Chapter 21

Many Partings

Juri walked home. No one had said anything to her today. It was like she hadn't existed. She had finally resolved to leave, only to realize no one cared. They were all happy living in their coffin, never bothering with the life of anyone else. She wasn't happy. No one cared. She couldn't stay any longer. No one cared. The world she lived in, the only one she could remember, was dying. No one cared. They would be happy until their world crumbled, but Juri would move on.

Stepping up to her door, she opened it, walked inside, pushed it shut, and dropped to the floor sobbing. All these people were living dead lives, meaningless and cold, just like her friend. Ruka, Utena, how many more had to die before they could see.

"This isn't like you, Juri." Ruka's disembodied voice said, still retaining the usual disaffected manner. "Or perhaps, this is what the real Juri looks like."

"Leave me alone, Ruka. I just want to be by myself right now." She warned him, but as usual, he showed no sign of caring. Flowing out of the wall, he knelt beside her, resting his hand on her shoulder and brushing a tear from her eye.

"For all your etiquette, your mannerism, your control, when the real you comes out, you seem more like Nanami than Juri." His tone lowered now, becoming more gentle, caring. "Maybe it's because being all grown up doesn't take away the need for that pure, simple innocence. You feel strongly because it is human to feel strongly. You've only forgotten that, and now, your heart needs that innocence, the tears of compassion."

Juri began to shiver, her whole body giving way to all the pent-up sorrow she had held in front of everyone. She tried to look away, tried to deny what he was saying, but she knew everything Ruka said was true. No matter how much she mastered herself, her feelings would never go away.

"I'm glad for you Juri. You now have the strength to make your journey to the other side." Ruka's words surprised her.

"What do you mean? I'm not stronger. All I did was cry." Juri's voice was questioning as she looked up at Ruka.

"That's exactly the strength I'm talking about." He replied. "For the longest time, Juri, you only got upset over yourself, and your feelings. This time, however, you broke through yourself, showing genuine compassion for the problems of others, and sorrow for those who are lost. This is the strength you will need to endure the world beyond this shallow grave, both the power to be controlled, and compassionate. Only by growing beyond yourself can you ever hope to achieve what you are truly meant to."

Juri looked back down into her lap, her mind racing with Ruka's words. Compassion? That is the strength I lacked? No, that can't be. I'm a compassionate person, aren't I?" She thought back through her life, at her actions and words, the defining things that had shaped her, and realized that Ruka was right. She had been cold and unforgiving, not once within her memory had she done anything with true compassion.

"The time has come, Juri." Ruka rose, holding out his near transparent hand to her. "You are ready to leave this coffin, and finally find yourself."

***

Laverne rubbed Nanami's back as he held her in his arms. The birds were singing again, and the sun shone brightly across the water as it sank slowly to be consumed by the sea. They had been standing there for hours, the young lady firmly within his embrace. Faceless people walked by as if they weren't even there, too busy with their own lives to notice, but Laverne would be there nonetheless. The sun lowered into the horizon, and everyone drifted away into the darkness.

Silence reigned for long minutes, the muted night hovering over the two figures on the pier. Nanami looked up from where she had leaned on Laverne's chest, staring into his eyes. "Why do people die?"

Laverne smiled sadly at Nanami. "Death is only a transition, a time when all the cares of life are put to rest, and one moves on to, well, wherever they go. Some people believe you just die and are born again, while others say there is nothing at the end, just emptiness."

"Personally, I don't like either of those answers. To live again in this world means to suffer again, achieving nothing other than repetition. To just die, that makes life hedonistic, and many people will simply suffer and end, never knowing anything more."

"Then, what do you believe?" Nanami asked. "I don't know what to believe anymore, but anything is better than that."

"Me? I believe God has a will for us, and a reason to be here. Those who are faithful, who try to find His will, can one day dwell in Heaven, a beautiful Eternity." Laverne kissed her forehead, pulling her closer in his arms.

