Utena yawns, and wanders in. n.n "Oh, my, quite a crowd."

Kaoru exclaims, "Konbanwa, Kaachan!"

Kaoru waves to Utena.

Duplica wavewaves. ^.^

Utena smiles, and hugs Kaoru a little. "Hello." She nods to Duplica and to
Chichiri as well. "You know, the Parlor's a lot more comfortable for long
conversations."

Chichiri smiles and gives a bow with his head to Utena.  "Good evening no
da, Utena-san."  He nods to her, "Hai no da.  Perhaps we should go in
there no da."

Duplica nodnods.

Utena says, "After you. n.n"

Kaoru returns the squeeze, then turns towards the parlor.  "Ladies
first...."

Utena giggles faintly.

Kaoru is still holding the door, waiting for the guests to leave.

Duplica giggles, going in after Utena.

Utena settles comfortably on one of the chairs and smiles to the others
when they join her. n.n

Kaoru arrives, from the kitchen.

Chichiri smiles and walks over to one of the couches, removing his kasa
from around his neck and placing it next to him, along with his shakujou.

Kaoru moves over toward the pool table, and begins racking up the balls.

Utena gestures a little. "Please, I hope I didn't interrupt anything." The
ring on her finger glows polychromatic, brightly pulsating against her
hand.

Duplica sits down in a chair, grinning. ^.^

Duplica says, "No, you didn't."

Kaoru smiles.  "Not at all, Kaachan...."

Duplica notices the ring, then goes over to Chichiri, whispering.

Kaoru asks, "How are you feeling, Kaachan?"

Chichiri watches the ring as it begins to glow, then looks over to Duplica
curiously and gives a slight nod.  "You weren't interupting anything no
da.  That's...an interesting ring you have no da."

Kaoru asks, "Up for a game of pool?"

Utena closes her eyes faintly, tired-looking, a sallowness to her cheeks
as she rubs her finger idly over the band of her ring. "... Gomen,
Kaoru-chan. I... right now... I don't have much energy right now."

Kaoru goes over towards Utena, not even bothering to drop his pool cue.  
"Would you like me to get you some water, or something to drink?"

Utena closes her eyes. "... water." she whispers. "... I don't know how
long I have." Her right hand.. the one that does not wear the ring..
tenses into a fist, relaxes.. tenses again...

Crystal Rose> Kasumi_Naru walks out of the house, to the yard.

Crystal Rose> Kasumi_Naru has left.

Chichiri looks rather confused.  o O (I go away on one small expedition,
and when I come back everything is strange no da.)  o.o;

Kaoru vanishes in a flicker of movement, the only sound you hear is the
door to the kitchen opening.

Kaoru walks over to the kitchen.

Akio> Kaoru walks over from the parlor.

Kaoru has left.

Akio> Kaoru has arrived.

Akio> Kaoru gets a glass of water, with NINJA SPEED!!!!!  ^_-

Akio> Kaoru walks to the parlor.

Kaoru arrives, from the kitchen.

Akio> Kaoru has left.

Kaoru has arrived.

Duplica is thinking the same thing. O.o

Kaoru is back in a flash with a tankard of cool water.  "Here you are,
Kaachan....  Drink this...."

Utena raises her eyes to Chichiri, noticing the confusion. She wants to
explain, but... she can't, it's hard to force the words out of her lips.
Her eyes practically burn with unexpressed thoughts, sorrow. She reaches
to Kaoru gratefully and takes the glass, drinking in silence.

Somewhere on the muck, Canal has connected.

Duplica asks, "What's going on?"

Kaoru asks, "Are you feeling better, Kaachan?"

Somewhere on the muck, Canal has disconnected.

Kaoru smiles somewhat, and whispers something in his kaachan's ear.

Kaoru whispers, "Hello, Utena-kaachan.... It's nice to meet you...." to
you.

Utena says, "... I'm sad... so sad. Tired." She slumps back into the
couch. "... it's hard to talk." She tilts her ear toward the whisper.

Kaoru smiles at Utena.

Utena looks at Kaoru in alarm suddenly, her eyes shimmering. "..."

Chichiri watches Utena.  Seeing the look in her eyes and becoming
concerned.  He's seen looks like that before.  After all, he wears a mask
so other people don't have to see it on him.  He just listens quietly for
the time being.

Kaoru looks mortified....  "Kaachan?  KAACHAN?  Daijobu?"  He starts
feeling her forehead and the like.  Turning towards the others with a look
of near panic on his face, he asks, "Please... more water....."  Turning
back, he mutters, "I lost one... not this one too...."

