Tenshi: Chapter 4. I can't believe I have gotten this far in the story. What I planned out to be a one shot fic became a chaptered story. I don't care if I didn't get any reviews for the last chapter. This chapter needs to be published. I don't want to end with a cliffhanger. I'm not that evil. Please enjoy the last chapter (Maybe. I still have to think about it…) of "Tender Twist". Please review and as usual, flames are welcome. Thank you! ^^

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Disclaimer: Last time I checked I still don't own Threads of Fate. Squaresoft does. Darn they're lucky. Oh well, it'll never be mine. The song "More and More" is owned by Gary V., my favorite singer and I don't plan on stealing this song from him.

Pairing: Mint and Rue

Genre: Romance/Angst

Rating: PG - 13

Summary: Rue's love for Mint only grows more profound with each moment.

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"words"

thoughts

lyrics

(AN)

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~Deeper~

Written by: The Angel of Death, Tenshi Takai

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"Thanks for agreeing to help me out Klaus. You too Mira and Rod," Rue said.

"No problem. Hopefully, Mint won't find out about this too fast," Klaus said.

"Yup. I'm sure all hell would break lose if she did," Rod said.

"I don't think so. I personally think she'll be absolutely happy," Mira said.

"Well, whatever the reaction, I want to do this on my own. I don't want her to help me," Rue said firmly.

"We better make sure we win then!" Rod said enthusiastically.

"That's right," Klaus said.

"We're gone!" Mira exclaimed as all of them sped up in the direction they needed to go.


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There's something about the rain when it pours
It gets me thinkin' of you more and more
There's something about the way you are
That takes this empty feeling oh so far

"Damn it! I hate this! How will we get to the ruin if we can't even get through all of these monsters?" Rod shouted in frustration, blowing away another line of monsters.

"Something triggered them! Look for a shifted rock or something Klaus!" Rue shouted to Klaus hacking at another monster.

"I'll try! Just hang on!" Klaus shouted back as he moved around some bushes.

"Hurry up Klaus! I'm getting quite tired!" Mira shouted punching a creature and knocking it out.

"I think I've found it!" Klaus said stepping hard on a panel on the floor.

A hidden door opened on the floor as all the creatures suddenly disappeared.

"Let's go!" Rue said proceeding to run in side the ruins.

"Rue! Wait!" Mira shouted.

"What?" Rue asked turning around.

"Can't we take a breather?" Rod said leaning on his weapon for support.

"But we can't waste any time! Let's go!" Rue said looking back at the ruins.

"Just a second Rue," Mira said.

"Fine! But remember that we can't lose ok?" Rue said leaning his back on a wall.

"We remember. Here. Drink this," Klaus said handing out bottles to the three warriors.

"Thanks, the three said drinking the contents of the bottle.


Now I know can't deny what I am feeling
Can I hold you, can I have you a little longer
Can I know you, through my eyes let me tell you
I'm loving you more and more

"Let's go!" Rue said impatiently after chugging down the drink.

"Calm down Rue! You'll have a heart attack!" Mira said.

"But I…" Rue started.

"Yes! We know! You can't lose! We have no intentions of losing but we have to breath for a while," Rod shouted in aggravation.

"You have to cool down Rue. Relax. You won't be able to think straight if you're like that," Klaus said calmly.

"I'm sorry. It's just that I don't want to lose her," Rue whispered looking down.

"We know. That's the exact same reason why we're helping you," Mira said.

"C'mon. Let's go. We're done here," Rod said.

The others went inside and Rue smiled at their backs. He quickly followed them inside the ruins after a few seconds.


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"Hey Rue! Look!" Rod said, pointing above them.

"The guys discovered that you can see the contestants above them but not the ones below them. They figured that those they can see can't see them and vice-versa. Rue looked up and saw Mint being surrounded by a pack of monsters. Behind Mint, a monster directed a blast of fire at her.

"Mint! Look out!" Rue shouted even though he knew he couldn't be heard.

Mint turned around and was able to cast a shield around her. The shield that was cast off created an energy wave that blew all the creatures away.

"Rue! Let's go! There's no time to waste!" Mira said running ahead.

Rue looked and smiled at Mint. He ran off in the direction the others went off to.


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There's something about the warmth of your touch
That came for a moment yet told me so much
I wish I didn't have to waste all that time 
When I made believe that you are mine

"Here it is Rue! The end of this hunt!" Rod exclaimed.

