Chapter 4 - The Truth Hurts

Kiari Sakakibara sat alone in a small, traditional tearoom in the Watanabe house. Though she'd learned Tai owned everything on the land, he still felt it belonged to his grandfather, Akira Watanabe. He'd even named the Bushido Studio for the elder man. Across from her sat the Shiba family retainer. "Jii," she said and formulated her thoughts.

The older man sat patiently. He'd known Kiari all her life, and spent more than half of it helping to raise her. She sipped at her tea. "What is it, Kii-chan?" he finally asked his patience at an end.

Kiari flashed him a small smile. "Do you think I should tell him, Jii-san?" she asked finally.

Jii considered this question. "This is something you must decide for yourself," he finally informed her.

Kiari nodded and took another sip of her tea. "Thank you, Jii," she murmured softly. She sat her cup down and wandered out with a slight bow to him. She checked the time. It was a weekday, so most of her classes were for the afternoon, but there was a group of adults who were no longer in school who took lessons at the Watanabe Bushido Studio.

She went to her room to change into her kimono and hakama. She sighed as she tightened her braid, things weighing heavily upon her mind.

Kiari is the youngest in her family and every one of her older sisters, her mom, her dad and even her grandfather were amazing. Her Mom was a gorgeous woman, who was quite a renowned fashion designer. Her eldest sister made good marks in school and was now a vice president in a multinational media corporation. The second eldest was was too lovely for words and was quite a well known model. The next sister was a doctor doing cancer research. The one just a year or so older than she is going to art school, but has already sold both paintings and sculptures in an exclusive art gallery.

Kiari had never been good at much aside from martial arts and calligraphy. Becoming a retainer for the 17th Lord Shiba had been a hard won battle. Coming to America to become a retainer for the 18th Lord Shiba had been even harder. Everyone was scandalized and opposed to it. She shocked herself at her bravery for standing up to her family and coming to America on her own.

She didn't regret that in the least. She'd been happy when Daiki determined to go as well, but she somehow felt she could have done it without him. Tai Stapleton was not what she expected. Lani Lyong was like the sister she'd always wanted but never had and Kane was...well, she'd never met anyone quite like Kane Watanabe before. And Akira Watanabe...was like the grandfather she always wanted.

Since she did like it there so much, things she'd not revealed were weighing heavily upon her mind. With a deep sigh, she went exited her room to go to her adult calligraphy class.

~*~

Kiari retired to her room after dinner. Tai and Lani seemed to have had plans because they left pretty quickly. She smiled. As far as she could tell, ever since Tai took on the duty of the Red Samurai Ranger she had not seen them go out much except for as a group. She knew it wasn't the case, but since she was the youngest, she almost felt like they were chaperoning or something. Not just her, but Daiki and even Kane as well.

Since it was a Friday night, she didn't even have lessons with Kane to look forward to. She was sure he had plans as well. Maybe she'd see what Daiki was up to.

She didn't really feel like putting up Daiki tonight, though. As much as she liked and respected her teammate, he was becoming annoying. Since arriving here, he'd refused to speak Japanese to anyone else. This included her. Then he would become irritated with her when she said something wrong or misunderstood something he said.

She was just about to settle in with a book, and her Japanese-English dictionary, when a knock sounded at her door. Frowning, she moved to the door. She sometimes had conversations with Akira Watanabe, who said she reminded him of his wife and daughter. He insisted, since everyone else did, that she called him 'Grandpa.' His saying that she reminded him of his wife and daughter made her a little uncomfortable, but he really was a nice man and refused to speak English.

When she opened the door and saw Kane standing there she slipped her book behind her back before he could see it. She borrowed it from Lani, who admitted to being a true romantic. "Ah, Kane-san?" she asked.

If Kane noticed her book, he didn't give any indication. He flashed her a smile. "Let's go crash Lani and Tai's date," he suggested and he had that mischievous glint in his eyes.

Kiari pursed her lips. "That doesn't sound very nice," she said with a slight frown.

Kane's grin widened. "It's not," he said and sent a sly glance over his shoulder then he laughed. "I'm kidding. Loosen up a bit. Seriously though, they went to the carnival that rolled into town the other day. Let's go. We can get Daiki on board with no problem," he said and then assumed a puppy dog expression that made her laugh.

"Ok, ok," she finally agreed. She moved into her room and set her book by her bed. She grabbed her light coat and stepped out. They made to go to Daiki's room but he was already coming out, pulling on his coat.

