Chapter 10 - Pure Intent

Lokelani Lyong sat across the break room table of the Watanabe Bushido Studio from Rena Hart. They were drinking tea during a few minutes break. Lani was between classes. The Studio actually covered a wide range of things, though the emphasis was on Bushido, the Path of Warrior, the code of the Samurai. Kendo was taught by the Studio's owner, Tai Stapleton and Daiki Singuji and Watanabe for the most part. Kiari Sakakibara's main areas of teaching were Calligraphy and Bushido. Karate and Aikido were also taught. Recently there was a debate as to whether or not Ninjutsu should be taught at the Studio or not. Kane was favor of this, Daiki was very much not.

Lani, who'd been trained since birth by her father and three older brothers, in Korean martial arts, had been given a crash coarse in Bushido four years earlier by the best; Akira Watanabe, Tai's Grandfather, a man she'd already admired for years. She did whatever was needed, including a daily yoga class.

Recently, Rena Hart had coming begging for a job at the Studio. This caused a bit of concern for Kane and Daiki but Tai hadn't really hesitated giving her a job. Lani gave Rena a serene smile. "So, when are you going to tell us the real reason you took a job here?" she asked the younger girl.

She hid a smile behind her teacup as Rena grimaced. She'd known the girl for several years, being the little sister of Tai's best friend, their paths crossed often. "I would think with Kim and Kat both expecting and Cassie with the twins, your help would be needed more than ever," she suggested.

At that Rena let out a loud sigh. "And that's exactly the reason I left. I couldn't stand it anymore. I am a gymnast, not a babysitter! Neither do I care all the woes of pregnant and formerly pregnant women. Not to mention, after a few years, the Pink thing gets old. I needed out before I was driven up a wall," she declared and took a too large drink of hot tea and burnt her mouth.

Lani snickered. "I suppose that's understandable. You didn't leave them in a lurch, did you?" she asked.

Rena shook her head. "Na. They have plenty of high school kids willing for a bit of part time money," she answered. They both looked toward the door when they heard a commotion.

They crept out into the entrance hall to find Kane trying to forcibly hold back three very angry Polynesian men. "Where is she? The old man in the bath robe at the house said she was here," said the largest of them. Though 'large' didn't mean tall or fat. He was just twice as wide as the stocky Kane at the shoulders though he wasn't really any taller.

"It was kimono, not a bathrobe," said the taller of the three, though he was leaner than the other. "Calm down before you blow a gasket, Keoni," he added.

"No one's blowing a gasket, Noa. We just want to see Lokelani," said the third. He was neither as tall as the one, nor as wide as the other, but still seemed to be more intimidating than the other two combined.

Kane crossed his arms over his chest and set his feet in a loose stance. On the surface it seemed almost casual. It was anything but. "Look--"

"Pua, Keoni, Noa," Tai left his classroom and closed the door so his students couldn't gawk.

Pua pinned Tai with a dark glance and Lani winced. She should really come out of hiding, but decided to wait and see why exactly they were there, so she could prepare her defense.

"You, this is your fault," Keoni said and lunged toward Tai, totally ignoring Kane. That was his mistake. In a move almost faster than the eye could follow, Keoni's throat got well acquainted with Kane's shinai. He went down hard, with the shinai pressed against his windpipe.

Tai winced sympathetically but didn't ask Kane to back off. Keoni was always a hot head. He was more concerned about Pua, who wasn't going make such a stupid mistake. "Before one of you makes a stupid move and gets put down again, care telling me what this is all about?" he asked with a sigh.

Noa spoke up before Pua got the chance. "We heard from Mom and Dad that Lani quit school," he answered.

"If it weren't for you, this wouldn't have happened," Pua stated and made a step forward. Kiari slid in his way, her shinai laid across her chest in warning. Daiki hung just behind her, hand casually on his own shinai.

Lani couldn't help feeling a bit of pride that they all put their differences aside to protect Tai. But, she knew it was time to step out there and deal with those three. She slid into view. "I didn't quit. And if you three numbskulls had bothered to listen to what Mom and Dad were saying, you'd know that I was only taking a semester off. -And- I'm getting credits for doing a weekly physical therapy workshop," she stated with a calm demeanor.

She padded quietly over to Keoni and looked down at him. "What are you, five? Couldn't you see that Kane's stance was prepared for anything you idiots were about to do?" she asked, shaking her head. "Wait till Dad hears about this," she said. Keoni's face darkened but Noa's brightened. She knew he had every intention of being the tale carrier.

