star-dreamer09 - I love adding the little parts in. LOL. Well, for Taelin, I felt Shane had too much of a serious personality, Cam was just scary to her as a child (LOL), and Hunter and Blake were like older brothers. So Dustin seemed perfect. Yeah, I wanted Hunter and Angie to get along better by now, but dug myself into a spot where it MUST go slowly or won't work (to me).

I think you'll like the next chapter. It should deal more with Hunter's weakness period, as a dragon.

Mrs.Quincy25 - I'm glad you like the couplings. Hunter is very slowly learning that he likes Angie. i wanted it to go a bit faster, but ended up diging myself into a point where it came out like this.

JuseaPeterson - I'm glad I was able to show their emotions well. Yeah, I wanted to have Hunter open up slowly to her and not be all, 'I hate you' one day and 'I love you' the next. I know, Dragon Blake is totally adorable. And I can picture those things happening as if I'd seen them in the show, so it helps in the description.

Just wait for Dragon Hunter's appearance.

But yeah, I tried to think all Ninja-ie for the training session and such, and how they would use the elements against their enemies, without resorting to powers and stuff.

And yeah, Dustin seemed like a good choice for Taelin.

I'm glad you had a good Thanksgiving. My computer's still going, so if I suddenly seem to stop updating, that's why. And I'll probably focus more on finishing this fic asap, than anything else, but I'll try to get to any emails and such.

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(Next Day, at the beach, Angie's POV)

"Ow! That hurt!" I yelled, clutching my side and glaring at Hunter.

Standing up, he frowned and seemed to wince a little. "Sorry." he muttered quietly, rubbing his neck sheepishly. "I forgot you were still hurt."

I bit back my reply to that when I realized just how innocent he looked today. He gazed at the blue sky and his eyes almost seemed to glaze a bit, and I was caught by the barely visible expression of longing on his face as he watched the clouds.

His blonde hair was a little messier than usual. I guessed he probably didn't spend much time with brushing it and stuff, seeing as how Sensei ordered us to spar at 7 in the morning, in public, so that neither of us would forget and use our powers... Not like I really had powers to use...

We wore baggy black jogging pants and a crimson t-shirt that showed off his well-toned torso, which was slightly sweaty from the workout we'd had already.

Raising an eyebrow, I shook my head a little. Bad thoughts. Don't wanna go there... I thought furiously, feeling my face heat up.

Me? I'm sitting on my backside, in the sand, wondering how in the world they deal with this kind of 'training' every day. My beige shorts were soaked from the tide, and covered in sand, and my sweater was weighing me down from the water, making it so that I had to take it off and continue in my blue tank top.

"You ok?"

I blinked and snapped back to reality, noticing that my gaze had travelled to my bruised side, and I was just staring at it. Looking up, I jumped a little to find Hunter kneeling right in front of me, a look of concern etched into his face.

"You should heal that. I know you said you don't heal yourself, but it's only gonna slow you down." he stated with his eyes narrowed at my side.

"Did you know..." I began, trailing off when I realized that it was way off topic. "Never mind."

He looked at me expectantly, one eyebrow slightly raised, and remained silent.

Closing my eyes, I pursed my lips before opening my eyes again. "Well, I was gonna state that you should learn to heal, too."

Now he frowned a little. "Me? Heal?"

"Why not?" I asked with a shrug. "Your elements are fire and thunder, yeah, but I can sense the healing power in you."

He shifted so he was sitting beside me and looked at me carefully. "Are you serious? I can heal?"

I blinked a moment and nodded. "Yeah, I really am serious." Then I giggled and shook my head. "And it's not hard to learn."

He nodded absently. "Still, that's not gonna help you. You should heal your side."

"And I'll be totally drained and unable to move for the rest of the day." I informed him in a bored tone. Hunter's head shot to me with wide eyes and I shrugged. "I'm not a strong healer, remember?"

Closing his eyes, he sighed loudly before pushing himself into a standing position and reaching down to help me up, mindful of my side. "Well, we're supposed to spar."

