Utsu hito mo Both the victor
utaruru hito mo and the vanquished are
morotomo ni but drops of dew,
nyo ro yaku nyo den but bolts of lightning -
o sa ni ze kan thus should we view the world.

- From Kongo-gyo (Diamond sutra)


The Return Saga
Episode One - Juri's Advance

(By Sakura-chan and Chariel)


The sun hung far above in all its early-summer glory, casting a tall shadow before Touga where he stood watching Juri and Miki duel below. His favoured vantage point allowed him to both see and be seen to full effect, though if anyone had looked his way now they would only have been able to make out a slender silhouette before the bright sunlight behind him obliged them to look away.

Absentmindedly he undid the top few buttons of his shirt so the intermittent breezes could catch it, using his binoculars to properly appraise Juri. She barked the command to begin fencing again, and retreated with careful steps as Miki advanced. Each movement was choreographed by her years of experience, and her disciplined grace was as ever a pleasure to observe. Both her mental and physical skills at this sport were well-honed, but it had to be noted that Miki was improving under her careful tutelage. Naturally she was winning this bout, but she had not entirely dominated it.

Miki finished his attack with no hit, Juri successfully timing her retreat so perfectly that he missed. As Touga wondered again if he would ever get his chance with the flame-haired beauty a hand slowly entered the top of his shirt, fingers spreading across the smooth skin of his chest. He did not flinch, keeping his attention trained on the pair below. "Chairman." He acknowledged in a dispassionate tone, identifying the new arrival without needing to look back. Akio leaned against him, sliding his other hand around his waist and observing the view over his shoulder. "What do you want?"

"I thought I'd see how you were doing." Came the casual reply, the low voice laced with some private amusement.

"I'm doing fine. I don't see that there's any need for you to be here anymore. We both know it's over." Laughing softly to himself Akio pressed still closer, bending his slightly taller frame around Touga's and speaking close to his ear in a bare whisper.

"Is that how you really want it to be?"

"Yes." Touga responded impassively, without pause. The weight at his back lessened as Akio drew himself away.

"That's a shame." The chairman sighed with mock displeasure. "I was going to tell you I think I know where Anthy is." Touga drew in a slow breath, closing his eyes briefly.

"Really?" He studiously kept the surge of hope from his voice.

"Yes – and Utena, too." At this he could no longer deny his interest, turning from his afternoon entertainment to finally face Akio. He narrowed his eyes shrewdly, recognising danger in the white smile he was greeted with.

"All right, you have my attention. So, where are they?"

"Not yet." Akio replied, his expression darkening to something more serious. "I want a test of your loyalty. You were very supportive, but I could tell you had plans of your own." Though Touga's sapphire gaze did not waver inside his heart was already sinking fast. They regarded each other for a moment in silence before he turned back to the duel.

"I presume it will be the usual?" He murmured, conscious of Akio drawing closer once more.

"Of course. Unless you have any other games in mind?" The familiar confidence was back in the chairman's voice. Perhaps it had never left; he seemed to take setbacks more easily in his stride than Touga, but then he was older…

"No. Your room tonight then." All that could be discerned from Touga's words now was resignation, and faintly strained pride. Below Miki caught Juri offguard and she stumbled slightly. Touga raised the binoculars again and resumed his intent observation. "If that will be all I have other things to be doing."

"Ah, for now. Soon though we'll have things back to the way we want them." Inhaling a last breath of Touga's scent Akio withdrew, and only when he felt sure he was alone did Touga risk a glance over his shoulder to make sure. In that moment Juri fell, and as his attention whipped back to the scene Miki was already running to her aid, tearing the mask from his face on which was pasted a look of abject shock.

"Are you okay?" He checked hurriedly. "I really didn't mean to go that far – " Juri removed her own mask, the crisp, ginger ringlets spilling about her delicate features that at present held an unusually warm smile.

"It's fine," she assured, faintly out of breath. "That's what we're here for. I'm glad to see you're improving, you certainly surprised me." Miki blushed slightly, turning away as a gust of wind tugged playfully at a few azure strands of his hair. Slowly lifting herself Juri winced at putting pressure on her left foot, and he hastily moved to support her. For a moment he was surprised at how light she was, and felt suddenly aware of her femininity being in such close proximity to her.

