And had been for at least four hours.
Water being her element of choice, she paid little attention to her soaked form as she ran through the forest.
It was, at the very least, refreshing. A constant that she somehow took for granted.
The sun had yet to set as dusk held desperately on to the remnants of the day. It was a bit cold, but she did her best to ignore the shivers the racked her body. Her uniform the only obstacle between herself and the elements.
She was almost there.
Because Blake didn't call him that's why.
He was in his car, regretting not bringing an umbrella and wondering why he was parked outside the small apartment complex.
And because he cared about little things like Blake failing to call him.
It wasn't coming down heavily, but he was still against getting soaked without some sort of protection. And the thunder and lightning were not helping matters that much, either.
The things you do for people…
It was cold, too, which wouldn't be unusual if it was January or something. He asked Cam about the fifty-degree weather in the middle of May, but didn't stick around for an answer. He forgot how enthusiastic Cam could get about certain things.
Although, that wasn't the sole reason why he remained in the car.
No, Shane was waiting for someone.
Not that he was a stalker or anything. He'd only been here once or twice. That was before his relationship with Blake, if that's what he could truly call it, was established. And only because of that project he and the other rangers had to do few months back.
Blake didn't even know he was doing this. At least he hoped not. After his conversation with Michael, Shane was even more determined to put things to rest. As best he could, anyway. He wasn't that naïve to think things would definitely get worse after this.
But as much as he yearned to do this, he was still wary. A flicker of dread made its way to the bottom of his stomach. And it was nowhere near similar to the feeling he gained whenever he saw Blake.
That's probably what you would call irony.
His feelings for Blake, however, overpowered the majority of the doubt he felt. Especially since he had planned this little confrontation. It took a few weeks, but getting the guy's nightly habits would help him in the element surprise. Even give Shane the upper hand. He already knew some of his habits, but who knew they guy actually had a life?
Okay, so maybe he did stalk the guy a bit. But Shane was only guilty of trying to be prepared. There was no way he would survive this half-baked and being as cocky as he usually was.
He glanced through his rear view mirror for the seemingly tenth time. He was hiding in between complexes. Not necessarily out of fear, but more out of apprehension.
Regardless, he finally saw his cue as a dark figure approached. He didn't even bother to get out his truck quietly. Shane knew he was already spotted.
His plans were already shot.
Hugging himself, Shane walked toward figure contorted by the rain. He should have brought something better than his red blazer. As he moved closer, he could make out the blonde hair, darkened by the heavy rain.
"Hunter." He spoke firmly.
"I still don't like you." Shane noted the voice as eerily calm. Did Hunter know he was coming? And if so, did that mean Blake knew, too?
"Ditto."
"Or the other rangers." This time, Shane did catch a hint of disdain. And despite his earlier promise to keep a cool head, he was beginning to anger quickly.
"What's your problem? I thought we were past that."
"Apparently not, since you're bringing it up again."
"I came here to see Blake." Shane forced himself to calm down. He would do this for Blake, but Hunter didn't seem to be relenting any time soon.
"Then you knew I would be here."
"I was kind of hoping that I missed you. Because you're usually gone this time of night, right?" Apparently Shane forgot that he wasn't going to be cocky, either. He knew he shouldn't taunt Hunter and didn't regret his words until pain exploded in the back of his head. He was against the wall, and Hunter didn't look too merciful.
"Stay away from Blake." It was creepy the way Hunter's demand seemed to be echoed by the thunder that passed seconds later.
"Can't…do….that." He was struggling to breathe and couldn't dislodge the hold on him. One of Hunter's hands was wrapped around his throat. Not so much as to cause injury.
Fortunately, just enough to restrict his oxygen intake.
"Why?" Given the fact that it was already dark, and they were in a secluded place, Hunter wasn't helping matters with that guttural tone of voice.
"Because… I …like …him." Not the response Hunter was looking for, if his snarl was any indication.
But at least the hand was removed from his throat.
"Would you get off me, now?" The other hand was, unfortunately, still the source of pressure on Shane's chest.
