Hey! Thanks for the reviews! I appreciate it!

I'd just like to point out a mistake I made...last chapter I kept jumping between spelling his name 'Ray' and 'Rei'...didn't even click until after I posted XD.

I'm sure no one cares but...my bad!

Just a note: This chapter contains a short lemon near the end. I'll show the beginning and end with 'xxxxx'.

And also...this chapter starts one way and just goes off lol...a lot happens! Just to warn! Enjoy the ride!

Anyway, on to the next chapter.

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Chapter 9 – The Good, The Bad, The Terrifying.

Kai lay awake, feeling nauseous.

It was 3am.

Today was his first day in his new..demoted role as 'co-captain'.

The idea made him feel physically sick...how humiliating it was going to be, sitting in plain view while someone else called all the shots for his team and only being able to sit back and watch...

He didn't even want to go, but Ray insisted. He said he had to make the effort to be civil and break the ice with him if this had a chance of working out smoothly...

Kai wanted to break ice all right...a long, sharp icicle would be good...then he could stab the fucker with it...

…the weapon would melt...leaving no trace...no one would be able to prove it was him...

"...Bit much?" He thought to himself, "Perhaps..."

He continued to lay in bed, his mood swinging from sadness, to humiliated to angry as his head went over and over everything.

Finally, his 4:30 alarm went off and he rolled himself out of bed...today was going to be hard enough...but on less than two hours sleep? This could be bad...

Aoba gave him a supportive smile as he arrived at t'ai chi. He'd heard all about it the following day. He'd taken it hard, even though he appeared to understand the necessity.

He kept glancing over at him. His head clearly wasn't in it this morning...he was all over the place and clearly getting frustrated.

He took him aside as the class finally came to an end.

"Take it from someone who knows the guy...do not let him get under your skin...the second he knows he has, he'll pounce...he's very good at being a dick and playing innocent at the same time...be careful."

Kai sighed. He wasn't looking forward to this at all.

The two strolled back down the calm dirt track.

Aoba slowed down and made a face of discomfort.

Kai noticed.

"...You all right there?" he asked, concerned. Aoba was rapidly coming up to his due date.

"Yeh...just backache..."

Kai slowed his own pace down to walk along side him.

He seemed to recover quick enough, and his waddle picked up in pace.

"You coming over, or?" he asked as they approached his house.

Kai let out another sigh...he knew he wouldn't be great company...he'd talked Aoba's ear off enough about it the day after it happened.

"...If you don't mind...I think today I'm just gonna..."

Aoba nodded, he understood.

"Well...feel free to come on by and vent to me later...I'll be here."

"Thanks..."

"...Good luck..."

"...Thanks..." he repeated as he left Aoba at the path to his house.

Aoba walked in to his quiet house. Mei and Shou were still asleep, like always.

He sat himself down on his coach and tensed as a dull cramp started in his pelvis.

He checked the clock on the wall.

"...You ready to make an appearance already or are you just messing with me?" he asked his unborn child.

The dull cramp faded soon enough...he waited.

About ten minutes later, another dull cramp that went almost as quickly as it came.

Another ten or so minutes later, he tensed yet again.

"Oh boy...looks like it's time for round two..." he said to himself nervously.

He was a midwife...he'd been through it himself once before...didn't stop him dreading it though.

He heard footsteps coming down the stairs and patter through to the living room.

"Morning daddy..." came his daughter's sleepy voice.

He smiled and stood himself up.

"Morning baby...is dad awake yet?"

She shook her head.

"...would you mind going and waking him up for me? I'll get your breakfast ready..."

She nodded and took herself back upstairs.

He went to the kitchen and started on her breakfast, taking deeper breaths as the dull but tolerable cramping hit once again.

Shou shuffled his feet as he groggily came in to the kitchen, dishevelled and still half asleep, carrying Mei.

"Why did you set her on me? It's still early..." he whined as their little girl giggled.

"I think it's go time..." he said calmly, "we should get her to Mariah's soon."

Shou suddenly felt wide awake.

"Now!? Do we have time?! Why are you cooking right now?!"

Aoba rolled his eyes. His husband had a tendency to flap.

