Hey all! Sorry for the delay! It's been a little while!

Thanks for those who reviewed as always!

Let's get on with the next chapter!

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Chapter 8 – Mutiny

Two weeks had passed since Ben arrived back in the White Tiger village.

Which meant it had been two weeks since he planted the idea in Tyson and Ray's head about Kai stepping down.

Ray was doing his best to ignore it. He'd put Kai through enough by getting him pregnant in the first place. Asking him to give this up before he was ready wasn't something he wanted to do.

But as Kai got further along, the more apparent it was becoming that he just couldn't manage any more.

He rarely made it through entire training sessions. The fatigue from his body with the combination of the intense, humid, summer heat meant he constantly had to bow out...

That wouldn't be a big problem if his actual coaching was up to scratch...but recently, he seemed to have lost his touch.

He was forgetting what they'd done...what they hadn't...who needed to work on what.

But it was clear he was trying...

Tyson on the other hand, couldn't ignore it. He wanted Kai to stay...of course he did. He was one of his closest friends and always respected him as a captain...the respect was well deserved. Any team would give their right arms to have such a skilled and dedicated coach...even though he on the tough side...he delivered results.

...Or used to, anyway.

Since his conversation with Ben, Tyson couldn't help but notice and zone in on every slip, every small mistake, every falter...and the list was starting to grow too large...

Kai wandered back in to his bedroom a little before 7am. He'd finished his morning t'ai chi class and his little chill out with Aoba for the morning.

He was beat...getting out of bed at 4:30 every morning was getting more and more difficult.

He flopped back in to bed and crawled under the covers, causing Ray to stir awake.

"Mmm? Morning..." he croaked out as his eyes blinked open.

"Morning..." Kai said sleepily as he got himself comfortable again.

"What time is it?" Ray asked as he rubbed his eyes.

"Almost 7."

Ray groaned and stretched.

"Urgh...I gotta go see mom..."

"This early? Why?" Kai asked as he let out a yawn.

"God knows..." Ray groaned again, "she's always been a real morning person...but she asked me to come by before training."

He sat himself up and threw the covers off, dragging himself out of bed.

He looked back at Kai, who was quickly dozing off.

"God, I'm jealous you get to go back to bed..." he said playfully, longing to be back in bed asleep too.

Kai opened his eyes again and glared sleepily.

"Now you know how I feel every morning..."

Ray laughed and took himself to the bathroom to shower.

As he came out, his 7am alarm was going off.

Kai had clearly dropped off, and made a sound of displeasure at being woken up again.

Ray chuckled and shut it off.

"I'm heading out...did you set an alarm? Training is at 8:30, remember...I'm probably gonna go straight over from mom's."

"Uh huh..." Kai mumbled out.

Ray smiled softly.

"All right...see you in a little while...enjoy your nap..."

"Hn..."

Ray took off in to the bright, early morning sun and down the dust tracks down to his family home.

His mom welcomed him in before setting out breakfast for her son and husband.

"Oh...I didn't realise we were having breakfast...I actually don't have a whole lot of time, training starts in an hour..." Ray explained almost guiltily.

"Nonsense!" Yui waved off, "you have to eat if you're going to train..." she said before narrowing her eyes at her son, "you are making sure Kai's eating too, aren't you?"

Ray rolled his eyes.

"Yes, mom..."

"You'd better be...he's looking on the small side..."

"Mom!" Ray snapped, "Will you stop going on at me? I'm taking care of him..."

Yui huffed.

"I'm just concerned for my son-in-law and grandbaby, Ray...Aoba said he could do with putting on a little more weight..."

Ray rolled his eyes...everyone knew everything about everyone here...

"Then maybe you should try telling him to stop worrying about getting bigger...he's like a self conscious girl before swimsuit season..."

Yui frowned and put her hands on her hips.

"That's ridiculous!"

"I know it is! But he won't listen!"

Yui sighed.

"Well then...bring him over for dinner tonight...I help fatten him up. Give him a talking to, too." she smirked.

Ray smirked back.

"Sounds like a plan to me. Thanks mom..."

They began eating.

"So...was there a reason you asked me over or did you just want an excuse to feed someone?" Ray asked with a cheeky smile.

