Love, not an easy journey

Disclaimers: I do not own Winx Club they do belong to their respective owners and creators. There is one original character that is mine and that is it. I hope that you enjoy the story!

Quick note: the reason why I have put AU is rumor has it that there is a second season coming ahead, therefore I placed the AU. If the second season does appear then, well…this story is not following their possible season. I had received an e-mail asking why the AU was there.

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"Musa!" Musa turned around to see a large crowd heading her way. At that moment it was just freshman, but usually it was when they wanted to borrow some of her tunes from her. She was prepared to tell them she was fresh out till one of them shouted…

"Is it true you are dating that oh so hunky Riven guy?"

"Yeah, is he so totally a good kisser or what?"

"Why the big secret?"

"Yeah, why? Shouldn't you be able to announce it to the world?"

"Are you guys going to get married?"

"Yeah, what is going on?"

"Yeah tell us!"

"Uh, guys what are you talking about?" Musa asked when one of the girls showed her the flyer she almost screamed in terror…well almost was close enough as more questions came out in her way.

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Chapter Four

"Don't keep it a secret, how long have you been dating that hot guy from Red Fountain," one of the girls squeeled in delight.

Musa's face paled and fortunately Flora was near by to get Musa out of the crowd of people. The girls quickly made their way to their dorm room as Musa just curled up into a ball and cried her eyes. She knew that if the student body knew that means that the media would be here soon. She didn't know how they knew and she didn't even get to tell her closest friends know first.

Flora looked at her with a sadden face, she didn't know if she was crying because the rumor was true or the fact that were not. Flora knelt by her friend and took her into her arms and let her cry. Flora could feel her pain but did not know the cause of the pain the girl was feeling. All she could do now is provide support to her friend.

"Musa, what is making you so sad?" Flora asked as she soothed her friend.

"About Riven," musa said simply.

"Hunny, it's probably some rumor start…"

"It's true!" Musa said and it surprised Flora. She looked at her in surpise as Musa began pacing around the room. "It's supposed to be a secret, so that the press would not bother us."

"I see," Flora said simply. "Look, I can understand that but what are you going to do now?"

"I don't know," Musa said simply. "How am I supposed to keep it a secret, I mean how did anyone find out in the first place?"

"Well Musa, if you want to keep it a secret we can do some rumor control," Flora said simply. "You don't have to deny or admit to anything. Just make sure that no one finds out that is the truth."

"Flora…that is like lying…"

"Keeping it secret isn't?" Flora asked simply, "Not telling is basically the same thing. Look, if you want freedom from press you can either tell them no but they will find a way to see if it is true. That will be harder, come to think of it either way you are going to get attention from the media."

Musa sighed, "But which attention do I want then?"

Flora shrugged, "It is yours and Riven's choice. I suggest you talk to him and figure something out. In reality it is up to you and him, I'll support you no matter what."

"Thanks Flora," Musa said gratefully. "I just need to talk to him but he is probably in class right now. I'll have to wait till tonight."

"Tonight?" Flora arched an eyebrow as Musa blushed.

"Riven and I usually meet during the night time for about an hour," Musa said simply. "So he and I can talk about it."

"I see," Flora smiled. "Then I suggest you make that one of your main topics tonight, or even go ahead and text message him."

"I guess I could do that, but I don't want to worry about that right now. I have a class to go to," Musa said holding her head up high. "I'll just have to keep quiet till I talk to Riven."

"Good girl," Flora said with a smile. When Musa left the room her smile fell. She truly was the only without someone, it made her sad to think about it. But what can she do, she didn't find someone that she truly connected with and only time would tell when he would come. Or has he already come and she didn't know it? Flora slowly then made her way out of the room and walked down the barren hallway.

The hallways were quiet as everyone were already in class. She knew she was going to be yelled at for being late but she felt sad, and rather be sad alone where no one could see her. She was the usually happy one and she planned to stay that way. Even if it bothered her to no end. She had to be strong, that is how she masked everything from everyone.

Flora entered the class and of course Musa was not saying anything. Flora took her seat but no one said anything as the professor began her speech for the day. She quickly went into the lesson saying there was no time to waste. Flora put on her happy smile, though it was a mask to cover her hurt but at the same time it was also her personality. She didn't want to let anything bother her, even being the only single on in her circle of best friends.

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Musa quietly waited for Riven to appear, but it was taking him longer than usual to get over and see her. So she quickly transformed and flew her way out of the room. She made her way over to Red Fountain to see Riven in an argument with someone. She made her way down to the bottom floor and reverted back to her normal form. She quickly made her way up to Riven's room and she was lucky enough to have no one see her.

Riven entered his room in a huff and threw something on the ground, Musa looked at his stressed face and walked out of the shadows. "Musa?"

"SHHH!" Musa covered his mouth, he had said her name so loudly she didn't know that if anyone heard him. Once she felt like it was clear she removed her hand and looked up at him, he saw that she was worried about something and hugged her.

