Growing Inside Me.

Chapter 1 – Morning Sickness.

Another World Tournament was over. Mr. Dickenson had decided the boys needed a well earned vacation after their many months of travelling and training.

He had sent them to China, knowing that Rei's home was the perfect place to unwind.

Rei and Kai had been dating for a while by this point, just over a year actually. Kai had finally begun to learn how to let people closer to him thanks to Rei. He was still the same Sourpuss, but he was definitely more approachable.

The team were currently staying in a hotel in Beijing, taking a few days to really enjoy the capital city before heading to Rei's village to get some well-needed rest.

That was the plan anyway.

But then, Kai got sick.

He'd spent the past few mornings, including a very uncomfortable flight to China, in the bathroom throwing up. He didn't seem to have any other symptoms. They didn't know if it was a bug or maybe, despite his disagreement, it was stress from all the training.

The weirdest thing was that it seemed to always pass around midday. Then he was fine until the following day.

Rei felt bad leaving Kai home alone to puke up his guts while he was out enjoying himself. So he'd stay with him while the others went around the city.

He was currently spread across the bed, reading a book when he heard the door to the bathroom open.

He lowered the book to see his partner, who emerged looking pale and tired.

"Get it all up?" he asked softly.

"I think so..." a weary voice replied.

"How about I get you some plain toast or something? Just to line your stomach?"

Kai sat on the edge of the bed, taking deep breaths. He nodded.

Rei placed the bookmark in his book and went downstairs to the hotel restaurant to get something for him.

When he came back to the room, he was greeting by the sound of retching. He sighed, worried.

"It's been like this for five days now...if it were a bug, it would have passed by now...shit."

After a few more minutes, Kai shuffled back out of the bathroom and sat back to the bed, groaning.

Rei rubbed his back and handed him the plate of toast.

"Here. Eat it. It's better to have something even if you do just bring it back up."

Kai reluctantly picked up a piece and fought hard to chew on it. He managed to get it down, and Rei insisted he tried another piece.

He made it through half the second piece before throwing it back down on the plate, covering his mouth and dashing back to the bathroom, slamming the door shut.

It was Rei's turn to feel nauseous. He also had felt sick over the past few days, but for another reason.

Fear.

He'd hoped to god he was wrong and that Kai had just picked up a bug somewhere. But time was telling him he was wrong.

Rei knew he had to find out. But he was afraid to even look.

Rei being Neko-jin meant he had an extraordinary ability. One that he'd kept from his friends, but more importantly, his boyfriend.

He had the ability to get a man pregnant.

Neko-jin men had a...cycle, as it were. Kind of like a woman. The full moon of every month usually meant that sex was off the table. Unless you wanted a little bundle of joy, that is.

But he'd always assumed it was a Neko thing. He hadn't considered that he could get non-Neko men pregnant. He'd never heard of that. Maybe because it had never been done? It's not like the people in his village ventured out much.

As his poor, unsuspecting partner heaved in the bathroom, Rei took a deep breath and went to find out.

He knocked on the door of Tyson, Max and Kenny's room. The hyper blonde threw open the door and greeted him with an energy that just wasn't right at 7:30am.

"Goooooooooooooooooood morning, Rei! What brings you here? Is Kai better? You coming with us this morning?"

"Morning...sadly not, Kai is still sick. Actually I came looking for Kenny."

The little brunette looked up from his computer when he heard his name.

"Me? Sure, what's up, Rei?"

Rei also being from a remote, old fashioned village in mainland China also meant he wasn't the most...technological person. He had a cellphone, but barely knew how to use it. He needed someone who knew how to look things up. And the first person to come to mind was Kenny.

"Chief, its a really odd question...but I need you to look something up for me...when was the last full moon?"

"Ok...hang on. Dizzi, did you hear that?"

"I did, Chief. Already got it..." the familiar female voice came.

"And?" Rei asked nervously.

