Juri's heart began to race rapidly as she picked up the dual-bladed item, holding it in a surprisingly relaxed hand. She'd never done anything like this before, nor had she the need to. She looked at the object in her hand and then to Utena's backside. The young duelist sat there on her bedside, her back straight and her fists clenched. "What are you waiting for, sempai?? Just hurry up and do it! I can't take it anymore! It'll be less painful this way! I'm certain of it!" Utena's voice was bold, yet a tint of nervousness was noticeable. Juri shrugged somewhat confidently and approached Utena. She collected Utena's hair in her hand to pull it away from her narrow neck and raised her weapon. "Are you ready? There's no turning back once I do this, you know that, right?" Juri asked as she brought the blades to the back of Utena's neck. "Yes, I know, now just do it!" Utena didn't really want to do this at all, but she knew she had no choice. She couldn't stay this way. "Okay, here goes nothing..." Juri clenched her teeth and moved the blade in for the kill. Utena hadn't even heard the sound of the slice and it was over. "All right, Utena...it's all over now..." Juri said silently as her hands dropped to her sides, the dual-bladed item in one hand...and the major length of Utena's hair in the other. "That's it?" Utena said aloud. She turned her head and looked at Juri who had an odd expression on her face. "You were expecting it to be painful??" Juri said as she raised the clenched fist of hair and shook it at Utena who just sat there with a smirk on her face. "Well...no...but I didn't think it be that fast," Utena said as she ran her hand through her now boyishly short hair. "Does it look okay? I mean...it's so short! It doesn't look stupid, does it??" Utena asked, expecting to be made fun of. "It's fine, so quit playing with it!" Juri said with slight annoyance. "It was necessary anyway. We don't want Shintaro to have any advantages. Long hair will just give him a better handhold. You have to make some sacrifices, okay?" "I know...but I've never cut my hair before. It's just...weird. Do you think Himemiya will like it?" "Look...can we worry about this later? We have more important things to worry about right now. The school day is almost over and he'll be expecting you right away, understand?" Utena nodded, her original nervousness returning at a steady rate. "Sorry, sempai. I'm just trying to avoid my nerves right now..." Utena muttered, fidgeting with her short locks. "Don't fret so much. It's hard, but I'm positive...that you can make a miracle happen...just like you always do..." Juri said as she placed a hand on Utena's shoulder. The pink-headed duelist smiled sweetly and nodded. Juri blushed slightly before clearing her throat. "...well, anyway! I think I've done just about all I can for you. I know you're ready. I'm going to go and get myself situated near the dueling arena. I'll be watching you from afar and Anthy will be there, too...so you aren't alone. Be strong, Utena..." Juri said as she turned and left without another word. Utena looked at the door Juri had exited through thoughtfully before she rose off the bed and walked to the messy pile of luggage that had yet to be organized. She dug through several bags and things before stumbling upon a jacket. She pulled it out and held it up in front of her. It was a uniform similar to hers, but white with thick, black trim and matching pants. Utena smiled, remembering that it had been given to her by Anthy and Wakaba. Since the two had become more friendly with one another, they attempted to be good friends. They had made the uniform together in their sewing class and gave the finished product to Utena, saying it reminded them of her. She had accepted it gracefully, but did not wear it for fear of ruining the wonderful new garment. It had a sentimental value that she could not ignore, so she decided to wear it for her big duel to help remind her whom she was fighting for. "...the people whom I want to protect...the people I love." Utena said to herself as she laid the uniform on the bed and began to wrap her body with her bandages, despite their minor protection. Then, for the first time, she put on the meticulously made uniform, marveling at how Anthy and Wakaba were able to make it to where it fit just right. After running a hand through her short locks and giving herself a once over in the mirror, she grabbed a sword given to her by Juri and exited her lonely dorm, hoping that after this duel, she would be able to leave it for good. "It's time to create