Disclaimer: I don't own them

*Italic indicates thought

Chapter Two: Invitations

A/N: hello readers! I've finally got another chapter ready to go! Thanks to everyone who's reviewed; favorited; and followed so far! You're awesome! Please read on! And review!

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life. It goes on." -Robert Frost

When Emily got home she saw an envelope with her name on it on the table. There was no return adress, and her name was literally the only thing on it. She set her bags down and picked up an umbrella. She poked the envelope, watching it carefully. She heard laughing from behind her and turned around.

"You know, I don't think it's going to bite you," Serena smiled.

"I can think of plenty of other things it could possibly do." Emily stuck the tip of the umbrella under the envelope a bit and flipped it over. She grinned when she saw the Shiba Crest on the seal. "It's from the Shiba House!" She dropped the umbrella and opened the envelope. "Ow! Paper cut!"

"Maybe that wouldn't happen if you opened it slower," he sister suggested standing next to her. She leaned against the kitchen table and watched Emily take the letter out. "Well?"

"Lauren and Jayden want to have a reunion! They said Antonio's back from his trip. They want to introduce Tiara and Antonio to the samurai families."

"Sounds like fun," Serena nodded. "I can't wait to meet this famous gold ranger. And the mysterious younger Shiba sibling. All the Shibas in fact."

Emily scoffed. "I'm sure. It also says they have a surprise for all of us."

"That decides it, we convince mom and dad to go no matter what."

"Agreed. And I'm sure mom would like to see her old teammates again."

"Probably. She hasn't seen them in what...fourteen years? It's an awfully long time."

Emily frowned suddenly. "You think that'll happen to me and my friends? We'll all just get to busy to even talk to each other?"

"No, Em. I know you were too young to understand what was happening when Mom was a ranger. I barely understood it myself. But, they decided, as a team, that their contact should be as minimal as possible. With the nighlocks' return inevitable, keeping the families separate, and mostly hidden became a priority.

"I think Mom did miss her friends a lot. But she had to watch out for us so there could be more yellow rangers to take on Xandred."

Emily nodded. "I guess that makes sense. Boy, anyone who doesn't knows us and overhears a conversation must think we've lost our minds."

"Yup. They'd lock us up and throw away the key." Emily went to put the letter back in the envelope to show her parents later. "So, did. Justin drive you home?"

"I drove actually. And he was there."

"Brave guy."

"Yeah. He asked me out on a date."

"Really?" Serena straightened suddenly and put her hands on Emily's shoulders. "And?!"

"And what?"

"What did you say?"

Emily smiled shyly and looked away a little. "I may have said yes."

"Em, that's awesome! Justin's a great guy."

"Yeah, I know. It's just weird. I haven't really been paying attention to guys since everything with Mike."

"I know," Serena responded quietly. She remembered only too well how broken hearted her little sister had been over what had happened. "But I've told you, and Mom's told you, that happens. People can drift apart."

"Feels more like we were brutally ripped apart by a gaunt explosion."

"Hm. Maybe. But don't let that stop you. I've known Justin for years and he's a really nice guy."

"I guess so. Just...the idea of dating other people outside the samurai life-style is weird. You know? It's like...I'm scared it will work out, but then when I tell them I'm a samurai they'll think I'm a freak or something."

Serena remembered a conversation she's overheard her parents having and wondered if she should tell Emily. Then she decided against it. "Don't worry about that. Just go and have fun. That's what a date is about."

"You're right. So are you going to help me get ready or not?"

Her older sister grinned. "Of course. Come on, let's go see what we can do to get you ready."

-Samurai Ranger Life-

Kevin checked his mail and walked up the stairs to his apartment at the same time. Being a samurai, he had excellent coordination and didn't worry about tripping. He unlocked the door and walked in, kicking it shut with his foot. His eyebrows raised when he found an envelope with just his name on it. He flipped it over and saw the Shiba Crest on the other side. Strange.

He grabbed a knife from the kitchen and used it to open the seal; holding the envelope at arm's length. He then proceeded to cut the envelope open and waited a second. Nothing. He looked inside and saw a letter. He moved it around a bit with the knife. Now satisfied it didn't contain bomb, or something dangerous, he took the letter out and leaned against the counter as he read it.

Dear Kevin,

We think it's been too long since all of us have been together. Antonio is back from his trip, so we thought this would be a perfect time for a reunion! You, as well as your family, are invited to the Shiba House for a cookout. We thought this would be the perfect time to formally introduce Antonio and Tiara to the samurai families. Plus, we have a special surprise for all of you. The date was set is the 12th. See you there.

Sincerely,

Lauren and Jayden.

Kevin raised his eyebrows as he re-read it. "Oh boy," he sighed. Of course he was going. He wouldn't miss the chance to see his friends. And he knew his dad would be excited about the idea of seeing his former teammates as well. Them attending was a given. What bothered him was the part about introducing Antonio to the families. The phrase, 'the apple never falls far from the tree' was very true for the blue ranger and his dad.

