I'm listening to Disney Mania2 at the moment. I don't care what anyone says; the remixed Disney songs are cool. It's a Small World for instance, is a lot less irritating when Baha Men sing it. There are some funky harmonies on here, too, like Once Upon a Dream. *Starts to dance, then stops, remembering just how bad a dancer she is*
Fair warning; *many* replies to reviews. Eighty-three? *Looks stunned* I'm flattered. Thank you, everyone.
melly, CamFan4Ever, Pazazz 21, Wiccan-One14, and Kyptonite: Thanks for all your encouragement. I'm happy to have entertained everyone.
Dingo: Images you love, huh? Glad I can be of service. ^_^ Now I give you...Hung Over Blake! *Evil grin* And just for you, Moments. Oddly enough, I had already had a part of Hunter and Cam making out, but I still can't find anywhere to fit it in. Ah, well. I hope you like Moments anyway.
Ryouga Saiyuki: *Giggles* Can I just say how much I love your name? I'm getting images of Ryouga from Ranma 1/2 wandering behind the Saiyuki cast in a cameo. ^_^ *Blushes* I thought it'd be amusing to have Shane be a weird drunk. I'm flattered you like this so much. Unfortunately, my ability to update depends on my computer access, which is about to dwindle to weekends. *Blinks* You think Shane's cute? I sorta thought he broke Red Ranger Tradition, myself. He grew on me after awhile, but I still think the rest of the cast outranks him on the hottie scale. Well, welcome aboard anyway, and thanks for your review. ^_^
Prinzessin: I can see Blake freaking out, too. He strikes me as the kind of guy who's calm and in control until something backfires on him. ^_^ You didn't expect them to get drunk? That was my sister's idea, but once she suggested it I could so see it. Drunken Rangers. *Sniggers* I'm not a drinker myself, and the only wine I've ever tried was plum. I ran for the bathroom before I even got the chance to swallow. Nasty stuff. x.x
Weesta: The bike repair scene is something I've seen my dad do fixing cars. As for painful...well, Dad's hands are cross-crossed with black marks from getting grease in cuts. I'm amazed he can feel anything. But yes, it can work, as long as you don't break anything. As for Dustin being blase about the first date, I had to sneak *some* air headed Dustin back in, before he gets too out of character. Him with Tori was just because I love the friendship between the three Wind Rangers. *Grins* And yes, Shane gets in on the best friend action, too. I have a few friends like that myself. Heck, I'm pretty much my group's Dustin. *Looks embarrassed* What can I say, I'm an airhead hippy-like fangirl. I had to make Shane be the laid back member of The Date Crew; someone needed it. Though I must admit, now I keep picturing 'Shane and Hunter kicking back on the sofa while Blake runs around like a loon'.*Snickers* Glad you liked the Dating Disaster, and the snuggly moment. More snuggly moments in Moments and another four chapter update just for you. ^_~ So when are you going to start posting? Huh? Huh? *Pokes*
insanechildfanfic: *Laughs* Dustin being sane? I guess *someone* has to be. And with the other guys out of it, that makes it him by default.
Dagmar: *Bows* Thanks, as always. I'm glad you feel sympathy for Tori and Dustin. I even made you giggle! *Cheers* I hope the hangover meets your approval.
Nikytti: Don't die! I'm glad it's funny, but don't *die*. o.o
SilverRider: You don't think Blake was the panicking kind? You're the only one who brought that up. It made me think about it enough to try and explain with Workout Chatter, so I hope it makes more sense to you. Thanks for the comment; I appreciate it.
cmar: *Cheers* 'Date from hell' is exactly what I was going for! Blake and Tori are the normal couple in my little world, so they need the normal dating reaction. Your comments about teenage male hormones have worked their way in, but probably not in the way you meant. ^_~
Angel Spirit: And another new person! Yay! Yeah, who really enjoys cuddling with a drunk? Alcohol breath; ugh. Since I'm the author and I'm allowed to choose favorites, I think Shane would have won the who's cuter argument, 'cause Dustin's the main reason I started watching Ninja Storm in the first place.
