Notes on Chapter Five:
Finally, another chapter! This one has been sitting here, mostly done, for a good long while. I've been distracted by Rurouni Kenshin for some time... And I still am, but I'm going to try and get back to work on this, too.
I think I have the bare bones of a plot now! Be amazed! ::Gulp.:: It gets weirder and weirder, I swear... But then, so does SKU, so no worries, ne? ::Wink, wink.::
Anyhow, it's kinda late, I'm kinda nuts, this might suck, I hope you enjoy it.
Please review!!!
SnM






Morning came, and, at breakfast, the Widow behaved as if nothing had happened. Really, Utena didn't know what she'd expected. Would anyone sit down at the breakfast table and say, A strange, bodiless force attacked our house guest in the dark of last night while she was visiting my chamber'? No, Utena didn't think so.

She departed from the dining table having eaten little, her appetite all but vanished. Having an attempt made on one's life had the tendency to do that to a person, or, at least, Utena imagined that it must. She was shaken by her experience the previous night, no doubt, but, at the same time, she was strangely detached.

In the first floor hallway, she felt a hand at her elbow. Spinning around, she found herself face-to-face with Lord Kaoru. His sister lingered a little further back, watching them with a steady gaze.

Are you all right, Lady Tenjou? You seemed ill at breakfast... Miki's blue eyes expressed a sort of genuine concern for Utena's well-being.

The heiress sighed. I'm fine, thank you. I suppose I didn't quite sleep enough for my tastes last night...

Miki looked sympathetic. I find it hard to sleep in this place, myself, sometimes. You get used to it...

Utena smiled politely, and nodded. To herself, she thought, I do hope I'm not here long enough to get used to it.' The very thought disturbed her. She wondered if the others here had resigned themselves to dying in this mansion...

Miki opened his mouth to say something more, but it was then that Miki's sister stepped forward. Taking Miki's arm, she led him away without a second glance in the heiress's direction. Utena sighed, looking around at the well-lit, yet still gloomy, hallway. Just as something normal was happening... These people are simply too strange for words.'

She was on her way back to her room when she heard the sound of someone crying. Not again,' she thought, stopping on the second-floor landing. Isn't anyone in this God-forsaken house ever cheeful?' At the same time, she couldn't resist the pull of an unhappy soul.

Her feet seemed to lead her directly to the source of the sound. At the end of the corridor, on the left side, the last door was slightly open. She looked from the dark, thick curtains that hung over the window, to the door, and back again. The rain splattered violently against the glass, the sound, combined with the sound of a woman crying, sending shocks up Utena's spine.

She pushed the heavy door open the rest of the way. The room was gloomy, and the walls of the room were sovered in flickering shadows. A woman was kneeling by the bed, weeping violently. Her brown hair fell to her shoulders in large, loose curls, and she wore a simple, black dress.

The moment the door hit the wall, the woman stopped crying and turned around. Utena gasped at the sight of her face. The woman's skin was waxy and grey, and she had dark circles under her hollow, black eyes. When she set those horrible eyes on Utena, she rose, and opened her mouth. The scream she let out was deafening. The banshee wail continued as the woman seemed to float at a terrifying speed toward Utena.

The heiress' legs seemed frozen, all sense of time evaporated. She was caught in the woman's shriek. Just as the woman seemed about to fly right into Utena, the heavy door swung shut in her face. At the bang of the shutting door, the wailing stopped, and everything was silent.

Utena stumbled backwards a few steps her eyes fixed on the door. And then it was her turn to scream.

Bare moments later, the Viscountess Arisugawa came running up the stairs, followed by Miki, Lord Kiryuu, and, at a greater distance, Miss Takatsuki and Lady Kaoru. The Viscountess, a flurry of orange curls and white-clothed limbs, approached the screaming heiress. The redhead raised her hand and slapped the other woman hard across the face. Stunned, Utena shut her mouth, and stared dumbly at the crowd of people who had gathered, her eyes still wide.

What, in the name of God, had you screeching like that? Lady Arisugawa asked curtly.

For a moment, Utena was speechless. She opened her mouth in an attempt to speak several times, but, each time, came up short. Finally, coherent thought came back to her. Didn't any of your hear her crying? Or screaming, for that matter?

Miki asked, frowning slightly, concerned for the pink-haired young woman.

Utena raised a shaking arm and pointed at the door that had, only moments ago, slammed shut right in front of her. There was a woman in there - crying. I went to ask her what the matter was, and she started - she started shrieking at me!

That's quite impossible, Lord Kiryuu said smoothly, stepping foreward to put an arm around Utena's shoulders. There has been no one in that room in a very long time, I assure you. He guided the shocked heiress gently down the corridor, in the direction of her own room. Perhaps you need some rest, Lady Tenjou... He opened the door to her room, and left her just inside the door. As he stepped back, he said, Please, don't hesitate to call for me if there is anything you need... He bowed gallantly, and was gone down the hall.

Momentarily, the others departed as well. Utena looked back down the hall, a heavy feeling lingering over her heart. It was then that she noticed Lord Kaoru lingering in the shadows by the landing. she said softly. Miki, please, come here...

The young nobleman came foreward, and stepped into Utena's room. She shut the door behind him, and went to sink into an arm chair.

You believe me, don't you, Miki...? she asked, looking up at him wearily.

The blue-haired youth said nothing, but moved towards the arm chair opposite Utena, and seated himself. After a pause, he spoke, his eyes fixed on his hands, which were folded in his lap. I do believe you... And the truth is, so do all the others...

What do you mean? the heiress asked, surprised, to say the least.

The woman you saw... She was wearing a plain dress of black cloth, wasn't she? His question was barely a question at all.

Utena said slowly, never taking her eyes off the youth. Yes, she was...

