Episode Four: Utena's Dreams



The next day, just as promised to little ChuChu, Anthy went out looking for a job. She didn't have to look very long. Just as she had thought about the night before, she got a job at the Rose Petal Café. Much to her new boss' surprise and delight, she decided to start right away. When she was given a tour of the facilities, she was pleased to see that they had an outside eating area where there used to be a beautiful rose garden. No one had taken care of it, however, so everything was dead. Anthy smiled to herself. That garden wouldn't be dead for long. Not with Anthy Himemaya around. She wanted to call Utena and let her know she had a job, but as it turned out, she didn't have to.
About half an hour after Anthy started working, her pink-haired friend walked through the door and up to the cash register. She smiled brightly when she saw Anthy.
"Anthy! Hi! Are you working here now?"
Anthy returned the smile.
"Yes. I got hired here this morning."
"Wow, that's great! Now I have another reason for coming here besides the great tea and cookies," Utena chuckled.
Anthy giggled in return. As she handed Utena her cup of tea and plate of cookies, their fingertips brushed ever so slightly. The light contact sent a strange sensation through Utena and she almost gasped out loud. She walked to a table near Anthy and sat down.
'That was weird,' she thought. 'I got this peculiar feeling when Anthy touched me. I wonder what that was about.'

That night, as Utena lay in her bed asleep, that feeling returned. It filled her entire being, inside of her heart and mind. Being asleep, it had no affect on her…however it reflected immensely in her dreams.

It was dark and stormy outside. Inside the church, three coffins were laid out. A little girl was curled up inside the slightly open third one, all alone. Until she saw a young boy. He was dressed elegantly and had hair a shade of purple the girl had never seen before.
"Oh…you're so pretty," she said.
He did not say anything, but turned and started walking away. The little girl stared at his back and got up to follow him. He led her to a narrow walkway that led to a dark chamber. He stepped aside and the little girl's eyes came to rest on a shadowed girl suspended in the air. The girl looked closer and gasped when she what was keeping there…

Utena's eyes opened suddenly. She lay still on her back, staring at the ceiling.
"What…what was that?"
The dream had been so vivid, so detailed; it was more like a memory. But Utena didn't remember ever experiencing anything like that. She had never met a boy who looked like that…and that girl… Utena shuddered. It had been a terrible image.
"All those swords in her," she whispered, "it looked just awful."
She turned onto her side and pulled the covers up to her chin. She slowly closed her eyes after a moment, hoping to have better dreams this time.

The boy was talking to her, but she could barely hear his words in her head. All she could do was stand and stare…stare at the girl hanging with all those swords…

Utena's eyes opened again and she sighed. This was going to be a long night.

The next morning, Utena could barely keep her eyes open at work. She moved slowly and counted change wrong, irking the customers. Ruka watched her for several minutes and waited until the last customer in the store had stepped out before walking up to her.
"Tenjou, are you deliberately trying to make me fire you?"
Utena looked at him with an apologetic expression.
"I'm sorry, Ruka. I had a rough night…I couldn't stay asleep. I kept having these terrifying dreams…"
"That's fine," Ruka cut her off, "but pick up the pace."
He turned to go outside, but paused and looked at her with sympathy, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"And try to get some good sleep tonight, okay? I don't want to have to fire my best employee."
Utena managed a sleepy smile as he walked out. She held her head and looked down at the counter, her hair falling onto the sides of her face. She couldn't talk to Ruka; he didn't like to listen.
'I'll have to talk Anthy.'

"I just kept waking up every time. I didn't want to see more of that poor girl. I wanted so much for the little girl that looked like me to do something, to save her or something, or even that boy. I didn't care—I just wanted her down and out of those swords."
Anthy looked at Utena over her cup of tea with attentive eyes. She was trying her best to hide the smile she felt coming. Utena looked at her.
"I'm sorry I keep weighing my issues on you, Anthy. But I couldn't think of anyone else to turn to."
Anthy did smile then, and reached over to hold her hand.
"Don't worry about it, Utena. I like listening to you. If you ever have a problem…"
Anthy paused. She knew what she wanted to say. She wanted to tell her what she herself had told Anthy, the words that she would always remember and cherish.
"If you ever have a problem, I want you to come to me first. I want us to be friends like that."
She didn't know how hearing her own words would affect Utena. Utena's eyes prompted her to go on, but she shook her head.
"…you can always talk to me if you like," she finished.
Utena smiled back and nodded. She had the feeling Anthy wanted and was going to say something else, but she didn't question it.

That night, as Anthy slept, she dreamed that horrible image of the girl suspended in the air by hundreds of swords. And in her bed as she tossed and turned, Utena had it two. ChuChu saw Anthy's fearful and pained expression in her sleep and curled up next to her, offering his warmth and security. And soon, Anthy's dreams were peaceful. But Utena had no one, and the image tormented her all night.

To be continued…

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

Utena Tenjou-- Ah yes, the dueling days. ^_^ Utena will remember them soon enough. Thanks for reviewing!

peach-- Thankies so much for the compliment! *hugs*

keiko-chan-- Thanks, I AM doing an awesome job aren't I? Just kidding. ^_^

CrazySunshine-- Yeah, I thought you had never seen it before... Well, I'm glad you can follow along! You're such a loyal reader and a great friend, you know? *lots of huggles and kissies*

Sheila-- Thank you! Well, I'm glad you are back, 'cuz I always enjoy your nice reviews. *hugs*

azn-saphirestar-- Yes, the city looks like a small town kind of. It is located past all the empty space and junk that the movie shows, I guess. And you're right, this will be a Utena/Anthy pairing, though we'll have lots of yummy Akio! Thanks for reviewing!