of his fork. "You are gonna be so hyper today with all this sugar in your system." Tori warned, as she lifted a chunk of waffle to her mouth.

"Ii heps ee oo ake uh." Dustin told her with his mouth full.

"What?" Tori laughed.

"I said, it helps me to wake up." Dustin repeated after swallowing, laughing a little as well. "So what's on the agenda today?"

"Mmm..." Tori hummed as she thought, her mouth filled with orange juice. "Same as yesterday I guess. A few exercises, some sparring and the rest of the time we'll eat and watch TV."

"Sounds good to me." Dustin nodded.

"And remember, we get to watch the movies I want today since I had to put up with your's yesterday." Tori reminded him with a grin. Dustin gave a small grunt.

"Fine. What are you planning on watching?"

"Titanic." She paused as Dustin groaned. "The Matrix." Dustin shrugged his shoulders. He was pretty in-different when it came to The Matrix. "And Armageddon." Dustin suddenly made a strangling noise and began to cough as he choked of his orange juice. Tori knew that might produce more of a dramatic reaction after what happened last night.

"You...You really want to watch that?" He gasped when he finally stopped coughing. Tori hesitated, un-sure of how to answer. After last night, she realised she wanted more than just friendship from Dustin. Only problem was, she didn't know how to tell him and she didn't know how'd he'd react. This could be the perfect moment to tell him she'd actually heard him last night, but she couldn't gather the courage.

"Yeah, it is one of my favourites." She shrugged eventually, staring at her plate. She slowly lifted her gaze to meet his though she didn't lift her head. "And the song that Aerosmith wrote for the soundtrack is one of my favourites." She added, hoping he might take the hint.

Dustin just stared at her with his mouth slightly ajar. Did she know about last night? Or was that just wishful thinking? Was it just coincidence that she liked the song? Though the way she had said it implied it was more than that...But what if it wasn't? She'd said to just see how things went and he didn't want to rush her. He was now completely convinced of his own feelings. She was definately more than a friend to him now but was it the same for her? "Kay then." He murmured quietly before stuffling more pancake into his mouth. He felt like kicking himself, he'd chickened out! He glanced at Tori who was glaring at her plate and he wondered if maybe she did feel the same...

11:06
Twenty-nine hours, fifty-five minutes remain.

Breakfast was now over with. Everything was washed and dried and put away so now, Tori and Dustin were in the sitting room going through her vast collection of CD's. They had got bored with the computer games and they were too lazy to spar or do exercises, they hadn't even bothered to change out of their pyjamas, so they decided to go through her CD's just to keep themselves occupied. Quite a complex CD player sat inbetween them in case they found something they wanted to listen to.

"You have the weirdest taste in music." Dustin mused as he thumbed through the various cases.

"This coming from the guy who likes Britney Spears and Linkin Park." Tori muttered defensively.

"I just have a wide taste in music." He justified. "Where as you just like plain rubbish. I mean, c'mon, Westlife's Flying Without Wings? You've got to be kidding!"

"It's a beautiful song." Tori insisted.

"Evanescence? Dude, they're so depressing. It's like, wrist slashing music."

"And Linkin Park isn't?" Tori countered. "Have you never seen the video for Numb?"

"That's totally different." Dustin replied, pulling out a CD, looking it over before putting it back.

"I had a feeling it would be." Tori sighed with a small shake of her head. She looked back to the CD's and found the soundtrack to Armageddon. Her heart beat increased as she considered whether she should give another go at trying to tell him how she felt. She peered at Dustin through the corner of her eye. He was busy pulling out CD's, checking them over then giving a small smirk before putting them back. She looked back to the CD and let out a small sigh. "C'mon, just say it." She told herself. "Oh, look what I've found." She murmured, just to practice getting it out.

"What did you find?" Dustin asked suddenly. Tori's head shot up and she found Dustin leaning over slightly. He had heard? Damn, she'd said it too loud. She suddenly felt like a cat had come along and pinched her tongue because she felt un-able to speak. She tried to calm down and then decided to attempt speaking.

"The...The, erm, the sound track to Armageddon." Tori managed to get out. Dustin didn't say anything but a huge blush appeared on his cheeks. Suddenly, an idea came to her, one that she prayed she'd be able to pull off convincingly and without too many mistakes. She put the CD on wordlessly and waited for the song to start. Dustin had gone back to the CD's, trying to busy himself for which Tori was thankful for. It would help her a lot if Dustin wasn't watching her. As the words to the song came, she turned down the speech volume so that just the music could be heard and she could put her own words in...

Did you stay awake,
Just to hear me breathing?
Did you watch me smile while sleeping?
While I was far away and dreaming.
Could you have spent your life,
In that sweet surrender?
Could you have stayed there in that moment,
Forever?
Is every moment spent with me
A moment you'd treasure?

Do you not wanna close your eyes?
Do you not wanna fall asleep,
'Case you miss me Dust?
Do you not want to miss a thing?
But even when you dream of me,
Will the sweetest dream never do?
Would you still miss me Dust?
Do you not want to miss a thing?

Dustin was now staring at her, aghast, his mouth hanging slightly open. Tori swallowed heavily through the short instrumental, quickly planning the next words.

I moved close to you,
Feeling your heart beating.
Heard you sing while you were dreaming,
Hoped that it was me you were seeing.
Then I held you close,
And thanked God we were together.
Cause all those moments spent with you,
Are the moments I treasure.

I don't wanna close my eyes.
I don't wanna fall asleep.
Cause I'd miss you Dust.
And I don't wanna miss a thing.
And even when I dream of you,
The sweetest dream would never do,
I'd still miss you Dust,
And I don't wanna miss a thing.

Tori had actually intended to stop there but suddenly, she heard Dustin quietly mumble something.

And I don't wanna miss one smile.
And I don't wanna miss one kiss.
I just wanted to stay with you,
Right there with you...

Tori moved closer to him and he gently put his arm around her shoulders.

Just like this.

They stared into each other's eyes, getting completely lost in them and Tori quietly continued the song.

And I just want to hold you close.
And feel your heart so close to mine.
And stay here in this moment,
For all the rest of time.

Their faces slowly came together, their eyes gradually shutting. They were so close, their noses briefly brushing past each other at one point. So close together...So close to touching...Then the door bell rang. Tori's head just dropped down and Dustin tilted his back and punched the floor in frustration.

"Oh, come on!" He cried. Tori let out an annoyed sigh and hauled herself up befor storming out of the room to get the door. Dustin turned the CD player off and ran a hand through his hair. Well, all that was certainly un-expected. He could hardly believe it had happened really. He heard Tori's muffled voice and then the muffled voice of Shane. Dustin's head dropped in defeat. Great, now the others were here. He could just forget doing anthing with Tori now. Oh well, maybe later would turn out more promising.

How was that? Hope you all liked it. The song, as I said in the story, is by Aerosmith. They own, not me. The version that Tori sings though, I made up all on me lonesome so I get to take the credit for that :)
I'll be back with the next chappie soon.

Catch ya'll later :)
Huggles
Wings of a Dream