Hello, all!

Sorry for the delay! Had serious writers block for...like all my stories...

Anyway, finally this story is moving on! I hope you enjoy it!

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Chapter 7 – Changes.

It had been a few weeks since that terrible night. Several weeks since Kai had realized without a doubt that he did love his child and finally accepted he was going to be a parent.

He'd been doing a lot of thinking and soul searching since that happened. He realized this whole time he had been so wrapped up in the bleak memories of his past, he hadn't stopped to look at how lucky he was in his present. Out from the darkness of his childhood, the loss of his family, the pain and abuse of the abbey, the universe was finally on his side. After so much sadness in his early life, he had been led to someone who truly loved him.

Where other people only saw a cold and impassive rock, Rei saw something else. Despite all his efforts to hide himself from the world, to make himself inaccessible to anybody, Rei cared enough to find a way in. As much as he resisted at first, slowly Rei had managed to show him that he didn't have to hide. That being vulnerable wasn't terrible, and feeling...well, anything wasn't a bad thing.

Then finally, Kai didn't feel alone any more. And finally, he knew what being loved and being in love felt like.

Of course, it wasn't too long before life took another one of its strange turns.

Kai had just become adjusted to letting another person in to his life, going against everything he'd ever been taught. Then, against every law of science and possibility, he was pregnant.

Fate had brought him to a man who could give him the one thing he'd always desired. A family.

Though what he had craved were his own parents, they were gone, and nothing could change that. But together with Rei, they could be the parents he always wanted himself.

It took almost losing his baby to realise what a blessing it really was. Until that point, his mind had been filled with doubt and negativity. That had all changed now.

He promised his unborn child that from now on. he would do whatever it took to protect them, and be the best partner and parent he could be. No more dwelling on the past. It didn't matter any more.

He hadn't told anyone, but his actions after that night spoke more than words could.

Rei and the others had noticed the change in him. They saw him start to let go and not try and control everything. He was no longer pushing himself to train so hard, taking things easier, taking better care of his body. He was making an effort to be better with people, even though it didn't come naturally to him.

He also tried harder in his morning tai chi group. Even though he wasn't feeling particularly sociable at that time in the morning, and still felt like a complete idiot doing the moves, he did his best to break the ice with the other women. No longer standing behind everyone, but with them.

With a little help and some gentle pushing from Aoba, he was making progress.

The group suddenly began to get smaller over the past few weeks as the time had come for a few of the members to give birth to their babies.

He and Aoba had become very close. The two of them usually hung out after their morning sessions until Mei woke up and Kai had to go rally the Bladebreakers for training. Their relationship began with only them both being male and pregnant in common. But as he got to know him more, Kai had grown very fond of him, and he felt he could trust him. So in return he began to let Aoba get to know him, too.

It was a humid and cloudy morning, the smell of rain hung in the air. Aoba was sat at the small table on his porch looking out to the misty mountains as Kai appeared from inside with the tea.

Kai placed the cup in front of him.

"Here we are, tea that we both wish was coffee instead." he joked.

Aoba smirked and adjusted himself in his chair to reach it.

"Ah man...I can't wait for that first caffeine rush once this baby is born. And thanks for making it, I feel bad that you're a guest in my house, but you're making the tea."

Kai snickered and slumped in to the seat next to him.

"It's not hard. Besides, with this in the way..." he gently tapped Aoba's enormous stomach, "I don't think you could if you tried."

"Oh, ha-ha. Make fun while you can, Kai. This is all coming for you too, you know." laughed Aoba.

"Don't I know it..." Kai sighed. Running his hand over the shape of his own stomach.

He was now four months in to his pregnancy. His stomach had rapidly gone from a slight bump to a noticeable one, to a point where it was starting to get in the way when he bent down or tried to stand up.

The two were quiet for a few minutes, both enjoying the peace and quiet, staring out at the beautiful view. The lush, deep green of the mountains seemed to suddenly disappear under thick swirls of white and grey mist.

"Hey, Aoba..."

"Hn?"

"You've only got a few weeks left to go, right?"

"Yeh, why?"

"...you scared?"

Aoba lazily tilted his head in Kai's direction and met his eyes, he smiled softly before rolling his head back to the mountains.

