Aneko: It feels like it's been ages since I've posted a new chap…but then again, I am a person who can't remember things that happened several hours ago.(X P )

Disclaimer: I don't own Princess Tutu

Chapter 7

They were silent for a moment after the two disappeared, then Fakir turned to Ahiru.

"Are you okay?"

"Huh? Yeah," Ahiru looked down at her outfit, "but I'm not sure what happened!"

Geiju smiled. "You believed in yourself instead of what others told you."

"Oh. Is that it?" Ahiru looked surprised. As she spoke, the outfit glowed, then faded to her normal practice uniform.

"Who was that?" Fakir asked Ahiru.

"She didn't tell me her name, she just started attacking me. She used a paintbrush, like Geiju."

"Her name is Yamiko." Kange said as they began walking, "She is their artist."

"Who was the man?"

"That is Juniper. He is the instrumentalist. You have not yet met their third member. Her name is Reiko."

"Hmm." Ahiru processed the information.

"Juniper made it sound like he was trying to get rid of Ahiru." Fakir said frowning.

"Eh?!" Ahiru said, alarmed.

"It's exactly what he was doing," Geiju nodded. "and I've seen it before. He did the same thing when our author and dancer were killed."

"Do you think They'll keep using a hit and run tactic?" Fakir asked.

"As long as Juniper is in charge, most likely; but you can never tell with Yamiko. She's rash and likes playing games with her opponents more than attacking from the shadows. As for Reiko, she always has a cool head, like Juniper. Yamiko can be rather unpredictable."

"So what should we do?" Fakir asked as they reached the spot in the road that split up to go to the girls' and boys' dormitories.

"Always walk around with someone else." Geiju said, " We don't want anyone catching us alone again, it would be too easy for them to get rid of us." Geiju paused to think. "Ahiru –san, you and Fakir-kun need to stick together, and Kange and Koeko too. I'll switch between the four of you."

Everyone nodded in understanding and headed towards the dorms.

When Ahiru came down the next morning, she found Fakir waiting for her, and they began walking to class together.

"I was wondering," Ahiru said as they walked, 'what was that silver thing that hit Yamiko's whip? That silver object that flew over my head."

"That was Kange's flute." Fakir answered. "We all met right outside the building, but there was no time, so Kange just threw it. That's why it made that humming noise."

"Yeah, I remember; is it okay that he threw his flute, though?"

Fakir shrugged. "He's the one who threw it. I don't know."

Another thought occurred to Ahiru. "Wait, how did you all know I was in trouble?!"

Fakir stopped walking. "We all heard you voice. You were calling for help."

"You heard that? All I remember is thinking how badly I needed help…you heard that?"

Fakir nodded. They were silent for a while, then Ahiru heard someone calling her name.

"A-hiruuuu!" She looked up to see Lilie waving to her, with Pique next to her, from the top of the hill.

"Would you wait for a moment?" Ahiru asked. Fakir nodded, and Ahiru ran up the hill.

"What's this, Ahiru?" Lilie asked, shocked as Ahiru reached the top, "You are walking to school with Fakir?"

"Uh, yeah." Ahiru said, a little confused.

"But didn't you know? He won't go out with anyone." Pique said. "Remember how I told you he has a girlfriend?"

"Y-yeah…" Ahiru said slowly.

"I know because every girl who asks him out gets turned down. Each one says he tells them, 'Sorry, I made a promise to someone'." She said, imitating Fakir's voice, "But the thing is, no one's ever seen him with this 'someone' he talks about."

'I was just walking with him!" Ahiru defended herself.

"It's okay, Ahiru." Lilie consoled, "if walking with him makes you feel better, it's okay."

Ahiru walked back down the hill, and she and Fakir kept walking.

"Huh. It's funny." Pique said form the hilltop as she watched the two walk away. "Those two kind of look good together."

"Oh. I think you're right!" Lilie said, like it was the most absurd thing on earth.

"Pique shrugged. "Too bad Fakir-sama is already taken." Lilie nodded in agreement.

"Class, I have more news on the ballet." The teacher said.

The class began murmuring, some in dread, and some in anticipation.

