Yes! Another RenOC fanfic has been published! Woot! Seriously... this fanfiction site needs more Ren loving. Sorry, don't like Yaoi pairings, nor do I like RenPiri - blech. I don't like RenJeanne that much either.

Summary: Ever been to a traditional Filipino debut? Ever been in the cotillion court? If you haven't, neither has Tao Ren! But, he finds out he got more out of the experience than he had anticipated, when he realizes he's falling for the young choreographer for his friend's cotillion waltz. Then again... she has a boyfriend. Will that stop him from claiming what he believes should be rightfully his? AU

Pairings: RenxOC [Main]; slight YohAnna, HaoOC, ChocoloveOC, PirikaOC, and LysergJeanne.

This story plot was originally inspired by the movie Take the Lead (2006). Also, for those of you who don't know what a filipino debut is, more will be explained in the fic.

Warnings: Sorry, but it's inevitable: Ren might be OOC. It's extremely difficult to get this guy in to character to fit the story. Sorry! Oh, also, this is AU. No spirits, sorry. This is like post high school, during the summer after senior year for Yoh, Ren, Anna, Manta, Horohoro, Chocolove, Daiki (OC), Hachi (OC), Saki (OC), and Kimi (OC). Rated T only for swearing, which only happens once.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Shaman King mentioned in this fic - all belongs to Hiroyuki Takei.

Claimer: I do own all this story plot and every original character featured in this fic.

Ages: (This is just in my fanfic)

Hao and Setsuka (OC): 19

Ren, Yoh, Anna, Manta, Horohoro, Chocolove, Daiki (OC), Kouta (OC), Hachi (OC): 18

Lyserg, Jeanne, Pirika, Jiro (OC), Saki (OC), Opacho, Kimi (OC): 17

Dance with Me
Shaman King
RenxOC

Chapter 1
Debut Court

"147… 148… 149…"

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

Cat-like yellow eyes glared at the mobile ringing on the table next to him. How dare someone interrupt his work-out session.

"150-"

Buzz.

A low growl was emitted from an eighteen year old male before he returned the 115lb barbell to the stand and swiftly getting up.

Peeved, he reached for the incessant buzzing mobile and placed it against his ear, after he turned another glare to the caller ID.

"What do you want, Asakura?"

"Ah! Ren! You busy right now?"

A bead of sweat rolled down Ren's temple, down his cheek to his chiseled bare abs, as his eyes narrowed once more. "Yes."

Ren could hear the muffled voice of a familiar Ainu in the background with his phone call with Yoh. "Ren isn't working out, is he? Tell him to get his ass down here now!"

"I haven't even asked him yet, Horohoro."

"What's this about?" Ren inquired impatiently.

"Ren, want to be part of my friend's debut?"

The purple haired boy raised an eyebrow, "What in the world are you talking about?"

"Just come to the dance studio downtown, okay? See you later, Ren!"

"Tell me again what I am doing here."

Ren stood on the hardwood flooring in his black sleek pants and yellow blazer over his buttoned up white shirt and usual black tie. He stared around the large dance studio, his eyes glancing over the familiar and new faces in the room.

A blue haired red-eyed girl clapped her hands in excitement toward the boy, "Tao Ren, even though we don't really hang out much, I want you to be part of debut cotillion court." With a sweatdrop rolling down the side of her face, she added, "Plus, my cousin kind of dropped out on me when he decided to study abroad during the summer in France, so I'm in desperate need of another dancer."

"Dancer?" Ren inquired incredulously. "Why not just ask another relative then, Saki? One who would actually be willing to dance."

The girl, Saki, was a new girl who had just moved in just a couple of years ago. Ren didn't know much about her, but apparently, she hung out with Yoh and the others when she could at school. She didn't have many close friends – she became close friends with Anna, or as close as Anna would allow.

Saki pouted at the boy. "I already have the only close relatives here helping me out."

The debut girl started pointing out her relatives to the boy.

"Of course, you know my older sister, Setsuka – girlfriend of Hao." An older version of Saki waved to the boy.

"The trio of siblings sitting on the floor over there are my cousins from my homelands are here: Angelica, Robin, and Karina. The first two are siblings." The two redheaded siblings and the raven-haired girl waved to the boy. "By the way, Karina's the one who's in need of a partner."

