From: WildWyrick@aol.com Hi, minna! Gomen for lurking for so long. Here's a little fic I wrote for our anime club 'zine. It's kinda embarrassing to admit *this* is what I've been doing instead of "Those Days", but there you have it. I really haven't given up, though, and Part 7 is well underway (thanks for the encouragement, Naga-san!) ^_~ Anyway, we were putting together a club 'zine, and I decided to do a crossover based on stuff we've been watching recently. Many of you guys probably know Utena, but Song of the Wind and the Trees is kind of obscure. Imagine a story about a 19th-century French boys school that could have been written by Anne Rice and Tanith Lee. Also, I gotta give credit to the wonderful Star Wars fic that inspired me. I can't remember the author's name, but there was this great fic I read many years ago called "Princess Leia's Diary". It was entirely in the format of journal entries from a teenage Princess Leia at boarding school. My sister subscribed to all these xeroxed Star Wars fanzines, and that story was my absolute favorite. Wish I could remember who wrote it... Anyhoo, on with the fic... Camp Bishounen A Rurouni Kenshin, Shoujo Kakumei Utena, Song of the Wind and the Trees fic by Obaba-sama. None of these characters are mine. I have merely borrowed them for my own twisted pleasures. Day 1 10:30 pm, in my bunk Dear Journal-dono, I've never kept a journal before, but then I've never been to camp before. This has been such a strange day, and so much has happened. I've actually made a friend already! His name is Sano-kun and he's not bishounen like me, but I think he likes me anyway. We didn't get off to a very good start, though. We met when he hit me. He didn't mean to. It was just one of those things that happens when you're playing soccer. I had the ball and was running down the field as fast as I could, when all of a sudden this guy appears out of nowhere and runs right into me. It's like he thought we were playing rugby, or something. Anyway, his shoulder hit me in the eye and I fell over backwards. He just kept going with the ball, never glancing back. I thought about getting up but, to tell the truth, he had pretty much knocked me out. So I just stayed there, the grass prickly beneath the bare skin of my back. This is a pretty weird camp: instead of dividing us into shirts and skins, the counselors make us all play without our shirts on. The games are confusing and the refs hate us, but we look great. Anyway, I'm still lying there, staring up at the clouds, when suddenly he's standing over me. He's probably about fourteen, like me, but his ink is already pretty muscular. Definitely not bishounen. "Your eye's swelling up," he says. "Yeah." He looks down at me with this strange expression I can't quite read. "Aren't you going to cry, or scream at me, or something?" "I don't see what good that would do." I close my eyes, figuring he'll go away. "I've hit you, messed up your beautiful face. You're bishounen, aren't you? Don't you care?" "No." He looks a me for a long moment, and then he says, "Want a cookie? I stole it from the dining hall." "Is it one of those weird Oatmeal Creme Pie things?" "Worse. Oatmeal Creme Pie Lite." "Gross." But I take the cookie anyway and tear off the stupid plastic wrapper. I've only been at camp for a few hours, and already I've learned that you should never turn down snack food. There's no telling what disgusting meal is lying in wait, just around the corner. "Are you always like this?" "Like what?" "You know... calm, sensible? Not wanting to make a fuss?" "Pretty much." He watches me munch. I say "munch" because I look cute when I chew, kind of like a chubby squirrel. "I hate bishounen," he says. "I hate your hair. You look like a mop. I hate your skinny little girlie-body. I hate how your cheeks puff out like that when you chew. But," he smiles at me unexpectedly, "for some reason, I don't hate you." He extends his hand. "My name's Sanosuke." My fingers are sticky, gluing us together. "Himura Kenshin. I don't hate you, either." Day 2 1:15pm, Rest Period Dear Journal-dono, This morning I had horseback riding and fencing. Sano- kun is in my riding class. He's terrible at posting, but pretty good at jumping. After riding, he goes to basketball and I go to fencing. Fencing is the reason I'm here. The fencing counselors at Camp Bishonen have the reputation of being the best around. Personally, after meeting them, I think they're kinda weird. Good at fencing, but definitely strange. For one thing, they all wear roses on their jackets but they won't tell us why. One kid, skinny with scary eyes-- I think his name is