LOVE'S HONOR

From: diannasilver@hotmail.com (Dianna Silver)

Chapter Nine

Quiet reigned over the scene.  A soft breeze swirled over the emerald
blades of the field's vegetation, ruffling it as it did the silken
hair and brightly-colored cloth of those gathered there.  The
noontime sun shown down on the nobles, peeking through broken clouds
racing across the cerulean sky.

Eyes the color of the sea glanced about, taking in the details of the
moment.  Two figures stood -- relaxed and poised -- in the center of
the loose ring of onlookers.  Elegant and enigmatic, the pair of
chieftains faced one another, their foci each centered upon their
opponent.

Around them -- near enough to observe clearly but far enough away to
give them room to duel -- were arranged the witnesses to the solemn
event: the Kaoru prince, his twin offspring, the rose-haired maiden
once more attired in her boyish clothing, the wide-eyed and pretty
squire, and the verdant-maned noble whose honor was in question.
More than likely there were other observers; situated as they were
upon the grassy fields overlooked by the stronghold, anyone up on the
ramparts of the keep or on the outskirts of the village would be
privy to the encounter.

(He should win,) Utena reminded herself.  (The truth is on his
side.)  Even so, she could feel the rapid beat of her heart,
nervousness filling her, as she kept her eyes focused upon the
gallant Red Tyger.

Garbed in scarlet, a shade complimenting the hue of his hair, Touga
appeared as calm as always.  His clothing was form-fitting -- knee-
high boots of black leather, hose, an overtunic of padded brocade,
the design stitched in silver thread on the ruby cloth -- and at a
space a handspan above the neatly-trimmed ends, his long mane was
gathered and tied with a red ribbon.  Both attire and tie were
concessions to the necessity of the moment.  His longsword remained
within the lacquered redwood embrace of its sheath, tucked between
cloth and wide black-leather belt around his waist.

Equally poised was his opponent.  Dark brown eyes staring back, his
sable and silver outfit similarly well-tailored to allow for the
greatest freedom of movement, Souji kept his hand at his side,
waiting.  Longsword still in its black-lacquered wooden sheath, it
would remain there until the decisive moment, when the two of them
would draw and strike as fast as possible, the first one to shed
blood proving his point.

Controlling his breathing, using the familiar movements to keep
himself focused, Touga continued to stare deep into his opponent's
eyes.  (You will lose, Shadow.  You are defending the wrong side of
this dispute . . .)  Around them, the sunlight dimmed then brightened
again as a passing cloud momentarily blocked the rays of the golden
disk high above.  (This is bigger than you . . . Greater than us
both . . .

(What do you see when you look upon me, Lord Souji?  Someone
maliciously slandering an innocent maiden to protect a friend?
Someone threatening the integrity of something you hoped to gain in
my stating of the truth?  Could you even see me as someone only
defending what I believe to be justice?

(Justice . . . One of the virtues of Amor . . . Is this then another
of the trials the champion must pass?  Lady Utena's quest . . . How
silly, I had first thought -- something fanciful and yet, she derives
her inspiration from it.  So real is it to her that it defines
everything about her life.  And I . . .

(I've only played along . . . Used it as a path to try to win
her . . .

(But this . . . I'm not doing it for her, or for Saionji.  This is
for Justice.  Virtue is what separates us from the animals; without
it, there is no order, only instinct.  There's already enough chaos
in the world -- enough selfishness, enough hatred . . .

(And you, Lord Souji . . . I see it in your eyes.  You fight to
protect the worth of your property.  That's all she is to you, isn't
she?  A thing by which you can amass more objects.  But that's not
what I want . . .)

Around the unmoving nobles, the silence hung heavily over the scene.
Utena drew in shallow breaths, feeling like even that could be enough
to shatter the moment and disturb the chieftains' concentration.
Neither visage -- either the Red Tyger's or the Honorable Shadow's --
gave away any hint at all as to what was passing through their minds
as they stared down one another.

(I want . . .)  Touga's blue eyes narrowed the slightest bit, his
focus as sharp as the blade still housed within its delicately curved
wooden scabbard.  ( . . .an equal, not an object.  A partner, not an
easily crushed flower I must constantly keep from harm.)  The light
dimmed again as the shadow of a cloud scudded over the duelists
standing as still as statues, brightening once more as the nimbus
hurried on its way and the sun again bathed the knot of people in its
golden rays.  (I want to be an example of the best that humankind has
to offer . . .)

