Title: Let's Do the Wacky

Author: Wingweaver

Disclaimer: Kaleido Star and its characters all belong to Junichi Sato and Gonzo Digimation Holding. No copyright infringement was intended (I merely borrowed the characters for a spot of fun).

Author's Notes: Well, well, well. Here's the sixth chapter of Let's Do the Wacky. I personally love the previous chapter but this one I consider the best and the best one that I've written so far. Also, I would like to apologize for the lack of updates. The fourth term of Mapua just began last week and we were already swamped with assignments (what kind of professor gives an assignment on the first week!). My schedule also makes it difficult for me to write since I can't bring my computer to school because, well… it's huge and writing in the library is impossible. I can't get into the mood when I'm in there and I can't write in my notebook because of my group of fags, I mean friends, tend to distract me. By the way, check out the previous chapters, I added a few things and did minor changes here and there. Oh and before I forget: thoughts, "normal dialogue", "flashback dialogue", 'emphasis or quote' and scene flashbacks will be indicated by something but you'll know when you find it. Anyway, on with the story!

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Chapter 6: The Amazing Ring of Fire

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It had taken Jean and his team more than a few days (extending to a week) to finish the 'Ring of Fire'. They had no problems attaching the rings and setting it on fire but they hadn't expected it going out when the rings started spinning. So they devised that the solution was either to increase the fuel output or decrease the speed. They had weighed their options and picked to decrease the speed of the rings or risk having one of their stars die from a fiery and explosive death.

When the rings were finished they immediately moved it to the stage and today Jean's team along with Mia will show the finished product to the whole cast.

"With the Ring of Fire standing in middle of the stage we decided to set up several trapezes spiraling towards the rings." Mia began, pointing up towards the ring while the others studied them. The trapezes were all set up in a circle, each one moving towards the rings with the last one placed directly in front of the ring. "Tenshi as Sigurd will use all of these to perform a few maneuvers and gain enough momentum to enter the ring. When he's inside, the rings would slowly come to a stop before the fires go out after that the rings would retract. The trapezes will be rearranged and Layla and Tenshi will use these to perform their part. Any questions?"

Mia's inquiry was met by silence and she took this as a sign that they understood her. She nodded towards Jean, signaling that they could 'ignite' the rings. The scene she described was part of Act 3 where Sigurd rescues Brünnhilde and fall in love. The rescue was male lead's climax act while female lead's climax is set later on in the production.

Jean spoke into a receiver before a low (barely audible) hum was heard. Flames emerged from the base of the rings before it climbed up, meeting at the top. They were barely visible, at first, but as seconds ticked by the flames grew larger until the dim orange light encompassed the stage. Then the rings started spinning slowly (one going clockwise and the other counter clockwise) and gain speed with each complete revolution until the rings reached their peak.

Everyone looked on in awe. It seemed as if the rings had disappeared and that the sun was inside the stage itself.

Layla felt like she was going to cry, it was amazing. Her heart beating along with every 'whoom' she heard. She had her own little sun and like a phoenix she will be inside, biding her time to rise and show the world that she, Layla Hamilton has returned. It was the perfect way to do so and she was determined to make it perfect.

She looked at the boy beside her and wasn't surprised to see the resolved look on his face. He seemed to be counting silently to himself with his eyes trained on the little sun. When he finished a slight tremor started in his hands and a small, barely perceivable smile formed on his face. She returned to her attention to the rings and imagined herself within them.

Tenshi couldn't see the rings but he felt them spinning as fast as the blood in his body did. He had heard Mia talk about the rings and had seen Jean's unfinished work before, and he was amazed on both occasions. But this did not prepare him (not even his partner); he wasn't sure how he was able to stand with knees feeling light and weak.

He knew the danger of this stunt. He could die or burn if he ever made a mistake and Sora Naegino would be no more but fear of death was the farthest thing in his mind. Death was something he would never ever fear because he had overcome it a long time ago, in the Mystical Act with Layla.

Then the questions came flooding his mind, staggering him from his awed stupor. These questions had plagued him ever since this little ruse started but he always ignored, choosing to focus on his role as Tenshi. Why did Sora have to leave? Why do we need a new identity for this? Why can't Sora do this for Layla? He looked at his partner who looked so beautiful under the light of the fire.

Fire…flames…phoenix.

His eyes widened as he realized his real role.

The reason why Sora wasn't here was because a phoenix cannot rise with the presence of another. If that were too happen the blaze would be too bright, it would overwhelm and in the end destroy both. Sora and Layla can't be together on stage at this time because both would shine brightly and attempt to overpower the other. The stage will not able to handle such an event and the conflict might return, destroying Sora's dream of a stage without conflict.

I'm not here to be her partner; I'm here as the spark to welcome the phoenix and make sure that the stage is ready for Sora and Layla.

Kalos smiled. The stage is set.

