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Kuroshitsuji Circus Arc Part 3

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"Say, can I take the top bed?" Doll asked Smile from atop the ladder.

Smile set down his things with a loud thump, "Sure, be my guest. I fancied the bottom one anyway." "And I don't want to climb." Ciel didn't say the last part out loud.

"Looks like we're across from each other then." Innocent closed her eyes and smiled at the little boy from across the room. She too was on the bottom bed, while Fear had the top. Kero had his own bed near Innocent's. He was laying down with his arms crossed and cradling his head as he stared up at the ceiling.

"Mokona wants to cuddle with Smile tonight!" Black Mokona jumped made a move to tackle Ciel, but the clever boy dodged his hugging attack. "Ooh!" Black Mokona's ears flattened in defeat. "Innocent, where are you from? You never told us."

Innocent blinked then giggled at Smile. "Sorry, I guess I didn't, huh?"
"I-" She glanced at the black fur ball on the opposite side of the room.
"Your story has to stick with within this world, that means no magical talk."
She remembered Black Mokona's words from earlier and kept them in mind.
"Well if you must know. . ." Innocent smiled to herself, "I am the Queen's long lost niece."
Smile and Doll gasped in unison and made noises of surprise.
Innocent was pleased with herself for making up a full proof story.
"Yup, the Queen herself is my great aunt on my. . .Father's side. Yeah we are very close."
"You're a princess?" Doll gasped while Smile's suspicions were apparent on his face.

Kero closed his eyes not buying her fake story at all.

"Yes, I am."

"If you really are, then what are you doing posing as a Circus performer?"

Innocent was thrown off by Smile's questions, she had to keep this rolling somehow!

"Uh, t-that's a very good question, Smile. . . .Erm, my great aunt Queen Victoria-"

From behind them, Innocent could see Black Mokona making various movements out of Charades. "Asked me to investigate something about a case."

Black Mokona face-palmed, `No!`

`The Queen sent a member of the royal family?` Ciel nearly lost it, but quickly kept his composure. "Yes, there is something very fishy going on here." Innocent boasted waving her arms about then paused when she saw their freaked out emotions.

`Maybe I impressed them too much. Better reel it back in.`

Innocent laughed out loud scaring her new friends even more.

"You guys totally fell for it! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA! Tis true I am a member of the royal family, but I am here on my own free will, because. . .I ran away from home. You know it's boring living the rich life. Neh?"

By this altered version to her story, they seemed to relax to it.

"What you said before about investigating a case, wasn't true?"

Innocent nodded at Doll's question then patted her head.

"Please! I beg of you, don't rat me out! I don't want to go back there!"

"It's okay you're safe with us." Fear joined in the conversation.

"Thank you." Innocent placed a grateful smile across her lips.

Smile narrowed his eye, `Is she really royalty?` then sighed not surprised in the least.

Sometimes even the richest had its rebels within their families.

Still he had to be careful around this royal princess.

------

"You'll be taking the top bed." Suit stated as Flower watched his strange weapon draw a line in the dirt. Her bed was across from theirs. White Mokona was nestled in her arms while the human girl sat cross-legged on the bed.

"Everything on this side of the line, is my property." He twirled his thin weapon for good measure, "No trespassing please."

He turned away from the Demon continuing, "Now let me clear up one thing: Unlike demons, reapers need sleep. Don't make noise in the night and disturb my. . .Our sleep." He acknowledged the girl in the room.

"Again with reapers and Demons?" Flower sweat-dropped, when were they going to stop hating each other? Black cast her a warm smile and chuckled at Suit.

"Demons do occasionally enjoy a peaceful sleep."

An unsettling chill ran down Flower's spine at Black's words.

"Stop talking like you guys are immortal beings!"

It was really creeping her out!

Flower's outburst earned the pretty flower another playful smirk from Black.

The silver moon shined brightly in the chilly night.

--------

Beast opened Betty's cage and she petted the beautiful tiger affectionately.

Jumbo and the other first stringers were getting ready for another night of doing Father's bidding. Doll painted her last minute makeup, sure that the Rookies were all a sleep.

Joker patiently waited for them at the entrance, "Time to go." He smirked then they raced passed him running into the cold night.

--------

When all was quiet, Black sat up in bed only to be held back again by that damn Shinigami. "Where are you off to? It's way pass lights out." Suit glared at the Demon.
"I'm sure you've noticed by now what's happening. Shouldn't you go?"
The Demon inquired then glanced at the sleeping girl holding White Mokona like a stuffed toy. She looked very cute, the Demon quickly erased such a weird thought away.

