"Meet me in the arena after dark, there we will duel for the revolution." Utena read the note and then crumpled it up. "Saionji..." she whispered. He was becoming a bit of a pain to her and she wondered how many more times she would have to duel against him before he would realize that he could not win. But she wasn't worried about that at the moment, she was worried about Anthy. Anthy seemed distant the whole day; Utena worried even more because she was afraid that Anthy was thinking about what she had said the night before. I won't let him hurt you Anthy...or ChuChu, she thought as she looked at her friend who was sitting in a chair staring out the window. "Himemiya, Saionji is challenging me to a duel again. We need to be in the arena after dark tonight." she announced. Anthy didn't look at Utena when she responded. "I know." she whispered watching the wind blow leaves around on the ground.

Saionji stood in the arena awaiting the arrival of Utena and Anthy. He looked at the sky and thought about Anthy. What is wrong with that girl? Doesn't she understand what her position is? I will have to teach her a lesson, he thought, a smirk crossing his face. "Saionji. You just don't give up do you?" Utena asked walking up behind him. He turned slowly and looked at his opponent. "Not to a girl." he said with an exasperated tone. Walking past him, Utena waited for Anthy to bring them their roses, then realized that Anthy wasn't anywhere in sight. "Where is she?" she asked, searching the area. Saionji noticed as well that Anthy was missing and let out his breath. "She is beginning to upset me with the way she has been acting lately." he said, closing his eyes. The night was silent and Utena felt strange being alone with Saionji in the arena. The duel could not begin without the Rose Bride, which meant they could be standing there for hours if Anthy decided not to show up. But why would she do something like that? Utena wondered. Wanting to break the silence, Utena spoke, "That note you left on my door was pretty pathetic, even for you Saionji." Saionji looked at her for a moment. "What do you mean?" he asked. She sighed and pulled the crumpled piece of paper out of her pocket, then threw it to him. "This. I would think you would remember writing it." she explained. A laugh came from Saionji as he read the note. "You think I wrote this?" he asked holding up the paper. Warmth ran into Utena's face as she spoke. "Of course...you didn't?" Narrowing his eyes he shook his head. Utena put her hands on her hips for a second, thinking, then opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted. "I wrote it." someone announced from the entrance. Both Saionji and Utena turned to see who had spoken and were surprised to see a girl in a dueling outfit that looked like Anthy Himemiya. "Himemiya!?" Utena gasped, walking towards the girl. Anthy watched Utena cross the arena, her long pink hair flowing in the wind. "What are you doing?" she asked. Pulling a sword from behind her leg, Anthy pointed it at Utena's chest. "I am challenging you, Tenjou, Utena, to a duel."

She can't be serious! Utena thought. But looking into Anthy's eyes she realized that something was wrong and that Anthy was very serious. "You aren't a duelist." Saionji said, approaching Anthy. Anthy's gaze shifted from Utena to Saionji as she lowered her sword. "I have a signet, I am able to duel." she pointed out, holding up her hand which had the ring on it. Saionji laughed. "You must be joking. You are the Rose Bride! Not only is it unbelievable that you would ever want to duel, but do you really think you have what it takes?" he asked. A struck look crossed Anthy's face and she looked down for a moment as Saionji began to laugh again. Poor Himemiya, Utena thought, wishing she could comfort her. But she was surprised as Anthy suddenly raised the tip of her sword to Saionji's throat, and Saionji was obviously taken by surprise as well. "I have what it takes! Now go Saionji; this duel is between Miss Utena and me. Do you accept?" she said, looking back at Utena. "But why Himemiya?" Utena asked. Closing her eyes, Anthy answered, "Because I want to be free."

"I understand." Utena said. She stepped back some and motioned for Saionji to go away, which he did after a moment of hesitation. "Well, I hope you also understand that you will not be able to duel with the Sword of Dios." Anthy said as she threw a white rose to Utena. Worry ran through Utena suddenly, but then she realized that it didn't matter because she didn't plan to win the duel anyway. "But then..." she began to say when Anthy threw a sword to her as well. Putting a pink tipped, white rose in her own pocket, Anthy prepared herself. I must do this to be free, she explained to herself; I don't have to hurt Miss Utena. With a sigh Utena got ready for Anthy to strike, which she didn't have to wait long for because a second later her friend lashed out at her with the sword. "Ah!" Utena exclaimed and dodged. What is she doing!? She wondered. "Himemiya can you please explain what is going on?" Utena cried as she dodged Anthy's swings. "I can't stand this anymore! I won't be a possession anymore! I am a human being! I am not the Rose Bride! I am Himemiya, Anthy! Why can't anyone see that!?" she yelled striking again. Not dodging from a swing in time Utena was struck in the arm with the sword and pain filled her. No, Himemiya! This can't be how to handle this, her mind pleaded. She knew her friend would never hurt anyone. "I...I..." Utena sputtered, realizing that she had to do something. Closing her eyes she twirled away from Anthy's swinging sword and struck out with her own...

ChuChu ran up to Anthy as soon as she returned. "Chu! Chu! ChuChu!" ChuChu exclaimed. Anthy walked right past the hyper creature and went into her room, closing the door behind her. A moment later Utena entered, her white rose still intact. "Himemiya... I'm...sorry." she whispered.