Disclaimer: If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times (such an interesting phrase...): I DO NOT OWN Princess Tutu OR Beauty and the Beast. (Ohhhhhh, all caps make me seem intimidating...X3 lmao)

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!

Thank you _(My reply to you is on chapter 2), AlleluiaElizabeth, Dawnstar95, hyperpegasai, jamie8910, Kaito Lune, Kobato-hime, LittlePlagueSpirit, LovelyOdette, MiaAmerne, My Solitude, Nanenna, and ultimatebishoujo21 for reviewing!

I will take this 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 have edited the first two chapters! GO BACK AND CATCH UP PLEASE! I ALSO TWEAKED THEM AND YOU HAVE TO READ THEM SO THE STORY MAKES SENSE!

Please enjoy this new chapter! X3 ~Evan-San


Chapter Three: Light That Reveals And Hides


Once upon a time, there was a wandering prince.

Like the brilliant sun, he rode from one town to the next, easily loved by everyone. He was kind, handsome, and noble as princes should be, and he protected the weak and aided the needy without hesitation because of the goodness of his heart.

However, no one knew from where he came, or where he was traveling to, and whenever someone asked him his eyes would grow sad and he would answer simply, "I do not know."

And often the person who had asked would see the burden of sorrow in the prince's eyes, but still be unable to keep from asking, "How could you not know?"

And just as often the prince would stare into the distance and sigh, "Because I can not remember."

Soon after such a conversation, the prince would resume his travels. He was unable to stay anywhere for long, to tell anyone of where he had come from, or to say where he was headed. On and on he wandered without purpose or reason, his life a mystery even to himself.

Often someone would think the poor prince had been cursed, but the thought seemed so ridiculous for a prince so perfect. How could anyone be so heartless as to curse a person so pure hearted?

And so on and on the perfect prince traveled, and never once did anyone think of how to break the curse, for his perfection blinded them from seeing how tragic his curse truly was.


Rue was waiting outside the doctor's office when Prince Mytho and the doctor finally stepped out.

"How is he?" Rue asked the doctor.

"He'll be alright, he was lucky," he answered, but frowned, "It seems his memory is a bit sketchy, so-"

"It's nothing to worry about," Prince Mytho commented, "My memories were like that to begin with."

"Ah, well...please keep an eye on him Miss," he nodded at Rue before vanishing back into the small building.

"I'll walk you to the Inn," Rue said.

Mytho smiled, "That won't be necessary, but thank you."

Rue frowned, "I insist."

Mytho blinked in surprise.

"I live in the Academy's Dormitory," Rue said, "It's not far from the Inn."

"Ah, I see," he smiled, "But I think I should walk you home first."

"That is very noble of you," Rue said, "But since I know the way, and you're new to this town, it's my responsibility to keep you from getting lost."

"Oh, you're right," he seemed slightly abashed, "I don't really know my way around yet."

Rue nodded, "Then tomorrow I will give you a tour."

"A tour?" his brow furrowed, "Why?"

Rue gave him a look, "Would you prefer someone else then?"

"Ah, no. That's not what I meant-"

"Then I insist," Rue said, raising her chin slightly, looking away, "Tonight I will walk you to the Inn, and tomorrow I will give you a proper tour of Golden Crown Town."

Mytho smiled in defeat, "Thank you, Rue-san."

In the dark it was hard to see, but there was a bit of pink inching it's way over Rue's cheeks as she began walking in the direction of the town Inn. Mytho walked beside her at a respectable distance.

'How did he know my name?' Rue wondered, stealing a glance at the Prince, 'He couldn't have remembered it from what Ahiru said...'

"Ah, sorry," Mytho said suddenly, "A patient that was with the doctor mentioned your name..."

"Oh," Rue nodded, "Well, I know your name by similar means, Prince Mytho."

"The title can be a bit exhausting," Mytho smiled, "So just Mytho would be alright."

Rue stiffened slightly, "You should be insisting that I use proper titles, your highness."

"Well, if you want to use my title, that's fine too," Mytho said.

"It's too exhausting after all," Rue responded, not looking at him.

"Oh, alright," Mytho chuckled a bit.

'How can he be so carefree?' Rue's expression darkened, 'His personality is so similar to Ahiru's...they could have gotten along very well...but he had to go and pursue her as a Princess instead of a girl, and now everything is such a mess...'

...

A knock came from outside Ahiru's bedchamber door. After a moment it opened to reveal the masked man. The lamp lit itself, and the room grew brighter as a glowing, almost transparent golden girl with soft blue eyes appeared beside him.

"Why are you in here?" he asked, using a somewhat kinder tone than he had before.

"She brought me here...my lamp I mean," the girl said, fiddling with her skirt as though embarrassed, "My Lord? Could you cover her for me? She fell asleep before she could do so herself...and I'm not strong enough do it for her...and I don't want to wake her…please?"

