Success! I can actually create chapters on my laptop! This means more regular updates for all loyal readers, thank you all for sticking with me and giving me support with your hits, faves and alerts. Hope you enjoy the chapter.

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Damn I'm sick of saying I will write more when I don't, I'm very sorry readers! Thank you to all whom reviewed and stuck with me, and contributed to give me over 2000 hits on this story, thank you one and all! Oh, but for those who review anonimously, I would to reply and show my thanks as well. So if you include your email I will tell you personally how grateful I am and answer any of your questions or reply to some of your nice comments.

R & R, hope you like the chapter, even if it's not that good, need more writing practise again! I keep mixing the tenses so it gets a little weird, but oh well. Hope you like anyway!

Black Magic, White Starlight: Partners

Chapter 11: Sophisticated Silliness

Okay, I have to say, this has to be one of the most uncomfortable moments in my entire life.

I'm standing outside in a drafty hallway, fearing that if I dare knock on the door in front of me I will fall through a trap door. My hair has been painfully pinned up meaning all I want to do is scratch my head as the clips dig into my scalp. I feel greatly insecure for some reason due to the ghost of a female assassin hovering behind me, who seems to be fixing her own appearance in a small mirror floating beside her. And on top of all that, my body has been stuffed into the tightest and, in my opinion, too revealing dress ever created.

Yes, definitely one of the most uncomfortable moments in my life to date.

"Oh, stop sulking! You keep that up, you'll look very ungrateful when we go in." Sing scolded in a rather motherly voice that was quite unlike her. Noticing she was still checking for any sort of blemish on her face, I rolled my eyes. I suppose trying to act more mature than her usual giddy self might get her more noticed by a certain Chinese warlord.

Still it wasn't like I didn't appreciate the gesture. I'm sure Jun went to a lot of trouble for me, and it was nice to be thanked for a change. The reception towards witches these days is not very welcoming so this was a lovely thought. Someone actually making me a meal in gratitude! However, it wasn't Jun I was so concerned about seeing.

"Come on Kora, smile!" the spirit encouraged as she peeked over my shoulder. "Don't want to look all grumpy, this banquet is in your honour."

"It's not that big a deal..." I mumbled, choosing to gaze down at the floor. I don't know it was because I felt my legs and some of my cleavage was a little too exposed, but I just felt weird about going to such a fancy party.

"Hey, consider yourself lucky. In my line of work the best thanks I got was a sack of silver coins and a blunt order to leave town before the army police came on the scene to pick up the corpse." she joked, which made me smile ever so slightly, probably her plan all along.

Sighing deeply, I finally lifted my head to stare at the wooden door. I still didn't like the thought of seeing Ren again so soon, or ever again after our last encounter. Still, I couldn't leave now. I accepted the invite, and I didn't want to be rude to Jun. She was really nice; it was just unfortunate her brother was an ass.

Okay, a rather attractive ass but still...

I was so caught up in that thought (stupid hormones) I didn't even realise I knocked on the door. The next I knew, I heard the door clicking open, the smiling face of Jun appearing in front of me. She was wearing a beautiful oriental dress in deep sapphire and emerald shades that went very well with her hair and eyes. Next to her, I feel like a scraggy weed in the presence of a blooming lotus flower.

"Oh there you are, we've been waiting for you, come in, come in." she smiled warmly as she ushered both Sing and I into the house. While I nervously removed the long cape from my shoulders, not liking the idea of showing my form underneath the rather scant dress, I took the chance to look around the spacious home away from home of the Tao descendants. Needless to say, it was impressive to say the least.

Old and new Chinese artefacts, pottery and tapestries decorated the lounge in which Jun ushered me to sit down in. The vibrant colours and bold illustrations told so many stories it was hard to know where to look. I guessed a lot of the stuff I was looking at were family treasures of the Tao's, what remained of their bold and proud heritage. If half the members of this family were as stubborn and egocentric as Ren, then it wasn't surprising how much stuff they acclaimed.

Speaking of that person, who I will name, where is he?

"I told you, I am NOT coming out until SHE leaves!"

Well, that answers my question.

By this point, Sing had floated off to mingle (or should I say flirt) with Bason and possibly Bailong. I wouldn't put it past her, though I pretty sure she's a lot keener on that Chinese warlord. Big and muscled, but oh so shy meaning she could easily take charge, seems her ideal man. But without her hanging around, no one would notice if I was to look around, maybe even find out what's going on with the brother and sister hosts...

Why should I even care? I mean, I don't want to see Ren, and he feels the same it seems. This suits both of us! We'd probably just start fighting and cause a scene anyway if he did come out of his room. Still...

Dammit, I'm going to end up being nice to him aren't I? Why? I don't want to be! But I guess it wouldn't be very nice if I was so spiteful in front of Jun. Okay, I'll be nice, but ONLY for her sake. NOT because I've forgiven that pervert. Curse this good nature and these polite manners I was brought up with.

Peeking down the corridor, there doesn't seem to be anyone around, but I can hear mumbling from around the corner. Carefully, I tiptoe down the hall, and poke my head around the edge of the wall. There was Jun, hands pressed against a door, looking almost close to tears, muttering words I couldn't hear into the dark wood, or more likely to the person who was standing on the other side.

