TITLE: Sight for Sore Eyes

AUTHOR: Elise

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own the Power rangers Ninja storm

PART TWO

"Cold. They have cold tables at the doctors. I don't want to go." Hunter protested.

Cam grabbed Hunter's shoulders and said through gritted teeth, "Have you always been this... this... stubborn?"

"Always." Was the quick response.

Cam sighed and turned back to the wheel. They were waiting at a red light, debating the pros and cons of the doctor. "Well, we need to know if your damage is permanent or not."

"I don't want to know. I mean, I want to know, but I don't really want to know, you know?" Hunter rambled, playing with the hem of his shirt.

Cam sighed again, "I will buy you dinner if you don't talk for the remainder of the trip."

"That's mean!" Hunter exclaimed, "Where is the Cam I know and love? The one who always supports me."

"He's gone, but the Cam, that is excited about you freezing your butt off in the paper apron they call a gown, is here." Cam laughed, the light turning green.

Hunter leaned back, sulking yet again. "Are we there yet?"

"Now you want to be there. Hunter, these mood swings have got to go." Cam said.

Cam changed his tone a bit, signalling to the crimson ranger that he was broaching a

serious topic. "Hunter, I know that you are afraid of the results, but whatever happens, I'll be here for you, ok? You can stay in my home as long as you want. You know I've considered it your home since the day you stepped in."

Hunter's jaw dropped slightly. He wasn't expecting the supportive soliloquy. Cam smirked as he saw Hunter's reaction. Hunter nodded, "Yeah... Yeah, I know. Blake is all moved into Tori's but... neither of us have made a move to contact the other. I mean, we're not mad at each other, but I don't think either of us wants to live together. Especially with him and Tori making out all the time."

Cam replied, "My home, is your home until you can find a suitable place."

"Thanks, Bro."

Cam shuddered at the term and continued to drive. They arrived at the doctor's office and Cam parked. He turned to Hunter and silently mouthed the words, 'i want you to live in my home, forever, as my love.'

"Uh, Cam... why are we stopped?" Hunter asked. "Cam?"

Cam blushed and looked down, the hurt flashing across his face. The next step was saying it outloud. "Because we're at the doctors, Hunter."

"And you're not getting out of the car because?"

Cam paused, wanting to tell Hunter the words he had just thought. He wanted to tell Hunter how scared he was. He wanted to tell Hunter that he would take care of a blind man till the day he died. "No reason. Let's go."

Hunter paused, listening to Cam leave the car. He didn't want to learn the news about his eyes, but, Hunter thought, it wouldn't be so bad with Cam there. Cam would take care of him. Cam wouldn't care if he cried. Hunter sighed... that is, if Cam loved him a fraction of how much Hunter loved Cam. Hunter got out of the car, taking Cam's offered arm. The two made their way into the doctor's office.

Once inside, Cam waited while Hunter went with the doctor, reluctantly. Cam fidgetted while waiting. He didn't know if Hunter was going to be ok. Even after today's visit, both parties weren't sure if Hunter would be blind for the rest of his life. This was merely a check up to see if the healing was progressing. After flipping through the magazines and finding nothing interesting, Hunter exitted the examination room.

Cam looked up hopefully before his expression fell. Hunter didn't have bandages on his eyes anymore. He wore a pair of sunglasses and had tears streaking down his face. Cam leapt to his feet, rushing to Hunter's side. Hunter fell into Cam's arms, more tears coming. Cam looked at the doctor, "What's wrong? What happened?"

The doctor, a solumn looking thirty year old, said quietly, "Mr. Bradley's eyes have healed a great deal, but unfortunately, he has yet to regain complete eyesight."

"What does that mean, Doctor?" Cam persisted.

Hunter croaked out, emotion in every fiber of his voice, "I might be permanently blind... I can't see. I can't see, Cam!"

The doctor quickly explained, while Cam stroked Hunter's back in support. "He has extreme light sensitivity. Hunter cannot see anything other than that. We do not know if he'll regain eyesight. Unfortunately, only time will tell."

Hunter gripped Cam's shoulder in fear, "I can't... I can't be a pow..."

Hunter swallowed harshly, allowing himself to compose himself. Cam shushed him lightly, "Hunter, it's ok. I'm here for you. We should go home."

"I can't work, or do what I was born to do." Hunter said, "I'm useless."

