The Path of Friendship
By: Tsubasa Caligrapher
Chapter 4
Disclaimer : No, I don't own Power Rangers ... this all seems to easy doesn't it ? ... well, you'll see soon enough ...
A/N : Ok, for this next scene here, Jason has to look into Billy's pants for something and it's not what you think you nasties ! Well, actually it is but not for the same reason ! It's perfectly innocent. Everything will be explained as you read it. And once again, one of our dear heroes, a heroine this time, will be harassed because of their race, no means to offend anyone.
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" Billy ! " they both shouted. Francis kept on holding Billy under the water, even though he saw Zack and Jason coming. He waited until the last possible moment and then threw Billy's head down and ran away. Zack chased after Frances while Jason pulled Billy out of the water and checked his pulse. Jason felt panicked as he couldn't feel anything. He took off his glasses and put them on the sand.
" Zack ! Help me ! " Jason screamed as he positioned Billy's body to prepare him for CPR. Zack took one look at Billy and one look at Francis, but he gave up on chasing Francis and ran back ot help Jason. He sat down next to his buddy while Jason checked inside Billy's pants.
" Ok so far ? " Zack asked.
" Yeah, ok so far. He doesn't have a broken spine or neck thank god ! And remember, five pushes per breath ok ? " Zack noticed how Jason went into what he and Trini called ' Leader Mode '. It was one of the many things they admired him for. Zack placed both palms on Billy's chest while Jason tilted Billy's head back, plugged his nose, and pulled down his chin. They looked at eachother and nodded before they got to work. Jason took a deep breath and breathed into Billy's mouth for two seconds before he backed off and checked his pulse while Zack pressed against his chest five times.
Jason and Zack repeated the motion four more times but still no reaction ! They were starting to get really worried now. They did it one more time and Jason felt it this time ! It was faint, yes, but it was still there ! A pulse ! They did it one more time and then Billy woke up, sputtering water. They moved to the side while Billy threw up the rest of the water.
" Are you ok man ? " Zack asked as he gently patted Billy's back. Billy didn't feel like talking yet so he just nodded as he put on his glasses. Finally, after a while of silence, Billy asked.
" What happened ? "
" It was Francis. " Jason said calmly but when he saw the look of fear flash in Billy's eyes, he quickly reassured him.
" But don't worry. Zack here chased him off. " he said motioning to his friend. Billy nodded with thanks and Zack smiled back.
" But then, what happened ? I don't remember anything except someone grabbing me ... and that. " he shuddered as he motioned over to the lake. The friends grimaced and laid their hands on his shoulder. Appreciating the comfort, Billy leaned in.
" So, what did he do to me ? "
" He tried to drown you. But everything's ok. Jase gave you mouth-to-mouth and everything. " Zack explained, which made Billy blush. After Zack's words, he can keep on picturing it, which made him blush even more.
" And we checked to see if you injured your neck or back but everything's cool. "
" Wait. How did you check for it ? " asked Billy as he noticed Jason start to blush. Now Billy really needed to know.
" Well, first promise me you aren't going to get mad at me. " pleaded Jason.
" Fine, but why would I get mad at you ? "
" Well, you see- " Zack started.
---
Trini was walking downstairs to the kitchen when a group of girls blocked her path.
" Excuse me. " Trini said politely.
" Hey, she can speak. I thought you said these asians were stupid. " Trini narrowed her eyes.
' Not again. ' Trini sighed. She tried to make her way through them but they pushed her back.
" Where the hell do you think you're going ? " one of the girls spat in her face.
" None of your business. " she glared back.
" Ooohh, did she just talk back to us ? Well, it doesn't seem like she knows the rules, come on girls. Let's teach her a lesson. " and without warning, they all lashed out at her !
--
" What is it mom ? " her mother sat down next to her and laid her hand on her daughter's shoulder.
" I'm just worried about you, that's all. "
" What are you talking about ? "
" I'm talking about that new group you hang out with. "
" What do you mean ? "
" Don't you think that it is highly unseemly that a princess spends all day with a group of slaves ? And the fact that three of them are boys ? "
" Mother ! What are you talking about ? Billy is one of those boys and you know as well as I do that he had a good upbringing and will do nothing to hurt me ! And Jason and Zack are good people too ! Just because they are slaves doesn't make them any less a person ! " Kim said angrily to her mother.
