Utena, Revolutionary Girl Fan Fiction ❯ Truth Is Beautiful ❯ Prologue

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

This is my first "Utena" fanfic, so don't be that cruel to me. "Shoujo Kakkumei Utena" is the property of BePapas, Kunihiko Ikuhara, and Chiho Saito- no copyright infringement intended. No fangirls (or boys) under 17 is permitted to read this while we exist under the Bush administration.... bakayarou!


* * * *


Truth Is Beautiful

by Ishida Miyako


Waking with the dawn, Himemiya Anthy gracefully raised her arms and wrung out the previous night's peaceful sleep. Chu Chu's gentle snores could be heard from beneath the hankerchief in his his makeshift bed, which at one time was Anthy's pencilbox. She giggled as the mucous bubble popped from his nostril but it failed to stir him. "Utena-sama, what would you like-" Anthy stopped short on her climb to the top bunk where her respective mistress *should* be asleep. A look of panic crossed her pleasant features when she saw the sheets and quilt neatly arranged. Scanning fearfully across the bed, her cyan eyes fell upon a folded piece of looseleaf resting on the pillow. "Utena-sama...?" The Rose Bride unfolded it and immediately recognised the penmanship in deep coral-coloured ink.

'Daijoubu Himemiya!
Thought I was kidnapped did you? Well don't work yourself up into a tizzy. Since all that's happened between us I realized something after the last duel between Touga and myself: I need to take a time out! But it has nothing to do with you, so don't worry about it.
I still want us to remain friends more than anything. And taking a mini-pilgrimage couldn't have fallen on a better time. So this weekend you're going to have to play prince for once- and by that I mean I want you to look after Wakaba for me. She's been acting strange as of late. Masaka! She won't let *ANYONE* into her dorm. I'm worried....
Demo, I'm off so good-bye for now I want to try and see the sun come up! Take care, and don't let Chu Chu stuff himself silly. Remember we almost had to rush him off to the emergency room!

Ja ne,
Tenjou Utena


P.S. Not that I care, but if you can find anything out about Touga- like where the hell he's been for the past month- could you relay it back to me? Arigato. But if you don't, I really could care less.

Anthy smiled and tucked the note into her nightgown's pocket. "Chu-u-u-u?" Queried her mouse companion.
"Heki. Utena-sama went on a little journey," Anthy climbed down from the bunk beds and slipped on her robe. Chu Chu leapt onto her left shoulder. "Ikimashou, Chu Chu. Utena-sama wants us to look after Wakaba-san so why don't we make some takoyaki and bring her some breakfast?" Chu Chu squealed in delight as they made their way to the kitchen.


* * * *


Swiping at her forhead, Utena seated herself comfortably at a table in an obscure cafe. She had never been outside of Ohtori Academy long enough to really take in the sights and enjoy the seaside town surrounding the prestigious institution. A waitress dressed in a pale blue uniform and crisp, white apron sauntered towards the high school student. "Yokoso, odjyou-chan. Would you care to place your order?" The carnation pink-haired teen raked a hand through her bangs as she studied the laminated menu.
"Hmmm.... banana pancakes and orange juice would be fine." She handed the waitress the menu after she finished scribbling on her notepad.
"Hai! Very good." The sun's rays glittered and slid across the smooth woodboard floor, reflecting on the glass surface of the many occupied tables. Sipping her complimentary ice water Utena began to drift into daydreams- something she had not dared to do since her 'induction' into the dueling game. Lifting her left hand up she looked closely at the rose signet ring her 'prince' bestowed upon her so long ago. '...And this ring will lead you to me.... but had he said that to all of the others?' A shrill ring woke Utena from her reverie, and immediately the duelist dipped her hand into her cream-coloured canvas backpack. A metallic pink Nokia cell phone was put up to her ear.
"Hai! Moshi-moshi, Tenjou Utena desu."
"Utena-chan, yokatta!" She fluttered her eyes at the nearly-forgotten voice.
"Auntie Yurika! Mataku, it's been like forever!" The older woman chuckled at her niece.
"Well it certainly feels like it. But I haven't forgotten you." The slight static brought Utena back to the realization that Yurika-baasan was still living in Amsterdam. And not exactly alone.
"Sou ka. How are the offices in Holland? See any windmills?"
"Same old Utena. Just a little older."
"And a lot wiser. Anou... h- how's Wakaoji-san?" Utena felt guilty for prying into her Aunt's love life.
"Aoi is doing well. We both are. But right now let's talk about you... you do know what today is?" She could taste a bitter metallic fluid flood across her palate.
"Hai...."
The shuffle of paper, and the click of a retractable pen. "Will you be all right?"
"I think so. I'm going to the shrine- y'know like a miniature pilgrimage." A pregnant pause and a welcoming sigh.
"Light an incense stick for me?"
"Mouchiron. Ja ne, Yurika-baasan."
"Sayonara Utena-chan." With resignation and guilt, she pressed the END button and cut the connection. Her pancakes and juice arrived just as she deposited the Nokia cell beck into her knapsack. But she was in no mood to enjoy her meal.


