Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Gakuen Alice. I'm just a lowly writer with stories in her head that keep her awake at night.

So, Happy Holidays and a prosperous new year to all of you. Before I start with the story, I'd like to say that I'm really sorry for the long wait. Everything has been a little hard these past few days and my sister has finally compromised with a few details about our sharing. In which case, I tried to make this chapter as best as I could.

Thanks to Seresa, Yellow Mellow san, Xyrhyn, Oliviaaaox101, Xim-no-writerX, They all start with P, 12star98na, PearlyWirly1, EchizenRyoma, TheAnimeGirl4321, cherryblossomxcrimsonflames, 70Seiji07, Reality Romance, laughtillyourstomachhurts, Chinacat123, Crazy for Pink, Lover11Anime, BlackButterfly, TheNinjaKitsune, Orchidfur, namise015, Kanade-san, bittersweetlove1, Silver, Cute Tangerine204 for the love and reviews.

Hope you enjoy the chapter ... Now on to the story!

Dance with Me

Chapter 6 –Ignite

I push myself away from the wall as I saw Natsume approaching. He wasn't usually late for our meetings. And yes, I accepted his proposal to teach him. For the past few weeks we've been meeting here at the club every Saturday just to find a way to light his fire. And no, we're not dating. I mean this thing about us meeting during weekends is just for practice. And that was it.

"Morning!" I said enthusiastically. Natsume silently leads the way to the door without as much as a glance towards me. Okay, be rude if you want to.

I shove him aside as I enter the club and breathe in the warm interior of the club.

"You didn't need to shove me aside." He mumbled out as he placed his coat on one of the tables.

"Think of it as my way of saying hello to your rudeness," I gave him a big smile.

He sighs and I walk around the dance floor towards the high platform of the sound system to pick a song.

A few minutes pass before he talks again. "I'm sorry, okay." He blurts out. "I didn't mean to take my frustration out on you."

"What are you frustrated about anyway?" I turn to look down at him smiling as gently as I could to show him that he was forgiven.

"My sister has been nagging me about something." He released a frustrated sigh as he roughly run his fingers through his hair. "I—"

I turn back to fiddling with the CDs. "You what?"

"Never mind," I could hear him pull out a chair from one of the tables. "I don't want to talk about it right now."

"Don't start talking about something you'd rather not talk about." I place a CD in the player and returned my gaze back to the albums. "You don't exactly need to explain anything to me." I pick a different CD and just stand there as I hear the start of the song.

A thought crosses my head and I immediately turn back towards Natsume. Our eyes meet and his slightly widen as he realizes what I was about to do. My actions barely register in my head before I suddenly leap off from the platform. The only thing I had my concentration on was the thumping in my heart the rhythm in the song had induced. Or was it really the song?

I spread my arms and legs and close my eyes to prepare for the impact of the cold concrete floor greatly hoping that Natsume would at least help cushion my fall. My hoping didn't go to waste.

I felt a strong pair of hands touch my waist and then I was no longer falling. I could feel the wind in my ears as Natsume spun me around to decrease my momentum. I know it was only a few seconds but the whole moment seemed like hours to me.

I opened my eyes when I no longer heard the wind in my ears and finally felt the concrete below me.

I look up at Natsume with a big smile on my face. "Thanks, Nats—"

"What the heck is wrong with you?!" He hugged me to his chest and I couldn't decipher if the thumping in my chest was his or mine. "You could've seriously hurt yourself."

"I'm fine," I tried my best to hide the crack in my voice. "You saved—"

"Are you hurt anywhere?" He immediately made me sit on one of the tables as he checked me for any bruises or sore spots. As if he'd find one with the way he easily caught me.

I looked at Natsume's furrowed eyebrows and concentrated expression and I couldn't help but laugh.

His eyes turned to glare at me but then slowly softened. "I'm fine Natsume," I reach out to touch his cheek. "You caught me after all."

He gives me a breathtaking smile which left me in awe of the sheer comfort he felt that I was fine. It takes me a while to get my head straight. I easily jump off the table and fan myself to disguise the telltale blush on my cheeks as something created by the warm dance floor. In truth, I could constantly feel the temperature spiking every few minutes because of Natsume's obvious change in demeanor. I'm finding it constantly hard to think of our meetings as merely practices.