" Of course not, of course not. But how well do you really know them ? I know that one of them tried to make a move on you. "
" What are you talking about ? "
" When I was in the halls yesterday, I heard you shrieking that someone stole your first kiss and when I came around the corner, there they were. " Kim briefly blushed at that but flew to their defence.
" They didn't steal my first kiss mother. "
" Than what did they do ? "
" Jason just kissed my cheek. "
" That's even worse ! " her mother gasped loudly.
" What are you talking ? How could that be worse ? "
" Uggghh, how dare he treat you like that ! He should be punished ! "
" W-wh-why ? " she stammered out.
" What do you mean ' why ' ? Of course, don't tell me you didn't mind ? "
" Of course I didn't ! It was just an innocent goodnight kiss ! "
" How do you that ? How do you really know that he is as innocent as he seems ? I mean they are all teenage boys with healthy hormones ! "
" Mother ! "
" It's true and you know it. And what about that girl that you hang out with ? "
" What about her ? "
" She's asian and you- "
" Wait ! Hold on, did you just call her asian ? "
" Honey, that wasn't what it sounded like. " her mother said, knowing she would regret saying that.
" Yeah, of course not ! I knew it ! This is just another one of your racism problems ! Well, guess what, I don't care about what they look like ! I know they are good people and you should get to know them too ! They might surprise you. " and with that, Kim stomped out of her room, leaving her mother sitting tiredly on her bed.
--
Then Trini kicked the last girl away.
" Leave now and take your friends with you. " Trini warned the last standing one as they all got up and ran. After they all left, Trini leaned down against the wall, breathing hard. They were all pretty tough and overwhelming, but the only thing that kept her going was the adrenaline pumping through her veins, and now that the battle was finished, she was just plain tired.
' Wow, that was harder than I thought it would be. Maybe I should ask Jase to help be start Karate again. Ow ! ' Trini turned her arm over a saw a deep cut. When Trini wasn't looking, one of the girls cut her with only god-know's-what, now she had to worry about an infection too.
" Aaaggghhh ! " she heard someone scream as she quickly got up into a defence position. But as soon as she saw that it was Kimberly, she fell back to the floor and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.
" What happened to you ? " Kim asked as she bent over and check Trini's arm.
" Some of the girls attacked me for you know, being well, me. "
" Seriously ? Don't worry, we'll find them and make them pay. First, we have to take care of this wound. " said Kim as she ripped a piece of frabric from her blouse.
" Kim ! You don't need to do that, you'll ruin your blouse. " Trini said guiltily.
" Don't worry about it. I have at least ten more of these. " she said, making Trini stare at her. Kimberly tied it around her wound and helped her get up.
" This will stop the bleeding for now and it doesn't look too deep but we should go get Billy, he's an expert on these things. " and they went downstairs to the kitchen.
--
" You did what ? " Billy asked, blushing profusely as he stood up and stared at Jason.
" What ? I had to ! And you promised you wouldn't get mad at me ! " Jason pouted.
" I'm not mad. I am just slightly embaressed. "
" Really ? I would go crazy if Jase did that to me. " Zack said unwittingly as they both glared at him. They both blushed even more when Billy had to ask another question he had to know the answer to, even though he knows he'll hate it.
" So... ummm ... Jason ? "
" Y-y-yeah ? " he stuttered, knowing he was going to hate the next question.
" So, ummm, was I already or did you have to make me. " Billy blushed as red as ever as he asked. He just had to know.
" What do you mean my man ? " asked Zack unknowingly until Jason blushed even harder and whispered something into his ear which made Zack slightly blush before he brushed it away.
" Yeah, he had to make you ... uhh ... you know. When I got here, his hands were already down the- " Zack started explaining before Jason tackled him down, covering his mouth with his hand.
" Ok, you told him enough. He doesn't need to know how I did it ! " Jason seethed angrily into Zack's ear, not letting him go before he nodded vigorously. As they slowly got up, Billy stared at them strangely while Jason buried his face into his hands in embaressment. Zack just kneeled there smiling, until he opened his mouth to say something but they all turned their heads when they heard Kim.
" Help you guys ! Billy ! " Billy looked up and saw Trini's arm.
" Zack, go back to our room and bring down the box under my bed. Jason, go get some cotton swabs in the drawer by the kitchen sink. " he quickly ordere and minutes later, everyone was assembled. Billy tore off the fabric bandage and wiped the blood clean with a alcohal soaked cotten swab. Billy applied some of his home-made medicine before he took a gauze wrapping and tied it around her wound. Then he took his bandage roll and wrapped up her arm.
