Beyblade Fan Fiction ❯ Majesty ❯ Chapter 05 ( Chapter 5 )

Authoress' Notes: To my readers at AFF.Net: So sorry about the weirdness of chapter 3 x 3! I have no idea what happened there… Must have been when the site was down for a bit. I fixed it! On with the Rei torture…which had the sole purpose of setting up a scene with Kai that's been in my head since I started this fic. Read on!

Warnings: See chapter one if you're worried about it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade or anything to do with it. Only this fic and it's OC's (if any). I also do not own the song "May It Be" from the LOTR soundtrack. That belongs to Enya.

Pairs: TyKa, ReMa, Hilary/Tala? or Kenny?, Lee/Mariah, others to be decided.

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Chapter 05

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"Oh, wow, Rei." Hilary moved toward him and Max and wrapped her own arm around the neko-jin's abnormally thick waist. "I wasn't expecting this!"

Rei made a whimpering, yowling sound and nearly doubled over in pain before gasping out. "You!? I sure as hell wasn't expecting it - though I should have known better after that last full moon…" he gave Max a scowl.

"Oh sure. Blame me. I wasn't the one who came home and dragged me into the bedroom and hardly left for three days!" Max scowled back, reminding his mate archly.

"I went into heat, Maxie! I only cared about one thing at the time, in case you've forgotten. I didn't hear you complaining either!" Rei growled back.

"That's enough of that, you two. Max is worried and stressed out and Rei is…well he's about to pop and in pain with it." Tyson straightened himself up and took charge. "Hilary's had some training as a midwife and healer right?"

"Well, yes…but I don't know that I can handle this…" she replied.

"You'll do just fine, Hilary. You're all we've got at the moment. First off, though, let's get you back upstairs, Rei. I don't think you want to have the baby here in the front hall." Tyson motioned the neko-jin back upstairs.

Rei gave him a wan smile and allowed Hilary to direct him up the staircase slowly.

"Max, you can do some things for us to prepare for after." Tyson stated. "Go chop up some wood so you can heat up enough water for a bath for Rei later - and the baby."

"Yeah. Okay. I can do that." He looked rather relieved.

"Kenny, I'm sure we'll need someone to run and fetch stuff as we go. Think you can handle that?"

"Certainly." Kenny nodded, stepping forward.

Tyson turned to Kai last as Max blinked and finally noticed Kai and Kenny. "Uh…Kai…how about you just…hang around?" Tyson suggested. "Go on, Max. As soon as Hilary gets Rei settled she'll have plenty of other jobs for you."

Max nodded and rushed off.

Kai folded his arms over his chest and regarded Tyson warily. "I hope you know what you're doing, Kinomiya."

"Kai, you and I are male. We are forever ignorant when it comes to the process and miracle of childbirth. I'll leave that to Hilary. However, I know enough to keep the expectant father - okay, the other one - out of the way. If you decide to help, just do that. Keep Max occupied and away from upstairs."

A loud near-scream echoed in the house from upstairs followed by Hilary calling for Tyson.

"Go on, Tyson. Help your friend."

Tyson nodded and ran upstairs.

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The next few hours were nerve wracking for Max. Kenny was kept busy running up and down stairs fetching things and reassuring Max each time that Rei was fine - despite the yowling, cries, whimpers, and curses.

Kai, who didn't know much about neko-jins (or any demi-human peoples really), decided that a good way to distract Max would be to get him talking and explaining a few things.

"How does a male manage to get pregnant, Max? And go into heat?" He asked.

Max stopped pacing and came over to the table to sit with Kai. They were in the kitchen now, waiting. It was already after midnight and they had no idea how long Rei's labour was going to last.

"Well, it's strange really. Even among the demi-humans there aren't many males who can. It has to do with hormones or something as I understand it. Males who, for some reason, have a few too many female ones - on top of the normal male hormones that are still the dominant ones - will sometimes go into heat during one of their cycles for shifting on a full moon." Max sighed and shook his head ruefully. "It's not normally a problem, I hear, because their mates are usually girls."