She put a hand on Kiari's arm. Bowing slightly, the younger girl moved back out of the way. Lani put her hands on her hips and stared Pua down. "And, what, exactly was the point in coming in here and causing a ruckus?" she asked.

Tai always marveled at how Lani handled her brothers. He pretty sure Pua would have liked his head on a silver platter long before this. Whatever else was said was lost on him as his Morpher beeped. Not the urgent beep of an Ayakashi attack, thankfully. He flipped the Phone-mode morpher open. "Tai," he said by way of greeting.

"In your office, now. I think we've located Tiger Origami," Billie said, gruff and to the point.

"Be right there," he said and closed the Phone. He looked at Lani, who'd been watching him out of the corner of her eye while Pua was giving her a stern lecture she was mostly ignoring. He smiled faintly. "You three go to the house. The old man in the bathrobe will make sure you're taken care of. We have something important to deal with. You can let Keoni up now, Kane," he said and turned on his heel and headed for his Studio office.

Kane glanced down at the big man and gave him a grin. "Never underestimate a smaller opponent," he said and slung his shinai over his shoulder and sauntered off behind Tai. Daiki and Kiari gave them polite bows before following as well.

Lani sighed. "Go. Now. I'll deal with you three after work," she said firmly as Noa helped Keoni to his feet trying not to snicker at him.

"You bet we will," Pua agreed firmly. He turned and walked out with his brothers following after them. Noa couldn't help but give her a wink.

Sighing heavily, Lani went into the office with the others.

Having never moved from where she'd hiding with Lani earlier, Rena watched all. If she wasn't mistaken, the two Japanese instructors were prepared to take on the three brothers on Tai's behalf without a second thought. She'd thought Tai and Rex could really move when they wanted, but she'd never seen anyone move quite as fast as Kane Watanabe. Almost without thought she attempted to mimic the movement.

~*~

Tai's Studio office had also been set up with a smaller bank of monitors and was connected to the one in his study at home. Billie's face awaited them. "I think we've located Tiger. As you can see on the monitor to my right, he's somewhere in forests, where I'm sure he feels most at home. He's kept a low profile until recently. It looks as though he may have caused a bit of a comotion in some suburbs." she explained with a sour expression.

Tai listened carefully. "Was it bad?" he asked.

"No one was hurt but there was a lot of property damage," she answered. "He's gone low profile again, but this is the last location I have for him. Transmitting coordinates to your Morphers. Good luck. Tiger's ferocious and if he's gone totally feral, he may have to be destroyed," she said quietly.

Tai nodded. "We'll work on getting him," he assured her. "And if it comes to it...we'll put him down," he added.

Billie nodded and disappeared.

Lani giggled. "Now we have her living in our systems?" she asked.

Kane smacked his hand over his face. Great minds must really do think alike. "Next she'll be portable. Mark my words," he warned ominously.

Tai shook his head at them. "You're brothers will have to wait, Lani," he said.

Lani nodded. "Then they'll wait," she stated without hesitation.

"I'll have Hikomi-san send them on their way," he stated.

~*~

Sanzu River

Dayuu gave a sneer over her shamisen at their guest. An Ayakashi known as Hitomidama. "Shouldn't you be in the human world doing your job?" she demanded with a sneer.

shootari shushed them. Doukoku was still asleep. It was best that way for now.

Hito snuffled. "It's already begun. I found an interesting toy in the human world," he bragged and grinned. But, I do enjoy causing havoc, maybe I'll see about causing some more," he mused and jumped off the boat

Dayuu rolled her eyes. "Good riddance," she muttered.

~*~

The Samurai Rangers had been scouring the area they'd been directed to by Billie with no real evidence of a hiding place for a giant Tiger Zord. There was plenty of evidence of its destructive path.

Tai and Lani teamed up and sent the other three off in a different direction. They quite abruptly stepped from forest into a suburban street. Lani frowned. She knew this street. "Pua lives here," she declared.

Tai nodded. "So I see," he stated because just a few houses from where they stood, Lani's brother was coming out of the small bungalow. He could clearly see them. He stopped and waited.

"He probably thinks we came to talk to him," she said with a sigh.

Tai took her hand and gave a squeeze. "May as well clear the air," he said and began moving toward the older man. Tai had already known Noa for years before he met Lani, being in the same class. Pua and Keoni he met not long after beginning to date Lani. They were completely different than their younger brother. Mr. Lyong had been won over by dropping the name 'Akira Watanabe'. Pua and Keoni weren't so easily won over. To this day, he hadn't succeeded.

"I was just on my out to pick up a date. You should have called," he stated, eying them coolly.