" There. Finished. Just don't use it unnecessarily until a couple of hours. What happened anyways ? " Billy asked as he put his supplies away.
" It's a long story, but I wonder, can we still get lunch ? " Trini asked wittingly. Everyone's stomach suddenly growled and they all laughed as they proceeded to the kitchen. They met the new cook Ernie who waved them over to the main table in the kitchen.
" You guys ok ? Sorry, but this was all I managed to save for you guys. " he said as he handed each teenaager a sandwich.
" How did you know ? " asked Zack as he bit into his sandwich hungrily.
" Well I saw what happened. " he said as he pointed to Jason, Billy, and Zack.
" You ok Billy ? " asked Ernie.
" Yes, but how do you know my name ? " asked Billy as he continued eating his sandwich.
" I just do. I saw that Francis kid hanging around here but I didn't know anything about him until one of the kids here told me about him. When I went out to check, I saw Jason here already taking care of you. And I mean, really taking care of you. " he chuckled as he saw Billy and Jason blush. Zack just smirked while Kimberly and Trini stared at the two blushing boys.
" What's going on ? " Trini whispered to Kim.
" I don't know, I'll ask Zack later. " Kim replied as they both nodded.
" And I heard what happened. " he said as he pointed to Kimberly.
" Don't worry princess, she'll come around. " he said as Kim and Billy locked gazes. They nodded at the same time before they started eating again.
" And I know what happened. " he said as he pointed to Trini.
" Don't worry, I already got my eyes peeled for those girls. "
" Ummm, thank you ? " Trini asked confused, as how he had any idea about any of this. They all finished and thanked Ernie before they went back into the great hall.
" Well, he was preceptive. " Trini said as they all slowly nodded.
" Ummm, I have to go put my box away. Kim, would you accompany me ? " asked Billy as he grabbed her and they started walking to his room.
" Hey Zack, do you want to come with me to ... uhhh ... Whoa ! What is that ! " she yelled as she pointed to something at the side. As both boys turned to look, Trini grabbed Zack and briskly walked away, dragging Zack behind her. Jason turned around and realized that everyone was gone.
" Well, now I feel left out. Ahhh, oh well, I might as well go and do what I'm supposed to. " he sadly pouted as he went to work, wondering how the others got away without working.
--
As soon as Billy finished storing away his medical box, he turned to Kim and motioned for her to sit down next to him.
" Do you want to talk about it ? "
" You mean about what Ernie said ? "
" Yes. " he stated simply, knowing that something was wrong.
" Well, the person he was talking about was mom. " Kim said sadly.
" Ahh, I see. Hanging out with us finally started affecting her huh ? " Billy said knowingly.
" Yeah, how did you know. "
" Kimberly, I've lived with your family for eight years now. I know your mom as well as I knew mine. I could tell that she didn't really approve of us already, but now you started hanging out with other slaves too, it's just starting to really hurt her pride now. "
" How do you figure that ? " Kim asked.
" Well, your my family now. And all I can say is, I think Ernie's right. We should just wait and hope your mom comes around. I know your mom has a racism problem, but she's not a bad person. I'm pretty sure she will come around, she just needs time. " he said as he reassuringly laid his hand on her shoulder as she leaned in.
" You know you're not your mom right ? " he reminded her.
" I know. But I don't want to grow up to be like her. I don't want to judge people by how they looks. I don't want to make my child feel this way everytime we have a fight. " she sighed sadly as she rested her head on his shoulder.
" You know what Billy ? "
" What ? "
" This was your shortest lecture yet. "
" Yeah, I noticed. " this has happened before. Everytime when Kimberly got in a bad fight, she would spend an afternoon with Billy, just talking about it while he just listened quietly and give advice when she needed it.
" So, what happened out by the lake ? " she turned her head and saw Billy blushing.
" Uhhhh, well ... uh, let's see ... " Billy stuttered. Kim smiled inwardly, she knew she was going to get good teasing material out of this. Besides, she never saw Billy this nervous before.
--
" So, what happened out by the lake ? " Trini asked eagerly as they wandered around outside by the lake.
" Well, did Kim tell you about that Francis kid yet ? " he stopped and picked up a stone, throwing it and letting it skip out into the water.
" You mean the juvenile delinquent kid ? " asked Trini as she tried, and failed, to skip rocks too.
