Chiox, Part 5
Wakaba seemed a little tentative about agreeing. “She’s nice…just strange is all. I mean, the way she acts around other people, she always just has this look.” Utena frowned and shifted on the pillow she was sitting on. She should defend Himemiya or something but then..she couldn’t confess her friends’ secret. Anyone would be weird being the Bride. But she couldn’t tell Wakaba that, she wouldn’t believe her anyway.
“ I know you like her and all and I’m sure maybe is just a mask thing…maybe I’d like her more if I got to know her. But, that would be fun…a triple…eeh! We’re going to be late.” Utena found herself yanked to her feet and out the door.
“Hey isn’t that Himemiya-san over there? Wow…what’s she doing talking to Arisugawa-san? I didn’t think she had any other friends besides you.”
Utena’s eyes darkened. “I guess…..well I wanted her to make other friends.” Funny how that came about. Utena slowed down until they were almost crawling, they’d been rushing to make it to class on time but now that didn’t seem to matter so much.
“Wakaba I want you to understand something about Anthy.” She said this as steadily as she could but it was hard, watching Anthy and her new Victor. Was Juri-sempai treating her ok? Where they getting along? They seemed to be talking nicely enough together. Well of course Juri-sempai wasn’t Saionji, of course she would treat her well but she couldn’t ever be friends with Anthy could she? No she was just the Bride to her, just like all the others. But maybe Anthy didn’t care about that… but she had to, she had to remember.
Utena took a deep breath, how to explain? “I know she’s quiet and all but you have to forgive her, she’s had a very hard life and has had to do some difficult things.” That was true in a vague sort of way. If being a Rose Bride could even be considered a life. “So it’s really no surprise she’s as withdrawn as she is. You just have to be patient with her…” Like Utena had been. Tried to help her so many times, saved her from the duelists.. so much…. tried to help her be a normal person…so much time it seemed had gone by since they first met, so much had changed. And she was still the Bride, though and still bound to that. Utena had to change that, she was sure of it. Her voice grew more determined. “….and then you’ll see what a great person and friend she can be.” Utena had seen that potential, she wasn’t going to let it be squandered with someone who just thought of her as the Bride, even if it was Juri-sempai.
“Wakaba… go along to class would you? I’ll try not to be late I just want to see Anthy a minute. Patch things up maybe.” Definitely.
Wakaba nodded and took off, trying not to look as curious as she did looking back over her shoulder.
The Bride took a long time to reply. Trying to formulate her words so she wouldn’t reveal too much?, Juri wondered skeptically. She was such a mysterious thing after all. “You fought friendship and love…love was your first duel against Tenjou-san,” Love tied to a broken memory, no wonder she had lost that duel. Was the seemingly impossible way she lost a forshadowing of what was to come? A warning perhaps, as Dios took not the rose but the necklace in her next duel with Utena.
“and friendship was your duel that attained me. It was out of your friendship for Tsuchiya-san, you wanted to give it one more try for him did you not? You wanted to fight once more for a friend.” Juri glanced at the girl warily. She disliked how she seemed to divine her motives somehow. It made her wonder exactly what Ruka had told her when she was away, but she would not break his trust to ask.
“As for why Tenjou-san fought more duels,” she went on mechanically reciting, “it was because we thought her Dios’ chosen, certainly his decent would have us think that…we wanted to be certain though. Obviously she wasn’t if you managed to defeat her. If Dios begins to aid you it is likely you will be placed through the same tests. If not then you will be treated as all the other champions.” And so have fewer duels. Juri had to admit that made some sense. So…friendship and love, ne? What was her next duel to be called then? Interesting little catch words they had for them.
Juri glanced up from her thoughts to see Utena approaching, her steps determined but the expression on her face was strained. Well well. Juri stopped and watched her come closer. This should be interesting indeed.
“Juri-sempai.” She nodded to the older woman with more composure than Juri would have given her credit for. And this was the girl she left weeping in the Arena the other day?