Megazord Master: Scaring people in e-cafes is what I do best! Out of curiosity, do people around you play a game that involves cows mooing almost non stop? If so, I feel your pain; I've been there. *Mutters* And just for you, there's the end of Crimson Cruelty. ^_~
Shane's comment about where Blake is in this chapter is from a friend of mine, quoted when she was sick. I still can't help making the reference every once in awhile. ^_^;;
Enjoy! ^_^V
Crimson Cruelty
Dustin squinted at the light filtering in through the living room window. His legs were sore from sleeping in the awkward position of being draped over the side of the bed because Shane hadn't so much as twitched until well after dawn. His head was fuzzy and his mouth seemed to be filled with lint balls. Yeah, he was awake.
A slight groan caught his attention, and he glanced over at Blake. The other boy was curled up into a ball on the couch, holding his stomach with a grimace. "Dude, what's wrong?" His voice was rougher than usual, but the words made it out somehow.
"Don't feel so good." Blake moaned.
Dustin's brow furrowed. "Then what are you doing still sitting there?"
"I dunno." he muttered. "I think I'm not supposed to move 'til you tell me. Or something." His eyes bulged abruptly and he slapped a hand over his mouth with a muffled "G'na be sick!"
"Go!" Dustin yelped. "Bathroom! That way, now!"
Blake bolted, and faint sounds of retching followed.
Dustin sighed, dropping his head against the wall. The day wasn't looking so good.
He padded into the kitchen and stared blankly at the contents of the fridge. They were out of bread, and no place that delivered would be open this early. With Shane still sound asleep, it seemed it was up to him to make breakfast. He could do this. He'd watched Laura and Maggie practically all his life. It didn't look that hard.
Was it cerran wrap you couldn't microwave?
****
Twenty minutes later, Dustin was trying desperately to put out the violent light show of sparks in the microwave. "Dude, I thought it was cerran wrap!"
"Tin foil!" Shane shouted behind him. "*Tin* *foil*! How can you keep forgetting not to microwave *tin foil*?! It's not even supposed to do this! How did you give the microwave a short?!"
"I never said I could cook!" he snapped back. "It's not my fault we're out of food!"
"You could have waited until I got up!"
"I was hungry! Who knew when you'd get up? Besides, I figured you'd barely be able to see straight, or at least be fighting Blake for the bathroom!"
"The sound of the smoke alarm jerking me out of a sound sleep is holding off the nausea." Shane snarled as the last of the sparks finally died.
"What's going on?"
Dustin froze. He could have sworn his heart stopped for a moment as his life flashed before his eyes. "How'd you get in here, dude?" he croaked.
"You gave us a key, remember?" Hunter answered with obviously forced patience. "Where's Blake? I figured he'd be up by now."
"He's worshiping the porcelain god." Shane grumbled, opening a cabinet. He raised his voice to shout in the direction of the bathroom. "And he better not use up all the mouthwash!"
"Not so loud." Blake whimpered as he stumbled into the doorway, clutching his head in one hand.
Hunter was hovering at his side in an instant. The hand was gently removed and his chin tilted for a better look at his brother's face. He froze. "You have a hangover."
"Busted." Shane muttered, brightening as he located the aspirin at last.
"You got drunk last night." Hunter stated in a calm, quiet voice.
Dustin wondered how slow his death was going to be.
"Sorta." Blake admitted, shifting his weight like a guilty child.
"How do you 'sorta' get drunk?"
Blake fidgeted again. "I didn't think I was?" he tried.
Hunter crossed his arms, looking every bit the intimidating older brother. "Whole story. Now."
"Well, the uh, movie was really bad and Dustin fell asleep, and I spilled popcorn all over Tori, and the van wouldn't start and we couldn't find a parking place, and they lost our reservations so Dustin got us in, and they gave us a free bottle of wine to make up for it and I thought it'd help me relax, and I guess I sorta kinda had more than I thought I did, 'cause I don't remember leaving the restaurant and I feel *really* awful, and my stomach won't sit still and-" He stopped to take in a breath, then suddenly gave a goofy smile. "Tori kissed me."
Dustin fought the urge to smack his forehead. Yeah, *that* made everything better.
"Did you have a good time?"
He blinked, looking at Hunter oddly. That was the last thing he'd have expected him to say. Wasn't Hunter going to read Blake the riot act or something? And then kill him slowly and painfully for getting his precious little brother smashed?
Blake nodded, still smiling at the thought of Tori kissing him.
"Good." Hunter said calmly. The serene smile on his face was chilling. "Because we've got to go to work."
