Cam wasted no time. He rushed back to his room and changed. The phone rang. He thought of ignoring it, but finally gave in. “Hello?”
“Cam? Hunter. I’m in Blue Bay, picking up some things at Storm Chargers. Wanna meet?”
“Actually, I was just going to visit you. I need to…” Cam glanced about his room, he didn’t want to say it. He didn’t want to sound desperate. “I need to talk to someone, a friend.”
Silence filled the line. “Okay. At Storm Chargers, then. We’ll go for pizza. Blake’s with me, but he’s harmless right now.”
“That’s fine. I actually wanted to check on Blake too. I’ll be there in a flash.”
“Don’t you mean like the wind? We’re the flashy ones.”
“Cute. I’m getting off the phone now.” A chuckle echoed as Cam hung up. Just like Hunter to hold things up.
He peeked in on Skritches; she stretched and seemed to act like she was going back to sleep. Smiling at the break for his freedom, Cam turned around and raced out of the building, the compound, and the area… and into Blue Bay. Seconds later, he slowed in the alley behind the store, and strolled inside as if it was a normal day. But then it was a normal day, wasn’t it?
Hunter turned, grabbing the bags from someone at the counter. A second glance revealed it was Eric. Eric didn’t seem to catch that Cam was there, or that he was watching him. Hunter brushed past him. “Come on, I can’t leave Blake alone for too long, he might get the bright idea to wander.”
Cam smirked, “Has he regressed in his obedience training again?”
“Funny.” Hunter led Cam out to the dark blue truck he had seen many times before. Reclined in the passenger seat, Blake snoozed.
Hunter tossed the bags in back. He opened the driver side door. “It’s easier this way than climbing over him.”
Cam nodded and slid in and across the seat. Hunter slid in after him and started up the truck as he closed the door. Cam knew he couldn’t start talking until he was sure he was not going to be interrupted, so he decided to hope that Hunter didn’t ask what was wrong. To fill the time and give him an excuse to stall, Cam began to study Blake. There were no casts. His left arm was bandaged as well as his right foot. A brace replaced his usual sneaker on that side. There were some scrapes and abrasions, but nothing major. He was out cold. But as they neared the pizza place, his eyes began to flutter and his breathing became deeper. As Hunter parked, Blake’s eyes pried open.
“Pizza?”
“Yeah, bro. Look who we picked up…”
“Cam?”
“Hey, Blake. How are you feeling?”
“Great… No more drugs… I don’t need no more drugs… I can barely feel a thing now… I like feeling my toes… even when they hurt.”
“No drugs, Blake. I promise. I have no drugs for you.” Cam looked at Hunter. “Tori had mentioned this, but I hadn’t realized it was exactly as she described.”
“Yeah… He’s better now though. Doc’s been easing him off. The medic at the Thunder Academy altered the timing a bit so that he’s much more aware now. Tori was just miffed that he fell asleep ten minutes into her visit. Hey, Blake, let’s go get some pizza.”
Cam watched as Hunter came around the front and helped his brother into the pizza parlor. Cam crawled out and followed them in.
After ordering, getting drinks, and finding a seat, Cam whispered, “Maybe you should vent first.”
“Vent?” Hunter exhaled, “Why should I vent? I always take care of my brother. He’s just a bit loopy right now.”
“So you’re okay?”
“Yeah. Worried about him, but when am I not?” Hunter gave his reassuring smile, the one he reserved for Blake and for times when he was being truly sincere.
“So why did you call?”
“Because I said I would. You, on the other hand, said you need to talk?”
“Here, I brought these,” Cam withdrew two disks on loops that sort of looked like mini stopwatches. “They’re communication devices, in case of an emergency, since we lack our morphers these days.” He handed both to Hunter as he watched Blake slowly lose interest and lower his head to the table.
“Thanks, but you’re stalling.” Hunter stuffed the new toys in his pocket.
Cam inhaled and exhaled slowly. “My grandfather is here. He came from Japan. Many years ago, my parents ceased talking to him because my father and he could not come to terms. Now, I haven’t seen my father all day, and my grandfather is criticizing my every move.”
“You haven’t seen your father because he’s meeting with Sensei Omino today at the Thunder Academy.”
“Oh. I had not realize he had a meeting.”
“Sounds like your grandfather really has you riled.”
