Chapter 19

Prozacfairy: It's kinda obvious that he will, really. :p

Bluumberry: I've actually been taught how to write scripts, so perhaps that has something to do with it.

Blazing Phoenix L: Don't worry, I used to spell phoenix wrong too. Had to learn quick though, as I did an assignment on the Chinese representation of the phoenix. And you're probably right: Max is clueless. :p

Tariki Rania: Max is getting older. Must come with the maturation. If only Tyson would grow up a bit...

lilmatchgirl007: Talked his way out of the corner, maybe.... or did he.... :p

Ashla: Maxxy is a convincing liar, but you have to wonder... And I know a lot of people who 'look up' to me. They're so short. :p

Koneko no Rei: Max is sexually frustrated and yet still manages to assure Kenny that there's nothing going on. Quite a feat, really.

Zap Cannon: You think you'd do a better job? What would you say? Max said enough to make Kenny stop questioning. That's all he needed to do.

keisan: I wouldn't say completely in the dark. ;) And there is a lot of nitty-gritty aspects to this fic. Basically, its extended setup for Honesty.

Kai Rei Yin Yang: How come you changed your name?

GemGemJoo: :D Lack of smarts indeed. And this chapter will be... interesting...

animeandraia: Indeed. There is a storm on the horizon and it is called Kenny. But when will it hit? That is the queston.

Mizuyah: I know what it's like to miss the internet. Not fun.

Chaco and Lily: I think it's a word. Not entirely sure though. And you're right, not everyone is agreeing to homosexuality. Writing a fic where almost everyone is disgusted? That'd be a change for me. I might have to do it. As a test to myself. I'll probably fail... --;;

Kappy Locks: You're depressed over a wedding? I went to the funeral of a close family friend yesterday. That's depressing. Still is. I miss her. ((sniff)) You don't get along with your parents? I couldn't do without mine. I love them to death. I'm almost 20 and still at home, with no plans of leaving. :)

huh: You're right, he won't believe all just like that. ((prod)) No more complaints about chapter length. Nothing I can do about that. And everyone gets mentioned. :p

TNTiggris: The weathers finally starting to warm up here. Finally.

Feel like some sexual tension?

"You've been very distracted of late."

Ray looked up sharply and spotted Kai watching him. Ray simply shrugged and smiled, closing his sketchpad and taking roll Kai held out to him. "Guess I've just had a lot on my mind."

"So I've noticed." Kai dropped down onto the grass beside him, long fingers plucking at the covering of his own roll. "It's effecting your concentration. You are not blading anywhere near your best. So whatever's on your mind, sort it out."

Ray growled. "Is that really all you care about, Kai? Blading?"

Kai looked up. "I'm team captain. It's my job to oversee you all."

"It's also your job to see to our wellbeing. To look out for us." Ray looked away. "You haven't been doing a very good job."

Kai's eyebrows rose ever so slightly. "Oh really?"

"Yes really." Ray frowned. "You always go off on your own, leaving me to look after Tyson, Max and Kenny. You always put yourself first, and if you don't then you put blading first. You probably don't give a crap about the rest of us."

Kai watched him. "I know you're upset about the Mariah thing, Ray, but I doubt taking it out on me helps."

Ray's shoulders slumped as he sighed. "You're right, it isn't helping. I'm sorry Kai."

"Hn." Kai took another bite from his roll. "Just remember you're not the only one with a lot on his mind."

"Yeah." Ray looked at him. "Any word on the court case?"

Kai shrugged. "Only what Tal told me when he rang, but that information is unimportant. Unless we win, it means nothing."

"Ah." Ray smiled faintly. "You don't like talking about it, do you?"

The corner of Kai's lip turned upward as he met Ray's eye. "Not really."

"Thought not."

They ate in silence, watching a group of young children blading nearby. Aside from them, the park seemed to be otherwise empty, most people still at work or out to lunch. It wouldn't be until later that the park would fill with adults and families, and by then the two teens would be long gone.

Finishing first, Kai pointed toward Ray's sketchpad. "May I?"

"Sure."

Kai plucked the pad from the ground, flipping it open and taking in the rough pencil sketches, one eyebrow raising as faint approvement played through his eyes. "Not bad at all. How long have you been drawing?"

"Few years now. Don't get much time too anymore."

"Know what you mean."

Ray frowned, fishing in his pocket and holding out a pencil. "Here." Kai glanced at the pencil, taking it. Ray pointed to the pad. "You've seen my work, now lets see yours. You said you could sketch."

Kai simply looked at him. "I never said I was any good at it."

Ray pointed to the pad. "Then show me."

Kai continued to stare at him.

Ray let out a frustrated sigh, nodding to the side. "Pick something and sketch it." No reply. "Please?"

Kai shot him a funny look as Ray battered his eyelashes, the elder muttering under his breath. "You're as bad as my cousin."

Ray frowned. "What did you say?"

"Doesn't matter."

Kai found a blank page, glancing up and spying an object before his pencil flew over the pad in delicate strokes. Ray frowned as the object began to take shape, his eyes widening as he gaped, sliding closer to poise himself over Kai's shoulder. He glanced up toward the object Kai was sketching, before looking back down.

"Woah. You're good."

Kai didn't answer, remaining silent as he continued. Once the hard lines were set, he worked on the shading, finding just the right amount of pressure to place upon the lead, smooth strokes filling in the areas and giving the image of the fountain life, the water looking as if it were really cascading into the air and into the pool below.

Ray shook his head as Kai made the finishing touches. "Having seen Bryan's sculpture and your sketch, Tala must be a great painter."

Kai smirked. "He's respectable."

"Well you said you weren't very good." Ray felt his cheeks warm. "I feel like a novice."

"Practice makes perfect, like in blading." Kai glanced back, suddenly becoming aware of how close Ray was and feeling his breath catch in is throat. Swallowing hard, he closed the sketchbook and held it out to Ray. "This is yours I believe."

Ray nodded, coming out of his own revere having realised their proximity around the same time Kai had. "Um… yeah. Thanks."

Ray took the pad and pencil, moving back to his spot. Now there was some room between them they could once more breath easy, though they regretted the distance. For a long while they sat in silence, watching the children blade. Kai plucked a grass seed from his scarf, the movement causing Ray to look up, the two locking eyes.

A tension built up between them, they could both feel it, pressing down on their bodies and making it hard to breathe. Crimson and gold clashed, neither able to tear their gazes away, unable to move-

"Hey cool!"

They looked around as they heard the young voice, finding one of the children gaping at them, breaking the tension and releasing them from the spell.

The little girl pointed toward them. "Are you guys really Kai and Ray of the Blade Breakers?"

Ray smiled faintly, nodding. "We really are."

The girl beamed. "Can you… show me how to blade properly?"

Ray looked at Kai who simply shrugged and gestured for him to go ahead. Ray handed Kai his sketchpad before he stood and moved toward the kids, switching into teacher mode with natural ease and leaving Kai to wonder just what had happened between them.

Sheesh. That one was close. It's certainly starting to get hot in here.