Recap: Shun and Alice arrive in the village of Odrupele where Shun's father was said to have gone. After Steve and Freda leave, they meet a young girl named Grace and her older brother, Isaac. Grace believes that Shun is actually Sho, whereas her brother has suspicions towards both Alice and Shun. Grace suggests they go to the nearby river, the Nile, to cool from the boiling heat.

Alice Pov.

Grace pulled us toward the river with her tiny fingers wrapped tightly around our fingers. After a good thirty minute walk, we arrived at the beautiful Nile River. It stretched out so far and wide, I couldn't believe it was only a river. It looked as if it could be an ocean for goodness sakes.

Along the shore were many Ugandan children and families. I saw people doing all sorts of things; fishing, swimming, bathing, and collecting things in their little tin pails. Being under the blazing sun, it was no surprise everyone seemed to enjoy their time cooling themselves down.

"Over here! This is where Isaac and I like to jump from!" Grace called, far ahead of us. She had dashed away the moment we'd come close to the waters. Followed by many curious glances and looks from the Ugandan people, Shun and I caught up to where Grace was. She was perched up on a thick branch that leaned over the river. There was probably a good three or four meters from the surface of the water to where she was. Seeing my horrified expression, she let out a laugh. "Oh don't worry, it's safe. I've done it a thousand times! Here, I'll show you!"

I winced as she bent her knees and sprung off the branch, hitting the surface of the water with a loud splash. I wasn't one who ever was really fond of jumping off diving boards at pools; I was always one of those people who preferred more relaxing activities. I leant over the edge, and to my relief, saw that Grace was A-Okay. More than okay. She was laughing and splashing about, pretending to be some kind of sea creature. She yelled, "Come on, your turn Sho!"

I hadn't even noticed Shun had changed out of his clothes into only swim trunks. I felt my cheeks warm up, and I turned away to hide my blush. I had never seen him shirtless, and I had to admit, it was a pleasant sight. Not unexpected, seeing how fit he was from all the training his grandfather forced him into. His body was just perfect. Absolutely perfect. His overall physique was perfect. If Julie was here, she would be saying "Damn, that boy is delicious."

"Alice? Are you alright? You look kind of feverish," Shun noted, completely unaware that I was secretly checking him out. Checking him out?! Are you crazy Alice? You are his FRIEND.He stepped closer towards me and placed his hand on my forehead, checking to see if I did indeed have a fever. My blush darkened even more, and his eyes widened in alarm. "Seriously, if you need to sit out-"

"No, I'm fine! Boy, is it hot outside or what?" I said, forcing a laugh. Shun gave me a puzzled look but didn't question me. I stepped out of Shun's way and sat under a tree, hoping that the shade would make my blushing a little more not-so obvious. "Go! Grace is waiting. Besides, I need to quickly get changed..."

Shun nodded and climbed onto the branch. Shifting his weight from one foot to another, I saw him testing the stability of the branch. Then, as graceful as I'd ever seen him he sprung into the air. Only diving into the water just as smoothly after doing a flip. The two continued playing for a while, and I took the time to get changed into my bathing suit. I stretched out on the towel and closed my eyes, preparing for a nice, long tan.

It was nice, having to feel so relaxed despite the stress on our shoulders. I was especially glad Shun was enjoying himself. The guy really did need a break; even a tough guy like him could only handle so much.

Just as I was dozing off into precious sleep, I felt my body lifted off the towel in somebody's arms. My eyes shot open instantly, meeting the honey brown eyes that held the most mischief I'd ever seen in them. I bit my lip. "Why are you carrying me?"

Shun grinned, and with the combination of both his shirtlessness and his smile, my heart melted. No, Alice. I told myself. You're here to help him find his father. You have to stop this whole lovesick puppy act! Shun continued carrying me, and laughed. "Remember I told you I was going to pay you back for throwing my swim trunks at my face?"

I instantly came to my senses. I gasped as I finally noticed that he was carrying me on the branch they had been diving from. A groan escaped my lips. I hadn't known he'd been serious about the pay back. "Let me down, Shun!"

"Sure... but I'll be going down with you!" And to my absolute horror, he jumped.

Shun Pov.

After we dove in, I helped Alice out of the water back onto dry land. Grace was rolling along the shore, pointing and giggling. "You should have seen your face, Alice!"

"Let me guess; this was Grace's idea?" Alice asked as she placed a hand on her hips. With the frown on her face and her stance, I was momentarily afraid I'd angered her. But my worries were washed away when Alice frown turned upside down. She gave me a light shove. "I barely even did anything to you!"

"You left me the perfect opportunity to get you into the water," I teased back. Alice shook her head, splattering me with water from her soaking hair. Even while dripping wet, Alice's flaming hair was beautiful as ever.

"Perfect opportunity?" Alice asked in a playful snarl. "I was just sunbathing, Shun, not-"

"I KNEW IT!"

Grace, Alice and I turned to spot a little hunched figure staring right at me from behind a bush. Isaac. He slapped his hand over his mouth; it seemed he hadn't meant to speak so loudly. But once figuring there was no point in pretending he didn't say anything, the boy strode toward us. He pointed at me. "I knew it. You're a liar, a fake."

I stepped toward him. "Isaac-"

"Get away from me!" he yelled, slamming me away from him. I hadn't expected such strength from a boy so small. "You're no Sho! You liar! I hate you! Get away from him Grace!"

"Isaac, it's not what it looks like!" I tried to tell him, but it was too late. He turned and ran away fast, and I could have sworn that he was crying. I felt like guilt was carving through my heart. I fell to my knees. "I should have told him the truth; he was onto me from the start."

