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The Princess and the Shogun
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Act Two:
Thunder Pilgrimage
Painted the lightest shade of cerulean, the sky hosted the glorious morning sun, which radiated down upon the lush, green grass, bathing not only the Wind Ninja Academy, but all of the surrounding area in a humble, sublime golden shower. The sound of training students filled the air as a light gale blew by, spreading across fallen leaves and rippling the waters.
Tori, perched on the back of the school, legs crossed and eyes closed, meditated peacefully as the wind blew by her, tossing her blonde tresses around her neck. She turned her body around at the sound of the sliding rice-paper door.
"Oh, hey Cam!" she sounded both surprised and slightly confused.
"I didn't mean to interrupt your sessions, but I have a message from Blake and Hunter."
"Really? Hmm, that's odd. Couldn't they have just called me themselves?"
Producing a laugh, Cam explained. "They were worried you would be meditating."
Tori, admiring the irony of the situation, salvaged a grin. "Now why in the world would I be doing that?" Rising to her feet, she pressed out the creases in her outfit. "So, what did they want?"
"They said to meet them this afternoon around four at Storm Chargers." He didn't explain much further, as if trying to keep something hidden. "Dustin and Shane will be there too." He added before walking back into the main area.
"Thanks Cam!" She beamed, though he had already exited.
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"What do you mean, you're leaving?" asked Tori, hands clasped in front of her.
The circle of friend stood inside a Storm Chargers, absent from the group of customers in order to give them a sense of privacy.
Neither Blake nor Hunter replied with words, instead a solemn grin appeared across their faces. Hunter, stepping up, offered a bit of information. "We've come to call this place our home Tori, but now that the fighting is over."
"You want to find your real home," Dustin, a welcoming smile from ear to ear, replied. "Dude, I completely understand." He put his hand over Blake's shoulder. "I hope you find what you're looking for."
Hunter glanced over at Shane, who stood mute in the corner of the room. He opened his mouth but found no words coming out. Even from the distance, Hunter could sense the tension from Shane.
"What about the classes you taught." Shane's voice was distant and almost icy. "I thought you were happy here, with us."
"We are happy here," Blake spoke up, his civilian clothing swaying with his motion. "But it still feels like a part of us is missing. What if, somehow, we could restore the Thunder Ninja Academy?"
Kicking into the air, Shane's head dropped a degree. "Does Sensei know about this?"
Feeling the need to reconcile, Hunter explained. "He was the first to know. We talked with him for hour's man; he understands where we're coming from."
"The guy does have advice to give," Dustin said, shaking his head in agreement.
"Dustin, dude, you're not suppose to agree with them!"
Tori shook her head at her friend. "Shane, do you hear what you're saying?"
Backing into the corner so much it became his leaning post, Shane's eyes resonated with remorse. "I guess I am being a little childish about the situation." Remembering all their times together, the red-clad man found it hard to explain himself. "I –I just can't imagine life without you guys now."
"It's not going to be the same without you guys hanging around. Who am I going to talk to at work now?"
"And who am I going to train with?" Shane, trying his hardest to summon up enthusiasm, stepped up.
Hunter, crossing over to his friendly rival, exchanged the sadness for a bit of humor as he shook his hand. "There's no need in training with you if I constantly kick your butt." Shane sacrificed a chuckle then playfully nudged him in the arm.
"So," Tori's soft voice trembled with a dash of melancholy, "when are you guys heading out?"
"Tomorrow." Blake, with a presence of solitude, answered.
Followed by Hunter's chirpier say-so. "After we have a final dinner of course. We're not leaving this place without a celebration."
"I love parties!" Dustin's thick lips curved upwards. "I can't wait! I'll bring the ice cream and cake! Dude, it's gonna be great!" His lips inverted to a frown. "I mean, well, it's gonna be a bummer you guys are leaving…but the party will be great!" The smile returned.
Laughter from the group filled the room. Underneath the laughter, a shadow of sweet-sadness lingered. Could this really be the last time the group would be together? By the way things were going, it seems so.
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Blake walked out of Storm Chargers; his shoes beating against the concrete pavement, a thin veil of tears eclipsed his eyes though not enough to fully constitute as crying. Not one to show his emotion, he found it hard to remain calm during the meeting.
"So this is how you follow up the first date?"
At the sound of Tori's voice, Blake used his sleeve to wipe away the curtain of water before turning around. "Yeah, well, I guess that is kinda lame of me." Though weak, he tried to beam. "But, it's not you!"