Natsume coughed a bit and moved away from me. "We should get started already."

"Yeah," I said my back still turned to him. "We should get started."

"Mikan," I turn towards him surprised he called me by my name.

I must've looked like a deer caught in headlights because Natsume suddenly released a deep toe curling laugh at my expression. I could almost feel my legs give away.

"You just repeated what I said." He told me after his out of laughter.

"Huh?" I ask him no longer able to recall our previous conversations.

His lips stretch out into a small gentle smile as he steps towards me. "Nothing," He shrugs, his smile something I find an amazing part of his face. "Let's practice," He takes my hand and moves us to the center of the dance floor.

I clear my head enough so I wouldn't be too distracted to cause any mistakes in my parts of the dances.

I look up at Natsume and as the song progresses and our dance make our bodies move in unison I notice something I should've already seen since our first practice.

I know what I have to do and how I needed to do it to help Natsume.

We finish off practice just before lunch. My top was heavy with sweat and I moved to take my boots and grab my extra clothes from my bag.

Teaching Natsume wasn't actually that bad. After the few weekends of teaching him, I knew the guy had a good grasp of that spark. He just needed something to further light it.

The guy really had the talent for dancing. He could easily pick up on steps after telling him how it was supposed to go. In truth his movements seemed trained and sometimes almost robotic. As if he just knew the dance but didn't dance it with the song. His dance was as unfeeling as he was aloof. And I knew our practices weren't the same as igniting his flame. If he needed fire, this wasn't going to do anything.

"What are you going to do later this evening?" I ask.

He looks carefully at me. "I work on Saturday evenings." He shrugs.

Of course he's working on the only day I have a day off and don't bother coming to the club.

"Oh," I could feel my shoulders drooping. Wait, I shouldn't be this disappointed. I'll just have to think of some other time this week for my plans.

"Why?" He asks as he hands me a bottle of water.

I thank him and just stare at the cap without opening it. I wasn't sure if I was going to tell him about my plans. It's better if he doesn't anticipate what I have planned out to light his fire.

He takes my silence for something bad as he nervously scratches the back of his head.

"I can cancel if you want me to." He offers.

I raise an eyebrow at him. "You can cancel going to work?"

"I work here during the weekends as a bartender." He replies. "Even though I more or less own half of the bar with Hotaru, so canceling my working time isn't that hard."

A huge grin immediately spread on my face. "Actually, if you're working here tonight then it isn't going to be a problem." I thought of the many possibilities I could test out tonight. "It's going to be perfect."

He turned his head away from me. "Whatever." He mumbled as he took of his shirt.

"Wah—?" My eyes widened as I briefly glanced at Natsume's exposed torso. I turned my back to him flustered at having stared at him. "What are you doing?!"

"Changing," He replied as I hear the rustle of fabrics from behind me. "Hey, Polka, you can look now."

I turned back to see him wearing a muscle shirt that showed off his built body. I kept my eyes glued to his face and not to the abs I was positive he had.

"How come you own half the club but everyone refers to the club as Hotaru's?" I asked him.

He raised a brow at me as he took a swig of water from his bottle and wiped the excess water with the back of his hand. "We're cousins." He says simply. "And besides, its better that she handles business matters here."

"Why?" I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face. "You can't handle it?"

"Hn," He said in reply as he took a swig of water from his bottle.

"Wait for me a bit," I told him as I stood up and headed to the bathroom. "I'm just going to change clothes."

"Why don't I help you?" He smirked at me as he casually leaned back and gave me one of his teasing looks. "You'll have more space to change out here." I felt my cheeks flush pink.

"No thank you," I said. I immediately slammed the door at his face before he could reply with what I had said.

Trying to calm my breathing, I turn my back to the door and lean against it. That guy just knew how to make my heart race. This guy was definitely dangerous.

I enter the warm club and try to bite back the string of curses threatening to leave my mouth. Today just wouldn't be complete without the butt freezing rain I had to go through just to get inside the club. Snow would probably have been more convenient but no it just had to rain. Wet, freezing, heavy rain.

