Season 2, Episode 33.
The four weary BladeBreakers let out sighs of relief as they collapsed on to the couch and floor.
What a day... They couldn't remember the last time they went that long and that hard. But drastic times called for drastic measures. Driger had been sealed in the rock. They all had to be prepared. Ready to fight the Saint Shields again, to save their own and to get Ray his bit-beast back.
Ray felt a stab of guilt again. How could he slump on the couch, exhausted, when all of them had been going nonstop while he wandered around dwelling? He supposed it wasn't totally a bad thing. He just needed some time. A fresh perspective on things.
He rolled his head to take in the clearly tired but still stern looking image of Kai beside him and let a small smile crack.
...He kinda got now why he liked to be by himself. The quiet and peace had let him process it better. But just like any good knight, he'd come to the rescue at the end. Hammered the final nail in by bringing him back to show him how the others were fighting tooth and nail, on his behalf.
The smile grew even more. He was so proud of him. What a difference... If this had happened a month or two back, back when he had it in his head that the guys were enemies and coming between them, how would this have gone down?
Of course he wasn't thrilled about losing Driger in the slightest. But to see them, all of them finally come together again in such a genuine way warmed his soul more than he could put in to words.
"Who's getting the shower first?" Max groaned with his face planted on the floor at the foot of the couch, whole body flat like a plank.
Ray shook his tired head with another sigh, he didn't mind smelling gross for a few more minutes just to give his aching muscles some time to stop burning.
"Not it." He voiced tiredly.
"Not it." Kai droned.
"Not iiiit." Max sighed.
Tyson groaned. "Ooooooooooh... You guys suck..." He whined as his aching muscles screamed while he began to pick himself up.
"What you get for being slow." Max snickered, not moving an inch as his body sunk against the floor more.
"Don't think I'll even be able to last five minutes standing up."
Ray nodded in agreement, how they even made it inside was a miracle in of itself. "Just don't use all the hot water, at some point we do want to bathe." He said as he watched Tyson finally get his legs in working order and stand.
Kai suddenly stretched his neck, a huge crack snapping through the room that even he wasn't expecting. The others flinched at the horrid noise, somehow feeling that themselves.
Ray's head lulled along the armrest with an almost impressed look on his face, "Feel better?" He chuckled.
Kai's almost stunned eyes turned to him. That was awesome! "Yeh. Feeling kinda stiff. Don't think I stretched properly."
"Ew, ow." Tyson chuckled too as he rubbed his own neck, "Next time, do us all a favor and stretch." He said as he carried on down to the hall, still rubbing his neck as he went.
Ray smiled a little, "He's got a point, that sounded horrible."
Kai sighed. He wanted to slob, but he knew he'd pay for it tomorrow.
"Yeh. I'd better go do it now..." He groaned as he heaved himself off the coach to go back out to the deck.
"O-okay..." Ray stared a little stunned and impressed that Kai was able to stand.
With the front door closing after him, Ray looked around and down at Max who had clearly passed out on the floor. With Tyson gone in the bathroom he frowned a little now that he was alone with no one to keep him company.
Fiddling with his hair over his shoulder he waited a few minutes, the silence getting to him some. He really did have enough of the silence after his little pity walk the day before, and he had someone he needed to go thank still.
Heaving himself off the couch and carefully stepping over Max, he followed after Kai outside stretching.
"Hey." He greeted a little off, not really sure how to go about it now that he hadn't given it much thought.
Kai looked at him through his spread legs, bent over with his legs straight to click his back out.
"Hey."
Ray did a double take, it finally clicking in his head that he had walked out with Kai's ass in the air staring back at him. Instantly he felt himself sweat again, eyes darting elsewhere as his throat went a little dry. What did he even come out here for again?
"Max fell asleep, passed out on the floor." He informed for some odd reason, brain cells bursting in flames.
Kai came back up, long legs sinking in to a deep lunge as he looked over his shoulder.
"Oh. Should wake him up after Tyson finishes." As he sunk, his joints popped and cracked, "Oooooooh god. That's better..."
Ray did a stupid thing, a really dumb thing, and looked back at him. The sweat on his skin thickening while he lost all coherent thought as he watched Kai go down, yet his head tilted to the side while he drank the view up.
"Hn?" He blinked in confusion. Did Kai say something?
Kai changed legs. "I said that's better was all. Man... I'm really tight."
An indistinguishable noise came out of Ray's throat, all he heard was 'tight'. Eyes on the show and knew he should look away; actually start the conversation he had originally planned to have with him. But... What did it hurt to just let the show go on a little more?
With another satisfying series of cracks, Kai got on his knees, sliding his arms forward and putting his face down as his back curved and clicked, letting out a muffled sound of relief and satisfaction.
Ray's head tilted the other way, feet glued to the floor as his fingers twitched and he licked his dry lips just to wet them before they cracked.
What the hell was going on? Was Kai doing this on purpose? Really who cared, but he was torn. He wanted to talk to him, about something, but still wanted him to keep doing this. Sadly, the more rational part of him came back into play as he slapped himself out of it.
"Kai, we need to talk." He unintentionally barked out.
Kai lifted his head immediately, swiveling on his knees to face him. "What's wrong!?"
That was kind of a silly thing for Kai to ask but given how he had just messed this up he couldn't blame him.
"Nothing, nothing's wrong. Just wanted to talk." He stuttered out as he shifted finally where he stood.
Kai blinked at him before his face got full of focus. Of course. The tables had turned. It was his turn to be strong, support! Ray needed him.
He slid over and dangled his legs over the decking, patting the space next to him. "C'mere..."
Ray obeyed, albeit a bit stiffly and shuffled himself over. Thank god for his baggy pants and his long shirt. Planting himself down beside Kai, letting his own feet hang off the porch, he focused on the pond in front of them.
"I just wanted to thank you, for last night. And today." He started now that his brain was back in working order.
Kai's legs kicked a little. "Oh, I didn't do nothin'..." He waved off.
"You did a lot." Ray corrected with a small smile at him before it fell some, "Still hurts though, you know. And what if I can't get him back, then what?"
Kai's head snapped to him, sympathetic. "I know it does. But don't you worry, we're gonna get him back." ...He sucked at this.
"But how? He's in that stupid rock, and we don't know where they are or where they took him. Even if we did, do we do some kind of dance to get him back out of it?" He spewed, it all coming back out all at once now it was front and center in his head.
Kai's face fell. He didn't know either... But that was unacceptable. His arm timidly stretched to go around him and pull him in a bit closer.
"W-well..." He blushed a little, feeling like that loser in the movies trying it with a girl in the movie theater, "They're going to have to bring the rock in order to get ours. Which means we'll just have to kick their ass and get the rock, bring it to Judy. She'll be able to help get him out..."
Ray made a face under his own blush, his nose scrunching up as if Kai smelt like others. "Can we not? Take it to Dickenson or someone else."
"Uh. Sure?" Kai stuttered. Whatever his king commanded would be so.
Ray sighed, putting his head down on Kai's shoulder. "I just don't like her." He explained, though knew it was irrational not to take the rock to Judy.
"You know, you'd think I'd be used to losing him..." He choked out some as his throat began to close up, fighting back the tears best he could.
Kai's hand went to gently rubbing up and down his arm. "Don't say that. You never get used to it. But look, Driger came back to you last time. He's not gonna stop either until he's back with you."
Ray nodded a bit, though for once he didn't have an optimistic outlook on the whole situation. If they couldn't get Driger back then would they all lose their bitbeasts? Because of him?
