Happy 2006! Another year, and another chapter! Hope you all had a good one. I went fancy dress. So much fun! Oh, and fireworks are dangerous. We had some in our garden and it was very nearly a disaster. My dad set one off upside down by accident and THAT was like a war zone! Oops! Never mind, no one was hurt. Only slightly singed!

Shoutouts: Jnr Cpl Scarlett - Thanks! CamFan4Ever - Of course I liked them! Here's your update. RavynOwl - Ask anyone! They will vouch that I am 100 an evil tease lol! Hmmm... Hunter confronting Phil? You'll have to wait and see! Blackie Frogz - Lol! There'll be more lightning coming! Ukume - Thanks for the offer... I'm sure there are a lot of people that would help you hide the body! EliseRedding - Happy Birthday! Thanks so much! Hoping this chapter is a little longer... Crimson-Ranger - 'Squeaks back' One update as ordered! garnetred - You want a Phil/Hunter confrontation as well? Wait and see... Yellowwolf - No worries lol! Nice to have you back!

Here's chapter ten. Read, review but most importantly of all... enjoy!

Storm Clouds Gather

The next morning Blake arrived at Ninja Ops alone.

"Where is Hunter?" Sensei asked.

Blake looked nervous, "He, er, had another bad night last night. He didn't go to bed until three a.m. and then he woke up screaming twice. He'd only just got to sleep again when I got up and I couldn't bear to wake him."

"You didn't get much sleep then either," Dustin said perceptively.

Blake shook his head, "I'm kinda used to it by now."

Sensei sighed; he knew there was more to Blake's story than he was letting on. Blake was a bad liar, unlike his brother. "Blake this has got to stop. You can't keep making excuses for your brother."

"I'm not making excuses Sensei," Blake shot a pleading look at the rangers' mentor, which said he didn't want to discuss his brother in front of the others.

Sensei understood the look and set the others off sparring – Cam and Shane, Dustin and Tori. Then he took Blake aside.

"What is the real problem Blake?"

Blake shrugged, "He did have a bad night Sensei, I'm not making that up. But sleep deprivation has never stopped Hunter before. I don't know what's wrong; I don't think he wanted to see the others, after what happened yesterday. Hunter's proud and won't ask for help, he proved that last year. He's always been so strong but with Phil around how can he get back to normal? I want to help him, but honestly how can I?"

Sensei shook his head, "I think this is something that Hunter is going to have to sort out for himself."

"I know, but this is Hunter we're talking about."

Sensei had no answer to that so there was no further discussion; instead Blake was paired up with Shane to spar.

"I overheard you and Sensei," Shane said in a low voice.

"How?" Blake looked puzzled.

Shane grinned, "I'm an air ninja remember?" His face turned serious, "I didn't mean to snoop but I'm worried about Hunter. I'm leader of this team and if he's not up to it… What's wrong with him?"

"That's the problem. I don't know. He won't talk to me about anything; it's worse than before. How can I help him when he won't tell me what's happening?" Frustration was apparent on Blake's face.

Shane put his hand on the younger boy's shoulder. "Do you want me to speak to him? If I remember correctly, we never got around to our little chat last year, in between fighting that monster and discovering what was actually happening to Hunter it kinda got forgotten."

Blake smiled at him gratefully, "Thanks. Maybe you could come around after training…"

Shane nodded, "I've got to go to Storm Chargers first but then, sure."

xxx

Meanwhile Hunter had managed to drag himself out of bed. He felt bad about getting Blake to make excuses for him but after his performance yesterday Hunter just couldn't face his friends. He was just thinking about breakfast when Blake arrived home.

"Hey bro," he greeted him.

"You ok?" Blake asked, noting the dark circles under his brother's eyes.

"Fine," Hunter said, a little too quickly.

Blake was planning on arguing but was stopped by the doorbell ringing.

Saved by the bell Hunter thought. "I'll get it," he said out loud.

Blake nodded; it was probably Shane but he wasn't going to admit to Hunter that he'd invited him over. Maybe now they could get him sorted out…His thoughts were disrupted by the sound of a fist hitting flesh followed by a yell from Hunter…