Hello ! It's been long since I've updated right ? :x But now that all my exams are over I'll be working hard on my stories , so readers , thank you for the long wait ! ^^ I'll try to upload a chapter a day for Unforgivable ! , since I've written until chapter 46 on my phone so far . I've uploaded two chapters for today , and with that , here're chapters 37 and 38 ! (;

Chapter 37 : A Little Quarrel

* Dan's POV *

When we returned to the trailer that night , I excused myself from the rest .

"Let's discuss this tomorrow . I want some shut-eye ," I pretended to be really tired . I turned to Runo , who was sitting beside me with my sweater over her shoulder . She was resting peacefully as her head laid on my shoulder .

"Dan's right . Besides , I'm really tired too ," Julie yawned , resting her head on Billy's shoulder .

Marucho scanned the room .

"I believe we all are . We shall leave the discussions till tomorrow morning then . Good night , guys ," Marucho retreated his room .

Gently sliding Runo's head off my shoulder , I picked her up bridal-style .

"Billy , could you do that to me too ?" Julie cooed as she stifled a yawn . Billy turned beet red .

Ignoring them , I continued my way to Runo's room , where I gently placed her on her bed . Taking off her tiara , I pulled her blanket over her . I placed the tiara on her dressing table and kissed her forehead lightly . When I got up to leave , I felt a hand grab mine .

"Don't leave . Stay with me ," Runo pleaded effortlessly . She got up from her bed .

I smiled , laying her down on her bed .

"I'm not going anywhere ."

"Then sleep with me . You're not going to sleep on the floor , are you ?"

Initially getting the wrong idea , I felt myself flush . But when I saw that Runo had shut her eyes , I climbed onto her bed . It was large , so it wasn't that cramp for us . Runo leaned in my embrace , using her left arm to pull the blanket over me too . I smiled , stroking her hair lovingly . Giving her one final kiss on the forehead , I put an arm around her waist , watching her drift to a dream ...

The next morning , I woke up with Runo still in my embrace . She was smiling . Must have had a sweet dream .

I rubbed her chin with my thumb gently and ran my fingers through her long blue hair . How could anyone be so beautiful ? Runo was almost like an angel .

As the blunette stirred under my touch , I immediately pulled my hand back to my side . Her eyes slowly fluttered open , and her green eyes bore into mine .

"Good morning , Dan ," she smiled .

"Morning to you , Kid ," I smiled back , giving her a kiss on the lips . "Had a sweet dream ?"

"I dreamt of you ," she replied , yawning . "Eating pudding ."

I chuckled . "And that made you happy ?"

Runo's eyes widened , realising that I had watched her earlier . "How long have you been awake ?"

"Maybe about five minutes ?" I grinned , getting up .

The blunette got up and stretched herself . She took off the sweater and gave it back to me .

"Sorry for the ruckus last night ," she said guiltily .

"Hey , hey , what did I tell you ? Don't think about it anymore ," I told her gently , caressing her cheek .

Runo pouted her cheeks , earning chuckles from me .

"Dan , I don't know what I would do without you ..."

"Shh ," I smiled , leaning in towards her .

We both shut our eyes when our noses touched and we felt each other's breath . Slowly yet sweetly , our lips met and locked in a chaste kiss . It was about time . It had been long since we had a proper kiss without interruptions .

As I moved my lips over hers , I felt her hands move up to my chest . I wrapped my other arm around her waist . It was blissful .

We slowly pulled away from each other , eyelids fluttering open ever so slowly .

"About time ," I whispered with a grin .

Runo laughed in reply .

We leaned towards each other , placing forehead against forehead . Runo shut her eye with a smile .

"Guys ?" Marucho stood outside the room .

We turned to the small blonde , who looked embarassed .

"I just wanted to tell you that breakfast is ready . And , you guys didn't lock the door ..." the blonde was glowing bright red . Hurriedly turning away , he scurried out of the room .

