Notes: As most of you know, something went screwy with the upload process yesterday, and I had to replace part 6 with part 5. Also, this part came out a week late to begin with -- it for some reason seemed much harder to write. Sorry for the inconveniences, ya'all.
Guess what? I have a new editor! :) Please welcome Kathryn: she knows the English language very well -- she teaches it, actually - so chances are you won't find many more grammatical errors. She also bought me my PC so that this story could be brought to you. And so that your stories could be brought to me. And also for a bunch of other reasons, because I use my PC in many different ways. :) Anyhoo, I'll probably post a rewrite of the previous chapters with corrections when I've finished the whole thing.
Avery - did you get my e-mail about that Dark Hand fic?
Also, just for the record: yes, this part is Chan Clan-oriented (so is pt. 7, actually), and yes, the Dark Hand will return shortly. I love 'em all -- the ancient demon, the British crime lord, and those three lovable losers (but not Hak Fool, to be honest :P) -- so there's no way I'm leaving them in the dust. :)
THE DEMON WITHIN
Part Six: The Power Within
Uncle stamped his foot down on the wooden floor in aggravation. "It is noooo use! I need the Demon Archives!"
Captain Black, Jade, and Tohru were spread along the floor of the study, dusty books cluttered around them. They had been helping Uncle with his research on the Talismans for the past three days (with the exception of Black, who was in and out, attending to his other duties at Section 13), and they were all exhausted. However, their efforts had proved ineffectual; there seemed to be very little mention of the Talismans in any of the books, and those that did provided very little information. Needless to say, they were dismayed and annoyed as well as tired.
"But that's impossible!" Jade said, looking up from 'Ancient Artifacts of Hong Kong.' "You had to have researched it somewhere. Otherwise, how would you know their powers and stuff?"
"Does not matter! That book is right there," Uncle said, pointing to the desk in the center of the room. "It gives a brief summary of their origin. Their powers. Their *maker*--but nothing else!"
"So why do you need the Demon Archives?" Captain Black asked. Uncle would have bopped him if he had been closer.
"Becaauuse it has every spell the Demon Sorcerers have written!" Uncle explained impatiently. "So it might contain the spell that was cast on Jackie!"
"I see." Captain Black rubbed his chin pensively. "Tell you what? I'll have my agents interrogate the Dark Hand of it's whereabouts. Something tells me they aren't going to fess up, but it's worth a shot."
Sighing, Uncle climbed over the load of books to the desk and resumed his seat there. He glanced at the wall clock, which hung over a now half-emptied bookcase. "Aiiyaa! Eleven-thirty! Jade, go to bed." Technically, she was supposed to be in bed two hours ago as part of her undeserved punishment, but everyone was too busy working to pay much heed.
For once, Jade didn't object to the idea. Shutting the book with a definitive slam, Jade got to her feet and stumbled across the cluttered floor, and upstairs to her room. Tohru watched her as she left while Black and Uncle kept at their work; he was the only one to realise that something was wrong. In fact, he had been aware of it since Monday afternoon, when he had picked her up from Section 13: she had been quiet and had worn a scowl the entire walk home, and continued sulking up till today. Although he had asked Uncle why she had been punished, Tohru's knowledge of the situation was limited; Uncle had been vague in his explanation, his concentration locked on research.
A few minutes later, Tohru stood up himself and followed her upstairs, ignoring Uncle's imperious complaints.
He opened the door and found the room draped in darkness, with Jade sitting up in bed, arms crossed. Her mouth was still set in a scowl as she stared at her bed sheets.
"Jade?" he asked softly. She didn't answer.
Tohru stepped inside and closed the door. Jade reluctantly turned on the lamp at her bedside table, and he walked cautiously towards her. "What is the matter? Is it your Uncle Jackie? Do not worry; he'll be fine, Uncle will make sure of it--"
"It's not that," she mumbled, suddenly turning on her stomach and banging her head on the pillow.
"What is it then?"
"It's just..." She sighed and turned on her stomach to face him. "Okay, promise you won't tell anyone?"
