Well, I hope your wait was worth it. This chapter is actually bigger than the others, and you may be able to see how it almost looks plot-less. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Cardfight! Vanguard.

Kai Baby-sits

Chapter 11: Back to normal, whatever that is.

"Yay!" Mana cheered, hugging Kai happily. "So he can come over anytime?"

Her parents nodded with a smile. "Anytime. On the condition you are in bed by eight o'clock."

Mana pouted. "But that's too early! I'm a big girl now!"

Kai hardly heard the girl's discomfort as he hugged her. It had all worked out. Everything would go back to normal. Kai inwardly laughed at the thought. He never would have thought that he being a baby-sitter would be normal.

"What about me?" Miwa pretended to be hurt.

"You don't count, Onii-chan," Mana grinned at her brother, letting go of Kai and holding his hand. "You need experience."

"A whole lot of it," Kai murmured with a smile.

Miwa pretended he had a broken heart, but in the end he laughed with his sister.

"So basically you're just watching over her like you used to?" Satoshi summed up, leaving the school with his best friend.

"Since they think Onii-chan needs help." Mana nodded her head happily, holding Kai's hand.

"That's mean!" Miwa feigned a hurt expression.

"Yeah, that's about it," Kai ignored Miwa who got animated tears popping out of his eyes.

"Toshi-nii, can I get ice cream?" Mana asked excitedly, tugging on his hand as they stopped in front of the shop. "Pleeeeeaaaaasse?"

"If you say-" Satoshi was interrupted with the affirmative.

"Alright," Kai agreed willingly.

"Mean!" Both Satoshi and Miwa cried.

"What?" Kai raised an eyebrow at them, stepping in the shop and letting Mana choose her flavor. He gave the cone to Mana and paid for it before leaving.

"You never buy us anything!" his friends both emphasized.

"...Okay."

Mana giggled as she licked her ice cream. Kai's expression really did look like he didn't understand the problem. Mana wondered if he was pretending just to tease them.

Satoshi punched Kai in the shoulder, and Miwa pretended his heart was broken.

"I'm not sure what's wrong with you two," Kai murmured, looking at them both.

"Oh shut up," Satoshi muttered, his arms folded.

"Satoshi," Kai glared at him and nodded his head towards the girl who was now staring at him.

"Sashi-chan said a bad word!" Mana gasped, pointing at the black haired boy.

"Nice nickname," Kai muttered, earning another punch in the shoulder. "Ow," Kai murmured, rubbing his shoulder, though he was smirking, and Satoshi knew he was hardly hurt at all.

Miwa grinned at his sister. "It's not really a ba-"

"Miwa!" Kai shot the blonde a look.

"Well, it was nice walking with you guys," Satoshi said, taking his leave. He ruffled Mana's hair before he left. "Later, kiddo. Oh and Toshiki! You still owe me big time!" he called over his shoulder.

"I'm not a kid!" Mana shouted unhappily. "Why does everyone think I'm a kid," she pouted her lip and folded her arms.

"It's funny how I'm now almost the only one who calls you Kai," Miwa told his friend.

Kai glared. "Don't get any ideas."

Miwa laughed. "Hai, hai. See you later!" he waved with a grin before bolting down the street.

"Oi! Miwa!" Kai called, but the blond didn't slow his pace. Kai frowned. Why did he do that?

"Oh, Oka-san was angry he didn't finish his homework," Mana remembered, licking her ice cream. "She said she would ground him for a week if he did not come home and finish it."

Kai smirked at the memory of when he showed Miwa all the work he had missed. Still, the brunet knew the blond wouldn't run off home just for that. He had a feeling Miwa did that to give the two space. And Kai was grateful for that.

"Ne, Toshi-nii," Mana smiled up at him. "Do you want to eat something too?"

Kai blinked down at her as they continued their walk. He had already eaten lunch, and it was not even close to dinner time. "No, I'm not hungry."

"But you're too skinny," Mana frowned at him, which Kai had to admit, looked rather cute. "Your arms are too bony."

Kai now wished the weather didn't drastically change. Maybe he should stop wearing T-shirts all together. "It's just a habit."