Ren glanced uncertainly in the raven-haired girl's direction, her spectacles sitting on her nose. She only looked to be fourteen years old… four years younger than himself.

"And the lovely mistress over there is my cousin and choreographer, and the one allowing us to use this studio." Saki pointed behind them.

The tongari male turned around for his eyes to land on a violet-haired girl sporting a simple tunic dress, one used specifically for dancing, as she also had on black strapped-dancing heels. She looked to be about his age, with a slim and curvy body, only gained from many lessons in ballroom dancing.

"Excuse me, missy," the girl countered, hands on her hips in response to Saki's introduction, "You're older than me."

Saki stuck her tongue out at her, "You know you're my favorite cousin, Kimi-chan!"

Ren raised an amused eyebrow at Saki's cousin, "You own this studio?"

Kimi shook her head, "Don't be ridiculous. I just take lessons here; the owner allowed us to use the studio when there aren't any classes though."

For a moment, Ren locked eyes with Kimi's red orbs, and he felt himself being compelled to give her the elevator stare – one with interest. And he noticed, she was doing the same.

"Anyway," Saki intervened the awkward silence, "the man standing next to Kimi-chan is her boyfriend, Kouta – another great dancer from this studio."

Ren turned his attention to the raven-haired male, but he only got a nod as a greeting before the teen turned away from him. He could tell right away he was a dancer: Kouta was wearing jazz pants.

"So, these were the only cousins I could contact that could practice the cotillion for the next three months without it being a hindrance to their summer schedule." Saki explained, "All my other relatives either live in the Philippines or the United States. The only reason Karina and them are here in Japan is because they come stay here every summer. It was a good thing my debut is toward the end of summer, so they come in handy."

"I still don't understand," Ren declared. "What are you asking me to be a part of?"

"Her debut, Ren!" Yoh exclaimed excitedly, appearing next to Saki.

Ren stared blankly at his laid-back best friend. "What's that?"

Horohoro bounced behind Ren, grabbing him from behind around the neck, "You don't know what a debut is Ren? And you always say I'm culturally-challenged."

"Get off me, you idiot!" Ren growled, elbowing the boy.

Pirika shook her head from next to her boyfriend, Jiro. "Onii-san, you didn't even know what a debut was until two weeks ago."

Manta approached the Tao, taking his usual position of explaining things. "A traditional Filipino debut is essentially a birthday celebration for a girl turning 18; a way for the girl to be introduced to society as a woman. It's quite formal and very expensive – something I'd see you attending, Ren."

Saki got in front of Ren, making him step back in surprise, - after Horohoro finally released him – as she brought her hands together before him in a begging manner, "Since I am half Filipino, my mother wants me to have this grand party. So please, Tao Ren, will you be part of my debut court as Karina's partner?"

"Court?"

Saki nodded, "Every debutante has a court of 18 people: 9 males and 9 females. As part of tradition, the court will perform the classic waltz – and another dance to my choosing. They are also part of the 18 candles and 18 roses, which I will explain later when my birthday gets closer."

"Come on, Ren!" Yoh invited with a grin, raising a thumbs up, "It'll be lots of fun. We've already been practicing for two weeks."

"Two weeks?"

"You didn't miss much." Anna reassured, her arms crossed with closed eyes. She was standing next to Tamao, Lyserg, and Jeanne in the back. "Horohoro and Chocolove always kept goofing off and messing up during practice that we didn't get very far into the routine."

"Hey!" Horohoro shouted, "I resent that! The waltz ain't that easy! It doesn't help that Tamao is nervous each time we take a step."

Tamao blushed wildly, "I'm s-sorry! This is my first time ever dancing…"

Kimi laughed, "It's like I always say: if you can walk, you can dance."

"So, what about it, Ren?" Saki begged once more to the Tao.

Ren sweatdropped at the girl's raised hands. "Why should I?"

"Please?"

Oh boy… it was the puppy-dog face.

"Aw, it looks like he's too scared to dance."

Ren narrowed his eyes at the speaker. "Say that again."

This was originally going to be a one-shot... but I thought, "How in the world can I develop this debut dancing story in a one-shot?" So yes, it is 10 chapters long. Go on to the next chapter now!