* * * *


Describing the trail as rough was an understatement. The narrow road was wrought with drying muck and shallow potholes, gravel made the climb up the hills risky as she had slid down several times earning her a swollen ankle. The forests grew thicker and the heat made the travel through the bamboo foliage unbearable. 'What I'd give to have Dios' sword right now....' Ohtori's champion bitterly mused. The smell of fresh dew and rice patties lead her to a halt in the clearing and Utena felt a renewed stength and raced up the steppe. Overlooking the hillside she saw the valley, and knew her journey had been completed. Happily she raced her way to the town her father at one time called home.
Tokiwa Valley remained a place where time could stake no claim. The same ramen vendors still towed their carts along the cobblestone streets, grandmothers bartered for the freshest yuzu at the lowest prices at the outdoor markets, and farms made up the back yards of nearly every home. Kids practicing with a shinai or a shamisen with a family elder was as common as their preoccupation with Play Station 2 or the latest Kinky Kids CD. Mothers completing business deals over their cell phones herd their children across the dusty road from the local elementary school as a mother duck would lead her young across a glittering pond. After questioning the aging proprietess of the bakery (and purchasing a sweetroll with a cup of black tea) Utena walked half a mile to the east, reaching her goal and found herself at the Tokiwa Jinja.
Respectfully, Utena removed her Nikes and left her knapsack on the pristine porch before entering the sacred chamber. "Ohayo gozaimasu!" Cautiously she pushed aside another choji. "Tenjou Utena desu. I'm looking for the priest named Hideyuki." A thousand candles blazed across the pitch corridors and the scent of incense was overwhelming.
"Tenjou, you say?" The pitch seemingly asked the young duelist. Striking a defensive stance Utena expected the worst. She could expect no less....
"Dare ka omae?!" Applause as the hunched figure emerged.
"Daijobu, daijobu odjyou-chan. Of course the apple never falls far from the tree, considering you are Ryoji-san's daughter."
"A-anou, you are the priest Hideyuki?" He was garbed in grey and white temple robes, jade beads thrice wound round his neck. His silver hair tied back in a stubby ponytail.
"The same. You are Tenjou Ryoji-san's girl Utena?" The mystic stared deeply into her eyes before pulling back. "Of course you are. Same fighting soul. Same eyes... yes the same eyes." Smirking, Utena crossed her arms over her breasts.
"And I just bet the next thing you'll tell me I'm unbalanced. Too much wood, not enough water?" Raucous laughter from the old man and he whipped his back to her.
"I can only speculate the madness he laid on you Odjyou-chan! Come, I will prepare tea as I attempt to tell you share some truths about your dear father before we make an offering." Despite his limitations due to his rheumatic condition, the priest darted towards the kitchen greatful to the gods that the young still keep faith and family close to their hearts.


