Disclaimer: I DO not own FY but hope to some day no da….

CHAPTER 13:

A LITTLE OF SAD PASTS.

Walking down the quite street he had found was empty at this time of the day, he decided to head back home, his new home that is. After a lot of thought about the past.

The thought that cheered him up despite his old memories was that he had new ones to make. He felt that there was some other reason as to why he was here. It was just a matter of time before he figured it out.

The other thing was that there was a new future in his hands. To lead a life as normal as he could live was here, with new friends, relationships and a new start. He felt new on the whole.

Changes, changes. Just why were there so many changes in him in that very little time that he spent here. He couldn't control what he was thinking, how he was acting or feeling. Something rushed into him every time he saw that particular brunette.

Thinking about this his mind drifted off to Arwen. There was definitely something different about her that kept bringing her back to his mind. He felt he knew her from somewhere else too. Somehow he knew their friendship would be a bumpy ride, but fun nonetheless. He couldn't figure out where it would end up.

There was a sort of new feeling towards her he hadn't felt about any other girl or anyone at all when he came into this world. A possessiveness and longing to be with her. He couldn't understand why?

I can't have become so close to her in a week. We've been fighting every time we ever met. I don't even like her 'that' much. Then why… he stopped short seeing her crossing the street to the other side carrying her books, smiling at the people who greeted her.

Then why do I feel so attracted to her? Hate to admit it… but she looks awesome there. He smiled as he watched her. He stood erect the next second though. She wasn't alone.

A tall guy with deep brown hair, gray eyes and glasses walked up behind her and suddenly put his arm around her shoulder making her jump.

The guy grinned rubbing his hand where he had just been whacked by her.

Who the hell is this guy? He had half a mind to go and stop her talking to him, as he was leaning towards her a lot and standing very close holding her hand all the time. She was being close to him as well. But what if he's her boyfriend? He brushed the thought away, no that can't be. She was angry with Hori for calling her his girl that day. No.

To add to his annoyance, another tall guy with black hair brown eyes walked up to these two talking. To his surprise Arwen very freely gave this guy a tight sweeping hug, which he generously returned.

What the hell is going on here? How many guys will she see at a time anyway? Is she mad? What about Hori? She can't let him off the hook like this. Wait a minute! Why the heck am I bothered about this? I'm outta here.

He turned around to walk away but then his hand was still clutching the scarf. To his surprise he was clutching it very tight, as if he wanted to hold onto it.

But… he turned around and looked at her again. Then he sighed, "maybe later." He was about to turn away when he heard a call.

"Tasuki!" Arwen was smiling at him, waving for him to come over, "C'mon 'ere man."
Sighing again he went across.

"Why didn't you see me when you were there?" she asked as if she were really annoyed.
He just shrugged. "What brings you here?" she asked,

"Oh that. Uh-" he took out the scarf and a beret from his coat pocket.
"We were sort of cleaning up and I found this. I thought this couldn't be anyone else's… so…I guess I'm here ta give it to ya."

She squealed at the sight of the scarf. "Tasuki thank you!" she thrust the books into the guy with the glasses making his gasp, and quickly tied the scarf around her neck and put the hat on. The things matched her get up that day, from the hat and scarf in blue to her denim dress. "How is it?" she smiled at him, he nodded. "Anya gave me that scarf as a gift. Dear lord I thought I lost it. Thanks."
The tall guy who gave her a hug cleared his throat.

"Oh. Tasuki I'd like you to meet two of my closest friends, of course you've seen them at college, this is Tory. And this is Julian fox." She nodded first to the brown-hair guy then the guy with her books as she took them back. They merely nodded in greeting, as did Tasuki.

A sudden icy draught made Arwen shiver in her short dress. As if in a roll Tasuki automatically took his coat off, without even knowing why he was being so nice.
"Here get into this, it'll keep you warm."
"Tasuki, no it's fine… I-"
"Shut up and get into it kid." He helped her into it. "I've gotten used to the cold."
She smiled at him gratefully. Julian was pretty sour about this gesture it seemed, but Tory was totally unruffled.

