A story based on...
Hanazakari no Kimitachi e
Hana Kimi story by: Hisaya Nakajo
Featured in: Hakusensha's Hana to Yume
This tale by: Hideki Kinomoto
Act V - In the Den of the Viper.
The auditorium was silent, outside of the quiet way everyone seemed to breath. All eyes were upon Himejima, who stood dead center of the pack. Across his face was an expression of extreme deliberation, which seemingly he'd achieved his final thought. Anguish seemed to carve itself across his features as he cleared his throat and readied to speak. Mizuki, who no longer clung to Sano, glanced up slowly towards Himejima as though she'd done something wrong and the decision he was about to make was utterly her fault.
"I regret to say, but that Phantom was top notch! Sano, you're really going to have to step it up." His words were met with a curt nod, from himself of course. Everyone offered him looks of utter disgust. After all, he seemed to be pretending what had just happened wasn't life endangering. Upon studying everyone's faces, he finally decided to be more serious and confess his true plan of action. "I'm delaying rehearsals till we can find a more permanent solution to this Phantom of our little Opera. I'll be working closing with Hara and Dr. Umeda to find a quick resolution for the situation! For, in true glory of the theater, the show must go on!"
"So, when did we become part of your theater police again, Masao?" Groaned out Umeda, who stared rigid and catlike at Himejima.
"Well...I mean, come on! You guys warned me this might happen so we stationed Kayashima in the rafters. Now look at him!" Pointing at Kayashima, Himejima's hand shaking viciously as he did.
"Seriously, I'm alright. Tone down the aura..." Kayashima was sitting in a chair, looking calm and collected as though he'd not been attacked by the mysterious Phantom.
"Wait a freakin' minute here!" Growled out Nakatsu, eyeing Himejima first, then Umeda and Hara. "It was you asshole's that put Kayashima in the path of danger!" With sleeves rolled up he began to stomp towards the trio but found himself treading no ground further as Kayashima had taken hold of his collar. Realizing he wasn't gaining any footing he began to flail his arms at the three and curse adamantly, his expression feral and angry.
"Now, now, Nakatsu. I'm sure they had good reason for doing what they did. You know, putting four members of my house in absolute danger against a rogue foe they know nothing about." Nanba had a smug grin on his face that belied his true meaning, he was aggravated perhaps even more than Nakatsu. He chose, however, to be quiet with his rage.
"Nanba-sempai!" Was the only word that rang through the auditorium, Nakao taking to clinging to his absolute idol.
It was hard logic to debate against, that was for certain. Hara, Umeda, and Himejima all found themselves glancing downward in a shame that they felt they could only express truthfully without words. Much as the auditorium had been, it was plagued into silence once more. Sano sighed and gave Mizuki a glance from the side of his vision. She still had a look of distraction painted across her face. A distraction very notably shrouded in a veil of guilt. Standing to his feet, he placed a hand on Mizuki's shoulder. This caught her attention quickly and she turned to him in an instant, having to glance up at his figure standing beside her. Eyeing Himejima for a second, Sano finally spoke.
"See to it you guys find out just what this "Phantoms" motives are. Mizuki and I are leaving now." His words were firm and assertive. To say Sano was pleased at the moment was to speak an outlandish lie. No one contested his words, so softly his gaze fell back upon Mizuki. "You ready?"
"I..." Mizuki started in a soft voice, barely audible. The look in Sano's eyes was something she wasn't used to. Sure, he'd been frightened to come to rehearsal's and after a while overlooked the threat of the Phantom as bogus and then this happened. She wanted so hard to bear the burden and guilt of overlooking the Phantom herself, without him looking so pained. But it was just beyond her control. "...yes, lets go."
"You guys go take it easy, I'll scoot by and check up on you on my way in tonight, k!?" Nakatsu had long since given up the art of arm flailing to show his anger and instead replaced it with a desire to see Mizuki smile again.
The three of them nodded to each other and soon all that Sano and Mizuki could hear was the distant voices and shouts of outrage filling the auditorium room once more. Eventually even those muffled sounds became non-existent as they silently walked back. It was in this silence Mizuki recalled the event that took place in the hallway below the stage. It was something that embarrassed her and made her feel a twinge of unfaithfulness all at once. Just why had she been lulled into a false sense of security by this Phantom and why had she made to kiss him? Slightly, her brow furrowed and bottom lip wiggled ever so slightly. She was about to cry, the whole evening made her stand beside herself in worry. The silence was deafening.
Hours had passed since the rehearsal tragedy, yet still everyone found time to talk about it. The talk of it was a low hum that seemed to spread all about the school into a full chorus. In the medic office Himejima, Hara, Umeda, and Kayashima had gathered. For several moments now they had discussed the appearance of the Phantom yet still, the answer they sought seemed just past fingertips touch.
