Chapter Two

Fakir traveled for many days and nights, over mountains, across streams, through forests. His back ached from the weight of the supplies he carried upon it and his feet were sore from the rough path of the earth. But the most pain came from his self-inflicted wound; the wrappings where his right hand should have been were dark with blood as it throbbed with every step he took. Yet there was no one to comfort him, no one to distract him from his pain. He was all alone, and in his solitude and pain, he lost himself.

He walked through the greens and browns of the earth during the day, and stared into the fires that kept him warm during the night, but his mind saw none of these. Deep into himself he searched, but for what, he did not know. No longer did he know who he was; was he a knight or a writer? Could he be either, anymore? For he had given up the sword for the pen, long ago, when his power with the pen proved stronger than his physical strength. But Ahiru's death brought forth the shunning of his blessing, his curse, and no longer was it possible for it to thrive in him.

Days, months passed and not once did he come in contact with any other being as he continued walking. But this was because he chose paths that were least used, longing to be left alone. He ignored the urge to hear another's voice, to share stories with another, because the only voice that he wished to hear was hers. And wanting to hear her once again was more painful than anything he ever knew. Deeper into himself he was driven as time passed, in the slow and steady way that it does, yet he discovered nothing about himself. His future, his true self, was as hidden and mysterious as the wonders of the universe around him.

Finally, on one bright yet chilly morning, the scent of salt filled his senses. The thick forest soon thinned, and then ended as he continued forth. Walking a few yards from the forest's edge, the ground dropped dramatically, racing down to crash into the water below. It was the sea, the ocean, something he had never seen before. Closing his eyes, he felt the brush of salty air upon his face and for the first time in a long time, he felt a semblance of peace.

Opening his eyes, he took in the sight of the sun rising from the blue, blue water. In that moment, distress took control of his mind once again. For, with the heaviest of hearts, he realized he had seen the ocean before, but in another form. He had seen it in Ahiru's eyes, those magnificent, beautiful, innocent eyes. Those eyes that he could get so lost in, for they were so deep and pure it was as if he could drown in them…

Closing his eyes once more, he tried to repress the painful memories of his lost love. Once the wave of emotions passed, he opened his eyes. No longer could he see the sea, no longer could he feel the breath of salt upon his stoic features. He was numb, empty of all feeling, all emotion. With a few deciding steps, Fakir stepped forward. In a span of a few moments, he felt the rush of the air and the darkness of unconsciousness. His world as he knew it was over.


With a gasp, Ahiru sat up. "Fakir," she said, voice filled with fear.

Shaking her head, a feeble attempt to remove the shroud of fear around her, Ahiru shivered. What a terrible dream! Fakir walked right off the edge of a cliff. I used everything in my "power" to save him. I slowed his fall with the air currents, pushed the tides higher…yet still he fell, disappearing into the tormented waves below. But what was most terrifying was his eyes. They were dead, void of life. It was as if he stepped off the cliff on purpose, as if he wanted to die.

With a sad sigh, Ahiru looked at her surroundings. It had already been a few days since she first awakened in this place. She was trapped in some sort of giant underground lake. The absolutely weird thing was that she was underwater, but she did not drown, nor have difficulty breathing. But there was no way out, no way to the surface world above. In fact, she couldn't even see the surface world. The only light that surrounded her were these odd, drifting flames, flames that seemed to dull or brighten according to her emotions.

At least I'm human now… she thought, flushing as she looked down at her matured body. It seems my body has aged far more than my sixteen years. But then again, Fakir's body had changed a lot over the three years I was by his side.

Sighing dreamily, Ahiru conjured the image of Fakir's slim yet built figure and how his graceful movements were accentuated by the ripple of defined, powerful muscles. But at thoughts of Fakir, Ahiru quickly sobered. Fakir…he was missing his right hand in my dream, and in its place were bloody bandages. But what in the world could have happened to it? With a shrug, she shook it off. It was just a dream, wasn't it?

Realizing that she had unconsciously been drifting around her confined space, causing the water to churn slightly, Ahiru settled to the bottom of the underground lake. With a deep breath, she released all her tension. I loved him…but did he love me?

Straining, she tried to imagine everything that they shared together, every moment, every glance, every touch, and attempted to see if they meant anything. As she strove to make a connection with Fakir, an image was conjured before her. Upon realized what, or rather, who she saw, Ahiru's heart skipped a beat. I must be imagining things…

Before her wavered an almost clear image of Fakir, lying on a foreign beach, unconscious. It's almost as if I can touch him.

Reaching out a tentative hand, tears filled her eyes as she brushed his cheek with the back of her hand, removing the sand from his face. Impossible…yet…it's happening. I…I can practically feel the heat rising from his body. Gently smoothing his tousled hair from his face, wishing his eyes would open so she could see his penetrating, green stare, she smiled softly. With another gentle touch, she delicately soothed the worry lines from his forehead. There existed not a single place in the world where she gained such contentment, where she felt so complete, here at Fakir's side.

Leaning forward, until her lips hovered above his ear, she whispered, "Awaken, Fakir. Life has been granted to you. Open your eyes and rise, my love."

What possessed her to say such, she did not know. It seemed to flow from her heart and her mind, escaping through her lips, moving her body of its own accord. But, as soon as these words were released into reality, the image of Fakir disappeared, leaving Ahiru feeling empty and lost. When the shock of what happened finally hit her completely, she let out a heartbroken sob and collapsed to the ground. Holding her tingling fingers to her body, the same fingers that had touched Fakir's features, she shook uncontrollably, her sobs racking her body almost painfully. Why am I alive? Where am I? Who am I? Why am I denied the happiness I deserve?


Ahiru? Opening his eyes, Fakir groaned in pain. Once the wave of torment washed over his body, he slowly pushed himself up. At the exertion, he began coughing, and all the sea water that he must have swallowed rushed up and out of him to freedom. Grimacing, he tentatively wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

Managing to drag himself away from the edge of the water, he flopped over onto his back with a grunt of pain. I swear she was here, by my side. I could hear her, hear her waking me from the darkness. Only she could bring me back with her light…yet here I awakened, still living a wretched existence. A life without her. Is she still alive? Or was I just imagining things?

Closing his eyes against the barrage of tears, he took a deep, jerky breath, wishing to fill his lungs with the air that seemed to have escaped him. Why am I still alive? Where am I? Who am I? Why am I denied the happiness I deserve?

As the darkness of unconsciousness replaced the lightheaded feeling he was experiencing, a single tear escaped his closed lids. But before the world disappeared, one thought remained. Ahiru…one day we'll be together. I promise you. Whether it be in this life, or the next.


Yay, I finally updated! Phew! This story is a lot harder than I thought it would be. I'm just pulling stuff out of me bum right now. I have no real idea how this story's gonna go...which is weird, 'cause I usually make a basic plot, at least. I have nothing for this story. And that's my lame excuse for not updating it...and I'll stick to it. Ugh, it sickens me that I don't know what's gonna happen. How terrible is that? Alright. I'ma go now. Laters!

I do not own Princess Tutu.