[FFML] [Ranma/Utena] To Save a Prince, Chapter 2

Ranma made it to his first class before the tardy bell had rung, continuing his perfect
streak since he began attending Ohtori. He settled into his seat in the rear of the
classroom as the other students filed in. He watched as they entered in small groups,
chatting amiably amongst themselves.

The exception to the rule of the packs was Anthy Himemiya. The girl walked in alone,
and went directly to her seat, ignoring the students around her. Ranma scrutinized the
woman, trying to find anything that appeared contrary to every other morning he had
come into this classroom. She acted the same as always, seemingly unaware of her
surroundings... or completely at home in them.

The teacher entered the room and all chatting ceased as everyone was seated. Ranma
directed his focus forward, content that the weird scene last night was either a whacked
dream or that he had actually managed to dissuade the woman from her incredibly stupid
idea of him being her Lord and Master...

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To Save A Prince
Ranma/Utena
By KPJAM

Ranma is created and owned by Rumiko Takahashi
Utena is the property of Chiho Saito and Kazuko Tadano

Thanks go out to Corwin for his patience and help with this idea, even if he doesn't
agree with some aspects of it-p

Thanks also go out to Olguin for his editing help and encouragement.

previous parts -- http://kpjam.anifics.com/

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Chapter 2:

He had traversed the now familiar route from his last class to his dorm, quickly entered
the building, and now found himself standing in the doorway of his dorm room, staring
at the half- empty room. He stood rigidly, his mouth half-opened as he contemplated
how many ways to could hurt Hayato for touching his stuff.

A quick inspection confirmed that his stuff, and only his stuff, was missing from the
room. "Damn bastard," he growled to himself before pivoting around and going to look
for his roommate.

The search was short, as he bowled over the academic boy when he entered the room.

"Damn you! What the hell did you do with my stuff!" He leaned down, grasping a
healthy handful of pristine white shirt, and lifting the boy up.

"Nothing... You were transferred..." He gasped out as his hands clawed at Ranma's.

"What! No one told me! If you're lying to me..." He had about enough of this little
twerp and his attitude.

"Someone came and moved you stuff earlier... there's a letter... it was on your desk."

Ranma released him, ignoring the muffled thud and the very audible gulping for breath.
The small desk he had used to study was empty. His subsequent tearing at the three
small drawers uncovered nothing. On a hunch, he leaned over the desk, checking behind
it. The small maneuver produced results as he reached out and retrieved the envelope
that was wedged between the wall and the desk.

He quickly opened it and read the notice of his transfer to another residence, effective
immediately.

"Some guys came by earlier and moved your stuff," Hayato repeated hoarsely.

"I see." He turned to the boy, who was still massaging his neck and showed him the
letter. "You know where this place is?"

"Sure. Go out the entrance here. It's on the other side of the quad, where the
administrators live. Actually, the address is a small visitor's house set of by itself."

"Huh. Why are they putting me in this 'Princes' Refuge'?" he rhetorically asked.

"Maybe to keep you away from the regular students," Hayato muttered under his breath.

"See ya!" Ranma's cheerful words belied the uneasy feeling he had regarding this
abrupt move.

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A long walk across the unbelievably large campus found him in a section he had
previously failed to discover. It was a little cul-de-sac that contained one house, a little
pink two-story house that had a white picket fence surrounding the property. The house,
no, the whole area seemed incongruous when compared to the rest of the campus. There
was a ring of tulips growing in a garden that made up the border, just inside the fence.
They were arrayed almost haphazardly, offering plenty of space in-between, not the
orderly or overflowing manner that comprised the rest of the campus. He examined
them closer, trying to define within himself the import of this. Failing after a few
moments of serious contemplation, he shrugged and went up to the front door.

"This must be it," he said to himself as he read the nameplate hung next to the door,
above a small buzzer.

