A Demonic Infatuation
Chapter Six: Wedding Bells and Dark Chi Spells
Written By: Amanda/Artiste/Agent Di
Jade came downstairs to face her family after she and Hsi Wu had straighten up her room. She was surprised to see her Aunt Viper holding out the telephone.
"Jade," Jackie spoke up, "I think we need to have a talk. Right after you get off the phone---with your parents."
Jade's eyes widened, "WHAT?! I can't believe you guys called my folks on me!"
"You didn't leave us much choice Jade," Viper sighed, "they allowed you to stay here with us so that you could attend the college you wanted. They also expected us to keep you safe, dating a demon does not qualify as safe. We were obligated to let them know what was going on."
Growling under her breath Jade took the phone and placed it to her ear. She didn't have to hold it there long to find out just how much her parents already knew. "Jade!" her mother's voice rang out, "What on Earth do you think you're doing in America?!"
"Honey I hope you realize what you're getting yourself into. This is-well it's-" her father fumbled through his words.
"It's debauched! Immoral and sinful Jade, that's what it is!" the young Chan's mother finished.
"Mother!" Jade hissed into the phone hoping that Hsi Wu couldn't overhear any of this. "He may be a demon but he's not heartless or anything so chill out! Hsi Wu and I both know what we're doing and since I'm an adult now there's not a heck of a lot you can do about it!"
From the sounds of it Jade wasn't having much luck convincing her parents of the necessity of their mating. While the Sky Demon would've liked for Jade's parents to have been accepting of their union (which he didn't really believe was likely in the first place) he knew that it wasn't imperative. In fact, it would probably wind up driving her closer to him.
Tohru stared up the staircase and noticed the demon watching Jade argue on the phone with an intense gaze. He does not seem to mind the predicaments that he's putting his mate (our loving Jade) through. Perhaps his demonic tendencies prevent him for truly caring about her. Possessiveness appears to be his predominate trait as of the moment.
"Step yelling dear," Jade's father was coaxing her mother, "it's obvious that Jade has a mind of her own. She's going to be with this demon whether we will it or not. We shouldn't let it cause a rift in our relationship."
"Yeah mom," Jade huffed, "listen to dad, for once."
"And Jade," her dad turned his attention back to his one and only child, "please understand that this isn't the sort of thing that can just be sprung on us and openly embraced. Your mother and I are very worried about you. All we ask is that you not rush into anything with this creature until you're sure of his intentions."
"But I already know what his intentions are dad!" Jade insisted, "He wants to marry me!"
"WHAT?!" Jade's mother was seconds away from hyperventilating.
A smirk spread across Hsi Wu's face. Mortal follies always proved to be such amusing forms of entertainment. Regardless of what they thought about him, he sensed that he was going to like Jade's parents. Their comical reactions were quite...enjoyable.
"That's right," now Jade was wearing a smirk of her own as she stared at the other mortals in the room, "and you know what else? I said yes!"
Jackie and Viper exchanged horrified looks. Tohru gasped aloud. And Uncle threw his hands in the air exclaiming, "AIYAH! just when I thought I had heard everything! Uncle is getting too old for this!!"
There was a loud THUD from the other end of the phone line followed by a brief pause. "Dad?"
"Uh Jade, sweetie-" Jade's father began hesitantly, "-I'm going to have to call you back. Your mother's fainted."
"Guess that means she's thrilled." Jade rolled her eyes, "Okay dad. Talk to ya later."
"Bye Jade," her father sighed, "Jade..."
"Yeah?"
"...I know must love him dear. You wouldn't settle for anything less than love." her father was being awfully understanding about this, but years of tolerating the rebellious Chan had taught him the strength of her will and the futility of arguing with her, "If you really love him Jade, then I'm happy for you. Good luck honey."
A smile spread over her previously tense features, "Thanks dad, and I do love him. And he loves me, so don't worry."
"And don't worry about your mother," her father spoke just before hanging up, "she'll come around."
Chuckling softly Jade put the phone down and turned to her audience. "Well, that's that."
