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Chapter One: Two Years Later

A/N: Yay! The day has finally arrived! The sequel to Samurai Ranger High is here! I would highly recommend reading that one first, or some of this might not make sense. So, this is just a quick look at everyone's lives. This takes place two years after they defeated Xandred. So, without further ado, or delay, I present: a story I hope you enjoy and review!

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life. It goes on." -Robert Frost

It felt just a little bit, like it might be a little too quiet in the Shiba House. Of course, Jayden thought, strumming his guitar, That might be because Antonio isn't back yet. Speaking if which. He looked at his watch and saw there was still a couple hours until his friend got back form his fishing trip.

The former red ranger went back to his strumming, since playing the guitar was one of the few hobbies he had. A couple minutes later he heard clapping and turned around, smiling.

"That was wonderful, Jayden," Tiara said. "Much better than when you first started."

"Practice makes perfect."

"That and you have no life," she smiled, leaning against the door frame.

"I have a life."

She shook her head. "Why don't you follow in Lauren's footsteps and find an interest that takes you outside the Shiba House?"

"I don't want to hear a single lecture from you. You got your diploma a year ago, why don't you go to college?"

She shrugged. "I wanted a break from school. I told you, I would start applying this year."

Jayden nodded. "Good. It's important that you get a good college education."

"What about you?"

"It's too late for me. I'm already pulled into the politics of running the Shiba Clan. But not you. You can go pleases, and do things."

"You know, I don't think they could pull me in. I'm the youngest after all."

"Never think that. When's Lauren getting back?"

"Soon. We're going to meet Antonio at the docks."

"Ok." He turned around and went back to his strumming. Tiara smiled and went back into the Shiba House to continue looking at colleges.

-Samurai Ranger Life-

Mike put his hands in his pockets as he wandered the streets. He jumped a little, feeling his samuraizer in his pocket. He knew he should've just locked it up and gotten a regular phone. But, he could never bring himself to do it. He always had that voice in his head that told him to always have his morpher on hand.

He was trying to eat a banana and read a report at the same time. He just barely saw someone out of the top of his vision when he ran into them. They both fell on the ground, Mike dropping his papers and banana. "Hey watch-" he stopped when the girl across from him looked up. "Emily."

The former yellow ranger swallowed in shock. "Mike," she said evenly. "Uh..."

Mike cleared his throat. "Funny...uh...running into you here."

"Yeah." Emily picked up her bags. "How...how have you been?"

"Uh...good." The two of them stood there awkwardly before Mike cleared his throat again. "Well, I should get going. I...uh, have to go to work."

"Right."

"Well...have a good day."

"You too."

Mike stepped to the side and watched as she walked away. He felt that familiar pang of regret in his stomach. He quickly tried to brush the encounter off and headed for his apartment so he could get dressed for work. Distantly though, he remembered the last time he'd seen Emily nearly a year ago...

Mike didn't waste anytime running through the door and jumping down the steps. He heard the screen door slam open behind him and he turned around against his better judgement.

"Get out of here Mike!" Emily shouted. Her kind nature and voice hidden in her rage. "Just leave!"

"You know, I thought you'd be happy for me!"

"How can I be happy when you so clearly made your point."

"That's not what I-"

"Just get out of here!" She threw his bag at him.

Mike caught it and stumbled back as it hit him in the gut. "Fine!" he shouted throwing it on the ground. "I will! But don't expect me to be coming back!"

"Good! I never want to see you again!"

Mike rubbed forehead, accidentally smearing banana on it. He sighed and rubbed it off with his wrist.

Meanwhile, Emily continued on her path to meet up with Justin. She smiled when she saw him waiting for her. "Hey."

"Hey," he replied. "Let me take those." He took her bags and they walked to the car.

"Thanks for driving me," Emily said. "Hopefully I'll be getting my license soon."

"I have absolute faith that you can."

"At least someone does."

Justin set the bags down in the back of his pickup and tossed Emily the keys. "Here, your drive back."

"You sure? Last time I did we almost ran off the road."

"It was raining," he said waving his hand dismissively. "You'll be fine. Plus, you have to take your road test soon."

"Ok, but just letting you know, you're awfully brave."

"I know." They got in and Emily started the old truck. Justin smiled as he watched her. He'd had no idea that little Emily had grown up so nicely. "So, E?"

"Yeah?"

"Since I've been back in town and everything, I was thinking maybe we could...I don't know, go out."

"Go out?" Emily asked, trying to concentrate on driving.

"Yeah. I could take you for dinner, maybe a movie. What'd you say?"

Emily smiled as he rested his hand gently on hers. "Well, alright."

Justin smiled, glad a year of following her around like a puppy-dog had finally ended in his favor.

-Samurai Ranger Life-

Mia changed the song on her iPod briefly as she shuffled through the papers in front of her. She looked back at her textbook, running her eyes quickly over the information. She picked up her highlighter and started highlighting the information she needed for her paper. She felt someone put their hand in her shoulder and she jumped.

She grabbed their hand and spun their wrist around, nearly snapping it. Her earbuds were ripped from her ears and she gasped.

"Easy there killer," Seth said, struggling.

"Seth!" Mia hissed excitedly. She released him, then threw her arms around him. "How've you been? Why are you here?"

