First Knight
by Lane Kramer
lkramer@bellatlantic.net


Chapter Four: Darkened Souls Dancing in the Moonlight


Utena Tenjou felt exhausted after her day at school.  The way school had
been going lately she was wondering if she could even pass her classes.
Also on her mind was Akio Ohtori.  As much as she tried to fight it she
found herself falling in love with him.  She dropped her school bag and
undid the first button on her jacket.  As she shifted some of her pink hair
out of her deep blue eyes she noticed a letter laying on her bed.  She
looked at it expecting perhaps a message from the Ends of the World and
started to feel a sense of dread.  The duels were taking their mental toll
on her, but she still kept thinking of Anthy and how she had to protect
her.  This in turn would make her weariness fade.  She looked at the letter
then slowly opened it and noticed it was not from the Ends of the World.
It was from Akio.  She read it intently and felt her eyes grow a little
larger in her head.  Then after finishing the letter she slumped on her bed
and just read the letter again.  Then she heard someone enter and it was
Anthy Himemiya, the Rose Bride and her friend.  Anthy looked at Utena
concerned for a moment.  "Is anything wrong Utena?"  Utena looked back at
the letter and then created a slight smile.

"No Himemiya.  I got a letter."  Anthy moved forward and sat on the floor
in front of Utena and asked "Who is it from?"

"Its from Akio he has asked me to escort him to the Millennium Ball that is
happening the day after tomorrow."  Anthy didn't say anything at first but
then asked "Well Utena-sama are you going to go with him."

Utena's mouth shifted and she looked in thought for a moment.  "Well he
says his fiancee is away for the next couple of days and he needs an escort
just for the night.  I don't think it would be right to make him go a lone,
so I guess I will."  Anthy merely nodded and started to leave.  "Ok then.
I will go get some tea for us."  Anthy then emotionlessly left to get the
tea.  Utena watched her leave and then immediately got out a piece of paper
and began to write a response which she  would later leave  near Akio's
quarters like the note said to do.

Later that night a figure moved to pick up Utena's letter.  The figure
ripped open the letter and read it, then could not help but smile.  Yes
things were moving a long well.

Touga Kiryuu was busy contemplating over several requests to be his escort
for the Millennium Ball that was in two days.  The playboy just smiled for
a moment.  He was a little disappointed since he had expected twice as many
requests but that wasn't what was really nagging at him right now.  The
thing that was bother him was the letter his sister had given him the other
day.  The letter was one asking him to be her date for the evening of the
ball.  Touga had been amused since he figured she must be wanting to
finally end their still somewhat lingering rift.  He still enjoyed reading
the "Dearest Brother" intro that was written on it.  Touga surmised that he
could accept one of the other requests but just as easily could get the
other young ladies for a date another time.  He would turn them down
gently, promise another time, and then they would still be his in the end.
Touga sighed for a moment at that thought.  There really wasn't any
challenge in it and he found himself doubting his true meaning in life
occasionally now. Perhaps it had to do with the coming of Revolution.
However Touga merely laughed at his own thought.  More likely it had
something to do with a certain pink haired "Victor".  No, Touga would meet
Nanami at the ball and dance with her, smooth over their relationship once
and for all.  He had spent sometime looking for the appropriate mask to
wear.  The ball was to be a masked ball and he wanted to make sure that he
would look in good form.  So in two days things will be back to normal and
Revolution will be that much closer.

Akio Ohtori found a message waiting for him from Utena.  It asked him to
meet her at the Millennium Ball an hour after it started and asked him to
escort Anthy to it.  Akio normally might have been a little suspicious, but
things were proceeding so well he didn't give it much thought.  He would
bring Anthy to the ball and then he would dance the night away with Utena
as a prince should.

Utena Tenjou entered the main ballroom where the Millennium Ball was being
held.  She had on a bright yellow mask that completely covered her face and
hid her hair because of the large feathers on it.  Utena wore the dress
that she had been given by Touga Kiryuu so long ago for a previous dance.
She must have accidentally brought it with her when she moved into Akio's
tower.  It was perfect for the ball and she figured Akio would like her in
it.  Utena had intended to bring Anthy with her, but Anthy had said she
would come later.  She still had to get her dress ready.  Utena Tenjou
moved about the crowd of masked faces.  She looked for the particular mask
that hid her date for the evening.  Utena looked high and low for her
masked man, until she noticed a figure standing there in a large purple
mask.  It was adorned with white jewels and looked like something worthy of
Akio.  Utena quickly made her way over to her waiting party.  At once the
masked gentleman noticed her and gracefully bowed.  They just waited for
the next song to begin and decided to then to join in a slow dance.  Utena
then curtseyed  to her "mystery man" and they began to dance.  Through many
numbers they danced together as if they had known each other their whole
lives.  They moved gracefully and in a steady rhythm.  Some of the other
couples even began to watch them and their graceful movements.  Utena felt
very at peace during their dancing not even noticing almost an hour going
by.  She started to feel so comfortable that on a very slow dance she
leaned into the purple masked individual and laid her head on his
shoulder.  For some reason it made her feel some warm inside.  The masked
figure also started to ease into the dance.

