AN: Hey guys!  Sorry for the long update.. I've been writing the next chapters to 'Scribbles in the Rain' a YGO fic.. but after this chapter I can honestly say that my interest is back in Ha!  I figured out that the relationships and stuff weren't moving very fast..

This chapter.. is interesting.. I blame Leina!  It was her idea ;)    Warning, the next couple chapters will be probably completely Kai/Liika orientated.. NOT pairing..yet.. but their relationship anyway.. ^^ hope you like..

This chappy goes out to Amy, cause she was the one that emailed me and told me to get off my ass and update! LoL   Oh and sorry for any typos.. I don't feel well and I'm pumping this out for you all =)

The rest of the week flew by.  Both teams practiced hard; after all, the actual season started in just over two weeks, and both wanted to be ready.  Kai started training a new  'Golden Pair' of his own.  He couldn't have weakness on his team, and doubles one was a weakness –especially when she had such a strong doubles one.

Both coaches decided that there would be no more exhibition matches between the two teams, as it led to unnecessary unrest during school hours.  The extreme competition between the two captains was bordering on ridiculous, at least to the teacher and principal.  Neither really understood why the two teens seemed to hate each other so much, but it was apparent they did. 

Everything was a competition between the two, whether it be academics, in PE or on the beyblade court.  One was always trying to out do the other.  Kai's friends found it amusing, while Liika's friends found it irritating, Robert especially.  He didn't like the way the blue haired boy looked at his girlfriend, nor did he like the way he always seemed to upset her.  Hell, he trusted Wakeman with his Liika before he trusted Kai.  At least Wakeman wouldn't hurt her.

While the week had flown by, by the time the end of the week hit everyone was happy it was almost the weekend; that is until they walked into Family Management class and were handed some very disturbing news.  Miss Giesinger had flounced into class declaring she had wonderful news, and then proceeded to chirp it.

She decided that because the in class 'marriages' were going so well –minus one which would not be named- the couples would not have to have children if they didn't want to.  And after watching how much trouble the automated dolls were for the three boys that were single parents, none of the pairs wanted to, that was Thursday.  However, as they soon found out on Friday, the alternative was not any better.

"Since you all have chosen not to have children –a statistic I find most disturbing- you must still have a major assignment for the project, and this is what it will be:  This weekend, starting directly after school today, you must spent all three day's with your 'mate'.  I want you to observe everything about their living patterns as well as their sleeping patterns.  This means sleeping in the same bed as each other, now I trust you will handle this part of the assignment with maturity." 

As soon as the words left the teacher's mouth, the class was in an uproar, none more so than the two hostile captains.

"Oh my god.  No.  NO!  Nooooooo!"  Liika wailed dramatically, slamming her head onto the table.

Kai glared at her then blurted angrily, not realizing what he was actually saying.  "I've changed my mind!  We're having a child!"

The room stopped for a moment, then burst into laughs and snickers.  Liika brought her head up from the table and stared at him.  Kai stared back at her for a few moments, until he finally clued into the true meaning of his words.  "Oh hell no!"  He growled, pushing away from her, running into Tala's seat.

Tala snickered, patting his friend on the back.  "Go gett'er tiger."  He jeered, pushing Kai towards Liika.

Kai turned around slightly and punched Tala's arm, earning a satisfying "oww!" from the laughing red head.  Liika, Mariah and Enrique simultaneously ripped sheets of paper out of their binders and threw them at Tala.  Bryan and Robert merely glared… at both Tala and Kai.

"Alright class, that's enough!"  Miss G yelled over the throng.  Immediately the class quieted and she continued.  "I'm afraid, Mr. Hiwatari, that you cannot change your decision.  This is your assignment, and you will do it, or you will fail.

Now, moving on.  I took the liberty of calling all your parents last night and getting their permission.  Not one said no, which pleased me greatly, as this is the first time I've used this idea.  Apparently they all have the same believe that you can go about this maturely as I do.  Now, you will spend one night at each of your respective houses, the boys' house tonight, and girls' tomorrow night.

