One Last Time

Hi everyone! Ever since I've watched Kaleido Star I wanted to write a fanfic about my favorite pairing: Layla/Yuri! It took me a while to sit back behind my computer and put something on paper. I really hope you like it. I'll try to update as soon as possible. Enjoy and puts puppy dog eyes please review!

Disclaimer: I don't owe anything of Kaleido Star They all belong to the genius Juunichi Sato!

Chapter 1:

It was late in the afternoon and the sky had slowly started to change from blue to red-pinkish.

Layla was staring thoughtfully at the ocean. The past events had left her much to think and reflect about. It had been months since Sora did the Angel's Skill at the performance of The Swan Lake and became the true star of Kaleido.

She had returned to Broadway then, thinking it would be long before she would see Kaleido Stage again, telling Sora she would no longer interfere with her career, retiring officially. She had been to a couple of performances afterwards, as part of the public, but that was it. She had enjoyed it, though she had to admit to herself, she missed being on that stage. She missed the applauses, the lights, the trapezes, everything. But she knew she would not go back on that stage, and she had to live with it. But an unexpected twist of fate had changed everything.

It has all started recently, short after Halloween, when she and Cathy were asked to help direct the newest performance which was going to take place on Christmas; the Nutcracker.

But it was a very different one. An old friend of Cathy had once written the script for a theater performance, but it was never used. Even though his version of the story was approved by Kalos and the rest, he had a different style of writing.

His description of the characters was fully detailed, for one. He had specially asked them to stick as much as possible to the original script, not making any modifications of the characters or the story unless truly necessary.

Now, instead of finding roles for the acrobats, they had to find acrobats suitable for the roles. It really would be a very difficult matter, because if all the roles weren't suitable for the most skilled acrobats of Kaleido, Sora, May and Leon, the play wouldn't be able to go on, unless they agreed for one huge modification.

But the strangest thing was that the techniques and interpretation of the mayor roles—the prince, the sorcerer and the sorceress— had a striking resemblance with the attitude of them; Leon and May suited perfectly for the role of the 2 villains and Yuri seemed almost identical to the prince. Even though he wasn't working as a performer, he too had to decide whether to take part in the play or not. He had said he needed to reconsider this, leaving them in a slight tension.

Even the minor characters had their resemblance to the other acrobats; Rosetta's personality matched perfect with one of the fairies, Ana's attitude was simply perfectly suited for one of the comedian roles, and so on. The only one who didn't really seem to fit in was Sora. That would be the only modification being made in the script, as her attitude and style of acrobatics and the one of what the main character was suppose to be were very opposite. Even though Sora had protested, saying she could try and interpret it just the way it was, Kalos told her the interpretation would always come out better if acted naturally.

For the rest everything seemed to be in order and the rehearsal would soon start if Yuri's decision was positive.

That seemed the way things were going to be. At least, so she thought. She never expected to go back to Kaleido, not to direct or to watch, but this time to be on the stage as she was being asked now. She was the only suitable person who could save the performance. Sora was lying in the hospital, with her arm and the half of her ribs broken; recovering from a totally unexpected car accident she and May were involved.

Sora had risked her life to save May's, diving at her to push her out of harm's way. But she jumped too late; the car still managed to hit them in mid-air. May had several scratches, but no heavy damage. It had been a big shock for all of them, and for once, it was Sora depositing all her trust in her. If she refused to take part in the performance, the play would not be able to go on, for it could not be postponed until Sora's fully recovery; it was meant to be performed on Christmas day.

It seemed to be an easy decision, but it wasn't. Going back didn't seem to be that easy. She knew she missed performing in Kaleido, though she had gotten over it. Her sadness had quite evaporated and she was leading a new life in Broadway, on a different stage. She knew it was going to be painful parting again, after the performance. Helping to direct and evaluate was one thing, but being part of the stage was a very different thing. And it was not only that.

Taking the lead role with Yuri one more time also meant she had to fight, win and suppress those feelings she has towards him once again. Those feelings she had failed time by time to disappear completely.

For years she had rather jumped from a ten-story building than admitting she felt something towards him, and always managing to suppress or ignore those feelings during rehearsals and presentations, creating an invisible barrier separating stage and real life. She always thought her feelings towards him were temporal and that they would eventually fade. But they had always remained there and she was forced to resign herself that she could not ignore them anymore, finally admitting the fact she did feel something for him and eventually learning how to deal with it.

She saw it as a constant nuisance you had to learn how to live with. Something you had to control. She had always been the kind of person who liked to have everything in control, her emotions being no exception. Even though there had been a time when she had nearly lost complete control of her actions due to those feelings, ironically enough, at one of the rehearsals of the Nutcracker about a year or two ago.

There had been two occasions where she had experienced the Nutcracker. And both of them weren't exactly happy memories. One she had experienced as a child, and the second time, she had been in the play herself.

Back then, her feelings towards Yuri were quite strong and very recent. She had had a hard time denying she felt something towards him, and had nearly convinced herself too if it wasn't for that day of rehearsal.

She had nearly perfectly managed to suppress her feelings, until they were practicing the final scene, where the girl finally gained her Christmas spirit, saved Christmas, and reencountered herself with her prince. During that one practice when she swung from the trapeze in his arms, she lost control.

It seemed to be so real, he looking into her eyes with warmth and passion, making a perfect interpretation of the prince. His eyes seemed bluer than usual and she was overwhelmed by a sudden desire to kiss him, even though they never practiced that. That was only for the on stage, to make it seem more real.

But on that moment she didn't realize that invisible barrier had broken and her real emotions mixing with her stage emotions and found her lips an inch away from his, when the distant voice of the director seemed to get to her. He seemed to be startled as well, apologizing afterwards and saying that it could happen when you are so deeply focused in your role, that you don't realize what you're doing. It was then she realized he had done nothing to stop her. She said that it was exactly what had happened to her as well, even though deep down she knew it wasn't so.

