Not much to say except its another chapter for Sweet and Bitter Love.

This one's going to be a bounce back to the Underworld capital to see everyone's reactions to Kaz's now revealed pregnancy. This maybe a big mix of various POVs.

Chapter 7: Um…Tom's POV?

Pregnant. Pregnant.

That was the only word that bounced around in my head at the moment. Kaz was pregnant. She was going to have a baby. My baby. I'm going to be a father.

These thoughts were shortly followed by immediate doubts. I'm only sixteen (and that's in Neko years!) and I'm going to be a father. I'm not ready for that. Sure I had my brothers to look up to, but being a really good older brother isn't the same as being a father.

But it was then the reality of how that baby got there hit me faster then one of Kevin's tackles. I raped her. Oh Great Mother Earth, I raped Kazlyn. My best friend. My Sun. And now she's going to be a mother.

If Rei and Lee found out about this…oh Shangri (1), they'll disown me! Even if the village is no more and our people all but scattered, the rule had been ingrained into them since they were kittens. I have to be the biggest disgrace to the Kon name in history.

All I could do was stare at her as she reminded there on the ground, frozen with that classic deer caught in the headlights sort of look. But her eyes shone with fear.

In hindsight, this would explain so much. Her sickness, even when she didn't have anything left to heave-ho. Her quirky mood swings during what meetings she could manage to attend. I can't help but wonder how we all missed this.

It then clicked. Those dreams…they weren't dreams, they were memories! Of Kaz and me when we were captured by Von Bloot! Kaz was Red! It was just so fuzzy…but it made so much sense I just wanted to bite myself for not realizing it sooner.

(Peyton's POV)

How could I miss this? How? The signs were obvious. The mood swings, the nausea. What kind of a doctor can't recognize the obvious? Paranormal doc or not.

And the injures were just as suggestive. Especially the bruising on her legs. Why didn't I see it?

(Lulu's POV)

I knew it! I just knew it! I just knew there was more to the whole thing then Kaz was letting on, I just knew it! Shit, if I wasn't so shy and unsure about prying into my few friends' space, maybe this wouldn't have happened!

…dammit! Why didn't she just tell me?

I can sort of understand why she didn't want to tell anyone else; Sarah would've told straight out, regardless of how much Kaz may of begged and pleaded, and Peyton for all his good intentions can't keep a secret to save his life…err…afterlife? Gah! Point is, they weren't the best for secrets, though, granted, I may want to rethink my opinion on Peyton, seeing how long he's kept his own power hidden.

Okay, side-tracked. Tom was obvious. I understood little about this 'no-rape' rule from his birth home when Kaz tried to explain it to us once when Tom got upset about this little homework assignment he got once about the subject. But I understood enough that Tom was pretty much going to be orphaned if his family ever found out and his life was now, pretty much destroyed.

H'earring and the other Underworlders, I can't say for sure why she didn't tell them. Most were the best at keeping secrets as well as discovering them, but then again, their reactions would've given Tom a head's up about what was going on, so I guess it was understandable.

…but why didn't she tell me? We bonded over the loss of our mothers! We went on private scan quests that she didn't even tell Tom about, we saved each other's hides and always had each other's backs when no one else was around…we practically became sisters…

…didn't she trust me…?

(Kazlyn's POV)

Oh God, oh God, oh God. They know! They all know!

This just had to happen didn't it? Dammit Skithia, this was not how I wanted to tell them. Takinom and Chaor were going to blame Tom, I just know it, and CJ's going to too, I just know he will. Tom! Oh God! I finally tore my eyes away, unable to take the pure horror in his eyes and flinched upon seeing the absolute hurt in Lulu's own.

I blinked as I finally felt something run down my face and I realized I was crying. Dammit, a Morse does not cry! Damn that Skithia...I just wish Von Bloot could've just killed me...

'Kazlyn...' CJ reached out through our link, but I squeezed my eyes shut, unable to look anyone in the eyes, 'Little Sister...' I can't take this...