Tori crossed her arms together. "I know." A mischievous smile crept behind her mouth. "It seems, no matter what was going on, we could never be together. Lothor did his best keeping us apart with monsters and popcorn!"
Both of them laughed at the recollection of the movie-theatre and the series of events that followed that day. Tori brushed her blonde locks aside and continued. "We both have duties and our own destines to follow. I understand why you're doing what you're doing."
"It feels like a part of me is somehow missing. I need to fill that void."
"And I never could." Her head dropped a degree. Underneath her lowered head she tried her best to keep the tears from falling. "I guess, in the end, I'm glad my destiny allowed me time with you. Maybe we could never be together forever, but for the times we've shared and made, they'll never leave me heart."
"Tori, I…don't know what to say."
"Say you'll miss me too silly!" Her head popped up and a cheerful demeanor replaced the former grief. Giggles erased the traces of cry and the curve on her lips eradicated the rivers of tears that once flowed across her maiden cheeks.
Wrapping his arms around her, he whispered in her ear. "I'll miss you more than you could ever imagine."
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Marah touched up on her current make-up that dominated the majority of her face. Under her eyelashes, long stains of purple rippled while her lips quaked with the lightest shade of fuchsia.
"Only an idiot like you would put on make up to go to ninja training." Kapri, waiting from across the room, huffed.
"There's reason for this." She twittered as another stroke of make-up washed across her face.
"And what might that be?"
Turning from her chair she threw her arms out wide. "Dustin's coming to the Academy today! I heard so through some other kids training. Sensei is letting all of the classes out early today in order to have a farewell dinner for Hunter and Blake."
Taken back in shock, Kapri gasped. "They're leaving!"
"You're so out of the loop sister." Marah felt surprise to upstage her sister and prolonged the discussion. "I plan on showing up at the dinner, looking fabulous of course, and completely sweeping Dustin off his feet!"
Kapri's eyes rolled as a sigh escaped her lips. "Somehow I see this plan failing…"
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"Cam, this smells delicious!" Tori's eyes widened at the array of traditional Asian food that spread across the table in Ninja Ops.
Through intricate and flashy decorations, the base was transformed into a celebrative and fun room with a banner hung across the walls and customary Chinese lamps dangling from the roof. Hunter, Blake, Tori, Shane, Dustin, Cam and the Sensei all rested around the low-table, their bodies resting on the ground and stomachs growling with excitement at the selection of foods in front of them.
Cam picked up chop sticks and began to serve everyone. "Thanks Tori. I picked up these recipes from father." The sage nodded to his son. "I felt I had to do something special for Hunter and Blake before they left."
"I think I'm gonna leave just to get some of Cam's food!" Dustin said in between bites of a noodle dish.
His reply earned him strange looks from the group. Backing from the table some, he hesitantly smirked. "What?"
"Never change dude, never change." Hunter politely ended.
Dinner was accompanied with several stories from the past days. All of the former Rangers recollected their tales of fighting and laughing and training. Despite all the undertone of departing, the final supper felt like a departing gift to Hunter and Blake that was both heartfelt and enjoyable.
"And then Hunter became a baby-sitter!" Tori burst into entertainment.
"Dessert is served!" A high-pitched peep brought the attention from Tori's narrative to the woman holding a cake in her grip. Marah, dressed in a long Japanese inspired kimono colored like a dandelion waited in the entrance.
"I don't recall ordering dessert." Sensei, hands in lap, waned.
Walking over to the table and placing the cake down, Marah waved her hand playfully. "Oh silly you! You're always trying to eat healthy!" She rose up and winked. "This is homemade with organic icing! It's like, really good for you!"
Dustin placed his hands on his stomach, "I don't think I can fit another bite in!"
Marah was busy cutting up the pieces unto small plates she carried with her. As she laid a portion In front of Dustin she convinced him otherwise. "Dustin! You have to try this, it's absolutely delicious!" Putting the cake in front of him she lifted her head up and pride spread across her face.
Not wanting to seem rude, Dustin waited until she turned around to give a piece to Cam before sniffing the dessert. His nose twitched at the odd tang that arose from the small slice of white cake.
"This looks," Shane, trying to find the right term, used the provided fork to pick up the cake. "Interesting…" The peculiar designs of frosting covering the edges looked half way normal compared to the cake, which instead of being light and fluffy was stale and rigid, like it was cooked weeks before hand.
