Arena of Rebirth

Utena glances across at the flat plain of the arena, the stone floor
already slightly overgrown.. how quickly, how easily we forget... 

Kei gazes around... a strange look in her eyes.  One of fondness and
sadness.  She has many more memories - good and bad - associated with this
place than Utena does.. 

Utena shivers faintly as she steps over a few vines and the like. In a
very real way, it's like walking over her own grave..... she 'died' here
as the singular, lone prince... anxiety edges into her features at the
thought. 

Kei steps out, and gently caresses one of the purple roses.  She speaks to
herself, "Ideals forgotten... thrown aside as the winds change."  She
looks down.  "Now I'm one of those I fought against..." 

Utena edges toward you, as much to get away from her own thoughts as much
as wanting to be near you. "It's not as simple as that, Kei.. it's never
that simple." 

Utena says, "You're a Duellist.. and Duellists are Duellists no matter
what signs they wear." 

Kei shakes her head.  "No, it never is that simple; there's never a
'right' and a 'wrong'."  She nods.  "If I say 'I stand to fight
Duellists', I become what I fight.  That's why Miki-sempai won't get
involved any longer..." 

Utena closes her eyes. "And as a Shinsei Duellist.. you'd never be able to
have gotten close to me.." 

Kei clenches her hand around the rose she was caressing.  "But I can't
give up yet.  Too many people need me..."  She glances over at Utena. 
"...need us." 

Utena takes in her breath for a moment.. does she see herself in your
eyes, and hear her voice in yours... a half-fond and half-something-else
smile plays along her small lips. "Be careful." she whispers. 

Kei says, "A Duellist is merely someone who duels.  A Duellist doesn't
have to mean one who is manipulated by the system."  She smiles slightly. 
"Already, we've manipulated the system in return, at least once."  She
reaches out and runs a finger around t he delicate tracery of another
rose.  "Perhaps we can write a new chapter in the Duellist Annals yet." 

Kei turns to Utena.  "I will.  For the sake of others and for your sake." 
She smiles.  "I owe you a lot, Utena..." 

Kei says, "When I was still new here, and had only become part of the
Shinsei, I was somewhat fanatical.  I would never have been talked out of
it by anyone but the girl I met in the infirmary that night...a girl who
might as well have been an alternate myself." 

Utena steps over, close to you and closes her eyes, her heart beginning to
pound in her chest as she calls out words from the deepest part of her
soul...  whispering them softly into the air.. "... Roses of the dream
castle... the power of the prince that sleeps within our breast... come
forth and show us your power... come forth for the need of the prince and
her noble will for the sake of salvation that we call revolution.." She
glances at you, another smile.. dreaming, infinitely noble... beautiful
and distant... saying nothing.. only sinking back..

Kei reaches over to place her hands at Utena's collarbone, feeling somehow
as if this motion is 'right', as if she's done it hundreds of times
before, and knows what comes next.  With a faintly crystal sound.. the
hilt of the Sword of Dios emerges clean and true from Utena's breast; she
arcs back, sinking down off the blade as you pull it outward and up, and
wrap one arm about her waist to hold her up...

Kei pulls until the sword is freed from its place in Utena, and then lifts
it upward, point directed at the sky as if asking the heavens themselves
to witness the christening of the blade.  She stands there for a moment,
letting the light run down the bla de like water, finally glinting off of
her council ring. 

Utena exhales deeply with a shuddering breath; her hands hanging at her
sides, she lifts her head up and gazes dizzily at the blade.. still
vaguely smiling.. unable to speak just yet.. 

Kei practices some feints and thrusts, gaining a feel for the balance of
the sword.  Oddly, it balances just like Kenichi's katana - the sword that
Kei carried until that day in the Castle of Illusion. 

Utena sits at the side of the Arena, unusually quiet, watching Kei
practice with a certain quality in her eyes.. a passive, neutral smile
playing along her lips... blue eyes mildly looking on without comment...
reflecting the flashes of light from the swo rd within her round eyes..
like the play of light along glass panes... 

Kei works the kata that Kenichi taught her.  Her mind detaches from the
practice she takes, as she moves gracefully across the arena.  Confused
images flow through her mind, but a sense of purpose she didn't have
before.  Somehow, holding this strange sword, it's as if Kenichi is
there, watching her practice...lending his silent approval and advice. 

Kei mumbles, "Oneechan... I wish you were still here.  I wish you hadn't
had to die..."  She almost stumbles between two kata. 

"I am still here.  Even if you can't hear me..."


				       * 


Utena steps through the iron-gate doors of the infirmary- even HERE, the
ubiquitous rose seal is everywhere.. sighing faintly as she moves to the
desk, and asks if Juri and Nanami are able to receive visitors... why is
she here? Pure and simple, she's worried.. friends, enemies.. doesn't
matter to Utena right now.. she knows them, and they're hurting... it's
enough... 

As your speaking to the nurse at the desk a familiar saffron hair color
passes your vision.. though when you turn it looks nothing like the
esteemed fencing captain. Arisugawa Juri's normally perfectly curled
strands are rigged, showing a little more curl to their twists..not as
even as usual. Though, you notice her face more than anything. Her only
slightly opened azure eyes look as though they'd rather be closed.. as her
fair skin has turned horrid shades of the bruises that have taken over her
lovely features. Her thin lips, set usually in a slim line of apathy are
swollen. Along the side of her face a cut can be seen, leading into her
hairline. She looks, quite frankly, pitiful. Not at all the respected
student council member. She appears beaten, not just the physical truth of
it, but the mental implication as she sluggish heads towards the exit. 

Utena lifts her head up and catches her breath in a soft gasp.
"Arisugawa-sempai.." She pushes away from the desk and darts over to the
side of the member of the Student Council, nothing but worry and hope
gazing out of her eyes.. She doesn't EXACTLY get in your way, though, she
knows you must be HATING this place as much as she did when she was here..
but she does ask softly, "How are you..?" 

Arisugawa Juri doesn't slow her pace to the door..but she doesn't exactly
need to, either. She's walking slow enough for you to simply stand by and
not be left far behind. She closes her eyes momentarily as a pained
expression crosses over her already tortured face, as if it takes all her
concentration to speak and think.. but she takes in a deep breath and
replies simply, "..I have been better..Utena-san..." her voice even sounds
beaten. 

Soundly, breaking this small moment of tension, maniacally laughter can be
heard from somewhere in the infirmary. 

Utena o.O's and glances back... "Nanami's awake.."

A nurse blinks, and groans deeply.  She turns to another. "Can you take
care of her this time?  Last time, she almost killed me.. just give her
the sedative and get the hell out of there." 

The obviously frightened nurse nods slowly, and rushes away.  There is a
crash.  The laughter stops. 

The Nurse turns to Juri and Utena, bowing in apology. "Gomen ne.  One of
our patients.. Kiryuu Nanami of the Seitokai.. she gets like this
sometimes." 

Arisugawa Juri makes no acknowledgement to this ordeal, and continues on
her way.. heavy step after heavy step, finally actually reaching the door. 

Utena's eyes widen as she stares distracted toward the doorway where the
nurse disappears... nodding to the nurse idly. "Tell me about it..." she
sighs, then acks! "Arisugawa-sempai!" 

Utena turns and gently moves after.. as Juri's moving that slowly, it
won't be very hard to catch up... "I'm glad you're going to be okay." she
says softly. "I was scared for you. Be careful, okay..?" 

