Chapter Twelve: Questions?

Fakir frowned sadly as Duck slept in his bed undisturbed except for every once and awhile when she would flinch as if afraid or having a nightmare of some kind. The fourth time she did that Fakir took her hand gently in his as Mytho and Rue silently stood in the back not saying a word. In Rue's hand was a red leather bound book with fancy writing on the cover. Mytho stared at the title and then turned face forward as the little girl at last stirred in the bed and opened her eyes slowly.

"Duck?" Fakir said with a relieved smile, as she looked up at him her eyes focusing on his face.

"Fakir" she smiled back wearily as she placed her hand on top of his, "Why do you look so worried?"

"Do you not remember what happened this afternoon?" he asked a little surprised at her reaction.

"Hmm? Oh I went for a walk with Mytho. But how did I end up here?" she said glancing around at her surroundings.

"We" Fakir began, "Rue, Mytho, and I, we brought you to Charon's because you fainted."

"Rue and Mytho? Are they here?" she asked peering into the darkness and they stepped forward.

"We're right here Duck" Rue replied softly as she placed the book on the bed and took her friend's hand gently, "We have been here the whole time" she added as Mytho nodded kindly, "waiting for you wake up."

"Have I been asleep for a long time?" Duck said as she sat up her long hair messy in the back since it was undone.

"For a couple of hours" Fakir nodded, "Are you saying you don't remember what happened Duck?"

"No" she shook her head, "What did happen?" she asked looking at all their faces.

"You ran down to the lake" Rue began, "You were out with Mytho" she continued trying to hold in her tears, "And then suddenly took off for the lake. Do you remember why?"

"The lake? No" she shook her head a second time, "I have no idea why I would go down there."

"Not only that" Fakir replied sitting on the bed still holding onto her hand which Mytho noticed and frowned slightly, "You kept insisting that someone was calling you and when I tried to call your name you also kept insisting that Duck wasn't your name."

"But that's silly. That is my name? Isn't it?" she said a bit puzzled, "I mean it's what you guys told me my name was."

"Well that's because" Rue replied, "It was the name you went by back in the old days. Before you disappeared. When you came back to us it was only natural for us to call you by that name, right Mytho?" she said looking back at him.

"Absolutely" he nodded, "Do you remember anything before you ran down to the lake Duck?" he asked curiously.

"Yea" she nodded back, "And I thank you Mytho, but I am still confused."

"Thank him for what?" Fakir replied suspiciously with a raise of his eyebrows as he stared back at his friend who eyed him penetratingly back.

"Never mind that now" Rue said hurriedly, "What's more important is finding out why Duck is acting the way she is."

"All right" Fakir conceded, "Rue can I have the book?"

"Sure" she nodded handing him the leather bound book and he placed it in front of Duck.

"Duck" he began after taking a deep breath, "Do you remember that we told you about the Prince and the Raven?"

"Uh huh" she nodded, "You told me that Mytho is the prince from the Prince and the Raven. And that I was Princess Tutu right?"

"Right. Well this book" he patted the cover, "Is the Prince and the Raven. It's the very story that Mytho was born out of. Take a look. Maybe you'll remember something," he added handing her the book gently.

She stared at the cover; it's bright yellow fancy words flashing in a glossy fashion. She ran her fingers delicately over the title and then moved her eyes down to the bottom where the author's name was written in bold letters as well.

"What's this?" she pointed.

"Hmm?" he glanced where she was pointing.

"What is this?" she repeated.

"That's the authors name," he explained.

"What does it say?"

"Can't you read it?" he asked a bit hesitantly knowing the next question she would ask if he told her.

"Mnm. Can you tell me?"

"It says Drosselmeyer" he replied.

"Drosselmeyer?"

"Mhm. He was the man who wrote the Prince and the Raven. But he was also the man who wanted the story to end in tragedy."

"I don't understand."

"Duck, he, oh how do I put this? He made it possible for you to become Princess Tutu because he believed that you would make it so the story would end in tragedy but instead with my help and the use of the same ability that he possessed we were able to give the Prince and the Raven a happy conclusion."

"And because of that" Rue added, "You and Fakir along with Mytho and I were able to defeat the Raven and save Gold Crown Town. But mostly it was you Duck as Princess Tutu who ultimately saved us all. Do you understand now?"

"I understand that" she nodded her eyebrows furrowed, "But what I don't understand is how he could, no" she shook her head, "He couldn't have. He was much to kind for that sort of thing."

"Who was?" Mytho asked curiously as he leaned forward.

"Grandfather Drosselmeyer was," she answered.

"Grandfather?" Fakir exclaimed as the other's eyes widened.

"That's what everybody called him."

"Everybody?" Rue said confused now.

"Yes. All the children in the town. He used to come and visit and tell us all stories."

"Duck what are you talking about?" Fakir asked frowning, "What town?"

"Town" she said simply, "Or" she furrowed her eyebrows once again as if concentrating, "At least I think."

"Duck. Are you remembering something?" Fakir replied becoming interested as he leaned forward.

"I think, so" she said slowly, "I mean I think I remember something."

"Concentrate. What can you see?"

"Um well, there's a fountain."

"A fountain? What kind of fountain? Is it here in Gold Crown Town?"

"Mnm" she shook her head as she concentrated harder, "It's kind of big, and it has a round area that surrounds it that you can sit on. And it's carved to look like a couple of swans."

"Swans?"

"Mhm."

"We don't have any fountain like that here" Rue replied shaking her head.

"No" Mytho agreed crossing his arms.

"Maybe it's not here. It sounds familiar. With all the traveling I've done it's possible I have seen it somewhere. Duck" he said taking her hand, "If you saw that fountain again would you recognize it?"

