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Sang Sur les Roses	By : Saoirse Category: +S to Z > Utena Views: 2873 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Utena, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 11
- 12
- 13
The simplicity of just a few words strung together had
the power to make a difference or devastate a life. Utena learned this lesson
after her last phone conversation with her aunt. In all likelihood it would
perhaps be the last conversation she would have with the woman as she reflected
upon her situation after the fact. Anthy with the tolerance of the saints
cleaned up the kitchen having been forced to put her shoes back on lest she cut
herself. Every plate, bowl and glass Utena smashed, the phone receiver dangled
by its corkscrew cord loudly beeping having been kept off the hook for so long.
The TV in the living room displayed a rainbow test pattern and droned with
Utena balled up unconscious on the sofa, on the floor a brownish green corn
syrup oozed from an empty quart of mint chocolate chip permanently blotting the
carpet. Joining it was a discarded plastic package of coconut sprinkled red
bean paste mochi. Utena did not leave her room let alone attend class the
following day. Anthy too played a bit of hooky, not that she would be
reprimanded, and went to Hou�ou-shi to purchase new glassware and china. She
restocked the fridge with Neapolitan ice cream and green tea mochi. For a week
Utena continued this routine without intervention from Anthy, the Rose Bride
could only serve her mistress meals leaving them on the low table in her room
where Utena slept profusely with the shades drawn imitating perpetual night.
And then she began locking her door. Anthy left trays by the door and sometimes
the plates would be empty.

Wakaba struck her in the refectory calling her a bitch
and splashed juice in her face when she forbade her from visiting Utena. Anthy
knew that wasn�t Wakaba�s only reason for lashing out at her. She sincerely
pitied the girl but was silently grateful that Tatsuya and Benika restrained
her from doing serious harm to her. But adrenaline was on Wakaba�s side and the
nurse was called and managed to sedate her during a terrifying fit. Just as the
white-clad woman injected her Wakaba cried out Utena�s name in a blood-curdling
passion praying that her pink-haired prince would come galloping on her white
charger to put her sword through the vile witch and carry her off to the
castle. But Utena slumbered, ignorant and uncaring of her friend�s anguish. An
emergency Student Council meeting was called Saionji as usual was not present
and forced them to hold it in the dojo.

�You are mocking the sanctity of this room,� he glowered
bringing his bokken down.

�You are the Vice President of the Student Council,
Saionji.� Juri reminded him bluntly.

�Thank you Juri, it must have slipped my mind.�

�Please let�s not fight!� Miki interjected.
�Tenjou-sempai�s disappearance has thrown everything off-kilter. What could
have driven her to such extremes, this is not like her at all!�

�Agreed,� Juri acquiesced. �This is particularly
uncharacteristic of her since she�s always rather annoyingly optimistic.�

�You forget Juri that since Tenjou has joined the game
ignorant of the rules and us uncertain of the means to which she received her
rose seal life has been stressful for her,� Touga said. Saionji was silent and
focused on the thought of Anthy. How was it possible that he lost the duel?
Him, the kendo team captain where dozens of fools who dared challenge him fell
just as impetuously from the swipe of his blade! Only Touga he had yet to
conquer, truly make him feel the humility of defeat. As children he had
triumphed on occasion in the dojo, and as a perfect gentleman in miniature
Touga bowed to Saionji and said, �Well you won this round, again?� Was he fazed
at all? At anything? But Saionji recalled Touga telling him once the run was
more thrilling than anything. And that he only looked forward to being Alpha,
master of his own fate. And they were content� until that night. It was the
first time Touga ran away. The first place Touga�s father and the butler
Okabe-san searched was Saionji�s house, he was petrified more so than the time
Touga told him of his visit from the prince. The prince! Did he run away
because he wanted to be with him? Just why was Touga so damn special to see the
prince? Whatever the secret Saionji made it his goal to learn even if he had to
beat it out of him with his shinai. And he almost did once. It was when
everything changed, when Touga began to act bratty. Not Nanami-type bratty that
would have been a welcome relief, but his spoiled attitude was surreptitious.
It paved the way to his present posture of backstabbing, arrogant duplicity. It
was when they were going to turn 13, Saionji in August and Touga in June. Fate
wanted him brought into the world first, and even at Saionji�s party Touga
stole the show bringing his best friend the best gift.

