Dancing

Dancing prompt from Tumblr Inucest chat courtesy of Inucestlover

I don't own Inuyasha and I don't make money from this, but I do have fun!

Summary: Sesshomaru is a dance instructor at the local community center. He was once a well-known dancer that won several awards in his youth. But after he retired, he was convinced by one of his friends to teach. Inuyasha is a sensei at the dojo. Ayame is trying to prove to Ginta that women are equal to men.

-#-

Sesshomaru bowed low. The stage lights were bright and highlighted his glistening face. This was it- His farewell performance as the principle dancer for the most prestigious ballet company on the planet! His chest heaved from the exertion and excitement. He heard the audience applauding enthusiastically. He returned to his full standing position and surveyed the audience. He smiled broadly and the crowd went wild.

Sesshomaru awoke. He did it again. He was lost in a memory of the past. He had been a world famous principle dancer but now he was in the next part of his life. He taught dancing, private lessons, and twice a week he taught at the local community center. He had not wanted to do that but his oldest friend and publicist told him it would be good for public appearances.

Why did he settle here in this uncultured part of the world? Oh yes, because his publicist said it would be a great place to reinvent himself. Most aging ballerinos went into choreography, or became the artistic director of some company. He couldn't see that in his future. He was the top. He couldn't stand to the side and watch someone else take the spotlight. No, he would have to reinvent himself. So for the time he would teach at this place. Something surely would shake his world.

-#-

Ayame had always felt like she had to prove to world that she had the right to be in it. Orphaned at an early age she lived in several foster homes. The most recent had an old couple who were tender and caring but unable to provide the discipline Ayame needed. In a moment of desperation the couple took Ayame to a dojo and introduced the young girl to the teacher Inuyasha. Ayame was impressed with Inuyasha and signed up for classes that day. See devoted herself to the martial arts and moved up the ranks quickly. Sensei Inuyasha stressed that martial arts were for protecting people and oneself and not to be used to bully others. Ayame honored her teacher. She was a good child, a bit rough around the edges and a challenge for the older couple.

As Ayame aged she met other kids in the dojo but none got on her nerves as bad as a boy named Ginta. Ginta had definite biases about women and their roles which Ayame didn't agree with. They soon became sore points and Ayame challenged Ginta constantly to prove women were just as strong, smart, etc... In the dojo they were equals but outside the dojo if there was a game that someone could win they challenged each other. To date Ayame was the reigning champion.

A young child joined the martial arts studio. Ayame watched as she practiced her katas. She was distracted. Ginta noticed and chuckled to himself. He would win this bet.

"Hey Ayame! I have the next challenge for us! I challenge you to a dance battle!"

"Okay," Ayame turned to look at Ginta. "One of the dance things at the arcade or one in your house? My foster parents don't have any gaming equipment."

"No, Way! I mean a dance battle in front of the entire school. You can even bring a date if you want."

"Dance with a boy?!" Ayame was horrified. "I've never done that before."

"Okay, then dance with a girl. I don't care," Ginta tossed out. "You've just got to dance with a partner."

"No Ginta. I haven't ever danced with anyway, male or female."

"Guess you had better take some lessons," Ginta chuckled and excused himself from the dojo, his brother at his side.

Ayame was left along in the dojo with Sensei Inuyasha.

"Uh, Sensei?"

"Hai, Ayame. What can I do for you?"

"Do you know how to dance?"

Inuyasha had taken on the older brother role for Ayame years ago. It was not uncommon for them to share the last moments of the day cleaning up the dojo and sharing news or important discussions but he had not realized it was time for the youngster to be interested in dating. He smiled.

"I've been known to "cut a rug" in my day."

"Why would you cut a rug while you were dancing?" The teenager questioned.

"Never mind. What kind of dancing?"

"Partner dancing."

"Oh, well probably best if I recommend the community center class twice a week. The famous dancer Sesshomaru teaches a course there. You can probably pick up a few lessons from him."

"Thanks Sensei," Ayame smiled and quickly finished her chores and left for home. As she rode her bicycle home she passed by the community center and looked in the glass windows. She noticed movement so she pulled into the parking lot and looked into the window.

Sesshomaru was stretching out and going through some warm up exercises. His white hair was tied up high on his head. He was clad in black footed tights and a tight fitting black muscle shirt. His movements were graceful and elegant. He was breathtaking.

Ayame was transfixed. She didn't know anyone who could move like that. She'd have to check out dance lessons with Sesshomaru. She rode home and told her foster parents of the day's events.

