Shun blinked his eyes slowly, blinded by the sun, his left arm felt numb and his head pained him. Rubbing at his face with his one free arm he glanced a look around him, ignoring his own predicament. Trees towered around him followed by grass and small wild animals. He was being struck by the setting sun.

"Huh, guess it was a dream after all."

He tried to push himself up, stopping at a tugging on his numb arm.

"Don't tell me I got it trapped." He shifted to push whatever it was away, stilling as his eyes widened at the sight of a ginger woman laid beside him, curled up. "Dammit, it happened didn't it?" Pushing at the woman's shoulder he watched as she stirred, grumbling under her breath. "Alice."

"What is it Shun I'm tired. Is it breakfast time?"

"More like supper."

"What?"

"Nothing, just open your eyes."

She did as told, rubbing the back of her eyes as she forced herself to sit, yawning lowly. Her eyes slid open widening considerably as she stared at the view before her. Tree after tree towered in front of her, long grass curling around her ankles as though they were trying to chain her down.

"Where are we?"

"Where you wanted to be, in my 'village'. Well, the woods near it."

She scratched the side of her head shifting uncomfortably when she felt his eyes on her.

"I never expected it to have these." She muttered, hoping to change the atmosphere.

"What, trees? Yeah, we have them. I suppose there's no way to send you back is there?"

"You don't want me here? I thought you were lonely."

"I suppose, but I've got to teach you and look after you and it'll throw everything out of balance. I need to care for my grandfather and I can't cope with him and you."

"I had to care for my grandfather also, I can help you in any way possible. What is his ailment?"

"Old age, and he'd a complainer."

"Is he the elder of your village?"

"We don't have elders here, and there are plenty of people older than him, he just likes being lazy."

"Oh, does he need to see a healer?"

"His doctor said he was fine. Just old age." Shun assured, taking her arm and leading her away towards his house. He wasn't sure how long he'd been gone or if anyone had noticed but from the pain in his back he'd been unconscious for a long time. Checking himself for his phone he saw it glinting from a tree he'd jumped from earlier. The device tangled in leaves. Releasing her he jumped to the middle of the tree and scaled it using a kunai. Dropping back down he unlocked the device and saw numerous missed calls and texts. Not thinking to check the date he skimmed through some of the messages he'd accumulated.

'Where are you?' - Runo

'We're going out tonight, you coming?' - Julie

'Shun, where are you, you're not answering your phone, I got a text of grandpa saying you haven't given him his medicine.' - Dan

'I'm getting worried now, where the hell are you?' - Dan

'Shun, if you're mad at my Danny you can talk to me, I'll be here. Just go home, we're getting worried.' – Dan's mum

'If you don't answer we're filing a missing persons report. It's been three days Shun. We're worried!' - Runo

'Shun, answer your damn phone!' - Dan

'I'm not kidding, I'm gonna freak Shun.' - Dan

'Hey, Shun. Guess what? I'm still waiting for your call!' - Dan

By the time he flicked through the rest he couldn't suppress his low laughs anymore. Seemed she'd sent him back a few days after he left. Presumably the same amount of time he'd been done. There were at least thirty calls from Dan alone, Runo and Julie sending fifteen and from the amount of top up texts he had Marucho had been stocking him with credit hoping that would work.

"Come on then Alice, I'll take you to my house, there are a lot of people I need t show you." Not receiving an answer from her he turned his gaze and saw as she stood hiding behind the tree, her head only partially out. "What's wrong?"

"What is in your hand? Is it possessed?" Staring at his phone he wanted to laugh, instead he held it behind his back and tried to approach her.

"Alice, come away from the tree."

"Not until you answer me Shun. Did you summon something? Am I safe?"

"This isn't possessed or a summon. It's a phone, it's how I keep in contact with people. It's to keep an eye on my friends so don't worry. Completely harmless." He held it out and she stared at it wearily, reaching out her hand to touch the object, jumping when she brushed it. "See, harmless. It's like being scared when a leaf touches you."

She didn't look completely convinced but she removed herself from the tree and waited for the device to vanish.

"Listen, don't freak out about anything, understand? If I'm calm you can be too, nothing will hurt you." She nodded, only relaxing completely when the phone was slid into his pocket. "If you're scared hold onto me, I'll protect you."

Shun barely hid the annoyance etched on his face, this was why he didn't want her here. She wouldn't be able to cope, this was a lot different than her world.

"Shun, is there a well nearby by chance? I'm very thirsty. We should have brought our bucket of water."

"There's a river not too far from here. I go there after training." He led her a few minutes further into the woods, wanting to return home and placate his friends but knowing he had to make her as comfortable as possible.

It didn't take long for her to stand and say they could continue on their way to his house. Nodding Shun took her hand and led her away, not wanting to lose her.

oooo

Every bottle and pin littered across the ground caused a jump from the girl followed by 'scorpion'! It only stopped once he'd pinned a badge to her chest as proof that it was safe. Of course he had to have one too.

The first car she saw had her screaming, she had pulled Shun away and dived into the nearest bush. He'd carried her the rest of the way, feeling her heart pound against his chest. He was sure she was beginning to regret her decision to come to his world so rashly.

He tightened his hold and turned the final corner to his house. Seeing bikes parked outside as well as a limo.

"What are these things?"

"My friends are over." He answered instead, ignoring her question as he took a deep slow breath. Great, how was he going to explain Alice?

"Shun, I don't trust that they are safe for us to approach." She muttered, leaning in close as though they could hear her.

Releasing her he ran a hand down his face, his mind was working overtime trying to formulate excuse after excuse.

"We'll be back same time tomorrow old man!"

