Thank you so much for the reviews guys! I think this story is currently my most popular 'recent' story! I'm surprised at myself! I think I'm improving at writing!

IMPORTANT: After a bit of thinking, debating, and how the story's coming along. I decided that Rin will NOT be Rei's daughter so I'll be going back to change that hint(or hints) that was provided in the early chapters.

And, well, this is a bit longer chapter than usual! Letting you know ahead of time!

Kai sat in a chair, next to the hospital bed, cutting off the skin of an apple. All he could hear were silence and the ticking sounds from clocks. Occasionally, he would glance up from the fruit to look at Gou.

Gou was awake, but he was lying still while staring out the window and the two has yet to exchange words.

After a few more moments of silence, Kai already shed off the skin of the apple and then cuts them into pieces and put them on a plate, he placed the plate next to Gou on the large bed.

"…don't be scared Gou," was the first thing Kai has said to him all morning.

"I know…I hate it when I show fear in front of Rei-San…" Gou confessed but he yet to look at Kai. Kai made a small grunt from that comment.

"Tell me then…why are you scared in the first place?" Kai asked taking a toothpick to stick it into one of the apple pieces and then holding it next to Gou's mouth.

Gou hesitated before looking at the apple piece and taking it into his mouth. After swallowing he sighed.

"It's nothing really…I shouldn't even be afraid," said Gou finally turning his head to look at Kai.

"Then please tell me. I want to know, Gou…"

"…"

"Uh…please?" Kai almost hates himself that he had to say 'please.'

"…Mommy didn't have a normal birth," Gou started.

"What do you mean?" Kai asked.

"I overheard this. I was a bit younger so I didn't understand it all at once. But…after talking to Tao-Sensei and having a rabidly-growing brain, I started to understand what I overheard. As I said, Mommy didn't have a normal birth. Or should I say: I didn't have a normal birth. I couldn't be born the regular way. So…I could've died. Mommy might've too…" Gou's eyes started show sadness and grief, "At that point, I think Mommy was already living in the village with Rei-San. But…there weren't exactly any doctors there that could help her. I couldn't hear the rest so I wasn't sure how it happened, but Mommy had to go through surgery to give birth to me…The surgery itself, almost failed. I didn't overhear this part I got it right from Tao-Sensei. He wouldn't tell me in exact detail but…I just know that because the surgery almost failed, Mommy almost died because they couldn't stop the bleeding. I don't know what condition I was in, but…the thought of a failed surgery has always scared me. We just never had one since my Mommy giving birth to me. Then I found out exactly what was done in her surgery…apparently, the bleeding was because of an accidental cut. They had to get me out by cutting her open and something went wrong. That's…as far as I can remember…"

Kai sat there and listened with care.

"I see…you're afraid the same thing will repeat. And you're saying you shouldn't be afraid because…because she's not here to go through it again. Is that right?"

Gou lightly nodded, "But I can't help it. The fear is still there!"

"There's nothing wrong with that," said Kai calmly, "Sometimes…fear isn't something you control. Everyone is afraid of something."

"…Otosan…"

"But as you stated: There's not really a reason for you to be afraid. So try to take it a step at a time to get over this fear. And be brave…"

"…Then, what are you afraid of, Otosan?" Gou asked and Kai was taken back by that question.

"Me? Uh…" Kai wasn't even sure. He's not really scared by anything at all.

"I thought everyone was afraid of something," Gou reminded.

"…I'm afraid of losing my bitbeast," Kai confessed.

"Doesn't every beyblader fear that?" Gou pointed out, not satisfied with Kai's answer at all.

"Okay then…well, my answer will bring me to my next question for you Gou: Do you really want to go back with Rei?"

It was Gou's turn to be taken back by a question. He turned his head and stared at the wall.

"Because Gou…I'm afraid to lose you," Kai confessed.

"Otosan…" Gou turned back, "I thought you wouldn't care!"

"Well, let's just say I didn't care at first. But…now I can't say it's the same anymore. I have a hard imagining my life back to the way it was before…"

"Would that be: Single and boring? Oh wait…You're still single and boring," said Gou, half-teasing. Kai stiffened and grew a small anime vein but he quickly calmed down.