"I'm sorry..." And just when he thought he had moved past the pity party; his eyes began to stream. Kai was right, it wasn't easy, and he wasn't used to losing one of his best friends.
Kai craned his neck at the suspicion and jolted at the sight of tears. No. No. No. He was supposed to be making him all better!
He pulled him in tighter. "Hey, why are you sorry? You've got nothing to be sorry for. We're all in this together, remember?"
Ray nodded again into him, trying his best to fight it all down. After all their hard work during the day this seemed almost selfish, to be crying and upset about it. He was stronger than this, right?
"I-I know. I just don't... Don't want you all to lose yours too, because of m-me." He heaved through his sobs, apparently he wasn't as strong he thought he was or wanted to be.
Kai jolted harder, swiveling himself and wrapping his other arm around him to hold him close, bringing a hand up to stroke the back of his head. Always worked when Ray did it.
"Listen to me... All four of us have been at risk this entire time. Any one of us could have lost to them, could still lose to them. Driger being taken hasn't put us any more at risk, because the whole time they've been after all of us. You are still a force to be reckoned with, because you are strong, skilled and powerful on your own... The battle is nowhere near over yet."
Ray relaxed some in Kai's hold, letting his encouraging words sink in through the bad ones plaguing his head. He was right, this battle, this war, was far from over. And even he had said a few nights ago that they always came out on top, one way or another they did.
He held onto that bit of hope as tightly as he held onto Kai. They'd be able to do this, somehow, but they would and make it where the Saint Shields wished they had never messed with them in the first place when they were done.
Looking up from Kai's chest, his cheeks still wet with tears he offered a wobbly smile. "Thank you."
Kai's eyes remained soft as his hand came up to brush the rebellious strands that had stuck to Ray's face away, "And you know I'm not gonna stop until he's back with you..." His body moved before his brain, leaning in and placing a soft yet firm kiss on his wet cheek.
"I'm going to do whatever it takes. I promise..."
Ray's smile grew while it got hot, of course he knew that. Because Kai was the best knight in the land, and an even better friend.
"Just promise me you'll be careful."
Kai nodded, letting out a quiet but affirmative 'hn'. "I promise. I know after everything that doesn't mean much but... When it comes to things like this, I'm better at it." He rambled.
He couldn't take care of himself worth shit. He'd proved that. But he'd always been both brains and brawn of the operation. Saved them in the back alley in China, saved Max, beat the Dark Bladers a bunch (minus the Kenny incident but never mind that) ...He clamped his mouth shut. Ray didn't need empty promises. Or a reminder of his failures.
He smirked, getting on one knee in front of him and bringing a fist to his chest while lowering his head. "I shall wield my sword with all my might in your name, my liege..."
Ray's smile got a bit dumb as a light chuckle came out of him, shifting himself to sit up higher and square his shoulders. Putting on a serious face and cleared his throat.
"And as you shall, my noble knight, the kingdom depends on you as do I. And with my blessing go forth and kick ass, and Godspeed."
Kai smirked, getting up to his feet and pulling Ray up with him. He flashed him the cockiest, most arrogant grin that hadn't been seen since the time of the long scarf.
"Consider it done, your highness."
"Very well." Ray continued in his royal tone, his smile getting cheekier as he leant up and kissed Kai's cheek like he had done to him.
"For good luck." He blushed.
Kai's smug and cocky face fell to dopey and hopeless. Ooooooooooh, how his king spoiled him...
"Thank you..."
Could he just lean in and kiss him? For real? They needed the cheering up, surely! He slapped himself. NO! Stop it! This was the time! This was the opportunity to stand up on his two feet and fix himself! Ray had been there through every hardship. Now it was his turn. He had to focus and do the right thing here.
He cleared his throat. "Shall we go back in? Probably should get showered and get to bed."
Ray nodded back to him, "Yeah, you kind of stink." He joked, done with the heavy and the tears. "So do I, of course, and Tyson probably fell asleep on the floor beside Max."
"Then let's go wake the palace jesters..." He smirked as he led Ray back inside.
Ray just laughed behind him, face full on red as Kai took him back inside. Like he had predicted Tyson was laid out on the floor next to Max who looked like he hadn't even moved since crashing.
"Kinda feel bad we gotta move them, if you want the shower first I'll get their beds and get Tyson moved first. Send Max in after you." He suggested.
"Nah, don't worry, watch this." He smirked as he went and grabbed Tyson under the armpits and roughly dragged him along the floor, not so much as a snore changing.
Ray gaped a little before covering his mouth before he laughed. "That works."
Kai had to stop to snort before carrying on. Ooof... He was heavy... Was already kinda winded...
"You get Max up; I'll do the beds..."
"Yes sir." Ray chuckled as he went for a gentler and easier approach on their golden boy. Such preciousness needed to be handled with the utmost care and delicacy.
Shaking him awake enough to get him on his feet, he helped him to the bathroom for his shower, Max waking up halfway there which was a good thing since Ray wasn't about to wash him down, though he did bring him an extra pair of clothes to change into for bed.
Once the younger two were put down, Kai and Ray getting in their much needed showers afterwards and the kingdom at peace with the lights out and everyone tucked into bed, Ray laid there with a small smile on his face curled up on himself as he faced Kai across from him.
"Sleep good."
Kai smiled back and held out his hand to him. "You too..."
Ray latched on quickly, entwining their fingers together. "Night, Kai." He breathed out in a quiet whisper, closing his eyes finally to let his body get its much-needed rest.
Kai's eyes closed back, drifting off easier than he had in a while. Unfortunately, for some reason his eyes peeled open after what felt like a few minutes later.
He tossed and turned for a while but was wide awake. He grabbed his phone to check the time. 4:48am. His eyes glanced over to Ray. At least he was sleeping well. He worried he might not.
Yawning and stretching out, his mind rolled over everything. He'd gone and promised him now, and he had every intent of keeping it. Meant every word about doing whatever was in his power to bring him back.
His hand that was resting on his belly poked at it. He'd put on some weight. Was hardly the condition he was in last year yet though...
He'd told Tyson just the other day after Kenny made their little training room, that blading had nothing to do with physical strength, and it was true. But this wasn't your average beybattle.
How was he supposed to wield a sword if his chicken wing arms couldn't lift it? How was he to charge into battle if he tired too easily? How was he going to carry Ray when he needed it if he wasn't strong enough? He had to be stronger. Both physically and mentally.
He gave himself a nod for some reason, fire fueled and throwing back the covers and jumping up, looking at the ever so slightly brightening sky.
He flexed his arm and pinched at the aforementioned chicken wing arm. He'd feel much more confident with his bad boys at his side. His noble steeds.
He quietly charged. To the weight thingy!
Sometime, when the sun was actually up, three sets of eyes opened to the new day. Though for a short minute or two the three of them laid there, the training from the day before coming in to bite them in the ass and neither wanting to move just yet.
It hurt, all over, but it was a good kind of hurt because it was for a good cause in the end.
"Can we just have breakfast in bed?" Tyson groaned from his futon, the smells calling for him from the kitchen but even they weren't tempting enough for him to move just yet.
"That does sound wonderful, but I have to pee." Max voiced next, and as much as he needed to he didn't want to leave bed either.
Ray just chuckled from his bed, slowly coming to and out of the wonderful dream he'd had.
His knight in shining armor, wielding a blazing fire sword and kicking ass and taking names on a noble steed. Was magical.