Runo and I turned to each other , blinking in confusion before bursting into laughters .

I got up , smoothed my suit and picked up my sweater .

"I'm just going to go change . See you later ," I smiled , preparing to leave the room .

Runo smiled back , getting up and closing the door behind me .

When I was about to exit the trailer after having changed out of my suit , I happened to see Runo , who was stifling a yawn .

"Hey , sleepyhead ," I chuckled , jogging towards her .

"Hey , who you calling a sleepyhead ?!" the blunette yelled , immediately looking alert . She backhanded me .

I was relieved . The old Runo was back again .

I peered up at her with one eye as I rubbed my head , peeking at her with a grin .

"What's so funny , Kuso ?" She put her hands on her hips as she glared at me .

I chuckled , slinging an arm around her waist and pulling her to me as I dragged her out of the trailer .

"I'm just glad you're alright now ."

Runo turned beet red , looking down .

"You guys always keep us waiting !" Julie complained , huffing and making her fringe fly up .

"Sorry ," I said , not exactly sincere .

Runo slid away from me , pulling me to the chairs . She sat next to Alice , while I sat next to Ace .

"While you guys eat , Baron and I will explain to you all we learnt yesterday ," Marucho said calmly .

"You're not going to eat ?" Mira asked .

"Thank you for asking , but Baron and I have already eaten ..." Marucho turned to Baron , who was gulping down food ravenously . "What I meant was , I have already eaten ..."

We laughed at Baron , who looked up at Marucho innocently with a mouthful of food . Marucho rubbed his head .

As we ate , Marucho explained everything that he learnt from a professor he chatted with at the ball .

"Afterwards , Baron and I went to the factory downstairs secretly ."

"That's why I didn't see you ," reasoned Runo , who gently rubbed her shoulders . She must have remembered the Hydron matter again .

She noticed me staring at her with concern , and shook her head with a smile . I wrapped my arm around her waist (Let's just say if I put it over her shoulder , Julie would see and start squealing again .) and pulled her closer to me . She took in a deep breath and laid her head on my shoulder .

"We went to the factory , and there were several inventions . Probably twenty or more . But there was a particular large invention which they were working on . I overheard that they said that it was made by a reputable man named Professor Mark ."

"Professor Mark has been known for all his marvellous projects that has aided New Vestroia over the years ," Mira explained . "If the invention was made by him , then there is high chance that it will work ."

"According to research and reports made by other professors there , the machine has a 89.7% of working ," Marucho said . "They tried out on a Bakugan and managed to suck out power from it ."

"Those jerks !" Billy gasped , hammering a fist on the table .

"But the Bakugan was still in its ball form , so only a minority of its energy was taken away ." Baron added .

"How did he even piece up the machine ?" Alice inquired .

"He analysed all the other works by the other professors and created his own , that's how ," Marucho answered .

"So that's why he needed so many recruits ," Runo said and Marucho nodded his head .

"I heard that the machine was just a prototype . Once they have made amendments to it , they will create the real thing , which can contain a Bakugan in its full form ."

"Did they mention a deadline or something ?" Shun asked .

"A week from now . They plan to have the final machine completed , and to begin transporting all the Bakugan from the human world again . They will then use the machine to transmit the powers to a human ."

"Professor Mark was still asking for new works from all the other cities to be sent to him ." Baron added .

"Then our objective is to spread out to all the towers and destroy their works . All of it ," I commanded . "We ought to give ourselves two days before the expected date , then at least we can all meet up at the palace after all our missions to bring down Hydron and destroy the machine once and for all !"

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement .

"Hold on a second , the factories in Beta City are already in the midst of being rebuilt again . We need to destroy the factories there once more ." Marucho added .

"Okay then , how about I take the palace ?" I asked .

"Why you alone ?" Runo asked .

"I can't bring you with me , it's too risky ."