Lani took a deep breath, hoping for patience. "It was spur of the moment. And not entirely my idea. I'm still mad as hell that the three of you thickheads came bursting into the Studio acting like Neanderthals. What exactly were you hoping to accomplish? Just wanted a go at Tai?" she demanded. Patience, which she usually had in abundance, went flying to the four winds when it came to her brothers, especially overbearing Pua. She'd started playing drums just to get on his nerves when she was a teenager.

Pua opened his mouth to answer but couldn't. She saw it in his eyes. That had been the intention. Her taking the semester off was just the excuse he felt he needed.

Tai could see it, too. "Fine," he said and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Tomorrow at the Studio. Noon. I'll be waiting," he said seriously.

"Tai!" Lani gasped.

"They won't be happy until they have a go at me. Time to let them," he added.

Pua nodded. "I'll be there," he agreed.

They eyed each other a long moment. Lani rolled her eyes at them both. She just didn't understand the male mind most of the time. Tai smiled at her and dropped an arm around her waist and they began walking back into the forest. Tai opened his Morpher in Phone-mode. "Let's get back. Tiger's in hiding for time being," he said. The two of them teleported.

From where Hito was hiding, he smirked. Interesting. Interesting. He slipped out of the cracks of Pua's driveway. "Hey, you there!" he said.

Pua whipped around. Hito held up his shield and a light flashed from it. Giggling madly, he slipped back into the cracks. "You're mine now," the insidious whisper was all that was heard in the quiet of sunset.

~*~

Kane sat on an old tire swing somewhere not far away from the main house. He made sure Tai and Lani were otherwise occupied before summoning his teammates to meet him.

Kiari was the first to show up. She offered him a small smile. He smiled back and hopped off the swing and offered it her in a gentlemanly gesture. Giving a slightly wider smile she hopped up.

Daiki wandered up a few minutes later. "Something you wished to discuss without the Lord or his lady present?" he asked and pushed his glasses up his nose.

Kane nodded. "You both know about the big showdown tomorrow between Tai and Lani's brother. The other two will most certainly be there. The tall one I'm not too worried about. He looked like he was just along for the show. But the other one seems like a hot head. I'll keep an eye on him, so don't worry about him. It's the other one. Tai's hell on wheels most of the time, but he might get soft on Lani's brother."

Kiari and Daiki nodded, understanding that slightly. "What is it you want from us?" Kiari asked

Kane leaned against the tree and crossed his arms over his chest. "Right now, with the Tiger Origami Zord out doing whatever, we can't afford to have Tai messed up. As much as I hate to admit it, he's the strongest one of all of us and we need him to be in top shape if it comes down to us vs. it. If it looks like Pua is going to get the upper hand or injure him, you get in the way. By any means necessary. Do you both understand?" he asked, wondering if they were going to throw some Samurai honor bullshoot in his face.

Kiari looked down at her feet as she swayed on the swing. She bobbed her head. "Any means," she agreed seriously.

Daiki didn't hesitate to nod. "Any means," he concurred. "Are you sure you can handle the big one?" he asked with a sneaky grin. Kiari hid a giggle behind her hand.

Not insulted by the insinuation in the least, Kane merely grinned. "No problem."

~*~

In the main training yard, Tai, Lani and his three retainers waited for their guests. Noa was actually the first to show up. The first thing he asked was if there was popcorn. Keoni showed up not long afterwards.

"Where's Pua?" Lani asked, figuring the two of them would arrive together.

Keoni gave her a pole-axed look. "Isn't he here?" he asked. "He wasn't home," he said.

Lani was shocked. It was already after noon. It wasn't like Pua to be late for anything, much less this.

Speculation was put on hold when Morphers beeped urgently. Tai answered his. "Tiger and an Ayakashi have appeared in the same place. Coordinates sent to the Morphers," Billie stated.

Tai glanced at Lani then her brothers. "We've got to go anyway. Another day," he stated. With a gesture he called the others to follow him into the Studio.

Keoni and Noa shared confused looks. When they followed them into the Studio...it was empty.

~*~

Hito giggled wildly as Tiger Origami raised havoc on downtown Angel Grove. It roared and smashed cars and sent people screaming. It was bee-you-tee-ful!

"Gedoushu!" Tai said as he and the others ran up. The sheer size and power of Tiger was awe inspiring. It was going to be a shame to put him down, but it looked like they had now choice now.

Hito grinned. "Ooooh, looky, looky. I have surprise for you, little lord Shiba," he said in a conspiratively low voice. He stood aside with a grand flourish presenting Pua, armed with a long, double edged sword. His eyes were dull and his face lifeless.

