Mermaid in the Fish Bowl
By: VirusYoukaiChild
Summary: Kids are not allowed into the Cirque du Freak, it's a well written rule. So its kind of shocking to find a female close in age to a young snake boy in a tank, full of water.
Main Pairing: Evra Von/ Kagome
Crossover: Cirque du Freak/ Inuyasha Crossover
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the clothes on my back and my enthusiasm. I do not own Inuyasha by Rumiko Takahashi, Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan, Howdy Doody by E. Roger Muir, Simpsons by Matt Groening, Sirens (myth), Jimmy Neutron "Journey to the center of Carol" inspiration (Nickelodeon), JoAnne's Fabrics, or Zatanna's powers (DC comics). Warning: Characters may seem a bit Out Of Character (OOC).
"Italics"for thoughts.
"Bold" for emphasis.
uhh...
AN: I would like to thank those who've reviewed, sent me favorites, and have just glanced or read the story. It makes me happy to know that it has caught attention of the general public. Once more, I would like to say, that my story in fanfiction and will never have true connection to the manga and book series. Updating is irregular so please be patient with me, I write when I have time and I will post when I feel necessary. And no, I don't post because of reviews. I don't like controlling my story based on fan base, that's kind of bogus don't you think?
Thanks,
VYC
.edited.
.Chapter One.
"Don't disturb the tank, be careful and cautious." Mr. Tall called to the two male stagehands as they lifted the large tank and began the slow walk towards the stairs and then to one of the many trucks outside. Evra had been stubborn all night and wouldn't tell anyone who was in the tank or what was in the tank. Now morning, Mr. Tall was doing the very same.
"What is in the tank, Mr. Tall?" Sive asked as Mr. Tall as he shook his head.
"A new member to the cirque, but since she hasn't been sleeping all too well I have spelled the water so that she may not awaken." With that Mr. Tall walked away leaving the group to wonder what was in the tank still. Evra tiredly got up, his snake moving with him as she kept an eye out for her young master. She knew that her master was interested in the creature in the tank and couldn't wait to see who was in it. She hissed at Hans who came closer to Evra, if Evra was wanting it to be secret then she would do all in her power to make sure it was kept.
Hans backed away a bit not wanting to get on the snake's bad side. She may not be poisonous, but she was deadly when it came to size. Evra did his chores with a yawn, glancing at other inhabitants in the room that were not awake, but more specifically, Mr. Larten Crepsley, Cirque du Freak's own vampire. He was funny and sometimes a bit strange, but who wasn't? Walking towards Madam Octa's cage, which sat beside her owners, he noticed the spider was slowly awakening. He knew to stay away from her but feeding time was feeding time. Madam Octa blinked her shining eight red eyes at the snake boy, salivating at the mouse he had in his hand. Evra quickly dropped it into her cage when he saw the small spider jump and watched in morbid fascination as the spider ate her food.
Shaking his head he turned around and jumped. Rhamus Twobellies was peering down at him in curiosity. A slight hissing from his snake told the small and younger male that she wasn't happy though, she couldn't do anything about it. When it came to size, she would prevail being only muscle, however, Rhamus excelled in fat and other weird things he kept in his stomach, things she didn't want to hurt her.
"Yes?" Evra asked the taller, fatter male.
"Who is in the tank Evra?" Rhamus questioned. "Mr. Tall said "she", so it has to be a person right?"
Evra faltered when he felt several other eyes staring at him. What was up with all this curiousness? They were acting like they were being deprived of something!
"She'll tell you when she wakes up Rhamus." Evra told him causing the rest of the inhabitants in the room to groan in frustration. A tired sigh emitted from the room as a coffin was opened and orange haired male sat up.
"Morning everyone." Larten Crepsley muttered with a yawn as he stretched from within his coffin. He gave a sniff of the air and frowned. Why in the world did the room smell like fish? About to voice out his question, he was interrupted by Mr. Tall who strolled back into the room.
"Larten glad to see you are awake. May I have a word with you?"
The vampire got out of his coffin and nodded, stretching his body and feeling a few "pops" he made his way towards his very tall friend and followed him out the room. Once the two were far from any listening ears did Mr. Tall turn around.
"I need you to do me a favor." Mr. Tall told the orange haired vampire. Larten blinked his dark colored orbs with curiosity.
"And what does a vampire get in return?" Larten asked rubbing his chin in interest.
"A vacation, you choose the length of how long you want it to be."
"Done." Larten said, he hadn't had many vacations though, " I do wonder how the show will go on, I am one of your high-paying acts."
Mr. Tall snorted, revealing his yellow decaying teeth. "You aren't the only high-paying act we have on this show. A couple other of our members are on vacation too, but lets have none of that. That is not why I'm here. We have acquired a new member-"
"One that smells like fish? Do tell me that this new member doesn't have horrid body odor my dear friend."
Mr. Tall shook his head in the negative, "This new member doesn't have body odor, but does smell like a fish, for she is, part fish. Remember Higurashi?"
"The girl you were following? The reason why this circus moves so abruptly from one city to the next?"
"That is correct, I have finally gotten her."
"You've captured a mermaid? Do you gain any wishes?"
"Larten be serious!"
"I am serious! Or maybe because of my old age I'm mixing the fairy tales around?" Larten shrugged before grinning. "Do show me this mysterious Higurashi girl."
"That is going to have to wait for now." Mr. Tall said as Larten raised a delicate brow.
"Explain."
"Because of her recruitment, we have to leave immediately. Her school will send out notices wondering where she is and cause a state-wide alert for kidnapping or something of the sort. We have just packed up as much of the our things into trucks, Kagome, for that is her name, is sleeping in her tank in the truck that will house your coffin, the Wolfman, and Evra's snakes. I need someone to watch her if she wakes up when on the road."
"So you want me to be there as well?"
"That is correct. We will leave this night-"
"But isn't Kagome all alone in her tank, in a truck, with the Wolfman then?"
"She is safe, and the Wolfman has oddly enough been quiet so we don't have much to worry about. She'll be up later on for feeding-"
"She's not a goldfish Hiberius." Larten muttered crossing his arms across his chest. "And I will have to think about it. If I don't accept, who else have you chosen for such a task?"
"Truska is a seaborn creature. I've been thinking of asking her to be Kagome's guardian for the time being."
"I'd think she'd like that." Larten chuckled. Stretching once more he turned around. As he was about to leave he stopped, chuckling some more. "That Shan kid is a very interesting character."
Mr. Tall smirked. "Very interesting indeed."
Kagome woke up with a loud yawn as she sat up, pushing the blanket aside and letting her gills take in the large gulps of air before she choked a bit and telling her body that she was above water so that it could adjust to the changes. After her five minutes passed she breathed evenly through her gills and sighed in pleasure, stretching her tail so that it was hanging off the tank's edge once more and stretching her arms. A growl sounded as she froze, blinking her eyes and turning her head. She was five feet from the cage that housed the Wolfman. The furry man beast was sniffing the air and looking at her oddly.
"Hello?" She said cautiously in the air. The Wolfman gave a grunt in response.
"I see," she said. "What's your real name?" A growl with a slight bark sounded.
"Oh! That's a mouthful! I'll just call Arnick, if that's okay with you." Another bark and growl.
"Well I'm Higurashi Kagome. First name Kagome, last name Higurashi. But people either call me Kagome, Bad Ass, or Gome. I don't mind either of the names." A growl.
"I don't believe anyone has called me Goldfish before."
A grunt and bark.
"Okay that's going a bit too far there mister! There is no way anyone is going to call me that!" The Wolfman gave what could only be called a smirk a wolf-like chuckle emitted through the air.
"Oh come on! Be nice please?" The Wolfman rolled his eyes.
