star-dreamer09 - Yeah, I had that nagging thought in my head, about how they are like older brothers to her. Hmm, ok, an OC it is then. I'm glad you like the fic so far. :)
JuseaPeterson - Yeah, I was lost on how to portray Tori's feelings. Part of her knows it's an over-protective brother thing, and she's figured out that it's likely also due to the fact that they are of the dragon clan, but at the same time... It still hurts, you know? I was totally blank at that point and had to re-write that scene a few times to get it going alright.
It's ok, I know what you mean and it helps because I want to try and keep the characters in character.
No, Hunter/Taelin would be akward at best. Hunter/Kelly, how would he explain taking care of a woman with wings, or her odd personality? I mean, she can't hide what she really is, forever. Plus, with Hunter working for Kelly (Which he is, even if I haven't mentioned it), like you mentioned for one of my other fics, it could cause problems for them.
Gracey - I'm glad you liked the story. Personally, I'd love to put Hunter with Taelin, and that's what I originally planned on happening, but the more I think about it, the more I'm not sure I could write it if I wanted to. I mean, all the akward moments and such... I'd love to find a way to make it work, but no matter how I look at it, they have a type of sibling relationship.
An OC would probably be the best bet. Maybe... Hmm... (Begins brainstorming)
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(Ops, Later, Hunter's POV)
"Ok, you've all got questions... Shoot." I stated with a sigh, rubbing my hands over my eyes as I bit back a yawn. Talk about feeling drained... Ever since our little...transformation, I've felt completely exhausted.
"Well, actually..." Tori bit her lip and I got the distinct impression she was fairly confused, but also, a little uncomfortable. Ok, maybe not a little. "I kinda figured it out, just before it happened. I mean, Taelin kept talking about dragons, and you guys. There were just a lot of connections, but I still..." She trailed off and shrugged with a confused face.
Like the others, I don't think she knew how she was supposed to feel.
Dustin frowned deeply and scratched at the back of his head. "So like, you're both dragons..." He stated, reminding us all of the obvious. "Like, I guess that explains why Taelin was so drawn to you right away."
"Yeah, she did say she knew us right away." I recalled vaguely, our discussion about Tori and the others.
"What does this mean?" Shane asked warily, not looking at either Blake or I, but at Cam instead.
Something in his tone stated that he didn't really trust us at the moment, and it was like I could smell it. Actually, I could smell a lot. And hear a lot. "Bro..." Turning to Blake, I frowned. "Is it me or is everything still weird?"
Blake's eyes were narrowed, and I got the impression he was focusing on something, but after a moment he nodded. "Yeah. Everything's...sharper, stronger." he stated as he wrinkled his nose and closed his eyes tightly.
"What do you mean?" Cam asked in his professional tone, already getting into info-gathering mode.
Raising an eyebrow at him, I was sorely tempted to tell him off, or give back a sarcastic comment, but Blake nudged me firmly and shook his head.
Not with Taelin here.
Blinking a moment, I was about to question my sanity when the look in his eyes showed that his thoughts agreed with that statement. Then I blinked again as I took a moment to process the fact that ever since the transformation, I was able to hear Blake's voice...
...In my head.
"Dude!" I cried, jumping into a standing postion, completely freaked. Turning to Blake, I shook my head violently. "Would you please not do that?!"
It's not like I "can help it." he muttered quietly.
"Ok, can someone please tell us all what's going on?!" Shane demanded with a slight glare.
Glaring right back, I felt my body go rigid and forced myself to calm down as I sat back down. "Well, for one, I can hear Blake's voice in my head." I stated as I looked at the table.
"Ditto." he replied with a nod. "And it's really freaky."
"Another thing is that, it's like all our senses have gone hyper active." I tried to explain, as bluntly and simply as I could.
"Maybe Taelin can explain." Tori said as she looked at the little girl.
Immediately, I felt my arm going around her and felt myself glaring at Tori. "Don't." I growled quietly, feeling power surging through me. Everyone looked at me in confusion and I closed my eyes tightly again, trying to sort through my messed up senses. "She's only 8. What can she explain?"
