Revised Chapter 1

AN: As of 1/28/2016, I will be revising this story.

I'm sorry to inconvenience anyone, but as a writer I felt that I did not do a proper sequel. So, I will be replacing chapters as I go. I do not want to delete this story from ffn, so I thought this would be the better route. Each chapter will have a note of revision at the top so you'll know what is the new chapter. Once I have completed the revision, I will only keep this revision note in chapter one.

Same warning, there will be more of the older teen moments with the romance.

Disclaimer: I do not own Kaleido Star. If I did, there would be a heck of a lot more episodes with Sora and Leon. Even just Leon's back story would have been great.

SL

SL

SL

The weather was warm, but not surprising given that they were in summertime.

Leon stepped out of the practice rooms, no longer in his gear. He had his hair in a low ponytail while he sported a white shirt with casual, loose pants. His normally darker designer clothes were much too warm for such a summer day, even for someone of his caliber. On his way to the outside stage, Leon paused in order to look at a poster. The latest production The Little Mermaid was a seasonal show, generally done in the summertime though, the training and setup was done in spring. He looked at his partner in her mermaid getup, staring up at her tall friend Anna as the prince.

He did not feel slighted by not co-starring with Sora. He was not concerned about losing his spot as the head male lead of the Kaleido Stage for he knew that Kalos wouldn't dare fire him, not unless the man wanted to lose business. He faintly smirked. No, he knew what his worth was in the circus world. He understood that the casting had been set long before he came here. It was a tradition of theirs and he was not one to cause his partner any headaches about changing it. He could bear to share, if only for a couple of months.

Any longer than that however…Well, then there will be issues.

As it stood now, their practice times were cut to a third of the time they usually had. He was displeased by the drop, only mollified by the fact that they still went out on dates every so often. However, he knew that, no matter his feelings for her, he would be second. It stung a little to be outdone by a stage, but alas, he cared too much for her to let his pride get in the way.

He stared at her image on the poster and then sighed.

Look what you've done to me, he wiry thought. Never, in all his years performing, did he think he would be competing against a stage for a woman's attention. How ludicrous.

Not to say that he would change his situation.

The peace in his heart, the teasing, her soft touches, their fleeting glances, her red stained cheeks as they said 'good night' after kissing outside her dorm door for minutes and minutes, making him wish he could just stay there indefinitely with her arms wrapped around him and his lips on hers…

Why would he want to be rid of her?

After all the time he took to get her attention - over four months, at the very least – and now these long months together, he considered himself a fortunate man.

The faint shadow of a smile appeared.

He looked down at his watch and then turned away from the poster. They were going to be late. The last showing had been almost half an hour ago, yet he hadn't seen her around. He had asked one of her friends—Mia, he told himself; it would be good if he remembered their names—and she had said that the redhead was probably still in the water.

If she was, he didn't blame her. It was rather warm.

Light splashing could be heard as he approached the water stadium.

SL

Sora contently sighed as she floated on her back.

The flippers and the forearm accessories she had ditched long ago. The headpiece was fairly light, so she left it on her head. She sighed again. The water was not as cool and refreshing as when she first got in…but maybe she can go turn on the waterfall. She smiled. That would be terrific.

Footsteps sounded closer and closer to the pool; a grin played along her face. I bet I can guess who it is. She probably took too long in the water. Whoops. She hoped she wouldn't be in too much trouble with her partner. An idea popped into her head and she grinned to herself. If I'm already in trouble…Why not?

With a quick glance at the approaching figure, she judged the location she needed to head towards and then she submerged.

SL

He came to the edge of the pool only to see her duck underwater.

Crouching down, he watched her come towards him. The first time he had seen her in costume, he instantly approved of it. To him, she fit the description of a mermaid: playful, spirited, and naturally alluring. The last quality he knew she would not agree with. As he watched her lithe body move underwater, he knew he would heartily disagree with her.

She neared him, but still stayed underwater. Curious. He thought she would have risen to the surface when she neared the edge of the pool.

When she was very close to the edge, her body shot up half out of the water and pecked him on the lips. He blinked at the sudden action, but quickly grabbed her before she went under again.

"You caught a mermaid," she teased.

Amused, he replied, "Do I gain anything?"

She gave him another peck on the lips. "A kiss."

One hand stayed around her as the other cradled the back of her wet head. "I catch a legendary being and all I get is a kiss?"

"Would multiple kisses be better?"

His eyes languidly traced her lips. "I suppose that will have to do."

"Good," she stated as her arms went around his neck. Her lips lightly touched his as she finished with, "Because that's what you're getting."