Tohru shrugged. "All right."
"You *really* promise? It's way embarrassing."
"I promise."
"Good." She sat up again. "'Kay, see, it's like this. I was visiting Jackie last Saturday, right? Well...he wanted me to get him this thing."
"What thing?" Tohru asked, raising his eyebrow in interest.
"I dunno. This case or something that was hidden in the attic. Anyway, he wanted me to bring it to him, but he wouldn't tell me why. And he told me not tell anyone else." She sighed. "I guess I brought it to him because I wanted to do something for him, you know? Anything to make him feel more comfortable."
"And then you got in trouble for looking through the attic," he concluded, and Jade nodded. "That isn't fair. Why didn't you ask Jackie to explain what happened to Uncle?"
"I *did*!" Jade exclaimed. "And Jackie blamed it on me! That's totally unfair!"
Tohru rubbed his chin. "That does not sound at all like Jackie. Perhaps I should tell Sensei--"
"No, don't! You promised you wouldn't!" Tohru knew there was obviously something wrong, but one look at Jade changed his mind about breaking his promise. Her glare was even, but he could also tell that she was hurt by the betrayal. The last thing he wanted to do was crush her again.
"All right, Jade," he sighed. "I will not tell. I promise. Well, maybe you can ask Jackie about it tomorrow, when he comes home."
Suddenly, Jade grinned. "Yeah, all right. Thanks, T." She lay back down and pulled the covers over her. "G'night."
"Goodnight." Tohru turned out the lamp and carefully made his way back to the door, managing to bump into the rocking chair only twice.
************
"Excited about going home tomorrow?" Captain Black asked. An hour ago he had decided that his work at Uncle's shop was completed for the day -- save for the interrogation, which could wait till tomorrow -- and now he resumed his usual seat at Jackie's bedside
Jackie shrugged indifferently, his arms crossed. "I suppose." Black raised his eyebrow; he knew Jackie was not fond of hospitals, even the underground base-type, and he would have thought that after five days and six nights he would have had enough. Even Black had to admit that during his stay, Jackie had somehow changed. He was very listless and tempermental. It seemed as if many of the things Black or others said offended Jackie, and he did not hesitate to make them realise that. Black was ill at ease.
"So...the side still hurting?" Black asked, trying to be casual.
"No," came the deadpan reply.
Black was surprised. "Really? Well, at least you're making a swift recovery."
A few minutes of silence, and Black sighed, giving up the act. "Jackie, you're sure you're all right?" He put a hand on Jackie's shoulder, who eyed it suspiciously.
"Fine," the archeologist replied dryly. Well, Black knew he was a terrible liar, but now he wasn't even trying. This was disturbing!
"No, really, Jackie. There's something not right about you," Black continued.
Jackie shrugged once more. "I don't see anything different." God, he didn't even *look* at Black as he spoke.
Black didn't see the point in pushing Jackie -- he obviously wasn't going to get anything else out of him. Every other time he'd persisted only succeeded in somehow offending Jackie. He chalked it up to a combination of pain killers and boredom. "All right, but just in case everything is *not* fine, you can...talk to me," he said, standing up. Jackie didn't look up as Black left, the door closing gently in his wake.
After he realised Black had left, Jackie heaved a tired and irritated sigh as he leaned back onto his snug pillow. Since there was virtually nothing to do in the infirmary but count the ceiling tiles, Jackie was forced to turn to another option: sit and think. Thinking wasn't in the least bit new to Jackie -- he often liked to contemplate recent archeological expeditions, books, movies, life in general, etc. -- but he usually did so when practicing the Martial Arts; moving around somehow allowed his thoughts to come more clearly. And since one couldn't move around in bed, Jackie was very restless.
