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The Sky's the Limit	By : Spleef Category: +G through L > Jackie Chan's Adventures Views: 14394 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Jackie Chan s Adventures, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Silence
- 2-Apologies
- 3-Spat
- 4-Dance
- 5-Bite
- 6-Claim
- 7-Honesty
- 8-Taste
- 9-Offering
- 10-Revelations
- 11-Almost
- 6
- 7
- 8
The Sky's the Limit
Chapter VIII – Honesty
I am thrilled that everyone is enjoying this story so far! I am much, much, MUCH more satisfied with this version than I ever was with the original – I really have come a long way as an author! It also helps that this time around, the JCA series is complete, so I have more canon information to use than before since the first version of this story was written before season 3 even aired. As always, please don't forget to leave me a review/feedback – it literally is what keeps me going!
o0o0o0o
Hsi Wu regarded Jade with a open smile as she approached him, holding out his arms. Without the slightest hesitation, she went into them, hugging him back. He caught a faint trace of the shampoo and soap she used, rubbing her back slowly as he looked down at her.
The fact that Jade was hugging him – and was comfortable with it – showed him how far he had come with her. She even let him take her on a couple more flying trips over the last week, though she had yet to accept his invitation to spend time in his apartment. She always found some sort of excuse – that she had to work the next day, that she had plans with her uncles or friends, or that she was just really tired. He took these rejections gracefully, but had not given up on his resolve to get closer to her. Yes, he enjoyed having her as a friend, but he wanted more. Much more.
However, with an increased ability to control his evil urges, he didn't screw up with her as he had before. It was much easier to act more 'human', and he didn't feel as much of a urge to be in his Demonic form as he did before. Every time he left his apartment, he shifted to 'Seymour Hsiwoositz' almost unconsciously.
“I missed you.” he whispered as he lifted a hand to stroke her hair.
“It's only been two days.” She looked up at him with a faint smile. He wanted to see her every day, but understood that insisting upon that would only alienate her, so he took care to not call her too often or make her feel pressured.
“I still missed you!” he responded lightly before his tone became more serious. “I care about you. You know that.”
Jade blushed faintly and pulled free of his embrace. He fought back the urge to hold on, and let his arms drop as he regarded her. From what he knew, her uncle Jackie was in Washington on some sort of archaeological consultation, helping with a collection of Pacific Native American art. He would be gone for a couple of days, leaving Jade with her elder uncle.
“So... what did you have in mind for this afternoon?” she asked. Last time they were together, they had gone to an art gallery, looking at and commenting on various pieces of art before having some Mexican for dinner.
“Well... I wanted to do something different. Not that I mind treating you to dinner, but I was thinking that maybe tonight, I'd cook for us.”
“Hm.” Jade tilted her head, glancing at him skeptically. He stared back levelly.
“It's fun trying all these different foods at the restaurants, but I'd like to make dinner this time. If you really would rather not do this, fine. But it'd mean a lot to me.”
Jade stared off, tapping her chin for a moment as she pondered his words. She had fun trying all the eateries he found through his research, but what would his own food taste like? She was curious.
“I assume you intend to do this at your place.”
“But of course.”
She stared at him for a few moments. “Just dinner, right?”
He nodded solemnly. “Just dinner. Anything else is up to you.”
“... Okay.”
The Sky Demon had to fight the urge to leap with joy, and he controlled the smile that emerged on his face, not wanting to seem too enthusiastic.
o0o0o0o
Instead of flying, Hsi Wu ushered her into the apartment building the normal way. The doorman, a portly older gentleman, greeted him as 'Mr. Hsiwoositz' and tipped his hat to Jade. The lobby was large and well-lit, yet was also somewhat subdued and elegant, with several plush sofas to one side, potted plants giving a partial screen of privacy to that area. On the other side was a marble counter hosting a concierge in front of a row of mailboxes.
The plush deep red carpet was complemented by the gold gilt-work and crown molding that accented the cream-colored walls and pillars. How did Hsi Wu manage to situate himself in such a place as this?
Oh, right. He's the Demon of Cunning. If he was able to produce a driver's license that looked and worked like a real one, then he should be able to produce money or a good renter's record with his magic.