* * * *


The continuous slamming of the ancient shutters against the windows prevented Utena from a decent night's sleep. But in the slowly dilapidating conditions in the revered jinja, it stood little chance against the gale-force winds of this storm. A single light from an antique oil lamp provided her illumination in Utena's Spartan, however immaculate room in the jinja. Burrowing deeper beneath the covers of the futon, the duelist tried to force pleasant dreams during one of Tokiwa Valley's worst storms. The rain came down in terrifying sheets, the villagers wondered if a hurricane that had been looming over the Pacific had made its way to the westernmost coast of Japan. But the sleepy town was a far cry from the ocean, and was well secured by surrounding mountains. "Masaka," Utena groaned, "I hope the old priest would hurry up and douse out the Great Fire. This place feels like it will come down around our ears any second."
Her morose mood was followed by an eerie lull, and the creaking echoe from the swinging oil lamp could only be heard.
"KI-I-I-I-I-I-Y-A-A-A-AH!!!!" A violent blast of lightning and a merciless boom of thunder was accompanied by the cry. Utena shrieked when the shutters blew open and the light was whipped out.
"HIDEYUKI-SENSEI?! SENSEI!!!!" Clad in a simple white cotton yukata and barefoot, Utena raced out of her room to search for the priest. Discovering he was neither in his room or the fire room, she scanned the corridors coming to life with every lightning flash for any sign of Hideyuki. Frustrated and frightened Utena ran to the kitchen and found it empty, but in her peripheral vision she spotted something out of place. The rear entrance door was narrowly opened and she could see what looked like a pile of rocks strewn along the near-flooded yard. Throwing the door open, to her horror she finally located Hideyuki-sensei- sprawled out, pinned beneath a thick wooden beam of a semi-constructed pogoda. "SENSEI!!" Kneeling by him, Utena tried shaking him back to consciousness. His liver-spotted eyes fluttered after a few tense moments.
"T- taskite...." He croaked. Utena tried lugging him from the wreckage but the winds managed to rip her grip from his arm several times, and the rain attacked her like a hailstorm of flesh-head bullets. She had no choice but to go for help.
"DAIJOBU! DAIJOBU DATTE SENSEI!! I'll get help...." Running in the direction of the woods Uten ran, stumbling over tree roots, her legs cutting on the tall grassblades, and her face and hair streaked with mud. Coming to the edge of a great lake, she shielded her eyes with her left hand in an attempt to squint through the torrential rain for a trace of civilization. A wild flash of lightning and Utena made out what looked like a series of concrete stairs embedded into a hill heading upward on the opposite end of the volcanic lake. Making a mad dash around the lake, Utena had decided to risk arrest for tresspassing on private property and waking up the residents. What she did not expect was the sheer grandeur of said property. Could shuch a dwelling exist aftter the Meiji Era? The granite wall surrounding the traditional Japanese nobleman's manor reached another ten or so feet above her head, so adeqaute for warding off the outside world. Utena was able to follow the wide brick path through the lush gardens, cool Buddha ivory fountains, and reached the stately home. The porches were a viable maze leading you from one end of the house to some small nook to say your devotions or to the two adjoining halls that made up the east wing.
Cupping both hands around her mouth, Utena began to yell. "HELLO?! I NEED HELP! IS ANYONE HERE?!!!" Thunder drowned out her pleas. She hollered until she found herself nearly hoarse and resigned to barging in. Thrashing her way through several finely varnished oaken choji Utena found herself to be in what looked like the front parlour and began to feel regretful when she saw the growing water stain on the plush cream-coloured rug around her feet. "Is anyone here?! Somebody is hurt, I need-"
"OMAE WA, DARE?!" Utena stood frozen at the sound of the booming voice. Her back to the lit doorway from where it originated. Turning slowly, she saw the towering silhouette brandishing a sheathed katana and blinked several times in fear and recognition.... "I SAID WHO ARE YOU?!" The figure slammed a fist on a wallpanel which flooded the room with light, and the scarlet-haired master of the house came face-to-face with his unexpected tomboy guest.
Sou na baka...!
"Touga...." The girl-prince clutched the lapels of her drenched and filthy yukata closer to her throat.
"Utena...." The dishonoured seitokaichou, donning his grey and black kendo gi held steadfast as he lowered his weapon. Feeling the heat rise to her face, Utena literally swallowed her pride and approached him. "Come quickly!" Stunned by her assertiveness outside of the dueling arena, Kiryuu could only manage to take a breath.
"Nani?"
"Baka me! I said come with me!"
"And as I just asked, why?" He stared at her through his bangs, expression undiscerning.
"An old priest... my father knew him. He's trapped under some lumber from this pogoda he's building," Utena's tone took on pleading. "Help me... kudasai?" She bowed only slightly. "Touga...?" Did that woman understand anything yet? Pleading him for his help when he couldn't even help himself. And yet... a silver thread of hope shone behind his doubtful thundercloud.... to perhaps prove himself to her? "TOUGA!"