"First of all, you will be performing in front of a panel of judges. Second of all, you must have a partner when you perform, as most of the dances will be pas de deuxes (is that even a word?). It does not matter who your partner is, because you will most likely not both be picked."

Also because there are so few guys… Ahiru thought, though she didn't say it out loud. Without looking, she could already tell that most of the girls were looking at Fakir(again).

Too bad…she thought, drawing circles on the floor with her finger, I kinda wanted to perform with him…

Realizing what she had just thought, Ahiru shook her head, trying to dislodge the thought. It didn't work. She lowered her head, hoping to hide the crimson on her cheeks.

It's true though…

Ahiru calmed as the blush faded. I kind of do wonder who her picked though…from what Pique said, he's already got a girlfriend who will be his partner. I got used to him being there all the time, but now that I'm human, I can't ask for that.

Resignedly, Ahiru turned her attention back to the teacher.

At the end of class, Ahiru walked over to Fakir.

"So," She said, trying to sound casual, "who do you think you'll have as a partner for the tryouts?"

Fakir gazed at her a moment before replying, "Doe is matter?"

"I guess you're right," Ahiru said pausing. "It doesn't really matter. You'll get the lead in the ballet no matter who it is."

Fakir raised an eyebrow. "How do you know that?"

"Oh, come on, Fakir. Everyone in class knows you're the best male dancer- even the teacher!"

"What about you?" Fakir asked, changing the subject. "Who will you dance with?"

Ahiru was caught off guard. "Me? Ah, I don't know yet. Pique and Lilie are trying out together, and I don't really know anyone else…?

"Try out with me then."

Ahiru blinked. She was sure she had just misheard that. "What?"

"Try out with me."

"D-demo, Fakir, the other girls-"

"Are annoying." He finished for her. "I don't know any of them; and besides, Geiju told us to stick together- this will make it easier."

"B-but I'm such a bad dancer!" Ahiru said still making excuses, "And you know that! Don't you want to pick…"

Her words dwindled away as Fakir's steady eyes gazed back at her.

"I will not break my promise." He said, walking towards the exit.

"Each one said he tells them 'Sorry, I made a promise to someone.'"

Ahiru stood there as the full realization hit her. I…I couldn't be the 'someone', could I?!

Fakir half-turned back toward her. "Are you coming?"

"H-hai!" Ahiru said breathlessly, running to catch up.

Ahiru stared out the window as Fakir browsed the bookshelves. He had asked if they could stop at the library before going back to the dorms.

"Hey Fakir," Ahiru murmured, "when do you think they'll attack again?"

"They might attack at any time." Fakir replied without looking up from his book.

"Do you think we're ready?"

Fakir shut the book. "As ready as we'll ever be." He came behind her and looked out the window too. "Now all we can do is wait for them to find us."

As Ahiru opened her window the next morning to feed the birds, she saw Fakir already waiting with Geiju beside him.

She dressed quickly and ran down to meet them, greeting them cheerfully.

"So you're coming with us today Geiju?"

Geiju smiled. "Yes."

"How are Kange and Koeko-chan doing?"

"They are doing well. They perform well together. Koeko loves Kange more than anyone else in the whole world." Geiju said with a fond smile.

"She cares a lot about you too, though." Ahiru pointed out.

Geiju looked at the sky. "Yes, but she is closer to Kange. They're closer in age, you know. She adores him like he's her older brother- he acts like he is, too."

"Does that make you lonely?" Ahiru asked, concerned.

"No." Geiju said, that same fond smile returning to his face. "I think of them both as younger siblings. I want to protect them, even though I know Kange is old enough to look after himself. Koeko has existed for a long time, but remember, she still has mostly the mind of an eight-year-old.

They reached the academy and waved goodbye to Geiju.

Aneko: I just noticed I've been skipping all the classroom parts at the school! XD. Oh well. I think this fanfic is going to end up longer than I had planned for it to be…Oh yeah! And I've got several questions about whether this is Fakir-Ahiru…let's just say I love that pairing, so yeah. Not so much major stuff, but I was trying to make it less obvious than my last PT fic…but I have an ending planned for these two!