This came faster than I expected. I hope it's good. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Cardfight Vanguard.

Kai Baby-sits

Chapter 7: Swapped places, if only a moment

Mana woke up with a yawn, rubbing her eyes. She sat up and stretched. What day was it?

"Oh, Toshi-nii has school today," Mana murmured to herself in realization. She was about to get up when she became aware that the brunet was still on the bed. "Toshi-nii?"

He was still sleeping, his face slightly red. Mana panicked. It was a school day and it was already past 8 o'clock! He should have been ready and out by now. She gently shook his shoulder.

Kai mumbled something incoherent and slowly opened his eyes, that action appearing to be difficult. He blinked a few times, trying to clear his vision.

Mana frowned worriedly. His green eyes looked hazy. She felt his forehead. Hot. He had gotten a fever.

"Toshi-nii, you're sick," Mana said, pulling the blankets over him. "You can't go to school."

Kai appeared to say want to say something, but stopped when he realized she wouldn't listen. He offered a small smile. "My head just hurts a bit."

"Uh-huh. Last night it was a small headache. And tomorrow it will be gone!" Mana nodded sarcastically, waving her hand around. "Na-uh. You're not going to avoid your medicine!"

"That's what this about?" Kai chuckled meekly but then stopped, closing his eyes. He placed a hand on his pained head.

"Toshi-nii?" Mana placed a hand on his.

Kai slowly opened his eyes and sat up. "I think some medicine would be a good idea," he mumbled slowly.

Mana nodded silently and followed him downstairs. She kept glancing at him worriedly. She felt that he should have stayed in bed, and she should have gotten him some medicine. But she didn't know which one he needed. Mana felt saddened at that. He had been able to watch over her, even with her rebellious attitude, but she couldn't watch over him. On top of that, it was HER fault he was sick.

Kai searched until he found the medicine. He was about to head towards the kitchen when Mana grabbed his hand.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"I need water," Kai responded slowly.

Mana shook her head indefinitely. "You go back to bed. I'll get it for you."

Kai blinked down at her before smiling. He lightly patted her head. "You don't have to worry so much, Mana. It isn't your fault."

Mana didn't see it that way but kept quiet as Kai went back to her room. She quickly ran to the kitchen and poured lukewarm water into a glass. She went back upstairs and found Kai sitting on her bed.

Kai took the water with a thank you and swallowed the pill. He placed the finished glass on the nightstand.

"So I guess you're hungry," Kai stated and started to stand.

"No. No, I am not," Mana denied and blocked Kai's way, small hands pushing him down. That may have been a lie. She was dying for one of his omelets, but she couldn't say that right now. "You don't have to cook."

"And you'll eat cake for breakfast?" Kai asked incredulously.

"No!" Mana shook her head as if the thought never crossed her mind, to which Kai's lips quirked. "I can make sandwiches. And I'll get you some juice. You just stay in bed."

Kai sighed, seeing he was in no condition to argue. Mana noticed how he looked like he was in pain. She helped Kai lay down and placed the blanket over him.

"I guess our places are switched," Kai smiled wearily.

"Don't leave the bed!" Mana announced seriously before leaving the room. She went to the kitchen and opened the fridge. She made two jam sandwiches and grabbed a few juice boxes. Mana appeared again in her room and placed everything on her nightstand. She handed Kai his sandwich and watched him eat it.

After a moment, Kai stopped eating and turned to Mana when he realized she had been staring at him. "Mana, I'm not going to faint or anything."

"How is it?"

"Huh?" Kai blinked, a little slow on the question. "Oh, it's good."

Mana smiled at that and ate her sandwich. "Toshi-nii, how is your head?"

"It still hurts a little," Kai admitted, running a hand through his hair. "But it's not as bad as before. I think I'll be better in a few days."

Mana nodded, taking the last bite of her sandwich. "Okay. So can I watch TV?" she asked, handing him the remote.

Kai smiled. "Sure," he turned on the TV and let her watch. He took a sip of his juice and turned to the right channel before lying down and closing his eyes.

Mana lowered the volume a little to let him sleep. She gently took his hand laid next to him.

"Toshi-nii! You didn't listen!" Mana called to the brunet, running down the stairs.

"I told you I'm feeling better," Kai replied with a smile, placing two plates of fried rice on the table.

The girl frowned. She noticed he had changed and taken a shower due to his damp hair. She realized he must have done all this around when she fell asleep.

"Toshi-nii, did you do that on purpose?" Mana asked as she sat next to him.

"I just didn't want to wake you," Kai responded, hiding his smile.

"You tricked me!" Mana pouted.

"I did not," Kai denied, eating his food. "I feel better anyway."

"Okay, but you still have to take your medicine," Mana said with a frown.

