The Path of Friendship
By : Tsubasa Caligrapher
Chapter 3
Disclaimer : Yeah, I own the Power Rangers ... just kidding !
--
" Oh ... " Billy managed to utter out after Jason pulled away smiling. It was only on the cheek but it still made Billy blush like crazy.
" Ummm, ok. W-w-well, wh-why d-did you do t-that ? " Billy stuttered out as he looked at Jason's smiling face.
" Well, is seems you're officially part of the family now. " Zack said happily. Billy watched as Jason chased Zack around the room and give him a playful peck on the cheek.
" Aaahhh man ! I'm never going to get used to that ! " said Zack as he pretended to wipe his cheek.
" Ummm, yeah. So why did you do it again ? " asked Billy, who had now recovered his wits.
" It was just a goodnight kiss. " Jason deadpanned.
" Yeah, Jason does it to me and Trini every night. " Zack commented.
" Yeah, ok. But that still doesn't answer my question. " said Billy again.
" Well, it's very simple actually. My mom taught me that you kiss your family goodnight every night. And you're my family now, so that's why I did it. " Jason replied innocently.
" Oh. " Billy said silently as he mused over it. After Jason's explanation, Billy felt different somehow. He felt that he finally belonged, that he had another family now. Yes Kim was always there but it was just Kim, her parents were ok but still not the same as his own ... who were gone now ... Billy shook his head, trying to clear all of the negative thoughts.
" See ! I told you ! " said Zack defiantly to Jason.
" Fine, fine. I'll give you your money later. " grumbled Jason.
" What are you guys talking about ? " asked Billy, looking between the two alternately.
" Oh, we made a bet and Jason lost ! " gushed out Zack, laughing at Jason now.
" And ? " Billy asked, slightly irritated. These two never gave him complete answers.
" Oh, it was about how you would react. We were wondering whether you were gonna act like Kim or not when I kissed her. " Jason replied. He gave Billy a strange look when Billy gaped.
" You didn't ! " Billy said unbelieving. He looked at Jason and saw him think about something, then he suddenly flinched, which made Zack burst into laughter.
" Hahahaha ! You should have seen it ! After he kissed her, she went berserk and started chasing Jase around, yelling ' Bloody Murder ! and hitting him over the head ! HAhahaha- " Zack managed to get out before he started cracking up again.
" Yeah, but instead of ' Bloody Murder ", she was screaming ' I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU STOLE MY FIRST KISS ! ' Dang, she started bopping me and screaming at the top of her lungs. Man, I never knew Princesses were so violent ! " Jason continued.
" Hahaha, yeah ! She kept on going on like that until I finally told her he didn't technically steal her first kiss because it wasn't on the lips. Hahaha- " Zack completed before he started laughing again, but soon had a pillow thrown at his head.
" Sure took you long enough though ! " Jason said angrily, though his eyes betrayed him, shining with laughter. Billy had to smile, the laughs that those two emitted were contagious. They were always smiling, without a care in the world.
" Luckily, the hall we were in was empty. If anyone heard that, they probably would get the wrong idea and we would be in a lot of trouble for sure. " Zack reminded his best bro. They would have never acted like that if they were still living at their old home. They finally had a good home and took advantage of it, they had to be careful from now on. People might not be as leniant as Kim.
A head popped in to check on the ruckes that could be heard coming from one of the rooms.
" Quiet in there ! Go to sleep ! " he shouted as he quickly disappeared. They waited awhile before they finally talked again.
" Who was that ? " Zack questioned.
" Oh, that's just Mr.Stone. He takes care of this side of the barracks. He is pretty decent, he just lives by the book you know. Follows every single rule and expexts us to follow them too. " Billy explained while the other two nodded. Finally, Jason yawned. Billy and Zack suddenly yawned too and they burst out laughing.
" We should be going to sleep by the way. Night ya'll. " said Zack before he blew out the rest of the candles and climbed into bed along with the others. Quiet snores were quickly heard as Billy stared out the window towards the moon. He reflected on the day he had, not believing how much fun he had. He made new friends, made a new family, watched the sun set, finally stood up for himself, and he played in the water alongside his other friends. He quickly realized that he wasn't shy about them seeing him anymore. Billy quickly drifted off to sleep, a smile tugging at his lips.