What wasn't so magical was when he closed his empty hand and came out of dreamland a second time, head moving on his pillow to the empty one beside him.
"Where's Kai?" He asked as he shot up out of bed, aching muscles screaming at him for moving so fast.
Tyson and Max shot up in their own beds, fear taking over from past experiences and dreading the worst.
"I'll check upstairs!" Tyson announced as he rushed out of the room and was gone.
"I'll look outside!" Max wasn't far behind him, running outside as quickly as his sore legs would take him.
Ray followed suit, getting up and running to the kitchen to look. Only to stop and find grandpa at the stove finishing up their breakfast.
"Grandpa! Have you seen Kai?" Ray questioned almost frantically.
Grampa flipped the bacon, looking over his shoulder at him. "K-Dog's out in that nifty training room the Chief decked you out with! Was just about to go get him in! Would ya mind doing the honors?"
Ray froze a little, taking in what Grandpa had said before shaking himself out of it.
"Yeah... Sure." He nodded and turned back around. The hell was Kai doing in there?
"Did you find him?!" Tyson panted as he met Ray at the bottom of the stairs.
"Gramps said he's in the training room." Ray said as he waved him on to follow.
The two tiptoeing the rest of the way there and cracked the door to peek inside, both completely confused and curious as to what Kai was doing.
Kai grunted again, headphones in and glaring daggers at the weight hanging on the rope. His skin was pink and shimmering with sweat while his arms burned with lactic acid. His slim frame leaned back against the harness as he pulled yet again to lift the rat bastard for what felt like the millionth time.
Tyson and Ray's jaws near enough hit the ground, both silently cheering him on in their heads while still being confused as to why Kai was in there trying to use that thing.
Feet thundered their way over to them huddled around the cracked open door, Max panting and sweating after having run around the entire perimeter of the house.
"Guys, what're you doing we need to find Kai!" He shouted making the two of them jolt, Tyson smacking his head into Ray's chin.
"Shhh!" They both hissed at him, rubbing their bruised head and face.
Max's mouth opened to protest, a loud clinking noise coming from behind the cracked door and joined them quickly, going under Tyson's arm to peek into the room with them.
The heavy weights raised a little as his arms trembled, holding it along with his breath before he blew out hot air.
One more... Last one... Power through!
He let out a loud, rumbling growl as his face and arms strained, pulling with everything he had until the weight lifted as far as it would go. He held it as long as he could before letting go, panting and stretching his hands before giving his poor arms a well needed stretch as well.
Fuck, they burned...
The three faces behind the door lit up, stars in all their eyes as the urge to barge in and clap and give a round applause hit them.
But... Kai didn't know they had been there, probably would embarrass him if he knew, so they quickly scampered their way from the door and to the kitchen as quickly as they could before he caught on.
A few minutes later, still kind of pink and sweaty, Kai staggered in to the kitchen and jumped, taking them in all sat around eating breakfast. Since when were they all up this punctually?!
"Morning, Kai!" Max beamed at him, those stars still hanging around his eyes as he caught sight of him. He was so proud of him, not even sure why, but he was.
"Morning?" He said in an almost defensive tone as he went to fix some coffee. His arms shook and burned as his arms reached up to the cabinet.
Ray bit his lip, torn between offering to help him or let him do it on his own. He could see him shaking, see that it was hard after pushing himself. Even though he was still confused as to why Kai had even been in there using that contraption in the first place, especially after getting onto Tyson about it.
Whatever Kai's reason he clearly didn't want them to know, so kept his lips bit and sat where he was and waited for him to get to the table to eat.
"What's on the menu for training today?" Tyson asked once he'd finished his plate.
Finally pulling his precious coffee and a cup out and able to lower his aching arms, Kai went to fix himself a cup.
"Start with a 10-kilometer run as a warm up. Switch out in pairs between the muscle strengthening apparatus, and the practice battles on the various platforms Kenny made." He barked.
The others groaned a little at the list he'd gone and made, that was so much and after yesterday they had hoped he would go easy on them.
It was last year all over now. And although part of them wanted that, had craved for it, their still sore muscles did not.
Kai snapped his head over his shoulder and glared at the moaning. "One more noise like that, I make it twenty!"
"Aye aye." Tyson sunk down; he had moaned a little louder than the other two. Running was not his strongest attribute.
Kai gave a curt nod and brought his cup over to settle down to his breakfast. Which for once looked sooooooooo good. Not that Grampa wasn't a great cook. He just didn't really have the appetite. And it was fish! Great protein!
Ohhhh, that reminded him. He had to ask Gramps to pick up a shit ton of chicken...
His chopsticks came up and went to work, mindful not to be a pig like Tyson.
"What're we doing after all that?" Ray asked as he copied Kai and picked up his chopsticks now that he was at the table with them all, even if Tyson was already done.
Kai held up his chopstick hand telling him to hold on a second while he finished chewing. "After that we go at the boards again. We're not stopping til all four of us have gone through 'em. I gotta go after lunch so I'll be picking up again when I get home if I haven't done it by then. But you guys don't stop til its done."
Their shoulders fell at the orders, knowing better than to try and skip out on it even if Kai wasn't home watching them, somehow he always knew so it wasn't worth the grief.
"Is that all?" Tyson asked with a hopeful and pitched tone.
"If you finish before sundown, drills." He said flatly before he shoved in some glorious grilled fish. Ahhhhh he could feel his bad boys coming back to him already...
Soon, my pretties...
They felt exhausted already, though just gave the same acknowledgement they always did and ate slowly; not needing to get upset stomachs through all that.
Grampa pottered, fixing himself some tea. "Still a little fish and rice left, peeps! Anyone want in?"
Kai threw out an almost full bowl. Thank the LORD! "Please!"
Tyson pouted as he looked down at his empty bowl and frowned hard, since when did Kai get seconds?!
"What about me?" He whined, only to get kicked under the table by Ray across from him making him jump in his seat. "Never mind, have at it man."
Grampa took his frown off his grandson and mentally thanked Ray. He was about to cuff him round the head as well.
"Right on, K-dog! Fill your boots!" He chuckled as he plated the last bit of fish for him and took his bowl to load it up with the last of the rice.
Tyson sunk while Max stared in awe at their captain. He had no clue what was going on, feeling like he'd gone and woken up in a different dimension but loved this.
Kai was back! He was back and ready to kick butt!
He gave a sly and not so subtle look across the table at Ray. He could hazard a guess as to why Kai was doing this, working out and eating again like last year.
That was so sweet of Kai, getting ready to charge into battle for his fair maiden... Or, his fair cat-man.
Kai looked up at the clock. "You all better get dressed. Start in twenty!" He barked in between bites.
Seeing as how Tyson was done he slumped his way off his chair, taking his bowl to the sink while dragging his feet. How was he going to get through all of Kai's training from hell on an empty stomach?!
Max shoveled in quicker, pumped and ready to get to work now. Sore muscles be damned! He had to work just as hard as papa, had to be ready for anything.
Ray on the other hand continued to eat at his normal pace, part because he didn't fancy throwing any of it up and the other because he was waiting for Kai to finish his own food.
Kai got to work too, slowing down as he got nearer the end and his small stomach filled. He needed this if he was going to train this hard. He would just exhaust himself and hurt himself if he didn't nourish himself properly. That's why he'd been so behind thus far.
He blew out a slight breath before forcing the rest down.
Ray gave him a worried look, "Don't overdo it."
