So this is the fourth installment, sorry for the super long wait, but I'm under a lot of pressure at college at the moment due to my As A-level exams coming up, so I may be slow for a while, but hopefully when the summer holidays finally come around and I finish work experience I will get some time to focus on this more.

Don't panic though, as I've almost finished the fifth section after giving up half way through a Psychology lessons and resorting to writing more on this, so that should be up super quickly if that makes up for the long wait that I'm afraid is sure to follow.

Still thank you so much for reading, reviewing and following etc. And enjoy Part One of the show...

"There's a hell of a lot of freedom in this rock and roll circus…it's where all the freaks go, and it's the environment for me."

Xemnas sighed as he entered the large white gazebo that held the canteen and rows of tables for people to eat. It was abandoned as the last show was soon going to start, he too would have to go there soon, along with his three new guests. Ven and Roxas seemed delighted as they quickly munched down the food Xaldin had provided, on the other hand Cloud had eaten about half his food, then deemed himself too full to eat anything more and gave it to his brothers. The fact they didn't question this makes this habit appear far too normal for my liking. What is he playing at?

Deciding to make his presence known, Xemnas approached the siblings, and sat down at the opposite end. Ven and Cloud gave him a rather warm smile, Roxas just gave him a slightly less defensive stare, which Xemnas decided to take as sign Roxas was warming to him.

"So I have decided sleeping arrangements for you all, these are none negotiable, though obviously you're not restricted to just stay in your own tent if you wish to visit others." The three nodded, though Roxas obviously tensed at the term 'none negotiable', clearly unhappy with the lack of control Xemnas had left him with.

"First of all Roxas." Best get him over and done with. "You will be sleeping in the two pod tent with Marluxia, Demyx and Axel. Specifically sharing a pod with Axel."

"So let's start with Roxas, what did you make of him?" Terra clearly cringed at the young boy's name, which in itself gave Xemnas more than enough information.

"Well, physically he's not too bad. He's got a couple of scratches, and some rather nasty looking bruises and bite marks, made worse I believe by lack of proper care or treatment. Nothing I can't deal with over time however." Terra read out his notes calmly, he'd dealt with this all too many times.

"And his attitude?" Xemnas asked.

"Well, erm, while I'm no psychiatrist I am certain he has some clear authority issues. I often had to reword what I said so Roxas felt like he was still in control of the situation. When he wasn't in control, he often got rather…erm…distressed." Xemnas chuckled

"Another Axel?"

"Hardly, unlike Axel, Roxas does not have the ability to burn me and/or the circus when he lost his temper." That was true, when Axel and Kiari first joined, Axel was a nightmare. It seemed he would only listen to Leon, and even then he might ignore him.

"Well it seems our spark has spent too long sleeping on his own, he's mature enough to share his pod now. I'll place Roxas in Axel's tent." Terra looked up with strange expression upon his face.

"With all due respect that hardly seems wise. I mean, Axel and Roxas both have terrible tempers, they'll slaughter each other!"

"Not if I remind Axel he's not allowed to. Anyway, it's the only tent that can withstand Roxas' temper and maybe even change it. After all Marluxia doesn't care what anyone has to say most the time, Demyx is always happy and friendly no matter what's thrown at him, and Axel is probably the only person who could beat Roxas at whatever temper tantrum he throws at him."

"Marluxia! The creepy Pink buffoon that kept calling me 'Kitten'! No way, I refuse to share a tent with him!" Roxas screeched, banging his fist against the table.

"Roxas stop it. It's that or nothing now stops acting up!" Cloud raised his voice only slightly, but clearly whatever threat was laced in it Roxas picked up on it. So he listens to the elder.

"Fine! I'll do it for now" He mumbled, sitting back down. Wait until he meets Axel. Xemnas chuckled to himself; sometimes it was hard to remember the boy was 16, with his temper of a 10 year old. His height provided no help for him either.

