Gre-at. –takes off fire-rat haori—Well, I was expecting flames for this, but none so far. Wow. Questions shall be answered somewhat in this chapter, and review responses at the end.
No evil dictator this time, but I am practicing for my (very) amateur production of Phantom of the Opera. I'm playing Erik/The Phantom, so don't be disturbed if I mention switching between soprano and tenor parts.
Speaking of switching, the POV of this chapter may jump around a bit. I will specify who's thinking what, though, so don't fear.
:Kikyo:
As soon as the curtain came up without Tsubaki-dono, I had a feeling it would be a success. Kagome-chan was lovely, but the final aria clinched it.
Her voice soared through the music, hitting each note perfectly, as only he could teach.
I knew he was listening.
Whether he was in his Box or deep beneath the Opera House, hearing through vents, he would be there.
"Bravo!"
To my slight concern (for his sanity), I saw the young Viscount stand up in his Box, cheer loudly, and walk right out.
I also hoped Kagome-chan didn't actually notice him. Not only would it be terribly distracting, but disheartening. At least, that is the way it would be for any ballerina. I wouldn't know much about the art of singing, I have always been a dancer.
I suppose she didn't, for she continued, and finished the aria in triumph.
:Hojo:
I can't believe it! Kagome-san, at the Opera House! How fantastic! She sounded so great, too! I walked up to the managers, who were congratulating each other on their success.
"Fushigi-sama! Kaitou-sama!" I called.
"Ah, the Viscount!" Naraku-san beamed at me. "Glad to see you here on our day of triumph! Do you wish to see our little starlet, then?"
I smiled knowingly. "If you don't mind, gentlemen, this is one visit I would prefer to make on my own."
As I walked away, I overheard Onigumo-san say "It appears they know each other."
Know each other? Ah, Kagome-san!
I tapped a dancer on the shoulder. She squealed. "The Viscount!"
"Excuse me miss, but could you inform me of the way to Miss Higurashi's dressing room?"
:Sango:
The Count de Chagny! Really! What an impertinent lecher that man is! Groped me twice in the hallway, ugh. I wish he were as kind as his younger brother. Poor dear, I saw him asking the dancers in the foyer something. He'll never get any information out of them. Unless it happens to be the location of their dressing room…and a lot of brandy.
I peered around a corner into the little Opera church.
As I suspected, a candle was burning beside a small picture of Higurashi Makoto-san. The one who had lit it sat beside the portrait and candle, with her skirts bunched up.
"Kagome-chan!" I ran over. "Where in the world have you been hiding? You were perfect tonight!"
Kagome-chan blushed and looked down. "Honestly, Sango-chan."
I tilted my head. "I just wish I knew your secret."
"Sango-chan, when I was little my father used to tell me stories." Kagome-chan whispered secretively. "He always said that when he was in heaven, he would send the Angel of Music to me."
I frowned. What is she talking about? "Kagome, you're talking in riddles. That isn't like you at all. Come on, your hands are cold! You should go back to your dressing room."
:Kagome:
Sango-chan forcibly led me out of the room, dragging me back to the dressing room. "He's with me even now!" I insisted.
"Your hands are cold." Sango-chan said brusquely. "Being in that room is making you ill."
I let out a small breath. I thought she'd understand…I guess I was wrong.
"Angel of Music, hide no longer, secret and strange angel…" I sang quietly.
Sango-chan gave me an odd look. "Your face is white, Kagome-chan. Really, you mustn't tax yourself after a performance like that!"
"But-" My protests were cut off as she thrust me into my dressing room.
:Kikyo:
"His skin is as yellow as parchment!"
A series of the more mentally bereft ballet tarts burst into giggles and mock screams. Sango slipped in silently. I gestured to my daughter to go to an unoccupied section of the large dancer's dressing room.
"A black hole serves as the nose that never grew!" Mushin-san, the stagehand, smirked as he continued his ridiculous and cruel narrative.
