Utena, Revolutionary Girl Fan Fiction ❯ Love's Honor ❯ Chapter Eight ( Chapter 8 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Chapter Eight

Light glimmered and flashed with a ruddy hue, the
surrounding gold equally bright, as slender fingers turned
the ruby-studded brooch this way and that. Aquamarine eyes
remained focused on the intricate designs around the four
heart-shaped stones while the rose-haired maiden's thoughts
gently drifted.

She had owned the brooch for nearly as long as she could
remember. Though the tragic events of losing her parents
were forever etched in her heart, her memories of the time
immediately afterward were hazy. Somehow, she had acquired
the piece of jewelry she now held in her hand, then had been
somewhere safe. After that, she could vaguely recall a trip
home followed by growing up in the care of her aunt's
household.

The quest, however, had always haunted her, hovering there
constantly in the back of her mind . . .

"So, m'lady," murmured a voice from behind. "Do you think
the Red Tyger's the one?"

Pulled from her musings, Utena lifted her gaze while
twisting to face the source of the sound. Noting Shiori's
presence there, an expression of eager curiosity on the
handmaiden's face, the young noblewoman replied, "Of those
who have tried so far, he is the one furthest down the path
to the goal. Three more tests must he face."

"And then?" the short-haired servant asked, the light of
anxious anticipation alight in her large, violet eyes.

"If he passes, then he'll be sent to recover the sword known
as Love's Honor," Utena responded. Unlike Wakaba, who had
been her servant for years and was as much a friend as a
handmaiden, the slightly older Shiori had only been in the
young noble's employ for a few months, since about a turn of
the moon after Midwinter's Day. The shorter-haired brunette
wasn't as privy to the quest that drove the pink-maned girl
as her dear friend Wakaba was. "Whether he can wield the
sword or not would be his ultimate challenge."

"Where is this Love's Honor to be found, m'lady?" Shiori
queried, her countenance still bright-eyed and eager.

Utena turned away, her gaze once more settling upon the
object of gold and rubies resting in the grasp of a hand.
"That is something I may only tell the one worthy to attempt
to gain the blade."

Unseen by her mistress, Shiori's face took on an expression
that was a mix of extreme disappointment and
barely-controlled rage. However, the look was a fleeting
one, swiftly buried beneath a pleasantly bland one as the
violet-eyed brunette regained her self-control. By the time
Utena turned back around to walk past the older girl, Shiori
seemed to be the very essence of a demure and helpful lady
in waiting. "So how will you know if he's the one?"

"If he passes the tests I have remaining, then he has earned
a chance to try to claim the sword," came the reply as Utena
stepped into the window embrasure and gracefully perched
upon the embroidered pillows there on the window seat.
Slipping the brooch onto her masculinely-tailored tunic, she
then reached out and pushed open the shutters that kept the
outside elements from the fortress's room. With a deep
breath of the outside air, she smiled as her sea-blue gaze
scanned out over the lake that surrounded the strong shell
keep. To the west, the sun was a fiery orange ball, the
deeply-hued light making the outside world gleam as if it
were made of molten gold. Soon they would be called down to
the Great Hall for the evening meal, and part of her mind
focused on the fact that she would need to clothe herself in
garb more appropriate for someone of her station. Glancing
up into the darkening sky, she knew that soon the stars
would be out -- and a sudden desire to dance under them
again with the tall and dashing Kiryuu prince imposed itself
upon her awareness, making her feel slightly warm despite
the cool evening breeze flowing through the open window.

Admittedly, his intense interest in her as a woman had
startled and frightened her, making her feel too uneasy to
think of anything but to pull away from him. However, he
had apologized and stepped back, giving her space to
breathe, to collect her thoughts and racing emotions. And
in that space, she was beginning to see a man she could come
to admire.

Just then, the ironbound oaken door to the guest chamber
burst open, an animated figure nearly flying through the
open stone archway. Her shimmering brown ponytail bobbing
with the rhythmic motion of her excited stride across the
carpet-adorned wooden floor, Wakaba called out, "Lady Utena!
Lady Utena!"

"Over here, Wakaba," the noblewoman in question responded,
leaning forward as she turned her attention away from the
sunset-gilded landscape beyond. Waving a hand to further
catch her servant's gaze, she queried, "What is it?"

"You're not going to believe this, but it's the talk all
over the keep," the brown-eyed handmaiden replied, rushing
over to her mistress. "All the servants are gossiping about
it!"

"What is it?" Utena repeated, grinning at the excited antics
of the other teenager.

"Lord Touga released Lord Kyouichi from the bonds of
vassalage. Clan Saionji's an independent coronet once
more."

"How interesting," Shiori commented, standing in the center
of the room, her hands clasped demurely before her
lavender-clad form.

"He did?" the pink-maned girl murmured out loud in wonder.
(What had motivated him so? Did he do it for love of a
friend, or was there a hidden agenda?) she mused, though her
heart felt a bright ray of hope. Had friendship been what
had lead to his decision, then he could very well be the one
she was told to find by the mysterious violet-haired girl
who tended the rose arbor protecting the magical sword of
the champion of Love. To let go of power for the sake of
the love one bore for another certainly seemed a deed in
accord with a heart dedicated to the virtues of Amor.

"Aye, he did," insisted Wakaba, ponytail swaying as she
nodded her head in an affirmative gesture. "I heard it from
the pages who had heard it from their master. Apparently
Lords Touga, Kyouichi and Miki had a meeting in the Kaoru
chieftain's office, and in seeing to it that they had enough
refreshments to drink as they talked, the master of pages
overheard them discussing Lord Kyouichi's new status as an
independent prince. It sounds like there may be trouble
coming to the highlands this summer."