The elevator was spacious and clean, and the Muzak that played had a classical feel to it, played so quietly that it actually soothed rather than annoyed. On the top floor, the doors slid open to reveal a foyer similar to the lobby. It split off into two short hallways, both lined with potted plants. He led her to the one on the right, waving his hand over the door. Several clicks became audible as the locks magically disengaged themselves.
The apartment was even more impressive in daylight, its westward-facing windows offering a gorgeous view of the ocean and the afternoon sky.
“If you would take off your shoes, Jade...” He slipped out of his own and left them on a mat next to the door. She obliged before padding across the floor to survey the open living-kitchen area.
“I have most of the food put together. It won't take long, I just need to do a couple more things and cook it.” There was already a pot simmering on the stove, filling the kitchen with a faint scent of mixed spices.
“Need any help?”
“No. You're my guest, enjoy yourself. Watch some TV, or there's some magazines on the coffee table. Bathroom's first door down the hall if you need it.”
“Thanks.” Jade wandered over to the couch and sat down. Several issues of National Geographic sat on the table along with a couple of Scientific Journals and a few other magazines she would call 'smart'. As she picked up a National Geographic, she took the chance to study her surroundings. While the furnishings were mostly modern, she saw quite a few antiques that would make Uncle practically salivate if he saw them. Actually, Uncle Jackie would probably like to examine the pottery and paintings she saw in this room, as well. On a shelf she saw books on history, some in English, others in Chinese. It certainly looked as if Hsi Wu spent his free time learning new things instead of being up to nefarious deeds.
She turned around to see him moving around briskly, having several pots and pans over the stove, stirring things or adding in this or that while chopping some vegetables and making last-minute preparations. Whatever it was, it smelled good! Much of it smelled like traditional Chinese cooking, but there were a few unique scents intermingled with the usual ingredients that could be found in Chinese cuisine.
Hsi Wu noted her interest, but feigned ignorance, continuing to cook dinner. This had been inspired by a good memory he had of Po Kong. Back then, she had been nothing like the Mountain Demon she was now known as. She was tall and broad-shouldered, but instead of the hideous, bulging gut she now had, she actually had a woman's shape, with a generous chest and hips. Some would have called her 'heavy', but he knew that there were many men who found such full-figured women attractive.
Po Kong loved cooking, and was always trying out new recipes, or at least that's what he was able to surmise from the memories he had of her. He had an especially vivid memory of being in the kitchen with her. She was clad in red – her favorite color – with a white apron tied securely around her middle. Despite the stoutness of her build, she was actually nimble and graceful, moving around the kitchen in a swish of red silk skirts, showing him how to cut vegetables and telling him what kind of spices best complemented certain dishes.
Most of the dishes he was now preparing were ones he remembered doing with Po Kong. She was cheerful and pleasant, always happy to welcome him to her kitchen and teach him this or that. He remembered Dai Gui or Xiao Fung being with them a couple of times, also learning from their sister.
It was weird recalling this happy, friendly Po Kong when he thought of the foul-tempered and gluttonous beast in the Void. Despite all that he was able to remember now, there were still large pieces of his memory missing.
As the food simmered in their respective vessels, he set the table, using antique porcelain dishes and setting down silver chopsticks and Chinese-style soup spoons, which were almost like miniature bowls and held more than their American counterparts.
In a few minutes, the food was moved to the table in various covered dishes, and when Jade approached the table, he pulled out her seat and gestured to it with a flourish. She thanked him as she took her seat, letting him push the chair forward.
Jade took a bit out of every dish and placed it on her plate, immensely curious about the Sky Demon's cooking ability. She took the time to sample each food, chewing on it thoughtfully as he watched her. There was an overall familiarity to the menu he had chosen for them, but there were different spices or ingredients here and there to give the cuisine an unique – but not unwelcome – twist.
She helped herself several more times, noting the pleased expression on his face. She smiled at him as she ladled some curried bean soup into her bowl.
“Where did you learn to do all of this? Some of these things are so... different.”
“Well, I cooked most of this from memory though I did change a little here or there.”
“Do you remember who taught you?”
He nodded slowly. “Po Kong.”
Jade stared at him, finding it hard to imagine the Mountain Demon teaching others to cook. She thought that Po Kong would rather just shovel it all down her gullet and be done with it. It apparently showed in her expression, because he gave her a wry smile.