Duplica *darts* towards the kitchen for water.

Utena swallows. "... it's bad. I can't ever... I don't understand what
happened... terrible thoughts..." She's clearly terrified, and her eyes
look all kinds of wrong... ".. cold. Am I dead...? I don't know what I'm
doing here.."

Duplica comes back in with a pitcher of water, handing it to Kaoru. "I-Is
there anything else I can do?"

Chichiri says softly.  "Utena-san?  What happened no da?"

Kaoru holds Utena close.  "It's okay, Kaachan.....  Don't worry about
anything.....  You aren't dead.... you can't die..... kaachan.... not
again...."

It's rather clear that Kaoru is a bit out of it.

Utena says, ".. I... I think I'm dead..." her voice is high, it sounds..
younger, softer. "... I don't understand..." Here's an ironic, disturbing
sight, a rapidly maturing young woman leaning on a younger boy
desperately..

Duplica dips a cloth into pitcher and dabs Utena's forehead gently.
"You're not dead, miss."

Chichiri shakes his head.  Baffled by everything going on around him.  
"You're not dead no da.  Utena-san, maybe you should get some rest no
da..."

Kaoru suddenly holds Utena tighter, then pushes away.  "You are not dead.  
See, you're breathing.... you're still alive....."

Utena's eyes are frantic. "... I'm dead.." she insists. "There's something
wrong with me.. I can feel it... dark things in my head... killing,
blood... wanting to hurt things... it isn't me.."

Kaoru holds Utena's face in his hands, looking in her eyes.  "You aren't
dead."

Utena can't see you, can't see anything, just a glaze of fear and
confusion in her vast shadowless blue eyes; you can see her falling away
behind them, slowly but inevitably; her unringed hand clenching and
opening and clenching and opening...

Kaoru does the only thing he can think of.  He raises the ring to directly
in Utena's line of sight, and begins talking in a calm and soothing voice.  
"You are calming down and going to sleep...  My voice is the only voice
that you can hear."

Duplica looks on, as helpless as Chichiri in this situation. She looks at
Kaoru worriedly, then tried to think up a solution to this problem. O.O
>.> <.<

Utena stares at the ring. Stares and fixes on it and the multicolored
light reflects in shades of blue in her eyes; her lips move vaguely. It
looks as though she might be listening now... but unfortunately, it
doesn't QUITE have the intended effect, you realize. If Utena goes to
sleep.. as she does, lulled by that voice.. then...

Kaoru continues.  "You are falling asleep, and everything is getting calm.  
Although you are asleep, you can hear my voice and respond....  There is
nothing but calmness.  I'm going to count to three, and you will be fully
asleep, and will be able to respond to my voice.  One...."

Utena's gaze snaps into sharp focus. "Sorry, kiddo. Nice try, though."

Kaoru forces a smile onto his face, and says, "Welcome back, Kaachan...."

Chichiri watches quietly.  Still looking very confused.

Utena says, "You're devious. It's cute. You'll make a good addition to the
family." Then she stands, clearly in full control of herself, power and
reserved grace in her movements; her voice lower, mature.

Duplica frowns, wrinkling her nose.

Kaoru shrugs.  "Doesn't matter to me, one way or the other... Just so long
as you're okay, kaachan..."

Utena mms softly, linking her hands behind her back. So she can't see the
obnoxious ring that Urd slapped on her, for one thing. "Everyone seems a
little confused. Let me make it simple. The Utena that you once knew is
very, very dead now. Dead and buried, as a matter of fact. Whether you
like that fact or not is absolutely irrelevant to the fact that it's the
truth." She smiles some; it's not a nice smile.

Duplica tilts her head, feeling sorry for Kaoru. . o O ( He loves her so
much... what if she tries to hurt him...? )

Chichiri blinks behind his mask.  Watching Utena, now looking even more
confused then before.  "N..nani no da?"

Duplica exclaims, "W-what do you mean? You're right in front of us!"

Utena giggles a little, enjoying the confusion, the anger, the general
uncertainty. "Chichiri, she once explained the Mazoku to you, did she not?
Do you remember what she said?"

Kaoru takes a deep drink of water.

Chichiri becomes very quiet for a moment, his gaze not leaving Utena.  He
then gives a single, slow nod.

Utena giggles a little. "Unlike Xel-chan when he was still in the family,
I don't really care who knows anything. I've got no secrets to keep. We
murdered Utena and my master made me to take her place. It's really as
simple as that. If you can all accept that, I'm sure we can get along just
fine. But any hopes you may have of saving her are absolutely unfounded.
I'm all that you get of her, now." She smiles, and sits back down on the
couch, unabashed, shamelessly moving her cold eyes to each of you in turn.