Blake blinked at him. "I don't think my stomach's settled all the way, Bro. And I was sorta hoping to get breakfast and some aspirin or something, 'cause my head *really* hurts-"
"We're going to work." Hunter repeated. "You agreed to help Kelly, and you're going to keep your word. A hangover is no excuse. And no, you can't get any aspirin. You wanted to get drunk, so you wanted to face the consequences."
Blake stared in horror. "But-"
"Now." Hunter's calm still hadn't faded.
"But Bro-"
"Now, Blake."
Blake's shoulders sagged at the steel in his brother's voice. "I'll see you guys later." he muttered, trudging toward the door. He opened it and was instantly assaulted by the sounds of the maintenance men repairing one of the buildings and the landscapers mowing the grass. He flinched, only to be forced forward as Hunter's hand gripped his shoulder firmly. The door slammed rather loudly behind them.
"Wow. Hunter's *mean*." Shane said at last, much better now that his aspirin was kicking in.
Dustin nodded. "Poor Blake."
"Don't you mean poor us? We have to work with them today."
He cringed.
And that was when their Morphers beeped. "Fudge." Shane muttered vehemently.
****
The battle was an absolute disaster. They were lucky it was only kelzaks; who knew what would have happened if they'd needed the Megazord. It appeared that Hung Over Shane equaled short-tempered and nasty. Blake flinched anytime he moved quickly, which had Tori trying to keep as many away from him as she could. Dustin was so cranky from lack of sleep the usual taunts were silent. Then he had the misfortune to back into Hunter at one point, only to squeak and launch himself in another direction when the other turned to look at him. Hunter was silent and obviously angry, though Dustin's reaction brought a hint of a smile to his face for the briefest of moments.
Cam's battle was the smoothest and less eventful. He watched his teammates with suspicion as they fought, and was quite relieved when the kelzaks were defeated. His gaze flickered around looking for a monster for a moment before he relaxed at last, studying his teammates.
Blake had crouched down, clutching his head and whimpering. Tori was trying to get him to uncurl when Hunter grabbed his arm and hauled him up. "Work." he commanded.
Blake just nodded meekly, heading slowly in the direction of Storm Chargers with his brother lurking behind him.
Tori gaped after them before rounding on Dustin. "What's going on?" she demanded.
"Hunter knows." Dustin answered, looking after them somewhat nervously.
"What's that suppose to mean?"
Shane tapped Cam on the shoulder. "Dude, you up for that computer shopping yet?" he asked wearily.
Fair warning; *many* replies to reviews. Eighty-three? *Looks stunned* I'm flattered. Thank you, everyone.
melly, CamFan4Ever, Pazazz 21, Wiccan-One14, and Kyptonite: Thanks for all your encouragement. I'm happy to have entertained everyone.
Dingo: Images you love, huh? Glad I can be of service. ^_^ Now I give you...Hung Over Blake! *Evil grin* And just for you, Moments. Oddly enough, I had already had a part of Hunter and Cam making out, but I still can't find anywhere to fit it in. Ah, well. I hope you like Moments anyway.
Ryouga Saiyuki: *Giggles* Can I just say how much I love your name? I'm getting images of Ryouga from Ranma 1/2 wandering behind the Saiyuki cast in a cameo. ^_^ *Blushes* I thought it'd be amusing to have Shane be a weird drunk. I'm flattered you like this so much. Unfortunately, my ability to update depends on my computer access, which is about to dwindle to weekends. *Blinks* You think Shane's cute? I sorta thought he broke Red Ranger Tradition, myself. He grew on me after awhile, but I still think the rest of the cast outranks him on the hottie scale. Well, welcome aboard anyway, and thanks for your review. ^_^
Prinzessin: I can see Blake freaking out, too. He strikes me as the kind of guy who's calm and in control until something backfires on him. ^_^ You didn't expect them to get drunk? That was my sister's idea, but once she suggested it I could so see it. Drunken Rangers. *Sniggers* I'm not a drinker myself, and the only wine I've ever tried was plum. I ran for the bathroom before I even got the chance to swallow. Nasty stuff. x.x
Weesta: The bike repair scene is something I've seen my dad do fixing cars. As for painful...well, Dad's hands are cross-crossed with black marks from getting grease in cuts. I'm amazed he can feel anything. But yes, it can work, as long as you don't break anything. As for Dustin being blase about the first date, I had to sneak *some* air headed Dustin back in, before he gets too out of character. Him with Tori was just because I love the friendship between the three Wind Rangers. *Grins* And yes, Shane gets in on the best friend action, too. I have a few friends like that myself. Heck, I'm pretty much my group's Dustin. *Looks embarrassed* What can I say, I'm an airhead hippy-like fangirl. I had to make Shane be the laid back member of The Date Crew; someone needed it. Though I must admit, now I keep picturing 'Shane and Hunter kicking back on the sofa while Blake runs around like a loon'.*Snickers* Glad you liked the Dating Disaster, and the snuggly moment. More snuggly moments in Moments and another four chapter update just for you. ^_~ So when are you going to start posting? Huh? Huh? *Pokes*
insanechildfanfic: *Laughs* Dustin being sane? I guess *someone* has to be. And with the other guys out of it, that makes it him by default.
