Note: An attempt at a less ooc version of a Juri/Anthy coupling than in "Sunny Day". I'd like to know what you think.

Many, manythanks to Lish for taking the time to beta this one.


PART 1

"Hah, there goes your rose, Kiryuu-san!"

With an elegant move, sneaky like the cat of prey she was compared to so often, Juri
had cut the delicate flower from the president's chest. And while the bells were still
announcing the end of the duel, the Dios no Ken vanished from his hand. She whipped
her foil several times through the air, listening approvingly to the whistling sound.

"The Dios no Ken, dear Touga, is no katana, it's a saber. It's to be used in the noble art
of fencing, not sword-wielding. You may be able to annoy Saionji and maybe impress Miki.
But neither your smug attitude nor your blinding charms work on me. Ja, mata ashita. -
Seitokai-chou."

Despite her triumphant victory her face did not betray any emotion. With the foil still in
her hand she left the arena, ready to fight any moment, as if there were more opponents
awaiting her on her way downward. She did not bother to wait for her prize.
It would come to her in time.

x-

In the evening, when she left the campus grounds towards the dormitories and her
residence, she heard a soft voice behind her.

"Hello, I am the Ro-"

"Cut it out Anthy," she interrupted the girly shadow without turning around or even
stopping. "We both know the procedure. I know who you are, and you know where
I live. Now shut up."

The girl didn't seem to be affected by such rudeness. With an impersonal, frozen smile
she followed the older student. Only the little monkey on her shoulder seemed to
protest meekly, scowling at the back of their master.

x-

Juri switched on the light as they entered the room. The dark shadows under her eyes
were starkly obvious as her face became visible.

Anthy had entered the room but stopped right next to the door. Expectantly she looked
up at the victor. She did not speak. She just waited, while Juri carefully put her foil into
the cabinet.

"Close the door, Anthy," she commanded with a low, steady voice.
The girl did as she was told. Then she turned back to Juri, awaiting the next instructions.
Juri took a deep breath and sighed. She rubbed her temples, squeezing her eyes shut as
she waited for the pain to fade.

"Stop looking at me like that."

The girl lowered her head.

"Ugh, I wish you'd just leave me alone."

The girl hesitated for a moment. Then she started to turn towards the door.

"Anthy!"

And the girl froze and turned back, still looking at the floor.

"You belong to me. You are not allowed to leave. Get some food. I think I need a shower."

When the girl opened her mouth to confirm the order, the fencer raised her hand to stop her.

"Don't. - Just. Don't. Say. Anything."

With that, she left for the bathroom, while Anthy set her suitcase aside and walked over
to the kitchen. The monkey on her shoulder literally sprang to life, making smacking
sounds and bouncing ecstatically.

x-

She had found a few instant meals in the fridge and dutifully heated two of them. Every once
in a while she would stop and signal the monkey to be quiet. When the running water of
the shower still could be heard, she continued with her tasks.

Eventually, the dinner was prepared and the table had been set. The water in the shower
had stopped and silence enveloped the room. Only the monkey was noisily chewing his
crackers.

Anthy stood by the table like a statue, her hands clasped in front of her and her face
bearing no expression at all. The silence prolonged and for a while, nothing happened.

Then, suddenly, there was a clattering sound coming from the bathroom, accompanied by
some muffled curses. A few moments later Juri emerged, dressed in her night gown. The
thin fabric itself was translucent, and transparent where the wet tips of her hair left wet trails.

Anthy was clearly admiring Juri's appearance and the fencer was just as clearly aware of it.
But no words were spoken. They simply sat down to have dinner, in a silence that was only
disturbed by their munching and by the monkey cracking his biscuits.

x-

After dinner, Anthy cleaned up the table and Juri remained seated for a while longer, watching
her Bride's silent, automated movements. When she finally got up as well, she slowly moved
through the room and took a small narrow box from the window sill. She fished a pair of socks
and a handkerchief from one of her drawers and put them into the box.

"Here, tuck your pet in and get ready for bed. I'll be waiting for you."

x-

When Anthy returned from the bathroom, the only source of light in the room were the street
lights. She crawled into the wide bed and settled in next to Juri. As soon as she lay still and
the rustling of the covers had stopped, silent sobs started, and a strong arm snug around her waist
and pulled her close to the taller body.

Juri spooned Anthy as closely as was physically possible and buried her face in the soft, rose
scented curls. Anthy did not move. She closed her eyes as she heard a shaky voice close to
her ear.

"I missed you."