Not a Phase

Miroku: (pouting over in his room) I don't know how to tie my noose properly! Ha, what a laugh! I could do it just as swiftly and easily as any other man!

Piece of Rope: . . .

Miroku: . . .

Piece of Rope: . . .

Miroku: . . . but not now. I'm tired now.

Piece of Rope: . . .

Miroku: Stop glaring at me like that!

Piece of Rope: . . .

Miroku: Stop it!

"Messieurs?"

Ginta and Hakkaru jumped and looked up from sorting out the mess that was the office. A woman they recognized from earlier… Lady Kaede, was it?... stepped into their office. There was something clutched in her hand.

"I bring you tidings from the Opera Ghost." the ballet mistress held out a letter addressed to them in red ink. Neither of them moved to take it. Instead, they both fixed her with stares that said quite clearly they thought she was insane.

"Ghost? Are you crazy, lady?" Ginta demanded.

Lady Kaede frowned. "Messieurs Hachi and Kohaku did not inform you of the Ghost?"

The two continued to stare incredulously at her. She said 'ghost' as if it were a title, or something of the like. Dear Lord, did they have an insane woman on their hands? He took a deep breath, and then began to speak slowly and gently. "Lady Kaede, right?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Indeed."

"Yeah, well, okay. Now, what's all this about stupid ghost-like things? There are no such thing as ghosts! They are supernatural beings used only in fairy tale junk. No one of your age, Kaede, should believe in anything like that." Suddenly a thought hit Ginta, "Unless, of course, you're kidding around?"

Kaede shook her head. "I assure you, Monsieur, that there is a ghost in this Opera House, and if you do not begin to believe in him soon… then God help you."

She tossed the letter down onto the already cluttered desk, then turned on her heel and strolled out, shutting the door behind her.

Both sets of eyes moved down to the envelope.

"You open it." Ginta told Hakkaru. Hakkaru sighed and picked up the letter. He slit it open, and then began to read it aloud. Ginta leaned over his shoulder to look.

My New Managers:

Since my old managers were incompetent fools and told you nothing of me, I shall inform you on all you need to know by means of this letter.

My salary, which consists of 20,000 francs, is due at the end of the month. I also will request the usage of Box Five on all opening nights. If you do not follow these instructions, you will find you deeply regret it. There are too many things that can go wrong in this Opera House, and still look like an accident.

Your Obedient Servant,

O.G.

xxxxx

The next two days passed all too quickly for Sango. She hadn't heard a word from her angel, her Miroku, ever since the letter he wrote to her. She was beginning to worry that, despite what he'd said, he'd never come back.

The night of the performance, however, she found another rose on her desk with a note reading simply, "Good Luck."

When she was finished changing into her costume, suddenly someone called her name. She gasped. "Miroku?"

Even as she spoke his name, she blushed slightly. How long had he been there? Had he watched her change? … But surely not. No Angel would do that! Or would he? After all, she had been able to seduce him just a few nights ago…

Perhaps Miroku, and other Angels, could fall in love just as easily as humans. Sango clung to that thought, hoping. Perhaps one day he would even let her see him… even touch him again.

Her eyes filled with hope as she looked around her almost empty room. Then she frowned. He hadn't said anything since he had whispered her name. "Miroku?"

"I am here, Sango."

She sighed in relief.

"I'm nervous, Miroku." she admitted, "I don't think I can do this. I'll… I'll faint, or something. As soon as I see all of those people, I'll pass out."

"Don't say that, my dearest. You will do beautifully, and I will be there to watch you."

Sango's face broke into a smile. "Really?"

"Of course. I haven't done all of this work only to miss your first lead role."

Sango shivered in delight. He had said, 'Your first.' Did that mean he wanted her in more? Would he be here to help her achieve that? She knew she couldn't without him.

"Don't be nervous. I will be right there in case anything goes wrong. I will be there to help you."

