DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN UTENA OR KANNAZUKI NO MIKO! I do still wish I had a role in them tough.... T-T
Morning. After the moon had set, the sun rose from the same direction, awaking Utena and Chikane almost immediately. It's Saturday. Himeko and Makoto sleep soundly for a while after.
Anthy was awake to watch the moon set. She had always taken a particular pleasure in the sight; it was something few other people ever saw. She smiles to herself.
Later that morning, when all our heroines had finally decided to vacate their sleeping places, and the ones in possession of food eat breakfast, they all get dressed for the day ahead.
------
"So, I see you didn't get me a dress," Utena comments, downing some B12 and a little water from her water bottle, "that's good."
"Yeah. Hey, lemme have some of that." Chikane says, gesturing to Utena's water.
"Sure, it's yours anyway." Utena replies, tossing the bottle.
"You forget, I don't live there anymore." Chikane drinks some of the water, but only a little. She was never the kind of person to finish off anything unless it was meant for her. Thinking back, she considers that it might be due to the fact that she finished something off before it's time once. At the same time, a though invades her mind,
It's like an indirect kiss.... She blushes lightly. What was that last night, anyway? I love Himeko! I always will... I guess... it was just hormones? Yes, that's it....
"But you did once, right?" Utena asks.
"Well...." Chikane tries to think of a passable answer, and gives up. "I should probably tell you about myself now."
"Okay." Utena says, changing clothes, "Shoot."
"Well, as you may have gathered by now, Himeko and I are Priestesses." Chikane begins. Utena nods. "To be clear, we are the reincarnations of the Lunar and Solar Priestesses... that is, she is the Priestess of the Sun, and I am the Priestess of the Moon. Our purpose was to help Ame no Murakumo defeat and seal the Oorochi and restore the world to a state where it is unaffected by them. But Ame no Murakumo requires a sacrifice to finish the task."
"No way... then that means...." Utena turns to face Chikane; it's the first time this morning that they've looked at each other, and they're both partially dressed. They blush, quickly turn away, and Chikane continues,
"Anyway.... I was the sacrifice this time... so the world could be restored... but that means that now I don't exist."
"Not at all?"
"Right."
"...." Utena thinks something should be said about last night's awkward scene, but can't find the words.
"It never happened." Chikane says, a pink color still inhabiting her cheeks.
"Wh-what?" Utena stutters, looking at Chikane in surprise, "What do you mean, 'It never'-"
"I mean we didn't mean it." Chikane says, glaring at Utena. Chikane's eyes burn into Utena and shut her up. "I love Himeko, and I'm sure you love someone else." Utena grins.
"You're right. You made me realize last night, just before we..." she pauses, then continues having skipping a word, "... that I am in love with Anthy. In love love. That might be part of the reason why I-"
"Enough." Chikane cuts in as she finishes getting into her white dress, "We didn't mean it. It was...."
"What was? Was it?" Utena asks in a teasing tone, grinning, "We didn't mean what now?"
Chikane smirks. Utena finally buttons up the shirt of her new outfit. "Hmm. Interesting." she says, twisting herself around to inspect her garments.
It's a simple pair of slacks with a belt and a button up shirt. The slacks are black, the belt matches, and the shirt is red.
"You don't like it?" Chikane asks after reading Utena's expression, "I think it suits you. And it has the same colors as what you were wearing before, so your shoes aren't out of place. Too badly."
"True.... But it's so close to.... It just needs a purple tie...." Utena mutters, frowning.
"What?" Chikane inquires.
"Nothing," Utena says, smiling, "It's great. Thank you, Chikane-chan."
Chikane gasps as her eyes widen.
Just like Himeko....
"What? Was I wrong to call you that? I knew it was too soon that call you that...." Utena mutters.
"No, no, it's fine...." Chikane assures, and swiftly falls back into her thoughts.
