Chapter 8

A/N: Okaaaaaaay…So, the beginning of this chapter is just after Maskerado-kun left Runo's so that she could go to the theater. Alright? …Alright. Hope ye enjoy.

I'm sorry for how boring that chapter was, animelvr23. I had to get that over with, and I had to get it over with as painlessly as possible. Don't worry, this chappie has fluffy moments. Kinda... And to Lawliet's Girl, yes Tigrerra betrayed Runo. But you can't really blame her too much. She's worried about Runo...*Sigh* Foolish Tig...

CloneGirl: Maskerado-kun, wanna actually say the disclaimer?

Masquerade: No. Not really.

CloneGirl: Aw, pleeeeaaaaase? Please? Please? Please? Please? Plea-

Masquerade: Fine. CloneGirl does not own any rights to Bakugan, none at all. Thank god.

"Nice to finally see you back, Masquerade."

Masquerade glanced at the Bakugan hidden in the shadows of the hallway as he stepped out of his portal. "Cranky, Hydranoid? What would your problem be?"

The Darkus Bakugan rolled out of his little hiding place and up to Masquerade's foot. The blonde bent down to pick him up and placed him on his shoulder.

"You've been gone the entire day," Hydranoid said severely as Masquerade strode down the hall. "And I believe you haven't fought a single battle in all that time."

"I am allowed some free time, Hydranoid," the boy reminded him as he approached a huge glass mirror. "I have already sent more than enough Bakugan to the Doom Dimension; it doesn't hurt to take a break now and then."

"Master, this is unlike you," the Darkus Bakugan said, the worry clear in his hiss of a voice. "For the last few days, ever since you began tutoring that Brawler girl, you have been acting oddly, and you seem far less concerned for Lord Naga's will than normal…"

Masquerade paused, the tips of his fingers pressed against the cool glass. Hydranoid didn't dare look at his master, instead choosing to stare at his unfathomable reflection.

"You think that I am becoming disloyal to Naga?" Masquerade asked coolly. "Is that what you think?"

"Of course not. I'm just…concerned for you. What in the world could have possibly possessed you to tutor a Brawler in math? I did not expect this from you."

"I have my reasons," Masquerade said, pushing against the mirror and expertly stepping in, avoiding being hit as it swung around. "Reasons that do not concern you."

"…Of course," Hydranoid said stiffly. "Pardon my intrusion."

"You are pardoned."

The two were silent as Masquerade carefully made his way down the winding staircase. Hydranoid fidgeted slightly. Finally, Masquerade sighed.

"What is it, Hydranoid?"

"Master," the Darkus Bakugan burst out, "I have learned much about teenage humans, and…"

"Where did you get your information from? TV?"

If Bakugan could blush, Hydranoid would have. "Wha…No, of course not, I would never stoop so low as to…A human device, why would I…I was simply trying to learn more about your race!"

"I see," Masquerade said dryly as he opened the door to his computer room. "And you have learned…?"

Hydranoid hesitated for a moment. "…Does…Does this have anything to do with teenage hormones?"

Masquerade nearly stumbled as his Bakugan said that, and was thankful that his face was hidden. "What? No. Of course not. I told you, I have my reasons for what I'm doing."

"So you aren't…Attracted to this girl in anyway?"

"Of course not," Masquerade mumbled, looking away from Hydranoid. "It has nothing to do with me liking Runo. Absolutely nothing. And it isn't your business anyway."

"…Of course…Are you going to be going back tomorrow?"

"Well, yes…Yes I am. Is there a problem with it?"

Masquerade was surprised by how snappish his master sounded. "Well, it might be in your best interest to carry out Naga's orders…But I suppose that since you have, apparently, already done enough…"

"Yes I have." Masquerade took Hydranoid from his shoulder and set him down on the desk as the room opened up around them, shifting from a dark, dingy basement room to the high tech computer room. "It won't hurt. Besides, I'm sure that you will also appreciate a day off."

No. I would want to do what Lord Naga requires from me, he thought, but didn't dare voice this aloud. "Master, what if…what if the Brawler girl tries to…Well, attempts to sway you into revealing what Lord Naga is planning?"

