Yo! This is the second chapter. I'm updating quickly now and all that wonderful chiz. Still need an answer to the lot number questions. Like I said, first to answer gets a chapter dedicated to them. I guess that's it. R&R peeps!
The phantom of the leaf opera
Chapter 2
"In sleep he sang to me. In dreams he came. That voice which calls to me, and speaks my name." She sang. The candles giving off light that guided them down deeper and deeper into the hidden passages of the opera house. His cloak flowed down from his shoulders to the dusty floor. His attire was entirely black besides the white mask he wore over the right side of his face. Naruko was completely absorbed in the mask and the mystery of the man.
"And do I dream again? For now I find, the phantom of the opera is there, inside my mind…" He continuously looked back almost to see if she was still there… To check that she hadn't abandoned him. "Sing once again with me, our strange duet… My power over you, grows stronger yet…" His voice said. The voice of an angel. An angel of music, in a man no more than a human, standing in-front of the girl. She turned to look back the path they had been walking. He frowned. "And though you turn from me, to glance behind, the phantom of the opera is there- inside your mind…" They had transferred to a horse and rode it to a boat. He lifted her from the mare and put her in it. The water was murky and clouded.
He followed suit and pushed the boat along. "Those who have seen your face, draw back in fear…" Naruko said looking up at the man with adoration and wonder as if the man was truly her father who came back to her. "I am the mask you wear…" "It's me they hear…" He finished for the girl.
"Your spirit and my voice, in one combined. The phantom of the opera is there, inside my mind." Naruko sang as the phantom sang "My spirit and your voice, in one combined. The phantom of the opera is there, inside your mind." Naruko could have been mistaken, but she thought she heard the chorus singing "He's there, the phantom of the opera! Beware! The phantom of the opera!" They were at a wall that was like that of a draw bridge and as they approached, it slowly rose "Sing, my angel…" He commanded of the little fox girl.
She did as her master commanded. She held out a solid note until he sang "Sing for me…" She sang higher. "Sing, my angel…" His voice becoming more commanding. She sang higher. "Sing for me!" He demanded. She sang at the top of the scale.
They reached their destination and the phantom steeped out of the boat and onto the ground of his home. Naruko watched as he walked away and left her there. At first glance, the place was small and compacted. But as she took a closer look, it was actually quite large. But she noticed one thing... There were no mirrors. A large organ sat against the back wall. Sheet music was scattered on the desk that held a model of the stage. On that desk was a music box. There was a snake that was so real looking… Its green eyes looked like they were watching your every move. Its scales were white with some black in the pattern of a triangle made of three comas. It reminded her of a curse mark she had seen in one of Kakashi's books in his study.
The creature was curled on a simple, polished, wooden box that was a dark brown shade. It was absolutely beautiful in her eyes. The man had taken off his cloak and was wearing a loose, puffy white shirt. Must have changed it. "I have brought you to the seat of sweet music's throne ...To this kingdom where all must pay homage to music ...Music ..." The man sang to her as he stood at the top of the stairs that led the organ.
"You have come here for one purpose and one alone ...Since the moment I first heard you sing, I have needed you with me to serve me, to sing for my music ...my music ..." He walked over to the girl and stood by the boat. "You have come here, for one purpose and one alone… Since the moment I first heard you sing, I have needed you with me, to serve me, to sing…. For my music…My music…" She looked up at him with the same look as she had earlier. "Night-time sharpens, heightens each sensation ...Darkness stirs and, wakes imagination ...Silently the senses abandon their defenses ..." He sang and held out a hand to her to help get her out of the boat.
She took the now ungloved hand as he helped her out. She looked into his eyes seeing the loneliness she got the first time but as she looked deeper she saw something more…. She saw love. "Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor ...Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender ...Turn your face away from the garish light of day, turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light and listen to the music of the night…" He sang leading her up the stairs to the organ then stopping. "Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams! Purge your thoughts of the life you knew before! Close your eyes, let your spirit start to soar! And you'll live as you've never lived before…" He sang continuing up his path. "Softly, deftly, music shall caress you… Hear it, feel it, secretly possess 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… Let your mind start a journey through a strange, new world! Leave all thoughts of the life you knew before! Let your soul take you where you long to be! Only then can you, belong, to me…" He turned her so her back was to his chest. His hand ran down her chest and abdomen and the inside of her thigh.
