Chapter 2

"And so, class, that is how the attack of Pearl Harbor resulted in the American Empire bombing Tokyo."

Utena had her chin resting in the palm of her hand as she took notes on the battle of Pearl Harbor. Anthy sat beside her, also taking notes, but she would sometimes cast worried glances over at Utena. She had worn her hair down again, since everyone seemed to like it so much, Utena most of all. Then she glanced across the room at where Heime sat. She had become the new sensation of Junior High. Though Utena was the most athletic girl in school who wore a boy's uniform, Heime seemes to be just as skilled as Utena, except colder. She was strong and athletic, and also wore her own version of the boy's uniform, but she was much quieter than Utena, and seemed not to fear or care about anything, not even Juri. there was even a rumore passing around that Heime had beaten Juri in a fencing match and that now the Student Council, even Juri and Saionji, was afraid of her.

Heime looked up at Anthy, having sensed her gaze on her, and flashed her a small smile before returning to her notes.Anthy blushed,then gasped when she saw Utena looking at her. She held a folded piece of paper from her personal stationary. She put it on Anthy's desk. She took it, making sure the teacher couldn't see it in her hands. Their history teacher was not as nice as most of the others. If she caught you with a note,she would take it and read it to the class before ripping it up. Anthy unfolded the note under her desk and read Utena's neat, well formed handwriting on the pink with roses stationary. It read:

'Anthy, I need to talk to you about our "Relationship". Wait for me after class, okay?'

Anthy put the note in her pocket then looked up at Utena, who was blushing with her head down, intent on her notes. Anthy touched her shoulder, causing the girl to jump before looking into Anthy's eyes. Anthy gave Utena her special smile, the one she gave to Utena and to Utena alone. A close lipped, gentle smile of quiet trust and sharing that only Utena could understand. Utena smiled back, that sunny smiled that put a sparkle in her eyes, a sparkle Anthy only saw when Utena looked at her. They stayed this way for a few moments before they heard Ms. Tanizawa clear her throat. The two girls jumped and knew they were in trouble.

"Miss Tenjou, Miss Himemiya, come see me after classes. We will discuss your behavior then."

Anthy and Utena both gulped,then jumped again as they heard Heime's soft voice from the far side of the classroom.

"Miss Tanizawa,I require Anthy's and Utena's help after class."

Now it was Tanizawa's turn to gulp.

"W-well,you'll just have to wait 'till tomarrow."

Heime's eyes narrowed and took in that icy quality that scared students more than Juri did.

"You don't seem to understand, ma'am.I require their help. I won't repeat myself again."

The students sat in mute shock as their teachers eyes widened with fear.

"I-I see. Well then, Miss Tenjou and Miss Himemiya, do not bother to come after class. But please try to pay better attention."

They nodded and the teacher moved on. Anthy looked over to Heime, who looked back, and Anthy smiled and mouth 'thank you'. Heime gave a small nod of her head, then went back to work.

After class ended, they put their things away and Utena grabbed Anthy's hand, pulled her out of the classroom, then leaned her against the wall so she could whisper in her ear.

"Himemiya...we've been friends for a long time...haven't we? We've been roommates since eighth grade, and now we've just started our last year of Junior High...Well, in all the time that I've been a duelist and you've been my Bride...well...we've gotten closer, haven't we? Well...I...I guess after our little accident last night I think i've come to terms I guess..with my feelings..I...w-what I'm trying to say is..."

Anthy smiled and touched her fingertips to Utena's lips.

"I love you too, Miss Utena..."

Utena sighed and smiled, wrapping her arms tight around Anthy's waist while Anthy wrapped her arms around the pink haired girl's neck. Utena nuzzled her face into Anthy's silky soft hair and took a small sniff. The scent of white roses engulfed her and Anthy let out a soft giggle at the feel of Utena pressing her face into her hair.

Utena smiled and then cupped Anthy's chin, tilting her face up,then brushed her lips against Anthy's, her eyes closing as she pulls the dark skinned girl into a deep and passionate kiss. Utena gasped then as she felt someone tap her shoulder. She turned and saw Heime standing there, almost looking sad at seeing Utena and Anthy kissing. In her hand was a white rose, extended to Utena.

"Forgive me for interrupting...but I'm challenging you, Utena Tenjou, to a duel."

Utena grew serious as she took the rose, nodding a little. It was chill to the touch,and Heime's voice was soft as she whispered,

"Winter's coming."

