Apologies for not updating the past couple weeks, but the flu plus puking all over the place do not a productive writer make. I'm over it mostly now, still have a bad cough and runny nose but better.

Masterkungfu2013-Things will happen! ;)

Azkadellio-See below, but they're various demons/spirits/whatever you wanna call them, that she can summon. Thanks! It's going to get interesting the next couple chapters.

ScottyBgood-But teasing is good, it keeps you guys invested in the story! Sorry, not sorry. It does, and shows that each branch of weaving has its pros and cons. It's...more normal, I guess. Still drama, but the usual drama instead of abnormal drama.

T0ran-Yeah, I know, I did say it was a filler. I like the quotes, nice! Here, have a cookie! *hands cookie*

Wolf2468-Alright, here ya go! Welcome aboard this Jori ship, all deckhands welcome to explore!

TimelessReader-Yeah, I'll just say she's gonna get her head forcefully pulled outta the sand.

About the creatures protecting Jade, they're actually not just one creature with many forms, but many creatures. It will be explained more this chapter.

Also, the reason the weather didn't go haywire with the near kiss is because Jade's mind kinda shut down, and 'cause the author said so! :) Will also have an impact this chapter.

Without further ado, read on!

Tori whispered into the space between them, breath wafting across Jade's cheek, "Do I make you nervous?" She looked into wide blue-green eyes and smiled roguishly. Jade's breath came quickly, puffing across Tori's chin, and she could see her pulse beating wildly at her throat. Tori bent and pressed a kiss to her cheek, dangerously close to the corner of her lips, and took a step away from Jade.

Her own pulse hammered in her chest and the power under her skin thrummed excitedly. Tori pressed her hand to her breast, over the tattoo, and watched Jade sway, fingers dug into the bark of the tree like she would blow away if she let go.

"Tori?-I...why'd you..."

"I gotta keep you on your toes somehow, West." Tori smirked and Jade visibly swallowed. "It's only a bit of friendly teasing anyway, right?"

"Heh...just teasing, yeah." Jade gathered her scattered wits and pushed away from the tree, knees still wobbly from the close encounter. Tori waited for her by the side of the road and walked silently beside her as they continued away from town.

Jade waited until her hands stopped trembling and then spoke. "So...I've got a question."

"Only one?"

The smile was audible in Tori's voice and Jade's eyes cut over to her smirking profile. "For now, is that alright?" Her voice was breathless instead of cutting and Jade cursed herself in her head.

Tori chuckled and shrugged. "Sure, what's your question?"

"I...something appeared in my room the other day."

"What?"

Tori's shoulders tensed and Jade rushed on. "I had a...disagreement with my father, and after he left, there was...a thing in my bedroom, that somehow knew me-"

"Wait, wait." Tori stopped in the middle of the road and Jade looked back at her. "You had another fight with your-did he hurt you agai-"

"Tori, I'm fine. That thing, it...it healed me-"

"How?"

"It licked me with its tongue." Jade shuddered and Tori smiled despite her worry before sobering again.

"What did it look like?"

"Like, I dunno, it was like a giant hedgehog, that could stand on its hind legs. It had to duck its head to stand in my room, and it kept staring at me like it knew me."

"Are you sure you didn't get hit or something? Jade, creatures like that don't just appear out of thin air."

"No, I know that, but-dammit, I didn't imagine it!" Jade growled in frustration and tori pursed her lips.

"I...don't know what to think, Jade. Maybe you should talk to papi, he might know what's going on. I'm not saying I don't believe you, Jade, I just don't...understand."

"That makes two of us..." Jade exhaled loudly through her nose and rubbed her temple in frustration.

"Do you want to go see papi now?"

"Yeah, let's...let's go."

They began walking again and Jade's shoulders drew up with each passing minute that she was left to her thoughts. She flinched when she felt Tori's fingers brush across the back of her hand, and then take her hand hesitantly. Jade almost pulled away but Tori gently swiped her thumb across her knuckles and she felt herself relax. She squeezed Tori's fingers almost imperceptibly and smiled faintly as the brunette hummed happily beside her.

Tori pulled Jade inside the house, fingers still entwined, and yelled for Sikowitz. "Papi, are you here?"