Utena’s eyes flicked from Juri to her real goal, Anthy. Her eyes softened. “Anthy I….I just wanted to say that I am sorry.” She folded her hands in front of her, looking at the ground a moment.
“There’s no need for that, is there, Anthy?” Juri glanced at her, green eyes frosty. She didn’t have time to dally with the old Victor, she had been defeated she should learn to take that with grace.
“No, Juri-sama.” Utena’s head snapped up…oh this was wrong this was all wrong…she heard the hesitation in Ahthy’s voice, she wanted to be back with her. She hadn’t wanted this change.
Juri looked back to Utena, why was this niave child allowed to duel anyway. “I wish you good day, Tenjou,” she said coolly as she walked past the other duelist, Anthy a step or two behind.
Utena clenched her hand tighter around her schoolbag. “I wasn’t finsihed, sempai.” Her tone had the bite of iron in it.
“Oh?” Juri stopped and folded her arms, watching as Utena approached the Bride. This should be entertaining.
“But Anthy…” she placed her hands on the dark girl’s shoulders and looked into her widening eyes. “I’ll make it up to you. I promise. “ Stepping away from Anthy, she turned to look at the Victor. Jeesh she never got any less scary, did she?
Utena cleared her throat. “Juri-sempai, I challenge you to a duel. This afternoon in the Arena.”
Juri’s eyebrows raised slightly. “I wondered how long this would take you… I see you’ll not have me wait long. Very well, this afternoon.” She nodded to her, formally acknowledging the challenge before turning on her heel and continuing towards class as if nothing had happened. She wondered wrly where Utena thought she was going to get a sword. Certainly Juri wasn’t going to lend her one this time.
Only after the little percessional left did Utena let herself realize her heart was pounding… well it was over. Now there was just the duel and then they could go back to Akio’s and sleep on the beds facing each other and Chu-Chu would be there… it’d be alright again.
“Juri-sempai.” Anthy turned her head to see Utena rushing towards them and she felt a pang in her heart. Utena. No, she would not let the mask fall. Utena had failed, she was nothing now, friend…what a foolish thought. She had no friends, only Akio.
“Anthy I….I just wanted to say that I am sorry.” Anthy studied her…sorry? Sorry would not bring them the revolution! It was as if all their work had been in vain! Well, perhaps best to know now, instead of at the last duel…
“There’s no need for that, is there, Anthy?” Juri said. Yes, no need at all, Anthy agreed with her for once. Utena lost, and that was all there was to it.
“No, Juri-sama,” her lips formed the words and she could hear them as they crossed her lips. No need. She continued to tell herself that.
“I wish you good day, Tenjou,”
“I wasn’t finsihed, sempai.” Anthy stopped as Juri did and turned to see Utena’s firey blue eyes, what did she intend to do then? Was she…she was going to challenge her!
“Oh?”
“But Anthy…” she felt Utena’s hands land heavily on her shoulders and could only look up at her, trying to keep her mask from cracking. “I’ll make it up to you. I promise.” She promised but, how well could she keep that promise? Could Anthy ever have faith in her again?
“Juri-sempai, I challenge you to a duel. This afternoon in the Arena.” Just as she thought then, she was going to challenge. Well…it was good then that she was willing to fight but, shouldn’t she fight for the Revolution and not the Bride? She needed to get her priorities straightened.
“I wondered how long this would take you… I see you’ll not have me wait long. Very well, this afternoon.” Juri said accepting though she had no choice in the matter. The rules that applied to Utena applied to the council as well.
Anthy’s gaze lingered a moment on her former champion before she followed Juri again as if she had been jerked by an imaginary leash. So there would be a duel that afternoon. Good then.
**
Miki carried his tray through the array of tables. He had seen the bright orange of Juri’s hair and was trying to get to her. He always thought it ironic that someone with such bright hair would always seem so reserved, certainly Tenjou proved the theory true, but then again she was also sugary. He wondered if people thought him depressed much of the time. Blah. He shook his head of the thoughts and almost dropped his tray as he saw the Rose Bride sit next to Juri. Himemiya. No, he would not let the Rose Bride come between him and Juri. They were friends after all and he had managed to be friends with Tenjou .