The merest whisper. "Wakatta." Tears threatening to spill on both sides.
"Yokatta. Arigato. Demo," Utena indicated to his sword, "bring that. It may come in handy."
Their run back to the jinja was smoother despite the storm's onslaught, as Touga was hacking through the dense foliage. Hideyuki now unconscious, pinned down by the beam, his temple robes soaked through and through making his brittle, bony shoulderblades and ribcage distraughtingly outlined by the linen. "Sensei...." Utena choked. "Mou, haiyaku Touga!" Taking either end of the beam Utena and Touga mustered all of their strength in an attempt to lift off or roll off the beam. They succeeded in slipping on the mud in several occasions and earning swollen ankles and splinters wedged into their fingers and palms. Utena's breath and speech was ragged. "T-T-Touga...." Now seated on the muddy grass, the student council president was weaving.
"Utena give it up...."
"Iie da!" Slapping a hand across the murky water. "Use your sword." Angling his chin to finally look up at her, Touga's eyes dilated.
"Eh?"
"I said use your sword! Cut sensei free...."
Free. To be free. Free to love who he chose and to hell with revolution! But at what cost? Only a prince was deemed worthy of her nobility. And wasn't that what he swore as his darling lie shut up in that coffin....
"Ore wa... ore wa...." A murderous glare in his direction. "I can't Utena...." Utena's jaws worked furiously on forming the words but they simply would not come.
"Uso."
"Utena-"
"Usotsuki..."
"Utena-!"
"URUSAI!" The cry surpassed the powerful reverberation of the thunder that boomed overhead. "Anou yarou... kisamara! You have the balls to stand there and tell me you can't use your goddamned blade to help me, and yet you could use it to tear up my life!" Allowing herself to catch her breath she continued, "I made a promise to myself once. I would allow myself to be feminine for my prince when I found him. I play the role of 'prince' because I'm scared of being alone again. I believed... I wanted to believe you were my prince that day we dueled. You knew so much about my soul, I wanted to know yours...."
"Utena, I don't want to hurt you. I never did whether you believe that or not...."
"I want to. Demo, only a true prince can prove himself. Sou! Prove yourself once and for all Touga! Or are you just the 'Koi no Ojii-sama'?" Utena picked up his abandoned katana and shoved it in his face. "Shobu yo, Kiryuu Touga!" A fierce gust of wind sent the curtain of ruby out from his face and she saw his indigo eyes blaze with fury.
"Utena...."
"Hai?"
Electric pause. "Stand aside." Utena gave the accomplished kendoist more than enough room. Touga approached the trapped man and unsheathed his sword. Simple physics suggests that the weakest point would be the very center of the wooden beam. Dios must have been punishing him and laughing at the lot of them entombed in the floating castle, as underneath the very center of the beam was Hideyuki. Letting his eyes drop, Touga poised the blade in midair, keeping his grip loose yet firm on the leather-encased pommel. Exhaling silently he searched for his center as Saionji time and again drilled him on kendo's deeply rooted meditation excersises.
Saionji.... Touga nearly snorted. Putting aside his blatant betrayal for what was once his loyal and dearest friend, but he knew what those 'meditation excersises' turned into. A battle for dominance in the friendship the only way they knew how.... shinai thrown across the hall, Saionji's kendo gi tossed to the tatami, and of course the ceremonial punches thrown in Touga's direction so eloquently dodged. 'Don't you want this? Doesn't it feel good?'
Tears filled Kyoichi's terror-sticken russet eyes. 'Why, Touga? What do you want with me?! I'm not... that way!' A scrutinizing laugh.
'Neither am I. But I do love you, shinyuu.' Shoving a knee into Touga's abdomen, the seitokaichou backed down onto the mat.
'Dare ka shinyuu da?! You think I don't know? I've seen things Touga... things that could kill us.' The fukaichou hissed under his breath. 'I know who you are bedfellows are seitokaichou! And our blood will be on your hands!' Saionji spat. Touga was genuinely amused and slithered his hands under Saionji's kendo haukama as he so valiantly flattened himself along the wall of Touga's private kendo hall.
'How I love you... shinyuu.' A warm mouth settled over his rapidly awakening organ, and Touga's tongue began his learned ministrations over the quivering flesh. Unsure of why, Saionji focused his attentions to the cracks on the ceiling but they seemed to be emanating some strange light. Like that of a star. Stars. Hundreds of them splashed across a satiny black universe. Unearthly giggles and the near overpowering scent of roses.
