Chapter 14

A/N: Bah, stupid clichéd last chapter…why must cliché's be so addicting? *sighs* Yeah, sorry about the corniness, expectedness and general suckiness of last chapter. Geez, I think the story is beginning to deviate from the original plot…I can't remember what I had originally planned…all I know is that I randomly felt like making them dance together…no idea why, except it's kinda awkward/romantic…although clichéd…blah. I'm just weird.

BEWARE THE EXTREMELY OOC HYDRANOID. I have no clue how to keep him in character for this…or ever, really, so I'm just going to randomly write him. I'll try to stay in character for him, but…*shrugs* Maskerado-kun's gonna be a little OOC too…but that kinda makes sense, considering the, ah, circumstances…

You know, it's funny that this is my most popular fic. I didn't think it would be…I thought people would try to destroy me for it…I suppose people in the Bakugan fandom just like romances, even if it is with a pairing like this…curious…though I'm still expecting some sort of attack from DanRuno fans, mostly because I'm insanely paranoid…or flames, at least…wow, for some strange reason I think I need flames. Putting myself down and convincing myself that I suck might not keep my big-headedness down forever…if it is down…

CloneGirl: *cowering under the evil glares of Masquerade and Runo* …Don't…eat…me…I had to…it wasn't my fault, I was manipulated into it…I just know it…you know you liked it!

Masquerade: *pulls out a pointy stick* We're going…to destroy you…

Runo: *grabs a sledgehammer* It was bad enough without Alice and Dan walking in! You are so dead!

CloneGirl: But…you guys are cute together! You are, you know you are! You know you wanna be together! But anywho…before you kill me, can you say the disclaimer for me?

Masquerade. …Okay. *evil grin* CloneGirl…does own all rights to Bakugan!

CloneGirl: WHAT! NO!!!! NO, I SWEAR THAT…*drowned in a mob of lawyers* Ergh…I…don't own…any rights…to Bakugan…can't…breathe…

Runo was only too aware of too many things. The weight of Masquerade on top of her, his musky scent, the cool glass that pressed lightly upon her heated face. Alice, Dan and Drago in the doorway, just standing there with what was mostly like 'WTH?!' looks on their faces, the faltering sound of Tigrerra stuttering, all five of them too shocked to move or do anything about it.

Not to mention Masquerade's…lips on hers. Crap. Crap, crap, crap…she could faintly taste his breath. Minty. Craaaaaaaaaap…

Slowly, as though he were unsure of what was actually happening, Masquerade propped himself up with one arm, separated himself from Runo and stared at the two intruders, trying to comprehend the fact that they were actually there. He looked down at Runo, who could do nothing but gawk back at him, wide-eyed and blushing furiously…and perhaps…disappointed that he had pulled away?

No way. No way she was. Still the shock playing tricks with her mind, with both of their minds. If anything, she was grateful…

Seeing no helpful answers as to what to do there, Masquerade looked back up at Dan and Alice, still trying to fully process the dangers of this scene.

The red head seemed to be hyperventilating; she was leaning against the door frame, clutching her chest. Dan had finally worn off just a little of his shock, enough to move his arm at least. Frantically, he pointed between Masquerade and Runo, mouth wide open with no sound coming out.

"…" (A/N: OH MY GOD YAY!!!!!!!!!!!! AWKWARD TURTLE!!!!!)

"I told you this could only lead to trouble, milady," Tigrerra finally muttered, breaking the awkward silence. It was enough.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Dan charged into the room, looking intent on kicking Masquerade in the face.

The blonde pushed himself away and was gone within an instant, leaving behind faint glitters. Runo rolled over, just in time to avoid being stomped on. She jumped to her feet, her first instinct being to yell at him.

"What's all this racket about?" An unapproving Mr Masaki appeared in the door way, glaring at Dan and Runo while patting poor Alice on the shoulder. "What's got you all worked up?"

"Nothing," the three of them answered, voices still somewhat faint with shock. Didn't really convince the man.

"Is it okay if we borrow Alice and Runo for a bit?" Dan asked, forcing his voice to be calm. "We…need to talk to the others."

"Well…I suppose…" Mr Masaki hurriedly stepped to the side as Dan stormed out, with both Runo and Alice in hand. "Just don't be too late!"

* * * * * * * * * * *

Hydranoid clearly remembered how Masquerade looked when he had returned from giving Runo his condition. This time, his master was in even more of a state, even without the limp.

He had to know the reason…

"What happened?" the Darkus Bakugan inquired, abandoning his silent treatment. "Tell me."

"None of your business!"

Hydranoid was shocked into silence as Masquerade practically ran by him, as though trying to outrun some sort of invisible enemy. Most definitely worse than last time.

"Why won't you tell me?" Hydranoid asked loudly in order to be heard, rolling as fast as he could after his master. "I have a right to know! Tell me!"

"No!"

What sort of extreme force in this world could possibly make his normally collected master act so panicked and…and stubborn? There was only one possibility that came to his mind immediately…

"Is it hormones?!"

"Will you stop it with the hormones?!"

It was totally hormones. Hydranoid was right, he just knew it.

Before he could try to demand to be told anything else, he bounced off a wall, the door beside him opening and slamming shut, the tail ends of Masquerade's coat disappearing inside.

He rolled to the base of the door, hoping he could somehow squeeze through the crack between it and the floor. But one glance told him that he had no hope of fitting in there.