“She wasn't always the Mountain Demon. Back then, she was smaller. A lot smaller. She liked to eat, but her appetite was a lot more controlled, and she enjoyed cooking for others and trying different recipes. She was generous – to demon and human alike.” He knew it must sound odd to her, to actually describe as generous a demon that had been renown for her greediness.
“Do you... know what happened? To her, to the rest of you?”
“No. At least, not yet. There's still a lot of pieces missing from my memory, but it's all coming together. Slowly.”
“Hmm.” She nodded slowly. “Have you... ever tried talking to any of your brothers and sisters?”
“Mmhm. I contacted Tso Lan. He's always been the wisest and most level-headed of us, so I thought I would talk to him first.” He did not miss the sudden flash of worry on her face, and quickly continued, “He demanded me to get him out of the Void, but I refused. I told him that he had to try to remember things first. He has the same memory problems as I do. So if it happened to the two of us, doubtless it happened to the others as well.”
“Yeah. Makes sense.” Jade hadn't missed how he spoke of Po Kong and her kindness with affection in his voice.
“So anyway, I just told him to keep trying to remember. I gave him a couple of hints to help him along, and right now it's just the two of us. When he remembers more, I'll tell him to talk to another demon. I don't want to rush this.”
“I agree.”
“One thing I noticed is that I don't have any happy memories of Shendu. What I remember of him is him picking fights, or sneaking around. I find it weird that he found a way out of the Void after we were all banished. The spells the Immortals cast were supposed to be equally strong for all of us, but...”
“Yeah. I thought it was weird, too.”
He nodded slowly as he stared at her. “Well, every day I remember a little more, so I'm sure I'll figure it out soon enough.”
“You will.” Jade assured him. He smiled at her gratefully.
o0o0o0o
With a stomach full of delicious cooking, Jade was content to simply settle on the couch for a while. Hsi Wu sat next to her and turned on the television, idly flicking through the channels before settling on one that played old movies. Spartacus was just starting, and he looked at her.
“This okay with you?” he asked.
“Sure.” She shrugged and nodded, propping her feet on a cushion as she settled herself comfortably. All she wanted to do was take a short nap, the food had been so delicious that she just wanted everything! She stared at the television with half-lidded eyes, one hand splayed out on the sofa while the other rested on her stomach.
As she rested, digesting her dinner, Hsi Wu studied her. She was full and content, her eyes staring out sleepily at the television. He said nothing, not wishing to interrupt the tranquility that surrounded them. He himself was full, and relished the feeling – it was hard not to, considering that they had all gone hungry for centuries in the Void. As the movie played on, he closed his eyes, half-listening to the dialogue as he drifted off.
o0o0o0o
The smell of food wafted through the air from a large banquet table that was almost literally piled high with all sorts of savory victuals. He knew without being told that Po Kong had put together the menu, with help from her human servants. From beyond the table, he heard someone singing, the voice as alluring as the legendary Sirens of Greek lore. He looked around, seeing the traditional Chinese architecture of a mansion, the decorations lavish but in good taste. A few human servants bustled around, and whenever one of them acknowledged him, they did so with a bow, calling him 'young master'. Some of them tended the table, bringing more food to it for the upcoming feast..
Heavy footsteps approached, and Hsi Wu looked up to see Tchangzu. The Thunder Demon was a majestic sight as he always was, given his size and aura, further evinced by the gold-and-blue adorned black silk he wore. His mouth spread into a wide grin as he caught notice of the Sky Demon, and he patted the younger demon's head, his hand large but gentle.
“What are you doing here by yourself, little brother? Come, Bai Tsa has just started singing, and we're late!”
Without protest, Hsi Wu followed his brother down the hallway. Suddenly, Shendu jumped out from behind a pillar, causing him to give out a startled cry.
“That's not funny!” Tchangzu scowled at the young dragon demon. “Must you always be sneaking around, looking for trouble? And at such a special time for our sister?”
Shendu hissed at them, flicking his forked tongue. “She can sing whenever she wants. I've heard her sing plenty of times. Anyone can sing!” he retorted contemptuously.
