Sorry for taking so long. Busy and everything. I have so many tests and quizzes tomorrow. T-T Got to study!

Disclaimer: I don't own Cardfight Vanguard.

Kai Baby-sits

Chapter 3: Medicine! Hide! Hi- Sweets?

Mana giggled, sitting under the table, her arms around her knees. She was currently hiding from Kai. She had no intention of taking her medicine.

"A... a... ACHOO!" Mana sneezed. She quickly covered her mouth. Maybe he won't see-

"Found you," Kai bent down next to her. "How long are you going to do this?"

Mana's eyes twitched with fury. "FOREVER!" Mana retorted indigenously, though, she wasn't able to hold back another sneeze. "ACHOO!" Mana rubbed her nose.

Kai frowned at that. He placed a hand on her forehead. Hot. Last night's rain may have done it, Kai thought grimly. He was responsible for watching over her.

"C'mon, you're only going to get worse," Kai said, offering her a hand.

"But, I don't want it!" Mine whined. She crawled to the other side of the table and pushed the chairs out of the way. Coming out from under the table, she quickly ran out of the room.

Kai shook his head. Maybe he should stop letting her think she can hide from him. He had just let her have fun for awhile. Her attitude would probably worsen if he didn't.

"I'm becoming too soft," Kai sighed. He placed the chairs back to pass the time and waited a few minutes. Soon, Kai left the room and headed upstairs. He knocked on her door before walking in. Kai checked under her bed. Sighing, he looked in her closet. Dolls of every style and clothes all over. Mana wasn't there.

Next was Miwa's room. This would be Kai's first time in it. Kai heard quick footsteps, giggling; the sound of a door closing.

Kai wondered where the girl got such an absurd idea; to think she couldn't be found with all that noise. Still, Kai found the whole thing amusing. It was almost fun to play along. He opened the door. Kai looked around. It was organized. Kai would be shocked if Miwa hadn't told him over the phone his parents were yelling at him to clean his room before they leave.

Kai checked under the bed. He mentally asked himself why was he playing dumb. It was obvious she was in the closet. Kai thought looking all over the room was enough. He headed for the closet.

He opened it. Clothes and junk piled high. Kai spotted a few homework sheets that were due months ago. He knew the blond lied when he said he cleaned his room.

Kai guessed he was still mad at Miwa for making him do this. Shaking away his thoughts, Kai realized something. He smiled slightly. It was a nice trick for a seven-year-old. He shut the closet and headed for the door. He closed it all the way, revealing the sneaky girl behind it.

Mana grinned, discovered. She was disappointed he had checked behind the door though. She thought he had fell for it.

"Not bad," Kai complimented her. "But, I'm not changing my mind."

Mana huffed, folding her arms.

Kai thought for a moment. "I'll give you a treat if you do."

Mana's eyes glittered with excitement. "Sweets?" Her voice sounded enchanted.

"Sure," Kai agreed, relieved to finally be getting somewhere. This girl had close to none of Miwa's traits. Kai knew how to deal with Miwa. (Sort of) But Mana was something else. Although, he noticed his plan was a success.

Mana nodded excitedly and swiftly opened the door. She took Kai's hand. "Hurry!"

Kai let himself get dragged down the stairs to the hall closet. He searched through the cabinets until he found the right one. He poured the red liquid into a medicine cup. Kai turned to the baby blue-eyed girl.

Mana swallowed. She lost her resolve. "I don't want it."

Kai wondered if he should tell her she has to take twice every day. Deciding to save that information for later, he said,

"It's not much. You can get any sweet you want after this."

"Any?" Mana repeated. "Even-"

"No ice cream," Kai interrupted knowingly. Did all baby-sitters feel like parents? Seeing the girl's upset face, Kai knew he had to act quickly. "Do you want to take this all the time?"

Mana quickly shook her head in horror. She hesitantly swallowed it.

"Eww!" Mana grimaced, handing it back.

Kai took it and sighed with relief.

"What?" Mana frowned.

"Nothing."

Mana's unhappy frowned deepened. What was it? Did he think she was annoying?

Kai silently led her downstairs and handed her a glass of water.

Mana stopped reaching for it midway.

"What is it?" Kai asked.

"Um... Mommy and Daddy don't let me use those," Mana stated, fiddling with her finders.

Kai cocked his head to the right. "You used glasses the last time you ate, didn't you?"

"But..."

"I think you're responsible enough," Kai shrugged, taking her hands and placing the glass in them.

Mana stared at the brunet, surprised. Her parents never said she could do it, no matter how many times she begged them.

"Don't drink standing up," Kai told Mana, pulling her away from her thoughts. "It isn't good."

"O-okay," Mana stuttered, sitting down. She slowly took drank it, lost in thought. No one had ever called her 'responsible' before. It means I'm old enough to do something, right? Mana thought. She looked at the brunet.

"What kind of sweet do you want?"

Mana thought about it. She reached her conclusion. "Oh! I want cake!"

Kai nodded and took out some ingredients. He started baking.

Mana watched him curiously. What was he cooking? Late lunch? Mana walked towards Kai.

"Um..."

"What is it?" Kai asked, mixing eggs and sugar in a bowl. White flour dotted his apron.

"...What are you making?"

"Cake," came the simple reply. Kai placed his finger in the batter and brought it to his mouth.

"Mm, needs more sugar," Kai murmured to himself. He placed another teaspoon of sugar.

"Cake?!"

"Wasn't that what you wanted?" Kai asked, stirring the batter once more.

"B-but, YOU'RE making it?!" Mana's mouth dropped.

Kai blinked. "What's wrong with that?"

