Disclaimer : I don't own MFB.

Childfree bladers

Kyouya wasn't sure how he got dragged into this meeting. The usual group–Ginga, Benkei, Kenta and Madoka–was accompanied by Yuu, Tithi and Yuuki. Perhaps he had hoped for fighting? Or maybe he was getting soft and accepting their invitations too easily–after all, this time he hadn't even asked them why they were gathering? Still, he was in a park, a few minutes from the B-Pit, with them. It was a rather hot summer afternoon. His Leone was in good condition but Kyouya had not yet left to train. Since he was convinced to spend time with the band, Yuu AND Tithi, the sooner the better.

Especially if it was to hear ridiculous questions about their future life plans... why should he be interested? It was the present that mattered. Not what would happen hypothetically.

(Or would not happen. The world was put in danger a little too frequently for them to project a year into the future. Statistically, there was a good chance it would be destroyed before.)

"And you, Ginga, how many children would you like to have?" asked Yuuki, as if anyone was interested.

Kyouya saw the expression of his rival becoming blank, before closing completely. He had put on his mask, the one that wasn't letting anything he thought or felt filter. Kyouya hadn't seen it in a while and he hadn't missed it.

"Children?" repeated the redhead in a toneless voice.

"Not right now, of course, but one day, when you're an adult and married."

Kyouya almost rolled his eyes. What was Yuuki talking about again? There was a list of things to experience when you were an adult? Like: growing up? Check. Being an adult? Check. Getting married? Check. Having children? Check. And, after, probably a second list like: Reaching retirement? Check. Having grandchildren? Check... Ridiculous. In his opinion, perhaps, but not in the real world.

And certainly not in my life.

Kyouya intended to lead it as he wanted and wouldn't let anyone stray him from his path. As he was actually living now. He was good at leading the life that suited him, ignoring the uninteresting and unwelcome opinions of others–what made them believe they had the right to give their opinion on his life?

Kyouya glanced at his rival. His fist had folded and his knuckles were white. His face, however, remained perfectly calm.

He'd feel better if he burst out once in a while.

Kyouya exploded as soon as something pissed him off and he was at ease in his skin. Ginga spent his time taking on him and– Apart from the exciting Beybattles–in other words, when he fought him– he didn't often seem very happy. Or even at ease.

"Your father will surely want grandchildren one day."

Here. I think there's one of Father's associates who pulled the same crap out of me one day.

And Kyouya had greatly hesitated between showing him absolute contempt, getting mad at him or reporting his words to his parents so they would get mad at him.

He had opted for a frank contempt, impossible to miss. This upset the partner and he complained to his parents, but when they knew the reason for his attitude, they too turned against him.

It was very satisfying.

Ginga took a trembling inspiration. He rose abruptly, startling all those present. "I have something to do. I forgot. Don't wait for dinner."

He turned his back on them and set out with a jerky step. He soon left the park. Kyouya sighed, drawing attention to himself, as he had wished. He looked at Yuuki with irritation.

"What were those questions?"

"Questions," defended Anubius's blader. "Even if we are young, these kinds of subjects necessarily go through our heads."

"And you didn't think Ginga wouldn't want kids?"

Yuuki stared at him with surprise. "Why? He's a good and generous person."

Kyouya raised an eyebrow. He didn't see the connection... but it explained why Yuuki didn't ask him the same: he didn't think he was good or generous. To say Kyouya had believed he had understood that he should not be bothered with this kind of nonsense... he had overestimated him.

"Ginga has a lot of responsibilities. As soon as there's a monumental problem, people come looking for him, which you should know."

After all, when Yuuki found out about Nemesis, his first instinct was to go after Ginga.

"Yes, and what?"

"And he's always there, because he's like that. He accepts the responsibilities that are imposed on him, without complaining, without trying to run away from them. He's also there when his friends need him."

"It proves he'd make a good father."

Kyouya held back a grunt. Because Ginga would make a good father, he should have children? What was that lame reasoning? Could we call that reasoning, by the way?

"Don't you think that Ginga may already have too many responsibilities to add more? He has the right to have his life."

Kyouya understood what it was like to have responsibilities. He took them on and didn't try to run away from them. It was a matter of honor–and, to be honest, there were a few projects he was looking forward to at TC. Ginga and he were not the same, but it was just a detail. It was not something that Yuuki could understand. Nobody expected anything from him. Ginga carried the destiny of the world on his shoulders, Kyouya that of the family business. It wasn't at the same level, but neither of them had the right to make mistakes, or many people would suffer the consequences–and they would be the only ones to blame.

"But, being a father–"

"It's not an obligation, as far as I know. It's not like drinking or breathing, you don't have to make children to live."

