Disclaimer: I do not own Fushigi Yuugi. I only own Jade Stevens, her brothers and sister, Tara Robinson, and the altered storyline.
Thanks to all of you who were patient with my story. I just didn't have a chance at all to update for so long, I felt bad. I know how that is when a story I'm reading isn't updated in like forever, I never ment to keep you guys hanging for so long! Now, onto the next chapter!
Partying (Again!)
In the banquet hall, the wedding guests were taking their seats at long dining tables. At the head of the room was a smaller table for the wedding party. Jade and Tasuki sat in the very center, with Houki and Hotohori on their right, Miaka, Tara, and Yui on their left. Amiboshi, Kouji, and Taka sat beside the Priestesses and Tara. Nuriko, Chichiri, Mitsukake, and Chiriko sat beside the Emporer and Emporess. A small table next to the wedding party's seated Keisuke, Tetsuya, Aidou, Keiko, Adam, Jordan, and Zach. There were two empty seats at the table, and Jade asked Hotohori why they were empty. He just winked at her and told her that she would know soon. And find out she did. The guests, who had been chatting animatedly, stopped as two women entered the room. Jade gasped as reconization set in. It was Tei and Taishi, the Genbu and Byakko Celeste Warriors. Taishi had her elegent white hair loose, golden threads expertly woven in, making it shimmer. Her dress was the style of Sairou, with a tight white tube top-like top. Her skirt was a gold belt with a long white strip tucked in the front and back. (It covers everything, you hentai-pervs. She also has an underwear-like garment underneath too.) A golden serpent coiled up her leg with rubies set as eyes. Jade could tell this was in memory of Karasuki, her Protector. A golden band was fastened around her neck, almost like a collar. She had on black slippers with golden trim. Tei was dressed much more modestly. Since Hokkan was known for having colder weather than the other three nations, their dress was simpler and more practical than most. Her dress was dark green, with black trim. It was a lot like the Suzaku seishi's outfits, except without the pants. Her hair was up in a high bun, with a green ribbon tied around it. Her garment was slightly tighter than the seishi's, but she did have a black sash to keep it in place. She too had on black slippers. Her body seemed real and whole, so the Suzaku warrior assumed Tai-Itskun had used another Nyan-Nyan for this. The two Celeste Warriors made their way up the hall and bowed before the newlyweds. Jade flushed, while Tasuki merely looked puzzled. (Remember, this is a common thing for him. He's not the Tasuki we know and love if he's not clueless most of the time!) Tei merely smiled shyly, and Taishi grinned. "Kokyu, we came to wish you good luck on your wedding day. We have brought you wishes of good-luck and gifts to honor you." They both placed a gift on the table in front of the bandits. Taishi had given them a beautiful chunk of crystal, realistically carved in the likeness of Byakko. "To bring you the protection and service of Byakko-sama." Tei's gift was more practical. "As I cannot use it any longer, I give you my broadsword. Use it when you need the assistance, Kokyu. From both Genbu and myself. I will always watch over you as a faithful Guardian of this world and those who fight to keep it free and peaceful." Jade, speechless, stared at them in wonder. Tasuki, coming to his senses, thanked them graciously. Smiling, the two Celeste Warriors bowed and took their seats at the other table.