I mean other than getting my clothes a bit wet I was relatively fine. I was just a bit cold from the heavy wind outside; but since I was already inside the packed club, I wasn't really bothered with the cold anymore. Yeah, but being wet really wasn't something that I wanted to happen.

I entered the workers lounge area and grabbed a towel from my locker there. Even though I wasn't working I was still welcome to enter there.

"I'm surprised to see you here," I heard someone say from behind me as I rubbed my hair dry. "It's your day off right?"

"Can't I enjoy some time inside the same club I work in?" I grinned at him as I finally moved to brush my hair. "Iinchou,"

"It's not that I'm restricting you," he blushed in embarrassment. "It's just the first time you've been here on a day off. It just seemed rather out of the ordinary."

"Yes, well, usually I'd rather sleep the night off during the weekend but I have something to do today."

"Here?" He said pushing his glasses up as he looks at me carefully.

Ok, I didn't realize it before but Iinchou looks really handsome every time he pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose. Wait, could I actually have a fetish for glasses?

I look up at him again and tried to clear my thoughts. Nah, it's probably because this is the first time I've actually talked to him for more than a few sentences.

"Yup," I said grinning at him as I tried to clear my head of thoughts about him. "It's better here since I'm familiar with things around here."

"And what are you going to do here exactly?" He said his eyes filled with curiosity as he pushes his glasses up again. I tried to restrain my giggle at his expression. He looked every bit like a megane from a manga.

"I'm trying to help Natsume with something." I tell him simply.

His shoulders tense up and he looks away from me. "Oh, Natsume,"

"Yup," I tilt my head as I looked at his stiff posture with confusion. I shrug my curiosity away—I wasn't usually one to pry about other people. "The sooner I help him this, the sooner I can get him off my back."

"Oh," Iinchou turns back to me and his eyes sparkle with mirth. "Well, good luck."

"Thanks," I stand up and head out to the club area. "See you on Monday, Iinchou." I call out to him before I exit the staff lounge area.

I immediately scan the crowd for Natsume but after a while I give up and head towards the bar. I think it'll be better if he looks for me rather than the other way around. He seems to be able to find me quite easily.

I automatically head towards the bar when I notice Koko working there.

I slide onto one of the bar empty bar stools and scan the almost empty bar area. Most of the people are either at the tables or at the dance floor. All of the waitresses and waiters on duty were the only one going to the bar to order drinks.

I place my arms on top of the counter and cradle my face there. I was having a hard time convincing myself about what I had to do but even my logical side couldn't argue with the fact that it was the greatest choice. I sigh as I try to relieve the tension in my muscles and the anticipation of dancing.

I lift my head up and try to clear my head of these thoughts when I see Koko done with the set of orders one of the other waitresses gave him.

"I thought you had the weekends off?" I asked him as he placed a pink cocktail in front of me.

I stare at the cocktail not even touching it. He laughs. "It's a—"

I raise my hand to cut him off. "I probably don't know about it, don't want to know about it and most certainly don't want to drink it." I place my cheek on the palm of my hand as I lean on the table. "Give me a beer."

He raises an eyebrow at me but doesn't remove the cocktail in front of me as he grabs me a beer.

I raise a brow right back at him as I glanced at the cocktail and returned my eyes to him.

He raises both his arms as if in surrender. "Just doing my job," He shrugs. He tilts his head to a guy at the other end of the bar. "He ordered the drink for you."

I barely glance at the guy before I down my first and last drink. Liquid courage. That's what I need to get this thing done. I'm not planning on getting anymore intoxicated than necessary.

"You didn't answer my question." I say right after a place the empty bottle back on the counter.

"What question?" He raises an eyebrow at me.

"What are you doing here on a weekend?" I ask him as I watch him put away mhy bottle of beer.

"Overtime," He shrugs. "A few weeks ago I had a rather expensive date with a charming woman and I definitely want another go at it."

"The date or the woman?" I smirk at him.

He returns a smirk at me. "Both of course,"

"What's her name?" I turn and end up leaning my back to the counter as I scan the dance floor.

