Power Ranger Ninja Storm, Heather Ray [best classic romance novels txt] 📗

were setting a trap, I think I'd use the cliff rather than the shore," Dustin comments. "Think about it: we'd be fighting in a bottleneck, with zippo mobility. On such unstable ground I can't safely use my Earth powers, and there's not likely to be much water for Tori to use, so two of us get no advantage for Ninja tricks. At least the shore is wide, open area, with nowhere for any sneaky monsters to hide and get the drop on us, and no deadly cliff-edges to worry about." He shrugs. "I'm not saying I'm looking for a fight, but if I have to stumble into one, I'd rather do it there."

He folds his arms casually as he nods at our leader. "So, what d'ya say, Shane?"

I'm amazed at Dustin's logic, and I stare at my friend in surprise. Every now and then, he really throws me for a loop. Just like the first time he helped me deal with my feelings about Blake…he makes me see things that sometimes, I'm too stubborn to pay attention to on my own.

Shane remains silent, but the way he clenches and releases his fists gives away his indecision.

Finally, he nods once, and starts walking downstream. "To the shore, then. Tori, Dustin… keep Blake in the middle."

And so our trek down the mountain begins.

For a long while, nothing but insects buzzing and footsteps crunching soil can be heard, since no one feels inclined to start a conversation. Shane leads us down the mountain and through the dense forest, keeping a punishing pace that an un-morphed person, even a Ninja, would have difficultly maintaining. But Blake doesn't complain.

The prolonged silence gives my mind the opportunity to venture where I didn't particularly want to go… back to when I first found Blake on this island. The way I acted; the way I lashed out at him… it was shameful.

Sensei will have some choice words for me if he finds out I let my anger run away with me. I tuned out all thoughts, including my own conscience and common sense, just for the satisfaction of returning hurt for hurt.

I should've known better than that. Even if Blake truly is the most despicable back-stabber on the planet, I shouldn't just lash out. I should hold myself to a better standard.

I can't toss aside good judgment. And I can't let my anger cloud the facts…not if I want to uncover the truth.

Fact:

Blake and Hunter's parents were killed by Lothor. The Gem of Souls revealed this.

Fact:

Blake has not openly attacked me, or any of the others, since that discovery… even though he had several opportunities to take me out, if he wanted to. I can't just ignore that.

In fact, he wasn't even at that last battle in Blue Bay Harbor…

Puzzled, I quicken my pace just enough to let me fall into step beside Blake. "Can I ask you a question?"

He glances at me, visibly surprised that I'd spoken to him. "Go ahead."

"How did you get here? To this island, I mean."

Shane slows, addressing Blake over his shoulder. "Yeah; enlighten us. If you could get here, then you must know how to get back. Right?"

Blake shakes his head. "Not that simple, I'm afraid. I got here the same way you did. Hunter's teleportation spell."

Then, faster than I can react, Shane is suddenly in Blake's face, holding him by the collar. "So, the great liar finally tripped up!"

Startled, I gasp, "Shane! What are you --"

"You heard him! He said Hunter

teleported him here! Why would he do that unless they were scheming something?"

"Maybe if you let the guy breathe

, he can answer!" Dustin responds, firmly tugging on Shane's arm.

Shane drops Blake to his feet none-too-gently. I wince as Blake loses his footing, dropping to his knee.

The unexpected wave of compassion surprises me.

"Hunter didn't send me here on purpose," Blake answers, dusting the sand from his clothes. "In fact, he wanted me to stay away; but I didn't. I got caught in the crosshairs after he teleported Tori here."

Shane shakes his head. "I never saw you in the fight."

"You and Dustin were sent away before I arrived," Blake interrupts. His gaze slides to me. "I got there just in time to see Hunter open the tunnel, but I couldn't get close enough to do anything until it was already too late. All I could do was jump in the tunnel after you guys."

Stunned, I stare at him through my visor. "Why?"

That sour twist returns to his lips. "Is it really that hard to believe I'd want to help you?"

I hate the way that expression pulls at me...trying to make me feel...bad

. Without a word of reply I turn away, and continue walking toward the sound of water breaking. Shortly I hear sand crunching underfoot behind me, at a much faster pace than my own.