As he helped her from the practise grounds he found himself reminded of Anthy, and felt the familiar yearning to see her again. He hoped fervently that one day, soon, she would return to them.


Juri sat next to an open window in her room, the curtains blowing gently as she embarked on the task of bandaging her injured foot. Showering had been a difficult task, but she felt better for it and was still warm sitting in her white dressing gown despite the slight chill of impending twilight. She exhaled sharply at the stab of pain caused by raising her foot to an easier position, and as she was mastering it there came a confident rapping on the door. Loath to put any weight on her injury, and wearier than she would care to admit, she called out for her visitor to enter.

She was surprised afresh to see the smiling face of the chairman beaming back at her as he stepped inside and closed the door behind him. He held a bouquet of roses in one hand, each bloom of a dusky orange colour; her colour. She regarded him sternly, but he showed no sign of chagrin.

"I was sorry to hear you were injured today whilst practising." He began slickly, sauntering closer and offering the roses. "I hope this won't affect your participation in council meetings."

"You needn't worry." She accepted the roses with a shallow inclination of her head, laying them on the bed next to her with apparent disinterest. "I'm very diligent in my duties, and I've had much worse."

"I'm sure you have." He went on as she returned to bandaging her foot. "But you shouldn't push yourself too far. A beautiful woman such as yourself has no need to prove herself in any way, and if you ever have need of my assistance you should know I will readily give it – " Applying the bandage too tightly she winced, drawing her hands back instinctively and allowing it to unravel again. With considered guile Akio moved in, raising her foot carefully to rest against his leg as he knelt before her and resumed her efforts to bind it. He worked quickly and skilfully, occasionally glancing up at her from his pale eyes.

"Now the contest for the Rose Bride is over I feel we will have to look more into the role of the student council." He resumed when she would not meet his gaze. "And – I hope we can develop a closer relationship in the coming months." He bent forwards to place a light kiss just above her ankle, his hands travelling slowly up the back of her leg. She made a small sound in her throat and firmly pushed him away, drawing her legs up against herself and eyeing him with cold disdain.

"I think you should leave such matters to the council. Now, if you don't mind, I'm quite tired and would appreciate some rest." Akio's smile still did not falter as he rose back to his feet, bowing gracefully before he took his leave of her.

Juri watched the door close again behind him and drew her dressing gown more snugly around herself, shivering slightly with something that wasn't entirely the cooling air. She had to wonder what the future would bring them now their paths didn't seem quite so clearly laid. She pulled on the gleaming chain around her neck, drawing out the locket it held and flipping it open to look at the picture of Shiori, taking a moment's solace from it. Closing it again she held it in her hand, and resolved not to allow the chairman to regain the control he had enjoyed previously.

She would make a point of also ensuring Miki understood the way things had become. It would prove valuable to have him on her side. Thinking of him now brought her a wave of pride at how much he had grown up recently, and she found herself smiling at the prospect of training him further in the future.


Sprawled on sheets the colour of red wine, legs spread slightly apart, shirt undone, Akio waited patiently for Touga to arrive. He went over his earlier encounter with Juri and smiled faintly to himself. He'd realised at the beginning that she could go one of two ways, so her reluctance was not unexpected. It would merely occasion a slight change to his plans. He would have to use Touga more in the coming events, but that brought with it advantages of its own. Even as his thoughts turned back to the redhead Touga walked through the door he had left ajar. The expression on his fair features was indecipherable.

Akio patted the bed beside him and Touga lingered a moment, as if unwilling to yield to this unspoken command, but eventually came over. He fell back next to Akio, his hair gleaming dully in the muted light where it fell in ruby strands over one of the numerous pillows. He turned slightly to regard the other.

"You know, you were always central to my plans." Akio commenced in a compelling purr, shifting to kiss Touga's neck as the youth placed his forefinger in his mouth, biting lightly down on it. "You don't need to worry. Soon we'll have everything we want." He had already drawn his companion's shirt open, and now his fingers were walking slowly down his chest, moving ever lower. "Once Anthy returns with Utena we can recommence the duels and finally realise the power of Dios." Touga considered the questionable merits of this, but was unable to do anything more than bite harder on his finger as Akio reached into his trousers.

