Hello, everyone. The title of this story means Fallen Angel. And I am dedicating it to my family friend, who has passed on. It is called fallen angel because that is what she was, an angel on earth. I guess God just needed his angel back. She died from lung cancer, seven months after diagnosed; she hadn't smoked a day in her life and was only a teacher's aid. It was a shock and I am still reeling from it. I miss her, but it is life.

Disclaimer: I do not, in any way, shape, or form, own any RK characters, plot lines, or any other related items.

There is OOC in this! However it is needed, and I think I stayed true to most of the characters.

!IMPORTANT NOTE! I know you have all complained about the French, so I am making it so most of what Misao says can be understood without the French, but that is all I can do.

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1873

Kaoru Kamiya smiled to herself as her new husband ran one hand up her back and gently nuzzled her neck. And to think, she had almost not married the man! She bent back her neck and allowed him to explore the newly exposed skin with his lips and tongue. A sigh escaped her lips and she melted into his arms, allowing him to reach any part of her body that he wished. He chuckled and pulled her deeper into the cove of his body.

Kaoru giggled at the feel of his lips on her skin and stared up at the face of her one true love. How could she not have known that this man was the one for her? How she loved him, Kaoru smiled at him and snuggled into his chest. She just wished she had found out sooner, and then none of those troubles would have happened.

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1870 Paris, France

Everyone in the room turned and stared as a fuming Kaoru pushed the door to the lounge open. They remained silent as she stomped over to her mirror and began to tear off her costume. The cast shook their heads and then slowly turned around, the conversations starting up again. Kaoru continued to pull at her dress and tears began to well up in her eyes, causing them to darken into a deep dark blue. Her jerking gradually slowed until all she was doing was tugging gently at the material with tears making their way down her porcelain features. Her knees gave way and she collapsed onto the floor, holding onto her small seat and sobbing into her arms. The cast looked on in pity but held their tongues for fear of retribution. One at a time each member got up, walked toward Kaoru but then turned to leave the room, until all but one remained.

The petite girl looked at the sobbing Kaoru and slowly made her way across the room, picking her path through chairs, mirrors, and costumes. Finally she stood behind the raven-haired girl and slowly dropped down to her level. She reached out a hand stopping inches from Kaoru's form. "Chéri1, are you alright?"

"Nowah!" Her anguished cry raised the hairs on the back of the girl's neck and she carefully touched Kaoru's shoulder. She leaned in and cupped Kaoru's cheek, raising her head and looking into her eyes.

"Care to tell me what's wrong, s'il vous plaît2?" Kaoru looked into those kind cerulean eyes and threw herself into the girl's arms. Kaoru spent the next twenty minutes crying into this kind stranger's arms and finally lifted her head to stare at the girl. Her long black hair was pulled back into a braid, which ended near her calves. Her face was pale in contrast to her hair and was created with mischief in mind. She had the face of a cherub and a twinkle in her eyes that hinted at a more wayward nature.

"Bonjour mon cher, je m'appelle Misao Makimachi. Comment tu t'appelles?"3 Kaoru sniffled and shook her head.

"I do not know French."

"Ahh Amytal7, then it is time to learn, oui4? But this is not so important, what is your problem?"

"Tomoe."

"Tomoe? I do not know of this. Is it the womanly problems?"

Kaoru ducked her head and blushed deeply, "No it is not. Tomoe is an actress, who dislikes me."

"Mon Dieu5 why ever would she hate you? You seem so… so sympathique.6" Misao cradled Kaoru's head and smoothed back her tousled hair. "You should not care, oui4, just go on like no problem." Kaoru sniffled and reached up to dry her eyes, brushing her ebony hair out of the way. Misao reached up and grabbed a small white brush bringing it down and saying, "Okay amytal7, you should tell me about this Tomoe, oui4?" She stood up and pointed at the chair, motioning her to sit.

"Very well," Kaoru stood and fell into the seat, setting her head down on her table. "She is the best actress in town, and she stole my role. Now she's the lead, and I have to be an understudy, just an extra! I worked so very hard, I knew all my lines, and I tried my hardest. I did so well, but she is richer, more beautiful, and has more talent…." Kaoru ended the statement with a bang on the table that knocked all her powders to the floor. Misao smiled at the picture Kaoru made, her hands were clenched at her sides, her eyes a furious dark blue and her mouth drawn into a small line. Despite all this she was still the prettiest woman Misao had seen in a long time. Softly, she began to straighten Kaoru's hair, parting it in the middle and setting to work on taming the knots.

But the actress's description had rung a few bells so Misao asked, "Is this by any chance, Tomoe Yukishiro?" Misao's face melted into one of dawning understanding; as she witnessed Kaoru's face go from slightly friendly to hostile and ready to blow.

"Yes!" She spat out and slowly turned to face Misao, "A friend of yours?" Misao laughed and Kaoru lifted one brow, watching as Misao struggled to contain her laughter long enough to answer.

