Back stage was bustling, actors and actresses take time to check out from behind

the curtain. One actress in a purple dress peeks out and giggles "They were right! It is a full

house!" she squeals and hurries off. Momo runs the entire opera through her mind, remembering what she has to do and how to do it.

As everyone behind the curtain prepares, people still file into the opera house and search for good seats.

Byakuya fixes his white gloves and pulls his black long tailed coat forward. He had decided to go and watch the show, so he dressed in the proper attire, and that is a long tailed tuxedo, all black but his shirt, along with his gloves, where white. Only his usual black mask stays on his face. He walks onto his usual box seat, only to see it half full of people. He slightly frowns but sits in the back, close to the corner so he wont be seen.

Sosuke sits in his box seat, two rows away from Byakuya, who watches him with hawk like eyes.

Once everyone was accounted for, the music begins to play and the cutrain rises.

Two actors and one actress step forward, dressed in their opera attire.

"They say that this youth has set my Lady's heart aflame!" the woman in the purple dress begins to sing, and acting like she's gossiping with the other two men and the maid, one man is in yellow the other man is in blue. Rukia stands at the side in a yellow, blue, green, and orange stripes across her corset, her plain white skirt reaches her ankles. This is the usual maid outfit for the play.

"His Lordship, sure, would die of shock!" The man in blue sings. "His Lordship is
A laughingstock!" He taunts, fanning himself with his matching blue fan.

The woman in purple pretends to pray as she sings "Should he suspect her, God protect her!"

"Shame! Shame! Shame!" The two men and the woman in purple sing as Rukia shakes her head in a disgusted matter with each 'Shame' they sing out.

In backstage as the actors and actresses sing...

One of Rangiku's assistants places her voice spray onto a counter. Two gloved hands reach out from behind a red and gold curtain. One hand grabs Rangiku's spray and switches it with another. Renji lifts an eyebrow as he watches this happen.

Back on stage...

"This faithless lady's bound for Hades!" They all sing in unison "Shame! Shame! Shame!" They sing once again, Rukia turns her head and turns her finger as if scolding a naughty child.

They all turn to the stage where the actual curtains move out of the way. There sits Rangiku, in a bright pink dress with a sparkling necklace around her neck, her face is turned and is covered by her white fan.

Behind her rubbing her side, is Momo, wearing the same maid outfit Rukia wears, her face is also covered by the fan. To the audience it looks like they're making out.

Rangiku quickly closes her fan as the curtains open, Momo gasps as she looks out to the crowd.** Momo climbes off the bed and stands next to Rangiku "Serafimo - your disguise is perfect!" she beams.

One of the off stage actors use some wood and a knocker to make a knocking noise. "Oh my now who could it be?" Rukia pamtomimess** opening a door to let Rangiku's 'husband' in. Yumichika walks onto the stage, he holds a pink cane that does not match with his green outfit. "Gentle wife, admit your loving husband" he sings, pretending to hit Rukia's but, who squeals and runs off. The crowd laugh.

"Now that is what the public loves!" Hichigo says to Ichigo, pointing out at the opera.

"My love" Yumichika sings

Backstage as Yumichika enters...

Renji looks around, swearing that he saw a shadow of someone moving around.

On stage...

"I am called to England on affairs of State, and must leave you with your new maid." Yumichika pretends to try and touch Momo's butt as she shakes it teasingly as she pretends to clean.

Momo stands, turns, and makes a shocked face, causing the crowd to laugh. Rangiku rolls her eyes. Yumichika puts up his hand to cover the side of his mouth as he speaks to the audience "Though I would happily take the maid with me"

Rangiku scoffs and holds up her fan in the same fashion as Yumichika is with his hand "The old fool is leaving"

The audience laughs once again.

"Hey... It's that Countess who invited us to her salon, ya know?" Hichigo says as he points to a woman in white. "Nothing like this happened to us in the medical buisness" Ichigo grumbles. "Thats true" Hichigo agrees with a smile.

Rangiku and Yumichika do some vocalising while spinning in circles with each other.

A mask partical is seen above the stage on the as the man watches the play in disgust. Yumichika leaves the stage.

