Author's Note: Thanks Annie and JDTB90 for the reviews, glad you enjoyed the last chapter. Hope you like this one too. It seems you both guessed that Hunter was the sixth grader. The answer is revealed in this chapter and I have written a new story called "All Ninjas But One Grow Up" that covers their childhood events. As far as Dustin having his first time with a girl, I guess we'll have to see. This chapter took a lot out of me toward the end, but the beginning is fun. Anyway, on to the story...
Previously in Parallel Realities Ninja Storm:
Dustin admits that he is attracted to guys in addition to girls. Dustin is revealed not to be a bottom or top, but to like being "equals." Hunter spying on Dustin, Tobi and Shane's conversation leads the whole gang to be in on Dustin's coming out as bi. Tori suspects that Blake (and possibly everyone) is keeping secrets from her, so she plans a little get-together at Blake and Hunter's. Meanwhile, Hunter tells Dustin he has something to tell him tonight. Tobi insists they join the sleepover and resolve things then. And, though, everyone has reservations, both Tori and Tobi say, "What could possibly go wrong?" Of course, whenever someone says that, you know what comes next...
Parallel Realities Ninja Storm: Chapter 11 (What Could Possibly Go Wrong?)
"Oh, Tobi," Dustin moaned, pulling away from their kiss. "Let's do it now." He then proceeded to remove his shirt.
"Here, let me help you with that," Tobi offered, yanking Dustin's yellow shirt off and throwing it to the ground. He ran his hands along Dustin's smooth, firm chest, letting his fingers linger on the earth ninja's dark nipples.
Dustin reached for his zipper and slid down his jeans. He was wearing boxers with yellow smiley faces on them.
Tobi couldn't help but laugh. "Cute touch," he commented over his shoulder.
Dustin then reached for his boxers and slid them down to reveal... another pair of identical boxers underneath them.
"Here, let me try," Tobi offered, but another identical pair was below that... and another and another.
Tobi turned toward Cam, frustrated.
"I don't know what happened," Cam commented. "It must be a glitch."
"Yeah," Tobi agreed, frowning. "The boxers were a cute touch at first, but..."
"I know, I know," Cam replied. "Maybe it's the layering effect. I could remove the boxers and go for only pants."
"I've been waiting this long for Cyber Dustin," Tobi pointed out, "so I guess I can wait a little longer. Oh! Can you make his nipples get hard when I rub them too? And speaking of getting hard when touched..."
Cam looked flustered. "Uh, yeah. As for the nipples, I think I have that effect stored somewhere."
"Great!" Tobi replied. "And I don't think you got his kiss quite right. The real Dustin's lips were a little softer and super hot. I mean, temperature-wise. Oh, and his eyes have more gold in them."
"Anything else?" Cam asked impatiently.
"Could I get fries with that?" Tobi joked before asking with a wide grin, "Did I mention what a great friend you are?"
"You know, I thought Dustin just came out of the closet," Cam reminded Tobi.
"That doesn't mean he's about to drop his pants for me," Tobi pointed out. "I mean, look at Tori. She likes guys but she won't put out."
"Oh, so, uh," Cam stuttered, "she's still a... virgin?"
"I'm pretty sure," Tobi concluded. "She's definitely not giving Blake any."
"Yeah, I've heard he's been forced to look... elsewhere for that," Cam said with a suggestive grin.
"What, does everyone know about me and Blake in the closet?" Tobi asked.
"Maybe Tori knows," Cam suggested with a hopeful look.
"I hope not!" Tobi replied before noticing Cam's expression and remembering Cam wanted Tori to dump Blake. "But maybe she's saving herself for someone else," she suggested.
"Who?" Cam asked.
"I thought you were supposed to be the smart one," Tobi mumbled. "You! I'm talking about you!"
Cam gave him a doubtful look.
"You never know," Tobi offered.
Cam shook his head. "Not to change the subject or anything, but about this party tonight. I thought Blake and Hunter share and apartment."
"It's not a party," Tobi clarified. "It's just a 'friendly get together.' No loud music or alcohol. You should come!"
"I don't know if it's my thing," Cam argued.
"I guess if you'd rather work on Cyber Dustin, that's fine," Tobi conceded easily.
"My father is always pressing me to go out and do things with the group," Cam explained. "I guess so."
"I'll let Tori know," Tobi replied before leaving Ninja Ops to meet up with the others.
Later that evening, the group met at Hunter and Blake's apartment.
"It's kinda unusual for you to invite people to a party at our place, Tori," Blake commented as he helped her carry in her sleeping bag and overnight stuff.
