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Chapter Thirteen: The Second Hearing

A/N: Hello my readers! Hope you enjoy this next chapter. Two things: 1- Agent Gibbs: yes you will find out what happened between Emily and Mike, but not for a while. And 2- the trial by combat thing mentioned was a comment one of my friends had when I was telling them about this situation. (Even the one who never listen about my fics went "aww" when I told them about Antonio's hearing.) Enjoy!

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

Mike crossed his arms stubbornly. "I don't want to do this," he said for the hundredth time.

"That is really too bad," Jayden said. "Mike we're being required to give an account of the war, and what we've unlocked and accomplished."

"I won't do it."

"This isn't an option," Lauren reminded him.

Mike looked around at all the samurai waiting to meet with the Kīpā to have their recounts of the fight with the nighlocks officially recorded for the samurai archives. Kevin put his hand on Mike's shoulder. "Mike, I know you're frustrated. We all are. We all wish Antonio was here-"

"He should be!" Mike snapped. "If you ask me, he accomplished more things than anyone else! He should be here."

"We offered to have him come along for moral support," Lauren said. "But he said he had to get ready for his trip down to Costa Rica for his grandfather's funeral. Honestly though, I think he just doesn't want to face the Kīpā again."

"Can you blame him? Emily asked. "After what they said to him-"

"Don't even say it," Jayden warned her. "It makes me want to punch someone just thinking about it."

"Antonio deserves better than this," Mia said. "He gave up so much to join the team. And he contributed so much to help us defeat the nighlocks. They shouldn't be denying him what he rightfully earned."

"We know you guys," Lauren told the gently. "We know. We're trying to find a way they can be convinced. A loop hole; anything."

"I vote trial by combat," Mike said.

"It's been considered," Jayden replied.

"Come on," Lauren said. "Let's go face them."

"Please behave," Jayden added, giving Mike a look.

The six samurai entered the room and the Kīpā stood to greet them. They bowed to the rangers, who bowed in return. The six of them sat down on six cushions facing the table. Mr. Reyes stood and smiled. "We thank all of you for taking the time to talk with us. It is very important to us that the future generations of samurai are able to study the defeat of the nighlocks by you."

"We are glad to be here," Lauren replied evenly.

"We would like to start with Mike, from the green ranger family." Mike stood up. "Samurai Mike, would you like to tell us about your accomplishments and techniques you used against the nighlocks."

Mike glanced at Jayden and Lauren, and the two red rangers immediately knew that this would end badly. "No."

"Excuse me?" one of the Kīpā asked uncertainly.

"I said no. I don't want to tell you about the war. I won't tell you about my techniques. I won't tell you about my accomplishments, which pale in comparison to Antonio's. So screw you, and have a nice day." He promptly sat back down and crossed his arms stubbornly.

Jayden resisted the urge to laugh so hard. He managed to keep his composure and watched as the Kīpā digested what Mike had just said.

"Uh...Lord Jayden, Lady Lauren, we would greatly appreciate it if you would inform your vassals that there is a proper way to speak to us."

"I can't insult you, but you can insult my friend?!" Mike demanded.

"Mike, calm," Lauren hissed. Mike backed down, but made an obscene gesture at the Kīpā before crossing his arms again.

Clearly flustered, it took a couple of minuets for the Kīpā to gather their wits. "How about we start with someone else?" Mr. Reyes suggested. "Kevin of the blue ranger family, would you like to tell us about your techniques and accomplishments used against the nighlocks?"

Kevin stood up and held his hands in front of himself respectfully. "I would like to tell you-"

"Dude!" Mike objected.

"Hush!" Lauren scolded.

Kevin gave Mike a 'chill-out' look. He turned back to the Kīpā. "As I was saying, I would like to tell you. I think it would be very important that future samurai know about the ways and strategies we used to defeat the nighlocks." There was some nodding amongst the Kīpā. "However," the nodding stopped. "I regretfully cannot do this because you are omitting a crucial member of our effort. So no, I will not tell you about my techniques and accomplishments." He sat back down and crossed his arms like Mike. The green ranger gave him an approving nod.

Mr. Reyes sighed and rubbed his head agitatedly. "Samurai Emily, of the yellow ranger family?"

Emily nodded and stood up. "I have nothing to say." She sat back down and followed Mike and Kevin's actions.