After a moment the older man withdrew teasingly, raising himself to his knees and removing his own shirt with a practised flick that sent it sailing to the floor. Opening his trousers with unhurried motions he watched Touga through silvery skeins of his hair. It was a familiar enough routine, though it had been a while. Touga hoped that for this very reason not too much would be expected from him, after all it surely wasn't what either of them really wanted. It was about power for Akio, and gratification, and submitting was easy enough when it was the means to an end. If this was what it took to bring Utena back – well, there were worse prices he could have paid.


The following day Miki peered in through the entrance to the dojo and found Saionji as expected, practising his kendo as he was wont to do each morning. He watched the older boy raising his shinai and sweeping it down through the air with a swish, emerald waves of hair dancing in a cascade from where they were secured behind his head. Knowing this exercise could continue for some time Miki resolved to interrupt it now, walking further inside with a pensive expression on his young face.

"Excuse me, sempai." He began cautiously as Saionji's amethyst gaze slid towards him as he continued to practise. "Have you seen Touga? We have a council meeting and I can't find him anywhere." Almost imperceptibly Saionji's face hardened, and the strokes of his shinai became stronger.

"No." He growled, a warning already in that one word. "Why would I know where he is?" Miki backed away warily.

"I'm sorry, I heard he might be here." Stopping mid-stroke, eyes narrowed to unfriendly slits, Saionji rounded on the smaller boy.

"Maybe he's gone to talk to the chairman. Maybe you should check there." He suggested fiercely, failing to marshal his anger entirely as he was unwelcomely reminded of the results of his snooping the previous evening. He suppressed the images of his supposed best friend disappearing into the chairman's suite of rooms. Miki backed away still further.

"It's fine, really. I'm – sorry to have disturbed you." Briskly he turned and left, eager to escape the tense atmosphere he had unwittingly created. As soon as he was gone Saionji flung the shinai viciously aside.

"First Anthy leaves, and now this!" He shouted as it clattered to a halt against the far wall. The beginnings of a migraine clawed at his brain and he frowned darkly, taking up another shinai and resuming his exercises with punishing vigour.


Waves of perfect lapis blue crested with clean white lapped at the fine sand of the beach. A gentle wind stirred the fronds of palm trees far above, and took some ferocity from the heat of the sun in a clear sky. Utena lay in the dappled shade afforded by a nearby tree, her vibrant pink tresses gleaming where they spilled over the edge of her deck chair. Through closed eyes she noted a shadow passing across her face, but she did not stir, comfortable in the knowledge that the only other person for miles around was her companion, Anthy. When the shadow remained stationary, blocking the beams of sunlight that had been warming her, Utena opened her eyes.

Anthy smiled happily at being acknowledged and moved to give Utena the drink she had brought, the sunlight briefly catching her glasses as she did so. "Is there anything else I can do for you, Utena-sama?" That again. Utena sighed, but decided not to correct her on this occasion. It was too nice a day to get into all that again – not just yet. Instead she waved a hand vaguely.

"It's fine. You should relax, too."

"I will," Anthy promised quietly. "I just need to get settled first."

"I'm amazed you were able to find me here." She reached out to take Anthy's hand. "But I'm glad you did." A blush tinted the girl's dusky skin as she turned away, a concerned frown creasing her brow.

"I'm still worried that I may have been followed here." Utena met this with an unconcerned shrug.

"So what if you were?" Her attitude belied her internal feelings, but she kept them buried for the time being. "We're not going back there. We can make a new life for ourselves."

"I know, Utena-sama. I hope so." She lowered her gaze, the tight coil of her hair glinting a vivid lavender in the sunlight. "I really must finish unpacking now." Utena smiled at her, and nodded, allowing their hands to slide apart. She watched as Anthy made her way back to the cabin before settling back to enjoy the sunlight, still striving to forget the recent events that had driven them here.


As the elevator began its long ascension Touga looked over his two fellow council members. He had noticed Miki's sidelong glance at Juri as they entered, and now he was wondering if the boy had moved on from him to Juri as his new crush. He folded his arms and leaned back against the lift wall, affording Miki the full benefit of one of his most sultry glances. The boy blinked rapidly before drawing his stopwatch from a pocket and turning his attention firmly to it, and Touga was reassured he hadn't lost his allure. As ever Juri remained unmoved when she chanced to look across at him.

