Hey, guys! So here is a PRNS fic that I had written ages ago in my notebook. I wrote only a little, but now that I've found some time, I thought I'd post this.

So this is **Shane X Tori.** Also, Dustin X Marah. I always have a thing for rare, underrated pairings and so it's Tori with Shane. Well, I honestly always felt they should be together. But I won't be butchering Blake in my fic just to get them together lol.

Hope any fans still around to read this fic will like it. I wanted to post this on PRNS's tenth anniversary but then, here it comes.

Also... **If you don't like it, you don't have to read it!**

Note: I also posted this on FF.net. Just wanted to shift my stories here.

Summary: With Lothur gone and peace settling in Bluebay Harbour, Blake wants to redefine his relationship with Tori. But that's the last thing on her mind. The tranquility soon is shattered when a Samurai from past shows up in town wreaking havoc not in the town alone but also in the lives of the ex-rangers.

And there's another thing, Blake has to watch the love of his life getting dyed in shades of Crimson.

Shane X Tori X Blake, Dustin X Marah

P.S. I know Shane is RED but still. Crimson is the colour of angst, the colour of painful love, isn't it?

DISCLAIMER: Obviously PRNS isn't mine.

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Deep in the woods surrounding Blue-bay Harbor-

Shane walks along, occasionally dodging some tall bamboos, walking aimlessly, thinking about all the things that have happened ever since Lothur was defeated. Peace was finally established in Blue bay Harbor and the Ninja academy too found it's lost tranquility. He was happy to be teaching at the academy. He still is and he thinks of it as a greatest honor bestowed upon him. But deep down, he always felt something was amiss. By something he meant skateboarding, may be. And however pleasing the calm around him seemed to be, there were times when he lost track of his thoughts. Times when he needed to clear his head. Finding a quiet spot just beside the lake, he would just sit alone, gazing at the waters, trying to organize his thoughts. Today is no different. He's here to ponder over certain things.

The weather is pleasant, the gentle rustling of the leaves mixed with the sound of water has begun to soothe him.

Hearing a noise from the bushes behind him, he jostles out of his thoughts. He turns around in a flash, alarmed and ready. For a split second he wonders if he has just been followed by one of his companions but quickly dispatches the thought. His friends knew he liked to think alone. They wouldn't bother to follow him here. Even if they did, wouldn't they just reveal themselves? So just who could it be?

He turns his gaze to the lake again but a movement close to his back catches him off guard. He swirls around, poised to strike whoever it is but is thrown back with intense force that almost sends him tumbling down into the lake.

"Whoa!"

He exhales sharply, eyes narrowing as he stands to dust his pants off. He scans his surroundings for the attacker but there's no one around. Definitely not in the line of his vision. Something in the back of his mind tells him not to leave his back unguarded and he flips around only to be knocked flat on to the muddy ground with a thud, a lightening fast blow aimed at his chest causing him to whimper in pain.

"Who's there?"

He shouts, standing up again, taking deep breaths to calm himself. The answer came again as kick on his back. This time there is absolutely no time to for him to turn around and all his ninja reflexes just proved out to be futile. He falls, almost smacking his face on to the rough ground, rolls and finds his footing again. He then wipes some mud off his cheek, grunting in anger.

"Man, so that's all you've got huh? Why don't you try hitting me from the front? Think you can't face me?"

Another lightening fast blow hits him, this time from the front pushing him into the lake. The water is shallow enough near the bank giving him the advantage to recover soon. Catching his breath, he takes a good look at his surroundings. There isn't any trace of the culprit anywhere. He sighs while shaking his head. He has hoped his words would coax the attacker to show himself but nothing of that sort has happened.

"Such a coward, not even letting himself seen."

