Bakugan Brawler Birthdays

Timeline: After Trust Me

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

Unless it's in parentheses, bold means thoughts.

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

7/22

SHUN

"Are you alright Shun?" a soft voice questioned.

"Yeah. Fine."

She stopped, firmly planting her feet in front of me. "You're not saying anything. Usually, you'd be doing SOMETHING."

"I'm thinking Alice. There aren't really any people to battle right now."

"That's true," she was silent for a bit, "So, how is your grandfather?"

We were both walking around the city, trying to find out anything we could about Masquerade. We'd been stuck together for about three hours, just walking and talking idly. I thought back to this morning.

I jumped through the treetops. It was refreshing to hear only silence, when the day before I had been surrounded by Dan and Julie's constant chatter. He was my best friend but he was really irritating after a while.

Skyress seemed to know what I was thinking about, "They have good intentions Shun. They're only trying to get you to open up."

I grumbled, "All it does is give me a headache."

"Shun, that could also be the fact that you're out at five in the morning and it's raining."

"You know that's not it Skyress. I've done worse that this with Grandfather."

"Speaking of your grandfather, where did he go?" Skyress asked.

I rolled my eyes, "He went back to the dojo. He told me that as long as I kept practicing I could help the team." Stupid geezer…

I ran back across the rooftops and trees to get to the Kuso's house. I waited on the roof for Dan to wake up, knowing that it could be a while. The entire team had come along to his door. I watched silently as Runo rang the doorbell, "Hello Mrs. Kuso. Could we get Dan?" she asked sweetly. It was almost amusing to see the violent bluenette act like this. By Julie's face, she was getting a kick out of it too.

"Of course. You're welcome to try, but you know him. He spent a lot of time last night on the computer."

Marucho looked startled, "What for?"

Mrs. Kuso chuckled, "He and Shun were arguing over something," she sighed, "It was nice to see Shun relaxed for once."

Skyress flew up to my face, "Aren't you going to greet them?"

I smirked, "Of course." I quickly made my way across the worn down portion of the roof. I had made my way to his room this way a lot before, so the route was easily memorized. Slipping down further, I gripped a section of shingles and pulled them back. Dan and I had found this a long time ago, and I had used it from time to time to get into his room.

"Hey Shun! When did you get here?" Julie asked a bit nervously.

"A while ago."

Mrs. Kuso came into the room, "Have you had any luck- Shun, when did you come in?" she blinked.

Dan yawned. Of course he would choose now to get up. Stifling a second one, "Pro'lly the back way."

Mrs. Kuso had never figured out what exactly it was, but we both knew she had a suspicion. Chiding me, "You know that's dangerous!"

She was the only one that could make me wince like I did. Dan got out of bed, "Get out of my room you guys. I'm coming."

We all waited outside since the rain had cleared up, "So… what's the 'back way'?" Marucho asked, just as nervously as Julie.

"Nothing."

Dan came out shaking his head, so I got out of answering. "Shun, what're you doing here?"

"I wanted to see you," I answered, my voice dull and thick with sarcasm. Dan blinked. I sighed, "I was joking Dan. Julie told me to come for some reason."

Both Dan and Runo gave Julie a dirty look. Skyress looked a bit ruffled, but didn't say anything. Dan then cleared his throat, "So, then…maybe we should…split up! Yeah, that's what we'll do, split up."

"You're coming up with this on the spot, aren't you?" Marucho asked blankly.

"No! I spent last night thinking about it!" my friend protested.

"Dan, you spent last night arguing with Shun," Alice said softly, her voice layered with giggles.

Dan ignored her, "Erm, anyway, let's go with that plan. This way we can search for Masquerade AND his lackeys."

Marucho pushed up his glasses, "So, then, we'll do the groups as Dan and Runo, Julie and I, and Shun and Alice."

I shrugged, "Fine."

Everyone stared at me, including Skyress, "What's wrong now? Am I not allowed to agree?"

"No, it's just that…I didn't actually think you'd go alon-agree to it," Dan quickly corrected himself.

Even Skyress seemed a bit surprised, "Shun, you're usually against this type of thing."

"True, but I can tell you guys are up to something. What, I don't know, and as long as it doesn't interfere with our goal, I don't really care."

That was how I'd ended up going around the city with Alice. And probably half the boys and girls that lived here. These people need lives. All they do is either stalk Alice or try and find me.

Alice turned red when someone whistled at her, "Shun, can we duck into there?" she asked politely.

"Sure."

"Let's go then!" she suddenly stopped again, "No, wait, let's head into THAT shop!"

I turned to look back at the first, and I could've sworn I had seen a blue head. But it disappeared into the crowd.

We sat down at a back table where we couldn't be seen, "Why did you want to come here?"

She turned red. It was a bit cute to see her so timid, "OH, no reason. So, what have you been up to lately? Well, for the past week?"

"Training. Grandfather insists on it."

"But, it does help, doesn't it? I mean, and don't tell Dan I said this, you are much stronger than him. And you're really quick and quiet."

"I don't really need to practice for that to happen. It just does. Still, I guess I can see where you're coming from."

We talked for a while. It was actually really simple to talk to here, easier than the others. Skyress, it was obvious, completely adored Alice. I was still a bit skeptical. She did disappear at odd times, and she had no battle experience whatsoever. Still, she helped the team, so it was okay. Plus, I did need someone to talk to that wasn't hyper, hot-blooded, or too technical.

