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
Chapter32 – Is this the end?
Sam opened her eyes and quickly shut them at the sudden bright haze that greeted her. She waited a few moments before slowly opening one eye then the other. The world seemed blurry and for a moment Sam was unsure of her surroundings. After a minute or so, the gloom dispersed and Sam's vision cleared. Her world appeared to be completely white. "Like heaven," Sam murmured. She looked above her and frowned. "Heaven…with fluorescent lights…" she took a deep breath, "…and smelling strongly of bleach!" Sam smiled at her own wit as she recalled that she was in the Hospital.
Glancing about her once more, Sam's eyes fell upon the armchair beside her bed and, more importantly, on the young man who was fast asleep there. His dark blue bangs covering his face, rustling each time he exhaled. Sam giggled quietly and threw back the sheet which covered her. Getting to her feet, Sam swayed slightly and clutched the railing of her bed for support as she waited for the world to stop spinning. When everything was once again still, Sam walked quietly over to Kai's sleeping form and placed a hand on his shoulder.
When he didn't stir, Sam reached up to brush the hair away from his face when Kai's hand suddenly shot out and grabbed her wrist. "You," he said, raising his head and looking her in the eyes, "shouldn't be out of bed." Sam glared at him, a smiling tugging at her lips. "And you," she replied, "shouldn't be in here!" Kai released her wrist as his face grew serious. "Why didn't you tell me Sam?" He asked quietly. Sam sighed and sat on the edge of her bed. "And what? Let you stop me blading?" Sam placed a hand on her stomach, which Kai noticed was slightly swollen beneath her white hospital robe. "I'm sorry Kai," Sam sighed, glancing back up at him, "but I just couldn't!"
Kai could see the anguish in her eyes as she spoke. Pulling himself out of his chair, he went and sat beside her. Tentatively, he reached out and took Sam's hand, weaving his fingers in with hers. Sam smiled at him and squeezed his hand affectionately, her eyes holding his. Slowly Kai lent his head forward and brushed his lips against hers. Sam kissed him back before pulling back. "Did we win?" She demanded. Kai blinked. Sam repeated the question. "Win what?" he asked. Sam rolled her eyes. "Win the tournament you dolt!" Kai smiled mischievously at her, remaining silent. Sam narrowed her eyes. "Well?" Kai shrugged, I don't know if this dolt can remember!"
Sam growled at him, a smile tugging at her lips. "Very funny Blue Boy," she hissed, "but I'm not laughing." Kai's smile broadened as he watched Sam glare at him, but still he did not reply. Before she could do anything more the ward door swung open causing her and Kai to jump apart. Glancing up she saw the rest of the Bladebreakers burst into the room. "SAM!" Upon catching sight of Sam, Tyson raced across the room, arms open. Sam shut her eyes and steeled herself for the hug; one arm going around her stomach and prayed Tyson wouldn't crush her.
The next thing Sam heard a thud and Tyson groaning. Opening her eyes she saw Tyson sitting on the floor and a very irritated Kai standing above him. She looked at Kai and smiled gratefully. Kai winked at her before glaring at Tyson. "You idiot!" he hissed, "Sam's sick. You don't squeeze the life out of her!" Tyson blushed as he pulled himself to his feet. Walking calmly over to Sam, Tyson gave her a brief hug before stepping aside and allowing the others to greet Sam. Max was the last to get to Sam and when he did he had tears in his eyes. "Hello Sam," he said, his voice choked with emotion.
Sam smiled warmly at her friend. Spreading her arms she gave Max a large hug. She had missed his company dearly. As Max stepped back, he wiped the tears from his cheeks. "For a while we weren't sure if you would…" he didn't finish the sentence but Sam knew what he meant. "Well I did," Sam replied, before resting a hand on her stomach. "We did." She added in a whisper. She then quickly looked at her team. "So did we win?" Kai smiled as the rest of the team blinked. "Kai didn't tell you?" Ray asked. Sam shook her head, glaring at Kai.
Before Ray could answer, Tyson suddenly spoke up. "Hey. How come you were here so early, Kai? We were looking for you everywhere." Kai shrugged.
"I had a few things to clear up with Sam…in private!" The boys blinked, not understanding but Sam cut off any further questions. "Hey! Back to me! Did we win?" Max smiled.
"Yeah, we won. That move you made completely destroyed the dish too." Sam couldn't contain the shout of victory that erupted at the announcement. "ALRIGHT!!!!" She cried, pumping her fist in the air. This was obviously too much for her as the world suddenly swayed and she hung onto the rail of her bed.
Kai took a step forward to help her but stopped himself. He didn't want his team thinking he was weak. Sam looked at him, but said nothing. Just then the door opened and Doctor Nickerson walked in. "Well, I see you have a few admirers, Sam." Sam glared at her doctor. "Please tell me you've come to inform me I can go home." She stood up and faced her doctor, grasping her hands in front of her. "Please Scott?" Doctor Nickerson studied her for a minute. "That depends." He said, walking up to her. "How are you feeling?" Sam placed both hands on her hips. "I'm fine, Scott! I've been fine for ages!" Doctor Nickerson gave her a look. "But it's not just about you, is it Sam?" Sam bit her lip, her hand falling to her side, as she quickly looked around at her team mates.
