End of Eternity

by The Chairman's Wing

The Victor and her Bride return to Ohtori as new Duelists and old are bound to the rose seal and Akio makes his final bid for eternity.

3. Chapter 2: Unexpected Meetings

Chapter 2: Unexpected Meetings

One of the things that first struck me about Ohtori Academy, besides the constantly high temperatures, was the intricate layout of the campus. It appeared deceptively simple, but upon closer inspection, one would quickly discover that it had a mazelike design. One could easily get lost among the sprawling gardens, the elegant white buildings, and the swarming throngs of students. Above it all looms the Chairman's Tower, the proud spire serving as a guidepost to help the lost judge their locations… or perhaps a cancerous growth marring the landscape. I was never quite able to decide which, though after having had time to reflect in the hospital, I find myself thinking of it more and more as the latter.

-from the diary of Tsuchiya Ruka.

Despite the fact that his brother had never been to Ohtori University, Mikado found that there was little difference from the university and the now abandoned academy, judging by his brother's work. Mikado had declined offers of help with his heavy suitcases and black bag when he had arrived at the university, and was now rapidly coming to regret it. The heat made walking around uncomfortable, and carrying the enormous suitcases while using a cane was becoming downright painful. It did not help that he had only a vague idea of where the East Hall was located.

Unable to bear their weight any longer, he quickly found a shady tree and carefully sat down his two large suitcases, then sank gratefully to the ground, leaning his cane on the tree trunk. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and mopped his forehead, wiping off the sweat that had accumulated there. He closed his eyes briefly and let out a deep sigh. It had been a mistake to try and lug all this stuff to his dorm on his own.

"Well, well… this is an unexpected surprise!" murmured a voice.

He blinked and looked upward at the tall, red haired man clad in an elaborate black uniform that looked somewhat militaristic. "Touga? Is that you?"

"It's been quite some time, Mikado. How have you been doing? And you can just call me Touga. We're still friends, after all."

Mikado smiled. "It's good to see you again! I'm sorry I didn't talk to you after I made it out of the hospital, but I haven't talked to much of anyone lately. All the therapy and studying… and, well, I only got out of the wheelchair two months ago."

Touga nodded sympathetically. "I gather you've just arrived here, then?"

"Yes," Mikado replied. "The doctors had some last minute tests to run, and it took us longer than we thought to get the results back, so I was a little delayed. But at least now I can finally get back to a normal life."

"Mmmhmm," Touga said, looking thoughtfully at the cane next to where Mikado was sitting. "Would you like some help with those?" he asked abruptly, as he reached down and easily picked up both suitcases, not waiting for Mikado to answer.

"Would you?" Mikado looked almost pathetically grateful. "They really are too heavy for me…"

Touga smiled at him. "It's not a problem. Where are you were staying?"

"I'm in the East Dorm, room 116."

*              *                 *

"So how has your mother been doing?" Touga asked as he helped Mikado to unpack his things.

Mikado sighed. "It's been hard for us since Ruka died. She's been working two jobs, but at least she's making ends meet now. It was a miracle I was able to get a full scholarship to come here.  I never could have afforded it otherwise. I think she'll be all right. I promised to call her every couple of days so she doesn't get too lonely."

The two worked in companionable silence for a few more minutes. "Say," Mikado finally said, "What is up with this campus? It looks more like a country club than a school."

Touga laughed. "Chairman Ohtori wants the campus to look attractive. It brings in more students, or so I'm told."

Mikado paused a moment at the mention of that name, then stretched and sat down on his bed. "Well, looks like that's the last of it," he said.

"Well, it was nice to see you again. Unfortunately, I have to go class now," Touga said. "By the way… that's an interesting-looking ring you're wearing.

Mikado blinked. "Oh… it belonged to my brother."

Touga walked over to Mikado, a bit too close for comfort, and gently grasped his hand and inspected the black ring with a critical eye. "Yes… a very interesting ring indeed. A piece of advice for you, Mikado."

"Oh?"

"If you're smart, you'll throw that ring away and forget you ever saw it."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Mikado asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Nothing… I have to be going, now," he said as he abruptly released Mikado's hand, turned and walked out the open door.

"Touga, wait a second!"

By the time Mikado had hobbled over to the door, however, Touga was already gone. He sighed and returned to his bed and sat down, staring aimlessly into space. After a moment, Mikado turned to the black bag on the floor and reached inside, pulling out his brother's diary. He paged through it until he found what he wanted.

Perhaps one of the things that have changed the most since I last came to Ohtori is Kiryuu Touga. He is not how he used to be in the old days. He is full of false smiles and dark mysteries. He plays the women expertly, and they eagerly swarm about him like so many flies, eager for a taste of the honey. He has an air of knowing about him, a man who is supremely confident in himself and his control. His every word seems to be full of insinuations and lies. He has become important in ways that I was not, and in ways that I don't understand. His behavior toward Saionji is contemptuous and condescending. I do not recognize him anymore. I don't think Mikado would either.

Ohtori changes everyone, but it has changed Touga the most. And not for the better, I think.

________________________________

With the hundreds of students who attended Ohtori University, there was no lack of special-interest clubs and sports.  A well-rounded education at the refined school usually meant involvement in activities outside the classroom.  With the new semester of classes beginning, the bulletin boards were covered in neon-colored flyers and white posters announcing the various openings and upcoming meetings that needed to be attended in order to join an event.  Most notable were the large posters for the kendo and fencing clubs that could be found anywhere from the cafeteria to next to the restrooms, with signup sheets attached next to them that were collected at the end of each school day.  But those who were not interested in either club (a rare find for one attending Ohtori) could seek out the game teams for chess or go, or look into sports like tennis, basketball or track.  However, there was one team that wasn't pushing for the hype like the others.

It came to the surprise of many who arrived at the university and walked the campus to find a large building with one entire side rendered in floor-to-ceiling French windows, each frosted with the outline of the familiar rose symbol to which students quickly became accustomed.  Through the glass, an Olympic-sized pool was visible, with diving platforms towering over it and bleachers and benches surrounding it.  The pristine water would reflect the setting sun in the late evening, while in the morning light fixtures hanging from the ceiling illuminated the room.  The swim hall was only built recently, and to those who read their introduction packets to Ohtori, the swim team was only a blurb in the directory of what Ohtori had to offer, followed by only a picture taken before the building's completion of what it would look like when finished.  It didn't do the real thing justice.  Like everything on campus, it looked much more impressive in person than the image in the brochure.

While the other forums had their share of members and candidates, the swim hall was practically devoid of people.  The blurb was most likely overlooked by many of the new students.  With no advertising for the swim team or sign-up sheets, everyone was going by word of mouth, which currently carried the news that the swim team captain was purposely delaying tryouts because she only wanted winning swimmers to come to her instead of putting up with agonizing tryouts.

And at the thought of such gossip, Kozue smiled.

Lying at the edge of the highest platform, the captain of the presently member-less team enjoyed the silence.  Kozue was completely alone, appearing relaxed as she lay on her side, eyes closed and her head lying on one arm while the other rested on the black nylon-spandex blend of her swimsuit that accentuated her flat back and curvy hips.  She kept her blue hair short since her academy days, as did her twin brother Miki, but both had added some length around their faces. 