"First off, it's not a party," she explained. "It's a sleepover. Second, it's for us as much as it's for the others."
"Us?" Blake repeated. "With everyone else crowded in here? This feels like payback for something."
"Why? Do you deserve payback for something?" she accused.
"Uh... no... I... uh... Oh! Hey, Dustin!" he greeted.
Dustin struggled to carry in a stack of pizza boxes.
"Ah, the heath food's here," Tori said sarcastically.
"I also brought us some movies and games!" Dustin said, looking for a place to put the pizzas.
"Twister?" Tobi asked, entering and helping Dustin with the boxes. "Strip poker?"
"Uh, no," Dustin replied, confused. "I brought Mario Kart!" he announced.
Tori roller her eyes before greeting, "Hey, Hunter."
"I got the sodas," he said, bringing in a case of bottles.
"Why bottles instead of cans?" Tori asked.
Hunter grinned nervously. "Uh, no reason."
"Spin the bottle," Tobi whispered.
Tori closed her eyes, wondering what she was getting into.
Tobi pulled her aside as the others set up. "So, how are you planning on getting the truth about the... woman out of Blake?" he quietly asked her.
She looked around quickly before pulling out a bottle of prescription pills.
"You're going to give him truth serum!" Tobi said, shocked.
"No!" she defended. "It's just my mom's prescription sleeping pills. The side effects include talking in your sleep. My mom does it all the time."
Tobi stared at her in disbelief. "Your… mom? He repeated.
"Yeah," she mumbled. "What's wrong with that?"
"What have you done with this dimension's Tori!" he demanded.
"What are you talking about?" she asked. "The other Tori isn't here."
"No, of course not," he replied quickly.
"Do I really seem... evil?" she asked, shoving the bottle in her bag with a guilty look. "What has love done to me?"
"Wait a minute!" Tobi yelled, though trying to keep his voice down. "You love Blake?"
"Oh, I said that, didn't I?" she replied nervously. "I don't know. I guess we'll find out after tonight."
"I brought the action movies!" Shane announced, entering.
Dustin ran up to him with a slice of pizza hanging from his mouth. "Which ones? Let me see!" he somehow managed to ask.
Meanwhile, Blake pulled his brother aside. "How are they all going to fit in here?"
"You and Tori take your bed, Dustin and me in mine and that only leaves Shane, Cam, and Tobi for the living room," Hunter explained.
Blake shook his head. "This is not going to work."
"Hey, it was your girlfriend's idea," Hunter defended.
"Is that what she is?" Blake asked.
"Yeah, isn't it?" Hunter replied.
"We'll see," he said nervously.
"You have a plan, don't you?" Hunter accused.
"Uh, maybe..." Blake grinned. "Let's just say it involves getting her naked."
Just then Cam arrived, carrying a guinea pig cage with...
"Sensei!" the group yelled in shock.
"What are you doing here?" Hunter asked, approaching Cam and Sensei.
"I did not wish to spend an evening alone tonight," Sensei explained.
"There goes the party," Dustin whispered, but apparently not quiet enough.
"I am not here to ruin your recreational activities," Sensei defended. "I merely wish to join in."
"I'm sorry, Sensei," Dustin apologized.
"Yeah, we're happy to have you," Tori chimed in.
"Also, it happens to be my... birthday." Sensei confessed, lowering his tiny face.
"What!" everyone yelled.
"That is correct. Many years ago on this day I entered this world," Sensei mused.
"Dude, how long ago was that?" Dustin asked.
Shane promptly elbowed him.
"That is not important," Sensei replied. "What is important is that those years have made me wiser."
"And smaller," Tobi added to himself.
"Now, let us continue the festivities unimpeded," Sensei declared.
"Huh?" Dustin asked.
"Party on, dude," Shane translated.
"No cake?" Tobi asked Cam.
Cam watched his father somersault onto a box. "I forgot," he admitted, looking depressed. "I guess I had a lot on my mind."
"Hey, it's not that bad that you're dad's here, is it?" Tobi asked.
"It's not just that," Cam whispered back. "I thought..."
"I don't think you were going to get any alone time with Tori to begin with," Tobi pointed out. "Not with everyone here."
"It's not that," Cam replied, looking around nervously.
"You're up to something, aren't you?" Tobi asked. "What, is everyone plotting something tonight?"
"Why, are you?" Cam replied.
"Me?" Tobi asked, thinking of his plan to switch morphers while Tori showered or slept. "No!" He pretended to laugh at the ridiculous idea. "So, what are you up to?"
Cam looked around once more. "Promise not to tell anyone."
"My lips are sealed," Tobi agreed.