"Well..." Yui began as she finished a mouthful of rice porridge, "Your father and I were wondering when Kai was going to actually become our son-in-law..."

Ray roughly put down his bowl and glanced between the two.

"Jeez, guys! You two are relentless! Especially you..." he said as he looked at his mother, "it's been constant jabs and nags about taking care of him, even though I am, and now I'm getting pushed in to marrying him!"

His father finally spoke.

"We just think maybe it would be...proper...for you both to tie the knot before the baby arrived..."

Ray rolled his eyes.

"We've got just over four months left...you really want to add the stress of a wedding on top of everything?"

"We'd take care of it all!" his mom beamed, "you two would just need to show up!"

Ray frowned.

"What exactly is the rush? I want us to get married eventually, but...not in the next few months!"

"Well, you should have thought about that before you put your seed in him, sweetheart..." his mom shrugged off bluntly.

Suddenly Ray's rice porridge didn't look as appetising...

"...You know it's looked down on to have a child out of wedlock here, Ray..." his father said softly but sternly.

Ray let out a defeated sigh, that was true...but could he really ask that of Kai? Maybe he wanted it...to get married...but probably not because he was carrying. He didn't want to either...he wanted to pop the question when it felt right...not because he had to...

His mom set down a box in the middle of the table.

"Here..."

Ray picked it up and opened it. Two plain gold bands. As was normal here.

"...What are these?" he asked.

"Your grandparents' wedding rings...we've been holding on to them for you until the time had come..."

Ray's annoyance and shock at the prospect dropped...this was touching.

"These are grandpa and grandma's?"

He'd been very close with his maternal grandparents, just as he was with his paternal ones. They'd lived in the same house growing up. His grandma doted on him and always told him the best stories...and it was actually his grandfather that had introduced him to beyblading, being the first one to teach him how to launch when he was a little kid.

He was devastated at age 9 when his grandfather passed...and again when his grandma joined him at age 11.

His mom nodded.

"I know they'd want you to have them...they'd be so proud of you Ray-Ray..."

Ray looked up from the rings to meet his mother's eyes and smiled.

"Thanks, mom..."

His mom smiled back.

"The sizing might be a little off...but we can soon fix that..."

Ray nodded.

"And you know...they were loved up like two teenagers until the very end...maybe these will be like good luck charms for you and Kai..."

Ray let out an affectionate chuckle.

Most people of that generation here were on the more reserved side. You rarely saw them show affection towards each other, especially in front of other people...but they couldn't have cared less. He remembered often seeing his grandpa with an arm around his grandma, or hand holding, or little pecks on the cheek...especially when they thought no one was looking.

That was exactly what he wanted for himself and Kai...

...Suddenly the prospect didn't seem so daunting...

They had a child on the way...he knew he wanted to be with him...why hold it off?

"...I guess I'll...think about it..." he said finally as he snapped the box shut.

That was enough for his parents.

They decided to leave it at that and continue with their breakfast, changing the subject.

Ray looked at the clock. It was just after 8am.

"I'd better get to training..." he said as he rubbed his belly, wishing he hadn't eaten so much.

"Can I leave these here for now? Don't want to lose them or anything while I'm training..." he said as he passed the box back.

His mom took them back.

"See you tonight, sweetheart!" his mom waved off as he left.

Ray made his way to the area they trained in feeling excited.

Maybe it would be a good idea to get married now...before the baby came.

They'd be a real little family...not that they wouldn't be if they didn't marry...but it just made everything seem so...proper.

He'd have to think of a good way to propose...

Little did he know the warm, excited feeling was about to change...

He made it to the training area right on time. Soon to be met by the others.

…Except Kai...

They waited.

Ray had checked if he'd set an alarm before he left...he said he had...maybe he was just running a little late...again...

They continued to wait...

About half an hour later...

"Fuck, I'm so late! I can't believe I overslept!" Kai thought angrily to himself as he ran as best as he could.

He ran through the mass of trees that led to the open area they trained in. The bright daylight peered in through the gaps between them as he got closer.

He slowed down and came to a halt as he heard the familiar sound of Tyson's booming voice. He peered through the trees to see them all standing together.

"I've had it! I say we just start without him! We can't wait around all day for him!"