Kai chuckled at that but agreed. They continued to eat in silence until Mana remembered.

"Toshi-nii, do you have any brothers or sisters?"

Kai almost choked on his food. Swallowing slowly, he asked, "Where did this come from?"

"Well, you know me, but I don't know much about you," Mana said honestly. "You never tell me anything about yourself."

"I guess not," Kai scratched the back of his head. "Alright. No, I don't have any brothers or sisters."

"Okay, so how come you never talk to your parents?" Mana inquired curiously. She noticed how Kai tensed, but he immediately relaxed a second later.

"Oh, they're not around," Kai responded, seeming too cheery.

"Where did they go?" Mana pushed. Now she was interested. There seemed to be some big secret behind his family.

"...On a trip. They won't be back. For a while," Kai murmured, his eyes darkening. He didn't want to tell her the truth.

"Oh." Mana felt that he wasn't comfortable on this topic, so she didn't ask anymore.

Kai forced a smile. "It's a secret. So don't tell anyone."

Mana beamed. "Okay!" After taking another bite, she asked,

"Toshi-nii, what are you afraid of?"

"Uh..." Kai took a sip of water, avoiding eye contact.

"Please!" Mana begged with a smile. "I really want to know!"

"Well..." Kai bought himself time by taking another sip of water and tried to think of a way to change the subject. In all honesty, he wasn't sure what he was afraid of. Only one thing came to mind, but he wasn't about to say it.

"Come on!"

Kai thought for an answer. He smiled. "...It's a secret."

"What?!" Mana almost fell off her chair. "But... but that's not fair!"

"Is it?"

Mana finished her food and took a her plate of cake. "No, it's not."

Kai finished his food with an amused look. He popped a pill in his mouth and swallowed it with water. He had felt a lot better after his rest. His temperature was back to normal. Only the occasional pain in his head would tell him he hasn't fully recovered. He sighed inwardly. This is what I get for stressing over things, Kai thought, shaking his head. Miwa has to come back. I should just deal with it when the time comes.

"Toshi-nii, since you're feeling better, can I get some more cake?" Mana asked hopefully.

"Don't you ever get bored of it?" Kai asked, picking up the plates.

"Well, if you insist, then can I get cupcakes?" Mana asked slyly.

"Don't push it, Mana."

"Fine, fine."

"Pleeeeeaaaaaasse?" Mana pled, shaking Kai's shoulder, who had yet to fall back asleep due to her begging.

Kai sighed, burying his head in the pillow. "I told you no. The answer won't change."

"But I'm dying to know!" Mana insisted, shaking his shoulder more.

Kai groaned. "No."

"Please?"

"The answer does NOT change."

Mana huffed, jumping on the bed next to the laying brunet. She couldn't help herself. He was always calm and collected; it was only natural to want to know his fear. Then again – she turned to see the brunet pull the blankets over his head with a groan– she had seen a very different side to him. He had been more honest with his words instead of letting her make him do whatever she wanted. Mana smiled. She guessed she could be happy with that.

"Toshi-nii, you're not asleep, are you?" Mana asked, crawling next to him and yanking the blanket away.

Kai sighed, moving to his side. "How could I be?" he asked flatly, his face looking annoyed.

Mana grinned. "I was only curious."

"Curiosity killed the cat," Kai muttered the proverb to himself. "Don't you want to play or something?"

"Oh right!" Mana remembered. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the Kagero deck that Kai lent her. "Can you card fight me?"

Kai blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected that. "Sure, but why?"

"I want to get better!" Mana smiled.

Kai eventually agreed. They set down the play mats and started the card fight. Kai went easy but eventually won in the end.

"You always win," Mana pouted. "I guess that's why you're famous."

Kai sweat dropped. "I'm not that famous."

"That's not what I heard," Mana disagreed. "Those people in the park kept saying a bunch of stuff about you. Something about Al4 and Q4 or something like that. Anyways, can I get dinner?" she grinned, immediately losing interest in the subject.

"Why is food always on your mind?" Kai asked, putting everything away.

"Because I love food!" Mana called, following him to the kitchen.

Kai shook his head, a barely evident smile on his face.

"Toshi-nii, are you sure you're not sick anymore?" Mana asked him, holding his hand and watching him intently.

"You've been asking me that since I decided to come to school," Kai sighed. "My head barely hurts now."

"Well, okay," Mana frowned, still disbelieving. "But now we're going straight home."

"I'm starting to forget who's watching over who?" Kai remarked lightly.

"It's a mystery."

Kai and Mana turned around to see the one person they did not expect to see.

"Yo!" the blond grinned, waving to the two. "Miss me?"

This story may be nearing its end. I thought maybe I could switch Mana's and Kai's places this time, but obviously not too long. I'm sure you all know who just showed up. ;)

Review if you have the time.