"Lets head inside," Ayaka said, her long red hair flowing over
her shoulders, "there's someone waiting inside who you really should
see."
"Right," Utena looked down at the body of Saya, just a bit
startled to see it beginning to dissolve. 'She really was different than
us,' the pink haired girl mused. She walked over to where she had flung
the sword's hilt, then slid the weapon home with a rasp, carrying it at
her side.
The bouncer's black hair fell into her eyes, her long leather
coat flowing around her. She tilted her head to the side, "Most of the
staff's going to be leaving, you want me to stick around?"
"That's not a good idea, Bones," Ayaka smiled at the bouncer,
"you're tough, but I don't know if you can take vampires."
Utena nodded, "But thanks for the offer."
"Right," Bones pushed off from her spot by the door, only
pausing to look over at Juri thoughtfully. Then she slipped away into
the darkness.
"That was odd," Juri noted, her long orange hair falling past
her shoulders.
"Maybe she likes you," Shiori added with a slight smile, her
purple hair elegantly messy.
"Are we going inside," Integra asked coldly, her eyes flashing
behind her glasses, "or not?"
The band of vampire slayers moved down the hallway, stepping out
into a larger room. There were two women waiting behind the bar, several
tables had been pushed together and covered with snacks, but otherwise
the place seemed deserted.
A woman strode out of the shadows, a slight smile on her
handsome face. "I had most of the staff stay home tonight," the
completely human incarnation of Arisugawa Juri said simply, "but I had
to stick around to meet you."
"How..." Juri blinked, the vampiress' eyes wide with surprise.
"Long story," Juri shrugged. She looked over at Utena, "Minagi
and Ryouko insisted on staying to tend bar, but they've been instructed
to stay out of any fights. Also, if you're going to fight please try to
take it outside."
"Ah, right," Utena managed, her thoughts racing. 'Does this mean
there's a human version of me around, too?' she wondered.
"I'll be back later this evening," Juri looked at Ayaka
pointedly, "and I expect to find the place roughly the way I left it."
"Yes, ma'am," Ayaka threw a mock salute, Juri walking out
grumbling softly.
"Is that who you wanted me to meet?" Utena asked softly.
"No," Ayaka shook her head slightly before nodding towards a
dark corner of the club, "she's sitting over there."
Utena turned, her eyes piercing the darkness. The woman in the
traditional kimono drank from a crystal glass, a young human woman
sitting beside her. Utena felt her eyes widening as she softly murmured,
"Miyu."
"Do you want me to go with you?" Juri asked Utena quietly, the
taller vampire's eyes narrowing as she studied the figures in the
corner.
"I'd appreciate it," Utena said as the two walked forward
together.
Integra watched Utena and Juri move off together, then the gray
haired woman turned her attention back to Anthy. "Do you want to get a
drink?" she asked calmly.
"Please," Anthy smiled slightly. Utena's girls had just finished
ordering their drinks, Ami, Excel and Hitomi getting odd looks from the
two cyan haired bartenders. "Someone you know?" Anthy asked the nearest
one, noting the scars on her cheeks.
"Something like that," Minagi agreed. She gave the three a grin
before asking, "So what can I get you folks?"
"Whisky," Integra said simply.
"Blood and rum," Ceres said, the blonde soldier looking around
her warily.
"Blood and wine," Anthy ordered.
"Got it," the unscarred twin helped pour the drinks. Ryouko
moved stylishly behind the bar, a impish grin on her face and her
catlike blue eyes shining with excitement. "May I just say how odd this
is?" she noted as she passed the drinks around.
"We all have twins you know, I take it?" Integra asked softly.
"Yeah," Ryouko agreed, "though you and Ceres aren't all that
different." She dropped her voice, "But Anthy, Juri and Utena? Wow."
Integra looked over at where Juri and Utena were talking to a
strange young woman. "They aren't quite what I was expecting," she
admitted.