And she had slightly curly hair, that was... just about shoulder length. Miki looked a little like he were remembering something.

That's right.

Miki sighed. That woman... was Shinohara Wakaba.

Utena blinked.

Finally, Lord Kaoru looked up at Utena. His expression was melancholy, almost apologetic. he said. He paused for a moment, staring at the wall behind Utena. ... hanged herself in that room after Lord Sainonji's death.

Utena put a hand to her mouth. Oh, dear God, she murmured. Then what I saw...?

Miki nodded. What you saw... was Miss Shinohara's ghost.

It took a moment for Utena to digest this information. A... ghost...

Miki nodded again, his lips pursed.

She sighed, her hand dropping back to her lap. Why...? I mean, why... is she a ghost...?

The youth studied her for a moment. His voice was soft when he finally spoke. Miss Shinohara was madly in love with Lord Saionji. From the day she joined the ranks of service in the Saionji household, to the day she died, her heart was fully devoted to him. He, of course, had little more than contempt for her, since she was little more than a chimney sweep's daughter... When he married, she took it very badly, and developed a strong hatred for Lady Anthy... His death was the final straw. She was with us on holiday, and it simply proved to be too much for her. She took her life not three weeks after his death.

Utena closed her eyes for a moment. That's terrible, she whispered. But,' a voice in her head ammended, it certainly isn't the only strange or terrible thing going on in this household...' After a moment, she looked back to Miki, who seemed lost in thought.

the young nobleman said, meeting her eye.

May I ask you another question?

I don't see the harm in asking, Miki said after a pause.

Utena nodded, accepting the risk that he might be obliged to not answer her question. Count Saionji... How... did he die?

Miki sighed, and looked away, at the wall behind Utena before looking back at her. It was... an unfortunate accident. He didn't deserve the end he met.

The heiress fixed Miki with a steady gaze. she asked, her disbelief tinging her words.

The blue-haired youth cleared his throat. he said softly. He deserved everything he got. Every last thing.

There was a long pause, while Utena considered this information. But... Were you telling the truth? About how he died...?

Miki said again, his voice still barely above a whisper.



But I can't tell you how he did die, Miki added quickly. I'm sorry... But... I'm afraid the only person who could ever tell you that... would be the Widow Saionji. But, he said, his expression solemn, just because she could tell you, does not, in any way, mean that she will... In fact, I'm sorry I mentioned it. It's too dangerous to even ask. Please, for your own sake, don't even ask...

Utena was stunned by the youth's words, to say the least, but she asked nothing more in that vein. Instead she said, I'm sorry, Miki. I've taken up so much of your time already. You seemed busy with your sister earlier... I wouldn't want to keep you.

He nodded. It's all right, you seemed genuinely distressed. I'm... only sorry I couldn't say anything to ease your worries.

The heiress shrugged in return, offering him a slight smile. I can't say I really expected you to say anything of the sort... I'm beginning to simply expect the worst from this old place...

As well you should, perhaps, Miki said, rising. He nodded to Utena, and left, offering no further explanation of his words.



Perhaps it was a mistake... Perhaps. But she wanted to know - she had to know...

She found the Widow in the greenhouse, but, this time, she would not leave her be. Utena pushed open the glass door, and was accosted by the heavy scent of roses. It reminded her of the scent in the Widow's room the night before, thick and heady, almost too sweet. The garden was, in fact, entirely roses, as far as Utena could see. And, in their midst, a bronze water can in hand, stood the Widow.

The purple-haired woman turned around and smiled slightly. Lady Tenjou, she said softly. How pleasant to see you. I trust you're well...?

Utena frowned slightly. I've certianly seen better days, she said candidly. And I'd like to get out of this place,' she added silently.

Oh, yes, I heard... the Widow said sadly.

Utena wondered whether the young woman had entirely forgotten about the prevoius night - about the scent of roses, about the shrinking air and the bodiless voice.

Lady Saionji, I-

This isn't the place to talk, the purple-haired woman said quickly, putting down the watering can.

Utena stared at her, unable to quite understand the Widow's motives.

she said.

I... I'm afraid I don't-

Ah, Lady Saionji!

Utena caught herself before she could start too terribly much. The past few nights in the Ohtori Mansion had certainly set her on edge. Having composed herself a little more, Utena turned around.

... I didn't expect you to be here... Lord Kiryuu was saying. He stood, resplendant in his white suit, in the doorway, his red hair spilling over his shoulders.

the Widow replied. Lady Tenjou and I were just on our way out.

I see, replied to nobleman, throwing a charming smile in Utena's direction. I entrust our precious Widow to you, then, Miss Tenjou, he said rather glibly, stepping into the greenhouse to hold open the door for the two women.

Once the door had closed behind them, the Widow moved down the hall, towards the main stairwell. Utena, however, stayed where she was, watching Lord Kiryuu through the whorled glass. The redhead made his way over to a small half-circle of climbing roses, which had overgrown a sort of cross-like structure. More of the tall, blood-red flowers flourished around the form, in front of which the young man knelt. His head was inclined, as though in prayer.

How curious... Utena noted softly.

Please, Lady Tenjou. The Widow's voice echoed down the dark hallway, sounding hollow and much too far away.

Utena turned, and looked at the black-clad woman. What is he doing? she asked.

Come with me, and I'll tell you, Lady Saionji promised. The shadows on the walls seemed to murmur in surprise, and they wavered unsteadily. Casting a wary glance at the garden - and Lord Kiryuu - through the glass, the Widow continued. You mustn't linger any longer near this place... Come, and we will speak in private.

Tempted by the Widow's soft spoken promise of more information, Utena stepped away from the greenhouse door, following the shadowy form of the Widow. As the greenhouse disappeared from sight, Utena wondered whether there wasn't fog gathering inside that lush, enclosed space.