Hey guys! Yes its me! I'm back! :3

Garu: Do you always have to start off so cheesy?

Me: What do you mean? How is that cheesy?

Garu: You're talking like their gonna answer.

Me: O.o Am I?... Oh well :)

Abyo: Please start already.

Me: You just wanna see Ching in her bloody booby-dress.

Abyo: No I-

Pucca: Not you too!

Ching: Are their any decent men in the village anymore? Are they all... all...

Me: Perverts? *Looks at Garu* Yes.

Garu: -_- Enjoy this chapter.

Pucca, painfully twirled in front of the long mirror, admiring the amazing cover-up job Ching had done. Not a single scar was on show; her skin seemed just as porcelain white as it had once been. Her eyes trailed her dress, its beautiful detail still striking as ever. It went to just below her knees', material flowing around her soothingly, the carefully placed gems sparkling when ever her body merely twitched. On the shoulder that was completely bare she wore a plain golden band on her upper arm and around her neck was a detailed choker with a blood red stone resting in the twisted mental. On her feet were ruby strapless stilettos, even though she could barely walk in the first place. Ching insisted on the account of Garu swallowing his own tongue at the sight of her long lean legs that looked even longer in the heels. How could Pucca argue with that?

Ching had taken her time with Pucca's hair. It was still up in two buns but there were long thick black spirals hanging from them, coming down to caress her shoulders. She looked like an ancient priestess, her eyes dark and mysterious, and her skin flawless as still water, and her full mouth a deep natural red, tantalising man.

Pucca rolled her eyes at her reflection and turned away.

Ching was bending over to zip up her black heeled boots that stopped just before hitting her knee. She was wearing a dark purple backless dress that hit her knees, a single strap around her neck holding it up over her chest. Ching had a lilac jewel dangling dangerously close to being between her breasts. Abyo had given it to her as an "I'm sorry" gift when he 'accidentally' walked in on her while she was changing. Funny how an "I'm sorry I saw too much flesh too soon" gift became a great excuse for staring at her chest more than a normal guy would dare.

Ching caught Pucca's eyes and smiled cheekily.

"What do you think?" she asked as she twirled. Pucca had insisted that Ching left her hair out of its usual braids to fall naturally around her back and shoulders, framing her face like one of those models from the fashion magazines.

"Perfect... But I do feel sorry for you..."

"What?" Ching hadn't expected that reply.

"It's just, you won't get to experience the feeling a girl gets when a guy fetches her a drink as Abyo won't be able to take his eyes off you long enough," Pucca shimmied her hips and winked, her words alone heavily suggesting adult themes.

"Oh shut up!" Ching cried in embarrassment as she flung a pillow at Pucca. For a millisecond Pucca was back in time in her home with Ching, messing around, when Pucca had attacked her with a pillow for waking her up so early. They had been disguising her birthday party, before anything and everything went wrong.

Just as fast the memory came it was gone in the dark pools of her mind. Everyone had memories they wanted to forget but theirs were the size of a puddle. Pucca's had grew to become a black lake of despair but she refused to drown.

The door bell suddenly rang followed by Ching's father, Chang, calling up for them.

Ching's eyes sparkled. Pucca slipped in front of Ching stopping her from leaving. "Allow me to go first. I want to see his eyes fall from their sockets. Play it cool," Pucca lastly instructed. What better way to get Abyo going than with a game of chase?

Ching nodded and Pucca vanished through the door. She made her painful way towards the stairs. She leaned over the small wall that separated the landing from the side of the staircase. She saw Abyo fidgeting by the door making awkward conversation with Ching's dad. Chang seemed to be having fun teasing the uncomfortable teen ninja. Are dads always like that? Pucca wondered as she stepped down stairs carefully.

Pucca's feet thankfully touched solid ground. She wasn't sure she could have walked down any more stairs without crying out. When her feet hit the landing it gave a small creek which caused both men at the door to look down the hall at her. Abyo looked relived at the sight of her where as Chang looked defeated, obviously upset that his play time with Abyo had came to an end too soon for his liking.

"Pucca, you look great," Abyo complimented. Pucca smiled at him.

"Thanks, but you've seen nothing yet."

Pucca took a few steps forward hearing the stairs moaning under someone's weight. "What?" Abyo asked surprised.

Pucca smiled wickedly at Abyo but before he could say another word his mouth slammed shut, the sound of his teeth mashing together audible. Seemingly on cue Ching stepped onto the landing and turned towards the door.