Kai forced down the mouthful and then forced a smile back. "I'm not. Just. Hungry..."
"I know but slow down a little or let's rest before we go out and train. Otherwise it'll just come back up." Ray said carefully, not wanting to upset him.
Kai huffed and powered through the last of it. "No time! Got too much to do before I gotta go to the shelter!" He huffed, finishing up quick and gathering his bowls and plates before Ray could nag at him more.
"Let's go!"
Max bounced after Kai, about breaking his bowl when he'd thrown it carelessly into the sink and ran out of the kitchen past Kai. He still had to get ready!
Ray sighed back as he picked himself up, taking his bowl to the sink behind him.
"Don't say I didn't warn you." He muttered quietly under his breath as he followed.
Twenty-three minutes later, Kai and his slight pooch were waiting outside, arms folded and foot tapping. Did he not say twenty minutes!? Four minutes later the other three finally appeared outside with him. Max the only one vibrating with excitement as they lined up, waiting for the signal to go.
"You're late!" He barked, unimpressed. "Since when does twenty minutes mean thirty!? You're getting sloppy and it stops now! Now move it!"
"I couldn't find my left shoe, and Max said he needed to brush his hair, and Ray was taking forever in the bathroom with his hair." Tyson informed in a whine, his feet slowly picking him up in a light jog as Max zoomed past them with a battle cry.
Kai glared at Tyson. "No excuses! Be like Max!" He snapped before jogging after Max, "And Max! Pace yourself! I'm not carrying you back!" He called after him.
"YEAHHHHH!" Came the excited reply, what it meant nobody knew as the blonde blur continue to zip around the yard.
Kai rolled his eyes. "We're going along the river, Max! Stop fuckin' around!" He scolded as he jogged out to lead.
"You didn't say that before!" Tyson hollered at him from behind.
Max didn't care, legs working overtime to U-turn himself around and zip out after Kai.
"Shut up and run!" Kai yelled angrily back. As he jogged he felt his leg muscles get warmer, fish and rice sitting like a bowling ball in his gut. Urgh...This is why he hated eating...
But it would pass, he just had to wait it out. The little streets soon turned to the usual paths and bushes that lead to the river. Now they were good and warm, they could actually run.
He refused to lag behind this time. He was going to be the leader again! He was going to be the captain! He was going to...
He was gonna...
Ohhhhhh fuck, he was gonna puke...
While Kai started to fall behind, Max continued on, no stopping in sight with the clear blue sky in front of him, the beautiful crystal and shimmering water at his side. The cramp in his side was starting to become a hindrance but he ignored it, would worry about it later.
Tyson and Ray came jogging up closer, Ray slowing down as he saw Kai slow down and rolled his eyes at the back of two-toned head. The dumbass. Why did he never listen to him?!
"Make sure we don't lose Max, at this rate he'll run all the way to Tokyo." He ordered Tyson beside him, getting a nod back before Tyson picked up the pace to go after Max.
"Hey Maxie, wait up buddy!" He yelled, hoping to slow the speed demon down some.
Ray on the other hand jogged slowly behind Kai, keeping an eye on him for when breakfast finally made its grand reveal. Kai shot a glare at him through his clammy skin trying to breathe the nausea, stomach acid and cramping away.
"I'm fine... Just making sure you're not slacking!"
"I didn't even say anything." Ray said with a small chuckle, "And me slack? Never."
Kai stayed quiet and kept going. He was too occupied with other things...
He glared at Tyson and Max way up ahead.
That wasn't him in front!
Fuck it, if he ran faster and focused on that, it would go away. Mind over matter! Eyes on the prize! He bolted forward, feet going nuts for a few feet until he very quickly veered off in to the bushes.
Ray huffed out a sigh as he followed, coming to a slow walk and waited outside the bushes while Kai heaved and upchucked breakfast. The sounds horrible and the smell not any better. The urge to say 'I told you so' strong but once more bit his tongue. Would only upset him and didn't want that.
"Keep running, Ray!" Kai screamed at him in a throaty voice as he finished the round of puking.
"I will once I know you're not going to pass out in there." Ray argued back in a calm tone.
"I'm not! Be there in a second!" He insisted as he spat the nasty tasting shit that hung in his mouth
"Then I can wait here and do double time to make up for it. I just want to make sure you're okay, stop trying to push me away."
Kai stayed quiet, emerging from the bushes a few moment later a little watery eyed from the expulsion and rubbing his belly.
"I'm not... No one wants an audience for that is all..." He grumbled.
"That's why I stayed out here. Puked around you before too, so we're one for one now." He joked and laughed awkwardly.
Kai was right, nobody liked an audience when that was going on, but he'd feel worse if he just left him behind and suffered alone.
Kai's face lightened up. "Pfff... Oh yeah. The night of your coronation..."
"Mhmm." Ray hummed as his ears turned pink, "Anyways, you okay?"
Kai stared at him. Oh yeh, he was the mightiest knight in the land! A spew of vomit was nothing for the mighty Sir Puddinglot!
"Fine3,2,1GO!" He shot out before he bolted.
Ray blinked a little at the dust cloud that got caught up behind Kai, some of it getting in his eyes that he rubbed out as he followed after him. This time actually working his legs fast enough to even be considered a work out.
Like a small hoard of undead, the four of them groaned and dragged their feet back to the Granger house, crying on the inside that that was just the warm up.
The kids slumped on the deck, letting their aching feet rest a moment. Kai eyed the three of them. How was the best to do this? If he worked with Ray, aka Oaktree Arms, he'd witness the pitiful display. He didn't want Tyson to see that either...
Max on the other hand, still had that crazed look of energy in his eyes, even though the rest of him looked tired.
...Not to mention he proved himself to be an excellent motivator in Russia.
"Right. Ray and Tyson. Go battle on the dishes Kenny made. Max, you're with me."
"Can we just... Rest for a few seconds?" Tyson asked in a whine as he starfished out on the deck.
Kai strolled over to him. "Ohhhhh sure...Yeh. We can just sit here a while. See what pictures the clouds make and BAMOHSHITDRAGOONISGONE!" He called out as he leapt right in to his face.
Tyson shot up like a firecracker went off under him, "Okay! Okay I'm up!" He shot a dirty look at Kai as he picked himself off the deck and stomped his tired feet towards the dish.
Ray quietly followed behind, patting Tyson on the back for the effort and took up a spot on the edge of the dish.
"What're we doing?!" Max asked as he bounced slightly where he sat. Him and papa training time?! He wouldn't let him down!
Kai turned around and walked by him. "You. Me. Weight room."
"Aye aye!" Max threw up a wonky soldier salute, up on his feet and zoomed past him into the house.
Kai couldn't help but smirk and shake his head. Aw, Maxie...
Once they got in, he eyed the weighted menace that had mocked him earlier that morning.
...Maybe Max should do it first...
"Okay Max, you do this one first." He ordered in a friendlier tone as he pointed at the beast.
Max's bouncing stopped as he took a look at the thing. It looked completely unstable, like it could and would just fall right on top of him if he pulled too hard. But if he said no then Kai would get upset, he didn't want to let Kai down. Or any of them down.
Maybe if he just pulled gently the beast wouldn't fall on his head and crush not only him, but his hopes and dreams too.
Getting his face set in determination, nostrils slightly flaring and expressing a hard snort, he rubbed his hands together and grabbed the handles. With a hard pull back he felt the resistance fighting him, the weights barely moving and leaned back into his pull while his nostrils flared again as he breathed through his nose heavily.