Kaoru turns an innocent gaze to Utena.  "Ne, Kaachan?  What are these
Mazoku everyone keeps talking about?" he asks, his eyes wide with
childlike wonder.

Duplica looks in horror. . o O ( What are mazoku...? ) O.O "Y-You murdered
Utena? Why?"

Utena ahs, and reclines in the couch comfortably. "Why, since you haven't
heard, I guess I can explain. Mazoku, as Utena once told Chichiri, are the
High Race of astral demons. We feed on your human terror. Your fear. Your
rage, sorrow and sadness. Those emotions feed and sustain us- and I should
say, they're really easy to get, especially in a situation like this. Do
we have a greater purpose than that? Ah, not really. We exist to be evil
and to feed and kill. To prey on man. That is the purpose of all Mazoku."

Utena smiles and reaches out to brush her fingers along the top of Kaoru's
head, a gesture parodying affection- it's more like possessiveness.

Kaoru smile widens.  "Kaachan?  May I say something?"

Utena says, "As you like."

Kaoru says, "You're not scary and you don't make me angry or sad.  I don't
think you're a very good Mazoku...."

Duplica shakes in anger. . o O ( No! She doesn't deserve to be Kaoru's
mother!! Family isn't that! Family is love, understanding... patience....
<.< ... And.... *giggle* Yay, Kaoru! ^.^ )

Kaoru smiles.  "But you're still my Kaachan...."

Utena chuckles. "That's adorable." She shows no particular upset about it.
"Whether you think so or not... there are a million others whose fears are
easily manipulated." She turns her eyes to Duplica. "For example, yours."

Duplica sticks her tougue out at Utena. :P

Chichiri seems motionless as Utena speaks.  Hardly able to believe what he
just heard.  In fact the shock comes to him so harshly the monk is forced
to standup, shaking his head and looking away.  o O (.....Utena-san.)  
Suddenly the monk lets out a gasp of breath as the guilt hits him.  o O
(....I left and I couldn't keep my promise to you no da...Gomen nasai,
Utena-san.)  The monk then turns slowly to face Utena.  "....any hopes of
saving her, unfounded no da?"  He shakes his head and says softly, "I
don't believe you."  Coming to attention quickly as Utena turns her eyes
to Duplica.

Arislan steps in quietly, shyly, not wanting to intrude.

Utena smiles softly. "We buried her alive, under eight feet of hard earth.
Even if her body somehow survived for a few hours, she would have
suffocated to death by now. And as she's already buried, there's not even
a point in exhuming her for a funeral. Her body has no connection to my
existence." She leans toward Duplica. "Can you imagine being buried alive?
The way she wriggled and begged for mercy as the dirt slowly crushed her
to death?"

Kaoru shrugs.  "Doesn't sound pleasent....  How did it feel?"

Duplica wrinkles her nose at Utena. "You wouldn't do it, cause you
wouldn't kill."

Duplica says, "You won't kill someone if you can easily keep them to renew
fears, cause after a while, people'll move on. v.v Humans adapt, even
after much pain."

Utena's smile darkens. "Wouldn't I? You know.." She fingers a fold in her
dress. "There's a saying.. never challenge someone on their home ground."
She rises. "Because that is where they are most powerful." She gestures,
creating a cylindrical black wall that extends out of her body and slams
through the entire room, sweeping out in an everexpanding wave. Needless
to say... unless you react REAL fast.. this is going to HURT. "Perhaps you
all need a lesson."

Kaoru backflips a couple of times to the wall, then springs off that to
leap over the wave.

Arislan is caught totally off guard and is knocked back! "YAAAAA!!!!"

Utena giggles softly, unconcerned at Kaoru's action. Merely impressed. She
snaps her hand out toward him, attempting to grab his neck; push him back
onto a couch if she can.

Arislan lands hard against the wall, being knocked out! He slumps to the
floor in a crumpled pile, his cloak covering him mostly.

Kaoru grabs her arm and uses it as a pivot point to eat momentum as he
attempts to land.

Chichiri, still suffering from the initial shock wasn't quite fast enough.  
He grunts as the wave strikes his and he's sent back, wincing in pain as
he meets the wall and falls to the floor.  The monk shakes his head,
looking up and watching Utena in disbelief.  o O (How could she....the
house is guarded against dark magics no da!)

Kaoru lands on the couch, messily, but on the couch....

Duplica cartwheels back, even with her dress. She's an acrobat, after all.
She jumps on a couch and flips over the wave. She then rushes over to
Chichiri. "Chichiri?!?!"