Miki wouldn't like to see her lying so close to the edge of the platform, but Kozue was neither scared of the height nor falling off.  She was aware of what she was doing, just like she knew the risk of not spreading the word about her club.

Her peacefulness was suddenly halted when she heard the sound of one of the metal entrance doors being pushed violently open.  Blue eyes unbolted and followed the woman entering her domain.  High heels stampeded across the concrete briskly, and Kozue slid her body up to a sitting position with an annoyed sigh.  The woman was looking from left to right, seeming to mutter ill words under her breath.  She wore a high-collar blouse in an ugly mauve color matched with a garish maroon high-waisted skirt, carrying a beige folder in her hand.  Her offensive demeanor showed even with the large-framed, dark-tinted glasses on her face, and her lips were pressed in a grimace as tight as the green hair pulled back in its bun.  Stopping in front of the bench where Kozue's things were currently piled, the middle-aged woman picked up the dry white towel before throwing it back down with anger and putting her hand on her hip.  Obviously, she was waiting for Kozue with little patience.

Rising from her spot, Kozue walked toward the ladder as if she was going to climb down to meet her, but she stopped short, turned around and started to run.  Once at the edge, she jumped from the platform, flipping twice before elongating herself and diving into the pool with a slight splash, causing the woman to gasp in shock and drop her papers as she turned around to see the once calm surface of the water now rippling and waving.  Kozue was capable of causing less of a splash, but she purposely chose to scare the frigid lady for intruding in on her solitude with a somewhat imperfect dive. 

"Miss Kaoru!" the screechy voice of Mrs. Haniko echoed throughout the room, as she bent down to pick up the papers that scattered out of the folder.  "Make your presence known properly when I am in the room."

As she resurfaced, Kozue made a few strokes to reach the ladder, stepping out of the tepid water.  She continued to not greet the university guidance counselor as she pushed back her damp hair and headed over to the bench where Mrs. Haniko was standing, leaving footprints as she went.  Kozue was tempted to laugh, "I thought I did make you aware," but instead she flashed her simple smile while wringing her hair. 

The counselor moved back away from Kozue's dripping figure and snorted.  "I assume you know why I'm here."

"After receiving the many letters you sent recommending me to 'do something with my swim team 'or else,' " Kozue quoted in her flat tone, while drying her hands off on her towel, "I can make a good guess."

"You don't seem to be taking any of my warnings seriously!" Mrs. Haniko continued to scold loudly, despite being only a few feet away from the freshman.  "You continue to do nothing, while other clubs prosper.  I'm sick of having whining students ask me why they haven't heard news of swim meetings.  As captain, you are supposed to be handling this situation.   You know this isn't my job!"

"Then don't do it," Kozue said nonchalantly, briefly eyeing her agitator.  She couldn't see why the Chairman would keep such a crone on his staff.  Her pestering seemed to be more annoying than it had been when she worked at the academy.  At least Kozue took pleasure in the fact that people were either too stupid or nervous to approach her about her team, leaving themselves the only other choice but to face the old crone.

Her words made Mrs. Haniko press her lips into a firm line.  "Listen to me, young lady!  I don't care how skilled a swimmer you are.  I'll make sure you're stripped of your position if your grades even slip a letter.  You better start doing something with that title.  If you don't put a team of at least five together, you won't be eligible for competitions.  This swim hall wasn't built for your own enjoyment."

"Oh?" Kozue interjected, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm serious, Miss Kaoru.  You might be your brother's twin, but I don't see how you two aren't on the same level both academically and with these school activities," stated the counselor as she shuffled through her papers, pulling out one to shove in Kozue's view.  "Now take this.  I'm ordering you to make copies of this and place them up around the school by the end of classes today or I'll go directly to the Chairman and have this club shut down permanently."

Grabbing the paper while keeping her customary expressionless face, Kozue glanced over the words.  She made a small twinge of disgust suddenly.  The flyer announced:

SWIM TEAM TRYOUTS ALL THIS WEEK.  HAVE FUN IN OHTORI'S BRAND NEW SWIM HALL.  PASSION OVER EXPERIENCE, SAYS CAPTAIN KOZUE KAORU.  APPROVED BY COUNSELOR HANIKO.

Passion over experience?  Kozue never said anything of the sort and if she were to make a signup sheet, she would specify that she wanted only experienced swimmers. 

Haniko was smug and happy with herself.  "I'll leave you to your duties."

Once she turned around, the guidance counselor was halted by the sound of paper tearing.  She whirled around in surprise, coming face-to-face with Kozue's smile.  "I won't be needing this," Kozue stated, ripping the paper into fours and then placing it on top of the pile in Mrs. Haniko's hands from which it came. 

"I beg your pardon!"

"I've already spoken to the Chairman," Kozue said, immediately seeing the crone flinch.  "We bumped into each other the other evening when I came to meet my brother at the Chairman's Tower.  He doesn't seem to have any complaints with how I'm handling things.  Those who want to join will reveal themselves as time unfolds.  My teammates, whoever they may be, will be destined for great things, I assure you.  Besides, it's not like this building is hidden in the shadows," she added, gesturing toward the windows.  "People need to show me a spark.  Everyone knows I'm the captain, and if they can't summon the courage to come and face me to ask for a tryout, then they don't belong on my team.

"I'll have my team assembled.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other things to do," she finished, grabbing her items from the bench and walking toward the locker room, listening to the sound of high heels storm frantically back the way they came. 

________________________________

"It's only the second day of classes, and the teachers are already locking me out for being late," said an irate Akemi to herself.  A heavy sigh followed.  She was one of the very few students roaming the campus grounds, because most were in class.  What annoyed her most was how easily everyone else navigated the school with ease.  The university was planned out much like the academy that preceded it, but she never attended the academy.  Her irritation with her teachers and having to repeatedly depend on others for directions was getting to her, and she was going to put an end to it this morning.

At least yesterday's collision with Kouu and the loss of her book inadvertently introduced her to friendly faces.  Dinner went splendidly with him, Taki and Ran, ending the frantic day of scampering around campus on a good note.  Ran could hold intelligent conversation.  Taki was funny and knowledgeable when it came to kendo.  Their argument with Kouu about the wonders of the Japanese sport over fencing was laughable, as proven by Ran's excessive giggling at Kouu and Akemi's behavior.  The two talked as if no one else were in the room once they got going on the topic. 

"Well, with Kouu and the others in class, I guess I'll have to relieve my tension like I used to do," Akemi stated, clutching at the papers in one hand while the other gripped her black school bag.  On top of a small pile of worn-out sheet music was a map of the school.  Stopping in front of a building only a short distance away from the kendo hall, Akemi checked her map one more time to make sure the building circled on it matched the sign:  DRAMA AND MUSIC HALL.  "I can remember this.  Killing two birds with one stone," she smirked proudly, dashing up the steps.  "Lock me out of here, why don't you!"

Entering the building, she observed her surroundings.  It didn't look much different from the layout of the other buildings, as she passed classroom after classroom.  Proceeding down the hallway, her ears picked up the sound of piano music.  Instead of being agitated that someone was occupying the piano she so wanted to use, Akemi was calm.  The song was lovely, soft and at times slow, somehow being happy yet sad at once.  The melody compelled her to come nearer. 

