Well, fancy seeing ya'll again so soon. Was in a good mood, thought hey why the hell not and so here ya go.
Just to kinda let everyone know, on my end I'm not receiving updates, pms, or anything of the sort right now through emails. So if you're reviewing, uploading, messaging me and I'm not getting back to you right away that's why. It's something on FF's end, I'm not the only one dealing with it, but I do apologize for that. Anyways, here ya go. Next chapter and we'll see you on the 15th as per usual.
Season 2. Episode 30.
Kai sat on the floor with his back against the wall feeling his insides clenching with... Well, he didn't really know what. His face was sour, and his eyes were closed. Who in the fresh hell was Zeo?! He brought his knees up a little more, trying to rationalize with himself.
So what? A fan came and talked to him. Not like they himself or the rest of them were unfamiliar with getting recognized and told they were their 'biggest fans'. But this seemed different.
Tyson didn't usually get quite as big headed like this. Was usually just that stupid little laugh, a thumbs up and a wink, and a well-used word or two about looking forward to taking them on some day.
So, what was up with this one?! The moron was practically drooling over this little fanboy. And it made him feel things he wasn't supposed to... The kind of thing that had gotten him in to all that mess before.
Luckily for him, he was distracted by the door sliding open. Oh good... It was "I only pretend to care about you" Dickenson and "I care more about my career than my own son" Judy...
"Hello everyone!" The old man greeted, stopping Hilary and Tyson's irritating bickering.
"Any news on the missing rock mom?" Max asked, forgoing a greeting back.
She shook her head, making them all deflate and sigh.
Dickenson explained they'd searched high and low for Dr. Zaggart, but there was no trace. Even Judy voiced her fears that the rock might be gone for good.
...Wow... Great job on keeping the kids spirits up. Seriously, how were these two in high up positions? They sucked at being adults.
Kenny then presented a new gadget he'd invented. A bit searcher...
He even cracked one eye open at that. This kid was still in elementary school... How was he able to make all this crap? Either way, he'd made this thing. And Tyson declared that they would handle everything. And the adults just agreed!? Seriously, who were the parents and guardians here?! Was a damn joke...
Max went off with his mom and Mr. Dickenson, leaving the rest of them to get to work. He watched as Ray, Tyson and Hilary gathered around Kenny and Dizzi, hunched over and huddled. And now a new problem caused another burst of feelings on his insides. Yet again, ones he knew he wasn't supposed to have...
It had been about a week since he and Ray decided to put their feelings for each other on hold. Postpone exploring them further... As Grandpa had managed to hammer in, while the wounds of everything were still fresh, it wasn't wise to pursue anything yet. They had to work on getting the balance right as friends again first, and for him to work on being able to stand on his own two feet properly without leaning on him.
The agreement was made. Ray had told him he would wait, but... It still hurt being so close and yet so far from what he wanted. And as much as he hated it, needed.
After their entire time as a team, the constant 'stop pretending you don't feel the way you do', he had to do exactly that. Pretend like there was nothing. Nothing had changed. It was as it always was... And so, he figured his best shot at that was to amp up his former self and bring it to its former glory. Less talking. More leaning. More distance. More glaring. That was the best way to protect himself. And Ray.
"Dizzi's done it!"
"Hang tight Chief! I'm not quite finished calculating my results!"
"Let's see..." Tyson leaned in.
"Come on, Dizzi!" Chief begged, "Show me all the data on that missing rock!"
"Sorry Chief, all data searches pertaining to the missing rock and to Dr. Zaggart came up empty..."
"Nothing...?" Chief sighed.
"What?!"
"Zero?!"
"Ahh... Dead end..." Ray's beautiful voice huffed sadly.
Kai lifted his head and squinted, freezing up as he saw someone silently and quietly poke his head around the doorway. He tensed. Long hair. As long as Ray's... Like they had described him before.
He knew where Tyson lived?! Why did Tyson just willy nilly decide someone he met for ten seconds was his best friend!?
The green eyes waited for them to stop talking it seemed for them to finish. But Kai's insides. The growing, irritable, jittery, almost anxious feeling exploded. Nope...
Tyson scoffed, putting his hands behind his head. "Maybe your laptop needs an overhaul, Kenny..."
"Hey! Come on! It's not Dizzi's fault!"
They both felt silent movement out the corner of their eyes and turned their heads. Long legs picked up the stony and skinny body, standing himself. The room fell to total silence as the phantom floated his way wordlessly across the room and out.
Ray frowned. The hell was that about?
"Great... Now Kai is giving up too!" Tyson huffed.
But Kenny was distracted, letting out a noise and staring, making Tyson follow his gaze.
"Hi..." Hilary blinked.
"Hey... Zeo? What are you doing here?" He asked, perplexed, wandering closer to his fanboy.
Green eyes stared back nervously. "I came here to ask you a favor..."
With Tyson getting hauled away, Kenny and Hilary exchanging confused glances at one another before turning their questioning look to Ray all he was able to offer them was a small shrug of his shoulders.
Tyson was a big boy; he could handle himself. Zeo didn't look any more threatening than a plush teddy bear, and it wasn't like the boy had even given them time to protest before he had dragged Tyson out.
His worries were also a bit bigger than why Zeo had come around and took off with Tyson, and a little bigger than the whole missing rock issue.
Not that he thought things would be easy right now, of course they wouldn't be, but again it felt like everything between him and Kai was slowly slipping through his fingertips.
Every conversation was short and almost dry, they hadn't gone back to reading their book since getting caught and pulled apart. The hardest hit was when Kai had even stopped giving him updates on Jackie when he got back from the shelter.
He understood why Kai was backing away, but again it felt like he was pulling too far away and if it didn't stop nothing would be fixed or back to what they needed.
With the other two going back to talking strategy and their attention elsewhere, Ray casually slipped himself outside. Maybe Kai just went out front to get some air instead of one of his hour-long walks.
Luckily, he was there, sitting on the porch staring at the pond in the yard across from him and suddenly Ray was hit with a ball of nerves yet still approached him.
"Hey." He greeted in an equally nervous tone, sitting himself down near him with some space between them.
Kai shifted, painting on his stony face and keeping his eyes on the pond. "Hey."
Ray held down his frown, pulling his legs up under him and shifted from looking at Kai and to the pond before going back again.