"But in Rei's case…" Kai nodded in understanding. "I suppose that makes sense. Still, I can't, and frankly don't ever want to, imagine what it must be like to be pregnant."

The two teens - of totally opposite personalities and dispositions - shared a brief moment of perfect agreeability.

Kenny came in then, looking very weary. He went to the stove and began preparing a pot of tea.

"Kenny? How's Rei? Is everything okay?" Max asked anxiously.

"He's fine, Max. It's nearly over. Hilary told me to come down and start brewing a medicinal tea for Rei when it's done - to relieve the pain and help him sleep better."

The blonde sat silently, fidgeting.

And suddenly there was the angry yell of a baby from above their heads. Max's head snapped up and he half rose from his chair. Another cry and his blue eyes filled with tears.

Kenny paused in pouring the hot water into the teapot from the kettle, looking over his shoulder. "Congratulations…Dad." He smiled at Max once and turned back to his task.

Max sat heavily in his chair with a goofy grin and the tears spilled over. "I like the sound of that."

Kai didn't say anything. He simply sat and waited for Tyson to reappear.

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About twenty minutes later, Tyson came wandering into the kitchen, a large pile of linens and clothes in his arms.

"Tyson! Is it over now? Can I see them?" Max begged. Tyson smiled widely and nodded.

"I think so. Hilary wants that tea now, Chief. Why don't you take Max with you? Oh, and Max?"

"Yeah?"

"Where can I burn these? They're not save-able." Tyson jostled the pile in his arms.

"Probably the best place would be in the large fire-pit in the smithy. It's kept burning all the time anyway." Max told him before rushing out after Kenny.

Tyson blew out a weary breath. "Well, I guess I'll go dump these." He went to the kitchen door and Kai got up and followed him. "Man, that was rough. I've never been so scared in my life - and I wasn't the one in labour."

Kai strolled along beside hi, giving Tyson a surprised glance. "Watching and assisting a birth scared you? More than this war between our nations? More than what you faced in Voltaire's throne room?"

Tyson frowned. "Yes. I can't explain it, Kai. I know it's irrational." He tried to come up with suitable words to describe how he'd felt as he witnessed the miracle of birth - even more of a miracle because of Rei's gender. "It was so amazing. I was scared for Rei and the baby, scared that Hilary or I might do something wrong…just…scared. And then, at the same time I was excited and awed. Rei was being so brave, even when he was crying with pain and struggling with it to bring that baby into the world." Tyson heaved a heavy sigh and pushed open the door to the weapons-smithy. A hot blast of air met him as he walked in and went over to the fire in the forge that was burning continuously. He dropped the whole bundle into the flames and took a step back when the flames grew, feeding on the new fuel hungrily. "And when it was over…Gods, Kai! You should haves seen the expression on Rei's face when she started crying."

"So it was a girl, then?" Kai asked as he followed Tyson out the door again and back to the house.

"Oh! Yes. Sorry. I guess I'm so tired I forgot to mention what the baby was." Tyson apologized and yawned widely. "She's beautiful, Kai. She's so tiny and fragile. I got to hold her for a moment and she stared up at me with these huge green and gold eyes."

Kai listened to him ramble about the baby's tiny hands and feet, how she had Max's facial features and Rei's raven hair and feline-shaped eyes - and how she took after Rei's neko-jin side with the distinct ears and tail. The cold prince found Tyson's enthusiasm and even pride in the newborn amusing and strangely endearing. He couldn't imagine witnessing a childbirth and assisting in it as Tyson had, nor could he imagine himself in Rei's place.

Men, in his opinion, were probably not meant to be mothers. Then again, considering his own childhood and upbringing without either a father or mother, what did he know?

Eventually Kenny and Hilary came down the stairs and joined their companions. Dragoon, who had been curled around Tyson and hidden under his cloak since they'd arrived in Marchantia and had insisted on staying in the room with Hilary, was now curled around her as she stepped into the room looking like she was about to collapse with exhaustion. As soon as he saw Tyson, though, the dragon unwound from around her and immediately went for Tyson.