"Pua!" Lani called out. "What have you done to him?" she demanded. Pain in the neck as he is, he was still her brother.

"Oh, I just...put him under a little spell. Just like this fine beast here," he said and gestured to Tiger.

Tai gritted his teeth.

"Tai, I'll take care of Pua," Lani said firmly and pulled out her Morpher and flipped it into Pen-mode. "It's time to clash again."

Tai and the others brought out their Morphers. "Samurai Sword Clash!" They drew their Characters in the air. They pressed the red buttons on their Morphers. The Characters flipped around and enveloped them, forming morphsuits, helmets and swords.

"Authorized under Providence. We will defeat you!"

"Kane, Daiki, Kii. Take care of the Ayakashi. I'll take Tiger,"  Samurai Red instructed.

Samurai Pink drew her Sword. "Sorry about this, Pua," she said. Pua saw her approach, weapon drawn and took her for the enemy and began to attack her. He was very good, unfortunately. He was almost better than her.

Samurais Green, Yellow and Blue surrounded Hito. He only giggled again and drew his own weapon, a whip. He was very good at it. They used their swords for more defense than offense.

Samurai Red dashed forward and slid under Tiger's foot just before it squished a mother with a baby stroller. "Run, hurry!" he called to her. The strength he could access through a genetic ability earned last time he was a Power Ranger was only good for short bursts. When she safely away, he rolled out from under the foot. He caught his breathe and got to his feet.

He had one chance before he had to resort to enlarging Lion for a cat fight of an epic scale. He jumped up onto a lamp post. He drew his sword and opened his belt. He pulled out a blank gray disc, the one Billie had prepared for Tiger. He slid it onto his sword.

Pink was barely holding her own against her brother. Something had to change or she'd never win this fight and he'd never get off her back. She jumped away and opened her belt, pulling out her Hidden Disc. She slid it onto her Sword and spun it. Pink wind began to swirl around the blade.

Green, finally getting irritated with being on the defense, pulled out his Hidden Disc. He slid it onto his Sword and spun it. "Wood Spear!" He tossed it at Hito.

Yellow pulled out her Hidden Disc. She slid it onto her sword and spun it. "Land Slicer!" She tossed it at Hito.

Blue pulled out her Hidden Disc. He slid it onto his Sword and spun it. "Water Arrow!" He fired it at Hito.

Taking a deep breath, Pink stepped forward, "Dance of the Pure Winds!" she called and sent the attack at her brother. A pink whirlwind of purifying energy swept him up and spit him out. She ran over to him. He looked up at her aghast and scrambled back. "Pua?"

Pua blinked. "Lani?" he asked, widening his eyes.

Lani gave a curt nod. She pointed. "Tai," she said. He followed where she pointed.

Samurai Red spun the gray Disc. Fire began to lick up the blade. He jumped skyward. "Purifying Dance of the Firebird!" He slashed downward and at the same time released his animal spirit, a red crane. The fire of his sword and his animal spirit combined into a flaming bird that crashed into Tiger Origami. There was a bright burst of flame that nearly blinded him as he landed. After the burst, both bird and Tiger were gone.

The Spear, the Slicer and Arrow were all blocked by Hito's shield. Hito laughed and gave them a raspberry for their trouble.

Red stepped forward and drew his sword again. He slid his Hidden Disc onto it. He spun it. "Great Flaming Blade!" The blade formed in a burst of flame. "Bazooka-mode!" The Blade changed into a cannon weapon. Pink and the others regrouped to him. He pulled the Tiger Disc from belt and placed it onto the peg. The Red, Pink, Blue, Yellow and Green Discs were placed into it. "Five Disc Shot!"

The five powerful blasts of energy were to powerful to be blocked by Hito's shield. Each hit him dead on. Even has he went down, he giggled madly. He fell backwards and exploded.

From the flames of his own explosion, he grew to huge proportions. He laughed wickedly. "It'll be even easier to defeat you now!"

They were already preparing their Origami Zords and Pen-mode Morphers. They wrote the Large Characters over them. As the Origami Zords grew full-sized, their pilots appeared inside them. Red immediately drew the Combine Character and activated it. The Origami Zords came together to form the Origami Megazord.

Red drew his sword from the console. He slid the Tiger Disc onto it and spun it. "Tiger Origami Zord!" Tiger Origami Zord appeared outside of the Megazord. "Samurai Armament!" The Tiger Origami, transformed into a helmet and armor for the Origami Megazord. "Armed Under Providence. Tiger Origami Megazord!"

