Disclaimer: I don't own Utena or Kannadzuki no Miko. I wish I had some part in them though, they're amazing. T_T;
Anthy Himemiya sits quietly. It is early morning. She has made a habit of waking very early, being the Rose Bride and all. She shakes her head at the thought.
No more. She is no longer the Rose Bride. She left that behind. Every day she wakes up, she goes through the same routine. First she eats breakfast. Or not, depending on if she has food. Then she reflects on the past to make sure she knows she's making the right decision. Then, when she finishes, she says,
"Well, time to keep going. I might find her today." and leaves. As she walks, she weakly smiles at the thought of a name. She looks down at the Rose Signet ring on her left ring finger. A small purple monkey/mouse climbs into her shoulder, looking excited.
Utena-sama.... Wait for me.
------
Himeko Kurusugawa sleeps. And sleeps. And sleeps.
"HIIIIMEEEEKOOOO!!! GET UP, SLEEPY HEAD!!!" her roommate Makoto shouts loudly, leaping on top of her.
"YEEA!!" Himeko screams as she flings herself upright, tossing Makoto to the ground.
"Oww...." Makoto whines, "That hurt...."
"Well, I'm sorry, but you shouldn't tackle people while they're sleeping. It's just weird."
"Hm. You never cared about that kind of thing before." Makoto comments while standing up, "And I still love your haircut."
"You've said that." Himeko giggles. She had recently gotten it cut to just above her shoulders, as compared to her usual long hair which would have fallen past her waist. "And.... I get the feeling that's what someone else would say.... About tackling, I mean." Himeko says softly, her eyes fixed on the floor. Makoto is suddenly curious.
"Someone else?" she asks, "Who?" Himeko winces at the question.
"I don't know... but whoever they are, they're importa--"
"Oh, I get it," Makoto interrupts, "that 'someone special' you're waiting for. Well, I'm cheering for you!" -she winks- "But don't think about it too much now, or you'll be late for...."
"SCHOOL!!" Himeko shouts, freaking out, "Aah!" She quickly dresses herself, snatches up an apple, and runs out the door. Makoto shakes her head, and calmly follows. Ahead of her, Himeko's mind is no longer on school.
I don't know your face or your name, she thinks, but I still love you.... Wait for me. We'll find each other.
------
"Hnn... where am I?" Utena Tenjou raises her head to scan her surroundings. She stands. "Some kind of shrine?" She turns around to see a girl, about sixteen, staring at her in shock. The girl is dressed in a priestess' kimono, and has such black hair that it seems a little blue, and piercing bright blue eyes that Utena figures could charm just about anyone. Otherwise, the shrine is empty. She is also a little shocked to notice her hair is strawberry blonde now, rather than her usual pink. Must be a real world thing.... she firgures. "Hey," Utena says, approaching the girl, "Where are we? What happened to--" HIMEMIYA! Where's Himemiya? she thinks. She begins looking around frantically, and when she realizes that she was alone aside from the girl, she hangs her head low. "She's not here...." She turns to the girl once more. "Where are we?"
"We're in the shrine on the moon...." the girl answers, still not sure what to make of the situation. Utena's shock is blatant on her face.
"On... on the MOON?" she asks. The girl nods.
"I thought I was to be alone... what is your name?" she asks. Utena's expression changes to one of flat determination.
"Utena Tenjou," she answers, "how about you?" the girl smiles warmly.
"Chikane Himemiya." Utena is shocked once more.
"Hi-Himemiya? W-would you happen to know Anthy Himemiya? " she asks. Chikane frowns and shakes her head.
"I'm sorry." she says.
"Don't be... it was my choice...." Utena replies. She hangs her head again, so her bangs cover her eyes. Chikane is overtaken by a feeling of likeness in this girl....
"Tell me a little about yourself." Chikane says gently. Utena turns her head and smiles.
"Okay... I'll try. We've got a lot of time to kill anyway... right?" Chikane smilrks a little.
"That we do." she says.
"Alright." Utena says while sitting on the floor, "Well, when I was young, both my parents died. I was ready to die myself, but a prince... came to me and showed me something eternal. He banished my tears and said, 'If you never lose your strength and nobility as you grow up, this ring will...' huh?" Utena had lifted her left hand to show Chikane the Rose Signet ring, but it was gone.
"What?" Chikane asks.
"The ring is gone...." Utena mutters.
"Hm. You had it on when you came here?" Chikane asks. Utena nods.
"To the very end...." she says. "Is it true we're dead?" Chikane thinks for a moment before answering.
"I'm not entirely sure of that myself. But I figure so, since I was stabbed."
"I was too...." Utena tells Chikane, looking very depressed, "By the person I loved...." In life, she may not have been able to say that, or admit it to herself, but since she's dead, she figures there's no point in denying it.
"I was as well...." Chikane admits, more than a little surprised at Utena's statement. "A-are you a priestess?" Utena shakes her head.
"No." she says, "In the end, I couldn't be a prince either...."
"Why?"
"...." Utena hesitates before answering, "Because I'm a girl."
"Don't accept that." Chikane glares at Utena.
"What?" Utena asks, taken aback.
"Don't let that be the reason." Chikane tries to clarify, "If you want to be a prince, be one. Don't hold yourself ba-"
"It's not my reason," Utena interrupts, "it's the one Hime- sorry- it's the one Anthy gave me."
"You couldn't be her prince...." Chikane gives Utena a look of understanding.
"Right." the response is laden with a heavy aura; Chikane knows exactly where it comes from.
"I thought that once." she tells Utena, "I knew someone, and I wanted to be her prince so badly. I didn't think I could, and I accepted it. I hid my feelings, but in the end...."
"In the end...?" Utena prompts after Chikane's voice had faded.
"I always was," Chikane answers, smiling, "and I still am. And she's my princess... my Himeko."
"Himeko...." Utena takes mental note of the name. "Well, I need your help. I don't know if this will work, but I need to find Anthy."
"You're planning to leave?" Chikane asks.
"Yes. She could still be in trouble." Utena replies.
".... I... I want to go.... I'd like to see Himeko again, but...." Chikanes studders. The very idea was unheard of. She knew immediately that, to have the will to defy the Gods, Utena must be either very brave, or a fool... or both.
"I understand if you can't come with me. Just help me go."
"Okay."