Long chapter coming up.
I'm betting some of you are wondering about the 'Dragon Clan' and when it comes into play. Well, here you go. I hope you like it.
GinaStar - It's ok. I'm glad you like the fic. :) As I may have stated (I don't remember), I like to try different things. Chapter 6 should have a little laughter in it. Oh boy... I had to struggle not to laugh while writing it, since i pictured it happening.
JuseaPeterson - Well, we both know Hunter's the broody/testy type, so I can see him struggling not to lose his temper at the little girl, you know? And those moments seemed like a good way to show a little Tori/Blake bonding. I wasn't sure how to do her home life, but after all our talking, it just seemed right for that chapter, and the thoughts hit even me by surprise, but it's something I find myself thinking about, a lot.
I pictured how Hunter was sleeping with Taelin there, her little face buried in his neck and her wings peaking out of the quilt, and I was in full swoon mode, it was just so adorable. I love writing those moments because I can so see it happening. Yeah, I remembered about the families, to a point. It was their physical descriptions and names that got me lost (besides Porter), so I tried to keep it vague about them.
It would be weird, but who else could I pair him with? Kelly's a good choice, but there's a lot with that pairing that bothers me for this fic specifically, so.. Another OC could work, I guess. Do you think there's a way I could play on how weird it is, but have them eventually get past it? I only ask because I want him to end up with someone and don't know who...
Suggestions on different things they could deal with, at the different ages. Things that could be funny or adorable. She's about to enter her teen years, so...
dragons in our midst - Yeah, I thought about that too, and planned to do that. LOL. It'll be funny. In fact, I already have the chapter written. I actually just finished writing it about 10 minutes ago. Moodswings are still going to come into play, but it deals with... Well, you'll see. LOL.
pinklen98 - I know. I think Hunter's cute in any sense. LOL. What can I say? At those ages, I think they loved food fights.
Thank you everyone for your reviews. They managed to keep me working on a single fic, instead of bouncing around! LOL. I really should post others I've started, and see if it helps get my five-foot long list of stories down a little. LOL.
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(Next Day, Normal POV)
"So, she's 8 now?" Hunter asked with an exhausted look. Despite his restful nights, the days were more exhausting than usual, with the added duty of looking after a child. He just finished a shorter-than-usual sparring session with Blake, in which Blake kicked his rear, and was sitting at the table in Ops, watching the little brunette drawing away in the corner of the room.
She'd taken to drawing dragons a lot, but even though Tori had taken pains to get her practically every color crayon there was, she refused to color them. When asked, she would say that yes, they had colors, but she didn't want to color them in.
Today, she draw a ffew different dragons. Still though, the colors didn't help. Oh, she'd taken to coloring them, but she'd color one red, frown and use the black all over it, turning it into a blood red, almost black color, and she still wouldn't be happy. Then she tried a blue one with the same results. Then, of course, there was a little group of people wearing spandex and helmets, in six colors.
Them. Them as the Rangers.
Dustin cooed over it, going on about how he thought it was so pretty, and such, making Taelin giggle at him. Then Tori smacked him on the back of the head, in a joking manner, and Taelin laughed out loud at the pout on his face.
Thankfully, she'd listened to him, and seemed to be giving the others a chance. By no means was she buddy-buddy with a lot of them, yet, but she seemed to be getting closer to Tori and Dustin. Shane and Cam? That...was another story.
Shane was ok, but just didn't seem to draw her like Blake and Hunter, and Cam's constant seriousness almost seemed to frighten her, which made me laugh uncontrollably. He tried to lighten up, and to his credit, he did a pretty good job, but for a little girl...?
Cam turned from the computer and gaze the girl a thoughtful look. "Yeah." he stated simply as he gazed at her.
Hunter wasn't sure if he liked the intense look. He really didn't know what to make of it, and felt his irritation pick up. It was almost like a scrutinizing gaze, or like he was sizing up his next experiement. "Cam..." he almost growled in a warning tone.
Looking at Hunter in confusion, Cam simply raised an eyebrow, gave him a clueless look and turned back to the computer with a shake of his head.
"Taelin." Hunter called in a lighter tone, taking a deep breath and standing up.
The little head popped up and he smiled a little as the pigtail braids flopped against her head and wide violet eyes sparkled at him happily.
"Come on." he said softly as he walked to the stairs.
"Where are you guys going?" Cam asked almost testily.
Glaring over his shoulder at the Samurai, Hunter shrugged. "Figured I'd take her to the track." he said flippiantly before raising an eyebrow. "If that's alright with you...?"