Black slowly came back to Suit's rambling, "I'll thank you not to wander without your master while I sleep. And. . .Do not consume any souls while I'm dreaming."

Black inwardly snarled at his accusation, `Didn't I confirm earlier that I wasn't planning on to eat a single soul?` "Very good sir." The Demon looked away, the girl was strangely mesmerizing to look at.

"You're acting very meek."

Suit couldn't hide the suspicious note in his voice.

"My master never gave me orders to follow the troupe. I'm more of a faithful dog than you might think." Was the Demon's response completed with a smile.

"I'll be bored till morning." Black sighed while the silver moon peaked from behind wispy clouds. "No you won't!" A hyper and overly enthusiastic voice made him look up.

White Mokona smiled sitting atop his chest.

"Mokona saw you sneaking glances at Flower."

"Your point?"

"Don't play dumb with me, you like Flower!"

White Mokona crossed her arms, with a knowing smile.

Black raised a sleek eyebrow wearing a look of confusion on his devilishly handsome face. "She is very different from the various Ladies I've met before." He chuckled, "Sorry to disappoint you, but you are wrong about my thoughts on her."

"Keep lying to yourself, it's going great for you so far."

At this, Black laughed at the tiny creature, "I never tell lies. I can only tell truths." It was White Mokona's turn to chuckle, "Sure it is. Mokona doesn't believe you. When you look at Flower, there's something off each time you do. Mokona doesn't know what it is yet, but I'll find out soon."

"There is nothing to solve." Black sighed growing tired.

"Black?"

"Hm?" What was it now?

"Mokona is glad that you and Flower are friends."

"None of us ever agreed to being friends."

"Flower did. Friends are very important to her, so you and Suit are very special. Don't kill your friendship, because you guys fancy Flower."

"Now you're being delusional, Mokona."

"Your cool attitude reminds Mokona of Sum-Sum."

White Mokona giggled then hopped onto Flower's bed, snuggling up to her again.

"Goodnight, Black."

"Goodnight."

-----------------

The streets of London were dead quiet at night, perfect for hunting children.

A beautiful woman's black heeled boots clacked against the stone path which led her deeper into the cold night. A blue topaz pendant sparkled a brilliant blue against the woman's voluptuous breasts which were held tightly within the tight pink bodice of her princess-like Soldier outfit. The blossomed pink roses resting on the left side of one of the sleeveless sleeves sprayed the air with its perfume.

She wasn't alone on this particular night, a little girl passed her by. "Excuse me, Miss? Do you want to buy some pretty flowers." The woman smiled and patted the little girl's head. "No thank you, please go home. You'll catch your death, if you stay in the cold for too long. And it's too dangerous for you to be looking for potential customers this late."

"Okay, bye pretty Lady!" A smile spread across the woman's rose dusted pink lips watching the girl run off. "I feel somethings amiss." She snapped her fingers magically summoning a royal purple colored hooded cloak with a white fur trim, to keep the chill from freezing her skin.

Soon the little girl found a nice police officer patrolling the streets.

"Sir!"

The policeman turned shining his light on the sweet little girl.

"Please buy some flowers, sir!" She smiled cutely up at him holding out the small bouquet to him. "There has been lots of kidnappings little miss." He warned wandering where her parents were. Families, no matter how poor, should stick together especially at times like these. "You get on home now."

Her ruby red eyes gazed at the flowers in her small cold hands deeply saddened.

"But if I don't sell them all. . .Mummy will. . ."

The little girl began to cry to the officer's dismay.

He sighed knowing how much of a sucker he was for the little children.

"Thank you!" Her long brown pigtails dangled down her back as she waved goodbye to the nice man. "Now go straight home!" His warning reached her disappearing form.

"Always the softie." An elder police officer chuckled lightly.

"When I think that my Emily is just her age. . ." He stared at the pretty flowers in his hand. "You're overprotective, that's what." The old man smiled knowing where the younger man was coming from.

The moonlight glimmered from a silver moon making the stars sparkle more in the sky.

"Not here either. . .Where are they?" The woman wondered, she couldn't sense their magical powers. "Hm?" Her blue sapphire eyes sparkled when she spotted the little girl from earlier. "I thought I told you to go home." The woman ran after the giggling little brat. She stopped suddenly hearing the alluring melody of a flute. The beautiful song floated from a dark alley.

"Hello there darling! Do 'ee like circuses?"

A man's voice made her freeze and hide in the shadows.

Something was definitely going on here.

Quietly the woman summoned her sword in a flurry of pink rose petals.

The cold and deadly sharp blade gave her comfort.

"If 'ee have some time take a look."

