Chapter Five

The rush of battle was still flowing in me four days later. Taking down that Nighlok with other Rangers was so much fun and so exciting. I've completely established a permanent home in the Shiba Mansion now, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Emily, Mike and I were eating the eggs, toast and bacon breakfast I cooked up on a Sunday when Jayden walked into the kitchen hand in hand with Mia. "Since there hasn't been any real Nighlok threats," he said after kissing Mia on the forehead, "why don't we all take a day off?" Mike chocked on his orange juice. "Really? Awesome! What are we going to do? Amusement park? Arcade? Movies?" before he could go on, Mia held up her hand and chuckled. "Actually," she began "why don't we go to the beach? It's a beautiful day and we've been planning it for a while now, remember?" Emily laughed, stood up, and said while walking into the open arms of Mike, "I'm up for the beach." Kevin and Antonio came into the kitchen. "What are you up for?" questioned Kevin. Mike was nuzzling Emily's neck when she answered him and explained what Mia and Jayden planned. Antonio shot me a quick glance and said; "Now that is a fantastico idea."

'Why did he have to look at me to say that?' I thought to myself. Emily, Mia and I all ventured to my SUV to go into town to buy bathing suits. I didn't have one because I had no idea beach parties were a part of being a Ranger. Mia found a red ruffled one piece, Emily found a jeweled green tank-kini, and I found a silver spaghetti strap bikini with a gold heart over the left breast cup. As we paid, I couldn't help but notice that Mia and Emily picked bathing suits that were the colors of their Ranger boyfriends. As we drove home, I brought up my notice. "Is it just me," I began, "or did you two pick bathing suits that just so happen to be your boyfriend's uniform colors?" Mia laughed. "I guess you could say that," she said. I continued the conversation. "So, how did you and Mike get together Emily?"

"It was just a matter of time," she began. "I always thought Mike was handsome, but when I found out about what he thought of me, I couldn't help but be flattered. He thought, and still thinks, I'm the most beautiful woman in the world." I saw Emily's cheeks grow red with blush as Mia said, "We all had a big suspicion when Mike nearly gave up his immortality to get back Emily's spirit from a Nighlok. Talk about brave." I asked them about Kevin, and they said he has a long distance girlfriend. I thought that was romantic. Mia didn't want to share how she began dating Jayden, so I moved on to Antonio. "He never had a girlfriend," said Emily with a hint of pity in her voice. "I don't understand it though. He's a very sweet and handsome guy." I stared ahead as I parked in front of the house and saw the guys in swim trunks and carrying beach equipment. As us girls got out of my car, they all began to put the stuff in the trunk. "We'll be back in about twenty minutes ok?" said Mia to Jayden. Jayden smiled and said, "Alright babe. Don't be to long." And we weren't. We were back in about fifteen actually. Kevin called shotgun, but Mike was wrestling him for it when his attention was on Emily who, as she descended the small steps, looked like a model on a runway. I rolled my eyes. She was showing off for Mike. Mike called a truce with Kevin as he took Emily's hand and spun her around. "Meow Em," he complimented. Emily pulled him in for a kiss, and it almost expanded into a full make out. I glanced at Mia and Jayden and they were passionately kissing too. "Shouldn't we get going guys?" I asked, trying to break the flow of hormones. That didn't work. Antonio was laughing as Kevin unbuckled his seatbelt, leaned over, and honked the horn; making us six jump. "I checked the weather earlier and the waves wont last forever." Jayden chuckled and released Mia from his grip. Emily walked along Mike's side with her hand in his back pocket. We all climbed into my SUV as I flipped on the radio. "Beep" by The Pussycat Dolls came on the radio and we girls sung along. As I drove, I glanced back into my mirror and caught Antonio smiling. I turned my head away blushing. I stopped singing because I thought he was smiling at my horrible voice. Jayden instructed me to pull onto an off ramp that lead to a wide beach enclosed by dozens of hills. The water was blue and beautiful and sparkling from the sunlight.