Utena seems to read Chichiri's mind and smiles. ".. Ahh. Isn't that an
interesting question. Far be it for me to tell you the answer."

Kaoru picks himself up, and smiles at Kaachan.  "And that was... what?"

Utena says, "(OOC) Actually, it's a rather glaring hole in Utena's defense
set up. She never KNEW about the astral plane, and everything here is
guarded against magic on the normal level. That's actually HOW she got
nailed in the first place- Revi came in astrally, where there was no
defense. Utena never thought of it because she didn't know, and Xel didn't
set it up because he gave it no serious thought- even if it did, he could
have defended. Rather nasty little loophole. n.n"

Utena says, "That was a warning, Kaoru."

Kaoru smiles and cocks his head to one side.  "About what?"

Utena sits down next to him and pulls him into her lap, hand idly
caressing his throat. "That I'm willing to do harm. Since it seemed people
weren't quite believing me."

Chichiri sits on his knees, an arm rubbing his side.  He's gonna really
feel that bruise tomorrow.  The monk gives Duplica a nod to indicate that
he's ok.  Then says, "Duplica-san, I think you should get out of here no
da."  He gaze returning to Utena.  "What did you do with Utena-san.  If
she's burried, then where no da?"  Not willing to believe unless he see's
with his own eyes.

Utena snorts. "As if I'm going to TELL you that!"

Utena says, "Honestly, I'm not that stupid."

Duplica shakes her head. "....*No*."

Kaoru nods, unconcerned about Utena having her hand on his throat.  "But
why would you want to do that, kaachan?"

Utena kisses Kaoru's ear and whispers something into it.

You whisper, "Even if I can't scare you, my dear boy... you make an
excellent prop." to Kaoru.

Duplica looks at Utena. "Get *away* from him! You don't deserve to be his
mother!! "

Chichiri uses the wall for support as he gets to his feet.  Glaring behind
his mask, "This isn't right no da.  There is a way to save her, I know, I
can feel it no da.  Maybe she isn't even dead.  Utena-san has survived
worse than that no da."

Kaoru leans back and whispers something to Utena, smiling all the while.

Utena smiles to Duplica, basking in her rage. "No, I don't, do I? Keep
believing that."

Kaoru whispers, "I've hunted and killed more spirits then you can imagine.  
I am NO ONES prop." to you.

Kaoru leans back and smiles.  "Ne, kaachan?"

Duplica wrinkles her nose, advancing.

Utena chuckles, leaving her hand where it is, her other arm wrapping
around the boy's waist. "You'll take the Pledge of Immortality with me,
Kaoru. Soon."

Utena says, "It's too good to waste."

Chichiri's hands stay at his sides.  Where his kasa and staff seemed to
have suddenly arrived.  Though he doesn't do anything hostile.  o O (If
Utena-san is still alive...with enough focus I can find her chi no da.)  
His thoughts are then disturbed.  "Duplica-san!  Stay away from them no
da!"

Utena gazes at Duplica. "Please stop skulking around like that. I wouldn't
recommend that you try anything if you care about our friend, Kaoru."

Utena says, "Now, we can all sit and be civilized or we can have all-out
war. I'd prefer not to waste the time on the latter."

Kaoru shrugs.  With that same innocence, he looks at Utena.  "What is the
Pledge of Immortality, Kaachan?"

Duplica stops. "I want you to let Kaoru go! He's my friend!!"

A small crab contraption skitters in, walking up to the unconscious
Arislan, staring at him, and then a small beam of pink light envelops the
two of them. Suddenly they're both gone, a little Washuu doll in the place
of them.

Utena says, "A way that you and I can become one, Kaoru..."

Kaoru raises his eyebrow.  "Are you sure?  I mean, I AM only 13...."

Duplica then giggles. ^.^

Utena laughs. "You won't mind when it's all said and done. Now, Duplica,
dear, please. Do something useful with all that energy, make us some tea
or something."

Duplica stops. "I want you to let Kaoru go! He's my friend!!"

Duplica says, "Not when you're gonna murder Kaoru like you did Utena...
o/~"

Kaoru says, "Kaachan, I'm going to have to ask you to let go of me now....  
I don't think Duplica likes it."

Utena LAUGHS. "I wouldn't dare! He's much too clever and useful for that.
Utena was a naive little girl. Kaoru here has potential. I wouldn't dare
waste that." She carresses his neck. "Sorry, I'm afraid I won't do that.
This is just too sweet, all that anger she can't even control."