"Hn, you're right about one thing: My life was pretty boring before you came along," Kai admitted, "…and single but that's not the point."

"No it's okay…because I want you to stay single," said Gou in a more serious tone.

"Hm? Why?" Kai asked, a bit amused at this off-topic.

"Because…" Gou held on tighter to the sheets, "I only want one Mommy…"

"Oh…" Kai stared at the floor, "You know, Rei told me about her…"

Gou looked almost scared,

"He did?!"

"Yeah, everything. I'm sorry I never gave her a second thought, Gou. And I'm sorry that I never gave you a second thought either," Kai apologized. Gou calmed down but was still sad and upset about the news.

"It doesn't matter. Even if you knew, I don't think it would've changed much," said Gou sadly. Kai puts his arm over Gou's tiny shoulders.

"You know, while my father was a good person, I didn't think he was very good father. I hated him for a bit. It's ironic since you'd think I'd learn from my own mistakes…ugh, don't tell Kinomiya that, he'll hang that over me for the rest of my life!" Kai growled at the thought of it.

"Why would hang that over you?" Gou asked innocently.

"Because, well, I found out that besides our love for beyblading, out skills for beyblading, one other thing we have in common is that our fathers weren't very good fathers. The only difference is that Kinomiya actually turned out to be a better father than me…" Kai admitted, despite how much he hated that.

"I see…Otosan, I really want to be with Rei-San again. If I stay here, what's going to change?" Gou asked, wondering what he should do.

"A lot's going to change," Kai answered quickly, "Especially after what happened. I'm making sure you don't land here again!"

"Oh…well, I guess that's nice to know…"

Kai mentally cursed himself. What else does he need to say to make sure Gou will stay?!

"Damn…if only…if only I could talk to HER again! I might have an easier time convincing her over Gou since Gou has both mine as well as her stubbornness COMBINED!"

"So Rei, how was she…you know, when the village took her in and such?" Takao asked as the two talked about Gou and his mother over some lunch back at Takao's dojo. It's been a while since the two good friends sat down together in the dojo.

"She was pretty upset at first. Since she and Kai were no longer seeing each other. But then…she found out she was pregnant…"

"Wait, she didn't KNOW she was pregnant when she and Kai separated?!" Takao exclaimed and Rei only shook his head.

"And that became a problem. When she actually had to give birth she…oh…" It then hit Rei. The only possible reason Gou could be scared of surgery is because his mother had to go through it. Whatever harmed her, it scared him.

"Someone must've told Gou about it…" Rei thought as he stirs his drink.

"Uh, Rei?" Takao waved a hand in Rei's face and he snapped out of it.

"Oh, uh, sorry!" Rei apologized with s sweet smile, "Well she couldn't have a normal birth so after some searching and desperate needs of help, we were lucky enough to get her through a surgery to give birth to Gou. That's when she practically forced herself to change…"

"What…what do you mean?" Takao asked with concern.

"Well…"

"I…I'm not a very strong person am I…Rei? Even though I act all strong, when I'm with Kai I fall right into his arms like mush. Without him, I'm kind of weak aren't I?"

"Well you've known her for a while Takao, after all, you're the one that helped sneak her onto the team in the first place way back."

"Hehe, yeah, that was funny. Those were the days!"

"Yeah…but, basically, she says she's become too dependant on Kai. So when they divorced, she couldn't help but feel…weak. So for Gou's sake, she did her best to be strong for him, for both of them actually. I worried for her though. She really had no one to go to. You know her, she hates troubling people so it's rare when she goes to me, or Rai and Mao, or Kiki and Gao. But I see her with Mystel a lot when she's out near the waterfall. Other than that, she basically raised Gou all on her own."

"Wow…I think she's just underestimating herself. Makes me regret not finding her a place here," said Takao staring at the liquid in his cup, "But you must be lucky, Rei. You actually got to watch Gou grow up!"

"Yeah…he's a real cutie. I admit, it felt nice to watch him grow…"

"Come on, Gou! Come on! You can do it!"

Hands were holding baby-Gou in a stand. When the support was gone, Gou stood for about one second before falling on his butt while holding a blank stare of cuteness.

