Disclaimer: Pssh, yeah, cuz I totally look like Konomi-sensei.

A/N: REUPLOADED and RE-EDITED! I did some MAJOR editing on this and I hope you like this version better than the previous one. If you don't...sorry. Edited again.

TEN years old

Syusuke didn't like it but his parents insisted on giving him a babysitter—day care provider, he had corrected them—until he was 12 years old, even though he never got less than A+'s in school and excelled in flute as well as tennis. They figured that after Tezuka did not leave their house traumatized or even insanely disturbed (admittedly, they had expected the worst) that their dear darling son would be the same way with others.

They were so wrong.

After Syusuke set Wakato's hair on fire, caused Sengoku to go into madness and live paranoid for what might well be the rest of his life, and sent Shiba off with a lovely new haircut, the Fuji parents knew that something was wrong (in actuality, it wasn't all Syusuke's fault—Syusuke was cooking with the flame too high and Wakato was standing too close; Sengoku locked himself in the attic while Syusuke was in the soundproof basement reading and listening to his MP3 player; Syusuke told Shiba he was practicing cutting hair for beauty school—it was her fault that she was stupid enough to believe him).

The rumor of the "evil chibi tensai" quickly spread throughout the whole babysitting network and not one person was willing to watch the sweetly smiling boy after that, much to his glee. And thus, his parents took it upon themselves to take care of their son. And that meant no more romantic restaurants or out of city vacations.

A week later, Yoshiko was ready to die of exhaustion. She did not remember Syusuke being this bouncy and energetic when he was a baby. He was so much more subdued back then. And as a result of trying to keep up with him, she was now constantly seen with frumpy clothes, a tangled bun haphazardly piled on the top of her head, and a look of raw insanity on her face.

Finally, she begged her husband to call Tezuka.

Although he was reluctant, he didn't think he could take lying bed curling up in the corner anymore. His wife had lately taken to turning and punching and kicking anything in her way during the middle of the night. And half the time, Syusuke crawled in with them and forced his dad to sleep in the center so that he was abused at night by Yoshiko and Syusuke. And so it was with a resigned sigh that he dialed his old friend's number.

"Moshi moshi?"

"Ah, Kuniharu…um, I was wondering if you could do us a favor…PLEASE …"

"U-uh, okay I guess," the father stuttered, somewhat alarmed at the hysteria in the man's voice. "What is it?"

"Well, about your son…"

"Sy-Syusuke," his mom called, sounding somewhat scared of the small boy. He supposed that his true nature could frighten people, but he went easy on her because she was his mommy so really, she should be stronger.

"Hai?" he looked up from his drawing of Yuuta, clutching a brown crayon in his small hand.

"Your babysitter is here." Automatically, she took two steps away from the door. "He's waiting downstairs."

Her son opened his piercing blue eyes and she almost drew back in fear. Oh, why couldn't Yumiko do this? She wasn't intimidated by Syusuke because she had the exact same mind as him! She just had to pick today to go out on a date, didn't she? Ugh, she knew that Takuma boy was no good.

After a moment of contemplation, Syusuke said, "Send him in."

His mother whimpered silently.

Soon Syusuke heard footsteps on the stairs, gradually getting louder as they neared his room. He sat up on his big bed, crossing his legs and watching the door with a steady gaze. When Tezuka Kunimitsu walked in, though, that faded in an instant.

"Tezuka-san," his mouth dropped open at the sight of his first babysitter. He hadn't seen the teenager in over half a year. Quickly, he schooled his expression into the practiced emotionless mask. But in seeing Tezuka's, he saw how inadequate it was. "What are you doing here?"

"I am babysitting you. Apparently, you've terrified every other babysitter in all of Honshu."

Syusuke smiled brightly. "They're just mad because I didn't obey them like every little kid is expected too."

"Hn," the boy, even taller now, said disbelievingly and set his bag down. "Can I use your desk?"

"Sure," Syusuke said, lying on his stomach once again and swinging his legs. "Why don't you use the one downstairs?"

"Your parents don't want me to let you out of my sight," he said, pulling out some thick textbooks. "They believe you'll hurt me if I turn my back for a moment."