my future." Shintaro stood in the room her shared with Anthy, looking at himself in a full-length mirror and performing sword techniques...lamely. Anthy knelt at the table in the center of the room, smiling to herself at her "victor's" foolish stances. "I've got this one in the bag, Anthy. You're little ‘prince' won't ever be able to stop me. I'm much stronger now and her frequent trips to the infirmary have more than put her out of practice!" Shintaro's smirk grew at the thought of inflicting more pain to his opponent. "Of course, Shintaro-sama. As you say..." Anthy spoke in her obedient, monotone voice, humoring the boy. ‘He will never defeat Utena-sama...there is no chance...' The Hanayome thought, allowing her smile to grow a little more despite Keingo's presence. Anthy's thoughts were interrupted quickly as the door slammed open to reveal Akio standing in the frame. "Shintaro...stupid boy, stop fooling around. You're wasting time. Don't you have somewhere to be?" Akio looked annoyed. "Jeez, lighten up, Ohtori...I'm just getting psyched for my bout! You can't rush perfection, ya know!" Keingo said in his usual cocky tone. "Exactly, so get moving, now!" Akio shouted before returning to his room. Anthy looked emotionless, but inside was laughing loudly at the insult thrown by Akio. Keingo wasn't so amused. He threw his fist into the mirror, feeling the glass splinter beneath his knuckles. "If it weren't for the power I'd gain from this victory...I'd put my blade through him instead..." Shintaro muttered angrily before grabbing Anthy by the wrist and heading for the arena. The silence in the spacious arena was deafening. Not a sound could be heard at all as the elevator reached it's highest point. Shintaro Keingo stepped out, pulling Anthy behind him. Despite his self-proclaimed victory, the cocky swordsman stayed alert. They were the only ones there, which came as no surprise to Keingo. "Che...that foolish coward...she must have bailed. Wise decision!" Keingo raised his arms above his head, stretching. "Don't count me out, yet! Overconfidence will be your downfall!" The voice echoed across the arena. Keingo smirked at Utena's reply. "Then show yourself, coward! I haven't got all day! I have some power to claim!" Keingo replied. They looked the edge of the arena that met the steps. Soon, the two could see someone coming up. A familiar shade of pink came into view, followed by angry, azure eyes and a smirk. Utena reached the top step, glaring at her enemy. "Would have been nice if you'd returned the elevator, Keingo. Those steps sure are murderous, hm?" Utena said sarcastically. "Well aren't you looking masculine, today, Tenjou-kun. Love the hair, by the way. Very manly!" Keingo taunted her appearance, but Utena remained stern. "Ha...well, I thought this would be more appropriate. I wouldn't want your defeat by a woman to be too humiliating. At least if I look like a boy, you may be able to retain some of your pathetic dignity, don't you think?" Utena then raised her sword, pointing it at Keingo, before closing her eyes and popping her neck. "Enough idle banter. Today, I reclaim my peaceful life...with your downfall!" "We'll see, won't we. Anthy! The roses, now!" Keingo bellowed. Anthy waited for Utena to take center arena before approaching the duelists. She placed the sickly-gray rose upon Keingo's chest, then turned and placed the white one onto Utena's. "Do your best, Utena-sama...I am faithful in your victory." Anthy spoke softly before moving away from the pair. Juri stood firm as she peered through the opera-glasses at the ensuing bout. She knew a verbal duel was occurring between the two opponents as she saw Utena's semi-cocky body language, but had confidence in her judgment. She shook her head and smirked. "Always a verbal duel with those two, it seems. It would be much less painful that way, but oh well." Juri let out a sigh, but quickly stiffened as she saw Utena approach the center of the arena. "It's time..." Juri muttered as she peered through the lens more carefully. "...Sempai?" Juri turned swiftly, a hand clutching her chest as she gasped. Her eyes fell on Kaoru Miki. "Forgive me, sempai...I...I followed you here." "N...no. You just startled me. Why are you here?" "I...learned that Tenjou-sempai's duel was to take place today. I...I wanted to be here for it. I know all about Shintaro's treachery and thought you may need help monitoring it. I hope you don't mind my company." "Of course not. I'm glad you're here. You're a good friend, Miki-kun." Miki smiled as he produced a pair of opera-glasses