Disclaimer: Power Rangers does not belong to me. This story is written purely for entertainment purposes only.
Chapter 2: So Hard
to Get Along
"Kapri, as your consequence for missing class last week, I'd like you to dig up some dirt on the Thunder staffs," instructed Hunter as Shane stood by.
"I don't understand why I have to do extra work just 'cause I missed class to go shopping," whined Kapri. "Besides, I was out buying you a gift. Didn't like your new crimson sweater vest with the little cute Christmas elves and reindeer on it?"
Shane stifled a laugh while Hunter rolled his eyes. "Dirt on the Thunder staffs," pleaded Hunter. "Thunder staffs, I am begging you."
"Won't you come help me get started?" asked Kapri cutely. "After all, the only reason I signed up for classes at the Thunder Ninja Academy was to spend more time with you."
"Good-bye Kapri!" ordered Hunter as his ninja student sulked off.
"Dude, she's like totally flipped out over you," said Shane, patting his friend's back as they walked down the residence hall of the Wind Ninja Academy. "Do you really trust Kapri with researching Thunder Staff combat techniques?"
"It's gotta go better than any of the blind dates you're always going out on," teased Hunter. Shane smacked his friend on the head as they stopped in the doorway of Tori's room.
"Hey Tor," said Shane to the former blue Ninja Ranger who was desperately trying to shut her suitcase as Marah sat on the overstuffed bag. "Have some nice, clean fun with Blake this weekend. And tell him that if he says or does anything to hurt you, I'll hunt him down!"
"Stop being the protective big brother," sighed Hunter, pushing Shane out of the doorway. "But what Shane said: have fun with my bro, Tor!" said Hunter winking at her before grabbing Shane and continuing down the hall.
"I think Shane and Hunter have different ideas about what type of fun you should be having this weekend," smirked Marah. Tori just blushed in response, grabbing some long-sleeved, flannel PJs from her dresser.
"Oh no!" chided a horror-struck Marah. "This is a fashion violation! I know you are not thinking of wearing those nasty nitties to bed with Blake! You need something more like ….this," grinned Marah mischievously, pulling out of her backpack a short, sleeveless blue silk teddy with bits of lace around the edges.
"I would never wear something like that," gasped the more conservative Tori, clearly appalled. "Especially something that girly," she added critically.
"Ok, but I all I'm saying is that it was a huge hit with Dustin, if you know what I mean," said Marah slyly, winking and pointing to Tori knowingly.
"Way too much information," groaned Tori. "Besides, Blake and I are staying in separate rooms."
"Whatever you say," shrugged Marah, but slipping the teddy into Tori's suitcase when the former blue Ninja Ranger wasn't looking. "But Tori," added Marah. "Don't worry about what Blake or anyone else's expectations of "fun" are for the weekend. Just do whatever you need to do to enjoy the moment you're in with the person you care about."
Tori looked at Marah surprised. For once, Dustin's girlfriend actually sounded… wise. "Thanks Marah," said Tori, walking over and giving her friend a hug. "I really needed to hear that."
"I know you did," said Marah comfortingly. The girls heard a car horn from outside. "I guess that must be Cam here to take you to the airport."
The girls lugged Tori's bulging bag and and heaved it into the back of Cam's jeep. "I want to stop by Storm Chargers on the way to the airport to say good-bye to Kelly," Tori told Cam.
"Fine by me!" huffed Cam. "I have some more things I'd love to say to her about costumer relations." Tori rolled her eyes as she got in the jeep.
As Marah watched the car pull away, she heard a loud, falsetto scream coming from the equipment shed.
"Like what just went down?" asked Dustin as he and Marah rushed into the equipment shed at the same time.
"Kapri, when I said dig up dirt on the Thunder Swords I didn't mean it literally!" shouted Hunter, distraught by the sight of over three dozen of the highly valuable and rare ninja weapons submerged in a pile of manure, or cow feces.
"But you said," stuttered Kapri.
"It's going to take me a whole day to clean and re-polish these!" moaned Hunter.
"Let me help you with that. There must be something I can do to make you like me," pleaded Kapri.
"Anytime you try to help someone, you just end up making everything worse!" yelled Hunter furiously. "You are the last girl on the planet I would ever like! You know if you really want to help, just stay away from me."
Kapri's eyes flooded over with tears as the former crimson Ninja Ranger stormed out of the equipment shed. Marah wrapped her arms around Kapri as he sister started to sob. Dustin's heart went out to Kapri as a fellow airhead. True what Kapri did was stupid, even by his standards, but Hunter had gone totally off the deep end with her. Nobody according to Dustin deserved to cut down like that. Kapri struggled out of Marah's arms and ran toward the sisters' bedroom. Dustin came up behind Marah and wrapped his arms supportively around his girlfriend.
"Tori and Blake are still struggling to get it together," began Marah. "Hunter hates Kapri, Cam and Kelly can't stand each other, and poor Shane goes out one bad date after another. Why is it so hard for boys and girls to get along?"
"I guess we're the lucky ones," responded Dustin, laying a loving kiss on his beloved Marah.
A/N: The Tori/Blake reunion is definitely happening in the next chapter, so stay tuned!