"The last full moon was exactly two weeks ago today."

Rei seemed to be thinking hard. His eyes starting up and it looked like he was...counting?

His face fell and the color drained from it.

"You uh...you OK there, Rei?" Max asked him. A little puzzled by this whole thing.

"Gotta go..." Rei declared suddenly and dashed out the room.

Kenny frowned as he left "...That was..."

"Weird..." Max finished.

Rei burst back in to his own room. Cursing as he heard Kai still heaving. He grabbed his old cellphone and furiously found Lee's number, dialling.

"Hello?"

"Lee! Oh my god, I'm in big trouble!" he panicked to his friend in Chinese.

"Whoa, Rei. What's the matter?"

"I'm pretty sure I knocked up Kai."

"What makes you say that?" His friend said calmly.

"He's been throwing up every morning for days. And...we kind of slept together on the full moon."

"Didn't you didn't use protection!?"

"I-I didn't think I had to! I thought it was just us that could make babies! Didn't think it was the same for normal people!"

"You moron...it didn't occur to you to maybe find out before you put it in him!?"

"Yeh yeh yeh, not helping! I'm not a hundred percent sure. But I have to find out. I'm going to bring them back to the village today...if you could let Tao know, I'd appreciate it."

There was a sigh down the phone, "of course, I'll tell him. And for your sake, I hope you're wrong. Kai will kill you."

"Don't I know it..." Rei shuddered.

After he hung up, he rounded up the others and gave a story about him messing up the dates, and that they were actually expected at the White Tiger village today. He got the hotel to arrange a mini-bus and gave them all an hour to pack.

That included his still pale, weak looking boyfriend.

Their time was up and the bus was waiting outside. Rei practically threw them all in and slammed the doors shut before giving the driver a pat on the shoulder telling him to go. Fast.

It was already a long drive, a good three hours from the hotel. But every minute felt like an hour. He kept restlessly looking over at Kai, who was trying his best to sleep and keep the contents of his stomach inside him. Eventually, the cityscape vanished and they were surrounded by familiar green mountains.

The bus went around the winding roads, every turn causing Kai to take deep breathes to keep the nausea in control.

Finally, to both their reliefs, they arrived.

They all stepped off the bus and stretched out, taking a breath of the fresh, mountain air.

Even Kai was starting to feel a little better from the crisp, cool air filling his lungs.

"Rei!" came a call from the distance.

They all turned and saw the familiar figures of the White Tiger team running towards them, and a small, old man they didn't recognise.

There was hugging and laughter as the old friends were reunited.

"Wow, it's good see you guys!" Rei exclaimed. "And Master Tao...it's really good to see you..." he said with a look of relief on his face. The old man smirked at him with a twinkle in his eye in return.

The White Tigers turned to the other members of the Bladebreakers and welcomed them back.

They were in the middle of exchanging pleasantries when Kai suddenly disappeared behind the minibus.

The sound of retching met their ears. They all grimaced.

"Uh...sorry guys...he's been really unwell this whole week." Tyson apologized.

"Well then, it's a good thing I came isn't it." the tiny old man laughed.

The Bladebreakers looked down at him, confused.

"Master Tao is the village doctor." Rei explained watching cautiously as Tao shuffle his way past them and head towards Kai. As expected, Kai didn't like being bothered and growled at the old man, snapping at him to leave him alone.

"Come, let's get you somewhere more comfortable and take a look at you." Tao persisted.

"I'm fine." he protested stubbornly.

Rei shook his head, walking over and grabbing him by the arm. "You're not. Stop being a baby and let's go." he said sternly as he dragged him along with the others, who snickered.

After a few minutes of walking, they reached the White Tiger's 'hospital'.

It was very simple and basic. A few rooms filled with beds. No machines, no equipment. Nothing like what the non-Neko's would consider a hospital.

Tao led them in to an empty room. To Kai's displeasure, it seemed they all followed.