The young man looked at her, saying nothing, then stepped past her to look through the curtains. Ahiru was sprawled out on top of the bed, sound asleep.

"Baka," he shook his head, though his voice was even less harsh than before.

The iridescent girl watched as he gently pulled the covers out from under Ahiru. Suddenly, the sleeping girl moaned and kicked out with her foot.

The small foot hit the man with surprising accurracy and strength.

"Oof!" he was thrown to the floor, his mask clattering as it fell beside him, "What the h***?"

"Are you all right, Fakir-sama?" the girl asked in concern.

"...I should have just taken the d*** necklace from her," he grumbled as he stood, his hood falling back to reveal his long, green tinted black hair, and his narrow, dark green eyes. With a face that said he didn't want to, he finished pulling the covers over Ahiru.

"If you'd just be patient with her, I'm sure-"

"I don't have patience for idiots like her," he interrupted, even more of his previous gruffness returning.

"I'm not an idiot..." Ahiru mumbled in her sleep, causing Fakir to jump back in surprise. The golden girl giggled at the sight, eliciting a glare from the young man.

"I've wasted enough time here," he grumbled as he turned to the door, picking up his mask as he left.

"Rest well, Fakir-sama," she said as he closed the door behind him, 'I worry about him...the castle's dear, but stubborn master...'

The lights dimmed, but the girl remained, gazing at Ahiru's sleeping expression, 'I wonder what this child will do...this kind, strong willed child...I'm sure they will either be great enemies, or even greater friends...either way, I'm so happy she came here.'

She smiled, and then vanished, leaving the room in restful darkness once more.

...

"Mirrors, mirrors, all around me," a voice crinkled with age echoed through a dark room, "Reflect the lives that tell me the story!"

Images filled the mirrors that covered the walls and ceiling, illuminating the crazed looking old man dressed in eccentric royal garb as he inspected them. One mirror showed the bed chamber Ahiru slept in.

"Now what do we have here?" he focused on it, noticing the pendant around her neck, "A little princess in my nephew's castle? My, my, whatever happened while I was away?"

He laughed to himself, "This should be more entertaining than that silly little prince...hmm, I wonder where he is now..."

Another mirror nearby revealed the image of Mytho pulling on his shirt as he dressed for a new day. As the prince turned, a small feather shaped mark on the back of his neck briefly came into view.

"Ahh, a magic seal? Now things are getting interesting!" the old man laughed, walking over to an expensive looking desk and sitting down in a plush chair. He picked up a well made quill, dipped it in a bottle of black ink, and began to write, "This will be quite entertaining..."

His laughter echoed eerily throughout the large room. He made a gesture toward the shadows behind him, and Adel stepped out.

"Is there something you require, Drosselmyer-sama?" she asked, her voice and expression betraying nothing.

"What can you tell me about this little princess?" he gestured toward the image of Ahiru.

Adel looked at her, "Her name is Ahiru. Fakir made her promise never to leave unless she gave him her pendant. He does not want it's power to be taken by the ravens."

"Ah, I see," his grin widened, "Good work Adel. Be sure to keep an eye on her. You may go."

She curtsied before vanishing back into the shadows. Drosselmyer continued to write, his wide grin threatening to overcome his crazed brown eyes. His low laughter caused the mysterious room to seem haunted.

...

The window curtains were slightly open with the morning light streaming in as Ahiru stirred. She sat up in the bed, rubbing her eyes and then stretching out her arms.

"It's so quiet this morning," she mumbled as she blinked her eyes open.

One look around and a surprised "Quack!" later, Ahiru the duck wiggled out from under the covers, shaking her head around frantically.

'Oh-no! This is bad, this is terrible! Oh-no!,' her thoughts were panicked, 'Where am I?'

Then she remembered, 'Wait...that really happened? It wasn't a dream? I really swore to stay here forever?'

Then she realized, 'Wait! That whole time I could have turned into Princess Tutu and used my magic to escape!'

Finally, in distress, she pounded fist shaped wings on her head, 'Baka, baka, baka, baka, BAKA! I should have used my magic while I had the chance! I had it right there in my hands, why didn't I think to use it? I shouldn't have given him my word so easily! Now what am I supposed to do?'

A light knock came from the door, catching Ahiru's immediate attention and causing her to forgo her mental rant. When she saw the door begin to open, she dove under the bed with amazing speed.

"Ahiru?" Adel called as she stepped into the room.

'Oh no! What should I do?' Ahiru watched from underneath the bed, not noticing as a bright figure appeared beside her.

"Are you alright?" the glowing girl asked, scaring Ahiru.

"QUACK!" Ahiru burst out from under the bed, only to run into the night-stand. A pitcher of water fell over, splashing water all over her. In a flash of red light she was restored to her human shape, wet and uncovered.