"Everything okay?" He asked as he fiddled with his thumbs in his lap.
"Yep." He let out flatly, sitting straighter.
The frown finally broke out, along with the familiar sting in his chest and eyes. This was his fault, if he could take it back he would just to save them from this. But he couldn't and all that was left was trying to move forward and act like everything was the same despite it being completely upside down.
"You sure?" He pressed, willing his voice not to crack to show how upset he was.
Kai's butt shifted on the decking. No. He wasn't all right. He missed Ray. He wanted to feel the closeness again. He wanted people to leave them all the fuck alone and stop trying to steal their beasts. It was getting old and exhausting. He wanted Tyson to stop picking up strays! If he wasn't allowed RoRo, he wasn't allowed... Shit, what was his name? Began with Z...
"Who was that?" He asked snippily as he folded his arms tighter.
Ray did a double take to Kai and the pond again, "Zeo?" He answered in a question and odd tone.
"And why is he here?" Kai snapped at him. Oh yeh, that was it, Zeo.
Ray shrugged back at him, "Came and hauled Tyson away, said he needed a favor. I don't know."
"How can you need a favor from someone you just met!?" Kai snapped yet again.
Ray's shoulders hunched higher, "I don't know!" He squeaked back almost defensively.
"You were there, weren't you?" He questioned as he narrowed his eyes at him.
"And that was all he said before he dragged Tyson away, I just said that." Ray huffed as his shoulders came down, "Was I supposed to sit him down and twenty question him and then give a curfew?"
"With everything going on Ray, kinda!" He almost yelled back.
"You were there too, bothered you so much then you should have done it." Ray snapped at him.
"I wasn't there when he got dragged off! All I saw was, yet another god damn stranger infiltrate my-I mean our team!"
Ray blinked a little, "Whose infiltrating our team? He's just some fan boy, that's it."
"Oh yeh! Cause fanboys just casually let themselves in to our homes and drag us off! Nothin' wrong with that at all! Did he even say where they were going!?"
Ray tilted his head in thought, "No? Not that I heard. And who's to say Grandpa didn't let him in? Doubt Zeo just walked through the front door like he owned the place." He defended, not even sure why he was but felt like he needed to just to get Kai to simmer down some.
Kai finally turned his body sharply to face him. "And what was all that Hilary was talking about!? About him wanting Tyson's technique!? Did he ask!? What happened Ray!?"
"I. Don't. Know!" He yelled as his shoulders went back up, "I don't know Kai, okay? I barely know the kid and what he wants or why he's suddenly coming around. Give him a chance though, you're just jumping to conclusions that he's here for some nefarious reasons."
Kai's eyes both narrowed and watered powerfully at the same time. He roughly got to his knees, seething.
"You guys are s-so stupid!" He let out in a yelling growl.
Ray blinked again as he leaned back some, "The hell is wrong?! You do this all the time; you just explode but won't explain why. So, what is wrong?!" He demanded as his voice got louder too.
Kai jumped to his feet. "Well, supposed to be carrying on as normal so just doing my bit!" He yelled as he turned on his heel to storm off. He wouldn't tempt himself like that. Seek comfort from Ray from the noise in his head.
Ray's mouth hung open though no words spewed out as he watched Kai storm off, that earlier stinging in his chest and eyes hitting him all over again and harder this time as Kai disappeared.
The hell was that?!
Kai's feet stomped on the ground as he marched off it almost hurt through his boots. Stupid Ray! Stupid Tyson! And stupid Max, Kenny and Hilary too! They were all complete and utter morons! Why did they never learn?! How many more times were 'nice kids' going to come along and then stab them in the back before they started being more careful?!
He let out small growl of frustration. At himself. He guessed if they weren't like that though, they'd never have forgiven him for all his bullshit...
That was different though! They had history! They were family, as the wife kept insisting on calling it. He sunk even more. Ray... Grade A cocaine... Just. Absolute premium. Could bring tears of joy to the Pablo Escobar... So strong that something as serious as having something sacred to you stolen somehow get shoved out of focus often.
He had to focus though. Put it out his mind. There was something urgent and critical at hand, and he didn't have enough information to have a plan or solution. That green haired chump locked his site on Tyson. Probably knowing his reputation for being a nice, friendly guy. But...
"Hey, you're Kai, right?! From the famous BladeBreakers?! I... I was wondering, do you think it would be possible for you to show me a little of your technique?!"
He sighed as his heart hung heavier. Ray was right. He did miss him all the time now... Which is exactly why he had to protect Tyson... History could never repeat itself like that again...
He wiped off a bead of sweat. In the time he'd been letting his mind roll around like an angry and sad boulder, he'd taken himself around the river area and sat himself on the stone steps that lead down to it.
Urgh, Japanese summers were the worst. Especially for someone as lily white as him.
He glanced down at his shoulders to the only exposed parts of white flesh. If he wasn't careful, he'd burn. He picked himself up, taking himself down the steps in the direct sunlight and flocking to the small wooded area opposite to seek shelter in their shade. He made his way in and looked around. This would do...
He sat himself down, feeling a bit weird and yet perfectly comfortable. He could even kinda see through the gaps in the leaves of the bush in front of him. His own little forest fortress.
...Heh... That was fun to say.
Forest fortress, forest fortress, forest fortress...
He took advantage of the peaceful quiet and flopped on his back. Just because his brain was a mess didn't mean his body couldn't be comfy...
His eyes eventually drifted shut, dosing in the cool but pleasant shade as his brain granted him the temporary kindness of dozing off a little and roll around more pleasant things.
Mmmm... He couldn't wait to go to that festival eventually with Ray. See the fireworks... He was going to be so impressed by them. Couldn't wait to see his face. Siiiigh...
His brows frowned as he heard people. Running and panting. He opened his eyes and propped himself on his elbo- HOLY SHIT IT WAS RAY! He frowned. And who in the fuck was this now!?
The two of them pulled out their launchers. Ooooooh! Wife was going to fight! He instantly got up and out the bushes, staying back for a moment to just... Enjoy the view...
Their blades had launched, dancing and smashing into each other as they went over and under each other like a reverse Slinky. Ray's athletic legs quickly taking him up those stairs...
Heh... This new asshole thought he could go faster. Dream on, loser. He was a mountain cat...