"Serafimo away with this pretense!" Rangiku sings, causing Momo to stop pretending to dust and take her skirt off, showing that she is wearing blue capris under. Her outfit shows that she is playing a male character.

The Actors and Actresses in the colorful outfits gasp. Rukia brings her hand up to her mouth and looks at the crowd with a surprized look.

"You cannot speak, but you can kiss me in my husbands absense." Rangiku sings, making a swift movement with her wrist opening her white fan. Both women lean towards each other, the fan covering their faces as they pretend to kiss.

Rangiku scowls behind the fan, Momo rolls her eyes. They both pull away with smiles on their faces. "Poor fool, he makes me laugh, ha ha ha ha!" Rangiku sings.

A man with a mask covering the area around his eyes watches the opera from above, a scowl replacing his usual grin as he watches Rangiku sing.

On the stage, Momo walks in a semi-circle with her hands on her hips as Rangiku sings.

"Poor fool, he doesnt know!" The actors in the colorful outfits sing. "Hoho hoho!" They laugh in a songful way.

A secret door above the stage opens and the man walks through, looking around to see if he's noticed.

Byakuya spots the secret door opening. He squints to get a better look. There, he spots a man looking just like himself. Byakuya's eyes widen in shock. "Damn phantom" he mumbles. He stands and quickly leaves.

The Phantom looks down at the opera. "What do you think you are doing?" he questions loudly, stopping the opera "I did not want this. Why did you ignore my requests?" his voice booms, scaring some of the audience members. An eyebrow lifts on Sosuke's face, but on the inside he is smileing like a mad man.

Momo looks up and slightly gasps. Rukia gasps loudly "Its the phantom!" she exclaims. "It's him..." Momo mutters out. "You're not supposed to talk you stupid toad!" Rangiku snaps at Momo. She then turns and smiles out to the crowd.

Byakuya quickly makes his way to his layer, wondering if the phantom wanna-be took his mask. He arrives in the cave and walks to where he keeps his stuff. He enters his room and finds that one of his masks is gone.

"Tsk..." Byakuya growls out. He grabs the nearest cape and leaves his layer.

"A toad, eh?" The phantom mutters "I don't think she's the toad." He says, his usual grin appearing on his face. Izuru grabs Rangiku's bottle and runs to her. Rangiku opens her mouth and Izuru sprays the liquid from the bottle.

Once he's done Rangiku closes her mouth then begins to vocalize. Izuru runs back to back stage with the bottle. Once shes done, Rangikus smiles out to the crowd "Okay, everything is set. Maestro please begin."

Omaeda nods and begins to move his want and the orchestra begins to play. The phantom turns and enters the room behind the secret door as Rangiku begins to sing once again.

Byakuya quickly makes his way to back stage to catch the phantom.

Renji lifts an eyebrow at the phantom and begins to make his way to the room behind the secret door.

He quickly makes his way across the walkway leading to the secret door. He opens it and follows the man with the cape.

On stage...

"You cannot speak, until you kiss-" Rangiku sings but instead of singing the next word, she croaks. She gasps, alongs with the audiance. Rangikus smiles and continues "Poor fool he makes me laugh, hahahaha!" Rangiku sings normally. "Hahaha croak! Croak!" she croaks suddenly.

Rangiku uses her fan and fans her self "IZURU!" she yells out in a paniced tone. Everyone in the audience laughs along with some of the actors on stage. Sosukes grins, glad that Gin did what he did.

Ichigo and Hichigo leave their box and run to the stage. As the curtain closes Ichigo and Hichigo arrive on stage.

The curtains close, leaving one actor in a yellow suit dancing around in front. He turns and sees the curtain has closed. He claws at the cutrain, trying to get back in. As he claws Omaeda growls "GET OFF!" he whispers loudly.

The dancer smiles at the crowd and dances off stage, earning some more laughs. Sosuke chuckles at the dancers ridicuousness.

Ichigo and Hichigo exit from behind the curtain and faces the crowd "LADIES AND GENTLE MEN!" Ichigo shouts out over the laughter catching their attention. "The preformance will continue in ten minuets time. The role of the countess will be played by-" He cuts himself off by turning back to the cutrtain and gently grabs Momo bt her arm and pulls her out "Miss Hinamori"

The audience claps in approval. Ichigo smiles and turns to Momo "Go to Yoruichi and get dressed. Hurry" he orders. Momo nods and runs off to find Yoruichi. Ichigo turns back to the crowd and smiles.

