The jet came for me that night. As always Kato was there to welcome me on board with a friendly smile and looked very happy. He's probably glad that everyone's coming home. I guess the Marukura's mansion is a little quiet without our noisy group. The trip to Alice's was mostly uneventful and I had a chat with Kato. It seems that he's retiring next month and going to live with his grandson. I didn't even know he had a family. Anyway it's really going to be different without Kato there to help us out every now and then but I guess it's time for him to leave his job at the Marukura household he is about eighty after all.

The journey was only a few hours but I fell asleep sometime around one in the morning in Japan time so when I finally woke up to the bright afternoon sun shining or rather blinding my eyes in Moscow you can't really blame me for knocking over the glass of orange juice that Kato set out for me as a quick drink before we arrived. Then after apologising and receiving a new glass I stood up then looked out the window to see the familiar woodland that surrounded Alice's home. It looks so peaceful. I see why Alice loves this place so much.

The jet's getting closer to the ground now. I should probably sit down or-

"Whoops!" I spilled the juice again. Uhhh and on my favourite shirt too.

I walk out into the field the jet had landed in while dabbing with a tissue at the annoyingly growing orange stain on my shirt. Then I am suddenly tackled to the ground and go half deaf as someone sequels "Runo!" into my ear. What have I done to receive so much suffering?

After groaning and hearing a sheepish "oops" and "sorry" I was offered a hand which I accepted to help me off the ground. Then with a grumpy face I see the hand belongs to Julie. Who was holding a party popper in the other. And was about to pop it on me. While I've still got a big sticky juice stain on my shirt.

"Wait don't-!"

*Pop*

"-do that"

Great, now I'm glued to party confetti as Julie can now see as she tries to tug away the streamers and after seeing her attempts fail and my annoyed face she slowly backs away while repeating "sorry,sorry,sorry". Just before I give chase a hand gently but firmly holds me back. It's Alice, always the peacemaker. She pulls me towards her house where I assume everyone else is while Julie takes my things from Kato. I call out a thank you to Kato as he turns to the jet to go pick up the rest of the original brawlers for a small reunion.

Alice shows me the back door and points to the guest room so that I can change out of my ruined shirt. I take my things from Julie and jokingly try to hug her which makes her run, terrified that the streamer and orange combo on my shirt will become hers. Alice and I have a quick laugh then I go into the guest room, close the door and after shoving Julie's numerous bags off one of the beds I open my bag and find a clean shirt. I freshen up in the bathroom and take a deep breath to prepare myself for meeting the others.

It's not that I'm scared of them I'm just not sure how to face them. We haven't really talked face to face in ages. Also about Dan… it might get awkward… Arrg! Never mind! Just act your usual self Runo, your usual self. Or act like Alice she always acts just fine.

Alright, there's a smile plastered on my face. Now I can face them. Okay I'm walking out the guest room door. Now I'm about to enter the living room where everyone else is. This is fine as long as no one does anything too idiotic I'll be able to get through this get together calmly and hopefully quietly then I can ge to planning the food for the wedding and sorting out the debt problem at home.

Then I hear a series of pops and a ton of party popper confetti lands on me. There is a silent moment when I don't react. Everyone is holding their breaths when they feel the explosion that they think, and are correct about, that is growing on my hidden face. (You know like in anime when people's expressions are hidden by using their bangs to make a shadow over their eyes)But I am calm I merely smile, kinda forced but eh. Alice is lightly scolding my attackers while I brush off the streamers and other bits of paper then I take a seat next to Marucho.

"So what are we talking about?" I ask around the room (except for looking in a certain someone's direction).

"Just catching up with what's going on with everyone. How have you been Runo? We've heard you're running a restaurant now. How's business?" Marucho asks.

"Oh um I'm doing alright and as for the restaurant business… yeah its fine I guess. But I want to hear about everyone else so hurry up, come on tell me your back stories." I reply, indirectly changing the topic I suppose but it's better if they don't know.

Julie starts off what's been going on for her while Alice catches my eye and mouths "do you want to talk about it?" Thank goodness for understanding friends. I mouth back "later". But then I see a certain pair of brown eyes looking at me and I turn sharply but they are to Julie as she talks about what she's been up to so I guess I'd better start listening.

"Alright, so for the past few years I've been improving on my Bakugan skills with way too many partners to count that I'm really missing right now. Actually I haven't been playing that much recently cause I suddenly realised "wow, wait what am I doing?" By that I mean well none of us have really been studying or have had, like, any real jobs right? So what are we gonna do when we come back? I was thinking about maybe setting up a school or a support group or something back on New Vestroia for other brawlers that are too busy to come home. I'm still working out the details but Billy and my family said they would support me all the way.

"Other than that there's nothing else to talk about. Right now I guess I just want to focus on helping Daisy with her wedding. I wish Daisy had told me sooner or at least tell me who the guy is. Seriously, the only thing she wrote in the note she sent was that she was getting married and that I had to get my butt back here pronto."

"You really don't know who she's marrying?" I cut in.

Besides Alice, everyone else shook their heads. Should I tell them? Daisy did say we could hhmmm…nah. Haha I'll wait till Joe and Chan Lee arrive. They can tell them.

"Oh, ok never mind continue." I say with a grin while Alice just sighs, probably knowing that I'm going to torture Julie a bit with some hidden info.

Yep, that's my best friend. She knows exactly what's going on in my head.

"Hey wait does that mean you know the groom?" Julie asks taking the bait and immediately picking up the smugness in my voice.

"Well I guess I do. I am catering the wedding you know."

"Would you mind telling me who it is; I really want to know."

"Just ask your sister"

"She's not picking up her phone"

"The call her later"

"Tell me who it is"

"No"

"Why not?"

"'Cause I don't wanna"

"Runnnooooo"

"Sorry, try again later"

There, I finally leave one of my chapters with a proper cliffhanger. Just wondering but are there any guys aound Daisy's age. She's 4 years older than Julie, according to wiki. Or maybe I'll just stick with the idea for the groom I already had. And sorry not much DanxRuno going on right now if thats what you're looking for but it will come...eventually. Anyway hope you liked it. Thanks and sorry to MxMxM I'll try making any future phone calls clearer (don't worry I'm like that too;) and to AliceGi this update's for you. Here's a hint to people, if you review and say update I will 'kay? Cause reviews equal inspiration for me for some reason so leave me a review (ideas would help to) Also thanks to those who have followed/favourite this story- it makes all writers happy to see their work being loved:)

Sorry for any mistakes and thank you for reading.

- Wing :)