"So," Kagome said leaning against the side of her tank to get a better look at the Wolfman who was currently sitting close to the bars of his cage. "Who borned you? My mother was human but my papa was a merman. My dad disappeared many years ago and my mother and stepfather died some time ago." She looked down and rubbed her finger against the strong plastic container's edge. " I miss them."
The Wolfman grunted, growled and barked, with a few whimpers here and there. "Oh! So your ma was human… Weird. What was she thinking-"a bark," oh! That's horrible! Did she love you?"
Kagome listened intently to the story, amazed, shocked, amused, and saddened. "Lets be Halflings together ne?" She asked as the Wolfman gave a howl of agreement then growled threatening towards the door of the truck.
Kagome quickly grabbed the blanket, tried her best to cover the tank but to no prevail. She ducked underwater, bringing her full body into the tank as she closed her eyes. Hearing footsteps come towards her tank, Kagome clenched her eyes tighter when-
"Well isn't she the cutest little fishstick that swam the seven seas?"
Kagome blinked her eyes as she shot up from the water. "That's not nice! Fishsticks are disgusting!" A deep chuckle emitted the air as a large hand patted her on the head.
"Good afternoon Kagome." Mr. Tall said as Kagome grinned sheepishly towards the tall male.
"Good after- its noon?" Kagome questioned, now realizing that she was in a truck rather than in the building.
"Yes it is."
"How did I sleep so long?" She asked as she tried to pull herself out of the water but was stopped.
"Don't get up, from what Evra told me, though he was quite embarrassed to say anything, you are completely naked."
"Humans and their modesty is confusing. What's so strange about not wearing clothes? There are nudist beaches right?"
"Not everyone carries that point of view Kagome." Another masculine voice sounded as Kagome then recognized the other three people with Mr. Tall. Seeing her gaze to them and watching as Kagome waved to Evra who was blushing pretty bad, he cleared his throat.
"Kagome this is Truska and Larten Crepsley, you've seen them both during the performance." Mr. Tall introduced as Kagome nodded.
"Yes, yes, I enjoyed Truska's performance more than Larten's." She said as Larten guffawed at her. How could she say that? Truska giggled behind her hand at Larten's expression of shock.
"How can you say that!" Larten said pointing to Truska. "She just grows a beard, I can manipulate a poisonous spider! My life was at stake!"
Kagome snorted, her webbed hand covering mouth as she turned head away from him. "Heh. Life."
Larten rolled his eyes as Evra and Truska laughed at the him. Mr. Tall chuckled at Larten's predicament. Clearing his throat once more Larten began speaking once more. "Anyway, I have brought them both here to you for Larten might be watching over your tank when it will come to us leaving this town, and to introduce you to Truska whom I'm entrusting you as your guardian."
Guardian? Kagome thought. The word sounded so foreign to her having been without one for so long. Seeing the hopeful look in Truska's face told Kagome that this bond wouldn't just be parent and child.
"Truska has lost both husband and child in their escape of poachers." Mr. Tall supplied as Kagome nodded her head. She has lost her family, just like I have lost of mine. She thought as a smile spread across her face. A high pitched squeal that sounded similar towards a dolphin rolled from the lips of Kagome as she happily splashed the water, causing all three males to step back a bit but stay cautious of the Wolfman while Truska stood in her spot and got wet. The woman smiled as she crossed the short space between she and Kagome and hugged the mermaid. Their voices sounded like the animals they grew with. Dolphin and seal.
"Crazy little fishstick sounds like a fish, why is that?" Larten questioned as Evra blinked his eyes.
"Dolphins aren't fish! They're mammals!"
"Kagome's voice box works differently than our own, from the research on our new member, Kagome's normal speech is the Dolphin squeals you hear from her mouth. Mermaids are much like dolphins when it comes to their high-pitched squeals and sonar, but then they are also very much like the fish when it comes to breathing through their gills. However, because Kagome is only half, she carries a few of the human characteristics, including her second form, the human-fish. The usage of spells though, shows me that her human parentage wasn't all human. In addition, she has three stomachs, two voice boxes, and can adjust the air in-take of her lungs."
"Let us not forget that Evra loves her." Larten grinned as the teen blushed horribly and glared at the vampire who chuckled.
"I-I do not!" Evra shouted causing the two older males to chuckle at him. Kagome blinked her eyes as Truska released her before trying to stand up again, her back was beginning to ache in her awkward position. Hands faster than lightning, Mr. Tall placed a dress on Kagome as she stood looking like a monster from the deep in a seafoam green dress. She looked at it in curiosity before shrugging and stepping out of the tank. Her webbed feet looked funny and made a "flop" sound on the ground as she walked. Water fell down her skin as she grinned.
"How long can you stay out of the water Kagome?" Larten asked curious. He never met a mermaid, nor one that could make legs for itself.
"Five to six hours. If its warm out then four hours at the max." She said with a shrug before giggling and jumping around. "Its kind of boring just staying in here, can we go somewhere else?" She asked looking at Mr. Tall then Truska. She felt she had to at least try the guardian thing, it was lonely not being able to talk some older figure for advice and Truska was beginning to remind her of her own mother.
"Yes, it is kind of claustrophobic in here, we'll keep to the theater, but once night arrives you will be escorted back here. The longer we stay here the longer people get suspicious of your disappearance." Mr. Tall said as Kagome nodded before clapping her hands.
"Oh goody, will there be popcorn and candy and such?" She asked playfully as Mr. Tall rolled his eyes while Larten chuckled.
"We, Kagome, are going to fix your diet to the one you use to have. Fish shouldn't be eating junk food."
Kagome ignored the fish comment and was salivating, imagining junk food galore. "But junk food good!" She said sounding much like the yellow fat man from the show Darren liked to watch.
"We are going to get you back into eating fish and raw meat Kagome, and if you're willing, back to hunting as well. Its amazing you haven't gotten sick yet, but that is going to stop now." Mr. Tall said with a that's-final tone of voice. Kagome frowned as Larten patted her on the back, a sigh escaping his mouth.
"Its okay little fishstick, he got me too." Larten said the two sighed in defeat. Why were the good things always out of reach when it came to Mr. Tall?
"Come on Kagome, we can explore the theater while we are still here." Evra said as Kagome's melancholy demeanor lightened as she nodded in agreement. She bounced towards Evra and the two left the truck and hurried into the theater without getting caught. Not that they would, no one lived or went through this part of town anyway.
"So, you've been running from your step-family? Is it because of something bad?' Evra asked unsure as the two walked through the upper levels of theater. Kagome shrugged as she glanced the green scaled boy.
"They want to showcase me for money. Mermaids are suppose to be fictional you know?" Evra gave her a look that clearly told her he didn't understand. He wouldn't of, he had not had the right childhood to say he did.
"Mermaids are folktales Evra. They're in stories to tell children when their father's go out to sea." She said as she pointed towards the rotten popcorn on the floor in the corner and made 'yuck' face and Evra chuckled.
"I see, I think, so then-"
"Why so curious Evra? Can't we just act like we were when we went to the carnival?" Kagome asked a bit irritated. Evra frowned and sighed.
"I'm sorry," he whispered as Kagome glanced at him and sighed before grabbing a hold of his hand. "It's just that your some mystical person like Truska and Larten, and I'm just some weird looking human."
"But weird is awesome Evra, don't feel too bad. I like you just the way you are because then I can be me in front of you and not have to be someone else." She grinned giving him a reassuring squeeze of the hand. "Lets not let this guilt trip ruin our fun, so lets explore! There has to be interesting things here besides rotten popcorn!"
Evra gave a small smile before nodding his head. Yeah, lets not go on guilt trips. He thought before pulling on Kagome's hand. "Come on, I know of a place where there are only movie films! Maybe we could watch one!" He said excitedly while Kagome's eyes widened, though she wore a confused look.
"Isn't this an acting theater?"
