Kai woke up at half past two. Wide eyes stared at the ceiling, a sence of heaviness in his chest. His body was sore all over, so much that he didn't even want to move in his bed. 

And "Akchu!!" He had definitely caught a cold during his last night...endeavour. Kai shuddered at this, pulling the blanket closer around himself. The experience of getting back lost memories never bode with him well, but he was glad that he atleast had had the chance to prepare himself this time. And as for the memories itself... there was nothing he could do about them, but lock them at the very back of his mind, along with much worse ones.

He knew he was well rested, yet he felt far from energetic. Realising that sleep had eluded him for now, Kai lethargically got out of bed, moving towards the wash basin to freshen up a bit. A bit of colour had returned back to his face, whether it was from the cold or not, he wasn't sure. His wound seemed undisturbed and the dark circles around his eyes did seem to have reduced a bit. 

Kai slammed the window shut as a chill blew in. He testily realised that his outfit, a dark purple turtleneck t-shirt with co-shoulders, was by no means suited for the winter months in Japan. He grumpily pulled out his black and aqua blue jacket. It wasn't something he used regularly, unlike his other jackets, and he had outgrown it a long time ago, but no matter, it still kept him as warm as it had kept him the very first time.

He went downstairs quietly, making sure not to wake grandpa up, for he usually naps at this hour. In a whim, he decided to make himself red sauce spaghetti. Twenty minutes from then, his spaghetti was all done but boil for a few more minutes. He called Mr Dickenson. "The flat is furnished now. I'm moving in this weekend." He said as soon a he heard Mr D pick up the call. 

"And good afternoon to you too, Kai. Would you ever bother to ask this good old man of his health someday?" Mr Dickenson asked, sounding quite exasperated. Kai rolled his eyes at this. This wasn't the first time he had been reminded of this by Mr D, nor had he forgotten about it.

 Between him and Jason, Kai was sure that they would get him involved into unnecessary pleasantries like the rest of the world one of these days. When a "hm" was all the reply Mr D got, he sighed, "Congratulations are in order then, since I'm pretty sure that I'm not invited for the house warming ceremony."

"That's because I'm not having one." Kai informed him. "So, you're telling me that you would have invited me if you had had one?" Mr D retorted back, only to be met with silence. "Thought so." He sighed again, before continuing "Have you informed grandpa Granger?" "Not yet. I plan to do it onetime this week." He replied. "Anything else?" "I want you to start up with the application process." "Kai, I really think-" but Kai cut him off. "I know what I want, Mr D."  

 "And what exactly is that?!" And for the first time since this call started, Mr D sounded angry. He was once again met with silence. It was Mr D who broke the silence yet again. "I really have to go now. The board meeting is about to start. For now, listen to me carefully Kai. You'll take one step at a time. Inform others about your new place. I heard you'll be cleared from the doctors next week. Get back into shape. Get into a routine. I'll not discussing this anytime soon. Goodbye Kai." and without waiting for a reply, he ended the call.

Kai didn't realise what had happened until he heard the call disconnect. No one, and he meant no one, had dared to end the call in his face until then, especially not after telling him what he should and shouldn't do. But the anger that should have bubbled up never came. He realised that he was way too exhausted to even feel anger anymore, too drained. Kai rubbed his face, thinking how messed up his life, mind, emotions,.. basically everything was. He walked back into the kitchen, only to find himself having company.

****** 

When Max and Tyson started making plans to head out to the river and chill for some time, Ray quietly excused himself. He had to go in search of Kai. Sure, it was a 'mama-duck' thing to do, but Ray couldn't just ignore where Kai was and whether he was okay. 

He decided to stop by the dojo first, just in case, before heading towards the hill. And luck was with him, for he found the kitchen steaming with a tasty aroma and Kai's quiet voice acros the hall, near the telephone. Happy to have saved himself from a lot of unnecessary searching, Ray dodged his school bag on the kitchen table. He washed his hands before checking out the contents on the stove. Spaghetti and sauce, Yumm yumm!! he thought. Since the spaghetti was just done, he offed the stove.

 It was when he heard the phoenix wielder's light feet that he started talking. "You shouldn't let your spaghetti boil for too long, Kai. I just saved it from becoming a mushy mess of dough." he said, whistling an off beat tune. He strained the spaghetti to get rid of the excess water, before mixing it up with the sauce Kai had created beforehand. 

"Oh man! This smells heavenly!" moaned Ray as Kai came to stand beside him. "Didn't know you could cook this good, Kai. You should definitely make something for us sometime." He said, momentarily glancing his way. Kai muttered a hm as he rubbed his face. Ray checked out the new jacket on his friend. It seemed a bit old, the colour having slightly faded and the edges being slightly freyed. It got a bit tight near his shoulders, but hugged his body like second skin everywhere else, drawing attention to every curve and bend of his muscles. Remembering Tyson's complaints about all the attention Kai got from his female fans, Ray couldn't help but think how much harder Tyson's life would get if they saw him now. No-one could resist 'not' checking out Kai with his killer looks. Ray decided for a compliment, "And the dash of colour to your wardrobe would certainly enhance your highschool sensationalism, Kai" he teased. "Hm, hm" was all the reply he got.

 Ray gets easily put off when Kai got into a mood like this, answering everything with that one damned syllable of his. He poured the spaghetti to a bowl, before turning to face Kai, planning on giving him another stern lecture about etiquettes  only to find him swaying slightly on his feet. "Kai, you alright-" Ray started, only for Kai to on him like a sac of potatoes. 

