A/N: okay it's my first proper Xiaolin showdown fan fiction in ages so I hope you enjoy (: I've actually had the idea for this one for ages so its nice to finally write it. Please review!
"Happy Birthday Raimundo!"
Raimundo's eyes flickered slowly open, as his vision adjusted into focus; he looked up to see the faces of his best friends and fellow Xiaolin warriors. He sat up from his bed, a grin stretching across his tanned face.
"Um, morning guys, what time is it?" he asked, noticing that everyone already washed and dressed.
"Ten o'clock, you been sleeping like a dormouse in a sack of feathers partner." The blonde dragon of earth, Clay, informed him. Raimundo rubbed his eyes; he couldn't remember the last time he had been allowed to get up so late.
"I told the other monks to let you lay in Raimundo, as a birthday treat, but I don't think they could wait much longer to give you their gifts," Master Fung told him, with a warm smile. At his words, Clay, Omi, Kimiko and Dojo all drew a gift from behind their backs, piling them up in hands.
"Thanks guys! This is great!" Raimundo said, his voice slightly breathless from surprise and happiness. Omi jumped up in front of his face proudly.
"Of course, I know that you will find my gift the greatest of all, right Raimundo?"
"Why don't you let him open them first Omi?" Kimiko suggested, an amused look on her face.
"Oh yes, very wise Kimiko." Omi agreed.
Raimundo at once began tearing open the presents, his face now beaming as he opened a brand new iPod from Kimiko, ("Courtesy of my Papa. It's not out in stores for another month"), a hand-carved model of the four Xiaolin warriors from Clay, a large slab of chocolate from Dojo and a huge, signed portrait of Omi, from Omi. Raimundo looked at his gifts fondly,
"Thank you so much guys, I...I really don't know what to say." His fellow monks smiled in acknowledgement.
"Raimundo, why don't you get dressed and ready, then come into the courtyard, I also have a surprise for you," Master Fung said, leading the others out of the room.
Half an hour later, they were all gathered in the courtyard; the sun beating down from the cloudless sky making everywhere look clear and beautiful. Dojo had transformed himself into his bigger size. The Xiaolin warriors looked at Master Fung questioningly.
"I have made arrangements with Raimundo's family, the four of you and Dojo will be going to stay with them for a few days." He explained. Raimundo's bright green eyes started to glisten.
"For real? This is the greatest present ever Master Fung! I haven't seen them for so long!" He said, his voice nearly incoherent from the pure joy.
"What? You mean...it is even better than mine?" Omi asked, a disgruntled look on his face.
"Come on kids, they're expecting us soon, its time to get a move on!" Dojo interrupted. Raimundo gave Master Fung another 'thank you' and clambered excitedly onto Dojo.
"So Rai, tell us about your family. What are they like?" Kimiko asked.
"Oh they're great. You're going to love them. My mum and dad, and all my aunts and uncles, all work together in our circus; everyone in the family has an act."
"A circus?" Omi said, a confused look on his face
"It's like a show, but under a big tent, with lots of acrobatics and things like that," Kimiko explained
"Ooh I would very much like to see a show in a tent!"
"Well kid you haven't got long to wait, that's Brazil down there," Dojo told them.
A wide smile spread across Raimundo's face, Clay and Kimiko put a hand on his shoulders, sharing his excitement, while Omi stared down intently, his mind full of speculation on circuses. The started to feel the clouds rush past them as Dojo made his descent, none of them fazed by the thick moisture clinging to their hair, all waiting for the first glimpse of Raimundo's family. The broke through the clouds, revealing a vast city with stretches of towns, all leading to the huge white beach with its turquoise waves. The sun shone down, lighting the whole place with intense heat. They finally reached the ground where a large group of people ran forward to meet them. The Pedrosas.
Raimundo ran forward, embracing a middle aged couple at the front. "Mama! Papa!" Raimundo's mother, a slim, tall beautiful woman with long dark brown hair which flowed in soft waves down her back smiled warmly.
"Raimundo, it's so lovely to see you again" she said in a soft Brazilian accent. "And these must be your friends! You must introduce us all!"
Raimundo nodded and let go of his parents. He beckoned his fellow dragons over and pointed out Omi, Kimiko, Dojo and Clay.
"Pleasure to meet you ma'am, are you going to introduce us to the rest of your family Rai?" Clay said politely. This time Raimundo turned to the vast crowd of his family.
"This is my mama and my Papa. And these are my brothers and sisters; Fernando, Iara, Yaritza, Enrique, Sophia, Fernando, Antonio and Davi. And over there are my aunts and uncles."
"That's one big family you got there Rai" Dojo commented
"Yeah, are you sure there's going to be enough room for us?" Kimiko asked.
Raimundo's mum nodded;
"Don't worry, we got Enrique to put up the spare tent for you to sleep in" She explained.
Before Kimiko could reply, Omi jumped up in front of Raimundo's parents,
"Ooh pleeeaaase let me see your circus; I have never seen one before!"
"You've never seen a circus?" Raimundo's dad asked, sounding surprised.
"No! You must teach me all your techniques, do not fear; as the greatest of all Xiaolin warriors I shall surely pass with floating rainbows!"
The crowd fell silent, all eyes staring in confusion at Omi.
"Dude...what did he just say?" one of Raimundo's brothers asked
"I think he's going for 'pass with flying colours'" Clay suggested
"Omi here isn't very good with slang, as you can probably tell," Dojo told the Pedrosa's.
"So I see," Raimundo's brother said laughing.
"Don't be rude Enrique," Raimundo's mum said, glaring at him, "For that, you can give Raimundo's friends a tour of the circus."
Enrique nodded and began to walk forward.
"C'mon guys. Follow me."
"So, the Xiaolin warriors are visiting their leader's family..." Wuya commented, looking into Jack's computer screen.
"Um yeah, and what's that got to do with us?" Jack asked, still confused why Wuya had suddenly decided to visit. Though by now, he was getting used to evil villains breaking into his house...
"I believe we can make this work to our advantage," Wuya told him.
"Oh yeah. That's what I thought. How?"
Wuya gave a low laugh.
"All in good time Jack, all in good time."