"Then spar we should." I quipped, turning and skipping along the sand a little before turning back to him. "Well?" I crouched down into a defensive position and waited.

Hunter seemed to copy me before frowning and shaking his head. Standing up straight, he walked over and behind me, wrapping one arm losely around my waist, and the other going to my hands. "Your stance is all wrong."

I could only nod dumbly as I felt his muscled abs pressing against my back. Blinking furiously, I felt my face heat up and followed what he was doing, with my eyes, as he raised my left arm a little and lowered my right, straightening a fist I'd made. Think unattractive thoughts... Think unattractive thoughts... Uhhh...

Now, Dragon Clan have enhanced senses. I was trying to save myself from dying of embarrassment if Hunter happened to smell my interest and embarrassment.

Umm... Come on, Ang... Hunter doing ballet! My face heated up even more. ...Equals really tight spandex... Bad thought... Uh, Shane in drag!

That worked.

Unfortunately, I had such an active imagination, I could actually picture it and it made me bust up into laughter while trying not to cry. My legs actually gave out on me as I pictured Tori helping Shane decide what dress to wear, and Taelin helping him with his make-up, and I felt two arms wrap around me, holding me up and reminding me I wasn't alone.

"What's wrong with you?!" Hunter demanded as I panted for breath.

My god! Where'd that come from?! Shaking my head, I giggled again. "Just a random thought." I stated breathlessly, waving my arm dismissively.

Moving to stand on my own, although my legs were still shaky, I turned and raised my arms again, struggling to recall how he placed them. "Like this?" I asked innocently, hoping he'd drop it.

Narrowing his eyes, Hunter closed them a moment and walked forward, reaching out to straighten one of my fists. "Whatever." I heard him grumble under his breath. He moved behind me again and I felt his hands on my sides. "Your arms are right, but..."

Suddenly, my eyes widened as I felt his hand on my lower, left leg. He pushed it so it slid away from my right, widening my stance, and I jumped away with a nervous giggle, turning to him as I checked my watch. "Hey, listen, I gotta get going." Looking at him, I allowed a genuine smile come over my face and tilted my head a little. "I really think we made some progress."

He raised an eyebrow and gave me an incredulous look as he folded his arms over his chest.

Oh, right, we didn't. I thought with a blush as I ducked my head. "Uh, thanks for helping me." I stated quickly, turning and running off with a wave over my shoulder.

(Ops)

"So...they'll be ok out there?" I asked Cam nervously as he typed at his computer.

Taelin and I were standing behind him, worried sick about the others. Cam actually had to lock Blake into one of the back rooms to keep him from flying off after the others. I mean, he couldn't help like that, but we all knew he wouldn't stay behind peacefully while Tori and Hunter were out there, fighting.

Speaking of Taelin, it looked like she was watching the whole fight, but the way her eyes narrowed in concern, and she bit her lip, I knew she was focused on a single Ranger alone.

Dustin.

Me? I actually blushed when I found myself watching Hunter fight off a group of kelzacks. I couldn't help it! I don't really know what drew me, but I found myself watching closely, feeling anxious, as he flew through the air, blasting a group of the monsters with his combined thunder and fire powers. His dragon wings almost glowed with energy, glinting ruby from the sun's rays, and I kind of wished I could see him with his wings, outside of his Ranger form.

You know, I didn't realize it until now, but they never use their wings outside of battle. I thought in confusion.

Cam sighed and nodded. "They'll be fine, but in the mean time..." He spun and gaze us both pointed looks as he grabbed our arms and pulled us away from the computer before sitting back down. "Do you mind giving me some space?"

"I should be out there." I stated with a nervous frown, feeling my heart constrict in worry when Dustin was blasted into a nearby tree and laid on the ground, holding his stomach. "I have to do something!"

Taelin nodded in agreement, biting her bottom lip as she watched Tori and Shane help Dustin up.

"But you're not a fighter." Cam pointed out. He seemed to think about something as he turned back and began typing again. "You said Hunter could learn to heal and it's not difficult?"

