When Kagome reemerges from the dressing room once more, her skirt has been replaced by a slinky floor-length crimson one, the slit in the left side climbing just passed her hip bone. I take several deep breaths as she crosses the room to sit next to me until our turn, simultaneously praising and cursing the gods for forcing me to endure such a sight without being permitted to act on my baser instincts. Soon, I hope to myself. We make it through the tango and paso doble with even higher praise than before, much to Kagome's growing excitement. We hurry backstage once more as the couple before us finishes their dance, Kagome crossing to the centre of the back end of the stage with her back to me. The music starts, a quick Latin jazz number, and I take quick steps to stand behind her, run my hands down her arms, before quickly turning her to face me where her right-hand meets mine as her left falls delicately on my bicep. The space between us is minuscule as we take our beginning steps, our joined hands falling to her hip. A sly smirk spreads across her lips as she gazes up at me from under her thick lashes and I feel a growl rumble in my chest. Rather than seem surprised, Kagome bites her lip, seemingly pleased with the involuntary reaction.
"You won't admit you love me and so, how am I ever to know?" I turn her quickly, allowing my right hand to graze her waist as she does so, never relinquishing my grip on her. As she dips in front of me, her left leg extending outwards, she glances at me over her shoulder, maintaining eye contact as I run my hand from her knee up to her thigh. The goosebumps that spread across her skin at the contact forces another delighted rumble through my chest as I flick her skirt back, quickly stepping to her left, taking her hand in mine. She spins around to my other side."You always tell me, 'perhaps'." I step in to take her hands, each now wrapped around her chest."'Perhaps, perhaps'." Carefully, I spin her back out where she falls into a graceful lunge, hands still firmly in mine as she gazes up at me. I can feel my inner beast trying to take over, the suggestive pose she holds nearly too much for either of us to ignore, and I quickly take her back into my arms before she has the chance to see my eyes tinge red for the briefest of moments. We perform a series of steps, all the while never breaking contact with each other. Hand in hand, grazing her waist as she turns, I feel I would not be able to hide the intensity of my stare even if I were meant to. Thank the gods this is meant to be a more passionate dance, else I may scare her off. Contrary to the concerning thought, Kagome seems to be reciprocating with equal ferocity.
"If you can't make your mind up we'll never get started." I spin her once more so her back is to me, pressing her against my chest, until she bends over and I spin her again, gripping her hip a touch too tightly as she unfolds herself against my chest."And I don't wanna wind up being parted."My opposite hand wraps around her waist as she tilts her head back, left arm extending passed me. Unlike in our practices, when I tilt my head down to face her in what should be a purely suggestive move, our lips graze against each other. I feel her gasp against my lips and, for a split second, my grip on her tightens before I hear the music go on and quickly move on to the next steps."Broken-hearted."
My jaw tightens and a shiver travels up my spine as she runs her hands up my back and over my shoulders before I turn into her, her hands gripping the back of my neck, pulling me close. She is even more breathless than usual, that combined with the look in her eyes has me fighting to stay in control as I run the tips of my claws down her back before resting on her waist and taking her hand in my other."So if you really love me, say yes, but if you don't dear, confess." Her leg hooks a little higher on my waist than it should have and I press her flush against me as we turn to keep her from slipping, easily lifting her off the floor, before easing her left leg back to the floor, taking deep breaths as she unhooks her other leg and slowly slides it back to the floor."And please don't tell me 'perhaps, perhaps, perhaps. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps'." I spin her back into my arms and dip her lower to the ground than in previous routines just as the song ends. Her eyes are wide, too many emotions flying through them too quickly to discern, but I am unable to miss when her gaze falls to my lips. The only thing that stops me from leaning closer is the sudden sound of applause as the music ends. Kagome's cheeks turn bright red as I put us back upright, keeping a hand on her waist when she seems unsteady. Once the crowd dies down a bit, the judges face us with intrigued eyes.
"I'll be the one to ask," the judge on the right starts, looking too excited for my liking. "How long have you two been together?" Kagome laughs a little under her breath.
"He only just started dancing in August." The judges share a look of shock before the previous continues.
"That's… incredible that he's become so skilled in such a short amount of time and a very risky move on your part to take him as your partner if that's true, but I was actually asking about your personal relationship." Kagome's face flushes as her eyes widen at the implication.
"Oh, no, we, we're not, I-I mean, we're friends, but there's not, there's no relationship," she stammers out, trying to explain the situation. I notice InuYasha struggling to contain his own laughter at her obvious discomfort and force myself not to glare at him outright.
