(Mikage POV)
Friday night. I had honestly thought it would never come. Now that it had, I was scared to death. Not of Kiryuu, I knew I could match him any time in swordplay. I was scared of Utena. What if she hadn't meant what she said in her letter? What if she was playing a joke?
I mentally slapped myself for thinking that of her. She wouldn't do that. Besides, we had spent as much time together as was safe (what with Kiryuu watching) and she had seemed just as kind and wonderful as always. I couldn't wait to see her.
It was a beautiful night, the kind that only seems to exist in May when everything is in bloom and the smell of roses follows you everywhere. The kind of night you remember forever. That night, Utena was lovelier than anything I ever saw for the rest of my life. She quite literally dimmed the stars.
When she arrived, I immediately noticed Kiryuu looking in our direction and murmuring to Saionji. He did not look happy. Seeing Kiryuu looking so peeved served to improve my mood even further. I had been jealous of him for so long and now I could laugh in his face if I so desired. I knew it wouldn't be wise. but it was nice to think about.
Most of the evening passed in a blur of laughter and dancing. We remained cautious around Kiryuu, but even his presence could not ruin the best night of my life.
Near the end of the party, when Utena had gone to get a drink, Kiryuu approached me.
"You cowardly bastard," he hissed at me, "Utena deserves a real man, not some screwed up pansy like you. I am her prince!" With that, he drew back his hand and slapped me across the face with his glove. "The dueling arena, in fifteen minutes, if you are man enough. You will regret stealing away my possessions." He spun on his heel and stalked off. As he was leaving, Utena returned.
"Oh no. He challenged you didn't he? What did he say? I know how good he is at manipulating people. He did it to me before. What did he say to you?" She touched my cheek which was still red and chewed on her lip. I could tell she was worried because that was the only time she ever bit her lip. I was touched but there was no way I was going to tell her what Kiryuu had said about me and her. The very thought of it made me tremble with rage.
I was still staring at the door through which Kiryuu had left. As calmly as was possible, I explained. "He challenged me. Fifteen minutes from now in the dueling arena, we will fight for you. I have one favor to ask you though." I turned and looked her in the eyes, this was no little thing to ask. She could only do this if she loved me. "Will you be my Rose Bride, Utena? May I use the sword in your heart to defeat Kiryuu? That way, even though you may not fight in this duel, we can be together. I will understand if you refuse me, for this is a great thing that I ask of you." I looked at her closely my heart in my mouth. In response she stood on her tiptoes and kissed me lightly on the mouth.
"My dear Souji, how could I refuse you anything? My heart is already yours and everything that is mine is free for you to take. The sword of my heart was yours without asking." As she said that, I knew that there was no possible way we could lose. For with a love such as ours, no one could stand in our way.
We turned and started forward into the night. Towards the dueling arena. That took me a ridiculously long time to get out. I am a lazy bum and you can tell me as much when you review. Did you like it? I though the end was sweet. but I need input. Thanks for all the reviews. The next chapter will be out sooner because I have discovered how this will end. Sorry about my laziness.
Friday night. I had honestly thought it would never come. Now that it had, I was scared to death. Not of Kiryuu, I knew I could match him any time in swordplay. I was scared of Utena. What if she hadn't meant what she said in her letter? What if she was playing a joke?
I mentally slapped myself for thinking that of her. She wouldn't do that. Besides, we had spent as much time together as was safe (what with Kiryuu watching) and she had seemed just as kind and wonderful as always. I couldn't wait to see her.
It was a beautiful night, the kind that only seems to exist in May when everything is in bloom and the smell of roses follows you everywhere. The kind of night you remember forever. That night, Utena was lovelier than anything I ever saw for the rest of my life. She quite literally dimmed the stars.
When she arrived, I immediately noticed Kiryuu looking in our direction and murmuring to Saionji. He did not look happy. Seeing Kiryuu looking so peeved served to improve my mood even further. I had been jealous of him for so long and now I could laugh in his face if I so desired. I knew it wouldn't be wise. but it was nice to think about.
Most of the evening passed in a blur of laughter and dancing. We remained cautious around Kiryuu, but even his presence could not ruin the best night of my life.
Near the end of the party, when Utena had gone to get a drink, Kiryuu approached me.
"You cowardly bastard," he hissed at me, "Utena deserves a real man, not some screwed up pansy like you. I am her prince!" With that, he drew back his hand and slapped me across the face with his glove. "The dueling arena, in fifteen minutes, if you are man enough. You will regret stealing away my possessions." He spun on his heel and stalked off. As he was leaving, Utena returned.
"Oh no. He challenged you didn't he? What did he say? I know how good he is at manipulating people. He did it to me before. What did he say to you?" She touched my cheek which was still red and chewed on her lip. I could tell she was worried because that was the only time she ever bit her lip. I was touched but there was no way I was going to tell her what Kiryuu had said about me and her. The very thought of it made me tremble with rage.
I was still staring at the door through which Kiryuu had left. As calmly as was possible, I explained. "He challenged me. Fifteen minutes from now in the dueling arena, we will fight for you. I have one favor to ask you though." I turned and looked her in the eyes, this was no little thing to ask. She could only do this if she loved me. "Will you be my Rose Bride, Utena? May I use the sword in your heart to defeat Kiryuu? That way, even though you may not fight in this duel, we can be together. I will understand if you refuse me, for this is a great thing that I ask of you." I looked at her closely my heart in my mouth. In response she stood on her tiptoes and kissed me lightly on the mouth.
"My dear Souji, how could I refuse you anything? My heart is already yours and everything that is mine is free for you to take. The sword of my heart was yours without asking." As she said that, I knew that there was no possible way we could lose. For with a love such as ours, no one could stand in our way.
We turned and started forward into the night. Towards the dueling arena. That took me a ridiculously long time to get out. I am a lazy bum and you can tell me as much when you review. Did you like it? I though the end was sweet. but I need input. Thanks for all the reviews. The next chapter will be out sooner because I have discovered how this will end. Sorry about my laziness.