"Guys. I'll catch you at the court later okay? Bye. Come on Tasuki…' she wound her hand through his and began walking away after calling out to them "Bye guys."

Some how it seemed better when she was away from them, and with him alone. And again he didn't know why he felt this way. She seemed to have gotten closer to him since that morning. He smiled as she chattered away happily; he had grown used to it by now.

"Tasuki." She said as they settled down in their favorite private booth at Reeds.
"I like you. But we fight too much to remind me of that sometimes."

He smiled. "Well that's part of the deal I guess. Besides, my life is normal here. Just too normal… I should have some connections to the past. What better than that brawling. Ya help me out like that kid, thanks." He grinned seeing her cheeks color slightly.

"Funny, very funny. So you want to be friends just to fight all the time huh? How mean!" she stuck out her tongue.
Settling down for more talk they had a snack.

Suddenly she spoke up breaking his thoughts, "Tasuki… you have a wonderful voice."
"Uh-" he blinked totally confused as to how to react. "Thanks. I guess."
"You should sing you know. There are a lot of opportunities at school. You could start there and maybe form your own band later."
"You know now I think you're just crazy." He nodded amused.
"No Tasuki. I'm serious. Why you sang that song setsunakutemo… metcha hajji…I loved it." He was shocked. How in the name of Mt. Reikaku did she know all this?

"Tasuki." She said again. "Why didn't you tell Miaka about your feelings."
"What!" he was astounded. "What are you saying Arwen!"
"Why didn't you tell her till now that you had feelings for her?"
"Look. That is…" he sighed as he thought about it. "I never really had feelings for her okay! And besides, she loves Taka and he loves her. What more is there to say?" he closed his eyes as he became sad. Getting reminded of the past wasn't exactly what he had planned, not by her at any cost…

"To have loved and lost is better than to have never loved at all, you should have told her so."
"Look it really doesn't matter now. There was nothing in the first place." He said flatly.

"I'm sorry. I know it's personal and I can see why you're holding back. It hurts to lose that feeling from your heart. It hurts to lose that love; no one can know it better than me. I understand completely." She sounded sad; when he looked up… she was sad. Her face was flushing red, her eyes were slightly watery. Some how it hurt him. Why is she taking it so seriously?

"It's really okay Arwen. No problems. There's nothing to hold back. I've moved on." He got up and sat beside her handing her tissues. "I'm over it. But are you okay?" She nodded but her nose had become really pink.

You have a past huh. He thought as she sat there silently besides him, staring at her French fries.
"Tasuki." He snapped out of the chain of his thoughts when he heard his name.
"Yeah?"

"Thanks." He suddenly got glomped throwing both of them into the back of the seat.
"I understand kid. Stop choking me!" he laughed out, but he loved what was happening now.
She's so soft to hold, like…

She giggled as she came away. "Sorry Tasuki. I got too carried away."
"No problem. Just don't kill me next time okay?" he flicked her bangs slightly but she seemed surprised.
He doesn't mind being hugged by me? Next time don't kill me? He didn't go near females there for heaven's sake. Is he really that comfortable with me? Or is it the change I've noticed in him since he came here?
"Well kid. Ya ok now?" she nodded.

"Look I don't want to talk about the past here after okay. I have a new life here. I want to live that peacefully."
"I guess you can't use your Tessen here that much huh? What will you do about that Tasuki?"
"I guess that is a sacrifice I have to make. Maybe I could use it on you." He grinned.
"Tasuki." She grinned as well.
"No really. I know, it is disappointing to keep it locked up… it's a price I'm willing to pay. This is a new world… I want to explore. But I really have a feeling that I will get to use it at least once here."
"You have changed since you came here Tasuki. Did you realize that yourself?" he nodded.

"I'm trying to bring myself back. But…"
"Don't, I like you too much like this. But I lo- uh nothing. Just stay like this in this world this way. It's more suited."

"You lo-? What. Tell me."
"I loved the way you lived life. Free of obligations other than seishi duties. I would have done well on Reikaku. I would have liked to have stayed there with you and watch you all life long."

