Step. Step. Step. Sway. Step. Step. Step...
Among the list of things Ryuuji had ever intended to learn in his lifetime, dance was never one of them. Yet, here he was, a romantic song he never wanted to hear again coming from Taiga's TV, dancing slowly with Taiga's head leaned up against his chest (She was too short to reach higher), one of her hands clasped against his arm, the other in his own hand. They swayed in place, slowly. It'd taken hours, but it finally looked like she'd gotten the hang of dancing-"YAHHH!" The pair fell to the floor in a heap.
Scratch that. There was no overcoming her clumsy feet, not that she'd give up. "Dammit." She slammed her hands into Ryuuji's chest as she forced herself back to her feet, approaching her TV. A few seconds tinkering later and the song was back at the start. She took her place at the center of the room again, grabbing Ryuuji and forcing him into position.
Step. Step. Step. Step. Sway...
Ryuuji concentrated carefully, making sure he didn't make mistakes. He'd discovered he wasn't a bad dancer, now as long as Taiga didn't-"OUCH!" He fell to a knee, clutching his other knee as Taiga gave him an annoyed glare. He rubbed his knee gently, trying to sooth the pain. "Taiga, can we stop?"
She stomped her foot on the floor. "No! If I'm going to be a good bride I have to learn to dance!"
He sighed. "Well as long as I don't have to dance at your wedding."
"And what makes you think you'll be coming?"
He rose to his feet. "Kitamura will probably invite me."
"Well then you'll dance and like it! The only way a dog like you has a chance with Minorin is by learning tricks."
His brow twitched involuntarily. "Hey. Even for you that's harsh-YAHH! IEEEEEE!"
She growled as her foot continued to grind on his. "Shut. Up. And. Dance!" Ignoring his pained moans, she quickly had him back into position. Forcing his pained groans into silence, Ryuuji took a more careful look at just what was going wrong, and found a tell-tale sign he hadn't noticed before.
Taiga had that face. The face that said she was trying, with every fibre of her being. He had a sneaking suspicion that this was going to be her face on the eventual big day. Yuusaku was likely going to spend his honeymoon in a hospital bed. Well that was probably better than sharing a bed with a beast like the Palmtop Tiger. She was always prone to dangerous acts in moments of passion, any kind of passion. He thanked the gods of old it wasn't to be him who was going to have to try and survive that.
Though if he didn't act fast, it would be this day he likely wouldn't survive. "Taiga." She looked up at him, shocked from her concentration. He smiled. "Relax. Just keep your eyes on mine."
She was like a statue for a brief instant, before he felt her grasp his hands tighter. She nodded. "O-Okay."
Step, step, step...
They moved back, forward, their feet moving closer and closer in sync. They turned, the song moving into its faster, emotional chorus. Taiga kept her eyes focused on his, and second by second he watched her second guessing fade. When he moved, she moved with him. Her tight grip on his hand soon loosened. They weren't practising anymore.
They were dancing.
He couldn't help but smile. Now she wasn't trying too hard this seemed almost easy. With profound ease he kept his eyes on hers. Strangely, he found he didn't even want to turn away. It was rare that those eyes didn't look upon him with either demand or fury, so he'd missed just how beautiful Taiga's eyes really were. He didn't know how long this song would go on for, but he didn't care anymore. They were not dancing to the song any longer, it was flowing through them. They turned once more, the passion of the song giving force to their movement, and Taiga's hair danced in the air.
Almost like a veil.
Ryuuji, for the briefest instant, took in Taiga's short dress. She had wanted to practice in a dress better styled for a bride. Naturally, Ryuuji liked being able to walk (and be concussion free, but divine intervention was highly unlikely) so a long dress was out. He would almost regret it, but he knew he would see the fruits of his labour one day in the far future.
She would truly be a beautiful bride.
The last notes of the song came, as soft and gently as their movements as they too slowed to a halt. Ryuuji smiled softly.
Flawless.
She smiled too. For a moment each of them stood there, deaf to the start of the next song and it's gentle, slow melody. He slowly lowered his arms, their grip slowly separating.
They let go. He blinked, having empty hands seemed very strange all of a sudden. He took a look down at his hands as Taiga walked away, and only after a moment did he look to where she got to... "Taiga, what are you-?"
She turned around, and he felt the icy grip of fear upon his heart. That look was back!
"One more time!"