Akio Ohtori and Anthy Himemiya entered into the Millennium Dance together.
Akio was eager to begin his night with Utena.  Anthy obediently stayed at
his side while Akio began to scan for Utena.  Then her turned for a second
and noticed two other individual enter.  One was Ryo Yagami wearing a
Phantom of the Opera style- mask covering the right side of his face.  He
was dressed in a black and white tuxedo and next to him was Nanami in a
bright yellow dress.  Akio peered at Ryo and he merely acknowledged Akio
with a head nod.  It was at this point that the purpled masked individual
looked in their direction and noticed Nanami.  He suddenly stopped dancing
and caught Utena off guard which caused her to almost trip over his feet.
Utena noticed "Akio" looking like he was confused for a moment.  Utena was
not sure what to think until the figure spoke in a calm voice "You aren't
Nanami are you."  Utena then recognized that voice wasn't Akio but... then
Touga removed the mask and Utena removed her own.  "Hm I see you wore the
dress I bought for you.  It looks splendid on you Utena."

Utena was in shock she could not believe she had spent the last hour
dancing with Touga.  "Your behind this.... You tricked me to try and get at
me again."  Utena raged even though she was feeling conflicting emotions on
how she could possibly have felt so safe and comfortable around Touga.

"I can promise you I had nothing to do with this Utena.  It would appear we
both have been tricked."  Touga said looking towards the entrance to the
dance hall and directly at four other individuals.

Akio felt angry inside, very angry.  He turned this look to Ryo at which
Ryo merely smiled a devilish smile and said "Hm that is certainly strange
Touga and Utena dancing together.  They do make quite a cute couple.  Don't
you agree Nanami?"  Ryo looked to Nanami and she merely smiled back not
looking towards them only looking at Ryo Yagami.  "Lets go intervene.
Himemiya may I have this next dance please."  Anthy looked at Ryo and she
slowly nodded.  So Ryo took her hand from Akio and they moved down towards
the dance floor to join the other students for the next number.

Utena was just about to get flustered at Touga when she felt someone tap
her on the back.  It was Nanami and she had an annoyed look on her face.
"If you don't mind I will cut in."  Touga just kept silent, but just
watched Utena just throw her hands up into the air and turn and walk away.
Touga looked as she walked and was about to say something when the music
started to play again and instead turned to Nanami and started to dance.

"Sorry to do set you up big brother but I kinda had a promise to keep to
Ryo.  Can you forgive me?"  Nanami asked questioningly with a hint of
regret.

Touga had to merely chuckle inwardly.  His sister had played him like a
trumpet and he had fallen into her trap never once suspecting.  He indeed
was proud of her and for the first time in a long timer she smiled in his
presence.  Nanami made no sudden moves but merely danced with Touga
enjoying the moment.

Meanwhile Anthy and Ryo danced together slowly with just a hint of
uncertainty in the air.  Ryo took the first step.  "I am sorry Anthy."
Anthy merely looked at Ryo's eyes and was not sure what to think or feel at
that moment.  All she could say was "I understand."  Ryo looked at her a
little confused and surprised that she did.  Then he swung her around and
had her drop into one of his arms in a deep dip.  He then proceeded to give
Anthy a kiss on the top of her forehead.  In that moment Anthy just for a
moment felt something tingle within her.  She had been touched and felt a
warm feeling in her heart.    Ryo raised her and continued to dance with
her until the end of the song.

Akio Ohtori looked on with an annoyed look.  Ryo had outplayed him and had
deceived him.  Akio wanted to laugh out loud but restrained himself.  He
saw Utena standing a lone watching Anthy and Ryo dance confused as to what
was happening.  Akio knew what Ryo wanted and perhaps it was time he gave
Ryo that; besides it might prove interesting.  Akio moved to the dance
floor after the song was over and headed directly to Ryo and Anthy.

Touga and Nanami finished their dance very happy.  "Brother I know I
tricked you and this may seem a little heartless but I have to join with my
date now if ya don't mind." Nanami spoke.

"I think you should do that Nanami.  Have a good evening and don't worry
about me I will be fine."  Touga spoke flicking a little of his auburn hair
over his eyes to mask the slight bit of envy he was displaying as Nanami
walked over to where Ryo was standing.

Ryo and Anthy stopped their dance when Akio came over.  "So it seems you
are determined to duel Ryo.  Then I shall grant your request and two days
from now you will meet a duellist in a duel.  If you can defeat your
opponent then you will earn the right to be a duellist.  I hope you don't
live to regret it my friend."  Akio spoke with sarcasm in the last part of
his statement.

Then he turned to wear a bewildered Utena was standing and started a
conversation with her.  Then Nanami walked over to Anthy and Ryo and said
"If you will excuse me Anthy I would like my date back."  Anthy nodded and
walked away, Ryo looking after her.  Nanami then put her hand up to his
face and forced it to look at her.  They brought their arms together and
started to dance again.

"I would say things went well. Aye Nanami?"  Ryo said.

Nanami nodded "Yes I guess it did.  Are you now a duellist?"

"No we have one more test to pass.  That is if you still want to help me."

"Of course." Nanami laid her head into Ryo's shoulder.  "I would help you
or big brother anytime."

Ryo fell silent for a moment and could only say "Thank You, Nanami.  Thank
you." and they both danced every dance for the rest of the evening.



@July 7th, 1999 Lane Kramer. Used with permission. Shoujo Kakumei Utena is
@1997 BePapas. Ryo Yagami is @1999 Lane Kramer. Thank you for reading!