AN: At long last, the chapter you've been begging and pleading for, okay not quite. But here it is, the infamous dance! I apologize ahead of time if I start laxing in chapter releases but since I just started school and have a TON of papers and reading to get done this year, I might only get to post on the weekends. That doesn't mean I won't be carrying around my trusty notebook and writing between classes *laugh*. Just letting everyone know!

I know I haven't done specific review comments, and I promise it will be on my next chapter, but I've spent so much time plotting and planning this dance, that I haven't had time to answer the reviews!

BTW, I did a little sketch on my Paint program of the costume. It's a horrid drawing, but what can you do on such a small program. Anyway, I hope it gives you guys a better idea if my description doesn't! Take out the spaces. ladyariana . 4mg . com/ fo.jpg

Chapter 24

Night fell and my excitement grew ten fold. All around the servants were bustling around, making all the last minute preparations. The air was thick with anxiety. I stared at my outfit, spread out neatly on my futon and beside it, the cloak I had requested.

My hair was wrapped up in a bun, keeping the wet locks from my skin as I carefully slipped on my outfit. The seamstress was a miracle worker, from my crude drawing, she had created a dreamy masterpiece. I had drawn a belly dancer style outfit, a simple sleeveless belly shirt, that left my midriff free, and loose wide legged pants, that gave me the perfect mobility, while adding sensuality to the dance. I couldn't believe I was going to go through with it, I had never done something so outrageous in my life. The seamstress had added on sleeves of a lighter red, and amazingly the material was so delicate it was see-thru. I didn't even know they made such materials in this time, but there it was. The shirt and pants were tight enough in the places that made them interesting, and loose enough to allow me full mobility.

I stretched and tested out the outfit, dancing a few of the more difficult moves before I was completely satisfied that it would last, then I took a moment to study the special details she had added in. Looped very delicately along the collar and rims of the shirt and pants she caught the faint glimmer of light that shimmered white. As if perfect timing, she heard a knock and the seamstress entered, carefully shutting the door behind her.

"How is it Lady," she asked excitedly and I smiled, spinning on the padding of my feet for her elegantly, "I couldn't have asked for anything better, but I was meaning to ask you, what did you sew here?" I motioned to the seams and she smiled shyly.

"There are going to be a lot of youkai lords here tonight, and if your dance is anything like I imagining, then you will need something to protect you. I had my sister, who also serves here, to fetch some hairs from his lord's futon when she cleaned." She blushed, "It was horribly wrong of me, and I hope I will not be punished, but I was only looking out for your wellbeing Lady." She bowed and I smiled.

"I will not say anything to anyone who could harm you," I said soft and she blushed again. "Thank you Lady," she said backing towards the door, "I have to go about my duties, else I will be missed," she stammered and quickly left. I reached down and reached for the cloak, pulling it over my shoulders and around me. It was a man's cloak, I could tell, and covered me completely. I loosened my wet hair from the elastic, letting it fall over my shoulders as I pulled the hood over my head. It was large enough that it would keep my hair hidden from sight. I knew that the others were already assembled in the main room, I could feel their emotions from my room, especially Kei's, he was a mess of nerves and I felt myself reach out and sooth the tenseness around him. I felt the questioning in his mind, the wonderment of where I could be and I smiled, pulling back. Carefully I left my room and walked down the corridor, towards the main room where I knew everyone was assembled. The servants saw me coming and bowed at my approach and I smiled, holding a finger up to my lips. I paused outside the doors, as one of the servants slipped inside. I saw them through the crack hurry to Rin's side and whisper something to her. She smiled, and nodded, and the servant came back out. I whispered faintly, "Do you think you can dim a few of the lights in there?" She grinned and nodded and quickly chirped something I didn't understand and I saw the room darken slightly. No one seemed disturbed by this.

"Assembled guests, honored lords and ladies, tonight we have a very special gift for Lord Keitaro. A young woman from a distant land is here to offer her gift of fostering to him, in the form of a dance from her land." She glanced at the door, and the servants slid it open. I stepped in carefully, my bare feet making no sound on the smooth wooden floors. I walked with my head bowed, so no one could see anything, and as I approached the middle of the room, in the center of the assembled tables, the band began to play.

((AN: Okay, the song I chose was Shakira's "Wherever,whenever" so if you have it and want to sing along *laugh* feel free))

I took slow steps forward towards the head table as the slow tunes began, and I opened my lips, singing softly the first cords. And as I heard the first beat, I quickly lifted my hands and dropped the cloak from my shoulders. I felt the instant wave of surprise, lust, and in one case, disgust and jealously hit me, but I was prepared for it, and it bounced harmlessly off my shielding as I began my dance. My hips swayed back and forth to the beat and my hands twisted in the air. I had instantly closed my eyes, but I could feel Keitaro's presence before me, like a compass points north, and I began to grin happily. This was my confession to him, in a language I knew that only he understood. I tilted my head up, and sang with all my heart.