'The Princes' Refuge,' was embossed in white on a pink name plate. He shuddered at the
designer's choice of colors for the motif of the house. He wondered why someone would
name something 'The Princes' Refuge' and paint it pink. While it wasn't a bright pink,
he even admitted to himself that the color wasn't even that bad to look at, but it was pink
nonetheless and therefore had to go!

Ringing the buzzer, and failing to get an answer after waiting and repeating for a couple
minutes, he entered his new home and wondered if the inside was as inappropriately
colored, or worse, decorated, as the outside had been.

"Oh!" he couldn't help but exclaim when he walked into the small house. The entryway
was hardwood, like the rest of the campus, while there were a few paintings hung on the
wall, and most importantly, there was no pink to be seen, anywhere.

A staircase extended in front of him that led to a darkened hallway, and another hallway
ran next to it, leading to the rear of the house. He slipped of his shoes, putting on a pair
of his slippers, that he saw set next to the doorway. A quick glance told him the others
weren't his. He hoped they were for potential guests and not roommates, having had his
fill of living with the natives.

"Anyone here?" he called out wondering if he would be living with some other asshole.
After a moment and no response he bounded up the stairs, intent on finding out more
about his living arrangements.

The upstairs hallway was short, bare, and painted a plain white. Three doors intruded
upon the antiseptic color, two on either side of the hallway, and one at the end.

Opening the door to the right, he was greeted by a rather large bathing area. It was about
the size of the one he shared with seven other guys in the other dorm. He also smiled
with delight, that not only did it have a western shower, but it also had a Japanese style
bath, something he had come to miss on the campus, not bothering to travel to the city to
find a proper bath house.

Smiling brightly, as his day and his life were starting to look up, he closed the door
behind him and went to the door that stood across from the bathroom. He politely
knocked, just in case, and thanked the Kami that a girl hadn't been in the bathroom. The
fact that he should be living in all boys' housing didn't matter, he should have been more
careful than that.

Silence returning his entreaty, he opened the door and looked into a smallish room. A
quick examination of the contents proved puzzling, no real clothing, but bath supplies,
and extra bedding for the small bed.

Returning to the hallway, he looked down at the last door, and presumed that was where
his stuff was. Another knock at the door, and a quick shout of warning were given
before he flung open the door.

He stopped and stared at the decor. The walls were wooden, the wood a deep-burnt-red,
with a four-poster, king-sized bed in the center of it. A large dresser stood against one
wall, while a closet was the centerpiece of another, a small couch sat under the window,
and a large desk was next to the wall where the door was.

Ranma began his inspection of the room, starting with the dresser. Nodding to himself,
he noted with satisfaction that his clothing; undershirts, boxers, and pants were neatly
placed in the cavernous drawers, taking up almost no space.

He went to the closet, flinging it open wide, to display an array of suits. He fingered
through them, noting they were all cut similarly to the ones the boys wore here. Strong
reds, muted greens, a black, and some white suits made up the diverse suits. He flicked
to the end, and noticed with a sigh of relief his shirts were also still here, although
hanging in the corner. He took them of their hooks, all three of them, and moved back
towards the dresser, folding them neatly, and placing them in one of the drawers. This
way he wouldn't have to go near the other clothing, not exactly sure whose they were.

He moved quickly to examine the desk, a large thing, with a few drawers of it's own, and
writing pad on the center of it. In the middle of the pad, was an envelope, in the same
pink as the house. Seeing as it was addressed to him, he picked it up, quickly opening it
and removing the small card that had been placed inside.

"I'm glad you made it. Enjoy my house, and I hope you like the clothing I choose for
you. The contest is difficult. Stay true to yourself and you will do well. "

The handwriting was fluid and graceful, nice enough to make any of the girls he knew
jealous. There was no signature, which annoyed him. The card was unsigned and
written in a beautiful hand. He couldn't be sure, but he was pretty sure it was written by
a female hand.

