The Path of Friendship

By : Tsubasa Caligrapher

Chapter 2

DIsclaimer : Yeah yeah, I don't own Power Rangers ... somebody else does ...

--

As Billy waited alongside the other slaves, on both sides of the doorway, Kim was with her parents sitting on their thrones at the end of the room. Kim also the group of three fast approaching. All the other slaves looked happy as much but those three just stood out. She could hear the two guys booming voices while the girl just stood there listening, though not seeming out of place at all.

" Oh my god ! I can't believe how lucky we were to get out of that place ! Huh Jase ? " said the african boy enthusiastically.

" Of course Zack ! Man, living with Rita was like hel- ow ! Jeez Trini, whatcha do that for ? " he whined after the asian girl thumped him over the head.

" Oops ! Sorry Jason, I forgot we weren't in Rita's Castle anymore. " she apologized.

" Awww, don't worry girl. You know it was because of you that me and Jase didn't get into as least half the trouble we would have been in. You can hit Jason as much as you want ! "

" What do you mean me and you ? It was always your fault we always get in trouble ! And why can she hit me ? I'm the good boy remember ? " he teased his best friend.

" Whatever ! " Zack said as he playfully as he gently shoved Jason.

" Awww, come one. You guys know you love me ! " he said happily as he brang them both into headlocks.

" Jason, you know I love you, but not everything about you. Especially not your B.O ! " she joked as he let Trini go with a purse of his lips.

" Awww. Your no fun anymore. " he pouted. After awhile, they burst out laughing, until Trini just suddenly stopped.

" Trini ? What's up ? " asked Zack worridly.

" Uhhhh, you guys ? " whispered Trini as she pointed to something in front of them. They twisted their heads and saw that Kim was standing right in front of them, with her hands on her hips. They looked around them and saw that all the other slaves they came with were bowing.

" Umph. " they startled out as they felt themselves being pushed by Trini down onto the ground. Kim was staring at them, trying very hard not to laugh, she couldn't let the new recruits think that she was a pushover. But when she saw that the girl named Trini had to force them to stay down, she just burst out laughing. It was too funny seeing them trying to get up but had a small girl holding them down.

' Oh well. They don't really seem like submissive people to me anyway. Hahaha, they must be dying trying to bow down. ' After hearing Kim burst out laughing and hearing a few snickers from the slaves that already lived at the castle, the trio lifted their heads and realized that none of the castle slaves were bowing.

" Trini, what going on ? " he whispered to his friend.

" Shush Zack. We're in the presence of a princess. " she whispered back. But she made the mistake of letting her hand on his head droop.

" Whoops ! Sorry ! " he apologized happily, immediatly shooting his head up when Trini's hand slipped. She sighed and buried her hand in her face, but she also let her other hand slip.

" Yeah ! Sorry princess ! " said Jason enthusiastically, also shooting his head up to look at her. Kim saw the mischief in their eyes, knowing that they were only doing that to irritate their friend. Trini sighed and stood up. Both boys turned their heads slowly, to their female pal. She slowly let out her breath and whacked both boys on the head again.

Kimberly managed to calm down for awhile now but then she burst out laughing again when the boys rubbed their heads in pain.

" You guys are so cute ! Come on everybody ! Stand up ! Now that you live here, you're family now ! " she announced smiling. Everyone slowly stood up, somewhat unsure until they saw Jason and the others stand up. They caused the most trouble so far, and if they were willing, so were they.

" My daughter is correct ! Everyone ! Rise and let us begin ! " the dining tables were revealed, covered with delicious food. That was another thing that the Hart family was kind about. They of course had finer meals than the slaves but every week, they share their wealth with them so they all get a chance to eat something nutritous and delicious once in awhile.

While they all sat and ate, the king explained everything to them, when to wake up, when to work, and everything else they needed to know. Kim, as always, left the table shared by the royal family and the adminastrator and went down to a commoner's table, sitting with Billy at their own table.

" That was fun don't you think ? "

" I agree Kimberly. " he replied.

" Those three were pretty interesting. Hey, there they are ! " Kimberly stood up and waved the trio over who happily came and joined.

" Hey you guys ! " Kim said happily. Billy managed a shy and quiet hello. He was very shy around new people, that was one of the reasons that people disliked him. That and the fact that he uses big words sometimes.

" Hey Princess Kimberly ! " said Zack happily back.

" No no, you guys call me Kim. Princess makes it seem so formal. " and they all nodded happily.

" Hey Kim, I'm Jason but all my friends call me Jase. " he said warmly as he took her small hand in his and shook it.

" Hey, I'm the Zack-man ! " he said, shaking her hands too.

