Hey, guys! I officially ended Troubles on White Day a little while ago, so I thought I'd upload a new series while I'm at it. This is just a collection of oneshots - and things like that - about Shu and Bouquet, and the things that happened to them in the time between Season 1 and Season 2. I don't know how big it will become, but it will probably be a little similar to Shu and Kluke: Precious Memories. Before I forget, there's an important note to mention about this chapter, so...

IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS CHAPTER HAS MINOR REFERENCES TO ALCOHOL AND SMOKING.

It's not too much... But if someone thinks that I should, I can bump up the rating to T. I thought it was fine like this, since the Harvest Moon games had alcohol in them, and they were still rated E. I don't mind changing it, though, so let me know if it needs to be changed. I can't think of anything else to say, so I'll do the disclaimer, and then we can get to the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Blue Dragon. But I do own two OCs, Hayate and Yoshi.

Note: While I have named her and developed her character, I did not create Hannah. She was seen in episode one of season two, while Shu was explaining the Black Shadow Type Four robots to some of the soldiers; she's the girl with red hair that's teased up (a lot like an afro).

It went without saying that Shu felt uncomfortable in a bar; even if it was the place the soldiers hung out after their missions, that didn't mean it was any place for a twelve year old.

"Come on, kiddo, have somethin'!" one of his fellow soldiers nudged his shoulder, already having had one too many.

"Uh... I think I'll pass. You go ahead, though."

"Suit yourself." he slurred, shrugging and turning back to the others, who were laughing merrily as one of them tried to dance on a table.

Shu sighed, pushing his helmet down on his head, trying to shield himself from the horrible scene. How did I ever get into this? This thought brought back to him what had happened before he got here, and he shuddered as he tried to push the memory to the back of his mind. I'll be lucky if I ever step foot in Talta again.

"Hey, you guys?" he turned to talk to them. No one was really listening, but he continued anyway, just to be courteous. "I think I'm going to go outside. I'll meet you there."

He sighed in relief when he got outside, glad to be away from the smell of fermented malt and hops... only to choke as he got a mouthful of cigarette smoke. "Hannah?" he coughed, waving a hand in front of his face.

"That's me." she inhaled deeply from the roll of tobacco, tapping the end when she was done.

"What are you doing?"

"Smoking, obviously. What's it look like I'm doing?"

Shu shook his head. "You shouldn't do that. You won't be able to stop."

She shrugged. "I stopped for a year and a half already. I started again because I wanted to, not because I needed to."

He smiled a little. "Don't the adults get upset?"

Hannah chuckled. "Kiddo, that's the whole point. You ever see a grown-up's face when they catch a fourteen-year old smoking?"

Shu laughed; that was just like Hannah. The girl was a little gruff, but she was honest, and was the second youngest member of the Resistance after Shu. He'd felt out of place when he joined, but she'd showed him how everything worked in the miniature army, and had almost become like a big sister. "I think I'd probably like to."

"I'll show you sometime. Anyway, how come you left?"

"I don't like bars."

Hannah nodded. "I see. I don't like 'em much, either. Boring, anyway. But I know something you can do."

"What?"

She pointed to what looked like a ramen cart. "Hayate and Yoshi went in there for a snack. It feels like a bar sometimes, but without all the boring stuff and the alcohol." she winked at him.

"Sounds good. I'll give it a try. Thanks, Hannah!" he ran off towards the cart.

She leaned back against the wall, closing her eyes. "If they've got one, pick up a Ramune soda for me!"

"I will!"

When Shu lifted the hanging awning to step over to the counter, Hayate finished slurping some ramen and turned to look at him. "You finally showed up, huh?"

"How did you know I was coming?" Shu asked as he sat down.

"It's kinda obvious," Yoshi shrugged. "You're still a kid, so it seemed reasonable you wouldn't stay in that place."

Shu scowled. "You guys may be older than me and Hannah, but you're still not adults yet. Who're you to talk?"

"The guys who are enjoying some pretty good soup."

"All you ever think about is your stomach," Hayate rolled his eyes, then leaned towards Shu. "I, on the other hand, have found out something very interesting concerning one of my favorite interests."

Shu gulped; the only person he'd ever met more perverted than Hayate was Marumaro. "R-really?"

