Chapter 8: Connection

The Brazilian boy's eyes grew wide with fear as one of the razor sharp tails wrapped around his neck, pinning him to the spot. The other eight followed after, sharp end first, to tear out his throat. He shut his eyes, trying to remember his best moments when he and his fellow dragons hunted for Sheng Gong Wu as his death came to greet him.

"MEW-MEW, NO!"

The girl froze. Her tails released Raimundo, allowing him to quickly crawl away. She trembled, short, shaky gasps of air escaping her throat. Wuya was horrified. This girl was ready to kill! Somehow, Raimundo had awoken a hunger for bloodshed, a need to destroy, hidden deep inside her. Wuya remembered zooming through Mew-Mew's mind and witnessing the death of a well-loved friend. Raimundo had brought back that terrible memory to her, restoring her feelings of vengeance. "If you want the freakin' thing, here!" Rai shouted and kicked the Sheng Gong Wu to Jack's feet.

The showdown ended. Kimiko, Clay, and Omi gathered around Rai, trying desperately to help him in his state of shock. Jack grabbed Mew-Mew, who was still trembling as if she was stricken with fear. Jack set the ship to autopilot on a course for home. He laid the Heart of Ài next to the steering wheel, which guided itself back to the Spicer estate. Jack held a now crying Mew-Mew, who sobbed continuously. "It's ok," Jack soothed, "Everything's gonna be alright..."

Wuya watched with concern. Those memories, those horrid memories that lie locked away in her mind, were torturing her. Her past was trying to live again, to take her over. Jack was just like that boy that was killed in her past. It was clear that she wouldn't let anything happen to her new companion. She was traumatized by the cruel way the boy passed, bringing out the murderous nature sealed within her. Thank goodness Jack had been able to stop her, otherwise she would've killed Raimundo and probably the others as well. Wuya shivered as she remembered how the innocent, scared look in Mew-Mew's eyes became a dark, cold, bloodthirsty stare that would have made the devil himself jump.

It was quiet now. Wuya turned around and felt a pang of sympathy when she saw Mew-Mew curled up in Jack's lap, tears still streaking down her face. Jack's head had tilted to the side, his chest heaving as he steadily breathed. The two were asleep. It was an adorable sight that would melt the coldest of hearts. She couldn't help but smile, trying her best to hide it. Some things, though, were just too heartwarming to frown at.


"Oh, my!" Master Fung exclaimed. "My suspicions were correct! She's back!"

"And as deadly as ever!" Dojo added.

"But you say that young Jack was able to stop her from taking Raimundo's life?"

"Yeah." Rai answered, "He just said 'no' and she stopped, just like that!"

Master Fung and Dojo exchanged a thinking glance. "Perhaps I've underestimated the boy." the Xiaolin monk said.

"Imagine that," Dojo commented, "Jack Spicer tamed the Cat of Nine Tails."

"Wait just a darn minute," Clay interrupted, "So you're tellin' us that without Jack, that kitty woman would be killin' like a coyote in a cow pasture?"

"Yup."


"Why don't you watch some cartoons while I get us some dinner?" Jack flipped the channels until he found something appropriate, My Little Pony.

The colors and moving pictures on the box amazed her. Her eyes were glued to the screen. Jack chuckled to himself and laid the remote on top of the TV. As he left, Mew-Mew approached the TV and reached out to touch the talking ponies, only to be stopped by the screen. The bump knocked the remote down, right in front of the curious kitten. She looked at it with amazement. This small black object brought the magic box to life. She placed a hand on one button, changing the channel. The colorful world of Equestria vanished to show two dogs, a cocker spaniel and a gray mutt, sitting at a table. A man was singing in the background.

"This is the night

It's a beautiful night

And we call it Bella Notte

Look at the skies

They have stars in their eyes

On this lovely Bella Notte

Side by side with your loved one

You'll find enchantment here

You know the night will weave it's magic spell

When the one you love is near

For, this is the night

And the heavens are right

On this lovely Bella Notte."

The song enchanted Mew-Mew, especially one word that she heard repeated many times. "Love..." she whispered it to herself. She'd never heard the word before, but it sounded so beautiful. She watched as the two slurped at the same noodle and briefly touched before the female pulled away. The male then offered the last piece of meat to her. Was this a symbol of this magical thing called "love"?

Her thoughts were interrupted when a savory smell flowed to her face. She followed the scent to the staircase and up to the door. She wanted to see what was on the other side, but Jack had told her specifically not to open the door. Though slightly disappointed, she pawed her way back down the steps. Several Jackbots hovered by, scanning and confirming her identity. Jack was beyond that door, but she was forbidden to go there. She sighed and curled up at the foot of the stairs.

Wuya passed by, stopping to observe Mew-Mew. Was she asleep? No, her eyes were open. Her cat-like gaze shifted towards her. At the sight of the witch, her ears perked up and she raised her head. "What?" Wuya asked, grumpily.

"Wuya," she chirped, "Where Jack go?"

"To get food." the ghostly woman responded.

"Food behind door?"

"Yes."

Mew-Mew's ears bent, she was right. Her master was beyond the boundary she was told not to cross. As much as she wanted to be around him, she didn't want to disobey him. The smell was getting stronger. She leaped up as soon as she heard the door open. The red-haired boy stepped out carrying plates of food. "Jack!" she cheered, her tails waving with enthusiasm.

He tried to keep from dropping the meal as he made his way down the stairs. "Jackbots," he ordered, "Bring us a table."

Three of the floating robots appeared, one carrying a small table and tablecloth, the other two one chair each. Jack helped Mew-Mew into her chair and set the dishes down, revealing a generous helping of lasagna on each one. Mew-Mew's sensitive nose could smell each and every ingredient, savoring how well they blended together. She bent her head down and scooped up a mouthful that she chewed slowly, allowing the flavor to settle on her tongue. Jack, who had been using a fork to eat, stopped to see her eating the animal half of herself was. "Whoa, hold on," he said, "you're getting it all over your face."

She knew the word "face". She licked her lips, realizing she'd spilt some of the delicious food on her mouth. She saw a small patch of the meaty sauce on Jack's lower lip and, without thinking, licked the spot away. Jack blushed a bit, then looked around the room to see if Wuya had seen it. If she had, he was in for the teasing of a lifetime. "Jack?"

He looked across at the innocent pair of eyes before him. Their crystalline hue enchanting him. "Y-Yeah?" he stuttered.

"What... love?"

He paused to think. "It's when something or someone makes you feel really happy inside." he tried to explain.

The girl looked at him blankly, processing the thought. He wasn't ready when she leaned forward and hugged him. "Mew-Mew love Jack." she said ever so softly, then looked up at him, "Jack love Mew-Mew?"

Jack was shocked. His expression faded into a smile as he placed a gloved hand on her head. "Yes," he whispered, "Jack loves Mew-Mew, too."

Wuya had been watching through the wall in the next room. "Young love..." she sighed.