Disclaimer: I do not even clam to dream of owning FY or any of the characters in it. It belonging all, Yuu watase to yaar (Howz Chennai slang for you?) yes, yes, true, Shakira's hips don't lie, and my lips don't lie ( not most of the time anyway. ( shrugs))

A/N: hints of what might just happen might be found below ( of course yaar, it's a story? Like duh) anyways, there was a lot to do with India, or what I like about India in the last chapter, a tiny bit in this chapter… and maybe later too… so let me know if you want it too… have hols but been busy, so sorry for the delay, will also be busy for next few weeks or month, cause I have an exam, a very important exam coming up, so sorry for the delays in advance. Domo.

CHAPTER23:

More feelings for you.

Walking away from the gang Tasuki sighed taking in the fresh air in the countryside.

"Darn it. I haven't been myself since I came here. I don't even like this ya know. How come I'm allowing Arwen to literally live on me? Why am I acting like I've been familiar with her for ages. Hell I'm not her guardian or protector. No. Then why do I feel so protective of her? There's no way I'm falling for a girl. Never in my life will that girl turn out to be Arwen. No. What the hell have you changed me like this for Suzaku? For heaven's sake! I'm not even that obnoxious any more! Where the hell is my sense of humor in this world huh? Why are you giving me feelings like this about her? I hope this is not some sick joke that yer really proving to the world that yeh are the god of love!" When he walked back to the gang after a really long time he noticed that Rahul and Arwen were missing.

Meanwhile.
He pulled her back as the gang walked ahead still looking around.
"Rahul what is the matter with you? We should be with the other's."

"They're not babies. They can take care of themselves. Listen, we haven't had a private moment to ourselves since we met. I want to talk to you."
"So speak up." she smiled at him pleasantly.

"Anyone special in your life I should know about? Like that Tasuki fellow maybe?"
"What're you talking about? Tasuki and me? No way!" she laughed amused.
"Why not? If not what was the whole blowing his eye thing and whispering?"
"I would have done that to help you too you know." She nodded simply but then she suddenly stopped and pulled him into a room.

'There maybe something I have to tell you that I haven't even told Chris." She pulled herself into an embrace he had to give into.

"What!" Rahul exclaimed utterly shocked when she finished telling him her sad story. Everything she wanted to let out about Yue to him she had told and he was almost at the verge of blowing up with rage, the thing that held him back and made him as gentle as he was were her tears. Her sad tears.

"You didn't tell your own family about this?" he asked still in a state of shock as he held onto her. She nodded into his shoulder sadly as he bent down.

"It's a mistake Rahul! I should have died with him! He left me alone here! For what! There's no more meaning to life for me!" she cried in a new outburst.

"You fool! Shut up! You dare talk like this again I will tell Uncle about it immediately." He almost growled outraged again but then he calmed down as quickly as his anger rose.

"Nadi you shouldn't be talking like this, you have all of us to live for. You have your family, your friends why even me to live for. These many years of love and family can't become meaningless just because of a year with one guy who loved you. All of us love you so much. Look here, you're lucky to get friends as this at all. All of them seem to adore you and hold you and each other dear to their own hearts in a unique way. That's reason to live." He wiped her tears away tenderly.

"Look. I know you cannot love anyone like this guy. And if I could marry you for who you are at this very instant,' he smiled, 'I would. But you apparently love him dearer than life if you would die for him. So I won't and if no one will marry you for whom you are I will, cause I will be able to laugh at the fools who missed out on a wonderful life with such a wonderful wife. Ok? Please, don't think things like this. It makes me sad. And it hurts me. Be happy if you want me to be happy. Promise me."

She nodded slowly still holding onto the tall comfort giver even more.
"I know that you might just be in the eye of the heart for some people around here. So be happy."

She looked up surprised. "Who?"
"I'm not telling you, but it will come out on it's own. You wait. Now we should be getting back to the gang. Come." He wiped off her tears and giving her one final bear hug he walked her back to the gang.

All of them seemed to be tense and worried.
"Hello people." Rahul waved his left hand as he held her to his shoulder with his right.
Immediately they were bombarded by a row of angry worried questions.
She looked up at him pleadingly but wondering at the same time how in the world he would manage all this.

They stopped with the questions though, when Anya stepped closer and looked deep into Arwen's eyes and asked simply, "Tell me the truth dear. Have you been crying?"

Looking more intently they found that this was indeed true.
"Arwen what happened?"
"You see she has a sort of a physical problem. She became weak and she started to shiver because of that. She needs her pills. This time the attack was a little painful. But I guess she's fine." Rahul spoke up before she could answer and all she could do was gape at how he told them exactly the truth but kept his promise on not telling them the truth about the condition of weakness because of her accident with Yue.

