In the empty bakery, Marinette filled the air with a delightful hum as she worked, wiping down the counters and putting a lovely shine on them. It's been a few days since Vixx's Serenade, Adrien and her had a date planned, maybe even dating but it wasn't quite set yet. Evidently for the kwamis, they were sure that it was already set for them and had celebrated.

Celebrated hard that first day.

They gorged themselves on food, drunk hot chocolate and tea, laughed and hooted as they shared stories and snippets of previous Guardians, ones that hosted them all, and some back in the day when they had one respectively answering to them.

From what she and Adrien could catch from where they cuddled on her chaise, a movie playing on her laptop, most were embarrassing romantic tales that got a chuckle out of them.

Vixx had a Guardian who was so happy and surprised to find his mate at a gala he was attending, he screamed out right in the middle of it and drew everyone's attention. She was laughing so hard, she almost fell out of his pocket and revealed her presence to the whole room.

Juuno had a young chick who was trying to strut like a peacock, show off her beauty, and had strutted right into a wall. She was so mortified it took nearly a week of consoling from him to help her get back out there.

Wayzz had a boy that got so flustered, he instinctively hopped over the railing of a ship he was on and dunk down into the middle of a lake he was sailing over.

Beea had a young lord that got so nervous, his speech went faster and faster till he was practically buzzing in front of his crush.

Nooroo had a sweet girl that was extra nervous and jumpy, and one time her crush surprised her, and she turned to evade, and slammed herself right into a wall.

Tikki had an adorable boy who shoved his face into flowers when he got flustered; he always ruined any flowers he was trying to deliver.

And Plagg, he had a girl that would shove things off surfaces and flee the room if she got overwhelmed. The little kwami had such a hoot with her.

And the stories went on.

There was addiction to honey.

There was racing up trees.

Pulling cloaks over them and hiding in "shells".

It was quite amusing to hear how previous Guardians reacted when they got flustered.

So today, after all that fun the kwamis had, they were all passed out on her loft bed.

And she enjoyed a peaceful morning.

Even got a good morning text from Adrien!

It was turning out to be a lovely day.

Marinette sighed, content and pleased.

Things were just going great.

She looked up when a bell chimed out, blinking to see an old man slip in.

"Good morning!" she greeted, straightening up, bright smile on her lips.

"Good morning," he returned with a kind smile.

"How can I help you today?" she asked as he drew near the display.

"I would like to make a purchase, for some very mischievous friends of mine. I'm think one of those sample cakes, that have a slice of everything."

"Ok, is this a delivery?" she asked, moving to guide him to the sample cakes.

"Oh no, they're all already here," he said.

Marinette stopped, brow raised as she turned to him.

"Already here?" she echoed.

He smiled. "I hope Vixx hasn't been too troublesome for you."

She blinked in surprise, eyes widening. "You..."

He nodded, smile growing. "I am Fu, the last Guardian of the Fortune Circle. And I see you have been playing host to my wards."

Marinette sat tensely across from Fu, twin steaming cups of tea between them. Fu was the only one sipping his tea, while Marinette fiddled with hers, tracing the bumps on her ceramic cup.

"I'm not going to take the kwamis away from you," Fu reassured.

Marinette sharply looked up, then back down. She brought the cup close, taking a small sip.

Pleased to see her relax a little, he continued, "I'm here to see my friends again, a final goodbye before I appear before what's left of my family. Try to appeal to be welcomed in, or have them help me find someplace to help me when the years really start catching up on me."

She looked up at him, alarmed.

He smiled gently, chuckling tiredly. "I'm a hundred and eighty six. Well past my time. At some point, you are ready. Days get long, and even when I was still bonded to Wayzz and others, your body feels heavy and things get exhausting. I am ready, though I probably still have a little time left." Time he'd like to spend with the last of his family if he could.

She licked her lips, uncomfortable. "Um, well, if they won't help..."

"Thank you my dear. But I'm sure they will. I've been watching over my family through out the years. They are kind people."

She squirmed in her seat. "Do, do I have to be Guardian now? Of them?"