The music became vividly clear as she rounded the next corner of the hallway, seeing the door to one of the rooms slightly ajar.  Akemi was quiet, not wanting to disturb the pianist.  She peeked inside the small gap and her eyes went wide in awe of the simple elegance of the room with its white walls and tiled marble floor.  Large French windows were lined against the opposite wall, revealing the outside's brilliant blue sky and lush forest.  Near the window was a black grand piano emphasized by the white surroundings. 

At the bench of the piano sat a young man.  He was much too young to be an instructor, but he played the song as if at the piano for all of his life, his long fingers dancing across the ivory keys.  He had pale skin, short cerulean hair that layered around his adolescent face and wore a navy overcoat over white pants, appearing more like a young military ambassador than a student.  Music sheets were on the stand in front of him, but he paid no attention to them as he sat with eyes closed, a skilled and impressive player.  "Wonderful…" she whispered to herself.

"What's wonderful?" whispered a voice next to her.  She covered her mouth so she wouldn't let out her gasp of surprise and stared at the man who had sidled up next to her.  It was Kouu, who was confused by her behavior.  He took one step back away from her, holding up his black school bag in front of him like a shield.

"Hush," she harshly whispered back, putting a finger to her lip and then peeking back inside the room.  The young man was still playing.  She gazed back at Kouu, this time less aggravated.  "What are you doing here?" she muttered.

He lowered his bag.  Pushing his glasses up higher on the bridge of his nose, Kouu came closer as Akemi carefully slid the gap open a little wider for him to see inside.  "My class ended early, so I decided to stroll around to see what else the campus had to offer.  I guess you had the same idea."  Akemi was already acting oblivious toward him.  Leaning close to her face, Kouu decided to see what was so interesting.  "He's good."

She nodded an affirmative.  "Isn't he?  I would very much like to meet whoever he is."

"Then why are we standing out here spying instead of opening the door and introducing ourselves?" Kouu inquired, almost laughing at her strange behavior.

"I don't want to interrupt him," explained Akemi firmly. 

"I'm sure Mr. Kaoru wouldn't mind," he assured.  "By what I know, he's friendly."

"It would be a waste to bother him, and I have plenty of time before my next class.  I came to play out my frustration, but I find listening to him a lot more relaxing than…" She paused, turning to face him.  "Wait, Mr. Kaoru?  You know him?"

Kouu swallowed hard and leaned back a little away from her excited face, a chuckle escaping him.  "Not personally, no," he whispered, rubbing the back of his neck, his nervous expression turning confused.  "You really don't know who he is?  That's Miki Kaoru.  He's a freshman on the fencing team, already established as second in the class and tryouts haven't even started.  He is the Secretary of the Student Council and a genius by what I hear.  Didn't you read the introduction to the school and its members in the packet you received at all?"

This was the second time she made a mistake of not recognizing one of the elite members of the university, recalling she never read anything of the sort.  "I thought it wouldn't matter.  I did notice that his clothes resemble the man I saw in the cafeteria, the Council President.  Have you seen him?  He's very tall, long red hair, dark uniform.  His name is…"

"Touga Kiryuu," announced the young man at the piano, continuing to play with eyes closed.  The stunned pair looked at him through the opening.  He seemed as if he barely noticed them at all.

"Good afternoon," welcomed an alluring voice from behind.

"And he's standing right behind you," Miki declared.

Akemi looked behind her to see that the man from the cafeteria was standing behind them, having made no sound in his coming.  She couldn't help but think he was handsomer up close, but her seconds of distraction made her forget that her hand was on the door, and it began sliding open wider and wider.  By the time she noticed, it was too late and she stumbled forward, dropping her papers all over the floor.  Kouu dropped his bag and attempted to catch her, but when Akemi accidentally hit him with her own bag, they ended up spinning around, slipping on one of her piano sheets and tumbling to the floor with Kouu taking the brunt of the fall and Akemi landing on top of him.

The sudden crash of the two strangers across the room startled Miki out of his concentration, causing him to slam down on the keys in alarm and jump up from the bench, his eyes flashing open.  The piano hall was only completely free of people during the early afternoon, when students were at usually at lunch, and late in the evening into night, when the faculty departed for the day.  Miki had few moments of free time during the day to enjoy the room alone in order to work on his compositions and didn't anticipate this situation at all.

"My word!  Are you two all right?" exclaimed Miki, dashing to the pair.  They appeared startled and frozen, staring at each other.  Their faces were red with embarrassment.

Taking the girl by the elbow, Touga removed her from her awkward position.  "Let me help you up, Miss," the senior insisted.  As the girl took sight of Touga's hand around her arm, her flushed expression deepened.

"T-thank you," she stuttered, accepting his assistance, then promptly pulling away.  She was still unable to stop gazing at him.

 
Miki helped her companion rise.  He watched Akemi with concern as Touga handed her the bag she dropped.  "I'm becoming too familiar with Ohtori's floors," he quipped, fixing the crooked glasses on his face.

Feeling their spill was his fault, Miki began to apologize, bending down to gather the scattered papers.  "I'm so sorry if I startled you.  I didn't mean to cause the two of you to stumble.  I hope I didn't ruin anything."

"I believe I'm the one that startled her," Touga laughed.  "I have that effect on women."

The girl blinked away her daze, turning to regard Miki.  "No, you shouldn't apologize," she assured, watching him gather the last of her things.  "It should be me saying--"

"Rachmaninoff," Miki interrupted, observing the sheet's crumpled corners and nail indentations.  The ridges on the edge showed they had been torn from a book.  "This is Piano Concerto No.3.  For such a lovely piece, its pages are highly abused."  Handing her the stack along with her school map, Miki let out his trademark smile.  "If you wanted to play, you could have come in and asked."

"How did you know we were here?" the tall blond asked.

"I was absorbed in my work until I heard you laughing," Miki answered.

The young man cleared his throat, and Akemi frowned at him.  "Sorry about that."

"Maybe they wanted to spy on your work," Touga said lightly, walking into the room.  "Not very good spies, by the look of them."

Miki's smile brightened but the girl jumped in front of him and Touga, not seeing the humor.  "We're not spies!" she barked at Touga, who raised an eyebrow, glancing back at the door they had fallen through.  Miki held back a chuckle as she followed his gaze.  "Well, maybe we were spying, but I was certainly not trying to steal Mr. Kaoru's work, and neither was Kouu." 

"Call me Miki," he suggested, "and I do believe he was only joking."

"My apologies if I upset you," Touga added, smiling at her.  "Miss…?"

"Akemi," she responded.  "Akemi Kawabe." 

"A beautiful name…" he muttered.  She suddenly seemed apprehensive under his gaze.  Miki could see Touga's charm was affecting her.  She briskly walked around him and headed for the door.

"Akemi?" her friend called to her.  "I thought you didn't have class."

"I've got to go," she announced in her rush.

"But I thought you wanted to play," Miki said, his expression mirroring Kouu's.

"Some other time!" she shouted on her way out.  "It was nice meeting you!"

"Wait!  Akemi!" cried Kouu as he rushed after her, leaving the councilmen truly confused.

"What an interesting pair," Miki commented to himself, then looked up at Touga.  "Maybe you are right about being the one to scare her."

"I suppose so."