Rose-tinted brown eyes slid from his own cobalt-blue gaze; a hand
burst into motion to grasp an intricately-wrapped hilt.  Even as
Touga reacted as swiftly as lightning, a silvery power seemed to
suddenly flow through him.  Past, present, future . . . A crystalline
web of possibilities . . . A single argent star glowing in the
blackness of utter chaos, holding back the nothingness . . . And he
*knew*.

Golden light flashed off metal as abruptly-bared weapons slashed
through the air.  Dropping his shoulder and pivoting away from that
place where he'd watched his challenger focus dark brown eyes -- and
waiting for the very last fraction of a second in which to move --
Touga expertly flicked his wrist during the well-controlled swing of
his weapon.  There was a slight tug, then the sensation of cool air
and even colder metal against the top edge of his left shoulder --
but no pain.

As suddenly as it had started, the duelists' movement stopped; both
chieftains froze in place the moment they hit the end of their
momentum.  Souji remained in an extended position, one leg in front
of the other, arms outstretched in a thrust, the top third of his
longsword piercing through the scarlet and silver brocade of Touga's
tunic.  The Kiryuu prince as well had his legs braced apart, but his
sword was pointed down, tip resting against the emerald grass of the
field.  Even as he watched the sly grin of triumph appear on the
other's face, the expected bloom of red appeared, a striking contrast
to the Nemuro chieftain's pale flesh.

"Ha," Souji said, pulling his weapon back and out of Touga's clothing.

"Look to your face before you claim victory," the redheaded nobleman
responded.

"Hmm?"  For an instant, the Honorable Shadow's visage held an
expression, one of puzzlement.  Reaching up with his free hand, the
pink-haired man wiped the back of it against a now-stinging cheek.
Feeling wetness, he lowered his hand; his eyes grew slightly wider as
the crimson blood smeared there registered in his mind.  Then that
was gone, his face once more taking on his normally blank
countenance.  Looking over at Touga, he demanded, "What of my strike?"

Stillness settled over the scene once more, broken only by the slide
and click of steel against wood as Touga resheathed his longsword
before dropping the weapon to the ground.  "Close, but not quite," he
responded, fingers reaching up to nimbly unfasten his tunic.
Stripping it off as well as removing the loose-fitting, white, blouse-
like undertunic, his clothing made a bright spot against the verdant
grass as he bared his torso for all to see.

The rose-haired maiden could feel her cheeks taking on a heated blush
as she stared wide-eyed at the Kiryuu prince's bare upper body.  He
was magnificent in conformation, everything in proportion and well-
sculpted by years of training.  Muscle rippled smoothly under light
skin as he turned to show his opponent that his shoulder was
unmarked; the weapon had been tilted slightly, the cutting edge
angled to the point where all that had touched the Red Tyger was the
flat of the blade.

For a lingering moment, Souji merely stared at the other chieftain,
expressionless as always, before bowing slightly.  "Well fought, Lord
Touga.  You are a worthy opponent."

"As are you."  The scarlet-haired nobleman returned the gesture of
respect before swooping down to retrieve both clothing and weapon.

While the Honorable Shadow slid his own longsword back into its black
scabbard, the Kaoru chieftain turned a disapproving glare first at
his daughter -- Kozue at least had the grace to look horrified at the
outcome, her face pale -- then at the still-scowling Saionji
prince.  "Lord Touga's witness has been proven true.  Therefore, I
must conclude that there's been no wrongdoing on your part."  Despite
his words, the tone of the grizzled warrior's voice left no doubt:
the man was still in a cold rage over the entire incident and what it
may do to his daughter's reputation.

(A reputation already in question according to the rumors I've
heard,) Touga silently remarked, looking from Kozue to her father and
then back.  Miki, however, evoked a sense of pity; the older Kaoru
twin had a stunned expression on his innocent face, as if he couldn't
quite believe his sister capable of such unsavory action.  The Kiryuu
prince frowned then, recalling his promise to the young lord.  At the
moment, considering how Saionji had been treated, Touga felt angry
enough to just leave all of Clan Kaoru to the wolves.

