Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters that star in FY or LOTR...and from LOTR have merely borrowed names O;;

CHAPTER 27:

I LOVE YOU?

Standing there still looking at the moon, they were silent for sometime.

Then she suddenly felt something. A gentle finger brushing lightly against her own. The next thing was so sweet she wanted to laugh. She felt her index finger in a loop with the finger of the person standing next to her.

That's so sweet Tasuki! Not even Yue has done that, oh god that girl is so lucky!

This struck a chord with her though.
Leaning into her tall human leaning post, she enjoyed looking at the moon. That's when she dared speak.

If you were in love with someone else, you wouldn't even dream of kissing me. Not even to protect me. Not only that. You wouldn't allow me to be alone with you in your room, let alone fall asleep in your arms and be so close with me on your bed. Not only that…would he really be cheating on the girl he wanted…-being inexplicably close to her if he didn't think of her in another way, not just a friend…but do I have feelings for-

"Tasuki. It may sound a little crazy of me to ask you this… but then…I need to know. If you loved someone else. Why on earth would you be so uncomfortably close to me in your room and even kiss me TWICE even if it was to protect me?"

Before he could really answer they felt they had just been trapped in a tornado as something about three feet high circled their legs. Then they heard giggling as another small ball of energy like the first one joined the circle to chase the first.

"I GETchu! I getchu now icky!"
"What the hell is this?" Tasuki looked down at the two jets of color reaching only as high as his knee running about them.
Arwen laughed sweetly. "I know what this is." She suddenly stooped down and let out her hands, swooping one little bundle of fabric in her arms.

That's when he realized it was a kid. The other was holding onto his knee blinking up at him with big brown sparkly eyes, breathlessly.

The little girl in Arwen's arms giggled and laughed squeaking even more as Arwen tickled her.
"What's your name chellam?" she smiled sweetly as the little girl squeaked gleefully.
She was a really pretty little girl, in a small flowing outfit like Arwen's. She had such rosy skin, it was almost unnatural.

"Pinky." She smiled sweetly as she slowly stroked Arwen's cheek.
"Pinky no talk to stranger. Mummy scold us." The other one spoke up from Tasuki's leg but holding out her own hands above her head telling Tasuki to pick her up like Arwen was holding pinky.

"Tasuki. I think she wants to be picked up." Arwen grinned.
"Why?"
"She's a three year old that's why. They like to be held up like this, just do it like me."

"Whatever. Don't tell me how to hold kids. I think I know that much." He bent over and picked up the little girl. The minute she was picked up she was very happy as well.

Tasuki smiled as she stared at him intently forgetting about her sister as well.
"And what's your name?"
"Piya."

"Hey Ari, they look like they're twins."
"They are." Arwen smiled at Pinky as she pulled herself closer to Arwen's face.
"Aunty. Are you fair?"

"What? Fair? No chellam, I'm not. But you are. And oh call me Ari."
"You lie. Why you look so fairy then?"
"Even a kid says so Arwen. Believe me now. People really think you're very gorgeous. So there are people to tell you that like you wanted today morning."

"Thanks Tasuki. I don't believe a word of it about myself. But let's go in and take them back to their parents." they started in.
"Tuski." Piya spoke up. "You read fairytale?"
"I have seen the books here you're talking about." But Piya blinked. "Yes I have sweetie."

"You read sleeping beauty?" she asked sweetly playing with his dangling jade earrings.
"Yeah I guess. Why?"
"You look like the princy in book." She smiled as she hugged him suddenly. He was surprised.

"Ari. I really think these kids are out of their minds."
"What. Now you can't take a compliment dear prince?" she grinned. "Welcome to my world."
"Thank you so much Piya. But then why're you hugging me? You don't even know me. Didn't you just say you shouldn't talk to strangers?"

"But you warm." She came away and looked deep into his eyes. "no stranger. I read sleeping beauty all the time at home. I see you everyday." She hugged him again. Arwen could clearly see red spots on his cheeks making his ears go red as well.

"Piya always talk like this only Ari." Pinky smiled playing with Arwen's own earrings.
"Oh really? And what about you? What fairy tale do you like?" Arwen suddenly sat down on a nearby bench and sat pinky on her lap hugging her.

"Me. me likes…uh- Cindirella." She ranted out top speed about all the things she could think of to say without breathing.
The two adults with the kids couldn't help but laugh at this.
"Kids these days are very smart aren't they?" Arwen laughed.

