The Swords of Revolution.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of Shoujo Kakumei Utena characters or ideas, but I do own any of unfamiliar characters, and ideas...

Part 1: Interlude

Chapter 1

The Pianist.

I take slow chords on the piano, and listen to them quiet, yet so slowly... Yet another year. Last year for me - Grade 12. Yes, it's hard to believe, that the Duels were almost five years ago.

Now, I take a slow sequence of notes, which flows gracefully, and recognize the music I play instinctively: The Sunlit Garden...I look back at what happened during that eventful year.

I'm Kaoru Miki. I'm seventeen. I'm a student of Ohtori Academy, grade 12, Captain of Fencing club. Yes, I know, Juri was one, but she left to the outside world. Just as Shiori, Utena, and others had. Kozue left, as well, and I don't really know, how she did it. May be, the thing of her being the Black Rose Duelist helped, or she just was fed up with this strange place. Most of those, who were here five years ago, have left - either went to another school, or forgot every single thing. I don't know, why I still remember, though.

Now, I glance down at the notes. Normally, I need them just for a second, and I can remember the whole thing, as if I was practicing it for a long time. Taking another pattern, that now turns into staccato form, I hide an amused smile. So, Utena and Anthy did bring a Revolution in Ohtori, only it's results are slow coming. I wonder, did others experience this Revolution? What happened to them?

Does Akio know about it actually happening?

I frown at the last question, rising in my mind, and the music changes its tones. As far as I knew, Ohtori Akio still was the Chairman of this school. And I am sure he had not left his tries for bringing around the revolution of some sorts. Now I smile openly. This creep. I know it's wrong to think about somebody who is much older than myself, but I really can't help it. I still remember what happened during that last duel, as clear as it just happened. HE thinks that none of the old Student Counsil members remember it, and he's about to get a big surprise...

That is why he changed the Student Council members for the previous five years.

He changed them almost each time to bring the Revolution around, and let others forget what they were involved with. Then...Then he'll start with the Duels again. And now, I simply start to wonder, if there is any way to get rid of him.

I take sharp chord. "Ends of the World', really. Who would have think that behind all that charade, dangerous game, call it whatever you like, will be this man, who is totally out of his mind with this whole Duel thing. Now I smirk, knowing, that the chick in the egg will be long dead by the time somebody will actually break the egg's shell. Catching myself yet again on the old musing, I shake my head, and try to concentrate on the playing. It sounds just too much perfect fir my taste, and I take several dissonating chords, and try to change it around.

Now, that I think about those whom I met during that year, I start to wonder, if they achieved what they wanted... Juri had achieved her miracle for sure, and Shiori is with her now. I'm not sure about Touga and Saionji, but I'm glad they got out of my hair. Now, I catch myself building a mental picture of the two of them in my hair and struggle not to laugh. The reality helps me a little, as I start to think of the way of getting out of this strange place myself.

I take final chord. Then close the piano. This is so casual you would think nothing changed. But it had. I think I grew up out of my stopwatch habit. Yes, I do not need to time things like I did before. Now, I only need to glance up to the big clock, that is on the wall near exit to remember where I am. 10:00 AM.

It's Saturday, so I do not expect anything.

I close the door to my room from the inside, and turn on the light. The room is the same as I left it, as I expected it to be. Now I go around to the table, and only then notice long white envelope. I take it very slowly, and examine it.

There is nothing on the front, and I know somehow, there should not be. Then I turn it around. The seal catches my attention, for it is a seal containing familiar rose pattern. I open it, and look inside, as the ring with blue emblem rolls out on my hand. I grin, and take my own ring out of my pants' pocket. Then I compare them. The same. Why am I not surprised? I put the new ring on the table and slide my old one on my right hand. It still fits. Perfect. Now, for the letter. I read it in silence, a letter informing me about my election in the Student Council. The text is the same as it was five years ago. He did not even think about changing it.

Now I grin ruefully, and the old phrase escapes my lips, as I finger the old Rose Signet ring on my hand. "For the sake of revolutionizing the world!" I say this old phrase out loud in an empty room, and it echoes out of the walls. Now, I found the way of escape. All I have to do is just wait and see, what will happen next.

A/N: doing something I should have done long ago – slight editing and getting rid of the double space…