Shooting to my feet, I turned and raced out the door, trying to ignore the burning in my chest as I tried to put as much distance between myself and them as possible. God, did I mess up big time on this one.

(No one's POV)

As Kaz fled, ignoring CJ and Hearring's shouts to come back, the spell of shock and silence that seemed to fall over everyone was broken. By none other than one very angry, very unhappy and very protective Chaor.

Grabbing a pyroblaster from a nearby (still stunned) guard, he all but shoved the barrel right into Tom's face, much to Maxxor and Intress' alarm, while yelling, "I SHOULD BLAST YOUR HEAD OFF RIGHT HERE!" And Tom was so full of guilt, shame and utter shock, he either didn't notice or care, cause he didn't flinch, even from the hot metal that threatened to burn his fur.

"Hey, HEY!" Maxxor shouted grabbing onto the blaster and pulled it away from his son-figure's head, "There's no need to go off threatening to-"

"NO NEED?" Chaor yelled back in response trying to pull it out of his Overworld counterpart's grip, "YOUR LITTLE HUMAN PET, SON, WHATEVER, DIDN'T JUST MATE WITH MY DAUGHTER, HE GOT HER WITH CHILD! I DON'T REMEMBER GETTING NEWS OF A COURTSHIP, MUCH LESS ANY TRAILS OR A MARRIAGE!" Takinom, also enraged, throws herself into the fight by jumping onto Maxxor's back, trying to make him let go.

More chaos ensued right then. All of the guards started shooting their mouths, trying to comprehend what just happened beyond the fact the human Underworlder was having a chlid, something that shouldn't be possible as humans are suppose to be just...what's the word, code?...here. One of the Danian guards actually voiced, "What on the Great Plains' green fields just happened...?"

Intress momentarily forgot her anger and protective instincts towards the boy she came to see as her second cub, to give the guard a deadpanned look of disbelief as she asked, "Seriously? Where were you about five minutes ago, again?"

"I'M NOT CHANGING MY MIND!" Chaor yelled at Maxxor, "SO LET GO SO I CAN KILL THAT LITTLE SON OF A-"

CJ took that moment to interrupt, by ripping the blaster out both lords' hands and stating in his usual blunt tone, "If anyone gets first dips on killing Tom for this," He then easily snapped the blaster in half, "Its ME!"

Chaor gave an angry roar at that, his anger and hate for Von Bloot over-riding any common sense he had. Just as he got ready to fling a Flame Swarm, not caring if he hit CJ, Maxxor or Tom, a familiar pair of voices echoed out in a yell loud enough to be heard over all the voices, "ENOUGH!" As another fire blast struck Chaor harmlessly, ending the attack before he could use it. The creatures turned to see Najarin and Kopond standing there, not at all amused with the chaos that has ensued.

Of course, their arrival did not smooth anything out, in fact, you could say it only made things worse. A good number of guards started spouting questions all at once about the humans odd new powers along with the leaders demanding to know what information they've gathered on how to free Tom and Kaz from their entrapment in Perim, though Chaor was mostly still getting his anger over this new found pregnancy out of his system. All the noise caused H'earring and Tom to cover their highly sensitive ears in displeasure.

"Why didn't Kaz tell us she was going to have a baby?" H'earring asked sounding (and looking) much like a small child that was trying to comprehend why their parents weren't coming home, making the humans flinch, "Is it a bad thing?"

"It...it depends on your point of view, H'earring," Lulu tried explain after seeing Peyton had yet to take lift his head and Tom was still in a state of shock, "A lot of bad things happened that allowed that baby to be made and it causes a lot of conflicts."

"So she kept it a secret?" H'earring pressed still looking hurt that she didn't tell him. "I guess she thought she was protecting us from the truth or at least..." Lulu said glancing at Tom, who had a few tears sliding down his furred cheeks, but an untrained eye wouldn't notice, "Some of us."

"But I thought she trusted us," H'earring said upset.