"Yeah I guess. But aren't we supposed to be taking them back to their parents?"
"Oh. Yeah. But then I can't help loving talking to these two." She got up and reached up to Piya.
Despite their duty, they stood there talking as Arwen played with both the girls as she herself held pinky and Tasuki held up Piya to her.

Unnoticed by this small group, there were soft clicks of cameras around.
Finally they decided that it was time that the twins were with their parents and they got down to what they really were here for. Dancing.

Having fun with Arwen, Tasuki noticed that all of the gang was indeed on the dance floor having a good time. But then he saw Hori and Anya.
This brought back the thoughts again that made him a little serious.

Because his back was facing Tasuki, Hori didn't see the look, but Anya didn't miss this. This made her freeze at once. She wheeled around on the spot and literally ran from the place. Everyone around stopped dancing to see this as well.

Hori froze as well. But of course. He was dead shocked seeing her behave like this suddenly. They had been having fun till now. What suddenly happened? Did I do something? What the hell.

Giving the others an embarrassed grin he took off after her.

Arwen and Tasuki were just as shocked, but then as Arwen started off after her Tasuki pulled her back.
"Tasuki I need to-

"Let them be for sometime. Please."
"But Tasuki-"

"Trust me. Come. Dance with me princess." She still looked worried, "she'll be fine. He's gone after her. He'll look after her. Don't worry too much. Trust Hori ok?" she finally agreed.

She realized it. She was doing it again though she promised her self she would stick to what she decided.

This brought tears to her eyes as she stopped running. For a brief minute she was glad that not one other soul was around to see her crying so. Everyone was at the fest dance.

Walking forward she reminded herself of the crime rate around the area, but then her mind shot back to her problem. The look on Tasuki's face….it immediately brought more tears to her eyes. But then she felt a little angry herself.

He's been having my Ari to himself all the time. What about that? He wants Hori too? Why can't I be like that with Hori when he's having Arwen all to himself? I need her too! But…that's not like me. He's right. Arwen deserves Hori too.

She froze hearing voices.

"Hey Babe! Wattcha doin all alone here at this time of the night?"
"Makes it easier fer us don't it tug? What a beauty too? Woo hoo."
"Rocky is gonna be pleased as hell for sure."

She gulped as her blood ran cold and a cold chill ran down her spine. She slowly turned around to realize that she really wasn't dreaming up this horror. This was real. There were three devilish looking thugs walking to her wearing sleazy smirks.

With that she spun around on her heals and picking up her skirt, she ran as fast as her feet would take her.

To add to her nightmare, there was a sound of a large rip of cloth and then she went crashing down.

More tears spilled from her eyes as she saw feet all around her. She was helpless being shaken up from the fall. Her pleading brought more jeering from the thugs and more tears to her eyes.

Then she suddenly felt free. Opening her eyes she found that she was indeed free. The thugs were no longer near her.
In a blur, she pulled herself up and took shelter behind the Cyprus tree that they had dragged her to.
Trying her best to look through her blurry vision she saw Hori.

He was fighting and it was amazing. The thugs were being beat up like they were in a whirlpool. They didn't know what hit them. Even in this she noticed that there was regal power. A style and a commanding presence. Somehow this appealed to her. She never thought that her Hori would be like this. She knew he was down right fit to be royalty. He was proud, smart and very clever. She knew he was strong and capable of a lot despite his sophisticated and delicate looks. He was strong as ever and this was amazing even seen through eyes clouded with tears.

In a minute, the three of the thugs were on the ground wounded and bleeding. He had used a decoration stick as a staff it seemed.
"Don't you dare hurt my friends even in your dreams." He growled, still in the acme of his fury as he dropped the stick.
He looked up to find Anya but all he could see was a patch of white behind the tree.

"Anya? Anya are you ok??" he dropped to his knees in front of her as she looked up with tear-filled eyes.
It took him by surprise when she reached up and hugged him so tight. But then that's what she needed at that minute. She was totally shaken up by the incident; he knew it by the way she was trembling.

"It's okay. It's okay. You're safe now. I have you." taking pleasure in this he held her as tenderly as he could to give her the most comfort he could.
More tears poured as she thought back. A realization took her making her regret it immediately. Not again. Not after so much not ever again.

Calming down and reminding herself of the promise she had made to herself, she came away.
He smiled down at her. Now's the time. I have to tell her.
But even before he could speak she spoke up. There was a sudden coldness in her beautiful eyes again.

"Thank you very much Hori. Thank you for saving my life. I think I'll go now." With that she got up to her feet leaving him kneeling there totally surprised. But then he snapped out of it and got up hastily though he was utterly confused.