"They must have used this theater for many different types of shows including movies, but none of that is important remember? We aren't going to have guilt trips!" Evra said as Kagome nodded in agreement.
"Evra dinner time!" Hans Hands shouted, waiting for his young green companion to appear. It wasn't normal for the young teenager to not eat. A boy was still a boy, and boys eat. After waiting for fifteen minutes the male had enough and told a couple of the stagehands that had prepared the food that he was going to search for him. He spent the next two hours looking for the green scaled teenager who was usually easy to find.
A laugh emitted through the air on the fourth floor of the theater catching Hans attention. A giggle also emitted from the room which caused Hans to freeze. There was another person in the room! A young female… Hans thought wondering who could be with Evra without catching the attention of Mr. Tall or for that matter Larten. The two were great at finding people that did not need to be there. But who is actually brave enough to hang out with Evra? Many people thought the boy scary since he wasn't normal. Children nowadays just weren't born with scales and reptilian features, it just wasn't natural.
Slowly walking closer to the room, he tip-toed and slowly opened the door, the noise from inside echoing through the hallway. The room was rather dark, with a glow coming from a moving old camera that was rolling an old-styled film. It played an old show, Howdy Doody, on the wall, and infront of said wall were two figures sitting there cracking up at the silly things Howdy Doody was saying.
Inching closer, Hans was able to identify the figure on the right. Evra's long blonde-ish green hair glowed in the dark if illuminated with light, his green scales glistening making him look eerily. Hans then looked at the figure on the left and froze. This one was female, her scales were rough looking and just made her look a bit frightening, even with the dress on her. She had what looked like helmet that spiked on her head and her hair was spiked and was a darker tone than her skin which was a blue-green color. Her feet were webbed and looked like duck feet. All in all she looked pretty strange.
"Evra?" Hans called out as the two figures froze and turned towards the male. Evra smiled and waved.
"Hey Hans!" His smile then turned into a frown, "why are you here?"
"Its dinner time…who is your friend?" Hans asked rubbing his hands together and never moving his attention from the black orbs with golden rims. They were both alluring and scary at the same time.
Evra looked at Kagome who looked at him, before he pointed at her. "This is Kagome, Kagome this is Hans. Though, I bet you already seen him at the show last night too."
She nodded her head. "Yes, but never introduced." She said before opening her mouth revealing sharp teeth. She flicked a black tongue on her drip lips and chin before sighing which caused Hans to blink. SHE NEVER OPENED HER MOUTH TO SPEAK!
Seeing the shock on his friend's face Evra mentioned, "She talks through her gills. Its like ventriloquism except she is actually speaking through her gills. Plus, her speech through her mouth is a bit…hard to understand." Evra then looked at Kagome who was licking her hands like a cat.
"I think we should go eat, I'm getting dehydrated, and if I don't do anything I'll get all gross and disgusting." She said as Evra nodded. They both got up and walked towards Hans who was still staring at Kagome.
"Y-you're the person Evra didn't want anyone to know about!" He said, his eyes widening. Kagome gave Evra questioning glance but he merely shrugged dropping the subject.
The three made their way down to ground level and towards backstage where everyone was eating. Talking along the way, Kagome giggled at some of the things Hans said, mostly about Evra, as they made their way down. The shock and slight fear of what she was dwindled down when they reached the second floor and they opened up when on the first. Now Evra was trying to get Hans to stop saying embarrassing things about him as Kagome encouraged the older male to do so.
"You should have seen him! He wouldn't stop pouting afterwards!" Hans laughed as Kagome giggled, glancing at Evra who had given up and was sulking behind them.
"Don't be sad Evra! Not everyone can cut their hair the right way when they're that young!"
"I believe I still have pictures of that brilliant bald spot Kagome, when we get to the next destination you gotta remind me cause my stuff is packed for tonight." Hans chuckled as Kagome nodded wanting to see Evra at his "finest".
Once the three made it backstage did the noise that was going on back there become a buzzing sound. Kagome blinked her eyes as many eyes turned towards her and stared before she smiled and skipped towards Truska, sitting beside her. She released a high-pitch squeal through her lips as Truska shrugged speaking in her seal tongue. The two spoke ignoring the people who were still staring at her, while Hans and Evra made their way towards the two sea-born women. When Evra sat beside Kagome she turned towards him, watching as he licked the inside of his nose with his long tongue. She gave him a 'what-the-heck' look before shaking her head.
"Truska says there is a clean bathroom here. Where would it be because I've seen one of the bathrooms and it was sooo disgusting that I couldn't believe I was in there. Do you know how hard it is to stop "sweating" its like, disgusting and hard! And gross, oh my gosh the bathroom could be like the future of how you humans destroy the world or something!" Hans laughed.
"It couldn't have been that bad-"
"That bad? THAT BAD?" Kagome threw her arms up in the air and released a string of foul words in her language through her mouth causing her to get hit in the back of the head by Truska who gave her a stern look. Feeling guilty she muttered a sorry while Hans just laughed harder. She glowered. "You don't have "sit" in the stall like I do." She muttered.
Evra restated it in easy terms when Hans didn't look like he understood. "She's not using the restroom Hans, she actually sitting in the stall. Without any form of water long periods of time or if she's getting hot, her body begins to hydrate itself by "sweating". A fast way to fix the problem of "sweating" is for her to sit in the bathroom stall with her feet in the water." As Hans nodded his head understanding.
"So that's what happening to you-"
Evra and Hans jumped as Kagome was splashed with a bucket of water over head. Larten grinned with the bucket in hand before sitting down beside her.
"Hello little fishstick. Hiberius told me you were dehydrating because of your movie time with Evra so I thought I give you a little refreshment to cool you off." Glancing towards the other two males then back at her. "So how is everything?"
Kagome shrugged. "Nothing much has changed since earlier today-"
"Can someone please explain who this girl is?" A stagehand asked as many others, stagehands and performers alike, agreed. Larten frowned feeling a bit bad at forgetting that the others were not introduced to Kagome. Boy am I getting old. He thought. About to answer the question did Mr. Tall come into the room a package in his hand as he strolled over towards the drenched girl.
"How has your first day been Kagome?" Mr. Tall questioned as Kagome shrugged before eyeing the package, a familiar smell reaching her nose. Her mouth opened as drool ran down her chin.
"Good." She muttered as her black orbs got larger making the entire eye black with large golden rim.
"I see you still have your senses when it comes to eating what your suppose to be eating." Setting down the package he opened it up to reveal fresh bought fish. Raw and glistening.
"Have you been reading my mind or something?" She asked shocked that he would have her favorite fish before her.
"Yes, I have taken a glimpse of your mind." Mr. Tall said as her eyes widened.
"You're a bad man!"
"You know I could just take it back-"
"Itadakimasu." She said as she looked at the mackerel before her and lifted it up in hand. Opening her mouth she bit the whole head off and smiled happily, blood falling down her mouth.
"Mr. Tall?" Gertha Teeth called out as Mr. Tall turned his attention towards the woman with perfect teeth.
"Let me introduce our newest, youngest member to the cirque. Everyone this is, Kagome Higurashi. A runaway I've been following for years now. Native: Japan. Species: Half Human/ Half Mermaid. Age: 12. Recruited yesterday." The group nodded their heads as they watched the girl devour the fish like she's never had food before. Evra and Hans watched in morbid fascination as she ripped, chewed, and crunched on the fish and its organs, of course though, Truska wacked her on the back of the head again for her poor manners and etiquette.
"You know, I would be grossed out watching this if I wasn't entirely weird." Hans said while Evra nodded in agreement. Watching a girl bite the head off a rather large fish wasn't as disturbing as most of the things they've seen. And they've seen a lot.