As I said before, you are to observe each other's living and sleeping habits.  Next week you will have to write a one page, in class essay on your partner.  And," She paused to look at Liika.  "We will not have any repeats of the first journal assignments right?"

Liika rolled her eyes and nodded, muttering, "No Miss G, we wont."

The teacher nodded in satisfaction and walked back to the white board.  "Now, onto today's activities…"

The rest of the day was spent in a rather somber haze.  Robert had to be restrained by Lee so that he wouldn't go "warn" Kai off Liika –Lee had found out about the first attempt.  Liika sulked most of the day, sticking near Robert and glaring at Kai whenever the chance arose.  She was angry, but refused to back down to Kai and she would have said something… but Robert wouldn't let her with in five feet of Kai, and made sure Lee and Oliver did the same.  Mariah was livid at the thought of Rei staying with Jenny Silverton all weekend, she wouldn't trust the tramp as far as she could throw her.  Enrique was rather blazé about the whole thing.  He didn't like Tala, but it wasn't like he hadn't spent the night with him before –as friends.  They did, after all, grow up across the street from each other, and despite their animosity towards each other now, they used to spend a great deal of time together.  Rei was as thrilled as Mariah when it came to spending the weekend with Jenny.  However, it never once bothered him that his girlfriend would be alone with another guy.  That other guy was Oliver, he wasn't one to hit on other guys' girls.  Actually he wasn't one to hit on girl's period.  Jade just smiled and went about her day.  She liked her partner, so spending time with him wasn't a problem.  Emily, it was decided, would stay the whole weekend at Max's since he wasn't really allowed out yet, but still had to do the assignment.  Which of course suited her just fine. Lastly, Riley and Lee were unfazed, as they too had lived across from each other since elementary school.  This didn't, however, stop Bryan from shooting warning glares at his black haired teammate.

Kai shrugged off Robert's glares, and returned Liika's with ones of his own.  To say that he was not happy about the assignment was an understatement.  He was pissed.  Having to give up his weekend to spend it with his archrival, and worst enemy was not what he had planned.  What he couldn't understand was why his father said yes.  He knew the man hated mingling with 'common folk', as he put it.  It must have been his mother that agreed –it was just something that she would do.  Ian and Tala were unmoved, both knew they could put up with their partners, Ian was even friends with his.  Their life would go on.

After school arrived quickly, and as per usual for Friday afternoon, the group milled around Liika's and Enrique's lockers –Friday and Monday being the only days they did not have practice.  Robert had his arms locked firmly around Liika's waist as she shifted things from her locker to her bag and vise versa, muttering warnings to her in a low voice.  Liika sighed, finishing up and closing her locker door.  Turning she smiled up at Robert and threw her arms around his neck, well she attempted to anyway.  Because he was like 6'1 and she only 5'1, her arms didn't quite reach all the way around.

"Don't worry Robert.  The ass wouldn't dare do anything.  Besides, I can take him."  She said.

He frowned back down at her, his normal, serious mask in place.  "I don't trust him Liika.  You'll have your cell?"

"Yup."

"Good."  He said, nodding.  "I want you to call me before you go to bed, no matter how late it is.  You know my cell number."

"Yes I do."  She replied.  Cupping his jaw with her small hands, she stood on her tippy toes and brought his face down to meet hers, brushing a kiss across his lips.  "You worry too much."  She stated, looking into his softened crimson eyes.

"I don't trust him Liika."  He stated back, setting his mouth into a stern frown.

Liika smiled and patted his cheek lovingly.  "So you've said dear."  She said, kissing him again.

"As touching as this nauseating scene is, I would like to leave now."  A sarcastic voice broke through the groups chatter.

Liika stepped away from Robert and looked past him to see Kai standing a short distance away, his arms crossed and a scowl on his face.  She scowled back at him, sticking out her tongue.  "Well, nothings stopping you!"