Being confined to a bed for an entire week was not the only source of his pique; in fact, it was thinking itself that bothered him most. Over and over, he kept thinking about what he'd done to Jade, and he kept wondering how he could have let that happen. She was his niece: he was supposed to protect her, and here he had done the exact opposite. Last Monday, he had been faced with two choices: admit his deed and permit Jade to be punishment-free, or ignore his action and claim innocence. Out of panic, he chose the latter. But he couldn't help it -- Uncle's presence somehow had that effect on him, as if he didn't want to dishonor him. He had done that many times as a child -- quite by accident, of course, as he didn't know better -- but he always confessed his actions as well, and all was forgiven. Yet now, it didn't seem that easy, and he couldn't figure out why.
It was all very frustrating, and his frustration soon developed into bitterness -- towards Uncle himself. If he blamed Uncle, it would all be so much easier to deal with, and there wouldn't be any need to think about it anymore. But the more Jackie contemplated this, the more he disliked the idea, for this would be even more dishonorable. He admired Uncle deeply, and although he couldn't remember Uncle sharing much affection with him -- which dismayed Jackie very much -- he knew that Uncle did care about him. His childhood memories had somehow grown hazy within the last week, but he had a general idea of his first few months of living with Uncle. Jackie had been very homesick for his parents, who had shipped him to San Francisco for reasons which he could not recall, and Uncle was very patient. But the details were lost in oblivion.
The letter Jade had discovered in the attic remained a mystery; Jackie had meant to ask Uncle about it during his visit on Friday, but Uncle had ranted on about Jade's inadequate behavior and so he'd forgotten. But, he swore to himself, as soon as he got Uncle alone at home, he was going to ask straight out. Somehow he had the feeling Uncle would be reluctant to tell him - especially if he'd hidden it away from Jackie - but Jackie would not rest until he got an answer out of him. No matter what!
Then there was also the knife situation. How he'd been looking forward to getting his hands on that knife! And now it was gone. Jackie wondered where Uncle had hidden it after taking it away from Jade. How was Jackie going to find it now? It would seem a bit odd if he just ask Uncle straightout. Then Uncle would know for sure it was he who told Jade to retrieve it in the first place. On some level, that may have been good, but he decided to wait a while before confessing; while he did feel terribly guilty for letting Jade take the blame, allowing Uncle to know the truth seemed to be a worse fate.
Several times Jackie wondered if Uncle knew of Jade's promise to Jackie from the beginning; maybe he was just testing him. Or perhaps he didn't *want* Jackie to have the knife. This, of course, was ridiculous altogether; did Uncle even realise the knife's significance? Did he even realise it had been in the attic since Jackie's time of residency? Jackie had never told him; he'd never told anyone, for it's origin was much too embarrassing. But this thought had, in actuality, been bothering him since word of the knife's disappearance reached him, and he couldn't shake it off, no matter how hard he tried.
There was a soft knock. Not waiting for a reply, the door opened, and in came the plump, red-haired nurse named Martha, carrying a tray of food over to his night stand. "Good afternoon, dear," she greeted him and her usual humble, gentle tone. "And how are we feeling today, hmm?"
Jackie was less than glad to see her. He didn't like her much, as she always talked down to him as if he were a helpless baby. It was both annoying and embarrassing. "Fine."
"Well, isn't that nice." She set up the small tabletop in front of him, elevated by four short legs above his lap. Then she placed the tray on it. Jackie stared at the green mush apathetically; Captain Black obviously hadn't made that call to the cafeteria. Another broken promise.
"Enjoy your dinner!" Martha grinned pleasantly and pinched his cheek, which Jackie deeply resented, and literally skipped out of the room. For some odd reason, she reminded Jackie of a much more hyperactive rendition of Norah the housemaid from 'Auntie Mame.'
Jackie crossed his arms defiantly. There was no way he was going to eat this. Whatever it was.
************
Next day, Captain Black drove Jackie to Uncle's Rare Finds. They sat in silence, Black occasionally passing Jackie a concerned glance, Jackie catching the glance and doing a poor job at concealing his annoyance. His arms were crossed, his face was frowning, and he glared at the window out of the corner of his eye. The drive was slow and steady, which dismayed the impatient Jackie, so Black decided to make conversation.
"Jade and Uncle are anxious to see you, I bet," he commented.