"Hunter's right." Sensei stated wisely, hopping on to the table and speaking up, finally. "Taelin is yet too young to understand any of this." Turning to Blake and me, he scratched his furry chin and I barely kept from making a face when the sound seemed to echo through the room, although I knew the others wouldn't hear it. "Hmmm... Can you explain what you meant by your senses?"
I looked to Blake, who seemed to understand the hidden meaning, and he nodded in reply.
"Well, first of all, I can hear your hearts beating." He frowned deeply and looked at the table. "And it's like it's echoing through my head. I can't make out who's heartbeat is who's. Then, I can almost feel the tension, stronger than what I'm used to."
"Everything I look at is in sharper detail. It's clearer." I added as I looked at the others, noting how they all seemed uncomfortable by my gaze. "I can smell earth and dirt on Dustin, motor oil. There's a really faint hint of perfume on Tori..." I trailed off as the others seemed to grow even more uncomfortable at this, and bit back a sigh.
"Hmmm..." Sensei seemed to think about it. "For now, I suggest you and Blake remain here, from training, and I will teach you meditation techniques to help you control those senses." he stated firmly. "And Taelin is coming of age that she should also learn some meditation and such, but that will come after."
Speaking of Taelin, the little girl was drawing again. Only this time, she drew two Thunder Rangers with dragon wings and that unusual new armor.
Why did this happen?
Again I heard Blake's voice in my head and jumped a little to find him staring at Taelin. I don't even think he was aware that I was hearing what he was thinking and such.
Why us? Why now?
"Bro." I muttered quietly.
His head spun to me and his eyes widened a moment before he frowned and sighed, shaking his head. "Sorry bro."
Reaching past Taelin, I patted his arm lightly and offered a weak grin. I opened my mouth to say something, only to find myself at a loss for words. I mean, it was like our whole world just changed. What was I supposed to say to that?
(Next Morning)
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
Bolting upright in my bed, I think I literally left it as I found myself almost flying through the air, to land in a fairly ungraceful heap on the floor. Rubbing my lower back, I frowned and looked around, trying to make sense of a lot of things.
First of all, my room really needed to be aired out. Maybe it was because of the laundry, but man...this place reeked! Why didn't I notice this before?!
Second, I looked out the window to see the sun was still down. So... Why could I see clearly, like it was day? Everything was still sharp and in focus.
Then there was the sound of feet running up the hall, a pounding heartbeat, and heavy panting. With it came a smell of salt water and...
I felt my eyes widen as I bolted upright and ran to my door, throwing it open as a now pre-teen Taelin came running to me in tears. "What's wrong?!" I demanded loudly as Blake's door flew open.
I followed an almost blinding beam of light to the bathroom, and noticed little red spots on the floor, trailing behind the crying Windian girl.
"I'm dying!" she cried as she looked at the floor.
My heart skipped a beat at that WHAT?!?!
Blake winced visibly and rubbed his temples. Holy... "Bro!" he shouted, making me jump. "You mind not yelling?" he repeated quieter.
Oh yeah, I forgot we could hear each other's thoughts...
Disconcerting...
My head shot back to Taelin and I followed her gaze to the floor, blinking absently when I noticed a couple of red droplets on the carpet, under her. Narrowing my eyes, I smelled that it was blood, and saw a small streak of it down her leg, from the edge of her knee-length nightgown.
"I'm bleeding!" she cried, launching herself forward and wrapping her arms around my waist.
I blinked for a moment.
"Hunter! I'm bleeding!!!" she yelled in terror. "I'm dying! I'm gonna die!!"
I blinked again and slowly closed my eyes as my face began to heat up. It finally hit me what was going on, and I was torn between laughing and being about as mortified as humanly possible. Then, the smell of her tears and obvious terror made the decision for me.
Kneeling down in front of her, I gently took her face and smiled at her. "It's ok sweetie." I stated softly. Glancing to Blake out of the corner of my eye, I saw him on the phone and clearly heard him talking to Tori. "You're not gonna die." I stated as reassuringly as I could.
She hiccuped a bit and looked at me with scared violet eyes as she wiped her face. "B-But... But I'm..."
"Bleeding." I stated, feeling my face heat up even more. "Yes, I know." I can smell and see that. I thought wryly. "But it's ok. You're ok."
"Uh, Tae...?"