"Please, please come out little brother." she begged, her hands now bawling into fists. "It's just for a few hours. You can get along with her for that long can't you? I don't know what happened to cause you two to fall out, but please...please..." the older woman trailed off, trying to hold back her sobs.

Okay, being mad at me is one thing, but taking it out on his sister!

Now angry enough to tear the shaman limb from limb (though I think it best to restrain that urge) I marched towards the door leading to Ren's room, with murderous intent. Needless to say, Jun was rather startled.

"Oh please dear, you go and sit down; I'll have him out soon..."

"He doesn't want to be around me does he?" came my abrupt response, which once again took the other female by surprise. It must have sounded rather harsh to her, but at that moment I was too pissed off at her little prat of a brother to care. "I'm causing him to behave like a spoilt child...so I'll be the one to get him to come out."

I didn't even wait for her response before gently pushing her aside. Carefully I stood back, took aim...

CRASH

Well, I have to admit, seeing Ren looking like he nearly wet himself was quite amusing.

I guess it may have been a bit much, and somewhat rude to kick someone else's bedroom door in when they invite you for dinner, but I could always fix it with a little magic later. Besides, how else would we get Ren out his room? Oh, and of course I was still rather pissed off.

"Do you have any sort of common sense or dignity in your body?" the Chinese boy ranted at my, golden eyes ablaze once he came back to reality, and realised it was me who had just created a vacant hole in his room.

It took me a while to respond to his words, because...ah crap, why do I choose now to check out his nice body?! I'm meant to be getting him out of his room, with these thoughts sounds like I'd rather stay in there with him...

Fuck, bad thoughts again! The hormones have returned with a vengeance!

And yet...come on, his shirt was open, it's not my fault!

Oh, talking to myself again, that's a good sign. Oh, I have to answer him don't I? Shit!

"That's pretty rich coming from the guy who decides to put himself into solitary confinement when his guest it waiting in the lounge." I hissed back, deciding to keep my words toned down with Jun still in hearing range. "And besides, your dinner is probably getting cold, why don't you come out and eat with us." I continued, trying to sound as sincere as possible.

Another weird silence fell on us, strange since I expected a sharp comeback from that bitter tongue. It was then I realised he was going slightly red, and like me a moment ago, his eyes were fixated on something.

That pervert!

Sadly, all I could do was clench my fist. My cleavage can't be that interesting!

Can't hit him in front of his sister. Can't hit him in front of his sister. Can't hit him front of his sister...

Luckily for me (and his jaw line) he finally shook his head and turned away, probably so as not to get caught up in his clear ogling again.

"Well I wouldn't be hoarding myself away here if it wasn't for your unwanted presence." he growled as he buttoned up his black silk shirt. Damn I shouldn't be feeling sad at that! It's a relief I won't be distracted at least.

"Oh I see, so it's my fault?" I found myself arguing back.

"I do believe that's what I said, if not in so many words." he replied, huffing in a supposedly superior way. Seriously, why did I have the hots for someone who's such a creep?

I was so tempted to just hit him, but starting a brawl in the middle of a dinner party doesn't exactly show my gratitude does it? Even if he is a jerk, I was going to behave as best I could if only for Jun's sake.

Sadly, Ren wasn't for letting me act graceful.

"What the matter, no snappy words, no crude remarks? Oh don't tell me you're trying to pretend you're actually feminine?" he smirked, knowing he was irking to no end. I had to be the rational one here, keep calm Kora. "I couldn't tell by the dress you see, I've seen farm animals look better in frocks you see. My goodness, where did you inherit your looks?"

Okay, he just pushed to the limit!

Without warning I lunged forward, and before Ren could react, I had him by the collar, pinned against the wall. This may not be the best way to prove my more womanly qualities, but that wasn't the issue at the moment.

And I thought I was pissed before...

"Look jackass, I still haven't forgotten about your wandering hands, but unlike you, I actually care about how my behaviour affects other people." I hissed, my grip tightening slightly. Funnily enough I would have thought he would have struggled against me, or at least protested verbally. But there was no movement or complaint from him. "Your sister invited me, and I appreciate what's she's doing, so for her sake I'm not going to cause a scene, or mention what our little tiff was about. I think you could do the same."

As I slowly let Ren back down, his stare seemed to pierce right through me. Not like before, where it was due to by displayed body parts, but he was almost trying to pry for answers by just looking at me, as if into my soul. We stayed like that for a moment, not sure what to say or do, until finally, he strutted past me and stood in doorway.

"You better my door back up." he stated, before turning around and looking me again, offering a hand, leaving me somewhat confused. "Well come on. If we're going through with this stupid facade then I suppose we'll have to put on a show. So I will 'escort' you to the dining room shall I?"

Pleasantly surprised, I smiled lightly to myself, before walking up beside the Chinese male and taking his hand. I watched as Jun smiled and mouthed a 'thank you' to me, as she walked off giddily down the hall, with us following closely behind. Suddenly, I was tugged to the side as Ren let go of my hand, only to loop arm around his in a rather gentlemanly fashion. Glancing at him while trying to hide my reddening cheeks, I saw he was having a similar problem. Our eyes met awkwardly, and just as we entered the dining room, I heard the one little sentence that I felt made this whole ordeal a little bit worthwhile.

"I didn't mean it, the dress... well...you look...nice."