Tao took Kai's arm and guided him on to a bed, pushing him to lay down. He reluctantly complied.

Without saying anything, he lifted Kai's shirt. Kai instantly flinched, grabbing his shirt and pulling it back down.

"Hey, hey, hey! What the hell?!" he asked angrily.

"Just let him do what he has to do, Kai." Rei warned.

He huffed, rolling his eyes and letting go of his shirt, giving Tao permission to continue.

Tao lifted his shirt once again and pressed down under his naval, getting a sound of discomfort from the patient.

He grabbed Kai's wrist with the other, holding it to feel his pulse. He was silent and focussed as he felt the pulse while pressing and feeling around Kai's stomach.

Despite the discomfort, Kai watched quietly, wondering what on earth he was doing.

Tao finally let go of his wrist and pulled his shirt back down.

The others waited in anticipation, as he turned to Rei and smiled.

"It seems congratulations are in order." he announced finally.

The White Tigers gasped, Rei looking like he would faint.

The others looking at them confused.

"What are you talking about?" Kai's voice asked, irritated and confused.

Tao turned his eyes back to him.

"It seems, my boy, that you are with child."

It was the Bladebreakers turn to gasp. Except Kai, who let out a snort.

"You uh...you clearly didn't go to medical school, did you?" he sneered. "It might have escaped your notice. But I'm not a woman."

Tao frowned and turned back to Rei.

"You didn't tell him, Rei?"

All eyes shot to Rei.

"Tell me what?" Kai asked, annoyed.

"Well..." Rei began, beginning to tremble, "I may have forgotten to mention that I'm able to impregnate men..." he said sheepishly.

Kai glared at him.

"Is this some kind of joke? Because I'm really not in the mood."

"It's not a joke, Kai." Lee intervened with seriousness in his voice.

Kai scowled at him, "you're all in on this I take it...I can't say I get it..."

"Wait here." Tao said suddenly before hopping down from his seat and leaving the room.

They were left in an awkward silence, Kai clearly getting more and more irritated.

He came back a few minutes later, opening the door to the tense room.

"Rei, I have an old friend of yours here."

The room turned as a man walked in. Rei and Kai's jaws dropped.

In walked a tall, slim man in his mid-twenties. Hair as long as Rei's, braided. Similar clothing. Only blue. But their eyes were drawn down to his swollen belly.

"...Aoba?" Rei breathed out.

"Rei! It's been so long!" the man said happily as he pulled his old friend in to a hug.

"You're...expecting?"

"Yep!" he said proudly as he ran his hand over his bump, pulling his shirt tighter to it to accentuate it. "Almost four months. I hear you've got some good news too!" he beamed as his eyes went from Rei over to Kai.

Kai stared back, mouth slightly open and speechless, unable to take his eyes off the man's stomach.

"That...can't be real..." he managed to sound out.

Aoba looked between the two and sensed this was all news to the foreigner on the bed.

"Ah...I'm guessing...this wasn't planned?" he whispered to Rei, who shook his head.

Aoba let out a kind smile and walked to sit by Kai.

"Hi. I'm Aoba, old friend of Rei's. You must be Kai. I'm actually a midwife here. So we're probably going to be seeing each other a lot..."

Kai wasn't listening. He was still transfixed on his stomach.

"That can't be real..." he repeated. "You're a...man. That isn't possible." he shook his head, dumbstruck.

Aoba smiled sympathetically.

"I understand this must be a big shock. But I can assure you, it's very real. Take a look."

He lifted up his shirt to show him.

The second Kai saw it in the flesh, he let out a panicked shriek and jumped off the bed, backing away from him.

"No...no, no, no. This can't be real." he told himself.

Rei stepped towards him and took him by the shoulders. He needed his partner to stay calm...it wasn't likely, but he had to try.

"Kai...I'm really sorry...I didn't mean for this to happen. But it is real...we're...having a baby."

