Chapter 25 - Ninja History - Part 10

Note:
Phases in "..." means English

Phases in -...- means Japanese

Cam and Dustin carried their identical paper lanterns as they walk upon the garden, which was quite huge and was lightened up by other lanterns that were hung all around. The two of them though happened to be on the opposite sides of the entire garden, far away from another. They walked on the gravel, pebbled and stone paths that were used as a walkway in the garden, wandering around passing others with lanterns as well. Some of them had already paired up as a couple while others were still looking and some just left.

Half an hour later, the two of them were getting tired and was wondering why they were here in the first place. Unknown to them, both of them were walking towards one another, near the centre of the garden where the ponds were. Cam walked down a stone path that lead through a thick layer of trees which you can't even see the corner turn of the path. As he was about to turn around the corner, another person walked right into and slammed right against him.

Dustin who was walking on the stone path along side of him was layers of thick trees and was coming about a corner turn and as he turned he slammed right into someone. The force of the slam sent Cam falling backwards on to his back and the person who collided with him, fell forward. Dustin who bumped hard against the person was thrown forward as the person in front of him fell back and he landing on top of them.

Their chest pressed hard against one another and Dustin's head fell forward colliding their mouth together and their lips touched. The two of them laid there for a minute, their eyes staring at one another and saw who the other person was. Then somehow out of instinct, Dustin slowly started to move his mouth against the other in a soft kiss. Cam reacted to it and started to slowly kiss the other back, their mouths doing this on their own without their brains realizing it. Both closed their eyes and the samurai brought his arms up and gently wrapped them around the other.

After a minute of so of lip lock, Dustin realized what they were doing and quickly opened his eyes and pulled back into a sitting position. As soon as Cam felt the other pull back away from him, he quickly opened his eyes and sat up looking at the other. Dustin who felt embarrassed and scared now started to ramble.

"I-I-I'm so s-s-s-sorry Cam! I-I didn't mean t-to..." the earth child stuttered like he was about to cry.

Before Dustin finish what he was saying, he turned away and was scrambling to get up and get away before Cam did something he didn't want to be there for. But before he could get half way up a hand reached out and grabbed his arm and pulled him back right to the ground and a pair of arms wrapped around him tightly. As the yellow ninja struggled to get loose from the other's embrace, Cam was trying to calm him down.

"Dustin, Dustin! Calm down, it okay all right? Its okay."

After a minute or so of struggling, Dustin finally stopped and calmed down a bit and turned toward Cam and looked at him.

"C-C-Cam?" who was giving him a small smile.

"If you want to know, I like you too very much." the samurai whispered in the earth ninja's ear.

Dustin just looked at the other shocked and couldn't believe what the other just said to him and that he actually returned his feelings. Smiling, Dustin threw his arms around the samurai's neck hugging him and kissed him again. Pulling back from the kiss, Cam just stared at Dustin and smiled.

"Why don't we find someplace quiet so we can talk first?" Cam suggests who want to talk things out with Dustin first.

Nodding, both of them stood up and picking up their lanterns, Cam reached out and gentle grabbed Dustin's hand and held it and both started to walk together. They head towards the centre of the garden where the ponds were and walked out to one of the stretched out pavilion upon the water. Sitting down still holding hands and the two of them looked at one another for a while in silence before Cam started to talk first.

"So when did you started to like me like that?"

"I don't know, it just happened I guess. I mean I went on dates with girls before but I never felt anything with them. But what I felt when you're around its different and it feels good and somehow right to me." the earth ninja shyly answered.

The samurai just nodded in understanding and smiled a bit.

"What about you?" Dustin asked back.

"I think it started a couple of years back when I was in high school and I manage to get a date with a girl from science class. Anyways like any date we had dinner, went to a movie and went for a nighttime stroll. When I took her home and I gave a good night kiss, I felt nothing. So I thought that she wasn't just my type of girl but soon I started to kind of having interests in boys." Cam explained.

"And you never told Kaze any of this before?"

"This happened after he came out to me, besides I thought it was just a phase or something but now I realize it isn't."

"So what made you realize it?"

"I think it was you."

The comment made Dustin blush and he stayed quiet. The two of them just sat there enjoying one another's presence and company. Not so soon the water around the pavilion lit up with lights and the two ninjas turned their heads towards the water. There floating upon the pond water were large blossoms of flowers and within each one was a lit up candle. There were dozens of them floating around the water giving the area a romantic light atmosphere and with the moonlight shining above made the night extra magical. The two friends, now boyfriends took in everything around them and turned to one another and smiled.

Mean while back with the others...

The group had walked through the crowded streets and was headed towards the centre of town where the main events were being held. A guy younger than the rangers moved through the crowds bumped into Kaze a bit hard making him stumbled back a bit.

I'm so sorry sir, please forgive me!- the guy apologized.

Its okay just be careful.- and the guy nodded and hurried off.

Noticing the guy was leaving quite quickly and was a bit strange; the white ninja brought his hands up and felt his body. After a few moments of patting he realized that his money pouch was gone, the guy had just picked his pocket.

