Fluffys-sidekick: Ironic of you to bring the music up! This story is meant to be fallen along with the music. Which means, in order to get the true feelings and emotions of this story, whenever there is music, you guys should listen to it.
FOR THIS CHAPTER I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU PEOPLE TO LISTEN TO "LITTLE LOTTE…/ THE MIRROR" AND "PHANTOM OF THE OPERA"! HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT. FIND EITHER SONGS AND LISTEN TO THEM IN THE BACKROUND AS YOU READ THIS STORY!
OKAY! On with my favourite part of the story! FINALLY! SOMETHING OTHER THAN PLOT!
Chapter Seven: The Phantom of the Sennen Ring
Ryou POV
"Go! Shoo!" scolded Jonouchi, as he waved his hands madly about. A pack of fangirls had herded themselves at my dressing room door, brandishing pens and paper at my face. I couldn't help but blush when a particularly excited girl threw me her towel, which had been scrawled, "I LOVE RYOU BAKURA!" on it. At least they weren't throwing panties at me.
"SHOO!" Jonouchi yelled again, as Honda helped push me through the crowd. "HEY! YOU! GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY SISTER!"
On the other end of the long hallway, many boys had crowded about Serenity's dressing room, held at bay by Ootogi's brandishing fists and protective snarls. Maybe I should've stayed at the chapel a bit longer…
By the time Yugi and I had stopped discussing about my Angel, we had reckoned that it would be safe to venture forth back to our dressing rooms, as we had not changed yet. He was still skeptic about my Angel, but I could not but help trail my voice into melody at the mention of him. My Angel…my Angel…
Those two words kept rolling off my tongue in creamy phantasm. My Angel. My Angel. No one else's.
Finally, we had reached my door, and with a dramatic flourish, Honda practically threw me into my room, feigning heroism as he exaggeratedly wiped at his brow, before sending me a wink and closing my door. Giggling, I turned from the door, but was startled when I saw someone already in my room.
Shadi.
There he stood, as usual, emotionless and limp. As he strode forwards, one hand held a single red rose, tied in a neat ribbon by a silken black ribbon. Even in the middle of the black bow, there was embedded a pearl.
Blinking, he glided up towards me, his cerulean eyes staring at me distantly from above, as he raised the thorn-less, lovely rose to my hand. Blinking again, I took it, pressing it to my nose and inhaling its sweet, intoxicating scent.
"From an admirer," Shadi said simply. "Consider it a gift from your Guardian Angel."
At this, my eyes opened wide. "What?" I gasped.
He barely heeded my surprise with a nod. "Your Guardian Angel has requested me to become messenger, and hence, I have given you his gift. He is quite proud, Ryou. Quite."
And without any other further ado, Shadi glided away, almost disappearing through the door.
Blinking my wide eyes, I slowly sat down upon my dressing room chair, holding the rose in my fingers with daze. My Angel…had my Angel truly brought me this wonderful rose, this beautiful, single rose of affection? Was he truly that proud?
As I delicately laid the rose upon my dressing room desk, all the other flowers from other admirers uncountable invisible, a knock came at my door. Blinking, I turned around, watching as the door eased open, and a familiar face peer in.
My heart flew into my throat at the sight my newest newcomer.
"Marik," I whispered breathlessly, a smile spreading across my face. There he was…my childhood friend…
When we had first met, my father accidentally discovering their underground home, we were very young. Barely ten years old, Marik had large, rebellious lavender eyes, beautiful, gold flaxen hair that flew messily into his eyes and spewed over his shoulders. He had been always quite strong, but back then… he was as scrawny as a stick. It was only after his initiation did he act…become…someone different. It wasn't different enough for me to leave him; on the contrary, I had begun to like him more than a friend…After his initiation, his hair shot up in uncontrollable spikes, and he was always frighteningly calm. I had always adored his control over his matters.