Cat poked her head around the corner and smiled widely at the two. "Tori, Jade, you're back!" She tackled Tori and wrapped her arms around her neck, giggling manically. "I'm so happy you two made up! I was worried Jade was going to chicken out, but then she decided and I was so happy!"

She squeezed Tori's neck once more and bounced over to Jade, smiling winsomely at her. "Don't you feel better, Jadie?"

"Don't call me that," Jade groused, but a smile slipped past her stern facade and Cat laughed musically before disappearing out the back door and they heard her voice outside.

"Papa, Tor and Jadie want to speak to you about something!"

Shaking her head wryly, Tori smiled over at Jade. "Never try to hide anything from a seer, it doesn't work. Believe me, I know." They walked onto the back porch and saw Sikowitz on his knees in the garden, pulling vegetables for supper that night.

"Ah, Tori, you're back. Jade, what brings you here?" He wiped the dirt onto his pants and stood, walking over to the steps and sitting on the top one. Tori pulled Jade forward and she looked uncertainly at the brunette before sitting stiffly beside Sikowitz.

She explained what had happened with her father and was interrupted by the same righteous fury Tori had displayed. Jade sighed and rolled her eyes and bared her chin to him. "I'm fine, see? May I continue?" Sikowitz frowned and nodded and she told him of the creature that had appeared afterward. He listened with rapt attention, steepling his fingers when she described the creature and how it had evaporated into thin air when it stepped into the sunlight. "I didn't imagine it," she said firmly.

Sikowitz pursed his lips thoughtfully and asked Tori to grab the book from the attic. She reappeared and handed the heavy tome to him and he flipped with purpose through the pages. Jade watched his fingers as they flowed down the paper and caught glimpses of images of plants, various points on the human body which could heal or harm them, lists of ingredients for potions and other spells. He stopped on a page near the back, index finger tracing the letters and words on the page. "I thought I saw...this is incredible." Sikowitz threw an amazed look over at Jade and continued reading, mumbling to himself all the while.

Tori, who had climbed onto the railing to perch with her feet dangling over the outside, perked up and dropped to the ground. "Papi? What's it say?"

Sikowitz barely spared her a glance before returning his attention to the book and spoke distractedly. "It's fantastic...there's almost...nothing...known...calling creatures..." He mumbled to himself some more and Tori groaned.

"Papi, tell us!"

He jumped and his eyes focused on Tori. "I...I think everyone needs to be here for this. Go find your brother and sister." Tori ran off and they heard vague noises from the other side of the house. Sikowitz ran a hand through thinning hair and Jade barely held in the urge to snap at him. The three teenagers appeared at the back door and they all crowded onto the porch, Cat and Robbie tucked onto the bench by the door while Tori sat as close to Jade as she dared, leaning against the post by the steps.

Sikowitz cleared his throat and met each of their eyes, settling on Jade's and watching her intently. "Young Jadelyn here, while she does display some signs of being a rather adept natural weaver, is something...more, for lack of a better word. You, my dear, are a summoner."

"I'm a what?!" Jade shot up and Sikowitz peered up at her in interest as dust kicked up just off the porch and disturbed the apple blossoms at the edge of the yard.

"A summoner; one of few, and extremely powerful."

"I...I-don't, I don't understand-"

"It's quite straightforward, my dear. You are able to call these creatures to you, use them for your needs, and then dismiss them when you no longer need them."

Jade gaped and her jaw worked uselessly for several seconds. "But that's-"

"Impossible? My dear, weavers are not supposed to be possible, and yet, here we sit." Sikowitz smiled wryly and returned his attention to the book in his lap. "Improbable, maybe, it says here that summoners are few and far between, but certainly not impossible."

Jade leaned heavily against the post at her back and Tori bumped her shoulder gently. "Hey, you alright?"

"Yeah, just...a lot to take in, ya know?" Tori hummed sympathetically and leaned in so her arm rested against Jade's. Jade relaxed minutely and the small gusts of wind subsided and died away.

Sikowitz nodded sagely and shut the book with a heavy thump. "Indeed, but this is where we come in. You should come over more often to practice your skills, Jade. We need to figure out your triggers and how good your control is, among other things. We can help you learn what you're capable of."