"I bet not," Jackie mumbled, but not too quietly to be out of Black's earshot.
Black looked startled. "Why do you say that?"
"No reason," Jackie said, shrugging.
They finally entered Chinatown. A few blocks down, and Captain Black eased the jet black van into a parking space. They only had to cross the narrow street to reach Uncle's Rare Finds.
It was Tohru who answered the door at Black's knock. He grinned when he saw them both standing there and welcomed them in. However, as he did so, he fixed his eye on Jackie, who was slightly pale, thinner, and very unhappy. There was definitely something wrong, but Tohru was sworn to secrecy by Jade. He'd just have to watch out.
As Tohru shut the door, outlawing the fresh air from the musty antique shop, Uncle walked in from the study. "Jackie!" He spread his arms wide, as if to embrace his nephew. For the first time in twenty or so years, Jackie didn't fall for it: he knew Uncle's real intention was to bop him and then chastise him. Unconsciously, Jackie's eyes narrowed into angry slits. Tohru watched in alarm.
Whap! "Do not stare that way at your Uncle! It is irreverent!" Jackie really did hate being right.
Uncle sighed and polished his spectacles as he usually did when he was tired. "So, how are you feeling?"
Jackie's eyes darted to the floor. "Fine."
"Veeerrry good." Uncle perched his spectacles back on the bridge of his nose. "Now, go fix your niece! She is in a veerry bad mood for getting grounded! I have no time to take care of her; busy researching something I cannot find! Feels like wild goose chase!"
"Yes, Uncle," Jackie muttered reluctantly, uninterested in the mystery Uncle was researching, and he went up the stairs. Ignoring Jade, who was watching him from the banister above, he retreated to his temporary room.
Everyone had agreed that it would be best if Jackie stayed in the shop for a few days instead of his flat in Section 13. And so they'd let him sleep in Uncle's room, since Uncle argued that he spent most of his time in the study now. Jackie didn't mind; a room was a room, as far as he was concerned. The only thing he detested was the fact that the walls reeked of garlic, even more than the rest of the shop. He wrinkled his nose in disgust as he entered and dumped his duffel by the door.
Jackie sighed and rubbed his side again; it was becoming a habit now. It didn't hurt in the least bit, which even he had to admit was quite unusual, but he was grateful nonetheless.
He plopped onto the Uncle's bed and relaxed. Then, realising he wasn't tired, he stood up again and looked out the window, at the nearly empty streets below. It was one-thirty on a workday, but this part of Chinatown was rather slow anyway.
A few minutes of gazing at the little boy scrapping multicoloured chalk against the sidewalk was enough to make anyone bored -- especially if they were restless to begin with. Jackie groaned and drew his attention to Uncle's room. It was plain and simple, like most of the upstairs rooms. There was a single bed with muslin bed sheets, topped by a coarse olive green blanket in the center of the room, its backing pushed against the wall. On the night stand to its left, stood a small reading lamp. Opposite the bed was a narrow closet door. And beside the window was a desk for writing, on it an ink jar and a quill.
And the knife!
Jackie gasped.
He patted his chest as he always did when he was startled. Slightly recovered, he edged closer to the desk and allowed his hands to roam around the dark velvet box -- shyly at first, as if it were a holy treasure. This would be a moment to remember: he knew the power this knife possessed on him, his friends, his enemies. A hideous power -- but he needed to see it nonetheless. His fingers gripped the edges and he pulled it up, slowly...slowly...
There was a knock at the door. "Jackie?" It was Jade.
Startled, Jackie literally jumped as he turned around. Regaining his wits, he closed the box and jammed it into his pocket; it's end stuck out, and he covered that part with the fringe of his sweater. He knew how clever Jade was, and he didn't want her to see the knife.
Not waiting for a reply, Jade burst the door open. "Uncle Jackie, I--" she stopped and gasped when she saw him.
"What? What is it?" Jackie asked, alarmed. But even he could see what was happening: Jade -- and the entire room, for that matter -- seemed to be farther away.