Saionji nodded at the older chieftain's words, grateful to have had
the black mark against his honor cleared.  Taking a moment to glare
at the still-stunned Kozue -- an action that made a curl of disgust
and rage both sit there in the pit of his stomach like a lump of
molten lead -- he growled at the azure-haired princess, "I hope you
find happiness in what you've wrought."  He then turned away, walking
back towards the keep, every bit as determined now to just go home
and lick his wounds as he had been to arrive there at the Kaoru
stronghold in the first place.

"Saionji!  Wait up!" the redheaded prince called out.  "Let the two
of us walk back with you."  Worried about his friend -- after all,
the entire situation was surely a blow to the green-haired lord's
pride -- he wanted to reassure himself that Saionji would recover.
Noting that his foster brother had stopped, the Red Tyger then turned
and glanced back at his feminine companion.  He waited long enough
for Utena to catch up, then held out a hand to her; he echoed her
smile when she wrapped her fingers around his.  Together, they walked
across the emerald field to return to the castle in Saionji's company.

The trio remained in silence until they were halfway back to the
massive gatehouse that protected the entrance to the bailey.  Then
the curly-maned chieftain came to a halt yet again, turning to stare
back the way they had come.

Stopping as well, Touga and Utena focused their gazes in the same
direction.  Still there at the site of the Kiryuu prince's victory,
the three Kaoru were evidentially having some sort of discussion with
the Nemuro chieftain, his pale-haired squire standing off a short
distance away.

"If he still wants her after all that, he deserves what he gets,"
Saionji muttered.

"Certainly," the scarlet-maned lord readily agreed.  Glancing
sidelong at his friend, he queried, "Saionji, were you even aware of
the rumors about her?"

"Hrmph."  The scowl on his face deepening, the violet-eyed prince
spun back toward the stone tower and once more covered the ground
with his long-legged stride.  "They were just rumors," he finally
added.  Still more quiet followed; Utena carefully observed the
interaction between the pair of men while Touga willingly gave his
foster brother the opportunity to speak as he wished about the
matter.  "Sadly, I believed her when she acted as if she cared.
Silly me, to think there could be something more than a marriage
being purely political," Saionji continued after another long pause.

"That kind only thinks about themselves.  And marriage can be more
than just politics," the other chieftain responded, "with the right
woman -- if you're willing to put some work into it."

More silence.  Without even a glance around, Saionji stormed through
the open gate in the middle of the fortifications overlooking the
entrance to the bailey.  How glad he would be to get out of this
place and back home.  Even as he walked among them, he could feel
their eyes upon them, staring; he was well aware how swiftly news of
a man's dishonor could spread among people.  That Touga had proven
the truth and had exonerated him meant little at the moment, since
word of that had yet to be common knowledge.  Once more he found
himself among a crowd that looked at him with suspicion and dislike.

Strangely enough, that made the verdant-maned chieftain's thoughts
turn to the golden-haired girl who was his friend's younger sister.
He'd seen Nanami give plenty of others looks similar to the ones he
was now receiving from the Kaoru clanmembers; though he too had borne
the brunt of her annoyance on a few occasions while they were growing
up, never once had she looked upon him with the dark looks the other
Kiryuu folk, or even his own people once he had returned to them, had
tossed his way.  However, the girl was fanatically devoted to her
brother.  No one in the entire world could live up to the shining
image of Touga Nanami kept in her heart.  "Your sister would scratch
my eyes out," the Saionji prince muttered, "and she'd do worse to you
if she wasn't so devoted to you in the first place."

"She'll get over it, with the right man," Touga pointed out.  "And
she's very loyal to whomever has a place in her heart, as you're well
aware."

"Whatever makes you think I could be the right man?"

"She knows you.  And so do I.  You're persistent when you set your
mind to a goal, Saionji."

"So I am, Touga.  So I am."

Another long halt in the conversation took place as the trio of
nobles made their way through the keep's bailey.  Around them, people
stopped what they were doing to stare at the three of them -- the
dishonored Saionji prince, the bare-chested Kiryuu chieftain, and the
pretty maiden clad in boy's clothing -- and then whispered to one
another sibilantly once the nobles had passed.  Doing her best to
ignore all the gawking they were getting from the Kaoru clanmembers,
aware of the tenseness in Touga's gorgeous form and in his hold upon
her hand, Utena swallowed nervously.  She'd noticed the angry fire
deep within his cobalt-hued eyes, knew what she must do next for the
sake of her quest.  Even so, the knowledge of what had to be done
weighed heavily on her mind.  "So what now, my lords?" she finally
asked as they approached the stone tower that was the heart of the
stronghold.

