Chapter Twenty-Five

The musical had been a success! Three straight days of pure excellence! Three straight days of standing ovations as well. Everyone's mood could only get better as they headed over to the Evan's for the cast party. Being the co-presidents of the Drama Club as well as seniors, it was their duty to host the cast party on the last night…not to mention they had the biggest house out of the seniors as well. Their parents had agreed to be out for the night, leaving the house in the care of their children on the condition that they return to it clean and in one piece. They had even gone as far as to hire a DJ for the kids and stocked up on snacks and foodstuffs for the guests before leaving.

Troy and Sharpay had been dancing most of the time, only stopping half way through to grab a quick bite to eat before heading back out to the dance floor. They had greeted their friends when they saw them but hadn't stayed to chat…more content to go off into their own little world as they danced. They were currently in the center of the dance floor, a slow song had just ended and waited for the next one.

Troy gazed down at the floor confusedly as he listened to the song playing. There was something familiar about the song. He ignored the lyrics, choosing instead to listen to the beat behind it. He smirked as he pulled Sharpay closer to him.

"Does this song seem familiar to you?" he shouted slightly over the music.

She looked up at him, listening to the music…was Rock Ya Body by MVP supposed to be familiar to her? "No…why?" she asked.

"Not the lyrics…" he added, "Listen to the drums!"

Sharpay took a moment to hear the beat of the drums just behind the words. Her eyes widened as she realized just what the drums sounded like. "Do you remember this?" she asked.

Troy smirked wider as he nodded, "Let's give them a show!" he shouted getting a nod of agreement from Sharpay before she took a step back to start her part of the dance…

The sun had just set upon the deserts of Egypt, signifying the start of the sacred ritual, the celebration of Amun. Every member of the court, the priests and priestesses, all who resided within the palace was in the courtyard, crowded around the raging fire that had been built. Subira stood before the fire, shouting the sacred prayers to Amun while the people around her shouted and swayed to the beats of the drums.

She threw something into the fire that made it blaze higher. Shouts arose behind her, as the people were sent into a frenzy gathering closer to each other and starting the dance.

Subira stepped back from the fire, catching Tehuti's eye through the flames. She smiled softly and closed her eyes, swaying to the beat of the drums, letting her head fall back. The beat would not stay as calm as it was now. No…it would soon grow in speed and intensity, striking the most primal instincts of those that had gathered.

The celebration of Amun was dedicated to the preservation of life and the reverence of death. Each participant was paired with another…but Subira was special. She had never participated in the celebration before and was strangely exhilarated to be the priestess this time. Her part was to be the most important, if she found a partner willing to dance with her…good luck would befall the land…if not…well…she tried not to think of that…

She took the first steps, dancing slightly away from the fire before spinning while moving around the fire. Her eyes remained closed as she moved in rhythm with the drums, starting to spin and move faster as the speed picked up slightly. She slowed, stopping as the drums stopped for a instant, sweeping into a sort of bow before standing and opening her eyes to see that she had stopped just in front of where Tehuti stood.

She smiled as she stood before him. The drums started up once more and she twisted and turned before him, shaking her body in what could only be described as a seductive way. Her smiled turned into a smirk as she watched his eyes start to glaze over with desire as he watched her dance. He had to wait for a certain part of the drums before he was allowed to participate. It was the priestess' duty to perform by herself for the first portion of the dance before she was allowed a partner.

She threw her hands above her head before slowly lowering them, running them down her sides, shaking her hips and thrusting at him…all the while making sure to keep just out of his reach. Her dance was starting to wind down and she performed her last steps, something similar to a belly dance.

Tehuti's breath hitched in his throat as he watched Subira dance. She was wearing a long white skirt like she had been when he had first seen her, only this time it had two slits on the sides, running all the way up to her golden belt. Her flat stomach was visible under the white fabric of her halter-top shirt. She still wore her amulet and armlet, but had gone barefoot tonight, as had everyone else. He let out an unconscious growl when she started the last part of her dance, barely able to contain himself before he was allowed to join her.

As soon as the beat of the drums shifted, his arms shot out and wrapped around her, pulling her close. She let out a gasp at the nearness of his body…and as soon as she had, his mind went blank. He couldn't think as the drumbeat became a part of him, forcing its way into his very blood. His blood began to boil as Subira continued to dance in his arms while he joined her, moving in perfect harmony with her.