"A little, I guess. I mean, I've been through it all once before and they say usually the second one is easier. But easier doesn't mean easy. Childbirth sucks, Kai. It's an intense and excruciating pain that you can't describe in words. It's mentally and physically exhausting. Not only that, you've got someone between your legs looking right up your hole while your bleeding and screaming, sounds coming out of you like a feral animal..."

Kai tensed up, a little surprised at his blunt honesty.

"There's a 'but' coming, right?" he asked.

Aoba laughed, "Bit much? Sorry, just telling it like it is. Buuuuuut..." he smirked, "when you make that last push, you feel the baby leave your body. they hold them up and hand it to you..." he drifted off dreamily, "the pain is indescribable, but even more so the feeling of joy when you hold your child for the first time. I guess I'm just trying to focus on getting to that rather than the pain."

Kai smiled, Aoba really was one of the most maternal people he'd ever met. Such a mother hen.

Aoba uncomfortably hoisted himself to sit upright. "Actually, I'm glad you brought it up. There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about."

Kai turned to him, intrigued.

"Oh?"

"Shao and I were talking...and I know this might seem kind of weird, but I figured, since I'm going to be there when your baby is born, we'd like you and Rei to be in the room with us when ours is born."

Kai's eyes widened as he processed Aoba's request.

"...You want us to be there for it? Like, see it?!"

"Yeh." his friend smiled. "I understand if it's too weird for you. But here it's not uncommon here. Plus, I thought it would be good for you to see what happens and what good hands your in."

"I mean...I'm honoured, and I know Rei will be, too. But won't we be intruding? It's such an... intimate thing."

"Kai, if I weren't sure, I wouldn't have asked you."

Kai smiled "Well then, of course we'll be there."

The silence came again. Aoba suddenly hissed slightly and held the left side of his stomach.

"You ok?!" Kai panicked.

"Yeh, just kicking hard is all."

Kai sighed in relief.

"Hey...speaking of kicking. I wanted to ask you..."

Aoba turned his eyes to him, listening.

"So...Rei ran his fingers on the under side of my belly, you know, the really sensitive part, and the baby went nuts. We thought it was a coincidence...unfortunately for me, Rei's tested it a few times and he was wriggling like crazy every time. Does that happen to every one?"

Aoba laughed.

"Uh...I've never heard of that. Must just be some kind of weird sweet spot for you that kicks her off."

"Oh..." Kai almost sounded disappointed, "Well...keep that to yourself, ok? Everyone is bugging me to let them feel it kick. It's getting on my nerves."

Aoba chuckled.

Kai was quiet for a moment when something hit him.

"Wait...did you say 'her'?"

"Hm?"

"...Just now. You said 'kicks her off'. Why?"

Aoba chuckled again.

"I'm just guessing. I make a guess for all the moms I take care of." he said before letting out a smug smirk.

"...and I'm right about 90% of the time..."

Kai felt his stomach drop.

"...a girl...?"

Aoba found his reaction amusing.

"Problem?"

"...No..." he lied as images of an innocent, faceless teenage girl being hit on by sleazy fuck-boys raced in his mind.

"I could be wrong...I'm just guessing. There's something about the way people carry that gives me a good idea, but you could be different...if I am right though, don't worry, you'll be fine! Look how good you are with Mei!"

Kai let out a soft smile. Aoba's daughter had really taken to him for some reason. It was weird for him at first...but now he was just as attached to her as she was to him.

...Maybe a daughter wouldn't be so bad...

As if her ears were burning, the front door opened.

"Daddy?" she whined sleepily in her pyjamas.

"Morning, baby!" Aoba said warmly, "look who's here!"

She stopped rubbing her eyes and looked, clocking Kai and suddenly becoming wide awake. She glowed as she ran over to him and climbed up in to his lap.

"Did you come to play with me!?" she asked, excited.

"Aw, I'm sorry, beautiful...I actually have to go soon."

Her face fell and she pouted.

"When are you gonna come play?"

"Uh..."

Aoba smirked.

"She asks daily. Please hurry up and make a playdate..." he said before turning back to his daughter, "You sure love your uncle Kai, don't you sweety?"

Her pout instantly turned to a grin and she fell in to him, cuddling him.

"I love you!" she said sweetly.

Kai's arms automatically wrapped round her as he felt that familiar but unwanted feeling quickly brewing.

He tightly pursed his lips together and stared at the sun and blinked.

Aoba laughed once again.

"...She set you off?"

Kai sniffed and turned to him, nodding just as his eyes spilled over.