--
" Hey Kim ! Where do you want this ? " Trini asked. They all awoke yesterday and had a nice breakfast before they went to work. The boys had to go help clean the stables and feed the animals. The girls on the other hand, were sent to help Kim today. Her room was a mess and her mother wanted it to be cleaned, she didn't expect Kim to do it herself of course, but boy was she wrong.
" Ok, can you guys go clean the bathroom ? And can you guys please take these outside and wash them please ? And can you change my bedding ? Thanks ! Trini, you can help me put my clothes away ! " she said excitedly. Kim was helping, just not that much but she still does do some work.
" Oh. My. God. " said Trini as she opened a door and saw row after row of clothes.
" What ? " Kim asked after seeing Trini's mouth wide open. She handed a pair of clothes to Trini before she grabbed a pair herself and stacked them away.
" Nevermind. It's nothing. " said Trini as she shook her head and got to work. After minutes of work, they were alone as the slaves working in her bedroom left to their other duties, Trini asked a question that had plagued her mind ever since last night.
" Kim, I have to ask you something. " Kim stopped what she was doing and looked Trini in the eyes and saw that she was serious.
" Go ahead. Ask me anything. " Kim said without hesitation.
" Well, it just that everything seems too perfect. And nothing is perfect. " Trini stated.
" So, what's the problem ? "
" I was just wondering, is it ok for you to be hanging out with people like me, Jase, and Zack ? Even Billy, why are you so nice to us ? " Trini asked before closing her eyes. It was like this before, Rita adopted a son and he was kind at first, he hung out with them and was pretty nice, just like Kim was. He didn't care what they were considered in society standards, but one day, he just suddenly changed.
Trini heard her sigh and then a chuckle came. Trini opened her eyes and saw that Kim started putting her clothes away again.
" Why are you laughing ? "
" 'Cause you sound so much like Billy. He asked me the exact same thing eight years ago. " she sighed. She could see it like it was yesterday, that night after a really bad teasing when he came to her crying, asking the same question.
" Oh, ok. But don't your parents disapprove of this ? Or what about other royal families that you have connections with ? " they finished and Kim sat on the bed patting a space to the side of her, motioning for Trini to join her.
" Well, about my parents and about Billy, let's just say that Billy wasn't what he is today ... back then. Huh ? Never mind. And my parents and his were close, so when Billy became what he is now, they made an exception. Yeah, they would probably disapprove if I hung out with some other people but I hang out with only Billy anyways. "
" Hmmm, I see. But why do you only hang out with Billy ? And what would they say if they saw you talking to me ? Or Zack or Jase ? " she wondered. She saw something flicker in Kim's eyes but she dismissed it, for now anyway.
" Well, the reason I only hang out with Billy is because he has been my friend since like, ever. And, just like you guys, he doesn't treat me any different. This may sound weird, but I like it when he scolds me sometimes. You know, he treats me like normal, correcting me of my mistakes and congradulating me when I was good. It made me feel closer to him, like he accepts me for, well, me. " Trini nodded along, also having that same connection with Jason and Zack.
" And I don't have any noble friends because they are stuck-up and mean. Not to me of course, but to people like Billy. You should have seen it when a bratty noble came and saw me talking to Billy last year. " Kim sighed.
" Yuck ! That must have been horrible ! " Trini grimaced.
" Yeah, it was really was. " Kim sighed sadly as she remembered that day.
Flashback --
" Kimberly darling ! " yelled a girl as she burst through Kim's bedroom.
" Rachelle ! " Kim fake squealed as she gave her a brief hug and stepped back. Kim grimaced as she realized her not-so-dear guest has once again bought new clothes and had to come to show it off. This happened almost every week, Rachel would just burst in through Kim's bedroom, wearing new clothes, and came just to flaunt them in her face. Kim would have loved to wipe that fake smile right off of her face but she was to well-mannered to do that. But oh how she wished she could.
