I am happy to say, here is the next chapter. I hope it is as cute as I intended. Turns out, I am finding some sort of vague plot, as you may have noticed. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Cardfight Vanguard.

Kai Baby-sits

Chapter 6: Sneaky

Kai sat on a bench, watching Mana run around, his eyes looking, but his mind far away. That same question rang in his mind over and over.

What would happen when Miwa would come back?

The brunet shook his head with a sigh. It was not the uproar the blond would cause once he saw how Kai treated his sister that worried the brunet. That was something he would dearly like to avoid, but something worse had been bothering him. Once Miwa came back, wouldn't he stop watching over Mana?

Kai finally focused his eyes, now seeing Mana playing tag amongst the other children that occupied the playground. She had become something very special to him. Kai had been in denial about it, but it had now become painfully obvious to him. He now thought of Mana as family, unconsciously allowing her to fill the empty space his family had left him with. Kai couldn't wrap his mind around it. The sole purpose of him being cold and distant was to prevent this. He didn't want to go through losing someone he loved again. And yet, he had been watching over this girl for so long now. It was ironic really. Kai wasn't sure if it was bad or good. Should he be happy or concerned?

"Toshi-nii!"

Kai looked up with a start to see Mana standing in front of him, an upset frown on her face, the complete opposite expression of the kids standing behind her. Their eyes were practically sparkling as they stared at him.

"Toshi-nii! Why didn't you tell me you were famous?!" Mana demanded, her hands on her hips, although angry, Kai could see excitement in her eyes.

So that's it, Kai realized, watching the kids almost burn their eyes just to stare at him, unblinking. He had forgotten he was a famous card fighter for a moment's time.

"Guess it slipped my mind," Kai smiled in spite of his worrying thoughts and couldn't help but tease Mana.

Mana fumed, folding her arms and turning away with a huff. She apparently had no problems so long as she new someone famous, much to Kai's amusement.

"S-so, you're THE Kai Toshiki?!" a boy finally had the nerve to ask. As if already knowing the answer, he babbled on, "I've always wanted to meet you! I use Kagero too! Could you look at my deck?"

"No way!" a bold girl butted in. "Check my deck!"

"As if! You use Narukami!"

"In case you didn't know, he uses it too!"

Kai watched the kids bicker amongst each other, not sure to be amused or annoyed. He could see this was going to go nowhere though. This wasn't the first time kids had this request. Kai knew it could get messy.

"And who said any of you can show your deck to him?!" Mana demanded, silencing the argument. "After all, he has much better things to do!"

The kids suddenly seemed hesitant, and Kai wondered how much was he idolized.

"What kind of things?" Kai whispered to Mana as the kids shared uncertain looks.

Mana grinned. "We can start with an additional cake added to my two waiting ones since I helped you. Oh, and make it velvet."

Kai shook his head with a smile. "I thought that was out of place. Isn't this becoming repetitive?"

"A growing child needs their sweets," Mana said in a false-serious tone, her mouth forming into a wide grin.

"Alright. You drive a hard bargain." The brunet gave in with a sigh. He then stood up and approached the children. Bending down to their height, he said, "I have some things I need to do. I'll check your decks next time, okay?"

They were disappointed, but overcame it with the joy of speaking to him, so they quickly thanked him and went on their way, saying something about bragging to their school.

Kai stood up and turned to the mischievous blond girl. "Let me guess. You want an ice cream on the way home. For starters."

"I didn't say anything,"Mana stated innocently, blinking at him with her smile growing into a grin. At Kai's raised eyebrow, she couldn't contain herself. "You shouldn't have!" Mana said with a laugh, jumping in the air.

"It's a wonder you haven't gotten a cavity," Kai muttered to himself as Mana took his hand and headed towards the awaiting ice cream shop.

Mana giggled happily. She loved being around Kai now. He was so sweet, and she honestly wondered what made her hate him in the first place. She stopped walking when something wet landed on her face, followed by more. Mana looked up in surprise to see it snowing. The wind seemed colder and rough, blowing her blond hair around.

"Yay!" Mana threw her head back and opened her mouth wide, hoping to taste some of it.

Kai smiled at her actions, but he was concerned. "It's gotten colder."

"A perfect time to buy some clothes!" Mana joked, closing her mouth and grinning at Kai.

"There is a store over there," Kai mused, thinking it over. "Alright."

"Really?!" Mana had just been joking. She didn't actually mean it. At this point, she almost felt guilty. "You don't have to."

"I don't mind," Kai assured her with a smile. He led her to the store. "When did you start worrying about me?" he couldn't help but ask with a smirk.

"But you buy me lots of stuff!" Mana insisted. Her eyes then widened. "Wait. Are you rich?!"

"Shh," Kai quieted her as they walked in the store. Reaching the clothes section, he said, "Of course not." Kai quickly chose a black coat and led Mana to the kid section.

"Then where do you get money?" Mana asked as she picked up a red coat her size. Shaking her head, she put it back and picked out a purple one.