"...You big softy..." Aoba jabbed playfully.

"Hey! Watch it..." he warned as he tried to calm the hormonal rush, making it far less intimidating than he wanted it to be.

After he calmed himself down, he took his leave. He had to get to training...

This week he'd been a bit a little off his game...the intense summer heat combined with the changes to his body was taking it's toll on him. Being an effective captain was starting to get difficult.

He just had to try harder without overdoing it.

Half way in to practice, they were interrupted.

"Rei!" Mariah yelled as she came running up to them, waving her arms.

Rei turned to her.

She panted as she reached him.

"You'll never guess...who's come back!"

"Who?" Rei asked calmly.

"Just come! All of you!" she yelled excitedly before leading them all back to her place.

As they got to her place, they were greeted by the sound of laughter as Lee and the other White Tigers were sat in the living room with the mystery guest.

Rei's eyes lit up.

"Ben!"

The mystery guest turned and grinned.

"Rei! I heard you'd come back, too! So good to see you!" he said happily as he stood up and went to him, clapping him on the shoulder.

The others took him in.

He was about the same age as Rei, a little shorter. His hair was about shoulder length and in a high pony tail. A few whisps escaping and shaping his face.

Rei turned to them.

"Guys, this is Ben! We grew up together! He left to do what I did...travel and get some blading experience...and Ben, this is my team."

Ben turned to them and pointed at each of them.

"I don't need intros...Tyson, Max, Kenny and Kai."

They smiled and nodded...except for Kai.

Ben's eyes went to the firm looking one. His eyes fell to his blue tunic and down to his stomach.

"...Oh..." he said in slight surprise.

Kai's eyes narrowed.

Rei noticed.

"I don't know if they told you but...Kai and I are actually together...and expecting."

Ben's jaw dropped.

"Seriously?! It's your kid?! Congratulations!" he said as he pulled Rei in to a hug.

He pulled away and went to Kai.

"Congratulations to you, too. You got yourself a good one here..." he said, gesturing to Rei.

"I've never heard of a non-neko getting knocked up..." he said excitedly. Kai fought an eye roll...he was sick of people saying that to him.

As he talked, Ben reached down and rubbed Kai's stomach. He instantly flinched away and glared. Ben didn't seem to notice.

"I can't believe there's a baby Rei coming! Let's see, from the size of you I'm gonna guess you're what, six months in?"

Rei winced.

The others fought a snicker as Kai's glare intensified ten-fold to menacing.

"Four." he hissed.

"Heh...my bad!" Ben said as he rubbed the back of his head.

There was silence for a moment as Ben looked between Kai and Rei.

"You know, looking at the two of you I'm a little surprised he's the one carrying. He doesn't seem like he'd be the one who'd take it up the-"

"Ben, everyone!" Rei instantly cut him off with an awkward laugh as he saw Kai start to burn with anger and embarassment...he liked Ben, but even growing up, he never had much of a filter.

Kai on the other hand hated him with a passion already. Dick.

They sat them all down and chatted with Ben.

He'd spent the past few years travelling around the world as Rei had.

He'd spent a year as a captain of an amateur team, but things didn't work out. Why, he didn't say. But it meant he was yet to compete in a big tournament. And that's why they hadn't seen him before.

Kai mentally concluded that it was probably because he sucked...

While they'd been chatting, Mariah left again and came back with Aoba, Shou and Mei.

Shou seemed stoked to see him.

Kai's liking for Aoba increased when he saw he wasn't overly excited to see him.

"Damn, guys! Another kid!? Looks like you're about to drop, too!"

"Yep...not long now..." Aoba answered politely before settling next to Kai.

"And is that Mei?! Wow, she got big! Hey, remember me?" he said to the child, holding his arms out for her to come to him.

Mei glanced at him shyly before running over to Kai beaming and hugging his arm.

Rei could practically smell the smugness coming from his partner.

"So...is this just a quick visit, or...?" Aoba asked, trying not to sound hopeful.

"Well...I'll be back for a little while. Been away too long, you know?"

"I know how that is..." Rei said.

Kai and Aoba patiently sat through the small talk for a while longer before Mei started fussing.

She was tired.

"I think I'm going to take her back..." Aoba announced before turning to Kai.

"Wanna come? I have some stuff I want to give you anyway..."

Kai jumped at the chance to escape.

He picked up the overtired girl and the two head out.