"Well, parents and baby are settled and content for now." She smiled tiredly. "Max asked me to tell you that there's two spare rooms here in the house and then there's the apartments above the stables for the grooms." Hilary paused to yawn. "There aren't any grooms right now because Max said they had to sell all but two of the horses so they dismissed the grooms they had. I would like to stay here in the house to keep an eye on Rei and the kitten, if you don't mind?"

"No that's fine, Hilary. You're needed. Kenny should stay here, too, since he's still not completely healed." Tyson agreed. Nobody noticed Kai stiffen slightly or the quick glances he threw at Tyson. He had realized immediately that he and Tyson would be alone - completely alone.

For his part, Tyson had realized it too. In fact he was hiding his relief and a bit of shy excitement…although he was just too tired at the moment to do much about it.

"Alright. In that case, I'm just going to go to bed. Good night, everyone." She waved absently and went back upstairs.

"I think I'm going to go as well." Kenny told them quietly, looking like he was about to fall asleep on his feet. Kai nodded and the brunette disappeared up the stairs.

"Come on, Tyson. You're exhausted." Kai led the bluenette outside and through the darkness to the stables. They climbed the stairs along the side up to the apartments above and went inside.

While Kai lit a couple of lamps, Tyson took stock of the room. IT wasn't much, just a couple of beds along one wall, a chest of drawers for each bed and a closet. There was also a small table in one corner with four chairs and a washstand. "I guess that other door leads to the stables below." Tyson pointed out another door.

"Probably." Kai shrugged and handed Tyson one lamp before stepping outside briefly to whistle for Dranzer, who had been flying high in the sky and hunting for herself all day as well as keeping an aerial watch over the group as they travelled. He brought her inside and she found a comfortable perch in the rafters of the ceiling. Tyson sat down heavily on one bed and flopped backwards onto his back with a groan, Dragoon curling up on the pillow at the head of the bed. "Ugh. I think I'll sleep for a year." He sighed.

Kai sat on the edge of the other bed and began unlacing his boots. "Well, at least for now we can stay here in relative safety, get some rest, and try to figure out what we should do next." He said as he pulled the boots off and went to work on his shirt and tunic.

Tyson stared up at the ceiling for a moment, counting wooden beams. Finally he responded, "I don't have any idea what we could do, Kai. At this point, I don't even want to think about it." The bluenette sat up reluctantly and began undressing. Kai tore his eyes from the sight and slid under the bedcovers quickly in his underclothes, blowing out his lamp. Tyson soon did the same and after only a few minutes, said in a quiet voice, "Good night, Kai. And thank you."

Kai opened his eyes and glanced across the room at Tyson. "For what?"

"I just…well…" Tyson sighed, unable to voice his reason for gratitude, unsure about it himself. "Just…thank you."

Even though Kai was a little confused, he replied, "Well…you're welcome, Tyson, for whatever it was. Sleep well, Kinomiya." He burrowed under the covers farther and closed his eyes again.

Tyson fell asleep with a tiny smile playing across his lips.

*~*~*~Tyson's Dream*~*~*~

"Ack!" Tyson squeaked. "Gramps! Must you sneak up on me like this?!"

"You have to keep up your guard, Takao, even in your sleep. So until I can't surprise you any more…yes, I must." The older Kinomiya laughed. "Anyway, I see you finally made it to Max's."

Tyson smiled. "Yep! Just in time, too, it seems. Did you see the baby, Grandpa? Wasn't she something? Max and Rei will name her tomorrow."

"Yes. I did see her. Congratulate them for me sometime, Takao."

"I will." Tyson angled his head at his grandfather curiously. "So what's up, Gramps?"

"Oh, yes. I nearly forgot!" Gramps grinned when Tyson rolled his eyes at him. "Something very important will happen to you in a few days, Takao. I guess the Dragon Gods decided it was time for the family secret to be let out."

"Huh?" Tyson stared at him blankly, confused. "What are you talking about, Grandpa? You don't make sense."

"Actually, I can't explain it, Takao. All I was told was that there's a big secret among our clan and it's been kept hidden for centuries by the Dragon Gods for a purpose only They know of. I don't know what it is." Gramps held out his hands and tried to explain. "I was also told to tell you to expect a great change in yourself when whatever it is happens. I wish I had more to tell you."

