The Path of Friendship
By : Tsubasa Caligrapher
Chapter 16
Disclaimer : I don't own Power Rangers ... uuhhhh ... yeah ... soo ... read my story now please ...
Thanks : PernDragonrider, Azure Kaze, PrettyDiva, The Similerian ( where are you ? ), and KaiAN-Chan ! Thanks you guys, as always ! Love ya guys !
Author's note : And I'm apologizing beforehand. I've never writted anything romantic in my life ! So, if this sorta romantic chapter isn't that good, I'm sorry. Please don't get mad, this is new to me ok ? And for some of the depressing things, I just watched Brokback Mountain ( and yes, I am mature enough to watch a movie about gay cowboys ... though I did have to skip the more ... mature scenes and stuff ... ) and it's got me kinda depressed about this thing ok, very angsty on Jason's part, but don't worry, I'll make him happy again soon ... sorta. So sorry ... oh, and more slash stuff too so ... and it is kinda related to the story soo ... you kinda have to read it ...
--
" I love him. "
" I've fallen for Trini. "
" -I really like you. " as the shocking confessions came from each person's mouth, they each reacted differently.
--
" Oh-my-god oh-my-god oh-my-god ! I love Billy ! I love Billy ! " he started freaking out as he shot up and started pacing around fratically.
" Ok, I could hear you from the hallway ! " Kim yelled as she ran back inside and stood in front of Jason.
" BUT I LOVE BILLY ! " he screamed ! She sighed as he continued rambling and went into the bathroom. After seeing he was still talking to himself frantically, she got a glass of water and stood in front of him. While he kept on talking, she thrust the cup forward and the water soaked his face.
" Uuhhh ... thank you. " he sobered as he started wiping his face.
" Ok, I realize that you love Billy. Now, what are you going to do about it ? "
" I honestly don't know. " he said sadly as a brief flashback of horror hit him.
" Jason, what's wrong ? " Kimberly asked in concern as she saw the fear flash in Jason's eyes.
" No-nothing ! " he said in a hurry as he turned around.
" Jason. Come on, tell me. Please. I'm your friend Jason, and I haven't seen you that scared since ... that time a week ago. " she said softly as she tried to coax it out of him. All he did was sigh and sat down on the bed, not wanting to remember that horrid event.
--
" What ? " Zack's eyes widened when he heard what Harry just said.
" I-I don't think that I heard right. I thought you said you've fallen for ... " as he saw Harry nod, his mouth fell open.
" Yeah, I've fallen for Trini. " Harry repeated, taking in Zack's shocked face.
" Hello, Earth to Zack. " he said as he waved his hand in front of Zack's face, making him staggering back in shock.
" Oh, yeah. Sorry. " Zack said.
" Look, I can see that this is a pretty big shock to you, but I'm serious about this. I have fallen for Trini. " he said seriously, more serious than Zack had ever seen him.
" And, why are you telling me this ? I mean, shouldn't Trini know about this ? I mean, she is the one you've ... f-fallen for right ? " Zack asked with a quirked eyebrow.
" Because, I know you like her too. " Harry stated. He noticed how Zack looked at her, with a soft fondness especially for her.
" Wh-what do you mean ? " he stuttered, blushing crazily.
" I know you do. " Harry said again, determined to get Zack to admit it.
" ... how long ? " Zack asked softly as he looked down.
" How long what ? " Harry asked, confused. He wasn't sure whether Zack was asking him when he fell for Trini, or when Harry figured out Zack liked her.
" How long since you knew that you liked her ? " Zack asked again as he raised his head.
--
" Wh-what ? " Billy stuttered.
" I mean that, I really like you Billy. " she repeated, trying to read Billy's reactions.
' What's going on ? What's happening ? ' it was too much.
" Billy, are you ok ? " Janice asked warily. This wasn't supposed to happen, Janice's mission was much simpler, but this wasn't supposed to happen. She wasn't supposed to fall in love with him. Now, the thing she was afraid of most was rejection, not if she failed her mission or not.
