Chapter 13: Hatsune Miku 2
Saturday, April 8, 7:30 pm. Dark Woods Circus.

The Dark Woods Circus will begin at 8. When we reached the tent, we were greeted by two beautiful women on stilts. The white haired one was wearing a violet-blue pinstripe tuxedo and top hat. The blonde woman had a long side-ponytail like Neru's and wore a long blue-green dress. They smiled at us and let us in after we showed our tickets.

We got to our seats early and chatted excitedly. I sat at the end, next to Kaito's right.

The program's description said that the Dark Woods Circus was a famous circus that traveled across the world. There are many acts including fire breathing, knife swallowing, acrobats, clowns, and trapeze artists. Behind this circus tent is another tent that has many exhibits containing 'wonders'.

The lights dimmed and a spotlight was aimed at the middle of the stage. A clear, loud voice introduced himself as the head ringmaster.

"Welcome to the Dark Woods Circus. My name is Big Al and I am the ringmaster. I will not only be performing for you today, but I will also be your emcee."

Suddenly, a puff of magenta smoke appeared on the stage, in the light. When the smoke cleared, a handsome man with a large smile appeared. His smile looked almost sinister.

"And let the show begin!"

With more puffs of smoke in various neon colors, a cage with a white lion and large blue balls appeared.

What a beautiful lion. I've never even seen a picture of an albino lion before. It is said that this circus usually has exotic creatures, especially the ones on display. I'm awfully curious.

Big Al opened up a cage and started to call out commands and tricks to the lion, treating him as though him was a household dog. Then the lion hopped on to the ball. He ran on the ball to get it moving. The lion circled the stage on the ball a few times before Big Al stopped him. The lion rolled over to Big Al, never getting off the ball. He then started to jump from ball to ball.

After Big Al and the albino lion, the stage cleared with more colorful smoke and was replaced by tightrope walkers, trapeze artists, and acrobats. The performers were all women with elaborate makeup and hair styles.

A tightrope walker with scarlet hair and matching skintight outfit began to cautiously walk on the tightrope. The tightrope looked as if it was about twenty-five feet in the air. Suddenly she broke out in a series of skips, jumps, cartwheels, and an impressive performance of gymnastics across the tightrope. When she got to other side, she smiled toothily and jumped off, head first.

I heard myself gasp and clutched Kaito's hand.

About three feet from the ground, she disappeared with a puff of red smoke. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

"This circus uses a lot of magic tricks," Kaito said.

"Isn't it wondrous?" I breathed, my eyes never leaving the stage.

Kaito chuckled and entwined his fingers with mine.

My eyes grew wide and I tore my gaze from the acrobats and clowns on the stage. I looked up to see Kaito's eyes. They were warm and focused on mine. They're a deep dark blue. You'll easily get lost in them.

Like I am now.

He gave my hand a squeeze and turned his attention to the stage. My heart was still pounding and I hoped I wasn't blushing so noticeably.

Kaito and I held hands for the entire circus performance. He had cute commentary throughout it, like when I was afraid that the knife swallower was going to injure himself and when the fire breathers blew flames at the clowns.

The eight of us are going to see the exhibits. He and I still didn't let go of each others' hands. None of our friends seemed to notice.

The tent itself was dark and creepy. I shivered as we entered. The displays looked ominous and spooky.

"Oooh! Look at this!" Rin excitedly ran up to a display: 'The Beast that Eats Cold Things'. "He's supposed to be a half dog-half human beast that only eats cold things."

"Hmm. Is it really?" Len read the description out loud. "The beast understands basic tricks your average dog can perform. He eats only cold meat."

"Sit, Kaito commanded.

The beast complied.

"Good boy," he praised.

The beast grinned, revealing sharp, pointed teeth.

I was getting spooked. I squeezed Kaito's hand and pulled it in a direction different from the beast that eats cold things.

We went to another exhibit. This one displayed a pair of Siamese twins. They're called 'The One With Two Heads'. They were dressed in a clown costume and were juggling many bowling pins. One was smiling while the other was frowning.

"Curious. How curious." Neru mumbled to her phone. "How old are you guys?" she asked.

