Hey People!

How good am I? Two updates in one day! Go me! Does celebratory dance.

Ok, so anyway, next chapter. Thanks for all the feed back I received. I appreciate it a lot. This is a longer chapter to make up for the appalling shortness of the last chapter.

As you may have noticed, I have made a few things up. I don't know if there is a skateboard team at Storm Chargers, but there is now.

Oh, and Marah and Kapri are good now, but Lothor still exists. The time scale of things is totally messed up in this story so if you get confused at any point, just ask, ok? I don't mind explaining it to you.

Also, if you notice I have anything else wrong, please feel free to let me know!

Disclaimer: This is FICTION, hence the site. This is just something that has come from my twisted and warped mind. So please don't sue, as I have nothing to give you! Oh, and the story title is from the song 'Mistaken Identity' by Delta Goodrem.

Pairings: Hunter/OC, Blake/Tori with vague Dustin/Marah, Cam/Leanne, Shane/Kapri

Chapter 9

Hunter dropped his arms and ran over to her, picking her up and hugging her tightly, not wanting to let go again. When he finally pulled away, he pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss. The others rolled their eyes and groaned slightly, causing the two to part. He smiled at her and brushed his hand over the side of her face, "I thought I lost you…"

"You did," she looked down, "And you will again…"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm going to die again…" the ninja's, Sensai and Leanne looked to her, "Unless I get to the Mountain of Lost Ninja's before sun set."

"I don't know. You look pretty much alive to me," Shane said, poking her shoulder to check she was really there.

"Please, trust me on this," she turned to Sensai who was perched on Cam's shoulder; "I need you to tell me how to get there please?"

He nodded and flipped all the way from the training room to the control room. He landed on a scroll and motioned for Keiko to take it. She did and read it.

"Great. Thanks," she smiled to the group, "Um, wish me luck?"
"Oh no, you're so not going on your own!" Hunter said, walking to stand next to her, "I'm coming with you."

"Hunter, I don't think-"

"Look, please let me help?" he said, turning to her and using his puppy-dog eyes. The ones that could make her change her mind.

She caved, "Fine."

"You all should go," Sensai spoke up from the table. They all turned to him for an explanation, "The Mountain of Lost Ninja's is a very dangerous place. Do you not remember the last time you ventured there? It will take more than two people to make the journey."

"Sensai's right," Blake chimed in, "We'll all go."

Keiko reluctantly agreed but praying silently for the others not to get hurt because of her.

The mobile command centre travelled along the road as fast it was capable. Keiko paced back and forth thinking about what she had seen and every now and then, staring at the clock on the monitor. It was an hour from sun set and she knew they were pushing it. She sighed and walked over to Cam, who was surrounded by the others.

"We'll be there in around 5 minutes," Leanne told them, "Well, as far as we can get in the truck. You'll have to go the rest on foot."

She nodded and took her hair into a high pony tail. Hunter walked over to her and placed his arm around her waist, while standing behind.

"Are you ok?"

"For someone who could die any minute now and get you all killed in the process too, I'd say I'm pretty calm."

"Don't talk like that. You're not going anywhere."

"You don't know that."

"Yes I do."

She couldn't form an answer and just looked to the floor. She was pleased and relieved when the vehicle came to a halt. They walked over to the doors and Keiko was first to exit when they opened.

The seven on them walked in two rows, Keiko, Tori and Dustin at the front, while Shane, Hunter, Blake and Cam brought up the rear. The woods were dark and dreary. They could hear the wind echoing around them and it sent shivers down each one's spine, except hers. She wasn't scared… she was at home. They reached a clearing, much like the one they'd been in last time and they could have sworn blind it was the same one.

They stopped when ghosts and creepy beings appeared in front, behind and to the sides of them. They backed up and formed a circle, their backs facing one another.

"Think we should morph?" Tori said but it was more of a statement than a question.

"Word," Shane answered.

They all moved into position.

"Ninja Storm!"

"Thunder Storm!"

"Samurai Storm!"

"Lightning Storm!"

They performed the hand movement to go along with the words and then finished together with,

"Ranger Form!"

