Cheyenne: *Grinning* Left ya'll with a bit of a cliffhanger last time, didn't I?
Yami: I swear if anything happened to Sabine I'll send your soul to the Shadow Realm!
Cheyenne: *Shaking slightly* Umm…
Yami: *Growls*
Cheyenne: *Flees* ARGH! Umm, someone, I don't care who, just say the disclaimer!!
Anzu: Ch-
Cheyenne: Not you! *Tackles and drags offstage*
Ryou: Cheyenne does not own Yu-Gi-Oh! or Phantom of the Opera.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Distant screaming could be heard from above, but nothing was seen. "Sabine? Sabine! We have to get her out!" One voice cried.
"No! She couldn't have survived something like that," another replied.
"She could have, and she would have!" The first voice screamed unaware that the subject of their conversation was very much alive… and unharmed.
"Oh, god!" A voice whispered from the darkness. She couldn't see anything, it was so dark. All she knew for sure was that the chandelier had fallen right on her. Or had it? It just didn't make sense. The last thing she remembered was looking up and screaming as the chandelier fell towards her with a deadly intent. Then, she remembered the sensation of falling. Falling. Falling into the blackness. Why couldn't she see now? Where was she? Oh, god, what if she could never get out of here? What if it was too late to get out of here? What if… was she…
Was she dead? Voicing these thoughts aloud, Sabine was surprised to hear a low chuckling sound from behind her. Suddenly, she became aware of a pair of arms around her waist, and someone's breath tickling her neck. Yes, now she remembered. The arms. The strong arms, wrapping around her and pulling her into the darkness; out of the chandeliers way.
"You're not dead, Sabine," A deep, rich baritone said. The hold around her waist tightened slightly, as if the holder wanted to make sure nothing else could hurt her. Like he wanted to protect her. Where had she…? Why did this feel so familiar? This embrace; these arms protecting her… she had felt them before. Where? Was it Joey? No… not Joey. Not Joey, but…
"Y-Yami?" Sabine whispered, leaning back more into the man. "Yami, is that you?"
"Yes," the voice replied.
"Oh, god, Yami!" Sabine turned to face him, tears streaming down her cheeks. "What happened? Where am I? Why am I here? How is it that I'm not dead? Why'd the chandelier fall?" She buried her face in his chest, her tears soaking the front of his black shirt as the Opera Ghost held her as close to him as he could. "Shh," Yami whispered, using one of his hands to stroke her brown hair comfortingly. Oh, god! Why was she so afraid? Why couldn't she be brave? Brave… that's it; she needed to be brave…. What would Mai do in a situation like this…?
After her crying had subdued somewhat, Sabine was slightly surprised to feel Yami tilt her chin upwards towards him.
"You haven't figured it out yet?" Yami asked her once. In the blackness, Sabine could not see his expression. Tentatively, she reached towards where she guessed his cheek was,
"Figured what out yet?" Sabine asked quietly.
"Sabine, how do you feel about me?" The man asked. Sabine blushed, for once thankful for the darkness.
"I-I… I feel like I've known you for a lot longer than tonight. With you, I feel safe. Like nothing can happen to me with you here. I think I lo…" Sabine trailed off, not knowing how to continue. She felt one of Yami's gloved hands reach up and caress her cheek.
"You have known me a lot longer than tonight….Angel…"
"What?" Sabine suddenly snapped her head up, full attention on the man she could not see.
"Angel…" Yami whispered again, leaning towards her.
"I-I don't understand," Sabine whispered again, though she wasn't entirely sure if she was being true to herself. Yami smirked, and leaning in until their faces were nearly touching. Slowly, he opened his mouth, and a sweet song poured out.
"I am your Angel…
Come to me: Angel of Music…"
Sabine held her breath as he sang, his rich baritone seeming beckoning. She could barely even hear the voices above her, and Joey's rising above them all; shouting,
"Whose is that voice…? Who is that in there…?"
"I am your Angel of Music…
Come to me: Angel of Music…"
Sabine didn't know where she was going. All she knew was that when Yami held his hand out for her, she took it willingly and without a second thought. She trusted him. She would let him lead her where he will. As Yami escorted her down the hallway, a melody started spinning itself into her head, until it felt to her as if said song wasn't in her mind at all; but rather swirling around both her and Yami, pulling them into its steady, captivating embrace. Words began writing themselves in Sabine's head, and she closed her eyes before opening her mouth to let the tune flow out. This song… it ensnared them. She wasn't thinking about anything else besides Yami, and this strange, strange song. She felt as if she were in a dream; a dream she knew she never wanted to end.
