Disclaimer: I do not own Princess Tutu, or Beauty and the Beast. I'm happy enough owning my own imagination. (No matter how much I fangirl Fakir...and how much I wanted to see him kiss Ahiru like Mytho kissed Rue...and...oh the list goes on and on, but I'll survive like everyone else does...FANFICTION FOREVER! XD)

AU fan fiction influenced by Beauty and the Beast. She didn't want to be there, and he didn't want her there. So why can't he let her leave, and why did she promise to stay there forever? Oh, right, because they were both being stubborn idiots! Let the story commence!

I will take this one moment to apologize to everyone for the long wait. My internet was gone for months, and most of the things I'd written for this story were in my FF drafts…which of course you can't use without internet…but the internet is finally back! I took some more time to edit and edit some more (because I want my writing to be good enough to make up for my absence…) and I will soon post some new chapters!

Please enjoy this edited chapter! X3 ~Evan-san (Yeah, that's my new nickname!)


Chapter One: What Shouldn't Be Missing


Once upon a time, there was a peaceful kingdom.

The king had married a beautiful princess whom he loved, and she loved him in return. Soon they were blessed with a baby daughter, and they cried with joy.

Then suddenly the queen died, and the new born princess wailed in sorrow from the loss of her mother. As a new set of arms lifted the princess from her dead mother's arms, a voice told the king, "The queen was a dear friend of mine. If you will take me as your wife, I shall raise the princess as if she were my own."

The grieving king did as the mysterious woman said, and she raised the princess with much love and care. Before much time had passed, the new queen gave birth to another princess, but her cries of joy were tinged with a sorrow as mysterious as she was.

Then, when both the princesses had come of age, the queen secretly invited the king to the royal garden, for she had something to tell him. With a cold voice he was not accustomed to, she said, "As I swore to do, I have raised your princesses. Now the time has come for them to go out into the world disguised as ordinary girls. That is the way they must find their true loves, for the curses upon their heads must never be taken lightly. As for me, I shall leave and never return, for my time here is done...farewell."

After telling him this, she spread her shadowy black wings and flew away, revealing that she had been nothing more than a raven all along. The king felt torn, for how could he have never realized the queen's true form? But for some strange reason, even though she was an enemy to his kingdom, he immediately did as she'd told him.

When he told the princess's their quest, the eldest inquired as to why the Queen didn't come to see them off. However, the King only could only offer a comforting hand to the youngest while she mourned in silence. Neither could answer the eldest's question.

Perhaps it was for the best that she left, for an ordinary raven did not belong as queen. And yet...the unheeded tears of sorrow and regret that she'd shed as she flew away seemed to beg for her not to go. For what ordinary raven would give up everything they held dear for the well being and happiness of others?


The small town of Golden Crown was in a state of excitement. A traveling prince had decided to hiatus his journey and stay for a few days' time. Everyone was buzzing about it, especially the female students at Golden Crown Academy. It was a small, but prestigious, school that was well known for teaching ballet.

"I heard he's looking for a bride to take back to his home kingdom-" a girl with magenta hair gossiped with her friends.

"-because his brother was so jealous of his good looks that he had him banished until he did!" a girl with blond hair finished.

"Hey, what do you think Ahi-AHIRU!" the magenta haired girl scolded her friend, "Don't go daydreaming when we're talking to you!"

"Qua-" the blue eyed girl slapped her hand over her mouth, "S-sorry Pique!"

Neither of the friends noticed the odd sound the orange haired girl had almost made.

"Don't worry Ahiru-chan! That's what makes you so absolutely adorable!" the blond shook the poor girl like a rattle.

"Lillie, I think you just shook her unconscious," Pique said bluntly.

"Liar," Lillie said immediately.

Ahiru was too busy watching spiraling stars to notice the teacher had entered the room until he clapped his hands for the class's attention.

"Today we will have a demonstration from the Special class," the cat said.