Kai's panicked face turned angry as he let out a growl and shoved Rei off him.

"You didn't think to maybe tell me about this amazing ability of yours?!" he hissed.

Rei raised his hands, begging him to stay calm.

"Kai, I swear I didn't know it would affect you...I thought it was just...my kind that could do it."

"Well, how do we get rid of it?" he asked, not caring about his excuses.

"Kai!" came Mariah's shocked and angry voice.

"This has nothing to do with you." he snarled back at her.

Tao cleared his voice to get his attention.

"What?" he spat.

"I'm...afraid you can't 'get rid' of it. The only way would be if you miscarried, and that would be dangerous to you as well. So we don't want that to happen."

Kai ran his hands through his hair before covering his mouth. Clearly shaken. The gravity of the situation setting in.

"So...you're saying I have no choice but to carry this...thing?"

"This child. Yes." he corrected.

Kai turned back to Rei and gave a cold, vicious glare.

"Well...great...just great, Rei. You've have ruined both our lives."

He shoved past him and the others and left the room. Rei instantly tried to go after him.

"Kai, please! I-"

"Do not follow me..." he yelled violently before disappearing. Leaving Rei staring at the door with his eyes brimming, feeling helpless.

Rei slowly turned to face the others, who were staring at him awkwardly.

"Well...that went better than I thought it would." Lee finally piped up.

"Oh, shut up, Lee!" he spat.

"Don't you snap at him, Rei!" Mariah yelled, "It's not his fault you weren't careful. I know you said you didn't know, but that doesn't really matter now, does it? What matters is the guy outside who just had a bomb dropped on him, who is also carrying your child."

Rei sighed, "I know...what are we going to do?" he said hopelessly.

Mariah stepped closer to him and grabbed his shoulder supportively.

"You're going to do right by Kai and support him through this. Then you're going to do right by your child and support it when it gets here. That's all you can do."

Rei nodded, she was right. There was nothing else that could be done. He was going to be a father. So he had to suck it up and be one.

"Uh...where'd the little old dude go?" Tyson finally asked.

They looked around, Tao was nowhere to be seen.

"He probably went after Kai. He needs all this explained to him." Aoba reasoned.

"Well, then I suggest we get you guys settled while he does that. No point in just standing here. We'll talk to them later when Kai's a bit calmer." Mariah said rationally before leading them out the room.

They had set them up in two empty houses that matched all the other houses in the village. One of which belonged to Rei's family, where he and Kai would stay. They other belonging to Lee and Mariah's, where the other three would stay.

They were both a modest size and comfortable. They could easily make it homely for the duration of their stay. However long that would be now. They were left to settle in, no choice but to wait patiently for Kai to return.

Meanwhile, Tao followed silently behind Kai. He'd managed to spot him as he left and followed at a distance.

Kai had wandered through the forest aimlessly for a while. He seemed to finally stop and sat himself on a rock. His head in his hands.

Tao approached him carefully. He already knew this one had fire in him.

As he came close, Kai sensed him.

"Please...leave me alone." he said wearily.

"I'm afraid I can't do that. Can't have you getting lost out here. And you still don't seem in good health."

"Can you blame me?" he asked sarcastically, "please, I really would rather be alone for a while."

Tao appeared next to him and took a seat.

Kai huffed. He knew this guy wouldn't leave him be.

"You're frightened." he said gently.

"Yeh, no shit." Kai almost laughed.

Tao gave him a disapproving look for the language, but let it slide.

"Your fear is natural. Especially when you have no information about the journey life is about to take you on."

"I don't think knowing details is going to help. However it happens, it's going to end up being stuck with a baby."

Tao let out a slight chuckle.

"You may not see it now, but having a child doesn't mean the end of your life."

"Easy for you to say..."

"Just you wait...maternal feelings are a force that can't be compared." he said with a small smile.

"Whatever you say..." Kai sighed, not believing him for a second.