"It was strange looking into his eyes. I mean, he's obviously someone I know. Maybe "know" isn't the best way to describe it, so much as someone I've met somewhere along the way but am not familiar enough with to identify a name with the aura." Blinking once, Kayashima stared at the others as though speaking of aura's was just as common as talking about the weather.
"Er, well...outside of aura's and their colors..." began Hara, looking like he'd just been listening to someone talk about a horror movie. "Did he have any features you could describe? His theatrics with the cape ruffling and well, lets face it even if it is only half a damn mask, that thing conceals his identity well."
"We're all bound to feel pretty stupid once we find out who this character is. We'll feel left out of some sort of joke, like how in Sailor Moon, the girls change clothes into the shortest skirts in the world, have a ribbon on their chest, and high heels and somehow fool the world as to just who their identities are." Commented Himejima, again with the curt nodding. "Not that I watch anime...I overheard some otaku freaks talking about it, of course!"
"Despite his example, which I find completely fucking gay, I think Masao might be onto something." Hissed Umeda as he sipped a steaming cup of coffee, seeming to be quite nonchalant with the usage of the word "gay". "A part of me is certain though, that its not someone we know very well. But instead, that Mizuki knows quite well. Our hunt should begin with tho closest to Mizuki that were not present during tonights event."
"I believe Dr. Umeda is onto something perhaps that even I overlooked." Kayashima's expression deepened, his tone matter-of-fact.
"I'd feel quite the villain to pry into the girls personal business, much less inquire about her life at the moment. She after all, appeared quite shaken up." The expression on Himejima's face portrayed confusion and lacking familiarity. "You'll have to excuse me, calling Mizuki a "she" still doesn't come natural...or maybe it's the fact you keep calling me Masao, you boy-loving high school medic!"
"Aw, don't talk to my Hokuto like that!" Hara pouted a bit, but was quick to change the subject back to its point. "We can mark Sano and Nakatsu off the list. They are closest to Mizuki after all, but the two were obviously rehearsing and thus incapable of doubling as the Phantom." Propped against Umeda's desk, his rear half on the desk and half off, arms crossing over his chest as he began to try and dissect the situation further. "She came here from America, so surely its no one from over there."
"You know! I hadn't thought this out. But wouldn't canceling the rehearsal's force the Phantom to stalk Mizuki outside of the play?" Himejima's epiphany seemed to quiet the entire room until the hollow sound of Umeda's coffee cup bouncing off the side of his head brought both Hara and Kayashima snickering.
"Glad you just realized that now, dipshit." bellowed out Umeda after a moment of self gratification and high-fives from Hara and Kayashima.
"You bastard..." grumbled Himejima, little splotches of coffee dotting his otherwise perfect hair. "I was just trying to think of ways to keep everyone else out of harms way."
"This could be the opportunity we need. No doubt if he tried to contact Mizuki outside of the rehearsal's she'd tell us. Then we bait a trap and its checkmate. We need only be patient and I won't be forgetting that aura anytime soon." Kayashima's gaze turned glare and a smirk slipped across his face. Its deviousness was far from overlooked.
"While creepy, I agree with aura-boy." It was Hara's turn for the bout of curt nods.
"Meeting adjourned then, gentlemen. I think we can all agree it's the only option we have at this moment." Turning around in his chair towards his desk, Umeda pulled out some papers and grabbed a pen. Apparently ready to finish up some work he had forgotten. "Now get the fuck out of my office." Himejima and Kayashima scrambled out the door, though Kayashima stood back to let Himejima out first, his polite manners kicking in. Hara, however, stayed. "That means you to, dumbass." Giving Hara a shove, he fell backwards out the open window and into the bushes outside of Umeda's office.
"You outrageous bastard!" Roared Hara, before Umeda could slam the window shut. "I'll see you tomorrow my sweet Hokuto!" That part being a mere mumble to the ears of Umeda, who had taken hard to work.
Nakatsu had planned to keep his promise and visit Sano and Mizuki after they finally split up everyone from the auditorium. He would however, be forced to walk back to the dorm by his lonesome as Hara, Umeda, and Himejima stole Kayashima from him to have their little pow-wow. Remnants of snow were sprinkled across the ground, the grass that wasn't submerged beneath is soft flakes was simply subjected to a thin frosting in the cold twilight air. The walk back wasn't all too far. After all, the auditorium was just past the quad and practice field towards the west side of the campus. A brisk jog would solve that, he had decided. This particular sprint home, Nakatsu wouldn't truly be by himself and he could feel it too. Eyes were peering at him from the darkening shadows, the rooftops, tiny little alleyways between each building. He could sense it, growing closer each time the paranoia tore at him full force. Finally he came to a stop and eyed a small darkened alley before him and to the left.