"Why the hell not?" The judge in the middle asks incredulously, sending an even fiercer blush across Kagome's cheeks. "The chemistry between you two is incredible, you're so in tune with each other, you can't expect us to believe there's nothing going on there. Especially if you two really did only start dancing together a few months ago." Kagome shrugs as I fight to keep the smirk off my face.
"I believe it's safe to say that you two are the couple to beat in this competition." The older judge smiles sympathetically at us, seemingly used to his partners' over excitement. "Keep it up and we look forward to your next performance." Kagome smiles, nodding her head, as she pulls me backstage. I notice her gnawing on her lip out of the corner of my eye and stop myself from pulling it from between her teeth, unsure of whether I would be able to stop myself from taking it for myself in the process given my current disposition.
"I hope your mystery girl doesn't read too much into that," she whispers once we exit the backstage area and begin making our way back to the waiting room. "Something really clicked back there, huh?" She chuckles as she scratches the back of her head, clearly uncomfortable. Not wishing to worsen the matter, I hold the door for her before following her towards the rack where her skirts are hanging.
"I am sure she will understand." She chuckles, nervously, before disappearing into the changing area once again.
"Where have you been hiding?" I glance over my shoulder to find a woman with short black hair, bright red eyes, and a dress cut far too low to be considered tasteful peering up at me from under false lashes. "Kagome really does know people with the best hair." She reaches out a hand and I quickly grip her wrist. "Ooo, so firm," she purrs. I narrow my eyes at her.
"Yura, I presume." Her lips twitch upwards in a smirk.
"Kagome's talked about me then, all good things I hope."
"If they were, I could not imagine them holding merit." Her own eyes narrow as her nose wrinkles in offence. I release my grip on her, ignoring her pout as she rubs at the sore appendage.
"You know, I thought dogs were supposed to be nice."
"Yura." Kagome grimaces as she makes her way back over, green skirts once again covering her legs. I could have sighed in relief if I did not miss the sight of her leg peeking out as she walked so much. "To what do we owe the pleasure? Here to steal another partner of mine?" Yura scoffs, standing closer to me. Kagome's eyes narrow for a split second before settling into an unamused expression.
"Oh, please, you should be thanking me. If I hadn't borrowed Hitoshi you wouldn't have found yourself this stud muffin."
"Paws off, Yura," Kagome orders, a warning clear in her tone. I cannot say I dislike the possessiveness of her words. "He's taken." She glances at me from the corner of her eye, the slightest hint of disappointment in her blue irises, before turning a pointed gaze on the other woman.
"That can always change," Yura suggests, clearly unused to being told no.
"Yura."
"Fine," she concedes, hands up in surrender. "See you in the finals." Kagome huffs before falling onto the couch behind me, arms crossed over her chest.
"So," I begin, easing myself down next to her. "That is the woman that stole your last partner." She hums in response, still glaring at the scantily clad woman's back. "I do not understand the appeal."
"She's attractive, easy, and a stupidly good dancer. What's not to understand?"
"It is this one's opinion that you are the superior in two of the three categories. As for the third, nothing worth having comes easily." A blush stains her cheeks as her lips twitch upwards, though she hides her smile well enough. I lean in a bit closer to whisper in her ear. "Besides, if prey is so easily attainable, what fun is the chase?" Her blush darkens as her breath catches in her throat and I back away to give her a moment to regain her composure. "This Yura is nothing more than a party favour that will quickly lose its novelty," I assure her after a few moments. "She cannot hope to compare to one such as yourself, which is why she antagonises you so often." Having said that, I stand up and offer her my hand. "I believe we are needed backstage." Kagome smiles, gently placing her hand in mine and, upon noticing Yura's watchful eye staring at us, I allow my hand to rest on Kagome's waist, fingers curled around her delicate side. At her glare, I do not bother to hide my smirk as I hold the door open.
"She was watching us leave?" Kagome guesses once we are out of earshot. I nod my head in response. "Thanks." I glance down to find the smallest of smirks on her own lips as well.
"It was my pleasure." The couple before us finishes and we take our places, standing across from each other. Kagome sends me one more smile before casting her gaze downwards, her hands at her sides. The piano begins, tapping out a few chords in time and, once the violin joins, I reach out and take one of her hands in mine, spinning her only to wrap our arms around her waist pressing her back against me. I spin her back out, her fingertips and gaze drawn towards the audience before pulling her back into me, keeping her hand in my left while my right trails up to cup her face.