"What did your parents have to say Jade?" Jackie inquired sternly.
Placing her hands on her hips Jade shot him a cold grin, "You're little plan backfired you guys, my parents say that they're okay with it as long as it's what'll make me happy!"
"What now Jackie?" Viper glanced up at her husband, "That little chat was supposed to deter her from marrying him wasn't it?"
Groaning Jackie looked up at the sneering Sky Demon whose expression mocked him while Jade rushed into his awaiting arms, "Now, we plan a wedding."
******
Boomerang zipped around in the air just above the heads of the two lovers as they made out invitations for their wedding. Jade was determined to keep Hsi Wu by her side and what better way to strengthen a bond than by joining together in matrimony?
"Just think my dearest Jade," Hsi Wu whispered alluringly as his fiancée placed another white card into an envelope, "in a matter of mere days you and I shall be one by yet another eternal means."
"If you go off on one of your destiny kicks again I'll make you lick ALL these envelope flaps by yourself Hsi." Jade warned with a laugh.
Bringing his arms over her shoulders and pulling her back against him he continued, "Our wedding will an event which is spoken of through all the ages. The day that mortal and demon became one and forever linked the two worlds together."
"What are you talking about?" Jade tossed a quizzical look over her shoulder.
"The worlds of mortal humans and immortal demons my jewel." the Sky Demon grinned while breathing in her scent, "No other has bridged the gaps between the two realms. And now the two of us shall make history. And once we have our very own child (or children) we'll have created a blood bond like none other ever known!"
"You're really getting into this huh bat boy?" Jade teased.
"It is a long awaited dream come true for me." Hsi Wu replied.
Tossing the last of the addressed envelopes into the shoebox at the foot of her bed Jade leaned against Hsi Wu and stroked the side of his face. "That's all of the people to invite from my side of the family. What'll we do about yours?"
Kissing her neck and shoulder in quick but passionate spurts, Hsi Wu reluctantly leapt off the bed and headed over to Jade's desk. Pulling out the ancient book which held the spell that had brought him back to her the Sky Demon flipped to a particular page and held it out to his bride-to-be. "Here love, this spell will allow my demon brothers and sisters to attend our wedding. Albeit they will have to return to the void afterwards. But, as I've said, they'd be content with any temporary escape so long as it allowed them to witness Chan's misery."
Jade accepted the book and studied the spell momentarily. It required a drop of Hsi Wu's blood, a golden bowel filled with the purest water, and an unopened lotus blossom. "I'll take this to Uncle and see what we can do."
With an outstretched arm Hsi Wu playfully twisted locks of Jade's hair in his clawed fingers, "And once my family is present, we'll make our vows and unite our worlds. Jade, how long I have anticipated our wedding day. The day when our love would force fierce enemies to become in-laws."
Jade imagined the scene...bloody tablecloths, broken furniture, terrified humans fleeing the church, and finally (and most importantly) her winged husband whisking her away from it all, holding her protectively in his arms and flying the two newlyweds off into the sunset.
******
Uncle tugged angrily at his silver vest (he'd refused to put on the jacket until absolutely necessary) and paced before the entrance to the church. "A wise man once said Good things come to those who wait, SO WHY HAS UNCLE YET TO AWAKEN FROM THIS BAD DREAM?!"
"Calm down Uncle," Jackie said wearily, "this is Jade's wedding day. It should be a joyous occasion. Let us do our best to see that it's memorable...in a good way."
"Now that is the spirit, my soon to be in-law." a rasping voice chuckled from behind.
Jackie turned around to see Hsi Wu standing in front of the doorway to the church. He was in his human form (more so for the convenience of not ripping apart his tuxedo) and wearing an ear-to-ear grin. The black suit and tie brought out Seymour's darker features and admittedly, he looked quite handsome. However, his eyes flashed a hostile red as he handed the last required ingredient of the chi spell to Uncle.
"Here you are old man, see to it that you get this right." the disguised Sky Demon followed the chi wizard out to the parking lot and watched as he began casting the spell. "Hurry sly Uncle, I don't want anything to delay the wedding."