"Aww…its okay Gou! We'll take a step at a time okay? Here Rei, you try getting Gou to walk!"

"No, I don't want take the fun out of it from you."

"Come on, Rei! Look at that stare! It's too cute!"

"A-boo…ah…" Gou turned to the side and started crawling towards Rei and then when he got close enough he reached for Rei's long hair and puts the amount he grabbed into his mouth.

"Ah! Gou! Don't eat that! I hope you washed that Rei!"

"Of course I did!"

"Rei? Does she ever talk about…the team?" Takao asked and Rei came back from his daydream.

"Yeah, she does. She talks about you a lot," said Rei and Takao looked pleased.

"Really?"

"Yeah. And that she knew you had a crush on her for a while back then…"

"WHAT?!"

"She didn't say anything because she doesn't want you to feel bad. You were important to her."

"How did she find out?! She's smart but she's pretty dense and naïve!"

"Uh…Max told her," Rei confessed with shifty eyes.

"WHAT?! I'm going to kill him!"

"Takao! Clam down! That was years ago! Max probably just let is slip!"

"Still!" Takao crossed his arms, "It's not fair…"

"I can't believe how after all this time…she's disappeared," said Rei, a bit more depressed about it.

"I know…will you really take Gou back, Rei?" Takao asked.

"I want to…Gou grew up with her and the village but…I was the closest thing to a father to him…"

"I see…"

Against that room's door, an ear was taken away from the wall. The person started leaving the dojo on their own.

Kai walked down the streets…alone. No kid to ask him for that toy in the window or bug him that he's hungry. Kai sighed, knowing he did what he could. It's for the best that Gou leaves with Rei, but at the same time, Kai's having a hard time accepting that. Gou also spent his 6 years with Rei while he spent about a month with him. It's hard to compete with that. Kai suddenly stopped and looked at the store he stopped in front of. Without thinking, he went in. The door chimed and Kai looked at his surroundings. The place was filled with many unbelievably cute things. Plushies, dolls, key chains, and notebooks, anything you can think of: It's cute.

On the other hand, in the corner of the store is filled with anime, manga, and game merchandise of all kinds and genres.

"Can I help you?" The long-haired blonde counter girl asked. Or should we say: Counter-WOMAN.

"Hey…" Kai greeted. The woman suddenly froze.

"Kai…?"

"Hn, yeah…"

"Ohmygosh! KAI!" Kai almost thought she was going to faint at her…what he thinks is excitement?

"KAI! I haven't seen you in…FOREVER!"

"Yeah…" Kai bluntly replied.

"You…You…YOU JERK!" she suddenly punched him in the face.

"Ow! What the heck was that for?!" Kai puts a hand to his face.

"What do you think it was for?!" she pointed a finger at him, "You…you…divorced with one of my most favorite costumers!" she anime-cried.

"…yeah, actually, I'm here to ask about her."

"Hmph! Well maybe you should've thought of that before you divorced her!" the woman scolded.

"Okay, we both agree that it's my fault. But I need to ask you something…"

"Hmm…okay, shoot."

"Do you know where I can go…to get information? I know before you had a fortune-teller here at this store?"

"…That was your own ex-wife!" the woman exclaimed.

"…oh…right. Is there anyone else I can go to?"

"Why do you ask?"

"I need to find her."

"Your ex?" The woman raised a brow.

"Y-Yes…she's disappeared. No one knows if she's dead or alive but I want to, no, I need to find her!"

"Hmm…" the woman puts a hand on her chin, "Hard to say. But I don't think going to a fortune teller is going to help you, Kai. What if she's dead? Not going to be very happy news would it? And if she's alive, what if she's all the way in America or something?" The woman pointed out.

"…" Kai looked disappointed.

"But tell you what Kai, if you're here to buy something, I'll give you one thing for free," she offered.

Kai went to explore the store; it's been years since he's been here. He's surprised the same counter-girl that worked here part-time was now a grown woman and what looks like a full-time employer. He remembered his ex bought things from here all the time. Most of her holiday gifts probably came from here. Kai went to corner to pick up something.

"…This thing…"

"Okay then! It's on the house! But only because you were married to one of my most favorite costumers! So this is a one-time deal!"

