Chapter 3: Seeing Jo

The next day, Musaki went out on the twon with Shifu to search for Christmas presents. They walked around through every store and Musaki sees everyone around getting into the holiday spirit, just people being happy and content all the time.

Shifu sees Musaki looking at all the people and smiled at him and said, "Everyone else is getting into the holiday spirit. It's almost gotten into you, I see."

"I can understand everyone being happy all the time, but how come they're always happy on the holidays?" asked Musaki.

"That's how everyone is. You're gonna get a dose of what Christmas is like for us."

"Like...what?"

Shifu sighed and said, "You have so much to learn."

Soon, they went to a store where they have so much gifts and whatnot to get. Shifu looked at Musaki and said, "I come here every holiday season to get some presents for the Five and one year, I ended up giving one to Po."

"What did you give him?"

"A Furious Five comice book."

"They actually have one of those?"

"When I gave that one to Po, he was overfilled with joy. Precisely, he hugged my neck too hard."

"No! Really?"

"Yes, really. I felt like I couldn't choke for days."

"But at least it made your day, right?"

"Not really. To this day, I still regretted ever getting that present for Po."

Musaki chuckled softly and they both decided to split up and get some presents for everyone else in the palace. Musaki thought about getting him a new flute for christmas as a token of his appreciation for taking him in and feeling like he's part of a family. That and his love of flutes. He looked at every types of wood-carved flutes that he could think of and he saw this golden-wooden carved flute that he's hoping that will interest him.

He picked it up, looked at it and said, "I'm hoping Shifu will like this one."

"You think so?"

Musaki got startled and then, looked behind and it was Jo. He chuckled and said, "Dude, you scared me."

"Did I? Sorry about that."

"It's cool. What are you doing here?"

"Just looking around and such. I saw you and Shifu walking in and I thought that I could run into you."

"I think you've picked the right choice."

"So, what are you doing?"

"Don't tell anyone, but I'm getting Shifu a christmas present."

"You are?"

"Yep. I know he likes flutes and I'm thinking about getting one for him."

"That's amazing."

"Hello, sir. Can I help you?"

Musaki looked up and said, "I got this golden flute here. It's for someone I know for a christmas present."

The clerk looked at it and said, "You want this thing, right?"

"Yep."

"Follow me."

Soner or later, Musaki followed the clerk and Jo was left looking at other stuff as well. Few minutes later, Musaki bought the flute and saw Jo looking around and knew that there was something he needed to ask him. He caught up with Jo and said, "Hey, Jo!"

"Hey, Musaki. Did you get Shifu's present?"

"Yep, I did."

"Great."

"Before I forget, are you going anywhere this week?"

"Well, I actually have nowhere else to go."

"Really? Well, I was sorta wondering that..."

"Musaki. There you are. I thought I had heard--"

As soon as Shifu walked in, he paused and got completely surprised that Jo was standing there. Jo chuckled and said, "Hey, Shifu."

"Jo! How are you?"

"Doing good. What about yourself?"

"The same."

"I see you've met Musaki."

"Yeah, we met yesterday."

"Listen, have you anyplace to go this holiday season?"

"Not really."

"I was about to ask him if he could come spend the holidays with us." Musaki said.

"Oh, yes. You think you can spend the holidays with us, if you want to?"

"With you guys? In the Jade Palace? I would love to stay with you guys!" Jo answered.

"Great!"

"Think you can meet us there?"

"You mean, now?"

"Of course. It will definitely get the chance for you two to bond with each other."

"Yeah, it will be so awesome!" Musaki exclaimed.

"Can you let everyone else know that I'm coming?" Jo asked.

"I'll surprise them."

Jo smiled and said, "I think everyone would like that, especially Po."

"Po's like a big brother to me."

"I feel the same way also." Musaki said.

"Then, it's settled. You meet us at the Jade Palace as soon as possible."

"Sure thing. See you then."

A few hours later, Shifu waited around the front of the palace to wait for Jo to arrive and Musaki came in behind. He asked, "Waiting for Jo?"

"Of course. I can't wait to see the look on my students' faces when they see him." Shifu said.

"How do they think they'll react?"

"I'm pretty sure that they'll be surprised."