Putting his hands in the pockets of his black overcoat, the senior walked with Miki to the piano.  Miki's mind wandered off the duo and to Touga.  He couldn't understand why Touga was visiting him.  It wasn't like the Student Council president to come to the piano hall in his free time.  "Touga, am I late for lunch, or are you spying on me too?" he asked cheerfully, taking the sheet music from the stand and placing the pages in a folder.

"Just wanting to chat," he answered, leaning against the piano.

"Chat?" Miki repeated, pulling the hood over the piano keys.

"How do you like living on your own?" he asked, proceeding right into their chat.

"Fine," Miki answered, stretching the word out.  He liked Touga's company, but usually it was only during social gatherings, Student Council meetings or the occasional lunch over the topic of work or something Touga had to say.  It never was spur of the moment about Miki's personal life.

"I hope your sister wasn't too upset that she would be living in the campus dorms without you," Touga said.

"I don't think Kozue was pleased about the fact that we were going to be living separately, unlike at the academy," Miki responded, blinking away his confusion and letting his thoughts go.  "I tried to acquire a single room for her, but it seemed that they were all taken.  Sharing my single would be too compact."  He thought about the situation for a moment.  "Well, perhaps a roommate will make the transition easier on her than living alone.  Hopefully, whoever she is will be able to get along with Kozue." 

Miki wasn't comfortable talking about his sister much, especially to other guys like Touga.  She had been known to hang out with men often and on a few occasions, he had seen Touga with her.  Miki didn't like to discuss how he felt about many personal things, so he changed the subject.  "How about lunch?  I missed breakfast this morning, so I'm famished."

"Actually that's one of the reasons I'm here.  Forgive me, but I must cancel," Touga said, already proceeding towards the door. 

Miki sighed, being right after all that Touga had something he wanted to discuss and the chat was needless.  "Is it Council business?" he asked, following.

"Now that you mention it, we will be having a meeting very soon," Touga answered vaguely.  "I'm going to go inform Saionji and Juri about it, so you don't have to worry about it interrupting your schedule.  There was something else I wanted to talk about with you.  Have you been to the school's rose garden?"

"Not recently," Miki answered, following Touga out of the room, closing the door behind them.  His nose crinkled at the thought of it.  "It looks like it hasn't been attended to in quite a while.  I don't see why the Chairman doesn't let the gardeners who cut the grass and the hedges around the campus work on the garden.  The roses look sickly, the path is never swept, and because no one has trimmed the plants it looks like a jungle.  I've met the young woman that is assigned to take care of all those things a few times, but she doesn't seem capable of doing them."

"Ah!" interjected Touga.  "Amaya…"

"Yes," Miki confirmed.  "I try to be polite to her, but she seems insincere.  I don't believe she likes tending to the roses, but she does it nonetheless.  I remember at the academy, the garden was beautiful.  The Chairman brought over many of the teachers and workers from the old school.  I wonder why he didn't bring whoever was the previous rose gardener here."

A small laugh escaped Touga as they neared the exit to the building.  "I really think you should go sometime in the course of your day.  Amaya has essentially been fired from her position.  Ohtori Academy's rose gardener is now Ohtori University's rose gardener."

"Really?" Miki questioned, opening the door for Touga. 

"It's true," Touga replied.  "Looks as good as the academy days.  The gardener has worked very hard in restoring it.  You should go and see her.  She'll be glad to see you again."

"Again?  But I don't ever remember meeting the gardener at the academy," Miki said, perplexed.

"Trust me.  She'll spark your memory," Touga said, waving farewell.  Watching his senior leave in the direction of the Chairman's Tower, Miki couldn't help but think Touga was acting extremely strange today.  He didn't know how to explain it.  Reaching into the pocket of his coat, he removed a stopwatch.   

 "I suppose I'll have to eat lunch alone again," Miki said to himself.  

________________________________

Infuriated was all that could describe Amaya Yanagi.  A day had already passed since Chairman Akio Ohtori had called her into his office at the Chairman's Tower.  She had come expecting one of two things:  he had a new assignment for her to carry out or he had found free time in his schedule for them to spend a pleasurable afternoon together.  As his newly appointed Rose Bride, she was in his service and would do anything for him, even tending to the garden on campus.  She had no doubt that he could see she was terrible at it.  Amaya had no interest in flowers and couldn't see why they were important to him at all.  Whenever she tried to put an effort into the garden, she would prick herself on the thorns, under- or over-water the roses and eventually make things worse than they were the last time she tried. 

But as much as she loathed the work, she did it for him.  He promised her that she would soon have more to do, tasks that would bring the two of them closer and give her everything she wanted.  But when he called her into her office yesterday, he didn't want to talk about the garden, the Council or anything else she expected. 

What happened had made her angry, and as she walked aimlessly around the campus muttering curses under her breath, she continued to think about their meeting.

*              *                 *

"You're letting me go?" Amaya shouted, repeating his words in disbelief.  The temper she was known for was rising inside her.  This was so sudden. 

"Yes, you will no longer be my Rose Bride," Akio said, his hands clasped behind his back, looking relaxed as he spoke to her.  She couldn't believe that his tone didn't even show signs of regret or sadness.  It was as if he had made the decision without a second thought.

"But…why?" she inquired, storming up to him near the large windows of his office, her dark eyes narrowed as she looked up at as pristine face.  "I've done nothing to disappoint you.  Don't tell me this is about the roses!"

A laugh was caught in his throat.  Amaya couldn't belief he was finding this funny!  "Dear Amaya, don't think I would treat you so unfairly after our long association together.  You had filled a void these last few months, but your services are no longer required."

"I don't understand," she complained, folding her arms across her chest.  "You said I was fine, that I was what you needed.  Now my 'services are no longer required?'"

"Consider me like any good boss looking out for his company.  You were fine, but less than adequate, especially when I've found someone who can fill your position better," he explained.  "The woman you replaced has decided to take back her position.  It is rightfully hers."

"Your sister?" she huffed.  She didn't know much about Akio's sister, except that she was his former Rose Bride, who had left him for reasons he never told her.  Despite not knowing her well, Amaya had distaste for her.  How could someone just abandon her brother, especially someone like Akio?  But currently what was worse was that Akio was taking her back!  "I've been faithful to you and you decide to take that--"

He stopped her, brushing his hand against her cheek and then brushing it through her short black hair.  It had silenced her along with the way his eyes seemed to drink her in.  She hated him at that moment, because she just wanted to be angry with him, but he wouldn't let her.  "Let's not end this badly," he suggested softly.  "She is my sister.  I cannot turn her away.  There is something she can do for me that you cannot.  I sent Touga Kiryuu to the rose garden this morning, and she proved her worthiness with him.  Thank you for your services, but our association has been terminated."

Pulling away from her, he walked towards his desk, leaving her briefly frozen by the window.  At the moment, she wasn't even thinking about what he was referring to with Touga.  Her anger was shifting from him to his sister.  The selfish bitch, she thought.  She has taken everything from me.  I will not forgive this.

"Oh, Amaya," Akio called, interrupting her thoughts.  She looked over at him, watching as he sat in his chair, already resuming his work as he arranged papers in front of him.  "Do not worry about having to leave.  You may still attend the university free of charge, as we had arranged when you came.  Though you may no longer be working for me, I hope you find something else to do with your time."

"Like what?" she muttered, walking toward the door.

"Perhaps you can join a club or sport," he recommended, to which Amaya laughed.