"Trouble? What sort of trouble?" asked the other servant,
her violet gaze flicking to settle on Wakaba.

"Sounds like one of the clans could be wanting to go to
war," the brown-eyed brunette replied, frowning slightly.
"I didn't get to find out more about that, only that Lord
Miki's hoping to get aid from both the Saionji and the
Kiryuu against this other clan."

"I don't like the sound of that at all," Utena commented,
frowning as well. Glancing over her shoulder to see the
last of the orb of the sun slip away below the wooded ridge
defining the western horizon, she gracefully rose to her
feet. "Perhaps I should question Lord Touga about those
matters? However, the evening meal will be soon. We should
make ourselves presentable."

"As you wish, m'lady," the two handmaidens answered in
unison.
________________

The sounds of jovial conversation and soft music swirled
around Utena while she sat there at the high table in the
Great Hall of Kaoru Keep. Nibbling on the marzipan that
have been served -- along with candied fruit -- as the final
course of the evening meal, she let her azure gaze wander
over the large room once more.

Unlike the other two fortresses she had visited so far that
week, this cavernous room wasn't situated within the
fortified tower that served as the final refuge for the
defenders. Instead, the Great Hall took up two-thirds of a
long, thatched-roof outbuilding constructed up against the
inside surface of the stone curtain wall that surrounded the
castle's bailey. Behind her, the wooden wall that was
covered with brightly-colored tapestries acted as a
partition between the hall and the kitchen; all throughout
the meal, she had been aware of the servants coming and
going through a door in that same wall far to the left of
the high table. More tapestries, silken banners joining
their ranks, hung from the smoke-darkened oaken timbers that
supported the roof, and the walls to the left and across the
hall were also fashioned from the same sturdy wooden
construction. Only the wall to Utena's right was different;
it was composed of the blocks of granite that formed the
protective barrier between the outside world and the
stronghold within.

The people that graced the tables below the salt were very
much like those other highland clanmembers she'd already
seen. Their garb and appearance gave confirmation to her
earlier assessment that this clan was somewhere between the
wealth and plenty of the Kiryuu and the poverty and
destitution of the Saionji. The atmosphere of the Great
Hall and the tone of their conversations was in the middle
as well, not as full of open gaiety as her first night among
the highlanders nor as sullen as her second night.

The fare had been simple but delicious, just what she had
expected from a household of the Kaoru clan's means at the
beginning of springtime. While musicians had played
soothing tunes, the conversation at the high table had
focused on the trio of chieftains comparing notes on how
well each had survived what had sounded to be a harsh
winter, swapping stories of strange or funny happenings to
their clanmembers during the cold season, and talking about
the possibility of an upcoming conflict. Dominating the
talk had been the Kaoru chieftain, a grizzled-looking
warrior with silver streaking his violet-blue hair, his
sapphire eyes those of a man who had seen many harsh things.
He was a startling contrast to his youthful son; Miki,
though he looked much like what his father must have in the
past, still had the bloom of innocence that somehow made his
intelligence seem more a special thing. The Kaoru prince,
though seemingly equally intelligent to Utena's observation,
had more of the air of a knowledge born from experience
rather than innate ability.

The blue-haired chieftain had sat in his customary spot in
the middle of the high table, his distant but commanding
presence the center of attention among the nobles seated
there. In accordance with his wishes, Saionji had been
placed to his right, in the seat of honor, with Kozue seated
just to the right of him. As the Kaoru heir, Miki had been
given the seat to his father's left, with Touga allowed the
seat to the left of the azure-haired boy. As for herself,
Utena was seated to the Red Tyger's left; though not a
favorable one as far as honor went, it still gave her a good
vantage point from which to observe the others while they
all ate.

That their much older host was the driving force behind what
conversation there was seemed to bother the other two
chieftains little if at all. For Saionji's part, he was
apparently having too much of a good time enjoying his
newfound freedom; for the first time since she had set eyes
on him this visit, the verdant-maned lord seemed relaxed and
happy, his defenses down. That Kozue spent her time coyly
flirting with her dinner companion probably only added to
his feelings of good will. And Touga . . . To the
rose-haired maiden's watchful eye, he appeared to be the
most gracious of guests, letting the host decide on the
topic to discuss and offering his opinions when appropriate.
Miki kept silent more often than not as his father spoke,
seemingly reluctant to voice his own opinion on things, and
the rose-haired girl was more interested in watching than
talking through supper.

Admittedly, as dinner wore on, Utena found her patience
strained by a couple of things. The first was Kozue; the
slender princess seemed to be playing the precocious flirt a
bit too strongly, taking nearly every opportunity to let the
handsome lord sitting next to her know that she was
apparently quite interested in him. From the tone of some
of the discussion, the pink-haired girl deduced that Saionji
was debating on arranging a marriage with the seemingly
demure girl sitting at his side. Something about her made
Utena think that such an alliance -- though politically
probably rather sound -- would be a personal disaster for
the curly-haired chieftain.

The second thing was the continued talk of perhaps future
hostilities as spring advanced into summer. It had long
been known among the royal court of Utena's home kingdom
that Lord Akio Ohtori was a prince of great ambition. That
it seemed as if he were preparing to go on the march
bothered her, striking some deep chord within herself that
such hostility could be disastrous for those who would stand
against him. The thought of any of them sitting there that
night -- the Kaoru chieftain, his young son, the
newly-independent Saionji -- could meet a violent end in a
battle not of their making sent an ill feeling sweeping over
her. Even more intense yet was the sensation that filled
her at any thought of the elegant lord sitting next to her
being wounded -- or worse. Still, she understood the need
for such discussions and plans as the trio of chieftains
talked over various strategies to deal with the possible
threat. Someone had to defend those Akio would rob of their
freedom, and as his closest neighbors, the Kaoru, Saionji
and Kiryuu would more than likely bear the brunt of any
attempt the Ebon Phoenix would make.