This stumped him out of words completely. What is she saying? Does she like me? Watch me all life long… a girl at Reikaku. The guys would have gone crazy with a beauty like this one. But it's not like Kouji or I would allow it.

"Well Tasuki… I'm looking forward to fighting with you tomorrow as you wanted." She smiled a beautiful smile, which he fell in love with.
He smiled in return. "You have a nice smile. Smile a lot when yer with me will you?" this made her smile even more, but both of them jumped at the sound of the alarm at her watch.

"Oh damn it! I'm late!" she got up in a hurry. He laughed at this.
"What's so funny?"

"DO you always do this to friends?"
"What?"
"Have coffee with them first then run out on them in the middle saying oh damn it."
"What can I say, I've a busy life fang boy." She grinned and left very quickly. But he realized.
"Arwen wait!"
"Look fang boy." She looked at him walking out backwards. " I like your fangs. But I gotta run now."

He turned red at the compliment but he sighed, "My coat." He muttered to himself as he turned around and walked the other way to his new apartment.

"Where is this girl?" Hori looked out the window at the computer room in College.

"Maybe she forgot. Why don't I go home? She'll probably be too absorbed in our project on her computer," he walked out and made his way to Arwen's apartment.

To his surprise and disappointment Anya opened the door. But then he realized it wasn't disappointment. It was happiness that he felt when ever he saw her.

"Mr. Hori."
"Hi. Can I come in?"
"Of course."
"I was looking for Ari, is she here?"
"Oh Mr. Hori." She sounded agitated and worried, "I was hoping she would be with you. She was supposed to be with me an hour ago."

"No. She didn't turn up at College either. I've been waiting two hours for her." He tensed at once. "Maybe I should go an look for her."
"No Mr. Hori. She's a big girl. I think she can handle herself."
"I know but-"
"Mr. Hori, she isn't a kid. She's pretty popular around here it seems. Maybe she's with one of her numerous friends? We should wait a while before drawing to conclusions."

"You're right. It's just that… that girl gets me so worried about her sometimes. This isn't the first time. Last time she was supposed to meet me at home and she was with the Itoses for two hours."

Anya smiled but she was a little sad at the same time. "She's a nice girl she tends to get carried away."
He's really her boyfriend is it? Oh well…

"Anya. If you don't mind me asking." Hori spoke up hesitantly.
"Yes Mr. Hori?"
"Well, that coffee you made that day…could I have one now if that's not too much trouble."

"Of course. But I thought the Japanese and Chinese usually preferred tea of all sorts. I myself have been fascinated by the tea you drink."
"Oh really. That's great. Maybe you could come home. I'll make you some too. As for the coffee. This is new. And very good." He smiled. "Also…could you show me how you do it?" she nodded and led the way to the kitchen.

"The taste doesn't vary from all other coffees. The same as milk and sugar to your coffee. It's just." She poured some milk into a pan and put it on the fire. "Let it boil till it's bubbling. Then your coffee is made the same way. You see…the difference is…the tumblers."

"The tu- what?"
"Cups. Stainless steel cups you see here." She held out the tall narrow cup with bent rim to sip out of.
"This is the specialty. In India these are the cups we normally use and to drink out of the cup gives it the taste." She smiled. "You had it in a similar cup that day too," Hori nodded.
"Well now that the milk is done. Pour ¾ into the cup. Add coffee and sugar stir…and heat it again if you want." She poured it back into the pan to heat it again, "That's it, that's how it's done" she gestured to the pan but winced at once waving her hand. Hori tensed.

"What happened?"
She grinned with a painful expression. "I think I burnt my finger just a bit."

"What! Anya! Be careful." He pulled her to the sink at once to rinse her hand, "Where's the first aid kit, Oh damn, it's blistering, can't you be more careful." She just stared at him astounded as he tended to her hand.

Hori, apart from being tense was enjoying the softness of her hand and the closeness to her as he sat beside her.
"Please Anya. Take more care next time." He smiled up at her. She smiled in return. "Thank you Mr. Hori."
"Look could you please just call me Hori or Hotohori. I'd like that very much. We are friends are we not?"