" Uuugghh. Look at you ! I mean didn't you already wear that outfit weeks ago ? " she scoffed into Kim's face. Kim gave herself a once-over and look up confused and slightly angry.
" So ? What if I did ? Is there a problem ? " Kim asked sweetly. Rachel walked to her and patted her on the head.
" Oh honey, I feel so sorry for you. I just guess that you just don't have enough money. " she said casually. Kim's eyes started to slightly twitch and she balled up her fists angrily but hid it behind her back.
" So, guess what ? My daddy bought me another horse, and it came with aother carriage ! Isn't that wonderful ? "
" Great. " Kim managed to get out through her clenched teeth.
" Oh honey, don't make your face like that. It could stay that way you know ? " she pointed out. Kim let her face soften and smiled. Rachelle seemed satisfied and continued walking around the room, bragging.
" Oh, and guess what else ! I got three more marriage preposals since last week ! Aahh, don't you just love it when you have men thrown to your feet so easily. I can't wait to find a strong man who will do everything I command. " she chuckled. She looked at Kim, awaiting an answer.
" What ? I'm only fourteen ! This is no time to be thinking about marriage ! " Kim said defiantly.
" Awww, poor baby. Nobody asked you to marry them yet ? " she said as she patted Kim's cheek and turned away before Kim could bite her hand.
" Yeah, as if anyone in their right mind would want to marry you. You just have money and big breasts. " Kim scoffed under her breath.
" What did you say dear ? " Rachelle asked as she turned around.
" Nothing. " Kim said, smiling again but anyone with a pair of eyes could see it was strained. Well, anyone except Rachelle.
" Anyway - " she started to continue but Billy knocked and opened the door and poked his head through.
" Hey Kim ! "
" Hey Billy ! " she said back, smiling a geuine smile, glad to have something that can distract her from Rachelle.
" His Majesty gave us the rest of the day off ! Do you want to do something later ? "
" Yeah, it sounds great ! See you later ! " Billy head disappeared, completely ignoring Rachelle. He has seen her far too much to even think about liking her. As soon as Billy disappeared, Rachelle turned to Kim angrily.
" Kim ! "
" What ? "
" How could you let him treat you like that ? With no respect at all ! "
" What are you talking about ? He gave me respect - he actually knocked, unlike you ! -, and he's my friend. "
" Your friend ? What do you mean your ' friend ' ? He's a slave ! "
" So, is there a problem with that ? "
" Of course there is ! He's something lower than dirt ! " she shouted.
" What in the world are you talking about ! He is a person ! Not just some thing ! " Kim shouted back.
" Whatever ! Did you see the way he treated me ! He has no right to treat royalty like me like that ! He is a stupid servant ! Only good for following orders ! That's the only reason they are he- " she was cut off by Kim. Well, actually Kim's hand, but she was the one that swung it and smacked her across the face.
" Kimberly ! Have you lost your mind ! " as she snapped her head back.
" What the hell is the matter with you ! You have no right to talk about him like that ! How could you treat a person like that ? Don't you have a consciounce ? All you do is go flaunt about and order people around ! Don't you ever do something for anyone else but yourself ? That's right, in that tiny mind of yours, you think everything is about you right ? Well, guess what ? It's not ! Look, I don't know what crawled up your ass that made you queen of the world but guess what ? Nobody likes you ! "
Rachelle was shocked silent by Kim's outrage. But then she felt one coming on too. She was about to start yelling back but Kim beat her to it.
" Uh uh ! Don't even open that thing up ! I don't want to hear anything that comes out of your mouth ! Now get out of my room ! " Kim yelled, pointing to the door. Rachelle looked at the door and looked back. She was about to say something but she screamed in frustration and stormed out of the room.
End Flashback --
" Really ! You said that ! " said Trini surprised. She would never talk to anyone like that.
" Yup ! " Kim said in pride.
" Did you get in trouble ? "
" Of course ! Well, my mom gave me a long lecture, saying how I shouldn't treat people like that, how Rachelle is never going to come back - thank god ! -, and blah blah blah. But after she left, my dad cheered for me and said I did good before he followed my mom. "
" Wow. You dad is really nice huh ? "
" Yeah, but my mom is great too. She's just a perfectionist, you know ? " Trini nodded and Kim realized something. She never was able to talk to another person about herself like this, except Billy. But Trini was a girl, and that just made it different and better.
