Sorry for the short chapter... There really isn't much to say here...

Chapter Twenty

After Sebastian came back inside the carriage, we returned to the Phantomhive townhouse. During his absence, Ciel had sneezed two times, and I did only once. At first, I joked that there was a saying that claims if you sneeze, someone is talking about you. With Sebastian's current explanation, I'm beginning to think that the saying was true.

To summarize it, he went to see the doctor with Joker. Said doctor was taking care of the knife-thrower's leg when they entered. Apparently, thanks to his little stunt, Sebastian became quite well-known amongst the performers. But, most interestingly, the doctor they went to see has developed some prosthetics for the circus made of ceramic. On the tamer's prosthetic, there was also an emblem. Then, somehow, one thing led to another…

"Haa?" Ciel exclaimed as Sebastian took off his coat. "How did it end up going in that direction? You said "why", but… I mean…"

"Ciel!" Prince Soma exclaimed happily. "You're late! Are your plans for the day over? Teach me how to play chess!"

The prince and his servant were easily ignored, however, as Ciel was much too engrossed in his conversation with Sebastian. I just followed behind them, bypassing the Indians.

"When did I give you that order?"

"Is there a problem?"

"What's up, Ciel?" Soma asked. "That's a very sour look!" Really? I didn't notice. "You should at least greet me with a smile!"

"SHUT UP!" Ciel exclaimed angrily. "I'm busy right now, so shut up!"

With that, we all went into Ciel' bedroom to continue our conversation. Once inside, I took off my hat and undid the bun, letting my hair fall freely on my shoulders. Sigh… I never liked curled hair, nor did I like to completely put my hair up…

"What I'm saying is…" Ciel threw his vest on the bed. "Why did it end up that I was signed up for the circus!"

"You were not signed up for the circus," Sebastian clarified. "You, and Miss Luna, were signed up for the entrance test."

"Just you and Luna infiltrating is enough, isn't it?" Ciel sat on the bed, untying his necktie. "Living in a tent, what a joke."

"Would that really be alright?" Sebastian asked. "Me living according to my free will since Miss Luna won't be giving me many orders?"

Ciel scowled at his words. He despised the idea of joining a circus, but Sebastian had a point. That pawn… was just as manipulative as its master. "… I guess you're right. But you need to perform in the circus, right? Luna should be able to, but I can't do that sort of thing."

"How true." Sebastian commented as he took off Ciel's boots. "Well, as much as you can, please do your best on the entrance test. As your butler, I will be rooting for you from the bottom of my heart."

Wait a second… He's intending on making Ciel cheat his way through the entrance test, isn't he? And saying such things as "the bottom of my heart"… I'd believe him if he said something like the heart of my bottoms.

"It can't be helped," Ciel sighed. "I'll do it. Luna, Koruru is coming with us too."

The next morning, after changing ourselves into third-class citizen clothes, we headed out to the circus for our entrance exam. Ciel wore a brown vest over a white shirt and a pair of short black pants. His eye was covered by a more medical-looking patch and he wore a pair of short black boots to complete his outfit.

As for me, my hair was pulled into two long braids and I wore a short light cream-colored dress. I wore black shoes as well and a shawl due to the cold weather. Koruru remained in my arms as we were greeted by the performers.

"Whoa, you brought a cute girl and a really cute kid too," Joker said to Sebastian. "Are you a boy?"

"Yes." Ciel answered. "I was a pageboy at the manor. Um… I my name is Finnian."

"What a grand name." Joker commented. "If you join, we'll give you a stage name. But cuteness isn't enough to join the circus. If you can't perform, that is." He then turned towards me. "Well, lass, what's your name?"

I didn't know what to do. Should I write my name? What name to choose anyway? And what about Koruru?

"Oh. Please excuse her." Sebastian said. "Selena is a bit shy and isn't able to speak. She used to be a maid in the manor."

"Is that so?" Joker's tone became pitying. "Do you know what she could do?"

"She has never voiced any preferences, but I believe that she would be quite good as darts like Finnian, but she'll have to try a bit of everything first." Sebastian told Joker. "I hope you won't mind if she brings her kitten along. They can hardly be separated."

"No problem, but first, we'll have to test them." Joker replied. "Hey, Dagger! Lend them some knives."

Once we had the weapons in our hands, Joker motioned to Ciel/Finnian. "Hit that target over there." Said target was a board on which a person's silhouette and heart were drawn. It was a couple of meters away from us.

"Ah, ah, Boss, You're mean." Dagger commented. "With those skinny arms, he can't reach that."

"It's not mean. It can't be closer for the show." Joker explained.

Ciel looked at the target before throwing the knife without any hesitation. At first, it seemed that the knife would land about two meters from the target, but it suddenly shot up and hit the head. Every other knife Ciel threw had the same result, but I was no longer looking at Ciel. At an inhuman speed, almost invisible to the human eye, Sebastian shot pebbles that would make the knife hit the target. Needless to say, the crowd was greatly impressed. Then, it was my turn.

I had no doubt that Sebastian would help me if it looked like I was going to fail, but I did not intend to rely on him. Koruru was already on the ground, waiting impatiently for me to show the others what I was made of. I didn't know why, but I felt like this wasn't the first time I had to throw knives towards a target. In fact, aiming at an immobile target seemed too easy.

I closed my eyes, took my stance (it wasn't anything much, I just positioned myself better) and threw. One after another, the knives went straight for the target in rapid succession. After the last one landed on the board, I finally opened my eyes.

