A/N: I lied…this chapter is Don Juan. K? K!
Finally, it was the day of the performance. Sango was so nervous she was shaking too hard to lace up her corset. Instead, she had Kagome do it for her. Sango had someone else do her hair, but she herself had to do her stage make-up. Sango didn't trust anyone else to do it.
She was also nervous because she hadn't seen or heard from Miroku for a long time. Irrationally, Sango started to be plagued with thoughts of horrible things that might have happened to him. This didn't help her state of mind in the least.
As she walked down to the stage for a last rehearsal before the actual show, Sango prayed that nothing would go wrong, and no one would get hurt.
She got the awful feeling lately that Miroku was up to something, and had a sneaking suspicion that Madame Kaede had been helping him. When she questioned the ballet instructor, though, Madame Kaede had told her not to speak nonsense. However, she wouldn't meet Sango's eyes, and she wouldn't answer anymore questions.
Now, as Sango made her way onto the stage, she felt a strange sensation of dread fill her. Something was going to happen, and Sango was almost certain that she wouldn't like it.
"Are the police ready?" Hakkaku asked Ginta, and his fellow manager nodded his assent. "Good." Hakkaku wiped the sweat from his forehead. He was going to be glad when all of this was over.
The managers hadn't told anyone of Bankotsu's plan. The only people who knew were themselves, Kuronosuke and the officers in question. They hadn't wanted to startle the cast by notifying them of the reason for the police's presence.
Hakkaku and Ginta sat in their office, going over the plan and looking for things that could go wrong. Hakkaku kept insisting that they should do something in case the Phantom didn't appear in Box Five, but Bankotsu had repeatedly brushed his comments off, firmly telling him that he was sure the Phantom would be there, and there was no question about it.
At last, Hakkaku gave in, but he had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach about it. He was sure that the Phantom would pull some unexpected trick, and they'd be left in confusion. Or dead.
The managers stayed in their office until a half-hour before the show began. Then they made their way down to their seats.
Kuronosuke sat in Box 4 (right next to Box 5, mind you), and began to twitch nervously as he watched the policeman filter into the neighboring Box (Box 3, no one ever took the Ghost's seat) and hide in the shadows. He gulped, and gripped the edge of his chair with worry.
Sango had stopped shaking, and was beginning to feel the familiar excitement before a performance. She told herself over and over again that nothing would go wrong, and had finally convinced herself…and then she saw the policemen.
Her heart sank.
"Kagome! Kagome!" She ran through the dark backstage, looking for her friend. When she found her, she said, "Why are their policemen here? What's going on?"
Kagome frowned. "Policemen? Are there really? I didn't know anything about it…"
Madame Kaede came out of the shadows from behind her. "There are officers here?" she asked, and Sango thought she heard a flicker of fear in the woman's voice. "Are they armed?"
Kagome peered out of the curtain, and after a moment pulled her head back in. "Yes, they are."
That was the first time in her life that Sango heard Madame Kaede say a cuss word. She stared at the woman, but by the time she had overcome her shock, the ballet instructor had sped away into the darkness.
Kagome had been just as shocked as Sango. "What was that all about?" she asked, voice shaking a little. "I've never heard her… I mean, she doesn't…"
"Miroku is up to something." Sango whispered. "Oh, Kagome, he's up to something… And so are the managers. The police…"
Kagome's eyes suddenly grew wide. "It's almost like a war... But which side is the right side?"
Sango gave her friend a look, and the ballet girl blushed slightly. "I'm sorry Sango, I didn't mean to imply that I thought that maybe Miroku was on the wrong side… but…"
Sango shook her head. "It's not a war, Kagome, you'll see. We're making a fuss over nothing. Nothing will happen. Nothing will go wrong."
Even to her, the words sounded empty.
Miroku sat at his organ, not playing, but staring off into the distance in thought. His opera would begin in twenty minutes' time.
He had known that he would have to leave the Opera House soon. Eventually, he knew that the managers would get fed up with his demands, and hunt him out. He couldn't stay hidden forever. Therefore, Miroku had made a plan of escape. This, of course, involved Don Juan. He was more than a little upset that he had to interrupt the very first showing, but he knew it was necessary… that is, unless he wanted to leave without Sango. However, he didn't even view that as an option. His life meant nothing without Sango.
He had consulted Madame Kaede on the matter, of course. He didn't want to plan this by himself, and he needed help in case something went wrong.