'Ara, it seems that Touga-senpai has been taking my lessons seriously, after all.' Her cinnamon toned pantherine body, looked even more savage with her violet hair free coming down in tendrils. Himemiya Anthy adjusted Saionji's head to rest in her naked lap. She reached over to the coffee table between the two white leather sofas in the dark observatory and plucked a delicate china teacup from a silver tea service. Gently she brought it to Saionji's lips and fed him the delightfully warm liquid. He accepted it like a newborn robin, taking tiny sips. Ah, mint tea. His mother's specialty. Many a lazy after school day did Saionji Misako recieve Touga and Kyoichi in her library upon their return from kendo. Cheese biscuits and mint tea awaited them. Arm-in-arm the pair of 12-year-olds strode into the library respectfully greeted Mrs. Saionji and heartily ate their snack whilst filling the lady of the household on their adventures in the rigorous kendo discipline. For Saionji, that was eternal. He wished to attain the finite feeling of home, family, and friendship. But when his mother agreed upon sending Kyoichi along with Touga to Ohtori Academy's junior high school and continue from there on, that eternity was broken. Not even the tea tasted the same. This particular cup left a bitter aftertaste. The liquid itself had somewhat more content to it, almost thicker. Sake? Ever the disciplinarian Saionji did not drink, smoke, do drugs, reguarding Japan's legal driving age of 18 preferred his mountain bike, and kept his sexual relations to a minimum and always discreet.
Save for the last on Saionji's mental checklist, Touga obliged by the rules as well. Sustaining himself sexually was a vice as well as theraputic. Many an Ohtori beauty found herself sprawled across the satin sheets in Touga's private dormitory in the seitokai offices aiding their beloved president in relieving his stresses.
'But not good enough to bring to his royal four-poster at the Kiryuu Mansion,' Saionji mused. Never once did he allow himself to bring one of his trysts home. Parasites cannot infect the host body any more than it already has. Despite the fact that Touga had expressed to his dear friend on several occasions that he hated sleeping alone. Two possibilities could change that as of late. Anthy, for the obvious, and Tenjou Utena because she has managed to do the impossible with the playboy prince. She had not only charmed the bastard, he was head over heels in love. But in the end she would twist Dios' sword in his back, and he deserved it. It was now becoming more and more difficult for the green rose duelist to concentrate, so Saionji allowed his thoughts to drown out to the droning sound of a camera's shutter.
But that was all over and done with. If he could trace a new path instead of licking his wounds, it would begin right here and now with her. His eyes flew open and he heaved out a mighty battle cry. Downward strike. Upward thrust. The beam was neatly cleaved in half and fell in two across the lawn. Hideyuki's robes let alone his flesh was left unscathed from the blade. Touga withdrew himself and removed something from his pocket. Utena grinned as she spotted the rose insignia painted on the cell phone. Within ten minutes an ambulance's siren was wailing throughout the valley. A crowd gathered at the jinja surrounding the two teens and their priest. Hideyuki began to wake as he was wheeled away on the gurney. He smiled knowingly in Utena's direction. As he was whisked away to hospital the crowds dispersed for a change of clothes and their beds. The winds stopped and the rain tapered off into a steady downpour. "Anou, Touga... Touga?" Utena turned and saw he had disappeared. "TOUGA!!"
Trekking back to his splendid fortress-estate, Utena reluctantly re-entered the parlour. "Touga?" Half expecting to see the crimson haired pseudo-prince sulking in a deep leather armchair, she only saw his kendo gi in a heap by the door and his katana placed back on its stand. Padding down the corridor, Utena heard the running of a shower at the furthermost bedroom at the end of the hall. She was tempted to leave but instead dared herself to approach his room when something caught her attention. The thick satin-lined choji of this bedroom was drawn open, and a cast over a chair was a white silk kimono with a baby's breath hint of rose. Stepping inside Utena realized this room was meant for a lady. The satin wall panels depicted the serenity of sunset on a lake. Whooping cranes, tiger lillies, and bonzai trees. A shrine on a tiny island. A bridal couple floating across the lake on a boat.
Utena noticed her feet sunk into the same white plush carpeting as in the parlour. A cherry varnished Queen Anne beauty console and stool along the right wall next to a closet. A silver hairbrush set and a bottle of Elizabeth Arden lotion sat atop the table. A chaise lounge by the curtained balcony complete with pink and white throw pillows. The centerpiece to the room was of course, the bed- a great gaping cavern of white and rose lace and satin. The bed itself looked as if it had no frame because of the enormous rose silk mattress was so close to the floor. Pillows of every size piled at the head, Utena made up her mind to toss aside the neckroll and the more frilly, decorative cushions. She removed and folded the rose patterned comforter because of the now stifling heat. White lace and rose satin curtains hung over the cherry frame of the canopy in a mock haphazardous fashion. Stained glass lamps hung by brass chains were on either side of the bed and she switched one on to find the control for the ivory ceiling fans.