“Not as well as Bai Tsa!” Tchangzu retorted calmly before tugging Hsi Wu down the hallway, ignoring Shendu.
“I don't know what's wrong with him.” the older demon muttered. “He never seems to be happy, no matter what is given him.”
“Hmm?” Hsi Wu looked up at him.
“Nothing, nothing. This is supposed to be a happy day, we shouldn't let Shendu spoil it for us.”
o0o0o0o
Hsi Wu opened his eyes and stretched out. The movie was still playing, so he hadn't been sleeping for long. He spent a few moments processing his dream, studying and analyzing it as he did every other memory he unearthed from the recesses of his subconscious.
It appeared to be a childhood memory. Shendu had looked rather young in it, not yet an adult, and Hsi Wu knew that he was younger than the dragon demon. If he was right, it was the earliest memory he had been able to recall to date. He wasn't sure how old he was, but what impressed him most was the overall happiness. The human servants hadn't been afraid of him or Tchangzu. And the Thunder Demon had treated him with open warmth and affection, a far cry from the antagonistic personality that often clashed with his younger siblings in the Void.
He wondered how Tso Lan was doing, and how much the Moon Demon was able to recall. His older brother didn't have the benefit of having paper and pen to record his thoughts and organize them, but Hsi Wu knew from experience that Tso Lan had a good memory and didn't have as much of a need of making notes for himself as others would have. When Jade left, he would check in with his brother, it'd been several days and he was sure that Tso had made some progress and would have something to talk about. His hand slid across the sofa to touch Jade's. She did not respond to the light touch, so he covered her hand with his and squeezed.
“Mmm?” She slowly turned her head.
“Just checking to see if you fell asleep.” he murmured.
“I almost did.” She patted her belly. “That was some good food.”
“You can take some home with you. I have Tupperware containers if you want.”
“Then I know what I'm having for lunch tomorrow.” She had to work at the museum, but the employee breakroom had a microwave and toaster oven. “You could open up a restaurant.”
“You flatter me.” he purred, his eyes twinkling with appreciation.
“No, really. You said you didn't know what kind of job you would like, so there's an idea.”
“A good one.” Many of the Chinese or other Asian restaurants weren't really authentic, owned by Americans who did not have a real understanding of Asian cuisine and the subtleties that came with an Oriental menu. All too often the menus were Americanized, with distinctly American twists added to the cuisine to please a less discerning palate. Po Kong would most certainly not appreciate many of the things that had been done to food today.
They watched in amicable silence as the scene came up where other men claimed to be Spartacus, and when the movie ended, Jade pulled herself up off the sofa to use the bathroom.
As fun as dinner and the movie had been, she knew it was time to go home. Part of her wanted to stay here – she was actually very comfortable around him and even starting to feel more than just friendly towards him. Such thoughts made her heart flutter. It was one thing to have a Demon as a friend, but for their relationship to become more... it thrilled and frightened her. Hsi Wu made no secret of his feelings for her, but so far she had managed to keep a line drawn between them – a line that he seemed to enjoy skirting around or outright pushing.
“I should be going now.” Jade said as she picked up her purse, checking her cellphone for messages.
“So soon?” He looked crestfallen. “It's not that late. Stay with me a while longer?”
Well, he was right. She often was out with Simone much later than this, but she reminded herself that she had to keep the Sky Demon at a distance. Her uncles didn't even know, and she didn't want to see what would happen if they ever found out...
“Sorry, but I need to go.” she said in a firm but polite voice. “But I did enjoy the dinner, I appreciate the time and effort you made, and it was wonderful.” she added to soften her rejection of his request.
Had he been in his Demon form, Hsi Wu's wings and pointed ears would have drooped, but he stoically went to the kitchen, placing leftovers in several containers as he had promised before putting them all in a plastic shopping bag. He placed the package in her hands, his fingers briefly brushing against hers.
This light gesture caused warmth to tingle through her fingers, and instinctively, she pulled back, fighting the blush that threatened to creep across her face. He glanced at her, his expression guarded but his eyes betraying his sadness and disappointment, along with desire. Upon registering this mixture of emotions, she quickly looked away.
o0o0o0o
Hsi Wu had felt his demonic urges bubbling up at her rejection, but he was able to rein them in, however much he wanted to just let his demon nature take hold of the situation. He had imagined ravishing her, wrapping his tail around her middle and exploring her lithe form, familiarizing himself with all of her intimate, sensitive spots...
