Boat

It was a wonderful sunny day in Wardington city, Japan. It was a week after the defeat of king Zenoheld and the brawlers decided to have a little relaxing cruise on one of Marucho's yachts. Runo had called Alice to invite her over and Marucho contacted the Vestals inviting them to come and explore more of earth. The Vestals had asked Klaus, who was now an Estate manager in Vestal to teleport them to Marucho's home and Alice used her teleporting card.

They decided to have a sleep over at Marucho's that night and the next day they would prepare everything for their three day boat trip.

"Man, I can't wait! I've never been on a boat before. Is it scary? How safe is it? Oh man, Mom would kill me if I got hurt on this trip!" Baron ranted half anxiously and half excited.

Shun and Runo groaned. Runo mumbled "Great, as if one Dan wasn't enough now there are two."

While Shun said more audibly "Can I throw him overboard once we board the boat?"

That comment earned him an elbow in the stomach from the red-head next to him. Shun doubled over clutching his stomach, turning his head to glare at her.

"Damn it Alice. What the hell was that for?"

Alice narrowed her eyes at him "For being rude. He's excited over this trip so don't ruin it for him with your smartass comments."

Dan, who had seen the exchange, burst out laughing. "Dude, I never thought I'd see the day that the Great Shun Kazami got owned by a girl!"

Shun growled at his best friend "You better watch your back Dan."

Dan just chuckled and pretended to shake in fear.

Suddenly Julie let out a high pitched squeal "Oh My Gosh! Guess what guys, Billy's coming to Wardington again and he's landing late tomorrow night!"

Her eyes widened in excitement as she turned to face Marucho "Hey Marucho, can Billy come with us on the boat? Please, pretty please with a cherry on top?"

Marucho pushed up his glasses and replied "I see no reason why not. The more the merrier."

Julie squealed again and scooped her short friend into a tight bear hug. "Thank you so much. Oh! I have to go call him and tell him the great news."

After that all the others saw was a pink blur leaving the room.

Ace broke stunned silence that settled in the room "Wow…that was random."

Marucho just shook his head "Don't worry, you'll get used to it after awhile."

Runo snorted "Yeah, a long while." She put emphasis on the 'long'. They all chuckled at Runo's remark.

Mira stood and said "It's getting late; I think we should get some rest. We'll probably have to get up early tomorrow to get everything ready on time."

The other's agreed and after a chorus of 'goodnights' they all went to their respective rooms.

The next morning after breakfast the group split into three groups. The three girls took Mira and the boys to the mall to shop for summer clothes and bathing suits while the boys split into two groups. Dan and Shun went to buy the food for the trip while Marucho went to see that the boat had the proper maintenance done for a safe trip. After everyone finished their tasks they picked up Billy from the airport and after packing their bags, they all went to bed.

Early Wednesday morning the twelve brawlers woke up and ate their breakfast. Excitement was swirling around in the air as Kato drove them all to the yacht. They climbed out of the limo and followed him to the dock where Marucho's yacht was kept. They all gasped when they saw it.

"So this is what they call a yacht." Keith said looking at the boat in awe.

Kato turned to the young ones. "Well, young masters I hope you all enjoy your trip. Just don't try to kill each other alright?"

That statement was aimed at Shun, Dan, Ace and Baron as he sent them a stern look. Shun rolled his eyes at Kato as the other three boys stiffened and exclaimed "Sir! Yes Sir!" making the others chuckle.

Kato just shook his head and walked back to the limo mumbling something about "teenage boys", "whippersnappers" and "no respect", that only made the teens laugh harder.

They boarded the boat and set sail towards the horizon. Marucho led them down to the living quarters of the luxurious yacht. He showed them the kitchen and the TV room and then he took the girls to a room that had four mattresses with pillows and blankets neatly folded on them.

He left the girls to get settled in their room and led the boys to their room where they also found mattresses, blankets and pillows. Suddenly Baron rounded on Marucho with a panic stricken face.

"Wait! If we are all down here, whose steering the boat?! Oh no! We're going to die! I don't wanna die! I'm too young to – OUCH!"

Baron rubbed the lump forming on his head while glaring at Gus who had hit him against the head, effectively shutting him up.

"What was that for, you jerk?"

Gus snorted "You were irritating me with all your yelling."

Baron was about to retort when Billy chipped in "Okay, cut it out you two. We came here to relax, remember? Besides I'm sure Marucho can explain how we're sailing without a captain if we give him a chance."

Billy looked at Marucho who gave him a thankful smile and nodded. "Well, this is a technical enhanced boat so we're on autopilot. It is programmed to stay clear of any obstacles that may be out there so we're safe."

Baron seemed happy of that answer because he visibly calmed down.

"Well guys, lets get changed. The girls are probably sun tanning upstairs already." Dan said.