Before retiring for the night, Utena made up her mind to bathe and to her pleasant suprise she moved one of the satin wall panels to reveal her bathroom. The tub made of silver and white marble was large enough to fit several people. An antique gold-plated removable shower head was fitted on its stand along the side of the skylight just above the tub. The sinks and beauty alcove gave off the look of something that Julius Ceasar's empress might have in her royal bathchamber. The flooring was black marble and Utena could see her reflection perfectly as she crossed the room to grab an oversized red towel from a white wicker cubbyhole. Turning the gold-plated knobs to her desired temperature, the tub began to fill and she kicked aside the cotton temple robe she was given and prepared her bath. She removed her mother's silver crucifix that hung around her neck by a silver bubble chain and placed it by the sinks. Lined along the silver marble counter of the tub was a vast array of bath salts of every colour in crystal bottles, bath beads in their exclusive brand name boxes, massage oils, pearly soaps in both liquid and soid form, and creamy shampoos.
Choosing a rose-scented bath salt she poured a precise amount into the steaming water and a light earthen scent began to rise. The water turned pink shortly after. Herbal and primrose shampoo and aloe body wash. Before relaxing into the tub, Utena noticed that her robe was missing and on the closed lid of the toilet sat a glass bowl of red and white rose petals. "Baka," she whispered almost whistfully. Taking a handful of the florae she tossed some into the water and climbed in. She leaned back and wet her hair before squeezing in a generous amount of the herbal shampoo. Utena scrubbed vigorously in order to extract all of the dirt and grime from the storm, she repeated then conditioned to get the gnarls out from her scrubbing. The sea sponge she doused in the bodywash and attacked her flesh until it practically matched the shade of her hair. Scooping up a handful of suds, Utena blew them. Each of them alighted with Touga's visage. Her common sense told her not to trust him an inch! But her decency ordered her to properly thank him, even though this was yet another hapless attempt at seduction. Taking up the oversized red towel Utena wrapped herself in it and wrung out her hair with another.
Refreshed and smelling fitfully of a lady, the young duelist powered down the hair dryer, clasped her chain around her neck and put on the batiked kimono. It fit her like second skin and its trailing behind her didn't irritate her as she originally expected. On a whim she applied some strawberry flavoured lip gloss and exited the bathroom. As if on cue Touga took his place by the now blazing fireplace. The fireight slid over his black and red silk kimono, and loosened just enough to expose a bit of his well cut torso. Bored by the patterned wall, Touga faced Utena. "My God you're beautiful."
A genuine smile. "Domo." Utena took the silver brush from the console and began to stroke her hair. Seating herself in front of the mirror she began to get frustrated with the more difficult knots located in the ends. "Shimatta!" She hissed under her breath. Touga, taking pity on Ohtori's self-proclaimed prince, decided this was the perfect opportunity to treat her as his proper princess. He stood behind her and abruptly took the brush.
"Iie." He would not allow unacceptable treatment of his beloved, even from herself. "Allow me." Kneeling behind her and pulled back the heavy pink mass to cascade down her supple back.
"Anou... Touga, about what I said earlier," Utena squeezed her eyes shut trying to hide the hurt as well as prevent her tears from becoming evident, "I- I really didn't mean it. Gomen nasai...."
"Daijobu. Now let me comb your hair Utena." He breathed the last syllable of her name in her ear making it roll across her cheek like a warm breeze.
"Demo, you make my life so difficult...." She raised a clenched fist in an effort to profess her anger, or to strike not completely sure of who was in control any longer. Touga's gentle strokes ceased and he hung his head.
"Forgive me that I could not be your prince. As that's all I wanted." Utena realigned her posture in order to confront him.
"Then why are you hiding out for?"
"I'm not hiding out! I need to reorganise my priorities." Utena was not buying his line, and could see right through the anger to the depression.
"You mean after I beat you, you gave up. God forbid you let anyone know that in the end you are human." She whirled around and folded her arms over her breasts. "But I am greatful for what you did for me."
"I didn't do it for you. I am an ally to all women. I am chivalrous." With that he gathered her hair in his hands and continued to slide the brush through her tresses. He smiled, a bit jealously at it. A vain prince of make-believe he was. For the great length of his hair, Utena's was a great deal thicker and after its washing billowed out in waves. Touga's gentle tugs unfurled many of the knots and he let slip the combed hair through his fingers over her shoulders. Utena's stomach froze at the familiar sensation. And yet... she was unsure at how to recieve it... she was so young....
Konai de...
Daijobu, we won't tell anybody. I'm an ally to all girls. I'm chivalrous, after all.
Oy! Touga, we can't let this girl do this crazy thing!
Then Saionji, show her something eternal. I wish to, but cannot.
Show me something eternal... show me something eternal....
I swear, I'll become a prince and save that girl!
I swear to become her prince, and give her eternity!