"I already have that taken care of," Masquerade said smoothly. "Runo's interrogation skills are sadly limited."

"Yes, but…Well, in some of these 'TV programs', which I only watch as to learn more about humans, females will sometimes attempt to trick males through means that I believe only to be available to them…"

Masquerade suddenly went very still, and looked at the Bakugan oddly. "Are you saying…that you think Runo…in order to get information…might try to…seduce me?"

Hydranoid took note of the faint blush that was appearing on what could be seen on his master's face, another action most unlike him. "Well, if she were to get desperate…"

Masquerade took no notice of what could be percieved as an insult. "No, she wouldn't try that," he mumbled, typing into his computer with no clear idea of what he was doing. "She wouldn't. That is completely unlike her. I don't even think it will cross her mind. She…she hates my guts. So no way…"

His spiel was suddenly cut short by the grin that appeared on his face.

"That is actually," he said slowly, "a very good idea. There is no way she'd try something like that…"

* * * * * * * * * * *

"Wake up, princess."

A scene most similar to yesterday's played out, though this time Masquerade was wise enough to stay out of the path of Runo's hand.

"Nooooo," she groaned, all whispers about Dan abandoned. "Leave. Now. Before I eat you."

"You have my quivering in my boots," Masquerade said in a dry tone, relaxing on Alice's bed. How thankful he was that the red head was an early riser. "How was your dream? Had nothing to do with Dan, I presume?"

"No. Now leave, it's Sunday. Go. Shoo. Away."

"But I wanted to tell you about how I finally thought of a condition…"

Slowly and warily, Runo poked her head out of the folds of her blanket, and glared at the intruding blonde. "Condition? You finally thought of one?"

Tigrerra stirred from her dollhouse and listened intently. This may be a piece of useful information that she could deliver to the others…

Suddenly, without warning, the door burst open and Masquerade was gone.

"Alice? What is it?"

"Um…I just had to grab my purse," the red head said, almost nervously, hurrying to her bed. "Your…Your parents asked me to run to the market and grab some groceries…I should be back soon. Your parents want you have some rest again today, so you can just stay in room all day again if you want. And your parents are going to visit a friend, they wanted me to tell you."

"Sure…?" Runo half-glanced at Tigrerra, her heart still beating fast from the close call.

"Yes, so…See you later, I guess…" Alice hurried out of the door eagerly, leaving Runo to be befuddled.

"Wonder what her problem is?"

Runo shrieked, whipping around. Masquerade moved back in time to avoid her hand again.

"What is it with you and slapping?"

The blue haired girl took some deep breaths, trying to calm herself. "Don't sneak up on me like that! Geez!"

Masquerade smirked. "What, did I scare you?"

Instead of answering, she turned away with her arms crossed and humphed. "What's this big condition?"

He chuckled softly, seating himself beside Tigrerra's dollhouse. "Are you sure you want to hear it? It's not as if you would ever go through with it…it would save us a lot of trouble if we just forgot about it…and the questions you want to ask me."

She gritted her teeth, still refusing to look at him. "Just tell me."

"Are you sure…?"

"Yes. I want to know what it is. Don't think I'm letting you off so easy."

"Fine then…" Her back tensed as he slid off of her bedside table and moved in close beside her. She refused to turn around or show any emotion. "Are you really sure?"

"Just tell me!"

"Well, if you insist…" She found her heart beating eratically as she felt him lean closer, and her breath was becoming jagged. What the heck? Was she actually getting nervous around him?

"My condition," he said, voice dropping down to a mysterious whisper, "is…a kiss."

A/N: Oh my god, I'm actually giggling from writing that. I am giggling insanely. In fact, it's taking me a very long time to calm down and write this. Tee hee…that was a weird ending…but I had to try to pay more attention to the pairing. I think I was beginning to deviate from it.

You know, I think that Maskerado-kun should teach Runo in another subject…just for a bit more purpose and some change…and I know just the class…*chuckles evilly, imagining the moments that can arise from this*

…I'm still giggling…