"Calm down, Tyson. He'll be here. There must be a reason he's late..." Max said calmly.

"Yet again! Urrrghhhh!" he growled out, agitated, "And that's not the only problem, is it Max? I know you're all thinking it, but none of you want to say it."

"What are you getting at exactly, Tyson?" came Rei's voice, he stood with his arms crossed and his brow furrowed.

Tyson took a deep breath before turning to Rei and looking at him to his face "...Rei, I'm sorry. I know he's also your boyfriend, so this is awkward. But for the team's sake, I can't keep quiet. I'll just come out and say it...Kai just isn't up to being our captain any more, and I think you all know it."

Kai gasped quietly at Tyson's blunt announcement. It hurt. But what hurt more was waiting for Rei to say something in his defence...but instead there was silence.

"Today he's late for the millionth time. Yesterday he had to bail after twenty minutes because he overheated. The day before that he totally screwed up the training plan...the list goes on! He's got baby brain, guys. And we need a leader, not a mom."

Tyson waited. More awkward silence. He knew they agreed, he let out a sigh.

"I mean, don't get me wrong, it's not his fault. The dude is pregnant. He's got other priorities now, and we're stoked to have a baby Bladebreaker on the way...but he's trying to hold on to a life he can't lead any more. He just doesn't get that he can't manage both...but the fact of the matter is we have a tournament coming up. He can't blade in his condition! He can't even come with us to the stadium while he's knocked up! We're both coach and a member down! If we keep going like this, we're not going to have a team at all just because we felt sorry for him and didn't have the balls to tell him the truth."

Kai growled and felt anger in the pit of his gut. No one pitied or felt sorry for Kai Hiwatari. It just wasn't done. No one was going to criticise him behind his back either. And there was no way in hell he was going to be kicked off this team. If anything, he would quit under his own terms.

He emerged from the trees. The rustling of the leaves caught the attention of the others. Their faces dropped as they realised it was him and that he'd heard everything. Their eyes locked on their captain's face, who somehow managed to hold a freezing cold stare but fire in his eyes at the same time.

"Seems like there's something you wanna say to my face, huh guys?" he spat coldly.

"Kai..." Rei said wearily, expecting an eruption any second"Let's just be calm and talk this over...no need for things to get ugly."

He was surprised when Kai raised an eyebrow and scoffed.

"Am I not calm? I thought I was reacting quite well considering my so-called friends are secretly plotting to kick me off the god damn team!"

Tyson growled, "Oh come on, Kai! It isn't like that and you know it. We are your friends. We're just realistic enough to see that maybe its time for things to change for the team."

"Really? From where I'm standing, you're hanging me out to dry."

"Kai, open your eyes, man! You are pregnant!" Tyson let out, exasperated.

"Pregnancy is a temporary state, Tyson! I'm well aware I'm not on top of my game right now! I have a few more months to go before I can get back to-"

Rei cut him off.

"It's not as easy as that though, is it Kai? Even after the baby comes, we can't both be away training, travelling and competing, can we..."

He spoke clearly but softly. They should have had this conversation long ago, but the timing never seemed right.

Kai let out a slight laugh in disbelief.

"Oh, I see...so I'm going to be stuck at home with the baby while you're off living your life without a care in the world?"

"That's not wh-"

"That is what you're saying, Rei! And that sure is news to me!" the fiery Russian yelled at the top of his lungs, losing his temper.

"Kai, please..." he begged, "don't go getting upset, you're only going to-"

Kai's eyes closed and he frowned, taking in a sharp, annoyed breath. "I swear to God, Rei...if you tell me to calm down one more time..." he warned with an icy stab to his voice. Rei submitted, but pleaded with his eyes. The other three stood silent and helpless, wondering how this was going to go down.

After a few silent seconds that felt like hours, Max felt obliged to break the silence and kill the horrible tension in the air.

"Kai...please try to understand where we're coming from...we don't want this any more than you do...but the circumstances are what they are. It's not that we don't think you're a good captain-"

"Correction, Maxy. I'm a great fuckin' captain!"

They stared at him.

"You guys said you need a leader and not a mom. But I seriously challenge you to tell me how they're not basically the same thing. Ever since we started this team, I've been the one dishing out tough love telling you what's best for you rather than what you want to hear. I've been the one getting you off your asses and out there training when you needed it. I'm the one who made you pull yourselves together when you failed and pouted about it!"