"Is this true?" Hori seemed as worried as rest in the room. She nodded absentmindedly.

Looking around though she felt guilty as Tasuki gave her a look of utter disappointment and utmost hurt. It was almost as if he were asking her "why didn't you tell me this before and why did he have to be the one to help you and not me?"

"We should get moving soon. This much will do for today. Come on guys."
Giving Tasuki an honestly apologetic look, she let herself be shepherded by Rahul.
"Do you mind if I helped her there?" she heard Tasuki's voice. In an instant she was being supported on his strong shoulder. Feeling completely at home she let herself be led there by him happily.

What came next was a shock.
"Why did you do it?" she looked up shocked at the disappointment in his low whisper.
'I didn't think I needed to Tasuki. Honest."
"Do…uh - you thought that it wasn't worthy enough of me to know things like this about you?"

"Tasuki no! Never anything like that!"
"Then why? You think it's fun… if you wound up having a fit and letting me think alone in a situation where you're suffering so much do ya? I wouldn't have known what to do. You think I want to see you like that." He sounded angrier now.

"Tasuki no. Nothing like that, I swear."
"Then why Arwen? Why do you do this when I care so much for you?"
"Tasuki…I'm sorry. I should have told you. I … didn't tell you or anyone because… this problem didn't come up and hasn't come up in the past year…I though it stopped. Please. Believe me."

"Is there anything else I need to know?"
"I have some thing to tell-" she stopped herself though. "Uh. Nothing."
"Are you sure Arwen? There isn't anything in the past I need to know about you?" this time his voice was as gentle as it could get. She could tell even without having to look up at his face.

"No Tasuki. You know it all. That's all there is to it." She said before climbing into the back of her SUV.

That night though the girls went to bed early and the guys did the same only a little later having discussed a few things regarding safety issues and Arwen's condition.

"Sure about that guys? One can bunk easily on the bed in my room." Tasuki asked before he walked out.
"No. But…" Hori got up and took him out separately.
"What happened Tasuki? Did she tell you anything?"
"Anything about what?" Tasuki was totally confused.
"About her condition. That's what. You were talking to her alone. What is it really about?"

"Nothing. She's genuinely sick like that. She has a weakness problem. The stress here got to her with the climate and it started suddenly after about two years. That's what she told me. Nothing to worry about. If she takes her pills she's fine." He shrugged.
"You seemed even more worried than that."

"Well. It was shocking. Nothing more I assure you. You wanted to ask me something else?"
"Nope. Good night. See you early."

Tasuki nodded and went to his room. Looking around he smiled at the huge soft queen size bed all with the fluffiest pillows. "Ah! This is life. The whole place to myself." He plopped backward into the soft bed…

Later that night, he turned around, away from someone shaking his hand.
"Get lost." He said to his dream but then something compelled him to open his eyes. That hand felt very real.

"AAAHHH!"

"Ssshhh! Tasuki keep your voice down. It's just me." a soft voice said before the floating white bedspread came down to reveal Arwen's face.
"What the hell is the matter with ya!"
"Ssshhh!" she clamped his mouth shut and pinned him down to his pillow.
'I said shut up!" she hissed urgently. "Can you do that for me please?"

He nodded more surprised that she should come to his room in the middle of the night, without wanting anyone to notice.
She took her hand off and pulled off the sheet she had used to cover herself as he sat up slowly. "What're you doing here scaring me like that?"

"I scared you Tasuki?" she grinned amused.
"Uh- not exactly scared me. Something like spooked me out. I was planning on how to practically chop your head off. You should be more careful."

"I'll try to remember that the next time." She laughed that addictive sweet laugh that he loved.
"What're you doing here Ari-Chan?" He asked gently.
"Tasuki. I need to talk to you. Can I?"
"You are aren't you ya little Baka?"
"No I mean really talk to you."

"What about?" he moved over and pulled away the comforter to make space for her.
She sat down and hugged her knees staring into space. He just watched her for sometime but then got a little anxious.
"You wanted to talk."

"Tasuki…that problem with my shivering…"
"What about it?"
"It's really painful sometimes. And I shiver and shake like it's nobody's business. It's a condition from mental trauma and physical weakness from an accident I had a few years ago." She explained trying her level best not to look at him.

"And…'
"Well I just wanted you to know it that's all. It comes when I'm mentally stressed out to the max and weak. Some vita pills and a specific tablet can stop it. Which I carry with me all the time."

"Well that's good. But Ari…were you weak today?"
"No."
"So you were mentally stressed out. Why didn't you tell me anything? What stressed you out so much?"
"I Dunno… I guess…." They talked the whole night away.

