The Camping Trip
Shoujo Kakumei Utena: The Hidden Chapters

Haruka & Kiryuu

Chapter 3

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This is our first attempt at an Utena fic. We haven't even done ones on our own :)

Our disclaimer: We've only seen to episode 29, so don't bug us. We don't own the characters (Though we wish We did... Utena locked in our basement in Chains... heh heh) Saito Chiho and the Be-PaPas own them, though. This is fanfiction and may not follow the 'Ways of the Ohtori World'. If things are a little different, just remember: It's just fanfiction. Not the end of the world.

I made a funny. (And didn't mean to.)

Wanna add more, Ruka?

Nah, you've pretty much summed it up. Oh, wait a minute, yeah, one thing. Like usual, we don't want this fic posted anywhere else, okay? Thanks.

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In Order of appearance..
Characters ..
Played by
-----------------------
Anthy....... Michiru
Utena ....... Haruka
Juri ........ Michiru
Touga ....... Michiru
Saionji ..... Haruka
Miki ........ Haruka

Other appearances by:
Guidance Councilor .... Michiru
Kozue.................. Michiru

Guest Appearances
Sumire....... Michiru
Kanna........ Haruka
Kouran....... Haruka
Iris......... Michiru
Orihime...... Haruka

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(Anthy)

"Thank you, Utena sama," Anthy said as she plugged the hole of the air-mattress. "The air mattress is ready, too," she smiled, spreading the blanket over it. It was big enough to take up all but a foot of space in the tent. "We'll be comfortable tonight."

(Touga)

His magnificence clicked the 'on' button to his portable, battery operated heater. With a sigh of general relief, he warmed his hands on it before setting the camping toaster on top of it, and putting 4 slices of thick, home-made bread into it. At least HE would eat.

[[Note from Sumire: How did these bumpkins get into OUR story area, anyway? hmph.]] [[Note from Utena: Who the heck are you?!]]

(Utena)

Bouncing lightly onto the air mattress, Utena flopped back, her hair splaying out around her. "This is _really_ comfy!" she said. "You thought of everything! And I thought _I_ was going to be the experienced camper on this trip!" She rolled onto her side and took Anthy's hand in hers. "I don't say it often enough, but I'm really glad we met, Anthy."

[[Note from Saionji: *gag*]] [[Note from Kanna: *SNIFF* Shaddup, whoever you are - this part's sweet! Psst, Sumire, I dunno how they got our idea, but since they did, we might as well enjoy the story, huh?]] [[Note from Sumire: I suppose, but they SHOULD give us credit for the idea.]] [[Note from Touga: Mmmm, butter and strawberry jam on toast. *crunch*]]

(Anthy)

Anthy laid on her side, facing Utena sama, and smiled softly. "Thank you, Utena sama. I'm glad to have met you, as well. You've been wonderful to me, and I appreciate it."

(Utena)

"You _deserve_ to be treated well, Anthy. I wish you'd realize that." She rubbed her thumb over the back of the other girl's hand. "But until you do, I'll be here to make sure that's what happens."

[[Note from Miki: That toast sounds good ....]] [[Note from Saionji: Hey, Touga, I thought we were friends! How about some toast?]] [[Note from Utena: What kind of man eats and lets girls go hungry? Fiend!]]

(Anthy)

"Thank you, Utena sama," Anthy smiled, holding Utena's hand up to her cheek. She sighed happily.

[[Note from Touga: It's my bread. My cook made it for me this morning before I left. The jam is home-made too, and the butter is whipped and light. Mmmmm.]] [[Note from Juri: Ugly Butt-face.]]

(Utena)

A couple of hours later, the rain finally stopped, and Utena left the tent and looked down at their sodden firepit that now looked more like a wading pool. "Great," she sighed.

