Epilogue
Kuroneko Hikage: :p
Platinum Rei: Poor Kai got winded. Ray will have to kiss it better. ;)
Mika: The chapters are, for the most part, twice as long in Ketsuron. Hope that makes you happy. And I'm glad you like my OCs. Part of my Uni course was creating believable characters, though I've always had a natural talent. Won an award for my OC in a Star Wars back in 2002, which was before I went to Uni. Or was it 2003? Hm... :D
Kit-Cat Caitlin: New host found. Just have FTP issues to sort out. Once that is done, all systems are go again.
Koneko no Rei: Tyson mentioned in Honesty II to Kevin that Ray once dropped Kai on his butt, and as he told Kev Tyson was remembering how Kai dropped him. That's the reference. University isn't too bad, actually, in comparison to Year 12. However, first semester last year was a bitch because of what we had to do in one class. I hope this year is a little easier. The scholarship I was told yesterday that I won should help. :D
Blake-Schawarz: Overture finishes here. Ketsuron starts on the weekend. ;)
M.S.K: You forget Ray beat Kai up. :p
Blazing Phoenix L: Four part series - Overture, Honesty, Honesty II, and Ketsuron. This weekend I begin the final instalment of Ketsuron, and once that is complete, then everything is up. Phew. Has taken a lot of effort. :D
Tears from heaven: Poor Ray indeed. And poor Lee.
Hikaru-chan-4ever: I wish they did have Ray using martial arts in the series...
The Valkyrie: Yeap, that was Honesty II. Tyson told Kev about it while Tyson was remembering how Kai took him down.
Neko Gal Miya: Read this chapter and then read Honesty. This chapter and the Prologue to Honesty cross over.
Prozacfairy: Let as worship Ray, shall we? :p
babymar-mar: I believe it is often true that if the mother is young, the baby can be born premature. I saw it on TV once. And I believe the actor she drools over mainly is David Wenham. He's Australian, and not bad at all. :D
Ashla: Well, Tala did comment that if they really were related he and Bryan would be committing incest. And was the 'Kai take down Tyson/Ray take down Kai' thing, which Tyson made reference too in Honesty !!.
lilmatchgirl007: It's not how big or strong you are, more than technique. Ray could probably bring down Gary if he had too. So could Kev. :p And the this chapter is the last...
huh: You wouldn't believe the sort of things I sometimes think the characters would do. I've even imagine Tala trying to kill Bryan for stealing the last piece of cake. ((whistles innocently)) The only fic I have complete is Ketsuron, other than Centrepiece which is over at AFF.N. I haven't been writing, and what I have been writing is just pieces. Must get back to it, though Summer School starts next week.
Mizuyah: lol. Yeap, talk about multicultural.
squiz: Welcome. Read the whole thing? Well, now you can read them in order! Just in time for the last chapter of this and on the weekend the first chapter of the last fic. :D
dark-anime-slave: Lemon? Um.... eh... no. :p
Chaco and Lily: Prequels are harder to write, even though you know where they're going. You've got to get it all to tie in. ((collapse))
Last chapter.
"Fretting isn't going to make it better."
Ray sighed, burying his head into the pillows of their bed. "What do you want me to do? I can't pretend nothings happened."
"Chill out, dude." Tyson shook his head from where he sat with Max on the small couch that was settled against one wall. "Kai's right. Worrying about it will only make it worse."
"It's been over a week," Max reminded them. "Why not come out with us. Hanging around here is only wearing you down."
Kai looked to the side. "A movie, maybe?"
"Yeah." Tyson looked up and grinned. "Pity Matrix Revolutions isn't out yet. I've really been hanging out for it."
"Aw, come on Ty. Surely you can wait a couple more weeks." Max reached out and ran his fingers through the bluenette strands that hung long and free around Tyson's shoulders. "You really have no patience, you know."
"A movie won't help, guys, but thanks for the offer." Ray sighed, rolling onto his back and staring at the roof. "You just don't know how complicated it really is. In a way I was kinda hoping that the baby would look like the father so we would know straight away, but now…"
"DNA tests," Kai finished, nodding. "Both you and Lee would probably already have all that on record."
"Mm. And not just cause we are Championship bladers and it's part of the registration either." Ray sighed. "All neko-jin are put onto the records at birth. DNA, dental, fingerprints, blood type, the works."
Max frowned. "Why is that?"
"Just in case we're attacked." Ray scowled. "Neko-jin hunters and anti-neko-jin groups, gangs and cults have a tendency to beat their victim to a pulp, leaving them so messed up you need to have the records in order to identify them."
Tyson shivered. "Creepy."
"That's life." Ray sighed, closing his eyes. "I just wish there was an easier way. And… I guess I also kinda don't want to know who the father is. I mean, if it's not me than it would be Lee, and he'd be the one…"
Kai shifted from where he was leaning back against the wall, coming to sit on the edge of the bed and reaching out to run his fingers through Ray's hair before gently smoothing his brow. "Worry about it when it happens, baby. Just try and relax."
"Mariah seems to want to drag it out," Tyson growled. "She's just trying to wear you down, buddy. You're not seriously thinking of actually letting her do that, are you?"
Ray smiled faintly, reaching up and entwining his fingers through Kai's before he sat up. "Not a chance."
Max giggled, beaming as he nodded. "So… you still up for a movie?"
"Sounds good to me." Ray bowed his head and closed his eyes. "Maybe you guys are right. I need something to take my mind off all of this. A distraction."
Max pointed toward Ray's boyfriend. "You saying that isn't a distraction?"
Ray had to laugh as Kai glared daggers at the blond though a small smirk tugged at the Russians lip. Swinging around Ray moved closer to his love, wrapping his arms around him from behind and settling his chin on Kai's shoulder. Grinning, he looked toward his teammates, or rather, at Max. "Ogle your own boyfriend, Maxxy. This one is mine."
Kai and Tyson exchanged slightly amused looks at Max slid into Tyson's lap, curling up against him protectively. Over recent weeks they had grown used to Ray's and Max's playfighting and teasing, though it was becoming more and more frequent.
They glanced up as the phone rang in the distance, Tyson shrugging it off. "Bah, Kenny will get it. Now, as we were saying Ray, just try to forget this whole Mariah thing until the tests and all that stuff is done. We'll gladly help you out."
"Mm-hm." Max grinned. "I'm all for it. Kai?"
"Do you honestly think I would leave you two alone with my Ray?" Kai raised an eyebrow, reaching back trail his fingers over Ray's cheek. "I think I can find some things to distract him."
Tyson smirked. "There is so much you can work into that."
Max nudged him. "I think that was the idea, Ty."
Ray chuckled, nuzzling Kai's neck after loosening the scarf, kissing the bare skin beneath. "So what movies are out?"
Tyson turned thoughtful. "Now lets see. I think-"
"Guys!" Kenny knocked on the door before swinging it open, the disconnected phone still in hand as he looked around them. "That was Mr Dickenson. He wants us to get to the BBA Headquarters right away."
Max frowned, sliding from Tyson's knee as Ray straightened, the two elder members of the group exchanging a questioning look. Max stretched, looking at their friend. "What's wrong, Kenny? Is it some kind of emergency?"
"I don't think so." He frowned, looking down at the phone and frowning. "I'm not entirely sure, but I think someone's coming to Japan that he wants us to meet, and from the way he was talking, I think it's Kevin and Lee."
Dekiagaru (Finish)
There we go, another one all over. Now that Overture, Honesty and Honesty II are completed, that just leaves part four of the saga: Ketsuron. I'll get that one too you soon. I do hope you've enjoyed this fic and I'll see you again soon. Happy reading.