“Hello Juri-sempai, Himemiya-san, mind if I join you?”
Juri gestured for him to sit and he did so, taking the chair between them. “It was an interesting meeting this morning, or perhaps not. I think Touga-san might be up to something, you know how his plots are.” He watched Anthy pick at her lunch silently then leaned closer to Juri, “So, how are things going with her?”
***
Juri picked her way through the lunchtime crowd to one of the more isolated tables by the courner windows. She hoped there was at least something edible on her tray but that wasn't foremost in her thoughts. Interesting that Tenjou hadn't even waited half a day before issuing her challenge. No no it had to be first thing. Certainly she was over anxious to get her "friend" back. Tenjou's zeal was charming but ultimately it proved her downfall, she fought much too recklessly, expending all of her energy early and furiously. And when Dios descended...that had happened, had it not? Juri had watched the strange light from afar, but it never seemed as easy a thing to judge up close. Her Prince hadn't helped her so much that time, the question would be if he would now--
“Hello Juri-sempai, Himemiya-san, mind if I join you?”
Juri glanced up from her thoughts to see Miki standing by the table, as studious looking as ever. She offerd him a chair, the Bride seemed indifferent as always.
“It was an interesting meeting this morning, or perhaps not. I think Touga-san might be up to something, you know how his plots are.” His eyes flickered to Anthy momemtarily, Juri wondered if he still had that crush on her. She hoped not. Certainly it was awkward, owning Miki's would-be girlfriend in that case. Besides, she was only the Bride, finding out who her brother was should have confirmed that even in his mind. “So, how are things going with her?” He said in a sotto voice.
Juri didn't bother looking over to see if Anthy was paying attention. She doubted she cared what she thought. Strange Miki was so forward about it. "It hasn't been bad, but not necessarily good either. I can't imagine why duelists think there is any inherent advantage to owning the Bride outside the Arena. Although I am sure the likes of Touga and Saionji found some pleasure in having a lovely female slave obeying their every whim I find the whole idea distasteful." Miki was blushing faintly, Juri took a bite of her lunch before continuing. "It's tiresome to have someone following you all the time like a second shadow....it's not the glamourous thing they would have you believe, trust me. If it weren't for the position of the Victor and the need for the sword I would have none of it."
Now Juri did sent a sideways glance to the Bride, who seemed senselessly absorbed in her salad. And she was such good company on top of everything. Sighing faintly Juri turned her attention back to Miki. "And I do think our esteemed president is up to something, he always seems to be. If the Victor in the end is not myself, I would much rather see Tenjou there than Touga, at least she is transparent in her motives. Has he said anything to you? He talks more to you than he does to me." Certainly she and Touga did not trust each other enough to speak for very long. "And here's intruging news. Tenjou didn't wait long at all to challenge me, there is to be another duel this afternoon in the arena. I wonder if her prince will help her this time..." Juri smirked a little as she sipped at her drink. "....and I wonder where she is going to scrounge up a sword. Certainly I am not going to lend her my epee this time, even if I won't need it for the duel." Not to mention Tenjou'd broken it the last time...
***
Anthy glanced at Juri and then Miki, wondering how exactly the two of them would handle the situation. Miki had asked as if she was not there though he had acknowledged her with a glance. She assumed and was correct in her thoughts that her new champion would also speak as if she did not exist. Perhaps her time with Utena had allowed her to grow soft.
"It hasn't been bad, but not necessarily good either. I can't imagine why duelists think there is any inherent advantage to owning the Bride outside the Arena,” Miki nodded thoughtfully as he poked at his food. He was curious really. Saionji was impossible to speak to and Tenjou got highly defensive. He, he wanted to know and, perhaps even though they were friends, he could defeat Juri. Maybe. He didn’t know if he wanted to any longer though.