(Anthy)

"I don't think I can do anything about this, Utena sama," she frowned, moving some mud around with her toe. "And the wood and things are wet now. "Luckily, I brought chips and lunch meat!" She smiled cheerfully. "Hotdogs can be eaten without cooking them, too. And I brought some bottles of water, so we don't have to worry about boiling it."

(Saionji)

Although Ugly Tomboy was there, Saionji decided to go look at the firepit himself. It was rather pathetic. He heard Anthy mention a stash of food. "You'll be sharing with all of us, won't you?" he said expectantly.

(Anthy)

Anthy looked at him for a moment. "I'm sorry, all I brought was enough for us two. Didn't you bring any food at all?" She sounded mildly surprised, but was actually rather annoyed. He had no right to think she'd ever share with anyone other than Utena sama. If she had still been his bride, he'd hit her for even mentioning sharing.

(Saionji)

"Hmmph! As a matter of fact, I did! Just see if I share any of it after yours runs out, either!" Saionji stomped off into the woods to cool off. He _had_ brought food, but unfortunately most of it required at least heating up. It would be miserable fare without a fire.

(Anthy)

"Oh, dear, that wasn't very nice, was it, Utena sama?"

[[Note from Juri: serves him right. Can I have a hot dog?]] [[Note from Utena: I guess Dumbass doesn't understand about Hammerspace in the anime world where you can carry unlimited amounts of stuff. Forget the hot dog, Juri, have a banana split! :) ]]

(Utena)

The pink-haired girl sniffed. "When is he ever nice?"

(Miki)

The stopwatch clicked. Miki came out of the tent, saw the sad state of the firepit, and sighed. "Perhaps we should see if the woods offers anything that need not be cooked, like fruit or vegetables."

[[Note from Juri: It's melted. Oh well.]]

(Juri)

Juri followed Miki out of the tent, munching on a cracker. "Good Thing I'm addicted to these things," she muttered. "But Miki's right. We can't fill ourselves with things like crackers, and we're almost out anyway. "Let's head into the woods. Make sure you take your compass, and, if possible, something to mark your path with."

(Touga)

"Good idea," Touga said, munching the last of his toast.

(Juri)

"Where did you get TOAST?"

(Touga)

"I made it on my camp heater," he shrugged. "I can't cook food on it, but I can do toast."

(Utena)

"Grab the compass, Anthy," Utena suggested. "Let's meet back here in half an hour, everyone - that way we'll make sure no one has gotten lost."

(Miki)

"Saionji is already gone?" Miki looked around. "If anyone sees him, tell him what we're doing." He clicked his stopwatch and headed off.

(Juri)

Juri went into the woods at a different angle the others were going. She decided to go down the hill, and before long, could see water lapping at the shore of a big, silvery lake. This is good, she thought. Water edibles.

(Anthy)

Anthy grabbed the compass and dutifully followed Utena sama into the woods. "What do you hope we'll find, Utena sama?"

(Utena)

"I don't know exactly," Utena admitted. "I mean, I know _how_ we can get some food if we have to, but I'd rather not do it. I like Miki's idea about finding fruits or veggies - maybe we can find some edible mushrooms or roots or something." She didn't want to think of how Anthy would react if they were reduced to eating a rabbit or any other animal ....

[[Note from Miki: Technically, hot dogs are made from animals]] [[Note from Utena: Ssh! I told Anthy they were made from old shoes.]] [[Note from Anthy: They're not!? Ohhhhhhhhh, Uteeeeenaaaaa saaamaaa, how COULD you betray me so!!!!!!! ;_; ]]

(Anthy)

"Finding edible mushrooms might be hard. But maybe wild blueberries or apples. It's just the right season for them."

[[Note from Miki: *CLICK* And the award for the best over-acting goes to Anthy Himemiya! *crowd cheers as Miki hands Anthy the trophy.* Congratulations, Himemiya-san! :D ]]

(Utena)

"Or RASPBERRIES!" Utena cried suddenly and darted forward, falling on her knees in front of a bush. "Look, Anthy, they're beautiful! And there are loads of them!"