"Floating, falling, sweet intoxication! Touch me, trust me, savor each sensation!" She leaned her head back onto his shoulder and put her hand on his cheek. "Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in. To the power of the music that I write-" He led her to a curtain and drew it back to show a doll that looked like Naruko. She wore a veil and a beautiful wedding gown that went to the floor as silk. Her eyes widened as he grabbed her hand and extended his arm with hers. She fainted.
He smiled and caught her. He carried Naruko like a bride to his bed and laid her down. "You alone can make my song take flight-" He sang as he grabbed a rope. "Help me make the music of the night….." He pulled it and the curtain surrounding the bed drew shut.
Naruko awoke in a comfortable bed with red sheets. The foot board was a bird taking flight. She exited the bed and saw her master working at his organ. She walked over. "I remember, there was mist… swirling mist upon a vast glossy lake… There were candles all around. And on the lake there was a boat… And in the boat there was a man…" She came up behind him and he leaned his head back into her chest. Her curiosity got the better of her as her hands sneaked their way up to his face. "Who was that shape in the shadows?" She asked as he closed his eyes. "Whose is that face in the mask?" His eyes shot open as he felt his mask being quickly removed.
"Damn you! You little prying Pandora! You little demon!" He pushed her to the floor and walked away with his face in his hands. He pulled a curtain down and showed a full length mirror. "Is this what you wanted to see?" He asked removing his hand but replacing it too quickly for her to see. "Curse you! You little lying Delilah! You little viper! Now you cannot ever be free!" He made his way to the edge of the water and sent a candle holder crashing to the floor with his free hand. "Damn you!" He yelled with the last bit of his rage. "Curse you!" He yelled just sounding sad at that point. Naruko just watched and held the mask in her hand. Now she knew how Hinata felt. Utterly terrified and nervous.
"Stranger than you dreamt it, can you even dare to look? Or bear to think of me? This loathsome gargoyle who burns in hell, but secretly, yearns for heaven, secretly, secretly… but, Naruko, fear can turn to love. You'll learn to see, to find the man behind the monster, this repulsive carcass… Who seems a beast, but secretly, dreams of beauty, secretly, secretly…" He had made his way back over to her and now was sitting beside her with his face in his hands. "Oh, Naruko…" He said. His voice was sad and scared… Like that of a lost child. She held out the mask to the man. He gently took it from her and turned to replace it. He stood. "Come."
The phantom said now collected again. "We must return! Those two fools who run my theatre will be missing you." He helped her up.
"I apologize for my actions before." He stated as he moved the boat through the water. She just nodded and asked "what's your name? You know mine and I don't know yours." He looked at her. "My past name is dead. I guess you can call me Erik." He said blankly, as if the words were nothing. She thought about it for a minute. "I like that. Erik. I like you a lot to." He hid back the emotion he was feeling at that moment. Only one other person ever told him they liked his name or they liked anything about him before. But to be fair, that person had saved him and showed him the only kindness he had ever known.
"Thank you." He said. "You're welcome."
The girls gathered round as the man in front of them sang his tale of the mysterious opera ghost. Sasuke was good at that type of thing. Telling the lies and beliefs of people in a way that terrified and mystified at the same time. It helped that the girls all found him exceptionally handsome (A/N: and no. Me saying that does not make me Sasuke fan girl.). "Like yellow parchment is his skin… A great black hole serves as the nose that never grew…" He stalked in circles with a rope tied into a noose in his hand. He had found it in the rafters and decided to have a little fun with it.
"You must be always on your guard… Or he will catch you with his magical lasso…!" He threw the rope around one of the girls and pulled her to him. "Got you." He whispered in her ear as he nibbled at her pulse. It was then Kakashi had shown up. He saw the scene and grabbed the rope, pulling it off of the girl.
