Phase 4: Obsession…

Erik: Now Miroku, I'm going to show you a series of inkblots. If all of them appeal to you, tell me what you see. By your results, I will tell you your outcome. First one (holds inkblot up)

Miroku: Sango.

Erik: And this?

Miroku: Sango again.

Erik: How about-

Miroku: Sango in a bathtub (pauses) with a bathing suit on of course!

Erik: (rolls eyes) Next?

Miroku: Sango in a tree.

Erik: Another one…

Miroku: Sango and myself, kissing.

Erik: And the last one…

Miroku: Cheese.

Erik: Excuse me?

Miroku: It appears to be cheese…

Erik: All right, then. Sir, you have successfully passed the inkblot test with the conclusion that you are either obsessed with Sango, or deeply in love with her. This is good, for this is how us Opera Ghosts think. However, I am a bit baffled by the last inkblot. Where exactly do you see the cheese? (Looks at the card) oh, never mind, I see it now.

Strange Duet

Chapter IV: Wait No Longer

Rehearsals were only a little bit confusing for Sango. Apparently, they weren't putting on any performance yet, but would be beginning the new production of Hannibal in only a short matter of time

Sango sang softly in the chorus as they practiced, preferring to blend in with her peers, for she was too shy to believe that anyone would be kind enough to compliment the new girl. Sango knew that she sang well, but she didn't think she was half as good as anyone else there. Besides, she had promised herself she wasn't going to sing again. Her father and his tales only seemed to depress her more, so the young woman just thought it for the better if she not sing ever again.

After practice, Sango wandered around the Opera House. She still couldn't shake off the feeling that she was being watched, which frightened her, causing Sango's flesh to pale. To calm herself, she began to sing little melodies to her shadow casted over the floor, created by the gas-lit lamps that hung vertically from their hinges on the walls.

At first, she began quietly, not wanting to draw attention to herself or her surroundings. Then, when she realized that no one else was around, she became more confident with herself and allowed her voice to become gradually louder, but still not loud enough for most people to notice. All thoughts of not singing again were gone from her mind, and Sango put all of her feeling into her song as she sang. It was a sad song—a lonely song, filled with emotion that Sango had kept bottled up inside of her for a long time.

She suddenly stopped as she realized she had reached her new room. Relieved that she wasn't lost, but slightly disappointed she couldn't sing any longer, (she was certain that someone would hear her), Sango went inside and collapsed to the bed, her brown hair spreading out over the silk bedspread.

It was late afternoon, almost evening, and she was already bored. After a little while, she stood up and decided to go find Kagome.

xxxxx

Miroku watched as the new chorus girl, Sango, finished practice and walked by herself down the hallway. Oh, her voice! Her wonderful voice of an angel!

Miroku followed her down the hallway through a series of passageways that ran parallel to the one Sango was walking in. He listened as she grew more and more strong with her voice, and lost himself in it. It was so innocent and pure, and she put so much feeling into it. Miroku, who had nothing else to do, decided to keep following her even after she finished singing.

He took note of the room Sango resided in, and then followed after her as she left to find her friend.

xxxxx

"Kagome?" Sango nearly rammed right into the ballerina in the hallway.

"Sango! How's life in our Opera House treating ya?" She winked, cupping Shippou's hand with hers.

Sango smiled and looked down at the little boy. "It's really nice Kagome…but there's not a lot to do on your free time, is there?"

Kagome glanced at Shippou, who nodded about something and grinned. "Great! Then you wouldn't mind talking to us, would you?"

"Why were you running?" Sango asked at once, for, indeed, they had met on a crossway and Kagome had been flinging the red-headed boy behind her in a furious sprint

"Kaugra, another ballet girl, claims she saw the ghost! I wanted to see him again, too."

"Not me," quivered Shippou.

"And who are you?" Sango chirped to the little one.

"I'm Shippou. I'm one of the male dancers. I help Rin-chan with her act, and people always pay good money to see two cute little kids like us, prancing around." Shippou flashed another grin. "Of course, I was a bit embarrassed at first. I'm a man, you know! Men do not dance. But I quickly found out that dancing is a fun way to pass the time, no matter what any arrogant, selfish dog demon said." He finished with a huff.

Kagome bent down to look at him, "And I suppose you wouldn't be talking about Inuyasha, when you say that?"

"Inuyasha?"

"Inuyasha is part of the stage crew. He picks on poor Shippou a lot, but one day, he's got it coming!" The maiden informed Sango.

"Practically every day!" Shippou sighed.

Sango laughed at this. "So did you ever find this Opera Ghost?"

"No. I think that Kaugra made it up," to which Shippou murmured lowly, "Thank goodness…"

'I think that you two made the whole thing up...' Sango thought to herself, but said nothing.

Kagome changed the subject. "Anyway, I've told you so much about myself, I'm sure it's getting really boring. You haven't told me anything about you! Why don't you tell me about your home? What of your friend and family?"

Sango bit down on her lip, and then shrugged. She might as well tell them…

"My…my father liked to travel a lot, so I guess you could say I lived in more than just one place. We went all over the world, and saw all different kinds of people. He used to play the violin while I sang with him." she sighed. "I miss him."

Kagome placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, while Shippou jumped onto it. "I know the feeling. My father died, too. I was a lot younger than you were, though, so maybe it didn't hurt as much. I can't say I remember him well, and I suppose that saved me a lot of hurt. The only thing I could gather from my mind was when Dad sat me on his lap at night, and rocked me to sleep. Mom was usually the one snoring in the background, so it didn't help much, but it did make me had pleasant dreams, when Papa placed me under the covers of my own bed, and made sure I was safe before he went back to sleep himself. " Kagome giggled, "Mom still snores like a pig, it's funny. She denies it a lot. She never did have that soft rocking of the chair down, but she did manage to sing me to sleep."