"Is he on about the Opera Ghost again, Okaa-san?" Sango whispered.
I waved my hand towards the back again. "Yes, but you needn't concern yourself." I led her towards the deserted part of the room.
"You must be careful, or he shall catch you with his magical lasso!" Mushin grabbed a scantily clad corps-de-ballerina by the wrist. Much giggling and fake screeching on the dancer's part ensued.
If there is one thing I cannot stand, it is people who think there is only one side to a story.
I gave Mushin-san a death glare. "Those who speak of what they know…will often find that prudent silence is best." I wrenched the dancer out of his grip and stared Mushin-san down. "Good sir Mushin, hold your tongue!" I slapped him scross the face, and there was a collective gasp at the resounding smack.
I raised an eyebrow at the stagehand. "Keep your hand at the level of your eyes!"
With that, I left the room.
:Kagome:
I marveled at the virtual sea of flowers in my dressing room. "There are so many!"
I heard a soft knock at the door. I stood up and opened it. Kikyo stood before me, as usual wearing her old taffeta shawl, her hair kept neatly behind her.
"Oh, um, please come in!" I blurted nervously, stepping aside.
Kikyo smiled at me, her mysterious smile. The one that meant she knew something that you didn't. "Thank you, my dear."
She handed me a rose.
"He is pleased with you."
She left, as usual, leaving confusion in her wake.
The rose was lovely. Scarlet in color, it's in full bloom. There is a black ribbon tied around the stem. I fingered the ribbon thoughtfully.
I put the rose down next to one of my smaller mirrors, the one that I keep on a desk to check my make-up.
"Little Lotte thought of everything and nothing."
I spun around at the familiar voice. "Hojo-kun!"
There he was, standing in the door way. My old red-haired playmate! Only, he was quite a bit older now…
I ran over and hugged him. "It's been such a long time!"
He beamed. "I'm very happy you remember me, Kagome-, Kagome-san." He quickly corrected himself.
How strange…why would Hojo-kun want to address me without an honorific? And san? A rather distant suffix for an old friend.
I smiled, nevertheless. "Remember those picnics in the attic?"
"And when I rescued your scarf!" He said proudly.
I laughed. "And Otou-san's stories?"
Hojo-kun nodded, seemingly lost in nostalgia. "You always did like the stories about the Angel of Music best."
Then it occurred to me. Sango-chan hadn't believed me….but perhaps Hojo-kun would! He had heard the tales almost as often as me!
"Hojo-kun," I began seriously, "you remember the story of the Angel of Music?"
"How could I forget?" he beamed again. "You would always ask for that one, Kagome-san."
"Well, when Otou-san was dying-" I sniffled, and Hojo-kun put a comforting hand on my shoulder, "-he promised me that he would send me the Angel of Music. Well, Hojo-kun, my father is in Heaven, and I have been visited by the Angel of Music."
Hojo-kun gave a light smile. "Oh, no doubt of it! Only an Angel could have helped you sing as you did tonight!"
My temper flared. "What is that supposed to mean, de Chagny? Was my singing so awful before?"
Hojo-kun deflated. "No, no of course not Kagome-san!"
I sunk into my chair. "You don't believe me."
"Well, really, Kagome-san, you don't need such childish pranks to get me to stay!"
I blinked. "Sorry, what do mean, Hojo-kun?"
"Why don't you meet me for dinner?" Hojo-kun more stated than asked. "I'm sure you can finish dressing in ten minutes."
I sprung up. "No, Hojo-kun, the Angel of Music is very strict!"
He laughed. "Don't worry, I won't keep you out late!"
"I can't, Hojo-kun!"
The door shut with a click. I sunk into my seat and groaned.
:Opera Ghost:
As the light-headed Viscount de Chagny cheerfully pranced down the hallway, he completely disregarded the singer's warnings.
What a complete moron!
Anyone who bothered to look behind would have seen a black-gloved hand quietly slip out and turn the key on Higurashi Kagome.
