Noir
By spheeris1
Pairing: Utena/Anthy [others implied]
Warnings/notes: See 'Teaser' & 'Ichi'
~~~
'Want to dance?' She asks you and you, blushing like a virgin, agree.
Hands hold you close and lips get dangerously close to your earlobe…whispering sweet nothings and decadent promises.
There are many types of flame.
Blue. Orange. Red. Green.
And just because you've been touched by one, does not mean another cannot claim you.
The two of you dance. The others look on in astonishment and horror.
Neither one of you told the other what to wear and you both ended up wearing what was expected of you.
She, older and more worldly, in her designer dress with jewels to match.
You, younger and more naïve, in your monkey suit.
'This is just a dream, remember? Just a dream.' She tells you. And you nod, like you understand.
But you don't.
And she kisses you. Tender and soft kisses that make you melt, that make you sink to the floor, that make you offer up your body like a sacrifice.
She smiles at you like the cat who caught the canary.
~
Utena cannot fight the truth.
She took the ring. It was not hers to take. Simple as that.
But Utena felt like taking a chance now. She eyed this woman, this lawyer for the Kiryuu family.
Crisp suit. Hair styled just-so. Perfume and faint application of make-up.
Very professional. A shark…and Utena felt like a goldfish.
Utena took her hand away from this woman's hold.
'What are you talking about?' Utena asked, crossing her arms. Arisugawa Juri smiled slightly and moved to sit at the desk.
'That ring has been in the Kiryuu family for centuries. It is an heirloom. So, how about you give it back now and I won't contact the authorities?'
Utena smiled and leaned forward.
'I'll give it back if I get some answers first. Miss Kiryuu was not too forthcoming.'
'She told you the case was closed.' Arisugawa stated coldly, her eyes narrowing.
'Too bad then. I'm keeping the ring.'
And Utena stood up, made a polite bow and walked to the door.
'What exactly do you want to know?' Arisugawa asked in a softer tone than before.
Utena turned around and grinned.
'Everything of course.'
~
You found the truth.
At long last, beyond tests and trials, you found it.
And the others, one day…one day they will thank you for clearing the way for them.
You made it easy for the ones to come.
You opened the gate. You did your job. You saved the innocent.
Well, maybe not all of them were innocent, but you did help them.
And maybe you didn't do it for free, but you did do it.
You are a Prince.
So, yea, your suit of armor is really a worn brown suit and tie…so what?
It is what is inside that counts.
Right?
~
It could be a lie, Utena thought as she sat in the park and watched the late afternoon sun disappear behind the clouds.
It all sounded too unreal. But something in that woman's eyes…something so close to fear, that Utena had to stare at the floor or be swallowed up by it.
Utena believed.
In her heart of hearts, she believed. But she had to be sure…
So, Utena planted a listening device in the office. She turned on the recorder in her coat pocket and placed the earphone in her ear.
Doors closing. Phones ringing. Papers shuffling.
'That ring is a curse. It killed Kiryuu Touga. It killed Kyouichi Saionji.' Arisugawa said quietly.
'I want it back. It was my brother's and now, rightfully, it should be mine.' Kiryuu Nanami returned, undeterred.
Sudden silence. A breath or two. Nothing more…for minutes, for what seemed like an eternity.
'Let me get it back then.' Arisugawa stated, the edge of stone apparent in her voice.
More silence.
'If that is your wish…alright…' Kiryuu Nanami replied, the snotty tone gone now. It was replaced by a feeling close to warmth. Or friendliness. Or something else.
'It is my wish. No one else needs to get trapped by that piece of useless silver.' Arisugawa murmured, her voice getting further away. A door slams.
Silence.
A faint whisper, almost too soft to be heard.
'I love you, too.'
Utena turns the recorder off and watches the sun slip down out of the sky.
Arisugawa Juri said that the ring could be many things to many people.
Love. Honor. Deception. Jealousy. Greed. Passion.
And when Utena mentioned Himemiya Anthy, the lawyer raised an eyebrow.
'Well, she should know better than anyone. Her brother fashioned the ring.'
~
'I told you.'
'So you say…but did you really?'
And you watch her sitting at your table, the meal she fixed untouched.
'I said as much as I could under the circumstances.'
But you know there is more. The truth is lurking under the surface.
'I need more if people are dying, if people are going to come after me.'
And her eyes beg you not to ask. You almost give in, almost decide to just go with it and pretend that you don't care…but you can't.
Not now. Not now.
'Once you know, that is it. You cannot go back. You already know more than you should…'
'Tell me. I can protect the both of us.'
And she smiles at you sadly, like you are a fool.
And you are…you just don't know it yet.
~~~
TBC