Arisugawa Juri halts at the door.. and turns her eyes to Utena.. it almost
looks like it hurts her to focus on anything, but she does so.. and says
quietly, "I believe you should be the one taking careful steps now,
Utena-san." 

Utena flinches.. taking your words as a kind of checking slap across her
spirit... maybe that's not how you meant it to be, but.. how can Utena
know that? She lowers her eyes, trailing back, fingers interlinking in
front of her. ".. hai.." she replies, in a small voice.

Arisugawa Juri takes in a deep breath, raising one hand to the side of her
face tenderly..eyes closed. "..may I speak with you..?" You can tell right
away that it must be important if she wants to discuss it in her
condition. 

Utena's reply is an immediate and definitely somewhat stunned "Sure.." She
steps a little closer to you, a tiny thing against your impressive height;
she maybe respects you even MORE now than she did before. "Do you..." She
hesitates, not wanting to embarrass either of us, but then finishes
gently, ".. Can I help you..?" 

Arisugawa Juri blinks.. a subtle motion of her already nearly closed
eyes.. and glances down at your hopeful image through her fading view. She
turns away after a moment though and releases a weighted sigh, looking
deeply at the door..almost through it..ahead of her and shuts her eyes,
completely avoiding the question, "Where can we be allowed speak in
privacy..?" 

Utena uhms, thinking quickly.. somewhere that's neutral.. and it's got to
be close, because Juri doesn't have much strength to move very far... she
turns her head for a moment, arms crossing over black-clad chest.. then
she says, "Hai. The courtyard across from here... it's not very far." 

Arisugawa Juri nods in agreement and opens her sapphire eyes.. heading
forward without a word. 

Utena follows quietly, a small comet drawn into the heavy gravity of a
stronger star, taking deep breaths as she moves alongside the wounded
Seitokai. Her heart pounds in her chest as she worries, simultaneously,
about whether Juri is really *strong* enough to be out of the infirmary
yet.. and about what the tall Duellist might *say* to her.. 

Arisugawa Juri is silent. Her proud profile somehow is still present as
she walks towards the courtyard. Every movement is clearly not as graceful
and lovely as usual. Partly because her head feels ten times the size it
truly is. She breathes heavily, an almost raspy sound to her throat as she
occasionally rubs her hand across her stomach while she walks. The going
is slow perhaps, but meaningful. Once you actually reach the area she
lowers herself onto a bench and closes her eyes, leaning forward..elbows
 on her knees, holding her head in her hands.

Utena kneels down in the grass at the foot of the bench, never intruding
on your space, radiating a warm, almost adoring pity and worry for you...
she bites her lip to see your beautiful visage, always so strong, crack so
severly... a moment of anger pulsing through her azure eyes as she
promises that for ALL those who've been hurt, she WILL avenge them all..
you, Nanami, Himemiya..  Utena's hand clenches in the grass, quite
unnoticed by her..  

"What's going on, Utena-san?" Arisugawa Juri inquires this with a hurt,
choked sound from her chest..never looking up, though. 

Utena closes her eyes, a blast of cold wind from the distant seashore
playing at her spine, chilling the back of her neck and making her shiver.
"We're under attack, Arisugawa-sempai. All of the Ootori Duellists." 

Arisugawa Juri asks, "By whom?"

Utena says, "I don't know yet."

Utena's voice ALMOST breaks; it certainly cracks as she forces out,
"Himemiya is missing now too.." 

Arisugawa Juri raises her head from her palms.. eyes gaining a little
clarity as she listens to this reply..to the news of Anshi.. and the honor
in her features begin showing through a bit more, "Then..we must find
out." 

Utena asks, "No, Arisugawa-sempai.. I don't want to see you get hurt
again.. I... I couldn't take that. Yamaguchi-san and I are looking into
it.. let us.. please..?" 

Arisugawa Juri doesn't respond to that plea, she simply continues, "What
does Touga-seitokaichou have to say about all of this?" 

Utena sighs. "I have no idea. He's been absent for several days... since I
defeated him in our second private duel." 

Utena says, "The Dean has been very quiet about all this too." 

Utena says, "The whole school's afraid.. you can feel it everywhere.."

Utena says, "Every girl is afraid she's going to be next.."

Arisugawa Juri says, "It's in the air, now... mass hysteria. Like an
epidemic." 

Utena says, ".. Hai.."

Utena rubs at her arms clad in thin black silk. "I don't understand why
this is happening.. I just know.. it must be because of me. Right now,
only Duellists have been attacked. And... Himemiya..." She chokes on her
breath a little, her eyes misting over. "What did *she* do to anyone..?"

Arisugawa Juri allows her hands to go to her head..idle fingers rubbing
sore temples as she lets your question go unanswered. 

Utena asks, "Sempai.. did you . *see* him? Do you remember anything about
his appearance..? The man who attacked Nanami was thin and dressed all in
black.. But he was masked."

Arisugawa Juri swallows hard at this question.. eyes wincing closed..
after several mute moments she announces quietly, "...he was large and
tall.. almost... like any stereotypical thug. A..." she chokes back
another sound from her chest, "A monster......  he look me completely by
surprise.. he was just so massive....and strong.." 

Utena quickly murmurs, "I'm sorry to bring back a bad memory. But I was
hoping.." she sighs. "I guess it's what I should have expected. Whoever
these people are..they *are* strong...I ended up fighting the one that
attacked Nanami briefly.. it was only for a few moments, but one kick
bruised my stomach..." She shudders. "We can't defend ourselves against
that... unless we start carrying our swords openly..and .. you can do
that, sempai, you're the fencing club captain.. the rest of us don't have
that excuse." 

Arisugawa Juri runs her hand across her eyes before opening them.. the
look on her face clearly stating she will have her sword next time... 

Arisugawa Juri leans back a little on the bench, "That's true. I'll talk
to Seitokaichou. There must be something we can do other than become
walking targets." 

Utena spots your intense look and sighs.. her own gaze only fearful and
sad.. reflecting as ever the secret pulse of the heart of the school...
"Touga won't help." 

Arisugawa Juri finally glances down to you, "Why is that?"

Utena . o O ( She's not going to like this... )

Utena gazes into the horizon, where the sun is slipping into the ground,
and darkness is slowly spreading, molten blue, over the sky.. "Because.."
She hesitates a moment longer.. trying to center herself and brace for the
explosion.. "Because he's one of the Ends of the Earth." 

Arisugawa Juri's eyes immediately narrow as she sets her objective gaze
skeptically.. a hushed, angered tone whispered, "What did you say?" 

Utena's tone becomes capitulating, careful, and placating. "He told me
himself.. he confessed everything about his part of things to me. He told
me he was the right hand of the Ends of the Earth... that he had helped
them arrange the duel games... I *swear* I'm not lying to you, sempai, I
*wouldn't*!.. Not about this." 

Utena says, "He told me that he failed to oppose them.. that he lost
everything trying to fight them.. and so.. he just *gave up*." 

Arisugawa Juri suddenly stands at this.. to walk forward to where you can
quite easily guess. The rage in her pained blue eyes taking her farther
than her body will. Almost as soon as she stands, her first step even..is
fouled by a stab to her throbbing h ead as she falls forward on her knees,
cringing.. muttering.. "No.....he didn't DARE....." but that's all you can
make out as her hands go to her head, trying to comfort the
pain..attempting to contain it. 

