Author's Note: Doctor Mikage: "Okay...okay...calm down. Breathe. Remember your Lamaze classes! Breathe in and out, Pyro-chan!" :( Pyro: "Hah hah hah! T-This isn't working!! THIS IS TOO SOON!! I CAN'T DO THIS!!" D: Doctor Mikage: "I need you to keep breathing! Okay...I see the head...push, Pyro-chan! Puuuuush!!" :( Pyro: "I-I CAN'T HAVE THIS!! THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE!!" D8 Doctor Mikage: "Puuuuuuush! Here it coooooomes!" Pyro: "NYAGAGAGAHAHAAAAAAHHHHH!" ;; A loud pop is heard, and the sound of crying ensues Doctor Mikage: "Ah excellent! Congratulations, Pyro-chan...you're now the proud mother of a very healthy little fanfic chapter!" Pyro: "M...M-my...chapter..." holds the mewling fanfic tenderly, looking tired "I think I'll name him...Update!" 3 Flames Sunshine poured in through the window to fall across her face as Utena's eyelids opened. Her lens shifted through their various filters, as they always did at start up, then she worked through her memory banks. She felt...tired today. Of course she was at optimum efficiency her sensors told her. It was a ridiculous notion. The only thing that perhaps bothered her was the small injury to her leg from the day before, but even that was for the most part repaired. Still...she felt tired... Less energetic than she usually felt. Perhaps if she was honest with herself, what she really felt was depressed. The memory of killing those bandits had felt...so good! God, slicing them apart had been twistedly fantastic...letting her take out her pain and sorrows...ripping them apart for daring to touch her suit. It had rained blood. Something she understood. Something so natural...but the look on the three women's faces had haunted her dreams. Anthy had looked so...horror-struck. Disgusted. Wakaba had been sick on the way back, unable to hold it together. Out of them all, Juri's expression had been unreadable. But still...she could feel them recoil in her mind. And the frozen faces of the bandits she felled... Their ruined bodies shifted in her dreams to become the bodies of enemy Armaki soldiers, as she fired her PT345 electro-assault rifle in the front lines of war. Canons mounted on the back of huge hulking land crawlers firing with their stubby mechanical legs, aircraft screaming across the skies. She could hear her commander roaring over the comlinks, her hard suit battered by shrapnel as she just kept firing. Had to keep the waves from advancing towards the palace. Had to cut down the numbers before they reached the Prince and-- She had woken in the middle of the night, irregularly in a cold sweat. Her network processes had quickly pumped the correct amount of pseudo-chemicals, in order to balance her levels and bring her back to a state of acceptable calm. For the first time since waking up in her new environment, Utena dreamed of the past. And it disturbed her. Moody, the clockwork knight went through the ritual of checking her surroundings, her body, her inventory, shoving aside the growing piles of offerings and unlit ritual candles that had managed to sneak under her door, and climb inside of her suit. Everything was fine. Well...it wasn't but...she had a mission. Had a charge. She couldn't ever go back to her world but...or see him again but... Pink hair fell forward to hide her face as the cyborg choked back a sob. But with the release of relaxatives in her system, she lifted her head again. Everything was fine. She would get through this...create a new home for herself. Taking a breath, she opened the door and exited. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx "And damn it all Touga, if only you could've seen her step out from that suit of armor. I know you're enamored with her already, but what lies underneath? It was perfection...I've never seen men's breeches hug hips like those before!" Juri remarked with a frustrated sigh, as she reclined back on the ornate couch. Touga was currently brushing out his hair, tying it this way and that before deciding to try and braid it in the mirror. Looking at his companion through the reflection he chuckled. "My my...then you're quite the lucky one then. I'm jealous! And you even kissed her...I shall have to hurry to catch up before you steal another one away." Juri looked over at him meaningfully. "Yes you will...because I'm not sharing this one. Besides, she doesn't seem to put up with your nonsense from what you've told me. Did you say something to offend?" Touga sighed and put down the brush. He was currently wearing a burgundy gentleman's long vest, embroidered with tiny phoenixes in gold thread. A gift from the king. Although resplendent with his own flaming red hair, Touga looking disappointed. His mind was elsewhere. "No...she seemed not to think highly of me from the first, but that of course may be due to her proximity to lady Anthy. Ah, excuse me...Princess Anthy." He politely amended, pressing a hand to his breast modestly. Juri snorted from her place, rising to stand and walk behind him. "Hmph. Princess. Of all of the ridiculous...I'm not quite sure what the Guardian hopes to accomplish with bringing peace and prosperity to this corrupt heap of earth. Not with choosing to side with one of the lowest individuals in it." She threw up her hands. "Do you know? Even the peasants can't stand to look at her, let alone follow her. Everyone murmurs about witches befuddling the mind of the king...her presence is a hindrance to negotiations." Juri shook her head negatively. Touga nodded. "Mmm yes. You're quite right. And yet here she is. It's certainly thrown affairs of state to the wind. She's been working to slowly make her way into the eyes of the court more favorably...but it's met with little success. She seems to have some support amongst the lesser castle staff, but outside of that no one sees her. His majesty has handed over small matters of the kingdom to her, in order to test her for more. But if we want this to turn out for the best, she needs something to make her shine. To overshadow the...disquieting whispers about her nature. His majesty has thought of this as well." Juri rolled her eyes. "What we need to do is put her back in her place. I don't like that all of a sudden she's granted all of this supposed prestige and power. Especially when she's been little more than a filthy bed warmer for years." Touga turned and glared at her disapprovingly. "Despite that, it is our god's will. You would do well not to speak ill of the King's sister, even if you're jealous of her proximity to the Guardian." he turned back to the mirror. Juri's eyes narrowed coldly at the back of his head. "What the Guardian sees in her, I do not know. Perhaps she truly is a witch... However. I know my place in court. And I shan't do anything to jeopardize it. If Anthy is to be a princess then so be it...but more oft than not, the glimmering ladies in that place are far more cruel than I could ever be. We'll see how well she stands on her own." Forcing herself to breathe more easily and calmly, Juri settled down from her low tirade. Anthy always managed to get under her skin. Even when they had been together briefly, while Anthy was still but a slave girl, there had been something unsettling about her. Intoxicating and disturbing. Green cat's eyes that seemed to bore right into you. The enigmatic way she'd cock her head at you in thought before she properly bowed her head in acceptance. As if puzzling you...piecing you together... Juri shook her head to clear her thoughts. Touga was currently lifting pieces of his hair this way and that as if deciding to go with pigtails. He frowned as he tried flipping it about for another style. Then he sighed and began swishing it about in a lazy swirl around his head. Irritated Juri made a noise in her throat and ceased her pacing, coming up behind him. "Oh...sit down already! I'll braid your hair for you. Honestly, you men are so thick-fingered with these things." Touga smiled, the atmosphere in the room relaxed again. "Oh? But I thought you liked thic--" He made a sharp noise of pain as the hairbrush whacked him from behind. "Don't be uncouth, or I'll tie your hair in knots." Juri glowered as she began running the brush through it again. Deftly she began weaving the long soft hair into an intricate french braid. "So the kiss, Juri." Touga reminded her. "What about the kiss? This is important you know, inquiring minds wish to learn the details of this very scandalous action! It's not every day a heathen atheist kisses the lips of a god. I'm surprised Dios didn't strike you down for such blasphemy!" He smirked at her, his lips pouting with humor. Juri paused, her hand caressing the brush's handle a she remembered. "Ahhh...wonderful my dear sir. So quick and stolen, but I've never tasted lips so soft before! And her expression was simply adorable." Juri sighed wistfully, closing her eyes in fond memory. Touga covered his mouth with a hand, managing to keep his tone level despite the amusement tugging at his lips. "Forgive me my dear...but you sound like a a young page boy who's mooning over the new kitchen girl. I can't say as though I can picture that lovely sword goddess as 'adorable' in the slightest. Beautiful...graceful...magnificently deadly...but adorable? Surely you jest." Touga teased. But Juri's expression became unreadable again. "Yes...she certainly is deadly." "Hmm. So what happened afterward? Was the kiss received well?" Juri was nearly finished with her braiding, reaching the ends of his hair. She gave a frustrated snort. "Nothing in the slightest. I'd hoped she'd follow me back to my apartments for some...armor inspection we'll say. Or at least to come patrolling down my corridor sometime in the night. But sadly I was left alone to mourn the loss of her company." "But I'm sure you found other company to relieve you of your, ah, stress we'll say." Touga mocked, using her tone from earlier. "Naturally. I'll not suffer the indignity of getting stood up twice in one day. But it's vexing not to hold onto the one you truly want. Make no mistake, when an Arisugawan sets her eyes on a potential mate she doesn't give up. I'll woo the Lady Utena given time...perhaps let her see the light as it were, about her Princess." Touga adjusted a ring on his finger. "Just remember you'll be having competition...it's a noble's duty to insure that the Guardian is comfortably taken care of in all things." He blew Juri a kiss in the mirror. And winced as she lightly jerked on his braid, bring his head back to look at her. She raised an eyebrow before handing him the end of his neatly plaited hair. "There. Tie a ribbon on it and let's go. I'd hate to miss breakfast again because you can't stop primping, Touga." "Oh poo. You're such a man, Juri. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Utena was uncharacteristically heading to the main hall for breakfast, instead of eating alone in Anthy's room. She didn't need to eat, just like she didn't need to bathe. The desire wasn't even there anymore ever since she had her surgical operations two thousand years ago. But it had become a habit, Anthy usually ordering some new dish or delicacies and them tasting and trying what the castle had to offer. Together they'd discovered Utena's penchant for seasoned quail eggs, cinnamon baked apples, and the fruit salads mixed with those wonderfully alien berries. Eating was more of a hobby now, and a delightful one at that. And she liked spending time with her Princess...but... Well, she wasn't really feeling like herself today. And she was also rather embarrassed. It had been poor form on her part yesterday, crying like some weak cadet on his first training day. She'd shown a great weakness...having to rely on Anthy to comfort her when it certainly should have been the other way around. Her old squadron would have been shamed. No. She couldn't quite face Anthy yet...Utena decided as she passed by the milling awed servants in the hallways and the slow-walking nobles. Nodding here and there to the graceful curtsies and elegant bows, the stoic knight pushed open the large wooden doors to the great hall. There was a burst of noise, like walking into a transparent wall, and suddenly the voices of hundreds of chatting people broke around her. Many heads looked up, excited and nervous and predatory, as the Guardian strode into the hall. She paused as a servant eagerly rushed to her side. "Great Holy Guardian! Good morn' to you! Allow me to direct you to a humble place that has been reserved for your honorable presence! Our cleric has blessed it in the hopes it will be of adequate standards to your grace." Utena, fighting off a small tick at the corner of her eye, gave a small nod and allowed herself to be led to an opulent table set to the side of the two thrones on the dais. Equal with the king's own, she noticed...but not higher? Hmmm...that seemed to speak of subtle politics. The servant bowed and scraped so much it must have hurt, as Utena took her place and waited as a cup of wine was filled for her. Several nobles had stood and seemed to hover about the lower steps of the dais, waiting for a chance to speak with her. They buzzed amongst themselves, whispering and plotting as they adjusted capes and jeweled rings. But Utena was in no mood to deal with them, so they were ignored. But as several servants made to quickly bring up platters and trenchers of meats and cheeses for her inspection, one noble strode up behind them and wouldn't be ignored. Kneeling respectfully on one knee, the green-haired General Saionji rose and gave a nod. "Sir Guardian." Utena raised a small eyebrow and gave a small nod in return. "General Saionji." Saionji moved and took his place on the lower portion of the dais, just below the thrones at the carved table set aside for members of the King's High Council. He picked off several types of cheeses and vegetables onto his plate, before selecting a glass of almond milk from a bowing servant. "It's uncommon to see you here, Guardian. I'm surprised that the Princess has let you off of her leash in order to attend." There was a sudden silence as the room looked over in shock at what Saionji had said. All eyes turned to Utena to see what her response would be. Her blue eyes narrowed but didn't glance at him as she resumed cutting up a piece of pork. "Hmm. I wouldn't say it is the Princess who hold my reins...but I do believe I know who holds yours. Did the King have a good laugh at your defeat in the arena? It was pretty comical." Several jaws dropped. White-faced, many individuals flicked their gazes between the two as if sensing the electric crackle of tension between them. Saionji looked up at the gaggle of nobles however and with a sharp glare and a wave of his hands, he sent them hustling away to other parts of the room. Glancing over his shoulder, and resting his arm along the back of his chair, Saionji gave her a cool look. "He wasn't pleased. But then, as he put it, who can challenge a god? Still...a victory need not come from winning. I'd like to think I wasn't the only one to lose something." Utena frowned as her voice lowered several chilly degrees. "That helmet...was priceless. And I will see it is replaced, even if I have to take it from your hide." Saionji smirked, rising her ire even more. So she changed tactics to wipe away that smirk. "But you looked like such a pretty sleeping beauty in the arms of your red-haired friend. So delicate and lovely...why...it looked like Lord Kiryuu was taking his bride away!" Saionji snarled low, eyes blazing as they locked onto hers. "It did not! I looked like nothing of the sort. Hmph." He fell quiet and went back to stabbing at his plate. Utena, now smirking, went back to her own as well. The two ate determinedly trying to ignore one another. But after a little while, Saionji turned and looked at her again. "Where is your Princess? Shouldn't you be with her as her divine protector and guidance?" There was a sarcastic edge to his tone. The sounds of clattering plates and murmuring voices and had begun buzzing around them at normal levels once more. Utena snorted. "The Princess is in her room dressing. I'll join her shortly, not that it's any concern of yours." She popped a piece of food mouth gruffly. Chewing she regarded him with annoyance. "You don't seem to show proper respect to my station. You would do well to remember to whom you speak." Saionji looked at her with a snobbish disgust. "Hmph. My people never served Dios. We accepted his presence in the world only when we became a part of the Ohtori kingdom. It was required. But I don't hold the beliefs myself, nor do I care for the meddling works of gods and spirits. Besides...you're rather crude and blunt for a divine spirit, don't you think?" Utena's fist clenched around her carving knife as she gave a tight, cold, smile. "Insolent pig." "Pink-haired mongrel." "Green-scalped buffoon." xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Anthy was dressed and powdered to perfection, or so her maids had insisted. Her elegantly-long green dress fit her body like a glove, and her hair had been woven into a gold hair ornament to rest upswept in a sort of bun at the top of her head. She took a steadying breath as she walked down the halls, set on speaking with Utena today. Last night had sent her mind reeling with all sorts of thoughts and worries...and her feelings were getting worse. Every time she saw the pale knight smile, it made her heart soar. Her tears had made her heart ache. But her kiss...that soft kiss upon her forehead, as if to an upset child...that had made her heart harden. Utena, she was convinced, only saw her as an object to protect...someone too weak to do anything on her own and who knew nothing of the world. She didn't see her as a real woman...just the princess she had rescued. But that wasn't what Anthy wanted! Anthy's elegant eyebrows came together in a small frown. Several servants bowed as she passed and she paused to smile and greet them in turn. No...that wasn't what she wanted. She wanted Utena to look at her as a friend. As more than a friend! Someone she could trust and confide in without worry. Of course, the Holy Knight had her own private mission and Anthy was simply another pawn in that. That was fine, she was happy to do whatever she could to help the woman! But...but couldn't she at least mean a little more? Couldn't she have a place in Utena's heart that went beyond simple friendship? Oh...why couldn't Utena have kissed her on the lips instead? She'd have given anything to have those strong hands hold her shoulders and to feel those soft dry lips on her own mouth... Blushing lightly on her cheeks,Anthy's head came up as she heard voices and footsteps approach. "And so then I asked him...oh. Good morning to you, Princess Anthy." Touga bowed to Anthy, the orange-curled woman with him doing the same. But as Juri rose up from her bow, her eyes locked with the Princess and daggers flew between them. Touga seemingly oblivious, smiled. "Are you on your way to the banquet hall? Might we have the honor of accompanying you milady?" Anthy, her face a politely pleasant mask of civility, smiled and nodded. "I would be most pleased to walk with two members of the High Council. My thanks. Shall we?" Touga offered his arm, and Juri took a step to the side. Anthy moved in between them and together they headed for the hall. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx "Pile of horse dung." "Go stick your face in a dog's butt." Oh that was it, "You're incredibly juvenile for the General of an army. I can't say that I can see how someone like you could ever be given such a rank...the King must have certainly been short-staffed to give power to someone like you." She was beginning to rise from her seat, hands planted squarely on the table before her as she leaned forward. Saionji had turned completely in his chair, facing her. His hand edge near his sword. "I don't need anyone to hand me power...everything I've gained in this life I've taken with my own two hands! I wouldn't expect someone like you to understand that since I'm but a mere mortal... Besides, is that not the pot calling the kettle black as it were? Hypocritical woman." The glared at each other coming close to blows. But after a moment they both sat down and collected themselves, Saionji tapping his finger on his table and Utena cricking her neck. "Hmph. Perhaps. I'll admit you're skilled with a sword, but I won't pretend to like you." She snorted. "Hmph. Exactly." Came a stubborn reply from the back of Saionji's head. The doors to the hall opened and Anthy entered, trailed by Touga and Juri. Surprised, Utena looked up. Saionji gave a curt nod as Touga joined him after giving a courtly bow to the Guardian before taking his seat. As Juri bowed as well, Utena couldn't seem to help but notice that her black blouse's strings were left untied and trailed enticing inside and along her collarbone. Noticing the other woman's glance, Juri gave a small wink before sitting down. Anthy gave a very small curtsy, just enough to signify respect but not so much that it didn't suit her station. Something she'd been practicing lately. Utena found herself smiling at her, as Anthy took her new place in the center of the High Council. It was the first time they wouldn't be eating together directly. It felt...strange...and also a bit awkward being put on display. But Anthy had mentioned the necessity and Utena had agreed. They needed to be seen in public more. "My goodness...the two of you seem quite awake this morning." Touga commented cheerfully. Saionji shot him a look. Utena sighed and resumed her meal, not commenting. Saionji turned to his side and looked upon Anthy fully for the first time in days. "...You seem well this morning Princess." "Yes. Thank you milord General." "I'm...pleased to see it." Saionji fell silent and picked at his plate. Juri broke bread for the table and passed a piece to the Princess, who accepted it politely before taking a bite. Sitting up here amongst those who'd been a source of torment and unhappiness for so long was putting her on edge. Everyone acted as though nothing was wrong; as if they'd never had any ill will towards one another before this. The acting ability of the elite...one always had to watch their public appearance, she thought bitterly. After a time of quiet eating and polite small talk, Saionji stood. "Thank you for the grace of your company lords and ladies. But I must return to my post. Much needs to be done with our knights' training." Touga gave a nod of acceptance. "Of course, General. We all depend upon your expertise to safeguard our kingdom. Shall we expect you for dinner this evening?" The green-haired man gave a solemn nod and moved around the table. Bowing to the Princess, he opened his mouth slightly as if to say something. But then he closed it and simply turned to bow to Utena. Rising, he turned to leave but paused a moment. "In light of our earlier conversation, Holy Guardian...the training grounds would be honored to have you visit again. My men have reported that you were quite an inspiration that last time you visited. Perhaps we can have a friendly sparring match sometime." Utena gave a hard smile that matched Saionji's own. They sized each other up. "Very well. Thank you for the invitation...General." Saionji turned on his heel and left. Touga looked from Saionji's retreating form to glance back at her. His eyes were calculating as he spoke. "I must admit to being impressed, Guardian. Our lord Saionji isn't one to extend an invitation like that easily...especially not to one he's dueled so recently. You must have surely made an impression on him, holiness." He smiled, a long braid of crimson hair had draped along his shoulder blades and across his collarbone, catching the light. Gazing at it, Utena smirked ever so slightly. "Hmm...nice braid." Turning away from the handsome man, Utena set her fork and plate aside to be taken. "As for the General, I believe we've come to an understanding." xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Anthy had been summoned by the King, to the small parlor room that acted as his private office. Behind her the Guardian moved like a well oiled machine, despite her large bulky armor. They hadn't spoken during breakfast, and had been called suddenly by a page with a letter for the princess. But she hadn't given up on her plan quite yet... "Ah! Anthy my dear, so wonderful to see you. And the Guardian! This is indeed an honor. Please, have a seat the both of you." King Akio inclined his head as he rose to greet them. Beside him his wife Kanae bowed slightly as well, looking elegant and refined in a resplendent gold and black gown. The crowns perched on their brows were thickly encrusted with jewels. Every movement from them seemed measured and done with care, from the graceful nod the queen gave to her husband to the way Akio gestured with his hands as he spoke. Like the flutter of a bird's wing. Utena found herself a little impressed how different the two of them seemed from the members of the High Council...like they were from another world of nobility entirely. Utena wondered how much of it was an act...the thick clothing hid the King's body well, but she could see the subtle strength in his hands as he lifted a goblet to drink from. "Princess Anthy...it has come to my attention with some dismay of a recent escapade you and a serving maid were involved with in the border lands of this kingdom. Your interest in the shrine was of some concern to our people...but with the return of our Guardian to this life, it is natural that the Guardian would have an interest in such places." The king gave a bow to Utena in deference, holding his hands palms up in supplication. "But since you are of...noble blood, and my only sister, I must require that you not go out on such a dangerous outing again. The bandits found there would surely have killed you and your serving maid, had not Dio's Right Hand and the skilled Arisugawan ambassador been there. A servant could have surely shown the Guardian the ruins, if that was the focus of the trip...it is not a lady of your standing's place to become involved in such things." Akio's voice sounded firm and a touch troubled beneath his regal bearing. The concern of a monarch and brother. Utena couldn't help but wonder if perhaps he...was genuinely concerned for Anthy. But if she was passed around...treated with such...no. She had to remain firm and unbiased. She needed to assess Akio and his entire kingdom as descendants of Dio's bloodline. She had to insure the kingdom's prosperity. Her programing could not be disobeyed in this. Remaining silent, Utena watched as Anthy bowed her head in shame. "Forgive me, my King. I was foolish...I did not mean to...sully the reputation of you and the Queen. It shall not happen again." Kanae gave her a small kind smile. "We are pleased to see you understand. With time you shall grow in wisdom, and learn the arts of a Lady." Akio nodded, seriously. "Yes...and as for your public image and current reputation...we have given thought to this as well." Utena looked up in interest, Akio catching her gaze while speaking. "We wish to display you, dear sister...in a ball to highlight your return to your birthright. As per the Guardian's decree, you right as Princess has been invoked...yet most do not see you truly as one. My beloved Kanae has proposed this marvelous idea that I think shall work in your favor. We shall hold a grand ball in honor of the recent negotiations and alliance between the eastern lands and ours. With the increased tensions to the north and in trying to keep all of our many cultures and people banded together in a solid unity, it would do well to have the various dignitaries come together and spend an evening of pleasure and enjoyment. A grand affair, with invitations sent across the kingdoms to all of our country men. But..." He paused, gesturing to Anthy fondly as he gave her a smile. "Most of all, I wish to present you...to show the world you have support behind you and to allow the simpletons to open their eyes to the promise you show. This would be a good chance for you, my dear...and perhaps we can find a suitor to take your hand." Anthy's eyes widened a touch as she bowed her head and demurred, "Ah...if my King wishes it, I would surely..." But interrupting, Kanae gently admonished her husband. "Come now Akio...we need not be rushing our dear Anthy into marriage so soon. She is just getting used to her new duties." Neither seemed to notice as Anthy breathed a small sigh of relief. But the silent Utena did. He smiled tenderly at his wife, bowing his head slightly as he raised a hand. "Ah, perhaps...I merely am looking out for her interests. So, Holy Knight...does this meet with your approval?" he asked, now turning fully to her. They locked eyes a moment, before Akio tilted his forehead down respectfully. Utena considered, mind working. "Hmm...I must say the plan has many merits. The chance to interact and observe so many high profile individuals, all in one place, would be invaluable. As would assessing their country's relationships in action, besides simply hearing about them. The good publicity would do excellently for the Princess' reputation...and I would be there to act as a measure of security." Utena reasoned as Akio gave a nod of agreement. "Yes, Great One. Many have expressed wishes to glimpse you and offer their respects since your awakening and descent from the Sacred Mountain. News of the blessing that has fallen onto this kingdom has reached the ears of many...and the surrounding rulers are anxious to have your grace fall upon them as well. Might we, the kingdom of Ohtori, humbly ask the representative of our holy god Dios to this ball we plan?" Utena nodded and gave a small elegant bow at the waist, causing a few strands of strawberry hair to fall forward. "As a representative of Dios, I shall attend." "Wonderful! We are most honored. This shall be a ball like no other." Akio clasped his jeweled hands together, and a servant appeared. The servant brought fresh fruit and refilled the goblets of the King and Queen. We he had departed, Akio motioned that Anthy could now rise from her waiting position in the adjacent parlor chair. "Thank you for your time, Holy Guardian. Princess Anthy. Perhaps you would like to take this opportunity to enjoy the gardens...our resident mage, Miki Kaoru, had expressed a desire to share lunch with you two, if you are of a mind. He is one in whom I place a great trust and respect in, as his skills are unparalleled in all of the Ohtori lands." Taking the signal to go Anthy and Utena rose, bowed, and departed. Akio watched them from over the rim of his goblet as he sipped, his expression cool. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx "Oh! This is terribly exciting, to actually meet the legendary warrior...the sacred armor that had been sleeping in the Mountain Shrine for centuries! Why, I can barely contain myself when I think about all of the wondrous knowledge she must possess! Who'd have thought that that armor actually...contained such a fantastic Spirit!" Miki Kaoru gushed excitedly as his hands waved about. He was wearing his light blue robes of office, silver spirals and stars shining with the light as he walked on silent sheepskin boots. The black cloak embroidered with the red rose of Ohtori and the silver cord tied at his waist were eye catching as well. His sister was dressed in a gown made to match, her short hair just a touch longer than his own. "I mean...no one dared approach, you understand...for fear of the powerful curse that had been laid onto the cave and it's occupant. Not even our ancestor mages, powerful though they were, could quite figure out how it worked..so they sealed it off with their own spells. I'm not so ready to believe that this being is a goddess...but that she is a powerful spirit of some sort is certainly a given! Did you hear? She took on an entire fully armed bandit horde...alone! And she possesses a powerful essence that made her rose glow white, in the Duel Ritual! Astounding..." Kozue pretended to roll her eyes in exasperation. He had been like this since they had awoken, Kozue safely in her own apartments when he came to call. He showed no signs of knowing anything of what had occurred the night before. But Kozue's lips still tingled from a stolen reverent kiss... "Aren't you excited to meet her? I would have thought...well...you of all people would be just as excited..." Kozue broke from her treacherous thoughts as she gave him a reassuring smile. "Of course, Miki. I'm just nervous I suppose..." He nodded at that, in false understanding. "What does one say to one such as her? I wouldn't want to offend... And I hope that the Princess accepts our invitation to lunch. I have yet to see the two subjects of the castle gossip!" The two siblings walked side by side down the main corridor of the castle, heading for the side portal that lead to the expansive gardens. There, some waiting kitchen servants dressed in their livery had a large basket and several neat blankets between them. They fell into step quietly as the siblings walked ahead leading the way. "I know what you mean, but try not to worry! I have spoken with the Princess a few times before this and found her to be of a very kind personage. And I have heard a few whispers that the Guardian is understanding and sincere to those who she approves of. We shall simply have to stay in their good graces!" Miki chuckled, stretching up his arms to embrace the rising sun. The sunshine was warm on his face, the air fresh with the breezes of summer. So very different from the dank underground in which he lived. He'd almost forgotten what it felt like to walk above ground. Enjoying the colorful scenery of the carefully tended plants and flowers beds that wove and intertwined with the private gardens of the castle, he allowed Kozue to take over in the choosing of a spot and the setting up of their lunch. In the distance, tucked away under it's special archways of old stone, was the rose garden. A garden within a garden, where the sacred roses bloomed in all of their majesty. Forbidden to even look at, except for the High Council, the King and his court, and the single gardener blessed and purified by seven priests, it stood alone from the rest of the trees and blossoms. But their subtle scent still somehow managed to sneak in on the perfumed air. A cloying scent like a distant dream...perhaps a magick all on its own. Kozue released the servants to stand at a small distance from the spot she had chosen, sitting down with her legs and skirts carefully arranged on the picnic blanket. After a moment, Miki came to join her, his pale complexion seeming just a bit healthier to her careful eyes. Good...he needed to get out more. The King always kept him stuck in that stupid stuffy dungeon making him new toys and weapons for his wars...Why couldn't he leave that stuff to his team of warlocks and mages he had in the Lower Castle? Well...of course she knew. Even if he didn't. Miki's genius was second to none, and only he could craft both the arcane laws of magick and the newly discovered mechanics of iron and wood together. To create a new sort of creation, the likes of which were a shadowed likeness to the Elders. The King had need for such talent... And it was Kozue's job to ensure that nothing occurred to disrupt that. Her eyes narrowed slightly as Miki suddenly waved and hurried down the hill to greet a certain dark-skinned princess and a hulking armored deity. Yes...nothing... Miki chattered excitedly as he led the pair up the hill to where the 'modest' picnic lunch awaited. Apparently what the young man had meant by 'modest', he had meant 'not including the banquet table'. Anthy gazed in small wonder at the large array of foods laid out carefully on the spacious blanket as Miki's twin sister rose gracefully to curtsy to them. Returning Kozue's curtsy with a smaller one of her own, Anthy greeted the other woman warmly. "My goodness, this certainly is lovely. Thank you for the invitation to join you, Lady Kaoru. Surely you and the Seiron-Lord Kaoru have gone to much expense and effort." Kozue, whose heart-shaped face was tilted slightly to look up at Anthy from a lower angle, smiled graciously. "Oh not at all, Princess. We are both quite honored to have you accept our invitation. You grace us with your presence my lady." The two women nodded at each other and looked to Miki, who came to introduce himself. "Ah! Princess Anthy...I'm pleased that you would join us on such short notice. You're looking absolutely splendid this morning." He bent to kiss her hand, rising and pushing a lock of pale blue hair from his eyes. Miki always seemed to have that sweetly innocent air about him, untouched by the dark secrets he no doubt had to know working in the lower levels. He was also one of the few people Anthy had ever been able to talk to, albeit secretly. It was he who had aided her in originally discovering the scrolls about the Guardian...and it was he who was one of the few friends she could truly count on in the castle. Everyone settled down, and Utena found herself resting on her knees adjacent to the princess and Miki, with Kozue across from her. There was some polite small talk, Miki fidgeting somewhat nervously as his sister took charge of the conversation and told a few riddles. A break came when Miki finally seemed to be able to stand it no longer. "My lady, please forgive me...but I simply must ask, and please don't take this badly but...but. Just what are you." All eyes turned to see Miki staring at Utena intently, his forehead leaning towards her purposefully. Kozue paused in mid-joke and raised an eyebrow. "Well now, dear brother...that's not quite how I would have phrased it. But I guess that is because of who you are." Utena regarded him with an arched brow as well, returning the stare fully. "What am I? How do you mean? I am a Guardian" She said cryptically. Was it her imagination, or did there seem to be something weird about his eyes? Using her magnifying eye lenses to peer closer without moving her head, the mental readout showed that...there was a strange "S" shape super-imposed on the iris of his eye. And not only that, the slightly brighter blue band of color on his eyes seemed to be pulsing slightly...as if someone had lit a dim flashlight behind his eyes. Quirking her mouth slightly she cocked her own head to the side. "Just what are you?" Anthy turned from one to the other as Miki cleared his throat. "Ah hem! Very well, perhaps I may offer a trade of information Guardian? Forgive my frankness...and you as well Princess... But I'm a mage. And we have a difficult time believing in gods and whatnot without dissecting the intricate web of magiks that lay behind them." Turning to Utena, "I am a man of alchemy, in service to the king. A mage...a user of magick and one who bends the very laws of nature to his whims! Err...with practice of course." Miki declared, clarifying a bit as Utena looked at him with a blank expression. A 'man' of alchemy...he looked like nothing more than a young boy though, she thought in amusement. Utena gave a slow nod. "Ah...more of this magik then...I see." Anthy smiled at her, the smile creasing at the corners of her mouth as her eyes danced in merriment. "I'm afraid it is inescapable, Holy Guardian...magik is indeed everywhere in this world. You'll have to get used to it." Kozue leaned slightly towards the Princess as she shifted her weight to rest on one planted arm. "Oh? Does the Guardian not like magick?" She