"There we have it, our 'Ring of Fire'."

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They stared at each other from across the room; Layla sitting on the prototype and Tenshi on a trapeze in front of Layla. They had been practicing together for almost three weeks, perfected every maneuver for the show and this was the last one that they had to start on. The spectacle earlier shown by Mia and Jean was amazingly breathtaking compared to this for that they weren't in the mood to do start.

Layla stood up and moved to the center of the platform. She turned to face the boy that on several occasions reminded her of Sora. With her sudden 'epiphany' not too long ago she had began to develop a sense of respect for the boy. She had begun to see what Sora liked about him (besides his boy-next-door look); he had a strong personality not the type that would intimidate or overpower people but the kind that leaves a lasting impression. He was honest, kind and diligent, qualities rarely found in men. She almost felt guilty for thinking of stealing Sora away from him. 'Almost.'

He's a nice boy… a good match for her. Her eyes narrowed a bit, the blue hue in them darkening slightly in determination. But I think I'm better than him. She opened her mouth to say something but she was interrupted.

"I understand…" He stared at the blonde. "I understand Miss Layla. I know what I'm supposed to do."

He's arrogant too… Layla rolled her eyes. "Let's begin."

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Tenshi staggered a bit, nearly losing a foot from the rings as he landed on the platform.

"You're getting better." Layla commented, regarding the boy with a smidgen of respect. "A little more and you'll get the hang of landing."

The rings slowed to a stop around them and the loud hum of the machine lowered to a barely audible one. The prototype, according to Jean, has the same specifications as the finished product. The only difference is that it didn't emit flames and in its place were foam padding wrapped around each ring to prevent any injury. They've been using the prototype for several hours now, with Tenshi making attempts to land on the platform and Layla controlling the rings (with the controls on the platform) and assisting Tenshi on mastering the rings. She was aware that she didn't need to help the boy and that someone can do it for her but she thought it would be better if she did, it would help her become comfortable with him and understand him better. We are partners after all…even if it's just for a little while.

Tenshi smiled, he was glad that he can almost master getting through the rings. His first attempts had been pitiful and started out as him being tossed around or nearly getting crushed by the rings. But after several tries and some tips from Layla (who had performed it successfully on her first try) he was able to get through the rings for that he was truly grateful.

He turned around to face the blonde and bowed, body bent by the waist and hands stiff on his sides. "Thank you, Miss Layla! If it weren't for you I would've not been able to make this progress and I could be injured severely without your guidance."

The blonde muttered a 'your welcome' before he straightened up with an exuberant smile on his face. She was a bit taken aback by his sudden display of gratitude but she chalked it up to him being Japanese, having heard somewhere that they were very polite. She turned her back to him and walked up to the controls. "Let's do another one before taking a break."

He jumped off the platform and prepared the trapezes that he was going to use. He checked each one of them, making sure that they were still sturdy enough to hold his weight. It was a habit that he got from being 'Sora' which Sora got from Leon.

Layla watched him intently, there was a question nagging her endlessly and she was curios to know his answer. It was a question that she always asked those who auditioned to join the Kaleido Stage and one she always forgot to ask Sora.

"Tenshi!"

"Yes?" He looked at her. His brown eyes that looked so similar to another pair always struck a cord in Layla, it reminded her of someone she truly missed and she will have soon.

"Why are you on the stage?" She asked, her voice echoing loud and clear in the training room. They were the only ones using it and she decided to use the privacy it provided to ask her question.

He stopped moving and a frown formed on his face, making him look like a little boy who lost his way home. Of course, I'm here to fulfill my dreams… but all of them have been realized. So, why am I here? Am I just supposed to live my dreams? But that sounds so…

She watched him closely, the turmoil can clearly be seen on his face and Layla understood him (at some level). There was a time that she found herself lost that she had to leave to find her true self. It was an eye opening experience, one that led her to realize the value of her young self and brought her closer to the stage.

Tenshi took a step back, seeming to remember something all of a sudden. He wasn't Sora Naegino, she's in Japan with her family while him, Tenshi Azamuku, is here as her substitute. The question was for Tenshi, not for Sora.

His vision focused and found himself staring at an obscured image of Layla Hamilton. The rings were revolving once again, forming a blue shield around the blonde. He imagined what it would like with the rings blazing and Layla waiting inside. It would be glorious…

He grabbed the trapeze bar, the j-hook automatically detaching from the bar and took a deep breathe. He already knew his reason for being on the stage and he wasn't sure that the blonde would like to hear it.

She might think that something is up, so that means I'll have to make up a legitimate reason on why I'm here.

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"The thrill." Layla repeated, before taking a long swig of her bottled water.

They were taking a break but between the two, Tenshi was more tired and needed it more while Layla only needed to give her vocal chords a rest. Who knew talking and giving instructions for several hours would be so tiring. She screwed the cap back on the bottle and put it down on the bench next to her bag.

