Ahiru watched her feet as they clip-clopped down the street. Clip. Clop. Clip. Clop. A steady rythym guiding her home. "Ohaiyo Gozaimas!" She called gaily to the little birds that chirped along the path, staring at her inquisitively. Was this loud girl a friend, an enemy? Or just plain weird?

Ahiru was headed home. Her home. A home. Her home with Fakir. And Charon. But he spent most of his time in his workshop, so it was normally just her and Fakir. And that suited her just fine.

Pike and Lillie were right. She loved Fakir. It had taken her a while to realize this, but when she was a duck and couldn't touch him the way she wanted to, the way she yearned to, she'd realized. They'd been right all along. But that was okay, if she loved him, because she could be with him, she could love him silently, without letting him know. Without telling anyone. And it had been painful, but bearable.

And then it had happened. And she was a girl again, the mere thought of that making her heart soar.


Ahiru did a few skips as the thought washed over her, and then heard a bell ring. "Waaaaah!" She cried surprised, it couldn't be six o'clock already could it? Without another word she lept forward and sprinted off down the street.

"Fakir, Charon. I'm home!" Ahiru called the moment her small feet passed the front gate to the little house.

"The market was so busy today, but don't worry I've got lots of food to make us a yummy supper! How was your guy's day? Did you finish your story Fakir-sempai? And how is your dining room set going Charon-san?" She yelled this out as she quickly flitted to the kitchen emptying her bag of groceries and piling them onto the table.

She paused her spew to look around the kitchen, no one had replied? "Fakir-sempai? Charon-san?" She putted around the house, on a vigilant search, but couldn't find anyone. With a sigh she returned to her work in the kitchen. "Why Ahiru, we're so happy to see you, it's wonderful of you to grace us with your presence. Oh no problem Fakir, you know I love taking care of you all!" Ahiru muttered sourly. "Sheesh you think it's that much to ask that they don't leave me home all alone?"

Ahiru had started ballet school since turning back into a girl (with much tutoring from Fakir) but classes only lasted until four. Fakir was studying both the writing program and ballet, and normally stayed till at least five, sometimes longer, and she felt bad for him, working so hard. Still she missed having someone to talk to.


6:30 Dinner was cooking.

Still no Fakir

7:00 Dinner was ready and Ahiru set the table and served the food. Charon and her ate quietly.

Still no Fakir

8:00 Dinner finished.

Still no Fakir

8:30 Ahiru began to clean up.

Still no Fakir

9:00 Ahiru made sure to keep some food warm for Fakir.

Still no Fakir

9:30 Ahiru sat on the couch to wait for Fakir

Still no Fakir

10:00 Ahiru fell asleep.


Fakir stumbled through the door at 11:15, ragged and worn. He'd been so far behind on a story that was due at the end of the week, he'd spent every minute of the day when he wasn't dancing writing it, and he still wasn't finished.

He rubbed his eyes harshly, his stomach rumbling. He had skipped lunch to write, and he was famished.

Fakir lurched to the kitchen and noticed a warm plate of food still heating on the stove. There was a sticky note on the side,'Fakir's dinner, don't touch'. He grabbed the bowl and without bothering to sit wolfed it down over the stove

Ahiru was so sweet. She astounded Fakir every time with her kind gestures; she performed them daily only ever thinking of ways to please others.

With a sigh Fakir dumped his dishes in the sink and headed for bed, only to wheel around and stare at the couch. Why was Ahiru sleeping on the couch!? She must have been waiting for him and fallen asleep he concluded with a twinge of guilt.

His dark eyes softened at the small girl's soft body curled around a pillow, mouth hanging open delicately and eyes closed peacefully. Fakir bent over her frail form and gently tugged the pillow from her before quietly lifting her off the couch and cradling her against his chest. She smelt of a light vanilla and the familiar scent always proved to calm and warm him.

Fakir trudged up the stairs carefully, making sure not to shake the treasure in his arms. He placed her down gently on her bed and proceeded to unlace her boots and remove the school uniform blazer. She had a couple school uniforms, so she wouldn't be bothered to sleep in this for a night.

He tucked her under the covers and turned to leave the room, until he felt a tug on the tail of his shirt. "Fakir, you're home." Ahiru stated sleepily. "Did you eat? I tried to keep your food hot, I'm sorry if it wasn't."

Fakir smiled softly. "Baka, dinner was delicious, now sleep."

He hesitated for a moment before placing a kiss, light as a butterflies wing on her forehead, and then swiftly heading to his own bed, leaving Ahiru to gaze after him in a sleepy confusion.