"If you insist on doing it alone , you should take the factories in Beta City instead , Dan ," Ace argued .

"No . The only mission I accept will be to destroy the tower ," I insisted .

"Why are you so dead set on destroying the palace ? And without Runo ?" Mira inquired .

I turned to Runo , whose green eyes stared at me with worry . She seemed really , really concerned .

"I just want to settle a score with Hydron ," I clenched my fists tightly .

"I'm going with you ," Runo said , voice brimming with determination .

"You are not ," I argued .

"Before you two start a fight , let's decide who takes what first . Since Dan is so set on taking down the factory in the palace , let him be . Our only problem is whether to let him take Runo with him ," Julie said wisely and everyone else except Runo and I complied .

"How about Julie and I take the ones in Beta City ?" Billy suggested .

"Mira and I will take Kenta City ," Ace said after discussing with Mira .

"Shun and I shall take Voria City ," Alice announced .

"Then that leaves Baron and I with Gamma City ," Marucho said , turning to me . "You have to take Runo with you , Dan , especially since you insist on taking the palace ."

"Can't someone else take Runo with them ?" I was rather annoyed . Runo stared at me in shock , then looked away . My heart ached for her , but I knew I had to be firm .

"Why don't you want to take Runo with you ? You always want her to be with you ," Julie gasped .

"Did you two have a fight ?" Mira questioned .

"Stop asking questions !" I yelled , getting up . I stomped back into the trailer angrily , slamming the door of my room behind me .

There was a knock in the door , and I knew who it was .

"What is it , Runo ?"

She pushed the door shut behind her lightly , walking towards me .

Refusing to look up at her , I looked down on the floor .

All was quiet , until I felt a sharp pain on my right cheek .

Runo had slapped me .

"You might as well have used your right hand ," I muttered .

"I didn't want to . You know I can't control the strengh it holds ."

I kept quiet , remaining seated on my bed .

Runo fell to her knees before me , glancing up at me from below me .

"Don't push me away ..." she whispered , sniffing .

She was looking down as she tried to not show me her tears . She was a strong girl on the outside , though fragile on the inside . Only I knew that side of her .

Feeling my heart shatter into a million pieces , I pulled her towards me , wrapping her in a warm hug . She continued to cry , though wrapping her arms around me .

"I didn't want you to meet Hydron again ," I whispered in her ear gently .

"You're going to kill him ?" Runo peered up at me with eyes red from crying .

I laughed , pinching her nose lightly .

"Of course not . I promised to send him to the cemetery only if he touches you for another millisecond again , didn't I ?" I smiled at the blunette , pulling her up onto the bed with me .

"I guess ," she rubbed tears away from her cheeks .

"Now , why do you want to go with me so badly ?" I asked after a while .

"One , because I don't want to see you kill Hydron and become a sinner . Two , because I don't like the idea of you going alone . Three , because ..." she paused , holding onto her third finger .

"Because ...?" I raised an eyebrow as she turned beet red .

"Because I care about you ."

Upon hearing that , I wrapped her in a hug once more , this time , much tighter than any other hugs before .

"Dan ... Can't breathe !" Runo gasped and I immediately let go of her , chuckling as I mumbled 'sorry's .

"So ..." Runo twirled her hair with her finger .

"You being like Hydron now ?" I teased , earning a backhand from the blunette .

"Don't ever compare that jerk with me !" Runo yelled at me angrily .

I stared at her . She must really detest Hydron . I smoothed her hair .

"I'm sorry , I didn't mean it . What did you want to say anyway ?"

Runo kept quiet for a while , before speaking up , "Will you let me accompany you ?"

I looked at the blunette for a minute , then sighed .

"I can't say no , can I ?"

Runo beamed , wrapping me in a tight hug .

"Awww , I love you so , so much !" she said unknowingly . I chuckled , if Runo hadn't been overly excited , she wouldn't have said that , not even over her dead body .

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