Subira shivered in his arms as he ran his hands down her back and along her body. Her heart started to race as he danced with her, moving his body along with hers. They moved side to side, practically grinding against each other as the music took them over. She pushed herself up against him, leaving absolutely no space between them. His arms tightened around her more before he leaned her back and snapped her back to him, completing the dance…

But he could not stop the smile from appearing on his face. She had stopped before him, the gods had directed her to him…Amun had directed her! She would have to accept his proposal now…they were meant to be…

Kelsi laughed at a joke that Jason had just told…she didn't really get it, but she laughed anyway. She looked around the room, fully intending to return her attention to the group when her gaze locked on a very stunning sight. Her eyes widened and she nearly choked on the air when she realized just who were at the center of the commotion.

"You guys!" She shouted, turning back to the group. "Oh my god…you guys!"

"What Kels?" Taylor asked, noticing her friend's flabbergastedness.

"Look!" she shouted, pointing to the dance floor.

The group leaned over and looked over to where Kelsi was pointing.

"Oh my god!" Gabriella shouted.

"Is that…" Ryan started.

"Troy and Sharpay?" Chad finished.

Kelsi nodded.

"Damn…" Jason started.

"They're practically doing it on the dance floor!" Taylor shouted utterly appalled as she watched a group of dancers start gathering around her two friends.

Both Ryan and Chad jumped at that exclamation and practically ran for their sister and friend before things got…out of hand.

The song ended with Troy and Sharpay's bodies pressed against one another so closely that not even a piece of paper could fit between them. They were facing each other, breathing heavily, their lips just a hair's breath apart. They leaned in about to kiss when suddenly they were jerked back in opposite directions away from the other. Sharpay looked back to see Ryan pulling her as Troy was yanked by Chad. They glanced back at each other for a second before turning away.

Chad and Ryan pulled them around the dance floor, avoiding the crowded area and rejoining with their friends, who were still standing there shocked at Troy and Sharpay's behavior. Troy and Sharpay pulled themselves from the restraining grasps and immediately went to each other. Troy put his arm around Sharpay's shoulders while Sharpay wrapped one around his waist, leaning against him as their friends shouted…voices overlapping to the point where they couldn't understand what was being said.

After a few moments, their friends started to calm down and take turns speaking.

"What the hell was that?!" Ryan shouted.

"Do you guys know what you were doing?" Chad asked.

"Dancing," Sharpay said smirking at their reactions.

"That was not dancing!" Taylor butted in, "That was…I don't know what that was."

Troy just looked at Sharpay and smiled before leaning in and capturing her lips. The kiss started to grow in intensity when Jason and Kelsi shouted, "Enough!" startling them enough to pull out of the kiss.

"What has been going on with you guys?" Chad asked.

"Yeah, we know you guys," Gabriella said, "You aren't acting like yourselves."

Sharpay's eyebrow rose as she glanced at Troy, he gave her a look that said everything. 'They obviously don't know us that well.' She laughed at his expression when Chad spoke up.

"I think it's about time we put an end to this." Chad stated. Troy and Sharpay gave him a look; didn't he remember what happened when he tried to end them last time? "Not like that," he said seeing their looks, "This all started after break, after you were hypnotized. I say we go back and get her to help us figure out what's been going on."

"And when do you propose we do that?" Sharpay asked.

"Tomorrow…Sunday…" he answered, "The hypnotist that was there last time performs Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays." Everyone just stared at him in confusion. "What?" he asked, "I thought she was good and we could go again some time so I looked up her times."

Troy rolled his eyes at his friend when another song came on. He smiled, tugging Sharpay slightly towards the dance floor, "Well…you guys figure that out…we're gonna go dance."

With that, the group watched as Troy pulled Sharpay out onto the dance floor, watching in awe as they started jitterbugging and swing dancing to Zoot Suit Riot. Ryan's jaw dropped…he didn't know Sharpay could swing dance…

A/N – Looks like their times in the 50s are bubbling to the surface, lol. I love swing dancing…can't do it…but love watching it :) Next chapter…the last one…tear…involves a trip to the hypnotists and the truth about their pasts revealed…