A/N: Set some time before the current Lantern Rite, but don't think too hard about it because I'm just making things up!

Quarterly - Rocky Road: (word) Glide / (dialogue) "You don't fool me, (insert name)."

Limited Edition - Romance: 3. Gone With the Wind (Margaret Mitchell) / (Action) Dancing


Wild songs played in the dark.

Kazuha stood on the outskirts of the merriment, arms folded as he watched his friends dance. The campfire crackled, a cooking pot overflowing on the iron bracket above it, waiting for Thoma's steady, capable hands. Steady, capable hands that were currently clasped in Aether's as he swung him around and around to the beat of an old, strange tune.

"I do hope your plan for the evening isn't to make my retainer sick," Ayaka said, her voice lifting over the brassy music.

When Aether only laughed and spun Thoma faster, ignoring his startled yelp, she hid her smile behind her fan, and allowed Kokomi to draw her into a light-hearted twirl.

Kazuha watched on. He tapped his foot idly, not quite willing to join the fray. More people were milling about; some of them were wary around some of the Inazuma officials, but there hadn't been a single sharp word so far. He considered it a win even if the night ended badly.

The wind stirred up the noise and ruffled curls, urging them along. The melody was swifter and a little darker than any he usually played. Gorou came bounding out of the crowd and shot Kazuha a sunny smile, leaning against the rock beside him. There was a certain tension in his shoulders that spoke to years of dedicated training, but his gaze was relaxed, scanning the group almost indulgently.

"I thought I'd find you here," he said eventually. "I've checked the perimeter and it's safe, if you want to let your hair loose."

Kazuha hummed, amused. "You should try taking your own advice, my friend."

You could ask anyone in the world, and they would probably agree that Kazuha wasn't much of a dancer. Not that he couldn't dance. Fighting was like dancing, sparring was like a two-step on a stage; there was a certain harmonious flair to every swipe of a sword, a performance rooted in every duck and glide and dodge and parry.

He could dance if he tried, he was sure, but he'd never tried. And dancing seemed like something you did with another person, but nobody had ever asked him. The truth was simply that he preferred to be on the other end of a lyre. He'd rather strum a song than dance along to the beat of one.

"Hey, I was wondering," Gorou said, perking up. "Would you…?"

A much louder yelp broke the question in half; Kazuha watched distractedly as Thoma began to glide towards them, toppling forward and knocking into Gorou's shoulder.

"Hey!" Thoma said, as he righted himself. "You shouldn't throw your dance partners, you know!"

"Well then you shouldn't be so easy to throw."

Aether advanced with a wicked grin on his face, and for a moment Kazuha wondered if he should draw his sword. But all Aether did was wink at Kazuha and reach for Gorou instead, drawing him into the mess of laughter and dancing. There was a lot of spluttering from the uptight General, and Kazuha didn't bother to hide his smile as he leaned back and watched.

"I forget how exhausting dancing can be," Thoma said, sweeping a hand across his brow.

"I think it might only be exhausting when the traveller is involved," Kazuha said delicately, as Gorou went spinning and shrieking towards his demise. "He does have a way of turning everything into an adventure."

"Ha, you might be right." Thoma grinned and leaned back against the rock. "You don't feel like joining in?"

"I don't think that's a good idea. I'm quite content to watch."

Thoma eyed him for a moment. "You don't fool me, Kazuha. You're a dancer at heart." He dropped the serious act and grinned conspiringly. "And even if you aren't, Aether will get you sooner or later. I hope you're ready for your turn."

And although he was by no means ready, and although it was no surprise when things wound down before he could take to the dancefloor, Kazuha was surprised to find that he was rather disappointed when his turn never came.


[Word Count: 683]