No one was left in the theater besides Kagome and I.
The wind picked up. It whistled through my Opera House, ruffling curtains, and slowly putting out all the gas lamps.
Kagome stood up, and attempted to open the door. She discovered it was locked, and groaned.
She's a smart girl. She knows why the door will not open.
"Insolent boy, this slave of fashion! Basking in your glory!"
Her head jerked up at my voice.
"Ignorant fool! This brave young suitor! Sharing in my triumph!"
As I supposed she would never cease to do, Kagome looked around the room in vain, searching for the source of my voice. As always, she despaired. "Angel of Music, speak, I listen, stay by my side, guide me!" she sang. "Angel, my soul was weak, forgive me, enter at last, master."
Inspiration struck."Flattering child, you shall know me. See why in shadow I hide. Look at your face in the mirror, I am there, inside!"
:Kagome:
As I continued to sing songs in his praise, the room seemed almost to fill with smoke.
I- I saw my reflection in the mirror, but I seemed almost to see someone else as well…The mirror nearly melted away…
:Opera Ghost:
As she came to the mirror, I held out a gloved hand. "I am your Angel of Music…come to me Angel of Music…"
:Hojo:
The door wouldn't open! "Kagome! Kagome!" I shouted, throwing myself against the door.
"I am your Angel of Music…come to me Angel of Music…"
"Who is that voice!"
:Opera Ghost:
"I am your Angel of Music…Come to me Angel of Music…"
She placed her hand in mine.
I tightened my grip.
A/N: Well! Insolent boy, that slave of fashion! Basking in her glory! Ignorant fool, that silly Hojo, sharing in His triumph!
Forgive me, it's just that those words are so terribly apt…
That song is currently playing….
Lol, I've sung this so much….
Shut it, Victoria.
Review Responses
kinokokichigai: Miroku! Lol, that made me die laughing! Yes, the narrator was quite clear, wasn't it? Lol…
: Thanks! And now you know who Raoul is….I kept almost typing "Raoul-kun". Scary, eh?
SilverShadowKitsune: Very good! Cool about your band! Honestly, I'm doing my own production of Phantom….with me playing the Phantom. Flying-Cesia (my friend who's playing Madame Giry), is mad because I can do the Phantom's tenor and Christine's soparano. –sings to Music of the Night—Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind!
Rainbow: I'm glad you didn't view the Qwerty's as a total waste of space! Once I upload this, I'll try dividers, thanks!
Kagome1514: Thanks! Eheh, I'm kinda a soprano with the capabilitiy of impersonating a tenor…sings along to Music of the Night- You alone can make my song take flight…help me make the music of the night! –begins talking normally again—My CD is the Emmy Rossum and Gerard Butler version, er that is, the 2004 movie soundtrack. I was reading Tasukete for a while, and then I got cut off the net for a while. Then when I got back on, I was like "Whoa, so many chapters!" I'm trying to get up to speed, but I still haven't reached the latest chapter…sweatdrops—
Maia-Toisho: Thank you!
gags at All I Ask of YouEr, I mean, thanks to my awesome muses!
Ishtar: You're welcome! grins evilly
Kaye: rolls her eyesYou kidnapped me and forced me to appear in this fanfiction A/N...I'm supposed to be grateful?
Kaye, don't cross me.
Kaye: You and what army?
whistles innocentlyOhhhhhh Rath Roiben Rye! Please threaten your girlfriend with a sword!
Roiben: appears out of nowhere and presses swordpoint to Kaye's neck
Kaye: Why I oughtta...How'd you know, bitch!
I read Tithe. On that note, please review!
And no thanks to Christine DuBois, the Anti-Muse.
C DB: gasps in horrorBut mad-moy-sell, I didn't do anything!
It's her fault this chapter was delayed.
C DB: You blame me for everything! It's terribly unfair!
Excuses, excuses...whispers to readersWhat a ditz...
Now review!