"Good. Ventus, you'll be staying in the big tent. There's also Xigbar, Xaldin, Luxord and Lexaeus, Terra, Zexion and Vexen staying there. Though you'll be sharing a room with Leon's younger brother, Sora." Ven looked nervous at the large amount of people he'd be bunking with, but nodded compliantly anyway. Just as I thought

"So what about Ventus."Terra's face seemed much more relaxed at this.

"Physically he lacks the bruises and bite mark, and apart from some scratches he is in pretty decent condition. Mentally he's polar opposite to Roxas."

"Explain."

"Well to start with, I believe he may be suffering from Selective Mutism. Generally develops in childhood and if never dealt with it can progress into later life. He also has side effects that often are seen with this condition, including extreme shyness, a large amount of distrust, and highly uncomfortable in large crowds." Xemnas was slightly stunned, now they've dealt with the mentally wounded, but Ventus certainly seemed like a challenge.

"How do you think we should deal with this?"

"Well first of all I say we try and keep him around people. If gets close enough, he will talk to people. So the larger group he gets comfortable with, the more he will speak, so isolating him shall not be a good idea. Also we shouldn't force him to talk, I don't think that would do him any good but instead scare him away. Finally we should try rewarding him when he talks, what I mean is encourage him to keep talking when he starts, and prove to him that talking isn't a bad thing. Ven has a fear of talking the last thing we need him to believe is that not speaking is better than the reverse."

"As for you Cloud, you'll be sharing a tent with Leon. I believe you've already met him." Cloud looked grateful at Xemnas.

"Thank you." He replied politely.

"Cloud?"

"Oh dear where do I start, that boy is certainly an odd one." Terra began

"How so?"

"Well physically he's in a terrible state. There clear signs of previously broken bones. He's covered in terrible scars and marks that have had no treatment what so ever. Most scarily though is how thin he is. He's even more underweight than the twins, and it's rather alarming. Despite all this he still manage to retain some, how do I say, beauty about him. Very strange indeed."

"That is certainly true. He's also very polite."

"Oh yes, an absolute dream to deal with. He did what he was asked, answer the question, and unlike the others despite being physically damaged, his mental state seemed much better than the twins. This is what's odd. Even Demyx, for all his happiness, when we got him off the street believed himself lower than everyone; it's strange for someone that hurt to seem that stable. He's very strong minded."

"That or he's learnt to be very good at hiding."

"Hiding?" Terra questioned

"I get the feeling that these boys are hiding things. After all, we still don't know their parents, don't know why they were kicked on the streets and nor do we know where they got all these scars from. I think they're beating round the bush, or telling us the very least they can. Cloud is the biggest perpetrator of this, and I believe, the one who has the most to hide."

"Oh dear, I understand." Terra muttered. "What shall we do about him then?"

"Hmm, simple I guess. It's clear Leon doesn't fully believe him, let's see if he can crack open the boy."

"Well there's no better way to introduce you to the family than via the show itself! So I say we head over to the tent before the show begins, and you can get a front row seat. The guys will show you round later I'm sure." With that Xemnas got up, leaving the kids little time to argue, and guided them out of Circus village and towards the main tent.

Cloud watched as people began to fill the circus ring. He, Ven and Roxas sat quietly at the end of the front row, as Xemnas had left them to go sweet talk the boss during the show. The lights dimmed and the audience fell silent, as all lights now faced the centre. Darkness suddenly swirled around the centre, and the audience gasped in anticipation, Cloud watched in curiosity as from out of the darkness appeared Riku. Wearing a long red coat, black and white attire underneath, and upon his silver hair was a top hat. The top of his eyes had red eyes shadow with silver gems, thick black eyeliner then topping it. He smiled only slightly and took a bow as the darkness dissipated.

"Ladies and gentlemen, underage boys and girls, I present to you today a circus of exotic and wonderful talent, which will leave you in awe. I present to you the Cirque Du Keyblade!" The audience cheered as Riku vanished, and in his place stood a girl with blonde hair, and a daring expression. She wore an almost metal looking top, with a red corset round her waist. Along with a checked white and black skirt with mismatching red and white knee high socks. In her hands were 5 red and white balls that she juggled carelessly into the air. Next to her was boxes that Cloud couldn't recall being on the stage before. How good are these people!