"Thank you, Miroku. Is there anything I could ever do for you? Anything at all?"

"There… there is one rule, Sango. It only applies if you want me to continue giving you lessons, however."

Sango looked curious. "Of course I want you to continue! What is the rule?"

He sounded as if he hesitated for a moment. Then, firmly, he said, "You must never marry."

xxxxx

Kuronosuke de Baka followed his apprentice into their selected box, looking eagerly around at the Paris Opera House. This was the first time he'd ever been able to attend.

He'd heard, however, that La Kikyo's voice murdered the eardrums.

Kuronosuke glanced over at his comrade. He probably only came to see the ballerina he liked, La Kagome, or something like that.

Luckily, Kuronosuke had heard that La Kikyo wouldn't be performing tonight. Instead, another young diva was taking her place. Kuronosuke hoped it was someone who could actually sing.

Suddenly the curtains began to open. Kuronosuke smiled widely and sat at the edge of his seat, peering down.

xxxxx

Sango's heart fluttered. She had just run all of the way here, and was almost out of breath… and it was time for her to go on. She closed her eyes and composed herself.

Abruptly she felt Kagome's hand on her shoulder, and her friend smiled at her. "Good luck, Sango."

Sango faintly heard one of their managers announcing a new patron of some sort, who was apparently attending that night.

Then came her cue to go on.

xxxxx

Miroku sat carefully in the shadows. He only had his box to himself that night, he suspected, because the new managers hadn't had any time to sell it.

He watched with bated breath as Sango walked onto the stage, and began to sing.

Then he lost himself in her voice.…

xxxxx

"Promise me that sometimes you will think…of me!"

Sango had done her best at the performance. She had never sung like that in her life! Now, however, she was exhausted, and felt as if she were going to faint. As soon as the production was officially over, she ran out down the corridors to her dressing room, feeling ill. She thought she heard someone call her name behind her, but she ignored it.

All she wanted to do now was curl up in her room and listen to her Angel's voice. Assuming that Miroku would be there, of course…after all, he had listened to her tonight! Surely he would want to comment on how she had done.

Sango shut the door to the dressing room behind her, then stripped off her costume and changed into her nightdress.

All the while, she pondered what Miroku had told her earlier. So she couldn't marry. This had never been a rule before! She wondered for a little bit… and hoped some more. What if he didn't want her to marry because he loved her? She decided to pretend that that was why he had made the demand.

Suddenly, while she was taking her hair down, there was a knock on her door. She frowned. "Come in!"

Inuyasha slipped into the room and shut the door behind her. "Hey Sango! You were great! Kikyo sure ain't got a voice that that!"

Sango smiled. "I owe it all to my Angel."

"Yeah..." For a moment, she thought she saw Inuyasha's fanged smile falter, "Yeah, well, I guess he's one heck of a teacher!"

"He is."

"Sango..." For a moment, Inuyasha looked like he wanted to say something important, but then there was a sharp rap on the door and Jakotsu walked in.

He gave Sango an odd look, and said, "Come, Inuyasha, The stage crew's celebrating the outstanding performance, and I'm missing my cutie!"

Inuyasha cast a look at his friend, then sighed deeply, without even giving an attempt to make Jakotsu stop clinging to him. "Come on, Kagome's waiting."

"Can we just forget about her for a moment?"

"No."

"But-"Jakotsu tried to argue

"NO!"

And the two exited in a quarrel, closing the dressing room doors behind them.

Sango sighed and relaxed in the momentary peace and quiet. Her headache was finally beginning to go away, when there was another knock on the door. "Come in!" Sango shouted again.

She wasn't facing the door, but she saw his reflection in the mirror. A happy smile graced her face the moment she noticed him, and she turned to face him.

"Kuronosuke!"

"Sango!"

"Oh, Kuronosuke, it's so good to see you!"

"What have you been doing here? Your father…" he hesitated.

Sango swallowed. "He died, not too long ago."