"Okay," Cam began quietly. "Marah and Kapri used this formula on Blake and myself to make one of us fall for them, but Tori was there and we both fell for her. I managed to save a sample and recreate it..."
"And you're going to give it to Tori?" Tobi concluded.
"Yes," Cam replied, "but I only think it works if the person likes the other person to begin with because it made Blake and me fall for Tori."
"Oh," Tobi mumbled, feeling Cam's plan was doomed if his sister really loved Blake, but knowing another perfectly good use for Cam's love potion. "So, would it work on anyone? Say... Dustin?"
"I don't even know for sure if it will work at all," Cam confessed. "And, with my father here, I probably won't use it tonight."
"What a shame," Tobi mumbled. "You can always make more, right?"
"Yeah, I guess so," he replied.
"Perfect," Tobi declared. "If you're not going to use that batch, I have a little experiment of my own."
Cam gave him a suspicious look. "Uh, I think I'll hold onto it for now."
"Suit yourself," Tobi frowned.
"Ah! I forgot my sleeping bag!" Dustin suddenly announced.
Hunter grinned. "You can always share my bed," he generously offered. "It's nice and big and… comfortable."
"I'll go with you to go get it!" Tobi quickly offered.
"Uh, sure, TZT," Dustin agreed, giving Hunter a wary look. "I'll, uh, be back."
"Quickly," Tobi whispered, pushing Dustin out the door, "before Hunter follows us."
"I'm coming. Chill out, dude," Dustin laughed.
"So, did you really forget your sleeping bag?" Tobi asked once they were outside.
"Yeah, why?" Dustin replied, confused.
"No reason," Tobi explained. "It just seems like everyone else is up to something tonight."
"I'm just up for having a good time," Dustin replied, smiling.
Tobi smiled back. "Yeah, me too. But I think Hunter's gonna try to get you in bed one way or another tonight."
Dustin laughed nervously. "I'm not worried."
"You're not?" Tobi asked. "You don't want to..."
Dustin nervously ran a hand through his hair. "I just mean he didn't like attack me in the bathroom today. He was... gentle."
"Hunter was gentle?" Tobi asked in disbelief. "What about... me?"
"You were more... passionate," Dustin replied.
"Oh, sorry I guess," Tobi apologized, looking down.
Dustin stopped walked and turned to Tobi. "No, dude," he said, lifting Tobi's chin so their eyes met, "I liked it."
Tobi smiled up at him.
"You get all insecure just like me sometimes, TZT," Dustin continued, lowering his hand. "You make me feel... less weird I guess."
"Or like being weird is okay?" Tobi suggested.
"Yeah," Dustin agreed.
"You make me feel the same way," Tobi added.
"Me?" Dustin asked, confused.
"I never fit in back in my own dimension," Tobi explained.
"I know what that's like, dude," Dustin replied.
Tobi smiled at him. "And you deal with it and so do I. You make me feel like I belong." He gestured with his hands. "I mean, who would have thought that I'd fit in better here in this weird dimension." He laughed a little.
"I'm glad you ended up in this dimension, TZT," Dustin said, returning his smile.
"So am I," Tobi replied, staring into Dustin's dark eyes as they reflected the setting sun. They seemed to burn with golden sunlight. "Dustin," he said softly, not breaking eye contact. "I love you."
"I know," Dustin reminded him. "You told me already. So does Hunter."
"Yeah," Tobi replied, finally breaking his eye contact. "And what about you?"
"What about me?" Dustin asked.
"Who do you love?" Tobi said slowly.
"I don't know," he admitted. "I don't know if I've ever been in love, like ever."
Tobi sighed. "Trust me, you'd know. You'd definitely know."
"I've had crushes and stuff," Dustin continued, "but I think love's different." He cocked his head to one side and looked off, deep in thought.
"One day you're gong to have to choose," Tobi whispered.
"Huh?" Dustin asked.
"Between us," Tobi finished.
"Oh," Dustin mumbled, watching the colors of the clouds blend together over the setting sun.
Tobi watched him fro a while until they continued off into the sunset.
When the two returned to Hunter and Blake's apartment with Dustin's sleeping bag and overnight belongings, they were greeted by Shane wearing underwear on his head.
"Uh, dude, did you know you have underwear on your head?" Dustin asked slowly.
"Yeah, bro, I know," Shane said, glancing up. "Truth or dare. Too bad you missed Tori showing off her tits."
"What!" both Dustin and Tobi yelled in unison.
Shane laughed. "Dudes, I'm just kidding. We just started. Besides, Tori would never do something crazy like that."
Dustin and Tobi exchanged looks as they entered.