They kept staring. None of them able to come up with any kind of response.

Kai shook his head. It was pointless.

"You know what? Fine. It's clear you've all decided I'm not good enough for you any more...apparently some other clown is better suited to the Bladebreakers now that you're a big-shot team, and to hell with the one who helped get you there."

"and as for you..." he spat at Rei before anyone had a chance to respond, " If I'm getting thrown overboard, you'd better believe I'm gonna drag your ass with me...you got us in to this...situation. You made your bed, so lie in it."

He turned his back to them all just in time to hide the tears that had been prickling in his eyes. There was no way he'd let them see him cry. Not this time.

He took off back in to the forest. Rei moved forward, preparing to go after him, but Tyson put a hand on his shoulder.

"No, Rei. Let him go. He's already pretty riled up, we can't risk making it worse and maybe hurting him or the baby."

Ray sighed. He was right, he needed time to cool down.

"So...what now guys?" Max asked sadly, "it's all well and good getting him to stand down, but that doesn't change being a member or a coach down..."

"We'll ask Ben." Tyson said immediately.

Both Max and Ray looked at him, Ray's eyes narrowed.

"That sure was a fast answer, T..." he said a little darkly.

"It's not like this hasn't been on my mind a little while...just like I doubt you haven't been thinking about it either..." Tyson answered back.

Max looked hesitant...

He'd liked Ben initially...but quickly got the impression he'd been too fast to make a judgement on him. There was something off about him...

And now he knew he was right, and suddenly everything became clear.

He kept sniffing around them...just apparently wanting to 'hang out' and even appeared during training a few times. Kai clearly didn't appreciate it, but he kept doing it.

Now he knew for sure what he was doing...he'd had a 'talk' with Tyson a few weeks ago that left his friend looking a little awkward...and now he had a pretty good idea what it had been about...what all this had been about.

He'd seen an opportunity the second he met Kai. He wanted his place.

Despite being true that Kai wasn't up to being the captain they needed for the time being...he didn't want it to be him...

But there wasn't really any other alternative.

"I say we go talk to him right now. Get this figured out and make up for some lost time..." Tyson said firmly.

"Kai?" Max said a little dumbly as he got pulled out his thoughts.

"No. Ben."

Max hesitated.

"I don't think we should do that until we smooth things over with Kai..."

Tyson let out a sigh.

"...He isn't going to approve of anyone that isn't him, Max. You know that..."

He knew he was right...and with good reason...it wouldn't be the Bladebreakers without Kai...

"...What do you think, Ray?" Max asked.

Ray also seemed to hesitate. Max felt bad for him...it was him that was going to get the worst of Kai's wrath.

"...Maybe we should talk to him..." he began, shocking Max, "Ty's right...he isn't going to be happy about this no matter what...the sooner we have a solution, the quicker he'll get used to the idea..."

"Exactly!" Tyson said as he let out a sigh of relief, "Thank you, Ray,..."

Ray's eyes narrowed.

"...Before we go talk to him though, I want to set a few conditions..."

Max and Tyson listened intently.

Meanwhile, Kai sniffed as he knocked on the familiar door.

It opened and Aoba frowned.

"Kai? You all right?"

"So-rry. You busy r-right now?" he sniffled.

"No...I'm free..."

"Is Shou h-ome?"

"No, he's out...wanna come in?"

Kai nodded and Aoba stepped aside to let him in.

"What's the matter?" he asked as he put a hand on his shoulder.

Kai broke down in to a fit of tears. He tried to explain, but he the sounds coming out of him weren't comprehensible.

"All right...All right...come on." Aoba soothed as he took his arm and lead him to the living room and sat him down, reaching for the box of tissues and handing them over.

Kai took them and cleaned himself up while he tried to calm himself down.

"You want to try that again?" Aoba asked with a slight smirk, knowing full well that intense crying fit was more hormonal than anything.

"They kicked me off the team!" his voice strained as he felt himself start to go again.

Aoba's smirk got wiped off his face.

"What?!"

"Yeh!" Kai cried, "they said I'm not up to it anymore! Canyoubelievethatshit!?" his voice cracked out quickly before he pulled out several more pieces of tissue and shoved them to his face, letting out sobs.