"We've got time...they've just started...just let's be calm and get her ready for her play date with Mariah, huh?"

Shou nodded and ran upstairs, getting her things together while Aoba calmly gave his oblivious daughter some breakfast.

A few hours later, Kai dragged his heels behind Ray as they head to training.

Ray looked over his shoulder and sighed.

"...It won't be as bad as you think..." he tried to comfort.

"Hn..."

"...Do you promise to try and be nice?" he asked carefully.

Kai lifted his head and glared at him.

Ray felt it was best to leave it at that...he was sure he'd behave himself...as long as Ben did..

They remained quiet the rest of the way to the open area where they trained.

The others and Ben were already there.

Kai felt himself tense as their eyes fell on him.

He hadn't seen any of them since their argument...it was only a few days ago, and he hadn't wanted to face them yet.

He wished he had...this felt awkward.

"Morning guys..." Max said with a gentle smile and his usual chipper voice.

"Hey Max." Ray smiled back before glancing at Kai.

Kai folded his arms and shifted his weight from one leg to the other and nodded.

He made eye contact with Tyson, who had his hands in his pockets and gave him a nod, too.

And then...

Ben came strolling over with a cocky grin on his face, one that made him want to punch him.

"Great! You're here!" he beamed as his eyes sparkled, "I'm really excited to work alongside you for the time being! Put her there, co-captain!" he said innocently as he extended his hand.

Ray and the others winced.

Kai glared at him like he was trying to shoot him with mind-bullets as his insides burned.

Eventually, Ray gave him a subtle, gentle tap on the back after he'd left Ben hanging a little too long.

He huffed and averted his eyes as he very quickly gave a half-assed hand shake before pulling away.

"So..." Tyson said finally, hating the awkward silence, "what's on the agenda today?" ….he asked Ben...making Kai's heart sink as he took the hint and took his place...at the side.

"Well, I want to see what you guys can do and see where you're lacking! Plus you guys don't know what I'm like to battle! We'll warm up with some laps and get on to some friendly battles!"

Tyson gave a friendly smile and a nod.

"You boys ready?" Ben asked.

"Aye aye, Captain!" Tyson said loudly and enthusiastically without thinking.

Kai's chest stung even more.

Ray glanced back worried at his boyfriend before joining the others as they broke in to a steady jog.

Kai didn't want to watch...already this was torture.

He saw Kenny wander over and sit beside him, opening up Dizzi.

"...Don't take it to heart...you know what he's like..." he said sympathetically, sensing Tyson's enthusiasm for the new 'captain' was hurtful.

"I'm not. It's fine." he said defensively, not taking his eyes off them running in a uniform line...and really hoping Ben tripped.

"C'mon! Pick it up! Let's go, let's go!" Ben's voice yelled in an authoritative manner as they began lagging.

"Man...I thought...he'd be more...chill..." Tyson panted, "...but...he's turning out...to be...Kai two..."

Max turned his head as he panted equally as hard, sweat rolling down his face and neck.

"Don't you dare...let either of them...hear you say that..." he warned.

At long last, the 'warm up' finally ended.

Kai huffed.

"The warm up is supposed to warm them up...not tire them out completely before the real training starts...jackass..." he criticised in his head.

Even Ben seemed tired out, but put on a brave face.

"All right! Now we're good and warm! Let's get down to some business! Who's my first victim?!" he asked excitedly.

Tyson waved his arm in the air.

Ben smirked.

"Come on T...show me what you got!"

"T?" Kai scoffed in his head, "You've known him for five minutes and you're calling him 'T'?

Tyson ran down and set himself up, looking excited to have a new competitor.

Kai unconsciously ripped out fistfuls of grass from the ground beside him where he was sat.

"Kick his ass, Tyson..."

Max and Ray wandered over and settled beside Kenny and Kai, getting out the direct sun.

"This could be interesting..." Ray grinned, "I haven't seen Ben battle in a long time...and he beat me several times back in the day."

Kai's eyes narrowed.

Ray looked over at Kai.

"Hey...you doing OK? Not too tired?"

Kai's burning eyes shot to Ray.