"Tobi!" Tori greeted. "Sit in for me," she insisted, whispering, "These guys keep trying to get me to pick dare and I know what they have in mind."
"Really?" Tobi replied with fake surprise before approaching the others. They were all seated in a circle on the floor, including Sensei.
"We already know all Tobi's secrets," Hunter complained. "How about Dustin?"
Dustin fidgeted nervously. "Maybe I'll pick dare?" he suggested.
"Suits me just fine," Hunter grinned.
Dustin nervously took a seat while Tobi stood by his sister and watched.
"Alright," Sensei said, his little guinea pig nose twitching, "it was my turn and, if I recall, Cameron, you chose dare, no doubt because I am your father and you assumed I would go easy on you." He grinned. "I dare you to... bake me a cake made out of those delicious guinea pig snacks I love."
Everyone stared at Sensei with surprised expressions.
"This is a strange game of truth or dare," Dustin commented.
Cam looked like he thought his father might be joking, so Blake chimed in. "Feel free to use our kitchen, bro."
"Alright," Cam said, standing. "Uh, Tori, would you mind helping me?"
"What? Because I'm a girl, I know how to cook?" she replied defensively.
"Well," Cam added, hesitantly glancing at the others, "we did take that cooking class together. Besides, can you name one of them who can cook?"
She looked from Dustin to Hunter, Blake and Shane. "I see your point."
Tobi caught Cam give him a nervous grin as they left for the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Hunter was looking suggestively at Dustin. "I guess it's you and me. So, what'll it be? Truth... or dare?"
"Uh," Dustin squirmed, "shouldn't it be Blake's turn?"
Hunter frowned, but looked at Blake and said, "Sure."
Dustin breathed an audible sigh of relief.
"Truth or dare?" Blake asked.
"Truth," Dustin said before changing his mind. "Dare. I pick dare."
Blake exchanged a look with his brother that said, "Please don't make me go through with this," but Hunter nodded and Blake continued.
"I dare you to kiss Hunter," Blake said unenthusiastically.
Dustin's eyes widened for a moment until it sunk in. He was tricked and it made him mad, but he simply tilted his head, leaned forward and proceeded to kiss Hunter, who already had a big, satisfied smile on his face.
"Ouch!" Hunter cried as Dustin pulled away.
Hunter held his lip, giving Dustin a confused look. "You bit me?" Then a grin curled up on Hunter's injured mouth.
Tobi leaned forward and whispered to Dustin, "I told you he likes it rough. You aroused him. 'Gentle' my virgin butt!"
Dustin's expression changed to an uneasy smile. "You know," he said quickly, "this game's kinda lame. Anyone up for Mario Kart?"
"How about a movie?" Shane suggested.
"Personally," Sensei chimed in, "I would enjoy this 'Mario Kart.'"
"Right on!" Dustin cheered, ready to give Sensei a high five, but quickly realizing the difficulty in that.
"Let me go check on Tori and Cam while you guys set things up," Tobi said, heading for the kitchen.
"Cam, I really don't want to taste the batter," Tori insisted while Cam held a bowl in front of her. "I really don't think I'd be a good judge of what tastes good to a guinea pig."
"I'm sure the batter's fine," Tobi said as he entered the kitchen. "Here, let me help you." He pulled a confused Cam aside. "Listen," he whispered to Cam. "The Tori from my dimension loves chocolate. Make her a cake or cupcake or something and say 'Why waste all the space in the oven for one little Sensei cake?'"
Cam smiled, seeing the idea form in his mind.
"Now, I'll help you, but I want everything I listed in Cyber Dustin," Tobi demanded, "plus I want him to blush and get a little flustered when I kiss him."
"Agreed," Cam said, discretely shaking Tobi's hand.
"What are you two doing over there?" Tori asked suspiciously.
"Oh," Cam said, turning around. "Tobi was just mentioning what a waste it would be to, uh, use the whole oven for such a small cake."
"Well, I don't think Sensei can eat a large one and no one else will want to try a cake made out of guinea pig food," she pointed out, adding, "except maybe Dustin."
"We could make a second little cake for you," Cam suggested smoothly, "for your troubles—your help in the kitchen."
"That's sweet," Tori replied with a blush, "but maybe you're right. We should make a second cake, one large enough for everyone. And we can sing happy birthday and everything."
"I don't think that's a good idea," Cam said flatly, seeing his plan crumble before him.
"Why not?" Tori asked, confused.
"He's just worried there won't be enough batter," Tobi chimed in. "I think it's a great idea." He looked at Cam, who gave him a panicked look. "Cam, will you gather the... seasonings?"