His plan involved getting rid of Bankotsu, which immediately faced him with a problem. He knew he couldn't kill the man—Sango would never forgive him if he killed again. No, he would just need to get rid of him temporarily.
Unfortunately, he was afraid that, if faced with the horrible tenor, he would lose all sense and kill him after all. This was one reason he needed Madame Kaede. The other, of course, was so that she could make sure everything ran smoothly.
They had discussed this on Thursday morning, and Madame Kaede had called in sick so that she could help him.
Kaede had told Miroku quite firmly that, however, she wanted to be back up on stage by noon, because their practice had needed work. He agreed, but by the time noon came, they had only just finished the plans.
Madame Kaede hated to be late. All of her life, she had been right on time. So when she looked at the clock when they were finished, and realized that it read 11:58, she jumped to her feet and ran out into the passageways.
She made it to the stage just on time—as usual—but she looked pale and out of breath by the time she got there, and Kaede noticed too late that she had forgotten to pull her hair back into her prim and proper pony-tail.
Miroku reflected later that this was actually probably a good thing. It made her excuse of sickness seem all the more real, and certainly none of the ballet girls had suspected a thing. Monsieur Toto-sai had given her a few suspicious looks, but said nothing. But that was only to be expected… Toto-sai was a smart man, and wasn't fooled easily.
Miroku had followed Madame Kaede to the rehearsals, and had taken his seat in Box Five. So, naturally, when one of the ballet rats spoke of him directing them, he had risen to the occasion.
As he sat in the darkness with ten minutes to go to the opera, thinking to himself, he was interrupted abruptly (and unexpectedly) by Madame Kaede.
She looked slightly worried about something, and when Kaede explained about the officers, he saw why.
But there was no turning back now.
The theater was packed—every seat was full (accept for Box 5, of course). The reason behind this being that the managers had advertised Don Juan as the Ghost's Opera. As always, the public was always looking into anything where they thought there might be trouble or excitement; the opera sold out in a flash.
Now they all sat in their seats, whispering excitedly to themselves and casting curious glances around the place. All were looking for the telltale ghost.
A few of them looked a bit frightened, but the majority was strangely excited, as if just waiting for something odd and surprising to happen. Unfortunately, nothing happened until later on in the opera…but when it did, they certainly weren't let down.
Five minutes to go until Don Juan began…
Ginta and Hakkaku fidgeted in their seats, occasionally casting glances over at Box Five.
Still nothing.
They were quite clearly distraught about the missing ghost, but had reassured themselves that he would appear just as the opera began.
All time seemed to slow down, and the seconds ticked by. The police, with their weapons, sat waiting in various places around the room. They were anywhere from the orchestra pit, to behind the seats where the audience was seated. Several of them had actually purchased tickets for the opera beforehand anyway. Though several people thought it was odd that the men came to watch the show with loaded rifles, they didn't think much of it. After all, nothing was too strange for the Ghost's Opera!
Three minutes to go…
Miroku didn't go to Box Five. He knew that he couldn't. The managers had planned something, and that something had undoubtedly been centered around Box Five. He saw it in their eyes every time they glanced over at his empty seat.
So, instead, he watched from up above as the seconds ticked away…
Finally, the wait was over. The curtains parted on the opening scene of Don Juan.
Miroku smiled down at the stage as the ballet girls and main characters began to filter onto it.
"Let my opera begin…" he whispered.
(A/N: I wanted to leave off there, but I've been waiting so long to write this, that I couldn't resist! Call yourselves lucky. …and so…readers, I bring you Don Juan! …this is exciting!)
The audience seated on that auspicious night in the Opera Populaire, were dazzled. The respected, tasteful theatre's stage was bedecked in a plush, glittering wave of blazing scarlet, as though seduction itself had turned into something you could hold in the palm of your hand. The golden effigies that surrounded the theatre's domed roof seemed to writhe with pleasure in their new home, and the soft candlelight from the spectacular chandelier danced wildly in the hushed, expectant atmosphere. Crimson curtains cascading down from the ceiling, translucent enough to allow the light to shine through and create twisting red reflections on every surface. However, the audience paid little heed to the breathtaking set, and locked their eyes on the rising star amidst it, Mademoiselle Sango Youkaitashi.
Her fabulous voice had captivated every man, woman, and child that heard it. Society's prying eyes wished only to delve deeper into her secrets and reveal her, disguising its thirst for gossip with sweet adoration.