"Sumire," I almost don't catch her name.

"Sumire? Isn't that one of Natsume's groupies?" I turn my head to look back at him and study his expression.

He swallows and I notice the nervous bobbing of his adam's apple. "Yeah, what about it?" The tone of his voice is eerily calm … and measured.

"Nothing much," I turn away from him as I keep my tone nonchalant. "Just don't want you getting hurt."

"Thanks, kiddo." He says as he ruffles my hair.

"Kiddo?!" I turn back to him my fist ready to give him a piece of my mind but he has already moved away to serve some of the other customers.

I can't believe he just called me kiddo. Even Tsubasa barely passes a beating when he calls me that but what frustrates me more is that Koko is just the same age as me. I mean just because most of these guys are bigger than me doesn't mean I can't handle myself.

I cold shiver passes through me. I have that bad feeling around me just like before Natsume had saved me from the guy in the club a few weeks ago. I try to ignore the feeling and push all my hair on one shoulder to try to massage my nape in case I was just a bit cold from the rain.

"Hey there pretty lady," I ignore the voice as I flip my fair to use it as a sort of veil. I try to hide the shaking of my hands. I felt as if I was being doused with cold water. I didn't like it one bit.

I hear someone sit on the bar stool beside me and I keep my head low and continue to ignore them.

"Mikan!" I hear Iinchou and Koko shout simultaneously and I jerk my head upwards to the direction of their voices.

I don't even bother acknowledging the man beside me as I locate at least one of the two.

I head towards Koko and Iinchou who seem to having a disagreement at the door to the bar store room.

"I really shouldn't have given her that drink huh?" I hear Koko mutter his tone full of remorse.

"Koko," Iinchou's voice is different from how I usually hear it. "I thought you watched out for everyone when you manage the bar. That was the most irresponsible thing you've ever done."

"Hey, cool it down Iinchou," Koko raised his hands in defeat. "I do watch out for everyone. I was just a little distracted."

"Make sure you keep those distractions away from your work."

"Koko, Iinchou, what are you guys talking about?"

Koko turns away from me while Iinchou smiles at me. "Just some rules Koko failed to implement."

"Which are?" I ask him trying to make him explain.

"Some things Hotaru would kill him if he failed to do." I saw Koko flinch when Iinchou mentioned Hotaru's name.

"That didn't answer my question Iinchou," I crossed my arms and frowned at him.

He glanced at his watched and looked at someone over my shoulder. I resist the urge to look back. I knew what he was doing. He was trying to distract me.

"I really need to go, Mikan." He started moving towards the door to the lounge area. "I think Natsume just got here a while ago."

I didn't bother trying to follow Iinchou. I rounded towards Koko and proceeded to gave him a glare.

"What?" He asked irritated.

"What were you two talking about?"

"Just what Iinchou said," He shrugged. "Just some club rules to us bartenders."

"Which are?"

He gave me a blank look and resumed his duties. I didn't really mind that they didn't want to tell me. I was just glad that I got away from that creepy guy at the other end of the bar.

I immediately knew the moment Natsume stepped into the bar. There was a great crowd close to the entrance that would've made you mistake that a celebrity had entered the club. But in everyone's point of view Natsume might as well be.

The crowd parted as Natsume stepped inside and there was immediate tension obvious by the clench he had in his jaw. Natsume was pissed and I probably shouldn't be the one to approach him first.

I was a little too focused on the murmurs in the crowd to notice that Luna had strutted up to Natsume with an all too eager smile.

"Natsume," She practically purred. "You haven't been in any of the practices."

"You know how he is Luna," I recognize the man who was currently beside Luna. I just heard his voice a while ago. I clench my fists to distract myself from the cold shiver that threatened to go through my body. "He thinks he's too good for people like us."

"Yes, well," Luna didn't even spare a glance at the man beside him, her eyes still trained on Natsume. "I think I can prove my worth."

"Mouri, Koizumi," I saw the twitch of Natsume's jaw and the obvious flare of anger he had in his eyes. "You seem to be in my way."