The knives were mostly tracing the outer line of the drawing on the board, but there was one lone dagger that landed straight in the heart. Joker complimented me along with Dagger, and I could see Ciel wondering how I gained those skills. Well, the thing was, I had no idea.

"Next," Joker announced. "Tightrope walking!"

Doll tied a rope around Ciel's waist as he looked down below. Joker told her to tie it safely since it was dangerous if a beginner falls. Ciel didn't look afraid, but he definitely didn't want to walk on that rope. Unfortunately, Joker won't hear of it, so Ciel had to walk on the line. Suddenly, he tilted sideways, but returned back to position. It happened several times, so I think that it would be safe to assume that his back and feet will be aching a lot.

"That's great!" Joker congratulated. "I didn't think you'd be able to do it!" After all, beginners shouldn't be able to get this far. I'm surprised that they haven't begun to get suspiscious yet.

"So don't demote this cute lil' kid, Boss!" Dagger said as he patted Ciel's head.

"Not yet." Joker replied. "This boy hasn't done something real important." Ciel got on his guard as he heard that. "A big ol' smile! C'mon, smile!"

I looked towards Sebastian, only to see him trying to hold in his laughter at his master's predicament. Seriously… I shook my head. However, Ciel smiled (though not sincerely) and it was the cutest smile I've ever seen.

Then, Joker turned towards me who was still beside Doll. "Come one, Selena! It's your turn!"

I sighed before looking towards the other platform. The tightrope should be around fifteen to twenty meters long, I think. This is going to be so troublesome…

I began to walk slowly, trying to not lose my balance and focus on my destination at the same time. I lasted much longer than Ciel, really, but even I had to fall over eventually. I felt Sebastian's pebble hit me, and I stop trying to balance myself, which resulted into a definite fall. I didn't touch the ground though. Actually, I grabbed the tightrope as soon as I could and swung myself forward and backward, until I finally let go.

I flew into the air with several spins and, unable to land on the tightrope to continue walking, I grabbed the rope again, and swung before letting go. It continued until I could get to the other side safely. It wasn't until I reached the platform and got down safe and sound did I realize that I did not panic, not even once. It was like I let my instincts do what they thought was best and I ended up surviving.

Ciel looked extremely surprised and Sebastian smiled (yes, no smirk). The others cheered me on, making me smile tentatively as I hugged Koruru (who jumped into my arms). I really need to stop acting like this. Sure, it saved my life and made sure that I got a place in the circus. Big deal. What I want to know was how the hell was I able to do all of these things when I have never done them in my life!

Joker brought us into another tent, away from his companions and made us change into circus costumes. Finally, when nighttime arrived, we were introduced to the rest of the crew.

"Everyone," Joker began. "From today on, we have some new friends. Newcomers "Black"…"

"I'm Black," Sebastian introduced himself. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"… "Fighterr"…"

I said nothing, but I bowed to show them my pleasure of being amongst them.

"…also, this one is… "Smile!"

I think that Ciel was about to faint.

"Let's get along well, everyone…"

"Come on, Smile," Sebastian teased his master. "Greet your elders."

"I'll take you on a quick tour of the backstage area now," Joker told us as the crowd dispersed. "Follow me."

We left the big tent and went towards the smaller ones. Joker used his can to point towards a group of them. "First, these're the tents you guys'll sleep in. It's where the backstage workers an' the newcomers—the second tier—live."

We looked inside one of the tents to see a two-layered bunk bed. The sleeping area was lit by a small lantern. "Usually, 'bout two or three people share a room."

We went towards another group of tents. "An' that's the mess hall and the storeroom. S'an important job of the new recruits to provide the grub, so good luck!"

Joker then pointed towards a lone tent. "Over there, in the back, in the medical tent, then…" Joker gestured towards another area of tents. "The most central one's the main cast's private tents."

"Private tents?" Ciel repeated.

"When you're very good, you get a private room." Joker explained before pointing towards a particular tent. "That tent is Snake's tent. So stay away from it for your own good. There's a bunch of poisonous snakes roaming free so if you get bit even once, you're off to the underworld. Snakes an' his friends are shy y'know? Careful of their poison, you three."

"By the way… What happened to your right eye, Smile?" Joker asked as we walked away from the private zone.

Ciel's hand went immediately to his new pirate eyepatch. "Eh? Ah… This is… There was an accident…"

"Oh…" Joker looked at Ciel with pity and sadness. "So young, but you've been through a lot." Then, he smiled and ruffled Ciel's hair before pulling him close. "Well, everyone here's been through something, so you'll get along well with them."

"Did everyone join the circus during the tour like we did?" Sebastian asked in curiosity. Good one. I hadn't thought of that. Depending on how the crew came to be, it may have clues about who the kidnappers are.

"S'true for most everyone, but the first tier members're all from the same hometown. We're all childhood friends."

"Childhood friends?" Sebastian repeated, hoping for more clarification. Well, that sure made the first tier members a lot more suspiscious, doesn't it…

"Yeah." Joker answered casually. "But Snake's still a new face. His snake-charming's none too shabby an' we didn't have a snake-handler, so he quickly became a member. The perks are much sweeter if you're a first tier member, an' you don't gotta worry about survival to the fittest. You even get a private tent. That's the reason everyone's working so hard to compete to be a first tier member."

He led us to another big tent. "Right, this is the practice tent."