Chapter 5: Dancing Alone

It had been several days since Jaden and Ahiru's fight.
And yes, they were still not talking to each other.

Mama Edel was not happy about this, especially since the Celestial Festival was already here, and nothing gets done when there is a disruption of the peace within her troupe. What probably made production even happen for the festival was the fact that everyone helped out, not just Edel's troupe, but every single gypsy within Gold Crown had to help.

By the time the set up was finished every street, every roof top, every stone on the ground, and even the town square, so crowded and cramped, was full of colors, lights, and the many signs of the many gypsy troupes.

Imagine such a thing, so many different people, separated by many things on the outside but could come together for one glorious celebration. Even if it never lasted long, it was a festival of honoring the spirits and traditional ties that which they believed.

While all these mixed feelings of excitement and frustration was happening amongst the gypsies, Mytho looked out his window with such a mournful look.

"There's so much more to this festival than they realize." Mytho said to himself, unaware his wife had walked in.
She stood behind him and placed a hand on his back, "How long are you going to let this haunt you?"
He turned and looked at her, "Can you say it doesn't haunt you too?"

She looked away while Mytho continued, "After what I agreed to do to some of these people… just to appease my brothers!"

Rue sat down next to him and began to pet her husband's back, "Mytho, these things already happened…"

He buried his face into his hands, "It doesn't matter that it happened, any of it! When Bradly and Makarov want something done, they make sure their hands are not the ones to get dirty! And… I can't forgive myself for giving into them!" Mytho began to shake, becoming overwhelmed with his emotions, "You remember that one girl we saw before we left… Ahiru…?"
"Yes…"

Mytho moved his head to look at his hands as they balled into fists, "She was one of them! And the youngest one out of them all!" His voice was breaking, "She doesn't know what she carries!"
Rue only sat next to him and listened.

"Mytho, nothing is going to happen to that girl. Since gypsies act with their own kind, there's no way anything will happen…"

Mytho took Rue's hand and kissed it, "Thank you for your sympathy."

As day turned into the night, the town became more alive with the festival music and the gypsies dancing in the streets. Those who supported the gypsies were out celebrating with them, while those who didn't shut themselves away hoping this festival would be over soon.

Ahiru was enjoying the festival even though she was just dancing by herself. Her renowned flexibility helped her create such vivid dancing which caught many strangers' eyes. (And a few jealous ones too…)

She was greeted by many suitors of other gypsy troupes, but each time one would offer a hand, she refused. She KNEW Fakir would show up! And she intended on waiting for him! No matter who came and asked for a dance.

But as everything was starting to die down, Ahiru began to feel a small hint of doubt that Fakir was not coming…

By that point Jaden had come up to her.
"So… where's your loyal soldier? Too afraid to come?"

"He will be here!"
"So certain? Even though it's the almost the end of the festival?"
"YES! He will come!"

It was getting darker as the gypsies soon began to disperse. But just as the last flicker of lights began to disappear, and figure had appeared amongst the shadows. It was Fakir.

"Ahiru!" He called amongst the few gypsy troupes that remained.
"Ahiru, where are you?"

He heard nothing, had he come too late?
His heart sank… he missed her.

"Fakir?" A familiar voice from behind answered.

The soldier turned to spy his redheaded friend. A smile grew on each other's faces as they ran into a shared embrace.

"I'm so sorry I was late." He said still holding her tight. "There was an emergency call, all soldiers had to be present and on guard at Port. There was something about pirates planning to invade Gold Crown."

"It's okay Fakir, I understand. You're here now and that's all that matters."

"*Gasp* Lovers!" A gypsy who was about to leave shouted letting EVERYONE present to know.
It was at this point Jaden saw Ahiru clinging to Fakir hiding her face from embarrassment as a twinge of jealousy knotted in his stomach.
'He better let go of her!' He thought, 'or so help me I'll…'

But before anymore could be said, whatever was left of the band, began to play while the few gypsies left urged the two to dance, unaware of Fakir's true status.
Begin unable to see any other alternative (that and perhaps they did not want to find another one), the two very clumsily stepped into a dance.

Although the dance really held no grace or elegance, it did hold something…
Something that couldn't quite be named at the moment but was just so appealing to any onlooker's eyes.

