Partying
It was finally the day before the wedding, and everyone was psyched, especially the bride and groom. In fact, while everyone else was helping finish all the preperations, they were sitting under a sakura tree in Jade's private garden. Jade was dozing with her head on Tasuki's chest, who was also dozing. The past two weeks had been a living nightmare for them more than anyone else, because, for some reason, everyone wanted their opinion on EVERYTHING! Jade woke up slowly, listening to her fiance's faint snores. She rolled over and a mischivous smile lit up her face. Being careful to be quiet, she picked up a nearby catapiller and placed in gently on his face. He smiled slightly and mumbled something about her and how good it felt. She giggled helplessly as his hand went up to his face, expecting to grab her hand. Instead, he felt a long, fuzzy object crawling there. Yelping, he brushed it off, looking around wildly. He saw Jade rolling on the ground, tears of mirth pouring down her face. He glared at her as she calmed down. "That wasn' funny, damnit! Ya nearly scared me t' death!!!" he growled. Unfazed by his threatening tone, she kissed him lightly and hugged him. "Baka, it was a catapiller! It won't hurt you!" she laughed. He scowled. "Says you..." She kissed him teasingly, but before she could pull away, he slid his hand behind her head and pressed her lips to his. Relaxing slightly, she allowed him to deepen the kiss as much as he liked. Then, they relaxed under the tree, discussing their future together. Soon, Jade became antsy, and she went into their room and came back out with a strange-looking object that Tasuki had never seen before. "What's that?" he asked curiously. She plucked the strings experimentally, blanched, and started to explain it to him while she tuned it. "This is my electric guitar. It's an instument from our world, and I'm going to play it tomorrow at the reception." After she was satisfied with the sound, she started playing it and singing in her beautiful, clear voice. "Welcome to the Grand Illusion, c'mon in and see what's happenin'. Pay the price, get your ticket for the show... Stage is set, the band starts playin'. Suddenly, your heart is pounding, wishing secretly you were a star..." (Sorry, but you're going to be hearing A LOT of Styx in the next few chapters. They're awesome, I can't help it!) She sang "The Grand Illusion", and then she went through "Calling All Angels" by Train. Tasuki watched with amusement, secretly in awe of her skill with the odd instrument she was playing, and her beautiful voice. Suddenly, they heard a deep sound that was similar to the one Jade was making. Zach came out, plucking his bass and grinning at his little sister. "Hey, I heard you playing, and thought I'd join you." They both started playing various songs in unison, laughing as they sang along. Then, they both put their instruments down and Zach said "You know, Tasuki, you're a really lucky guy. Just don't ruin my respect for you by hurting my sister in ANY way. Otherwise, I WILL track you down and make you pay, got it?" The redhead nodded, his face set in a serious look, Jade had never seen him like that. "I promise, Zach. I love your sister more than anything, and I would never let ANYTHING hurt her." he said quietly before the older Stevens nodded and left with his bass.
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Later that night, the guys met in the throne room and went to say goodbye to the girls. When they entered Jade's room, they found Tara, Miaka, Yui, Keiko, and Nuriko chatting happily with the Celeste Warrior. "Hey Nuriko, you coming along?" Taka asked, knowing what the answer would be. "Bakayaro, I'm staying here! You guys go have your stupid drinking party, we'll have much more fun!" the purple haired seishi snorted. The other girls giggled before going over to their men to say goodbye. Keiko hugged her three brothers, laughing. "Be good, you guys..." They all laughed and chorused "We will, mommy!" Amiboshi gave Tara a hug, Keisuke gave one to Miaka, and Tetsuya gave one to Yui. They looked over at the engaged couple, who wouldn't get to see each other until the ceremony, otherwise it would be bad luck. They embraced, Jade trying desperately to hold back tears. The pulled away and kissed before joining the others, smiling sadly. The boys left, calling goodbyes as they headed to the bar they were holding the Bachelor's party at. Jade sat on the bed, visibly unhappy. Tara walked over and put a comforting arm around her best friend's shoulders. "Oh, c'mon Jade, you'll see him in less than 24 hours! Besides, his absence will help you have even more fun in your last few hours of being single! Let's have some fun!" she said, grinning. Jade grinned back and nodded. "Okay then! Time for some chick flicks!" she cried, whipping out the portable dvd player Yui had thoughtfully brought with her, as well as some dvds. The six women/man cheered and sat down on the bed, ready to enjoy themselves.
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Later, at the bar...