He hummed, taking a sip of his tea. "No," he said. "To become a Guardian, it needs to be mutually accepted, between human and kwami, or in this case, kwamis. If you aren't Guardian yet, that means they aren't interested in making you one. To force a Guardianship is uncomfortable and stressful for both human and kwami. I will not pressure you to be one."

"I did meet another Guardian, he said that..."

Fu chuckled. "Guardians are becoming less and less necessary. It's a fact majority don't like to accept." After a moment of pause, he asked, "Do you know the original purpose of a Guardian?"

"Protect the kwamis and do their work?" she guessed, "Something like that?"

"Close," Fu confirmed with a smile. "The original purpose of Guardian is to help a kwami with it's responsibilities. Kwamis are gods that work more personally with humans that most other gods. Because of this, kwamis are more involved with humans, and can easily be spread thin, tricked, and overwhelmed. There are a few that have passed from overworking themselves, and from being taking advantage of by a human.

"A Guardian was made to help the kwami in handling and helping humans. It's a mutual agreement between a human and a kwami. Sharing the same purpose, a human and kwami become one powerful being together. The human will have the kwami's power, and as a price, has to act out the kwami's purpose. And that purpose varies, from being an adviser, a healer, a guide to the living and the dead, a builder, and a protector.

"This is the real true purpose of Guardians, helping a kwami with their purpose. Something that's less needed in these times, times where gods are less relied on, are now mere myths to most societies. The idea of protecting kwamis with Guardianship was adopted in recent centuries, when Guardians were bonding with more than kwami, and soon had seven little gods to watch over." His lips quirked up. "Seven different personalities, views, and purposes put together, it can be rather... hm, risky. Vixx has certainly caused the panic of a few Guardians, running away after nasty fights with another kwami. Especially in the first few centuries, where kwamis weren't use to sharing a single human with other kwamis."

"Why am I not surprised," Marinette muttered, earning a laugh from Fu. She asked, "So, this means that one day, Beea and Juuno will learn to share a mirror?"

"Maybe one day," Fu bid lightly.

"So, I don't need to be a Guardian?" she asked.

"No. Kwamis have been able to manage without Guardians for a long time, though having a Guardian has been an improvement to them. And I can agree, being a Guardian is helpful when caring for multiple kwamis. Being bonded to a kwami can help you locate them if you're ever separated. And it will happen. Life is something that's hard to control. Bonded to a human helps a kwami feel more inclined to linger and stay with them. Being bonded brings a sense of completeness and accomplishment to those little gods."

She hummed, contemplative.

"But largely," Fu continued, "despite what majority of Guardians think, we are less needed. And kwamis are going to be fine without us since they're not as needed. If ever needed again, Guardians will return to help. But I see nothing wrong with you continuing to care and watch over them, especially if they are happy with you." Fu peered at her, eyes warm. "Vixx would definitely not have shared her serenade with you if she wasn't comfortable and happy here. That's something very personal to the little god."

Marinette smiled at that, cheeks a little pink, flattered and pleased.

Then drooped, squirming a little. "They did wind up discovered by another," she mentioned.

He hummed. "Not desirable. But it seems the gods still don't mind. So long as the discoverer is trustworthy, it is fine." Taking another sip, he added over the rim, "Guardians don't like to admit it, but sometimes it can't be helped. Kwamis get discovered. And those Guardians that do marry and start a family, it's hard to keep seven beings hidden at all times. Sometimes it just can't be helped. Sometimes it's ideal. That family can certainly help a Guardian in their duties of watching over kwamis. So, you not being a Guardian is no issue to me. The kwamis will have one when they deem it's time for one. Now a days, the fortune circle is certainly less inclined to have one. Especially Wayzz, he's had the least amount of Guardians, and doesn't enjoy alienating each one with the long life he brings."

"It does bother him," she backed.

Fu peered to her, eyes glinting. He nodded to her. "If a Guardian is needed, he'll have to get past that. And he will. But I do think he'll need a break from Guardians, and the regret he feels of drawing out their lives. In this time where kwamis aren't as needed, this is a good time to emotionally cope."

