Part 7 is finally going up. I delayed it until I had about half of part 8 but well... thus far I have barely half a page, let alone half a chapter. Alas, I shall keep striving. I know what I want to do after part 8, it's just getting there. I may just skip that and go straight to the night. Expect alot of skimming over tim next chapter, anyway, here bee part 7. I'm sure you're all eager to see what kind of chef Kai is...

(Part 7)

"Fucking hell!"

"Kai!"

Susumu and Rei passed a quick look to one another, extremely amused, before Susumu tugged the door to the kitchen open. And burst into a coughing fit to hide his laugh. Kai swung his vehement crimson gaze upon his father, glittering with anger and almost daring him to keep on laughing.

Which he did.

Rei couldn't hide his smirk, even when Kai turned his furious eyes upon him.

"What?" he snapped. Rei grinned and made his way over towards him as Kai eyed him with mistrust.

"You- ah, have a little something in your hair." Rei said playfully. Kai quirked an eyebrow as the rage in his eyes began to die away, and reached a hand up to pat away at his fringe, seeking the 'something' out. Rei batted his hand away and reached up himself to pluck some of it out. He rubbed it between his thumb and forefinger. "Sponge mix?" He asked, a single fang poking out in mirth.

Kai snorted. "How was I to know that the electric mix was on its highest setting?" His replied, his voice taking on a defensive tone. Kai- unsurprisingly- was not one who took being made fun of very well.

"What was all the swearing about anyway?" his father asked, moving to lean against a counter top. Alexia, 'tutted' in a maternal fashion in response as she wiped some of what Rei presumed to be cake mix off the surface of the counter.

"Such a foul mouth! I hope that you don't swear like that in front of Rei, it's very off- putting." She chided.

"Not if used in the right context, mama." Kai answered back, challenging. His usual smug grin settled back in place. Rei blushed and let go of the sleeve that he had latched on to and backed away a step, feeling the need to put a little distance between himself and Kai after a comment like that.

Susumu frowned "Kai, don't embarrass Rei like that, I'm sure that he doesn't want us knowing about you talking dirty to him." Rei felt his earlier mortification rush back to him as Alexia momentarily paled before busying herself with cleaning. A very awkward silence fell upon them for a minute or so.

"I burnt myself on the cake tin." Kai said. Everyone turned their attention on him, all pictures of complete confusion.

"Random?" Rei muttered. Kai folded his arms across his chest and sent him a glance.

"Dad asked why I swore, I answered. I burnt myself on the cake tin." He repeated.

Susumu raised an eyebrow. "And just how did you manage that? Weren't you using a towel?"

Kai looked down at the floor, and had the good grace to look a little embarrassed. "No." He looked up when the sound of melodic laughter reached his ears. All Hiwatari's looked around to find Rei laughing heartily- the most open display of emotion that he had shown throughout the whole day. Alexia smiled and decided that she liked the sound of it.

"You're such an idiot at times!" he managed after a few moments. Kai's bewilderment turned into an annoyed frown.

"Thanks," He said dryly. Rei continued to laugh and reached an arm out to clutch onto his sleeve once again. He leant against Kai for support while he got his laughter down to a chuckle. Kai continued to pretend that he was hurt, in reality, pleased that he had caused Rei to laugh. The outburst was genuine and heartfelt, and Kai had the feeling that Rei had needed it. He somehow seemed more relaxed already.

"Let me see your hands." Rei snickered. Kai complied, though he threw in a sulky huff for good measure. He felt Rei stiffen against him. "Kai… didn't you wash the flour off your hands when you finished making the mixture?" he said slowly.

Kai frowned and shrugged. "No, what does it matter?" Rei began to shake against him, and Kai felt worry break out in his mind… until Rei threw his head back and let loose another peal of musical laughter.

"Be- be-"he tried to breathe. Kai was also aware that both of his parents were laughing too now. "Because, you're wearing a black turtle neck." Rei managed to gasp out. Kai grimaced and with a measured slowness, dropped his gaze, feeling dread well up in him. Sure enough, two white, handprints came into his line of vision, symmetrical upon the crook of each arm, where he had previously rested them.

"Oh Kai, you mucky- pup!" Alexia giggled.

"Ah shit!" Kai cursed and pulled away from Rei. With purpose, he stomped off towards the door that Rei knew led to the hallway.

"Where are you going?" Susumu enquired.

They barely caught Kai's grumpy mutter of "Bathroom."

Kai's father turned back and rolled his eyes at Alexia. She smiled and nodded in agreement, still cleaning the surfaces of the kitchen counters, trying to get rid of Kai's un-holy mess of cake- mix.

"He's in a mood now. Rei, why don't you go after him? I'm sure that you could get him to lighten up better then I can." She called out, watching as Rei nodded and left.

Once in the hallway, Rei caught sight of Kai's retreating figure and jogged to catch up with him. Kai stayed silent, though Rei knew that he was aware of his presence, and marched on, his mouth a line of grim determination. He veered off to the left, the suddenness of the action causing Rei to near crash into him, and opened a door. He didn't bother to close it upon entering, so Rei presumed that he couldn't be in that much of a mood with him.

