Fun fact: in my initial concept, Bloom works at the dino café along side the Dino charge rangers and had to give up the job when her team was formed.

Bloom Shiba

My legs shook and my chest heaved. I crumbled to my bed the minute I shut the door.

There was that word again– ancient. Ancient ones, Ancient nighloks. 

And the way that nighlok threw it as a threat paralyzed me for a good few minutes. Who were these nighloks. Clearly, they are not the same one Jayden's team faced. And that Mistress...? Who was she?

My thoughts circled round and round and threatened to shatter me, inside out. And being the "leader" and having the team here typically at the next door is not helping. 

Their eyes always looks scanning, like they are trying to judge me, read me. And gods, did I forget about the difficulties I was to face in hiding my powers from them. Sure, they are my team, that's exactly why they can see the shifting colours, and in a way, they deserve to know. But explaining the powers means explaining the prophecy and I'm not very much into explaining anything. 

If they want to know something, they'll simply have to ask it. I'm not going to volunteer into anything. But damn, the way Rose looked at my eyes sent my heart leaping out and running away a thousand miles. And the fact that I actually forgot what she was looking at for one whole minute? I'm an idiot. 

Having Jax here isn't much fun, either. He complies, sure, but barely. His grumbles of annoyance and heartless remarks keep reaching my ears despite how much I try to ignore it. CURSE MY POWERS! No matter how low he says it, it's like the wind carries it right to my ears.

And Lia... Lia is just a complication I certainly did not need. Sure, she's a good friend and it is nice to have someone you knew before, but her... she's just... complicated. 

Relationships of all kinds are complicated. End of discussion. 

Yes, relationships are definitely complicated...

Especially friendships...

And especially when that friend seems to hide so much from you...

Wait, what?! No! Now that sounds like me! I'm not guilt tripping myself!

Of course I'm not like that. I don't have anything to hide...

Except the powers—

Except the powers—

I exhale, just laying there, staring at the ceiling. Ten minutes. Jayden gave me ten minutes while he gave the others fifteen minutes. And I'm pretty sure he didn't forget that I could hear him from afar too. He wanted to see me before others pilled in, of that, I was sure.

Normally, at this moment, I would've jumped out of the window and would've made it half way to the woods. Having more than one person in your house, who also happens to be judging you, is the most valid reason I could think of for not doing that. 

No matter how bad I feel, I can't stay cooped up in this room for my whole life. I'll have to get up. Get up and face the world.

Dragging my body off the bed, I pull out my uniform out of the closet. This was usually my training time, and I'm sure I'll get into it today too, after the meeting. I don't see a problem in wearing it now. 

After dressing myself up and fixing my hair, I pause at the door, wondering if I was ready. Was I ready to face my brother– the new mentor of the team, my team or anyone or anything to be honest. The thing was, I wasn't sure. I'm still not sure if I want to be a ranger itself in the first place. But..., this is my world. I have no choice but to face it.

With a heavy sigh, I opened the door. The place was strangely quiet despite having seven occupants. I walk, trying so hard not to make any noise, but the squeaking of the wooden floor beneath my feat betrayed me. I had no idea why I was tip toeing in my own place, but, I guess that's just who I am.

I made my way to the kitchen and watched Jayden as he poured himself a glass of juice. "Want some?" He asked, clearly sensing my arrival. "Sure," I said and took a seat at the counter. Placing the glass at front, he took a seat beside me and turned his focus completely towards me.

"What's going on?" He asked. I realized small talk was not in his schedule.

"Well, we just had our first victory as a team," I said, trying to play it cool, my entire focus on the glass of juice in my hand.

"And?" He insisted.

"The teams... nice, I guess," I said.

"Nice?" He questioned and I could sense the mockery in his tone. And just as I had expected, his eyebrows had gone up.

"Did you expect good?" I asked, my frustration breaking.

"No," he said, and followed it with a beat of silence. "Knowing you, I expected something... worse."

"Well, it definitely is hard," I finally admitted. "And having your friend whom you've been leaving in the dark and a bully from a team of bullies who had vowed to make your life miserable in your team isn't exactly what you expect."

He nodded thoughtfully, and then, "I just realized I didn't ask their names."

And after what seemed like a long time, I laughed.

"Being a mentor is hard too," he admitted. "I wonder how Ji did it."

"You have literally been a mentor for what, thirty minutes? And you have already given up?" I chuckled. You having problems is one thing, but when your sibling has the same problem, you try to make it as funny as possible.

"A thirty minutes where I was raised to the pinnacle of success and be called a legend and the very next second, accused of cutting their extra-curriculars," he said, strangely calm. "That is definitely not my cup of tea."

"Guess you'll just have to learn to balance being kind and hard, making sure they get the best out of you," I said, meaning every word. "You were a great mentor to me, Jayden. It's now time to show them that."

His head bobbed, a smile tugging at his lips. "Can I expect you to follow your advice?"

