Episode Two: Anthy's Findings




Anthy pulled her light violet car into the gas station and stopped by the pumps. She moved to unbuckle her seat belt, and then realized she didn't know how to get the gas into the car.
"Well…maybe someone will come out eventually and help."
Right on cue, a man stepped out of the small shop. He walked up to the car, a dirty rag slung across his shoulder, his blue hair moving slightly with each step he took. Anthy smiled at him and glanced away, but then she paused and did a double take. He looked incredibly familiar.
"Hello there! Can I fill up your tank for you?"
As he came closer, she gasped out loud.
"R-Ruka?!"
He stopped and raised an eyebrow, a curious smirk etched on his features.
"I'm sorry, have we met before?"
Anthy stared at him and shook her head.
"Oh, oh no…I…I read the name on your nametag."
Ruka glanced down at the tag on his shirt.
"I see. You have very good eyesight," he commented.
Anthy pointed to her face.
"It's the glasses," she said meekly.
Ruka smirked again and nodded. He went over to the gas pumps and started to fill up the tank. Anthy stared at him the whole time, not really watching what he was doing.
She remembered him. Ruka Tsuchiya. He had come sauntering into their lives so gracefully…and left so suddenly. He was the Fencing Team Captain at Ohtori Academy, who Jury had taken the place of temporarily. When he came back, he complicated the already difficult relationship between Jury and Shiori. Any other person would think that he was trying to hurt Jury…but Anthy could see what he really wanted. He wanted to save her. He wanted to give her the power of miracles—the power she yearned for, yet doubted the existence of at the same time. But he never had the chance. He was sickly to begin with…and then he had died.
'So I wonder…does this mean that if someone dies in Ohtori campus grounds, they come into the Outside World? So does this mean…the people inside there now…like Saonji, Nanami, and Miki…if they came out here, would they remember? Would they remember Utena?'
Ruka stood up and wiped off his hands.
"There, that should be all…unless you want to buy something in the store."
Anthy looked over at the small shop.
"I guess I'll look around."
Ruka nodded and headed towards the garage area. Anthy woke up ChuChu and he grabbed onto her arm as she stepped out of the car and went inside the shop. Anthy looked around and finally selected a bag of potato chips and ChuChu got a soda. She walked up to the cash register, but there was no one there. She looked around quizzically, but she was the only one inside.
"Does that mean they're free?" she asked ChuChu, who replied with a shrug.
"Sorry I'm late, Ruka!" a voice called out from the back of the store.
Anthy turned around and her breath caught in her throat. The girl, clad in a red shirt and blue jeans, walked briskly down the aisles, towards Anthy and the cash register. Her long pink flowed out behind her, and her blue eyes sparkled.
"Hi, sorry," she apologized lightly to Anthy. "I'll be with you in a minute."
Anthy stared at her, her eyes following her every move as she walked past her and went behind the counter.
"M…Miss Utena…"
The girl paused and looked down at her tag.
"Wow, you have good eyesight! But you don't have to call me 'Miss'."
Anthy's face fell for a moment.
'So she doesn't remember. I'll have to make her…somehow. This won't be as easy as I had hoped.'
ChuChu looked up and saw Utena, gave out a little shriek, and fell off Anthy's shoulder in surprise. Utena blinked and pointed at the place he had been.
"Is your uh…pet okay?" she asked incredulously.
"Huh?"
Anthy looked down at ChuChu, then back at Utena.
"Oh, he's fine."
Utena smiled weakly and began to scan her items. Anthy rubbed her arm a little nervously, wondering what to say now.
"Um, could you tell me where I am?"
Utena looked up at her.
"You mean the name of the gas station?"
"Um, yes…and the town…"
A sweatdrop rolled down the side of Utena's face.
"Oh, well, you're in the town of Katalia. This is the Rose Gas Station."
"'Rose Gas Station'?"
Utena rubbed the back of her head.
"Yeah…the town has this weird obsession with roses…"
Anthy smiled. Utena put her items in a bag.
"So, are you just traveling or just moved here?"
"Oh, I um…just moved here."
"Where are you staying?"
Anthy blinked.
"Staying…?"
Utena sweatdropped again.
"Have you got a house…do you have family…a hotel…?"
"A hotel," Anthy answered quickly.
"Oh, which one?"
Anthy fidgeted.
"Um…which one is near one?"
Utena stifled a laugh and smiled.
"There's a Rose Inn down the road," she said.
Anthy nodded gratefully.
"Oh, thank you!"
Utena propped her elbow up on the counter and rested her head on her hand.
"Say, what's your name?"
"Himemaya, Anthy," she replied.
"Anthy…would you like a tour of the town? I couldn't do it now, but I get off work at six. If you like, I could show you around, since you're new and all."
Anthy smiled gratefully.
"That would be great, Mi--…Utena!"
Utena smiled and handed her the bag.
"Well, then. I'll see you at six!"
Anthy took the bag and waved good-bye. Before leaving the shop, she bent down to pick up ChuChu from the floor. As she left and got into her car, she turned to him.
"Well, ChuChu, things are looking good!"
"Chu!"


Akio brushed a few stray strands of hair from his face and looked outside the large window.
"Anthy, Anthy," he murmured. "Are you going to make me have to come after you, you little thing?"
He received no answer and sighed. Yes, he supposed he would have to go for her. He was very stubborn; he wasn't going to let things end this way.
"Utena Tenjou, why did you have to make things so complicated? Now I'll have to get some revenge on you, as well."
He smiled at the thought. Ah, revenge would be sweet.

To be continued…

************************************Author's Thanks*********************************

Utena Tenjou--Thanks so much for your review! It's words like that which keep me going. The chapters are coming much more quickly now, so you shan't be waiting long! *hugs*

CrazySunshine-- You're such an evil person!! XD I..I had a rough 3 months!! *gives noogie* Hmph! ANYWAYS, I appreciate your review, and your loyal reading. I hope you continue to read this story, and the chapters won't take 3 months to come! *hugs n' kisses*