The woman peered around the corner and blinked seeing a strange red headed man kneel before the little girl. He smiled with a toothy grin and magically replaced his musical instrument with a bouquet of pretty flowers in an array of sparkles before the girl's eyes. A cheap yet effective magic trick.

The little girl giggled deeply awed by this amazing magician!

"It's showtime!" Joker yelled throwing the flowers in the air.

The flowers popped transforming the dark alley into a purple realm filled with magic.

"The hell is going on?" The woman glared at these other circus performers appearing out of nowhere. She tightened her hold on the hilt of her sword debating her options.

Doll elegantly glided through the air then pranced down the snowy path dazzling the girl.

"Welcome. . ." Wendy smiled swinging from a high point. "To Dreamland!" Peter finished a smile on his face then they made their exits. Sparkles fluttered like butterflies brightening the beautiful illusion.

`If I attack, they could take the girl hostage or decide to kill her.`

She snapped her fingers and a low hissing sound slipped through the area as glittering crystal coated her body in a protective armor. "I have to do something." She glared at the man whom she guessed was the leader.

A hand clasped the little girl's shoulder, "Don't be afraid now. . .Past the knap of the hill, thy chariot awaits to take ye to Dreamland."

The little girl could hardly contain her excitement as flowers of every color sparkled and blossomed on both sides of Dreamland.

Joker smiled the plan was working like a charm.

"Off 'ee be now, my sweet." Joker's whisper snaked into the little girl's ears, his finger pointed to a glowing white carriage fit for a Princess.

The little girl giggled taking steps towards the pretty horses and its huge carriage.

"Tch." This armor spell was taking too long, it was time to abandon that plan.

"No!" The woman broke her spell charging not caring about anything except the girl's safety.

A Police officer's whistle blew  also interrupting the crime.

Doll stared at the two of them, if they rescue the little girl it will all be over for them. "Are you with them?" The police officer asked the woman and with a shake her head, he was relieved. "Let's rescue her."

"Huh?" The sweet girl turned around and smiled, "Mr. Bear and Miss Cat do you need something?" The police officer and the warrior princess stopped.

"What's wrong?" The police man asked wondering what these monsters did to the girl.

The ground shook behind them, "Watch out!" the woman dodged in time, and gasped at the horror of witnessing the officer getting his head bashed in with a single powerful blow.

The body fell not before spurting blood in the little girl's eyes she laughed at the pretty confetti spilling out of the bear's body.

A couple of flowers swam through a pool of blood as it seeped towards the girl's feet.

Growling low, the princess saw more Police officers get killed by a knife thrower.

Dagger winked at the cute little girl making her laugh.

"Enough!" Raising her blade she deflected the silver knives then dodged another woman's whip while more officers died.

"Please come with me." The woman placed her hands on the girl's shoulders then grimaced feeling sharp blades stab her back. `How could I be so stupid?` She wanted to kick herself right now. `If I wasn't injured, I could have the advantage over them.`

This was that one battle's fault from a couple of weeks ago.

She could still see those haunted cat-slitted golden orbs and the spill of silver hair.

"Damn it." The woman faltered as her hands slipped off the girl's shoulders and she crumpled to the ground.

Joker smiled seeing the woman was a goner then flashed a charming smile to the little girl. "Go on, me beauty. The chariot's ready."

"Right!" With eager steps and giggles the girl entered the carriage on her way to Dreamland. An officer stumbled out of the dark alley, while the woman propped herself up against a wall searching for a potion in her pack. Finding none she relied on her other source and waited for her special blood to heal her wounds. It was still a slow process much to her disdain. Her luminous blue eyes watched the poor man cling to his life.

She wished she could something for him, but knew he had no chance.

"S-Stop." He coughed blood also wishing somehow he could stop that carriage.

He held a gun ready to fire it, when Doll fired a spear into his shoulder forcing him to drop his own weapon. Angrily he crawled to the girl dressed in white and grabbed her leg.

"H-How dare you!" He growled glaring up at her.

Doll stood there frozen underneath the judgement in his eyes.

Something sharp was stabbed through his head silencing any further accusations.

"Haven't I told 'ee before? Never hesitate?"

The woman was immediately reminded of a certain upper class Soldier from her past.

"Too late again." One of the men of Yard said then shook a woman near the crime scene awake. "Are you alright Miss? Miss?" The woman blinked fluttering her bewitching eyes to the man. "No. . .I let them escape." She wanted to stab herself over and over again.

"Uh? Excuse me?" He blinked, "No! You shouldn't try getting up."

The woman swatted a helping hand away as she stood on her own two feet.