Utena exclaims, "Sempai!"

Utena is over there fast, at your side, her hands on your shoulders such a
light and warmly gentle touch. "Sempai, *don't*... you'll hurt yourself
more, please...!" 

Arisugawa Juri's shoulders shake under your hands.. a moan escaping her
mouth through clinched teeth. She gazes up, sapphires clouded by hazey
tears from the mental and physical pain. 

Utena says, "He's *GONE*, sempai. None of us can reach him any more.. he
burned out what little of himself he had left to tell me what he did...
He's *gone*." 

Utena wraps her arms about you, expecting that you'll push her away, but
the pain that you radiate.. it tears at her soul; she can't bear to sit
there and witness it.. "Please, sempai.." she pleads quivering. "You're
still very weak... don't make it worse .." 

Arisugawa Juri moves her hands from her numbly throbbing head to indeed
push you away... but she simply can't. The comfort your arms around her
provide surprises as it soothes. It hurts. It hurts SO bad and she can't
tell anyone. Her hands fall against yo ur shoulders with little to no
force behind them as she actually permits a few tears to find their way
down her battered cheeks. After they reach her chin, though.. she tries to
push away from you with a little more power. 

Utena knows, intellectually, that she should accede to the fencing
captain's wishes.. but.. her heart refuses to admit it.. and although
under a normal condition, you're stronger than her... her arms continue to
enfold you, as she holds you tightly enough that you can feel her heart,
beating strong, soothing, consistently.. she won't let you go... won't let
you crawl back to be embraced by that loneliness and that miserably
inescapable pain... she shakes her head, closing her eyes, whispering
softly, "... let go... let go of it... sempai.."

Arisugawa Juri mmphs miserably as she's held against you.. the pathway
down her cheek followed by more tears. She struggles pathetically.. not
putting up much of a fight at all, really.. and her grip on your shoulders
tightens as her shoulders simply shake uncontrolably with her tears. 

Utena, unexpectedly for such a tiny girl, is *rock* solid as she holds
you, saying nothing.. simply enveloping you and giving you a space and a
safety to let out the pain.. absorbing all of it that pours out of you
willingly, her rose-scent perfume adding a note of subliminal sweet
warmth. Even as your grip along her small shoulders intensifies to the
point where it actually HURTS her, she just bites her lip between
pearl-teeth and says NOTHING.. wanting to make sure you have as much
chance as you can to get it ALL out.. her hand, perhaps, gently touching
the back of your head. 

After a long while, Juri's body evens out into a steady beat... mixing
with your heartbeat as she listens to it through her sobs, and they lose
volume and intensity with time as well. Her grip on you lessens with the
exceeding comfort until they're loose a round your shoulders and her
breathing goes into an almost normal pattern.. a subtle sniffling may be
heard, but little more, at the end of this time. 

Utena lets out a LONG, long breath she didn't realize she was holding
in... resting her head along the top of yours in a nearly maternal
manner... finally her lips part enough to speak, but her words are very
soft and kind. "It's alright, sempai. It's alright now." Closing her
eyes, almost overwhelmed; she knew, always, that you were holding back a
great deal of pain.. but the sheer *DEPTH* of it.. overpowering... so
much.... "It's all right now.." she whispers again. 

Arisugawa Juri shudders softly.. tightening her almost clinging hold on
you. A deep part of her is screaming in fury, screaming to be released and
yet left to do so mutely--unanswered. She doesn't reply to your soothing
words, though.. partly because she doesn't believe them. Yet, she believes
the intention behind them, so says nothing. 

Utena.. remarkably.. releases her arms from you. Whether you let go of her
is completely up to you now... leaning back, resting her weight on her
palms, hands in the grass. If you look into her eyes.. you might find it
disturbing.. because she *KNOWS* you want her to leave you alone now.
Somehow those innocent eyes.. they *KNOW*. 

Arisugawa Juri retracts her arms from around your shoulders slowly.. her
face practically raw with tears glances as far from your eyes..your
face..as possible. She's very much ashamed.. no matter how much better she
feels in her heart, her pride has taken another beating. She runs a hand
over her eyes, brushing away unfallen tears..before sifting it through her
hair, wavy tendrils caressing her cheeks. 

Utena offers you an olive branch to cover for your injured pride.. she
*knows* how much it means to you. "It's okay, sempai. Nothing broken...
You should be more careful where you walk, I guess your foot caught on
something.." 

Utena stands up, casually brushing dirt and some grass from her legs and
uniform. "Well... it's pretty late.." 

Arisugawa Juri's eyes pan up to you extremely slow... taking in what you
say with a blink and a surprized gaze before holding to the side of the
bench and rising up.. easily this time so as to not upset her aching head. 

Utena says, "I think I'll go check in on Nanami, sempai. Just be careful
when you head home.. and you should be okay." 

Utena smiles.. the kind of smile that would drive you INSANE except that
you know it's real... and she shows no sign of being bothered or upset by
anything that's happened here...  .. or even that anything DID happen.

Arisugawa Juri watches you carefully.. open eyes of observation... before
nodding in silent agreement. A sort of stunned nod.. but a nod. Taking
this gratefully..though perhaps with unexpected shock. 

Utena offers a hand to help you up, if you like...

Arisugawa Juri..after a moment..does take your hand to stand.. carefully
gauging the pull before depending upon you. 

Utena has that same curious strength as before; you couldn't move her if
you TRIED, it's like taking the hand of a statue, if said statue were warm
and breathing.  When you're back on your feet, Utena bows her head
politely. "Good night, sempai." And she just turns away, leaving you to
your own thoughts and feelings, having already done what she could.. 
pastel strands pale lavender in the fading light, a jaunty wave of her
hand over her shoulder. 

Arisugawa Juri stands slowly..and then tall, a glimmer of honor still
visible in her poor azure eyes as she follows after you with her
gaze..left alone, as she wanted, amidst the courtyard. Her dim hair
providing its' own sunset with the colors before she closes her eyes and
wraps her arms around her midsection.. 

Utena's brave, prince-like aura only lasts until she knows she's out of
Juri's sight.. then she staggers, her shoulder crashing into the grey
brick of one of the school buildings... her hand over her heart. "So much
*pain*... sempai, how do you *live* with it...?" She rubs at her eyes,
this small would-be Prince, filled to overflowing with Juri's hate and
Juri's pain, and not knowing what to DO with it yet.. 

					* 

Touga signs his name once more upon the dotted line.  As if selling his
soul for the upteenth time in yet another contract with this infernal
school before setting the page in an otherwise inconspicuous box marked
'Out'.  He settles back in his chair...taking a moment to rest his weary
hand. So much paperwork to do...so little time to do it.  But such matters
at the least of his worries now...  

Touga . o O ( I wonder when they'll be finished...were they REALLY
necessary, Akio?... ) 

The distant sound of clicking heels can subtly be heard outside the hall
to your office.. deliberate, heavy footsteps.. nearing your door with
every move. Until suddenly your door flies open by the forceful hand of a
fiery young woman, her azure eyes dark and burning directly into yours as
soon as you look up. Juri's face is rather oddly colored in some places,
but you get the impression it may be so all over her face, and you would
see that if it weren't for the power of makeup. Other than that, she
appears all the proud fencing captain, except for the fact that she looks
utterly PISSED.. rage outlining her very features as she storms to your
desk, voice pushing forth from her very soul, screaming, "HAVE YOU BEEN
USING ME, TOO?!" 