Tori perked up and scooted forward slightly so she was sitting cross legged next to Jade. "Actually, papi, we wanted to ask you something. Jade is welcome here whenever she wants to come over, right?" Sikowitz nodded slowly, a question clear in his eyes. "Well, would she...be welcome to stay here...permanently?" Tori cringed when his eyebrows shot up on his forehead and Jade interjected before he could speak.

"I won't be welcome in my house much longer, nor do I want to stay there any longer. If you would have me, Sikowitz, I would appreciate being able to stay here. But I can ask my friend to put me up for a while, too." She returned his questioning gaze evenly and felt Tori shift minutely, her pinky entwining with Jade's between their bodies.

Sikowitz pursed his lips thoughtfully and narrowed his eyes at Jade. "What circumstances will not allow you to live with your father any longer?"

"Let's just say that future nuptials between me and Beck aren't going through anytime soon if we have any say about it." Jade's lips twisted in a sneer and she felt Tori's finger tighten around hers briefly. She breathed out deeply and ignored the way her stomach twisted as Tori's fingers gradually entwined with hers completely. "Father won't be happy with that, and I don't anticipate a happy parting between us. I'd rather leave before things get...messy."

"Can she stay with us, papi? Please?" Tori plead with Sikowitz and after a few moments' deliberation, he nodded.

"It would make teaching you easier, and certainly be less for you to hide...but, be careful, alright? I don't want anything happening to you, but you are welcome here if that's what you want." With that, Sikowitz stood and took the book back inside and the four left on the porch began talking quietly amongst themselves.

Cat bounced excitedly next to Robbie and clapped her hands. "Jadie, you can stay with me! We can share my room and you can have some of my-"

"Whoa, whoa. Hold on, Cat." Jade held her hand up and Cat stopped mid word, eyes comically wide and mouth slightly open, a strangled sound escaping her throat. Jade raised her brow and fought down a smile at the sight. "Not that I don't appreciate the offer, but-"

"But Jade has already agreed to share my room," Tori broke in quickly, speaking over Jade's voice and glancing at her when she felt her eyes boring into her temple. Jade looked caught between disbelief and a faint unease and Tori quirked her eyebrow in question. "Right, Jade?"

"...Yeah, I already talked to Tori about this...thing."

Jade narrowed her eyes and Tori smiled apologetically before turning her attention to Cat. "Sorry, Kitty." Cat pouted but then her eyes silvered over and she stared vacantly into the distance for several seconds. She came back with a sharply inhaled breath and blinked to reorient herself. Her gaze waffled between the two young women sitting on the wooden floor of the porch and rich brown eyes glimmered with secrets. "Cat?..."

"Nope, sorry, gotta go!" Cat bounded up and escaped within the confines of the house. Robbie smiled in confusion and went after her, leaving the two girls by themselves out back.

Tori shook her head and smiled wryly. "I'll get it out of her sometime."

Jade merely rolled her eyes and got to her feet to stand intimidatingly over Tori. "You and me need to have a talk, now."

"Can't it wa-"

"Now." Jade stepped off the porch and smiled to herself when she heard Tori scramble to her feet and follow her into the trees. She stopped just outside of sight of the house and faced Tori, who watched her warily with trepidation and guilt warring in her eyes.

"Jade, I didn-"

"I'll need a dresser for my clothes, and I hope you don't snore, or we're going to have problems." Jade crossed her arms and waited for her words to register, barely managing to stop herself from fidgeting self-consciously. Tori blinked several times before she smiled brightly enough to blind someone and launched herself at Jade, wrapping her in a hug to rival one of Cat's squeezes.

Jade gasped for air and got a whiff of Tori's natural scent, nearly losing her balance as the smell and unexpected tackle hug worked in tandem to scatter her thoughts. Tori buried her nose against Jade's shoulder and barely resisted the urge to set her lips against the cloth covered skin. She pulled back enough so her hands rested against Jade's shoulders and grinned. "Oh, thank the gods, I was worried you were going to take your scissors to me or something."