"Split up!" Cam called to the others. They agreed silently.

Tori and Blake took on the ones to the left. Everything was going well until they grabbed Tori and threw her into a tree. Blake retaliated and used his Navy Antler, destroying it.

Dustin and Keiko were taking it in turns to punch or kick the enemy. That was up to the point when Dustin was grabbed and Keiko had to come to his rescue. When he was free she knelt on the ground and he ran up her back, flying into the air and drawing his Ninja Sword. He ended up slashing his way through the group surrounding them.

Cam, Hunter and Shane were tackling the rest. Hunter and Shane's movement's were the same, except Shane possibly had more grace while Hunter's were filled more with force. Cam then came running behind and finished the rest off.

They regrouped and demorphed. No words were needed as Keiko looked to the sun and took off when she realised it was setting. The others followed and they wound up outside the cavern, which once housed the Gem of Lost Souls. Now it only stored the shattered remains.

She turned to rest of them and smiled, trying to hide the shadow of doubt and fear she was feeling.

"Thanks guys."

"No worries. You're our friend and we care for you," Cam said, pulling her into a hug.

She then received one from everyone else and the necessary bout of confidence. Hunter was last and she looked to him with love- filled eyes.

"If you're not out in 15 minutes, I'm coming in after you. Ok?"

She nodded, "Ok," Keiko sniffled and then laughed at how pathetic she sounded.

He brushed his lips with hers after a few second and smiled against her mouth, "Good luck."

"Thanks."

She pulled away from his grip, after pecking him on the lips again and made her way to the cavern entrance. She took a deep breath but stopped and looked back to Hunter watching her, "I love you."

He grinned and looked her back into those brown eyes, "I love you too."

She bit her bottom lip and walked into the unknown.

Hunter sat there, on rock, positioned so her could see into the cavern and be the first one in if need be. He gave up waiting and started playing with the grit and pebbles below his feet. They weren't that interesting but he needed something to stop him going mental and running into the hole in the wall. He thought to when he was just holding her and how he refused to let go, even though he knew he had to. After that, he found his training uniform slightly more interesting. Did you know you could pick away at the stitching and run it through your fingers? There are endless possibilities when you're freaking out.

Back with Keiko…

Keiko breathed deeply as she wandered into the darkness, further and further. She couldn't see anything but when she did it made her gasp. The two figures looked to the noise and smiled, removing their hoods again.

"Keiko, you made it," Julia greeted, motioning for her to move forward.

"I said I wouldn't let you down Sensai," she beamed, moving towards them.

"Are you ready to be alive properly?" Peter queried the younger girl.

"Yes Sensai."

"Very well."

The older two replaced their hoods and lifted their hands over the broken shards of glass lying on the alter; the remainder of the Gem of Lost Souls. They started to glow a violent shade of green. They lifted themselves off the piece of stone and swarmed Keiko's form. They moved in and out, hitting her body each time. She tried to resist the pain from it but it was hard. Biting her lip, she couldn't take any more and fell to her knees and then the ground, crying out in pain.

Outside…

The ear shattering scream echoed through the cavern and right to Hunter's waiting ears. The rest heard it too but before they had chance to speak, Hunter was up and making his way into the cave. They followed closely behind and praying their friend was all right.

Hunter and Blake turned the corner first and the Winds and Cam came into view not long afterwards. Dustin absent-mindedly walked into Blake and went flying backwards. He regained his stance and started rubbing his head, while Hunter and Blake continued to stare with the crowd.

Keiko was starting to move again, pulling herself up with her arms wrapped over the alter. She stumbled a few times and Hunter couldn't help himself anymore. He rushed over and grabbed her arms, putting them around his neck and moving his to her waist. When she was standing, he turned his attention to the glowing figures and hissed evilly, "What the hell have you done to her?"

Blake came behind him and placed his hand on his brother's shoulder, for moral support. It wasn't easy speaking to beings that possibly had the ability to annihilate you.

"It's ok," Keiko breathed uneasily.

"It's not ok, you're in pain," Hunter stated.

"Hunter, it was the only way to save her," the woman spoke.

