"Dude! What about us?"

By: (I like feedback!)

The not so original but always needed DISCLAIMER

I don't own any of the characters here presented and/or any of the Power Rangers Ninja Storm stuff, that is property of SABAN and DISNEY, not mine (I wish they were, but...)

Also, If you don't like male/male relationship don't even go further because that's all you're gonna find. One more thing, the sexuality of any of the actors here implied is not of my concern and this is just a FICTION product.

Chapter 12

Maecenas

"I talked with him" Said the blonde to Evan.

After the fight they had at the hospital, where Dustin claimed that he was shot by his boyfriend, Evan ran away to the rooftop. He knew he didn't shoot his buddy, he knew also who did, but some way or another, Dustin was confused, puzzled and Evan was annoyed. How in the earth could anyone blame him?

Hunter and Shane stayed there, helping the nurses to control a berserk Dustin, who the rage controlled. They used sedatives and some other calm medicines and painkillers, yet, it wasn't enough. So Shane and Hunter did use of their ninja power. They used just discreetly, so no one really realized what happened after all.

"What he said?" Asked Evan "Did you tell him my theory?" asked in a second row.

"Yes, Man, but that's so difficult to believe"

"You too are on his side?"

"I mean... dude, he got a point. You two got a fight, and you shot him. Since we are all ninjas, we know how fast and sneaky you can be"

"All of you would be terrible P. I. Does anyone realize that I have no motif?" Said Evan trying to release himself from the accusations.

"Dude, your sarcasm is not helpin' right now"

"Who the fuck cares 'bout it right now?! I only want to know who did the shooting!"

"Chill out man!"

"How I'm supposed to chill, when everyone is accusing me of doing something that I hardly would do?"

"Guess you got a point"

Evan just turned around. It was difficult to talk to them. Dustin's word was heavier than his own, so he had no valid argument, at least for his friends. Where was that entire friend bluffing that they made just a couple of hours ago?

Hunter then tried to stay close to him. He got at his right side and softly said.

"Unless you have another weird theory... I hardly doubt you would make him believe the contrary"

"I do have one." Said Evan "One that implies my natural clone."

Hunter then lighted up his eyes. He opened and turned to see with a "You-got-a-point" face to Evan, who was just bummed. They looked at each other, and then he just returned to normal.

"Why don't you tell him?"

"Tell to whom? Berserker?"

"Yeah"

"Maybe because he's mad at me and nothing that I said will make him turn another way... or maybe because he was put to sleep with all that cold medicine"

"Well, they did use it, but it was just a small amount. Dustin did cooperate at the end"

"I dunno, then... I'm just... I don't know!"

"First things first" Said Hunter "What do you think that happened?"

"Brudda Eikichi came to town. I'm quite sure 'bout it. The apparition of all those shikki meant that. He is close and he won't stop until I'm dead"

"Yeah.... But why did he shot him?"

"The shot had venom, as I told you before, that very poison is the key to kill me. The poison acts in Dustin's natural fluids, such as saliva or sweat"

"Or semen"

"Euck! Hunter? Focus please"

"Sorry"

"Anyways, also in his semen, but yet... the venom acts very slowly, so no one would realize of it and when they did, it would be pretty late, killing both of us. Dustin was shot because my bro and I were trained in the very same way... to be stealth, cautions and fast. No one would ever wanted to be the target of one of the Stealth Ice. Once in the aim, nobody saves"

"So, you're saying that Dustin was shot poisonous venom by your twin? And that very venom was meant to kill you both?"

"Yeah"

"I think you too would be a terrible P. I. You're missing the motif" Said Hunter, mimicking Evan

"Duh! That's the obvious part! Who killed his own father trying to defend himself?"

"So?"

"So it means that since I wounded the pride of the Hikari dynasty, they are using the big guns against me. The shikki and sending my bro to fight me..."

"Well... that explains lots of weird things"

"Not all. As far as I knew, a ninja is not able, -not even with scrolls-, to control an undead"

"But your brother did"

Evan stopped. He didn't know what to say. He got a complete theory that might be true in the very end. But they were missing some points. And they were the big ones.