"Once you are finished, Truska will take you back to your tank, if that is okay with you?" Mr. Tall questioned as Kagome shook her head "yes". "Okay then," he turned to everyone else. "I want you all packed and ready once dinner is over. We will be leaving at dawn tomorrow due to it being pretty bad weather tonight, so I want you all in your vehicles so that we can head out when woken up. We've spent enough time in this town so its best we leave."
The group nodded their heads in understanding and continued on what they were doing, occasionally taking glances at the new member. She was just as strange as the Wolfman when it came to have two different parents. Feeling nothing bad or weird about her besides her eating and cooling off habits, they easily deemed her harmless and nice. She had to be if Evra was hanging off her.
Once dinner was done, Kagome was lead back towards her tank after saying goodnight to Larten and Hans. Evra told her he was going to talk to her in the morning. Waving Mr. Tall goodnight she followed her guardian back to the truck. Once inside Truska helped Kagome take off her dress and watched as she said goodnight to the Wolfman who grunted in response before getting into her tank where her lower half of her body changed into its true form. Getting into a comfortable position where her body was fully submerged into the water did Truska cover the tank with blanket with a whispered goodnight in the air.
Mr. Tall walked into the truck with Kagome's tank and muttered a spell on the room to keep its inhabitants asleep. He didn't want anything making noise when truck began moving. Nodding his head he left the room to also get some much needed sleep.
The next morning when all woke up, Evra frowned as he headed for the vehicle he mostly rode in with Hans when he noticed that Larten's coffin was not moved nor was his person, as he stood before Madam Octa's cage. What is he thinking? Evra thought confused. Shaking his head, and then making sure that his whole body was covered he got into the truck and sat down in the backseat. The truck had tinted windows to keep people from looking in, which gave some security to those who couldn't change their appearance.
Turning to Hans, Evra frowned. "Why is Larten staring at Madam Octa's cage?"
Hans motioned his body in an I-don't-know gesture as Evra just stared before glancing back at Larten.
"Is he coming with us then?"
"Larten says he'll be staying here for a while, and that he'll meet up with us when he's done."
"Alright." Evra said as he played with the sleeves of the long coat he was wearing. "What town do you think we will be going to?"
"I really don't know, the reason we were travelling so much in these past years was of Kagome. But now we have her so I really don't know Evra."
Evra frowned but nodded his head in understanding. A door to his left opened causing Evra to turn his head and watch as a stagehand, Roberto climbed into the truck. The male had tan skin with greasy black hair that he slicked back. He had a slight beard and sideburns, and wore dark jean vest with oil stained pants. He looked gruff but had a nice personality. His favorite past time was sling shooting rubber-bands at the audience.
"Evra my man, your little girlfriend is quite adorable!" Roberto chuckled as Evra's eyes widened.
"She's not my girlfriend!" He said exasperated as Hans and Roberto laughed. "She's my friend!"
"That's not what-"
Truska got into the front, in front of Hans and was looking at the three males with a frown before shaking her head. Seeing the guardian of Kagome made the three change the subject.
"So where do you think we will go next?" Roberto questioned all the rest of the occupants shrugged.
"Hopefully somewhere warm, I hate the cold climate." Evra said as the other laughed.
"Says the human in snakeskin." Laughed Hans as Evra glared at the guy, kicking his seat in annoyance.
The drive through the city was rather uneventful. Though, there was a slight intermission where Evra who became irritated and angry with his friends taunts went to sit in the truck Kagome's tank was in for the rest of the ride.
"It seems your feelings get easily hurt, go fish. Can't you buck up or something, do you have any fours?"
"Go fish. Hard to buck up when you haven't had a similar experience, any fives?"
"That's the third book you've made! How is it that you can create one so fast!" Kagome whined as she handed over cards. Evra grinned in triumph before playfully fluttering his lashes.
"You're so easy to read Gome!"
"Evra!" Kagome whined dropping her cards and trying to grab Evra who quickly avoided her wet hands. The Wolfman chuckled in his cage at Kagome's distress. She pouted in her tank, her arms crossed in front of her chest as she waved her tail back and forth.
"Aw don't be such a sour puss, Kagome!" Evra laughed before sitting before her tank once more. Kagome 'humphed', turning her head to side and looking at the truck's wall rather than the chuckling snake male. After five minutes though, Evra had enough and sighed.
"Aww come on Kagome don't be mean, I didn't mean it!"
Kagome glanced towards Evra with a frown before a sigh escaped and she grinned, splashing Evra with water. Evra rolled his eyes at her childishness before splashing her. The two laughed, shrieked, squealed, with Evra laying on his back with wet cards, and Kagome leaning over her tank drawing circles on his arm.
"Evra?" Kagome asked, tracing the scale patterns on his skin.
"Yes?" He asked not bothering to look at her, feeling her skin against his was sending strange yet pleasurable sensations through his body.
"Have you ever dreamt of the future?" She asked, stopping what she was doing to just look at him. "I've wondered, and I've noticed that I don't fit in anywhere." Evra opened his eyes and looked at her confused. Kagome had a sad expression as she sighed, her eyes downcast. "No one can fall in love with a Halfling."
Evra stared at her, sitting up he frowned. "But that can't be true." Evra said, he liked her, she was awesome! And Truska, Truska likes her too! What was she talking about? What was love but another form of like right?
Kagome just shook her head seeing the mix of emotions go through Evra's eyes. He knew not of what love was, he never had been with a family, with parents. Kagome sighed removing her hand from Evra's scaled arm and slumped into her tank, laying on her side as she dragged her clawed finger on the glass. She felt love once and wished to be immersed within it once more. She knew she get something of the sort with Truska…but she didn't want that…
Evra frowned as he sat up looking at the melancholy state his friend was in. Was it something I said? He thought hoping he didn't accidently make his friend sad. She was the only one his age, he didn't feel like losing her! Laying his arm upon the rim of the tank, Evra laid his head down before tracing designs onto the water. The shift of the water made Kagome glance at him in curiosity. She gave a small smile, grabbing his finger and holding onto it, as Evra chuckled.
"I'm sorry if I made you upset." He said as he wiggled is captive finger. "Okay, now I'm feeling upset, can we change the subject?"
Kagome sighed, bubbles erupting from her mouth as she nodded her head. A smile slit her face as she quickly sat up, startling the poor snake boy. "Evra!"
"Yeah?" Evra questioned warily.
"We should go explore the next town we enter! I've never been in other parts of the country, I bet its real exciting!"
Evra grinned, "I don't believe it such an easy thing Kagome. I have chores to do like everyone else in this cirque. You might not be able to do much because you have to constantly keep yourself hydrated, but, I do. I might have to find food…" Evra shivered a disgusted look on his face.
"Like…like…" Kagome said remembering when she first met him and the strange little person she saw with Steve. She remembered Hans saying that thing ate garbage.
Evra nodded his head before shaking his head as if to keep it from producing the images from his mind. "Yeah… I hate them, but I can't do anything about it since they're property of Mr. Tiny."
"Mr. Tiny?" Kagome questioned, something sounded familiar about the name-
.FlashBack.
A five year old Kagome swam towards her stepfather who was decked out in swimming trunks in her swimming pool. Her stepmother frowned, arms crossed infront of her as she glared at the "freak" play with her husband. HER HUSBAND! Her daughters whinned, wanting to know when they could play in the pool without the freak in it. Her stepmother waved her daughters off saying that they'd have their turn soon enough. She stood there contemplating when a familiar sound interrupted the sounds of splashing, giggling, and laughing.
The woman raised a brow, taking her cell phone from her purse on the wall and opening it up.
"Hello?" She asked casually not to deter her husband suspicions.
"Nice to hear from you as well mademosille."
" ?"
"Ryouko nice to hear your beautiful voice."
The woman produced a disgusted frown upon her pert lips. "What do you want, I thought I was finished with you."
