Author's Note: Quick PSA: I love Runo, but you'll recall that she and Shun did not get along in season one and Shun is heavily biased to dislike her because of how she and Dan interacted in season one as well. Runo will be awesome later on. Let Shun be annoyed right now.

Comments are love!


Part Nine: Defenders

Shun had been sipping tea at Marucho's when Runo dropped onto the couch beside him with an overdramatic sigh. Shun said nothing, simply waited for her to explain why she had approached him. It was a rarity, after all. Julie and Alice were more likely to approach him. Julie, because she enjoyed braiding his hair, which Shun permitted on occasion. And Alice because she enjoyed the company of a fellow silent person.

A minute passed. Runo gave another dramatic sigh and leaned heavily against the back of the couch, folding her arms and pouting. Still, Shun said nothing. He kept sipping his tea and running through strategies in his mind. Skyress was with Marucho and Preyas, working on something new, which left Shun alone with his strategies.

Another minute passed. Runo kept glancing at Shun out of the corner of her eye and sighing. Another minute. Then two. The sighs grew more frequent. Shun set down his tea.

"All right, what's wrong?" asked Shun.

Runo stared at him with wide eyes. "I don't know what you're—"

"Runo." Shun's voice was sharp. "You've been sitting there sighing so much I'm surprised you haven't deflated. What's wrong?"

Runo pouted, twirling his fingers around one of her blue ponytails. "It's Dan."

Of course it was.

Every since Shun had joined the Brawlers, Dan and Runo had been at each other's throats. Frankly, he didn't know how anyone else could think around here half the time. Between Marucho's babbling, Runo's shrieking, Preyas'… everything, and Julie's constant giggling, there was very little silence. Alice and Dan were the only people on this team who didn't feel the need to talk twenty-four seven around Shun, for which he was grateful.

He was less grateful for the way he caught Alice looking at him sometimes. Hopeful, affectionate, longingly, even. It worried him. He didn't want to hurt her.

"What about him?" asked Shun. He kept his tone carefully absent, the way he always did. It was easier, that way.

"He's just…" Runo groaned and dragged her hands down her face. "I don't know how you can be friends with him. He's loud and obnoxious and he never thinks before he speaks. And he rushes into everything."

Kind of like you, Shun didn't say. He wanted to, but it would be rude. Sure, Runo wasn't his favourite person on the Brawlers, by far, but she was a good enough teammate, even if she was calling the kettle black.

"You're smart and serene and you think about everything first," said Runo. She turned her head toward Shun and smiled at him, something scheming in her eyes.

It was a look Shun had seen in Dan's eyes before. He preferred it on Dan.

"Alice likes that about you," said Runo.

"Sure," said Shun. He ignored the comment, and the fear that spiked along his spine at the words. He'd heard the way Runo and Julie talked about him sometime. About how he was handsome and mysterious and the perfect "bad boy".

He was pretty because he looked like his mother. He was mysterious because he didn't talk to anyone but Dan. He was a bad boy because he wore purple and black and a ponytail. That's all there was to it.

"How do you stand him?" asked Runo.

"He's my best friend," said Shun.

Runo wrinkled her nose. "Why?"

Because he was smarter than he looked and incredibly intuitive, Shun didn't say. Because he was kind and generous, Shun didn't say. Because he was the best Brawler Shun had ever met; because he'd saved Shun's life, by coming after him; because he was the only person in the world who'd never judged him.

Because his smile could light up the whole world with light to spare for all the stars in the night sky.

"Because he is," said Shun. "We've known each other since we were kids, Runo. Just because you don't see his good qualities, doesn't mean I don't either."

Runo rolled her eyes. "So, basically, you're putting up with him."

Shun's entire body went rigid and his voice was thinly veiled with ice above the fury. "There is nothing to put up," he said. Runo scooted back, eyes wide. "Dan is kind and generous and an incredible battler. He would do anything for this team, this planet, and the Bakugan. Just because all you see is a buffoon, doesn't mean that's anywhere close to all he is." Shun stood, his fists clenched at his sides. "I'm his best friend, Runo. Next time, I suggest you think before you insult him to my face."

With that, he turned on heel and stalked out of the room. He needed to go for a run. Or battle with someone.

She just didn't get it. No one did. Dan was so much more than the person people saw.

Why didn't Runo get that?