"Wear this at least." The man covered her body with a blanket.

Her cloak must have disappeared in sparkles long ago when she fell a sleep from the blood loss. "Thank you." The woman pulled the blanket closer to her trying to erase the chill from the morning air.

"Erm, what is your name?"

The woman turned away with hostile indifference.

"My name is not important."

She looked up at the rooftops and could have sworn she saw another powerful being.

He was obviously not human by the looks of his eyes.

"Right then!" Ronald adjusted his glasses not noticing the beautiful woman peering up at him with a suspicious look on her angelic face.

"Today's collection, will be over in a jiffy. Then its off to a party!"

"Whoa, I want her to be at the top of my guest list!"  

He liked how the blanket hugged the woman's curves from down below.

How that top hugged her breasts too tightly and exposed a lot cleavage wasn't that bad either, by his standards she was a perfect ten!

"Hope we run into each other real soon, My  fair Lady." He flashed her a quick charming smile before vanishing in the glow of the morning sun.

The woman shook her head, "I'm seeing things." she pressed a cold hand to her burning forehead. "I need to keep moving." She slipped away from the crime scene continuing her search.

"Asuka. Hanami. Be safe out there for me. Wherever you are."

Akari said taking the next best direction.

---------------

"Come on wake up! Smile!" Doll shook Smile's sleeping form the minute rays of golden sunlight crept inside the tent.

"Sebastian." Ciel mumbled in his sleep.

"What are you on about? Wake up!"

More shaking finally stirred the young earl awake.

Smile shot up from the bed realizing he wasn't inside his mansion and he didn't sleep in his lavish bed and his butler wasn't by his side.

He was still at the circus solving a case for the Queen.

"Awake at last." Doll smiled watching Smile scramble to tie his eye patch.
"Newcomers have to get up early and make breakfast." She stated with a smile.

"No hanging about." With that bit of advice, Doll left the tent.

"Right!" Smile called out feeling a little embarrassed.  

Innocent, Kero, Mokona, and Fear were already up by the looks of things.

------

People were up bright and early going about their daily chores.

Steaming smells of food tempted passersby from the kitchen's tent as they walked everywhere. "You look a right mess." Ciel heard Sebastian's voice and looked up.

"I see you can't dress yourself without help." His butler went on then got interrupted when Flower hugged Smile into a warm hug.

"Morning Smile!" She beamed at his tired face.

`Oh no!` Smile's face got muffled by Flower's voluptuous breasts.  

Flower pulled back with a radiant smile, obviously a morning person.

"Morning." Smile glared at her slightly then blushed when she fixed his hair.

"Good morning, Black." Flower smiled at him which he returned.

"Let's do our best to wow the crowd today, neh?"

She finally said trying to overcome with her awkwardness and hoped they didn't think of her being too weird. Flower giggled before waving and disappearing into the crowd of Circus people.

"She certainly enjoys mornings." Black chuckled and smirked at Smile's glare.

"Yeah, well you didn't-" Smile stopped himself with a reddened face.

"Didn't what, Smile?"

Smile hated that annoying teasing smirk on his butler's face.

"You know full well what I was getting at. . .Never mind."

Smile sighed calming his nerves and trying to get rid of the blush on his face.

"You were saying?" Smile had quite enough of being annoyed this sunny morning.

Black chuckled, but continued never the less. "Dear me. . . You'll have a hard time untying this yourself if the knot is too tight, my Lord."

Doll and the others stared at Smile and Black in surprise.

Smile looked deeply embarrassed this time around.

Doll and the others laughed at how cute this was.

"God, Smile. Black isn't your mum you know!"

One the people in the crowd laughed.  

"N-No! It's just a habit. Er, a coincidence!"

Smile blushed wishing the ground would swallow him.

"Sebastian! Don't treat me as your master while we're here."

Ciel hissed over his shoulder. "Leave me be!"

"Very well, I'll start right away."

His butler nodded then stood.

"Smile! How do you plan to use those potatoes? You peeled them to tiny bits."

Doll gasped looking at the damage Smile had done.

"Smile, what's wrong with you?"

"I'm sorry!" Smile bowed in apology.

"I don't know which part to eat."

Doll picked up one of the shredded potato skins.

"Hey! Leave the kid alone. It was an honest mistake."

Innocent walked up to them, the sun seemed to make her hair sparkle.

Her long ponytail touched the back of her legs, "Oh." she touched Ciel's face.

"You have dirt on you. . .Here let me help."

Innocent licked tongue on her fingers then brushed the dirt away.

"Innocent! Stop!" Smile squirmed away, but the girl held his arm tightly.