Chichiri steps forward, going to place a hand on Duplica's shoulder.  
Trying to calm her down.  Then says evenly.  "He wishes for you to release
him, I suggest that you do no da."

Utena says, "Or what?" n.n

Kaoru reaches a hand up to Utena's hand at his neck, and leans back to
kiss her on the cheek.  "Then I'm sorry, Kaachan..."

Utena holds him tightly. Which is saying something. .

Duplica stands there, looking up at Chichiri. O.O

Chichiri watches Utena and Kaoru with an even, calm expression.  Almost
hauntingly so.  Determined not to let his emotions get the best of him.  
Or let his anger take over like it did once, a long time ago.  At this
point, all of his training seems to be serving him well.  His mind keeps
telling him, over and over again that the person in front of him isn't
Utena.  But her identical appearance causes him pain, he doesn't want to
hurt his friend.  But the hint of determination on his face shows that he
will if he must.  He takes a step forward.  "Release him no da."

Utena smiles. "No! Geez, you people really aren't getting it."

Kaoru closes his eyes and explodes into action, snaking a hand along his
throat to the garrote there, and drawing it through Utena's forearm.  
Before she can do anything, he sweeps it down across the arm at his waist,
shearing it off at the elbow.  Leaping from her lap, he turns around, and
looks at Utena.  "I'm sorry, kaachan.  You didn't leave me any choice."

You whisper, "Urd put a ring on the Mazoku Utena that has Utena's original
spirit pattern copied from Ygdrassil. So, that original pattern and this
new pattern are fighting for dominance all the time." to Chichiri.

Duplica watches, shocked. "Wha....?!?" O.O

Utena looks... mildly surprised, while she sits there on the couch. Blood
spills from her severed limbs... and those ends.. unravel, like cheese
melting on a hot grill; holes and torn threads. She closes her eyes a
moment... smiling at the pain. "... I didn't think you would. That just
proves it..." She's very calm as she sits there bloody and unraveled, hand
and armless.

The fallen, severed parts start to waft back toward her, unraveled edges
slowly returning to join with the other edges... her eyes still closed as
she pulls herself together, quite literally.

Chichiri gaze burns into Utena.  Then his eyes widen behind his mask as he
senses the energy.  o O (..Utena-san!).  He frowns as he realizes that
this only makes things more difficult for him.  He gasps in shock as Kaoru
severs the limbs, then watches, stunned as they return to Utena.

Utena is whole after a few more moments... her eyes open. "That was very
naughty." She giggles at Kaoru. "Very, very naughty."

Kaoru wipes the garrote on the carpet, then shrugs as he replaces it.  
"As I said, you left me no choice..."

Utena says, "It doesn't change a thing." She looks around at the others.
"Anyone else care to take a shot? I think you can all see what value there
is in trying."

Chichiri quietly gives a nod, in response.  Beginning to walk slowly
towards Utena.  His shakujou's metal rings clinking slightly as he turns
the staff to carry at his side, not threateningly.  Just carrying it.  
His face shows immense determination as he approaches.

Utena crosses her arms over her chest, her knee over her knee, in the
middle of a massive red ring of blood splashes over her body, dress, the
back of the couch; it frames her like some unholy halo as she just..
smirks.

Duplica asks, "Chichiri....?"

You whisper, "In your mind: A brief, high scream from Utena. "Don't let
them kill me! If she dies I'll die too, please...! Don't let them do
anything!!" to Kaoru.

Kaoru shrugs, and swings the bundle off his back, getting it ready.  "I
really don't want to fight you, kaachan...."  Suddenly, he goes still.  
His head falls forward, and he hurriedly takes out his golden halbard.  
Moving between Utena and Chichiri, he turns to the monk.  "I'm sorry, but
I cannot let you near her."

Utena giggles softly behind Kaoru. "Oh, my. Isn't this sweet. I knew you
cared for me." n.n

Chichiri stops as Kaoru steps in front of him.  Turning his staff in his
hand, though not bringing it out to strike, simply to let the end rest on
the ground.  The small clink of metal rings behind heard once again.  He
speaks calmly, "Please, let me try to help her no da."  The tone of his
voice soothing, and from it one can hear that the monk doesn't intend to
begin a physical battle.

Utena yawns very pointedly in the background, taunting. "This is getting
boooooring.."

Duplica looks at Kaoru, walking over and whispering into his ear.

You whisper, "You can hear Utena's voice very faintly, as if weak and from
a great distance, trying to reach to you. Just a few words, hard to make
out. "... don't... just save... Kaoru... run away.. please... " to
Chichiri.