Kai grew more irritated, if humanly possibly.  She really was incredibly dense.  "Actually, you are.  In case you haven't forgotten, as of three o'clock this afternoon, we were officially married outside of class, as well as in.  That means, we have to spend our time together –don't worry, it makes me sick too.  And, I'm not sorry to say, that making out with Jagen on you husband's –that would be me- time, is against the rules."  He stated, staring at her with flat eyes.  "And since I know you don't have a car, you have no way to get to my house unless I drive you.  Now move.  We're leaving."  He turned and started walking down the hall towards the exit.

Liika made a face at his back and picked up her backpack.  "I guess this is bye for the weekend.  See ya guys!"  Liika called, jogging to catch up with her estranged 'husband'.

Robert growled under his breath, clenching his fists.  He would like nothing more than to punch that pretty boy in the face, replacing the black eye that had since healed.  Lee laid a hand on his best friend's arm, knowing that the normally calm and collected teen was about to blow a fuse.

"Yo Iki!"  Enrique shouted after the blue haired girl.

She paused momentarily, looking over her shoulder questioningly. 

"Party.  My house.  Tomorrow at six!" 

She gave him a thumbs up then resumed her pace behind the stalking boy.  It was going to be a looong weekend. 

The drive was made in relative silence.  Neither of the two teens needed, nor wanted to speak to each other.  Kai, as 'requested', stopped at Liika's house so she could get the needed items for their 'sleep over'.  He was minutely surprised when she directed him to stop in front of an older, yet stylish, house, with a sizable addition that appeared to be used for some martial art instruction.  So, he thought, she lives in a dojo.  It suddenly all made sense.

He opted to stay in the car; he had absolutely no desire to see inside her house if he didn't have to.  That could wait until tomorrow.  Turning off his car, Kai settled back in his seat to wait.  He just hoped she wouldn't take forever.

After about ten minutes, Liika appeared again, knocking on the window and motioning for him to open the trunk.  Kai rolled his eyes and reached over to push the button.  Tomboy or not, she was a typical girl and had brought enough stuff to last three days, at least from his point of view.

Liika deposited her belongings in the trunk then opened the passenger door, plunking herself back down in the seat.

"Took you long enough."  Kai muttered, putting the car into drive and driving away.

"Oh get bent." She shot back, crossing her arms and glaring out the windshield.  "If you must know, I had to write a note for my cousin and leave him some money so he wouldn't starve.  Is that a crime oh loving 'husband' of mine?"

Kai glanced at her and smirked.  "The kid can't take care of himself?  That's sad."  He said, sneering.

Liika rolled her eyes, sneering right back.  "Oh like you're one to talk.  I bet you've never had to cook a meal for yourself a day in your life!  Not to mention clear anything.  Those words are probably not even in your vocabulary!"

He growled low in his through.  He would love to come up with a retort for that shot except for the fact that she was absolutely correct.  Damn it!

At Kai's silence, Liika grinned, knowing she had beat him.  She settled back, a smug look on her face. 

Not a word was spoken for the forest of the trip.

Fifteen minutes later, they pulled into the driveway of a house so big it looked like a large apparment block.  Liika's jaw dropped and her eyes grew to be the size of saucers.

"You live here?!"  She demanded, turning her wide eyes from the monstrous house to her companion, who just parked the car in front of what appeared to be the front door, shooting her an amused glance.

It was the biggest house she had ever seen!  And that included on TV as well.  It was built in Victorian and architecture, with huge white arches and a beautiful carved front door.  And were those MARBLE pillars?!

She stared in shock, completely unaware of anything but the house that over shadowed the black Mercedes to the point that she didn't realize Kai had gotten out until he stuck his head back in and ordered, "Witch!  You can get out now."

Shaking herself out of her daze, Liika cautiously stepped out of the car –she hadn't noticed the butler that came over to open her door for her.  Unconsciously she smoothed out invisible wrinkles in her uniform skirt.  She felt incredibly nervous for some reason.  It was just a house…right?

Kai watched her reaction to his house with discreet interest.  It brought him great pride and satisfaction knowing he his house impressed her so much she was nervous and speechless.  Heh, there's a first for everything.  He thought smugly.