"Stop whining your worse than my little sister."

Innocent scolded him like a mother and smiled when he was all clean.

"What should we do about breakfast?" She asked the group trying to come up with recipes from home that could salvage what they had left.

"Well, no help for it. I know I saw some fish, so let's fry these up and make fish and chips." Hanami and Doll cheered, "Fish and Chips!" Innocent beamed with happiness.

"Ohh, I love that!" Doll smiled clasping Innocent's hands in hers.

"Me too!" Innocent smiled back together they raced to the table dragging a bewildered Smile behind laughing evilly as they did.

"Out of our way!" They charged through the crowd of hungry people dragging Smile with them. Flower chuckled happy everyone was getting along.

"What's this about? You only got bread?" Doll stared at how little Smile had.

"You can share mine, Smile." Innocent sat next to him with her own big plate of food.

"Ah, thank you Innocent."

Innocent smiled at Smile, she felt sorry for the kid. It was like this for her back at home when working with Machina and other Albhed workers in the bright early mornings.

"Let me share with you two." Doll gave up some of her food and put on Smile's plate.

"Mind sharing with me?" Kero smiled joining their table.

"Uh, not at all." Innocent smiled, `He seems happy this morning.` She thought looking at his handsome face. "Here you go." She forked a couple of fish and potatoes on Kero's plate.

"Thank you." Flower smiled at Black accepting part of his dish.

Something strange stirred within him as he gazed at her smile.

Again he dismissed the awkward feeling as simply as being nothing.

Joker entertained them with a funny tale of how Doll lost a tooth and believed in the tooth fairy during their childhood. Doll buried her face in her hands not wanting to be here. Why did Joker have to pick on her so much?

At practice Black and Suit showed off how epic they were.

"That's nothing look at Flower and Innocent."

The two girls were higher than the boys standing atop extra giant balls.

Now are we going to get down? They both wondered with a sweat-drop.

"Ahhhhh." Innocent screamed falling a flash caught her in time.

"T-Thank you." She stared at Kero who nodded and set her down.

Flower jumped and Black caught her by swinging on the trapeze.

"Hey, I had it. I was going to land in the net."

She pursed her lips together in a pout and was slightly annoyed.

"I didn't want you to accidentally miss your target."

Flower folded her arms across her chest and allowed him to guide her to safety.

The crowd cheered from below as some Circus people jumped for joy.

After a while of practice Doll turned to Smile. "Want to take a shower?"

"What?. . . They have showers here?" Smile needed to relax in one.

"It gets hold at night, so it's best to shower during the day." Doll explained on the way to the showers section.

"Here we are." Doll moved a curtain out of the way, then allowed Flower to pass through, her hair was dripping wet. "Ey, Kero did you have a nice shower?"

Kero didn't look the least bit happy, but managed a false smile for them.

"It was a new experience." He said still feeling frozen all over. "That water was too cold for my tastes." He ruffled Smile's hair and left.

"This is the shower?" Smile looked around it was not to his liking either.

"Get undress. . .I'll wash your back."

"O-Outside in the middle of winter?" Smile looked utterly nervous.

"Yeah, now undress you'll be fine if you get it over with and then towel off quickly."

Doll assured him finding his blushing to be very cute.

She tried persuading him then eventually lifted his shirt and caught a glimpse of a burn mark. "Smile wait!" Doll yelled watching him run.

Flower had seen the whole thing and felt concerned about Smile.

Smile hugged his knees to his chest shivering from his soaked skin.

"You'll catch a cold if you stay out here." A person said gently draping a towel over Smile's shoulders. "I found new clothes for you." The person said with a smile.

"Enough." Smile growled out.

"Pardon?"

Smile lifted his head to glare at his butler.

"I said I've had enough! I'll go mad if I keep living like this."

His glare was quickly replaced with shock as his single blue eye widened.

"Flower!"

Flower smiled taking a seat next to him.

"Would you really go mad if you stayed for a little longer? This place is better than the living conditions I've seen on the streets." Flower remembered the many children all dirty, because they couldn't afford a decent shower, she'd seen with Sumbith.

"You don't understand. A person like you never will."

His hand unconsciously moved to the finger where his ring used to be.

Smile then glowered at the scenery wishing his butler would come already.

A hand patted his head affectionately, "I don't care if I never understand you. . .I'll keep cheering and encouraging you every step of the way. . . .Because that's what friends do."

"I never said we were friends, Flower." Smile sighed remaining cold and distant.

"Well I think we are. . .Our meeting after all was no coincidence. Only Hitsuzen."

"What are you talking about?" Smile glared at her smiling face.