"...So...Ben..." Kai started after they were far enough away.

"...Yep...Ben..."

"...You're not a fan?"

"Nope. And I could feel you radiating dislike next to me...hence why I thought I'd help you escape."

Kai smirked.

"That obvious, huh? Thanks...They all seem to like him, what's your problem with him?"

Aoba tensed.

"He's rather...unique. Growing up he used to say unflattering things to me a lot... I was always on the placid side and that just made him do it more. He was always close with Shou...when we started dating, he didn't seem to like it much. I always suspected he felt something for him a little more than friends..." he explained before a smug smile appeared on his face, "too bad I beat him to it...who's laughing now..."

Kai snorted. Aoba really was a placid, chill, down to earth guy. He didn't know he had (ironically) a catty side to him.

Meanwhile, Ben was sat with Rei and talked quietly to him.

"So...Kai seems...nice."

Rei smiled.

"...Just let him warm to you. And if you want him to like you, I'd lay off comments like the ones you made."

Ben shrugged.

"...He still your captain?"

Rei nodded.

"Yep."

"...what are you going to do about that?"

Rei frowned and turned his head to him.

"...You honestly can't tell me you haven't thought about what you're going to do about a replacement? The guy can't do much with a kid inside him."

Rei's stomach fell.

Of course it had crossed his mind...he just didn't have it in him to have that talk with Kai quite yet...and since Kai hadn't brought it up himself, he doubted he wanted to think about it either.

"...We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, it's fine."

Ben shrugged again.

"Well...if I can be of any help, let me know..."

"Thanks...I'll keep that in mind..." he said as he shuddered.

He could tell Kai already hated him...bringing him in as his replacement? He dreaded to think how that'd go down...

Later that day, Rei met Kai back at home. He was laying down with the fan on him.

"Hey...too hot for you?" he asked concerned.

"It's hotter than the surface of the sun here...how are you not sweating?"

Rei shrugged as he got in to bed next to him.

"Just used to it, I guess."

Rei settled next to him.

"So...have a nice catch up with what's-his-face?" Kai asked almost bitterly.

"Ben..." Rei smirked, "And I did...it's a shame you left. You didn't get a chance to talk to him properly."

"Hn...damn shame..."

Rei snorted.

"Be nice...he's a nice guy once you get to know him..."

Kai snorted back.

"That's just a polite way to say 'he's an asshole, but you'll get used to it'."

Rei cocked a playful brow.

"Is it? Because that's what I usually say to people when they meet you."

Kai smirked back.

"Proves my point..."

Rei chuckled before rolling on to his side, facing him. He ran his hand over Kai's belly.

Kai flinched.

"Stop..."

Rei frowned.

"What?"

"I'm just tired of being felt up, all right!?" he snapped angrily.

Rei was a little surprised by the very sudden change in mood...even though it was a common thing these days.

"...is this because Ben thought you were further along than you are?"

Kai scoffed and folded his arms across his chest.

"I couldn't care less about what that loser thinks..."

"Uh huh..." Rei played along, unconvinced, "but I wish you'd stop worrying about it...Aoba says your weight looks fine...if anything you could do with a few more pounds on you."

Kai glared and Rei bit back a smile.

"...You hungry?"

Kai glared a little harder...he was starving...he just didn't want to admit it. His appetite had been off the scales recently...

Rei cocked another brow.

"What do you want for lunch?"

Kai shifted slightly. He knew exactly what he wanted...no, needed. He'd been craving them for two days.

"Can you...can you get dill pickles here?"

Rei laughed.

"You finally got cravings! Talk about stereotypical pregant person...you craving pickles?"

"...and mustard..." he said quietly, embarassed.

"Mustard?! But you hate mustard!" Rei laughed.

"I know! It's a sin against food! But I can't stop thinking about it!" Kai whined.

Rei burst out laughing at him.

Kai didn't see the funny side.

"Shut up! Can you get it or not?!" he asked almost desperately.

Rei finally stopped laughing.

"Well...not really...we don't exactly have a supermarket here or anything if you haven't noticed...but my mom pickles vegetables...they're really good...closest thing we'll get here..."

Kai considered it...what he really wanted was a fat dill pickle...but it would have to suffice.

"...and we don't do mustard either...but maybe Max has a stash?"

Kai looked at him.

Rei got the hint.

"...Fine, your highness, I'll go see what I can get...just remember this heroic act next time you're pissed at me..."

