Post by melissa on Jul 21, 2010 13:43:04 GMT -5
Hey, sorry about not posting here in ages... Here's my newest fic.
Title: Romancing a Leopard for Dummies
Author: Melissa Someone
Story Category: Power Rangers
Generation: Jungle Fury
Rating: Teen
Summary: Casey has no idea on how to romance both a woman and her animal spirit..
Pairing: Casey/OC
Inspired by: Nikutai No Kizuna – The Ties That Bind and Forgotten Past
Disclaimer: Don’t own PR, Saban now holds the rights!!
Universe: AU
Dedication: To Chelle - who, three years ago allowed me to use the ideas from Nikutai No Kizuna , provided I didn't write Forgotten Past as a Casey/Lily story. I still don't think she knew what she was getting into when she and I started talking on Yahoo. I mean, I can be a bit crazy...
Marika “Jasmine” Kandou sat as far away as the wood benches allowed. The precocious 16 year – old daughter of Jyan and Ran Kandou, Jasmine was allowed by the Pai Zhuq Masters to be there to purely observe the competition because her barely older brother, Theo Martin, was one of the participants. 'Show off' the youngest Kandou sibling thought as she watched her brother elbow his more fragile opponent in the arm.
Lavender Annamarie Chilman, or Anna as she preferred to be called, was the other spectator. She was Lily's twin and even Jasmine had trouble telling the difference between Lily and Anna. Luckily for their closest friends, there were differences. Lily practiced with the Cheetah technique and Anna practiced with the crane technique....Lily loved dancing, and Anna was an avid singer and had gotten Jasmine to join her fledgling band.
Master Mao's clapping of his hands signaled the end of the competition and allowed the sixteen year old to refocus her attention on the competitors. “Jarrod, Lily, Theo. Join us in the Great Hall this evening.” Master Mao announced as he looked at the three winners each in turn. They bowed to the ancient Pai Zhuq Master in reverent thanks.
“Yes!” Lily exclaimed happily as she and Theo high – fived.
Jarrod puffed up his shirt in a vain attempt to look important. “Oh god, not again.” Jasmine muttered. Not only did Jarrod have the noble heart of the mighty Lion, he also had the typical arrogance of one who was born under the influence of the Leo astrology sign. She caught the glance of a new Cub who had only been there a week at the academy.
What Jasmine had discovered from the grapevine was that the cub hadn't mastered handing out towels to the senior students yet. He gave her a shy half smile before dipping the ladle back in the water bucket as he turned his attention to Jarrod. “Where's my towel?! Cub, go get me a towel! Move it!” Jarrod exploded at the younger Cub as he rapidly approached him. “That's a direct order from a senior student....uh!” Here Jarrod knocked over a basket of fresh towels onto the ground.
“Here's a towel!” The older cub said, coming to the defense of the younger with a clean towel in hand. Jarrod shook the towel out. “Look, I don't want any problems.”
“Too bad.” Jarrod replied before shoving the cub against a bench closer to Jasmine. Casey grunted before he turned his face to Jarrod. “Oh, is little cub going to do something?” Jarrod taunted. Suddenly Jasmine sensed that Jarrod had gone too far.
The cub growled at Jarrod, a Tiger's face overlaying his own and the force of his growl knocked Jarrod onto his butt. “What did I just do?!” He muttered to himself. As Jarrod got up and was getting ready to retaliate, the cub said, “I'm sorry, I don't know what happened.” After the cub apologised, Master Mao clapped his hands. Jarrod bowed nervously.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
“Why are we here? Where's Jarrod? Why is that recruit here?” Theo asked as Lily was sitting beside him. The aforementioned recruit was sitting slightly apart from the other two. “And why did he smile at my sister?!”
Lily looks over at Casey, who blankly stares back at her, smiling a little before looking away. “Why do you always have to know what's going on? You have control issues.” Theo glared at Lily for her observation. He noticed that Anna was dragging his sister by the arm and singing a parody of Disney's 'Kiss The Girl'.
“Hi... what is your name?” Anna asked brightly.