Both he and the shouting brunette froze as their eyes met. He didn't scream like he'd expected but took a few cautious steps forwards, almost as though he expected the boy to vanish if he moved to quickly.

Once he was only a few feet away from him he raised his hand, lightly ghosting it away from Shun's face, not even touching as if he was scared that if he touched he'd shatter.

"Shun." It was quite, almost a whisper before the brunette threw caution to the wind and dived at the teen, wrapping his arms around his shoulders and holding onto him. "W-What the hell? Where've you been?"

"I' sorry Dan, it's a long story." He assured, using what little space his arms had to sooth the teen.

"When we didn't see you we thought you were too busy. But when grandpa called and asked where you were we got worried. We filed a report but the police found nothing, not even your phone. Where were you?" He looked up, his eyes glazed with water.

"I'll explain later, how long was I gone?"

"Almost a month. The police are starting to lose hope in the case." Dan pulled back, glancing back to see where the others were, he could see a few bodies in the door but they appeared to be talking to his grandfather. As he turned back to Shun his eyes caught sight of Alice, stood a little away to give them their space, looking up at the sky. "Who's she?"

"Uh, hard to explain." He admitted, thinking through everything he'd gone through with her and knowing he'd be admitted to a mental hospital should anyone other than the brunette hear.

"Is everything really hard to explain or did you find yourself a girlfriend and not think to text your dear ol' best friend?" Dan countered, crossing his arms over his chest. If Shun wasn't trying to think through his answers he'd have likened Dan to a mother chastising her teenager.

"We're not dating, but Alice is part of the reason why I was gone."

"Oh, Alice is it? That's a pretty name." He was grinning like a Cheshire cat, all worries of his friend's disappearance gone from his mind at the knowledge that something juicy could be happening.

"Thank you, you are a strange boy. You have a relationship with Shun?"

"Relationship? He's my best friend."

"Oh, I see I-"

"Shun!" All attention turned to the newly revealed teens staring dumbstruck at the black haired boy. They raced forwards, all wrapping him in tight hugs, Alice forgotten once again.

"Where the hell have you been? I can't believe you. Do you know how worried we were? Your grandfather was damn near dying with worry."

"I'm so glad you're ok Shun, I was worried about you."

"Yeah, one call really too difficult?" Prying himself loose from all their questions and hugs he stood beside Alice, everyone now taking in her presence.

"Who's this girl?"

"Her name's Alice. I met her while I was away. She's not from around here, everything's scaring her." He answered, knowing how much his friends loved helping people, it'd be easy to distract them with a new thing that was a little odd.

"Hey, I'm Dan, nice to meet you. Don't worry we'll look after you. So, you with Shun?" The question was asked innocently enough still she choked on nothing just hearing it.

"She's a friend." He clarified, seeing her cheeks tint a faint pink. Presumably from the choking.

"Alright, where'd ya meet?"

Seeing where the conversation was headed he motioned for them all to follow him back into the house. He caught sight of his grandfather, taking the old man's hand and guiding him with them. Alice stood at the back gazing at everything that was new and strange to her. Especially fascinated that the walls weren't made of mud.

They all sat in the front room, eyes boring into Shun while Alice remained in wonderment. These things she was sitting on, they were so incredible comfy.

"Alright, this is Alice, I met her just after I disappeared, she's new to here and has no idea what anything is." He explained slowly, deciding to keep the more strange details to himself.

"What she brought up with nothin'?"

"Basically, where she was from was very primitive. She doesn't know what anything is."

The group looked mildly shocked, but the more they stared at the girl the more apparent it became. She was like a baby who'd seen its reflection in the mirror for the first time.

"She's moved here and needs to be watched. She knows next to nothing." He nodded to himself. Good, if he could get the issue of Alice out of the way he'd be able to skirt around everything else.

"Wow, a clean canvass. We've gotta teach her things." It seemed to be working, everyone was focused on Alice, if he let them be he could escape free. "Is she staying with you?"

"We've got more than enough room." His grandfather spoke for the first time, all eyes falling to him and a smile being pulled to Alice's face.

"Thank you. I'll try not to be a burden." Her smile was small but bright, forcing everyone else in the room to smile back.

"Don't worry. Shun can show you how everything works."

"Thank you."

The conversation shifted to where Alice was from, something Shun helped steer to avoid any mention of time travel. Luckily for the teen they were so taken up by the strange girl he was forgotten at the moment.

It took almost an hour for them to leave, and the conversation was still going on as they left.

"Like really? That's insane Alice."

"No, I'm quite sane thank you." She responded as she closed the door behind their backs and turned to Shun smiling. "They seem like a nice bunch."

"They are, I just worry about them finding out."

"Shun, I'm sorry I'm causing you so much trouble." He patted her shoulder, smiling slightly.

"You can have the guest room, it's furnished. We'll change it to yours soon." She nodded, letting him lead her towards the room. As she walked she continued looking around, shocked at how clean everything looked. Her eyes almost popped at seeing the bed she'd have, thick mattress four pillows and the warmest looking quilt she'd ever seen. "Alice, are you alright?"

She looked at him, smiling brightly.

"I'm perfect." She pecked his cheek before ushering him out of her room to try and acquaint herself with the strange room.

Standing outside the door he jumped at the voice beside him.

"She's a nice girl, I think I wouldn't mind handing the dojo over to the two of you." His cheeks tinted the faintest shade of pink at his implication, turning to look at the old man he saw how happy he looked. Pushing away his embarrassment he patted his shoulder.

"Go lie down, I'll make you something."

Walking past his grandfather he couldn't help thinking that it was a nice feeling not being alone. Even if Alice remained only a friend he was sure he'd love growing old with her.

This is the last chapter, thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoyed. Please read review.