Hey all readers. I think it's obvious that the names of the Bladebreakers in this story are not mine. However, Sam Coredori and her bitbeast Drazema. Along with the team the Carnivora Catz and their bitbeasts are all mine so please don't take them without my position. Thanks bb4564

Chapter 26 – Secrets!

Sam heard Kai moving around in the kitchen and knew she would have to face him sooner or later. She, personally, would have preferred the later but she knew that wasn't really an option. Taking one final look at herself in the mirror, she was relieved to see that her face was no longer red and her eyes were not puffy in the slightest. Putting on a smile, she stepped out of her room.

The moment she entered the kitchen, she saw Kai at the table eating a large pizza. Without even looking at her, he indicated to the oven. "Pizza – no onions – in there." Sam murmured a 'thank-you' before heading over to the oven and grabbing her pizza. Taking a seat opposite Kai she took a slice of pizza and bit into it, not realising how hungry she really was.

She was so wrapped up in her pizza, it took her a few minutes before she realised that Kai was looking at her. "Hungry?" He said casually, once Sam had looked up at him. Sam blushed slightly, nodding her head as she swallowed the mouthful of pizza. She waited for Kai to say something else but he only stared at her. "Well?" she said at last. "Well what?" Kai replied, not taking his eyes of her. "Well, are you going to tell me why you keep staring at me?" Kai smiled smugly and shook his head, his eyes not leaving hers. Sam glared at him from across the table. She felt a blush coming to her cheeks as she thought about the next question she wanted to ask.

Withholding it with difficulty, she forced herself not to look away as she voice what was on her mind. "Listen, Kai. About before…" She paused not knowing how to continue. Kai shrugged, keeping his eyes on hers. "What about it?" Sam couldn't take the feeling of his eyes on hers and had to look away, her cheeks going a light shade of crimson. "Was it real?"

"It wasn't a dream," Kai replied. Sam looked back at him, a confused look on her face.

It was then that she noticed the smirk on Kai's lips. "That's not what I meant!" she growled.

"Then what did you mean?" Kai asked innocently, knowing all to well what she meant, but enjoying the fact he was making her flustered. Sam was too busy trying to explain to notice this. "What I meant was, was it…do you…do we…you… ummm…" her brows knitted together as she tried to think of how to phrase it without sounding like a complete idiot.

Kai couldn't help the laugh that came from his mouth at the look of Sam, so concentrated on something so simple. "Do I have feelings for you?" he supplied. Sam's blush deepened as she nodded. Kai shrugged off handedly. "I thought that was obvious." Sam didn't know whether to be relieved or scared. Before she could decide, Kai broke her thoughts. "I mean, I thought it was obvious I felt that you are a real pain in the butt, know it all, busy body, who can never shut up and…" Sam throwing a crust at him, hitting him in the forehead, cut off his words.

Sam giggled at his expression as she tried to glare at him. "Conceited old bossy boots aren't you?!" Kai smiled as he took another bite of his pizza, his eyes going back to staring at Sam, who had gone back to her own pizza. She didn't say another word to him, lost in her thoughts. When she had finished eating, she murmured a good night before heading to her room. She had a lot to think about and needed some time on her own. Shutting the door, she laid on her bed, listening to the sound of Kai moving around, before going to bed himself. Once all was silent, the thoughts in Sam's mind kept her awake, and it was a couple of hours before she finally managed to fall asleep.

The next morning Kai woke up to the sound of someone running to the bathroom and knew Sam was being sick again. Looking at his watch, he saw it was only five thirty. Stifling a groan he pulled himself out of bed and slowly got dressed. He heard a door open and close and figured Sam had gone back to bed. But when he had finished getting dressed and went past her room, he saw that her door was open and her room empty.

Confused, he looked around the apartment but she wasn't there. "She's probably gone for a walk with Max or to start training early." He murmured to himself, a nag in the back of his mind telling him he was wrong. He pushed it aside as he made himself a tea and reheated some pizza for breakfast. He had only just started eating when there was a knock at the door. Rolling his eyes, he went to open it, pizza in hand.

Opening the door he saw Max standing there. "What?" he demanded, non-too politely.

"Hey Kai," Max greeted, not bothered by Kai's abrupt greeting. "Is Sam here? We were supposed to go walking about ten minutes ago." Kai shook his head. "No. She's probably training." Max smiled. "Probably, ok thanks Kai." Kai shut the door as Max walked off. Finishing his breakfast and tea, he quickly brushed his teeth before heading down to the training room.

He reached the elevator just as they were opening and a very anxious Max came running out, almost knocking him over. "Kai!" Max exclaimed, "I was just coming to see you. Sam wasn't in the training room." Kai shrugged.

"So?"

"So?!" Max cried in disbelief, "So! So where is she?" Kai shrugged.

"How should I know? I'm not her babysitter. I'm sure she'll be back in time for training where ever she's gone." Max visibly relaxed at his words and took the elevator down to the training room with Kai to practice.

At seven thirty everyone but Sam had arrived for practice and by ten everyone was starting to worry. At nine Kai had sent Max to ask at the reception desk if he had seen Sam go and the man had replied that she had asked him to call a taxi for her. Kai had been a little confused by this but had figured she'd be back by now.

Every time the elevator dinged, ten eyes would turn to the doors hoping to see Sam there. And at long last, at twenty past ten the doors opened to reveal a very confused looking Sam. She walked over to the group, seemingly unaware of anyone or anything around her. She reached the group and came back to reality. Smiling at them, she pushed aside whatever it was she had been thinking about. "Where have you been?" Kai demanded, the first to speak, "practice started two hours ago!" Sam looked at him and at her watch. "An hour and fifty-three minutes actually," she replied.

Kai's eyes narrowed. "My point is you're late!" he growled, "now where have you been?" Sam shrugged. "What's it to you? I'm here now aren't I? So let's get on with training." With that she walked up to the dish and launched her blade. Ray, Max and Tyson joined her a few minutes later and together they practiced their team battling skills.

Sam refused to answer any questions about her whereabouts during practice and even when Kai confronted her that evening; she kept her mouth shut in defiance. Some things were best kept secret and Sam had decided that this was definitely one of those things!