The serving wenches -- comely maidens who were part of the
household's kitchen staff -- were wandering about the Great
hall, some flirting with those sitting there at the sturdy
wooden tables, gathering up the final remains of the meal
just past when the Kaoru chieftain turned his attention to
his heir. "Miki, if you please, play a song for us."

"As you wish, Father," the azure-haired boy responded.
Pushing back his chair, the youth in question rose from the
high table, then strode over to where the musicians were
taking a rest between songs. The rose-haired girl's gaze
followed Miki curiously as he perched himself upon a
three-legged stool behind an impressive harp. Closing
bright blue eyes while resting his hands upon the strings,
the Kaoru heir leaned against the gilded wooden frame of the
instrument and slipped into that tranquil stillness that
always surrounded him when he performed.

The first strains were lovely, the melody one that seemed to
speak of the memories of long ago. The youthful noble's
fingers were nimble upon the strings -- caressing here,
plucking strongly there -- bringing to life a musical piece
that brought to mind a sunlight-dappled garden.

The whole of the hall listened in rapt silence as Miki
played through the pleasantly haunting piece. Finishing the
song with an almost extravagant flourish, the Kaoru heir sat
quietly, hands still poised over the harp's strings.
Applause and cheers greeted him then; opening his eyes, the
blue-haired youth smiled at the accolade.

"Well played, Son," the grizzled chieftain praised, raising
his golden goblet in a salute to his boy's talent.

"Thank you, Father," Miki replied, cheeks taking on a faint
flush.

Next to the green-haired lord, Kozue sat in silence,
sapphire eyes narrowed ever so slightly while the applause
for her twin continued.

"Now then," the Kaoru prince said, standing to get
everyone's attention. "Servants, remove the tables to rest
against the walls. Musicians, play into the night. 'Tis an
evening for a celebration -- "

On the far side of the huge room, the massive double doors
opened, a herald dressed in the tabard bearing the coat of
arms of Clan Kaoru entering the Great Hall. Striding
quickly forward, the newcomer crossed the length of the
chamber while the grizzled veteran of many a knightly battle
began his impromptu speech.

Noting the herald's approach, the Kaoru chieftain fell
silent, motioning to the blond youth to come forward to
deliver his message.

"What now, I wonder?" Touga softly murmured, cobalt-blue
eyes focused upon the tabard-shrouded youth.

Catching her companion's words, Utena questioned him while
sliding her aqua-hued gaze to the scarlet-maned lord's noble
visage. "What do you think it could be?"

The golden-haired messenger reached the high table before
Touga could form a reply. Curious as to what the message
could be, he remained silent in order to overhear better the
youth's words.

"M'lord, Lord Souji, prince of Clan Nemuro, has arrived at
the gates and requests to be let in to enjoy the hospitality
of which he was invited to partake," the herald announced,
his voice low so that only the lord of the stronghold -- and
those sitting near him at the high table -- could hear. "He
further apologizes for the lateness of the hour, but he was
unavoidably detained."

Next to the Kaoru chieftain, Saionji sat up straighter in
mild astonishment. (What the devil is the Honorable Shadow
doing here?) he wondered, violet eyes staring at the at the
messenger garbed in blue and white. Unseen by the
verdant-maned lord, the lady at his right had, for a
fleeting instant, a look of surprise equal to Saionji's.
Then Kozue's expression changed to one of calculated
satisfaction before she once again donned the mask of a
demure princess.

"Ah, excellent," the Kaoru ruler responded, looking quite
pleased at the news. "I had expected him to not make an
appearance at all, considering his lack of a reply."
Nodding to the herald, the grizzled veteran continued, "Go,
Jiro, and tell the porter that Lord Souji is most welcome
and to open the gates for the Honorable Shadow."

Hiding his astonishment behind the act of taking a long
draught from his golden cup, Touga couldn't help but wonder
what exactly was happening. Clan Nemuro held power over a
large section of the rugged western coastlands and were well
known to keep to themselves, never siding completely in any
of the struggles for dominance over all the highland clans
but adhering to a neutral position. Easily a rival in
wealth and power to the Kiryuu, the Arisugawa and the
Ohtori, the Nemuro were rarely seen beyond the borders of
their influence. In fact, Touga couldn't recall a single
time he'd seen the Honorable Shadow, though he was well
aware of Lord Souji's presence off to the west; all he knew
about the man were rumors, whispers of a brilliant intellect
but cold and distant emotions, of plotting strategy for
reasons known only to him while remaining skulking about the
lands of his demesne.

The golden-haired messenger hastily sketched a bow, then
turned and hurried out the same direction from whence he had
come. Recalling the beautiful rose's question, Touga leaned
toward her and murmured, "I have little clue what this could
be about save that perhaps the Honorable Shadow regards the
Ohtori as a threat also."

On the other side of the very happy-looking Kaoru chieftain,
Saionji moved closer to Kozue. In a celebratory mood --
after years of longing on a wish he never truly hoped he'd
achieve, he and his were once again numbered among the
sovereign coronets of the highlands -- he had imbibed quite
a bit of the fine wine served with supper. Perhaps a bit
too much, some part of him admitted; he was certainly
feeling the effects, but he felt too good to care. And the
violet-blue haired lady certainly seemed to be personally
interested in the alliance he hoped to make. Though he knew
that any marriage he contracted would be for what he could
get out of the alliance in wealth and power, the idea that
it could be more than purely political appealed to him.
"Any idea why the Honorable Shadow has appeared at your
father's gates, Lady Kozue?" he asked, using his query as an
excuse to rest a hand over hers.