'This town is so strange, I still can't figure out why some of the people here are animals!' Ahiru thought to herself, 'I'm almost positive there's a curse on this town, but-"

The doors opened, and a group of girls came in, lead by a beautiful girl with dark brown hair and red colored eyes. They were all wearing light blue leotards, except for their leader, who wore a wine colored leotard.

"Rue-sama is so beautiful today," a girl whispered.

Ahiru smiled as they began the demonstration, 'You're the best, Rue-chan!'

The dance was perfectly coordinated, and very beautiful. Everyone in the classroom watched the ballerinas closely, each of them hoping to one day to be as wonderful as they were.

"It's so impossible to tell you two are sisters," Lillie said, her words like a physical jab to poor Ahiru.

"Look, you made her depressed," Pique patted Ahiru on the shoulder.

"Really! Isn't that just adorable?" Lillie's green eyes lit with joy.

'We really are nothing alike,' Ahiru thought sadly, 'The only thing we really have in common is our love for ballet...well, that and the fact we're both searching for "true love" as father told us to...'

Soon the dancers finished their performance, and everyone applauded. Ahiru smiled at her sister, who gave her a small nod in acknowledgment.

...

After class was over, Rue and Ahiru walked to the girl's dormitory.

"So, have you heard the news?" Rue asked casually, "There's a prince staying at the town inn."

"Have you seen him?" Ahiru asked.

"Not yet, but I heard he's very handsome, and kind," she said calmly.

"Maybe this could be our chance to find one of our princes?" Ahiru thought aloud hopefully.

"If so, you should talk to him first," Rue said.

"Huh, but I thought-"

"You're the eldest, it's only fair you have the first chance," Rue refused to look at her sister.

"Well...I guess if you insist..." Ahiru said uncertainly, not wanting to argue.

"So let's go change into something nice, and see this prince," Rue said as they stepped inside.

"Alright," Ahiru smiled, grabbing her sister's hand and pulling her up the stairs.

"Ahiru!" she called in surprise.

"Come on! You want to see him don't you?" Ahiru grinned.

A small blush made it's way to her cheeks as she lifted her chin stubbornly, "Humph, as if I would be so childish."

"Ruuuue-chan!" Ahiru complained, still tugging on her hand.

"Oh fine, I'm hurrying," Rue turned her head away as she walked past, hiding her small smile.

...

Ahiru hummed as she half skipped down the cobblestone path, the skirt of her simple, light blue dress flouncing around her ankles.

"Try to show some composure dear sister," Rue closed her eyes, as if developing a small headache. Her dress was a soft cream and gold pattern with white lace trim.

"But Rue-chan-"

"You want to make a good impression don't you?"

"Well...yes but-"

"Then act your age."

"But I look younger than I actually am..." Ahiru mumbled.

"That's the spells fault...and maybe it messed with your head a little too."

"Rue-chan!" Ahiru exclaimed, before suddenly smiling, "You made a joke!"

"No I didn't, I was expressing a fact!" Rue argued.

"No, you made a joke," Ahiru grinned in triumph. Rue refused to look at her, a small blush dusting her cheeks.

"There he is!" someone gasped, catching their attention.

"He calls himself Prince Mytho," someone else said, "Look at how tenderly he treats his horse! He's so charming!"

A handsome youth with white hair was tending to his horse by a water trough. If his graceful and composed nature hadn't given him away, his cloths would have. The two sisters blushed as they looked at him.

"Well? Go on," Rue said, looking away.

"Er, right," Ahiru said nervously, walking towards the prince.

She was halfway there when he looked her way. His eyes settled on her, and he smiled. Ahiru stopped, her face quickly turning red.

"Ravens!" a woman suddenly screamed, and everyone panicked. Ahiru looked up to see the black creatures flying right for her. Fortunately, before they could reach her, the prince stood protectively in front of her, his sword gleaming in the sunlight. Ahiru watched wide eyed as he fought off the vicious ravens.

"Take cover!" he called to her as he bravely attacked them. Ahiru ran and hid, placing her hand to her red pendant as it began to glow. The light quickly enveloped her entire body, transforming her into a beautiful ballerina.

