Author's Note: Originally, we started writing this story as a funny one, since the pairing is so unlikely, but when I started writing the second chapter, it ended up being so serious... So, I titled this the obligatory serious chapter, since the future chapter(s) will be funnier. However, I think this chapter kinda needed to be serious, in order for them to get closer. Hope you guys don't hate it too much after expecting more funniness. More to come!

"Akio and Juri: Based On A True Story"

Chapter Two

The Obligatory Serious Chapter

By Angel Sentier and Pandari

Juri walked down the path leading away from the pool, her spine with more starch in it than one of Saionji's jackets, keenly aware of the figure beside her. He strolled, sauntered, really, as if he hadn't a care in the world, as if walking with her in the middle of the night was the most normal thing ever. Fleetingly, she wished she had that kind of ease. It simply had become second nature to her over the years to keep everyone at arm's distance. That was her, the cold and aloof prince, as quiet and deadly as a tiger, not afraid to strike as quickly as one.

But Akio, he was infinitely more dangerous, she realized. He smiled gently at his quarry, his relaxed posture put others at ease, made people comfortable, lulling them into security, never suspecting that at any moment he could strike... but silently, subtly, so that no one could tell what he had done.

In realizing all this, Juri felt more confident, for one of Akio's most disconcerting points was that no one ever knew what he was really thinking. Keeping in mind that he probably had some kind of ulterior motive, she was on her guard. Although, what he could possibly stand to gain from asking her about her troubles, she couldn't guess.

Her thoughts thus occupied, she hadn't even realized that they had wandered down near the rose garden. Or had he led them here, on purpose? He smiled as he paused by the entrance to the gilded cage-like structure.

"Shall we go raid the roses? My sister has been busy lately, and I've been meaning to come see the fruits of her labors."

It was a reasonable request, one designed to make her think that it was absolutely harmless and that the thought had occurred to him just at that moment. But looking at that charming smile, she had a brief impression that perhaps it might be wrong to be so suspicious. Acting on that impulse, she nodded and walked through the door he opened for her.

At once, her senses were assaulted by the sights and scents of endless roses, no matter where you looked. She had been inside the rose garden once or twice before, but never in the evening, and the sight of all the roses bathed in the moonlight streaming through the glass was breathtaking. For a moment, she was truly impressed with the Rose Bride's work, as it no doubt was a monumental effort to keep these flowers thriving in all weather, free of bugs and other floral maladies. The next moment, however, she assumed all this was a matter of course. She was, after all, the Rose Bride.

Juri startled slightly, realizing all of a sudden that Akio had come to stand behind her. Annoyed that she had let her guard relax, she moved to step away from him, only to be blocked by his arm. Her eyes flew to his, green fire alive within them, ready to tell him this outing was over, until she realized that he wasn't trying to put his arm around her or anything of the kind, he was merely reaching past her to pluck a rose from the vine.

She released a breath and closed her eyes for a moment in which to calm herself. This was going way past suspicion, this was bordering on paranoia.

Her eyes opened as Akio placed the rose, a red one, behind her ear. His smile was completely disarming as he looked at his handiwork. "It suits you."

"Oh, really?" she said. It was a stupid thing to say, but it was all that came to mind.

"Yes." He rumbled a low chuckle. "Shall we name it 'Touga'?"

Juri had no doubt that the rose had a proper name, but she couldn't help a soft laugh at the thought. In return, she turned and plucked a white rose from another bush. Placing it in his lapel, she offered, "Let's call this one 'Utena.'"

The flash of interest in his eyes was difficult to miss. "Was it thoughts of her that caused your frown, Miss Juri?"

She rolled her eyes at the form of address. "Only Miki calls me that. And no, not her."

"What shall I call you, then? Who was it?"

She noticed his subtle hint at a first-name basis, couched nicely within their continuing conversation, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of tricking her into that. "Most call me 'Captain.' And it was..." She hesitated, just in time. So proud of herself for catching him, she had almost let slip the identity of whom it was that upset her. Heh, 'upset' was an understatement. Shiori maddened her. And cramming every feeling that ever flickered within her heart into whatever deep dark space she could was slowly driving her crazy.

Akio was looking at her curiously, so she cleared her throat and began again. "It's someone I knew when I was younger."

His expression had turned too understanding. "Ah, I see." And she was afraid for a moment that he really did. "Someone you like?"

Juri turned away so he wouldn't see her face redden, so it irked her when she heard his soft laughter. The fire was back in her eyes as she looked back at him. "Is that funny?"

"Forgive me," he said. "It just that, the ice queen melteth." Her face must have registered her surprise, because he continued. "No one would think, from looking at you, that you have the same feelings as the rest of us, C-- Must I really call you Captain? After all, I'm not on the fencing team."

"Even if I'm a private person, I'm not cold, Mr. Chairman. I have the same heart as anyone else. I feel. Sometimes more than I'd like to." The last statement slipped out before she could stop it.

"Please don't call me that. I take it then, that this love is of the unrequited sort?"

She sighed. "Can we please only have one conversation at a time?"

He paused, and then laughed. "Very well. Let's first decide what to call one another, which will make things much easier."

"Alright. Everyone calls you Mr. Chairman, you can hardly object to that."

"But this isn't the sort of conversation one would have with 'Mr. Chairman.' For a few moments, could we be friends? At least, for the sake of solving your problems."

She considered and found him to be right. She wasn't even sure if she'd talk about this with anyone she considered a friend, let alone someone she didn't. So what possessed her to talk to him about it now? She didn't know, but... It actually wasn't turning out to be such a horrible experience.

"Should I call you Akio?"

His smile would probably have blinded her, had it been daytime. "I'd like it very much if you would. May I assume that the same courtesy will be extended to me?"

She hesitated only a moment. "Of course." It was only fair, though she couldn't help but feel as though he was deliberately knocking down her barriers. "And, yes."

"Yes?"

"It is unrequited."

To be continued...