Hey! Next chapter! Nothing to report so, ON WITH IT!

OH! Almost forgot! Thank you all for the reviews!

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Kai stood outside, letting the breeze cool him off. That argument with the others was really getting to him now. He shouldn't have said those things. Maybe he should apologize?

"After some air," he told himself rubbing his forehead but then stopping his trek to the pond edge as a sound caught his ear. Turning on his heel, the Russian came face to face with bright greens and sandy hair. "You should be sleeping."

"I know, but I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with your teammates. What's gotten into you, Kai?" Cody asked looking the taller boy in the eye.

Kai looked away and sighed. "I guess all this is getting to me. Keith's death, Jason showing up, the fight in three weeks. I just don't think that we can win this time . . ."

"DON'T YOU EVER SAY THAT!" Cody cut in sharply. He shook his head and sighed. "I bet I know one thing that could get your mind off of everything."

Kai arched an eyebrow. "What?"

The boy smiled a devilish smile. "Kai, I challenge you to a street-blading battle!"

-Kai's POV-

"What?" I asked. Ok, now THAT caught me off guard. Cody never liked street-blading, even though he was VERY good at it.

"I challenge you to a street battle," he repeated, stepping forward and pulling a tan launcher from his pocket, a blade came out of the other, its tan and green attack ring flashing silver in the dim light.

I shook my head. "Now, what's gotten into you?"

"I've just been itching to battle, and you need to practice and clear your head," the younger boy replied placing his blade on his launcher. "Now, ready your blade!"

-Normal POV-

Kai shook his head, but placed his blade on his launcher, listening as it clicked, ready to do battle. He moved ever so gracefully into his stance, watching his old friend move as well.

"Ready?"

"Ready," Kai replied calmly, closing his eyes easily as they both pulled on the rip cords. Kai's body relaxed instantly as he let instincts take over.

Cody was coming from the left as the air currents wavered from his form disrupting their path.

Ducking, the phoenix made a swing with his right foot, his blade mimicking his movement. He heard metal on metal and bare foot on abb, smiling inside, but yet he did not open his eyes.

Cody back-flipped after the blow and landed lightly on the balls of his feet.

"Nice hit, but that won't stop Jason or Cobra," the younger teen said matter-of-factly, rubbing his stomach where the phoenix had kicked him. "Let me feel your full power, Kai. Don't hold back just because of my condition. I can withstand a whole lot more than that."

"Alright. Whatever you say," he replied, letting his body relax more, eyes still closed.

Cody bent his knees slightly, ready to spring if need be. Kai had already started moving, his feet landing gracefully even though he wasn't looking where he was going. Cody knew that the phoenix could sense where he was, so each time he moved, Kai followed. Cody faked to the left and smiled as Kai strode left while he went right. As soon as he could see the sweat running down Kai's left arm, he flung his fist forward.

Kai could feel his old friend's movements. When he knew that Cody was about to strike, he ducked, feeling the breeze of the blow miss his head by inches. He braced his hands on the ground and swung his feet around. He smiled a little when he hear his foot hit the outstretched arm, sending the younger boy to the ground, only to have him try and attack with his own legs, kicking out to try and knock Kai's arms out from underneath him.

It didn't work.

Kai pushed his arms and used them to jump up and flip over the form of the younger boy. Cody watched, baffled, as his old friend made an almost impossible jump. Kai landed lightly on his feet.

"Get up, Cody," he said quietly. "You wanted this, and you challenged me. So, get up. It can't end this quickly." He could hear Dranzer spinning right beside his feet. Cody's blade was somewhere near him, still spinning, even after the beating it had just received.

Cody wiped the blood running from his torn lip away with the back of his hand. Kai was getting more confident in his moves. Which was good. Kai needed to be very sure of his abilities with everything going on and who he was up against.

Cody grunted as he pushed himself to his feet. He moved back into his stance, his blade right beside him. Bending his knees, he readied himself to charge. He was going to try and hit Kai one last time. He began running but a large cry cut his thoughts away from his attack, causing him to trip and land face down in the dirt. He groaned and looked up, eyeing the rest of the Bladebreakers standing before him.

"What do you two think you are doing?" Robert asked, coming up behind the younger boys.

"I told you he'd turn on you, Kai!" Tyson exclaimed pointing a finger at the younger teen on the ground.

Kai sighed and opened his eyes, striding over to Cody. "Relax, Tyson. Cody was just helping me cool off and practice." He reached down and tugged gently on the younger boy's elbow, bringing him up to stand on his feet once again.

Tyson stood with the others, mouth open wide, not believing what he just heard. Shaking his head, he snorted and crossed his arms. "That's right. You trust him a whole lot more than you trust us. I forgot. How could I be so stupid?"

Cody saw Kai's arm jerk before he even saw the punch. Kai hit Tyson hard, sending the younger teen to slam against the wall of the dojo. The phoenix was going to follow the dragon master, but not if he had anything to say about it.

"Kai, stop!" He jumped on top of the taller teen's back, sending the startled boy to the ground. "Kai, stop," he said quietly, holding the strong arms out to the sides to where Kai wouldn't be able to reach back and attack him.

The phoenix struggled a little more until Tyson finally came to his senses, Max and Ray helping him to his feet.

Robert and the rest of the Majestics came over to the two teens on the ground, but one growl from Kai made them stop.

"Kai, keep acting like that, and I'm not going to let you get up," Cody whispered. He was getting tired, but he had to keep the phoenix under control. It was his fault that Kai's blood was pumping. He was the one who challenged the phoenix to a fight. He was responsible.

Kai snorted to the younger boy's comment.

Ray and Max set Tyson on the edge of the dojo and then looked back at the phoenix on the ground.

"Geez, Kai. What was that for? I was only saying the truth!" Dragoon's master wailed, rubbing his cheek.

"Because you were being stupid, Tyson," Cody answered, glaring at the navy haired blader.

Tyson looked over at the younger boy. "I was just repeating what he said. It's not my fault he doesn't care for us."

This got Cody's anger to rise. "If he didn't care about you, then why is he sticking his neck out to save you!?"

Kai stiffened as the others gasped.

"You keep saying he doesn't care about you, that he trusts me more. I'll tell you what, if there are any people that Kai cares about more than anything, it's his team! He would do anything, and he is doing everything for you guys! He is sticking his life out on the line for you, but guess what? You guys are the ones who don't care! Cobra is wanting your bit beasts. If he takes Kai's Dranzer, then Kai'll-"

"CODY, ENOUGH!" Kai's voice cut in sharply.

Cody blinked, trying to hold back his angered tears, but failed. Sniffing, he quickly pushed off of Kai and ran, not knowing where he was going to go.

"Cody!"

-S-S-S-S-S-

Hints for the next chapter -

Kai tells in detail of what Cody started to say, and Jason makes another appearance.

Don't forget to review!

See ya later!