" Oh, I'm sorry. It's just a lot to handle right now. " he said as he involuntarily took a step back. He immediatly walked closer to her when she saw the pain flash in her eyes.
" It's not like I'm rejecting you or anything. I'm very grateful for your feelings ... but, you were right. This is too soon ! I mean, it's only been a week since you got here, how do you if this is what you really feel ? " he asked, a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach.
" Because, everytime you look at me, my heart starts to beat faster and my lips suddenly become dry. I start to get really nervous around you and keep on trying to get you to notice me, and I just wanted to tell you that. " she said quietly before she started walking away. She felt him grab her arm and a small light of hope went through her.
" Well, I'm happy that I make you happy, but still. Now wait here, I'm not rejecting your feelings, but I'm not saying that I accept them either ok ? " Billy tried to reason with her. After awhile, she slowly nodded and a small smile broke out. As they made their way back to the castle, he wondered if there was something wrong with him.
' Any guy would have accepted in a heartbeat, I mean, Janice's beautiful, smart, and kind. Anybody would be lucky to have her, but then ... why do I have this nagging feeling in my gut ? ' Billy debated with himself, not knowing what his other friends were going through.
--
" Kim, I'm really scared. " Jason finally said. Kim grew sadder, sort of missing the frantic Jason that was just there, over this frightened one.
" About what ? " Kim asked softly. Jason had never admitted to her before that he was scared of anything.
" I'm scared because ... I knew a gay couple, and things didn't end well. " he said sadly.
-- Flashback --
" Adam ! Wocky ! " called a little five year old Jason. He was scooped up into the arms of two handsome teenage boys.
" Hey Jason ! Whoa ! What have you been eating ? You're growing up so big, Adam can barely hold you now ! " Rocky smiled as he started tickling Jason, making him give off a small giggle.
" Hey, you the one who eat a lot ! " Jason said, making fun of Rocky's large appetite and causing Adam to laugh.
" Hey ! " Rocky grinned and carried Jason into his arms. Adam was watching from the distance, smiling as he watched Rocky playing around with little Jason.
" You know, you would have made a great dad some day. " Adam said sadly, causing Rocky to stop.
" Who says I still can't be ? " he smiled, trying to help Adam get over his guilt. All Adam did was gape, making Rocky and Jason look at eachother before bursting out laughing.
" You know I will always love you. " Rocky gave a goofy grin as he approached Adam and gave him a peck on the lips.
" Eeeww ! " Jason smiled as he covered his eyes. Adam looked down and realized Jason was peeking at them through his hands. Rocky smirked and covered Jason's eyes with his own hand, before he leaned in and gave Adam a more passionate kiss.
" I still see you ! " Jason gave off another small giggle. Jason was only five years old and he didn't know what love was, but he realized his two best friends were in it. Jason had other friends too, but these two were his closest. Everyone else was either playing with their other friends or had grown hard from working so much at Rita's castle, but Rocky and Adam were always there for him, until that day.
" Shoot, someone's coming. Adam, go take Jason back. " Rocky said hurridly as he picked Jason up and gave him to Adam. They made it out of their room as the door on the other side of them was opened.
" What are you still doing here ! " came the screechy voice of Rita as she saw Rocky.
" I-I'm just about to leave. " Rocky said hurridly.
" Well, you should have already been down there working ! " she raged as she smacked the young mexican across his face.
--
" Rocky ! " Adam called as he cradled Jason and walked over to his boyfriend. It was already nighttime and neither had seen Rocky since his morning and they were starting to get worried.
" Hey ! " Rocky put on a smile as he walked to them.
" Where were you ? We were worried sick ! " Adam said in concern as Jason nodded along.
" Sorry, Rita made me clean her room and everything because I was late. " he explained.
" Whew. " the other two sighed in relief. Adam frowned again when he saw Rocky's cheek. He gently turned Rocky's face and Adam and Jason gasped in shock as they saw three long scratch marks on his face.
" What happened ? " Adam asked.
