Foreward note: Yes, I did get this idea from a fiction I read some time ago. I asure you that I'm only playing off that idea, this story is completely different from the one I read. I'm no theif...er...I don't steal stories!

Standard Disclaimer applies.

Act One: "A polite way of demanding slavery for payment"

With her pink hair flying in the wind, head held high, back straight, uniform torn the shreds, the prince walked with every ounce of royalty and pride. Beside her was the lovely Rose Bride, strangely content with her fiancé. They rounded the corner, emerging from the semi-darkness of the evening and into the light radiating from the dormitory. Utena clutched the hilt of the broken sword as they took to the stairs. Neither girl said anything, preferring the comfortable silence to sort out their thoughts. Utena was feeling elated; almost too joyful. She'd won; all that training with the Juri had paid off. She'd succeed, just like her teacher had said.

"Tenjou." A pause, dark eyes drifted over to the figure lingering behind the pale-haired duelist, "…Rose Bride."

"Good evening, Juri." Utena bowed politely, "May we, uh, come in?" A snort, another hard stare and Juri stepped aside, pulling her white, frilly night-robe closed and tying it securely. She closed the door rather hard after them and moved into the modest living area. It was lightly furnished and simple in its neutral colors.

"What is it? Must be something important for you to come to my room at this hour." Juri said.

Utena blinked, eyes following the older girl as she fell back into the sofa, one arm draped over the rest. Her head tilted to the side, long tresses of orange hair teasing the curve of one bared shoulder. There was a small clinging sound when her locket was jostled by the movement.

"This hour?" Utena questioned.

"It's after curfew."

"Oh."

Pause—and Utena fidgeted whiled standing next to Anshi who was busying herself by staring at her shoes.

"Well what did you want to tell me?" Juri asked again.

"Ah-oh! Right, uhm…" Utena stammered.

"Yes?" Juri urged.

"Er."

"She broke your sword, Miss Juri." Anshi said, dryly, "By accident." Utena sweat dropped, waving the weapon she'd unconsciously hid behind her back. "Yeah…Touga kind of broke it."

"Kind of? It's completely ruined." Juri eyed the weapon lazily. "No big deal though, so stop fidgeting, I won't bite your head off."

The pink-haired girl let out an audible sigh of relief and ran the back of her had across her forehead, "Phew! I thought for sure you'd be really ticked! It looked like a very valuable word."

Juri grinned then-a very sinister grin, "Yes, very valuable indeed. One of a kind actually. Hand made by a family in China that specializes specifically in weaponry and forging steel. It was a true warrior's sword, which was why I loaned it to you." Juri extended a hand, palm up and Utena placed the hilt in her grasp. "Mm, it's so valuable, Utena, that I decided that you should get a job." With a small quirk of the lips, Juri's attitude turned momentarily nasty.

"I want my long sword repaired."

During Juri's last sentence, Utena's mouth had been steadily getting wider and wider and wider. Until her jaws touched the floor. Anshi patted her fiancé's arm sympathetically. Although she could care less really. It was only a job, right?

"A job! Where will I find a job, I'm only fifteen!"

"I just happen to have a position available. You can run errands for me until you pay off your debt." The older woman countered simply. "Better yet, I've been trying to find away out this particular modeling contract..."

Utena suddenly felt two feet tall, "Errands?" She saw herself in a maid's get-up making tea, cooking dinner, washing uniforms, polishing swords, and airing books— "M-modeling?" Swimsuits and high heels, the stuff nightmares were made of.

But she did break that sword...

"…Fine you win…I'll work for you." Juri's grin got wider and thoroughly satisfied.

"Good girl, I knew you'd see it my way. I expect to see you here every morning at six thirty. And-" Juri added with glee, "Be my sparring partner every afternoon for two months, starting tomorrow."

"Wha-but-uh."

"I trust you know your way out. Goodnight." Juri dismissed them with a casual wave.

"But…"

"Come on Miss Utena. I'll make you a nice, big cake with dinner tonight. That should cheer you up, yes?"

"But…aww…not fair." Came the whine just before the door was shut in their faces.

To be Continued...