He turned off the lights in the living room and kitchen before assuming his Demon form and approaching the mirror He had not spoken to his brother since the first time, nearly a week ago, but that was because he wanted to give his older brother ample time to think. As he murmured the spell, he hoped that his brother would again be alone, prepared to dispel the portal immediately if he was not.
“Greetings.” Tso Lan stated, his hands folded to his chest.
“You appear to be in a good mood.” Hsi Wu replied, relieved that he saw no fury or irritation on the Moon Demon's face.
“Not good... but not bad. I have been waiting for you. How long has it been?”
“Almost a week.” Hsi Wu decided to be honest. A flicker of surprise passed through Tso's expression.
“It... did not seem that long. Not when I have been able to... keep myself occupied.”
“I suppose you found an useful occupation, then.”
“All these centuries, and it has never occurred to me to... think about certain matters.”
“I found it perplexing at first, as well. But every day, I remember more. And today, I remembered an actual childhood memory. Shendu was very young, too.”
“I have had no such memories. But I do remember other things. Happy things.”
“That's how it was for me. Just keep working on it, and it'll become clearer. I have also used a few spells that assist with memory or dreaming. They don't always work, as if there's another magic at work...” Hsi Wu trailed off.
“I have come to the same conclusion. I have asked Bai Tsa about her memories.”
The Sky Demon felt a flash of irritation, but reined it in, remembering that the Moon Demon generally did not act rashly. He and Bai Tsa had always been rather close, so Tso must have had a reason for discussing this with her.
“Did you tell her about me?”
“No. At least, not yet. After I asked her about her memories, she retreated from me, and I have not seen her since.”
“We both know it takes time and patience.”
“Indeed.” Tso Lan let out a low sigh. “You may find remembering your childhood enjoyable, but I am more interested in why we have forgotten... and who is responsible for it.”
“I would expect no less of you.”
“Since you remember more than me, have you come to any sort of conclusion?”
Hsi Wu hesitated. He wanted to blame Shendu, the feeling nagged at him that the Fire Demon was somehow responsible for it. The other siblings certainly enjoyed having Shendu around as their punching bag, especially now that he was in physical form, but he had no definite evidence.
“I have an idea, but I do not remember enough to offer any sort of proof. I need more... certainty.”
Tso Lan nodded with approval, and the younger demon was surprised at how... nice it felt that he had his brother's support. There had been so much acrimony between all the siblings... now, it all seemed so stupid and senseless.
“And when do you intend to help me get out of the Void?” Tso Lan asked.
“Soon.”
The Moon Demon let out a growl of irritation.
“Listen to me, Tso Lan. We were banished to the Void for a reason. I'll be damned if the humans find reason to banish us again.”
He was pleased to see surprise on the older demon's face. “Besides, Bai Tsa will need someone to talk to. And the others as well, in time. But do not speak of any of this to Shendu. Or his son.” He wasn't sure if Shendu was somehow behind all this, but better safe than sorry. And Drago was a wild card. At times, he felt sorry for his nephew.
When Shendu had pulled his son into the Void, Drago's aunts and uncles had wasted no time in pulling their residual chi from the young demon. This in turn had boosted their powers by a fraction, the instruments of the Immortals now destroyed. Drago spent most of his time by himself, avoiding his father and the rest of his family. Once, Hsi Wu could honestly say he didn't give a shit about his brother's child. Now... he wasn't so sure. It wouldn't be fair to make Drago suffer for his father's sins. He'd have to wait and see what happened with his other siblings.
“I'll talk to you in a few days.” He waved his hand, and the mirror's surface became flat and shiny again. He wasn't in the mood to talk to Tso Lan – he just wanted to nurse his hurt feelings and think about Jade.
o0o0o0o
The shop was closed, but Jade entered the side door with her key, quietly locking it and setting the deadbolt. The aroma of food wafting down the hallways indicated that Uncle and Tohru were having their dinner. She looked down at the bag of leftovers and bit back a quiet sigh before she headed into the kitchen to put it in the refrigerator.
