On another note, the beginning of this chapter owes a good deal to Leroux.
:Kagome:
The wind whipped wildly at my hair and dress. I smiled. The sun was setting in a beautiful burst of orange and red.
Everything was had been going splendidly since I agreed to let Hojo-kun court me. Perhaps it had been the right thing to do after all.
Still...
The smile slipped off my face as I remembered Inuyasha. What on earth had happened to him? Down in the cellars he had been sarcastic, cocky, in a way, and...suave, almost. The man who hung Mushin-san had behaved like a deranged murderer. Maybe Inuyasha had some sort of personality disorder? Why was I referring to him without an honorific, anyway?
I groaned, and clutched my head. This was really confusing me.
I was supposed to be madly in love with Hojo-kun. Everyone said so, and everyone could not be completely wrong. Yet they were, partly. I knew that Hojo-kun was the perfect man, the perfect as Sango-chan and the other ballet rats would say. He was good looking, charming, polite, noble, rich and in love with me. When I really think about it like that, it sounds like there should be no problems. But, I hated to admit it, but I wanted something more. The problem with Hojo-kun was, he was too obvious, too blunt, too...plain. I knew everything about him, and he bored me. If I was to marry, I wanted someone with mystery and adventure. One might almost say, a dangerous man. Above all things, I wanted someone who loved music like I did. Someone like...well, someone like Inuyasha.
I sighed. That was indeed, my problem in a nutshell. I was supposed to want the rich handsome hero, not the outcast! Inuyasha was a murderer. How could I stay committed to a killer?
Hojo-kun startled me out of my reverie.
I turned around to look at him. Suppose I did marry Inuyasha. What kind of life would we have? How would I eat? Would I ever see Kikyo and Sango-chan again?
Hojo-kun was standing on one knee, now. He opened his hand. A sapphire studded ring was in his hand. Kagome-chan, will you marry me?
There was no life for me and Inuyasha.
Yes, Hojo-kun.
:Hojo:
From the time when I proposed to Kagome-chan, life became blessedly easy. I was quite worried about her. All those superstitions could not be good for her health! Nevertheless, once we were engaged, she seemed much more relaxed. She agrees now that there is no Phantom of the Opera, and that Mushin-san's death was a tragic accident, and nothing more. I visit as frequently as possible, and whenever I visit, she takes me exploring. Of course, we never leave the Opera House, a fact which I found quite strange, but have decided to dismiss as a mere eccentricity.
I found that the Opera was quite fascinating, far more than I had ever dreamed. Kagome-san has had years to study it, and seems to know every nook and cranny of the place. Each time I see something new, whether it be place or person. Just yesterday we came across Fukuru Sango-san, a ballet girl who curtsied quite prettily and seemed to know Kagome-chan quite well. Then, as I was leaving, I happened upon my older brother, and I greeted him. It seems he's up to his old tricks again, this time with Fukuru-san as the bait. I told Miroku that there was absolutely no need to be so lecherous as he was accustomed to being with the highborn ladies. I am sure Fukuru-san would jump at the chance of being connected to the de Chagny wealth. I pointed out.
My brother shivered. Please. There is one Fukuru-san and one Sango-chan. Do not confuse them, as I have no intention of being associated with Kikyo-dono romantically.
When I asked politely who Kikyo-jo was, he responded, Sango-chan's mother. The ballet mistress, to be avoided with more care than the Phantom himself.
I laughed. Please, Miroku. Do not tell me that you too have fallen into this trap of moral superstition!
He raised an eyebrow. Have a care, Hojo. I believe that there is more to this Phantom than meets the eye. If I were you, I should be very careful in my dealings with Kagome-san.
I frowned. What has Kagome to do with him?
Miroku gripped my shoulder. Hojo! Watch your step! You are blind if you have not noticed how the Opera Ghost's letters favour her. There is something decidedly odd going on between Kikyo-dono, the Phantom, and her adopted daughter. Steer clear of all of them if you wish to remain without a noose around your neck!
Kagome-chan is my fiancee. I said coldly.
Do not let love for the opera wench close your eyes to the Phantom! If you steal away the object of his affection it may very well mean your death, little brother!
I shook my head. Sango-san has deluded you into thinking this thing exists. The Phantom of the Opera is nothing but a legend!
:Inuyasha:
I glanced up at the ceiling. I wonder how things are going with Kagome and the wimp? I shook my head to clear my mind of such thoughts. It must be finished first! I said aloud. Quite finished!
:Kagome:- THREE MONTHS SINCE CHAPTER SIX
It was the night of the New Year's Masquerade at the Opera House. How the Masquerade had come to be situated in the Opera I had yet to understand. Nevertheless, Hojo-kun had promised to meet me at the stairs. I wore a black gown, dressed as Shadow.
I was very nervous.
I should not have been. It had been three months since Raoul had tried to kiss me on the roof, and nothing had happened. No murders, no salary for Inuyasha, no nothing.
No lessons...
That part made me sad, which led me to wonder, what would happen if I married Hojo-kun? That meant no lessons ever again.
Hojo-kun tapped me on the shoulder.
I smiled at him. What was I doing, thinking about the Phantom at a time like this? Think of it, a secret engagement. I said jokingly. Look, your future bride.
Hojo-kun frowned, like he had when I first told him it must be a secret. But why is it secret? What have we to hide? You promised me- He leaned down.
No please- I ducked away.
It's an engagement, not a crime! he insisted.