A deep chuckle sounded through the phone. "Did you now?" The chuckles continued. "I believe my dear pet that only I have a say at when I'm through with anyone. And though you have may have finished your debt, your services are still needed."
"Services, what services?" She whispered harshly into the phone. Her husband glanced at her, while holding onto the freak with curious orbs. She gave him a fake smile which he raised a brow to before continuing to play with his stepdaughter.
"You know… The mermaid you currently you have in your pool. I want her." Ryouko's eyes widened as she glanced around. 'How, how does he know?' She thought. A deep chuckle startled again from her phone.
"Did you really think you could hide such a fact from me, my little pet? Let me remind you of the things I can do, and the life I can ruin for you and your pests of daughters. You will do as I say, when I say it you hear?" Ryouko nodded into her phone, gulping. She glanced at the laughing two within the swimming pool, a thought coming to her.
"If I give her to you, will she be out of my hair?" She questioned.
"Yes." Was the agreeing tone on the line before a tone sounded. A smirk slithered upon pink lips. Brown eyes glinted, not noticing the slightly frightened dark blue ones staring at her from within the pool.
.End of Flashback.
Evra continuously waved a hand in front of Kagome's face in fear. She hadn't been responding to him ever since he mentioned Mr. Tiny's name. Feeling like he had lost her – the option of dousing water upon her wasn't much option since she was already in it – when dark blue eyes blinked and she looked at him.
"Evra?" She questioned as he gave a sigh of relief.
"Kagome, don't do that ever again, I think you scared the scales off of me." Evra told her as she snickered. Scales? Really? Shaking her head she sighed and played with Evra's golden locks. He didn't mind as he let her do what she wanted, it seemed to be something she always did anyway. The ride was quiet, with the two falling asleep, Evra next to Kagome's tank while she hung off her tank, her fingers curled in his golden locks. It It was late in the evening when the truck stopped and the back door opened. It was during this time that Kagome fell back into her tank asleep and Evra woke up.
Truska giggled at the teen who was rubbing his hand over his sleepy eyes while she walked over towards him and her charge. Seeing that Kagome was still out she instead beckoned the teen to follow her while stagehands came for the Wolfman. Leading the teen out, Evra finally noticed the landscape they were in. They were once again situated far from a town, and hidden in the foliage. The town didn't look that rich or great and looked rather old.
"This is Newsport Hills, a town not that far from Heppleburg. " Mr. Tall told everyone. "We will pitch tent and do a few shows here before continuing on our way. Merely think of this place as rest stop and not a place to stay, we have much ground to cover until we find a better place. At the moment because most of our better acts are away we cannot do much. Not that I'm saying your acts are not of high quality, it seems that most people nowadays rather see the extreme and weird then the strange and unique."
Everyone sighed when hearing this news, this only meant that they couldn't take everything of theirs out the boxes. That they would have to choose between something and leave the other things within their cardboard prisons. Evra blinked his eyes a bit, wide awake now as he glanced at everything. The area was…drab. It was boring. It was… he noticed that there wasn't any source water around. Walking up to his guardian he stood beside him as Mr. Tall sighed, glancing down at his charge.
"She will have to make due with what she has until we are able to supply her with more water. Until then she has to stay within her tank." He told Evra who nodded his head in understanding. Sighing when his guardian didn't have any more to say, Evra sauntered off to do his chores.
Kagome blinked tired black blue orbs, before sitting up from her position within her tank. Wolfman gave her a nod of greeting as she nodded back before glancing at everything. It was dark and the only source of light was from the door that was a ajar behind her. Wanting to know where Evra went she got up…or at least tried to. She noticed that her body wasn't listening to her as she tried to will her tail to turn into legs. Sadly her magic wasn't working at all. What the? She questioned mentally as she struggled, grunted, and growled for legs to appear but only cause her tail to flop. Why isn't it working? She thought, mentally she began to panic. Were they going to give her away? Her mind was shooting off questions a mile a minute as she tried to comprehend what was going on. It was at that moment that Evra sauntered back into the truck with Kagome's dinner in hand and a tired look on his face. He slumped beside her tank and groaned as her blue black eyes turned to him and before he could blink, had launched herself onto the poor unsuspecting boy. Evra's golden eyes widened as the girl tightly gripped his shoulders, pressing her face to his.
"Kagome?" He asked, his face darkening in a blush at the close contact, though his eyes shown concern. Was she okay? When she didn't hear anything he glanced at her. "Kagome?" He called out again.
"You won't let them give me away, will you Evra?" She asked the boy. Just thinking of her evil step-mother, and even more evil step-sisters made her want to vomit. Her eyes widened as images seemed to fly by her mind of the things they'd do to her. Evra blinked his eyes as he felt the tightening of Kagome's arms around his shoulders. Evra blushed despite his concern and unwrapped Kagome's arms from his shoulders to give her a half-arm hug.
"You know I wouldn't do that. If I did…I'd be all alone again."
"Then why can I get out? Where are we?" She questioned, her voice still panicked.
"We're in Newsport Hills, it's a rinky dink town with no water in this area. Mr. Tall spelled your water so that you don't leave. Even though it would be pretty cool to explore with you right now, it's best that you stay in the your tank until we find some water for you. Can't having you become a dried up fishstick, right?" He giggled as Kagome blushed and then pouted, wacking him upside the head.
"I'm not a fishstick!" She yelled before her eyes focused on the raw meat that lay innocently on a plate beside Evra. "Is that for me?"
"Yeah. Can't you-"
"Shut it Evra." Kagome said while reaching for the meat. Evra rolled his eyes at her struggles before he gave her the meat. She smiled, quickly pecking him on the cheek before eating her dinner. All Evra could do was stare wide-eyed at the girl who gave him butterflies. His scaled hand touched his cheek as his face darkened some more. She, she just kissed me! A goofy smile appeared on his face. A love-struck goofy smile, not that he knew what it was.
When Kagome was finished, she placed the plate on the floor before once more playing with Evra's hair once more. Evra guessed it was her way of calming down, yet, in truth Kagome just liked playing with his hair. She had done so when she was kid and played with her mother or step-father's hair. It made her feel, safe.
"Evra?" She questioned as she glanced at the relaxed boy laying beside her tank.
"Yeah?" He questioned, blinking his eyes a bit to ward of the sleep. It was getting close to his bed time anyway.
"Will we always be together?" Her voice was beginning to slur with sleep consuming her once more, but with Evra the questioned woke him up. Moving his head towards the slumping form of Kagome as her arm hung from the tank and fingers still curled in his hair.
"What do you mean?" He asked curiously. Kagome turned her back to him, taking her arms she laid into the water silent. All Evra could do was blink. What did she mean? Shaking his head he sighed and got up and left, not really sure of the matter and to go to bed. When he was fully gone that Kagome blew bubbles from her mouth in a "sigh" of sorts. Remembering the flashback of Mr. Tiny, of her evil stepmother bothered her to no end. She didn't want to leave, nor did she want to be separated from her love ones. Steve and Darren were her first best friends and to leave them made her sad inside. And now… I feel the same for Evra… She thought. Evra reminded her much of her father, step-father, and of Steve and Darren, and it comforted her. She had lost so many people in her life to either death or running away…and she didn't want to leave Evra or for her to leave Evra. Was this selfishness? No… She thought. It's not. Isn't it? She wanted to spend as much time with the snake boy as possible, in these past few days he'd been so friendly, so nice to her and it warmed her heart. I don't want this feeling to go away… Her mind whispered as sleep succumbed her.
The next morning was quiet, as the people of Cirque du Freak woke up with aching bodies and tired limbs. Evra blinked his golden eyes before yawning and stretching. He silently did his chores within is tent, mainly care for his snake who hissed her greeting as she awoke with a yawn.
