A/N: (Yes, it's a long one)
Let's brush up on some facts, my dears…you might find this interesting and educational in the chapters to come!
The basic plotline of Don Juan is one of the most famous plotlines in opera. Just about every version of Don Juan (Spanish name) or Don Giovanni (Italian name) has this basic plotline.
The title character is an infamous lothario and ladies' man who seduces just about every woman left and right through Europe. (sounds familiar, no?) Then he meets this young woman who is engaged and he goes to seduce her through some disguises and deception since he's got such a reputation. Around the same time, some of the people whose lives he's destroyed with his acts of seduction gang up on him to give him his final comeuppance.
In the case of Don Giovanni, Don Giovanni had killed a man in a duel because the man was defending his daughter's honor after Don Giovanni tried to seduce her. In the end, our title character goes to Hell for his wickedness.
The funny thing about Don Juan in POTO is that it's a heavy "theme" in the musical. In the novel, Erik screamed at Christine at how he's Don Juan. This is meant to be sarcastic since, as I said, Don Juan is such a successful seducer and our poor Phantom, or Miroku, whichever you prefer, is so hideous. For Andrew Lloyd Weber to use the Don Juan Triumphant of the novel into the musical just extends the metaphor further by having the two ironies of this character for the story. Not only is it expanding on the ugly Phantom as the seductive figure, but it does take advantage of the fact that Don Juan uses tricks to get his "prey." Of course for Don Juan Triumphant/Point of No Return scene, the character uses a disguise to seduce Aminta/Christine/Sango.
How do I know this? I have way too much time on my hands…Thus; this concludes my author's note.
Sango awoke the next morning to find a beautiful bouquet of flowers on top of her bedside dresser. She positioned herself upright in the bed and reached over to pick the card out of the arrangement. There was no point in checking for who they were from. The parchment clearly smelled of Kuronosuke. Sango opened the envelope with a half-smile.
True, last night had been both terrifying and sensational. Now that Sango was calm enough to think things, why had she been so eager to fall into Kuronosuke's arms? She sighed and turned her gaze to Kirara. She was sitting at the foot of the bed, giving Sango a look that made her squirm uncomfortably underneath her covers. "What's wrong, girl?" Sango asked as she went to reach out and pet Kirara's head. But the cat hissed at her and leapt onto the floor. She strode over to the door, where she stretched for a moment and brushed her claws against the carpet. Kirara then resumed her glare from the other side of the room.
Sango blinked in shock at Kirara's sudden lack of affection. "You're angry with me?" She watched as Kirara bent her head towards the floor and opened her mouth to yawn. If felines could talk, Sango could just imagine what she'd have to say— Humph, what a dense owner I have! Surely you must know what is bothering me?
"Kirara, you don't honestly think that I should stay with Miroku?" Sango blushed, feeling awfully idiotic that she was talking to a cat. "Did you not see what he is capable of doing? I was only concerned for Kuronosuke because he is my friend!"
Liar… Kirara's tail swayed side to side in a hypnotic motion.
"He's killed a man! An innocent man!" Sango shouted, bringing the pillow to her face and shaking her head into it.
The cat remained unflinching. Her eyes flashed. So Miroku is a murderer, what of it? Sango, you knew yourself that he had tendencies…
Suddenly Sango remembered the noose. So she hadn't been imagining things! And the torture room, who really had a torture room in their house? But yet, none of this seemed odd to Sango (at the time). None of it urked her. Sango still came to Miroku like a moth attracted to a flicking flame.
Last night…you wanted Miroku to be the one confessing his love to you— not that other boy! Kirara seemed to be grinning, and Sango began to wonder if she was becoming mad herself. You see, Sango, Miroku is just as much of a cat as I. He doesn't trust easily and you have to try hard to win his affection… Or else…he won't come out of hiding... Dogs…dogs on the other hand, Kirara produced somewhat of a hiss, dogs are fools who will come to anyone who calls their name!
"This is crazy…" Sango whispered, ripping her gaze from the pet. "You're just a cat, and I'm just thinking up these things…but, why am I?"
Perhaps you have succumbed to that boy's charm because you think it is the logical thing to do?
"Well…I…Kirara! Just…just go away!" Sango cried, throwing a cushion at her.
