Happy Holidays! YASS, I'M BACK! School has been such a pain in the butt and I am exhausted 24/7. Luckily for me, Winter Break is here, and that means more updates! *no promises, but I'll try my best to update as much as I can* But with that being said, here are some responses to your reviews:

*LisaXShun: Haha, I'm glad that you enjoyed that chapter and I'll try my best to write longer chapters. :)

*Guest Reem: Hello! I'm happy that you are quite fond of this story so far and wait no more! This chapter's up! And, no worries, you didn't annoy me. ^^

*InnocentDiamond: Oh? I find it quite odd when people fixate their gaze like that, but I am alright with it, I guess. Oh, haha, I didn't mean for that part to be funny, but I'm glad you liked it, though. You think so? I thought it would be cool for Shun to have an eye patch, but I'm quite upset that no one would be able to see it, since his bangs would cover it. The fake eye is something Alice would need, since her hair wouldn't be able to cover up an eye patch. :3

*Cup of Violet Tea: Oh thank goodness that it IS Alice's eye. You had me worried there for quite some time. Anyways, I know, huh? Alice's aunt and uncle didn't show up very much during the anime, so that's a possibility why we would tend to forget them. Oh, I didn't mean to frighten you with the whole buses thing, but if it makes you feel any better, there won't be a lot of details on the bus ride. Or, at least in this chapter.

*Guest: (\*o*/)

Chapter 5

Shun looked down at the single, cream rose in his hand. It was wrapped quite nicely, too. The clear wrapping was adorned with a small red ribbon, holding it together. He shifted the rose to his other hand as he continued to admire it, not worrying too much if Fabia would like it or not. It was strange, he mused silently to himself. Two months ago, he would be anxious to no end, worrying if Fabia would like his gift, though no one would ever notice it, for his facial expressions never gave it away. It was strange how now, two months later, he wasn't at all worried if Fabia liked it or not. He never really thought about it before, mostly pushing the thought away, thinking that they have been together for quite some time, so it must be normal for him to not be nervous around her now. But, the conversation between him and the flower seller made him question his relationship with Fabia even more.

"Only one single rose, young man?" The flower seller, a kind, elderly woman smiled warmly at Shun as she began wrapping up the rose. Shun watched her in silent as her nimble fingers fumbled with getting the clear, wrapping and the spool of red ribbon.

"Yes." He answered, not a man of many words.

"A cream-colored rose is quite a choice...not to mention a single one,too..." The old lady mused as she gently brushed a petal. "Who is this for?"

"My girlfriend. It's a congratulatory gift." Shun replied back.

"Ah, I see." The lady managed out as she was preparing to finish up the small bouquet. A few moments of silence passed by with neither one of them saying a word until she broke the silence.

"Did you know, young man, that the color of the rose have some hidden messages? The number of roses, too?" The flower seller blurted out of nowhere. Without waiting for his response, she added on, "For example, red roses, or just dark roses in general, are the traditional symbol for love and romance. Pink roses represent admiration. As for cream roses..." She gestured to the rose he was about to buy for Fabia, "...those go along well with a "thank you" card. As for the number..." The old lady smiled gently, " Thirteen means secret admiration. A single rose of any color means "thank you" as well. Now are you sure you don't want to buy a different flower? Or more?"

"Beep! Beep! Beep!" Shun quickly snapped out of his thoughts when the BakuPod on his wrist began beeping. Flipping it upwards, Shun saw a video message from Marucho.

"Marucho? Is something wrong?" The ninja asked his blonde-haired friend.

"Shun! You'll never believe it! I've been scanning through recent surveillance footage and I think we saw Alice!" Marucho exclaimed joyously.

"What?" His eye widened. "Does that mean that she's here the whole time?" Shun asked in a rush.

"We don't know yet, but you got to come quick! Meet me at my house!" The blonde hung up on the video message as Shun gave out a breath of relief. She's okay. She's here. And he has to find her. He can't lose her. Shun whirled around, ready to sprint his way to Marucho's house, when he bumped into Ren.

"Shun. Sor-" The Gundalian was ready to apologize when the ninja shoved the cream rose at him. "Shun, what's this?" Ren shouted as Shun began to sprint once again.

"Give it to Fabia." Was the only thing the raven-haired male said as his running figure soon disappeared out of sight. Ren only shrugged as he looked at his watch. Fabia's battle was about to start in almost half an hour. With that in mind, Ren headed towards the nearest flower shop he found, which, coincidentally, happened to be the same flower shop that Shun entered.

"Good afternoon, young sir. What can I do for you today?" The same flower seller smiled as Ren reached the counter.

The Gundalian set the cream rose on the counter. "I would like to exchange this one for a..." His golden eyes scanned the shop when he found a bunch of lovely red carnations, "bouquet of those, please." The male lifted a tanned finger towards the red carnations.

The old lady followed where his finger pointed and smiled when her eyes spotted the red carnations. "Of course, young man. Hmm, red carnations are quite a choice. I hope you don't mind me asking, but who are these for?" The flower seller walked over to the flowers as she began picking them out of the bucket that held them together.

"It's for a...friend I admire." Ren forced out, all the while trying his best to not turn red.

The lady smiled slyly as she counted out thirteen red carnations before walking towards the counter to wrap them. Ren immediately noticed the large bundle of red carnations and tried to stop her. She only smiled and replied that the flowers were free of charge and refused to answer anymore of his protests. Her nimble fingers quickly wrapped the flowers nicely before handing them to Ren, who promptly thanked her endlessly before leaving to Bakugan Interspace for Fabia's battle.

XOXO

Fabia sighed miserably as she slumped lower on a bench that was near the battle arena. Today was a horrible day for her. She lost her battle against her opponent, though she swore she was going to win and not only that, her boyfriend, Shun, was nowhere to be seen. She had been sitting in that bench for over two hours and still, there was no sign of him. She tried contacting him via BakuPod, but he wouldn't respond. Fabia knew that he always answered her unless there was an emergency, but there was nothing today that was important that she knew of.

"Hey, Fabia. Good game." The Neathian looked up to see Ren, who was smiling at her sympathetically.

"Thanks Ren." She mumbled, scooting over to give him some space to sit.

"I-I got you this. Hope you like it." Fabia turned around, only to see a large bouquet of red carnations shoved in her face. She took it in her hands and smiled a small smile.

"Thank you, Ren." She murmured quietly, though he heard her. When his back was turned, she found one carnation out of the whole lot of them and plucked it entirely, until there was nothing but the stem, left.

That flower was far from perfect, just like her day.

End of Chapter 5

Note: AHHH! OH MY GAWSH, THIS IS DISGUSTING! BURN IT WITH FIRE! I AM SO SO SO SORRY FOR THIS TERRIBLE CHAPTER! But anyways, them flower meanings, eh? I'm sure you might get the single cream rose meaning, but for the red carnation one, let me explain. Red carnations mean "my heart aches for you" or simply, "admiration". Oh gosh I feel so disgusted of myself. Please review and I'll see you later! BAI!