"Non, amytal7. She is no friend of mine." Misao smiled and continued to brush Kaoru's hair.

"You know of her?"

"Of course, who does not?

"I wish I did not, she is a horrible person!" Kaoru sighed and rubbed a hand over her face, "No, I take that back, she is probably a wonderful lady and I have no reason to talk badly of her. She is a wonderful actress and deserves the part. It just hurts you know?"

"Oui, but non she is no good person. She is mauvais… wicked?"

"I am sure she is nice, I just wish I could have that part!" Misao pouted and stopped brushing.

"Well all you have to do is be… fantastique8. Beat her with your actions, show you are better, oui?"

"Yeah, I guess your right. I did tell you I don't know French, correct?" Misao chuckled and began to brush again.

"Oui, but you must know some, otherwise no parts."

"Well I can pronounce the lines, but I don't know it. They have side notes that say the inflictions for the words." Misao giggled and finished brushing, fixing all the damage done by Kaoru.

"So you are one big parrot, non?"

"Pretty much, but I like to think I have more going for me then that." Misao laughed and spun Kaoru around.

"Yes you do amytal. You have much but…." Misao stopped and turned to the door where a man had just slammed open the door and ran in.

"MISAO! Come quick, the Battousai e's struck again!"

"Houji, calm down. Tell me what has happened." Houji blinked and then sat in one of the chairs. His black hair was slicked back and his brown eyes were set deep into a face that rarely saw joy. He sighed and put one hand on his knee.

"I went don into the b'sement and t'ere they w're. T'ere w're two actr'sses str'nged up like common fish. 'N 'e left 'e's sign." All the color left Misao's face and she dropped to the chair besides Kaoru's.

"What was left?" Kaoru looked from Misao to Houji and then reached out to hold Misao's cold hands.

"Around the victims neck is a bow made of stage rope… that they were strangled by." Kaoru sucked in a deep breath and her hand flew to her throat. Her eyes widened and turned dark as night.

"Oh my word, who did this?"

"That would be t'e Battousai. 'E's a killer from Japan. I heard 'e has terrible gold eyes that cut through ye like knives. But 'e don't use knives, lest not anymore. Nowadays 'e uses the stage rope and chokes ye." Houji wrapped his hands around his neck and tightened them till the knuckles turned white. Kaoru watched him with morbid fascination and then turned to Misao.

"Is what he says true?" Misao shuddered and wrapped her arms around her middle. She tipped her head down and rested it on her chest. Then she stood up and shook her hair behind her head. She propped her hands on her hips and stared down at Houji. She narrowed her eyes, and compressed her lips.

"Well," she finally said after staring Houji down. "If it is true then you had best keep your hand at the level of your eye, oui?" She brought her hand up to her eyes and then turned and left the room. Kaoru blinked at Misao and turned to Houji.

"What does she mean by that!"

"Oh t'at. All s'e means is w'en you walk 'round jus' keep your hand up and 'e can't get ya." Houji smiled coolly at Kaoru and got up, stretching his back. He winked and walked to the door, opening it and walking into the hallway. Kaoru sat in the chair and looked down at her hands. She held up a hand to rub her neck and carefully stood up.

She walked over to the mirror and frowned at her reflection. Her long coal black hair was pulled back into a tight bun at the back of her head and a small navy blue hat was tilted rakishly with black ribbons curled down onto her cheek. Her large dark blue eyes were framed by thick eyelashes and set into a face known to be resonant of angels. Her skin was smooth and pale as silk and her neck was slender and was surrounded by white pearls. Kaoru made a face into the mirror and turned towards the door. As she walked she caught a movement in the corner of her eye. She whipped around and saw nothing.

"Who's there!" Kaoru's eyes darted around the room and she turned in a full circle before go back towards the door. As she opened the door maniacal laughter filled the room. Kaoru's eyes widened and she did one last frenzied scan before rushing out of the lounge and toward the stage.

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"I have decided I no longer wish to work here." A tall woman stood amid silks, satins, gold, and all other sorts of fineries. Her long black hair rushed, unbound, over her perfect body, reaching her hips before stopping. Her black eyes were hard and flinty, and she stood with the ease of someone who had been given everything from a young age.

"Tomoe, come now, this is a…. lovely… lovely place." She sniffed and walked over to her mirror and began to powder her face.

"Très bien!9 Leave bientôt10." Misao narrowed her eyes at Tomoe and crossed her arms. Tomoe glanced over at Misao, looking her up and down and then dismissing her with a slight shrug. She turned to her assistant and took the glass she offered.

"You will get me a new part in some other place. I will be ready to leave tonight." Tomoe moved toward the middle of the room and sat on a small couch. Misao huffed and walked out of the room, just as two men walked into the room and the taller one walked over and leaned down over Misao's shoulder. His brown hair stood straight up with a few pieces hanging down into his brown eyes. His face was angular and a small smirk was floating on his lips. "Hello Misao are you keeping our favorite actress happy?" Misao glared at the man and then tried to smile at Tomoe.