Rolling his eyes, Cam turned to them and crossed his arms over his chest. "And I suppose you have a plan to hide the wings on her back?" He pointed out almost smugly.
Oh, I so don't need this right now! With a frown, Hunter closed his eyes deeply, realizing Cam had a point, but he really didn't want to stay here. I gotta get outta here before I lose it, but I don't wanna leave Taelin behind.
"Hunter...?"
Opening his eyes, he blinked lazily at the set of vioet eyes staring up at him, and the little grin on Taelin's face, before his eyes narrowed and he raised an eyebrow.
Closing her eyes, she seemed to concentrate a moment before glowing white, briefly, and her wings shimmered before disappearing from her back. Once she was done, she wiped a little sweat off her forehead and opened her eyes again, grinning at him brightly. "I figured out how to make my wings go away." she stated with a giggle, stating the obvious.
Staring at her in shock, Hunter found himself noticing just how normal and human she looked without her wings, except for her eyes, and those could easily be explained. Now, with her wings gone, there was nothing really keeping them at Ops, and sending a fairly cocky grin to Cam, he held his hand out to her. "Then let's go. Later Cam."
"Later Cam!" Taelin echoed innocently, obviously not catching his tone. Giggling again, she took Hunter's hand and held it tightly as they made their way up the stairs and walked through the ruined remains of the academy, towards the forest.
"It's so sad..."
Looking at Taelin, Hunter raised an eyebrow. "Sad?" he repeated cluelessly.
"This place was so pretty." she stated in a distracted voice as she looked at the ground. Her eyes were distant and he wasn't sure what to make of it.
Feeling uncomfortable with the sudden silence, Hunter tugged on her hand and lifted her up into the air, smiling at her giggle as he caught her and held her on his shoulder. "So, Tae, you excited to see a race?"
He'd told her about motocross, despite the fact that he knew she wouldn't understand. But still, she got so excited hearing about it, that he ended up promising to take her to a race as soon as they could.
Taelin shifted herself, with the help of Hunter's arms, so that she was more stable, and leaned over to look into his face with a bright smile. "Yeah!" she squealed as she hopped a bit. "And the dragons are coming soon, too!"
That made Hunter pause. "The dragons are coming?"
She kept grinning at him, and he found himself surprised when her eyes didn't glow in warning. "Soon. Really soon." she repeated as she looked up into the woods. "Dusty! Blake!" she called, waving excitedly ahead.
Following her gaze, he saw Dustin and Blake standing by Tori's van, with Tori in the driver's seat, looking at something beside her. "Hey guys!" he called, smirking a little.
"Yo, Hunter! Tae! There's my favorite little Windian!" Dustin stated with a grin, reaching out and poking her in the side when they got close, making her squeal and squirm.
Blake nodded and smiled, watching her, but his smile quickly faded into a look of confusion. "Hey bro...? Where's her wings?"
"I made them go bye-bye!" Taelin squealed with a grin.
Rolling his eyes, Hunter sighed and let her down, looking to the others. "She willed them away." he explained. "And...she mentioned the 'dragons are coming soon'."
Dustin and Blake exhanged confused looks before looking at Taelin, who was looking back happily, not seeming to notice the sudden tension.
Walking over to kneel in front of her, Blake looked her in the eyes. "Taelin, are the dragons dangerous?"
"Silly!" she scolded with a laugh. She poked him in the middle of the forehead and shook her head. "Not to good people. Bad people..." she trailed off and shrugged.
"So we don't need to be worried?" he insisted seriously, despite her cheerful mood.
Pursing her lips, Taelin cocked her head to the side and grinned again. "Nope."
"These dragons..." Hunter said softly, looking at her eyes. "Can you tell us who they are, or if we know them?" He didn't want to pressure her, and figured the collar would kick in if he wasn't careful, but the tension was really getting to him.
Taelin looked at him closely before switching her gaze to Blake. She looked perfectly serious, but after a moment, began to giggle. "Not telling!" she called as she raced to the van and knocked on Tori's door, stepping back as the said blonde opened her door.
"I'd say it's safe to say that was a 'yes' to something." Blake mused out loud. Turning to Hunter, he raised an eyebrow. "Taking her to the track?"
Hunter nodded a little, making his way to the van. As he passed the passenger side, he saw Taelin there and was torn between getting her to move to the next rows of seats back, or leaving her.