The thirteen guys (Tasuki, Taka, Chichiri, Hotohori, Mitsukake, Chiriko, Keisuke, Tetsuya, Amiboshi, Kouji, Jordan, Zach, and Adam) sat at a small cluster of tables, waiting for their next round of drinks. The waitresses/dancers/hookers (some are all three) giggled and tried to flirt with such a big group of young, handsome men. Kouji, who was VERY drunk, was enjoying it immensly. Keisuke grinned and flirted back, knowing that there was no harm. The taken men (Hotohori/Houki, Amiboshi/Tara, Taka/Miaka, Tetsuya/Yui, Jordan/his fiancee Rachel, and Zach/his girlfriend Amy) laughed at the girls, but refused their approaches. Adam was also having the time of his life, not having a girlfriend back home. The other three guests, Mitsukake, Chiriko, and Chichiri, were either too young or had sworn off women after they had lost their loved ones. Tasuki, the one who should be enjoying himself the most, was depressed. The other guys tried to cheer him up, but nothing worked. The women were trying their hardest as well, quite taken with his muscular body and bad boy appearance. They tried to give him lap dances, invite him upstairs, give him a pole dance, but he just pushed them away as if disgusted by their mere presence. Finally, the angry girls called in the head waitress to work her charm. "Where is he? I'll make sure he loosens up for you girls...!!! Shun'u?!" Tasuki looked up, and his eyes filled with dread at what he saw. A woman, about 22 or so, with long strawberry blonde hair and golden eyes stood in front of them. "O-oh no..." he managed to mumble before being pulled into a bone-crushing hug. "Oh Shun'u!!! It's been so long since I've seen you, my little otoko-chan!!!" she squealed happily, not seeming to notice that his face was turning blue. "A-Aidou, you're ch-choking me..." he managed to gasp, and she released him. "What are ya doin' here, Aidou? I thought ya got married an' moved away from home." the bandit asked. She smiled. "I figured mom and dad could use a little bit more money back home, so I started working here a year ago. What are YOU doing here?" He shrugged. "I'm havin' a party before I get married tomorrow. Guys, this is my youngest older sis, Aidou." She gasped. "Oh Shun'u!!! You're getting married?! I'm so happy! Can I come? Do I get to meet my soon-to-be sister?!" she cried happy as she crushed him in another hug. "Y-yeah sure, just please let go..." She dropped him and grinned. "Oh wow, I get to be at my little brother's wedding! Tell me all about your bride!" He smiled. "Why don't you just meet herself? I'm not sure how you'll get into the palace though..." Mitsukake, who had heard the whole conversation, gave a suggestion. "I was planning on taking Chiriko back to the palace soon anyway, I would be honored to escort Aidou-san there." Tasuki nodded his approval and glanced at his sister, who also agreed to the plan. Then, the two seishi and the young woman started off for the palace, Aidou calling goodbyes to her brother and his friends.
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Aidou, Mitsukake, and Chiriko stood outside of the door to Jade's room, watching them through the crack in the door. "Which one's my brother's fiance?" The healer just smiled. "I think you should have the fun of guessing, don't you? Just watch..." Aidou watched the six women inside, and immediately realized that the purple haired one was definately a guy. The other five were women, so she knew one was her future sister-in-law. A blond lay on the bed, leafing through a magazine. She was wearing blue silk pajamas with dragons on them. Next to her, a girl with long brown hair was giggling softly as she watched two other girls sparring. She had on a large button up shirt and her hair in a braid. (It's the shirt she always wears to bed in the series) Sitting on the floor in front of the purple haired man was a girl with dirty blond hair who looked to be about 14. She was having her hair braided as she wrote busily in a journal. Aidou's attention then turned to the two girls sparring. The shorter one had dark brown hair and pretty brown eyes, and she had on a light blue tank top and navy blue pj shorts. The other one had long auburn hair and devilish emerald eyes. She was wearing a red spagetti strap top with the kanji for "flames" on the front, and flame bottoms. They were laughing as they threw punches and kicks and trying to block their opponents' attacks. The taller one seemed slightly better than the brunette, finally having her in a headlock. She released her friend and gave her a high five. "Good job, Tara-chan! You're improving a lot, I'm so proud of you!" The one named Tara smiled modestly. Then, the redhead turned to the brunette on the bed. "Hey Miaka, you wanna have a go? I can show you some self defence for those tough streets of Tokyo!" Miaka shook her head. "Oh yeah, I forgot. You have Taka to protect you...silly me. Too bad he isn't here, I need another sparring partner, and he's one of the