"What's wrong?" Hunter looked at his boyfriend confused.

"My money pouch, it gone! That guy picked my pocket!" Kaze shouted.

"What!" the others stated.

Immediately the storm ninja started to head after the thief and started to make his way through the crowds.

Hey! You! Stop!- the ninja yelled at the retreating guy.

The guy who stole Kaze's money started to make a run for it, although it was quite difficult with the people around. See that he couldn't catch up with the guy, Kaze immediately jumped into the air and landed on the rope that was holding up the paper lanterns upon the street. Once balanced, the white ninja quickly dashed down the rope line after the thief leaving the others behind who were calling after him.

The guy who was running away from Kaze turned his head and spotted him upon the rope line running after him, his eyes widen and got scared. Of all the people he went stealing from, it had to be a ninja. The guy ran out of the crowded street and into an empty and went hiding in an alley hoping the ninja didn't find him. Of course he wasn't that lucky and Kaze manages to see him duck in an alley and now was standing on the rooftops of a building next the alley. The storm ninja then jumped from his spot and landed right at the mouth of the alley, scaring the guy.

Going somewhere?- Kaze asked casually.

At that moment the other rangers caught up to them and surrounded Kaze and the alley and the guys got scared.

I'm sorry! I'm sorry sir! Here your money, just don't hurt me.- the guy dropped to his knees and started to beg and held out Kaze's money pouch.

Fine, just don't do it again.- the storm ninja stated and walked up the guy, grabbed his pouch and walked back to his friends checking just in case and left.

The group headed back to the crowded street and went to search for Cam and Dustin at the centre of town. When they got there, a guy was announcing something to the crowds.

Come try our archery event, just hit the bull's eye and win 300 Okane.-

The group went up to the sidelines of the event and there were many people playing trying to hit the bull's eye but kept missing the centre. The target was set up a block away from the archer's line and was hanging on a rope line. Many people try but have failed to hit dead centre.

"Hey Kaze, why don't you try it." Tori turned to her friend.

"Why?" he answered back.

"Well you are the only one who can use a bow and arrow out of all of us with your ranger powers and you're a quite a shot with it."

"Yeah, try it bro." Blake added.

"Well sure, if you say so."

"We know so." supported Hunter.

So Kaze decide to go try it with the support of his friends and stepped up to the guy who was announcing asking if he could try.

Folks, we have another who wants to give our game a try. Please give him a hand.- everyone started to clap as Kaze took a bow and an arrow and stepped up to the archery line.

Taking the arrow in his right hand and the bow in his left, the ninja notched the arrow and aimed it at the far off target. After a moment of adjusting, then another moment to get his line of sight and once eyes was totally fixed on the target he let the arrow go. Immediately the arrow soars through the air and hit the centre of the target dead on.

We have a winner! Ladies and gentlemen.- and everyone started to clap and the rangers cheered.

Here's your prize of 300 okane.- the guy walked over to Kaze and handed over a pouch of money.

Thanks.- taking the money and stuffed it in his ninja uniform and the host left.

"Alright! Nice going dude!" Shane congratulated.

"Yeah, that was great." Hunter added.

"Hey nice shot!" a voice called out from behind the group.

The guys turns around and see Cam with Dustin walking towards them through the crowd of people and the guys didn't notice that the two were holding hands. When the other two got to their friends more like Cam was leading Dustin, the others greeted them.

"Hey where did you two go?" the water ninja asked.

"Just around." the samurai answered.

That was when Kaze noticed the joined hands between the two and gawked a bit at them and stared.

"When did you two..." the white ninja gestured at their joined hands.

The others looked to where Kaze was staring at and also saw the joined hand between the two and stared with wide and surprise eyes. Seeing that everyone was staring at them Cam just swallowed a bit and Dustin started to blush and buried his face shyly in his boyfriend's shoulder.

"Well, I don't know what to say or where to start..." Cam started as he scratched the back of his head.

"Finally! It was about time. So Dustin, you finally told Cam your feelings?" Tori smiled at the earth child and Dustin just nodded.

"So this was the thing that was troubling you?" Kaze questioned his best friend.

"Yeah."

"I'm happy for you guys." Hunter stated.

"Me too." Blake added.

Cam smiled and Dustin grinned, as their friends were happy for them, the earth ninja turned to the air ninja.

"Shane?"

"As long as you are happy, I don't care."

"Thanks."

The group of friends decided to continue enjoying the festivities of the festival a bit more and headed off into another busy street. As the rangers walked through the crowds and down the street Kaze noticed a small group of people at one of the street intersections. As he glanced over, he saw it was the thief from before and he was with two kids a younger boy and girl. Their clothes were worn out like beggars and their faces were a bit dirty. Carefully walked over without them noticing, Kaze leaned against a wall and listened to them talk.

Brother, I want some candy.- the girl asked as she tugged on the older boy's shirt who was her brother.

I know but you know we don't have any money.-

I know.- the girl said sadly.

Ever since our parents died, we didn't have a decent meal like forever, even on these special days.- the young boy stated quietly.