Then he frowned as he hopped into the back seat. I've been so protective of her lately. He thought in confusion. I don't understand. Part of me, I know I've grown close to her, but it's something else. It's like a need to be around her, to protect her. And sometimes, it's really weird, because I find myself not even trusting the others around her.
He watched silently as Blake reached forward and tickled her side, making her laugh. Well, no one but Blake. Then again, he'd also noticed Blake keeping a closer eye on her, too, like he was afraid of one of the others grabbing her and taking off.
Just what was going on?
(Track, Tori's POV)
Everything's been weird lately, and it all started when we found Taelin.
No, I'm not angry or jealous... Ok, maybe a little jealous, although I'm sure I have no reason to be. It's just... Blake's been so protective of her for some reason. Yeah, I get that Hunter's the same way, and that's what makes it so weird.
Hunter's not one to let someone in that easily. I mean, I think we can all see that barrier around his heart. Blake is the same, but a lot more trusting when it comes to other people. Hunter's got this constant fear about him, of being hurt again. Plus, with how loyal he is to Blake, anything that could change their lifestyle is instantly seen as a threat to him.
I easily remembered the way he was distant with us. Opening up to a degree, but seeming wary about trusting us.
Now Taelin...she's been with us a couple of days, took to Hunter and Blake right away, and now they seem to have taken to her, as well. They spend a lot of their free time with her, playing with her or just hanging out. Sure, I've been invited to hang out with them, but I mean, Blake doesn't come to his surfing lessons that often anymore, and doesn't ride as much as he used to.
But I'm not angry. She's just a little girl. Ok, ok. So she's a little girl that will be adult in probably close to another week, but she's still a little girl now.
I'm just weirded out.
I mean, one time, I offered to take Taelin to the beach, to a more secluded area where no one else was, and Blake insisted on keeping her with him that day while he meditated in Ops, and Hunter was sparring. He had to know she'd be happier at the beach than sitting there with a tranced out ninja, but when I brought it up, I got a bit of a glare before Blake told me, as nicely as he could, that he wasn't going to change his mind.
He even pointed out that Lothor could easily attack us on the way, or while we were there... And when I brought up our ninja streaking and stuff, he went into car crashes, muggers and more. Talk about being ridiculous!
What happened to trusting us? I thought as I looked to the ground. Looking to the little girl holding mine and Dustin's hands as we walked to the race line, I knew that was unfair of me and felt instantly bad for thinking it.
It's just... The look in Hunter and Blake's eyes when they parted for the race. It was a wary, almost warning look to both me and Dustin.
Me and Dustin.
Friends.
What did they think we were going to do? We did agree to help take care of her, after all, so why the sudden reluctance to trust us?
"Tori?"
Blinking a moment, I felt my face heat up as I looked into Taelin's shimmering violet eyes. Forcing a smile, I knelt down to her level. "Yeah?"
She stared at me so seriously for a moment before tilting her head to the side a little, letting go of Dustin's hand to pull down her purple t-shirt. "Don't be upset at them." she said quietly.
"Up-Upset?" I asked akwardly. Can she read my mind or something?
"You feel bad, like you're angry or sad." she said. "Don't be."
Looking to the ground, I knew she was right, but it didn't make me feel any better. I was still confused as to why they were acting like that, and what was going on. "I just don't get it." I stated quietly. "Why...?" Shaking my head, I looked into her eyes and jumped a little to see her grinning.
"Don't worry." she insisted before turning to Dustin and tugging on his pant leg.
Remembering Dustin was there, I looked up to see him looking away from the racers and stood up with a smile as he picked her up into his arms. Realizing he hadn't picked up on anything, I sighed silently, in relief. Good old, oblivious Dustin. I thought as I watched the bikers lining up for the race.
"Now Tae, you're gonna hear a whistle and loud bang. It just gets the race started." Dustin explained as simply as he could, so she wouldn't be frightened by the sound.
As if on cue, there was a shrill whistle and a loud bang, and Taelin looked frightened, hurriedly burying her face into Dustin's neck and shaking as she clung to him for dear life.
"Taelin, you're missing the race!" I called as I rubbed her back and turned to watch the bikes race by.
I guess, for a lot of people, they couldn't see the thrill to motocross. Being in it, or watching it. I could. I mean, watching the bikes sail in and out, between each other, jumping hills and sliding low on their sides as they turned corners. It was kind of neat.
Well, as long as it wasn't muddy and you were standing a safe distance away.
But it was also so dangerous, and watching as Blake sailed by, flying over the jumps like he didn't even notice them, I felt my heart racing in excitement and fear. All it took was one small slip, and his life would be over, but as much as I knew he knew that, it didn't stop him from racing often, or loving it. As much as I was afraid, I knew it was his dream.