"I wish I could cry out loud" Said Evan to Hunter

"But you don't know how, right?"

"Yeah. My hands are shaking and I'm shivering. I'm just new to all of this. I dunno how to act or what to do... I wish I could cry. I was trained to be a machine with no feelings at all... I just dunno how to act... "

"I'm familiar with the feelin'. I know what it is to be the strong one, to be cocky and to hide yourself, so none of them would screw you"

"Yes. And also I miss everything that I had... but definitively, I would never change it for what I have now"

Hunter just crossed his arms. He was hearing Evan and he could relate to the story he was telling

"I know how you feel Evan. Cry, it's the only thing will keep up your sanity"

"Watcha mean?"

"That was what my sensei told me once. After Mom and Dad died, I became the strong one. Blake was such a crybaby, so I was the corner stone. I forbid myself the crying and the sentimental things. But once, my sensei told me that keeping locked the feelings was harmful, and that crying was necessary to keep the sanity"

"So that means I have permission to cry. But I'm not able to do it"

Hunter then turned to his friend. He opened his arms and embraced him. Evan placed his head on his chest and the tears fell, but yet... he never felt the same before. His body was crying but his mind didn't. Hunter's hand were placed on his back and started to roll over him. He placed his chin above Evan's hair. Night was still dark and so Evan's heart.

"Hunter... I think we should stop. My boyfriend is a maniac and right now is freaked out because he thought I was cheating on him and that I shot him. This' not the best time to start a hugging season"

"I know"

Hunter spoke but his arms were still locking Evan.

"Can I ask you something, big buddy?" Said Evan to Hunter

"Spill it"

"Do I like you?"

"No. Where you got that Idea?"

"Well... you do understand me, you do hug me, something that you don't do with the others and I told you to stop but you're not leaving me"

"No. I don't like you... well I did"

"You did?"

"Yep. But I'm cured now"

"Cured. How was it?"

"Well" said Hunter "When I first knew your story I totally relate to you. When Dustin told me everything 'bout ya I just couldn't stop thinking of how strong, and weak, you were. Always trying to look tough just to blow everybody off and yet, you needed the company of one real person. A friend"

"So that was your cure?"

"No... I mean... In the beginning I thought the same. I told Blake and he was so mad at me. Maybe because I told him that it was a 'he' who I fell for... He never told anyone, although he really began to think that you were a bad influence for me"

"That would explain why he never wants to treat me"

"Yep. That's the real reason. Anyways... I thought of you more of a friend. I always wanted to ask you and tell you things that I would want to be asked. I guess... I guess I projected myself into you and thought of you as if it were me... so I began to say 'This guy needs help. Maybe I should treat him as I would wanted to be treated when we were alone' and that was it. That really made me loved you"

"But...?"

"But Dustin was first on your line. So basically I couldn't do something. You loved him and he loves you. I can't stay between you two because, well... Dustin's my buddy and I don't want to back stab him... got it?"

"I think so. So you're saying you don't have feelings for me anymore?"

"Not as love, but as a friend"

Evan laid down his head again. The conversation went over. There was no need for words since the body language spoke for itself. He was there helping him in this big trouble, and Evan was thankful. Now he had a buddy and a lover. How could it be better?

They separate once Evan decided so. He went over to the door and said to Hunter

"I'm going home. I think I check back tomorrow and talk with him"

Hunter then realized of his friend true feelings. The tears of his chick stopped his falling. They were all dried now.

"You serious? Look at the time! It's late night, pretty dark and a bunch of shikki are after you... you're not going alone"

"Thanks mommy" said Evan with his always original sarcasm "But I think I can defend myself"

"Liar! You needed me back in the Police Station... If I weren't there your ass would be shikki food by now"

"So, I must stay here?"

"Nope. Let's go to my place. It's near here and well, I can lend you some clothes to change and take a bath. Tomorrow is going to be a long day"

"Well... not as long as this one have been" Replied.