Seconds later, Musaki saw a small figure coming up the stairs and when he got closer, he saw Jo climbing there with his bags. He came down the stairs and asked, "Need some help?"

"Big time. How do you guys have so many stairs?" asked Jo.

"I was asking myself the same question."

Musaki grabbed most of Jo's bags and he followed him to the stairs and when they got to the top, Jo saw a very content, yet happy Shifu standing up there. He chuckled and said, "Glad you could make it."

"Glad I did too."

Jo looked around and sees everything there. He chuckled and said, "Hasn't changed much."

"Everything's been the same since you left."

"So, where's everyone else?"

"Probably in the bunkhouse." Musaki said.

"Maybe in the kitchen." Shifu said.

When they entered the kitchen, Shifu cleared his throat and got everyone's attention. He said, "We have a guest that's staying with us for the holidays."

"What would that guest be, master?" asked Tigress.

"Musaki!"

"Coming!"

In comes Musaki, carrying Jo's stuff and most of the Five didn't expect Musaki to be the visitor. Tigress looked confused and asked, "That's your visitor? He lives here, master."

"We know that, Tigress."

"But, that's not me, ya know. This is the real visitor."

Jo entered the kitchen and looked kinda shy. He chuckled softly and said, "Hi, guys. Remember me?"

Everyone gasped in shock and couldn't believe that Jo was here for the holidays. Most of them were completely excited that he's here and they were bursting with joy and surprise. Viper, Mantis, Crane and Monkey came to him and gave him plenty of hugs and hellos.

"How have you been, Jo?" asked Viper.

"Just fine. What about you guys?"

"The same." Crane said.

"I see you haven't grown a bit last time I saw you, little man." Mantis said.

Jo chuckles and said, "Look who's talking. You haven't grown a few inches."

They both laughed at each other and Mantis smiled and told him, "It's great having you here for the holidays."

"So am I."

"We missed having you around." Monkey said.

"So did I."

Then, Jo looks at Tigress and got nervous to ask her. He said, "Did you miss me, Tigress?"

Tigress looked at him and said, "Good question. I'd say I missed you the slightest. So, when are you gonna leave?"

"Tigress!" Shifu exclaimed.

"It's okay. Just until the holidays are over."

Musaki rolled his eyes and said, "I don't read s' mind--especially Tigress'--but I think she missed you a lot."

"Well, I wouldn't say I missed you, but I kinda did."

"She's lying through her teeth now."

"I heard that!"

"I'll take that as a comment."

"Okay, you two."

"Don't pay her any mind. She missed you." Viper said.

"Hey, guys. What's going on?"

All of a sudden, Po walks in and then, he sees Jo standing there. Po widened his eyes and said, "Is this a dream?"

"Hey, Po."

"JO!!!"

Po carried him quickly and gave him a big noogie and a hug, which made his choke tightened. He said, "I missed you, little buddy!"

"I missed you, too. Can you let go of me? You're crushing me."

"Sorry."

Po lets him go, and lets out an embrassed chuckle. Jo sighs and said, "How have you been?"

"Doing awesome!"

"Cool."

"He's spending the holidays with us, panda." Shifu said.

Po gasped and exclaimed with joy, "This is AWESOME!! Why didn't anyone tell me that he was coming?"

"Actually, I saw him yesterday. He was attacked by some boars and I saved him." Musaki said.

"You did?" asked Po.

"Shifu actually talked me into bringing him here for the holidays, since he's got nowhere else to go."

"You've picked the right place to enter, buddy."

"It's really great being here." Jo said.

"The same."

"Think you can sleep in Po's room?"

"Is that okay, Musaki?"

"Of course." Musaki said.

"Awesome! It's been so long since I last saw you."

Musaki chuckled and saw that Jo and Po are getting along really well, even if they did know each other. It made him realize that the holidays are really helping the ones that can celebrate it for him. He simply cannot wait for him and Jo to get to know each other really well. This holiday will be a great one for both Musaki and Jo.

Jo is staying at the Jade Palace. Hope you like it, Joe N.! I'll post some more chapters pretty soon! Joyeux Noel! (That's 'Merry Christmas' in French). Laterz!