He knew his dad's reaction to meeting Antonio, would probably be similar to his own. "I don't think it matters I told him about Antonio. Hearing about him and actually meeting him in person are two totally different things. Especially where Antonio's concerned. Besides, I could practically hear the displeasure in his voice when I was talking about him." He sighed again, then decided he need help. He grabbed his samuraizer and called someone he knew might be useful.

"Hello?" Mike answered.

"Mike, it's Kevin."

"Hey! Been a while."

"I know. Listen, we...well, I have a problem."

"Oh?"

"Have you gotten the invitation from Jayden and Lauren yet?"

"Yeah. I can't wait. Though, I think it'll be kind of awkward."

"I know. I'm worried about what will happen when I introduce my dad to Antonio."

"Oh shoot. I wasn't even thinking about that. I was thinking about when I see Emily and her family."

"Yeah."

"But you have a valid point too. I'm pretty sure my dad will like him. I mean, he's not really the judgmental type."

"Mine is. Remember, this is the man who raised me. I got a lot of the way I looked at the world from him."

"Well...at least we can go to bat for Antonio."

"Yeah. Seems like this whole thing is a disaster already."

"Maybe he'll be too distracted by Tiara too care. Oh man, I gotta go. I have to get ready for work."

"Where do you work now?"

"Believe it of not, I'm teaching martial arts."

Kevin laughed. "No kidding. Where?"

"Green Dragon Dojo. It's in Reefside. I was actually in Panorama earlier today getting papers and reports on a competition for the boss."

"Really?" Kevin felt a small twinge of guilt that he hadn't known Mike had moved out of the city.

"Yeah. It's a lot of hours. I work a lot during the day cause my boss also teaches paleontology at the local high school."

"Do you get along with him?"

"Totally. He's great. He even has a friend who comes in and assists with classes sometimes. It's great."

"Nice. Well, I don't want to be the reason you're late."

"See you at the reunion."

"See you there." Kevin hung up and pondered that for a minute. "I'm glad Mike found a job he's good at." Kevin looked at his watch and decided to eat before he went back to the pool to begin his training for the day.

-Samurai Ranger Life-

Mike took one last look around his apartment to make sure he had everything. Despite the fact he'd been living there for seven months, he still felt like it as too empty. "That's what I get for living in house filled with people for like two years." He left his home and began his walk to work. He really liked his job, and his boss. He smiled remembering when they'd met.

Mike walked into the Green Dragon Dojo with slight hesitation. He was dressed in his old training gii for good luck. That and it was the only gii he had and he figure when applying for a job to teach martial arts, looking that part was important. He walked through a seating area and into the main room. "Ahem."

The man in the center turned around and smiled friendly. "Hi. You must be Mike."

"I am," the former green ranger nodded shaking the mans hand. "You must be Tommy."

"I am. So, you want to teach martial arts?"

"I do indeed."

"Well then, let's see what you got."

"A spar is an intreating way to hold and interview," Mike mused. "I have to remember to ask for the 12th off so I can go to the reunion." He suddenly remembered something and added, "And tell my dad about it."

-Samurai Ranger Life-

When Mia got back to her dorm she heard someone calling her name. "Mia!" She turned around to see her RA. "Oh, hey Linda. What's up?"

"Some guy dropped this off for you. He wanted to put it in your room, but rules are rules, you know?"

Mia nodded and took the letter. "What did he look like? This guy?"

"Um...he was wearing a suit."

"Hm..." Mia studied the envelop carefully. She found the seal with the Shiba clan crest and smiled. "Thanks for holding it for me."

"No problem."

Mia went to her dorm room where DJ was already waiting for her. "Hey Mia. That sushi was amazing."

"Yeah," Mia agreed absentmindedly.

"And Seth was really nice."

"He's like that."

Her roommate laughed. "I can see that we won't be having an actual conversation today. I'm going to find some soda. Want one?"

"Sure."

"Ok."

When DJ left, Mia grabbed her samuraizer and called Terry.

"Hello?"

"Terry."

"Oh...hey sis. What's up?"

"A reunion."

"A reunion?"

"Yeah. One for all the rangers and their families."

"Sounds like fun."

"It's on the 12th. And before you can come up with an excuse, you're going."

"Fine. You know Mom and Dad would make me go anyways."

"Yup."

"You enjoying college life?"

"Always. It's actually pretty fun. Event if it's a lot of work."

"You think you have a lot of work? I'm a senior, and I still have to go to med school."

"When's your graduation?"

"If I can survive until then? Two months."

"You'll be fine. You were always the smartest out of the two of us."

"Thanks Mia. I gotta go. Lots of studying to do."

"Ok. See you later."

"Bye."

Mia hung up and hid the letter in her dresser. "I should probably study too. He's not the only one with finals coming up." She grumbled in annoyance as she grabbed her books. "Where's that soda? In could use an energy boost."