"Who's there!?" He shouted, sounding ready to put up or shut up, if he had to. But no voice came, just a small piece of paper. From roughly head height it danced out of the alley, carrying on a gentle breeze till it found easy rest atop the sidewalk near a lamppost. "You won't get away from me!" he roared, sprinting towards the paper but passing it up and instead hooking left into the alley way. No one was there, just an ominous cackle that sent a very real chill down his spine.
Backtracking a bit, out of the frightening dark of the alleyway, he found himself standing with the front of his shoes but a hairs breath away from the note on the ground. Head tilted down, he studied it to see it was in quite a shabby state. The envelop was very standard as far as envelops went, but over the sealed portion was a sketch of a skull that made Nakatsu think greatly as the face of Death. Turning back around quickly, he studied the alley to make sure he wasn't getting snuck up on. Once he felt safe enough to bend down, he picked up the letter and studied it. The front side listed: "To Raoul.". As if it wasn't creepy enough that the guy was running around as the Phantom, he now apparently saw Nakatsu as his rival from the play. Sighing to himself, he began walking the rest of the way as he opened the letter which he found was hardly sealed and in a scribing that resembled someone learning calligraphy was a message.
"To save Buquet is to leave the play in paradox. A true denizen of the tale of woe would know this beyond all else. Mayhaps, kind sir, you could replace him? How detrimental that would be to you. Ah, but I have a better idea. The false Phantom who dare parade in my visage, purest of facade! Stop him, peaceably, or I shall stop him forcibly.
Sincerely, The Phantom"
It was enough to make Nakatsu's brows furrow with grief. This Phantom was requesting him to take Sano from the play, and if he did not abide by the rules designated, Sano would be removed in a way he could only assume would be painful and messy. Then he'd never see Mizuki smile again. Stuffing the letter into his pocket, he changed his mind about visiting them in their dorm and instead opted to sprint to his room and call it an early night. To figure out just what he was going to say to Sano to convince himself to remove his participation from the play would be hard. Even Nakatsu knew Sano only accepted the role willingly because he treasured Mizuki and wanted to see her happy. This was not going to be easy and as he lay there in the silence, Kayashima still having not returned, he found a restless sleep take him hold. Tomorrow he'd have to talk to Sano.
It had taken Sano and Mizuki sometime to walk back to the dorms after rehearsals. It was still light outside, evening hadn't made its true transition into twilight. The whole way back Mizuki had fought tears, not wanting to force Sano to worry over anything more than he already had to. But that didn't change the fact that they'd fallen abnormally silent. It was perhaps this fact alone that made Mizuki feel her absolute worst. Sano hadn't even cast a glance towards her, too lost in his own thoughts. Just who was this guy and why was he after Mizuki so passionately? It just didn't add up to him at all. That, however, did not change the fact that people other than himself were being endangered by him simply playing a role in a play. A part of him wanted to quit, just drop out of it all right then and there. It was now that he turned to glance at Mizuki. The pain on her face right now would be nothing compared to the face he'd see if he conceded to the Phantom. There just wasn't anyway he could dream to let her down. Just outside their door, he pushed it open to let Mizuki in but did not enter.
"I'm going to grab us some food to eat up here in the room. You make sure to go hop in the shower and try to calm yourself down. I'll be back in a few minutes..." Leaning in, he watched as Mizuki flinched back a bit from allowing him too close and took that as a sign to forget kissing her. "I promise."
"Sano..." she seemed to whisper back, watching him turn his back towards her and march off. She hadn't meant to flinch on reflex like that, but it reminded her of the Phantom leaning towards her. But mostly it reminded her of the guilt in the fact she leaned in, in response. Was Sano simply not enough? No, that couldn't be it. Shaking her head to herself, closing the door by resting her entire body against it, she found herself slipping down the wooden surface till she was literally a heap of herself. "I'll be waiting, Sano..." she choked out, feeling a tidal wave of tears overwhelm and consume her.
The walk to the cafeteria was one that wasn't particularly riddled with excitement, just more worry. Sano hadn't looked too deeply into Mizuki's reaction when he tried to kiss her. This was perhaps his greatest feat and if Mizuki knew he wasn't peering too deeply into it, she'd perhaps even feel a great relief. Gathering two servings of steamed rice with a carrot, avocado and bell pepper mixture off to the side, he exited the cafeteria swiftly and walking but a few feet in front of him was a very estranged looking Nakatsu. Apparently Mizuki wasn't the only one he was getting an aura of distance from. Studying Nakatsu's back as he marched on faithfully in a direction that didn't lead to their dorms, Sano could only sigh: "Goodnight, Nakatsu."
