Disclaimer: Neither Bleach nor the original Phantom of the Opera belongs to me. This disclaimer applies to all of the chapters in this story.
Notes: This applies to all the chapters: All Italics indicate that they are singing. The words are lyrics to the original songs. Some words of the lyrics are changed to fit into the story, but changes are kept to a minimal. The story is based on the original 1986 written script, though some scenes are changed or left out to shorten the story.
Ramblings: I was listening to Phantom of the Opera soundtrack and I just had this crazy idea to write this musical for Ichigo & Co.
Scene 1
Men and women dressed in simple black tights are dancing around Ishida, who was the only one was dressed in a lavish white robe. In his hands, he held a bleeding, severed head. He raised the head in the air dramatically and shouted, "This trophy from our saviors, from the enslaving force of Rome!"
They continued their song as Mizuiro appeared from the side of the stage and spoke. "Sad to return to find the land we love threatened once more by Roma's far-reaching grasp…"
Keigo, who was standing by the side, waved the rolled up script in his hand to signal that Mizuiro was wrong. "Rome, Mizuiro! Rome, Rome, Rome. Not Roma."
Mizuiro shrugged and shook his head. "I just can't seem to get it." Then he turned away and began repeating the word "Rome" repeatedly, practicing as he retreated back to his starting position.
The dance began again and this time, it went smoothly. The lead female dancer came to the center of the stage and did an impressive individual number before she was joined by the other dancers to continue on their synchronized dance steps.
Keigo nodded his head. "Chad, your daughter Tatsuki has grown up to be a wonderful performer."
Chad gave his usual tacit agreement. Then he turned to look at a certain person in the midst of the male dancers, bringing Keigo's attention to an orange-haired boy who had fallen out of step with the rest in his absent-mindedness.
"Kurosaki Ichigo! Concentrate boy! Concentrate!" Keigo shook his head in displeasure.
"A boy with an interesting look," a voice came from behind.
Keigo spun round and beamed, his hands held her amiably by her shoulders. "Oh my! What a rare guest, Chizuru-san!"
Chizuru nodded with a smile, her hands placed on her hips, seemingly smug and enjoying the attention. "So, that boy, you called him Kurosaki Ichigo, did I not hear correctly? Is he of any relation with the late lead actress?"
"He is her son. They share the same stunning hair, but he doesn't have half the talent she possessed. Always has his head in the air and quite a rebel I would say," Keigo said as he ushered her to the center of the stage.
He then clapped his hands to get the performers' attention. "We have a rare guest today! This is Chizuru-san, one of our main sponsors for our performances!"
Chizuru's smile grew wider with the usual conceit that the rich had as they applauded to welcome her.
"Oh yes, I remember that Ishida-san has a rather fine solo in the third act. Would he be willing to give a personal rendition for me?" Chizuru asked rhetorically as her tone clearly stated that denial of her request was not acceptable.
Ishida moved to the front and pushed his glasses up his nose as he gave a slight bow. "Of course I would love to. How can I reject a request from a lady as lovely as you?"
And so the pianist's deft fingers started dancing over the keys, playing the beautiful introduction melody to "Think of me".
"Think of me, When you find,
think of me fondly,
when we've said goodbye.
Remember me
once in a while -
please promise me you'll try.
that once again, you long to take your heart . . ."
A backdrop suddenly came crashing to the stage, barely missing Ishida as he jumped to the side, a look of horror on his face. He glared at Keigo angrily.
"What is this?" He questioned crossly.
The dancers at backed away and kept glancing in all directions as they chanted eerily, "She's here: The Phantom of the Opera. She's here with us. It is the ghost…"
"Nonsense!" Keigo roared to cut them off. "Ishida-san, are you all right?" He quickly asked, not wishing to lose his lead. Seeing that besides being startled, Ishida was fine but greatly offended. Keigo then continued in an attempt to mollify the situation, "These things do happen…"
Ishida pushed up his glasses for the second time today, but this time as a sign of his utter dissatisfaction. He then spun round to turn away from Keigo, his cape flapping behind him dramatically as he did so. "These things do happen? Do happen! Then I refuse to come back till these things DO NOT HAPPEN!"
With that, he left the room with Keigo following behind him, desperately trying to get him to remain in the studio. However, it appeared Keigo's attempts to appease his anger were futile since he re-entered the studio alone, as expected by everyone. It had always been known that Ishida often did whatever that he pleased and few could change his decision if he did not have the desire to change them.
"Now Keigo-san, I think I will be no help here. I just hope you get this problem fixed. As one of the sponsors, I do not need to tell you what will happen if the performance fails…" Chizuru said and excused herself from the room.
Keigo was frustrated that he had just lost his lead and even more frustrated that he might be in danger of losing one of the sponsors if this problem was not solved quickly. He scanned his troupe and then turned to speak to Chad directly. "Sado, there is no understudy for this production! How are we going to continue?"
"Sir, Kurosaki Ichigo can sing it," Tatsuki said as she pulled an unwilling and surly Ichigo to the front.
"This boy?" Keigo remarked with a skeptical look in his eyes.