"While we wait for things to get back in order I would like to have the ballet from act III of tonight opera to be shown. Got it?" Hichigo says to Omaeda, who nods and he, and the orchestra, flip through their music books to find the music.

Hichigo and Ichigo smile at the audience and goes behidn the curtain. Everyone runs around trying to get the setting for the ballet in order. Ichigo and Hichigo leave to go to their seats.

The curtains open prematurely and the audience watches the actors and ballet dancers run around. They laugh.

Momo finds Yoruichi and they both head to the dressing room. Yoruichi hadns Momo a vibrant red rose wiht a satin black bow "He's in the crowd. He says you did splendid as the page boy, but you wil do better as the countess." Momo smiles widely "He was watching?" Yoruichi nods "Yes dear. After you put the dress on without the metal skirt I'll let you go out and look."

"Oh yes, and he has an message for you." Yoruichi says, handing Momo a bright white envelope.

Momo smiles as she opens the envelope. She takes out the card and reads it to herself 'All I ask of you is to trust me with all your heart. Your trust is enough to get me through not being able to see or touch you. -Byakuya Kuchiki' Momo reads in her mind. She smiles again and puts the note aside. She turns to the dress and quickly dresses.

Meanwhile...

Renji walks on a boarded catwalk that is held by ropes above the stage. Little did he know, the phantom he was looking for was watching him with a sadtistic smile and a murderous glint in his eyes.

Byakuya see's the glint shining in the in,posters eyes and then spots Renji. 'I must warn him' Byakuya thinks as he quickly makes his way to Renji.

Renji Looks around. He gets an eerie feeling and looks back. When he looks back and spots nothing. So he looks forward, and there stands the masked figure he has heard stories about. Renji panics and runs off.

Byakuya reaches out "Wait!" he says, but to no avail. Renji dissapears into the darkness. Byakuya looks back to where he spot the imposter but spots no one.

With a small snarl and a curse word, he follows to where he believes Renji headed.

Renji comes across another catwalk and spots the phantom on the otherside, the only differance was the shiny silver hair and slit eyes. But he still scared the shit outta him.

Renji moved left, as did the phantom. So he moved rihgt, only to be copied again. He then sprints to the right and the phantom climbs one of the ropes, dissapearing into the darkness.

Byakuya also clibms up, hoping to catch the imposter. Renji huffs as he jumps over a large space and onto another catwalk, almost falling as it wobbles. Gin also jumps, lasso in hand. He lands perfectly and grabs the ropes on the side of the catwalk that acts like a handle to hold as you walk.

Gin shifts his weight to the right then to the left, making Renji fall. Renji gasps as he stares wide eyed at the stage as the dancers dance.

Gin turns Renji over and puts the lasso over his head. Renji struggles against Gin but looses as the rope tightens against his throat.

Renji coughs and gasps for air. After awhile he spassoms and then goes still. Gin's smirk widens. He lifts up Renji's body and turns, only to come face to face with the real phantom. Gin's eyes open and widen. Gin's eyes go back to normal and the sadtistic smirk crawls onto his face.

Gin shoves the end of the rope into Byakuya's hands. He then kicks the dead body of Renji off, Byakuya grunts as he is pulled forward by the weight of the dead man.

Gin climbs the rope and dissapears.

Momo walks to the side of the stage and looks up at the upper boxes, searching for Byakuya.

Renji's dead body drops and hangs at the side of the dancers, who still dance un aware of his body. One audience member spot the body and scream bloody murder.

Renji's body hangs across the stage at where Momo is at. Momo gasps and looks up. She spots the familiar set of grey eyes, fair hair, and handsome features. "No..." she gasps. Yoruichi looks up in horror at what she believes he had done.

Different thoughts and memories run through Momo's head, confusing her to no end 'Is Byakuya the one who abused me or is it the fake phantom? Didn't Byakuya say he... But why did he kill the man if he said that he is innocent... What is going on! Who do I trust!'