Saionji had struck him so hard that the bamboo split and
tore into the flesh on his temple. The blood dribbled down Touga�s head
blending perfectly with his hair making a few follicles stick looking like a
skein of wet silk. The only thing Saionji said was: �You know your name
doesn�t suit you at all.�

�Why would you say that?� Touga asked keeping his
sharp eyes on Saionji.

�Well, your name means �winter bud� but your
birthday�s in the summer, and it�s really hot!� Touga tapped the
bloody snail trail with his fingertips and licked them clean. He rolled the
coppery substance around his mouth as though he were a connoisseur tasting a
fine wine. �Touga, I really-� He tackled him to the floor his hands
feeling whatever flesh presented to him sucking on Saionji�s mouth. �What�re
you doing? Touga!� The ivy-headed youth pulled back and kicked the redhead
in the chest. He went for Touga�s shinai and took a defensive stance. �What�s
come over you, huh?!� Touga stood blinking at Saionji blankly and the other
boy lunged at him out of blind fury. Touga, smirking, took advantage of the
opportunity and smoothly disarmed Saionji as he rushed him, then took the boy
out with an uppercut chop to the ribs utilizing their Aikido training. �Touga��
Saionji wheezed falling into his arms but the redhead distrustful of his
friend forced him to his knees and twisted both little arms behind his back. �Naze
da?�

�Don�t be difficult Saionji.� He tenderly pressed
his cheek to his back. �Doesn�t it feel good? Don�t you like it?�

�It isn�t right, and you know it kisama!�

�What are you now? Those self-hating humans? It�s
perfectly acceptable amongst our kind.� Saionji bit back a sob when he felt
Touga�s erection push against his buttocks. �We don�t have to do that now if
you don�t want to� there are other things just as nice�� How did he know of
these things? Touga was attractive, pretty even, all the girls in their class
swooned over him and the teachers gave him special attention and privileges
perhaps because of that. Saionji didn�t feel himself lifted off the floor or
hear a door close. The closet Touga shut them up in was warm from their
combined hyperactive body heat. His lips kissed him deeply then ran up and down
the marble column of his throat. �Ah, my beautiful Saionji so pretty when
you cry�� He had no idea he was crying only that his face felt wet. No. Not
like this you bastard. Play this game and it will be on my terms. Kicking him
in the ribs Saionji stole out of the closet for the purpose of giving him chase
when he collided with the long legs of an adult who in all probability had been
standing there for an undetermined period.

�Saionji Kyouichi, desu ka?� Touga smelled
Saionji�s panic and a stranger then made his appearance in the closet door with
his gi undone. �Kiryuu Touga desu ka?� At that moment the only thing
Touga thought was how much he didn�t like the strange man fondling his friend�s
ponytail. �So why didn�t you just say something?�

�Saionji?� Saionji was painfully aware of himself then
and how all eyes were on him. Touga posed with one hand in his pocket.

�What- what did you say?� The kendoka was flustered.

�I said what do think?�

�About what?�

�About Tenjou.�

Saionji violently chucked
the bokken across the room. �I could give a rat�s ass about Tenjou.� He
proceeded to walk out the door.

�Saionji!� Juri shouted to his back. He spun on his heel
to look at his unresponsive best friend.

�Your plots and battle plans are such bullshit!� He said.
�You never had the balls to openly challenge me to a real duel!�

�I never play at dueling Kyouichi,� Touga�s tone and use
of his given name indicated how Saionji was skating on thin ice.

�That�s because you only know play dueling.� Saionji
turned his green ponytail away from his council mates. �Whatever retribution
you�re rewarded Touga you deserve. As for me I�m no one�s puppet therefore I
renounce my position as Student Council Vice President.� Miki clicked his
stopwatch.

�Masaka!�

�At a time like this?� Juri screeched. �Saionji you�ve
lost your mind! You don�t turn your back on the clan! What will your father
say?� She was met by a resolute silence for a few emotional moments.