Cam closed his eyes and grimaced for a moment before complying.
"Perfect," Tobi said. "Now, I'm just going to check on the others real quick. I'll be right back." He quickly peaked in the other room, relieved to see Hunter still nursing his bit lip while Dustin, Sensei, Shane and Blake played Mario Kart.
Satisfied, Tobi returned to the kitchen.
"Happy birthday to you!" the group sang to Sensei as Cam brought out a cupcake with a single candle atop it for Sensei and Tori brought out a large chocolate cake for everyone else to enjoy.
"You live in a zoo," Dustin sang along.
"So true," Shane agreed.
"You smell like a guinea pig, and you look like one too," Dustin continued.
"Happy birthday, dear Sensei," Tori sang loudly, trying to drown out Dustin. "Happy birthday to you."
Sensei grinned up at the others.
"Make a wish!" Tori encouraged.
Sensei closed his beady little eyes and blew out the single candle. He then opened his eyes and looked around. "Did my wish come true?" he asked.
"What did you wish for?" Shane asked.
"Am I no longer a guinea pig?" he asked hopefully.
The others looked around nervously.
"Oh, chocolate! My favorite!" Blake said, reaching for the cake. Cam instinctively slapped his hand away.
Meanwhile, Sensei looked at his tiny hands and feet, disappointed.
"I want the biggest piece!" Dustin insisted.
"I'll get it for you!" Tobi immediately volunteered.
"Everyone control yourselves," Tori interrupted the barrage of hands. "I'll serve. And everyone gets the same size."
Cam gave Tobi a panicked look, but Tobi just shrugged. All the cake would do for him would be to make him love Dustin more, if that was even possible.
Just to be on the safe side, Tobi made sure to stand directly in front of Dustin and stare at him while he wolfed down his piece. "What?" he asked, pieces of cake going flying. When he was done with that one, Tobi offered him his piece, which he eagerly jammed into his mouth.
Tobi couldn't help but cringe a little at Dustin's eating habits. Then he started to imagine licking the chocolate off Dustin's face. "So, Dustin, how do you feel?" he asked once Dustin was finished with his second piece.
"Firsty," he mumbled, chocolate making his th sound like an f.
"Oh," Tobi replied, disappointed. "I guess I'll get you some milk or something," he offered.
On his way to the kitchen he pulled Cam aside. He had an untouched piece of cake on his plate and had been studying Tori intently.
"It's not working," Tobi whispered.
"It might have been deluded," Cam theorized. "Or it may have been baked out. I wasn't planning on using it for more than one person. It might not be concentrated enough," he realized, suddenly taking his plate to Tori. "Here, I'm not very hungry," he offered.
"Thank you, Cam," she replied, "but I can't eat a whole piece. Here." She proceeded to cut the piece in half.
Once half a piece was sitting on Cam's plate, Tobi walked by and grabbed the plate, immediately offering it to Dustin, who ate it in one bite.
"Here's your milk," Tobi then offered. "Oh, and here." He grabbed a napkin and began to clean the chocolate and milk from Dustin's face.
"Thanks," Dustin said, grinning with chocolate colored teeth.
"I could have cleaned your mouth," Hunter said, approaching Dustin and licking his own chocolate covered lips.
"Dude," Dustin said, "I suddenly feel kinda sleepy."
"Oh crap," Tori said.
"What's wrong, Tori?" Blake asked, just now finishing his piece.
"Nothing," she said hastily. "Just bit my lip." She then ran into the kitchen.
"So, you up for a little spin the bottle?" Hunter continued.
"Dude, I'll have to pass," Dustin said.
With that, Tobi discretely slipped into the kitchen to find his sister hastily brewing some coffee.
"Are you okay?" Tobi asked his sister.
"Uh, Tobi, you remember my little... gift for Blake?" she asked, giving up on waiting for the water to boil and just deciding to chew on coffee grinds.
"You put the pills in the cake!" Tobi realized.
"You don't have to tell me," she said, making a face as she chewed. "I know it was a bad idea."
"Really bad," Tobi agreed. If only she knew what else had been in the cake.
"Wow, did it suddenly get hot in here?" she said quickly before looking at Tobi with a strange grin. "You know, Tobi, have I ever told you how nice it is to have you as my brother?" She approached him and put an arm around him. "Anything I can do for you, oh brother of mine?" She pinched his cheek. "So cute!" she started to laugh uncontrollably.
"Are you okay, Tori?" Tobi asked slowly.
"Don't you get it?" she asked between fits of laughter. "We're twins! It's like I'm calling myself cute!"
Suddenly Tobi realized what was going on. Cam's formula had just now taken effect and he was with Tori, meaning Dustin was with... Hunter!
