Kagami stayed there for a while, lying on his back looking up at the ceiling. Then, feeling he should be doing something more constructive then brooding over the enigma that walked the path of Heaven, he carefully got back up. Turning over so his legs hung off the bed, fingers gripping the edge, Kagami started to take several deep, slow breaths. Closing his eyes he started to mentally will his muscles to relax as much as possible; he needed to be as flexible as he could for the exercises. Satisfied he'd done enough relaxing; he slowly slid down off the bed.

Taking a nervous glance at the door, he started to unbutton his pajama top. When Tendou had begun his disappearing act, showing up less often each day (usually to freak Kagami out with his sudden appearance) Kagami had decided that he'd at least get some exercise. He couldn't stand the long isolation each day. Jyuka had been kind enough to bring him books, puzzles and a dozen other distractions, but Kagami was more the physical type. Besides, the sooner he jumped back into physical activity, the less work he'd have to do when he'd full recovered. He didn't do anything reckless; he'd even talked it over with Dr. Hirofumi. As long as he didn't overdo things, it was fine.

Slipping his shirt off, Kagami mentally cursed when the article of clothing fell short of the bed and hit the floor. He'd have to pick it up after he was done. Trailing a hand over the bandages on his torso, he frowned at how grungy they'd look. Well, he didn't think his injuries really needed them anymore. Changing them would have to wait. He needed to finish this daily ritual before he got interrupted. Walking over to the middle of the room, Kagami rotated his shoulders and head, cracking bones and continuing to stretch muscles that were still feeling a bit rusty.

Getting into the first stance, Kagami inhaled and exhaled deeply. He was still an awkward beginner at this, but it was a simple exercise that would at least help him stay active. The best way to do the forms was slowly, concentrating on all of your body. And since Kagami was already very aware of his body because of the soreness…it just seemed perfect. Moving his arms in circular motions and taking deep breaths, Kagami leisurely started.

He had picked up these exercises when he'd finally decided to train his body to fight the Worm. It had been after ZeBee. He had only been ZeBee's Rider for a short time but, back then, it was if he had achieved the greatest goal of his life. All of it was worth having a chance to be actually fighting; not taking measurements and notes behind the sidelines as people got hurt and killed: The awkwardness of using the Rider system, the pressure of being the leader of SHADOW suddenly forced on him…even the pain of being marked by the ZeBee Zector…

Kagami paused in his kata. Come to think of it, even after he had abandoned ZeBee, the mark had remained on his chest for a long while after. He never fully understood it, really. He'd also always wondered if Yaguruma and Kagemaya had ever received the same treatment. But the first Chosen had disappeared when his Zector abandoned him and…he just didn't get along with Kageyama. Plus, asking about such a thing was an awkward topic as it was…let alone in a conversation with a man who'd thought subordinates like Kagami were "expendable".

Breathing in again and continuing, Kagami thought about it further. The mark had actually vanished after he had been chosen by Gatack. Jolted by a sudden though, Kagami stood straight up and made a surprised sound.

Could…could the reason Gatack had rejected him have been…because he'd still been marked by ZeBee? But, wait...if that were true…then why had he been accepted so soon after his first encounter with the Stag Beetle Zector? Certain details of that time in the factory were still very unclear to Kagami. He had…fallen to the floor…in more pain than he'd ever been in, sliding into a darkness…hearing only the echoes of his despairing thoughts that he was useless and couldn't save anyone with his strength.

And then…there had been warmth and an unwavering confidence. No…not confidence, but a feeling of purpose. He had his true partner. Everything was going to be all right. He knew exactly what he was going to do and how to do it. He would fight the Worm with his own hands. It was Destiny. He wondered if that was how Kabuto Zector made Tendou feel.