The princess lowered her gaze, her cheeks pinking in the
very image of a demure maiden. Underneath her long lashes,
however, her eyes remained alight with a calculating glimmer
deep within their sapphire depths. Letting her hand remain
under his, Kozue replied, "Father invited him here to
discuss the situation developing with Clan Ohtori just as he
asked you to travel here."

Saionji frowned faintly, a faint sense of trespass washing
over him. Merely making a noncommittal grunt as a response,
he picked up his goblet with his free hand and took another
drink of the slightly sweet wine. Well, no matter that.
The girl had certainly showed interest in him.

Utena merely nodded at her companion's words, aquamarine
gaze focused on the doors opposite the high table. Having
heard a few rumors about the mysterious ruler of Clan Nemuro
-- of how he was cold of heart and sly of mind -- she was
more than slightly curious as to what his true appearance
would be.

Her vigilance was soon rewarded. The whole of the
conversations going on within the Great Hall fell into an
awed silence as the herald returned and announced, as was
the custom, the presence of a visitor of royal blood. "Your
Lordship, the Honorable Shadow, Lord Souji, prince of the
Nemuro!" The blond messenger then stepped aside, allowing
the one announced to stride through the now-unblocked
doorway.

All eyes were upon him, though to the elegant lord dressed
in comfortable garb in black, white and silver, it mattered
little at all. Clad in black boots, white trews, a white
undertunic showing from underneath a black velvet tunic
decorated with silver embroidery in a pattern of roses,
Souji made quite the somber image -- especially with the
nearly expressionless visage he had as dark brown eyes
scanned over the people there in the large room. Let them
gawk; they certainly were of no consequence. Pausing a
couple of strides into the Great Hall, the Nemuro prince
glanced back over his shoulder to make sure his beloved
squire was following.

Utena blinked, startled, while Touga raised scarlet eyebrows
in curiosity then turned his cobalt-blue gaze to look at the
lovely maiden sitting next to him. No, it wasn't his
imagination; Lord Souji held a striking similarity to Lady
Utena's appearance, down to the very same shade of rose-pink
hair. Having seen her in her masculine attire during the
day, the Kiryuu chieftain was even more aware of how the
Honorable Shadow's visage was a manlier version of her own.
"A cousin of yours, perhaps?" he asked the woman sitting
next to him, his voice soft.

"I -- I don't know," the elegantly-clad noblewoman replied,
still staring at the young lord across the hall. Other than
his eyes being deep brown with a hint of rose-pink hue, and
his silken mane being straight and cut short to lay no
longer than the nape of his neck, he truly looked as if he
could be her sibling. Her parents had been killed while on
their way to some destination in the highlands. Could they
have been going to visit the Nemuro?

A figure came through the doorway on the heels of the
sable-clad nobleman. Shorter than his knight, slender and
pretty -- to the point of being effeminate, Saionji noted
with a bit of a scowl -- the dusky-skinned boy was an
intriguing contrast to his master. Furthermore, the way the
pink-haired noble gazed at his companion made Saionji wonder
about what sort of relationship they may have. Large
emerald-green eyes glanced about his surroundings, his short
curly mane of pale lavender hair and rose-red garb accented
in gold made him a brighter image than did the nobleman at
his side. Like the other, the apparent squire carried
himself in the manner of the nobility; more than likely he
was of royal blood himself.

Another puzzle to mull upon, Touga decided. The pretty
youth trailing along after the Honorable Shadow bore as
strong a resemblance to Lord Akio as his master bore to Lady
Utena. Perhaps a cousin or some such there as well, though
that idea made the Red Tyger wonder if somehow the Ohtori
had managed to come to some sort of alliance with Lord Souji
of which no one had been aware. Regardless, it seemed --
from what little Touga had seen of the two so far -- that
the effeminate squire was the only thing that made the
Nemuro chieftain's face take on an expression of any sort.

The warm smile lingering, Souji gave his companion a gesture
that was both one of encouragement and a command to continue
following him. His attention turning back to those seated
at the high table, the pink-haired chieftain strode the rest
of the way, coming to a halt before the Kaoru prince. The
bow he gave was a slight one, one of a superior greeting
someone of a lesser rank; Saionji's violet gaze slid over to
watch a faintly insulted expression flicker over his host's
face for just an instant, his attention caught by a
barely-voiced sound of disapproval. The verdant-maned
prince had to agree with the other's feeling of being upset.
They were all sovereign princes here, thus they should be
regarded as one another's equal no matter the wealth or
temporal might they wielded.

Touga as well caught the attitude of the greeting. His thin
lips pressing together, he noted that the Honorable Shadow
seemed to be of a mind that any appearance should be
regarded as a favor a superior had stooped to perform out of
whatever sense of kindness he may have had. The Kiryuu
chieftain also noted that despite the fact Lord Souji had
certainly seen the others seated there above the salt, the
sight had apparently evoked no reaction at all upon the
young nobleman's handsome face.

"Welcome to my abode, Honorable Shadow," the Kaoru ruler
said, returning the bow of respect. "You honor us with your
presence."

"I thank you for your hospitality," the rose-haired
chieftain responded, his mellow voice sounding almost as
flat as his expression. The only time his face even lit up
with an emotion at all was when he turned slightly to draw
forward his shorter companion. "As does my squire, Mamiya."
In response, the pretty boy flushed slightly and bowed as
well, his one of an underling to a superior.

"If I may, I'd like to speak with you in private -- "

"Only so long as my squire can accompany me," Souji
insisted, interrupting the other chieftain. The tone of his
voice left no doubt that he would refuse any conversation
that didn't allow his companion to share in on it.

The grizzled azure-haired nobleman momentarily frowned, a
look that was swiftly gone. Once again taking on a warm
smile, he nodded, "Of course, of course, my lord. Never
would I deny the presence of one's own squire."