When the battle seemed to take hold, he finally wandered to Hilary and Chief. "Who is that guy, Kenny?"
The two jumped out their skin. Where the hell did he come from!? The legends were true, he was a ghost!
"We're not sure..."
Suddenly, it didn't matter. Whoever he was, he just turned up the heat...
Moments later.
"What's going on?! So, I leave the house for a half an hour and a battle breaks out?!"
"Tyson?!" Hilary jumped, seriously, where the hell did they keep appearing from!?
Green eyes stared at a slim but stern looking form. Hair of silver and blue...
"Oh wow! You're Kai!" He gasped. Loudly.
Red eyes slowly turned to flash a deadpan yet hard face that stared into his soul. "You..." Kai growled internally, before ignoring the shit out of him and getting back to what was important. Ray.
Hilary let out that whoever this guy was, he was after their bit-beasts. Oh good. Another one. But this was no time to roll his eyes. Ray was struggling...
The red head unleashed his own bit-beast which looked like none he'd seen before. Looked like some kind of fox... And it was cunning. Like a trick with smoke and mirrors, suddenly there were a bunch of them, dancing around him and attacking mercilessly as the blur of identical blades slammed into Ray's.
Kai's heart slammed... Ray was going to lose if he didn't do something fast...
Tyson stepped forward. "The wind! If you stop the wind you'll find the real one!"
Kai snapped his head to him. YES! That would work! ...Fuck you, Zeo! Don't listen to the idiot being brilliant...
But he looked back to watch something far more brilliant. Ray's blade soared round the other's in the opposite direction, halting the wind and narrowing down his target.
With the hottest sight imaginable of Ray striking while the iron was hot, the ginger headed creep was send packing... And literally ran off screaming. He felt so flushed he almost had to go lay down in the shade again...
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Ray threw a cheeky grin down at everyone looking up at him from his perch on the stairs. Calves slightly on fire and hair a little messed up from the wind, along with some horrible flash backs to the last time he was near a gust of wind.
His cheeky grin fell a little when red eyes clashed with his. After what had happened he wasn't sure why Kai was even there, what was he even supposed to do now that he was? And why the hell was Zeo there?!
"Hey, you're back." He directed at Tyson as he came down from the stairs, avoiding eye contact with Kai best he could.
"Yeh, man! Zeo and I got home, and you were all gone! There was a hole in a dojo wall and all the swords were all over the place! We ran as fast as we could! Lucky my first thought was here!" Tyson spewed.
"Where did you even go in the first place?!" Hilary demanded as Ray's mouth opened to ask the same thing, minus the ear-splitting pitch.
Tyson grinned and gestured at Zeo with his thumb. "Ahhh. Zeo wanted to prove to his buddies at his training centre that he knew me."
Kai's eyes burst into flames. He what!? The hell kind of dick move was that!? Oh that was it. He'd strangle him with that shitty hair of his!
Everyone but Tyson gaped at the new face a little, Ray's eyes finally shifting to Kai. Maybe he had been onto something after all? Why did he have to be right all the damn time?!
"Yeah, it was great!" Zeo beamed as he bounced a little.
"Heh! Yeh! He wanted me to show him a thing or two while I was down there, but we learned an important lesson, didn't we Z?"
"We did." Zeo nodded with a look of a star pupil on his face, "And I won't let ya down!"
Again, everyone silently gaped. Everything going on too quick with not enough info either.
"So, you dragged Tyson down to your little gym to gloat about how you knew him and get free coaching?" Kai asked with a harsh bite to his tone. His fists clenching by his sides as the growl in him was already causing some foam in the corner of his lips.
Zeo's head whipped around to take in Kai, his excitement unwavering as he didn't catch onto the angry vibes radiating off Kai just yet.
"Not so much as gloat, they didn't believe me so had to prove it." He explained with an innocent undertone. "And at first yeah, but we already covered that. I have to do it on my own, I can't rely on someone else to make me better. It's all about what I can do."
Kai's snarl got bigger. Oooohhhhh this one had his bases covered. But he was on to him! No one messed with his eldest!
"Couldn't have put it better myself!" Tyson grinned harder, patting his new friend on the back. "Yo, how about coming back to mine so we can all hang out properly?" He suggested as the sun shrunk lower in the sky.
Zeo lit up again, "That sounds great!"
Heads swiveled from one person to the next, again getting bombarded with just how confusing this was starting to become. Though none of them could really object, it was rightfully Tyson's house and he could have anyone he wanted over.
"He can't!" Kai blurted out before he could even stop himself.
Heads swiveled back, the only one not wearing a surprised look was Ray. Of course, he'd say no, put up a fight, make a scene and be upset over what; Ray still wasn't completely sure yet.
"Oh." Zeo deflated some, "I can come by another time, after that battle I'm sure you need some rest." He directed at Ray, excitement again bubbling on his face as he took in another member of the famous team.
Ray just offered him a kind smile; he still didn't see a problem with the kid. A little eccentric, starry eyed because of who he was around, but he wasn't really emitting any kind of malicious intent.
"That's a good idea, that way we can make sure it's okay with Grandpa and everything too." He said as he shot Tyson a side glance. He didn't want to say yes and have Kai foaming at the mouth again or worse. Keep the peace, as was his job, that's all he wanted right now.
Tyson waved it all off. "Pffff, Grandpa won't mind! And the only one who would need to rest is Ray, but he's like a gazelle, he's fine! Come on! I'll show you where we train!" He beamed before he grabbed Zeo's wrist and dragged him, quickly throwing a look at Kai. The hell was his deal today?
Hilary smelled something in the air, taking a quick peek at Kai as his face grew angrier and then looked up at the sky.
"Welll, seeing as how it's getting late I'll just be heading home now. See you boys tomorrow!" She chirped, not wasting time to get the hell out of there or wait for a response as she dashed off.
Ray watched her go, begging her to come back and take him with her for once.
Not long later, Tyson threw the door of the dojo open, swords now cleaned up. Grandpa must have come and done it. Oops. Would need to explain that later.
"Come on in, Z! This is where we all hang out, have meetings, sleep and even train sometimes! Come sit down!" He burst out happily as he shoved him in and pushed him on the shoulders to sit.
"I'll get us all some juice! Hold tight!" he beamed as he bounced off.
Zeo looked around the wooden room in awe. Wow... The BladeBreakers HQ!
