Sorry to take so long in updating, hopefully I will be able to get chapters out on a more regular basis.  Thank you for your patience and for the reviews!!!  And I still don't own them.

Chapter 5

Blake continued to sit by Hunter's side, insisting that he didn't want his brother to wake up alone.  But he knew there was little chance of Hunter waking any time soon.  The others were in the main room, with Cam on the computer and the three Wind ninjas looking through the scrolls.  The four of them needed to do something while Blake looked after his brother.

It was mid-afternoon the next day when Shane and Cam rushed into Blake and Hunter's room.  Blake looked up from his brother to the pair who were standing before him.

"We have some news," Cam stated, then motioned to Shane.

"I found this scroll, and it describes the beam that was used on Hunter.  After the person's hit, they have to fall into a sound sleep.  Then they're transported to a place called the Verloren Forest."

"But he's here," Blake pointed out.

"It's kinda like his consciousness is there, but he's physically here," Shane tried to explain, although he appeared to be unsure himself.

"None of us are sure how this works.  But it's also like he's dreaming all of this.  And this place isn't really a place.  Normally it's used for good.  People are knowingly sent there to work out traumas or work through things that have happened to them," Cam began to clarify.

"Though he could've used some warning, I think it'll do Hunter some good," Shane said, then caught the dagger-glare that Blake was using on him.  "Sorry, bro, but it's true."

"Shane, will you excuse us?" Cam asked, already sensing that this was leading to a confrontation.

"No problem," Shane said, handing the scroll to Cam before leaving.

"Do you know what's going to happen to Hunter in this forest?" Blake asked, taking his brother's hand.

"Hopefully a guide will find him.  Guides not only help people make their way out of the forest, but they also help with challenges."

"Challenges?" Blake echoed.

"According to the scroll, these challenges help people view certain situations and deal with things that have happened."

"So he has this guide, so he's not totally alone?"

"No, but you should read this part of the scroll," Cam answered, then handed the scroll to Blake, who read the part that Cam had pointed out.

"I'll be staying in here the entire time he's out," Blake said when he finished.  "If there's anyway I can help him through the challenges, then I will."

"We knew you'd say that.  We'll keep an eye out for aliens, so don't even think about that.  Oh, and you'll be able to tell when he's in a challenge."

"How?"

"It's going to be like a nightmare," Cam slowly answered, seeing a grim expression cross Blake's face.

Cam left, shutting the door behind him.  It was late by the time that Blake decided he was going to try and get some sleep.  He had already pushed his bed next to his brother's, that way he wouldn't have to stumble in the dark if his brother had a nightmare in the middle of the night. 

And he was glad he did.  The clock across the room stated 2:47 when he squinted to see what time it was.  His brother was thrashing around a little, mumbling and just obviously having a nightmare.  Blake curled up next to his brother, one arm across his chest with his hand resting on the opposite shoulder.

"I'm here, bro.  I'm here.  Whatever it is, whatever's happening, I'm here," he said softly, hoping that one way or another Hunter would know that he wasn't alone.

It took some time, but the nightmare appeared to be over and Hunter was again peaceful.  Blake swept the blond bangs from his brother's forehead before again curling up against Hunter and falling asleep. 

He awoke the next morning when someone knocked on the door.

"It's open," he mumbled, merely lifting his head slightly.

He watched Cam come into the room, carrying a tray with food.

"Figured you'd like to eat," he said, setting the tray down on the desk.

"Just in case Hunter had a challenge, which he did," Blake explained when Cam eyed the beds.

"It appears to have gone well," Cam replied.  "Although he's still out."

"Then how do you know it went well?"

"I guess we didn't explain that part," Cam sighed, knowing full well that they didn't.

"What part?"

"If Hunter fails a challenge, he dies."