Earlier, when she was so determined... she reminded me of Himeko then too. That's why I was able to kiss her so easily. Utena had said the same hadn't she?... About how I remind her of Anthy. It makes sense now. We did mean it... but only because we so desperately miss our lovers... and Utena's not even actually with Anthy yet.... I feel bad for her, what if Anthy doesn't love her back? It's entirely possible.... Yet she pushes on to find her....
"They should be together. That makes them easier to find." Utena states.
"Of course," Chikane says, her tone cool and collected, "Let's go, Utena-sama."
Utena gasps as her eyes widen.
"Oh? Was I wrong to call you that?" Chikane smirks, guessing that Utena's thoughts are similar to what hers just were. Utena thinks for a few moments, then grins at Chikane.
"No, it's fine." she says, "But, umm... where are we going?"
"Well, since it's Himeko, and she has someone new with her...." Chikane pauses, then answers, "To the nearby city, I'd say."
"Okay. You drive." Utena requests. Chikane nods
------
"Oh, Himeko," Makoto says, just completing the task of putting a big white bow in Himeko's hair, "I almost forgot. While I was out yesterday, I got you something."
"Really?" Himeko asks excitedly.
"Yeah. Close your eyes." Makoto tells her, smiling. Himeko does as she's told, trying her best not to bounce. She feels Makoto slip a necklace onto her. "Okay. Open them." Again, Himeko obliges.
"Oh, Mako-chan...." Himeko looks down to see a small pink seashell half around her neck on a very thin chain, which goes well with her white skirt and sleeveless aquamarine hoodie.
"I remember you said the one you had went missing, so I found you a new one... I hope you don't mind, it having been a gift from your dad and all...." Makoto sounds nervous as she rubs the back of her neck, but Himeko happily shakes her head.
"No, Mako-chan, it's wonderful. Now it holds my parents' memories and my memoris with you!" Himeko smiles at the gift briefly before her face changes. "Eeh?! Makoto-chan, you said you found this?"
"Y-yeah.... I-it didn't take as long as I thought it would so that's why I was back early...."
"MAKO-CHAN! Don't tell me that was the whole reason you went out!" Himeko exclaims.
"Well...."
"Oh, Mako-chan, thank you! Thank you so much!!" Himeko spins and squeezes Makoto as hard as she can.
"Himeko," Anthy calmly gets the girl's attention, "you may want to be a little softer. I think Saotome-san likes being able to breathe, too."
"Chu, chu." Chuchu nods in agreement.
"Aah! Gomen!" Himeko and her excited self completely lets go Makoto.
"It's alright." Makoto says, grinning, "I just didn't know you'd be that excited over it.
"Thank you again, Kurusugawa-san, for letting me wear this...." Anthy says, indicating her current outfit. It's a simple dress of a an intense yet calming blue, but it works well with Anthy's now black hair and green eyes.
"No problem! I'm just glad it fits!" Himeko responds, grabbing a gray shoulder bag as the group heads out the door. "TO THE BUS STOP!" she shouts dramatically, pointing forward, tugging Makoto's wrist. Anthy smiles and follows, Chuchu doing a jig on her shoulder.
------
"Okay. We're here." Chikane tells Utena.
"Yeah, no kidding." Utena says, looking around at the streets and tall buildings. "That walk from where you parked Dios was totally worth it; I've never seen anything quite like this."
"Interesting." Chikane comments.
"So where to now?" Utena asks, still admiring the scenery.
"....." Chikane ponders Himeko's probable courses of action, then answers, "What does Anthy like?"
"Roses," Utena automatically replies. She has no idea why Anthy would like them still, but Utena recalls a conversation about the future where Anthy did say she wanted to grow roses later in life....
"Right." Chikane nods. "I think I know where they are."
------
"What kind of things do you like, Himemiya-san?" Himeko asks.
"Roses," she automatically replies. She has no idea why she still likes them, but she does. What happened to her isn't the flower's fault, turning her back on them would be unfair.
"Ahh! Okay! Let's go to the floral place first then!"