Aoba rubbed his back.

"...did they kicked you off the team or do they just want you to stop for now? Let's be realistic here, you were going to have to take a break from it eventually..." Aoba tried to reason carefully.

"Why do I need to!?" Kai asked defensively as more hot tears fell, "Sure, when I have to push the baby out, I won't be able to do much, but otherwise I'm good to go!"

Aoba's smirk came back at his stubbornness.

"I think you know deep down that isn't the case...and there is a tournament coming, right? What were you planning on doing about that? You can't go...Even though it hurts, I'm sure you've known this was coming..."

Kai wasn't willing to admit that.

"No! I damn well didn't! There has to be a way around it!" he raised his voice as he got more upset, "That's my team! It's the five of us! They're all I've got! Now I'm being shoved aside and some asshole is going to come in and take them away from me!" he sobbed dramatically.

Aoba continued to rub his back, but felt his stomach fall.

He had a feeling he knew the potential 'asshole' that would replace him...

"No one could replace you! You know that!" Aoba said in an attempt to comfort him, "They just need a stand-in...that's all..."

Kai sniffed and tried to steady himself, trying to reign in the emotional outburst.

"Who are they even going to get!? The only bladers around here that are good enough to qualify are already in the White Tigers!" Kai demanded rhetorically, trying to comfort himself.

Aoba stayed quiet...

Kai looked up at his awkward, tense facial expression.

"...Over my dead body..." Kai growled out viscously as he seemed to read his mind.

Meanwhile, Ben was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"I'm honored! I was wondering what you would do about Kai! I'm just glad I can help!" he beamed.

Ray frowned. He liked Ben, he was a friend...but he knew him well enough to know he had a manipulative side.

"Just to be clear...this is a temporary arrangement..." he said firmly.

"Absolutely!"

"On paper, you will be the captain and fourth player of the Bladebreakers, only while Kai is out..."

"Of course!"

"You'll be able to play in the Asian tournament, get yourself some experience...potentially play in the next tournament, too, depending on how settled Kai and the baby are...but that's likely where it ends."

"Sure! A short run!"

"...And I trust you'll have no issue with Kai still acting as a co-captain..."

The grin wiped off his face and replaced with a look of confusion.

"Sorry?"

Ray looked stern.

"...Kai may not be able to do any of the physical stuff, and he has enough on his plate without having to manage everyone...but he can still coach and offer his opinions when he's up to it...you know, keep him in the loop."

Ben suddenly didn't look so cheery.

"...Don't you think that's a little counter productive...? Having two people in power as it were?"

Ray shook his head.

"I think it's reasonable...like we said...this is temporary...he has to be kept informed with what's going on with our training so he can pick up from where you leave off." he said bluntly, wanting to make it very clear this was temporary.

Ben's eyes narrowed back...being only 'temporary' was one thing...but hey, it meant he could play in a tournament finally...but sharing power?

"...I'm not sure I'm all right with that..." he said truthfully, knowing he had the upper hand to make some demands...who else did they have to ask, after all?

Ray shrugged.

"I see...well then, let's forget the whole thing...sorry to have wasted your time...guess we'll just have to look elsewhere for someone who is all right with it..."

Tyson and Max looked uneasy...who else would they ask?! Not many people would be fine about joining a team for a few months...

Ray got up to leave.

"Hold on!"

Ray fought a smirk.

"...I'll agree to it as long as it's known that what I say, goes...even if it is short term, if I'm given the title of 'captain', I expect to be the captain...not just someone on the sidelines who only leads when Kai isn't around..."

Ray thought about it.

Max and Tyson looked between the two of them.

"...Fine." Ray said finally, "That seems fair enough...but I expect you to listen to what Kai has to say...you could learn a thing or two from him as well, you know...if you ever wanted to lead your own team."

Ben tried very hard to hide his scowl.

"...I'm sure I'll learn a lot..." he said almost convincingly.

"Good..." Rei let out a small smile, "then it's settled...we'll sort out some things and bring the papers for the tournament over soon..." he said as he held his hand out, "welcome to the Bladebreakers..."

Ben looked at his hand before letting out a small smirk and shaking it.