"And do you believe that?" he asked, tilting his head in a way he knew others saw as cute.

Tezuka had no reaction. "I'm not worried."

Syusuke found it refreshing that someone was so relaxed around him (he suspected his parents were just being paranoid at the moment) and in dwelling on that, forgot to torture Tezuka and send him away crying. Or rather, he didn't want to torture Tezuka and send him away crying (and he rather doubted that he could). Around 7:30, an hour after Tezuka had arrived, he finally heard the sound of the door opening and closing which signaled his parents' departure. Tch. Paranoid parental units.

"Ne, Tezuka-san," Syusuke said, only to realize that he wasn't in the room. Rather than look for him—he knew that the boy wouldn't leave—he walked up to his slightly too-tall desk, and climbed on the chair to get a better look at Tezuka's things.

His math book was opened to a section on calculus, something that Syusuke was sure was too advanced for a third year in middle school. Even he couldn't understand it. The book under it was world history and from the half-finished essay on the side, Syusuke guessed that Tezuka was very good at that subject. He then perused through the rest of Tezuka's things and was reading an essay when Tezuka came back to his room. He smiled at Tezuka's disapproving glance, and looking more like a cat that caught its canary more than a boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar, Syusuke stated, "You're very good at this language, aren't you, Tezuka-san? History, too. But your science is somewhat lacking."

Tezuka fought back a rude remark easily. "Here." He decided not to respond to the little boy's statements on his academic progress and handed him a warm mug.

"What's this?" Syusuke took it without hesitation.

"Milk with honey and wasabi," he said, watching Syusuke down the drink in a few gulps feeling somewhat queasy. He did not want to know what kind of palate this kid had. But his parents had told Tezuka that this was a potent drink that made him sleepy, so he might as well try it.

This turned out to be true when a few minutes later, Syusuke's eyelids started to droop. In a daze, he went to his bed and collapsed on the covers, falling asleep in about 3 seconds (...like they said, a very potent drink. Tezuka silently wondered if Syusuke's parents drugged their child with this drink). Tezuka covered him with a thin blanket.

When Syusuke's parents found him sleeping while Tezuka peacefully read a book, all his homework finished and packed up, they devised a plan on how to trap him and make him babysit for them forever.

Now Tezuka came to their house once a month.

ELEVEN years old

It was a rainy evening and Tezuka was still waiting for Syusuke to come home from school.

Yoshiko (who was thankfully calm and cheerful again) had asked him that afternoon to please wait until her son got home from his club activities. It surprised Tezuka that he was so late in coming home but he had no worries that the young boy could take care of himself, so he settled himself in the living room and read his English novel.

He knew something was wrong when Syusuke entered the house wet and crying.

Tezuka didn't rush to comfort him and the boy didn't dash into his arms. Rather, Syusuke stood there, tears and rainwater dripping on the carpet, until he silently came to sit beside his babysitter, who let Syusuke lean on him.

He could feel the water seeping into his shirt as it spread throughout his sleeve, but he didn't move. When Syusuke's body stopped shaking with small tremors, Tezuka dried him with a towel before laying him, still a bit damp, on the couch and covering him with a throw blanket.

When the Fujis came home later that night, they wondered how Tezuka had put their son to sleep without feeding him honey-wasabi milk (they were out of ingredients), using medical tranquilizers, or knocking him out.

And then they decided that this stoic high school 1st year was heaven-sent.

Tezuka now came over at least once a week.

TWELVE years old

Many things happened the year Syusuke turned 12. For one, his birthday actually fell on a real date just a few weeks before the end of his 6th year.

Tezuka wondered why Syusuke invited him to his birthday party. It would be full of preteens that would most likely not enjoy his presence (he was surprised that Syusuke did) and destroy the Fuji house. But he did feel somewhat responsible for the honey-haired boy and Syusuke's parents did not want to buy expensive consolation gifts again for sending children home ill or severely injured.

Hopefully Tezuka's presence would prevent that from happening.

