Not too long a wait I hope dear readers, thank you for the patience and loyalty you have shown for this story. Thank you so much for the kind reviews, and many hits you have given, I really appreciate it.

My University has started up once more, so yes, less time to write. However, I will keep working, and hopefully balance out work and play so you won't be waiting ages for more updates. However, if I do take a little longer than planned to write a new chapter, I hope you will understand.

Now I have finished planning out this part of the story, and I can tell you all that the entire plot will come in a trilogy of fics. After this segment, 'Partners', (all planned out) there will be the 'Friends' saga and then the 'Lovers' saga, (still working on them) so that may give you an idea of what will go through the story.

More details will be revealed as I plan through, but until then, enjoy the chapter! You know by now what I own and what I don't. Sorry if it's a little short for a chapter.

Black Magic, White Starlight: Partners

Chapter 12: Dinner Date Disaster

You know, I'm not sure if it's the dress beginning to cut into my lungs and causing all the oxygen to push up into my brain, but I'm suddenly feeling really insecure.

It had started just as we had sat down to eat. However, it may have begun before then, and I was perhaps too awestruck at how nice Ren was acting, particularly the last statement he made.

Saying I looked 'nice' of all things...was he for real or was he just taking this role of a truce between us for the night really seriously and milking it just to frustrate me? Well, if it was the former, he was doing a damn good job, the jerk!

As I squirmed to get comfortable in my seat, Jun came back from the kitchen with three glasses in her hands, along with a bottle of wine. Bailong followed soon behind, pushing a small silver cart with various dishes of food. For a second, I also thought I saw Bason out of the corner of my eye, but the flicker of his image was gone in an instant, so I couldn't be sure. However, what I did see made me think he looked rather...embarrassed, if that's possible for a ghost.

I just hoped Sing wasn't giving the poor warlord too hard a time. Dealing with armies and conquering nations is one thing, but I really doubt handling a flirty former assassin is something he's prepared for.

I had drifted so far away into my thoughts that I didn't realise that there was wine being poured into my glass until I hear the gentle clink of the bottle being set down. Glancing over the table, I saw my hosts had already settled into their seats as well, and were reaching for their own drinks, and were suddenly staring at me in expectation.

"Are you all right Kora? You seem rather dazed." Jun asked in a politely concerned manner. I had to blink just to get my brain working again to understand what she was trying to say, and noticed that I was the only one who hadn't taken a sip of the wine.

Wait, were we even allowed to drink this stuff?

"Um...are you sure...I mean, I'm underage." I mumbled, while Ren simply looked at me stoically with hard golden eyes as he drank a little more. I could swear if that glass wasn't against his lips, he'd be smirking right now, asshole.

"Oh don't worry," Jun insisted, looking rather amused herself, but in a kind and less mocking way. "It's okay for you to have a little glass, you won't drink I promise. Besides, my brother is the same age as you, but he only has any alcohol on special occasions, and never takes that much anyway. If you like, we can water it down for you if you feel it's a little strong? Or get you something else?"

The last comments from the older girl made me sigh inwardly. I knew she meant well, but it sounded like she was talking to an infant who was picky about their food. In all honesty, I had never tried any sort of alcoholic drink, but now sitting next to the Tao siblings I felt like a pathetic baby.

"Oh, just go get her some apple juice sister, she clearly can't handle anything made of adults. If you like, we could even put it in a sippy-cup for you." Ren snorted, clearly amused at the whole situation, smirking even more when he saw me fuming inwardly.

And here I thought he was actually going to try and be civil. Guess that last comment of his was just a fluke. Not that I care he complimented me anyway! So why do I feel...

"Now little brother, that's not fair considering you drink more milk than a newborn." the daoshi chuckled, while I help back snickering myself at how quickly Ren's face turned bright red.

"I do that to build calcium Jun, you know that!"

"Yes, but even after all that persistent drinking, and you're still not quite as tall as Yoh or Horo are you? I thought you wanted to grow taller." she continued, causing her brother to grip the tablecloth tightly in his fists.

This was just so funny! My sides were close to splitting, but somehow I imagined to still appear dignified. I suspect they sibling had forgotten I was even there. However, at the same time I actually found myself feeling sorry for the Chinese shaman in a way. He had not hesitated in sniping me, but for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to take advantage of the state he was currently in: turning to face away from his sister, trying to hide the pink tints in his cheeks.

"So what, I think Ren's fine the way he is."

Who said that?

They're staring...

Oh crap it was me!

What possessed me to say that? Damn, I'm never going to be able to live this down! Ren's certainly not going to let me forget that I 'fell for his charms', which I didn't! He has no charms! It just slipped out! I don't even understand why I...

"Thank you."

Okay, I'm sure it wasn't me who spoke this time. I'm having a bad enough time talking to myself, let alone now speaking my thoughts aloud.

Cautiously, I finally decide to look up from staring at the placemat on the table. Jun is smiling softly, somehow rather pleased, as her gaze flickers between me and something else; Ren.

"Thanks, it was nice of you to say that." he repeated, letting me now know for sure it was him who spoke, seeing his lips move slightly. His head was bent down so his hair covered a lot of his face, making it impossible for me to read his expression.

However, somehow through how quietly he said those words, I could tell there was some sincerity there. It was much like what he had said to me before, walking out his room, a whisper that no one else was meant to hear. It made me feel just a little special being privileged to hear those words. It was as if I was the only one who got to see through the cracks of his harsh exterior, making me like him just a little bit more.

Finally, he lifted his head, letting me see new emotion swirling in golden orbs, something unfamiliar to him, but he was trying to handle it as best he could. I found myself smiling a little, ever so slightly thinking we had just closed the gap a little more, which would make the future training together a lot easier, at least if he kept his ego in check.

Suddenly, I felt the softest and most delicate touch brush against my fingers. Ren had his hand stretched over the table, his long yet strong digits barely in contact with mine, as my hand still rested on the clothed surface next to my plate. It was a little awkward, as I felt myself blush a little, but then I saw that his face was a little red as well. It began to slowly feel more comfortable, until I found the sudden urge to want to link our fingers together, an action which I started doing, still never unlocking my gaze with Ren. It was as I was doing this, it looked like he was trying to say something to me. I suddenly became very aware that he was beginning to lean over the table, getting closer and closer. I was also reaching over, straining to listen to the words that were about to pass through his lips...

"Aren't you just so cute, like a real couple!"

In an instant we were back in our seats, rigid, red, and trying to look anywhere but each other.

To think, we forgot Jun was still sitting at the head of the table, watching everything that had just gone between us.

And on top of all that embarrassment, the dinner was getting cold.

Jun was still quite chirpy, not saying anything but clearly enjoying what had just happened. Granted she would make a lovely aunt, but wasn't it a bit much to try and pair her brother up with a girl she just invited round for dinner?

Shaking my head, I realised how silly I sounded. She probably wasn't even thinking about that, but then...why was I?

Why was I suddenly thinking of Jun as an aunt? That would me Ren would have had to have...and I would have to...

Bad thoughts, bad thoughts, bad thoughts!

As if this night couldn't get any worse...

Before anything else could be said or done, a loud rush of wind grew thunderously loud, as a dark form came at full speed towards the window looking into the Tao home, before crashing through the barrier. Glass shattered and rained down on us like tiny snowflakes. In instinct, I reached for my whip, before remembering I had left it behind, thinking it was inappropriate to bring weapons to a dinner party. And it was then my senses kicked in, deciding to finally warm me of the demon presence that was now clawing at the table, and heading straight for us.

I just HAD to say it couldn't get any worse.