Tyson frowned, trying to figure it out for himself. "I have no idea what it could be, either. Oh well. I guess I'll find out, huh?"

"That's true. Now…" Gramps folded his arms over his chest and gave the younger Kinomiya a serious stare. "When are you going to tell that Hiwatari how you feel about him? I've watched the two of you for days now and if either of you don't make a move soon I'll be extremely disappointed."

"Gramps!" The bluenette exclaimed, blushing furiously. "Do you mind?! That's not really any of your business, is it?!"

"Bah." The old man waved that off. "Nonsense."

"Look, I'll admit that I like him, respect him, and yes…" Tyson blushed even more. This was his grandfather he was talking to, after all. "I lust after him something fierce. But I don't know how I feel about him otherwise and we've barely known each other for over a week. That's hardly enough time to learn about one another and start some kind of relationship on."

"Of course it is! How much time do you need? I'd say he's demonstrated his worth quite well already, little dragon, without intending to or even knowing he was doing so."

"Maybe. But even so! I can't have him, Grandpa. He's the Emperor's grandson, for one thing." Tyson pointed out, quietly. "And for another, if we do manage to fix all this, he'll be Emperor one day and I will return to the lands of the Dragon clans to re-unite our people and lead them as our family has always done. There would be no future for us together." He looked away, feeling dejected and hopeless.

Gramps sighed and slung an arm around Tyson's shoulders in a one-armed hug. "I know it seems like it, Takao, but one thing I've learned in my life is to never assume things about the future. It hasn't been set in stone yet and you can still write your path with the choices you make." He turned Tyson to face him and gripped the teen's shoulders as he looked down into his heir's stormy blue eyes. "You have a Destiny, Takao. And Destiny allows us choice where Fate does not. I have never believed in Fate myself, for that reason. If your heart leads you to Kai then you must make a choice. And I have faith that whatever you choose, it will be the right one - the best one - you could have made."

Tyson nodded slowly. "I guess I understand. Thanks, Gramps. I'll try my best not to let you down."

Gramps smiled and waved as he began to disappear once again. "Never happen, little dragon."

*~*~*~ End of Tyson's Dream*~*~*~

Dranzer's chirping woke Kai up the next afternoon. With a yawn he rolled out of bed, went to the door and let the firebird fly out to go hunting.

Though he would have preferred to stumble back over to the bed and drop dead for a few more hours, he decided to get up now and go to bed at a more regular hour and get himself back into a normal waking pattern again. So he changed into some clean clothes and slipped into his boots before making his way over to the house - but not until he discovered Tyson had apparently already risen and left himself.

Kai walked into the kitchen and found Hilary busy making up several bottles of goat's milk at the counter while Kenny stood over the stove stirring a pot of something that smelled really good and made Kai's stomach protest its hollow condition.

"Good afternoon, Kai!" Hilary greeted him with a smile. "Sleep well?"

"For now." Kai shrugged and sat at the table. "Where's Tyson?"

Kenny brought him a bowl of the soup and a crust of freshly baked bread. "Here. You'd better eat before Tyson gets back or he'll devour it all. He went with Max into town to get a few things for the baby and to let Max's parents know Rei had delivered and is okay."

Kai thanked Kenny and picked up his spoon, frowning a bit. "Alone? I'm not so sure that was a great idea."

"They'll be fine, Kai. Tyson has Dragoon with him. And if you think anyone or anything will keep Max away from his daughter and Rei, you'd be in for a surprise." Hilary assured him. "They'll be careful. Tyson had a long talk with Max before they left and explained everything to him."

Remaining silent, Kai decided to let it slide this time and began to eat instead. He really didn't like Tyson being out there without him and he hand no reason to believe Dragoon was all that useful if it came down to a fight. But there wasn't much he could do now about it so he said nothing.

Kenny cleaned up the kitchen before announcing that he was going to go outside and do the same for Max and Rei's neglected garden. "They've been too busy to weed it and care for it properly lately." He observed. "I should be able to save it."