Oddly they requested for him to arrive at their house at 10 in the morning. Syusuke was wide awake—albeit still in pajamas—and greeted him happily at the door. Tezuka simply raised a brow at his teddy-covered pajamas.

After eating a very late breakfast (Tezuka politely declined), the sandy-haired birthday boy dragged his babysitter up to his room, glomping his little brother while on the staircase. Syusuke then forced Tezuka to help him pick an outfit, to the teenager's utter bewilderment, and then dragged him on a walk through the town even though the stoic brunet was supposed to be helping with decorating.

"I should really be back at your house, Fuji-kun."

"Call me 'Syusuke.' Or at least 'Fuji'; you've known me for almost 3 years. And it's a day where my birthday actually exists so I'm special today. And therefore I can do whatever I want."

With his twisted logic, Tezuka suspected that he could justify murder in his mind.

Syusuke led his companion through endless winding roads, mostly where it was quiet and surrounded by large trees. He was mostly silent but occasionally gave into a childish whim to chase a pebble along the path and kick it like a miniature soccer ball. Tezuka followed the small boy down the walkway, although he didn't walk in curved paths like his charge did.

"Ne, Tezuka-san,"

"Hn?"

"Can I call you Tezuka?"

Tezuka blinked at the child's straightforwardness. It was actually rather rude of him since they were over 4 years in age difference and Tezuka, coming from a traditional family, wanted to say no; but then again he had known the boy for almost 3 years. And, although it was hard to admit, he didn't really want to see Syusuke sad.

The small boy watched him expectantly.

"Do what you want."

Syusuke answered with his brightest smile.

It was mid-afternoon when they decided to head back and Tezuka was surprised to learn that Syusuke had a marvelous sense of direction even though they were in a neighborhood he had never seen before. In less than half an hour, they were sitting down at the table to enjoy a normal lunch (although Yumiko did hand her little brother a small plate of homemade wasabi sushi) since Syusuke's parents actually had ordinary taste buds.

Yumiko had taken the day off of work to spend the whole day with her little brother and with a giggle, presented him with a Fujifilm Polaroid camera, which Syusuke was ecstatic over. Tezuka was slightly confused and asked Yumiko why she didn't get him a digital camera or the latest technology. The 22 year old woman adoringly explained that her sibling liked things of the past instead of the bustle and commotion of present day happenings. That was why he loved that instant camera, even though it was obsolete and discontinued.

While they finished up the food, the ever so perceptive Yumiko noticed the closeness of Syusuke and Tezuka (or rather, Syusuke's stubborn closeness and Tezuka's inaction) as they sat in the living room and teased, "Ne, Syusuke, did you find someone you like better than your nee-san while I was away?"

Syusuke grinned. "You know no one could ever replace you, nee-san. But Tezuka could catch up." He turned to the rigid teenager beside him. "But you need to work on your omelets. They're good but you have a long way to go."

Tezuka would've rolled his eyes if it wouldn't have completely ruined his reputation.

"Syusuke, you shouldn't call Tezuka-kun 'Tezuka.'" Yoshiko chastised as she stepped off a stepladder. Bending down, she rummaged through a cardboard box for more streamers. "It's rude."

"Tezuka's fine with it." The small boy waved it off.

"Is he?" the young-looking mother glanced pointedly at the bespectacled teenager.

"It's all right with me." Tezuka stated. To be honest, it wasn't, but he didn't want to upset the little boy and it didn't seem like such a big deal.

Sometime two hours later, a jumpy redhead arrived at the door decked out in a bright yellow t-shirt with an orange sun, lime green shorts, and teal-lined sneakers (considering that it was February, it was a wonder that he didn't freeze). Tezuka thought he might be blinded by the clashing neon colors. The boy waved to Syusuke and then they both headed to the kitchen where Tezuka was boiling water for his drink. The two blue-eyed boys shoved him out, saying that they were going to make the birthday cake, and left him with lukewarm tea that tasted like cardboard.

Soon other children started to arrive. The neon-clad redhead with the bandage on his nose—Kikumaru Eiji—emerged wearing a checkered apron that was splattered with blobs of flour and egg. Not really noticing, he gave the boy with the black fuzzy hair and green eyes a big hug and dragged him—along with a tall spiky-haired boy with very reflective glasses and a kind-looking brunet with sideburns—into the house.

