Okay guys, here's the last edit of the older chapters. Since it's so late, I probably won't have the new chapter up until tomorrow afternoon, so just be watching for it.

I fully intend to give this story the attention it deserves, and I hope you guys enjoy!

-Tenshi

Chapter Three

The flea found Lucille just outside of the main entrance, her eyes scanning the crowd for his familiar face. A sigh of relief escaped her at his approach. "Francoeur, thank goodness. Where have you been?"

He chirruped softly, not sure if he should worry her with his findings. "Sorry... distracted..."

She pursed her lips, scarlet brows furrowing. "Just don't wander off again... I worry about you, you know."

She led him into the crowded big top, groups of vagabonds and drunkards cavorting around them until they finally reached their seats. Raoul lounged against the stained folding chair, a small scowl etched into his face. At their approach, he straightened, the frown deepening a bit. "Where were you two?! The show's about to start!"

Lucille simply rolled her eyes at his dramatics and ushered Francoeur into the stands. "We're fine, thanks for worrying, Raoul. I honestly didn't want to attend in the first place..."

Emile, with Maud tucked under his shoulder, leaned around his pompadoured pal. "Well, at least we're together, right?" He shot the redhead a small smile. "And even though the venue isn't on par to my tastes, it's the thought that counts, right?"

Lucille sighed softly, the small man's reasoning breaking down her reservations a bit. "I suppose you're right... but it does nothing to quell my nerves. I don't want to see people forced to act like animals and shoved into cages..."

"Cages? My dear lady, there is nothing of the sort here!"

She gave a start, whirling in her seat to be met with the face of the ringmaster smiling down at her. Francoeur's eyes widened, his bulk trying to sink into his stiff seat.

Elrick swept off his hat elegantly, bowing at the waist to her. "Here at Cirque du Cauchemars, we treat our workers and companions with nothing but respect and care! Cages are for animals, not people." He stood straight once more, shooting her a charming smile while he replaced his top hat.

Raoul sneered at the tall man. "And just who the heck are you supposed to be?"

Dark eyes narrowed as a derogatory smirk slid onto Elrick's face. "I am the ringmaster of this circus. Keeper of the keys and top instructor for our performers." A tip of the hat was sent to the pouting wannabe inventor. "At your service, monsieur."

Emile and Maud ooh-ed at the man's suaveness while Raoul continued to silently judge the crimson-coated walking stick. Lucille wasn't sure what to make of the man; he seemed like a gentleman, but one could never tell.

Francoeur was having a slight panic-attack, his nerves running rampant at the sight of the male. His mind echoed with the venomous tone he had heard him use with the girl from before, as well as the ring of the slap as Elrick's palm connected with the acrobat's tanned cheek.

He's dangerous... I need to keep everyone away from him.

The ringmaster gazed about the group. They were obviously different from the normal lot that attended his show, which was obvious: the tall one and the redhead stuck out the most. His eyes narrowed at their clothing and posture; definitely not the run of the mill street vermin.

I'll have to keep an eye out for this group... they're too conspicuous.

"Well," Elrick half-turned, angling himself towards the center of the tent. "I do hope you enjoy the show this evening. I'm sure it will be one you won't soon forget." With another tip of his hat, he was gone, coattails flapping behind him.

Raoul grumbled, lip curling as the man left. "I don't like him."

"You don't have to like him; you'll never see him again after tonight." Lucille had noticed Francoeur's reaction to the man and laid a calming hand on the flea's shoulder.

"Are you alright?"

Francoeur jumped a bit, brought out of his thoughts. He nodded, placing a hand over Lucille's smaller one. "Fine, just... anxious."

The redhead, thinking he was talking about seeing the performers, nodded and pet his hand soothingly. "I know, I am too. Let's just get through this performance, then we can leave. Alright?"

He nodded and shot her a small smile to cover his churning stomach. "Alright."

Raoul saw the exchange between the two and scowled a bit. He knew that Lucille saw the big fella as a love interest, and he had lost his chance with her long ago, but watching her show such care for someone other than him shot a bolt of jealousy through him.

He shook his coiffed head, erasing such thoughts. Really... getting jealous over the big guy... how low can I go?

They sat in relative silence for a while before the lights began to dim. Raoul grinned widely, bouncing in his seat like a child. "Here we go!" Lucille chuckled at his antics, then focused her attention to the ring, Francoeur's hand cradled gently within hers.

A bright spotlight was centered within, ruby smoke suddenly curling forth from the dirt. It grew into a large cloud, spiraling up towards the roof of the tent. Out of the cloud stepped Elrick, top hat tilted forward to shadow his face. As the fog lifted, one hand lifted the brim away to show off the ringmaster's pale visage.

"Ladies and gentleman, welcome!" A flick of the wrist had the hat flipping through the air, caught by an extended arm. "Greetings to you all! You seem to have stumbled into my circus. Whether that is a blessing or a curse, you must decide for yourselves tonight." He chuckled darkly, more smoke billowing forth from both sides of the arena. Small speckles of glitter shimmered within it.

The ringmaster grinned at the audience, his long ponytail slipping over one shoulder as he bowed, waist folded over the unoccupied appendage. "I an Elrick Avidite, and welcome to the Cirque du Cauchemars!" He stood straight again, vanishing within the smoke with a wave of his arm.

More smoke cloaked the room in a dark cloud, several shapes beginning to appear within the darkness. They stepped through the glittering fog, distorted faces and bodies wrenching shrieks and startled cries from the audience. Music began to play from the back of the tent, and the figures started to dance and cavort lasciviously to it.