Kai's head poked through, beady eyes locking and pupils almost slitting as he caught him unprotected. He stalked his way in, making sure to move to a spot directly in his line of vision and slowly sit himself down, daunting eyes stabbing him the entire way.
Ray wasn't long after him, making himself comfortable right beside Kai as he offered Zeo a small and almost nervous smile.
Why did it suddenly feel like they were fixing to interrogate the poor kid? All he seemed to want was a friend and of course Tyson was the easiest option. He was still lost on Kai's entire issue right now, wasn't like they got asked tips and tricks all the time.
"It's a nice place you guys have." Zeo voiced as he looked around with a smile on his face, "And pretty awesome you guys get to live together too! I bet it's great."
"It is!" Tyson bellowed out as he skipped back in with a tray holding glasses of drinks for his guest and folks, "Well, for the most part. Sometimes it can be a little... Mm." He said diplomatically, shooting a look at his dad. He'd better not embarrass him in front of his friend...
"Crowded? It's not a very big place." Zeo filled in as he held the drink in his lap.
"If you don't like it, you don't have to be here..." Kai bit at him as he shot daggers.
Zeo moved his eyes to him, "Oh no, I think it's rather cute. And so traditional. But I'm sure with so many people it can be a bit crowded. That's all I was saying."
Ray fidgeted in his spot, holding back from elbowing Kai in the side at his remark. Why couldn't he just pretend to be nice? Nobody said he had to be here either, but he was.
"Hn..." Kai turned his nose up. This one was good... But he was better. He just had to bide his time.
"Yeh... Can get real crowded which seems to make a certain someone real cranky..." Tyson bit back, face starting to show his annoyance.
"Your grandpa? But he seemed so nice." Zeo blinked in ignorant confusion at his new best friend and mentor.
Tyson scoffed. "Ohhhh yeh, he's golden. Until you get on the wrong side of him."
Zeo nodded quickly, "I'll do my best then, I don't want him to not like me."
Kai grimaced. It wasn't Grampa this douche needed to worry about...
"Seem awful keen to make yourself at home here..."
Zeo tilted his head a little before he chuckled lightly, "Am I? I'm sorry, I wasn't meaning to come off as rude. I just don't want to upset anyone or overstep. I don't have a whole lot of friends or allowed out much."
Kai made a face. Ooooh, fuck off with your sob story. "Not allowed out buuuut still end up in a house with people you don't really know?" He jabbed skeptically.
Ray sighed, elbow itching to go into his side as he rubbed at his face. This was tiring and irritating and pointless.
Zeo still didn't seem to catch on, shifting where he sat and held his untouched drink a bit tighter.
"Well it's not like-like I can't go out. I just have a lot to do at home, like studying and stuff. B-but I can go out if I get permission too. A-and that's why I'm here, to get to know everyone better."
"Why?!" He hissed at him.
Tyson growled; he'd had enough. "Kaaaai! Will you stop?!"
Zeo looked between the two of them, "Did I do something wrong?" He questioned, it finally seeming to seep in that he really wasn't welcomed around them.
Ray huffed and moved to get up, "No, not at all." He directed at Zeo while grabbing hold of Kai's arm and dragging him up to his feet, "C'mon, let's go." He ordered and tugged him to go.
Zeo blinked a few times before looking back to Tyson, sinking a little as he rubbed the cup in his hold with his fingers.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause a problem." He whispered in a saddened and sheepish voice.
Kai saw red. He couldn't stand this guy! He yanked his arm out of Ray's hold roughly. "Get the hell off me! The hell am I getting kicked out for?! For asking a stranger why they're in our home?!"
Zeo shrunk back more, what did he do to offend Kai so badly? It finally hit him over the head, hard, he was not wanted and there wasn't a reason to stay somewhere he wasn't wanted.
"I should probably head home now." He announced in a broken off tone, setting his still filled cup down and standing.
"I'm really sorry for imposing." He bowed at Kai and kept his head down as he padded across the room to the door before disappearing through it quickly.
"Wait, Zeo!" Tyson called as he dashed up and ran after him quickly.
Ray dropped his hold on Kai's arm, slapping his sides as he shook his head. This was great, perfect even.
Before he even had a chance to say anything Tyson came hauling ass back into the room, his footsteps heavy along the hardwood floor as he jumped in Kai's face with steam coming out of his ears.
"I can't believe you! What is your deal man? He wasn't hurting anyone! He just wanted some friends!" He yelled as loud as his voice could reach.
Kai's eyes widened yet burned as he let out a patronizing laugh of disbelief. "You can't believe me!? It's me that can't believe you! Just how fucking stupid are you Tyson!? Seriously?!"
"For what? What have I done that's been so stupid this time?!" He fired back.
"Are you kidding me?!" Kai's voice soared in pitch out of rage, "You really that desperate for constant praise and adoration that you'll put the entire team and all our bit-beasts in jeopardy because some kid out of nowhere jerked off your ego?!"
"What're you talking about?! Not everyone we meet wants out bitbeasts, Kai! He just said he wants friends! It has nothing to do with my ego, but I can make a grand assumption that it has everything to do with your selfish insecurities!" He jabbed back, slightly panting with how loud he'd been shouting at him.
"First you go off and hog Ray all to yourself and now you're trying to do the same with us! You're not my dad, Kai! I'm allowed to meet new people; I'm allowed to have them in MY house!" He screamed as his face got redder and redder.
Kai felt physically winded at that. But the hurt and embarrassment only doused his rage. "Oh yeh?! And what happened the last time you made a new friend huh Tyson!? Go ahead! Remind me!" He yelled just as loudly.
"Or how about what happened when we met Maxie's charming little friend in New York! My memory is a little hazy, care to jog it?!"
Tyson ground his teeth together while his fists clenched at his sides. "So, you're just going to paint every new face we meet with the same brush? What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Or do we not do that anymore?"
Kai lunged forward and shoved him, riled to snapping. "WHAT HAPPENED IS THAT EVERY FUCKER WE'VE COME ACROSS SINCE WE'VE BEEN BACK TOGETHER HAS EITHER STABBED US IN THE BACK OR DIED!"
With Tyson's ass hitting the ground and bumping along the floor, Ray lunged after Kai and grabbed him by the arms again in a tighter grip.