He used to protect me….protect me from everything I was afraid of… he was so strong…
And now, as I took a closer look at him, he hardly looked like a once, scrawny rebellious child. Tall, skillfully built, complete with broad chest and firm muscles and biceps, he looked like a god. His hair still shot up towards the heavens in their uncontrollable nature, but they were longer, and a paler shade of gold, reflecting strands of silver among them. His eyes were narrow, stern, mature, and no longer a childish lavender, but a sharp amethyst. I could almost feel my jaw dropping at his transformation.
"Little Ryou, let his mind wander…" Marik sang, a smirk on his face as he closed the door.
"You remember that too…" I said quietly in awe. He continued to smirk, unintentionally making his exotic face all the more alluring. Casually, he strode towards me, singing mockingly, but fondly.
"Little Ryou thought: am I a fonder of dolls…"
I beamed, joining in as he leaned himself against my dresser drawers.
"…or of goblins, or shoes…"
Marik's smirk grew more into a smile as I continued.
"….or of riddles, of frocks…"
Chuckling, Marik gave me a grin, and revealed his hand from behind his back. In his grasp was a large bouquet of flowers, all decoratively arranged in a beautiful assortment. Deep, rich red roses surrounded the outer circle; the inner buds slowly changing shades, from deep crimson to heavenly pink. In the middle, stood, prominently, three, large amethyst desert flowers, the kind that I used to love when I was in Egypt with my father and Marik. He… he had remembered! After all these years!
"Oh, Marik," I breathed, fingering the desert flowers. "Thank you…! They're beautiful!"
Quite frankly, this new bouquet had distracted me from the single, crimson rose that Shaadi had passed onto me.
Marik smirked, looking fondly down upon me as I stuffed my nose in the very middle of the bouquet, breathing deeply. Sweet scents surged my senses and I smiled broadly.
"…Or of chocolates," Marik sang softly. He chuckled, his low voice almost immediately calming my former anxiety. I looked up at him, beaming.
"I can't believe you remembered," I said.
"Did little Ryou forget his scarf in the desert?" Marik teased, fingering my cheek affectionately. He laughed. "Of course I remembered, Ryou. How could I not, after having grains of sand scratched in my eyes and coming home to find you, once crying, then laughing and holding a few, common desert flowers?"
I giggled. "I remember how we used to sit in the cellar…Father playing the violin…"
"As we read to each other dark stories of the Egyptian north…" Marik finished, bending slowly, so that his face was a mere four inches from my own. "You were spectacular tonight, Ryou."
I gave him a modest giggle, and finished the song that my father used to sing to both of us.
"No what I loved best, Ryou said,
is when I'm finally asleep in my bed
and the Angel of Music sings songs in my head…"
Marik smirked and sang with me: "…the Angel of Music sings songs in my head…"
Chuckling lowly, Marik pulled me into a tight embrace, his nose nuzzling my neck. I immediately felt my cheeks turn red, but smiled all the same. When he pulled back, he gave me a soft look.
"Your father was so amusing…how he told us about stories from Europe and how we'd tell him stories from Egypt…"
"Yeah," I sighed, laughing, recalling the memories, "and how he used to jump around excitedly when you showed him the Egyptian myths in the hieroglyphics in your texts…"
Marik chuckled, rolling his eyes. He leaned down towards me again, looking deep into my eyes.
"Isn't it ironic?" he asked. "How that your father's favourite story, your favourite story, about the Phantom of the Opera and the Angel of Music, is now alive?"
I smiled, closing my eyes and looking down. "Yes…I'm sure Father would've been quite excited to see me like this." Marik laughed, running his fingers through my hair. I blushed deeper, opening my eyes and remembering another one of my father's favourite tales.
"And how he told me," I said eagerly, "that when he died, I would be visited by a guardian angel…and that the Millennium Items all had spirits within them…they were so fascinating!"
Marik gave a snort, closing his eyes ruefully. "I suppose. I've never really been a fan of Egyptian mythology, myself."
I nodded understandingly. Marik didn't even want to do anything about the Millennium Items after his initiation. Eventually he had gotten used to the fact he was a Keeper, but he still maintained a cold demeanor whenever the subject was mentioned. As expected, he quickly changed the subject, looking back at me.