Touga realizes his day is becoming many degrees more sour.  Wearly he
steeples his fingers together and looks upon her with the very essense of
calm serenity on his handsome features.  Looking up to you through his
lengths of flame red hair he comments, "Prehaps you should take a moment
to catch your breath before starting again, please?" gestures to a seat
across from him and his desk, in a voice that is calculated to defuse
heavy emotions. 

Arisugawa Juri narrows her eyes and shakes her head slowly, keeping her
glare straight on you, "I don't THINK so. I'm through with taking a seat
and being calm." She stops at your desk, hands to her side though they
seem to almost visably itch..as she demands, "Where did the lies begin?" 

Touga calmly, "If I knew precisely what you were talking about I could
probably be of greater assistance.  Now..." tilts his head to the side
just a tad, "Lies you say...what exactly do you mean?" 

Arisugawa Juri's slender, pale hand clashes HARD against your cheek at
this, creating the satisfying sound she wanted as she hisses with disgust,
"You know EXACTLY what I mean! All of this.. ALL of it has been one
elaborate trick after another! Even your calm, calculated attitude! I've
spoken to Utena, so don't you even TRY to pull this crap on me!" 

Touga's head recoils from the slap as he finds himself looking at the
wall.  As the angry red mark starts to develop he begins to rise from his
seat.  At first on eye level with you..then over your head ..his shadow
falling over you as his eyes narrow slowly..before turning back to look
down on you, "Arisugawa-seitokai...I am being nothing but cordial to your
presence and your concerns...I can CLEARLY see you are not thinking
clearly, so I will be very lenient.  I can allow such an attack once and
only once.  Now with that understood....What are you talking about?" his
expression becoming far more grim and exceptionally dangerous.. 

Arisugawa Juri doesn't faze under your shadow, her eyes only grow with
more anger. She steps back, the large sword in her hand that you didn't
notice before because of her tremendous rage, catches the light as she
throws her hand back slightly, running an equally dangerous gleam across
it's sharp edge. Her voice is low, and not nearly as 'cordial' as yours,
"STOP..! Just stop pretending for once in your pathetic life! You're part
of them!! You're PART of the Ends of the Earth!" Her eyes seem vaguely
misty as her hand clinches her sword, "DOSHITE?!!"

Touga arches an eyebrow at the gleaming sword...now realizing things are a
bit more severe than he considered..actually..ALOT more.  His hands grip
the edge of his desk..flexing a few times as he mutters, "..Ari.... 
Juri... think about what your doing..." in a voice that now is straining
to be calm... now speaking to her as if she were an animal gone mad... 

Arisugawa Juri throws her hand upwards, allowing the sword's blade near
her face as she keeps her gaze on you.. the blade playing a reflection
across her icy eyes, "This? Oh, THIS?! I MUST carry this around now,
*Seitokaichou*." She speaks with extreme mock in her strong yet hurt
voice, "I need SOME protection since I was brutally ATTACKED. But no..I
wouldn't mind using it on you, either..! So DON'T TEMPT me.." 

Touga slowly slips his fingers from beneath a particular spot under his
desk as he takes a step back..holding up his empty hands...his expression
as neutral as possible as he intones, "Alright... it's your show now
Juri... what do you want?" 

Arisugawa Juri narrows her eyes upon your change of attitude.. but
swallows hard, stating simply, "The *truth*.." 

Touga intones calmly, arms still up in surrender, "About what?  You?  Me? 
or the Duellists?" eyes hard. 

Arisugawa Juri's hand lowers to her side, but her grip still firm as she
speaks, "EVERYthing." 

Touga inhales deeply before calmly speaking, "Well..where to start...it's
a rather broad subject ne?  And the Truth is a rather ambiguous thing...
if you're speaking of my involvement of the Ends of the Earth.. Hai. I am
affiliated with that illustrious organization..but then..so are you." his
eye twitch for a moment...apparently looking at the clock behind
you..before resteadying his gaze upon you.. 

Arisugawa Juri eyes you suspiciously.. her voice dark and betrayed, "Your
involvement I feel goes far beyond my task of following the letters'
orders.." her tone deepens as she continues, "Why are you stalling?" 

Touga softly comments, "Why am I stalling?" now outright looks behind you,
"Because I was waiting for them." 

Arisugawa Juri's thin lips curl into a smirk as her gaze lowers slightly,
but her hand raises by her side, "I see." she glances back up to you, the
final deception taken in, and slips quickly into the air, tapping off the
desk to land by you, grabbing you by the neck across her forearm and
holding her weapon dangerously close as she addresses in warning to those
just entering, "Move..and I promise not to hesitate in killing him. He has
only one use for me now." 

In the doorway are two men.  Both of them in school uniforms denoting them
as upper classmen 'hall monitors' or volunteer security.  One is
particularly large.. his broad shoulders practically from side to side of
the doorway.  His short spikey hair a demonic orange as he glances at you
with wild eyes, his toothy grin almost too feral to be human. Somehow..you
recognize that body stance.  As the second one is wearing an all black
mirror.  His expression dark and shadowed as his medium length ebon locks
are smoothed back almost like a mafia hitman. 

Touga ERKS as he's grabbed from the side..going rigid, he whispers,
"Juri..you don't know what your doing.."  

The tall one just laughs..his voice like a chainsaw ripping bones,
"Bah..go ahead.  Axe 'im.  Mean 's da boss gets ta take his place.." he
chuckles darkly as the other elbows him.  This other calmly states in a
quiet yet forceful voice, "Arisugawa-seitokai. You're committing a serious
offense with this hostage situation.. surrender now while the charges 
against you are comparatively light." 

Arisugawa Juri immediately tightens her hold on Touga, pushing the sword
blade closer to his flesh as she stares wide-eyed, mostly at the large
ogre of a hall monitor, before quickly narrowing her gaze, "You..." 

Touga erks at the tighening hold as he whispers harshly, "Juri..listen to
me... you have to give up now..if you do I guarantee you'll walk away from
this..but if you don't we're BOTH done for..." with urgency.. 

Arisugawa Juri's breathing becomes a little heavier as she continues
staring down the two taking up the doorway.. but she manages to mutter,
"Why...give me one GOOD reason why in Hell I should believe you..." 

Touga whispers harshly, "Because the Ends of the Earth are more extensive
than you know...should we both perish now you'll gain NOTHING...not to
mention I would rather not pass on at this particular moment..." as he
eyes the security almost as warily as he does Juri.. 
 
The dark one comments again ..this time more urgently, "What will it be
Juri..surrender?  Or be taken..." as he slowly begins reaching behind
himself...as does his titanic mirror...  Neither of them seem terribly
concerned about Touga's welfare..that's for certain. 

Arisugawa Juri steps slowly..with Touga..in front of his desk..and
whispers darkly in his ear, "I won't gain anything from you anyway.. 
you're better off dead. Everything's been for your benefit..now's where it
stops." She then states calmly to all, "I'll never surrender OR be taken
by you..." 

Touga silently curses as he's taken along...now trying to calculate things
out.. 

