*Okay here is the next chapter. Hope you enjoy *

The Game

Belle's POV

I was wondering the halls looking at all the interior design that had so frightened me my first few days in the castle. Alright, alright I admit I was lost. Why did a castle need so many halls and rooms anyway? Well I was thoroughly confused.

"Chip!" I called. My voice echoed through the empty passage ways and I hoped that where ever he was he would hear me. "Chip you should have warned me. Playing hide and seek in a castle is a horrible idea!" I waited for an answer or the little clip of his china against the polished floor. But there was nothing. "Chip?" I called perhaps a little worried. Had I really wandered so far away?

"Belle" Said a deep voice from a side hall behind me. I whirled and immediately felt a blush rise to my cheeks.

"Beast" I said surprised. He had a curious look on his face. I felt amazed that in the time I'd been here I'd gotten to know him well enough that I could tell his expressions even through the thick fur.

"What exactly are you doing down here?" He asked. If I didn't know better I'd say he sounded sincere.

"In all honesty I'm completely lost. I've just learned the hard way that hide in seek is the absolute worst game to play with a tea cup in a castle." I shook my head. I should have figured it out before I started counting but chip's pleading voice had momentarily outweighed everything. His voice had worn off.

"Chip?" He suspected. I nodded my head. He grunted. "He is quite a devilish fellow for his age." I smiled at him.

"Has he ever convinced you to play this ridiculous game with him?" I asked curious. He nodded.

"Once. And I'd become quite annoyed after hours of searching. I finally commanded him to show himself and he's come out shaking. I do feel bad for that." He said. His eye glazed over as he remembered. He'd just said he felt bad about yelling at a servant. I was astonished. I couldn't believe my ears. He seemed to shake himself out of the memory and smiled a bit at me. "However, now I know his favorite spot. Would you like me to show you?"

I nodded eagerly with a bit of a grin. "I believe it is time for a little well deserved pay back." I said. He laughed shortly and began to walk off.

"Follow me" He called over his shoulder.

Beast's POV

I hadn't thought of that day when I yelled at chip in a long while and I suddenly did find myself feeling guilty. This was a new feeling and I didn't like it much so I decided to focus on Belle. I'd been quite surprised to be walking, lost in my own thought, to suddenly hear her yelling at Chip. Well, not yelling at him but rather yelling for him. I hadn't been able to stop my small chuckle when I discovered she been attempting the foolish game. I mean really it was like finding a needle in a haystack.

I turned down another hallway and heard Belle's soft footsteps following me. I wanted to walk beside her, not in front of her like a master. I didn't like how our simple file signified a hierarchy. With her, none existed. She was my superior, more than my equal. I turned back towards her slightly. "Come here. I don't want to risk you getting lost again." It was an excuse but I hoped she wouldn't figure it out. I held out my arm beckoning and to my utter delight she wrapped her arm around my own and we continued on side by side. I rested my other paw upon her delicate hand. It was another risk but I was pleased when she didn't flinch.

We continued on like that for a while, for the walk back to the main part of the castle was a rather long one. After many moments of stretched silence and walking she suddenly leaned her small body into mine and rested her head against my large bicep.

My eyes went wide as she did this. I didn't glance down, for fear that bringing attention to her action would cause her to rethink and change her mind. However, the sensation was glorious. So glorious that I instinctively started to purr. I choked it back once I realized what I had done.

Belle's POV

The Beast's body went rigged beside me. Had he just… I could have sworn I heard… was I crazy? No, he had definitely purred. Briefly but he'd done it. I had been nervous when I leaned against him but his warmth had been so inviting and I'd found myself just doing it. Did this mean he didn't mind? That maybe he even liked it?

I nuzzled my cheek against the soft fur and his body relaxed. This made me happy. I gave his arm a gentle squeeze. It felt like our pace slowed but I didn't mind. I wanted to savor this moment. I didn't know if it would ever happen again but this was just so comfortable and felt…right. Did I mean that? Could I mean that?

I pushed all of these pesky thoughts outs out of my mind and just focused on the bliss of the moment.

All too soon I began to recognize the paintings and corners and knew we must be getting close.

"Here" The beast suddenly whispered. I smiled and leaned forward. He pointed with his paw and I noticed the little nook in the wall behind flowers on a table. I released the Beast's arm and crept forward.

"Boo!" I shouted and sprang forward.

"Ahhhhhh!" Screamed Chip. He'd apparently fallen asleep waiting for me to find him and I'd just shocked him out of his slumber. I burst out laughing and threw my head back. As I did so I felt warmth and fur just barely brush my skin. I leaned back the rest of the way and laughed against the Beast's large chest. I felt his chest heave as he laughed aloud with me. Chip jumped out of his hiding spot "furious".

"That is not fair! Master you told her!" He accused.

"I'm sorry Chip, but she'd gotten herself so lost while searching for you I felt you diserved it for what she went through." He said between fits of laughter. Chip jumped to the floor and grumbled.

"ya ya, okay you found me, happy?"

"Very" I said while nodding. He hopped off still upset and scared from the violent awakening. I giggled.

However, then I realized where I was, still pressed against the Beast. I straightened and muttered a "sorry".

"Belle" He said almost longingly. I wasn't meeting his gaze. I was afraid of what I would see there. So instead his paw came under my chin and gently forced my head up to meet his gaze. "Belle" He repeated. I looked into his eyes and found acceptance. Yearning. Sincerity. And maybe even a glint of something more. The questions from earlier returned. What did it mean? Why did recognizing this scare me the most and yet bring me comfort.

I didn't notice when I took a step closer to him. And another. His arms encircled me and pulled me in the rest of the way and then my head was cradled against his furry chest and his strong arms held me tightly but gently. I relaxed into him. This felt so right.

"Belle" I heard him whisper close to my ear. It sent shivers through me, but not because I was scared or cold. "I have something I want to show you later. Will you meet me back here in two hours? Please?"

I raised my head and looked at him and nodded. "I will" He smiled his toothy smile and released me.

With a low bow he said "Then I will see you soon Belle" and turned and left me utterly curious. I returned to my room to wait out the next few hours.

*Well well well? This is longer than the others but the idea came to me and I just thought it was so cute haha so REVIEW!*