Jade just raised her brow silently and watched with carefully concealed glee as Tori looked progressively more wary. She surreptitiously grasped one of her suspenders dangling by her thighs and reached for her pocket with her other hand. Tori's eyes widened comically and she tried to backpedal but found herself caught by a strap. She wheeled to run and Jade lurched forward to wrap her arm around her waist, hand curling around her hip and pulling her back against her front.

Goosebumps spread across Tori's skin as Jade pulled her closer and the warm metal of her scissors pressed lightly against her jugular. "How do you know I still won't? That was a sneaky way to make sure I would room with you."

Her breath washed across Tori's cheek and she swallowed reflexively, weakly trying to wriggle away from Jade. "Jade...dammit, let me go..."

"Why, that's no way to talk to a lady, Miss Tori. You'll disturb my delicate sensibilities with your crass words." Jade smirked and Tori squawked indignantly, twisting more even with the business end of the scissors playing against her skin.

"Your!-Delicate!-you swear way more than I do!"

"Why, whatever are you talking about? I'm sure you must be imagining things, I've never sworn a drop in my life," Jade drawled lowly, feeling Tori's abdomen flutter underneath her forearm. She dragged the tip of her scissors down the column of Tori's throat and hooked her chin over her shoulder so she could direct the instrument toward the v of her open collar. "What sort of things are you imagining where I'm using such...uncouth language?"

She felt more than heard Tori drag in a ragged breath and her lips ghosted across the place where Tori's jaw met her neck. Tori sagged against her briefly before making a strangled sound at the back of her throat and tearing herself away from Jade's grasp.

"That..that's not fair."

Tori watched her with dark eyes and Jade tilted her head to the side, idly twirling the scissors around her finger. "What isn't?"

"That, that thing you do where you get all..."

Tori gestured at Jade vaguely and she couldn't help the smirk that crawled across her lips. "You just gestured to all of me."

"Yes! Exactly, that's my problem!" Tori dragged her hands through her hair and sidled closer to Jade slightly. She mumbled under her breath as she began to pace and Jade distinctly caught, "...be a masochist..." before the brunette veered away.

Jade tucked her scissors away and continued to watch the brunette pace until she couldn't take the distressed murmurs anymore. "Why do you want me to stay with you?"

Tori stopped in her tracks and stared at Jade, wide eyed and off balance with the abrupt segue. "I-I don't know what you're tal-"

"It's simple. There's a reason you want me to stay in your room, and I want to know what it is."

Jade took a step toward Tori and watched her eyes widen further. She stuttered incoherently and her hands shook as she lifted them as if to ward Jade away. "I-I...there's no...no reaso-"

"Bullshit." Jade closed the distance between them and pinned Tori under sharp blue-green eyes. "There's something going on in that head of yours. Something you're not sharing." Tori attempted to put some space between them but Jade followed her until her back met with a very solid tree. Her hand clawed at the trunk ineffectually like she wanted to crawl into the plant, but it remained unyielding and her wide amber eyes pleaded with Jade to not press her any further.

Jade could almost feel the panic rolling off the brunette and it physically presented itself as the leaves overhead rustled loudly and branches swayed wildly, creaking and groaning in protest. She pushed back any sympathy and guilt she felt and leaned over Tori. "Spill, Tori. I'm not leaving until you do."

Tori's eyes searched each of Jade's for long moments and eventually the panic left, replaced by quiet determination and a faint unease as she chewed on her lip briefly. She straightened her back and hooked the fingers of one hand into Jade's pockets at the front of her dress, urging her closer.

Jade pulled her head back as the distance closed and Tori cupped her jaw, halting her movement. "Tori?..."

"This is why I want you to stay with me." Tori leaned in slowly, torn between watching Jade's eyes as they widened, and her lips as they parted slightly, breath puffing against her chin. Tori hesitated for a moment before ducking her head and shutting her eyes. She pressed her lips lightly against Jade's, barely-there-contact that was more question and careful searching than bold statement.

Her fingers flexed against Jade's jaw and she felt the young woman stiffen before shaky hands settled against her abdomen like they would push her away. She tilted her head to one side and took Jade's lower lip between hers, still cautious, and smiled as she felt Jade sway into her a little. Her hand slipped out of Jade's pocket and wove around her waist, pressing against the small of her back and encouraging her to lean completely against her.