He placed the card down atop the envelope, and looked at his ring. He walked over to
the closet again, opening it up and looking anew at the clothing hanging there,
innocently. He had known the cut was familiar, the same style that woman had worn so
many years ago. He couldn't remember the face, or even the hair, but he remembered
the suit jacket and slacks, and they had been the uniform of this school. The doubting
that had begun to creep into his mind vanished as he mulled over this latest revelation.
Was she the one who had him transferred to this house? What did she mean about it
being her cottage? 'The Prince's Refuge' was a weird name for a woman's house. And
most importantly, where the hell was she? And what did she want of him?

He moved over to the huge bed, examining it. He wondered what he would need with
such a huge bed, one that was large enough to fit for of him, comfortable. He sat down
on it, wondering at its firmness. It was much softer than his bedroll, and even softer than
the single bed he had at the other dorm, but it felt almost as firm as if he were sleeping
on his bedroll, something he had trouble understanding.

The pillows were plentiful and inviting, as he sat himself on the bed, reclining against
the headstand, placing a few pillows behind his head, and stretching out his feet.

He closed his eyes and tried to remember anything else he could about the woman he
had come to look for. He remembered waking up in her reassuring arms, shivering still
in fear, and looking at her outfit. Annoyed that the scene didn't take him any farther, or
become any clearer, he stubbornly tried to re-create the scene. As time rolled on, he
drifted slowly to sleep.

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Mitsuru Tsuwabuki entered the tower elevator and closed the doors. The open air
elevator gave a view of the campus as he ascended the ivory tower, but his attention
wasn't on the view. It was on the revelation that an outsider had captured the Rose
Bride. It had been personally humiliating when that cretin, Kuno, had taken the Bride,
but this was intolerable. Some recent transfer, that he couldn't get more info on than he
was an outcast, had taken the greatest gift. He growled as he wondered how competent
this new-comer was. So lost in his thoughts he almost forgot the council's vision
statement. He looked up and spoke the words that were carved in the plate on the
elevator aloud. "If the egg's shell does not break, the chick will die without being born.
We are the chick; the egg is the world. If the worlds shell does not break, we will die
without being born. Break the world's shell! For the sake of revolutionizing the world!"

The elevator stopped on the student council floor and opened up to the balcony that was
their meeting hall. The president stepped from the elevator and walked towards his
associates.

"Why do you insist on having that man with you so often? You know he's not allowed
in the council chambers!" Mitsuru yelled when he spotted Shiori's latest plaything.

"Pinkie, Leave me," she responded lazily. She flipped her short, maroon colored hair
over her petite neck and turned away from the table they were all seated at. It was a
movement that both infuriated and aroused Mitsuru.

Pinkie stiffened, before he bowed and turned to leave.

"Don't forget. I'll be home at five. I'll expect my bath ready and room cleaned. And
do a better job than last time, I don't feel like punishing you today," Shiori ordered her
'friend'.

He grimaced before walking out of the council room. A small gait in his step was
exaggerated by his tall lanky frame. He was an exchange student. Mitsuru remembered
hearing Shiori say that she found the strange accent adorable. Mitsuru thought it grating,
and tried to block out the squeaky broken Japanese anytime he was forced to endure it.
Ignoring the foreigner's exit, the student council president's focus was on the
disrespectful Shiori. Who in turn appeared bored, staring out at campus and ignoring
everything of importance. Her actions were totally inappropriate for the vice-president
of the University.

"Why do you call him 'Pinkie'?" The brunette council member, Kozue Kaoru, asked
intently, showing an interest and curiosity she rarely displayed.

A sparkle formed in Shiori's eyes as she returned her attention to the present and smiled
at Kozue. "Well... If you promise not to say anything, I'll tell you. I'm saving disclosing
it to the public for when I'm bored with him."

"Ladies!" Mitsuru bellowed, trying to call the council to attention. He was the president,
but they treated him with such indifference. Shiori was more interested in her conquests
than council work and Kozue. Kozue was a bit of an enigma, keeping to herself
outside of athletic activities.