“Casey Lindhart – Rhodes, why?” Casey asked in return as he looked at the young woman that had earlier just felt wholly familiar to him for some reason he couldn't explain.
“Just wondering.” Anna replied before turning to her friend. “So...does that name jog your memory, Jasmine?” The raven haired young woman shook her head. Even though it didn't jog his sister's mind...it jogged Theo's. The first part of Casey's hyphenated last name brought to mind a slightly chubby boy who had been protective of his sister. The two left and then Master Mao came out of a door to Casey's left.
“Follow me.” He shot back at the Trio.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
They entered a rocky underground chamber as Master Mao pushed open the doors, and the three follow him into the chamber. “This is so cool!” Lily remarked. “Where are we? “ Many candles were burning underneath a carving of some sort on the wall. Several more candles also surrounded a box sitting on top of a stone slab.
"Jarrod has been dismissed. In your hearts, you know why." Master Mao informed Theo and Lily before turning to Casey. "Casey, you have the heart to stand up for others. You also have the potential to be a Tiger Master. I have decided to choose you in Jarrod's place." Lily and Theo turn to look at Casey, who looks extremely nervous now and makes a surprised noise. "Listen closely. Over 10,000 years ago, there was a great evil… named Dai Shi."
Master Mao looked at the carving that depicted several anthropomorphic animals, including an elephant, a shark,a white tiger, a gazelle, and others not as easy to identify, in battle with a massive dragon made of smoke. on the wall before continuing, "He believed that animals should rule the planet and that humans were to be erased. Brave warriors channeled their animal spirits, and after a great battle, they were able to capture the Dai Shi…" Master Mao approached the new trio with the box that had been sitting on the stone slab. "… in this box."
The three step back. Master Mao raises his arm, showing that he bears a tattoo of the claw emblem upon it. "The Pài Zhuq, the Order of the Claw, was formed to train students in Kung Fu, and to serve as protectors if the Dai Shi were ever to escape. You three have been selected to take on that task."
"Yeah, well, the evil hasn't escaped, so all's good. And look, I've just been here a week, and there must be someone better-" Casey was interrupted by the footsteps of Jarrod.
"I've spent ten years in training! You just can't kick me out for no reason!"
"Agreed. But I have a reason...Even Master Ran Kandou of the Beast Fist Academy would agree with me on the matter, Jarrod." At the mention of the Japanese Master, Casey experienced a headache as a mental clip of a tall Japanese lady played in his mind. Jarrod merely glared as Master Mao turns to set the box down, before he suddenly attacks.
However, he was no match at all for Master Mao, who was easily able to hold him off one-handed, blocking or dodging out of the way of his blows. Casey, Lily and Theo watched, dumbfounded, as Mao kicked Jarrod in the chest and doing a backflip away from him, still holding onto Dai Shi's box. He then struck a pressure point in Jarrod's chest, sending the younger man flying backward, yelling with pain. Mao glared at him.
"Now, go..." Master Mao said, his countenance expressionless.
"Yes." Jarrod replied sarcastically.He begins to walk away. However, he suddenly turns and unleashes his lion spirit at Master Mao's back, and he is viciously attacked by it before he dropped Dai Shi's box and fell back onto the stone table, yelling with pain.
"No!" Lily yelled as she saw the box on the ground.Theo and Casey were both too shocked to speak at Jarrod's treacherous act.
"At last!" A stream of dark yellow streamed from the box. Jarrod, Lily, Casey and Theo are all thrown across the room in different directions, yelling. The candles all blow out, wax dripping everywhere. Dai Shi formed up in front of Master Mao, taking a human-like spirit form. As he spoke, the others picked themselves up and watched, terrified."Mao… my old friend. I've thought about no one else for centuries. But before I destroy you, you will be witness to the destruction of those dear to you!"
"Who's he talking about?" Theo asked worriedly.
"That'd be us!" Lily replied, panicked. The three quickly grouped and took fighting stances as Jarrod ran away. Dai Shi began to streak toward them. Master Mao started to run forward.
"No!" the Caracal Master shouted. Unfortunately for Master Mao, that was the reaction Dai Shi wanted.