Kuronosuke frowned and kneeled down beside her, gently taking her hand. "I'm sorry, Sango. He was a good man."

"He was." she whispered, trying to keep the tears from her eyes. She turned the conversation around. "I'm sorry about your last visit… I wasn't in a good mood."

He grinned. "Nor was I. If you wish to believe in this 'Angel of Music', then you may." He delicately kissed the hand he was holding.

Suddenly Sango paled. Angel of Music… Miroku! What if he was watching! What if he got the wrong idea about Kuronosuke being here?

"Kuronosuke, it was so nice to see you, but now you- you.. Can you leave? I know it sounds rude and all, but-"

Kuronosuke frowned. "Go? Why?"

"Kuronosuke l… father promised me that when he died, he would send me the Angel of Music, remember?"

The nobleman nodded.

"Well, he has. But Kuronosuke, Mir—the Angel wouldn't like you being here, I know it. I think he'd get the wrong idea… Just go, Kuronosuke. Maybe we can talk later?" She looked hopeful. It was so nice to see her childhood friend again! It reminded her of a past she had nearly forgotten…

"Of course we can talk later! 10 minutes, Little Lotte, and I'll come to bring you to the carriage! We'll go on a late night picnic."

He handed her a bouquet of flowers, which he seemingly produced out of no where, and then headed off towards the door. Sango smiled fondly at the flowers for a moment.

Then she realized what he had meant.

"No! Kuronosuke! The angel of music is very strict" She stood up quickly and shouted after him, but it was too late. He was already gone.

xxxxx

Miroku watched Sango and Kuronosuke through narrowed eyes. Who was this boy? How did Sango know him? He wondered if they had been friends… or something more.

Still slightly upset, he whispered, "Sango…"

xxxxx

Sango jumped at her Angel's voice, and then shivered. He had seen Kuronosuke …

"Who was that, Sango? That boy?" Was it just her, or did he sound slightly… irritated? Jealous, maybe?

"Kuronosuke, Vicomte de Baka." she smiled, "We were childhood sweethearts." Immediately, she wished she hadn't added that last bit.

There was a sour pause. "I see."

"No, Miroku! It's nothing like that—not anymore. Kuronosuke and I haven't seen each other for years!"

"He certainly seemed ready to start the relationship again. Where is it you're going with him? On a picnic?"

His voice was definitely scathing now. Sango frowned. He wasn't being fair! But, she thought secretly, he certainly did sound jealous now.

"He was only being kind. Unlike some people, Kuronosuke actually wants to spend time with me. I doubt he'd push me away if—"

"That is enough, Sango!"

Sango felt herself pale. What had she been saying! She shuddered, this time with fear, and buried her head in her hands.

"Sango…"

But it wasn't fair! Why wouldn't he let her see him? Didn't he trust her? Faintly, she heard herself say, "Why can't I get married, Miroku?"

There was a long pause.

"Why?" Miroku suddenly snapped, "Do you want to marry your nobleman? Surely he's rich and handsome enough—"

"Miroku, that's not what I meant, I was only curious! Besides, at least I can see him! At least I can touch him! That's more than you can say for some people!"

Another long pause.

"Do you wish to see me that badly, Sango?"

She didn't even hesitate. "Yes."

"Then… then you may. But you must promise that, no matter what, you will come live with me for three days afterwards. Then you may return, and you never have to hear from me again unless you wish it."

Sango's heart lifted. Live with him? For three days! It was more than she could have hoped for. For some reason, though, he sounded sad.

"You will not wish me to continue your lessons afterwards."

"Of course I will!" Sang protested, "Please, Angel? Please, Miroku?"

Finally, after a little while, the soft, beautiful voice said, "Walk over to your mirror, Sango."

Xxxxxx

Bwahahaha! Cliffe! What will happen? Well, you all know the story, so It's kinda obvious, but still…

Wow, I've never laughed evilly before…