Dustin looked at Tori and groaned. He jumped up grabbing his clothes and shoes and ninja streaked into the living room with a blanket. Tori got up grabbed her night shirt, and headed out her room into the living room. As she passed the sofa she looked down at Dustin lying there, fully dressed, and looking dead to the world. She smiled at the sight as she went to answer the door.

Opening the door, Tori found Shane, Hunter and Blake standing there. All rushed in, with huge smiles on their faces. "Come on Tori, did he ask you last night?"

"What did you say?"

"I see Dustin didn't leave."

She looked at them in order... "Yes, I will, and he did. We sat up watching tv last night." At that moment Shane went over and shook the sofa, Dustin sat up, groggy and wiping his eyes and yawning. The Bradley boys gave her a hug, and Shane just smiled.

"Dude, what's going on? A earthquake? "Then he glanced around the room. "What did I miss, breakfast?"

"No, bro. We are going to eat at ops, Cams cooking breakfast. Remember we have to go in today early?" Said Hunter. Dustin threw the blanket back over the back of the sofa and got up, stretching. "Congratulations buddy, you caught the girl. Happy for you."

"Yeah, wish ya the best, you know that." Said the second Bradley.

"Thanks bros, I am happy." Tori just tuned them out, as she noticed what she was wearing.

Ah guys, if you give me a few minutes to change I will drive us. Can't go like this." She left the guys in the living room, and went to change. As Dustin folded the blanket, he hoped he had fooled the guys, didn't want anyone thinking badly of Tori. Or making jokes about her either, or they would answer to him.

Cam had been a slave driver, having made them work in the hot sun most of the day. The hot clothes didn't help. Sensei came around hopping on heads when he wanted to get their attention. At lunch time all collapsed on their cushions, and sipped their drinks. Sensei walked up and down the table looking at them.

"Children, you need to work harder, and play less if you wish to beat Lothar. I have been lax with three of you, before this happened I know. I wish to remedy that now. Extensive training daily."

He turned to the Bradley's, studying them closely. "You were right Hunter, when you said that the winds should have been better trained, they should have been able to stand up to you as equals. As some of my other ninja could have done. It is to my shame that they are less than they could be. You two do not need the amount of training. I will ask that you work with Cam to help finish their training."

Both boys looked shocked at the Sensei. The three wind students sat there with their mouths open. "Will you do this?" Both boys looked at their teammates, and then nodded.

"But Sensei..." But the small Ginea pig just hopped away after shaking his head. All sat in silence for a time. Before Blake broke the silence.

"I don't get it. Why us? I mean we were being mean when we said that."

"I think I could train them myself, but my father wishes this."

"He is right you know." All turned to Tori.

"Next he will make someone else leader."

"We aren't fully trained, its our fault, not taking it seriously enough before. Shane, usually the strongest one is the leader. I hate to say it but that would be Hunter."

"I don't get it, is this the twilight zone?

"No, Dustin it isn't. We need to be better, to win the war. Whatever it takes." All nodded. Except Shane who was angry, and his eyes shooting daggers at Hunter. But there was no victory in the eyes that looked back, but sadness.

Tori was sitting on the beach, watching the waves crash gently against the shore. Hunter came and sat down beside her, and gently squeezed her shoulder. "Tori, its peaceful here with no one around."

"Yeah, but still can't think." She turned and looked at Hunter, and he saw the hurt there.

"I am sorry Tori, I never thought those comments Blake and I made so long ago would come back and bite us. The three of you are good fighters, you haven't had the years that Blake and I have in training, that's all. You are really good for only a years training. I don't want to hurt any of you."

"Thanks, Hunter. But you were right. We do need more training, and it was embarrassing to be beaten by the two of you. I mean three against two?"

"Hey, off day. If this is going to hurt our friendship, then we wont do it. It's up to you guys." He gave her his crooked half smile.

"It's okay Hunter, we can learn some things from you. Couple of days and I can whip your butt." Hunter looked into her eyes, as she smirked at him.

"Yeah, anytime little girl." He smiled at her, and watched her smile return. He gave her a one armed hug.

That night Tori was sitting in front of the tv, eyes half open. Every few minutes they would close and she would jerk them back up. She ached everywhere. The phone rang and she picked it up.

"Hello?"

"what's up dude? Ah that's not right. How are you my sweet?"

"Dustin? Hi darling, I miss you so much."

"I miss you too, I wish you were here, I need a massage. I hurt everywhere, even my hair, man." Tori smiled.

"Well if I was there, you would have to give me one. I hurt to. Tomorrow we do it all over again."

"Tori,.... about last night...." Tori was suspicious.

"Yeah, what about it?"

"I didn't say anything to the guys or anything. I wanted you to know. It's just between us. Now you can never get rid of me."

"Who said I wanted to? Thanks Dustin for being a gentleman. I was worried that they would start teasing me, or giving me looks."

"Not when I am around they wont. Those dudes don't suspect a thing. I am going to bed, but wanted to call you and tell you I love you, and will dream about you tonight." Tori loved to listen to his soft voice, she imagined his smile, eyes and his body.

"I love you to, Dustin. Now and always. See you in my dreams.....good night." She hung up and smiled. Getting up she stretched and then frowned over the muscles complaining, and headed to bed with visions of a certain dark haired ninja clearly in her mind.