This is kind of sad, so I hope the ending makes up for it. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Cardfight! Vanguard.

FLF

Chapter 4: True parents

Kai leaned back on his seat as the plane took off. What stupid world was he living in? Who's parents abandons their child for their job and then demands he visit? Kai sighed. It had to be his parents.

"Why do they want me to come?" Kai murmured. "It's not like they ever cared."

Kai knew they didn't. They always left. They never once spent time with him. Kai remembered. Millions of times, they left him.

"Mommy! Let's play!" a little Kai smiled.

"Yes, yes. Later," came the response.

Later never came. It continued to go on.

"Daddy, can we go to the park?"

"Later, I'm busy."

"Some other time."

"Not today."

"Next time."

Kai frowned at the memories. His parents would always avoid him. He took the hint and left. It wasn't like they wanted him. Kai closed his eyes. It was going to be a long weekend.

"...Toshiki, you haven't said a word," his dad said.

Kai sat at the table, idly touching his food with a spoon. It's been awhile since he heard that name. It sounded so foreign. He had no reason to speak with them. When had they ever taken the time to listen to him? It was much easier to keep quiet.

"Is something wrong?" his dad asked.

Like you care, Kai thought, his grip tightening on his utensil. He didn't feel like eating. Not that he did in the first place.

Kai stood up from his chair and went up to his room without a word. He flopped on his bed and stared at the ceiling. Wanting a distraction from his family problems, Kai bent over and picked up his bag. Digging through its contents, his hand grasped his deck. Kai took out the cards and sorted through them.

Kai wondered if he should put Prowling Dragon, Striken back in his deck. Its ability to give a Critical and +5000 Power would go excellently with his evolved Overlord. Still, such an ability ended up making it a Restraint. He'd have to think about it.

Kai placed his cards back in his deck holder and put it to the side. What to do? He had already taken a nap in the plane on the way here. Besides, he felt uncomfortable at the thought of his parents waking him up. Maybe a walk.

Teal eyes looked out the window. Out of the question. It was pouring outside. What else could he do?

Kai looked at his surroundings. It was like any other room. Desk, dresser, nightstand, and a closet. Nothing special. Kai sighed. Might as well take a nap.

"You didn't come out of your room last night," Kai's dad stated.

"Didn't feel like it," Kai murmured, staring at an iris on the table next to him. He sat on a couch across from his parents. Kai practically ignored them altogether, looking at the patterns on the flower's vase.

"Toshiki, you should act more like your age. We're your parents. You should respect us," his mom said firmly.

Kai's eye twitched. Anger exploded in him. Gritting his teeth, Kai forced himself to count the clouds. They had no right to say that. Them of all people!

"We're serious, Toshiki," his dad frowned. "If you keep up this attitude, we'll send you on your way."

A shadow went over Kai's face. He smiled emptily. "You'd want that. It's what you always do." Kai turned to his parents, his fake smile changed to an anguished frown.

"Why? Why do you always want me gone?"

Both his parents were taken back.

"Toshiki, what are-"

"Don't act like you don't know!" Kai yelled, abruptly standing up. "You've always wanted me gone! You never once listened to me!"

"Toshiki, that's not true," his mom said, shocked by her son's outburst.

"STOP LYING!" Kai shouted, knocking down the vase.

Shattered pieces covered the floor. Water soaked the carpet. The iris lay on the floor.

"WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU VISITED ME?!" Kai demanded, his voice getting louder and louder. "WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CAME TO MY BIRTHDAY?! WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU ACTUALLY THOUGHT ABOUT ME?!"

Silence filled the room. Both adults stared at their son, never once seeing him get so angry.

Kai panted, his eyes reflecting fierce anger. Hidden behind those pools of anger was pain, confusion, and a hint of happiness. Pain of not being able to have true parents. Confusion of why he was never acknowledged. And happiness for finally saying it all. He had finally told them. Kai had always wanted to tell them, but he thought they may change. Guess he was wrong. Still, his happiness only lasted mere moments. Sadness followed. All the pain Kai had suppressed for years had resurfaced.

Kai clenched his teeth, feeling his eyes sting. He couldn't take it. Kai ran past his parents, out of the room and out the house.

"Toshiki!"

Kai ran as fast as he could, not looking back. Kai never wanted to go back. He knew it was true, but he tried to deny it. His parents have absolutely no concern for him.