"I'm pleased you see it that way," the sable-clad man
replied, dark-brown eyes as cold as ever. "Then I shall be
happy to speak with you in the manner indicated."

""A moment then, if it pleases my lord," the Kaoru chieftain
said. Turning his attention back to the people still there
within the Great Hall, he raised his voice for all to hear.
"Continue on, my people. Push the tables to the side and
start in with the celebration." Flicking his gaze over to
where his son continued to sit behind the golden harp, he
added, "Miki, if you will, play with the musicians as they
perform the dances." Noting the young lord's nod of
acknowledgment, the Kaoru ruler then gestured to his newest
guest. "If you and your squire would kindly follow me?"

"Lead on," Souji responded. While the older chieftain
stepped back from the table and then walked down the length
of it, the pink-haired nobleman matched his pace, striding
along the table on the other side with the red-clad boy
following in his wake.

"Interesting, that," softly mused the scarlet-haired
chieftain, his azure gaze focused upon the retreating lords.
"I wonder what he's up to?"

"It seems a bit odd," Utena replied, staring after them as
well while the trio disappeared. "Though I'm certain it has
something to do with the possible aggression from Clan
Ohtori."

"As am I," Touga replied. "Though I was somewhat certain
Clan Nemuro would remain as aloof as always, taking neither
side. Now, I'm not so certain."

"Why's that?"

"The squire, Mamiya. Did you not see the resemblance?" the
redheaded chieftain asked.

The rose-haired maiden nodded slightly. Of course she had
noticed; the similarities were too striking. Having seen
Akio Ohtori on a few occasions in the court of her home
kingdom, she had realized that were the elegant lord's hair
shorter and his emerald eyes larger and his visage as she
remembered it more youthful, then he would look as if he
were Mamiya's identical twin. "'Tis uncanny, I do admit,
but I was unaware of the Phoenix having any brothers."

"Far as I know, he does not. However, that doesn't preclude
some sort of relation -- perhaps a nephew or a cousin,"
Touga pointed out. "And it may mean that the Honorable
Shadow is allied somehow with Ohtori."

"If that's the case, then things may be rather grim if Lord
Akio does decide to act as you fear." Utena frowned, that
uneasy feeling washing over her again. Somehow, she just
*knew* that anyone getting in the Phoenix's way would be
swept aside, broken and shattered. The very thought of the
man sitting next to her so destroyed made a cold shiver
crawl down her spine. Suddenly, the night seemed not so
festive.

With the sounds of shouted directions, loud conversation and
the scraping of wood against the rush-strewn floor, the
servants and clanmembers hastened to do as their chieftain
had bidden. As the people dispersed into small knots still
carrying on their discussions and debates, the household
staff cleared the Great Hall of the oaken trestle tables and
their accompanying benches. Next to their place near the
enormous fireplace, the musicians struck up a lively tune as
background music to the clearing of the floor, the young
azure-haired noble strumming away on the large harp. The
moment the final table was in place, leaning up against a
tapestry-adorned wall, the performers brought their current
tune to a halt, then started up one that everyone recognized
as an energetic dance.

People began to pair up to take part in the dance; with a
scrape of chair against dais, Saionji rose and escorted the
still demure-appearing Kozue from the oaken platform to the
rush-covered floor. Noting the other chieftain's departure,
Utena half-expected her scarlet-haired companion to ask her
to dance as well. When he did nothing but remain in his
seat and take another sip from his goblet, she gave him a
sidelong glance and took a drink from her own cup of wine.
Was he not interested in such an interaction after all, or
was he just waiting for her to show an interest in dancing
before offering to partner her? Considering her reactions
to his advances and his promise to no longer make her
uncomfortable, the rose-haired maiden was of the mind that
he was simply waiting for her to show her own willingness
first. Aquamarine eyes settling on the stately form of Lord
Kyouichi beginning the steps of the somewhat complicated
dance with the violet-blue haired princess, Utena softly
said, "You've done quite the deed, turning your foster
brother loose of your coronet's control. It was all the
talk among the servants this afternoon."

"I can imagine," Touga replied, also watching his friend
dance.

"Most men would keep whatever power they had, and hold onto
it tightly."

"There are some things more important than power, even in
this world where might and wealth mean so much," the
redheaded chieftain responded.

Utena nodded slightly. "So why did you release him from
vassalage?"

Touga slowly set down the goblet, though he kept his fingers
curled around the smooth metal. Cobalt-blue gaze still
fixed upon Saionji, he finally answered, "I missed my
friend. Throughout my life, I've had servants and vassals
galore, but only one person I could call 'friend'. So long
as his father lived, then he and I could continue as we
were."

"And with him the prince now, it couldn't stay that way,"
Utena said, her voice filling the melancholy silence that
had come between them. "You would have to push him into
being a subordinate."

"Precisely. Saionji deserves better," the Kiryuu chieftain
remarked. Dark azure eyes narrowed slightly as Touga
watched Kozue's casual flirting while she danced with the
green-haired lord. Something about that girl . . . "He
deserves much better," he muttered.

"Lord Touga?"

"Aye, my lady?"

"Would you . . . dance with me, please?" the pink-haired
girl finally asked, feeling her cheeks grow warm as she
voiced the words.

"It would be my pleasure, Lady Utena," Touga replied, a
smile gracing his handsome face. Taking one of her hands in
his, he rose from his seat and helped her to her feet.
Taking her by the arm, he led her off the wooden dais upon
which was bolted the high table.
________________

With a whispering sound, the cool night breeze rustled the
greenery of the darkness-shrouded garden. Catching on
rose-pink and scarlet-red hair alike, the wind playfully
tossed the silken strands about. Sighing happily, Utena
stared up into the star-speckled vault of the sky. The man
next to her was solid, warm; this time she felt comfortable
enough to lean against him, allowing him to hold her by the
waist in a loose, one-armed embrace.