Rei moved in and settled himself on the edge of a marble-like bath, watching as Kai grabbed a towel off a near by towel rack, and wet it, setting about wiping away the flour he had gotten all over himself. Rei watched him, amused yet enraptured. He really did adore his team captain, and even something as simple (and as stupid) as him cleaning flour off of his jumper caused a surge of warmth to flow through him. It made him feel… fuzzy. He couldn't explain it. He only knew that if this wasn't love, he had serious emotional issues. He set his chin upon his palm and continued to watch Kai huff and puff in annoyance. After a few more moments, Kai threw the towel onto the floor and shrugged, knowing full well that the stains would re-appear as his turtle- neck dried, but not finding the will to care about it anymore. With a sigh, he flopped down besides Rei, content to just sit in companionable silence. Without a word, Rei leaned in and rested his head upon Kai's shoulder.

"Tell me that the second you stepped out of that kitchen, my dad didn't have a heart- to- heart with you." Kai spoke up, though the tone of his voice gave away that it was more of a rhetorical question.

"'Fraid so." Rei replied. Kai sighed heavily and slipped his arm about Rei's shoulders, drawing him nearer.

"I thought as much." He grunted. "What did he say?"

Rei began to fiddle with the seam on a thigh of Kai's jeans. "He told me a little about him and your mother, and about how he gave up his position or something for his dream and then he… err… he…" Rei paused in plucking at the material. "He…"

"Yes?" Kai prompted.

Rei began to pull at the seam, obviously a little agitated. "He…he asked me if we were having sex." he said in a tiny voice, half hoping that Kai wouldn't catch it.

"He did? What did you say"… or not.

"I didn't say anything… per see…"

"Oh?"

"No… I just… blushed really badly and didn't say anything." Rei finished lamely.

"And what did he say?" Kai questioned, though he didn't seem too worried.

Rei left the jeans alone and just let his hand rest atop Kai's thigh as he peered up at him, his almond shaped, yellow eyes alight with worry. "'I see'" Kai made a small sound and averted his eyes to the half- open door before them.

"So my dad knows that I'm sleeping with you. Great." He sighed, sounding utterly annoyed. Rei felt a stab of shame run through him and he looked down, feeling stupid.

"I-I'm sorry," he whispered. Kai detected the sadness in his lover's voice and directed his gaze back down at Rei. Using his other hand, he lifted Rei's chin up, so that he could see his face easier.

"Hey, no. I didn't mean it like that. I'm pretty sure that they knew anyway, my dad probably just wanted to confirm it, so you've nothing to feel bad for." He hugged Rei closer. "Look, another three hours, tops and we can go home and forget about all of this, so don't let them embarrass you. You've nothing to be ashamed of, and you've been yourself like I asked of you. I know that my parents like you." He smiled when he saw a pleased and relieved expression cross over Rei's face.

"It's not so bad. I mean, your parents are really nice, so I'm going to try and be more relaxed." Rei promised with a tiny smile. Kai moved his finger from Rei's chin to his lips, tracing them with a soft touch. They were soft and full, and utterly irresistible.

"I really owe you for this, Rei," he said with a gentle voice. Rei smiled at his words.

Kai leaned in; intent on pressing his lips to those sweet, delectable lips, knowing that he could not wait a moment longer. Not with Rei perched on the edge of a bathtub with him, looking as sweet as that.

Rei met him half way, and he felt the familiar warmth and tingle of the others lips. He felt soft, warm breath upon his cheekbone as he angled his head to maximise their contact. He felt the warmth radiating off the body that he held so near. Quite simply, everything about Rei was warm.

They pressed in closer, making the kiss a little deeper, but still sweetly innocent. And then they pulled away, as if by some unspoken cue, their cheeks dusted with a fine blush and their mouths curved into small, knowing smiles.

Kai released Rei's shoulders from his grip and stood up, moving towards the door. There he waited until Rei followed suit and joined his side. And then they set off back towards the kitchen. The return journey took no more then thirty seconds, and Rei presumed that it was probable that they had several bathrooms and toilets dotted around the considerably sized house.

They re-entered the kitchen to find Kai's mother cutting into the steaming sponge cake with a large knife, and his father simply watching, eyeing the golden cake with an appreciative expression.

"Oh! There you two are! Kai, me and your father were just discussing sleeping arrangements for tonight." Alexia spoke up, continuing to cut as she looked at her son.

"Mama! Watch your damned fingers!" Kai admonished. His mother rolled her eyes and put the knife aside, grinning.

"You worry too much." She replied, waving a hand, dismissing any danger.

"And you should try being more responsible, now tell me, what the Hell do you mean by 'sleeping arrangements'?" Kai snapped.

Alexia set about retrieving some cream from the fridge and moved back to the now halved cake. "What we mean is, once you've had your dinner and something to drink, you won't feel much like travelling all the way back home. I mean, time's dragging on as it is, so why not leave in the morning when you're fresh? Besides, it would be nice if you would spend some more of your birthday with us." Kai opened his mouth and then shut it with a resounding 'pop', unable to find a good argument to reply back with.

Casting a glance at Rei, he stifled a sigh. They were stuck here until tomorrow.

Ehehe... mucky- pup!

Happy Easter 3