"Floral place?"
"Yeah! It's where...." Himeko trails off. What was it again? She tries to remember.
"Kurusugawa-san?" Anthy wonders why Himeko is silent. It's a very strange thing.... Anthy thinks.
"Anyway, it... I like it." Himeko states, "And it's this way." Himeko walks, Anthy follows, Chuchu observes. Makoto smiles, finding no reason to speak.
------
"So if you don't exist," Utena wonders to Chikane aloud, "how do you figure Himeko remembers you?"
"I don't." Chikane says, still walking. Utena ponders the answer, then asks,
"But, how can your love be eternal if she doesn't even know who you are?"
"Because it's true." Chikane stands for the briefest second to glace at Utena, "Of all people, you should understand that." Utena grins.
"Yeah, being the Prince and all. Hey, you think I'll have to go around waking young girls from spell-induced slumber with my kiss?"
"...." Chikane isn't sure how to answer that. "Who knows. Let's just keep walking."
"Yeah, okay." Utena says, sticking her tongue out at Chikane behind her back. No fun. You remind me of Juri in that sense too. In fact, you're really more like Juri than Anthy. Yeah.... Utena recalls the source of most of Juri's suffering, and hangs her head, A lot more....
"There." Chikane says, her voice pulling Utena back into the moment, "Just across this crossing."
"The Leopard's Garden?" Utena questions.
"Yes," Chikane confirms, "It triggers a very nice mental image, doesn't it?"
"Yeah... if you look at it the right way." Utena comments, letting everything after 'yeah' fall under her breath.
"Anyway, they should be in there. You go ahead, I forgot I need to do something before I see Himeko." Chikane tells Utena.
"What?!" You mean after all that, you're just gonna-"
"Don't be stupid, it'll be fast, and I'll still be here. Just go." Chikane sighs.
"Alright, alright." Utena turns and walks across the street when the lights indicate it is safe to do so.
"Geez." Chikane shakes her head and starts shuffling through her purse. She pulls out the slim chain she acquired earlier and a small pink seashell half, identical to the one given to Himeko by Makoto. She smiles. Then she sweatdrops as shes the tiny hole in the seashell she has to use and remembers.... My one weakness... getting the thread though the eye of the needle.... This is already so much worse....
------
"Look at these, Anthy, they're green!!" Himeko shouts, pointing at a display of green roses. She runs over to look at them.
They almost make Anthy cringe. Chuchu growls at them.
"Himemiya?" Makoto asks, "You okay?" Anthy shakes her head and smiles. Chuchu jumps onto Makoto's shoulder and hugs her neck, crying, pointing to the green roses.
"I'm fine. Don't worry." Anthy says.
"Hey, guys, this employee says that the green roses are new, and exclusive! No one else nearby can grow them!" Himeko exclaims, dragging the employee by a sleeve.
"Yes, it was actually a technique that I learned by watching someone I-" the employee stops when her eyes meet Anthy's. Both she and Anthy are taken aback.
"Himemiya Anthy...." the employee mutters.
"Arisugawa Juri-san...." Anthy hears the name on her lips. It was one of the last she had ever expected to need.
"What happened?! I thought you would stay at the academy and be the Rose Bride forever!" Juri fires at Anthy, disregarding all tactfulness she might posses.
"I thought you would stay at the academy and duel for the power to make miracles forever. Oh, or was it to disprove them? I can't quite remember." Anthy retorts, giving a spiteful gaze, making Juri even more surprised.
".... You have changed, haven't you?" she says coldly.
"I see you haven't." Anthy says, her tone equally chilled.
Himeko and Makoto glance at each other, silently agreeing on the one word that would describe the situation:
Awkward....
"Eeh... So you two know each other?" Himeko inquires cheerfully, trying to lighten the mood little.
"Yes." Anthy and Juri both answer grimly, turning their backs to each other.
"There's no hope...." Himeko whispers to Makoto.
