Just something fun for a Sunday/Monday. Cheers!

Shall We Dance?

They watched the crowd as they danced the night away.

"Is that them?" Hiashi asked.

"The couple in green," Hizashi nodded.

"They look pretty good," Hiashi allowed. "But do you think they are up to it?"

"Have I ever steered you wrong," his twin brother asked laconically. He looked to the attendant nearest to him. He tipped his glass toward the dance floor, the ice cubes clinking in what little scotch remained. "Tell them to put on a swing number."

"Is this really necessary, Uncle? Father?" Neji asked, bored. "It is a charity event, not a competition."

"Everything is a competition," Hizashi said with a dangerous smile. "Especially when it is our company versus Uchihia's. It isn't just about who raises the most money, son. The company sponsoring the winning couple gets a leg up on advertising and future business in a big way."

"So what do we know about them?" Hiashi asked, flipping open a file. "Seems they were quite popular on the marathon circuit for a while."

Neji looked over his shoulder at the numerous newspaper clippings. "Quite the little press darlings, weren't they?" he drawled. "But it seems they have trouble keeping their story straight. Here," he takes a page from his uncle, "they are a couple of farm kids from Nebraska, but in this paper from Nebraska they are from New York City… here they are small town sweethearts…here they are - oh I love this – 'dancing away their wedding night.' And it seems they have some dance floor drama to follow each scenario."

"Those stories are all made by the emcee of the event and the press," Hizashi said. "Brings people in; they love the promise of a good drama."

"So who are they really?"

"They are the real deal," a man cut in, shifting a long toothpick in his mouth as he handed Hizashi a fresh drink. "That's all you need to know."

"Ah, Genma," Hiashi looked up calmly. "So glad you could join us."

"So," he took the toothpick out and studied it. "Sold yet?"

"Perhaps," Hiashi nodded back to the material. "Demonstration pending."

The band begin to pick up, and the first strains of 'Sing, Sing, Sing' filled the air.

"If you're not sold after this," Genma nodded to the dance floor, "then you aren't a serious buyer."

The dancers changed; some left the floor, some joined, others went to the middle, and couple in green went to work.

The dance before had been up-tempo but hardly a challenge.

This?

This was acrobatic.

Neji had never cared much for swing dancing; it was too raw – too ugly for him. It bordered on being to self-indulgent; obvious with no class.

But he'd never seen it done like this.

The man in green picked up his brunette partner to swing her around and toss her in the air. He flipped her over him, swung her through his legs, launched her to flip acrobatically ahead of him – they did all manner of tricks, each more daring than the last. The crowd loved it, and despite being swung about, she moved with an athletic grace that made it appear effortless. Her dancing dress was part costume, and her matching bloomers flashed as her skirt flew around her long, lean legs. They even switched partners for a few moves, laughing and bringing others into the fun.

Hiashi watched shrewdly as the audience and other dancers went wild with applause and cheers.

"And they can keep up this pace?"

"All night," Genma laughed. "You won't find another couple anywhere with their type of stamina. We've actually had charities ask them not to come to certain events because they kept winning. They can certainly withstand your measly 24-hour dance-off."

"Impressive," Hizashi glanced over to his son, who was watching the dancers. He smiled into his scotch. "What do you think, son?"

"Entertaining," he allowed, even as the song ended and the dancers rearranged themselves. "But the competition calls for at least three classic dances, and two partner switches – one with one of the sponsors," he looked to his father. "Can they do more than flashy acrobatics?"

"What do you say, Genma?" Hizashi slid a smile to the other man.

"I say that if your kid has any doubts, he can go see for himself," Genma snorted. He signaled one of the waitresses to join them in the private box. "Take Young Master Hyūga down to the dancefloor," he instructed. "Tell the Emcee and the band to pull out a Winter Strauss."

"Sure thing, Mr. Shiranui!" she chirped, and looked over to Neji expectantly.

Neji gave Genma a cold look, but did not back away from the challenge.

The young girl kept peeking over her shoulder at him, clearly appreciating what she saw.

He did not respond.

He was young, wealthy, clever, and handsome.

He was used to it.

She led him to the front row, and motioned for him to take a seat.

"Just here, Mr. Hyūga," she said brightly before scampering away to the bandstand.

Neji sat back in is seat and idly surveyed the dance floor.

Why on earth was he down here?

What could he possibly see from this angle that couldn't be better seen from the box that overlooked the dancefloor?

