Fragments of a Rose Stained Glass
Feana Griffke
Disclaimer: I do not own nor intend to take credit for Utena or any related copyrighted materials and characters. Thank you and enjoy!
Chapter 1
Hatred. I was once told that there was no good and no evil, only hatred. Who is he then? A manifestation of all hate? Are all of the swords slicing through my body and soul merely he who wears the mask of an angel? Is that all it ever was? Is there no love? I knew I was the fool, I have always been proud to carry the banner of the trusting betrayed. And I would die for you still... If these million swords would release me into death. If only I could feel you again- Your dark skin in the moonlight... The rose petals dancing about your face... Anshii. Did you ever really love me? You said I could not be your prince... Can I now? I am sure I can no longer be described by gender... My flesh is so tattered; my body is now steel with a sticky glue of meat and gristle. Am I now your prince? I hope you made it, away from the hurt and deception, away from the dreamscape we were all enraptured by... Away from the incestuous hands of your corrupted brother. Please let us be reunited somewhere, someday. Please...
Another sword lances through my tattered from. I wonder how they can all find a place in this bloody sheath, but I cannot deny as I feel the pain shooting through my very being. One would think my body was too broken to feel this anything, but no! How did you ever heal, my princess? Or were you always broken and I could not see behind your masked face? I would cry for you if I still had eyes, but my soul's tempered screams will have to be heard in the singing of the blades as they hit home. I miss you... When will I be released? I lost count so long ago. My soul cries out as another blade slices through the remains of my heart- the pain is unbelievable. I hope I have saved you... But part of me knows I have failed. Failed to relieve you of pain. Failed to stop the torture of Akio. Failed to prove to you that I... I love you Anshii.
Searing light. Ho long has it been since I saw light? I see one last sword. It... it looks like the sword of Dios. I watch it, through nonexistent eyes, slice though my body. Right through where you plunged your own blade. Completely uninterrupted pain. And then bliss... The light is stronger. I feel a rush. Sounds, voices, fabric ripping. Warmth. I open my eyes. A man looks down at me. He looks worried. I feel wetness on my cheeks. I try to speak, to tell him I'm all right, but then I realize my throat is dry and I can feel a hole in my body. A hole.... I must be complete again, or at least an unripped semblance of a female form. I feel my strength retreating, but I hope I will live. So I can see you again. Maybe... I close my eyes and sigh.
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Maro felt tears flow down his cheeks freely as he pressed a ripped section of his shirt onto the torso of a pink-haired slender teen sprawled on the grass. He quickly flipped out his cell phone and called an emergency number. Rapid-fire, he responded to the operator's questions and prayed as he hung up. He could feel the girl weaken... So much blood. Just like Ai. Several years ago, his daughter Ai had been raped and killed by the local knife gang going by the name of the Thorn Swords. She was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. During her usual walk home from school, she walked around the corner in an alley shortcut, and was met by an angry Thorn member covering a drug deal. The men all had their share, and then stabbed her in the back as she lay on the ground, cold and violated. As the day passed by and Ai did not return form school, Maro became concerned. He took the shortcut to reach the school, and was greeted by his daughters dying body. It was all too late by the time the paramedics arrived. Maro shook himself from his reverie and looked down at the girl. She looked like a bloodstained angel. A glimmer caught his eye... A locket? He slowly picked up the small silver object. "Tenjou. Tenjou Utena," he whispered the engraving aloud. Perhaps this was his second chance, a way to repent for failing his daughter. He looked up as he heard sirens. Two men in paramedic uniforms raced up the grassy hill in the hind of the area's florist shop.
He accompanied the girl to the hospital, and the doctors rushed her back to the ER. They asked his relation to the girl, and Maro breathlessly answered, "Guardian. I am her guardian."
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"Anshii..." I call out her name into the stale room. I weakly open my eyes. Well, apparently I made it. Wait, where am I? Where is she? Is she here? I panic and I hear my heart race on the beeping monitor. "Ah, you've come back now, eh? Shhh, it's alright, we've got you. Relax. Your guardian should be glad to see you." I look up. Ah, a nurse. She sounds pleasant. So, I'm in a hospital. Why do I feel so empty? I can't remember why I am here... What happened? Roses, pain, dueling, Anshii. My princess. My memories... all fragments of a shattered glass; rose petals scattered in the wind. A man walks in. He is tall and has dark hair and a kind face. I remember those eyes... Was he the man who saved me? I feel a stone drop into my stomach. I couldn't save her. Please let her be all right. The man takes a seat at my side. I look at him. "Who are yo..." I cough and realize that I should probably save my strength. He looks at me with his deep hazel eyes and speaks tenderly, "My name is Maro Nanashi. I found you behind the local florist's. What happened to you, Utena?" I blinked in confusion. How did he know my name? I croaked quietly, "I... I don't know, Nanashi-san. I can't remember anything... Just my name. How did you know my name?" I want to sleep now... I feel so tired. "Please, call me Maro. I will be acting as your guardian henceforth, if only for legal purposes. You had this around your neck when I found you. I couldn't open it, but the engraving says 'Utena'. So I figured that was your name," he looked at me strangely and handed me a locket on a silver chain. I stared at the object, turning it between my fingers. There was a rose signet engraved on the back. I felt a strong surge of emotion. Swords slashing, Akio, the Rose Bride. I shook my head gently and tried to open the clasp.
Inside I saw her delicate face. Her deep violet tresses. The green pools of her eyes. Her ivory skin. "Anshii..." I whispered again. Maro raised his eyebrow at me. Apparently my face had assumed some distorted pose. And why did this man want to help me, exactly? My guardian... It almost sounds nice. But no! I am supposed to be the prince, the savior. And here I am, weak on a hospital bed, under the wing of a strange angel, missing most every shred of my memory. I sigh and look at him. He seems to have decided to let me be, surrounded in the cloak of my thoughts. I know he will ask later what the locket means, but for now he seems to have realized I need rest. "I will let you sleep now, Utena. You have been out for several weeks already, but you lost so much blood it is understandable that you are exhausted. I hope that you are of health soon." He reaches out and squeezes my hand. A single tear rolls down his cheek. I want to cry as well, for the pain in his eyes, for Anshii, for the pain I feel coursing through my body and soul, but I am too weak. I weakly squeeze back, and he stands up and walks away. I feel the world fade, but I know I will wake again. Just need to sleep now...
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How do y'all like it? My first Utena fic. Hope it's enjoyable... Send me your comments if you wish... They are greatly appreciated! Chapter two will be up later!