Tossing his keys at one of the various staff members that milled around he instructed another to take the boys in the trunk up to his room.  Then, walking around the car, he passed Liika and headed to the door that was now open –courtesy of a butler.  It wasn't until he reached the threshold that he realized that the blue haired girl wasn't following.   Turning around he is saw that she was still standing where she had been after she got out of the car – the car had been driven away since – and a look of pure terror was plastered on her face.  He sighed loudly, rolling his eyes.  Quickly walking back to her he grabbed one of the limp hands that hung at her side and proceeded to lead her inside the house.

Liika was jolted back to reality when Kai's hand enveloped her smaller one, dragging her with him into his home.

The inside was, if at all possible, bigger than the outside.  It was decorated with rich crimsons, browns and beiges, with large, expensive looking pieces of furniture and paintings scattered in an orderly fashion throughout the foyer.  I bet you could feed America's poor with a quarter of the worth of this stuff, Liika thought wryly, looking around the entrance hall in awe.

"Ah, you are home!  I thought Niles said so!"

Liika jumped a bit at them new voice, and turned her attention to where it came from.

A tall, slim, very pretty, Caucasian woman with long with long pale blue hair tied up in a tight bun descended that grand stair case that was situated to the left of the main entrance.  Kai came to a stop at the base and waited for the woman to reach them.  Liika, not realizing he had stopped, bumped into him abruptly, muttering a quiet apology at his glare. 

The woman finally reached them and leaned over from the bottom step and placed a kiss in Kai's cheek.  "Hello sweety," she greeted, flashing him a wide mischievous smile.

"Hello mother." He replied tonelessly, letting her know he was on to her game.

She patted his check affectionately then turned her attention to the shorter girl.

Liika shifted uncomfortably as the older woman's eyes ran over her.  As Kai's mother's eyes dropped they settled on the two's joined hands.  Her grin grew.

Upon realizing he was still holding Liika's hand he dropped it as if it was on fire and turned away scowling, his cheeks heating up.  A blush crossed across Liika's face and she suddenly found her black dress shoes incredibly interesting.

A chiming laugh sounded from the woman laugh sounded from the woman as she finally stepped off the last step, in front of Liika.  "You must be my son's 'wife'," she said with a sink as Liika looked up at her.  "I'm Katherine, but you can call me Kate –or mom if you like."  The older woman's voice was laced with laughter and her eyes kept shifting towards Kai's tense back.

Liika laughed nervously, shifting back and forth on her feet.  "I'm Liika… Liika Tomoda."  Liika replied, with a small smile.  Kai's mother was the total opposite of him!  Liika found herself becoming more and more comfortable with the woman.

"Liika?  That's such a pretty name!  Don't you think so Kai?"  Kate smiled brightly at her son's back.

"No."

His reply earned him a scolding frown from his mother –not that he could see it- and a kick in the back of the shin from Liika.  "Jerk…" She muttered.

The frown disappeared from Kate's face, and her laughter once again sounded.  "I like you already!" She proclaimed, grabbing both of Liika's hands with her own.  "I've always wanted a daughter, and I think you my dear, will do nicely!"  She emphasized by squeezing Liika's hands.  "Why don't you run along Kai, while me and your bride get better acquainted hm?"  Kate said dropping one of Liika's hands to pat her son on the behind.

Liika giggled as Kai jumped a bit and whirled around glaring at his mother, his ears tinged with red.  But unlike the glares he threw at her, this one held no heat, and Liika could see the strong affection Kai had for his mom.  Her heart twinged sadly, it was times like this that she wished her real mother were still alive.

"Whatever."  Kai responded, heading up the stairs.

"Great!"  Kate exclaimed, tugging on Liika's hand.

"Why don't we start with a tour?  This house can be very daunting at times.  Oh!  And I wasn't sure what you would liked for dinner so I just ordered lobster.  That's ok right?  I mean everyone likes lobster!  Unless of course they're allergic to shell fish, you're not are you? …Good!  Now as I was saying…"

Kai watched as his chattering mother dragged a smiling Liika out of the foyer and into one of the many halls.  Great, he thought, my mother's becoming attached to my worst enemy.  He sighed. 

Life wasn't fair sometimes.