Smaller than usual yes, but here it is! I had been thinking of waiting on this chapter just to make things interesting. If you've noticed, the image I have for this chapter has a small conversation between Kai and Miwa. I know the blond's side is hard to read, but I couldn't control that. I'll give you a hint: this is where Miwa asks Kai to baby-sit Mana. Now, you may forget that useless information and enjoy the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Cardfight! Vanguard.

Kai Baby-sits

Chapter 9: Depressing search

Kai couldn't believe it. The stupidity of Miwa's parents was absurd, or maybe Kai was just too agitated because they were yelling at him at midnight, for apparently being the cause of Mana's disappearance.

"This isn't the time for accusations," Kai forced out through grit teeth.

"We should be looking for Mana," Miwa added quickly before his parents could say anything.

"None of this would have happened if you hadn't influenced her!" the angry mother accused.

"Excuse me?"

Miwa gulped. Kai was angry. VERY angry. The brunet was usually calm, even when he is sometimes angry. But there are those rare moments that Miwa wished were not happening right now. All he wanted to do was find Mana. But that would be difficult. His parents were taking out their anger on Kai because they were so stressed and worried.

"You pushed away your family and live without their help! What more of an example does she need?!" his dad demanded.

Miwa wished he hadn't left on a trip. He wished that he wasn't here. He wished Mana-

The silent sound of the door shutting made him finally process that Kai had just left. Without a word. He expected the brunet to yell and with good reason. Miwa saw his parents carry the same shocked face as his.

The blond quickly ran after the brunet after letting go of his shock.

"Kai!"

"I'll search this side," Kai murmured quietly, motioning to his area.

Miwa screeched to a stop and blinked. "What?"

"You take the other side." And with that, the brunet ran down the street. Miwa wanted to go after him, but he was more worried about his sister. So he began searching.

Kai fought the urge to scream as he crossed the road. That one comment sent him into a fit of rage. And it hurt. More than they would know.

The teen shook his head and continued the search. He didn't have to time to wallow up in despair. All I need to do is find Mana, he thought, making it to the park. He was startled when he came upon his usual bench.

"Satoshi?"

The black haired teen was wearing a black hood, but Kai could tell it was him. "Got a text," came the reply as he held up his phone before putting it away in his pocket. "You really should tell me this kind of stuff. I'll help you look."

"...Right."

They walked together until the road split.

"I got this side," Satoshi announced, receiving a simple nod. "Oh, and you're going to tell me what else is bothering you later," he called over his shoulder.

The brunet had nothing to say to that and continued the search. It went on up until 5 o'clock in the morning. Kai felt exhausted as he met up with Satoshi and Miwa at the blonde's house where his parents were.

"Couldn't find anything," Satoshi muttered, pulling his hood over his eyes.

Kai couldn't find anything to say.

Miwa just nodded silently.

The only sounds came from his mother as she cried.

Satoshi placed a hand on Kai's shoulder and whispered in his ear. "Toshiki, let's go."

Not gaining an answer, he lightly steered his friend away from the house and down the street. Kai stiffened when he heard and felt Satoshi make him walk faster.

"Don't ever come back!"

Satoshi led Kai to his room and shut the door. He made the brunet sit on his bed and made himself comfortable next to him.

"Nice house," Satoshi commented quietly. It was his first time coming to the brunet's house since he moved back.

Kai just buried his head in his knees.

Satoshi patted him on the back. He knew this wasn't the best time, but he also knew it would be worse if Kai kept his feelings bottled up inside. "Toshiki, did Miwa's parents say something to you?" He knew by the looks the brunet was getting that they probably blamed him for it.

He heard something barely resembling to a yes. Satoshi sighed with a smile. "They're just worried for her. They don't mean what they're saying."

"...Yeah."

The blue-eyed teen smiled. "Good. Now don't get all teary-eyed on me. It doesn't suit you."

He was happy to hear a slight laugh from the brunet. "Now, I am so tired right now, and my sister will destroy me when I see her, so let's get some sleep."

Kai managed a grim smile at his friend. There was an argument between who gets the bed. Satoshi won in the end due to the brunet's lack of sleep the day before and forced Kai to sleep on the bed.

Satoshi pulled out a spare futon and closed his eyes. They were soon fast asleep.

"You so have to pay me back!"

Kai chuckled dryly, finding it hard to cheer up. Satoshi had already left when he woke up. He received a call soon afterwards from him.

"Don't you laugh!" Satoshi shouted through the phone. "My sister practically twisted my ear off! And I sent her a text! What more was I supposed to do?!"

"Uh-huh." Kai knew he shouldn't be treating Satoshi like this, especially after he had helped him. But the depressed teen couldn't help it. The entire morning he wondered if he should call Miwa. He was worried about the blond.

"Toshiki, I'll come help you look for her," Satoshi spoke knowingly, now serious. "First, get something to eat, you former meal skipper."

At this, Kai managed a small smile. He wondered how he became friends with the strange ones. Ren, Miwa, Satoshi, they were all ridiculous.

"Okay, we'll meet at the park," Kai said before hanging up. He forced himself off the comfort of his bed and took a soothing shower. He dried his hair before putting on a black T-shirt and a red vest jacket over it. He brushed his hair back and headed downstairs. Reaching the kitchen, he took out some eggs and started cooking. He ate his breakfast very slowly, learning from past experiences that he couldn't eat fast after not eating for days. Unless he wanted to throw up.

Kai finished a while later and washed the dishes. He dried his hands on the towel before going to the door. He opened his closet and reached for the coat when he heard a whisper.

"Hey, Toshi-nii."

I'm about to reach double digits in the chapters! ...It makes me realize how little I did with this story. I congratulate anyone who has read this far.

Review if you have the time.