Chapter 5 - Love Is

Sometimes there was nothing Lokelani Lyong loved more than being wrapped up in the arms of Tai Stapleton, sharing kisses and secrets. Though there weren't really any secrets left anymore.

This was not one of those times. Those times were few and far between. Except at night when they were both tired and didn't have much energy for anything more than a few kisses and falling asleep. In fact, there were times when they didn't even go to bed at the last time. Usually that was him working late. On those nights she snuck into his room and curled up in his bed, determined to wait him out. She rarely succeeded. Usually, he slipped in without waking her and fell asleep quickly.

She sighed over her breakfast, hoping she wasn't too obvious. It wasn't his fault. She supposed that was just the price of being a "grown-up". He had a business to run now, and she helped him. Taking the semester off had actually been the right idea. She didn't know if she could have made it the last few weeks if she was still a full time student.

She glanced around the breakfast table, a traditional American table in the kitchen rather than the formal table in the dining room. There was Grandpa, of course, and Tai. They sat on either side of her at the round table. There was also Kane, Daiki, Kiari and a man referred to as Jii the same was Grandpa was referred to as Grandpa. The two older men pretended not to like each other but she thought it was just old samurai posturing.

Lani had met Kane years before. He was under an evil spell then, but since they fixed him, she found him quite likeable. She also knew he had issues with his parentage. Being the son of evil Space Ninja's couldn't be easy but in her estimation, he'd proven a thousand times over that he was a Ranger to the very bone. He was also second only to Rex of the people Tai chose when he learned of becoming Lord Shiba and a Samurai Ranger.

Lani only once broached the subject of why she was chosen. She was told it was less about Bushido experience and more about Ranger experience and trust. But Bushido experience helped. She had some, since meeting him four years earlier, she'd taken the time to learn. It was a completely different experience than her years of training in Korean martial arts by her father and three older brothers.

Daiki Singuji and Kiari Sakakibara were complete newcomers, strangers even to the country. They are still a bit hard to pin down.

Daiki Singuji is a little younger than she, mostly quiet, capable young man. His dark hair is a little on the long side, and he wears rimless glasses that like to slide down his nose. He had a gift for languages and spoke English fluently. She has noticed a tendency to have to do everything perfectly and a short temper when other people don't learn thing as quickly as he could and did. He's been working on that lately.

Kiari was the youngest person in the team. She was a quiet, shy girl that couldn't speak English very well at all. Aside from only just learning that her grandfather was Tai's great uncle, Lani didn't know that much about her except that she has a few self esteem issues. With Kane's help with her English, and Lani's friendship, she was getting better.

She jumped slightly when Tai budged her with his elbow. "Deep thoughts?" he asked with a smile. When he smiled at her she couldn't help but smiling back.

"Something like that. So...what are your plans for the weekend, mister?" she asked, raising a brow at him.

"That's a trap," Kane declared from behind his precariously tall stack of pancakes. Lani shot him a small glare. He just grinned back at her from around a mouthful of pancake.

Daiki and Kiari frowned at them. "A trap?" Kiari asked.

Tai chuckled. "Kane thinks Lani was trying to trap me by making me say I forgot Saturday is Valentine's Day," he answered.

Lani took a bite of her oatmeal with an innocent expression. "Is it? I had no idea," she denied.

Kiari ducked her head and giggled. Lani quirked a small smile. She supposed some things were universal. Daiki pushed his glasses back up his nose and shook his head.

Kane rolled his eyes. "Like anyone is really buying that innocent routine," he drawled.

Tai grinned. "As a matter of fact, I have a full day planned. Guess you'll just have to put on a pretty dress and meet me in the morning to find out all the details. But, for today, we have a busy day ahead of us. Friday," he said with a sigh.

They had the largest classes on Fridays. Several adult classes during the day, and three school aged classes after school. They finished their breakfast quickly. As they were filing out, Kiari hovered nearby. Holding back a smile, she waved the men on and dropped back.

"You wished a word?" she asked with a smile.

Kiari shrugged. Lani sighed and draped an arm around her shoulders and gave a squeeze. "You should ask Kane about an anti-Valentine's Day. That sounds like something right up his alley," she suggested.

Kiari seemed to consider this and laughed. "I will see what we can come up with. Have fun, tomorrow. You and Tai both deserve some time alone," she said in her slow unsure but sweet way and ran out ahead of her. Lani chuckled. If she'd had a little sister rather than three older brothers, she'd have wanted her to be like Kiari.

