Bakugan Brawler Birthdays

Timeline: After Say It Ain't So Joe

DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN BAKUGAN! GET OVER IT…the birthday kids' POV, but there might be the occasional thought from another person .I

Unless it's in parentheses, bold means thoughts.

Italics mean either flashbacks or a song. You'll know what's what.

3/3

MARUCHO

"Master Marucho, it is time to wake up and face a new day! Quickly now, sir!" I heard.

I opened my eyes to my favorite butler, Kato, "Yes, Kato. I'm coming. Thank you."

He gave me a small smile before going downstairs, "Hurry sir. The day is being wasted."

"I'm coming Kato."

The butler paused, "Oh, and before I forget, Happy Birthday, Master Marucho," he said presenting me with a box that was tightly wrapped. I opened it to find new gloves.

I looked at him, "how did you know that I-"

"I saw your favorite pair in the trash, beyond repair sir," he answered with a gentle smile. With that, he walked out.

Preyas opened up on my nightstand as I stood up, putting my glasses on, "Buddy! Happy birthday pal!" he said, excited.

"Thanks Preyas."

"Marucho. Is it just me, or was that butler of yours being really weird? I mean, more than usual?" he asked, shaking around.

I grabbed him up, "Of course not. You're imagining things Preyas. Let's head down for breakfast."

Preyas was jumping around a bit as I briskly made my way to the dining hall. "Am I glad you have an elevator, buddy! You would gotten there next year if we had to take stairs!"

I sat down and ate the meal like I did every day: alone. Kato stood by, but left saying that he needed to do some chores around the house. I sighed, but quickly finished off the food and headed to the computer room. I signed in, looking for our chatroom. "Preyas, is something wrong?"

My fidgeting aquos partner whipped around, "N-no. Nothing. Just… excercising!" he said, starting to jump up and down repeatedly. I clicked in to our chat, "Hey, Shun! How are you?" I said, seeing the resident 'lone wolf' as Runo had dubbed him.

"Same as always. You?" he asked.

"Fine."

Shun gave me a look, "What?" I asked.

He face went back to its usual placated posture, "It's nothing."

Why is everyone saying that? Is there something on my face? Is something happening today?

Just to lose the now elongated pause, "Where is everyone? They should be on by now."

Shun rolled his eyes, "Right. Happy Birthday. Oh, and I don't know about Alice, but Runo had to go somewhere today apparently, I talked to Billy, and Julie was with him. As for Dan, he almost never gets up before 12 on weekends. I just checked, and he was still asleep."

"You checked?" I asked. Then, I registered that he had told me happy birthday. Before I could say anything though, he had replied to my question.

"He left his screen on. You can see him snoring away."

Shun gave a pause when he looked at me again, and looked off screen suddenly, "Oh, sorry. I have to go."

"It's fine."

I switched over to my list of other people to talk to, and I saw that Dan was still on. Clicking it, I saw that Shun was right. In clear view of the screen was Dan. His covers were hanging onto the ground and he was snoring. I sighed. Dan is so one-track minded sometimes...

The screen was now blank, and I slowly shut off as well. "Well, this is boring. What should we do now, Preyas?" and without letting him answer, "Oh, yeah, maybe I could keep looking for our spy. They need to be shut down before they ruin everything."

"Is this how you always spend your birthday?"

"Yes. Mother and father are busy, so I spend it like every other. Later, I eat some extra junk food, and stay up later, but not much. Maybe in the next week or so, I'll invite everyone over."

"But-"

"Better focus if we want to get done, Preyas."

I started to type and everything faded away, but I was still slightly disappointed. It's the same every birthday is just a day like any other. No big deal.

Preyas was not really helping with his constant chatter, but it was comforting to hear him. At least one person cared enough to be with me today.

Around four, I shut it down, "Hey! Did you figure it out buddy?" Preyas said as the screen became black.

"No. But, it's been a while. I don't think I can find anything, at least not yet. Maybe Joe can help me later. I'll talk to him."

Preyas kept quiet, "Is something wrong, Preyas?"

"NO! I mean, nothing pal! It's all good! Nothing's up!" he said rapidly. He was a terrible lair, and even worse at keeping secrets, but I let it go. I could hear an audible sigh of relief coming from my shoulder, and I grinned. Without even meaning to, he cheered me up.

I tried to call Dan on the bakupod link, "Dan?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming Runo," then he looked into the screen, "Oh, Marucho! What's up buddy!"

"Nothing. But, we need to talk about the spy."

"Er, maybe later. I'm a little busy right now. See you later buddy! And Happy Birthday!" and he shut off.

I blinked in surprise. He knew it was my birthday?

I went over to the kitchen and took some carefully planned snacks and settled in front of the "TV". I ate slowly, and Preyas and I watched a couple cooking shows. Soon, we got bored and headed out to Runo's café. Maybe she would be around.

Instead, I ran into Julie about halfway there. "oh, I was just headed for your house Marucho!" she said.

"Why?"

"It's your birthday, so I wanted to wish you happy birthday. Happy Birthday!"

I nodded, "Thanks."
She became faux business like suddenly, "Now, you have to come with me."

"Actually, I was on my way to-"

She grabbed my arm, "Just come on! I saw Dan going into the mall, and I want to know what he's up to!"

"Why? He's probably just getting something for his mom, Julie."

"Or for someone else!" she squealed.

Julie finally let me go to the café, even followed me, after we couldn't find Dan anywhere. I entered the café only to jump back into Julie when I heard multiple screams, "SURPRISE!"

I looked around to see several streamers and balloons along the walls, and food lines up on the counter. Dan walked up to me and grabbed my arm, as Julie pushed me in.

"You guys…"

Dan looked down at me, "Did you really think we'd forget your birthday, buddy!"

Preyas jumped off my shoulder onto the table in front of me, "And now, for my best buddy…" he led off. He grabbed an edge of the tablecloth and pulled upward along with the other bakugan. On the table was a blue cake.

"Wow…"

"Come on! Blow out the candles!" Julie said. Alice lit them quickly and went back to stand by Shun. I blew them out quickly, and it was fluently followed up by presents.

I got some pretty cool things, from a jacket from Julie, to a Graffiti M keychain from Dan. The surprising thing, though, was Shun's I have to say it was my favorite by far. It was book. But, it was one that wasn't scheduled to arrive from America for two months. When I asked him how he got it, he said he knew some people.

At the end of the day, when I went home, I saw Kato grinning, "Good day sir?"

"You knew didn't you?" I asked.

"Master Daniel informed me a week ago. Did you enjoy your party?"

"Yeah," I paused, "And Kato?"

"Yes Master Marucho?"

"Thanks."

Okay guys. I hope you liked it! This one was probably the hardest because I don't know Marucho that well outside bakugan. But, I guess it turned out alright.

Just so you know, there is a timeline for all of this. The series is progressing while this is happening. Julie's was after the all met up for the first time and are getting used to the fact they're a team.

Julie: after Julie Plays Hard Brawl

QUICK QUESTION! For the next birthday, I can't upload anywhere near that day. Would you guys want me to upload before I left for my mandatory family vacation, or after? Please answer!

Thanks! R&R! Jazz is gone!