Volcano storm ch 9

Alexis reclined slightly in the water. The memory of the story gave her strength. It probably should have made her sad, with Cobalt's destruction, and it did, but he would never want her to mope about him, so she didn't. And she thought of how she had completed the first part of her mission. She and Danny had their ranger powers again. She was ecstatic when she morphed again, after nearly half a year; she was the Scarlet ranger again. She thought about the second part of the mission, to help the other rangers defeat Lothor. She couldn't think of anything better than fighting crime with her best friend and cousin. But that would mean fighting with the Thunders. If Teamwork training taught anything, it was that you must have complete trust if you want to function properly as a team. The Thunders would never trust her, and she couldn't trust them. She was lost in her thoughts, so she didn't hear the slight splashing behind her. In fact, she didn't notice any signs of Tori until she spoke up.

"Why is it whenever a fire ninja runs away, you can find them near the water?" she greeted

"Hey cuz." Alexis said, using the familiar greeting. Tori walked up beside her. She looked down at her cousin with sad eyes. Unlike Alexis, Josh's story made her nothing but sad. She thought her cousin was incredibly strong, but also knew she could be as fragile as glass. Without a word, she sat next to the girl. She remained quiet though.

"So," Alexis began, "Do I need to guess why you're here?"

"You're one to talk about guessing. You still haven't told me what happened with you and Hunter." Tori pointed out.

"Yes I did."

Tori looked at her confused. Then the truth dawned on her. "You mean, that time when you were sent on a mission undercover, and betrayed someone you cared about...

Alexis nodded.

Tori was bewildered. "That means you're the one who..,"

"Yeah." Alexis said before Tori could finish. She had done a terrible thing, and hated just hearing it.

Tori was silent again. When she finally pieced her thoughts together she asked the question on her mind. "So, are you going to help us rescue Danny and Dustin?"

"Of course I am Tor. It's just, hard, seeing Blake and Hunter."

"You know, Hunter was pretty worried after you fainted."

"Probably just shocked I lost consciousness."

"Is there anything I can say to make you happier?"

"No." Alexis replied simply. Tori groaned. Then, surprisingly, Alexis burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" Tori asked.

"Nothing it's just, would you ever imagine me of all people being all weak over some breakup with a guy?"

Tori looked at her before laughing herself. "I think it's funny you even got a boyfriend at all."

Alexis gave her a gentle shove. "I would tell you it wasn't worth ruining my reputation, but..." she trailed off.

"But what?" Tori asked with a smile and a raise of her eyebrows.

"I wouldn't want you to get all mad at for telling you not to like Bradley boys, since you have feelings for Blake I mean."

"What!" Tori said in shock. "I don't, I just,"

"What, have feelings for one of the other guys who like you, cause you have a variety to chose from."

"What are you talking about?"

Alexis sighed. "Come on Tor, no one can hear us. Be straight with me."

Tori sighed herself. "Alright, so maybe I have a crush on Blake."

"And that's so hard to tell me... Why? Alexis asked.

"Because, it's childish. And he doesn't feel the same way." Tori said.

Alexis laughed. "Cuz, I really need to teach you more about guys. I may not date them, but trust me, flirting and telling if they like you or not is a specialty I've picked up."

"Every guy you meet likes you."

"And you're any different?"

Tori smiled shyly."You think he likes me?" she asked.

Alexis smiled deviously." Tell you what, ask him yourself."

Tori pushed her on the shoulder."You're evil!" she exclaimed.

"My specialty cuz." Alexis stood. "I guess we should get back to Ops. I think they'll be able to handle me better now that I've had time to think clearly and won't go sacrificing your friends."

"That's good." Tori said and stood too. Alexis sent heat throughout her body to dry her soaked clothing, and Tori used her powers to remove the water from her own. Both headed back to the beach when Tori stopped suddenly.

"Wait!" she said, "What did you mean; I had a lot to choose from?"

