Hello everyone! I am home for Christmas so I finally have time to type a proper intro to my chapter! I am happy happy happy 'cos I have also had time to paint. Strange how such a little thing can brighten my day eh? I apologise for the fact that I haven't replied to a single review for like, a while, so I am going to here. Yeah, I know the rules but this was is so much easier!

Shoutouts: Ukume: Thanks! Hope this is soon enough for you! MzDany: Cheers! Glad that the Zords went down well. 'Grins' Hunter is very wiggily, tis true... EliseRedding: Thank you very much. Am glad you are enjoying it so far. garnetred: Lol. Here's your update. CamFan4Ever: Thanks for your reviews - makes me smile! Jnr Cpl Scarlett: Oh dear indeed... hope you like this chapter. Crimson-Ranger: Yes yes, Phil knows 'shakes head sadly' GirlieG: Hope I haven't kept you waiting too long! RavynOwl: I know I'm evil. Tis one of the nicer things I have been called! 'Grins' You want some butt-whooping? Hmm... maybe you'll get it!

Well the next update won't be until after Christmas (only 6 days!) so have a great time and don't do anything I wouldn't do... umm... so.. that's... a lot? Lol! Here's chapter 9! Merry Christmas!

Keeping It All Inside

Shane, Tori, Dustin and Cam demorphed and hurried back to where they had left the Bradleys. Only Blake was there, sitting with his head in his hands.

"Blake," Tori ran up to him and threw her arms around him, relieved to see that he was solid.

"Where's Hunter?" Shane asked, looking around for the darker one of the two brothers. "He didn't…"

"No, my pig-headed brother's still alive," Blake reassured them. "As soon as the illusion disappeared and he realised what had happened he took off. I don't think he wanted to see any of you; he barely looked at me…" Blake trailed off softly.

Dustin reached down and hauled Blake to his feet, "Don't worry about it dude. Your bro just needs some space. He'll get over it."

"Dustin's right," Shane said. "Let's get back to Ninja Ops."

Blake sighed, "I'm sure he'll be ok; I just wish he'd talk to me instead of keeping it all inside. I thought he'd have learnt something from last year but no, he's gone back to his old ways."

"That's Hunter," Tori said simply, taking one of Blake's hands, "Don't worry so much, he has to figure this out for himself."

Blake nodded, "I know."

They turned and began to walk back to Ninja Ops, Tori still holding tightly to Blake's hand.

xxx

Hunter meanwhile came to a stop on a cliff. It was one of his favourite places; the forest came right up to the cliff edge and it was lonely and secluded. Perfect for someone who was a loner by nature.

He leaned against a tree and stared out to sea, the wind ruffling his dirty-blonde hair.

Why had he been so weak?

He knew the answer – what the others had experienced had only been an illusion based on their fears; his had been more a projection of a memory from his past, added to a very real fear for his brother. It was a past that for the last eight years he had been trying to forget; a past that last year had been brutally and painfully brought back to life.

If it hadn't been for his friends, well, he probably wouldn't be here now. He smiled as he pictured his teammates, but then it faded as he remembered what had just happened. He was a liability to them more than an asset, and with Phil hanging around…

Hunter punched the tree in frustration, an act that had no purpose except to bruise his knuckles. Anger flooded through him as he cradled his now-sore hand.

Why did Phil have to come back? Couldn't he have just left him alone?

Every time Hunter saw Phil he wanted to hurt him, kill him even. But something held him back – fear. As much as Hunter hated to admit it, he was petrified of Phil. And that hurt him as much as the physical pain he had been put through. Why?

Impulsively Hunter threw back his head and screamed. All his pent-up frustration, anger and fear flooded out. Suddenly exhausted, Hunter sank down to the ground and just cried. For eight years he'd kept it all bottled up inside, but since last year's final confrontation with Blake, he'd found it harder than ever to hide his feelings and emotions from his brother and friends.

That was why he loved this place so much – he could be completely alone and yet at the same time be unafraid. Phil could never find him here, which made this place so much more special. He was safe. With those comforting thoughts, Hunter sat with his back against a tree and just stared calmly at the sea, lost in daydreams.

xxx

When Hunter returned home to the small apartment he shared with his brother it was getting late. Unsurprisingly, Blake had waited up for him.

"Where have you been?" he demanded as Hunter came through the door.

"I just had to get away for a bit. I'm sorry about before, I just needed some space."

"Some space?"

"Yeah, to think and calm down," Hunter explained.

Blake nodded, "Fine, just give me some warning next time ok?"

Hunter smiled, "I'll try."

"Well that's something I suppose. I'm going to bed; Sensei wants us all for an early training session tomorrow."

Hunter groaned, "I'm not really tired right now. I'll go to bed in a bit."

Blake looked as if he was going to say something, but changed his mind. "Don't stay up too late," he said instead.

Hunter laughed, "I should be telling you that."

Blake smiled, "'Night Hunter."

"'Night bro."