She turned to regard the boy who was looking off into space. "Tenshi!"

"Ha-Hai!" Tenshi tensed up; nearly dropping the bottle he was holding. He had been watching the blonde's actions. She was tantalizing in everything she did, from the way she threw her head back and wrap her lips around the bottles mouth. He even found the way the column of her neck moved as she swallowed quite enticing.

He gulped, looking away as a blush formed on his face.

"Tenshi…"

"Y-yes?"

Layla raised an eyebrow, finding the boy's behavior odd but chose to ignore it. "Would you care to elaborate on your answer?"

"My answer?" He blinked.

When he was able to enter the rings without losing his footing or any body part, he immediately gave her his answer.

Miss Layla… the reason that I accepted Sora's request and came here to stage was because I love the thrill of flying, even if it's just for a few seconds! I love the feeling danger with every stunt that I do… so I guess… you can call me an adrenaline junkie. I'm just here for the thrill nothing more than that.

As Sora, her lying ability was practically non-existent. The girl was open like a book and people can easily read her emotions. As time passed by Sora grew up, she learned to hide her feelings behind a happy-go-lucky façade but if people looked hard enough they could still read her and she still couldn't make up a good lie. As Tenshi, lying was easy. Maybe because people have different expectations from him or maybe because he isn't Sora (it was the simplest answer). But his answer to Layla's question wasn't an outright lie and not something he made up on the spot.

One of the reasons that Sora wanted to join the stage was to fly and performing on the Kaleido Stage was the closest thing that would help her do it. Tenshi was the same, he loved to fly but he didn't have any dreams to realize. He only had a goal to reach and that was to prepare the stage for Sora and Layla.

"I know my reason for being on stage is shallow compared to you and Sora's…" He began, looking right into the blonde's eyes. "…but my interests was never in the stage. That's why I didn't go with her the first time she left for the auditions; if I did I wouldn't be accepted."

"Why do you say so?" Layla asked. She was sure that if he did audition with Sora then he would be immediately accepted for his skills and Sora wouldn't be accepted. But he didn't and I'm thankful for that.

"That I wouldn't be accepted?" Layla nodded. "Sora came here for her dreams and for the audience while I'm here to perform dangerous stunts and stand-in as your partner until she returns. That's why I thought I wouldn't be accepted, the stage doesn't need someone so detached, it needed someone who is passionate and determined. I'm not like that but Sora is…"

When he finished silence blanketed the room, making the mood serious. Tenshi sat down on the floor and began stretching; the pain in his thigh had increased due to his continuous training. I really should get this looked at but I don't have the time but wow…what did I just say? Is that who Tenshi is?

Layla was mulling over what he said. He was right, he would never be accepted if the did the auditions and if Sora came on time, she would've been accepted. Despite her lack in skill mastery, a flaw that can be fixed easily during training but the passion for the stage was not something that can be trained.

She understood his reasons and her respect for him grew a bit more but it made her realize something.

"Tenshi!"

"Yes?"

"Would you like to help me set up the tightropes for my routine?"

He nodded, standing up slowly. "I'd be happy to!"

Layla smiled. I know I'm better than him.

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Author's Notes: I don't know much about phoenixes, I've read a few articles of them on the internet when I was searching for mythical creatures and from what I could remember there is always one phoenix. They were never described to be seen in a flock as birds usually are or there was really only ONE phoenix. It never had a pair or something like that, kind of sad really.

So Tenshi and Layla are bonding but it doesn't meant that I'm gonna make this a Tenshi/Layla story. It's still Sora/Layla, I just established Tenshi to become a rounded character in this chapter. Meaning Sora is starting to get the hang of pretending to be someone else.

Not many Layla/Sora fanfics out delve into the reasons of those two being on stage or maybe I haven't come across any that does. I think Layla's reason for being on stage is for perfection and to prove herself, the thrill of doing dangerous stunts is part of it too (remember when she first tried the boat in their Arabian Nights production?). Layla always wants a perfect performance, either for her own reasons or the audience, not sure and everything she does is a way to prove herself to her father that he can be proud of her. While Sora's reasons vary, her first was to perform on the stage and experience the same feeling she felt when she saw Donna's Alice in Wonderland. Next was to be partners with Layla and perform the Mystical Act. After that she went through a bit of a stump until after the Circus Festival where in she realized that her dream was to make a stage without conflict. A stage where everyone are equals and that the audience would truly love.

That's my assessment of our two leads and wow… I can be pretty long winded on the author's notes. Anyway, thank you for reading this chapter and waiting patiently for this update. As I mentioned earlier, updates would be slower than before because of school. I'll try writing on my handy dandy green notebook to speed it up a bit.

If you see any grammatical errors or missing words feel free to point them out and I'll fix them.