"That's enough!" He growled out before turning to Tyson with a worried look, "You okay?"
Tyson nodded as he rubbed his sore behind, "I'm fine." He ground out, refusing to look Kai in the face.
He swallowed the comeback that was dancing on the tip of his tongue, if he even dared utter a word about last year it'd destroy them all completely right now and knew better than to hang that over Kai's head.
But that just angered him more. They all were fine letting him come back, but how dare they try and extend that same kind of kindness to others.
Ray gave a curt nod to him, jerking on Kai's arm to get his attention. "You, me, outside, now." He growled and didn't even wait for Kai to respond before he was dragging him by the arm, and by the time Kai struggled free from his grip, they were already outside anyway.
"Don't you dare stick up for him Ray! Don't you fucking dare!" He warned with a hoarse growl from his now sore throat.
"I don't even know where to fucking start with you right now! Yes, I get it. Everyone we've met this year has stabbed us in the back but does that mean we can't make any new friends at all?! Just stick to each other's hip like we're scared of the world all because of what's happened in the past?! What next? Can't leave the house at all because there's bad guys out there?! Guess what, that doesn't help since they show up here anyways!" Ray fired out as he began to pace along the porch, rubbing at his face roughly.
"Until all this bullshit has blown over, YES I EXPECT YOU ALL TO BE A BIT MORE CAREFUL!" He yelled to a point he shook.
Ray rolled his eyes before they snapped to Kai, "And we will be, we have been. But we can't put a stop to our lives just because of all this! They're going to come for us anyways, but Zeo doesn't seem like he wants anything more from us than someone to hang around with. Everyone deserves a chance."
"How the FUCK do you know that?! The hell is wrong with you all!? Time and time and time again you make these little buddies that turn around and shoot us in the back, and yet still you just keep on opening the door and letting more in! Why don't you learn?!" He hollered as he came and gripped Ray's forearms to shake him.
"Why don't any of you ever learn!?"
"Because if we were like that then you wouldn't be here either!" Ray defended as his body tensed at the sudden grab.
Kai stopped dead, staying silent and slapped a moment before he slowly let go of his arms. "...And I told you, you were stupid back then as well. But no. Yeh. That's great, Ray. Just throw that at me."
"I wasn't throwing it at you, I was just pointing out what's happened before." Ray sighed as he rubbed at his face again, god he was tired.
"I already told you, I get it. We have to be careful right now and I agree with you on that, but we can't just go around treating everyone we meet like they're dirt for no reason when they haven't done anything to us. That's not fair to them. Can you at least agree with me on that?" He asked in a softer tone.
"Friendly, sure! He could have given him an autograph and sent him on his way! Why is he literally letting him walk in here!? He wanted Tyson's techniques from the off and then wants to get all cozy with us as well! Does that not seem a little shady to you?!"
"No, it doesn't. Seems typical behavior from a fan and fellow blader. Why is he letting him walk in here, because as Tyson said it's his house, he can invite whoever he wants here. Getting cozy with us because we live here. Because we're Tyson's friends and most people like meeting their friends, friends. It's a common thing and doesn't seem shady in the least bit." He ticked off Kai's questions best he could, chancing it and cupping his painted cheeks in his hands gently.
"Now please, can we stop? If something goes wrong then we deal with it like we always do. I know you're trying to protect us, but you can't just shove us in a bubble to do that."
Kai's deep frown lifted, and his tense body seemed to relax in his hands. "...But why do you all keep opening us up like that? We can't protect each other if you keep letter strangers in. Why have you always got to take it too far?" He asked much more calmly, "What if he is somehow tied to them? Tyson has let him right in to learn all about us and our flaws. Then we won't be able to deal with it like always..." He drifted off, getting upset.
"But if you turn them away, it pushes them right in to their hands..." His lip wobbled, tears as warm as Ray's hands on his face spilling, "It's lose-lose all round. So please. No more! I don't want any more! Why can't you all be happy with just us?"
"We are happy with each other, Kai. Meeting new people doesn't mean we toss away others. It doesn't work like that." Ray said softly as his thumbs brushed away the tears rolling down Kai's cheeks.
"And nobody said he's going to learn anything from us, he already said he has to do it on his own. Right? So, we let him, or Tyson lets him do it on his own. We don't have to do anything but observe too, and if, and only if there is a reason to boot him over the wall then we do so. Okay?"
Kai sniffled and nodded, pushing a little more into his hands. He wanted to argue more. Bang the drum until they all caved and did the right thing and just slammed the door in his face.
Ray continued to gently rub his face with his thumbs, offering a small smile and breath of relief that the yelling had stopped. His ears were ringing, and his throat was a little sore now.
"You gonna be okay?" He asked after a few more minutes of peaceful quiet.
Kai shook his head. "I don't know, do I? Depends on this fucking guy... I don't trust him, Ray." He whined quietly.
"You don't have to; you don't even have to look him in the face if you don't want to. But you do have to be nice. Okay?" He cooed back as his feet inched him closer on their own.
"Just be nice, that's all I ask."
Kai averted his eyes from his, like a puppy who had peed on the rug and tried to deny it.
Ray pouted at that, going to smooshing his cheeks in his hands. "C'mon Mr. Grumpy gills. It won't be that hard." He chided in a voice one would use on a toddler.
"Easy for you to say..." He spoke through his smooshed face before pulling his face back, "Fine. I can't stop you all from having him around. But I want no part of it. If he comes, I go. I just can't deal with it..."
Ray's hands dropped to his sides with a huff, "I won't stop you." He shrugged at him, "If that's what you want."
"All I want is to keep my family safe and together..." He told him softly as his feet inched closer as well.
"I know, and I do too. But I'm going to give him a chance before I make any judgements, and if it turns out that he's here for more reasons then I'll personally take care of it." Ray voiced quietly as his breath began to hitch in his throat, feet moving again till they were back in each other's space to the point they'd get a good whack over the head if Gramps was around.
Kai's heart slowed but beat harder. He wanted to... Could smell that Ray wanted to.
"And do you really think I wouldn't do the same if came to it?" A voice behind them came, causing them both to shit a brick.
Ray could feel himself lose his last life right there, hand going to the front of his shirt as his heart tried to run out of his chest as he looked over his shoulder at Tyson. Perfect timing, he guessed, but also wanted to slap him for scaring him half to death.
