Xuan stared hard, heart pounding like it had during his first shadow trial back in the sect.
Cat sat opposite him, her tearstained eyes staring at him with a look that made him shudder - there wasn't just affection, it reflected feelings more intense, like she was seeing her whole world in his face.
Her dress was all rumpled from sitting on the floor, hair a bit messy with that flower clip tilting sideways.
"Cat, you okay?" he said carefully, keeping his voice steady.
She smiled, soft and dreamy. "You're here. I am happy now, why wouldn't I be ok?"
Xuan froze.
That smile.
A pretty girl smiling so beautifully should make any guy happy.
But this smile..Is she smiling at me like this? Or at someone else?
He stood up slowly, hands raised like he was trying not to spook a wild animal.
Cat rose with him, her dress swirling around her knees, hair falling like a curtain.
Xuan suddenly thought that Cat looked... different in that dress.
Older.
More like the girl in the vision.
Her gaze and her smile didn't match the energetic 13yr old girl he knew.
She stepped closer, eyes locked on his. "Lian- no, Xuan... I, I like you.. I"
Xuan backed up a step.
The moment Cat changed the name - from Lian to Xuan, he had felt a change in her aura.
Yin Sha? Is this really a true strand of Yin Sha from the pendant?
The pendant's energy-ancient, sorrowful- must have retained a spirit. Ghost spirits, yin sha, lingering attachments from the dead, they can cling to the living, twisting emotions, even possessing a weaker human.
The bakeneko's necromantic qi likely amplified it, pulling the spirits faster from the jade's depths.
He should have anticipated- too focused on finding the spirit and learning the truth about the jade pendant, he had forgotten that he was now in a secular world and people near him weren't Xiuxian experts who could protect themselves from Yin energies.
"Cat. This is not you. Wake up."
She leaned in, face inches from his, breath warm. "Why are you saying this? Don't you like me too?"
Xuan's mind raced.
Should I just knock her out?
Cat reached out, fingers brushing his cheek,
"Lian, no Xuan..Please. I like you, don't you like me too?"
He caught her wrists gently but firmly. "Cat. Stop. Don't say such things. You don't mean it."
Her eyes softened even more, like she hadn't heard.
"No, this is real. I like you, I think i love you.."
Before Xuan could fully channel qi to clear her meridians, she jumped forward, wrapping her arms around his neck. The momentum caught him off-balance-they tumbled sideways onto his bed.
Cat landed on top, hair falling like a curtain over them. Xuan felt a shock - he had never been this close to a woman ever.
His head buzzed and it took him a moment to clear his head. Before he could gently push Cat away, she had slowly leaned in and she lightly pressed her lips against Xuan's.
The door banged open.
Ethan stood there, face twisting from confusion to fury in a heartbeat. "What the-? Xuan, you jerk!"
He lunged, grabbing Cat's arm to pull her away. "Cat, get off him!"
Cat didn't respond, just leaned in closer to Xuan like she didn't want to leave him.
Xuan tried to sit up, still holding Cat's wrists to keep her from getting closer. "Ethan, listen-"
Ethan's free hand balled into a fist, swinging wild at Xuan's shoulder.
"You asshole! I knew it! Looking like you're a saint and all and like.. did you drug her?"
Xuan barely felt the punch; he also realized how it may look to anyone else. Cat was looking a bit off.
How to explain!
Unexpectedly before an enraged Ethan could land another punch or push, Yao Yao-the bakeneko-leaped, claws flashing and raked Ethan's arm.
Ethan yelped, staggering back.
"Ow! What the hell? That stupid cat attacked me!"
Yao Yao hissed at Ethan and walked back to the pendant.
Taking advantage of Ethan's distraction - he was now busy moaning about the scratches on his arms, Xuan tried to push Cat gently aside.
It looks like Yao Yao's movements also affected Cat, she was now looking a bit disoriented and shook her head softly.
Xuan sighed and turned to Ethan who was now glaring at him.
"Ethan. Listen."
Ethan clutched his scratched arm, glaring.
"Listen? To what? I walk in and..and.. and you tell me why she is looking like she is high on something? And you even drugged that cat? I feed her all the time and she just scratched me..."
Xuan sighed again.
"First off- remember what you saw. Cat wasn't under me, I was under the girl. I wasn't doing anything, I was trying to make sure she doesn't do anything. Got that? As for why this happened - you could kinda say it's something like a spirit effect. You have seen enough ghost stories and all to understand what I am saying right?."
Ethan blinked,"Spirits? Like... possession? You're saying she's haunted or something? Haha what a joke"
Although Ethan tried to laugh, his worried eyes looked around and he was now sneakily edging towards the door.