((AN: For this part, I HIGHLY advise/recommend you listen to the Phantom of the Opera theme song, preferably the one sung by Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. You can find it on YouTube, if needed.))
"In sleep
he sang to me,
in dreams he came…
that voice which calls to me
and speaks
my name…
And do
I dream again?
For now
I find,
The Phantom of the Opera
Is there –
Inside my mind…"
Sabine looked up at Yami, and saw that the song sang through him, too. Smiling softly, and as sanely as she could without losing all her senses completely, she closed her eyes and listened as he sang the next part:
"Sing once
again with me
our strange
duet…
My power
Over you,
Grows stronger yet…
And though
You turn from me,
To glance behind,
The Phantom of the Opera
Is there –
Inside your mind…"
Sabine vaguely realized that they were walking down a flight of stone stairs. She also became aware of the sudden amounts of light. Turning once towards the walls, she noticed torches hanging from stands on said panel, illuminating their path. In front of her, she clearly saw Yami; still dressed in his evening wear, as was she. Her hand was firmly clasped in Yami's gloved one. Every now and then, the crimson-eyed man would glance back at her, the expression in both his eyes and face unreadable. But Sabine knew he was pleased. Her icy blue eyes were open again, not caring where Yami led her; so long as he would be there. New words came to her mind, and she sang them with growing power.
"Those who
have seen your face
draw back
in fear…
I am
The mask you wear…"
Yami looked back again. "It's me they hear…" This time, they both sang; voices blending in a rich unity.
"Your/my spirit
and your/my voice,
in one
combined:
the Phantom of the Opera
is there –
inside your/my mind…"
Sabine felt her head whirling. Now, as the strange music beat a steady rhythm, they approached a boat which was floating inside an underwater passageway; still obviously part of the Opera Populaire, yet she knew that in the minds of the others, it did not exist.
None of this supposedly existed.
And Yami apparently didn't exist.
And now that she was down here, in a place with a person said to not exist… did that mean she no longer existed?
Not existing…
No, she existed. Mai knew she existed, Joey knew she existed… and Yami definitely existed. What if… Sabine was pulled from her thought train as Yami started singing again, rich baritone matching the song as he helped Sabine into the boat in front of them. Candles lit the path through the underground lake, illuminating their journey further.
"In all
your fantasies,
you always
knew.
That man and mystery…"
"…Were both, in you…" Sabine sang softly. Yami smiled, using a wooden pole to propel the boat through the water, and the girl could see his crimson eyes sparkling as they both continued, voices rising in harmony:
"And in
this labyrinth,
where night
is blind,
the Phantom of the Opera
is there/here –
inside your/my mind…"
"Sing, my Angel of Music!" Yami suddenly cried out, opening a gate-like barrier in the tunnels and caverns below the Opera Populaire.
"He's there,
the Phantom of the Opera…
Ahhhhhhh! Ah ah ah ah, ah ahhhh, ah ahhhhh, ahhhhhhhh!"
"Sing," Yami whispered, just as Sabine started again:
"Ahhhhhhh! Ah ah ah ah, ah ahhhh, ah ahhhhh, ahhhhhhhh!"
"Sing, for me!" Yami's voice was haunting, alluring… wanting… and Sabine wanted to fulfill that want.
"Ahhhhhhh! Ah ah ah ah, ah ahhhh, ah ahhhhh, ahhhhhhhh!"
"Sing, my Angel of Music!" Yami called again, his voice rising, as did Sabine's as she sang at the same time:
"Ahhhhhhh! Ah ah ah ah, ah ahhhh, ah ahhhhh, ahhhhhhhh!" Her voice rose in volume. "Ahhhhhhhh! Ahhhhhhhh! Ahhhhhhhh!"
"Sing for me!"
"Ahhhhhhhhh!" Sabine hit a high vocal note, and the song ended as soon as it had begun.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
==Back at the Half Masquerade, Some Time Previous==
"Quickly! Quickly! Get her out of there!" Mai screamed, frantically pulling pieces of the now-broken chandelier off the pile on the stage. All around her guests were swarming around; screaming, yelling, trying to move the heavy chandelier…
"She couldn't have survived that!" Ryou wailed, clinging to Bakura whose usual expression was replaced by one of horror.
'Yami's gonna be pissed,' Bakura thought to himself, but he tightened his hold on Ryou. He would never let anything like that happen to his partner!
Joey was beside Mai, also frantically throwing things to the side. In fact, he was in such frenzy that he didn't notice Anzu slip into the room with a smug grin on her face.