-#-

The gaggle of novice dancers awaited their instructor. Ayame didn't know what to wear so ended up in her basketball shorts and a t-shirt. She looked around. There were some older women in frumpy clothes, a few college age women and one man and his wife standing to the back. Ayame realized then that there no single males in the class.

Guess I'll just dance with a girl, she thought.

Just then Sesshomaru strode in.

The gaggle turned to watch their instructor.

Sesshomaru turned to the students. "We will start with the waltz. This is the basic pattern."

He demonstrated and then had the group mimic him. After several repeats, he had them partner up and dance without music—only to the sound of his voice counting 1-2-3, over and over.

Ayame had been grabbed by a 50 some year old grandmotherly woman. She was nice enough and smelled clean. To voice commands Ayame was quite capable of dancing the waltz, however, when Sesshomaru added music, Ayame stumbled and tripped and stepped on the poor woman's feet.

Sesshomaru stopped the music and walked into the dancers. Standing directly in front of Ayame he stared down his nose and said, "I don't want to say our new student dances badly, but I've seen better rhythm from a convulsing rat". Then he twirled around and walked back to the front of the group to start teaching again.

Ayame blushed. The grandmotherly woman excused herself and Ayame found that she was without a partner. A college student stepped into her presence and offered to be her partner if she would not step on her feet. Ayame laughed. "I won't if you count for me. I don't think I've ever heard that music before."

"Lucky you. My parents played everything. Old, new, bad, good, whatever. I heard it. Didn't like it but I heard it."

Ayame smiled and resumed her dancing with the student counting 1-2-3 to her. The improvement was immediately visible to Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru watched his class. Some of them had some rhythm. Most of them were not in good enough shape to try anything athletic or required any exertion. He'd have to challenge them to improve their endurance and strength.

That young woman-I must find out what brings a teenage tomboy to my community center dance class. And I should probably apologize for the cutting comment, he thought. I believe she's doing better. Sesshomaru watched and noticed the college student was counting 1-2-3. Interesting, he thought.

Perhaps she has not heard a waltz before. Perhaps we should try swing dancing at our next class.

The remainder of the class Sesshomaru waltzed through the dancers tapping them on the shoulders to stand straighter or positioning their arms. As he approached Ayame he made a point of telling the crowd that the new student had shown the most improvement in the lesson.

The crowd clapped for Ayame who blushed and ducked her head.

Sesshomaru excused the group but held Ayame back to question what brought her to the lessons.

"Sir, I have to learn how to partner dance for a competition by the end of the month. My sensei suggested your course. Do you think you can help me?"

Sesshomaru heard the word competition. He loved to compete. He missed that.

"What style of partner dance?"

"No restrictions. Just has to be a partner dance at the high school dance."

"I see. Do you have any ideas of what you want to do and who is your partner?"

Ayame scratched the back of her head and shuffled her feet.

"Don't know. I've never danced with anyone until tonight. I do martial arts. My Sensei is really good"

"Interesting," Sesshomaru's hand went to his chin and his finger tapped his lips. "This could be fun."

"Sir?" Ayame stared confused at the ballerino.

"Where's your dojo? I'd like to meet your sensei."

"He's got a class that lets out in 10 minutes. I can introduce you if you want me to."

"Let's go. Oh, right, what's your name?"

"Ayame, My name is Ayame."

Sesshomaru looked in her face. "Pleasure to meet you Ayame. My name is Sesshomaru."

They shook hands. Then grabbing their belonging they jumped on their bicycles and rode to the dojo.

-#-

Sensei Inuyasha was just locking up the dojo as they pulled up.

"Sensei," Ayame called out. "Sensei, I want to introduce you to my dance instructor."

The man turned and smiled at his young student and then looked past him to the dancer.

"Sesshomaru, I presume. I've heard good things about you."

The dancer nodded his head. "As I have about you. Do you have a moment? It seems our mutual student is need of a partner for a dance competition and I have an idea or two of how that can be accomplished."

"Anything for Ayame," the martial artist replied and he turned to open the dojo.

-#-

After several demonstrations of solo katas and paired katas, Sesshomaru nodded. "Very good, Ayame. I believe I can choreograph a partner dance for you but I will need to give you private lessons and I would like to sign up for some lessons from your Sensei."

"It would be my honor to have you in my dojo, Sesshomaru." The men walked to the desk to look at the calendar to compare notes. Ayame trailed after them.