" And I am Trini. " she said gracefully, bowing before she shook Kim's hand too.

" Hey you guys ! And this is my oldest and bestest friend, Billy ! " she said motioning to her shy friend. He waved a bit before staring down at his food.

" Yo dude, what's that your wearing ? " Zack asked, pointing to Billy's glasses.

" It's a mechanism I invented to clarify my obscured vision ... " after everyone was silent, Billy looked down again.

' I knew this would happen ! Why do I talk like this everytime I get nervous ? ' his mind flashed back to when he was little when other kids teased him for being more intellectual than them and using words they didn't understand.

Billy waited for a rude remark to make it's way to the surface, but when Trini finally spoke, it wasn't a rude remark coming out of her mouth.

" He just said that he built it to help him see better. Right Billy ? " Billy saw that there was no malice in any of their eyes so he just slowly nodded.

" Wow Trini, your pretty smart. Even I don't understand Billy here sometimes. " Kim said in awe.

" Yeah, Trini's the smartest one out of all of us. " Jason said proudly.

" Yeah, but enough chit-chat ! It's time to eat ! " yelled Zack before he started shoveling food into his mouth. Trini just chuckled as Jason did the same thing, as she picked up her utencils and proceeded to eat slowly. Kim and Billy followed suit, smiling at the antics of Zack and Jason. Dinner was quite nice, as they all spoke about anything that just popped into their minds and even Billy joined in the conversation, starting to feel more comfortable.

" Aahhhh, I'm stuffed. That was great ! " said Zack and he sat back and rested.

" Yeah it was, thanks to the new chef we hired. I think his name was Ernie. " said Kim, wiping her mouth with a napkin.

" Well, sir majesty announced that we have the rest of the day off. Well, I'm off. Goodbye Kim, see ya guys later. " said Billy as he went to the kitchen and stacked his plates in the sink before going out the back door.

" Hey Kim, where's he going ? " asked Jason as he finished his food also.

" Billy ? Oh, he's just going for a swim. Out by the lake, you can get there through the back door in the kitchen. "

" Cool, hey Zack, you wanna come with ? " asked Jason as he got up and headed towards the kitchen.

" Sure, why not ! Hey, wait up ! " yelled Zack as he ran to catch up with Jason. But then they stopped and turned back.

" Trini, do you want to come along ? " yelled Jason back to his still seated friend.

" No, you guys go ahead, I'll just stay here with Kim. If that's ok. " she asked, facing Kim.

" Of course ! " Kim said happily. The two boys nodded and continued towards the kitchen. After a few minutes, Kim suddenly gasped and covered her mouth.

" What ? What's wrong Kim ? "

" Oh my god ! I totally forgot to tell them that Billy's totally shy about people looking at him ! That's why he always goes alone ! "

" Uh oh ... oh well. It's only Jase and Zack, I'm sure that nothing would go wrong. " but as soon as those word left her mouth, she knew she was going to regret it.

--

Billy peeled off his tunic and shorts, leaving him in his underwear. He was about to take off his glasses when somebody pushed him from behind. He spun around to stare into the face of Francis Rogers. This guy was seriously dangerous. Unlike Bulk and Skull who just teased him, this guy deals out physical pain.

Many people who were considered geeks or who hung out with people out of their ' kind ' were beaten up by him. He was just someone with a bad upbringing, being very narrow-minded and mad at everything. He was charged with many cases of violence, but whenever he hurt someone, somebody from his gang would give him a fake alibi and he would be free of the charge. Only when Kim and he finally caught him in the act with her personal guards was he finally thrown into the dungeon.

But that was months ago. He was released one week ago, seeming to have rehabilitated but Billy and Kim knew he was faking the whole time. But they never knew that he knew who was at fault for getting him into trouble. He's hanging out with a new gang now, but Kim and Billy hadn't called him out yet.

" Hey there you wuss ! " he snarled.

" Francis ? What do you want ? " Billy asked timidly, shying away slowly without even realizing it.

" What do you mean what do I want ? You know as well as I do that it was you and that bitch that got me in trouble ! " he yelled but this time, Billy didn't move back he moved forward. Anyone can make fun of him, he didn't care anymore, but nobody talks about his best friend like that. Nobody.

" You got yourself into trouble and you know it. " Billy seethed out, with venom dripping from his voice.

" What did you say punk ? "

" You heard me. You know that it was you who was beating up everyone, and it was you who knew it was wrong, and it was you that had such a narrow-mind. So, basically, it was you who got you in trouble. " he said, staring him straight in the face now.

" What ? Do you even know why the princess hangs out with you ? Cause she's so ugly, no other guy would sleep with her. So that would leave only yo- " Billy's fist collided with the side of his face. He was tired of hearing this bastard talk about his friend like that.

