That really wasn't an option with His Excellency; to say nothing of the fact that they were two different classes of Zoaform, he really wasn't into the Zoalord at all. Their little Overlord's existence served as proof enough that someone had loved him that way, but he just wasn't Zektor's type in the slightest. Besides that he was sure, if he tried that kind of thing with His Excellency, he'd probably lose at least two limbs; and assorted other appendages.

Not to mention the issue of his horrible, bloody, violent death.

"I'm sorry to have to me the one to break this to you." He wasn't sorry at all; but His Excellency had a short temper, and Zektor didn't want to get on the wrong side of it any more than he already had. "But I can't do something like that to him."

The skin of His Excellency's cheeks pulled tighter, letting Zektor know that the Zoalord had narrowed his eyes again.

"Just what do you mean by that?" His Excellency demanded, looking like even he couldn't quite decide if he wanted answers more than he wanted to strangle a certain someone; clearly something he really wanted.

"The kid's going to grow up eventually, we both know that," he said, sighing at the thought; it wasn't like he was going to lose the friendship they'd worked so hard to form, but the thought of change was always daunting to someone who'd gotten themselves comfortable in life. "He's going to need to know what he has to do to keep things running around here when we're not around."

His Excellency didn't seem to know what to say to that, but the Zoalord's grip hadn't loosened and he hadn't done anything drastic, so Zektor decided to be grateful for small favors. When His Excellency vanished, after thumping him against the near wall in what Zektor would have sworn was a fit of pique, he wasn't sure what to think at all.

"What the hell was that all about?" Elegen muttered, rubbing the back of his smooth head as he came over to stand where Zektor still slumped.

"When I figure that out, I'll be sure to let you know," he said, taking a last look at where His Excellency had been standing, before he took Elegen's left arm and lead him to the elevators.

There would be plenty of time to wonder just what in the hell had gone on back there over dinner.

XxXxX

Back in his quarters, holding Kenji in his arms, Imakarum thought back on what Zektor had said. Though insolent and entirely too arrogant for his own good, the Hyper Zoanoid had been nothing if not truthful. There would indeed come a time when Kenji would no longer need him.

He hated the idea, but that didn't make it any less of a fact. Kenji would take his place among the Council, and his only remaining relation to Imakarum himself would be that of one peer to another. Unless… such an issue was best considered later.

For the time being, Kenji was still his responsibility.

It was his duty as a father to make sure his son was happy and well cared-for. Even though Lord Alkanphel had been the one to revive Kenji from his healing-coma, Imakarum knew full well that it still fell to him to care for his son. The presence or absence of Chronos' Supreme Overlord would not change that; he would always be Kenji's father, no matter how many years passed.

And, as he continued to watch Kenji sleep, he found that he was actually starting to anticipate meeting Miaka's family.

Not for the humans themselves, of course, but to watch Kenji's reaction to them. To see his son's eyes light up, and to watch him smile. Kenji had always enjoyed meeting new people; Imakarum would simply have to ensure that they enjoyed meeting him, as well. No matter whose life he had to threaten to do so.

Still, those matters could wait.

Kenji was obviously still in need of rest, and Imakarum was rather at loose ends for the moment. Besides, Kenji looked so adorably peaceful while he slept; he would enjoy this moment for as long as he would be allowed to make it last. Gently, Imakarum traced the planes and angles of Kenji's face with his fingertips, smiling as his son curled up closer to him.

He loved these simple times, alone with his son, with no other duties to Chronos that he needed to perform. Lord Alkanphel was very understanding of his desires; Imakarum would always be grateful to Chronos' Supreme Overlord for showing such consideration to him and Kenji both. However, Zektor's words still troubled him.

He knew that they shouldn't; Zektor was merely a Hyper Zoanoid, and hence had no concept of how deep the bonds between Zoalords could run.

In spite of that reassurance, Imakarum could not quite bring himself to dismiss what the Hyper Zoanoid had said. If such a thing were to happen, he didn't know if it would bode well for their continued relationship. Imakarum liked Kenji the way he was; calm and quiet sometimes, happy and exuberant others, but always the same loyal, loving, outgoing boy that he'd been all his life.

Sighing as he combed though Kenji's fringe with his fingers, Imakarum resolved to think more about that later.