She walked past the table, acknowledging them with a warm greeting and politely declining a plate, explaining that she had already eaten with her friend, but accepting their invitation to play mahjong with them. It'd been a while, and with her work schedule and time spent with her friends, she didn't see them as much as she used to.
She went upstairs, changing into more comfortable clothing before her cell rang. As soon as she saw the number, she stiffened, setting her jaw before answering it. It was now afternoon in Hong Kong.
“Hi, Mom!” she said, making herself sound cheerful as she sat on the bed. After a bit of chitchat, her mother turned their conversation in a more serious direction.
“How is the job?”
“Great. It's a fun job.”
“And your uncles?”
“Everything's good. Jackie's not here right now, but Elder Uncle is if you want to talk to him.”
“I already spoke with him this afternoon.”
Great, Jade held back a groan. “Well, Uncle invited me to play mahjong with him, so I'm going to head downstairs, and...”
“Have you been studying?”
“Yes.” It wasn't exactly a lie. Looking at the books her parents gave her for a few minutes counted as studying, right?
“Good. And you have been saving your money, yes?”
“Of course.” Since she didn't have to pay rent to Uncle, she was able to save most of her paychecks. There was food and some clothing, and a bit of entertainment, but so far she had been able to make a nice little nest egg for herself. Her parents wanted her to have money for herself, to prove responsibility. High school in China did not give her – or other students – much opportunity to earn money, since Chinese high schools, especially the better ones, were more intensive than American ones. How glad she was to be out of school! But not for long if she went back there...
“Good, good. Have you decided what you will be doing?”
You mean, have I picked out one of the careers and schools you want me to go to? She asked herself dryly. “No, Mom.” She thought about Jackie's encouragement for her to figure out what she wanted for herself. And Hsi Wu had done the same thing. “In fact, I don't feel ready to go to college this fall. I want to wait a year, and...”
“The colleges aren't going to wait for you!”
“I don't mean putting off college so I can do nothing. I want to continue working, so it's not as if I'd be fooling around. I'd still be working, you know...”
“You can work after college! This job at the museum... it's not a career!” Jade could hear the impatience in her mother's voice.
“That's what I like about it. To be honest, I don't want to be a doctor, I'm grossed out by the sight of blood, and being a lawyer isn't my cup of tea, either, and I think I'd be happier as a teacher or something like that, but I don't know yet and that's why I'm not ready for school...”
“Perhaps sending you to America for the summer was a mistake.” Mrs. Chan's voice was now cool with disapproval.
“No, it wasn't. It was what I needed.” She didn't want to think of what her summer would have been like in China, stuck with her parents' nagging and constant intrusions into her life...
“Jade, your father and I have worked hard to give you the best life we could!”
“I know. And I really appreciate it, I do. I know you want what is best for me, but I'm telling you, I'm not ready for college! Not now! I just finished high school, I've had enough of classes and studying! Give me a break!” She snapped into the phone without meaning to, feeling exasperated with her mother.
“Don't take that tone with me! I will be having a discussion with your father as soon as he gets home, and...”
“Fine.” Jade turned off the phone before her mother could say anything more. She stared down at it, wondering if Mom would try calling either one of her uncles. Whatever. Setting the phone down with a distinctive thump on her desk, she went downstairs. When she was younger, she hadn't enjoyed mahjong too much, but as she got older, her appreciation of the game grew. Even though Jackie wasn't here, they could still play the game with three people, though the rules had to be changed a bit to accommodate the number. Tohru seemed to sense her unease because she caught him glancing at her with concern. Deciding to test the waters, she looked at her elder uncle.
“You know that my parents expect me to go back to China this fall.”
“Yes.” Uncle raised an eyebrow.
“What if I don't want to go back?”
Uncle was silent for a few moments before he slowly nodded. “It is your decision, Jade. If you wish to stay here, we would be delighted to have you.”
“My parents won't like it.”
“You are an adult. When you first came here, you were rebellious and undisciplined...” As he said this, Jade gave out a faint, sheepish smile, “But you have grown up, and you are mature enough to make your decisions. I have opportunities here that I would not have had in China. So does Jackie.” He let out a slow sigh. He was proud of his Chinese heritage. China had a rich culture and history, but it was by no means perfect, and life was miserable for many. He had visited China several times since he left it, and some things had improved, commoners having more opportunity under the current government than they would have had in the time of Emperors. But he had left the country for a reason.
