AN: Sorry, but the author's note may be longer than the actual ficlet. Just to update readers on what's going to happen with the fic--I have the last chapter in progress. However, if you'll notice, I combined two themes (red, and the space between dreams and reality) in one fic. So, technically, to complete the story there would be only 28 chapters. Which kind of makes no sense for a work titles "29 kisses." So, my solution was to re-write the themes 'cradle' and 'the sound of waves' for posting to the LJ community that started this challenge in the first place (since I never liked how those kisses turned out anyway). Those two fics will be chapters 28 and 29 of "29 Kisses." The last theme, overflow, will be posted as a separate fic, which solves my other problem--since it contains mild lemon, I would have had to up the rating of all 29 kisses to mature for the sake of on chapter, which I wasn't happy with. So, the lemonish chapter will be a separate fic so that it can be rated M without messing up the teen rating for the rest of the fics (most of which are G rated anyway, the teen was for some mild cursing and a little nudity in a couple of fics). Hope this satisfies everyone. If not, sorry! It's the best solution, IMO.
Also, this is set at the Christmas Ball
Title: The Dance
Theme: #22, cradle
Within the circle of his arms, she felt beautiful and feminine—two things she hadn't felt in a very long time. She savored it as one does a piece of fine chocolate, reveling in the experience of floating around the floor, cradled firmly in his arms, her skirt swishing around their legs.
Somehow alone, even though she knew the entire populations of St. Blossom and Osaka High Schools were there with them. Lost in the circle of their own making, she was blind to the stir their dance caused among the others, deaf to the murmurs of admiration, of envy, of recognition (oh, so Sano and Ashiya are like that!). She simply enjoyed their dance together completely, never realizing any picture taken at that moment would be the portrait of young love.