"Hey there." Evra said to the large reptile that flicked her tongue on his face. Evra giggled before pushing the large snake off of him and getting her food ready. Once done, he got into chore doing mode. Stepping out of the tent he was greeted with two stagehands, Carla and Morelia, carrying Kagome's tank to Truska's tent with no Kagome in it. Confused he glanced around to find the mermaid. Seeing his confusion Seersa snickered skipped towards Evra.
"Looking for Gome?" She asked as Evra widened his eyes at the abrupt appearance of the woman. Having no comment of what to say, he stayed silent. Seersa snickered some more. "She left her tank early morn with Mr. Tall. Did you know your little friend is a priestess? They're magical beings of Japan. Mr. Tall…" Seersa continued talking, feeling a bit superior to the snake boy at knowing this information, and failed to see Evra leaving. "… He took her out into the meadows over there to teach her meditation. He thinks it will help her to control her form, you know?" Seersa blinked her blue eyes and glanced around, where did Evra go?
Truska smiled reassuringly towards Evra as he sat beside her as she dished out food for the cirque. Today was sausage on a stick and oatmeal. Beside her feet were rabbits, alive but not for long. Being so far from water they couldn't find fresh fish for Kagome and so to make due they got rabbits instead. Raw meat was raw meat right?
"Truska?" The bearded woman turned her gaze to Evra who looked a bit upset, much different than what he usually looked like in the morning. "Nevermind…" He sighed and stared at the food that was given to him. Truska frowned before putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. He gave he a small weak smile, what Kagome told him the day before, weighed heavily on his mind. It was a half an hour later when Kagome and Mr. Tall walked back into camp. Kagome looked energetic and…dirty. And was there a clump of dirt in her hair?
"You did well Kagome, next time though, when I say dodge, you dodge." Mr. Tall told the girl with a chuckle. Kagome sheepishly grinned.
"Gomen ne, Tall-san." Kagome apologized catching the ears of many of the campers. They never heard her in her native tongue, it was always English or Merman speak. "Okaasan, I mean, Mom didn't show me much because I was so young. A priestess is suppose to be holy you know? You are not supposed to mix, and so with my birth she kept to those traditions. Beast and holy being are of two sides of the spectrum. I kind of went along with it, thinking I didn't have powers." Mr. Tall patted her on the head with a smile on his face.
"We will continue your training during the morning hours then." He told her before walking towards his trailer and going inside. Kagome nodded her head before skipping towards Truska and Evra and sitting beside the boy.
"Morning Truska. Morning Evra. What's the plan for today?" She asked not bothered by the silence or the stares, or the saddened state Evra was in. Eating the rabbit however changed the silence. Turns out… Evra's eyes widened as he and Truska removed the tiny beast from Kagome's violently coughing form… Kagome was allergic to rabbits. Oddly enough, Mr. Tall had an allergy shot and Kagome went to rest in her tank with a fretting Truska. As things began to calm down in the morning and after chores were finished that Evra walked within Truska's tent to see Kagome. A chuckle erupted from his lips as he saw Kagome being dressed in what looked like an olden time Victorian dress with ruffles. How Truska conjured up a dress like that was questionable.
Evra coughed in hand to cover up a grin, " You look umm… prestigious." He told the girl who glared at him. Truska giggled at the boy before patting Kagome on her head and then pushing her to sit down as the walked over towards Evra with an eerie smile on her face. The smile took quite a while for Evra to recognize before it was too late.
Kagome giggled at the green cowboy sitting next to her. "You look dashing." She giggled as Evra pouted, poking out his lower lip and turning his head away to hide the blush that was turning his scales a darker shade. Sighing, the two sat beside one another enjoying the silence and comfort of each other's presence. However, silence wasn't much of who Kagome was, as she began to make popping sounds with her mouth. Evra glanced at the Kagome, a golden brow raised, as she giggled and continued flexing her lips and making popping noises.
"So Kagome…" He began as he looked at the ground. Swinging his legs back forth he took a quick glance at the mermaid girl before looking at his cowboy-booted feet.
"Hai?" She answered looked at him. Kagome blinked her second eye lids while licking her lips like a cat.
"What do you-" He looked at her and then sighed. I'll ask her later. He thought before quickly changing his question. "What was life like on your own?"
"On my own?" Kagome questioned while tapping her chin. Her eyes glazed over. "Well I ran away from home. My stepmother and her baka daughters were going to sell me…to this guy. So I left the first chance I got. Since I couldn't take any transportation, and also since the shrine wasn't far from the river, I took off. Being on my own was rather hard though. You don't know how hard it is… to know… to feel… like you don't belong anywhere." Kagome held her arms as her eyes widened. "I'm not full mermaid and I'm not full human. My magic isn't up to par to normal priestesses and mermaids, and I have no place to go. Mr. Tall claims that when I reach puberty my body will fully transform me into a mermaid because the mermaid blood is so much stronger than my human blood. He says the change will be excruciatingly painful, but because I was born half and half, my magic won't be as strong and I might-"
"Okay, okay I understand. " Evra said stopping Kagome from mentally scaring herself. He didn't even want her to tell him the whole gist, just if it were okay or not. Seeing the fear in her eyes he decided he put a stop to her fears. Putting a hand on her shoulders, he gave her a half hug and sighed. Blinking golden eyes, Evra jumped up startling his companion who almost fell of the bed she was sitting on.
"That's it!" Evra said with determination brewing in his eyes and triumphant grin on his face.
"What's it?" Kagome asked confused at Evra's sudden cheerful attitude.
"We'll go exploring in the town!" He said with glee as Kagome merely blinked her eyes.
"But Evra," Kagome began as she stood up and wiped the imaginary dirt of her dress. "As much as I want to go out and explore, because we aren't close to a river or a lake, I have to stay here until we find one. Plus it's hot out and I'll dehydrate faster. But you know what? Maybe next time, right now let's just play around here." She told Evra with a smile, presenting sharp teeth. Evra sighed, well there goes his brilliant plan. A smile graced his lips however, at the realization that he would be able to spend time with his female friend-
"There's the little fishstick and snake-boy." Hans said walking in on his feet that on his hands. Snickering at their "choice" of wear he crossed his arms before sighing, and running his hands through his sandy-colored hair.
"Hey Hans, what's up?" Evra questioned as he turned his body fully towards Hans. Kagome struggled with walking in her dress, not used to it being in layers and most definitely not used to wearing one that was heavy.
"Some of the stagehands and props guys and I were going to buy some supplies from Newsport Hills for Mr. Tall and go explore the area. Because of how small the place is, Mr. Tall has decided to not do a show here, so we thought that we might as well as scope the area."
"I don't know." Evra told Hans truthfully, he wanted to go, but he also wanted to hang out with Kagome alone. He didn't understand as to why his mind continually told him, "bros before hoes", not truly understanding the phrase. Kagome wasn't whatever a hoe was and Hans wasn't his brother. Hans seeing the conflict brewing in Evra's eyes, frowned, realizing why the boy was having trouble deciding. Looking at Kagome who frowned, he pondered a bit.
"Hmm, maybe I can figure something out and talk to Truska and Mr. Tall. There has to be some sort of way to keep you dehydrated so we can hang out, Kagome. Maybe Mr. Tall knows?" He told her as he nodded his head and left the two in the tent. Kagome sighed as she walked towards her small tank near Truska's bed and sighed as she put her feet within the water. Evra watched her before walking towards her and sitting next to her. Playing with her hair, he sighed.
"What is it?" Kagome asked watching as Evra shrugged his shoulders and continued to play with her hair.