[[Note from Anthy: Oh, thank you! *sniff* Thank you so much! This wouldn't have been possible without the help of my wonderful friend Miki, and the incomparable Utena sama!]]

(Anthy)

"Raspberries," Anthy's eyes lit up, and she fell on her knees next to Utena. "Did I ever tell you that I LOVE raspberries?" She picked a handful and inelegantly shoved them into her mouth. "Mmmmmmm."

(Utena)

Giggling at the spectacle Anthy made of herself, Utena popped another raspberry into her own mouth. "Mmm, they're good," she said. "We should pick as much as we can and bring them back to camp." She hesitated, looking around. They hadn't brought anything to carry a lot of small berries in. "Uh oh."

(Saionji)

The handsome, green-haired young man had been walking for a long time, finally pausing to lean back against a tree. What a fiasco this trip was already. And how utterly unfair it was of Ugly Tomboy to keep Anthy all to herself. He would have to punish her for that, he thought. But how ...?

[[Note from Utena: You could tie me to a chair with nothing to look at but a picture of you - can't think of anything worse than that, unless it was you actually touching me ... ewwwww! *shudder*]] [[Note from Saionji: I concur. *shudder*]]

(Miki)

Wiping the sweat off his brow, Miki resumed filling the bag he'd brought with fiddleheads. He'd never had them raw, and didn't know if they would be palatable that way, but maybe they'd be able to get a fire going again and could boil them. There was a lot of other growth around them that mostly got in the way, but he cleared it as best he could in order to get at the unexpected food source.

(Juri)

Juri finished picking all the chestnuts that her undershirt could hold. She had realized she'd forgotten to bring a container, so had decided her undershirt would work. Tying the holes closed, she climbed the tree and filled it up. Finally, climbing down, she carefully put her weight on all the branches as she descended. Midway down, she heard a sharp crack. "Uh oh." Her world fell out from under her as she dropped 10 feet and into the lake.

(Anthy)

"Mmph ermm mmmm nnn mmm," Anthy mmphed, as she ate raspberries. They were definitely the best she'd ever have. "Rrrrmmph!" She cried happily, smiling redly at Utena sama.

(Touga)

Touga finished eating the sour choke-cherries he had found, and headed back to camp. They had tasted bad, but the were better than nothing. And better yet, he had gotten some for the others. "Now they can't say I never did anything for them," he nodded.

[[Note from Anthy: MMmmmmph!!! *hug*]]

(Miki)

The stopwatch clicked. Miki had gathered enough fiddleheads to last the weekend now, so he got to his feet. The back of his hand itched, so he scratched it idly. Then his other arm itched. Then his forehead. "What on Earth?!" He realized in horror that an angry red rash was covering both his arms. It looked suspiciously like .... An image from inside a book on plants floated in front of his vision and he realized now why the ones surrounding the fiddleheads had looked familiar. "Poison ivy?!" he cried as his body became one big itch all at once.

(Juri)

Juri swam to shore, holding to the nuts for dear life. If nobody else found anything, it would be their only food supply for the week-end. She headed up one shore, cursing the water for ruining her hair. Heading into camp, she saw Touga with a pile of large berries. "You didn't eat those, did you?"

(Touga)

"I had my fill of them, yes. Oh, good. Nuts."

(Juri)

"You're an idiot, Touga. Those are pokeberries. They're poisonous."

(Touga)

Touga turned green. "Pokeberries? Never heard of them."

(Juri)

"If I were you I'd go vomit," she walked past him.

(Touga)

"What's that black thing on your neck?" He asked, heading for the edge of the camp. Poisoned...

(Juri)

"Huh? She touched her neck. She looked down her shirt.

(Anthy)

"What was that scream, Utena sama? It sounded like Juri..."

(Utena)

"And she's in trouble! Hurry!" Running as fast as she could with her load of raspberries, Utena followed the sound of the scream.