"Sure…thank you…"

Gou had some better painkillers that are helping him cope with the pain before his surgery. After talking with Kai, he felt a bit better about it. But he kept himself distracted from the thought of surgery by reading.

The hospital door started to open; Gou just continued on reading thinking it must be a doctor or nurse giving him something or telling him some news.

"Gou…"

Gou looked up from his book when he hears the high and now almost squeaky, voice.

"Makoto?"

Makoto stood by the door with a sad face. Then the door fully opened and Gou's doctor came in.

"Yes, um, this boy arrived and caused some trouble as he ran around the hospital looking for you. Do you happen to know his family's number so I can call for them to pick him up?"

"Uh…no, I don't, I'm sorry," Gou apologized, "But my father might know.

"Oh, well then, very well. I shall take him-"

"No! He can stay here!" Gou cut in.

"…Very well. But do not get out of the bed."

"Yes Doctor…" Closing the door behind him, the doctor went to contact Kai leaving Makoto and Gou alone. Makoto started his way towards Gou's bed but stopped midway in the room. Lifting his hands to his eyes he started to wipe away tears.

"It's not true is it?" Makoto began to sob.

"Wh-What's true?" Gou asked, afraid of what Makoto's reaction will be.

"You're not…r-really going away…a-are you?" Makoto asked, whimpering, "To China! With Uncle Rei?!"

"…" Gou lowered his head, "I don't know…"

Makoto suddenly began bawling.

"I said I didn't know! Not I'll be going!" Gou shouted to try and get Makoto to stop wailing. But it didn't really work, Makoto kept crying.

"…Ah! Wait! How did you even get here?!" Gou exclaimed.

"Walked…waaaa…"

"…" Gou's mouth dropped. It was no wonder he wandered in here without his parents and the doctor asking for it.

"Makoto…come here, rest over here. Tell me why you're upset," said Gou motioning Makoto over to his bed. Makoto slowly made his way to the bed and crawled onto it sitting next to Gou. Still crying and whimpering while doing so, Makoto didn't calm down too much.

"I don't want you to go…Please Gou…" Makoto sniffed with his hands to his face trying to wipe away his tears, "You're my…best friend…"

"I am? What about Mark-Kun? Or Junna-Chan?"

Makoto shook his head,

"I want to…sniff…be your friend. Your best friend…whimper so you don't have to…" Makoto looked at Gou in the eye, "You don't have to be alone anymore!"

"Makoto…!"

--

"Gou, go out an play, don't spend all your time in here," said Rei, watching over Gou that while Gou's mother was out of the village for a while. Gou was lying on his stomach drawing.

"I don't want to…"

"Come on, Gou, it's a nice day out. Go out and play!"

"No…"

Rei sighed at Gou's stubbornness and anti-social attitude.

"Want me to bring Minkah or Rin over?"

"NO!" Gou shouted and went into a sitting position, "Minkah is bossy and Rin's a bully!"

"Gou!"

"I don't want to play with them! Or anyone else in the village!" Gou cried and picked up his belongings, quickly running into another room.

"Gou…" Rei shook his head about to follow Gou if he didn't feel another presence.

"Did Gou just call my son bossy?" Mystel asked. Rei turned to face him,

"Did you just let yourself in?"

"Maybe…"

"I'm sorry you heard that. I'm sure Gou doesn't mean it," Rei apologized.

"Its fine," Mystel waved it off, "I'll have a word with Minkah though. And maybe Mao too so she'll have a talk with Rin."

"I think Gou's just being anti-social…it kind of runs in his blood…"

"Anti-Social huh? Don't you think there's a usually a reason for that?" Mystel pointed out.

Gou stood against the door, listening to their conversation. It was since then he started thinking who his father really was…

--

"Makoto!" The door burst opened with Takao and Hiromi running in.

"Makoto! You are in deep trouble, young man!" Hiromi scolded with tears running. She pulled Makoto into a hug and starts crying on him.

"And I'm just as serious! You are in serious trouble!" Takao added crossing his arms.

Makoto nodded, disappointed in upsetting his family.

"I'm sorry…" Makoto whimpered. At that moment, Gou couldn't help feeling more envious and jealous than ever in his whole life so far.