"So you do have magic," Adel said, apparently not too surprised.

"I've never seen a girl change to a duck and back before," the glowing girl sat apon the bed. Well, floated above the bed.

"Wh-who are you-" Ahiru stuttered a bit.

"As a girl you don't have feathers to cover you," Adel commented. Ahiru glanced down at herself and very quickly covered herself with a fallen blanket.

Reaching into the wardrobe, Adel brought out a simple, sunny yellow dress and gave it to Ahiru.

"Thank you," Ahiru said, still red from being caught undressed. She swiftly pulled the cloths on.

"I'm sorry to have surprised you so terribly," the glowing girl said, resting her hands on her knees as she leaned forward, "I am the light spirit of the lamp you brought here."

"Oh," Ahiru said, considering it, 'That explains why she looks so...light.'

"So how did you change like that, Ahiru-sama? If you don't mind my asking," the spirit floated a bit closer.

"It's...a magic curse I inherited from my mother," Ahiru said, "When I qua-uh, make duck noises I turn into one, then when I touch water I become a girl again."

"I see, what a strange curse," she said, tilting her head, "Is it permanent, Ahiru-sama?"

"Well, there is a way to get rid of it, but it's not easy," Ahiru said, "And please, just Ahiru is fine. I'm just an ordinary girl after all."

'Actually I'm a princess, but I promised not to tell anyone that...' Ahiru thought, suffering a slight pang of guilt.

"So just Ahiru?" the spirit asked.

Ahiru nodded, "And what's your name?"

"My name?" the glowing girl asked, blinking her soft blue eyes.

"Is something wrong?" Ahiru asked.

"Nothing is wrong. It's just that I've never had a name," she answered simply, "I'm only a light spirit."

"Then what should I call you?" Ahiru asked.

The spirit smiled kindly, "Whatever you would like to call me is fine."

Ahiru's brow furrowed for a moment, then her eyes widened, "What about Orel-chan?"

"Orel-chan?" the girl asked in surprise.

"Do you not like it?" Ahiru sounded concerned.

"No, I love it!" Orel smiled brilliantly, the room growing brighter in her excitement.

Ahiru smiled at her, "I'm glad, it suits you."

Orel seemed to blush, "What do you want to do now, Ahiru...chan?"

Ahiru laughed airily, "I guess that makes us friends, right?"

Orel's mouth became a small "o" in surprise, but Ahiru was too distracted by her suddenly growling stomach to notice.

"Perhaps you should have breakfast now," Adel spoke, "I'll escort you to the dining room."

Ahiru blushed, "Yes, thank you."

...

Wearing a lovely lavender dress with black lace, Rue walked through the Inn and up to a specific room door. On her arm rested the handle of a picnic basket.

She knocked on the door, and waited patiently until Prince Mytho opened the door.

"Good morning, Mytho," she curtsied in greeting, 'I wonder if he changed his mind since last night...'

"Good morning, Rue-san," he nodded with a smile, noticing the basket, "A picnic?"

"I told you I would give you a proper tour today," Rue said, "This is our lunch."

Mytho smiled, gingerly taking the handle in his hands, "Allow me to carry it for you?"

Rue's cheeks were tinged with pink as she pulled back stubbornly, "It's alright, I-"

"Please, Rue?" he asked, apparently forgetting the "san" by accident.

The pink tinge darkened, and she reluctantly handed him the basket, "Fine, just remember that it's Rue-san."

"Oh, sorry," he apologized.

'He's too sincere...' Rue looked away, "Don't worry about it. Let's go."

"Of course," he smiled, "Please lead the way, Rue-san."

She blushed as she walked, 'He's only being polite. He won't have feelings for me, no matter what Ahiru said.'

...

"Ahiru-chan?" Orel asked as she followed Ahiru and Adel down the winding staircase, "Would you like a tour after you eat? It's really beautiful here, and it would be my pleasure to show you."

"Alright," Ahiru smiled, so happy with her current company that the fact that she was a prisoner happened to slip her mind, "That sounds like fun."

"I will accompany you," Adel said without looking back. It wasn't a request, it was a statement.

"Ah, thank you," Ahiru said, misunderstanding the intent.

Adel stopped, and looked back, "Thank you?"

"Ah, yes?" Ahiruwas confused by her response. Orel's smile became a thin line as she looked at Adel.

"We should hurry before breakfast is over," Orel commented, looking at Ahiru now.

"Of course," Adel said, moving foward once more.

As the reached the dinning room, a tall woman wearing a large while apron met them with haste.

"Welcome!" she stopped in front of Ahiru, her voice a bit loud with excitement, "I'm Ebine-san, and it will be my pleasure to provide your breakfast."

"Ah, thank you very much," Ahiru curtsied, "I'm Ahiru."

"Well aren't you a well mannered young girl," Ebine smiled, then guestured to the table, "Please, have a seat."