"Hush, Mr. President," Shiori answered his shout dismissively, "this won't take a
second." Her attention was returned to Kozue. "When he's bad -- and he misbehaves
often -- I punish him. His cheeks turn such an adorable shade of pink when he's
spanked," she giggled and was quickly joined by Kozue.

"You know." She sobered and looked at the other girl. "If you want to borrow him
sometimes and see for yourself, just ask." she offered.

"You know I don't have the same taste in men as you do," the secretary answered, her
rare moment of mirth disappearing.

"It's attitudes like that, which create the impressions you give," Shiori argued.

Mitsuru wasn't sure, but he thought there might have been actual feeling behind the
statement. Regardless of Shiori's intent, it did have the effect of killing the conversation
and Mitsuru was forced to consider the rumors of Kozue's preferences again. The girl
was never seen dating, even though she had turned down hordes of offers, his included.
There was no evidence linking her to other women either, but that didn't stop the
speculating.

"Where is Tatewaki?" Mitsuru asked suddenly, breaking the introspective moment.

"Probably pouting," Shiori snickered.

"So you have heard," Mitsuru mused.

"There was a note left here," Kazue mentioned and handed a small envelope to Mitsuru.

He took the proffered item and examined it. The small, stark white envelope was
addressed to the entire council in beautiful flowing script that was identical to the private
missives he had received in the past. Opening it up, he read, "An outsider has claimed
the Bride. Tatewaki will lose his re-match today. Kozue will be next." It was simply
signed, "The Ends of the World."

Mitsuru looked over at the girl, wondering if she would perhaps beat the newcomer, and
more-so, if she would try.

"Let us begin, for I am here!" The pronouncement seemed to echo over the open-air
balcony and all eyes turned as Tatewaki strode in, not displaying the humility that all on
the council had hoped would overcome him in defeat.

Mitsuru -- who chose to let slide the fact that the vice-president was late and again acting
like a pompous fool -- held out the small note. "Says you're going to lose again, Kuno,"
he said when Tatewaki reached for the offered note.

The vice-president ripped open the delicate paper and shook with rage. "Never!" he
declared whipping the missive away.

Mitsuru watched as it fluttered to the ground, finding the descent of the letter more
interesting then the other boy's redundant theatrics.

"The foul sorcerer Saotome shall be exposed for the cretin he is!" Tatewaki turned and
strode back towards the elevator, ignoring the fact that they had other business to discuss.
But, no one attempted to stop him.

Form the corner of his eye, he noticed Kozue picking up the small letter and envelope.
"Well. Shall we discuss other business?"

"Yes," both girls answered simultaneously.

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Ranma woke up to the arrhythmic sound of metal fitting and scraping against metal.
Opening his eyes, he turned towards the sounds emanating from the closet. He was
forced to blink and then rub his eyes before sight came to him. He gave a mighty stretch
and accompanying yawn as he noticed the other figure in the room.

Standing in the open closet was a figure illuminated strangely by both the faint light
streaming in from the hallway and the soft amber glow from the setting sun. He could
see clearly the white blouse that was worn, but the head and legs were obscured by deep
shadows in the room. His groggy mind began to churn, attempting to process the
identity petite figure approaching.

"Anthy! What the hell are you doing here?!" he blurted when she walked close enough
to be recognized.

"Lord Ranma," she responded cheerily. "As the current champion of the duels, I am
yours." A deep bow punctuated her statement.

"It wasn't some stupid dream..." he mused aloud, before replying hotly, "I told ya! I ain't
your owner!"

She stood from her bow and smiled gently. "I am the Rose Bride. And therefore yours
until you are defeated."

"What's with all this 'yours' crap? You ain't some possession." he groaned.

"I am what I am." The words were soft, but clear, and she followed them up with gently
placing her hand on his chin.

He recoiled from the touch as if burned, falling backwards onto the bed with feet
hanging of the side. She followed him onto it, quickly straddling him, a leg on either
side, and leaning over him.

