Disclaimer: Shamanic Princess doesn't belong to me and neither does the Phantom of the Opera. Just doing this for fun so please don't sue me. ^_^

Chapter 2

Kagetsu sat on one of the chairs in Box 1 and waited for the opera to begin. Debienne joined him in the box a couple of minutes before the curtains opened.

"Your Grace, I'm so glad you made it," the older man said as he sat down next to Kagetsu.

"I believe I've already told you that I was looking forward to tonight's performance," he answered coolly. Kagetsu again noticed the man's odd behavior and wondered why he was so nervous.

"Debienne, is something the matter?" he asked, losing his patience. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

The other man shook his head quickly. "No … no, your Grace, everything's fine." Debienne paused to clear his throat. "Well actually … there is this one thing. Uh … you see, Miss Lena won't be performing this evening as you had hoped."

"Why is that?"

"Well … uh … she became ill all of a sudden, so another singer will be taking her place. But I assure you, Tiara is a good singer and will give you a performance as wonderful as Lena would."

Kagetsu's eyes widened at the mention of Tiara's name. 'No, it couldn't be,' he thought to himself. Out loud he said, "Did you say Tiara?"

"Yes, your Grace. She's one of the …"

But Kagetsu had stopped listening to him as he focused his attention on the curtains that slowly opened to reveal the stage. He waited for the familiar face to appear. A few minutes later, he felt his heart skip a beat as an orange-haired angel walked on stage and mesmerized the audience with her voice.

'It's her!' Kagetsu exclaimed silently. 'She's more beautiful than I remembered.'

When the opera was done, the audience stood up to give Tiara and the other performers a standing ovation. Debienne too was clapping his hands madly and looked at the Viscount with a surprised expression.

"My gosh, have you ever heard a voice so magnificent," the older man said in awe. "I never knew she had that kind of talent."

Kagetsu frowned at the man. "Didn't you tell me earlier that she was a good singer and can give a performance as well as Lena?"

Debienne realized his mistake and faltered. "Well … I … uh … what I meant was …"

Kagetsu cut him off. "Never mind. Show me to Tiara's dressing room. I wish to speak with her."

"Of course, your Grace. This way please."

As the two men approached the back stage, Kagetsu caught a glimpse of Tiara and saw that she was pale. Before anyone knew what happened, Tiara all of a sudden fainted and fell to the floor. Everyone around her cried out in concern as Kagetsu rushed to her side.

He knelt beside her and shouted, "Somebody get the doctor!" He lifted her up and looked at the lavender-haired girl hovering over Tiara. She was frantically calling out Tiara's name.

"You there," he demanded of the girl. "Lead me to her dressing room quickly."

Sara looked at the man and told him to follow her. Once inside the room, Kagetsu laid her on the couch and made room for the doctor as he knelt to check on Tiara.

"She's fine," the doctor announced. "She probably fainted from exhaustion." He gently tapped Tiara's cheek and called her name softly.

The girl slowly opened her eyes and realized that she was back in her dressing room. She then noticed that the doctor was in there with her.

"Doctor, what are you doing here?" she asked. "How did I get to my room?"
Before the doctor could answer, Sara threw herself on Tiara and gave her a hug. "Oh, I'm so glad you're alright. I was so worried. Don't you remember? You fainted backstage. This kind gentleman carried you here." Sara gestured to the fourth person in the room.

Tiara stopped breathing for a moment when she saw the tall young man. Their eyes locked and deep inside she wondered if she was just imagining him standing there. She had dreamed of this moment for years. Tiara was about to call out his name when she felt another presence in the room.

'No,' she thought in fear and frustration. 'Not now.'

"Tiara," Kagetsu said softly. "How are you feeling? It's been so long … I can't believe …"

"Thank you kind sir," Tiara interjected suddenly and sat up. "It was nice of you to bring me to my room, but I believe I have yet to make your acquaintance."

Kagetsu stared at her in disbelief. 'She doesn't remember me,' he said to himself.

Tiara saw the hurt in his eyes, but knew that she had to lie and to quickly get them out of the room. She pretended to have a headache and asked if they could all leave so she can rest. She waited a few minutes after the door closed before calling out.

"Graham, I know you're here. You might as well come out." Tiara sat in front of her mirror and began to remove the pins in her hair. She heard movements from the shadows before she saw the reflection of a cloaked figure from the corner of her mirror. He was still have hidden, but she recognized his white hair and the always present mask on his face.

******

After debating with himself, Kagetsu decided to try and talk to Tiara again. He retraced his steps and was about to knock on her door when he heard Tiara talking with another man.

"… mustn't do that again'" Tiara was saying.

"I did it for you. You know I love you," said the man. There was a brief pause before the man continued to speak more softly. "When will you say that you love me?"

"How can you ask me that?" she replied in a small voice. "You saw my performance. I poured out my soul for you tonight. "

Kagetsu slowly withdrew his hand and backed away. Jealousy and rage swelled within him, but it was overshadowed by the pain he felt as his heart seemed to break into a million pieces. Lost in his misery, Kagetsu walked over to a hidden doorway to hide and catch a glimpse of the man Tiara was talking with. He did not know how long her stood there, but the door to her room soon opened. Tiara stepped out by herself and left. Kagetsu waited for the man to follow suit, but no on else came out. The Viscount left his hiding place and entered the dressing room.

"I know you're in here," he called out into the room. "I heard you talking with her."

He looked around, but found no one. Kagetsu shook his head in confusion. "I could have sworn …"

He gave the room one last sweep with his eyes before closing the door. On his way out the building Kagetsu made a vow to do whatever it takes to win back Tiara.

Author's notes: Well, what do you all think so far? I hope you like it. Don't worry, things will pick up in later chapters. Don't forget to review . ^_^