A couple of the masked dancers lunged at their group, causing Francoeur to lean protectively in front of Lucille. They only laughed loudly at his reaction, moving slowly away to continue their dance.

Several of them struck up a song, the lyrics carrying over the spacious tent as clearly as if they were standing within the stand.

Have you ever yearned to go past the world you think you know?

Been enthralled to the call of the beauty underneath?

Have you let it draw you in, past the place where dreams begin?

Felt the full, breathless pull, of the beauty underneath?

A dim spotlight shot upwards, lighting the roof of the tent. Two figures stood on a barely visible platform; both were decked in unitards; one silver, the other gold. Thin facemasks were attached just over their eyes, allowing them to join the chorus.

When the dark unfolds its wings, do you sense the strangest things?

Things no one would ever guess?

Things mere words cannot express?

Yes!

Another light lit the middle of the crowd, a man decked in ebony spandex walking through the middle of the crowd. His dark hair sat in a cloud about his head, the black jeweled mask sparkling through the curls.

Do you find yourself beguiled by the dangerous and wild?

Do you feed on the need for the beauty underneath?

Have you felt your senses surge?

And surrendered to the urge?

And been hooked, as you looked at the beauty underneath?

He raised his arms, gesturing about him at the roiling dancers moving through the shimmering clouds. Giving a loud laugh, he was lifted into the air by the other two men, each holding tightly to a trapeze.

When you stare behind the night, can you glimpse its primal might?

Might you hunger to possess?

Hunger that you can't repress?

Yes!

By now, several cases were being wheeled out into the ring. One was filled with water, and what appeared to be a mermaid lounged on a rock bolted in the center, brushing out her long, flaxen hair. Another had a man with several torsos, connected one after the other. He appeared to have full control over each set of arms, waving and grabbing at the audience as he was wheeled past.

Another voice piped up within the crowd, the dancers slowing, then stopping altogether as a smaller figure entered the ring.

Francoeur leaned forward, gaping slightly.

It was Mina, decked still in her green unitard, now with a glistening emerald mask attached to her face. She began to sing, her voice light and airy.

It seems so beautiful, so strange yet beautiful.

Everything's just as you say!

It's all so beautiful; perhaps too beautiful.

How can this possibly be?

How can we all seem to see the very same way~?

She, too, was hefted into the air, her last note held out as she rose.

The entire ring was now filled with masked dancers and platforms housing labeled attractions: the Human Caterpillar, No-Face, the Living Corpse, and so on. They were all singing, filling the tent with laughter and song.

When it lifts its voice and sings, don't you feel amazing things?

Things you know you can't confess?

Things you thirst for none the less?

Can't you hear?

Is it clear?

Do you see?

Just like me?

All the beauty underneath!

The music reached a crescendo along with the singers, then both cut off, causing the following silence to ring with their echoes. There was no sound for a bit afterwards, but then, one man stood from the far left of the stands and began to cheer. The rest of the crowd followed not long after, throwing up half-eaten bags of popcorn and candy in their celebration.

Lucille blinked in shock, but found herself clapping along with the rest. Wow... I would have never thought they would perform so well!

Raoul hollered and cheered the loudest of the group. "Wow! I told you guys it would be worth it!"

After the opening act, the show had run smoothly, much to Mina's chagrin.

She and her brothers were currently waiting on the upper platform for their next cue, and the small acrobat was utterly pissed. "I can't believe that... that... nemernic! Who the hell does he think he is, treating us like slaves!"

Even though the ringmaster had basically rescued the four siblings from starvation, it didn't mean they were now his personal puppets.

Dart sighed, his back mask the only thing visible in the darkness. "Sora, I've told you several times that we could leave. It wouldn't be too hard to find another job somewhere else!"

Athos, the blonde in the gold suit, shook his head at his younger brother. "Dart, you know why we can't leave: he'd still have Anya. Mina would never leave her behind, and neither would I."

The brunette in silver, Porthos, nodded in agreement.

Dart growled softly and clenched his fists. "I wish we could get her away from that bastard somehow. He constantly has a guard on her, whether it's Greado or himself. Neither would be easy to get past..."

A loud howl from the ring below caught their attention. A large man, clothing ripped and hanging about him in tatters, was being led by two of the animal-trainers on silver chains. The metal sizzled as it melted into his skin, making him snarl and attempt to draw back, further wounding him.

Mina winced at the sounds. "Poor vârcolac. I honestly feel sorry for him..."

Elrick had been damn lucky to have caught the werewolf. They had been travelling through the Russian countryside, and had happened upon the beast. He was starving and beaten; it was a surprise that he hadn't died yet.

Elrick had ordered Greado to have several thick silver chains forged, along with a silver-lined trailer. They had caged the beast inside, feeding it thick slabs of meat through the bars in the door.

After he had regained part of his strength, the werewolf had tried to escape.

Tried.

Another mournful howl sounded as the beast was dragged back to its cage, its uncut claws leaving scratches in the dirt of the ring.

Athos' lips drew into a thin line. "I wouldn't want him free, though... at least, not anywhere near us..."

A trumpet blast followed by a drumroll alerted them of their cue, and the acrobats readied themselves for their death-defying stunts. "Well, time to go to work." Dart muttered.

Well, here is the slightly altered new chapter. Just a few small tweaks here and there, nothing too serious. Up next is Anya's act, along with a bit of Francoeur and Lucille's new relationship~.

-Tenshi

Note: The song used was 'The Beauty Underneath' from 'Love Never Dies'.

Translations:

Sora- sister

Nemernic- (literally 'the anus' XD)

Vârcolac- werewolf