Hey, sorry it's taken so long for an update. Out of four stories, Kindred Spirit was one of two I decided to keep going. It won't go on for much longer though; it's only supposed to be a short story. But, I have a surprise for all the faithful readers and reviewers when this story is finished! No, not a sequel, but another Hunter story, a darker one. Read and review guys!

Disclaimer: Don't own the film Bridget Jones 2: The Edge of Reason, just borrowing a line from it.

Kindred Spirit

Chapter 4

Late afternoon the next day, Hunter got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist. With another towel, he rubbed his dirty blonde hair dry. He strode over to the wardrobe and picked out a pair of crimson slacks and a black shirt and put them on. He checked his watch; it was a quarter to seven. He grabbed his wallet and ran out of the door.

Hunter's apartment was only a few blocks away from the Cyber Café, so he broke into a brisk walk, and within five minutes he was there. He burst through the door of the café, which had lots of people chatting away to gentle background music. His sharp blue eyes found Kira perched on a stool at the bar talking to Hailey and some others.

"Hey, Kira," he found himself say as he walked over. She turned on her stool and looked at him.

"Hunter," she muttered, eyeing his clothing. Her unfamiliar companions stared at Hunter uncertainly. One was tall with brown hair, another smaller and black and the other older with short spiked brown hair.

"Hey, I'm Tommy Oliver, and this is Conner and Ethan," the older one stated, holding out his hand. He was smiling.

"Hunter Bradley," Hunter replied offhandedly as he shook Tommy's hand. "So, are you guys all friends of Kira?"

"Well, I'm her teacher, but yeah, I suppose you could call us friends," said Tommy, grinning, and Hunter gave a smile in return.

"So, you ready to go, Kira?"

"What movie are we seeing?" she inquired, reaching for her coat.

"Well, I got tickets for Bridget Jones 2, but we can switch if you like."

Kira's face lit up. "Are you kidding? I've waited forever to see a Bridget Jones movie!"

Hunter glanced down at Kira's clothes. She was wearing a pair of tight denim jeans and a yellow tank top. Her coat was a simple denim jacket. Her hair was tied in two loose bunches.

"Bridget Jones?" inquired Conner, raising an eyebrow. "Isn't that the film about this thirty-year-old that has no love life and then gets a boyfriend who's a complete arsehole? And doesn't she keep a diary about her weight and how many cigarettes she's smoked in a day?" He grinned goofily, looking pleased that he knew so much about one film.

"Thanks, Conner, you've just completely spoilt the film now," Kira spat, her expression explosive.

Conner's hand flew to his mouth.

"Oops," he mumbled, embarrassed.

"Hey, never mind, dude," Hunter replied, smirking, "let's see it anyway. It's apparently completely different to the first."

"Let's go then!" Kira grabbed Hunter's hand and they exited the café. Tommy turned to the others.

"Let's keep this quiet for now," he began seriously, "we don't want us knowing about his past to come out when Kira may have wanted to tell him herself. Do you understand?"

Conner, Ethan and Trent nodded in unison. Secretly, both Conner and Trent swore to themselves. They hadn't been quick enough. Now Kira would probably never notice them, ever.

Later that evening, at Tommy's place, the rest of the gang were chilling out, while Hailey was working on a new weapon, but as usual, she was being secretive about it. The others were crowding round the main computer, with Tommy at the chair. He was showing them more information about the Ninja Storm rangers.

"And these," Tommy was saying as a picture of all six rangers appeared on the screen, "are the Ninja Storm rangers. From left to right, we have Hunter Bradley, Tori Hanson, Shane Clarke, Cam Watanabe, Dustin Brooks and Blake Bradley. As you saw when you watched my video diary, Shane, Tori and Dustin were three rebellious students at the Wind Ninja Academy, and the last ones left after the school was wiped out by Lothor. Hunter and Blake had been brainwashed by Lothor into believing Sensei Watanabe had killed their parents. Cam, the Sensei's son, later received the Samurai powers of his mother's amulet. They finally defeated Lothor by using their inner ninja powers to send him deep into the abyss of evil. He's been gone ever since."

Conner, Trent and Ethan had been listening carefully, hanging on to each and every word their teacher spoke.

"I don't like him," Conner said immediately after Tommy had finished with his gaze on Hunter.

"We still don't know if these guys can be trusted," Trent muttered, looking at the floor.

"Well, if you want my opinion guys," Tommy began to say, turning to face them, "I think it's a little late for you to be worried about Kira, or even to notice that she can make her own decisions. She wants to be noticed by you, and I think you've waited too long to show you care."

Ethan narrowed his eyes. "What the hell are you on about? Does everyone here know something I don't?"

"Never mind, Ethan," Tommy intervened before Trent or Conner could open their mouths. "Right, I think we need to get our priorities straight. From now on, all of us will leave Kira to make her own choices. Anyway, I'm sure Hunter can be trusted. He was one of us, after all."

Hunter and Kira sat together in the movie theatre with a small tub of popcorn to share. Around half-way through the movie, Hunter nervously put his arm around her. They were laughing jubilantly at the jokes.

"Don't worry love; you look gorgeous!" the taxi driver says in a typical London accent. Suddenly, a truck drives past, showering Bridget with water, and her dress is ruined.

"It doesn't matter," she says happily, looking down at her clothing, "Looks aren't everything!" Another truck drives past and Bridget is soaked with water again.

Hunter burst out laughing, as did much of the theatre.

"Ha!"

Kira grinned as Hunter broke into tears.

"That's hilarious!"

Kira burst out laughing too, but all too soon.

Back at the café a little while later, Hailey witnessed five young people waltz in. They came up to the bar. One was dark skinned, wearing red clothing, another of Pilipino or oriental descent, a male brunette in a bright yellow t-shirt, an oriental man in green and a female blonde in blue.

"Excuse me?" said the Pilipino to Hailey.

"Can I help you?" Hailey replied, turning to face them.

"Actually, we were wondering whether you could tell us if you've seen this guy," the female said politely. The man in red fumbled in his pocket for something, and bought out a crumpled photograph. He held it up for Hailey to see.

"Well, is he familiar to you?" the brunette persisted.

Hailey's hand found her mouth.

The picture was of a young, well built man sitting on a motorbike. He had tousled dirty blonde hair and wore a crimson t-shirt.

Hunter.