Lucky you were born that far away so

We could both make fun of distance

Luck that I love a foreign land for

The lucky fact of your existence

Baby I would climb the Andes solely

To count the freckles on your body

Never could imagine there were only

Ten Million ways to love somebody

I opened my eyes at these last lyrics, and stared straight into his, ignoring all others in the room. He stared at me, the shock on his face causing my heart to skip a beat. I kept my eyes on him only, as I continued.

Le do le le le le, Le do le le le le

Can't you see

I bowed low, my arms spread out-

I'm at your feet

I stood again and closed my eyes again, rotating my hips in small circles as my whole body began to turn around the room, before returning to face him.

Whenever, wherever

We're meant to be together

I'll be there and you'll be near

And that's the deal my dear

Thereover, hereunder

You'll never have to wonder

I opened my eyes to look at him again, getting chills that now his eyes no longer held shock but something deeper, and more intense.

We can always play by ear

But that's the deal my dear

I smiled and licked my lips, fully getting into the mood of this, as I began to dip with my knees, my hands coming up to play in my hair before letting the damp locks fall to my back. My hair began to curl, as I knew it would, and gave me a more exotic look.

Lucky that my lips not only mumble

They spill kisses like a fountain

I smiled and licked my lips again, and I swear that it was taking all his willpower to stay seated there.

Lucky that my breasts are small and humble

So you don't confuse them with mountains

His eyes widened slightly and I winked at this line, running one hand down my side for the next line.

Lucky I have strong legs like my mother

To run for cover when I need it

I grinned, and even he chuckled slightly. Everyone in the room was watching us, watching this private display, and private message. I could feel the heat from everyone's gaze, amazed at the display I was putting on and the look in Kei's eyes in response.

And these two eyes that for no other

The day you leave will cry a river

I looked deep into his eyes with that, my own willing him to see the complete truth behind those words.

Le do le le le le, Le do le le le le

At your feet

I stepped forward, falling to my knees before him, and throwing my head back, to bend backwards far enough that my hair pooled on the floor.

I'm at your feet

I quickly snapped back up, leaping to my feet in a move I had learned years before in a Tae Kwon Do class. I saw a couple of raised eyebrows at that, and the impression that it was an appreciated move by many. I couldn't help but grin.

Whenever, wherever

We're meant to be together

I'll be there and you'll be near

And that's the deal my dear

I motioned to him with my finger in a come hither motion and he stood, with one fluid motion and moved around the table to stand near me. I grinned.

Thereover, hereunder

You'll never have to wonder

We can always play by ear

But that's the deal my dear

I began to run my hand along his arm, spinning around before him, and taking his hand in mine, to end my spin with my back to his chest, and his arm around me.

Le do le le le le, Le do le le le le

Think out loud

Say it again

I spun out again, and began swaying my hips, turning to face him, turning up to look into his face. My eyes were only for him, with all the openness and sincerity I could hold, I begged him with my eyes to tell me that he meant the words he told me, the things he shared, that I wasn't taking a gamble on empty hope. I think that surprised him, as he stared down at me.

Le do le le le le

Tell me one more time

That you'll live

Lost in my eyes

I moved away again, and began dancing, this time to everyone else and my back was to him. This was my presentation to the rest of the audience, and even though I knew they couldn't understand a word I was saying, I projected with all the energy I could muster. I loved him, and I wanted everyone to know that, let there be no doubt in anyone's mind.

Whenever, wherever

We're meant to be together

I'll be there and you'll be near

And that's the deal my dear

Thereover, hereunder

You've got me head over heals

There's nothing left to fear

If you really feel the way I feel

Whenever, wherever

We're meant to be together

I'll be there and you'll be near

And that's the deal my dear

Thereover, hereunder

You've got me head over heals

There's nothing left to fear

If you really feel the way I feel

I turned on the last lyrics and caught his gaze again, and held it, pour the last bit of my Empathy into him with those words, as I ended my dance, reached up a hand and gently let it slide down his cheek as the pipe died off. We stood there, completely frozen in time, the room was deathly silent. Kohana was the first to speak, in that innocent voice of hers, "Sugoi!" she squealed, and got a laugh out of those assembled, except for Megahna and Kaemon who sat there, dark faced and very upset.