"Tori, are you --"

"I just want to go home, Dustin," I tell him truthfully. The last thing I need right now is another heart to heart, not with Blake ten feet behind us.

Almost of their own volition, my eyes slide to the Thunder Morpher on my wrist.

"I'm putting my fate in your hands, Tori."

Damn him. For confusing me, for getting under my skin…for throwing my world upside down by manipulating me, and then doing it again just when I thought I'd finally dealt with it.

I release an explosive sigh as I finally come to the edge of the shore. The water crawls lazily up the dark sand, and even though I can't feel it through my armor, the very presence of my element gives me some relief.

I just want to go home, and put this whole mess out of my mind.

"It's still not working," Dustin comments. I look up, noticing him tap his communicator. "Not even a scrambled signal."

"We're still on shore," Blake remarks, peering into the distance. "The wall of enchantment is intangible, so you should be able to pass through it without a problem. It wasn't meant to keep anything physically on the island; only to keep out prying eyes and ears."

Shane huffs. "So what are we supposed to do? Swim for it?"

Blake smiles grimly. "Like I said before, I give you the information. You take it or leave it."

Shane folds his arms, while Dustin stares out into the blue distance. "I guess we can make a raft," he comments, rubbing his chin, "We've got enough wood in the forest…"

Despite my grim mood, an amused grin emerges at my friends' thoughtful faces. Why do guys always want to do things the hard way?

"I'll take it from here," I announce, stepping into the water. I smirk at Dustin's gasp as the water holds me up, letting me cross its surface without sinking.

"I forgot she can do that..."

"Be careful, Tori," Blake warns.

I don't acknowledge him. Instead, I focus my attention on my communicator, keeping the channel to Ninja Ops open. Beneath me, the clear water gradually becomes a rich blue, its depth obscuring the sea floor. I wonder if I've passed the barrier?

"Cam? Cam, can you hear me?"

"Tor... -at you?"

My heart leaps in excitement at the broken, barely sensible response. I quicken my pace, moving further from the shoreline. "Cam! Can you trace this signal? We're trapped on Lothor's island!"

I have no idea how much of my message actually got through, and I chew my lip anxiously as static eats much of Cam's next words. "-ending Megaz-"

I let the joy sink into me freely. Cam is sending the Megazord... what else could his garbled message mean? We'll be out of here in no time!

And it means even more than just escape…

Blake was telling the truth. He came here to help us. He didn't lie to me in the woods, when he followed me on his cycle. He didn't lie to me when we fought on this abandoned island. He's really not my enemy. And he's risked so much to help

me…

The weight of the world lifts from my shoulders as I begin the walk back to shore.

I feel like shouting out the good news to my friends, but instead I just quicken my pace, eager to set matters straight with Blake. Maybe we'll even have time to help him find Hunter, while we're waiting for our ride...

Then, suddenly, a flash of light distracts me... and a horrible burning strikes my stomach, spreading through my body like wildfire.

Discipline and control vanish as all I can focus on is pain. Gasping breathlessly, I sink into the sea, blackness and cold swallowing me whole.

Part Thirteen: Tough Love

The major players are assembled, and Hunter and Blake have their "heart to heart."

Author's Note:

This installment is in Blake's voice.

Chapter Nineteen

My eyes are glued to Tori as she floats on the water. It's amazing, really; she steps over cresting waves as if they were stairs, lifting her up just slightly, but never throwing off her balance.

When she'd walked out into the surf a few minutes ago, she had moved slowly, pausing here and there to test her communicator's signal. Even standing still, the waves never threw her. And some of the waves crashing against the shore are rough.

Her stride is quick as she approaches us, as steady on water as she is on land. My respect for her doubles with this display of control of her element; I can't believe I'd underestimated her before. And hopefully she has some good news, proving to everyone that I can be trusted... so we can finally start fresh.

But a sudden flash of lightning wipes my plans clear from my mind.

Tori collapses, sinking into the tossing waters...and she doesn't even scream.

She didn't make a sound...

"Tori!!"

A streak of yellow rushes passed me as