"I'll come out and help in a few minutes, Chief!" Hilary told him cheerfully. Kenny blushed a bit at the nickname that both Hilary and Tyson seemed to have tagged him with and left quickly. The female brunette took one of the bottles and disappeared upstairs for a while leaving Kai to his thoughts.

About fifteen minutes later she came back and in her arms was a well-wrapped bundle that made baby-noises and wiggled.

"Want to meet her, Kai?" Hilary offered, bringing the bundle over to him.

Kai, who had never in his life been around babies or even small children other than those he grew up with, had no idea what to expect when he gazed down somewhat curiously at the baby in Hilary's arms. He found that Tyson had been totally bang on with his description the night before. She was tiny and fragile looking, she definitely had Rei's eyes, hair, and tail, as well as Max's features. When she gurgled (which to Kai sounded suspiciously like a giggle) he decided she had a healthy dose of Max's personality, too.

"Have they picked a name, yet?" He asked and the baby blinked up at him with huge feline-shaped green eyes that had a ring of gold around the pupil, waving chubby little fists around and squirming at the new person's voice and face.

Hilary smiled, amused. "Not yet. Tonight, I think. I think she likes you, Kai. She seems pretty fascinated with you, at least."

"Well, the feelings mutual." Kai muttered absently, reaching out to softly trail a fingertip over the baby's cheek. "I've never been around a baby before."

"Really? Then this is a good time to learn, isn't it?" Hilary suddenly placed her armful into Kai's and stood up. "Hold her for a while, would you? She's been fed and changed so you don't have to do anything but hold her and keep her company."

"What?!" Kai immediately panicked. "Wait a minute! I don't know how to…" He froze and began protesting as Hilary moved toward the door.

"You're fine! Relax, Hiwatari. She won't bite. Can't anyway…she doesn't have any teeth yet." Hilary waved over her shoulder as she bounced off to help Kenny. "Rei's napping and I'm going to give Kenny a hand in the garden. Max and Tyson should be back soon, too. If she starts to cry…just sing to her or something." With that last piece of advice, she was gone and Kai was left staring pleadingly at the door, eyes wide with helpless nervousness.

He looked back down at the wiggling bundle in his arms and blew a lock of hair that fell into his eyes out of the way again, since his hands were full. "What the…heck am I supposed to do with you? I don't know anything about babies!" He complained. She cooed at him and he smiled slightly, despite himself. "You are pretty cute though. Are all babies cute?"

Kai shifted awkwardly, being super-careful with her, to get into a more comfortable position. They stared at each other for a while - Kai had no idea how long it was - but a loud noise from outside the house startled them both in the quiet that had settled over them and Kai watched in absolute horror as her eyes began to fill up with tears and her bottom lip trembled threateningly.

"Oh no…" He looked around helplessly then back down at her. "Please don't cry!" Kai tried to remember what Hilary had said as the baby neko-jin in his arms sniffled and whimpered. "Sing? I don't sing! I…" The baby opened her mouth, prepared to let out a wail and Kai did the only thing he could.

He started to sing.

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The loud noise outside had been Max and Tyson unloading the cart. Tyson had lost his grip on a load of steel he'd been carrying and had accidentally dropped it, creating a loud clatter of noise. Once he and Max had gotten it put away, they went into the house. Max took the stuff for the baby upstairs while Tyson moved toward the kitchen, thinking Hilary was probably back there doing something.

When he got close he could hear someone singing quietly and he didn't recognize the voice. Really curious now, he picked up his pace.

And had to stop and stare in shock at the sight that he found. The voice belonged to Kai and the cold prince of the Empire was singing and rocking Max and Rei's daughter in his arms as if he knew exactly what he was doing.

Well. Will wonders never cease? Tyson asked himself, pleasantly surprised an wondering how someone had managed to get Kai to hold the baby in the first place. He leaned against the doorframe and remained silent and unnoticed, listening to Kai continue his song.