Jade's fingers plucked at the front of her button up and her mouth moved against Tori's slowly as she relaxed, humming quietly when Tori took her lip between her teeth and pulled gently as she retreated. Tori leaned back against the tree and studied Jade's face with silvered eyes. Jade's were still closed and her head remained tilted up just a little as her breath wafted across the underside of Tori's jaw.

Tori's brow furrowed when she felt Jade stiffen against her and her eyes shot open, silvered and panicky when they locked with hers. "Jae?-"

"I-I can't-" Jade pushed out of Tori's dumbfounded arms and almost tripped over a root before taking off into the forest.

"Jade! What are-" She stopped when Jade disappeared from sight and sagged against the tree, sliding down the length of it until she was sitting on the ground and buried her head against her knees, cursing herself.

Jade pushed through some scrub brush and ignored the scratches and tears that marked her skin and the fabric of her dress. She heaved for air she couldn't seem to find and the leaves overhead rustled ominously with each gasping breath she took. She finally stopped when her shoulder bounced off a wide, low hanging branch and hissed as pain radiated up and down her arm. She sunk back against the tree and felt her throat close up as she panted for breath. Her eyes pricked with tears and she snarled ineffectually, bringing her fist down to smack against her thigh. She squeezed her eyes closed and her nostrils flared with each shaky breath, but she gradually began to calm down and the wind died down.

"What's your problem?" Jade started violently and her eyes shot open, heart pounding in her chest and adrenaline crashing through her body as she searched for the annoyed voice. "It's taken too long to get to this point, I am not letting some sudden nerves get in the way of everything I've worked for now." Jade's head swung back and forth wildly and she froze when a figure separated from the trees to her right. The woman, with her deep green dress and tousled auburn hair, approached her with an exasperated expression on her face and pursed her lips when she stood before Jade.

Jade gaped at the strange woman and felt a curious tug at the base of her skull. She shook off the sensation and summoned up all the ire and frustration she could. "Who are you," she asked flatly.

The woman didn't answer her, but instead tapped her chin as she stared at Jade with intrigued green eyes. "I just don't see why you're acting like you are, there's really nothing to be scared of."

"What the hell are you tal-"

"I think you know perfectly well what I'm speaking of, Jadelyn Elizabeth." Jade blinked and her eyes tightened before she closed off her expression. The woman shook her finger at Jade and clucked in rebuke. "Don't try that with me, young one. You can't hide your feelings from yourself, and you certainly can't hide them from me." She narrowed her eyes at Jade and they seemed to glow faintly before she nodded decisively.

Jade recoiled when the woman reached out for her and grasped her chin between her fingers. "You, young one, are making this much harder than it needs to be. You're going to throw everything out of whack with that little stunt you just pulled, and it's going to take me forever to get it back to where it should be, unless you go back to her."

Jade pulled in vain at the strong grip on her chin and felt her panic building again. The woman stared into her eyes, silver lining her irises and power rolling off her body. "Show me how strong you can be, young one. Or will you let your fears hold you back?"

Jade panted and clawed at the tree at her back, beating back her panic as she felt that pull at the base of her skull again. She bared her teeth and felt the heat curling through her chest, but underneath that was an even warmer and more familiar energy, and the pull at the base of her skull increased until she felt dizzy. She submerged herself in it and her fingertips tingled as the tug grew stronger and stronger until it escaped her body and something within her snapped into place as her eyes silvered over rapidly.

The shadow at her feet separated itself from her and jumped at the woman holding her against the tree, barely missing her as she ducked away. Jade leaned against the tree, gaping at the spectacle as the shadow creature readied itself again and the woman just stood there with a grin on her face. She calmly lifted one hand as the creature launched itself at her again and splayed her fingers wide. The creature stopped in midair and grasped at its throat, feet kicking idly as the woman studied it.

"I was wondering when you would fully awaken. It took long enough, but this is better than I thought." Walking toward the creature hanging in midair still, she circled it and then faced it once more. "I wish her no harm, return to your vessel and have peace, vindicis." She waved her hand over its face and the creature went limp, dissolving into mist and flowing back toward Jade, who had ventured a few steps away from the tree in curiosity. It seeped into her and she felt the tug once more at the base of her skull before the feeling went away and she rubbed the back of her neck as she glared at the woman. "You're more interesting than I thought you'd be."