"What is it baby?" Riven whispered into her ear.

"Riven, someone found out about us and posted flyers all over Alfea today," Musa said simply as Riven pulled away and looked at her in surprise. "I didn't tell anyone whether we were together or not, but someone knows."

"So what do you want to do about it?" Riven asked concerned.

"I think we need to what is best for us," Musa said simply as she sat on his bed. "By the way I waited for you…"

"Oh yeah, sorry about it…one of the guys caught me sneaking out, and so I was trying to not say anything," Riven said simply. "Word has gotten around here too that someone is dating you, I didn't like it at first but now I see that they were referring to me."

"So you like it now because of that?" Musa asked with an arched eyebrow.

"No, but it makes me feel better that it is my name and some other guy that I would like to punch for thinking he had a chance with you," Musa chuckled at Riven's answer. He was sweet in his own way and right. She smiled as she got up and hugged him tightly.

"Should we keep quiet?" Musa asked, "but if we do…then people are going to find out a way to see if we are lying…"

"And if we tell them the truth they won't leave us alone," Riven said simply. "But they might leave us alone faster if we tell them…even though I don't like the public attention, but it might help speed up the process?"

"I guess," Musa said with a shrug. "I didn't think of it that way."

"We could always do that, but now the question is how do we get you back to Alfea…" Riven said with a poundering look on his face. Musa smirked as she looked up at him with a plot.

"We don't," Musa said simply. "If we are going to tell them we might as well look like the real part. I know we are going to get in trouble for this, but can I spend the night here with you?"

"Musa…I don't think that is wise, I mean then rumors are going to get bigger if we do that…" Riven didn't get to finish his sentence as Musa placed a kiss on his lips. Riven of course could never resist her when she did that. He just let her have her way tonight, and let her stay in the room. Though they were going to be in huge amounts of trouble when they were found in the morning but so be it. That is how things were going to work and they better just get it out in the open. Better late than never, so here goes nothing.

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"Riven, I hope you can explain why Princess Musa is in your bed," Saladine said gruffly as Riven stood there in front of the head master of the Red Fountain. Musa was groggily waking up to see Riven being scolded by Professor Saladine. Musa quickly stood up but Saladine held his hand up for Musa not to speak.

Musa just sat down quietly and awaited her turn as Riven stood there silent. "Musa and I, as you probably could guess are a couple…" Riven said slowly and Saladine just arched his eyebrow.

"That still doesn't explain why she is in your room…" Saladine said simply, even though he knew what was going on.

"Due to some rumors going around lately in this realm, Musa found me in order to seek some solace from them all…about us possibly being a couple," Riven said simply. "She asked to stay the night with me, and I let her…"

"That's not totally all true," Musa said standing up and clung to Riven's arm. He turned to look down at the musical fairy and Saladine just smiled. He saw something that he hadn't seen in ages, true love. The two were deeply in love and it was pure…he knew what was going on about their relationship and why they were trying to keep it a secret. They actually had done a great job till now.

"I see," Saladine said with a smirk. "Then tell me what is true…"

"Riven said it was a bad idea and tried to convince me to go but I stayed here," Musa said trying to clear Riven up, even if it got her little bit more in trouble. However Saladine just smiled warmly and then Musa along with Riven looked at him confused. Just a minute ago he was scolding Riven for having Musa in his room…well at the time sleeping in his bed. Now he was smiling at the couple. It was quite confusing about the elder man…

"I knew for some time when this year started that you two were an item, Musa's father told us in advance…" Saladine sighed. "I didn't imagine that your relationship had blossomed so brightly. You two are definitely meant to be, such a love never comes around twice…"

Riven and Musa blushed as they went into a warm embrace. Saladine smiled, "But we do need to get Princess Musa back to Alfea even though you two might not like to part. It must be done, but Riven if you like to accompany your lady…you can be excused from all of the classes today."

Riven smiled like a wild man and Musa had a similar expression, they walked out hand in hand. Saladine led the way but of course all of the Red Fountain boys were looking at the couple as they were walking by. Mostly with shocked expressions on their faces as the couple casually followed behind Saladine. Of course the ones to be in most shock was Sky, Brandon, and Timmy. They quickly raced after the departing couple.

"Riven, Musa…when did you plan on telling us?" Brandon asked as Riven just shrugged and Musa giggled. Saladine just rolled his eyes. The two were going to be the death of him, granted Riven is one of his better students. Saladine just continued to lead the couple around the school and the trio tried to follow but Saladine would stop them.

"I think you boys need to go back to your classes," Saladine said firmly.

"But sir…" Sky started but was shooed away by Saladine and the trio walked back into campus.

"Now they are gone, lets get you two over to Alfea and then Riven back to Red Fountain, shall we?"

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Okie dokie….next chapter is going to be about…you guessed, the press and Alfea girls going nutz…See you all next time. Thanks to those you reviewed!