This is my little take on what might have happened before the duel of amitie, or love. It's totally probably not what happened, but it was sure fun to write. Um... Despite the fact that I worship Chiho-sama.. I stake no claims in these characters.. I do, however, stake claims into my fic, and if any of you steal it and put your name onto it, or even take it without asking me, you are in for a severe rose-lashing. The Beginning of the End of the World By the lovely and talented Ryuko, AKA DragonGirl Episode One: The First Strike, Roses have Hidden Thorns "Kakkoi!!" a random girl spouted. Her friend gave her a look. "What's cool?" she asked. The girl looked indignant. "Why, Kiryuu-sempai, of course!" she said. Her friend smiled. "He is kakkoi..." she said, swooning. The random girl smiled, grabbed her friend by the hand, and they ran off, still thinking about Kiryuu Touga. Kiryuu Touga was also thinking about himself. "You're amazing.." he said, "Setokaichou.." He smiled at his visage in the mirror. He was as handsome in the Ohtori school uniform as in his plainclothes. He set the mirror down as Nanami came into his room, clad in her flowing little nightgown. "Konbanwa.. Onii-sama.." she said, "Congratulations." She amended nervously. Touga smiled, a sincere one, for once. "Nanami-hime, have I been neglecting you?" he asked. He opened his arms, "I'm sorry. Come here." She smiled, and gave him a hug. She sighed with happiness. "Oh, Onii-sama, I'm so proud of you. You're the Setokaichou now!" she said, eyes shining, "And since you've finished campaigning, then we can spend more time together!" she finished happily. Touga stiffened. He brought her to arm's length. "I'm sorry, Nanami.. I have a feeling that what I'm going to be doing as the Student Council president is more important than us spending time together." He said sadly. Nanami blinked at him. "Oh, but Onii-sama!" she shouted, "Not to worry, I'll make time for you and me!" she said. Touga smiled. "You do that, then. But first, you go to bed." He said, smiling. Suddenly, a girl came in. "I have a letter for you, President Kiryuu. And a special delivery. " She said with a smile. Her hair was long and wavy. Touga accepted the letter and a small box graciously. He was just about to open it, when he blinked at the girl. Something was strange about her. "Do I know you?" he asked, "I thought I knew every student here." He said. She shook her head, giggling. "You were mistaken." She said. He shrugged, and she left, as he opened the seal on the letter. His eyes skimmed the letter, and then lit hungrily. He put it down on the table. "This is just the chance I was waiting for..." he mumbled under his breath. He was just about to step out the door, when he remembered the box, and opened it. His eyes blinked questioningly at the small pink ring in red satin that lay in the box. Light flashed over the rose surface and it flashed a momentary deep purple. Meanwhile, at the fencing room... ::tink:: ::clack:: ::ding:: ::swish!:: The swords clacked against each other, here touching, finding purchase, there breaking away. The fencers, unused arms upraised, swords flashing, tinging, swishing. Finally, one sword touched breast, and one was the victor. The loser whipped off their helmet. "You win again, Juri-sempai." Miki said with chagrin. Juri whipped off her helmet, smiling. "You might win someday." She said, dismissive. Miki sighed. "I couldn't even win the election for student council treasurer. You won, remember?" he said. Juri sighed. "I remember." She said, "Don't dwell on it, at least you're the timekeeper." She blinked, "Oh! That's right, you're the timekeeper. Well, you'll need something to keep the time with." She murmured. She went into the drawer of the table near the door. Meanwhile, Miki blinked, and shook out the sweat from his helmet, setting it on the ground. There was a knock at the door. Miki blinked, and went to answer it. A girl with short curly hair stood there, looking genki. "Hello, I have a delivery for you, Miki-kun, you and Juri- sempai." She said, she handed him three boxes, and two letters, "These two boxes are for you, and that one is for Juri-sempai. The letters have your names on them. Bye now!" she said. Miki waved, still a little overwhelmed. He walked over to Juri, who was still looking in the dresser. He shrugged, opened the letter, and read it over. His eyes widened, and he tapped Juri on the shoulder. She turned, and he pointed to the letter. She read it, and her eyes widened. Miki walked over wordlessly, and opened the box. There, on blue silk, lay a signet ring. Juri saw that hers was upon pale orange. Miki opened the last box, and in it was a shining black stopwatch. The card attached to the box read, "For Timekeeper Kaoru Miki" He shrugged. Juri sighed. "This is all too strange." She said. Miki clicked the stopwatch, and looked at it. The time read 00:00:01. Meanwhile, the girl with the long wavy hair was reading an address off the card in front of her. She tapped a passer-by on the shoulder. "Excuse me, do you-?" she started. Then stopped. Saionji Kyouichi blinked at her. "Yes?" he said impatiently. She smiled. "Know where Saionji Kyouichi is?" she finished, "I have a delivery for you, Saionji-sempai." She said. She held out the crisp letter, and the box. Saionji looked at her with dead eyes. "Arigatou." He said listlessly. He