"Jackie, you're...you're *floating!*" she stammered.
-~-~-~-
I'll try to get the next part out as soon as possible. Ja ne!
Guess what? I have a new editor! :) Please welcome Kathryn: she knows the English language very well -- she teaches it, actually - so chances are you won't find many more grammatical errors. She also bought me my PC so that this story could be brought to you. And so that your stories could be brought to me. And also for a bunch of other reasons, because I use my PC in many different ways. :) Anyhoo, I'll probably post a rewrite of the previous chapters with corrections when I've finished the whole thing.
Avery - did you get my e-mail about that Dark Hand fic?
Also, just for the record: yes, this part is Chan Clan-oriented (so is pt. 7, actually), and yes, the Dark Hand will return shortly. I love 'em all -- the ancient demon, the British crime lord, and those three lovable losers (but not Hak Fool, to be honest :P) -- so there's no way I'm leaving them in the dust. :)
THE DEMON WITHIN
Part Six: The Power Within
Uncle stamped his foot down on the wooden floor in aggravation. "It is noooo use! I need the Demon Archives!"
Captain Black, Jade, and Tohru were spread along the floor of the study, dusty books cluttered around them. They had been helping Uncle with his research on the Talismans for the past three days (with the exception of Black, who was in and out, attending to his other duties at Section 13), and they were all exhausted. However, their efforts had proved ineffectual; there seemed to be very little mention of the Talismans in any of the books, and those that did provided very little information. Needless to say, they were dismayed and annoyed as well as tired.
"But that's impossible!" Jade said, looking up from 'Ancient Artifacts of Hong Kong.' "You had to have researched it somewhere. Otherwise, how would you know their powers and stuff?"
"Does not matter! That book is right there," Uncle said, pointing to the desk in the center of the room. "It gives a brief summary of their origin. Their powers. Their *maker*--but nothing else!"
"So why do you need the Demon Archives?" Captain Black asked. Uncle would have bopped him if he had been closer.
"Becaauuse it has every spell the Demon Sorcerers have written!" Uncle explained impatiently. "So it might contain the spell that was cast on Jackie!"
"I see." Captain Black rubbed his chin pensively. "Tell you what? I'll have my agents interrogate the Dark Hand of it's whereabouts. Something tells me they aren't going to fess up, but it's worth a shot."
Sighing, Uncle climbed over the load of books to the desk and resumed his seat there. He glanced at the wall clock, which hung over a now half-emptied bookcase. "Aiiyaa! Eleven-thirty! Jade, go to bed." Technically, she was supposed to be in bed two hours ago as part of her undeserved punishment, but everyone was too busy working to pay much heed.
For once, Jade didn't object to the idea. Shutting the book with a definitive slam, Jade got to her feet and stumbled across the cluttered floor, and upstairs to her room. Tohru watched her as she left while Black and Uncle kept at their work; he was the only one to realise that something was wrong. In fact, he had been aware of it since Monday afternoon, when he had picked her up from Section 13: she had been quiet and had worn a scowl the entire walk home, and continued sulking up till today. Although he had asked Uncle why she had been punished, Tohru's knowledge of the situation was limited; Uncle had been vague in his explanation, his concentration locked on research.
A few minutes later, Tohru stood up himself and followed her upstairs, ignoring Uncle's imperious complaints.
He opened the door and found the room draped in darkness, with Jade sitting up in bed, arms crossed. Her mouth was still set in a scowl as she stared at her bed sheets.
"Jade?" he asked softly. She didn't answer.
Tohru stepped inside and closed the door. Jade reluctantly turned on the lamp at her bedside table, and he walked cautiously towards her. "What is the matter? Is it your Uncle Jackie? Do not worry; he'll be fine, Uncle will make sure of it--"
"It's not that," she mumbled, suddenly turning on her stomach and banging her head on the pillow.
"What is it then?"
"It's just..." She sighed and turned on her stomach to face him. "Okay, promise you won't tell anyone?"
Tohru shrugged. "All right."
"You *really* promise? It's way embarrassing."
"I promise."
