Home Almost Alone
"You know, you don't always have to do everything on your own Shun," Elise scolds, her hands on her hips.
"I know. I really thought I could do it though," Shun sighs.
"Try not to stretch yourself. We can't have you in hospital every day," Elise murmurs, placing on the last bandage.
"Ouch! Be careful," he snaps.
"You ought to listen to her, it's only going to hurt worse if she doesn't," someone else comments.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see you there," Elise curtsies politely.
"Don't worry about it," she smiles. "You're doing a good job. Who taught you first aid?"
"My mother began teaching me, but my maid continued," Elise replies.
"Mum, stop asking questions!" Shun groans.
"Oh hush. Elise, you seem very sweet. Maybe you could teach Shun here a lesson or two in etiquette?" she laughs. "Don't give me that look Shun. I'm warning you."
"I'm a Thirteen!" Shun snaps. "I'm not allowed to be harmed!"
Mrs Kazami stops laughing. "Well I'm your mother and what I say goes. I still have more power than you young man." Her warning tone of voice stops him from clearly voicing his point. "Also, one of the Thirteen you may be, but you are not in age or even maturity close to thirteen. My little six year old, baby!"
"Mum!" Shun yells; face growing red in discomfort. "You're making Elise uncomfortable."
"Oh, of course. Elise dear, come with me. Leave Mr Grumpy to complain, shall we?" she smiles.
"Yes," Elise replies immediately, unable to decline to that kind of undertone.
"You know Elise, you and I have met before," After a silent few minutes, Mrs Kazami comments, smiling. "Yes, but you were only a little baby then. You have your mother's looks and your father's wealth of power and strength… They are proud of you. Very proud of you, young Elise."
Elise smiles sadly, staring at the floor. "Thank you," she whispers, tears brimming in her eyes.
"I know how dearly you miss your parents, and how you wish you still had your maid, but you have all of us. I don't really know if this will be of any consolation to you, but if you want to, then you may stay here and live with us. It wouldn't be a problem sweetie." Mrs Kazami states proudly.
"Then my thanks are in order," Elise replies, regaining some of her regal air. "I am very grateful Mrs Kazami."
She laughs. "Oh Elise, you're so sweet. You can call me Shiori."
Shun stares at ceiling. He's angry for even thinking of accepting the Brawlers' offer of help. In his world, needing help is an absolute disgrace. Every single member of the Thirteen tried and failed to make him see that needing help wasn't a bad thing. They always a relied on each other. He just didn't want to get involved with all those close, family like connections. He was too scared to lose them, after getting so close. However, after being separated from them, it's done him no favours. Now he regrets missing his opportunity.
He sighs and rolls off his bed. The ceiling most certainly won't answer any of his questions. He walks over to his bedroom door and slides it open, to suddenly be faced with the Brawlers. Shun jerks upright and stares at them in surprise, before he lets his expression turn to one of annoyance. He pushes them roughly out of his way and keeps going. He locks out their annoyed shouts from his mind, because they weren't supposed to be there. He makes his way down to the living room and, annoyingly, he's been followed. He stops in his tracks and glares at the floor with his fists clenched. He isn't usually one to be angered, but this is a rare exception.
"Look, this is my problem and I have to deal with it myself," Shun growls.
"You know, you don't always have to do everything yourself,"
At that, Shun's heart skips a beat or two. Just like the last time that he really lost his temper and told them that. The Thirteen, why after all that time were they coming back to haunt him? His fists unclench and he sighs in defeat. Change would be hard, and he wasn't sure if he could see it through to the end, but at least he's going to try. He tunes back in to the rest of the Brawlers encouraging words of teamwork and such.
"Alright, just this once," he states.
"Yea!" Dan yells. "Don't worry Shun, we'll get your girlfriend back to you."
"She's not my girlfriend!" Shun snaps.
"If you say so, but you sure don't seem like just friends," Dan taunts.
"I told you all this already," Shun growls.
"Oh, sorry, what was that? You miss your girlfriend?" Dan laughs.
Shun's glare increases ten-fold and he extends his right hand. His palm face up and open. Then a spark of bright, pure light with a greenish tinge hovers above it for a split second, then it's replaced by a sai. Shun grips the weapon and places the point a few inches from Dan's face. He secretly, inwardly smirks at the jaw dropped stares of the Brawlers. Especially Dan's gaping like a goldfish face.
"You better get used to this sort of thing," Shun warns. "This isn't the Junior League."
Author's Note: Dun, dun, dun. Mission Impossible theme… Just kidding.
Disclaimer: If it's Bakugan, of any series at all, then it isn't mine.