As Heime walked away, Anthy slipped her fingers through Utena's,entwining them.

"What do you think she meant by that, Himemiya?" Utena asked as they walked home. "Winter is coming...hm.."

Anthy snuggled up against Utena's side and shook her head. "I don't know, Miss Utena."

They stepped into the dorm when Anthy stopped dead, looking down at the floor. There was a letter with the rose seal on it, but instead of the seal bing in red, it was violet, Akio's representing color.

Utena noticed that Anthy had stopped, so she turned around, blue eyes curious.

"What is it,Himemiya?"

Anthy didn't answer, just stooped down to pick up the envelope and hand it to Utena. She sighed and flipped it open, pulling out not a card, but a full letter.

"Oh, it's from your brother, Himemiya! Thank god, I thought something else had happened!"

Anthy moved over to the closet, putting away some things that Chu Chu had pulled out, a random sock or two.

"What does it say, Miss Utena?" Anthy asked.

"Oh, it's just a request to see him tomarrow sometime. Come on. We have to get to the Dueling Field."

Anthy nodded and followed Utena out the doorway. They were dressed in their normal clothes, knowing that as they ascended in the new elevator, their clothed would change to the cerimonial garb of the Duelist and her Rose Bride. They linked hands as they went through the archway, only for Utena to feel Anthy dissappear for a few moments as the doors closed and the elevator began to rise.

Anthy's sailor fuku fell to the ground, and a few seconds later, Utena reels in shock as Anthy appears before her again, naked. Utena blinked, and in the time it took her to blink, Anthy was dressed in the red gown of the Rose Bride. Anthy touched Utena's cheeks as she closed her eyes. She brought her hands away and the top half of Utena's uniform changed, the gold rimmed red epaulets appearing, the green jewel of a button cover with a gold rope from the right epaulet to the upside down gold triangle that hangs just under the button cover.

Anthy's arms move around her waist, then brought them around. As she did, lace shimmered from under the bottom of Utena's uniform jacket. Anthy's hand skimmed down Utena's slim arm and as it reached her hand, large white cuffs encircled the ends of the sleeves. As al this happened, a large rose bush grew itself out of Anthy's fallen school uniform. Anthy took a white rose, kissed the bloom, and placed it in Utena's right breast pocket.

Utena cupped Anthy's chin, tilting her face up and kissed her, holding her close for a few moments before the elevator stopped, pink rose petals exploding upword, shrouding them from view a few moments. As the petals blew away, Heime came into view. She held no weapon, and her brown eyes seemed colder than ever. Anthy summoned a dark blue rose to her hand, walking over to Heime and placing it in her breast pocket.

"The one who loses her rose loses the duel. Good luck to you."

Heime nodded and lifted her hand, palm up. Blue sparkles of light began to dance around her hand before ice began to form. From the ice, a sword began to take shape. The cross guard wrapped around her knuckles, the long, slim blade ending in two sharp points(in a sort of U shape).

"I'm ready when you are."

Utena nodded and wrapped an arm around Anthy's waist. A light formed at Anthy's chest as she murmured the words to summon the sword of Dios. The black hilt burst from between Anthy's breasts and Utena took hold of it, pulling the sword from her.

She stepped away, watching the duel as it began. Utena lunged right away, sword first, wanting to end it fast. Heime just stepped to the side, sword down, no fighting stance whatsoecer.

"You're so slow."

Utena growled, lunging again, just now noticing the feeling of her hair being gone. There was no feeling of her hair streaming out behind her. She missed that feeling, but she would get used to it. Heime sidestepped again, this time grabbing Utena by the hair, whispering in her hair but not raising her sword an inch.

"You're going to lose her if you keep fighting like this, Utena."

Utena gasped as Heime shoved her away, just able to keep her balance. Heime seemed to fight just as hard as Juri and Saionji, but was wicked fast like Miki and Nanami. Fear crept into the pit of Utena's stomach, as she realized that it was quite possible that Heime could win, despite the power of Dios.

A light shone from the castle, reflecting off of Utena's Rose Crest. The form of Dios shone around Utena for a moment before he disappeared into her. Fast as a blink, Utena lunged right at Heime, giving her no time to dodge. Instead, Heime jumped up into the air and kicked downward, crushing the heel of her shoe into the back of Utena's exposed neck.

Utena let out a short scream before crumbling onto the floor of the arena. She rolled over, just to see Heime scooping the white rose from Utena's chest with her fingertips.

"I win."