Marching past the beverage machines, he caught himself quickly and turned back to them. After all, washing this stuff down with something would be quite nice. Rice had a problem with sometimes catching in ones throat if it was dry. Eyeing the choices he quickly decided to get Mizuki a peach drink. It was, after all, her favorite. Gathering himself a simple water, he continued his walk up to the room. All the more a sense of dread seeming to consume him. Maybe he was just weary of walking in and Mizuki wearing that look on her face like she had been all evening. He couldn't place it. Giving the door a tender knock, he was surprised to see it open so quickly. As he walked in, Mizuki was still in her clothing and her back turned, walking towards the bathroom.
"Didn't hop in while I was gone? Well thats fine. I'll just set down the food and wait to eat till you get out." He tried to carry his voice for her, in a way that let her know he cared and was obviously worried. Following this up with a soft gulp of nervousness.
"Alright..." she breathed back, winded from her sudden bout of tears against the door. His tone was enough to make her eyes swell back up with tears. He was trying to reach out and she was simply, in a figurative way, staring at him as though she were above his help. But he wouldn't allow himself to be simply stared at. Before she could move another step towards the bathroom, she felt rooted.
"I can't pretend I know what's going on inside of your head. I feel like something else is there that I don't know anything about. But its not that which I am even close to worried about..." His arms were around her, embracing her from behind and he leaning his head down so his cheek was to the side of her head, lips near her ear and speaking softly. "I'm not entirely sure I care at all what else might be going on, other than I can feel you pushing me away."
"That's..." Why could she not have one tear free moment around him since he so daringly leapt down the stage trap door to save her, why?! "Sano, that Phantom..."
"Don't." He had no intention of allowing her to finish, because he wasn't done. "Don't push me away. I don't care about anything else. Just don't..." Sano wasn't one for tears, but he also wasn't one to sit back and let things happen he didn't wish to. "I want you to go into the shower and wash away all this sadness you're feeling. Come back to me with a smile."
There were no more words she could muster, a simple nod of compliance was the best her body could manage. Too much had happened in such a small amount of time. She had wanted to tell Sano of the kiss with the Phantom in the hallway, but he continued to bat away her words when she tried. Did he really care for nothing more than her happiness, all else be damned? The thought quickly crossed her mind that he simply could be hiding from anything she might have to say. There was no telling at this point. Once she was free to move she entered the bathroom. After she had removed her coat and clothing, she stepped into the warm streams of water that sprayed from the showerhead and closed her eyes.
"Just let it melt away, Mizuki..." she told herself, standing still a long while. Letting the water trace its way down her face and neck, then the rest of her body. Focusing on the simple feeling of relaxation she found in a shower.
Staring at his copy of the play, with all his lines there for him to see, he couldn't help but feel a deep resentment for it all. Everything had seemed harmless enough when they got into this, but this mysterious freak parading around as the Phantom was causing a large wall of stress between the unity that Mizuki, Nakatsu, and himself seemed to have established. But what he could never know right now, nor either of them, was that they were all protecting each other from something quietly. Tossing the book under his pillow, he kicked his shoes off and removed his coat. Leaving the knee-length pea coat to dress the floor, shoes neatly beside the it. Laying back in his bed, he stared up at the ceiling that the top bunk made for just a few moments before closing his eyes and sighing. The sounds of Mizuki's shower were all that resounded through the dorm room, sending him into the first bit of relaxation he'd had in several days. During this time he tried hard to fight sleep, he wanted to eat with Mizuki. But fight as he might, sleep took a tight, serpent like grip around him and lulled him to dreams company.
Hours later, he guessed, he awoke to a low rumble of thunder that caught him off-guard. Eyes battled to focus on his surroundings till he could see the clock. He'd been out for three hours, according to the soft electric glow of the alarm clock, showing 12:24. The room was dark, lights out quite obviously. There was a soft flash from the window as lightning drew his attention towards it. There had been talks of a snow storm and apparently the weather men were right for a change. Gasping as he suddenly thought about Mizuki, he sat up quickly, springing to his feet. She wasn't in bed. Eyes danced towards the table he'd set the food on, seeing it remained there, untouched.
"Mizuki?" he questioned into the darkness, a look on his face as though he expected it to answer back to him. As if he'd just simply overlooked her or just wasn't looking hard enough. A mild panic took over. "Mizuki!?" he exclaimed, this time more forcibly. She was known for wandering off by herself, but in the state she was in that simply didn't make sense to him.
