Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers other than my OC's. Obviously I have no BETA so I apologize for any grammatical mistakes in advance. There is no slash here unless you want to interpret it as having it.
Power Rangers Ninja Storm: Keeper
This is a two-shot examining the friendship between Hunter and Dustin and why Dustin trusts Hunter so explicitly.
Power Rangers Ninja Storm: Keeper
He was shocked at the sight before his eyes as he pulled back the shower curtain…
Dustin lay sprawled in the tub with blood running down his wrists as what was once scalding hot water cascaded down on his now pale body. Fortunately he was still breathing, though in very shallow breaths that he (Hunter) assumed were painful.
After carrying Dustin off into what he assumed was his rooms, the blonde dried off the still nude Yellow Ranger before he tended to the blonde's wounds. A simple jolt of Lightning from one of his fingers and a few techniques from the Thunder Academy and Dustin's breathing seemed to be returning to normal and blood began to clot on his wrists. When he done he pulled the crimson covers (NOT DUE TO HIS BLOOD!!) over the scantily clad Dustin and prepared himself for a long night. Dustin's room took him by surprise. The crimson walls, comforter, and silver sheets were not what he had expected at all. He assumed the happy-go-lucky brunette would have a yellow room or some sort of bright, cheerful color.
He knew that Dustin felt that calling 911 would not be wise (as did he), so he did his best to keep an eye on his new friend. He sat there faithfully by Dustin's side for three hours before he drifted off to sleep. He underestimated how much energy he used to heal the goofball.
He was snapped out of sleep by a whisper of
"Are you an angel? How am I in heaven if I killed myself?"
Hunter knew he was in for a long night with the younger racer, but he didn't mind. He saw a lot of himself in Dustin and didn't want him to make the same mistakes. Dustin was too talented to throw his life away. His fears were about to be realized after he answered.
"No Dustin. It's just me Hunter."
"WHY COULDN'T YOU LET ME DIE?"
"Dude you need to chill. You're not in the right mind."
"Who the hell are you to dictate what I do?"
"You never showed up today and Kelly told me where you lived."
Dustin broke down into a series of tears and sobs.
"I just… I can't… Hunter I can't do it anymore."
"What can't you do Dusty?"
"I can't live with myself anymore. My family is never around and my friends don't know me. I suck at the one thing I live for. What's the point of prolonging my suffering?"
"Me."
"Excuse me."
"Continue living for me Dustin. I would hate to see talent such as yours to be wasted by you killing yourself. I patched you up and you should be fine in a few hours, but to be on the safe side I would say to not over exert yourself for the next few days."
"Thanks Hunter. I guess I wasn't thinking. I've been under so much pressure lately and with today's race…"
"Didn't I tell you I would help you?"
Dustin looked down.
"What's wrong Dustin?"
"I'm naked."
"Well I did wrap you in a towel if that is any consolation."
Dustin just shot him an evil glare.
"And it's not like you don't have anything I don't dude. You have a dick. I have a dick. It's not like I was a chick or something. Just think of me like a big brother or something if that makes you feel any better."
Dustin just blushed.
"And you weren't in the shower?"
"Good point."
"Dude it was awkward enough picking up your naked scrawny ass out of the shower. Do you think I wanted to dress you too?"
Then both Rangers blushed and broke out in a fit of laughter.
"Thanks again Hunter."
"Just don't do this again Dustin. You have a lot of promise. Why did you really do it?"
"I can't take it any more. Everyone lectures me as if I am completely useless. I'm not as stupid as I look."
"I know you're not."
"Thanks again" he yawned.
"Why don't you get some sleep while I whip you up something."
"Sugar and lots of it."
"Waffles I take it?"
"And bacon and eggs and strawberries and melted chocolate."
"This is a recovery meal, not a way to clog your arteries."
"But Hunter" he puppy dog pouted.
"Fine, but stop making it sound like it's a date."
"I'll wake you when it's done."
Hunter was already down the stairs when Dustin whispered "Thank you Crim." Said brunette blushed with a crimson fury and fell asleep with a large smile on his pale face.
Power Rangers Ninja Storm: Keeper
Weeks had past and when the time came for Hunter and Blake to make amends and join the Wind Academy Rangers, Dustin was all for it. Not just because he knew they were good people deep down, but also because Hunter had saved his life. He had been scooped up in his moment of weakness and taken off a dark path by someone who was under the influence of an Evil Space Villain. He knew that Hunter was a good person deep down if he saved his life when under influence of Dark Ninja Powers.
Dustin would never admit that his attraction played a hand in the matter (and neither would Tori for that matter). Both knew that they were good people who deserved a chance. And unlike many other Rangers who had transitioned from the side of Evil to the side of Good, a possessed Ranger had saved the life of another, unseen since Katherine Hillard, the second Mighty Morphin' Pink Crane, Zeo Ranger I, and first Pink Turbo Ranger. Both Hillard and (H) Bradley did so while possessed and without the use of their Ranger Powers (Hunter used his Inner Ninja Powers, not abilities granted by his Morpher). It would be a turn of events not seen for a while.
So when it came down to it, Dustin knew deep down Hunter was a good person. End of story. He wouldn't let Shane or Cam talk him out of it. He was determined to repay his debt to the Crimson Ranger, even if he did kick his ass on and off the battlefield.
Power Rangers Ninja Storm: Keeper
Author's Note
I know it was a little dark, but I wanted to give a reason for Dustin to blindly trust Blake and Hunter despite his normally good judgment of character. He's only human after all. If you believe in slash/Yaoi you will interpret the nickname one way. If not there is another reason for it.
-Griffin