Kai slowed down by a tree, far away from the house. He sat down on a bed of grass and buried his head in his knees. He felt overwhelming pain. In a way, it had always been there. Kai had managed to keep it hidden for years, but now it hit him like a rock.

His face felt hot. Kai didn't bother worrying that he may have a fever. He wrapped his arms around himself, just wanting to disappear. No one would really care.

The sky turned dark as rain slowly started to fall. The water sped up, now pouring. Kai felt even more awful. He shivered; maybe he was sick. Kai couldn't keep his eyes open any longer. His arms loosened. Kai was unconscious.

Emerald eyes slowly opened, face flushed with fever. Kai sat up on the bed. A towel fell into Kai's lap. Kai picked it up; it was wet. Kai shivered. He felt cold.

Kai shook off his shivers and looked around. He was back in his room. What happened? Kai was too tired to properly understand. He sneezed, feeling a headache coming on.

Kai laid back down, wanting to sleep. He felt tired. Faster than he thought, Kai was already out.

"Toshiki?"

Kai frowned in his sleep, his eyes slightly twitching. His eyelids felt so heavy. His body felt hot, yet he was shivering.

"Toshiki, wake up. Its your mom."

Kai's eyes snapped open. He shot straight up and turned to his mom. And dad.

"Are you feeling better, Toshiki?" his mom asked, gently, placing a hand on his.

Kai couldn't seem to close his mouth. Was he imagining this? He blinked a few times, trying to gather his thoughts. His tongue refused to move.

"Toshiki, you need to take your medicine," his dad said. Smiling at him.

Kai let a spoon of grape flavored liquid go in his mouth. He grimaced at the bitterness. Kai had never liked grapes.

"You don't like it, do you?" his mom chuckled.

"No," Kai murmured quietly. He still couldn't believe this was happening. Maybe what he said had an effect on them.

"Toshiki, we..." his dad started.

"We wanted to apologize," his mom said, tightening her grip on Kai's hand. "I know it could never be enough, but we were hoping to start again. If you'll give us another chance."

Now Kai knew he was hallucinating. Still, he found himself hugging his mom, tears rolling down his face.

The magenta haired woman smiled, tears in her own eyes. This was her only child, and she hadn't lived up to his needs. She rubbed his head, returning the hug and whispering comforting words.

Kai's dad smiled at him, joining the hug. Kai cried harder, not able to hold it in any longer. The hug went on until Kai fell asleep in his parents arms, physically and mutually exhausted. His parents smiled and laid him on the bed, kissing him good-night. They reassured him that they would be better parents.

"Toshiki, don't forget your lunch!" his mom called.

Kai let go of the door knob and turned around. "It's fine. I don't need it."

"Don't you give me that!" his mom scolded, handing him his lunch. "A growing boy needs to eat!"

Kai smiled. "Whatever you say, Okaa-san."

His mom smiled and placed a kiss on his forehead. "Have a good day! she said, ushering him out.

Kai walked towards his school, a smile on his face. His parents had lived up to their word and came back to live with him. His dad was still a business man. His mom now works at a store. They would always spend time with him, so he was happy.

"Hey, Kai!"

Said boy turned to see his best friend waving at him.

"How's it going?!" Miwa grinned at the brunet, expecting a grumpy response.

Kai smiled genuinely. "It's great," he said cheerfully.

Miwa stopped dead in his tracks. He pinched himself, just to make sure he wasn't dreaming. Did Kai have a doppleganger?

"Kai," Miwa stated slowly, a nervous smile on his face. He remembered the last time Kai played nice; the brunet looked like he would kill someone. "Are you okay?"

Kai was about to respond when his phone vibrated in his pocket. Kai saw he had a text. It was his dad.

Hey, I was thinking we could go see a movie today.
Would you like to go?

Kai smiled and answered in the affirmative.

Sure, Oto-san.

The brunet placed his phone back in his pocket and turned to Miwa. Kai almost laughed at the blond's dumbfounded look.

"Of course I am," Kai replied. He looked up, his hair waving back and forth. Kai smiled again. He was perfectly fine.

Kai used Prowling Dragon, Striken against a Foo Fighter in the manga. It's a Grade 2 Restraint. I added it just for practice on writing Cardfights. It's really hard. Okay, next is romance. Maybe Ren X Asaka? I'll see what I can do! Please Review!