Hey, guys!

I'm so so soo so so so very sorry for the late update! :(( I'm very busy with school and some other things that I don't have much free time!

I really hope you like it! :)

ENJOY! And please review. :))

I DO NOT OWN BAKUGAN OR ANY CHARACTER!


Chapter 8: Old Friend, New Friend And Unknown Feelings

Dan and Shun took Alice home and on the whole way home she didn't say a word. She just kept her head down. Both of them could tell that something has happened, but they didn't wanna talk about it now 'cause they saw how hard it was for her. When they finally got home Alice went upstairs into her room without saying a word. As she entered the room, she closed the door and walked over to the bed. She laid down and burried her head into the pillow as tears just came out.

´Ace…what happened to you…?'

With Dan and Shun…

Dan and Shun went to the kitchen. Shun sat down and Dan stood by the fridge. Shun couldn't stop thinking about Alice and how she must feel now. ´What's going on with Ace?´ He wondered. ´I thought him and Alice were friends.´

˝Do you wanna drink something or eat?˝ Dan suddenly asked which made Shun snap out of his thoughts.

˝Huh? Oh…yeah, sure.˝ He answered.

˝Juice, water or something else maybe?˝ Dan asked again.

˝Juice is fine.˝

Dan reached out inside the fridge and took a bottle of orange juice, then he took two glasses and filled them with juice. He sat down and gave one glass to Shun.

He noticed Shun was little distracted. ˝Hey, man you okay?˝

Dan asked as Shun looked at Dan. ˝Yeah, I'm fine.˝

At that answer Dan raised his eyebrow, now he was sure something was wrong. ˝Really?˝

˝Yeah, really.˝

˝Do you know that guy Alice was talking to?˝ Dan asked as Shun nodded.

˝Yeah. I met him that time I went to the market with Alice. The two of them are childhood friends. He seemed like a nice guy, but now I'm not so sure.˝ Shun explained.

˝They're friends!? He didn't look so friendly in school today. And that's not the way to talk to your friends! Alice was on the floor, and crying and he didn't even look at her! That's not a way to treat your friends. I swear if I ever see him making Alice cry he's gonna…˝ Dan hissed and got up when suddenly he hit the table with his fist.

˝Dan calm down. I feel the same way you do, but we don't even know the whole story. We can talk to Alice when she calms down.˝ Shun said.

˝Yeah, fine…˝ He sat back down and both of them sat silently for few minutes when someone came in.

˝Kids, I'm home!˝ Dan's mom came back home and went to the kitchen where Dan and Shun were. ˝Hey, Dan, Shun.˝ She smiled as two of them looked at her.

˝Hey mom.˝

˝Hey mrs. Kuso.˝

˝Boys, guess who I bumped into today on my way home?˝ She asked.

˝Who?˝ Dan asked.

˝See for yourself.˝ She moved away from the door when a girl with long turquoise hair tied in twin tails walked in Dan and Shun's eyes widened in surprise as they saw an old and dear friend.

˝Hey, guys!˝ She smiled.

˝Runo!˝ They both gasped.

Shun who was closer to the door walked over to her and hugged her.

˝It's nice to see you again Runo.˝ He said as they pulled away from the hug.

˝It's nice to see you too Shun. It's been such a long time.˝

Dan stood frozen while looking at the girl who he used to play with as a child along with his other friends. As a child she was tomboyish and used to get along with boys much more than the girls, tho she did have one best friend that was a girl. And she was totally opposite of her.

He gazed at her with his brown eyes. He was stunned. She looked so beautiful. She wore a short blue skirt, t-shirt with yellow-white strings and brown boots. He blushed when suddenly she turned her eyes over to him.

˝Hey, Dan. Long time no see huh?˝ She smiled as she walked few steps forward and Dan ran over to her and hugged her tightly which made her blush a little.

˝I've missed you so much, Runo.˝ He whispered.

Surprised hear him say that her heart started to beat faster and her head started to feel hot. ´What's this feeling…´ She wondered.

˝I've missed you too, Dan.˝ She managed to say it. When they pulled away from a hug, Dan turned away to wipe out few tears that came out.

˝Dan, were you crying?˝ Shun asked.

˝No…˝ Dan said awkwardly as he blushed a little. They all laughed, when Dan's mom notices Alice wasn't with them.

˝Honey, where is Alice?˝ She asked as Dan and Shun lowered their heads.

˝She wasn't feeling well today so she's resting in her room.˝ Dan replied.

˝Oh, poor girl. I'm going to check on her.˝ She was about to walk away when Dan stopped her.

˝No, don't bother her. She said she wanted to be alone. She's okay, mom. Don't worry.˝ Dan explained.

˝Okay, then.˝ She said.

˝Mom, we'll be in my room.˝ Dan said as he, Shun and Runo left the kitchen and were on their way to Dans room.

˝Okay.˝ She replied and started cooking lunch.


Dan closed the door of his bedroom and sat on the bed next to Runo, while Shun was sitting on the chair in front of the computer.

˝Um, so guys, who's this Alice?˝ Runo asked while looking at Dan then Shun.

˝She's been living with us for 7 years now. She came to live with us not so long after you guys all moved away. She had rough childhood.˝ Dan explained it as he lowered his head.

˝Oh, poor girl.˝ Runo sighed. ˝So, then she's like a sister to you?˝ Runo asked. Dan nodded.

˝She's also a very kind girl. And she has the most beautiful smile.˝ Shun said with a small smile and a little blush.

Runo smiled and also noticed Shun's blush. ´Dose Shun like Alice?´ Runo wondered.

˝Yeah.˝ Dan chuckled. ˝I think you'll get along with her just fine.˝ He said.

˝You think so? When I hear you two talking about her like that I really wanna meet her.˝ Runo smiled.

˝How about we meet tommorow on the playground? The four of us?˝ Dan suggested.

˝That's a good idea.˝ Shun added.

˝Yeah.˝ Runo nodded.

˝Okay, then. I'll ask Alice later.˝

˝I have to go. I have something to do. I'll see you tommorow!˝ Shun said.

˝I have to go too.˝ Runo said.

˝Okey then guys. See you tommorow.˝ Dan said.

˝Bye, Dan!˝

˝Bye Dan. See you tommorow!˝

When they both left Dan laid down on his bed. ´I think it will be good for Alice to have some girl friends.´ He smiled a little. ´I'm really glad Runo is back…´ He blushed and his heart started beating like crazy. ´What's this…feeling?´ He wondered as he held one arm on his chest.


On the street…

Shun and Runo were walking home and they stopped in front of Shun's house since they were all neighbours.

˝Hey, Shun?˝

˝Yeah?˝

˝Do you have feelings for Alice?˝ Runo asked without hesitation.

Shun's eyes widened and his face turned red, his heart was beating like crazy. ˝Wh…wha…what? Why….why would you ask that..? I…no…I don't have….feelings for her..She's just a…friend…˝ He got so confused and embarrassed, he turned his head away from Runo. She was certain now. He had feelings for her.

˝If you say so.˝ She giggled. ˝Well then, see you tommorow.˝ She waved as she started walking away.

˝Yeah…see you. Bye.˝ He replied as he went into the house.


In Kuso's house…

Dan got out of his bed and went to see Alice. He knocked on the door but there was no answer. So he opened the door and saw her lying on the bed, she was sleeping. He walked over to the bed and took a blanket. He coverd her with it and smiled. ´I wish there's a way I could help her.´ He thought as he watched her sleep.