“Yeah. He’s just full of advice and knowledge. He knows I’m a samurai. He knows the amulet is lost, the amulet has a name, apparently. He wants to train me. He wants me to socialize, but not with ninja. He wants me to practice more. I can’t seem to make him happy.”
“Sounds like this is your big chance, though. Haven’t you always wanted to train with a samurai?”
“Yes, but not with all of this criticism about my life, my friends, and my father.”
“It sounds like he cares, Cam. And it sounds like he’s trying to find his place in your life. Maybe you should let him know more about you. You are so private sometimes. It’s hard to judge you because you don’t open up.”
“Hunter, this is me we’re talking about, not you.”
“Huh… yeah, we’re two of a kind there.”
Hunter smirked and darted up to the counter to pick up their pizza. He returned balancing the pie in one hand while stuffing the first piece into his mouth with the other. Blake stirred in his chair, raising his head from the table as the pizza was lowered. A growl escaped his lips as he reached clumsily toward the closest slice.
Cam chose a piece and chewed casually as he thought about Hunter’s words.
Cam returned later in the afternoon than he had expected. He fixed a dose of antibiotics for Skritches and fed it to her. Then he refreshed her water. He had gone for a walk after meeting up with the Thunders. He had to think things over and come to grips with his new family setting. The machine was flashing again, so he hit play. He petted Skritches softly and listened.
“Beep. Cam? Hunter. Just calling to see if things were better. I’m guessing he’s got you training again. If you get time, and want to socialize with a ninja, maybe we can meet at the arcade? Call me.”
“So you have other ninja friends?”
“Welcome to my room, grandfather. I guess knocking is out of the question.”
“Cameron, I was just walking by. Your door was open. I had thought you had heard me.”
“Well, yes. I have other friends who are ninja. Hunter and Blake are their names.”
“Perhaps you need a change of environment?”
“Grandfather-“ Cam turned sharply, but found himself looking at air. Turning, he helped Skritches back into the crate, secured it, and stormed out, stopping at the doorway long enough to collect his thoughts and reign in his anger.
Cam chased the essence of his grandfather through the abode, finally reaching his computer console in the main living quarters his father and he shared. The system was extensive, but nothing as large and impressive as the one at ninja ops. It was linked to the main one, and allowed for monitoring and access to the ninja ops files. Hiro was sitting there calmly, staring at the screen with a cup of tea in his hand. The screen flashed images. Cam studied the screen for only a moment, long enough to realize what his grandfather was watching.
“How did you get access to these?”
“Your father suggested that when I became fed up with the situation, that it may enlighten me to watch these. He left instructions on how to access them.”
“But this is a video history of the events of the past year, battles we have fought. It’s supposed to be secret.”
“Obviously, Kanoi is learning to trust me, too bad you can not. A samurai is nothing without honor.”
Cam flinched at his grandfather’s words. He watched the elder samurai take in each battle. He watched images flash across the screen of battles, hard fought battles. Shane, Dustin, Tori, Blake, Hunter fighting the generals and the minions of Lothor. Finally images of the Green Ranger appeared. He started to narrate, to point out that he was the one in green, but something held him… when his grandfather smiled and his eyes filled with emotion, and then tears.
“Perhaps you are more than you appear.”
“I had thought you might come to that conclusion after viewing these.” Cam was startled by his father’s voice.
“I should rethink things.” Hiro sipped his tea.
Cam looked at his father. His father smiled at him. “How is Blake doing?”
“You’re just as omnipotent as grandfather. Blake seemed ok when I saw him today. He’s a bit off due to his medication.” Cam whispered.
“So Omino-san had said.”
“Dad?” Cam started to continue his thought, but the old man cleared his throat.
“I am still saddened that you and my daughter chose to live so far away from me, though I could have just as well moved. I am still saddened that my daughter had to choose to end communication due to strained relations, but then I was as much to blame as you, Kanoi.”
“I could have bent more like the reed in the wind, as well, Hiro-san.”
“Then perhaps you will bend for me now.” Hiro stopped the surge of images and turned toward the two Watanabes. “Cameron, I wish to continue your training in the arts of the Samurai.”
“That would be an honor, grandfather.”
“So you will return with me to Japan and complete your training.”
Cam froze in mid breath. He was certain that his father had done so as well.