Chapter 1: Ren

"That boy you had your match with..." Ren mused, a wicked smile stretched across his face. "He seems harmless enough. Kai never said anything about him. So why should I feel threatened?" He seemed to be talking to himself as he chuckled lightly, completely amused by what had transpired just a few short hours ago. "Clearly, I won more than just a place in the finals today. Wouldn't you agree, Tetsu?"

Tetsu simply nodded. He didn't think anything he could say now could possibly snap Ren out of his current mindset. Sure, they had left the nationals victorious and had returned to their base of operations, but for some reason, Ren was still not satisfied. Only one thing could satisfy him.

Ren slouched back in his favorite leather chair and closed his eyes in contemplation.

"Kai..." he sounded almost angry this time, remembering the words his old comrade had spoken. "Any team would be better than being with me, eh?" He paused and sighed, clenching his fist. Opening his eyes, he looked as if he'd been wounded. He was still deeply disappointed that Kai had refused him, but there was something else that had bothered him even more. And he couldn't get it out of his mind.

"That boy," he gritted his teeth. "He's such a weakling. Why would Kai even-"

Tetsu knew better than to overstep his boundaries and meddle in whatever it was that still left Ren with this twisted obsession with Kai. But this had gone on for long enough. He didn't think Ren had called him in to be ranted at, but that's what their conversation had turned into. And for the sake of their team, he decided to interject.

"-with all due respect, Ren." Tetsu hesitated for a moment, "I think it would be best if we concentrated on our own team right now. Kyou is still pretty shaken up by his loss at the tournament."

"Well, that's a shame, isn't it?" Ren said, sarcastically. He stood at that same moment, clearly annoyed at losing his train of thought. Kyou's mental state had been the last thing on his mind. Without a second thought, he started making his way toward the door. The room was stifling and he couldn't bear it any longer. He needed to be alone; to vent his inextinguishable rage.

"Tell Kyou I need to speak with him later regarding his match earlier. I think he may have forgotten his place among AL4."

Tetsu nodded in recognition as Ren passed by him on his way out of the room.

"Aichi-kun," Ren smiled to himself as he opened the door. "If I can't have Kai, then neither will you."