The Princess & the Playboy

Disclaimer: I do not own Revolutionary Girl Utena (RGU or SKU) or the Beauty and the Beast

Reader Responses:

Myself The Great : Sorry for killing your interpretation of Touga as a hairy PMSing guy. Lol. Anyway, I'm glad you like it.

Suppis Tenshi : Thank you so much again for helping me with this. This story probably wouldn't have reached this many chapters if you hadn't.

Cherry6124 : Thanks for your constructive criticism

Chapter 3: An Evening Ride

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Last Chapter:

Utena was welcomed into the mysterious castle and met, Touga, her prince? He graciously offered her a room for the night and invited her to have dinner with him and his companions, who also resided in the castle. At the dinning room he asked Utena to wait outside for a moment while he talked to the people inside. "Everyone, I have an announcement to make."

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"We are having a guest for dinner," Touga announced to those gathered.

"Who is it," asked Juri

"She is a young woman who goes by the name of Utena. I hope everyone will make her feel welcome."

"Of course we will." replied Miki "Right everyone?"

"Definitely" said Juri happy to have another female for company, but Saionji remained silent until he received an elbow in the stomach from Juri and a glare from Touga. "All right, all right. But Im not saying that I'll like her here, but I'll try to be nice," was his final reply.

"All right. Now that the little issue has been settled I shall retrieve her," Touga responded, a note of excitement present in his voice.

Utena was thinking about everything that had happened over the course of the day. She had never thought, never dared to dream that she would find her prince so soon. But then the doors opened and Touga appeared, a smile gracing his handsome features, and she believed and did not doubt. He took her small hand into his own large one, and guided her into the elegant room. A long mahogany table, topped with frosted glass goblets met her eyes. On the walls hung myriads of beautiful tapestries, ranging from beautiful golds, midnight blues, shades of verdant and more; the end affect an alluring rainbow for the eyes.

Touga heard the small gasp escape Utenas lips, and he couldn't help but feel a little pleased. As he pulled a chair out for Utena she gave him the tiniest hint of a smile and that's when she noticed the other three people in the room.

"Let me introduce you to my companions. The man there with the green hair is Saionji, next to him is Juri, and then this is Miki. He was the one who let you in earlier. Everyone, this is Utena, the one I told you about," Touga said before taking the empty seat next to Utena.

"Hello," Utena said, feeling her cheeks grow warm with embarrassment.

"Hi" they all replied, Saionji a little less enthusiastic than Miki and Juri. Soon dinner was served, a delicious meal of catfish and shrimp served with red wine. The conversation at the table was lighthearted with many jokes and laughter, allowing Utena to relax in the presence of these strangers. Then Miki asked Utena the question that was on everyone's minds except their host. They were all curious to find out she had come to find her way to the castle. Utena, in turn, told them the story of how Akio had followed her into the forest after she denied his proposal to date her, and when she had stopped running found herself at the front door to the castle.

"Interesting, very interesting," was all Saionji said.

When dinner concluded Miki returned to the music room adjacent to the front foyer while Juri and Saionji went to the kendo room to practice their swordsmanship.

"Would you care for a tour Miss Utena?" Touga asked sweetly.

"Why thank you very much Mr. Touga, I would enjoy that."

"Very well then, shall we go?" Touga asked extending his arm to Utena.

"Yes," she replied, accepting his offered arm, and followed him outside.

Touga led her past the immense rose gardens, filled with roses of every color, to the stables where at least forty horses resided. Walking up to a white horse Utena stopped.

*I think I have seen him before. He seems so familiar, * Utena thought. As if on cue the horse neighed and brought its head closer to Utena.

"I think that Phillippe likes you," Touga said coming up behind her to pet his head as well. "Would you like to go for a ride?"

"No thank you, I haven't ridden since I was twelve," Utena answered.

"Now, what would have caused you to stop riding for so long?"

"I was thrown off of a horse when I was twelve and broke my collarbone and left arm and I have not ridden since."

"Well I guess we should change that shouldn't we," was Touga's response.

"I don't know," Utena replied. It had been a very long time since she had last ridden, and she was hesitant to do so now.

"I promise not to let you fall. Trust me," Touga's caring voice met her ears.

"Are you sure you wont let me fall," Utena asked, still a little hesitant.

"Never," and his assurance melted away her fears.

"Ok then, I'll ride with you."

With that said, Touga placed the saddle on Phillippe, mounted him, and pulled Utena up behind him.

"Hold on," he warned, Utena wrapped her arms around his warm body, as they rode through wooded hills and open green fields.

"Do you like it?" Touga asked a little while later.

"Yes!" Utena exclaimed. "I really had forgotten how good it felt to have the wind blowing through my hair and to be surrounded by nature."

"Well, I'm glad. Maybe we should do this more often," Touga said, a smile crossing his pink lips.

"Maybe we should," Utena replied, a smile of her own now gracing her features. She let her head fall onto his strong back, the smooth rhythm of the horses gait gently lulling her asleep. She tried to fight the drowsiness, as they headed back to the stables but she was too comfortable. When they had returned to the stables, Touga was surprised to find her softly dozing. Carefully he dismounted Phillippe taking her into his arms. Not daring to wake her, he gently carried her to her room. Placing her on the bed she stirred slightly, and opened her eyes just enough to see her crimson haired prince tucking her into bed.

"Sweet dreams" he said kissing her lightly on the forehead before leaving, still curious as to how she could fall asleep riding a horse.