"Don't be too hard him, Kinomiya. It was probably my son's fault that he came here on his own."

Gou's snapped into alert when he heart that and that voice. Kai stood by the door in his cool and calmly matter.

"Kai…" Takao's eyes narrowed. Kai walked up to Takao,

"If you were in your son's situation and any one of us from the olden days were in Gou's situation, then what would you do?" Kai pointed out.

"That doesn't mean I'm going to let it slip! He could've gotten hurt!"

"…Right," Obviously that fact completely went over Kai's head.

"What are you doing here anyway?" Takao asked, "Visiting hours are done for the day."

"You do realize I'm a Hiwatari right? Now, I want to talk with Gou. Can you and Hiromi take Makoto out?" Kai asked pointed at the door as he walked to Gou's bed.

"Come on, Dear," Hiromi picked up Makoto and headed out with Takao. Makoto waved a goodbye and Gou waved back before Takao closes the door behind him.

"What are you doing here, Otosan?" Gou asked as soon as the door shut. Kai sat next to Gou.

"Gou…I'll be as honest as I can. I don't want you to go. I really wish things turned out differently between your mother and me. I wish I knew where she is and if she's alright. And I know I'm probably the second-worst father in the world…but I'm still a father. I love you. I want you to stay so I can care for you." Kai places a hand on Gou's head and added a small smile, "I did try though. To find her. In a way at least. I stopped at a store your mother always loved to go to. Look what I found."

Kai reached into his jacket and pulled out a small white cat plush.

"I saw the one you had, well, it had patches over patches. Why don't you put it on a shelf and sleep with this one?"

Gou slowly reached out for it and took it. He stared into the cat's eyes and then up at Kai's.

"You love me?"

"Huh? Oh! Yeah…as in…"

"I know, family love. That must be the first time you said that since my mother," said Gou and Kai hesitantly nodded to that truth.

"Who's the worst?"

"Huh?"

"Who's the worst father in the world if you're second worst?" Gou asked bluntly.

"Oh, that would be my grandfather. He raised my father and look at what happened to my relationship with my father. In the end, it all goes back to him. He also wins being the 'worst grandfather in the world in the world' award."

"So…" Gou stared at Kai as he pulls the cat plush close, "If he dies, doesn't that make you the worst father in the world?"

"…I guess so…" Kai replied after a bit of thought. After a bit of silence, Gou started to lean into Kai's chest who was slightly surprised. Kai puts a hand to Gou's back in comfort.

"Just for you, I don't care if you're the worst father in the world…" said Gou as he started to cry. This time, Kai's there for him.

There's something to be said about Kai. Actually, a lot of things are to be said about Kai. He's stubborn, at times hot-headed, maybe too headstrong, selfish, pretty cold, and very good at being a traitor.

"I love you, Daddy…"

But there are plenty of other things that can be said about Kai. He's strong, a leader, loyal, reliable, and deep down he's a good person and a huge softie. That's why I fell in love with him. That's why I believe, no matter what will happen to me, Gou will be in good hands. Whether he's watched over by Rei, Takao, Max, Kyoujyu, or my dear Kai; I trust all of you with Gou.

"Daddy…will Mommy ever come home?"

I don't know what the future holds. And I don't know what will happen to me. Rei Kon, I entrust you with Gou. Do what you think is right for him. I see tragedy in the brief vision of my future. I don't know how tragic, but I'm sorry to say I must leave the village for a short time. I don't know when I'll return, if I'll ever. I don't know a thing what's in store for me.

"…"

"Will she?"

"…Yes…she will."

"I thought my small abilities were a curse. But in the end, it didn't matter. I had the best of friends, the best husband anyone could ask for, and my darling son. I leave behind my treasures. For what, I don't know. But, if I don't come back before either of their deaths, please tell Kai and Gou that I love them. And tell everyone else that I loved them too. They were not just my friends, they were the family I never had.

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Burn this after reading. I don't want Gou to find this. But let him know how sorry I am if something turns out bad. And if you remember: Tell Kai, at the right time, that I'm sorry that the last thing I said to him before I left wasn't: "I love you."