"...Hard to be tired when you're just sitting in the shade..." he spat back bitterly, getting uncomfortable looks from Kenny and Max.

Ray fought his annoyance at the snappiness at the simple question and forced a smile.

"Well...keep your eyes peeled...I'm sure they'll both want your comments about the match..." he said positively.

Kai huffed and turned his eyes back to the two competitors just as they were ready to launch.

"3...2...1..."

Kai frowned as Tyson's launch was way off...barely even making it in to the dish.

Tyson seemed to notice too, but got his head right back in to the game as their blades met and slammed against each other.

Ben held his own, quickly making it known he was no pushover.

After some dancing around and feeling each other out, Tyson called out Dragoon.

The familiar blue light emitted from his blade and the powerful, blue dragon came in to view.

Ben smirked.

"Bringing out the big guns already? Suit yourself...Galard!"

Ben's blade glowed a vibrant burnt orange and a huge, majestic leopard roared as it made itself visible.

Max and Kenny gasped in awe.

"...Told you this would be good..." Ray smirked.

Kai couldn't help but stare at the new beast with awe as well, before shaking himself and focussing on the match.

"Get him Dragoon! Hurricane attack!" Tyson yelled.

The great dragon shot out powerful gusts of wind that swirled and battered the other blade.

Ben chuckled.

"My Galard can handle a bit of wind, Tyson...but can yours handle a bite? Galard! Fang attack!"

The leopard pounced and gripped it's claws in to the dragon before sinking it's impressive, razor sharp fangs in to him. The dragon gave a cry. His blade wobbled.

Tyson and Kai looked worried.

"Finish him!" Ben demanded.

With a huge, powerful swing of it's paw, Galard struck the dragon, sending him down with ease.

"Dragoon?!" Tyson called out in disbelief as his blade wobbled even more before toppling.

The dragon flashed to a blue light and returned to his blade.

They all stared in silence.

It happened so quickly...how had he taken him down so easily?!

Kai growled and stood himself up, they all watched anxiously as he walked his way down to their defeated member, who was stood looking stunned.

"Show me your launcher." he demanded.

Tyson looked up at him with a gormless expression and handed it to him.

Kai looked over it and tutted.

"The configuration is way off! What have I told you about checking to make sure everything is set right?!" he scolded.

Tyson hung his head a little.

"...Get Chief to fix it. Now." he barked.

Tyson did as he was told, walking away from the dish with his tail between his legs.

Kai turned around to see Ben looking incredibly smug.

"Oh, don't look so smug...no wonder you beat him when his launch was so poor...he set himself up to fail." he spat at him, being far enough away from the others that they wouldn't hear.

"A bad workman blames his tools..." Ben said in a voice that matched his smug face, "...what was the excuse when you beat him?" he asked before his expression turned into a nasty smile, "Oh, wait..."

Rage spread through him like wildfire as he grit his teeth and his hands balled in to fists.

He forgot himself, reaching back to and pulling out his launcher and blade. He'd shut him up the best way he knew how...by kicking his ass in the dish.

Max clocked it from the side.

"Oh, no...Ray...?"

Ray looked up from Dizzi and let out an exasperated huff.

"Damnit..." he growled out as he stood himself up.

"Kai!?" he called out as he bolted towards them.

Kai growled and turned his head to see Ray running towards him.

"What are you doing!? Put that away..."

Kai gripped it harder.

Ray turned to Ben.

"What did you do?" he asked, annoyed, knowing he would have said something to piss him off.

Ben shrugged and feigned innocence.

"Beats me! Must be hormonal...I meant no harm, Kai..."

Kai's eyes narrowed more dangerously and Ray put a warning hand on his shoulder.

He caved and brought his arms down, putting it back in his pocket reluctantly.

Ray sighed.

"Come on guys...let's play nice..." he scolded them both.

"Agreed! No need for bad feelings! We are on the same team after all, aren't we Kai!" he said in a sweet voice.

Kai ignored him and turned on his heel, storming his way back to his place.

Ray trotted after him.

"...What was that about? We've only just started and you're losing your cool?!" he whispered to him sternly.