"Let's go already," he said and lent them a rare genuine smile.

Kane winked at her and the three of them left together. Since Tai took his flashy red car, and Kane only had his bike, they decided to bend the rules a bit and teleport.

~*~

Sanzu River

shootari paced about in satisfied glee. "Almost a foot! From children's balloons being popped by a tiger mascot," he was saying to Doukoku in satisfaction. After all, this was basically his plan. Doukoku had to acknowledge that.

Dayuu snorted. "Aren't we the strutting proud peacock?" she declared sourly as she strummed her shamisen.

"Silence, you!" he hissed.

Doukoku was sleeping off a hangover from consuming too much essence. shootari did not want Dayuu's jealousy to wake him. "I will send someone else, but who...aha! I have it," he said and shuffled to the opening overlooking the Sanzu River.

"Zuboshimeshi," he called.

"Zubo?" Dayuu asked and would have arched an eyebrow if she had any. "What is his specialty?" she asked with another soft snort.

"Why, my good lady!" Zuboshimeshi said as he bounced through the opening of the ship. "I see the deepest darkest truth you don't want revealed," the Ayakashi said to Dayuu, a trace of warning in his voice.

Dayuu glared at him. "Then go to the human word and spread the truth, Ayakashi," she growled at him.

He seemed to smirk and dawdled to the hole in the ship. With a mocking bow, he fell through backwards.

~*~

The carnival was a bright, happy place filled with rides, games and attractions. Kane and Daiki seemed to be trying out stage each other trying to win her prizes at the games. She knew it wasn't about her and she found it highly amusing to watch them.

"Hey! There's our Fearless Leader and his lady," Kane said and pointed.

Kiari looked. They were approaching one of those tests-of-strength games with the hammer. The three of them veered toward them. They watched Tai try his skill only to fail miserably.

Kane chuckled as they approached. "Well, well, guess all that time hammering hot steel didn't do those skinny arms much good, huh?" he teased good naturedly.

Tai and Lani both looked at them. Tai frowned and looked at the game. "It's rigged," he declared and popped his knuckles.

Lani's eyes widened. "Tai, you can't. That's cheating," she admonished him quietly. Kiari frowned at that. What did she mean by that?

"No, I'd say I'm making things fair," he declared and paid the carnie in charge another dollar for another try. Taking the hammer, Tai swung. The small metal meter in the game's tube shot up and broke over the top. Kiari gaped every bit as much as the carnie.

Tai handed the hammer back with a satisfied smirk. He took a large unicorn and handed it to Lani. She just shook her head at him. He grinned. "So, what are you guys up to? Nice haul, Kiari," he declared eyeing all the stuffed animals she was trying to juggle.

Kane shrugged. "Enjoying the carnival, same as you," he stated.

"Daiki?" Lani asked.

Glancing over her shoulder, Kiari saw that Daiki seemed to be distracted, peering over the crowd of people. Looking for someone.

"Daiki," Tai said and waved his hand in front of the other's face.

Daiki blinked and glanced at them and gave a sheepish smile. "Ah, sorry," he said without further explanation.

A commotion nearby captured all their attentions. There was a man working his way through the crowd. He looked rather comical. He was mostly reed thin, but he had a large pot belly. He was dressed in a dark purple, nearly black, rumpled magician's suit. His shoes were long and curled up slightly at the toe.

His face was painted white with a wide, red painted grin. He wore tattered top hat over green hair that came to points arching off the side of his head. "Hello, children. Can I read your minds?" he asked.

Kiari backed away from him slightly. She brushed up against Kane. He put his hands on her shoulders and she felt instantly better. "Read our minds? Why exactly?" he asked in that sardonic way of his. He almost smiled.

The man's eyes widened. "Why, to tell you the truth about yourself," he answered in a way that sent a shiver down her spine. The man looked at Kane for a long moment. "Like...you fear becoming an evil Space Ninja like dear ol' Daddy Lothor!" he announced with a menacing glee.

Kiari heard Kane grunt and then was jerked backwards away from her as energy crackled around him. Kiari spun around and ran to him.

"Gedoushu!" Tai spat and pulled out his Morpher.

Kubo laughed. "What is it? Are you still afraid of failing as leader and lord and getting all your friends killed, Red Samurai?" he asked with mocking glee. Energy crackled around him as he was flung off his feet.

"Tai!"

"Lord!"