Kirara jumped back a foot. Since when have we ever been logical? she 'continued'. And look, we're just fine how we are! Sango, aren't you glad you have my affection? Look at the relationship we've earned. Kirara galloped over to the mirror. She swept at it until it opened a small breech, just big enough for her body to wiggle through. Just imagine how much better it will be when Master Miroku's nibbling at your neck… Then Kirara trotted off into the dark passageways of the labyrinth
Sango gaped, and decided it would be good for her to go back to sleep. She was now having fears of losing her own sanity...
"Don…Juan…Triumph- what do you want?" Miroku stubbornly slammed his quill back into the inkwell. "You know better than anyone…do not disturb me during my music! Why, I have worked six days at a time without any interruptions!"
"Believe me, idiot, this is worth the interruption!" Inuyasha growled as he watched Miroku proceed to write…whatever he was writing. It was sloppy, childish-looking, but professionally done. Inuyasha stomped over to it and shuffled the stack into his hands. Not a good move, for Miroku was now giving him murderous glares. Now, a murderous glare doesn't necessarily mean that a glare is murderous, but with Miroku…
"Just hear me out and you'll get these back!"
Miroku responded with a reluctant nod.
"I thought you left all this messy business back at the palace! You can't tell me that you've enjoyed working with Sesshomaru's torture chamber!" Inuyasha glanced down at the papers. They seemed to help him collect his thoughts. "What are these, anyway?"
"Simple, they're—"
Inuyasha snarled. "Don't change the subject, Miroku!" he snapped, watching his comrade get slightly taken aback by the dog's uncharacterized coldness.
"But it was you who asked me about—"
The hanyou cut him off for a second time. "Why Naraku? Yeah, we all hate him but still…why? Do you know of the chaos you've caused? Are you aware of the impact you've had on Paris and the newspapers?
"No, I wasn't aware…" Miroku said devilishly, suppressing a grin.
"I'm surprised the police haven't hunted you down!"
Miroku fiddled with the black ribbon in between his fingers. It had been tenderly tied around the stem of a single blood-red rose. Miroku had planned on giving it to Sango, as he usually did. He still desired to hold a grudge with her, but found it slowly becoming more and more difficult
It was not Sango's fault, I do not blame her. None of us choose where we will love. No, I can't blame her. I blame the boy…Kuronouske… for stealing her heart.
"Miroku! Are you listening to me?" Inuyasha's annoying voice snapped him back into reality. "Why did you do it? What have you proved?"
"The man was a perverted drunk. His fate was rightfully met by the Punjab lasso." Miroku sighed deeply, plucking a petal from the rose and carelessly tossing it to the ground. "He really shouldn't have made a habit of peeking in on the girl's dressing room, or staring a Sango while she was changing, for that matter. Of course, you wouldn't understand, would you Inuyasha?" He turned on him, "You must have managed to catch a glimpse of the lovely Miss Higarashi? She must have a fine body…"
Inuyasha opened his mouth to say something but found that nothing came out. Miroku smirked and plucked another petal. "Well, you'll be happy to know that I did not kill Monsieur Naraku. I told him quite politely not to be playing on the catwalk, and what did he do? He defied me and like the fool he was, he got caught in the ropes. I merely tried pulling him up by a rope that I had securely most lovingly around his neck. He had to be safe, Inuyasha." Miroku gave a half-hearted laugh, "I suppose I pulled my rope too tight. A severe oops on my part. The fault was entirely mine." Miroku placed the rose on his desk and said, "Once his neck snapped, there was nothing more I could do. I just…let him fly…"
Inuyasha eyes widened. "You mean dangle! You let him dangle!"
"Oh sorry, I forgot about that part. Yes, I let him dangle, but just for a bit. Then I let him fly. However, his landing was rather distasteful. Poor Sango. The child almost got crushed. Now we know Naraku was never meant to be a bird…"
"Cut the sarcastic crap, Miroku! You're not funny!"
Miroku put a hand over his heart, "Inuyasha, this is entirely the truth. There is nothing comical about it! Would I— your dearest friend—lie to you? I think not! Ahh, Kirara! You have returned!" Miroku outstretched his arms slightly and waited patiently for Kirara to stride near him. She came with wonderful obedience and rested herself on his lap without protest. Kirara's furry black ears perked up as she listened to Inuyasha's booming voice.
