Disclaimer: I do not own Xiaolin Showdown
A/N: Welcome to my first Xiaolin Showdown story! Just a warning, there is possible pre-slash in this, it's still in debt though.
Desirable
Prologue: The New Master
"Those look painful."
Jack Evil Boy Genius Spicer, let out a shriek, dropping the roll of bandages as he whirled around, "Who are you?" He demanded, pressing back against the sink. Ruby red eyes going wide when he took noticed of the size of the stranger that had somehow manage to get pass his security, and into his house standing in his bathroom doorway.
"Hmm, let's get you cleaned up first, then we'll talk." Said the stranger.
"No, tell me who you are now, or else." Jack demanded.
Jack wasn't sure what that "else" would be, or if it would be effective against this person….or whatever they are. His time searching, and finding the Wu had taught him to very cautious, especially when it came to random strangers popping up in his house. The teenager tensed when the man moved from the doorway, and toward him, the man stopped, bent down and picked up the dropped bandages.
"My name is Huizhong," said the man, then to Jack's surprise; took the teen's hand and placed a kiss on his bruised knuckles. "A pleasure."
Jack's cheeks turn red, and warm, and he pulled his hand away. Chuckling, Huizhong handed the boy the bandages.
"And since I know who you are, we've finished the introductions, and now can attend to those injuries."
Jack went tense again, "I got it."
Huizhong stared at him, before he nodded. "I'll be in the kitchen."
And he left, leaving Jack to stare at the empty space.
~.~
Huizhong was indeed in the kitchen when Jack had finished bandaging, and changing his clothes. The teen had rushed, uncomfortable with an unknown in his house. Jack stood there watching the man sip on whatever it was that he had made, taking him in.
Huizhong was huge.
Jack was sure he was well over 6ft, wide shoulders, muscular chest, and muscles. Caramel brown skin, shaggy back hair, and despite his name, the man's features were of European descent. Then there were his intense forest green eyes that sent a shiver down the boy's back when they looked his way.
They were dangerous.
Huizhong tilted his head just so, before he smiled.
Jack was surprise how soft, and warm it was.
"I have a proposal for you Mr. Spicer."
Jack raised a brow.
"I'm in want of an apprentice, and I want you."
That was shocking…unbelievably so.
"That's flattering and all, but maybe you should explain just who the hell are you."
"Yes, I suppose I should," Huizhong chuckled, "tell you what, use that lovely brain of yours to figure it out. I'll be back in a week."
And then, he was just gone, cup left behind.
"…..Well, guess that's my first clue."
~.~
Huizhong, apparently was immortal, and older then Chase Young if Jack research was to be believed. And his research was never wrong, he was obviously a master in some kind of magic, and most likely in Martial Arts (honestly, everyone but Jack was trained in Martial Arts). The only thing Jack couldn't find out was how strong Huizhong was, or what side he was on, there is no mention of him anywhere in that regard. Jack could assume he was on the Heylin side, considering he wanted the teen for an apprentice, but the genius knew better to assume.
The next problem would be whether, or not he wanted to be this man's apprentice. In all honesty, it would benefit him greatly to finally learn more then what he knew, especially from someone actually willing to do so. And while he wanted the one training him to be Chase, Jack knew better then to look a horse in the mouth. Still…
It was too good to be true.
After all this time, someone wanted to train him.
"There has to be a catch."
"No catch, well not too big of one."
Huizhong watched amused as the boy shrieked and flailed, grinning when Jack turned to glare at him. "I have a front door, and doorbell!"
"But this is much more fun," Huizhong grinned.
Jack grumbled, and picked up the wrench he had dropped. He then turned his attention to Huizhong who had taken to walking around in his lab. The man wasn't touching anything, merely humming some kind of tone, Jack watched him; trying to figure out what the man's angle was.
"Here's the thing," Huizhong finally said staring at a hovering Jackbot, "in terms of who side I'm on in this battle you're currently fighting. I'm on neither, a grey if you really want to put a label, or something on it."
"And what does that mean, exactly?"
"It means I basically make a choice depending on the situation."
"And what does that mean for me if I say yes?"
Huizhong poked the robot, and it beeped at him, Jack hadn't fixed the voice box yet. "What indeed," Huizhong hummed, "that, Jack, is actually up to you. Here's the deal, give me six months to train you, afterwards, I'll give you a test. If you fail, you can end your apprenticeship."
"And if I succeed?"
"Then I would have done my job."
"…..But why me?"
"I've been watching you for a while, and while others see you as a lost cause, and not worth the time." Huizhong paused when Jack flinched, and the teen's eyes flickered with hurt. Understanding, and not happy about it, he continued. "I feel differently, I feel as though you'll be better, that you'll flourish by my side. And become someone powerful and worthy of whatever fate and destiny have planned."
"…..That's—"
"Hard to believe?"
Jack nodded.
"From what I've observed, I can see why. However, you're going have to believe and trust me, if only a little."
"What if I say no?"
"Then you say no" Huizhong shrugged, "I will not train an unwilling student, if you say no. Then you say no, I bother you no more, and we both get on with our lives."
And perhaps, that is what did it.
If he said no, then Jack will be just as he was. Coming home to an empty house, with empty hands. Nothing gained but bruises, cracked pride and an emotional vulnerability that was probably too late to fix.
He didn't want to do that anymore.
"…Six months?"
"Six months."