He rushed out of the kitchen to find what he had most feared. Dustin and Hunter had their lips locked tightly together and they were kissing with a passionate fury.
Cam and Sensei were watching with looks of shock and horror, while Shane and Blake were trying to break them apart.
Hunter was first to pull away, but when he did, it became evident that Dustin had fallen asleep while standing. He was snoring and mumbling to himself. "No, mommy, I don't want to go to school today!"
"What have you done to Dustin!" Shane growled, setting Dustin down carefully on the couch. "Dustin, are you okay?" He turned back to Hunter. "Why, you!" He raised his fists to fight. "How dare you seduce my sweet little Dustin!"
"And how dare you accuse my brother of seducing anyone!" Blake yelled back, standing between the two and putting a hand on Hunter's chest. "My brother is nothing but a loving and caring person." He turned to his brother. "Hunter, big brother, tell me you love me more. Tell me Dustin means nothing to you."
Hunter shoved Blake off him. "Dustin, my love, wake up. I..." Then Hunter's eyes began to flutter closed and he fell on top of Dustin.
"Gah!" Tobi screamed, rolling Hunter off Dustin, causing him to tumble to the floor.
Both Shane and Blake immediately rushed in to help one or the other.
"I guess this is the 'sleepover' part," Tobi commented.
"I don't understand how this happened," Cam commented.
"Just get the coffee," Tobi advised.
"Did anyone say coffee?" Tori asked, emerging from the kitchen full of energy. "I love coffee. Not as much as I love my twin brother." She ran up and squeezed Tobi. "Oh, what's going on here?"
"I think something was in the..." Blake mumbled before succumbing to the sleep drug.
Shane fell victim next and the two knocked heads on the way down.
"Tori," Tobi said, trying to pry his sister off him, "Why don't you take a nice warm bath to calm yourself down."
"You think I should?" she asked quickly.
"Yes, I do," he replied. "Here, follow me." He led her to the bathroom and started the water.
"You're so sweet!" Tori gushed. "Sweet like that delicious chocolate cake! Do you like cake? Of course you like cake. But if you didn't like cake, I could live without it. Please tell me you like cake!" she shouted.
"Here," Tobi offered. "The water's all nice and warm. Just take off your clothes and put this washcloth over your face and you'll get a nice relaxing facial at the same time."
She gave him a perplexed look. "I can't get naked in front of you."
"Of course you can!" he insisted. "It's nothing I haven't seen, but I'll turn my back if it will help." He turned around and faced the toilet.
"Alright," she agreed. "If you say so."
He could hear her undress behind him and slip into the tub. When he turned around, though, he frowned. "You left your morpher on," he pointed out.
"It's water proof," she said.
"But you won't get your arm clean," he told her.
"You're right," she agreed, removing her morpher. "You're so smart! And cute! Did I mention how cute you are?"
"Here," he said, placing a warm washcloth over her eyes. "Now, just try to relax."
"Ahhh," she sighed while Tobi hastily swapped morphers.
"Just stay right there and relax," he advised. "I'll be right back." He then slipped out of the bathroom and found Cam moving sleeping bodies around.
"Give me a hand," he asked Tobi. "I'm trying to get Hunter and Blake to their beds. I managed to get Dustin spread out on the couch and Shane's okay on the floor for now."
Tobi helped Cam lug the brothers to the beds.
"I don't know how I could have messed up on the formula so badly," Cam commented. "I did have to take a guess as to what one of the amino acids was."
"It worked," Tobi pointed out. "It just took a while to kick in. And kick it did."
"But there shouldn't have been a drowsiness side effect," Cam continued.
"Don't worry," Tobi assured him, setting Blake in his bed. "We'll get it right next time."
Cam gave him a quick, horrified expression. "Next time? As it is, my father suspects something."
"If it gets your mind off things," Tobi offered, "Tori's in the bathroom naked with a washcloth covering her eyes."
"Tori," Blake mumbled in his sleep. "You can't compare to Tobi's juicy lips, but, oh, my brother Hunter, why do I wonder what your lips are like?"
Cam and Tobi exchanged glances before Cam wandered off.
As Cam left, Sensei entered the room. "It appears the festivities have ended early tonight," he commented.
"Yeah," Tobi agreed, "but it's been quite a night already."
At that moment, they heard Tori scream.
"I didn't see anything!" Cam yelled. "I just... wanted to brush my teeth after that cake. Cavities, you know."
Tori emerged from the bathroom wearing a towel. "I'm calling it a night," she said, scowling. "Where are my clothes?"