Mana's frown didn't leave as she finished her cone. "Onii-chan told me you sometimes faint because you skip meals."

Kai mentally told himself that maybe later he could tell Miwa of that four-page essay he had to write. "That doesn't happen anymore. That was years ago when..."

"Toshi-nii?" Mana looked at the brunet who immediately stopped himself.

Kai frowned and shook his head. "...When my parents died."

"Oh..." Mana looked down, lightly squeezing his hand. She knew she should not ask. It was not her business, and it might hurt him. But she was so curious. It would be better to ask now than to bring it up later. "Toshi-nii...what happened?"

Kai's eyes widened only slightly. He had expected this question to come. It was understandable for her to want to know. The brunet took a deep breath.

"It was raining that day. I had been kept at school because of some problem."

Mana guessed he didn't mention the problem because it was not important. She nodded her head to show that she was listening.

"So when I was finally let go," Kai continued, his eyes a flurry of emotions, "I hurried home because I didn't get to tell my parents where I was. On the way, I heard screaming and-" Kai cursed himself for still feeling pain. It had been years since it happened.

"Toshi-nii..."

"...I saw two cars, wrecked and on fire," Kai's bangs shaded his eyes. "And I saw my parents, but...they weren't the same. I couldn't recognize them. They..."

"You don't have to say anymore, Toshi-nii," Mana assured him, her eyes wet with tears. She lightly wrapped her arms around him.

Kai silently returned the hug. After a few minutes, he let go and gave her a shadowy smile. "Sorry, even if it's been years, I still can't handle remembering it."

Mana sniffed.

Kai bent down and patted her head. "Why are you crying, Mana? It's okay." He lightly brushed away the tears.

Mana nodded and took hold of his hand. "Toshi-nii?"

"Hmm?"

"...Thank you for telling me," she smiled at him.

Kai returned it softly. "Come on. I have something I need to tell your brother."

Mana giggled as they headed home. She knew it would be something her brother didn't want to hear because Kai was smirking.

"You're lying!"

Mana sat on her brother's bed, her legs swishing back and forth, watching her brother and baby-sitter.

"Tell that to the teacher tomorrow," Kai said casually with a wave of his hand, but there was an evident smirk creeping on his face. He was enjoying himself.

"But why didn't you tell me before!" Miwa exclaimed, his arms thrown wide for effect. "I mean seriously! I- OW!"

Kai pulled the blond's ear, his face now dark. "Because you keep telling Mana too many things about me," he hissed in the blond's ear before letting go.

Miwa pulled away, rubbing his red ear. "Ow, that hurt, Kai."

Kai just shrugged. When the blond continued to give him that pitiful look, Kai groaned. "Fine. I'll help you."

Miwa grinned, his face relieved. He quickly grabbed a loose-leaf paper from his messy stack on the bed and sat next to his sister. "Kai, stop wasting time and sit!" Miwa shouted frantically, pointing to his bed.

Kai rolled his eyes before seating himself on the bed and assisting his friend. Once Miwa finally finished, he collapsed backwards on his bed. "God I'll never work again!"

"Oh yes, you will," Kai said with a frown, dropping the half-finished math worksheet Miwa had dumped on the floor next to the blond. "Up. You forced me to help you, so now hurry up and finish. There isn't much left anyway."

"But I'm bored!" Mana interjected her brother's complaint. "Can't he do that later?"

Miwa looked up hopefully, but Kai wasn't agreeing. "Do you know how many times the teachers told me to remind you of all the homework you missed? There is no way I'm going to listen to another one of their rants."

Miwa sighed, pushing himself up. "I know, but you still have to help me!"

"How else would you do it?" Kai smirked, handing his friend a pencil.

"Hey!" Mana giggled, watching the two share insults. She regretted never asking Miwa who Kai was years ago. He was very sweet. Mana was always happy to be around him. She wished she always could be. He was alone after all. Mana didn't like how he only brought up his past by accident and would quickly cover it up.

"Wait..." Miwa raised up his hand to Kai as if the brunet would tell him the answer. "x=24!"