"We get out of this accursed place," Saionji growled, answering.

"We go home and negotiate a contract," Touga responded, glancing at
his friend.  "Isn't that right, Saionji?"

"Aye."

Utena momentarily pressed her lips together.  While the verdant-maned
chieftain's gruff voice sounded resigned, it was easy to tell that
the other highlander was still furious over the incident involving
Lady Kozue; Touga's voice held a tone that chilled her to the bone.
Such anger could easily fester into something ugly.  "My lord Touga,"
she began, only to come to a faltering stop as she searched for just
the right words.

"Aye?" he queried, blue gaze focused upon where he was walking; they
were climbing the stone steps into the keep, Saionji in the lead and
Utena trailing behind him, their hands no longer clasped in one
another's light grip.

"There's something I must ask you to do.  It will be very difficult,
given the circumstances -- more than likely the hardest thing I must
ask of you to accomplish to prove your worth -- but I must make my
request simply *because* it is not easily achieved."

Touga frowned, abruptly coming to a halt.  Turning to face her then
looking down at the masculinely-attired girl, he felt an unexpected
shiver of dread as he stared into her aqua-hued eyes.  Noting her
deadly serious and uncertain expression, he softly asked, "What is
this thing, Lady Utena?"

"You must forgive Lady Kozue."

The redheaded prince stared down at her, thunderstruck.  (*Forgive*
her?) his stunned mind thought, unsure he had truly heard her
correctly.  "Forgive her?" he repeated aloud, the blood draining from
his face.

"Aye.  The heart of the champion of Love must be able to forgive the
sins of others," the rose-maned girl responded, continuing to meet
his gaze.

How could she ask that of him?  Was she mad?  "Saionji's reputation
and honor both could have been ruined forever by Lady Kozue's
machinations," the Kiryuu chieftain protested.  "The friend dearest
to my heart could have been utterly broken by what she did."

Utena's cheeks flushed faintly red while she tore her sea-blue gaze
away from the handsome highlander -- with him half-nude like that, he
was certainly a distraction, and she felt uncomfortable staring at
the confused and outraged expression in his eyes.  "I'm aware of her
sins, Lord Touga.  But you must look to your own heart.  The trials
must go on."  (Regardless of the convenience -- or the agony such a
choice may evoke.  I'm sorry . . .)

Forgive her . . .?  Turn the other cheek, acknowledging the fact that
Kozue attempted to ruin his beloved foster brother yet not holding it
against her?  Look upon her and somehow not feel like wrapping his
hands around her slender neck and slowly crushing the life from her?
The scarlet-maned chieftain continued to stare down at the lovely
maiden, his cobalt-blue eyes wide in shock, as he wrestled with his
emotions.  He had every right to hate the younger Kaoru twin for what
was an unnecessarily vicious way of spurning Saionji, yet part of him
realized that such a hatred ran contrary to that shining example he
wished to be.  Hatred drew to it pain and chaos as a lodestone drew
iron; he needed only to look upon the aftermath of his clan's
conflict with the Saionji for a confirmation of that.

(It's appropriate to be angry, but to stay enraged would only fester
like an infected wound . . . leaving hatred in its place,) Touga
thought, feeling the ice-sharp edge of his rage abate somewhat.  (And
hatred tends to devour the heart it inhabits, leaving little room for
more tender emotions . . .)

The Kiryuu prince closed his eyes, turning his head to the right.
His newfound desire to lead by example, to be all that was noble and
right, struggled against the remains of his ire and his longing to
see the one who had hurt Saionji suffer an equal amount.  (Ah, but
her lies have been shown for what they truly are, and she must deal
with the consequences of her actions.  There is . . . no more need to
pursue it further.)

And with those thoughts, he knew he could forgive her.  There was no
need to hold onto the potentially poisoning fury.  Taking a deep
breath, he held it for a moment then slowly exhaled, letting go of
the anger as he forced the air out of his lungs.  It was over and
done; life would go on, as it should.