asked, interest piqued. Utena shook her head. "I can't say as I've had very much exposure to it...but where I am from there is little need." Miki appeared taken aback, his mouth opening in surprise. "Oh? No magik at all? Oh dear then how did you come to possess such a fabulous suit of armor? Or move the way you do? Surely there must be some sort of artifact of power used as a focus conduit with a movable ritual circle... Oh! And you never answered my earlier question. I know it was rather rude...but I'm very curious about you. To be honest, I've been wanting to meet you since your arrival." Miki's eyes looked her over as if he could look into the depths of her being, where normal eyes couldn't penetrate. His voice took on a hollow ringing tone. "You are...not mortal, this is clear. But my mage sight picks up light threads all over you, like lightning...your metal moves strangely...and there is clockwork mechanisms inside of you so complex I cannot fathom it's creation...you're so strange...so alien...I wonder what truly fashioned you..." he paused with a start as his sister laid a hand on his arm. "Please Miki, you're being rude. This is no way to behave in front of a god and our Princess." She gave him a stern look. He smiled sheepishly, ducking his head in embarrassment. "Forgive me."Utena found herself softening a little at that expression. He seemed so unsure of himself...one minute he was confident and at ease with a wisdom beyond his years, but the next he was nothing more than a little boy with his hand caught in the cookie jar. His sister seemed all confidence however, never hesitating in her actions or speech. There was something about the way her eyes tracked them that bothered Utena however... Shaking the feeling she gave Miki a warm smile. "Ah... "Say-ron"...Lord Kaoru was it?" Utena tried. Anthy nodded her head minutely to confirm. "I'm afraid that I cannot go into details for you...my story is my own, and I am what I am. There are no longer any others like me." Her words came out a little flat. But they were true. "However...I was once human. And Dios changed me, bringing me to his home and creating this body as you see it. Now that I am here, I can only complete the mission he gave me so long ago: To protect this kingdom, its rulers, and people." Utena moved a strand of hair from her face, a slight breeze picking up over the quiet picnic blanket. A daffodil's seeds blew off and danced about in front of their upturned faces, floating away like summer time snowflakes. Anthy reached out to touch one, her voice breaking the quiet like a ripple in a still pond. "And we are very grateful that you are here. This kingdom needs someone like you..." Miki smiled at that, a little sad for a moment. "Yes...we do. I would be interested in hearing your tale sometime, Holy Guardian. I hope you will tell it to me." Why do they look so sad? Is there something happening here within the kingdom I'm not aware of, or did something happen in the past? Filing her thoughts for later, Utena suddenly remembered something and decided to change the topic. "Lor--" "Please. I would ask you call me Miki." The mage lord smiled. Utena found herself smiling back. "Miki. Then please, call me Utena. The 'Holy Guardian' business is getting tiring." She grinned, and then folded her hands together. "I had heard from Lady Juri that you were quite the skilled engineer. A mage who had the genius of a craftsman..." Miki blushed. "Lady Juri praises me too highly...I am skilled enough to make the things the king requires." He brushed a strand of blue hair from his eyes. Kozue, who had been quietly watching them, piped up and reached inside her hand bag to produce an object. "My dear brother is one of the greatest mages on the continent. He has consulted older mages far beyond his years and taken the Red Plain of Trials earlier than anyone recorded in history! He also can make nearly anything. See? Is it not clever?" She held out her hand to show them what looked like for all the world to Utena, a small pocket watch. Then, she watched mystified as with a whispered touch and a soft word from Kozue, numbers glowed on its surface. Gasping Anthy leaned closer and clapped her hands together. "Oh how marvelous!" Utena grinned, shaking her head in surprise. "You were able to create a digital watch." Miki looked bemused. "Dee-jeh-tal? I'm sorry but...there is a name for this? I wasn't aware someone had already invented it, how embarrassing." Utena felt badly then, seeing him blush a little. "Well no I--" she picked up the device gingerly feeling a little guilty at his hurt feelings. But as she inspected it, she shook her head. "Well no it's not digital I suppose...it's...not made with anything I've ever seen. But there are small fluctuations on some of my energy sensors...is it...made with magik and not electricity?" Miki nodded. "Yes! But...you can record the time with electricity? Like bottled lightning?Isn't that rather dangerous? We've tried experimenting with such things, but last time we lost 4 members of our brotherhood when the workshop caught fire and exploded. The notion seems absurd." Utena handed the magik watch back to Kozue. "I keep forgetting things are different in this world. I really do need a crash course on your magick sometime..but, what I had wanted to ask you originally is if you could perhaps help me, Miki." Anthy cocked her head to the side, thinking. Then her expression cleared with understanding as she looked down at a sack tied onto Utena's belt."Ah! You wish to ask Seiron Miki about your helm." Utena turned to her and nodded in affirmative. Miki waited with curiosity burning in his eyes again as Utena untied the small leather sack and produced several large jagged pieces of metal. They were the remains of her helm, cleaved by the Kyouichi General. Miki took them in his hands carefully, running his hands over them as he explored with gentle fingertips the groves and symbols carved all over their surface. Identical to the suit of armor Utena wore. He murmured to himself, as his hands began to glow with a neon blue light, leaving strange thready trails in the air they passed through as he inspected the helm. His strange eyes looked into hers, a warm smile breaking out on his face. "This is truly the most beautiful craftsmanship I have ever seen...the smith could not repair this could he?" Both Anthy and Utena shook their head. Kozue leaned closer to Miki to get a better look, but didn't touch it. "Ah. And no wonder...there are other forces besides metal that went to into this great work. But I believe that with small effort, I can repair this." All at once Miki was badly startled as Utena unexpectedly reached over and clapped him hard on the shoulder in excitement. "Really?! This is wonderful news! If you can fix this for me, I would be in your debt...this helm means more to me than my own life." Her expression jubilant she found Anthy smiling as well, appearing happy for her. Miki, having gotten over the uncharacteristic display of emotion, grinned and rubbed the back of his head. "O-Oh it's no problem, Lady Utena...I'm happy to help you. And please...you owe me nothing. I would just like to get to know you better from now on and learn from you. Perhaps we can have that..."Crashing Coarse?" on magik some time, in exchange for you telling me about the Realm of the Spirits a little bit. It would be invaluable." Utena smiled and nodded. "A deal then." They shook hands formally as Kozue sighed."Please forgive me, Hol-...er...Lady Utena? Princess Anthy. But the day has grown late and I must depart. I have an appointment I cannot miss." Everyone rose to see her off, Kozue helping Anthy to her feet before Utena could and adjusting the Princess long skirts with a minute swipe of her hands. Miki kissed his sister's hand as they briefly embraced. "I shall see you at supper later, brother." Anthy gracefully nodding her head in tune with Kozue's curtsy before the young woman departed. When she had left, Utena smiled a little wistfully. "You and your sister seem close." She could see the twins warm attachment, and remembered the fondness with which Akio and Kanae had treated Anthy earlier. Things like that...weren't common back home. It made her feel a twinge of regret. "Yes." Miki murmured, sitting back down. "We're all we have. But I wonder for how much longer." xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx The soft sounds of mewling resounded in the large bedroom that belonged to the King, as indiscernible shapes shifted and moved beneath the silk sheets and furs. A small click and a low creaking was heard as a side door opened and Kozue let herself in. There was a pause in the rustling, and Akio's face moved to peer over his naked shoulder. He was barely breathing hard, but his skin looked flushed as he smiled seductively at his little spy. Kozue had taken a seat on the posh lounge chair facing the bed. "Ah. Back so soon I see? And have you anything interesting to report to me, my dear?" He returned his attentions to his Queen lying beneath him, too far gone in her own passions to pay Kozue's presence any mind. Kissing his way down her heaving chest as she writhed, he listened as Kozue spoke dispassionately. "The clinking knight isn't natural, and Miki can attest to that. I don't know what she is and neither does he, but they both agree she isn't human. However, she seems pretty uninformed about how things work. Has no real clue or inclination about anything magikal if my observations are any proof. There could be a weakness there, her uninformed status. Miki intends to meet with her in the future and talk with her. And she and the Princess are still as close as ever...but I smell something off between them lately. Something happened at those ruins." She crossed her arms and leaned back, watching the royal pair with mild interest. Akio paused with his lips just above Kanae's belly button. "Allow