�Nothing.� Saionji said. �Until I�m finished saying what
I�ve needed to say to him for the longest time.� He glanced over his shoulder.
�Sayonara.�

* * *

No one truly believed the brashness of the former Fukukaichou
until his withdrawal documents were processed. Boxes labeled with permanent
marker and fastened with thick brown cellophane tape piled outside his private
dorm. Juri was made the interim Fukukaichou, normally she would advance to the
position but there was no one chosen to take her office so her duties were
doubled and she was not looking forward to all the paperwork. Saionji scribbled
his signature on a clipboard and handed it back to the driver of the moving
truck, his taxi to the station would be arriving soon.

�You really are making good on this promise, aren�t you?�
Juri approached him with Miki. Saionji looked odd in jeans and a denim jacket.

�You do know sempai, that even with your tenure the code
of the Rose Seal is absolute and your withdrawal cannot be reversed.� Said
Miki. He knelt down to where his suede duffel bag rested at his feet.

�Wakarimashite. This is something that has been coming a
ling time now, and something that the two of you should consider at length.�
The blue-haired prodigy and his fencing captain blinked and didn�t reply. �I
don�t expect you to really comprehend my motives, just that I can�t subject
myself any longer to mind control.�

�Saionji�� Juri said. Of course she knew Touga wouldn�t
show up for the big send off, there were trash bags filled with cards, pleading
letters and tokens from loyal fangirls sitting in his empty rooms awaiting to
be taken to the furnace. Earlier that morning Nanami accompanied by the kendo
team tried one last-ditch effort to prevent him from leaving, but nothing could
sway him, Saionji was an extremist to the last. For all of Nanami�s pettiness
and immaturity the tears she shed were real, she mourned the loss of a family
member. The team was let down and was right to be angry; his second Jougasaki
Kaname was promoted to captain. It brought him neither comfort nor a sense of
accomplishment. Saionji was their prince but wouldn�t rest on his laurels as he
deserved to, at least that fairy Kiryuu wouldn�t show his face at the dojo any
longer.

�Miki.�

�Eh?� Saionji handed him a brown leather book with a
brass lock. �Kore wa?�

�A trifle,� Saionji yanked the drawstrings and threw the
bag over his shoulder. �But one that leaves me wide open. I can only trust you
with that, Miki.�

�Do what with, sempai?�

Saionji began his final
stroll to Ohtori�s front gate. �To take to the furnace. I apologize for putting
you out this way.�

�No. No sempai you aren�t.� A gaggle of laughing
elementary aged school children jogged past him to the playground where their youthful,
attractive teacher waited. He stopped to watch them, a soccer ball rolled out
from somewhere and a pair of boys threw down their bags to vigorously kick it
between one another. Saionji saw a redhead and his green ponytailed chum do the
same only without the green short-panted uniforms. He couldn�t remember what
school they attended before Ohtori, only that they didn�t require uniforms. If
only Touga hadn�t run away that night� if only he didn�t tell him about the
damn prince� if only he�d just let Touga do what he wanted with him� if only he
knew where Touga ran away to that night! And why he pulled disappearing
acts so often back then. The pieces dropped to his feet like pennies from
heaven and only now did he see how the interlocking wedges fit perfectly.
Saionji looked back; the tower seemed thousands of miles away and not so very
big though realistically he was only feet from the gates. It was remarkable how
a little perspective can cleanse the vision.

He was eight or nine when Touga�s mother was first
admitted to the hospital. An elegant Tokyo socialite such as Mrs. Kiryuu would
hardly be the sort to succumb to exhaustion. She was at home the majority of
the time entertaining friends or playing the piano, Touga and Nanami were
exceptionally biddable and were constantly surrounded by nannies and maids.
Similarly Saionji�s upbringing was done by his mother and assorted teachers in
his father�s traditional Japanese manorial home. Nanami preferred the company
of her elder brother and was oft amused by him and repelled by the nurses. She
acclimated herself to Saionji since he also made her brother smile practicing
in the dojo or playing games all over the pre-Victorian Kiryuu Mansion.
Everything was managed by Kiryuu-sama, Touga�s father, a mysterious man whose
given name Saionji never learned and encountered four times in his entire
association with the family. And he was glad of it. A beautiful home, the
perfect wife and two enchanting kids, what more could a man ask for? Things
were no longer the same as the three kids saw Mrs. Kiryuu helmed out of the
house in a wheelchair slumped over with a trail of drool like quicksilver
dangling from her lower lip and a towel draped over her head. Touga locked
himself in his room that day, Nanami begged him to hold her, banging her tiny
four-year-old fists on his door until her knuckles bled and swelled. Saionji
spent the night; never again did that lovely woman fragrant of talcum powder
and gardenias return just a shell with transfixed eyes, dull hair and rubbery
flesh. She tremored continuously and carried her purse everywhere rattling of
pills. Then when Touga was 15 they packed off for Austria, the calm air for
Mrs. Kiryuu and Kiryuu-sama to run the business. Their two capable children
left to their own devices at home where Nanami rotted herself on other people�s
misery and worshipping her brother who ruled supreme by the sword and the
flesh.