He used his one of his last resorts; flinging himself at the door repeatedly and shouting at the top of his non-existent lungs. "JUST TELL ME! IT ISN'T SO MUCH OF A PROBLEM TO TELL ME, IS IT?! TELL ME! I DEMAND IT! NOW!"

No response. Stupid master.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Runo shifted uncomfortably in the plush armchair of Marucho's living room, aware that everyone was gawking at her. Even Shun had let go of his reserve to stare at her in shock. Trying to act as though she didn't notice, or even care about the stares, she reached to the coffee table and grabbed a slice of cheese from the little platter of snacks carefully arranged on it, then grabbed a couple of crackers.

Why didn't she just listen to Tigrerra in the first place? Why? What dancing she had experienced hadn't helped her in the least. Her gym mark was lost, and now she was some sort of freak show.

Julie was the one who had finally broken the silence, with probably the stupidest thing she had to say. Perhaps she was just trying to make a joke out of it, or thought that she could somehow lighten the atmosphere. Most certainly didn't work that way, and why she might have thought it would…we may never know. "Aw, forbidden love…isn't it romantic?"

Runo finally snapped. "IT'S NOT LOVE!" She leapt to her feet, ready to pound the surprised Australian in the face. "THERE'S NOTHING GOING ON BETWEEN ME AND…and him!"

"What are you talking about?!" Dan shouted at her, standing up with his fists bunched together. "You guys were…were kissing! He was right on top of you, me, Drago and Alice saw it…"

"It isn't what it looked like!" Runo crossed her arms, scowling and blushing at the same time. "It was a complete accident…tell them, Tig! Tell them that it was an accident!"

"Please don't drag me into this, milady…" Tigrerra muttered, very aware of the looks everyone was giving her. Dan cut across her.

"God, I knew we should have done something right away when Tigrerra told us about that creep tutoring you!" Dan spat out those words, shaking.

"What?!" Runo turned to her Bakugan, looks of shock and betrayal flitting across her face. "Tigrerra, you told them?! How could you?!"

"Milady, I…I thought they had a right to know…I was worried about you…" The Haos Bakugan stared up at her beseechingly. "Please, I was just…I thought…"

"Tigrerra! You should have trusted me!"

"She was right to tell us!" Dan snarled, defending Tigrerra. "Just how long have you been going on like that with Masquerade?!"

Runo had had enough with these accusations; stepping forward, she grabbed Dan by the shoulders, whipped around and threw him down to the ground. He crashed to the floor, crying out in surprise. "I told you, it was an accident!"

"Oh really?" Dan muttered, sitting up and rubbing the back of his sore head. "Well, why was he on top of you?! And kissing you?!"

"He was teaching me," she answered, now mumbling in embarrassment. She left out the 'dancing' part, probably for the wiser. Who knew what they would think then? "And I accidentally fell, he tried to stop me, accidentally fell too…and we…just…landed that way…"

"Sure," Dan said scathingly, glaring at her. "And I'm supposed to believe that?"

"It's true!"

"It…it is," Tigrerra muttered, trying to redeem herself in her mistress' eyes. "What Runo said is very much true. She would never willingly…kiss him."

"I believe Tigrerra and Runo," Marucho said, adjusting his glasses nervously, like he had already done so many times. "I find it very hard for a…a romance to happen between her and Masquerade."

"Yeah, well…you're eleven! What do you know?" Dan mumbled, refusing to back down. "Besides, you didn't see them! I'm telling you, he was right on top of her! It was disturbing! And everytime I say it, it gets even more disturbing!"

"We get it, Dan," Shun interrupted, smoothing his face into its normal neutral emotion. "But I also think that it was an accident."

"Thank you," Runo said, glaring at the glowering brunette. "See Dan? Even Shun believes me!"

"Moving on, did you get any information?"

The blue haired girl turned to Shun, a blank look on her face. "…Huh?"

Skyress was the one that spoke up. "Tigrerra told us that you had agreed to allowing Masquerade to tutor you as a way to get information out of him."

…Right. Would have been best to remember that little plan. Darn it.

"Um…" Runo looked around the room as everyone looked at her expectantly, hopeful that she really had stuck to business. Whatever she said would either help soldify the fact that she had nothing going on with Masquerade, or further Dan's 'theory'. Daaaaarrrrrrn…

"Did you find anything out about Masquerade's and Naga's plans?" Shun asked again, voice firm and pressing.

"Well…you know, Masquerade's very crafty…"

"As I had said," Tigrerra added, shutting up when Runo shot her an furious look.

"Yeah, whatever…and I didn't really…get anything about plans out of him…" Darn iiiiiiiit…

"So you found out nothing?" Marucho said, the disappointment clear in his voice and eyes. "Not about Naga, or Hal-G or even Masquerade himself?"

Runo opened her mouth to answer him, and for some reason her eyes drifted over to the coffee table, to the little snack plate.

…I think I might have a couple crackers left…

"Nope," she said, with as much regret as she could muster. "Nothing at all."

A/N: Kyaaaaaaaaah…I love my OOC Hydranoid…so freaking nosy. And amazingly whiny…all of my attempts to keep him in character have failed…na. No matter. No matter at all…anywho…I'm still expecting/dreading/hoping for some flames. Especially now, you know…kinda weird that I haven't gotten any…for some reason, while I'm happy about that, as I should be, it bugs me…god, I'm demented…YAY!!!!!!