"Not going to do the speech today, Touga?" She asked in a faintly challenging tone. He laughed slightly to himself.

"It hardly seems appropriate now." Shadows passed rapidly over their faces from the lift struts and Touga lowered his gaze contemplatively, artfully allowing a few more strands of hair to slip over his broad shoulders. "I'm not even sure why this meeting has been called. It's not as if we need to convene just to cover the mundane runnings of the academy." There was a click as Miki continued to play nervously with his stopwatch. Touga was amused for a moment, then his smile faded. "Who called this meeting, exactly?"

"Actually I did." Juri declared briskly, causing Miki to glance up in confusion. Touga remained unmoved from his elegant stance against the wall.

"That's unusual for you." He observed mildly. "Could this not have been discussed in private?" At that moment the lift reached its zenith and came to a halt, and the three of them strode out towards the small table awaiting them. Juri and Touga eyed each other askance, and Miki continued to feel bemused. Positioned to one side of the table a silent girl with her dark hair fixed into a strict bun was tapping furiously away on a shorthand typewriter. Reams of paper began pooling on the floor at her feet. She went ignored.

"So, Juri, what's on the agenda?" Touga asked, settling into one of the chairs as she secured its opposite counterpart.

"I wish to call a vote of no confidence in the chairman." She opened glibly, her eyes sweeping over Miki whose face immediately registered his shock. Touga retained his usual nonchalance. Paper began to spool across the table and gather at their feet.

"An interesting move. What brought this on?" He queried mildly.

"I don't think that's relevant. We all know of the chairman's recent failure, and no matter what the trustee chairman and his wife feel about him I don't believe he's running things properly."

"But – he's always been the chairman." Miki put in hesitantly. "And recently we've been relying on him more and more."

"Precisely," Juri sat up a little straighter, meeting his cerulean gaze. "And you've seen what that's done for us." She was obliged to raise her voice by the increasing racket generated by a number of typewriters joining the original one, the clack of their keys causing quite a din. They were also joined by several girls with dictaphones, recording every element of the conference. Touga took a moment to consider what the resolution of this matter may do for his position, concluding that, whilst he would certainly not be displeased by the chairman being ousted from his position, any backlash from him could damage his future prospects. Abruptly the typewriters fell silent, and he spoke.

"I for one certainly don't believe this is the best course of action." He waved aside a particularly invasive dictaphone-wielder. "I personally think it would be better if you left this to me. I will have words with the chairman and ensure he is more vocal about his moves so we can better plan around him." Juri eyed him coldly.

"This is the same thing that happened months ago, and you know where that got us. I want to see him gone, I don't think he's fit for the position."

"Think what you will." Touga's expression was finally serious, matching Juri's steely glare over the tabletop as Miki looked on helplessly. "I will not vote against the chairman at this time."

"Fine, then it's down to Miki as the tie-breaker." The boy glanced up wide-eyed from his frantic starting and stopping of the stopwatch.

"I – " the girls pressed closer, "it's too big a big decision. I need some time to think about it at least…" Touga regarded him with a winning smile.

"Naturally. Take your time. If you need to talk things over with me my door is always open, as you know." Juri merely flicked her hair, uttering a faintly displeased sound.

"I think this meeting is over." She decided, rising to her feet. "We will reconvene at the same time tomorrow to hear your decision, Miki." She strode away towards the elevator. Touga leaned back in his chair, already formulating a plan to persuade Miki to his point of view. Miki merely stared at his stopwatch, the numbers frozen dead on 00.10:00, wondering quite what he should do.


Later on he was no more decided, sitting cross-legged on his bed staring blankly at an expanse of wall. "I can't believe they're making me do this. I shouldn't have to make this level of decision – it's too much for me." His twin, Kozue, strolled in from the balcony and leaned back against the wall he was facing. She reached up with slender fingers to carefully reorder a few rebellious strands of her hair and flashed him a sympathetic smile.