The words hit me like a blow to my gut. Giving advice is easy, but following them...? I don't think I'll ever learn to be outright kind to them,... or hard, in the matter of fact. I was planning on being this distant mysterious person who comes up only when summoned. Guess the plan won't be working out after all.

"I'll try," I finally said, unable to meet his eyes. Something tells me that I'll still be following my plan.

"That's all I ask," he said, stretching a little as he stood up. "Come on. The team must be ready."

I immediately felt nausea hit me. Team... I'll have to face the team... again.

After gulping down my juice, I trailed behind Jayden and reached the meeting room. The other rangers were just entering. 

Jayden made his way to one of the head stools. My legs automatically followed him and went to take the seat beside him. His hands caught my arms and I stumbled to a stop. His eyes nudged me to another stool. The other head stool. Of course. The leader's place. I'm the leader. 

I keep forgetting...

Taking my seat, I looked at the other rangers. milling in quietly, hesitantly, as if wondering if the chairs were theirs to occupy. "Please sit down," Jayden spoke up and I found them nodding immediately and taking their seats just as quick. Their respect for him was absolutely incredible.

Lia sat on one side of me while Cole sat at my other. Jax sat beside Lia and Rose opposite him. The only thing that kept me sane was Jayden sitting right opposite to me. Everyone's eyes kept darting to me and with a cringe, I realized they were staring at my uniform. Maybe, it wasn't the best idea to wear it.

"Hello again," Jayden started, his voice clearly stating he was trying to shoo away the silent awkwardness that had settled. "I wasn't able to get your names the last time, so..., how about we start with that?"

"Lia Stewart," Lia spoke up, the first to brake the silence. "Yellow ranger."

"Cole Sanders," Cole spoke up. "Blue ranger."

"Rose Shinobi," Rose said, her voice a little lower than others, her eyes fixed on her intertwined hands on the desk. "Pink ranger."

 "Jax Fernandez," Jax finally grumbled. "Green ranger."

Hearing all their last names were a little weird. It felt a little too... formal.

"Great!" Jayden said, lightly clapping his hands. "Well, I've already introduced myself- Jayden Shiba. And that is Bloom Shiba. We'll be in charge of your training schedules."

Jayden got quiet, scanning the rangers' faces as if expecting any reply from them. All he got was few nods and a look so oblivious.

"Well, during school time, it is usually early morning before school and evening, after school and complete full fledged trainings on weekends. But since you'll be in your summer holidays for this month and will be staying at the Shiba house, and also considering the fact that you all are practically new to the ranger world, the training will be held throughout the day in regular intervals."

And to that, few grumbled. I just sat there, testing myself on how long I can sit with a steel back without slouching.

"Now, I know few had objections with my rules regarding training. You may put forth your troubles," he said, visibly backing up in his seat.

"I'm not sacrificing my career for the sake of this power rangers duty," Jax spoke, his tone a little too sharp. "I'm going to my band practices and no one is going to stop."

"It is risky to meet your friends like that," Jayden said in his ever so calm voice. "You may become the reason for them getting into trouble."

"I don't care!" Jax snapped, and I somehow knew he wanted to walk away, but held it still for the sake of the decorum. Honestly, I am surprised that he even gives thought to something like decorum.

Cole pushed himself forward, his knees swaying back and forth and his fingers playing drums on his folded knuckles. "Is there any way you can make exceptions just for few hours? Like... on few specific days or something?"

I wonder what he was fighting for...

"For now, I can't guarantee anything," Jayden said with a deep sigh. "We are still not sure on how frequent these nighlok attacks are going to be or how powerful they will be. So, only time can tell."

Cole nodded, his head completely lowered. He looked... miserable, like someone had just told him that the world won't exist tomorrow. And considering where we are headed, if someone told me that, I would completely believe them.

A deafening silence settled again, like the storm had just settled and everyone realized that their homes were destroyed.

Lia opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a word, the gap sensor blared to life. My hands immediately cupped my ears and I could feel my breathing getting ragged. No matter how often this occurs, I'll never get used to it.

Jayden opened up the map and the alarm stopped, finally letting me catch my breath. Looking at everyone's face, I realized that their eyes were bulged, too focused on the map that just seemed to appear out of thin air. I even heard Rose gasp and Lia whisper a wow.

"Nighlok attack at the community center," Jayden informed.

I stood up, taking my morpher in hand. Everyone followed suite, their faces now etched with determination. 

I guess by the end of the day, that's all that really matters. The determination to fight for everything one knows to exist.

Hey guys! Hope you liked the chapter.

Don't forget to vote, share and comment...

I just got a little curious, so I wanted to conduct a small survey...

How many of you have read this book only once and how many of you have re-read it? 

The re-read can range from just going back to a single chapter to re-reading the whole thing.
So... cast your votes in the form of comments and let me know your thoughts...

Until next time... bye!!!!!

Also, I figured I never posted the pic of Bloom's locket... so here it is!