"We cannot-" the smiling twin started.

"-answer that," the frowning twin finished.

Neru didn't look up. "I see. Many Siamese twins are separated at birth because they usually end up dying later. But you two seem healthy juggling those pins."

The frowning twin's frown deepened. "Of course we are."

"We're awfully lucky." The smiling twin's smile deepened.

"Thank you for your impressive show of juggling. Let's go look at more displays guys," Luka quickly said.

"What was that about?" I asked when we were out of the twins' earshot.

"I sorry. I guess I just got creeped out? This place gives me the creeps."

"Good, that's what it's supposed to do." Dell smirked.

I decided to spoil the fun even more. "I'm with Luka. I'm really creeped out. Let's leave soon. It's 10 o'clock. We need to get back to school before 11 anyway."

Rin used her childish whiny voice, "Can we at least see the Deformed Diva? She's the main attraction."

My heart fell. The Deformed Diva was the exhibit I least wanted to see. I wanted the others to forget about her. She is supposed to be the creepiest one here. Apparently she is blind and has goat legs. I think the reason why I want to see it the least is because I want to be a hit idol, a diva. Naturally, the Deformed Diva seems frightening.

Rin led the way in a fearless march. Kaito and I were at the back of the group. He was walking while I dragged my feet halfheartedly. I gripped his hand tighter, not caring if it was losing blood circulation.

Kaito murmured in my ear, "don't worry. There's nothing to be afraid of. I'm right here."

I looked to my left with glassy eyes. "Uh-huh. I'm not scared," I squeaked in a voice higher-pitched than normal.

That's when you can tell I'm absolutely terrified of something. My eyes are glassy and unfocused and my voice goes up a few octaves. It's quite embarrassing.

With a few more steps, we made it to the very back. The lights were dim so we couldn't see to the back. What we could see looked like a tiny stage with cage bars at the front. We stood at the stage for a minute and saw nothing.

"Hmmm. Maybe she's not here today," Kaito said.

I have never felt so reassured before.

Rin sighed. "Dang. I guess we should go. It's almost 10:30."

We turned and started to head towards the exit.

I heard a whisper behind me. "W-wait. P-please don't go yet."

I slowly turned around to see the Deformed Diva. I froze. Kaito turned with me and reassuringly squeezed my hand.

I could hear the others leaving, but Kaito and I didn't stop them.

The Deformed Diva truly did have goat legs. She wore shades over her sightless eyes and a once-beautiful pink gown. Her long hair was in pigtails like mine.

"W-would you care to l-listen to my s-s-song?" she asked, keeping her head looking straight ahead.

I swallowed nervously but answered, "yes. Please."

She began to sing. Her song's lyrics meant that one had a grand time at the circus but now it was time to go home, where he or she belongs. Her voice was sorrowful and powerful.

"You have a lovely voice," I told her. "Did you write that song yourself?"

She turned her head in our direction. "Yes."

I nodded even though she couldn't see me.

"You're so beautiful," I whispered.

"E-excuse me? Did y-you mean me?"

I didn't know she heard me! "Yes. You are beautiful. You look elegant and graceful, especially with your long hair and legs. I also wear my hair like that."

"Do you mean it? N-no one's ever told me such a thing before." She came closer to the edge of her stage.

"Do you like to perform?"

"Yes. I always did. But because of my imperfections, I couldn't perform like I wanted to. That's why I joined this circus."

I can feel my heart break. "I'm so sorry. But please, do continue to sing. It's beautiful. I hope to be a professional singer myself."

She nodded. "Always do what you know you want to do. If you have a dream, do everything you can to make it a reality. Don't accept no for an answer. Never let anything stand in your way."

I felt myself nod again, even though she couldn't see me. "Thank you. Good luck in this circus. Goodbye. Thank you again." I bowed and tugged on Kaito's arm to leave.

My question is: Do you like Utaus? If so, for their voices and characters?
I don't mind them at all. Personally I like Teto, Tei, and Ritsu more than some Vocaloids. Also, how could I forget Momone Momo, the singer of my favorite Internet meme, Nyan Cat.

This chapter was last altered on January 4, 2013.