He watched as she added more and more balls to her arsenal without the slightest mistake, until finally she was juggling twelve very high into the air. Finally she threw them all into the box one by one while juggling the others. The audience went to applaud but she simply placed her finger on her lips, silencing them immediately.

"That was only formalities. See when you play with Larxene, you play dangerously." She said, her voice rough but dangerous. Promising both pleasure and pain, it made Cloud shiver. Next from another box she pulled out three knives, and started juggling. Speeding up, she placed in more and more until she juggled at least eight, managing to catch and throw them from the blade without getting cut. Just when the audience thought this girl couldn't get any more suicidal, she threw each knife at a dartboard, hitting bull's eye each time, and in their place would grab what appeared to be a spiked mace! Throwing them incredibly high in the air she somehow managed to catch the safe end of each mace without getting hurt. It didn't end there though.

"Set it on fire." Larxene called, and like clockwork the upper shaft of the circus was set alight. Throwing them now very high each mace would reach the fire and come down alight. Somehow avoiding the flames Larxene sped up the rate she was throwing at them, and seemed to begin almost dancing to the music. Cloud watched in awe, shocked that someone could be comfortable being so close to death. Finally she stopped and blew each one out as it came down, throwing the maces back into the box. The crowd applauded her act as Larxene bowed and winked at a couple of members of the audience. She then disappeared into the dark, and Riku emerged once again.

"No kids she's not suicidal, just crazy, and terrifying to argue with." The audience chuckled. "Next is a highflying act that is guaranteed to leave you speechless." Music began to play this time a raver's style track that Cloud had heard people mention was played in clubs. A trampoline appeared in the centre of the stage, and on it a young brown haired girl in a short white ballet style dress. Jumping high into the air she began to perform all sort so of strange tricks, Spins and flips and rotation. Suddenly she jumped especially high and instead of landing on the trampoline, was caught by a man with black hair, a white strike down one side, and an eye patch over one eye. He wore a shirt and trousers in the same white and red colours as the young acrobats dress, the only thing keeping him in the air was a piece of rope tied around his ankle. They seemed to dance around each other, the brown haired girl never letting go. They bent themselves into almost painful looking shapes; the only thing keeping them up was the pure strength of their core muscles. The girl then grabbed a spare rope with one hand, they began to dance around each other, mimic the others movements. Cloud watched with great fascination. How amazing it must have been to feel so weightless. Up in the air, unable to think of consequences, actions or life. Just listening to the music and dancing within in the air, so close to danger yet so entranced by beauty and passion you just didn't care.

Suddenly two figure soared passed them either way. The lights dimmed in the centre, and brighten to the edge revealing two girls, either stood on a large stand. One with reddish hair and a black gym style dress, the other had blonde hair, and wore a matching white outfit. With a leap they both jumped onto trapeze and began their incredible act. They danced and jumped towards each other in time with the beat. Each leap made Cloud's heart race, as they did many stunning moves. Sometimes holding onto the pole only by their feat, or even just managing to hold the other with their feat! They spun and turned and put on an incredible show. Ending the act by jumping towards each other and grabbing each other and the pole in centre. Small kiss shared between them as the audience cheered and cooed at the cute scene. Cloud eyes widened with such inspiration. All his life he had dreamed of being free from the cage of his own mind, to almost fly carelessly through the air, and here were people who had done so!

Cloud heard Ventus gasp from the side of him, completely absorbed by the show, and while Roxas remained silent probably due to stubbornness, his wide eyes and inability to look anywhere but the stage told Cloud everything.

"You haven't seen anything yet." Riku said, as Clouds attention turned back to the stage. As onto the stage appeared a girl with blue hair. She wore a dress; the top section was split, half being blue and the other black. The skirt was then striped white and blue, the front short revealing black shorts, thigh high lace stockings and white boots. The back of the skirt however went down to almost touching the floor, a small black elastic top hat placed tilted on her head. After the women entered so did Leon, as Cloud found himself scouring the man's body. He surprisingly did not look too different from before, with a white top and his black coat from before. He wore a pair of black jeans with various belts down the left side of his leg, seemingly useless belts hung in disarray round his waist.