Kai breathed a sigh of relief. He really did not feel like explaining something he knew since eighth grade. "Yes."

"Kids!" Kai heard his friend's mom call. "Come down for dinner!"

"Okay!" both siblings responded.

Miwa was quick to dump his homework all over the floor before running downstairs with his sister. "Kai, come on!"

Kai shook his head and followed them down, slower.

"Hey, Oka-san, Oto-san," Miwa grinned and nudged Kai who simply coughed and waved. Miwa sighed as he dragged the awkward brunet to a chair. "Okay. We need to work on your communication skills."

"Whatever," Kai muttered.

Miwa laughed at his grumpy attitude and sat next to him. Mana sat next to her brother.

"Toshi-nii, can I have some cake?" Mana asked Kai hopefully.

"Mana, I've made almost every cake there is for you," Kai shook his head, letting her down.

"But you still owe me one cake!" Mana exclaimed, holding up her index finger.

"I don't."

"Yes! Remember when you told me that day?"

"...Uh, no?" Kai felt a sheepish smile forming on his lips.

"See! You do remember!" Mana pouted, folding her arms.

Kai sighed, getting out of his chair. "Alright. What kind?"

"Um...Strawberry cheese!" Mana chose excitedly.

"Mana," her mom gave her a look across the table.

"It's fine," Kai assured. "It won't take long."

As he had said, the brunet finished in record timing and placed the pink cake with white icing and strawberries dipped in chocolate on the table.

Miwa and Mana's mouth were watering. Their parents were extremely impressed. The family quickly took a slice, rather big in Kai's opinion.

They seemed to have forgotten about the meal and skipped to dessert. Kai watched them eat it, wondering why the usual loud family was so quiet.

"...Kai." Miwa placed a hand on his shoulder, his voice and face serious. "Have I not been a good friend to you all these years?"

Kai stared at the blond in utter confusion. "Huh?"

"Ho could you have never made this for me?!" Miwa demanded, shaking his friend's shoulder. "It's so good!"

"Toshi-nii, you have to stay for a few days!" Mana raised up her hand for the declaration, not caring there was icing around her mouth.

"I agree," their dad was better at holding her enthusiasm, but he smiled. "You have to tell us your secret one day."

The mother nodded. "I wouldn't mind taking a few lessons."

"Uh...I'm not sure," Kai rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. He was startled when Miwa seized his shoulders. "I don't care if you force me to do my homework, you're staying the rest of the week!"

"U-uh..."

"Yay!" Mana cheered again, nominating herself to be the official cheerleader of the house.

Kai glanced at each family member. What did I do?

"You're still shocked about all this?" Miwa asked as they went upstairs. "It's been two days."

"A little," Kai admitted, opening Mana's door and letting her in. "I really thought you were just joking."

"Of course... not," Mana insisted, a yawn interrupting her. She rubbed her sleepy eyes.

"Come on," Miwa bent down and picked up his sister. "It's past your bedtime."

"Sleep with me," Mana mumbled to both of them, her eyes closing.

Both boys smiled as they stepped into her room. Miwa placed her on the bed and tucked her in.

The boys took turns in the bathroom before Miwa pulled out a futon. They had a quiet argument about who should sleep with Mana.

"Miwa, you're her brother," Kai insisted.

"And I've slept with her for years. You have not, and she likes you," Miwa whispered, budging his reluctant friend forward. "And don't get cold feet. Mana told me everything I missed."

Kai agreed just to look away from Miwa's teasing look. He quietly laid beside the sleeping girl.

"Night, Kai."

"Night."

"Toshi-nii," Mana tapped the brunet's shoulder. "Can you read me a story?"

"Huh?" Kai blinked, rubbing the sleepiness out of his emerald eyes. "Oh, sure," he muttered sluggishly, pushing his hair out of his face. He yawned, his eyes staring off into nowhere as if he had no idea what she said.

Mana giggled at that. She had come to know the brunet as someone who loved his sleep and would need you to repeat the sentence twice before he could process it.

"Come on, Toshi-nii," Mana tugged on his arm eagerly. "Read me a story!"