Kai smiled and adjusted himself, getting more comfortable.

"You're the best, Rei..."

Rei smirked as he pulled himself off the bed and head back out.

He dropped by his parent's house. His mom flapped and gave him enough of her pickles to last a month, firmly telling him to give Kai 'exactly what he wants'.

After the whole ugly incident with the kidnapping, his mom doted on Kai. To Kai's discomfort, she treated him like a prince and fussed over him, finally able to enjoy becoming a grandma without the dark cloud of the past hanging over them anymore. And Rei couldn't be happier...apart from when he got snapped at by his mom for apparently 'not being attentive enough'.

His next stop was Tyson, Max and Kenny's place.

He knocked on the door and Kenny let him in.

"...Oh...hey Ben..." he said in surprise as he got to the kitchen and saw Ben and Tyson at the kitchen table.

"Hey Rei! What brings you here?" Ben asked.

"...I was about to ask you the same thing..." he said.

"Ah, I was around and bored so thought I'd just come chill with your team!"

Tyson looked a little awkward.

"What's up, Rei?" he finally asked, sounding a little more chipper than he looked.

"Actually...I need Max."

"Oh...hang on..." he said before inhaling deeply.

"MAX! REI WANTS YOU!" his voice boomed.

Rei covered his ears.

"...Thanks, T..." he said sarcastically.

Max came in to the kitchen a few moments later.

"Jeez, Tyson...no need to yell like that...hey Rei!"

"Hey Max! This is a little weird...but do you have mustard?"

Max's eyes sparkled.

"Of course I do! Don't go anywhere without it! Why?"

"...Well...Kai's kind of craving it...you think we could...have some?"

Tyson burst out laughing and slapped the table.

"Please tell me he wants to put it on icecream or something gross...ahhh, Ol' Sourpuss having pregnancy cravings...that's great..."

Rei couldn't help but chuckle a little himself.

"...Pickles, actually."

Max's bubbly laugh joined them as he went to the cupboard and pulled it out, tossing it to him.

"Of course...here ya go. Glad he's finally coming to the darkside...He usually looks at me like I'm some kind of weirdo when I eat it."

"Thanks Max, you're a life saver! I'd better get back before the poor guy starves..."

He thanked them again and left.

Not long after, Ben stood himself up, too.

"I guess I should get going, too...thanks for the hang out, guys...and Tyson?"

Tyson looked up at him.

"...Think about what I said..."

Tyson tensed.

Max and Kenny watched Ben go before turning back to Tyson, feeling the awkward tension.

"...What was that about?" Max asked.

Tyson composed himself, putting on one of his usual dopey grins.

"Ah nothing, so who's making lunch?!" he yelled, quickly changing the topic.

Max and Kenny sighed.

"Rock, paper, scissors?" Kenny suggested to Max.

"...I'll just do it." Max said, defeated.

Rei got home to find Kai folding up laundry on the living room floor.

"Hey! Look what I managed to get!" he said cheerfully as he held up the bottle of mustard.

"Oh thank god..." he sighed happily.

"Got mom's pickles, too...so...what exactly do you want me to make?"

Kai was up and already pulling him to the kitchen.

"Nothing. As is."

Rei frowned as he sat them down on the kitchen table and watched amused as Kai ripped the lid off the pickles, pulled one out, flipped the top off the mustard and poured it on before putting it in his mouth.

Rei pulled a face.

Kai let out an almost orgasmic noise.

"...Oh my god...I hate myself..." he moaned out as his craving was finally being satisfied.

"...That cannot taste good..." Rei laughed.

"It shouldn't but it does..." he said as he pulled out another pickle.

"You wanna try?" Kai asked hopefully.

"...I'm good...you knock yourself out...I'm going to make something less...gross."

Later that night, Tyson lay awake as the other two slept.

Ben had talked to him privately when he came over...it got him thinking...even though he didn't like the conversation...

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"So...when is your next tournament?"

"Beginning of December. Here in China." Tyson answered.

"Hm...bad timing, huh? Isn't Kai due around then?"

Tyson stayed quiet...

"Doesn't that mean you guys are kind of...out this time? I mean...you can't really enter with just three players...or without a captain..."

Tyson shifted in his seat.

"Well... he can still be our captain...nothing stopping him doing that...as for the last member...as long as we don't need a sub, we should be fine...maybe we'll put Chief down as our fourth this time..."