"What would I do without your smart mouth?" My thumb brushes against her lips as she smiles coyly against it, tracing her jawline until my fingertips reach her chin and tilt her head up, pressing our bodies closer. "Drawing me in and you kicking me out." She pushes against my chest and takes a few steps away, her fingers tracing over her lips before she turns her back to me. "You've got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down. What's going on in that beautiful mind?" I take her hand, once more spinning her until she faces me and places her hands on my arm and in my hand before dipping her quickly. Upon standing her upright, she clings to me as we turn a few steps before acting as though she were to step away, only to return to our embrace."I'm on your magical mystery ride, and I'm so dizzy. Don't know what hit me, but I'll be alright." She pushes me away again and I walk away, several paces, ensuring my face portrays some level of irritation as she has instructed. I hear her steps rushing towards me and quickly turn to take her in my arms.
"My head's underwater, but I'm breathing fine. You're crazy and I'm out of my mind." The steps all blend together in a series of turns as we glide across the dance floor, her skirts flying as she raises her leg mid-turn. We end up with her back pressed against my chest, her arms around my neck, my hands gliding over her waist. "Cause all of me, loves all of you. Love your curves and all your edges, all your perfect imperfections." I trail one finger back up her side to her chin, guiding her head to face mine as her body slowly follows suit."Give your all to me, I'll give my all to you. You're my end and my beginning, even when I lose I'm winning." She moves to push me away again and I catch her wrists in both of my hands, her eyes widening at the action. We maintain eye contact even as we continue our steps from before."Cause I give you all of me, and you give me all of you, oh." As if on cue, her eyes take on a glassy sheen and I transfer her wrists to one hand before gently caressing her face, wiping away a tear just as it escapes her cerulean eyes.
"How many times do I have to tell you? Even when you're crying you're beautiful too." She wrenches her hands from mine, wrapping her arms around herself protectively, and when she turns to yell at me I am waiting just behind her. A smile tugs at my lips at the surprise on her face."The world is beating you down, I'm around through every mood. You're my downfall, you're my muse. My worst distraction, my rhythm and blues. I can't stop singing, it's ringing in my head for you." I take her back into my arms, returning to our former steps, only this time she does not try to step away. Instead, she gazes up at me only to look away when I attempt to make eye contact. She bites her lip as the music takes a more dramatic turn in time for the bridge.
"Give me all of you, cards on the table, we're both showing hearts." She raises a hand to rest it over my heart before gently laying her head on my chest. Shortly after, we turn into a low dip, her skirts falling around her hips as her leg raises, the momentum upon her standing forces us into a quick pivot."Risking it all though it's hard." The instruments fall silent as she turns, gripping the back of my neck as I hold her waist, our lips a breath apart, her eyes falling closed."Cause all of me, loves all of you." Her hand falls from my neck to trail over my chest, down to my arms as I step behind her, my own fingertips tracing her waist before coming to rest on her arms as she leans into me."Love your curves and all your edges, all your perfect imperfections." She delicately turns to face me, our hands joining once more to continue gliding across the room.
"Give your all to me, I'll give my all to you. You're my end and my beginning, even when I lose I'm winning." She steps away, still spinning, only to gracefully fall backwards, her neck delicately landing in the crook of my waiting arm. No hesitation, completely trusting that I would be there to catch her. She smiles up at me as her right arm comes to wrap around my neck, her left softly grazing my face. After helping her up, I wrap my arm tightly around her waist and spin us towards the middle of the floor, her feet barely grazing the floor itself as she holds her arms out to the side."Cause I give you all of me." She steps back and interlocks our arms, her back leg falling out as she extends her front as I spin her around, hovering just over the floor. I quickly turn her so that she faces me upon stopping, her hands reaching out ever so slightly towards me. Slowly, I step closer and kneel before her."And you give me all of you." I bring my hands up to caress her face, relishing the feel of her leaning into my grasp, as she wraps her hands around mine."I give you all of me, and you give me all of you, oh." One of her hands releases mine, falling to rest on my chest, just over my quickly beating heart. Her eyes grow wide as she notices and she stares up at me, lips parted ever so slightly. It would be so easy to just lean in, my inner beasts taunts. Instead, I press a gentle kiss to the inside of her wrist as the audience cheers. Her eyes widen further as her cheeks stain red and I hear her heartbeat quicken at the small gesture. Allowing a small smile that only she can see, I squeeze her hand and help her stand.