Abyo's eyes were huge, drinking in the sight. Maybe wishing he could become intoxicated by it?

Silence stretched out before Chang spoke.

"You look lovely Ching. So much like your mother..." his voice was wistful, obviously think of his deceased wife.

"Thanks Dad," Ching's eyes brimmed. She missed her mother dearly and to be told that she was like her was a small gift in itself. Ching, trying to stop her shinning eyes, look at Abyo remembering that she was to keep up her cool exterior.

Abyo tried to find words to say, any words would do at this point, but his mouth had turned into the Sahara desert and his throat to sandpaper. "I... Uh... You-" Abyo cleared his throat to no avail, "You look... You- Amazing. Yeah... Ugh..."

Ching, under her thin mask of make-up, blushed brightly though she kept up the unaffected air. Pucca on the other hand couldn't help the giggle that escaped her. Abyo's reaction was priceless and it was making Pucca eager, despite her earlier worries, to see Garu.

What was his reaction going to be? Her mind twirled the many possibilities; shock, indifference; lust? The latter made her shove the thoughts away, replacing them with scolding ones over how preposterous she was being. He'd only given her a small peck and a birthday gift, she reminded herself. Somewhere in the back of her mind she pondered whether adding that he'd saved her but dismissed it. He did it for the honour and because she was his... The best word she could come up with was "friend"... That was it, right?

"Thank you," Ching spoke loud enough to break Pucca from the shackles of her mind.

"Shall we-Ugh... Shall we go?" Abyo was being strangely formal as he gave a small bow of respect to Ching's father, who seemed flattered by the action, and opened the door for both Pucca and Ching to exit through. Once through Abyo was about to shut the door behind him but Chang's head popped through it.

"Don't be home late! Drink sensibly! And you-" Chang's almost accusing gaze was on Abyo who stared back with unblinking wide eyes. "You be good to my daughter. If I hear of any funny business you can be sure I'll kick your-"

"Bye dad," Ching interrupted, embarrassed by the protective father scene. Ching grabbed Abyo's hand, pulling him with her, as she walked off linking with Pucca as she passed her. Pucca twisted to half-wave at Chang before she was yanked out of sight.

...

The noise was ridiculously loud at the party site. People where rushing everywhere, hanging decorations, helping to set out the food with covers to protect it till it was time, music being argued over and last minute preparations being worked out.

Uncle Dumpling sighed happily as he placed the last purple plastic jewel around the masterpiece he and his brothers had finished earlier. They had barely finished the rest of the food but somehow they managed it. He looked up at the hidden masterpiece, covered by a thin purple and blue sheet connected to four wires, keeping it from touching the actual contents.

Pucca was going to love it, Uncle Dumpling thought happily. She was such a good girl she deserved something special, especially after-

He refused to finish the thought as he hurried along to help Dada with the huge pile of plates he was bound to drop.

Santa Clause, haven been ignored by the rest of the party committee, danced besides a christmas tree he had set up by the edge of the party space. Giddy he flipped the switch making the tree light up with twinkling colours. People made 'ooo'-ing noises as they gazed at the tree. Master Soo swooped down next to Santa Clause, as per usual on his floating cloud with two pretty women clinging to his sides.

"Isn't this a birthday party?"

"Yes it is. That's why I brought my own 'Birthday T-tree'! Look, it even has a birthday present decoration."

Master Soo, along with the two women, squinted at the small dangling present.

"Santa Clause, that's a christmas present with a letter 'B' painted on..." one of the girls spoke slowly, clearly confused.

"And you still have christmas ones hanging on it..." the other added.

"Ho Ho Ho Ho, no I don't."

"You have a reindeer on it right there!" the first exclaimed. Santa just smiled at her and laughed.

Master Soo became tired of watching the girls argue with Santa and the fact that their attention wasn't on him. "Ladies let's go and get some drinks. I'm feeling funky tonight."

The girls giggled and clutched at his sides as he made the cloud swish away towards the open bar.

Ho was carrying three crates of beer towards the bar when he saw the christmas tree. He dropped the crates in surprise but luckily he didn't hear anything break. "Santa Clause! Get that tree out of here. It's not even Christmas!" Santa Clause flashed his red cheeked grin as he laughed, again, jollily. Making a noise of exasperation Ho heaved the crates back up and made his way over to the bar where Linguine was practising mixing bight coloured cocktails. Linguine had learned very quickly how to make the delicious beverages and was quite proud of himself as he finished another three coloured layer drink which he passed to a female in what was meant to be a dress but was so short it was more likely to be a shirt. She smiled invitingly but was called over by a group of girls by the food counter.

