02/04/2006 20:33:00

So I was convinced that my ending wasn't quite a real ending, and needed to add more – but its turning into a LOT more, not just a little ending sequence. So here it is. The beginning of the end of wishful thinking. And I still don't won Princess Tutu.

Fakir stirred, shifting in his bed and with a sigh he opened his eyes. The early morning sun was harsh against his sleep filled eyes and they slid closed again. He could still not believe the events of the last few months. Mytho –dear blessed Mytho -- had through a magic that no one could understand, turned Ahiru back into a human again. He still remembered fondly their reunion in the lake.

He had been a fool and he had to swallow a lot of pride to apologize to Ahiru. He did not deserve suck a blessing as her, in his life, but somehow he had won her love and devotion, just as she had his. He had pursued her into the lake, forcing her to listen to his apologies, not caring that she was a duck, a duck that he was confessing his love to. At that moment in time, eh didn't even care that she might not return his feelings, he had only cared that she know that he cared for her, that he hadn't meant what he had said, what had started the entire mess.

During his confession, which was anything but eloquent, he had poured his heart out to Ahiru. After his confession he behaved as any good knight would, he kissed the princess.

Fakir was not what anyone would call a romantic, but he could feel the heat of a blush on his face as he recalled the kiss that he and Ahiru had shared in the lake. The kiss was magical, and not only because Ahiru had transformed back into a girl.

Mytho attempted to explain that the transformation was something similar to his defeat of the monster raven with Rue, that the power of love – Fakir snicker at the cliché, he was a writer after all, but he did not argue with the prince—between Ahiru and Fakir had allowed the transformation. Mytho claimed that as long as their love remained Ahiru could overcome the destiny that Drosselmeyer had forced upon her.

Fakir was not worried about the condition that Mytho supplied, that the love must remain between them, he knew that nothing could sway him in his love for her. Ahiru however did seem worried, and showed this in the typical Ahiru fashion, and she attempted to hid this worry from all her friends.

She buried herself in her ballet beginners class, not letting Sensei pass her to the intermediate class until she had perfected each step. She had impressed Sensei with her devotion and if anyone noticed the echo of Princess Tutu in her motions, no one mentioned it. Fakir has happy to see her so inspired by her dance, she knew what she was capable of for the abilities of Princess Tutu were still within her somewhere, and Ahiru was determined to bring them out.

She spent a lot of time dancing and seemed hesitant to restart her friendships with Pique and Lilie. It was hard to adjust to being a girl again, and considering the reason for her temporary estrangement from Fakir, and several near death experiences when the two had visited Fakir's house, Ahiru seemed to think ti best to associate with those who knew her secret.

Fakit sighed and forced himself out of bed. His presence was not expected at school until the afternoon, and while it was still early he had a lot to if he was going to pull this evening off.

Aota Rue and Mutho had promised to distract Ahiru for him while he got everything ready, and Rue would get Ahiru ready for the evening that Ahiru did not know she had. Fakir ran a hand through his hair and laughed to himself. He would have to hurry is he was going to meet Ahiru for lunch as he usually did. She would be suspicious if he did at not least show up at the academy.

The morning ballet class was inturruped as whispers of visitors to the class began to circulate around the room. Sensei, who normally continued his ballet lessons despite any interruptions, Paused to address the disturbance in his class.

"Rue, Mytho, will you please enter the classroom so I may attempt to regain the attention of my students?"

Sensei did not turn to look at the door, but he heard soft sets of footsteps as the pair entered the room, as well as the rustling of uniform material. Rue and Mytho still worse the uniforms when they visited Kinkan, despite no longer attending the Academy.

"As I was saying." Sensei cleared his throat, and the heads of all his students turned back to him. "it is important to be able to follow the movements of your partner in a dance. Balled is a silent conversation set to music, a pair must be able to communicate through their dance, and convey their feelings to the audience. Ahiru will demonstrate, and she will be partnered with—"

Mytho quietly cleared his throat, and stepped forward.

"Sensei, if I may, it has been a long time since I have danced with Ahiru. If it is not too much trouble, I would be honored to partner with her in this exercise. I know her skills will be well demonstrated." Mytho's voice, while pleasant and conversational did not leave room for argument.

"While it is typically hard to perform ballet in a uniform, I shall allow your request, Mytho. Ahiru and Mytho will perform a pas de deux for us, allowing Ahiru to demonstrate the skills she had recently learned. Mytho, do not allow your skills to dominate the dance."

"That will not be a consideration, Sensei." Mytho smiled at Ahiru, his eyes sparkling with mischief and Ahiru blushed, looking away. She glanced at Rue, who smiled encouragingly as she walked over to Ahiru.

"Enjoy your dance with the prince, Princess." Rue's voice was the barest whisper, and with a gently nudge Rue pushed Ahiru towards Mytho. Ahiru spun around and captured Rue in a hug before joining Mytho on the floor, giving him a curtsy as he greeted her with a bow.

With a smile AHiru straightened and facing Mytho she waited until sensei moved to the side of the classroom, away from the dancers.

"What song shall you dance to, Ahiru?"

"Swan lake." Mytho answered for Ahiru and she laughed. She glanced to Rue from the corner of her eye, and saw the Princes smiling from across the room

Sensei did not scold Mytho for speaking for Ahiru as Ahiru seemed happy with the choice, and as the music started Sensei stiffened, noticing Fakir leaning on the doorframe, watching the pair with hooded eyes.

How would the young man react with Mytho and Ahiru's interaction. Fakir was very possessive of Ahiru.

Sensei turned his attention back towards the pair as the must started, frowning as he noticed Ahiru extend a hand towards Mytho with a smile, one leg extended gracefully behind her. It was a pose that looked very familiar, but he could not place it, but it seemed as if it was almost a memory. Sensei glanced to Fakir, who was smiling as the dance began, and Mytho took the hand that Ahiru offered him, sweeping the girl up into his arms.

Entranced Sensei locked his eyes on the dancing couple, watching their story unfold. It spoke of birth and unrequited love, blossoming friendship and sacrifice. The pair moved flawlessly with eachother, and the tone of the dance shifted. Mytho's dance indicated unhappiness for the sacrifice and Ahiru answered with comfort and feigned happiness – the story came out so well in the dance, and several girls in the classroom suspiciously wiped their eyes, moved to tears.

Sensei heard Fakir's footsteps as the young man entered the room and Mytho flashed a smiled to Fakir as he danced. Now the pair danced a dance which spoke of giving life and second ch ances, in a flash Mytho took Ahiru by the hands and lead her through a leaping jump, so she landed in front of Fakir, extending her hand to him in a silent question.

Will you dance with me?

Her smile, as she gazed at Fakir, was tender but sad, her apprehension showing as she waited for an answer from the knight, he knight. Mytho stepped off the dance floor and watched Ahiru lead the knight to the floor. Two tragic figured in a story about himself and Rue were about to have their moment, and he was glad of it.