Too upset to look back, she flung the door open.  "Goodbye, Mr. Ohtori."

*              *                 *

What was Amaya to do now?  Her correspondence with the Chairman had been reduced severely.  Overnight she went from one of the most important people in the school to an ordinary student.  Even if no one else knew about her worth as the Rose Bride, she knew.  Personally, it made her feel wanted and powerful.  She had the Chairman's favor.  Everything was wonderful and she had never been more satisfied in her entire life.

Now, it was all gone, thanks to Anthy Himemiya.  Out of the blue she came back, and Amaya lost everything.  The closest relationship she could have to Akio now was if she had a problem at school.  They wouldn't see each other every day.  By the way he spoke to her, every night was taken away as well.   All interest in attending classes was gone, because her concentration was preoccupied with these thoughts. 

She could have stayed in her dorm, ignoring going out at all.  If she wasn't going to class, there was no point to being at the university.  However, Amaya wasn't going to lock herself away from the world.  She wasn't supposed to be in the dorms long for Akio had said she would have quarters separate from the entire university students in due time, but that was no longer to be.  The tiny room in the North Dorm was her residence as long as she was at Ohtori and she hated it, being surrounded by a bunch of people she didn't like.  Before yesterday, she was above all of them, making them easier to tolerate.  Things had since changed, and she deplored being on their level.  There had to be a way to revert things.  The Chairman's suggestion of joining a club could not be it.  "I'm not joining that stupid fencing or kendo team if that is what he wants," she grumbled.

Finally stopping, Amaya noticed she had ended up in front of the rose garden's greenhouse.  Her eyes went wide as she looked at it.  It had changed, and not by her own hand.  The pathway was swept clean.  There wasn't a single dying rose or even a blemish on a petal.  The various colors were now visible with the windows cleaned and the hedges cut.  Amaya would not go inside.  It was obvious that things were official.  This was no longer her job.  A witch had stolen it.

"Good morning," greeted a mellow voice.  Amaya looked over her shoulder to see the woman from her thoughts.  She stood some distance away, seeming timid.  Her soft lips formed a tiny smile.  The picture she had seen was different.  The woman in her presence had her long violet hair down instead of pinned up tightly, and the large glasses were not upon her dark face.  No matter how she looked, Anthy was surely Akio's sister with the same piercing green eyes. 

Turning fully around, Amaya put one hand on her hip.  "So you're Anthy Himemiya…" Amaya said, not closing the distance between them.  It was best, for Anthy's sake.  "You did this, I assume?"

"Yes, Miss Yanagi" she replied.  "I did."

A smirk came to Amaya's face.  At least she wasn't trying to pretend she didn't know who she was.  Most likely she wanted this meeting to end quickly, which was fine with Amaya, but she wasn't going to leave just yet.  "You do good work.  I guess that must be one of the reasons the Chairman likes you so much.  That and he said you could offer something that I can't.  I had wondered what that could be, but it finally came to me when I was thinking about the people your brother told me to become familiar with after you abandoned him."

The girl didn't even flinch.  Amaya was impressed with her unwavering features.  She didn't show it, but Amaya was sure Anthy knew what she was talking about.  "Did Touga thank you for restoring his memories of the duels and you?   I wonder if the others will appreciate it.   The rose garden must have something to do with it if you put your efforts into restoring it so quickly.  It's been so long since anyone has seen you.  Surely they'll want to know where you've been, once they get over their initial shock, that is.  I'm curious myself as to why you've suddenly made a reappearance."

"It is for my brother," she answered.

"Maybe," Amaya responded flatly, shrugging her shoulders.  "Then again, one can never be too sure what a person says is the truth.  I think it will be better if I find out myself.  I always do.  Because of you, I've got plenty of free time.  I will not be out of your life.  One way or another, I will find a way to get back on top."

Sharply turning, Amaya headed toward the campus exit and the dorms.  Passing a group of round white rocks that created a trim around the greenhouse building, Amaya stopped to pick one up, hurling it with all her anger, shattering one of the windows.  "And I'll make sure you won't be there," she whispered, continuing on her way.

________________________________

Mikado had sat for an interminable length of time after Touga's abrupt departure, mulling over his old friend's warning. It had been the ring that worried Touga, Mikado was certain. Did the ring represent some threat on its own, or did Touga have an idea of what Mikado's plans were? If Touga had any idea of what he was planning, why hadn't he threatened Mikado more directly? He seemed nothing like the boy Mikado had known just before he had fallen ill. He had read about Touga's changing in his brother's diary, but it was hard to face the reality of it.

Mikado hadn't even been at the university for more than a few hours, and already things were getting strange. If his brother's diary was to be believed, however, this was typical for the "special" people at Ohtori Academy. He was beginning to wonder just how much Ohtori had changed Juri as well. Dread was beginning to replace his initial anticipation at seeing her again. It didn't help Mikado to know that several pages from his brother's diary had been torn out, leaving him with an unclear picture of some of the things that had transpired at Ohtori Academy after Ruka's return there.

Mikado absently glanced at his watch and realized that it was already lunchtime. His stomach growled as if on cue. Sighing, he reached out for his cane and climbed slowly and painfully to his feet.

*              *                 *

He walked along in comfortable solitude, banishing dark thoughts of revenge and enjoying the bright sunshine, warm air and cool breeze. It seemed to be just about the perfect day. Students ate their lunches under trees enjoying the pleasant atmosphere. At times like this, it was hardest for Mikado to believe there was anything sinister about Ohtori University, that it was just a perfectly normal school with an overly creative architect. But he knew better. The evidence was right in his brother's diary. As he passed the building that contained the fencing hall, Mikado glanced inside the windows idly… and froze as he saw an all too familiar female with dark green eyes and orange hair expertly disarming another clumsy and unskilled fencer with a move that Ruka had been fond of using himself.

Juri Arisugawa had really changed since Mikado had last seen her. She was taller and more filled out, her orange hair styled into elaborate ringlets. She had been very pretty before, but now she was gorgeous, with all the grace and poise of a dancer.

He paused, considering whether or not he should go inside and greet her. Remembering his strange chat with Touga, however, he decided against it. He had all the time in the world to see her. There would be other opportunities. He had to admit, though, that he was afraid he would have a reunion with a stranger. Juri's letters to him had hinted at problems on occasion, but nothing like the lunatic's paradise Ruka had written about in such painful detail in his diary. What else had Juri kept from him? He wasn't sure he wanted to know.

He observed the fencers for another moment, wishing he could join them. Unbeknownst to him, Juri glanced his way just before he merged with the crowd of hungry students moving toward the cafeteria.

*              *                 *

Mikado grimaced at the slop that Ohtori University sold as food.  At the hospital, Dr. Lang had always made sure he was given decent meals. Unfortunately, it seemed as though the university did not adhere to the same standards as the hospital. Mikado grumbled and made his way through the crowd, looking for a place to sit down. He gritted his teeth in irritation as someone banged into him yet again, causing his soda to splash all over his tray. Mikado decided that the next idiot who hit him would get whacked with his cane.

The cafeteria was a very large room, absolutely packed with a mob of students that seemed oddly faceless to him. There was a pleasant-looking open-air patio that didn't seem quite as crowded, separated from the main dining room by a glass wall. The cafeteria and the patio were both packed, but Mikado finally spied a table that was unoccupied except by one student with blue hair. Mikado carefully navigated through the throng of chattering students without getting hit again and managed to sit himself down across from the seated student.