" Hey, so do you have any stories of your own ? " Kim asked eagerly.
" Of course ! When you live with Jase and Zack, it's bound to be exciting ! " they both laughed at that before Trini thought of a story.
" Oh ! I'll tell one where me, Jase, and Zack snuck into the kitchen to steal some food ! It's more interesting than it sounds ! "
--
" Oh my god ! Seriously ? Dang, I would have paid to see that ! " said Zack enthusiastically after Billy just told them the story that Kim had just told Trini. They had a little time before lunch and they were out by the lake again.
" So I have no doubt about Kim treating us the way she does. She always used to say ' Just because you're born royal, doesn't mean that you are. ' "
" It's great how Kim feels and all, but I still wonder why we even have slavery. It's overatted if you ask me. " the other two just stared at Jason.
" What ! I can think too you know ! " Jason argued and they quickly raised their hand in surrender.
" Of course you can Jason, and me and Kim agree, we both hate slavery. It's just that Kim was born and raised around slavery, so were her parents, her grandparents and so on. She said that she's just too used to it but that she's going to do her best to change it when she has kids of her own. " Bill said while the other two looked at him in awe.
" Wow, Kim tells you everything huh ? " Billy blushed as they all stared at him. He didn't like being the center of attention. Jason noticed that he was uncomfortable so he decided to change the subject.
" So, want to hear one of our stories ? " he suggested.
" Yeah, let's tell him the one where you went stealing with us ! Hahaha ! "
" What ! You guys stole things ? " Billy asked, slightly shocked but intruiged now.
" Only food. It wasn't anything bad. " Jason smiled, glad to see Billy so interested.
" Rita was very stingy, and just gave us enough food to let us survive. But since this big ol' lug here - hey ! - was our big growing boy, me and Trini went to sneak into the kitchen and steal some food almost everyday. " Zack chuckled, along with Billy while Jason just pouted.
" Yeah, I couldn't go because I was their ' big fluffy puppy ' and I would stand out too much. " he grumbled, but Zack and Billy burst out laughing when they heard Jason say his old nickname that Trini and Zack gave him. Jason started to glare at them but his face softened when he saw Billy laughing.
" Ok, we'll tell you the story but it isn't very long so don't expect a novel or anything ok ? " Jason smiled.
" As if you can even remember a novel ! " Zack joked.
" Shush. " Jason said, reaching over and closing his lips with his fingers.
Flashback --
" Awww, come on. Let me go ! Plllleeeaaassseee ! " he drew out, giving them his puppy-dog eyes.
" Uh uh, I don't think so Jason. And don't even try it, I taught both you and Zack that trick. "
" Oh yeah, damn. " whispered Jason.
" Come on man, it's not our fault you skipped lunch to work-out. Me and Trini are hungry too. "
" Look what happened Zack, we spoiled Jason too much and now look at what he has become. " Trini said dramatically.
" I don't think so, remember that I'm older than all of you. "
" Yeah, that just makes it more sad. " joked Zack.
" Ha ha, no, I don't think so. Well, I'll provide a distraction for you guys if we get caught. " Jason pleaded. They looked at eachother and nodded.
" Well, it was pretty close last time, maybe we could use your help this time. Fine, but hurry up, we have to go. " Trini said as they left their room and proceeded through the hall to the kitchen. They dodged from corner to corner, but surprisingly, nobody was there.
" Hmm, this seems too easy, come on you guys. But be careful. " ordered Trini as she scoped out the kitchen, it was also empty.
" Ok you guys, hurry, grab all the food that seems hidden, don't get the ones that are too noticable. " commanded Trini as they quickly cleaned out the kitchen. But with Trini's and Jason's sharp hearing, they heard footsteps approaching the door. They looked at eachother and looked at Zack who didn't seem to notice.