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Jade examined the broadsword laid out in front of her. The hilt was made of a dark gold, and had green inlays all along the crossbar. The grip was wrapped with a black ribbon, which looked brand-new. The blade itself was as sharp as if it had come straight off the blacksmith's iron. It was big, but when she tested its weight, she found it easy to use. She gently put it away safely under the table before she ate. Picked at her food, more like. She just couldn't believe she was married. Of course, she had been dreaming of this day for over two years, ever since the day she met his amber eyes with her emerald ones. She grinned. Life was sure going to be interesting from now on. Not that it hadn't been before. Life with Tasuki was always exciting in one way or another. She watched him eat, smiling. He was a mountain bandit, yes, but he had much better manners than most of them. He noticed her watching him and stopped his feasting. "What's wrong, Jade?" She blushed slightly, but, instead of looking like most brides do, coy and shy, she grinned. "I was just thinking about what life will be like for us now..." He looked worried. "I promise I'll try t' do my best an' make ya as happy as humanly possible..." She laughed. "That's not what I ment, baka! I ment, I'm just so happy to be spending the rest of my life with you here, in Konan, with all of our friends..." She trailed off, looking down the table at Kouji. Already having consumed mass amounts of sake, he was laughing loudly and hitting on every pretty girl in the room, swigging more of the strong alcohol. The Celeste Warrior sweatdropped. "Well, most of them..." The redheaded bandit burst into laughter. Suddenly, Hotohori got to his feet and raised his glass. "To Kokyu and Tauski! May their happiness and prosperity never end!" Everyone raised their glass as well and repeated the toast. As soon as the Emporer was seated, Kouji got unsteadily to his feet. He grinned lopsidedly. "T' Genrou an' Jade-(hic)chan, I wanna say somethin' special..." he said, slurring his words slightly. Tasuki buried his face in his hands, letting out a quiet moan of horror. Jade was too embarassed to say anything. Luckily, Tara came to the rescue. She neatly pulled Kouji back into his seat and took his bottle of sake. "I think you're done for now, Kouji-kun. Now, just sit and eat like a normal person." The bandit grinned suggestively at her, and she rolled her eyes. "Why me?" she mumbled quietly. Soon, Adam and Zach had the music set up, and they played the first song, (When September Ends by Green Day) which was the father of the bride and the bride's dance. Jade stood hesitantly. Sure, Nuriko could give her away, but it made her sad that her real father wasn't there to share this moment with her. Suddenly, she felt someone tap her shoulder. She turned to see Jordan smiling at her. "Since Dad's not here for this, will you accept a dance from your oldest brother, Sis?" She hugged him, almost in tears. "Thank you..."
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The blond man led her out to the dance floor, and they started to dance. As they danced, Jordan noticed his sister's eyes welling up. "What's wrong, green-eyes?" he asked worriedly. She wiped her eyes on her long sleeve, hoping that her mascara wasn't running. "I just really miss Dad...And I know he can't be here right now, but I really wish I could share this moment with him..." The blond grinned. "Well, him and Mama are reading the book right now! They're sharing all of this with us, as we speak even! And you're coming back home for a little, right?" Jade nodded, smiling slightly as she pictured her parents reading the Universe of the Four Gods intently. "Then you'll get to see them in a few hours! Then they can meet Tasuki, and you can tell them all about your adventures together! You know Dad, he'll ask about everything..." he said, laughing along with his sister. She hugged him tighter. "I missed you, Jordan..." He just smiled and rested his chin on the top of her head. "I missed you too, Sis..."
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Soon, the song ended and the theme from Titanic came on. Tasuki took his lovely bride from her brother, grinning. They danced nose-to-nose, grinning away. After the drama with Tenkou and everything, it was nice for them to be together like this. The song seemed to end all too soon, and other couples joined the dance floor. Yui and Tetsuya were dancing veeeeeerrrry closely, to the dislike of Keisuke. He felt that Yui was still his sister's best friend, and he had to look out for her. Miaka and Taka were of course dancing, as well as Tara and Amiboshi. Hotohori and Houki, feeling that they should keep their regal air, merely watched from the table. Jordan, feeling the part of the gentleman, asked Tei to dance, which the Genbu Warrior accepted graciously. Zach was dancing with Taishi and enjoying her company, but never forgetting his girlfriend, Amy, back home. Jade suddenly started laughing, startling Tasuki out of his dreamy haze. When he looked at her confusedly, she pointed behind him, giggling. He turned them around to see Kouji and Aidou dancing together, obviously enjoying themselves. The redheaded bandit began to seethe silently, while his wife continued to laugh her head off. "I wouldn't worry if I were you, I think they make a perfect match..." she whispered in his ear, calming him slightly. As soon as the present song was over, Jade darted out of the room. Puzzled, Tasuki did not see her for two whole songs. Then, suddenly, Zach took the mike, grinning. "And now...Hot Stuff, performed by five very talented ladies!" The lights had been dimmed earlier, so the five figures that had taken the center of the cleared dance floor were unreconizable. Then, the song started, and the figures started to dance to the disco-like beat of the famous Donna Summer song.