"I'm honored that you think so of me. But…I'm afraid I cannot do as you ask of me."
"How come you call Arwen Ari?"
"She's more like my sister." He froze at once. "Oh-"
"I'll just go bring the coffee Mr. Hori." She stood up.

"No let me. It's the least I could do," he sat her down and went back into the kitchen.
"Thank you Mr. Hori," she smiled as he handed her her cup and settled down with his own coffee.
"So… Mr. Hori, Valentine's Day is coming soon, have anyone special yet?" the last question made him spill half his coffee on himself. "Excuse me?"

"Oh so sorry Mr. Hori. It was personal. I shouldn't have asked you that. Oh look at what I made you do." She got up at once and pulled him up. While turning to get the tissues her hair brushed his cheek accidentally. He drew in a sharp breathe at this; it was soft and smelt of sakuras.

He was in his own world staring into her face as she tried to clean his shirt up.
"Mr. Hori." She waved her hand in front of his face and he snapped out of it. "Are you okay?" she laughed.

"What?" he was in another daze as he stood there catching her hand. Soft.
"Mr. Hori. Are you okay?" she tugged at her hand in his. And he let go, "Oh yes fine."
"Sit down won't you." She smiled. Absentmindedly he sat.
"Mr. Hori! Don't sit on that bean bag!" she caught his hand to pull him up just as the bean bag gave way under him making her fall on him at the same time.

Hori was breathless. Getting off hastily she pulled both of them out of the chair.
Sitting on a normal chair after checking its safety he looked at her. "What is wrong with that chair?"
"It uh sort of needs to be refilled." She grinned over her glasses, and both of them broke out laughing when the door banged open and Arwen stormed in.

Seeing she was charging at him, he backed into the couch as she towered over him.
"I! Have! Been! Waitingforyouforthepasthour!" she said dangerously, "then I realize I'm supposed to meet the guys at Ball which I already missed. Then I'm supposed to be studying with Anya! And I find you laughing here!"
"Hey! I swear I came here looking for you. I was waiting for you too." He said defensively.

"Really Ari, he's telling you the truth. He wanted to go looking for you, but I told him you could handle yourself just fine."
"Oh." She dropped her books on the table and plumped into the beanbag surprising Hori.
"How come you didn't fall through?" Arwen burst out laughing, "Oh I should have been here to see that,"

"That's really not that funny you know. It's more scary."
"Scary! My! I thought things like this would be funny to the emperor of-" she stopped short seeing him nod hastily towards Anya, then she corrected herself. "Well I thought it'd be child's play to you. You are very talented at kendo and things like that. Well I didn't fall through since it's my chair and I know how to sit in it."

Anya smiled. "I'll bring you coffee dear." She left.
"So where've you been off to in the missing period."
"Well…" she began to blush a little. But he interrupted her. "Hey isn't that Tasuki's coat?"

"Uh- yeah." She got up and took it off marveling at its finest make and material holding it fondly. "Yeah it is."
"You've been with Tasuki for the second time today? How long have you been together?"
"Not too long I guess. Just an hour and a half this time."
"And last time?" he asked totally surprised.

"Well last time… three hours or more I guess. He gave me a treat."
"What for?"
"Just like that." She shrugged turning even redder as she folded his coat and held it affectionately again. "I should give it to him tomorrow."
"Let me take it over for you to-" "I can do it on my own thanks."
"Boy. Some one seems to be getting close to someone." He grinned.
"Really? Whom?"

"You and the bandit boy of course."
"Oh shut up Hori." She scowled a little making him laugh even more. "Fang boy and I are just friends."
"Who're just friends. Tasuki and you. Well yes. That's why he dropped you off today." Anya smiled as she came back with the coffee.

"Drop you off just being friends huh?" Hori grinned with his eyebrow raised,"Well yes. And there's nothing more to it." She said flatly.
That's not what I was hoping Arwen. I want more than that. He thought as he walked across the street to his apartment that night.

People…. That's another one out of the way…. If your wondering why things are strange and out of place, we'll they're meant to be, believe me…. I'm strange and out of place. I know you guys are out there… Please read and review… just a few words would do…
And Francesca, thanks a bunch.
Thanks… Au revior