"Is it always this packed in here?" Mikado asked.

"Oh, it's always a huge mess in the first… few…"

*Click* went the stopwatch in the young man's hands as he trailed off, eyes widening as he took a good look at Mikado. Mikado instantly realized who the man seated across from him must be, especially since he was wearing a dark Student Council uniform. He also realized that his appearance had to be something of a shock to the Student Council Secretary.

"Tsuchiya? Is that… you?"

"Yes and no. My name is Mikado. I heard a lot about you from my brother before he passed on, Miki Kaoru."

Miki paused for a moment. "He couldn't have said all that much… we didn't have a lot to do with each other. But please forgive my rudeness. I was just… shocked. Your brother left so quickly, and no one except Juri seems to have known why, and she wouldn't say. There were rumors, of course…"

Mikado quietly filed those tidbits of information away in his head and pasted a smile onto his face. It would be best, he decided, to reveal as little as possible so as to keep any potential enemies in the dark.

"He passed on very shortly after he left the Academy, I'm sorry to say," Mikado said solemnly.

"You have my sympathies, Mr. Tsuchiya."

"I appreciate it."

There was a somewhat uncomfortable silence. Mikado ate, not tasting the food, waiting for Miki to say something else.

"I didn't realize that Ruka had a brother," Miki said after a long moment.

"My brother was not one for small talk," Mikado replied, "Even with family and friends, like Juri."

 Miki took the bait. "Oh? Do you know Juri?"

"I gather that Juri never spoke of me much?" Mikado asked.

"I never heard of you until today," Miki admitted.

Mikado nodded thoughtfully, wondering how much he could safely tell the young man. "Well, I've been in the hospital for a very long time. I was only released a couple of days ago, and I wanted to surprise Juri. We got into the habit of writing to each other at least once a month shortly after I became ill, and I wanted to surprise her… I wonder if that isn't the best thing to do, though, given how you reacted. They say I look like Ruka, but I hadn't really believed it…" he concluded with a sigh.

"Well, you do look a lot like your brother. And your manner is quite similar to his in some ways. If you had that oddly colored forelock of his, your hair was a bit less wild, and you weren't so thin and pale, you would look almost exactly like him. You're even… you're even…"

Miki's voice trailed off as he looked down at Mikado's hands. There was a ring on the same finger in the same place where Ruka had worn his, except Mikado's ring appeared to be black. The color slowly drained from Miki's face as he took in the black ring. There was something about it that was tremendously unsettling. Miki raised his eyes to meet Mikado's piercing stare and for a moment, he thought Ruka's brother could look right into his mind and tear out all his secrets. But the odd sensation lasted for only a moment.

"Everything all right, Mr. Kaoru?"

Miki coughed. 'Oh, um, yes. May I ask where you got that ring?"

Mikado appeared confused. "Touga asked me about that, too. It belonged to my brother. I think the years have worn away some its shine though," he said, holding his hand up so Miki could better see the ring.

"I just found the design on it to be interesting, that's all."

Mikado nodded, and took a bite of food, then winced. "How can you people eat this stuff?"

Miki chuckled, momentarily forgetting about the ring. "Welcome to Ohtori University, Mr. Tsuchiya."

________________________________

As mid-afternoon approached and early morning classes were dismissed, a select few flocked to the grand eastern part of the campus known as "The Kingdom," which was made up of the music, kendo and fencing halls.  Here, just past the Chairman's Wing and before the school's main road and forest, was where the students coined the name because of the large majority of time spent by the Student Council for their extracurricular activities.  Currently, the buzz surrounded the fencing hall, where Fencing Captain and Student Council Treasurer Juri Arisugawa was challenging those practicing to some fun spars.

After each swift and faultless win by the captain, the large group of awaiting challengers on the floor and scattered spectators on the balcony broke out in cheers and chants for their captain.  Everyone was excited about the upcoming tryouts, a school event that seemed more like a tournament.  A reporter from Rouge Rose, the campus school paper, showed up to get the news on the bright hopefuls, though the spunky girl with pumpkin colored hair seemed to be joining in on the hysteria more than reporting it.  However, they became silent during the duel in awe of her performance, especially as Juri began her thirteenth spar after consecutively winning twelve.

"Next!" exclaimed Juri, holding the blade of her foil in her free hand, choosing the sword that permitted the chest and torso to be a valid target area, unlike the epee which allowed the entire body to serve as a target or the saber which targeted only the entire upper body.  The restriction was a challenge she enjoyed.

The next participant took position at his line on the strip across from the woman in the white padding and orange suit, pulling his mask down over his face.  Between them on the floor was the large red rose symbol of the school.  Though no one could see her face, Juri stood tall with no visible signs of exhaustion.

Raising their swords, each could feel the anticipation of the crowd.  Juri focused on her opponent, her breath warm against her mask, slowing as she readied herself.  Her body had yet to tell her she had had enough.  The energy of the crowd and a good fence kept her going.

Her opponent took the initiative, coming toward her with an attack to her left.  Juri parried.  As he had thrust in hopes of landing a winning hit to her shoulder, another parry stopped him.  Their shoes squeaked on the wood surface and their blades scratched together with each hit and block.

Juri picked up on the weakness of the young man in front of her and distanced herself from him.  Fooled by her movement, he charged too far forward.  Coming on strong, she needed only a few hits to trap him.  Her foil circled around his and after the fencer lost his sturdy grip, she pulled back and then lunged forward.  Juri's blade slightly curved as the point pushed an indentation in the heart section of his chest protector, securing win number thirteen.  And another round of applause from the onlookers.

The young man reached down to pick up his weapon and removed his facemask. 

"You're amazing, Captain," the reporter declared, flailing her pad and pen.

"No, not amazing, Miss Shinohara.  Just perceptive," said Juri in her steely voice, lifting up her mask, revealing glistening sweat on her forehead and bright green-blue eyes to the panting boy before her, who wiped his brow with the back of his gloved hand.  "You kept going for my shoulder and then allowed yourself to be chased after your second attack," she said to him.  "A common error."

"Seems you've been saying that a lot today," he added, joining the others lined against the side.

"Very true," Juri agreed, raising her authoritative tone as she faced her students.  "Tryouts for the fencing team are at the end of this week.  If you expect to make the cut, then you will need to fix the high school mistakes.  I'm here on my free time to help make that happen, and I'll stay until someone here shows me what I want."  Breaking her serious composure, she smiled.  "Or until lunchtime.  I hear the café is serving yakitori, and I don't plan on missing out."

The worried students let out laughs and smiles of their own.  "Are you saying you're going again, Captain?" shouted a merry voice from the balcony.  Juri glanced up to see a girl with short brown hair and a tiny face smiling back at her, leaning over the balcony rail.

"Miss Aki Ueda," stated Juri, placing a hand on her hip.  "I'm guessing you're here like the rest of this bunch, getting in practice time?"  Eyeing the girl's hot pink miniskirt and black tank, she raised an eyebrow.  "I wouldn't say you're prepared to spar with me."

Aki chuckled.  "I saw you had plenty on your plate, so I thought about watching."