Blake had begun chewing the food, only to end up spitting it into a napkin while the baker's eyes were absent. "Delicious…" he replied without truth when Marah turned to look at him.
"I really wanted to make you and Hunter something special before you left us." Marah explained as she paced across the room. "For all the battles we caused, I think I owed you something."
"And this is how you say goodbye?" Shane said under his breathe, not audible for anyone in the audience.
"I just hope you remember us when you're out doing, like the things you're going to do." The kimono-clothed lass said, striding transversely throughout the space. Suddenly, she walked too fast, her slipper-covered foot catching a crack in the floor and she stumbled to the ground with a yell.
Her hairpin hit the ground with a small click as her locks became unruly and loose. Dustin put his hand out to pick her up. With a gentle smile, she accepted, coming back to her feet and hesitantly beaming. "I guess I should watch my step better." Brushing her outfit, she offered gratitude. "Thanks!"
Dustin, his teeth flashing white, grinned. "No problem."
Below her words, Marah thought to herself. Pretending to fall was my greatest idea yet! Sometimes I amaze myself at my genius! The plan worked with perfect charm. Her giggled suddenly bubbled out to the rest of the group. I can't wait to tell Kapri how wrong she was!
Finally realizing all the eyes upon her, Marah stepped back a little. "Oh, I uh, guess I didn't notice how funny it was that I –uh fell." Seeing the crowd reply with agreement, she silently congratulated herself.
Dustin will fall for me in no time!
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Soft crimson waves spread across the sky, turning the once pale blue to a luminous maroon as the moon reared its head. Seven shadows were cast against the mountain setting of the school, each of them resonating with both distress and hope. The cool wind bit around them while the stars had just begun to shine.
Tori, with hand over mouth, tried to fight back the tears.
"It's so hard to believe!" Dustin's optimism began to fade as his words became loose. "I mean, I uh, I don't really know what to say, but like, good luck dudes!"
Hunter's eyes filled with a sea of emotion as he put out his hand, only to exchange it for a hug. Blake exchanged friendly hugs with his motocross pal before looking at Shane, then Tori. "You all mean so much to me. More than words could come close to explaining." The simplicity of his sincerity hit all of the members hard.
"Both of you always have a home here dude." Shane offered.
Dustin followed up. "And don't forget to keep in touch!"
Cam's glaze trailed off to Tori. She hasn't spoken since we left dinner. I guess Blake and Hunter's departure has really hit her now. The hugeness of what was happening began to dawn on him. I just hope that wherever they go, they stay safe.
Hunter looked Sensei in the eyes. "I truly can't thank you enough for all your teachings," he bowed beside his brother.
"And your advice." Blake added.
With his hands behind his back, Sensei's head bowed. "Hunter," he looked at the blonde, "Blake," then to the dark haired man, "Both of you have matured into fine young men. Your parents would be more than proud to call you their children."
"Thank you." Their voices chorused.
Brining his hands to the front, two uniforms appeared, one in each hand. "I have not left you without a gift." The two looked at their presents. "Consider this a reminder of all of us and your time here." A solemn yet placid smile appeared. "The good and the bad, both of them shape who you are now."
Out of the six teenagers none of them found words to speak. Goodbyes and good times weren't enough to elucidate the multitude of sentiments running throughout each of them. So, silence dominated as a soft gust blew by.
The sea never expects it, when it rains. Sensei contemplated. The sea changes colors, but the sea does not change. Reflections began to mirror behind his intimate eyes and he too began to feel the passion of his students.
Hunter, with his uniform pressed against his chest, broke the spell. "I guess we should go before the sun sets." Blake quietly nodded.
Each of them said a final farewell before the two brothers began to walk away. Giving a final glance back, Hunter and Blake darted off into the distance, leaving a scheme of dark red and deep blue in their wake.
"And so," Tori's eyes spilled over in tears. "It ends…"
Sensei stepped up and comforted Tori. "Or, does it simply begin?"
Finish
That chapter was harder to write than I originally imagined. Now that the build up is done, the next chapter will actually start to focus on action and the title will start to make sense. For Blake and Hunter fans, don't fret, I can't say too much without ruining the plot, but you won't be disappointed, promise! Also, Sensei's thoughts before the end are actually lyrics from Stevie Nicks' classic "Edge of Seventeen". As always, please read and review.