Author: Desidera

Title: Flying and Falling

Rating: R

Pairing: Seto Kaiba/Yami Yugi

Chapters: Prologue + 4 + Epilogue

Genre (Warnings): Angst, AU

Disclaimer : I own nothing but my dreams...

Author's Notes:

Again...I am sorry for my long absence. This is my final year at school – I'm actually facing the last part of my final exams in two days. I have been working on this story for more than half a year, whenever I had some time left.

I'll welcome both praises and criticism.

I had to do a lot of research for this...so I hope it's all correct. I also added random family relations (I even drew a family tree at home ;) ) but it should not concern you if you don't get all the complicated family relations – it is not that important.

Updates will come soon, after my finals, because the story is already complete.

I hope you enjoy!

Thanks to: mic! –hugs- And all the other people who haven't forgotten me, still review, still talk to me even if they are stressed themselves.

Hugs also go to those whom I haven't seen for a long time – would like to talk to you again!

Thank you for putting up with my rambling.

Prologue

Past the tall men in blue and red uniforms and into the massive tent the crowd is swarming, right into a bees' hive filled with chatter and laughter. Empty benches are waiting to carry them, neither comfortable nor soft, but today it does not matter. They are all the same here, the beggar and the king, for tonight the lone individual will be of no importance. All that matters will be their applause, and their money, afterwards.

And most appreciated are the children who make up the largest part of the crowd as they struggle to sit still. Those who do not manage jump up and down, climbing over benches, knocking over newcomers in their frenzy. Others stand on their tiptoes, trying to get a glimpse at what is going on behind the curtain, watching the orchestra take its place beside the ring, squealing at the discovery of each new item that will be used, later that night. All of their eyes are huge and sparkling with anticipation and expectations, sparkling bright along with the stars covering the dark blue canvas of the tent.

Popcorn is knocked over and scattered all over the floor, but it does not matter for the floor is only hard brown earth, flattened by the shoes of eager visitors, a straw of hay here, a blade of grass there. Ice cream sticks to pink lips, cotton candy to small noses and flushed cheeks.

And then the red curtain is pushed open, the orchestra starts playing, and a single figure is revealed and highlighted by a white spotlight, black and red suit and cylinder giving away his identity. He is all smiles as he mischievously places a finger on his lips, effectively quieting all the children in the room, which proves that he must be of immense importance, that he for this one night holds all power over their innocent minds full of freely flowing imagination. Judging from his smile he fully well knows this, knows he alone can fuel their excitement and agitation tonight, he and those still hidden behind the curtain. They all are about to please, tonight, about to give all that is in their power to give to those sparkling eyes, the surprised screams and the clapping hands.

Before long the man in the suit spreads his arms wide – and finally the curtain opens. Out they come, acrobats walking on their hands rather than their feet, clowns rolling into the ring on their unicycles, the jugglers and the fire breathers, the sweet lady on the back of the horse and perhaps even a camel, lead in by a slim Arabian boy.

'Oh!' and 'Ah!' they exclaim as they are presented with sights each more spectacular and breakneck dangerous than the last. Colourful costumes and joyful music, laughter and sighs, applause and cheer so loud it is filling the tent completely, the whinny of a horse, the appreciative murmur of the audience.

And then at last the drum-roll announcing their appearance. The stars of the circus ring, the climax of the show, the artists of the flying trapeze, so courageous, so graceful, and swinging so high they could reach out and touch the stars on the top of the tent.

The finale, the last applause, the fading music and the lazy footsteps of the satiated audience and the awestruck children – that is what they are aiming for, working for, living for. The curtain falls, the interior of the tent is shadowy with more secrets and wonders hidden in each corner.