them to meet, but do not let the Guardian enter the Lower Castle. I do not want her sniffing around in places she shouldn't. Not until we're ready. Besides...if my sources are correct, she'll have plenty to keep her busy rather soon." Kozue arched an eyebrow, picking up a goblet from a nearby table and sipping from it. Grimacing she put it back. "Oh? Then the Black Thorns are on the move?" Her answer came from somewhere in a tangle of limbs and bed coverings. "Mmm...indeed. And sooner than originally anticipated. A small force should have already detached to plot a small attack on the city with a group of battle mages and rouge knights they've enlisted." He fell quiet once more, resuming his work. Kanae gasped and arched her back sharply as his hot mouth disappeared between her legs. Kozue mulled over that, still amazed at the King's ability to ferret out the most secret of information. "I truly do not know how you find out these things your Majesty, but I'm impressed. What would you have me do. Inform the Order?" Akio rolled over onto his back, propped up on the numerous pillow. The covers pooled around his waist. His green cat eyes regarded her, churning with unknown thoughts. "No. We will inform no one. Let them come and attack as they please, with no one the wiser. My people will have already been moved to safety, and the Lower Castle will not be penetrated. Rather...this shall work to our advantage. Let us see how the pawns will react to this bold message. I'm curious to see what the Guardian and my dear sister will do... The chaos that will result will be in our favor." Kozue grinned, sleek and feral from her place on the couch. A voyeur and spy with a heart as cold as ice. "Oooo...How lovely. I do like games. It would seem your plans are coming together quite wonderfully, your Majesty." Akio stroked Kanae's bare shoulder absently. He paid the shivering woman no mind, certain she could never disobey him and hinder his plans. "So it would seem. Thank your brother for me again by the way...his work is most excellent. Far greater than he shall ever know." He smirked as mention of Kozue's brother caused her hackles to rise ever so slightly. "...Thank you your Majesty. And...of course Miki shall be well protected in the midst of this upcoming attack." It wasn't a question. But Akio answered it anyway. "But of course my dear little pet. Your precious brother shall be safely stowed away in the Lower Castle along with my most trusted. You need not be concerned." Kozue nodded and rose to leave. Akio smirked as she glanced backward once, before smoothing her expression into a more proper ladylike one. She disappeared as silent as a shadow back the way she came. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Having departed from the picnic, leaving Miki with her helm and warm words of farewell, Utena and Anthy found themselves suddenly quite alone. They had retreated to the rose garden, Anthy not having any appointments currently with village representatives. She was now kneeling in front of the roses, her expression distant as she reached out to gently cup a blossom and bring it to her face. Utena was standing immobile just to the side of her, some paces away. The armored time traveler watched as the dark princess breathed silently before releasing it. And for a moment...Utena was unable to think of anything to say. Her mental processes seemed to have slowed down as Anthy rose from her lowered position and stood upright to turn and face her fully. Their eyes caught. The sun was back lit on her shoulders now, throwing shadows across her velvet covered form. Utena froze as the princess strode up to her, eyes noticing hips that swayed minutely beneath her long green dress. She was suddenly close, the knight feeling odd and hazy, as Anthy twined her arms up around her neck. There was a small scratching sensation along her scalp just above her right ear. And as the princess brought her arms down again, Utena reached up to feel a small rose placed there. When had she picked the rose? Or had she held it all along and Utena simply had been a bit too distracted to notice. "It compliments you nicely." Anthy said, smiling softly up at her as Utena's fingertips lowered. "Hmm. I shall have to take your word for it. Though I feel that it may look more suitable on you." Utena admitted, feeling that growing fondness for the other woman rising again. This was once the dirty little slave girl who had rescued her from that cave... Anthy was like a rose herself, finally blooming. "Ah. But on that I may disagree." Anthy turned once more towards the roses, but remained close by as the Guardian joined her in carefully admiring them. The two of them fell into comfortable silence once more. Utena traced a finger along a tight spiral of petals, soft as skin, and let her hand cup it as she had seen Anthy do earlier. "...I'm sorry if I upset you yesterday." Utena froze and retracted her hand a bit quickly. The thorns of the rose snagged her skin and left a small scratch along her index finger. The scratch slowly filled with blood, but Utena didn't notice. "Up..Upset me? I'm not sure what you..." "Your forgiveness...I did not mean to bring up unpleasantness. But..it was my fault what happened at the ruins yesterday. You were injured saving us, and we discovered that room where... And then those bandits attacked. I know it is much to ask a being like yourself, even with my being a-ah, a 'princess'. But...what I did was shameful and foolish. I am sorry for it." Mind reeling, Utena stood and broke her own rules of boundaries by gently placed a hand on Anthy's shoulder to get the young woman to look at her. "Anthy...you need not apologize. I am not upset about it. I did only what needed to be done to protect you. I was glad to do it." "But I monopolized your time...you're supposed to be looking after an entire kingdom and not just some stupid worthless girl--" "No." Utena's stern voice interrupted her. But much softer she continued, "No. Not stupid. Never worthless. You are not worthless, Anthy." Utena gave her a small gentle smile. "I'm your bodyguard. That was what would have been my duties back home, a servant to the throne dedicated to protecting it. You and I are bound by a contract...and you need not worry about my time or my mission. I know what I must do...and there is plenty of time for me to do so. But you are my priority and I won't let any harm come to you." Anthy seemed to take heart in this, for she placed her smaller hand over the knight's own on her shoulder. "Thank you...I was just worried because...well...you seemed to be avoiding me since last night. I felt a distance..." Utena colored a little and removed her hand, looking away. "Well, that was more... If I seemed distant, I apologize." I'm the one who should apologize. I'm the one who fell apart. Who frightened you... Bearing this in mind, the cyborg gave a small cough into her hand. "I am glad then." Anthy seemed to sense her discomfort. "And...I want you to know that you may put your trust in me. I would never betray you...and I am a willing ear if you ever need to ease your mind." She said carefully, looking once more into the pink-haired woman's eyes. Utena straightened, but then relaxed a little. "Thank you. I do trust you. It's just...I...I am still feeling ashamed at showing such a weakness yesterday." Utena sighed and turned slightly to cross her arms. "It was poor form." Anthy moved to place one hand on the pale woman's armored bicep, patting it lightly. "You said you were mortal once. Perhaps it is blasphemy but I don't think you've completely lost your humanity. It's alright to feel things, Utena." Anthy tugged at her arms to get her to uncross them, and then took her hands in her own. She looked down and noticed the small scratch on Utena's finger. "Blasphemy. Gods. Holiness, angels, demons...Dios. I am not a god. And every day with people leaving gifts at my door and praying at me it feels like a charade. A necessary one surely, but I remember being human. Though I'm afraid that still doesn't allow me to act like one." Anthy dabbed at Utena's finger with a handkerchief she produced, looking up as Utena' voice had fallen into a whisper. "Why can't you?" she asked just as softly. They had leaned closer to one another as they spoke. The air felt heavy with unspoken history. "Because it's a dishonor to what I am, and to his memory. I'm a soldier, Anthy." Blue eyes were locked onto green. Neither moving...both scarcely breathing "You don't have to just be such. Not anymore." There. She had said it. Their bodies were hidden by the trellises of the sacred rose gardens and safe from prying eyes, and Utena suddenly felt something as Anthy broke off and looked down at her breastplate. The knight's eyes followed her eyes to the rose symbol emblazoned there. But those feelings were immediately shuffled and pushed aside from training, and buried deep under protocol where they could do no harm. That is until-- Anthy raised the pale hands she still held, and bent her head down and placed a gentle kiss on the small scratch along her finger. It had stopped bleeding some time ago. Utena suddenly forgot to breathe. Bells from the towers above the castle rang, signifying the time. But Utena barely heard them, all focus on the soft warmth pressed along her digit. The moment was but an instant and Anthy then released her hands, turning from her. Her expression was hidden and her voice steady and serene as always. "It is growing late. I imagine a servant will be looking for us soon. Perhaps we can still get in time to visit the map maker's dwelling like you had wanted the other day." Utena cleared her throat to speak, making sure to keep any trace of conflicted emotion out of it. "Ah, that would be excellent. What I really need is a good map of the kingdom and surrounding lands." Utena escorted the princess back inside to where servants had indeed been sent to see to their needs. They were greeted by nobles as they made their way through the castle and what had become the mundane life slowly swirled back around them like a protective cloak. For all Utena's advanced technology, she didn't notice her charge's hand shaking at her side. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx The next few days passed in a flurry of activity. The council members seemed to have taken quite an interest in the Guardian, Anthy noticed with some chagrin. Juri and Touga were often coming to call, sometimes together, finding excuses in simple matters of state they wished to discuss with the princess and the clockwork knight. Utena pretended not to notice the subtle flirting that seemed to accompany these visits, though Wakaba would loudly complain about it whenever she and the servants would come in later to clean. Sometimes when Anthy was busy with her duties, Utena would wander down to the training grounds and engage Saionji for a bit of 'practice'. Few of these encounters didn't result in broken swords and words harsher than the bruises they both received. Which Utena found immensely satisfying afterwards, to Anthy's bafflement. Miki also came by with news that Lady Tenjou's helm would be completed soon. But for the most part the main portion of the castle's focus was on preparations for the grand ball that had been planned. The King was sparing no expense, and already messengers were arriving from around the country side with the aide of magick and other means to bring word of their masters' pending arrival. Great tapestries and gifts were already arriving and being set out to be displayed. The stones were carefully scrubbed and the wooden tables polished and laid out with decorative cloths. Garlands and candelabras were placed while the kingdom's best gourmands prepared for the featured dishes. The Tailor's Guild was working overtime to produce dresses and formal wear for the noblemen and women. Anthy was sure she'd never seen so many dresses in her life, all carefully brought out and displayed to her as her measurements were retaken and she was outfitted with several pairs of slippers. It was all quite exhausting. Often she longed to steal away and just go for a ride. She'd been tense for days about this ball.. Anthy knew her brother too well not to constantly be looking over her shoulder as she went about daily business. He had to be planning something...he was always planning. But strangely he'd been acting kind to her ever since the Guardian had arrived. He hadn't even called her for anything after hours. She was no longer a slave to his twisted cruelty and desires, because of the Guardian's protective influence. Anthy was thankful, but nevertheless remained suspicious. A viper just doesn't suddenly forget it's sting... Her 'dear brother' would not forget his ambitions and his plans to gain them. Not that he had ever included her in his plans, but Anthy had overheard and seen enough to know he was preparing for something. And in the off time would find amusement at punishing her privately for her crimes... She shook her head free of her musings, nearly upsetting the tiara that had been placed upon her brow. No. He'd drawn back. No doubt it was the Guardian's presence that made him cautious. But Anthy couldn't help but feel that being next to the Guardian kept her at arm's length from learning the things that she felt she needed to. She hadn't dared to go to the Lower Castle since her return. Perhaps she should consider it... A knock came at the door. "Your majesty? There are some documents here from the king. He requested you to go over them for the ball." A page said from the other side. Anthy called him in and quickly accepted the fair-sized stack of parchment. In neat handwriting was a long list of names and short descriptions for each of them. A list of the guests to memorize...lovely. Sending the page on his way, Anthy sighed and settled down in her chair. Her room was empty for the moment, save herself. The maids bustling out to prepare the spare rooms for the arriving dignitaries and Utena dismissed to take care of some errands in town and to meet with Saionji for a final bout before things became too hectic in the next couple of days. The ball was set for 3 days time, and she had been mulling over security. Utena... Anthy sighed and leaned back in her chair. She passed a single fingertip across her lips, her skin glowing like warm cinnamon in the orange light of the setting sun. Her dreams had been filled with long rose-colored hair, small hidden smiles and sapphire eyes. Eyes that were haunted by a past she didn't know. That and Anthy's own guilty conscious kept her up at night. She was slowly going mad she knew..and there seemed little she could do about it. Utena... xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx "Alright then you clinking devil. This time you won't walk away with victory!" Saionji declared as he stretched his arms out and rolled his practice sword about in his hand. He'd stripped to the waist leaving only his black leather gloves. Utena had removed her armor, clad in her men's breeches and short-sleeved cotton top. A headband kept her pink pony tail from coming loose into her eyes. "You say that every time...maybe if you flapped your gums less and swung your sword more you'd stand a better chance." They squared off in the ring of dirt that was fenced off from the rest of the training grounds. Soldiers and knights went about their drills and tried not to be caught lingering to watch the two sword masters as they circled one another and began their dance. The blunt steel rang as they clashed, the force driving their arms into constant motion as they parried and sliced. The sun was setting on them and the sky was gradually beginning to fade to darkness as they fought on. Their attacks over their matches had grown less hateful and less aimed to permanently maim and kill. Amazingly. Over time it had evolved into more of an actual sparring match, with an edge of competition to it. Saionji whirled in close for a sweeping cut, and Utena slid to the side to defend it. By the time the sun had shrank to a low line on the horizon and the sky grown too dark to see anything but the dark silhouettes of their bodies, they were covered in sweat. Well...one of them anyway. Their practice at an end, Saionji stumbled for a drink from the barrel of water set aside just for that reason. "It is just damn uncanny how you don't even seem to tire. Not natural." Utena shrugged, putting up her sword and retrieving her real one. "I can tire...it just takes a bit more effort and doesn't show so easily." "You're still unnatural." And Utena rolled her eyes. Finding herself meandering a bit, she moved to take a seat up on the wooden fence as Saionji mopped his brow. He took a moment to glance at her before sitting up on the fence as well an arm's length away. "Not bad today though. But I wonder if you're beginning to rust in that ridiculous armor of yours." "Hmph. Well of course I would start to rust, if all I have to practice on is you." Surprisingly, Saionji cracked a small smirk at this and didn't rise to the bait. He seemed to have something on his mind. He glowered at the air a moment before giving a huff and coming to a mental decision. "Listen. You're the important Guardian and whatnot, and the entire castle is orbiting about to your beck and whim. I don't care about that. But...I'll give you a bit of advice. Payment for giving me something to sink my teeth into besides that acidic Arisugawan woman." Utena looked over at him and waited, frowning slightly herself in anticipation. "I'd be careful about putting a lot of trust in that princess of yours. Anthy isn't natural either." Seeing Utena's face darken and her mouth open to retort but he held up a hand, his face strangely serious and stoic. "Hear my words...there aren't many of them. I've know that...woman...far longer than you have. I imagine you had better things to do up there on your cloud. She's not what she appears to be, and she's certainly not human. Just...be cautious how much stock you put in that princess of yours. She's cursed after all." Saionji finished, hopping up from the fence. Utena got up as well, a scowl on her face. "Well I can hardly believe anything you have to--" loud bells suddenly rang without warning making them both look up in alarm. Men began shouting in the distance and suddenly pandemonium broke out on the training grounds. Knights everywhere dropped what they were doing and took off running for the gates. Saionji, moving at a sudden flash of speed was already over the fence, buckling on his armor over his shirt, and fastening his great sword onto his back. He was merely two steps behind Utena in her cryo-suit. The two armored figures ran after the crowd of knights that had disappeared as shouts from the castle walls rang out. "Intruders!! Battle mages are attacking the--" A loud roar shrieked out, and suddenly a huge blast of fire exploded from the castle wall to one side sending men to the ground far below in a rain of broken stone. Another blast of flame smashed into the wall at the other end as men shrieked in death. Utena parted from the green general who had gone off shouting into the distance as he gathered his men around him, and leapt up onto the smoldering wall itself with a single great kick. Her eyes widened at what they saw. In the distance, her optical lenses magnified the castle town in flames as black armored knights with white tabards attacked the villagers. A line of figures in white cloaks were waving their hands in strange patterns appearing to be chanting at the castle. Suddenly Utena rocketed off her feet as a missile made of explosive flames screamed into existence in front of them and blasted the portion of the wall she had been standing on. She caught herself on a portion of the remaining ledge and