But it was only then that the spell over Peyton was broken and he finally looked up. Disbelief was clear on his face as he watched the arguing, the voices of confused creatures trying to make sense of what just happened and two rival lords getting pretty vocal about Kaz's secret.

"-WENT AND RUINED KAZ'S FUTURE!" Chaor roared only the last part of his sentence being heard over the rest of the shouting, causing Tom to recoil as if slapped.

"HEY, IF MEMORY SERVES ME RIGHT!" Maxxor roared back quickly loosing his temper, causing Peyton to frown, "THE HUMAN EXPRESSION GOES; IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO!" Maxxor then muttered to himself, "Whoever came up with that must've been drunk."

"ARE YOU BLAMING MY SISTER FOR THIS?" CJ raged eyes almost literally blazing with fury.

Peyton couldn't take it anymore. He rose several inches off the ground as his eyes glowed. Throwing his head back, he let a very loud wail that had its own echo, cutting clear over all the voices, "QUUUUUUUIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEETTT!" Creating green sonic rings again, only these were much bigger and ragged looking, and his voice had a ringing to it, causing everyone to cover their ears as the vases and windows shattered to pieces.

Everyone, even Chaor, was immediately silent and looked at the still transparent human with wide eyes. Even Lulu and Tom looked stunned, but that didn't stop Peyton from ranting...nor did he tune down the volume, "SHAME ON YOU! SHAME ON YOU ALL! DOESN'T ANYBODY GIVE AN ECHOTO-HOOT DAT VON BLOOT JUST KIDNAPPED SARAN 'N' WAMMA?"

A few stalactites actually fell from the ceiling from the strength of the sound waves, causing a few guards to yelp as they avoided getting hit. "DAT CROOKED-TOOTH BANSHEE OF A HARPY'S PRABABLY DOIN' LORD BELOW KNOWS WHAT TO 'EM AND ALL WE'RE DOIN'BOUTIT IS ARGUING 'BOUT THINGS LEFT UNSAID AND WHO'S FAULT THIS ALL IS!" Peyton continued to rant, miraculously never pausing for breathe, "IF ITS ANYONE'S FAULT, IT'S VON-FUCKIN'-BLOOT'S FOR DRUGGING TOM SO BADLY AH DOUBT HE WOULD'VE REMEMBERED TO ASK FOR KAZZY'S CONSTENT! BUT AIN'T WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS HELPIN FRIENDS IN NEED?"

He finally stopped and dropped to an inch off the floor. Ignoring most's jaw-dropped expressions, the ghost huffed and started to float off, intent on fixing this himself if he had too. But with his anger finally dispensed, all his guilt came crawling back with a vengeance. Guilt for not being able to figure out what was wrong with one of his first and bestest friends. Maybe if he had he could've prevented this all from happening. Peyton felt his stomach churn as his thoughts wondered on the possibility that Von Bloot had done this sort of thing before and that he could plan to do the very same thing to Sarah and Wamma.

Peyton touched the floor and regained his solid form as nausea hit him in waves, allowing him to lean on a wall for support. Tom shook himself out of it and quickly rushed to his obese friend's side, carefully patting his shoulder in comfort as he said, "You know we care Peyton, no one's forgotten."

Despite his rant, Peyton just couldn't stop the harsh whisper, "Why didn't she tell me...?"

Guilt knotted in Tom's stomach at the reminder of his future fatherhood, but kept a small smile on his face as he answered, "I'm sure Kaz has her reasons, just like we all had our reasons for keeping our own secrets." As he said this, he turned to look at CJ, who rotated a shoulder out of reflex after a fight, and Lulu, who was still covered in rock. CJ had a look of indifference at his words, still mad at his sister's pregnancy, while Lulu had the decency to look sheepish as her appearance changed back to normal oh so slowly.

"What are we going to do though?" Mudeenu asked his own guard shifting between him and his brother nervously. "It's mostly up to you," Intress said to the Danian matriarch, "Queen Aszil."

In response, Aszil turned to her top battlemaster, who responded, "Wamma might be a bit lazy, but he's one of our hardest working Mandiblors...when he puts his mind to it, anyway."