"Am I that repulsive?"

Scrambling quickly, he scooted backwards over the bed, and bunching the comforter as
he went. A delighted smile crossed her face as she sauntered on all four after him,
keeping pace as she hovered over him.

He noticed her blouse was loose, allowing a view of her cleavage, and the pink rose at
the center of her bra, between the swell of her breasts. He also noticed the enticing smell
that was coming from her, light and airy. It, coupled with their position, the soft lights,
and the view he was desperately trying to get away from was incredibly erotic for the
young boy.

As he crawled backwards, he soon ran out of bed, and toppled over the side. His legs
and pelvis tangled with the aggressive girl's arms and upper torso, pulling her down on
top of him, along with a healthy portion of bedding.

"Ouch," he said ruefully, as he rubbed his head where it had landed first.

"Hehhehe," a soft giggle came from his classmate. "Are you all right?" The question
was asked in a soft voice, as she raised a hand to stroke his face gently. The touch was
soft and sensitive as she moved her hands around his neck, and then stroked his hair.
Her other hand moved slightly as it was propping her up on his chest, and swallowed
deeply as mind froze from the overwhelming sensations. He could hear and feel his
heart beat, rising and lowering her hand.

"Y... ee... ss..." he stammered out slowly, his voice not the only part of his body that had
locked up as their eyes met and hers held his in place.

The almost comical occurrence that had landed him in this situation had become
intensely intimate. His mind told him to run as fast as he could, but his body wouldn't
comply as her smoldering eyes held him.

"I can make your time as the champion... enjoyable," she purred.

He followed the slow moving of her obviously moist lips, as they glistened in the amber
glow of sunset. His throat swelled shut as all the saliva in his mouth vanished in an
instant, but he forced down a gulp as her eyes beckoned him to comply and join her. He
felt something in him give as he relaxed slightly and watched half in terror, half in
impatient lust as her lips approached his.

"Cur!" The shout resounded through the room moments before the banging of a door
could be heard. "Come forth and face the Vengeance of the True Champion!"

The noise both broke the moment and saved Ranma from temptation. Standing up in an
instant, he barely noticed the unceremonious way he deposited the girl. Standing in the
doorway, illuminated by the light from the hallway, was Tatewaki Kuno.

"Kuno, what now?" he groused, while his mind was secretly thanking the misguided
kendoist.

Anthy stood at his side, rubbing her backside, upon which she had fallen in Ranma's
haste to stand.

"Bride, why do you dally with this low-born scum!?"

"Kuno, you know the reason," she said calmly, the seductive voice replaced by a dead
emotionless one.

"Then I shall remedy that now. Saotome! I challenge you!"

Ranma sighed as he looked at the boy. "Don't you ever learn?" he yawned, and took a
defensive stance.

"Not here, you uncouth ignoramus! One hour! The dueling area!" Kuno turned and
strode from the room before Ranma could issue a retort.

Ranma felt the tension flow out of him as he turned to the Anthy. "That's the place I
fought him yesterday?" he questioned.

"Yes."

Ranma frowned, not wanting to traipse all over campus again just to whip Kuno again.
"Crap! I already returned the bokken. I better go pick it up again." He turned to leave,
but was stopped when a soft hand was placed upon his shoulder.

"There is no need," Anthy said. "I will provide the sword for you."

"Huh? Well, where is it?"

She merely answered by placing her hands upon her heart, slightly tugging down her
blouse, which was still loose from their earlier encounter.

Ranma stood confused for a moment before he snapped his fingers. "That trick with the
lights! Where Kuno pulled that sword out of nowhere!" Ranma said, elated at his
deduction.

Anthy simply smiled and walked towards the door.

"Wait! Where are you going?" he asked, confused about the entire evening.

"I will meet you there. Don't worry."

"But. but, what the hell were you doing here in the first place?"

She stopped and turned to regard him, before saying simply, "I live here."