Kaoru's hand blurs, and he's holding a kisarigami (sickle and chain), "I
know that.  But I can't let you hurt her.  There's a chance that you may
kill her.  And I can't let you hurt my kaachan."

Duplica asks, "Kaoru... he's a monk. Are you going to continue to let your
mother hurt your friends, or do you want Chichiri to try to see if he can
solve the problem?"

Kaoru asks, "I know that.  And I also know that I cannot allow anyone to
attempt to harm kaachan."  Smiling a bit, he turns his head slightly, not
enough to take his eyes off the monk, but enough for utena to know he's
talking to her.  "Kaachan?  What's that rose on your ring mean?"

Utena scowls. "... It doesn't mean anything."

Utena says, "It doesn't MEAN ANYTHING!"

Chichiri let's out a slow breath.  A faint voice reaching his mind from
far away, telling him to leave it, take the others and run away.  o O (I
can't do that, I made a promise no da, Utena-san.)  He doesn't flinch as
the weapon suddenly enter's Kaoru's hand.  Only reguarding it for a
moment, before looking to the boy.  Then says, very seriously.  "I will
kill myself, before I kill any of my friends.  Please, let me try and
bring her back.  I know you care for her, but this is not her.  Can't you
feel it?"

Kaoru asks, "No need to get angry....  And what did Urd mean when she said
'Revolutionize the world'?  What's that got to do with anything?"

Utena says, "SHUT UP, Kaoru. It doesn't MEAN ANYTHING."

Kaoru asks, "Well, it's got to mean something, kaachan... or else you
wouldn't be so angry about it.  So what's it mean?"

Utena jams her hand against her forehead. "It doesn't mean anything! Dios
is DEAD! Anshi is dead! The castle fell, falling down, falling DOWN... It
doesn't mean a THING!" She gives a weirdly tormented wail.

Kaoru moves out of Chichiri's way.  "Help her.  But if she dies, you die.  
And you will see Kogan-anki's 6 faces before you die."

Duplica looks around, helplessly. O.O

Utena collapses sideways on the couch, sobbing hysterically, her face
contorted with anger, hate.. TERROR. Terror from inside... now, Duplica,
might be a prime time to BLAST her into the next reality... n.n

Chichiri nods once, before stepping forward, standing before Utena.  
Looking down at her for a moment before crouching down before the person
on the couch.  Steadying himself by keeping one hand on the shakujou.  He
whispers softly, "...Utena-san.  I'll help you fight."  Then brings up his
left hand, taking his necklace of beads between his fingers.  The
concentration building as he quietly casts a spell, which can be felt by
all who are around.  As if a force was just released in the room.

Duplica blinks. . o O ( Wow.... )

Utena basically... there's no easy way to put it, except that she starts
SCREAMING, the most godawful wailing howl of throat-bleeding misery...
Chichiri.. you feel something moving through you as you open up that
spell... a force that seems to rise from your feet through your body into
you, joining itself to you and using you as a channel.. the land itself is
very, very angry at this situation. It makes you stronger. But
unfortunately as your pull gets stronger Utena starts going through more
obvious, visible, horrible agony, thrashing and screaming and flailing
wildly.

Kaoru says, "*STOP IT!!!!  YOU'RE HURTING HER!!!!!*"

Duplica exclaims, "Kaoru!! Don't!!"

You whisper, "While this is happening, you can hear the land whisper to
you. --This is sacred ground. This thing is blaspheming the one we chose
to guard it. It violated us with its filth. We could not stop it. You can
stop it. We will help you.-- The voice is like the whisper of a hundred
trees." to Chichiri.

Kaoru wheels about and glares at Duplica.  "Why?  Give me one good reason
why I shouldn't go over there right now and make that monk intimate
friends with my kogan-anki?"

Chichiri doesn't move as any of the screaming begins.  Continuing to place
his concentration on the spell.  Feeling as the energy of the Earth begins
to fill him and help him.  The echoing of the land's voice and power
making him dizzy.  He swallows hard and increases his concentration.  
From his hand, where he has grasped onto his necklace, white sparks,
almost like small jolts of lightening begins to crack as he increases the
strength of his chi.

Duplica says, "Because what he's doing is reviving the part of Utena you
love. The one who loves you. Chichiri meant what he said. Trust me on
this." She looks at Chichiri. "......O.O"

Utena's ripped apart part of the couch, her hands tearing claw-like at the
cushions, slashing them open, her neck tossing back and forth, hair wild,
resisting with all the dark power that she was filled with, the dark power
descended from the Great Demon of this plane, Shaburanigdo... to call the
debate a titanic one would be a drastic understatement... but as that
scream seems to go on and on and on... A figure in black appears between
Duplica and Kaoru... a sad-eyed, pale young woman wearing a silver ankh.
".... I'm not sure this is going to work." she shakes her head, crossing
her arms over her chest, watching closely like those to either side of
her.