"Don't say that." Cam said, a little too harshly. "You're incredible. You will always be useful and extraordinary. Let's go home."

That was the day that Hunter considered Cam's apartment as his home.

Settling back into the house, Hunter's shoulders finally stopped being in a permanent hunched position. He spent his time miserable, thinking of ways that could improve his life, make him happy, but he found none. Cam, after the doctor's visit, sat him down. "Hunter, we need to make some decisions. We need to plan for the future."

"What future?" Hunter remarked bruskly, "I've nothing."

Ignoring Hunter's self-deprecation, Cam continued, "You need to decide if you want to stay here, or go to Blake's. In fact, we need to call Blake to make sure his and Tori's house is in order."

Hunter fidgetted and nodded his head, "Ok... but it doesn't matter. I just need to live somewhere. Some where I'm taken care of like... some invalid or elderly person..." Hunter's voice cracked as he swallowed down sobs.

Cam bit his lip. He wanted Hunter to stay with him. He wanted to hold the crimson ranger and wipe away his troubles. Cam gently stroked the ranger's back. "I'll take care of you." He admitted quietly.

Hunter, in response, curled up on the couch, his head on Cam's lap. "Take me away. Let's pretend I can see, and we don't have responsibilities."

Cam wrapped an arm around Hunter. "I wish we could. Don't worry. The doctor said there's a chance of regaining your eyesight back."

"Don't patronize me!" Hunter bit out, "It's useless. It's a lost cause!"

This had overstepped Cam's knowledge. His heart seemed to break at the fact that he didn't know how to make everything seem ok. Cam continued to stroke Hunter's back when he said, "Let's call Blake. You need to be with family, right now."

Hunter drew himself up and turned to where he presumed Cam's face was. "I am with family. Let Blake come here. I want us all to be together. I want you in my life, Cam. You've helped me so much."

Cam looked into Hunter's non-seeing eyes. "Let's call, I'm not going anywhere."

Blake took a record five minutes to get to Cam's home. Cam left quietly as Hunter cried in his brother's arms. No matter what Hunter said, Cam thought, he'd never be family.

There was a large battle. Cam had to leave, saving the day with the others. Hunter remained home, painfully aware of his dismissal. The final ruling was that the rangers would live on without the help of the Crimson ranger. There would be no replacement. Hunter, after the initial shock, returned to his joking self. It was, of course, a mask to cover his fears and sadness, but a means of survival. He knew Cam's apartment well, and was in the kitchen preparing lunch when the doorbell rang.

Hunter slowly made his way, calling out to the person to hold on. When he answered it, he asked politely, "Hello?"

A small woman smiled politely, noting the eye bandages. "Hello, My name is Rudy Greer, I'm Cameron Watanabe's landlady. Is he in?"

Hunter shook his head, "No, He went out on some errands. Is there something I could help you with?"

Rudy shook her head, "No. Are you living here?"

"No, No, I'm here for a day or two because I couldn't move in with my brother immediately. You see, I was in an accident." Hunter said, indicating his eyes.

"Oh, well that's too bad. Could you tell Cam that I need this month's rent? It was due last week. If I don't get it by this weekend, then I'll be forced to evict. He's always been the best tenant, really polite. I just need the rent money."

Hunter paused, wondering why Cam hadn't mentioned anything. He didn't seem that prideful. Rudy had begun to step away when Hunter cleared his throat, "Ma'am, let me get my check book... You kinda need to help me, so I know where to write."

"Does Mr. Watanabe know you're doing this?"

"Consider it even. I ate the last of the ice cream." Hunter said, allowing the woman to enter.

She seemed to hold back, not knowing what to do with a blind person. Hunter could sense her discomfort. "If you don't mind," Hunter said, "Could you lead me to the kitchen area?"

She smiled, more than happy to offer her arm, leading him. Hunter knew it was more for her benefit, and was just glad that she wasn't feeling so awkward. They made their way to Hunter's backpack, where the blind boy found his check book. "Ok. How much do we owe you?"

Hunter paused again at using the word 'we', wondering when Cam and he had become a we. Rudy smiled, "350 dollars."

Hunter gritted his teeth and then quickly threw on a fake smile. "No problem, Rudy. Could you point where I put my signature?"

Rudy helped Hunter fill out the check, writing her own name in. She took the check, placing it in her purse. "Perhaps," She said, remembering the name on the check, "Mr. Bradley, you could move in. You seem to be very nice as well."