" Ummm, yeah. Did Billy tell you - wait, bend your wrist a little more. " he stood behind her, holding her arms and teaching her how to throw stones correctly. Zack realized her that she could move her arm now. Trini seemed to realize it too and slowly unwrapped her bandage, seeing her wound had already closed up.
" Wow. " they both said.
" So, did Billy tell me what ? " getting back to the question as she experimentally threw a stone and watched as it skipped four beats before it sinked into the water.
" Good job girl ! Oh yeah, did Billy tell you what happened yesterday ? The thing that set Jase off ? I know you guys heard it, I heard your footsteps when you went out to check on us. "
" Wow, when did your hearing get so sharp ? " Trini asked as she dusted off her hands and sat down, followed by Zack.
" Well, ever since the whole kitchen-Divatox fiasco. I do not want Jason to ever tackle me like that again, I swear my back almost broke. And he did it again today, which we'll get to later. " he laughed.
" Ok then. So, did you tell them the story ? "
" Oh yeah, it made me a Billy crack up when Jason reminded us of his old nickname. " Zack started laughing.
" Oh my god ! Really ! I thought Jason hated it ! I never knew that he still remembered it ! " Trini started laughing.
" Yeah, then we thought about how Jason thought Divatox was going to take his virginity ... "
" ... and the fact that she wore that wierd dominatrix outfit ... " they both suddenly shuddered.
" Ok then ! Where were we ? " Zack hurridly changed the subject.
" You asked me if Billy told me what set off Jason yesterday. No, but I can guess that it had something to do with that Francis kid huh. " she stated, rather than asked.
" Yup, he was going to beat up Billy, then when I stopped him, he called me a couple of names that I am not going to mention right now. " he said sadly. Trini sighed, she remembered what he was like before she became his friend.
" You ok ? " she asked, comfortably patting his back.
" Yeah. Anyways, back to the story. Jason was there too and something inside him just snapped and he blew Francis away with a single punch. That's when he did his whole battle cry thing and guess what ? I didn't calm him down this time, Billy was the one he was concerned about this time. Yeah, it was the name calling that set him off but it was Billy who he was worried about. "
" Really ? That's nice. Jason accepting some else besides us two. "
" Yeah ... ok, now back to the original question, Francis came back today and basically tried to drown Billy. "
" What ! Oh my god ! " Trini said, her face aghast.
" But don't worry, everything turned out fine as you can see. "
" That's gre- wait ! Jason didn't do that thing that he does to make sure Billy wasn't broken or anything did he ? "
" Yup, he did ! " he exclaimed.
" Poor Billy ! He must be so embaressed ! " Trini sighed as she remembered two years ago when Zack was pushed into a pool and hit his back, hard, against the pool floor and what Jason did to make sure Zack didn't break anything. Trini blushed just thinking about it.
" Plus, Jason even gave Billy mouth-to-mouth ! It was so fun to see his reaction. " Zack said happily. They just spent the rest of the day talking about things they shared with their newfound friends.
" So, what do you think of Billy and Kim Zack ? "
" Well, I think they're great people. I feel really lucky we met them. Hey, do you know what was wrong with Kim ? I know you noticed too. "
" Whoa, you're even getting more perceptive ! And yes I did. Her mom went in to talk to her and I'm thinking the conversation didn't go too well. "
" I guess so. But strangely, I feel that we were the main topic. " they just sat there in silence, until they realized it was almost time for dinner. Zack stood up and brushed his shorts while he pulled Trini up.
" I feel it too. It seems that something is always standing in our way. "
" But that may be for the best. "
" I know, but I can still hate it can't I ? I know that we can't allow ourselves to make any friends, the chance that we have to move away is just too high. We can't deal with leaving them behind. " Trini sighed sadly.
" Yeah, I hate it too. But it already seems that Jason has fallen for the two of them. Sometimes his kindness and openess is a bad thing. If we have to move, he's going to be the one hurting the most. "
" Yeah, but let's stop talking like this. Let's eat and then we can go swimming again today. I'll join you today if you was, but I don't think Kim will. " she mused to herself as they entered through the back door and waved to Ernie before they went to the table they all shared.
" Hey you guys ! " Kim greeted as they came over, seeing that Kim was feeling a bit better. Billy nodded his greetings and sat down next to Kim. Zack and Trini waved as they got some food and also sat down before Jason came in and collapsed next to them.
" Hey Jase ! Where you been ? " Zack asked as he started eating.