Stuffing his feet hastily into his shoes, he grabbed his jacket and tussled it on rather messily. Wrestling with getting his hand to worm down the left sleeve, obscenities whispered into the silence of the room, then he finally saw it. A little letter that had appeared to have been slipped beneath the door. Obviously it had been read, as it was open and had finger indentations. It took only one quick glance to see it was signed by "The Phantom". Forcing his arm through the sleeve, he leapt over to the letter and read it: "When light flashes its wicked smile, cross the sky deep gray. You will find me where men leap to the heavens, only to crash back to earth in futile dismay. The answers await you, My Angel of Music. Yours with Love, The Phantom." Stuffing the letter angrily into his jacket pocket, he tore himself from the room showing no restraint, the door slamming behind him.
"Why Mizuki? Why do you go to him like this without talking to me..." he growled to himself. Now feeling more aware that perhaps her sadness was due to some outrageous link she felt her and this lunatic shared. But this would be no more, he'd had enough of this strangers games.
As he barreled out of the dorms main building and into the cold, he stared all around him. The wind swept this way and that, the sky lighting up occasionally to usher in a roar of thunder. Snowflakes began to dance in the torrential breeze. But the weather wouldn't stop him. He was certain what the riddle meant now, during this snowstorm that the Phantom would wait for Mizuki at the High Jump field. Not wasting time to pull the hood over his head, he simply began running as fast as his long legs would allow him. Which if anyone dared say the knew Sano, knows he's one of the best runners the school has. He would not be alone in his hunt, Kayashima had woken Nakatsu and the two of them hid as far from Sano as possible to see what would unfold.
"So you felt that jerks aura around the school? I swear if anyone ever downplays you again I'll remind them how useful you are Kaya..." Grinning, Nakatsu returned to watching Sano before motioning they should run after him. Lucky for them, the storm hid all evidence of noise.
"I made sure not to let go of that man's aura. No one attacks me and gets away without a through Anti-Happiness curse or something." Kayashima followed close behind. Nakatsu was a fairly good runner, but Kayashima despised the act on a whole but didn't think now a good time to whine.
As Sano rounded the corner on the practice field, he saw nothing. Was he too late to confront the Phantom, had he taken Mizuki away to where ever he wished her to be? Gritting his teeth, he readied to bolt off any direction he saw or heard anything. That was when he heard it. A soft melodic hum coming from the north. Eyes swiftly darted to where he guesstimated only to catch the corner of a cape disappearing into the shadow of the night. A flash of lightning showed a tender outline of a mask, a dark and vacant eye glowering at Sano. All around him at once, he heard the faint cackle of the Phantom. Taking off in the direction of the alley without a moments hesitation, he was ready to confront the man who drove him up the mountain of anger and back down it again. When Kayashima and Nakatsu finally got to the practice field, there was no sign of anything. The wind buried tracks in the snow. Atop that, the wind and thunder left them nothing to hear. Quickly, they ran into the practice equipment building to gather some body heat and talk without having to shout.
"Sano..." began Nakatsu, slightly out of breath. "Runs WAY too damn fast! Got any more pings on that bastards aura?" Slowly he'd begun to catch his breath up entirely again.
"..." Kayashima wasn't as fortunate as Nakatsu, his tolerance for running left him beyond winded. Holding a single finger up, he waited a good long while before he opted to make any response to Nakatsu's question. "Nothing." He panted out after all that time.
"Guess we'll just have to leave it up to Sano. Damn it, he'd better not go off and get himself hurt..." Guilt hit him harder than it normally would. As if he had only stopped in to talk to Mizuki and Sano on his way home, just maybe all of this could have been avoided.
The alley had led Sano no where closer to the Phantom. No longer were there images of him to attempt to tackle, or cackles to lead him in the right direction. Finally, winded from his endless sprint he'd been committed to for nearly half an hour, he dropped to a knee in a small courtyard outside of the auditorium, where they held welcome ceremonies and the like. The courtyard was large, as a place of celebration it had to be. The darkness, however, made it appear smaller. Strands of deep black hair danced past his gaze. Tiny pieces of snow, clung hold of his coat and hair, melting as they dared to embrace his cheek and jaw line. It was like a blizzard outside. Only the snow wasn't massively accumulating. Just a dusting blowing through the harsh winds, so very bone chilling. Once he caught his breath, he would pursue heatedly once more. He had to find this Viper's den. But he couldn't help but find his mind wandering to Mizuki, wishing so very badly that he knew she was safe...
"I feared you would not come." began the Phantom, no longer the menacing figure he appeared to all others.
"You...promised me answers." replied Mizuki, glancing from the floor, up to the Phantom's thoughtful gaze. Sano had been right, the meeting spot was the practice field. From there, the Phantom led her to the hallway beneath the stage once more. Instead of going through the trap door, they'd taken the long way. "And I have so many questions..."