Saitoh, maybe-- asked Touga-sensei about them. Sensei just ignored him. I don't like Touga-sensei much. He just feels wrong, somehow. I got paired with Miki-sensei. We're about the same size and he's really quick, so it was fun to spar with him. Besides, he seems nice, not creepy like some of the other counselors. Well, rest period is almost over, so I've gotta go. This afternoon I have arts & crafts and canoeing. More later! Excerpt from the Camp Bishounen Songbook: Take me even deeper and deeper. It's so big you've got to use both hands. If I were with you, I'd be in rapture... Day 2 11:55pm, in my bunk Dear Journal-dono, There's definitely something strange going on at this camp. This afternoon a new boy arrived at my cabin. He'd been assigned to Sano's cabin, but the guys over there threw him out after only one day. His name is Gilbert, and he's some kind of mega- bishounen. I mean, he's way more bishounen than me. Tons of blond hair, very delicate features-- you get the picture. Saionji- sensei, our counselor, assigned him to the empty bunk above me. That was OK as far as I was concerned. I figured the other bishounen were just jealous because he's more beautiful than anyone else at this camp. His personality is really weird, though. When I tried to help him with his footlocker he slapped my hand. No explanation, no apology. Gilbert just stood there, smiling smugly, while Saionji-sensei picked up the footlocker and moved it to the end of our bunk. Has he got something strange in there he didn't want me to touch, or is he just mean? And tonight, after Lights Out, he slapped me again. I guess this time it was my fault, but I just don't know. I was lying here in the dark listening to the cicadas, when I heard faint sobbing noises coming from above. "Gilbert?" My voice was a whisper. No answer. I slid out of my bunk slowly, trying to keep the metal springs beneath me from squeaking too much. "Gilbert?" I shook his arm gently, thinking maybe he was having a nightmare. He moaned and started... squirming. That's the only way I can describe it. "What are you doing? Wake up!" I shook his arm harder. Suddenly, his beautiful eyes popped open and before I knew it his hand had connected with my cheek in a resounding slap. "Don't touch me! I don't want you!" His tone was venomous-- pretty scary, really. When I just stood there, too shocked to say anything, his face softened. "What time is it, Kenshin?" He made my name a caress. "Um... it's... um... eleven o'clock." My hands were trembling as I checked my watch. "Go to sleep," he said. I nodded, still speechless, and slunk back into my bunk. But I didn't go to sleep. After a few minutes I felt Gilbert climbing silently down the end of the bunk. The door of the cabin opened and he disappeared into the night. That was nearly an hour ago. Wherever Gilbert went, he hasn't come back. Day 3 3pm, behind the Arts & Crafts shack Dear Journal-dono, Sano-kun, Saitoh, and I have designated this our secret meeting place. We're all in arts & crafts together, so it kinda makes sense. This afternoon I started making a wallet, and Sano ruined two T-shirts by trying to embroider the word "bad" on the back of them. Saitoh's making an ashtray. Before we split up, Sano told me to sleep in my clothes tonight. When I asked why, he and Saitoh just snickered. They said not to worry, that they would "come for me when it was late enough." I wonder what they mean, and if this has anything to do with Gilbert. Day 4 2am, in my bunk Dear Journal-dono, What a night! I found out what Sano and Saitoh had planned, and it didn't involve my bishounen bunkmate at all. Around midnight I woke up when someone started scratching on the screen at my window. "Who is it?" I was scared of waking Saionji-sensei up, so I whispered this very softly. "It's us, dummy." Sano's voice. "Come on." "OK." Being bishounen has its advantages. Not only are most of us far stronger than we look, we're also very graceful. So I glided across the floor, navigating effortlessly through the minefield of footlockers and athletic shoes without once stubbing my toe or stumbling. I found them crouching outside, both with makeshift masks covering their faces. All I could see were their eyes gleaming in the darkness. "Will you please tell me what's going on?" "Panty raid," Saitoh hissed. "You're going to steal bishounen underwear?" "No, jackass. Girl's underwear. Sano and I are going across No Man's Land." "You're going over to the girls' side? But... we could get sent home for that!" "Don't be such a scaredy-cat, Kenshin," Sano said. There was something in his eyes I didn't trust. My own narrowed. "Why do you want