"Why don't you and Anthy go across the crossing to the right and head down to that little restaurant? I'll meet you there in a minute." Makoto whispers back.
"You sure?"
"There's something about this Juri character.... Anyway, both she and Anthy need to cool down before we get anywhere here."
"They both already seem pretty cold to me...." Himeko points out. Makoto sweatdrops.
"Yeah, well, that was just a poor choice of words on my part." Makoto says under her breath. Himeko giggles.
"Okay, I get what you're saying." -she grabs Anthy's left wrist- "Hey, let's go get something to eat!"
"Hu- What? W-wait!" Before Anthy gets much of a chance to say much else, she's pulled out the door.
"She's wearing the Rose Seal!" Juri yells, having noticed when Himeko grabbed Anthy, "She must still be the Rose Bride!"
"No! She left that behind!" Makoto shouts, having no idea what she's talking about.
"Then why come HERE?!" Juri bellows, "OF ALL PLACES!! If she intends to torment me for the rest of my natural -and perhaps unnatural- existence, tell her I'm already tormented enough without her meddling!"
"Look, this was all coincidence! There's no reason to be mad." Makoto says.
"I...!" Juri's rage quickly cools down, "I suppose you're right. It's not her fault I fell in love, after all."
"What? Wait, are you Utena?" Makoto asks.
"No... how do you know that name?"
"Well...."
-Just a few minutes earlier-
Himeko pulls Anthy to the doorway, and they turn to the right, as instructed. However, Himkeo is not known for her coordination at high speeds.
"GWAHHH!" she cries as she trips over her own foot and braces herself for painful impact with the pavement; she had let go of Himemiya as soon as she felt the trip coming on. It's sad, Himeko thinks as she falls, I've done it so many times I know when it's going to happen, but I still can never stop it.... Just as she expects to connect with the concrete below her, someone catches her.
"Well, that could have been painful," a familiar voice remarks, "Do you find yourself here often?"
Himeko and Anthy both recognize the voice, though neither of them can see the figure's face, only that she has long strawberry blonde hair. Anthy holds her hands over her mouth, Chuchu stares at the two girls on the ground in disbelief.
"C-could it be...." Anthy stutters, her eyes already beginning to water, "Could you truly be...?"
"Utena-san." Himeko says, standing and bringing Utena up with her, "I'm-"
"Himeko Kurusugawa," Utena finishes, grinning at her, "I know, I was in your brain." Himeko blushes.
"O-oh. W-well then. Alrighty...." Himeko can't help but become a little embarrassed over the idea of having had someone in her mind.
"I brought someone for you." Utena smirks.
"You did?" Himeko is honestly confused.
"Well, kinda." Neither Himeko nor Utena have broken eye contact. Anthy knows why. Utena is a rather dense person, but she's still rather bright. "Cross the street," -she pauses to point- "there. You'll see a girl in a white dress... you might know her, I think. Go ahead, Anthy and I have some... catching up to do."
"Oh... uh... okay." Himeko goes to cross the street. Utena lets her head to track Himeko as she passes her. She stands, not turning to face Anthy. Anthy doesn't move; she doesn't know what to do or say. One tear rolls down her cheek. Finally Utena turns.
"Himemiya." Utena says, her gentle expression and voice making themselves the only things Anthy is aware of. Hearing Utena address her once more makes Anthy shed a few more tears. Utena begins walking towards her, she happily cries some more, honestly smiling for the sake of being able to do so; especially now. Utena returns the smile, Anthy giggles a little through her tears. Chuchu also sobs, and jumps off Anthy's shoulder in search of a tissue.
"U-Utena-sama...." she gasps. Now they are face to face, standing, smiling, Anthy crying. Utena takes Anthy's face in both of her hands. Anthy is stunned into stopping her flow of tears momentarily. The water drops fall from Anthy's face, one last drop squeezes itself out of Anthy's eye and slowly crawls down her cheek. Utena smiles, looks softly into Anthy's eyes, and gently kisses away the tear. Utena lingers; Anthy closes her eyes and takes in as much of the contact as she can. Utena drops her hands to the ex-Rose Bride's shoulders and their gazes lock.