Hearing the sound of his long exhale, Utena glanced back at the bare-
chested highlander, then kept her fascinated gaze there as she
watched the tension literally drain away from the lines of his
gracefully muscular body.  A nervous sense of hope quivered within
her as she awaited the return of his deep azure gaze.

It never came.  Footsteps sounded above, then came a voice tinged
with annoyance.  "Are you coming along, or are you going to stand
there for eternity, Touga?" Saionji grumbled, poking his head out of
the doorway into the keep.

"I'm coming," the redheaded nobleman replied, turning away and
walking up the remaining steps as his friend disappeared through the
arched entryway once more.

The rose-haired girl softly sighed, her hope giving way to a sense of
nervousness.  Trailing along after the two chieftains, she did her
best to have faith in the Kiryuu prince.  He had come so far --
further than any of the others that had attempted to be what she
sought -- but this could be the test that would break him.  Somehow,
he needed to have true forgiveness in his heart before he left Kaoru
Keep.  If he couldn't do that, then she would have to take her leave
of him and begin looking elsewhere; it was a thought that made a deep
sadness momentarily impose itself upon her.

It was her fervent wish that it wouldn't come to that.
________________

All of the belongings they had taken with them had been packed away
once more, secured in the saddlebags of their mounts.  Most of their
party was down below -- the servants and men at arms, as well as the
still-fuming Saionji -- near the stables, holding the reins as they
awaited the remaining stragglers.  However, the Red Tyger paced along
the hallways of the stone shell tower, his feminine companion
silently following in his wake.

She had disappeared for a short amount of time while Touga and his
foster brother had gathered up their possessions from the guestroom
and had gotten word to their warriors that they were leaving at the
earliest possible convenience.  That she had later reappeared with
her handmaidens in tow to see how Saionji and he were faring made him
think that she had left to gather up her own belongings.  After
dismissing Wakaba and Shiori to the stables to gather their palfreys,
Utena had remained -- though the scarlet-maned lord had noted that
she was quieter than usual.  She had, however, asked how soon were
they going to be leaving; Saionji had growled that it couldn't be
quick enough to suit him.  Though Touga hadn't remarked, he certainly
understood the other chieftain's reaction.  The green-haired prince
had never been one that liked to stay around a place that made him
think of negative things, and this had been the most potentially
embarrassing thing he'd faced in his life.

The boyishly-attired maiden had only nodded then had stood there
silently as the two chieftains had finished gathering their things.
While Saionji had stormed out, Touga had remained behind in the
guestroom, thinking.  Then he had left, Utena following a couple of
paces behind.

Why did Lady Kozue do it?  That was the question that weighed upon
the Red Tyger's thoughts.  It was startling to have witnessed the
change in her, he realized now that he was over the purely emotional
reaction and had begun to analyze the incident.  The whole of the
matter rested on her intent, and he meant to discover just what it
was she had had in mind since he couldn't deduce from her actions
just what she had been trying to achieve. He was certainly willing to
admit that there may have been good reason to act as she had done.

Rounding a corner, he came to a halt when he saw a youthful figure
approaching from the other direction.  The light of the few torches
illuminating the windowless corridor made azure highlights shimmer in
the older Kaoru twin's short-cut hair.  Catching sight of the older
noble, Miki stopped as well, his gaze falling to the wooden floor and
his expression becoming one of uncertainty.  "I've heard that you and
Lord Kyouichi are taking your leave."

"Aye, that's true.  Saionji's of a mind to get some distance between
himself and this place," Touga gently admitted.

"If I thought my apologies would do any good -- "

"'Tis not your fault, Lord Miki.  You are blameless."

"Even so . . . I still cannot believe . . ." The wide-eyed youth
shook his head, his voice fading away.

"Have you any idea why your sister would be so inclined to make such
a scene?"  Touga asked.

Another shake of his azure-haired head.  "I'm mystified, actually.
My twin can be quite headstrong and somewhat impulsive, but I really
can't think of any reason why she would do such a thing," Miki
responded.  "However, Father's furious with her -- "

"Where is she?"

"In her room, my lord.  She's to stay there until Father gives her
permission to leave it," the Kaoru heir responded, turning and
gesturing down the hallway.  "There's a guard there keeping watch
over the door."