`Hitsuzen, what a strange word.`

Flower giggled, "A Lady whom I look up to taught me about her view on life."

"No coincidences in life?" Smile mused this new piece of knowledge in his head.

"Goodness, giving up already? Your fortitude is drying up rather fast. It's not like you to let trifles drive you mad, young master."

Black froze seeing Flower next to his master.

"Master?" Flower looked from Smile to Black and back again.

"H-He was kidding."

"It is a mere pet name for little Smile." Black was quick to cover up his mistake.

"Pet name." Flower pretended to go along with them, but she didn't believe their story.

Her suspicions told her they were lying and hiding something big.

"It's a cute pet name." She smiled and left them.

When they were sure she was gone, Smile shivered recalling what his butler said moments ago. "Not like me, eh?" Flashes from his dark past reminded him who he truly was.

"You're right." Smile stood draping the blanket behind him like a royal cape, "I am the head of the house of Phantomhive. Naturally it's not like me to live this way. We'll get this over with and leave at once."

"Very good." Black smiled and together they headed back to the circus.

"I knew you were hiding something, Smile."

Flower whispered from her hiding spot.

"Now if we can just search the first stringers tents, we can go home. I'd planned to quietly work our way up the ladder, but I can't spend that much time under these conditions. I'm at my limit."

Flower pressed her ear more against the tent listening to Smile and Black.

The swish of her long pink half skirt sparkled in the moonlight.

"Personally, I find brute force much easier than infiltration, since reapers keep me from moving freely at night."

Black helped Smile with a warm long buttoned shirt.

The material that Flower had given him smelled like flowers.

"The Reaper's presence doesn't prove them guilty. Behave yourself."

Smile warned Black as Flower's eyes stared at them through a tiny hole in the tent.

Smile shook water droplets from his hair, "The time to strike is during a show, while they're all away from their tents." He paused to sit on a wooden crate, "First, I need a way to slip free of that freckled chap who keeps tailing me everywhere. If I can't go then there's no point."

Smile blew puffs of air and shivered from the cold.

"I want to go home and eat something sweet."

"I'll prepare you some nice hot tea as well."

Flower left her new hiding spot, her suspicions were right.

"They are investigating something. I need to tell Mokona."

She ran off to find the white fur ball.

"No way this is juicy stuff, Flower."

"Yeah, I think I'm going to investigate them to see what they are up to."

Flower said then squealed when someone grabbed her from behind.

"It's time to practice, says Emily."

Flower looked over her shoulder and sighed at who it was.

"Please don't scare me like that, Snake."

"I'm sorry. . .Says Emily."

Flower sweat-dropped when he changed his voice to sound more feminine.

"Please don't change voices on me. It's rather creepy."

"What is creepy really? Is it not a figment of someone's imagination?. . .Says Oscar."

Snake said  dramatically tugging her away, "Come now, I want to see you dance. You are very elegant, my dear. . .Says Emily."

"Help meeeeeeee!" Flower yelled squirming against Snake's hold, he was surprisingly stronger than he looked.

"Have fun with the Snakes!" White Mokona smiled then sighed, they were getting nowhere with finding the ring that Yuko wanted.

"Freckles isn't watching, let's check out the tents right now."

Innocent heard Smile say to Black and decided right then and there she was going to get to the bottom of whatever they were up to for Flower's sake!

"We'll get it done in ten minutes."

`Get what done in ten minutes?` She thought now curious than ever.

When they ran out of the tent, Innocent tried chasing after them when a hand grabbed her forearm. "Hey!" She turned her head to glare at the guy and blushed at who it was.

"Hey." Kero said and released his hold.

"Why did you stop me?"

Kero wordlessly pointed outside, "You're trying not to get caught stalking them right?"

Joker had called out Black's name stopping whatever it was Black and Smile were cooking up. "Erm, thank you." Innocent smiled looking away and playing with her fingers.

"Is there something you're hiding from me?" Kero teased touching his forehead against hers.

"W-What? N-N-No! Nothing!"

Kero chuckled at how cute she was being.

"No, I think you are. . ."

"Oh, yeah, how do you know?"

Innocent nearly yelled giving away their hiding place.

She went quiet when Kero got in her face again, his chocolate brown eyes glowed vibrantly in the lamplight or that could just be her imagination.

"You can't stop blushing around me."

"Whose blushing?" Innocent turned away hiding her obvious pink tinged cheeks.

Kero laughed earning himself a glare from Innocent.

"Want me to help you find out what they are obviously hiding?"

Calming down, Innocent nodded, "Sure, but we have to be extra stealthy."

