I had the idea, but I needed advice from someone to get it to work. Kai's character will be different because his parents are NOT dead this time around. Basically an AU where his parents survived the accident. I may make this into a full story later on (like every other one-shot I post here). I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Cardfight! Vanguard.

FLF

Chapter 10: Home as a family

Kai yawned as school ended. He blinked tiredly, picking up his school bag and leaving the classroom with Miwa behind him.

"Late night again?" Miwa asked the usual exhausted brunet.

"Yeah," Kai manged a weary smile. He couldn't help it. After the accident, his mom had been in critical condition. Thankfully, she is better now but still needs medication. Which is unfortunately expensive. Kai's dad was also injured for a while but recovered faster. In that time they had bills building up. Kai had been helping his dad for the past few years with his work which was a lot. Numerous times, Kai convinced his dad to give him a bigger portion, so he could spend time with his wife. Kai now had his own full time job. He worked at home from his computer until his dad came home. Then he would leave and go to his dad's office, taking over for him. Of course, the enterprise didn't agree at first, but Kai didn't back down. His dad put a good word in for him, and he made a deal with the enterprise. It was exhausting, but it gave his dad sometime to relax.

"You really should take a break," Miwa voiced his concern. "You look like you'll collapse."

"I'm fine, Miwa," Kai waved it off.

"Fine," Miwa sighed, knowing his friend wouldn't admit it. "But stop by Card Capital some time. Kamui and Aichi were wondering about you."

"Right," Kai inwardly sighed. He barely had anytime to himself, and it was eating at him. But he didn't complain. He was just happy to have his parents alive. He would never be able to live if they had died that day.

"Would make you come if I told you Nee-san misses you?" Miwa teased slyly, elbowing the brunet.

The brunet flushed at this, no longer tired. "M-Miwa! It-it's not like that! We're just friends!"

"Uh-huh," Miwa grinned. "Right. And as a friend, Nee-san once said she loves your eyes."

"Miwa, quit joking around," Kai muttered, though Miwa could see slight shock in his emerald eyes. "A-anyway, I have to go now. I need to check on my mom before I get to work."

"You sound like an adult," Miwa rolled his eyes, but he was worried. "Don't overdue it, okay?"

"...Yeah." Kai's answer wasn't reassuring, but the blond didn't press any further. They waved before heading in their own directions. The brunet couldn't help but hurry his footsteps as he went into the house. He nearly bumped into his mom in all his worry.

"Sorry, Mom," Kai apologized and sighed with relief. She was okay. He was constantly worried about her when there was no one to look after her.

"Welcome home, Toshiki," the ill woman smiled softly, embracing her son warmly. Her long magenta hair was curled at the end, framing her chocolate-colored eyes. She was shorter than Kai as he had grown much taller this year. "How was your day?"

Kai returned it gently with a fond smile. "It was good, Mom. How are you feeling?"

"I'm actually feeling good today," she smiled at her son as they pulled away. "Maybe you should take the day off, Toshiki."

Kai tried to smile for her sake. A day off sounded wonderful, but Kai couldn't afford it.

"It's fine, Mom. Really." He didn't want to worry his mother either. She had enough as it is.

His mom smiled. "You're such a good boy," she said, kissing his forehead before heading back to her room.

Kai went upstairs and entered his room. He sat by his desk and turned his laptop on. He began working. It was hard as usual due to his sleepy eyes. He found it hard to stay awake. The comfort of his soft bed was calling him. Kai's head almost fell on his desk numerous times. He shook his head and drank some cold water to stay awake. After what felt like forever, he heard his dad come home.

Kai sighed, not sure if it was with relief or exhaustion. He took his laptop and went downstairs. He saw his mom greet his dad.

"Hey, Dad," Kai smiled wearily. The man was tall, much like his son, though Kai had almost grown taller. His smooth black hair was combed back, giving view to his sharp black eyes. It was at times like this Kai wondered how he was related to them without carrying anything in comparison.

"Toshiki, you look tired," his dad said worriedly. His mom nodded her head.

"Toshiki, it's okay if you take a break once in a while," she said.

"I know, Mom," Kai said, hugging his dad. "But I'm fine. The day is almost over anyway." That was a lie. He was definitely not fine, and the DAY may have been over, but for Kai the night was the harder time.

He quickly hugged them good-bye and swiftly left the house before the could convince him to stay. Kai sighed, feeling yet another migraine coming. It was going to be another long night.

Kai stumbled into the house, almost failing in shutting the door without making a sound. He trudged up to his room, each step killing his stiff body. He staggered into his room and shut the door. Kai leaned against it and looked at the clock. It was midnight.

He came home earlier than usual. It would normally be 6 o'clock by the time he finished his work. Granted, Kai always had extra work even after he came home. And then came his school work. So coming home at midnight was early to the brunet.

Kai collapsed on his chair, opening his laptop and began working. His fingers slowed on the keys as his eyes began to feel heavy. The tired boy shook his head and continued on for a few more hours. Once he finally finished, his eyes were half open. In his hazy vision, he managed to shut off his laptop and set it to charge.