" Oh this, it's nothing. " Rocky tried to shrug it off, but he didn't succeed.
" It my fault. " Jason started to wipe his eyes as his eyes started to water.
" Shhh, shhh. No, of course not. Jason, come on, it's wasn't. Shhh, shhh, look, I'm ok alright, so don't worry about it. " Rocky gently cradled him and gave him soft pats on the back as Jason cried into his shirt.
" Hey, what about this ? Tomorrow, we won't have to do work and we can just go out to have fun ok ? " Rocky suggested.
" Yeah, I heard that there was going to be a fair coming around here soon. Do you want to go ? " Adam asked softly. After awhile, Rocky felt him nodding against his shirt.
" But hey, do you know what I heard ? " Rocky asked.
" What ? " Jason asked.
" They only let big boys in. Are you a big boy ? " Rocky asked.
" Yeah. " he nodded.
" Well, big boys don't cry ok ? So stop crying ok ? " Rocky said as he gently rocked Jason. He saw Jason nod and then wipe his eyes.
--
" Wocky ? " Jason asked in a small voice as they headed to his room.
" Yeah sport ? " Rock asked as he looked down.
" Why do you love Adam if it get you hurt ? " Jason asked innocently as he leaned against Rocky's body.
" Well, because, nothing's makes you happier than being with the one you love. " Rocky answered after awhile.
" Awww, Rocky's turning into a romantic. " Adam poked fun at him.
" Anyways, why do you ask Jason ? " Rocky asked.
" Because, I just wanna know. Just in case I fall in love. " Jason yawned.
" Well, let me tell you this. If you find a girl- " Adam started.
" -or a guy. " Rocky smiled.
" Or a guy, and you fall in love with him or her, I say you go after them. It might seem scary at first, but still, look how happy we are now. " Adam said as he looked at Rocky.
" Promise. " Rocky said.
" Ok, me promise. " Jason said as he held up his pinkie. The other two held out their pinkies too and they did a triple pinkie-swear.
-- End Flashback --
" So, what happened ? I mean, it sounds like everything was going great. " Kim wondered, as she was entailed in the story.
" They nevered showed up. " he said.
" What do you mean ? Rocky and Adam seem like good guys, why didn't they show up ? " she asked in confusion.
" They didn't show up because they couldn't. When I came to their room, they weren't there, so I checked around back and I found them ... dead. " he was able to get out before he felt his eyes start to water.
" Oh, Jase. I'm so sorry. " she gasped as she moved over to hug him.
" Later, I found out that someone had caught them kissing the night before and they squealed. Somehow, the bad boys in our castle got word of it and jumped them in the morning. They put up a fight but they were no match. After everyone got word of it ... they didn't even care and some of them even ... laughed. " he cringed. Kim remained silent, waiting for Jason to tell the rest of his tale.
" But while I was sad and holed up in my room, Trini and Zack always came by and tried to cheer me up. That's when I realized that there were at least a few more good people in the castle, then after that, I tried to keep my promise but look at me now. It's time for me to keep my promise, and here I am, cowering inside a girl's room. " he said before he broke down and cried into her shoulder.
" You're afraid that what happened to them is going to happen to you and Billy. " she stated, realizing what Jason was so scared of.
" Y-yeah. " he choked out.
--
" Since I first met her. " he gave a small smile, copying Zack's.
" She has a way of doing that. " he agreed, waiting for him to tell his story.
" Do you remember when I first met you, Trini, and Jase ? " he asked, smiling at the memory.
" Yeah, it was that time by the lake, and you cut your foot before you even came near us. " Zack chuckled.
-- Flashback --
" Hurry up ! " Kim called. It had been little over three weeks since the others had come to stay at the Hart castle. Now, it was just after dinner and they still used to go take a swim after it so here they were. Harry was just innocently walking around barefoot when he heard a couple of yells.
" Come on Billy do it harder ! "
" I am ! " Billy whined.
" Come on Billy ! You're doing it like a virgin ! " he heard Kim yell.