"Right!" Kero smiled back then they watched Joker interact with Black and Smile.

"We've got trouble, Wendy has twisted her ankle!" Joker ran up to Black.

"The show already started, so I need 'ee to take 'er place."

Jokers' violet eyes gazed worriedly up at Black's amber eyes.

"But surely I'm not a fit substitute. . ."

Black tried getting out of this, it was ruining their plan.

Joker wasn't letting him off so easily. "We haven't much time so be quick."

The clown carried an injured Wendy away.

"I'm afraid we'll have to find another chance, young master."

`Master?` Kero and Innocent stared at Smile.

"We don't know when the next chance will come."

Smile cupped his chin deep in thought.

"You may be in the show, but I have some time. . . .The only trouble is that the snakes."

Smile turned to his butler, "Right, come with me. Sebastian."

"At once." Sebastian gave his master a curt nod.

"So, Sebastian is Black's real name?"

Innocent darted in the shadows following the two of them with Kero behind her.

Luckily for the separate parties, Snake was still watching Flower perform her elegant Circus act. "According to the Circus program, your Act ends at 7:50 and the encore appears to be at exactly 8:00, so you have a ten minute gap."

"To do what?"

"As soon as your act ends, release all of these snakes and then return to the encore."

His Master instructed the Demon butler.

"I'll look through their tents."

Kero and Innocent exchanged looks.

"Will you be alright by yourself?"

Smile nodded, "Fine, now go back to the Show-Tent they'll be suspicious if you're late."

Innocent and Kero ducked behind the tent when Black and Smile departed.

Black stared at Suit who was none too happy to see him.

The feeling was always mutual.

"I thought miss Wendy was the only one injured." Black inquired staring at Suit.

"Right, but Peter can't hold you're weight." Dagger put in.

"Yes, but I don't see why I should be paired up with you."

Black closed his eyes also deeply disgusted by this change of events.

"I don't like it either, but it can't be helped."

"They really hate each other." Innocent sweat-dropped then squeaked when Dagger looked in her direction. Kero held a hand over her mouth hoping they wouldn't be discovered.

"Oy, you back there." Dagger called, Kero looked at Innocent and mouthed for her stay there. "Hi, I was just on my way to the Show tent. Hehe." Kero smiled trying to act casually. Innocent sighed, looks like she was on her own.

When the group left to do their performances, Innocent eventually found where Smile was and started investigating him.

`Why is he holding a picture of Beast?` Innocent moved within the shadows getting a closer look noticing it was a picture of Beast with the other Circus troupe and a man with them. Smile turned around feeling like he was being watched. He slowly returned to his own investigation.

"Who is this?" Smile stared at the old man in the photo.

-------

Flower sighed as Fear patted her shoulder. "It's okay, maybe Black and Smile are pulling pranks on the first stringers."

Flower shook her head, "I'm not so sure." she looked at the trapeze and found it odd that Suit was refusing to help Black out.

"What are you doing?" Black glared at Suit as he hung upside down from his swing.

"I rather die than take the hands of foul vermin like you."
Suit adjusted his glasses proving his point.

"That hardly makes for a good show."

They swung in the air as the crowd waited for them to do something.

"I'm up next." Flower whispered feeling nervous about her dancing act.

All of those people will be watching her.

"You'll be fine." Fear smiled at her then sweat-dropped at the sorry performance Black and Suit were giving the audience.

"What are those two doing?" Beast glared at them.

"Maybe they are stalling for a grand performance."

Flower tried looking on the bright side.

"For that long?" Beast didn't believe her foolish lie.

"My strings-" Beast stared at the broken strings of her top.

"Kyaaa, my strings!" Dagger saw how deeply hurt Beast was in his eyes.

His poor sister was blushing from embarrassment.

"Nobody look!" He freaked out trying to shield Beast from further shame.

"Beast please go change before the encore."

Doll said then watched Beast leave.

"Huh?" Flower saw a look of horror flicker across Black's face.

--------

"Here to it's the same man from the other photo."

Innocent figured this old man had to be important to Beast and the other first stringers.

Beast walked down the path holding a blanket over her shoulders.

"Please stop this nonsense and hold out your hands!" Black yelled as Flower smiled and turned to the others.

"See?"

They had to be joking around after all.

"I told you never! . . .My fingers would rot."

Suit unleashed his weapon on the Demon.

"Ehhh, hehe, they are just playing around."

Flower beamed at Doll who didn't look convinced.

"Right." She said also looking up.

"Very well." Black muttered seeing no other option.

"Then you'll have no objection to this!"

Black grabbed the Shinigami's weapon surprising the other powerful being.

