Summary: AU. Rei had always known about Max's dream to join a circus, he just never expected to be dragged along. Part of KaRe wave.

Pairings: KaiRei, BorisYuriy, maybe others.

Warnings: Alternative universe. Shounen-ai, slash, or whatever you want to call it.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, poor me.

Behind the Curtain

Chapter One: Welcome to the Circus
By: LittleMyy

The day had started as any other day in Rei's life. He would wake up, take a shower, get dressed, make breakfast and argue with his father. Accusations and insults were yelled in both directions and finally it would be Rei, always Rei, to back out and leave the house.

It had been like that ever since Rei's mother had died in a car accident. Rei's father, Kon Jiao-Long, had been driving the car when it happened and felt guilty about it. Like it hadn't been enough to lose his wife, the accident had taken away his career as well. Jiao-Long had been world known gymnastic, but after his leg was injured he had to retire. Not wanting to give up the gymnastics just yet he had turned his expectations to his son. Rei had been too young to have his own opinion about it, but when he was old enough he got fed up with the whole sport and refused to train or to compete. Of course it had strained their relationship even more, which led to daily arguments. Neither were willing to give up, they were too stubborn for it.

So like always after their morning fight Rei would end up watching the sea from the highest point of the old docks. He would enjoy the feel of the breeze on his face, the smell of the sea and listen how the waves that hit the pier ever so often. This was his spot, the place he came to sort his thought and calm down before heading to school. However today was one of those lucky days that he didn't have school to leave to, so instead of starting his run back to the town, he kept gazing around the peaceful surroundings. Even though during the night time Rei was quite sure the docks were in heavy use, in the mornings he could have it all to himself.

Well, almost at least. In the distance Rei could easily see a form coming quite fast towards him. From the place where he was sitting it was easy to see when someone entered the area. This particualr visitor was riding a bike, easily dodging every abandoned barrel and bar left to the ground. There was only one person Rei knew that would come here at this time of day and use as bright colored clothes as the newcomer.

"Big news! Big news!" He could hear the biker yell from quite a distance. Smiling to himself Rei decided to make his way down to meet his friend. Max had never been one to love heights the same way as Rei.

Jumping gracefully down, using the support of everything else except the real ladders, Rei landed on the ground exactly the same time as the blond haired biker made a sudden stop in front of him.

"Rei! I knew I would find you here!" Max greeted glomping the other boy as soon as he got off his bike. "I have some great news!"

"So I heard," Rei smiled slightly at his friend's enthusiasm. He waited to be freed from the hug before continuing. "So what's so exciting that you're actually up at this time on Saturday?"

"But today isn't just any Saturday. Today is the day my dream will come true," Max declared and Rei could almost imagine the stars in his eyes, as the blond gazed to the distance.

"And the knight in shiny armor will come and sweep you off your feet and you'll ride into the sunset?" Rei asked sarcastically, but smiled nonetheless at the other's actions. "Seriously Max you sound like a Disney character."

"Even better than Disney, I got these," Max declared putting his hand into his pocket and pulling out two slips of paper. "This is my way to success."

Rei moved to take a closer look and now noticed that they were some sort of tickets. "Glorious Night?" He asked slight puzzled how this had anything to do with Max's dream.

"Circus Glorious Night," Max jumped to explain. "I tried to get these tickets months ago, but I was too slow and missed them. Luckily one of my father's regular customers had these tickets, but something came up and he gave these to me. Can you believe it! Now I can actually go see them, before trying to get myself recruited."

"What? You're joking, right?" Rei asked in disbelief. Sure he had always know that Max wanted to join the circus, but for the blond to actually go through with it was still a surprise. Rei had always thought of it more like a kid's dream than an actual career choice. Heck, Max was only sixteen and while he had gone to circus school for most of his life, it still felt impossible for someone to be so sure. On the same time Rei had to admit that he was slightly jealous for the determination that Max seemed to posses.

"Of course not. This might be the only chance I get, I'm going to regret it if I don't at least try," Max said becoming serious. "You understand that don't you?"

Rei wasn't too sure if he did, but agreed nonetheless with a nod. Feeling stupid for sulking without a real reason, Rei smiled deciding to be happy for his friend. "So when's the show?"

"Tonight," Max said brightening up considerably now that Rei seemed to be supporting him. "And you're coming with me, right."

"Sure," Rei agreed with a smile of his own. "After all, I want to see your future workplace."

The rest of the day Rei spent his time listening Max telling him random facts about the circus they were going to see. Apparently it was made from a considerably small group of people from some big and famous circus. They had formed their own little show and had been traveling around for couple of years now making their own name.

To say that the blond was excited would be understatement, Max was more like ecstatic about the fact that he got to see them. On the same time he seemed to be nervous how to go and ask if they would give him a chance to join. Rei couldn't do anything except nod and try to encourage his friend. Truth to be told, he wasn't even sure what he was really thinking about Max's plan. Of course it would be great for his friend to finally go and live his dream. On the same time Rei couldn't help but feel a bit selfish for hoping that Max wouldn't make it. He knew Max had the talent so it was quite possible that they would let the blond join, however he didn't want to lose his only friend to some group they knew nothing about. It didn't only mean that Max would leave the town, it also meant that Max would leave him for complete strangers. The feeling aggravated Rei to no end. Still he kept smiling and asking nonchalant questions for Max's sake.

Finally after wondering around the town for the whole day, the beginning of the show started to draw near. Rei gave his father a quick call informing he would be out late. Even though their relationship wasn't always peachy, Rei knew his father cared and didn't want him to worry for nothing. Max's father was kind enough to give them a ride to the arena where the circus would be. Rei could help but laugh a little as Max couldn't stay still for the ride and was jumping up and down in his seat. When they got stuck by traffic the blond had had enough of waiting and jumped out of the car dragging Rei out as well. They weren't that far from the arena and it was obvious that Max couldn't stand sitting any longer. Bidding Mr. Mizuhara goodbye they left the car in the traffic jam and ran the rest of the way.

"You know, I always thought circus was supposed to be a grand tent and all that," Rei stated as they waited to get into the arena. The arena was kind of small, but the town wasn't too big itself and they really didn't need any bigger. However it also meant it would be packed full if the lines where anything to go with.

"That's too old fashioned," Max said with a smile. "Besides this isn't an ordinary circus anyway. None of that bearded lady stuff. Not even any animals involved. Just the art."

"Well, let's see how good they are," Rei replied as the line slowly continued to move forward. To their genuine surprise they got in sooner than they thought. However the suspicions that the place was absolutely full was true. There were still good amount of time for the show to start so people were still wandering around the hallways instead of getting themselves seated. Dodging people they tried to get to their places through the masses. It took them longer than expected to reach their row. It was quite high, close to the ceiling, giving them good view to the stage as well as they didn't need to wring their necks to see the acts that were going to be performed higher.

The stage was quite bare with only two doorframes and a bed in the middle. From the ceiling there were hanging three large chandeliers. At the far right corner of the stage there was place for the small orchestra, where there seemed to be people preparing for the show.

Even Rei had to admit he was getting excited as he watched the people start to get into their seats. Max was fidgeting next to him trying to get everything in. Neither of them knew exactly what to expect.

Then after what had felt like hours of waiting in their seats, but was only fifteen minutes really, the light went out and the stage was illuminated. Music started and through from the back of the stage there walked a person with a mask, dressed in blue suit with odd patterns on it. He walked through the other doorway and stopped to stand in front of the bed. He turned his head around to look at the audience, before speaking through the music.

"Ladies and Gentlemen. Let me welcome you to Circus Glorious Nights!"

A woman started to sing.