"Good." She sat up again. "'Kay, see, it's like this. I was visiting Jackie last Saturday, right? Well...he wanted me to get him this thing."
"What thing?" Tohru asked, raising his eyebrow in interest.
"I dunno. This case or something that was hidden in the attic. Anyway, he wanted me to bring it to him, but he wouldn't tell me why. And he told me not tell anyone else." She sighed. "I guess I brought it to him because I wanted to do something for him, you know? Anything to make him feel more comfortable."
"And then you got in trouble for looking through the attic," he concluded, and Jade nodded. "That isn't fair. Why didn't you ask Jackie to explain what happened to Uncle?"
"I *did*!" Jade exclaimed. "And Jackie blamed it on me! That's totally unfair!"
Tohru rubbed his chin. "That does not sound at all like Jackie. Perhaps I should tell Sensei--"
"No, don't! You promised you wouldn't!" Tohru knew there was obviously something wrong, but one look at Jade changed his mind about breaking his promise. Her glare was even, but he could also tell that she was hurt by the betrayal. The last thing he wanted to do was crush her again.
"All right, Jade," he sighed. "I will not tell. I promise. Well, maybe you can ask Jackie about it tomorrow, when he comes home."
Suddenly, Jade grinned. "Yeah, all right. Thanks, T." She lay back down and pulled the covers over her. "G'night."
"Goodnight." Tohru turned out the lamp and carefully made his way back to the door, managing to bump into the rocking chair only twice.
************
"Excited about going home tomorrow?" Captain Black asked. An hour ago he had decided that his work at Uncle's shop was completed for the day -- save for the interrogation, which could wait till tomorrow -- and now he resumed his usual seat at Jackie's bedside
Jackie shrugged indifferently, his arms crossed. "I suppose." Black raised his eyebrow; he knew Jackie was not fond of hospitals, even the underground base-type, and he would have thought that after five days and six nights he would have had enough. Even Black had to admit that during his stay, Jackie had somehow changed. He was very listless and tempermental. It seemed as if many of the things Black or others said offended Jackie, and he did not hesitate to make them realise that. Black was ill at ease.
"So...the side still hurting?" Black asked, trying to be casual.
"No," came the deadpan reply.
Black was surprised. "Really? Well, at least you're making a swift recovery."
A few minutes of silence, and Black sighed, giving up the act. "Jackie, you're sure you're all right?" He put a hand on Jackie's shoulder, who eyed it suspiciously.
"Fine," the archeologist replied dryly. Well, Black knew he was a terrible liar, but now he wasn't even trying. This was disturbing!
"No, really, Jackie. There's something not right about you," Black continued.
Jackie shrugged once more. "I don't see anything different." God, he didn't even *look* at Black as he spoke.
Black didn't see the point in pushing Jackie -- he obviously wasn't going to get anything else out of him. Every other time he'd persisted only succeeded in somehow offending Jackie. He chalked it up to a combination of pain killers and boredom. "All right, but just in case everything is *not* fine, you can...talk to me," he said, standing up. Jackie didn't look up as Black left, the door closing gently in his wake.
After he realised Black had left, Jackie heaved a tired and irritated sigh as he leaned back onto his snug pillow. Since there was virtually nothing to do in the infirmary but count the ceiling tiles, Jackie was forced to turn to another option: sit and think. Thinking wasn't in the least bit new to Jackie -- he often liked to contemplate recent archeological expeditions, books, movies, life in general, etc. -- but he usually did so when practicing the Martial Arts; moving around somehow allowed his thoughts to come more clearly. And since one couldn't move around in bed, Jackie was very restless.
Being confined to a bed for an entire week was not the only source of his pique; in fact, it was thinking itself that bothered him most. Over and over, he kept thinking about what he'd done to Jade, and he kept wondering how he could have let that happen. She was his niece: he was supposed to protect her, and here he had done the exact opposite. Last Monday, he had been faced with two choices: admit his deed and permit Jade to be punishment-free, or ignore his action and claim innocence. Out of panic, he chose the latter. But he couldn't help it -- Uncle's presence somehow had that effect on him, as if he didn't want to dishonor him. He had done that many times as a child -- quite by accident, of course, as he didn't know better -- but he always confessed his actions as well, and all was forgiven. Yet now, it didn't seem that easy, and he couldn't figure out why.
