"I'm giving up motocross." The admission was greeted with a stunned silence.
"But, why?" Hunter asked confused. Little blame to him, seeing that Blake was one of the best riders Factory Blue had.
Blake shook his head, "It's a long story and I don't really want to get into it."
The others looked at each other, and finally Cam asked, "Okay then, what now?"
Blake shrugged, "I don't know. I didn't think that far. I just packed and left."
"Well, you could definitely be of some assistance at the Thunder Academy." Hunter said, still sounding a little confused, and not quite sure of himself.
Blake sighed, "Look, I'll figure it out okay. Just give me some time."
"Alright then, Shane, Dustin you too have classes to teach. Better get there fast before Marah and Kapri decide to start another impromptu sparring session with all the students."
"Always on your case." Dustin grumbled good naturedly.
Shane grinned at him and then turned to the two Bradley brothers, "Well, see you guys around. You guys are going to be staying around for a while right?"
Hunter looked at Blake and then nodded, "Yeah, but I packed for only two days. Lee Ann can handle the school by herself, but I don't want to leave her alone for too long."
"Lee Ann can manage quite well by herself." Came said suddenly and then, "You guys can crash at Ninja Ops if you like. There's the spare room."
"Yea," Dustin said as he made his way out, "and when you get tired of Cam being on your case 24/7 you guys can crash with us!" He ran after that and Cam didn't stop glowering at him until Dustin was well out of view.
Hunter and Blake grinned. "Well, let me check out that room and I'll set up our stuff there okay Blake?" When Blake nodded Cam and Hunter went away to check out the room.
"Ah, I'd better go too." Tori said. "You must be tired." She tried to make a move away from Blake's side where she had been since he'd arraived. But Blake was too fast. He caught her hand and tugged so that she was facing him. But he wasn't smiling. He took a deep breath, and then began,
"Tor, I need to tell you something." Tori took one look at his face and instinctively started backing away,
"It's not good, is it?" And she knew it wasn't when Blake let her back away. He looked sad as he shook his head,
"Tori. I'm so sorry. But I can't do this….you and me. It's not…it can't…I don't want to…" He couldn't seem to say the proper words, so he just looked at her and shrugged helplessly. The look Tori had on her face at that moment was tearing into him. She looked confused, and sad and most of all, she looked really very hurt.
"I..I don't understand." She said shaking her head, the blonde locks swinging away. "No. I don't understand why. But I do understand what you're trying to say." She was now a good foot away from him. "I have to go." She turned then and ran from ninja ops.