"You two are so lovely to watch," the judge on the far right comments. "Every emotion is read so clearly through your gestures and touches. Even when it's not written on your face, there's just such clear chemistry happening that you really can't help but feel drawn in." The middle one laughs heartily, looking a tad red in the face.
"See, I think that says something about you because I feel like I'm walking into something very intimate, every dance. It's not even the sexual tension." Kagome tenses beside me, blushing furiously at the phrase. "That doesn't help, but that's not all it is. There's just something so personal about each of your dances that I feel as though I'm interrupting, but at the same time I want to see how it ends, it's very conflicting!"
"Technically speaking, everything is flawless," the final judge praises, "at least from where I'm sitting. Sir, have you really only just started dancing?" I nod my head in response. "That's just unbelievable, you must have one hell of a teacher." He sends a wink in Kagome's direction who promptly refocuses her attention on the floor. "Can't wait for the next one."
"Could they be any pushier?" Kagome seethes the moment we are in the hallway heading back towards the dressing room. "I mean, gods, how many times do they need to say that? And how inappropriate on their part?"
"Is it not a compliment? They seem to enjoy your choreography, their comments lean in favour of your winning. Are their assumptions truly so bad?" She stares at me a moment, completely flabbergasted.
"How are you okay with this?" She screeches. My eyes close and jaw tightens at the pitch, even as the corners of my lips twitch upwards in amusement. "It's humiliating! It should be even worse for you, being…" Her face flushes as she stumbles over her words. "I mean, they're insinuating that you… and me… I'm human!" I shrug in response, nearly smiling at the bafflement in her expression. "Besides, you have your lady friend in the audience! This certainly isn't going to help your situation."
"She has a good sense of humour, this one is not concerned." That is, of course, when she has not been repeatedly embarrassed, I remind myself, silently hoping it still holds true after the fact. She deflates after a moment, cheeks still rosy red.
"It really doesn't bother you?" She asks, quietly. When she glances up from under her lashes, I shake my head. "How do you do it?" I watch as she picks up a piece of loose hair and begins winding it between her fingers. "How are you so confident?"
"I simply remember that they are all beneath me and, therefore, do not matter." She scoffs, rolling her eyes as she crosses her arms over her chest.
"Right, of course, what was I thinking? It must be so easy for the great dog demon," she mutters, dropping her eyes back to the floor. After casting a quick look around the hall to ensure we are alone, I step closer to where she is leaning on the wall, rest a hand on her arm, and tip her head up to meet her eyes.
"The great dog demon was my father." She smirks at the comment, breathing out a chuckle. "And everyone here is beneath you, and they don't matter." Her eyes widen marginally as her breath catches in her throat. She bites her lip and looks off to the side, pondering something for a moment.
"I don't know about everyone…"
"I do not say things I do not mean, Kagome." She nods her head in confirmation. "So, you can believe me when I say you hold a certain power over everyone in this building," I admit, not excluding myself in the slightest, and watch as her eyes wide. She opens her mouth to say something, only to abruptly shut it as a group of dancers walk by, speaking animatedly amongst themselves.
If our conversation had any effect on her concentration, it does not show in either our samba or quickstep. However, behind the scenes, she is more reserved, lost in her thoughts. Several times she looks as though she were going to say something before changing her mind and returning to staring a hole in the ground. I have to say her name twice when it is time to get backstage for our final number. Her breathing begins to quicken, fear coating her scent. She explained that she went a bit out of the box for this choreography and believes the judges will either love or hate it, no room for in between. Gently, I take her hand in mine and am slightly relieved when she squeezes it in response. Things are not too awkward it would seem.
"This is it," she whispers, sounding equal parts nervous and excited. There is a sadness in her eyes that tugs at my heart in a way I hadn't been away possible. "Our final dance." She bites her lip again and the urge to taste it myself is nearly too much before she shakes her head, squeezing my hand once more before releasing it. "Everything changes after tonight." My resolve steels at her words, not allowing for a moment's unnecessary hesitation.
"Indeed it shall." She smiles over her shoulder at me as she crosses the dance floor in the dark. The previous couple passes on their luck as they breeze by me and I take my place on the floor. The music starts, a slow twinkle as a spotlight finds Kagome at her place, sitting at the far end of the judges' table, legs crossed, taking a sip from an empty martini glass. She glances over her shoulder to find my gaze, the smallest of smirks playing across her lips as she takes another "sip" before I make my way over to her.