Jayden gave Lauren a look. "At what point was this a good idea?" he asked.

"I'm not really sure at this moment," Lauren replied.

"Samurai Mia, of the pink ranger family?" Mr. Reyes asked.

Mia stood up. "Ladies and gentlemen, the most significant contributions to our war effort were made by a samurai who cannot stand before you. So I won't say anything about what I've done, because I'm absolutely appalled by what you've done." She sat back down and Emily gave her an affirming nod.

Jayden stood up. "If I may?"

"Please, go right ahead Lord Jayden," Mr. Reyes said.

"If you please, I think that you will have some trouble getting information out of any of us. As it is, samurai are fiercely loyal, and when you attack one of us, you attack all of us. And you're seeing the truest way we defeated the nighlocks. By standing together."

"Lord Jayden, we all understand the attachments you and your samurai have made with the...ah...fisherman. But it is our duty to preserve the samurai heritage. He is not fit for the title and it would be a degrading mark on the history of the samurai to-"

"Shut up!" Mike shouted, jumping to his feet. "How dare you talk about Antonio like that you ungrateful d-"

"Mike!" Jayden warned him. "Hold your tongue."

"But Jayden-"

"Hold your tongue."

Mike clenched his teeth and sat back down. Mia put her hand on his knee to try and keep him calm. Jayden sighed and looked at the Kīpā. "Please, we ask you to reconsider. Antonio is a very loyal and hard working samurai. He's different but it's a good different. He brought such a new life to our team."

"I'm sorry, Lord Jayden, but the decision cannot be changed. We are only trying to protect the integrity of the samurai ways."

Mia could tell Mike was going to snap again and grabbed his hand. She shook her head. He exhaled deeply through his nose and nodded. Unfortunately, all the slander was too much for Kevin, who got to his feet. "The samurai ways are about loyalty. They're about courage and benevolence and-"

"We're well aware of the virtues from the bushido, Samurai Kevin."

"And if you bothered to know Antonio you'd know he fits that code to a tee. He is one of the greatest persons I've ever known. You can't overlook and dismiss him just because he is not a samurai descendant. I have made the same mistake and have regretted it to this day. Please give him what is rightfully his."

Jayden knew they were expecting him to tell Kevin to sit down and be quiet. He sighed and looked at the blue ranger. Kevin understood without a need for words and sat back down. Lauren stood up and nodded to Jayden. He was only too happy to let her take over.

"Please hear us out. Antonio is an amazing samurai. He-"

"Lady Lauren, I'm sorry, but nothing you or Lord Jayden, or any of the samurai say can move us on this."

Lauren sighed. "Then I'm afraid we must be going. Until Antonio is given what is his, you'll not be getting a word out of us."

"Then I'm afraid we're at a stalemate. What you suggest is preposterous."

"Exactly," a woman joined in. "You might as well suggest that someone with blood as common as his will marry yourself or Lord Jayden and help parent the future heirs of the Shiba Clan."

Lauren felt her confidence shaking and Jayden stood up. "Good day to you," he said, voice dripping with venom. The others stood and bowed and the Kīpā returned the gesture. Jayden led them out without a single word. As they got outside Mia came over and hugged her friend.

"Don't listen to them Lauren," she said. "They're wrong. We'll change their minds somehow."

Lauren merely nodded. "We should go. I'm sure you all have things to do, and Mike has a long drive home."

The others have each other doubtful looks, but could only nod in agreement. Jayden and Lauren went to their SUV after saying their good-byes. "The Shiba Hosue please," Jayden said to the driver. He looked back at Lauren in the backseat. "Don't be to disheartened."

"Jayden, you know the Kīpā have to approve anyone marrying into the Shiba Clan to ensure our blood lines."

"Yes. I know."

She shook her head. "They would never approve if I wanted to marry Antonio. Never."

"We'll find a way," Jayden insisted. "I promise."

Lauren nodded. "We can try."

"We will. Let's just focus on getting Antonio safely on his way to Costa Rica and we can figure out where to go from there while he's gone."

Lauren nodded half-heartedly. She looked out the window, dozens of thoughts racing through her head. And none of them were good. She closed her eyes and pictured Antonio's face. She thought about the way he looked at her. Like she was the most amazing and beauitful thing in the world. She opened her eyes and sighed sadly. Never was there a tale of more woe...