---------

"That sign behind them-- "workhouse"--An orphanage?"

Smile stared at the picture.

"Unhand my scythe this instant!" Suit yelled angrily.

"I'm afraid not." The Demon smirked.

Suit charged at him and then the Demon finally let go thus giving the audience a grand performance. Flower cheered with the audience.

"They must all come from the same workhouse." Smile concluded, "But where is this workhouse? I need a clearer answer." he rummaged deeper into Beast's trunk.

Innocent gasped shrinking into the shadows hearing Beast's footsteps.

"Eh? Where did he go?" Innocent looked around the room trying to find Smile.

Beast's voice made her freeze in place, "This is so irritating."

Innocent looked away when Beast changed her top and then left.

Her trunk popped open revealing not only Smile, but Black too!

`How the hell did he get here so fast?`

She nearly gave her hiding place away and almost freaked out.

"I see so you think the photographs are important then." Black said after Smile told him of his discoveries. "Yes, do you notice anything?" Smile let the Demon have a closer look.

"Ah, yes I've seen the imprint from this signet ring recently." His fingers tapped the photo. They were finally getting somewhere with this case.

"Signet ring? Imprint? You can make out details that small?" Smile was impressed, but he barely showed it to his butler.

"Yes, it matches the seal underneath Beast's leg."

Innocent stifled a yawn getting very bored, but she had to stay awake.

Black tried to persuade Smile to quit for today, but the little boy insisted he still had Joker's tent to investigate left and would work during the encore.

Innocent quickly followed Smile out Beast's tent only to be caught by Black.

"Eeep!" She squealed trying to get free.

"What were you doing in Beast's tent just now?"

His strong arms held her in place against his chest.

"I could ask you guys the same thing!" Was what Innocent wanted to say, but held her tongue instead she smiled at his frown. "I was running around looking for you guys when I saw Beast so I thought she'd know where guys were." Innocent trailed off knowing her lie wasn't holding together so well as she hoped. "Joker sent me." She quickly added then felt relieved when he released her.

"I see, please tell Joker we'll be right there."

Black's smile looked like he was ready to kill his prey.

"R-Right, okay. Bye." Innocent scampered away like the Devil was on her heels.

`I have to figure this all out then I'll tell Flower what's going on.`

She thought and then felt safe when she ran into Joker.

"Innocent, there ye are. What's wrong? Ye look pale my dear."

Innocent still looked worried for Flower when Joker felt her forehead.

"A bad dream?"

Yeah, let's go with that.

"If something or someone is bothering ye, ye can always tell me."

Innocent blushed when he gently patted her head like a small child.

She liked that about Joker, he was a friend who reminded her of her big brother from home. Joker chuckled, kneeling down, "Now let's see a smile."

Innocent cracked her best smile feeling better already.

"Hm, now where did Black go."

At the mention of Black's name Innocent felt her skin crawl unpleasantly.

"He ran off right after the encore. Maybe he needed to piss."

Dagger said then regretted his words seeing Innocent hiding behind Joker.

"Sorry. I mean he went to the bathroom." Dagger quickly fixed his mistake.

Innocent frowned knowing where Smile and Black were.

"Innocent, want to watch Flower's beautiful dance with me?"

Innocent nodded happy for a distraction.

----------

"What is my name doing here?" Smile stared at the envelope, "Are they onto us?"

A sudden rush of panic consumed the little boy, "Oh, bloody hell. . .The first stringers are back!" He had to get out of there before they noticed him missing.

`I should have stopped sooner. I should get back without being seen.` Smile thought standing outside Joker's tent.

He fell and was now face to face with a snake hissing at him angrily.

A light shined behind him and he froze.

"What are you doing here?"

The light from a lantern cast an eerie glow on Doll's face.

"Don't move." She said glaring at the hissing snake.

The girl in white did a beautiful flip over the box of crates.

"Seba!" Smile's outcry was cut off by the girl placing  a hand over his mouth.

"Quiet." The girl warned him then appeared before Dagger.

"Doll, get changed so we can go eat."

She held up the snake, "This snake was loose, we've told him before to not let them outside." Snake suddenly appeared wondering why a snake was out of its cage.

"Snake! Put it in your tent. I don't want a careless step to kill me." Dagger cried, he really didn't like snakes. He watched the snake slither around Snake's neck and hiss in his ear.

Dagger waved goodbye to Doll and followed Snake eager to get food into his belly.
It's not done yet, but I'm almost done check it out so far. :squee:
© 2015 - 2024 Snowflower--Chan00
Comments2
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astrophonica's avatar
uwaaaaa! *o*
your writing is really nice!