Introductions

Part Three

Roxas followed the silent stranger as they were lead away from the tents. He so badly wanted to know what Cloud had told Xemnas, but figured right now wasn't the time or place for it. At first he had been surprised by Cloud using their mother's last name, but now in the silent walk, he figured it made sense. One mention of his father's name could mean an end to this. Whatever this was. He still didn't know what a circus was, and the strange manner in which people dressed provided no comfort for him. He was agitated, confused and overwhelmed. He just wanted to scream at the world to pause for a second and explain what was going on. How did he end up here? Slowly the events of past two days had begun to bring upon him a sense of guilt. Cloud. All these years, how long had he been hurt? How much had he hidden? He wanted to be angry. He wanted to tell Cloud how much of an idiot he was for hiding it from them. He wanted to tell him that…Well... But again he found himself with not a chance to do so. What would he say anyway? So for now he kept quiet and tried to focus on his surroundings. Tried to ignore that feeling. Like a kettle on the verge of boiling over, where he wanted to scream something, but didn't know what he wanted to scream. He just wanted to make some noise. Riku never said a word and kept his distance, and Roxas was grateful. He had already taken in so much in one day. Though he kept a list of questions in his head of all the things he wanted to ask Cloud about later. Like why was everything so brightly coloured? Did everyone sleep in tents in a circus? Were they gypsys? Why were they dressed weirdly and why were some putting on makeup?

They seemed to be walking towards a bright blue square shaped gazebo, held up more sturdily than the row of tents with wooden poles. The tent was lined with bright pink whilst fabric covered every inch of it. Hanging on random poles and tables. Strange people scattered around Roxas. Most seemed too deep in concentration with their weird activates to bear him any notice. To his side there was a man with a dirty blonde mullet who seemed to messing with the bottom of a large blue motorbike. Passing him was a tall ginger man who held an immense amount of logs on his shoulder. He was built like a tank! In front of the tent of their destination he watched as a small black haired girl of Wutai decent bounced around a blonde and a red haired girl, putting on makeup and chatting away to them as she did so. He watched as she almost tripped over a pair of strange round spiky objects painted bright red. As they got closer she seemed to mutter something under her breath.

"I swear your brother leaves these lying all over the place." She complained to one of the girls as she picked up what appeared to be face paint. She wore a strange outfit that looked like a picture of Kimono Roxas had seen in one of his cultural books. Some representative of Wutai sometime wore them as well but not quite like this. It was a pale yellow, and had a collar yet no shoulders; instead the sleeves began off the shoulders entirely. There were a mix of ropes and belts around the large blue tie at the waist and the skirt hung slightly shorter than he had seen any of the representatives wear. She wore big blue boots and around her thigh she had wrapped around some random orange material. Like everyone else in this place she was a sight to see.

"Axel is useless sometimes. Just hit him, it's all I do." The red head muttered keeping her head still as the other began to apply orange face paint with a slim paint brush. The women had become a canvas for art.

"I don't think someone like Yuffie or myself can get away with that Kairi." The young blonde spoke, her voice was far gentler than the confident and louder voice of her friend.

"Ah you probably could, after all, Axel knows if he starts on my girl he starts with me- ow!" She flinched back as the paintbrush jabbed her in the eye.

"Well it'll teach you for talking so much while I'm painting."

"Well here we are" Riku's voice broke Roxas out of his gaze, as he realised he had been staring at the passing conversation and his brothers were now ahead of him, at the door of blue and pink gazebo, house, tent, shed, thing. Roxas wasn't really sure what it was. Riku's voice also broke the three out of their conversation as they turned to look at the boys.

"Oh these are the newbies Saix was warning us about right!" The makeup artist spoke up, voice cheerful and eyes friendly.

"Hey it's good to see some new people joining us, great to have ya! I'm Kairi!" The red hair spoke up as she was now free from the artist's hand.

"This is my girlfriend Namine, and that's Yuffie." She pointed to the artist who had now put her tools down as she joyfully bounded up to the three shaking their hands and giving them little time to react.

"Good to meet you, I'm Cloud." Roxas watched as his brother took it all in his stride; he was glad that at least one of them seemed to understand what was happening.

"Roxas." He said shaking her hand.

"And Ventus" He nodded over to his brother who seemed the most hesitant at the contact. They seemed so friendly. A sickness came over Roxas as he wondered how long it would last. Once they realised how much they hated him. How much they didn't want to be around him, they wouldn't like him. They would ignore him when they realised how useless he was. That sickness in his stomach churned as once again the feeling of a heated kettle rose in his chest.

"Well Marluxia is just inside; we'll leave you in his capable hands. He should be able to get you clean and dressed." It was only at this comment did Roxas remember what state they were in. Hair muddy and clothes torn. How could they be so kind to people who looked such a mess? Maybe the kindness was just pity.