Just how heavy had they set this thing?!
Kai's insides almost fell out his butt as his face dropped even harder. "MAXIE!"" He flapped as he ran over, "Whoa whoa whoa! You're gonna throw your back out like that!"
"Am I doing it wrong?" Max asked as he refused to let go, body tilted so far back he was almost parallel to the floor.
"YES! Let go!" He demanded as he flapped more.
Max looked at him and released the handles without a second thought, his body falling to the ground while the whole contraption shook, and the pullies swung around wildly.
Kai flinched hard, half expecting the damn thing to fall off. When it looked like it would just swing some, he reached his hand out to his idiot son.
"I... Don't do that again!"
"Sorry." Max apologized sheepishly as he grabbed Kai's hand and got himself back to his feet. "Wasn't that what you were doing this morning? You just pull on it right?"
Kai's hand clamped round his as he froze up. Face draining of color. "I... How the hell do you know that!?"
Max stared back as it hit him over the head, he wasn't supposed to know they had seen him!
"I don't know how to use it, you're right. So why don't we find something else to use that isn't going to potentially hurt one of us?" He distracted quickly, doubting it would work but gave it a shot anyways.
Kai eyed him. "That isn't the way it works! I'll teach you! With any kind of lifting, your posture and stance is vital! You don't just go at it! Try it again, take the handles, spread your legs a little to distribute your weight..."
"O-okay." Max nodded back, walking up to the beast again and got into a better stance as he grabbed the handles a second time.
"Like this?" He double checked, looking over his shoulder at Kai.
"Thaaaaaat's it..." He applauded as he went behind him and took his hips, "Okay, don't arch your back, keep it flat... And bend at the knees, not your hips."
Max giggled a little as Kai's hands held him. Putting his face back in determination again as he bent at the knees, pulling the weights with him as he went down and breathed out heavy through his mouth.
"YEAHHH!" He let out a battle cry as the weights lifted up finally.
Kai slowly let go and stepped back like letting go of a kid on a bike without training wheels.
"Ooh... Ooooh! That's it! Perfect!"
Max's chest puffed, feeling proud of himself as papa sung his praises. He did it a few more times, up and down up and down till he started to feel the burn set in.
Kai pat him on the shoulder. "Atta boy. Give me three more sets." He assigned before going to... Plank or somethin'.
"Aye aye." Max huffed, chest heaving as he forced his knees to bend and go down again. He could do this, he had to do this!
Just before he could finish his second set his grip fell from the handles, the pullies snapping back and swinging again as the weights slammed down.
"I'm sorry." He cried as his butt smacked the floor.
Kai's red face expelled the breath as he went face first in to the floor. He sprawled, rolling his face over to him.
"Just do what you can, Maxie."
"I can't do anymore." He cried again, feeling like a complete failure.
Kai rolled and was up, sliding on his knees over to him. "It's okay. Don't push yourself, that's just gonna end bad. You did good anyway..."
"I did?" Max sniffled some as he looked up at him, big blue eyes wet and pleading for a small break. And some water.
Kai nodded at him. "Yeh! Lifted that like a champ! Now go stretch and take a water break."
Like a new man, Max jumped and bolted. He didn't need telling twice! Was going to stick his head under the faucet and just turn on the tap at this point too.
"Okay!"
Kai shook his head again and then narrowed his eyes at the torture contraption. Well... Since no one was around...
He got himself up and gripped the handles, getting himself ready like he'd showed Max. This bastard would pay...
As he pulled down, his arms screamed blue murder at him, the abuse from this morning and the planking too much to bear. He let go.
...Would pay another day. He had captaining to do anyway...
He marched out, walking over to where Max sat and folding his arms as he watched Tyson and Ray going at the particularly rocky and uneven dish Kenny had made up. He smirked. Pffff, where Ray had come from, this was kids' stuff. He frowned though. He didn't seem to have the upper hand.
"What are you doing Ray? Get him!"
Ray ground his teeth together. He was trying! Had been trying since they started and had been knocked out three times already, and he had a terrible suspicion that Tyson wasn't actually giving it his all either.
With their blades crashing in the dish again, doing a switch around the other after they collided, his blade veered near the edge of the dish, teetering dangerously close to falling out again.
At this point he was just going to give up, what was the point? He was getting his ass handed to him and it was just a simple practice match. But if the others weren't going to give up then he couldn't either, he'd never be able to live with himself if he doomed them all to the same fate as him. They were doing this for him, the least he could do was at least keep picking himself back up too.
"C'mon!" He yelled in a battle cry, his blade shooting off from around the dish at his command.
Tyson's eyes widened as Ray's blade crashed into his, the metal grinding loudly as they danced around, and Dragoon was shoved towards the edge this time.
Kai lit up. "THAT'SITRAYFUCKHIMUP!"
"Just whose side are you on?" Tyson yelled at him. What was he, chopped liver?
Ray smirked a little, his heart beating faster with the adrenaline pumping through him. Kai's cheering fueling the small flame and making it grow brighter. With another hard cry, his blade backed away only to come back into Tyson's with a hard shove. Dragoon flew out of the dish, crashing off to the side behind where Tyson stood while Ray's blade continued a victory lap around the inside of the dish before it wobbled to a stop.
Kai punched the air. "HA! BAMOHSHITDRAGOONISGONE!"
He composed himself and cleared his throat, folding his arms again. "You see why I don't tolerate bitching? You need this shrimp..." He covered quickly.
"Oh please, I was doing just fine! Knocked him out three times before you came out here." Tyson defended as he plucked Dragoon out of the dirt, wiping him off on his shirt.
"Were you even trying though?" Ray asked as he grabbed up his blade from the dish, legs a little weak and sweat beading down his face.
"Of course I was man! What do you take me for?!" He asked offended. Why were they all ganging up on him today!?
"Was just a question, Ty." Ray shrugged his shoulders, "Anyways I'm beat, need some water." He announced and excused himself into the house.
What did he take him for? Someone who was pitying him and not putting in the effort because they didn't think he could handle it. As much as he loved Tyson, he was the one that had jumped down on top of him for not trying hard enough when he had been.
Whatever though, he wanted some water and rest. It'd already been a very long morning.
Kai's eyes softened as he watched him walk off. "You too Tyson, break time..." He said quickly as he jogged after him, "Ray, hold up."
Ray stopped and let out a small sigh before looking over his shoulder with a painted-on smile.
"What's up?"
"What's wrong?" He asked as he came right up behind him.
"Nothing, just tired." He answered with a small shake of his head, "And thirsty, you want anything?"
"I'll come with... And are you sure?" He pressed.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Been running us rugged since we got up, I'm tired is all." Ray said as he waved off Kai's concern, taking them into the house and straight for the kitchen.
"How'd you and Max do after you came in?" He asked as he popped the fridge open, grabbing out two water bottles for them.
"Yeh fine. Just like weights and stuff was all." He replied as he took the water.
"How'd he do?" Ray asked, throwing his head back and gulped down the water quickly.
"Yeh good. Had to show him how to stand properly. But he's stronger than I thought. Was impressed how high he was able to pull it."
"That's good then, what about you?" Ray asked once he finished off his water bottle, wiping the corner of his mouth with the back of his glove.
Kai's face flushed a little. "Mmhmm... Anyway, better get back. Not much longer before lunch and I have to fight Max."
Ray nodded back, tossing out his empty water bottle and grabbing two more for Tyson and Max and followed Kai back outside to where they were.