"Give me a break," Hito scoffed and snorted with laugher.

They drew the Megasword. They slashed at Hito but he blocked with his shield. They finally managed to jar him back with a head butt but he countered by shooting a firebomb from the shield. It missed and the Megazord strode forward.

"We have to destroy that shield," Red declared. He spun the Disc again. "Charge!" The drill-like legs of the Tiger Origami on the Megazord's back began spin. It bent down and rushed forward, straight for the shield. The spinning claws of the Tiger Origami hit the shield dead center. Sparks flew.

Hito dropped it with a squeal that continued piercingly. He fell forward and exploded.

Pink glanced at Red with a smile he couldn't see. "I believe that brings this chapter to a close," she stated.

~*~

They brought Pua back to the house to check him over to make sure there were no lasting effects from his ordeal. Lani, alone with her eldest brother now, pointed a finger at him. "You will never, ever tell anyone, not even Keoni and Noa what you learned today. Do you understand?" she asked fiercely.

Pua nodded. "I understand," he agreed.

She gave a sharp nod. "Good," she declared and lead him out to where her other brothers and Tai waited.

Pua stepped closer to Tai and gave him a long serious look and held out his hand, shocking both brothers. Tai took it. They nodded at each other.

Pua released him. "Let's go," he told his brothers and made to leave.  Gawking and confused, the other two followed, asking questions that garbled up between them.

Tai and Lani watched until they disappeared. He slung an arm around her waist and pulled her close, resting his chin on the top of her head.

"It was ok, right? Showing Pua everything," she asked, concerned. She rarely ever made executive decisions herself, but when the opportunity was presented to make everything clear to her brother, she grabbed it with both hands.

Tai dropped a kiss on her crown. "It solved more problems than it created. It was the best move," he assured her and bent to lightly nuzzle her ear. "Now enough about your pigheaded brothers," he added in a low rough voice.

Lani laughed slightly and turned around in his arms, bringing their mouths together in a fierce, hungry kiss.

~*~

Kiari, Daiki and Kane were sitting around Tai's study. They'd been told to wait there. Kane sighed. "Make yourselves comfy. Oh Great Tono-sama probably has some hella adrenaline to work off after that light show he put on," Kane drawled with a sigh, half joking and half just plain envious.

Daiki snorted but Kiari frowned a little. Neither man was inclined to explain that to her if she hadn't figured it out for herself.

It really did go over Kiari's head a bit, but she was used to that and figured it was something naughty. That was usually the case when they refused to explain things. She decided to change the subject. "Tai does things I've never even heard of Sofu doing," she stated quietly.

Daiki nodded. "Oto-san would never believe me if I tried to tell him what happened today," he agreed. Daiki's father had actually served under Takeru Shiba, the 17th Lord. He was already an old man by the time Daiki was sent to him.

Kane grinned. "Tai's had all sorts of training, plus he was a Power Ranger before. He has a leg up on most mere mortals," he said dryly. "Damn Gary Stu," he muttered.

"Actually, Rex would be the Gary Stu," Tai said as he and Lani wandered in. Lani took a seat as he rounded his desk. He took out the cases for the three new Origami Zords. "We have them all," he said and opened the boxes. "They are now our allies. Treat them with respect," he admonished. He picked up the Swordfish Disc and handed it to Daiki. "I think you deserve this. You did catch it after all," he said.

Daiki's eyes widened but his took Swordfish with a bow. "Ah, thank Lord-sama," he said respectfully. Tai nodded.

He picked up the Beetle Disc. He presented it to Kane. "And you've earned this twice over," he assured his younger cousin.

Kane was genuinely surprised but he took the Disc without cracking a joke.

Tai picked up the Tiger Disc. "This is mine," he said.

Kiari watched the two men get the Disc and was a bit disheartened.

Tai smiled. "Don't worry, I'm sure Billie has something else cooking up in that brain of hers," he stated, not missing the brief look.

Kane grinned. He winked at her. "Don't tell the boss, but I'll let you share with me," he said in a fake whisper and even went so far as hold up a hand against his mouth as if to block Tai from hearing.

Lani laughed. Kiari managed to giggle as well. She bobbed her head.

"I don't suppose it'd kill me to share as well. I'll be damned if I'm upstaged by some ninja," Daiki said, but a smile accompanied the jibe.

Kane rolled his eyes. "She doesn't want your smelly old fish," he denied.

Tai sat back and watched their banter and was glad they were finally becoming more of a team. Lani caught his eye and gave him a proud smile. Nodding slightly he smiled back.

~*End Act 10*~           

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