Ranma slumped to the ground as she walked out.

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A velvet white curtain covers a small stage. Outlined behind it is a large animal sitting
on a stool.

"Have you heard! Have you heard!" The outline of cat is seen popping up from behind
the animal.

"What?! What?!" An answering call comes from under the bear, as the outline of a pig is
seen jutting out from under chair.

The cat leaps and lands in front of the bear. "The new champion doesn't want a bride!"

The pig comes to a stop, looking up at the cat. "Really. Then why does he fight!"

"Because he has too much pride to resist!"

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Ranma slowly trudged back to his house, ostensibly ignoring the woman walking behind
him. She moved demurely behind him, in her bridal gown. He wasn't sure what was
setting him more on edge, her choice of clothing, or her choice of words. He thought
back as he had drawn the sword from her bosom, and yelled forth words he hadn't
known, nor ever intended to shout. The victory had been simple, but he was annoyed
that he had to now deal with his "bride." "So you're intent on following me?" He
decided to try and dissuade the girl one more time.

"You are the champion."

"Well. As champion, I'm telling you to leave me alone."

"I'm I not desirable?"

He stopped for a second and paused. "I just got too many other problems. So just go
live were you used to."

"That would be inappropriate. I couldn't stay with the Vice-president now that you hold
me."

"You what!?" Ranma eyes bulged out as he considered her prior residence. After a
moment he regained his composure and sighed. "I couldn't force you back with him.
Come on."

He waved a hand for her to follow him while he turned to continue his journey home.
Her barely audible footsteps alerted him to the fact that she had followed.

"Anyone else going to be moving in with us?"

"I don't believe so. It is your residence, from what I understand."

He mulled over the events of the last twenty-four hours and found he didn't particularly
care for them. The only bonus from getting involved in the duels had been his ring and
that letter. He had found a purpose for that ring he had carried around forever. The
letter was a clue. Not being a detective, he didn't know how, or if, he could make use of
it; still he wouldn't let that stop him from hoping. The letter had to lead him to the
person that saved him years ago. It had to lead him on a course that would allow him to
fulfill his promise and return to Akane.

The thought of the girl tugged at his heart, and he wondered what she was doing, and if
she was all right.

They made it to the property of the house. Ranma opened the gate and allowed Anthy to
pass through first. He closed his eyes for a moment and wondered what Akane would
think of this. Frowning as the obvious answer occurred to him immediately, he closed
the gate and walked towards the house.

Continuing to use his gentlemanly manners, Ranma opened the door and allowed his
companion to enter first. Right before he walked inside he saw someone standing across
the street, staring at him. He stood in shock as he recognized the outfit and ran towards
her.

She turned, her pink hair appearing surreal in the moonlight as she walked away.

"Wait," he cried out when she disappeared around the corner of a building. He arrived
at the corner, less than ten seconds later, and saw nothing.

Staring, he rubbed annoyed at the missed opportunity and angered that she had fled.
Why had she been there? Why hadn't she stopped to speak with him? He was staring
into space when a female hand fell upon his shoulder. Turning quickly, he grabbed the
hand to keep her from running again and looked into the shocked face of Anthy.

"Ohh." He exhaled frowning from his disappointment.

"What are you doing?" she asked, a matching frown adorned her face.

"I. I thought I saw someone I knew."

"Who?"

"Doesn't matter. I was wrong. Let's go back."

Anthy nodded and turned towards the house. Ranma took a step to follow before turning
to look down the alley. "You won't get away so easily next time," he muttered, before
he too turned and walked towards the house.

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Author's statement: I know, a bit short, and very long in production. And not the story
you asked to be updated. Well. I've been busy, and not happy with what I have been
writing. and lazy.. I never make any promises, but other stuff is coming. Hoped you
liked this. We're starting to get to the meat of this story, so stay tuned. Ja.

Previous chapters and other stories can be found at http://kpjam.anifics.com/