"I need three volunteers from the audience!" He called out, causing a flurry of people, many female, to place their hands high in the air, almost jumping to be picked. His blue haired assistant then went along and picked one from the left side, one from the back, and then she came around the front. Standing in front of Cloud she gave him a sweet smile.

"How about you love, come have a go." She whispered, offering her hand out for him to take. Cloud heart stopped. No, he didn't want to go, he didn't want to place his trust in someone else. But you'll look like a coward if you don't go. That's true, if Cloud didn't go he'd be showing the world how weak he was, he wouldn't be coming off as the perfect person. He couldn't do that either. I have to. Accepting her hand, Cloud made his way onto the stage, shocking even his brothers at his bold action. By this point, Leon had already been blindfolded, and was now sorting out his swords. The first volunteer was made to hold a plank of wood vertically, the second had a pineapple placed upon his head. Cloud however, was told to step a box at the furthest end of the stage, staring directly opposite a strange contraption which had a wooden arrow loaded in it. It reminded Cloud of cannon, and made him highly uneasy.

The music began, and Cloud felt his heart began to race with adrenaline and fear. The blind Leon sliced perfect through a sandbag above the contraption, causing a weight to slowly start falling. So that's what it's for! Clouds eyes widen at the realisation; when the weight hit the cannon, it would fire the arrow straight at Cloud. I'm going to be killed! Leon perfectly sliced the board and the pineapple without ever hitting his victims, but Cloud didn't care about that. He was worried about the thing in front of him. He wanted to run, but something about the audience and the thrill of being on stage made him stay. He wanted to be here. The weight got closer and closer, time slowed down. The weight touched the cannon. Clouds heart stopped. Arrow fired. This is it, I'm dead!

Slice.

Clunk.

Leon sword chopped the moving arrow in half, causing two bits of wood to fall on the floor just in front of Cloud. The audience gasped and Cloud let out a breath of relief, slightly shaken by the entire experience. The assistant helped the audience member to their seats, before offering her hand out to Cloud to help him down. Leon was undoing his blindfold as Cloud made his way to the front of the stage, and as the swords master turned to look at his volunteer, Cloud had turned to look back at him. A silent moment passed between them. One that neither of them understood. Eyes then parted and Cloud went back to his chair.

In reply to my wonderful comments:

Ern Estine 13624 : Wait until the plot kicks in, it'll get real good then (I have huge plans for future chapters, already got ideas for like chapter 50 haha)

anime-dark-fairy: Thank you very much 3333 And I'm glad you liked the nicknames, I thought it would just give Marly that lovely finishing touch, and reveal abit into the characters maybe. and I hope the chapter was worth the wait XD

MaddeThee : Thank you, I had watched Vampires assistant, and also played about with the idea for a circus for a while, but with NAruto characters instead, so I forgot the plot until then. Of course replayed KH2 and was like O.O this is perfect! Haha oh don;t worry, give it a couple more chapters and things start getting juicy. Also yay thank you again! And I hope one day you shall add this to your favs!

Guest (1)- I have no idea! The title is actually a name of a song I used to like. The idea really is like the Circus is similar to a masked ball, it's colourful and to people on the outside looks grand and wonderful, the truth is though everyone is wearing some form of a mask, and everyone has soemthign to hide, the biggest being Ven, Roxas and especially Cloud. Not all smiles are real. and I'm glad you did end up reading it 333

Guest (2)- I try! I promise after exams I'll be faster!

: Omg YAY! I know, I hated writign that bit, but I have to be strong coz sadly I'll be putting my babys through worse D': and I hope this was worth the wait

Bloody Lord: Thank you 3 and here it is! Sorry for the wait but the next update will be super quick XD

NOMNOMBUNNYWILLEATYOURSOUL: Thank you 333 and I like your username already XD

That's all so thank you to all those who reviewed, followed, faved etc.

Remember next update soon!

~Aiko