Bakugan Brawler Birthdays

Timeline: After Doom Dimension Or Bust

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

I love the fact that her birthday and Shun's are exactly 2 months apart.^^

Unless it's in parentheses, bold means thoughts.

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

9/22

ALICE

I had a day off from the café today. I was glad since I could really use a break today. The guys at the café were a bit overwhelming. They eat a lot!

Usually, my birthday meant that I would spend time with my uncle and aunt, but since I was here, it would be peaceful. None of my friends knew about my birthday, so them surprising me was out of the question.

I walked over to the park. Whenever possible our group would meet to discuss plans, but lately they'd forgotten to tell me. Runo would just rush off while I was on my shift and rush back in just before hers. Then she'd give me some excuse as to why she left.

I let it go; I wasn't a huge contributor anyway. I sat down by the pond. It was nice though. The weather was pretty cool for September. I felt the breeze blow harder and I shut my eyes to stop my hair from flying into my face.

I was pretty shocked when my eyes opened again.

In front of me was the ventus brawler of our group, Shun Kazami. Though Dan was our leader, Shun ranked much higher above him. I realized that I was staring at him.

"Hello Shun."

He didn't bother to look at me or sit down. He stood facing the pond, but he at least acknowledged me. Which, according to Runo, was a step above what he did to most. "Hi."

Just to be polite, I patted the ground next to me, "Sit down?"

To my surprise, he complied quietly. "Watching the pond?" he asked.

I blinked, "Um, yeah. It's peaceful here."

"Don't you have to work at the café today?"

"They said I could take a day off." He nodded at my answer. There's no point in mentioning it's my birthday. It wouldn't change anything.

"Why are you here Shun?"

"Dan was getting on my nerves."

I smiled, "Really?" I asked. It was a bit funny that Shun detested noise, while that's pretty much what Dan was, yet they were still best friends.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing Shun. Just, you seem to say that a lot about Dan."

He smirked, "I say it because it's true."

Though he was a quiet person, I felt like he talked to me more. It was nice to have someone that wasn't too loud to talk to. "So…" I led off. What am I supposed to say to him? He never talks…

"Um, any fangirl troubles lately?" I asked. It was the first thing that popped into my mind. He rolled his eyes at my comment. For a minute, I was worried I had offended him, but he sighed.

"I swear, it's like they're not even human," he said after a moment's silence.

"Says the ninja."

He stared at me for a second. Did I say it too comfortably? I got caught up in it…

"You're different Alice. You usually act all quiet and shy." He finally said.

"I guess Runo's influenced me," I said quietly. After that comment, he smirked again.

"What about your fanboys?"

Another hour flew by before I even thought about it. Maybe it was time to go. I stood up, "I better go. I still have some things to do."

He stood up as well, "Okay."

Before I could blink, he was gone.

That was nice, I thought, Shun was actually really fun to talk to. I don't know why Dan calls him cold all the time. After his disappearance, I went off to the market. While it was my day off, I could at least look through some prices for the café.

On my way out of a third store, I could have sworn I saw silver hair, but it vanished before I could get a good look at it. I passed the small diners and made my way into the mall. Runo always said I shouldn't go to the mall alone because that was the perfect spot for me to get mauled by guys. I wasn't certain what she meant, but this one time couldn't hurt.

Walking about aimlessly, I spotted a small little store. It seemed to draw me in. Looking in on it, I saw the most gorgeous jewelry ever. They weren't real stones or gold, but they were so delicate and carefully woven.

"Is there something you're looking for?"

I jumped back, and then peered lower to see a gentle looking lady looking up at me. She reminded me of someone's grandmother, but more strict, in her business-like attire. "Oh, no, I'm just looking around."

She peered at me, "You wouldn't be Alice, would you?"

"How did you know?"

"My grandson is a frequent visitor of the Misaki café," she gestured to Alice to lean in, "He really fancies you, you know."

I blushed, "Um, oh, thank you?"