accepted them, though he had no intention of opening them. He walked off to the Kendo room, with no more thank you for the mysterious girl. She shrugged. If he wanted to be that way, that was fine with her. She walked across the darkening roads, and smiled. As she walked, she braided her hair. She smiled at the second girl, who said nothing, but joined her to walk along side of her, pulling a length of ribbon from her pocket. She tied it around her head, just as the first girl let go of her braided ponytails, and they flipped up. She ran her hand across her head, and two curls popped off. The second put her hands on her bushy curls, and smiled. The wall which showed their shadows lit with the golden sunset as if from behind. The shadow of the second girl, turned to the shadow of the first, having seemingly magically appeared with a veil, a bouquet, and a ring. "I'm getting married! Did you hear? I'm getting married!" she said, putting up her ring. The first girl leaned over, and put her hand to her lips. "Are you sure, are you sure? That's a big commitment, isn't it?" She said. A-ko shook her head. "No, of course I'm sure. He's wonderful!" as she spoke, shadows of what she spoke of appeared upon the wall, "He's going to get me a wedding cake, a beautiful dress, and all the noodles with garlic I want!" B-ko plugged her nose at the scent of the garlic. "Well, are you sure you want to.." she said. A-ko smiled. "And he's going to pay for everything, just like a good husband does.. I'm going to be the most beautiful bride." She said happily. B-ko blinked. "But, aren't you even a little nervous?" she asked. "Why would I be?" A-ko answered, "He's the most wonderful, amazing, cool, and cute guy!" B-ko stood up. "Oh.. Well, what's his name?" A-ko paused. "Hmm? Oh, I don't know!" she said. B-ko blinked. "Well, I hope you two are happy." She said flatly. Saionji stood in the Kendo hall, swinging the practice sword forward. His face was twisted in anger. "How could it happen?" he said in a pained voice, "How could he win again!" his voice raised in fury. He remembered back to the day they tallied the votes. Somehow, Saionji had gotten fifteen less votes than Touga, and instead of being the Student Council President, he was the Vice President. He whirled, and the shinai slapped against the wall and jolted against his hand, falling to the ground with a clatter. He held his injured hand, not relishing the memories that a slap from a practice sword gave him. He spat on the floor, memories flitting vaguely through his head, leaving only the taste of humiliation. "Curse that Touga. Curse him." He said in a dark voice. He kicked the sword across the floor, still holding his hand. He growled, "If only there were some way for me to become better than he. If only I could be the victor in our war." He nursed his injured hand, which hurt more than it should have. Perhaps it was a psychological injury. His distracted eyes flashed over the letter, and then he looked back at it. He picked it up, and broke the seal on the back. He opened the letter. It read: ~Dearest Members of the Ohtori Student Council,~ I was pleased to hear of the reinstatement of a Student Council here at Ohtori. I have a proposition for all of you. I will not meet you, however, my following letters will outline the steps I wish you to take. If you cooperate, I promise great power to at least one of your number. Expect to hear more from me. Signed, Sekai no Hate.. End of the World Saionji blinked at the letter, wondering vaguely what the contents meant. Of course, he didn't doubt that he would find out someday. At the Kiryuu mansion... There was a knock at the door. Touga was standing in the hallway, clad in a bright red silk robe. He opened the door, blinking quizzically at the figure outside it, who seemed to be clad in the shadow. "Who are you?" he asked, a bit skeptical. The figure smiled. "I am the Sekai no Hate." He said.. Touga jumped. "Sekai no Hate? That was you?" he said. The figure shrugged. "In a manner of speaking." He said. Touga leaned against the door frame. "What do you want from me?" he asked. The figure smiled, and stepped into the light. "I need you to give my sister your hospitality for a while." He said. Touga scoffed. "Why would I do that?" he asked. Sekai no Hate smiled again. He trailed his finger down the opening of Touga's shirt. Touga closed his eyes, and shivered, though the night was not so cold. The Ends of the World smiled. "You will see.." he said. If the Kiryuus noticed any strange noises that night, they kept it to themselves. The Ends of the World and Kiryuu Touga stayed up late into the night, speaking of revolution in hushed voices, speaking of sword fighting in hushed voices, sometimes not speaking at all, but their voices were anything but hushed when they did that. The next day, was the first meeting of the student council. Arisugawa Juri stepped out from her doorway, feeling no excitement for this new revelation. She knew it would just be putting things together for dances and such. But as she stepped into the elevator where the members were told to meet, and smiled at Miki, she was not prepared for what she heard. Saionji Kyouichi stepped into the elevator, and chose not to smile. He wasn't scowling either, just a carefully selected non-expression. Kiryuu Touga stepped into the elevator and smiled. He opened his