Phase 7: The Dropping of the Chandelier

Miroku: Is this safe, sir?

Erik: O-of course it's safe!

Miroku: But if I drop it, will that not result in setting the Opera House on fire?

Erik: Well-I-er-

(Miroku looks down from the stage and sees Kuronosuke talking with Sango)

Miroku: No one messes with my woman! (drops chandelier on Kuronosuke's head) MWAHAHAHAHA! Behold! I have finally brought the chandelier down!

Kuronosuke: . …

(People run in with fire extinguishers and start spraying all over the place)

Erik: (to self) why didn't I do that to the vicomte? (Baffled)

Miroku: And so, the student surpasses the teacher…

Erik: Hush! You're training is far from completed! (Swishes cape jealously and stalks off)

Miroku: (tries to swish is own cape) Erik! The cloak doesn't like me again! I feel hot…

Erik: Monk, this is no time for your perverted games!

Miroku: (Gasps) HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT!

Erik: What is it now? (Turns around) Miroku! Monsieur, you're on fire!

Miroku: (sarcastically) Thank you, I hadn't noticed! (Running around)

Erik: (dumps mysterious, all the sudden appearing, water on Miroku's clothes)

Miroku: (drenched) . . .

Chapter 10: Not so Perfect

Miroku seethed silently to himself as he swept down the dark passageways under the opera house. How dare he! Inuyasha didn't know anything about the situation he was in! How dare he try to reprimand him for something he didn't understand!

Miroku thought for a moment about staying down to his lair and playing angrily on his organ for a while, but then pushed the thought aside. No, Sango would probably be waiting for him.

He took a deep breath. Whatever happened, he must control his temper. Sango would not believe that an angel could get angry. He mustn't shatter her illusions. Not yet. Hopefully never…

Once more Miroku swiftly made his way through the shadows up to the mirror to her dressing room. He had been too preoccupied to realize that he had forgotten his violin. Miroku got there just in time to see Kagome leaving.

xxxxx

Sango hummed to herself as she went back over to her bed and picked up her book. She almost immediately dropped it, however, when she heard her name being called. She looked up eagerly. "Angel?"

"Forgive me if I came too soon for your liking. I noticed that you were let off early today, and decided you could do with a bit of extra practice."

Sango winced slightly. Did he still think she was that bad? "Oh, no, Ang…Miroku, I've been waiting for you for a while. I thought you might come earlier. As a matter of fact…" She smiled a bit devilishly, "You're late."

There was a small silence. For a moment she was afraid she offended him—sometimes, she noticed, he got upset over the smallest of things—but then he answered, "Well, I suppose if you put it that way…"

She grinned. "Well, Miroku! I don't think it was very polite for you to keep me waiting! However," she straightened out the folds of her dress, "what are we going to work on today?"

"Third page of the second aria. You still haven't got the shaping of the phrases right."

Sango bit back a sigh, and picked up the script from where it lay on her bed. She flipped to the right page, and looked up expectantly.

There was a long pause.

"Miroku… is something wrong?"

It sounded as if he hesitated for a moment. "Sango… I don't suppose…I don't suppose you'd like to sing a cappella today?"

She frowned. "Why? Do you…do you not want to play for me?"

"No, my dear, that's not the case…You see, I…I…" More silence. Finally, in a voice that sounded just a bit too rushed, he told her, "I forgot the violin."

There was a shocked silence. Then, with amusement just beginning to creep into her voice, Sango said, "What? You…forgot the violin?"

Then she burst into uncontrollable laughter.

xxxxx

'Brilliant. Just Brilliant.' Miroku thought bitterly to himself. Angels didn't forget these kind of things. It wasn't in their nature to be forgetful. At least, he told himself quickly, in stories they weren't. But then, what did he know of angels? Perhaps Sango wouldn't notice.

He glanced back up at her. She was laughing so hard she had to lean against the bed post for balance.

No, she definitely noticed.

xxxxx

When Sango finally recovered from her bout of giggles, she took a deep breath and said, "Can't you just go get it? I mean, if you teach me from your home…"

"I don't."

"Oh." Was it just her, or did he sound just a tad bit sulky? Actually, though, she didn't mind his mess-up. It made him seem more…more human. Not so perfect. Was she rubbing off on him? Surely this wasn't angel behavior! "Very well then, Miroku, I have an idea. Since apparently you're too lazy to get your own violin," she grinned at the jibe, "Perhaps you could use this one."