me to come with you?" "'Cause you're our buddy. Right, Saitoh?" "Absolutely." I glared at them both. Finally, Sano broke down. "OK, Kenshin, it's like this, see? If we run into trouble we'll need a decoy, somebody to take the heat off. Right, Saitoh?" "Right." "So we were thinking... Saitoh has his sister's nightgown with him..." "No." "Couldn't you just slip it on when we get there and, you know, mingle with the chicks and keep them busy or something while we get the goods." "Are you crazy? Are you both completely, entirely insane?" Sano looked a little offended. "I thought it was a good plan." "It's idiotic. And insulting. I'm going to bed!" I started to get up, but Sano grabbed my shirt and pulled me back. "Do you want a cookie?" "You can't buy me with food." "We're having grits for breakfast," Saitoh said maliciously. "Delicious, rubbery grits." "Oh, all right!" I grabbed the Oatmeal Creme Pie from Sano's hand and munched it morosely. "But I'm not putting the nightgown on unless we're desperate. Got that?" They both nodded solemnly and we set out for the girls' side. No Man's Land is actually a thicket of trees on the other side of the soccer field. The girls' cabins are clustered beyond it. As we sidled up to the nearest cabin we could hear faint snores coming from within. "Who's the counselor?" Sano whispered. "Juri-sensei." "Let's pick another." We bypassed that cabin and approached the next-closest one. "Which counselor has this one?" Saitoh shook his head. "I don't know." "Let's go for it then. Are you coming, Kenshin?" "No. I'll be out here if you need me." "Wuss," Saitoh whispered. Then he and Sano slunk inside. They were quiet. I have to give them that. They were stealthy. But some things are inevitable. I was on my feet as soon as the first shriek cut through the night. Sano and Saitoh exploded out of the cabin, their arms full of girl's underwear. Saitoh shoved half a dozen panties into my arms. "Run!" Sano screamed. We ran. When we got to the thicket I threw the nightgown over my head and pulled my hair out of its tie. "Go on! I'll delay them." I could hear a whole pack of angry girls coming our way. "Go on!" They went. I fluffed my hair around my shoulders while I waited for the swarm to descend on me, trying to hide my face. It was really dark, so I felt I had a good chance of not being recognized. When the girls got within a few feet of me I let out what I hoped was a convincing scream. Then, sniffling as pathetically as I could, I emerged from the underbrush. "Boys! Here... three of them... in the woods..." "Which way did they go? Did they hurt you?" A strong, slim hand grasped my arm, but I didn't raise my eyes to the speaker's face. "They went that way." I pointed toward the lake, knowing Sano and Saitoh had gone back over the soccer field to their cabin. The mob headed for the lake but the girl stayed beside me, her hand on my arm. "Are you sure you're OK?" When I nodded, my head still lowered, she put her hand under my chin and gently lifted my face to hers. I found myself looking into deep, kind eyes. "I'm Tenjou Utena," she said. "I'm Daisy." "Well, Daisy, I hope those guys get caught. They stole half my underwear!" Her gentle eyes hardened. "I wish I could have seen their faces. Did you?" I shook my head. "It was too dark." "What were you doing out here, anyway?" "I.. ah... had to throw up. Yeah. I had to throw up because I ate too many Oatmeal Creme Pies." "Those things are disgusting." "Yeah. Well, I'd better go back to my cabin." As I walked away I could feel her eyes following me. Then she turned toward the lake and I ran back to the soccer field as fast as I could. I didn't stop running until I reached my cabin. As I was undressing in the dark, I noticed two things. One was that I had a pair of Utena's panties tucked inside my shirt. The other was that Gilbert was nowhere to be seen. Excerpt from the Camp Bishounen Songbook: Little mascot Chu-chu, hopping through the forest, Scooping up the Duelists and bopping them on the head. DOWN came Himemiya, and she said: Little mascot Chu-chu, I don't want to see you Scooping up the Duelists and bopping them on the head. I'll give you three chances to be-have, And if you don't be-have I'll turn you into a normal pet Like a hamster, or maybe even a cat..." Day 4 3:30pm, behind the Arts & Crafts shack Dear Journal-dono, Sano and Saitoh have just left for baseball. They think last night was funny, but I keep thinking about how nice Utena- dono was and how I have her stolen underwear in my footlocker. I've decided to give it back to her tomorrow, even if it gets me in trouble and she thinks I'm a hentai