“We would be happy to sponsor you. Jackie tells me how well you are doing at the museum. If you think you would have a better life here...” He nodded slowly before turning his focus back to the tiles.
o0o0o0o
The talk with Uncle had encouraged her. So far her parents hadn't tried calling the shop, and she wondered if they had contacted Jackie. He hadn't said anything or called her, and Jade almost wished he had. After the fight with Mom last night, she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. If she refused to return to China, would her parents try to get the government involved?
If things had been different between her and her parents, she'd be willing to go back. But like so many other Chinese parents, especially well-to-do ones, her own had high expectations of her, and since she was their only child, they had put all of their expectations on her. She honestly didn't want to disappoint them, but at the same time they had their own expectations and wouldn't listen to her. Was it so unreasonable to want to wait to go to college? It was common for young adults in the United Kingdom and several other countries to take a 'gap year' after finishing secondary school and use it to travel abroad, get a job, or do volunteer work, though the practice was also frowned upon in other countries, including Japan and China.
Simone didn't want to go to college either, but her parents were fine with it, telling her that as long as she had a job and was able to support herself, she could do as she pleased.
But if I stay in America, my problems are solved. I already have a job and people willing to sponsor me I'm an adult! If I go back to China and do what my parents ask, I'll end up being burnt-out and depressed. Gee, I wonder what Mom and Dad would say about that. The young woman let out a quiet sigh before the microwave gave out a soft but firm 'ding', telling her that her lunch was ready.
Jade took out the plastic containers and set them on the table, inhaling the scent of the spices that Hsi Wu had used. She poked the food with a fork, thinking about the hurt she had seen in his face the previous evening.
It was bad enough that she worried about her relationship with her parents, now she had to worry about her uncles and a demon! If her uncles ever found out... Damn. She knew she couldn't keep it a secret from them forever, but how receptive would they be to the idea that the Sky Demon had no evil intentions and simply wanted to lead a normal life?
Furthermore, how would they react if they knew of the demon's interest in her? Even if 'Seymour' never revealed his Demon form to her family, she had the certainty that her uncles and Tohru would figure it out.
But more importantly... how did she feel about him? She enjoyed his company as a friend, and tried to keep that line firmly drawn. Despite her attempts to keep him at arms' length, she couldn't help but have a few fantasies about him. When he purred, it sent shivers up and down her spine. She would never forget the thrill she felt from his kisses, or his lust-filled gaze. What would it be like to have a Demon as a lover?
“Oh, hello, Jade!” a familiar voice said from her side. She looked up to see Mr. Weatherby, the museum's curator. He was a portly man in late middle-age, and the first time she met him, his demeanor had made her think of Santa Claus. He was a nice boss and obviously enjoyed his job.
“Hey.” She watched as he went to the coffeepot, pouring himself a cup.
“This morning's group has a lot of good feedback about you.” he said as he turned towards her.
“Uh... that's good to know.”
“It's a shame you won't be staying past the summer. The younger ones like you, especially.”
Jade smiled faintly. Though most of her groups were young adults or interested tourists, she did have a few summer-school groups of young kids. Remembering how easily bored she had been in school, she tailored her tour lectures to fit them, throwing in facts and trivia that she knew kids would find cool or interesting.
“I don't think I'll be going back to China.”
“Really?” Mr. Weatherby actually sounded pleased. “If you do decide to stay here, you can keep the job. We get a lot of school groups in the fall and winter.”
Jade regarded him with a grateful smile. Having a steady job – and a decent one at that – would help her case for applying for American citizenship. “Thanks. I appreciate it. If I stay in America, I'll definitely be here for the rest of the year.”
“Wonderful, wonderful. Hmm, your lunch smells good.” He regarded the food with interest. “Is that Chinese?”
“Yeah... kind of. A friend of mine made it, but he got creative with the traditional menu.”
“Well, enjoy it. I'll be in my office.”