Utena raised her eyebrows in surprise at the younger nobleman's
revelation.  So the princess was being punished, but for what?  Under
the circumstances, it could be for any number of reasons.

"Would it be possible to allow me to talk to her for a short while
before I take my leave?" Touga queried.

"I don't know . . ." Miki answered, appearing even more uncertain.
It was obvious that he didn't want the Red Tyger to leave in anger,
but he also probably didn't wish to incur the wrath of his sire as
well.

"She can remain in her room and I shall remain in the hallway.  With
Lady Utena and you watching, I'm certain nothing untoward could
happen," the Kiryuu prince said.  Noting the other nobleman's
hesitation, he added, "Please, Lord Miki?  I just wish to discover
what her motivation was."

After a lingering pause, the blue-haired youth finally nodded.  "All
right.  I can't see the harm in asking her that."  Turning, he
started down the hallway, adding, "Follow me then, if it pleases my
lord."

Deeper into the private quarters in the center of the keep they
walked, the youth leading the way.  Coming to an ironbound door
before which sat a burly-looking warrior on a sturdy wooden chair,
Miki focused his azure gaze on the man.  "Leave us, Issei."

"But my lord -- " the brunette man began to protest, only to be
halted by the upraised hand of the Kaoru heir.

"I wish to speak with my sister, in private.  Should she leave her
room, I'll take responsibility for it."

Issei frowned, not liking the situation.  However, he stood up when
it became obvious that his lord's heir wasn't going to back down from
his demand.  Bowing respectfully to the young noble, the muscular
warrior walked away -- though only far enough to be out of earshot
but not out of sight, Touga noted.  The Kiryuu prince nodded slightly
in satisfaction; the man took his job seriously, which was always a
good quality.

Slipping a hand into a black leather pouch attached to the belt
around his slim waist, Miki produced an iron key and put it into the
lock on the door.  Giving it a twist then pushing the oaken door
open, he called out, "Kozue?"

"What is it?" came the reply; the Kaoru princess's voice sounded both
subdued and suspicious.  Behind the shorter lord, Touga settled into
a relaxed stance, clearing away any lingering anger.  To be fair to
the girl, he needed to hear what answers she would give with an open
mind.

"Lord Touga's here," Miki said in answer to his sister's
question.  "He wants to speak with you."

"Tell him to go away," Kozue snapped.  "I don't want to speak with
anyone."

"Please, Kozue.  He just wants to know why -- "

The door abruptly opened further, apparently yanked from the other
side.  Loosing his grip on the knob, Miki stumbled into the room a
step but swiftly recovered his balance.  Before him, her hand on the
other side of the knob, stood his twin; though her face was cold,
with an expression of pure annoyance, Utena noted that there was some
evidence that the princess had been crying earlier.  From what little
she had observed of Kozue, it was quite likely that the other girl
had only shed tears in the privacy of her room; the Lady Kozue
standing there now was every bit the one that had seemed callous and
in control.  "Why?  I'm certain you already know the reason."
Sapphire eyes glared at the elegant, redheaded noble.  "So you're
just wasting your time."  She started to close the door, only to have
her brother remain in the way.

"Actually, my lady, I truly don't know why," Touga admitted.  "Hence
my seeking you out to ask it of you."

Kozue turned her angry gaze to her twin, her expression clearly
showing her annoyance.  "Miki, get out of the way," she demanded,
then glanced back at the waiting chieftain.  "I did it just to spite
your friend, since that's the kind of person I am.  A wild
beast . . ."

Something about her response didn't sit right.  Cobalt-blue eyes
narrowing slightly, Touga looked the girl over.  Though she insisted
that she did it out of malice, he somehow knew that it was a lie,
that she was saying only what she thought he wanted to hear.

"Kozue!" Miki protested, still keeping himself against the door so
that his twin couldn't shut it on them.

"Well, it's the truth.  It's what everyone's saying," the young
noblewoman replied.

"Just because everyone says it doesn't mean that it is the truth,"
Touga said.  "Lady Kozue, truly, why did you feel the need to make
such a scene?  You risked much in doing so . . ."

The violet-blue haired princess stopped trying to shove the door shut
against her brother, then slowly looked up at the Kiryuu prince.  "I
know what I risked," she softly replied.  "But I would do it again."

"Why?"