"But–"

"Ginga has to think a little about himself, too, and if father's life doesn't suit him, he has the right to stay childless."

"You look like you're defending yourself."

Kyouya uttered a mocking sound. Seriously?

"I have no desire to have kids. It's not a secret. It's not about responsibility or anything like that. It's just that I find them annoying. Painful. Unbearable. The further away they are from me, the better off I am. And some events," he added, taking an equivocal look at Yuu and Tithi "proved me right"

Yuu showed a huge smile, as if he embodied the very concept of innocence. Kyouya grumbled. This expression was his greatest deception.

"We are the event!" he said proudly.

Kyouya frowned. What a plague.

"You are so selfish."

"So what?"

Yuuki frowned. He didn't expect that, obviously. What was he thinking? That Kyouya was going to apologize profusely and he would swear to lead a life that wouldn't suit him only to please him?

He could always dream.

"Ginga is not like you."

"I know."

It would have been terrible if Ginga and him had been the same. He would have been ridiculous as a walking tragedy that carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Or worse. If Ginga had been like him. They would not have survived long in this case. The world would have been destroyed at the time of the Battle Bladers.

"If Kyouya thinks Ginga doesn't want kids, and that's why, he's probably right," Kenta said. "They understand each other." The child looked embarrassed. He scratched his cheek. Besides, if I had listened to him, we would not have been obliged to go and get Ginga up to Koma..."

Absolutely true. If people just listened to him and obeyed him, everything would work better.

"But–"

"Forget it."

Without waiting for an answer, Kyouya got up and left the park. Meetings outside of disasters were worthless. He almost regretted leaving home this morning. He would enjoy the rest of his day with Leone alone. But he had something to do before.

Kyouya headed for the canal. As he knew him, his rival was certainly languishing and wondering if he was not a monster of selfishness, to want to lead the life that suited him and not the life that others were trying to impose on him.

Ginga was indeed sitting on the banks of the canal. Leaning on his hands, he had the features frozen in a serious expression. Kyouya sat next to him. They spent several minutes in silence, which Ginga broke with a long sigh.

"You think I'm selfish?"

Kyouya was tempted to answer ironically but, in his present state, the subtlety was likely to pass well over his head.

"It's nice to put your needs ahead of the needs of others from time to time."

Ginga grimaced a smile. "So the answer is yes."

Kyouya almost looked up into the sky. He didn't understand how someone—and, most importantly, why—systematically put the others' needs ahead of theirs. It was bad. Ginga was going to end up completely unbalanced at this rate.

Kyouya looked at the moving waters of the canal.

"You know I'm going to inherit my father's business."

He felt Ginga's gaze land on him, but he did not move and his rival made no comment–it had not been a question.

"The TC. These are the initials of Tategami Corporation. Our last name is right in there, impossible to miss."

Ginga was still not commenting. He was wondering where he was going with this.

"And I don't want to burden myself with children. It should be part of my duty, right, to pass on my name? Except it's my life and I lead it as I want. I know what's best for me. I will not bow to the demands and desires of others." Kyouya turned to his rival. "You know what is best for you. You're the only one who knows. Don't let others convince you otherwise."

"Well, maybe I–"

It was Ginga's turn to look at the canal. He leaned slightly forward and put his hands tied on his knees. Kyouya saw his fingers tightening. He had abandoned the control of his expression and allowed his tension to express itself on his face.

"If you think about the impact this could have on your father's life, forget it. He has no right to demand this kind of thing from you."

He wouldn't have the right to, even if he had been a good father.

"I know. We never talked about it, that's all. I was wondering what he would think."

"Hm."

Ginga turned to him. "I swear."

Kyouya didn't discern a lie on his face. Good. It meant he could go about his business.

He stood up and walked up the hill.

"See you later!" cheerfully threw Ginga.

Kyouya answered him with a sign of the hand.

THE END

First note : Sorry Yuuki. You're the only one in the gang credible in that role xD

Why I wrote this story: I find deeply boring almost every fanfictions picturing our bladers adult show them married with children. These cliché about getting married and having children shouldn't occur so often now... Hello 21st century! This isn't an obligation or an inevitability! Some people enjoy being single, some don't want children... and they aren't bound to be the same. Single parents and childfree couples can have fulfilled life (yeah, you can have a true relationship without making child with your partner, the opposite idea is an outdated vision of the couple). More fulfilled than people who gets into a relationship and have children only because everyone does it.

These revelations did me good! Though most of readers will not read it... or will disagree with what I just wrote. *shrug*

Coming back to our bladers, in fact, only the author knows if they want and will have children. Until he states something about it, both with-child and child-free visions are valid (though I think childfree!Kyouya is more In-C).