Kai then looked over his shoulder. His homework laid in his school bag just across his room. To Kai, it felt like miles away. He held on to his desk for balance, his body swaying. The brunet's eyes finally clamped shut as he slowly fell to the ground. His body barely reacted to the hard contact his body made with the floor and fell into a deep, well-needed sleep.

Kai's vision blurred, his head pounding. It hurt badly. The brunet groaned quietly, his senses becoming aware to the horrible headache he had.

"Shh, lay still, Toshiki," a gentle voice was heard.

Despite his intense exhaustion, Kai knew that voice belonged to his mother. He felt a hand gently run through his hair and closed his eyes at the comfort. Once he reopened them, his vision had gotten better. He recognized the room as his and realized he was laying on his bed, his head on his mother's lap. He saw his dad sit next to her, and then he finally snapped out of his daze.

"D-Dad... aren't you supposed to be at work?" Kai was about to attempt to get up, but his dad held his shoulder.

"Toshiki, you're running a fever," he said firmly. "You'll stay home today. And tomorrow."

Kai's eyes widened. "B-but-"

"Toshiki," his dad's voice got an edge to it. "You ARE staying home. For a LONG time."

"Toshiki, your school closed today," his mom said gently. "But we still want you to stay home for a few days."

Kai was finding it hard to process everything with his slow-working mind at the moment. He just wanted to help his parents, not make them worry. The stress of everything was killing the brunet, a stray tear rolling down his cheek.

"I'm sorry," he whispered lowly, clenching his fists.

His dad gently brushed it away and rubbed his son's head. "Toshiki, you work too hard, especially for your age. You shouldn't have to worry about this stuff."

"Toshiki," his mom began, her voice hurt. "We were really worried when we found you like that. Please don't scare us like that again."

"...Okay," Kai murmured. He couldn't really say anything considering his mind was still working slow. Now that he had more time to think, he realized he was extremely hungry. Probably because he didn't have dinner. Or breakfast.

"Can... I get something to eat?" Kai asked slowly, blinking his eyes a few times. Why did the room keep spinning? Couldn't it stop for a moment? Kai wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing that his stomach was empty right now.

He barely registered his parents glance at each other before his dad placed his head on the pillow. Something warm and soft was placed on him. Then everything went black.

The brunet sighed, leaning against the couch. The hot soup his mom prepared for him had been nice. He actually felt a little better. But his dad was adamant about giving him a break.

"Toshiki, how does someone your age worry about work?" his dad shook his head, sitting next to him.

Kai laughed a little at that. He couldn't remember when he didn't worry about his work. It was constantly on his back, never ending. He wondered what he would do if he had more free time. Maybe nap? Or hang out with his friends at Card Capital. Those things sounded impossible though.

"Try to relax," his mom told him, feeling his warm forehead to prove it. "You're still sick."

"But..." Kai trailed off when his dad gave him a look. He really couldn't say anything with that deadly glare on his back. Then again, Miwa tells him he sometimes does the same thing. "Never mind."

"Why don't we play a game?" his mom suggested.

"Uh, sure," Kai thought about it. "But what game?"

"How about Vanguard?" his dad said. "I had been wanting to know how the game works."

Kai smiled. "Okay, I'll explain."

Hours passed as parents and child took turns playing against each other. Kai always won to his dad, but he would purposely lose to his mom. This did not go unnoticed.

"Toshiki, you're letting me win," the woman said with a knowing look.

"And you're beating me without a care at all," his dad added.

"Uh, it's different?" Kai tried with a sheepish grin.

"Toshiki."

"I can make an honest win," his mom countered, lightly tapping his head.

"If you say so," Kai grinned. He had been going easy on his dad too since they were both beginners. But if they insisted...

"Don't ground me after this."

"Toshiki..."

"I still say it was a fluke," his dad continued the same conversation up until dinner. For once, the whole family was actually sitting together, finally using that lonely wooden table.

"I beg to differ," Kai murmured quietly with a smile.

"It was by chance that your "Final Turn" worked," his dad insisted. "Those two Critical Triggers were a fluke."

"Now, honey," the woman raised an eyebrow. "Toshiki did the same thing in the second battle too. So there must have been many flukes."

Kai quickly hid his grin when his dad turned to him. "They're not flukes, Dad. It's skill."

"I still think it was plain luck..." his dad grumbled.

"Oh hush you," the brown-eyed woman said, a twinkle in her eyes. "I rather enjoyed the cute game."

"Because you beat Dad every time?" Kai couldn't help but ask.

"Toshiki, eat your food," she scolded her son, but she was smiling cheerfully.

"Whatever you say, Mom." Both mother and son shared a quick grin before pretending to look elsewhere when the father looked up.

Kai smiled, chewing his food. There definitely were perks for staying home. He knew he would have to go back to the usual routine soon -or so he guessed his dad would let him- but it felt nice to spend some time with his family.

Like I said, Kai's character is very different. If you've seen him as a kid, then you know where I'm coming from. Of course he's matured, so I couldn't make him that cheery. Any ideas on who should be paired up in the next chapter? Review if you have the time.