Dagmar: *Bows* Thanks, as always. I'm glad you feel sympathy for Tori and Dustin. I even made you giggle! *Cheers* I hope the hangover meets your approval.
Nikytti: Don't die! I'm glad it's funny, but don't *die*. o.o
SilverRider: You don't think Blake was the panicking kind? You're the only one who brought that up. It made me think about it enough to try and explain with Workout Chatter, so I hope it makes more sense to you. Thanks for the comment; I appreciate it.
cmar: *Cheers* 'Date from hell' is exactly what I was going for! Blake and Tori are the normal couple in my little world, so they need the normal dating reaction. Your comments about teenage male hormones have worked their way in, but probably not in the way you meant. ^_~
Angel Spirit: And another new person! Yay! Yeah, who really enjoys cuddling with a drunk? Alcohol breath; ugh. Since I'm the author and I'm allowed to choose favorites, I think Shane would have won the who's cuter argument, 'cause Dustin's the main reason I started watching Ninja Storm in the first place.
Megazord Master: Scaring people in e-cafes is what I do best! Out of curiosity, do people around you play a game that involves cows mooing almost non stop? If so, I feel your pain; I've been there. *Mutters* And just for you, there's the end of Crimson Cruelty. ^_~
Shane's comment about where Blake is in this chapter is from a friend of mine, quoted when she was sick. I still can't help making the reference every once in awhile. ^_^;;
Enjoy! ^_^V
Crimson Cruelty
Dustin squinted at the light filtering in through the living room window. His legs were sore from sleeping in the awkward position of being draped over the side of the bed because Shane hadn't so much as twitched until well after dawn. His head was fuzzy and his mouth seemed to be filled with lint balls. Yeah, he was awake.
A slight groan caught his attention, and he glanced over at Blake. The other boy was curled up into a ball on the couch, holding his stomach with a grimace. "Dude, what's wrong?" His voice was rougher than usual, but the words made it out somehow.
"Don't feel so good." Blake moaned.
Dustin's brow furrowed. "Then what are you doing still sitting there?"
"I dunno." he muttered. "I think I'm not supposed to move 'til you tell me. Or something." His eyes bulged abruptly and he slapped a hand over his mouth with a muffled "G'na be sick!"
"Go!" Dustin yelped. "Bathroom! That way, now!"
Blake bolted, and faint sounds of retching followed.
Dustin sighed, dropping his head against the wall. The day wasn't looking so good.
He padded into the kitchen and stared blankly at the contents of the fridge. They were out of bread, and no place that delivered would be open this early. With Shane still sound asleep, it seemed it was up to him to make breakfast. He could do this. He'd watched Laura and Maggie practically all his life. It didn't look that hard.
Was it cerran wrap you couldn't microwave?
****
Twenty minutes later, Dustin was trying desperately to put out the violent light show of sparks in the microwave. "Dude, I thought it was cerran wrap!"
"Tin foil!" Shane shouted behind him. "*Tin* *foil*! How can you keep forgetting not to microwave *tin foil*?! It's not even supposed to do this! How did you give the microwave a short?!"
"I never said I could cook!" he snapped back. "It's not my fault we're out of food!"
"You could have waited until I got up!"
"I was hungry! Who knew when you'd get up? Besides, I figured you'd barely be able to see straight, or at least be fighting Blake for the bathroom!"
"The sound of the smoke alarm jerking me out of a sound sleep is holding off the nausea." Shane snarled as the last of the sparks finally died.
"What's going on?"
Dustin froze. He could have sworn his heart stopped for a moment as his life flashed before his eyes. "How'd you get in here, dude?" he croaked.
