The Counterfeit Dios Saga

Chapter 4 – Life-A Wheel in Constant Motion

When she emerged from the lion den the boy was waiting outside the classroom door just as he'd promised he would be. It startled Anthy slightly, that he had kept his promise. He flashed a bright smile when he saw her and pushed his way through the other students spilling into the hallway like streams to a river. She stopped near the lockers and waited for him to cross to her.

"Hey." He grinned again. "How was it?"

"People…are very nice here." Anthy answered.

It wasn't the truth though, not really. No one had said a word to her and of course neither did she initiate any conversation. A yet she'd heard her name whispered among those around her. She gaze her Rose Bride smile, a shield against their actions and jibes. That was all she could do. Utena had been her sword but now the only thing she had was defense, a hiding place.

"I'm glad. Come on." He reached out and Anthy blinked in surprise as he took her books from her arms and tucked it under his. "You can sit at my lunch table."

"Oh." Anthy's voice was small and she glanced down at her empty hands then dropped them. "Thank you."

He laughed. "You really don't have to thank me for every little thing Anthy." She followed behind him as he moved down the hallway. "So tell me about your old school."

"It wasn't nearly as big as this place." If you didn't count the arena forest anyway.

"Did you have a lot friends?" he went on.

She smiled slightly. "A few."

Another lie. It seemed to be becoming a habit. She'd told her self that she'd never deceive again, not after all the pain it had caused Utena. But this…this was to save her, to find her. And Anthy would turn her soul pitch black to save Utena's. It was the least she could do.

"I bet you were real popular. You probably will be here." He glanced over at her and blushed. "I mean because…you know…you're so pretty and all."

Surprise at the compliment was masked by another soft smile and he blushed deeper, turning his face away as they descended a flight of stairs. Soga laid hands on a heavy metal door and pushed, door swinging open to reveal the entrance into the fields behind the school. Tables were set up in one area, the schools other occupants already seated, field buzzing with voices.

"Soga! Soga, there you are!" a girls voice cut across the distance to reach them. Anthy turned emerald eyes on the girl that stormed across the field, curly red hair brambling over a pretty, freckle-strewn face.

"Uh-oh." Anthy glanced over at Soga at his low murmur.

"Is something wrong?" She inquired in a confused manner. "Is she your friend?"

"You could say that." He said with a small wince then smiled at the girl as she reached him. "Hey Himiko."

The girl took a deep breath then expelled them, eyelashes lowering and shading her blue eyes before she opened them again, glared and then punched Soga in the side of his head. Anthy squeaked in surprise and took a small step backwards.

Soga simply groaned however and rubbed the offended spot. "Ow. Himiko."

"That's what you get!" She yelled. "You cut History and I had to do our presentation all on my own!"

"Sorry." A soft voice spoke near Anthy's right and she turned to meet the smiling eyes of a brown haired boy. His hands were tucked into his pocket in a leisurely manner and at his right stood a small girl with dark sugarplum locks and big violet eyes that sparkled shyly behind glasses. She studied Anthy then offered her a smile. Anthy returned it tentivly.

"Don't worry." The lilac-eyed girl said. "They're always like this."

"I don't need you explaining my actions Mikura." The red haired girl replied then looked at Anthy. "So you're the girl my brother skipped class for." Anthy mentally winced recalling Nanami's attachment to her brother and prepared for such a type of reaction from Himiko.

The girl's voice softened however and she smiled, holding out a hand. "Well my name's Himiko. That's Mikura. And the guy standing like he's cool is Kai."

Anthy accepted her hand tentivly and shook it before retracted her arm again. "Oh. I'm Anthy Himemiya."

"Nice to meet you Anthy. It's about time my brother got a girlfriend."

Soga through Himiko a look. "She's not my girlfriend, Micky."

She threw him a mock incredulous look. "No? Well I suppose not. She's too pretty for you." Himiko giggled and turned to look at Anthy again, sticking her tongue out. "My brother thinks he's every girl's prince charming."

"Himiko! Shut up!"

"Oh. So you do like her. I thought so." Himiko countered triumphantly.

Anthy watched with a blend of confusion and ill ease as the pair bantered back and forth. She was un-use to such friendly argument. But it seemed to be nothing unusual because the other two were smile with patient amusement. The other boy, Kai turned to her. His eyes were an emerald a few shades darker then hers, warm and serene and totally unreadable.

"Are you going to join the dueling team?" he asked.

Anthy blinked in surprise and she heard something in her mind shatter. She just managed to keep her body from trembling and the note of fear out of her voice. "Why do you ask that?"

"A lot of the new students are." He replied with a shrug.

"Kai was last year's champion." The pixie formed girl said with a proud smile, as if she were speaking for herself. "The disbanded the team at the beginning of the year. But now they're starting it again. Kai is probably going to end up the star fighter again." Kai gave the girl an affectionate smile.

"Himiko and I are joining as well." Soga put it, breaking of his argument with Himiko and moving to stand on Anthy's other side, away from his sister. "You should to."

Anthy shook her head. "No thank you. I don't like fighting very much." Anthy looked at Mikura. "Are…are you on the team as well?"

Mikura laughed and shook her head, pushing her glasses back up her hand. "Nope. I have to much work with all my academic curriculum."

Anthy stood among the ground, as their topics changed and shifted like the wind. And all the while she felt as if she were caught in a whirlpool. Every time she tried to climb out it pulled her back down. Dueling team. Was it a coincidence?

"So." Soga asked her finally. "Are you sure you aren't joining?"

Anthy nodded. "Yes but…but I'd like to attend the first meeting with you. If it wouldn't be to much trouble."

Until she found Utena…there were no coincidences.