Ben tilted his head.

"A little risky, wouldn't you say...if you did need a sub for whatever reason...you're kind of putting your team's chances and reputation on the line...the world champs getting knocked out the Asian tournament? That would be one hell of a downfall..."

Tyson tensed.

"Well...I mean...It can't be helped, I guess...of course I want us to win, but the guys are more important. Kai can't compete this time. He has something bigger going on...like growing a human."

Ben sat back in his seat and folded his arms.

"Yeh...but at the same time, as someone who has experience in leading a team...I'm a little surprised Kai hasn't offered to step down...seems somewhat selfish to hold you guys back..."

Tyson frowned.

"He is not being selfish...he's the captain. He always has been!"

"...Doesn't mean that shouldn't change...he may have always been a captain, but a good captain always does what's best for the team...I wonder if he's doing that..."

Tyson's frown grew deeper.

"I don't think I like the way you're talking about him...you don't even know him..."

Ben held up his hands.

"I mean no harm, he seems like a great guy. I was just wondering if you're really all willing to risk your next world champion title because he won't sit out one tournament while he's in his...condition."

Tyson stayed quiet again for a moment.

"Well...what would you suggest we do?"

Ben shrugged.

"Well...I have experience as a captain...I would be happy to take over for a while until he's ready to come back...that way he's not leaving the team per se...just taking a temporary break without jeaopardising your chances..."

Tyson felt a little trapped...it sounded like a good option...but he seemed a little too eager to jump in to Kai's place.

"...thanks for the offer, I guess. But it isn't exactly up to me."

Ben laughed.

"I'm not suggesting it is...just...offering my services...you might want to consider it with the others..."

Tyson folded his arms.

"...Thanks...maybe we will..."

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He felt terrible even considering it. Kai was the captain. It didn't feel right replacing him, even temporarily.

...but Ben did have a point.

Kai definitely wasn't what he was a few months ago...he didn't have the same punch as he did. He seemed softer. Less driven...

He wasn't the drill sergeant they'd come to depend on...

That wasn't his fault...he had other things going on right now. He had to take things easier and relax more for his kid's sake. It was great that he was adapting for the kid. That couldn't be easy for him.

...That didn't help the team, though...

He let out a frustrated growl and rubbed his eyes.

He was torn...he didn't know if or when he should bring it up to the others.

The torn feeling wasn't helped by what happened the following morning.

They assembled in their usual place for training at 8:30 sharp.

...8:45, Rei and Kai were still nowhere to be seen.

Ten minutes later, they finally rocked up.

"...Sorry we're late guys..." Rei apologized.

"No worries!" Max said cheerfully, "everything all right?"

He and Kai nodded.

"Yeh...just got held up. Our bad..." Rei brushed off vaguely.

"All right...let's get started. You guys warm up yet?" Kai asked.

They shook their heads.

"OK...let's start with laps."

Tyson felt bad again for doubting him...so he was a little late, big deal. He could still coach...

After the 5th lap around the large, open area. Kai suddenly stopped and leaned against a tree, panting.

Which meant Rei stopped.

Which meant they all stopped.

"You all right?!" Rei asked, panicked.

"Yeh...just hot..." Kai panted. He was sweating a lot and out of breath.

"...I think this is getting a bit too much for you..." he said carefully.

"I said I'm fine, Rei!" he barked back as he was getting his breath back.

"Well you don't look fine...we haven't even started yet and you look ready to drop...the heat can't be helping..."

Kai growled.

"I just need a minute, don't fuss."

Rei growled back.

"Don't be stubborn...be really honest...do you feel up to it today?"

Kai's eyes softened.

He knew the answer, he just didn't want to give up.

He shook his head.

"I thought so..." he said gently before turning to the others.

"...Sorry guys...I'm going to take him back."

Max nodded.

Tyson felt his heart sink.

"I'll be back soon..." Rei told them as he started to lead Kai back.

"...Yo, Kai! What do you want us to do today?" Tyson asked.

Kai turned back.

"Work your backs and then get to strength training..." he instructed before walking off with Rei.

Tyson sighed.

...That's what they'd done yesterday...and the day before...

He was slipping...

Maybe it was time for a change...for the team's sake.

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End chapter 7! Hope you enjoyed this lead in to the next part of the story!

Thanks for reading! Any comments appreciated as always!

See you next time!