" Working. " Jason sighed. Zack and Billy immediatly froze. They both locked gazes with eachother.
" Oops. " they said simultaniously.
" Oops is right. We continued building that new training center, which would have been easy but I had to do your guys's jobs too. " Jason complained while they gave him apologetic looks.
" Sorry, we'll be there next time and we'll help do some of your load too. " Billy suggested. Zack came back carrying a plate of food for Jason and put it in front of him.
" Thanks man. And don't worry. I got a nice workout today. " said Jason as he flexed his muscles. But when a couple of girls walked by and whistled, he immediatly hid his arms between his legs and blushed, while staring down at the plate in front of him.
" Awww, is our big flu- "
" Don't even think about. " seethed out Jason as he glared at the chuckling Zack.
" What was he gonna say ? " asked Kimberly. Jason eyes shot open, he realized that Kim didn't know yet ! He had one less person to tease him, well, until Billy opened his mouth.
" He was gonna call Jason a big fluffy puppy. " he deadpanned. Everyone was silent for a few seconds, then everyone exploded in laughter, except Jason of course.
" Thanks. Thanks a lot Billy. " he said while glaring at Billy, though he seemed unaffected.
" Your welcome. " he said grinning. After everyone got out their laughs, dinner proceeded as it did yesterday. Full of laughter and upbeat chatter. When they all finished, they all cleared their plates and went out by the lake.
The boys removed their shirts and shorts while Trini also peeled off her top and shorts. They all turned to stare at her thin and beautiful body, the yellow bikini revealed underneath as her long hair flowed in the wind and the sun shone off her body.
" Dang girl ! Where did you get that ! "
" From Kim ! She's has millions of clothes in her closet and didn't mind me borrowing anything. " Trini said.
" All right all right ! Show's over ! " Kim said as she covered Billy's and Zack's eyes as she led them to the water. But not before turning around mouthing to what Trini thought was ' You are hot ! '.
" Uhhh, Kim. Why are you not covering Jase's eyes ? " asked Zack as they slowly proceeded to the edge of the water.
" How do you know I'm not covering Jase's eyes ? "
" Well, 'cause I saw you covering Billy's eyes and you have only two hands. I know you covered Billy's eyes because he's too innocent for this kind of thing - "
" I'm right here ! " Billy exclaimed.
" Yeah, and I know why you covered me but why not Jase instead ? " Kim seemed to think about it and then turned around.
" Yes, why didn't I cover your eyes ? " she asked, looking for a good enough answer.
" Ummm ... well ... because Trini can kick my butt anytime she wants to but she hasn't yet ? " Jason asked. Kim thought it over and nodded.
" Good answer Jase. " came Trini from behind Jason's back. After he whirled around in shock, Trini smiled before she gracefully dove in. Kim let the others go before they dove in too, with only Billy left.
" You coming in ? " Billy asked.
" No, not today. You guys go in ahead. Let me head back inside and get some towels ok ? " Billy seemed satisfied with the answer and dove in. After completing a game of water war, Jason and Billy vs. Trini and Zack, they sat on the towels and watched as the sun set once again. Then they picked up the towels and arrived at the kitchen door when Ernie burst out ! He was carrying a bowl of ice and accidently threw it onto the two teens who were in the lead, Billy and Kim !
" Oh my god ! I'm so sorry you two ! Are you ok ? " asked Ernie worridly as Billy and Kimberly started to shiver.
" N-n-n-no pr-prob-problem. " Kim managed out through her chattering teeth. Billy removed his shirt and wrapped a towel around himself while Kim did the same. They ran upstairs and Jason kissed both the girl's foreheads goodnight as they parted ways.
" Go in there and change Billy. We'll wait out here. " said Jason as he shooed in his little bro. After awhile, they opened the door and saw that Billy was already asleep in his bed. Jason sighed as he went over and picked Billy up while Zack pulled back the covers. Jason tucked him in and kissed his forehead.
" Night Zack. "
" Night bro. " they quietly said as they gave eachother a brief peck on the cheek before they changed into new boxers and blew out all the candles. They fell asleep as soon as their heads hit their pillows.
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Awww, isn't Jason just the sweetest guy ever ! Heehee, so how was this chapter ? My dear friends out there, please review ! And if you were wondering what Jason did to Billy while he was unconscious, just ask me. It is pretty obvious but you can ask me in a review or send me a PM. Don't forget to review !