"Uncle must have SILENCE so that he may CONCENTRATE!" Uncle snapped before placing the unopened lotus blossom into the golden bowel filled with pure pristine water.
Seymour folded his arms and watched crossly as the chi wizard spread his arms over the concoction and began his chanting. It wasn't long before the liquid became illuminated by the ancient words and even swirled around beneath the bloom.
Jackie took this opportunity to have a little heart-to-heart with the demon boy (although now he could very well pass for a demon man). Grabbing his elbow he met the demon's fiery gaze of annoyance with one of stern warning. "Hsi Wu, it is true that I cannot stop you from marrying my niece. She is an adult now and free to make her own decisions. But I warn you, if you hurt her I'll-"
"You'll do what Chan?" Seymour hissed in defiant amusement, "I am a demon sorcerer of the sky and you, a lowly human warrior. If it were not for your profound concern as to the well being of the woman I love, I would've destroyed you already! But, as I know it to be Jade's wish, I have allowed you all to live. Besides...we're family now. Get used to it."
"Enough with the small talk!" Uncle called out once he had reached the crucial point of the spell, "Now I require the final ingredient. A drop of Hsi Wu's blood."
Turning his attention away from the disgruntled Jackie, Seymour transformed one of his hands back into its true, clawed form. Making a fist tight enough so that one claw would pierce his gray skin, he allowed one drop of deep crimson blood to drip down into the glowing water.
Jackie, Tohru, Uncle, and the groom stood back as the tiny pool in the golden dish took on the tint of the demon's blood. The red slowly swirled itself into violet before taking on a bright shade of yellow and emitting neon green flames.
"Sensei?" Tohru gasped as the flames burned fiercely around the flower which was gradually spreading its petals.
"All is going as it should." Uncle stated reassuringly to his awed assistant.
Once the lotus was in full bloom the pillars of green fire shot upwards above the bowel and formed a lustrous green rectangle which shifted into the frame of a door. Seymour smiled wickedly as blood red and orange skies appeared beyond the magical threshold. I do so look forward to this most celebrated of family reunions.
A large shadow was cast upon the small group of onlookers as a menacing band of dark figures approached them from the other side.
"The demons." Tohru gulped.
"Brothers and sisters." Seymour greeted them with great enthusiasm.
"I see that our little brother is all ready for his big day." Xiao Fung teased.
"Must be maddening having to run around in human form like that." Bai Tsa smirked while ruffling his mortal hair.
"Sister..." Hsi Wu growled fixing his hair back the way it was.
"I suppose that we shall all have to take on human facades so as to avoid too chaotic a scene inside the church." Tso Lan remarked as he shifted into a human form.
"I hate doing this." Dai Gui stated angrily, "This form always makes me look too...grr...gentile."
Po Kong's transformation was perhaps the most impressive of all. She first reduced her size to that of an ordinary mortal woman. Next her grayish black hair was deepened to a splendid raven shade. A red kimono embroidered with purple flowers hugged closely to her newly thinned curves. While she was a human of trim features, she still retained a certain plumpness that defined her as being the Mountain Demon.
"Now that we all resemble pathetic mortals," Bai Tsa hissed, wiping a strand of flowing white hair from her lightly tanned face, "let us move along with this ceremony. I do not plan to confine myself to this vessel for long."
Tchang Zu slapped Seymour hardily on the back, "You should not keep your human bride waiting brother. If you're not careful she could very well turn out to be as ill-natured as Sister Bai."
Tso Lan pointed to the blossom which was still floating in the glimmering dish, "Our time here shall be quickly spent. And we have one other relative to procure."
Bai Tsa nodded and glanced around, "You are right Brother Tso, where is Shendu?"
"Oh don't worry about him, Sister Bai." Seymour grinned as Tohru led the disguised demons inside, "We've reserved a special seat for him."
Once inside the demon family took their seats. But there was still no sign of their deceitful brother.
"And just where are they hiding that dragon nuisance?" Xiao Fung questioned.