"Anthy." Utena says, sounding happy, serious, and nervous all at the same time.
"Utena-sama?" Anthy's features become filled with concern.
"Please," Utena shakes her head lightly, "just Utena. How many times have I told you that?"
"A lot." Anthy answers, her lips curving upward as a few last tears make their way past.
"Right." Utena smiles as well, if only briefly, as her visage changes to one of sobriety with a subtle hint of fear.
"Utena, what's wrong?" Anthy asks. In the next instant, she finds herself pulled into a warm embrace. "Y-you're trembling. What is it?"
"Anthy, I...." Utena pauses, not knowing how she should word what she is about to say. She decides not to think about it and continues, faintly in Anthy's ear, "I realized something while I was gone..." -she grips Anthy tighter- "but I'm afraid if I tell you I might lose you again, and I don't" -Utena falters for a second as she feels something wet trail down from her eye, but she takes a breath and continues- ".... I don't want that."
"Utena," -Anthy holds Utena as close to herself as she can- "you can tell me anything. I swear I won't leave you."
------
Finally! I got it! Chikane thinks, putting the seashell necklace around her neck and moving to cross the street.
------
"Thank you," Utena smiles into Anthy's neck, "that does mean a lot to me, but I was going to tell you anyway, whether you said that or told me you didn't want to hear it, because...." -she keeps her arms around Anthy's waist, but lifts her eyes to meet her love's once again, "to be able to tell the person you love how you feel is the second most beautiful thing in this... no, any world. Even if you're afraid, or you get hurt."
Anthy was always the best at putting two and two together. She understands what Utena said, and she feels herself cry a little more.
"So then what's the first?" she asks. Utena grins.
"You." she answers, blushing. Anthy giggles and Utena brings a hand up to delicately wipe away her tears. "Himemiya... I love you." -Anthy smiles ear to ear, but Utena keeps going,- "A-and just so we're clear, i-it's not just in a friendly way, either.... It.... I...." Anthy knows very well what her prince is trying to say.
"Please, Utena," Utena shuts up and notices the way Anthy's eyes are signaling to her, "spell it out for me."
Utena moves her lips closer to Anthy's at a constant rate until they meet.
And now, both girls think, deepening the passion in the kiss, together...our someday can begin. When they separate, they turn to the street to see Chikane and Himeko embracing in the middle of the crossing. Someone honks at them and they jump and blush, then they start giggling and running across the street together, to the side Himeko crossed from. Utena and Anthy laugh from in each other's arms.
"Well, I guess Himeko did remember Chikane...." Utena confirms, mostly to herself.
"Chikane? I'm guessing her last name is Himemiya." Anthy says.
"How did you now?"
"Himeko kept talking about how my name made her think of someone she couldn't remember."
"Whoa. That's epic." Utena comments. Anthy giggles.
"Utena! I didn't know you used that word!"
"What, epic? Not usually, but I couldn't think of anything else."
Himeko and Chikane make it to Utena and Anthy. Chikane embraces Himeko again, unwilling to let a good opportunity go to waste.
"Finally," Chikane begins,
"We meet again." Utena finishes. Chikane glances at Utena, her eyes requesting an explanation. "Sorry, Chikane, but that was myline." she says, watching Anthy smile.
"CHU! CHU!" Chuchu shouts, ready to feel some love too. Utena grins and picks him up. She plays with him a little and puts him on her head.
"Of course I can't leave you out, Chuchu."
"Chu... chu chu." Chuchu says, having been successfully cheered up.
"We should go check on Mako-chan...." Himeko says to Anthy.
"Oh, yes, we should...." Anthy responds.
"'Mako-chan?'" Utena asks.
"Wouldn't you know? You were in my brain." Himeko wonders.
"I only got your name. Besides that, I had to protect Anthy." Utena informs her.