But Marik did.
"You little bitch! What did you do?" The blonde Egyptian growled, launching himself across a table to knock Anzu against a wall, his hands around her neck.
"I-I…d-didn't d-do anything!" Anzu stuttered, and Marik could see the pure fear in her eyes. But the smugness still remained.
"Don't lie to me, you conniving bitch!" Marik shook the girl. By then, many of the room's occupants had turned to stare at them. Anzu's face darkened and she tilted her chin up defiantly.
"Fine. Yes, I dropped the chandelier," she snarled.
"WHAT?!" Malik, Ryou, Bakura, and Mai were instantly there, their faces dark and menacing. Anzu started to explain again, but Marik chose that moment to throw her across a table. Tristan immediately appeared, shielding Anzu behind him.
"Don't touch her!" Tristan said raising his hand as if that alone would stop the five angry people from approaching them.
"You're telling me NOT TO TOUCH HER, after she KNOCKED THE FREAKING CHANDELIER DOWN ONTO MY FRIEND, KILLING HER?" Mai screamed loudly. By then everyone was staring. Mai snarled again, picking up a plate and heaving it at Tristan and Anzu. Anzu screamed as the plate (which apparently had been full of food), hit the front of her dress; causing a big brown stain to appear. Tristan looked enraged, but he quickly fetched Anzu's furs and, both shooting a glare at the five, departed from the room. "LET ME AT THAT BITCH! I'LL FLAY HER AND SCATTER HER ENTRAILS FROM HERE TO LONDON!" Mai yelled, lunging forward to follow them.
"No, Mai! Wait!" Joey called his honey eyes wide. He appeared to be listening to something. But what? Mai fumed, but the look in Joey's eyes told her that it was important.
"Fine!" She spat, stalking over to Joey. She climbed upon the stage, and stared at the broken chandelier. Unaware that Ryou, Bakura, Marik, and Malik had followed her, she growled at Joey and immediately demanded to know why he had called her away from her plans of Anzu's imminent and bloody death.
"Listen!" Joey whispered, staring intently at the pile of debris. Mai did, and what she heard astounded her.
"I am your Angel…
Come to me: Angel of Music…"
The rich baritone floated up, seemingly from… under the stage?! Mai blinked. Who was that? She knew that only the people closet to the wreckage would be able to hear… she looked back at Ryou, Bakura, Marik, and Malik. The young orchestra maestro as crying on the shoulder of the taller albino; and the prop master was shaking. Marik pulled him into an embrace, and tears slid down Malik's face. But wait… he didn't look upset at all! In fact, he looked… happy? Relieved? Why would Malik be relieved? Mai peered at them closely, as Ryou turned to face them for a moment. What the…! He looked relieved, too! What was going on?
"Whose is that voice…? Who is that in there…?" Joey demanded, eyes flashing as he tried to pry up the rubble. But the voice seemed to ignore him; continuing.
"I am your Angel…
Come to me: Angel of Music…"
Then the voice faded, as if it was getting farther away. Farther… farther… gone.
"What was that?" Mai whispered, turning back to Ryou, Malik, Bakura, and Marik.
"Sabine's safe!" Ryou cried, throwing himself onto Bakura again and hugging him in relief.
"How do you know?" Mai snapped in a demanding tone, her own violet eyes burning in anger and frustration. She placed her hands on her hips, and it was then she noticed that the hem of her dress was bordered with dust. A few tears were spotted, and Mai stifled a groan. Would she get punished for ruining stage property?
"Just trust us, please?" Ryou pleaded, widening his eyes. Even Mai couldn't deny those eyes.
"…Alright. But you'd better be right about this," Mai growled, waving her index finger threateningly before running out of the room, intent on Anzu's imminent termination.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
==The Phantom's Lair==
Sabine's icy sapphire eyes widened. She had never seen anything like this! The boat rocked slightly as Yami steadied it, and Sabine got a good look at things. The boat itself was parked in an underground lake, which was separated from the rest of said lake by a stone wall, and a tunnel with wrought iron gates. Sabine turned her head away from that, and looked to her left. A small flight of stone stairs were in front of her; candles lighting said stairway at the sides. As her eyes traveled up the steps, they came to rest upon a black grand piano (or was it an organ?); which also had some candles on it. It was like one large room, with many elaborate furnishings including a bed, and some mirrors. A Sabine looked up to see Yami smiling at her. Reaching out his black-gloved hand without a word, he proceeded to help Sabine out of the boat. Once he was done that, he started singing a new song. This one was soft, and sweet. ((AN: Again, I advise you to listen to this song on YouTube =D))
"Night-time sharpens,
heightens each sensations…
Darkness stirs and
Wakes imagination…
Silently the senses
Abandon their defenses…
Slowly, gently
Night unfurls its splendor…
Grasp it, sense it –
Tremulous and tender…
Turn your face away
From the garnish light of day,
Turn your thoughts away
From cold, unfeeling light –
And listen to
The music of the night…"
Sabine smiled, twirling once into Yami's embrace before they broke apart, proceeding up the stairs. More than anything, Sabine hoped this wasn't a dream. She knew it still could be, and the knowledge scared her. Yami, as if sensing her worry, brought his finger up to his lips and smiled, continuing on with his song.