"Gee, thanks," Jade snarled, watching the woman warily.

She laughed and the trees above seemed to mirror the sentiment, rustling their leaves merrily. "Quite bold, too. I like that, you'll do just fine." Her expression sobered and she pursed her lips. "So why did you run?"

Jade pulled back like she'd been slapped and averted her eyes. "That's...how do you-"

"I know more than you could imagine, young one."

"Then...you know I ca-"

"Bullshit." Jade blinked in surprise and the woman sighed. "You're scared, plain and simple. You're scared of what others might say, no matter how blasé you act around them, with your devil-may-care attitude. You don't want to be more different than you already are, so you pushed her away."

"She-she kissed me!"

"Yes, and?" The woman folded her arms over her chest and arched her brow.

"And...and she's a girl! That's not-"

"Does it matter?"

"Wh...what?"

"Does. It. Matter." The woman took a couple steps toward Jade. "In the end, it's your happiness, yes? So what does everyone else's opinion matter? Who cares if you kissed a girl, as long as you like her? I don't understand what made you run."

"It just-it could cause problems, and...and..."

The woman smiled softly and set her hand on Jade's shoulder. Jade peered up at her, confusion in her eyes and a question on her tongue. "It could also bring you the greatest joy you will ever know. Don't throw that away because you're afraid of what some ignorant fools will say." Tightening her grip, the woman took Jade's chin again and tilted her head back. "You've a great compassion and love for others within you, Jadelyn. Don't let that go; use it to protect them and make this a safe place."

Jade searched her eyes silently and the woman smiled again. "Go back to her, young one. There's still a ways to go, but she'll be right beside you the whole way. Don't underestimate her loyalty, or her stubbornness." She smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind Jade's ear, then turned her around suddenly and held her in place with a hand on her shoulder. "I think...you just need a little push in the right direction." With that, she shoved Jade lightly and her laugh echoed in Jade's ear. She stumbled forward a couple steps and spun on her heel when she caught her balance. The woman had disappeared, and the forest looked disturbingly familiar.

Jade turned around again and peered through the trees. Her breath caught when she spied Sikowitz's house between the branches and she wound toward it haltingly. She stopped just inside the treeline, peering at the back porch, and the person sitting on the stoop. Cat perched innocuously on the top step, hands holding her up as she stared at the cloudless sky and a vague smile on her lips.

Jade took the last step and walked across the yard, stiffening when Cat's head snapped over to her and her eyes narrowed but continuing toward the porch. She almost made it past the redhead when her wrist was caught in a strong grip and held. "You promised you wouldn't hurt her." Her shoulders curled defensively but she didn't move otherwise and she heard Cat huff. "You promised, Jade."

"I know what I said, Cat, but sometimes-"

"No, that's not how it works. You're supposed to stay by my sister, and not be such a...such a-a gank!" Jade started and finally looked down at Cat. She was flushed with emotion and her eyes flashed angrily. She tugged at Jade's wrist and nodded sharply when she sat beside her. "You have to make it better. You have to apologize, before Tori does something stupid." Jade didn't say anything, just stared at her dirty shoes and wiggled her toes within their confines, and Cat sighed softly. "I saw you two, when you kissed."

"What?"

"I mean, I wasn't there, but I saw you two, earlier, when we were all sitting here." She fluttered her fingers beside her eye. "And I saw when Tori took your hand, too. She's not as subtle and sneaky as she thinks she is." Cat cracked a smile and Jade couldn't help but mimic it, albeit weakly. "So you have to make it better, Jade. If you don't find Tori and apologize, I'll-I'll...I'll kick your butt!"

She pointed her finger threateningly at Jade and she held her hand up in surrender. "Hey, alright. I'll...I'll talk to her."

The word you were looking for, Tori, when Jade had you pinned against her, was SEXY. I also would have accepted HOT.

I FIGURED OUT THAT IF I LOOK FOR A SYNONYM WHEN IN CAPS LOCK, THE WORDS ALSO APPEAR IN CAPS LOCK. IT WAS AMUSING AND HAS NOW BECOME A THING.