Dear Readers,
I am informing you that the content of this story is not owned by the writers. Naruto nor The Phantom of the Opera is their own. They simply own the other characters that are not members of the Naruto cast and the changed parts of the storyline. This is all of my time that I can give you for I must keep the new owners of my opera house in line. They will learn what happens when they don't obey the Phantom.
Sincerely,
O.G.
A/N: Just to tell you that this chapter will have a lot more of the real Phantom or the Opera story line. So if something doesn't sound right please bear with me. Also the disclaimer was written in the point of the phantom himself, in the movie he signed most if not all of his letters O.G, or Opera Ghost. I hope those of you who got it enjoyed it. I was tired of whisper picking on my disclaimers… although she claims this one is boring… it's just meant to go along with the story. Toodlies! ) shattered
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
CHAPTER 2: Retiring, Prima Donnas, and Salaries
September 13th, 1870
Machi was the one to go to if someone needed help. That was of course the case if they were truly desperate or clinically insane. Of course everything was perfect when she had her hand but she had this price people had to pay if they wanted her help. The toll was that person's sanity. Her help came with a constant lecture on how stupid the person was that they couldn't do it their self. The lecture of course was a rather nasty slur of profanities. She went on long enough to drive a human being mad. She had a gift; there was no doubt about it.
Rehearsals were one of those days that no one was safe from the tall brunette's screaming. She yelled at everyone and everything. Something was always wrong and she had the trained eye to see it. Not to mention her superstitions made it worse. "It's Friday the thirteenth people. I have good luck, you all have bad luck! Don't let there be room for bad luck to mess everything up! Oh, Hinata, you missed a spot there. It's your mask you want it to be perfect don't you!?" was about what people would often hear. The poor blue haired girl just happened to always there when she started off.
"Shikamaru! What on Earth?!? Get your lazy ass out from inside that elephant and do something! And put down that damn liquor bottle, hell knows how much is in your system already!" Machi screamed at the lazy man lounging inside the hollow elephant prop that was to be used. The man showed no sign of moving so Machi got right in his relaxed face. "Move. Now. Or I will personally make it so you can't sit down for a month."
Shikamaru, a tall lean man, let out a sigh and rolled away from the brunette before standing up and lighting a cigarette. He had a tired appearance and constantly wore his hair in a ponytail so that it came out in a spiked shape. He always had alcohol or a cigarette with him. It was just his way, besides being rather lazy. He was a good guy though, just a pain in Machi's backside from time to time.
Machi froze her march when she felt two hands on her back working out the knot there that was caused by stress. "You need to relax." A voice that belonged to her friend came from behind her. Machi turned around to face Aya.
"You're just standing behind the scenes now. Me, I'm in charge of it all," Machi whined about her job. She rubbed her temples in agitation.
Aya rolled her light brown eyes at her friend. "Machi, Machi, Machi… you're not in charge of everything. So stop acting like it." Aya looked over at one of the females having problems with her wig. "Things like this are what you should do," Aya suggested as she walked over to the pink haired woman and helped tuck her hair into the blonde braided wig.
"Oh thank you, I'm Sakura by the way. Are you new here?" the dancer asked in a kind toned voice. She finished dabbing on her makeup and rushed out of the room to the stage.
"If it's possible for you, you should do it with fewer curse words," Aya mocked her friend. She winced though when she heard a sound that mocked a sick screeching cat. "Good heavens, what on Earth is that monstrosity?" She placed both of her hands on her ears in an attempt to keep the ghastly sound out.
Machi cringed slightly. "That would be Ino… don't worry you'll get used to it some day, somewhat, maybe, just hope you do," she explained.
Aya gagged slightly as the singer hit a high note that shook the roof. "Who would let her sing?" The short brunette never got an answer as a bell was rung calling everyone to the stage.
As they walked out onto the large stage they stood slightly towards the back to see what they had all been summoned for. Machi's mother was standing towards the front with two men by her side. One man was a tall thin man with vivid deep red hair. Next to him was a thin man with blonde hair long enough to be held up in a pony tail. Some of his blonde hair fell into his face covering one of his blue eyes.