Tezuka decided to move himself to the Fuji family's large basement, where the walls were lined with ceiling-to-floor bookshelves filled with Japanese literature, information manuals, how-to guides, manga (probably Yuuta's, Tezuka figured), and his favorite—Western books.

Too bad he didn't know that the party was taking place down there.

In a few minutes, swarms of 5 foot boys raced in like ants, completely destroying any hope Tezuka had for a quiet evening. He couldn't even melt into the background because everyone kept coming up to him.

Syusuke actually sat next to him on the lounger for most of the night. Kikumaru and Oishi—the fuzzy-haired boy—kept hanging around, sometimes talking to Syusuke, sometimes questioning him. It was annoying. He would've walked straight out of there if Syusuke didn't have a death grip on his arm.

For dinner, they had sushi, courtesy of Kawamura Takashi, and some kind of poisonous potion, courtesy of Inui Sadaharu. Luckily Kikumaru had the foresight to also prepare soda and punch, and also ban his friend from spiking the drinks with something called "Penal Tea."

The cake that Yumiko brought down for them—the one Kikumaru and Syusuke made—was practically the size of three of the kids at the party. However, when Tezuka turned away for five minutes, most of the chocolate confection was already gone when he looked back. He was sure he hadn't eaten like that when he was a young boy…well, younger away.

Around 10 p.m., Tezuka was getting ready to leave when Syusuke straight out demanded that he sleep over. His mom scolded him for being so straightforward, but Tezuka agreed as long as it was okay with the Fujis. At their son's "I'm going to cry" look and hopelessly sad demeanor (probably taught to him by Yumiko), they relented and sent Tezuka home to get his things.

When he arrived home to get his things—his house was only a ten minute walk away—his mother told him that his friend Atobe called. Realizing he had not spoken to the egotistic maniac in a while, he decided to call back, if only to say hello. However, the diva kept talking for 20 minutes and after he hung up, an acquaintance by the name of Kite Eishirou called (although that was mostly to insult him…). And after that, it was some girl that didn't even go to their school who somehow managed to acquire his phone number.

By the time he made it back to Syusuke's house, it was an hour later and from what he could tell, the little boy was not happy. Yoshiko said it was okay, but she knew that it shouldn't have taken him long to pack his things and come back. With a small smile, she directed Tezuka to the living room, where several of the boys were already asleep and where Syusuke was talking to one of his friends quietly.

"Sorry. Someone called." Tezuka said once the other had left, presumably to change into his nightclothes.

Syusuke looked up with ice cold glaring eyes. "I'm sure."

"I'm sorry."

"I know you are." The small boy said sarcastically. Tezuka sat down next to him, a fair distance away as to not provoke Syusuke's wrath.

"I'm sorry."

Reluctantly, the blue-eyed boy scooted over a centimeter at a time, as if he was embarrassed of doing so. It was admittedly cute, Tezuka decided.

"Don't blow me off again, okay?" Syusuke ordered once he was sitting closely to his babysitter.

"I still came."

"After an hour. Next time when you're supposed to be with me, can't you make the other things less important?" he looked genuinely upset.

"…Okay."

Syusuke smiled. Tezuka sighed.

It was the middle of the night when Syusuke was awoken by stifled laughter.

He sat up and rubbed his eyes, searching for the source of the noise while silently yawning. When his eyes adjusted to the dim moonlight, he saw two sniggering figures hunched over the foldout couch where Tezuka was sleeping.

"Mm…" he mumbled while blinking his eyes. His mind was too dazed to grasp the situation.

"Shh!" a childish voice hushed. "Momo, be more quiet!"

"Eiji-senpai, you're the one who's laughing so loud!" another voice accused...loudly did he accuse.

When the sleepy haze was finally lifted, Syusuke blinked and stumbled out of his sleeping bag just as the spiky-haired figure bent over the sleeping teenager.

"What are you doing?!" the birthday boy whispered loudly and angrily. Luckily for him preteen boys at the party slept like logs so no one was awoken by his cry.

