Disclaimer: Shamanic Princess doesn't belong to me and neither does Phantom of the Opera.

Chapter 5

Tiara exited the church and lifted her face to the warm sunlight streaming down on her. She stood still for a minute before continuing her walk along Perros' sidewalks. Her lips curved into a sad smile as she watched the children play without a care in the world.

'Everything had been so simple before,' Tiara mused to herself. 'When did they become so complicated?'

Kagetsu's face flashed in her mind and Tiara's smile became wistful. She remembered the boy who swam off to sea for her scarf. And how she had lost her heart to that single act of kindness. Every summer after that, Tiara had patiently hoped for Kagetsu to visit Perros again and finally got her wish on the third year.

*Flashback*

At eighteen years of age, Kagetsu had grown into a handsome young man. And it was not difficult for Tiara to see that he too had found her attractive at fifteen.

She blushed at the admiration shining in his eyes as they walked along the beach. Tiara nervously cleared her throat and asked what he had been doing the pass three years.

"I've been studying abroad," he answered. "I haven't quite finished yet, but it won't be long. And what about you?"

"Me? Oh, nothing. Father's been giving me more music lessons. I've decided to sing for the opera."

"Well then, I'm sure you'll be the best singer anyone has ever heard. May I have the first autograph of the famous Miss Tiara?"

Tiara playfully hit his arm and giggle. "I'm not a singer yet, silly."

Kagetsu caught her hand and smiled down at her. "Come on, I wish for you to see something."

He led her up a cliff and pointed to a sea vessel anchored at the port.

"See that ship with the white and blue flag?" At Tiara's nod, Kagetsu beamed proudly at her. "That's the Nightingale. My very own ship. I've convinced Father to let me have her, after all, a Viscount can't very well travel around the world without is own ship."

"A Viscount?" exclaimed Tiara in surprise.

Kagetsu rubbed the back of his neck and gave a small chuckle. "Ah … yeah … did I forget to mention that I received my title a few months back?"

"I never realized that … I mean, you've never hinted at being …"

"Wealthy?" he finished for her when she hesitated. "I didn't think there was any need to. You're not going to let this change what's between us, are you?"

Kagetsu panicked the second he realized what he had said. He never meant to blurt out his feeling just like that. "I mean … not 'us' us … not that I don't want to, but … what I'm saying is …"

His speech was interrupted as an elegantly dressed man cleared his throat. Tiara turned to the stranger and stepped away from Kagetsu.

"Father," Kagetsu call out in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"Checking up on my boy, of course," the man said. "I wanted to see why you're so adamant about returning to Perros."

Tiara lowered her gaze as Kagetsu's father eyed her sharply. If she had known his family's status, she would have worn her best gown instead of the dull gray dress she had on at that moment.

"Come along Kagetsu," his father ordered. "I wish to discuss a private matter with you."

"Father, I'd like you to meet …"

"I said come along. Quit dallying. There are more important business to attend to."

Kagetsu said a quiet goodbye to her and Tiara watched him walk away. His father waited for him before giving Tiara a final scowl.

The next afternoon, Tiara was reading a book in the garden when she heard footsteps approaching. She looked up and smiled broadly at Kagetsu.

"Your father said I'd find you here," Kagetsu said.

"So, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Listen, Tiara," he began solemnly. "Singing isn't everything for you, is it?"

Tiara gave him a puzzled frown. "What are you saying? Aside from my father, singing is the most precious thing to me."

"But don't you want more out of life?"

"Yes, but …"

"Then come to London. I can arrange for a Grand Duchess to sponsor you for the Season and you can have a proper debut into Polite Society."

"Why would I want that?"

Kagetsu raked his black hair in frustration. "Don't you see? It's the only way that I can … Please Tiara, take my offer. I promise everything will work out. Then we can be …"

"No," she interjected softly. "I will not leave my father or my dreams."

He stared at her in disbelief. "What? You mean to say, you'd rather stay here, in this provincial life, than take what I'm offering you?!"

Tiara remained silent, not quite sure what this whole conversation was about. She sensed that she may have said the wrong words, but did not know how to continue.

"Fine," Kagetsu said coldly, taking her silence as an affirmative. "Have it your way then." Kagetsu walked away without looking back.

*End flashback*

Tiara shook her head slightly as tears threatened to spill from the memories. She had cried endless nights after that day, knowing she had lost her only love. She thought her feelings for Kagetsu had faded, but the seed of hope she nourished inside her all these years had reawakened her love for him the second she saw him in her dressing room. But with Graham in the picture, the situation had taken a complicated turn.

Tiara opened the door to the Inn she was staying at and began to climb the stairs.

"Thank you for choosing Inn of the Setting Sun for your stay, your Grace," the innkeeper said.

"I knew the previous owner and had always stayed here whenever my ship docked in this town."

Tiara froze at the familiar sound of the voice. She turned her head at the dark man below and held her breath as he slowly turned around. The man approached the stairs and stopped in his tracks as his eyes caught hers.

"Tiara …"

"Kagetsu …"

Author's notes: Well, what do you all think? Hope you enjoyed that. I have also started e-mailing readers on my other fanfics so if you're reading this story and I don't have your e-mail, just leave one on the review. Until next time.