"Away with you, ravens!" the transformed Ahiru grand jettied back into the street, performing a series of pirouettes as she blocked the ravens from the prince. She went into a beautiful dance, and it chased the ill meaning birds away as they cawed in anger. Prince Mytho watched her with wide eyes, captivated by her dance. No one noticed the black feather that cut past the back of her neck, cutting the necklace's chain. It dropped to the ground as Ahiru continued to dance.

"Who are you?" the prince asked as Ahiru chased after the ravens. She glanced back, then turned to give him a small smile and curtsy before she left. Prince Mytho then noticed the red pendant lying on the ground.

'The girl's pendant?' he picked it up, 'She must have lost it when she ran and hid. I hope she's alright.'

He stared into the red jewel before placing it in his pocket, 'I'll have to return it to her when I see her again.'

...

Running along an empty street, Rue looked back and forth till she saw Ahiru walking back from the town gate.

"There you are, Ahiru!" Rue caught her breath as she walked up to her.

"Ah hah ha," Ahiru rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly, "Sorry, I got a little carried away."

"Just try not to worry me like that," Rue sighed.

"They're getting bolder every day," she looked down, "If I wasn't such a coward maybe you wouldn't have to work so hard."

"It's not your fault Rue-chan!" Ahiru said sternly, crossing her arms, "It's fine now, don't worry about it."

Rue sighed again, but looked Ahiru in the eye this time, "Those stupid ravens ruined your moment."

"Well then," Ahiru smiled, "I guess that means it's your turn!"

"Ahiru?" Rue asked, "But you still have a ch-"

"Go on!" Ahiru grasped the back of Rue's shoulders and started to steer her back toward town, "I'm rooting for you!"

"But-"

"I'm not taking no for an answer!" Ahiru said stubbornly, giving Rue a little shove before running off, "Good luck!"

"Ahiru!" Rue yelled after Ahiru's retreating form, 'Why is it she can run that fast?'

'I can't let her know I lost my pendant!' Ahiru scanned the streets as she ran, 'I have to find it quickly!'

...

Rue took a deep breath as she rounded the corner, walking gracefully and confidently towards the prince. He was watching the sky as he patted his horse, looking her way when he heard her light footsteps.

"Good evening," he greeted kindly.

"Good evening to you sir," Rue smiled, 'I don't think this is going to work, I'm nearly positive he would prefer Ahiru over me. He gave her such a gentle smile...'

"You weren't hurt in the raven attack were you?" he asked, causing her to blush a bit.

"No, thank you for your concern," she said, 'What made him ask such a thing?'

"I saw you at the edge of the street before it happened," he said, "Could you tell me, do the ravens attack here often?"

"Well, it has happened before," Rue said, "But thanks to Princess Tutu, the ravens don't usually come inside the town walls."

"Princess Tutu?" he asked, curious.

"The girl that chased the ravens away. That is what the townspeople call her."

"So she lives here?"

"No," Rue lied, 'I don't like where this is going.'

"Oh," he sighed, "I wanted to thank her."

"She only appears when someone is in trouble," Rue said, brushing back a strand of hair, "More like a guardian spirit than an actual person. If you want to thank her, just continue being kind to the town's people."

"I wish there was something more I could do for her," Mytho said distantly.

Rue grew angry for a moment before an eerie calm came over her, "Perhaps there is...one favor you could do for her."

"Yes?" Mytho asked eagerly.

Rue smiled convincingly, 'Foolish Prince...I won't forgive you for pursuing my Onee-chan in such a fashion...'

...

"Where is it?" Ahiru was still frantically searching for her necklace. A raven, hidden in shadows, watched her with gleaming eyes before flying away.

...

In the dark woods outside of town, Mytho rode along a dirt path, 'Now where should I look...'

Beady red eyes filled the trees above him, and then, the black birds converged on the unsuspecting prince. His horse, somehow, noticed it and took off down the path as fast as it could. Mytho had to hold on tightly to keep from falling off.

"What-" then he heard the cawing and saw the thick black cloud as the birds pursued them. He urged his horse, though it was hardly necessary, and looked for some way to rid himself of the menace. Moments later he spotted a huge gate, and quickly headed there.