May it be an evening star

Shines down upon you

May it be when darkness falls

Your heart will be true

You walk a lonely road

Oh! How are you from home

Mornie utúlië (darkness has come)

Believe and you will find your way

Mornie alantië (darkness has fallen)

A promise lives within you now

May it be the shadows call

Will fly away

May it be you journey on

To light the day

When the night is overcome

You may rise to find the sun

Mornie utúlië (darkness has come)

Believe and you will find your way

Mornie alantië (darkness has fallen)

A promise lives within you now

A promise lives within you now.

As Kai sang, a warmth filled the blue-eyed teen and settled in his chest. The picture he made - holding a new-born child, singing to her with the most beautiful voice Tyson had ever heard, and caught in a moment where all Kai's shields and defences were gone - it was enough to make Tyson smile to himself and for him to take the final step over the edge and fall for Kai.

Hard and fast…and overwhelmingly strong.

Swallowing heavily, Tyson took a moment to collect himself when Kai stopped singing and simply stared down at her for a moment before heaving a sigh of relief. The baby had stuck one tiny thumb in her mouth and started purring the instant Kai had begun to sing and had fallen asleep by the end of the song.

Unable to help himself, Kai cuddled the sleeping chibi closer and wondered if he should go get Hilary. But he was afraid if he moved at all he would wake the baby up so he remained where he was.

Taking a deep breath, Tyson went into the kitchen quietly and Kai looked up, his expression turning into relief.

"Thank the Gods." He said fervently. "Help! Hilary just gave her to me! I don't know what to do with a baby, Tyson!"

Tyson smiled and went over to sit beside him. "You're doing just fine, Kai. Relax and enjoy it. She won't always be so peaceful, you know."

Kai grunted and looked down at her again. "I wouldn't know it to look at her now." He admitted.

"She's beautiful." Tyson said simply. "And she has a quick mind. I can sense that about her already."

Kai made a face. "And I can tell she's going to have Max's genki personality." Tyson chuckled and leaned over to gently pry her thumb from her mouth. At Kai's questioning look, he explained, "It's a habit that she shouldn't start up with or her parents will have a hard time breaking her of it later."

"How'd you get to know so much about babies?" Kai wanted to know.

Tyson shrugged. "Spent lots of time around them. And kids. I'd baby-sit for other clan members sometimes."

"Oh."

The bluenette stared down at his lap. "I heard you singing earlier. It was beautiful, Kai. What song was it?"

Kai felt a swath of heat spread over the bridge of his nose and his cheeks as he blushed in embarrassment. "Ah…it's a song I remember my mother singing sometimes. I don't really know where it came from or anything."

"I see. Well, I think you have a wonderful voice for singing, Kai. You should do it more often." Tyson complimented shyly, blushing slightly himself. Kai glanced at him and felt his face heat up even more.

"Ah…thanks."

They sat together in silence until Max appeared. The blonde smiled at them and came over to reclaim his daughter and rescue Kai.

"Thanks for watching her for us, Kai. I appreciate it." Max stroked the baby's cheek gently when she made a soft sighing noise and he cuddled her close. "I'll take her up to the nursery now, I think." He decided, looking back and forth between them for a second before turning and going back upstairs.

Tyson watched him go, silently thanking his best friend. He'd told Max how much he liked Kai and Max had told him, in no uncertain terms, to do something about it. And right at that moment, Tyson found himself presented with the perfect opportunity now that he knew he really had fallen in love with the prince.

So he turned to Kai, who looked at him, and their gazes locked onto one another and held steady.

Kai felt his pulse speed up when Tyson raised a hesitant hand and laid it against his cheek, his blue gaze turning darker and stormier as it left Kai's crimson one and settled on his mouth instead. Oh Gods…is he going to…he's leaning in! He is going to! Kai's thoughts scattered to the wind as Tyson leaned in closer and closer.

When Kai didn't pull away immediately, Tyson took a shaky breath and closed the remaining distance to capture the crimson-eyed teen's lips with his own in a shy, hesitant, and sort of awkward first kiss, their eyes sliding closed at the contact and a small shiver running through each of them simultaneously.

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Authoress' Notes: I know that leaving it here is liable to get me shot, but I swear there's more coming soon! Please R/R!