The others were still catching up, then, they heard a knock on the door. All they could see was raven hair. Each and everyone of them knew who it was,

SHUN

As he opened the door, Miyoko exclaimed, "Shun, you'll never believe this!". She moved to reveal a smiling Dan, who was awake. Shun's eyes widened. It was Dan. He was up?!

"Hey buddy!" Dan cheered, smiling at Shun.

Shun was staring with disbelief. Was this a dream? It couldn't be! Dan was alive. He was alright. It was all over! Tears blurred his vision but they flowed down his cheeks faster every second. Dan also started crying. Shun embraced him.

"Dan...I...i'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" Shun kept telling

"Hey...Shun, it's okay...it's okay...it's okay..." Dan replied to Shun.

Everyone were letting tears of joy out. The two true friends were reunited again. "Party at the apartment! Everyone's invited!" Runo and Alice cheered.

"YEAH!' everyone cheered.

Dan was discharged from the hospital in the evening. The following night, the Kuso family, Julie, Billy, Shun, Alice, Dan, Runo, Joe, Marucho and Chan were all eating dinner.

"And to think that five days ago we thought it was all over" Marucho said.

"Hey, you all knew that I wouldn't leave you hanging." Dan said.

"That's true." Miyoko agreed.

Runo was amazed by Mrs. Kuso's bravery. Dan never spent time with her and even then, in a critical coma situation, she had remained strong. Dan probably got his confidence from her.

"Oh, isn't Komba's party tomorrow?" Joe reminded. "WE FORGOT ALL ABOUT IT!" everyone except Mr. and Mrs. Kuso shouted. The two adults rolled their eyes.

"Shopping trip tomorrow!' Julie squealed. The girls rolled their eyes.

After dinner, everyone except Shun and Alice left. The two of them were staying with Dan for two more days before they left to Moscow to pack their stuff and move to Shun's dojo. Alice and Runo were doing the dishes while Dan and Shun were catching up.

"So Shun, where did you move to?" Dan asked.

"Me and Alice bought an apartment in Moscow. It was right near Dr. Michael's lab." Shun replied. "When did you buy this place?"

"A few days after you guys left for Moscow." Dan replied.

"Dan! Stop lying! You bought this place two months after Shun and Alice left!" Runo shouted from the kitchen.

"HEY KID! NO INTERRUPTIONS!" Dan shouted back.

"When will the two of you stop acting like toddlers?" Shun asked Dan.

"In your dreams." Dan replied.

"But all of us completely lost hope when we heard from Joe that..." Shun said, sadly.

"Seriously?! Just admit that you knew I'd be fine!" Dan replied.

"Easy for you to say, mister!" Runo shouted from the kitchen. Dan sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Like I said, toddlers." Shun laughed.

"Yeah, yeah." Dan replied, joining in with Shun. Suddenly, a crash was heard from the kitchen. The two boys rushed to see Runo on the floor, clutching her head.

"Runo!" Dan exclaimed and rushed to her. "What happened here?"

"She kept telling me she felt dizzy and suddenly fell to the floor." Alice replied.

"Runo, can you hear us?" Shun asked the dizzy bluenette. Only a nod came in reply. "Course I can hear you..."

"Runo..." Dan whispered, as he felt Runo's hand holding his own. The three of them carried her to the couch where she sat beside Dan. and put her head on his shoulder Alice and Shun finished the dishes and joined Dan. The three of them were chatting quietly. A few minutes later, Shun and Alice went to sleep and Dan noticed that Runo was sleepy.

"Kid, close your eyes." he told her, smiling. Runo obeyed and her eyes shut the next instant. Dan carried her to the bedroom. Runo smiled. Even though she was sleeping, she knew Dan was carrying her. She missed the feeling of his arms just lifting her up, like she was a princess. It made her feel special, like she belonged only with Dan...and no one can even think about touching her. He gently lied her down on the bed and closed the door.

"I sure missed this room." he told her. Runo mumbled, "Mhm." Dan sat beside her on the bed. Runo opened her eyes.

"Hey kid! I told you to close your eyes." Dan told her. Runo shook her head tiredly. "I missed the feeling...whenever you carry me to sleep...I really missed you.." she said to Dan. He blushed. Runo slowly sat up and kissed Dan. He kissed her back and his hands were automatically on her waist. The passion came automatically. "I missed this..." Runo said. He nodded. NOW he felt like he was really back!

Runo put her hands around Dan's neck and wrapped him around her legs. But Dan's grip was a bit too much , so she fell on the bed with him on top. Dan immediately rolled over, leaving Runo on top of him. He stopped, pinned her down on the wall and kissed her forehead. Runo let loose and let her boyfriend go from her forehead to her neck, then to her shoulder. She gave him a kiss on his cheek and the two of them just looked into each other's eyes for a while.

Dan saw that Runo's eyes were slowly darkening as she was struggling to keep them open. He smiled. Runo's vision was blurring slowly, and the last thing she saw was brown eyes.

"Goodnight Runo." Dan said. It was the last thing she heard. She yawned and her eyes closed. She fell towards Dan , who embraced her. He held her by the waist and looked at her. Runo's eyes were closed, her expression was tired and her mouth was slightly open. He put one hand on her chin, well, his thumb on her chin and ran his fingers on her lips, closing them. The grip she had on Dan loosened and her legs fell. Her hands, which were clasped around his neck loosened as well as they dangled on his back. Dan embraced his kid again. He could feel her soft and warm breath on his neck. Then, he remembered something...

Runo NEVER slept with her pigtails. He loosened her bands and her hair fell straight. She looked more cute without her two pigtails. Then, he kissed her softly on the lips and closed his eyes.

Dan and Runo were back together and they were better than ever!