"Well?!" Tyson pressed at the two deer in the headlight eyes staring at him as if they forgot he was still home.
Kai turned and squared his shoulders. Oh god, not another fight...
"I'm just not prepared to take the chance, Tyson... I will not stand by and watch someone infiltrate our team before we have any sort of clue of who they are." He said in his best papa voice.
Tyson sighed, "Look dude. I don't know what you want from me here, I just don't see anything wrong with him. If I smell somethin off, I'll let ya know though. Deal?"
Kai shifted his feet and figured he had two options. He could bang said drum, and cause yet another divide between them. Or, he could say his piece, which he had, and leave it for him to decide. He was a big boy, after all... Sort of...
He started his way inside, keeping his head down. A walk of silence would answer Tyson's questions. Only, as he came shoulder to shoulder with him, he found himself stop and hesitate.
"All I ask is that you keep your wits about you. Watch what you tell him and what you show him... I know you don't see where I'm coming from but..." His hand came up, flinching, opening and closing deciding whether or not to touch his shoulder or not.
...Nah.
"I wouldn't wish what went on with Wyatt on my worst enemy. Let alone you. I just don't want to see you or any of you getting hurt."
Tyson and Ray's eyes widened as they stared at him, both speechless and leaving Tyson swallowing hard. How the two were connected he wasn't sure but wasn't going to question it, going for nodding his understanding instead while he closed his mouth.
"...'K then..." Kai nodded awkwardly before going on his not so merry and silent way.
Tyson's head followed him as he left, it spinning back around once Kai was gone.
"Well... Now that's done, you busy?"
"Not now." Ray answered a bit apprehensively, still not sure if he should be thanking him for popping up when he did or smacking him.
"Great, I'm starving. What're you making for dinner?" Tyson bounced up to him, snatching up his hand and hauling Ray into the house and towards the kitchen.
"Didn't realize I was supposed to make dinner tonight." Ray grumbled as he let his feet drag a little while being pulled along.
"Well you are now, so make with the magic!" Tyson grinned as he shoved Ray into the kitchen.
What happened in the kitchen after that was hardly magical. Of no fault of Ray's. He didn't have much to work with since Grampa hadn't been out shopping and ended up presenting a mishmash of whatever was left in the fridge and rice.
But still, the children seemed to be fans, which made him feel somewhat smug with himself. Could make an old sock and a tomato taste good...
As usual, Papa wasn't going to come to the table without an escort, and luckily for Ray, he knew exactly where he was, and he didn't put up any resistance to come down.
The atmosphere at the table was an incredibly odd one. Both tense and not at the same time. Max had come back from his outing with his mom not long before dinner and was oblivious to what had happened, Tyson was too busy shoveling to be off. And Kai... Well he was just being himself. But Ray could feel the slightly awkward vibe between father and son, even if there was nothing unusual in their appearance.
After the weirdly quiet dinner and passing the cleaning job onto the younger ones, momma and papa went off to get ready for bed first. Ray doing his part in pulling out their beds and setting them up while Kai did his own thing to get ready in the bathroom, the two switching off just as Tyson and Max were done cleaning in the kitchen.
Again, when Tyson entered the room the weird atmosphere filled in around them as he gave a quiet glance at Kai but kept his lips buttoned together. He couldn't tell if Kai was angry at him or not, or if he was in trouble, or whatever this whole day had been about really. But at this point it was starting to get as annoying as an itch that wouldn't go away.
With Ray coming back into the room and trading places with Max, he too gave his own wary glances between Kai and Tyson. At this point he wasn't going to get involved again, unless there was shoving and screaming going on, this was for Tyson to do and prove to Kai that they were going to be okay with Zeo hanging around them all.
Max slid into his futon like the others did, settling under the blankets with unease. He didn't like this... He'd been gone an afternoon and some kind of argument broke out?!
He rolled on to his side, propping his head up with his hand. "So my mom and I went for lunch downtown after we finished investigating some more. Will have to take you guys there! They had the most amazing chicken wings I've ever had! Well... In Japan, anyway. There's better places in the States, but still close!" He rambled.
Tyson perked up a little, "Oh yeah? Where's it at, we can all go tomorrow." He pitched till his voice trailed off slightly and his eyes shifted to Kai again, "Maybe..."
Max frowned a little. "It's like a five-minute walk from the big department store. Small place, easy to miss. Which is why I assume we've never seen it before..." He informed him, "And yeh, I don't see why not. I can definitely manage round two."
"Should prepare for a round five by the time we're through!" Tyson perked right back up; he could taste those wings now.
"What about you two, you guys gonna come right?" He asked as his head whipped around his shoulders to the older two across the room from him.
Ray shrugged his shoulders as he looked to Kai beside him along the floor.
"Hn..." Kai let out in a softer tone than normal as he wriggled slightly in his futon. Maybe, if chumpzilla wasn't coming. Wasn't about to get hot sauce on his face in front of Zeo. Would show weakness...
Tyson pouted at him while Ray sighed and shook his head, getting comfortable under his sheets.
"We'll figure it out, should get some sleep guys." He announced in a hinting tone that it was time for lights out. It had been a day and a half; he was ready to just go to sleep and try again tomorrow.
Max sighed. "Yeh. Night guys..." He said a little sadly, not liking being in the figurative and literal dark.
"Night Maxie." Tyson chirped from his spot, legs spread out under the sheets and his head propped up under his arms while he stared into the darkness of the room and his mind ran in three directions at once.
The one trail it was currently running on made him snort a little. The topic of chicken wings bringing back the memory of when Kai came running into the house with KFC randomly because of a dream he'd had and had been the most he'd seen him eat in months too.
He knew, without a doubt, Kai wouldn't be the first to step up and mend things, so it was up to him. So maybe the answer was some delicious chicken all along, and he'd drag him out of the house by his ear tomorrow if it helped mended things together.
Kai turned his head and looked at Ray like he did out of habit when the lights went off. Now he wanted some damn chicken...
Ooooooooo, he could get some for Jackie if they were that good!...Again, only if he wasn't going. And if he was, he hope he choked on a bone.
Ray smiled a little a few feet away when Kai turned and looked at him, like clockwork, happened every night since he came back to sleeping with them. As much as he did like that, this closeness with all of them and back to what it used to be, it also hurt. Now he couldn't do a damn thing, no touch, no soft words of how it would be okay, nothing but just a smile of recognition.