Rue looked at the dome in front of him.

"Remember to be wary Rue. There is still the last guardian that you have to fight," Klaus said cautiously walking towards the last part of the ruins.

Rue nodded and walked to the ruin, his arc edge positioned to attack any oncoming monster. Mira and Rod followed Rue and Klaus slowed down to let Rue go on first. As soon as Rue reached the door, the other teammates disappeared and Rue was in total darkness. Rue jumped as a wavy-haired siren appeared in front of him.

"My dinner," the siren said smiling, revealing its long white fangs.

The creature charged at Rue, catching him by surprise but Rue was able to cast her off with his arc edge. The creature was dazed for a bit but immediately charged at Rue again. This time, Rue was prepared and was able to inflict damage on the siren. The siren disappeared and Rue was taken aback when he heard someone call his name.

Mint?

Rue turned around and saw Mint standing there.

"Mint?" he wondered out loud.

'Mint' twirled and smiled at Rue. Rue smiled back and on instinct, walked towards her. The smile 'Mint' had grew and turned into a subtle smirk which went by unnoticed by Rue. Rue step faltered when he saw blood flowing down her leg. Rue took out his arc edge.


Now I know can't deny that I am falling
Coz I love you, wanna have you by me forever (and ever)
Can I hold you, through my eyes let me tell you
(I'm lovin' you more)

"Stop that!" Rue hissed.

The siren cocked its head to the side and looked at Rue in confusion.

"Damn you! Don't play innocent!" Rue exclaimed charging at the siren.

The siren smirked and charged at Rue too. Rue took one step back before he collided with the siren, surprising it. Rue stepped forward using the momentum to apply much force on the siren with his arc edge cutting the siren in half and blowing it away from him. As soon as the siren fell to the ground, it disintegrated and Rue was brought back to the ruins.

"Rue! You're back1" Klaus exclaimed,

"You did it! You defeated it! I knew you could do it!" Rod said walking towards Rue.

"Let's go Rue!" Mira said running inside the ruin.

Rue looked around for a moment and followed everyone inside.


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"Rue! C'mon! Take it!" Mira exclaimed.

"Yeah! Go on!" Rod said pushing Rue forward.

Klaus smiled at Rue and so did Mira. Rod was smirking at Rue and giving him a thumbs-up sign. Rue smiled back and ran to the stand where there was a floating emerald green jewel. Rue reached out for the jewel and closed his eyes.

Please let me win.

Rue opened his eyes and held the jewel in his hand. There was a sudden blast of blinding light as soon as Rue's hands touched the jewel. Everyone has to close their eyes to ward off the light that hurt their eyes. When they all opened their eyes, they found themselves at the docks. Someone went to Rue and took the jewel from his hands.

"Congratulations. You are the winner for the first round. Please board your boat to see if you are the winner for the second round. We will be going back to the kingdom for the third round," someone said to Rue.


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If you knew what I've been going through
Would you feel the same way too
Tell me now what more can I do to get to
Know you and open up your heart
Show me where to start
Coz I'm loving you more and more

"You did it Rue! One more round and Mint is definitely yours," Rod said.

"Good luck on the last round," Klaus said.

"Good luck. Don't let anyone beat you, ok?" Mira said.

"Thanks guys! I couldn't have gotten this far without you guys," Rue said.

"Mr. Rue? You're up," one of the guards said.

"Thank you. See you later guys," Rue said following the guard.

"We'll be up in the stands!" Rod exclaimed.

"We'll be cheering you on Rue," Mira said.

"Don't worry!" Klaus said.


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"Welcome to the final round of the contest. Here, the top ten winners of the first and second rounds will be competing against each other on a one-on-one competition. Remember that there will be no cheating and that any style of combat is allowed. Good luck to all the challengers," Mint's father said.

"The first round will be against Rue and Prince Warren of the Dipynd Kingdom," an announcer said and out walked Rue and some other guy.

Rue looked at the stands out of the corner of his eyes and saw a very shocked Mint. She was looking at him with a look that seemed to say 'what are you doing there?' Rue smiled and turned his attention to the royal in front of him.

"You're no noble. How did you possibly join?" Prince Warren asked cockily.

"I have skills," Rue said smiling.

"We'll see about that," Prince Warren said, his eyes gleaming.