" Zack ! " they whispered but he didn't hear them. Jason sighed and dove towards him, tackling him down while Trini hid behind some cartons. Jason covered Zack's mouth and they rolled under the table, watching as a pair of feet walked past them. They sighed in relief but Jason's breath hitched when he realized the guard was heading towards Trini.
Trini saw him and scooted over to the furthest corner away from the guard . He was close know. He would see her in three ... two ... but he turned ! After he walked out, they all let out a sigh of relief when the door opened again. Jason covered Zack's mouth while Zack covered his and Trini covered her own. It was a woman this time but they all recognized this one.
When she left, Jason slowly got up but the door opened again ! But this time, Zack let out a small ' eep ! ' and Jason hit his head on the bottom of the table as he shot up.
" Who's there ? " came the frightening voice.
" Uhh, it's just me Ms. Divatox. " Jason said as he warily stood up. Divatox walked over to him and smiled. It was an eerie smile so Jason edged back. It was pretty scary, she seemed to have a thing for Jason.
' Damn you Jason ! Why do you have to work-out so much ! ' he argued with himself but Divatox was slowly approaching.
" I don't even care what you were doing here, but I'll let you go. " she said.
" Really ? " he asked eagerly.
' Hmmm, this seems to easy. I wonder ... '
" On one condition. "
" Dang it ! "
" Ummm, ok. What do you want ? " he gulped. He saw Zack and Trini start to move.
" Have you ever kissed anyone before ? " she asked.
" Uhh, no. " he gulped again as he inched back. He saw Trini and Zack inch towards the door and slowly open it.
" Ok then. Give me your - " and the door creaked ! Divatox turned around but Jason twisted her head back and held it in place.
" Ohhh, forceful. "
" Uhh, w-w-what d-do you w-want ? " he stammered out.
" Give me your first kiss. " and she slowly leaned forward. As soon as he saw his friends get out, he dodged and ran out following them.
End Flashback --
" Hahahahahaha ! " Zack and Billy exploded with laughter while Jason had a hint of a blush and his ears turned red.
" That was not funny ! I thought she was going to ask for my virginity ! " Jason yelled. They laughed harder but it started to wane when they thought about it.
" And she wore that dominatrix outfit too ... " Zack remembered. Suddenly, all three shuddered when a VERY frightening picture came to their minds, involving Jason, Divatox, and a whip.
--
The girls burst out laughing after Trini finished with her tale.
" Poor Jason ! I feel so sorry for him ! "
" Well, he was the one who volunteered to be the distraction. " and they burst out laughing again.
" After he got back, he told us that he thought Divatox was going to ask for his virginity ! " and they exploded in laughter again but it simmered down when Kim remembered something.
" Hey, didn't you say that she was wearing a demonitrix outfit ... " Kim recalled. Suddenly, both girls shuddered as a VERY disturbing vision flashed in their minds, involving Jason, Divatox, and collars.
" Uhh, subject change please. "
" Of course ! " Trini quickly agreed. Suddenly a knock came and startled the girls.
" Who is it ? " Kim called out.
" It's your mother. " she said as she walked in. Trini stood up and bowed to her.
" I will be taking my leave now your majesty. " and as the queen nodded, Trini was off.
" Kim, we have to talk. "
" What about mom ? "
" About those new group of slaves that you've come to hang around with. "
" What ? " suddenly, Trini's words flashed through her mind.
' I was just wondering, is it ok for you to be hanging out with people like me, Jase, and Zack ? ... But don't your parents disapprove of this ? ... And what would they say if they saw you talking to me ? Or Zack or Jase ? ... ' Kim gulped.
--
" Come on you guys, time for lunch. " said Jason as he stood up. Zack got up and followed while Billy followed from behind. But none of them noticed the shadow creeping closer to Billy, or the fact that it took Billy and was leading him to the lake.
" Hey Bil- Billy ? Where are you ? " Jason asked worridly as he and Zack went back to the lake, only to see Billy's head being dunked into the water by Francis.
" BILLY ! " they screamed.
--
Ha ha ! I know, cliffhanger ! Am I evil or what ... ok don't answer that. So, how was this chapter ? Two new problems at the end of the chapter ! Come on, please review ! They seriously make me type faster ! Please !