The first part was an attempt at some Dan/Shun friendship thing.

And the brawlers do live in Japan, right? I mean, where else do you find ninjas? :D

visit; v. to call on socially

Alice was coming over from Moscow. It had been almost a year since she first went back home after her adventures in Japan, so she thought it was time to pay her old friends a visit.

Of course, everyone was excited. And although Shun didn't act like it, he was thrilled to know that Alice was coming back.

"C'mon, aren't you excited that Alice is coming back?" Dan had asked him shortly after receiving the news.

"I guess…" He answered coolly.

"Just admit it, dude!"

"Admit what, Dan? That I can't wait to see Alice again? There, I said it!" He sighed, exasperated and folded his arms across his chest.

"No, not that! You guys have been dating long distance, haven't you?"

That last comment earned Dan an elbow in the ribs.

...

On Alice's last night in Japan, she heard a tapping noise in her room. It was the same one she used when she had been staying with Runo's family. She opened the window, and found two golden eyes watching her from the tree outside. She smiled, and opened the window wider.

"Shun," she said knowingly, and poked her head outside.

The said ninja flipped into view, landing on the branch closest to her window.

"I was starting to wonder whether you would show up at all. You had me worried a little when you didn't come to meet me at the airport."

"You know I'm not like that, Alice," he chuckled lightly. "Besides, what made you think I would pass up the chance to see you again?"

She laughed, and pointed upwards. Shun nodded, and stretched out his hand toward her. Alice took it, and before long they were both sitting atop the Misaki's roof. Late at night, the city was bustling with activity, and the town glittered with seas of light.

"So tell me, Alice; what's it like being in Japan again?"

"It's almost… like I never left. I've really missed this place."

"And what have you been doing with the other guys?"

"Oh, let's see; Dan and Marucho both took me to the park; Runo and I hung out at the café, and Julie took me shopping." She shook her head, remembering the time she had spent with the bubbly Subterra brawler.

Shun laughed, and also shook his own head.

"I'm sure it was lots of fun." He said sarcastically with a teasing grin on his face.

"But you know what, Shun? I've really been looking forward to spending some time with you."

"Me too, Alice."

Both of them looked out towards the sea of lights, relaxing in their faint golden glow. Alice had often climbed up onto her own rooftop in Moscow, but somehow her rooftop moments just weren't the same when compared to this. Maybe it was the atmosphere of the city; where her home in Moscow was so alone and isolated, the city bustled with life and energy.

"Just like old times, isn't it?"

At first, she thought Shun was talking about the quiet evenings the two of them had often spent together on the rooftop, but then he kissed her; gently, but passionately. It was something that both of them had missed, being torn from each other's presence. But now they were together again; and Shun was going to make the most of it before Alice left him again.

Ending came outta nowhere... oh well, it worked... hopefully... :P

Not long until the end now!

The next chapter is W for Winning. And I promise you, you won't have to wait long :D