"Hey Ray! You want to take me on next?" Ben called over to him.

Kai felt himself shake with anger.

"...You better beat him or so help you god I will make your life a misery..." he hissed back viciously before stomping off.

Ray let out yet another exhausted huff before making his way back to Ben.

Of course he wanted to beat him anyway...but the mood Kai was in, he believed him when he said he'd make his life a misery...he'd have to give it his all.

"...Been a while, huh Ben?" Ray smirked.

"It has...be ready, I've gotten a lot better since the last time we fought." Ben smirked back.

Ray's eyes glinted.

"...As have I..."

They got in position.

Kai sat and watched like a hawk.

"3...2...1..."

They launched.

Kai let out a proud smirk when Ray went at him with all he had, barely giving Ben a chance to recover and come back.

It was Ben's turn to pull out the big guns quickly, he had no other option.

"Galard!"

Once again, the huge, spotted cat rose from the blade.

Ray's smirk grew, revealing his fangs.

"You won't be so lucky this time, Ben...Driger!"

"Kai...Ray...!" came a call from the distance.

The two turned to see Lee running towards them.

Ben took his chance while he was distracted and smashed his blade in to Ray's firing him out the dish.

Ray turned back.

"Hey!"

Kai looked back too and felt his blood boil as he saw Ray's blade cast out of the dish.

"Dude! What the hell?!" Ray spat angrily.

"Don't give me that! You should never turn your back on your opponent...would have thought that would be the first thing you were taught..." he said as he gave a sly look Kai's way.

"Kai! Ray!" the calling came again as Lee rapidly made his way to them. Stopping by Kai and leaning his hands on his knees, catching his breath.

"What!?" Kai yelled angrily, feeling royally pissed Ben had beaten Ray, too.

"Sorry...it's just Aoba's in labour...he sent me to come find you guys when he dropped Mei off with Mariah."

The others let out sounds of delight.

Kai's anger vanished in an instant.

"Oh shit...right..." he mumbled out, feeling nervous himself, "Ray! Come on, we gotta go!"

"Hold on!" Ben piped up, "You're right Ray, that wasn't a good victory...best of three?"

Ray looked between Kai and Ben...he knew he had to go...but he also wanted to redeem himself.

"Ray...another time! We have to go!" Kai yelled as he stood himself up.

Ben brushed him off.

"It won't take long...you'll still make it...takes hours, doesn't it? A little longer won't matter!"

Ray seemed torn.

He finally turned to Kai.

"...You go on ahead, I'll be there real soon. I promise!"

Kai shook his head in disbelief, but Ray already had his back turned to him.

"...Fine..." he muttered under his breath before Lee left with him.

Kai struggled to keep up with Lee. He was a lot faster than him, even at a walking pace.

Lee finally picked him up and took off, getting him there as fast as possible.

"I'm gonna get back to Mariah and help out with Mei...wish Aoba luck from me!" he said before leaving him at the entrance of the hospital.

Kai ran in, looking around frantically. He'd been here himself a few times, but in his panic his brain went blank as to where to go.

He found a nurse and asked her. She smiled and lead him through the small, simple hospital, stopping outside the door.

"He's in here...he told me he was expecting you here, you can go right in."

He froze as a muffled cry of pain came through the door.

The nurse smiled lovingly.

"Shouldn't be long now...go ahead!" she encouraged.

Kai sucked it up, pushing the feeling of panic, which he wasn't even sure why he had it, down and knocked on the door before opening it.

He walked in to see Aoba on a bed that tilted at an angle, allowing him to rest his back against it, his long hair in a messy, high pony-tail that was matted with sweat. His face was red, tired and clammy. He was dressed in a plain hospital gown, his knees up and covered by a small blanket. Tao at the end of the bed.

Shou sat to the side of him, looking terrified and holding his hand.

Kai stood stunned.

Aoba made eye contact with him and a soft smile appeared on his face as he panted.

"Kai...you made it! Where's Ray?"

Kai felt his body move instinctively, he ran to Aoba's side.

"He'll be here...how are you holding up? When did it start? Can I do anything!?"

Aoba breathed out a laugh.