"They're in the bathroom," Tobi reminded her.
"Right," she said. "Thank you, Tobi."
He sighed. This was not how the night was supposed to go. Leaving the room, he decided to call it a night too. So, he pushed aside Shane, making himself a spot to sleep at the foot of the couch.
For a moment, he stood over Dustin and watched him sleep. Knowing he was out cold and that Hunter had been kissing him while he was asleep, Tobi took a chance and leaned his face toward Dustin's. He kissed Dustin's lips softly this time.
Dustin moaned. "Hunter," he mumbled in his sleep.
Tobi pulled back and watched him for another moment. "Goodnight, Dustin," he whispered. "I love you, even if you don't love me." He then took his place on the floor.
Just before he drifted off to sleep, Shane called out, "Spiders! Ah! I hate spiders!"
The next morning, Tobi awoke on the floor and looked around. Both Dustin and Shane were still asleep, so he stood up and stretched, then noticing Cam sitting in the recliner. "Hey, Cam," he greeted. "Did you get any sleep last night?"
"Some," Cam replied unemotionally. He was staring out the window at the early morning sky.
"Are you okay?" Tobi asked.
"Tori talks in her sleep," he replied slowly.
"Oh," Tobi said, glad that at least his sister had managed to sleep after chewing coffee grounds last night.
"She loves him," Cam continued, his eyes still fixed off into the distance.
"Who?" Tobi asked before realizing. "Oh. Look, I'm sorry, Cam."
"It's not a problem," he replied, standing. "Well, I better get back to Ninja Ops. Lothor will be up soon."
Tobi looked around. "Where's Sensei?"
"He's asleep in the cage," Cam answered.
"How come your formula didn't effect him?" Tobi asked. "I thought you put some in the batter for his cake first."
"I mixed most of it with the chocolate cake," Cam explained. "Maybe what was left wasn't enough or maybe he doesn't love anyone."
"I'm sure he loves you," Tobi suggested.
"No one loves me," Cam said coldly before reaching for the cage. "Don't worry, I won't wake him. He'll be glad to wake up by his favorite bonsai." He sighed. "We'll both be glad to put the night behind us."
"Cam, I—" Tobi began, but Cam was gone. So, instead, he headed for the bathroom. As he opened the door, he ran into his sister.
"Oh, good morning, Tobi," she said, holding her head. "I have such a headache for some reason. I can understand my back hurting. After all, I feel asleep in the bath tub. So, how did you sleep?"
"Alright, I guess," he answered. "So, you feel okay today?"
"No," she replied, confused. "Weren't you listening?"
"Yeah," he sighed. "I'm gonna pee and take a shower. You done in here?"
"Most definitely," she said, leaving. "It's all yours."
Tobi took his time showering. Every time he wanted to start his regular morning masturbation session, he kept hearing Dustin whisper Hunter's name or see him kissing Hunter. Instead, he tried to picture last night, when Dustin had lifted his head and told him that he made him feel less weird.
Tobi was finally making some progress when he heard his sister ask from the other side of the door, "Hey, Tobi, is my morpher in there?"
"What?" he heard a male voice say from inside the bathroom. "How can—Oh no!"
Tobi peaked out to see a naked Blake with a shocked expression. Tobi couldn't help but look over Blake's body. He was no Dustin or Cyber Dustin, but he wasn't bad.
"I..." Blake stuttered, looking like he was going to faint. "I thought... Tori... but... again!" He then passed out.
Tobi quickly left the shower to check on Blake.
"Blake?" Tori's voice asked. "Why are you in there?" She then opened the bathroom door (which Tobi had failed to lock) and froze.
Tobi was crouched over a naked Blake, his own wet, naked body at full attention. "Uh, it's not what it looks like!" Tobi insisted.
"This is the secret he's been keeping from me?" she said, still in shock.
"No!" Tobi shouted, grabbing two towels, one to wrap around his waist and another to toss over an exposed and unconscious Blake. "He thought I was you again."
"Again?" she asked.
"Oh... well," Tobi fidgeted. "You see, he thought I was you when I ran into him in a dark closet and we kissed. I swear, besides the kiss, nothing else happened between us. And both times, he thought I was you."
"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked accusingly.
"About the closet?" he asked. "Well, I..."
"I thought I was supposed to be your sister," she reminded him.
"You are," he agreed. "I mean, not my real sister, but—"
"Just hand me my morpher," she said, holding her head again. "I have too much of a headache right now."
He handed her his dimension's sister's morpher, which was sitting next to his morpher-shaped communicator and, for that moment, he didn't regret betraying this dimension's version of his sister. Right now, he felt a little mad at her for accusing him.