~*~

Sanzu River

shootari measured the water of the Sanzu River and make a marking, muttering to himself. "Zubo, that nattering fool. The truth, bah," he muttered.

Doukoku growled and slurped at his essence. "That that mean it was a waste of time?" he demanded.

Dayuu played her shamisen while quietly watching them. She seemed to narrow her eyes. "Tomorrow," she said and paused slightly when Doukoku glared her way. She pressed onward anyway. "Tomorrow is a day the human's celebrate...love," she said with a sneer. "It would seem that would be an opportunity to cause...despair," she suggested.

shootari stroked his tentacles but Doukoku clapped his hands together. "Excellent idea, Dayuu. shootari, see it done," he ordered.

shootari nodded and bowed slightly, rapidly trying to determine the best Ayakashi for such a job. "Turn love to...despair. Aha! Aha! Okakurage!" he called out over the River. He stepped back and waited for the Ayakashi to appear.

Presently, Oka made his appearance."I was called, oh great Doukoku?" he asked and gave a lavish bow to their leader. Doukoku just sneered. "Go to the human world and turn love to despair," he instructed shortly, unimpressed.

Oka bowed again and again. He sent Dayuu a cold smile before jumping back through the hole.

~*~

Valentine's Day bloomed wonderfully for Lani. She dressed in the morning and Tai took her to have crepes at a little French place. Before they left they saw Kane planning for anti-Valentine's Day. Since hearing of it, he threw himself into the project with gusto. Kiari seemed to be looking forward to it. Daiki was reluctantly tagging along.

After breakfast was a matinee. She appreciated his willingness to sit through a chick flick for her, but she didn't make him do that and they watched an old kung fu movie instead. For lunch they were having a picnic in the park. There was a big couples' event with a free outdoor concert, featuring several local bands.

When they got there, couples dotted the green expanse as far as the eye could see. They walked around quietly until they found a suitable spot. As they were setting up, Tai got her attention and pointed. Lani followed his finger and had to laugh out loud. Across from the couple was a sign. "Anti-Valentine's Day Jam. Bad music, bad food, no couples allowed," she read.

"You just had to come up with the whole Anti-Valentine's Day concept, huh?" he drawled.

Lani just shrugged. "I could tell they were all a little pouty about Valentine's Day, what with them all being single and far from home," she stated. She tapped her chin. "Though if you ask me, I think Daiki has a little crush," she declared and dug into the basket.

Tai plopped down on the blanket. "Oh yeah?" he asked as he helped her bring out the food.

Lani nodded. "Haven't you ever noticed when we go out, he always seems to be looking for someone?" she asked. She'd noticed last week at the carnival before that Ayakashi attacked. Tai had to have noticed or else he was losing his touch.

He smiled. "I did, but I didn't think about it really," he admitted. Tai was a bit blind to things like that. How he lucked up and found Lani was still beyond him.

Lani laughed at him and leaned over and kissed him softly. They broke apart when they heard the most god-awful noise. Looking toward the anti area, they realized it was a band warming up. "Where on earth did he find a band on such short notice?" she wondered aloud.

Tai threw his hands up and shook his head. They finished setting up just as the free concert was beginning. They shared a lovely meal the Stagehands put together for them. She noticed Tai looking at her intently after a little while. "What is it? Do I have something in my teeth?" she asked and reached up to cover her mouth.

Tai took her hand and kissed it. "No, I--" before he could say more, the sky suddenly darkened and thunder clashed. Rain fell upon most of the couples. Tai pulled her to her feet and they ran just before the rain reached their blanket. They took shelter under a covered walk way. As quickly as the rain clouds came, they dissipated. Sobs and wails rose up and couples began to argue.

"Ayakashi," Tai said and gritted his teeth.

Lani nodded and looked around. "But where?" she asked. Clouds formed over the Anti area. "There!" she said pointed as an Ayakashi became visible in the sky.

Tai nodded. They opened their Morphers. "Samurai Sword Clash!" They drew their Characters in the air and hit their red buttons. The characters flipped around and enveloped them, forming their powersuits then their helmets.

"Gedoushu!" Samurai Red called out.

Oka landed and laughed. "Ha! Too late Rangers. Despair trumps love!" he crowed.

Lani's nostrils flared. "We'll see about that," she said and pulled out her sword and Hidden Disc. She slipped the disc onto the sword. She spun it. "Heaven Fan!" she called. The Sword turned into the pink and white fan. She spun and gave off a pink whirlwind.