Kiari made sure that Kane was still breathing and got to her feet. She pulled out her Morpher. "Samurai Sword Clash!" She, Daiki and Lani wrote their characters in the air. They pressed the red buttons. The characters flipped around them, forming their powersuits and helmets.

Kuba laughed and shed his disguise. People around them screamed and ran off. Samurai Pink ran at Kubo. He dodged, laughing. "Nice try, failure, college drop-out!" he told her almost seeming to smirk.

Samurai Pink cried out, the energy crackling around her, throwing her off her feet and making her lose her morph.

Samurai Blue slashed at Kubo. Kubo grunted and stumbled back but laughed. "Just a scratch. That's why daddy doesn't love you, blue-boy. You're an awful Samurai!" he told him.

Samurai Blue, ended up just like the others.

Samurai Yellow reached into her belt and pulled out her Hidden Disc. She slipped it onto her sword and sent it spinning. "Land Slicer!" she called. The sword transformed into a giant shuriken which she tossed at Kubo.

Laughingly, he danced away. "Nice try, no good girl. Granddaughter--" His words were cut off as the Land Slicer circled back and hit the eyes on his back. "Aaaghh! My eyes. My water!" he growled as his movements stiffened up.

The first truth hurled at Samurai Yellow made her flinch but little else. As the Land Slicer came back to her, She was about to attack again when Kubo disappeared into a crack. Wilting slightly she ran to check her comrades. Stagehands were beginning to appear to take them to safety. She demorphed and went with them.

~*~

Kiari was in the Studio, dressed to the nines in her kimono and hakama. She held a long bokken in one hand and a shorter one in the other. The room was empty, classes canceled for the day while the others recovered from their injuries. Sometimes losing herself in the repitition of the movements of her swords was the best thing she could do.

She exploded in a flurry of movements, using swords and body to combat an invisible opponent. By the time she reached the other end of the room, she became aware she was no longer alone. Spinning around she saw Tai and Akira. "Oh...Tai...Aki--Grandpa," she said and gave them slight bows as she lowered her swords.

Tai stepped forward and smiled at her. "We got to talking and decided it was finally time to put you out of your misery about not telling us you're the old lord's granddaughter," he stated.

Kiari was floored. She worked her jaw a few moments, trying to form words, but none came.

Akira chuckled and patted her on the shoulder, a comforting gesture. "It was not hard to figure out, Kiari. You have the Shiba look in your bones, so very like my wife and yes, my daughter. Tai over there, and Kane, they have the Watanabe features, so you do not look so much like me or Tai, but every time I look at you, I see them," he explained in a comforting way.

Tai nodded. "It took me awhile to recognize, but I was showing Lani some old pictures of Mom when she was a teenager. The similarity was...startling. After talking with Grandpa, we decided to let you tell us in your own time. But, with that Gedoushu telling everyone's secrets..." he shrugged.

Kiari nodded. "You...are not mad?" she asked quietly. She was rather glad this was one thing the Ayakashi would not blurt out. She, however, was angry that it had hurled out Kane's secret. He had been quiet today. It was obviously no secret to Tai and Lani, but Daiki's reaction was a bit harsh. He was angry. She couldn't figure out why.

She was the only one who heard his so-called truth. She had a feeling that the Ayakashi was twisting the truth to suit its own needs.

Tai shook his head. "Nope. Odd family members seem to come out of the woodwork all the time for me. I even met an Irish girl whose great-great-grandfather was my great-great-grandfather. Crazy stuff happens when you're a Ranger," he explained with a shrug of someone who's seen it all.

Kiari nodded again. "I see." she said and offered a small smile. She gasped and laughed when Akira embraced her. Blushing she hugged him back.

"Welcome to the family," he told her and kissed her cheek before shuffling off. No sooner than he disappeared did her other three teammates appear.

Kiari looked at them then Tai. "More?" she asked.

Tai nodded. "The truth didn't affect you?" he asked more than stated.

Kiari nodded. "I do not fear the truth, only consequences from the truth. Yet, I have the feeling the truth as he states it is not the truth, but merely the truth as we see it," she explained, taking care with her words.

Tai cocked a brow. "Like revealing a fear that is not necessarily the truth yet...you fear it is," he said thoughtfully. "Like being a failure and a drop out because you took a semester off college," he said and glanced at Lani.

Lani wrinkled her nose at him. "Or being afraid of not being a good leader. Really, Tai," she tsked him.

Tai shrugged. He glanced at Kane, who was unusually solemn. He put a hand on his shoulder. "I think you've proven, many times over, that you are not like Lothor," he said.