Hunter's face fell when he heard the voice. He knew that… and so did Blake…

The two removed their hoods once more and Hunter could hear Blake struggle for breath. The shock was a lot and he was convinced that if he wasn't supporting Keiko's body weight, he'd have fainted.

"We are so proud of you Hunter," Peter said, "And of you Blake."

"I'm sorry," Hunter said, downheartedly, looking to the floor.

"You don't have to apologise. We understand. You were concerned. That's all," Julia said, smiling to her son.

"Blake," they gazed to the youngest, "Well done in your last race."

"You watched?"

"We're always watching over you three," Julia smiled.

There passed an eerie silence and the wind blew. Keiko wheezed sharply and then her strength returned. She stood up on her own, taking her weight off of Hunter and looked to the glowing figures.

"Thank you Sensai," she said, smiling and bowing to the outline of humans.

"Sensai?" Hunter asked, looking to her.

She bobbed her head and then Peter spoke, "I suggest you both have a long talk later on to clear everything up. Have no secrets from each other."

"Yes Sensai."

The wind blew again but this time faster and stronger, "We'll always love you," Julia spoke before they both disappeared.

"No! Come back!" Hunter yelled.

"What a sight- the Thunder Rangers crying for their Mummy."

They turned and found themselves face to face with their enemy, Lothor.

"This is some weird Déja vu," Shane said, rubbing his head.

"Dude, you get even uglier each time we see you," Dustin added, folding his arms.

He turned in the direction of Keiko, ignoring the insult and just adding it to the list of energy balls the yellow ranger would get thrown at him when he finally destroyed the rangers.

"Nice to see you again."

"I'm sure the pleasure is all yours."

"You've met?" Cam asked.

"Once. During my attack on the Thunder Ninja Academy but I don't think that we were properly introduced since you were too busy running." Lothor informed.

"Shut up," Keiko growled, clenching her fists and teeth.

"That the best you can come up with?"

"Short of bashing your face in? Yes," she spoke through gritted teeth.

Hunter placed an affectionate hand on her shoulder and gave it a tight squeeze, "Just back off and leave her alone."

"I see you haven't told your caring boyfriend and his brother how you killed his parents then?"

"Keiko, what is he going on about?" Hunter said, taking his hand away and looking towards her.

"I didn't kill them! You did!" she screamed, overlooking Hunter's question.

"Ah, but you were there…" he paused and smirked, "and you didn't help them. You stood there and watched while they fought. If you ask me, that's as bad as slaughtering them yourself."

"I didn't ask you!"

"No I guess not. Never mind." And with that final sentence, a flash or smoke and a couple energy blasts aimed at the rangers, he just disappeared as quickly as he came.

Hunter and Blake folded their arms and she looked up at them.

Hunter fought back tears that were threatening to spill, "Is he right? Tell me he's lying. Were you there?"

Keiko bit her bottom lip hard. It started to bleed and she knew she had to get rid of the salty taste in her mouth, but not just literally. "Yes," she breathed in a barely audible tone.

"I hate you." Blake's eyes turned red. All he could see, feel and think was anger and how much he felt towards her right now. He despised her even more than Lothor and that was saying something. She was the reason his parents weren't here now and for that, he could never forgive her. He didn't look back as he sprinted out of the cave.

Hunter's face became solemn. No emotion was shown through. Keiko searched his eyes but for what she wasn't too sure off. She needed something from him and at this moment, it seemed she was seeking understanding and forgiveness. She walked towards him and reached her hand out to take his but he pulled it out of her reach. "Just stay away from me," he spat and those venomous words pierced Keiko's heart acutely.

Before she could open her mouth he had turned and fled out of the cavern after his brother. Keiko's head sunk and her body ended up on the ground. Shane, Tori and Dustin were tutting and shaking their heads, saying something implausible to her ears as they left. She found herself in Cam's arms and crying softly on his shoulder. She couldn't comprehend what had happened. She was alive now, so why did she feel so dead inside?

Hmmm. Just goes from bad to worse, don't it? Heheh. Review please? I'd appreciate it sooooooooo much.