best other than Tasuki." Aidou noted the redhead's seemingly endless energy as she flitted nervously to her closet, where something was hanging, but the older woman couldn't see it. Finally, the other girls came up with a solution to the redhead's boredom. "Hey Jade, why don't you do those famous impressions of yours for us? Then you don't have to be so bored..." the blond on the bed said distractedly. Jade grinned devilishly and ducked behind her dressing screen for a moment before emerging dressed like the boy Aidou had seen at the bar. She had on a headband, simple clothing, and a flute was in her hand. The other girls started giggling, the one named Tara slowly turning red. She started playing the flute and the started scratching messages on herself. "But Brother, why won't you respond? Brother?!" she gasped, shaking her arm. The giggles turned to hysterical laughter, and the redhead changed rapidly into imperial clothes. Her hair was in a loose side ponytail, and she had a sword strapped around her waist. She looked just like another one of the men at the bar, Hotohori. "Oh Miaka, I love you so much...I'll kill Tamahome for you, so that I can have you all to myself!" she said in a quiet, masculine voice as she approached Miaka who was still laying on the bed. The girl hit Jade with a pillow, laughing. "Stop making fun of Hotohori-san, he never did anything to you!" The redhead laughed evilly before changing yet again. This time, she had on a miser's outfit, so she looked like a plain commoner. Her hair was back in a trailing ponytail that went down her back. She suddenly dove on the floor. "MONEY!!! I SEE MONEY!!!" she cried, halfway under the bed. Then, she wriggled back out and pounced on Miaka. "Miaka, let's get married! I know we're not supposed to, but no will ever know..." she said in a sexy, sultry voice. Miaka hit her again, blushing furiously. "You're so mean! Stop it!" The older girl crawled off and was about to change back into her normal clothes when they begged her to do her best impression. She rolled her eyes jokingly before going back behind the screen. This time, Aidou couldn't keep her gasp contained as the redhead emerged from behind the screen. She had on a off white shirt, a blue and black coat, grey pants that were tucked into boots that matched her coat, a black belt around her waist, blue and red earrings, and two beaded necklaces around her neck. Her eyes had somehow changed to amber, and when she flashed a grin, fangs were present. She grabbed the tessan, which was laying on the table next to her bed, and cried "Rekka Shin'en!" A small blast of flames came out, somehow not hitting anyone, and all the girls cheered. "I think it's scary how much she looks like him..." Tara said quietly to Miaka, and Jade blushed. "Well, he IS my fiance after all..." Aidou quickly realized that this girl was none other than her brother's fiance. She walked into the room, which caused an instant hush from everyone except for Jade, who had her back turned towards the door. "What? What's wrong? What are all of you looking at?" she asked before turning around and getting the shit scared out of her. "Ack! W-who are you?!" she managed to sputter. Aidou had her hands on her hips as grinned at the younger girl. As soon as regonization hit her, her face became pale. "Y-you're one of Tasuki's sisters...Aidou?" The woman nodded, and Jade turned a flaming red as she quickly changed back into her pajamas. Adiou laughed. "You must be my brother's fiance. I've been waiting to meet you, he seemed quite fond of you. I'm Kou Aidou." Jade, still red in the face, shook her hand. "I'm Jade Stevens, or Kokyu if you wanna get technical...I never go by that title anyway..." The older girl gasped. "You're the Celeste Warrior of Suzaku?! It's such an honor to be the sister-in-law of one of the most important people of Konan!" she squealed as she nearly choked the younger girl. Jade, whose face was turning an odd shade of purple, protested weakly until she was finally released. She then invited her soon-to-be sister-in-law to stay and join them at their party, which she happily accepted.
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A few hours later, the boys returned to the palace. As they passed by Jade's room, Tasuki went to take a peek inside. Instead, he was stopped by two glaring women. Miaka and Aidou stood just inside the doorway guarding the occupants inside. He sweatdropped, laughing nervously. "M-miaka, aneki, what are ya both doin' up so late? Did ya have fun tonight? How's Jade?" he mumbled as he tried to slide past them, but he was quickly grabbed by Aidou. "Listen bro, you are NOT going in there. She needs her rest for tomorrow, got it?!" He cringed at the evil look she was giving him before nodding. "Good." She released him and he landed on the floor with a soft THUMP. She then made sure that he went to his room and went to bed.
And another one down, and another one down...another one bites the dust!