I nodded absently, only half listening as Hunter raced forward with his thunderstaff and swiped across the stomach of the lead monster, knocking it back. You can do it... I mentally cheered.

"Then why don't you go keep Blake company and think of a way to do that? We might need the ability."

"So you can lock me in there, too?" I demanded suspiciously. "I don't think so!"

He turned his head and gave me a look. "Do you want to help or not? Because right now, you're not."

Looking at the floor, I knew he was right, but I couldn't help being worried for them. Still, it hurt to hear it.

He seemed to realize that, too. "Look, Angie, I'm-"

"Don't." I interrupted quietly. "You're right." Turning, I gave one final glance to the monitor and sighed before heading into the back room. I had to bring my wings out and mantle, in order to keep Blake from rushing past me, and when I grabbed him, he glared at me so angrily, I was sure he was gonna fry me, but instead, he huffed and seemed to surrender. "Don't worry." I said lowly. "I got sent here for detension, too."

Looking at me in confusion, Blake just remained quiet. I didn't really blame him. On one hand, he couldn't talk to me if he wanted, and on the other, I doubt he understood what I meant.

Going to the table by the far wall, I sat him on it before going to the bed and sitting on the edge of it with a huff of my own. "You wouldn't know how to teach healing, would you?" I asked with a grimace. I can sense the power, and know a little bit how to do it, but teach? "Who knows? It's probably the same as using their other powers."

I had to remind myself to ask one of them later, how they used their powers.

(Two Days Later, Ops)

Well, Blake turned back yesterday, and boy, he wasn't too happy about being a dragon. I did hear him mumbling about some parts 'being worth it' but otherwise, he was pretty peeved.

Hunter of course was laughing about the whole thing. Tori was quiet but seemed torn between smacking Hunter upside the head and laughing, herself.

Me, I was biting back a grin. You see, there was one thing I didn't tell the others.

Hunter and Blake's dragon sides were brothers.

Blood brothers.

And since Blake just turned back from his weakness state, Hunter was due for his at any time now.

"You know, Hunter, I wouldn't be laughing if I were you." I stated with a grin, feeling a minor energy pulse from him.

Now, he and Blake were still new to all this, so undoubtedly, they couldn't read energies that well, but after years of finding the pulses unusual and focusing on them, I've tought myself to read the minor fluctuations, and right before the weakness period, there was always a small one that showed the body was preparing to transform. At least, I learned to sense it in myself, and figured it was true for the others.

He turned to me, his grin fading, and a suspicious look crossed over his face as he saw the grin. Narrowing his eyes, I watched as they seemed to begin to glow a slight crimson. Yep. Here it comes... "Why? What's going on?" he asked warily.

"Well..." I bit my lip and giggled a bit as I looked at the others. Most of them had remained fairly silent through all this, but I knew their interest was peaked at my words. "I never did tell you, but you know how you and Blake are adopted brothers?" His eyes were glowing a bit brighter now, and I'm sure it was noticeable to everyone.

He nodded warily, and Blake raised an eyebrow in suspicion as well. "What's that got to do with anything?" he asked as he seemed to bite back a wince.

"You're blood brothers as well, in a minor sense. The Dragons are blood brothers." I stated, my grin growing a bit. "And if there's one thing you should realize..." I paused and pursed my lips as his eyes widened in unconcealed horror. "No, you probably realized it already."

"No." he stated quietly as he shook his head. Closing his eyes, he sighed loudly. "You can't be serious."

"Oh, I am. Have fun." I stated with an evil grin, waving as crimson energy formed, like a mist, and surrounded his body. A moment later and it cleared, leaving behind a rather testy looking ruby dragon with crystal clear, blue eyes.

Since I didn't do it with Blake... I thought evilly. I clapped my hands together and gave and huge squeal. "Awwwwww! He's soooo cute!" I cooed, running over and picking up the dragon.

Blake's jaw dropped, and his eyes widened. He looked like he wanted to stop me for a moment, but then he began to shake, and a moment later he busted up into laughter, falling on his butt and holding his sides as he shook his head.

Tori snickered and sat beside Blake, letting him lean his head on her shoulder as he laughed.