"Yes, Mao." Yellow energy surrounded Master Mao as Dai Shi lifted him, squeezing his body, then flung him back onto the stone table, laughing in a sinister manner. The trio watched, aghast, as Mao yelled and gasped, his face contorting with pain.
"Mao is defeated. You are not worth my time." He streaked past the trio and out of the Forbidden Room, sending them falling to the ground again. Casey, Lily and Theo watched him go before leaping up and running to Master Mao's side.
"Master!" Theo yelled.
Master Mao is still gasping and twitching with pain, laying spread-eagled on the table. The trio surrounded him. "My time in this form has ended. Shed no tears. There are important things to do. The evil that is Dai Shi will return to where he was captured. You must destroy him." The others nod with Lily fighting back sobs. Master Mao pulled a letter, closed with a wax seal, out of his robes, and handed it to Theo."Go to this address in Ocean Bluff. There you'll meet you new master."
"We don't want a new master!" Lily exclaimed.
Master Mao smiled at Lily's outburst before replying with, "Remember the first rule I taught you. Don't be attached to the Master, but to the lesson. Now go."
"Wait… I'm not your guy! I can't destroy evil, I haven't even mastered handing out towels!" Casey protested loudly.
"Listen to me! All of you! You three are the world's only chance!" And with that instruction, Master Mao's body dissolved into energy, which formed briefly into what looked like a cat's face before disappearing through a hole in the ceiling.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Casey looked back at the Academy Gates. The same young woman with an Asian cast to her features stood there looking at him as if she wanted him to stay. Lily's twin, whose name Casey couldn't remember, stood with her. “Casey, stop mooning over my sister and let's go find our new Master!” Theo called out to the inexperienced Tiger Cub. Casey looked at his fellow guardian in disbelief.
“Your sister?” Casey asked, a bit dumbstruck over the fact that the young woman was related to Theo, of all people. “She looks nothing like you and is a hell of a lot prettier than you!”
“That's what all the boys say. Now come on!” Casey tore his gaze away from Theo's sister and ran away from the Academy.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
After RJ had pronounced the team not ready for the growing technique, he brought Theo’s sister up to the loft. “So how is Casey going to come up to speed then?” Theo complained. Casey looked very uncomfortable with Theo’s question.
“I will since you are whining about it Taro.” Jasmine cut in.
“He’s just a cub, Jasmine!” Theo protested. The argument that was happening between Theo and Jasmine made Casey even more uncomfortable.
“Yes, but even as a cub, you had to learn to use the tonfa, which you refused to learn from Uncle Retsu, Taro.” Theo now looked embarrassed. “Besides I was always with Tora when he trained with Dad in the ways of the Tiger Kenpo.”
“Dad refused to let you learn the nunchuks because you were a girl. Even Tora disapproved of you using the nunchuks because he thought it a dangerous weapon.”
“That’s not relevant, Taro. I’m teaching Casey and that’s that.” Casey watched the determined look on the girl's face. He decided she was the the stubborn type.
“No, you’re not!” Theo argued.
“Theo, I want her to teach me.” Casey's comment took Theo aback for one brief second.
“Be my guest, then…..Just don’t come crying to me when RJ deems her training inadequate, Cub.” Theo spat, making Jasmine incredibly angry at her own brother.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
“Okay this should be a good spot.” Jasmine murmured as they came into the clearing. It was somewhat of a distance away from JKP where the customers wouldn't see their training.
“So who’s Tora?” Casey asked before he put RJ's old football training helmet on. “I had a feeling he was much more than just a simple acquaintance.” Jasmine sighed as she sat down on a stump. Even now, she still worried about Tora. Her heart jumped into her throat, all of a sudden, pounding as an idea hit her that Tora was right in front of her. She shook her head to dispel the thought.
“You'd be right, Casey. He was a...childhood friend. He and I were very close and I still have hopes to find him.” The crestfallen but melancholy look on the younger girl's face made Casey want to take her into his arms and make her feel better.
“Is he alive?” Casey asked.
“Well, I have no idea at this point. Hold out your nun-chuks.” Jasmine would not be distracted from the task at hand like Theo.
“Okay.”