Koizumi flinched at Natsume's tone while Creepy guy who I assume would be Mouri had an enormous smirk in his face.

"Yes, well," Mouri shrugged. "People may consider you in high regard everywhere but between you and me I'm definitely sure you don't deserve it."

"That's only your opinion," Natsume shrugged obviously not caring for a word the guy said as he went past them and continued to the bar.

I turned away from their scene and kept my head low. I usually didn't shy away from a fight but I knew when to back out when I didn't want anything to do with it. Also, Natsume didn't seem to be in much of a forgiving mood.

I looked up at Koko contemplating on asking for another bottle of beer when I noticed his eyes widen suddenly. I couldn't resist the urge to look at the direction he was looking at.

A small young girl, obviously too young to be even able to enter the club pushed through Natsume's audience and launched herself at the guy. I almost stood up concern for the girl the only thing I could think of. If Natsume was in a bad mood, this girl would be ripped to pieces.

Natsume looked down at the girl holding onto him and his eyes softened.

"Aoi," Natsume sighed. "You're hurting me."

His muscles were devoid of any tension and the clench in his jaw was finally gone. There was an obvious shift in his moods and I was curious as to how this girl could've made it.

"It's your fault," The girl named Aoi huffed as she finally disengaged her hold on Natsume. "I told you I missed you and wanted to see you but you kept on avoiding me."

"Hey," He lowered his head so they were eye level and wiped the tear threatening to spill to her cheeks. "You know I have too much stuff in my hands right now."

"You always made time for it before," She frowns at him.

"I'll try to," He sighs and straightens his back. "But I can't make any promises."

Aoi nods and gives Natsume a hug which—I'm surprised—he returns.

I turn away from them as an uneasy feeling settles in my stomach. That was the first time I've ever seen him show compassion to someone especially a girl.

Koko whistled under his breath. "I can't believe Aoi got through security."

I ignore him and shut myself down to the loud music in the club. I didn't want to think about the girl let alone how Natsume was around her. There was this bubbling feeling of uneasiness in the pit of my stomach. I didn't like it one bit.

"Mikan, get over there." Koko said snapping his fingers in my face.

"Huh? What is it?" I blink my eyes repeatedly trying to clear my head.

"The guy Natsume saved you from the other day, it seems that he's come back and wants to pick a fight with Natsume." Koko gestured toward the growing crowd that had gathered near the entrance.

"Do I have to?" I whined not really in the mood for breaking up fights.

He deadpanned at me and I had no choice but to stand up and head towards the commotion.

I didn't even need to anything because Hotaru took care of the fight before it could even get started. She even immediately made Aoi leave with just a look. And it now seems that the creeper has been permanently banned from the premises of the club.

I heaved a sigh of relief when I realized I wasn't going to see the creeper again. That guy made me want to gag.

I stay at the edge of the crowd as I watched the bouncers escort the creeper outside. I try to blend into the crowd as much as I could when the bouncers went past us but it seems luck wasn't on my side.

"I'll see you sometime again, sweetheart." The creeper called out to me as he was still being escorted outside. "By then, I'm sure you'll be tired of your little lover boy."

"Don't count on it," Natsume said as he placed a hand on the small of my back as he guided me away.

We both keep silent as the crowd finally dispersed and the music regained its loudness. I was surprised I didn't even notice the change in its volume. I was probably still too distracted by the creeper and Natsume's exchange. Natsume reply to the creepers words making my stomach do gflips and feel all fluttery.

"You really attract the wrong kind of guys, don't you Mikan?" Natsume finally blurted out. Of course he'd find the worst possible subject to talk about. And now the warm feeling in my whole body was gone. Well, two can play that game.

"At least I don't have them frequently hanging onto my arm." I replied as nonchalantly as I could.

There was confusion evident in his face. "What? You mean, Aoi?" He first bit his lip before he laughed harder than I've ever seen him before and only when he had finally calmed down did I turn to give him the glare he deserved.

"I didn't mean anybody in particular," I said with a cold voice that I was surprised I could muster. "Just the part of the female population that probably have something wrong with their heads."

