Chapter 4

Runo tapped her pencil on the desk as Mr Folman worked his way slowly through the desks, looking over everyone's homework. She didn't see why she was so nervous, she couldn't think of an explanation that was actually plausible enough for it. There couldn't be anything wrong with having a tutor, although the teacher would be a bit miffed that she hadn't gone to him for his 'brilliant' help.

Maybe it was the fact that she hadn't done the last few questions. What if he somehow saw that she hadn't done it? She didn't want to get a detention.

Finally, he reached her, and she pushed her work into a better viewing point, her heart thumping.

He frowned, and took a closer look at the numbers on the page. "Masaki, this work…"

Runo jumped. This is it, I'm doomed…

"Is amazing!" He straightened up, with a smug smile. "Finally began to listen to what I say, I see. Everyone, look here!"

All the kids turned towards her, looking bored and slightly curious. Runo squirmed in her seat.

"This is what happens when you do as I say! You get perfect home-work!" Mr Folman grinned and patted Runo on the shoulder. "Good work, Masaki."

"Erm…thanks?"

* * * * * * * * * * *

"Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea afterall, Tig," Runo said thoughtfully as she walked down the street, her Bakugan riding on her shoulder. "Mr Folman never compliments anyone but himself."

"Yes, it is all very great when it comes to school," Tigrerra said stiffly. "But what about Vestroia? I still believe it is wrong to allow Masquerade in such close quarters…"

"Tig, if I don't do well in school, my parents could ground me from playing Bakugan! What help would I be then?" Runo pushed open the restaurant door and hurried upstairs before her mother could drag her into working.

"Well?" Masquerade was on her bed again, and reading another book. Sighing, he got off and went to his spot on the bedside table. "Did you get all your homework done last night?"

Runo was baffled by the little grin he had on his face. "Well, yeah…kind of…"

He grinned wider, but didn't say anything. It took a moment for it to click.

"You!" she gasped, dropping her bag and pointing at him in surprise. "You…Did you…"

He cocked his head to the side. "Did what?"

"You know what I'm talking about! Why did you do it?"

He chuckled softly. "Well, it was obvious that you wouldn't be home in time to finish up the rest of it. I thought I may as well prove that I can be a nice guy. Plus, I've always felt like showing off my forgery skills."

"Don't trust him, milady," Tigrerra muttered. "Don't ever trust a word he says."

Masquerade frowned. "What? I'm not allowed to be helpful? How rude, for you to just assume that I'm not really trying to be a nice guy."

"I have every right to make that assumption, Masquerade," Tigrerra snarled. "After everything that you have done…"

"Yeah, I get it," he said, somewhat tiredly. "I'm an evil creep, we all know that. Now can we move on with our lives?"

The Haos Bakugan was surprised, and stayed silent.

"Good. Now, shall we get started?" Masquerade leaned back and yawned.

"If you're so bored already, then why don't you just leave?" Runo snapped as she set up her books on the bed.

The blonde was unperturbed. "I don't have anything else to do, remember?" he said smoothly. "It's more exhaustion than boredom anyways."

"Then go get some sleep if you need it so much. You don't have to be here."

"Well, someone's eager to get rid of me," Masquerade grumbled.

"I wonder why."

* * * * * * * * * * *

A/N: Yes, I'm putting an author's note in the middle of the chapter. I just feel obligated to inform you all that I have NO idea what Runo is learning in math right now. Mostly because I'm too lazy to think of what they would be doing, and too lazy to write about Masquerade actually teaching. But just for the record, he is very good at math, in answer to what one reviewer asked…Back for chapter one…Yeah. Because I feel like making it so…Yeah.

Disclaimer: Nearly forgot about this. I don't own Bakugan, or anything else used in this fanfic.

* * * * * * * * * * *

"How'd you get so good at math?" Runo asked suddenly as she continued to write on the paper.

"Where did this come from?" Masquerade asked, surprised. "That's a rather random question."