Kai wouldn't be a problem for him...he wouldn't let him...and he was pretty sure he could worm his way in to making his position permanent.

After all, it hadn't taken much to sway them in to getting him to step down in the first place...

He could handle Kai butting his nose in, make him feel like he was still important while he still had the kid in him...and once the baby came, he'd be out the picture completely.

Travelling around the world with a new born? Unlikely...

The World Championships were calling him, he felt it.

When Ray got home, Kai still wasn't back.

He felt worried...

This was unusual for Kai...but he was in a more fragile position than he was before.

He went back to the front door to go out looking for him.

As he made it to the hall, Kai came in.

"There you are!" he said with relief.

Kai barely looked at him. He kicked off his shoes and brushed past him.

Ray sighed.

"Kai...come on..." he begged as he went after him to the living room.

Kai ignored him.

Ray took a gentle hold of his arm.

"Don't give me the cold shoulder...we need to talk about this..."

Kai snatched his arm out his grip.

"What is there to talk about? You guys made your minds up..."

"It's not like that and you know it..."

"Sure." he said flatly.

"...It's just until everything settles with the baby..."

Kai glared at him.

"It's not that simple, remember..." he spat.

Ray huffed.

"This isn't a simple situation...I know that...but we'll figure something out...you're not off the team...just...out of action for a while..."

Kai huffed back, but angrily.

"What bright idea have you guys come up with anyway?"

Ray shifted uncomfortably.

"...If you say what I think you're about to, Ray, I will skin you alive..." he growled.

"...Ben is going to take over for the time being..." he blurted out, knowing there was going to be no good way to tell him.

He felt himself take a step back as Kai's eyes burned.

"You're serious!? Ben!?" he yelled.

"It's not like we have a lot of options, Kai..." he tried to reason.

"What if he doesn't do it?! You brainiacs got a plan B?"

Ray shifted even more awkwardly.

"...he's already agreed..."

He didn't think Kai's could burn any stronger...he was wrong.

"You sure didn't waste any fuckin' time, did you!?" he yelled.

"We needed to get this figured out! We can't just hold it off and waste more time!" he argued back.

"BEN?!" he roared again.

"Yes, Kai! Ben! I know you don't like him, I'm not even sure why you don't, but it's too bad! You want our team out of the circuit?!"

"Of course I don't!"

"Then I'm afraid it's Ben!"

Kai looked even more riled up.

"Great, Ray! Perfect! First you get me pregnant, then you push me off the team and replace me with your little buddy. Tell you what, why don't I just go to the kitchen right now, take a knife, cut off my balls and just hand them over to you right now!?"

Ray let out an annoyed growl.

"Oh, stop it! I know this isn't ideal! But it is what it is! If you'd calm down and let me explain, you'd hear that we've made it so you'll still act as co-captain...you're not off the team at all!"

Kai didn't seem to like that.

The front door opened, they didn't hear it.

"Co-captain!? So I'm just supposed to sit on the sidelines and watch this clown ruin everything?!"

Ray was getting more and more irritated too.

"Fuck, Kai! What do you want me to do here?! You can't continue, end of! What can I do here to make you happy?!" he yelled.

Kai stepped forward and shoved him, feeling a rush of aggression.

"How about going back to that night and pulling out instead of ruining my life!?" he yelled.

"What is going on here!?"

Their heads snapped to the doorway.

"Mom?"

Yui looked between the two of them.

"Yeh...you were supposed to be over for dinner...I came to see where you were...now what is going on?!"

Kai put his head down, feeling his emotions starting to explode. He walked by Yui and ran himself upstairs.

She watched him go before looking back to her son.

"...Ray?"

Ray flopped himself on the couch, exhausted. She walked herself in and sat herself beside him. He explained the whole situation.

"He's right...I have ruined his life..."

Yui sighed.

"That's a little dramatic...ruined is strong word...changed...yes. But you can't blame him for being upset."

"Well what am I supposed to do about it?!" Ray asked desperately.

"...You could try by maybe being a little more sympathetic...I know you have your team to think about, but your partner and mother of your child should be your priority...jumping in and finding someone else on the same day was maybe a little harsh."

"I told you! We don't have time to sit around!" Ray argued.