"You're going to have a busy night," Ho joked. Linguine grinned at his brother.

"Someone's a little jealous me thinks."

"What? Of cause not!"

Linguine tipped his head, "If you say so. What do you want? I have been told I make a mean margarita. Or maybe my own creation the 'Strawberry Daiquiri'!"

Ho contemplated his options, "I'm not sure I should have one. There's still stuff to be done before Pucca arrives."

Linguine held up a finger to another willing tester before he levelled his eyes with his brother, reading his eyes like an open book. "Stop worrying. She's going to be alright. You know our Pucca, stronger than most of our village combined."

Ho nodded looking down. "I know she is but-"

"No 'but'. She will get through this." Though Linguine was saying this because he truly believed it and wanted to stop Ho from excessively worrying, but he also said it for himself.

"Alright. I'll have a Strawberry Daiquiri."

Linguine smiled, "Two Strawberry Daiquiri's coming up for my two guinea pigs." Ho looked at his companion who had also agreed to test the drink. He was tall and had light brown hair that had been spiked up.

Ho casually tried to strike up conversation with the stranger. "You're new in town, right? I haven't seen you before."

The man casted him a bored glance, "Yes, I moved here only a week ago."

"Oh, I'm surprised I haven't seen you at Goh-Rong yet. My brothers and I run it. What do you do? Are you looking for a job? We have a space opening up because our niece won't be able to help us out for a while."

The man turned to him. His eyes were dark brown and calculating. "Why won't your niece be able to help you?"

Ho back tracked. New comers would be asking for the job, knowing that they had already heard of the restaurant Goh-Rong. Linguine passed them their drinks but before he could join the conversation he was called over by his co-bartender who needed help with setting up the rest of the stock. "She has been through something that's left her a little weak physically. She's recovering quickly though," he smiled politely at the man before tasting the cocktail before him. It was delicious as expected from Linguine. "So what do you do? Are you interested in the position?"

The man shook his head. "No, I already have a job. I'm a doctor at the Hospital."

"Wow, you're a doctor?" The man smiled though it had a bitter edge to it that Ho didn't notice.

"That's what people call me." The man laughed deeply and shook his head. "So, about your niece. Is she going to be alright?"

"Oh yes. In fact this is her party. It's her eighteenth so we're trying to make it as special as we can." Ho smiled as he took a sip of his drink.

The man's eyes flashed; an emotion passed through his dark eyes that looked dangerous and calculating but was gone before Ho could read anything into it. Had he imagined it? "Then I can't wait to wish her happy birthday." The man drowned his drink before standing up tipping his head at Ho, "Excuse me."

Ho watched as the man disappeared into the still chaotic crowd. A distant part of his mind thought, I didn't even ask what his name was… He frowned down at his drink but his name was called over the noise surrounding him. He looked up to see two helpers tied up in ribbon and beads that were meant to be entwined between the trees not around them. He sighed, muttering something alone the lines of "If you want something done right you have to do it yourself".

Ooooo, who is that weird new doctor? I wonder...

I know, its another build-up chapter but next chapter is defiantly the party scene :)

Abyo: Well.. Tell them.

Me: Tell them what?

Pucca: You know... College, no time...

Me: Oh jeez. *Sigh* Okay guys, as some of you already know I have started college and have taken four A-levels (Fool on me) and hardly have any time anymore to relax, never mind write (double fool on me). So my updates will probably be further apart... Well, more so than they already are :)

Garu: Lucky them they don't have to listen to you babble on as much...

Me: ... *Sickly sweet voice* What did you say Garu? I know it can't be what I'm thinking as you're such a sweet boy who wouldn't dare try to annoy a psycho like me.

Garu: O_O n-no, of cause not.

Abyo: Whimp.

Ching: Like you're any different?

Ring-ring: Why aren't I in this chapter?! Its a total disaster!

Pucca: You aren't the main character! Of cause you're not in every chapter.

Ring-ring: *Points at Ching&Abyo who are arguing* They are!

Me: Because I like them. You- Get the heck out of the character-voice recording room.

*Ring-ring storms out*

Pucca: Please review! ^_^

Garu: She'll really need the encouragement to get the next chapter done :)

*Me in the corner in dispair, piles of work scattered around me*

Me: Was that due today? Wha- What about this? Where is my pen?! Is 2-5^2=6+8/21 equal to 1.325? O.o

Ching&Abyo: Please review for the sake of Rashel's sanity! :')