Even though it was morning there still were a fair amount of people in the town. Ahiru was still unfazed however, and chose the first Café she saw.

It was full of people however. "Ahiru, there's no room here." Fakir looked around. "Or anywhere for that matter." Ahiru however was not one to give up so easily.

She just barged into the Café, with Fakir close behind her.

A waiter stopped them. "I'm sorry, but every table is occupied."

Fakir gave Ahiru a look of triumph. "Told you." Ahiru turned to the waiter. "Can we order it To-Go?" The waiter nodded in return.

Ahiru copied Fakir's look. "What do you want to eat Fakir?" "I'm not hungry." Ahiru tried to be more persuading. "Please Fakir!" "No." Ahiru gave Fakir a sad look.

Fakir sighed, he knew who won this. Why do her eyes have to be so big and blue?!

Ahiru ordered for both of them, which took Fakir by surprise. Ahiru wasn't the type to take charge.

"I would like two strawberry smoothies please!" Fakir stared at Ahiru. How did she know I liked those?

Shortly after Fakir was following Ahiru through town to who knows where. "Ahiru, where are you going?" "We're almost there Fakir." That's what you say every time I ask. Fakir was puzzled however. Ahiru was totally acting out of character. He wondered what had gotten into her. Barging into a Café and ordering for me is one thing, but leading the way through a forest is something else…

Ahiru however was nearly hyperventilating. She knew she had to take Charon's advice, but didn't want to make a fool of herself. Ahiru shook her head. And why did I think going somewhere secluded would give me courage? Ahiru wrinkled her nose. I can only imagine what Fakir would say… "Fakir, I have something to say." "Yes, out with it Baka!" "I like you, you know." "Baka, how could I like you back? You trip over everything, stutter, avoid confrontation, and are weak…!" Every thought of what Fakir would probably say made Ahiru's head go lower & lower. How could anyone love me?

WHAM!

Ahiru walked straight into a tree. "Ahiru!"

Fakir went to Ahiru, who was on the ground. "Baka! Why don't you watch where you're going?!" Ahiru sighed. This was exactly what she thought Fakir would say.

"Sorry Fakir." Fakir helped Ahiru get back on her feet. Ahiru gasped however, when she saw what was in front of her. "Fakir! We're here!"

Fakir looked up and saw a small pond. It was beautiful, with the edge bordered by flowers of all colors, and a small waterfall behind the pond.

Fakir helped Ahiru walk to a moss-covered log, overlooking the pond. He didn't let go of her shoulder after they both sat down. Ahiru didn't even seem to notice this.

"Ahiru, where did you find this place?" Ahiru looked down. "When I was a duck I would always swim here. It was always so peaceful, and seemed magical to me." She didn't add that this was a place where ducks would go to find mates.

"Oh!" Ahiru looked through her bag to find their smoothies. "Here." She handed Fakir his, then got her own. As Ahiru was sipping away she finally realized Fakir still had his arm around her shoulder. Ahiru sighed. This is the first time Fakir had her stay so close to him since she was a duck. Fakir realized this too. He turned his head away so she wouldn't see the red creeping up on his face. "Fakir…" "Yes?" Ahiru didn't answer back. Fakir turned round. Ahiru was fidgeting with her straw in the smoothie. "Ahiru?" She looked up. "Nothing." "We're not going to start this over again are we?" Ahiru gave a soft giggle. He was referring to when they were looking for Mytho. Ahiru then started to ask Fakir a question without thinking.

"Fakir, why were you freaked out when you found out I was a duck?" Fakir tensed up. He thought she would have forgotten that whole event by now. "I wasn't freaked out." Ahiru looked up at Fakir. "Yes you were. You were screaming, 'Why didn't you tell me you were a duck?! That's just dirty!'". Ahiru thought about something. "What did I do that was so dirty?" Fakir avoided Ahiru's face as he answered. "You never told me you were a duck so the time I…I hugged you, and you didn't say who you were. It's like you were, were. Uhh." Fakir didn't seem to know how to answer the question.

He turned towards Ahiru. "I'm just confusing you more aren't I?" Ahiru nodded. "Forget it." Fakir then started to drink the smoothie, so he wouldn't have to talk anymore.