"No she isn't." She smiled coldly at the men and then motioned to her assistant.

"Come now, Tomoe." The second man walked up to her and carefully turned her head. He's long black hair was kept out of his eyes by a green headband, and his deep blue eyes searched Tomoe's face. His smile seemed pure and friendly but his eyes had a slight sarcastic shine to it. "We all love you and respect you for who you are as an actress. You are the only one for this job. We need you." Tomoe pursed her lips and broke out of his hold.

"I don't think so."

"Come now, surely you can stay?" Tomoe looked at the ceiling for a minute and then looked at Sano.

"I think we might be able to work something out. Why don't you two stay and we'll talk?"

"Wonderful." Sano and the man walked over to the couch and sat down next to Tomoe.

"Misao why don't you go have a talk with Shinomori and inform him of our whereabouts?" The man smiled and motioned for her to leave. Misao narrowed her eyes and then turned and walked out the door.

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"Sano, Katsu, why do we have to do as she says? We could just use another oui?" Misao stood next to the banister and lifted one eyebrow at Sano, who stood a few steps down on the magnificent sweeping stairs.

"Like who? We need money, badly. We have enough to stay this course, but not enough to make this place as great as it should be." Katsu walked up the stairs and stood next to his partner. Misao looked from one to the other and crossed her arms.

"So you say we must deal with her, to get money?"

"Yes, we need crowds and she is the only one who can draw them in." Sano walked up and put an arm around Misao's shoulders. "Just deal with her, it will be only for a while. Someone as wonderful as you can deal with one spoiled actress, right?" Misao sighed and leaned into his friendly embrace. She playfully glared up at him and then smiled.

"Eh bien soit12 I shall!" Misao pushed away from Sano and then moved away from wall to the other side of the stairs, staring up at the old crystal chandelier. It hung from the middle of the ceiling and reached down almost two stories. It was an intricate pattern of dips and swirls. It had been in the opera house since its beginning. Sano and Katsu moved to flank Misao and they all looked up at the chandeliers magnificence.

A shout filled the entrance hall and they all looked down to see a man running towards them, waving his arms. "Master Sano, Master Katsu!" The man ran to the stairs and took them two at a time till he had reached the group. The man bowed to three of them, panting and wiping at his sweaty face. His long white hair was worn in a loose ponytail at the base of his head. His light turquoise eyes were partially covered by dark black glasses, his face was tanned, and he had a small smile on his face. "This letter was found outside the gate. The last owners always took them, so I brought it to you two." He held out a small off white letter with red writing printed across the front. Sano turned to Katsu shrugged and took the letter.

"I wonder who it's from?" Sano took out a small knife and cut through the wax HB on the back. He unfolded the letter and held it up so he could read it.

"Well read it out loud." Katsu whined as he tried to see the letter.

"Hold your horses, I'm getting to that,

Dearest new owners of the Paris Opera House,

I would like to take the time to congratulate you on this wonderful purchase. I am sure you will do well. But I would like to inform you of the conditions that I expect you to fulfill. I require three hundred francs to be delivered to me within three days. I want it dropped off in the chapel near the cross. I will need you do this once a month around this time. If you do not fulfill these requests I will be forced to take drastic measures. Yours Truly, Hitokiri Battousai" Sano lowered the letter and looked at Katsu. "This guy can't be serious." Katsu shrugged and looked over at Misao. "Can he?"

Misao sighed and walked over to Sano. She took the letter and turned it over to study the seal. She tilted it towards the light and traced the wax. "Oui it is him."

"How do you know?" Sano leaned over and repeated her tracing. He did this several times and then looked at Misao. Katsu crossed his arms and waited.

"He uses old fashioned mold, it is only métal chaud13. It burns the paper around the cachet… umm seal? Also the… seal, few use this old method. It causes the seal to be up not down. Now we press the seal into wax, he makes the wax into the seal."

"So it's real. There is a guy threatening us to give him money? No way, we refuse." Sano crossed his arms and glared around the room. Misao laughed softly and gave Sano the letter.

"You will regret that. He is not clément14.

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All right, as you can clearly tell Misao is French, therefore she speaks French. All the French words I used were put down here. Please remember I do not speak French. If you find mistakes feel free to contact me about them.

1 Dear

2 If you please.

3 Hello, my dear. My name is Misao Makimachi. What is your name?

4 Dear; Yes

5 My Goodness/ My God

6 Nice person/ kind person

7 Blue angel

8 Fantastic

9 Fine!

10 quickly

12 Very well then!

13 Hot metal and for all you who care, the seal I mean is just a mold you pour the wax into that forms a shape. But you use the metal form to melt the wax as well, so it is hot and burns the paper. As opposed to just pouring on hot wax and pressing something into it.

14 forgiving