Doctor Nickerson noticed her anxious expression. "I take it you haven't told them yet." Sam shook her head, unable to meet his eyes. "Told us what?" Tyson demanded. "What's wrong with Sam?" Doctor Nickerson looked at Sam. Sam took a deep breath. "I probably should have told you guys earlier…" she paused, then suddenly it all came out. "Guys I'm pregnant. I have been for the past two months. That's why I collapsed at the championships. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I know I should have…but…"she couldn't go on. A tear trickled down her cheek as she raised her head and looked at each member of her team. They were all staring at her in shock.
Sam finally met Kai's eyes and he smiled slightly at her. Sam felt a smile of her own tug at her lip. There was silence in the room until Tyson suddenly spoke. "So you're…you're going to be a mum?" Sam nodded. Tyson suddenly grinned. "WOW!" Sam laughed in surprise. "Wow?" the rest of the team echoed. Tyson shrugged. "Well come on! It's kinda cool." Sam shook her head, a smile spreading across her mouth. Trust Tyson!!
"Who's the father?" Ray suddenly asked. Everyone fell silent before looking at Sam.
Sam glanced at Kai, wondering if she should tell them. This must have given them the wrong idea as all eyes suddenly turned to Kai. Tyson stared in disbelief. "Is…K…Kai…?" Kai jumped off the wall in shock. "Hell no!" He cried. "So if it's not Kai," Ray said, "then who?" All eyes turned back to Sam. Sam wriggled uncomfortably. "I don't actually know." She said at last. "You see I was…" she glanced at Scott. Doctor Nickerson looked back at the boys. "I think Sam needs a little rest. You can come back and see her this afternoon."
Before the boys could protest, Scott ushered them out of the room. Sam sighed in the empty room before climbing back into bed. From there she stared out the window for a very long time…
Once outside the room, Doctor Nickerson took the boys down the corridor before explaining to them what had happened to Sam. All except Kai stared in shock at the doctor as they let this sink in. "When can she be released?" Kai asked, breaking the silence. Scott thought for a moment. "If all appears well…this afternoon." Kai nodded and headed for the elevator the rest of his team following behind him.
At one o'clock, Sam couldn't wait to be out of the hospital. She had a snooze, woken up, had some tests and finally had been given the all clear to leave the hospital. She had quickly got changed into her own clothes and now all she had to do was wait for Mr. Dickenson to show up. Scott had told her Mr. Dickenson would be picking her up at one and taking her to the airport where she would return to Hong Kong.
Sam was now dieing of anxiety at the thought of seeing her grandfather again. Sam looked at the clock again. One-oh-one. He was late. Just as Sam was about to sigh, the door swung open and Scott entered the room. "Mr. Dickenson is in the hall with the rest of your friends. So if you are ready…" Sam almost knocked him over in her rush to get out of the room.
Upon catching sight of Mr. Dickenson she rushed over to him and gave him a hug. Mr. Dickenson smiled before offering Sam his arm and leading her out to the awaiting taxi-van. Inside she could see the rest of her team smiling warmly at her. Climbing in and taking a seat between Max and Ray, Sam spent most of the drive talking or drinking her first diet coke in three days.
They reached the airport in only a couple of minutes and ten minutes later the Bladebreakers sat together in the terminal waiting for Sam's flight to be called for boarding. They didn't need to wait long. Fifteen minutes later the announcement crackled over the speakers and Sam stood up. "That's me," she said cheerfully. It was then that she noticed her team mate's faces and realised what this all meant. She was returning to Hong Kong and leaving her team behind.
One by one they all came up to her and said their goodbyes. Sam hugged each one warmly. Except Kai who stayed where he was on the wall, head down so his face was concealed by his hair. Sam held back her disappointment. "I'll see you all next championships!" she said as happily as she could. Still she could not hold back the tears that came to her eyes at leaving her dear friends. She noticed Max was already crying and gave him another hug. After which Tyson insisted on another hug too. So she hugged each one, one last time.
Still Kai did not move. "Final call for any passengers flying on flight HKG560 to Hong Kong." Sam sighed and walked over to Kai. "So are you going to say goodbye?" she demanded. Kai glanced up at her. "Why?" he asked casually, "you said it yourself you'll see us at the next championships." Sam shrugged before smiling sadly as she turned and walked away. Suddenly a hand reached out and grabbed her shoulder. Spinning around, Sam found herself staring at Kai. "I said I wouldn't say goodbye," he said, taking her hand in his, "for we are sure to meet again. That does not mean I am not going to miss you, cause I will…after all a year is a long time to wait." Sam smiled, quickly hugging him, much to his annoyance.
Sam had to force herself to pull away as she smiled up at him and walked away. Kai let her hand slip from his as he watched her go. She didn't look back until she reached the gate, where she waved one final time before disappearing from sight. Kai walked away, the rest of his team following behind him.
It wasn't until Sam was sitting down in her seat that she felt the tears well up in her eyes and fall onto her cheeks. Quickly turning her face to the window so no one else would see, she wiped the tears away with the palm of her hand. She knew in her heart she would see her team again, but it didn't make it any less difficult to leave them behind.
Sam felt a small movement in her stomach and placed her hand over it, a smile spreading over her lips. She allowed her mind to turn to happier thoughts as the plane started it's take off. She watched the land slip away below her and sighed. "It isn't the end," she whispered, "Is it?"
"I'm sorry miss," a warm voice beside her said suddenly, causing Sam to jump. Looking up she saw the stewardess standing beside her. She smiled warmly. "I'm sorry to disturb you miss, but can I get you anything?" Sam smiled happily.
"A diet coke thanks," she said smoothly and giggled happily at the warm memories that filled her mind. "No, it's not the end." She said again, her hand patting the small mound in her stomach, "it's only the beginning!"