"Well I'll leave you to it then. Make sure the one at the end gets a warm shower though, he looks freezing." Roxas turned realising that was the most Riku had said, as he wandered back off. He turned to look at Cloud. He was still shivering. Guilt rose back in him. He had acted so calm he had almost forgotten Cloud had slept without cover. All to keep him warm as well! Ready to blow a fuse Roxas stormed into the tent as his brothers just quickly followed behind him.

Looking in he felt as if he had stepped into some sort of a portal as the inside looked bigger than the outside. The room was empty and had a zip like door to the left and one at the back. It was an absolute mess as well. Clothes and strange bits of fabric hung everywhere, there was a large mirror to the right and on it hung random bits of jewellery some sheik and some gaudy. Next to the back door was a desk with more makeup strewn over it as well as a myriad of strange devices, some he recognised (like hair straighteners) and others he didn't. The large extension reel at the bottom of the desk was filled to overblowing with endless plugs shoved into it. Next to the right door was a large sofa. A couple of chairs by the wall behind them, layered with blankets and pillows. It looked rather inviting. All was quiet, when out of nowhere a figure burst through the back door.

"Oh hello!" Came a deep and loud voice as Roxas felt almost knocked back by the suddenness of the man's entrance. He burst in like a whirlwind with flamboyant pink hair and a grand presence. Decked out in with a black top and white jeans, and a couple of pink scarfs around his waist. A woollen pink throw rested on his shoulders as his long earing seemed to clatter against it. Every step he took could be heard loudly as he wore pink high heeled ankle boots that went down into such a fine point Roxas wondered how he hadn't fallen down and broken his ankle. The bewilderment alone form such a loud presence was enough too temporarily threw Roxas from his anger.

"My, you boys are pretty. Leon knows how to pick them, even if you do need a clean-up. Come in let me get a good look at you." Rather muddled and a bit winded Roxas just did as was told as Marluxia looked them over. Much like the tent he couldn't figure out what this thing was.

"Hmm yes, very good…" He seemed to mutter to himself as if they were ornaments up for sale.

"I must say Dollface if it wasn't for Leon being so attached to that jacket I would almost tell you to steal it. Suits you very well." Dollface? Wait, was he talking about Cloud.

"Erm, thank you?" Cloud replied, his voice sounded weary as Roxas looked round to see that his brother finally seemed to be struggling. He looked tired and cold and a little miserable. Guilt and then anger followed.

"Oh you poor dear you're so cold. Come here." Marluxia marched up to Cloud and man handled him to the couch before covering him in blankets. Roxas watched as Cloud just passively allowed himself to be pushed around. Roxas figured he was used to it, with how the servants, makeup artist, suitors and friends all seemed to do the same with him.

"Fruit Loop!" Marluxia called.

"What!" A voice came first, as Yuffie seemed ran into the tent. Fruit loop?

"I'm busy Luxa!"

"I know! I know! But this poor thing is freezing, can you get fetch him a warm drink and some soup or something. He needs to warm up the poor dear." Marluxia ordered as Yuffie turned to look at Cloud who seemed to be trying to sit respectively, even with the chills.

"Yes of course, no worries!" She scampered back off.

"Right so this is what we'll do. We'll get you warmed up and rested a little while those pair shower and dress, then once their sorted hopefully Firecracker might be about so you can get a warm shower." For all his boisterousness he seemed genuine enough, as Cloud seemed to finally give in to the inevitable, holding tight to the blankets and allowing his eyes to close. A simultaneously feeling of both relief and anxiety flooded through Roxas as he felt Ventus grip onto his hand. He looked up at him with worried eyes.

"Don't worry Cloud will be fine." He whispered, squeezing Ventus's hand in reassurance.

"Right now onto you two while he rests." Roxas gritted his teeth and scowled at the man, not too fond of the idea of being manhandled and ordered about.

"Aw poor thing, you look terrified Little Dove." Marluxia muttered in reference to Ventus. Roxas was getting sick of the weird name very quickly.

"Okay so why don't you go sit with your brother and keep him company whilst the other takes a shower." Ventus glanced at Roxas for a second, before scampering off to sit next to Cloud. He wrapped his arms around Cloud's middle and buried his face in his chest. Without opening his eyes Cloud wrapped an arm around the younger and pulled him close. Roxas heart longed for the same comfort but wouldn't allow himself to show it; instead he made a point of glaring at Marluxia.

"Now darling the showers round back." Marluxia pointed to the back door.

"It's not darling. It's Roxas. And why should I do what you say?" Roxas didn't like the names. Didn't like the idea he was being mocked. He didn't like the strange pink man and he didn't like the fact that Cloud was sat exhausted on a couch because of him. He was being irrational but the pressure was steaming in him and Roxas wanted to rid of the damn tension in his chest. Despite his abrasiveness the pink man seemed completely unfazed as he laughed a little.