Kiryuu-sama�s home office metamorphosed into Touga�s
study, the window falling from ceiling to floor never had its curtains drawn
and Touga�s black leather armchair, his throne really, was always facing it. He
was notorious for his exhibitionism, the son of a bitch was good-looking and
hung like a horse therefore had to flaunt. It was peculiar how he kept locked
his bedroom and study, you had to be genuinely special to gain access. Nanami
and Saionji had been in and out of his bedroom since the beginning, for Saionji
it became sexual much later on. Juri was there, Kaoru Kozue and it was only a
matter of time for Miki. Slide off his clothes and Touga would press his lips
to the blushing flesh, a favorite and much cuter than his twin. Who knew,
getting laid could ease the Prodigy�s tension. He remembered Kiryuu-sama
sending them to visit his old sensei shortly thereafter; they practiced in the
dojo until all hours of the night when they decided to bike home. They were
soaked by a sudden storm unmindful of the crackling thunder and lightning.

�I told you we should have capped it at the tenth
match!�

�You�re the one who wanted to stay and clean up. Sensei
only took advantage of us further.�

�Maa na�� Church bells bleakly pealed and Touga
tensed his fingers on the brakes.

�It�s a funeral.�

�Kimi-tachi!� Two grey suited men approaching them
startled the two schoolboys. �Have you seen a little girl around here?�

�She�s about your age,� the man on the left
described. �She ran off somewhere.�

�Her parents were killed today in an accident.� The
other on the left said.

�Jikou?� Touga whispered.

�Sorry,� Saionji apologized. �We haven�t seen
anybody.� The two men sighed frustrated.

�Thank you anyway.� They walked down the path back
to the church. Saionji listened carefully to their conversation. �Do you
suppose she was kidnapped?�

�Don�t be absurd! She�s in shock��

�Did you hear that, Touga? The girl might have been
kidnapped. Touga?� But he wasn�t listening only focusing on the church and
its superlative amber, ruby, emerald and sapphire stained glass gothic spires.

�A kidnapped girl. But how��

�So it�s true isn�t it sempai?� The bell towers gonged
with their noontime chimes and Tenjou Utena climbed out of hibernation.

�Tenjou?!�

�What is this about Saionji? Anthy? If you�re really
serious about her why run away?� Utena demanded. She was dressed in black Lycra
pedalpushers, Kung Fu slippers and a silver trimmed Cantonese blouse with
shirttails draping over her narrow hips. Her hair was bound up tight in a
ponytail.

�Nice outfit Tenjou. Cosplaying?�

�I�ve thrown myself back into training.�

�For a Final Fantasy tournament?�

�You�re stalling sempai.�

Saionji turned away from
Utena. �You�re an idiot for taking Anthy seriously Tenjou. I was an idiot for
taking her seriously. Except that I learned my lesson, I�m no one�s watchdog.�
Utena�s eyes shifted to a brilliant amber.

�And I never do things half-assed. I go all the way!� A
blue-grey sedan with a private taxi logo on its doors pulled up in front of the
gate and honked.

�Suit yourself.� Saionji climbed into the backseat and
drove off.

* * *

Behind a copper-plated telescope Touga watched the
commotion on the ground from the tower. �Didn�t you give your well wishes to
your friend?� Akio asked sipping his martini on the white leather sofa.

�Was he really my friend, Mr. Chairman?� He observed
Utena with renewed tenacity walk to the gymnasium.

�Be nice to your friend Mr. President.� Anthy sprawled
out on the sofa topless, head on his lap euphorically looked up to her brother
hearing Touga walking towards them and the shutters clattered down once again.

TSUZUKU
- 11
- 12
- 13
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Sang Sur les Roses