"Tasuki!" he heard banging on the door, and then woke up with a start.
"Why is your door locked?" He heard Hori's voice.
"Heck! wait a minute already I'll-" he stopped abruptly and almost fell off the bed seeing first hand the situation he was in .

"Arwen!" he hissed. She was asleep on the bed in his covers while he slept on top of the covers, with her soft head using his arm as a pillow.

Slowly she woke up and smiled at him. The next moment she screamed horrified but the scream was muffled out by Tasuki's hand, as he had seen this coming.
"Ssshhh!"

"Tasuki! What am I doing here? Don't tell me! Oh Tasuki I hop-" she began to panic.
"Keep quiet Arwen. Nothing happened between us, we talked and you fell asleep hugging me. I didn't do anything to you so don't worry. I wouldn't take advantage of you like that."

"Tasuki-"
"Tasuki! Are you up yet! What's taking you so long?" They heard Hori's voice again.
"Oh yeah just a minute." He called out.
"He can't see us like this!"
"But nothing happened-"
"No Tasuki! We know that. He doesn't."

"Okay! Quick. Hide under there. Pull up the quilt." He got into the sheets himself.
"But-"
"Shut up." he pushed her under there. Then he propped himself on his elbows and pulled the quilt up to his shoulder.
"Uh Hori. Just push above the handle. It'll open,"

He did so and the door opened. "Tasuki aren't you coming?"
"Yeah…" he put on a fake yawn. "I think I'll sleep in a little late today." He yawned again
"Okay. But have you seen Arwen around? She seems to have disappeared since last night it seems. Anya was very worried."

Arwen moved under the cover and Tasuki hastily kept her down to the bed with his hand.
"Uh. No."
"Aren't you gonna help? You're always the one who worries about her the most. Come on help us find her."
"I'm not too worried." He said lightly. Not when she's right here so close to me he thought amused.
"You're not worried about that girl? Wow. Thinking about dating someone else now are you?" Hori teased to his alarm.

"Maybe I am- Oooooooo!" he muffled swears with his hand.
"What happened?"
"I think I hit the foot board hard with my leg that's all. " he looked under and hastily hissed.

"Stop punching me you dim wit! You'll be found."
"Seriously Tasuki. I'm surprised you're not worried about your best friend." At this Arwen froze with struggle with his hand.

"Well. I'm sure she's fine. She can take care of herself I'm sure. She's probably in the safest place she can find I'm sure."
"How come you're so sure?"
"Just a hunch. Now dude. I wanna sleep. I slept in late I wanna get some good peaceful shut eye."
"What were you doing up late Tasuki? You went to bed earlier than all of us."
"TV! Big mistake. Now be off emperor." He pulled the cover over his head and went back to sleep.
"See you later."

"Tasuki! Why didn't you tell me? That's so sweet!"
"Stop moving!" Tasuki hissed clamping Arwen's mouth.
"Did you say something Tasuki?" they heard the door open again.
"No. I was talking to myself. No biggie."

Once they heard the door shut again both of them sat up pushing away the quilt.

"Why the hell did you punch me?" he said sorely massaging his hand.
"We're not dating!"
"I know that! Who the hell would want to date some punching machine like you! Ow! This hurts!"

"I'm that Un- dateable is it?"
"I Dunno. Maybe the others dig you! But I sure as hell wouldn't wanna date you! Ow!"
"Then why don't you date someone else Mr. Wise ass!"

"I don't have time fer all that nonsense. I'm having a bad enough time putting up with you and keeping your neck outta trouble."
"I don't need you to look out for me all the time." She snapped at him angrily. "I can take care of myself fine thanks. I'm not a baby!"

"Really? You don't say. Looks like it ta me. If you were so capable why didn't you take care of those thugs yourself instead of running away from them? Why the hell then are you in my room now and why did you sneak up here if you didn't need me?"

"I don't need you Tasuki! I don't! I can carry on perfectly fine without you! I didn't run away from them because I was scared I-" she stopped realizing what she almost let slip.

Damn it! Didn't work out! You almost let it out Nadi!
"Look! I don't need you! I didn't sneak up here because I needed you! You were the one who was all worried about me. That's why I wanted to tell you about my problem. FYI I have so many things in my life you haven't even started to tread upon. Hey! If you weren't the one to worry about me? Why the hell did you stay over that night? Why did you tell me you loved me on Valentine's night? And why the hell were you holding onto me like I was your girlfriend? And Mr.! Why the hell did Hori call me your best friend?"

"That's because you are Arwen." He said quietly.

This shut her up at once. Her anger ebbed away as soon as it had risen. "What?"