"I see you watching me, eyes on your target. Mixed drinks and smoke rings, it's already started." She sets down her glass, coming to meet me halfway in the middle of the floor, her head high, smirk still in place. "It won't be too long before me and you are doing what lovers do." I kiss her hand as she watches, expectantly, before taking her into my arms. "Clothes on the floor, we're exploring our bodies." We begin the box step combo, slowing to emphasize the drawn-out last word, as she gazes at our outstretched hands, before resuming the tempo. "Getting you off is my new favourite hobby." Keeping with the same steps, Kagome slides her left hand up to the back of my neck as I bring her in closer, leaning down for her to bury her face in my neck momentarily. "Lipstick on your neck brands like a tattoo." I hold her close, feeling her breath against my neck, relishing the proximity, and suppress a growl from erupting in my chest, though my eyes roll and shut on their own accord. Almost over, I remind myself. "Cause that just how lovers do." As the singer's voice trills, we return to the appropriate spaced form as I spin her around the floor to the audience's great pleasure, if their applause is anything to go by. "Oh, love is just another four-letter word, but that never stopped nobody! Oh." I twirl her under my arm, allowing her to take a step away before pulling her back in, closer than a proper waltz would allow. "Either way we lose, just like lovers, just like lovers do." As soon as the chorus is over, we take care to put extra space between us. Kagome schools her features to look irate, sneering at me, and I am glad for all the practice I've had at hiding my emotions. If looks could kill, the thought comes unbidden and my inner beast rumbles in joy at the idea.
"His and hers closets are perfect for skeletons, hiding resentment and shared infidelities." I spin Kagome out away from me again, as she winks and blows a kiss to one of the men in the audience, before I spin her back, linking our arms in a mock raising of a glass and drinking through intertwined arms. "Cheers to regret, wash it down with some booze, drinking like lovers do. Oh, love is just another four-letter word, but that never stopped nobody!" We continue spinning around the ballroom, arms linked, her skirts twirling around her ankles and calves as she glides across the floor, all the while glaring up at me. "Oh, either way, we lose, just like lovers, just like lovers do." As the tone becomes more intense, Kagome's smirk falls and I allow more than a little anger to seep into my expression as our movements become sharper to match the angrier tone. While I hear several members of the audience whisper about our less than amiable expressions, Kagome remains completely unafraid. She does not fear us, my inner beast notes with glee.
"That's how it goes, so take care like a grown-up." I release her hand to grab a fistful of her hair, pulling back slightly to expose her neck as she continues to glare at me. "Life's not a fairytale, it's hard to own up." She, in turn, places her hand at my throat, a cruel smile taking hold of her face. The expression is so out of character for her, and yet that only seems to add to the air of mania about her. At that moment, I can almost imagine her actually trying to kill me. Almost. "Hire a hitman to take care of you and end it like lovers do!" Our new position forces us into closer proximity with each other as we maintain eye contact throughout the entire performance. "Oh, love is just another four-letter word but that never stopped nobody! Oh, either way, we lose. Just like lovers, just like lovers do." As the tempo slows back down, we release each other, take several steps apart, and, maintaining eye contact, returning to the opening of the routine, several chain steps across from each other.
"I see you watching me, eyes on your target. Mixed drinks and smoke rings, it's already started. Let's roll the dice and we'll both make our moves." I quickly close the distance between us, once again taking her hand to kiss, gazing deeply into her eyes as I do so, more than pleased with the flush of her cheeks. "Playing like lovers do..." I bring her into me, once again, to complete the routine with just a few simple box steps as the music runs out. Silence takes over the ballroom before a sudden eruption of applause. No longer in character, Kagome breaks into the biggest smile I have ever had the pleasure of seeing on her and am unable to stop myself as I return the expression in full. Her eyes widen in surprise momentarily before she grabs my hand. We take our bows, it was explained previously that the judges would not be commenting on final performances, and we make our way backstage, but not before I hear a very interesting conversation from her friends' table.
"Okay, so did anyone else find that really hot?" Sango inquires, taking her seat.
"Excuse me?" InuYasha all but yells at the girl, even more shocked by his own wife's quiet agreement.
"Indeed. I was under the impression that the waltz was meant to be the least passionate dance. That certainly does not apply here," Kikyou replies as Sango nods her head. InuYasha looks to Miroku for help who can only shrug.
"It was quite captivating, to say the least."
Safely backstage, the next couple already making their way to the dance floor, Kagome turns to face me, positively beaming. I don't even bother trying to stop the smile from spreading across my face.