"UH. Anya just where are you going?"
"Back to the hotel." She said even with out turning back but then at the first step that she took she swayed dangerously.
"Anya." He stepped behind her to catch her at once.

"Maybe I should take you there."
"No I'm fine."
"Anya shut up. You're too weak for that from the fall. I'm taking you there if that's where you want to go. You will not utter a word of protest."

To shock her she was lifted off her feet.
Somewhere deep in her heart she knew she was enjoying being carried in the arms of one of the smartest and coolest guys in college. Someone really close to her in her heart up until now.

He was warm and she could feel his strength as he held her close to him.
"Stop!" she said suddenly.

"What now?"

"The competition! Ari! I can't go back now!"
"But Anya. You're in no position to dance!"
"I can't leave. We can't leave. Even if one in the group leaves we'll be disqualified!"
"I'm sure Ari will understand. She knows your health is more important than a dance competition."

"This was her dream. She wanted our group to win so badly. I can't let her down like this. No! Please Mr. Hori. Take me back. I'll be fine after a rest. Please." She looked into his golden globes pleadingly.

How can I refuse you Anya? You want to keep your word so that you don't disappoint your best friend. Suzaku! Save this girl!
He agreed and made way to the dance hall instead.

Arwen who had been dancing with Tasuki now got totally worried that both her friends didn't return after such along time.
She stopped dancing and started for the door.

"Ari I told you-"
"I'm not going Tasuki, I'm worried. At least let me wait outside please."
He couldn't say no. As she walked there he went with her and stood watching out for Hori right next to her.

Even without her occasional glances at Tasuki, she knew he was staring at her for long intervals as well, but she was too worried about Anya to think further about that.
At a distance she finally saw a silhouette of a tall guy carrying someone in his arms. She recognized him at once and dashed forward at once, worried to the maximum possible extent.

…Arwen ran forward at once.
Seeing her run towards them, Hori put Anya back on the ground and stood supporting her on her feet.
"Ani! What the hell happened? Hori! Ani! Why do you look so messed up? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine now Ari. Thanks to Mr. Hori." She smiled weakly.

"Hori! Hori! Thank you so much! I don't know what I would have done if anything had happened to her! Thank you."
"Ari. She's my friend as well. No need to thank me." he replied as he nodded to Tasuki who had joined them.
"Thanks again. Come on honey. We'll go inside and rest. Then you can tell me what happened."

"She does look messed up Hori. What happened?" Tasuki asked as they walked to the hall behind the girls.
"Juls told us what this place was also famous for things other than great fests."
"No way! Thugs! Here?"

"Yeah. Man! I can't believe it! For a minute there I was so scared that-" he told Tasuki everything that happened out there as they waited outside one of the changing rooms.

"Why the hell did you take off like that Ani?"
"Well. Sorry Arwen. I'm really sorry. But that is the one thing I can't tell you."
Seeing how shaken up she really was already, Arwen decided it best not to really trouble her any more.
"Why didn't you let Hori take you to the hotel? You could have gone there."
"I didn't want to disappoint you. I knew the team would be disqualified if even one person left."
"That's really very stupid of you Anya, your health matters to me more than a stupid dance contest."
"That's what Mr. Hori told me."
"Then he knows like me what's right."
"Ari. I don't want to do that to you."
"Anyway! With a slit like that we will lose points."

"Ari. I'm so sorry." She was almost in tears.
"Silly girl. Don't cry for this. You remember whom you're friends with? I can fix this up in a jiff. If my mother taught me one thing. It's how to take care of things like this and real quick. I'll be right back."

She walked out tucking her skirt up on one side into the waistline to stop it from flowing and then pulling her hair into a knot.
This made the jaws of the two guy's standing just outside this room, drop.
"Ari! What're ya doing?" Tasuki looked at her funnily.
"Shun'u! Be a doll. Get me my purse please." Still looking at her funnily, he left to get it.

"How is she?" Hori asked totally worried.

"She's fine Hori. She's just seems a little shook up. Nothing more. This girl! You shouldn't have brought her here even if she told you that. You wanted to take her to the hotel and that was right. Her health is more important."

"Well. She asked me to bring her here and… I- couldn't say no." he shrugged just as Tasuki returned with her purse.
"How's her dress?" Tasuki stared at Hori stunned as he asked this question.

"It's torn from the knee down, but I'm sure it'll be fine."
"What're you gonna do Ari?"
Wearing a wide grin, she walked in shaking her bag lightly. "Nothing I can't handle."