Oka's umbrella sprung open and he shot into the air. "Missed me, missed me, now you gotta kiss me," he taunted.

"Land Slicer!"

"Water Arrow."

The Land Slicer and Water Arrow hit Oka from opposite directions. "Wood Spear!" Samurai Green ran up behind Samurai Blue, jumped up and used his shoulder jump off to get even higher and bring Oka to the ground. He rolled to his feet and got out of the way.

"Giant Flaming Blade!" Samurai Red came forward, his flaming sword raised.

Oka clenched his stomach. "Out of water," he said and sneered, slipping into a gap just as Samurai Red swung.

Samurai Red cursed. Samurai Pink wasn't too pleased either. "We should help get these people home," she said.

Samurai Red nodded and gestured to the other three to help the Stagehands and calm some of these people down.

~*~

After the unexpected rainstorm in the park, the free concert went on toward evening. Lani stood with Tai just outside the Anti-Valentine's Day Jam. "This wasn't how I wanted to end the day," he murmured quietly.

She smiled at him. "The day isn't over yet," she assured him. He smiled at her. She smiled back. He leaned down, but before he could kiss her, well, Kane happened.

"Hey, boss man. You two can go back over there with all that. This is Anti-Valentine's Day zone," he said and shooed them away.

Lani huffed a sigh. "Boy, if you don't go on somewhere with that, I'm going to--" her words were abruptly stopped by a thunder crash and the sky darkening. She spun around as Kiari and Daiki ran up to them. "He's back. This ends here and now. I'm tired of him messing up my Valentine's Day," she growled and pulled out her Morpher. "Samurai Sword Clash!" She drew her Heaven Character in the air before her. The other four drew their Characters as well. They pressed their red buttons. The Characters flipped around and enveloped them, forming their powersuits and helmets.

Oka was enjoying raining despair down upon the lovey dovey humans.

"Gedoushu!"

Oka turned, the rain dissipating. "Ah, Rangers. Come to dance? Nanashi!" he called. From the cracks appeared the Nanashi Company.

Samurai Yellow fought her way through the Nanashi before becoming fed up and reaching for her Hidden Disc. She slipped it onto her sword and spun it. "Land Slicer!" she called and tossed it around.

Samurai Green seemed too overwhelmed. He beat the Nanashi back enough to grab his Hidden Disc. He slipped it onto his sword and spun it. "Wood Spear!" he called. His sword turned into a spear. He gripped it staff-likes and jabbed and whacked, eventually pole-vaulting out of the jumble. He used his Morpher to write his newly mastered Character: Vines. Activating them, they whipped out and wrapped around the Nanashi and tightened, bashing them together.

Samurai Blue flowed through the Nanashi like water. He spun back, grabbing his Hidden Disc and slipping it onto his sword. He spun it. "Water Arrow!" His sword turned into a bow and he shot a wave of blue water at the remaining Nanashi.

Samurai Red seemed to have more Nanashi than the others. He didn't mind so much. Gedoushu were ruining his day and he had to take his aggression out somehow. He reached for his Hidden Disc. He slid it onto his sword and spun it. "Giant Flaming Blade!" His sword turned into a large bladed, blazing sword. He wielded it as if it weighed nothing and struck down the Nanashi coming for him.

Samurai Pink fought her way through the Nanashi, intent upon Oka. She gritted her teeth and reached for her Hidden Disc. She slipped it on her sword and spun it. "Heaven Fan!" She spun around and threw off a pink whirlwind. She used a falling Nanashi as a stepping stone and ten caught a ride on Samurai Yellow's Land Slicer as it arced around behind Oka.

"Heaven Fan!" She said as she jumped, spinning in a circle midair, creating an even more powerful pink whirlwind than usual.

Oka was caught in the vortex and got sucked crashing into the ground and exploding.

Samurai Pink landed lightly on her feet and a hidden smirk on her face.

Samurai Red tilted his head and was grinning. "Impressive. You, uh, won't do that to me next time you ticked off at me, will you?" he asked.

"You're meat, bro," Samurai Green declared drily.

Before Samurai Pink could make a comment, Oka groaned and howled as he grew to his large form. "Rangers! Don't think I can't bring the rain with my second life!" he crowed. His umbrella popped open and he took to the air.

"Zord time," Samurai Red declared. They each produced their Origami Zords and wrote the Large Character over them. They grew to enormous proportions and their pilots appeared inside. "No delays. Let's bring it together," he added and wrote the Unite Character in the air and activated it.