Hunter chuckled, "Perhaps I will."

Rudy made her way out, and Hunter waited patiently for Cam to return home. They seemed to be gone for a long time, and Hunter was growing worried. What did Lothor have planned this time? There was the sound of someone teleporting in and Hunter turned. "Cam? You alright? What happened?"

Blake's voice clarified, "Don't sound too disappointed, it's just your brother."

Hunter grinned and turned towards the voice, "Blake! How are you? Are you injured... Cam isn't injured is he? What's wrong with him? Why isn't he here?"

Blake raised his hands, walking to his brother, "Whoa, calm down, bro. Cam's fine. We kinda messed up our zords and he and tori are working on them now. I offered to come visit you."

Hunter crossed his arms, "Babysit, you mean?"

Blake shoved Hunter in the arm, "Would it be babysitting if it were Cam who checked up on you?"

Hunter rolled his eyes, at least he could do something with them, "Cam lives here."

"And you don't, bro. What's going on? You don't sound too excited to get outta here. You gotta want to. Cam's technobabble must drive you off the wall." Blake pointed out. "Tori and I are fixing the living room as a bedroom for you."

Hunter shook his head, "I've my own room here."

"You don't want to live with me?" Blake said, quietly.

"Bro... I want to live with you. We've been through everything together. Of course I want to move in with you." Hunter said. The only problem, he thought, is that I want to live with Cam as well.

Blake nodded, "And Tori?"

Hunter took a while to answer that one. "I don't think you know what you're getting into."

Blake shook his head, "You don't want to move out of Cam's." At first, Blake was going to react angrily but he paused. "That's ok, Bro."

Hunter snapped his head up, "What? You're not mad?"

"No... I mean, I wish you would be close to me and I could take care of you, but I can't force you. If the accident had never happened, we wouldn't be living together anyway. No big deal."

"And more time for you and Tori to be alone." Hunter pointed out.

Blake blushed, and muttered, "More like more time for you and Cam..."

"What was that?"

Blake laughed, "Nothing... I said would you like some jam."

Hunter shook his head, not believing his brother, and stood up, making his way to the living room. Blake watched his move, a single hand leading him by the wall. He was amazed at the progress. Hunter was truly becoming aware of his surroundings. Blake followed, "Want to watch a movie... i mean... listen to a CD... listen I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that."

Hunter raised his hand, "hey, Blake, stop apologizing, bro, ok? Let's watch a movie. It's not like I can't remember what things look like."

Blake smiled and nodded, putting in Die Hard. Hunter smiled as he heard the opening scene. "Great choice, bro," He said to Blake, "Great choice."

"This is stupid." Grumbled the crimson ranger, "I can't do this."

"Do you want to be a ranger still?" Cam said, "Because we can stop, if you'd like."

Hunter rolled his eyes, storming over to his old spot on the mat. "OK, come at me."

Cam grinned and began to step around Hunter, to attack him from behind. Hunter cleared his throat. "I said, Ok, come at me... Cam?"

Hunter strained his ears, searching for any noise to indicate where Cam was. Suddenly, Cam was about to grab Hunter's shoulders, when Hunter swung around, and flipping the surprised Cam to the ground. "Not fair!" Cam yelled.

Hunter straddled the green ranger and leaned his arms on Cam's chest. "What's not fair? I heard your breathing."

"I was not breathing that hard." Cam said.

"Oh yeah you were." Hunter pointed out. "That's why I won this round."

Cam smiled, "Fine. You only won today because it shows that you still have what it takes to be a ranger."

Hunter's face fell a bit. "There's still a good chance that I don't."

He rolled off the green ranger, leaping to his feet before helping Cam up. Cam shoved him lightly in the shoulder, "Stop that, ok? There are many ninjas who are blind and still fight."

Hunter shook his head, "Whatever. Thanks for taking me out here for practice, but I'm just not feeling it today."

Cam nodded. He needed to get Hunter's mind off of his disability. Cam shook his head, "Well it's obviously because you haven't had enough chocolate ice cream in your day. What do you say we go out for some? You'd be a hell of a lot less grumpy."

Hunter crossed his arms. "I'm not grumpy."

Cam laughed and began to walk out of the dojo, not even bothering to respond. Hunter grabbed onto Cam's arm quickly following him. "No really, I'm not grumpy..."