The other two could only shoot each other confused and surprised looks.
"Now let's see."
Anya looked up to see Arwen dressed funnily, rummaging through her bag as she walked in.
"What're you looking for Ari?"

"Aha!" she smiled pleased as she pulled out a beautiful white ivory broach covered completely with white gems. "This."

"That. And this… and we're done."
"Make up Ari? I don't think it suits me that much."
"Shut up. You look gorgeous now! More make up than before does suit you. I must say. You are one heck of a babe."

"Arwen!" Anya couldn't help but blush.
"Well time to go." She pulled down her own skirt and undid her hair.
"We'll see just how good my fixing job is with what those two outside say…"

It was apparent that it was good.
The two outside just stared with out blinking when Anya stepped out.

They noticed that Arwen had something really cool in mind. She had pinned the skirt to one side covering the slit so that it looked like a long sash designed to be on the side starting to flow like a fall from the glittering gemstone broach.

Make up seemed to make Anya's face brighter, pinker and more attractive without doubt.
"Wow."
"Amazing."
These were the only two words that the two guys said. Anya smiled pleasantly at the two of them and walked to the dance floor with both the guys still staring after her.

"Hori." He froze still gaping after her.
"Go will you. She needs to be with her partner now." Arwen smiled.
Grinning, he left with a nod to the two.
"Wow Ari. I must say. That was one hell of a fix. How in the world did ya come up with that?"

"If you have the right things… there's no need to worry." She said as she looked for something in the bag.

"What, do ya have the whole world in the bag or something?"

FLASH! He was totally blinded.
"You could say so." She knew what he was about to do next. Grinning she took off at a run.

"Wait a second there. I have a score to settle with you!" he took to chasing her.
To the gang it was like they were playing tag, using them as blocks in between. To her it was fun, to him it was revenge.

Sweet revenge… he wondered why it was called so. Hee hee…! He'd know soon wouldn't he? This sweet revenge of his took them to the back porch.

Grabbing her from the back by the waist, he lifted her off her feet and put her down on the bench only to take his precious revenge. He tickled her. Knowing that this was one of her weaknesses.
"Tasuki! Tasuki! No! Please! Stop it!" she struggled to push him off laughing her head off at the same time.

Taken to the point of exhaustion she finally laughed her final plea for forgiveness!
"Please! Tasuki! I beg you! I'mmna die if you don't stop! I swear on you!"

Feeling totally exhausted himself, but having thoroughly enjoyed his revenge, he dropped to the floor beside her as they laughed their heads insane.

Calming down, she sat up wiping her tears from laughter as he got up and sat up beside her.
"Next time you flash that thing in my eyes, the same will come. Only worse. Next time I won't be this nice." He laughed as he leant back onto the bench.

"Okay. Lesson learnt." She laughed sweetly as settled into the cozy coupe of his arm around her shoulder.
But then…as the minutes passed they found themselves staring into each other's eyes.
He knew this was the right time to say it. If at all she wanted him to admit it.

"You know Ari-Chan…" the distance between them was getting smaller.
"Yes?"
"You know… that thing at the boat race yesterday?" she nodded as his hand gently brought her face slowly and steadily closer to his by her chin.

"I liked it. I liked it a lot." There was look of surprise in her eyes for an instant as his other hand snaked around her to bring her closer to him, a second before their lips made contact.

Heaven.

This was the sweetness about the revenge he felt. He was in that place again. That heaven he felt he was in the last day when he realized he was actually making out with the girl that meant so much to him, it was hard to describe how he felt. Feeling the tenderness of her lips…Uh!

Here he was again. He was doing it again, he had her. She was his. I wish I knew what she was thinking!

It had been merely more than a minute when Taka walked out. "Hey you guys-" he stopped shocked for a second, but then grinned and turned to go back in.

This made them break their mind-blowing kiss in an instant. For a second they just sat as it was, with their eyes closed, savoring the feel of each other's lips on theirs and the kiss that was and then realizing the situation that was they hastily sat apart, not daring to look at each other. That was when Nuriko walked in, I mean out.

"Hey Tasuki! Arwen. Come on! We're starving. Dinners' up!"
Arwen nodded as she got up brushing her skirt.
She stopped before walking in through the door though, as he looked up at her anxiously.
She gave him a simple smile before walking in.

He slumped back into the bench. "OH MAN! What the hell did I just do! How the hell am I gonna face her! But… she-"

"Tasuki." Nuriko looked back out. "Come on!"
"Oh Yeah."