"Fakir…" He didn't respond. He knew where this was going. "Fakir…Can I ask you something?" He looked at Ahiru.

"It seemed when I was a duck you were friendlier to me. You wouldn't scold me or call me Baka as much…" Ahiru smiled to no one in particular. "You would…Y-You would…" Ahiru couldn't say it.

"I would hold you closer to me?" Ahiru nodded. She then turned her head toward him. His face seemed so nonchalant. He didn't seem to show any emotion at the moment, even after what he just said.

On the inside Fakir was in turmoil. Why is she asking me this? Why would she care? Unless… Fakir hesitantly wrapped his arm around her shoulder. He was waiting for the moment she would shrug it off, but it never came. What does this mean?

Ahiru didn't know what to do next. Never, even when she was a duck, did Fakir hold her for no reason. She didn't remove his arm though. Partly because she was extremely embarrassed at the moment and because she wanted his arm to hold her. Ahiru's face was blushing furiously. Fakir noticed this, and smiled to himself. Why would she be blushing if she didn't care? Fakir decided to answer her question.

"Ahiru, I was closer to you as a duck because I knew you couldn't talk back to me. You couldn't reject me if you couldn't tell me. As a human, you easily can."

This was news to Ahiru. The thought of rejecting his affection never entered her mind. "Fakir, I would never say anything like that to you. After all we've been through, how could I?" "Quite easily." Ahiru was now offended. "Do you think I would do that?! Just walk with a heart of stone?" Ahiru slowly shook her head. "If anyone would I thought it would be you."

Fakir sighed. "I know that Ahiru. And in a way I did. Why else would I refuse every girl's offer to go out with them?" At hearing these words, Ahiru let her head droop. He would refuse every girl's offer. Especially mine probably! Fakir noticed Ahiru's sudden sadness. "Ahiru?" He then stopped. What a Baka I am! Say that I refuse to go out with every girl. Fakir shook his head in disgust. Perfect thing to say to the only girl that matters to me.

"Ahiru, I didn't mean every girl." She lifted her head up. "There's one girl who I would never say no to." Did I just say that?! "Who Fakir?" Fakir stared hard at the pond, without even glancing at Ahiru.

"You."

Ahiru was in shock. Did he just? Charon's words fell into her head. "When Fakir's so moody, it's either work or a GIRL."

Fakir was using all his might to stop his face from erupting into red. I just admitted it all, and she didn't say anything yet. EXTREMELY a bad sign. Fakir wanted to hit himself. I just ruined what friendship we had because I had to open my big mouth…

Fakir felt Ahiru move out of his wrapped arm. She doesn't want to even touch me know. "Fakir?" "Ahiru, I'm sor-." Fakir never finished what he was saying.

All he knew was that he finally had what he's been hoping for ever since he realized he could like her.

Their first kiss.

Ahiru started it, interrupting what Fakir was saying. She just planted her lips on his, as if they never wanted to leave. Fakir then joined the kiss, pushing his lips against hers with just as much force. His arms wrapped around her waist, slightly tugging at her braid.

Her arms went to his neck, where she was playing with his ponytail with her fingers. Ahiru also seemed to be leading the kiss, which was amusing to Fakir. He wanted some control though…

He opened his lips, and let his tongue escape. He requested entrance at Ahiru's lips. She held back for a moment, not sure what was going to happen, but let Fakir in. His tongue searched for hers, and started to massage it. She soon caught on, and did the same. His tongue also ran over her teeth, stroked the inside of her mouth. She shuddered in pleasure.

None of them were sure how long the kiss lasted, but to both it was pure bliss. Finally, both were able to enjoy what each had secretly wanted since that day when they formed a team.

Fakir broke the kiss, to explain to Ahiru. "Ahiru," She beat him to it. "I love you."

Fakir simply smirked. "How could anyone not with my superb kissing skills?" She just playfully punched him.

His hand went to her braid, and pulled it back. Her face was staring up at his. He started this next kiss. Just the way he wanted.

Neither of them saw the bush behind them shake. Or the two girls behind it, sighing with pride. "I knew our little Ahiru-chan could do it." Lillie turned to Pike. "He still will dump her right?" Pike just stared at Fakir and Ahiru. "After that kiss, who knows…"