The Phantom of the Opera by Symphonia
Think of Me
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, or Phantom of the Opera. I just borrowed the characters and the plotline. Not making any money from this, so don't sue.
A/N: Sesshoumaru will be OOC since he will take on the personality of the Phantom. Please R&R, I would really appreciate it. Thanks
A car stopped in front of the opera house and a white haired gentleman got out of the vehicle. Straightening his top hat, the man looked up at the opera house as if the building itself held some secrets that only he knew about. An auction was in progress when the man stepped into the theater. He found a space on the floor where he could see the items currently being auctioned off. His entrance was noticed by a lady standing in another part of the theater. When the auctioneer brought out a music box with a Persian dressed monkey sitting on top, the lady placed a bid on it. The man turned his head to see who had placed the bid. When the lady noticed the man was looking at her, she gave a little nod. Turning his attention back to the auctioneer, the man raised the bid again. He looked at the lady and she shook her head. The auctioneer seeing that there were no more bids, announced that the item had been sold to Lord Inuyasha Taisho.
The auctioneer then introduced the next item. It was a chandelier that had hung in this very opera house many years ago and was associated with the mystery of the Phantom of the Opera. It had been expertly restored and will now light up once again.
***
Kagome Higurashi tried hard to concentrate on the dance moves the ballet mistress had wanted them to practice but found that it was hard to do so when rumor had it that the new managers would be coming around tonight.
"Psst, Sango." Kagome whispered in between the ballet mistress's counting, "did you hear anything about the new managers coming tonight."
"Yes, mother did say something to that effect. But it doesn't concern us at all." Sango whispered back.
As if right on cue, Totosai, the current manager of the opera house, led two gentlemen into the backstage area towards the ballet mistress.
"Ah... gentlemen, this is our ballet mistress, Madame Kuwashima." Totosai said gesturing to the woman. "Madame Kuwashima, this is Juromaru-san." indicating the taller man with purple eyes. "and this is Kageromaru-san" indicating the shorter man. "From tonight onwards, these two gentlemen will become the managers of the opera house."
Madame Kuwashima bowed her head to the two men which they returned. "I believe Madame Kuwashima," Juromaru said eyeing the ballerinas with interest, "that we will have ample time to get to know each other."
The ballet mistress gave a curt reply to the managers and promptly excused herself since the young women must be ready for their performance later tonight.
"Now, if you'll follow me, gentlemen." Totosai said leading the way, "I shall take you to meet our prima donna, Kikyo."
Juromaru gave one last longing glance at the ballerinas before Kageromaru dragged him off. Totosai then led the two men up onto the main stage where the company was rehearsing Hannibal for the performance later tonight.
"Kikyo, my dear, come here for a moment if you please." Totosai called out over the hustle and bustle of the crew on stage. Hearing her name called, Kikyo turned towards the men, seeing who it was, Kikyo strolled across the stage to them. Totosai took her hand and kissed it before introducing her to Juromaru and Kageromaru.
Juromaru and Kageromaru kissed Kikyo's hand in turn, while she flirted with both of them. Totosai decided to usher them away because there was something that the new managers should know before he retired. Taking the two men back to his office, Totosai closed the door and turned to face his replacements.
"There is one little matter that I must speak to you about before I leave. Box Five must never be sold and at the beginning of every month, you must place 20,000 Franc in an unmarked envelope inside the box." Totosai said seriously.
"But that makes no sense, Totosai." Juromaru exclaimed. "Why should we leave a perfectly good box empty when we can make money from selling it. Also what is up with leaving 20,000 Franc every month inside the box?"
Totosai shifted on his feet. "Please do not question me about this. Just do it if you wish that everything will run smoothly in the opera house." Totosai implored.
"Now, see here, Totosai..." Juromaru began but was interrupted by a resounding crash that came from the stage.
"What was that?" Kageromaru cried out jumping to his feet.
"Oh dear, it appears that it came from the stage" Totosai said hurrying out the door and down the stairs followed by Juromaru and Kageromaru. When the three men got to the stage, they were greeted by sounds of wailing and utter chaos.
"This is the last straw!" Kikyo cried out as Naraku and the other performers helped her up. "Every time I rehearse to this part something goes wrong! That's it! I refuse to sing on this stage." With that, Kikyo rushed off to her dressing room followed by Kaede, her assistant.