"Calm down...everyone just stay calm...I am!" he said as he shot a look at his husband, too.

"And to answer your question...since early this morning...It's all happening a lot faster this time around though..." he smirked before it rapidly got wiped away and replaced with a pained expression.

He hissed before letting out a deep groan.

"If you wanna help just hold my hand..." he groaned out. Kai immediately took hold of it like he asked, and was surprised by just how strong his grip was.

He groaned even louder.

"Can I push yet!? I really need to push..." he whined as his eyes watered.

Tao's head appeared, looking sympathetic.

"Almost...hold on a little longer."

Kai's head went from Tao to Aoba, wondering what the hell was going on.

Why couldn't he push?!

Despite Aoba being so calm, he felt panicked. This was intense...

He wanted Ray...

A few minutes later, the door opened again.

"Ray! You're here!" Aoba huffed out as another smile crept on his sweaty face.

Kai turned around and felt relieved.

"I'm sorry I took so long...you all right?" he asked as he came in and settled beside Kai.

"Yeh..." Aoba said almost convincingly.

Tao's head appeared again.

"OK, it's time! Get ready..."

Aoba took both Kai and Shou's hands.

"Push..."

Aoba's grip on his hand sent shooting pain down his arm as he cried out and curled up in to the push.

Kai stared wide eyed and horrified.

Once Aoba calmed, Shou dabbed his head with a cool cloth and told him to breath, breathing along with him supportively.

Ray kept making glances at Kai...he looked terrified. He couldn't help but smirk a little as he caught him breathing along with them, too.

"And again...push!" came Tao's voice.

Aoba sat up again, crushing their hands and crying out even more intensely, tears streamed down his face at the strain.

They all lost track of time, it could have been minutes, could have been hours. All they could focus on was Aoba and helplessly watch him cry out in agony and only offer hand holding and words for support.

Aoba's calm composure finally cracked as he grew exhausted.

His head fell back against his pillow and he sobbed a little.

"I can't anymore..."

"Yeh, you can...you got this baby..." Shou encouraged.

"I'm so tired..." he whined.

Shou stroked his hair.

"I know, but you're almost there...you're doing so good...you're amazing, you know that?"

"Oh, will you shut the fuck up!" Aoba growled at him as he curled up again, letting out yet another exhausted, intense cry.

Shou did what he was told and...shut the fuck up.

Not long later, Tao's head appeared yet again, looking excited.

"I need you to stop pushing now...you're almost there..."

Aoba puffed out short, sharp breaths and looked incredibly uncomfortable.

"Papa, you want to see?" Tao's voice came from behind the blanket covering him.

Shou looked at Aoba for permission and got a nod. He quickly kissed him on the head and let go of his hand to watch his child come in to the world.

Kai and Ray didn't know where to look.

Kai's hand got squeezed tight as Aoba made a series of sounds of discomfort, but he couldn't tear his eyes away from the blanket.

It wasn't long before a shrill cry echoed through the room and Shou looked like he'd been slapped.

Kai and Ray both froze.

Aoba flopped back against the bed, trying to look over and see.

Tao got Shou to cut the cord before wrapping the bundle up and handing it over to Aoba, who's lip quivered and broke down in tears of joy.

"Congratulations...you have a son..." he grinned.

Kai gripped on to Rei's sleeve and couldn't contain himself...he was an emotional wreck.

He only got worse when Shou joined Aoba and the two kissed over their new born baby.

"I think we should leave them to it..." Ray whispered to Kai, standing himself up quietly and gently pulling him to follow.

Aoba turned his head to them as he kept crying.

"You guys don't h-ave to leave!" he reassured through tears.

"It's OK, you two enjo-y your moment!" Kai sobbed back, "We'll come back la-ter!"

Aoba nodded.

"O-K, thanks so much for be-ing here!"

"Thanks for letting us be p-art of it! You did so good!"

"Thank you!"

"...Oh my god, congratulations!" he strained out in a squeaky voice.

Ray thought it best to drag him out before the two of them cried at each other more...

The second they got out in to the hallway, Kai threw his arms around Ray.

"Did you see that?! That was incredible!" he sobbed.