"Don't worry," Kai chuckled. "I have a job."

"WHAT?!"

"Shh, you're causing too much attention," Kai told her again.

"But I never see you work!" Mana insisted, still not believing it.

"I'm on vacation," Kai shrugged his shoulders.

"You're sneaky," Mana pouted, trying on the coat.

"I must have picked that up from you," Kai chuckled bent down to help her put it on.

"You had a good teacher then," Mana added. She quickly stepped in front of the mirror, seeing if she liked it.

Kai smiled. Her quick, witty remarks were so much like her brother's. Remembering that put a frown on Kai's face.

"What? Is it bad?" Mana asked, looking the coat over.

Kai shook his head. "No, it's fine. Do you want it?"

"Yes," Mana said slowly. "You're still being sneaky."

"I am not," Kai denied, walking to the counter to pay. Once they had put it on, they left and headed home.

"Yes, you are," Mana quipped. "Onii-chan once said you kept so many secrets."

Kai tried to push away his earlier thoughts that seem to always come back. "I suppose that's true," he admitted.

"Ne, ne," Mana tugged his sleeve, a look of excitement on her face. "So, what are the secrets?"

"It wouldn't be a secret if I told you, now would it?" Kai replied coolly. They reached the house and Kai unlocked the door, letting the upset girl in. After closing the door, he hung his and Mana's coat.

"You're no fun," Mana said from the side of her mouth. After a moment, she asked excitedly, "Can I have my cake now?"

"Alright."

"Wait," Mana tugged on his arm. "...I didn't get ice cream!"

For her sake, Kai looked away and covered his mouth, trying to suppress his smile. Mana fumed when she realized he knew all along.

"You are sneaky!" Mana pointed at him accusingly.

Kai couldn't help but let out a few chuckles as they stepped into the kitchen. As always, Mana watched him intently as he made the cake. She blinked when she saw him let out a yawn and rub his head.

"Toshi-nii? Are you hurt?" Mana asked, a little concerned.

"It's just a little headache." Kai gave a weary smile. From staying up all night, he added as an afterthought. Shaking his head, he continued until he had finished the cake. He noticed he had become faster than before. It made him wonder if Mana would ever get bored of all these cakes.

Mana felt some of her worry go away as a plate of a delicious looking cake was placed in front of her. She immediately dug in.

Kai moved his slice around with a fork, his eyelids feeling heavy. How he missed his afternoon naps.

"You should open a restaurant," Mana said, going for seconds.

"Think so?" Kai replied, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand.

"No," Mana changed her mind, licking icing off her spoon. "Then I wouldn't be able to always eat your cakes anymore!"

Kai fell absolutely silent at that. No, she wouldn't.

"Toshi-nii?"

Kai knew when her family came back it wasn't like he was never going to see her again. But he did enjoy living with her. She felt like family to him. It was selfish of him to think this though. She must miss her family too.

"Toshi-niiiii!"

Kai looked up with a start. "Sorry... What?" he managed to force a smile.

"Are you sick, Toshi-nii?" Mana asked, getting up from her chair. She walked to Kai's side and placed a hand on his forehead. "Nope, you're not."

"I'm fine," Kai chuckled, gently removing her hand. "But I do think I'll sleep early today."

Mana frowned suspiciously. "Sneaky," she whispered loud enough fro him to hear.

"I am not," Kai retorted, picking up the plates. He washed the dishes while Mana got ready for bed. Kai felt too tired to take a shower, so he changed into his sleeping clothes and flopped on the bed beside Mana who was still brushing her hair.

Mana looked down at him curiously. "Toshi-nii, are you sure you're not sick?"

"You checked my forehead," Kai mumbled sluggishly in reply, his arm over his head. He felt his body slowly slip into the realm of dreams.

Mana blinked as she noticed he had fallen asleep. She placed her brush back in the drawer and pulled the blankets over them. Mana was used to being the first one to fall asleep. That is, after Kai read her a story. She looked at the slumbering brunet. His arm had now fallen to the side, revealing his sleeping face. His brows were furrowed, and there was a slight frown on his face.

Mana gently placed her hand on his forehead, making sure he really wasn't sick. She didn't want him to catch her cold. Kai had been around her a lot, so it was possible. Unfortunately, she realized his forehead did feel a bit warm. At least more than before.

Mana wanted to wake him, but she also wanted to let him sleep. He had been watching her a for what seemed forever now and, Mana knew he was bound to get exhausted. After all, this was his first time baby-sitting, right?

Did he have siblings? Mana frowned. She couldn't answer this question. Now that she thought about it, she didn't know much about him. Kai knew all about her brother, but she didn't know the slightest thing about his family.

The little girl yawned, feeling sleepy. She could ask him in the morning. An endless series of questions would be waiting for him that was for sure.

"Because you're sneaky, Toshi-nii," Mana murmured, falling asleep beside the brunet.

I hope it was to your enjoyment. I seem to be coming close to an end, but maybe there will be more.

Review if you have the time.