I looked to see Blake kneeling beside me, his face a cherry red and his eyes radiating his embarrassment, making me question how I probably looked.
"Listen, Tori's on her way here now." He stated akwardly. "And I'm gonna go wait for her." he stated as he grinned. "So Hunter here..." He patted my arm in good nature, but took a good look at my face and backed off immediately, literally stepping back a bit. "He's uh...He's gonna explain." he offered in a squeak, before waving and taking off.
If I didn't know any better, I'd have sworn he ninja streaked out of here.
Then again, with the glare I knew I was giving him, I wouldn't be surprised if he was. I mean, he just left me here to explain to... I wrinkled my forehead a moment. How old is she now? Shaking my head, I sighed and tried to give Taelin a comforting smile, but she didn't look convinced.
"Um... Ok then." I stated as I took a deep breath. Bro, remind me to kill you later, for this. I thought darkly. Taking her hand, I stood up and looked up and down the hallway, scratching the back of my head nervously. "Oh boy." I grumbled quietly. Now what...? Take her to the bathroom to get cleaned up, or the living room for a talk...
"Hunter... It hurts." Taelin whimpered, clenching her legs together and holding her stomach.
I don't doubt it. I thought absently. Ok, think girly... What would Tori do...? I bit back a grin, knowing she'd beat me senseless if she knew what I'd just thought. Turning to the bathroom, I gently dragged Taelin back and told her to go inside, closing the door firmly behind her. Next, I hesitated, clenching my fists and wondering if my face would literally explode from embarrassment, and told her to ball up some toilet paper for now, to stop the bleeding. How in the world to they deal with this?! Tor, would you hurry up and get here already??!!
"Why am I bleeding? I don't understand." she whimpered
Any time now, Tor. This isn't funny anymore. I thought in irritation. God, how am I supposed to explain this to a little girl? Shaking my head, I closed my eyes tightly. "It's...natural." Oh yeah, that's real reassuring. Rolling my eyes, I slid down the wall to a sitting position. "It's a normal thing." I started, my need to reassure her, overcoming my akwardness.
A bit.
"It's, uh... It usually starts about now...for women... Um, at this age." Oh god, this is embarrassing! "It'll only happen for a few days every month. Um... It's uh... It's called a period." I winced and looked at the floor, debating on whether or not I could convince Tori to move in here with Blake. "It's ok. You'll be ok. It's nothing bad."
"It'll happen again??"
I blinked at the barely concealed horror in Taelin's voice and remained silent a moment. "Uh, yeah."
Tori and Blake chose that time to come in and I glared at Blake before bolting into a standing position. "Took you guys long enough." I hissed quietly.
Holding up a plastic bag, Tori smiled sweetly before opening it, reaching in and pulling out a bag of pads. "You wanna teach her how to use these?" she asked in a mock sweet voice.
I blinked a moment before taking a step back and shaking my head violently, turning and bolting back to my room and closing my door firmly before leaning against it. I could hear Tori's laughter as it faded, and I heard the bathroom door open and shut.
"Uh, it's safe...?" Blake offered weakly.
Closing my eyes, I counted to ten before opening them and leaving the safety of my room. "Why..." Shaking my head, I stared into Blake's eyes. "Why in god's name did you leave me to deal with that?!" I hissed.
"Because...you're closer to her than me?" he offered with a sheepish shrug.
I glared at him again before turning and going back into my room slamming the door shut and falling face first on to my bed, wondering how things could possibly get any more embarrassing.
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(Snickers) ... (Giggles)... Oh god, that was hilarious to write! (Busts up laughing)
Can you... (Gasps for breath) Can you just see Hunter dealing with that?!?! (Busts up laughing again) And... And Tori's response... (Falls over laughing)
Oh maaaaaan... (Takes several deep breaths). Ok, I hope you liked it. (Snickers)
On a serious note, my computer is in really bad shape. It even quit on me today, but I managed to get it working again with the help of a friend. Basically, I'm done keeping even one finished but not posted chapter on my computer, seeing as how I almost lost two.
So my computer is iffy, but as long as it works, I'll work on the fic.
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"I heard you had a pretty...sticky situation."
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R+R please
Thank you.
Tenshi