DOW Universe. 115 Days. According to Rai at the end of Chapter 20, That's how long Rai has been one of the good guys. A lot can happen in that space of time and, in Rai's case, a lot has here are some of the previously untold stories.

Author's Note: As an Author there is a balance that must be maintained when doing the pace of the story between taking the time to develop the characters and having the story progress fast enough to keep the readers interest.

In the interest of moving the story along, I had to drop scenes, side stories and interactions that either didn't add to the plot or I thought of after posting and it would no longer make sense to add in later chapters.

In keeping the story focused on the core plot it has meant that certain interactions with team mates & allies, the conflicts & showdowns with a range of villains and the generally wackiness that comes with a demon living in the Xiaolin Temple hasn't been given a chance to shine. Well now is that time.

This is a "Slice of life" look at the things that happened between chapters, 100% canon, guaranteed to focus on the parts that main story missed.

There's not going to be any real rule on length, the chapters will be long enough to tell the story it is telling meaning that some chapters will naturally be longer than others. (And before anyone says anything yes this chapter is very short even by my standards but its just the introduction so don't expect it to be the benchmark).

To start things off I will begin with a short incident set the day after it is decided by Master Fung that Rai will be helping the Wudai Warriors to collect Wu (Chapter 15).

Xiaolin Surprise

Clay walked into the kitchen to find Rai with his head in the pantry. Clay tapped the side of the pantry door to get Rai's attention. "Hey Rai, its almost time to start getting lunch ready so I wouldn't starting snacking if I were you."

Rai pulled himself out of the pantry, "Well you're not me and its probably best that I get my food and go so I'm not in your way as you guys get your lunch."

Clay scratched his head irritably, since the incident over week ago involving a chopstick and a table Rai had still been refusing to eat meals with them. Rai might not have been starving and there was still enough food left for everyone but Clay felt that now was the time to draw the line. "Look Rai I'm going to be straight up with ya so hows about we ditch the 'misunderstood demon' routine and do this man to man?"

Rai raised an eyebrow but still straightened up. "I'm listening."

"Look Rai, ya might think that yer the only one taking the risk by being here but the truth is we're taking a risk as well by letting ya stay here. It's got nothing to do with ya being what ya are and everything to do with the fact that we've let people stay at the temple before and it has come back to bite us."

"Yes I kinda got that from the 'hurt Kimiko and I'll hurt you worse' speech you gave me not to long ago." Rai replied, "I thought we were past that."

"We are in some sense," Clay answered, "but now yer hunting Wu with us and trusting ya with staying here and trusting ya to have my back on the field are two different things."

"I see and how do I gain your trust in that sense?"

"Well ya start by eating with us. Us Wudai Warriors learned to work together and trust each other by training together, eating together, doing chores together and living together. We all got our quirks and alone times that need to be respected but unless ya try to be a part of this team in all aspects you won't have a place in any aspect."

Rai stared at Clay for a moment, processing what the big boned individual was saying. Finally Rai smirked slightly, "You know Clay, you're right. In fact you're so right I'll do you one better." he said. "I'll not only attend lunch with you guys today, I'll make lunch myself."

"Well that would be awfully decent of you," Clay answered, slightly taken aback, "but you don't have to go to such lengths."

"No no, it's not a problem," Rai insisted, "Back in the Heylin days I had to do most of the cooking and cleaning so it's nothing new for me. Besides it will give me chance to treat you guys to my specialty; Heylin Surprise."

Clay stared at Rai nervously, "Err...what's the surprise?"

"Don't know yet, it all depends on what you guys have stocked." Rai answered, "You see, hiding out with Wuya meant that you couldn't rely on getting the same food ingredients all the time so I invented Heylin Surprise, a delicious, well balanced meal that could be changed to suit whatever ingredients were available." Clay continued to stare at Rai, "don't worry; I only use fresh and edible ingredients in my Heylin Surprise. It will be good I promise."

After being assured of that, Clay rubbed his hands together. "Well in that case, I can't wait."

--

"So you have no clue what Rai is cooking?" Kimiko asked.

"As I told you," Clay repeated, "Rai calls it Heylin Surprise. Besides, the morning after he turned back to flesh and blood proved that he has at least some talent with a cooking tool."

"Indeed, if that soup was any indication of his prowess as a cook, this will indeed be a treat." Master Fung said.

"It is also a treat to have you join us for lunch, Master Fung" Omi said.

"I would not miss the chance to try some more of Rai's cooking and Rai assured me that there would be plenty."

At that moment, the Master Fung and the three Wudai Warriors were waiting at the lunch table for Rai to bring in lunch. They didn't have to wait long until Rai came in with a tray carrying five big bowls of steaming, delicious smelling food.

"Lady and Gentlemen prepare yourself for my specialty; newly renamed 'Xiaolin Surprise' served on a bed of noodles." Rai served out a bowl to each guest and then sat down with his own. "Let's go XIAOLIN CHOWDOWN!!"

Following Rai's command, everyone started to eat happily at their food.

"Wow Rai this is really good." Kimiko said.

"Indeed, it would appear that you have a talent." Master Fung complemented.

"Well half the battle is getting good ingredients and you guys sure have that in excess," Rai said, "I've never found monkey meat this tender before."

Kimiko, Omi and Master Fung stopped partway through lifting food to their mouths. Master Fung was the one brave enough to ask, "Did you say 'monkey meat'?"

"Yeah I did," Rai answered, "I was going to go with it being vegetarian but then I saw this lazy monkey sleeping in a tree with its eyes covered. If that's not a sign it was meant to be eaten I don't know what. Plus it was wearing a sleeping mask so I'm like sweet! Free prize with your food." Rai stopped and looked down at the table. "Snap, I forgot the salad and egg rolls, I'll be back."

Master Fung, Omi and Kimiko sat there unable to speak until they heard Clay let out a burp. They turned and saw that Clay had not only eaten everything in his bowl but had also licked it clean. "Well I've got to say, that Rai knows how to cook good monkey. Hey, anyone not going to finish their serving?" He promptly went starry eye when three partially eaten bowls were pushed in front of him. "Letting Rai cook lunch was the greatest idea ever!!"