Sango smiled. "My father used to tell me stories to make me go to sleep. He had a vast imagination, and he created all sorts of little fairy tales about curious little girls and the trouble they got into. I used to think he purposely made them up to go alone with my personality. My favorite character from his stories was Little Lotte, and the Angel of Music." Sango paused. "The Angel isn't a made-up character though. He's real. That I know."

Kagome raised an eyebrow, a little smile on her face. "Oh, is he really?"

"Yes, he is. Father promised me that when…when he was gone…" She paused, and Shippou eagerly motioned for her to continue. "He promised me that he would send me the Angel of Music. But he hasn't." Sango added bitterly. "Do you know why?"

They frowned and shook their heads.

Sango wiped the tears away and said, "Because I was wrong. I lied. I know better now…The Angel of Music isn't real, he was just some silly thing that I refused to let go of. He was one of father's characters too! All of that time, I believed him…I actually believed him! Oh, how naïve I was as a child! In the months since my father died, I waited patiently for him to send me comfort…to send me my Angel. But it was all a lie. He's never coming!"

Sango turned and ran back up the corridor in tears, not caring where she was heading or if she got lost. Maybe she wanted to be lost.

"Sango!"

Kagome and Shippou ran after her, but couldn't catch up. Finally she stopped, breathing heavily, Shippou clinging to her shoulder with might. She was sorry now that she had brought up the topic. Kagome decided to let Sango calm down for a while, and then attempt in finding her.

xxxxx

Sango may have been able to outrun a ballerina, but she couldn't outrun a Phantom. By the time she had reached her room, (which she had ended up going back to), Miroku was already there, waiting for her.

He felt sorry for the girl, who had apparently had lost all faith in her dreams and fantasies. She looked lost, hiding behind something that was not there. He felt strangely connected to her because of this, and, against all of his better sense, decided he wanted to help her.

Miroku watched through the body length mirror as she cried into her bed. For a moment he was silent, not knowing what to do to help. Then, all of a sudden, a light bulb turned on in his head…

"Sango…"

xxxxx

Sango looked up, thinking she'd heard her name. After a moment, she thought she was hearing things (which frightened her yet again) and resumed her state of depression.

"Sango…"

Sango flinched, choosing not to move. She knew she had heard it this time—A beautiful, addicting male voice, calling her name.

"Who's there?" she asked in her bravest voice, looking around her room. If only Kirara was there. She was probably out searching the grounds, that mischievous cat. She would've felt more sat with another friend in the room to protect her. But there was no one there, at least, no person she could see, unless they were hiding. "Where are you?"

"I am everywhere and nowhere."

The voice seemed to come from one place, then another. She couldn't decide where it was coming from, so Sango gave up.

"Don't be frightened, my dear. I would never think to harm you."

Suddenly something in Sango's memory clicked. She hesitated, knowing that if she was foolish enough, she would just get hurt again. "Are…are you…"

"I am the Angel of Music. Your Angel of Music"

Sango's heart became light. Her Angel! Could it be! Her father had promised her… maybe it was true after all…

"Angel? My father…he sent you? Do you lie?" 'Oh, of course angels don't lie! Stupid Sango, stupid!'

"Yes, Sango. I am your Angel."

She pinched herself. This had to be a dream, it just had to be! But then again… Sango had finally gotten her Angel; she had finally gotten what she had desired for so long.

xxxxx

Miroku wasn't sure what to do next. What was the Angel of Music supposed to do? How do angels act?

He finally decided that, from what he heard, the Angel was some sort of tutor.

"With me helping you, your voice will soar to new heights. You will be the Prima Donna, Sango… You will be more than what you ever dreamed."

Sango was beaming now. "Just like father said…"

"Your father was right. Sango, child, I must go now. I will come back tomorrow evening at this time with some music for you to practice. Don't be late."

"You promise, Angel?"

"I promise."

"Oh, Angel!" Sango breathed. "How happy you have made me!"

xxxxx

Phase 5: Learning to face the facts…

Christine: I'm going to help you both on this one. Miroku, you've just spent nine hours in a chair, putting on make-up, how does it make you feel?

Miroku: (looks into mirror at his now, exposed deformed face) I'm hideous! I thought make-up was supposed to make one beautiful, not a monstrosity. I'm outraged, Mikomi-sama. Nine hours, for this! (Points to his face)

Erik: Watch who you're calling a monster! My face is the real thing!

Christine: (gently) Miroku, it was necessary for you to be deformed, it goes along with the whole theme thing.

Miroku: And what is that?

Christine: Learn to love others based on their soul, and not their appearance, or in your case, your perverted ness. Besides, I happen to think you two are handsome either way. Repeat after me: I am handsome

Erik and Miroku: We are ugly…

Christine: Close but, no. We are handsome.

Erik and Miroku: (quietly) We are handsome…

Christine: Louder.

Erik and Miroku: We are…

Christine: Go on…

Erik and Miroku: Ugly.

Christine: (getting annoyed) Both of you, you two are handsome, dare I say it, beasts! Say it like you mean it!

Erik and Miroku: WE ARE HANDSOME BEASTS!

Christine: Very good!

Erik: … but a beast nonetheless.

Christine: …