"What had happened here? Naraku, if you please" Totosai enquired loudly over the din to the man dressed as Hannibal.
"To be honest, I do not know." Naraku said shrugging his shoulders. "Kikyo was about to launch into the aria when the backdrop just fell on top of her."
"It is the work of the Ghost!" one of the dancers cried in fear.
Juromaru and Kageromaru whirled onto Totosai demanding to know the whole story when the cool drawl of Naraku was heard.
"Really gentlemen, you can debate the problem of 'the Ghost' later. But right now, we do not have a lead singer to sing the aria." Naraku said.
"But where shall we find someone of Kikyo's caliber at a time like this?" Kageromaru asked looking around at the cast.
"Excuse me, but I believe we have someone." A soft voice ventured timidly.
The men all turned around to see who has spoken and saw that it was a chorus girl who had come onto the stage when the commotion had started.
"What do you mean by that, Sango?" Totosai asked kindly. "Speak up. Don't be afraid"
"Well, it's just that Kagome has been taking singing lessons. She is very good. I've heard her." Sango said quietly.
Totosai turned to Madame Kuwashima, "Is this true what the child is saying?" he asked.
"I was not aware that Kagome has been taking singing lessons." She answered shaking her head.
"Then how on earth did you know that she could sing the part?" Juromaru asked.
Sango was saved from answering by Totosai. "I believe a simple test would suffice whether or not she could sing the part." Totosai turned to the chorus group and gestured for Kagome to come forward.
Kagome stepped forward with trembling steps. Totosai took her hand gently and led her into the front and handed her the score. "Don't be afraid, Kagome. Start from here if you please." pointing to the part.
Kagome gulped and took the score from Totosai's hands. She quickly looked over it and with a nod to the conductor, the music started.
When Kagome finished singing, she noticed that everyone around her was gaping at her with their mouths wide open.
"Brilliant," Juromaru said clapping his hands, "that was absolutely brilliant. Madame Kuwashima, dress this child approiately. She shall sing the part tonight."
Kagome looked at her reflection nervously. Soon it would be her turn to go on stage and perform. She went to the little altar in her room and knelt in front of it.
'Please father, guide me and give me the strength on stage tonight" she prayed.
While Kagome was praying, the theater was beginning to fill with tonight's audience. A young man with long, white hair alighted from the carriage and stepped into the lobby of the opera house. Inuyasha, heir to the Taisho estates, looked at the elaborate decorations of the opera house. This was his first time here, since he had lived on the estate and been away attending military school for much of his life.
"Oi! Inuyasha."
Inuyasha turned and saw it was his friend, Miroku. Strolling over to his friend and giving Miroku's hand a hearty shake, Inuyasha inquired after the well being of Miroku's family.
Miroku took Inuyasha's arm and led him through the lobby greeting various acquaintances.
Inuyasha smiled tolerantly at his friend's flirtatious behavior with some of the ladies. He had always known his friend to be a pervert and was not surprised when Miroku knew and offered to introduce Inuyasha to the prima donna, Kikyo.
Miroku made his way to Kikyo's dressing room with utmost familiarity and seeing the way that Kikyo welcomed his friend, Inuyasha would not be surprised to learn if Miroku and Kikyo were involved on more intimate terms. Kikyo flirted with Inuyasha when Miroku told her that Inuyasha's father was the patron of the opera house. Inuyasha felt uncomfortable with the flirtatious manner of Kikyo for he had been around well disciplined military personnel most of his life and was more than glad when the bell alerting patrons to take their seats for the show was about to begin sounded.
Miroku and Inuyasha parted ways in the corridor leading to the private boxes. Inuyasha opened the door to his father's box and stepped inside. Choosing the seat that would give him the best view of the stage, Inuyasha sat back to enjoy the performance.
Kagome twitched nervously behind the curtains waiting for her cue. Sango came off stage and wished her luck. Taking a deep breath, Kagome steeped onto the stage and waited for the curtains to rise.
Inuyasha leaned forward to take a better look at the girl who was singing the aria tonight. His eyes widen when he recognized her. It was Kagome Higurashi, his childhood sweetheart.