"Why don't we take this into the council room," Takinom suggested glancing at the now shattered window, "Who knows who the blasted winger (2) left behind to spy..." Many nodded, following the lead Underworld warrior into the room, including Niveena.

Tiaane paused next to Peyton, who still leaned against the wall, arms crossed, clearly in thought. It was save to say that even the old muge had never seen the boy wear such a deeply concentrated look before, seriousness just didn't suit someone who was usually so joyful and full of good energy. Unable to hide his concern, he asked, "Peyton, will you be alright?"

"Ah just feel ah shoulda paid more attention," Peyton admitted having always found Tiaane the easiest Mipedian to talk too, "Maybe ah coulda stopped dis..." His response made Tiaane frown, a frown Peyton would've recognized if he had been looking up. So it was fair to say if he had been looking, he probably would've dodged Tiaane whacking him on the head, causing a few of the Mipdeian guards to blink.

"OW!" Peyton yelled, thankfully not creating anymore supersonics as he held his head, "Tia'ne! What in da four plains was dat fer?"

"Does it matter?" Tiaane asked unable to stop the smile that grew at the typical Peyton response to his action, "Its in the past."

"Don't mean it don't hert!" Peyton remarked rubbing his head, actually checking his hand for blood. "Yes, well...the past can hurt, regardless of what we do," Tiaane nodded, "But, the way I see it is; you can either run from it..." He then smirked, "Or learn from it!" He swung at the boy again, only for his clawed hand to go right through as Peyton became transparent again.

Holding back a shudder at the sharp cold that went through his arm, Tiaane smiled at his young friend, "See?"

"B-But Kaz..." Peyton said weakly. "Made her choice to keep her child a secret," Tiaane interrupted, "At least know you know what to expect when we save your other friend."

Peyton nodded, "True."

Tiaane nodded as well, before asking curiously, "If I may ask...what happened to your voice?"

Peyton blinked, thrown for a loop, "Huh?"

"Your voice...sounds different from what I last remember," Tiaane cleared. "Oh!" Peyton realized, "Ah got it from mah momma, mah sister speaks da same way too, ah can hide it in mah human form, but not in mah natural form."

Tiaane nodded, accepting the answer for now as Peyton floated and started to go out the window. "Aren't you joining the meeting?" He asked. "Nah, ah need a quick flight," Peyton replied shaking his head, "Sides, dere's somethin' ah need ta get," With that, he flew off, shouting, "Be back in a flash!"

Aiveena noticed Tom was walking in the opposite direction of the room and frowned, going to follow. Lulu noticed and sighed, before beginning to follow, but CJ stopped her, shaking his head.

"Tom," Aiveena called making the cat-boy pause, "Aren't you coming to the meeting?"

Tom didn't respond right away, but when he did, it was soft, "No."

"What?" Aiveena said in disbelief, "Why? Because of what happened?"

"Aiveena, please..." Tom pleaded softly. "No, Tom, you know this isn't your fault," Aiveena said, "Von Bloot drugged you, remem-"

"THAT'S NO GOOD EXCUSE!" Tom yelled his emotions finally snapping. Aiveena recoiled, stunned, "T-Tom..."

"No, Aiveena," Tom said clearly in distress, "I raped her! I raped my best friend! I broke the one rule that my village has been living unchanging by for years!" With a frustrated grunt, he ran his claws through a drape, leaving very distinct claw marks, "Worse, I ruined her life!"

"Tom, you didn't ruin anything," Aiveena spoke in the soft voice she reserved only for when they were alone, "Von Bloot did, if he didn't give you that tonic..."

That didn't stop the tears from running down Tom's cheeks, but he ignored them and walked away from her, saying insistently, "I just need to be alone right now..." Aiveena watched him sadly as he disappeared down the hall.

(Kazlyn's POV)

Oh God, I just want to die right now! If it weren't for the baby I'd probably toss myself out one of the windows right now.