"He has been taking lessons from a great teacher," Tatsuki insisted.
Keigo folded his arms, unconvinced. "From whom?"
Ichigo frowned, then shook his head. "I do not know."
Keigo threw up his hands in aggravation, "Oh please! You…"
Chad grabbed Keigo's shoulders, "He has been taught well. Let him try."
Keigo eyed the usual reticent Chad for a while before he waved his hand saying, "Fine, fine. From the solo."
Although still apparently unenthusiastic, he began his song.
"Think of me
think of me fondly,
when we've said goodbye.
Remember me once in a while -
please promise me you'll try"
And he sang for the performance, standing on the stage with a stunning setting, dressed in a simple white top and black pants, resembling a prince. The spotlight was on him and his face was dignified, with his striking hair and contemplative frown. His eyes spoke of solemn sadness and longing as his voice traveled, sending his melody to the hearts of all in the audience.
When you find, Think of all the things we've shared and seen - Think of me, Imagine me, Recall those days
that once again, you long
to take your heart back and be free -
if you ever find a moment,
spare a thought for me
We never said our love was evergreen,
or as unchanging as the sea -
but if you can still remember
stop and think of me . . .
don't think about the things which might have been . . .
think of me waking,
silent and resigned.
trying too hard
to put you from my mind.
look back on all those times,
think of the things we'll never do -
there will never be a day,
when I won't think of you…"
Applause filled the hall as the song ended; everyone was absolutely enthralled with his unexpectedly brilliant performance. Then a teenage girl, with beautiful long brown hair who was sitting in a balcony seat, leaned forward in thrill and asked aloud, "Kurosaki Ichigo? Is that… Kurosaki-kun?"
"CUT!" Kunieda Ryo yelled, slapping her book shut.
There was an immediate burst of chatter as people broke away from their positions to gather nearer to Kuneida and Kagine Sensei.
"Cut? Does she think she's directing a movie?" Ichigo mumbled as he proceeded to the front of the stage and then sat himself comfortably at the edge. He wondered if she was even watching their rehearsal with her nose stuck in her book. He was not happy that he had to be acting in a stupid school play for the cultural festival and acting as that poor struggling man trying to build up a name for himself. That was totally not him. Not to mention he thought the play was lame and no one could even bother themselves to think of some fictional character names for them. But he had easily gotten the role because of his hair, saying that it was excellent for a lead role because it is so prominent. It was nearly humiliating…
"This is so fun!" Rukia exclaimed as she sat down beside him and pulled her legs back to hug her knees. She had a child-like spark in her eyes that told him she was honestly excited.
"Don't sit like that," he growled. "Everyone can see."
Rukia cocked her head. Then she figured out what he meant, so she obediently put her legs down and pressed her school skirt down neatly. It was nice, that once in a while, she did not find some reason to argue with him over every little thing.
Kunieda started pointing out faults like, "Keigo, look more intelligent. You're suppose to be directing the troupe", "Chizuru, stop staring at Orihime when she is off-stage", "Mizuiro, stop acting cute. You're supposed to be Hannibal" and "Ichigo, stop looking like you are trying to pick a fight!"
The list goes on as she kept ranting on in a partially disinterested face, like she did not want to do what she was doing. She probably rather be reading or running on the track than directing a play. But she had been specifically picked to write the script and be the director based on the fact that she was acknowledged to be one of the smarter kids in class. And that it was more befitting of Ishida to act than to direct a play since he was quite an ostentatious person most of the time anyway.
Kagine Sensei clapped her hands. "Good work guys! We'll now break for lunch and we'll meet back here at two! Dismissed!"
"Kuchiki-san!" Keigo came screaming at the top of his voice as he rushed beside Rukia. "I wish I could act along side with you! Then I can sing with you!"
"You can't warble a right note even if your life depended on it."
"I so can!" Keigo jumped in front of Ichigo, tears streaming from his face as he waved his arms about in obstinacy.
"Yeah yeah, that's why nobody wants to go karaoke with you," Ichigo countered, his voice still as apathetic as usual.
Keigo jumped back with an exaggerated gasp and pointed at Ichigo, "How can you!" There were even more tears now. "Is that why you guys always leave me out of your karaoke sessions because you think I can't sing!"
The pointless talk shot back and forth between the two of them, Keigo always with his theatrical responses and Ichigo always replying with his blunt and blasé tone.
Rukia smiled at the inanity of it all.
It was wonderful to be back.
- YL -
More notes: The song here is "Think of Me", and none of the lyrics has been changed for this particular scene, since there is no need to. This song is dedicated to... Ichigo and Rukia after Chapter 181. : )
Hah. I hope you didn't think this was AU. Nah... there would have been TOO much unexplainable OCC if it's AU. For one, would you imagine any of them being in an opera house? O.o And I don't want to change the story too much cos there will be too many things that none of them would do in a normal setting, and I really wanted to keep the story so that they could sing all their songs. I'm currently obsessed about the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack.
I actually thought about doing AU by using Soul Society as the players for my story, but the thought of Byakuya singing kind of cracked me up... so I decided not to.
Thanks for reading my insanity!