"Nonsense!" commented Juri.  "You were one of the best females on my team at the academy, and I'm glad you're here.  There's no excuse to not fence when you want.  If I finish here, then you suit up and come down to show some skill."  The girl nodded happily.  Juri turned back to the line.  "All right, next!"

Another young man came on to the floor.  "We all appreciate your tutelage, Captain," he began, "but are you sure you can continue?  You've already fenced thirteen opponents non-stop!"

"Lucky number thirteen, huh?" she quipped.  "There's nothing that could ever make me give up this life, as long as I'm motivated."

A scream erupted behind her, suddenly silenced as fast as it came with the thudding sound of something hitting the floor.  More shouts and screams filled the room as people called Aki's name and began crowding around her.

Concern and fear flooded Juri as she turned around to the site.  Throwing aside her sword and whipping off her mask, orange locks tumbled from their pins and down her back.  Rushing to the fallen girl's side, Juri pushed the stunned on-lookers out of her way.

"Aki!  Wake up!" she called, kneeling next to the girl.  Her teammate showed no visibly broken bones, but she was unmoving.  Holding the sides of the girl's head, she called her name again and again.  "Go call the infirmary," ordered Juri to her last opponent, who stared in shock. 

"Now!"  The command in her tone snapped him out of his daze, and he left to do as she said.

"Is she okay?" the reporter asked, hugging her pad. 

"Does she look okay, Wakaba?" a fencer grumbled.

"Did anyone see what happened?" she asked, getting negative responses and shaking of heads around her.  The few on the balcony replied the same.  Everyone had been absorbed in watching the duels.  The height from the balcony to the arena floor didn't seem life-threatening but it was a dangerous fall, nonetheless.

"I bet she was pushed," said a girl, immediately catching everyone's attention.

"Aki's perfectly healthy," added another girl. "We all had our physical and she was fine, so she had to be."

The correlation between the two was vague, but no one argued against it.  Everyone began speculating about the means of Aki's fall, all coming to the consensus she was pushed, though no one knew who did it or why.  Talk of jealous fencers who didn't make the preliminary cut and ghosts started, with the word "pushed" peppering every sentence.  This was infuriating Juri.

"Shut up!" Juri yelled, silencing the chatter.  "Stop gawking and stand back.  Gossip somewhere else."

"You heard the captain!" Wakaba shouted, holding her arms out to direct everyone away.  For a reporter, it was a surprise she wasn't acting more assertive than the students.

They obeyed and scattered away, many apologizing to Juri.  No matter how mad she was at them, she was guilty for thinking the same things.

Aki moaned and her eyes fluttered open.  "…pushed…" she muttered.  Thinking she was suffering from a concussion, Juri couldn't be sure if she was repeating words or trying to tell what happened.

"Aki?" Juri called.  The girl's eyes seemed unable to focus on her.  "Aki can you hear me?  Stay awake."

"Captain…"

"Yes, Aki, I'm here," she assured in a soothing tone.

"Why…Captain?" she whispered before falling back unconscious.

The infirmary staff arrived, nudging Juri back to check Aki and place her on a gurney.  Taking another look at the balcony, she hoped to see an obvious clue like a break in the rail, but from her position it appeared fine.  The few loitering above her were not near where Aki had stood and couldn't have run to the other sides fast enough without anyone noticing.  While she wanted to believe Aki had a fainting spell and collapsed over the rail, Juri could not rule out that she was pushed.

Why…Captain?  Was she implying this had something to do with her?  The suspect could have overheard the praise she gave Aki from the doorway directly behind the girl, shoved her out of jealousy and escaped the way he or she came.  The only person she could think might want to hurt Juri by hurting one of her prized students was far from the island where Ohtori University was located, by her knowledge.

Seeing the medics wheel the injured girl out of the room, Juri dismissed everyone, canceling all practices until tomorrow.  She wasn't going to let this incident stop her tryouts, but she didn't feel like taking on any more fencers today.  Her mind was too preoccupied with one word.

Why?

________________________________

Deny it all she wanted about having no worries; Kozue knew that Guidance Counselor Haniko would continue to hound her about her team until members started to join.  Kozue didn't regret not holding tryouts.  Remembering how in high school there were the giant crowds, the preliminary cut, the secondary cut and then the last minute dropouts because the meets conflicted with the fencing team, Kozue didn't want the hassle now that she was in charge.  It was a waste and slap in the face for swimmers with potential, in her opinion.  However, the assurance from the Chairman that candidates would present themselves hadn't come to pass, even with the word going around the school of her expectations.  With this and Miki being too busy to drive her home, she had a lot to think about on the long walk to the North Dorm.

Taking the skywalk over the main road, Kozue caught site of Juri staring out in the distance.  By the look of her solemn face and folded arms, she wasn't the only one in deep thought.  A small smile appeared on the petite vixen's face.  Maybe we both need a diversion, she entertainingly thought.  There wasn't anything better for Kozue to do than to say hello.

Climbing up the last steps, Kozue sidled up next to the much taller woman, standing about as tall as Juri's shoulder.  "Don't jump, Miss Arisugawa," she said lightly.

Without turning her head, Juri flashed one of those callous looks with which she was familiar, sensing the mockery in her tone.  "I wouldn't give you the satisfaction," she laughed.

Her smugness goaded Kozue--it always had--but she was pleased to get a response.  On the list of many people Kozue didn't like was Juri Arisugawa.  She didn't find her as great as others at the university did.  She came across to Kozue as a grating individual, a showoff with her fencing ability.  Plus, she spent too much time with Miki, and because Juri was a part of the Student Council there wasn't anything she could do about it.  Neither one was frightened by the other.  By what her senior knew of the things she may or may not have done at the Academy, such as pushing a teacher down a flight of stairs, the way she intervened in Miki's life and the nasty looks she usually would give her on the few occasions they were together, Juri didn't like her either.

"It looks like you're not having a good day," she continued, admiring the hazy orange evening sky.  "I'm not either.  Thought you might want some company.  Want to talk?"

"I'd rather be alone, thank you," Juri replied, her voice willing her to leave.

"Just showing my concern," Kozue sighed, rolling her eyes.  "After hearing about that nasty accident one of your students had, I thought you might do something drastic."

"Your thoughtfulness is touching," Juri responded flatly, "but my concern for my team member need not worry you.  Instead, you should concern yourself with getting your own."

"You sound as if you don't want my company," Kozue commented, gazing up at her.  "How come you don't treat me like my brother?"

"Where should I start?" she inquired.  "With his actual concern for others?  Or his integrity?"

"You're not being very nice.  Is this the thanks I get for my company?  Maybe that attitude of yours is the reason you're all alone and bad luck has fallen upon you and those around you."

At that moment, Juri shoved Kozue to the stone surface.  "I don't need or want your company," Juri spat, firmly pushing on Kozue's shoulder.  "Why Miki doesn't completely disassociate himself from you is lost on me.  He's nothing like you, and for that I'm glad.  My advice to you is to stay away from me if you don't want some bad luck of your own."

Juri pulled away, taking the stairs down leading across the street.  Rubbing her shoulder, Kozue's disapproval of Juri grew.  Today she wasn't being any fun.  "I hate people," she muttered.

"I hate people, too," said the alluring voice of a grinning woman, who came into Kozue's view standing by her head, the dark shadow she made as dark as her short hair.  "That should make things entertaining."