identical to Juri's. "Okay, sempai...I'm with you." The standoff ensued, two blades pointing at one another before a dash broke out and a clash of metal rang dully. Utena held her blade strong against Shintaro's, both pushing to throw the other off before they swiped past one another, but both were quick to return. "Such basic tactics, Tenjou. Haven't you improved at all? What have you been doing with your free time??" "What do you think I've been doing!? I've been spending all my time recuperating on a count of you felt too threatened by me that you thought you needed to try and kill me!" Utena snapped, controlling her anger and using a verbal retort instead of blind rage. "Me!? Threatened by you!? Ha! I was merely making your demise a little less humiliating!" Shintaro replied with a smirk. Utena scoffed before swinging her blade offensively, catching her cocky opponent off guard. She advanced on him, sending him into a backwards frenzy of blocks and parries. From the sideline, Anthy couldn't hide her surprised smile. The sight of seeing Shintaro on the defensive was just too gratifying. Utena noted the edge of the arena coming up behind her opponent, but just kept advancing mercilessly, but unknown to Utena, Shintaro knew it was coming. As soon as his heel tapped the edge, he parried another blow and quickly dropped to the ground. Utena's eyes followed him, thinking she had him cornered, but didn't even have time to take a finishing strike before he used his crouched position to spring forward and slam his head into her stomach, knocking the wind out of her. Utena stumbled backwards, gasping for breath. "Ba...stard..." Utena stammered. "Poor, Tenjou-kun...just too confident, aren't you?" Keingo kept his blade trained on Utena as she slowly backpedaled, trying to keep her own blade on the defensive. Shintaro raised his sword menacingly in preparation to strike. Utena's eyes followed the blade, anticipating the attack, but was suddenly caught off guard as Shintaro grabbed her left wrist violently, jerking her toward him and pulling her arm roughly behind her back. "You call this a duel, Keingo...? Let me go and put up your blade! This is a sword duel! I can defeat you with one hand behind my back! I don't need to resort to grabs and locks!" Utena hissed between clenched teeth. "Hey, I'm fighting you aren't I? It's a duel as far as I'm concerned!" Shintaro whispered loudly in her ear before quickly wrenching her helpless arm further behind her, emitting a shrill cry of agony from the captive duelist as she heard the sickening pop of her newly dislocated shoulder. "There you are, Tenjou! One arm! Now fight me!" Shintaro shouted before shoving Utena away from him. She dropped to one knee, gritting her teeth from the pain that shot through her whole arm. "Dammit...me and my big mouth..." Utena muttered to herself as she forced herself to stand. She risked a glance in Anthy's direction, noting the worried aura about her. Utena cast her eyes down, realizing she let herself get to cocky. "I'm waiting, Tenjou-kun! Still got what it takes??" Shintaro stood with his blade pointed toward the kneeling girl. Once standing fully, she held her sword out before taking the offensive once again. Keingo began to effortlessly dodge her strikes, even taking a moment to yawn tauntingly. Utena was becoming further enraged, but on top of trying to fight with the pain coursing through her, dampening the rage was becoming more and more difficult. Two pairs of eyes watched intently, barely able to blink at the spectacle before them. "Sempai, she's losing it! All that raw emotion! She's going to fail like that!" Miki cried as he watched the short-haired duelist throw strike after careless strike. "I...I don't know what to do. There isn't much we can do from here except monitor the duel. Unfortunately, he really hasn't done anything illegal. Of course, the dislocation was uncalled for, but there isn't anything saying it's an illegal action. I guess no one anticipated it since the duels are strictly sword bouts..." Juri spoke softly, yet with a tint of worry capping her sentences. She briefly took a glance at Anthy and the horrified expression she bore. "Himemiya...". Utena's enraged onslaught continued and Shintaro kept on dodging, occasionally taking a swipe of his own. He smirked to himself, seeing the rage in Utena's eyes. "C'mon, Tenjou...you haven't even landed a single hit. I was expecting a little more of a challenge!" Keingo taunted. Utena raised her arm once again, but faked the strike, anticipating Shintaro's dodge. As soon