"Close your eyes
and surrender to your
darkest dreams!
Purge your thoughts
Of the life
You knew before!
Close you eyes,
Let your spirit
Start to soar!
And you'll live
As you've never
Lived before…" That versed seemed to reach the very depth of Sabine's problems; washing them away without a second thought. The young singer relaxed, her eyes taking on a blissful light.
"Softly, deftly,
music shall surround you…
Feel it, hear it,
Closing in around you…
Open up your mind,
Let your fantasies unwind,
In this darkness which
You know you cannot fight –
The darkness of
The music of the night…" The candles seemed to blur for a moment, and suddenly the room seemed brightly illuminated. Mirrors covered a whole wall; and next to the mirror-covered wall was a small closet-sized crevice. To the right of that was a bed, in front and also to the right of which sat the grand piano itself. ((AN: I can't explain this xD *Has epic vision in head* *Fails at explaining*))
"Let your mind
start a journey through a
strange, new world!
Leave all thoughts
Of the world
You knew before!
Let your soul
Take you where you
Long to be!
Only then
Can you belong
To me…
Floating, falling,
Sweet intoxication!
Touch me, trust me,
Savor each sensation!
Let the dream begin,
Let your darer side give in
To the power of
The music that I write –
The power of
The music of the night…"
Sabine opened and closed her mouth. Her senses were all in a blur; whether from the song Yami had just sang, the song they had sang before that, or the fact that she had almost been crushed to death by a chandelier; she didn't know. She suddenly felt herself losing control of her senses, as she closed her eyes and fainted into a blissful darkness.
Yami caught the girl gently, hoisting her tenderly into a bridal hold before moving over to the bed and laying her down.
"You alone
can make my song take flight –
help me make the music of the night…"
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
==The Next Morning==
"Where is she?" Mai asked, running down the dormitory-like hallways of the Opera Populaire. Sleepy dancers, singers, and general workers moaned from their rooms; clearly annoyed at this rude awakening. "Where is she? Where is Sabine?" Mai was asked no one in particular. When her friend hadn't returned last night…
"Miss Mai?" Mai turned to see one of the new managers, Seto Kaiba, standing in the doorway. "Miss Mai, is there something wrong? If not, I'd greatly appreciate it if you'd stop annoying the hell out of the others," the man said gruffly. Mai narrowed her violet eyes with menace.
"Maybe when you tell me where the hell my friend is…" She clenched her hands into fists at her hips, tilting her head and chin so she looked as if she were looking down at Seto; even though he was over a head taller than she.
"Look, we don't know where your friend is, but we ARE trying to find her," Seto scowled.
"I told you, you don't have to worry about Sabine!" Bakura snapped, walking down the corridor. "She'll be back; unharmed."
"How can you be so sure?" Mai and Seto asked skeptically at the same time.
"Trust me."
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
==The Phantom's Lair==
Sabine woke to the gentle sound of the piano playing. Her senses had returned to her, and she briefly thought that she'd have to punish them for deserting her in the first place. Traitorous emotions. And why was she here, anyways? For that matter… where was here?
Oh.
The memories of last night came swirling back, and a warmth feeling formed in the center of Sabine's chest, proceeding to spread throughout her body again.
That was why.
"Awake, are we?" Sabine sat up to see Yami smiling at her, from where he had been playing the music Sabine had been hearing. Sabine herself could only nod mutely, still fascinated by all of this. By all that had happened.
"Umm… yes?" She answered, though he was obviously only asking to be polite. He knew the answer.
"Good," Yami laughed, the sound reverberating off the walls. Sabine stood up, sliding off the bed. One thought occurred to her… actually, that was a lie. A million thoughts raced through her mind, as well as the answers to the questions she knew.
'Do I love him? …Yes. Do I know him? … Well, technically yes. He's my Angel, he's been with me for so long... Does this whole thing feel weird? … I'd be insane if it didn't. Are you happy? … Yes.'