Now it finally sunk in on what Kai had said before; just because they were close it did feel like they were still thousands of miles apart.
"Night." He mouthed quietly before pulling his sheets around his shoulders higher and rolling the opposite way to sleep, quickly curling in on himself like he always did.
Kai sank, keeping his eyes on him as Ray turned over. His hands holding his face tonight just went and reminded him how much he missed him. How soothing a simple touch from him was... He had such warm hands...
But still. He had to suck it up and fix himself so that they didn't have to do this. Stop the irrational thoughts and explosive emotions.
Now what the hell was he going to do about this green haired little turd that was trying to kill them from the inside out and hurt Tyson!? He shifted, rolling over and getting comfy. Rolling the other way when the first position stopped being comfy.
How was he going to make Tyson see that Zeo was his Wyatt? It was the exact same thing. First was just a harmless little fan boy wanting tips... Why wasn't he listening to him? Why was he setting himself to go through the same heartache he had?
Even if Zeo didn't die. What if he did end up being on the wrong side? Tyson would be crushed. Again. Just like he had been with whatshisface. The blue haired guy who hung out with Sallllliiiiimmmmmaaaaa.
Urgh. People were just the worst! He had his pack, that's all he needed! Why couldn't they just make life easy and do the same?! He grunted in annoyance, finally flopping on his back until eventually his eyes fell shut.
A good while after all of them had drifted off, Kai's mind was still running riot. His eyes scrunched harder in his sleep as his thin body shifted uncomfortably. He was only still a few moments before he moved harder, sounds of ill ease coming out of him.
"I told you soo..." He whined in a fatherly yet scared voice.
Like always, when there was a disturbance in the force, Ray's ears perked at the whine and he forced his heavy eyes open to find the source of distress which wasn't hard once his brain came out of sleep mode.
He looked back at Kai twisting around on his bed, the sheets being strangled with his jaw clenched tightly in sleep. Well shit...
He sat back and waited a minute to see if he'd come out of it on his own for several reasons. If he went up would it just be another set back to their progress or not? Maybe he just had some bad gas?
While he waited and another whine and whimper came out of Kai, a finger tapped Ray on the shoulder making him jump out of his skin.
"You going to go in?" Tyson whispered quietly, having woken up from the rustling and whines.
"Wanted to give it a minute, sometimes it can get a little violent and didn't want a black eye." Ray explained just as quietly while he kept his eyes on Kai, though his thrashing only worsened instead of slowed down.
"Stop! Leave him alone! Tyson!" He slurred out with his volume growing.
Tyson and Ray blinked while they started to sweat. This was different but given what went on today not all that surprising either. This time it was Tyson that jumped out of his skin as a hand came down on his shoulder.
"Welp, go tell him you're okay." Ray pat him, something in his stomach twisting at this turn of events.
Tyson's eyes bugged out of his head, "M-me? You just said it can get violent! I don't want another black eye!"
"Just don't be within hitting range." Ray supplied with an eye roll, shoving Tyson along his knees towards Kai's bed.
"W-what do I do?!" Tyson yelped as his pajama bottoms helped slide him along the floor like it was covered in butter, getting pushed to the edge of Kai's futon and closer to his pale and contorted face.
"Just talk first, tell him it's okay. If he starts slowing down then you can touch him." Ray instructed as he sat back to watch, ready to jump in if needed.
Tyson nodded though didn't look any more prepared than before, watching Kai's hands and arms carefully as he leaned over his face.
"Ugh... H-hey, Kai. It's okay. I'm okay man, right here." He said in a shaky voice, hoping it'd work.
The corners of Kai's eyes grew a few beads of water as he rolled over roughly. "Push him back! Push him back!"
"A-alright!" Tyson sweat harder while yelling, for some reason riled up and scared at the same time.
"Dragoon attack!"
Ray had to bite his lip from laughing as Tyson called for Dragoon to attack nothing. This wasn't a laughing matter, nor did he like how long this was probably going to take but wanted to see how well their baby boy could handle this.
"We got him on the run now Dragoon! Don't let up!" Tyson continued to shout while he pretended to blade whoever Kai was dreaming of.
Kai's face eased up a little. "Atta boy T..." His voice let out, both proud and on edge.
Tyson looked back to Ray. Did he do good? Was it safe to touch? Ray gave a wise nod back, making Tyson release a breath and timidly reach a hand out to Kai's chest.
"See, told you I'm okay. You know I can't be beat." He chuckled awkwardly as he pat Kai's chest under the covers.
At the impact of his hand patting his chest, Kai jolted awake, letting out a startled gasp as his hand flew and gripped the wrist. He sat bolt upright not asleep but not quite awake from his dream. But instinct told him Ray had come to comfort him.
His arms flung, wrapping around him and pulling him in, pushing his forehead in to his shoulder to get his breath back and come to. Tyson's eyes near enough fell out of his head as he was suddenly grabbed, color draining from his face.
So this was how he went. Crushed windpipes after trying to do good.
He pat Kai on the back a bit stiffly, unable to really get a look behind him at his mentor through this to figure out the next step. Was there a next step? He thought he was done; won the battle like the conquering hero he was.
"There, there?" He tried as he continued to awkwardly pat Kai on the back.
Behind him, Ray was beside himself as his cheeks were puffed from holding in his laughter.
Oh his poor boys. But this was good, it'd be fine, and they could mend their issues now.
...Unless now was when Kai decided to get violent since that wasn't him and Tyson instead.
Kai let out a relieved sigh and stayed there contently for a moment before his eyes ripped open. The voice wasn't the voice he was expecting. The smell wasn't the same...
He pushed back and leaned back, throwing a confused as all hell look over his shoulder to look at what should have been Ray's empty bed. Upon seeing Kai's confused eyes, Ray waved at him with a stupid fanged grin on his face. Tyson didn't seem to care, going for patting Kai on the shoulders this time as he had hold of his arms now.
"You okay dude?" He asked with all the concern coming back to him.
Kai turned his bleary eyes back to Tyson, once more again to Ray and then back again. "Yes? The hell are you doing?"
"I... Well I um..." Tyson stuttered to a stop and pressed his lips together while he thought of something to say.