Mike and Kevin threw off there t-shirts and ran straight for the water. Emily ran after them, laughing as she did. Once they hit the water, Mike snuck up behind her and tackled her, making her jump as they fell with a splash. They looked like a scene from a movie as Mike lifted Emily into his arms and swung her around. Antonio, Mia, Jayden and I stayed back to unload. Antonio grabbed a few towels that tried to fall off my arms. "Here, I got that," he said. Our hands briefly touched, and I blushed again. I felt an electric shock flow through my body. I noticed he had a fishing rod and bait box with him. "You fish?" I asked. Antonio smiled and said, "Si senorita June. Thought I'd try out this area. Heard its teaming with bass. Ill catch a few a grill them up tonight." We walked along as Mia and June held each other close as they bundled things together.

After we set everything up, the boys played in the water as us girls sunbathed. We talked about all our battles and how much we love being Samurai Rangers. I got my Ipod dock station and played some music. After three hours, we all were eating and laughing. From a distance I noticed Antonio fishing. He looked so gorgeous with the waves crashing next to him and his face teaming with a fisherman's concentration. I've wanted to have one on one time with him, and now was my chance.

I got up and walked over to him smiling. "Any luck yet?" I asked. He sighed, "not yet." I sat next to him. "Maybe today just wasn't the day." I said. Antonio was about to respond when his rod began to pull. We both stood up as he fought to reel in the fish. And boy did he catch a big bass. "WOOOHOO! GOLDEN BABY YEAH!" he shouted in victory as he put the fish in a cooler. One by one he caught seven bass. After ten minutes, he turned to me and said, "When you came and sat by me, the fish started biting. June, you're my good luck charm." I playfully punched his shoulder and laughed, "Nah, I'm just the cheerleader. I can't be a good luck charm to such a hard sport." "It's actually not that hard," retorted Antonio, "you just cast and pull. Here." He handed me the rod after casting a new line. I quivered a little but held my ground. Seven minutes later, the rod's line screamed out of control. I pulled with all my might, but the fish was mightier. I started to get dragged into the water. Antonio came behind me a helped me get extra strength. He held one hand on my waist and another on my hand on the reel. After twenty minutes, the line revealed a gold flounder wriggling for air. "Yeah," cheered Antonio. "Wow," I said as I admired the fish. "Not bad for a beginner huh?" As I turned to look into his eyes, I gasped at how close we were standing. I could feel his breath hitting my mouth and see the sparkle of his eyes as the sun slipped behind the hills. "Not bad at all," he agreed in a velvet voice. He grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers together. I was certain he could hear my heart pounding. "So beautiful," he whispered as he brushed my beach blown hair aside. By instinct, I inclined my head, hoping he would mimic my actions. Our lips almost touched as I heard someone clear their throat. I turned and saw Mike with his arm wrapped around Emily. "Are we interrupting?" asked Emily with a smirk. I stepped away from Antonio and said, "No, no." Emily told us it was time to go. I walked with Antonio, even after that close call.

We all were tired and showered off and headed to bed as soon as we could after grilling and eating our catches. As I walked into my room with my towel wrapped around me, Antonio peered out of his doorway. "Hey June, I hope you had fun today," he said. I turned to him. "I sure did," I answered.

"I was thinking, next time we have a day off, would you like to spend it with me?"

I blinked in surprise. This is exactly what I've wanted. "Sure." I agreed. Antonio winked and said, "Magnifico. Good night June. Sleep well." I blushed and collapsed onto my bed. I was awoken by a sound of heavy breathing and bed creaking coming from Emily's room, followed by a moan from Mike. "Aw great," I yelled loud enough for Antonio to hear "so much for a good night sleep." I heard him chuckle as he said, "You'll get used to it. They're actually quieter than Mia and Jayden." I was about to ask how when I heard panting from Jayden's room followed by a groan from Mia. I grabbed my pillow and smashed it over my face. "Great," I yelled towards those rooms "I moved into the Playboy mansion!" I heard Kevin chuckle across the hall.