“Start practicing.” Casey did as he was asked but the cub kept hitting his helmet with the nunchuks while he practiced.
“Ouch!”
“Here, let me show you.” Jasmine said gently. Taking the nunchuks from Casey, Jasmine began to demonstrate the use of the Nunchuks with a speed and grace that Casey really appreciated as he watched her. “In – out – catch. In Kenpou, my dad's former master had a saying, 'Just Feel It, Don't Think About It.' It's been passed from Master to Master since the beginning of the Beast Arts discipline.” At this Casey frowned, wondering how similar the Jyuken Beast Arts and the Pai Zhuq were. “And Father to Daughter, since Theo won't embrace it.”
“Better?” He asked when he had repeated the demonstrated motion several times.
“Much. Now for a test of real power. Look deep inside and channel your animal spirit. Focus the energy there.” she directed, pointing to a boulder.
“Calling on the spirit of the Tiger. “ Using some fancy footwork, Casey directed a burst of red energy at the boulder that smashed it to smithereens.
“That was an awesome display of strength. You know, you're not that bad for a cub and you're a fast learner.”
“Thanks. And you're a good teacher – for being the cute sister of an uptight, egocentric neat freak.” Jasmine raised an eyebrow at the obviously veiled compliment.
“There's nothing wrong with being neat!” she said, laughing.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
The Rangers chatted excitedly over their first victorious battle against Mantor. Casey spotted Jasmine in the corner, eating a slice of pizza. "Um, guys...I haven't thanked Jasmine yet for bringing me up to speed," Casey excused himself to go sit at Jasmine's table.
"Is it just me or is Casey...being sweet on Jasmine?" Theo asked Lily.
"Relax, Theo. Jasmine is just enjoying his company." Lily replied with a smile. Theo continued to watch Casey talk to his sister. He watched as Jasmine blushed and then replied to whatever Casey was saying to her.
"It's not her enjoying his company that has me worried, Lil. I'm worried that she'll never find Tora."Theo replied as he watched Jasmine and Casey come over to their table.
\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Author's note: Read and review. Sigh of The Tiger is up next!
Title: Romancing a Leopard for Dummies
Author: Melissa Someone
Story Category: Power Rangers
Generation: Jungle Fury
Rating: Teen
Summary: Casey has no idea on how to romance both a woman and her animal spirit..
Pairing: Casey/OC
Inspired by: Nikutai No Kizuna – The Ties That Bind and Forgotten Past
Disclaimer: Don’t own PR, Saban now holds the rights!!
Universe: AU
Dedication: To Chelle - who, three years ago allowed me to use the ideas from Nikutai No Kizuna , provided I didn't write Forgotten Past as a Casey/Lily story. I still don't think she knew what she was getting into when she and I started talking on Yahoo. I mean, I can be a bit crazy...
____________________________________________________
Chapter 1:
Welcome To The Jungle
____________________________________________________
Chapter 1:
Welcome To The Jungle
____________________________________________________
Marika “Jasmine” Kandou sat as far away as the wood benches allowed. The precocious 16 year – old daughter of Jyan and Ran Kandou, Jasmine was allowed by the Pai Zhuq Masters to be there to purely observe the competition because her barely older brother, Theo Martin, was one of the participants. 'Show off' the youngest Kandou sibling thought as she watched her brother elbow his more fragile opponent in the arm.
Lavender Annamarie Chilman, or Anna as she preferred to be called, was the other spectator. She was Lily's twin and even Jasmine had trouble telling the difference between Lily and Anna. Luckily for their closest friends, there were differences. Lily practiced with the Cheetah technique and Anna practiced with the crane technique....Lily loved dancing, and Anna was an avid singer and had gotten Jasmine to join her fledgling band.
Master Mao's clapping of his hands signaled the end of the competition and allowed the sixteen year old to refocus her attention on the competitors. “Jarrod, Lily, Theo. Join us in the Great Hall this evening.” Master Mao announced as he looked at the three winners each in turn. They bowed to the ancient Pai Zhuq Master in reverent thanks.
“Yes!” Lily exclaimed happily as she and Theo high – fived.
