AUTHOR'S NOTE: This fanfiction takes a great deal from the anime series and the movie, Adolescence of Utena. I wanted to keep Anthy's somewhat submissive attitude and Utena's more dominant attitude while retaining some of the plot from the movie and anime. This particular fanfiction starts out post-Ohtori and introduces a new character that was around during the Ohtori days. There are references to the past that reveal complex relationships and reveal the back-story, so if you're not up for being in the dark when it comes to some things, this isn't the fanfic for you. Reviews are welcome. Please enjoy.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own, nor am I affiliated with the owners of Revolutionary Girl Utena or the Utena Movie, Adolescence of Utena. All characters except for Ayami are borrowed.

CHAPTER 1: REALITY REDEFINED

Reality. After escaping from that damned castle, reality seemed like a fantasy. God knows how long they'd really been trapped in that place, slaves to the delusions of the crazed Ohtori Akio. Utena was glad to be rid of that place and all of those horrid memories, though they still haunted her. The Million Swords of Hate...

"Utena, if you don't hurry, we'll be late for dinner at Miki's." Anthy said, smiling at Utena from the passenger seat. Utena returned the smile and turned down the next street. Not five minutes had passed before they pulled into the parking garage. Miki lived in a high-rise apartment, very luxurious and spacey. It had two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a kitchenette and a living room. It was very nice, and suited Miki well.

Utena and Anthy climbed out of the car and walked to the elevator, hand in hand. Since their escape from Ohtori seven years ago, they'd never gone anywhere without each other. Juri and Miki had been the same way. After Kozue's disappearance, Miki had been kicking himself into the ground. Surprisingly enough, it was Juri who'd helped him out of it. Anthy frequently commented on what a cute couple they were now, but only when they were out of earshot. She still hadn't lost her eagerness to please her friends.

All eyes turned to Utena and Anthy as they stepped into the apartment. There were some familiar faces there. Kiryuu Touga, Nanami, Kyoichi Saionji, and of course Arisugawa Juri. All faces had smiles on them as the couple entered the apartment.

"Hello. It's nice to see everyone again." Utena greeted. Saionji nodded to her.

"It's good to see you again, as well, Utena." Touga said, walking over to her. He took her hand, but she pulled it away.

"Don't ruin this, Touga." she whispered. His smile dimmed a bit. He nodded and stepped back. It was after that that they began sharing stories of the past year's happenings. They exchanged tales of their lives and their jobs since Ohtori, as was their new custom. They would also bring any news of Ohtori Akio's whereabouts, and if there was any evidence to his survival other than rumors and strange and coincidental happenings. Their merry laughter at a tale of Juri's was interrupted by a knock at the door. Miki rose and went to answer it. He opened the door slowly, and the figure in the hall was cloaked in darkness, proving identifying them impossible from the vantage point of the other guests.

"Kaoru Miki?" the newcomer asked, the voice gruff but female. Miki nodded in response.

"Yes. You are?" he asked.

"I guessed that you wouldn't recognize me." the girl said, taking a step into the light, revealing her face. She was a pale girl with stony gray eyes and shaggy, short brown hair. Utena's eyes went wide.

"Is it you, Ayami?" Anthy asked, standing. The girl nodded. Everyone was silent. Anthy walked over to Ayami and threw her arms around the girl's neck. "Hisagaru Ayami. It's been so long."

"Please, Himemiya," Ayami said, her voice soft yet powerful. "Do not touch me."

"Wha?" Anthy asked, taken aback by the girl's words. She let her arms fall to her sides and she took a step back. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Ayami muttered, turning again to Miki. "I haven't had much time for socializing, and I still don't. I came here only to tell you that I have the proof."

"Proof? Proof of what?" Jury asked, standing. She looked at Ayami apprehensively.

"Ohtori Akio is still alive."

"That's a big thing to say. Are you sure that you've got substantial evidence?" Touga asked, not taking his eyes of his fingernail as he fidgeted with it. Ayami took a staggered step into the apartment.

"You would dare call me a liar, Kiryuu?" she hissed. She threw the cloak she was wearing to the side, revealing her formal jacket to be tattered and bloodstained, a clean stab wound in her stomach. "I come from fighting the bastard!"

Everyone stood. Utena took in the amount of blood that covered Ayami, and was amazed that the girl was even still able to stand. There was fresh blood flowing down her left arm and from the wound in her stomach. Anthy took a step towards her, but met a hand on her shoulder. Ayami wouldn't let her close.

"How did you survive?" Juri gasped. Ayami laughed coldly.

"Who do you think I am? Some child who's just learning to carry a sword? I've spent years training in seclusion for a day such as this where I could come and defeat that bastard. Unfortunately, he has some decent tricks up his well-tailored sleeves." Ayami answered. "I came here to tell you the news, and to make Utena an offer."

All eyes were on Ayami.

"You are the only one who has the ability to defeat Akio at this point. But you're not yet ready. Let me train you, and we can get rid of the monster for good."

"Absolutely not!" Anthy shouted. Ayami gave her a dangerously threatening look before turning back to Utena.

"It's the only chance we have!" Ayami screamed. "He's coming! I know you feel it, Himemiya!"

Ayami turned to Anthy and grabbed a hold of her shoulders and shook her.

"You're hurting me..." she groaned.

"You know he'll come for you, Himemiya! You know it!"

"I'll go with you." Utena answered. The room went silent. Anthy slid out of Ayami's grasp. "I do have conditions, however."

"State them." Ayami demanded.

"Any of my friends that wish to accompany me must be allowed to do so." Ayami grimaced. "And you have to promise that...if this training doesn't work...that you'll take care of Himemiya for me."

"Done and done. But you won't actually be fighting Ohtori Akio for a while. You're far too inexperienced, and I assume you're out of practice." Ayami stated matter-of-factly. She then looked to Anthy. "So you two will have plenty of time left to spend together."

"When do you propose we pack?" Saionji asked, not bothering to look up at Ayami.

"Pack?" she asked.

"Well, yes. You didn't think that a single one of us would actually stay behind and let Utena face this without us, did you?" he asked. Ayami shook her head.

"You're fools. But it is admirable. Bring only what you can carry on your backs. My estate is fully furnished, and I'm sure that you will find that your quarters will cater to your tastes." Ayami answered.

"When are we leaving?" Anthy asked, eagerness edging into her voice.

"Preferably tonight."

"Ridiculous!" Juri cried out. "You come here and crash our party, then expect us to pick up and leave as if we're some sort of vagabonds!?"

"I'm not inviting you, Miss Arisugawa." Ayami said calmly. "If you decide to accompany Utena and I, then it is of your own accord. I don't ever recall prompting you to come."

"She actually has a point, Juri." Utena agreed. Juri huffed and leaned back against the wall.

"Only what we can carry on our backs?" Touga asked. Ayami nodded. "Personally, I'm ready to go. Nanami?"

"I'm ready, too, onii-sama." Nanami answered.

"Let me ask this," Ayami started. "Who's not coming?"

No one spoke up. Ayami took a step and winced. She regained her composure and inhaled slowly.

"I suppose that this seals the deal then?"

"We're ready when you are." Anthy chimed in. A thin smile appeared on Ayami's face.

"Yes, Miss Himemiya. I know you are."