Byakuya realises that they believe it is him who has murdered the stage hand. He quickly releases the rope, dropping the body onto the stage, causing more commotion as the dancers scream and try to get away.

Sosuke stands and inwardly smirks "Now's my cue to brain wash the little twit" he mumbles to himself as he runs towards the backstage to find Momo.

Byakuya quickly turns and dissapears into the darkness of up above.

Sosuke runs past frightened dancers and actors, searching for Momo. He finally finds her "Are you alright?" he questions with fake concern "Sosuke we're not safe here" she says a bit frightened.

Ichigo and Hichigo stand once more, shock and fright shine in their eyes as they look upon the stage.

"LADIES AND GENTLE MEN! PLEASE REMAIN IN YOUR SEATS!" Hichigo yells at the frightened audience. "DO NOT PANIC! IT WAS SIMPLY AND ACCIDENT... AND ACCIDENT" Ichigo reassures them. Hichigo and Ichigo look at each other and rush to back stage. The curtain quickly closes.

"We must return Momo" Sosuke says as he follows her up spiral stair caises. "We cannot go back" Momo says as she hurries up the steps "He'll kill you!"

"Momo don't say that" Sosuke says with a frown, a bit annoyed that she is taking his'practical joke' too seriously. "He will kill a thousand men!" she exclaims as they continue going up the stairs. "Don't think that!" Sosuke mumbles.

"The phantom will kill and kill again!" Momo exclaims, nearly in tears. "There is no phantom!" Sosuke says out, trying to calm the girl down. "My god who is this man?" Momo questions "Who hunts to kill?"

"He's not real Hinamori!" Sosuke says, trying to convince her, but she doesnt hear. "I can't escape from him" Momo says frightened. "I never will!"

"You can Hinamori!" He says with a slight growl in his voice. "The phantom is in my head Sosuke!" She huffs as they finally make it to the roof. "There is no phantom of the opera Momo." Sosuke says softly, masking his annoyance.

"Sosuke I've been there... To his world of eternal darkness... Where the daylight is gone, replaced by the darkness... The darkness Sosuke!" Momo rambles out. "I've seen him! Without his mask. It is a horrid mess! A mess Sosuke!" Momo exclaims as she holds back a sob.

Suddenly memories of his beautiful song floods her mind as she looks down at the rose she didn't know she was clutching "But his song... His soothing voice... It made my mind blank and my soul soar! His voice made my being sing!" Momo says in a dream-like state.

A bit of jealousy fills Sosukes eyes "It was a dream Hinamori" he snaps. "Yet his eyes... They were beautiful... The most beautiful eyes I've ever seen... They pleaded with me, but I have no idea why... At times they looked so sad..." Momo sighs out.

"Momo..." Sosuke calls out "Momo..." He repeats, gently grabbing her hands and smileing gently at her.

"Momo~" A voice sings out, scaring Momo.

"Do you trust me?" Sosuke says gently. Momo nods "Of course, more than anything of the world. Why do you ask?" she questions. Sosuke smiles and pulls Momo into a warm embrace.

Byakuya sits on a statue of a winged horse, his body covered by the horse's wing. Sadness tints his eyes as he listens to Momo and Sosuke talk.

"Please, don't talk about that stuff anymore." Sosuke pleads with Momo "No more talk of darkness. Forget these wide eyed fears... I'm here, nothing can harm you... My words will warm and calm you." Sosuke whispers into Momo's ear, soothing her "Let me be your freedom. Let daylight dry your tears." He says walking backwards, holding her hands.

"I'm here with you, to guard you and to guide you." Sosuke says with his voice full of love and compassion, something he didnt expect.

Many emotions shine in Momo's eyes, but only one emotion conqures all. And that is love. "Promise me that you'll tell me that you love me every moment, that you wont talk of dark things. I want you to say that you need me, promise that all you say is true." Momo says to Sosuke with her passion burning bright.

"I'll be your shelter, your light. I will not let anyone harm you, so put your fears behind you Momo." Sosuke says, avoiding agreeing to her promises. "I don't want night anymore. I just want freedom with you by my side." Momo says with a smile "Thats all I ask of you"

"We will share one love. Let me lead you out of your you need me there beside you. Anywhere you go, ley me go too." Sosuke says as he kisses Momo's hand in a loving manner "Momo... Thats all I ask of you..." He says in a soft voice.