"Yes, well, if you didn't mean anybody in particular then you wouldn't have mentioned a particular action they do." He smirk grew wider. "And if I remember correctly the only person that has done that for the whole day would only be Aoi."

"You can just keep you assumptions to yourself." I crossed my arms. "I don't even want to bother talking about it."

"Just admit it," He smirked at me. "You're jealous."

"I'll only admit something that I am actually feeling," I raised a brow at him. "And jealousy is definitely not it."

"Yeah whatever," Natsume ignored my words. "No one can resist my charms. Not even you."

"Resist your charms?" I crossed my arms. "I remain to be unaffected by them. It'll take more than your face to make me go gaga."

He stood up and approached me. He leaned down and whispered close to my ears. "And what made you think my face was my only weapon?" He whispered huskily into my ear. I bit back the shiver threatening to engulf my entire body.

"Whatever," I immediately pushed him away.

He sighs. "If it eases your mind the girl just now was my sister, Aoi. And believe me when I say though I love her, it's more of a sisterly love than anything else."

I narrow my eyes at him. "And what am I supposed to do now?" I raised an eyebrow in challenge. "Throw my arms around your neck? Beg for your forgiveness?"

"Both of them are applicable." He smirks. "They're also highly welcome."

"Well, sorry to disappoint you," I turn away from him. "But I don't do either." I walk back towards the bar.

I feel the tension in my shoulders start to diminish as I walk. That's what he does to me. He leaves me coiled up so tight ready to pounce and then sometimes leaves me short and hanging. I can never pick up on just how much tension between us he'll release.

Maybe another bottle of beer would calm my already fried nerves. It wouldn't hurt anybody if I gave it a try.

I raised my hand ready to call for Koko's attention when Natsume intertwined his hand with mine. I looked up at his eyes to notice that it glowed like the embers of a fire. A gentle feeling of warmth spread out from his hand and wrapped my whole body diminishing any uneasiness I previously had.

"I don't know if I'll ever tire of our spats." He said smiling softly at me.

I frowned at him. "Well, good for you," I said with a roll of my eyes. "I'd much prefer a drink than have another spat with you for now."

He laughed a deep husky laugh that spread a wave of warmth from the pit of my stomach to the tips of my toes and fingers.

"Koko, you heard her." Natsume called out to Koko who was serving drinks a few meters away from us.

Koko grabbed a bottle of beer and, without even looking at us, threw the bottle in our direction. My eyes widen as I looked at the bottle headed to us and I tried to gauge where it would be most effective to catch it. I noticed Natsume's amused expression in the corner of my eye before he turned to the bottle easily catching it mid-air as if he'd been doing it forever. Which he probably has.

"How'd you do that?" I whispered in awe automatically sitting down at the exhibition skills he just showed me. He shrugged as he easily removed the bottle cap with his bare hands and handed the now opened bottle of beer to me.

"Here you go,"

"You're showing off aren't you …" He laughed again and I realized that I've come to enjoy the feeling that spreads all over my body when I hear him laugh. I took a swig of my beer as I try to ignore the thumping of my heart.

"Sorry about that, I'm just so used to doing it while I work that I didn't realize I was showing off." He took the bottle from my hands and took a swig himself as he put it back in the counter his eye brow raised in challenge.

He thinks I'm not going to take the beer back because he already drank from it. Well, tough luck because I don't really care.

"Well, you're not working at the moment." I looked him straight in the eyes as I took another swig of my beer.

"And neither are you," He smiled at me. "So, what did you want me to do?"

"Huh?"

He laughed. "You asked me to meet you here, right now. You said you had an idea about something and wanted to try it out."

I frowned at him. And then I remembered one of my original plans that I had previously deemed too risky. Why? It was something that could only have worked if he danced impulsively and instinctively instead of how he usually danced. I previously thought it didn't have a chance of working. Until, he caught me so smoothly just during our practice this morning.

It wasn't that he was dancing during that moment. But what I needed was just that impulse he had this morning and his understanding that he needed to follow it. I hoped to god it would work.

Gathering whatever courage I could get from my last swig of beer, I stood up and reached for his hand. "Dance with me." I tried making my voice a bit sultry, I just didn't know if I was actually able to do it.