"And indeed you have been visited by the angel," he smirked. "Your were wonderful tonight." His amethyst eyes twinkled. "How about a dinner with me tonight?"
I blinked, wishing to say yes, when my gaze fell on the lonely rose on my desk. My heart sank, but not in despair, but in disappointment that I had to break Marik's hope of seeing me further.
"I'm sorry, Marik," I said solemnly. "I can't. I've been visited by my angel. He's very strict and he won't let me go out."
Marik cocked an eyebrow. "Oh really?"
I looked back up at him, immediately noticing the disbelief in his eyes. "Yes, Marik," I said seriously. "He teaches me how to be stronger, how to be more confident, and he won't let me do any leisurely activities in case I get weak again."
"You're not weak," Marik said off-handedly. He turned around, but only after he grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it. I blushed furiously, unable to contain a giggle. He smirked, straightened, and began to head towards the door.
"Two minutes, Little Ryou."
I gasped, frowning. "Marik, wait…I can't---!"
But the door had shut, and Marik was expecting me within two minutes' time.
I sighed inwardly, turning back to my mirror. I looked to my left, where my floor-length mirror was, perched against the masses of gifts from women admirers. But all of them seemed invisible to the single lone rose on my desk, a deep, blood red color and tied with a silk black ribbon. I picked it up, remembering my promise to my phantom.
Suddenly, his low voice filled my room.
"Ryou…do not forget your vow to me…"
I hastily stood up, glancing around for my angel. "I'm sorry, angel," I spoke to the ceiling. "I'm very sorry…"
My Angel…he was speaking to me again! My heart swelled as I listened eagerly for his next words.
"Tell me, Little Ryou. Now that you have gotten your confidence, how does it feel to sing upon the stage, having your loved ones cheering in the crowd? Had it not been for me, you wouldn't even had made it to the auditions."
I gave the ceiling a grateful, tearful smile, sitting back on my chair. "I know," I said softly. "And I thank you, my angel."
My angel gave a laugh, a low, ominous laugh. Suddenly, his voice boomed across my room, trembling my desk in his rage.
"Insolent boy, this slave of fashion! Basking in YOUR glory!
Ignorant FOOL, this brave young suitor, share in MY triumph!"
I swallowed. He had seen Marik! I quickly landed on my knees in my room, clasping my hands in a praying manner, looking up pitifully at the ceiling.
"Angel! I hear you speak, I listen. Stay by my side, guide me!
Angel, my soul was weak, forgive me, enter at last, master!"
When there was only silence that met my pleas, I looked around nervously.
"Please, angel, don't leave me! I'm sorry! Forgive me!"
I was so relieved that I could've cried when I heard his voice again. This time it was softer, gentler.
"Flattering child, you shall know me,
see why in shadow I hide…
…look at your face in the mirror…"
As though in a trance, I slowly turned around, standing up. I glanced back at my floor length mirror as he coaxed me with his singing voice…
…and I saw…
…me!
However…my reflection soon merged into someone else…it was no longer reflecting my soft brown eyes, my pale, porcelain cheeks. Instead, they began to grow, taller and taller. The reflection's hair grew sharper, flying into the air in the windless room. His eyes…those very same eyes that had captivated me night after night in my dreams…were now staring at me back through the mirror; deep crimson brown.
And on his face…the right side of his face…
…was the mask….
"I AM THERE INSIDE!"
Mouth agape, I slowly began to glide towards the mirror, heart beating against my ribcage. His expression grew more grim with every step I took, but I paid no heed…all I wished was to be by his side, to see him, to feel him…
"Angel of music, guide and guardian," I sang, crying out as I neared the mirror, "Grant to me your glory! Angel of music, hide no longer! Come to me strange, angel!"
Slowly his voice trailed into my room, beckoning me, gesturing me to near towards the mirror. His form began to disappear, as though fading away, as though he was gliding back to an unknown place behind the mirror.