They'd danced during a couple of tunes before some of the
other men there in the Great Hall had approached and asked
her to share a dance. Mindful that she should continue
searching despite her current testing of the Kiryuu prince,
Utena accepted a number of the requests. And through each
performance of the stately steps, she found herself staring
time and again at the dashingly handsome chieftain as he
danced with others. In the end, she discovered a longing to
once more be with him; taking the initiative, she had
abandoned her latest partner, approached Touga and had yet
again asked if he would dance with her -- this time under
the stars.

The smile he had given her then had been dazzling, one that
sent a pleasant shiver down her spine. Out of the large
double doors he had led her -- at some point during the
celebration, the entryway had been tossed open and revelers
had wandered out into the gardens that filled this part of
the bailey -- and out into the night, far enough away for
them to be essentially alone yet near enough they could hear
the sweet strains of the musicians' melodies. Their dance
had ended when the music had, and it had been then that
Utena had leaned against her companion's strong body and had
looked up at the stars.

"I remember something . . ." the rose-haired maiden finally
whispered, sea-blue eyes still staring up into the zenith of
the night-time sky, this time at the white disk of the moon.
The silvery light pooled around them, making the blooms and
foliage of the garden take on innumerable shades of gray.

"And that is?" Touga softly murmured in reply, free hand
reaching up to brush aside the few strands of his hair the
playful wind had tossed into his face. Lowering his head,
he shifted his gaze to the delicate flower resting against
him. He felt a warm sort of pleasure holding her in such a
manner, a sensation unlike anything he'd experienced before.
The sense of correctness he felt was unmatched, as if this
was how things should always have been. Still, there was
one thread of unease that imposed itself upon his awareness:
somewhere along the line, Saionji had disappeared from the
Great Hall. That Lady Kozue had also vanished from sight
was the sole reason for Touga's disquiet; he knew that his
friend could certainly take care of himself.

"Someone telling me . . . something about the stars,"
whispered Utena. "And promising to show them to me."

The scarlet-maned chieftain chuckled softly. How wonderful
that a trace of that memory was now reachable to her, where
before she had no recollection at all. "I'm certain you've
seen them before, my lady."

"Aye, I have, but . . ." She paused, her eyes shifting to
focus upon the smiling face of the lord looking down at her.

"But?" Long red hair slid forward as he lowered his head
marginally.

"It was if I'd never truly *seen* them before that night on
the roof of your keep," Utena replied, staring up into the
depths of his gorgeous blue eyes.

Touga said nothing in response, content to merely gaze upon
her lovely face there in the relative peace of the
night-enshrouded garden. In fact, he could have sworn the
beautiful maiden was rising to meet him when a sound caught
his attention, tearing his focus away from her. Though
standing within the bailey of a stronghold ruled by a
sympathetic noble, the Red Tyger was too well-trained to
ignore any unexpected noise that could signal approaching
danger. Lifting his head, he narrowed dark azure eyes as he
scanned their surroundings carefully.

"What is it?" Utena whispered, blinking in surprise,
realizing that her companion was searching for some object.

"I thought I heard something," he answered, still looking
about.

(Like what?) the noblewoman wondered, glancing about and
straining her ears to catch any sound. In the near
distance, the sound of merriment and laughter accompanied by
the music from within the Great Hall drifted to her on the
night air. Then she heard something closer off to her left,
like a scuffling foot on a gravel path.

(There it is again,) Touga thought. Under his arm, he felt
his companion stiffen, a sure indication that she had heard
the sound also. Slipping his arm from around her, he
gestured to her to remain in place before turning in the
direction of the noise and stalking forward. Carefully
stepping on the ground beneath, the Kiryuu prince moved
silently up against a bushy hedge covered with delicate
white flowers that almost glowed in the moonlight. The
sound seemed to have come from the other side of the
greenery; crouching down to peer through an area of fewer
leaves, the redheaded nobleman tried to make out what could
be seen on the other side.

Just as he was bringing the sight into focus, he was aware
of a warm, slender body pressed up against him -- one that
practically shoved him aside. A glance out of the corner of
his eye assured him that the person determined to share his
spyhole was his rose-haired companion. Settling next to her
in a manner that allowed them both to look at the same time,
Touga turned his attention back to the scene on the other
side of the hedge.

It seemed to be a secluded spot for sitting, one of those
many places within gardens where benches were placed for
those to admire the beauty of the site. In the silvery
illumination, Utena could make out a green grassy area, a
stone bench along a gravel path, and even more of the
white-flowered hedges bordering on the sides, though the way
opposite was dark and apparently open to more of the garden
-- and two figures sitting upon the bench. Aquamarine eyes
opened wide as she recognized Lord Kyouichi and Lady Kozue
sitting together; a blush crept to her face as she realized
she was now close enough to hear the low sounds of their
gentle moans and heavy breathing. The blue-haired princess
was leaning against the raised back of the white marble
bench, the tall form of the highland chieftain sprawled out
half on the bench and half atop her. Scuff marks in the
gravel, looking like dark holes in the moonlit-washed
stones, gave evidence to the sounds that had caught her
attention; Saionji had apparently dug a booted foot into the
pathway to maintain his position.

Next to her, she felt her scarlet-haired companion move
slightly, an almost noiseless growl sounding deep in his
throat. A swift glance showed a thunderous expression on
Touga's face, though Utena was uncertain whether his anger
was at his friend or at the lady Saionji was currently
kissing.

"So when will you tell your father that you insist on
getting the details settled?" the verdant-maned prince
asked, lips brushing up against the exposed skin of the
girl's neck as he spoke.