The Zords combined to form the Origami Megazord.

Oka laughed. "You're still on the ground, Rangers," he taunted and dive at them, striking from the air with his blade.

The Rangers were knocked around. Oka did this a few more times.

"I have an idea," Samurai Pink stated. "Toss Turtle like your Land Slicer, Kiari," she instructed Samurai Yellow.

Samurai Red nodded.

The right arm of the Megazord closed up and formed disconnected while the left arm grabbed it and tossed it discus-like at Oka. Oka could not avoid it. Samurai Pink rammed him dead in the chest. He crashed to the ground with a roar.

Samurai Pink reattached Turtle to the Megazord and drew the sword. The Megazord rushed forward and sliced, hopping aside and turning its back on its felled enemy as it exploded. Samurai pink propped her hip against her console and crossed her arms over her chest. "That brings this chapter to a close," she declared.

Samurai Green threw an arm over her shoulders. "You, my dear, are a worthy lady for Tono-sama!" he stated and ducked behind her as Samurai Red tried to pop him on the helmet.

She merely laughed and looked at him. "Don't I know it?"

~*~

Kane took off his light jacket and propped it around Kiari's shoulders when he saw her shivering. They were enjoying the nightlife of the Anti-Valentine's Day event. The band he'd hired on short notice actually wasn't bad. The singer, a girl named Rena, was really good. "So, what do you think of Anti-Valentine's Day?" he asked her.

Kiari pulled the jacket closer around her. It was still warm from his body. She smiled. "I like it. It should be a holiday," she said, choosing her words carefully. She was still unsure about many words, but Kane taught her how to say 'Land Slicer' correctly in English, and she was proud of that. She glanced around. "Where did Daiki go?" she asked.

Kane glanced around without really looking. "He's a big boy. He can take care of himself. Come on, let's dance," he said and pulled her toward the grouping of dancers. She laughed and went with him.

Daiki hadn't left the event. He thought he saw her again, but when he reached where he'd seen her, there was nothing. Frustrated, and thinking he was going crazy, he mumbled curses in every language he knew.

It was a long list.

"That's no way to speak in front of a lady," said a voice near him. He turned and started when he saw her. She looked the same, but not really. The hair was the same, the Qi Pao was the same, even the boots were the same, but instead of the black fatigues, she wore ripped up leggings.

"Apologies. I didn't know anyone was listening," he said and gave her a bow out of habit.

She made a dismissive gesture with her hand. She stepped closer to him. "You flow like water when you fight. Dance with me," she ordered. He was surprised by her odd statement, but before he could question her on it, he was pulled into the dancers and his arms wrapped around the girl whose name he didn't know. Questions, he thought, could come later.

~*~

Lani giggled as she and Tai came upon their destination. They'd been on his land for awhile, walking hand in hand, trying to salvage what was left of the day. They came upon a wooden shed. It was painted red, but the paint was old despite the fact that the building seemed in good repair. "Tai. What on earth are we doing at Fort T-Rex?" she asked him.

"Privacy," Tai answered with a grin and went to the door that was padlocked. Only two people had the key.

Lani shook her head. "And how many girls have been brought here I wonder?" she remarked.

Tai shrugged as he opened the doors. "You'd have to ask Rex. Don't worry, I disinfected everything," he said and pulled her inside. It was a little boy's dream clubhouse with an air mattress, sleeping bag, bean bag chairs, there were even shelves where they'd kept their candy stashes. A stereo radio and a portable TV.

He teased, but Tai didn't think Rex had ever brought girls here before Mel either. "Besides, it's not like we have made use of the place before," he reminded her. He had a surprise for her. It wasn't the engagement ring he wanted to give her. The Gedoushu really just shot that plan to shoot.

Lani smiled. Some of her fondest high school memories had indeed been enjoyed in this very fort. She gasped when she saw a pink, heart-shaped ice cream cake with little Samurai Red and Pink helmets on it. Draped around the cake was simple gold necklace with heart shaped garnets and alexandrite kissing. "Oh, Tai, it's all so lovely," she said and reached for him.

Tai pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply. She wrapped her arms around his neck and stood on her toes getting as close as possible. "The cake will melt," he managed to murmur when he could get his breath.

She laughed breathlessly. "Forget the cake. I'm already melting," she murmured.

The cake was forgotten.

~*End Act 5*~           

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