DH AN: Alright, I'm back with a very late anniversary chapter of ASR. Please enjoy Chapter Ten: The Masked Musician. Phantom references await. And Thanks to Crystal Rose of Pollux for the ideas. Some of her timeline and ideas will be used throughout this story.

Chapter Ten: The Masked Musician

Mhera was woken early with a very rough mental nudge from Nazuna. The dragon's voice filled her mind. "We should get going if we want to be there by nightfall."

"She is right" Seth's voice cut in. "But you will need help. Keep your hand at the level of your eyes."

Mhera was so sleep deprived that she did not comprehend what was said, and within three seconds she was quickly noosed by, to her horror and surprise, a Punjab lasso. But strangely, the noose started to loosen rather than tighten as time passed.

A deep voice then found her ear. "You were warned to keep your hand at the level of your eyes, were you not?" Mhera was almost tripped as the noose slid under her feet to its wielder. She turned to glance behind, and saw a man dressed in a night black ensemble complete with a midnight black suit, a cloak of the same color, and black leather gloves that looked soft to the touch. But the two characteristics that would have frightened her also intrigued her as well; although not enough that she would remove the white half-mask from the face that held longing deep green eyes. The masked man waited for an answer.

Mhera softly responded to the musician, "Yes, that is what I was told, but-"

She was cut off when the masked man spoke, a melody hidden in his voice. "Mademoiselle, I have watched your family for years; do you really think I would not know your 'I was tired and or not thinking' excuse? Have you not been taught to be prepared for anything?"

"Yes, but not for an oncoming Punjab lasso, though." She eyed him curiously. "Who are you, anyway?"

The man's voice was soft and slightly self convicting, "I have been under many names, mademoiselle; Opera Ghost, The Phantom of the Opera, Angel of Music; you may call me what you wish." He hung his head slightly.

"May I just call you by your title, Monsieur?" Mhera asked

The masked man was a bit surprised at this, but he relented, "It satisfies." The Masked Musician sighed softly. "I am here to assist you should you need it, Mademoiselle Ishtar."

Now, Mhera was surprised; her surname was rarely used in conversation. The masked musician's voice brought her out of her reverie. And she finally realized, she had seen the Masked Musician before, on a roof about two weeks earlier.

Flashback

"I had no idea…" Mhera's own voice trailed off, as she now saw The Phantom on her left. She knew she had a slight look of disbelief on her face.

"You don't seem as worried by my appearance as your father was… strange. He tells you the truth, my dear."

Is he a Guardian Angel? If so, my father and I have probably been a handful…

"Well, I am an Angel of Music, mademoiselle; why can't I be a guardian angel as well?"

The Phantom faded from her sight.

End of Flashback

"We should get going, no?" He asked. Mhera didn't answer, still in a minute state of shock. "Why was I charged to look after this family?" the Musician muttered under his breath.

Mhera finally found her voice after a few minutes. "Monsieur?" She asked quietly, almost mentally taking a step backward as the Masked Musician turned his gaze on her. At the same time her mind went back to different circumstances, ones which were in an office rather than a cave, and her father's impressing gaze in place of the musician's equally impressive one.

The odd thing was both gazers in question had their similarities; though if she ever got a note from the O.G., she would be scared stiff, and his secret passages were no doubt more elaborate than those of the R.H., yet instead of keeping an eye out for wall-switches, she'd be watching for the master strokes of the trapdoor lover.

The Musician lowered his gaze, "Yes, what is it you want?"

"What did you- How long have you-" Mhera was stuck in a question that she couldn't quite word accurately.

The Musician smiled slightly. "Let's go and I'll answer on the way. It's a long story. Are we agreed?" He held out his hand, but Mhera wasn't sure whether it was there or not, and she hesitated before taking the chance.

"Agreed." She stated simply and quickly plunged her hand into his, and, she was right, the gloves were soft to the touch.

DH: Alright, there will be a time skip or reverse, as I will jump to Seto and Serenity. You may remember I mentioned the Viscount in Chapter Nine, and you wonder where he comes in. The answer is next chapter. There were very obvious Phantom references here, and one Leroux Phantom reference. Please review.