"Surely even Shendu would find a way of witnessing this event." Dai Gui added, "I don't know of any of us who isn't looking forward to regarding this utmost humiliation of Chan."
"I told you mortal," a familiar voice hissed from the back, "I require no assistance from the likes of you!"
The demons all turned around in their pew to see their dearly beloved brother, in confined statue form, propped up against the back wall.
"Oh come on now Shendu," Captain Black snickered spritzing the annoyed demon's motionless exterior with polish and wiping away another smear, "you want to look your best for your little brother's wedding don't you? I didn't have the boys at Section 13 haul you all the way here just so you collect dust."
"My how the mighty have fallen." Tso Lan grinned.
"I knew it was only a matter of time before he got himself sealed like that again." Tchang Zu grimaced. "He never was the brightest of the lot."
"Anyone can be the brightest of the lot when he's the Thunder Demon." Xiao Fung commented nonchalantly.
"Silence!" Po Kong ordered from her seat at the end of the pew, "It is beginning."
"Hmph," Dai Gui muttered, "she only wants to get this over with so that she may move on to the cutting of the cake."
Music filled the air before further discourse could ensue between the dysfunctional siblings. 'Here comes the bride' played as the doors in the back spread open wide revealing Jade Chan (soon to be Mrs. Wu) wearing an elegant bridal gown.
Jade's mother instantly began weeping. Her husband sighed and put an arm around her trembling shoulders. "Relax dear." he whispered comfortingly, "This is for our daughter's happiness."
The woman looked up from her husband's shoulder and pulled out a tissue, "It's not that--sniff--I'm just happy that our little tomboy's getting married at all."
Rolling his eyes Jade's father patted his wife lightly on the head, And you wonder why Jade's the way she is...
Seymour watched Jade proceed slowly down the aisle with hungry eyes. She looked more beautiful than any words could describe. Approaching him with that lavish bouquet of crimson roses, wearing a veil that hung over and around her silky black hair, a few strands of long bangs swaying loosely by her captivating face, and a snow white train trailing respectfully behind her...Jade never looked as stunning in his eyes as she did at that moment.
It was decided earlier that since Jade had spent the largest portion of her life in America with her uncles that it was Jackie who should give her away. And so, upon arriving at the alter the brave archeologist took the greatest leap of faith that he'd ever dared to endure, he gave his cherished niece away---to a demon.
Seymour took Jade's hands in his, after she handed her maid-of-honor (Aunt Viper) her bouquet, and the two lovers took a moment to stare deeply into each other's eyes.
The Sky Demon held Jade in a piercing gaze as his gentle chocolate brown eyes explored the very depths of her soul.
Seymour felt his knees weaken and was amazed by the strength the young Chan held in just one glance. Strength enough to chase away all his doubts, to enhance his determination, and to melt the very heart of a malevolent demon.
The wedding continued and both families looked on as the worlds of demon and human races were joined. Surprisingly enough, it was Drew who served as the best man. Seymour recalled that it was Drew's teasing which first led him to fix his sights on Jade so many years ago. So, in a strange way, the couple had Drew to thank for bringing them together for the first time. Drew had agreed to serve as Seymour's best man under the condition that he got to see some real demons! Naturally, Seymour accepted these terms. When Jade had protested he assured her that her childhood bully would 'get his' once his terms were met by none other than his none too amiable demon brethren.
Uncle sat watching the odd display before him with a mixture of contempt and joy. On the one hand, his dear niece was marrying an evil demon of the sky. On the other hand, the evil demon did seem to love her and certainly love could change all hearts for the better. And on the OTHER hand, This ceremony is taking way too long. Uncle is hungry. Where did I put my mung bean sandwich?!
Tohru sat sniffling beside the elder chi wizard who was searching through the pack he'd refused to leave by the door. "Jade was right sensei, they truly are like yin and yang, yang and yin."
Bai Tsa felt claustrophobia settling in after a while, being crammed between her two brothers--Dai Gui and Tso Lan--wasn't the most comfortable arrangement in the world. She honestly wished she could liquefy herself and escape the agonizing ordeal! But she knew she'd never hear the end of it.
