Gypsy Code:
1. A gypsy is not a criminal. The legal rules and regulations must be followed regardless of how the gypsy feels.

2. A gypsy is loyal to their troupe. A troupe must follow the rules by their leader.
a. If the rules are not followed, the leader has a right to exile the gypsy in question from the troupe.
b. If the troupe leader is seen unfit to lead, the leader may step down or be voted out by their troupe.

3. A gypsy's power must be kept under control. If a gypsy uses their ability against an innocent, the law, or a fellow gypsy, they must repay in a way seen fit by the leader of their troupe.
a. If the troupe leader is in question, the troupe may decide repayment (Also see 2.b.)

4. A gypsy must respect the afterlife and greater being. If any gypsy were to bring harm to good spirits, justice must be repaid as seen fit by the higher power of gypsies.

5. Any non-gypsy or outsider of the troupe can be considered a threat ONLY with proof that the person in question is classified as dangerous.

These were the rules gypsies followed by. This was their life code to live by. And this is what gave Mama Edel the right to punish Jaden for violating rule 3 of the code.
And Mama Edel figured, since Jaden needs to clean up his act, he should start with other people's messes.
Yes, Jaden was forced to clean up every place he could of the Port. This included different parts of the traders market, any ships on the dock, and even the worst place of all… the waste disposal area. However, this had to be done during the night time when no one was around to keep him from fulfilling his punishment.

And boy did he have A LOT to fulfill!

Of course it wasn't easy considering the Port was on high alert trying to find any trace of invading pirates. As far as Jaden was concerned, they were all idiots trying to play a game of cat and mouse with their own tails. He wouldn't have been in this situation had Fakir not shown up. Why was he the only one who could see that!?

He sat in his anger and frustration trying to think of a way to correct this messed up troupe. But the only way to fix this troupe would mean he would need more assistance. He needed to give his troupe a reason to see that Ahiru needed to stop being with that solider. Not just temporarily, but permanently!

Jaden never would have imagined his wish would be granted the moment he saw a man in black tattered clothing drop from the sky and shape-shifted right before his eyes…

Fakir was off clock for now. This meant he had time to look over what he had written. This was something he started after he met Ahiru. It was just a collection of gypsy tales that Ahiru had told him along with a few short stories of his own creation. During his down time Fakir would like to flip through it and remember all the times Ahiru had come by to tell him stories in exchange for stories of his adventures and sights.

While in the middle of flipping the pages he heard a voice.
"Still daydreaming of that gypsy you have a crush on?" Autor teased.

Fakir quickly put the book down and faced Autor.
"No… I was just flipping through a book."
Autor laughed, "Please. Every time you look at that thing you get all dazed and dreamy-eyed. Have you even said anything to her?"
Fakir sighed, "Looking at how thing are, I don't see a point in doing so since most of the members of her troupe hate me."
"You don't know that…"
"Trust me. I had the pleasure of meeting one of them and he made it quite clear he wants me either away from Ahiru or dead… or both."
"Well, some friendly advice for ya': Just because one guy in the troupe doesn't like you, doesn't mean they all feel the same way. And regardless of what they think about you, it's none of their business when it comes to how you feel. Alright?"

Fakir looked at Autor for a moment, "Wait, since when do you give friendly advice? I though you just tease me about Ahiru..."
"What? Every once in a while I can be nice. And besides, I'm tired of watching you siting around and daydreaming of what might be. I expect you to tell her how you feel next time you see her."

Autor left Fakir alone to sit and stare at his book wondering what he was going to do if he ever did see her again.

hours later

Jaden couldn't keep himself from shaking on his way back to the hideout. All that he had just learned, the truth that had now been revealed to him was all too much to take. He couldn't look at his life the same way again. Nothing could be the same…

And this choice he had made… was going to shake the ground within the troupe, even if it did play in his favor, this was a big step he was taking… but it felt so empowering! So RIGHT! It had to be done!

But he would have to wait until the morning before anything could be done…

Meanwhile on a docked ship with a cloaking devise…

"You sure we can trust that boy, cap'in?" Envy snarled.
"Your doubt in me can be suspicious of mutiny, my boy…" Drosselmeyer smiled, "Don't worry about him, he'll do exactly what we need him to do."

Drosselmeyer looked back over his shadow breathing friend, still hiding in the dark, still keeping his blood red eyes open…

Morning had finally come! Jaden thought his heart was about to burst from the anxiety building inside him.
This was it! It had to be done!
Jaden would be tense until he was done at port with Ahiru today…
But unfortunately for Jaden, Ahiru wasn't stupid.

Just before they reached port, Ahiru called him out.
"Jaden, what's with you today? See something that scares you?"

Jaden quickly clenched his fists and tried to relax, 'This has to be done! No regrets!'
"No, just… rough night last night." He said quickly.

Ahiru glared at him quizzically, not sure whether to believe his story or not.
She was surprised at the fact that Jaden hadn't tried to grab hold of her on the way over to the Port. So that meant something had to be wrong...
Then a thought crossed her mind: Did something happen to Jaden while being out last night? If so, what was it?

But in an instant, Jaden seemed to snap back to normal and take hold (quite tightly I might add) to Ahiru's arm.
Yes, that was Jaden, taking control and forcibly taking the lead at Port. You think he would have learned by now that Ahiru can just slip out of his grasp without him noticing. However, unknowing to Ahiru, that's exactly what he wanted…

Just as he hoped, Ahiru escaped Jaden's grasp and wandered off in the direction he had tried his best to put her in.

As Ahiru wandered about, she had no idea someone was watching and waiting for her….

It wasn't before long that that someone did bump into her.
"Fakir!" She smiled as she embraced him.
He returned her embrace, "Are you alright? I haven't seen you since what happened." He asked.
"Of course." She answered while letting go of him, "I'm so glad to see you again!"
"Ahiru, I have to tell you something… but not here. Come with me…."
"Sure…" She said pleasantly while unquestionably following Fakir.

Fakir continued to lead her towards the end of the Port away from most of the traders' shops and closer to the docks of most of the air ships. What did he need to tell her that required so much distance?

Finally he stopped and faced her.

"Ahiru… I need to tell you something… but, you have to close your eyes first."
She raised an eyebrow, "Alright then."

She closed her eyes allowing her sight to be swallowed into darkness.
"So what do you need to tell me?" she said, worry growing in her voice.

That was when she heard a pistol trigger be cocked and quickly felt a cold metal barrel shoved against her forehead.
"You're coming with me! Make one move or say anything and I'll shoot!"

A/N: Wow, I need to pick up the pace on writing these chapters. I am so sorry this has been taking so long…
Anyway, go check out the story "A Ballet of Ice" by VanillaDreamFran! Seriously, DO IT!

And now my many thank you(s) to:
Kriro-tone for reviewing
The Girl Of Many Names for reviewing
PurpleRose8a for following the story
mex2girl for following the story
sasuhina gal for favoring and following the story
CryMurder1 for following the story
and TohruRose for following me