"Sure," Rue said, his smile never faltering.


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More and more...
Now I know can't deny that I am falling
(Coz I love you) You should know
I'm lovin' you so
Wanna have you by me forever  (and ever)
Can I hold you, through my eyes let me tell you
I'm lovin' you more and more

"And the winner of the tournament is Mr. Rue," the announcer said as Rue shook hands with the last challenger who wasn't badly beaten up.

Rue looked up to the place where he saw Mint but was surprised when he didn't see Mint there.

"Please come up here Mr. Rue," Mint's father said.

One guard escorted Rue to where the king stood. Rue kept looking around for Mint but couldn't find her.

"Congratulations Mr. Rue," Mint's father said, shaking Rue's hand. "You have won all three rounds. You have proven yourself worthy of my daughter," Mint's father said.

Rue blushed and nodded at Mint's father.

"Thank you," Rue said bowing down.

"You're welcome. I'm sorry for underestimating you and your friends. All of you have proven your strength," Mint's father said.

"It is quite alright your majesty. I'll do anything for your daughter. I love her and I can't bear to lose her," Rue said smiling.

"One again, as cliché as it may sound, love conquers all," Mint's father said smiling.

Rue nodded at Mint's father.

"Mint! Please come up here!" Mint's father shouted.

Rue looked around and saw Mint proceeding to go up to where he was. Rue's smile grew.

"Good evening father, Rue," Mint said bowing in front of her father.

Rue looked at Mint and bowed in front of her.

"Good evening," Mint's father greeted.

"Good evening princess," Rue said bowing in front of Mint, his smile never wavering.

Mint refused to look at Rue and walked closer to her father.

"It was our deal that you marry whoever wins the contest," Mint's father said to Mint with a stern look on his face.

Mint nodded.

"The man in front of us is the one who won all the parts of the contest. He is the man that you have petitioned for me to accept for you to marry," Mint's father said.

Mint nodded again while Rue was staring at Mint.

"It is only proper that I do not break my promise," Mint's father said with a knowing smile.

Mint looked up confused at her father.

"I congratulate you and my daughter on your wedding," Mint's father said to Rue, shaking his hand.

Mint looked at Rue and looked back down.

"Congratulations Mint. I wish that you be happy. It would've been your mother's wish," Mint's father said smiling softly at Mint.

Mint looked up at her father with her eyes glazed over with unshed tears.


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(Can I know you) You should know
I'm lovin' you so
Wanna have you by me forever (and ever)
(Can I hold you) I wanna hold you
Through my eyes let me tell you

I'm loving you more and more...

"Rue! Why didn't you tell me that you were joining?" Mint asked Rue as soon as they were in Mint's room.

"I'm sorry. It's just that…" Rue started but was cut off.

"You got me worried when I learned somebody else had already won the first two rounds," Mint whispered, looking down at her feet.

"I'm really sorry. I just wanted to prove that I could do it without your help. I needed to prove to your father that I really love you," Rue said enveloping Mint in his arms.

"But why'd you have to keep it a secret?"?" Mint murmured against his chest.

"If I told you, you would've insisted that you help out. I didn't want you to help me. If I stopped you from joining the contest, you might suspect something. I'm really sorry," Rue said gently running his hand up and down Mint's back.

"But I was scared I'd lose you," Mint said, tears flowing from her eyes.

"I'm sorry but remember that I love you. I always will," Rue said, cupping Mint's chin in his hand, gently brushing her tears away.

"Don't you ever do that again, ok?" Mint said pouting.

"I won't," Rue said smiling, giving Mint a light feathery kiss on the lips.

"I love you," Mint said smiling.

"I know. I love you too," Rue said grinning.


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~owari~


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Tenshi: It's done! Chapter 4 is done! Tender Twist is done! Oh my gosh! I can't believe it! My first finished chaptered fic. I feel like an idiot. All right people! Please don't expect anything new from me yet. I've got to finish this whole thing about graduation first. It's darn tiring. After that, I'll probably work on my other story, "Threads of Fate" (yes, the title is sort of inspired by this game) in the Harry Potter section. So anyways, review! Flames are welcome but I guess I didn't need to say that, did I? Anyways, thanks! ^^


PS: Thanks to all those who reviewed my fic. You know who you are. I wouldn't have gotten this far without your reviews so please give yourselves a round of applause. Once again, thank you! I love you all! ^^