Yet those entrancing eyes held me, controlled me, beckoning me further towards the mirror. The Sennen Ring dangled from my neck, gliding smoothly in the air, as though a doll, as it strained itself towards the mirror…his voice a soft, tempting siren of the night…
"I am your angel…come to me angel of music…"The door rattled behind me, but I was barely aware of it…all that entranced me was my angel's dark, deep brown-red eyes, his beautiful, milky skin, his deafening, siren voice…
"Who is it in there...? Who is that in there!" Marik's voice yelled from the outside. There was another rattle as I was vaguely aware my childhood friend was trying to break down the door… I paid him no heed, hoping my Angel would not disappear from my eyes, lest I should be distracted…
But he seemed to be not too worried, either.
His voice continued to lure me, to coax me in a dreamy, dazed sleep…
"I am your angel of music…"
I was a mere step from the mirror now…my treasure was barely touching the reflective surface…as he raised his hand and I raised mine…
"…come to me…angel of music…!"
One more step…our fingers pressed against one another's through the sheet of glass…one more step…the Millennium Ring's points had tipped themselves against their reflection…
"Ryou! Angel!"
The Sennen Ring flashed.
Suddenly, there was a blinding flash of golden light, and instantly music blared my ears, familiar music, as my head began to swirl. When I opened my eyes again, I was flying down a spiral of dark, flashing luminosities. Ancient Egyptian symbols and hieroglyphics swirled around the darkness; below me, a blinding pit of golden light…
…I landed through the blinding pit, ending up in on my feet in an old, Egyptian maze…parched walls surrounded me, their bricks old and brittle, but dark and haunting with entrancing beauty. Candles lingered in mid air above, casting dim rays against the darkness of the room; a moon shone above, its moonbeams wisping through the mist that was at my feet. I swirled around…the music wrapped itself around me…
…I saw a flash of white…no sooner had it been spotted, it disappeared…Angel?
I hesitantly took a step forward, confidence building within my chest as I dared to allow my voice to travel…Angel…
"In sleep, he sang to me,
In dreams he came
That voice which calls to me
And speaks my name…
And do I dream again!
For now I find
The Phaaaanntom of the Sennen Ring is there…
…inside my mind!"
His familiar voice startled my thoughts; I whirled around and broke into a beam when I saw him gliding before me, a boat gliding upon the mass of fog…duplicate attire, black cloak swishing behind him, shadows darkening the side of his face, which held the mask.
"Sing once again with me!
Our strange dueett….."
Dizzy… I felt dizzy…he raised his hands to the heavens above, and I could almost feel my heart wrench towards the empty sky above my head…
"My POWER over you…grows stronger yet….!"
I flew into the air, my head a swirl, as darkness consumed me and the night sky above swirled above me. My heart wrenched towards the empty sky, before I floated back to the floor, my mind spinning and my Angel behind me. Quickly I turned, despite my spinning head, hoping he was still there…
…he was!
"And though you turned from me…
…to glance behind…."
My fingers were barely close enough to skin his face when he disappeared, only appearing swiftly behind me. He wrapped his arm around my torso, the other across my chest, as he buried his face in the crook of my neck, his fingers trailing fondly at my throat…
"…the PhAAAAnnntom of the Sennen Ring is there…
..inside your mind…!"
Hands…his hands slithered around my chest, kneading my skin beneath his cold fingers…I felt my knees buckle before I closed my eyes, turning around in his arms. I looked up, gasping his face in my hands firmly, before running my fingers fondly over his features, trailing my fingertips affectionately down his mask…he made no move to stop me, and I opened my mouth again…
"Those who have seen your face…draw back in fear…I am the mask you wear…"
He took my fingers in his hand, kissing their tips tenderly, his eyes glazed and forlorn as his other fingers deftly brushed away my hair…
"It's me they hear…"
Simultaneously, both of us opened our mouths, our fingers caressing each other's features, as we allowed our voices to merge into one, echoing across the barrier of the empty maze…
"Your/My spirit and my/your voice in one combine….!