* * * *



Utena shivered at the memory as her courage fought the urge to leap to her feet and fight him- or flee. But now she knew the terrible truth and her unbreakable spirit was wavering and her body began to follow. Touga immensely enjoy how her form began to relax bonelessly as he lay his palms on her shoulders. He worked his way through her tresses taking in the scent and feel of Utena against him. Her muscles loosened under his massaging grip and her robe slipped off her right leg, and Touga took his chances and traced a finger down a slightly toned alabaster thigh. A hitching breath and Utena's head lolled back.
"... And to the dismay and anger of his best friend, the boy had no choice but to leave the cathedral. Disappointed in himself the boy vowed someday show eternity to the girl in the coffin." A muffled thump as the silver brush hit the carpet. Touga sat frozen in place. "That was you, wasn't it?" Her bangs covered Utena's eyes and Touga couldn't really see her face. He couldn't bring himself to. Gracefully, he lifted himself from the floor and went to leave. "MATTE!" Utena started to her feet and caught his hand. "Honto ni, that was you?!" She thundered.
"Utena you don't understand."
"Wakatta yo!" She circled around and faced him. "No, you don't understand!" She shoved him backwards violently. Touga didn't respond. "This is... all of this is my fault...." Touga suddenly stared her down infuriated.
"Omae wa... how could you think that!" He spat.
"Ojii-sama...."
"Ojii-sama?"
"You saw the prince too that night," she sneered. "Didn't you?" Touga gestured in the affirmative. "You felt sorry that you couldn't show me eternity, so you swore to become a prince to show me something eternal."
"No matter what, I'd become a prince." Defeated he sat in front of the fire.
"At what cost Touga?" Utena pressed. "What cost?"
"I didn't think I'd ever see you again!" Touga thundered throwing his arms up. "It was too late when I realized that you were the little girl in the coffin. It seems that I've been betrayed by my own emotions," he snorted ironically thinking back to one of his last speeches to the remaining members of the seitokai. Utena's breath came in shuddering gasps, her flushed face damp with tears.
"This is my fault! And I'm going to take care of this right now!" The shuffling sound of cloth. Rosy silk pooled around Utena's feet. Touga's eyes fluttered in utter shock as Utena cris-crossed her arms over her now naked breasts.
"Utena!"
She could feel the blood rise in her face so painfully that it reached the roots of her hair.
"Touga," she pleaded. He shot up from his spot on the floor.
"Utena don't do this." He held her by the shoulders gravely.
"I owe this to you Touga. If it weren't for me, you'd be the same person you were when you found me in the coffin. You'd still be friends with Saionji! You could treat your sister with love and respect and not like a toy." Touga could only hold her. She had no idea.... "Don't hide your good heart Touga." He slipped a finger under Utena's chin and tilted her head up to meet his. "You're feelings aren't a weakness."
"I'm not a prince. I'm not your prince." Tears flooded her cobalt eyes as the flames danced in them.
"As far as I'm concerned, at this moment you are my prince."
"Don't spoil yourself on me, Utena. Don't make my same mistakes, do this with one you love." Utena pulled at his kimono.
"Right now you are my love." Her fingers found the knot of its narrow sash and let the robe drop to the floor. Wound in his embrace Utena's heart violently knocked against her ribcage. "Atashi... atashi wa...." Her voice trailed off using the unfamiliar pronoun.
"Utena," she screwed her wet eyes up to face her prince. "I'll love you to end of the world, just whatever you do don't change. Why can't you be like this always? Can't you desire me and only me?"
"Touga, I love you so much. I just... Touga!" Scooping the pink beauty into his arms he lay her across the enormous satin bed. He cradled her like a china doll kissing her perfumed breasts. "Daijobu, Touga. Daijobu." She combed her fingers through his red mane. Tentatively, Touga licked a coral nipple before taking it between his lips. Utena groaned and rolled her hips upward. Detatching his lips he kneaded her breasts lovingly before letting his tounge latch onto her other nipple. She cried out clawing his scalp and began to lash his tongue across her breast.
"Utena... my beautiful Utena...." He moaned before delving his tongue into her pert mouth. Tounges wrestled before coming up for air.