Master Miroku, how much longer must we tolerate this Inuyasha…?
Inuyasha clutched the papers to his chest, needing to ask one final question. "So if you killed Naraku for being a peeping tom, why am I still here? I guess I'm one too."
Miroku scratched Kirara underneath her chin,"The answer is quite obvious, is it not? You were not staring at Sango. What happens between Kagome and yourself is your business, not mine. Besides, Naraku also spread some nasty rumors about myself. Inuyasha, you know how I detest rumors…especially when they're true. Yet, the man just didn't shut up about it. Not when Madame Kaede told him to, not when you told him to…but then again, no one really listens to you, do they?" Inuyasha remained silent, and when he did, Miroku prattled on. "He just couldn't listen to the warnings, so he had to be punished."
"By killing him? Couldn't you do something else?" Inuyasha stuttered.
"His death was a lot kinder than me just throwing him in the torture chamber—oh Inuyasha, don't give me that look. You know I have one down here. Care to venture and find it? It will be such deadly entertainment. Go on, go! Try to find it!"
"You're sick!"
"I do have a tiny cold…" Miroku laughed and the cat purred.
"How do you plan to get Sango back when you're acting like this? You're acting like a madman! I don't know, Miroku, but girls these days aren't into the murdering type…or at least, that's what I've heard!" Inuyasha sat down on the floor and crossed his legs Indian-style.
"If you would just give me those papers, I could tell you! You'll find out in 6 months, at the Opera's masked ball. Oh, that reminds me…could you get my costume? I'm going to be ridiculously busy and I don't think I can get it myself."
"Mew!"
"Don't you worry, my girl, I always have enough time for you!" Miroku heard Inuyasha snort and then ask what the costume was that he wanted. "You don't know me at all, do you?" Miroku quickly wrote the name down on a scrap piece of yellow parchment paper and then handed it to his friend.
"As if I can read this!" Inuyasha spat, squinting in order to make out the crimson-colored words.
"I'll be going as Red Death. And you must tell Sango to go as the black domino. Is that understood?"
"I'm not telling her! I'll snag this 'Red Death' costume for you, but you'll be telling Sango about this yourself!" Inuyasha's amber eyes suddenly narrowed into slits. "You bastard. You make me feel all guilty for staring at Kagome. But then, how would you know that unless you were staring at someone too? Maybe you should have yourself hanged."
"Inuyasha…you are an idiot. Are you so quick in forgetting that I have many trap doors, see many different things and know everything that happens in my opera house the moment it occurs? Now get up, find some of that blasted ramen you care so much about and get out of my house!"
Kirara winced.
Inuyasha did the same. He quickly returned Don Juan Triumphant to Miroku and fled.
"Dogs…I much more prefer cats…" Miroku muttered, running his fingers over Kirara's head and resuming his previous state. He dipped his quill in the ink and continued.
"Aminta…the beautiful gypsy girl…" Miroku smiled to himself, this part was indeed going to satisfy him.
"Kagome…I'm scared. What if the Opera Ghost kills me next?" Sango looked at Shippou, and then to Kagome. What was she going to say?
"Shippou…ehh…the Opera Ghost only punishes the bad, evil boys and girls…and…and…he always leaves presents for the good ones!" She returned Sango's gaze and shrugged helplessly. "Isn't that right Sango?"
"Oh, yes! Yes it is!" Sango put on a happy smile for the kitsune, meeting her fingers together at the tips and jumping up and down lightly.
"Like Santa Claus?" Shippou asked innocently.
"Exactly like Santa Claus!" replied the girls in unison.
"Only…a bit more intense." Added Sango, "Wouldn't you say, Kagome?"
"Couldn't have said it better myself! Now turn around while I help you put on your corset." Shippou took that as his queue to leave. Kagome shut the door and stood in back of Sango. She gently swept Sango's hair over her shoulders. She positioned the clothing over Sango's already perfect hour-glass figure and began to lace it up. Kagome frowned and whispered more to herself than Sango, "you're gorgeous, do you know that?"