"How much longer is this going to take?" she hissed to her eldest brother.
"It will not last much longer Bai Tsa." Tso Lan answered, "The priest has but a few lines left and then we may leave. Are you truly that anxious to return to the void?"
"I am anxious to be released from the confines of your wretched shoulders!" she snapped in a low, raspy voice.
"Why not take solace in the fact that Brother Shendu is in the most distressing position of all?" Dai Gui sneered.
Bai Tsa did feel a little better after hearing that. Turning around she caught a brief glimpse of her immobile brother in his statue form. He glowered at her fiercely and she replied with a haughty smirk. "Yes, I feel much better now knowing that that traitor is getting his."
"And now," the priest continued, "if anyone has any reason as to why this couple should not be wed, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
All were silent. The demons weren't objective due to the fact that Jackie Chan, their much loathed enemy, would soon be forced into their family (the ultimate revenge). The humans, partly because they feared the wrath of the demons across the aisle from them, but mostly because all who knew Jade knew it was hazardous to provoke her wrath!
After a brief pause the priest prepared to move on with his next line when suddenly...
Jade and Hsi Wu jumped when they heard the loud clatter of the church doors being thrown open. A tall, skinny figure stood in the entrance with arms spread wide from having barged into the church.
"I OBJECT!!!" he shouted with all the force he could muster.
Jade turned and caught sight of the man responsible for ruining her wedding. It wasn't bad enough that she'd had to throw it together on such short notice, now some clown in a wrestling mask had to storm in and-
A wrestling mask?! the color drained from Jade's face. "Oh no."
Hsi Wu's sensitive ears caught his fiancée's worried comment, "Jade? Who is this fool? What's going on??"
"This could be trouble." Xiao Fung noted with a mischievous grin as he and the other guests turned to gawk at the bizarrely attired intruder. "Amusing trouble."
Jade brought a hand to her forehead and groaned, "I don't believe this...of all the things that could've gone wrong PACO shows up."
Hsi Wu didn't know who this PACO boy was, but one thing was for sure. If he was here to take away his Jade then the troublesome mortal had to DIE! "Alright TACO," the groom snarled as he advanced on the meddling human, "prepare to face the wrath of the almighty demon of the sky!!!"
"Sensei! Sensei!!" Tohru grabbed Uncle by the shoulders and shook him furiously.
Uncle abruptly woke from his nap and cried, "AIYAH! What is so important that you could not allow dear Uncle five more minutes of rest?!"
"Open your eyes chi wizard!" Bai Tsa pointed towards the back of the church, "Some frail human warrior is ruining the wedding of your niece!"
"Good!" Uncle snapped back, "Demon boy is not good enough for her anyway!"
Now Tchang Zu got into the argument, "Ha! It is your puny niece who is not fit for a demon sorcerer (even one as lowly as our brother) to marry!"
"One more thing..." Uncle yelled as Seymour chased Paco outside the double doors, "...demons reek of brimstone! Very foul odor, like rotten eggs!!"
"Why you impertinent-" Po Kong growled.
Unwillingly to allow another brawl to break out on the most important day of her life Jade got up and screamed out a command to everyone left in the building, "THAT'S IT! DEMONS, HUMANS, WHATEVER! SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP!!!"
Surprised and intimidated by her sudden outburst everyone stopped their bickering and took their seats. "Thanks." Jade murmured lifting up the front of her dress slightly and rushing towards the doors.
"Jade," Jackie called, "what are you doing?! It is too dangerous out there!"
"Tsch, duh!" Jade said without slowing her pace, "I'm going to go get my fiancé. Hsi Wu and I are getting married today if I have drag him back here by the horns of his head!"
________________________________________________________________________
* I don't know who I feel sorrier for, Paco or Hsi Wu...lol! If you liked this chapter (or if you have any comments/suggestions) please review and let me know! Thanks again to those who've reviewed for my fic. I'll get to work on Chapter 7 right away! ^_~ *