"Who are you?" Kozue asked.

The woman extended a hand to her.  "My name's Amaya Yanagi.  I'm your new swim mate, if you'll have me."

*              *                 *

Traveling side by side, Amaya was fondly surprised how nicely she was getting along with Kozue.  Explaining how she witnessed Juri's reaction to Kozue's behavior, she felt compelled to speak with her, receiving little resistance from the twin of the council secretary.

"So why do you want to join my team?" Kozue asked with genuine curiosity as they strolled up the path leading to the North Dorm.  "Hearing Miss Arisugawa degrade me hasn't dissuaded you?"

Laughing under her breath, Amaya put her hands in the pocket of her blue jeans.  She was good at reading people, and she could see interest on Kozue's face, while her crossed arms conveyed the message that she was hesitant to trust her.  "Actually, she's made me want to join all the more.  I like your tenacity.  You get under people's skin."

"Why not join the fencing or kendo teams?  Everyone else is," commented Kozue, stopping in front of the main door to the dorm.

"That's exactly why I don't want to," Amaya stated.  "I know my worth.  Achieving a respectable greatness is what I want, and joining those crowded tryouts isn't any good.  However, if I join your team, I'm sure I'll have the liberty to do what I'm good at and help make a name for your team.  I can get under the skin of people, too.  It doesn't hurt that I have a fantastic form in the water.

"Plus, no matter what Miss Arisugawa says about you, I hear good things from the other guys and gals," she added with a grin.

"You don't seem to be one to congregate," Kozue said.  "How would you know anything about me, let alone have an opinion about my character?"

Unable to flat-out tell her about her previous work for the Chairman and being familiar with information on the Student Council's lives, Amaya needed to dodge her inquiry.  "It's no news that you are a threat when it comes to your brother.  You have my assurance that I'll have nothing to do with him.  I'm getting out of a long-term relationship, so to speak.  I live here now too, so you can make sure I don't miss practice."  Opening the door, Amaya gestured for Kozue to enter.  "What do you say, Captain?"

Kozue looked over Amaya, most likely assessing her fitness.  "All right, you're in," she congratulated, stepping inside.  "Of course, I want to see you in the pool tomorrow.  If your fantastic form looks more like a dead fish, consider your acceptance revoked."

"Fair enough," Amaya accepted, "but that won't happen."

Kozue invited Amaya to come to her room to discuss the team further.  As they rounded the corner to Room 173, Kozue came to an abrupt stop with Amaya almost slamming into her.  There were boxes littered in front of the open door and sounds of groaning coming from inside.  By the look on Kozue's face, Amaya would say she wasn't happy.

"Roommate huh?  Not lucky enough to get a single?  Too bad."

"Seems the mystery girl has finally arrived.  Hoorah," Kozue said dejectedly. 

As they maneuvered around the cardboard boxes and into the room, Amaya noticed Kozue's face turn to surprise.  A girl with shoulder length burgundy hair and a long sleeve yellow shirt over navy shorts was hanging clothes in the closet.  "Stupid kids.  Stupid people.  Stupid Juri," she growled, too lost in whatever had upset her to notice the entrance of the two swim team members.

"Ahem!" coughed Kozue, getting her attention.

The annoyed look on her face changed to mimic Amaya's captain.  "Kozue?" questioned the girl in a jubilant tone, hanging up the last garment in her hand.   "What are you doing here?"

"This is my room," stated Kozue.

"You're my roommate?" the girl said with disbelief.

"I'm guessing you two know each other," Amaya commented sarcastically.

"Sort of," replied Kozue.  "Amaya Yanagi, meet Shiori Takatsuki."

"Pleased to meet you," Shiori welcomed politely.

"Shiori and I went to high school together," she clarified.  "I didn't know she was attending here."

"It was kind of a last-minute thing on my family's part," Shiori began, her face going back to its annoyed state as she removed some boxes of out their way.  "I only arrived late this morning, and already my time here sucks!  The few that saw me today are muttering that I had something to do with that accident at Juri's fencing club."

"Did you?" asked Kozue with a quizzical eyebrow.

Shiori paused and then smiled.  "Pushing a girl off a balcony?  Sounds more like your style."

"Touché," Amaya muttered, leaning against the doorframe.

Kozue laughed.  "You've more reason to go to Arisugawa's practice than I do."

"Why's that?" Amaya inquired.

"I'm an old friend of Juri's," said Shiori with a giggle.  "She's having a bad day."

"And the two of you will be living together?" Amaya asked, seeing the amusement in Shiori's eyes over her 'friend's' sorrow.  "Ha!  Oh, that's going to stick in Juri's craw."

"Shiori," addressed Kozue, climbing the ladder to the top bunk.  "Can you still swim as well as when we were in gym?"

"Why do you ask?" Shiori inquired.

"I think Captain Kaoru has found another sailor," muttered Amaya.

________________________________

The sun was beginning to set on another day at Ohtori University, bringing with it a welcome respite from the day's exceedingly unpleasant afternoon heat. In the center of the kendo hall, Saionji calmly practiced his moves alone, his face rigid as he concentrated. It was pleasant to do so without the distraction of the other kendo team members or the legions of screaming fan girls that often crowded the hall. Other than Saionji, the hall was empty and silent.

The doors banged open loudly, shattering the serenity of the kendo hall. Saionji continued with his routine, not pausing to turn or look. A gust of wind blew a handful of leaves into the dojo. The bushes rustled outside in the evening breeze. The unwanted visitor cleared his throat loudly after waiting for a minute to be noticed. Saionji sighed and closed his eyes for a long moment, stopping his routine. He wiped the sweat from his brow, adjusted his gi slightly, then turned to face the intruder.

"What do you want?" he asked icily.

"Good evening. My name is Taki Suzuka," the young man opposite Saionji said, leaning cockily against the doorframe. "I hear you're the best on campus," he said, smiling slightly.  "And you see, that's a problem.  Because I know I'm the best."

Saionji sighed again, knowing what was coming next. "What exactly do you propose to do about this, Mr. Suzuka?"

In a quick motion, Taki seized one of the shinai off the wall. "I challenge you, Kyouichi Saionji!"

"Right," said Saionji as he adjusted his stance, "Let's get this over with. It's late, and I'm getting hungry."

Another gust of wind blew through the hall, ruffling the hair of the combatants. With a loud battle cry, Taki lunged at Saionji. Hardly seeming to move, Saionji casually twisted his wrist and deflected Taki's attack, sending the dark haired youth tumbling past him. Taki landed on his knees. There was a long moment of silence, then the top half of Taki's shinai abruptly snapped off from the portion he held and clattered to the floor. Taki made no sound, but Saionji expected the bruise he knew would be on the man's wrist to be hurting him about now.

"You're not too bad," Saionji said after a minute had passed. "You need more practice, though."

With that, Saionji strode from the hall. Taki painfully climbed to his feet and stared at Saionji's retreating back.

"Kyouichi Saionji… you will pay for this."

*              *                 *

Just outside the kendo hall, Saionji glared at Touga, who had thrown back his head and was laughing loudly.

"Have you been watching many samurai movies lately, Saionji?" Touga said, when his laughter had calmed.

"Oh, shut up," Saionji grumbled.