" I am not ! " he yelled back. Harry quirked his eyebrow at the familiar and unfamilair voices. He turned around the corner at the strange statements and saw that a rather handsome young man was teaching the smaller Billy how to swim faster. Harry slowly let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding when he saw it was certaintly innocent.
" Hey, how you guys doing ? " he turned and saw an african american boy run over excitedly with a tall asian girl smiling and walking slowly towards the small group, all were wearing bathing suits except Jason. He didn't know the other three, just knew Billy and Kim. It was strange to see so many different people hanging out together but he ignored it when he saw the most beautiful girl in the world.
Harry gaped at her slim body, as she stretched out and he watched as the sun reflected off her hair and made it look look more silky than ever. He was so entranced by her beauty, that he didn't notice a broken piece of glass on the ground. Without thinking, he took a step forward and on to the sharp piece of glass.
" Yow ! " he yelped as pain shot up through his foot. The others turned at the sudden burst of noise and Kim and Billy gaped in surprise.
" Harry ! " they yelled in surprise and worry as they charged towards him. The other looked at eachother in confusion before they quickly followed behind. Kim and Billy immediatly kneeled in front of the injured Harry as Billy inspected his foot.
" It looks bad. " Billy said as he continued inspecting it.
" Yeah. Zack, go get Billy's medicine trunk and Kim, go get some badages. " Jason commanded quickly. Harry watched in amazement as Jason quickly assessed the situation and took care of it quickly. He had already taken a liking to Jason, though Trini still held his gaze.
" Hold on ok. This is gonna be quick. " Jason said as he kneeled down and took off his shirt, revealing a well-defined chest and gave it to Trini.
" Ready ? " Jason asked. Harry wasn't sure what was going on but he warily nodded. In one sharp movement, Jason slid the piece of glass out and Trini covered the bleeding wound with his shirt. At that exact moment, Kim and Zack shot out of the castle and immediatly got to work. Faster than he thought was possible, his leg was badaged up and everything was fine.
" Wow. " he uttered out as he accepted Kim's extended hand, helping him up. He winced slightly as he stood on his foot, but it didn't nearly hurt as much as before.
" I don't think we were properly introduced. I'm Harry. " he flashed a smile as he stuck is hand out to Trini, and then to the others.
" So, you close to Kim and Billy ? " Zack asked.
" Yeah, actually we are. " Harry answered.
" Yeah, and where have you been anyway ? " Billy asked.
" Not in the girl's showers again. " Kim smiled, making Trini and Harry gasp.
" Just that one time ... " he said as he raised his finger, making Kim laugh.
" And it was an accident. " she said sarcastically, making him blush.
" Hey, it was ! "
-- End Flashback --
" Did you really go into the girl's shower ? " Zack asked, laughing.
" It was only that one time ! " Harry smiled as he held up his finger, copying his actions the first day they met. They laughed for a long time, trying to ease the small tension that was slowly coming back. After the laughing had stopped, they couldn't come to meet eachother's eyes.
" So, when did you know ? " Harry finally asked.
" Well, actually, it was about only three years ago. I would have said I fell for her when we first met, but when we did, we were only three then. But as we became friends, I slowly learned to love her unconsiously, so when I realized that I did love her, it came as a big surprise.
-- Flashback --
" Oh my god, I'm so tired. " Trini and Zack yawned in unison. They looked at eachother and started laughing. As Zack sobered he started to smack his cheeks to stay awake. It was nearing Christmas, and Rita had many people to impress. So what better way than to win people's favors than by giving them presents ? And of course, she wouldn't do it herself.
" Jeez, I'm sick and tired of doing this every single year ! " he whined as he fell face-down on a pile of plain wrapping paper. Trini yawned as she set down another wrapped package and stretched out her arms.
" I know. " she agreed as she reached over for her glass of water.
" So, Jason's asleep already ? " she asked as she sipped her glass empty. They were still in her room, and luckily, she got a single. Jason had already completed his share of the work, and even some of theirs.