Now, as the young woman was displayed on the stage, they were entranced. Her costume was a simple yet alluring peasant's dress, delicate white lace against a black bodice. Untamed dark tresses spilled down her back and over her shoulders, contrasting dramatically with her porcelain complexion. Wide hazel eyes, full pink lips, and a blooming red rose in her hair completed the image of an exotic beauty placed before them. And inside, her thoughts were just as crazed and chaotic as her surroundings.
God help him, God help him, God save him… Sango prayed to herself, amazed at her ability to recall her part when her mind was someplace else entirely. She caught glimpse of the policeman again and began to wonder where Miroku was. Sango had attempted to avoid searching the theatre for the police, armed with muskets and discreetly placed around the stage, but to no avail. Sango was undeniably nervous and scared. She knew when they caught sight of their prey they would fire. And Lord knows what would happen to him then…
Him. How she tried so hard to keep her thoughts from him, and how she failed. Her own Angel of Music, who was now revealed as the Opera Ghost, and utterly and wholly in love with her. How his dark, sensual voice had enchanted her; lured her to his hideaway underneath the Opera. It haunted her mind, her dreams, every breath she inhaled was He, and every move she made was because of Him. He possessed her, like no other ever had.
The first scene went smoothly, both the managers agreed. It was most certainly the best show the Opera House had ever put on, even if it was a bit…morbid…
The audience watched in anticipation as Don Juan and his servant, Passarino, recited their plan and exchanged places. Then Don Juan hid behind a curtain, and the lovely Miss Youkaitashi graced the stage once more.
The managers turned their gaze to Box Five. So far, there was nothing…
Bankotsu smiled to himself and pulled the curtain closed behind him. It had been a good day so far, and was only promising to get better. Any moment now…any moment the Phantom would appear in Box Five. Then, at long last, they would have their revenge!
Bankotsu chuckled to himself, and then turned his attention back to the voices onstage. In a moment, he had to go back on…
Suddenly he heard a voice behind him. Surprisingly, however, it was not a male voice. It was a female voice that he recognized…
"Monsieur Bankotsu, you were doing better than usual tonight." Madame Kaede announced quietly, "But unfortunately, you will no longer be needed in this scene. I am sorry for this, but it's the only way."
Bankotsu whirled around to face her just as she brought something heavy down upon his head. Later, he would awake in his room with no recollection of any of the events of that night.
"Hurry, Monsieur, ye don't have much time." Madame Kaede spoke softly so that they could not hear her on stage, watching worriedly as Miroku donned Bankotsu's hooded cloak.
Miroku turned to her then. "You have my thanks, Madame."
Madame Kaede nodded briskly. "May luck be with ye, though I fear that ye may need more than luck to get away with this. Ye certainly don't look like Bankotsu, Monsieur, and ye sound even less like him. Thankfully…"
Miroku smiled a little bit at her. "I will be careful."
"I'll take Bankotsu to his room—if I can carry him, that is—and then watch those officers to try to find out what is going on. I don't believe anyone really knows but the managers, Bankotsu and…" But she held her tongue.
Miroku was about to respond, but at that moment, the actor who played the servant said, "Master?"
Miroku waved Madame Kaede away, and responded with the appropriate line… "Passarino… Go away for the trap is set and waits for its prey…"
The audience heard the change in the voice right away. Bankotsu, though he had a decent voice, did not sound anything near as angelic as this one did. Could it be…?
They all waited with baited breath.
The managers did as well. Hakkaku gave his partner a worried look and mouthed, "Bankotsu? What happened… that certainly isn't Bankotsu! Is it…the Phantom?…"
Hakkaku gazed down at Ginta, giving him an 'I-told-you-so' look.
Ginta gulped and turned his attention back to the stage, where a black robed figure was appearing…
Miroku was all she could think about and she gazed into the audience. For a moment, she looked up at Kuronosuke…who, oddly, was biting his fingernails. This was his doing, wasn't it? And oh, how she loathed him for it. She never had felt so betrayed. Although Sango couldn't garuntee that Kuronosuke had planned this, she believed with all her heart that he did.
But Miroku…she wanted him with her…and at that moment, she hadn't the energy to mentally curse out Kuronosuke.
And then, as if her mind had summoned him forth, a hauntingly familiar voice floated out behind her.