"You gave us a key, remember?" Hunter answered with obviously forced patience. "Where's Blake? I figured he'd be up by now."
"He's worshiping the porcelain god." Shane grumbled, opening a cabinet. He raised his voice to shout in the direction of the bathroom. "And he better not use up all the mouthwash!"
"Not so loud." Blake whimpered as he stumbled into the doorway, clutching his head in one hand.
Hunter was hovering at his side in an instant. The hand was gently removed and his chin tilted for a better look at his brother's face. He froze. "You have a hangover."
"Busted." Shane muttered, brightening as he located the aspirin at last.
"You got drunk last night." Hunter stated in a calm, quiet voice.
Dustin wondered how slow his death was going to be.
"Sorta." Blake admitted, shifting his weight like a guilty child.
"How do you 'sorta' get drunk?"
Blake fidgeted again. "I didn't think I was?" he tried.
Hunter crossed his arms, looking every bit the intimidating older brother. "Whole story. Now."
"Well, the uh, movie was really bad and Dustin fell asleep, and I spilled popcorn all over Tori, and the van wouldn't start and we couldn't find a parking place, and they lost our reservations so Dustin got us in, and they gave us a free bottle of wine to make up for it and I thought it'd help me relax, and I guess I sorta kinda had more than I thought I did, 'cause I don't remember leaving the restaurant and I feel *really* awful, and my stomach won't sit still and-" He stopped to take in a breath, then suddenly gave a goofy smile. "Tori kissed me."
Dustin fought the urge to smack his forehead. Yeah, *that* made everything better.
"Did you have a good time?"
He blinked, looking at Hunter oddly. That was the last thing he'd have expected him to say. Wasn't Hunter going to read Blake the riot act or something? And then kill him slowly and painfully for getting his precious little brother smashed?
Blake nodded, still smiling at the thought of Tori kissing him.
"Good." Hunter said calmly. The serene smile on his face was chilling. "Because we've got to go to work."
Blake blinked at him. "I don't think my stomach's settled all the way, Bro. And I was sorta hoping to get breakfast and some aspirin or something, 'cause my head *really* hurts-"
"We're going to work." Hunter repeated. "You agreed to help Kelly, and you're going to keep your word. A hangover is no excuse. And no, you can't get any aspirin. You wanted to get drunk, so you wanted to face the consequences."
Blake stared in horror. "But-"
"Now." Hunter's calm still hadn't faded.
"But Bro-"
"Now, Blake."
Blake's shoulders sagged at the steel in his brother's voice. "I'll see you guys later." he muttered, trudging toward the door. He opened it and was instantly assaulted by the sounds of the maintenance men repairing one of the buildings and the landscapers mowing the grass. He flinched, only to be forced forward as Hunter's hand gripped his shoulder firmly. The door slammed rather loudly behind them.
"Wow. Hunter's *mean*." Shane said at last, much better now that his aspirin was kicking in.
Dustin nodded. "Poor Blake."
"Don't you mean poor us? We have to work with them today."
He cringed.
And that was when their Morphers beeped. "Fudge." Shane muttered vehemently.
****
The battle was an absolute disaster. They were lucky it was only kelzaks; who knew what would have happened if they'd needed the Megazord. It appeared that Hung Over Shane equaled short-tempered and nasty. Blake flinched anytime he moved quickly, which had Tori trying to keep as many away from him as she could. Dustin was so cranky from lack of sleep the usual taunts were silent. Then he had the misfortune to back into Hunter at one point, only to squeak and launch himself in another direction when the other turned to look at him. Hunter was silent and obviously angry, though Dustin's reaction brought a hint of a smile to his face for the briefest of moments.
Cam's battle was the smoothest and less eventful. He watched his teammates with suspicion as they fought, and was quite relieved when the kelzaks were defeated. His gaze flickered around looking for a monster for a moment before he relaxed at last, studying his teammates.
Blake had crouched down, clutching his head and whimpering. Tori was trying to get him to uncurl when Hunter grabbed his arm and hauled him up. "Work." he commanded.
Blake just nodded meekly, heading slowly in the direction of Storm Chargers with his brother lurking behind him.
Tori gaped after them before rounding on Dustin. "What's going on?" she demanded.
"Hunter knows." Dustin answered, looking after them somewhat nervously.
"What's that suppose to mean?"
Shane tapped Cam on the shoulder. "Dude, you up for that computer shopping yet?" he asked wearily.