"But why did she have to die like that? She deserved so much better than what happened to her." Nanami's voice wasn't quavering so much, and her determination began to show.

"Who died?" Laverne asked, concern growing in his expression.

"Utena Tenjou. She was poisoned by some evil King." Nanami scowled at the thought of the murderous man.

"Did you say Tenjou?" Suddenly more disturbed, Laverne leaned against the pier rail, his eyes wide.

"What's wrong? Did you know her?" Nanami asked, resting her hand on his shoulder.

"No, I never met her." He replied, still stunned by the news. "I just thought I was the last one."

***

Miki closed his suitcase, clicking the locks shut on either side. He walked up to the window and stared out over the garden below. The sunlit garden, my home. Well, I guess we couldn't stay here forever, could we? If only it didn't have to be this way, losing a friend just so we could realize why we needed to go. Miki sighed, looking over at Kozue, who was still packing the rest of her clothes. Outside, a car rumbled as it sat patiently on the side of the road.

Almost as if knowing her brother was looking at her, Kozue stopped, turning her head to him and smiling. "Do you think dad will be angry when he finds out we threw away our tuition here at Ohtori?" She asked, her playful grin growing as Miki struggled to find an answer. She knew she had cornered him in his own mind, his struggle between honoring their father and doing what they had to was eating him, and Kozue loved it! She could never say why, but somehow torturing her twin brother a little made her happy.

Shifting uneasily, Miki finally paused. "I will tell him I want to go and study to become a doctor, and with my grades being as high as they are, perhaps I can enroll early to a medical school. Hopefully he will like the idea, and will be satisfied with our leaving the academy."

A slight spark of hurt shone in Kozue's eyes. "So, this will be our parting then. You'll be going to medical school, and I'll go off and become," a pause, "well something or other. It's not like it matters to me." Kozue tried to laugh, but it sounded so hollow that neither of them believed it.

"Why don't you come with me, Kozue?" Miki asked.

"Don't be silly, they'd never take someone with my grades in at a medical school." Kozue tried to dodge. The faint tapping of lone drops of rainwater hitting an upside down bucket echoed outside.

"I'm sure we could find a way to get both of us admitted, then we could work together in class. If you want, we could even take a look at what other courses would be available in the area, and I would just tell dad that you were coming because I wanted to stay near you." Miki reasoned. He didn't realize it, but his sister was already won over, the longing she had to stay with him too strong to let her do anything else. Though she didn't want to rule him anymore, she couldn't help but accept.

"Fine, I suppose it'll have to do, but if dad gets mad, I'm not taking the blame." She said, folding her arms.

"Don't worry, Kozue. I'll tell him it was all my idea." He turned back to his suitcase, not noticing the tears that started to build in Kozue's eyes. She wouldn't let him see just how much his words, his acceptance of her did, but she couldn't be more grateful. He would always be her special brother, no matter what.

The front door opened, and two quiet figures walked to the street. A third, younger figure got out of the car, opening the trunk for the others. As it closed, three suitcases sat amongst the baggage. The car pulled away from the curb, heading away from Ohtori Academy.

***

Nemo walked along through the empty corridors of Ohtori Academy, alone with his thoughts. She's gone, and it's my fault. If I had only stopped him, maybe she would still be alive. If I hadn't rushed into that maze. If I hadn't allowed myself to get caught fighting with Juri. If I hadn't. If I hadn't. If I hadn't.

He stopped near the end of the walkway leading to the courtyard, staring over at the large birdcage-shaped greenhouse filled with roses that stood along one end of the yard. He could almost see her in there, standing next to Anthy, watching as Anthy watered the roses. Though the sun shone above, the wind had died, the birds no longer calling into the dimming sky. The watch he wore stopped ticking, its second hand stopping on two.

Saionji's hand rested upon his shoulder, gripping it firmly. "Nemo."