Shaking his head of such deep thoughts, Kagami tried to refocus his efforts into the motions. Even in full health he probably didn't look half as graceful it he was supposed to. After he had recovered from ZeBee's loss, Kagami had looked for every way he could to become stronger to fight without use of the Rider suit. He had been surprised to realize that ZECT actually offered several training courses to its members. He was very untrained and clumsy, but the instructor of the program he had chosen had admired his dedication to becoming stronger. She had been the one to introduce him to these slower exercises, claiming that they were beneficial to any sort of person. Kagami was a bit skeptical, preferring the more fast-paced and energetic forms; he just couldn't get the hang of it! He felt too awkward even attempting it in front of casual observers. But, if it was the most he could do right now, then he'd do it. At least he didn't have an audience.

Starting to feel an aching burn in his muscles, Kagami finished the kata and straightened up, glancing at the clock on the wall. Thirty minutes. That was almost twice as long as he'd been able to do a couple days ago. He was getting better! But, his legs were already starting to feel a bit shaky and he was covered in a fine sheen from the slight exertion so far. He thought he could continue through the "cool down" part of the exercises though. Just go slowly and carefully. Concentrate on the body. Kagami repeated this mantra over and over in his head as he continued.

The door to the room opened.

"Yo."

Kagami, surprised by the sudden entrance, stepped backwards; only to have his feet tangle in his discarded pajama shirt. Unable to regain his balance even enough to make a controlled fall against the bed, Kagami braced himself for impact against the hard floor.

Only to be caught just as he started his descent.

They stayed like that for a few moments: Tendou with his arms around Kagami, Kagami with his fingers digging into Tendou's shoulders. Still panting, half from his workout half from the ebbing adrenaline rush, Kagami loosened the grip to where his fingers were no longer digging into the other man's shirt.

He then started to realize how close they were, his face was practically touching the base of his neck, Tendou's hair brushing against his cheek. It felt damp; he must have just gotten out of the shower. His body, just then comprehending that it wasn't going to be injured for the third time in a row, started to relax.

Tendou, having apparently been waiting for Kagami to calm down dragged the other man into a proper standing position. After making sure he could stand on his own feet, Tendou slowly stepped back, arms sliding off of him.

Kagami…couldn't work up the nerve to look at him just yet. Face heating from the double mortification of having been caught doing something he thought was embarrassing…and then having to be saved again from his own clumsiness. Tendou apparently sensed this and they shared a few moments of awkward silence before Kagami spoke.

"What…is it?"

Tendou paused for a moment. Kagami pushed past his awkward feeling to look at him. Tendou adopted a somewhat challenging expression before handing Kagami something: his cell phone. Kagami made a soft, surprised sound; didn't Misaki confiscate this when he had left on medical leave? (Claiming that she knew him well enough to think he'd try to contact ZECT everyday for updates on the Worm attacks)

"…I ran into Misaki yesterday. She entrusted this to me. To give to you if I saw you." Tendou said this in a tone Kagami assumed as grouchy. The man really disliked ZECT, for some reason. Kagami took the phone gingerly from him and carefully sat down on the bed, studying it. The blue phone seemed like an omen. He'd have to leave this place soon.

"What was it…you were doing when I came in?" Tendou had crossed his arms in the usual nonchalant manner and was leaning against the dresser.

Face feeling a bit hot, Kagami had hoped Tendou wouldn't mention it!

"I've…been training..."

"Oh?" Tendou seemed amused.

"Yeah. There are a lot of programs at ZECT."

"…I see." Kagami must be breaking some record, this was the second or third time he'd chased a smile away from Tendou's face in less than a second. Why did the man hate ZECT so much?

"What's with that face? Why do you hate ZECT so much? They're the ones that let gave you Kabuto Zector…"

"They can not give…what was already mine" Tendou said matter-of-factly.

Sighing at an answer he should have expected, Kagami rubbed his face tiredly.

"…When was the last time your bandages were changed?"

Ah! He'd hoped that Tendou wouldn't have noticed. When he didn't answer right away, Tendou sighed heavily. Uncrossing his arms, Tendou walked out of the room without another word.