Kaoru shakes as Utena keeps screaming.  "I......  I.........  I'm sorry."  
He turns around and picks up the weighted end of his Kisarigami.

Kaoru hurls the weighted end at Chichiri, attempting to knock him
unconscious.

Duplica says, "Y-you can't!! Please, no!" She then attempts to shove Kaoru
away. "Don't!"

Kaoru sees this new arrival, and redoubles his efforts.  Driving the butt
end of the sickle into Duplica's stomache, he whispers, "I'm sorry...." to
her, then leaps at Chichiri, bearing down on him with the butt end of a
sickle.

Chichiri's power continues to increase with each moment.  Feeling that
he's getting close, very close.  His grip on the spell remains firm and he
grits his teeth as the surge of immense power, being drawn from the land
begins to send pain rushing over his mind and body until he begins to
tremble underneath the strain.  But he doesn't let go, not willing to let
his friend live in a prison.  Drawing upon himself every last bit of
power.  Even releasing the power which holds his mask in place.  As the
mask falls to his feet, the distraction of keeping it's power going is
gone, and this power is added to the spell.  Hopefully it was enough
before the monk feels the butt end of the sickle strike him.  He grunts
once before things begin to turn black and he collapses to the floor
unconscious.

Chichiri has removed his mask...

Kaoru runs from the downed monk, over to Utena.  "Kaachan?  Are you
alright?"

Death winces. "That had to hurt." She continues to observe, shaking her
head... But when Chichiri slumps over, Utena stops screaming... just sinks
into the couch breathing ragged and broken, on her back, bouncing once
amidst the tattered cushions before settling like dead weight... 'smoking'
slightly, tendrils of white and black magic wafting away from her body
like a rising mist.

Duplica rushes over to Houjun, kneeling down so fast she almost falls.
"Chichiri? Chichiri?!?"

You whisper, "Even if you've passed out, the land isn't done with you
QUITE yet. There's a permanent POWERFUL resonant healing spell within the
sanctuary grounds that moves through you- the land attempting to make you
whole again through that power." to Chichiri.

Kaoru asks, "Kaachan?"

If anyone were outside to see, the wards carved in the living bark of the
trees could be seen to be glowing faintly, a ring of thirty trees around
the entire sanctuary area..

Death sighs, but smiles a little. "Not yet, Utena. Poor kid. Not yet."
She turns and walks away.

Kaoru says, "Please be alright, kaachan...."

Utena's very pale, almost white.. the ring on her hand flared with bright,
almost painful light. At least for now... her eyes shift and slowly open,
hesitantly.

Kaoru weakly looks into Utena's eyes.  "kaachan?" he whispers softly.

Utena focuses unsteadily, her eyes watering. "... hurts.." High voice.
High and young, and uncertain...

Kaoru chuckles, a bit hysterically, and says, "Shhhh.... it's okay,
kaachan...  Just lay back...."

Houjun moans slightly.  His head turning slight, still feeling residual
effects from the pain and unable to focus.  Not liking the throbbing going
on in his head one bit.  But he doesn't move as he feels a warm power
washing over him, just breathing slowly, and letting it heal him.

Utena smiles very faintly. '... don't want t' move..." But she rolls onto
her side and stares down at the collapsed monk on the floor with her vast,
shadowless blue eyes. "...

Duplica worriedly kneels over the monk, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Chichiri? Chichiri?"

Kaoru asks, "You're okay now, aren't you?  You feeling okay?"  He is right
next to Utena, cradling her, doing whatever is needed.  "Kaachan?"

You whisper, "There's one more thing that you can slowly realize as you
come out of it, and as the land's power is moving through you. You know
what it meant by 'violated us'... Utena's body is buried HERE. Somewhere
within these grounds... you can feel that. It's like a dark spot deep in
the middle of that warm power." to Chichiri.

Utena just closes her eyes, for now, and rests her head sideways in
Kaoru's lap. "... for now... I think..."

Kaoru leans forward with relief, laying his head on her shoulder, just
softly repeating "Kaachan...." over and over, with an odd hysterical look
on his face.

Things slowly begin to focus for Chichiri.  The first thing his eye
catches is the mask which lies on the floor, a few inches away from him.  
His gaze seems far away, as if looking past the world, just delving into
the feeling of the warm power over him.  But in the midst of the comfort
he senses something disturbing and coughs, sending a stabbing pain.  
Which seems to then be eased suddenly.  The monk breathes slowly, and
speaks faintly.  "...Utena-san.  I know you're here.  I'll find you."