Hojo-kun, you know I do not like being kissed. I lied. The truth was, I did not like being kissed by him. But I couldn't tell him that. I had my own problems to deal with, and I had to resolve them before the wedding.
Let's not argue. he decided.
Please pretend... I pleaded.
I can only hope that I will understand in time. He said with a sigh as we entered the great hall. He swept me up into a waltz. I tried not to fidget in his arms. This was so confusing...was I doing the right thing? Loud cheery music swung through the halls, distracting me with its strange cheerfulness.
Masquerade! Paper faces on parade, masquerade! Hide your face so the world will never find you! Masquerade! Every face a different shade, masquerade! Look around, there's another mask behind you! Masquerade! Buring glances, turning heads, masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you! Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds, masquerade! Take your fill, let the spectacle-
The singing and dancing suddenly ground to a halt. I blinked. What had happened? In front of me, Hojo-kun's eyes grew so large I was certain they were about to pop out of his head. I heard a woman scream, as I slowly turned around and discovered what the reason for the frozen moment was.
Him.
At the top of the grand flight of stairs stood the figure of Inuyasha. I barely recognised him. His ears were hidden, likely pinned down. His hair was still tied back, but his mask had changed. It was now the shade of rotten skulls, a tan/brown. It was designed to look like a rotted deformed skull, twisted at parts. His evening wear was now a deep crimson red, nearly the color of blood. However, the collar was embroidered with gold, and the cravat was still white. There was a sword sheathed at his side. Inuyasha was Red Death.
He smirked, and began to walk down the stairs. Why so silent, good messieurs? Did you think that I had left you for good? He glanced at Fushigi-sama and Kaitou-sama, who were gaping at him. Did you miss me, good messieurs, I have written you an opera! Here I bring the finished score- Don Juan Triumphant! He dropped a stack of papers at their feet. Kaitou-sama nervously picked them up.
Inuyasha's gaze glanced over us who actually lived here. Fondest greetings to you all- a few instructions just before rehearsal starts.
To my horror, I felt the reassuring presence of Hojo-kun behind me vanish. He had left me here! I whispered.
Meanwhile, Inuyasha continued his speech in song. Tsubaki must be taught to act, not her normal trick of strutting round the stage.
Tsubaki-dono, clad in a spare costume from an opera set in Arabia, spluttered in disbelief.
Our Don Juan must lose some weight, it's not healthy in a man of Manten's age.
Tsunderu Manten-san, Tsubaki-dono's second husband and, oddly enough, current lead bass, stared at the considerably thinner Inuyasha. Ignoring him, the Phantom turned back to the directors. And my managers must learn that their place in in an office- not the arts.
He turned and looked down the stairs, to where I was (and Hojo-kun wasn't). As for our star, Higurashi-san...
I swallowed hard, trying not to look at him. This man kills! I told myself. He is not who you think he is!
No doubt she'll do her best, it's true her voice is good, she knows that- Should she wish to excel, she has much still to learn, if pride would let her return to me- her teacher!
I looked up. So it was true.
Her teacher...
Now I knew why I kept thinking of him. I could not not think of him. I was the Phantom's- Inuyasha's protégé. I took a step toward him. Somehow, he was right in front of me now. I could never marry Hojo-kun. Ever.
Inuyasha's gaze dropped to the sapphire studded ring hanging around my neck. Oh no. Hojo-kun's ring...
Your chains are still mine- You belong to me!
With a swift motion he broke the chain around my neck and disappeared through a trap door that had not been there before.
Hojo-kun dashed out of nowhere and jumped in after him.
Hojo-kun, don't! I screamed.
A/N: This was a problematic chapter, but life isn't easy. Please, please tell me if I screwed something up or someone is OOC, because I am sick, and in no way a proper judge.
((From the background)) FOREST SPIRIT! WE GIVE YOU BACK YOUR HEAD!
Er, sorry, my brother has become addicted to my Princess Mononoke DVD. Kinda weird, isn't it?
Once I almost typed Christine, and about five times I had to delete Raoul.
For those unfamiliar with Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera, and who are curious about Miroku's character, Miroku is based on the Comte Phillipe de Chagny, Raoul's older brother. Phillipe is less of a wimp, and more of a ladies man than his little brother. Weirdly enough, Phillipe actually has a group of fangirls.
Okay, so next chapter we discover Inuyasha's orgins, and I prove that I am not bashing Kikyo in this story.
Ahem. I have decided on the project I will be working on after I finish this. Hint: The title is Hiraikotsu-hime, and it stars Miroku and Sango, my first work of that kind. I am going to try to write a whole Miroku/Sango fic. However, Inuyasha/Kagome fans will enjoy (Hey, I am still the authoress!). Also features good roles for Sesshomaru and, strangely enough, Izayoi, who is a full demon in it. What else...Oh yes! Kikyo once again has a large role. She isn't exactly evil, and she isn't exactly good, but very few characters are in this story.
What happened? There are less reviews. Where are the people like Kagome1514 and SilverShadowKitsune, and all of you other people who haven't reviewed in a while? Did I scare you off? (goes teary eyed)
I really appreciate reviews!
Hawk Chic: Thank you for reviewing so many times! I'm glad you like the story!
Bloodied Angel: : Hooray, someone who also feels it is obvious!
Read 'Drabbles With Demons; by Chandelier-sama! It is really me under another name!
I MISS ALL OF YOUR REVIEWS! PLEASE REVIEW! I refuse to update unless those of you who are "forgetting" to review (I've done it myself, sometimes) actually review. You don't have to say a lot, just a word is even okay! Just let me know somebody is reading this!