As he left the breakroom, she looked down at the food, thinking of how easy it had been for her to refer to Hsi Wu as friend.
o0o0o0o
Jade went home immediately after work, hoping to talk to Tohru. Elder Uncle was wise and could be a good listener despite how cantankerous he could be at times. But what she wanted to talk about... Tohru would definitely be a better person to talk to. Simone encouraged her relationship with 'Seymour', and the Sky Demon got along pretty well with the young human female, treating her with respect.
She wasn't going to tell Tohru everything, but she wanted to test the waters, and the ex-sumo seemed to be the best place to start. He was usually calm, providing a good contrast to her uncles.
She found him in the back room, examining a few old manuscripts. Though his first language was Japanese, he had learned to read and speak Chinese fairly well under Uncle's tutelage, and she, in turn, had managed to learn some Japanese during her summers with him. After greeting him, she sat across the table from him.
“Tohru... could we talk?”
“Of course.” His eyes were on the papers, but she could tell he was listening. It was his way.
“I... met this boy.”
Tohru slowly raised his head to stare at her. It was the first time she had ever talked about a boy, she usually came to him with other problems. But he gave her an encouraging nod.
“He really likes me. He has said so several times. But I'm not sure how I feel about him.”
“How long has this been going on?”
“Almost a month.”
“Hmm. Why didn't you tell us?” His voice bore no scolding or criticism.
“Well, I didn't consider him a boyfriend or anything.” This much was truth. “I mean, we've had a few dinners together and whatever, but...” She shook her head.
“Perhaps you could bring him by sometime. But why are you so unsure of your feelings for him? Does he treat you well?”
“Yes, he does. I'm not worried about how he treats me, but he has made it very clear that he wants me, and it scares me, but it also thrills me a little.” Well, little wasn't quite the right word, but she didn't want to let on just how much her friend affected her.
“You're not leading him on, are you?”
“No, no. I don't tease him or anything like that. I know better. I'm not interested in... playing with someone's feelings. Part of me wants to break off the friendship. But I don't know how I feel about him.”
“Are you afraid?”
Jade let out a slow sigh. She was afraid of what Hsi Wu might do if she attempted to break off their friendship. But if she let him have her in the way he wanted... Talk about being between a rock and a hard place! “Yes.” she murmured, bowing her head. A large hand reached across the table, its warmth encompassing her own. She looked up and gave him a grateful smile, feeling reassured as she felt the gentle grip around her hand.
“Perhaps you should talk to him. See where he thinks your relationship will go, what he ultimately wants.”
Talking with Hsi Wu? Her eyes widened slightly at this idea. They had talked about plenty of things, but she had always skirted the subject of their relationship and his feelings for her.
“You're a genius!” she exclaimed softly. His lips upturned into a pleased smile, a rare thing to see on his usually solemn face.
o0o0o0o
With Tohru's advice on her mind, she felt more calm and confident now that she had a plan. She would talk to Hsi Wu and be blunt about it, and hopefully get a better understanding of her own feelings. She had feelings for him that she never felt for any of the other boys she dated – and some of them had been rather handsome or charming – and at times found herself wanting to respond to his desire.
After talking with Tohru, she retreated to her room and checked her phone for messages. Hsi Wu's number appeared in the display, along with her parents' and Simone's. She checked Simone's first, hearing a brief and cheery message about there being a concert on the beach this evening.
Sounds good to me, Jade thought. She would welcome the distraction, so she called her friend back. Simone picked up, and they chatted for a bit, confirming their rendezvous for the evening.
Next was the message her mother had left her, informing that she had a discussion with her father. Jade closed her eyes as she listened to her mother's voice, unconsciously stiffening and clenching her fists. But to her surprise, her mother's tone became pleasant after the first couple of sentences, insisting that she and Dad had never meant to make her feel pressured or uncomfortable, that they sincerely only wanted what was best for her. Jade was relieved that her mother wasn't trying to nag her, but she had a feeling that the matter hadn't been quite resolved – Mom and Dad wouldn't give in like that, not after all the talk and planning they did for their daughter. Well, we'll deal with that when the time comes, she thought.
Hsi Wu hadn't left a message, though the display showed that he had called twice this afternoon. She stared at her phone for several moments, knowing that she needed to be honest with him, though she dreaded what could become a confrontation.
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The Sky's the Limit