A few minutes later the eight boys stepped onto the deck. The saw the four girls all lying on stretcher- chairs enjoying the sun.

Runo noticed movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned her head and saw the guys heading to the point of the yacht. When she spotted Dan she got up from her chair and made her way towards him. The remaining three girls sat up and stared curiously after her.

Runo stopped behind Dan and tapped his shoulder. When Dan turned to face her Runo beamed and struck a pose.

"So how do I look?"

Runo was wearing a yellow bikini with white board shorts. Her hair was taken back in a braid with her bangs framing her face.

Dan gave her a once over then smiled. "Hey Runo, you look different. Did you do something to your hair?"

The girls' jaws almost hit the floor while the guys groaned. Billy slapped his forehead and mumbled "Seriously?" while Marucho mumbled "Uh-oh."

Gus just shook his head "Hopeless."

Baron just had stars in his eyes "Wow…Master Dan really knows what to say to the ladies."

Keith, who was standing next to Shun, whispered "I know Dan can have idiotic moments every now and then but can he really be that stupid?"

Shun snorted and replied "Your guess is as good as mine. I asked him that question a few years back. He still hasn't answered me."

There was an awkward silence then a sudden slapping sound. Dan didn't know what happened. One moment he was looking into Runo's stunned eyes then next his head was turned to the side and there was a stinging sensation on his left cheek. Runo huffed and stomped back to the living quarters.

Alice was the first to recover from her shock. Alice was wearing a black and purple striped one piece swimsuit with white board shorts and her hair has tied into a high ponytail with the exception of the stubborn curls that fell over her shoulders and her bangs that framed her face. She stood and looked at Dan.

"Seriously, Dan? 'Did you do something to your hair?' Really, you're more clueless than you look."She shook her head at him and disappeared below deck.

Dan just blinked at her back "Was it something I said?"

Ace sighed and threw his arm around Dan's shoulders. "Dude, when a girl asks you how she looks, you don't ask her if she's done something to her hair."

After that comment Ace slapped him against his head. "Ow! How come you're an expert on girls all of a sudden, hmm?"

Ace just rolled his eyes. Julie was making her way towards them and heard what Ace said to Dan. "Ace is right Dan. Here let me show you how it's supposed to be done."

She turned to Billy and struck a cute little pose "Hey Billy, how do I look?"

Julie was wearing a light pink bikini with a light orange shoran wrapped around her waist and she left her hair loose. Billy smirked and wrapped his arms around her "You look beautiful in that swimsuit, Baku babe."

Julie giggled and said "Thanks."

Dan scratched his head "How's that any different to what I said?" They all just sighed.

Mira approached Dan "Dan…Sometimes a girl wants to know how she looks when she's trying out new outfit not a new hairstyle."

Mira was wearing an orange one piece swimsuit with a brown shoran wrapped around her waist and her hair was tied into a messy bun on top of her head with her bangs framing her face. The ginger just sighed as the brunette gave her a blank look "Never mind, Idiot."

After much persuading the girls got Runo to eat lunch with them and get involved in the games they played to keep themselves busy before they go on their diving trip. At four o'clock all twelve brawlers were in there diving gear. After a quick briefing on how to use the gear they all dived into the sea. They saw all different kind of creatures.

They swam above coral reefs and took pictures of all the different fishes that they saw with their under water cameras. They spent two hours under water.

It was half past six and Dan and Runo were leaning against the railing staring at the sunset. Dan turned to Runo and smiled softly thinking how beautiful she looked as the rays of the setting sun made her face glow.

"Hey Runo."

Runo kept her gaze on the horizon "Hmm?"

"I'm sorry for what I said earlier and making you mad on what was supposed to be a relaxing cruise. By the way you look really pretty in that dress. Is it new?"

Runo's eyes widened in surprise as she turned her gaze towards him. Seeing his soft, genuine smile she couldn't help to return it "Apology accepted. Thanks Dan. Yes, the dress is new, Alice picked it for me…I think I like it."

Dan's smile brightened and turned his gaze back to the setting sun as Runo did the same.

Both teens were unaware that they were being spied on by a certain red head. "I guess he isn't as clueless as you thought he was, hey Alice?"

Alice gasped and whipped around to see Shun standing behind her. "Yeah, I guess. He has his good moments but he's still pretty clueless most of the time."

Shun grinned and nodded his head. He looked at the almost set sun on the horizon. Alice smiled at his serene expression before standing next to him and rested her head on his shoulder as she also gazed at the horizon. Unknown to them all four teens shared the same thought 'This really is a great way to relax.'

A/N: Well this chapter is happier than the first. This one is also edited and is hopefully better that what it was, still don't like it though, but I couldn't think of a different topic to write about. Well, Read and Review.