Chapter 4: Just a question

Ahiru and Fakir had been meeting and learning more and more about Port for the past 3 days. And each day they had been growing closer and closer. They stopped worrying so much about Jaden trying to find them since he had yet to do so.

"And this is the last one for today. That's the biggest trader from Emestress." Ahiru pointed, "He calls himself the Cat man or 'Mr. Cat'. He's very picky about who trades with him. He prefers the richer crowd, so he'll look down on everyone else. Rumor has it, he acts that way because he's lonesome and in want of a wife."

"I see. So we can't approach him?"
"Oh no, we can approach. It doesn't mean he'll like it."

Silence passed over the two.
"Say Fakir…" Ahiru seemed to be shifting nervously like she usually did.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, it's just a question. You know in about a week the Celestial Festival will be here. And I was just wondering… would you like to come?"

Fakir looked at her a little startled.
Was she… asking him out?!
A GYPSY asking a SOLDIER!?

That just… seemed so… unreal.
Was he upset? No of course not! He really liked her regardless of who she was, but what would society think? How would things turn out? Was he willing to take that risk?
If anything he was more than willing to go with her but… there was something in the way.

"I think I would, but I'm not too sure I'll make it on time. Besides, I hear there's a lot of dancing at those festivals, and I'm not much of a dancer."

"I bet you are. You just have to give it a cha-"
"THERE YOU ARE!"

A voice over the crowd was heard.
Ahiru knew that voice all too well… and she was not happy about it!

She cringed at hearing his sharp voice because she knew he was really ticked off to see her with Fakir.

Jaden stomped up to Ahiru and grabbed her wrist, "I think it's time we leave!" he said in a low growl, mostly towards Fakir.
Jaden began to pull her away as Fakir watched, unsure of what to do.
"I'll see you tomorrow!" Ahiru said while being pulled away.
"No she won't!" Jaden snapped right after.

On the way back, Jaden constantly tried speaking to Ahiru who just seemed to shut out every word he spoke. And the more she kept doing that, the more his patience was fleeting. What would it take to get through to this girl?! You can only wait on a girl you like for so long before you snap…

"If you're going to keep pouting, your pretty little face will get stuck like that." He said a little flatly.
"It wouldn't be like this if you hadn't treated me like a child…" She muttered.

"I wouldn't have to if you had stopped talking to that dangerous man."
"That 'dangerous man' is my friend whom you know nothing about! You only call him that because he's a soldier!" She twisted her hand free from his grasp and quickly grabbed hold of his wrist, pressing onto the pressure point and making him fall to his knees while he moaned in pain.

"I don't see why you could hate someone you know nothing about!" Ahiru continued, "But I guess anything is possible with how foolish people can be."

She let go of his wrist.
"Oh please, from what I was hearing, he was trying to find a nice way to tell you no. He's afraid of what everyone will think if they see you two together. That's something so old fashioned that even people like us are afraid of it."
"That's not true! If technology can advance, why can't people? I see nothing wrong with it."
"Yeah, but does he see anything wrong with it? I'm telling you Ahiru, stick with your own kind. No one is afraid of that."
"So you're saying to just forget everything with Fakir and stay with our troupe? I just can't do that! And I won't have to because he will come!"

Jaden slowly stood up. "Well weather he does or doesn't, you should at least consider what I said. Stick to those close to you! Take me for example. You know I know more about you than anyone else. You know I'll be there to look out for you… maybe even dance with you."

Ahiru only looked at him. He was really going to try this? He had to be dreaming if he thought that line was going to work!
"I don't really see that happening Jaden. I'm already close with Fakir any way." Ahiru said a little flatly, "And besides, even if he didn't show up, dancing with you would be… well kind of strange."
"Strange?"
"Well… you're like a brother to me. And I don't really see myself dancing with my brother."

"So, you're completely set on being seen with this man?!"
"We have been seen in public for four days now."
"They probably thought he was arresting you!"
"No they didn't Jaden! What do you know about how people think?"
It took all of Jaden's strength not lash out at Ahiru. This girl was really driving him up the wall! What would it take to make this girl see things straight!