"Ah! Fuji!" Kikumaru gaped, clutching the multicolored markers in his hand like weapons.

"Fuji-senpai—ah, we…uh…" hurriedly, Momoshiro hid his permanent black marker behind his back.

Syusuke scowled. "Don't play pranks on Tezuka."

Kikumaru blinked. "Why not? I thought you hated your babysitters."

"Tezuka's not my babysitter." Momoshiro and Kikumaru sent each other a look. "He is simply being paid to watch me so nothing happens."

That's a babysitter…the two thought.

"Don't try to mess with Tezuka Kunimitsu," at this point, Syusuke struck a righteous pose, "because if you mess with him, you mess with me."

"…Of course…"

"So don't even try to touch him again, understand?" he opened his scary blue eyes. Momoshiro could practically hear the sound slicing through the air.

"Hai!" in a rush, Kikumaru tripped over Momoshiro's feet, crashing into the younger boy and sending him toppling on top of Syusuke's new kitty Daiya, who hissed and dashed up the stairs to Yumiko's room where she would most likely be safer.

After the two scurried off into their sleeping bags, Syusuke simply stood there in the large room, bathed by the moonlight, and stared at the sleeping 16 year old in front of him. He brushed the windswept brown bangs so that his face could be more clearly seen and giggled at the tranquil expression on Tezuka's face. With a smile, the birthday boy dragged Oishi out of the way and moved his sleeping bag so that it was right beside the couch.

It was one of those days when Yumiko had the day off and Syusuke didn't have any afterschool activities.

Of course it was still cold, as March had barely broken in yet, but the two siblings decided to commute to the porch swing while Syusuke waited for Tezuka to arrive. Yumiko, the kind big sister she is, wrapped her shawl around Syusuke's shoulders and made him a cup of extremely sugary hot chocolate (exactly how he liked it) to fight the frost in the air.

"Is Tezuka-kun coming over again?" Yumiko teased while rocking back and forth. "You don't even need a babysitter tonight. I wonder how he feels about taking so much time out of his life to come see you every time you demand it of him."

Her little brother pouted at her. She laughed.

"I'm just kidding, Syusuke. Okaa-san and Otou-san are in Yokohama anyway, so you can use that as an excuse."

"I don't need excuses. He comes whenever I ask him to anyway."

"Well, Tezuka-kun is a very polite young man, isn't it?" the beautiful woman grinned, taking a sip of her drink.

"Eh," Syusuke shrugged. "He could be better. I can tell he wants to throttle me sometimes."

His sister giggled. "Well, that's just because you like pushing his buttons so much."

"I'm trying to make him explode. Becoming a rock is not a healthy goal in life."

"Perhaps that's not the best way to make him show emotion, Syusuke…"

"It's probably the only way. He never smiles."

"That's probably because you're always trying to anger him."

"You're supposed to be on my side. Don't go defending the enemy."

"Oh, so Tezuka-kun is the enemy now?" Yumiko chuckled. Syusuke scowled. "I'm just kidding. So how's school going?"

"Even Mom doesn't ask me about that, you know."

"Well, your sister is. Are classes going well? Any bullies? Did you get in trouble for making Mizuki-kun cry again?"

"He tried to grope me. I have rights. But everything besides that is fine."

"He tried to grope you? I thought he was after Yuuta. Have any girls caught your eye?"

"I think that he believes Yuuta is too young right now. At least he's sensible enough to know that I wouldn't tolerate him laying a hand on my little brother when he's barely 11. Hmm, I don't like any girls, but Tachibana's little sister keeps coming up to me. And Ryuzaki-san from the elementary school comes to our tennis practice a lot to attempt conversation with me. I don't see why; I mean, she already has a crush on a boy in her grade. I think he was Momo's best friend or something. Ah, Ijuuin asked me on a date last week. I don't even know how she knows me because she goes to a different school and she's 9. Let's see…Osakada tries to jump me when she drags Ryuzaki-san to our courts to stalk us during practice. And there's also Chitose-san, but she mostly hangs around me to get to Tezuka."

Yumiko stared.