But he realized he didn't do much, as Francis slowly turned his head back and spit out a couple drops of blood. As he slowly approached Billy, he was frightened again. All his anger was gone in an instant and it was replaced with fear. He started stepping back, until he reached the edge of the lake water.

He felt his neck being grabbed tightly and saw that Francis was reeling back his fist. Billy closed his eyes and waited for the pain, but it never came.

" Dude, what's goin' on here ? " he heard Zack's voice, but it seemed like a different voice altogether. The joy and excitement was all gone, it was stone cold now. When Billy opened his eyes, he saw that Zack was holding the fist back.

" I'm 'bout to beat this geek up. Whatcha gonna do about it nigga' ? " he shot back. Zack's eyes flashed in anger but before he could punch him out, another fist came out of nowhere and knocked Francis yards away.

" Get out of here ! " Jason yelled. Billy noticed that he was also different, gone was the warm face before as it was now replaced with one of pure rage.

" Cranston ! You got lucky this time ! But don't expect your friends to be there everywhere you go ! I'm gonna get you one day ! " he yelled out before he ran into the woods.

" Yo Billy, my man. Don't you think we oughta tell Kim about this ? " asked Zack curiously. Billy glanced at him at his new friend and saw that he had calmed down, almost back to his old self again.

" I don't think so. He's probably going to his gang but they move too much to keep a track on them. " Billy replied with a sigh. Jason turned around, and Billy saw that he was almost back to normal too, the warmth back in his eyes.

" So why was he bothering you anyway ? " Jason asked.

" Well, I just basically did what you did. " Billy said motioning to Jason.

" Seriously ! And we missed it ? " said Zack, shocked but happy too. Jason was just shocked.

" Whoa dude. Is your neck ok ? " Zack noticed how red Billy's neck was after Francis grabbed him.

" Are you ok ? " Jason' face was filled with concern as he started checking Billy's body. Billy started to blush since he wasn't used to being fawned over too much and plus, he was still only in his boxers.

" Ummm, Zack, is Jason always like this ? "

" Yeah, he's like a big brother to everyone ya know ? " Jason face suddenly appeared right in front of Billy's, which made him blush again.

" Hey, you look kinda flushed there, you getting a fever ? " but before Billy could say he was fine, Jason's forehead was against his own. Billy held his breath as he listened to the raspy breaths of Jason. When Jason pulled back, Billy's glasses was fogged up because of Jason's warm breath. Jason chuckled and carefully slipped Billy's glasses off and laid them on a stone pedestal to the side.

--

While Trini and Kimberly were chatting away at their table, their ears caught something.

" Get out of here ! " they heard a deep and angry voice yell. Kimberly looked at Trini and saw worry in her eyes. Trini just told her about Jason's temper, though under control most of the time, when anyone close to him is hurt, he goes berserk and usually she or Zack's the only ones who can calm him down.

" Damn. " Trini whispered as she and Kim got up and ran out the back door towards the lake. When they ran out, all they saw is the three boys standing in the sunlight. Zack was laughing so whatever set off Jason's temper was gone now.

" Jeez man. It's too much trouble to keep track of those two. And now they pulled poor Billy in too. " Trini complained as Kimberly laughed, seeing as how fun this day turned out to be.

" Come on, lets get some towels for them for later. "

--

" Come on you guys ! We were going to go for a swim right ? " said Zack excitedly as he and Jason peeled off their shirts and shorts, only in their underwear, they ran off. Billy was a bit dazed now since the recent encounter, so he didn't move until he felt a warm hand grasp his and pull him towards the water. Even without his glasses, he could tell that it was Jason holding his hand and dragging him towards the water.

Billy could see how defined both Zack and Jason were, and when he looked at himself, he realized that he was also pretty built.

' Probably because all of the swimming I do and that other stuff that Kim teaches me. " he thought to himself as he entered the water alongside the other two boys.

" Hey, let's have a race. From here to the shore and back ok ? " Jason declared after they swam a nice length away from the shore.

" Fine ! I accept your challenge ! " yelled Zack as Jason turned towards Billy.

" What about you Bro ? "

" Bro ? " Billy asked with question.

" Yeah, like the king said, we're family now. So do you want to race ? "

" Well, I can't actually see very good so I don- hey ! " Billy yelled as he was pulled onto Jason's back.

" Aww, come on. I'm a better swimmer than Zack anyway, this would make it more fair. " Jason explained.

" I do not get this at all. "

" That's ok, just hang tight. " Jason reassured Billy.

" Ready ? " Zack yelled.