Duplica notices Chichiri looking at the mask, then grabs for it and holds
it in her hand for Chichiri, tears beginning to well up in her eyes.
"Chichiri... wake up..."

Utena's voice wafts slowly through the room, in the eerie quiet left in
the wake of that massive struggle. "... thank you." It's so simple, but so
heartfelt, spoken through a throat choking with tears, directed at
everyone.

Houjun hears Duplica's voice, telling him to wake up.  But debates whether
he really wants to.  Exhausted from the fight, and finding his place on
the floor extremely comfortable for the moment.  But moans again and
forces himself to turn over and lie on his back so he can look up at his
young friend, and manages a small smile to reassure her.

Kaoru whimpers a little.  "Kaachan...... boku no kaachan...."

Utena stirs weakly as Kaoru strokes her hair and whispers in her ear...
"... everyone all right...?" she asks finally, in a dizzy, floating state
of mind.

Kaoru nods.  "Chichiri might have a headache....  and I hit Duplica in the
stomach....  But nothing permanent."

Duplica takes off her apron and dabs any sweat Houjun's forehead, and to
also use it to shield his face from view. "....I-I think so. Chichiri's
very tired..."

Utena frowns a little, pink brows shifting. "... me too. We should all
rest. Just rest here. That'd be nice." She, herself, doesn't have the
strength to move- not even a little. She just wants to stay right where
she is, weighted down on the couch and lying on a friend's lap.

Kaoru nods again.  "That sounds good, Kaachan...." he whispers in her ear
as he strokes her hair.

Utena says, "... blankets.. upstairs.. pillows. medicine in the
bathroom..."

Houjun smiles as Duplica wipes the sweat away and tries to conceal his
face.  Though he's pretty sure it's already been seen.  He gives a nod and
says, "Hai no da." in response to Utena.  Then nods again at the
suggestion.  Though his strength is returning to him he still doesn't want
to get up.

Kaoru asks, "Do you want me to get you something?"

Utena says, "... d' worry about me.. Chichiri.. Duplica..."

Duplica looks at Utena. "I'm glad that's over..."

Houjun sighs, then smiles.  "Utena-san, it's much to late for that no da."

Kaoru looks at Chichiri and Duplica, remembering that they are here.  He
smiles and laughs, rubbing the back of his head.  "Pillows?  Blankets?  
Something like that?"

Utena smiles back, wanly. "... 's how I am..." She forces herself to move,
swinging unsteadily to sit up on her own on the couch, even though GOD in
heaven, Dios, please, all she wants is sleep... she makes herself get up
and stagger toward the staircase leading upstairs, since no one else seems
to be able to move either.

Duplica says, "Could you get some, please? It'd really help."

Houjun closes his eyes and smiles as he rests.  "I'm fine no da."  And he
is.  He doesn't need anything, being perfectly comfortable on the floor.

Kaoru runs over to Utena, and guides her back to the couch.  "Lay down,
Kaachan.  I'll get them...."

Kaoru doesn't wait for an answer, running top speed out of the room.  You
can hear him run up the stairs to the closet to get blankets and pillows
for everyone.

Duplica gets up, going up to help Kaoru. She *can* move. ^.^;

Utena groans, and slumps back into the ripped-up couch. "... L-sama, this
hurts.."

Houjun just nods.  And quietly prays to Suzaku that he won't have to try
that again very soon.

Kaoru reappears with Duplica in tow, moving at a more sedate pace now,
arms piled high with blankets and pillows.

Utena rests her head on the arm of the couch, pink hair spilled about.
She's asleep now, almost at once, heedless of the springs, the rips in the
cushions underneath her. She's even relaxed enough to give out a faint
rhythmic little snore. z.z

Kaoru spreads a blanket over Utena, and then passes more out to the
others.  Finally, he raises Utena's head gently, and places a big, fluffy
comfy pillow beneath her head.

Duplica asks, "Chichiri...? Would you like a pillow or blanket?"

Houjun nods once.  Taking up his mask and replacing it over his face.  
Drawing up the magic again to conceal himself again.  Knowing that anyone
could enter the house and not wanting them to see him without it on.  But
this expenditure of energy causes the monk to fall comfortably asleep.

Houjun has replaced his mask.

Duplica gently lifts up Chichiri's head, slipping a pillow under it and
then covering him with a blanket. She grabs a pillow and blanket for
herself and curls up nearby Chichiri... Even she's exhuasted.