"Quiet, quiet please," Suzu stood on a chair in front of the buzzing crowd, "I SAID QUIET PLEASE!" The crowd fell silent before their auburn haired superior. "Thank you. Now I'm sure some of you have heard rumors of my up coming retire. I am here to tell you that they are all true." The room began to buzz again; a few people exchanged money from lost bets. "Excuse me," she silenced the crowds again. "I wish to introduce you to Sasori-san and Deidara-san. They will be the new owners of the Konoha Opera House. They are your new instructors, please follow their instructions. Good day." Suzu jumped off the chair she had been standing on and nearly ran out of the opera house.
Machi rushed forward and began showing them around as the rehearsal began again. Every now and then they would question something. "Who's the marvelous dancer in the mask?" Deidara questioned gazing admirably at a masked ballerina.
"That would be Hyuga Hinata, one of our best dancers. She's the cousin of the man who works the curtains, they're not close though," Machi began to explain.
"What about the one with the braided blonde hair?" this time it was Sasori who spoke up. His visible blue eye flashed over the figure of a tall chorus singer.
Machi sighed and rolled her brown eyes in annoyance. It was just typical that they had to ask about Sakura. "Haruno Sakura. Her natural hair color is pink, so don't talk to her about the blonde wig, she hates it."
"Now, who's the petite brunette in the back, she's not doing anything." Deidara raised an eyebrow. Everyone seemed to be busy with something besides her, yet she seemed to know everyone.
"My friend Hiromi Aya, her father died in the past month orphaning her. She moved here to help out with the opera house, you will find her of use when something needs done," Machi explained.
Ino had been singing her heart out the whole time and was growing annoyed at the fact that the new owners had yet to notice her. She walked up right beside them as they discussed the new girl and hit a long screeching high note. When they had still not noticed her she stopped and shouted, "Zats it! All dey want to know about is the damn beetch who doz nothing. I am leaving! Yamanaka Ino will not be eegnored!" Ino began stomping towards the exit and Machi signaled the men to go after her.
"Ino-sama wait! We need you for tonight's performance. Don't leave!"
"And vy not! You care nothing about the real voice behind these Opura Howse."
"Please my lady won't you sing for us."
"NO! I ate my hat! It's idious!"
"Then we will do something that will suit you better."
Ino took in a deep breath and smiled at the two men. "Okay, but only if you command it." Sasori vigorously shook his head and lead her to the front. "Maestro, Think of Me." The silver haired man in the front flipped quickly through the pages of music he had until he reached the song she had wanted. "When you are ready Kakashi." The maestro nodded his head and motioned for her to begin, in the seats two maids stuffed fluff into their ears.
"Think of me, think of me foundly when we've said goooooooodbye. Rremember me, once in awhile…" Ino began the song. A creaking sound came from the rafters and the curtain began to fall down. Luckily everyone managed to get out of the way.
"The phantom is here," Machi murmured to Aya.
"Who?"
Machi glanced at Aya then back at the fuming Ino. "The phantom of the Opera."
Ino screamed, "I'm done! Geet me my duggy! These accidents have gone on for to lung!" she rushed out with Sasori and Deidara hot on her heels. The faint sounds of the men saying that Ino's public needed her could be heard.
An hour later
Aya sat on the cold marble floor of the small chapel room in the opera house. One lone candle lit for her father illuminated the room. Machi sat next to her the golden candle light giving them both an angelical look.
"Aya, she didn't mean what she said about you. She was being her pouty self…" Machi's voice trailed off when Aya looked at her out of the corner of her eye.
Aya softly began to sing in a monotone voice, "The public needs her my ASS!" The last note was a shrieking high note that shook the candle post and echoed throughout the building. After that both began to laugh not knowing that someone else had heard her and the rarely impressed was amazed. The phantom was watching…
A/N: I rushed the last part but I hope you like it. ) shattered