Going in and to their table, he made sure he was seated farthest away from her as possible. Also making sure that, he never made eye contact with her even once. All of a sudden even twelve people at the table seemed too less of a crowd. There weren't too many place that would take you farthest away from a person as possible.

But it seemed that even if he wanted to be by her side, he wouldn't be allowed it.
Rahul was sitting really very close to her on one side while Julian sat Just as close on the other side.
He was glad though, that she maintained his thoughts herself, and that Taka didn't open his mouth about what he saw, or that Nuriko didn't get too suspicious seeing the two of them so pink in the clear light.

Taka made it a point to sit by his side this time though. He knew he was in for it.
"Tasuki!" he leant in. "what the hell was that all about?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about!" he said flatly, concentrating on the delicious food laid out for him.

"No idea is it! There's no way I was dreaming! I saw it! Why the hell did you do it man? Why did you kiss her?" He hissed at Tasuki.

Hori, who was listening to this very curiously, blurted out by mistake. "Kissed who?"
The chatter at the table died away at once. Arwen looked at him shocked. But he gulped and concentrated more on his food as Hori spoke up. "Sorry guys. We were discussing a movie we'd seen last night. Carry on."

Giving him a suspicious glance Arwen got back to talking to Rahul.
Hori leant in more."Who was it?"
Tasuki glanced at Arwen hastily and stared even more at his plate.

"NO way Tasuki! I don't believe it!"
"Believe it Hori! I saw it! Sir was holding her so close to him! On the porch!"

"Tasuki. Tell me that's not true. Arwen?"
"It's true and I double that!" Taka said flatly,

"Could you guys give it a rest already? I don't wanna talk about it. So I kissed a girl."
"Tasuki! It wasn't any girl!"

"What the hell is so special about her alone Hori?"
"Tasuki! That's Arwen."
"Can we stop talking about this? PULEEZE!"

Nothing more was said about this at the table.
Though when they went back to the floor, Anya and Arwen sat talking to each other as Hori took Tasuki aside.
"Tasuki. Talk to me," he just stayed silent watching Arwen,

"Why did you do it?"
"I really don't like being interrogated like I committed a crime you know! So I kissed her! Big deal!"
"Tasuki. It is a big deal. That's Arwen. You know what she's like! You should better than all of us!"

He sighed with resignation.
"I Dunno what happened to me man. One minute she flashes that stupid camera at me. Then I'm chasing her through the hall as you saw. The next minute I'm tickling her on the bench. A minute after that she's resting her soft head on my shoulder and we're staring into each other's eyes! And boom. Before I knew what was happening. It just-"

"So soft…heaven…" he muttered to himself looking away.
"Must have been the mood and the ambience." Hori said consolingly.
"But then Hori… I don't understand…why- she—she kissed me back Hori. Even if it was just me. She did." He looked up at her confused.

"Look! Now I'm sure it's was just the mood."
"Hey! Not necessarily. She could have been attracted to me too you know!"
"So you are in love with her."
"Uh! NO! Not really! Not love! Uh- maybe at some stage but- I feel possessive about her, that's all and nothing more. But she could like me too right? There is a possibility right?"

"Maybe. But Tasuki. She really doesn't allow a guy to get close to her if she doesn't trust him. I had a lot of difficulty getting even as far as this. And it's apparent she trusts you a lot. Don't ruin that trust. Go apologize."

Tasuki nodded but he still looked hesitant. Looking to Arwen's side Hori knew why.
He got up and walked to her.
"Anya. Sorry to disturb you. But, do you want to dance?"

Without waiting for an answer he pulled her to her feet and walked her away.
Steadying himself, Tasuki walked to Arwen and held out his hand in front of her. She looked up surprised.
"We're dancing." He said with a certain finality that made her smile and take his hand.
"Ari…I'm sorry about what happened back there."

'I'm shocked Tasuki. After what you told me about her…"
"Hey, you added to it too. Admit it."
"What if I did?"

"SO you agree. You liked it?" he was surprised.
"What if I did?" she smiled with slightly amused.

"Maybe then-" he smirked with a sparkle of mischief in his eyes.

She looked a little shocked, but this didn't stop her from grinning either.

Gottcha now Arwen. You're mine now. You can't think of any one else now! If that doesn't work! I'll die a bachelor. He smiled to himself.

Well now. That's what he's thinking is it?

sorry for the really really long delayed...got tooooo caught up to do anything TT. but anyway..R&R ppl o