DISCLAIMER: We've done this for a while now…

Bold is thoughts

Italics is flashbacks

Ch. 26

DRAGO POV

"Daniel," I began, but my partner caught on quickly enough. Now that we were all fine, and Dan had made up with Shun, A relationship that I'll never understand, we had to get moving.

"Got it Buddy. No worries." Dan turned back to his friends. Even after not having any contact with most of them for quite well, he stepped into the role of leader easily. "We should get back to Interspace soon. Sellon and Anubias couldn't be up to any good."

Runo flipped her hair over shoulder. Even I knew that meant she was about to tell him off. I don't think Daniel ever figured that out though… "No way, Dan! We're all tired. And while you and Shun," she shot him a crude look, "might be able to handle no sleep, we need rest. We'll ALL go tomorrow, first thing in the morning. Okay?" she asked, her voice softening considerably.

"Alright." I shifted in surprise. He actually gave in that easily? Hehe, she made a very lasting impression in his head. He knows not to mess around with her.

Mira stood up, "Well, since that's settled, I think that we should get something to eat. Marucho?"

"Well, since Kato's out right now, why don't we go out?" Marucho quickly suggested.

Dan's grin expanded exponentially, "And I know exactly where to go."

"Dan, you don't mean," I began, knowing fully where he wanted to go. It was his favorite place in this city, but coincidentally, Shun's most hated.

"I'll set it up!" Julie chirped. Shun's eyes narrowed quickly.

Jake sat up, "Yes! I can't wait!" he then turned toward Baron, "Wait 'til you taste this stuff, it's really good!"

"Better than Mrs. Kuso's?" he questioned.

Jake shook his head sadly, "Not that good, but pretty close." This should be interesting.

REN POV

Our big group made our way to this place that Dan had suggested. The door chimed as we all walked in, and the person by the door easily answered, "Welcome everyone. Hello Julie."

"Hey Akako!" Julie said happily, "Do you have it set up?"

"Yep. Soon as you called, Yusuke had a couple tables in the back ready. You know how he's ready to do anything for you."

"Thanks." She's dating someone from what I gather. Yet, she still uses herself to get things? Women….

Akako led us all to four tables together in the back. She set down just three menus, "Here," and at some of our questioning looks, "Trust me. This is all you'll need."

We all moved to sit, and Dan raised his hand, "Thanks Red. You remembered, didn't you?" he asked.

Her eyes moved to Shun, "Of course Dan. I do NOT need to get fired. See you guys around, I'll be helping around. Bye Jules!"

"Why did we get a back table?" Ace asked.

Before one of them could answer, Jake whispered, "Guys! It's her, duck!" and he roughly shoved down Dan's head. A black haired girl walked past, paused and looked at our table before she moved on to the girls room. She was wearing a very short skirt and a strapless shirt that Runo and Fabia clearly gagged to.

"Okay, who's that?" I asked.

Shun grumbled at Dan's snicker, "THAT'S Brooke."

"You mean the girl who's obsessed with Shun?" my girlfriend asked.

"Yeah. That's why Shun hates this place. A lot of the waitresses that work here have a thing for Shun. They're always flocking him, so we have Akako serve us a lot of the time. She likes him, but she's not obsessed."

We ordered, ate and there was general chatter after that. But, I had this strange feeling, like this was a bad idea…

MAG-MEL POV

My two minions bowed before me. "You two must have made at least a bit of progress."

Sellon rose with flattering words, "Of course great one. Master, I have found more information that may interest you. That Daniel Kuso has come back, but to no happiness."

"Everyone's against him! All he has are his friends, and even then some are suspicious of him."

I was intrigued, "Explain."

"Apparently, Shun and Dan are hiding something from the rest of them."

"This is good. Have you done as I asked Sellon?"

"Of course," she replied, "I've asked him, but as we predicted, he refused. They are all wary of us, but he more so. He does not trust me at all."

"That's fine for now. But, we need to find weaknesses in this group of theirs. That Daniel has become a thorn in my side for too long. I must break free," I said darkly.

Anubias asked, "Wait, why do we need not only Dan, but Shun as well? What could he possibly help us with?"