She nodded in agreement, then spared a glance to the bakery roof. "Do you want to see them now? They're probably up by now."

"I would. Thank you."

Nodding, Marinette got up and rushed up the stairs to her room. Popping in, she found that they were up and about like she predicted, though clumsy with sleep.

"Morning guys," she greeted.

Mumbles answered her.

"Will you guys come down? We have a guest that wants to see you," she requested.

They blinked at her, confused. "Adrien?" Nooroo asked.

Marinette shook her head.

Blinking, they exchanged looks, knowing suspicion passing over their eyes.

Wayzz floated up and ducked down into her apron pocket. The others soon followed, clamoring into the large pocket. All settled, Marinette escorted them down into a still thankfully empty bakery. Tapping her apron, seven heads peeked out, all eyes locking onto the sadly smiling old man waiting for them patiently.

A strangled sound bubbled out of Nooro, and the butterfly burst forth, ramming right into the old man.

With a weak, shaky laugh, Fu cupped the little butterfly, holding him close.

Juuno, Vixx, and Tikki quickly followed, pressing up against the old man, bodies quivering. Beea and Plagg followed, slower and flustered.

Wayzz lingered behind, shrinking a little in the pocket. He gave a slight start at a light touch on his back, and looked up to see Marinette giving him a slight, encouraging smile. Floating up shyly, the turtle met Fu's gaze. With a quiver, he charged, pressing against his old Guardian like all others.

Marinette went to the front of the store and flipped the open sign closed, and tugged the blinds down for privacy.

With parents away for shopping and the bakery otherwise kept to herself, she left the Guardian and the kwamis alone in peace, going upstairs. Tugging out her cell, she texted Adrien about the Guardian's visit.

'Do I need to come over?'

She smiled, breathing in a shaky breath. 'No,' she reassured. 'But bring a movie later today, I'll get some treats ready.'

Kwamis were going to need some when Fu departed.

He didn't intend to come back for them.

And they were going to continue to stay with her.

At least they were getting a proper goodbye this time.

Adrien came in a bit later, dodging the bakery entrance's way and came in movie in hand. He helped Marinette gather treats and food, laying it out over the table. Getting the movie going, they snuggled up and waited.

After a while, the first kwami floated up into the living area.

Plagg zipped to her and snuggled up in the crook of her neck, small purrs coming off of him as he pressed against her.

Vixx sped in after him, her smile small and watery. She settled in the crook of Adrien's shoulder, letting her tail hang over his shoulder and not staring at anything.

Beea followed, struggling to even her breathing as sniffles came out of her. Adrien offered his hand and Beea quickly settled there, taking comfort in being held.

Tikki drifted behind her, eyes watery. She settled in between Adrien and Marinette, smearing her face over their shoulders.

Juuno followed her, wiping glistening tears away. He settled in Marinette's lap, letting her run her fingers over his crest.

Wayzz and Nooroo came last, Nooroo clutching the turtle as they slowly floated in. Like Tikki, they settled between the humans, pressing against them. Looking up at the two, Wayzz murmured, "He left content."

A silent he'll be well missed, echoed off of them all.

Adrien and Marinette offered them no verbal comfort, unsure exactly what to say to them.

But they were there for silent support.

The gods seemed content enough with that.

Done! Thank you everyone for giving this fic a read! For sticking with it! This idea has been a lot of fun and I glad I gave it a go.

Juuno, Vixx, and Beea each will have one last fic each appearance before I use Duusu and Trixx hence forth (and bee kwami's real name whenever that's revealed).

Juuno will appear in Rise of Mariposa.

Vixx will be in an upcoming fic called Lucky Fox.

Beea in an upcoming fic called Jaune, Rouge, et Bleu.

My next fic should be either LF or JReB. I don't know when they will come, or if for sure they'll be the next chapter fic I post up; right now what I intend is either of these two.

Thank you everyone for reading and I hope to see you guys in future fics!