Kane shrugged that off. "Yeah, well," he muttered.

"Daiki," Lani said and offered a smile. "I--"

Daiki shook his head. "True is true. I have to accept what I've always known was true but could never acknowledge," he stated and held up his hands.

Kiari met Daiki's father. She suspected the truth wasn't so cut and dry, but she was not knowledgeable enough to say one way or another.

Before they could say more Hikomi-san came in with a Stagehand. "Lord. The Gedoushu," he said and pointed to the area the warning went off.

Tai nodded. He pulled out his Morpher. "Samurai Sword Clash!" The five Ranger's drew they're characters in the air. When they pressed the red buttons of their Morphers, the characters flipped around, enveloping them to form their powersuits and helmets. They teleported.

~*~

Zuboshimeshi was making rounds through the carnival again, only he was frolicking around in his true form. He was terrorizing people with both his looks and the truth. He annoyed Kiari to no end.

"Gedoushu!" She surprised everyone by stepping forward to confront the Ayakashi.

Zuboshimeshi spun around and saw the five figures. "Ah, I see you all recovered from the truth. Shall I...tell you more?" he asked almost eagerly.

"No! Authorized by Providence, we are Samurai Rangers, and you, Gedoushu, are finished!" she said, once again surprising everyone with that flawless sentence in English.

Zuboshimeshi just laughed. "Nanashi!" he summoned the Nanashi Company. "Attack them, but I want the little Yellow one," he ordered.

Before Samurai Green could object to Samurai Yellow facing Zuboshimeshi alone, Nanashi surrounded him. Growling slightly he gripped his sword and began to slash at them in his not-exactly-graceful but highly skillful technique. He spun through his last one only to find several more converging on him. He reached into his belt and pulled out his Hidden Disc. He slipped it onto his sword and spun it. "Wood Spear!" His sword turned into a spear. He swung around, using heretofore unused Ninja skills to make himself go faster. All the Nanashi converging on him got hit.

Samurai Pink faced Nanashi. She used both sides of her sword, either to slash or merely smack to fend them off, but there were many of them. She slid her Hidden Disc from her belt. She slipped it onto her sword and sent it spinning. "Heaven Fan!" Her sword turned into twin fans. She spun in a circle, throwing off pink whirlwinds. Nanashi were taken down.

Samurai Blue Fought with flawless technique, slashing Nanashi, but there were so many, he was losing headway. He made a back flip out of the convergence of Nanashi. He reached for his Hidden Disc. He slipped it onto his sword and sent it spinning. "Water Arrow!" His sword turned into a bow and he shot blue water at the Nanashi.

Tai didn't really feel like playing with Nanashi, so he slashed his way through them. They seemed to expect this and kept coming at him. "Feck this," he muttered and pulled his Hidden Disc from his belt. He slipped it onto his sword and spun it. "Giant Flaming Blade!" His sword turned into a large bladed weapon that caught on fire. He swung it at various Nanashi as they attacked.

~*~

High above them two figures watched. A white haired girl dressed mostly in black and white and a rough looking Japanese man. "What do you see?" he asked the girl, pointing down toward the battle below.

Dark eyes watched. "The Red one fights as if the sword is merely another limb, part of him. It's quite amazing to watch," she declared honestly. "I see why you chose him, Uncle," she added.

He gave a curt nod. "What else do you see?" he prompted.

"The Pink one is more used to a double edged weapon, but is adapting well to do a katana. She was not trained as a Samurai. Her movements are not right. I don't know--"

"Tae Kwon Do. Korean martial arts," he explained and waited for her to continue.

"The Green one...is nearly as capable as the Red one but he mixes styles and it doesn't flow quite as naturally, however, it does make him formidable.

"The Yellow one has potential but she lacks proper confidence."

"And the Blue one?" he cocked a brow at her.

She watched a long moment. "His technique is flawless. Perhaps too much so. It's almost as though he has something to prove." she finally answered.

He nodded. "And that is why you have chosen him?"

She gave a brief nod.

"Then we wait until the time is right," he stated. She nodded once again.

~*~

Zuboshimeshi's weapon was known as Tip of the Tongue Three-Foot Sword. He wielded it against Samurai Yellow. They spent a few long intense moments just trading sword clashes. "Should I give you more truth little Yellow Ranger?" he asked in a jeering tone? "About how you aren't as good as your sisters in anything other than sword fighting?" he declared, his tone tsking now.