"Don't question me Anubias. I have reasons and you'd do well not the suspect them."

The boy shrugged before leaving. Sellon bowed once more and left as well. They could never know…It would ruin everything.

"We will be free soon. Then, they shall pay."

DAN POV

We will be free soon. Then, they shall pay.

I paused halfway through my next bite. I looked upward a bit, Who said that? I asked myself. No one answered. I think that voice was coming back. Or, it could just be telling me that someone'll be paying, so I'm free to eat as much as I want. Yeah, that makes sense. I nodded my head and went back to my food.

"This is really good," Mira commented.

"Right? And even I can eat the things here, even when I'm trying to cut down!" Julie chattered happily among the other girls.

Runo looked over at me and wrinkled her nose, "Dan! Close your mouth! You're staring!" she said dangerously. I shut my mouth quickly and swallowed.

Hawktor looked up at me, "What were you staring at?" he asked.

I glanced around, looking for an excuse, "I was…uh…just keeping an eye out for Brooke!" I said sheepishly, "Yeah, that's what I was doing."

"Oh, hello Dan," a sultry voice behind me called.

I shut my eyes bitterly and swallowed hard. I turned around and gave what I hoped like a convincing smile, "Hey, Brooke."

She glanced at everyone, "Hello Jake. Marucho," she paused, "Julie."

Julie lost all smileyness. "Brooke."

"Who are all your guests? Friends of yours?" she asked, blinking repeatedly at Ace.

Mira leaned a bit closer to my rival turned friend, "Yes, we're guests."

She leaned back, "Oh. Welcome to Bayview," and without pausing she turned back toward me, "Where's Shun?" she questioned sweetly.

"He's-" Baron started, then stopped, "gone." The chair the ninja was sitting in was empty. He soooo owes me one for this.

"He had some things to take care of."

Brooke sat, "Don't mind me then. Just here with a date. He's in the bathroom washing up."

"Or hiding," Julie muttered. Runo and Alice raised their eyebrows. To them, Julie's attitude was a surprise.

Brooke turned around, "What was that, Julie?"

"Nothing."

"So, how have you guys been?" she asked, directing the question at me.

"Good. Just bakugan."

Brooke nodded, "Right. I heard that Shun became number one after you went on vaca. That true?"

"…Yeah."

She turned toward the girls, "Isn't Shun just so amazing? He's perfect at everything…"

He DEFINITELY owes me.

ANUBIAS POV

There was something up with Master Mag-Mel. He was hiding something for sure. And Sellon… There was something…human about her. She was able to fit in too easily with them, it had taken me a while to get just a form switch, but she had easily found something to her taste and style. Must too easily.

"Thinking about something?" she asked me.

I growled, I hate it when she sneaks up on me, but I gave her a smirk, "Nothing at all."

"Hmm, it didn't look like it. Anyway, I must be going. Soon and Chris will be looking for me."

"Right."

She walked away. Her voice was so…smooth and silky. But, at the same time, it creeped me out a little bit. The way she agreed to Mag-Mel's plan so easily. And Master Mag-Mel's plan in the first place. I still don't understand why he would want that brawler out of the way as well. He's not nearly as strong. He's only number one because we've been letting him succeed.

I bumped into my group. The oaf chuckled, "Walk much Boss?" he asked.

Robin was much more respectful, "Hi Anubias. Next battle coming soon?" he questioned.

I grunted, "Yes. Let's go, I don't need to be late." I'll find out what those two are up to.

~FIN chapter

Hello my peeps, it's Jazz! Man, it's been two weeks, and it doesn't feel like it at all. I know that you guys are probably thinking that this was just another stupid chapter because I couldn't think of anything. So, let's take a moment to fill in the spots:

This is something that just says that they're still human and have needs. This chapter was about how they have problems besides just Mag-Mel. And it's about how Anubias is starting to catch on to something…and Mag-Mel is hiding a secret…

Well, nothing much to say, unless you want to know that I was soooo tired this week. (I almost fell asleep in my locker. 'Nuff said.) See you all in two weeks!

P.S. Akako means red child. That's why Dan called her 'Red'.