Look you two, I'll try my best give us at least a happy time tonight, even it means getting arrested.- the older brother promised the two.

After hearing them talk, Kaze started to feel sorry for them after knowing the thief was only doing this for his siblings. Suddenly he felt a hand grip his arm and turned his head and sees his boyfriend smiling at him, Hunter had heard everything as well. Making a decision, Kaze whispered something into the thunder ninja's ear and Hunter pulled back looking at him and nodded. The two of them walked out of their hiding place and Kaze cleared his throat.

Hey you!- he called out.

The thief from before turned his head to the voice and was surprise to see it was the guy he stole from before.

You? What do you want? I gave your money back to you.- the guy looked at the two ninjas confused.

Kaze just reached into his ninja uniform and pulled out the pouch of 300 Okane he won before and tossed it at the guy.

Here, catch!-

The thief caught the pouch and opened it and saw the money and looked back at the two and was wondering what were they up two.

What's the meaning of this?-

Nothing, just make your brother and sister happy all right? And used whatever is left from tonight to start a new life and make a living.- and at that Kaze turned around with Hunter and walked away.

Thank you sirs!- the young girl and boy thanked.

Kaze just waved his hand back at them and head back into the festival with his boyfriend.

"That was a nice thing you did for them." Hunter commented.

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No of course not. That's one of the things that I like about you, your kind heart." the storm ninja just grinned and gave the crimson ninja a kiss.

The next morning...

After the night of fun and relaxation the rangers went back to their inn and decide to get some sleep. Hunter, Kaze, Blake and Tori stayed in one room while Cam and Dustin who snuggled together for the first time and Shane stayed in the other. The rangers woke up this morning around nine, ate some breakfast and checked out of the inn. After checking out the inn Cam, Kaze and Hunter went off to restock their supplies and the others stayed in one spot and wait for them.

As the rest of them waited for their friend to return, a parade of people on horses started to come down the street they were at. There were over a dozen men that seem to be soldiers in armour riding on horses in a long line. In the middle of this was a large sitting cart with its sides covered by white veils being pulled by a horse. Sitting within the cart we see a figure that was blocked from outside viewers.

Make way for the prince of Byakuro!- the soldier in the front shouted as they headed down the street.

The people of course started to move out of the way except for a boy who ran right into the middle of the street making the line of soldiers stop in a halt. Then the person sitting in the cart moved to the front and lift aside the veil, revealing the prince.

Is something wrong?- the prince asked his bodyguard.

Sorry my prince but a child just ran into the street in front of us.-

Oh.-

To the surprise of Dustin and the others, the prince looks exactly like Cam but without the glasses. He was wearing an expensive dark blue prince's kimono and his hair was quite long and was tied into a ponytail high behind his head. After the child was pulled out of the street, the soldiers kept on moving down the street and eventually out of sight and out of the town.

"Did you guys see what I saw..." Dustin started who was a bit in shock.

"Yeah, the prince looks exactly like Cam!" Shane stated.

"But how can that be?" Tori wondered.

"I don't know..." Blake who was baffled as well.

At that moment the rest of the group returned and saw that their friends were just standing there looking at the direction down the street.

"Is something wrong guys?" Hunter asked.

"You would not believe what we just saw." the navy ninja turned to his brother.

"What?" Kaze questioned.

"We saw a guy who looks exactly like you Cam." the water ninja said.

"What? Are you sure?" the samurai looked at them a bit confused.

"Yeah he was like another Cyber Cam but a real person." Shane commented.

"And he was the prince of Byakuro." Dustin added who went to his boyfriend's side and grasps his arm and Cam just turned to him.

"Prince of Byakuro! Are you sure?" the storm ninja exclaimed.

"Yeah that's what the body guard said."

"Then by the looks of it, he could be Cam's past life."

And the rest of them stood there thinking.

Back in the present...

Up in Lothor's ship we see the dark ninja priestess, Ninkana walking into the main throne room of the spaceship.

"Lothor, I have some news. I manage to locate to which time the rangers went back to."

"Well it about time! It took you long enough." the evil space ninja shouted who was sitting in his throne at the moment.

"Then what is your command then?"

"What do you think?" Lothor peered at her.

"Go after them and make sure that they don't come back! And don't screw it up unless you value your life."

"Of course, I'll leave right away." and the dark priestess left.

"You won't win this time rangers." the space ninja said to himself.

Back in the past at the capital city of Byakuro...

The city was quite large where people on the streets were quite busy and with a huge castle where the lord of Byakuro lives with his family upon a hill looking over the city itself. Within the castle we see the lord and his court of advisors in what seems the throne room that was connected to the open large courtyard. The lord was a middle-aged old man wearing a black royal kimono while his advisors wore grey ones. As they discussed issues concerning the people of their city the front doors to the room bursts open and soldiers came rushing in and surrounded them. Then a group of people led by a man, almost as old as the lord came walking into the room.

What is the meaning of this brother?- the lord stood up and asked the other who is his younger brother.

What do you think? I'm taking over the throne!- the man stated and pointed his point his finger.

Attack!-

Well another chapter done, what do you think? Read and review please!