"I think you're expecting me to say to go out with him, but I won't. The little twit doesn't understand love yet. And I have a feeling you already have someone."

"No, I don't!" I said, feeling the red seeping into my cheeks.

She nodded, "I have a way with these things, Alice. Don't question me." All of a sudden, her mood was once again light-hearted, "So, anything you want to purchase?"

I glanced at the necklace that had caught my eye. It was a delicately woven choker, with a locket hanging down from it. It was beautiful, but there was no way I could buy it. "No, thank you though. Goodbye."

It was a slow process to walk back to the café. I made my way in, expecting Runo to be there, irritated, but still serving some late customers. When there was no one, I made my way to the back. There, I spotted Mrs. Misaki.

"Oh, Alice honey, you're back! How was your day off?"

"It was fine, thank you. Where's Runo?"

"She said that she was heading out to meet Dan and the others."

"Did she mention where?"

"Sorry Alice, no she didn't."

"Thank you Mrs. Misaki."

"Of course dear."

I ran back out, trying to call Runo or one of the others on my bakupod. After trying Runo twice, I tried to decide who to call. I was doubtful Dan would pick up, Julie might be busy and Marucho might pick up, but I wasn't exactly in the mood for some bakugan related anything. Though Shun and I were on okay terms, and we had talked for a while today, I wasn't sure whether I should call him or not.

"Hello? Shun?"

"Yeah, Alice?"

"Is Runo with you?"

He looked off screen, "Yeah," he said in a bored tone. Next, I saw Runo on screen. I sat on a park bench while Runo began to rant, "Where are you Alice? My mom said you ran out again."

"I'm at the park. Where are you guys?"

"We're at the mall. Come on over, hurry up!"

Why the mall? Plus, I didn't see them there when I went…

But, entering, I realized she hadn't specified where. I hunted over by the food court, and finally ended up deciding to go to any place with privacy and lots of space, considering Dan. I wound up in front of a huge store at the other end of the mall.

Giving up, I entered and found a huge banner almost directly above my head.

"SURPRISE!"

I looked at my friends. Runo ran up to me and hugged me, "Happy birthday Alice."

I glanced around, "Is this really for me?"

"Who else would it be for?" Dan asked cheerfully.

After the initial shock wore off, we had a great time. It was just us six, but it was really fun. Towards the end of the party, Runo and Julie urged me to open up their gifts. Settling down, they all sat around me. Besides Shun who decided that the wall just off the table was more comfortable.

Julie got me a personal nail kit, gushing that my hands were undertreated. Marucho got me a laptop to take back with me when I headed home to Russia. Dan's was actually cute, which Runo was thoroughly shocked about. It was a little bracelet with purple beads.

Runo handed me a nicely wrapped box, which turned out to hold the perfume that Julie had said would suit me. I gave her a hug for that, because she had actually LISTENED to Julie and for giving me such a great gift.

Still, Shun's was my favorite. It was the necklace I'd been looking at this morning. I don't know how he knew about it, and his expression wasn't giving anything away. Later when we were cleaning up, Julie and Runo cornered me.

Julie squealed, "Can I see the necklace?" she pleaded. "Yes," she whispered in delight, "It has your name in it! I knew it!"

I hadn't even looked inside, but it was true. It had my name spelled in fancy letters on the right side of the locket. Runo smirked, "That's got to be the nicest thing Shun has ever done for anyone."

She then looked at me, "That reminds me, Alice, why did you call SHUN after me? Why not Julie?" she asked slyly.

"He was the first person that popped in my mind." At that, Julie giggled, but said nothing.

"Hey Runo, you were the one to plan all this, weren't you? That's why you kept away from me for so long."

"Sorry about that Alice. I couldn't let you figure it out. I thought if I kept leaving you out, you'd focus on that and forget about us throwing you a party."

"It was good."

"Good."

"Runo," I said again. She looked back at me.

"Thanks."

Jazz is back 3 I missed this little one-shot series. Whaddya think? I thought it was alright... See you all next time!