The two then slowly draw weapons...a metallic ring as the black one draws
a scimitar-like blade out..then with a deft gesture it splits down the
middle into twins...with a twirl he readies them..as the large one reaches
back...and whips out a sword that only he could conceal with his bulk..it
looks like a curving saber except much thicker...and the hilt is replaced
with an axe blade and an upturning spur opposite it.  He smiles ferally,
"How terrible..Arisugawa-Seitokai was a developing psychotic until school
life finally got to her... ended up confronting the Seitokaichou..killing
him..and dying accidently during apprehending.."  The second one echos,
"Unfortunate indeed." as they slowly advance with their weapons
drawn..leaving the door open..but they're still in the way at your
current angle.. 

Arisugawa Juri observes your approach with calculating azure eyes.. before
closing them momentarily and taking in a hushed breath.. and releasing it
while releasing Touga..with a savage push towards the menacing blades as
she leans into it, slipping her s lender body under his legs and hopefully
between the 'security' troop as well, to stand and run like mad through
the door. 

They both draw their weapons back to hack her pretty head off...before
Touga gets RAMMED into them.  Catching them offguard.. they clamber and
SHOVE Touga away letting him sprawl on the floor...before the big one
swings around..trying to HACK at your fleeing form..but you're already
through the door...as the blade SLICES a full three inches into the hard
wood...stopping about an inch from your skull...as you make it into the
hallway... 

Arisugawa Juri's well-toned form slips with ease down the hall, reaching
the stairs in expert timing and hurling herself down them, practically
five, or more at time until she finally just leaps down them as fast as
possible. She runs..literally, for her life. Her mind set on nothing else
as she still clings to her sword. 

Kaji growls with almost inhuman ferocity as he RIPS his sword from the
wall...intending to BOLT after her...but a hand clenches his arm..as Kage
whispers harshly, "No. Not now..others could see.. do not risk it." he
glances down to Touga...pointing his remerged sword at him..  

Touga smirks and idly comments as he sits up, "A chinese Double Sword does
not look like Juri's sword now does it?"  Kage wanders a bit
closer..seemingly he'll do it anyway...before whipping the blade around to
reshealth under his jacket behind him, "Have a pleasent evening
Seitokaichou... it seems tonight was..unfortunate."  Before promptly
leaving with a slowly calming Kaji... 

Touga frowns..as he curses again...remaining sitting upon the floor.

Arisugawa Juri's breathless form races across the Ootori campus.. black
shoes clicking with an echo as the sun still holds high in the sky, but
afternoon classes have started and no one's around.. though she's still
drawn toward's the exact place she needs to go, and pushes herself
through the entrance to the rose garden conservatory, eyes scanning its'
enclosure. 

It's hard to see through the glass facets, as the panes are angled in JUST
such a way that they reflect light back toward your eyes, no matter what
angle you view it from.. and the roses are also serving to camoflage the
inside.. but you see a figure moving inside..

Arisugawa Juri holds her hand over the top of her eyes.. peering across
the annoyance of light as she calls with heavy breathing,
"..U..Utena-san...?" She steps inside the egg-shaped building,
"Utena-san?"

For a moment.. drawn out and terrible given your frightening experience
only moments before, there's no answer. But you know someone's here,
moving around to the other side of the roses; you just can't see them with
the central pillar blocking the way... 

You hear a faint sigh and something like a metal container being set
down... then a soft girl's voice calls out, "Hai.." meekly.

Arisugawa Juri blinks... and steps forward at the sound of the quiet
voice, and starts to walk around the area to meet it, "Utena-san..." 

Utena turns toward you, Anshi's gold watering can for the roses at her
feet; her eyes don't meet yours. She must have come in to try and take
care of Himemiya's flower garden; if you give the surroundings a cursory
glance you might notice the flowers appear wilted and pale at the edges.
".. Can I do something for you, Arisugawa-sempai?" she asks softly. 

Arisugawa Juri finally loosens her grip on her sword as she catches sight
of you.. she releases a soft breath, slowly regaining it at the same time,
perspiration lining her face, "I...I just spoke with Touga, Utena-san. You
were correct in saying he will do nothing to aid us." 

Utena frowns suddenly, her sadness evaporating as she really gets a LOOK
at you... "You look like someone was attacking you.." She takes a step
forward. "What happened...?" 

Arisugawa Juri brushes her free hand over her forehead.. the entire
situation beginning to effect her still healing head as she nods, "I
was... those two who attacked Nanami and I... they must be working for the
Ends of the Earth, as well. They didn't seem concerned when Touga's life
was laid on the line, claiming 'the boss' could take over if he was
killed. Yet, Touga was the one who called them in there." 

Utena stumbles back a step, hand pressing over her lips.. "Oh my god.."

Utena asks, "Sempai.. you're not HURT...?"

Arisugawa Juri shakes her head slowly, "Iie. I escaped with no physical
harm." 

Utena asks, "Oh my god. Touga *KNOWS* these people.. he's letting this
happen...?" 

Arisugawa Juri says, "I believe so."

Utena whirls about angrily, her fists clenching, striking at empty air..
"DAMN you, Kiryuu Touga... DAMN IT!" She roars, "I HATE THIS SCHOOL!", and 
her voice echoes back from within the glass panes of the green house....

Arisugawa Juri stands calmly.. the calmest she's been all day.. as she
replies after a moment, "As do I, Utena-san. But what do you plan to do
about it?" 

Utena turns back and gazes up at you momentarily, shocked, her small pink
lips hanging open. "... what do *I*.." she seems stunned, speechless.
"I... Sempai, I'm *nobody*.." 

Arisugawa Juri gazes back equally into your eyes as she speaks,
"Apparently not. Touga would tell me nothing of his involvement with the
Ends of the Earth, yet he told you everything." 

Utena lowers her gaze. "I don't know how to drive them back, sempai. We
know they're stronger than any of us.. and if... oh my god, if they're
*Duellists*..." 

Arisugawa Juri sighs softly as her hand goes to her stomach, pressing it
lightly in an act of comfort.. but she does not say a word. 

Utena puts her hand over her eyes for a moment.

Utena . o O ( This is it, isn't it... oh, Himemiya.. if you were here, you
could help me... They need me, and I don't know what to DO.  ) 

Utena says, "We can't beat them physically... there's just no way...
but... if only.." 

Utena sighs. "We need a way to get ahead of them somehow... make them play
*OUR* way." 

Arisugawa Juri leans her head back slightly, closing her pained eyes.. as
she can already guess you don't know -how- to do that..so she doesn't even
bother asking. 

Utena bites her lip a moment longer.. and then it hits her. Who's the
*sneakiest*, *trickiest*, *NASTIEST* person she knows...? 

Utena suddenly gets a look of resolution in her eyes, and moves forward
with long strides briskly toward the door. It's a long shot.. she may not
even HELP her.. but... it's worth a try. She DID help save her.. 

Arisugawa Juri glances at Utena's retreating form.. blinking momentarily,
before following. 

Utena walks quickly to the infirmary and pushes through the iron doors...
pausing in the lobby for a second, then moving to the admissions desk. "Is
Kiryuu Nanami still here?" 

Arisugawa Juri doesn't seem exactly pleased to be back in this place..
but, she as well doesn't want to be left alone so she stays with Utena. 

The Nurse nods. "Hai.  We're ... holding her for another day or two, at
least.  Her wounds were minor, but she's been healing slowly.. due to
certain ... incidents.  You can see her if you like." 