"You have come here… in pursuit of your deepest urge…in pursuit of that wish which till now has been silent… silent…"
Sango had heard the change in the voice as well, and she knew exactly what had happened. Why hadn't she expected something like this!
"I have brought you, that our passions may fuse and merge…In your mind you've already succumbed to me, dropped all defenses completely succumbed to me…"
Sango took a shaky breath and pretended as if nothing had changed. She had to keep up the appearance, for Miroku's sake…
His voice sent shivers down her spine. 'Well,' Sango thought 'At least this time I don't have to worry about not being passionate enough…'
So he was here, this had been his plan all along: to play Don Juan himself, and fool them all in doing so. No one, Sango knew, had suspected this. She could see from the scandalized look on Kuronosuke's face in his box seat above her, and the stunned rapture of the performers offstage, in the corner of her eye.
His voice, deep and overpowering, flooded her body and she shuddered. This Angel had raised her and given her voice wings, had shown her his music deep underground that night that now seemed many years ago...
"Now you are here with me: no second thoughts, you've decided, decided…"
And now, Sango let the mesmerizing melody of his song wash over her.
Everyone watched the figure's progression across the stage, hypnotized by the angelic voice. Even the officers forgot to watch for their signal to shoot from the managers… which really didn't matter, as the managers had quite forgotten to give it. Everyone watched intently.
"Past the point of no return…No backward glances! The games we've played till now are at an end…Past all point of "if" or "when"…no use resisting…abandon thought, and let the dream descend . . ."
Sango closed her eyes and lost herself in the sound of his voice. She restrained the sudden urge to jump up and run to him, reminding herself that they were in front of a huge audience.
The hairs on the back of her neck raised as she felt a pair of eyes on her, and she risked a glance at Miroku, to find that his gaze was directed right at her. Hs dark eyes were flashing. His movements were fluid and graceful as he moved across the stage towards her. Sango got to her feet, captivated.
"What raging fire shall flood the soul? What rich desire unlocks its door? What sweet seduction lies before us . . .?
Miroku moved closer and closer still. With each step, Sango felt that same strange heat grow warmer yet. His hand reached out, and Sango instinctively grasped it, drawing in a deep breath at the thrill of his touch. He drew out each note he sang to such an extent that Sango felt restless.
Sango couldn't stop herself from sighing, but it was so faint that only Miroku noticed. He raised an eyebrow slightly under the cowl of Don Juan's robe, a tiny smile playing about the corners of his lips. He continued, watching Sango's reaction with glee. He had reached her now, and gently placed his arms around her.
Suddenly, Miroku pulled Sango to him, turning her so her back was against his broad chest. She gasped softly as he brought his hand up to her neck, and intertwined the other in her soft, brown locks. Then, all too soon, he moved away, running his fingers down her arm, giving her goose bumps, and then holding her hand in his.
"Past the point of no return, the final threshold - what warm, unspoken secrets will we learn?
Sango's pulse raced madly as her time to sing approached.
"Beyond the point of no return…"
Miroku breathed deeply, inhaling the sweet scent of Sango's hair, reveling in her closeness. His plan was moving without a hitch, he could now only pray, only hope that she would comply…
And he believed she would.
"You have brought me," Sango's pure, unwavering voice reached his ears and he closed his eyes in silent triumph. "To that moment where words run dry, to that moment where speech disappears into silence, silence…"
She was doing the best she had ever done in all of her practices, even better than when she had practiced with Miroku. Sango was now pouring her heart into her voice, and it made it all the more beautiful. Though she still blushed slightly at Aminta's seductive words (and blushed more when she realized that they were true) she pulled herself together and continued.
'See what beauty I have created', Miroku thought defiantly at the audience's admiring faces. 'To replace the beauty I can never possess… ' This made up for the deformation that cursed his life. Her voice. Sango had brought a new magic to him, and from the moment he heard her sing, Miroku had a reason to continue, to go on. Miroku had perfected her gift, so that when Sango's time came, she would astound all. And after her victory, she would come to him, stay with him forever.
"I have come here, hardly knowing the reason why… In my mind, I've already imagined our bodies entwining defenseless and silent - "
As Sango sang to him, in this duet he had written for her and only her, Miroku's heart overflowed. He had never felt such elation, just an indescribable thrill as being on stage with the woman he loved, finally performing his own masterpiece. He bent all his concentration on her, hoping somehow she would sense his thoughts, and respond…knowing she did not deny the peculiar bond between them.