"I don't want you near him, anymore."
Shane and Hunter could only stare at each other as the rain only continued to fall harder. The droplets of water quickly filling the silence.
What was Shane supposed to say to that? Blake was seventeen. He could make his own decisions. He did't need Hunter breathing behind his back every second of the day.
"Too. Bad." He was careful to enough enunciate both words, as if we were speaking to a child. And Shane, again, found himself pressed against the brick wall all too soon.
"You know about nothing Blake." Hunter has a dangerous gleam in his eye. One that Shane had only seen once and never wanted to see again. "You hear me, Shane? Nothing."
"I'm not going to hurt him, if that's what you're thinking."
"Of course you won't, you're Shane." Hunter laughed harshly; disbelief clearly evident in his voice. It was then Shane realised that Hunter didn't simply dislike him. Hunter resented him.
"I don't have to prove anything to you." Shane literally spit the words out. His anger starting was beginning to get the best of him.
Hunter lessened the pressure upon his chest, finally removing his hand to wipe off Shane's saliva, alongside the droplets cascading down his cheeks. Appeased for the time being. Yet, he didn't back away.
He thought he came prepared. Shane thought he was ready to confront Hunter. Blake claimed having Hunter as an older brother was different. But Shane had Porter. Older brothers were nothing but the same.
Or so he thought.
The soft steps of the rain seemed to be dancing to his harsh pants. And Shane didn't dare take his eyes of Hunter. He knew what the other Bradley was capable of. Ranger or not, there were dark aspects of Hunter's character that even he was afraid of.
A snarl curled about Hunter's lips. A cynical and cruelly distorted smile. "And what are you going to do when you get tired of him, huh?"
Despite his expectations of Hunter, Shane was honestly taken back by the question. Hunter would think so lowly of him? That this intensity he felt every time he kissed Blake.
Every time he hugged Blake.
Every time he saw Blake.
Every time he heard his voice.
Even every time he thought of Blake.
What Shane would be bold enough to think that it could even be lo – No. It didn't matter what he thought it was, right now. It only mattered that Hunter thought to reduce his feelings to nothing.
Shane finally decided what Blake didn't know wouldn't hurt him.
And punched Hunter squarely in the face.
"Hey sensei." She hoped her cheerful voice didn't sound forced. Because after the talk with Dustin, his concerns were quickly becoming her own.
She wasn't ready for this.
"Tori?"
"Surprised to see me?" She turned her head away. Hair dripping pitifully upon the hardwood floor.
"Only because I did not expect anyone, tonight. Of course you are always welcome here at anytime." There was no uncomfortable tension. But Tori chose not to respond.
"Is there anything you would like to speak with me about? I may have small ears, but I assure you they work quite well." She saw the saw the smile flit across his small features. However, she had yet to give any meaningful response.
"You should change out of your wet clothes. I wouldn't want you to get sick."
But she ignored his counsel. Stepping closer, Tori kneeled until they were at eye level. Careful not to get his fur wet.
Kanoi Watanabe watched Tori with great care. He knew there was a specific reason why she came. And although he did not know in detail what it may be, he could still grasp a sort of gravity concerning the situation.
When it appeared that she was going to confide in him, she was halted by the interruption of footsteps. No more than a few metres away.
He turned to see his son approaching. But when Kanoi resumed his gaze to Tori, he found her gone.
"Dad, I was looking at the mod – What are you doing?"
"Hmm?" His father was staring out the closed entrance to Ninja Ops.
"Want to let me in on what's going on?" Cam peered down at the guinea pig warily.
"What do you mean, Cam?"
"Why are you staring at the door?" When his father neglected to reply, he became worried.
"Is everything all right?"
Apparently Cam had yet to notice the trail of water leading out the door. And Kanoi thought it wiser if he not mention Tori's brief presence. "No, Cam." The guinea pig turned slowly to face his son. "Far from it."
I so trashed Shane in this chapter. Made Hunter kind of mean? But it's all for a good cause. Really, it is. Blame it on testosterone and the fact that neither can take their anger and aggression out on Blake.