mouth, "If the egg's shell does not break.. The chick will die without ever being born." The elevator started to move. Miki and Juri exchanged glances, while Saionji just stared at Touga, confused. "We are the chick, the world is our egg." Touga stared confidently forward, aware of the stares around him, but unconcerned, "If we don't crack the world's shell, we will die without ever truly being born. Smash the world's shell! For the revolution of the world!" he said, as the elevator reached the top, and the doors crashed open. They walked into the tower, and smiled at the sky above. Touga was smiling the most, however. He whirled, and opened his mouth. "All of you have received letters!" he announced. They blinked. Juri was the first to venture, "How did you know that?" she asked. Touga smiled, but ignored the comment. "They were signed Sekai no Hate." He said. Miki nodded. "Yes, they were." He said. "I received such a letter as well. Along with this." He said, holding up his left ring finger, which was sporting a rose signet. Juri looked down, a little embarrassed, at her hand. She quickly hid it behind the other. "So?" Saionji said, drawing his own out of a pocket and holding it up. Touga smiled at him, and he scowled. "These rings brand us as duellists for the world's revolution." He said. Juri rolled her eyes, but Saionji blinked. "Is this the great power the letter spoke of?" he asked, and Miki nodded, toying with the ring on his own hand. "Yes, what does it mean?" he asked. Touga smiled, and swept himself aside. There, standing behind him in the doorway, stood a young girl, wearing a flowing red dress. Her hair was decorated by a crown. She smiled, and looked up with poison green eyes. "I am Bara no Hanayome, the Rose Bride." She said, eyes all but vacant. Miki blinked. "Rose bride?" he said. Anthy nodded. "I am to be the flower of one of you duellists, and one of you will be able to bring the world revolution." She said in the same mild, agreeable voice. Saionji stood still. He had never seen such beauty. He ventured a question. "What is her name?" he asked. Touga raised an eyebrow, but the girl answered. "Himemiya.. Watashi wa Himemiya Anthy desu." She said. Saionji blinked. Touga gave him a glance askance, but Saionji wouldn't have said a word, even if he had asked. Miki blinked, "But what does this mean?" he pressed. Anthy smiled. "For whosoever wins the duels shall be engaged to me. That person shall gain a miracle power." At that, Juri blinked, eyes wide. Anthy's smile seemed to widen slightly, "Them who reaches the duel Revolution, they shall have the power to bring revolution to the world." She said. Juri's eyes blinked, and she frowned. "What miracle power is this?" she asked, crossing her arms. Anthy smiled. "I am unaware." She said simply. Something in the air told them to ask no more questions. Touga blinked. "Sekai no Hate.. contacted me and informed me of the schedule of the duels." He said. He put up a board which had the round robin schedule on it. He smiled, "It shall go like so..." he pointed up to the board with a pointer which he had in his hand. Miki waved his hands. "Matte, matte.. Wait.. what does this mean? These duels? What are the rules?" he asked uncertainly. Touga smiled. "Anthy?" he asked. Anthy smiled and stepped forward. She brought out five rose buds, and gave one to each of the duellists. "These are your roses." She said, "Each one has a color for you." She said, "I will place one of these in your breast, and then you will duel with swords. Who ever first gets the rose knocked from their breast loses." She finished, looking demurely down. Miki nodded. Touga sighed, "Well, now that we know the rules, the schedule will go like so. Kaoru-Saionji, Arisugawa-Kaoru, Arisugawa-Saionji, Arisugawa- Kiryuu, Kaoru-Kiryuu, Saionji-Kiryuu. Saionji, Miki. You two will appear at the forest tomorrow. Any questions?" he said. There were questions foremost in the minds of all, but no one felt that their questions would be sufficiently answered, so they stayed silent. Touga smiled. His eyes lit, "Oh, by the way. The school has delivered our uniforms." "Uniforms?" Saionji asked, eyes still on the bride. Touga nodded. "They are in the box marked with your names. Wear them with pride. This meeting of the Student Council is finished." He said. He whirled, "Come, Anthy." He said. Anthy nodded. As they left, she looked over her shoulder at Saionji. She smiled. On the next episode of The Beginning of Sekai no Hate: Anthy: I am the Rose Bride. Saionji: I will find something eternal. And someday I will beat you, Kiryuu Touga! Shadow Play Girl A-ko: What's the matter? B-ko: It really hurts! A-ko and B-ko: Next time in The Beginning of the Ends of the World: A Secret Pain Revisited! Anthy: The dawn of the absolute destiny apocalypse! Author's note (Yes, I get two!): The elections of the Student Council was like this: There were two in the running for president, after the rest were narrowed down, and the winner was the president, the loser was the Vice President. The same with the treasurer. For the president, Kiryuu Touga got 545 votes, and Saionji Kyouichi got 530 votes. For Miki, there were 454, and Juri got 621. (I just made all that up for the benefit of my own mind. I don't even know how many students go to Ohtori, but let's just assume that that number was the only ones who wanted to vote. )