"Oh." Alexis said." Just a couple of these guys like you."

"Like who?"

"Well let's see other than Blake, we have the green one, except he only has a small amount of feelings for you, and won't act on them, the yellow one might of liked you, but I think someone else makes him not, red one, not so much, plenty of guys who see you surfing like you, you are very talented and good looking after all, and I think even Hunter might one day develop feelings for you if it doesn't work with Blake."Alexis slowed a little on the last part, as if it were painful to say. "Oh yeah, and don't forget Danny still likes you a lot." she finished.

"I don't think it'll work between me and Danny again." Tori said.

"Thank you, it was weird having my best friend date my cousin." Alexis said.

"Hey, say what you want bit Danny was a pretty awesome boyfriend." Tori said.

"I don't get how you would ever think that lovable, oblivious lump could..." Alexis was cut off by the sound of movements above her. Both girls looked up to see Blake and Hunter.

"What are you guys doing here?" Tori called.

"Sensei sent us to get you, times nearly half way up." Blake called back.

"We'll be up in a minute don't worry." Tori answered. The brothers were about to turn to leave when Alexis yelled.

"Hey, did you hear what we just talking about?" She yelled.

"No, why?" Blake said.

Alexis seemed to relax, "No reason, we'll be back in a couple of minutes." The boys turned and streaked away.

The girls continued up to Tori's van. They were about half way back to Ninja Ops when Tori spoke again. "You still didn't answer my other question."

"What was that?" Alexis asked.

"Why does whenever a fire ninja run off, you find them near the water."

Alexis thought for a moment before replying. "Water dampens my power a bit. I guess I just like feeling like I couldn't burn something up in less than a second. It makes me feel almost, normal."

Tori accepted this answer without a word. They continued in silence until they hopped out of the car to streak the rest of the way to Ops. Tori might have been mistaken, but it looked as if regret flashed on Alexis face, just for a second. Before she could ask about it, Alexis smiled at her.

"Well, let's go save our friends buts." and streaked off. All Tori could do was smile and streak after her.

************************************************************
(Rewind, back to Blake and Hunter)

Blake and Hunter arrived back at Ninja Ops a matter of seconds after they left the beach. Cam was questioning them as soon as they got back.

"Where are the girls? Is Tori alright? Is Alexis alright? Did she calm down?"

"Whoa, calm down. The girls will be back in a couple of minutes. They're both fine, and Alexis seems like she's cooled down." Hunter replied.

Cam relaxed a bit. He noticed Blake was standing back a bit, silent. He nodded his head at Blake, so only Hunter could see. Hunter on the other hand, didn't seem to care much about secrecy.

"Don't worry about him. He's just upset his girlfriend is worried about her ex."

"Oooohh" Shane said with a grin.

"She's not my girlfriend." Blake said.

"Yeah but it's no secret you want her to be." Shane said.

"I have to agree, the way you look at her and act around her, it's obvious." Cam agrees

"Shut up! It's not like she feels the same way." the guys just laughed.

"Are you sure you're not upset that you have to help rescue her ex, who happens to be your rival." Hunter teased.

"Wait, Danny and Tori dated?" Cam asked.

"Yeah I remember a couple years ago when Alexis, Josh, and Danny visited. We didn't know they were ninja back then, since we wern't yet. That's when they got together. I heard they broke up a couple months later. Tori never talked about them much." Shane informed them. Blake looked like he was about to say something else when they heard a whooshing sound. They turned to see Alexis and Tori.
"Well," Alexis clasped her hands. "Let's find our friends."

A/N- yeah I know, drastically short compared to the last chapter, but hey, packed a whole story in that chapter and wanted to get this up as soon as possible. Anyway, one to reviews

Taeniaea- thanks again for reviewing

JasonLeeScottFan- glad you liked it. I think its average length. I actually wrote this a while ago, I'm only remembering to finish it up now. Don't worry, all will be explained.

Catch y'all later
Pinkchik08