-1Title: The Ninth Lady

Fandom: Detective Conan

Pairing: Aoko/Kaito

Words: 999

Theme: On the Ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me Nine Ladies Dancing….

Disclaimer: Not Gosho!

There were eight ladies that danced with Kaito that evening, not that she was counting or anything. He was quite an excellent dancer, and even after having Hakuba showing her some of the basic steps (as well as few more skilled ones) she couldn’t even compare to the magician.

And she was the one that was suppose to put a good face seeing how she was the inspector’s daughter, and part of the force and what not and they were at a ball hosted by the department.

By the time the eighth lovely lady strutted up to Kaito in her little slinky holiday gown, and pulled him onto the floor she was ready to turn around and leave. She was getting tired of the whole thing, and what she wouldn’t do to turn around and just go.

For some reason while she watched Kaito laugh at one of the girl’s jokes she got fed up enough to risk being rude and just go home. Turning she found Hakuba and informed him to tell Kaito she’d gone.

“Would you like an escort?”

“No… I’m just tired. I’ll call a cab, and get some sleep. Just mention I decided to go home early alright?”

“…If you say so Nakamori-chan”

She nodded and started walking around the dance floor to go to the coat check in and grab her things. She was almost there when the song ended, but she just shook her head and kept going. No use in watching Kaito dance with some other girl, and she was tired of trying to dance with some guy she had no interest in.

She made it to the stairs when she felt a hand catch her arm. She turned to tell the guy no she did not want to dance thank you very much, when she was met by blue eyes and a smile.

“Might I have this dance mi’lady?”

He bowed and held out his hand to her and she scowled.

“Kaito you know I just learned a few steps. Don’t be silly. I’m sure you have a line of women waiting for you to dance with them… haven’t you thus far?”

“Yes well… I’m asking you aren’t I? You know it’s impolite for a woman to turn down a dance-” his eyes glittered and he kept his hand out.

Aoko scowled, “I was just leaving…”

“So early? It’s not even midnight…”

She gave him a long look and sighed, “Alright… one dance but then I’m going home alright?”

He just smiled and took her hand pulling her onto the dance floor.

She was surprised as he pulled her closer, arm slid around her waist much closer then any of the ladies. She felt her cheeks go redder and then felt his face next to her ear.

“One… two… three…” he whispered as he began to lead her into the dance. “One- two- three”

She laughed but tried to keep up, knowing any second now she was going to step all over his toes. After a near incident of almost falling over she saw Kaito move back just slightly, “Here. Keep your gaze on my face…”

She gave him a look, “But the other ladies look to the side, and Hakuba said-”

“Don’t bother with that. If you keep looking at me you won’t think about the dance floor and it’ll be easier. Trust me alright? I mean the whole time we’ve been talking you were doing fine…” he added with a smirk.

Which of course caused her to misstep and only an excellent save from Kaito kept them both from falling over.

“Told you…”

“…”

He just smiled and kept a hold on her gaze as he continued to swirl her around the dance room. “Isn’t it fun? Admit it… your enjoying it. Bet your glad you didn’t leave now.”

“Yes well… You know how to dance- I mean you haven’t taken a break in… I guess this makes me the ninth?”

“On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me… nine ladies dancing!”

“Oh shush…”

“Well its what they say in the west you know. Though I guess theoretically today is… the seventh? New years eve…” he pulled her into a dip while she was distracted and grinned as she clung to his neck as he threaded a rose behind her ear and then brought her back up into the dance.

“Betchya didn’t realize you knew how to do that.”

“Drop me and I’m going to kill you…”

“Love you too?”

She didn’t even noticed as the one song ended, and second began. Kaito kept her hand and kept her in the dance without saying a word. Aoko no longer seemed able to look away from his face. His eyes seemed to catch hers as he kept watch to assure they didn’t run into anyone. Neither of them noticed the audience that seemed to be watching them, not that there weren’t other dancers, but even Hakuba stood on the side lines knowing all chances he’d had were gone.

It wasn’t until the song was ending and they heard the announcement of the new years that she realized she’d been dancing much longer than she had planned.

“Oh-” she said looking at Kaito.

He laughed, “Cinderella can’t go home before midnight you know!”

“You tricked me!”

He just grinned and handed her a flute of champagne.

“Just wait for the New Year Aoko-”

“Kai-”

“Five… four… three… two… one…” He turned to her and wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her back into a dip, and Aoko barely kept from spilling champagne everywhere as he brushed the lightest kiss across her lips.

“Happy New Year,” he whispered.

Her eyes were wide as she stared up at her best friend and nearly dropped her champagne. “Have you had too much to drink…” she asked hoarsely.

“Apparently just enough. Don’t think I’d have had enough courage otherwise…”

“But…”

“…On the ninth day of Christmas…”

Then kissed her again.

A/N: Figured I’d catch up a little more this year Mabye I’ll get another one up tomorrow… we’ll see