Saturday had arrived much faster than Saionji wanted it too. Now that he knew the duel had been approved it seemed as though he couldn't get enough of his kendo training in. Not to mention the fact that skipping meals and waking up early in order to train more had left him tired. But his skills had never been sharper.
"Today's the day." Saionji grinned at his reflection in the mirror as he buttoned the final clasps on his uniform. "Today I finally beat Touga."
The duel wasn't scheduled until 1:00pm, but Saionji headed over at a little past 11, the thought of being late made his stomach twist into knots. His Kendo sword laid disgarded against his wall and he instead had a deadly katana tied around his waist.
To Saionji's intense displeasure, Touga was already waiting for him at the dueling arena. His usual cool, arrogant smirk adorned his face. "I had a feeling you would arrive here early today, old friend." His tone was friendly enough, but anyone who knew Touga could tell he was really mocking Saionji. However, for all the rage Saoiji felt inside, he didn't let his face show any of it.
"It seems you know me well Touga." Saionji's reply was as friendly-sounding as Touga's mock. A quick glance around the dueling arena left Saionji surprised. He had been expecting to see Anthy around, wearing her elegant rosebride dress, but the other spectators were a surprise. Usually only the duelist and the rosebride were allowed into the arena, but today there were 4 other people.
A small collection of stadium style seats had formed at the edge of the arena. Juri, Miki, Utena and, surprisingly, Nanami, occupied these seats, all seemed excited about the impending duel. Before Saionji could question their presence, Touga answered his question.
"I certainly hope you don't mind Saionji" Touga began nonchalantly, "I felt that since this was a duel for the title of president, all members of the student counsil should be present, including the rose prince and the council's first alternate" Touga nodded towards both Utena and Nanami.
Saionji hardly minded Utena's presence. Having her near gave him all the more incentive to fight to his maximum potential. The other's were no concern of his, he was captain of the Kendo team, he was more than used to dueling in front of other people. In fact, he relished the idea of having an audience watch as he defeated Touga, it would only add to the president's humiliation. So with a smirk of his own, Saionji stated that he did not mind at all, "I very much agree Touga," his smirk now a sinister grin, "they do have a right to see this."
Touga was a little dissappointed that the audience had not rattled Saionji, but it didn't matter. He had never lost a duel to Saionji, not even when they wer e kids, and there was no reason for him to worry about losing now. He was perfection, losing was absolutly not an option, it was the worst thing that could possibly happen. "Then shall we begin?" Touga glanced towards Anthy as she walked over to them to set there respective roses in their breast pockets.
After a quick, respective bow, Saionji instantaniously began his assault on Touga. Slash after perfectly executed slash were aimed straight at Touga's chest, and it was all Touga could do to block. Counter attack was not possible, Saionji wasn't giving him an inch to move and his sword was not built for up close fighting the way Saionji's katana was. Touga knew there was only one way to get an opening in. Turning his blade upward, Touga allowed his blade and strike him in the cheek, leaving a long, thin wound.
At this point it took Juri, Miki and Utena to restrain Nanami from rushing to her brother and straight into harms way, "SAIONJI!" Nanami let out an infuriated shriek "If you hurt my Big Brother I will kill you do you understand, I'll kill you!" However, Nanami's words fell on deaf ears, as neither fighter heard her.
Fortunatly for Touga, his little maneuver left Saionji's arms raised and his rose exposed. He was not expecting Saionji to quickly sidestep, bringing his own sword down and cutting the rose from his chest in one fluid movement.
Time seemed to stop as the red petals hit the floor. Both men froze in astonishment, Saionji for not truly believing that he had finally beat Touga, and Touga for the shock of losing had not truly set in yet. Several seconds went by, and Touga reached to his chest, clutching where the rose had once been, as if not truly convinced that it wasn't there anymore. When his hand wrapped around nothing but fabric, he fell to his knees and let out an anguished cry. He lost, but how….how could he lose, he never lost, and to Saionji of all people! His brain refused to accept it……he didn't know what to do….
Both Utena and Nanami rushed to his side. Utena reached him first, and attempeted to kneel down next to him and put her hand on his shoulder. Touga roughly pulled away from her before she could touch him. "Touga…" Utena began, a strange pitying sound in her voice, but of course Touga wasn't having it. "Shut up!" he snapped at her.
Utena gave him a glare, "Touga…." She said more sharply, but was abruptly cut off again, "I said shut up Utena, just shut up, I don't want you near me!" At this point Touga was shouting at his girlfriend. Utena took a step back, as if Touga had slapped her. Saionji spoke for the first point since the duel began "Don't take your losses out on her Touga, it's not her fault you weren't good enough to beat me….."
Before Saionji could finish his sentence, Nanami violently shoved him to the side, fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around her brothers neck. Then she turned to glare at Saionji, "You cheated you jerk!" She snapped at him, "You couldn't have beaten my big brother, you must have cheated, that's the only explaination!" Saionji didn't even get to reply, Nanami was already speaking to her brother, "Big brother" she said gently, reaching to touch his injured cheek, "you're hurt, let me take you home and take care of that…." Nanami grabbed Touga's arm and attempted to pull him to his feet.
"Nanami!" he began to scold her in his most big-brotherly voice, but Nanami wasn't hearing it, "Don't "Nanami" me big brother!" She spoke a little more harshly than she had meant to, "I want you on your feet now! I'm taking you home and treating you wound!" For once Touga didn't argue and let his little sister pull him to his feet, take his arm, and steer him away from the arena.
"Now hold on a minute!" Utena began, taking a step towards her boyfriend and Nanami, but Nanami cut her off again, "I don't want to hear it Utena Tenjou!" Nanami snapped at the younger girl. "You don't appreciate my brother one bit! He deserves better than some childish little girl like you!" Utena immediately looked at Touga, expecting him to defend her. Whether it was from the pain of losing, or because that's how he really felt, Touga didn't say a word, and instead allowed Nanami to continue to drag him home.
Juri and Miki made their way over to Saionji, offering him shocked congratulations on his victory, and his new title as student counsil president. At first, Saionji enjoyed the praise, letting his chest puff out a bit, but the smile immediately left his face and was replaced by concern when he looked over at Utena. Tears from the pain of Touga's betrayal filled her eyes, and Saionji wondered if he hadn't just made a huge mistake.
A/N: I have excuses but you probably don't want to hear them, so I won't waste your time. The only thing I can do now is try to update more, and I will.