"Soon, my lord. Soon," Kozue breathlessly answered. She
sat up slightly, only to have her companion gently kiss her
full on the lips.

"It had better be soon. I have another offer that I'll have
to answer one way or another."

"Well now," the Kaoru princess softly purred. "We shall
have to see about that." Stroking a hand up along her
companion's back and tangling her fingers in his wavy hair,
she smiled up at him -- an expression that seemed to not
reach her sapphire eyes. "What with Clan Ohtori perhaps
going on the march -- "

"I'm certain that together the Saionji and the Kaoru can
beat back anything he throws at us," the nobleman replied.
"Though I fear that the brunt of supplies will have to be
purchased by your father. The winter just past was harsher
on my folk than expected."

"It was?" the maiden queried, the faintest of frowns
crossing her moonlit face. "I had heard, but I had hoped
they were but mere rumors of those jealous of the Saionji."

"Unfortunately, it's the truth," Saionji reluctantly said,
violet eyes staring down at the noblewoman in his arms.
"But we shall recover, and this alliance will strengthen
both of our clans."

"I see," Kozue murmured, turning her head away from her
suitor. When he returned to caressing her neck with his
lips, she faintly purred.

Pressed up against Touga as she was, Utena could feel the
ripple of his muscles underneath the layers of clothing that
separated them. Realizing that he was about to break cover
and burst in upon the two lovers, she glanced off toward the
clearing in the garden once more -- then suddenly thrust an
arm out against the Red Tyger's chest in a gesture of
restraint. Movement caught her eye across the grassy space;
she choked back a gasp as a voice called out into the night.

"Lady Kozue!"

Apparently the lady in question recognized the voice even as
the pair of noble spies did. The moment the shout was
voiced -- it was obvious it was a call to locate her, not a
cry of alarmed discovery -- the blue-haired maiden suddenly
burst into a frenzy of activity, screaming out for help and
beating the suddenly confused Saionji about the shoulders.
Taken completely by surprise, the green-haired chieftain
almost lost his balance and tumbled to the ground; in
scrambling to avoid a fall, he ended up pressing hard
against the flailing Kozue, pinning her down against the
smooth marble seat.

Rose-pink and pale-lavender hair -- both washed to nearly
silver in the illumination of the moon -- were bright
against the night sky as Lord Souji and his squire rushed
into the clearing in response to Kozue's cries of alarm. As
Mamiya hung back out of harm's way, the Nemuro prince
grabbed hold of the still astounded Saionji by the scruff of
his neck and yanked him off the struggling princess.
Befuddled by the unexpected actions of the maiden and the
alcohol consumed earlier, the Saionji chieftain landed hard
on the ground, reactions too slow to either catch or defend
himself. With a ring of steel, the Honorable Shadow drew
his sword; the gleaming metal flashed in the light as he
pressed the point against the fallen noble's chest. "You
dare lay your hands on what the Kaoru chieftain wishes to be
mine?"

"Yours?" Saionji growled, violet eyes narrowing. "What the
devil are you saying?" Glancing toward Kozue, it took
nearly every scrap of will for him to not show the deep
sense of betrayal he felt; the azure-haired maiden was
wringing her hands together, putting on a very convincing
act of being scared to death and almost raped. The growl of
absolute rage was nearly feral in tone; abruptly lashing out
with an arm, he caught the pink-haired noble's sword across
the flat of the blade, shoving it away from him. Rolling
swiftly in the same direction, Saionji felt a tug as some of
his hair was pulled from his head; at his foe's movement,
Souji had recovered from his surprise at the pushing away of
his sword and had jabbed downward, the tip of the weapon
pinning some of Saionji's wavy mane to the grassy ground.
"Kozue! Tell him that's not true!" Saionji appealed to the
girl in question, even as he scrambled to his feet and took
a ready stance. Like most nobles visiting a friendly
stronghold, his sword had been surrendered, held by the
steward until such time as he departed the castle or was
called to help defend it.

"I swear to you, Lord Souji, that he tried to ravish me,"
Kozue responded, looking every inch the disheveled and
frightened innocent.

"That's enough of that," Touga muttered, rising to his feet.
"I can't stay here and let them abuse Saionji so. The
injustice . . ." A quick glance around allowed him to spot
a narrow passage through the hedge further to the left.
Grabbing his companion by the hand, the redheaded chieftain
broke into a sprint, heading straight for the dark area in
the lush greenery.

Silent and deadly, the pink-haired nobleman closed the
distance between himself and his foe, the blade making a
glittering arc of silver in the moonlight as he swung.
Hissing in consternation, Saionji jumped backwards, just out
of the reach of the weapon. Armed only with a dagger, he
was decidedly at a disadvantage; pulling his knife from the
top of his boot, he gripped it firmly in hand as he was
forced to dodge another stab by the other chieftain.

Throwing an arm up to shield his face, Touga burst through
the narrow passage; leaves and twigs alike scraped against
him, tugging his hair, as he forced his way forward. The
moment he was on the other side, he dropped his arm, let go
of his hold on the rose-haired maiden's hand, then bellowed
out a roar as fierce as any attributed to his nickname.
"*Enough*!"

All eyes turned to the furious chieftain, the Nemuro prince
halting in mid-swing. Kozue remained looking utterly
distressed, while next to her stood Mamiya, the pretty
squire appearing downright frightened by the sudden
appearance of the Kiryuu prince. And in the abrupt
stillness of the moment came more sounds: shouts of alarm
from others nearby.

Stepping forward to stand at Touga's side, Utena looked
around the clearing as the Kaoru chieftain -- accompanied by
a large number of the household guard -- came running into
secluded spot in the garden. In a matter of seconds, all of
them there were surrounded, the grizzled veteran walking
forward to assume command only to have his obviously upset
and weeping daughter throw herself at him and hug him
tightly. "Thank goodness you're here, Father! I was so
scared!" Kozue sobbed, pressing her face against her sire's
torso.