Utena bows her head politely. "Thanks very much." She moves forward and
into the hall leading to the inpatient room.. a path she already knows FAR
better than she ever wanted to.. 

The Nurse says, as you head away, quietly.. "Be careful."

Arisugawa Juri takes Utena's lead, but stays rather far behind while her
fingers massage her temples. 

Utena stands in the doorway of the inpatient room, with its six beds and
at least ONE occupied.. gazing in cautiously, looking for the blonde
hellion. 

Kiryuu Nanami is just now beginning to rouse from a recent sedation.  Her
lids half-opened, she stares blankly at the door, able to make out two
figures.  The bright pink and orange blurs allow her to distinguish the
two present.  One, the pink blob, was no surprise.. Nanami was expecting
some kind of visit.  But the other..  The orange.. she was not expecting
this. 

Utena's eyes widen as she sees how numb and distant Nanami looks; trading
a worried glance with the Fencing Club captain behind her, Utena
cautiously steps forward, softly whispering, "Nanami??" 

Arisugawa Juri hardly makes any sort of eye contact with the drug-endused
Kiryuu, but does meet up with Utena in the doorway, staying there as the
girl moves forward, looking rather indifferent. 

Kiryuu Nanami speaks slowly.. her words slurred.. tongue loose.  She's
coherent enough to understand what she hears, and reply, at least.
"Utena.. Juri.  Why are you two here?" 

Utena's face clouds and contorts as she moves closer to the other girl..
her shoulders.. and hopes.. falling while she pulls up along the bed. "I
wanted to see how you were doing.." 

Kiryuu Nanami smiles faintly.. an odd reaction, her lips then curling into
a sort of pout.  A hand raises to her chest, stroking the hidden bandages
there.. "Bruised ribs.  I hurt bad." 

Utena nods... pulling up a chair and sitting down, leaning forward to hear
your soft half-whispers better. "We're in trouble, Nanami.. big trouble.." 

Utena says, "You're probably safer in here than any of us though." 

Kiryuu Nanami's eyes open wider.. only slightly, as she raises. "Trouble?"
she says quickly.. but obviously still unders the influence of the
anesthetics.. "Where're m'weapons.. I'll help.." 

Utena gasps! and puts her hand on your forehead. "No.. no! Nanami, lie
still. We can't fight. They're too strong for us.. they're just too
strong." She ponders for a moment telling you that Touga endangered Juri's
life... if any time COULD there be to tell you.. this would be it.. but
she refrains still.. it won't help anything right now. "We can't fight
them directly.. we have to use tricks... and you're the queen of tricks." 

Arisugawa Juri leans against the doorframe and closes her eyes.. perhaps
listening, perhaps resting.. holding loosely to her large weapon. 

Kiryuu Nanami just... beams at that 'Queen of Tricks' title she's given...
it's an unusual facial expression for the duellists, but, in a strange
way, it fits her.  She then blinks, and asks, slowly reviving.. "Who're
'they'?" 

Utena says, "The ones that hurt you and Arisugawa-sempai made another try
to attack her a short time ago. She got away. But they're *on campus*." 

Utena bites her lip for a moment, and closes her eyes. If the attackers
are here.. maybe, somewhere she doesn't yet know of.. maybe somewhere on
campus Himemiya is here too... a painful little knife of fearful hope
slices at her heart.. 

Kiryuu Nanami grits her teeth, becoming more and more violent with each
passing moment.. "So.. what your plan?" she inquires, acting... strangely
cooperative and social. o.o

Utena says, "We need tricks... and you have to help me come up with these
tricks. We have to get these jerks off campus before they hurt anyone
else.. we can't just get in their faces and fight them, or they'll kill
us." 

Utena says, "I'm afraid that they may be Duellists though.. in which
case.. we have a bigger problem than we thought.. none of us one-to-one
could SURVIVE a duel with one of them." 

Kiryuu Nanami falls back, letting out a soft sigh of slight pain.. as she
ponders. "The ambush is always a nice, easy solution.. I can think of many
more.. I need to get outta this damn place to think." she says, then
stares. "Duellists?" 

Oh, those words. "What's your plan?" They're looking to her now to lead
them.. something innocent Utena feels as a weight in her soul.. she can't
let them down, but her gentle prince-soul seems no match for these violent
brutes... She nods. "Sempai and I.  . we think so." 

Kiryuu Nanami nods..

Utena sighs. "How long are you stuck in here..? I hate having you stuck
here and alone like this." She asks, "Why haven't you been able to
leave yet?"

Kiryuu Nanami shrugs. "I dunno.  They say I have ... what was it.. violent
and disruptive dreams...?" 

Kiryuu Nanami says, "Anyways, you gotta sneak me out of here or
something." 

Utena frowns... and surprisingly, she nods agreement.

Utena glances around the too-familiar room, noting the windows as she
murmurs softly, low, "Do they lock the windows at night..?" 

Kiryuu Nanami says, "No.. they also leave them open, in case people want
air, or are too hot.." 

Utena leans over the bed and places her lips close to Nanami's ear, her
voice SO soft even *SHE* can't hear it. "Why haven't you just climbed out
of the window then..?" you hear her breathe. 

Kiryuu Nanami winces. "By myself?  With bruised ribs?  A little too
painful for my liking."

Utena mms, sitting back, thinking.

Utena mutters to herself, "If we moved the duellists off campus.. would
they follow?" She shakes her head for a second.. time to get back on
track. How to get Nanami out of here.. well, it's a bit of a challenge..
but certainly not impossible.. she could just climb up the trellis under
the window after nightfall and sneak Nanami out THAT way, from the inside
out. 

Kiryuu Nanami ponders herself, but only comes up with silly, impossible
answers. 

Utena brushes her hand along her face, brushing over the tip of her nose,
her lips, sighing. Then she leans back after a cursory glance about
herself, and whispers to the blonde duellist, "Alright. I'll try and get
in here tonight through the window.. It's not a very far climb. I'm sure
from the inside, even if they lock the doors, we can get out." 

Utena . o O ( As for the other.. it could work. They must know the campus
as well as we do... maybe better. It's a small, isolated place.. they know
where to find us always, but we can't locate them. But if we leave the
campus and go to the city.. then it makes the arena bigger... at least it
might buy us some time.... oh, lord, it's the best I can think of.. we
*need* breathing room. ) 
 
Utena . o O ( On the other hand.. they stand out like sore thumbs here. If
we move to a larger arena.. they will be harder to sort from a crowd...
but.. so will we.... augh.  ) 

Utena grinds her hand into her forehead for a moment. Finally she sighs,
pushes back the chair, a scraping of metal sounding along the
linoleum-tiled floor. Through her mind the BEGINNINGS of a plan is
forming.. but like any creation, it needs just a little more time... 

Utena stands away from the chair and picks it up in one hand, setting it
back in its place against the wall. "Get some rest, Nanami... I'll come
back to see you later." so saying, she moves back toward the door where
Juri-sempai is apparentlyu.. snoozing?  She taps the tall, saffron-headed
duellist on the shoulder gently. "Sempai.. I think I have an idea."

Arisugawa Juri gazes up.. her tired eyes beginning to show the weight the
day's brought upon her as she inquires, "Nani..?" 

Utena says thoughtfully, softly, "You probably don't want to go back to
your dorm room tonight, do you, Arisugawa-sempai? Is there someone else
you can stay with or..?" 