He once told me it was like being invulnerable and completely vulnerable at the same time. I mean, racing so fast that you could feel the wind trying to push you back, and the sand and dirt felt ten times heavier as they hit you, but you also felt so free... Like nothing could touch you. But then, times like when the bike slid a little lower than it should, you'd find yourself praying that you'd make it out alright, knowing your life was hanging in the balance.
"Tae-tae, come on!" Dustin cried. "Hunter wanted you to see the race. You gotta watch it or you'll hurt his feelings!"
Her little brunette head turned a little and she watched as the bikes sailed by. Turning a little more, I noticed the frown on her face as her eyes darted around.
"Taelin? What's wrong?" I asked, turning to face her.
She looked at me with big violet eyes before they darted around. "Something bad's coming." she said softly, in a voice filled with fear.
"Something bad?" Dustin repeated with a frown.
Looking at me, we both nodded and began to make our way to where we were supposed to meet Hunter and Blake. I knew that with how protective of Taelin they were, as soon as they noticed we weren't at the line, they'd leave the race to come looking for us.
As we left the crowded areas, we waited silently out of sight until I knew it was clear, and contacted Shane and Cam over my morpher, letting them know what Taelin said. In response, I got some mumbo-jumbo about raised negative energies and such from Cam, and a blunt 'We're on our way' from Shane.
"It's coming closer." Taelin muttered with a shiver as she clung to Dustin more tightly.
Turning to her, I smiled, vaguely hearing the announcer mentioning the unusual withdrawl of the two riders that I recognized as Hunter and Blake. "It's ok Tae, we'll protect you."
"I want the dragons." she stated with watery eyes.
"Well... Where are they?" I asked in confusion. "You said they were coming soon?"
"I have to call on them." Taelin replied vaguely as she looked around. "I want Hunter and Blake."
I felt my heart clench painfully, feeling hurt that she didn't feel safe with us, but I also knew she had an unusual bond with those two, so despite my hurt, I understood totally. "They're already on their way." I said softly with a forced smile as we continued to the meeting point in the field.
Thinking about it, I began to question things. There were a lot of strange comments and actions from Taelin, Hunter and Blake, and I knew i should be able to fit them together and get what's going on. I mean, it was like a puzzle.
Taelin's mentioning the dragon, when she threw the mashed potatoes at Hunter. Her drawings of the dragons, all the time. The unusual bond between those three. The way Hunter and Blake suddenly seemed to become so protective of her.
Her eyes glowing and telling us it 'wasn't time'. When she finally mentioned the dragons coming...
I could go on. What's weird was that it all seemed linked, like...
Feeling my eyes go wide as a thought hit me, I turned to Taelin, watching as her frightened eyes looked frantically for Hunter and Blake. It can't be... I thought in disbelief.
"Taelin!" Hunter's voice shouted from nearby.
"Tor! Dustin!" Blake's echoed.
Turning back to the guys, I watched as Taelin squirmed until Dustin put her down and she raced over to Hunter, who picked her up and sat her on the seat of his bike. He smiled a little at her until he noticed her face and it immediately turned into a look of worry. "What's wrong, Tae?" he asked in concern as he wiped a tear off her face.
"Bad things coming." she stated as she shook, launching forward and burying her face into his chest and crying.
Looking past us, Blake frowned and hopped off his bike quickly, setting the stand down and throwing his helmet away. "Actually, I'd say 'bad things' here." he growled as he took up a defensive stand.
Spinning around, I saw a fist heading for my face and instinctively ducked it, spinning away and kicking out in counterattack, sending the kelzack flying. "And I'd agree with you." I stated grimly.
Behind us stood a small hoarde of kelzacks, and I winced at the number, knowing we'd definitely need our powers to fight them.
But, with all the people around, we couldn't afford to morph just yet. So instead, we were forced to fight hand to hand in civie form.
Leaving Taelin on his bike, Hunter hopped off and threw his helmet at a kelzack, kicking it in the stomach when it caught it and paused to look at it. This caused Taelin to giggle happily, and Hunter turned, saluting her a little with a grin before ducking a punch.
Cam and Shane showed up together, jumping into the middle of the battle, already morphed, and taking out a fair number of them. As they distracted the kelzacks, the rest of us took the chance to morph.
After a few moments, we were painfully thrown back in a line, against the bikes.
"There's too many!" I called as I clutched my side.
Dustin groaned as he clutched his stomach on the ground, in too much pain to stand back up again.