Xuan sighed again- this was a night for sighing!
"Something like that and not a joke. Its like this - this pendant has something inside, a memory or more. Cat became affected by it and kinda acted based on that. Remember that episode from that oldie sit-com you made me watch? Friends or something? Where that girl called Phoebe had a spirit inside her who made her speak and do things in certain ways? Something like that.."
Ethan looked at Cat, who was now sitting on the bed with head on her hands. She was listening but she stayed silent.
"But what I saw.. hey did that spirit make her kiss you? Did that spirit want to kiss you? Like is that spirit after you?"
Xuan wanted to roll his eyes but replied with patience, "Second off - Nothing happened here that should make you go all angry as you did. As for whether it was a kiss or an accidental touch, I leave it for Cat to explain- I am not going to discuss on that topic. And thirdly, Dude, as much as you may misunderstand me, what did I do to make you think that I will waste my time and energy to train a cat to scratch you on command? "
Ethan rubbed his arm, wincing at the scratches. "Okay okay, I was all shook alright? And that's scratch hurt like hell."
Yao Yao mewed innocently, tail curling.
Xuan: "And your punch wasn't meant to hurt me I suppose..."
Ethan huffed, deflating a bit, "Fine. I am sorry! But come on anyone Walking in would have freaked forget me, think of what could have happened if Mom had walked in! She may not buy your spirit story!"
Xuan: "I'm not selling anything here. It is what it is."
He then turned to Cat- she was now silently staring at him, her eyes a bit dull. Channeling a thread of qi into her meridians,-gentle, clearing, Xuan slowly spoke,
"Wake fully, friend."
Cat suddenly gasped, eyes clearing like a fog lifting. She looked around-bed, Xuan standing, Ethan at the door with scratches on his arm, Yao Yao watching. It felt like she just woke up from a deep sleep. She tried to remember what happened and got some glimpses.
"What... happened? I...Ethan, why are you looking at me like that?"
Ethan shifted awkwardly, face still red. "Uh... Okay, not gonna hide.. when I walked in earlier, you were on top of Xuan and.. umm.. you kissed the guy okay?"
Cat's face went scarlet, she didn't dare to turn to look at Xuan,
"I what? No way. Why why..."
Xuan nodded. "Well you did kiss me but please treat it as an accident. You didn't mean it, you were under a spirit influence. It's my mistake, I shouldn't have allowed you inside the circle, you don't have all the protections against a spirit invasion."
Cat stood up, " I..I.. spirits? Are there spirits on me now?"
Xuan: "No.. it is not like that, it's not like a ghost haunting. Dont worry, it's nothing harmful to you. In fact, I think the spirit in the pendant has some affinity with you, so it definitely won't harm you."
Ethan cleared his throat, "Well, I think it's all done here right? Cat, I will walk you to your home?"
Cat glanced at him, confused. "Ethan, wait, I need to speak with Xuan about - hey, why is your arm bleeding?"
Ethan forced a smile.
"It's nothing.. Okay, I'll wait outside then. Come soon, I'll walk you back home okay?"
He left unwillingly, the door clicking shut.
Now that she was alone with him, Cat felt something.. something different than how she felt about Xuan just yesterday.
She looked at him with some shyness,
"Umm.. I heard you both talk. Sooo..looks like something happened that wasn't under my control?"
Xuan looked serious and nodded. "Yes. What you in West call Metaphysics or Mysticism I think? It's not for everyone and it can affect people. And I can't take that risk here with you, when I don't have the support of my sect. So, the sessions end here. With the Bakaneko here, I should finish my analysis soon."
Cat frowned. "But... you need me here, right? Didn't you say since it belonged to me, my presence can help?"
Xuan: "That was the case - if it was just a magical artifact. I originally thought it was just that. But now? It seems to have some memory imprint or a spirit message. Even if it's from an ancestor of yours, it can be damaging for you. Ghost energy doesn't fit with humans. "
Cat's eyes widened. "But then.. you will be alone? Isn't that risky for you?"
Xuan smiled at that.
Risky? This is risky to him, who had gone on missions in dangerous parts of mountains when he was just 7? He had once fought and won against a Ghost general in a swamp near the black borders- what is a yin Sha presence to him?
Cat felt hit by that rare sudden smile.
Why do I feel like he is so handsome, like he is the most handsome man I have ever seen when he smiles like that? I clearly have a crush on guys who look way different than this guy. Am I suddenly crushing on an Asian guy cos am now in this place with so many Asians? Cos I have been bingeing on those idol shows and animes with Jieun?