" Ready ! " Jason yelled back as he dove underwater and resurfaced, to swim as fast as he could.

--

" Hey Trini ! Look at them ! " yelled Kimberly as she pointed to the two dots quickly approaching shore.

" Oh my, is that Billy ? I feel so sorry for him ! " said Trini as she realized who was latched onto Jason's back.

" Really ? I feel kinda jealous. I want to ride on Jase's back. " Kim mused as Trini just stared at her incredulously.

" Nuh uh. I don't think so, Jason's a speed demon. One time when we were playing when we were younger and he and Zack were racing like now, he threw me on top of himself and I almost lost consciousness when the race was finished ! "

" Really ? "

" Yup. And we were only 9. Hmm, I wonder how fast he is now. " she thought to herself as Kim watched the race in excitement. She and Trini sat on the stone steps leading from the kitchen to the beach-like lake. After a few more moments, Jason and Billy emerged victorious with Zack closely following behind.

" Aww man, I'm gonna never win against you huh Jase ? " he admitted sadly.

" Nope. " he chuckled as he set Billy down and put his glasses back on him.

" You ok Billy ? "

" Yeah ... um ... I'm just a bit dazed. " he said quickly as he saw Jason looking at him concerned again.

" Dang, Trini was right. I might be too fast for my own good. Speaking of Trini, here the girls come. " he said as the boys made their ways to the girls and their armful of towels.

" Here you go guys. Did you have fun ? " asked Kim.

" You bet ! " said Zack happily.

" Yeah, it was great ! " said Jason as he dried himself off.

" Yeah, it was. " Billy smiled as he too toweled off. Kim smiled, she was looking forward to his answer the most. It seems that he finally made some new friends. After they were all dry, they laid the towel down onto the sand and sat there, watching the sun set.

" A perfect ending to a perfect day huh ? " Trini said. Everyone quitly agreed, mezmerized by the beauty of the sun contrasting with the water. It was finally night time which meant bed time. Jason and Zack went with Kim to bring the towels back while Billy and Trini went to their rooms.

" Well, see you tomorrow morning Billy. " Trini yawned but quickly covered it up, looking embaressed. They smiled one more time before they went off to their seperate barracks. While on his way back, Billy suddenly thought about his new barrack-mates. His two old ones were part of the group that left.

' Oh my god, who could they be ? Please don't let it be Bulk and Skull ! Please don't let it be Bulk and Skull ! Please don't let it be Bu- hey, what's that noise ? ' then he heard it again. A faint thumping sound.

" Get out of my bed bro ! " could it be ? ' Am I really that lucky ? ' he thought.

" Whatever Jase ! I get the one by the window. So deal ! ( Thump ) Fine, stop hittin' me with the pillow ! We'll just let our roommate decide ! " there could only be a pair that noisy ! Yes, Bill was lucky.

" Hey guys ! " he said happily as he threw open the door.

" Billy ! " they both yelled as they latched onto him.

" Come on Bro, tell Zack I get the bed by the window. " Jason whined as he did his famous puppy dog eyes.

" No ! Come on Billy ! My main man, tell Jase I get it ! " whined Zack as he copied Jason's actions. Billy was dumbfounded, only Kimberly gave him that look but it barely ever works. How were these two able to do it so well ?

" Ummm, call ! Heads or Tails ! " Billy yelled as he threw a coin into the air.

" Heads ! " yelled Jason.

" Tails ! " yelled Zack. Billy caught it and opened his palm.

" Tails ! Woohoo ! " shouted Zack as he jumped up to the bed by the window.

" Uhhgg, fine. But remember Zack, don't let the insects or spiders crawl through the window. " Jason teased, and as soon as he said it, Zack froze. Then he suddenly turned and glared daggers at Jason.

" I. Hate. You. Fine ! You take the bed by the window ! " he yelled as Jason gleefully hopped onto the bed.

" Ummm, why didn't you do that in the beginning ? " Billy wondered, sitting at the edge of the bed.

" Well, I just remembered ! " Jason said happily. Billy just sighed and walked over to his bed.

" Night ! " Zack called out as he went around blowing out all the candles lighting up the room.

" Oh yeah ! I forgot ! Billy ! Come back here ! " he heard Jason call out to him.

" What ? " Billy asked as he turned around, staring into Jason's face. But then Jason's lips were on him ... Jason was kissing him ...

--

Heehee ! Isn't this the most fun place to stop at ! Awww, isn't this sweet ? And this is not what you're thinking you nasties out there. This is perfectly innocent ... or is it ? You'll find out in the next chapter ! Please review ! Come on ! Reviews mean so much to me ! Or else I will take longer to post it !