Sittin' here, eatin' my heart out waitin'
waitin' for some lover to call
dialed almost a thousand numbers lately
almost rang the phone off the wall
The voice singing was slightly familiar, but it wasn't until the five girls had whirled around, their sexy red dresses spinning with them, that the audience reconized them. Jade, in the center, was belting it out, with Tara and Keiko on one side of her, Miaka and Yui on the other. They were all dancing rather suggestively, their dresses barely past mid-thigh and skin-tight. Tetsuya fainted, Taka paled, Amiboshi blushed deeply, Jordan and Adam got a panicked look on their faces, and Tasuki stared, mouth agape. The girls continued to dance, undaunted.
Lookin' for some hot stuff baby this evenin'
I need some hot stuff baby tonight
I want some hot stuff baby this evenin'
Gotta have some hot stuff
Gotta have some lovin' tonight
I need hot stuff
I want some hot stuff
I need hot stuff
Most of the other seishi were watching the young groom, amused by his horror. He had not expected his new wife to strut her stuff merely hours after their marriage. His face was pale, but he was also secretly enjoying the show. After all, the honeymoon hadn't started yet, and he was rather anxious for a moment alone with Jade. So, he decided to relax and watch interestedly.
Lookin' for a lover who needs another
don't want another night on my own
wanna share my love with a warm blooded lover
wanna bring a wild man back home
Gotta have some hot love baby this evenin'
I need some hot stuff baby tonight
I want some hot love baby this evenin'
gotta have some lovin'
got to have a love tonight
I need hot love
hot love
lookin' for hot love
The six men were recovering slowly as they watched the women dance. Adam was about to pull his youngest sister off the dance floor, fuming something about her being fourteen and getting the wrong kind of attention. Aidou was watching her new and only sister-in-law. She grinned. Her brother had definately made the right choice. This girl was a perfect match for her little otoko-chan.
Hot, hot, hot, hot stuff
hot, hot, hot
hot, hot, hot, hot stuff
hot, hot, hot
Gotta have some hot love baby this evenin'
I need some hot stuff baby tonight
lookin' for some hot stuff baby this evenin'
I need hot stuff baby tonight
hot stuff baby this evening
I want hot stuff baby tonight
hot stuff baby this evenin'
I want some hot stuff baby tonight
The five girls took a bow to the tremendous applause. As soon as they rose, their respective men rushed them off the dance floor. Keiko was being repremanded by her two oldest brothers, causing her to use some of her sister's famed attitude. Tetsuya blocked Yui from everyone's view, blushing, sunglasses askew. Taka was too stunned to say much to Miaka, same with Amiboshi. Tasuki, however, playfully smacked his wife's behind as she passed him, causing her to blush brilliantly. "Tasuki!" He grinned slyly. Still blushing, she went to change. He grabbed her arm before she could leave however, and pulled her onto his lap. "And where do you think you're going?" he growled in her ear, causing her eyes to widen, a small giggle escaping her lips. "Tasuki, not here! You have to wait for a little bit longer..." she whispered into his ear. He pouted. "This is takin' too long..." She giggled and kissed him on the cheek. Tasuki, however, got his wish. Hotohori, seeing the two of them getting anxious, ended the reception early. The newlyweds got together their stuff and said their goodbyes. "I'll take care of everything, Jade! Have fun!" Tara cried, grinning as she hugged her best friend. Jade nodded. "I'll see you in two weeks, Rob." The seishi all hugged their newlywed friends before the couple joined the other Stevens children. A red light wrapped around them, and they disappeared, returning to the world outside of the Book.