Making himself comfortable on the porch and in the shade, passing out their water bottles for them.
Kai gave the youngest a nod. "Ready Maxie?"
Max nodded while chugging down his water, practically drowning himself in it before he couldn't take anymore and ripped the bottle away from his mouth.
"Yes!" He bounced right up, ready to dazzle and continuing to impress.
Kai smirked at him, getting themselves ready to launch. With Tyson's countdown, their blades flew in to the same rocky dish. Kai put Max out his mind. He had to forget it was Maxie and imagine it was one of them. He had to stop them taking Dranzer. Get Driger back to Ray...
His blue blade smashed in to the other, bitch slapping it back and forth and not giving him a chance to see what hit him.
"C'mon Maxie!" Tyson cheered from the sidelines.
Max sweat a little, unable to see where Kai's blade kept hitting from as Draciel wobbled violently with every attack. He had to do better than this! Not just for his sake but all of theirs!
Max's blade retreated, only given a moment to find its bearings before Kai came hurtling towards him again.
"DRACI-"
Like a three-slam combo, Kai's blue blade battered like a storm at sea and had Max's green blade flying out the dish. Max's mouth gaped while his shoulders fell forward, the look of total defeat across his face. He was never gonna be ready or make his papa proud.
Kai's blade flew back in to his hand hard. "Why didn't you push back!? How you gonna beat them if you don't get a swing in on me!?"
"I couldn't see your blade, like at all." Max explained, "I've never seen you hit that hard and fast before either. Did I do something wrong?"
Kai frowned. "So what are you gonna do if they go at you like that?!"
Max's shoulders fell even more, "I guess I lose..." He mumbled in answer.
"Yup!" He spat back, "So wipe that look off your face and reset or you can just call it a day now."
Max did what he was told, literally wiping his face with the back of his arm and grabbed Draciel back up to reset.
"Alright. I won't lose this time." He said in a firm tone, more for himself than Kai at the moment and just hoped he could win this round.
It was all practice, something they all needed, but Kai was right. If that had been someone from the Saint Shields, Draciel would have been on vacation with Driger inside that rock right now.
"You can do it buddy!" Tyson cheered from the side once they were ready and aiming at the dish again, doing the count down for them quickly.
Kai's blade went back to bitch slappin', but it seemed the fire up the blonde's ass made him focus more and slap back. He knew he shouldn't, but papa smirked. Just for a moment. And then went and did the most loving thing he could. Hand his ass to him.
Like watching the first battle on repeat, Draciel went flying back out of the dish and spun out in the dirt by Max's feet. He didn't feel as bad as his first lost, not after having gotten a few knocks against him this go around.
"I think I need some water now." He said as he picked up his blade and left the dish, clutching Draciel in his hand tighter.
One thing was for sure, Kai wasn't going to lose to them and somehow that was comforting in its own way to him.
Tyson pat him on the back when he sat down beside him, "You did good out there bud."
"Thanks Ty, but boy am I beat." Max smiled back, thankful for the bit of praise.
Kai put his hands on his hips, looking flabbergasted. "Um. Excuse me?" He asked with an unintentional sassy head bob, "Since when is it best of two?"
"Kai, give him a break. He's probably tired after that run this morning." Ray intervened, giving him a soft look so he would ease up.
His intentions would good, but they were all exhausted. Not to mention they hadn't been run this ragged since last year.
Kai pouted at him. "But Raaaaay!" How were they gonna beat them if they couldn't even handle a best of three practice. Plus he was still jacked up and wanted to slap some more!
"Look, if you want to battle someone so badly I'll battle you. Sound good?" Ray asked as he was already heaving himself up off the porch. "Make a wager too. You win we keep training; I win we take a break. Deal?"
Kai arched a brow. Oooooooooh. "Challenge accepted..."
"Alright then." Ray smirked back; he knew him too well. Just a shame he wasn't going to win, Driger or not, he'd never been able to best Kai in a practice match before. There was more at stake now though, his babies needed him to win so they could rest. And dammit, he and Kai needed to rest too!
Tyson did the count down again as they set up their blades, the two ripping out the cords simultaneously and as hard as they could sparks flew.
Instead of going in right at the bat, Ray pulled his blade back and went around the dish. If he went in for a straight attack he'd get knocked around in there like Max had.
Kai went right after him. Here kitty kitty...
No one was going inside til he said so damnit! Him and his boys were going to be indestructible!
His blue blade caught up, giving Ray's the smack on the ass he wished he could give its owner. Ray smirked a little, locking eyes with Kai for a moment and winked before focusing on the battle again. Spinning his blade back around behind Dranzer, giving a good smack to the ass back and retreating again in the opposite direction.
At this point he was just playing with him now, not really caring who won or not. And so far he hadn't been tossed around like a rag doll in the dish, so could only assume Kai was playing back too.
Kai felt the shiver down his spine and the blush on his face at that... That thing he did with his eye. Was he flirting with him right now!? Oh, that dirty little temptress...
And shit, was working... Driger got a hit in.
He shook himself. Just imagine it was the Saint Shield Salima. Whatever her name was. Oh good, instant mood killer.
"Go, Dranzer!"
As Dranzer came flying back after Driger, the blades collided around the edge of the dish. Neither letting up as they pushed and grinded against the other, spinning around into the bottom of the dish without losing momentum.
Ray began to sweat again, trying his hardest to keep his blade from wobbling even the slightest which was no easy feat. Pulling back just enough to slam back into Dranzer a second time, he took off back around the dish to gain his bearings.
"You tired yet?" He asked with a slight pant, locking eyes with Kai again across the dish as sweat ran down the side of his own face.
Kai held in his pant and smirked at him. "Nope."
Dranzer started to glow, firing up as it pelted after him. With another short, swift slams, he managed to slow kitty down.
"Well I am." Ray chuckled back as more sweat dripped and rolled down his face.
He couldn't help his blade anymore as it slowed, wobbling as it struggled to stay up but gave one last hard smack against Kai's before it lost its charge and spun out to a stop.
Kai's brow arched as his eyes watched it topple. "Damn shame you wagered what you did then, huh?" He smirked.
"Really is." Ray nodded as he let himself fall back on the ground, "Damn shame Gramps is going to call us for lunch though." He smirked and on cue the old man poked his head out the door.
"Grubs up boys!" He hollered.
Kai's face dropped. "Hn!?"
The two younger ones ran in, wobbly legged and cheering for joy while Kai pouted yet again. That was playing dirty! He had to go to work after this. He couldn't rule with an iron fist!
"You gonna help me up or pout the rest of the day?" Ray called to him once they were alone, he had the strength to stand he just didn't want to do it himself.
Kai huffed and stomped over, throwing out his hand. "You suck. But you did good."
"Pfft, I almost had you." Ray playfully scoffed as he slapped his hand into Kai's, letting him pull till he was on his feet.
"Uh huh." He scoffed playfully back, "Better rest up over lunch. Only halfway there. And you'd better not go easy cause I'm not here."
"Yeah, yeah. I know." Ray groaned slightly, letting Kai's hand go and heading off to the house. "Gonna need a good rub down once this is all over." He muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
Kai stopped and turned his blank face to him. "I'm home at 4..." He almost drooled.
Ray stopped with him, giving him a confused look for a second as his brain tried to catch up to what both of them had just said. It was a bad idea, nor was he specifically saying Kai had to do it. But if he was offering...