Ray was startled, no doubt about it. It's not everyday that your sourpuss of a captain falls in your arms, though he hadn't really lost consciousness. His crimson eyes looked dull and dazed, not really focussing on his surroundings. Until then, Ray hadn't realised how warm Kai was and how badly he was shivering, inspite of wearing a snug sweatshirt. 

Ray quickly settled him on the old recliner, before checking his pulse. It seemed normal. Kai's breaths were spaced long, but shallow. He had definitely grown paler, except for his cheeks, which had tinged into a lovely shade of pink, making it look ike Kai was blushing. Ray scoffed at his thoughts. Kai will blush hell freezes over, he thought. Ray finally decided that Kai was just sick, nothing serious to do with his injury or something. Hence, he went out to retrieve a blanket for him.

******

To be brutally honest, Kai was not at all pleased to see Ray making his lunch for him. He wasn't even supposed to be here for atleast an hour! Kai internally groaned, 'The one day he takes a leave, the school ends early!! How could they!!!' Kai didn't bother himself trying to kick Ray out, knowing fully well that he wouldn't be leaving any time soon. He quietly went and stood next to him. It was only when he was this close to the stove did he realise how much he was starving. 

Suddenly, the room tilted sideways. Kai grabbed hold of the sink, willing the room to stop shaking. Ray seemed to be asking him something, but his voice felt like it was coming from a far away tunnel. He answered it with a hmm wherever he thought it was appropriate, but didn't really hear him.  

And the next thing he knew, Ray was helping him out by wrapping him in a blanket. He was sitting on one of the old recliners present at the end of the kitchen. It took a moment for Kai to realise what had happened. He had passed out, again. Kai's face burnt with humiliation. This must be his newest personal low, fainting thrice within twenty-four hours of time. 

Ray was crouched down before him, asking him something, but his face kept coming in and out of focus. Kai gestured for a minute with his fingers, and Ray seemed to get the message. He got up from there, finally giving him some space. Kai tried breathing deeply, arranging his thoughts in a sequence. But his brain felt too mushy for such a basic instruction. What was wrong with him? He thought in frustration, a soft growl escaping his lips. 

A cold glass of water was kept on his hand, bringing Ray back into his line of sight, and thank his lucky stars (if he had any), that he didn't go out of focus this time. He drank the cup of water, pouring the last bit on his face. The water formed trickles down his neck, dampening his collar a bit.  The cool water brought back a stark sense of reality in him. Ray didn't seem to be in a talkative mood anymore. "My lunch?" He asked, not liking how weak his voice sounded. Ray quietly handed him the spaghetti, deliberately looking back at the wall clock to make his point. 

It read four thirty, so what?

Kai devoured his lunch in seconds, not really caring that Ray was sitting just a few feet away from him, analysing his every move. He eagerly nodded for a second helping too when Ray asked him for it. After finishing his lunch, Kai slowly got up from his chair, testing his strength. When the world around him didn't start spiralling away again, he walked a bit more confidently. 

Ray leaned sideways next to him now, watching him do the dishes. "When was the last time you had had a proper meal Kai?" He questioned. Kai pointedly ignored him and his question. He knew it for a fact that the only thing he had had yesterday was a cup of coffee from Mrs Tachinbana. And he had just about gotten up now. So, the last meal he had had must have been Monday's dinner. It was Wednesday evening now. No wonder he had gotten dizzy. And there was no way in hell that he would admit the last meal he had had to Ray of all people.

 Ray gently pried his hands away from the sink. He held him by his shoulders, making him face him. Kai realised that Ray was just as tall as him, but a lot more stocky, with his rippling biceps and triceps. He momentarily felt like a child being reprimanded by an elder brother. 

"I'm sorry," Kai said, slowly looking at Ray in the eye. Kai's tense shoulders drooped a bit, as though all the fight had left him. Ray was taken aback. Kai was not one to throw in a thank you or an apology just like that. And he had a nagging feeling that it wasn't for just today. He was reminded of the bey-battle that had taken place at the hospital and all the other times Kai had been a moody prick since then. 

But before he could come up with a fitting reply, his phone rang. The trance where Kai was being emotionally open and approachable, was broken. Ray picked the call, "All right, we'll be there in a minute" he answered, before looking back at Kai. "Apology accepted only if you accompany me to the hospital right this minute. The taxi is waiting at the entrance." He cheekily said, pointing at his phone.

 Kai's gaze turned from confused to murderous at this. He was now lamenting his impulsiveness. Judging from the cocky grin that was plastered on Ray's face now, both of them knew that there was no turning back for him. Kai had just gotten himself cornered. 

"I hate you, you know that don't you?" He huffed and glared, yet he knew his heart wasn't in it. For the first time in his nearly three years of adolescence, he actually felt like he fitted the definition of a teenager perfectly - Reckless, Moody and Impulsive. Ray laughed, "I love you too, cupcake!"  He endearingly smiled, gingerly ruffling up his hair. "And grab yourself a coat, the evenings are getting chilly these days." He jovially reminded him before picking up his schoolbag and heading towards the front door.

 Kai momentarily thought of making a break through the kitchen's back door. But then he was reminded of the small skip in Ray's step as he headed out. Ray was genuinely happy that he was letting him help him. Honestly, How many people had he met in his life who would use a favor bestowed upon them by him for his own good? A handful of them at best. So, the least he could do for them was oblige by them.

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Words: 2327

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A/N: So... How was it?