As their dance went on, Jaden's jealousy was stirring up inside. He couldn't stand it much longer, but no matter what scheme he created in his mind, nothing seemed to work. This scene was continually clawing at him so much he couldn't take it!

Until finally he decided to take a risk…
Jaden pulled out his flute from its hidden pocket in his sleeve and awakened his ability.

He played his flute in a low hum, ensnaring the minds of the few gypsies close by.

"To me." He commanded those few.
"I need you to be disruptive. Make a mess, ransack the place, something! But do so without being seen. Just so you can get that soldier away from Ahiru!"

The now mindless gypsies went their way to carry out Jaden's orders.

Meanwhile Fakir very quickly adjusted to Ahiru's style of dance and was very soon guiding her into a new style. And all those not under Jaden's mind control were amazed and enjoying the sight to see.

"See," Ahiru said mid-twirl, "I told you you could do it."
"You were leading me halfway through it."
"True… but know that you're the one leading now…"
He made a quick fish lift and placed her back down and continued to twirl her back into the dance.

"Alright, I'll give you that."

CRASH
BANG
SMASH

It was at that moment, everything stopped. Fakir and Ahiru let go of one another while the musicians stopped. Fakir pushed Ahiru behind him and brandished his gunpowder pistol.

That was when the other gypsies panicked.
"He's a soldier!"
"His enemies must have followed him here!"
"He set a trap!"

Mixed phrases like this were passed around amongst the gypsies who were too petrified move.
Fakir could feel the pressures of these words swirling in the air. He knew he couldn't stay here with his reputation following him and the things that came along with it. He had to leave if he wanted to keep Ahiru and the rest of the gypsies safe.

"Ahiru," He whispered, "I'm going to go. Find your troupe and make sure everyone gets out of here…"
"But Fakir-"
"Ahiru, please. Just go."

Without a word Ahiru moved away in search of Jaden while shouting, "Go back home! NOW!"

The rest of the gypsies fled while Fakir kept his pistol primed. Once everything was cleared the ruckus was… gone…?

Fakir crept along where the noise's origin came from only to find a few things left knocked over. It was clear there was no struggle and nothing was taken… so what happened?

Ahiru followed Jaden home, who was latching onto her making sure nothing was going to happen to her.

"You could have gotten hurt!" He scolded, "I knew hanging around with that soldier was a bad idea!"
"You don't know that Jaden." She responded in a terse manner.
"Then what was with all that ruckus, huh? And how the other gypsies acted, what about that?"

"Just because people are nervous around soldiers doesn't make them bad people…"

"Maybe, but if you hang around that monster anymore, it'll put our troupe to shame!"
By this point, the two had entered the gypsy camp, where Mama Edel was waiting with a warm embrace for the two.

"I heard what had happened, I was so frightened for you two!"
"But we're fine now Mama." Ahiru responded.

"This wouldn't have happened, had Ahiru not invited that soldier!" Jaden snapped.
"Perhaps…" Edel responded.

"WHAT!? But Mama-" Ahiru tried to protest.
"No Ahiru. I don't want to hear any of this. I think it might be best if you stay away from that boy for a while… just until all this blows over… understand?"

Ahiru looked up to Edel while trying to fight the tears and anger she was feeling.
"FINE!" She whined and marched off to her tent, leaving the rest to awkwardly look away.

Jaden crossed his arms holding a smug look on his face before Mama Edel spoke again.
"I don't approve of using our abilities on our own kind Jaden."

Jaden's attention snapped to Edel.
"What are you talking about?"

"I know what you did, and I don't approve. Just because you can't face your jealousy, does not give you the right to break up something you don't like! So, I have a personal punishment picked just for you…"

A/N: Hello everyone, I swear I am not dead! College steals your life away. Anyways, I am so sorry you had to wait this long, but it might keep rolling like this… we'll see.

In the meantime, my thank yous to:

Kriro-tone (for reviewing!)
Cyline the Cherry Blossom (for favoring!)
RUHLSAR000 (for following!)
The Girl Of Many Names (for reviewing!)
Silent-Angel22 (for following!)
VanillaDreamFran (for favoring, reviewing, and following!)

In other news, can someone make a PT crossover with Frozen? I think that would be awesome!
Any who, I promise to do my best to get next chapter soon!
Also, any thoughts on what should be Jaden's punishment?