"You know him.  You grew up with him," Kozue answered, turning loose
of her hold on the door and taking a step back.  "He can be . . .
overwhelming, obsessive.  It's frightening at times, even though at
others, it's flattering."  She sighed, her gaze sliding to the floor
as she shook her head.  "And I, being a princess, am forced to be a
pawn in the games of others . . ."  She stopped, folding her arms
over her chest, still staring at the floor.

"Go on," the scarlet-haired chieftain gently prodded when she didn't
continue her words on her own.

"Father's frightened.  He has been ever since we began getting word
that the Ohtori could be making ready for war.  You know we're a clan
of modest means; against the Phoenix's might, we may not be able to
stand were we on our own.  So he looked to form an alliance, using me
as the prize."  Kozue shook her head slightly, her frustration
evident.

"Father bypassed you, Lord Touga, because he fears that any alliance
to you would result in our clan becoming subordinate to you," Miki
added, his own voice soft.  "He thinks you are very much your
father's son."

A frown settled on Touga's face as he listened to the twins.
Granted, he had spent much of his time as chieftain consolidating
what he already had, so he could understand the assumptions his
neighbors could have about him.  Given what he knew of politics and
of the people involved, he said, "Your father invited both Saionji
and Lord Souji at the same time, did he not?"

"Aye," Kozue replied.  "Though he made it very clear he'd prefer Lord
Souji over Lord Kyouichi because the former would be not only more
powerful and wealthy, but also a coup, given how neutral the Nemuro
have traditionally been.  When only your friend responded, I was
expected to do my best -- and I did."  She shrugged helplessly, one
of the few times her brother ever saw her looking so vulnerable.  "He
saw me as a way out, a means to getting some sort of independence
from you.  And that idea became almost everything to him.  He talked
often about how he would do this or that once we were wed and he and
Father were allies, so much so that at times I was bothered by his
fixation on the matter.  When I hinted that Father may find what he
considered a better alliance, he grew angry enough that I was scared -
- though I didn't let him see my fright."

The frown on Touga's face deepened.  This certainly had the ring of
truth to it; he knew exactly what she meant as she talked about
Saionji, for he had seen that those same traits in his friend
before.  "And then tonight, Lord Souji finally arrived in answer to
your father's summons . . ."

"Aye, and I could see the way Father looked at him that he truly
would rather make that alliance than the one he considered second-
best."  She paused, then finally looked up at the tall, redheaded
lord.  "I didn't think I could just tell him that the alliance
wouldn't be made after all.  He wouldn't believe it, and he could
cause grief to those I hold dear as he insisted on his rights.  If
Father manages to actually strike up a deal with Lord Souji, I feared
that Lord Kyouichi wouldn't step back and gracefully admit defeat.
He already acted as if he owned me . . ."

"And so you acted out in desperation, setting up a situation where
you knew you'd be free of him no matter the cost, because he would no
longer want you?" Touga asked, his expression compassionate.  It made
sense; given Saionji's temperament and his personality, the Kiryuu
prince could easily see how Kozue could have felt trapped in a
situation not of her making.  Had Saionji truly had made up his mind
that Kozue was *his*, then yes, he certainly would be nearly
impossible if her father decided to give her to someone else.

"The weapons we noblewomen have are very limited, Lord Touga," Kozue
replied.  "We are shuffled about as prizes, objects given to other
men in return for wealth or power.  It's my duty to do as my father
pleases.  If that means stooping to dishonorable means, well . . ."
She shrugged, the icy façade settling over her once more.  "You know
that it's stated that women have no honor, though the ones that try
to act in an honorable way are to be prized above others.  If we
should be *dishonorable*, then we are only being female."

The scarlet-maned lord felt sorry for her.  In that moment, he could
see her truly as a person, caught in circumstances beyond her control
yet struggling to do her best to meet everyone's expectations.  The
incident certainly achieved what she wanted -- at this point in time,
Saionji wanted nothing at all to do with her -- but at what cost, she
probably still didn't know.  Touga's own accusation, the victory of
the duel proving the truth of it, could jeopardize the alliance her
father actually hoped to make -- which more than likely explained why
she was confined to her room until further notice.  Her father was
waiting to see what Lord Souji's reaction would be to the incident as
well.  "Thank you, Lady Kozue," he gently said, nodding his head
slightly.  "I understand now why you did as you had."