Nemo didn't answer, only turning his head to look at his friend. He didn't have the strength to talk right now, nor was he sure he would ever again. As their eyes met, a silent understanding ran between them, a knowing that simply is. Nemo turned back, staring at the greenhouse again.

"They used to spend so much time there, back before Utena left the first time. It was always Anthy's favorite spot, so Utena went there to spend time with her." Nemo only nodded in response, his eyes beginning to water. Saionji continued, hoping in his heart that he could break Nemo from his depression. "You really should go talk to Anthy about what's happened. She probably feels as strongly about losing Utena as you do, and I'm sure it would do you some good to open up about it."

Nemo's reluctant face told Saionji he would have to try a different approach to this problem. "She probably needs someone to talk to as well. She never has had many friends, and most of the others have gone." He paused for a moment. "You should go cheer her up, maybe talk to her about her feelings. Otherwise, I'm not sure she'll ever stop crying."

Nemo looked at his friend again, nodding at Saionji's words. He patted Nemo on the shoulder with a small smile, then turned to walk away.

"Hey Saionji." Nemo said.

"Yes?" Saionji paused, his hands in his pockets.

"Thanks."

***

Touga stepped into the guest room where Cassandra had been staying. She looked healthier today, her disposition warmer. She looked over at him, her rose colored eyes flashing hopefully as he entered.

"Well, I see you're doing better today." Touga joked, smiling softly.

"I feel better," she answered, rising from her seat. She walked up to him and hugged his broad frame affectionately, "thanks to you!"

"You're welcome, haha! I guess you'll be ready to return to your own dorm soon?" He asked, his head mimicking sight as he rubbed her hair affectionately.

"Yes, but I wanted to help you in some way for freeing me." She said, looking up into his pale blue eyes.

"Help me how?" He kept his voice affectionate, though he sensed some deeper purpose behind her words. Out the window, a snake sat upon the back of a dog, both watching the meeting.

"I heard about your friend, Nemo, and what they did to Utena." She said, then clamped her mouth shut as if she had said too much.

"Who did what to Utena?" Touga became serious, his smile dissolving into a frown.

"Ah, well, I wasn't supposed to tell anyone-" She fidgeted, then suddenly broke. "They said they would hurt me if I told, but I found out what happened! They murdered her, and they'll keep killing until they get to Akio!" Tears ran down her cheeks.

"Who did this!? Who is after Akio!?" Touga took her by the shoulders, staring down at her through his unseeing eyes. "Tell me!"

Looking away, she tried to avoid the cold gaze. "The Swords, the Swords of Hatred. They've abducted Venetia and are following some Black Prince. Now they're trying to eliminate anyone they see as a threat. I found out Utena was killed in her sleep by them, and now they're going after Nemo."

"I see, and how do you expect to help me in this?" Touga softened his grip, waiting for an answer.

"I am able to see what they're planning, but only shortly before it happens." She explained. "If Nemo were to have me with him when they try to attack him, I could help him escape their trap. Then, with that knowledge, he could get revenge for her murder, and all of you would benefit from the Swords' removal."

"So what you're saying is," Touga released her, looking down at the Rose Bride. "That you want me to lose a duel against him, thereby making him the engaged. Then you'll be with him if anything happens."

Nodding her head, she looked hopefully up at him, awaiting his answer. He turned his shoulder, thinking about what he would be doing. Then, looking back over at her, he nodded. "Very well, it would be far better if you were with him when they attacked. I will challenge him tomorrow night. Make sure to let him know about it."

"Of course! I'll go find him." She hurried off, leaving Touga listening after her as she disappeared from the room.

"What are you up to?"

***

Cassandra stepped out the front door, closing it hurriedly behind her. She made her way hastily down the street, then climbed into a red car that was sitting parked on the roadside. A dark skinned hand grabbed the gear shift, the tires screeched, and the vehicle went rocketing into the lamp strewn night.

"Good girl, I'll have a treat for you later." No matter how much she wanted to escape, she kept coming back, like a dog to its vomit.