He leaned in the rest of the way, impatient for his prize. Eyes half closed, he nearly missed the mischief in her eyes. Don't tell me – He did not get to finish his thoughts as she pulled him down into the pool. She let go of him as soon as he went head first into the water, quickly putting some space in between them. She laughed as he righted himself, his hair disarray and some strands stuck over his face despite the ponytail.

"Aw why the frown, grumpy cat?"

"…My cell phone is in my pocket."

"Oooh." Well, that kind of took the fun out of that trick. "Umm…sorry?"

"Sorry," he rumbled out with a stern face, slowly swimming over to her, "is not good enough."

She yelped as he lunged for her, the water slowing him down enough for her to dodge.

"I'm super sorry!"

"I'm certain you are," he murmured. "However…" he grinned in feral satisfaction as he grabbed her ankle before she swam off. She squeaked as he dragged her over to him. "There are repercussions for every action."

Before she could respond, he ducked down into the water, pulling her with him. She quickly gulped some air before going down, having seen this coming the moment he grabbed her ankle. He let go of her ankle, staring as her red hair floated around her head. She was about to surface when his silver ponytail shimmered under the water, gently swaying near him.

He should have been the mermaid. Erm, merman.

He shifted in the water, making her stiffen. Even with his mouth tightly closed, he still managed to give her a grin. Here we go… She felt the giddy excitement as he shot forward like a great white shark, giving pursuit to her speedy getaway. She let out a muffled, bubbly laugh as she twisted in the water, narrowly missing his reach. She took a chance to look back, her eyes widening as he gave a great push off of the pool side and deftly caught her around the waist. She opened her mouth in surprise and with a grimace she closed it back.

"Mm! Mmh mmmh!"

He got the wordless request, bringing them to the surface.

"Gahh! *cough cough*" she made a face, "Ugh."

"We are now even."

"You purposefully wanted me to choke on chlorine water?" She pouted. "I thought you cared about me."

He quirked a brow. "So you did not want me to choke on this water when you initially pulled me in?"

"Noo...Not specifically to choke. Or drown. Just get a little wet."

He gave her a flat look. "A little?"

"Ok," she grinned. "A lot." She wrapped her arms around his neck. "But don't you feel so much cooler than before?"

"Much more wet," he murmured as he walked them to the pool's edge.

"Oh come on. Aren't you just a teeny weeny bit glad I pulled you in?"

"Watch your legs," he warned.

She quickly wrapped them around his waist and then he pulled them out of the water. He looked at his watch –thankfully the one piece of technology that was waterproof – and frowned.

"We're behind schedule."

"Schedule?" she tilted her head as she thought. "Oooh shoot, that's this weekend!"

He paused in bending over to grab her flippers and arm guards. "You forgot our trip?"

She gave him a sheepish look. "I um, got caught up in swimming."

He unhooked her legs from his waist. "For that, you can walk yourself."

"Leon," she half whined as he walked off. She huffed and grabbed the gear he had been ready to pick up for her. "You know how bad I am with times!" She jogged after him, jumping on his back when she got close enough. "I'm really happy that we'll have some quality time," she quietly murmured.

He turned his head a little.

"Get changed and I'll come back for you."

She smiled and then pecked his cheek. "You're the best." She jumped off of his back. "But why do you have to come back for me? You're leaving?"

He turned around to face her. "I need dry driving clothes."

She owlishly blinked. Yeah, driving in wet clothes will be pret…ty… Her thoughts trailed a little as she registered what she was seeing. He was wet all over, the once crisp white shirt now plastered to his chest and stomach. Her face flushed, seeing the color of his skin through the wet fabric.

I think I need another dip in the pool. The sun shouldn't still be this hot by now.

He saw her appraising eyes and the following blush. "Like what you see?" he stretched his arms out more, giving her an unrestricted view. "It is your doing."

That made her face heat up to astronomical levels. "Sh-shush you." She quickly walked by him. "Chop chop. We're wasting time."

He wouldn't let her go that easily. With a couple of long strides he caught up, putting an arm around her waist from behind.

"Do not be so shy," he murmured, his fingers lightly tracing the temporary tattoo along her stomach, "I like seeing you wet as well."

She quickly turned to him, her mouth gaping a little. "Y-you flirt!"

"The biggest," he casually agreed, "especially when it comes to you."

He covered his mouth with hers. Her neck was at an awkward angle, so he kept it short - but definitely not without feeling. Her fingers grasped the arm around her waist as he angled his mouth, making her lips naturally part for him. Her eyes closed and she softly mewled. Such sweet lips… He would be content to kiss her for hours.

The alarm on his watch sounded off. He silently sighed as he broke the kiss.

"Be ready in 20 minutes," he lightly warned before kissing her quickly and then completely letting her go.

She stumbled a little as her support walked off towards the parking lot.

"Only 20?" Shoot. She hadn't packed yet.

SL

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AN: The chapter lengths will be varied.