Ray laughed and put his arms around him, it still took him by surprise when he turned in to a hormonal, emotional mess, but this was the most intense he'd ever seen.

"I saw...and it was...he was amazing."

Kai pulled away and continued to stream tears, but looked slightly annoyed and slapped his arm.

"Why aren't you crying?!"

Ray snorted.

"I did a little...but I think you're doing enough for the both of us, you big softy..."

Kai hit him again as he sniffed and tried to calm himself, embarrassed.

Ray laughed again.

"Come on, waterworks...let's get you home. We'll come back tomorrow once he's rested up a little..."

The sun was setting as they walked home. They didn't talk. Even though Ray didn't show it as much as Kai did, he couldn't help but feel affected by what he'd seen, too.

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The moment they stepped in the door they were all over each other, swept up in the emotion of it all. Ray carried him upstairs and gently placed him on the bed before climbing on top of him, being careful of his stomach and kissing him softly and passionately, running his hands under his shirt and caressing his skin.

Kai melted at his touch, wanting to feel as close to him as possible.

Clothes were soon carelessly thrown across the room, landing on the floor with a light thud.

Despite the intimacy, the need was intense. Ray wasted no time preparing him, enjoying watching his lover's body writhe as his fingers slid inside him.

Kai begged him, and he obliged quickly, positioning himself before gently easing himself in, leaning over without putting any weight on Kai's stomach and bringing him in to a deep and slow kiss as he began to move his hips just as deeply and slowly.

Kai broke the kiss with a deep moan, pulling his own legs back as far as he could to get Ray as deep inside him as he could.

Ray gripped the covers on either side of Kai's head and moved his hips at a faster and slightly harder rhythm, the two not taking their eyes off each other.

Kai reached down and touched himself, adding to the waves of pleasure.

Ray let out soft grunts as he too felt the heat starting to rise, he leaned down and brought him back in to a fiery kiss.

Kai kissed him back with the same passion, gently moaning in to it as the simultaneous pleasure of Ray inside him and his hand began to propel him towards climax.

"I'm gonna come..." he let out breathlessly.

Ray instinctively thrust a little harder, but didn't move his gaze away.

"Look at me..." he instructed.

Kai's glazed, pleasure-filled eyes pierced in to his.

"Ray..." he breathed out.

"Keep looking at me..."

Ray could practically see the fireworks going off as eyebrows furrowed and his eyelids fluttered, fighting the urge to close as he cried out in ecstasy, feeling the warmth of his seed shoot out against him.

Ray continued to thrust faster, both trying to drag out his climax and bring him to his own.

He gave a few more thrusts before he pushed himself as deep as he could, letting out a loud groan as he released inside him.

He let himself recover before easing himself out and rolling off him, the two laying together, spent.

They both lay quietly, letting their breathing return to normal.

xxxxxxx

Ray finally rolled over and propped himself up on his elbow.

"I love you..." he said softly.

Kai let out a small smile and turned his eyes to him.

"I love you too..."

Ray reached out and gently ran his hand over his swollen belly.

"...Will you marry me?" he blurted out.

Kai's face fell in shock.

"...What?"

Ray kicked himself...he wanted to ask but...he'd wanted to plan a better proposal...it just came out.

"Will you marry me?" he repeated, "...I...I have rings but they're not here right now, I..."

Kai rolled over in to him and pulled him in to another kiss.

"Of course I will..." he grinned as his eyes threatened to cry again.

"You will?" Ray grinned back, welling up as well.

Kai nodded, still grinning.

"...I wanted to plan a better proposal...I just..." he bumbled nervously before Kai shut him up with another kiss.

"This is perfect..."

Ray pulled him in to an embrace, his emotions all over the place.

What a perfect day...

A new arrival and he was engaged to the man he loved...who was also carrying his child.

They eventually got themselves showered and cleaned up before getting right back in to bed, quietly enjoying each other's company and holding each other.

It wasn't too long before the peacefulness sent them both off to sleep...

xxx

Kai lay on the bed in a hospital gown. Knees up with a blanket covering him.

He looked around, but there was no one in sight.

"...Ray?" he called out.