“ Although I am sure the likes of Touga and Saionji found some pleasure in having a lovely female slave obeying their every whim I find the whole idea distasteful." Anthy easily succeeded in her attempt to not glower. Oh yes what wonderful companions they had been. Touga didn’t go near her for fear of repercussion by Akio and Saionji…well….it was easy to separate her mind from that. Miki blushed, surprised that Juri would even bring that aspect up. Certainly Himemiya was beautiful but…to do that…was that right? Granted was owning her right? He glanced at her.
"It's tiresome to have someone following you all the time like a second shadow....it's not the glamourous thing they would have you believe, trust me. If it weren't for the position of the Victor and the need for the sword I would have none of it." Miki believed that. Juri was such a private person as it was, he didn’t think that she would take well to Himemiya being around her constantly.
Juri sighed and Miki glanced at her then at Anthy who seemed equally pleased with the situation. He recalled that she seemed to smile a lot more when Tenjou was around. Perhaps that is what she wanted of her though, it was hard to tell; the Rose Bride was such a strange girl.
"And I do think our esteemed president is up to something, he always seems to be. If the Victor in the end is not myself, I would much rather see Tenjou there than Touga, at least she is transparent in her motives,” yes, the former champion was very easy to read. “Has he said anything to you? He talks more to you than he does to me. And here's intruging news. Tenjou didn't wait long at all to challenge me, there is to be another duel this afternoon in the arena,” Miki looked up at her surprised. Really? So soon? Granted Saionji had not waited very long either to challenge Utena to her second duel, and Utena in turn had not waited all that long either to challenge Touga. “ I wonder if her prince will help her this time..."
Anthy glanced up. He wasn’t her prince alone. He was the Prince. He had helped her so that they could have the revolution…she set her fork down. She wasn’t hungry anyways.
"....and I wonder where she is going to scrounge up a sword. Certainly I am not going to lend her my epee this time, even if I won't need it for the duel."
“I don’t know,” Miki said, mulling over the possibilities of lending her his but at the same time not wanting her to have a chance against Juri. No, they were friends but he would stay out of this, he would rather see Juri win over Touga just as she would rather see Tenjou win as opposed to Touga. Ah well…
“I’m sure she’ll manage to find something, she obviously did for her first duel,” Miki said finally, “As for Touga, he hasn’t spoken to me no, but I’ll see what I can find out. He will probably be less talkative towards me since he knows that we are friends and that I would help you out before I would him,” which was very true. “Oh, Himemiya-san…” Miki turned to her, “I was wondering if you wanted to practice in the next day or so…if you like…”
Anthy looked up and gave Miki a faint smile, “Certainly, if Juri-sama says that it is alright.”
Miki tried not to look overly disappointed but look at Juri, “I was hoping maybe with you she might have a different answer,” he said softly, “I guess it’s standard. You don’t mind do you?”
***
Yes, Tenjou would manage to find a sword somewhere Juri supposed. But hadn't she fought her first duel with a practice sword? Surely she wouldn't get far against Juri with one of those. And Miki would try speaking to Touga. Anything would help, even if he didn't say as much to Miki surely he would say more to the younger man than he would dare impart to Juri.
He turned to the Bride, who hadn't seemed to be paying the least attention and probably didn't care if she had. “I was wondering if you wanted to practice in the next day or so…if you like…”
Anthy smiled in that non-discript way, like those pictures they put in picture frames when they're sold.“Certainly, if Juri-sama says that it is alright.” Ever the pretense of absolute obedience.
Miki's disappointment was only lightly veiled as he looked back at Juri. “I was hoping maybe with you she might have a different answer.” So he still did like her. Poor boy. “I guess it’s standard. You don’t mind do you?”
