I had a cute idea and had to get it out there. Now, this story is taking place in the middle of my big fic, but you don't need to read that one to get this one. It's stand alone enough to not need buttloads of exposition. XD

Peace out.

-Circus Trick-

Chapter 1: Who's Terms

Hugh walked with Shadow through Hedgehog Village. People gave them awkward glances. "I take it you're pretty popular amongst the townsfolk. I seem to be confusing them," he said to the similarly coloured hedgehog at his side.

Shadow shook his head. "Popular? 'Infamous' would be a better word to describe how these people view me."

Hugh noticed a few people staring and whispering. It looked to be something mean spirited. "Why? What's their problem?"

"I've fought with Sonic before and these people have a blind loyalty to that blue buffoon. Or, it could be that Barker told people you attacked him last night. Both possibilities are plausible."

Hugh folded his arms. "It's not my fault he bit off more than he could chew. Then again, I doubt he was expecting me to transform as I did. Is he a dog catcher, or something like that?"

"No, he runs a local circus; though, I doubt his ability to manage the business effectively. All his attractions have a nasty habit of getting away from him. You're no exception it would seem."

"Interesting. After he thought I was you, he tried to talk to me."

Shadow raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? At least it's good to know he's got some decency and is willing to negotiate."

"A circus, huh...is that why he was after me? For a sideshow attraction?" Hugh found it amusing.

"Correct. Whether or not you want that for yourself, I'll leave the decision up to you." Shadow stopped in front of Belinda and Charlie's. "Barker is staying with this couple for the time being. Let him know you don't intend to eat him."

"Overall, don't be too aggressive?" Hugh asked.

"I don't care. These villains are a joke," he said and laid a heavy knock on the door.

Charlie answered. "Shadow, come on in. Did you manage to find out what's going on?"

"I don't have time. Where's Barker?" he asked sternly.

Barker got up from the kitchen table. "Hopefully you come bearing good news," he said with folded hands.

"This is Hugh," Shadow said and stepped out of the way to reveal the 'not' feral, properly groomed, black and red hedgehog. "He wants to clear up any misunderstandings. I'll leave you to it." He walked a short distance away and teleported off.

Hugh was let in. He extended a hand to the person who looked the most worried, "You must be Barker."

He nodded and shook his hand. "The one and only. You must be the werewolf I darted last night."

"Werehog, but, yes."

Barker sat across the table from Hugh. "I'll have to admit, you gave me quite a start. Sorry about the whole 'trying to knock you out' thing. I thought you were some kind of strange jungle beast."

"You aren't totally wrong. No hard feelings. Consider yourself lucky I transformed before you got me with the second dart. I was pretty hazy and the second one would have made me black out. I could have torn you to pieces and not have remembered a thing."

He went pale.

"That would have been one less mouth to feed at the bi-weekly potlucks. They're going to be scant as is," Belinda said as she busied herself with random house chores.

Barker scowled at her. "Some of us would rather starve."

"You live on an island, how are you having a hard time eating?" Hugh asked.

"Not everyone can forage effectively," Charlie said.

Hugh shrugged. "I suppose. Is that why you tried to catch me: To be a sideshow for you to make money?"

Barker tried to craft a convincing lie but was cut off.

"Clever. Thanks to Shadow I can speak English now. Why don't we work something out?" Hugh folded one leg over the other. "Let's talk."

After a few disbelieving blinks, Barker finally nodded. "Y-yes, absolutely. I'll draw up a contract and-"

"No, no," Hugh said with a finger wag. "I'll make a contract and you sign it. I may not have lived with other folks for the last forty years, but I'm not an idiot. I still remember how paperwork and loopholes work."

"He's got you there, Barker," Charlie said with a laugh.

He continued. "And if you break my contract, I eat you. Simple enough?" Hugh smirked.

"Indeed," Barker said with a defeated tone.

When the pleasantries were dealt with, Barker took Hugh to the circus caravan. The stunt bears balanced on a few robotic spheres from Eggman Industries as they came to greet them. "Not a bad racket," Hugh said as he spotted a few other workers doing menial tasks and loading boxes on the truck.

Barker gave the bears orders and they were off once again. He turned back to his new hedgehog employee. "Yes, well, it's a bit stale at the moment. I only have enough to hire two workers beyond the bears. Since I'm no longer allowed hold my performers captive, I won't even be able afford to keep them; especially now that you're here."

"You don't have to pay me," Hugh said.

Barker lit up, "You're joking?"

Hugh shook his head, "What do I need money for? Feed me and give me a place to stay. That's all I want."

Barker made a triumphant fist. "In that case, I have a feeling this is going to work out exceptionally well." He put that fist on his hip and tapped his chin with his free hand. "I was considering a sideshow, but with how terrifying your werehog form is, I think we should spring for a full exhibit. Flashes don't bother you, do they?"

"No."

"Good. There are ten cities on the islands we can tour, then we bring the show to the mainland." Barker spread his arms out at his sides.

"And the full moon? I kind of need that to transform."

"About that," Barker paused to think, "I was wondering if there was a way to mimic the full moon's effects. I mean, three nights a month is more than enough to make ends meet, but it would be better if we could invoke this form at will."

"If I get angry, it'll come out too."

Barker swallowed a lump in his throat, "You'll understand why I don't want to piss you off, right?"

Hugh laughed. "True. I do have a harder time controlling the transformation when I'm upset. Plus it goes away when I calm down."

"It's at least possible to transform without the moon. We'll work on it. I'll see if that two tailed twit can rig something up for me." Barker stepped into the back of his truck to make the call.

One of the stunt bears rolled by.

"Hey, can you talk?" Hugh asked.

The bear only shook his head.

"But you can understand me?"

The bear nodded.

Hugh used sign language, "Can you talk this way?"

The bear signed back, "No one would be there to listen," he let out a frustrated growl and continued on.

"Interesting," Hugh said and patiently awaited Barker to be finished.

There's a few OC's from my story I would love to do little spin off's for. Hugh is one of them. This is only a short romance fic, so it'll go on until love has been achieved.

;P