Taelin giggled and walked over beside me. "Hunter, you're so adorable!" she cooed as well, rubbing him under the chin with a finger. Then she quickly pulled her hand out of the way, laughing as Hunter snapped his jaw at her with a glare.

Growling at us, he huffed loudly and folded his tiny arms over his chest as I held him, closing his eyes. If I didn't know any better, I'd have sworn he was blushing in embarrassment, too.

"Don't be mad." I stated with a pout. I don't even know what came over me, but the next thing I knew, I was clutching him to my chest and rubbing his back lightly, noting that his wings were mantled widely, showing just how peeved he was. "Aww, come on." I stated softly. "We were just joking! But, hey..." I pulled him away from my chest, seeing that his eyes were wide and his wings weren't as mantled as before. "Now you know how Blake felt." I said firmly with a raised eyebrow, holding him out to the said Navy Ninja.

Shaking his head, Blake scooted back a little. "Thanks but I don't wanna lose any fingers." he stated with a grin.

"You're his brother." I stated pointedly. "Like he's gonna bite you, no matter how mad he is. Me, on the other hand..." Realizing my digits were in danger, I quickly turned and plopped him in Taelin's arms, laughing as she turned and unceremoniously dumped him in Dustin's arms, folding her own arms across her chest and hiding her hands in her armpits.

"Dude! Why give him to me?!" Dustin cried, turning to hand him to Shane, but Shane had already raced across the room and was almost hiding behind Cam at that point. Realizing no one was near him, to hand Hunter off to, he looked at the little ruby dragon nervously. "Nice little dragon. Good little dragon. You don't wanna bite good old Dusty, do ya?" he asked with an uncertain smile.

I think Hunter was not really sure what to make of all this. On one hand, he was a little peeved and was glaring at Dustin with semi-mantled wings, and on the other, he just seemed confused.

"Ok, enough with the hand-offs." Tori stated, standing up. Dustin quickly turned to her and held Hunter out, but she took a quick step back, slipping her hands behind her back. "Who here thinks Angie should take care of him?" She raised her hand.

Everyone else immediately raised their hands, and Dustin turned to me expectantly, holding the dragon formed Hunter in one hand.

"Me?!" I demanded. "Are you forgetting, Hunter and me don't get along?!"

Blake turned to Hunter with a raised eyebrow and they seemed to speak mentally. "I still think you should take care of him." he insisted, plucking the ruby dragon out of Dustin's hands and placing him in mine before turning and walking off with a smirk, grabbing Tori's hand on the way and dragging her with him.

Dustin nodded. "Dude, good idea. I'm totally with him." Looking around, he noticed Taelin was the only one near him, and Shane was already gone, so with a shrug, he grabbed her hand and dragged her out of Ops, seemingly not noticing her blush.

Shane had run off long ago, and Cam was typing on his computer.

"Well, this is fun." I stated sarcastically. "And exactly what am I supposed to do?! If I lose any fingers, you guys are the ones who are gonna pay for it!" I warned loudly.

Hunter blinked in my arms a moment before giving me this look that I was certain, was supposed to mimic the one he had in human form, where he raises a single eyebrow. Shaking his head, he let it hang limply, along with his wings, and seemed to surrender to my hold.

Immediately I felt bad. This was the first time he'd ever turned into a dragon and the first thing he had to deal with was everyone teasing him. Then the others dumped him on me to take care of.

Deciding to take a page out of Tori's book, I turned and went into one of the spare rooms in the hallway. One that wasn't mine.

Hey, my room was a mess! Did you really expect me to take him there?!

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(Yawns) I'm so tired, but I wanted to get more up. I was supposed to post this last night, but ended up going to bed and forgetting about it. Sorry about that.

Hope you all like this. I was following a thing JuseaPeterson once mentioned, that Hunter would likely be more of a testy/feisty dragon than what I had planned.

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"And sorry about teasing you. I just kinda wanted to do that since Blake's transformation, but figured I'd leave it for Tori."

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R+R please.

Thank you.

Tenshi