Theme One is here. And it involves a tiny, almost nonexistent amount of eating. It had to be done.

Disclaimer: I wish I owned Bakugan, but alas, I don't.

Tea…Crumpets…Manners

Dan grimaced at the less-than pleased expression on Runo's face as she exited the movie theater. The plan had been to enjoy a nice dinner at a quaint little restaurant on the edge of town followed by a enjoying a relaxing comedy movie at the theater. The whole evening, though, had only gone from bad to worse since he'd picked her up.

Dan blamed it all on his so-called friend Shun, and he recalled the events of the previous night with a scowl.

"Face it, Dan. You can't go on a date with Runo without making her angry," he'd teased while the two of them sat in her restaurant during her shift.

"That sounds like a challenge, Shun, and you know I'm always up for one." Dan had replied with an arrogant grin, clearly believing that what he'd said was humanly possible.

The ninja had only smirked, taking a sip of his iced drink carefully. "If you're so confident, ask her to go out with you tomorrow. I bet you my antique shuriken collection that she'll be livid by the end of the night."

Dan's grin had grown, already picturing the fun he'd have at his friend's expense. "You're on, Shun!"

"But if you lose," he'd continued with carefully concealed smile, "you'll have to take care of my chores at the dojo for a month."

He mentally berated himself now, glancing behind him to see Shun leaving the theater with a beaming Alice. The older boy shot him a smug look before directing the Russian girl down the street, his arm carefully linked with hers.

"Well, are you going to take me home or not?" Runo asked, impatiently tapping her foot.

"Uh, yeah," Dan replied curtly, beginning to walk down the same street Shun had taken. Runo followed two steps behind him, her glares drilling into his back. Upon reaching her house, she stomped inside and slammed the door without one more word to the brunette.

Shrugging, he caught sight of Alice walking around the corner, a bright blush beginning to fade from her cheeks. 'Why does Alice look so happy when Runo looked so…unhappy?' he thought to himself, strolling casually up to her.

"Oh, Dan, h-hello," she greeted, raising a hand as if to hide her flushed face.

"How does he do it, Alice?" he blurted out, referring to Shun. "Why, how, are you so happy?"

She stared at him in confusion for a moment before her lips slowly formed an 'O' shape as it dawned on her.

"It is because he's a ninja?" Dan continued without giving her a chance to answer. "Or is it the hair?"

"Dan," she cut in firmly. "Shun is just so polite. He's a gentleman, and—"

"I can be a gentleman," he argued, crossing his arms. "Runo just doesn't appreciate it." She quirked a knowing eyebrow and he sighed in defeat. "But it's hard around Runo. She's always been a tomboy."

"Don't worry. I know someone who can help you, and I heard he was in town," she offered, stepping inside the house and returning with a slip of paper. He handed it to him, and he examined the neatly written address on it. While a grateful smile, Dan waved and ran off, planning tomorrow's excursion to his savior's abode.

---

Hesitantly, Dan Kuso approached an extravagant hotel, receiving strange looks from the staff as he entered and was directed toward the appropriate room. Clutching the paper Alice had given him, he wandered around the fifth floor, searching for room 506.

Quickly, he found it and knocked hurriedly. After a few seconds had passed he knocked again, more urgently. He heard shuffling from inside, and the door opened to reveal an elegant, platinum-haired young man with an irritated look on his face.

"Klaus von Hertzen?!" he shouted in shock.

"Yes, Dan, it's me," he answered in a bored tone. "Alice told me of your…predicament, and I hope we'll be able to make some progress today."

Realizing he had nothing to lose, Dan allowed Klaus to lead him into his suite. It was stylishly furnished and had just about every commodity a guy could ask for. Klaus showed him to a table overlooking the city, a plate of warm, buttered crumpets perched in the middle.

"What are these?" Dan asked, reaching for one.

Klaus shook his head to stop him. "Dan, these are crumpets, traditionally served in countries of the Commonwealth, such as the United Kingdom," he explained.

"Oh," was Dan's response and he reached forward for one again.

Klaus gazed sternly at him and his hand retreated. "You'll get one when we do something productive, is that clear?"

Dan nodded glumly, staring back at the crumpets with longing.

"Now," Klaus began. "Since you're having problems with the she-devil—that is to say, Runo—it would be appropriate to mention that the female mind is a complicated one. Women like courteous men, and I dare to assume that you haven't been one."

"I guess you could say that."

"First off, you should always do what she wants to do," he informed matter-of-factly.

"But—" Dan was interrupted by the German.

"There are no exceptions to this rule, Dan. If you follow that, you should be fine."

Dan sighed. "Okay." He paused for a moment. "Hey, Klaus can I have one of those crumpet things now?"

"No, you forgot to say please when inquiring about the food." Klaus replied calmly, helping himself to a crumpet.

Dan groaned. "Can I please have one?"

"May I." Klaus corrected.

He glared, hissing out a 'May I please have a crumpet, Klaus?' though clenched teeth.

Klaus nodded and allowed him to finally get his hands on one. Dan savored the foreign treat, watching as his host made his way into the kitchen. Dan stretched for another one, taking advantage of Klaus's absence.

"Don't even think about it, Dan," he called out, returning with a tray. He placed it on the table, picking up a teapot on it and pouring liquid into two cups.

"Great!" Dan shouted, grabbing one and downing it. "I was parched."

"That was improper form for tea drinking," Klaus remarked exasperatedly, beginning to demonstrate the proper way to do so. An hour later, Dan was a tea drinking pro, having everything from holding the cup to the pinkie lifting down pat. He eagerly received his reward, munching while Klaus talked.

"Do I hear a 'Thank You'?" Klaus asked, eyeing the Pyrus Brawler warily.

"Thanks, Klaus," he added, suppressing the urge to roll his eyes.

"As a last thought, I'd like to remind you to offer to do things for her. Ladies appreciate that. Oh, and give plenty of compliments, understood?"

"Yes, sir," Dan replied jokingly, Klaus showing him out. "Oh, and Klaus?" he called, just as he was closing the door. "Thank you."

---

"May I take your coat?" he asked smoothly as she handed him her jacket, and he placed it on the coat rack.

Dan graciously led Runo to the dining room, where he—well, his mom—had prepared a meal for just the two of them. She giggled as he pulled the chair to his right out for her. He did exactly as Klaus had told him, complimenting and practically offering to be her slave. He even walked her home, holding her hand and strolling at her pace. And the best thing was that Runo didn't get angry.

At all.

Dan was feeling confident enough to make another bet with Shun until they arrived at her doorstep. She shifted uneasily from foot to foot, as if waiting for something to happen. His mouth went dry, and he had a funny feeling in his stomach. Runo leaned in, closing her aquamarine eyes, and Dan instinctively followed her lead.

He felt a tapping on his shoulder, and his eyes shot open, turning around to see his stoic best friend. Runo shrieked when she fell forward, regaining her footing at the last second.

"Dan!" she screamed furiously. 'So much for making another bet,' he thought dryly, asking Shun what he wanted.

"I just came to say that you should be at the dojo at exactly six AM." He closed his golden eyes for a moment, before adding, "Please."

Who knew Dan had manners? And please forgive me for the slight food consumption involved.

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