Utena runs to the other end of the arena.  Shes so out of breath she could collapse but Nanami is determined to continue the duel.  She plunges at Utena with a swift move but only Dios has moved her back out of harms way.  The Rose Bride stands to the side watching the duel.  The smell of roses is in the air.  The magic of the arena, every time like a dream.  This time seemed even more fantastic than before.  Nanami kept yelling about taking her brother and the bride. 

"You cannot have them both."  She yelled with incredible energy.  They had been dueling for nearly 30 minutes straight but Nanami hadnt even broke a sweat. 

 

Finally the Power of Dios came down on Utena and she sliced Nanamis rose gracefully.  Unlike in the past, Anthy did not seem at all happy about Utenas victory.  On the way home Anthy did not talk nor smile at all.  She seemed almost upset.  'Whats wrong?' Utena thought over and over without speaking it.  The whole evening passed without either of the two speaking a word. 

 

The next day at school she sees a tall figure speaking with Anthy right outside the greenhouse.  Interested, Utena nears the 2 and finds that its Saionji.  'Why would she be talking to him?'  Utena gets very close but stays out of sight. 

"This has to end."  Saionji says forcefully.  "We have to do the plan."  Anthy started then paused "I will cook her dinner tonight with the poison.  There is no other way then I will be your Rose Bride." 

"Good, then we can be together."  Saionji replied, giving Anthy a quick but passionate kiss.  Utena was sweating bullets, hoping they would not see her.  She was also in shock.  'But why, why would Anthy do this to me?  Havent I treated her better than any of the duelist?  I thought we were friends.  I mean, if this is about Saionji, she can have him.  Thats no reason to kill me.'  Utena couldnt concentrate on anything else except that evening. 

 

Then evening comes, Utena tries to convince Anthy of going out to eat but she insists on cooking.  As dinner is set on the table theres a knock at the door.  It is Touga. 

"Have you forgotten our date, Beautiful Prince?"  He says.  Utena breathes relief as she questions ever making such a date.  Touga apologizes to Anthy a hundred times claiming the tickets could never be returned.  Outside the dormitory Touga suddenly grabs Utena and holds her close.  Then he says "Dearest Utena, I have found a love letter from your roommate addressed to Saionji, plotting your death.  You must get rid of her.  Send her away."  He then looked down into her eyes.  Utena was frozen with love and fear.  *Confusion* 

 

Touga bends down to kiss her sweet lips but Utena turns away. 

"Anthy has a pure heart and mind, she could never go against me as her friend and savior."  She broke loose of Tougas embrace, ran back inside to her room.  Her pink hair was flowing behind her.  On the table still sat her dinner.  Anthy came out from her bedroom and watched as Utena sat down, lifted her fork into the noodles then to her mouth.  A sleek smile crossed Anthys face.  Immediately upon swallowing the room began to spin and become dimmer. 

 

Utena closed  her eyes. 

 

When she opened them she saw her dark bedroom.  Looking across to the window she could tell it was night.  She looked down at the warm body she held close to her.  It was Anthy.  Her lavender hair covered half of her face.  Her bronze body in its purest form, lying cradled in Utenas arms.  Utena lay there awake until morning when Anthys eyes finally popped open.  She smiled at Utena.  This is the only reassurance Utena needed that the dream was only that, a dream.