"Maybe" she nodded, "Yes" she nodded a second time more certainly, "I'm sure I would know it if I saw it again. I can see it quite clearly in my head right now."

"That settles that" Fakir said leaning back at last somewhat satisfied.

"That settles what?" Mytho asked with a frown.

"It's obvious that there is more to Duck's life then we ever knew about. Even before Drosselmeyer she must have had a different life. It will probably also explain why she disappeared three years ago and why she's acting so strange. Duck" he replied, "You can stop now. Why don't you get some more rest" he added as she leaned back her eyes very tired once more, "I'm gonna see what I can do to locate this fountain of yours. Rue I think she should stay here tonight. I'll bring her back to the school myself tomorrow."

"That's a good idea" Rue nodded standing up, "Gaston Faber is coming to visit the class and I know Mr. Cat would want her there."

"Oh goodie" Fakir said sarcastically as he also stood, "I'll walk you both out" they moved toward the door since the sleepy little girl had already closed her eyes and drifted off.

(Next Scene)

Fakir watched as Mytho and Rue walked down the street side-by-side and frowned slightly at the back of his friend's head. He was still wondering why Mytho had taken off with Duck earlier, but he sighed and decided as he walked back inside and closed the door that it was a question for a later time. He walked into the kitchen where Charon was making himself a cup of tea. The old gentlemen smiled as he entered and he offered him a cup, which Fakir gladly accepted with a smile as he sat down.

"So the young lady is staying with us tonight?"

"Yes" Fakir nodded.

"I'm surprised you have stayed as long as you have Fakir. I thought you would have been on the road by now. After all, I am doing much better."

"Yes you are Charon. You're looking better every day. But there are other reasons I remain behind."

"Hmm?" the old man raised an eyebrow with a twinkle in his eye, "I know. But you do have a commitment as well Fakir, don't forget that?"

"I haven't. I have even gone as so far as to decide to take her with me, or rather ask her to go with me."

"Do you think she'll go?"

"Charon" Fakir replied suddenly standing to his feet, "You just gave me an idea. Will you watch Duck for me while I go run an errand?"

"Of course" Charon nodded, "Hurry back!" he added as Fakir grabbed his coat and dashed out the front door.

(Next Scene)

Meanwhile Rue arrived at the front door of her room. Mytho had insisted on walking her the entire way. When they arrived she turned around with a solemn face.

"Mytho, do you have to go back right away?" she asked.

"No" he shook his head, "Why? Do you have something on your mind?"

"Would you come in for a few minutes? I think now is as good as time as any to have that talk."

"I agree" he nodded and followed her into the room.

She walked over to light one of the lamps as he remained at the door then she turned to him with the same expression.

"What's on your mind Rue? You seem so serious?"

"Mytho I" she began, "I just have to ask," she replied her lips trembling, "Why would you do something like that?"

"Why would I do something like what?" he said innocently.

"Why would you tell her? Why would you tell her about the past when you promised me that I could be the one to do it? I don't understand."

"Rue, you're not making any sense."

"You promised me" she insisted, "I heard every word. I was there Mytho. Behind the tree" she added his gaze unflinching, "I heard all the awful things you said."

"I think you misunderstood me Rue" he replied his eyes focused on her wide eyes that were filling with tears.

"What?"

"Those things I said, they were all about Kraehe."

"But I was Kraehe."

"Do you still consider yourself Kraehe Rue?" he asked taking a step forward.

"Well, no" she shook her head.

"Then I don't think you have anything to worry about. You have no reason to be so upset. I know I promised not to say anything about Kraehe but it was time. She was so confused and to be honest I felt it was about time that she knew the whole story. I have no regrets for what I did. But I am sorry that you thought that I was trying to hurt you in some way."

"Mytho" she said confused as he wrapped his arms around her.

"You know I love you Rue, don't you?" he whispered in her ear, "You are my princess after all."

"Well I, I still don't understand, why you couldn't have asked me first" she replied pulling away and leaning her back against the bedroom wall, "I would have considered telling Duck if you had insisted on it Mytho. You have been so strange lately. What's going on with you? It's not like you to be so forward like this," she added.

"Forward?" he said, "You mean showing affection? Isn't that what you want?" he asked with a frown, "Don't you love me Rue?"

"Of course I love you Mytho. I always have."

"Then accept my apology" he replied almost commandingly as he placed his hand on the wall next to her face and leaned down to kiss her forehead, "I promise I will never do something like that again. After all" he added in a whisper, "You are my one and only" he kissed her on the lips delicately at first but then a bit harder making Rue furrow her eyebrows slightly in discomfort.

He pulled away leaving her standing still against the wall her eyes wide.

"I should go now. I don't want to get in trouble" he said with a coy smile, "Goodnight Rue. My princess" he closed the door behind him and she slid down the wall her heart pounding in her chest.

"Who was that?" she thought aloud, "That wasn't the prince who just left now? Who was that imposter and where is the real prince?"

(Next Scene)

Autor stood his mouth slightly wide open as Fakir related his news to him.

"You mean you really have decided to go back on the road? To continue with the book signing?"

"Mhm. On once condition."

"What is it?"

"This isn't just going to be about touring the world again but more like a quest."

"A quest?" Autor's eyebrows rose as he straightened his glasses further up his nose.

"Yes, a quest to discover the mysteries of Princess Tutu's past" Fakir added crossing his arms.

(To be continued..)

Authors Note: Okay guys here's the chapter for Princess Tutu. See you all again on April 17!

Next Chapter: Fountain

Fakir, along with Rue, Mytho, Duck, and Autor set out once more on the road to find Duck's mysterious fountain that will hopefully unlock the path to the key to her memory. Find out what happens next time!!!