"Those who speak of what they know, find too late that prudent silence is wise…" He slapped the man. "Sasuke Uchiha, hold your tongue!" He threw the lasso around his neck and tightened it. "Or he will burn you with the heat of his eyes…" He said dropping his grip on the rope. Sasuke threw him a few profane words under his breath which Kakashi caught but chose to ignore. "Dancers! To the dorms! Now! Or face extra work tomorrow." He threatened and the room became clear instantly. Sasuke walked away.
Kakashi sighed and followed suit.
"'Mystery after gala night,' it says, 'Mystery of soprano's flight!' 'Mystified,' baffled Surete say, 'We are mystified - we suspect foul play!' Bad news on soprano scene –first Sakura, now Naruko! Ah, but still at least the seats get sold -gossip's worth its weight in gold ...Diva tenders resignation! Cover does a moonlight flit! Half your cast disappears, but the crowd still cheers! Opera! To hell with Gluck and Handel -have a scandal and you're sure to have a hit!" Deidara sang in anger as him and Sasori walked into the opera house.
"Damnable! Will they all walk out? This is damnable!" Sasori sang loudly, still emotionless as ever. Deidara stopped him and put his hands on his shoulders. "Dana, please don't shout…" He said in an attempt to console his upset boyfriend. "It's publicity! And the take is vast! Free publicity..!" He explained. "But we have no cast…" Sasori argued. "But Dana, have you seen the queue?" Deidara said pulling out a letter. Sasori pulled out one also. On both was Erik's usual letter seal.
"Oh. You've got one to." Deidara said with disappointment dripping from his words. Sasori gave him a look that said 'sadly yes.' "Dear Sasori, what a charming gala! Naruko was in a word, sublime! We were hardly bereft when Sakura left- otherwise, the chorus was entrancing, but the dancing was a lamentable mess!" Sasori read as they continued walking up the stairs of the front hall.
Deidara took out the note from his envelope. "Dear Deidara, just a quick reminder: My salary has not been paid. Send it care of the ghost, by return of post- P.T.O: No one likes a debtor, so it's better if my orders are obeyed!" He read as they continued up. "Who would have the gall to send this? Someone with a peurile brain!" They sang in unison. "Where is she?" They heard from a male voice. The two managers turned to see Itachi on the stairs behind them. "You mean Sakura?" Sasori asked. "I mean Miss. Uzumaki—where is she?"
Sasori sighed "Well how should we now?" He sang in his usual monotone voice. "I want an answer- I take it that you sent me this note?" Itachi said. taking out the letter with the curse mark like seal in red wax. "Of course not!" Deidara said. "Don't look at us!" Sasori said after his lover. "She's not with you then?" Itachi asked in a questioning tone. "Of course not!" Deidara repeated. "Were in the dark…" Sasori said lowering his tone. "Monsieur, don't argue- Isn't this the letter you wrote?" He said, holding afore mentioned letter.
"And what is it we have meant to have wrote?" Deidara said. He shook his head. "Written." He corrected. Sasori took the letter from the outstretched hand. "Do not fear for Miss Uzumaki. The angel of music has her under his wing. Make no attempt to see her again." He read. "If you didn't write it, who did?" He asked. "Where is he?" They heard screeched. Sakura's back. "Ah, welcome back!" Deidara said in his usual happy go lucky voice. "Your precious patron-" She continued. Ino came out from behind her. "Where is he?" They sang in unison. "What is now?" Itachi said obviously in no mood for Sakura's diva tantrum. "I have your letter- a letter which I rather resent!" She said holding out letter with the same seal on it as all the others. "And did you send it?" Sasori asked the Uchiha. "Of course not!" Itachi said in defense. "As if he had the guts to." Deidara muttered.