"I'm on a special studying program for 18 months."

"Wow."

"What about you?"

"Oh, well I...I decided to become a kindergarden teacher."

"Ah, I like that. It would suit you very well."

"Thanks. Oh, shoot, I have to get going. I promised my roommate I'd show her where to find good sushi."

"Well, let me help you with your books. You live on campus?"

"Yeah. I wanted some, space, you know. A chance to get to know myself."

"I can get with that. After high school, it's nice to be able to go out and do your own thing. No responsibilities, except those to you and basically anything you want."

"Exactly."

Seth helped Mia with her books as the two of them left the library. "So, would you ladies mind it terribly if I joined you for sushi?"

Mia grinned. "Why not. She'd love to meet you. There she us now. DJ!"

A girl with dark tan skin, and equally dark hair smiled when she saw. Mia. "There you are! I was looking for you! Oo, who is this cutie?"

"DJ, this is Seth, I knew him...in high school. Seth this is my roommate DJ. She's from like, Arizona I think, right?"

"Yup. Biology major."

"Sounds exciting," Seth nodded.

"Seth was going to join us for sushi," Mia said.

"Sure. Why not? I have to drop some stuff off in the dorm first."

"Cool. Come on Seth, this way."

-Samurai Ranger Life-

The familiar smell of chlorine was a welcoming sensation for Kevin. He yawned and stretched a little, managing to keep his balance on his seat. He watched the kids swimming in the pool, leaning forward in his lifeguard chair. He glanced back for a second then. He led his watch. Still got another half hour, he sighed.

It wasn't that he didn't enjoy his job as a lifeguard, it was ok. The place he was working for had an indoor, and outdoor pool, so he could work there year round. But, it was kid of boring just sitting in a chair for 7-8 hours a day, five or six days a week, watching people swim. I prefer swimming, not just watching, he told himself. But, it's a job, and job means money. And money means important things like a home, and food.

He smiled ruefully, still able to hear his dad's objections.

"Kevin, you'll be running yourself ragged, between this job, and training for the Olympics."

"Dad," Kevin laughed. "It's nothin I can't handle. Running ragged is something I'm used to. Besides, I get like a two hour break before I start swimming after I get off work. And I don't work on Sundays, so there's that too."

"Kevin, come on, I told you that as long as you were in training, I could support you."

"Yeah, and thanks for that, but I want to do things for myself."

"When did you get so independent?"

Kevin nodded in amusement. "That's probably Antonio's effect on me," he muttered. His dad had warmed up to the idea eventually, and they were actually on the closets terms they'd ever been on, which was saying a lot. He sat back in his seat and twirled his whistle in his fingers.

He saw some kids rough housing and was about to call them out on it, but the other lifeguard on the other side of the pool beat him to it. Kevin shook his head in slight amusement and checked his watch again. Waterproof up to 10 feet. Good thing too. He sighed again and went back to sweeping through the pool with his eyes.

-Samurai Ranger Life-

Antonio was practically running through the crowd of people through to find Lauren. He saw her and waved. He squeezed past more tourists and hugged her. "Ahola, mì amor," he said kissing her.

"Mmm. Hi. I missed you."

"I missed you too."

"You realize there are other people here," Jayden said.

Antonio stopped kissing Lauren long enough to smile at him. "Jealous? Cause I could kiss you too if you want."

"I'm good."

"Then don't complain," he said kissing Lauren's nose.

"What, no offer for me?" Tiara asked.

Antonio smiled at how much older she looked,me been though he'd seen pictures of her. "My apologies, señorita. Would you like a kiss too?"

"No I'm good. The offer is still nice though."

"Glad to hear it. So," he threw his arm around Lauren. "how've things been?"

"Very ordinary," Jayden said. "A little too calm for my taste."

"Still trying to adjust to non-ranger life?"

"He almost broke some guy's arm at the store the other day for walking to close behind him," Tiara supplied as they started walking to the car.

"Nice."

"Like you've been better," Jayden said defensively.

"Not really. Some poor amigo almost got thrown over board because I saw his knife flash a little too close to me out of the corner of my eye."

Lauren smiled. "At least it was almost."

"Yeah, but it was a pretty close call."

Tiara rolled her eyes and regarded the three of them carefully. She saw that Lauren and Jayden both looked at little tense, which wast unusual when they were outside the house. She and Ji were always pushing them to go outside the house and enjoy life but even she could understand it was hard for them.

"Have you talked to the others?" Antonio asked.

"A little," Lauren said. "You're been a little out of touch for the last couple years. Everyone just needed some time to adjust I guess. Did you talk to them?"

"A little bit."

"Well, hope you're ready, because we're having a reunion," Jayden said.

"A reunion? Oh boy."

"Yup. You're home form your trip, and it's been a while since we were all together."

"Plus," Lauren added. "We need to formally introduce you and Tiara to the samurai families."

"Wait- what?"

"You know samurai," Jayden smiled. "We're all about formality."

"Oh, and one more thing," Lauren began.

"You know I'm beginning to think I should've just stayed on the boat," the former gold ranger muttered suspiciously.

"I'm glad you're back."

"Me too," Antonio said kissing the top of her head.