Her feelings were stronger that usual now, and accepting the role meant she was going to have to suppress a lot of emotions, not only towards the stage, but also towards him.

But that seemed to be unimportant. Many people were counting on her, Sora, for instant. Sora, who had deposited al her hope in her, and she knew how it felt. Hadn't she putted all her hopes in Sora, telling her after doing the Legendary Great Maneuver to continue living her dream for her? It had taken away a great part of her sadness and worries, knowing Kaleido was in good hands. And not only Sora, but the public in general as well. Canceling everything meant that a lot of people, especially children would be very disappointed in Kaleido on Christmas day.

She sighed. It seemed so easy yet so difficult. Deep down she knew she was longing to go back, despite it all, so what was holding her back then?

Deepened as she was in her thoughts, she didn't hear someone walking towards her.

"I thought I'd find you here, Layla."

The voice almost made her jump. She turned around, even though she had immediately recognized the voice, and was not surprised by seeing Yuri standing next to her.

"I know it's a tough decision for you. If I'm interrupting you from your thoughts, then say so."

He was not. Somehow she felt grateful towards him for showing up, even though he was responsible for the greatest part of her mixed feelings. He had always a good sense of timing being right there whenever she needed someone. He could always tell what was bothering her. She smiled at him.

"You're not interrupting me, Yuri."

He smiled back. "Then I'll stay."

He looked at the ocean, who had adopted a reddish color as the sun was setting. It was a beautiful sight. A sudden breeze caused a couple of palm trees nearby to rustle. He saw something moving and his eyes instinctually flashed in the direction of it, but it was just her hair, waving in the rhythm of the breeze. She was staring at the ocean as well, her expression giving away a slight worry. He, who knew her well, could immediately tell she had given a lot of thought towards the matter of whether taking the role or not. She was pretty, even though she had that slightly worried look on her face. He had always thought she was very beautiful, and his thoughts hadn't changed at all.

She felt him staring at her, and turned around, their eyes encountering. She could hardly ignore the leap she felt in her stomach as they did so.

"I'd never thought that after my retirement, we've been given the chance to work together once again." she said.

"Destiny had other plans in store." Yuri said with a smile. "But it's up to us to make that choice, however."

Layla sighed. "I won't say I'm not missing those moments I spent on that stage. But if I go now, I know I'll be tempted to stay…"

Yuri looked back at the ocean, meditating for a few moments, as he tried to find the right words. It was their only opportunity to shine one last time, just like in the old days. For many times after her retirement, he had wished to turn back the time. He couldn't explain why he felt so lonely, ever since she went to Broadway and he went to France. But now they were back, and the opportunity was lying ahead of them. But he knew what she was going through. He knew how hard it would be, having to part again. The last thing he wanted to do was to force her to so.

"Layla, Kaleido isn't the same without you. I'm not saying Sora's not doing a fantastic job, but I'll admit I miss those moments when I shared the stage with you. But if you refuse, then I'll respect that. I won't be trying to convince you to go back."

So it was up to her, then. She knew that no matter what she did or thought, she would always be missing those moments on the stage with him as well. And deep down she knew she would regret it deeply if she refused to take the role.

"…but I know it'll be worth it; I'll take the lead role with you one last time."

He seemed to be slightly surprised by her sudden decision. He simply smiled and stretched his hand towards her.

"I'm glad you will. Let's do our best to make this one of the best performed plays ever at Kaleido."

Her heart gave a jolt and started beating faster than usual. How could a simple gesture affect her so much? Or was it his words? She felt herself answering his bright smile.

"Very well, as it is our last time performing at Kaleido." she answered, taking his hand and shaking it slightly, as if sealing a deal.

"Then let's make it last." he answered, still smiling.

They looked at each other for a moment, none of them exactly knowing what to say. Suddenly they heard steps behind them.

"If been looking for the two of you everywhere!" Cathy said approaching them. She stopped for a split second, looking at them. She couldn't help noticing they really looked good together.

"Nice scene, too. Ocean view, sun setting, light breeze, holding hands…wait a second—holding hands!"

She looked at their stretched hand, questioning. They seemed to notice, because they almost released their handgrip at once, Yuri blinking a bit confused and Layla looking slightly abashed.

"We were making a deal to train the hardest to make the best performance ever in The Nutcracker as it is officially our last performance." Yuri explained calmly.

"Oh…" was the only thing Cathy could bring herself to say. She smiled quickly.

"What were you thinking we were doing, then?" Yuri asked her.

"Oh, it was nothing, nothing really. I just thought I was interrupting you in something, that…that was all." she hurried herself to say. "But does that mean you have accepted to take the lead roles for The Nutcracker? That's just great!"

"We have." Layla said. "Why were you looking for us, Cathy?"

"Kalos wanted to talk to us all in his office. He said Mia had made a very interesting discovery for what concerns the script. He wanted to see our opinions."

"Let's go, then. I'm somewhat curious about that discovery." Yuri said walking towards Cathy. Layla followed.

Kalos, Mia, May and Leon were already waiting in Kalos' office. Mia was holding the script in her hands and looked rather nervous.

"Good, now we're all here, Mia, can you now tell us what that important discovery was?" May said impatiently.

"Um, I guess so." Mia answered. "It is too strange and unbelievable to say it, so I've made copies. All of you please read the script once again. Especially the part of the character description and background." She handed them the copied scripts…

T.B.C

A/N: It's been a while since I've heard the story of The Nutcracker, so go easy on the comments OK! ; I believe there's but only one villain, for example, but I had to make it fitting…;;