Sabine paused. "Why is he down here?"
"I? I am down here because of them." Sabine blushed, realizing she must have uttered these thoughts aloud.
"Them?" She questioned.
"Those who walk above. In fact, up until now, only Bakura, Marik, Ryou, and Malik knew who I was."
"…Bakura, Marik, Malik… You WERE the fifth voice," Sabine said with a grin.
"Ah, you caught me. Yes, yes I was."
"Why? Why can you not exist apart from here?"
Yami got up, moving away from the piano until he was right in front of Sabine. Said girl looked into his crimson eyes, gasping slightly.
"You see? That is why," Yami purred. "They think I am some sort of demon from hell. 'Look at his eyes! The devil must have sent him!'" Yami mimicked. He let out a harsh bout of laughter, and Sabine touched his arm gently.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"It is not your fault; you are not like those above." Yami turned back to face her. Well, actually, since Sabine was rather short he looked down at her, and she back up at him. Slowly, and without further realization, their faces neared. Closer… closer… Sabine could feel her Angel's steady breathing; hear his heartbeat. She reached up, pulling away his mask. Then, there was no more distance. The young singer was caught in a field of bliss as their lips connected, sending shivers throughout her body. A whirlpool of heat also seared through her, warming her to the core. Sabine felt her eyes slide close, and she felt Yami place his hands around her hips to draw her in closer. She complied willingly, pressing up against his chest and moaning at the intense pleasure she could feel. She heard him growl, and her lips part slightly to allow him entrance to her mouth. However, all too soon the need for air became apparent, and they broke apart; each of them gasping for lost oxygen.
"Yami?" Sabine whispered, pushing a slightly damp lock of her brown hair from her face. Yami looked up at her, and Sabine nearly swooned on the spot. Now, she could see his whole face. She could not even describe it; her senses were in such disarray. His eyes were sharp and angled, and his lashes dark. His features were beautiful and noble-looking; Sabine couldn't remember ever seeing a more handsome man. ((AN: *Is in a fail-mood*))
"Come," Yami said suddenly, "we must return – those two fools who run my theatre will be missing you." Sabine smiled at the truth of that and, without further question, she grasped his outstretched hand, and let him lead her back.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cheyenne: OHMYRA OHMYRA OHMYRA I AM SOOOOO SORRY FOR THE LONG DELAY! Seriously, I was in fail-mode, and when I got out of it I sprained two fingers playing Basketball (I swear, those orange, spherical objects hate me. They're probably planning the death of another of my fingers as we speak! Umm… actually, that last thought kind of creeped me out so I'm going to go check the house for Basketballs now…), so even when I got back in non-fail mode, I couldn't even type! By the time I could type again, it was… yesterday. And my dad got mad at me for something, so he kicked me off D:
Also, I apologize for the shortness of this chapter. *flails* I couldn't think of anything else to make it longer, and I hope you're not all mad at me… though I probably deserve it for making ya'll wait this long. *Headdesk*
This is going to be one of the shortest chapters in the whole thing, and for that I apologize. The next chapter will be MUCH longer (I hope)! So yeah… xD
AGAIN! GOMEN GOMEN GOMEN GOMEN!!!!! And I thank those who've been patient with my fail-ness =O
Yami: *Quirks a brow*
Anzu: I-
Cheyenne: NOTHING OUT OF YOU! *Throws a net over, tackles, and drags offstage*
Yami, Bakura, and Marik: *Double over laughing*
Sabine: Oh, you guys are so mean! *Is secretly very amused*
Mai: Bitch deserved it.
Ryou: I wonder what Cheyenne'll do to her…?
Khemet (Cheyenne's yami): Ra, don't ask that, please.
Malik: Evil things?
Khemet: …Evil things.
Yami: *Saunters over to see Cheyenne hoisting Anzu up in the net, so she dangles in said net above the ground*
Pegasus: My word! *Shakes head and walks offstage*
Seto: …We're on a stage? *Looks down* Good heavens!
Cheyenne: *Falls over laughing*
Seto: What?
Cheyenne: You're dialogue. *Walks away*
Seto: …Seriously, WTF.
Joey: That's the Seto we all know and love!
Cheyenne: *Pokes head around corner* Yup. Anyways, thanks again for all you reader's patience, and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW!!!! Seriously. If you don't review, I'll… Umm… Khemet will HUNT YOU DOWN. And stuff. And I'll eat your faces, because I'm mature like that. xD Bye! And enjoy the chapter!