"My dear Angel of Music..." He said, stepping closer to her. "I would never lie to you. The man who dare carry himself in my likeness, he is the one who would dare to truly hurt you. He knows no sympathy. The love of a family, of a brother. That man could never change." Reaching out, he'd rested his gloved palm against Mizuki's cheek. Cradling her face tenderly.
"How do you know about Sano's past?" her voice was a hushed breath, the actions of the Phantom stealing it from her lungs. "He has never given me reason to think he'd never care for me as he should."
"I'm sure his family would say, they never did foresee him turning his back on them. But he is not the concern of this meeting, my sweet Christine." Stepping closer, the Phantom found Mizuki stepping back once, her back to the wall. Strands of his long dark hair flitting past his gaze.
This was the first time Mizuki had stopped to see him up close. The familiarity within his eyes now coated his entire form. How he smelled, the style of his hair, the seriousness in his eyes that always graced her so warmly despite not understanding just what she was. It was him. Suddenly she was hit with the answer of just who he was. It hit her hard in the gut to understand just why he'd take so many deep and dangerous steps to get closer to her. Yet at the same time it seemed to daringly sweet of him. There were too many emotions in her regarding just how the realization hit her. All of it made more sense. Gasping, she reached upward towards the mask. Quickly, her hand was in a firm hold before it could even dream of tearing it from his face.
"You must not remove it! Whatever precognition you've had regarding who lies beneath this mask, you will find false. My Angel..." His voice, which started in a flare of anger, calmed as he spoke of her so sweetly. "Forsake the pain, become a slave to love."
"But, but..." once more her words were audible. The Phantom's grasp was strong, but his gaze even stronger. She found herself incapable of removing her eyes from his. As corny as his words were, they poked at her heart. Plucked at the strings of romance that existed within her. To be pursued so openly, heatedly, romantically...it was somewhat a fairy tale setting to her. Eager lips came closer to hers, she knew not how to pull herself from their path. But resolve and the strength necessary to combat his lusty hold on her would not come from within, but from the other end of the hall. The doors near the steps erupting open, revealing one man.
"You son of a bitch..." panted Sano, covered in melting snowflakes. He wasn't one for open cursing, among other things, but he felt such anger at this stranger who now rounded on Mizuki, whom he loved. It was an unforgivable image. He wanted to hurt this man, to cripple him, to ensure he'd never lay a finger on her again. Despite being tired from his running, his adrenaline found new depths as he charged towards the Phantom. "I'll never forgive you!"
The hand that once elegantly cradled Mizuki's face, now slid up her hairline and tugged at its very roots. The Phantom, in a lavishing move, now had her strung in front of him as a human shield. This brought Sano to a quick halt, eyes wavering on the image before him. She was his only weakness. Anything in the world was acceptable. Any task that came before him, he could topple because of her. But if she was used as a shield to prevent him from tearing through an obstacle, then that obstacle would have to remain. He was mad, and furthermore, angry at being angry. The idea of allowing his emotions to fly out like this made him regret so much but know there was no turning back. His blood was acid in his veins, hot and burning. Hyper-aware of his anxiety and temper flaring.
"This passion, you fool. Why does this one person call from you such passion!?" roared the Phantom, speaking of things Mizuki could only dare to guess at, and more was to come. "Your family! Did you think to show your family such earnest desire! When they were between you and your goals, did you not tear through them!?"
"My...family?" uttered Sano, staring down the man who held Mizuki with as much bafflement as he held rage. This person before him, could he see into his soul? Was this man a true demon? Surely not, such things did not exist. "That means nothing right now! You let her go, I don't know what I might do to you, but she is what matters to me right now. I am the only one who can question my past, my purpose, my reasons. Not some lunatic..."
Mizuki stared at Sano, he'd never spoken so much, let alone about himself like this. It was like the Phantom forced the faucet of swelling emotions in Sano to open, full blast, and thus words and him talking like this flowed effortless and without remorse. The whole while the Phantom had been backing up towards the trap door beneath the stage. It was open and a rope dangled down the pit. Apparently he had more than prepared his escape if need be. Once close enough to the rope, he shoved Mizuki towards Sano. As she fell towards him, anger faded. Seeing her released from his grasp, all Sano could do was catch her and hold on for dear life. Looking to the Phantom, he watched as he was somehow pulled upward by some force and far from sight. The thud of his steps were not there to alert anyone he was fleeing. Was he simply that mystical? Tugging Mizuki away from him a bit, Sano studied her face, a scowl painting along his features.
"You don't do this. You don't leave without me. You want to know who that man is? So do I. So does everyone! Don't be so selfish, Mizuki. We all love you." Standing up at that, he reached a hand out to her. A slightly symbolic stance. This time, she wouldn't simply stare at his offer. Taking his hand, she pulled herself up and into his arms.
