Chapter Three

Charcoaled Memories: Professor Nemuro

Professor Soji Nemuro, that was who I was at one time. A lifeless, meaningless, shell of man until you came along, Tokiko. I know you can't hear me, but I still like to talk to you from time and time again. You awakend a side of me that was long dormant, I side of me I never knew existed. Maybe when I saw you wrapped in Akio's arm's , The World's End, that Mikage was truly born. The world was blind to the death of Soji Nemuro, no he too burned in those flames.

Those flames....so high you could see them for miles. I could see it in your eyes Tokiko, you thought we were crazy, Mamiya and myself.

Mamiya, I love him so; as much as I loved you then. I only wish I could offer him a garden like the one he loved so much. Roses to his delight. Sadly, Tokiko, the only roses I can offer him are black and staind with blood, the blood of those boys. Roses covered in soot and ash. Those roses, howerever, those memories are what keep him alive.

He will have the eternity I promised, Mamiya and I will live forever, together.

I must go, you see, I have a meeting with Utena Tenjou.

If I remember correctly and its rare that I don't, the look on his face was foreign. A cold aspiration illuminating from those jade eyes. You came with a bouquet of black roses and laid them upon my lap. I looked up at you quizzically and that's when you told me. Those soft words of raw desire that I keep locked in my heart. I watch intently as your lips parted and they rolled from your tounge.

"I want it. I want eternity," you whispered.

"And you shall have it."

I never questioned it until now but what changed in you. What made you request the eternity you never before long for? I doubt it is in me to ask you now. The only way to make you eternal is to make you a rose bride and then my love you will live amongst them as the most beautiful rose...

I promise...

"What I can't stand is people who don't bother to take care of themselves."

I watched intently as Utena lectured the rose bride in her garden as did Tokiko lecture Mamiya in his. I must admit much to my own suprise the similarity shook me violently. Once I blinked it was no longer Tenjou but Tokiko herself, however, I shook it off imediatly realizing that my eyes and mind were decieving me. The resemblance however was uncanny. They had the same eyes with the same raw innocence burning from them. I could see it as she revealed her concern for the dark skinned girl.

Tokiko I will defeat you...

As Tenjou exited the garden I grabbed her by the wrist immediately. She jerked in alarm, which was expected. Our eyes met and I found myself intriqued by her expression of bewilderment. She really was naive.

"Oh, Mikage it's you."

"You and I are exactly the same," I stated my eyes narrowing.

"What do you mean?"

"Drop by my office and I will explain everything."

Releasing her wrist I made my way back to Nemuro Memorial Hall. I could feel her stare burning against my back. Having one last glance over my shoulder my sight was met by innocent eyes, dark hair, and waxy red lips.

Enough with the ghost...

I was unaware at the time but I slowly forgetting things and replacing them with false memories, perhaps events I had only wished to take place. The lines between the factual events and those that were conjoured up in my mind were terribably askew. I did remember, however, very clearly the image of Tokiko's ruby lips locked against those of Akio Ohtori's. I had no claim over her heart and she knew nothing of her's over mine. Why did I care? It wasn't like me. Luckly my love is now channeled through Mamiya.

My next encounter with the infamous Oujisama was to be in the garden alone. Approaching her from behind stealthfully like a cat on the prowl. I made my way toward her stopping once my liips were inches away from her ear.

"Are you lonely, Tokiko?"

"Who's Tokiko?" she asked rather nervously.

"Don't be foolish," I whispered now running my fingers through her silky locks.

Wrapping my fingers around her shoulder I twirled her violently around to face me. I could see tears forming in the corners of her eyes. The first time I ever saw Tokiko cry made me uneasy as if it was the first time I had every witnessed someone's pain, unlike then I was numb to it. Caressing her cheek lightly I realized it was just as soft was it was back then. I was soon met by the sharp pain of her hand slapping my face. Grabbing her by the wrist I pushed her against the glass wall.

"Don't defy me again, Tokiko!" I snapped," I won't forgive you what you've done to me or Mamiya."

"Mikage, I don't know what your talking about," Utena cried.

I could see the beads of sweat forming on her brow. Why was she so nervous? I took note to every swallow and shift of her eyes.

"I don't know how to tell you this," she finally choked.

Sitting my glasses on the table I watched as she continously stirred her tea.

"I'm think I'm finally ready to stop chasing these dreams of eternity. It's time to grow up."

"And Mamiya...?"

"I'm tired of watching my little brother suffer, there is no point in torturing him further. He was meant to die. It's time we stop giving him injections."

"You're going to let him die then, right when we are so close to succeeding?"

"Close to what! There is no reason in dragging out the inevitable. I'm going to give him one final injection, his last one."

"So you are going to murder your own brother?" I said rather calmly but inside I could feel a burning rage.

Mamiya told me he wasn't afraid to die. Tears wouldn't come to me though my heart was undoubtly heavy as Tokiko strolled in baring a lethal needle. Looking down at the sickly boy I couldn't understand why I cared for him so. Mamiya just smiled, what a brave flower he is.

Tokiko lifted Mamiya's arm, the needles point only centimeters away from his delicate veins. Disgusted at the thought of the poison coursing through his blood until his heart stopped. I slapped the needle from Tokiko's hand! Tokiko and Mamiya just stared in shock. It was the most emotion I had ever felt in my life. The most human I had ever been...

"I won't let you! Mamiya will live forever!"