"I will share one love with you Sosuke. Say the word and I will follow you." Momo says with a loving smile on her face. "Will you share each day, night, and morning with me Sosuke?" She asks.

"Of course Momo." Sosuke says, smiling. "Say you love me." Momo sighs out. "You know I do Momo" Sosuke says as he leans in to kiss her cheek. He gives her cheek a light peck and smiles.

Momo smiles up at Sosuke and kisses him. Sosuke leans into the kiss, deepening it. Out of pure joy, he picks her up and spins her around. Momo lets out a giggle as her feet touch the ground. Little did she know, she let go the vibrant red rose she had received from Byakuya.

"Anywhere you go let me go too" Sosuke says to Momo while holdin her hands up to his face, enjoying the warmth they let off. "Love me, thats all I as of you." Momo says lovingly up to Sosuke, who smiles and kisses her once more.

"Come, we must return. They may be worried about you." Sosuke says as he leads her towards the door to get off the cold and snowy roof. "I love you Momo" Sosuke whispers into Momo's ear. "I love you more" Momo giggles out.

Sosuke opens the door and they both enter the warm building, holding hands and enjoying each others company.

Byakuya leaps off of the statue. He walks to the rose he had given Momo. His cape elegantly flowing behind him. He kneels and grabs the flower.

The words Momo and Sosuke spoke runs through Byakuya's mind and breaks his heart 'I asked her to trust me and she doesnt. By asking that, I gave her my heart. And she left it.' Byakuya's sadness is over come by anger.

Anger at himself for not acting soon enough, anger at the fake phantom for making him look like a murderer,anger at Sosuke for stealing his love, and mostly anger at Momo for betraying him and tearing his heart apart.

Byakuya's hand unconsiously crushes the poor rose, the petals fall off one by one as he shakes in anger. Byakuya drops the now crushed rose and runs to one of the winged statues that is placed on the corner of the building, his cape whips behind him. "You will curse the day you did not do all that the Phantom asked of you!" Byakuya angrily yells out into the night.

The only door on the roof opens and there stands Momo Hinamori, stareing wide-eyed at Byakuya as he angrily yells out. Momo's mind suddenly clears, the memories of Byakuya run through her mind. 'He didn't do it. He couldn't possibly have. He is the kindest, gentleist person I've ever met. How dare I think that of him!'

Momo spots Byakuya's eyes close as he enjoys the cold wind that flies through his hair, his cape whiping around in the cold wind along with his hair. Somehow the sight of that makes Momo blush.

Byakuya hears the door close and turns his head, his eyes wide open. His eyes quickly wonder over to Momo. The first thing that shines in them is shock, which is replaced with hatered, but over come with sadness.

A guilty feeling washes over her "Byakuya I-"

Byakuya turns his head away from her "I heard everything. All of it" he says in a cold tone. "But Byakuya-"

"Say no more Hinamori. It seems like my teaching is done. Goodbye Hinamori." Byakuya says, glancing at her one last time, his eyes as cold as ice. Momo feels tears begin to build up "B-Byakuya don't-"

"I gave you my music Hinamori." Byakuya snaps. "I made your song take wing.
And how do you repay me!" he angrily questions. "Well I-" "By denying me and betrayed me! Thats how!" Byakuya shouts out to her. His anger is replaced by sadness once more "He was bound to love you... When he heard you sing..." Byakuya says, somewhat drifting off.

"Byakuya, please hear me out! I was confused and then Sosuke took me by surprize and-"

Byakuya cuts her off by turning his head and quickly moving to the top of the statue's head "I don't want to hear it Hinamori." He says before leaping off of the horse.

Momo lets out a frightened yelp as he jumps. She grabs her dress and runs to the side of the building, hopeing he is alright.

She looks over the side and spots nothing. Confusion clouds her mind as she desperately searches for Byakuya. After a few moments of searching Momo gives up and leaves the roof top and back to backstage.

**Pamptomineing-If I spelled that right- is what mimes do. Acting witout sound. Kinda Like Cherades-If I spelled that right-

Please excuse any misspellings or confusing things. Feel free to flame :P

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