I'm just so ashamed with myself! Letting my emotions get the better of me and letting Skithia reveal the baby...now Sarah and Wamma were probably going through what Tom and I went through...if that's true, Wamma's going to be a wreck. Tom must be feeling horrible when he shouldn't be.

Throwing the door to my room open, I tossed myself onto my bed, trying to disappear into the thick furs as I let my emotions out. My anger, my hate, my sadness, my guilt. It was all coming out so fast and all at once, it was almost suffocating. All that hurt in my friends eyes, it was just too much. Especially in Tom's perfect blue eyes...wait a minute.

Sitting up, I rubbed at my eyes, trying to figure out where that word just came from. Sure, Tom's eyes were a really breath-taking shade of-Whoah there! Hold it, Kazlyn Morse, no thinking like that. Tom's my best friend. Been my best friend since second grade. No way do I find geeky, stubborn, hard-headed, sweet, naive, hot-okay!

"Dammit, you little Imp," I hissed unable to raise my voice from how tired all the emotion-running and crying made me, all I really could do was sit up, "You're messing with my mind aren't you? Trying to get me to like him more then I should..." I just can't be with Tom like that, even if I wanted to.

We've been friends for as long as I can remember. Sure, being around him felt right, but...it can't be more then just a strong friendship, could it?

Gah! This is so confusing! Okay, yes, during that dance back at school when we slow danced it...felt really nice. I felt safe. Just thinking about the way Tom stared at me made me blush and shiver and...whoah, okay!

Getting up, I walked over to my full-length, gold-framed mirror and I'm surprised I didn't recoil at the sight of myself. What kind of girl falls in love after being raped by her intoxicated best friend? A sick girl that's what, a-

I jerked out of those thoughts when I felt a swift, but gentle kick from my baby. Heh, I guess a baby can sense what the mother's feeling.

I gave a heavy sigh as I turned and leaned against the door of my closet, running my hands over my face. How I wish things didn't have to be so difficult...

(Tom's POV)

It was easy to find the gardens. I remember the way to it easy from all the times Kaz dragged me there. It was more of a rock garden, err...crystal garden, I should say. Very little plants grew here despite the warmth and light, instead the Underworld used breath-taking crystals to decorate with and carved most furniture out of rock. Despite the endless dark color to the landscape, the radiant light from the different colored crystals made up for it. It kind of...lifted the mood a bit, every time Kaz and I came here during the past months.

Though, it did little to make this situation any better. Sure, it was true that technically, it's all Von Bloot's fault that all this happened, but...I'm the one who put that baby there and basically ruined both my and Kazlyn's futures. We're both too young to be parents, we haven't even finished high school yet! And yet...I can't bring myself to fully hate the idea of Kaz and I having a family together. It made my brain hurt, but my heart pound every time I picture a little kitten with Kaz's gorgeous golden-brown eyes and my raven-black hair.

Kaz is my best friend, I shouldn't feel this way about her. I shouldn't want to hold her, care for her, want to kiss her...much less repeat all those dreams of Red...should I? The most we've ever done was dance together at school dances, even this one slow dance as a joke, but...I couldn't deny how it made my heart just want to burst...

I face-pawed (3), why did life have to be so difficult? On the subject, when did my life get so difficult?

(No One's POV)

Within the warm sanctuary of her room, Kaz continued to lean against the door of her closet, her once bright, lively eyes, dulled with sadness and conflict as she rested her hands on her baby bump. She then did what she always did when she felt down, she started to sing.

(Kaz):

A million thoughts in my head

Should I let my heart keep listening?

Pushing herself off the closet door, she walked around her room, letting her hand fall to run through the fur blankets.

'Cause up till now, I've walked the line

Nothing lost, but something missing

Kaz lifted a hand to her head and the other over her heart, unable to decide which to listen to.

I can't decide

What's wrong, what's right

Which way should I go?

She started to slowly spin around.

If only I knew what my heart was telling me

Don't know what I'm feeling

Is this just a dream?

Ah ooh, yeah...