Jarrod puffed up his shirt in a vain attempt to look important. “Oh god, not again.” Jasmine muttered. Not only did Jarrod have the noble heart of the mighty Lion, he also had the typical arrogance of one who was born under the influence of the Leo astrology sign. She caught the glance of a new Cub who had only been there a week at the academy.
What Jasmine had discovered from the grapevine was that the cub hadn't mastered handing out towels to the senior students yet. He gave her a shy half smile before dipping the ladle back in the water bucket as he turned his attention to Jarrod. “Where's my towel?! Cub, go get me a towel! Move it!” Jarrod exploded at the younger Cub as he rapidly approached him. “That's a direct order from a senior student....uh!” Here Jarrod knocked over a basket of fresh towels onto the ground.
“Here's a towel!” The older cub said, coming to the defense of the younger with a clean towel in hand. Jarrod shook the towel out. “Look, I don't want any problems.”
“Too bad.” Jarrod replied before shoving the cub against a bench closer to Jasmine. Casey grunted before he turned his face to Jarrod. “Oh, is little cub going to do something?” Jarrod taunted. Suddenly Jasmine sensed that Jarrod had gone too far.
The cub growled at Jarrod, a Tiger's face overlaying his own and the force of his growl knocked Jarrod onto his butt. “What did I just do?!” He muttered to himself. As Jarrod got up and was getting ready to retaliate, the cub said, “I'm sorry, I don't know what happened.” After the cub apologised, Master Mao clapped his hands. Jarrod bowed nervously.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
“Why are we here? Where's Jarrod? Why is that recruit here?” Theo asked as Lily was sitting beside him. The aforementioned recruit was sitting slightly apart from the other two. “And why did he smile at my sister?!”
Lily looks over at Casey, who blankly stares back at her, smiling a little before looking away. “Why do you always have to know what's going on? You have control issues.” Theo glared at Lily for her observation. He noticed that Anna was dragging his sister by the arm and singing a parody of Disney's 'Kiss The Girl'.
“Hi... what is your name?” Anna asked brightly.
“Casey Lindhart – Rhodes, why?” Casey asked in return as he looked at the young woman that had earlier just felt wholly familiar to him for some reason he couldn't explain.
“Just wondering.” Anna replied before turning to her friend. “So...does that name jog your memory, Jasmine?” The raven haired young woman shook her head. Even though it didn't jog his sister's mind...it jogged Theo's. The first part of Casey's hyphenated last name brought to mind a slightly chubby boy who had been protective of his sister. The two left and then Master Mao came out of a door to Casey's left.
“Follow me.” He shot back at the Trio.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
They entered a rocky underground chamber as Master Mao pushed open the doors, and the three follow him into the chamber. “This is so cool!” Lily remarked. “Where are we? “ Many candles were burning underneath a carving of some sort on the wall. Several more candles also surrounded a box sitting on top of a stone slab.
"Jarrod has been dismissed. In your hearts, you know why." Master Mao informed Theo and Lily before turning to Casey. "Casey, you have the heart to stand up for others. You also have the potential to be a Tiger Master. I have decided to choose you in Jarrod's place." Lily and Theo turn to look at Casey, who looks extremely nervous now and makes a surprised noise. "Listen closely. Over 10,000 years ago, there was a great evil… named Dai Shi."
Master Mao looked at the carving that depicted several anthropomorphic animals, including an elephant, a shark,a white tiger, a gazelle, and others not as easy to identify, in battle with a massive dragon made of smoke. on the wall before continuing, "He believed that animals should rule the planet and that humans were to be erased. Brave warriors channeled their animal spirits, and after a great battle, they were able to capture the Dai Shi…" Master Mao approached the new trio with the box that had been sitting on the stone slab. "… in this box."
The three step back. Master Mao raises his arm, showing that he bears a tattoo of the claw emblem upon it. "The Pài Zhuq, the Order of the Claw, was formed to train students in Kung Fu, and to serve as protectors if the Dai Shi were ever to escape. You three have been selected to take on that task."
"Yeah, well, the evil hasn't escaped, so all's good. And look, I've just been here a week, and there must be someone better-" Casey was interrupted by the footsteps of Jarrod.