"That was amazing! Everyone loved it, and it went so well! Not that I had any doubts, I mean, we practised a ton and you were perfect, of course, but I never thought it would go that well! I'm so happy and it's all because of you!" My inner beast purrs at her praise. "I can never thank you enough, really, there's no way I could have done this without you! I swear, I could just, I could," she stammers, tripping over her words, thoughts running faster than her mouth is able to keep up in that adorable fashion of hers. I hazard a guess at what she's trying desperately not to say and tilt her chin up, capturing her lips in mine. She gasps against my lips, stiffening for a moment, before her hands come to rest on my biceps as she leans in, more than willing to reciprocate. I snake my arms around her waist, pulling her in closer, smiling against her lips. When she begins to run out of air, I pull back, taking her face in my hand. We are both breathing heavily, both from the dance and what just transpired. I smirk down at her, catching the way she bites her now slightly swollen lip.
"You could just do that?" I ask, innocently. She looks up at me, eyes wide, before she giggles and looks back at the floor, nodding her head. Her hands tighten around my arms as she leans into my hand before pulling away, a worried expression on her face.
"Wait, I, I can't, y-you, your -" she breathes out a frustrated sigh, looking me dead in the eyes. "Your mystery girl." I chuckle, cupping her cheeks with both hands.
"She should hardly be a mystery now." Her eyebrows lower in confusion. "Honestly, even the half-breed found me out. Do you really find the idea so unbelievable that you are incapable of seeing what is directly in front of you?" Her breath catches again as she stares at me with wide eyes.
"Wait, you mean… it was me the whole time?" I smirk in response, watching as a flurry of emotions plays across her face before it settles into anger. "But you said -"
"I never said anything about another woman," I remind her. "When I mentioned having recently found someone worthy of my affections you are the one who assumed there was someone else. I simply did not correct you." Her cheeks stain pink as she realises the truth of my words, both now and when she had not so subtly asked about the woman of my affections in her studio all those weeks ago.
"But why -"
"You were not ready and I did not wish to make things awkward given our partnership." She looks away, but not before I catch the smile making its way to her lips. "So, has my lady friend lost her good sense of humour about this small ordeal?" She giggles a bit, biting her lip, before I gently grip her chin and force her to face me once more. "Or am I permitted another kiss?" Her blush darkens as she nods slightly. I waste no time in pulling her lip from between her teeth with my own, her arms wrapping around my neck this time. Moments later, the announcer's voice echoes throughout the centre, calling for all dancers to make their way to the dance floor for final judgements. We pull apart and Kagome's face lights up, amusement dancing behind her eyes as she reaches up and wipes around my mouth.
"Lipstick," she explains, a little sheepishly. I smirk as she runs a skilled finger around her own, expertly fixing the slightly blurred lines. "Ready?" I slip my hand into hers and guide her back out onto the floor. Once in line with the other couples, Kagome squeezes my hand again, nerves floating about her scent. One of the judges straightens in his chair, leaning forward to the mic at the end of the table.
"This year's dances were some of the best I've seen in my twenty years judging this competition. The overwhelming talent and dedication you have all demonstrated have completely blown me and my fellow judges away and we cannot thank you all enough for the joy you have brought us." He pauses, his gaze lingering on Kagome and me a moment before he continues. "However, there can only be one winner tonight. Without further ado, in third place, we have Yura and Hitoshi." The audience cheers as they step forward, standing in the centre of the dance floor, looking less than ecstatic. Kagome's hand tightens around mine again and I carefully wrap my youki around her, coaxing her to relax. "Our runner up couple is Taro and Moe." Gently, I rub my thumb across the top of her hand. She reaches across the grip my arm in her other hand, leaning on me slightly. "And finally, there was one couple who stood out among the rest in terms of technique, choreography, storylines, and genuine heart that we feel truly deserves first place. The winners of this year's competition are -"
Hello again everyone! It's been awhile, I know, and I'm very sorry for the wait. Hopefully the length and content helped make up for it? I explained on my other story, Find Me, that the reason I've been MIA is because I'm a university student in my fifth year, English Lit. major and double minors in French and Russian studies, it is currently finals week, my semester is over this Thursday, and I will hopefully be graduating next semester (Fingers crossed). That being said, here are the two links for two of the dances in this chapter if anyone is interested in seeing what I attempt to put into words. I hope you all enjoy and, as always, thank you so much for your patience and kind words! I really appreciate them more than you know!
watch?v=AjwNm_UtpWw
watch?v=moX61zZ_g4k