No answer.

"Aoba?"

No answer.

"...Anyone?"

Still no answer.

He hunched forward and clutched his stomach as an intense pain surged through him.

"Oh God..." he cried out, panicked as he breathed deeply.

He felt hot...too hot...his skin dripped with sweat as his whole body shook.

The pain only got worse...and worse...until it was unbearable.

He screamed and writhed on the bed, clutching anything he could grip for support.

"Somebody!?" he screamed out as he cried.

Nobody came.

The pain only grew as he felt like his insides were being ripped open. Like it was trying to push through, but couldn't.

He uncontrollably screamed and cried out, begging for someone to come.

He felt warm trickling from between his legs.

He tore away the blanket that covered his legs, blood poured and flooded the bed.

His muscles contracted painfully and more blood gushed from him.

"Somebody help me!" he screamed out in agony and panic.

xxxxxx

He yelled out in his sleep before he sat bolt upright, eyes snapping awake, gasping for breath.

"Kai?!" came Ray's voice as the bedside light switched on.

He didn't seem to notice him and threw the covers off him and checked himself, letting out a sound of relief that there was nothing there.

"What is it?" came Ray's soothing voice.

His head snapped back to him as he finally became completely awake but left with the overwhelming sense of dread.

"I can't do it...I can't..." he stuttered out, panicked.

"What can't you do?" Ray asked as he rubbed his eyes and sat himself up.

"What Aoba did...I can't..."

"Hey...come on..." Ray soothed as he put an arm around him, "you're shaking..."

"Look how big it is..." Kai's voice trembled as he ran his hands over his shirt, "it's only gonna get bigger...how the hell is it going to fit...I can't..."

Ray pulled him in closer.

"Shh...it's all right...it's perfectly natural to be scared, but you're going to be all right...you saw Aoba do it today...if he can do it, so can you...and I'm gonna be right there with you."

"You don't know that! Everyone keeps saying a non-neko man has never been pregnant before...what if something goes wrong!?"

Ray had no idea where this sudden freak out had come from...but then again, he had looked terrified during the whole thing today, it was only the end he seemed to forget about that...it must have all come back to him in a bad dream.

He held on to him tighter.

"It's going to be all right...Tao and Aoba know exactly what they're doing...you're in the best hands...don't go getting yourself worked up over it..."

"That's easy for you to say!" he snapped.

"I know..." Ray said guiltily, "It isn't me that has to endure it...but you're the toughest person I know, if anyone can handle it, it's you..."

Kai rested his head against his shoulder, still feeling worried, but calming.

"Let's go back to sleep...it was just a bad dream...we'll go see the baby tomorrow...let you see what you have to look forward to after that part..."

Kai nodded and Ray pulled him back down, putting a protective arm around him.

He didn't want to go back to sleep...that dream had been so vivid.

Ray's hand slipped down and rested on his belly, his thumb gently stroking it.

It felt nice...and relaxed him.

Eventually, he fell back to sleep, managing to get through the night without any more terrifying dreams.

When his eyes cracked open again, sunlight peered through the curtains. He stretched himself out before pulling the covers back and pulling himself out of bed.

Then he noticed Ray wasn't there...

He frowned and took himself downstairs, wondering if he'd gotten up before him...that was rare.

No sign of him.

He felt uneasy...where would he have gone?

He tried to think of logical explanations, knowing full well there was a good reason for his absence and made himself get washed and dressed.

But the uneasy feeling stayed.

He heard the front door click and near enough ran to it, letting out a sigh of relief when he saw Ray come in.

He felt safe...

"Where did you go?" he demanded, trying not to sound angry.

Ray smiled at him.

"Sorry...I was hoping to get back before you woke up..." he said as he took him to the living room and sat him down.

He reached in to his pocket and pulled out a box.

"I told you last night I had rings...I wanted to surprise you with them when you woke up."

He cracked open the box and showed him the two plain gold bands.

"...They were my grandparent's wedding rings...I hope you don't mind."

Kai smiled and shook his head.

"Of course not..."

"C'mere..." Ray smiled as he took hold of Kai's hand, trying to slip the ring on.