" Yeah, we gotta talk to him one day. I mean, just because we had other plans doesn't mean that he shouldn't remind us about this and just overwork himself ... again. " Zack sighed at Jason's big brotherness.
" But even if we talk to him, he's gonna do it anyway. " Trini smiled.
" Here, let me get that. " he yawned as he took the empty glass from her.
" Thanks. " she smiled as he left. When he came back, he saw that Trini had fallen asleep. Strangely, his heart starting beating rapidly and he couldn't take his eyes off her sleeping face. He was snapped out of his trance when he heard her rustling in her bed. Zack quietly walked over and covered her with the slim blanket as he took the remaining packages and quietly made his way to his room.
Jason peeked his eyes open when he heard someone coming into his room. When he saw it was Zack, he realized that there was something different about him. He saw the far-away look Zack had in his eyes, and the way that he moved.
" You guys finished ? " he yawned as he slowly sat up.
" Uhhh, n-no. Not yet. Trini fell asleep but they're just a few more to go. " Zack said as he held up the last few packages. Suddenly, Jason's eyes widened and then he suddenly smirked.
" What ? " Zack asked in confusion. Jason smirk grew into a smile as he broadened it.
" What ! " Zack asked again, catching Jason's infectious smile.
" Nothing, nothing. " Zack could just hear the laughter in Jason's voice as he started finishing up wrapping the presents.
--
" Merry Christmas ! " Trini shot up as she heard her friends' voices.
" Wh-what ? " she asked in confusion as she saw the other two carrying a tray of food.
" Rita left early today because she had to hand-deliver her presents. " Jason grinned widely.
" So we decided to make a special breakfast for our favorite girl ! " Zack smiled as they set the tray on her lap.
" Awww, thanks you guys. This looks great, wait, don't tell me, you didn't break into the kitchen again did you ? Please tell me someone was there with you guys. " she said, remembering a bad kitchen incident.
" Well, I think you should just say thank you. " Jason smiled.
" Oh, fine. Thanks you guys. " she said as they leaned in and she gave them a hug and a kiss. Zack quickly pulled giving, trying to hide his blush, but Jason was able to notice.
" What ! " Zack asked again as Jason gave him the same smirk from the night before.
-- End Flashback --
" Hello ? Zack ? " Harry wondered as he waved his hand in front of Zack's face, snapping him out of his daze.
" Oh, what ? " Zack asked, as he remembered the day when he finally realized what Jason's smirk meant.
" So, what are we going to do ? " Harry asked.
" I don't know really. Well, I do know that we shouldn't tell Trini about us liking her yet. " Zack said.
" Why not ? " Harry asked.
" Well, because she's both of our friends, and it will just confuse and hurt her to make her choose one of us over the other. " Zack told him.
" Right ... so, what about this. I suggest a challange. " Harry smiled.
" What is it ? " Zack asked, sounding intruiged.
" Let's say, that the winner gets to tell Trini how he feels. The game is, we have to try and impress her until she invites one of us out on a date. " he proposed. Zack thought a long while before he finally decided.
" Fine, I accept. " he smiled as he stuck his hand out and they shook hands.
--
" Jase, you know that me and the others would die first before we let anything happen to you two. "
" Exactly ! You guys will probably die if you try to defend us ! " he yelled as he moved back.
" Jason, you know that won't happen. Come on, you have to get through this. " Kim said.
" But how do I know that Billy's even gay, that he even loves me ? " he whimpered.
" Jason, don't doubt that Billy or any one of us love you, just, maybe not in the way you love him. " she said sadly.
" I know. But still ... " he sighed sadly.
--
As Janice and Trini ate lunch, Billy wondered where all his friends were. But just as he thought that, he saw Zack and Harry come on and they both sat on either sides of Trini, smirking at eachother.
" Ok, what's going on here. " Trini asked as she set down her fork.
" What ? " Zack asked, flabbergasted. He couldn't be caught already, they just decided on it. Billy sweatdropped and slipped away from the crowd of friends as he went in search of the only two left missing. He felt he was somehow betraying Kim, by going out with Janice and not talking about it with her first. He knew that she wasn't the only he felt like he was betraying, but he didn't think about it.