Their day may have been hard, the struggles may have been many. But finally they had come full circle and found each other again. Sano had an urge to speak to Nakatsu, having remembered the vibes he was getting from him as they passed each other near the cafeteria. Mizuki, however, was overwhelmed by Sano's honesty, she'd worry about the others later. For now, she was happy. She felt she knew the identity of the Phantom. Understood his reasoning for certain things, while perhaps over the top, melodramatic, and far too theatrical for her taste. But, the chance remained that she might be wrong. After all, she'd not gotten to truly see his face.
As they left the auditorium, strolling out in the winds that were still too strong and cold, the lightning playing at the shadows, they didn't pay attention to the figure looking from these very shadows. Cape ruffling in the wind, a smile across his face as he watched the two. Quickly, he hugged himself tightly and let out a very human shiver.
"Cool as these clothes are, they really have nothing on keeping me warm!" Sighing, he began walking into the darkened alleyway, concealing himself momentarily from the devilish winter storm. "I never knew she was a girl, I guess that explains a lot. I'm sure she won't tell Sano it was me, so guess I should return the favor and leave her identity alone as well." laughing to himself a bit, he couldn't help but feel happy. He'd gotten his brother to finally look human and be emotional. Now Sano would know how he felt at having something important nearly taken from him. "Oh Shin, whatever will I do with myself. Least we're equal now brother, now you know how I felt when you left me..."
Each step he took away from the buildings, lead him closer and closer to safety. The violent winds cast his cloak to ruffle behind him. His hair dancing about in the wild breeze. A part of him felt bad for ever agreeing to taking such a large measure to mess with his brother. But another part of him felt it was what had to be done. Reaching up with his right hand, cold fingertips outlined and danced at the half mask that resided upon his face. Grasping it gently and with a soft tug, he freed the mask from his face, now feeling safe enough to do so. Plus, he had to meet up with him to let him know just what all had occurred, a sort of status report. Using the backside of his right hand, once the mask had been removed, he wiped beneath both of his eyes. Tears had fallen softly that he couldn't quite understand, but he would not show this weakness to that man.
"About time you made it, Shin." Rang a voice no one could quite mistake, back pressed against one of the many leafless tree's. Taking a step out of the shadows to reveal his spiky-headed blonde self, Kagurazaka Makoto. "Didn't wuss out at the last moment and ignore the plan, did you?" He asked with a grin.
"Not quite, Kagurazaka. Give me a little more credit than that, will you?" Shin was sneering at his brothers rival with a look of disinterest. Why he was working for this guy right now, he'd never fully understand, so he thought. "I think I finally got to him tonight. No doubt, in true Izumi form, he'll be so off-key even his practice sessions will suck." Taking a few steps past Kagurazaka, he came to a halt. The silence filled with the winds howl and the clap of cloak. "Looks like the only competition you'll have is with me." A smirk riddled his lips.
"I'll check out his practice tomorrow morning, just incase. Because if he's still at the top of his game..." Turning on a heel to face Shin, Makoto offered a tender glare. "...you'll have to take even further steps. I know you're trying to guilt him in your own ways, attack him from within with family crap I'll never understand. And to be quite honest, don't really give a damn about." He'd gotten Shin's attention, the two now looking eye to eye.
"I honestly don't give a damn if you ever care about the reasons why I do what I do." Grasping at his cloak and giving it a tug, followed by a glare of resentment at Kagurazaka, the next comment oozed out with heavy sarcasm and distaste. "After all, it was your decision that we infiltrate things via this damn play. Now I'm stuck in this damn costume at least once a week!"
"It was the best way to attack him from two fronts and you know it!" Laughter crested his words as he responded to Shin's agitations. "Weaken his High Jump, strain his relationship with that Ashiya, and for kicks ruin Himejima's little play." All said, he shrugged as if it was just how the world was to be.
"What exactly about Ashiya Mizuki makes you want to sever their ties?" This interested Shin more than any of the motives goals, as he wasn't sure where he stood regarding "him".
"Please, don't tell me you can't see it." Kagurazaka began walking past Shin, noting when his rivals brother decided to keep pace with him. "That kid is almost the entire reason Sano keeps trying so hard. Why he's yet to fail since he took back up the High Jump. You put strain on his game and strain on that brat, you're sure to cause Sano some trouble, ya?"
"Whatever..." grumbled Shin, eyes glancing off to the side. The wind had calmed a great bit, but the cold was just as biting. It was about time he got out of the costume on top of all of that. All these thoughts he had swimming in his mind, he would have to solve later. "Hopefully I won't have to hear from you again."
"Hah, and I thought it was cold outside!" Amused, Makoto watched Shin march off in the direction of his hotel. A chilled breath from a heavy sigh leaving his slightly parted lips. "Life will certainly be interesting for the brothers Sano, of that much I'm certain."