"What does it feel like to be a mermaid?" He asked curious. "I've been labeled a snake boy, but I don't know what it's like to be a snake. Yet…"
"I have been born a mermaid?" Kagome softly giggled. "It's alright I guess. I don't know what it is like to be human. So many things about me is just so much more different than human it is hard to pin-point what part of me is human and which isn't. I like how I can breathe in water and real air, I have far superior senses to humans, and am stronger than the normal human. Oh! And my blood is poisonous. It's black unlike the human red, and it's toxic. When I reach maturity, I know that my voice will change, Mr. Tall told me that mermaids not only save sailors, they were also the one's to crash the boats as well. Our voices, male and female, are very ethereal; meaning they are enchanted. A mermaid's voice catches the sailor's heart and mind creates an illusion of happiness, safety, and love. We are often called sirens in folktales. Sirens are whole different mystical creatures of the seas. They're ugly and control the oceans, they look like birds with human heads and like to eat lost sailors." Kagome said with disgust before shaking her head. "I'm kind of excited to grow up, I won't have to urge my body to turn my tail into legs, I'll be able to make the change instantly. Plus!" She grinned at Evra who raised a brow at her growing excitement. "No more dehydration! Well, not true. My body will fully have no glands, but because of my magic, I'll be able to do the basic water spell to always be hydrated! Isn't that amazing!"
The infectious grin on Kagome's face was contagious, and soon was Evra was grinning as happily as she. The two talked to one another, their outfits still on them, for half an hour more until Hans returned with a Mr. Tall. Kagome and Evra watched as Mr. Tall put a sticker onto Kagome's hand and then Evra's. Kagome and Evra looked at it confused, watching as the symbols on the sticker changed and then glowed. Kagome blinked her eyes as she watched her blue-green scaled skin turn a peachy pale as her body turned into what she would have looked like if human. Dark blue eyes blinked confused before going wide as they tried locating any part of her that was fishy. Seeing her panic, Mr. Tall chuckled.
"Even though you have the ability to become human, you do not have the ability to fix what cannot be fixed, meaning you gland problem - the reason why you've been in your true form all this time. This form you see now, is merely a temporary humanoid form, but will give all the human things you need to survive. You are still you, just think of it as a disguise." He told Kagome who nodded in understanding. This is so much better than what I can do! She thought excitedly. When she was in her humanoid form, before, she usually brought bottles of water or stayed close to areas that had water, but now, now she didn't have to do either. Wanting to see what being human looked like, Kagome stared down at her human toes instead of her webbed ones. Her curiosity went as far as to look-
Evra blushed horribly as he quickly jumped up and pulled Kagome's dress down. Hans laughed though stopped at the glare Mr. Tall gave him as he also stopped Kagome from "investigating" herself. Kagome looked up at him curious.
"With this sticker Kagome you'll be able to go out with them into the city, but remember this sticker is only temporary, and will wear off if it gets wet."
Blinking cutely Kagome, she frowned. "So to make everything clear, I won't dehydrate like I usually do but like a human?"
Mr. Tall shook his head "no", while putting a sticker on Evra's hand as well. "No you won't dehydrate. And I only have two of these so there won't be other trips like this. Originally I was going use these as an emergency, but since we have two people of inhumanly appearances, I guess this "emergency" works just as fine." Mr. Tall told the two as Kagome mind reeled on the information and then a smile blossomed on her face. Quickly standing on wobbly legs she launched herself towards Mr. Tall and hugged.
"Arigato Tall-san!" She said with a smile on her face. Mr. Tall chuckled patting her on the head before watching Kagome take a step-back. She quickly got used to her legs, and wiggled her toes. If only I had my shoes. She thought, though from Mr. Tall's disgusted look on his face, she knew he wouldn't accept those types of shoes. She hadn't minded the fungi farm they were growing. She thought it common… So maybe I was wrong? She mentally giggled.
"I believe Truska has children clothes. She loves collecting all types of clothing, so I bet she has some here. Evra I assume you know where your clothes are?" Mr. Tall asked his ward who nodded his head. Kagome looked over at the "human" Evra who had slightly tanned skin, hazel green eyes, and blonde hair. Hans could only stare at the boy, he most certainly would have a been a lady-killer if he stayed human.
Evra blushed, fingering his blonde locks with his fingers. "Yeah, I do." Mr. Tall nodded his head and the wished the trio a great time in the town before leaving. Patting Evra on the shoulder, Hans and Evra left the tent so Kagome could change. Kagome walked over towards the trunk Truska scavenged through, and found a pale pink sundress white strapped sandals and straw hat. Getting out of the dress – which was much more difficult than it took to put on – Kagome put on the clothes and shoes, and then looked at herself in a mirror. It felt a bit strange being human, though – Kagome fixed her hair into ponytail using a string she found on the ground, to tie up her hair - Kagome couldn't help but feel nostalgic. She had remembered her step-father telling her that she looked much like her mother.
Mama…She thought sadly.
"Kagome, are you decent in here?" Hans called out from outside the tent as Kagome gave a loud "yes". She still didn't understand humans and their privacy issues, but went along with them anyway. Walking out of the tent, she was greeted by Hans who had his arms crossed over his chest and Evra who was looking quite embarrassed. It seemed that when he walked back to his tent, he gave some people quite a scare thinking that a child had somehow come across their campsite. Hans as well as Evra quickly reassured he was Evra, mostly because of how his snake still wrapped her body around him and licked his face in affection before he hissed at her to stop which the snake did reluctantly. Evra now sported shorts, a baggy short-sleeved tunic and gladiator sandals. Hans raised a brow at Kagome's choice of clothing before shrugging and leading the two to where a group of stagehands were standing far off from the campsite. Men and women alike dressed in casual wear to blend in. The group stared at Evra and Kagome before shrugging, used to seeing strange things and not really bothered with their appearances.
The group made their slow trek into town, each going in different directions to get what they needed. Hans told Kagome and Evra to stay close to Carlita, a props crew member and stage performer. Kagome remembered her to be one of the ladies that tranced Wolfman out of his cage. Seeing her curious look Evra leaned over and whispered to her that Carlita could put anyone in a trance by looking at someone and saying their name backwards. Being the daughter of a magician had it's perks. Eyes widening Kagome couldn't help but be amazed. Being with this group just made it more and more interesting.
Carlita had to buy some fabric and meat for Wolfman. Usually they would just hunt what animals they could find, but Wolfman was a picky eater interestingly enough, and only liked beef, steak; anything cow related he liked. Sad to say, there were no wild cows here. Kagome latched herself onto Evra's arm as the walked close to the Hispanic woman. Carlita noticed and could not help but giggle. The two youngest members of the cirque just looked so cute together! Evra blushed upon contact and failed miserably to hide his blush.
"Aw, this is the place." Carlita told her two followers as they walked into a fabric store called Anne's Threads – Fabric, Yarn, and Scrapbook store. Walking inside the two followed Carlita before getting curious and looking through the aisles and rows upon rows of things. Carlita could only giggle at how childish they were acting. Purchasing the fabrics she needed she led the two to the meat store. Since it seemed this was the only butcher place around, it was rather crowded so Carlita asked for Kagome and Evra to stay outside. Kagome hummed as she played with Evra's fingers while Evra looked around. People stared at them in curiosity making him feel on edge. Did they really look out of place? Glancing down at himself, his looks may have been exotic, but other than that, this was what he was supposed to look like.
Evra felt Kagome tense beside him as her dark blue orbs looked at a girl walking across the street. Seeing her eyes narrow he quickly took a hold of her arm and held her down as she blinked and looked at him.
"What are you doing?" He harshly whispered.
"She has been eyeing you for the past ten minutes. I wish to know why." Kagome told him as he raised a perfect brow in curiosity before a smug grin appeared on his lips and face.
"Jealous?" He asked as Kagome's eyes widened as she tried backing from him, yet with his grip on her arm all she could do was lean backward. A rosy blush colored her cheeks as Evra flicked his tongue like a snake and chuckled.
