Noir

By spheeris1

Pairing: Utena/Anthy [others implied]

Warnings/notes: See 'Teaser' & 'Ichi'

~~~

Instant.

Attraction.

Utena thinks that is crap. It doesn't happen. People create illusions and other people fall into those illusions. Love

is like that.

But Utena is having a hard time with that belief now. Now, with this woman sitting in her chair and keeping her

eyes hidden.

…instant…

She can feel it curl up in her abdomen and wind outward, seeping into her bloodstream and entering the nerve

system. She can feel it pulsing and throbbing along the skin and deep into the muscles.

'Will you help me?' Himemiya Anthy asks, moving forward and letting her face be seen.

Utena looks up and feels like she is drowning.

…attraction…

She studies the contours of the woman's face. She looks into her eyes. She grazes over slightly parted lips and

indecent imagery floods Utena's brain.

'Beautiful ring.' Himemiya Anthy says softly, her eyes lingering over Utena's hand.

'I know.' Utena manages to return, her throat threatening to close up on her voice.

Himemiya Anthy stands up and rounds the corner of the desk.

And she gets so close without coming into real contact that Utena feels like screaming…or moving…or something…

'Will you help me?' Himemiya Anthy asks once more.

Utena could not say no. Not to her, never to someone like her…

So Utena let her in.

And that was her first mistake.

~

A man sees it and claims it is an antique.

But you aren't selling. He is so persistent, offering insane amounts of money. You catch the determined gleam in

his eyes.

He needs it like one needs air.

He wants it more than life itself.

'It's just a ring.' You state, though you do not believe that line anymore than he does. He laughs, but it is not

mirthful.

'You really are a fool. That ring…that ring is the key. I must have it. I must.'

You ask his name and you know the one he gives you is a false one.

You ask if he knew Kiryuu Touga and you see his jaw tighten.

You tell him lots of people seem to know about this ring or seem to be interested in it. You watch the confidence

turn to anger.

'I deserve it! I have already waited too long for my chance…it is my time! My time!' He yells, startling others on

the sidewalk. They avoid the two of you, mucking up the foot traffic and disturbing the peace.

'Tell me all about it and maybe I'll sell it to you…' You offer.

And he smiles like the Cheshire Cat, quietly putting his hands into his blazer pockets.

'If you do not already know, you do not deserve to know.'

~

God, Utena knows it is too coincidental. All these people vanishing into thin air.

Brothers. Sisters. Everyone knows more than they say and never say what they mean. Sometimes being a

detective isn't easy.

Each problem you solve only uncovers another one, each step forward is followed by two steps backwards.

Himemiya Anthy walks beside her and into a café. She doesn't ask what Utena wants to drink. She gets tea that

smells like roses.

'It is good for you.' Anthy smiles. And Utena smiles back though she is not fond of tea.

Utena asks all the right questions. She does not look for too long into Anthy's eyes for it is too distracting. A

person should not be that distracting.

Anthy gives all the right answers…or so it seems.

Utena knows some of them are not true. No one tells the absolute truth. But she is willing to extend a little trust

to Anthy…just a little…

How else can she expect to get to spend more time with the woman?

'I've seen that ring before.' Anthy says, taking Utena's hand in her own.

Her skin is so warm…

She knows about the ring…

Her touch is so gentle…

Why does everyone want this ring…?

I want her so badly…

All to do with this ring…

Utena pulls her hand away and smiles. 'Where have you seen it?'

'It belongs to a school. Only certain…graduates can wear it. Did you go there?'

And the lie begins to unravel.

~~~

TBC