It was all very frustrating, and his frustration soon developed into bitterness -- towards Uncle himself. If he blamed Uncle, it would all be so much easier to deal with, and there wouldn't be any need to think about it anymore. But the more Jackie contemplated this, the more he disliked the idea, for this would be even more dishonorable. He admired Uncle deeply, and although he couldn't remember Uncle sharing much affection with him -- which dismayed Jackie very much -- he knew that Uncle did care about him. His childhood memories had somehow grown hazy within the last week, but he had a general idea of his first few months of living with Uncle. Jackie had been very homesick for his parents, who had shipped him to San Francisco for reasons which he could not recall, and Uncle was very patient. But the details were lost in oblivion.
The letter Jade had discovered in the attic remained a mystery; Jackie had meant to ask Uncle about it during his visit on Friday, but Uncle had ranted on about Jade's inadequate behavior and so he'd forgotten. But, he swore to himself, as soon as he got Uncle alone at home, he was going to ask straight out. Somehow he had the feeling Uncle would be reluctant to tell him - especially if he'd hidden it away from Jackie - but Jackie would not rest until he got an answer out of him. No matter what!
Then there was also the knife situation. How he'd been looking forward to getting his hands on that knife! And now it was gone. Jackie wondered where Uncle had hidden it after taking it away from Jade. How was Jackie going to find it now? It would seem a bit odd if he just ask Uncle straightout. Then Uncle would know for sure it was he who told Jade to retrieve it in the first place. On some level, that may have been good, but he decided to wait a while before confessing; while he did feel terribly guilty for letting Jade take the blame, allowing Uncle to know the truth seemed to be a worse fate.
Several times Jackie wondered if Uncle knew of Jade's promise to Jackie from the beginning; maybe he was just testing him. Or perhaps he didn't *want* Jackie to have the knife. This, of course, was ridiculous altogether; did Uncle even realise the knife's significance? Did he even realise it had been in the attic since Jackie's time of residency? Jackie had never told him; he'd never told anyone, for it's origin was much too embarrassing. But this thought had, in actuality, been bothering him since word of the knife's disappearance reached him, and he couldn't shake it off, no matter how hard he tried.
There was a soft knock. Not waiting for a reply, the door opened, and in came the plump, red-haired nurse named Martha, carrying a tray of food over to his night stand. "Good afternoon, dear," she greeted him and her usual humble, gentle tone. "And how are we feeling today, hmm?"
Jackie was less than glad to see her. He didn't like her much, as she always talked down to him as if he were a helpless baby. It was both annoying and embarrassing. "Fine."
"Well, isn't that nice." She set up the small tabletop in front of him, elevated by four short legs above his lap. Then she placed the tray on it. Jackie stared at the green mush apathetically; Captain Black obviously hadn't made that call to the cafeteria. Another broken promise.
"Enjoy your dinner!" Martha grinned pleasantly and pinched his cheek, which Jackie deeply resented, and literally skipped out of the room. For some odd reason, she reminded Jackie of a much more hyperactive rendition of Norah the housemaid from 'Auntie Mame.'
Jackie crossed his arms defiantly. There was no way he was going to eat this. Whatever it was.
************
Next day, Captain Black drove Jackie to Uncle's Rare Finds. They sat in silence, Black occasionally passing Jackie a concerned glance, Jackie catching the glance and doing a poor job at concealing his annoyance. His arms were crossed, his face was frowning, and he glared at the window out of the corner of his eye. The drive was slow and steady, which dismayed the impatient Jackie, so Black decided to make conversation.
"Jade and Uncle are anxious to see you, I bet," he commented.
"I bet not," Jackie mumbled, but not too quietly to be out of Black's earshot.
Black looked startled. "Why do you say that?"