If only I could read the signs in front of me

I could find a way to who I'm meant to be

Ah ooh, if only...

As she stopped spinning, she walked toward her window to take in her view of the city.

If only...

She leaned against the sill, trying to fight back her tears.

If only...

In the gardens, Tom sheathed his claws and shoved his hands in his pockets as he wondered through the crystal garden. The light of each crystal reflected off his eyes as he let his mind wander, trying to lighten his mood. He ended up remembering how he got to Chaotic in the first place, by listening to Kaz and how she, Chaotic and Perim changed his whole world, his view on things. He started to sing too.

(Tom):

Every step, every word

With every hour, I am falling in

To something new, something brave

To something I, I have never been

Tom winced as his memory of what happened at Gothos Tower clashed with his memory of when he and Kaz slow-danced.

I can't decide

If it's wrong or right

Which way should I go?

Tom started to weave around the different crystals.

If only I knew what my heart was telling me

Don't know what I'm feeling

Is this just a dream?

Ah ooh, yeah...

Angry, he kicked a piece of fallen crystal and felt like pulling his hair out in frustration with how mixed up his feelings were with the situation.

If only I could read the signs in front of me

I could find a way to who I'm meant to be

Ah ooh

If only...

Kaz slammed her palms against the window, hot tears running her cheeks as she was unable to block out the memory of her assault. Tom slammed his back against a crystal, pounding a fist against it in his frustration, his own tears coming free.

(Tom and Kaz):

Yeah!

Tom spun around, swinging his arms.

(Tom):

Am I crazy?

Maybe, we could happen...yeah..

Kaz watched him from her window as a hand fell to her stomach.

(Kaz):

Will you still be

With me

When the time's all run out...?

Pushing herself away from the window, Kaz ran her hands through her hair, tightening her fingers on a few locks.

If only I knew what my heart was telling me

Don't what I'm feeling

As she looked at herself in her mirror again, Tom, at the same time, turned to see his reflection in the shimmering blue crystal. Tears swelled in their eyes.

(Tom and Kaz):

Is this just a dream?

Kaz picked up her brush and threw it at the mirror, shattering the glass, while Tom punched the crystal, unflinching at the brief pain in his hand as the once pure, smooth surface gained a small webbing of cracks.

Ooh~oooh~oh

If only I could read the signs in front of me

I could find a way to who I'm meant to be

Ah ooooh~ooh~ooh

(Tom):

If only I knew

(Kaz):

If only!

(Tom):

What my heart was

(Kaz):

Ooooh~ooh!

(Tom):

Heart was telling me

(Kaz):

Telling me!

I could find a way to

(Tom and Kaz):

Who I'm meant to be

Ooooh~ooh~ooh!

If only! Yeah~!

Tom fell to his knees, ignoring the shards of crystal crunching under his weigh and digging into his pants, hand sliding against the crystal, pulling more shards free. At the same time, Kaz fell to her knees, covering her face in her hands, freely crying.

(Tom):

If only! Yeah~!

(Kaz):

If only! Yeah~!

(Tom and Kaz):

If only! Yeah~!

If only...

Tom finally let his tears fall, letting the final notes fall out shakily, "If only..."

And that's that for this chapter! Whew! Too a while too and I gotta admit, the song's a nice touch, sorry if it throws anyone for a loop, I just thought it'd be a creative touch.

Anyways, hmm, kinda feel really bad for those two.

Peyton's finally snapped and if anyone's curious, he has sort of an...western accent, you know, sort of like a cowboy in the wild west, but not as bad with the mulling of words. Southern, sorta.

Chaor got to shine as the over-protective (and currently very pissed off) father and Aiveena as the concerned sister.

If anyone's curious, the song is 'If Only' from Disney's Descendants. I personally love the movie and this is one of my favorite songs, though I may have slightly modified it to be more fitting as a duet instead of a solo.

Feel free to tell me what you guys think! In the next chapter we'll be bouncing back to Chaotic to check in on Rei. Until next time!