"Yeah, she's really cute. Real pretty eyes. And she's very gifted here," he gestured in front of his chest. "If you know what I mean."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Shu said flatly - he knew all about girls who were "gifted". "I'm twelve, Hayate, not two."

He slapped Shu on the back good-naturedly. "Of course you are!" he winked. "That's why we have to find you a girlfriend."

Shu looked away, suddenly downcast. "I already told you that I have someone."

His feet hurt as he walked, and the events of the battle of darkness still weighed heavily in his mind. He'd been walking for a few days now, and getting to Talta would be a relief.

"Darling!!!" he cringed, turning around as he saw Bouquet running towards him.

"What are you doing here?"

"Coming with you, of course!"

He looked away. "No, you're not."

"Yes, I am! I told you I'd follow you to the ends of the earth!"

"I don't want you to follow me anymore!" he yelled at her. How could she still want to be around him? After what he'd done to Zola?

"B-but..." Bouquet sunk to her knees and started sobbing. "Y-you can't leave me! I don't have anyone else!" she wailed.

That struck a cord in Shu's heart; it wasn't as bad as killing someone, but leaving Bouquet all alone would be something that he couldn't forgive himself for. He walked towards her.

"I... I don't want to be by myself!" she blubbered, crying much like she had when she told the group that she'd lost the Extra Seven. She stopped, though, as she felt something wrapped around her waist. Looking down, she saw Shu tying his red waistcloth around her.

"My grandfather gave this to me," he said calmly, tying the knot with practiced ease. "It's something very precious to me, so I wouldn't just leave you with it."

"Shu..."

He pushed himself up a little, not quite standing, leaning on his knees. "After everything that's happened, I need to be alone for a while. But this is a little something for you to know that I haven't forgotten you."

She sniffed. "You promise?"

Shu smiled. "I promise," he stood, offering her his hand. "This isn't 'good-bye'. It's just 'see you later'."

"Riight. This imaginary girl that you keep saying you have." Hayate rolled his eyes.

Shu held up his head with his hand. That day... It had been almost a year ago now, though it still felt longer. He had Hannah, but he'd felt alone since he left Bouquet. And it hadn't helped after the fight in Talta. He shuddered again.

"Hey, Shu, you cold or somethin'?" Yoshi asked through a mouthful of noodles.

"Probably just needs some soup," Hayate leaned over the counter. "Hey, Miss Waitress! Are you still around? Our friend wants to order something."

"Don't put words in my mouth!" Shu whispered harshly.

"No worries, little man; I'm going to hook you up, in more ways than one." he whispered to Shu, than turned to yell for the waitress. "Come on, don't be shy, Miss! Besides, even if he's a little young, he's a real cutie!"

"Hayate!!" Shu tried to pull him back down, utterly mortified.

"Go easy on him, Hayate."

"Shut up, Yoshi."

"Sorry for the wait!" the waitress pushed. "Okay, what would you-" she froze.

Shu quickly stood, unable to form any words, taking a step back. He still had to admit, though, she looked cute; she was wearing a teal kimono with long sleeves, the hem at the bottom a tiny bit shorter than her old light blue dress, midnight blue hair ties. She still had the red sash tied around her waist.

She stepped on the counter, revealing sandaled feet, using it to launch herself into the air so she could prepare to crush him in a hug. "Darling!!"

"Bouquet, wait a minute!!" He tried, futilely, to dodge, but she'd grabbed him before he could do anything. The two of them fell to the ground, Shu's helmet falling off and rolling away. "Bouquet, stop!"

"Now see what you did?" Yoshi glared at his brother.

Hayate just enjoyed watching Bouquet try to smother Shu. "Huh. Guess he had a girlfriend after all."

I think that's a good place to end it. Well... I don't know how that was for the first story, but I think it went pretty well. On a side note, I'd like to say that it was a pain writing Hayate. While Marumaro is harder, it always bugs me to write even a slightly perverted character. I already have quite a few OCs set out for the Resistance members, though, so I needed to come up with a new personality. He and his twin will probably make a few more appearances, but probably not until later. Anyway... Review if you get the chance. I need to work on Blue Dragon Beyond and my Eternal Sonata story, so it may be a little while before I update this. But I already have a good idea of what the next chapter will be, so it shouldn't be too hard. See you later. :)