' Kim, Jason. Where are you ? ' he thought as he searched his room, realizing they weren't there. So, he decided to check Kim's room, and he was right. He opened the door a crack and saw that Jason was crying.
" ... you're not going to tell him are you ? " he heard Kim ask.
' Him ? Him who ? ' Billy wondered as he continued listening.
" ... no. " Jason finally answered. And as he saw them hug, it somehow made him really sad.
' What was Jason talking about, that he couldn't talk about it with me ? I mean, I thought we were closer than that. ' he thought sadly as he turned away. Suddenly, Janice flashed through his mind and he walked downstairs.
--
" Hey, where have you guys been ? " Zack asked as Jason and Kim finally got downstairs an hour later.
" We just had to do something. " Jason said, putting on smile. Only Janice and Harry were fooled though, but Trini and Zack saw that there was something wrong.
" Trini, Zack, can I talk to you guys for a bit ? " Kim asked as she waved them outside. Billy suddenly felt left out again, wondering what they were keeping from him.
" Hey, what's going on with you guys ? " Jason asked as he sat across from Billy.
" Nothing really. Sorry, but I gotta go. " Harry said as he got up and waved goodbye.
" Yeah, I have to go too. " Janice smiled as she got up and also left.
" Jason ? " Billy called.
" Yeah ? " Jason answered.
" Janice said she really liked me. " Billy said, not noticing the pain flashing in Jason's eyes.
" Re-really ? " he answered casually, trying not to let it hurt him too much.
" Y-yeah. And I really like her too. " he continued, making Jason gasp slightly. Jason felt as though someone had just torn his heart out.
" S-so, are you guys a couple now or something ? "
" Well, I guess we are. " Billy finally said.
" That's great. " Jason said, trying to sound happy, missing the look of shock that briefly went across Billy's face.
" You really think so ? " he asked.
" Yeah, old friends of mine said that if you ever find anyone you love, you should go after them. " he said.
' Billy can't love me the way I love him. ' he thought sadly.
" We-well, I gotta go. " Jason gave a fake smile as he stood up and went into the halls. He barely made it out into the halls when he broke down. He slid down against the wall and pulled his knees up to his chest, and then started crying into them. Janice was walking around the hall when she saw him, she hid around the corner, and watched with sadness.
--
" Do you guys remember about ten years ago, when Jason was friends with these guys named Rocky and Adam ? " Kim asked.
" Umm, yeah, I think so. He was really close to them. " Trini started to remember.
" And you remember what happened to them ? " she asked sadly. She studied their expressions, and when she saw them suddenly turn sad, she knew that they knew.
" Jason told you about it ? " Zack asked in surprise.
" Yeah, why wouldn't he ? " Kim asked in confusion.
" Because back then, he said he didn't like to think about it, it was too painful. So if he told you the story, it must've been really important. " Trini said.
" What were you guys talking about anyway ? " Zack asked.
" Jason's finally realized who he loves. " Kim said sadly.
" You mean- " Zack started, but stopped as he saw Kim already nodding.
" But he's not going to tell him. " Kim sighed.
" Why wouldn't he ? " Zack asked.
" Because he's afraid. " Trini said quietly.
" Exactly. " Kim added. Zack sighed too when he realized what Jason was afraid of.
" So, how are we going to help him ? " Zack asked.
" I don't think we can. Jason has to do this himself, we can give him all our support, but ultimately ... " she trailed off sadly.
--
Wow, that was depressing huh. That was like the first piece of Angst work I have ever done. So, what do you guys think of it ? Please tell me in a review. And I'm sorry that's it's shorter than usual, but if ou want it to be happier, it'll go back to it soon. I'm gonna make Jason go out of his depression stage and then into his funny jealously mood soon so don't worry, the humor will com back soon. Anyways, thanks for reading this chapter and I hope you leave a review !