"You didn't send it?" Ino and Sakura asked together. "Of course not!" He repeated. "What's going on…-" Sasori began before Sakura cut him off in her obnoxiously loud voice. "You mean to tell me, this is not the letter you sent?" She extended the letter out to the viscount as he took it. "And what is it that I meant to have sent?" He asked looking at her as he opened the letter. "Your days at the leaf opera are numbered. Naruko Uzumaki will be singing on your behalf tonight. Be prepared for great misfortune, should you attempt to take her place." The raven read aloud to the small crowd that had formed.
Sasori and Deidara sighed. "Far too many notes for my taste—most of them about Naruko! All we've heard since we came is Naruko's name-!" They sang in unison as they continued up the stairs with the viscount and the two divas. There words were interrupted when Kakashi suddenly cleared his throat at the bottom of the stairs. They all turned to look at the masked gentleman and his shy daughter. "Miss Uzumaki has returned!" He called up to the group. "In which case, I think our meeting is adjourned." Sasori stated blankly.
"Where precisely is she now?" Deidara asked. "I thought it best that she went home…" "she needed rest." Hinata chimed in. "May is see her?" Itachi asked. "No monsieur. She will see no one." He responded quickly. "Will she sing? Will she sing?" Sakura and Ino asked, secretly hoping that the response was no so the phantom's doll wouldn't get another spot light. "Here, I have a note…" Kakashi said holding out another. Disappointed grunts were heard from the group. "Let me see! Let me see!" Itachi, Sakura, and Deidara, yelled at the silvered haired male. "Ladies and gentlemen! Please control yourself!" Sasori barked at them. They immediately fell silent. Sasori took the note and opened it. As the letter was opened, Kakashi thought of the conversation he had with the phantom after Naruko had left…
(flashback)
"So. You finally came out again." Kakashi said to the man before him. He nodded. "Why stay hidden for so long Kabuto?" The phantom who everyone knew as Erik glared at the mention of his actual name. "Sorry. Forgot you don't like your actual god given name." "It's not that I hate it Kakashi. When you took me here, Kabuto Yakushi died. Erik, the 19 year old mass murderer, was born to take his place." He said.
Kakashi put his hand on the younger man's shoulder. "He's not dead Kabuto. You know that. He was still alive when he first saw Naruko Uzuamki perform for him. He was still alive when he took her under his wing as her promised angel of music. He's still alive now as we speak of the love he, at long last, finally feels." Kabuto looked at the dance instructor. "It's not love I have achieved. It's the belief of a lie that brought her to me, and the fear of what I can do that keeps her bound to this loathsome gargoyle now." He stated point blank. Kakashi knew he was right. He wouldn't dare say it though. A) because he didn't want to hurt him. B) because he still believed that there was a chance that she would still choose to love the poor lost soul behind the mask. Kakashi smiled. "Angel of music." He said. "You are a man of many skills and masks Erik. " He continued remembering to use the right name that time.
"You, the master puppeteer, Angel of death throughout Persia and Asia, the owner of all the skills of a gypsy, a master of the skill of architecture, speaker of over 5 tongues if I'm not mistaken, maker of some of the most mind bending tortures known to man, the gainer of all those skills under the age of 14. You never cease to amaze me." Erik looked at the dancer. "State the meaning of saying all this to me." He said in his voice that could drive a man insane if it wanted to, just by a few simple words. "My point is, you could be the most brilliant man in the world if you chose to just share one of the many talents you have shown me, you could have anything your heart desires, even miss Uzumaki. But you choose to recluse in your hidden world of wonders down in the depths of the opera house. Your face wouldn't matter to anyone. The mask would be meaningless. Only if you told the truth, came out, and shared your blessing of brilliance to the world."
Erik glared. "You speak of it like you understand. Like you know how it feels to live in shame, to have everyone, even your own mother, hate you with a burning passion that drove her to want to leave you for some man that you felt the most hate for in your life! You talk like you know how it feels, to live most of your life in a cage, as a rag doll that sang for its master for your life everyday then having the only form of humanity, this mask" He took of the mask he always wore and held it up. "Ripped away to make the people watching scream in absolute mortification! Don't speak like you have any clue what I feel and what I should do! You have no right!"