He comments almost to himself. A distinct metallic sound catches his attention. He lifts his head right in the nick of time to catch a glimpse of someone standing a few feet away. Dressed in traditional robes, features hidden behind an old fashioned mask, he looked like a Samurai which explains the sound must have been from sheathing his Katana. Shane looks at him with wide, disbelieving eyes. But it's only a split second image. Because in the very next second, the figure disappears and everything around Shane is so serene that he is left to wonder if what he saw has only been a mirage.

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A while later at the Ninja Ops-

Blake walks out of the dojo, his hands tucked in the pockets of his jeans, a light cotton sweat-shirt with short sleeves allowing him to feel the not so chilly breeze on his arms. He has been staying with the Wind Ninja Academy, lending his hand, doing what ever little he could to teach the students, helping sensei and others to manage the place. He occasionally goes motocrossing with Dustin and Hunter. Life couldn't just be any better. It's saturday. He almost bangs his head for letting the thought slip out of his mind. Saturday- the day when he's supposed to go on a date with Tori Hanson.

He knew he was attracted to the blonde girl right from the start. They have hit it off quite well too. She was a brave ranger, feisty but friendly at the same time. He just knew she was something else. He wasn't sure if she had felt the same way about him but she definitely seemed interested in him. He wanted to take her out back then but had to stop himself because of various reasons, mainly due to his duties as a ranger. They had mutually agreed to give it a shot again when things would settle down. He smiles recollecting those memories. He hasn't had enough confidence to ask her out again but this morning when he had casually asked her if she would join him for some coffee, her response was encouragingly positive.

He puffs his chest, taking deep breaths and laughs nervously. Well, a guy is allowed to be a little nervous at times like these, he assures himself. It's still a little late after lunch, the courtyard that would usually be bursting with students has donned a deserted look. He looks back at the dojo and wonders if Tori would run into him while going on her usual walks around the place.

And almost as if on a cue, he finds her walking out of the dojo. And upon seeing him, she gives him a wave and walks over.

"Hey! What're you doing all by yourself? Shouldn't you be at the track?"

Her usual cheerful demeanor puts him at ease.

"Just gave up the fun for our date tonight."

He answers with a chuckle. For a moment Tori looks flabbergasted.

"Look, Tor... We're going out just like we promised right? You look so surprised. I'm sorry if I sprung this on you."

"No. No. You just surprised me. I... didn't think this was a date."

He lets out a self-depreciating laugh.

"What else could it be? I want this to be our first date. As perfect as it can be, " words just flow out of his mouth, his nervousness long gone, "Don't you feel the same way?"

Tori blinks. His frank confession hitting her like cold wind on her face. But before she can come up with a reply, her morpher beeps. She presses the button, thankful for the interruption.

"Hey Tor," comes a raspy voice from the morpher that's still being used as a comm device, "It's Dustin. Shane's in here. And something's not right with him."

Blake and Tori exchange glances. Blake knows now is not the time to press the issue further. Just what is in store for them? Is peace still miles, perhaps light-years away? He quickly shakes off his thoughts and says, "we should go see him."

But he needn't say it. Because Tori is already bolting towards the dojo at full speed.

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"Shane!"

Tori exclaims as she enters the dojo. She runs to the command center to find the ex-red ranger slumped on one of the chairs, Dustin sitting on the armrest, his arm draped around his companion.

"What happened?"

Shane who has his head hung low, slowly looks up to meet her gaze.

"Are you hurt?"

Tori reaches out to her best friend in red, her eyes immediately scanning the sight of him for injuries.

"So you're hurt! And you're soaking wet!"

Tori hollers, her fingers now brushing a rough bruise on his left cheek.

"Ow!" Shane grimaces, "Dustin, you called her here? I told you there's nothing to worry!"

Tori kneels down to rest a comforting hand on his knee, "Shane."

"Hey," Shane gives her his best smile and reaches out to ruffle her hair, "don't look so worried. I'm fine."

Tori smiles in return. Dustin too can't help but smile a little.

"What...?" Blake enters, swallowing his words as he does, careful so that he wouldn't interrupt the best friends.

