Disclaimer: I announce to the whole world that I, sadly, do not own the anime series St

Disclaimer: I do not own Princess Tutu. And yes, in my dreams, I'd like to pretend I do.

Summary: (Series of drabbles) Once upon a time, there lived a girl and a boy who gave up on Happily Ever Afters long before the story started. For she was just a clumsy duck pretending to be a princess, and he was a knight-in-rusty-armor who could only wield a pen. This is their fairytale. ( Fakir x Ahiru )

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Masquerade

Act 05 - I : Heart
by makka na yuki

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He smiles a lot these days, light coming from his eyes to show that his happiness is real.

But it was not for her.

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Ahiru stood still behind the shadows, willing herself to disappear.

He was there, right in front of her.

One small step into the light and she would…

No. She couldn't let herself get caught. Not like this.

And yet…

She wanted him to see, to know that she knew what he had been busying himself over for the past few weeks.

To see the sadness in her eyes and the pain that gripped her heart.

Because of what he was doing. Because of him.

But…

How can she be selfish?

She turned and walked back home to wait for his return.

-

She stood near the door to welcome him home, a genuine-looking smile plastered on her face. It was easy to pretend – afterall, controlling your facial expressions is part of learning ballet. "How was your trip to the market?"

Fakir shrugged, though the obvious stiffness of his shoulders told her he was uncomfortable with answering, "Uneventful, as usual"

Ahiru tried not to sound too suspicious. Minutes before, she promised herself that she would not to delve into this matter too much. The red-haired girl knew that asking too many questions would not really give her a peace of mind.

But she couldn't help it, "Really? You didn't see anyone you know? It's such a small town that one would always bump into…"

And his answer, as usual, was instantaneous, "No."

Lies.

She shouldn't have tried. It hurt more to know that he can never be truthful with her, especially about another woman in his life.

She smiled at him. "Alright then. I'll go ahead and prepare dinner."

Ahiru willed herself not to cry. It would do no good to let him know her suffering. Fakir had already done so much for her this past few months – bringing back her humanity and taking care of her in his own home. The feelings they shared before the final battle might have been just her own illusion.

She could not expect anything more.

The past, it seems, will always catch up to haunt her.

-

She's not exactly a stranger, this girl that could always bring the good side out of Fakir. In fact, Ahiru remembered seeing her almost everyday in the academy. She was a dancer – just an average student, no one exceptional.

But…

She got most of the ballet steps right.

She was not clumsy.

She did not fall on her butt in class.

She knew how to smile and how to get along well with people.

She was everything Ahiru was not.

And Fakir, it seemed, needed that.

Ahiru thought that just as long as it would break him out of his shell, she would try to understand.

After all, there was no room for regrets in this story.

-

Confused, he took a step back and gripped his heart. The pain did not disappear.

"What did you say?"

She sighed, wishing she could just get this over with.

"I wanted to say good-bye."

"But why?"

"There are things…" she stopped for a moment, carefully choosing her words "… that I need to do." That I need to get away from.

"And you can't do those here, with me?"

With me.

How she wishes it were true.

She shook her head.

"Where will you go?"

"There's someone …"

Once again, he didn't let her finish "Anyone I know?"

"… Not exactly"

"You thought of this for a long time haven't you? How long have you been planning to leave me?!"

"Fakir please, that's why I'm saying good-bye…"

"I won't let you go."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "W-what..? But.."

"You're under my care Ahiru. I'm responsible for your well-being."

..responsible.

An obligation. That was what she was. Only an obligation.

She hardened her resolve and glared right back at him. "I won't let you stop me"

He gripped her shoulders, shaking her a little. "Listen to yourself Ahiru, you're not making sense. Where will you go? What will you do? There's nothing for you out there."

She tried to push him away. "There's nothing for me here!"

"What are you saying?! What about me?"

"No!" He couldn't have meant that.

"Ahiru?"

"I… please, just let me leave without question. I'll be back soon."

"Soon then? Do you promise?"

"Yes." Maybe.

It seems as though their relationship is always full of lies.

-

Author's Notes: I've been working on this story/chapter since forever, and I finally decided to post it into parts just so I could actually make some progress. The problem is that I'm not exactly sure how long this would turn out to be – three (which is the original plan), four, maybe even more divisions (and if that happens, I'll just move it and create a whole new fic).

In the meantime, don't be surprised if the parts are not posted consecutively – I might insert a drabble here and there in between (just so you guys know I'm not promising anything). Lolz.

Tell me what you think.