"Even Mommy can't make it!" Mana exclaimed.

"Really?"

"Yeah, she always made it too sweet!" Mana said, watching Kai work.

"Takes a bit of practice," Kai murmured. He preheated the oven then took out a smooth, round cake mold. Kai laid it on the counter. He rubbed a stick of butter on the cake mold. He then poured the batter in.

Minutes passed, Kai put on oven mitts and put the mold in the oven. Setting it for 350F, Kai cleaned the counter.

Mana watched him curiously. He made it seem so easy.

"How do you know how to make a cake?" Mana asked.

Kai made a small noise of surprise upon this question. He placed the dishes in the sink, giving the girl his back. The question was simple, but Kai found it hard to answer. He didn't want to remember. Anything.

"I just know."

Mana felt something was off about his smile. It seemed different than his usual one.

Kai avoided eye contact and opened the fridge. He pulled out a gallon of milk and some strawberries. After washing the strawberries, Kai dropped them in a bowl. He poured the milk in a glass.

Kai sat on a chair and waited for the cake.

"...Why are you sad?"

Kai turned to Mana, surprised. "What?"

"You're sad!" Mana insisted with a frown. "Why?!"

Kai just stared at the girl before letting a wry smile grace his face. He patted the blond's head. "Yeah."

"Huh?" Mana blinked at the contact. "What do you mean 'yeah'?!" Mana slapped his hand away.

"Nothing."

"Awww!"

Kai chuckled quietly. He stood up and took out the cake. Kai proceeded to cover it in dark chocolate icing. He laid strawberries on it and put one in the middle.

"Wow..." Mana stared at the cake in awe.

Kai cut out a smooth, triangular slice and gave it to her. He placed the glass of milk on the table in front of her. Kai cut himself a portion and sat next to the girl.

Mana took a bite of the cake. "It's good!" She took another bite and another.

"Can I have some more?" she asked with excitement.

"Later," Kai responded, taking a bite. "After dinner."

Mana pouted but finished her plate. "Fine."

Kai slowly ate his. He washed the dishes and put them away. Kai looked at the clock. It was almost dinner time.

"Can you take the medicine again?"

"WHAT?!" Mana waved her arms wildly in outrage.

Kai sighed. "You have to."

"I do NOT!" Mana denied, standing up. She quickly left the room.

"Not this again," Kai groaned. After searching EVERYWHERE in the house, Kai plopped down on a couch. How was he supposed to convince her? For that matter, where was she?

Kai looked out the window. He saw Mana running around in the front yard. Kai got up and walked outside.

Mana was quick to notice him. She quickly ran.

Kai decided the game was over. He easily overtook the girl and stopped in front of her. Kai placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I know you don't want it, but I'm not letting you do anything else until you agree."

Mana pouted unhappily.

"I'll make you another cake," Kai offered.

"Really?" Mana stared at the brunet surprised. She actually thought he would be angry by now.

"Any kind you want," Kai added. He didn't mind. He rather enjoyed cooking. Still, he somehow felt happy at the blond's answer.

"Okay!" Mana grinned.

Kai smiled.

The sun was about to set. Kai led Mana back in the house. After giving her some leftover curry, it would be seen if the deal would hold.

Mana stared at the medicine as if it was poison. Remembering the delicious cake she had eaten, she gripped the medicine cup.

And swallowed it.

When Mana sent Kai a glare, he pretended to look elsewhere. Kai sent her to bed.

Mana showered and brushed her teeth. She was startled when she came into her room. Alone. Mana quickly opened her door and searched her brother's room. She saw Kai drying his damp hair with a towel.

"What's the matter?" Kai noticed the girl's nervousness.

"Um..." Mana idly moved her feet.

Kai watched her try to form the right words in her head.

"You could sleep in my room!" she blurted before she could stop herself.

"Huh?" Kai blinked at the fidgeting girl.

"It's big and everything!" Mana said quickly, pulling the brunet's hand. "You'll love it!"

Kai watched the girl carefully as he walked into her room. Was she still scared of being alone? Kai had assumed she could at least sleep by herself if she had her own room.

Mana hesitantly got on her bed.

Kai placed the covers over her. "Night."

"Wait!" Mana grabbed his hand. "Tell me a story!"

The order took Kai by surprise, but he agreed. He sat next to her and started the story. After the fifth one, Kai realized the girl wasn't just being bratty. She was stalling.

"It'll be fine. Try to get some sleep," Kai tried but to no avail.

"No!" Mana shook her head. She stood her ground, not wanting to be alone. She blinked when she noticed something reflect in Kai's eyes. Like before. Sadness.

"...Scoot over."

Mana beamed, forgetting her earlier thoughts. She scooted over, giving the older room.

Kai laid down, letting his body relax on the plush bed. Mana gripped his arm, afraid he would leave. Kai patted her head reassuringly. He finally coaxed her to go to sleep.

"Thank you," Mana murmured, falling asleep.

Kai didn't say anything. He waited until she fell into deep sleep. Kai sat up, careful not to wake up the sleeping girl.

Kai didn't mind watching over her... to an extent. But, he still had a problem. He thought it would be okay but after seeing how scared she was, it wouldn't work.

"I had to have school tomorrow," Kai muttered. Hearing the girl move in her sleep, Kai laid back down. He placed his hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling.

"Maybe..." Kai covered his mouth, yawning. He blinked sleepy eyes. All this baby-sitting had got in the way of his naps. Saving his worries for later, Kai fell asleep.

Thinking of making Mana follow him to school. Maybe add a little of Morikawa and Izaki. I'll see.

Review if you want.