"Okay. Be a good way for you to make it up to me after abusing me like this anyways." He winked at him again and kept moving on, face turning red and warming up.
Kai let out a pitiful whine as Ray went ahead, loins starting to burn.
As if the breakfast up-chuck hadn't happened, lunch was a double helping as well. Since the moment he woke at the crack of dawn, he'd been on one massive rush, which hadn't happened in god knows how long.
But now his upcoming shift at the shelter, and the promise of a thorough cat rubbing when he got home was made, he was buzzing. He had to remember his goal though. Had to push harder and get stronger by any means possible.
From the moment Kai arrived at the shelter, he looked for any opportunity to work his body. He volunteered to haul in the sacks upon sacks of dog and cat kibble in that were delivered and take them to the storage room.
He volunteered to take the other boxes of... Who knew what and carry them up to the high shelves. Even while sweeping, he made sure no one was looking and lunged his way round as he went. Anything was a toning exercise if you put your mind to it!
Finally, he finished up his work and got to have his reward. Go see his baby boy Jackie...
He let himself in, claws instantly scuttling along the floor tiles of his cage as the puppy dog lost his shit.
"Heeeere's my boy! How ya doin!? You miss me?! You miss me?!" He baby talked as he went to the bars, only to have the tail swish in an epic blur and excited jumping.
He let have and opened the kennel door and crouched down with his arms out ready.
"Show me how much you missed me!"
Bam.
Silver fur leapt, showering with overly excited whimpers and lots of sloppy kisses. And Kai lived for it. He scrunched his face and tried to avoid his eyes, nose and mouth from getting drooled on.
"Okay, okay! I get it! You missed me!" he laughed as he pushed him off, sitting back up and giving his fur a good petting.
"Don't worry, I missed you too..." He cooed as he gave his baby a cuddle, "How about we go play outside, huh? You know, I've been thinkin'. You're doing so good and getting all nice and fattened up, but you probably need a little more exercise as well, huh?"
Jackie tilted his head at him, tail still wagging. He clipped the leash to his collar and lead him out to the hall, leading him to the front to find Miki, working at the front desk.
She lifted her head and smiled at them. "Hey boys, going outside?"
Kai shifted. He probably was asking too much here, not his place. "Um... Yeh... I was just wondering..."
Miki tilted her head as well.
"Do you think... Do you think maybe it would be all right to take Jack on a walk down the track? I-I'll keep him on his leash the whole time!"
Miki blinked. It wasn't she didn't trust him with him. But she was still concerned about Jackie if there were any other dog walkers out there…
But then again... They couldn't put it off forever. This could be a good little trial run...
She leaned back in her chair in thought. "...Okay." She said finally, "But make sure you have a real good hold of him at all times. If you do run in to any other dog walkers and he growls or anything, warn them he's a rescue dog and to get their dogs back. All right?"
Kai lit up. "Yes ma'am!"
She cringed at the title. Made her feel old. "And I think since it's the first time, make it short. Be back in thirty minutes, all right?"
"Yes ma'am!" He bounced, "Come on Jackie! Let's go walkies!" He shrieked as he bounced out the door like a kangaroo, Jackie wagging his tail beside him.
The moment they stepped out the front of the shelter, Jackie pulled and zig-zagged, nose getting hit with stuff to sniff and explore.
Kai grinned and let him. This was a big adventure for him!
After his nose had inspected everything in sight, Kai pulled to guide him round off to the walking path that sat only a few short minutes away.
With the ample amount of bushes, patches of grass, stones and god knows what else out there, Jackie pulled Kai along like a ragdoll. Not that he was exactly making an effort to hold him back.
Every sniffing sound made his heart glow brighter. If anyone saw them, they would just see a guy walkin' his dog. But only he and Jackie knew what obstacles they'd had to face to get them to here. And he liked that...
The slowdown of Jackie sniffing around put a halt to his plan of having him run with him... But honestly, he looked so happy and excited, he wouldn't dream of taking it away from him. Plus, his aching everything was thankful for the light stroll.
Judging by the photos Miki had sent to him before he went to pick him up, Grampa knew he was in for a noisy drive.
...Was like having a macaw on crack in your ear...
He also wondered what greasy treat they were going to pick up today. Was a good thing that boy was skinny, the amount of fried stuff he'd been eating since he started there.
As his wisdom had prophesied, the moment he stepped foot to go collect him, slate hair was in his face.
"GRAMPA!"
It didn't stop once while they left to get in. Or drive off.
"Are you wanting to-" "PIZZA!"
Grampa sighed. "Right on..."
Laying flat out around one another on the floor in front of the TV, where they had been the second Kai was out the door and gone, Ray's ears perked at the sound of the car door slamming shut making his heart stop.
Shit, he was back, and they hadn't done a damn thing. They were only meant to lay and rest an hour, not the entire time Kai was gone!
"Guys, he's back." He panicked as he tried to get out of their little pile, somehow having become the human pillow the whole time.
Luckily Tyson shot up, sweating bullets. "Quick, someone punch me!"
Max and Ray gave him a confused look.
"Make it look like I got injured during training and that's why we're in here!" Tyson explained further but it was too late, the front door was opening.
"GUYS?!" Kai's deep booming voice echoed loudly through to the living room.
Max and Ray jumped up to attention, Max quickly throwing his hand out and punching Tyson in the arm.
"Ow." Tyson whined, rubbing where Max had hit him.
The door swung open, giving them all just enough time to gulp and think up excuses of dead grandmas when a skinny ballerina leapt through the doorway.
"Dinner!" He squealed as he raised up the flat boxes up for them to see.
"Dude, PIZZA?!" Tyson's mouth gaped, sore arm forgotten as he drooled as the beautiful smell of melted cheese wafted up his nose and caressed him lovingly.
"Yeh! I got three different ones! Come sit! I have pictures and stuff!" He bounced from foot to foot before hauling over to the small table and throwing them down.
"There's coke in the bags! Anyway, shut up! Oh my god it was so good! Oh hang on, GRAMPA!?"
Grandpa trudged in, giving him a bored look for him to continue. He was exhausted and just needed some quiet time.
"I forgot to bring paper towels in, thanking you!" He addressed quickly before going back to the others.
"We went on our first walk today!" He beamed with eyes shining in happiness and slight proud tears, like a parent whose baby took their first steps
Gramps just nodded, trudging along to the kitchen to get them the paper towels. Not envying the other little dudes for the grand tale they were all about to be thrown into.
Tyson wasn't listening. There was hot cheese. His hand reached in, nodding like usual to give the impression of listening. Jackie good, they ate. That's all that mattered.
"And how was it?" Max asked, hoping to get back on papa's good side after his short comings during training.
Instantly Kai's phone was shoved in his face. "Great! He had so much fun! Look at him! He's so interested in everything! Was just a little track but for him it was like Frodo leaving the Shire! AND there were no other dogs so he could just enjoy it!" He spat out in one breath.
Ray gave a confused look with cheese stringing from his mouth and the pizza. Who the fuck was Frodo?
"You don't say? That's awesome! Does he not like other dogs or something though?" Max asked as his eyes sparkled just as much as Kai's, thank God Jack was a good boy seeing as how they hadn't been very good boys themselves.
Kai shook his head and sighed. "No... Seems to be afraid of them. Any time we've brought other dogs out with him he just hides behind me and whines."
"Aw, that's not good. But just give him some time, he didn't like people either and he likes you and he liked Ray." Max attempted at perking him.