"Umm… no…. well…." Kagome couldn't help but look away from him as Evra chuckled some more before letting go of his friend and then wrapping his arms around her shoulders.
"Well you shouldn't be." Evra told her a smile on his face. Kagome could only let out an unintelligible "huh?" as her response.
"You are my friend." He told her confidently, ignoring the butterflies in his stomach. He knew she had two other friends, Steve and…whatever the other kid's name was, but he bet that they didn't feel the same way as he did when he was with her. It was just something about her that made him feel giddy inside. The feelings were comforting and then sometimes unbearable. Being near her made his heart beat a little faster, made his mind move a little slower, and made his life a whole lot brighter. And he wasn't going to let her go.
Kagome heard the added emphasis of the word "my" Evra used and rolled her eyes. He was beginning to sound like Steve to her, and as much as she wanted to correct him, she couldn't. Hearing the added emphasis made her heart beat a little bit faster and she didn't care. Evra meant to her a whole lot more than Steve did, though Steve was close in feelings. But Evra... Evra understood her, he went through the same things, and he understood what being alone felt like before coming to the cirque. And… and well, he is really cute too. Kagome couldn't help but blush at that thought.
"You're my friend too Evra." Though she didn't know what the emphasis would mean, Kagome knew that it couldn't describe what Evra meant to her any better. Since coming to the cirque, he was now her world.
The two sat in silence waiting for Carlita to come out of the butcher. Evra waved at Renolds and Lyonol, twin stage hands of English decent, the two men had heavy accents and lean-muscular bodies. They sometimes performed – the two were great contortionists and acrobats – though they loved being behind the scenes more than anything. Behind Renolds and his brother was Luke another stage hand, shorter and beefier, the man was a war hero, and enjoyed explosives though he spent most of his time keeping the twins together. He may be shorter than his two "childish" companions, but when he punched it hurt…a lot. The trio walked towards Evra and Kagome looking at the two before glancing into the butcher shop.
"Haff'in fun out 'ere?" Luke asked as the two children sighed.
"Carlita has been in there forever!" Evra whined.
"We're dying out here!" Kagome sighed dramatically falling over. The older men laughed.
"'Gome, Evra want to hang out 'ith us?" The twins questioned as Kagome and Evra frowned. They couldn't just up and leave Carlita. Seeing their hesitation Luke sighed.
"How 'bout you two go 'ith the tweens and I'll 'ait 'ere for Carleeta." Kagome bit her lip worriedly before nodding her head. Evra already standing helped her up and the two followed the twins who excitedly told the two that they were going to the park.
"We saw it! Beaut! Biggest play set we ever did see!" Lyonol said excitedly as his brother nodded his head in agreement. Evra grinned while Kagome stared at them confused. When the quartet arrived she recognized the area. Isn't this a playground? She thought but then dismissed the thought to play. She never had the time to play and was quite excited. All of them began to play around, women and their children, however kept to themselves. A boy about Kagome and Evra's age walked up to said girl as she swung on the swing set. He was a bit older and had a smug grin on his face.
"Hey cutie, what's your name?" He asked curious as he glanced at his friends who snickered at him from where they stood, which was close to the slides. The boy had messy brown hair, brown eyes, and tannish skin. He wore a brown shirt with strange writing on it, blue jean shorts, and black chuck taylors.
Kagome blinked her dark blue eyes, "Isn't it customary for the one asking the question to give their name first?" She asked causing the boy to blink his eyes wide as his friends laughed at him. The boy glared at his friends before combing his fingers through his brown messy hair, before blinking his chocolate brown eyes.
Kagome slowed down her swing. "My name is Kagome, and yours?" She asked.
"Brandon." He told her as she smiled.
"Hello Brandon! I never met a Brandon before, where does the name originate?" She asked curious.
Brandon blushed, this girl was so forward! "I…I don't know." He told her honestly, a bit flustered.
"Kagome?" Dark blue eyes met those of Evra's who walked over towards her, eyeing Brandon with suspicion.
Kagome jumped out of her swing, landing next to Brandon who jumped before smiling and walking towards Evra, latching onto his arm. "Evra meet Brandon. Brandon this is Evra, he's my best-friend." Brandon looked at the boy. The boy looked just as exotic as the girl, but one could easily tell that the two didn't come from the same place.
"H…Hello Evra." Brandon stuttered. This, this Evra made him feel…bad? Why? He thought curiously.
"Hello." Evra said before glancing at Brandon's friends. "Is there something you need?" He asked.
Brandon shrugged. "You guys looked new, so I wondered if you guys wanted to hang out with us or not. Or are your babysitters not going to allow you to?" Kagome's smile turned to a frown. Unknown to the two boys, as Kagome's pupils grew big in seconds as she looked into this guy's aura. It had grew dark in a matter seconds, this kid was not whom she thought he was. You're not human. She thought before blinking her eyes, the pupils getting smaller quickly.
Evra's body stiffened at the boy's tone. He knew something was off about this kid. Especially when he was eyeing Kagome while talking to his friends. "They're not our babysitters." Evra told him.
Brandon raised a brow to this before smirk appeared on his lips. "Then you want to hang with us? We're going to Squire's."
"Squire's?" Evra and Kagome asked confused. Brandon nodded.
"It's the lake this town was built around. Well not built all around. Heppleburg, another town, is on the other side of the lake from us and Thistlethorn Train Station is on our west." Brandon said with a shrug. Evra bit his lip in nervousness. Didn't Mr. Tall tell them to not get their stickers wet? Kagome on the other hand was all for it.
"Yes! Let's go!" She told Evra with a smile once more. Offering her an arm, Kagome hesitated before taking a hold of Brandon's arm, before reaching out and grabbing Evra's hand. The two waved towards the energetic twins who were flipping all over the playset. The twins waved back and told them they'd send someone to pick them up. Kagome smiled animatedly talking to Brandon, his friends, Victor, Thomas, Kyle, and Reuben. Evra just kept silent. When they arrived at the lake their were several other kids their age. Victor was the youngest of the group, with short blonde hair, green eyes, and olive skin. He wore a dirty blue shirt with mud smudged cargo shorts and brown tennis shoes. Thomas had short black hair with freckles on his pale face, his eyes were brown and he wore a white shirt with some sort of superhero on it and black shorts. His feet interestingly enough were bare. Kyle and Reuben were brothers, Kyle being the oldest by 14 months. The two had reddish brown hair with red freckles and green eyes. Kyle wore a blue hoodie and black shorts, and shoes while Reuben had red vested shirt with black shorts and sandals. Kyle introduced them all.
"Everyone this Kagome and Evra. Kagome, Evra, this is Lila, Helda, Lauren, Mariella, Trace, Carter, Wally, and Nick." Each person nodded or waved their hello's. Kagome smiled and waved to them all while Evra still kept silent. When they all began to do what they normally did when together, was when Kagome frowned. That girl… Mariella, she was the one starring at Evra. Said girl walked over towards them, mostly towards Evra and latched onto his other hand while eyeing Kagome with distaste. Frowning Kagome was about to say something when Lila and Helda took both of Kagome's hands and led her to a tire swing near the lake. Brandon frowned at the two girls before shrugging and talking to his friends. Evra looked at the girl on his hand.
"Evra was it? Evra what?" She asked curiously, while putting her waving short brown locks behind her ear as she fluttered her brown eyes at him.
"Evra Von." He told her, not really understanding why she was fluttering her eyes. Did she have something in them.
Noticing that the boy wasn't catching onto her flirting, Mariella went for another tactic. "My name is Mariella Llewellyn. My father is mayor of the town, he is hoping to be governor of this state soon."
Evra raised a golden brow in confusion. "What is a mayor?" Seeing the confusion in his eyes Mariella smirked, pulling him towards a rock near the lake she smiled overly sweet.
"Come with me and I'll tell you."
TBC.