Cam had flashed out again, this time Kapri sending some monsters. Hunter sighed, wishing he could follow and help defend the world. He also selfishly wished Cam had stayed. Hunter rolled onto his back on the couch. He knew that he had it bad for Cam. It was something he'd been denying for so long, and knew it would never be returned. Hunter rubbed his face, touching his eyelids. He needed a break. Remembering the park two blocks down, Hunter made his way to the front door. Yes, Cam would be upset that Hunter had left the house unadvised. In fact, All of the rangers would be angry. Hunter smiled and continued down the steps of the porch. He made it to the end of the side walk before turning left. He remembered Cam's words, thinking about his memories matching up with the physical world. Hunter was getting used to the tinny tapping sound of his cane.

He felt free. He enjoyed being on his own. He enjoyed hearing the sounds of the neighborhood. After a block, Hunter attempted to cross a street. Listening for cars, he made his way across, knowing that a car to his left was waiting for him. The advantages of being a blind pedestrian. Hunter made it to the park and sat down by the brook. It was a small brook, which flowed from a waterfall. It had a small stony beach. Hunter stretched his legs out, enjoying the heat of the day. Hunter listened again, exercising his listening skills. His smile couldn't have been larger as he heard small children laughing, birds in the trees, the soft breeze... the bubbly brook. His smile only faltered when he heard a scream.

Hunter flung around to hear cackling and more screaming. He heard the power rangers teleport in. The cackling got louder and he suddenly felt a sudden burst of heat. Hunter let out a scream as he instantly was thrown into a world of pain.

Hunter began to panic. He couldn't see the monster. He couldn't see his enemies... he was completely defenseless. His heart started racing and he began to gulp for breath. his hands were in pain, it licking up his arms to his shoulders. He felt hands lifting him and Hunter began to struggle. The creature had him and he could feel the hot, rancid breath of his attacker.

Hunter heard Blake's voice yell out, "Drop him, now!"

"Or what?" The creature hissed out, "I kill him now, or I kill him later. it doesn't matter to me."

The creature flung Hunter into the brook, where the burning sensation stopped. Hunter realized in horror, that he was on fire. Hunter spun in the water, extinguishing the flames before realizing that he also had hit his head. The pain, the yelling and the the commotion caused by the rangers, not to mention him being caught out of the house, had Hunter on edge. He began to freak out, backing away from the noise, attempting to crawl down the brook. He was lost. He couldn't find which way to go, forgetting the layout of the park. Suddenly, He heard Cam's voice, thick with anger, "Stop moving, Hunter, you idiot!"

Hunter froze, his eyes wide in fear, but still unseeing. He felt another hand on his shoulder and jumped. Blake's voice scolding, "Don't touch him, Shane! Can't you see he needs space?"

"He needs a hospital," Cam said, "Let's get him out of here."

Dustin walked close to Hunter, "hey, Hunter, it's me, Dustin. I'm going to put my hands under your arms and lift you up, ok?"

Hunter shook his head, "no... No... too much..."

Cam crept a little closer. "Hunter, you need to take deep breaths, like in that kata we did this morning. Can you do that while Dustin helps you up?"

Hunter nodded, ashamed that he was having a hard time focusing and trusting. Cam's voice was a lighthouse in the fog. "I want to go home."

"You have to go to the hospital first," Tori said, "And then you can come with us."

Hunter shook his head, "I don't have a home, don't you understand? None of you will. Leave me in this brook!"

Cam took a deep breath, "As much as I'd love to leave a grump like you here, we can't. Let Dustin get you up and we'll teleport to the hospital."

Hunter allowed himself to be stood up. "I'm not a grump."

Blake raised an eyebrow, "Hunter, i've known you my entire life. You're kindof a grump."

Hunter pouted, clarity finally returning. His friends and brother were joking with him. All would be alright... until Cam lectured him on leaving the house. Before they could teleport, Hunter reached out for Cam's arm, "Cam? Cam?"

Cam immediately gave him his arm and said quietly, "Yes, Hunter?"

"I'm sorry for leaving the house... I just wanted to come to the park. I promise." HUnter said.

Cam let his hand smooth out the blonde's hair. "Don't worry about it. We'll talk of it some other time. Let's just get you help, ok?"

HUnter nodded. The entire group smiled to themselves and Blake finally understood. The two loved each other, even if neither knew it.

tbc...