Kai sank his teeth into some hot cheese and nodded. "Yeh. He's doing really good. Just needs some time and some love is all. Probably just scary since he isn't used to nice things."
"One day at a time." Max affirmed, digging into the hot slice that had been burning his hand while he'd been infatuated with the story.
"Wait a second." Tyson interrupted, putting on a serious look paired with a wonky grin. "Since when are you considered a 'nice thing'?"
Kai stiffened in his seat and pouted at him. "...Oh yeh. Guess I'm an asshole. And assholes don't give twerps pizza, so you're shit out of luck." He bit as he yanked the box to slide away from Tyson. How dare he! He was a doggy Mother Teresa...
"Oh come on, I was only playing. But seriously, after today, can you blame me? My blisters have blisters." Tyson whined at him.
Kai's hand stopped, making the box stop too as he blinked. His eyes snapped up and narrowed at him.
"...Did you break all the boards like I asked?"
"And our backs too!" Tyson quickly lied, turning to his two partners in crime for back up.
"Y-yeah all of em, they're toast." Max stuttered and then shoved half the slice in his mouth quickly before he was asked to lie again.
Ray did the same while nodding furiously, if they couldn't talk they couldn't lie. Kai's beady eyes went from one to the other and then pierced straight into Ray's soul. Those two knew no better, they were children. But mother should know better.
"That right? All of you managed to ace it in the few hours I was gone?"
"Mhmm, yup." Tyson continued as he walked his fingers towards the pizza box while Kai was too busy looking at Ray. Which was a bit weird, those two stared at each other a lot.
Ray's eyes went all innocent while he chewed, not daring to look away or fall prey to the staring contest he was suddenly thrown into. Though that didn't stop him from sweating slightly.
Kai's hand flew out and smacked Tyson's less than subtle hand, sharp eyes going back to stab at his.
"Oh really? So if I go outside right now, I'm going to find a pile of completely broken boards?"
Tyson froze, "No?" He squeaked back in fear.
"Because we threw them away when we were done!" Max flapped quickly.
Kai cocked a brow at Max. Oh... Golden Child... No.
"Mmhmm. So the bag will still be out there then." He played along as he slowly started to stand himself up.
"Well no, not really. Cus we gave em away!" Max continued to try and lie, clearly he sucked at it especially when Tyson and Ray turned and gave him a look.
"These kids needed the pieces... For a... A um... Treehouse they were making!" He spewed out, putting on his best smile.
Tyson and Ray simultaneously smacked their foreheads, was a good try at least.
Kai leaned in, terrifyingly strong face getting closer to Max's baby blues. "You got one more chance to tell me the truth, Maxie..."
Max was shaking, shoulders hunching as his neck began to shrink down like he was a turtle trying to hide in its shell.
"No, we didn't. We were too tired to even stand after you left." Ray finally cut in, patting Max on the lower back discreetly. He had tried but could do better.
Kai tutted and slumped back down like a moody teenager. "Then why didn't you just say that instead of lying!?"
They all opened their mouths to say something, looking between one another before their mouths closed and shrugged. Now they thought about it, it was kind of silly to have lied about it all.
"We didn't wanna let you down." Max muttered ashamedly.
"Or have you blow up and get angry." Tyson added as he went back to walking his fingers towards the pizza box again.
"Or make us go out there and do double the drills since we didn't do the first round." Ray added with another shrug.
Kai's own mouth opened and closed a few times, brows not sure what to do either. "I. I wouldn't do any of those things!" He protested.
"Great! Good to know." Tyson laughed, snatching the box out from under him and getting a slice out before Kai could react. "All under the bridge then. Tell us more about Jack." He diverted.
Kai didn't even stop him. He folded his arms instead and pouted. "What's the point. Not 'nice' enough for him or you clowns apparently..."
"Oh don't be like that, we were tired and just weren't sure how'd you react if we didn't do what you had asked. And you are nice, bought us dinner and everything." Ray pouted back as he nudged him under the table.
Kai glanced at him over his slightly turned up nose, ego nibbling at the bait.
"Exactly! Thanks a bunch man!" Tyson clapped him on the back, hoping to butter him up.
Kai just rolled his eyes. "Bust my ass at work all day and put food on the table and this is what I get..." He grumbled. He shoved his half-eaten slice in his face. Now he'd stopped, he realised how hungry he was.
"Sorry." The bad children apologized as they shrunk again.
"We can do it tomorrow with you." Ray said as he leaned on the table, "Right?"
Kai finished inhaling his piece before grabbing up another. "Mmhmm." He nodded before swallowing, "As long as you do it. You heard what Chief said. Breaking through them is about the same power to go against Dung- OH! Speaking of powerful! Guess who pulled me over trying to go sniff a tree! Almost took my shoulder out its socket!"
The other three humored him, "Who?"
Kai's excited face dropped. "Wh? Jack! Who else would it be?"
"You said to guess." Tyson reminded with another wonky grin.
Kai looked in thought a moment. "So I did... But yeh, was Jack."
"Need to amp those babies up if he's able to pull you around like that." Tyson said almost mindlessly while he inhaled another slice, "Can't be havin you losing a limb on us right now."
It was Kai's turn to shrink, making a face like Tyson had just booted him in the nuts. He looked down at his two pitiful twigs.
"I'm tryin'... " He said in a tiny voice as he shoved pizza in his face to ease the pain.
Ray gave him a sympathetic look while the other two continued to chow down, not taking notice of Kai's change in mood again. Tyson wasn't doing it to be mean, he didn't know the whole story and was just making a passing comment. He just hoped Kai knew that.
He nudged him on the leg again with his foot under the table, offering him a smile when Kai looked up at him. Kai shrugged it off and went back to his pizza. Ooooohhhhhhh he forgot how good jalapenos were.
With the food eaten later, the four of them sat around the TV with their swollen bellies. Tyson and Max laid out on the floor in front of the couch, eyes focused on whatever it was they had chosen while Kai and Ray took up the couch behind them.
Nearing the twenty-minute mark through the show something slumped onto Ray's shoulder, making him jump slightly till he caught onto the slate hair tickling his face and Kai's scent invading his senses. Making him smile and glance down at Kai passed out cold on his shoulder, though was now torn with leaving him there to sleep or carry him off to bed.
He gave it a few more minutes, and luckily the two in front of him clocked out around the thirty-minute mark, giving him the time to get Kai up in his arms and carried off to where they slept.
Shifting around and putting Kai's head down on the armrest, he wiggled himself off the couch to go lay out their beds. Once they were set he tiptoed back into the living room, trying to figure out the best way to do this without getting a punch to the face.
"Hey, c'mon let's get you to bed." He whispered as he touched Kai's shoulder to let him know he was there, getting a small breathless 'hn' in return and figured that was sign enough to force his arms under the twig legs and around the tiny back.
Tiptoeing back over the other two, Ray managed to get Kai into the room and to his futon. Carefully laying him down, feeling a strain in his arms after that added on top of all the training they had done during the day.
Kai took a deep breath and shifted before his eyes peeled open, looking dazed and confused.
"Hn?"
"Well hi sleepy head." Ray smiled as he paused in covering him up, "Just go back to sleep, need it after today."
Kai lifted his heavy head and aching arms, wrapping them round him loosely. "M'kay. Good job today..." He droned before flopping back down.
"You too." Ray chuckled lightly as he pat Kai's arm a few times, face flushing bright red and thankful nobody was around.
"And you promised me a rub down, don't think I forgot."
He got a small snore in reply.