"Give your parents a call and let them know you are well and with us, Ayame. It is later than I anticipated and I would hate for them to be worried." Sesshomaru's expression was intense.

"Yes sir," Ayame picked up her cell. Ordinarily she wouldn't have bothered to call them but she really wanted to please her dance instructor.

The martial artist instructor smiled.

-#-

Later that evening when Sesshomaru got home he walked into his bedroom.

"She has a crush on you, you know. You can get her to do things that I can't," Inuyasha teased from his position on their bed.

Sesshomaru tossed his shirt in his brother's face. "Funny, I was just thinking that about you. I've been trying to get you to teach me martial arts for years but she asks for something and you are more than willing to teach me. Perhaps I should be jealous."

"She's like a little sister to me," Inuyasha declared.

"Martial arts dancing will shake up the world-A blend of your arts and mine. I can't wait."

He bent down and kissed his lover.

"Who's going to be my little sister's partner? I won't share you," Inuyasha pouted.

"She is a little young for either of us. But I know a dancer or two and I'm sure they would want to get in on the beginning of this new dance style. I'll make a call tomorrow. But tonight I'd like to show my lover a little attention." A beautiful smile painted the dancer's face.

"Hmm," sighed the martial artist as his lips were covered by his lover's. It was the beginning of a wonderful evening.

xoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxxoOOOOOOOOOOh

The following day Sesshomaru contacted a young athletic dancer by the name of Kouga. Kouga had joined the ballet group to learn from Sesshomaru and had expressed his disappointment that Sesshomaru had retired when he did. Sesshomaru explained the situation and asked Kouga to take a 30 day intensive training with him. Sesshomaru's call delighted the young dancer and he headed straight to Sesshomaru's side.

Kouga was excited about the idea of combining martial arts and dancing. He had been a martial arts student in his youth but had stopped when his parents said they would only pay for one hobby. Sesshomaru introduced Kouga to Inuyasha. Initially Inuyasha was a bit jealous of the hero worship Kouga paid to Sesshomaru but soon enough Kouga warmed up to Inuyasha. The two took to tumbling about the dojo with Ayame and Sesshomaru standing to the side watching. Ayame was enamored with the young dancer. Even her foster parents noticed she was becoming a bit softer around the edges.

The combination martial arts dancing came together well and soon it was the night of the school dance. Sesshomaru and Inuyasha attended as adult chaperones. Both wore black silk draped suits. They caught the eye of all in the gym. When the principle saw the famous dancer was present she insisted he and his partner be given the floor.

"I appreciate the offer, Principle. Instead may we witness the dance battle between Ginta and Ayame?"

The principle appeared shocked but agreed quickly and the dance floor was cleared for the contestants.

"The contest will be judged by the students' peers. We will flip to see who goes first," Inuyasha offered a coin and Sesshomaru flipped it.

Ginta called heads and won the contest. He and his girlfriend grabbed two cowboy hats and took the center stage several feet apart. Boot Scootin Boogie started and the two performed a perfect line dance. Students along the edge of the oval tapped along. It was clear that it was well received.

When they were finished Ayame and Kouga took the center position. They toss off their capes to reveal similar costumes as Sesshomaru and Inuyasha. Kung Fu Fighting started. Everyone started laughing. However within moments they witnessed the most intriguing combination of smooth moves and martial art punches. It wasn't like the old dance game. This was a new dance.

On the dance floor Ayame glowed with happiness. Kouga was careful not to show off too much, but instead put her in the attention of the audience. All too soon the music stopped. The crowd was silent but to Ayame it didn't matter. She had just had the best time of her life. Suddenly the audience burst out in tumultuous applause. Even Ginta joined with whistles and catcalls.

Sesshomaru grabbed his brother's hand and took him to Ayame and Kouga's side. The music played again and the foursome repeated the dance only with four instead of two. The crowd went wild.

When it was over Ginta walked to Ayame and officially offered his congratulations for her victory. He couldn't keep his eyes off Kouga though and began to follow him for the rest of the night.

Sesshomaru led Inuyasha to a darkened corner and pushed his brother against the wall. He leaned up and whispered in his ear. Inuyasha quivered from head to foot. A scrapping sound interrupted the two from any further activity but both can hardly wait to get home that night.

Sesshomaru and Inuyasha combined the dojo and a dance studio and started a whole new rage.

Kouga returned to the ballet group with promises to Ayame and Ginta that he would return as often as he could for intense lessons with Sesshomaru.

Ginta conceded that women were equals and he and Ayame became BFFs.

The End