"Not so random," Runo mumbled while shrugging. She didn't really know why she was asking, she hadn't even been thinking of it.

Tigrerra watched silently from beside the blue haired girl, worry gnawing at her currently non-existing stomach. She didn't like how Runo seemed to be totally relaxed, as though Masquerade's presence no longer bothered her. And only after two meetings. Perhaps it was just a clever act on Runo's part, but maybe …

Maybe she really was no longer bothered by his presence.

"Well, it's not like math is a great challenge," Masquerade said, with a small smirk. Runo scowled, insulted. "You just need to be able to think about each step clearly and logically. Once you put some thought into what you're doing and why you're doing it, it just kind of … falls into place." (A/N: DOES THAT MAKE SENSE TO ANYONE BUT ME?! …Well, it makes sense to Runo.)

"Huh," Runo muttered, turning her eyes back down to her work thoughtfully. "I never really thought of it like that…"

Masquerade shrugged, straightening up slightly. "Of course you didn't. You nearly done?"

"Uh…yeah. Just one last question."

"Don't need me to come to the rescue again?"

"No," Runo growled. She had a feeling that he was never going to let her live that down. "It's done, you don't need to do it for me, okay?"

"Fine," Masquerade sighed. "I'll just go then."

"Whatever."

Masquerade frowned. "That's friendly. You could say good bye, or something like that."

Runo stuck her tongue out at him. "That friendly enough for you?"

"No, not really. Really now, do you know how much I'm helping you out here? I could be doing other stuff with my free time, but I decided to give it up for you. The least you can do is say good bye."

"It's not like I'm forcing you to help me! I'd rather it be anyone but you!"

"Wow, thanks. That just makes me feel great about myself."

Runo slammed her binder closed and glared at the masked boy. "Why aren't you leaving already?!"

"I'm too busy trying to annoy you."

Runo grit her teeth together, fighting the urge to throw another book at him. "Besides that, it's not like you have anything to do here."

"But I'm bored," he grumbled. "I don't feel like going home."

"Too bad. You're going back right now."

"Pushy, aren't you?" He sighed. "Can't I at least have something to eat?"

Runo blinked in surprise. "Eat?"

"Yes, I want something to eat," Masquerade said, obnoxiously slowly. "Do you think you can get me something to eat?"

"Why? Don't you have food at your place?"

"…I think I might have a couple crackers left…"

"Crackers?" Runo stared at the blonde boy incredulously. "All you have are crackers?"

"It's not like I have anyone to buy groceries for me, and I don't get paid for anything that I do."

That wasn't what Runo had expected. Now that she thought about it, she hadn't really expected anything; she'd never thought about the food situation that Masquerade was in, or anything else about him, outside of the fact that he worked for Naga.

It's not like I have anyone to buy groceries for me…

Did that mean he didn't have any parents or anything?

She looked at him closely; he did look rather thin…

"Fine," she mumbled, looking away from him, so that he couldn't see the pity and awkwardness on her face. "If it means getting you out of here…"

Masquerade grinned, in both thanks and success, as she stood up and walked to the door.

"Milady," Tigrerra whispered as Runo closed the door behind her. "Why…?"

"Just like I said, Tigrerra," she said roughly as she made her way downstairs. "I just want him out of here."

Tigrerra didn't push her for more of her reasoning; she already knew the truth.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Runo was really quite proud of herself for being so covert. Lucky for her, her parents and Alice were all busy in with the restaurant, and she had been able to sneak into the kitchen and make a sandwich without anyone noticing.

She tossed the hastily made sandwich to Masquerade as she entered the room. He caught it gratefully.

"Thanks," he said. "See you tomorrow."

It wasn't till after he was gone that she remembered that tomorrow was Saturday.

A/N: How you like? Don't ask about me for some strange reason starving Masquerade...I love him that much. ^.^ By the way, I've got a poll on my profile, out of boredom and curiousity to see which of my stories people like...I don't know why...So anyways, if you may please vote on it so that I could ponder over the answers I get...Unless you don't wanna for some reason.