"You're telling me a few days to let the dust settle and let him come to terms with it would really be such a bother?" his mother said sternly.

Ray looked away guiltily...they had just kind of jumped in.

"I know it's a hard situation...I can see your side, but I think you should try a little harder to see his...I'll go see him."

She got up and left him to think about it, taking herself upstairs.

She gently pushed the door open.

"Kai?"

He was on the bed on his side, clearly upset.

"Not to be rude, Mrs. Kon...but please go away..."

"For the last time, it's Yui. And no, I won't."

She defiantly took herself to the edge of the bed and sat herself down.

"Ray told me what happened..." she said softly.

"So what do you want?" he asked bluntly.

"For you to see he's right..."

Kai tensed, feeling himself get angry.

"before you go off...I want you to answer the question I heard him ask when I came in...what could he do to make you happy? ...I'm sure you didn't mean the answer you gave..."

Kai tensed harder.

Truth was, he didn't have an answer...

"No...I didn't mean it...it was in the heat of the moment...just sometimes it's hard to feel happy about this..." he said as he ran a hand over his stomach.

"I understand..." Yui said softly, "and I understand this situation is hard and probably painful...especially to your pride...but becoming a parent doesn't come without sacrifices..."

She gently pulled his arm to make him roll over and actually look at her.

"...You know this has to happen...I'm sure you don't like it...but it sounds like Ray and the others want to keep you as involved as possible until you're able to take charge again...it's the only way to both keep the team going, which I know you want, and keep you and the little guy healthy." she smiled as she ran her own hand over his bump.

Kai cocked a brow and let out a small smirk.

"Little guy?"

She shrugged as she too let out a little, excited smirk.

"I just have a feeling...I'm pretty good at guessing, too!"

Kai let out a soft chuckle...Aoba was sure it was a girl...Yui was sure it was a boy...

Which was it?

"...but please don't fall out with Ray over this...he didn't want to hurt you...he's just trying to do the right thing...for everyone." she said, bringing them back to the point.

Kai sighed.

"I know...that's what he does...I just..."

Yui waited.

"...I just feel like I'm losing myself a little..."

She nodded and kept on gently rubbing his stomach.

For once, he didn't mind. It felt nice.

Apparently the baby thought so, too...it started to kick.

Kai exhaled deeper at the sensation.

Yui's heart melted. She hadn't felt it kicking yet.

She finally remembered they were talking...

"I think you need to watch how you phrase things...'losing' implies loss. You're not losing yourself...you're still you. You're just going through changes. That's just part of life. You can either fight it or go with it..."

Kai nodded, taking in what she said, but focussing more on the movement going on inside him.

The two of them stayed quiet, Yui keeping her hand where it was and enjoying feeling her grandchild move.

Finally, it stopped.

"...I'll leave you now..." she said as she pushed herself up from the bed, "remember what I said..."

"Yeh..." he replied as she left.

She made her way downstairs and found Ray still sat on the coach.

"...Is he all right?" he asked.

"...Get your butt up those stairs and find out yourself..." she said with a smirk.

Ray did as his mom told him and she watched him go before leaving them to figure it out.

Ray stepped quietly in to his room. Amber met crimson.

But there was silence.

He finally plucked the nerve to walk over to his side of the bed and settle himself next to Kai.

Kai watched him. He didn't know how to break the tension either.

Ray leaned in and brushed his lips gently against his.

He felt warmth spread through him and leaned in to it, bringing them in to a soft but passionate kiss.

When they pulled away, Ray ran his fingers through his hair as they kept their eyes locked on each other.

"...he's a means to an end, Kai. We get the extra player we need, he gets to experience a tournament like he wants...He won't replace you." he said finally.

Kai just nodded.

He wasn't happy about this...at all...but he needed to do right by his team. If his team's success meant he had to sit on the sidelines for a while...that's what he'd have to do.

And of course he wouldn't replace him...

Ben wasn't going to be a problem for him...because he wouldn't let him be one.

Baby or not, it was and would always be his team...

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End of Chapter 8!

I know parts of this chapter were on the vague side...I just wanted to get the ball rolling on it.

Looks like there's going to be a bit of tension...

I hope you enjoyed it!

Thank you for reading!

Any comments appreciated!

See you next time!