as he did so, she let her blade swipe him across the bridge of his nose and below his left eye. Upon seeing the scarlet drip from the paper-thin wound, Utena could feel her rage begin to dwindle. "That's all I needed...was just one strike..." Utena thought. Keingo leaped backward, raising his blade angrily. His eyes widened as he brushed his fingertip along the fine line and upon seeing the crimson liquid on his fingers, he broke into a rage of his own. "Tenjou!! That was a lucky shot, but it will be your last!!" Keingo snapped. He took the Sword of Dios into both hands and began a violent array of attacks. Utena, once again, found herself backpedaling in defense. Keingo released blow after blow before lifting his foot and shoving it into Utena's stomach, again. As she reeled back from the blow to her midsection, Keingo lashed his sword down across Utena's chest and once again kicking her to the ground. Utena landed face first on the hard floor, clutching her stomach in agony. Keingo was about to strike again until he saw a rose petal on the ground by his opponent's shoulder. "Tenjou! I've sliced your rose! I have defeated you!!" From the other side of the arena, Himemiya Anthy screamed in horror. "Utena-samaaa!! Noooo!!" The Bara no Hanayome hurriedly ran to Utena's side, gently taking the gasping duelist in her arms and turning her over. Upon doing so, her eyes widened in utter shock...and relief. "Utena-sama...you...you're still in! It was just one petal! He didn't remove your rose! Get up, now!" Anthy shook Utena and the duelist's eyes traveled to the white rose still resting upon her breast. "What!? No! I hit it! I am the victor!" Keingo shouted in anger. Anthy looked up to him and smiled. "I'm afraid not, Shintaro...sama. The rules say you must remove the whole rose. This fight is not over." The bride spoke gently as she helped the girl up. Utena gritted her teeth as the pain in her tender shoulder screamed in agony. "Utena-sa...san. You're injured. Can you duel?" Utena nodded gently as she assumed her stance. "I'm fine, Himemiya. Please, take your position on the sidelines. As you said, this duel isn't over." Utena turned back to her opponent. "Shall we, Shintaro?" The blue-eyed duelist smirked at Shintaro, emitting an angry grunt from him. He raised his sword and in blind rage, charged toward Utena. The fortunate duelist raised her sword with her good hand and charged as well. "Is this it? The finishing strike?" Utena thought as she ran toward Shintaro, her teeth grit in determination. "Here I come, Himemiya...I will win and we'll be together." The two came closer and closer and then the finishing strike ensued. Both duelists passed one another after the blows were dealt. Simultaneously, they looked to their roses. Shintaro stared in shock at his rose...still resting upon his chest. He was about to turn to stare down at the loser, but was met with a pain through his chest. Shintaro Keingo looked over his shoulder to see Utena still standing in her finishing stance, but with her sword pointed behind her. He turned his head back slowly to see the end of Utena's blade protruding from his chest...blood dripping from it's gleaming length...and his rose resting upon the pointed tip. It hit him...as soon as Tenjou Utena passed by him, she had quickly turned her sword around in her hand...and without another though...ran him through the chest, taking his rose in the process. "Victory." Utena stated simply as she looked back at Keingo over her shoulder. He turned back to look at Utena...his eyes half open and trail of blood in the corner of his mouth. "Touché...Tenjou-kun. So you...had murderous...intentions...all along. You'll need them...if you expect...to survive...your next duel. Ha...I'll...see you in hell...Tenjou Utena..." And without another word, Shintaro Keingo fell forward, sliding off of Utena's blade before hitting the arena floor, dead. "Oh! Utena-sama!! You did it!!" Anthy ran to her victor, arms open wide before throwing herself into Utena, causing the victorious duelist to wince. "Y...yeah, Himemiya, I did, but please, not so hard...my shoulder is still dislocated," Utena hissed in pain. Anthy blushed before releasing her. "Forgive me, Utena-sama. I couldn't help myself. I'm just...so...so..." "I know, Himemiya...I am, too..." Utena stated simply before dropping her weapon to the floor and painfully exiting the arena with her reclaimed love by her side. From afar, Arisugawa Juri and Kaoru Miki were stunned. Was this an acceptable victory?
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