Utena settled into the seat across from Miyu, studying the pale
vampire child thoughtfully. She still shone with power, but somehow it
was a bit less overwhelming than it had been on their first meeting.
"You wanted to see me?" Utena asked.
Miyu smiled slightly, drinking something red from a wine glass.
"A most bold move," she gestured to the club around her.
"I can't hide from Ohtori," Utena said softly in reply, "I never
could, and running away from her isn't my style."
"No, I suppose not," Himiko spoke up from her lover's side. Her
brown hair fell into her hair, studying Utena thoughtfully. "Is
Saya...?"
"Yes," Utena said simply. She saw a flash of pain in Miyu's eyes
and said, "I'm sorry."
"She was a troubled soul," Miyu said softly. She looked to where
Utena still carried the katana Saya had tossed her, "Will you continue
to wield that?"
Utena hefted the blade, her expression thoughtful, "Yes, I think
so."
"Good," Miyu smiled slightly, "the weapon carries much honor."
Juri listened to them talk intently, her eyes dark. "Utena tells
me you faced Mrs. Ohtori before," she said, "do you think this party
will draw her out?"
"Oh, yes," Miyu agreed, "her pride would not allow her to ignore
it." She paused before adding, "Mrs. Ohtori has not slain anyone, since
coming here to Tokyo. She has turned a few willingly to vampires, but
other than that..."
"I wonder why she would do that," Utena said, studying Miyu
intently She wished that she had something to do with her hands, the
nervousness churning deep within her. "When we talked before," Utena
finally said, "I got the feeling you were holding something back." A
pause, "Something about my powers, I think."
"Miyu wouldn't do that..." Himiko started to protest, only to
have Miyu hold up a silencing hand, meeting Utena's eyes.
"There are things that I did not think you were ready to hear,"
Miyu looked at Utena measuringly, "do you believe you are ready now?"
"Probably not," Utena answered frankly, feeling amused by Miyu's
mild surprise, "but if things go badly tonight, I may not get another
chance to ask."
Miyu chuckled softly, "You are most wise, Utena, seizing a
chance like this." She spoke softly, "There are tales of a power hidden
within the vampires, a power that some say could revolutionize the
entire world."
"I'm not that powerful..." Utena began.
"Nor was the first one whom possessed that power at first," Miyu
said. "Dios was a good and honorable man, until that power twisted and
corrupted him. It took the heroism of his vampire sister to stop him,
whom slew herself after committing that dark deed."
"The power corrupts," Utena murmured.
"Why have I never heard of this before?" Juri asked.
"You are both still so young," Miyu said gravely, "with much to
learn about your kind and your own potentials."
"Fair enough," Utena agreed. She puffed out a sigh, "If this
power I have is this Power of Dios, what does that mean?"
"The elders will become aware of you," Miyu said, "some fearing
that power, others seeking to use it for their own advantage."
"Marvelous," Juri muttered softly.
Miyu rose from her seat, her long black hair falling over her
shoulders. "When the time comes to face Mrs. Ohtori," she said softly,
"remember that battle is not the only option."
"Hey, wait a minute," Utena started to say only to have both
women seemingly disappear on her. "Damn it," she sighed as she got up
out of her seat to look around her irritably, "I hate it when people do
that to me."
"Is she always that helpful?" Juri asked, looking around her
warily.
"She was actually a bit more talkative this time," Utena
admitted.
There was the sound of a disturbance outside, and Juri felt a
familiar and dangerous presence. "She's here," Juri said softly,
remembering it from back at the academy.
Utena nodded slightly, feeling that power. "It's time," she
agreed.
To be continued...
Author's Note: This episode is set in my cross-dimensional bar
Arisugawa's Locket, with it's own version of Arisugawa Juri. Bones the
bouncer is from www.coolcatstudios.com. Finally, tending bar are Ryouko
and Minagi from Tenchi Muyo.
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