"You're supposed to be asleep," Kai retorted weakly, a yawn escaping his mouth as he rubbed away the water from his eyes.

"But I can't sleep!" Mana folded her arms. "So read me a story!"

"Where's the book?"

"Toshi-niiiiii!" Mana whined, her cheeks puffed.

"Alright, alright," Kai gave in with a sleepy smile.

The story was occasionally interrupted with a yawn, to which Mana would complain about, and Kai would tell her it was almost midnight.

The next thing Kai knew, he was being woken up by Mana and her brother. Why did morning come so fast?

"Go away," Kai grumbled, yanking the blankets out of their hands and pulling them over him.

"I think you're so sleepy because you never eat, Toshi-nii," Mana said, pulling the blankets off again so she could see him.

"She got you there," Miwa grinned, poking the brunet in the rib, effectively getting him to stiffen, as he was very slim.

Kai opened one eye and shot the siblings a look before burying his head in the pillow.

"Toshi-nii, you can't make breakfast if you're asleep," Mana smiled, shaking her baby-sitter's shoulder. "Up!"

Kai groaned and forced himself off of the enticing bed.

Miwa snickered; Kai looked so irritated right now. His hair was everywhere, most on his face. His shirt and pants were wrinkled like they haven't been ironed in weeks.

"You're both annoying," Kai muttered as Mana hugged his arm, shouting in victory.

"The word is wonderful, Toshi-nii," Mana corrected him with her head held high and index finger pointed up. "Now, come on! I want my breakfast!"

Miwa laughed. "Let him shower first. He looks like he's been through the worst."

"You don't say?" Kai smiled sarcastically before grabbing a pair of clothes and heading to the bathroom. He was out in ten minutes, his look not showing a single sign of him ever looking unkempt.

"But you looked so much better before!" Miwa teased him as they followed the skipping Mana down the stairs, towards the kitchen.

"You realize I am the one cooking your breakfast," Kai stated frankly.

Miwa grinned. "Hold the onions!" He laughed at Kai's look all the way to the kitchen.

"Right," Kai sighed, putting on a black apron. "Now bother someone else if you want edible food. I'm already tired as it is."

That shut the siblings up. They mentally tested each other to see how long they could keep quiet. Five minutes.

"So what are you making?" Miwa asked, peering over his friend's shoulder.

"Something that will suffocate you if you bother me," Kai warned under his breath.

"Can I sit on the counter?" Mana asked, grinning at Kai's exasperated look.

Kai took a deep breath. Both of the siblings together were a handful. "Miwa, take your sister and go sit on the couch."

"But, Kai, we-"

"Taishi," his mom walked into the kitchen. "I hope you and Mana didn't wake him up so he could make your breakfast?" she tapped her foot.

Miwa and Mana gave identical sheepish grins before kindly sitting on the couch.

Kai blinked at how easy it was for them to listen when their mom was around. "...Thanks."

"Put extra spices," she smiled warmly and winked. "They hate it."

And Kai considered staying longer after breakfast.

It had been more than a week now, and Kai didn't want to start becoming a freeloader, so he decided he should leave. As he expected, there were problems.

"But you can't leave!" Mana exclaimed, pulling his hand.

She's acting like I'm leaving forever, Kai though, amused. "Mana, I'll come see you just like I always do."

"No!" Mana shook her head indefinitely.

"Kai, come on," Miwa chose his sister's side.

Kai sighed. "Are you guys forcing me to stay over again?"

"We don't have to force you!" Mana smiled. "You can live here!"

"I don't know..." Kai really didn't. Watching over Mana was fine, but to live with the family was something else. He wasn't sure if he wanted to. Being a baby-sitter was one thing, but joining the family was another.

"But you never eat at your home!" Mana pouted.

"Miwa..." Kai gave the blond a look.

"What?" he feigned innocence. "She asked me. And besides it's true."

Kai sighed, placing a hand on his face. "You're both the same."

Mana hardly heard the comment.

"I want you to live with us!"

Was this a strange place to end it? Anyway, tell me truthfully if you want Kai to join the family. I was hesitant about it because I had the same idea for another story, but I may not finish that one.

Review if you want.