"You are one of my best friends Arwen,"
"Tasuki-"

"I didn't realize I was doing all those things. I stayed over cause I felt you would want me to keep you safe. I told you I love you, yes, but I have no idea why I did. I meant it as a friend I wouldn't want to lose you, and I wasn't holding you like that because I thought of you as my girlfriend…you are my girlfriend. A very good friend, but you were the one holding onto me like I was someone you wanted to remember. And if there are things in your life I haven't even treaded up on. That's fine. It's up to you to tell me or not as long as you know you can talk to me."

"Tasuki-" she sat there so still with her lips trembling and eyes starting to water.
"Look don't get all girly on me for this." He began to panic seeing tears on his brave friends face.
"Tasuki- I-I- don't know what to say."

"Don't say anything. Don't spoil the moment. Get out of my room and let me sleep." He fell back into his pillow and pulled the quilt over his head again.
Though under it, he breathed out relieved. "Phew! That was close. I almost let it out that I like you so much that I'm going crazy! Man!"

"Tasuki-" he felt a hand on his over the cover,
"Look if you really don't need me. That's fine. I won't interfere in your life anymore. Satisfied? Now just leave me will you. I really need to sleep."

He felt the weight on the left side of the bed lighten and then soft foot steps to the door, next a door opening and closing shut.

Pulling off the comforter he sighed. "What the hell is going on inside me!"

"Tasuki. Tasuki wake up."
There's that hand again. No way it's come to the level of me having dreams about her! No way! Then another thought hit him.

Almost all the times that I have felt her hand, she's really been there in front of me.
His eyes shot open. He was right, she was there. And she was trying to wake him up.
She gave him a sad smile and straightened up. "Good morning."
He merely sat up and stretched, "Uh- do you want to go to the fest today?"
"Yup."

"Then uh-" she hesitated. She seemed reluctant to even talk to him anymore. He felt sad about this. The way she seemed nervous to talk to him was hurting him. This was unusual for his usually candid friend.

"Then Uh what?"
"Why don't you get ready and come down for breakfast." She began to leave.
"Uh Ari-Chan." She froze. "Where're the others?"
"They're at the fest. They left two hours ago."
"What're you still doing here?"

"I came back to pick you up if you wanted to go. Rahul offered to come but, I thought that he should have fun with the gang and not miss out anything." She still seemed somewhat reluctant to talk to him.

"Ari-Chan. Come here." He said quietly, and as if she had been given a command she turned around and walked to him slowly.
"Why're you doing this? Why're you so nervous around me? It's just me." she still didn't look up or answer.
"Answer me please." With a gentle finger under her chin he made her look up at him.
"Is it because I said I won't interfere in your life anymore?" she nodded sadly.

"I said I wouldn't interfere. I didn't say I'd stop being friends with you. You'll still be one of my best friends…only from now I'll let you do things the way you want to with stopping you. And that doesn't mean that you should be so nervous talking to me or not talk to me. Get me?"

"How can you be my best friend and not have anything to do with my life? I've never seen anything like that." He didn't reply. At least she wasn't as nervous any more.

"I like it that you are there in my life Tasuki. Frankly, I'm glad you are and I am happy that you are in my life. I'd still like you to be a good part of it. Please. Don't say that you won't interfere. It won't be the same."

"But then I thought you didn't need me."
"I do. I just realized it."
"Admit it then." He grinned making her smile.
"You are a boy aren't you? Fine. I need you to be there in my life to look out for me."

"There ya go. That's more like it."
"Tasuki. Now I need to ask you something. Will you give it to me?"
"What?" he asked doubtfully.

"A hug. Hold me like you held me that day. Like I was your girlfriend."
"Not a chance in this world."
"Tasuki. I know this sounds mushy and I hate saying it too. Being all girly as yucky as it is… I want to know what it would be like to be your girlfriend. What it would it be like to be her… in your arms and have your love. Because I know once she comes…we won't be the same."

He couldn't say anything to object. The thought scared him. She was right. If at all he found someone…she wouldn't be able to be with him like this.
"Why do you say such depressing things?" he asked as he held her like he had that night.
"It's the truth Tasuki. And you know it."

At that minute he made up his mind that nothing like that would happen between them. He wouldn't let that happen. If that meant staying alone…so be it. Or at least till she found someone.

But who knows Arwen…it might just end up like neither of us expect. It might even be you and me.

There's another.
This is slow progress and it's irritating even me a bit, but we'll get to the point soon enough, no worries. Hope ya'll like it so far… come on yaar, recommendation is the key, and then you'll see for yourself, how sweet I can be. So eeee…. ( flashes a perfect 10 smile)

Kristall, He-yan. Domo arigato gozaimasu.
Ja mata