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 2

After four additional months of irregular sleep, IVs and other medical treatment, she was checked out of the hospital and brought to Maro's house. He had visited her every day after finishing work at the local University, bringing her food, flowers, books, and always a smile. She began to trust her guardian, and the hole Maro's daughter left in his heart was soothed by his new charge. It was summertime when she was released, so she had time to wander and contemplate her life... Or at least what she knew of it.

Maro occupied a small quaint house on the outskirts of the town. It was surrounded by many bright gardens of varying colors in their foliage and petals. Utena spent many a long day reading on the bench of her favorite part of the gardens- the rose garden. She would walk out after sharing breakfast with her caretaker and lose herself fantastic tales of knights and princes. When the sun was overhead she would rise from her reverie and water and prune the precious plants. Inside she felt a deep compulsion to do all she could to care for the sprawling garden of thorny vines. She cared for the plants best she could, and although she did not feel as though she was doing as well as her beloved princess could, she took consolation in the subtle beauty of the plants. Maro would return every day to Utena tending to the various gardens and always praised her constant work. Frankly, he was never quite the horticulturalist, but his gardens flourished under Utena's careful hand. They would then often have quiet dinners consisting of anything from ramen to simple tofu, vegetable, and rice dishes, for neither of them were successful at cooking. Maro had never quite picked up the talent, despite his years, and Utena had no patience for anything so tedious beyond plant work. They would then discuss everything from literature to music to theories, to Maro's past.

Two subjects were never breached however: Utena's history and Maro's wife and daughter. All Utena knew of her guardian's family was that his wife died at childbirth of their firstborn, Aki, and that Aki had been horrifically murdered. And all Maro knew of Utena's past was that the girl in the locket's name was Anshii, and that this girl was precious to Utena. If he pried any more, Utena's eyes would overflow with tears and she would be unable... or perhaps only refuse, to speak for the remainder of the day. But as long as these topics were avoided, they had complex and wonderful conversations that bonded the two tightly. One by one, memories returned to Utena's mind, but they never fit together quite as they should. She remembered no parents, no friends... only a noble prince with a corrupted heart, duels of some sort, a floating castle, and the Rose Bride, her dearest Anshii. And so their life reached a peaceful equilibrium for the summer.

xixixixixix

I sigh as I look up at the iron arch that frames the entrance to the high school I shall be attending. Today is my first day, and I have an odd feeling within. I look at all of the other teens... Some look jovial, some angered, some sad, and some... just as lost as me. I walk through the archway. At least they have several good sports teams. Maybe I will join the fencing and basketball teams... I catch a few people staring in my direction. Ah, probably my uniform. I looked into the rules, and nothing says that I cannot wear a boy's uniform. And since I felt compelled to have a male uniform and it was not expressly forbidden, I had a few tailored to fit. And so now they all look at me. I grin and wave at them, my satchel slung loosely over my shoulder. Some wave back, others just stare, somewhat disgruntled. I laugh to myself... And then I feel a strong hand on my shoulder. I turn around to see a tall woman... On her breast pocket there is an engraved piece of metal that reads 'Helga Strider- Guidance Counselor'. Damn. She looks at me appraisingly and asks, "Young woman, you must be new to the area. Women do not wear clothing made for men. It is simply inappropriate." I look at her and sigh. Maro warned me... but at least he didn't stop me.

I look in my satchel and pull out the handbook. The counselor now has a look of confusion...or perhaps bemusement on her features. I open it up to the page I had flagged and read the rule aloud. "Uniforms are required to be worn that fulfill the above said expectations and are purchased at either NPPA or these local tailors..." I hold up my receipt...It is from a locally acceptable tailor. "Ms. Strider, I do believe that this says nothing regarding gender or consequence of wearing clothing that is not typically for another gender. Thus, I think there is no problem. If you will now please excuse me, I do not need to be late on the first day. Good day," I say and promptly turn around and walk into school. I am sure she is not too happy, but I am right, and she is not. I sigh into the musty air of the building. I slip into class, and the bell immediately rings. I drift into a daydream as the teacher preaches into reluctant and distracted minds. Oddly, this situation seems familiar. Too familiar. I suppose I've never been a good student. I try to pay attention as I idly doodle on my sketch pad. Grr, can this man get any more boring? Some girls giggle in the back, and a huge jock is tapping his foot on the desk beside me. Annoyingly. And loud. Over and over... I feel the pencil snap in my hand. Darn. The teacher raises his eyebrow at me. "Perhaps you have a comment on the rules, Miss Tenjou? A problem with the dress code?" Ah, shoot. Now they all think I really have issues. With the dress code. "No, sensei. I am sorry I have disturbed the class." Now he won't stop watching me... Ok, no more doodling. I concentrate on the mole on his left cheek. At least I look like I am focused now... A breeze comes rolling in through the window. Roses... Anshii. I miss her so much... Her smiles, her hair, her brilliance... Ok, the teacher is noticing... Ah, I don't really care. This is history anyway. I wonder if anyone survived... Wait, anyone? I'm confused. Who else dueled? I must have fought many...

The bell is rings. Loudly. Like the hunk of meat jock next to me and his foot tapping. And now I have a headache on top of my confused thoughts. Great. And the teacher speaks like a dying raven: "Class dismissed. Oh, and team and club rush will be after school in two days in the gym. You may leave." Yes! At least then I will have something to do...

Viximon, Cassandra, Keiko-chan, Utenafangirl, and Kikyouko:

Thank you sooo much for the reviews... I am very sorry to keep you all waiting so long... Ending school and beginning summer has been a busy transition. (I will try and make up for it ASAP.)

And Kikyouko, Utena is pretty much only available to be watched in the US if one can buy/borrow the tapes or disks containing the episodes... I have seen as much of the series as I could, read the manga, and have seen the movie.

Have a good day, y'all.