"Touga," she groaned, "onegai, I need you." There was nothing he wanted to do more than roll on top of her and bury himself in her soft warmth. Enfolding her right hand in his left and kissed each of her fingertips before moving downward. Touga paused at her navel letting his tounge play around it, gathering the burning flesh and plumping it before sucking on it. "Motto... motto...." The sheets began to stick to Utena's quivering body, her fluids freely flowing and a faint spray of perspiration as she thrashed her head from side to side. Her fingers threatened to tear holes into the mattress.
Depraving her no more, Touga lifted Utena's hips and fastened his lips over her brimming nether region. Lapping at the tender, swollen labia now enriched with her blood from her shaplely rump to the precious pearl of sensation. Leaning his head in deeper, his hair slithered around her, teasing Utena to no end. "Show me what you want Utena." She was nearly screaming every time he lathed her clitoris and pulled back. Gripping his scalp in a white-knuckle hold she ground her hips against his working jaws.
"To-o-o-o-ouga-a-a-a!" A fierce growl on her part as he once again found the tiny pulsating heart. Shifting his position so that her legs were slung over his shoulders, Touga applied his slender fingers to her dripping channel. Pumping slowly he stopped after a few moments, perplexed. "Doushite?" Came her whine. Touga stretched out his index and middle digits deep inside of her.
"Aren't you in any pain?"
"Plenty of lubrication as far as I can tell." He laughed low in his throat.
"What I meant was-"
"My cherry?" He narrowed his eyes at the vulgar, yet tantalizing expression. "Touga, I'm on the soccer, baseball, basketball, and volleyball teams. I would be amazed if it did hold out."
"Point taken."
"Now would you continue!" She shrieked.
"My aren't we demanding!" He playfully scolded.
"What can I say? I like it a little rough." Utena winked. Setting her hips back on the mattress Touga moved up her body slowly and propped himself up on a single elbow. He pushed a few strands of unruly hair out of his lover's sweet face.
Ah... lover.
So proud he can finally call her that. He found her submission so endearing, even if it only could exist in this antiquated fortress. They would be the royalty of the sakura orchard, their court the lush gardens and sit upon thrones of stone watching the stars come out one at a time. This was their castle in the sky where Sekai no Hate had no control and the Power of Dios didn't exist. Utena giggled as she pulled her fingers through his hair. "My prince has such beautiful hair." He smiled in relaxed pleasure as Utena coaxed him onto his back and like the lion he fancied himself to be, he stretched out beneath her. Kneeling over him, Utena smoothed her hands over his taut abdominals and her fingers danced across his breastbone.
"My princess has such soft hands." Grinning evilly, Utena reached behind her and raked her sculpted nails down his elegant male weapon. Touga cried out and partially sat up when Utena caught his lips. After a few moments of feeding from one another's mouths, Touga backed off. "Teaching me a lession, ne Utena?" Anger flared as she pushed him down. Nails scratched lightly over his rigid organ.
"Ojii-sama, if I am indeed your Hime-sama then I must stake my claim. And one of my claims is this." Stroking him in an upward motion. Placing a moth's wing kiss on each ruddy nipple. "This is mine." Hands fluttering down long well-muscled legs. "And this is mine." Placing his large hands on her hips, she palmed his manhood once more.
"You want me yet?" He husked. She was poised and ready for the taking, sliding her right hand between her legs she spread her lips aiding his admittance. Throwing her head back in a shuddering groan, he filled her. His girth nearly sent Utena over the edge, but focused all her concentration on their rythm. This time her nails bit into his flesh as their thrusting became more uncontrollable, wilder. Utena's inner muscles contracted and relaxed, massaging Touga as she rode him on wave after wave of white-hot ecstasy, up and down, up and down, slowing down each time she felt Touga ready to explode then starting up again.
She furthered his torture by dragging her rosy tresses along his torso. "Mercy!" Touga cried, reaching up to entwine tongues. Meeting his toes with her own, Utena rotated her hips, encircling his saturated penis with a death grip, she rotated slowly lulling him to come.
"Open your eyes Touga. Come for me...." And as if signalling her he pulled her hair as the orgasm began breaking over them. Powerful, intense shudders consumed them, cries of release filled the room. The sensations lingered over them for what seemed like forever as they floated in a sea of stars. "Touga, don't leave me alone...." Pulling her hands over his heart, he leaned into her.
"I'll love you until the end of the world... even if it's only possible here...."



FIN