Arisugawa Juri blinks.. taking a moment before shaking her head slowly,
"Iie. There's no one." 

Utena says, "Alright.. then you can stay with me tonight..."

Arisugawa Juri says nothing... before shaking her head, "I couldn't impose
upon you." 

Utena says softly, staring out of the room into the empty waiting room
beyond.. "Sempai.. don't argue with me." Not harsh, not exactly
commanding, but not arguable either. 

Utena turns and glances back at you with that same worried, caring look
that melted your heart the night before... "It's not imposing." 

Arisugawa Juri releases a soft sigh at that look.. and does to those blue
eyes what she could never do to the two thugs...surrenders. She nods in
agreement.. taking into consideration that it would be safer. 

Utena says, "C'mon. I'll even try and make us something for dinner."

Utena smiles jauntily, a smile designed to annoy you and thus distract you
from the pain and fear of the evening as she steps lightly forward toward
the waiting room and the front doors of this place. 

Arisugawa Juri shakes her head slowly to herself.. and leans forward from
the doorframe, once again following Utena's form. 

Meanwhile ...in the hallway of the infirmary...a shadow steps from her
hiding place along the wall right beside the entrance to Nanami's
room...before retreating down the hall..opposite the way Utena and Juri
left... 

And another..smaller..shadow..creeps out from a hiding spot in said
room...after the previous shadow....a war of secrecy indeed... 

Utena leads Juri directly through the central (and brightest lit)
courtyards and paths of the school... passing right by all the other dorm
buildings and private student residences on the campus.. plunging down a
long, long path of wide steps to finally c ross past a monument of stone
marking a circle of astrological signs.. and to the left, a square
two-floor building with a slightly disheveled garden and courtyard. You
recognize this as the 'haunted' dorm.. the one that's always been unused-
in 10 years only Utena and Anshi have used it.. and it's to that room that
they shared before being invited to live in the Dean's tower that Utena
leads Juri to now. 

Utena fishes a key from her pocket, opening the ornate glass-and-wood
front door and letting the two girls in.. then says, "This whole building
should still be empty, sempai. If you want to check around a little, I bet
one of the other rooms is usuable.." 

Utena says, "If not, I have room in my old one."

Utena stops dead in the center of the hallway, suddenly slapping her
hands. "Oh my GOD! WHy didn't I think of it before?" 

Arisugawa Juri walks in pace to your side, and a little behind..gazing up
at the large rundown building..before entering. She blinks, turning to you
in surprise at your outburst. 

Utena just stands there transfixed. You see, her mind has been churning
over this new Duellist problem.. and suddenly it just *clicked*. "If they
work for the Ends of the Earth.. they must be getting those damn letters
too.." 

Utena says, "If we could *DUPLICATE* that letter type.. we could get them
OUT of here." 

Arisugawa Juri watches the wheels practically visably turn before you get
out your idea.. and then she narrows her eyes in thought a moment, "It's
simple, but effective enough to..perhaps work." She glances down to her
sword, "It's the best idea so far, at least." 

Utena says, "In conjunction with my other idea.. it *might* work."

Utena squares her shoulders, anyway, and moves up the second floor and to
a room that.. she pauses at the door of for a moment, biting her lip
painfully enough to turn it white... the reason why? Simple, but so
painful. The scribbled handwritten name on a plate below the
still-labeled "Ten'jou Utena"... a childishly simple script.. "Himemiya
Anshi." Everything else just falls out of her mind; Utena literally locks
up in front of the door for several seconds, her shoulders quivering. 

Arisugawa Juri glances around the downstairs for several moments.. the
sheer mystery of this building rather intriguing. She moves through a few
of the rooms, but.. they're all rather dirty and completely rundown. She
begins the trek up the stairs..only to find you, at the top, motionless
at one door. She blinks, stepping closer, and comments in one of her
quietest voices ever, "Utena-san.." 

Utena has her hand frozen to the knob as if it and she had melded and
turned to stone.. her pink, sharp bangs slide forward as her head sags,
veiling her eyes.. you see silver-clear drops sliding along her sharp
cheeks and down, trailing down to her chin... 

Arisugawa Juri stops in her tracks as she sees the tears.. quite frankly
now entering uncommon ground. But.. for everything this innocent, pink
haired girl has done for her... she finds the will to step forward. Her
slender..pale free hand raises...and th en begins to slip down. She's
never... comforted. But then again, she had never been comforted until
yesterday, so.. she places her hand upon your shoulder. A heavy touch, but
warm, and meaningful..sincere. "Utena."   

Utena slowly moves, the statue comes to life.. her eyes full of pain as
she lifts those stricken jewels to meet your glance.. thankful for your
presence, your touch.. the stuttering, newborn sympathy that you're trying
to give. It reminds her there's more at stake.. she draws in her breath,
trails of tears shining on her cheeks, and nods... "... gomen nasai.. 
sempai.." She turns the knob and pushes into the room. Finding much as she
left it some time ago.. the bunk-bed pressed to one corner of the wall.. a
small table in the center of the floor.. desk and closet to the left-hand
wall... she sighs, crossing the threshold, assaulted by memories from the
past.. still lingering with the faded scent of the mini-rose bush that
Anshi had here. She wasn't prepared to feel this much pain- she only came
here because.. at least in this room, there's no blood on the floor. No
reminder of the immediate brutality suddenly filling her world and
thoughts. 

Arisugawa Juri watches you enter as her hand pulls away. She takes in the
room with a slow gaze, noticing how it does appear much more lived in..
and then looks back at you, the back of your pale pink hair. A part of
her..that waking sympathy..wonders if you're truly alright.. but another
part senses the emotional connection you have with this room..especially
considering Anshi's recent disappearance.. so she says softly, "Perhaps I
should leave you alone.." She glances toward's the end of the hall, searc
hing for any other doors that look anywhere near inviting. 

Utena says, "N... No. Don't..."

Utena shakes her head too quickly. "If you leave me.. I'll just... have
more time to think about it." Swallowing in a suddenly dry throat she asks
softly, "Do you know.. if there's any kind of ." Trying to distract
herself. ".. This place is so old and huge, there must be hidden places..
do you know of any..?" 

Utena asks, "Passages, tunnels under the buildings.. anything?"

Arisugawa Juri blinks..and turns her eyes back to you. She steps forward
into the room with your question, hesitantly encouraging the conversation
for your sake.. "Hai.. many. Or so I have heard." 

Utena's face lightens.. infinitesimally, but just enough. "Do you know how
I can get into them?" 

Arisugawa Juri shakes her head, "Iie.. I'm afraid not. But, if the rumors
are correct, they're everywhere.. so I suppose if you really searched, it
couldn't be hard to find. Then again.. who knows with this school.
Everything is cleverly concealed." 

Utena pulls back further into the room and pulls out the desk chair,
sitting down on it, wiping the cold tears from her cheeks. "At first.. I
thought about grabbing everyone and leaving the school.. I thought that if
we could open up our movement, we'd be harder to find and hurt.. but...
if they're duellists like we are... (holding up her ring momentarily)..
then they're bound by the Code of the Rose just like we are.. and so
we're protected here, believe it or not."

Arisugawa Juri leans against the wall..just beside the doorframe as she
hears your plan.. nodding in agreement, "I suppose so." 

Utena nods solemnly."I'nm going to start looking. These people.. I think
I'm right in guessing they HAVEN'T been around all this time.. you've been
here longer than I, am I correct in that?" 