I looked into his eyes because I knew his face wouldn't betray any emotion that was currently running through his veins. His eyes were that same crimson red but right now inside it, I knew I had sparked something in him.

I continued to look into his eyes as I guided him towards the dance floor. I was afraid that if I broke our connection I wouldn't have enough courage to convince him again. It was now or never.

I could feel the heat and tension tangible in the air as the crowd parted to guide us in. Into the eye of the storm. The paradise within the tempest.

When I finally stopped at the center, I dared to risk a glance at his face. And then I felt everything fade away.

We were back to one of our practices here in the club with just the two of us except this time there was a new kind of music enveloping us. His crimson eyes were bright and burned with the emotion he needed. Passion.

He was going to dance with passion in his heart.

But that wasn't enough.

For the fire to keep burning, he needed to realize something.

What are you dancing for?

No.

Not that.

Who are you dancing for?

The question was the right one. I was sure of it. It was just up to him to get his answers straight.

I gazed up at his eyes and looked with all the intensity I could muster. I said the words loud enough for only the two of us to hear.

Who was he dancing for?

His eyes cloud for a moment before an intense heat surges from them. He knows the answer but will he realize it when this moment is gone? I can't decide his answer for him.

He needs to realize just who he dances for. He needs to understand that he dances for himself because he loves it.

As the song progressed, there was a definite change in his movements. From it being calm and calculated, it suddenly shifted to being instinctive and spontaneous. It was like we no longer needed to think about what to do next; we just needed to feel what we did next.

I wasn't aware of what we actually danced. It wasn't exactly any particular dance. It was a mixture of what we both knew or what we were both feeling all mashed up into an intricate dance that made me dizzy with joy. It felt amazing to dance with him. It practically warmed me up to my very soul.

Every touch between us lingered on my skin and made me feel light. I was burning and I could feel that he was too.

We were both on fire.

I could feel the flames tickling the tips of my fingers, my hair, my whole body engulfed by a hot flame that was blazing but could never burn me; because we were the ones burning: Natsume and me.

As the song finally ends, his hands tighten on my waist as he lifts me up one final time and turns us both around. The song now fades away as I feel the buzz in the air playing so closely against my skin. A new song doesn't start and I could practical hear the hammering of my pulse in my ears. He slowly lowers me down until I feel his body heat against me. I was scared to open my eyes and yet I was too excited to be scared.

I could feel our breathing in sync and our lips only inches away from each other as our breath came out in pants. I was aware of how close we were to each other from the way my body was burning from the proximity. But I couldn't pull out just yet.

I went up on my tip toes and placed a soft kiss against his panting lips. It was almost too soft as to be mistaken as a whisper. After placing the kiss, I immediately moved away.

And when I finally looked back, fiery crimson eyes burned as he looked at me. And from the burning in his eyes, I felt my knees shake at the fire I had ignited.

Author's Note:

Me: Aoi, I blame you for the delay of this chapter.

Aoi: Me?! I gave you idea after idea and you blame me?!

Me: Of course I do. With so many ideas running through my head I didn't know which of them I was going to include.

Aoi: Then that makes it you're fault doesn't it? *sticks out her tongue at me*

Me: Why you little—

Natsume: Aoi, shut up if you still want to stay in the story.

Aoi: I'll do what I want to do. *she crosses her arms and stomps her foot*

Me:*Is left to sulk in the corner because in the end it is my fault*

Natsume: Aoi, it's not my fault if you get cut from the story. *he shrugs* Now where could Mikan be ...

I had a huge writer's block at the start of writing this chapter that this chapter barely even crawled through. I was convinced that I had o make Aoi appear a soon as possible and a number of scenes kept popping in my head. But the problem was I couldn't write them all. In the end she barely made any appearance at all and Reo Mouri ended up being introduced more properly instead. *sigh* I'm incredibly tired and school is just a few days away.

I hope you guys enjoyed your well deserved holidays! I hope for a good year for all of us.

Of course I end my rant with the words ...

PLEASE REVIEW! XD ... It may inspire me to write faster or better ... :)

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