"Kagome, quit being so flattering… You're just as pretty as I am, if not prettier." Sango blushed, grateful that her back was turned.
"Stop being so modest!" Kagome laughed a bit sadly. The corset was beginning to pinch in Sango's waist and raise her breast to healthy heights. Perfection was an understatement. "No wonder he's gone mad for you…"
"What do you…?" Sango tried to turn her head and look at Kagome over her shoulder, but Kagome pulled tighter on the laces of the corset and gently commanded Sango to stay facing the mirror.
"Kuronosuke loves me for more than just my looks! …Kagome, not so…you're suffocating me!"
"Sorry…" Kagome sighed, loosening the contraption for comfort. "Who ever said we were talking about Kuronosuke, Sango?"
"Who else would we be talking…?" Sango bit her lip, "Not you too!"
"Listen to me for a sec. I'm not saying that being with Miroku is the smart thing to do, nor is it safe, but Sango, I saw you with Kuronosuke last night, and it seemed to me that you acted…well, you acted as if you were in love . But that's just it, Sango. You were acting." Kagome began finishing up the laces, "now I can't say I've seen you with Miroku, because I haven't, but you sure made a complete turn around last night. It all seemed a little unreal... There, you're good to go!" Kagome let her hands fall to her sides and Sango went to select a gown to wear.
"I know, I know! But Kagome, how am I supposed to react to this? Kuronosuke's so charming and he makes me feel like that happy little girl who used to spend her days singing songs and running through sand. Miroku's so completely different. He makes me want to do things, Kagome! Things I thought I would never think about! It's not like me!"
"So there's seduction going on in this relationship, huh?" Kagome raised an eyebrow as Sango came out from behind the changing curtain.
Sango sat over on the sofa, deciding to let all her thoughts spill out. "Then, I've got part of my mind telling me— hey Sango, what's to say that you won't wake up one day to find that Miroku has completely turned on you? What's to say he won't kill you like he did the others?"
"Others?"
"Oh, Kagome, there will be others! I don't doubt that!" Sango pointed out.
"I think Miroku loves you too much for him to kill—"
"And…and to live in a cellar? It's cold and dark…I hate the dark! It terrifies me. You never know what could be crawling over your body while you're sleeping!"
"Sango, maybe you should just go to the guy and figure things out for yourself? You're obviously so confused right now, I think it might lead to brain damage! I just don't want you rushing into things with Kuronosuke if that's not where your heart lies." Kagome placed a finger to her lips in interest. "But could you answer me just one question?"
"I'd have to know what that question is." Sango replied, cupping both cheeks in her hands.
"Why does he wear I mask? I'd assume it's because of some deformity, if you're with him out of pity, than maybe Kuronosuke is the best choice. I mean, no one really wants to be pitied and deceived into thinking their other half loves them—"
"He is deformed…and it's not pity." Sango said bluntly. Just how deformed Miroku was…well, she decided to leave that part out.
'They all seem so eager for Miroku and I to love each other, and it's not normal…far from it. But, I really can't complain. I'm just having so many completely different thoughts…all at once. I never liked Naraku, yet he shouldn't have been killed. I'm scared of Miroku, yet I want to be with him. Kuronosuke's so loving and caring, but Miroku is as well… stop it, Sango! Stop it! You're thinking way too much! As if Kirara lecturing me wasn't enough!'
"Kagome, I'll see him. But…but you must distract Kuronosuke! Tell him I went to my friend's house, make it sound believable. Stress it if you must. Just don't let him know about Miroku. Who knows what will happen if you do!" Sango watched Kagome nod, quickly did her hair, applied a light touch of make-up and rammed into Shippou on the way out the door.
"Why's she in such a rush for?"
Sango studied the stage. She was trying to remember exactly how she had gotten back to the opera house. It was through one of Miroku's trap doors. She saw an opening in the center stage and hurried to lift the top up. God, it was dark down there…leading to god knows where. Sango could very well be plummeting to her death and not know it.
But she leapt anyway.
A/N: Kirara is just a regular cat in this story. She's not a demon; she can't talk…she just serves as a friend and conscious to Sango. Sorry it took longer than usual to update. I've been sick. I still am.