Sango made her way over to the chest in the corner of her room, and opened it. Carefully, she removed her father's violin. She stared at it for a moment. The last time it had been played, it had been played by her father on the day he died.

Sango took a deep breath, and then stood up with the violin hugged to her chest. It would be an honor to have her Angel play it.

"This is my father's violin. If…if you can come get it, and if you will return it afterwards, you may play it. But…" she hesitated, "Be careful?"

"Of course I shall be careful. Sango, are you sure about this?"

She nodded. "So you can come get it?"

"Yes."

Sango felt a thrill of excitement go through her. Her Angel would be in the room with her! Still, it was kind of strange that he could come here and get this violin, but not go home and get his own… But who was she to argue with angels?

"Close your eyes, Sango."

She frowned slightly at that. She had wanted to see him… Perhaps she could peek after a moment…

"And no looking. I will know if you do."

It was as if he'd read her mind. Maybe he had. Sango's shoulders drooped slightly, all of her hopes of seeing her Angel quickly evaporating. "I won't look, Miroku. I promise."

She closed her eyes tightly, and thought that she heard something. After a moment, she dismissed it as her overactive imagination.

Suddenly she knew he was there beside her. The violin was carefully taken from her grasp. She bit her lip, trying hard not to open her eyes. It was so tempting…

"Mew…" Sango heard, as Kirara began purring happily at her feet. Oh, why did she have the pleasure to see him? Why couldn't she be that cat?

Suddenly Sango felt a gloved finger on her bottom lip. "No biting." His lovely voice said tenderly. Sango gasped. The voice was right by her ear! She wanted to reach out and touch him… she knew he was there…

Then, as quickly as he came, he was gone. She tried not to let her disappointment show. If only she had stopped him, taken his hand when he'd touched her! After all… he hadn't said not to touch him… only not to look at him…

Suddenly her heart lifted. She felt evil at the thought, but couldn't help remembering that he had to return the violin to her… which meant he'd be in the room with her again…

Sango shivered, either with horror at her thoughts, or with anticipation. She couldn't tell which.

xxxxx

The rest of the lesson passed smoothly. Sango did amazingly well, and by the end, she was sure that Miroku was greatly pleased with her.

When he told her it was time for the lesson to end, she immediately asked for the violin back.

"Don't worry," he sounded amused, "It's not as though I'm going to steal it from you… Close your eyes."

Sango's eyes instantly shut, and she held her breath. There was a moment of silence, and then she felt his presence in her room. She wanted to go to him now, but stopped herself. She didn't want him to vanish before she got to touch him…

Suddenly she wondered if he was even solid, or if her hand would go right through him. Then, she remembered his finger on her lips and smiled. No, he at least had a solid, human form when he was down here on earth.

She heard his footsteps get nearer, and then hesitate. "I'll put the violin on top of the chest." he said softly. She nodded, and then followed him over there. His presence was overwhelming… he was only just a foot or two away…

There was the sound of the violin being carefully lain down on the wooden chest, and then she felt him turn to face her.

Sango shivered with excitement… she was so close! She took another step, and then reached out and touched his shoulder.

He stiffened, and immediately backed up. Of course, there was no where to back up to. She had backed him into a corner. Sango's one worry was that he would regain his senses and disappear.

But that didn't happen.

He stood completely still as she took another step forward, and felt for his hand. She took it, entwining her fingers with his. Her heart was beating rapidly as she suddenly closed all of the space between them and leaned against him.

She heard his breath catch in his throat, and her heart skipped a beat. Was this as tempting to him as it was to her?

Sango buried her head in his shoulder. He smelled good—like some kind of spice. She clung tightly to his hand, bringing it to her face. Slowly she removed the glove, letting it drop to the floor, and then pressed his hand against her cheek. His hands were cold, which surprised her. She didn't mind, though, and sighed when he stroked her cheek, then moved it back into her brown locks.

Sango nuzzled closer to him, her face in the crook of his neck. Their bodies were now positioned intimately, legs entwined. She softly kissed the base of his neck, and he let out a soft, yearning moan. His hands traveled down her back… then suddenly he stiffened.

Abruptly she was violently pushed away from him, landing on the floor with bruising force. Before she could even move, he was gone.

Sango opened her eyes, slightly dazed. She pushed herself up and stood, then, quite suddenly, went cold. She sunk down onto the bed, shivering.

What had she done?