Chapter 36 : Sorrows and Regrets

* Runo's POV *

"I haven't seen Marucho or Baron ," I said worriedly , searching for the blonde and pink-haired boy .

"Nah , they're probably out gathering information ," Dan shrugged through mouthfuls of food .

"I'm going to go walk around ," without waiting for an answer , I hurriedly left before Dan could stop me .

I left the ballroom . Some guards stared at me .

"I'd like to go to the washroom , please ," I said politely .

They nodded , pointing to the right . It was a long stretch of hallway .

"Just walk that way and turn to your right again . It's the whole stretch . But don't go anywhere further , especially upstairs . It's restricted ."

I thanked the guards and calmly walked over to the hallways .

"Milady , is this wise ?" Tigrerra and Aerogan , who had been hiding in my hair , hopped onto my shoulder .

"I want to talk to Hydron ," I insisted , walking past the washrooms and up the stairs .

"Do you know where you're going ?" Aerogan inquired .

"Yes . I remember . It's a little fuzzy , but yes . I've been here before , remember ?"

Aerogan and Tigrerra quietly listened , and kept quiet as I climbed onto the fourth floor .

Looking around , I examined the place . I was sure this was the level .

Picking up my gown , I walked down the stretch . It was quiet and eerie , probably because all of the guards were downstairs .

I stopped in front of a pair of huge doors . This must be it - Hydron's room . I was sure of it .

Gently placing a hand on the door , I froze when Tigrerra spoke up .

"Milady , shouldn't you get Dan ?"

"No , Tig . I have to do this , alone ."

Suddenly , the door I was holding on was pulled open . I fell , but was called by a pair of strong arms . I looked up , rubbing my head with one arm , only to see ...

Hydron .

"My dear Hikari , have you returned to me ?" he beamed .

I pushed him away .

"The name's Runo , not Hikari !"

Hydron frowned . "You did regain your memories ."

I nodded my head .

"Why are you here ?"

"I wanted a word with you ."

Hydron's lips curved into a sly smile .

"Not about us , but about your people ," I rolled my eyes .

His face fell . "What about them ?"

"Are you ruling them right ? Giving them power to bend , aren't you afraid that they might just kill each other ?" I asked nervously .

"Don't you want the power too ?" Hydron lifted up my chin with a finger .

I grimaced . "I wouldn't want to live in a world where everyone had powers . I might just get killed any day if I accidentally offend someone . And , get your hands off me . I don't like you so close ."

Hydron's eyes widened . Then , he smirked again as he leaned in towards me , making our noses touch . I could just about feel his breath on me .

"In my territory , you don't have a say . Unless , you're my queen ," he slurred his tongue at the last word .

"Over my dead body ," I hissed .

"Too bad . Once you're in my possession , my room , you're helpless ," he smiled slyly .

I felt my skin being pricked as I shuddered in fear . Maybe I shouldn't have came here myself after all .

"Think about it . If all your people had the power , they might just kill even you , if they disliked you ."

"Isn't it the same with Bakugan ? They might kill even us any day ."

"The only reason they would kill us if we take away their freedom and rights . And if you ask me , I think you're doing just that . Humans are far more scarier than Bakugan ," I shot back .

"Who are you to try to talk some sense to me ? Aren't you just here to beg me to let you return to my side ?" Hydron sounded angry .

"I -" Before I could finish , Hydron had me pinned to a wall . He held onto my wrists tightly .

"Runo ," he hissed . "It's just the two of us now ."

And with that , he began to rain kisses on me . From my lips , to my neck , and my cheeks , behind my ears .

I wanted to cry for help , but I couldn't . Aerogan and Tigrerra weren't with me . They must have left when they couldn't talk sense into me .

As Hydron continued to kiss me demandingly , I felt my heart thumping against my ribs hard . Why hadn't I listened to Tigrerra and Aerogan ? Why hadn't I stayed with Dan ? Now I was stuck here with this ... person !

Hydron's hands fell to my waist , as he ran a finger over my chest , trying to tug on my dress . Much as I wanted to kick and punch him , my body was in shock and wouldn't budge . Hydron's fingers ran over my dress , trying to tug in , when ...

Suddenly , the world stopped spinning .

I gasped for breath , panting as I saw Hydron on the floor . I couldn't react . I was pulled into a warm embrace by a pair of strong arms . It was the person I loved so much !

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I wrapped my arms around Dan . Just a moment ago , I actually thought that my world was going to end !

"Shh , it's okay now . I'm right here ," Dan whispered softly as he ran a finger over my lips and my cheeks , wiping away any hints of tears and areas where Hydron had showered kisses upon me earlier .

I couldn't stop crying . It was so scary . Dan had no idea how thankful and happy I was when he punched Hydron away and locked me in his embrace .

"Dan Kuso ..." Hydron murmured under his breath angrily as he got up tirelessly .

"You touch my girl for even another millisecond , I swear you'll end up right in a cemetery !" Dan yelled , pulling me even tighter in his arms .

"Your girl ? For your information , she agreed to my proposal !" Hydron snarled .

"What proposal ? You deceived her , cheated her , told her lies . I don't see a ring on her either ! Even if she has a ring , it should be the one I give her ! You have no say in matters concerning Runo , Hydron ," Dan was clearly fuming . I felt his heart beating fast , probably from running over to help me .

I saw Tigrerra and Aerogan hovering by his side . They must have went to get Dan for me . I was too tired , too shocked to react . I tightened my grip on Dan's suit as I felt my heart beating faster .

Dan peered down at me with concern . Another reason I was holding him back was because I knew Dan was ready to kill Hydron . I didn't want my boyfriend to commit a crime . No killings , no deaths ...

"I am a prince ! You're just a measly human who can't even give her anything ," Hydron shot back .

"Even if I'm not a prince , you don't see her pushing me away when I kiss or hug her , do you ? That's because I can give her trust , warmth and happiness . You ? You're just abusing your own authority !" Dan yelled back .

"You ... You ..." Hydron was at a loss for words . He angrily stomped out of the room , shooting me a glare when he walked past me and banged the door shut behind him .

There was a moment of silence .

Dan pulled away from the hug , caressing my cheek with one hand and stroking my cheek with his thumb lovingly .

"He's gone now ," Dan whispered gently .

I looked up at him with alarmed , startled eyes .

"It's okay now , Runo ."

"I-I'm sorry , Dan ..." I cried , tears streaming down my cheeks again as I sniffed .

"There's nothing to be sorry about . It wasn't your fault ," Dan said calmly .

"Yes , it is ! If I had listened to Tigrerra or Aerogan , or maybe stayed with you ... I wouldn't have betrayed you like this !" I insisted .

"You didn't betray me . Unless , you're telling me you accepted and returned the kiss ?" Dan's eyes seemed to be burning with jealousy .

"No ! Of course not !" I protested , sniffing again .

"Then there's nothing to worry about ," Dan smiled . He kissed me on the forehead lightly . "Come on , let's get back to the others ."

I nodded my head , wiping away my tears . Dan stroked my hair , pushing it back in shape and adjusted my tiara . Lucky I hadn't wore make-up , or I would be looking really scary now ! Dan took off his sweater and placed it on my shoulder with a warm smile .

I held onto Dan's hand timidly , attaching myself to him as we walked down the hallway .

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