The woman bustled out of the room and dissapearedinto the kitchen while Ahiru took a seat. It wasn't a moment later that Ebine returned, carrying a well sized platter of food.

"Now what would you like?" she held the platter out for Ahiru to see, "Porraige? Cressants? Toast? Apple Tart? Eggs? Perhaps some coffee?"

"Wow, it all looks good!" Ahiru tried to deside.

"I've heard the tarts are very delicious," Orel commented, catching Ebine's attention.

"Oh! The lamp spirit is here too?" she blinked.

"Orel-chan and I are friends," Ahiru smiled, looking up from the platter, "She's going to give me a tour later."

"That is lovely," Ebine smiled, then looked at Orel, "I'm so sorry, I never realized you had a name!"

"It's alright!" Orel held her hands out in a guesture that ephasized her statement, "Ahiru-chan chose the name herself!"

"Oh?" Ebine looked at Ahiru, "You really are an interesting girl, Ahiru-chan. I would love to hear your story!"

"My story?" Ahiru looked up from the bowl of porridgeand apple tart she had selected and set on the table.

"Yes, of course!" Ebine set the platter on the table and sat down, "It's not very often we have visitors! I would love to know what brought you here!"

Ahiru stiffened in shock, 'I forgot...with everyone being so nice I completely forgot why I'm here...'

"No one told you yet?" Orel asked Ebine.

"Hmm? Told me what?" Ebine looked at Orel.

"Er, well..." Orel glanced at Ahiru, "She and Fakir-sama had a disagreement when she came here and...well, it could have ended better..."

"Fakir?" Ahiru spoke up, "That's his name?"

"Yes, I'm sorry he didn't properly introduce himself last night," Orel said, "But well...he had a lot on his mind..."

"Like how to trick me into giving him my pendant," Ahiru scowled, "Now I can't go home even if I do find him..."

"Huh? Find who?" Orel asked in concern.

'Oops, I said that out loud...' Ahiru froze, "Ah, well, I...uh..."

"What does she mean she can't go home?" Ebine asked Orel. Orel looked down.

"Fakir didn't want the pendant to fall into the possession of ravens, since apparently it holds very powerful magic," Adel said, startling everyone with the reminder of her presence, "So he told her either to leave the pendant here, or stay here with it. She promised to meet his terms in exchange for Prince Mytho to be safely returned to Golden Crown."

"Ha-how did you..." Ahiru blinked in surprise.

Adel looked at her, "I was just outside the door when you made the agreement."

"That's why she was there to take you to your room," Orel said, "Fakir-sama told her to take care of you when he left."

Ahiru scowled as she stared at her plate, "Oh."

"I'm sorry, but this is a bit confusing," Ebine said, "Could you tell it from the beginning, Ahiru-chan?"

Ahiru looked up at her three companions in the dinning room, and gave them a small smile, "Sure."

...

Rue continued to lead Mytho down the streets, pointing out important places, and helping him get a more general idea of where everything was. Where ever they went, she would find herself watching him when she thought he wouldn't notice.

'After this I should go find Ahiru,' Rue frowned as she looked away from Mytho, 'I've left her to herself for too long...and after what that strange man said...'

She glanced at a clock and sighed, "Now would be a nice time to stop and eat, don't you think?"

Mytho looked at her and smiled, "Yes."

Rue glanced his way for only a second before averting her gaze, her cheeks tinged pink once more, 'I hate how those eyes make my insides melt...it's just not fair...'

"We're not to far from one of the fountains, we could-" Rue paused at the sound of a kitten's cry.

"She's stuck in the tree!" a young girl sobbed to her mother as she pointed at the frightened kitten.

Mytho set down the basket and turned to Rue, "Please wait a moment."

Before she could respond, he was already running to the oak tree. With swift agility he made his way up to the crying kitten. When he reached it he gently lifted it from it's perch and cradled against his chest. Even with only one arm, he had no trouble climbing back down to the safety of the ground.

"She's safe," he gave the kitten to the wide eyed little girl.

"Thank you sir!" the mother thanked him as she hugged her now smiling daughter.

"You're welcome," he nodded with a smile before turning away, "Take care now, okay?"

"Yes! Thank you so much!" the little girl said.

A moment later Mytho returned to Rue and picked the basket back up, "Shall we?"

Rue lost herself for a moment, but she soon shook it off and averted her gaze from his, "Yes, just follow me."

He smiled again, and walked with her as she once again led the way.

To Be Continued...


Author's note to Readers: Hello :).

If haven't read the chapters updated in September before reading this chapter (as I stated at the beginning of this chapter) you are missing out on some important information!

Alright, about the next chapter. I'm afraid it won't be out till after November (I will be very busy the whole month attempting the NaNoWriMo for the first time...), sorry ^^;. But I will do my best to get it out ASAP after that!