"No reason," Jackie said, shrugging.
They finally entered Chinatown. A few blocks down, and Captain Black eased the jet black van into a parking space. They only had to cross the narrow street to reach Uncle's Rare Finds.
It was Tohru who answered the door at Black's knock. He grinned when he saw them both standing there and welcomed them in. However, as he did so, he fixed his eye on Jackie, who was slightly pale, thinner, and very unhappy. There was definitely something wrong, but Tohru was sworn to secrecy by Jade. He'd just have to watch out.
As Tohru shut the door, outlawing the fresh air from the musty antique shop, Uncle walked in from the study. "Jackie!" He spread his arms wide, as if to embrace his nephew. For the first time in twenty or so years, Jackie didn't fall for it: he knew Uncle's real intention was to bop him and then chastise him. Unconsciously, Jackie's eyes narrowed into angry slits. Tohru watched in alarm.
Whap! "Do not stare that way at your Uncle! It is irreverent!" Jackie really did hate being right.
Uncle sighed and polished his spectacles as he usually did when he was tired. "So, how are you feeling?"
Jackie's eyes darted to the floor. "Fine."
"Veeerrry good." Uncle perched his spectacles back on the bridge of his nose. "Now, go fix your niece! She is in a veerry bad mood for getting grounded! I have no time to take care of her; busy researching something I cannot find! Feels like wild goose chase!"
"Yes, Uncle," Jackie muttered reluctantly, uninterested in the mystery Uncle was researching, and he went up the stairs. Ignoring Jade, who was watching him from the banister above, he retreated to his temporary room.
Everyone had agreed that it would be best if Jackie stayed in the shop for a few days instead of his flat in Section 13. And so they'd let him sleep in Uncle's room, since Uncle argued that he spent most of his time in the study now. Jackie didn't mind; a room was a room, as far as he was concerned. The only thing he detested was the fact that the walls reeked of garlic, even more than the rest of the shop. He wrinkled his nose in disgust as he entered and dumped his duffel by the door.
Jackie sighed and rubbed his side again; it was becoming a habit now. It didn't hurt in the least bit, which even he had to admit was quite unusual, but he was grateful nonetheless.
He plopped onto the Uncle's bed and relaxed. Then, realising he wasn't tired, he stood up again and looked out the window, at the nearly empty streets below. It was one-thirty on a workday, but this part of Chinatown was rather slow anyway.
A few minutes of gazing at the little boy scrapping multicoloured chalk against the sidewalk was enough to make anyone bored -- especially if they were restless to begin with. Jackie groaned and drew his attention to Uncle's room. It was plain and simple, like most of the upstairs rooms. There was a single bed with muslin bed sheets, topped by a coarse olive green blanket in the center of the room, its backing pushed against the wall. On the night stand to its left, stood a small reading lamp. Opposite the bed was a narrow closet door. And beside the window was a desk for writing, on it an ink jar and a quill.
And the knife!
Jackie gasped.
He patted his chest as he always did when he was startled. Slightly recovered, he edged closer to the desk and allowed his hands to roam around the dark velvet box -- shyly at first, as if it were a holy treasure. This would be a moment to remember: he knew the power this knife possessed on him, his friends, his enemies. A hideous power -- but he needed to see it nonetheless. His fingers gripped the edges and he pulled it up, slowly...slowly...
There was a knock at the door. "Jackie?" It was Jade.
Startled, Jackie literally jumped as he turned around. Regaining his wits, he closed the box and jammed it into his pocket; it's end stuck out, and he covered that part with the fringe of his sweater. He knew how clever Jade was, and he didn't want her to see the knife.
Not waiting for a reply, Jade burst the door open. "Uncle Jackie, I--" she stopped and gasped when she saw him.
"What? What is it?" Jackie asked, alarmed. But even he could see what was happening: Jade -- and the entire room, for that matter -- seemed to be farther away.
"Jackie, you're...you're *floating!*" she stammered.
-~-~-~-
I'll try to get the next part out as soon as possible. Ja ne!