"I've spent ten years in training! You just can't kick me out for no reason!"
"Agreed. But I have a reason...Even Master Ran Kandou of the Beast Fist Academy would agree with me on the matter, Jarrod." At the mention of the Japanese Master, Casey experienced a headache as a mental clip of a tall Japanese lady played in his mind. Jarrod merely glared as Master Mao turns to set the box down, before he suddenly attacks.
However, he was no match at all for Master Mao, who was easily able to hold him off one-handed, blocking or dodging out of the way of his blows. Casey, Lily and Theo watched, dumbfounded, as Mao kicked Jarrod in the chest and doing a backflip away from him, still holding onto Dai Shi's box. He then struck a pressure point in Jarrod's chest, sending the younger man flying backward, yelling with pain. Mao glared at him.
"Now, go..." Master Mao said, his countenance expressionless.
"Yes." Jarrod replied sarcastically.He begins to walk away. However, he suddenly turns and unleashes his lion spirit at Master Mao's back, and he is viciously attacked by it before he dropped Dai Shi's box and fell back onto the stone table, yelling with pain.
"No!" Lily yelled as she saw the box on the ground.Theo and Casey were both too shocked to speak at Jarrod's treacherous act.
"At last!" A stream of dark yellow streamed from the box. Jarrod, Lily, Casey and Theo are all thrown across the room in different directions, yelling. The candles all blow out, wax dripping everywhere. Dai Shi formed up in front of Master Mao, taking a human-like spirit form. As he spoke, the others picked themselves up and watched, terrified."Mao… my old friend. I've thought about no one else for centuries. But before I destroy you, you will be witness to the destruction of those dear to you!"
"Who's he talking about?" Theo asked worriedly.
"That'd be us!" Lily replied, panicked. The three quickly grouped and took fighting stances as Jarrod ran away. Dai Shi began to streak toward them. Master Mao started to run forward.
"No!" the Caracal Master shouted. Unfortunately for Master Mao, that was the reaction Dai Shi wanted.
"Yes, Mao." Yellow energy surrounded Master Mao as Dai Shi lifted him, squeezing his body, then flung him back onto the stone table, laughing in a sinister manner. The trio watched, aghast, as Mao yelled and gasped, his face contorting with pain.
"Mao is defeated. You are not worth my time." He streaked past the trio and out of the Forbidden Room, sending them falling to the ground again. Casey, Lily and Theo watched him go before leaping up and running to Master Mao's side.
"Master!" Theo yelled.
Master Mao is still gasping and twitching with pain, laying spread-eagled on the table. The trio surrounded him. "My time in this form has ended. Shed no tears. There are important things to do. The evil that is Dai Shi will return to where he was captured. You must destroy him." The others nod with Lily fighting back sobs. Master Mao pulled a letter, closed with a wax seal, out of his robes, and handed it to Theo."Go to this address in Ocean Bluff. There you'll meet you new master."
"We don't want a new master!" Lily exclaimed.
Master Mao smiled at Lily's outburst before replying with, "Remember the first rule I taught you. Don't be attached to the Master, but to the lesson. Now go."
"Wait… I'm not your guy! I can't destroy evil, I haven't even mastered handing out towels!" Casey protested loudly.
"Listen to me! All of you! You three are the world's only chance!" And with that instruction, Master Mao's body dissolved into energy, which formed briefly into what looked like a cat's face before disappearing through a hole in the ceiling.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Casey looked back at the Academy Gates. The same young woman with an Asian cast to her features stood there looking at him as if she wanted him to stay. Lily's twin, whose name Casey couldn't remember, stood with her. “Casey, stop mooning over my sister and let's go find our new Master!” Theo called out to the inexperienced Tiger Cub. Casey looked at his fellow guardian in disbelief.
“Your sister?” Casey asked, a bit dumbstruck over the fact that the young woman was related to Theo, of all people. “She looks nothing like you and is a hell of a lot prettier than you!”
“That's what all the boys say. Now come on!” Casey tore his gaze away from Theo's sister and ran away from the Academy.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
After RJ had pronounced the team not ready for the growing technique, he brought Theo’s sister up to the loft. “So how is Casey going to come up to speed then?” Theo complained. Casey looked very uncomfortable with Theo’s question.