The PhAAAAAAnnnntom of the Sennen Ring is there…."
I stared deep into his eyes, his dark, haunting brown eyes…
"…inside my mind!"
Hands. His hands swirled me around, clasping my spine against his front, wrapping his arms around my chest. Those same hands began to slither and run deeply across my body, up and down my figure, making me shudder against his hold, melting me into putting in his porcelain hands. His nose nuzzled deep into my throat, his teeth bared as he ran his tongue pass my skin; I arched back, moaning as those deftly skillful began to slither their way down to my thighs, caressing them with longing, frenzy desire.
I moaned and gasped when they danced back up my inner thighs, softly trailing up my middle and my waist, brushing against my aroused sensitive length as they then raced towards my chest again. I shuddered, gasping, as my senses tingled themselves in his grasp. His canines sank themselves into my neck, lapping up my blood as I gasped again and leaned over back, burying my fingers in his hair. He nuzzled his nose from my neck up to my ear, nuzzling deeper as his hands firmly outlined my figure once again.
He swirled me out again, in a tense dance, before I twirled back into his grasp. He brushed his lips against my ear, his hands stroking my face…
"In all your fantasies….you've always knew…
…that man and mystery…."
White hair…white hair…another remarkable trait I recalled vaguely as his hands found their way downwards again, thrusting gently upwards underneath my inner thighs. I gasped, breath tightening, before I held tightly onto the base of his neck, shudders and passion surging through my blood.
"…were both in you…."
Once again, we allowed our voices to echo into the menacing ardor of the room, our passionate cries filling the silent tomb…
"….and in this labyrinth…! Where night is BLIND…
…the PhAAAAANNNNtom of the Sennen Ring is here…"
I fell limp in his arms, the passionate signals trembling my entire shadow over-loaded, the fiery, romantic frenzy of unmanly desirable wishes sweeping in a heavy wave over my mind…'
"..inside my mind…!"
He whirled me around again, before jerking me forwards into chest. He raised my chin, so I was staring mistily into those entrancing brown eyes…
"Sing," he whispered, "my angel of music!"
Nodding, I obeyed instantly, longing so desperately to please him, to fulfill his every wish.
"Here's there…the Phantom of the Senneennnn…Rinnnggg…..AaaaaaaaAAaaahhhh! AAAhhhhhaahhhh!"
"Sing," he commanded again, his hands trailing up underneath my shirt; he thrust me against a wall, his fingers continuing their passionate onslaught on my chest, kneading sharply for me to continue. My cloak and attire were soon discarded, and cold air whipped past my sensitive skin, but I did not care, and continued to sing, for I knew I had to please him, to thank him in any way possible and in all the ways possible….
"AaaaaaaAAAhhhAhhhhaaaaahhAAAa…Aaaaaahhhh….!""Sing for me…!" he demanded again, thrusting me to the ground; my chest suddenly cold, before I felt him pin me down, saddling over my hips…I continued to sing, to please him, to give him everything I had in payment for what he had given me…he continued his overwhelming massacre of my senses with his siren hands, his tempting fingers as they raced up my sides. I squeezed my eyes shut, my voice echoing back in my vocalization …
"AAaaaaahhhhhhhaaaaAAAAhhhhhAAAAhhhhh…..!"
"Sing, my angel of music!" he yelled, throwing his head back, pressing firmly against my skin, massaging my flesh passionately sending cold shivers up my spine against his heavenly warm touch. Lust, ardor, passion and love surrounded us in a misty of undecipherable glory, accompanied with the music in which we had both come to know, the presence in which we had both yearned for…
"….aaaahhhh……AAAAAAAAAaaaaahhhhhHAAAAaaaaahhhhhhhhAAaaaaahhh…."
"SING FOR ME….!"
There was a swift thrust, and suddenly, an overwhelming pain, but then, instantly following, an unrighteous pleasure that bathed my entire body in a hot, swaying passion…!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH…!"