It's Hard (A Power Rangers Samurai Fanfic)

A Charitable Fourth Of July

   As the sunlight filtered in through the windows on the beautiful day of July 2nd, the Rangers happily enjoyed their breakfast. They were looking forward to training that day because it was beautiful outside. The conversation at the table came to a pause as the doorbell to the house rang. "I'll get it." Ji said, placing a bowl of strawberries on the table. Mike took one. When Ji returned, there was a woman following him. "Jane!" Jayden realized. "It's nice to see you again." "You too." Jane smiled. "I've come to ask of another favor." "Anything!" Kevin exclaimed. The Rangers really did like Jane, and they were happy to help her out. "Well, the kids loved the Easter event you threw for them, they've told all the new kids that come in. Unfortunately, the new kids are kind of... jealous that they didn't get to meet the Rangers. And the Fourth Of July is coming up, so I thought maybe, we could do it again?" Jane explained. "That sounds amazing!" Mia said. "Yeah!" Emily agreed. "I love working with the kids!" "Thanks so much!" Jane said. "I promise I'll repay you." Antonio chuckled. "You don't have to repay us ma'am. We're happy to do it."
   Two days later, the Rangers were up at the park at six am, setting everything up and decorating for the celebration. The teens were using their symbol powers to create red white and blue decorations. Ji had gone into town to buy food for the event. He returned with bags full of hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, chips, juice, popsicles, ice cream, potato salad, and red white and blue cupcakes. He also had gotten a bunch of glow sticks for the kids to wear. Mike and Antonio left when Ji returned to go buy fireworks, and lots of them. They came back with a large garbage bag full. When Ji caught sight of them, he sent the teens a questioning look. "Exactly how much did this cost me?" He asked, somewhat scared of the answer. "Only $486." Mike said, walking by quickly. Ji's jaw dropped. He looked like he wanted to kill Antonio and Mike, so Emily stepped in front of him and said, "Remember, it's for the kids." That calmed Ji down a little, but he would be doubling the two Rangers' chores for at least a month.
   After they finished setting up, Ji sent the Rangers back to the Shiba House to have breakfast and rest a little before they started. They returned at eleven o'clock, and the kids arrived at twelve. "Hey guys!" Jayden said. He and the other Rangers were already transformed. "How have you been?" The kids all screamed in delight. "Well we have a big day planned for you! Are you ready to get started?" He asked. The kids all yelled out "Yeah!" And the day began.
  Mia and Emily had brought the kids into the field to play games like sack racing and bean bag toss while the guys helped cook the food. Ji had to constantly keep Mike from stealing food, telling him the kids had to eat first. When the food was finished, the Rangers set up a line to give kids their lunch. "Hamburger or hot dog?" Antonio asked a little girl with straight black hair. "Hot dog!" The girl replied. Antonio placed a hot dog on the plate and handed it to Jayden. The little girl moved down the line and stopped in front of the red ranger. "Ketchup or mustard?" He asked. The girl shook her head. Jayden then gave the plate to Kevin. "Would you like some potato salad?" He asked. "Yes, please." The girl said. Kevin put some potato salad on her and then gave the plate to Mike. "Potato chips?" He questioned. The girl nodded eagerly and Mike put a handful of chips on her plate. He then gave it to Mia. "What kind of juice would you like?" She asked. "Apple!" The girl said excitedly. Mia poured the cup of juice and handed it to Emily with the plate. Emily then led the girl to her seat at the picnic table. This cycle continued until each kid got a plate filled with food. Jayden was standing by the table when Emily came up to him. "I'm glad we're doing this." She said with a smile. "They're going to love the fireworks tonight." "Yeah," Jayden agreed. "I'll never forget my first time seeing fireworks." Emily looked at him skeptically, egging him to go on. "I was four." Jayden started. "It was the year before my dad died. We had never done fireworks on the Fourth of July before, but me and Lauren begged for it, and my dad eventually gave in. He was making them with his symbol power and they were amazing. They were so bright and beautiful." "Wow." Emily said. "Before Serena got sick, her favorite was always this flower. It was huge, and all the sparks would go in different directions to create hot pink petals." "It sounds beautiful." Jayden told her. Emily's smile slowly turned into a frown. "Sometimes I wonder if the team would be better if Serena didn't get sick and she was the yellow ranger." She said quietly. "That's ridiculous." Jayden replied. He put an arm around Emily's shoulder. "We're as strong as we could ever be fighting with you on our side." Emily smiled again. "Thanks Jayden."
    After lunch the kids played on the playground for a while. Meanwhile, Jayden and Antonio were setting up the fireworks by the end of the lake. Antonio had attached a device to each of the fireworks so that they could be manipulated to work with the Rangers' symbol powers. When it got dark, Ji helped Mike set up a completely kid-safe fire pit and helped the kids make smores. Mia and Jayden were giving the kids marshmallows to roast. Mia noticed Jayden wasn't as enthusiastic as he should've been. "Are you okay?" She asked him. "Yeah I'm fine." He replied. "It's just that Andrew got adopted, and I'm sure he'd love to be here." "But he got placed with a good family." Mia said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure they're celebrating too." Jayden gave a small smile. "Maybe."
Shortly after the kids finished their smores, the show began. The first firework was shot up into the air and it exploded. The first design was Jayden's symbol all in red. Antonio then programmed the next firework to create an American flag. Jayden then used his power, being the fire samurai and all, to light the firework. The kids were amazed with the designs the fireworks were creating. Suddenly a thought went through Jayden's head. Remembering his earlier conversation with Emily, he asked Antonio to do him a favor and light a hot pink firework. While it flew up into the air, Jayden kept a close eye on Emily. When the firework exploded and revealed the flower design, Emily was shocked. She looked over at Jayden, who smiled at her. Emily smiled back. After the 1,329 fireworks were lit and set off, the kids were getting ready to return the orphanage. Jayden and Antonio were sitting at one of the picnic tables, exhausted from using so much of their symbol power. Suddenly Jayden caught sight of something. He thought he was just seeing things, but when the figure ran towards him waving and yelling "Jayden!" He realized what he saw was real. "Andrew!" He called, running towards the preteen. Jayden enclosed the boy in a hug when they reached each other. The two hadn't seen each other in months, Andrew had stopped coming over after he'd been adopted. "I missed you." Andrew said. "I missed you too." Jayden told him. "Where have you been?" "My foster mom just had a baby, so I've been busy at home, helping take care of her and the other kids." Andrew explained. "That sounds great." Jayden said. "When the baby gets older, I'll be able to come see you again." Andrew said. "Good," Jayden told the boy. "I can't wait."
   Jane had thanked the Rangers and Ji gratefully before leaving to bring the kids back to the orphanage. "That was fun." Emily said smiling. "I hope we get to do that again soon." They were riding back to the Shiba house in the Ranger van. It was a 45 minute drive. "Yeah." Mia agreed. "It's great to make all the kids happy." "Well I don't know about you, but making kids happy made me hungry." Mike added. "I'm starving." Everyone chuckled at that. "Mike, when are you not starving?" Kevin asked playfully. Mike thought for a moment. "When I'm playing video games." He replied. "How about we all go out to eat then?" Ji suggested. "My treat." Mia chuckled. "I don't think that'll work." She said. Ji looked in the mirror and saw Jayden and Antonio asleep, leaning on each other. "Or..." He chuckled. "Maybe not."

A/N: Okay I cut it really close to my deadline, but I did it. Hope you enjoyed the story and please comment and vote. Bye guys!