"Good," she replied, her sapphire gaze turning to glare at her
brother.  "Now go and leave me to face the consequences."

Touga nodded, taking a step back.  "I forgive you for what you did.
Perhaps I can help make Saionji understand so that he can forgive you
as well."

"I don't care whether I have his forgiveness or not," Kozue snapped,
once more grabbing hold of the oaken door.  "I just want him to leave
me in peace.  Miki, get out of the way."

This time the older twin did as his sister demanded, retreating
beyond the swing of the door.  Able to close it, Kozue did so; the
oaken panel slammed shut with an ominously hollow sound.  Softly
sighing, Miki turned the key in the lock once again, then slipped the
iron object into his belt pouch.  "I'm sorry, Lord Touga -- "

"No, don't apologize.  She has reason to behave in such a manner, and
I won't hold it against her," the scarlet-maned chieftain replied,
interrupting his youthful host.

Still standing a few steps behind the tall highland prince, Utena
smiled brightly.  He had done it; she sensed that with the knowledge
of the why behind Lady Kozue's actions had come a true forgiveness of
what she had done.  Only one test remained for the dashingly handsome
man, and with every challenge overcome, she had discovered a deeper
liking for the Red Tyger.  Turning her aquamarine gaze to the younger
highlander, she watched as Miki stepped past them both and strode
down the corridor.

"You must be wanting to leave now."

"Aye, I should rejoin Saionji and travel with him.  Safety in numbers
after all," Touga replied, walking along after the blue-haired noble.

"Lord Touga," Miki began, his soft voice sounding uncertain, "I must
know if I can continue to rely upon your help.  With the change in
situation . . ."

The nobleman addressed frowned thoughtfully.  He needed to stand with
Clan Saionji should the Ohtori come sweeping northward bent on
conquest, especially after asking Saionji to do so.  Yet he didn't
want to take the brunt of the possible hostilities, which would be
the case should Clan Kaoru fall.  And what of the possible alliance
between Clan Nemuro and the Kaoru?  Given the possibility that Lord
Souji had as squire a relative of Lord Akio, he couldn't dismiss the
fact that the Nemuro may be allied to Clan Ohtori after all.
However, he did find it intriguing that Miki was asking for
assistance while his father was looking to make an alliance
elsewhere.  "You may," Touga finally said as the trio of nobles
descended a flight of stone steps leading to the next floor.  "I
still believe it's in my clan's best interests to support you against
the Ohtori should it come to that.  However, I cannot promise
anything more than my own assistance.  Saionji is free to do as he
wishes, and he may not want to come to your aid."

"Unfortunate, but understandable," Miki replied, leading the way to
the main entry into the shell keep.  Opening the door, he stepped to
one side and then turned his bright azure gaze to the Kiryuu
prince.  "I appreciate any effort you may render on our behalf.  I
just hope that we are not forced to meet one another on opposite
sides of the battlefield."

"Why do you say that?" Utena asked, startled by the youth's grave-
sounding words.

"Because . . . I fear that the Nemuro may have some sort of alliance
with the Ohtori, and should my father have his way . . ."

"Then the south and west could be united to make a push into the
north and east, all for the greater glory of Clan Ohtori," Touga
finished, frowning.

"What truly bothers me is that Father may be exchanging phantom
chains of submission for true ones," Miki replied.

The Red Tyger nodded.  Giving the youthful heir a smile, he bowed
slightly.  "Fare well to you, Lord Miki, and tread carefully.  God
willing that we shall not end up on opposite sides."

"Fare well to you also, my lord," the blue-haired youth said, smiling
in return.  He remained standing there by the door, still holding it,
as Touga and Utena carefully made their way down the stone steps to
the bailey down below.  Near the stables, their party was mounted and
waiting, the still-fuming Saionji staring at them in frustrated
anticipation, anxious to get out of the stronghold's confines.  Miki
was still staring at them all as they rode off through the gate, a
faint sense of dread filling him.  (God willing,) he thought, turning
away at last to step into the stone tower.

Dianna Silver

http://www.diasilv.com/garden/garden.html
Her entries for the afu ULE

http://www.diasilv.com/assr/story.html
Fanfic based very loosely on Utena and the romances
of King Arthur