Sango soon found that she wasn't embarrassed anymore. She became increasingly aware of Miroku's arms around her, and her song was getting more and more sincere. She bit back a moan as he began to gently press kisses on her neck. Her breath quickened, but she continued to sing. She couldn't mess up, not now…
"Now I am here with you - no second thoughts, I've decided, decided…"
Gently he released her hand, and they stepped away from each other, their eyes never separating. Slowly, painstakingly slowly, they mounted a pair of staircases, each flight of steps connecting with the opposite end of a suspended platform above. Sango's voice resounded throughout the theatre all the while, striking every note with fervent perfection.
"Past the point of no return, no going back now - our passion-play has now at last begun…"
Somewhere in the audience, Miroku knew the Vicomte was watching it all…
He smiled.
"Past all thought of right or wrong - one final question: how long should we to wait, before we're one…?" They paused, half way up the stairs, Miroku watching in awe as she sang for him, her eyes sparkling with desire and her entire body screaming of seduction. The raw power in her voice mounted as Sango continued, and he felt all his authority wash away. Miroku had hidden his desperate need for her love with a blanket of commanding letters and harsh words. Now he knew he would care not in the least if she tied him on a leash and led him like an animal…as long as he had her love.
"When will the blood begin to race, the sleeping bud burst into bloom; when will the flames at last, consume us…?"
Reaching the tops of the stairs, they stood across from each other, Miroku filled with a fiery ardor as he faced Sango. Her petite chest expanded slowly, and they moved towards each other, raising their voices in a flowing molten wave of song, each word burning with fierce desire. There was not a sigh from the audience, as the enthralling rhythm flooded the Opera House and drowned out all other sounds.
Now Miroku's voice joined hers, and the audience sat in complete awe. The sound and the feeling of both voices combined were incredible.
"Past the point of no return the final threshold -the bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn . . ."
They were now close enough that Sango could see the white fire burning somewhere behind her Angel's eyes, and Miroku could see the battle between fear and excitement in Sango's. They reached forward, Miroku's hands enclosing around her tiny waist, and then twirling her around so he was again behind her, pressing her against him. Miroku guided Sango's hands across her stomach, over her heaving bosom, and brought them to rest on her neck.
" We've passed the point of no return . . ."
Then a pause, as the theatre caught its breath. Sango's eyes were closed, her head against Miroku's shoulder as he held her from behind. She could feel his hot breath on her neck, and Sango's whole body trembled with anticipation.
Tenderly, she felt him turn her, so she was facing him. His eyes were now soft, filled with a gentler emotion than the ardent craving that was in them before. Miroku held both of her hands in his own.
There continued a ringing silence as they stopped. Everyone sat still in their seats, and then—slowly—began to come out of their reverie.
Miroku gently drew Sango even closer to himself, and sang softly in her ear. "Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime…lead me, save me from my solitude…"
Sango's voice caught in her throat. Her ears roared at Kuronosuke's words were transformed from the delicate proposal on the rooftop to a passionate plea before the world. Each word was branding itself on her heart. Sango gasped softly, reaching up to caress his cheek, but Miroku stopped her, grasping it again and sliding a diamond ring onto her finger. The same ring he had taken from her at the masquerade ball. Only, it was now offering her another man.
"Say you want me with you, here beside you…" Then his voice rose to a vibrated crescendo.
She could see tears sparkling in his eyes; hear the intense emotion as he sang. Her surroundings faded away to a golden light, and all she could see was Miroku's adoring face, his shining eyes, and his perfect lips…
Sango drew in a breath. This wasn't in the script… what was he doing! She looked down to where the officers in the pit were, still blinking dazedly.
"…Anywhere you go, let me go too…Sango, that's all I ask of—"
He never had time to finish, however, for at that moment, Ginta came out of his trance and quickly signaled for the officers to shoot the man onstage.
The closest policeman raised his gun, and Sango let out a cry of despair. "Miroku!" She quickly turned and pushed him to the ground, landing on top of him.
She wasn't a moment too soon, either, for the bullet went whizzing right over their heads.
Miroku swiftly nudged her off from on top of him and scooped her up in his arms. Then he let something drop to the ground, causing a column of smoke to rise up around them.
"Goodbye, gentlemen. It has been a pleasure working with you."
Sango felt the floor drop out from underneath of her, and then everything went black.Ta da!