Leaping off his horse, he tried to open the gate, but it wouldn't budge. He pulled his horse behind him and drew his sword. The ravens came fast and hard, and even though he fought them off as best he could, they were too much for him. His jaw set, he didn't give up, even as their attacks cut through his defense. Sharp talons scraped his arms and legs, and one lucky raven left a shallow wound on his ear. Blood and sweat sprinkled the ground with each swipe of his sword, and his breathing was growing ragged.

Suddenly, several things happened at once. The gate behind him flew open, his horse ran inside, and he tripped and fell on his back with a painful thud that left him winded. As the raven swooped down to attack, a dark form flew over him and destroyed the birds with the wide sweep of a dark sword. The remaining ravens retreated, cawing angrily.

The hooded man grabbed Mytho's arm roughly and dragged him inside as the gates closed.

"Wh-who..." Mytho tried to speak.

The mysterious man turned his masked face to Mytho.

"I'll be the one asking the questions," his voice was muffled by the mask, "Who would be stupid enough to travel the forbidden forest alone?"

...

Rue was staring out the town gates when Ahiru came around a building.

"Ahiru!" Rue called.

Ahiru jumped a little, and then turned to Rue with a sheepish expression, "Hey! So how did it go with-"

"Onee-chan..." Rue looked down, troubled, "I..."

Ahiru quickly noticed Rue's attitude, "What's wrong?"

Rue wrung the front of her skirt and refused to look up, "...I couldn't help myself...he only had eyes for Princess Tutu..."

Ahiru walked up to her and set her hands on her shoulders, "Why are you so upset? Tell me."

Rue bit her lip, "I told him if he wanted to return the favor to Princess Tutu, there were wild roses she liked that only bloomed in the forest..."

"Rue-chan?" Ahiru asked her now trembling sister.

"...and he's been gone for hours!" Rue cried, finally looking up to show the worry in her eyes, "The roses are hard to find, but it shouldn't have taken this long!"

Ahiru's eyes widened at the news, "So he's-"

"I'm so sorry Onee-chan!" Rue grasped Ahiru's hands, "I didn't mean for it to go this far! Please-"

Ahiru pulled her hands free, but then she wrapped her arms around Rue, "It will be fine. It's enough that you're sorry, I don't blame you at all."

"But he's-" Rue tried to argue.

"I'll go find him, okay?" Ahiru told her, "Take care of the town while I'm gone?"

Rue nodded silently, looking down again.

"Hey Rue-chan?" Ahiru said, causing Rue to look up, "I'm going to hide his memories of Princess Tutu when I find him."

"What?" Rue asked in surprise, "But then you wouldn't be able to let him see you-"

"I don't mind," Ahiru shook her head, "Besides, I think you like him more than I do. I want you to have another chance."

Rue looked away stiffly, "I don't deserve such a thing!"

"Rue-chan..." Ahiru stopped before arguing, and instead sighed and shook her head, "Well I can't have him pursuing me just because I'm a princess, so there's really no choice anyway...and you haven't shown this much interest in any noblemen we've seen so far..."

Rue huffed, and continued to look away.

Ahiru grew depressed, "...and I was really looking forward to showing him around town...if you don't do it, one of the other town girls will have to-"

"Fine."

"Huh?" Ahiru was started by the sudden answer, "What?"

"I'll show him around town, but that's it," Rue said, hiding her sudden blush, "It's only right that he receives a proper tour."

"Ah! That's wonderful!" Ahiru brightened before taking on a determined expression, "Well, I'll be back soon. Bye."

With that, she opened the gates, slipped out, and closed them behind her.

"Be careful!" Rue called after her in concern.

"I will!" Ahiru waved back before disappearing into the dark forest.

To Be Continued...


Author's note to Readers: Please review after you're done reading, even if it's just a :). It takes less than a moment, and it gives me the energy to write faster. Nice reviews make everyone happy, so please review! ^.^ (If you have already reviewed, THANK YOU! X3)