It got stuck about half way.

"Ah...just as I thought...too small...we'll get them resized..." he said apologetically.

Kai leaned forward and kissed him.

"We're engaged...the ring isn't important...it can wait."

Ray smiled at him.

"You're right..."

There was a small silence.

"...You ready to go see the baby?" he asked with an excited smile.

Kai nodded.

"...try to keep it together today, huh?" Ray smirked playfully, earning him a slap on the arm.

The two wandered back to the hospital and bumped into Shou in the hall.

"Morning guys!" he beamed.

"Morning, papa!" Ray smiled back at him, "you guys up for visitors?"

"Yeh! He's been up a few hours now, still tired out but seems good! Come on!"

They followed him to the ward he'd been moved to and walked in to the room behind Shou.

"Look who's here!" he said happily as Aoba's head rolled to the side and smiled.

"Hey guys!"

"Hey..." Kai said as he rushed to his side, "You doing OK?"

"Yeh...sore and tired, but fine..."

"How's little one?" Kai asked in an affectionate voice Ray hadn't really heard him use before...he found it sweet how maternal he was becoming.

"He's fine...want to meet him?"

Kai nodded excitedly.

"Honey...could you ask them to bring him in?" Aoba called over to Shou, who nodded and immediately left.

Ray sat down beside Kai and they waited.

"So...was it as bad as you were picturing?" Aoba asked Kai.

Ray felt him tense.

"No..." he lied.

Ray wondered if he should say something...if anyone could put his mind at ease, it was Aoba...but maybe now wasn't the time.

"Good...I'm glad."

A few minutes later, a nurse wheeled in a bassinet.

Kai and Ray instantly stood up.

The nurse smiled and handed the new mom his baby.

"Guys...this is Yi."

Kai and Ray leaned over to see him.

"Yi...nice name." Ray complemented.

"He's perfect." Kai added.

"Heh...looks like a wrinkly old man right now..." Aoba joked.

They couldn't help but laugh at his honesty.

Ray felt his cellphone buzz in his pocket and reached in to get it.

Ben: Where are you? Practice started twenty minutes ago.

He huffed before typing back.

Ray: I told Tyson and Max to tell you, we're visiting Aoba in the hospital. Will be late.

Almost as soon as his phone slipped back in to his pocket, it buzzed again.

He let out another huff before fishing it back out.

Ben: Do that on your own time...we're waiting here...

"Problem?" Kai asked as he saw Ray's face.

"I uh..." he paused, hesitating to answer, "I'm really sorry, I have to go..."

Kai frowned.

"...I need to get to training."

Kai's face fell flat, clearly unimpressed.

"...You really can't hold off a little longer...?" he said with an almost warning tone...it was hardly kind to Aoba...

Ray looked helpless.

"I...I gotta...he's the new..."

Kai glared, daring him to say 'captain'.

Ray knew.

"I just have to go..."

Aoba glanced between the two.

"Fine..." Kai said finally, trying not to let his voice come off as annoyed.

"...You gonna come along in a bit...?" Ray asked.

Kai immediately shook his head.

"OK..." Ray let out before turning to Aoba, "I'm sorry Aoba...I'll come back later..."

He waved it off.

"It's fine, Ray...I understand."

Ray nodded again before turning to leave.

Aoba turned his eyes to Kai's unimpressed face.

"...How was that by the way...?"

Kai looked up and met his eyes before forcing a smile.

"Ah, you know, he's still a dick...but that's not important right now...tell me about Yi..."

He tried to listen to Aoba as he talked excitedly about his beautiful new bundle of joy.

And he was listening...

But in the back of his mind, he felt angry...

The second half of yesterday was so filled with emotion and joy, he'd completely forgotten about Ben...

His friend, Ray's friend, had just had a baby boy...they had gotten engaged mere hours ago...

And yet Ben snapped his fingers and Ray went running?

That didn't sit well with Kai...at all.

He had a sinking feeling that Ben was going to be more of a problem than he thought...

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End of Chapter 9!

I know a lot happened in this chapter! But it's all there for a reason!

I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Thank you for reading!

Any comments would be appreciated!

See you next chapter!