CHAPTER: 3

SURPRISE DEAR FRIEND.

Arwen froze when she heard a voice addressing her.

She had fallen to the floor shocked out of her senses to find out that the Hotohori was right here and he was one of her closest friends.

She grinned embarrassed as she hastily collected the books she was holding and straightened up.

"Nuriko. Hi." She stammered.

"Aren't you the girl from College? What're you doing here?" Nuriko asked surprised.

"Well… um… I was looking for Hori and I think I've got the wrong address. Well I'll be seeing you then." She turned away hastily and started to leave. When Nuriko muttered, "Hori?"

She froze as she heard another voice, and a hand catching her by the elbow, "Arwen. Hi."

She was spun around on her feet to meet the mesmerizing golden orb like eyes of Hotohori.

"Hori. Hi." She said half groaning half nervous.

"Hori?" Nuriko repeated doubtfully as she eyed him holding onto her.

"What're you doing here?" he stepped out of the apartment.

"Well I – came to see you. But you have company so I'll come by later, Bye." She tried to walk out of his grip but he wouldn't let go

"Nonsense. They're just friends. They were just leaving, why don't I introduce them to you."

"It's really okay- " she began.

"No come. But first." He stooped over bending his 6-foot body to reach her 5foot 4-inch high figure so he could wrap his arms around her and give her a warm hug.

"You look beautiful today. I love it." He smiled warmly before ushering her inside.

Nuriko's Jaw dropped at this gesture but she shut the door and followed them in.

He stood her in front of the whole gang as she looked around at them nervously.

He smiled as he put his arm protectively around her shoulder, earning raised eyebrows from everyone in the room.

"Guys. This is Nadya Arwen Matthews my lab and Physics partner. You know… she's in our class. She sits beside me." They nodded just as shocked at Nuriko was, at hearing him speak of her so warmly.

"Arwen, this is my gang, come on guys. Be nice." They snapped out of it and got up to shake hands. They were all introduced and she smiled a little more comfortably having him hold her warmly all the while.

She already liked Taka with his Black hair and purple eyes, Chichiri with his peacock bangs. She had to fight the temptation to ruffle it. Seeing this he grinned running his hand through his hair.

"She your girlfriend too Hori?" Nuriko smirked as she walked to the door.

Both of them turned red at this. "I told you guys." He glared at her; "I have to work on a Physics project now. Isn't there someone else you could bug before I lose my temper?"

"Oh! Yes. Of course." She added hastily. "Well have a great um dat- uh- "Physics Project" Hori." She grinned and left after giving Arwen a nod.

The others took their leave and Hori closed the door behind them.

She dropped her books and bag onto he couch and plumped down on it as he walked back smiling at her.

He was still very pink. "Don't mind them. They're crazy."

"I like them. A lot. Especially Taka." She grinned at him as he sat close beside her.

"Well what brings you here? Want something to drink?"

"Well. No. I came here about the project and…" her voice trailed off.

"And…" he gestured on, absentmindedly moving the bangs away from her eyes.

She turned to him and looked at him determinedly. "Hori." She said, "I'm sorry. But I overheard everything you were talking about."

"What?" he got up on his feet.

"Are you really the Hotohori of Konan? The Heika?" she got up.

He was totally shocked as to how to react. He merely nodded but he stooped over at once and pulled her upright as she began to bow to him.

"Arwen! What the hell are you doing?" he exclaimed.

"Bowing. I have to pay my respects to you your grace." She bowed her head looking down.

"Listen." He gently lifted her face up with a finger under her chin. "Please. I'd like to be normal here. I want friends. Not more subjects. I've had enough of that life. Please Arwen, if you respect me at all."

He said it with so much sadness and meaning that she could see it in his golden globe like eyes which she stared into totally mesmerized. She nodded.

He let go of his hand at her shoulder and stepped back.

"So you know." She nodded again.

"Then you should know that the people who were here were-" he began as he sat down, holding his head in his hands.

"The Suzaku Seishi and the Suzaku no miko." She finished as she sat down and put her arm around his shoulder soothingly. He looked up surprised.

"How do you-"

She shrugged, "Everyone knows."

"WHAT!" he exclaimed.

"As a Myth that is. I did my research from the library."

He sighed. "So you heard."

"Hey wasn't someone missing? The orange headed obnoxious one."

"Tasuki."

"Yeah him."

"We were talking about him." He replied confused.

"Oh right. That's a shitty reason to keep someone trapped in a ruddy old book."

"I know. That's what I keep saying to- hey! What do you mean shitty reason."

"So what if he hasn't found true love, a soul mate? He is a soul on his own and that's reason enough to be alive and human." She shrugged again casually. "You know I don't like this girlfriend boy friend thing. Too much effort. Waste of time and duh! Guys for boy friends! Who needs em?"

Hori as she called him smiled at his friend. She was a mixture of everything. He liked her for all of this. She reminded him of Tasuki when she was just as obnoxious at times.

For a few seconds he was doubtful if Tasuki hadn't reincarnated as his friend sitting by his side. They were so alike in a lot of ways. But he brushed the thought aside quickly as it gave him the creeps.

"Suzaku the two of you!" he nodded his head amused.

"Oh the Red Chicken."

" Oh come off it! He's a Phoenix."

"Okay a red Chicken that burns to ashes and comes to life from it every 500 years. Big deal. Pluck it an' I'm sure it'll look the same." She giggled at his annoyed look.

"Forget it." He gave up seeing no point in arguing further.

"So what are you gonna do about bringing him here. There are rules as to who can pass through the book you know."

"No we- Hey! Again!"

"What?"

"How do you know so much about it even if it is a Myth?"

"I just do, well… I guess you can figure it out on your own. I must be going now. See ya," she got up in a hurry and left after picking up her things.

"See you." He called after her. He felt he had just been hit by a cyclone.

"Oh by the way. I'll tell you some ideas to help out later. Bye." Her head popped back in for a second smiled at him and then disappeared.

"Idea?"

There! Another update! And you know what to do! - Read and review! Thank you.