dragged herself back up. Saionji's men were on horses and were now pouring out the gates to join the small force that had already engaged the invaders. Her eyes narrowed to slits. Anthy! She had to see about those in the castle! Shooting into action, the cyborg was a blur of movement as she dodge volleys of magic fire and lightning and raced along the wall and leapt down to the courtyard below. Servants were rushing about frantically as nobles tried to flee in fear to who knew where. Soldiers were bolstering the castle defenses and locking things into place as the castle's own mages tried to move into action. "Stand aside!" Utena declared shoving past a man who knocked into her. He skidded back on his rump. Where in the bleeding hells was Anthy. "Holy Guardian!" Utena turned and saw Baron Tsuchiya shoulder is way to her. "Holy Guardian, what is happening?! Who is attacking us?!" he had to shout to be heard over the den of noise raised by the sounds of combat getting closer. "Men in black armor and white tabards! They came without warning. Where is Princess Anthy?!" They both gave a cry as the ground quacked tremendously beneath them. Servants and nobles alike were sent to their backs. Ruka and Utena stayed up only with her bracing them both. "The Black Thorns!" Ruka swore. "I do not know the princess' whereabouts but no doubt she is being protected. We must defend the castle. Please, for the sake of your followers...please defend us!" Ruka begged, his face grim as he held out his wooden medallion and bent his head. Shaking her head Utena impatiently made him rise by pushing his shoulders. "Of course I will, you needn't ask. This is my duty. I am the Guardian!" but it was dangerous how she's nearly flown off to look for Anthy anyway, instead of heading immediately to neutralize the threat. She felt a moment of indecision. "Find the Princess and make sure of hers and the King and Queen's safety. I shall deal with these Thorns." Her face a hard line, Utena raced out into the burning darkness. Ruka saw only the wind of her passing. Out past the gates it was madness. Just as it had been in the days before. Balls of flame continued to smash into the wall and gate and bodies littered the ground. Saionji was leading his knights valiantly against the invading ones in the town, but the battle mages kept pushing them back with spells. Green dragons made of lighting exploded into existence, tornadoes sprang to life and roared through the lines, boulders ripped up from the ground and suddenly smashed into fragile human bodies. There was cries of pain barely heard over the clash of steal and the twang of crossbows. A horse screamed in the dark. It was like nothing Utena had ever seen before. And yet it was like everything she had seen before. Castle Ohtori had deployed their own battle mages nearly immediately, but they had stood no chance against the enemy's careful tactics. Nearly two dozen men in blue robes lay twisted and broken amongst the rubble and bodies knights and animals. Utena wondered if young Miki was among them. It was time to end this. Her face hardening into one of cold finality, Utena raised her sword high and shouted. Heads twisted in her direction with surprise as quicker than thought she shot forward with a lunging run. A whirl of silver was all that could be made of her holy sword as she cut through a line of enemy knights blocking her path. Their cries were brief as they fell in pieces, and the castle knights filed in right behind her without hesitation. Leaping into the air, she jumped into a broken wagon bed and then onto a small platform that had was all that remained of a village guard shack. Her blue electric eyes bleeding pale fire, Utena jumped into the middle of a skirmish between village survivors and a gaggle of Black Thorns. Making quick work of them she didn't stop moving, heading back towards the mages. But she paused as a wave of blue energy came rushing at her from the side. Taking out her sword, she sliced it in half and sent it to either side. The wave leveled a few trees. Magick...magick instead of grenades and fighter planes and machine guns. That was fine. She could work with this. Charging and punching through a large boulder that had been flung to meet her, Utena's face turned into a snarl. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Women shrieked as men hustled to put out fires. The battle in the town had come unexpectedly and now people were being evacuated deeper into the castle for safety. Anthy was in her room under heavy guard as she tried to watch the scene from her window. But she'd been hustled away from it for fear of stray arrows and flames. A large explosion from the gates signified the battle mages finally breaking through. White-faced, the guards grimly tightened ranks. A large tremor went through the castle as explosions pelted the sides of the castle itself. The head guard shouted orders but was cut-off as Anthy's world suddenly flashed white. She was suddenly looking up at the burning ceiling, not knowing how she got there but feeling her entire body aching from an impact. Rolling slowly to her side, she came face to face with a charred guard who'd been killed by the initial blast. And explosion had torn away a good chunk of the wall facing outward, leaving a gaping maw. There was only darkness and empty space beyond as Anthy stumbled to her feet. She couldn't seem to stop her ears from ringing. Dimly she felt someone shaking her and saw Ruka and Touga each taking an arm. They were shouting something but she couldn't hear them. There was something hot sliding down the side of her face that she knew must be blood. The ceiling above them shivered in warning as they tried to move her out of the burning room rescue the remaining guards. There weren't many. Anthy's mind began piecing thoughts together in fragments Of course...they were on the top-most story with a tower above them...the blast probably took out most of the support. As if in answer to her thoughts, a section of the ceiling bowed outward. Touga and Ruka dove with her out of the way as stone blocks rained down from that part of the ceiling, burying two standing guards. The rest would come down soon any moment. Anthy closed her eyes and steadied herself as she fought nausea in order to concentrate. She needed to focus...summon a shield or maybe a familiar too-- "--Ncess...Rincess...Princess! There's no time, please we need to--" "Ruka! I...I think my leg is caught." Ruka looked and sure enough Touga's leg was pinned. Going pale he set to trying to lift up the bits of stone that had pinned the long-haired man but was pushed aside by Anthy. "There's no time! Please move, Baron!" Her eyes flashing green, Anthy dabbed her fingers in the blood that ran stickily down the side of her head and began making hand signs in the air. A faint glowing figure of a two-headed dog appeared from a magic circle that formed in the air before her. Dropping to the ground with a ghostly growl, it began picking up huge junks of stone with it's jaws and soon had Touga free. Several more of the demon dogs appeared and with their teeth, began dragging the bodies of still breathing soldiers out through the doorway and then dissipating to whence they came. Anthy helped Ruka get Touga painfully to his feet. But as they were heading to the doorway a loud groan came from overhead. Wooden beams splintered and Anthy screamed as the two men threw themselves over her in a last bid to protect her, as several tons of pure stone came down on top of them. The last thing Anthy's eyes saw as the rush of dust and death came down over them was the image of Utena smiling at her in the rose garden, a flower in her hair... To Be Continued Ending Notes: For those of you interested, here's the playlist I listen to whenever I'm writing on this story. Helps me get into the mood to actually update this thing. (Probably not what you'd think of for this story, but yeah...XD) You can go ahead and leave now. But if you're bored one daaaaay: 7 Days to the Wolves- Nightwish After All- Delirium Amaranth- Nightwish A Narnia Lullaby- Narnia B.T.- .Hack/Sign Baragoku Otome- Rozen Maiden Butterfly Collector- Garbage Bye Bye Beautiful- Nightwish Can't Seem to Make You Mine- Garbage Cave- Muse Cry For You- September Dance With Night Wind- Silent Hill 3 Dhol Jageero Da- Punjabi MC Don't Call Me Peanut- Bayside Don't Think of Me- Dido Duvet (Cyberia Remix)- BoA End of the World (Accoustic)- Cole Fallen- Sarah McLachlan Flute- Barcode Brothers For the Heart I Once Had- Nightwish Future Proof- Massive Attack Gokuraku Ibarahime- Rozen Maiden Gravity of Love- Bic Runga Haunted- Evanescence Here With Me- Dido Hunter- Dido Hurt- Johnny Cash I'm No Angel-Dido Join Me in Death- Him and Her Karma Slave -Splashdown Kiri- MONORAL Kodo (Inside the Sun remix)- Yoshida Brothers Lappi (Lapland) Eramaajarvi- Nightwish Lappi (Lapland) Etiainen- Nightwish Last of the Wilds- Nightwish La Vie En Rose- Zazie Letter From the Lost Days- Silent Hill 3 Love- Delerium Mai- .Hack/LIMINALITY Metal Heart- Garbage Milk- Garbage Mirror- Barlow Girls My Immortal- Evanescence My Heartstrings Come Undone- Demon Hunter My Last Breath- Evanescence Mystline- Samurai Champloo Obsession(String ver.) - .Hack/EXTRA One Thousand and One Nights- .Hack/LIMINALITY Paranoid Android- RADIOHEAD Pearls- Sade Pretty Piece of Flesh- Nine Inch Nails Sleep Together- Garbage Soaring Wings 2ch Mix Ver.- Mio Kashiwabara Stopwatch Hearts- Delirium Tears of...- Silent Hill 1 Soundtrack Terror in the Depths of the Fog- Silent Hill 2 Soundtrack The Islander- Nightwish Theme of Laura- Silent Hill 2 Soundtrack Tourniquet- Evanescence Truly- Delerium Serenity- Delerium Why Do You Love Me?- Garbage Wounded Warsong- Silent Hill 4 If you have any suggestions for stuff you maybe listen to or are reminded of...it'd be cool to hear about it. D
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