"Whatever," His said quietly, "Let's just get back to camp. We're almost there…"

The two walked the rest of the way in silence until they finally reached the hidden camp where they were quickly greeted by the twins.

"Hello guys!"
"You're back early!"
"And what was-"
"All that shouting?"

Ahiru and Jaden stole a look from one another then quickly turned away and crossed their arms.
"Doesn't matter." Ahiru said holding back her anger.

"It sure doesn't look that way." Hermia stated.
"Why don't you talk to the girl who tried asking a soldier to come to the Celestial festival!" Jaden said very tersely.
"You did what?!" The twins shouted at Ahiru.
"I tried inviting Fakir to the Celestial festival. But he wasn't too sure if he would make it…" Ahiru gave a whistful tone.
"He's not coming." Jaden frowned, "The Celestial festival is a GYPSY tradition in order to keep in touch with the spirits that may walk among us. Not a place where soldiers can meet with gypsies!"
"The festival is welcome to anyone!" Ahiru snapped, "You're just acting this way because you don't like soldiers!"

"So what! You shouldn't even be near people like that! You're willing to risk traditional views and your own safety for the sake of one man you think you know so well!?"

The two stared each other down.
"Well maybe I am." Ahiru tone remained firm.
"Have it your way then! But when he puts you in danger, and I get you out of it, I reserve the right to say 'I told you so!'"

The two stormed off as the rest of the troupe gathered around.
Femio took in the air around Jaden as he passed him and placed his hand on the nearest flower, a rose.
The moment his finger touched the pedals, the red was soon dissolved into a bright green. He looked at the now oddly colored rose with disgust, picked it, and joined everyone else.

"Well it seems our Jaden is in a bit of jealously." He said presenting the rose to everyone.
"So it would seem," Edel said.

"Mama Edel," Lillie began, "Why does Jaden stay with us, -"
"when he's clearly not happy?" Pique finished.

Lysander only laughed, "Isn't it obvious? It's because Ahiru is here."
"Because of-"
"Ahiru?"

"Of course. They've known each other since they were little. Those two are practically family. Plus I think he has a bit of a crush on her." Lysander said, playfully jabbing one of the twins in the ribs causing them both to laugh.
"Well even if he does," Hermia began, "He has a funny way of showing it. I wouldn't exactly call that little display liking someone."
Lysander moved over towards his wife and put his arm around her, "True, but wasn't I like that once with you?"

Hermia laughed, "I remember. But you didn't yell at me like that."
"Well their young." Femio said with glee, "It'll take time before they figure all this out. I think they would be good together. But as long as that soldier is in Ahiru's life, Jaden won't be able to say anything about how he feels. He'll be too busy trying to keep those two apart."

"And obviously Ahiru doesn't see the things how Jaden sees them." Edel went on, "She's held a tight bond with Jaden, but lately that bond has been loosened. And I believe the more Jaden keeps pushing her, the more she will begin to resist and most likely push back."

"It's got to be that soldier's fault!" Lysander spat, "He's probably filling her head with ideas to start rebelling against the gypsy way of life! How much longer before she starts fighting with us?!"

"Lysander don't like soldiers –zura?" Uzura said while toddling over to her mother to pick her up.
Edel took the child into her arms, "We don't know that Lysander. For all we know, he could be asking her to teach him of our ways. You don't know a person until you really understand them. And besides, Ahiru knows how to get out of things when it turns bad, so I trust her judgment."

"I guess you're right, Mama Edel." Lysander sighed, "Ahiru is a smart girl."

Unknown to everyone else, Jaden had been listening to this conversation. His heart sank having heard that his family was not on his side about Fakir. But what really rattled his cage was hearing them actually allow Ahiru to be near that man! I mean really?! Doesn't anyone see the mess Ahiru is getting herself into!

And he was NOT jealous! Femio didn't know what he was talking about!
Whatever, he was still going to find a way to look after Ahiru and protect her from that soldier!

A/N: Wow! This one took a while. But here it is!
I know another kind of filler-ish chapter, but I promise you give it a little time, the action will come, I swear!

And I give my thanks to:

The Girl Of Many Names for reviewing,
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