I felt a light tap on shoulder, and I turned around thinking it was Alice. But it turned out to be little Grace, trying to smile as if it could hide how broken she was. "Who are you? Please... Tell me you're not one of them..."

"I'm Sho's son. My name is Shun," I told her softly. The fact that she was still standing near me speaking to me surprised me. If I were her, I would have ran away right after her brother. "What do you mean by 'one of them' Grace?"

"There's bad people out there. Once in awhile they come here to Odrupele because they know we're weak," she mumbles. "Anika calls them bullies, but..."

"But?"

"Isaac knows better," she sighed sadly, and a tear trickled down her cheek. I wiped it away. "My brother saw bad things when he was my age. It hurt him."

The three of us stood in silence, absorbing Grace's words. I felt awful for Isaac; whatever he'd seen, it must have been real bad if it damaged him so much.

"Poor Isaac," Alice said softly, and I couldn't have agreed more. Again, we were silent.

Until it was broken by child's scream.

Grace's facial expression confirmed my fears.

Isaac.

"Alice, you take Grace," I told her, and Alice nodded. Whatever trouble Isaac was in, we couldn't have it happening to his younger sister. "Take her back to their house."

Grace's eyes widened. "But my brother-"

"Will be safe with Shun," Alice assured her. "Now go!"

I nodded and ran after where I'd seen Isaac go. Whatever causing him to scream may not have been a big deal, but I had a feeling in my gut that it was.

I hated it when my gut instinct was right.

Because there Isaac was, in the arms of two guys struggling to fight them off. Isaac must've been quite the tough kid if he was still semi-fighting two guys who were easily twice my size. Still, I knew he wouldn't last long alone. Not with those bruises and scars... And besides, my grandfather hadn't trained me to sit and watch when someone needed help.

I silently climbed the nearest tree. I needed to plan this carefully. I considered just pulling Isaac away, but by the way the two were covering him, there was no way that was going to be easily accomplished. Time to improvise.

I dived from the tree and landed on the larger guy of the two hulks. He stumbled a little, but that was enough for me. I shoved him away from Isaac, punching him not enough to do permanent damage, but enough to temporarily leave him hanging for air. He fell to the ground, clutching his gut.

But he smiled, an evil grin plastered on his disgusting face. I turned away from him to face my other opponent, holding Isaac in his arms.

With a knife at the kid's throat.

Damn it.

"Let him go," I commanded as calmly as possible. I knew that showing fear made you more vulnerable in these situations. I took a step toward the big guy. "Leave now, you big coward."

"I'm the coward?" he snorted, and his grip tightened on weapon. "Why should I leave? And don't think about hurting me, boy. Or else you know what's gonna' happen to this kid." He wiggled the knife in front of Isaac's neck, threatening me with a grin. He was right. I couldn't hurt him.

Well, I can't hurt the guy without a bit of stealth anyways.

Alice Pov.

Grace was shivering of fear, and I wrapped my arms around her to steady her. She was tiny in my arms, and I couldn't help but notice how frail her body was.

"If I lose my brother, I'll have nobody," she whispered. Grace looked up at me with her large, watery eyes. "Will they be okay?"

"I hope so," I answered back. I didn't have it in me to lie to her in case something did happen. "I really do."

"Can I go make sure they're okay?" she asked, but I shook my head. The whole point was to make sure Grace was kept safe. I wasn't going to allow her to go walk into whatever trouble Shun and Isaac were in. Grace's face suddenly lit up with a spark of hope. "Well... can you?"

Can I?

Half of me was screaming to stay with Grace. It would've been most logical after all. For one, it would guarantee that Grace would stay out of harm's way at her home. I didn't know her well enough to know if she'd stay put like I'd asked of her. And I knew how ninja Shun was and what things he was capable of, so I didn't have to worry about him.

Well... I didn't have to worry about him. But I still did.

And besides, Grace was mature beyond the average five year old. I was sure she would stay put.

I got up off the bench we'd been sitting on, knelt in front of her so we were directly at eye level. I hoped she heard the seriousness in my voice. "I will go and make sure they're alright. But promise me Grace; promise me you'll stay here. If anyone dangerous comes, run. Run until you find someone you trust."

She nodded her head multiple times.

I kissed her on her forehead as my Grandfather had done for me when I was younger. "I'll be back soon."

Stepping away from the little girl, I quickly paced toward the door. I was desperate to get to Shun.

"Wait!" Grace shouted suddenly. I turned on my heel to be greeted by a surprise. The little girl was carrying a pistol in her hands. A pistol. She must have seen my bewildered expression, because she shrugged. "We've had this hidden here for ages. It used to be my father's for emergency but... Well, just take it."

What a bizarre situation, I thought as I took the weapon from her hands. A five year old is offering a weapon so I can go save a ninja.

Shaking my head, I ran out the door.

GREASE LIGHTNING, GO GREASE LIGHTNING! Err… right, back to the story…

You don't know how many times I wrote and rewrote this chapter -.- I DECIDED TO SUCK IT UP AND POST IF AFTER OVER TWO MONTHS OF NOT POSTING.

BUT ANYWAYS. Now it's done, and I hope it turned out alright. A little long, but I realized that if I don't update often, I might as well have longer chapters. BUT the next update will be sooner. I've already gotten the ideas in the tiny brain of mine.

I wrote another Bakugan story, though it's a oneshot. It's called "Beautiful Mess". Quite serious and dark. Check it out?

Thank you for the amazing reviews I've received so far for this story. It felt awesome to see that my story had reached over 100 reviews! All thanks to you guys :)!

So please, keep Hungryhippo1000 happy and keep reviewing, eh?