The last number ended, and the dancers and audience clapped.

The music began again, but this time it was a waltz.

As athletic and electric as couple in green had been earlier, they were now poised and graceful. They glided across the floor, the man providing strong and solid support for his fluid partner. They added spins and turns, making the dance impossibly beautiful.

"Alright, kids," the Emcee announced. "Snowball!"

Neji quirked an eyebrow. So that is what they meant by a 'Winter Strauss.'

He watched as the dancers split apart and changed partners, pulling from the attendees.

The girl from earlier caught the dancers in green before they split. They listened to her hurried whispers, before nodding to one another.

Then,

Much to Neji's discomfort

The woman strode over to him.

Despite all of the activity, she was not disheveled or sweaty.

She glowed with the radiance of someone who is doing something they love.

"Mr. Hyūga, is it?" she asked, hazel eyes snapping merrily in a pretty face. "I hear you may be sponsoring us in the charity dance."

He gave a small inclination of his head

"It is a possibility, yes."

A smirk pulled at her lips.

"And do we meet with your approval?"

"What makes you think I'm here to give my approval?" he asked.

"Why else would you have left the box to sit in the front row of the dancefloor?" she laughed lightly.

He didn't answer, but a faint smile played about his lips.

"I'll give you a tip," she said gamely, lowering her voice and tucking her skirt under her as she sat down next to him. "I know the team that the Uchiha's are sponsoring. They are very good."

"Oh?" he arched an eyebrow, turning in his seat to face her.

"Mm," she hummed, looking back over the dance floor and then back to him. "Naruto and Sakura. Powerhouse of a dance couple. Naruto is the only other person I've ever seen keep up with Lee when it comes to stamina, and Sakura is small but strong as all get out."

"How do you know this?" he studied her.

"The dance circuit isn't that big," she shrugged. "Word gets around."

"Interesting," Neji mused. "And how does this information benefit me?"

"There's only one couple around that can compete against Naruto and Sakura," she grinned wickedly. "And you're talking to half of it."

Her smile was contagious.

"Am I, now?"

"Yes," she said frankly. "We – me and Lee - are your only hope of winning, and that is the truth."

"What makes you so certain?" he asked, eyebrows raised.

"This is what I love to do," she motioned to everything around them, "but it is also my livelihood. I have to be certain about these kinds of things. Knowing the competition is critical."

"Indeed it is."

"I take it you are a man who likes to win?" she asked.

"That is a fair statement," he responded.

"Well, I am a woman who hates to lose," she held out her hand. "So is it a deal, Mr. Hyūga?"

He might have refused, but he saw Genma leaning over the rail of the box, watching him in challenge.

He stood to take her hand.

Something electric shot up his arm and into his chest as she rose to her feet, and he couldn't say if she had felt it or not.

"Your name?" he asked, less gracefully than he might have.

She smiled.

"Tenten."

"Alright then, Tenten," he said smoothly, leading her onto the dance floor and into waltz position.

"Shall we dance?"

He settled his hand on the curve of her waist, and she settled her arm on his shoulder.

Her eyes sparked with a curious mix of determination and mischief.

"Let's."

Sing, Sing, Sing,' came out in 1936; Lee and Tenten were doing a fancy variation on the Lindy Hop. Genma isn't a coach to any of the teams; he is someone who finds people. Naruto and Sakura are childhood friends and affiliated with Kakashi. Lee and Tenten are coached by Gai.

Dance marathons were big in the 20's, 30's, and 40's. They were particularly popular in the depression era USA, when the prize money was desperately needed. Some of these marathons went days, weeks, months! Dancers would have to move around the clock, and would dance while eating, shaving, etc. They got small breaks to rest - as in maybe 10-20 minutes to sleep, and then back on their feet. The rules were that you had to be on your feet and moving; you couldn't be asleep. Partners would literally hold each other up. People working the event would help to move the dancers around and keep them awake. Some of the dancers did eventually have sponsors, and the Emcee's would conjure up stories about the dancers to bring in the audiences. People would pay a nominal fee to come and watch/cheer for their favorite dancers. It could be a grueling event - there were recorded cases of extreme exhaustion resulting in hospitalization, or even death.

There are still charities that do 24 hour dance-offs. . I had a great time researching the dance marathons; take a second and hit google and youtube; you won't be disappointed!

I haven't decided if/when I'll pick this story back up, and when I will set it if/when I do. Thoughts?