Samurai Yellow grunted and jumped at him. He deflected her attack. "Or what about how your grandfather never wanted you to be his retainer because you were weak!"

Samurai Yellow gritted her teeth and pressed forward. Becoming angered that the truth wasn't working. He brought out the big guns. "What about the fact that your parents didn't even want you to be born?"

Samurai Yellow didn't press forward. She took out her Hidden Disc. She slid it onto her sword and spun it. "Land Slicer!" she called. Her sword turned into a giant shuriken which she hurled at him.

It hit him dead center of the chest. While he was distracted, she saw Samurai Red come up behind him, where his seeing eyes were, and slashed at a downward angle with his Giant Flaming Blade. A red line appeared through the cut line and Zuboshimeshi fell forward in two parts and exploded.

Samurai Yellow was soon flanked by her teammates as Zuboshimeshi grew to gigantic proportions. "How dare you little Rangers make me use my second life!" he raged.

"Zord time," Samurai Red declared and held up his Origami Zord. The other four did the same. They drew the Large Characters over the Origami. They grew large and their pilots appeared inside of them.

Zuboshimeshi laughed at them and swung his sword hitting each of them. They rattled around and electricity sparked a lot in several of the Zord.

Samurai Yellow and the Monkey Origami leapt at him, climbing onto his back and digging at his eyes. He screamed and reached back to fling her off. She grabbed onto a building to steady herself. "Isn't it time to combine?" she asked.

"It is indeed," Samurai Red agreed and quickly drew the Unite Character and activated it.

Jumping down from the building it was clinging to, the Monkey Origami changed shape to become the right arm of the Origami Megazord.

Zuboshimeshi slashed at them again. Samurai drew the Megazord's sword and blocked. They traded a few blows before Samurai Red decided he had enough. The Megazord jumped back and then strove forward in a powerful finishing blow.

Zuboshimeshi dropped his sword, screaming. He fell backwards in an explosion.

Within the Megazord heads turned toward Samurai Yellow. She blinked wondering...Oh! She blushed and was glad no one could see. "That brings this chapter to a close," she declared with a nod. And then she toppled backwards, the hard truth finally catching up to her.

~*~

They all sat around a traditional Japanese dinner table that night at dinner. Kiari quietly ate her...taco. She was finding it funny to eat the thing since meat kept falling out of it. Kane chuckled at her and showed how bending his head slightly and the taco slightly in the opposite direction was the best way to eat it.

When the meal was finished, Daiki excused himself quickly. With a slight frown, Tai watched him go. Lani touched his arm. He smiled. The two of them excused themselves as well. Akira challenged Jii to test of wits in a game of Obake Karuta. Taking this challenge as an affront to his honor, Jii accepted. The two old men wandered out, bickering the entire time.

Kiari frowned slightly. "Kane...did they leave us alone?" she asked.

Kane leaned back against the wall and nodded. "Yes. I'm supposed to be the first and try and find out what that Ayakashi meant when he said you think your parents didn't want you to be born," he stated and grinned at her. "But, it's not my business or anyone else's for that matter," he assured her.

Kiari nodded. She stopped a stagehand from taking away the pitcher of ice tea and poured herself some more. She took a drink. "It is okay," she said and offered a slight smile. "It is...no secret? I am much younger than my other sisters. My parents were...not looking to have another baby. My eldest sister told me they discussed...termination," she explained, choosing her words carefully so that he would understand.

He frowned slightly. "Did you ever ask your parents about that? Older siblings can sometimes say mean things to younger ones just for spite...or so I've been told," he said and smiled slightly.

Kiari shook her head and frowned slightly. "They...make it clear that I was a burden. They were glad when I asked to live with Grandfather to continue training. Grandfather, he was honest in all things," she said and gave a light smile.

Kane nodded. "I think you should get the whole story from your parents one day," he declared. "But I'm not one to give advice on parents. Look at mine. My dad was an evil space ninja who tried to destroy his own brother and my mother...yeah, no clue where she is right now," he declared, shaking his head.

Kiari put a hand on his arm. "We all seem to have parent...malfunctions?" she said though she ended in a question, unsure of her word.

Kane grinned at her. "Good word. Except Lani. From what I've heard, her parents seem pretty normal," he said and got to his feet and helped her to hers.

She smiled and nodded. "One of us should be normal," she agreed. Together they walked out of the dining room. She supposed everyone has issues. She liked that she wasn't pressed about them though. Maybe when she knew these people.

Maybe.

~*End Act 4*~           

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