"Oh my! An attitude! Well that's not going to get you far Kitten, now come on you're dirty." He said motioning for Roxas to move. Roxas just dug his heels in further.

"Who are you calling kitten Pinky!" This only earned him another laugh.

"Ha! I'd almost say you remind me of Firecracker, but he was threatening to burn me alive."

"What do you-"

"Roxas." The voice wasn't a shout but it caught his attention as he turned to his weary brother eyes still closed.

"Please can you just do as you're told for a little while? For me alright?" The tone was pleading. Roxas just looked worriedly at Cloud. He seemed worn out and despite his anger, he didn't want to make it worse.

"Fine." Roxas stormed off, muttering words like 'stupid pink pig' and 'flamingo looking idiot' under his breath as he went.

"Oh and go through the other door when you're done, I'll leave some clothes out for you. Don't worry about the old ones I'll throw them out." A voice called and Roxas only grunted a response.

The shower was hardly what Roxas would call a shower. It was a hose that hung through a hole in the tent. Having gotten undressed Roxas shivered as he looked down at his clothes. He really was filthy. Upon not finding a tap he called to Marluxia to say he was ready, hoping for a hint of what to do next.

"Ah!" Without warning freezing water came pouring out the tap shocking the poor boy as he leapt out the way. Almost catlike. Almost.

"Watch out it'll probably be cold!" Marluxia called

"Pig!" Roxas just yelled back, not thrilled with the prospect of a cold shower, but desperate to be clean.

"Oh hold up Kitten." Once again came Marluxia's irritating voice. All Roxas wanted was to shower in peace without an obnoxious man pestering him.

"I think I might be able to warm it up. Oh Firecracker…" Marluxia voice trailed off as things went quiet for a moment. Roxas stood away from the shower shivering now like Cloud had. That's when a new voice emerged, less deep though slightly grittier.

"…thank me for this. I have better things to do you know."

"Okay Kitten!" Roxas swore he heard a snort at the unwanted nickname, as he huffed and step under the shower.

Roxas's body eased under the now warm water, as he felt some tension shift. He tried to focus on the feeling of the heat surrounding him, allowing the water to wash over his face and body he ignored all else. Roxas felt his mood began to lift, as he searched through the pile of half opened bottles to find shampoo and soap. As the last of the mud dripped off him Roxas felt more refreshed. Happier even. Standing in the shower for little longer he allowed himself the process the day's events, all the people he'd seen and how they acted. Letting out a sigh he decided that here was better than the streets or home. The people while weird and annoying seemed okay. Maybe, just maybe, he could give this place a go after all. Whatever this place was.

Though he reminded himself not to get his hopes up. Knowing eventually they'd get bored of him. They always did.

Calling to Marluxia to inform him he'd finished showering, Roxas found a towel hanging on the zipper to the other room and wrapped himself up in the soft fabric. The dressing room was marvellous. On the furniture was multiple pictures of people, designs, models and various others things blue tacked wherever there was space. At the far end was a table with a sewing machine and various boxes of trinkets and fabrics around it. Crowding the room was manikins and drawers all covered with multi-coloured fabric. Hair pieces and wigs seemed to hide in every nook and cranny of the room. Between two cupboards a piece of curtain had been hung, which Roxas assumed was a makeshift changing room. Three piles of clothes had lain on chairs outside it. Roxas picked up the pile that had his name on it and went inside to get dressed. His outfit was complicated to say the least. Not quite as eccentric as what he assumed was the circus costumes but unique non the less. He had on a red tank top, with a smaller black top over it. The smaller one only reaching the bottom of his chest and the arms were ripped to shreds. Chequered markings had been printed onto it at various places. One side hung loosely off his shoulder, as Roxas tried to resist the urge to keep pulling it up. He had ripped black skinny jeans with a chequered scarf that hung loosely round his waist and was tied up and pinned into place. The leather boots were most infuriating with an unnecessary amount of buckles on them that Roxas had struggled to do up. Whilst he hated to give the man much credit, Roxas had to admit, Marluxia was a good seamster. He had figured out Roxas's size only by look it seemed and managed to find well-made clothes that he had to admit did suit him. Guess Pinky did have a purpose beyond being camp and boisterous.

My apologies I can't put much here. I haven't even had the chance to proof read the chapter before upload so I apologies now if there's more errors or if it is less well written.

I'm literally uploading this before I pack and get like, two hours sleep before I go camping for the weekend.

But I wanted to get one more upload out since I said every Saturday regardless. (It's just turned Saturday for me mind you)

Anyway thank you for reading!

And there's 2 more introduction chapters and then we're onto "complicated" and "making history".

Introduction Part Four- Our lovely Ventus meets Terra for the first time.

Introduction Part Five- The Circus show! and our first glimpse of Axel. Anyone who read the original knows things get a little heated.

Anyway I really need to get going so enjoy!