Shane keeps patting her head for a few more moments.

Tori finally giggles, "What, do I look like a child to you, Shane Clark?"

She then takes his other hand in hers and looks him straight in the eye.

"you still owe me an explanation. What happened? Look at you Shane. You're a mess. Your clothes..." She gestures to his red t-shirt which is now completely slick with mud, his black trousers damp and sticking to his legs. Even his hairs are dingy.

"I just fell in to the lake."

"Really now? Go on. I'm listening."

Tori folds her arms and then looks at Dustin.

"I just got back here. He won't tell me anything, " Dustin shrugs his shoulders, a troubled expression etched on his face.

"There's no story to tell Dusty," Shane chides him, getting to his feet on shaky legs.

Tori looks at Cam who's furiously typing away at his laptop for help.

"Cam?"

Cam finally looks up and sighs. He has been listening to their conversation. He is worried as well. A few aliens have been spotted around the town. He has been tracking their activities and it is one hundred percent likely that Shane could have been under an attack from one of them. But he couldn't bring himself to admit it aloud.

"I'm sure if Shane says he's fine, it means he really is."

Cam gives Tori a reassuring smile. Tori's shoulders slump and she glares at Shane.

"You- don't think this is over. I know you too well, Shane Clark and you better be honest with me. 'cause if you lie, I'll find out anyway!"

Shane laughs and wraps his arm around her shoulders, hugging her slightly.

"Haha. Try me. I'm not lying, Tor."

Tori gives him a shove, "hey, put some clean clothes on before you come near me!"

The trio (Shane, Dusty, Tor) laugh in unison.

Blake quashes a wave of jealousy taking over him and clears his throat to speak, "Well, I'm glad nothing's serious."

"Hey, man, " Shane greets him with his usual cheery smile, "sorry if I worried you."

Blake just shrugs. Just then Hunter enters the room, his eyes focusing on Dustin.

"Dude, that was quite a show you missed back there. Why'd you pull outta it? Things were getting interesting. But too bad, I was only close to winning and didn't actually make it!"

Dustin claps him on the shoulder, "cheer up, there will always be a next. And me, well, I'm not in that race to win."

"You're weirdo," Hunter comments, tossing his helmet on to the couch, dusting his track suit.

"Hey, now. You'll ruin my dad's favorite carpet. How many times should I tell you to do it outside?" Cam chides him.

"Aww man, fine!"

With a sigh, Hunter leaves, bumping his fists with his brother on his way out. Blake smiles a little for his brother. It's becoming hard to ignore the anxiety welling up inside him. He has a bad feeling about everything.

"Oh hey! Forgot to say this, " Hunter returns to exchange a word with Dustin, "Kelly's been wanting to see you. You better hurry off real soon, mate."

"Right. Yeah."

Dustin nods. Hunter walks away but turns his gaze on Tori and Blake, "You guys still here? Aren't you supposed to go on a date?"

"You guys are going on a date?" Dustin asks, looking stunned.

Blake looks sheepishly at everyone, "Oh come on, it's just some coffee we'll be getting there. So... knock it off, you guys!"

Hunter laughs, bopping his younger brother on his head before walking out.

Tori looks down at her feet, embarrassed.

"Is it really OK to go on a date?" she whispers almost to herself, but Shane is quick to answer her.

"Go on Tor. I'm fine really. Just go."

Blake checks his watch. Tori smiles stiffly before joining him. With a contented smile, he walks her out of the dojo.

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Next Part-

Blake-Tori's coffee date. Shane explains his encounter with the mysterious Samurai to Cam. Trouble seems brewing again in town.

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AN: So that was it. I hope it wasn't too bad. Apologies for any grammar, spell errors. Tried my best to keep it error free. Feel free to drop in a review if you like.

And yes! No bashing.

Thank you.

See you soon with next chapter. I might include Dustin x Marah also. Well, partly 'cause I'm hopeless. Lol.