Xuan spoke up,"I'll manage. If I can't break the Yin Sha - I meant the imprint, I'll take it to my sect after getting your ok. Nothing to worry."
Cat looked down, suddenly feeling depressed about not seeing Xuan like this anymore. Although she didn't care for it at first, now- now she really liked being with this guy.
Even if all they did was sit in silence.
"Okay. But... the sessions were kinda great. Just sitting here, watching the colors, being... with you. It was peaceful. Nice."
Xuan tilted his head. "Colors? What colors??"
Cat tried to explain, "I can't fully explain. It's like I was seeing a nice Aurora effect? But different. With more beautiful colors. And you were within it and it was - peaceful? It.. it felt familiar and I, I don't know why."
Cat flushed, seeing Xuan's confused and worried look,
"I'm not kidding. It was really nice. And also it felt like I could sleep better after that. And I felt happier. So I'll miss you- I mean I will miss this time. So maybe I can just be in the room? Even if I stay away from that circle?"
Xuan paused, processing. "That you can see those colors, it does show some talent. But here, in this world you live, it may not matter much. Soon best forget it. And no, I really can't risk it anymore."
Cat felt like her mind was in a jumble, it was like something within her didn't really want to miss this special time with him.
In her anxiety, she suddenly spoke up,
"Wait.. there is also.. Xuan, that kiss, it wasn't some spirit, I actually like you. I, I have had a crush on you for sometime. I think may be even from the first time I saw you. Your serious look, your calmness - I, I really like you. So.. I mean.."
Xuan's face was now expressionless. It broke Cat's thoughts and she stopped, feeling some shame and confusion.
Xuan sighed and then shook his head.
"I am not someone you like or should ever like. I missed these signs earlier and that's my fault, I'll prepare a talisman to help your mind and thoughts to recover. And before you speak, do you remember that you called out another name out with much emotion?"
Cat looked stunned, a rush of memories suddenly flowing - visions of a man with long hair, his kisses on the pregnant belly of a girl, his smiles, his face suddenly merging with Xuan.
Did I really fall for a guy I may never meet? A guy who doesn't even exist? But no, I like this guy in front of me.
Right?
"No..no..you..you're wrong. I think I got confused and said another name because.. because that guy, Lian I think? He looks like you..just like you. So when I got those visions, may be I mixed up the names. But my feelings for you are real."
Xuan looked at the door and spoke softly, "Cat, please leave. Just wait, give me time to prepare a talisman for you. And I'll also not come before you till you get better- don't worry, I have my ways. Like that saying goes, out of sight out of mind. So -go home and rest."
Cat didn't know what to feel now. Anger for how calmly this guy was dismissing her first confession?
Shame for how logically he pointed out that her feelings may be fake?
Suddenly anger trumped and she moved close in a flash and grabbed the front of his shirt before Xuan could move back.
"You say my feelings are not real? Okay, but why don't we try it out? I, I am pretty enough. Why don't we try dating a bit and see?"
Xuan looked at her, unmoved by her passionate speech,
"You're pretty but I have no feelings for you or any other girl here beyond the feeling of being part of a community."
Cat released him, hurt flashing across her face. "I see. Thanks for making that clear."
Xuan nodded, "I am glad you understand. I will send the talisman with Ethan once it's ready. Till then stay safe. "
Cat's shoulders slumped.
No feelings.
No interest at all.
So.. guys whom I rejected, is this how they also felt?
"Fine. Do your thing. I'm out."
She ran from the room, door slamming.
Ethan, lurking outside, heard it all.
Hurt twisted-Cat liked Xuan?
But Xuan rejected her like it was nothing.
What an Icebox.
Then he remembered that cheesy scene from a movie his mom made them watch a week back- guy comforts girl after heartbreak, stays by her side as a friend and later wins her over.
A sneaky smile crept up on his face.
Back in his room, Xuan sat back after cleaning up and searched Google: "herbal shops Markham," "jade supplies Toronto."
He needed the Talisman materials: cinnabar, rice paper, ink.
It'd be more effective if he had the inkstone to grind and get a spirit ink.
But here, whatever that is available has to work.
He didn't think too much about Cat or her confession, after all this may be something he should be prepared to face in future too, in case another girl confesses. Before he left the sect mountain, his Master had sealed his heart with a secret technique -Ice Heart Wall seal. It blocked emotions that would derail his cultivation.
As he lay down to sleep after performing the Jade Soothing Sleep ritual for cultivation through dreams, Cat's tear stained face flashed in his mind for a second.
Xuan felt irritated with himself and closed his eyes determined to erase any stray thoughts.