Arisugawa Juri nods.. "I have never seen them before now."

Utena says, "Then they're .. outsiders. And they're on our ground.  Maybe
we can use the school to protect ourselves. If we know all the hidden
places.. they can't get us." Utena adds, "And we can move without
being seen."

Arisugawa Juri says, "Makes logical sense, hai.."

Utena says, "I'm going to start looking here, tonight...oh, geez. Quick,
sempai... I'll take the ground floor, you take this floor.. the doors to
the rooms should be unlocked.. we need to lock up the windows and the
front door before.. and we can look for passages at the same time."

Utena says, "I don't want to be surprised tonight. -.-"

Arisugawa Juri blinks... and all though she has had a long day, securing
the place would be smart before sleeping.. plus, this plan is rather
captivating. She nods, "Hai." 

"Call out if you find ANYTHING unusual, and take your sword with you. I'll
be right downstairs." Saying this, Utena breaks off and darts downstairs.. 
first going to the front door and locking it tight, using both the
old-style chain latch and the heavy deadbolt.. After that, she moves to
the massive kitchen room, and checks/secures each window's latch... after
finishing this act, she starts checking the rooms on the ground floor. 

Arisugawa Juri moves away from the present room, holding her sword to her
side as told. She slips into each room, securing each window and slipping
shades drawn.. before as well glancing over each crack and corner and
latch in every room. 

Utena moves along the lower floors, tapping walls and the like.. nothing
really seems to be out of place; her priority is first to lock the windows
and she makes sure to do that first. 

Arisugawa Juri enters the last room at the end of the hall. She presses
down on the final window, turning the lock...or attempting to, but it
seems rather rusted. She leans into it, pressing closer to the window and
turning her fingers tightly around it until a satisfying *click* is
heard. But, at that moment, she's not listening.. her eyes are fastened on
something else.  "Utena!" 

Utena blinks at Juri's call and, eyes wide, yells out, "Hang on!" She
DARTS up the stairwell nearby, three at a time. "Which room are you in..?" 

Arisugawa Juri calls from down the hall, "Last one.. on your left..!" 

Utena exclaims, "I'm almost there...!"

Utena charges into said room, gasping for breath. "What is it...?"

Arisugawa Juri is standing by the wall, peering inside a generous hole
there.. that would, in this house, seem normal.. beyond the fact that the
inside of it is completely hollow, "This.." 

Utena whistles under her breath... "Do you think...?" She joins you at the
side of the ragged gap in one wall... and then, daringly, sticks her head
into the gap... coughing at dust she then blinks.. "I feel air." 

Utena leans further and further forward, squinting into the dark hole..
"Air from below me... cold air... oh, man.. this is..." But, she leans
just a little TOO far... and trips over the ragged edge of the hole...
bumping forward in a mess of elbow and leg and bonking her head against
the hidden inner wall... she groans, starts to stand, rubbing her head...
but what she didn't, and doesn't, notice.. is that the floor in this
hidden space isn't exactly EVEN. It's actually slanted downward slightly..
just enough that.. as she tries to stand up and right herself in the
tight space.. her foot slips and suddenly, with a yelp (!) she slides
behind the wall and vanishes from sight! 

Arisugawa Juri blinks, calling out, "Utena!..." but her attempts to grab
her are to late. She doesn't hesitate in flipping her sword into a tight
hold and stepping forward through the opening, disappearing from sight as
well. 

Leaving only the silent battered room behind them...meanwhile... 

Within the confines of the Kiryuu Manor the Seitokaichou broods upon the
living room couch.  Halfsprawled onto the piece of furniture with his
head leaning far back he ponders the day's events.  So many things have
gone wrong today..have gone wrong lately..now things are almost
completely out of his control.  Utena has finally left his influence.  He
is now utterly powerless over her...and what's worse Juri..once the most
stalward of the Seitokai..is now onto him..and left his influence as well. 
Even his sister is showing signs of leaving... never before has he been
so totally and utterly alone.  And now...things are even worse.  These
new Duellists..they can only be the results of one man.  A man he had
hoped he would never have to see again. 

"Ahhh Touga..ever the picture of defeat." a hawkish voice echos within the
living room. 

On cue..a man wanders into the room...absently inspecting his
surroundings.  He can be described as a bird of prey reincarnated as a
human.  His medium length silver hair swept back with small tasseled bangs
close to the front..like the crest of an eagle. His tapered nose and
eyebrows give him a predatory expression as his clothing is patterned in
earth tones..completeing the animal illusion.  His white gloved hands run
along the side of a wall near Touga...as if scrutinizing every last
detail..not a single one meeting his approval, "It would seem you have
quite a mess on your hands hrmm?" 

Touga looks rather nonplussed.  Eyes still closed as he continues as if
Kataki hadn't spoken, "Why are you here...are you not still supposed to be
teaching abroad?  Or.." his eyes slowly open, "It would make since that
this ... goon squad.. is your doing." 

Kataki smiles as he wanders a bit closer..settling down on the edge of the
couch and folding his gloved hands on his lap, "What you would call a
'goon squad' I would label perfection.  Something your dominion of
Duellists fall very short of.  Need I remind you how completely out of
hand your folly is now...and how I was called all the way from the
depths of China because you couldn't handle it anymore..hrmm?" just
driving his talons into Touga's already ruined heart.

Touga wants nothing more to jibe the smirking one and say 'he has the
situation in hand' but it would a be a lie and Kataki knows as much.  He
leans his head back as he whispers, "Your 'Duellists' threatened to kill
me earlier today." 

Kataki chuckles absently, "It was for appearances sake I assure you.  They
seem rather rough but that is simply their illusion.  They're actually
quite disciplined..and completely obedient to the Ends of the Earth. 
Unlike...yours." his voice takes a sour tone..as if the very concept of
the Ootori Duellists was rather distasteful. 

Touga takes a deep breath before letting it out slowly, not giving him the
satisfaction of seeing him enraged, "...how much longer are you planning
on...staying.." 

Kataki rolls his eyes upwards to the ceiling...before commenting,
"ooh..Our Task is nearly done.  The errant Himemiya is nearly returned to
the fold completely by my specialist.. and your other ..Duellists.. have
almost received enough motivation.  Soon everything will be patched up
nicely and I can return to more...pressing matters.  I do hope you learn a
lesson from all this..." he smiles quaintly, "-Little- brother." 

Touga remains in as much control of himself as possible...as that is the
only thing he even has a small measure of control over anymore, "Then
shouldn't you get back to doing what needs to be done and move along." 

Kiryuu Kataki stands up..dusting himself off as if the place is covered in
particles of weakness, "Oh I shall in good time.. after all...someone must
uphold the male Kiryuu Tradition... and since it is obviously not you..  I
suppose I must take up the slack you're creating." Marches inward through  
the manor...leaving the field of view, "...why Akio lets you even be
Seitokaichou I'll never know..." before pausing and calling back out,
"...then again..you have always been one for sleeping your way to the
top..." a venomous chuckle echos throughout the manor as his presense
leaves... 

Touga winces and keeps himself from snarling...wondering what Akio is
thinking for bringing such a monster back.  His older brother.  But
decides for now..he is totally helpless...and must bite back his
pride..and just let things be fixed...even if it is by someone like...that. 

[Utena logo- 'to be continued']