I DO NOT OWN ANY PLOT OF PRINCESS MONONOKE OR BAKUGAN BATTLE BRAWLERS. ALL RIGHT GO TO THE OWNERS OF EACH ANIME ITEMS!

Chapter 6

Shun's POV

I sat at the ledge watching as the stars appeared in the sky. "You are worried, Shun. About Alice, am I right?" Mother asked as she walked up.

"Yeah. Her friends were waiting at the entrance and I'm worried of how many questions they probably put on her. I already had to send her comforting thoughts and feelings," I answered.

"I felt it as well. At least she knows there is safe haven here," Mother responded. I nodded. "Shun, I need you to do something."

"Yes, Mother," I responded.

"I want you to go to the human side and watch over Alice. Let her know your there but none of her friends," Mother asked the favor.

"But, Mother, what about that lady? The Boar Gods? How are we going to protect the forest with one less clan member here?" I asked worried.

"We will manage. As we have done for so long. But Alice needs you, Shun. She will need all her confidence if she is to successfully help us end the war and I know you can give it to her. Besides, you are the only one who can fit into the human world," Mother reasoned.

"And then I'll smell like a human," I muttered. Mother gave a small laugh "Go my son. Before it completely falls dark."

"Yes, Mother. I'll see you again," I said before taking off.

Third Person POV

Alice lied in her bed unable to sleep. "Can't sleep again?" Hydranoid asked.

"Pretty much. I hate hiding this stuff from my friends," she answered.

"I can feel that," said a voice.

Alice looked back and Shun standing in the window. "Shun!" Alice exclaimed but was sure it was quiet.

"Hello, Alice," he greeted.

"What're you doing here?" she asked.

"Mother wants me to watch you around without your friends knowing. We could feel your distress easily. Mother thinks I should be around to help when I can," Shun answered.

"Uh, okay," Alice agreed.

"So this is what a human room looks like," Shun mentioned.

"Yeah, it's definitely different from a cave," Alice said.

"Yeah," Shun said. He sat on the window sill and didn't bother to come in.

"You want to come in? It's cold out there," Alice asked.

"No, being in the city is already weird enough. It's so different. There are a lot of strange things here. Besides, I'm fine outside. You have to remember, I lived in a cave my entire life. And those tend to be colder than the night air," Shun said. "Now you need sleep."

"What about you?" Alice asked.

"I've stayed up for four nights in a row with no sleep and have been fine. I don't think tonight will bother me," he replied. "Now sleep."

Alice nodded and went back down. She closed her eyes. Shun sent comforting feelings to help her sleep and soon he saw the steady rhythm of the rising and falling of her chest. 'Good night, Alice,' he thought. Shun looked to see her bakugan, Hydranoid, had fallen asleep in a rounded ball. 'Bakugan are certainly interesting species.'

Shun turned his attention back to the glowing moon. 'Mother, Klyn, Mana… I hope to see you soon,' he thought.

. . . .

Morning soon came and Alice woke up to the early morning sun. She looked over to see Shun staring out at the sky still. "Shun?" she called.

He turned to her. "Good morning, Alice," Shun greeted.

"Good morning," she greeted. "Have you really been up there all night?"

"Yeah," he answered.

A knock came to the door and Shun tensed ready to jump out. "Yes?" Alice called.

"Master Marucho wished for me to tell you breakfast was ready," Kato called.

"Kato, can you bring my food to the door? I kind of want to be alone today," Alice asked.

"Right away," Kato answered and Shun heard his footsteps leave.

"Who's Kato?" Shun asked.

"He's Marucho's butler and head servant," Alice answered.

"From the sounds of it, he does whatever Marucho wants. I've grown up doing practically everything myself. Except for when Mother was helping me learn to survive, hunt, and fight," Shun said. "Doing things yourself is a much better life than making people do your bidding."

"Maybe but Kato doesn't mind," Alice said.

"It doesn't seem like he does. So I guess you're right," Shun conceded. Another knock on the door and Alice turned to Shun.

"Shun, hide under the bed until I can close the door," Alice instructed.

Shun grunted in annoyance but did because he knew there weren't many other places to hide. When he got under, he held his breath from the stench. 'Smells so human in here,' he thought.

"Thank you, Kato," Alice said grabbing the food. She closed the door and locked it shut. "Come on out."

"It smells like human underneath there," Shun commented coming out.

"I bet it would be. Humans sleep on the bed," Alice said. She sat on the bed with her tray and waved Shun over. "Have some food." Shun raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "Don't worry. It's not poisoned or anything."

Shun walked over and sat on the bed. His eyes widened in surprised as the mattress sank a bit from under him. "Are all beds and their material sinking like?" he asked.

"I guess," Alice answered. "I understand why this is all weird to you. You have lived in the forest all your life."

"The forest is very different than the city. The city is very… metallic. The forest is more natural and comforting," Shun responded.

"Yeah, when I was there, it was comforting to be there and very beautiful," Alice said. "Here, have this." She handed him a biscuit. He looked at it for a second before biting into it. "How do you like it?"

"It is different tasting. Not bad but unusual," he answered.

A knock came at the door and Runo voice sounded in, "Alice, can we talk?"

"Not right now, Runo," she answered.

"Come on, Alice," Runo begged.

"I'm sorry. But not right now," Alice retorted. Runo groaned and walked away.

"Runo. It's an interesting name. Is that one of your friends' names?" Shun asked.

"Yeah, she's the one with blue hair," Alice answered.

"Ah," was all Shun responded with.

"Marucho, can you pick the lock?" Alice and Shun heard Dan asked.

"I should," Marucho said. "But should we really do this?"

"It's for Alice," Runo retorted.

"Shun, get to the roof," Alice ordered. He nodded and dashed up and out. The door unlocked just as Shun pulled his foot out of sight.

Shun listened in as Alice's friends talked to her.

"Alice, won't you talk to us?" Runo asked. "This isn't like you."

Shun felt her worry and sent comforting feelings to her. "It's just I can't see you. I feel like each time I see you, the more I have to keep from you," Alice answered calmly.

"Alice, you can tell us anything," Julie tried.

"Not this time. This time I have to keep this a secret," Alice retorted.

Suddenly both her and Shun felt a sharp pain. And Shun heard a howl of his wolf brother. "Battle!" Shun exclaimed.

"Who's out there?" Dan asked and Shun heard him walking to the window. He pulled up his mask and jumped down onto the window sill shocking everyone. "Don't you belong in the woods?"

"Don't you stop talking?" Shun retorted. Dan growled angrily. Shun ignored him and stared at Alice who was looking at him worried. "The battle has begun. I must go, Alice. I hope you can help." With that he took off.

"Shun wait!" Alice exclaimed before she could stop herself.

"Is Shun his real name?" Runo asked confused.

Alice stared into space. She then darted out of the room with a fire in her eyes. "Alice!" Runo called but Alice didn't stop. She had to stop the fighting before it got worse.