"I see."

Both of them sat side by side in silence, Syusuke watching the gray-white sky and Yumiko sipping her coffee. It was a nice atmosphere.

"Tezuka!"

Jumping, Yumiko spilled some of her piping hot coffee on Daiya, who shrieked and dashed into the house. Flinching, the older sister made a mental note to give the cat some kitty treats as an apology.

She looked up to see Syusuke grasping the sleeve of Tezuka's shirt and pouting. "You're late."

"I had student council matters to deal with."

"It's Saturday."

"We still had morning classes." Tezuka reminded.

Shrugging, the small boy led him into the house, holding out ducky slippers for the boy to wear. Sighing—he did that a lot when it concerned Syusuke—he acquiesced and put them on, cringing when he found that they quacked while he walked.

From the door, Yumiko smiled at Syusuke's open laughter.

"Syusuke, I need to stop by the office for a while. Don't cause any trouble for Tezuka, okay?"

"Nee-san, you know I would never."

Syusuke was just getting out of the shower when the doorbell rang. He quickly threw on his clothes while shaking as much water out of his hair as possible before dashing down the stairs and throwing open the door for Tezuka…

…only to see a purple-haired…thing there instead.

"...Who are you?" Syusuke narrowed his eyes while inconspicuously grabbing the phone on the stand nearby, ready to attack if need be. His parents had warned him about pedophiles and stalkers in the area.

"Atobe, you really didn't have to come." An exasperated voice said from behind the purple…thing. Tezuka pushed past the intruder, who apparently he was familiar with, to take off his shoes.

"Hmm; Ore-sama had to see what was keeping you so busy lately." Atobe flipped his hair and Syusuke cocked an eyebrow at the narcissistic action. Bending down, Tezuka's "friend" inspected his small frame and said indignantly, "This is why you blew me off? How old is this boy? 10?"

"Hey you have no right to be rude in my house." Syusuke glared and crossed his arms. Unfortunately, the pose did not have the effect that he desired as the 12 year old was tiny and looked a bit like a girl. "What are you doing here?"

"Che," Atobe scoffed. "This kid's got an attitude."

"Atobe…san…please leave. We don't welcome strangers here."

"Oh, but I am not a stranger. I am Tezuka's friend and isn't a friend of his a friend of…whoever you are?"

"I live in this house and that puts me in a higher position to decide who is a stranger and who is not." Syusuke retorted.

"Yes, but you're so chibi that your opinion only counts for half of what it should."

The little brunet stared. This guy's logic was so twisted…actually, it was almost like his own. The thought made him shudder.

"Atobe, if you're just going to infuriate him, leave." Tezuka said from the kitchen while chewing on a carrot.

"Tezuka, are you actually babysitting this brat?" Atobe asked incredulously, completely ignoring the tall boy's previous remark.

"I am not a brat, I am 12 years old!" Syusuke exclaimed. This guy was annoying…it made him want to chuck the phone at his big head…ooh, that sounded like a good idea.

"Don't even think about throwing that at me." Atobe warned before he even raised his arm. "My family could have you arrested for attempted assault."

Syusuke blinked. They were too far alike. That knowledge didn't fare well with the small boy. "Just get out of my house already! I don't know you and Tezuka certainly isn't begging you to stay, is he?"

The teenager in question didn't do anything to contradict his statement, preferring to keep out of Syusuke's—and Atobe's—messes.

Atobe glared. "I don't have time for little kids like you." With a graceful and dramatic turn of the heel, he marched out of the house to where a black stretch limo (where did that come from?) was awaiting. "Ja, Tezuka!"

"Aah," was the apathetic reply.

Syusuke shut the door and locked it, ensuring that no more unwelcome visitors would wander in. He then walked over to Tezuka, who had moved to the living room and was watching the news while doing his homework, and climbed onto his lap. Tezuka let his head rest on Syusuke's soft hair and wrapped an arm around his shoulders as they sat in silence.

I torture Daiya a lot, don't I? Well, REVIEW. I usually don't pressure my readers into reviewing, but do you know how annoying it is to get so many story alerts for this fic and most of them don't review??