Noir

By spheeris1

Pairing: Utena/Anthy [others implied]

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

~~~

'It's sad…don't you think?' The other you asks aloud. And you notice that the television is off now. And the lights are dim. And the other parts of you are gone.

'What?' You ask. The other you smiles a bit and sits their mug down.

'Ya know, love gone wrong. Like those two. Like with you. Like with us all.'

You sit there and ponder over the words.

Love gone wrong.

When something born of purity begins to rot, when what was once bright is now dark, when you fall and there is no net to catch you.

'Do you want to go back now? After seeing everything…after seeing her play your game, seeing yourself mute…?'

'I…don't know…' You stutter. The other you stands up and stretches, then moves beside you--places an arm about your shoulders.

'You have a life outside of here, outside of the gate. You have my life, our life--the one I forged as you slept!'

You stare at the other you, eyes wide…heart pounding…pulse racing…

'Do you really want to throw it all away for a dream?'

~

She tried to take a picture of it before the vision was cut away…before it faded like sunlight does to night…

And it burned her eyes--it felt like fire, an inferno on her retinas.

But not really…no, not really…it was just tears.

Nanami cried like a child once the gate shut on her and she spun around, this desperate momentary feeling of anguish gripped her.

And it was Juri.

Juri…bathed in gold, eyes of the sea…Juri…at the gate and one solitary hand loose on the metal…Juri…whispering words that Nanami dare not believe…

'It will all be okay, you know…' Touga's voice quietly as the car hummed.

It was then that Nanami realized they were moving, at high speed, down a lonely cut of highway.

She did not want to know how her brother got this car or what deed he must perform to keep it. She did not want to bother herself with the tall tales the backseat could produce.

That was all gone now.

And her snapshot of that fearless panther, forever caged, was disappearing along with her tortured memories.

'How naïve you are, dear brother…' Nanami smiled and laid her head back.

The ride back to reality was a long one…she would need her rest.

~

Akio and Saionji sat on the couch.

Shiori was comatose on the floor, eyes open and muttering…but not truly awake at all…

And they looked at the wall.

Akio grinned at the picture--poor wounded bird, blood pouring out…just like a Princess who is a Witch…just like Shiori, just like my sister…

Saionji, on the other hand, felt irrational fear--pure madness, insanity…she is insane and I hear voices, but not my own…not my own…

'Let's go back to my room…' Akio murmured, sliding off the couch gracefully. Saionji looked at Shiori's curled up body.

'Shouldn't we do something about her?' He asked softly. A voice inside him said to help her…to help her is to help himself somehow…

'She wants this.' Akio smiled as he walked away.

Saionji walked over to the girl and watched her lips move.

Endless movements, endless sentences and phrases, endless chatter.

And her eyes…so wide and dilated, a pit of burnt purple…it was disturbing.

But Saionji understood this--beyond the ring and this place, he understood this fragility of ones soul.

…it hurts to be forever broken, forever one step behind, forever in someone else's shadow…

And so Saionji picked her up, for she was so very light. He placed her on the couch and closed the metal shutters of the tower. The stars came out and he placed a blanket over her.

'May you find some solace in your dreams now.' Saionji said before turning away quickly, running down the hall and to Akio's room.

And with each touch, Saionji hoped all errant bits of compassion or caring would be scorched away…

~

Anthy did not sleep.

She merely laid there, awake and unmoving.

Sometimes, she would caress Utena's hair or skin. Sometimes, she would leave the room entirely and walk outside.

But this time, Anthy remained in bed.

The clock ticked to the right. Rain fell outside. Utena's breathing.

Akio hummed inside her mind, a little tune from when they were children.

'You should be asleep, Anthy-chan…'

'I cannot sleep. And you are one to talk.'

A small laugh. More humming.

'Do you remember the words, Akio?'

'No…no, I do not…'

Silence.

'Do you know what I wish for, brother?'

'I might, but you tell me.'

'I wish that you and I were dead.'

More silence.

'I know. But it was not meant to be, dearest sister…'

'You should be asleep, Anthy-sama…' Utena's soft voice spoke, startling Anthy like a thunderclap. She could not have heard us…? Could she, a temporary Rose Bride…?

'Only at night, Anthy-sama…when my mind wanders…I can hear you. I can always hear you.' Utena mumbles, turning to face Anthy and burrow into her arms.

Anthy holds her close, absent-mindedly kissing the top of Utena's head.

Sleep now Utena, sleep now and awake with the dawn…and I'll make my plans in the morning from now on…

~~~

TBC