"What happened to the swords anyway?" Anthy asks.
"I think they're satisfied for now," Utena thoughtfully replies, "they got what they wanted, which was to hurt the prince. If they come back, it'll probably be an annual thing. From yesterday."
"How do you figure yearly?" Chikane asks. Utena shrugs.
"It just makes sense." The group turns into the floral shop, and all quickly and quietly step outside after seeing the scene within.
"That...." Himeko tries to vocalize some kind of coherent thought, but her tomato-shaded is too distracting. In fact, it's the same shade as the other four who bore witness, including Chuchu.
"Does not make sense...." Anthy finishes for Himeko.
"That... the brown haired one... was 'Mako-chan', right?"Utena asks, just as frozen as everyone else.
"U-un....(1)" Himeko stutters. Utena, being the closest one to the doorway, dares to look inside the shop again. Juri and Makoto are dancing to a techno-sounding song, Makoto has a bright pink rose in her mouth, and -the most startling part to Utena and Anthy- Juri is smiling and seems to be having fun. Utena quickly hides herself again.
"Alright," Utena says, "We'll all go in, but Chikane, you ask what they're listening to. Juri will be shocked into silence from seeing me. When 'Mako-chan'-"
"Makoto Saotome." Himeko says.
"I figured Mako wasn't her name... anyway, when she asks about Chikane and I, Himeko, introduce me, Utena Tenjou, and Chikane. The awkwardness will be gone by then." Himeko turns her attention to Chikane.
"Oh, we still haven't been properly-" Himeko says.
"I know you, Himeko Kurusugawa. And deep down, you know me too." Chikane cuts Himeko off, smiling warmly, "I'm Chikane Himemiya."
"OH! YES! I know that name!" Himeko exclaims, happy and excited to figure out the mystery. Anthy nods.
"Anyway, nice game plan," Chikane says, smirking at Utena, "I'm willing to try it."
"Yeah, let's go for it!" Himeko agrees.
"YOSH!" Utena exclaims, bringing Himeko and Chikane to the front of the group, since only two people will fit through the door at a time. They enter. They pause as Chikane waits for the right moment for her line. Makoto and Juri dance and dance and dance right up close to each other, then notice the group at the same time, and freeze.
"What are you listening to?" Chikane asks, trying not to sound snide.
"NOTHING!" Makoto shouts in embarrassment as Juri clicks the music off, "Eeh, who are your friends, Himeko?"
"This is Tenjou Utena and Himemiya Chikane." Himeko says. Juri is shocked into silence.
"Himemiya? Is she related to you, Anthy?" Makoto asks. Anthy shakes her head.
Strange, Utena thinks, the person I find with the same last name doesn't even know Anthy, and the guy with the last name 'Ohtori' turns out to be her brother. I mean, really.
"U-Utena? Y-you... you...." Juri can't think of what really happened to Utena, but hearing the name jogs her memory of the other events that took place at Ohtori Academy, "There were all kinds of rumors floating around the school about where you went...."
"Why did you leave?" Utena asks.
"I was about to be pulled into the duels... again! Again?! I don't remember the first time! Do I? Not until I looked at you just now.... But I knew I couldn't do it, something told me "no", something inside. So I left." Juri answers.
"I see." Utena nods, "Well, if the duels was the only reason you couldn't stay, you can go back."
"What?"
"Akio is... no longer the chairman. He's gone."
"Ah." Juri responds. "I think this is good for me though."
"What is?"
"My being somewhere that Shiori isn't," Juri says, then gestures to Makoto, "and making new friends."
"Obviously." Chikane says.
Everyone laughs, except Juri and Makoto, whose faces turn red in embarrassment.
(1) "Y-yeah...."
Bonus points to whoever can find the Bleach reference in this chapter! XD
I don't know if I want to end it here or not.... I feel like this the place were all the conflicts have been resolved, but for some reason it doesn't feel right. Suggestions?