Blake regained consciousness after Tobi had dried and dressed. "Don't panic," he told Blake as he went to leave the bathroom. "I didn't do anything. Just be more careful from now on."
"Uh, yeah," Blake mumbled in response as Tobi left.
When Tobi looked around, he noticed that Dustin was no longer on the couch. The first place he checked was the kitchen, then he checked... Hunter's bedroom. When he approached the only slightly open door, he peaked inside. Sure enough, Dustin was sitting on Hunter's bed next to Hunter, but at least they weren't kissing this time.
"Dude, I don't remember much from last night," Dustin told Hunter. "Except that. And, dude, why does my head hurt? I feel like Rita Repulsa."
"Huh?" Hunter replied. "Well, I feel the same way, but yeah, about last night... You remember I said I had something to tell you?"
"Yeah," Dustin replied. "What is it?" His eyes burned with curiosity.
"You remember the first time we met?" Hunter asked.
"Yeah," Dustin agreed. "You and Blake smoked me on the track. You were kind of a jerk to me. Then you'd be cool. Then you'd be a jerk. It really messed with my head, man."
"You sure that's the first time we met?" Hunter asked, adding, "Waldo?"
"Hey!" Dustin yelled. "Who told you that?"
"You still don't remember, do you?" Hunter teased, removing a picture from his pocket. "That's why I brought this. Look familiar?"
"Hey, that's the sixth grader who..." He looked up at Hunter. "That was you," he realized. "You got me into motocross and then you moved and I never found out your name even."
"I knew the moment we met that there was something special between us," Hunter said.
Dustin blushed. "I guess I kind of felt something too."
Hunter put the picture away. "Dustin," he said, staring into his eyes. "We're meant to be together."
"What?" Dustin asked. "You mean, like destiny?"
"Do you have any other explanation?" Hunter offered.
Dustin fidgeted nervously. "I can't think of anything."
Hunter brushed a stray curl of hair out of Dustin's face. "I know." He laughed.
"What?" Dustin asked defensively this time.
"I was just thinking," Hunter mused. "You said you'd become a Power Ranger and you did."
"Yeah," Dustin replied, smiling. "I'm the only one who believed. Who's the dumb one now?"
"You're not dumb," Hunter scolded.
"You called me a goof," Dustin reminded him.
"I called you a lot of things behind your back," Hunter admitted, looking down.
"What!" Dustin demanded.
Hunter grinned for a moment before looking serious again. "I kept telling myself that you were a stupid goofball and I shouldn't feel the way I did about you. I felt so out of control and I hated it." He gritted his teeth at the memory. "I wanted so bad to change what you did to me, but I couldn't. You were like a drug."
Dustin looked at him with confusion and apprehension in his eyes.
"Every time I was with you, it was like you calmed me down," he continued, "but the moment I was away from you, I couldn't stand it. I felt... powerless when it came to you."
"I guess that explains a lot," Dustin replied, "but how come you never told me?"
Hunter gave him an uneasy smile. "Maybe part of me blamed you A big part of it was that I didn't want to hurt you. But I can't say I love you and not tell you how messed up I can be inside. And, as cliché as it sounds, I need you. You're exactly what I need."
"Really?" Dustin asked.
"Trust me," Hunter said, the smile returning to his face, "really."
"Well, you were like always a good friend to me," Dustin began. "Okay, not always, but it's cool that you're into the same kind of stuff as me and you'd give me advice like a big brother or something. I guess I didn't always get you, but I don't think you always get me."
"I want to," Hunter said, looking deep into Dustin's earthy brown eyes with his own cloudy blue ones. "I want to get you."
Dustin looked down and seemed to be thinking. "I should tell TZT," he finally said.
"What do you need to tell Tobi?" Hunter asked, confused.
"I should tell him," Dustin began, hesitating before looking back at Hunter, "I think I chose."
Tobi backed away from the door slowly. When he reached up to cover his mouth for fear he might make a noise, he realized his face was covered in tears.
"Oh man, my head," Shane moaned, waking.
Tobi ran around him and straight out the front door. He never looked back.
To be continued...
Author's Note: I guess I didn't know how much I was emotionally invested in the story until I finished this chapter. I'm heartbroken for a fictional character and I feel such a sense of loss. Maybe because, deep down, Tobi isn't that different from me. But people wanted Dustin to end up with Hunter and I didn't' go half way. In fact, I wrote a separate story called "All Ninjas But One Grow Up" about their childhood meeting. Somehow I'll make it work out in the end. Please click "Review this Chapter" at the bottom of the page and leave comments/suggestions. Thanks!