"Erik!" Kakashi yelled. "Don't!" He yelled. Kakashi felt the rough feel of a rope around his neck. The Punjab lasso. A deadly contraption that's rope was so thin, it didn't seem like it would do anything, but it was a deception that cost the many who encountered it their lives. "Let me go." He said. He looked at him apologetically and slipped his weapon off the man. He turned away without another word and walked away from the man, leaving a letter for the people of the opera. He walked away from the man who was looking at him with disappointment over the thing he had become.
(flashback ended)
Kakashi had then told his daughter that her friend had at last returned. They went to tell the managers. Sasori held open the letter and began reading. "Ladies and gentlemen, I have now sent you several notes of the most amiable nature, detailing how my theatre is to be run. You have not followed my instructions. I-" Kakashi could hear Erik's voice continuing from there.
"- Shall give you one last chance… Naruko Uzumaki has returned to you, and I am anxious her career should progress. In the new production of "II Muto", you will therefore cast Carlotta as the page boy, and put Miss Uzumaki in the role of the countess. The role which Miss Uzumaki plays calls for charm and appeal. The role of the pageboy is silent—which makes my casting, in a word, ideal. I shall watch the performance from my normal seat in box five, which will be kept open for me. Should these commands be ignored, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur…" Kakashi listened to Sasori tell the rest. "… I remain, gentlemen and ladies, your obedient servant, O.G." Hinata stood with a saddened look on her face. "Naruko… Naruko." Sakura was fuming over the words of the letter.
"Naruko!" Deidara looked to his lover. "Whatever next…?" He asked. "This is a ploy to help Naruko!" Ino yelled. "This is insane…" Sasori said in his usual calm voice. "I know who sent this! The Viscount—her lover!" Sakura screamed. Itachi ignored her "Indeed? Can you believe this?" He said. "Signora!" Deidara said trying to appease the cranky prima dona. "How can you do this?" Ino asked. "I am unwanted!" Sakura complained. "This is a joke." Sasori said. "This changes nothing!" Deidara said. "I am unwelcome!" She stressed. "Signora…" Sasori said. "You are our star and always will be! This man is mad!" Deidara said. "We don't take orders." The red head explained.
"Miss Uzumaki will be playing the pageboy- the silent role. You will be playing the lead!" Deidara exclaimed. "You don't deserve her! Appease her! Please her!" Ino said in her usual pompous tone. "I will not listen to you! Why further insult your prima dona?" She said turning her head and sticking her nose in the air. Kakashi had walked away and was muttering silently under his breath "Who scorn his word, beware to those…" "Who have reviled me!" Sakura yelled. "The angel of death sees, the angel knows…" Kakashi continued. Itachi was walking back stage "Why did Naruko fly from my arms…?" He questioned. Hinata was still at the stairs. "Naruko.." She sang. "You have rebuked me!" Sakura whined. "Signora, pardon us…" The managers said.
"You have replaced me!" She continued. "Please, signora we beseech you…" They begged in desperation. "This hour shall see your darkest fears…" Kakashi continued making his way down to the room where Naruko prayed to her angel. "I must see her…" Hinata and Itachi determined at the same time. "This is uncalled-for! This is unfounded! This is unheard of!" Sakura and Ino continued as they walked towards the exit of the theater. "The angel of death knows, the angel hears…" Kakashi said reaching his destination. "Where did she go?" Itachi asked. "You are unthinking! You are unfeeling!" Sakura sang. "They are unthinking. They are unfeeling." Ino shadowed. "Signora, sing for us! Don't be a martyr…" Deidara begged. "What new surprises lie in store…?" Itachi, Kakashi, and Hinata asked in unison. "Our star!" Sasori sang. "You go too far!" Ino said. "Your public needs you!" Sasori said not wanting to say they needed her. They could use Naruko, but no one knew the girl and they needed the money. Deidara glared at Sasori knowing he would have to be the one to say they needed her.