"Oh!" Alice's hands flew up to her face, "we should go!"

I checked my bakupod, "We spent three hours here."

Alice quickly excused herself for a moment, and I stood outside while she whatever she needed to. "What a waste of a day."

Skyress chuckled, "Don't be like that. You enjoyed yourself, didn't you?" she said.

"Hn."

Alice came out of the shop, her face a bit red, "Let's go." She refused to look at me, and I decided not to ask.

"Where?" I questioned.

"Um…to the park?" and seeing my face, "Runo called and said to meet up there. Dan is eating apparently, so she said we might as well just all go there and head back together."

"Sure."

We walked in silence. I paused when I heard rustling, "Wait a second."

"What's wrong?" she asked, looking around. Skyress whispered into my ear, "Over there, Shun."

I grabbed her arm and pulled her into a patch, "Hurry up. Come on."

"Wha-Why?" she asked, surprised. We made it just in time. A small group of girls from Dan's school came past, giggling.

I turned to Alice's giggles, "They're why you hid?"

"Hn."

"Who are they?"

We made our way out of the bushes and over to where we were supposed to meet, "Girls from Dan's school." She raised her eyebrow, "They saw me when I was talking to Dan after his school let out."

She smiled. "Why are you smiling?" I grunted.

"Nothing at all Shun."

I said nothing as we made our way to the old spot where Runo and Dan's families went for on a picnic. Several lights were blinking along the table, and Alice kept pulling me along happily. "Alice, what are you doing. Let go of my arm."

No response but humming. This was beginning to get irritating. Finally, the lights came into a clear view, with a table laden with food, surrounded by balloons, and a cake in the middle of it all.

"What th-" I began.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHUN!"

I stared blankly at them, "What?"

Runo and Julie looked back at me, "Wow. You were actually telling the truth Dan."

Dan smirked, then growled when he realized what Runo had said, "Hey, I tell the truth!"

"What is all this?" I asked.

Dan slung his arm around my shoulder, earning him a glare, "Don't you remember what today is?"

I deadpanned, "If I knew, I wouldn't have asked."

Drago shook his head on Dan's shoulder, "Just get on with it Daniel. Don't start with Shun, you always lose." I smirked at that. This is why I liked Drago.

Julie bounced happily at the table, "I can't believe you don't know how important today is! I mean, even I don't forget something like this!"

I was starting to twitch, "Will you guys just tell me wh-"

Dan cut me off, "Dude, it's your birthday."

I paused, "What? It's not the-"

Skyress landed on the table in front of me, "Shun. It is. It's July 22nd."

Marucho pushed up his glasses, "how can you not remember your own birthday?" he questioned.

"I never had a reason to."

Alice gave me a sweet smile, "Yet, you know everyone else's birthday."

She caught me there. I didn't respond, choosing to turn away from that, "How did YOU remember Dan? You forget everything."

He looked taken aback, "That's just mean Shun. I can remember my best friend's birthday. Unlike some-"

"October 12th."

Dan looked deflated, "That's right."

So, as it would turn out, I blew out the candles to the cake (Hurry up, Shun! I want to eat it!), we had a bakugan royale (That's not fair! You have more time to practice! I demand a rematch!), and I was now being forced to open the colorful boxes of gifts.

I opened up Julie's completely overdone, pink, shining box to see a watch. Julie giggled, "I couldn't decide what to get you, so I thought this would be the best idea."

Marucho carefully gave his thin package, and it turned out to be a dark black jacket (It looked like it would suit you).

Runo thrust hers into my hands and seeing the look in her eye, I decided not to protest. The opened package revealed a belt and pouch for my bakugan. "It just seemed right for you. I would've gotten you something else, but I just can't find anything that seemed you." I raised my eyebrow at that comment, but said nothing.

Julie and Runo both pushed Alice up a bit, and she shyly handed over the carefully wrapped gift. It was a book from the series I had recently started. I looked at her, "I saw you reading the first one the other day, so I thought you might like this one."

"Thanks." Her head shot up, surprised at my answer. I turned toward Dan holding a box, "This should be good."

"Hey! Why are you picking on me?" he asked, pouting. I gave him my 'are-you-kidding-me' look and he quieted down. I opened up the box and was slightly surprised to see a keychain in it. It had a purple feather, a green leaf, and a red dragon hanging from it. I turned toward Dan, "You actually remembered?"

"Like I said, I can do things. And yeah, duh, she was like my mom too."

I shook my head at him, "Thanks Dan."

"Anytime buddy."

Alice sat down next to me, "So, how did you like your birthday?" she said softly.

"It was good, better one than I have had in a while."

Luckily she didn't question it, and Skyress didn't say anything. "Is this why were 'split up' today?"

"Yeah, Dan planned it all out."

"Dan? Are we talking about the same person?"

Skyress chuckled, knowing fully about Dan and his antics. "Yes. We were a bit shocked too, but he was good about this, no slipups," Alice said, somewhat proudly.

There was something off about her. I was sure of it. But, right now, she was a friend.

"Alice?"

"Hm?"

"Thanks."

What's up you guys? School's out! YES! I know that this is early, but I have no choice because I have to go on "vacation". With no electronics. But, hey, I'll be with family, so it's okay :) See you all when I get back!

Have a great summer!