Juri shook her head and pushed her food around on her plate, searching for one last edible bite. "Of course not." It would get the bothersome presense away from her for a few hours. "I know you enjoy her company, I would not deny you that. And the Bride seems to enjoy the playing as well." As much as she could enjoy anything. Juri switched her focus to the Bride's impassive face. "Himemiya, you may play with Miki whenever you like. You needn't ask my permission everytime." It was a silly formality, anyway. Juri looked at her pointedly for a moment, as though seeing her in a new light. "Is there anything you actaully want? I know you are not supposed to have any wishes outside those of the Victor, but that must be an exagurration. There were times you were with Tenjou some look akin to genuine pleasure would cross your face. Certainly I do not need you following me everywhere, so if there is somewhere you feel you will be of more use you are welcome to it." The Bride stared at her blankly. Juri sighed exaspiratedly. "Very well." She'd have to play the game by its rules. "It is my wish that you find something else to do with your time. I will not have you trailling behind me always like a train behind a queen. I don't care what, just don't follow me constantly." It was so annoying, her hovering always like a sleepless ghost, never speaking unless spoken to.
***
Utena was still calming down from the encounter when she dashed into class late. The teacher gave her the usual repremanding glare as Utena sheepishly slid into her seat next to Wakaba. Really these duels were going to kill her grades, how was she going to explain it to her aunt? And oh great they were getting their math tests back... Utena slumped in the chair. A 50. Would Miki be willing to help her even if Anthy wasn't in their dorm any more?
No wait. Utena sat up a little straighter and picked up her pencil with more determination. Anthy'd be back. She was sure of it. Tonight. All she had to do was beat Juri-sempai...well she'd lost before to Touga and she'd come back to win. So it wasn't like the idea was impossible or anything. She'd do it. She'd come through.
Class ended and Wakaba seemed happy over her test grade. "I don't wanna talk about it," Utena said hastily stuffing the paper away. "Say, do you still watch Saionji practice kendo?" She had to get a sword from somewhere...well maybe the kendo dojo. Or maybe she could borrow Miki's...well wait. Miki and Juri were friends, maybe he wouldn't lend her a sword if she were going against her friend and all....maybe she should just break down and buy a sword. With what money.
***
Wakaba wondered what it was that Utena had to speak with them about that would make her so late to class. Really she felt bad for her friend, her grades had been slipping, especially this test. She had glanced over to see how her grade compared and in a way did nothing think it right that Utena had done worse then she. She was about to ask when Utena quickly put it away and said that she didn’t want to talk about it. Well alright then…
"Say, do you still watch Saionji practice kendo?"
Wakaba turned around and walked backwards, “Yeah I do,” she laughed, “Why do you ask?” maybe it was sad that she still went to see him practice, but she had seen the kindness in him…and the arrogance. It was disheartening though that he would seek power and attention of others that would never care over her. Ah well…there was many a time when she found herself cheering for his opponent.
“I can get you a good place to watch from if your interested.”
***
Utena hoped Wakaba wasn't going to go slamming into anyone or anything walking like that. Couldn't they just walk side by side? Well usually Wakaba was riding on Utena's back, at least this was a little easier but still. She just wanted something in her life that was normal. Wakaba was the closest she got and even she...there had been that duel. Utena shoved the thoughts aside, she had enough to worry about these days without reliving it.
“Yeah I do. Why do you ask?” Um...need to get a sword somewhere? Okay maybe that wasn't the best thing to say. “I can get you a good place to watch from if your interested.”
Utena nodded. "Yeah that would be good. I needed to talk to Touga or Saionji..."Wakaba's eyes widened with curiousity, it wasn't like Utena had a crush on either of them! No there was only her..Prince...well.. sort of. Maybe. On a white horse and everything. "Council business, you know - " her eyes widened. "Wakaba, look out!" Too late. Wakaba walked right into the back of someone who had been standing in the hall way, but then who would be stupid enough to just stand in a hallway when classes were changing. Utena rushed over and helped Wakaba to her feet. "You see this is why it's good not to wear skirts, " she said laughingly and looked up right into a pair of piercing blue eyes. Oh great. Wakaba sure knew how to pick them.