Shane nodded wearily as he stood shakily, ignoring a bleeding cut on his arm. "Dude, I'm with you, but what can we do?!"
"They're not your normal kelzacks!" Cam called as he pointed to what looked like a strange parasite attached to the throat of one of them.
"Well, I kinda figured that." I called back testily.
Blake was held by two of them as Hunter was thrown to the ground, painfully, and laid there, also in too much pain to stand back up again.
Turning to Taelin, I watched as she shook her head, her body trembling. Her wings were back and shook violently as they stood out from her sides, as thought she was mantling, and her face was stained with tears.
Suddenly, she hopped off the bike and floated in place. "Dragon knights! Help us, please!" she called out desperately, tears coursing down her face. "Help them! Please, wake up!"
There was a burst of light, and I turned, gasping in shock as a large group of kelzacks were blown back. As the light faded, I blinked in shock. I guess I was right. I thought.
Floating in place, back to back, were Hunter and Blake, morphed, with large dragon wings sprouting from their backs and metallic armor in their respective colors, covering their lower arms, legs and chest. Also, their thunderstaffs on their backs had turned into old fashioned-looking swords of silver with rubies and sapphires inlaid into the hilts.
Lowering to the ground, the wings folded neatly against their backs as they turned to the kelzacks. Then, without a word, they launched forward with moves that left the rest of us blinking blankly as we tried to figure out what happened.
I mean, Hunter and Blake were pulling off mega-advanced katas with amazing grace and ease, sometimes combining unusual moves, and working together in unity, as if they could read each other's minds.
Jumping back from a large group of these weird kelzacks, Hunter raised his hand to the sky and a lightning blast, combined with fire, shot out of the ground and hit them, destroying them completely.
Blake followed his brother's lead on the other, remaining kelzacks. But when he raised his hand, it was a lightning blast accompanied by ice, from the sky.
Watching as the monsters faded and Hunter and Blake turned towards us, I was a little lost as to what to say or do at the moment.
They powered down, but the wings remained, and I took a step back involuntarily as I noticed their eyes were glowing crimson and navy. They looked in my direction, and I felt distinctly uncomfortable by their wary gazes, until I realized they weren't looking at me.
Hunter knelt down on one knee, seemingly not noticing the big wings on his back or that he was in his ninja leathers, and a little blur with wings raced past me, leaping into his arms and holding him tightly.
An embrace he easily returned.
"The dragons are here! The dragons are here!" Taelin cried happily. "And Hunter and Blake are ok!"
I blinked against as the said men frowned together and exchanged a look. Closing their eyes, they seemed to concentrate, and like Taelin, they made their wings disappear. Once they opened their eyes, I noticed they were back to their normal colors and let out the breath I didn't even know I was holding.
Still, I caught Blake's eyes dart to me questioningly, with a freaked out look, and felt my face heating up as he looked back to the others.
Hunter glanced at Blake before looking back to Taelin and sighing. "Oh, joy..." he muttered sarcastically. "I'm guessing Cam has about a billion tests and questions to run on us now." Turning to the morphed Green Ranger, Hunter gave him a warning look. "And before you ask, we have no idea what just happened."
"I do!" Taelin chirped happily. "I woke the dragons up!"
Everyone turned to her, and I had this overwhelming feeling that we were all thinking the same thing.
What did she just do?
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Ok, first of all, I'm jumping between 2 or 3 years with every age jump or this fic would never end. LOL. Plus, you're not always going to have hilarious things with every age, and if you do, sorry. I couldn't think of anything. I'm not mentioning clothing shipping and bathing and such, just cause... Well, clothing shopping I didn't think of, and bathing, I just don't wanna get into.
Second, I know Tori wouldn't likely get jealous, but this isn't a normal little girl. Blake is suddenly showing a lot more interest in her safety and happiness, and I wanted to play on how Tori would feel in the change of lifestyle.
I figured you all probably understood who the Dragon Clan were from the beginning, but I wanted to play on the fact that Tori could be pretty smart at times, too. So I wanted her to kind of figure it out before it was revealed.
Now, Hunter and Blake are going to have fun trying to deal with all new abilities and such. Explanations on some of that should be really soon.
And who do you want to see Hunter end up with?
Taelin... It could be akward.
Kelly... There's a lot she doesn't know and with him working for her... Plus I just don't know how to get them together.
Another OC... How would I introduce her?
Hope you like it.
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"Hunter! I'm bleeding!"
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R+R please.
Thank you.
Tenshi