Tao took in a deep breath.

"I know this is a shock. But I suggest we go back and find Rei so we can talk about what will happen from now. Calmly."

"I don't want to see him just yet." Kai said flatly.

"Whether you want to or not, the two of you are in this together now. The quicker you resolve your anger towards him, the easier for you it will be. I've known Rei his whole life, he has the qualities of an excellent partner. And I also happen to know how deeply he cares for you."

Kai gave in, knowing he didn't really have a choice in any of this.

The two wandered back in silence. Tao knew where Kai and Rei were staying. When they arrived back at the house, he found Rei and Aoba there, sat at the kitchen table.

"Ah, perfect! I was hoping to discuss this with you here, Aoba."

"I figured as much, hope I can help ease your minds." Aoba smiled back kindly.

Tao gestured for Kai to sit down, he took a seat and folded his arms, avoiding Rei completely.

"Well then..." Tao began, sensing the awkwardness between the couple, "let's get straight to it, shall we?"

Silence.

"OK. So I'll explain as simply and to the point as I can. A male pregnancy lasts as long as a female one. In fact, there isn't much difference. But you, Kai...Rei was right when he said he didn't know a normal man could become pregnant...I've never heard of such a thing."

"Well, aren't I just a miracle of nature..." he grumbled.

Tao ignored him.

"What I'm getting at, is that even though your body has taken like any Neko man, we don't know how your body will handle it. All I have to go on is the severity of your morning sickness, which isn't much at this stage. Perhaps the effects of the pregnancy on your body will be amplified. Only time will tell."

"...what kind of effects?" Kai asked nervously.

"I'll let this man beside me answer that." he smiled.

Aoba also smiled.

"Morning sickness, hormonal, tired, sore back, cravings...just to name a few." he said in a weirdly cheerful voice. Apparently this guy was all about babies.

"Sounds wonderful..." Kai said as he shot an evil look at Rei, who stayed quiet, feeling guilty.

"So uh..." Kai started, the others waited.

"...how exactly does a man give birth? You cut it out or what?"

Tao and Aoba exchanged glances, wondering who was going to take this one.

"Not exactly..." Tao answered, before nodding to Aoba to take it.

"You see...when it gets close to the birth, we sort of grow...an opening."

Kai's eye twitched, making Aoba feel nervous.

"and we...basically give birth like a woman would."

Kai very slowly turned to Rei, eye still twitching. Rei didn't want to look but the force of Kai's stare pulled him to meet his murderous gaze.

"I...hate you." he growled in a dark voice.

Rei sank in his seat.

"I'm sorry, Kai..." was all he could say.

"Oh, you will be..." he snapped back.

"Kai, please...I know this wasn't planned...but we can make this work!" he begged.

Kai didn't answer right away, he took a minute and finally let out a sigh.

"...we're going to have to, I guess." Kai said in a much calmer voice. As furious as he was, as all over the place as he felt, he loved him.

Sensing the calmer atmosphere, Tao decided now would be the time to stop for one night.

"We'll take our leave. You both must be tired. And Kai, we hold a T'ai Chi class every morning for all our pregnant residents. You're to join from tomorrow."

"Yeh, I'm not doing that..." Kai said stubbornly, folding his arms.

"It wasn't a request." Tao stated firmly, "it's important for you and the baby. It's to relax your body and help channel your energy in a way that helps you and the baby thrive."

Kai pouted, this just kept getting worse.

"I'll be here to get you at 5am sharp."

"5am!?"

"Yes."

"Great...can't wait." he said tiredly.

The two took their leave. Kai stood up without even a look at him, stormed upstairs and slammed the door to the bedroom.

Rei guessed he was on the couch tonight...and who knew how many nights after that.

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Well, chapter one done. I want to try and keep the same plot, just cut out the fluffy crap I wrote as a teenager.

Hope you enjoy the rewrite! May take a while, but I'm determined to finish it this time!