1. The Mark

Jade Chan woke up slowly and stretched. School day today, so she'd better get ready. Ditching her jammies, she grabbed her towel and headed for the shower.

As she lathered up, she thought about how her life had changed the past couple of years since Drago's defeat. No more demons...no more magic craziness...no more crime syndicates to fight...no more crazy adventures...

Gods, what a bore!

Or at least, she'd think that if real life hadn't caught up to her. There was plenty keeping her busy and plenty to think about.

Jackie had gone back to his career as an archaeologist...FINALLY. In between digs, he spent time at Uncle's Rare FInds, spent time with Jade, or - as was his usual preference - spent time with his new girlfriend...Viper. Jade was still happy they finally got together. Of course, what with Viper's new career as a super spy, they didn't see each other as often as they would like...or as often as Jade would have liked. Jackie was always so much more easy going whenever Viper was around.

Tohru had his own place now, though he still worked for Uncle. When Jackie was out on a dig, she stayed with Tohru. It was her personal preference, as it meant not going anywhere and not staying with Uncle...who had just gotten crotchetier over time, though he was fun...occasionally.

Paco was off in Mexico with El Toro, beginning his career in Junior Mucha Libre. He'd gotten pretty famous already, and was apparently very popular with the ladies. Not that he pursued any relationships; El toro had taught him better than that. ...besides, Jade had promised to keep his boyfriend a secret.

Jade had finally started formal training in chi magic, and was doing quite well. It had been relatively easy to convince Uncle and Tohru to let her learn.

Flashback...

"Look, Uncle, Big T, do you really think anything you can come up with can keep me out of the library if I really want in?" Jade thought she was being eminantely reasonable.

"Well...not really," Tohru had admitted ashamed. He had tried to do just that several times...and she had easily circumvented them.

"Magic is not a game or a toy!" Uncle declared, angrily.

"THen wouldn't it make more sense, since I obviously have such a strong interest and inclanation towards chi magic, to have me learn in a controlled environment under your tutelage?"

THey had both gone quiet, obviously thinking.

She pulled out a book, and flipped it open to a page. "I'll go one further. Apply this to me while your teaching me." It was a mage seal. Once placed on her, she would be unable to use chi magic except in the presence of her teachers, or in self defense in a major emergency. "That way you won't have to worry about what I'm up to when you're not looking! All I'll do solo will be research."

Tohru and Uncle had looked at each other.

End Flashback...

Jade glanced at her right arm. The runes for the seal glowed green, but only to those with magic talent or high exposure to magic's usage. The runes would naturally expand as her power grew, and would disappear when Uncle declared her to have completed her training. When she had first gotten it, they were only around her wrist. Now they were halfway up her forearm. It had been a pretty big concession, but she'd seen old records of what had happened to mage students who got into spell workings too big for them. She didn't want to risk that.

Glancing down at herself, she grinned. Her magic hadn't been the only thing to grow over time. She'd had a growth spurt, too...in more ways than one. She'd gained a foot in height since her days of demon hunting, and was quite proud of her B-cup. Even as much of a tomboy as she was, she was still very much aware of how that made the boys look at her. She had had questions about that part of her growth, but she'd dealt with them in the most logical manner. She had asked Viper how it would effect her social and emotional life, and Uncle how it would effect her magical training and abilities. Viper had answered her questions easily, happy that she had come to her. Uncle...had tried very hard not to faint.

Glancing down at herself, she noticed something...purple right near the top of her right breast. Because of the angles, she couldn't get a clear look at it in the shower, and she couldn't seem to scrub it off. Sighing, she decided to finish her shower and take a look at it in the mirror.

Finishing her scrubbing, she stepped out and wrapped herself in her towel. Then she saw herself in the mirror...and she staggered backwards, staring at her reflection in shock.

Right there on her skin was a blue octagon surrounding the stylized image of a rabbit. It hadn't been there the night before...and she knew that shape far too well.

"JACKIE!"