A faint and tender rumble of distant thunder, the slight and awkward storm having left, marked the end of Shin and Kagurazaka's meeting. The night would be left in its still silence, the deeds unspoken till morning. Shin found himself cleaned up and laying on his bed, head full of thoughts. There was no escaping one truth he knew he had discovered, and that was that Mizuki was a girl. Closing his eyes, he grasped at the nearest pillow and cuddled it nearly to death before dreams stole him from reality.
Morning came too soon for those who were up late dealing with the business of the Phantom, in dorm two. But two souls stuck out more than the rest, that being Nakatsu and Kayashima. At the usual crowded cafeteria table for breakfast, they found themselves the only present. Both looked rather bored and for a change, Nakatsu shared disinterest in eating, well, at least in eating thirds. Letting out a yawn that reeked of tiredness and boredom, he finally turned his head to look to Kayashima.
"Considering we never found Sano again last night, should we be at all worried that neither him or Mizuki are at the breakfast table?" Looking at Kayashima, he saw he was only acknowledged with a nod. "Actually...doesn't Sano have practice this morning?"
"I forgot he still has High Jump to worry about on top of the play." Kayashima had finally chosen to speak. "Might be a good precaution to just go down to the field and check." Standing up, he gathered his bag and began to walk away, casting a wave from over his shoulder. "I'm going to see Dr. Umeda. See you in class, Nakatsu."
"To the practice field I go!" Nakatsu had found a new energy in the current realization that the both of them might have simply been at the field instead of at breakfast.
Bolting fast as he could, he jumped high in the air and landed a kick to the cafeteria doors, sending them flying open. After a bit of air time, he landed on his feet and regained his running speed. The cold outside air was no obstacle for this man on a mission. In fact, he'd even forgotten to grab a jacket that morning and stuck mostly to the inside warmth of the hallways. Finally, after what felt to him like hours of running, he made it to the fencing of the practice field and instantly felt his grin of delight turn frown. It wasn't that they weren't there, they were. But Mizuki was leaning over Sano, looking rather sad. Sano was laying on his back on the cushion mat below the High Jump point and a medic was on his other side, coach pacing about grumbling his obscenities. Grabbing the fence, he launched himself over it and darted to their side.
"What happened!? Is he DEAD?!" spat out Nakatsu, without even so much as a thought. Let alone that he was out of breath and didn't know, so he words came out this scratchy strained whisper. But, he found his answer in the fact that even Sano's eyes looked up at him. "Guess not..." he muttered, clearly embarrassed.
"Not quite dead, though you might mistake that since his spirit seems to be deflated." Commented the medic, who oddly enough wasn't Dr. Umeda. No doubt a passing by medic in route to the main building. "Just a little back injury from landing funny. So no more of this jumping for a bit. I'm leaving directions to Dr. Hokuto Umeda to check your back daily. Just try to take it easy." Smiling in a friendly manner, the medic patted Sano on the shoulder and took off in a sprint in the direction Nakatsu had just come.
"You need any help up, Sano?" Mizuki's eyes stared him over, that caring expression she wore hiding pain. Yet again she was feeling guilty. It was always in times like these he could perceive her emotions without even trying. As always, she found that familiar hand rest atop her head and pet.
"I'll be fine." His voice was certain, to an extent. Least it sounded quite certain. Nakatsu wasn't going to let him try this on his own, so Sano reached up and took his offering of help. The two of them looked at each other in a way that knew the other had something to say, but they both simply shook their heads and grinned. Once to his feet he massaged his lower back with his fingers a bit. "I'll go get dressed and meet you two at the cafeteria, alright?"
With a nod and smile between the three, they parted ways. Nakatsu and Mizuki walked to the cafeteria, both glancing back as Sano as he slowly walked off the field. Sano didn't look back, however, he simply stared at the ground as he walked. Apparently, things had gotten to him. Everything lately had begun to feel like the world simply wanted him to stress out and lock himself in the dorm. Little did he know, a set of eyes peered at him the entire morning from the bushes on the southern side of the field, a grin of delight upon Kagurazaka's face. One thing was certain from simply watching, and that was that Mizuki and Sano were still close enough that Sano's spirits could be rekindled, and this didn't settle with Makoto. The Phantom's job wasn't quite complete just yet...
Know its been a while! But, here's hoping this chapter of the fanfiction was everything it was anticipated to be! Feel free to Read and Review and let me know my area's of weakness and strength. I do not own nor have I created Sailor Moon, all rights to its original creators. This is a work of fiction. No characters from Hana Kimi are mine. No rights to The Phantom of the Opera are mine. But the idea to mingle both into an art of fanfiction IS mine, mwah-haha. Thank you for your time! Hope you enjoyed!