"What in God's name is going on?" the Kaoru ruler demanded,
his furious gaze sweeping over the group of nobles gathered
there within his night-cloaked garden.

"H -- he tried to *ravish* me, Father," the blue-haired girl
cried, still clinging to her parent's clothing.

"That's a lie!" Saionji protested, his shock at the whole
matter swiftly turning to a well-concealed feeling of
horror. "Lady Kozue!" he implored, purple eyes staring at
the maiden.

Souji coolly pointed at the verdant-maned chieftain with his
still-bared blade. "In searching for your daughter as you
bade me, I came upon these two in this spot. She was
struggling and calling out for assistance while Lord
Kyouichi held her down against the bench."

"She was with me willingly, and I didn't do anything she
didn't want," Saionji snapped in response.

"Do you deny the Honorable Shadow's words?" the older,
azure-maned lord demanded, piercing sapphire gaze setting
upon the miscreant. Thank Heaven that the Nemuro prince had
come upon the scene when he had; though the custom of
Hospitality had been breached, his daughter still retained
her honor.

Saionji glared, getting the sense that he was as neatly
trapped as an animal in a poacher's snare. "No, I cannot,"
he finally snarled, his low voice somewhat subdued.
"However, what Lord Souji saw wasn't what it seemed. So
astonished was I at your daughter's abrupt denial at what
she was enjoying only a moment before, I nearly took a
tumble from the bench. I caught myself, and it was in such
a manner that the Honorable Shadow discovered us.
Nevertheless, I *swear* I made no attempt at all to force
myself upon your daughter."

Brow furrowed in puzzlement, Utena glanced up at the
still-angry lord at her side. That Touga had yet to
collaborate his foster brother's story left her feeling
anxious and disappointed. So elegantly had he spoken before
on the virtue of Justice; would he now not step forward to
see to it that justice was properly served?

One look at his offspring's tear-stained cheeks and
disheveled attire was all the Kaoru chieftain needed to make
up his mind. "A likely story, Lord Kyouichi," he growled,
eyes blazing with hatred. "How dare you come under my roof
and then behave in such a dishonorable fashion, causing the
peace of my hearth to be disturbed?"

Just as the grizzled veteran drew in a breath to further
berate the green-haired nobleman, Touga's low voice cut
through the tense silence. "Before you continue in your
hasty condemnation of the Saionji prince, my lord, let me
just state the truth: your daughter is a liar, and a
deceitful wench of loose morals."

Nearly everyone surrounding the scarlet-maned ruler drew in
a gasping breath, stunned by the prince's words. Kozue --
who had retreated to a position behind her imposing sire --
peered out from behind her shelter to give Touga a glare
full of malice.

"How dare you insult my daughter so with such slander?"
roared the older nobleman. At his furious words, a number
of the household guard took a step closer, apparently quite
willing to carry out any orders their lord may give.

"It's not slander when it's the truth," Touga calmly
responded. "Lady Utena and I were fortunate enough to see
what happened, seeing how we were gazing at the stars on the
other side of the hedge and heard some noise. Peering
through the brush, we saw Lord Kyouichi and Lady Kozue there
-- and I can assure you, the lady was rather enjoying the
attention she was receiving."

"I was too scared to cry out, thinking I was all alone with
that brute," the Kaoru princess replied, making sure her
voice retained the quaver of one still recovering from a
close call with danger.

"And that's why you had your hands all over him, I'm sure,"
the Red Tyger said in return. "Until the moment you
realized someone was looking for you. *Then* you suddenly
raised the hue and cry, claiming that you were being taken
by force. Of course, you had just heard how much poorer
Lord Kyouichi was than you had expected."

"Well, of course you'd come to that lecher's defense," Kozue
huffed, still sheltered behind her father's body. "Everyone
knows that he's your pet, that you took in your inferior and
thought you could raise him to be an equal -- "

"That will be enough of that," Touga coldly said, his very
tone enough to make everyone fall silent again. "I would
defend the Devil himself in these circumstances. This has
nothing to do with who Saionji is and everything to do with
your treatment of him. The injustice is astounding, my
lady."

"You think it's injustice, Lord Touga?" the younger Kaoru
twin challenged. "You think you know the truth? I dare you
to prove it."

For a tense moment, quiet reigned over the moonlit garden.
Finally, the Kiryuu prince replied, "Very well. Tomorrow,
when the sun is at its zenith, your champion and I shall
meet in the fields outside of the keep. We shall let God
decide the truth of the matter through the test of arms."

"I shall champion the lady's honor," said a voice. In the
midst of the sudden eruption of murmurs, Souji stepped
forward, dark brown eyes focused upon the redheaded prince.

"Already insisting upon your claim?" Saionji growled.

"A prudent matter, you must agree. After all, I do take
care of my own," the Honorable Shadow replied. "As standing
in for the challenged, it becomes my right to set the
terms."

"Of course," Touga smoothly acknowledged with a nod.

"Swords, on foot, no armor, until first blood," the
pink-haired prince said.

"Accepted. We shall meet at noon then to decide this
matter."

Utena swallowed hard, nervous for the gorgeous nobleman
continuing to coolly stare at the seemingly emotionless Lord
Souji. In order for justice to be served, he would have to
win the challenge; should he prevail, then all would have to
accept that he spoke the truth. Saionji would be
exonerated, and Kozue would be rightfully scorned for her
actions. And should he win the contest of arms, he would
prove that he had a strong enough sense of Justice to be the
champion she sought.

She just wasn't certain she could be that patient after all.