"We need you, too!" He sang. They had reached the front of the house and as they opened the door, a huge group of paparazzi "Where is she?" They called. Sakura, who thought they were speaking of her, Walked in front of the rest of them with a smile on her face. "Where's Miss Uzumaki?" Roses were bombarding the four standing there. Sasori and Deidara slammed the door shut in their faces. Sakura had a look that said she was about to snap.
"Would you rather have your precious little phantom's doll?" She gritted through her teeth. "Signora, no! The world wants you!" They each grabbed one of her hands and led her to the lead's dressing room. "Prima dona, first lady of the stage! Your devotees are on their knees to implore you!" They reached the room and she began doing her hair and makeup. Jewels and gifts showered her. "Can you bow out when they're shouting your name?" Sasori asked. "Think of how they all adore you!" His partner continued. She rolled her eyes as they continued together. "Prima dona, enchant us once again!" "Think of your muse…" Sasori said. "And of the queues of the theatre!" Deidara said as he kissed the top of her hand. She snapped it back and sighed. "Can you deny us the triumph in store? Sing, Prima dona, once more!" They lifted her up and put her on a fancy couch where people helped her with the rest of her makeup.
"Naruko spoke of an angel…" Itachi sang as he checked the time. "You took a snub, but there's a public who need you!" Sakura sang out. "She has heard the voice of the angel of music…" Kakashi said leaving the room after dropping a note for Erik to find. "Those who hear your voice liken you to an angel!" The managers sang for their diva. "Think of their cry of undying support!" Aforementioned girl day dreamt out loud. "Is this her angel of music…?" Itachi asked, adding to his endless supply of questions. "We get our opera…" Sasori whispered to Deidara. "She gets her limelight!" The blond whispered back. "Follow where the limelight leads you!" She continued her fantasies.
"The limelight once again shall shine upon her." Ino praised. "Is this ghost an angel or madman…?" Hinata asked preparing herself for the performance. "Angel or madman…?" The viscount echoed far away from the girl. Sasori popped open a bottle of wine while Deidara grabbed the girl's shoe. Sasori poured the liquid in for Deidara to drink. "Leading ladies are a trial!" Deidara said drinking. They Carried her on the couch down the hallways of the opera. People laughed and pointed. One man pulled down his butt and shook it in the rafters towards the brat.
"Prima dona, your song shall never die!" She sang not noticing all they laughed at her. "When she sings we see heaven!" Ino sang to the diva. "Voice of hell, or of heaven…?" Hinata asked her dad who was helping her with her hair. "Heaven help you, those who doubt…" was his only response. "You'll sing again, and to an unending ovation!" Sakura cheered. "Order! Warnings! Lunatic demands!" Itachi said as he took his seat in box five. Kakashi guided Hinata and Naruko, who had come back, to the stage. "This miscasting will invite damnation…" Kakashi thought. "Tears… Oaths… Lunatic demands are regular occurrences!" Deidara and Sasori said. Sakura and everyone reached the stage. A dressed was dropped over her and she was ready. "Light up that stage with that age-old rapport! Sing, prima dona, once more!" They all sang. In the rafters and walls, the phantom made his way to his seat only to have it occupied.
He made it back to the ceiling area "So, it is to be war between us! If these demands are not met, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur!" He said with anger etched into his features… "Once more!" The cast finished with the brat…. The anger soon was replaced with a smile that showed not happiness, but showed cocky excitement at the challenge he intended to win. "Let the games begin." He swung his cloak and ran to complete the plan that formed in his mind.
To be continued….
Hey peeps! Finally finished the chapter. Still waiting for the answer on the lot numbers. Two things else before I let you go. 1) I know I didn't finish prima dona. I apologize. I never liked that song and it is hard to write. Don't hate for that. 2) I bash Sakura. A lot. She's my least favorite character. Sorry if I am hating on your favorite character. Please don't hate for that either. That's it for now. Thanks for those who read. Comments are wanted. I respond to questions, comments, and try to fix if I get hateful ones.
Peace out girl scouts!
~The phantom of the opera (jk. Just me Kabutogirl.)