Haiiii, you guys. I'm so sorry that I didn't update in such the longest time. I would've updated faster, if it hasn't been for my summer scholarship program. I've been loaded with work and I usually went to sleep at like eleven. Then I went to boarding school for a week. It was fun, but the teachers expected more from us since we were in a different environment. So just bear with me, guys. I'm so glad that you've stuck with me after all this time. I really love all of you.

Disclaimer: I do not own Princess Tutu.

Fakir's POV

"What in the world was that?!" Rue shrieked, resulting into students curiously directing their attention to the raven-haired beauty.

"Hush, will you? I was dancing with Ahiru as you said." I rolled my eyes. It was something more than that, I know, but I was too in denial to admit it.

Mytho coaxed, "No need to make a scene, Rue." To Mytho's touch, Rue tensed shoulders relaxed.

She spoke slowly, easing herself to tranquility. "Alright…but seriously, Fakir, why were you going to kiss her?"

I pursed my lips and diverted my eyes to Freya's prolific garden, as if it were to distract me. My mind was drawing a blank right now. Why, exactly, did I want to do it? And if I did it, what were the consequences to it?

"I…don't know why, exactly." I stared at the ground. I didn't want to look them in the eyes, because they knew full well that I actually did know.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw that Rue opened her mouth to speak once more, but Mytho's soft albeit prevailing voice piped up first. "You do know." I looked up but he didn't look me in the eyes. He unconsciously stroked Rue's lithe arm. "You know full well. You know that you love Ahiru, Fakir. Why can't you admit it? Is it to hard to acknowledge that you actually love her? I once loved her, Fakir, and it isn't that hard to fall for her. I understand."

My eyes were hidden from my dark hair. "No, you don't. You don't sympathize. You don't apprehend how I yearn for her. You already possessed her love. The only thing missing was your fate. It wasn't connected. And the notion of her diminished memory all but makes it harder. She doesn't remember me, much less loves me. You can say that I have to start from scratch. "

Rue touched my arm soothingly. It was the first time I've ever seen her come close to being nice to me. "Fakir. Listen to me. Somewhere underneath it all, Ahiru still cares for you. She still remembers it. It's your job to dig it back up. Somewhere, this is all Drosselmeyer's sick joke. He'll eventually get tired of it. And after all this time Ahiru's been with you, I think that she's falling for you again in the process. This is not like you to just give up."

A student of about ten or eleven raced up to us. He rested on the heels of his feet and breathed in deeply. "Fakir-sempai…Rue-sempai…Mytho-sempai… Ahiru-sempai has been rushed to the infirmary!"

"What?!"

.

…

.

I fumbled with my hands as the nurse checked her temperature.

"Nothing," she clarified, and the three of us exhaled a breath that we've been holding for so long, "Ahiru-kun probably just fainted from exhaustion. After all, it's only her first day, right? And I think Shirei-sensei has appointed Fakir-kun to teach her? It's a lot of work, ballet. But don't fret; numerous students have come to the infirmary at their first day."

She scurried away, muttering to herself, while I took Ahiru's petite hand. "Ahiru…" I trailed off wistfully.

Ahiru's POV

"The real me has actually been protected by others since I was a kid. I can't protect anyone." The young adult said reflectively. He sounded familiar but I couldn't make out the contours of his face.

"But even if that is my true form…" He said confidently, holding me firmly by the stomach and twirling me in the air, "I want to make the story end! Not in a role that has been imposed on me… I want to protect you and Mytho with my own power! Even if I use up all my power!"

My breath hitched in my throat. "I'll just turn back into a regular old duck then, won't I? I won't be able to study ballet with everyone…"

"Isn't that alright? That's the real you. Even if that happens, I'll always stay by your side." He promised solemnly.

"F…r," My voice sounded garbled; I couldn't make it out.

The tall adolescent clasped my hand securely. I thought, How strange. Even though I was thinking that it wouldn't matter if I disappeared… I wonder why… F…r makes the weak me stronger. I lay my head on his chest, suspending my lithe leg into the air, as he pulled me safely in his arms. I gazed into his eyes; they were green, piercing into my heart, and soft.

I shot up, but this time, my forehead wasn't soaked with sweat. It wasn't a nightmare, I was sure of that but it was a painful experience to go through. Maybe it was a memory buried deep in my conscience. I pored around and decided that I was in the infirmary, considering the tools and medicines placed around the room. I heard soft snores coming from beside me. Fakir slept beside me and I concluded that his adamant self refused to leave me alone here. I rolled my eyes.

I swept his stray hair out of his face. He looked like a child when he was sleeping. Fakir always exhibited a stressed look during most days.

My mind converted back to me dream. Who was that mysterious person? I could tell he played a big role life. Oh well. Only time would tell…

I feel into deep slumber, unconsciously holding Fakir's hand.

Yess...I made a referal to episode 25. I do not own ANY of it. Please review! I love you all!