(Miki)

Scratching every step of the way, Miki ran through the woods in an effort to reach Juri before she was eaten by whatever threatened her. He accidentally ran headlong into Touga and bounced off onto the ground, dropping his bag of fiddleheads. "OOF!" he exhaled, then noticed Juri. "Are you all right, Juri? What's wrong? AUUUGH!" He started scratching madly again, trying to reach all the itchy spots at once and failing miserably.

(Juri)

Juri pulled off her jacket, leaving her just in her bra. There were leeches all over her. Whimpering desperately she looked over her torso. Her eye could see about 12. She pulled off her pants, unmindful of the males in the vicinity. They were all over her legs. She screamed again. "AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!! Get them off! Getemoff getemoffgetemoff getemoffgetemoff getemoffgetemoff getemoff getemoff getemoff !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

(Anthy)

Anthy stood in mute shock, watching Juri run around in circles, covered in leeches. It was rather yucky. "Does anybody have any salt?"

(Utena)

Seeing the usually-calm Juri this freaked out was scaring Utena. "Touga, you must have salt, right? It's the only way we'll get those things off her!" She caught Juri's shoulders and fought down her own revulsion at being so close to the leeches. "Juri, relax! Running around like a chicken with its head cut off won't help!"

[[Note from Saionji: No, but it's funny! Heh heh!]]

(Miki)

Miki _wanted_ to help with Juri's problem, but he was too busy writhing on the ground being ignored by everyone as he tried to rip his rash-covered skin off with his fingernails.

[[Note from Miki: Yes, that was sarcasm.]]

(Juri)

"They're all overrrr meeee!" Juri cried, trying not to burst into panicky tears. There were men there. She might be able to get past the humiliation if it was just Utena and the Rose Bride, but Touga and Saionji were there....

(Anthy)

"Here's salt, Utena sama!!" Anthy cried, bringing a little tub of salt over to her.

(Touga)

Touga stared, seeing the cold Juri freaking out. It was rather funny....

[[Note from Juri: I hate you.]]

(Anthy)

"And here's calamine for Miki!" She brought a big tube of calamine to Miki and started to apply it liberally. "Don't scratch. You're spreading it, Miki."

(Miki)

"No, you shouldn't touch me! You'll get it, too!" Mike took the calamine and began applying it to himself as he watched Utena throw salt at Juri as if she were a vampire she wanted to scare off.

(Utena)

"Juri, will you stop wiggling around all over the place and lay down or something?! The salt's just falling off you this way!"

(Juri)

Juri slowed down, and closed her eyes tightly. "Get it over with," she gritted her teeth. "Please, get them off. Yech!" She shuddered.

(Utena)

Now that Juri wasn't moving around so much, Utena found she could take care with the application of the salt, and one by one the leeches began to drop off her skin, leaving pin-prick holes with dots of blood. "Yecch, these things are gross," she commented.

(Miki)

"So is this rash," Miki said mournfully. How awful that Anthy should see him in such a state. "I wonder what Kozue will say when I get back and she sees this."

(Utena)

"I don't know, Miki, but do us all a favour, and tell her none of US did it to you, okay?"

[[Note from Saionji: THAT'S for sure *shudder*]] [[Note from Kozue: You know, I AM reading this...]]

(Juri)

"Ohhhhhh, eewwwwwwwww...." she whined. "I hate bugs and I hate things that drink my blood and I hate icky, slimy things!"

(Anthy)

Anthy looked over in surprise. "You hate Saionji sempai, Juri?"

[[Note from Saionji: Har har, very funny. Ugly Tomboy put you up to that, didn't she?]] [[Note from Utena: You wish.]]

(Utena)

"Anthy!" Utena said suddenly, eyes wide. "I've never heard you speak about anyone like that! I'm so shocked!"

(Miki)

"I've misjudged you," Miki added, then looked around, wondering where the Twilight Zone music was coming from.

TBC....