"Definitely. I think it's horrible and unfair of them." She pushed herself away from the wall and danced across to land lightly beside him on the bed. "If I were you I'd abstain from making a decision altogether. Leave them to sort it out themselves." She leaned forward and gently kissed his forehead. "Whatever you choose you know I'm always here for you." Enfolding him a brief hug she drew away, smiling more cheerfully. "But for now I have to be going to my music lesson." She skipped back a few paces then disappeared through the door, closing it carefully behind her.

Miki continued to stare at the wall, going over what she had said, and wondering briefly who would be joining her in the music room on this occasion…


The sun had set not an hour ago, and its lingering heat was being gradually dissipated by the night breezes. There were no clouds to obscure the moon, and out on the large open stretch of road Akio was presently speeding down the majesty of the starscape above was breathtaking. Easing himself back into a more comfortable driving position his attention was anywhere but on the sky. His hair flowed behind him in a long, rippling stream, shimmering in the moonlight, and a relaxed smile was in residence on his handsome face. To his side Touga had assumed much the same position, and the casual observer could have been forgiven for thinking there was some sort of unspoken competition afoot between the pair to recline the most stylishly.

Touga shot his companion a sidelong glance before commencing. "Have you heard the details of today's council meeting?" Akio felt a brief surge of irritation at the realisation he hadn't been keeping up to speed with council events since his sister left. He forcibly changed gear as something to focus his attention on, pausing to master his annoyance before replying.

"No, I've been busy recently." The youth's smile seemed to intensify slightly, as if it had just found a new reason to be.

"Juri has called for a vote of no confidence in you. Apparently if it's passed it will go on to the trustee chairman." Akio's expression did not change too much.

"I suppose that isn't unexpected. I did pay her a visit yesterday – obviously she didn't take too kindly to it." He glanced at Touga. "I assume you'll be voting in my favour?"

"Of course," Touga replied diplomatically. "I don't think we could continue with our plans if you were deposed."

"So, this leaves the decision to Miki?"

"Yes, and as you may be aware he has been growing rather closer to Juri these past few weeks."

"I was aware of the fact. I think it would be a good idea for you to have a little chat with the boy tomorrow – make sure he sees things the same way we do. He's always looked up to you, I'm sure you can use that to your advantage." Faintly annoyed by the chairman's knowledge of this Touga looked away into the dark miles they were passing. The frequent lights flickered over them, and for a moment there was only the rush of air and the purring of the engine to be heard.

"I will talk to him." Touga conceded at length. "You still haven't told me Utena's location. Last night should have been enough proof for you that we're working in the same direction." Akio smiled and accelerated to yet greater speeds.

"I don't know the name of the place, but I've tracked them to a small south sea island. It would seem to be pretty much uninhabited from what I've discovered thus far. They're obviously hoping not to leave any trail we could follow. Luckily I have other means." Touga raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Other means?"

"I placed a tracking device in that irritating pet my sister insists on taking everywhere with her. I knew she wouldn't leave here without it."

"And you're sure the device is still in it? Might she have noticed?" Akio chuckled darkly to himself.

"Don't worry, I ensured it was shot in good and deep. Wherever it is she will be, and soon so shall we. We'll give them time to settle in for their vacation and become complacent first, but we'll make our presence felt before too long. May I presume you will be accompanying me on the trip?" He glanced over with faintly mocking amusement, and Touga merely continued watched the road streaming by, thinking of Utena.

"Yes." He replied in a careful monotone. "Anything I can do help things go smoothly."

"Good." Akio leaned back still further, barely even watching the road any more. Touga followed suit, and they roared on through the night.


Anthy carefully removed another pristinely ironed and folded garment from her case and attempted to find space in the small cabin for it. She hummed a cheery tune to herself as she placed it beside an item of Utena's own clothing. From behind her there was a small thud followed by a pained squeal. She turned swiftly to see Chuchu lying face down on the floor, his little arms and legs flailing. "Oh dear, did you fall off the table again?" She glided towards him, picking him up with infinite care. "You must not be liking the hot weather here. Let's put you in bed where you can get some rest."

Chuchu's eyes continued to spin as she tucked him firmly into the light sheets on her bed, folding them around his minute form. Finishing the last of her unpacking she glanced back to check on him before leaving for an evening stroll with Utena, finding him asleep. It had been a difficult journey to get here, she reflected as she went, but finally they could live happily together, and in peace.


- End of Episode One -