"Hey Rei!"

Rei took his attention off the sheet of paper he was reading and turned to the person calling his name while hiding the paper behind his back. But it didn't matter because he was practically pounced at that very moment.

"Ohmygosh! Rei! Why didn't you tell me you came to Japan?!" Max exclaimed when he jumped on his friend. Rei gave a weak smile.

"Well I was going to visit you before leaving! I'm only here briefly," Rei explained and Max calmed down, only slightly.

"But I wonder," Rei started, "Why are you in this hospital for?"

Yes, following Takao, Rei also made his way to the hospital. But he never showed up in Gou's room. He waited patiently outside reading over that letter left behind all those years ago. He only hid it away when Kai came along. That single letter was the only thing linking Gou's mother to everyone else. The only last communication she gave to them. Rei couldn't burn it no matter how hard he tried. He read it repeatedly, over and over again, to try and find some sort of clue where she could be and if that accident really was an accident. No matter how often he read through it, there doesn't seem to be any hints whatsoever. Yet, Rei couldn't give up, giving up only meant giving up hope. He couldn't afford to give up hope for her return. Even if that hope will be buried along with him in death.

"I heard what happened to Gou. I felt bad for not being able to visit him sooner but I had to visit him sometime! Kai wasn't the reason he's here was he?" Max asked suspiciously.

"I hope not," Rei replied, "But it was a pretty random sickness. Gou should be fine. Kai's in there with him right now."

"Oh good!" Max's cheerfulness returned, "I really hope Gou gets to stay! Then he can grow up along with little Makoto, Junna-Chan, Tai, and my Markie!"

"Uh huh…" Rei only nodded.

"…oh, sorry Rei! I didn't mean to offend you or anything! It's okay that you don't have a kid!" Max apologized putting his hands together for forgiveness.

"Oh, no, it's okay, Max. I'm not sure if I'm one to handle a kid," said Rei with a smile.

"You should compare yourself to Kai before saying that! Haha!"

"It's true…if Gou stays here, he'll have friends to grow up with. People that will care about him. And Makoto…hn, it's as if they were meant to meet."

"Rei?" Max waved his hand in front of Rei's face after Rei went deep in thought.

"Huh? What?"

"What's wrong? What are you thinking about?" Max asked curiously.

"Oh, well…I guess I'm considering moving back here Japan. I-AHH!" Max practically jumped on Rei again,

"YES! Move back! Move back!"

Rei slowly pulled off a smile,

"I said maybe…"

"Things have been pretty quiet back at the village…I do miss seeing everyone on a daily basis. And Gou gets to stay here and I get to watch him grow. Well…I guess I'll continue thinking about it."

Humans are the most complicated creatures. Thus some friends and some enemies can have their roles reversed. Kai Hiwatari fell in love, continued to love, then that love was lost…but it never truly went away. It was reborn again in a different form of love. All humans are flawed, and Kai will do what he can to make up his mistakes. Deep in his heart, he'll forever love Gou. And nothing will change that. That was his promise to her…

Notes:

-(Reminder)IMPORTANT: After a bit of thinking, debating, and how the story's coming along. I decided that Rin will NOT be Rei's daughter so I'll be going back to change that hint(or hints) that was provided in the early chapters.

-True story: My mom didn't have normal births. The way Gou described it, was exactly how they got me as well as my brother out. By cutting open the stomach(not the actual stomach! I meant your belly)

-This certain stores appear in a lot of my stories. It's also the same counter-girl with no name.

-Deleted scene: a hood figure appears, and no, it wasn't Gou's mother! But I did want to see how many people thought it was her! It was a friend of hers though, dropping off an old picture book that originally belongs to Gou's mother. But she hates Kai because of what he's done. Takao challenges her. They made a deal that if Kai can raise Gou right, she'll finally forgive Kai. I didn't think the scene was absolutely necessary and I didn't find it important enough to be added into the story. Although I still wanted to know how many people thought it was going to be Gou's mother before revealing it was only a friend of hers!

--

NOT OVER! There's one more chapter to go!

Next:

Kai's on the edge of breaking his promise…but which one?

Gou's future hangs in the balance either way-what's Gou to do?

Please R and R!