“I will since you are whining about it Taro.” Jasmine cut in.
“He’s just a cub, Jasmine!” Theo protested. The argument that was happening between Theo and Jasmine made Casey even more uncomfortable.
“Yes, but even as a cub, you had to learn to use the tonfa, which you refused to learn from Uncle Retsu, Taro.” Theo now looked embarrassed. “Besides I was always with Tora when he trained with Dad in the ways of the Tiger Kenpo.”
“Dad refused to let you learn the nunchuks because you were a girl. Even Tora disapproved of you using the nunchuks because he thought it a dangerous weapon.”
“That’s not relevant, Taro. I’m teaching Casey and that’s that.” Casey watched the determined look on the girl's face. He decided she was the the stubborn type.
“No, you’re not!” Theo argued.
“Theo, I want her to teach me.” Casey's comment took Theo aback for one brief second.
“Be my guest, then…..Just don’t come crying to me when RJ deems her training inadequate, Cub.” Theo spat, making Jasmine incredibly angry at her own brother.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
“Okay this should be a good spot.” Jasmine murmured as they came into the clearing. It was somewhat of a distance away from JKP where the customers wouldn't see their training.
“So who’s Tora?” Casey asked before he put RJ's old football training helmet on. “I had a feeling he was much more than just a simple acquaintance.” Jasmine sighed as she sat down on a stump. Even now, she still worried about Tora. Her heart jumped into her throat, all of a sudden, pounding as an idea hit her that Tora was right in front of her. She shook her head to dispel the thought.
“You'd be right, Casey. He was a...childhood friend. He and I were very close and I still have hopes to find him.” The crestfallen but melancholy look on the younger girl's face made Casey want to take her into his arms and make her feel better.
“Is he alive?” Casey asked.
“Well, I have no idea at this point. Hold out your nun-chuks.” Jasmine would not be distracted from the task at hand like Theo.
“Okay.”
“Start practicing.” Casey did as he was asked but the cub kept hitting his helmet with the nunchuks while he practiced.
“Ouch!”
“Here, let me show you.” Jasmine said gently. Taking the nunchuks from Casey, Jasmine began to demonstrate the use of the Nunchuks with a speed and grace that Casey really appreciated as he watched her. “In – out – catch. In Kenpou, my dad's former master had a saying, 'Just Feel It, Don't Think About It.' It's been passed from Master to Master since the beginning of the Beast Arts discipline.” At this Casey frowned, wondering how similar the Jyuken Beast Arts and the Pai Zhuq were. “And Father to Daughter, since Theo won't embrace it.”
“Better?” He asked when he had repeated the demonstrated motion several times.
“Much. Now for a test of real power. Look deep inside and channel your animal spirit. Focus the energy there.” she directed, pointing to a boulder.
“Calling on the spirit of the Tiger. “ Using some fancy footwork, Casey directed a burst of red energy at the boulder that smashed it to smithereens.
“That was an awesome display of strength. You know, you're not that bad for a cub and you're a fast learner.”
“Thanks. And you're a good teacher – for being the cute sister of an uptight, egocentric neat freak.” Jasmine raised an eyebrow at the obviously veiled compliment.
“There's nothing wrong with being neat!” she said, laughing.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
The Rangers chatted excitedly over their first victorious battle against Mantor. Casey spotted Jasmine in the corner, eating a slice of pizza. "Um, guys...I haven't thanked Jasmine yet for bringing me up to speed," Casey excused himself to go sit at Jasmine's table.
"Is it just me or is Casey...being sweet on Jasmine?" Theo asked Lily.
"Relax, Theo. Jasmine is just enjoying his company." Lily replied with a smile. Theo continued to watch Casey talk to his sister. He watched as Jasmine blushed and then replied to whatever Casey was saying to her.
"It's not her enjoying his company that has me worried, Lil. I'm worried that she'll never find Tora."Theo replied as he watched Jasmine and Casey come over to their table.
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Author's note: Read and review. Sigh of The Tiger is up next!