forever. I wonder where Gilbert was last night. I know something is wrong and that he's not happy. I feel like he needs my help even though he'll never ask for it. No matter how weird he is, I can't just let this go on. Day 5 5pm, in the dining hall Dear Journal-dono, Have you ever had a dream that was so strong you couldn't wake up? I went to sleep last night thinking about Gilbert and wondering where he goes, why he cries at night. And in my dream I was in an elevator, descending deep into the earth. There was a voice all around me, coming from everywhere and nowhere, asking me questions. "Why are you troubled, Kenshin?" "I'm worried about Gilbert. I don't want him to be unhappy." The shadow of a rose flashed across the wall of the elevator, like the roses the fencing counselors wear. "What would you do to help Gilbert?" "Anything I could." "Would you fight for him, Kenshin, if that would help?" "I don't know." I feel the question is wrong somehow, that this dream should end. But I'm too tired and the elevator won't stop. "He needs you, Kenshin. If you don't fight for him, no one will. Would you fight for him?" "I..." "Would you fight for him?" I'm dizzy. How can you be dizzy in a dream? "Yes. Yes, I would fight for him." The elevator stops abruptly and the voice says, "Then I suppose you have no choice but to revolutionize this camp." The elevator has stopped, but I don't wake up. It's morning and the sun is shining, but I don't wake up. I dress in my fencing uniform, but I don't wake up. There is a strange ring on my finger and a black rose on my chest. I didn't put them there. Gilbert stands beside me in the dining hall at breakfast. I should be surprised when he is surrounded by a glow and a sword comes out of his chest. But I am not. I catch him in my arms as he falls, drawing the sword from his body. My mind is filled with one thought only: if I knock the rose from my opponent's chest, Gilbert will be safe. I know I can do it. I have to do it. But my opponent is Tenjou Utena. Deep in my mind there is a leap of recognition. She is looking at me coldly, has no idea who I am. But I remember the warmth in her eyes, the pity she had for the girl she found in the woods. Our swords cross with the scrape of steel. She's speaking, but I can't understand her words. I have to help Gilbert.. There is no room for anything else. Utena parries my blow, but the force of my thrust knocks her down. Her eyes are wide and she knows, just as I do, that she can never block my second swing before it cleaves the rose from her chest. "Kenshin!" It's Sano-kun's voice, desperate. My name and the sound of his voice shatter this waking dream. I remember suddenly that I was once Kenshin, my own person and no one's tool. My sword flashes by her, embeds in the wood of the dining hall floor. I'm panting, trembling, unsure what to do next. "Utena, help me..." Then I wait for the feel of her sword striking my chest. Very slowly, she raises her hand and gently pulls the black rose off my jacket. And then I'm falling onto her, the mists gathering around me as the elevator comes crashing down. The last thing I remember is Sano yelling, "Food fight!" I don't know what happened next, but Sano told me that he didn't want me and Utena to be the only ones who got in trouble for fighting. So he emptied a bowl of grits onto Touga- sensei's head. That prompted Kiryuu Nanami to jump on his back and try to scratch out his eyes. Sano said things were pretty bleak for a minute until Saitoh stepped in and said, "Get off of him, you cow!" Then he smushed an Oatmeal Creme Pie in Nanami's face and pandemonium ensued. Utena-dono, Sano, Saitoh, and me all got in pretty deep trouble. We're assigned to K.P. duty for the next week, but I don't really mind. I just feel bad for Utena. I'll have to apologize for attacking her and getting her into this mess. And for stealing her underwear. And for pretending I was a girl. And for lying to her. On second thought, though, maybe I'll just keep my mouth shut and try to stay out of trouble. Excerpt from the Camp Bishounen Songbook: Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine I'll taste you best sake, I'll drink your plum wine. A million tomorrows will all pass away 'Ere I forget all the joys that are mine Today. --------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ---------------------------- GRAB THE GATOR! FREE SOFTWARE DOES ALL THE TYPING FOR YOU! Tired of filling out forms and remembering passwords? Gator fills in forms and passwords with just one click! Comes with $50 in free coupons! Click Here ------------------------------------------------------------------------