"You were freaking out, and I wanted to make sure you were alright. You called my name, so came to check on ya. Kicked some guys ass, no biggie." He seemed to wave off like it wasn't a big deal, mainly for Kai's sake since he knew he got self-conscious about not being able to sleep sometimes.
Kai blinked and felt his face flush in embarrassment. Typical Tyson, too big for his boots!
"Last I remembered, the match wasn't over!" He blurted out at him.
Tyson's face fell, "But you said 'good job, T.'" He mimicked in a deep voice at a chance to imitate him and maybe make him ease up.
Kai just flushed harder. "Oh did I shit! And last I remember you managed to push him back right before he knocked you out the dish..."
"I highly doubt that." Tyson chuckled to avoid pouting again. Him lose? Not in his dreams or anyone's dreams!
"He may have won that round, but you know I was going to own him in the next one."
Kai shuddered. There wouldn't be a next round...
"Uh. Yeh..."
"And see, look. I'm actually fine. Was just a dream man. I know they seem uber real at times, but they're not. I'm okay, we're okay and you're okay." Tyson said as he gestured at himself and the room before placing his hands back on Kai's shoulders.
"And whatever you think is going to happen just chill. It's twistin around in your head too much. Everything is gonna be fine, I promise. And if it aint then you have every right to say I told you so as many times as you want."
Kai stared at him a little stunned for a moment as he took in his Tyson-esque speech. And then his chest warmed up like Ray's hands.
He finally cracked a small smirk. "Hn. And you know damn well I will..."
Tyson offered a wonky grin back, slapping Kai on the shoulder a bit harder than before. There his buddy was!
"Exactly! Wouldn't have it any other way! But anyways, get some sleep, we got chicken wings to conquer tomorrow!" He exclaimed excitedly and wiggled himself out of Kai's hold, throwing up a thumbs up to Ray for a job well done with his wonky grin still intact.
Ray just smiled at him and gave another wise nod. He did good for his first rodeo.
Kai slid himself back under his blanket, wide awake now. Not only had the shrimp witnessed him have bad dreams, he'd gone as far as calling out for him?! He'd never live that down...
He shivered again despite the blanket. Given the circumstances of what he saw though, it was understandable why he had. The green haired shit had been ruthless...
Tyson bled... He was down on his knees. And there wasn't a damn thing he could do to protect him.
Ray waited for a minute again as the other two settled down before getting under his own covers. Once Kai was down he looked over at Tyson who was already out cold. That was fast but could understand why after all that.
His ass wiggled some as he looked back to Kai wide awake and clearly in thought about something. Rolling himself off his futon he pushed it up closer to Kai's, just a sliver of bare flooring between the two mattresses and jumped back under his covers but held his hand out in offering for him.
"Wanna talk about it?" He asked in a quiet whisper.
Kai instantly reached out, feeling the warm rush up his harm. Ooooooh yehhhhh... That was the stuff...
"Just a bad dream." He whispered back, squeezing his hand a little.
Ray nodded, he already figured that out on his own. He wrapped his fingers around Kai's, suddenly being hit from all sides about how much he wanted this more than anything but still too far out of reach despite holding hands with him right now.
"Zeo?" He hazard a guess as he squeezed Kai's hand back.
Kai sank a little and nodded back. He didn't want to lie to him. There was no point. But now he was just going to think he was crazy all over again...
Ray shifted closer to him, teetering on the thin edge of his futon while he laid on his side to face him better.
"I know you're probably tired of hearing it, and don't believe us, but it will be okay. The kid doesn't even barely know how to blade, there's no way he's a match for any of us. None of them ever have been. We may lose some here and there, but in the grand scheme of things we do come out on top."
Kai mirrored him and shifted to his edge as well. "I know. You keep saying that. But something just isn't right about him. I feel it... He's not as sweet and innocent as he looks."
"I believe you. I never said I didn't." Ray affirmed quietly, "But I still want to give him a chance before I judge him. Like I told you last year, I give everyone a chance. Just like I gave you a chance." He smiled at him as his thumb got to work along the back of Kai's hand.
"And if you're right, which you have a good chance of being, then we'll handle it. Together."
Kai let out a deep sigh, letting Ray's thumb work its magic. "What if I'm not strong enough to handle it?"
"You don't have to be. Because you're not going to do this alone. I promise."
Kai's hand held his tighter, letting his own thumb start to wander. Just like always, Ray was his comfort, his rock and his hope. The warmth of his hands felt warmer.
"I love you..." He blurted out.
Ray's heart came to a screeching halt as he stared at him blankly, tears suddenly pricking. After everything that had been going on, the way Kai had been avoiding and pushing him away since being pulled apart two weeks ago it all seemed to vanish. He didn't even realize he needed to hear that as much as he did right now.
"Love you too." He managed to get out, offering a wobbly smile back while his thumb went nuts.
Just for a bit longer, he just wanted this a bit longer then he'd let go and roll over. Wake up before the others and move his bed back to where it always went. He just needed this; they needed this right now.
"And I love our family, as much as you do too. So no more right now, okay? You need the sleep and rest; you have Jackie to go see tomorrow and then some chicken wings to conquer." He chuckled, using Tyson's line.
Kai sniffled to. His heart screamed at him to run. Throw his covers back and climb in with him. Kiss him. Then go find Zeo and dangle him off a roof and tell him to leave them the fuck alone.
But for once he had to listen to reason. As much as he couldn't see it, maybe Zeo was just a harmless fanboy. It wasn't like he liked anyone he met off the bat.
He was right about Alan. And a lot of others. But then again, he was very wrong about these guys.
And as for Ray, he was right. As much as it hurt. As much as he wanted to just jump ahead to a time where he was better, he had to take every day as it came and handle things as they presented themselves.
He did have a slowly fattening puppy dog to go and shower with love tomorrow. He did have a family dinner with another fat puppy to look forward to. Not everything was terrible and scary, if you looked at it like that.
"Yeh..."
Ray's smile grew before a tired yawn broke out of him, though kept their hands together as he began to drift in and out of sleep.
"Good night." He whispered as his eyes closed and refused to open again, his thumb slowly coming to a stop as he passed out.
Kai lay and watched, hearing his breathing become deeper and longer. He didn't want to, but eventually slowly and gently pulled his hand away. They didn't need Max or Tyson seeing that in the morning. Let alone Grampa.
"Night..."